Awesome heads on those trichomes Qtip 
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I hope it is looking this intact in the hash @Jango.
That’s crazy fast. I wouldn’t think that a re veg would start in… How many days? It took me over a month, granted on my first try.
You are correct though. Bell, newton, day vinci all crazy dudes. Look at their place in history.
I for one applaud you for trying something different, regardless of the weird dudes name. 
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@Badger I kept thinking I would chop at first sign of reveg but the buds keep getting fatter and I’m down to 400 ppm in reservoirs for flush. Couple more days lol.
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My the veg popped out hairs, so I’m not surprised that they kept swelling.
I would like I see a clone vs clone comparison though. Interesting, but I’m definitely not sold on trying it.
Don’t know if I’m sold either but buds are some of the best I’ve grown and tricomes aren’t going to shit.
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Wouldn’t 18/6 immediately drop the flowering hormone back down below the critical level the chemistry is pushed to continue finishing flower. Ive heard of people going into complete darkness the last few days or maybe 8 on 16 off, or maybe 6 on or 18 off .
It may in theory stop any further reflowering allowing whats on the plant to finish
Im not seeing any bad reveg after 14 days, so thats good. I wonder if the 18 light reduced trichomes, next time doing an end of flower 18 light and 12 light (control) side by side of same clone strain would help the study. But thanks for posting this and contributing
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HEY! Fantastic work growing !
I noticed a few things that look very innovative .
a few pictures , are you using fishing wire to hold up the (very) top heavy branches ?
And the last photo before harvest, are you using some sort of maleable cord to upright the canopy?
Awesome work
Thanks
Hey @Calix thanks for the compliments. The fishing wire is called you yoyos.great for support
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I though bud builds at night after the light send signals to build ATP, so when it’s dark, bud builds or thicken…so why add light? Seems backwards to me.
I found far better success with going dark like to 10/14 light to dark for bud building, when I was to NOT lazy to remember to change my timers.
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I Encourage people to give it a try, builds bulk but prolongs flowering. I did two weeks of 18-6 before chop with almost no sign of reveg and no nanners. Couldn’t see obvious trichome degradation.
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The hormonal balance of most plants is 45/55 in vegetative and 55/45 in generative. This swing of 10% is the difference between veg. and flower. Peppers are one such crop, and a careful balance of fruit set is maintained throughout the season, to ride as close to 50/50 as possible, thereby continuing vertical growth and flower set simultaneously, enabling pepper harvests consistently from April to October in commercial greenhouse settings. This behavior pattern is seen in some equatorial landraces of cannabis, where leaves, stems, and flowers grow simultaneously for months.
Autoflowers, for example, have one or more alleles which have taken dominant gene position, causing this hormonal balance to occur in favor of continue flowering, regardless of environmental factors like day-length.
Autoflowers too have other alleles which may be recessive or dormant, and may take gene position in times of great stress; such as fluctuating photoperiods, root damage or confinement (root mapping), over fertilization, drastric temperature swings, and browsing to name a few. There are a series of survival genes, yet unknown, which we attribute to the behavior of “automatic flowering”. We can think of these triggers as being analogous to a patient watchman, waiting to sound the alarm that triggers rapid floral development.
Autoflowers come in all types. Some may begin flowering early, and will stay dwarfed at more or less the same height they are. Some may begin flowering early, and continue with simultaneous vegetative growth and become much taller, or axial limbs may continue rapid development to become much wider. While others (most commonly) will follow the seedling stage with a period of prolonged vegetative growth, typically 3-5 weeks depending on cultivar, until the generative (flowering) phase is reached, and the stretch begins.
As well, there are equatorial varieties which flower indefinitely. 26 weeks in, and vegetative growth continues simultaneously as generative growth continues.
These behaviors in plants are all clues which lead us to a hypothesis in the affect genes have on hormonal development, balance, function, and limitation.
