What is the Gas Lantern Routine (GLR)
The Gas Lantern Routine (GLR) is a lighting schedule adopted by some cannabis cultivators to potentially enhance the growth of their plants while also aiming to reduce energy consumption. This routine is particularly utilized during the vegetative growth stage of the cannabis plant. The core idea behind the GLR is to replicate a more natural light cycle compared to the continuous light exposure provided in typical indoor growing settings.
Here’s a breakdown of how the Gas Lantern Routine operates:
- Lighting Schedule:
- The routine consists of a 24-hour cycle where the plants receive 12 hours of continuous light.
- This is followed by a 5.5-hour period of darkness.
- After the dark period, an hour of light is provided, which is again followed by another 5.5 hours of darkness, completing the 24-hour cycle.
- Energy Savings:
- By cutting down the hours of continuous light exposure, growers can save on electricity costs, making it an economically appealing option.
- Mimicking Natural Environment:
- The interrupted light schedule attempts to mimic a more natural light cycle, which some growers believe can lead to healthier plant growth.
- Transition to Flowering:
- Once the plants are ready to transition to the flowering stage, growers can shift to a more traditional 12/12 light/dark schedule to encourage flowering.
- Potential Benefits:
- Some growers who have implemented the GLR claim to have seen benefits such as increased yields and healthier, more robust plants.
- Equipment Needed:
- Implementing the GLR requires a programmable timer to manage the light and dark periods accurately.
- Monitoring and Adjusting:
- As with any cultivation technique, it’s crucial to monitor the plants’ responses to the new lighting schedule and adjust as necessary to ensure optimal growth and health.
The Gas Lantern Routine is an intriguing method that aims to find a middle ground between energy savings and optimal plant growth. However, its effectiveness can vary depending on the particular strain of cannabis, the growing environment, and the skill and experience of the cultivator. It’s always advisable to do thorough research and possibly consult with more experienced growers before making significant changes to a cultivation routine.
Understanding the Gas Lantern Routine
The Gas Lantern Routine (GLR) is a lighting schedule used by many cannabis growers to optimize the plant’s growth while saving on energy costs. It is based on the premise that cannabis plants don’t necessarily require continuous light during the vegetative stage, and by reducing the hours of light, growers can mimic the natural environment more closely. Here, I will delve into the science behind the GLR, its origins, and why some growers prefer this method.
Implementing the Gas Lantern Routine in Your Grow Room
Implementing the GLR requires a clear understanding of its schedule, which consists of 12 hours of light followed by 5.5 hours of darkness, then 1 hour of light, and 5.5 hours of darkness again. This cycle supposedly helps in reducing the stress on the plants while promoting a healthy growth cycle. I will provide a step-by-step guide on how to transition your current lighting schedule to the Gas Lantern Routine, what equipment you’ll need, and how to monitor your plants’ response to the new light schedule.
Benefits of the Gas Lantern Routine for Cannabis Cultivation
The Gas Lantern Routine (GLR) emerges as a beacon of efficiency and natural growth in the realm of indoor cannabis cultivation. It offers a blend of benefits that are not just confined to plant health, but extend to the grower’s pocket and the broader environment. Here’s a deep dive into the merits of embracing the Gas Lantern Routine in your cannabis cultivation journey.
1. Economical Electricity Consumption
The prime allure of the Gas Lantern Routine is its potential for significant energy savings. Unlike conventional indoor growing practices where lights blaze for 18 to 24 hours, the GLR trims down the light exposure, thereby reducing the energy footprint. This alteration reflects directly on your electricity bill, making the GLR a pocket-friendly choice for cultivators, especially when juxtaposed with the traditional incessant lighting schedules.
2. A Cooler, Happier Grow Space
With reduced light exposure comes a cooler grow space—a boon for both your plants and your cooling system. Traditional cannabis growing lights, notorious for their heat emission, can accumulate excessive heat over time, posing a threat to plant health. The GLR, with its intermittent dark periods, allows for a cooler environment, ensuring your plants remain cheerful and unscathed from potential heat damage.
3. Mimicking Mother Nature
By dialing down the hours of light exposure, the Gas Lantern Routine attempts to mirror the natural light cycle a cannabis plant would experience in the wild. Even in sun-drenched climates, plants seldom bask in 18 to 24 hours of sunlight. The GLR provides a more naturalistic light regimen, which is speculated to foster a more organic growth pattern, aligning with the plant’s inherent biological rhythm.
