What's new
  • ICMag with help from Landrace Warden and The Vault is running a NEW contest in November! You can check it here. Prizes are seeds & forum premium access. Come join in!

The Search for Trip Weed

led05

Chasing The Present
That's a bold claim to make, my friend. I have no doubt you grow and breed excellent bud, but proving your UV setup contributes to the excellence is another question entirely IMO. For starters, how much UVA and UVB actually makes it to your canopy?

Sorry, being trained as a scientist, and now a journalist, skepticism is in my nature. I believe the process of challenging claims and generally poking at "common knowledge" brings progress, so I hope you are willing to oblige :tiphat:



For most growers, it doesn't really matter if it's true or not because we know UV is not necessary for great bud. The most commonly used light sources for growing don't have any UV, but the product still knocks your socks off. But, again, for weed that is the best of the best - or indeed trippy - there might be different requirements. In any case, we need to consider that response to UV is strain dependent.
Playing catch up here for an epic and long thread but I believe I have a lot of useful info on the UV/UVB thing so thought I'd add a little vs. just lurking / learning.... I have only caught up thru post # 1050 / Feb 28, 2015 so excuse me if this has been “worked out”… Thanks to all for willingness to share, it’s refreshing in so many ways….
First off, I began this search years ago around what UVB does for animals, plants, Humans etc. UVB is well known in the dermatological field, in curing for industry, for reptiles, vitamin D synthesis and CERTAINLY for plants, any gentleman farmer knows about “hardening off” in spring, directly UVB related. Many studies in many fields over the past 3 decades have led to the idea that UVB is where it’s at and not UVA, studies for Human dermatological (Psoriasis etc) and Vitamin D synthesis in Humans and reptiles.
I want to make it clear I have not done full scientific studies in a correct controlled setting for cannabis. The first problem I did tackle though is what lights actually give off the correct UVB range and in a way that is readily available over a decent space. In doing so I realized very early off I needed an accurate meter to measure this, this is the one I have used in all my studies (Solarmeter UVB Model 6.5). I choose this model for 2 reasons, UVB is something I understand in a simple fashion but even more importantly the range of sensitivity on this model effectively mimics the range needed for Vitamin D synthesis as good as any model they have, here’s a better summary as to why than I can write or care too (http://www.uvguide.co.uk/usinguvmeter.htm)
I find it amusing some people in here spouting the world of difference their UVB lights make when their lights have ZERO UVB in them and they are so certain UVB is why something is working, in actuality it’s just that they have a healthy blend of blues and deep blues.
My search initially led me to the reptile & aquarium industries where I have tried everything. I have over 50 T5 ATI, Gisemann etc bulbs, none have ANY UVB, pure actinic etc have none. Metal Halide have none, not even ones labeled for enclosed fixtures only, at least single ended bulbs, think 10K bulbs for aquarium idustry. HPS have none, CFL’s have none etc.. The comment & link about MH rupturing and causing eye burns etc. in reference to the “outer envelope” is in all actuality the inner envelope for most people’s perspectives, does that even make sense? i.e. They don’t mean the second layer of glass but the inner envelope the gases are in, they can have hairlines breaks and this shoots out extreme levels of UVB, UVA, I’m sure a ton of UVC too which is why it’s so dangerous. I believe the only MH which may have UVB in them in suitable fashions are double ended bulbs (only thing I have yet to test personally) because they use a low quartz glass and have no inner envelope but are designed to only be allowed to use within enclosed fixtures. In the USA it’s illegal to operate any bulb with any UVB in a commercial setting outside an enclosed fixture so you’re not going to see these studies coming from commercial growers. BTW, Hortilux new PowerVeg have by far the most UVB of anything I’ve tested from all above but they are relatively new and this is in small amounts and only good for up to about 1’ from bulbs, this is how I start seedlings actually of all types of plants… Key Note IMHO, UVB greatly benefits ALL plants if used right.
Having grown up with Psoriasis I knew a lot about UVA, UVB etc and skin treatments dating back all the way to late 80’s and early 90’s and probably was a guinea pig for these but flash forward two + decades and my mind came back here… What better place to get bulbs than Med Grade UVB bulbs with a focused spectrum used in a medical setting. They are clearly tested to lengths I never could. Many companies make them but I personally use 15W 18” T8 Ushios that put out a total of 3w of strong UVB per 15/w, that’s a shit ton fellas!! Their spectral graph is spot on too, zero UVC, tons of UVB and a little UVA, is it in exact proportions to the Sun, not even close but with decades of studies into Vitamin D synthesis and what works in dermatology I made the “assumption” that UVB is where it’s at. The bulbs mentioned above are UVB Mid-range and are Low pressure Mercury Discharge lamps vs MH which is high pressure. Could MH offer an ideal option, I’m sure someday, does anyone make them not yet, maybe Solis-Tek is trying but I questions that particular company, has anyone tested them with a good meter? The ONLY quality bulbs I trust and have measured to definitely have what I believe to be ideal UVB is linked below, they can be found at a few places in the states, much easier to get all types in Canada and Europe I believe, big brother watching out for us stupid American, sigh….
***The point of this post isn’t to give empirical data on to how well UVB may work, but I’m certain it does a lot for all plants but more so to enable users here and elsewhere to get the right tech to do actual studies. Where I currently reside it’s out of the question for me to grow or else there’d be a link below to studies, can someone please take this up, I’m glad to answer questions, I can assure you it makes basil, oregano, rosemary etc much more oily, pungent, healthy, just more well-rounded. ***
Go check out these bulbs, check out the graph and if you trust anything I say or the meter I have, they will hammer a UV index of around 15 (higher than almost any tropical environment) 2-3’ from the bulb and around 10 from 3-4’ from the bulbs. Check out the specs and mid-range UVB 306nm http://www.ushio.com/products/uv/lowpressureblacklight.php
I’m not sure what studies Sam did, but I think they were in a GH and naturally not the best control, I respect Sam a ton FTR for what he’s done as others to pave the way. I also know from personal experience and countless studies out there that UVB helps reptiles and my personal vitamin D levels and to think this entire spectrum of light doesn’t affect plants; would be simply silly & irresponsible to say the least. Why do we need to harden off spring plants? if UVB can even prevent this need it’s value is there but knowing what UVB does for other things and its many unique, amazing properties, I find it near impossible it doesn’t affect Cannabis, all plants for that matter in both positive and probably negative ways. I spent a lot of time testing and finding the right tech but get them lights, give them a go and wear your UVB glasses and clothes BC you will get burned but trust me, people stand within a foot of these for medical procedures every day 1000’s of times over, they are safe, relatively speaking.
 

