smoove said:
First let me say that all of my results have been qualitative, meaning, I started with no set instructions or rules to follow and nothing to compare my results with other than previous experiences. Here's the quick and simple breakdown of my setup, schedule and results.
I use 2 60W external ballasted Mega-Ray UV-B Flood Lamps[/URL] to supplement my 400W HPS. At 12" above the plant canopy the bulbs are rated to emit close to the amount of UV-B as the equitorial sun at high noon. The bulbs are on a timer, during veg they run for 2 hours and in flower they run for 4, all they way to harvest.
I mentioned in the previous post, trichome transition from clear to amber has been noticably accelerated. The plants I'm growing right now are on day 36 of 12/12 and I already have a good number of golden trichomes on a few leaves of both my indica dominant and sativa dominant plants. I hardly saw amber on a sativa dominant plant even after 60 days prior to using the lamps. Also, from the first appearance of trichomes on the plants they seemed to pop out mostly cloudy already.
While I cannot say that I've notice any difinitive increase in "potency" there is no doubt it has effected the intesity of aromas and flavor. Ultimately, I do believe UV exposure does have a significant effect on the cannaboid to THC ratio... to what effect though. I can't quite put the nail on that head.
Thanks for the reply smoove..
Those bulbs look intense. Are you into reptiles? I just completed my first run (Indica dom) with supplemental uvb using a ZooMed Powersun 100w self-ballasted mv lamp in an aluminum reflector under 2- 400 watt HID's. I started in veg and gradually increased exposure ending up with close to 8 hours exposure during peak flower at a distance of about 10". Heat was a constant issue though.
I only exposed one plant to it so that I could compare results. While not conclusive, my initial reactions (and those of a another) are an increase in potency- but those findings are strictly anecdotal. Visual inspection appears to show more trich production, but again, difficult to quantify.
Interesting comment regarding taste and flavor. I honestly haven't noticed any discernible difference in terpenes between the subject plant and her sisters. Nor did she finish any earlier than the rest.
That being said, I don't think the bulb I used put out quite the intensity as the ones you are using. I am not into reptiles and don't know if I could get my hands on that set up based on the disclaimers I just read at the link you provided.
Was this your first run with uvb? Did you have any plants that were not exposed to the uvb for comparison?
Do you think the earlier finish (as far as trich color) resulted in a loss of bulk due to having to harvest earlier? I'm about to start a sat dom run to see if there is any noticeable difference with the uvb. It's a strain I've grown several times and usually runs almost 12 weeks, but really bulks up those last few weeks. While I'd love for her to finish sooner, if I had to harvest early, I don't know if the (as yet perceived) trade-off would be worth it.
Thanks for your input.
Sorry for the thread hijack Mr Medi Bud!
