Trichomes, THC and UVB light.....

[TheNatural]

Your almost there my friend, but you must get rid of any old ideas that will hold you back.

Get rid of a little bit of the Science mind and relax and concentrate on the " common sense. "

Very soon, I will show my brothers and sisters the full potential of our beloved Tree.......................

It is a combination of things that will expose the truth of our wonderful Tree........

UV, A and B are just one of the keys..........enough for now

Be Blessed,

Rev. TheNatural

 

[tahoe58]

many thanks for your contribution .... the whole picture is but a speck of the actuality. Walk On!~

 

[shockerboy8]

hey no worries. I'm using 160W SolarGlo floodlights. I have two. I started with running them two hours then four then six then 8 .... I started them about a week into flower I think? I'd have to go back and check my calender of dates. Another friend of mine had an idea about putting them on a rheostat to infinitely adjust the UVB increasing intensity into noon and then decreasing intensity to night. These bulbs are self ballasted and I'm not sure that would work here. For now. that is how I am doing it. I am quite impressed with the results. But as is the case, there are other factors that influence the bud growth, not the least of which is a different phenotype - but regardless, she is a fine specimen, and I believe that some of that is due to the additional uv energy.

thanks man i appreciate it. i plan on trying something out with the UV light and i'll definitely post if anything positive comes from it. which i'm sure will happen.

and nice plant. that is a magical plant you have growing. keep that up.

 

[tahoe58]

hey man many thanks. I adore that girl. Her weight and stank are really advancing ..... whether that is a function of the additional uv energy or not I surely cannot say. The conditions of this grow have generally been more positive than the last, with the exception of a brief fairly intense nute burn. Sometimes I think that my brain would benefit from a little nutes burn ... maybe take a couple of notches off "full-bore-all-the-time" .... LOL!! I'll be posting some new pics hopefully later today. I actually turned the uvb exposure back to 6 hours in the middle of the day cuz I just got thinking that some of the severity and prolonged appearance of the nute burn may have been exacerbated with the intense uv light as wel? don't know, just thought I would be cautious. It is recommended to use a uv meter so you are better prepared to understand your actual intensity readings .... but I have not bought one yet. The recommended one is the Solartech Model 6.2 ($179) (http://www.solarmeter.com/model62.html). Meanwhile, she continues to get phatter n'phatter

thanks man i appreciate it. i plan on trying something out with the UV light and i'll definitely post if anything positive comes from it. which i'm sure will happen.

and nice plant. that is a magical plant you have growing. keep that up.

 

[tahoe58]

thanks Spike .... appreciate the positive feedback. I too considered the 10 reptiglo .... and almost bought them .... but I ran across a comparison of realized uv intensity, and these newer bulbs (SolarGlo) seems to have a better performance ...so I went with them ..... I will be interested to see the development of my new strains and see what fruits they bear. Again, many thanks for the visit and the thoughts!! Walk On!!~~~

Awesome stuff guys, especially the last 1/2 dozen or so posts.
It's such a pleasure to actually witness an intelligent concersation on this site.
I've been watching this post from the start as I bought some (3 to be exact) reptiglo 10 26W cfl's and have been experimenting for several months, unfortunately most of my notes were on a harddrive sent back for warranty replacement.
keep up the good work.

 

[SableZen]

Question if anyone wants to clear it up for me:

I can see where the amount of cannabinoids, as a chemical messenger, present in a plant may be related to stress the plant is undergoing or having undergone...

And... I've read it conjectured that cannabinoids present in trichomes may be related to UV protection as a secondary role...

But... where has the jump come from that controlling UVB exposure directly results in increased cannabinoids? Is there any measurable evidence of this anywhere - or is just conjecture based on subjective experiences?

The whole premise just sounds really shaky to me - but hope I'm just missing some information?

 

[tahoe58]

many thanks for your visit and your questions. Those are valid questions as most recently raised. I believe the simple answer is no. I do not have in my possession a peer reviewed scientific document that empirically supports the hypotheses that increased uv exposure will have a direct positive influence over quantity of cannabinoids when directly compared with the identical circumstances less the uv energy. The anecdotal and subjective evidence that formed the basis for our assumption to initiate this thread may not be valid as I have already acknowledged. Regardless, I remain interested in observing the improvements (or not) in my crops with the changes I make to my environmental quality. The lack of the scientific evidence in no way diminishes the value (to me) of the exercise I am currently undertaking. I expect there will certainly be those that find that entire effort a waste of time. For them, that may be true. The same is not true for me.