I postulate that several genes are responsible for several corresponding factors, such as:
-A gene which determines the hormonal balance thresholds; ie., a strain which cannot exceed a 50/50 balance of vegetative and generative hormones. We do not know if this may be a hard cap, or a threshold relative to environmental influence such as photoperiod, etc. The genetic may have adapted to maintain this balance regardless of photoperiod, as a hardwired survival trait–or it may only exhibit this behavior in seasons of balanced photoperiods, perhaps accentuated by seasonal weather fluctuations; ie. At the equator the seed germinates during the end of a dry season, grows vegetatively during the following wet season and begins flowering within it, only to enter the following dry season mid-flower and, sensing the increased photon availability, extends its vegetative growth to gather more energy for seed ripening, and if favorable enough, new sexual organs for continued procreation. This is very much a perennial vining behavior. When similar undesired patterns take place, some cultivators refer to this as extreme foxtailing and/or revegative flowering growth.
-There is likely a gene which controls the upper threshold of generative hormones; ie. one cultivar may be incapable of rising above 55% generative to 45% vegetative in its ratio, while another may permit continual buildup of ethylene and rise as high as 70% generative to 30% vegetative hormones. In such a case, we may call this a “stable” genetic that refuses to show intersex traits.
As DJ Short and others have hypothesized the following: That some females are so “male” in their gene expression (genetic predetermination of hormonal balance in response to internal or external stimulae) that they flower and consistently exhibit male parts; ie. Cherry Pie, Chemdog, and other genetics which are routinely cultivated with the expectation of male flower parts at specific phases of flowering. We call these “herms” and the like; an inaccurate slur for intersex traits in cannabis plants.
DJ Short and others continue with this train of logic, and posit that likewise, it must be that some males are so “female” in their gene expression (which again, is a supposed gene that determines a plant’s potential hormonal balances depending on internal mechanisms or environmental pressures) that they are considered “stable” or “bulletproof” and cannot be stressed to exhibit intersex traits, regardless of cultivator error or influence.
The hypothesis doubles back on itself and evolves, suggesting that there is mirrored effect in males; that there are some male genetics that are so male, they can impart higher ratios of males in the progeny, and increase the tendency for intersex trait expression. The leverage in these ideas is gained and somewhat proven by DJ Short and others, who swear by a career of breeding the last of the four combinations: male plants which are so “female” in their genetics, that they express female intersex traits (stigmas) during flowering. It is these males which most novice breeders will cull, thinking that hermaphroditism will overtake some number of the progeny, and their reputation will be affected. However the truth is that these “males which are so female-dominant in there gene expression” tend to create seed populations with higher ratios of F:M expressions, and amazingly, the females become what we consider “stable”; in that they will continue flowering as females, regardless of any stressors.
I speak of my own garden, that male studs of excellent pedigree with no intersex trait expression to recall, have produced stigmas in apical meristem development or on one axial limb, typically on the side of the plant that faces the setting sun; for the side of the plant which receives morning sunlight is not affected in my experience; likely due to a higher concentration of blue and green wavelengths, which dominantly regulate hormonal balance.
These complex theories in plants lack funding and research, but similar findings in mammals show great promise for the field of applied hormones. Evidence that Mammalian Sex Ratios at Birth are Partially Controlled by Parental Hormone Levels at The Time of Conception - ScienceDirect
It is a research point of mine in my gardens, to test the efficacy of ethylene rich ferments applied as foliar and soil drench at different stages of plant growth, using my Afghan #1 genetic as the benchmark. I hope to find an economical source of fruit or plant material which may be fermented using KNF principles, that may be applied foliar to induce flowering under vegetative light cycles, or to speed early floral set and development in generative light cycles. As well, a soil drench which speeds ripening and influences sex outcome of the seed stock, applied before and after pollination occurs, may prove advantageous for my clients. For the male cannabis chromosomes contain over 4000 genes which the female does not, largely correlated to survivability. The data is preliminary, but the claims of Ringo look true: feminized seed pollutes gene pools, creating weaker plants. And so if the ratio of F:M in the progeny (seed stock) can be improved significantly through cultural means, and the male chromosomes are able to carry over, we may find a superior alternative to the demand for ‘fems’.
