48 hours of darkness--thoughts?

roseypeach

Well-Known Member
I have heard several ppl mention that putting plants in the dark 48 hours before harvesting is important but I have no idea why? are there any real advantages to doing this?
 

sworth

Well-Known Member
The idea is THC is still produced through the 48 hours, but isn't degraded by sunlight so results in stronger herb...
Never tried it myself; by the time they're ready the last thing I want is another couple of days wait...;)
 

jamie497

Active Member
Yeah, I've heard it increases THC levels because they can't be broken down by UV light. I generally do it, I can't say if it makes a difference because I have no way to test my THC levels. I don't think there's any harm in doing it. The science is there.
 

Dalek Supreme

Well-Known Member

calicat

Well-Known Member
I have heard several ppl mention that putting plants in the dark 48 hours before harvesting is important but I have no idea why? are there any real advantages to doing this?
It is believed without scientific evidence that putting plants in 36-72 hours prior to harvest tricks them to think they are dying therefore they produce more resin.
 

Opm

Active Member
When you trim the buds and place them in a dark room to dry they are still growing for a day or two.

Like one poster said, a lot of cultivation information is based on interesting theories but no scientific evidence to back them up. I don't bother with it,or anything, until I see some good hard evidence. The plant has been growing for 1000s of years under conditions it likes. Why mess with that.
 

Learn2Grow

Active Member


    • I am stuck on these darkness threads now because I am shocked that no one knows the reason why this works. I must be the only one who reads scholarly journals on growing....

      http://www.weedfarmer.com/cannabis/botany_guide.php
      "Light energy has been collected and utilized by the plant in a long series of reactions resulting in the formation of THC acids. Farther along the pathway begins the formation of degradation products not metabolically produced by the living plant. These cannabinoid acids are formed through the progressive degradation of THC acids to CBN acid (cannabinolic acid) and other cannabinoid acids. The degradation is accomplished primarily by heat and light and is not enzymatically controlled by the plant. CBN is also suspected of synergistic modification of the psychoactivity of the primary cannabinoids, THCs. The cannabinoid balance between CBC, CBD, THC, and CBN is determined by genetics and maturation. THC production is an ongoing process as long as the glandular trichome remains active. Variations in the level of THC in the same trichome as it matures are the result of THC acid being broken down to CBN acid while CBD acid is being converted to THC acid. If the rate of THC biosynthesis exceeds the rate of THC breakdown, the THC level in the trichome rises; if the breakdown rate is faster than the rate of biosynthesis, the THC level drops." (page 4


      Read a book before you tell people they are wrong when they are only trying to help. It is not helpful to seem sure of things you are not. Removing the plant from the light and heat allows for the THC breakdown rate to decrease by slowly the conversion of THC to CBN. If we could grow a plant in the dark it would have astronomically high thc levels.. but the closest we can come is a few days of dark coldness at the end when there is little to no plant growth left. The plant does not need light to continue metabolic processes.






      • "Harvesting in the morning ensures that your plant will be at peak THC content, as cannabis has shown THC fluctuations peaking in morning and dropping during the day. Some growers leave their lights off for several days before harvest to increase potency. This seems to have some scientific validity as light has been shown to degrade THC, hence the morning peaks. As light is the degrading factor and the plant still has the ability to manufacture THC during darkness, leaving the lights off for a day or two before harvest likely utilizes the plants stored potential for THC conversion without any opportunity for it to be degraded into cannabinol (CBN) and other breakdown products.8"


        • This plant sat for 6 days in the COLD dark before it was finally cut. See the point of this is that I have already moved my plants into the bloom room. You can move the plants out of the room at 50% amber and they will finish in the dark. Overall you gain between 1 to 2 weeks or several thousand dollars per year using this method. Not only do the plants not suffer from this but they will actually improve. There is no downside to using this method, just make sure the plants are DRY before moving them out of the room. They will not wilt in the cold dark atmosphere but will mold if they are watered prior to moving into the ripening room. Using ten gallon smart pots of ready gro/worm casting mix, with 6 foot trees, I give two days after flush to dry out completely and then move the plants out and move my new line in. Let them sit for two days minimum then start trimming one at a time.












 

sworth

Well-Known Member
All very well, but how much THC is produced in a couple of days? And how much THC is degraded in a couple of days?...
 

Edgar9

Well-Known Member
I tried it and it made the plant look like shit. I'll never do it again. My buds are frosty enough when I harvest.

I also think it can give mold a chance to ruin the end of your grow. Especially if you are trying to dry out after a good flush.
 

sworth

Well-Known Member
Yeh, I've looked into it (must of missed those scholarly journals ;)) but it just seemed like needless stress for what have been pampered ladies imo...
 

