Plants In Dark For 4 Days..

Jimster · Oct 24, 2019

Edinburgh said:
I to was taught to leave my plants in darkness for 48 to 72 hours before chopping, the idea behind this is that dark period will frost up your plants, does it work? I dont know, but i do it.

I personally can't see how a few days of darkness can increase the potency, since plants grow so slowly and react as slowly to changes. The only effect I have seen from extended darkness is some stretching. At the rate buds/flowers grow, how much extra weight does a plant add in a few days?
I don't truthfully know the answer, but I sort of classify it with a lot of other "urban canni-legends" or "Bro-science". I would love to see research that would examine it, but I haven't seen anything other than stories from a friend of a friend. I was skeptical about 10K finishing bulbs frosting stuff up, but I'm still on the fence about that one although it is a 2 week process, not 3 days.

Aqua Man · Oct 24, 2019

Jimster said:
I personally can't see how a few days of darkness can increase the potency, since plants grow so slowly and react as slowly to changes. The only effect I have seen from extended darkness is some stretching. At the rate buds/flowers grow, how much extra weight does a plant add in a few days?
I don't truthfully know the answer, but I sort of classify it with a lot of other "urban canni-legends" or "Bro-science". I would love to see research that would examine it, but I haven't seen anything other than stories from a friend of a friend. I was skeptical about 10K finishing bulbs frosting stuff up, but I'm still on the fence about that one although it is a 2 week process, not 3 days.

I also could not see the benefit. But I believe it was @MIMedGrower that pointed out the differing process of day and night that I always knew. During night cycle the plants release starches etc into the soil that feed the bacteria In a kind of symbiotic relationship. He made a good point about starches when burned have a poor taste. I can't remember exactly but it makes absolute sense to me now that to an extent a dark period can affect the taste... due to transportation of various compounds from the bud to the roots. To what extent I can't say for certain.

I mean I definitely can't discount this as very possible. However I haven't yet done my own testing.

Madbud · Oct 24, 2019

Probably takes the effect of light on thc to the next level. After much research i have been drying in sunlight this year at the risk of .5% loss over two weeks, after hanging just a day or two of ultraviolet sunlight for mold prevention, they finish in shade and a couple days with a 50% rh dehum before curing in darkness. Long term effect of light on thc is well established. Perfect results so far.
Edit: also the girls lighten up in color suggesting less clorophyll?

Jimster · Oct 24, 2019

Aqua Man said:
I also could not see the benefit. But I believe it was @MIMedGrower that pointed out the differing process of day and night that I always knew. During night cycle the plants release starches etc into the soil that feed the bacteria In a kind of symbiotic relationship. He made a good point about starches when burned have a poor taste. I can't remember exactly but it makes absolute sense to me now that to an extent a dark period can affect the taste... due to transportation of various compounds from the bud to the roots. To what extent I can't say for certain.

I mean I definitely can't discount this as very possible. However I haven't yet done my own testing.

I can see how the extended darkness can make a difference although 3 days is a pretty short period for plants to react. I HAVE seen stretching in plants that have been in darkness for a few days, so I can't discount the claim about flavor changes. I don't see how a bud can grow a shitload more trichomes after a day or two of darkness, however. Sugars and nutrients get moved around in the plant depending on if its light or dark, so flavors and sugars, etc could be affected by the photoperiod. It was always my impression, and this is purely conjecture on my part, that sugars are what often gives buds the unique sweet flavor. I thought that sugars are mainly produced during photosynthesis and used primarily at night. This would equate to more sugar flavor during daylight and less at night. On the other side of my theory however, is my experience with white flies, which leave sugar residue on the plants from the damage they cause. This typically burns with a black ash and lousy burning from the sugar's carbonization upon burning.
In summary, I really don't know as I can see a case for both sides of the question, at least regarding sugars. Trichome production in a few days, I am not convinced.

