UVB Light - What's The Real Story?

[Harry Red]

Greetings!!

I was watching the video posted here

http://www.420magazine.com/forums/gr...-show-thc.html

and found it to be educational and fascinating.

I also found this on the web..

A researcher conducted a controlled experiment in a greenhouse. He lit a group of high potency plants similarly except with the addition of UVB light to some groups. He found that the percentage of THC increased in a direct ratio with the increase in UVB light. This research confirms the adage that high altitude plants are more potent than those grown at low altitudes.

If you look at old-world land races of cannabis, plants that have become adapted to the climate and latitude, the ratio of THC to CBD starts at 100 : 1 at the equator. At the 30th parallel (The Hindu-Kush Valley) the plants have a ratio of 50 : 50. At the 45th parallel the ratio is near 1 : 100. This corresponds roughly with the amount of UVB light received at these latitudes. There is much more UVB at the equator than the 45th parallel.

How can you get more UVB light to your plants? Certainly it's true that MH lamps emit more UVB light than HPS lamps. Still the amount that MH lamps emit is small. In fact, many manufacturers use UVB shielding glass to filter out most of the UVB that's produced. The UVB light the plant receives from an MH lamp does increase the plant's potency slightly at the cost of yield, but there are better ways to introduce UVB light into the grow room. They include reptile lights, which emit about 10% UVB, and tanning lamps.

Should I be adding UVB light to my grow room to increase potency? Is anyone here doing it and have you confirmed increased potency? Any suggestions on which light would be the best to get?

Thanks everyone!

Harry

[Medical Marijuana]

Yes it does, and this link will tell you why. An elaboration on the phytochemical process that makes THC

[Harry Red]

Another great thread *****, along with a ton of your other threads I've read.

After reading through that, I think I now have a basic understanding of what is occurring.

I've also been reading that some growers are having success with Exo-Terra Repti Glo 5.0 bulbs. They are suppose to emit moderate to high levels of UVB output.

Exo-Terra Repti Glo 5.0 Compact Tropical Terrarium Lamp - Lighting - Heating & Lighting - PetSmart

I think they have a 10.0 bulb that emits even higher levels of UVB.

I was thinking that I could use these to give the plants a couple of 30 minute shots of UVB a few times a day and that would give me a more potent product. Or, can you recommend another type of light that may have a narrower spectrum of UVB that is more beneficial for increasing trichome production and potency?

Thanks!!

Harry

[Medical Marijuana]

Mate, I have not looked into light intensities with UV, but I suspect that you do not need a high output, so your idea of giving bursts through the day may well work. I think the big thing to realise is that the main impact is on the psychoactivity of the THC, rather than an increase in THC. Check out the part in the elaboration where it talks about this 'activation' occurring at the base of the stalked trichome.

[Harry Red]

Ah, I see that article suggests that if the UVB photon is missing, there may be less "fully realized" THC, whereas the video suggested more THC would be produced. Either way, sounds like the correct amount and spectrum of UVB light will make it more better.

I believe I'm going to add a couple of these CFLs to my grow room at some point.

Thanks again!!

Harry