12/12 From Seed to Weed: A Different Way To Grow

SmurfBerry

Active Member
This thread is devoted to an excellent method of growing our favorite plant. “12/12 From Seed” is a proven way to grow pot, and produces yields up to 1 gram of dried bud per 1 watt of electricity consumed (eg: a 400 watt HPS light is able to produce a harvest of 400 grams). It is a very good choice for growers who have a limited amount of space to set up their gardens. The cannabis grown this way is potent, sticky, and yes…stinky. Most pot plants suffer no ill effects from being grown under this light regimen.

Typically, in traditional method, the cannabis cultivator will start their plants with a lighting regimen that provides anywhere from 18 to 24 hours of light a day, called the ‘vegetation’ phase, to make the plant grow as large as possible, increasing the amount of ‘budding sites’ on the plant. Once the plant has grown large, it is forced into flowering by switching the lighting regimen to 12 hours on/12 hours off. This results in plants that produce copious yields, but take up considerable space.

“12/12 From Seed” eliminates the vegetation phase. As soon as the seed sprouts through the surface it is given a light regimen of 12 hours on/12 hours off. Plants grown this way do not grow as tall as they would if given a vegetation phase. The shape of the plants is also different, losing much of their natural ‘bush’ quality. Our plants tend to be shaped like a “pole,” with the main bud formation happening along the main stem of the plant. This allows the grower to fit more plants per square foot/meter. It also makes possible gardens in spaces that growing larger, bush-like plants would be impossible. The shorter height of these plants also works in concert with the limited penetration distance that exists with any/all forms of indoor lighting.

Other than the difference in the lighting regimen, growing cannabis using this method is the same as the more traditional way. You still need to learn about the other important factors in growing a healthy garden, such as; proper nutrient levels; maintaining the correct PH level; controlling temperature, humidity, and odor; and providing ventilation. Because we are starting from seed, most of us use soil as our medium, although other mediums may be used. Other than that, all other personal choices to control the environment is the same as growing any other way.

This method does have its critics. Most of these critics have never tried to grow this way, they are just passing along commonly held mis-information without having actual experience. The main criticism is that the yields gotten from this method are miniscule and not worth the time involved. We challenge that, with the experience of a grower called “Atmosphere” who gets 1 gram of dried bud for each watt of electricity used (that would be a harvest of 8 ounces from a 250 watt HPS light!). “Atmosphere” had a thread back on Overgrow, which is where many of us first encountered this method, and he is held in high regard among folks who grow this way. He visits this thread and provides solid information based on years of experience.

Some critics claim that the amount of the main cannabinoid, THC, produced by plants grown this way is less than plants that are allowed to mature with a vegetation phase. This opinion is based on a study done many years ago, well before modern gardening techniques took hold, and almost certainly did not test any plants that were grown using this lighting regimen. New tests must be done, that’s all there is to it. More importantly, the empirical evidence from those who have grown this way, and the experience of their friends who have smoked these plants, is that this cannabis is just as potent as any they have ever smoked (strain variety taken into account, of course). If there is any difference in THC percentages, it is minute, and not noticeable to the cannabis consumer.

So pull up a chair, and watch what we do. Keep an open mind, and observe our results. Try growing some of your own crops with this method and then make up your mind as to whether there is some mighty fine ganja to be grown this way.
 

cc2012

Well-Known Member
I've bean looking into this and gonna have to give it a go, have my eye on a couple of sativa strains and well. ...don't know if don't try init.. found this over at Dutch Passion.



Power Plant remains one of Dutch Passions most appreciated genetic contributions in recent decades. This weeks blog is about a customer that grew his Power Plants from seed to harvest under a 12/12 light system in 3.5 litre pots in just 85 days averaging around 50g harvest per plant.

Dutch Passion Power Plant has been a best-seller since the 1990’s, she’s a South African sativa with heavy yields and fast growth, but she is probably most appreciated for the hard-hitting knockout smoke. As one of our original legendary varieties we offer this variety in both regular and feminized seeds. The following comments and pictures in the grow diary come from Automaster, his original diary is here.


Above and below P.P. grown under a 12/12 light cycle, a fast way to grow.


AutoMaster said:
My Regular Power Plant seeds were put into flower (12 hours light/12 hours darkness). They were germinated in their final 3.5litre containers of organic soil. This means that 4 Power Plants can go into a 15 litre pot footprint, a very efficient use of soil."