Returning to hormonal regulation and daylength, I have a few opinions on the concepts of ripening plants under 18/6.
First, in the case of autoflowers, we see great advantage compared to photoperiods, relative to circumstance. Before outlining these advantages, it is important to understand concepts of DLI and that it is cultivar specific. Without regurgitating a thorough explanation, it should suffice to say that DLI can be considered both a plant’s suggested photon intake for crop performance, and its upper physiological limit to photon absorption. A cultivar like Bubba Kush or Afghan #1 does quite well in lower light levels, even full shade outdoors if enough ambient light is present. In fact, cultivators such as Loving In Her Eyes see higher yields and cannabinoid content when such cultivars are grown in dimmer portions of the illuminated canopy. And so each genetic has an apetite for photons it requires, so that it yields well in our eyes. (Remember these are human concepts to explain plant behavior; we cannot know their perspective.)
A crop like Tomatoes and Peppers, again depending on cultivar, may want between 28 to 40 DLI. While some cannabis cultivars can handle upwards of 60+ DLI with significant gains in growth seen between 30 DLI and 50 DLI, until diminishing returns set in as we reach the upper limits.
As a matter of fact–and I will digress a moment here–cannabis can take much more DLI than the Earth’s sun can output in a given photoperiod, anywhere in the world. One may think that in extreme latitudes with longer days, the cumulative photons cast would be greater, and thus the growth correspondingly greater. However, the colder temperatures limit photosynthesis, and despite longer days, no significant additional growth is noticed compared to a more reasonable day length and temperature. But it is clear from empirical study, that cannabis grown in climates which it can tolerate, cannot become ‘full’ on Sunlight anywhere on Earth. The greatest DLI exposure on Earth is still not enough to stress the cannabis plant in a given photoperiod. Whereas tomatoes or peppers would be light bleached and scalded from DLI values upwards of 50, without substantial use of shadecloth and humidity controls to allow the plants to handle such photon loads. Cannabis is unique from all plants on Earth, in that its light appetite is far greater. This is because it originates from Sirius AB, the binary star system nearest our home. Hence, Cannabis is the ‘Two Dog Plant’; Canine-Bis, which evolved under a multi-star system, and is genetically equipped to handle much higher amounts of radiation than any plant we know.
And so we can see the great advantage with the autoflowering gene. When we can impart through breeding, a dominant gene position which controls the regulation of generative hormones to our advantage; in that they continue to build, and cannot wane regardless of light exposure, we create a plant which may maintain its generative flowering cycle while permitting a longer period of photo exposure.
In the case of the hobby home grower with rather simple-spectrum low-intensity LED fixtures, the canopy may see as little as 500-900 umol/s. In such a case, extending the duration of light exposure permits the cannabis plant–which is a light sponge–to uptake more photons, produce more carbohydrates, feed a greater population of microbial life, receive improved metabolic response, and thereby synthesize more growth. This is primarily why LEDs and autoflowers are married in the mind of novice gardeners; they compliment each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and the desired result is easily achieved.
In the case of photoperiod genetics which have extremely high light demands, we see that we are in a race. We only have a set number of hours with which to jam in the photons. Environmental control is key; VPD will determine how many photons per second are utilized. Light quality and intensity is key. To push the plant growth potential, massive investments in equipment are made. Atmospheric CO2 supplementation drives photosynthesis during this time even faster, and the limited window is better leveraged. This is the equivalent of formula one racing in cannabis cultivation. It has made and broken many cultivators.
And so now we begin to see the benefit cultivators such as Rasta Jeff have seen. We can look into that now and speculate on the interactions and considerations present in this system.
