flowering trouble

[kaiseraramis]

About 3 weeks ago I switched to 12/12. From what I have read, you can usually tell the sex of the plant within 15 days. Its been at least 3 weeks since I switched and I still cannot tell.

Pistils are showing, aka small hairs at various nodes. And is some cases what looks like pre-flowers. Another issue is that of the 8 plants growing, none of them have 'balls'. 8 for 8 is impossible isn't it?

Here are possible problems that could be causing a delay in the sexing, flowering.

1) I did not water them for like 4 days, a couple of them were looking pretty bad but since then (about a week ago) have fully recovered.

2) About two weeks ago, my timer failed so it was in the dark for 24 hours, rather that 12.

3) The plants are huge now about 4 and a half feet. And some of them are hitting the roof but I haven't topped them, cut them down or anything. This doesn't effect flowering does it, I figure no harm no foul.

Will post pictures as soon as I get the chance but till then any ideas?

Have 1,2, caused the plants to 'reset'? HELP!!

 

[Shotgun321]

Surely if they have pistils growing then you have signs of sex. It could be possible that you have 8/8 but you wouldn't see ball sacks yet, you'd have a fair idea though, have a good look around each node on each plant and if they all are little calyx' with two white hairs sticking out and no bulgy parts then you have females.

The height issue sounds a bit iffy though, I'm no expert, I'm just finishing up my first grow but the biggest surprise to me if how much they grow in height during the first half of flower. Mine started growing about a half inch per day very steadily, they about tripled in size in the first 3-4 weeks in flower but then they stopped and began to get fat.

So if you're having height issues now and you just started flowering, you should look into possibly topping or training to keep the height in check.

 

[the herbsman uk]

are you sure your geting 12 hours of complete darkness when its lights out?

 

[JamieShoes]

24 hours darkness wouldnt cause them to stall, if anything it would hasten the process a little... it's possible they might've gotten stressed and stalled when you didnt water them, but 4 days isnt really "that" long (depends on the size of them and the pots they're in).

you say they're tall but more importantly, how close to the lamps are they?

If they're flowering as normal then this "stretch" period will be coming to an end anyway.

it IS possible to get 8 for 8, and it's also possible you have femmed seeds in some kind of labelling mix up (it wouldnt be the first time).


Like Herbs' says, check that your getting 12 /12 with no leaks or timer malfunctions etc...

 

[HempAlchemist]

pistils = female
but 8/8 is a lil odd, are these bag seeds, if they are i would be on the lookout for hermis.

if your plants are hitting the roof then you need to train in some way. a lil late to top them, i would try and LST or if they are really flexible you might try and scrog. try and create and even canopy under the light so that there is even exposure to the plants this will help maximize your yield

take a look at your timers and make sure they are working right, although you could be growing a late flowering-sativa based strain. if you are using a cheap timer it could be running too fast or too slow. so if you set it for 12/12, you could be getting any were from 10/14 to 14/10.
hope this helps
HA