UVA/UVB the real deal. A must read topic for all growers.

So after many hours of research and now trial i have come to realize that anyone now growing should add some UVB bulbs to your grow. I could sit here and explain everything to you but i'll just post a vid and lay out the basics for those who don't have time to watch the video, although i do recommend it.

Basically lets look at the trichromes. They are the plants natural defence agaisnt insects, heat and uv rays for the plants catlyxs'. The way a trichrome works is unique to only marijuana. It acts as a magnifiying glass, absorbing the UV rays and reflecting the light back away from the catlyx out towards the leaves to keep the catlyx cool for seed production. The trichromes start to produce more THC (the nice little chemical that absorbs UV) in response to more UV. Basically, if you add a small amount of UV for 4-5 hours a day during the middle of your light cycle your trichromes will be MUCH larger then if you had not used UV. THC is natures sunblock, absorbing harmful UV rays, now you don't want to go to crazy, UV=heat, keep it down to 2 150 watt UVA/UVB reptile bulbs for every 1000 watts of HPS. If you watch the video link I posted you'll be amazed at the test show, same strain cut from same mother, same everything other then one with UV one with out, it's outstanding the diffrence in size of trichrome heads, they really start to lean from the weight of the extra cannabanoids being produced.

I'd like to see what everyone else thinks and their experiances, i'll post some pics of my experiment in about a month when harvest time comes, but it's already looking way good for the UV plants.


Enjoy the Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfiI78uN3Ks

Well that's all great but will the high be noticeable?
I mean most of these strains that i grew claim to have 20-25% thc( highly questionable) But either way the high is strong enough makes me wonder if this really matters, will the increase be enough to reap the benefits of it.
Like the saying goes " Is the Juice worth the squeeze"
Ya catching my drift here?

suTraGrow said:

Well that's all great but will the high be noticeable?
I mean most of these strains that i grew claim to have 20-25% thc( highly questionable) But either way the high is strong enough makes me wonder if this really matters, will the increase be enough to reap the benefits of it.
Like the saying goes " Is the Juice worth the squeeze"
Ya catching my drift here?

Click to expand...

Yeah i got you and yes, watch the video, he says "the bud grow under the UV bulbs high was 2 to 3 levels higher then that without. That video will do a million times better explaining it then i can. He goes deep into the structure of the trichromes and their purpose. It's worth a watch.

GreenVet said:

Yeah i got you and yes, watch the video, he says "the bud grow under the UV bulbs high was 2 to 3 levels higher then that without. That video will do a million times better explaining it then i can. He goes deep into the structure of the trichromes and their purpose. It's worth a watch.

Click to expand...

Hmm you got my attention I'll give it the time of the day as soon as i get home and off my phone.
I mostly stick to bubble and, bho with a few ediables sprinkled here and there. So not sure how much more increase in the high it can be. But curious in the video now.

I think you're better off working with higher quality genetics rather than gimmicky things that could have an increase but in the 5-10% or less range.

Whereas finding quality genetics will increase potency, quality, taste, yield versus crappy genetics + UVB lamp gimmicks.

Again I won't be 100% sure until i smoke these buds after curing in 4-6 weeks, but it sure does look like UV ones are gonna be much better, the trics are almost twice the size with weeks to go.

I've noticed it keeping down spider mite populations - anyone else notice this?

I love UV. Keeps the area more sanitary, ups trich count, and more potent bud imo.

I've noticed that it significantly increases the length of the trichs - in theory this would allow for a larger area to accommodate the heads of additional trichs.

Afka said:

I think you're better off working with higher quality genetics rather than gimmicky things that could have an increase but in the 5-10% or less range.

Whereas finding quality genetics will increase potency, quality, taste, yield versus crappy genetics + UVB lamp gimmicks.

Click to expand...

I have quality genetics, my shit comes from seeds and clones from top growers in humboldt, before you just assume someone is growing crap ask. Now if you have an awesome strain, grow great, whats wrong with making it better with UV rays? UV is not a gimmick, i'm looking at results happening in front of my eyes, don't dog it if you haven't tried it my friend. You just wait and see, there is more to UV then you think. Whats wrong with making great weed better? I tend to think that marijuana horticulture got this far by people figuring out what works, if someone wants to give something a try then let them do it, don't tell them not to waste their time. Really a dislike button is needed at times.