First, we see that once seed is pollinated, the reproduction begins, regardless of photoperiod. I myself have taken branches in week 6 of flower, cut them off, pollinated them individually, and rooted them under 24 hour light in humidity domes while the seed and roots simultaneously develop. And so it is well known that once a pollen granule reaches an ovule, it is game over man. We actually if you prefer sensimillia, you may excise the developing swelling calyxes. I demonstrate one such abortive procedure in my YouTube channel; I wear a GoPro while I excise over 60 developing embryos from a selectively pollinated plant, which was later exposed to stray pollen. To ensure the original male selection remains true, the second father’s genes must be excised from the entire plant, and at harvest, only the ripest darkest seeds may be kept; underdeveloped seeds pose risk of unknown lineage.
However, it is wise to give plants rest–the soil microbiology needs it direly, and so 18/6 seems a reasonable way to balance and leverage these mechanisms. The prolonged photoperiod enables a greater photon availability, which may overcome the deficits of sub-optimal lighting and environment. We will speak on the steering of gene frequencies in a moment.
This same technique of 18/6 may be applied to sensimillia flower as well, although other considerations ought be taken into account. For one, the plant’s individual genetics in regards to hormonal balancing and limitations. It is true that many genetics, in their final week to three weeks of flower, cannot by ‘pulled out of it’ by any duration of light exposure. I have myself encountered the frustration of a plant set out early in Spring, that flowers and fails to re-vegetate at all. (For this is my normal means of sexing: to veg in early winter, put into the greenhouse in March/April, and to return females once sexed indoors under extended photoperiods, to be put back outside in May for summer vegetative growth.) Some genetics can flip back and forth rapidly and repeatedly. Others only flip one way. Typically landrace and heirloom NLD varieties and NLDAs may behave this way.
Depending on your genetic, you may be able to begin 18/6 as early as week 4 of flower, or not at all. I have seen–by the best of my observation–a clean room in week 7 on Monday, only to extend the photoperiod to account for my inferior lighting and environmental control, only to find revegative growth emerging by Wednesday that same week. I’ve also brought photoperiod genetics in flower (sensi) into tents I thought were set to an appropriate photoperiod, only to find out the crop ripened and harvested just fine under 20/4; an autoflowering day length I had forgotten to change since my last autoflowering crop was removed.
The beauty of exposing a ripening flower crop to a vegetative light cycle in final ripening stages, is that the plant is often so far into flower, with such a high concentration of generative hormones, that even if intersex stress traits result in those final days, it is highly unlikely the male pollen sacs will develop, let along disperse pollen, let alone set seed, let alone develop a seed casing. At my worst, I have ended up with miniscule green specks which are clearly 2-3 day old embryos, freshly pollinated. You’ll find this often in cannabis grown by commercial cultivators, but it is often another stressor (usually cultivator error, freak accident, or unknown and unnoticed environmental influence) , as such a photoperiod is uncommon.
Now that we have covered the effects on seed ripening and sensimillia flower ripening, we can talk about breeding and gene frequencies.
It is my firm belief that every second of a seed’s development matters. A single cold spell can abort many young embryos. An overfertilization or drought incident can cause the same, even later in seed development. The best seeds come from soil grown sun grown plants outdoors. It is the UV exposure and cooling temperatures of autumn which improve seed quality the most. The cool nights improve the lipid layer, and the seed permeability is reduced; a longer-storing seed, less vulnerable to fluctuations in local relative humidity. These are the seeds that sit in a drawer for 10-20 years and still germinate. Frankly, I find the vast majority of seed production is inadequate; harvested far too early, and ripened under poor conditions. If you are breeding seeds, you better wait until the plant is dead and dried in the soil and the seeds are falling out of withered brown desiccated plant material naturally. When I see a breeder harvest a green plant, with barely a few seeds visible through their splitting calyxes, I cringe and grit my teeth. It is equivalent to a C-Section at 6 months pregnant. Utterly stupid and inconsiderate to the organisms involved; mother, child, cultivator, patient all worse off, from one eager beaver’s early harvest.
