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Pre-Harvest Questions

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gromeister2020

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I have been trying to do a lot of research into the topic, but I’m trying to find out more definitively what exactly 48 hours of darkness before harvest does. Is it necessary? What’s the gain? More importantly, what are the cons? Any input is welcomed!
 
I don't put mine in the dark before harvest. I just don't think its necessary.

However it must have seemed to help some folks because people still do it.

It may cause the plant to think it's late in the season and cause it to push all the final fluids to the buds. That's only my WAG.
 
Thank you. I didn’t do it in my first harvest and everything seemed okay. I also can’t imagine outdoor growers do it. I am interested to see what someone who does it says as well.
 
gromeister2020 said:
I have been trying to do a lot of research into the topic, but I’m trying to find out more definitively what exactly 48 hours of darkness before harvest does. Is it necessary? What’s the gain? More importantly, what are the cons? Any input is welcomed!
Click to expand...

Sometimes I think the only difference you can see with some operations people swear by are only detectable by a mass spectrometer. I mean, TINY differences.

Look at it this way, in nature... does 48 hours of darkness occur? Does it really change the attributes of the THC levels or terpenes for human consumption? Idk, maybe. But I think it starts getting into theology of growing weed and not actual science. "My grand daddy used to do it that way" and so people carry on traditions but don't know why.

I don't do it.
 
Nice one Balu . When I decided mine were done I simply unplugged the lights and left them in the dark for 3 days before I cut them down. If it did anything to improve the quality it must have been REALLY weak before. Got 4 oz of mild sleep meds from claimed 20% THC strain.
 
I'd like to see that theory mythbusted. Perhaps Nebula could do it for her next experiment since the LED side-by-side is nearly done. All I can guess is that someone supposed that the plants matured much more quickly in the dark, i.e. more trichomes turn amber in darkness as opposed to 12/12 lighting.
 
There are scenarios when it could be useful, but the whole thing is mistified. Imagine you have some plants under very intense light right at the end of flowering. You want to wait a couple more days for them calyxes to swell but the tops are showing too much amber due to the strong lights. Then you put it in darkness and the plant will continue to swell but the trichomes won't degrade any more.

Another reasoning could be for those very worried about flushing nutrients and getting rid of sugars. Being in the dark forces the plant to use whatever sugar is left in those buds and leaves
I don't do it. Comercial ops don't do it. But if you feel it could benefit your final product go ahead. But harvest one branch before and compare after they dry. Ill bet you won't notice a difference
 
I followed some experiments on You Tube a couple years ago and never looked up on the end result of dark vs light at the end so I'm not much help. Changing the subject can be rude but so what lol.
. What is your opinion and or knowledge on de-leafing? I have watched videos of the practice of virtually stripping a plant of it's fan leaves claiming direct light to your bud is better than any solar panel effect the leaves may have. Of course inside grows only. They went on to say the fan leaves are needed for outside elements and serve to only get in the way inside.. Personally I believe a middle of the road approach most effective. Any thoughts?
 
In order to further protocols for posting, it it better to establish a new thread if you want to change the subject. Less confusion and more respectful. Thanks, Toka
 
I tried the 48 hours dark, what did it do? As far as I can tell it did nothing but the room cooled down, and it used less electricity, it may have increased the smell/taste but IDK for sure. I cant prove it either way. Mostly I grow outside, we can get 48 hours of dark when the right storm comes in, but likely not when its wanted.
 
Inside I take leaves off for light, outside I take leaves off for air flow (no leaf may touch another as that invites WPM)
 
Great Idea! Very Solomonic; cut the baby in half. Your reasoning is logical and makes sense, the question is whether or not it actually works or makes a difference. This would be a great experiment, I would love to hear the results.
 
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