Opm

Active Member


    • I am stuck on these darkness threads now because I am shocked that no one knows the reason why this works. I must be the only one who reads scholarly journals on growing....

      http://www.weedfarmer.com/cannabis/botany_guide.php
      "Light energy has been collected and utilized by the plant in a long series of reactions resulting in the formation of THC acids. Farther along the pathway begins the formation of degradation products not metabolically produced by the living plant. These cannabinoid acids are formed through the progressive degradation of THC acids to CBN acid (cannabinolic acid) and other cannabinoid acids. The degradation is accomplished primarily by heat and light and is not enzymatically controlled by the plant. CBN is also suspected of synergistic modification of the psychoactivity of the primary cannabinoids, THCs. The cannabinoid balance between CBC, CBD, THC, and CBN is determined by genetics and maturation. THC production is an ongoing process as long as the glandular trichome remains active. Variations in the level of THC in the same trichome as it matures are the result of THC acid being broken down to CBN acid while CBD acid is being converted to THC acid. If the rate of THC biosynthesis exceeds the rate of THC breakdown, the THC level in the trichome rises; if the breakdown rate is faster than the rate of biosynthesis, the THC level drops." (page 4


      Read a book before you tell people they are wrong when they are only trying to help. It is not helpful to seem sure of things you are not. Removing the plant from the light and heat allows for the THC breakdown rate to decrease by slowly the conversion of THC to CBN. If we could grow a plant in the dark it would have astronomically high thc levels.. but the closest we can come is a few days of dark coldness at the end when there is little to no plant growth left. The plant does not need light to continue metabolic processes.






      • "Harvesting in the morning ensures that your plant will be at peak THC content, as cannabis has shown THC fluctuations peaking in morning and dropping during the day. Some growers leave their lights off for several days before harvest to increase potency. This seems to have some scientific validity as light has been shown to degrade THC, hence the morning peaks. As light is the degrading factor and the plant still has the ability to manufacture THC during darkness, leaving the lights off for a day or two before harvest likely utilizes the plants stored potential for THC conversion without any opportunity for it to be degraded into cannabinol (CBN) and other breakdown products.8"


        • This plant sat for 6 days in the COLD dark before it was finally cut. See the point of this is that I have already moved my plants into the bloom room. You can move the plants out of the room at 50% amber and they will finish in the dark. Overall you gain between 1 to 2 weeks or several thousand dollars per year using this method. Not only do the plants not suffer from this but they will actually improve. There is no downside to using this method, just make sure the plants are DRY before moving them out of the room. They will not wilt in the cold dark atmosphere but will mold if they are watered prior to moving into the ripening room. Using ten gallon smart pots of ready gro/worm casting mix, with 6 foot trees, I give two days after flush to dry out completely and then move the plants out and move my new line in. Let them sit for two days minimum then start trimming one at a time.










"The best way to take a look at how environment affects THC production is to look where on the planet cannabis has naturally adopted a high THC profile. As cannabis has spread around the world it has taken on many different traits to help in its adaptation to varied areas. The best drug varieties have always been found at equatorial or high altitude locations. The one thing which both of these variables have in common is high light intensity and a large amount of ultraviolet (UV) light in the spectrum."

Yes, maybe you should try reading your own book.

And btw, What sort of scientific study excludes the raw data sets? Where are the chromatagraphy or lithography results with a control and test set? Furhtermore you have no idea what effects CBN and some of the later molecules have on the effect of THC and wether it increases or decreases potency. Your assumptions are innacurrate.
 

gaztron3030

Active Member
It is believed without scientific evidence that putting plants in 36-72 hours prior to harvest tricks them to think they are dying therefore they produce more resin.
If the plant was tricked into dying, it would seed itself.
One of the purposes for resin glands on a plant is to protect it from the sun.
I believe dalek is correct and it is an old wives tale. If you think about it the sun isn't as harsh in the morning and gets stronger into the afternoon in summer so IMO lunchtime would be the time when the plant has put the morning into producing trichomes to protect it from the afternoon sun. During the night I would think the THC would mature as do apples and other fruit, and new resin glands produced to replace the mature ones.
 

eDude

Well-Known Member
What I 'think' might happen..

If you're plants are large and happy the they are going though a good amount of water by transpiration. After a night of being in moist soil you can see the tugar return to a plant. So, if you were to cut at that moment it would have a good amount of water in the plant to start off with. This might make for a longer smoother dry and cure. We all know if you dry too fast it gets fucked up.

That's the only way I can think of it having any kind of affect in such a short period of time and that not the THC level that's just the quality after the cure.
 

Learn2Grow

Active Member
"The best way to take a look at how environment affects THC production is to look where on the planet cannabis has naturally adopted a high THC profile. As cannabis has spread around the world it has taken on many different traits to help in its adaptation to varied areas. The best drug varieties have always been found at equatorial or high altitude locations. The one thing which both of these variables have in common is high light intensity and a large amount of ultraviolet (UV) light in the spectrum."

Yes, maybe you should try reading your own book.

[/B]
??? What does this have to do with anything ???

I know it works.. Not only is the weed more fire but I harvest 3 lbs every 3 weeks off only 4 lights.
 

Learn2Grow

Active Member
All very well, but how much THC is produced in a couple of days? And how much THC is degraded in a couple of days?...
Actually quite a lot! Most of the THC is produced in the last couple weeks, so a few days is a high percentage.
 

Opm

Active Member
??? What does this have to do with anything ???



I know it works.. Not only is the weed more fire but I harvest 3 lbs every 3 weeks off only 4 lights.
They just told you what increased THC levels and not one mention of darkness. ...
Like I said
  • a lot of cultivation information is based on interesting theories but no scientific evidence to back them up"



Show me the data and then show me the data verified by an independent person running the same experiment or nothing about it is even remotely scientific. Just opinion and theory.
 
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