18/6 lights-to 16/8 then 14/10 before 12/12 -anyone have experience with this method?

I read somewhere about a gradual shift toward the 12/12 lighting schedule for flowering. It suggests that from the 18/6 lights, you lower to 16/8, and then 14/10 before the 12/12 final for flowering. The point was to avoid stressing the plant by giving it a week at each light level on the way down to the 12/12. So, what do you think about this idea? Has anyone tried it, and does it have real benefits - or is this another of those wild theories that someone cooked up?

well, id think its a good idea since, earth does it and thats how the plants are actually going into flowering , but dunno, i think your right

Ive tried similar lighting schedules before, but in a side by side test w/ another box of mine I found no difference in growth or budding from doing it the way your talking about or just cutting back from 18/6 straight to 12/12

NateDizity1420 said:

Ive tried similar lighting schedules before, but in a side by side test w/ another box of mine I found no difference in growth or budding from doing it the way your talking about or just cutting back from 18/6 straight to 12/12

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I agree and have also done side by side grows seeing no visible difference. But I still gradually reduce light period going into flower. It just seems more natural. So its really up to the grower. I dont think there are really any pros or cons to speak of.

in previous grows ive just swapped straight to 12 / 12 after 4 weeks 18/4

So Cowboy, you didn't see any slow down in growth by cutting the lights back to only 14 or 16 hours a day? I just don't want to stunt size any. Putting the lights out for more hours a day would save a tiny bit (using CFLs) of electricity, but not enough to be worth it if the plants suffer for it.

Ya just switch the lighting I've experienced both fluctuations of light schedule and they both basically do the same thing

manditroy said:

So Cowboy, you didn't see any slow down in growth by cutting the lights back to only 14 or 16 hours a day? I just don't want to stunt size any. Putting the lights out for more hours a day would save a tiny bit (using CFLs) of electricity, but not enough to be worth it if the plants suffer for it.

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Probaly not enough to notice. Its really up to you how you want to go about it. In the end no matter your choice I am pretty confident your end results will be pretty much the same.

weedluv said:

in previous grows ive just swapped straight to 12 / 12 after 4 weeks 18/4

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What planet do you live on?

any planet he likes hes got 2 hours missing but you might be able to do that with a light timer