 

[shockerboy8]

hey man many thanks. I adore that girl. Her weight and stank are really advancing ..... whether that is a function of the additional uv energy or not I surely cannot say. The conditions of this grow have generally been more positive than the last, with the exception of a brief fairly intense nute burn. Sometimes I think that my brain would benefit from a little nutes burn ... maybe take a couple of notches off "full-bore-all-the-time" .... LOL!! I'll be posting some new pics hopefully later today. I actually turned the uvb exposure back to 6 hours in the middle of the day cuz I just got thinking that some of the severity and prolonged appearance of the nute burn may have been exacerbated with the intense uv light as wel? don't know, just thought I would be cautious. It is recommended to use a uv meter so you are better prepared to understand your actual intensity readings .... but I have not bought one yet. The recommended one is the Solartech Model 6.2 ($179) (http://www.solarmeter.com/model62.html). Meanwhile, she continues to get phatter n'phatter

so are you supercropping that thing? cause it looks mucho bonzai like.

 

[tahoe58]

no not really a formal bonsai ...don't know how to do that actually. But I did successively remove the large fan leaves over a period of about a week resulting the form and structure she has. But this pheno was also quite predisposed to this structure from the get go. I believe the added uv energy is providing some additional fuel to this classical shape and structure. Thanks for dropping by. Walk On!~

 

[RickWhite]

Until a sound explanation of TCH's roll is known, the smartest thing to do is to assume that TCH like all the other plant's anatomical parts are the product of optimal conditions. The problem with fooling around with UV light is that it the one thing we know it does well is destroys things. UV definitely kills a host of microbes and is known to be detrimental to just about everything from human skin to food and drink. That is why beer comes in amber bottles.

Granted, we know that there are some benefits from extra exposure in some cases such as reptiles or those suffering from SAD, but I'm sure these things are much more thoroughly researched. Basically what I'm saying is that it is just as likely that concentrated UV light can result in a net loss just as easily as a gain.

 

[tahoe58]

many thanks for your thoughts. I understand the caution in relation to the known and potnetially destructive properties of uv energy. The known and measured intensity of these particular lights does not exceed the "typical" equatorial intensity values. This is within the acceptable for my risk tolerance profile. Thanks again.

Until a sound explanation of TCH's roll is known, the smartest thing to do is to assume that TCH like all the other plant's anatomical parts are the product of optimal conditions. The problem with fooling around with UV light is that it the one thing we know it does well is destroys things. UV definitely kills a host of microbes and is known to be detrimental to just about everything from human skin to food and drink. That is why beer comes in amber bottles.

Granted, we know that there are some benefits from extra exposure in some cases such as reptiles or those suffering from SAD, but I'm sure these things are much more thoroughly researched. Basically what I'm saying is that it is just as likely that concentrated UV light can result in a net loss just as easily as a gain.

 

[YouGrowBoy]

Great thread! Tahoe, I commend you for keeping it going since 11/07. I have read a lot of it (the 1st 6 or 7 pages, skipped the middle, then jumped to the last 5) and was wondering if you would be able to post a short summary of the best way to use UVB?

I understand the hazards and dangers to eyes, skin and health of humans, and also believe in the philosophy (and science) behind why it works on plants, I'm interested in the nuts and bolts of putting it into action.

As you're a person who's studied this for some time now, I'm interested in your thoughts on the following.

How many watts per sq ft?
How close to the plants?
What UVB % do you recommend?
How would you outfit the perfect garden? (around 6'x6')

Or any other practical advice for usage.

Many thanks for your contribution here.

YGB

 

[tahoe58]

tried to give some answers to you directly with the questions below. Thanks for your thoughts and comments. I really appreciate the contributions other people make to this thread.

Great thread! Tahoe, I commend you for keeping it going since 11/07. I have read a lot of it (the 1st 6 or 7 pages, skipped the middle, then jumped to the last 5) and was wondering if you would be able to post a short summary of the best way to use UVB? I might make an effort to do such a summary ... but that will take a little time to do it properly.

I understand the hazards and dangers to eyes, skin and health of humans, and also believe in the philosophy (and science) behind why it works on plants, I'm interested in the nuts and bolts of putting it into action.