Jimster · Oct 24, 2019

Madbud said:
Probably takes the effect of light on thc to the next level. After much research i have been drying in sunlight this year at the risk of .5% loss over two weeks, after hanging just a day or two of ultraviolet sunlight for mold prevention, they finish in shade and a couple days with a 50% rh dehum before curing in darkness. Long term effect of light on thc is well established. Perfect results so far.
Edit: also the girls lighten up in color suggesting less clorophyll?

UV light will bleach out the chlorophyll, which is one of several ways to dry and cure your buds. Without light, the plant uses up it's stored sugars and nutrients. Curing the buds in UV will further decrease the chlorophyll...at the expense of slightly lower THC levels. I have dried buds in the same room they are flowering in and get a blond bud that tastes like hash... much like the old Colombian used to taste like. It's a nice change from the regular green buds.

Aqua Man · Oct 24, 2019

Jimster said:
I can see how the extended darkness can make a difference although 3 days is a pretty short period for plants to react. I HAVE seen stretching in plants that have been in darkness for a few days, so I can't discount the claim about flavor changes. I don't see how a bud can grow a shitload more trichomes after a day or two of darkness, however. Sugars and nutrients get moved around in the plant depending on if its light or dark, so flavors and sugars, etc could be affected by the photoperiod. It was always my impression, and this is purely conjecture on my part, that sugars are what often gives buds the unique sweet flavor. I thought that sugars are mainly produced during photosynthesis and used primarily at night. This would equate to more sugar flavor during daylight and less at night. On the other side of my theory however, is my experience with white flies, which leave sugar residue on the plants from the damage they cause. This typically burns with a black ash and lousy burning from the sugar's carbonization upon burning.
In summary, I really don't know as I can see a case for both sides of the question, at least regarding sugars. Trichome production in a few days, I am not convinced.

I agree not convinced on the trich production increase. I can see the preservation as they do undergo some reduction of fluid during the day period from heat and light and are somewhat replenished during the Calvin cycle. But an increase in overall triches I just don't see yet.

hawkman · Oct 24, 2019

Edinburgh said:
I to was taught to leave my plants in darkness for 48 to 72 hours before chopping, the idea behind this is that dark period will frost up your plants, does it work? I dont know, but i do it.

stress = terpene and essential oil production

hawkman · Oct 24, 2019

this is backed up by science : when 4 days before harvest just run the"Blue" spectrum (LED's) for the remaining days to increase terpenes and essential oils

Madbud · Oct 24, 2019

Aqua Man said:
I agree not convinced on the trich production increase. I can see the preservation as they do undergo some reduction of fluid during the day period from heat and light and are somewhat replenished during the Calvin cycle. But an increase in overall triches I just don't see yet.

If we all agree that light degrades thc then it all comes full circle, chopping at night or after three nights allows the thc to recover. But the percentage seems minimal, even after longterm light exposure. Perhaps the trichs cloudiness protects the thc.

hawkman · Oct 24, 2019

Madbud said:
If we all agree that light degrades thc then it all comes full circle, chopping at night or after three nights allows the thc to recover. But the percentage seems minimal, even after longterm light exposure. Perhaps the trichs cloudiness protects the thc.

correct - there is a difference - a noticable one? maybe using the blue spectrum last 4 days before harvest

Srenots · Oct 25, 2019

love all these comments and perceptions yall have... just goes to show peoples diff thoughts and styles, do your style and what works for you....everyone is diff, a plant recovers in the dark, and uses energy in the light....same as us humans , if you run up a mountain in the hot day sweating and using energy, then sooner or later you will get tired and need a break , but then when you lay down at night and get some sleep your body will recover from the previous work out you did, its the same for plants... so the thought of being in the dark for 24 to 48 hours isnt that theres going to be a sudden mass production of growth or stretching with the plant, its simply a recover period of sleep that will not double trichome production, but replenish itself to be ready for when the sun comes up again and be serious ready for that next workout in the sun again... its like partying for a couple days without sleep, how tired are you? but then when you get some good sleep your ready to party again, dig? thats when u chop, before that next workout....thats the simple way to explain it... dark is recovery, light is using energy... its not rocket science .... you wanna chop when its replenished and ready for a workout in the sun again....simple.....its just common sense when you think about that way...hope this helps~

Srenots · Oct 25, 2019

with that said, if you dont want to believe that it doesnt matter using a dark period before harvest time for 24 to 48 hours .....then at least let your lights shut off for the dark cycle and chop right before lights on...

