Feminized Seeds Light Cycle | Why is it Important for Growth and Yield?

Did you know that the length of time your grow light is on can affect the sex of your cannabis plants? It's true! By manipulating the feminized seeds' light cycle, you can influence whether your plants grow into males or females. Feminized seeds are specifically bred to produce female plants, so you can avoid the hassle of having to identify and remove male plants from your grow. In this article, we'll discuss how to use light cycles to feminize cannabis seeds.

What are Feminized Seeds?  

Feminized seeds are marijuana plant seeds that have been specifically bred to contain no male chromosomes.  Meaning that every plant grown from a feminized marijuana seed will be female.

Feminized seeds are typically produced by forcing female plants to produce pollen, which is then used to fertilize other female plants. The resulting offspring will be genetically identical to the mother plant and female.

Feminized seeds are popular with many growers who want to ensure their crop is all-female. An all-female crop is often desirable because

• Female plants tend to produce more buds, which is the part of the plant that contains the highest concentration of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in marijuana.
• They produce more potent buds.

The Best Light Schedule for Cannabis in the Vegetation Stage

The best light cycle for vegetative growth is 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness. It will encourage the plants to produce more flowers and buds. Some do so well in the 20hours of light and 4 hours of darkness light cycle. Twenty-four hours of light or darkness cycle is not the best for cannabis plants.

The roots of cannabis grow during late night and early morning when the lights are off. The leaves and stems grow during the day when the lights are on. If you give your cannabis plants too much light, they will grow more leaves and stems and not as many roots.

When transiting to the flowering stage, the best light schedule for growing cannabis plants in the flowering stage is 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness.

Indoor Marijuana Plants Light Cycles

When growing indoors, you will need to control the light cycle to produce female plants. The process of controlling the light cycle is called feminization. Feminized seeds are produced by manipulating the light cycle so that the plant only produces female flowers.

There are a few ways to go about feminizing your marijuana seeds.

• One method is to use a product called Silver Thiosulfate (STS). STS is a silver compound that interrupts the flowering period, causing the plant to produce only female flowers.
• Another method is to use a gibberellic acid (GA3) treatment. GA3 is a plant hormone that prevents the formation of male flowers.
• You can also purchase from seed banks that sell cannabis seeds. Feminized seeds have been treated with STS or GA3 so that they will only produce female plants.

• Indica: Indica plants are shorter and bushier than sativas. They have broader leaves and tend to produce a higher yield. Indicas are also known for their relaxing, sedative effects.
• Sativa: Sativa plants are taller and thinner than indicas. They have narrower leaves and tend to produce a lower yield. Sativas are known for their uplifting, energizing effects.
• Hybrid: Hybrid plants are a mix of both Indica and Sativa genetics. They can vary widely in appearance and effects, depending on the specific mix of genetics.

Light Cycle for Vegetative Cannabis Outdoors

Light Spectrum for Plants in the Vegetative Stage

All plants need light to grow, but different plants have different light requirements. In general, cannabis plants do best in a full-spectrum light, which mimics the sunlight.

This type of light is available from fluorescent, LED, and HPS lights. Fluorescent T5 lights are the most energy-efficient and produce very little heat, making them a good option for small grow spaces.

Even though they are more expensive, LED grow lights last longer and use less electricity than HPS lights. On the other hand, HPS lights produce a lot of heat, so they need to be used with ventilation and cooling systems.

To get the best results, growers experiment with different types of light and see what works best for their plants.

FAQS

What is the Best Light Cycle for Feminized Seeds?

The best light cycle for feminized seeds is 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. Be sure to give the plants at least three weeks in the vegetative stage before changing the light cycle, as this will allow them to grow strong and healthy.

How Many Hours of Light do Feminized Seeds Need?

Depending on the stage of growth, feminized seeds will need 12-18 hours of light per day. For the vegetative stage, 12 hours of light is sufficient, but during the flowering stage, they will need 14-18 hours of light per day. Therefore, it uses grow lights or by placing the plants outdoors in an area that receives full sun for most of the day.

What is the Best Light Spectrum for Feminized Seeds?

The best light spectrum for feminized seeds is a mix of cool white and warm white LEDs. It will provide the plants with the full range of wavelengths they need for photosynthesis while also giving them the red and blue light wavelengths needed for healthy growth.

What Light Cycle Should Seedlings Be On?

For the first two weeks after germination, seedlings should be under 24 hours of light. It will help them to grow strong and healthy before being transitioned to a 12-hour light cycle. After 3-4 weeks on a 12-hour light cycle, one can induce them to flower by changing the light cycle to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness.

Feminized Seeds Wrap Up

If you want to feminize your cannabis seeds, it is important to understand the light cycle and how it impacts flowering. By using a 12-12 light schedule, you can encourage your plants to produce female buds. Remember, not all strains of cannabis will respond the same way to this type of light cycle, so be sure to do some research before you get started.