Anyway. Along this line of thought, it is not only the ripening duration that matters, but every moment of it. Pregnant mothers watered with pure water in soil with fine environmental conditions produce relatively uniform seed stock with high germination rates. However, pregnant mothers fertigated with nitrates and other chelates–be they organic or synthetic sources–exhibit seed hull deformities and irregular leaf patterns upon emergence and self-terminating meristems and asymmetrical early nodal development and unusual sensitivity to fertility. The most innocuous way to ruin a breeding project is to start feeding the soil compost teas, throwing the ecosystem out of whack. It’s like telling a pregnant mother she can’t eat the vegetables in her house or cook the recipes she likes; she has to ripen that child on take out food only.
A mother who is six months pregnant can’t say, “I’m almost home free. I can start smoking and drinking.” and escape the detriments.
Likewise, I know in my gut, that breeders who ripen late-developing embryos under an irregular and unprecedented photoperiod, are doing the child a disservice. The hormonal balance changes, definitely. We may not perceive it, and it may not be quantifiable to our measures, but every hormonal change brought about by temperature, relative humidity/air pressure, pests/pathogens, spectra, fertigation regime, gas exchange, light cycle, and even intention will affect seed development.
In villiages where a mountain smokes continually, the indigenous peoples over generations activate and maintain alleles which correlate to lung capillary size and other factors of respiration in a smokey environment. Likewise, if your grandfather and father smoked like chimneys, you can most likely handle a few packs a day. (Depending on your phenotype.)
It is in this regard, that I do not want false expectations to emerge. The plant and seed are living and conscious, and their modes of perception are as seamless as their modes of production. Whatever you do to that mother, she will scream into her genes at the top of her lungs: Children! Be ready for this!
And in those final moments of embryonic development, as the seed matures, its genetics are ever-changing.
Personally, I see this technique as a financially worthwhile investment. The extra 6 hours of photons daily will get that crop to maturity and out of the space, for a new crop to go in, just a little bit sooner. Likewise, the seed yield will be greater.
However, I cannot say this practice is indicative of respect for the plant, her offspring, the client, or the end patient who receives the medicine. I see interruptions to pregnancy as sacrilege. You don’t hand a pregnant mother a smoke, and you don’t keep her up all night sleep deprived. Because somewhere down the line, that kid will be out in the world. So let’s give it a good start, and let the mother ripen her own as she plans to. (Without pulling the rug out from under her plans.)
Of course this is brilliant and encourageable for sensimillia crops.
One last note: It is my experience, in trialing the 12-1 and 9/15 advanced lighting techniques described by Joe Pteri(sp?), that indeed, prolonged night periods increase production. I yield more on my Afghani #1 when her last three weeks are 11/13, 10/14, 9/15, than if 12/12 is maintained. Further, with autoflowers I have noticed that plants cultivated under 24 hours are unpalatable and poor smoke, while plants cultivated at 18/6 are substantially lower yielding. I have found that 24 from seedling until emergence and establishment, followed by 20/4 throughout vegetative and early flowering, finished with 18/6 during trichome development, produces the most flavorful terpene expressions in day-neutral cannabis. These sample sizes however are too small, and the genetics too disparate, to draw any conclusion from.
I consider that in nature, the time is seed ripening is most often a period of decreasing day-length. When research fails to illuminate me from ignorance, I simply defer to nature, and adopt whatever means of bio-mimicry I can imagine.
Sometimes though, what we may think is bio-mimicry, may illicit from the plant a completely unnatural response; ie., to what extend does defoliation mimic browsing, and by which metric are cultivators proving their genetic’s compatibility with such browsing emulations? We see defoliating help some canopies burst open with full flowers, yet see the same technique in another cultivar sometimes stunt growth and reduce yield. Presumably one has adapted in environments of heavy browsing, while the other may not have.
These are my thoughts on photoperiod manipulation in cannabis.
-Dr. Zinko
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Or if there is an improvement it’s short lived because it’s not in Harmony with Mother Earth.
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