Interesting Observation

Hey folks,

As one of my plants continues to mature through flowering state, I have been noticing an interesting pattern in regards to trichome production. To define a few variables first, the grow is under a 1,000 HPS Hortilux bulb, grown via ScrOG, and regarding one specific sativa plant.

Here is an overview of the plant:




By now, you are probably saying something to yourself about the varied levels of plant height throughout the screen... Unseen in the picture is the light, which hangs just slightly over section 1. Due to this, you can see obvious accelerated growth from section 1 as compared to section 2, which does not receive direct light. Included in this accelerated growth are taller, thicker stems and larger buds. Section 3, however, is simply stunted because just before changing photocycles, I pulled some of the largest branches from section 1 and stuck them through section 3.

Now here's the kicker: despite the accelerated bud and stock growth in correlation to the more direct and intense areas of light, trichome production is greater in areas of less direct light. In section 1, they are sporadic; in section 2, they are fairly well distributed throughout the leaves; in section 3, the fan leaves are thick with trichome production.

Now, I have read in the past that one function of trichomes is to protect the leaves from UV radiation, thusly growing more in the presence of UV light. However, since I am not using a UV light, this theory does not apply to me. In lieu of this theory, I hypothesize that lumens work in a manner contrary to UV rays. Since plants are more accepting of the lumens vs the UV rays, heavy trichome production is not essential in areas of intense lumen energy. Hence why the buds in section 3 are focusing more on producing trichomes.

Anywho, if anyone can fathom any other ideas, please, feel free to express them. And do end this post, here's a side view of the screen, with section 3 closest to the camera.

Thats a pretty big plant man, looks like you are doing a good job with it. It looks sexy as fuck and really healthy. Good yeilder too, with the SCROG you have going on. Anyway, I just wanted to put this out there: Is it possible that because section 3 is smaller and has fewer fan leaves and budding spots (but still recieves the same amount of energy as the rest of the plant), it has some leftover energy to use on trich production? Energy that in other areas of the plant is being used to support the life of the extra fan leaves and buds that section 3 only has half as much of? I know it doesn't totally explain everything, it's just a question. Your theory is pretty interesting and may very well be true. I am not an expert in botany or anything, this is just something I thought of while looking over your beautiful plant.

What strain of Sativa is it, I wonder? Also, it looks like you are pretty close to being done, but with a real Sativa like this one it is sometimes hard to tell, what with the 3 month flowering period and all. How many weeks have you been flowering and how many are left to go?

Also, I think Fdd2Blk is probably be the wisest person on here when it comes to most things, so I hope he chimes in with his issue. About the only thing he doesn't know how to do is grow BAD pot, lol. I'd like to hear his thoughts on this topic.

interesting observation. i usually rotate my plants every other day (or so) and wouldnt ever notice this. i may just take one and push her back in the corner for 8 weeks and see what happens. less light stronger weed....could it be possible ?

marijuanajoe1982 said:

Thats a pretty big plant man, looks like you are doing a good job with it. It looks sexy as fuck and really healthy.

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Thank you very much, sir.

marijuanajoe1982 said:

Is it possible that because section 3 is smaller and has fewer fan leaves and budding spots (but still recieves the same amount of energy as the rest of the plant), it has some leftover energy to use on trich production?

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Well, the only reason that section 3 appears smaller is because most of it's growth is used to extend it out to the edge of the screen. Other than that, it still possesses the same amount/makeup of fan leaves, etc, as the others.

marijuanajoe1982 said:

What strain of Sativa is it, I wonder? Also, it looks like you are pretty close to being done, but with a real Sativa like this one it is sometimes hard to tell, what with the 3 month flowering period and all. How many weeks have you been flowering and how many are left to go?

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Supposedly, it's "Lambs Breath" (no, not lambs bread). I got it as a clone, so I'm a bit skeptical of this. Nonetheless, this is the first time I've grown this strain, and as of today is on day 33 of flowering. I'm not quite sure when it will be finished -- my history of growing is mainly tied in with indicas, not sativas. However, the two indicas right next to it are heaps more mature and should be done much sooner.

jeff f said:

interesting observation. i usually rotate my plants every other day (or so) and wouldnt ever notice this. i may just take one and push her back in the corner for 8 weeks and see what happens. less light stronger weed....could it be possible ?

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Aye, I rotate the two indicas I have as well. Unfortunately, it's not so easy to be constantly repositioning the sativa while it's growing through the screen.

Be careful though when you say "less light stronger weed." As I'm pondering it now, it's more along the lines of "less intense lumens, stronger weed." If one were to use a UV producing light, my guess is that the trichome formation would be flopped -- more trichomes in areas of more intense light.