led05

Chasing The Present
UVB Details - Hopefully easier to read than other

UVB Details - Hopefully easier to read than other

Playing catch up here for an epic and long thread but I believe I have a lot of useful info on the UV/UVB thing so thought I'd add a little vs. just lurking / learning.... I have only caught up thru post # 1050 / Feb 28, 2015 so excuse me if this has been “worked out”… Thanks to all for willingness to share, it’s refreshing in so many ways….




First off, I began this search years ago around what UVB does for animals, plants, Humans etc. UVB is well known in the dermatological field, in curing for industry, for reptiles, vitamin D synthesis and CERTAINLY for plants, any gentleman farmer knows about “hardening off” in spring, directly UVB related. Many studies in many fields over the past 3 decades have led to the idea that UVB is where it’s at and not UVA, studies for Human dermatological (Psoriasis etc) and Vitamin D synthesis in Humans and reptiles.





I want to make it clear I have not done full scientific studies in a correct controlled setting for cannabis. The first problem I did tackle though is what lights actually give off the correct UVB range and in a way that is readily available over a decent space. In doing so I realized very early off I needed an accurate meter to measure this, this is the one I have used in all my studies (Solarmeter UVB Model 6.5). I choose this model for 2 reasons, UVB is something I understand in a simple fashion but even more importantly the range of sensitivity on this model effectively mimics the range needed for Vitamin D synthesis as good as any model they have, here’s a better summary as to why than I can write or care too (http://www.uvguide.co.uk/usinguvmeter.htm)





I find it amusing some people in here spouting the world of difference their UVB lights make when their lights have ZERO UVB in them and they are so certain UVB is why something is working, in actuality it’s just that they have a healthy blend of blues and deep blues.