Gastanker said:

I've noticed it keeping down spider mite populations - anyone else notice this?

I love UV. Keeps the area more sanitary, ups trich count, and more potent bud imo.

I've noticed that it significantly increases the length of the trichs - in theory this would allow for a larger area to accommodate the heads of additional trichs.

Click to expand...

the like button is hidding but right now. Thats what i'm talking about. Look at those big headed darlings all over.

gastanker, do you run them for the whole lights on period or just 4 to 5 hours?

Whole lights on. The sun provides more UV than I can ever offer so why not run it the entire time. Oh, and I have buds that literally rest on top of my UV bulbs with no harm - no way you are going to overdo it.

Gastanker said:

Whole lights on. The sun provides more UV than I can ever offer so why not run it the entire time. Oh, and I have buds that literally rest on top of my UV bulbs with no harm - no way you are going to overdo it.

Click to expand...

good to know, thanks

15min into it.
Starting to think the Juice is worth the squeeze

Very nice, i was about to go do some holiday shopping. That clip persuaded me to stop at a lighting store to pick up a couple UVB bulbs to give this a try.
Been years since i really tried anything new, firm believer of the KISS analogy ( Keep It Simple Stupid).
Plus growing 7'-9' trees indoor, your really dont want a lot of moving parts But this is simple enough and doesn't look like it can hurt anything anyways. +Rep for ya.
Got ya your 3rd bar

suTraGrow said:

Very nice, i was about to go do some holiday shopping. That clip persuaded me to stop at a lighting store to pick up a couple UVB bulbs to give this a try.
Been years since i really tried anything new, firm believer of the KISS analogy ( Keep It Simple Stupid).
Plus growing 7'-9' trees indoor, your really dont want a lot of moving parts But this is simple enough and doesn't look like it can hurt anything anyways. +Rep for ya.

Click to expand...

CFL supplemention is pretty sound so even if the UV is flawed at least you aren't wasting money. Unless you spring for one of these! - http://www.reptileuv.com/megaray-sb-160-watt-self-ballasted-flood-zoo-lamp.php

Gastanker said:

CFL supplemention is pretty sound so even if the UV is flawed at least you aren't wasting money. Unless you spring for one of these! - http://www.reptileuv.com/megaray-sb-160-watt-self-ballasted-flood-zoo-lamp.php

Click to expand...

$65 not to bad might spring from one of those. Got a friend that takes care of water dragons I'm sure he'll be more then happy to pick it up off me if it doesn't work .

suTraGrow said:

$65 not to bad might spring from one of those. Got a friend that takes care of water dragons I'm sure he'll be more then happy to pick it up off me if it doesn't work .

Click to expand...

For the amount of UV the $65 sounds like a bargain. If I didn't have my side lighting I would definitely spring for one of those. Would definitely benefit water dragons as long as they are in the appropriate enclosure.

gastanker nice grow!!!

so u use 5 reptiles lights gas? n u said u have sum almost touching the bud ? niceeeeee

ur plants trichomes are beautiful bet that was a wonderful smoke!!

KUShSOurSMOKEr said:

gastanker nice grow!!!

so u use 5 reptiles lights gas? n u said u have sum almost touching the bud ? niceeeeee

ur plants trichomes are beautiful bet that was a wonderful smoke!!

Click to expand...

All of those plants were extremely potent - the Chocolope was some of the best smoke I have ever had, and I've smoked quite a bit of fine herb and hate tooting my own horn when it's not deserved.

I run 8 of those 15w UV bulbs; every other tube of the side-lighting (if I am running 4 of the banks), the rest are 6500k to supplement the HPS's spectrum.

I have buds touching my UV bulbs with no problems but my UV bulbs are T8s - if you have the UV CFLs they run considerably warmer. CFLs will burn a plant if they directly touch due to the heat not the UV - you can get them extremely close those. I have run 26w UV cfls less than an inch from plants with no visible harm.

Everyone i'm glad we all had these talks, i like to see people get excited for a quick and easy way to potentally up your THC count. Lets keep this thread alive and show results so closed minded people learn that sometimes new things can supplement your already amazing grows.