Just went straight to soil. Advice on light cycle?

notballin

notballin

Member
Greetings!

I'm what you would consider a "new grower" that learns fast (I'm well versed in several topics such as PH, over-watering, LST/HST (Fimming/Topping), light cycles, fertilizers and the NPK, etc.

My question to the forums is: I just planted a seed straight to soil for germination. Should I place the planted seed under 24/0 light or 18/6 light or no light and why? I'm leaning towards 18/6 (again, nature's way), but I'd love to hear from everyone here.

The soil mix is Scotts Premium Top Soil with peat moss, some extra peat moss for good measure, and some perlite. PH'd water sits at 6.2 (roughly) and the seed was soaked for 8 hours in water before being planted straight into soil.

(Side note: I know that many prefer the "germ in paper towel" method, but I'd like to try this in nature's way. Also, I plan to use the light as a heat source. There are fans circulating air and an intake/exhaust to keep fresh air flowing!)


Thanks in advanced!
bongsmilie
 
sohighifly

sohighifly

Well-Known Member
I think both will work just fine. I had mine under 24 until they had their first couple sets of leaves and went to 18/6. I am a firm believer that alot goes on when the plant is at rest and why waste the money on electricity.
 
GOD HERE

GOD HERE

Well-Known Member
18/6. Science has shown the plant needs time to recover to reach its full potential. You can grow under 24/0, but in my experience plants under 18/6 do better.
 
Alexander Supertramp

Alexander Supertramp

Well-Known Member
notballin said:
Greetings!

I'm what you would consider a "new grower" that learns fast (I'm well versed in several topics such as PH, over-watering, LST/HST (Fimming/Topping), light cycles, fertilizers and the NPK, etc.

My question to the forums is: I just planted a seed straight to soil for germination. Should I place the planted seed under 24/0 light or 18/6 light or no light and why? I'm leaning towards 18/6 (again, nature's way), but I'd love to hear from everyone here.

The soil mix is Scotts Premium Top Soil with peat moss, some extra peat moss for good measure, and some perlite. PH'd water sits at 6.2 (roughly) and the seed was soaked for 8 hours in water before being planted straight into soil.

(Side note: I know that many prefer the "germ in paper towel" method, but I'd like to try this in nature's way. Also, I plan to use the light as a heat source. There are fans circulating air and an intake/exhaust to keep fresh air flowing!)


Thanks in advanced!
bongsmilie
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Bravo on your grow approach, natures way. 24/0 until your beans sprout. 24/0 keeps an even germing temp for your beans. A day or so after they sprout flip to 20/4. The dark period lets them know you care and allows them to follow evolution and use those stored goodies they made lights on when the lights are out. Again natures way. Nice. A week or so later back off to 18/6 and veg on till you flower. When your ready to flower flip right to 12/12. I know its not really natures way...but its where you and yours plants and natures way finds a balance. Not glamorous, but tried and true. And IMO the place all first time growers should start.
 
Alexander Supertramp

Alexander Supertramp

Well-Known Member
ProfessorPotSnob said:
Cannabis seeds do not need light to germinate , only warmth and water is required .
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I agree its not light that makes a bean germinate. But as soon as they do sprout guess what? The first thing they do is search for a light source...and in nature the ground their roots will grow in is cooler than the spot they are germing in, the top few inches of earth the sun is warming. So why not use your light to your best advantage?
 
Dr.Pot

Dr.Pot

Member
I like 24 hour light strait through veg, I really think any time not in the light is wasted. It doesn't need to "feel" like its day and night because its a plant, it doesn't need to take a shit and read the paper to get its day started. As long as the light is on you have photosynthesis. Just make sure temps in check and the watering is proper
 
notballin

notballin

Member
Thanks everyone for the replies.

Alexander Supertramp said:
Bravo on your grow approach, natures way. 24/0 until your beans sprout. 24/0 keeps an even germing temp for your beans. A day or so after they sprout flip to 20/4. The dark period lets them know you care and allows them to follow evolution and use those stored goodies they made lights on when the lights are out. Again natures way. Nice. A week or so later back off to 18/6 and veg on till you flower. When your ready to flower flip right to 12/12. I know its not really natures way...but its where you and yours plants and natures way finds a balance. Not glamorous, but tried and true. And IMO the place all first time growers should start.
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This sounds like a really good idea. I have a timer that controls the lights, so this is do-able. Thanks, man!
 
GOD HERE

GOD HERE

Well-Known Member
Dr.Pot said:
I like 24 hour light strait through veg, I really think any time not in the light is wasted. It doesn't need to "feel" like its day and night because its a plant, it doesn't need to take a shit and read the paper to get its day started. As long as the light is on you have photosynthesis. Just make sure temps in check and the watering is proper
Click to expand...
Just today in the car I had NPR on and there was a researcher talking about the importance of a dark cycle for plants.
 
Alexander Supertramp

Alexander Supertramp

Well-Known Member
Dr.Pot said:
I like 24 hour light strait through veg, I really think any time not in the light is wasted. It doesn't need to "feel" like its day and night because its a plant, it doesn't need to take a shit and read the paper to get its day started. As long as the light is on you have photosynthesis. Just make sure temps in check and the watering is proper
Click to expand...
Dark period is time wasted huh? Rookie....
 
Arthitiseeder

Arthitiseeder

Member
i have been following the method Al.SuperTramp mentions and this seems to work for me so far. I did the papertowel thing and all that and it was a waste of time for me. I dropped a seed in the dirt 3/4 inch down. I kept light on it 24/0 until sprouted +7 days (a set of real leaves not just cots) then i switched (maybe not exactly as directed) to 21/3. it is running 21/3 right now and on day 14 i will kick it down to 19/5 and run it there til it dies or flowers :-)

i didnt do the 20/4 and 18/6 because of my raging oppositional defiance disorder :-) no just kidding it is because i have a cooler climate and the extra hour seems to build a very predictable static temp range for me.
 
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