Newbie with lots of ?

[Grasshopper]

Journal Entry:

5/23 Picked up some 4" clones from local Med clinic.
Purple Kush (12) and Romulan (12). Left them in grow cubes.
Used natural sunlight and 100 halogen (24/0), fan.

5/27 Transplanted 2 each in 5 gal container (Miracle Grow).
Used natural sunlight (12/12), fan.

6/3 Transplanted each one in its own 5 gal container.
Planning to use SOG method.
Using 1000 MH, 8" fan on 5x5 sq ft.
Lighting is set at (24/0) to speed growth on weekends, but set back to
(16/8) on weekdays.

6/12 Clones are now 8-10" in height and thriving.



Questions:
1.) When should I switch to flowering cycle (HPS) - (12/12) begin?
This is my main concern, since I need to move out by August 1st.

2.) Since they are clones from a Med clinic... Do I have to worry about encountering males? Will my irregular light schedule cause Hemaprodites?

3.) With those particular strains: Should I crop the top to produce a bigger yield or since I am under time constraints to not shock them?

[kmfdm4life]

You can start to flower whenever you are ready. It takes between 50 to 70 days to flower most plants, so if you need to be out by 8/1 you might want to start
As for the light cycle, Im not shure, sorry I always keep my light on for the same amout of time 20/4 VEG and 12/12 flower. I would do 24/0 in veg but I need the 4 hours of dark to cool my room down
As far as topping the plant, I have never toped my ID plants But I grow hydro ID, so again Im not shure. If you posted pics, I could tell u if I would top them


ANYWAY GOODLUCK

[bong_hit_420]

as there from a med clinic u can b sure their not gonna rip u off and give u any males so thats not a problem, but keep ur lighting consistant - u dont want any hermies

[jackel]

irreguler light scheduals can cause stess and herm ur plants (will notice bananas late in flowering). i would start 12/12 now as u might not have enuff time to finish those plants..