I've had a 400CMH since July '08. I'll have to look back and see when I added the 150hps. Not long after I'm sure. Maybe one grow.
As far as the plant seeing different growth rates due to differing spectrum, that is easily seen. But as far as there being more bud sites created during an HPS stretch as opposed to the CMH stretch, I don't buy that at all. I have not seen any sort of evidence that this would be the case. I see different space between nodes, not more or less of them.
I do see a difference in the appearance of the buds, in that they will appear to be leafier than same clone in HPS, however, I think the bud is in fact a bit more leafy, but it also seems to carry more calyx weight.
Some have stated that having the bulbs in glass tubes will cut down any UV present, but I have them in cheap lead glass...and I have also seen where the lead content of cheap mexican glass can actually help to refract the light better at the unseen levels.
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If you're using high quality bulbs that produce UV-B, they generally have an anti-UV coating, this is safety standard in the EU and I believe in the US/Canada as well.
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There has always been speculation on how stress induction could produce more resin or more potent resin (the old "run a nail through the stem" trick comes to mind), I just haven't come across a scientifically performed research study where it is established that it is so.
The relationship between environmental stress and higher Cannabinoid levels was shown conclusively many years ago by the Midwestern researchers Haney and Kutscheid.
Stressors include soil composition, slope of the ground, direction of the slope, types of competing plants, and soil moisture.
http://www.springerlink.com/content/2112n1474q342243/
It's primary use in chronic pain is vastly more potent in CMH plants suggesting a greater or fuller active profile.
Hi whiterasta. Are you saying here that the buds are more potent with CMH for chronic pain relief?
Very interesting post too- I'll have to check out your grow thread.
I am sure that some of these factors could be incorporated in an indoor situation but it remains that the indoor environment is a type of stressor of it's own and no information is available about just how this affects plant output.WR
Also the effect on yield is not mentioned, however all of the stressors factored would seem to limit overall plant growth and therefore yield. I believe that this is an important factor in getting the fullest cannabinoid profile but I also believe that light spectrum is probably the most influential stress factor in an indoor grow.WR
For myself I prefer Outdoor fullness and heartier growth so CMH is a real addition to my micro climate as it seems to be putting the plant much closer to the look of the strain grown O/D.
WR
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Many of the stress factors are easy to emulate indoors. Stick a chunk of 1 x 2 under a container of soil mix to tilt it away from the light. Let it wilt between waterings. Let it get root-bound. Keep the humidity low. Add that jolt of UV-B in the CMH bulb, and you're on the right track.
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What brand of CMH bulb are you using that doesn't filter out the UV-B?
Is this a CMH bulb? I was given this bulb 3 years ago when I bought my 400w magnetic ballast, . I ordered a MH conversion bulb with the unit and when it arrived, the MH conversion bulb was huge. I asked the dealer if they had anything in a smaller diameter. He sent me the bulb in the pic and let me keep the larger diameter MH conversion bulb.
If this is a CMH, would I be better running it for the flower cycle or should I switch to my HPS bulb?
I did just that run before this one, and all HPS this run.I am about to start up my closet in the next week or two and am seriously thinking of using the CMH for veg and most of flower (to avoid a lot of stretch) and using HPS for the last two weeks or so to see if it will fatten up the buds any better. But, I am open to suggestions.
Philips CDM400S51/HOR/4K/ALTO is the bulb you want.
Intended for industrial applications as a retro-fit of existing fixtures.
Philips also makes a line of CMH bulbs that filters out most the UV.
They're intended for retail uses where UV causes colors to fade.