Forced THC Production

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
what kind of UV light would you recommend?
https://www.rollitup.org/t/when-to-hit-em-with-uvb.858661/page-2#post-11454191

my raw sweetener has sulfur in it (botanicare iirc), same as my old sugar daddy from tenhnaflora, but much cheaper than SD.
would botanicare sweet be a good source of sulfer?
Yes,,,but it's to damn expensive in their bottle! How about I teach you to MAKE YOUR OWN?
You will need:
1 bag of Epsom salts
1 box of DARK brown sugar
1 gallon of RO water.
1 gallon opaque bottle....(not clear and brown is best)

Bring 4 cups of the water to a FULL boil.
Add 8 TBL of the Epsom and 1 1/2 tsp of the Dark Brown Sugar.
Boil for 5 minutes stirring constantly to ensure the dissolve is complete.
Pour the 4 cups of boiling solution into the remaining water already in the opaque bottle and shake to mix completely.

Congratulations! You have just made a Gallon of Botanicare Sweet Raw $ 65.00 average retail for the massive sum of about 1 dollar! Most likely less !!

Meet SugarBob.
Just another teenage dope fiend!
 

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
BTW
THC is also thought to be a "filter" to harmful UV rays that can damage the plant and that's why the increase in THC if supplemental UVB is used.
 

zchopper420

Well-Known Member
I flower with T5's and use ATI True Actinics for UV and ATI Coral Plus for deep blue

These could be added to grows as supplemental side lighting to achieve the same results
also don't forget the sulfur, it feeds the trics :bigjoint:
Exactly what i use you can get em at petco20150319_115948-1.jpg grown with supplemental actinic t5s. Have you ever tried or heard of the pure par t5s they seem pretty similar but cheaper
 

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
Forcing THC by UVB has been around awhile.....It was found that Cannabis Sativa (Indica will too) will increase the THC when UVB exposure is increased. Now then,,,THC content is highest in the mourning and decreases as UV exposure peaks in late mourning. The plant it's self begins to change on the cellular peptide level with later mourning and increasing into the early afternoon to protect it's self from the lights intensity . This correlates to the decrease in effectiveness of the THC as it degrades from the UV exposure.

So then, it is clear that the plants most effective time to harvest is right at lights on to ensure the highest THC levels. You can also conclude that the plant will actually use less light as the days goes on as the cellular changes reduce photosynthesis and Co2 use through out the plant.....Night time is when the THC increases and the plant reverts to being able to actually use all the available lighting,,,,,until it begins that change to protect it's self from the light again.

Increasing Co2 will allow an increase in the use of available lighting. Thus slowing down or decreasing the need for the plant to protect it's self by cellular change. It will then actually process this now available light into it's use. Increase in heat is needed for increased Co2 to work also.....So then, If you increase the actual time the plant is using the light to grow from (tighter, more dense nugs/w increased size due to Co2 supplementation), are you not increasing the tric production to a point that would correlate to the plants increase in size?

By using all available methods of increasing tric production you will increase the overall THC content to quite measurable amounts on average....Each has their problems/drawbacks, but in the long run,, is it no more of a problem to dial in then anything else? Nope, not if you have the time and patience ......

In flower the use of UVB, Co2 and S with Mg would be the easiest/most cost effective ways.

Good luck

Doc
 
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greasemonkeymann

Well-Known Member
Forcing THC by UVB has been around awhile.....It was found that Cannabis Sativa (Indica will too) will increase the THC when UVB exposure is increased. Now then,,,THC content is highest in the mourning and decreases as UV exposure peaks in late mourning. The plant it's self begins to change on the cellular peptide level with later mourning and increasing into the early afternoon to protect it's self from the lights intensity . This correlates to the decrease in effectiveness of the THC as it degrades from the UV exposure.

So then, it is clear that the plants most effective time to harvest is right at lights on to ensure the highest THC levels. You can also conclude that the plant will actually use less light as the days goes on as the cellular changes reduce photosynthesis and Co2 use through out the plant.....Night time is when the THC increases and the plant reverts to being able to actually use all the available lighting,,,,,until it begins that change to protect it's self from the light again.

Increasing Co2 will allow an increase in the use of available lighting. Thus slowing down or decreasing the need for the plant to protect it's self by cellular change. It will then actually process this now available light into it's use. Increase in heat is needed for increased Co2 to work also.....So then, If you increase the actual time the plant is using the light to grow from (tighter, more dense nugs/w increased size due to Co2 supplementation), are you not increasing the tric production to a point that would correlate to the plants increase in size?

