UVB Light to stimulate THC production

Y

YourUsernameHere

Member
I've just been reading on wikipedia that scientists think THC might have been used by plants to block out UVB rays, much like we slap on suncream when its sunny to avoid sunburn. So that made me think, maybe you could stimulate THC production by exposing the plant to UVB rays, for example from a fly zapper lamp? Then maybe the plant would produce more THC as a sort of homeostasis thing: it detects more damaging UV rays, so it grows more THC to block them out.
What do y'all think?
 
tea tree

tea tree

Well-Known Member
I do it. A lot of people do it here. I use a 10.0 reptile bulb that I put into a little 24 watt 12 inch or so ballast fixture I already have. The fluro bubls are the cheapest but they make cfl versions. The 10.0 version is the buklb you want. However as you get deeper into the science of uv there are compaines that make hid bulbs with various versions of uv for every stage of the plants life that also use 5.0 in veg or something that I cannot fully recall. There are a ton of huge threads on here. I am not unhappy with the results and I am not usng as much as I should for my 4x4x6 tent but there must be some better than nothing as the study is legitamate. Search this before the whole site yells at you! lol. jk
 
ent931

ent931

Well-Known Member
i used them for my last grow and not only did my plants get happy it rewarded me with a great smoke and super sticky buds so yea ur not losing nothing by doing it
 
Y

YourUsernameHere

Member
tea tree said:
I do it. A lot of people do it here. I use a 10.0 reptile bulb that I put into a little 24 watt 12 inch or so ballast fixture I already have. The fluro bubls are the cheapest but they make cfl versions. The 10.0 version is the buklb you want. However as you get deeper into the science of uv there are compaines that make hid bulbs with various versions of uv for every stage of the plants life that also use 5.0 in veg or something that I cannot fully recall. There are a ton of huge threads on here. I am not unhappy with the results and I am not usng as much as I should for my 4x4x6 tent but there must be some better than nothing as the study is legitamate. Search this before the whole site yells at you! lol. jk
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Ah right, thanks for the advice :)
How long do you run it for? The video that aeviaanah pointed me towards recommended 5 hours a day.

aeviaanah said:
i do it too...search "uvb thc and me" in youtube.
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Just watched it, very interesting. Cheers!

ent931 said:
i used them for my last grow and not only did my plants get happy it rewarded me with a great smoke and super sticky buds so yea ur not losing nothing by doing it
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Ok I'm sold :D

+rep to all 3 of you :)
 
ent931

ent931

Well-Known Member
YourUsernameHere said:
Ah right, thanks for the advice :)
How long do you run it for? The video that aeviaanah pointed me towards recommended 5 hours a day.



Just watched it, very interesting. Cheers!



Ok I'm sold :D

+rep to all 3 of you :)
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do like 2 hours the first week then move it up to 5 hours and that should make a difference u will see the plants react positively to it
 
Y

YourUsernameHere

Member
ent931 said:
do like 2 hours the first week then move it up to 5 hours and that should make a difference u will see the plants react positively to it
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Thanks for the advice. I think I'll go for one of those 10.0 CFL ones (ie the ones which fit in a normal light socket and look like energy saving bulbs)
 
RickWhite

RickWhite

Well-Known Member
I'm almost certain it's a myth. In fact, I'm finding that the lower loose buds on the plant (the ones shaded from the light) are just as potent as the tops. Also, I've noted significantly more milky trichome color after leaving plants in the dark for several days pre-harvest.

One of the key premises of that argument is that high THC weed comes from areas of high UVB. If evolution is to credit this accomplishment it is the genetics of the plant and not environment (additional UVB) that is responsible for higher THC. It is just as likely (perhaps more likely) that THC is expendable and high UVB light destroys the extra THC faster than it is produced - hence the boost in THC produced by a long dark period pre-harvest.

The only actual evidence I have of this is that trichomes are about 300% more milky after a long pre-harvest dark period. I'm assuming from general practice that THC is responsible for the milky color. But the bottom line is that there is no conclusive proof either way. Some insist that the reptile bulbs are key - I'm not one of them.
 
ent931

ent931

Well-Known Member
RickWhite said:
I'm almost certain it's a myth. In fact, I'm finding that the lower loose buds on the plant (the ones shaded from the light) are just as potent as the tops. Also, I've noted significantly more milky trichome color after leaving plants in the dark for several days pre-harvest.

One of the key premises of that argument is that high THC weed comes from areas of high UVB. If evolution is to credit this accomplishment it is the genetics of the plant and not environment (additional UVB) that is responsible for higher THC. It is just as likely (perhaps more likely) that THC is expendable and high UVB light destroys the extra THC faster than it is produced - hence the boost in THC produced by a long dark period pre-harvest.