My search initially led me to the reptile & aquarium industries where I have tried everything. I have over 50 T5 ATI, Gisemann etc bulbs, none have ANY UVB, pure actinic etc have none. Metal Halide have none, not even ones labeled for enclosed fixtures only, at least single ended bulbs, think 10K bulbs for aquarium idustry. HPS have none, CFL’s have none etc.. The comment & link about MH rupturing and causing eye burns etc. in reference to the “outer envelope” is in all actuality the inner envelope for most people’s perspectives, does that even make sense? i.e. They don’t mean the second layer of glass but the inner envelope the gases are in, they can have hairlines breaks and this shoots out extreme levels of UVB, UVA, I’m sure a ton of UVC too which is why it’s so dangerous. I believe the only MH which may have UVB in them in suitable fashions are double ended bulbs (only thing I have yet to test personally) because they use a low quartz glass and have no inner envelope but are designed to only be allowed to use within enclosed fixtures. In the USA it’s illegal to operate any bulb with any UVB in a commercial setting outside an enclosed fixture so you’re not going to see these studies coming from commercial growers. BTW, Hortilux new PowerVeg have by far the most UVB of anything I’ve tested from all above but they are relatively new and this is in small amounts and only good for up to about 1’ from bulbs, this is how I start seedlings actually of all types of plants… Key Note IMHO, UVB greatly benefits ALL plants if used right.





Having grown up with Psoriasis I knew a lot about UVA, UVB etc and skin treatments dating back all the way to late 80’s and early 90’s and probably was a guinea pig for these but flash forward two + decades and my mind came back here… What better place to get bulbs than Med Grade UVB bulbs with a focused spectrum used in a medical setting. They are clearly tested to lengths I never could. Many companies make them but I personally use 15W 18” T8 Ushios that put out a total of 3w of strong UVB per 15/w, that’s a shit ton fellas!! Their spectral graph is spot on too, zero UVC, tons of UVB and a little UVA, is it in exact proportions to the Sun, not even close but with decades of studies into Vitamin D synthesis and what works in dermatology I made the “assumption” that UVB is where it’s at. The bulbs mentioned above are UVB Mid-range and are Low pressure Mercury Discharge lamps vs MH which is high pressure. Could MH offer an ideal option, I’m sure someday, does anyone make them not yet, maybe Solis-Tek is trying but I questions that particular company, has anyone tested them with a good meter? The ONLY quality bulbs I trust and have measured to definitely have what I believe to be ideal UVB is linked below, they can be found at a few places in the states, much easier to get all types in Canada and Europe I believe, big brother watching out for us stupid American, sigh….





***The point of this post isn’t to give empirical data on to how well UVB may work, but I’m certain it does a lot for all plants but more so to enable users here and elsewhere to get the right tech to do actual studies. Where I currently reside it’s out of the question for me to grow or else there’d be a link below to studies, can someone please take this up, I’m glad to answer questions, I can assure you it makes basil, oregano, rosemary etc much more oily, pungent, healthy, just more well-rounded. ***




Go check out these bulbs, check out the graph and if you trust anything I say or the meter I have, they will hammer a UV index of around 15 (higher than almost any tropical environment) 2-3’ from the bulb and around 10 from 3-4’ from the bulbs. Check out the specs and mid-range UVB 306nm http://www.ushio.com/products/uv/lowpressureblacklight.php




I’m not sure what studies Sam did, but I think they were in a GH and naturally not the best control, I respect Sam a ton FTR for what he’s done as others to pave the way. I also know from personal experience and countless studies out there that UVB helps reptiles and my personal vitamin D levels and to think this entire spectrum of light doesn’t affect plants; would be simply silly & irresponsible to say the least. Why do we need to harden off spring plants? if UVB can even prevent this need it’s value is there but knowing what UVB does for other things and its many unique, amazing properties, I find it near impossible it doesn’t affect Cannabis, all plants for that matter in both positive and probably negative ways. I spent a lot of time testing and finding the right tech but get them lights, give them a go and wear your UVB glasses and clothes BC you will get burned but trust me, people stand within a foot of these for medical procedures every day 1000’s of times over, they are safe, relatively speaking.
 