This evidence of more trichomes in the areas of lower light are supporting a theory that I read on here about a month ago. There are a lot of people that say that Trichomes are produced to protect the plant from UVB rays, but what this guy was saying is that it is a form of the plant trying to adapt to its environment by increasing the Trichomes which he says are another way of absorbing light by the plant. He says this because they only show up during the flowering period which has a decreased amount and intesity of light, hence, an advanced form of light absorbtion. This just gives his theory a bit more validity.

Pidgeon, I had a similar conversation with my dad, not long ago. This should be of interest to you, as well AdrenalineRush. He said that back in the day, they always figured that THC was like sun-burn protection for the plant. At which point I stated that it seems odd that It produces the Trichs most heavily after the heavy sunlight of Summer has diminished in the Fall, to which he had to concede the point. I hadn't thought about that any more till just then. Do the amounts of UV light (both A and B) increase in relation to the amount of light on the lower end of the spectrum as Summer turns to Fall? If so, then an answer may have been found. Even so, this topic is really mysterious, its tough to tell anything definitively.

Why the fuck does THC exist? I mean, I'm not complaining... It's just weird that theres this plant that makes you feel fuckin' amazing. Only thing I've ever seen that would lead me to believe there might be such a thing as "Divine Power" If only the christian right could realize that the strongest evidence for intelligent design is that thier "god" may have created this perfect plant just for us! It was used by many ancient Jews and Christians, as well as some Muslim sects. All over the world, Since before the times of recorded history. I wouldn't even be that surprised if it turned out that the "Fruit" eaten in the "garden of eden" was really a pot bonfire some caveman danced through and made him have some strange revalation. It was used from Northern Europe to Southern Africa, From the Americas to China, SouthEast Asia and the southern Pacific. Cannabis was brought to the New World by our Neolithic anscestors, so it obviously meant something to a people who valued nature and our place within it above all else. All this, yet we still don't know what the fuck THC is actually for. Just puttin' that out there, I think its kinda strange we don't know this by now.

Ok Adrenaline... Lamb's Breath, you say? That is a very strange name for a strain. Most likely some kind of Lamb's Bread hybrid, maybe? The buds look big for only about 1/3 of the way into flowering, but maybe this variety takes less than time to flower that some Sativas. Either way, it looks great! Anyway, hope what I said helped out some... I kinda went on a tangent there. I got this really good weed, see... lol. It is actually pretty gnarly. Really loose Sativa, running Calyx type bud structure. Very light green, almost golden like old-skool Acapulco Gold, and just COVERED in amber trichs. I practically get a quarter of a gram of finger hash when i break some up for a blunt. Also very clear and in the head, not a couch-lock type, almost psychedelic. The strange part is, even though this seems like a TOTAL Haze or other Sativa, I've noticed something very un-sativa on some of the buds. Some of the top calyxs have dark purple tips. What the fuck, am I smoking Purple Haze? It certainly is a great smoke, I'm getting all Einstein up in this mutha' fucka',thinkin' 'bout cavemen and religions and shit, lol. Whatever.... I'm a Ghost! Whooooo!

i'd hypothesize that less trichomes are used to protect from UV rays. If less trichomes are used for protection i assume that it is considered 'waste' by the plant and instead of not producing, it overflows with unused trichomes--possibly why CFLs can have great sucess rates

Ya' know I have thought a lot about why THC exists and have no real conclusion other than just a random process of evolution of this beautiful plant that we all love. I mean why does capsicum exist in peppers or why does the element in catnip that makes cats go nuts exist either.

I am not a religious person so I don't really follow Christianity, but there is a passage in the bible that says that there is a plant known as the tree of life in which its leaves will be used for the healing of all nations. So, this could be pot, but that is just speculation. Anyhow, Who knows what it is there for and to tell ya the truth I really don't care anymore.

I wish I could smoke pot right now..but I have this whole internship going and I don't want to screw this up just yet. It is unfortunate because there is some damn good reefer up here in the rockies. So, smoke up for me.

Ok! heres what you have all been waiting for! It's nearly 20 minutes long, but it explains the various reasons THC exists. It also proves your theory, AdrenalineRush!
For those too impatient to watch, heres a quick summary.

Basically, THC is a form of protection for the seeds within each calyc from several things. First off, it protects the seeds from being eaten by insects, who get stuck on the THC resin glands. THC may have evolved for more than one reason, thats also kinda interesting. However, the biggie is that UVB light seems to act as a catalyst to increase THC as a form of protection. Basically so the seeds don't get a bad sunburn. but it also explains why the resin production happens later, because even though that is when there is less sun, it is when the seeds start to need protection. This is also the reason the strongest landrace weed seems to be found naturally in areas with high UVB infiltration: Thailand, Afganistan, Pakistan, Northern India, Nepal, Mexico and rest of the Middle Americas, basically all the places that famous weed is from. Anyway, heres the link: THC, UVB, and Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPcpt3Be28o
Edit: I hope I get some rep points for this one, lol

Pidgeon said:

Ya' know I have thought a lot about why THC exists and have no real conclusion other than just a random process of evolution of this beautiful plant that we all love. I mean why does capsicum exist in peppers or why does the element in catnip that makes cats go nuts exist either.

