dark period before harvest DOES improve frostiness of nug

Dubstin

Well-Known Member
I heard its because the oils/resin on the plant is the plants defense mechanism. And that the dark peroid causes a unique type of stress that makes the plant put all its energy into producing its defense mechanism bigger and better to prepare for the "storm ahead" so to speak.

Same " reasoning " behind people putting a small stake through the base of the stem. A certain type of stress that makes the plant "defend itself"

Of course these people could be totally wrong... I wouldnt know, hence why you wont see "IMO" anywhere in there. But truthfully this does peak my interest. Im down to try it out this coming harvest
I've heard so much bullshit from old growers that will tell you one thing does another with the only evidence that the bud was killer. I've heard the darkness, starving your plant of water, chopping on a full moon (no joke), birth control pills, and even that same thing you heard of putting a stake through it. Personally I've seen the best results keeping your plant as healthy as possible to the entire end.
 

gardnguyahoy

New Member
I've heard so much bullshit from old growers that will tell you one thing does another with the only evidence that the bud was killer. I've heard the darkness, starving your plant of water, chopping on a full moon (no joke), birth control pills, and even that same thing you heard of putting a stake through it. Personally I've seen the best results keeping your plant as healthy as possible to the entire end.
True that. Respect.
 

SPLFreak808

Well-Known Member
I finally finished drying my Master Kush crop and before chopping decided to find out once and for all if dark before harvest helped frostiness or if it was just the extra time I gave the plant before death. I allowed half of.my crop two days dark before chop, and the other half five days. During the extra three days the first half still received light to eliminate possibility of extra frostiness coming from extra growing time. Despite receiving three days less light, replaced with darkness the whole part of the crop that received 5 days darkness was WAY frostier than the half that only received two.
Personally I've tried 24/36/48 & 72hrs before chop more than once with no difference. But i only have a loupe and a scale. How did you test this? And how in the world did it come out "way frostier"? Are we talking thc values or extra trichomes? Lol
 

Rrog

Well-Known Member
More trichs per sqmm or they're the same.

Seems like this is what the claim is hinged upon. Not super easy to quantify I'd think

And you're still left with the question as to whether the extra trichs are filled with anything
 

UncleReemis

Well-Known Member
I've heard so much bullshit from old growers that will tell you one thing does another with the only evidence that the bud was killer. I've heard the darkness, starving your plant of water, chopping on a full moon (no joke), birth control pills, and even that same thing you heard of putting a stake through it. Personally I've seen the best results keeping your plant as healthy as possible to the entire end.
I'm in agreement with you. However, it's scientifically proven that light degrades THC over time. Whether or not 24, 48, 72 or whatever hours is long enough to see significant THC recovery in a dark period? Idk. A certain approach eliminates the variable that degrades THC (light) while implementing a new variable (uvb) and another (sulfur). All three are scientifically proven. Maybe the way to go about it is to view light as an inhibitor after ripeness arrives, then take appropriate steps to boost what the light was inhibiting.
 

Rrog

Well-Known Member
"Light" is a broad term, so when we say "light" degrades THC, what wavelengths are we talking? Visible wavelengths? What about invisible UV or IR? If scientifically proven, then these things would be known, it would seem.

I guess I'm not familiar enough of the mechanism within the Trichome that converts Cannabinoid precursors. Not sure if that's a process done during the day, or night. Or if it's a process that takes time (clear trichs to cloudy I imagine takes time)
 

Dubstin

Well-Known Member
I'm in agreement with you. However, it's scientifically proven that light degrades THC over time. Whether or not 24, 48, 72 or whatever hours is long enough to see significant THC recovery in a dark period? Idk. A certain approach eliminates the variable that degrades THC (light) while implementing a new variable (uvb) and another (sulfur). All three are scientifically proven. Maybe the way to go about it is to view light as an inhibitor after ripeness arrives, then take appropriate steps to boost what the light was inhibiting.
I'd be interested to read the study that proves it, and whether or not that on the plant or in the jar what kinda light etc.
 

innerG

Well-Known Member
Ok we need someone with a lot of money.

Send it to me to buy really nice video equipment.

Then I'll do time-lapse macro trichome growth comparison footage to see if the crystals break down during the day and 'grow back' or rejuvenate overnight
 

Dubstin

Well-Known Member
Googling around I couldn't find a real study but a quote from a "real" study claimed it would only lessen the cannibidiol and after a week of intense light radiation the THC was not altered. I'm sure this was off the plant though.
 

innerG

Well-Known Member
Medman pours ice water in his pots and then puts them in darkness.
Seems you'd want them dry when they go in to the dark, so that they're not waterlogged when you harvest.

Can't argue with success though! Maybe having more fluids in there makes the dry take longer but holds more flavor?
 

Mr.Head

Well-Known Member
Seems you'd want them dry when they go in to the dark, so that they're not waterlogged when you harvest.

Can't argue with success though! Maybe having more fluids in there makes the dry take longer but holds more flavor?
I wouldn't' necessarily call it success I've never seen it work. He's a little too shady to take his word for it.
 

innerG

Well-Known Member
Ah, ok, I wasn't sure who he was I thought you were saying that he got results that way.

I've heard of giving them ice water in the last couple of weeks (not days) to help them purple or color up, but cold roots are not something that you really want if you're trying to keep max growth/yield, imo.

For color, it's prob best just to drop night temps. I don't think that it would increase potency but who knows?
 
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