backyard precautions

[devilfrog]

Once a cutting is rooted, should it be hardened off to the point where its getting the same daily amount of hid light as the sun is up? Or can a cutting go from 18/6 light schedule under a hid, to reduced light period of the sun in May? Most of the articles I have read said that a plant should be hardened off, by putting it outside 1 hour a day, and then adding an hour every day for 1 to 2 weeks. What I dont understand is that in Nevada during the begginning of May the sun is up 14 hours, and if they were under a hid 18 hours, could this 4 hour reduction of light be enough to initiate the flowering cycle? In other words, will 14 hours of sun be enough to keep the plant veggin?

 

[devilfrog]

First off, the following was found on page #131 of Jorge C's bible... "Seedling and clones will need atleast 14 hours of artficial and natural light per day until plants are transplanted outdoors". That answers my question!

If anyone is interested, I received this hardening instruction and note from another forum, by asking the same question above.

1) Take cutting, prepare in hormone compound, put into rockwool, and under humidity dome. Allow cutting to root under a 24/0 light period, this should take approx. 14 to 21 days

2) Once new roots are visible, place new clones into 5 inch plastic "keg" cups. Begin hardening process by reducing light period 1 hour a day.

3) Upon reducing light to 14 hours of hid time a day (10 days after transplanting new clones), continue the hardening process by allowing the new clone to get 1 hour of natural sunlight daily (note: the first hour outdoors will be the first hour after sunrise). Continue to add an hour of outdoor time to this mentioned period, daily. Second note: In conjunction reduce the hid light time 1 hour a day, eventually the new clone will be receiving no hid time and only 14 hours of natural outdoor sun time a day, at that point, the new clone should be well "acclimated" or hardenend off for a smooth transplant. Third note: utilize superthrive for the first couple of waterings to aid in shock recovery, that may still occur during transplant. However, following the hardening schedule, should greatly reduce shock. In addition the first two waterings after transplant should not be shy (within reason), as the moister soil will allow the new roots to spread out in its permanent environment faster, and thus allowing the plant to become better anchored, for the warm months ahead.

The initial cutting to permanent outdoor transplant should be no longer than 46 days.

Light schedule: (day 1 being newly rooted clones being transplanted to 5 inch keg cups, and day 25 being transplant to ground)

Day total hours of light/ inside hid light time/ outside sunlight time
1) 24 24 0
2) 23 23 0
3) 22 22 0
4) 21 21 0
5) 20 20 0
6) 19 19 0
7) 18 18 0
8) 17 17 0
9) 16 16 0
10) 15 15 0
11) 14 14 0
12) 14 13 1
13) 14 12 2
14) 14 11 3
15) 14 10 4
16) 14 9 5
17) 14 8 6
18) 14 7 7
19) 14 6 8
20) 14 5 9
21) 14 4 10
22) 14 3 11
23) 14 2 12
24) 14 1 13
25) 14 0 14 (transplant)

 

[Tater]

I'm sure that would work but it seems like a lot of work for no reason. Just gradually adjust the light cycle until they are close to the same and then put them outside and keep them out of direct sunlight for the first week.