4. Invigorated Growth and Yield
Anecdotal evidence suggests that plants revel in the additional rest time afforded by the Gas Lantern Routine, showcasing noticeable growth spurts within a fortnight. A robust, larger cannabis plant is synonymous with an abundance of buds. The GLR, therefore, not only paves the way for heightened plant vigor but potentially translates to a richer yield. Even without employing plant training techniques, cultivators may witness an increased number of bud sites. For those who venture into plant training, the GLR could serve as a catalyst for unlocking even more budding sites, amplifying the yield further.
5. Root Resilience: A Contentious Benefit
A topic of debate yet worthy of mention is the purported enhancement of the root system under the Gas Lantern Routine. The theory posits that during the periods of darkness, plants channel their energy towards root development. A robust root system lays the foundation for a healthy, sturdy plant capable of supporting lush, verdant growth above soil. While empirical evidence may be scant, the potential for fostering a resilient root system adds another layer of appeal to the Gas Lantern Routine.
The Gas Lantern Routine is a narrative of balance—between light and dark, growth and rest, expenditure and savings. It beckons cultivators to step into a realm where natural growth trajectories are honored, and the symbiotic relationship between different facets of cultivation is celebrated.
Potential Drawbacks and Alternatives to the Gas Lantern Routine
The Gas Lantern Routine (GLR) carries a promise of potential benefits for cannabis cultivators, bridging the gap between nature and indoor cultivation. However, like any cultivation technique, it comes with its share of drawbacks. Understanding these challenges and exploring alternative lighting schedules can equip cultivators with the knowledge to make informed decisions tailored to their unique growing circumstances.
1. Adaptation Challenges
Transitioning to the Gas Lantern Routine can be a sharp deviation from conventional lighting schedules, potentially causing stress to the plants initially. The abrupt change in light exposure might require a period of adjustment for the plants, during which growth may temporarily slow down or exhibit signs of stress.
2. Strain Sensitivity
Not all cannabis strains may respond favorably to the Gas Lantern Routine. Certain strains, especially those accustomed to long daylight hours, might find the interrupted light schedule of GLR unsuitable, potentially affecting their growth and yield negatively. Some strains may also start to flower when you did not intend for this to happen, due to the light stress from using this method of lighting.
3. Increased Monitoring and Adjustments
The GLR demands a more hands-on approach from the cultivator. The need for careful monitoring and potentially frequent adjustments to the light schedule to ensure optimal plant health and growth can be time-consuming. This routine may necessitate a keen eye and a willingness to tweak the light schedule based on the plants’ responses.
4. Potential Yield Impact
While some growers report increased yields with GLR, others might experience a dip in yield, especially if the plants don’t adapt well to the new lighting schedule. The varying experiences underscore the importance of individual circumstances and the need for a well-calibrated approach.
Alternatives to Gas Lantern Routine
For those who find the GLR less appealing or unsuitable for their cultivation scenario, exploring alternative lighting schedules can be beneficial.
- Traditional 18/6 or 24/0 Schedule:
- These schedules provide uninterrupted light during the vegetative stage, promoting consistent growth, albeit at a higher energy cost.
- Split Light Schedule:
- This schedule breaks down the light exposure into segments, providing light in bursts with intervening dark periods, potentially offering a middle ground between energy savings and consistent growth.
- Dimmable Lights and Light Movers:
- Employing dimmable lights or light movers can also contribute to energy savings while maintaining a conducive environment for plant growth.
- Automated Light Management Systems:
- Advanced growers might consider investing in automated light management systems that adjust light intensity, duration, and spectrum based on the plants’ needs, optimizing both energy usage and plant growth.
- Supplemental Lighting Techniques:
- Utilizing supplemental lighting techniques like side-lighting or intra-canopy lighting can also be alternatives to achieve desired growth outcomes without transitioning to a different light schedule.
The Gas Lantern Routine is one among many avenues to navigate the complex landscape of indoor cannabis cultivation. While it offers a novel approach to lighting schedules, its potential drawbacks warrant consideration. Exploring alternatives and perhaps even combining different techniques could pave the way for a well-rounded, effective lighting strategy tailored to your cannabis cultivation endeavor.
