light cycle and roots question

I have been keeping my plants at 24 light pretty much after they were a week old. They are now aprox. 25-26 days old and i have been reading this morning the debate about 24hr vs. 18/6hr lighting. The most common case made for 18/6 is that it gives the roots a chnce to grow out. From my limited knowledge of botany and what i have read on various posts on here, I understand the imprtance of a strong healthy root system in stem strength, and especially the ability to provide the leaves and buds with nutrients.

My question is, my plants seem to have quite a vigourius root system already. At seedlings, I had them in a rectangular fower box with soil aprox. 2 in. deep. fom there (after about 5 days) I transfered them to 2 liter soda bootles about 1/3 full of soil. At that point I started them on 24hrs. Within 5-7 days theroots had grown the size of the container and were showing on the sides and at the bottom. I then very quickly transfered them into two huge planters (each plant has own planter) which are circular, 15 in. diameter on top, 10 1/2 in. diameter on bottom and 14 in. tall. The soil is filled up to 4 in. from top of planter (11 in. of soil). I do not know the gallon capacity of these but from those measurements it has to be quite large (I estimate between 8 - 12 gal.) which should be plenty for one plant.

That was 1 1/2 - 2 weeks ago. If my plants' roots are growing at roughly the same rate, which they should be I've made no major changes to the plants except got much better lighting system, and factoring in for shock from transplant, they will be coming pretty close to filling out the pot. Given that, is it still better anyway to switch to 18/6 or should it be fine keeping it at 24hr?

*note I have been adding 1/4 - 1/2 strength nutes at every other watering, and with the "clean" waterings I have been adding a small pinch of rooting hormone (around 1/10 strength)

I would say yes switch to 18/6 just 2 save on electricity and whatnot because I doubt that your plant will outgrow your new pot.

i would agree and in following grows i'd use 18/6 imho

check this out:
Calvin cycle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

a little dark is good for your plants once they reach a certain stage.

after the 24hr seedling stage i go to a 63/9 cycle. (i get 1:6 or 1:5 male:female ratios but i suspect that light cycles have very little to do with that.)






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newbutpersistent said:

Given that, is it still better anyway to switch to 18/6 or should it be fine keeping it at 24hr?

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Do plants in nature grow in 24 hour light? No, so why would you do it in an indoor artificial environment? Because you can? I've never understood this 18/6 v 24/0 light discussion, it wouldn't exist if people were growing out in nature, so why does it exist because we grow inside? Grow your plants as close to nature as possible and they'll reward you by being happy and stress free plants.

newbutpersistent said:

*note I have been adding 1/4 - 1/2 strength nutes at every other watering, and with the "clean" waterings I have been adding a small pinch of rooting hormone (around 1/10 strength)

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Why are you adding nutrients when you just repotted your plant into fresh soil? Over-fertilising plants is probably the most common mistake newbie growers make and no matter how many times they're told not to do it - they still do it.

Don't do it - feed them when they need feeding, not when you feel like it.

I say go with 18/6 or 16/8. You need to give your plants, equipment, and your electric bill a break. I would gradually go down to one of these 2 lighting times. As for all of the topics I have read on this site, it seems that 16/8 was the best for root growth and SUPPOSEDLY more of a dark time gives more females. I don't know if this is correct, but it seems the majority of the people belive this. Anyway, good luck on whatever you decide.

babygro said:

I've never understood this 18/6 v 24/0 light discussion, it wouldn't exist if people were growing out in nature, so why does it exist because we grow inside? Grow your plants as close to nature as possible and they'll reward you by being happy and stress free plants.

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I do get your point, but from a historical standpoint, human's have always "messed with" and in many cases improved on nature. From cultivation and farming, to cross breeding plants (including cannabis) for desired characteristics, all things which are un-natural. I do not know if 24 hour light is an improvment or not, but we cannot toss out all human technological advancements. If that were so we should stop using hydroponics, aeroponics, fertilizers, artificial light, reflective materials, nutrients, pesticides, and a plethora of other items.

I'm really not trying to sound too harsh, basically what I'm trying to say is that each new technology and process should be judged on it's own merit.
I am interested in some more debate about the pros and cons of the different light cycles.

All that being said, considering most people seem to believe in 18/6 or 16/8, I will most likely go with that, or at the very least try some scientific experimentation on my own. thanks for the input.

and one more little point, there are parts of the globe which see 24 hour light for part of the year, I'm pretty sure some type of vegetation grows there.

pauliojr said:

I say go with 18/6 or 16/8. You need to give your plants, equipment, and your electric bill a break. I would gradually go down to one of these 2 lighting times. As for all of the topics I have read on this site, it seems that 16/8 was the best for root growth and SUPPOSEDLY more of a dark time gives more females. I don't know if this is correct, but it seems the majority of the people belive this. Anyway, good luck on whatever you decide.

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never knew darkness gave the plant a better chance to produce females, supposedly of course. thanks for the help. +rep given