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I'm pretty sure that capsicum exists in order to make the areas around the seeds too hot and spicy for most animals to enjoy eating. We humans have proved an exception, however. Well, many others as well as myself, anyway. Not even all people like it hot. As for the catnip? Who knows about that one! Also howcome humans can't get high on catnip. but cats can get high on weed? That doesn't seem fair!

Pidgeon said:

I am not a religious person so I don't really follow Christianity, but there is a passage in the bible that says that there is a plant known as the tree of life in which its leaves will be used for the healing of all nations. So, this could be pot, but that is just speculation. Anyhow, Who knows what it is there for and to tell ya the truth I really don't care anymore.

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I am not that religious either. But I wouldn't be surprised if that plant were pot. Most people don't know this but pot is used multiple times in the bible. I should state that I am spiritual but my beliefs are really more along the lines of the Native-Americans, or ancient European pagans, without the silly battles between gods causing thunder & lightning and all the rediculous parts. I have, however, read the bible (just for fun) so I'm not just pulling this out os my ass. Anyway, This info might be interesting to some people. In the 1980's, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem stated that the King James Bible had mis-translated a word used in the recipe used to make an oil used for Jewish and early Christian baptismal events at that time. I believe the word is Aramaic, although It could be ancient Hebrew, I'm not 100% on that one. The King James bible translated the word 'Kaneh-Bos' (plural is: 'Kaneh-Boshem') which "literally" translates to 'Fragrant Cane'. The King James version stranslated it as the 'Calamus reed' which grows in swamps and along rivers. The 'Kaneh-Bos' described was determined to be *surprise* Cannabis Sativa, as it is known today. This study was done by a legitimate university and was primarily just re-translating an ancient copy of the bible. I believe they did both the old and new testament. Since the stalk of the cannibus plant is so strong, it would be the 'cane' part, and we all know how 'fragrant' chronic is! Calamus, on the other hand, could be described as a cane (not very accurately, though), but its really a reed and they had a separate word for that. Also calamus is not very fragrant. So I'm pretty sure the 1980's translation is more accurate than the King James Version. You know, since we have colleges now, lol.

There is strong evidence that even Jesus may have had this oil used on him before he entered the river Jordan to be baptized by John. I should give a little back-ground info. Look up the book Sex, Drugs, and the Bible. I forget the author. This oil was mixed with many other psychoactive components, such as mandrake and cassia, which are actually hallucinogenic, and also included the equivalent of 9 pounds of dried marijuana flowers, all mixed into several barrels of olive oil. This was the oil used in baptisms at the time. And unlike modern christenings when perhaps a thumb dipped in holy oil is smeared across the forehead, the ancients were literally drenched in the stuff. The THC and other psychoactives would bind with the oil, and THC actually has a 70% absorbtion rate through skin when applied in an oil or emmolient form. It is unknown how long they would wait before going into the river to be dunked under, but probably long enough for the oil to take effect. The actual dunking in the river was probably to wash off the oil and give the person a profound experience of change. In the case of Jesus, he heard god speak. Now, if someone today said that... you would probably think they were on drugs. well, even back then, the same was probably true.

The ancient Hebrew priests used to take resin from Kaneh-Bos and fill whole rooms with the smoke from pounds of these resin balls just burning like inscence or charcoal. Even once, the holy temple was filled with so much Kaneh-Boshem smoke and revelry, that those pure enough to be inside the outer temple were invited to take whole branches rub them against the smoking/burning hash blocks, and hold the branches with burning flowers to their lips, or even to grab the burning "inscence" hash with metal tongs and inhale the smoke coming off in copious amounts. Basically the Jews used to hot-box the Holy Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It actually happens more than once in the old testament.

At one point, the use of cannabis became so rampant that people were offering it up to other gods besides YHWH (I believe that is/was their name for God, its pronounced "ya-wey." They had now vowels, being a pre-greek civilization) himself, and also since the high preists of the Hebrew temple had began to abuse it, there was a holy prohibition on it. God (YHWH) said something to the effect of: "Thou Shalt Not Smoketh My Stash!!! And in reverence to non-existant gods!?!?! Its Use Is Forever Forbidden!!!" At least thats what the high preists in the holy of holies told everyone he said when they were in there talking with him. And so this resin as well as the oil and the flowers of the plant were to be part of a "holy prohibition" that lasted for a couple centuries. Some sects still used it, but they were not allowed into the temple amymore because they were now "unclean."

