Lighting What's the best lighting cycle for autos - 24/0, 20/4 or 18/6

[Bailey]

I voted 18/6 as this is my first time with autos IV not done any other cycle with them but had great results with this light cycle might try 20/4 next run

 

[saneiegocali92]

On the contrary,it seems to do the opposite.Then again maybe ive just been lucky up to now.

I run all my strains(20 in this cycle) at 24/0 and they eat it up...Autos will produce amazing CBD on 24/0. Keep em going my friend.

 

[cc2arms]

I've run all my autos at 15/9. Successful so far. My last grow was three plants and I jarred 34 oz.

34 oz damn teach me, dear God what kinda lightya got one that puts out like a gazillion watts

 

[Rifleman]

34 oz damn teach me, dear God what kinda lightya got one that puts out like a gazillion watts

That was with a 1000w hps and some large strain autos from RQS and Barney's Farm. (Quick One, Sweet Tooth, Bubble Kush)

 

[cc2arms]

That was with a 1000w hps and some large strain autos from RQS and Barney's Farm. (Quick One, Sweet Tooth, Bubble Kush)

I want to try some of the SuperAutos,,,,,,,, Im kind of new to autos this is my 4th grow, been taking it slow trying to focus on finding what my limits are regarding autos. Couple more weeks it will be Outdoor season time ;-) ;-)

 

[BongoBongoLand]

I think 24/0 is perfectly suited to LEDs. The increase in electricity bill is much lower and, because LED technology is moving so fast, you will probably replace your existing LEDs before they reach their 30,000 hour (or whatever) lifespan.

 

[vermont]

For me its...

seed to week 4 > 18/6

then...

5 days > 20/4, day 6 > 24/0 light on, day 7 > 24/0 light off

I use to go both 20/4 and 18/6 straight through, but now I use the above schedule, and I seem to finish a week earlier for the same strains I use to grow using both 20/4 and 18/6, and my buds seem so much denser.

 

[F.N.]

The more I grow autos over the years the more I confirm to myself that all autos do great and grow huge and faster under 24/7 I know I have posted this before but I'M a firm believer in it no lousy cheap timers needed no worrying about climate change which will slow them down IMO

 

[epenguin]

You know what guys, I have done all of these timings and I have not come to any conclusion. Whatever suits you is fine by me. I have settled on 20 on and 4 off, just because it gives my lights and my plants a small break. What I can say with some decent past knowledge, is that the sooner you get the girls from sprouting to being under the spotlight the better.

No doubt this will run and run.......but if you get big fat lassies at the end of it........we will be happy guys, gals and penguins.....eP.

 

[Cartman]

I've been doing this only a year now and have tried over 20 strains usually 4 strains each run if not more.. and depending on what your hybrid has in her it may dictate which light cycle it would perform the best under.. some even say 18/6 vs 20/4 or 24/0 to get the best results from it.. I personally say every plant on our planet benefits from dark cycles, even if just 4hrs then they do 24/0. Large plants are very good if oils aren't being created and potency is not there..
One of the things I do, and I'm sure I'll hear crap for this, I switch mine to 12/12 for 10 days after they show sex as I don't deal to much in feminized seeds, I make my own.. so here is my method of madness..
Day 1 to sexing I grow: 18/6
Sexing to 10 days: 12/12
Flowering to last 10 days: 18/6
Last 10 days: 20/4

This is a technique I've developed over the past year experimenting and I find almost all the hybrids I've dealt with that are Indica dominant seem to thrive and grow quite large.. I only use a small 400w light so yields are not as high as some people as Lumens are everything... but in a small closet with 6 ladies at a time I do ok..

Here is my Mi5 at week 6 with 3 more weeks to go.

Her sister plant is almost 5ft but I like this shorter plant better..