3 flowering questions

Okay, I have 2 plants which are 4.5 and 5 inches tall. they both have 6 - 6.5 nodes (7th node is distinct but not quite grown away from 6th) and I don't have a lot of vertical space. I want to start flowering as soon as possible, seeing as they will most likely grow twice as tall. They're very bushy, 1/4 - 3/4 in. internode lengths, so I'm not too worried about low yield due to short growth. My problem is that I do not have a proper grow box, specifically it's in an open closet and is not light proof.
1) Is it absolutely necessary to have complete darkness or does it simply speed up the flowering process? Would it be a bad idea to start 12/12 in semidarkness and then when my budget allows, build a real grow box and have complete dark?
2) Also, All I currently have are 6500k cfl's, I am planning on buying the 2700K cfl's but also have to wait till the budget agrees with me. Is it possible to begin flowering with 6500k and then switch, or should I just wait?
3) One more quick question, I have read on various sites that you put your plants in complete darkness for 24 - 72 hours to initiate the flowering, is this actually viable and/or advisable?

Thanks in advance for the responses.

you need complete darkness or you will have problems.

what sort of problems?

Consider that Cannabis can flower outdoors under the light of the full moon, so if your grow room is that dark, you should be OK. Having said that, it's best to make it as dark as possible. Plug all light leaks and be liberal with the black plastic.

Be sure to let your eyes adjust to the darkened room for at least two minutes before you try and identify how "truly dark" it is. If you can hold your hand out at arm's length and see your fingers, it is probably too bright. Light leaks are common triggers for hermaphroditism.

okay, thanks for the dvice, I think I'm going to try to pick up some cheap supplies abuild a little grow box today. Will also take pics and see if you guys think it is ready for flowering. Anybody have any tips on the lights, also I was thinking, could I start with a mix of 2700K and 6500K, considering it might be a couple weeks till I can aford getting all 8 2700K's.

Another problem you couold have would be that you wouldnt be able to get them to kick into flower mode.

Set the box up...then either top or LST to keep low but flower real soon beacuse they do almost triple in size, when I top my height almost completely stops but the lower growth goes crazy but I am able to keep tied where I need them.

will window plant facing north in a 4 gallon pot produce a grade of pot. good seed and female plant we know because she started to bud early this spring in the house has anyone ever been sucseesful with window plants