New Grower First Auto Grow Journey!

[sniper]

when i started my first grow i ran 20/4 then i switched to 18/6 and my girls just looked happier so that's what i run now but to each his own

hope the seagrow works as well for you as it has for me

 

[pher]

Thanks everybody! Im wondering what types of lights are you guys running? Im assuming most of you use HID's or LED's? Just thinking, but maybe there is benefit to running longer days with CFL/T5's more than there is with the intense lighting that HID's put out?? If i was under a 600 HPS all day i would need some dark time too! I dont know...still not ready to sacrifice my 4 "extra" hours of light yet but am seriously wondering if im doing them harm or slowing them down by not giving them a dark period, especially considering that they will be going outside at some point.

 

[sniper]

shit i forgot you said cfl i was running a 400w hps now its a blackstar 240

 

[pher]

Its not actually cfl's. They are under a 4 bulb T5 fixture pushing 220w. Good light...not super intense though. I just thougt since I don't have stronger light to give them, that I would give them more of what I do have.

Do autos NEED a dark period? Am I doiing them harm by running them all day?

 

[agito]

Theres no research to confirm your answer and light source does not matter vs dark peroid
there a difference between optimal and need

IMO i would not run more than 20/4 if i had to

 

[greenthumper]

After 20 hours straight under 200w of cfl my plants will droop and look like shit. After the 4 hour dark period they perk up and look fresh. just my

 

[pher]

Pics

here's a few pics for all who have asked...

 

[Muddy]

For plants that are staying indoors I usually run 24/0 till they sex, then switch to 20/4. For outdoors plants I run them 20/4 till they sex, then move them outdoors. I've tried running them longer on 24/0 and haven't seen any difference in size or yields and have come to think that they do better with the rest period.

Another thing to consider since you are using T5s to veg, it that they don't provide any UV or IR. So when moving them outdoors keep them in a semi shaded area for the first 2-3 days so they can get used to the UV and IR before putting them in full sun.

 

[JM]

Do autos respond negatively to 24/0?

no... but as mentioned... everybody likes to sleep... even your ladies...



the details:

https://www.autoflower.org/f7/photosynthesis-full-explanation-104.html?daysprune=-1

:smokebuds:

 

[pher]

For plants that are staying indoors I usually run 24/0 till they sex, then switch to 20/4. For outdoors plants I run them 20/4 till they sex, then move them outdoors. I've tried running them longer on 24/0 and haven't seen any difference in size or yields and have come to think that they do better with the rest period.



Another thing to consider since you are using T5s to veg, it that they don't provide any UV or IR. So when moving them outdoors keep them in a semi shaded area for the first 2-3 days so they can get used to the UV and IR before putting them in full sun.

Muddy, thank you for stopping in and for the advice!

no... but as mentioned... everybody likes to sleep... even your ladies...



the details:

https://www.autoflower.org/f7/photosynthesis-full-explanation-104.html?daysprune=-1

:smokebuds:

JM, thank you for checking this out and for the article link... informative as always!

I really appreciate everybody taking the time to visit this grow journal and for their thoughts and advice! Love AFN!