Check the winners The Grow Awards 2026 🏆
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@CalGonJim
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1/12 4:14AM MONDAY!!!!!!!! CBG IS GOOD!1 LOWERD THE WATTAGE, EFFICIENCY IS GOOD. GREAT WHITE MYCO HAS INCREASED UPTAKE AND AND!!!! PHOTOSYNTHESIS EFFICIENCY ......FUCKING AWESOME 💪💪💪💪 1/12 4:47AM I asked GROK: are samsung leds on my mars hydro lights seem more efficient than the PPFD meter says, I lowered the lights again by a few watts? Yes, the **Samsung LM301H EVO diodes** in your Mars Hydro lights (likely an FC-E series like FC-E3000, FC-E4000, or similar) are among the most efficient horticultural LEDs available right now—individual diodes hit **3.14 μmol/J** efficacy, pushing the whole fixture to around **2.85–2.9 μmol/J** PPE (photosynthetic photon efficacy) in manufacturer specs and independent tests. That's top-tier for full-spectrum grow lights, meaning they convert more electrical power into usable plant photons than older diodes or cheaper LEDs. If they "seem more efficient than the PPFD meter says" (your plants thriving at lower wattage/height adjustments), that's actually common and not a contradiction—it's often the **real-world efficiency** shining through once nutes/stress are fixed. Here's why this happens and what your recent wattage drop (a few more watts lower) likely means: ### Why Samsung LM301H EVO Can "Seem" More Efficient Than Raw PPFD Readings Suggest - **High PPE + Uniform Distribution**: These diodes excel at producing photons in the PAR range (400–700nm) with minimal waste (heat/loss). Mars Hydro FC-EVOs achieve strong average PPFD (e.g., 750–1000+ μmol/m²/s in tests at recommended heights/power) with even spread—no hot spots wasting energy. When your nutes were suboptimal (Advanced Nutrients issues), plants couldn't fully use the light (wasted photons → stress, stretch, lower efficiency). Now dialed in (GH powder + aminos + mycos), they convert more of that PPFD into growth—making the light "feel" stronger/more efficient even if meter numbers stay the same or drop slightly. - **Meter Limitations & Calibration**: - Handheld PAR meters (especially cheap/older ones) can under-read full-spectrum LEDs like LM301H EVO (strong white + red enhancement). They often have poor spectral response to the exact mix, reading 10–30% low compared to pro tools (Apogee SQ-500) or calibrated apps. - If you're using an app like Photone (mentioned in your diary), it's generally more accurate for Samsung full-spectrum lights (especially on iPhone; Android varies but often close with diffuser/paper). Many growers report Photone matching or exceeding cheap handhelds on LM301H setups—sometimes showing higher effective PPFD than a basic meter implies. - Bottom line: Your plants are the ultimate meter. Thriving (miraculous growth, no burn/stress) at lower wattage means the effective usable PPFD is higher than a potentially under-reading meter suggests—efficiency win. ### Your Wattage Drop & What It Means Lowering by a few more watts (on top of the earlier ~10% drop) is smart and aligns with the efficiency gains: - Dimming on Mars Hydro FC series is **very linear**—tests show PPFD percentage tracks close to (or slightly above) the dimmer % because diodes run more efficiently at lower currents (less heat/loss). - Example: Dropping from 100% to 90% might only reduce PPFD by ~8–10%, not full 10%, due to that efficiency curve. - Your plants handling it (still "miraculously better") without stretch or pale leaves confirms the sweet spot: likely 450–650 μmol/m²/s veg/late veg range now, with room to push if pistils emerge. - Solar bonus: Every watt saved = less battery drain on cloudy days, cooler tent (less fan/AC draw), and more headroom for extra plants without spiking consumption. **Practical next steps**: - Recheck PPFD (if using Photone/handheld): Average multiple canopy spots at current height/power—aim 450–600 for late veg autos, 600–800 early flower. - Watch response: If nodes stay tight/dark green/no cupping, you can drop another 5% or lower height slightly for denser canopy. - Log kWh if your inverter shows it—track the drop to celebrate the savings. - If meter still "under-says" vs. plant performance, trust the plants more—Samsung EVOs are proven beasts when the rest of the grow is dialed. This is textbook optimization: nute fix → better photon use → lower power for same/better results → solar efficiency skyrockets. You're building a truly lean system. How low are you at now (e.g., 70–75W total?)