Drying in the Dark?

The Phases of the Moon
The moon has four phases or quarters lasting about seven days each. The first two quarters are during the waxing or increasing light, between the new and the full moon. The third and fourth quarters are after the full moon when the light is waning, or decreasing.


Gravitational pull influences moisture in soil
Planting by the moon is an idea as old as agriculture, based both in folklore and superstition, but there are scientific ideas to back it up The Earth is in a large gravitational field, influenced by both the sun and moon. The tides are highest at the time of the new and the full moon, when sun and moon are lined up with earth. Just as the moon pulls the tides in the oceans, it also pulls upon the subtle bodies of water, causing moisture to rise in the earth, which encourages growth. The highest amount of moisture is in the soil at this time, and tests have proven that seeds will absorb the most water at the time of the full moon.


For more information about how lunar planting works, including research and references, continue on to the next page, or skip to the topic of your choice.


Gardening by the Phases of the Moon
The Astrological Signs of the Zodiac
How does Lunar Planting work?
Features of the Calendar
Calculating Lunar Planting dates
Organic Gardening tips and techniques
Marijuana and medicinal herbs
Better garden photos
Garden art adds personal style



“Thank you very much for providing this superior information on your website. Your website is quite unique and it deserves the rewards that you have published, and probably many more. I will definitely order a calendar for a friend. I teach astronomy to middle schoolers and this website gave me something in real life to link the learning to. The children were truly amazed at the connections and are ready to experiment for themselves.”
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At the new moon, the lunar gravity pulls water up, and causes the seeds to swell and burst. This factor, coupled with the increasing moonlight creates balanced root and leaf growth. This is the best time for planting above ground annual crops that produce their seeds outside the fruit. Examples are lettuce, spinach, celery, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and grain crops. Cucumbers like this phase also, even though they are an exception to that rule.


In the second quarter the gravitational pull is less, but the moonlight is strong, creating strong leaf growth. It is generally a good time for planting, especially two days before the full moon. The types of crops that prefer the second quarter are annuals that produce above ground, but their seeds form inside the fruit, such as beans, melons, peas, peppers, squash, and tomatoes. Mow lawns in the first or second quarter to increase growth.


After the full moon, as the moon wanes, the energy is drawing down. The gravitation pull is high, creating more moisture in the soil, but the moonlight is decreasing, putting energy into the roots. This is a favorable time for planting root crops, including beets, carrots, onions, potatoes, and peanuts. It is also good for perennials, biennials, bulbs and transplanting because of the active root growth. Pruning is best done in the third quarter, in the sign of Scorpio.


In the fourth quarter there is decreased gravitational pull and moonlight, and it is considered a resting period. This is also the best time to cultivate, harvest, transplant and prune. Mow lawns in the third or fourth quarter to retard growth.
IMO this is interesting.
regards

sold777 said:

The Phases of the Moon
The moon has four phases or quarters lasting about seven days each. The first two quarters are during the waxing or increasing light, between the new and the full moon. The third and fourth quarters are after the full moon when the light is waning, or decreasing....

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Thanks for posting this. It's something I'm just getting into after about a year in this and I have noticed on this last round of cuts some of the examples stated above. They seem to stop growing at certain periods and grow almost exponentially at other periods. All other factors are accounted for (feed, heat, humidity, airflow, etc..).

I am still looking for science on the Light vs. Dark question. All the responses seem to be based on personal experience with no Science or Chemistry involved. I believe in personal experience but I also believe that is not a definitive answer to anything!

Wouldn't it stand to reason that if a plant is producing THC while it is alive that we should dry them partially in the light and then turn the lights off as they dry further? They don't die as soon as we cut them. It is a slow death that we force when we remove their feeding mechanism.

For example... If you were to remove my ability to eat and drink it would take my body many days to perish. In that time my system would continue to actively work to protect my life, using up it's reserves, etc.. In other words all of my bodily functions would continue the same way THC continues to develop after a plant is cut and hung.

Are things not so black and white?

Science? Anybody?

What if we were to cut you in half would it be a slow death?just because the plant takes time to dry out doesn't mean its alive ..

mr sunshine said:

What if we were to cut you in half would it be a slow death?

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It wouldn't be slow but it wouldn't be instant either. I don't agree with your analogy but I fully admit that I may be wrong and I'm willing to learn. Where is your proof?

I understand that half the plant is in fact buried in our chosen medium but this is the system they use to uptake nutrients to the "body", not the "body" itself. Until they are completely dry there are still nutrients at work, correct? This seems like basic logic to me. Again, I may be wrong but I'm seeking scientific proof.

I've done piles of reading on this concept in various forums and elsewhere online and I can't seem to find proof whether drying in the light or dark has any effect at all.

Seeking Proof, not speculation or personal experience.

Montana Biotech*is a*lab*focusing on RE-discovering the science behindcannabis.*Cannabinoids*are the therapeutic compounds found in thecannabis*genus. Both*hemp*and*marijuana*produce*phyto-cannabinoids. The true difference between*cannabis*hemp*and*cannabis marijuana*is the plants ability to produce, enzymaticaly,*THCA. New discoveries have lead researchers to the hypothesis that it is the functionality of the enzyme,*THCA, not the absence of the gene coding for the enzyme that differentiates*marijuana*varieties from*cannabis*hemp*varieties. Plant derivedcannabinoids,*phytocannabinoids, are created by the*cannabis*plant through a single*enzyme*catalyzed reaction. Each*cannabinoid*has a correspondingenzyme*catalyzing their creation.*CBN*is the only known*cannabinoid*NOT derived from an enzymatic process; instead*CBN*is a degradation product, UV LIGHT EXPOSURE, heating, of*THC.