By using all available methods of increasing tric production you will increase the overall THC content to quite measurable amounts on average....Each has their problems/drawbacks, but in the long run,, is it no more of a problem to dial in then anything else? Nope, not if you have the time and patience ......

In flower the use of UVB, Co2 and S with Mg would be the easiest/most cost effective ways.

Good luck

Doc
In about 2005 I moved from my place in santa cruz, right on the beach, so it was sealevel, from there to 2500 feet up, in the santa cruz mountains, I had the same bluedream and J1 strains that I had for years, and those grown outside were noticeably stronger in potency, and when I say noticeably, I mean it.
Sorta like if you have had a car for years, and then all of a sudden it gained 50 horsepower.... you notice it.
Plus I got sunburns up there in like 15 mins, no joke.
 

Joedank

Well-Known Member
In about 2005 I moved from my place in santa cruz, right on the beach, so it was sealevel, from there to 2500 feet up, in the santa cruz mountains, I had the same bluedream and J1 strains that I had for years, and those grown outside were noticeably stronger in potency, and when I say noticeably, I mean it.
Sorta like if you have had a car for years, and then all of a sudden it gained 50 horsepower.... you notice it.
Plus I got sunburns up there in like 15 mins, no joke.
yeah my homies found that out first year i grew ouside at 7200 ft . BAM straight to the couch:) or work with the durban...

'side note you still running the J1? i loved that cut ...
 

greasemonkeymann

Well-Known Member
yeah my homies found that out first year i grew ouside at 7200 ft . BAM straight to the couch:) or work with the durban...

'side note you still running the J1? i loved that cut ...
oh man... no I lost her...
BUT there is a dispensary that has her, been thinking about getting another one, I just doubt its the same as way back then.
And WOW, if mne was that strong @2500, I would be straight up concerned about trying that herb grown @7000...
Too high..
the J1 was a keeper though, a shorter version of the jack herer, can't go wrong there.
I recently got the pineapple hashplant, from Bodhi. it's xj-13 X the 88g13hashplant
Can't freakin wait for that one... the seedlings are just now at their second node
I'm a sucker for anything related to the jack herer
 

Letstrip

Well-Known Member
Here in New Zealand theirs a natural hole in the ozone layer letting more UV light through which is pretty cool, always grow good weed outside here, even the average looking shit shit can be quite good. Imagine growing up at 2500ft over here like you guys mentioned!

Found this interesting

The ozone layer acts as a natural filter in the atmosphere, which protects plant and animals from the increased UV irradiation from sunlight. Annually, scientists from around the world come to New Zealand to examine the impact of high UVB sunlight on plants and animals due to this natural hole in the ozone layer.

From comparative research, it has been shown that New Zealand has a 40 percent greater UVB light level than its geographically matched location (latitude, longitude and altitude) in the Northern hemisphere.

For those who enjoy the unique lifestyle offered in New Zealand, the higher UVB levels require summer time precautions such as protecting the skin with sunblock, and wide-brimmed hats. But what has been discovered is that plants also take precautions to avoid over-exposure to UV light.

Plants do this by producing secondary metabolites. These include bioactives such as flavonoids, phenolic compound, alkaloids, essential oils etc, as well as phytoestrogens, which are considered to be important compounds often exhibiting human health benefits. These groups of compounds can act as plant sunscreens and provide protection for the plants against UVB radiation[ii].


Benefits
Because of its greater UVB light level, New Zealand-grown plants produce compounds that can potentially improve the overall health of the human diet because these natural bioactive compounds exhibit potent antioxidant and other functional properties that promote health.

For example, on average one kilogram of Bing sweet cherries grown in New Zealand will have 238 percent higher levels of anthocyanin (red colour pigment, which is known for a variety of health benefits including cardiovascular health) and a 290 percent increase in antioxidant capacity (measured using oxygen radical absorbance capacity or ORAC) when compared to one kilogram of Bing sweet cherries grown in the United States[iii].

As further evidence of this UV effect, in 2011 a research scientist from ARS Western Regional Research Centre in California published a report that showed a moderate dose of UVB light given to fresh, sliced carrots for 14 seconds can boost their antioxidant capacity threefold.