"This growing method (grown from start to finish under 12/12 lighting) delivers superb efficiency saving 21 days of vegetive growth under 18/6 veg light and reducing water loss through evaporation. I used half the usual water with this method, and therefore less nutrient. The 3.5 litre pots are much easier to rotate 180 degree's daily and move around than larger containers. Due to the 3.5 litre container size I flushed the plants for 2 days with pure water every 10 days. This helped to keep any un-used salts/minerals down to a minimum. "
"I grew from regular seed and got 54% male plants. The EC (electrical conductivity) of feed was kept low since pure sativas are generally light feeders. Starting EC was 0.2, and final EC was 0.6, pK 13/14 was substituted for nutrients for the last 4wks of flower. Canna flower boost was also used @1ml/ltr to facilitate pK uptake into the flowers. Rootball temperature had a minimum 21ºC and a maximum of 28ºC. I find that sativa dominant varieties are not troubled by higher temperatures.
"

"70 days after germination around 80% of trichomes where very milky. So i could have harvested them at that point. However I gave them 85 days until the trichomes were 30% amber. Starting the grow under 12/12 allows you to start your next crop of seedlings in the same tent as the maturing plants. It saves time and electricity. This fast grow system allows you to harvest 4-5 times in 365 days using a 12/12 regime."


"Sativa dominant varieties seem to like this grow method, I had 4 plants which reached 1.2m tall but most were 80-90cm. The trim waste all went into one bag ! Its a very low waste growing method since there isn’t a lot left over ! 12/12 from seed is a great way of controlling the ‘sativa stretch’ height issues. This stretch can be 2metres+ in 15 litre containers in normal grow situations
."
"The smoke is legendary, and I now see why. It’s very smooth with THC power above 15%. Roses and old school flavors abound. It’s a very pleasant taste, and vape/combustion aroma from the reg Power Plant is superb on the nose. Very, very crispy dried flowers (RH62%) with trichome load delivered by Power Plant. A super sativa qualifier and no doubt."
 

qwizoking

Well-Known Member
Ya i was about to say something similar.
Ive had heavy sativas give 2oz 12/12 and can definitely hit 1gpw
 

Pyro_420

Member
Thanks i deffinetly will im also plannin on ordering 2 different strains one is thc bomb from seed central other is black jack from nirvana do u have any comment about them?
 

cheapgrower2014

Well-Known Member
Thanks i deffinetly will im also plannin on ordering 2 different strains one is thc bomb from seed central other is black jack from nirvana do u have any comment about them?
yeah seedsmans is good, got my bean's three day's after ordering :). got pineapple chunk going just now it smell's like a mofo u should try that. ive seen alot of post's tho claiming they have a long flowering time but mine are growing just fine. never tried any of the strain's you mentioned but found this about them on leafly. THC Bomb is the signature hybrid strain from Bomb Seeds, and as its name indicates, it was developed to have very high THC levels—upwards of 20%! This bomb won’t completely knock you off your feet, though, thanks to its well-rounded hybrid mix. THC Bomb can be grown indoors and out. Plants are shorter but hardy and should mature in 7 to 9 weeks to produce large yields. Flowers will be large and have an even covering of bright orange hairs. sound's pretty good mate and here's the other, Black Jack is a marijuana strain that produces hard buds with huge, grape-like calyxes that are completely encrusted with THC. The taste is heavy and flavorful and the strain produces exceptionally long-lasting effects. Because of its high THC levels, Black Jack is popular among medical marijuana patients. sound's like two good strain's keep us posted with you're result's :)
 

Pyro_420

Member
I deffinetly will ive been looking forward to these two and u just sold it to me cx ive heared alot of ragging on nervana latelt for getting snatch by customs do you have any experience with the 2 seed banks ive listed?
 

cheapgrower2014

Well-Known Member
I deffinetly will ive been looking forward to these two and u just sold it to me cx ive heared alot of ragging on nervana latelt for getting snatch by customs do you have any experience with the 2 seed banks ive listed?
nope soz i just use seedsmans never went wrong yet plus quick shipping time's. I've got one fem swiss cheese from nirvana's got it as a freebie from barney's just haven't popped it yet. where about's u ordering from?
 

cheapgrower2014

Well-Known Member
Just gorgeous i see some beautiful mutations may i ask what climate balances u use in the lab?
im running a 600w led cause i kept running into heat problem's with my 600w hps, it's also cooler and i just run a fan over the canopy. here's recent pics IMG_1558.JPG IMG_1559.JPG
 

Pyro_420

Member
I was thinkin of running the blue and red mixed led im currently just on cfl light i see its working great for you
 

cheapgrower2014

Well-Known Member
I was thinkin of running the blue and red mixed led im currently just on cfl light i see its working great for you
yes glad i changed over it's also better on the bill's :). what's your budget? mine's cost £130/$199.94 not very cheap but it's doing a good job. i used a 125w cfl for veg cost £35/$53.83 and i got to say it's great for veg bulb.jpg
 
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