Reduce light before harvest?

Will reducing the light help? I've seen it mentioned, but most people and guides just talk about flushing and stopping nutes. (Hempy bucket with perlite/coco)

I think I should chop next week. She got into nute toxicity mid flower, and it's throwing me off a little. Some trichomes at the top are starting to cloud, but they seem clear farther down. Normal?

I just came close to an "emergency chop". I pulled it out of the tent and it's so top heavy that it spread out and I almost dumped her on the floor! Is it normal for stems to be so week when the tent is supporting them? Hope I didn't wreck the roots. I guess I should just be happy she's so top heavy!

1212ham,
On the light issue...I haven't specifically heard that. There's a protocol that some people follow by allowing 24 hours of dark before chop. Is that what you're referring to?

And also many folks do a multi-stage chop. Top of plant first and then allow lower buds to mature awhile...then harvest the rest.

And finally yes some plant stems get wobbly as bud puts on weight. When I grew tall haze plants...that would always happen. Silica given throughout grow can strengthen stems...but best to plan for support or trellis. It happens.
JD

JohnDee said:

1212ham,
On the light issue...I haven't specifically heard that. There's a protocol that some people follow by allowing 24 hours of dark before chop. Is that what you're referring to?
JD

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I don't recall exactly what I read. I think they may have gradually increased light during flower, then taper off. Sometimes I wonder around RIU and get into information overload. Interesting about the 24 hours of dark before chop, I hadn't heard of that. With so many opinions on grow techniques, it's hard to know what to believe.

I had two very small fans running. Perhaps one stronger, oscillating fan would have strengthened the stems more? It was a 3 ft. tall plant in a 20" x 36" tent. I may try SOG next time, any suggestion for a number of plants in that size tent?

That 24hrdark thing is an old wives tale. Like boiling the roots w sugar before harvest or putting a nail through the stem to increase resin. 24 hrs dark won’t hurt it either so try it. Or don’t. Lol. It’ll be ok either way.

Sometimes I turn the lights to half power the last 4-5 days before harvest to save a little electricity during summer. They are just maturing at that point so it doesn’t hurt em. Cloudy days. But that’s just if it’s too hot and I want to save a little energy really.

Hello 1212ham,

The dark period before harvesting has more to do with maximizing your terpene production (Smell and aroma) because the heat can destroy terpenes. Since most grow lamps produce a lot of heat, it is actually a good thing to leave your plants in the dark for 12 to 24 hours before chopping them down.

Also the weak stems may have something to do with your strain. You can stake them in order to protect the stems from breaking.