Manipulate photoperiod

How do I manipulate the photoperiod for larger yields?

[DISCLAIMER]: This information is provided as experimental data and not fact.
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The only photoperiod manipulation from years of experiments that offered discernible improvements was the following photoperiod adjustment made for 1 or 2 calendar weeks at the point of maximum flowering rate: Daylength of 21 hours, 36 minutes with a dark period of 12 hours. To accomplish this, you need a 7 day, 24 hour digital timer. During a 7 day calendar week on Earth, the "sun" only cycles 5 times. This permits easily switching back to the regular 12/12 at your discretion. You may want to only alter during peak flower production to stimulate the plant's metabolism. Using this photoperiod throughout the flowering cycle will cause this:

A variety that takes 49 days of 12/12 to mature, won't see 49 - 12 hour dark periods under 21:36/12 until almost 10 calendar weeks have passed.
The total increase in light energy is almost 80%, which will produce larger yields, if all of your other enviromental conditions are kept optimal.
The total increase in flowering period is only 40%, half the potential room for improvement. This means you don't have to be perfect to win out.

Selective application of the 21:36/12 photperiod for only 1 or 2 weeks extends the wait only 2 to 4 Earth days, which makes up the missing 2 complete day and night cycles each week on Planet Ito. This permits the additional light energy to be provided without purchasing additional equipment or overloading existing circuits, which maximizes the existing system's capabilities. The main advantage is that matched with co2 and optimal nutrition, the plants metabolism will increase dramatically. I have only successfully tested this photoperiod for two weeks. The potential for a net increase of 40% over the entire cycle (80% increase in light energy vs. 40% longer wait) is worthwhile. Don't be afraid!

Day 1 - Sunday, 6:00am til Monday, 3:36am Day 2 - Monday, 3:36pm til Tuesday, 1:12pm Day 3 - Wednesday, 1:12am til Wednesday, 10:48pm Day 4 - Thursday, 10:48am til Friday 8:24am Day 5 - Friday, 8:24pm til Saturday 6:00pm

Hydroponics vs. organic

Hydroponics vs. organics
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I have to respectfully disagree that hydroponics will yield higher than organics. There is a difference between growth rate and the yield. Because something grows faster does not mean it yields more in the same space. If you factor in time for veg growth, hydroponics will have the edge in yield. If you have a separate veg area, that timing issue is irrelevant. Having greater aromatics is a matter of opinion and relative to growing skill and methods. When done correctly, organics (organic nutrients, soilless mixes) produce buds that smell just as strong as those grown hydroponically. I will concede that hydro-grown plants do have a slightly faster growth rate, but to solidly state that they yield more overall, I believe is misleading. The reason that I switched to organics was because I didn't see enough difference in either growth or anything else to warrant the need for so much monitoring and expensive meters and nutrients. I think that the only provable plus to hydroponics is growth rate.Whereas the cons are chemical aftertaste in the flavour of buds, extreme susceptibility to over/under fertilization, very high initial investment, many things to break and clog, etc. If grown in a nice airy organic soil mix and watered with good organic amendments, growth enhancers and beneficial fungi (mycorrhizae), you will easily compete with that of a hydroponic system. Your end result will be full flavored, non-chemical tasting buds. They can be arguably, slightly more potent due to the fact that, as of now, science cannot compete with Mother Nature and naturally occurring elements. Bottom line - unless you are obsessed with fittings, toys and technology (and many are) organics can grow nearly as fast, just as big (if not bigger), better tasting and IMHO more potent buds. And they do this with very little initial investment, and are very forgiving of newbie mistakes.

Light speed

Does fine tuning light timing hasten ripening? I have 30 wonderful and very healthy girls ranging from 14 to 30 inches tall. We are now beginning to flower. I wondered if there is a significant difference in yield if I go two weeks at a 12/12 light/dark light cycle, and then drop down to 10/14 in order to hasten ripening? I've been told that there is a difference but not much.
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Plants use light to fuel growth. If they receive less light they will grow less. Changing the light/dark light cycle to 10/14 from 12/12 reduces the amount of light the plants receive by 1/6, or 16%. Cutting the light cycle while flowering results in less total growth, because the plant produces less material used for tissue building. Another effect of cutting the light cycle is to hasten the ripening of the plant. By reducing the light cycle during the growth part of flowering, the growth time is reduced. However this is not a productive trade-off. Not only is the total time under light reduced, so is the percentage of time with light. The yield of the lower light-cycle bud will be more than proportionately lower than normal. However, during the last 10 to 15 days of flowering the bud has little growth. Instead it transforms as the stigmas dry, the ovary behind them swells and the glands fill with THC. Reducing the light period during this time will hasten ripening without significantly reducing yield, by giving the plant a clear signal that the time has come. There are occasions when it may be more important to speed up ripening than to maximize production. Under these circumstances, a 10-hour light/14-hour dark cycle would indeed be better.