Increasing terps through stress in hydro

So from what I gather terpine production is part of a plant defense that protects it from pests…I have seen how in a good outdoor climate then stress can set your finished product apart. How can you actively recreate those natural stresses indoors, specifically when it comes to terp production?

FlowerPower88 said:

... So from what I gather terpine production is part of a plant defense that protects it from pests …

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Harsh weather conditions as well.

FlowerPower88 said:

... I have seen how in a good outdoor climate then stress can set your finished product apart. How can you actively recreate those natural stresses indoors, specifically when it comes to terp production? ...

Click to expand...

Maintain a continuous gentle air circulation - 7 x 24 - inside the grow area. That will help simulate the outdoor air movement. You will want just enough of a breeze to see the large fan leaves gently wiggling. More than that can cause wind burn.

If possible, you can also reduce your lights-off temperatures by a few degrees during the final few weeks of flower. Helps to simulate the temp fluctuations in late summer/early fall and can bring out the characteristics of the bud - odours, sugar leaf and hair colours ...

An often forgotten method - drought stress. Underwatering flowering plants often causes a ripple effect thru plant where it has to provide secondary metabolites which includes further cannabinoid / terpenoids responses…. But comes with a caveat , as the the dry yield might be affected .

There has been controlled studies with cannabis and the after effects of drought stress - measurable increases in terpene production however plants that were not stressed in this manner had higher flower yield. Terpene production as you know can be part of plants defense mechanism- there has been also some study into “ under fertilization “ methods that push terpene production too.

Bottom line some negative stress can be productive but difficult to determine how much and when in flowering stages to do either. I personally just bump UV ( supplemental lamp ) and that also can be too much if not careful.

Yes, so I come from an area in upstate NY that has always been know to produce quality outdoor, and I was watching a doc on the emerald triangle, and this dude up in humboldt was comparing that area of NorCal to the burgundy region of France or the champagne region where certain unique naturally occurring conditions create a finished product that is unlike any other. The dude said the stresses hurt yield, but the level of cannabinoids and terps, creates something really special. His setup even looked like a wine vineyard.