36 hours of darkness after veg?

I am finishing my veg- and have done some reading about putting it into between 24-36 hrs of darkness between flowering?

Has anyone done this or know about it?
what is the science behind it?

Would I be better off just going straight to 12/12

If you need to understand my specific setup, read my journal- i have been pretty specific and would be happy to answer any questions.

The sooner I get a response, the light has already timed out for the veg, and I must either wait 36hrs from 41mins ago, or start tomorrow morning and begin flowering then.

Thnx for any and all help!!!

Straight to 12/12 after the last period of darkness for the other light cycle. I think you'll be fine. Think about it... If bud normally grows outdoors, there is never a time where something like that would happen in nature. There's a gradual change in the light cycle outdoors, but doing the switch over for an indoor grow shouldn't be that big of a deal.

I did 36 hours with no light from veg to flower and it came out nice, had 3-5 new nodes opened up on all of my plants, also had hairs comes out within the first 2 days into flowering, so I would totally suggest everyone try it and see what happens to yours.

ok I have decided to go 36 with some and directly to 12 with others.
but...
Which ones should i put into 36, the small ones or big ones?
and how many in each, 11 doesnt divide evenly-...

just the big ones

put the big ones into darkness?

little ones direct light?

ok well i got high... and forgot to pull some out... so all plants are going in for 36 hours of darkness...

aside from forgetting I also did a lot of reading last night, and cervantes and Arjan both recommend a minimum 24 hrs (cervantes) and Arjan says he sometimes goes up to 72 hrs! darkness... and the reading explained that it often puts 3-4 new nodes on the plant and helps the avoid stress in the transition...

We will see- thats what this first grow is all about, experimentation...

But i bet after the 36 hrs these girls will be really thirsty and demand light!

whered you read this stuff? Very interesting.

International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums - 36 hours darkness @ 1 week into flowering
Quoted from stickboy off that site:
"from what ive read, a 36 hour dark period would reset the plants internal clock, and kick it into flowering immediately, hereby reducing stretch, rapid bud formation, even in the first weeks, and reducing flowering time."

From Marijuana Growtips :
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"3. Light cycles tip
[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In growing "motherplants, cuttings, veg" the light cycle is 18 on and 6 off. When Inducing flowering of plants to give your plants a good start, it is important to reset it's internal clock. To do this give the plant 36 hours of darkness before the first 12 hours light 12 hour dark cycle. Remember the dark cycle must be kept 100 % dark, any distruption can cause the plant to start to reveg (grow again) and / or hermaphrodite and we don't want any of that..."[/FONT]

From: How To Grow Hydroponic Marijuana
"When the plant is large enough to force into flowering, turn off the light and allow the plant to remain in complete darkness for 24 to 36 hours (you don't have to do this but I've found the plants flower faster by doing so).
To initiate flowering, adjust the light timer to turn the light on for 10-14 hours a day. Most people start a light cycle of 12 hours a day on 12 hours a day off. If the plant got 20-24 hours of light per day prior to flowering, it will flower when the light is on for between 10-14 hours a day."

From: 24 hr dark period before flowering? - Page 2 - Grasscity.com Forums
Quoted from Gatson on a forum all about the 24 hour technique:
"The best grower in the world, hands down, is Arjan from the Greenhouse Seed Company in Amsterdam. When Arjan switches from veg to flower, he gives the ladies anywhere from 36-72 hours of dark, depending on the strain. He tells you that this is essential in speeding up the transition from veg to flower and sends them into budding mode immediately. I'm not one to argue with the man himself..."



That Grasscity forum is loaded with supporters of the 24-72 hour darkness...

It worked great- check my journal I have a ton of new pix and details- but overall I love the 36 prly will stick with it!

OB Cron Kenobi said:

I am finishing my veg- and have done some reading about putting it into between 24-36 hrs of darkness between flowering?

Has anyone done this or know about it?
what is the science behind it?

Would I be better off just going straight to 12/12

If you need to understand my specific setup, read my journal- i have been pretty specific and would be happy to answer any questions.

The sooner I get a response, the light has already timed out for the veg, and I must either wait 36hrs from 41mins ago, or start tomorrow morning and begin flowering then.

Thnx for any and all help!!!

Click to expand...

Straight to 12/12 36 hrs darkness is right before harvest

ooooo look, references cited and at least some plans for testing! i am all down to see how this comes out!

Ok I'm a littel high but I'm confused. In my situation, I'm 4 weeks into flowering 12/12 cycle. I just heard from a buddy to gradually go down to 6/18. Would this work? Or I should say, better than 12/12?

Or, should I go with the above? If so, how should I change my light cycle? Keep on 12/12 and go with 36 hours of darkness right before I harvest?

SmokeyTheBear420 said:

Ok I'm a littel high but I'm confused. In my situation, I'm 4 weeks into flowering 12/12 cycle. I just heard from a buddy to gradually go down to 6/18. Would this work? Or I should say, better than 12/12?

Or, should I go with the above? If so, how should I change my light cycle? Keep on 12/12 and go with 36 hours of darkness right before I harvest?

Click to expand...

12/12 then 36 before harvest. 6 hours light is not enough for robust growth

I will be doing the 36 hours of darkness before 12/12 and again 36 hours of darkness before harvest for the next few grows. I had so much new growth and was even blessed with 4 out of 11 getting pre-flower development!!! And the plants jumped right back up when the hps came on for 12/12- From all that i read- and posted- 36 hours isnt just for harvesting, it also works great for inspiring the plant to flower.

OB Cron Kenobi said:

I am finishing my veg- and have done some reading about putting it into between 24-36 hrs of darkness between flowering?

Click to expand...

not really neccesery imo

I still don't understand the logic behind this at all. When does this happen in nature? Why would there be more growth? Enlighten me.

It doesnt happen in nature, but a lot of things that are going on in your grow room dont happen in nature and a lot of things going on outside cant be done inside your grow room (outside: the moon, morning dew, frost, dramatically ranging soil temperatures, etc.) When outside is their ever 24 hrs of light? Or even 18 hours of light as strong as the hps we hang? There just isnt. Growing inside requires the grower to adapt the plant and make it think it is outside. By putting it into a 36 hour dark period the plants internal clock is restarted, at some point in its darkness it says WTF i thought I was getting light and thriving and now my energy source is out and without knowing it will come back on the plants survival mechanisms kick in and it uses the energy that it had stored and attempts to produce seeds- (sexing) and thus develops flowers. Idk if it works for everyone or what... But I did it- and I saw 4 with pre-flower development that wasnt on them when the lights when out. And the worlds finest growers recommend it- need I say cervantes' and Arjan are the best! and both use between a 24-72 hour darkness after veg. Check those links- they are loaded with details and much more knowledgeable people explaining the science behind it- I only know the before and after