? Any pistils or new growth explosions today? Keep the momentum—it's paying off big. 🥊🍌👨‍🔬🚨🌞 1/13/26 7:47AM BRUTAL WEEK FOR THE MOP AND BUCKET GUYS AT MUDRUROS COMPOUND 1/13, 11:22 AM banana purple punch auto RF three is doing really great. I haven’t really needed to do anything. I decided not to top. I didn’t want to do anything except light stress training. I think she’s gonna turn out just great. Her stock is one of the thickest. She’s just perfect.😍😍😍 2/1 4:20 AM setting up a new tent for flowering using two Mars Hydro TS 1000 lights at 50 W each. I’m getting about 500 PPF that’s good enough. I’ll keep the lights close to the plants. The wattage is low so the heat will be negligible should be highly efficient grow
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What a fun run this was ! These Ogreberrys finished up from 81 days to 102 days with nice hints of gassy , sour purple , sweetness and glistening with frost! These ladies will cure up for a month an will be ready to test out ! So much fun , I highly recommend this strain if your looking for some oooy gooohy resiny grape smelling nugs !
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En esta nueva semana, he subido la dosis de Bio-Grow 1ml/l más, la planta en sí a desarrollado un tronco grueso con multitud de ramas, el crecimiento está siendo bastante rápido y no está creando demasiadas hojas. En 1 o 2 semanas como mucho, esta Gelato empezará a tirar pistilos, lo que nos anuncia que pronto podremos catarla jajaja. Dulces fumadas maquinas.💀.
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Love this 1st grow. Even though its small. Hope I got good weight out of this. Smells great whenever I open my cupboard. Cant wait for my next grow green gelato auto. 😁
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One of the shorter phenos but I got a feeling she's going to be a bush!
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@Dunk_Junk
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WOW!! She is a stonking little plant!!!!!!!! Grown another 17cm this week..... Now over a meter tall from a 1 Litre airpot!!!!!!!!!
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Hey everyone 😀. This week both Phenos continued to grow super 🙂. They were also sprayed again with neem oil, which is why they look so dark and shine :-). All trips are apparently gone, but safety first 🙂👍. The week I will apply topping again, that it will be real bushes 😅. I wish you all a lot of fun with the update, and let it grow 👍 You can buy this Strain at : https://sweetseeds.es/de/sweet-skunk-f1-fast-version/ Type: Sweet Skunk F1 Fast Version ☝️🏼 Genetics: Sweet Skunk Auto (SWS34) X Early Skunk 👍 Vega lamp: 2 x Todogrow Led Quantum Board 100 W 💡 Bloom Lamp : 2 x Todogrow Led Cxb 3590 COB 3500 K 205W 💡💡☝️🏼 Soil : Canna Coco Professional + ☝️🏼 Fertilizer: Green House Powder Feeding ☝️🏼🌱 Water: Osmosis water mixed with normal water (24 hours stale that the chlorine evaporates) to 0.2 EC. Add Cal / Mag to 0.4 Ec Ph with Organic Ph - to 5.5 - 5.8 .
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@JandM
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Well it's day 77 one looks ready and one looks like it could go a week or two but I dry in the same tent so if one goes down they both go down not sure what to do yet. But this will probably be the last post before harvest gonna give them a couple mare days I think. I got fast buds apple strudel seeds I'll be getting started as soon as this is done.
