[RoyalQueenSeeds]

Most of us know that a little stress can sometimes be good for our plants… but have you ever heard of icing them?

Yep, literally putting ice on your soil or flushing with cold water to trigger what’s known as a “cold shock.”
It’s believed this sudden temperature drop may stimulate trichome production right before harvest.

Here’s an example:

Crazy, right?

What do you think — a case of bro science or true magic? Have you tried it before, or would you give it a go?

 

[OgBoogs730]

I started trying this my last harvest didn’t notice much of anything but I’m trying it again actually did it this morning

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

I've heard of it, but I've never tried it. I assume the intent is to mimic the change of season. Theoretically, the plant would be stimulated to finish soon. If it doesn't die from the shock, it may also grow more trichomes due to hormesis, again, theoretically, that is.

 

[Galgrows]

Bro science in my opinion. Sure frost may bring out the hardening an fade but freezing the root zone just to me doesn't feel right??

 

[TheGoldenRoad]

Most of us know that a little stress can sometimes be good for our plants… but have you ever heard of icing them?

Yep, literally putting ice on your soil or flushing with cold water to trigger what’s known as a “cold shock.”
It’s believed this sudden temperature drop may stimulate trichome production right before harvest.

Here’s an example:

View attachment 2412746

Crazy, right?

What do you think — a case of bro science or true magic? Have you tried it before, or would you give it a go?

I use ice water the last three days before chop if I’m running purple strains.

 

[cbrians]

I’ve heard of leaving ice as a way to slowly water if you won’t be around. and I know cold can shock the plants into more colors and what not.

fuck it I’ll try it

 

[TheGoldenRoad]

Tell ya what, I kicked off flower so if I end up with two plants, same strain that are both girls, I’d be willing to compare them side by side.

 

[cbrians]

Tell ya what, I kicked off flower so if I end up with two plants, same strain that are both girls, I’d be willing to compare them side by side.

I like it. I actually have two jack herer right now, didn’t think one was gonna make it

I’ve just taken it upon my self to be the guy to try the ‘hey this might kill a plant but we’re not sure’ things

 

[TheGoldenRoad]

I like it. I actually have two jack herer right now, didn’t think one was gonna make it

I’ve just taken it upon my self to be the guy to try the ‘hey this might kill a plant but we’re not sure’ things

I kind of live for the times that something radical pans out. I love seeing it when people post that stuff on here.

 

[TheGoldenRoad]

I’ve just taken it upon my self to be the guy to try the ‘hey this might kill a plant but we’re not sure’ things

So you specialize in stress testing and certification?

 

[cbrians]

So you specialize in stress testing and certification?

about time someone gave me the recognition I deserve

 

[Bobcat.Branch]

I like it. I actually have two jack herer right now, didn’t think one was gonna make it

I’ve just taken it upon my self to be the guy to try the ‘hey this might kill a plant but we’re not sure’ things

Just think of all the people that came before us that tried all the mushrooms in the wild, and some paid the ultimate price while some tripped balls. @cbrians is the one who pushed everyone aside and chomped that big red mushy with white spots all over the cap!

 

[OgBoogs730]

I’ve been dabbling in uv lighting for stress see where it goes

 

[cbrians]

Just think of all the people that came before us that tried all the mushrooms in the wild, and some paid the ultimate price while some tripped balls. @cbrians is the one who pushed everyone aside and chomped that big red mushy with white spots all over the cap!

I volunteer myself as tribute.

Either I’ll die, or get really high, or get really high dying. All wins in my book

 

[defective]

I call BS…you need a control group to validate if it did or didn’t make a difference. I experimented with high stress training at one point, snapping every branch instead of bending with the idea that it may think it’s being eaten by whatever, therefore it would increase resin production…i had no control group so I can’t say for sure, but there was no noticeable difference.

 

[Galgrows]

I'd rather ice my whiskey than my plants

 

[Stinkybudz420]

I do believe it works with genetics that change in color when first frost comes in. Creates or helps along a deficiency imo.
So it is bro science, and it isn't. That's my 2 cents

 

[Markjobs2020]

I think you would be better off putting the bag of ice behind your fan so it blows cold I had an open chimney letting cold air on my star dog plants the ones closest were fully purple

 

[LaMotaBruja]

I had a “bro” who swore up and down that DRY ICE placed at the root zone during flush would improve yield and fade.

The cooler reservoir temps and CO2 released… that “theory” is problematic but interesting.

One pound of dry ice releases 250 liters of CO2, a little less than 9 cubic ft. Sounds good, right?

Issues:
1. In a tent, this CO2 won’t stay in the tent very long. The slow release of the dry ice might help tho given proper environment.
2. Those 250 liters are time released. 5-10 pounds per hour sublimation. You would need a lot of dry ice I think (someone correct me?)
3. Dry ice ain’t expensive, but it ain’t cheap. Between $1.50 - $3 per pound, depending on where you source.

You would probably need a few pounds for a 5x5x6 tent (150 cubic ft).

Thats 17 pounds of dry ice per 24 hour dose. And it would probably require a good CO2 monitoring setup and again, a tent isn’t sealed so much of it will dissipate quickly from the fans.

Not sure if slabs vs pellet are better. Pellet sublimates faster.


Now…
As for straight ice (frozen water), it depends on a few factors. If used to lower rez temps in a hydro setup… yes, it works. It’s the ghetto version of using an aquarium chiller. It’s an environmental control method.

Actual freezing the roots is BAD. That’s just bro science. Also, a colorful fade is pretty but doesn’t mean anything when it comes to flavor or potency.

Stress may release certain plant chemicals, but they aren’t always good. Some natural pesticides the plant produces taste like crap. Lots of dispensary weed tastes stressed out. Many varieties taste best when finished early, before the fade. Some varieties prefer cooler temps. You need to dial it in.

Everything is variety dependent, and the “cold trick” isn’t always useful. Lots of bro science making the truth hard to find.

 

[LaMotaBruja]

Also, lower water temps serve a more practical purpose in hydro systems: avoiding root rot and slime.

Warm reservoirs are the main reason why folks end up tossing their hydro systems after a few grows once they develop roots looking like snot.

They clean their rez, and try another run, only to learn the whole system is beyond the help of hydroguard or even stronger chemicals. That shit is really hard to get rid of.

In soil/coco hand water setups… it’s less important tbh.