Lighting Schedule

I've noticed varied time schedules used during the vegetative state.

Can anyone explain to me the difference? Unfortunately, my research hasn't gotten me far.

I've heard of 24/0, 20/4, and 18/6??

Pros and cons to each???

Not so much pros and cons as tastes great vs less filling. I don't think you will go wrong with any of them, I do 24/7.

MamaGrumpums said:

I've noticed varied time schedules used during the vegetative state.

Can anyone explain to me the difference? Unfortunately, my research hasn't gotten me far.

I've heard of 24/0, 20/4, and 18/6??

Pros and cons to each???

Click to expand...

24/0 fastest growth, more heat and electricity costs

18/6 good growth, cooler nights (a plus), and lower electricity costs.

20/4 somewhere in-between.

It's basically personal preference. All 3 work

Thank you guys for the prompt responses.

You must be talking about the veg cycle only and not your flowering cycle. It depends on your strain as to what light schedule you should use. Some strains get stressed out from 24/7 and dont grow very well. Look up the strain you are growing to find an idea of what your light cycle should be. If you are just using random bag seed you are just going to have to experiment to see what works for you.

24/7 and 18/6's differences are hardly noticeable, except in the power bill. This is a decision of preference as opposed to being one that will make your plant yield more, (which is what we all want). If power isnt an issue to you, or temperatures in your respective grow space, than by all means give your plant 24 hours of light. But if you want to keep the bill a little bit lower and help the environment while you are at it, then go with the 18/6 schedule. Thats my preference and my plants seem to love it.
Good luck with whatever you decide!

Interesting how it affects taste! It makes complete sense!

And as for my strain... I'm using random bag seeds... I do see two different types of plants in my crop, though. Any of you a pro at differentiating?! One of them is most bizarre!!

Green Cross said:

24/0 fastest growth, more heat and electricity costs

18/6 good growth, cooler nights (a plus), and lower electricity costs.

20/4 somewhere in-between.

It's basically personal preference. All 3 work

Click to expand...

Nicly said green cross, I started off with 24/0 and switched to 18/6 about 2 weeks in. I noticed better growth on the 18/6 than I did with the 24/0.

MamaGrumpums said:

Interesting how it affects taste! It makes complete sense!

And as for my strain... I'm using random bag seeds... I do see two different types of plants in my crop, though. Any of you a pro at differentiating?! One of them is most bizarre!!

Click to expand...

This difference can be due to genetics. Do you have pics?

massah said:

You must be talking about the veg cycle only and not your flowering cycle. It depends on your strain as to what light schedule you should use. Some strains get stressed out from 24/7 and dont grow very well. Look up the strain you are growing to find an idea of what your light cycle should be. If you are just using random bag seed you are just going to have to experiment to see what works for you.

Click to expand...

I have never heard about different strains liking different light schedules. I guess that makes sense since a lot of plant strains get their qualities from their original regional environment.

I have read before that the 18/6 is preferred because that particular combination of light & dark promotes the most root growth. The consensus was that the more/longer the roots, the more developed the buds. I don't have any experience with this myself because I've never tried any other schedule...