What is lighting schedule ?
Definition – What does lighting schedule mean?
A lighting schedule is the cycle of light and dark that is used with the plants in different phases of their growth.
The recommended lighting schedules can vary, and for many it is determined by experience as well as available resources.
In the vegetative state, which is the first period of growth, plants can be kept under lights for 18 hours or more.
This is then balanced with 6 hours of darkness.
The light helps give the plants energy to grow, while the plant produces sugars in the dark phase.
Some growers will have their plants under lights for 24 hours in the initial phase to help them get as big as possible.
The plants won’t begin to flower unless they receive about 12 hours a day of darkness
In the flowering phase, the lighting schedule is switched to a 12/12 cycle.
What is 12/12 Lighting ?
Definition – What does 12/12 Lighting mean?
The 12/12 light cycle means 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark.
The normal light cycle is 18/6 for plants.
Using the 12/12 light cycle stresses the plants and has a few desirable effects for the grower.
One is that it can force flowering and make the plants sex female.
The 12/12 lighting technique makes the grow period last 7-9 weeks.
This method eliminates the vegetation stage of growth.
It can help some growers conserve in space and time.
Using a 12/12 lighting technique from the start means that plants will start to produce flowers as soon as they start growing.
The lighting pattern is similar to that of the end of the growing season and it tricks the plants into thinking they need to start flowering.