Srenots · Oct 25, 2019

Kiss method is always best

Madbud · Oct 25, 2019

Will somebody please slip a bag over a branch three days before chop to compare and end this Madness?!

Jimster · Oct 25, 2019

Madbud said:
Will somebody please slip a bag over a branch three days before chop to compare and end this Madness?!

PLEASE!!
I can't see a plant having any difference in THC or Terpene profiles after only3 days. This is just my opinion, but other than stretching and possible water content variations, I can't see any hard data to support this. Claiming stress is a semi canni-legend, and 3 days isn't much of a stress to a plant. Plants don't "think" they are going to die and suddenly send a rush of everything they have to ward off the inevitable. They live to make seeds and have been selectively bred to keep trying despite not getting pollinated.
Does a 3 day absence of light affect the plant... Absolutely.
Does the 3 day absence of light increase the THC or Trichomes... Personally, I don't think so. That isn't to say I could be mistaken, but I can't see a scientific basis for this to happen in the time period mentioned. Sugars and other metabolic processes would be more affected than the more complex processes needed to make the stuff we like, IMO. I know we have some guys who are pretty spot on about the actual processes that lead to the triggers for increased Trichome and other parts of the plant... maybe someone will chime in that knows a lot more than my conjecture.

MichaelStone · Oct 25, 2019

This is great information.

Moshmen · Oct 25, 2019

Madbud said:
Will somebody please slip a bag over a branch three days before chop to compare and end this Madness?!

I’ll do a small one! Gotta get a brown paper bag I think that will do the best job . I’ll post pics when I tie it up and when they are picked.
I’m running low on smoke so don’t know if they will make thru the curing process but I’m real curious!
Hopefully someone with more experience will try this as well ?!
P.S. THE MADNESS NEVER ENDS

Srenots · Oct 26, 2019

Jimster said:
PLEASE!!
I can't see a plant having any difference in THC or Terpene profiles after only3 days. This is just my opinion, but other than stretching and possible water content variations, I can't see any hard data to support this. Claiming stress is a semi canni-legend, and 3 days isn't much of a stress to a plant. Plants don't "think" they are going to die and suddenly send a rush of everything they have to ward off the inevitable. They live to make seeds and have been selectively bred to keep trying despite not getting pollinated.
Does a 3 day absence of light affect the plant... Absolutely.
Does the 3 day absence of light increase the THC or Trichomes... Personally, I don't think so. That isn't to say I could be mistaken, but I can't see a scientific basis for this to happen in the time period mentioned. Sugars and other metabolic processes would be more affected than the more complex processes needed to make the stuff we like, IMO. I know we have some guys who are pretty spot on about the actual processes that lead to the triggers for increased Trichome and other parts of the plant... maybe someone will chime in that knows a lot more than my conjecture.

you are spot on Jimster ...it does not make a difference in THC production at all, chopping before the lights come on is just catching them before they use their energy when the lights come on before the next cycle, thats when u want to get em, not when the lights are on ......thats it, plain and simple

MIMedGrower · Oct 26, 2019

I have had very stressed plants that seemed extra frosty (and yellowed with damaged leaves) but the potency does not get as high as the extra trichomes would predict.

Frost does not equal potency. Shitty dispensary and cash cropped dabs are weaker than a well grown flower hit.

So stress may make the plant look like it has more trichomes but its what is in them that counts.

BudsAlive · Jan 15, 2020

Ok so been reading these threads with interest. So is there still a need for flushing with this technique?

Plants In Dark For 4 Days..

Plants In Dark For 4 Days..

Jimster

Aqua Man

Madbud

Jimster

Jimster

Aqua Man

hawkman

hawkman

Madbud

hawkman

Srenots

Srenots

Srenots

Madbud

Jimster

MichaelStone

Moshmen

Srenots

MIMedGrower

BudsAlive

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