When to Change Light Cycle for Pot Plants

Pot plants need light to grow and thrive. However, it is important to know when to change the light cycle for your pot plants. The light cycle is the amount of time the plant is exposed to light and darkness. This article will provide some insights on when you should change the light cycle for your pot plants to optimize their growth and yield.

Seedling Stage

The seedling stage refers to the initial phase of growth when the plant has just sprouted from the seed. During this stage, the pot plant requires a lot of light to grow strong and healthy. Most growers keep the light cycle 24 hours on during this stage to maximize growth. However, this could be a waste of energy and resources, and it might cause your plant to experience light burn.

We recommend keeping the light cycle at 18 hours on and 6 hours off during the seedling stage. This allows for enough light for photosynthesis, and also gives the plant a necessary period of rest. This light cycle is ideal for all types of pot plants during the seedling stage.

Vegetative Stage

The vegetative stage is when your pot plant is starting to grow leaves and branches. During this stage, your pot plant requires a lot of light to grow tall and strong. This stage lasts between 4 to 6 weeks and is a crucial stage for pot plant growth. During this phase, you should adjust the light cycle to promote quick growth.

Most growers use a light cycle of 18 hours on and 6 hours off during the vegetative stage. This light cycle is ideal for promoting growth and is recommended for most types of pot plants. However, the light cycle can be adjusted based on the strain of marijuana that you are growing. Some strains might require different light cycles depending on their growth patterns.

Flowering Stage

The flowering stage is when your plant starts to develop buds. During this phase, you need to change the light cycle to promote flowering. The goal is to mimic natural sunlight conditions that occur during the fall season, which is the time when the cannabis plant flowering cycle starts.

We recommend changing the light cycle to 12 hours on and 12 hours off. This will trigger the process of flowering and will help the buds to develop properly. This light cycle should be maintained until the plants have fully matured, and the buds are ready to be harvested.

Conclusion

Knowing when to change the light cycle for your pot plants can have a significant impact on their growth and yield. During the seedling stage, it's best to keep the light cycle at 18 hours on and 6 hours off. During the vegetative stage, the light cycle can be adjusted to 18 hours on and 6 hours off based on the type of strain you're growing. And during the flowering stage, you should change the light cycle to 12 hours on and 12 hours off to promote flowering. Following these light cycle guidelines will ensure that you produce high-quality pot plants every time.