Argentine Growers Challenge Cannabis Light Cycle Tradition with Innovative Supercycle Experiments

In a groundbreaking move, a group of Argentine cannabis growers and researchers, led by Iván, is challenging the long-held belief in the 12–12 light cycle for cannabis flowering. This traditional cycle, which involves 12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of darkness, has been the industry standard for decades. However, Iván and his team are conducting 'supercycle' experiments that extend the cycle beyond 24 hours, questioning whether the plant's internal clock is as rigid as previously thought

The 12–12 light cycle became the norm due to its reliability and compatibility with human schedules, not necessarily because it was the optimal method for the plants themselves. Iván's experiments involve cycles such as 13–13 and 16–16, which have shown that cannabis plants can flower outside of the traditional cycle, suggesting that the plant's internal rhythms may be more flexible than assumed. This revelation could have significant implications for indoor agriculture, potentially leading to more efficient cultivation methods

Iván's journey into cannabis cultivation began in the hacker community of Buenos Aires in the late 1980s, where he developed a knack for breaking down systems to understand their inner workings. This background in hacking has informed his approach to cannabis cultivation, treating the 12–12 cycle as a system to be tested and potentially redefined. 'Why do we treat twelve hours of light as if it were some kind of divine law?' Iván questioned, highlighting the cultural rather than biological basis for the cycle

The implications of these experiments are vast, not only for cannabis cultivation but for agricultural practices more broadly. By freeing plants from the constraints of human-imposed schedules, growers can explore new evolutionary pathways and potentially increase production. Iván and his partner, Alien, have even experimented with other crops like strawberries and cherry tomatoes, finding that extended light cycles can lead to hyperproduction

Looking to the future, Iván's work has already attracted a community of over 2,000 registered participants, with around 300 actively conducting experiments. This decentralized research network acts like a collective supercomputer, sharing data and insights that could revolutionize the industry. If successful, these supercycle experiments could redefine the fundamentals of modern cannabis cultivation, shifting the focus from genetic modification to innovative light cycle manipulation