24 hour liighting!?

Im a first time grower, but over the last few weeks i have been doing ALOT of research on lighting, growing, etc. Right now i am 1 week into my first grow from bagseed. I started with a whole bunch of seeds, germinated 5 and have 4 left. Im running 3 13watt CFL's over the four plants at 24/0 with the lights pretty much touching the leaves. I know that i need more lighting for the future, but people keep saying either 18/6 or 24/0. Does anyone know which is better for quite new plants under CFLs?

i think people have tried 24/0 and said it doesnt really work all that well... plants need dark to rest.

cfl's will be ok... just put youur hand over the top of your plants.. if the lights hot on your hands it to hot for plant. i kept my seeds on 27/0 and they did fine...
this was my first little set up..

Excellent question, read this here.


https://www.rollitup.org/newbie-central/59736-18-6-24-0-a.html

wow Joby, i really like that set up you've got man. Eventually my plants are going to need a car-ride back home for the summer. Im going to try to shoot for a set-up like that once i redo everything. What exactly are you using?

why if u cant do it twice

I used to be of the crowd that thought the only way was 18-6. Now especially with my seedlings under 3 -200 (eq.) cfl's i have been doing 24 and they are doing great, about 1 week old. Today I have turned on my MH and am going to try 24/7 and see how they do. If I see signs of stress I'll stick them on a timer. I really don't think the extra 6 hours is going to make that much difference in my power bill. The reading I have done say's there is a opinion lately that it can strengthen them for flowering sooner. I'll let you know.Good luck with your girls!

Hmm, i was reading more and it looks like this issue goes alot deeper than i thought. for an experiment i will leave my lights on 24/0 until 1 week from Sunday, the 19th, for two full weeks of growth from seed and then switch to 18/6.

In doing more reading some people said extended lighting and heating (heat isn't a problem for me) may cause otherwise normal plants to go male/hermi. Does anyone know anything about this?

In doing more reading some people said extended lighting and heating (heat isn't a problem for me) may cause otherwise normal plants to go male/hermi. Does anyone know anything about this?

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I think this may be more of what we call an urban legend. I haven't found any real evidence on this topic to change my mind.

i think its all personal on what your plants prefer. had mine under 24/0 and they hardly did anything then i changed them to 18/6 and they started to look more healthy and they started growing quicker. but i also heard of people getting great results out of 24/0, so i think its all based on your plants

BRSkunk said:

i think people have tried 24/0 and said it doesnt really work all that well... plants need dark to rest.

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this is it they need atleats 6 hours to rest.

You guys even read the link I posted? There's been plenty of research to show that the plants don't need to rest.