The research went on to explain that exposing carrots to UVB light causes a stress response and these plants respond by increasing their production of natural bioactive compounds including plant phenolics. Some plant phenolics, such as those found in green tea, are powerful antioxidants with a range of health benefits[iv].

According to these researchers, the idea of using UVB light to enrich the bioactives and antioxidant levels of fresh produce such as fruits, vegetables or other medicinal botanicals present exciting opportunities for further investigation.

https://www.nzte.govt.nz/archive/en/news-and-media/news-and-media/features/hole-in-ozone-boosts-health-properties-of-nz-plants/

Also this fact was quite interesting! Bad for us but good for our weed ;)

New Zealand’s death rate from skin cancer is about 300 per year, the highest in the world relative to population (and over half that from road accidents). This is due to the relatively high UV exposures and the high number of fair-skinned people. Peak UV intensities in New Zealand are about 40% greater than at comparable latitudes in Europe.
 

greasemonkeymann

Well-Known Member
Here in New Zealand theirs a natural hole in the ozone layer letting more UV light through which is pretty cool, always grow good weed outside here, even the average looking shit shit can be quite good. Imagine growing up at 2500ft over here like you guys mentioned!

Found this interesting

The ozone layer acts as a natural filter in the atmosphere, which protects plant and animals from the increased UV irradiation from sunlight. Annually, scientists from around the world come to New Zealand to examine the impact of high UVB sunlight on plants and animals due to this natural hole in the ozone layer.

From comparative research, it has been shown that New Zealand has a 40 percent greater UVB light level than its geographically matched location (latitude, longitude and altitude) in the Northern hemisphere.

For those who enjoy the unique lifestyle offered in New Zealand, the higher UVB levels require summer time precautions such as protecting the skin with sunblock, and wide-brimmed hats. But what has been discovered is that plants also take precautions to avoid over-exposure to UV light.

Plants do this by producing secondary metabolites. These include bioactives such as flavonoids, phenolic compound, alkaloids, essential oils etc, as well as phytoestrogens, which are considered to be important compounds often exhibiting human health benefits. These groups of compounds can act as plant sunscreens and provide protection for the plants against UVB radiation[ii].


Benefits
Because of its greater UVB light level, New Zealand-grown plants produce compounds that can potentially improve the overall health of the human diet because these natural bioactive compounds exhibit potent antioxidant and other functional properties that promote health.

For example, on average one kilogram of Bing sweet cherries grown in New Zealand will have 238 percent higher levels of anthocyanin (red colour pigment, which is known for a variety of health benefits including cardiovascular health) and a 290 percent increase in antioxidant capacity (measured using oxygen radical absorbance capacity or ORAC) when compared to one kilogram of Bing sweet cherries grown in the United States[iii].

As further evidence of this UV effect, in 2011 a research scientist from ARS Western Regional Research Centre in California published a report that showed a moderate dose of UVB light given to fresh, sliced carrots for 14 seconds can boost their antioxidant capacity threefold.

The research went on to explain that exposing carrots to UVB light causes a stress response and these plants respond by increasing their production of natural bioactive compounds including plant phenolics. Some plant phenolics, such as those found in green tea, are powerful antioxidants with a range of health benefits[iv].

According to these researchers, the idea of using UVB light to enrich the bioactives and antioxidant levels of fresh produce such as fruits, vegetables or other medicinal botanicals present exciting opportunities for further investigation.

https://www.nzte.govt.nz/archive/en/news-and-media/news-and-media/features/hole-in-ozone-boosts-health-properties-of-nz-plants/

Also this fact was quite interesting! Bad for us but good for our weed ;)

New Zealand’s death rate from skin cancer is about 300 per year, the highest in the world relative to population (and over half that from road accidents). This is due to the relatively high UV exposures and the high number of fair-skinned people. Peak UV intensities in New Zealand are about 40% greater than at comparable latitudes in Europe.
that's some good information there, very interesting..
And holy shit man.... skin cancer death rates?! wow... Well, shit.. at least you have some potent ganja for the cancer patients though..
I bet with the right strains there is some insanity that could be achieved.... especially like on a mountain, IN New Zealand... Damn... I guess I must be getting old, cuz that doesn't even sound fun, I mean, the herb I grow here is too strong sometimes..
Damnit now I want some cherries...
 

bravedave

Well-Known Member
My first 2 grows I used a MH bulb start to finish...and had decent trichs. At 51 days of flower with an HPS this go and I do seem to have less. Might plug the MH back in for the finish or... Any benefit at this point to augmenting the HPS with T5 UV?? About 20 days left.
 

