firefly1066
Member
Does the brightness of the moon effect the dark cycle of my plants?
What about moonlight?
- Thread starter firefly1066
- Start date
Pravius
Active Member
You know I asked this question awhile ago and no one has been able to answer this. I am not an outdoor grower personally however I asked this question in regard to what seems to be many peoples over reaction to small light leaks when growing indoors. When the plants are in their natural environment the moon is a factor and the reflection of the sun on the moon can be pretty bright some nights.
I would really like to see this question answered and with some science behind it.
I would really like to see this question answered and with some science behind it.
lambofgod
Well-Known Member
I'm with you pravius, I believe people over react also.
I've had timers go out, and 12/12 cycles fluctuate on me, and havnt seem to have a problem yet. Assuming this has a lot to do with how much stress a strain can take also.
Last year I listened to a first hand account of someone growing in their back yard, where a HPS street light was present. Now I assume this street light was no higher then 150 watts, and infact probably more like 75 watts. I saw with my own two eyes the distance from the street lamp and the end product, was still top notch outdoor. Since, I havnt worried so much about off cycle lighting issues, although I keep it to absolute minimum (more like complete darkness).
I feel you have a higher chance of herming your crop from too much P, heat and other variables, then from a little light at night.
My theory is its the sporadic lighting that makes a plant herm.
I've had timers go out, and 12/12 cycles fluctuate on me, and havnt seem to have a problem yet. Assuming this has a lot to do with how much stress a strain can take also.
Last year I listened to a first hand account of someone growing in their back yard, where a HPS street light was present. Now I assume this street light was no higher then 150 watts, and infact probably more like 75 watts. I saw with my own two eyes the distance from the street lamp and the end product, was still top notch outdoor. Since, I havnt worried so much about off cycle lighting issues, although I keep it to absolute minimum (more like complete darkness).
I feel you have a higher chance of herming your crop from too much P, heat and other variables, then from a little light at night.
My theory is its the sporadic lighting that makes a plant herm.
cannawizard
Well-Known Member
* hi guys, this might shed some light; check out (11) in the list.
theres a ton of write-up about this subject, but no conclusive sci-data
link ----> Spectrometer DIY
(Moon Cycles)
Since ancient times man has observed the effect of the moon on living organisms, especially his crops. Planting and harvest dates based on moon cycles are still found in the Old Farmer�s Almanac. The moon takes 28 to 29 days to completely orbit the earth. This cycle is divided into four one-week phases. It starts as the new moon waxes (begins to enlarge) for a week until the quarter moon and another week until the moon is full. Then the waning (shrinking) cycle begins and the moon passes back for two weeks through another quarter to reach the beginning of the cycle with a new moon. Most cultivators agree that the best time for planting is on the waxing moon, and the best time to harvest is on the waning moon. Exact new moons, full moons, and quarter moons are avoided as these are times of interplanetary stress. Planting, germinating, grafting, and layering are most favored during phases 1 and 2. The best time is a few days before the full moon. Phases 3 and 4 are most beneficial for harvesting and pruning.
Root growth seems accelerated at the time of the new moon, possibly as a response to increased gravitational pull from the alignment of sun and moon. It also seems that floral cluster formation is slowed by the full moon. Strong, full moonlight is on the borderline of being enough light to cease floral induction entirely. Although this never happens, if a plant is just about to begin floral growth, it may be delayed a week by a few nights of bright moonlight.
Conversely, plants begin floral growth during the dark nights of the new moon. More research is needed to explain the mysterious effects of moon cycles on Cannabis... ---Almanac
theres a ton of write-up about this subject, but no conclusive sci-data
link ----> Spectrometer DIY
(Moon Cycles)
Since ancient times man has observed the effect of the moon on living organisms, especially his crops. Planting and harvest dates based on moon cycles are still found in the Old Farmer�s Almanac. The moon takes 28 to 29 days to completely orbit the earth. This cycle is divided into four one-week phases. It starts as the new moon waxes (begins to enlarge) for a week until the quarter moon and another week until the moon is full. Then the waning (shrinking) cycle begins and the moon passes back for two weeks through another quarter to reach the beginning of the cycle with a new moon. Most cultivators agree that the best time for planting is on the waxing moon, and the best time to harvest is on the waning moon. Exact new moons, full moons, and quarter moons are avoided as these are times of interplanetary stress. Planting, germinating, grafting, and layering are most favored during phases 1 and 2. The best time is a few days before the full moon. Phases 3 and 4 are most beneficial for harvesting and pruning.