As you're a person who's studied this for some time now, I'm interested in your thoughts on the following.

How many watts per sq ft? The only way to be certain of your intensity is to use a meter to provide these data. Alice Springs AU has the highest readings up to 450 [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]µW/cm²[/FONT][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif].[/FONT][/FONT] Deep shade in tropical region has values of 30-50 [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]µW/cm². [/FONT][/FONT]I have not done such measurements, and should.
How close to the plants? The penetration of UV is poor. My bulbs are supposed to be effective to 30" (65cm). The power of the energy dissipates from source. Mine are as close a six inches, and I have seen no direct damage. I have been using my lights now for several weeks.
What UVB % do you recommend? I'm not sure what you mean by UV % ..... you mean the bulbs that promote the 5 or 10 label? I have read that the higher numbers are really the only effective ones ..... but I bought the bulbs I have because it was stated they have still higher output. ZooMed and OSRAM (Sylvania) are two others that have reportedly high output. The ReptiSun florescents seem to also be a good choice.
How would you outfit the perfect garden? (around 6'x6') The problem I have is space (3x4x4) and locating the two lights, so that they provide the max. benefit. In a 6x6 I might take a long look at the ReptiSun tubes. I should have considered that merely for ease of placement. The fixtures are flexible for placement low or high .... or if the MV self ballasted bulb like mine .... maybe four of those one in each corner?

Or any other practical advice for usage. I would recommend that any usage be prefaced by a "ease in" period .... give the lights maybe an hour or two a day for a few days, and watch the plants closely, and then build up repeating the stepping up of time to reach say 8 hours a day. I believe you can see when something is not right with the plants. Build up to say 8 hours within the 12-12. I have seperate vege and flower room so the uv resides in the flower room and not both.

Many thanks for your contribution here. No worries. I am rather intrigued with this. I have followed anecdotal evidence and some thinly related scientific work going back many years, and there seems to be a relationship .... just not exactly sure what it is and to what extent, and ultimately the question od how and why. Many thansk for your visit

YGB

 

[doobnVA]

Just a quick question, because I hear everyone saying how dangerous UV light is when it comes to using it for growing despite the fact that we are exposed to UV rays daily from the time we are born.

Is using a UV light for growing really any more dangerous than going outside?

 

[born2killspam]

Just a quick question, because I hear everyone saying how dangerous UV light is when it comes to using it for growing despite the fact that we are exposed to UV rays daily from the time we are born.

Is using a UV light for growing really any more dangerous than going outside?

Studies have linked UV exposure to gayness, but excessive body building may be the ultimate cause since they were unable to find enough control candidates who only did one or the other..

 

[tahoe58]

well there is the potential for damage. Just as being out in the sun can cause over-exposure. So can exposure to artificial UV light. It is a matter of intensity, and time of exposure. I stick my head and body and arms in my BBox a couple of time a day and dig around and water and trim and stare, mostly just stare..... ok so I love my plants, what can I say? Anyhow, I do not believe I am putting myself at risk with these activities. But

Just a quick question, because I hear everyone saying how dangerous UV light is when it comes to using it for growing despite the fact that we are exposed to UV rays daily from the time we are born.

Is using a UV light for growing really any more dangerous than going outside?

 

[doobnVA]

Studies have linked UV exposure to gayness, but excessive body building may be the ultimate cause since they were unable to find enough control candidates who only did one or the other..

I always knew something was fishy about those bodybuilders! Also explains why there are so many gay people in California.

Seriously though, is using a UV light for growing really any more dangerous than forgetting the sunscreen at the beach?

 

[tahoe58]

hahahaha .... too funny. good one!! Walk on@@!!!~~~~~

Studies have linked UV exposure to gayness, but excessive body building may be the ultimate cause since they were unable to find enough control candidates who only did one or the other..

 

[YouGrowBoy]

tried to give some answers to you directly with the questions below. Thanks for your thoughts and comments. I really appreciate the contributions other people make to this thread.

Thanks for the answers. They were a big help.

YGB

 

[tahoe58]

no worries at all. I a grateful to be able to provide some insight. if u be doing some testing of ur own .... I would certainly be interested in what you had to say, how things worked, what worked, what didn't, the individual and specific challenges you had. Many thanks for coming by for the visit. I'm glad I could help out a little. Walk on!~~~

Thanks for the answers. They were a big help.

YGB