Anyway, one of the reasons Jesus was causing such a stir was that he was trying to bring back this use of the holy oil. The bible even mentions him sending his disciples out to anoint the masses. It could also explain the healing of the blind, as it would have eased glaucoma, snd also with the healing of the lepers, as cannabis is an excellent antisceptic. And it was another reason the local government was mad at him, not JUST because he caused a stir in the temple one day over some money-changers. I believe he was a person who tried to start a revolution, was almost successful, and then his ideas got used by the catholic church for it's own ends and over the years was perverted (by leaving out the gospel of nary magdalin, and the gospel of judas... as well as hundreds of others important resources)into what we have today, I'm not saying religion is bad. I am saying that I dont think what most modern world religions have turned into would reprisent something even close to what thier founders would have wanted them to become.

The problem starts when people use it as a political tool, like the Catholics did in the 4th and 5th centuries, I'm not trying to offend anyone. Believe whatever you want. This is only the opinion of one man who has done some research. I do not affiliate myself with any religion, my views are actually quite strange and include some advanced physics and parts of string theory to help explain why we, and the universe, are here. But no, I do not believe in a "god" who is some sentient dude walking around in the clouds smiting here, and bathing in glory there. Its really really complicated, and I don't know all the alswers. This topic, however, "why does THC exist" got me thinking about some heady stuff lately, I guess. out.

interesting
I just wanted to tag this so I could watch the movie once I get home...lol
Otherwise I may not be able to find it again Heh

Basically you are saying I should get some UVB lamps for my grow op eh?

yeah. I guess you can get them at pet stores or something. Pretend you have a lizard with a HUGE tank, and so you need alot of extras, in case some go out, since there are so many in there already because the tank is giant, lol. I might try getting a couple of these bulbs and wiring one in on either side of mh HPS so that its pretty evenly distributed.

Interseting threads guy...I think we went a little off topic about all this jesus stuff (dont get me wrong i respect all religions....all 500 of them lol....) I think its awesome that people share all thier points of views and i remember some of this from chemistry class...I think that sometimes there are things we will never figure out and were not ment too... We came a long way as a species, however sometimes we think we are smarter than we actually are...All things that have supposedly been proven or that believe have been proven are just theories...theory after theory...I say why question things? Just enjoy life...ohh yeah ive finally started my first grow... it almost 2 weeks since they sprouted...i want to start my own journal(thread) but i dont know how...Im on here everyday putting in countless hours...help me figure out how to start my own forum, thread, journal or what not? so you guys can see my setup.

323cheezy said:

Interseting threads guy...I think we went a little off topic about all this jesus stuff (dont get me wrong i respect all religions....all 500 of them lol....) I think its awesome that people share all thier points of views

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I was REALLY stoned, on a combination blunt of Blackberry, Super Silver Haze, and some other really good and crystally but higher leaf to calyx ration than I would like (thats why I added the other more dense stuff). Anyway, I haven't been THAT stoned in awhile. I am not even a religious person, but the topic of "why", even if it is just about THC, can sometimes get me going, lol. I don't go to church, and I have no real religion, other than the stuff I extrapolate by observing the way the universe works. But in all seriousness... a Burning Bush? how many hint's is it gonna take before people realize the Bible is full of references to weed, and plenty of other drugs. lots of sex too. How many kids have you "begat"? lol so yeah, sorry for the religious references, but I figured I was really high and I kinda gave this guy's theory some great back up evidence, so I went off a little And in all fairness, someone else brought it up

i read some thing on this site that said the trichomes act sort of as tiny magnifying beads that amplify the intensity of the light.
thats probably why they where found in greater quantities away from the light and are produced when there is less light available later in the year

why it contains THC i have no idea probably not good for bugs

im not saying less lights will produce extremely potent bud...well i really dont know im no marijuana expert, just remember reading something like this awile back

I know what you mean - do you rotate at all? I've rotated and notice a bit more tri chome production - it maybe from plant maturation - but I'm not using moving light - my light is stationary (like most I'd imagine) so I turn my plants a few times during flowering so I can get light on all sides of the plant. I'm not 100% sure if it helps, but I'm seeing fuller growth (make sense), more tri chomes (makes sense, more light in more areas of more leafs). Are you hanging lights between the plants? What size pots are growing in?

Good job my friend...Peace

I started rotating when I noticed some buds filling in more toward the light side. Now (after I started rotating) they are getting pretty even.

Guerilla Grower said:

i read some thing on this site that said the trichomes act sort of as tiny magnifying beads that amplify the intensity of the light.
thats probably why they where found in greater quantities away from the light and are produced when there is less light available later in the year

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Yeah, that is what I was talking about in one of my previous posts. If this were true, then I would like to find out what is the barrier where it produces less rather than more trichomes. This way I could produce a higher quality with a reduced energy consumption.