Root growth seems accelerated at the time of the new moon, possibly as a response to increased gravitational pull from the alignment of sun and moon. It also seems that floral cluster formation is slowed by the full moon. Strong, full moonlight is on the borderline of being enough light to cease floral induction entirely. Although this never happens, if a plant is just about to begin floral growth, it may be delayed a week by a few nights of bright moonlight.
Conversely, plants begin floral growth during the dark nights of the new moon. More research is needed to explain the mysterious effects of moon cycles on Cannabis... ---Almanac
Pravius
Active Member
* hi guys, this might shed some light; check out (11) in the list.
theres a ton of write-up about this subject, but no conclusive sci-data
link ----> Spectrometer DIY
(Moon Cycles)
Since ancient times man has observed the effect of the moon on living organisms, especially his crops. Planting and harvest dates based on moon cycles are still found in the Old Farmer�s Almanac. The moon takes 28 to 29 days to completely orbit the earth. This cycle is divided into four one-week phases. It starts as the new moon waxes (begins to enlarge) for a week until the quarter moon and another week until the moon is full. Then the waning (shrinking) cycle begins and the moon passes back for two weeks through another quarter to reach the beginning of the cycle with a new moon. Most cultivators agree that the best time for planting is on the waxing moon, and the best time to harvest is on the waning moon. Exact new moons, full moons, and quarter moons are avoided as these are times of interplanetary stress. Planting, germinating, grafting, and layering are most favored during phases 1 and 2. The best time is a few days before the full moon. Phases 3 and 4 are most beneficial for harvesting and pruning.
Root growth seems accelerated at the time of the new moon, possibly as a response to increased gravitational pull from the alignment of sun and moon. It also seems that floral cluster formation is slowed by the full moon. Strong, full moonlight is on the borderline of being enough light to cease floral induction entirely. Although this never happens, if a plant is just about to begin floral growth, it may be delayed a week by a few nights of bright moonlight.
Conversely, plants begin floral growth during the dark nights of the new moon. More research is needed to explain the mysterious effects of moon cycles on Cannabis... ---Almanac
This is actually really good info and it does make sense. You have to think though even in indoor situations the moon still has an effect with gravitational pull, maybe simulating that with very low levels of light might actually help growing... who knows... would be a cool experiment though.
I basically was trying to find some data for those that flip out because of the little led light on the surge protector is on in the room and somehow is affecting their plants, that for some reason drives me nuts lol.
Good info!
Nullis
Moderator
There isn't much hard info to go on as to what if any effect moonlight\lunar cycles have on plants, but so far as light leaks in comparison to moonlight goes- moonlight is nothing. The moon only appears to be very bright because of the sun's reflection upon it against the pitch black of outer space. The human eye also adapts in quite significant ways to changes in brightness. At night or in the dark your eye actually changes (pupils dilating is one of the ways it adjusts) over a period of several minutes to allow for enhancement of your visual perception, which is how we can see at all in virtual darkness.
Sunlight on a good day is about 100,000 lux while the maximum intensity of full moonlight (at high altitude in the tropics) would be 1 lux, but more commonly it is around 0.2 lux. That works out to moonlight being some half a million times fainter.
Sunlight on a good day is about 100,000 lux while the maximum intensity of full moonlight (at high altitude in the tropics) would be 1 lux, but more commonly it is around 0.2 lux. That works out to moonlight being some half a million times fainter.
potpimp
Sector 5 Moderator
A full moon *may* trigger the photoperiodic cycle but it's doubtful. I've done outdoor grows where I set my plants out in April and chopped them in September, so that's 5 or 6 moon cycles. If a full moon could trigger flowering, no plants would have a very long veg cycle.
Pravius
Active Member
You absolutely right with this, light leaks like that when the sun is still out and glaring into a closet or tent I am sure would have an effect on the plants. I was referring to very very small amounts of light, like the light on a power strip, or a 60 watt light bulb 15 feet away from the room with the door closed but there is a tiny bit coming through a crack in the door, etc.