Mother plants generally require a specific lighting schedule to remain in a vegetative state, providing a continuous source of cuttings.
Based on the provided reference, mother plants need an 18-hours-on/6-hours-off lighting schedule.
Ideal Lighting Schedule for Mother Plants
To keep mother plants healthy and in their vegetative phase, preventing them from flowering, a carefully managed light cycle is essential.
- Light Period: 18 hours of light
- Dark Period: 6 hours of complete darkness
Maintaining this 18-hours-on/6-hours-off lighting schedule is crucial for vegetative growth. This extended light period signals the plant to focus its energy on developing leaves and stems rather than flowers.
Why 18/6?
Plants often use photoperiod (the length of light and dark periods) as a signal for growth stages. For many plants used as mothers, a long light period prevents them from initiating flowering, ensuring they remain in a state suitable for taking cuttings.
Optimizing Light Conditions
Beyond just the schedule, ensuring the quality of light is important.
- Inspect and Clean: Regularly inspect and clean all light fixtures. This ensures they are operating efficiently and providing optimal light output. Dirty fixtures can significantly reduce the amount of light reaching the plants.
- Prevent Light Leaks: It is critical to prevent light from leaking into the grow area during the 6-hour dark period. Even small amounts of light can disrupt the dark cycle and potentially stress the plant or trigger unwanted flowering. Do whatever you can to prevent light leaking in from the hallway or other sources.
Maintaining a consistent 18/6 cycle with effective lighting and complete darkness during the off period helps keep mother plants robust and productive.
