18/6 never again

I'm telling ya, 18/6 sucks. What a drastic difference in growth rate compared to 24/0.. I think the faster growth during 24/0 makes up for any energy costs you think you are saving for having the lights off for 6 hours a day.

I'm seeing about a 30% slower growth rate at 2 weeks compared to 24/0 (same strain)... I have always vegged 24/0 but decided to try to save on the electric. I'll just end up vegging longer to make up the difference.

I start on 24/7 but once the plants get a bit more mature they seem to speed up when you move them to 18/6 I then phase my light change to 12/12 over the course of at least a week changing it around an hour a day to reach 12/12 this seems to work best for me.

Each to their own though.

the way I see it with my lights so close to my plants they get enough light within the 18 hours to deserve a little sleep and they always look peaky the next morning

what kind of lighting were you using on your schedule ....just curious ..i've never strayed away from 24/0, however i do think some experts are right about giving the plant some down time .... i may try for a 20/4 cycle the next go around....
please share why you think 18/6 sucks....

ataxia said:

what kind of lighting were you using on your schedule ....just curious ..i've never strayed away from 24/0, however i do think some experts are right about giving the plant some down time .... i may try for a 20/4 cycle the next go around....
please share why you think 18/6 sucks....

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I thought I did share why I think 18/6 sucks.. did you read the post? Slower growth... I use a 600w MH during veg.

I wouldnt go so far as to say it sucks, its just different methods to achieve different goals. My plants come out much better since I started phasing my light cycles in and out. They like it its a more natural transition.

I hear you and I agree. I do however get tired of hearing the argument about letting everything just shut down and chill the fuck out for a few. I always went 100%, nothing shuts off, lol, but I am currently trying 20/4. Momma had some auto's going also and the breeders for that recommend 20/4 for auto's so I figured cool, we have veg at 20/4 and have the occasional auto hanging out budding, keeping a smile on momma's face. Just from your comment I completely believe you and will probably roll with 22/2 just because. I do like the idea of the lights and the room cooling down.

I've tried it both ways. My plants seem healthier with 18/6. In fact on some plants the water leaves and newer growth on the top relax just before lights out, and are perky when they come back on which indicates to me that they crave the darkness. I want to keep my plants healthy, happy and stress free. My veg plants are under a bank of 54w t-5 HO fluorescent lamps. I bud under High Pressure Sodium.

Different schools of thought to go with different growing styles. I'm with MrSlick on the health of the plants.

Well I'm just saying, after trying both ways, I'll be going back to 24/0.. They definitely grow faster under 24/0 and I've never had unhealthy/stressed plants.. I notice no difference in health at all, just vigorous growth.

I shouldn't say 18/6 sucks, it works.. But I will definitely be vegging longer than normal so I think it will end up costing me more in electricity than if I had them under 24/0...

i think 24/7 rocks especially if your not vegging too long growth is crazy though i may try 20/4 next time around just to compare

Try a 23/1. I hate to sound like an idiot by starting out a comment with "i read it in a book....", but anyway - I read it in a book that even the hour of cool-down time will make your equipment last much much longer. I think that the equipment may need the 'break' more than the plants.

gladstoned said:

Try a 23/1. I hate to sound like an idiot by starting out a comment with "i read it in a book....", but anyway - I read it in a book that even the hour of cool-down time will make your equipment last much much longer. I think that the equipment may need the 'break' more than the plants.

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I dunno, I think the more a bulb is striked the faster it gets bad.. and most electronics fail from cooling down and reheating.. Like PC's, if you have a stable temp it's better for the motherboard to remain at a that temp rather than heating up and cooling down, causing warping and cracks in solder joints etc..

Not saying your wrong because I'm not sure.. But I know my digi ballast has a board in it and I think as long as the fan is running and it's staying cool it's better off than turning on and off constantly.

Man, Stumpjumper. I would really like to know. lol. I have never questioned anything like I do growing meds!! lol. I can literally medicate and stress the stupidest shit. lol, but I think this is an important detail on plant health and equipment management. Digi w/ fan - Is that Quantum Horticulture? I only use those and Lumatek Iif you give a fuck. lol)

when you do kick em to a 12/12, pay closer attention to how long before you see buds start forming. I seem to have noticed about a week earlier on the formation with my 18/6 over my 24/0. I havent done enough tests myself yet to see if the added dark cycle helped the plants to flower sooner. something to do with certain auxins being created quicker. im no technical expert for sure, just an observation.

gladstoned said:

Man, Stumpjumper. I would really like to know. lol. I have never questioned anything like I do growing meds!! lol. I can literally medicate and stress the stupidest shit. lol, but I think this is an important detail on plant health and equipment management. Digi w/ fan - Is that Quantum Horticulture? I only use those and Lumatek Iif you give a fuck. lol)

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Actually no, it's one of those Chinese knock offs.. it got me through one grow and I'm expecting it to make it through the next.. For the price it made it's value in one grow though.

unohu69 said:

when you do kick em to a 12/12, pay closer attention to how long before you see buds start forming. I seem to have noticed about a week earlier on the formation with my 18/6 over my 24/0. I havent done enough tests myself yet to see if the added dark cycle helped the plants to flower sooner. something to do with certain auxins being created quicker. im no technical expert for sure, just an observation.

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My last grow under 24/0 I had sex showing by 2 weeks veg.. When I flipped I had buds starting in a week. I'm sure it was the strain though.. I have 3 feminized that are already showing sex, the regular have not yet.

Man I have 4 Querkle going and I haven't ever messed with reg. seeds before. I check them fuckers twice a day for sex. I want to do a bunch of subcool gear so I need to get this shit down. lol. I have Jack the Ripper, Vortex, Apollo 13 x Vortex, and Chernobyl all on the way.

gladstoned said:

Man I have 4 Querkle going and I haven't ever messed with reg. seeds before. I check them fuckers twice a day for sex. I want to do a bunch of subcool gear so I need to get this shit down. lol. I have Jack the Ripper, Vortex, Apollo 13 x Vortex, and Chernobyl all on the way.

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Man you should really try out some Sannies gear sometime, I have nothing but good to say about it as does anyone else who's ever popped it...

I was gonna do querkle last time but someone told me it tasted funny.. I've yet to try it, it sure looks killa..

Subcool is all about very-high potency, the best taste or flavor, and great medicinal qualities. I can print up tons of info, pictures, grow reports, medicinal qualities - ALL that shit. And most of it right here on rollitup. I listened to some of his youtube shit and he is someone that I can actually agree with most of what he says. Now I am at the point that I can take what he says at face value, without taking several hours to research and see if it actually makes sense. Anytime anything of his is around, it disappears. Honestly I don't think I can go wrong with his gear, but I grow out anything good. I have heard several good things about Sannies and I will check it out for sure.

i veg under 8 hrs of light with a 12/1 schedule and have no issue with growth rate matter fact the plants have better growth thicker stocks and shorter internode spacing