If you’ve grown cannabis for a while, you’re probably using the 18/6 cycle. Meaning, the plants get 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness during the vegetative phase and 12/12 hours during the flowering phase.
But, what if we told you that some growers have apparently found a better lighting cycle that can work wonders for your cannabis plant?
It’s called the gas lantern routine or the 12-1 routine, but does it work? There is some truth to it, but the rest is for you to find out on your own if you’re up to the task. In this article, learn about the gas lantern routine and how it may help you.
What Exactly is the Gas Lantern Routine to Grow Cannabis?
The gas lantern routine finds its roots in the agricultural practices of the yesteryears, where farmers were trying to deter nocturnal pests from attacking their crops. The farmers would take out lanterns at night to protect the plants, but this had an unexpected side effect.
The farmers realized that the use of lanterns at night stopped the plants from blooming — the crops were perpetually maintained in the vegetative stage. Fast forward to the present day, and indoor cannabis growers have harnessed this historical anomaly, touting its potential for substantial benefits in plant growth, health, and yield.
Gas Lantern Routine Breakdown
At its core, the GLR endeavors to emulate a more natural light cycle, diverging from the conventional continuous lighting patterns typical in indoor cultivation. Here's a breakdown of what the GLR entails:
During the vegetative phase, the GLR introduces a distinctive light-dark cycle: five and a half hours of darkness followed by one hour of light, and another five and a half hours of darkness.
This departure from the standard 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness disrupts the plants' photoperiod, effectively preventing premature transition to the flowering stage.
Growers that use GLR claim that it is a terrific method of growing cannabis. According to them, you can expect accelerated vegetative growth, reduced flowering stretch, and an earlier onset of bud development.
By subjecting plants to a brief hour of light amidst the darkness, growers claim that GLR supports a surge in flowering hormones while keeping full bloom at bay. Consequently, when the brief light interruption stops, your cannabis plant will exhibit robust and vigorous growth.
Beyond its efficacy in enhancing plant development, the GLR offers practical advantages for cannabis growers. By shortening both the vegetative and flowering phases, you can achieve more frequent harvests.
Vegetative cycles may be shortened by one to two weeks while flowering stages can be sped up by a week or more, all while maintaining optimal plant health and vigor.
In essence, the gas lantern routine represents a terrific yet unique approach to indoor cannabis cultivation, offering you a naturalistic alternative to conventional lighting methods.
How Does the Gas Lantern Routine Work for Cannabis?
Did you know that cannabis doesn't need a whopping 18 hours of light during the vegetative phase? Nope, it's true! All it needs is 13 hours of light to keep growing along in its vegetative growth phase.
So, that 18-hour lighting schedule? Yeah, it's just stressing out your plants, according to growers that use GLR.
Think about it: even outdoor cannabis plants don't bask in 18 hours of sunlight. Heck, even in the equatorial regions, they don't get that much sunshine in a day. So, if cannabis is all about that outdoor life, why not mimic those natural conditions indoors?
This is where the gas lantern routine comes in. This nifty lighting technique can work wonders not only during the veggie stage but also throughout flowering. During the vegetative phase, you can keep those lights on for 11 hours straight and then give 'em a 13-hour break. Sounds more like what Mother Nature intended, right?
Most growers still swear by the old 12 hours on and 12 hours off routine, but if you trust users of GLR, it's not doing your plants any favors. They need a schedule that's more in tune with the great outdoors.
Now, let's talk flowering. When your plants are blossoming, it's like they're naturally winding down for the season. Out in the wild, they wouldn't be soaking up a full 12 hours of sunlight at that point.
That's where GLR swoops in to save the day. By mimicking those outdoor photoperiods as closely as possible, you're giving your plants the best shot at success. Some growers even start with the classic 12/12 setup and gradually dial down the lights, adding a 30-minute shutdown every two weeks. It's like simulating that transition from late summer to early autumn sunlight, right in your grow room.
