Light Manipulation and Mixed Tents (Photos and Autos)

[Randar]

Hey all,

I've noted that it's usually not beneficial to grow autos with photos as during the flowering stage, the autos are somewhat starved of light when going to a 12/12 schedule which results in smaller yields.

I've also been reading up on light manipulation for photos (i.e., 21:36/12) and that got me thinking on whether that would work for a mixed tent. I woudl figure that you could start with an 18/6 or even 20/4 light schedule until ready to flip the photos and then switch to 21:36/12 which would allow the photos to start flowering while also allowing the autos to get a lot of light.

Any thoughts, or has anybody tried this before?

 

[Randar]

Some additional thoughts on the below light schedules

12/12: Common for photo flowering periods. Results in a total of 84 hours of light per week.

18/6: A common light schedule for autos. Results in a total of 126 hours of light per week.

20/4: Another common light schedule for autos. Results in a total of 140h of light per week.

21:36/12: Light manipulation cycle to allow for five 12-hour dark periods per week. Results in a total of 108 hours of light per week.

30/12: Continuing with the theme, this allows for four 12-hour dark periods per week. Results in a total of 120 hours of light per week.

So, I kind of answered my own first question above in that going with a 21:36/12 schedule can work with autos (just as a 12/12 can), but still wouldn't be as good as 18/6 or 20/4 as those just deliver more light overall. A 30/12 could potentially work, but having never seen anything on it, not even sure it would be useable for photos, and it still doesn't deliver as much light for autos as 18/6 or 20/4.

I guess for me, if I want to mix and match, I'll save it for seed runs of the autos when I'm not necessarily after bigger yields.

So, I've pretty much answered my own question, but would still be interested if any others have thoughts or experience with the above.

 

[Death The Cultivator]

Some additional thoughts on the below light schedules

12/12: Common for photo flowering periods. Results in a total of 84 hours of light per week.

18/6: A common light schedule for autos. Results in a total of 126 hours of light per week.

20/4: Another common light schedule for autos. Results in a total of 140h of light per week.

21:36/12: Light manipulation cycle to allow for five 12-hour dark periods per week. Results in a total of 108 hours of light per week.

30/12: Continuing with the theme, this allows for four 12-hour dark periods per week. Results in a total of 120 hours of light per week.

So, I kind of answered my own first question above in that going with a 21:36/12 schedule can work with autos (just as a 12/12 can), but still wouldn't be as good as 18/6 or 20/4 as those just deliver more light overall. A 30/12 could potentially work, but having never seen anything on it, not even sure it would be useable for photos, and it still doesn't deliver as much light for autos as 18/6 or 20/4.

I guess for me, if I want to mix and match, I'll save it for seed runs of the autos when I'm not necessarily after bigger yields.

So, I've pretty much answered my own question, but would still be interested if any others have thoughts or experience with the above.

The simplest way is running your autos and photos at 12/12 timing the veg period of your autos with your photos. I veg my photos 24/0 at around 350ppfd while when I switch to 12/12 I push the lights full power unless I just transplanted.

I think you're wasting your time chasing that type of schedule when it would be more beneficial to use far red initiation. Higher yields and lower time to harvest for 5 minutes a day at the end of the light cycle every day.

 

[Growtogrow]

Some additional thoughts on the below light schedules

12/12: Common for photo flowering periods. Results in a total of 84 hours of light per week.

18/6: A common light schedule for autos. Results in a total of 126 hours of light per week.

20/4: Another common light schedule for autos. Results in a total of 140h of light per week.

21:36/12: Light manipulation cycle to allow for five 12-hour dark periods per week. Results in a total of 108 hours of light per week.

30/12: Continuing with the theme, this allows for four 12-hour dark periods per week. Results in a total of 120 hours of light per week.

So, I kind of answered my own first question above in that going with a 21:36/12 schedule can work with autos (just as a 12/12 can), but still wouldn't be as good as 18/6 or 20/4 as those just deliver more light overall. A 30/12 could potentially work, but having never seen anything on it, not even sure it would be useable for photos, and it still doesn't deliver as much light for autos as 18/6 or 20/4.

I guess for me, if I want to mix and match, I'll save it for seed runs of the autos when I'm not necessarily after bigger yields.

So, I've pretty much answered my own question, but would still be interested if any others have thoughts or experience with the above.

Well do it and post a thread. I would watch.

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

The underlying reason to schedule your light period stems from the DLI requirement of the plant. If your light can provide the needed DLI in 12 hours then Autos will yield normally on 12/12. 12 hours at 1000PPFD = 43 DLI = 18 hours at 700 PPFD.

You bring up an interesting thought. What if you run 12/6 giving the plants 43 DLI would they mature 25% faster? The schedule would be a nightmare to keep up without computer control.