MostlyMe

Active member
Veteran
I find it amusing some people in here spouting the world of difference their UVB lights make when their lights have ZERO UVB in them and they are so certain UVB is why something is working, in actuality it’s just that they have a healthy blend of blues and deep blues.

Confirmation bias is hard to beat. Many people cling to certain beliefs and organize the world around that. New information that doesn't fit is either downplayed or ignored.

Thank you for this post, it fits in nicely with my personal confirmation bias ;) UV-B is great, but it's not easy to actually bask your canopy in it.
 
Last edited:

ValleyKush

Well-known member
Veteran
Yeah, great post led. I can see how people would mistake the trichome increase for uvb when really it's just the far blue doing the work. Either way, I have no doubt that far blue is super important for a well rounded canabanoid/ oil structure. It would be interesting to compare far red oil structures with far blue. I'm sure the taste would be noticeably different, even in rosemary. Also I wonder how it would change the medicinal effects.
 

3rdEye

Alchemical Botanist
Veteran
Playing catch up here for an epic and long thread but I believe I have a lot of useful info on the UV/UVB thing so thought I'd add a little vs. just lurking / learning....

Go check out these bulbs, check out the graph and if you trust anything I say or the meter I have, they will hammer a UV index of around 15 (higher than almost any tropical environment) 2-3’ from the bulb and around 10 from 3-4’ from the bulbs. Check out the specs and mid-range UVB 306nm http://www.ushio.com/products/uv/lowpressureblacklight.php


I’m not sure what studies Sam did, but I think they were in a GH and naturally not the best control, I respect Sam a ton FTR for what he’s done as others to pave the way. I also know from personal experience and countless studies out there that UVB helps reptiles and my personal vitamin D levels and to think this entire spectrum of light doesn’t affect plants; would be simply silly & irresponsible to say the least. Why do we need to harden off spring plants? if UVB can even prevent this need it’s value is there but knowing what UVB does for other things and its many unique, amazing properties, I find it near impossible it doesn’t affect Cannabis, all plants for that matter in both positive and probably negative ways. I spent a lot of time testing and finding the right tech but get them lights, give them a go and wear your UVB glasses and clothes BC you will get burned but trust me, people stand within a foot of these for medical procedures every day 1000’s of times over, they are safe, relatively speaking.

Excellent post and thank you for sharing your findings and thoughts. I stand corrected in thinking that there was some UV present in HID lights. :tiphat: I'm all about mixed spectrum, but had not added UVB in specifically (ha ha). Your thoughts on the likelyhood of UVB having an impact sound rational and reasonable to me.

good breaking it up into paragraphs. ;)
 

ThaiBliss

Well-known member
Veteran
I have always flowered with a mix of metal halide and high pressure sodium to try and get the widest spectrum possible. I have been thinking of adding another to get UVB and add efficiency, low heat low and low operating cost, to the mix. I believe I have read that you can use LED for ultraviolet, and order them with custom wavelength configurations. Any thoughts on LEDs?
 

Heusinomics

Active member
I just read in another thread that the LED units available only put out UVA.
And that none of the commercially available LEDs hav any UVB. Public safty concerns or somthing?.

I'll try n find the post to link it in...

Jst curious. It was mentioned that the UVB blacklight could assist in transition to full spectrum sunlight.
I wonder. Does this light emit enough UVB to "cause" similar affects of sunburn on young plants?

I def like the idea of Hartier plants w more resistance to pests n pm.
Seems like afew hours of UVB w the right intencity/spacing could b added to an IPM system super easily.

