Calculating veg hours for outdoor trees

[oceangrownkush]

So I am giving myself the homework assignment of learning exactly how I need to set my timers for the CFLs I plan to use to keep my trees vegging through spring and I figured I'd post it up here for constructive criticisms and hopefully answers to a few questions I have.

I have been hearing more and more about using minimal lighting hours for veg, 15 hours I believe it is? Thats 14 hours on, dark for 5 hours, lights on 1 hour, then dark for 4.. Or SOMETHING like that. I had read another thread about it somewhere but can't seem to find the specifics.

I am also using this little tool to calculate when / where the timers should be during next season and I don't think this calculator can be relinked enough... Takes all the guesswork out of it;

http://astro.unl.edu/classaction/animations/coordsmotion/daylighthoursexplorer.html

If anyone is having success using these odd veg hours please do chime in, or if anyone knows of the article I read and can link me that would be exceedingly helpful and appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[Backyard Farmer]

That'll work, set the on/off for your longest day of the year and gradually scale back as you get closer.

There's a sticky at the top of this forum on this subject.

Good luck and have fun

 

[theJointedOne]

You only need this with clones fwiw.

Seed started in mid to late February needs no supp lighting and can reach double digit pounds no problem.

 

[hmongsauce]

You only need this with clones fwiw.

Seed started in mid to late February needs no supp lighting and can reach double digit pounds no problem.

if i am going to be planting early and want to supp lighting, do i go by the sunrise/set table for my area or do i go by the exact time the sun hits and leaves the planting area. i'm on the side of a hill so i don't exactly get the direct sun of the sunrise

 

[theJointedOne]

if i am going to be planting early and want to supp lighting, do i go by the sunrise/set table for my area or do i go by the exact time the sun hits and leaves the planting area. i'm on the side of a hill so i don't exactly get the direct sun of the sunrise

hmongsauce,

Good point...id go by when your garden actually receives light. Shouldn't be too off from the actual rise and set times eh?