when to go 12/12

Hi, being a newby i could do with some advice please. I have 20 plants doing very well in a 4ft x 4ft tent but only have a 250w light they are all between 6/8 inches high can i flip them yet and do a s.o.g. type process as if they get to big the light will not get to the base of the plant. Thanks for your help. Angie...

yes the sooner the better. had mine grow way too big and get a bit sloppy. i wish i did it around 10" or so.

You can expect your plants to roughly double in size from the time you put them into flowering. Based on that approximation, flip them to flower at a height where you won't run out of head-room. Given your 250W light source, I'd flip them sooner than later as you're not doing to have the penetrating power to really flower the bottoms of your plants like a larger light would allow.

I hate to say this, but if you are using the whole 4' x 4' of that tent, then that 250 watt light isn't going to be enough. You'll need a 600 to get above 3,000 lumens per square foot, or will have to add a bunch of lighting around the outer edges.

jawbrodt said:

I hate to say this, but if you are using the whole 4' x 4' of that tent, then that 250 watt light isn't going to be enough. You'll need a 600 to get above 3,000 lumens per square foot, or will have to add a bunch of lighting around the outer edges.

Click to expand...

Thanks all for the helpful advice i`ll be flippin this weekend Angie

You can throw your plants in flower whenever. Since your new, I'd suggest taking your time. Space will become more of an issue the longer you wait, plants 2x or 3x in size when flowering.

Also you might want to consider more lighting. Once they get bigger, light wont penetrate as much to lower and internal branches.

+Rep

lookout for your branches when they start to alternate instead of growing symetrical your plant is mature and ready for 12/12

I veg mine out until they have taken up my entire growing area. I have played around with it 100 ways, growing 12/12 from the start, starting 12/12 at 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 inches etc but I have noticed if you turn them down later you get a lot closer internode intervals, less stretch and thicker stems and a better yield. I would personally not turn them down until they have taken up all of your space then measure the plant and allow for extra height of about 20%.

hydrohead said:

I veg mine out until they have taken up my entire growing area. I have played around with it 100 ways, growing 12/12 from the start, starting 12/12 at 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 inches etc but I have noticed if you turn them down later you get a lot closer internode intervals, less stretch and thicker stems and a better yield. I would personally not turn them down until they have taken up all of your space then measure the plant and allow for extra height of about 20%.

Click to expand...

Will take a LOT longer for her to reach this stage with only 250w without HID lighting it takes over 45 days most times to show sex where HID will show in less than 30. Dont wait for signs with a weak light just do it by size as mentioned. It will take a while because the light is not that powerful even after changing over. Changing now is probably best as waiting for the nodes to alternate will take forever with weak lights. Things are very different without the strong lights so peoples advice is correct but most of the advice given applies to HID. IN that small tent you don't have time to wait for the signs. Good luck

u should be looking for something thats like 50 watts per sq feet..new grower myself..so connsider the lights...if u have 20 plants..i wouldnt say flowering early wud be a bad idea...its diff for people growing say 3or4 plants..its all on the yield for people...best of luck with the grow!!

Hi and thanks again for all your help . Having to make do with 250w light at the mo would it do any harm if i put a 125w white /blue spectrum bulb in the tent as well when on 12/12. Thanks again Angie...

no it would help , just put it where the lights not getting to and on 12/12