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If a strain is reported to have a 55 day flowering period, I'd expect the stretch to last 22 days from the day that I switched to 12 on / 12 off.
If the stretch actually lasted, for example, 27 days... Then I'd know that it was actually a 68-day strain instead of a 55-day one.
And if the bank that sold me the hypothetical strain listed as being a 55-day flower that actually was a 68-day one called it "an early harvest with sativa-like affects," then I'd know right away that they were trying to pull a fast one on me by trying to get me to harvest early so as to get a quick, raw, speedy affect. Not that they've ever done such a thing grinjoint:). But in such a case I'd take it to the calculated 68th day of flowering for a different, but more natural - although more couch-lock, +/- - affect (even though I prefer sativas). I'd get fuller buds since they tend to put on the final surge of trichomes (and weight) close to harvest.
[While many people eventually adjust the exact harvest date (slightly) to suit, cutting an indica down mad-early (premature) to get some supposed "sativa-affect" is, IMHO, like letting a 115-day sativa go to 135 days to get a couch-lock/narcotic "indica-affect." Like that fat redneck comedian said, "It's like wiping before you p00p - it don't make no sense."]
I've found that to be pretty accurate. Assuming no major "oh shits" occur that so stress the girls that flowering is delayed, and assuming that major light changes do not occur (switching types or color-temperature), cannabis will "stretch" for the first 40% of its flowering period and "fill-in" for the remaining 60%.
Called the 40:60 rule for that reason. Handy.
You might harvest a bit earlier or a bit later in order to (somewhat) adjust the characteristics of the affect, but if you've got the exact stretch time and have to go on vacation with a helper who can follow directions but not determine the harvest date, then your calculated harvest date would be safe as houses.
Count the flowering period from the first day you introduce a full 12-hour dark period. Count the stretch period from the same. You should be able to tell when the stretch stops. It might not completely cease, but it'll go from "wow is this thing ever going to stop getting taller?" to "it might have grown a little," lol.
Certain hormone supplements may play havoc with this formula (and the plant). And auto-flowering strains of course, are an aberration.
Super helpful. That really helped me out because I have one pure sativa, pure indica, and a mix of both so finding the right time to harvest each is going to be tricky. I have been trimming off the bottom fan leaves and the popcorn budsites a little everyday, but theres just so many that im starting to worry I could hermie it.
Since its day 14 of flower, and most budsites are from 4-8 inches above the screen would you guys say they are going to grow a little to high and defeat the purpose of the screen? Ive seen a couple scrogs where all the budsites are like 2 feet above the screen