What is the minimum light for seedlings?

Will Ferrell

Well-Known Member
In the past, ive always done my seedlings in 24/7 or 18/6 light cycle. My veg room is now set for 16/8. Will this be enough to keep them happy? I hope it will. Im guessing it just depends on the strain.
 

ISK

Well-Known Member
In the past, ive always done my seedlings in 24/7 or 18/6 light cycle. My veg room is now set for 16/8. Will this be enough to keep them happy? I hope it will. Im guessing it just depends on the strain.
last year I ran 16/8 and was very impressed.... it seemed to do as well or better than 18/6 or 20/4

I'm considering trying 16/8 again, saves electricity costs and the bulb's lifespan
 

ÉsÇ420PoT™

Well-Known Member
You only need 16/8 to keep them in veg mode. 24/7 will in fact make them grow faster, but it depends on how much your willing to spend on your electricity bill. Personally for seedlings, I keep them under 24 hour lights, once they get a good root system and sprout some leaves, I put them under 16/8 after that and they flourish just fine. I honestly don't see much difference in running them 24/7.
 

mike4c4

Well-Known Member
In the past, ive always done my seedlings in 24/7 or 18/6 light cycle. My veg room is now set for 16/8. Will this be enough to keep them happy? I hope it will. Im guessing it just depends on the strain.
most strains get stretchy and reduced yield, but yes they will live
 

bigsteve

Well-Known Member
Old research shows that the most efficient vegging comes from either a 24/0 or 20/4 light cycle. Both of these formats beat all other vegging schedules. I go with the 20/4 cycle just to give the bulb a few hours off every day. Vegging plants grow when the light is on so give her/them as many lumens as you can. Also, a 24/0 cycle has the advantage of not needing a timer or a calendar to keep track of daylight savings time.

Good luck, BigSteve.
 

ÉsÇ420PoT™

Well-Known Member
Old research shows that the most efficient vegging comes from either a 24/0 or 20/4 light cycle. Both of these formats beat all other vegging schedules. I go with the 20/4 cycle just to give the bulb a few hours off every day. Vegging plants grow when the light is on so give her/them as many lumens as you can. Also, a 24/0 cycle has the advantage of not needing a timer or a calendar to keep track of daylight savings time.

Good luck, BigSteve.
Wow! This is very interesting! I've never heard of this and am intrigued by it. I am going to try this and do some more research. The glorious thing about growing, you can never EVER learn enough.. Don't care how experienced anyone can be. Thanks for the info Steve.
 

ghb

Well-Known Member
i find 24/0 gives much SLOWER growth than when they have a sleep period. but the growth is better quality with less stretch and more nodes, they go crazy when they get flipped to 12/12 from 24/0 they will stretch like an inch a day sometimes.
 

Will Ferrell

Well-Known Member
Old research shows that the most efficient vegging comes from either a 24/0 or 20/4 light cycle. Both of these formats beat all other vegging schedules. I go with the 20/4 cycle just to give the bulb a few hours off every day. Vegging plants grow when the light is on so give her/them as many lumens as you can. Also, a 24/0 cycle has the advantage of not needing a timer or a calendar to keep track of daylight savings time.

Good luck, BigSteve.
yes I use to have it for 24/0 and would always get great results. I think I also heard if you keep your light on 24/0 and not giving it time to cool each day, it actually last longer.
 

Will Ferrell

Well-Known Member
i find 24/0 gives much SLOWER growth than when they have a sleep period. but the growth is better quality with less stretch and more nodes, they go crazy when they get flipped to 12/12 from 24/0 they will stretch like an inch a day sometimes.
I know what you mean! Seems like going from 16/8 they don't stretch as much and they go into flower quicker maybe? I definitely see a huge difference in stretching though
 

Mad_Prophessor

Well-Known Member
Old research shows that the most efficient vegging comes from either a 24/0 or 20/4 light cycle. Both of these formats beat all other vegging schedules. I go with the 20/4 cycle just to give the bulb a few hours off every day. Vegging plants grow when the light is on so give her/them as many lumens as you can. Also, a 24/0 cycle has the advantage of not needing a timer or a calendar to keep track of daylight savings time.

Good luck, BigSteve.
Please site your source as I have been growing for many years and have never heard this. 24/0 for the first few days, then 18/8 for veg, then 12/12. This is the most common light schedule. Plants do have an intake limit before they need time to process. Leaving your lights on 24 hours a day during veg will eliminate any possible profit (if that is the purpose of your grow). If you ask a commercial grower, they will suggest the format I have outlined.
 

mike4c4

Well-Known Member
Please site your source as I have been growing for many years and have never heard this. 24/0 for the first few days, then 18/8 for veg, then 12/12. This is the most common light schedule. Plants do have an intake limit before they need time to process. Leaving your lights on 24 hours a day during veg will eliminate any possible profit (if that is the purpose of your grow). If you ask a commercial grower, they will suggest the format I have outlined.
Its a attempt to mimic the seasons outdoors. I do 24/0 for seedlings (2 wks) then 18/6 (to veg) when 0/24 (24 hr dark before 12/12 Been growing for 29+yrs. just the way the old men taught me. I read something about different light cycles in here.
https://mega.co.nz/#!KEJkQKbQ!NBPznJUzN0po1rnm1rHjSEcOzQkmp-IimtQUQ0Q1Q7M
 

Mad_Prophessor

Well-Known Member
Its a attempt to mimic the seasons outdoors. I do 24/0 for seedlings (2 wks) then 18/6 (to veg) when 0/24 (24 hr dark before 12/12 Been growing for 29+yrs. just the way the old men taught me. I read something about different light cycles in here.
https://mega.co.nz/#!KEJkQKbQ!NBPznJUzN0po1rnm1rHjSEcOzQkmp-IimtQUQ0Q1Q7M
Agreed. The only place in the world that the plants would get almost 24/0 for light is Ruderalis country. No thanks, I want more than an ounce per plant. 18/6 and 12/12 mimics momma nature.
 

bigsteve

Well-Known Member
"Please site your source as I have been growing for many years and have never heard this..."

"Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible" by Jorge Cervantes, page 38 - "I used to believe a point of diminishing returns was reached after 18 hours of light, but further research shows that vegetative plants grow faster under 24 hours of light. "

BigSteve.
 

lawlrus

Well-Known Member
I like 20/4. Have tried 18/6 and 24/0 in the past, the only real advantage to 24/0 in my experience is that you don't need to worry about a timer failure or anything.
 

lawlrus

Well-Known Member
"Please site your source as I have been growing for many years and have never heard this..."

"Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible" by Jorge Cervantes, page 38 - "I used to believe a point of diminishing returns was reached after 18 hours of light, but further research shows that vegetative plants grow faster under 24 hours of light. "

BigSteve.
Cervantes is just an author, not an expert on pot growing. His book is based on largely unproven anecdotes from growers. The only reason you even know who he is would be his marketing ability. It is laughable to say that his book (or any book like that) is a legitimate source for any real science.

People in this community need to remember that we are not breaking new ground here, we're growing a plant. You should be looking to research articles and scientific journals from actual scientists and researchers, not stoned hippies peddling anecdotal bullshit.
 
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