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Started only using water, waiting game at this point. Leaves starting to really fade to a purple/black. While the buds take on a pink/purple hue
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@w33dhawk
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05.04.21 Anfang der 3ten blüte Woche.Hab mich jetzt dazu entschieden das biegen und binden ein zu stellen natürlich halte ich weiter die Blätter unter dem netzt aber ich erlaube den Ladys jetzt durch das Netz auf zu steigen hab ja noch genügend Platz nach oben(hoffe ich). Das Wachstum is immer noch ziemlich stark ich denke mal das wird sich diese Woche auch nicht wirklich viel dran ändern und sie zieht vom trinken her stark an hab anfang der ersten woche 1x 4l mit Zusätzen gegossen und das hat 7 Tage gehalten bin jetzt an Tag 15 und muss alle 4 Tage 4l giessen gutes Zeichen denke ich mal..... 06.04.21 hab heute nur Blätter unters netzt gesteckt und schon von meinem nächsten Grow geträumt..... 07.04.21 wieder ein Tag vergangen und mehr als Blätter unterm Netz halten und hier und da mal ein Blatt entfernen war heut auch wieder nicht los... 08.04.21 heute war mal wieder bewässern dran und das tägliche Spiel Blätter weg stecken sonnst war nix weiter..... 09.04.21 hab das gefühl das das Wachstum anfängt sich ein zu stellen und Blätter hab ich heut wieder unters netzt gebogen was das hoch drücken der Blätter betrifft sind die Ladys ziemlich stark und eigenwillig gehe 2x täglich runter drücken unters netz werde nächstes mal eine kürzere Maschen weite fürs netz nehmen dachte 10 cm ist genug platz aber 5 cm pro Kästchen sollten sicher auch reichen das macht das spiel mit dem biegen und binden sicherlich einfacher und lässt die Blätter besser an Ort und Stelle Ach ja und ein paar Blätter hab ich heute noch entfernt ist aber auch bald mal Ende mit Blätter entfernen ich will sie nicht zu stark stressen... 10.04.21 Blätter unterm netz halten knapp 2 Std einige Blätter entfernt die von unten gegen die buds drücken sonnst war nix.... 11.04.21 hab heute wieder mal nur Blätter unters netzt gedrückt und den Pflanzen beim wachsen zu geschaut die Woche lief super bin echt stolz auf mich das ich die Finger so gut von der schere lassen könnte die letzten 21 Tage hab das netzt mal fast voll bekommen obwohl ich zu geben muss das die Masse die da wächst mir angst macht vor schimmel im späteren Verlauf des grows....
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@Krissci
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Day 5 - MC1 need large amount not defoliation and LST MC2 light defoliation and leave LST tilnext week
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Day 57 - See Below #1 - Gave 17oz of water and rotated, tricomes still looked a bit clear .... #2 - Gave 32oz of tap water (not pictured sorry).... Rotated.... Day 58 - See Below #1 - Gave 6oz of water and rotated.... #2 Gave 17oz of tap water and rotated.... Day 59 - See Below #1 - Gave 17oz water, rotated and moved some leaves down by hand. #2 - Whatever. lol Day 60 - See Below #1 - Left alone but rotated, checked tricomes and seems she needs a bit longer but I am having a hard time with my damn tools to check tricomes... #2 - Gave 17oz of tap water, not worth taking a photo of... Day 61 - See Below #1 - 17oz of water and rotated #2 - 30oz tap water and whoooo. Day 62 - See Below #1 - Raised Light to 15", clipped all big leaves, hope I didn't fuck up... I want to harvest in 1-2 days I think... #2 - Nothing, leaving alone... Day 63 - See below #1 - Gave 18oz of molasses juice @ 1tsp per 36oz. Spritzed leaves with water. #2 - Whatever
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@xipo86
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Day 76 smell just went trough the roof. wow. gettin buds fatty and sticky.. it's a matter of waiting.😎
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Currently in the drying room update to follow as soons as its dry
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@Dingle
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Starting to ease up on the feed now going into week 7 of flower. The buds are really starting to bulk up in size and the smell is still increasing into a sweeter aroma as they develop further. More defoliation again this week, unfortunately I needed to remove a few too many underdeveloped buds from one of the smaller plants to help improve airflow and help prevent damp developing around the denser areas of the plant. I plan to add another fan this week to help increase air circulation in general. Keeping a close eye on the trichome development now as they finish up. ✌️
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@Reignfire
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First batch of nutrients in the bucket, she seems happy. FloraMicro (2ml/gal) FloraGro (2ml/gal) FloraBloom (2ml/gal) CALiMAGic (2ml/gal) RapidStart (1ml/gal) ArmorSi (2ml/gal) Adjusted to 360ppm then PH'd to 5.8
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@ipmurtS
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Everything is going perfectly so far. The flowers have just started to gather mass. She doesn't smell much yet, but it's a very robust plant 💪