What’s up ILGM,
First time growing auto-flowers, from what i have read on the forums is that auto’s will flower on it’s own. So my question do they need to be on the 12/12 light cycle when it does start to flower?
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No they do not. I usually run autos @ 18/6 or 20/4
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I agree 
@NorseRow said. They can run up to 24/0 and ive ran a whole cycle this way with good results but the common consensus with the community is 18/6 allows autos to rest. I wouldn’t go any less than this due to the short veg period.
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Add me to the @PhatPat @NorseRow bandwagon lol 
I agree 
. I run mine 18/6 just to give them a break so they can recuperate.
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I agree with others I start mine on 24/0 for the first two to three weeks then go down to 20/4 and still get good results don’t think it matters but what strain of auto
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Only gotta be on 12/12 if they are in the same space as flowering photos. Otherwise 18/6 is my go to.
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If you’re in an organic or living soil and are using organic top dressing/ compost teas / knf ferments,etc. you are relying on the microbiology in that soil and in doing so there must by a period of time in which photosynthesis must slow or stop all together so the exchange of excess sugars
CO2 and other vital elements/ compounds between the plant and the soil biology it’s in and therefor your dark period is key to that process.
In synthetic nutrient grows this is not the case and a dark period isn’t necessary in autos because that dark period isn’t required for a biological population which in this case isn’t present.
That being said you can run autos in synthetic grows for 24 hours but be mindful of ppfd and dli light levels and the necessary adjustments to keep them in range of what is considered optimal for the growth cycle you are currently in
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Very well said @jorkvilleyoe
Thank you for sharing. I understand the biology of it better now.
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At night my worms come to the surface I know by the fresh dirt or exit piles or whatever.
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