So, when your buds are in those final weeks of flowering, they'll be chilling out with a cozy 9 hours on and 15 hours off. Talk about bringing the great outdoors inside!
What are the Potential Benefits of the Gas Lantern Routine?
Let's break down the potential perks of jumping on the GLR bandwagon:
1. Lower Energy Bills
Tired of those eye-watering electricity bills? GLR steps in to save the day by trimming your energy usage. By limiting the light to just 13 hours daily instead of the standard 18, GLR can save you A LOT of money during each growing season.
2. Keeps the Grow Room Cool
Don't let your plants break a sweat! Traditional grow lights, especially HPS and MH ones, can turn up the heat, but GLR keeps things cool and comfy. Thanks to its intermittent dark spells, GLR creates a cooler environment, ensuring your plants stay in their happy place, thriving and flourishing.
3. A More Natural Light Cycle
GLR aims to mimic Mother Nature's light cycle, giving your plants a more natural lighting regime. This aligns with the plant's biological rhythm, potentially encouraging more organic growth patterns. It's like bringing a slice of the great outdoors right into your grow room!
4. Improved Growth
With GLR, your plants enjoy extra downtime, leading to robust growth in just a couple of weeks. More growth means more buds, translating to potentially higher yields. And if you're into training techniques, GLR could be the secret sauce for unlocking even more flowering buds, boosting your yield to the max!
5. Better Root Health
Now, here's where things get a bit controversial. Some growers swear by GLR for strengthening the root system. They believe that during the dark hours, cannabis plants focus on root development. So, by giving them more dark hours, you're helping those roots grow stronger. And we all know a solid root system sets the stage for lush, healthy growth.
So, there you have it—GLR isn't just a lighting routine; it can be a game-changer for your plants, your wallet, and even the environment!
What are the Drawbacks of the Gas Lantern Routine?
Sure, it can be a game-changer, but is the gas lantern routine right for you? Here are some of the biggest drawbacks of this routine that you should be aware of before jumping in.
1. Can Stress Your Plant
Transitioning to GLR isn't always a walk in the park. The sudden shift away from traditional lighting schedules might catch your plants off guard, leading to stress or a temporary growth slowdown as they adapt to the new rhythm.
2. Some Strains are More Sensitive To GLR
Not all cannabis strains are thrilled about GLR's unique lighting routine. Some genetics, particularly those accustomed to lengthy light exposure, might find GLR's interrupted daylight schedule less than ideal, potentially stunting their growth.
Additionally, certain varieties might unexpectedly enter the flowering stage due to the light stress induced by this method.
3. You Need to Be More Involved
GLR demands a hands-on approach from growers. Keeping a close watch and potentially making frequent adjustments to the lighting regimen for optimal growth can be time-consuming. This routine calls for keen observation and a readiness to tweak the lighting setup based on your plants' feedback.
4. May Not Always Work — No Guarantee
While some growers sing praises of GLR's ability to boost yields, others may experience the opposite. A drop in yield is possible, particularly if your plants struggle to adapt to the new lighting scheme. Individual experiences vary, highlighting the importance of tailoring your approach to suit your specific circumstances.
Summary: All You Need to Know About the Gas Lantern Routine To Grow Cannabis
In summary, the Gas Lantern Routine offers a unique approach to indoor cannabis cultivation, promising a host of benefits for both you and your plants alike. By mimicking natural light cycles, GLR provides a more energy-efficient, cooler, and growth-promoting environment.
With accelerated vegetative growth, reduced flowering stretch, and potential for higher yields, GLR has captured the attention of cannabis cultivators worldwide. However, it's essential to weigh the drawbacks, including potential plant stress, strain sensitivity, increased monitoring requirements, and variable performance outcomes.
Ultimately, whether GLR is right for you depends on your unique circumstances and cultivation goals. So, if you are looking to spice up your cannabis cultivation and potentially find the next best thing to increase your plant’s yields — give GLR a try!