Thanx for all the interesting info

Big ups respect and happy growing
 

Elmer Bud

Genotype Sex Worker AKA strain whore
Veteran
G`day Folks

Higher the frequency of the wave the less distance it can travel before losing energy .
Means the higher the freq the closer the lamp will need to be to hit the plant with waves .

Eg Bass notes can travel miles . Treble a cpl hundred yards .

Thanks for sharin

EB .
 

yoss33

Well-known member
Veteran
Elmer Bud,
Your anology between sound and electromagnetic waves is not correct, because, unlike sound waves, EM waves don't lose energy with distance - they simply distribute the energy in more volume if the light is unfocused, but as you know focused light (laser) will travel indefinitely without losing energy. No matter of what frequency it is.
A point source emitting any wave with a spherical front (sound or EM) will have the energy density on the front decreasing proportionally to the square (edited from: cube) of the distance from the source as the surface of the spherical front increases so. This is basic physics and geometry.
Sound waves, as mechanical waves that need a medium to propagate, weaken additionally, as you pointed out, because of the friction between the particles of the media. But EM waves in the visible and UV range interact very weakly with air.

So, UV light doesn't lose energy with distance faster than visible light. They both weaken proportionally to the square (edited from: cube) of the distance to the source.

As for the whole topic of UV light and cannabinoids,
It is a known fact that cannabinoids and their acids absorb UV light in the range 200-250nm (acids - up to 300nm) very well (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/244594773_Chromatographic_and_Spectroscopic_Data_of_Cannabinoids_from_Cannabis_sativa_L). This means that UV light "heats" the cannabinoids accelerating their reactions resulting in quicker maturation and degradation. It might also accelerate the production of cannabinoids (if it also heats the precursors, which I don't know if someone has measured). From the link I posted above, we can see that different cannabinoids have a somewhat different UV specter, so some cannabinoids will absorb more UV light, maturing faster than others in the presence of UV.
So, UV light affects at least slightly the ratio of cannabinoids and at what stage of maturation/degradation each of them is, compared to no UV lighting.
 
Last edited:

Emil Muzz

Member
Elmer Bud,
Your anology between sound and electromagnetic waves is not correct, because, unlike sound waves, EM waves don't lose energy with distance - they simply distribute the energy in more volume if the light is unfocused, but as you know focused light (laser) will travel indefinitely without losing energy. No matter of what frequency it is.
A point source emitting any wave with a spherical front (sound or EM) will have the energy density on the front decreasing proportionally to the cube of the distance from the source as the surface of the spherical front increases so. This is basic physics and geometry.
Sound waves, as mechanical waves that need a medium to propagate, weaken additionally, as you pointed out, because of the friction between the particles of the media. But EM waves in the visible and UV range interact very weakly with air.

So, UV light doesn't lose energy with distance faster than visible light. They both weaken proportionally to the cube of the distance to the source.

As for the whole topic of UV light and cannabinoids,
It is a known fact that cannabinoids and their acids absorb UV light in the range 200-250nm (acids - up to 300nm) very well (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/244594773_Chromatographic_and_Spectroscopic_Data_of_Cannabinoids_from_Cannabis_sativa_L). This means that UV light "heats" the cannabinoids accelerating their reactions resulting in quicker maturation and degradation. It might also accelerate the production of cannabinoids (if it also heats the precursors, which I don't know if someone has measured). From the link I posted above, we can see that different cannabinoids have a somewhat different UV specter, so some cannabinoids will absorb more UV light, maturing faster than others in the presence of UV.
So, UV light affects at least slightly the ratio of cannabinoids and at what stage of maturation/degradation each of them is, compared to no UV lighting.

I LOVE it when you talk physics :tiphat:
 

Elmer Bud

Genotype Sex Worker AKA strain whore
Veteran
G`day Yoss

K That was my hypothesis based on my basic knowledge of wave theory .
And my knowledge some UV spectrum is absorbed by oxygen ??

Sam SK anecdotes from his experiments with UV . Said sun burnt plants . No improvement in resin or effect .

Thanks for sharin

EB .
 

