New Grower My observations these past years..

[FadedMalone]

I've noticed all my plants but a few get real droopy when it gets close to lights shutting off. I was wondering if the plant is tired and ready for rest period. A few times I thought about switching the lights back to go off around the time they start to get droopy looking. Maybe I'm thinking to much in to it? I'm doing 20/4 and this one plant gets droopy 4 hours before lights go off. Just trying to look out for my little green lady..HA! HA!

 

[Triton]

I have noticed that too about an hour before lights out.. and I run 18/6. plants are preparing for the nighttime . plants produce luminal hormone to monitor hours of light so they are aware of light hours. they always perk up in the morning. I wouldn't recommend changing light cycle during grow. stay the course

 

[The Elvis]

They should also stink before lights out.

 

[Eyes on Fire]

plants as a basic rule are geared for a certain amount of light since its a living thing.it gets tired the longer you push it.so its often used imo a 18/6 as you'll also note if you try that switch as I have it will still roughly get tired at around the same length of time under lights regardless.mine are droopy about an hour or less prior to lights off.and Ive switched from a 20/4 to an 18/6 without issue at the top of your schedule.extended rest prior to lights on.worked for me anywho.lol yer plants are whooped when they start to dip a little like that.you can boost them w/ a kelp foliar lightly prior to rest an cpl hours prior to lights off in veg. n should be dry prior to lights out n you'll see some easy lengthening of their staying power.like a night time snack lol.

 

[FadedMalone]

I'm thinking of doing the 18/6 schedule on my next run just for that extra added rest time.

 

[hecno]

Now this is timely , I have some Autos in the room at the moment on 20/4 , I want to leave them there till they start to flower then move them out side , I am in the tropics so we have 12 hour days , any thoughts on this , I have done it with photos and doe's not seem a problem , but being first time Autos I have no idea ."Paleo"

 

[FadedMalone]

I've heard moving light schedules with autos can stress them and I've heard it wont cause any stress. I say nothing is set in stone. I've also seen where people start at 24/0 move to 20/4 and then to 18/6 in flowering. I'm sure you could find some thing where a grower has tried moving them to 12/12 around flowering.

 

[The Elvis]

80% of autos are going to flower no matter what light cycle you use. Think about saving power and letting your plants have a short rest time and don't forget heat issues they will flower under 12 12 but little no no yield indoor. i use 18 6 start to finish ligts out at 12pm lights on a 5 pm hottest part of the day. :Sharing One:

 

[yodabuds]

Feel free to check most of my journals for the past year all the autos been basically on 12/12.... I've found that like a photo if you veg an auto and wait till it's started to flower than put it in 12/12 the yield difference is minimal (not enough difference to warrant me to want to stop growing photo periods, I love the best of both worlds) than on a strain to strain basis it's been noted that some strains suffer significantly in yield loss from the 12/12 from the get go (autos) and than I've grown others under 12/12 from the get go and wasn't much difference maybe 15-20%..... Just my personal experiences is all running autos at 12/12.....
best way to learn and to debunk or prove "theories" is to try it yourself..... Highly suggest finding a large supply of beans either self made or bag seed and grow them and abuse the living hell out of them and try all sorta of new things.... Best way I've learned so far
:Sharing One:
Edit: also wanted to add I think you can decrease light hours as much as you want but once decreased if your start to increase the hours again than I've heard it can stress the plant and confuse it... So if you go from 24/0 to 20/4 don't after a week of two go back to 24/0... But could go down to 18/6 instead without issue , otherwise I think you could potentially make the plant Hermie

 

[Dr Who]

Edit: also wanted to add I think you can decrease light hours as much as you want but once decreased if your start to increase the hours again than I've heard it can stress the plant and confuse it... So if you go from 24/0 to 20/4 don't after a week of two go back to 24/0... But could go down to 18/6 instead without issue , otherwise I think you could potentially make the plant Hermie

Hi Yoda, I'm with you on this. I think that early in life an auto can tolerate lengthening days, but that after the maximum daylength is reached daylength should only get shorter if it changes. I think this because it is basically how the sun works in the summer, and plants can grow outdoors just fine if the conditions are good.