Safe to Grow Female Seeds 5 Weeks on 24/0, then Switch to 18/6?

ttumaddawg

Well-Known Member
As the title states...
Long story short, I'm not a new grower but haven't in a while. We used to go 24/0 with lights indoors and then force flower to sex, then plant the females outdoors to flower.
Now, I've got female seeds so don't have to worry about sexing, but I've had them going 24/7 with lights indoors since they popped out of the soil. Reason I'm asking is of course we had done 18/6 back in the day sometimes, but I preferred 24/7 because it worked better for me. Now I'm reading more and more that 18/6 is the way to go for veg because they seem to grow a bit more with the dark period.
BUT, since I've had them going 24/7 for 5 weeks now, is it safe to go to 18/6 without stressing or herming them?
I plan on vegging them for about 2 more months inside under lights, then throwing them outdoors to flower here in Texas.
I appreciate any help for an old school bro.
Thanks and have a great day.
 

Dirty Harry

Well-Known Member
IMHO, "feminized seeds" are a PITA just like auto flowing seeds. They could be normal seeds sold as feminized, and if true feminized any stresses could cause to hermy. Growing indoors and then planting out doors will be a stress and that could cause a hermy. There is no 100% answer. When you put them outside, they will no longer have 24/7 so may as well make the switch. What ever happens will happen once they get outside anyway.
 

veggiegardener

Well-Known Member
Chemically induced male flowers on a female won't hermi. Silver Thiosulfate or Gibberilic acid will both do the trick. Yes, at five weeks it shouldn't be a problem. Even if a few flowers show up, it won't continue with an 18 hour day. Don't put your girls out before August 1st unless you want an earlier, but smaller harvest. My plants are currently growing several inches a day. A good portion of that growth can be seen right after sunrise as much lighter green foliage which greens up after a couple hours. You'll be amazed at how much they grow in the dark.
 
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