Waldgeist

Active member
yo thai
the thai bagseeds dont look too much thai till now
but the led grows fine:biggrin:

5 of them


with some others under led


regards:tiphat:
 

MostlyMe

Active member
Veteran
Elmer Bud,
Your anology between sound and electromagnetic waves is not correct, because, unlike sound waves, EM waves don't lose energy with distance - they simply distribute the energy in more volume if the light is unfocused, but as you know focused light (laser) will travel indefinitely without losing energy. No matter of what frequency it is.
A point source emitting any wave with a spherical front (sound or EM) will have the energy density on the front decreasing proportionally to the cube of the distance from the source as the surface of the spherical front increases so. This is basic physics and geometry.
Sound waves, as mechanical waves that need a medium to propagate, weaken additionally, as you pointed out, because of the friction between the particles of the media. But EM waves in the visible and UV range interact very weakly with air.

So, UV light doesn't lose energy with distance faster than visible light. They both weaken proportionally to the cube of the distance to the source.

As for the whole topic of UV light and cannabinoids,
It is a known fact that cannabinoids and their acids absorb UV light in the range 200-250nm (acids - up to 300nm) very well (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/244594773_Chromatographic_and_Spectroscopic_Data_of_Cannabinoids_from_Cannabis_sativa_L). This means that UV light "heats" the cannabinoids accelerating their reactions resulting in quicker maturation and degradation. It might also accelerate the production of cannabinoids (if it also heats the precursors, which I don't know if someone has measured). From the link I posted above, we can see that different cannabinoids have a somewhat different UV specter, so some cannabinoids will absorb more UV light, maturing faster than others in the presence of UV.
So, UV light affects at least slightly the ratio of cannabinoids and at what stage of maturation/degradation each of them is, compared to no UV lighting.

Excellent post. I thought that UVB in particular was somewhat absorbed by air, but you're right, only at <245 nm that's an issue. That means most sources must be crap, which led05 nicely confirmed for us.

A small criticism: cannabinoids do not mature by UV. In fact, I bet they are destroyed by it. Maybe that's actually what they are for: sun screen. If so, UVB probably stimulates production.

G`day Yoss

K That was my hypothesis based on my basic knowledge of wave theory .
And my knowledge some UV spectrum is absorbed by oxygen ??

Sam SK anecdotes from his experiments with UV . Said sun burnt plants . No improvement in resin or effect .

Thanks for sharin

EB .

No absorption of oxygen, see table on page 8 here. UVB is 280-320 nm I believe.

There are several studies that show an effect of UVB on THC production. See here. Also studies on terpenes and flavonoids. But it's a complex issue, probably no single experiment can settle this. The body of knowledge grows slowly. We also need to consider the possibility that years of UV-less indoor breeding has inadvertently removed the sensitivity to UV, which would mean UVB supplementation is only useful for landraces.
 

Elmer Bud

Genotype Sex Worker AKA strain whore
Veteran
G`day Fellas

I live on a continent with extreme UV .
I don`t notice major differences in the indoor grown compared to out door ??

Is that me not able to perceive a difference , or is the difference not quantifiable ??


@ Yoss
Are you describing UV light from the Sun or from a lamp ?


Thanks for sharin

EB .
 

ThaiBliss

Well-known member
Veteran
I live on a continent with extreme UV .
I don`t notice major differences in the indoor grown compared to out door ??

It may be possible that this is strain dependent. Elmer, are you saying that you don't notice a difference between long flowering tropical NLD strains grown outdoors versus long flowering tropical NLD strains grown indoors? I'm not challenging you, I simply want clarification on your previous statement or question.

From my own experience, temperate and borderline temperate / subtropical strains are easy to grow indoors. Full on tropical strains just don't seem to behave naturally in the indoor environment. I have been able to pull off flowering very high quality indoor tropical strains, but it is very touchy and difficult. Something is just not quite right in the indoor environment that makes it difficult. It may be possible that lack of proper spectrum is the factor or one of the factors.

Thanks,

ThaiBliss
 
B

Bob Green

Any of you guys have experience with the 10K MH lights regarding increased resin production?

Are they effective and worth the coin involved?



Happy holidays peeps!
 
Top