Letstrip

Well-Known Member
that's some good information there, very interesting..
And holy shit man.... skin cancer death rates?! wow... Well, shit.. at least you have some potent ganja for the cancer patients though..
I bet with the right strains there is some insanity that could be achieved.... especially like on a mountain, IN New Zealand... Damn... I guess I must be getting old, cuz that doesn't even sound fun, I mean, the herb I grow here is too strong sometimes..
Damnit now I want some cherries...
Cheers yeah man you gotta cover up over here the suns pretty strong, uv's deadly :) Good for the plants health benefits though haha
 

greasemonkeymann

Well-Known Member
My first 2 grows I used a MH bulb start to finish...and had decent trichs. At 51 days of flower with an HPS this go and I do seem to have less. Might plug the MH back in for the finish or... Any benefit at this point to augmenting the HPS with T5 UV?? About 20 days left.
I have used and HIGHLY recommend using both hps and mh, I have done it for yrs and yrs, and the extra cost on electricity is worth it, typically two 600 hps and one 400 mh.
I guran-fuckin-tee you will never go back to using just hps (unless you are like me and can't run three bulbs anymore)
Keep one thing in mind, mh's put out less lumens, and run hotter... and to get all the light to the plants I like to not use a sealed air cool reflector, I think the glass dims the UV ( I could be full of shit) Point is, it gets hot...
And another thing to note, I don't think a MH can REPLACE a hps, better to just supplement it.
You can, but your yields will be lower, no doubt. BUT your nugs will be knock-ass tasty and strong...And crystally as hell
If you are limited to just two bulbs, i'd go with a fancy CMH, and a magnetic ballast. use that sucker with a digital 600 HPS and rotate the crop under those lamps every 15 days.
They need to make a 600 w CMH bulb...
I would be allllll over that
 

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
I use very little HPS at all anymore. I have been doing experiments with 730nm (PFR) range LED's (I was looking at longer lights on times that this can provide to shorten the overall bloom period......Not working as I wanted.....Now about to try the other direction - Shorter lights on times...But that's another thread) and am now simply using those at about the lights out in flower to signal "night" to the plant and run only MH for the better blue range that HPS lacks in comparing to natural sunlight.....You don't "need" HPS at all to flower, and there are advanced growers who do nothing but MH......

Food for thought.....try some different things and see what works.......I can only say that to experiment.....leads to answers that you will understand in far better ways then to take someones word as gospel...
 

greasemonkeymann

Well-Known Member
I use very little HPS at all anymore. I have been doing experiments with 730nm (PFR) range LED's (I was looking at longer lights on times that this can provide to shorten the overall bloom period......Not working as I wanted.....Now about to try the other direction - Shorter lights on times...But that's another thread) and am now simply using those at about the lights out in flower to signal "night" to the plant and run only MH for the better blue range that HPS lacks in comparing to natural sunlight.....You don't "need" HPS at all to flower, and there are advanced growers who do nothing but MH......

Food for thought.....try some different things and see what works.......I can only say that to experiment.....leads to answers that you will understand in far better ways then to take someones word as gospel...
ahhh yes... I need to do some serious homework on LEDs..
I have done MHs beginining to end, back in the 90s I only had a huge ass non-remote MH for warehouse lighting... used that big-ass thing for yrs and yrs.. ALWAYS great herb and way better than what I could buy, even in santa cruz.
But from a 400W mh... to a digital 600 hps?
the difference in yield was pretty obvious..
Also I moved to a house that had power outages all the damn time, so I needed a digital ballast...
 

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
ahhh yes... I need to do some serious homework on LEDs..
I have done MHs beginining to end, back in the 90s I only had a huge ass non-remote MH for warehouse lighting... used that big-ass thing for yrs and yrs.. ALWAYS great herb and way better than what I could buy, even in santa cruz.
But from a 400W mh... to a digital 600 hps?
the difference in yield was pretty obvious..
Also I moved to a house that had power outages all the damn time, so I needed a digital ballast...

I run nothing but 1K's for bloom....T5's and 600's for Veg.

The LED's I mentioned are 730nm only and have a single high Power LED in what looks like a garage Halogen lamp.....Otherwise I won't bother with LED's .....
 
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