Cheaper High Tech way to prevent powdery mildew

[Donkdbz]

20 bucks for self ballast UV bulb.

I think that one produces a little ozone so I would try on plants then turn off.
1000bulbs you can get UV bulb and a UV ballast for 40bulbs then some DIY action

 

[Frostynugman]

Wouldn't it only be able to run during the day?

 

[polarbeardav]

no, you can use short bursts of high dosage UVB to kill PM and other infectious things in the garden (as well as spider mites)

 

[HarryM]

no, you can use short bursts of high dosage UVB to kill PM and other infectious things in the garden (as well as spider mites)

I believe that it is UV-C, not UV-B that destroys Powdery Mildew. I use a UV-C light (CleanLight Hobby unit) to control P.M.. It works perfectly but it does nothing to Spider Mites.

 

[Desertboy]

Ideally you would treat with UVc outside the tent using a "lung" or use an inline UVc air filter.

UVc is blinding literally so you must be very careful with it you looking for ~285nm, UVb ideal for psoriasis sufferers is ~315nm.

I've personally found good ventilation and low humidity in late flower is the best way for me to avoid PM or Botritus.

 

[Desertboy]

I forgot to add UVc will also turn O2 into O3 I believe UVb won't but don't quote me on that.

 

[HarryM]

I forgot to add UVc will also turn O2 into O3 I believe UVb won't but don't quote me on that.

I think that if you check, UV-C does not exist on Earth due to the atmosphere filter. That said, measuring the action of the UV-C light on O2 might be difficult. I agree about ventilation and humidity levels.

 

[Desertboy]

"

• UVC wavelengths (100-280 nm) are very strongly affected by ozone levels, so that the levels of UVC radiation reaching the earth's surface are relatively small.

"

http://www.theozonehole.com/uvrays.htm

Some UVc does make it down here even with our protective atmosphere

I think UVc -> O2 -> O3 reaction is well understood.

"Ozone in the stratosphere is mostly produced from short-wave ultraviolet rays (in the UVC band) but it can be also produced from x-rays reacting with oxygen"

from the wiki on ozone.