What would be the best light cycle for the vegetative stage of growing cannabis plants? I heard 18/6 is the most common, but I’ve also heard about 24/0 and 20/4 cycles. Can you provide some information on the benefits and drawbacks of each cycle?
One answer “What is the best light cycle for vegetative stage?”
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When it comes to growing cannabis plants, one of the most important parts of the process is setting up the light cycle. There are several options available and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. This article will discuss the three most popular light cycle options; 18/6, 20/4, and 24/0 and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each one.
A 18/6 cycle is the most commonly used when it comes to growing cannabis indoors. This light cycle consists of 18 hours of light followed by 6 hours of darkness. Throughout the 18 hour period, the lights are on and the plants are photosynthesizing and absorbing all of the energy they can. During the 6 hours of darkness, the plants are allowed to rest and absorb the energy they have gathered throughout the light hours. This allows them to continue growing in the vegetative stage by keeping them healthy and vibrant.
The benefits of this cycle are that it allows the plants to get the energy they need for photosynthesis, as well as giving them a rest period for them to recuperate. It’s also one of the easiest light cycles to set up, as you just need to make sure your lights turn on and off according to the schedule.
The drawbacks are that the shorter night period can lead to the plants not getting enough rest. This can lead to them becoming stressed and can even stunt their growth, as they won’t have enough energy to go into the flowering stage. Additionally, as the plants aren’t getting a longer rest period, they won’t have enough time to build up food stores in their roots. This could lead to a decrease in yields when they finally do flower.
A 20/4 cycle is a slightly longer light cycle than the 18/6 cycle. This cycle consists of 20 hours of light followed by 4 hours of darkness. As the plants get an extra two hours in the light each day, they will be able to photosynthesize even more and absorb more energy into their cells. This will help them to grow bigger and stronger in the vegetative stage. Additionally, with the extra two hours of darkness, the plants will be able to rest more and build up food stores in their roots.
The benefits of this cycle are that it allows the plants to photosynthesize even more during the day, as well as giving them a bit more rest time each night. With the extended rest period, the plants can build up energy stores in their roots, which will help them to grow bigger during the vegetative stage. Additionally, with two extra hours of light each day, the plants can stretch and benefit from the additional photosynthesis.
The drawback of this cycle is that it can be difficult to manage and can lead to an increase in electricity costs. As you have just two extra hours of light each day, you will need to invest in additional lighting equipment and power to keep up with the cycle. Additionally, it can be difficult to keep the cycle running as precisely as the 18/6 cycle, which can lead to the plants becoming stressed and not getting enough rest.
The final light cycle that is sometimes used for growing cannabis plants is the 24/0 cycle. This cycle is the most extreme of the three, and consists of 24 hours of light followed by no darkness at all. This cycle is generally only used for commercial grows, as it requires a lot of electricity and equipment to keep running.
The benefits of this cycle is that the plants will be able to photosynthesize all day and night, with no rest periods. This will lead to the plants growing bigger and faster than ever in the vegetative stage, and can lead to significantly higher yields. Additionally, as the lights remain on all day, the environment will stay warm and humid, creating the perfect conditions for the plants to thrive.
The drawbacks of this cycle are that it requires a lot of energy and equipment to keep running, which can lead to tremendous electricity bills. Additionally, as the plants don’t get any rest periods, they can become stressed and start to underperform, leading to decreased yields. Finally, as the environment stays so hot and humid all day, pests can become an issue and can spread rapidly throughout the garden.
In conclusion, when it comes to choosing a light cycle for growing cannabis plants, it is important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each option. The 18/6 cycle is the most common and the easiest to set up and manage, but the 20/4 and 24/0 cycles can provide additional benefits if done correctly. Ultimately, the choice is up to the grower, but it is important to make sure you understand the pros and cons of each option before settling on one.