The only actual evidence I have of this is that trichomes are about 300% more milky after a long pre-harvest dark period. I'm assuming from general practice that THC is responsible for the milky color. But the bottom line is that there is no conclusive proof either way. Some insist that the reptile bulbs are key - I'm not one of them.
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hey maybe ur right
but since when does extra light on a plant actually hurt it?
 
T

T.H.Cammo

Well-Known Member
There is quite a bit of evidence that "more" UV-B produces more resin - but resin isn't THC, and THC is what gets you high (resin just makes you cough)! Resin is made up of many compounds, a few of these are cannabinoids, one of these cannabinoids is THC (Delta-9, Tetra-hydo-cannabinol).

There is no conclusive evidence or reliable research source that states "More UV-B will produce more THC or more potent Marijuana". I say this because I know, I tried to find this evidence - but it ain't there!!! There is an abundance of anecdotal evidence by "questionable people" who would have you believe they are experts, people who have no real expertise at stake. Most of the real experts tred lightly on this subject and suggest something wimpy like "it's commonly believed -blah-blah-blah!".

Cannibis is the only plant that produces THC in reasonable amounts, and nobody knows why! Of course there are theories, but nobody knows for sure! There are also a lot of theories about how to maximize the potency of cannibis, but it all comes down to 2 things:
1. Genetics.
2. Allowing the plant to reach it's full potential. In other words, big, strong, healthy plants produce big, strong, potent yields!

The Controversy goes on!
 
aeviaanah

aeviaanah

Well-Known Member
hmm interesting....ive kept my uvb light on one part of my plant for a couple weeks...12 hours a day, i do not see any difference. i will continue to do it throughout harvest...unlikely i will use it next grow.
 
RickWhite

RickWhite

Well-Known Member
Well, one thing is certain - if the difference is not clearly noticeable it doesn't make sense to consume extra electricity and spend more money on bulbs. Plus, I have noticed no decrease in THC from the shaded scrub buds on the bottom of the plant. This directly contradicts the UVB theory in a big way.

On the other hand, after a prolonged dark/flushing period prior to harvest I have witnessed an increase in the milky color of trichomes by at least 3 fold, maybe 5 fold. Also, I have witnessed the elimination of the need for curring. Whether or not this causes an appreciable increase in THC is subjective and hard to measure without a lab but just the elimination for the need to cure is worth the price of admission.
 
aeviaanah

aeviaanah

Well-Known Member
where did you hear about this prolonged dark period? have you compared it to a plant that didnt have the dark period? i may be trying this but i do not have the setup that will allow me to compare against another plant
 
L

LiquidLumen

Active Member
RickWhite said:
On the other hand, after a prolonged dark/flushing period prior to harvest I have witnessed an increase in the milky color of trichomes by at least 3 fold, maybe 5 fold. Also, I have witnessed the elimination of the need for curring. Whether or not this causes an appreciable increase in THC is subjective and hard to measure without a lab but just the elimination for the need to cure is worth the price of admission.
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This is interesting...how long of a dark period are we talking?
 
Y

YourUsernameHere

Member
RickWhite said:
I'm almost certain it's a myth. In fact, I'm finding that the lower loose buds on the plant (the ones shaded from the light) are just as potent as the tops. Also, I've noted significantly more milky trichome color after leaving plants in the dark for several days pre-harvest.
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Hmm, I've also heard sucess stories too, plus I've laready bought a bulb, so I guess I might as well give it a try.

RickWhite said:
UV light typically destroys most compounds. Plus, the lights are inefficient and would just burn up extra electricity at most.
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Same's true in humans - UVB rays can cause skin cancer for us, yet we still choose to sunbathe in order to get a tan - sometimes seemingly bad things can bring positive end results.


I'm not saying that you're wrong, I'm just trying to weigh up the arguments on both sides. I think I'll try the UV light for my first grow, and if I dont see any benefit, I'll give it up.

+rep for the info. You might not have told me what I wanted to hear, but hey, I cant hold that against you :D
It'd be pretty closed minded of me to only aknowledge what I want to hear.
 
RickWhite

RickWhite

Well-Known Member
There is a whole thread in which I explain it. "Dark period before harvest."

I have seen one set of clones harvested normally and the other after 5 days of flushing in the dark. The dark plants had significantly more milky color to the trichomes which in theory should relate to THC. Plus, this leaches the chlorophyll so prolonged curring becomes unnecessary. I would also remove the fan leaves prior to this dark period flush.

Really you can do this with any setup. Get a tote and an air pump and stone and just put the root mass in it. If you are in soil yank it and wash off the soil and put the roots in the flushing bath. Remember, this is a harvest so it doesn't matter if the plants die.
 
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