Main article:*Cannabinol

Cannabinol (CBN) is the primary product of THC degradation, and there is usually little of it in a fresh plant. CBN content increases as THC degrades in storage, and with exposure to light and air. It is only mildly psychoactive. Its affinity to the CB2*receptor is higher than for the CB1receptor.[32]

Dr Smith said:

It wouldn't be slow but it wouldn't be instant either. I don't agree with your analogy but I fully admit that I may be wrong and I'm willing to learn. Where is your proof?

I understand that half the plant is in fact buried in our chosen medium but this is the system they use to uptake nutrients to the "body", not the "body" itself. Until they are completely dry there are still nutrients at work, correct? This seems like basic logic to me. Again, I may be wrong but I'm seeking scientific proof.


I've done piles of reading on this concept in various forums and elsewhere online and I can't seem to find proof whether drying in the light or dark has any effect at all.

Seeking Proof, not speculation or personal experience.

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I didn't say you would die instantly but you would surly die very quickly who's to say marijuana doesnt die as fast as a human does? If someone seen a dead body that person might think he's tired he must be sleeping hell you may even shit your underwear and piss your pants after you die it doesnt mean your alive.. forget the inability to eat or drink water the trama that you inflict when you cut a plant at the base is enough to kill it. So imo comparing that to a starving human is completely different. .unless your comparing it to a human that will be starving to death sometime in the future but is getting cut in half today and if thats the case forget the starving part your going to be dead before you get to that road. Your overthinking it do what you need to do if you need to dry in a lit up room go ahead its your weed. The fact is cbn is degraded thc and light, temperature , oxygen and time will degrade Tetrahydrocannabinol;

I've hung mine to dry in my flower room while light's are still on 12/12 with other plants around the bend. It's hot and dry in there, which dries them rather quickly, quicker than i would like, and there is indirect light, but i only use this area due to my carbon filter being in there. I could get a better dry/cure someplace else, but it's always been bomb smoke, so i cant bitch.

Ace Yonder said:

Light always causes thc to degrade. While the plant is growing, it grows more thc to replace what it lost (thc is the plants defense against ultraviolet rays, thc actually has one of the highest SPF ratings [How they measure sunscreen's ability to block UV] in nature). Think of it like exercise. You build muscle by working your muscles until they tear, and your body builds new muscle to repair them and make them bigger so they won't tear next time. Then you have to work harder to tear them and build new muscle. But if you stopped growing new muscle tissue to replace the torn stuff, and you kept working out, the muscles would just break down until they didn't work for everything, and would just be useless lumps of dead, torn tissue. That's what would happen if you kept shining light on the plant after it dies and loses its ability to replace the thc that would degrade when the light hits it.

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spot on!!

Ace Yonder said:

Light always causes thc to degrade. While the plant is growing, it grows more thc to replace what it lost (thc is the plants defense against ultraviolet rays, thc actually has one of the highest SPF ratings [How they measure sunscreen's ability to block UV] in nature). Think of it like exercise. You build muscle by working your muscles until they tear, and your body builds new muscle to repair them and make them bigger so they won't tear next time. Then you have to work harder to tear them and build new muscle. But if you stopped growing new muscle tissue to replace the torn stuff, and you kept working out, the muscles would just break down until they didn't work for everything, and would just be useless lumps of dead, torn tissue. That's what would happen if you kept shining light on the plant after it dies and loses its ability to replace the thc that would degrade when the light hits it.

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Best answer to your question

this thread was quite entertaining

mr sunshine said:

Are you saying the villagers weed is better then the best weed from California..I call bullshit..but anyway u got the strain part right some strains are stronger then others .that (regular) weed you speak about is also a strain believe it or not.cured weed just tastes smoother. ..i believe light degrades thc wether the plant is dead or not but if its alive its an addition and subtraction situation when it dies it turns into nothing but subtraction.. that being said its not like light is going to ruin your weed but light ,temperature and oxygen do degrade thc that's a fact. ..

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Yes, that's exactly what I am saying. It may not LOOK better but the stuff that nature is growing herself is killer and needs not be fucked with. And please don't speak until you have travelled outside of the US and tried the weeds that grow in other places because otherwise what you have to say is complete heresy without a trial and error comparison of your own.

California nugs are completely overrated because of marketing and Cali revolutionizing the marijuana is perceived in the United States. Yes, there is killer weed grown in California. Colorado and Washington and Michigan and Kentucky, and Florida, and Oklahoma, etc, but until you taste something that is grown in the tropics with the same level of care as experienced growers in those states just mentioned then you might as well keep the bs to yourself. I do respect your opinion though. Peace!

I have dried weed in my room with lights on hanging off to the side above the level of my reflctor so it was not intense light and the herb is shit it's disscolored and tastes horrible

SilenceIsGolden said:

Yes, that's exactly what I am saying. It may not LOOK better but the stuff that nature is growing herself is killer and needs not be fucked with. And please don't speak until you have travelled outside of the US and tried the weeds that grow in other places because otherwise what you have to say is complete heresy without a trial and error comparison of your own.

California nugs are completely overrated because of marketing and Cali revolutionizing the marijuana is perceived in the United States. Yes, there is killer weed grown in California. Colorado and Washington and Michigan and Kentucky, and Florida, and Oklahoma, etc, but until you taste something that is grown in the tropics with the same level of care as experienced growers in those states just mentioned then you might as well keep the bs to yourself. I do respect your opinion though. Peace!

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Ok............

Never heard of the darkness thing, I've done outdoors and harvested with light exposure but there was nothing bad from the potency or the high.

If your worried then just stick them in a small dark room hung up with good ventilation and some type of heat source e.g. radiator but not right next to it.

mr sunshine said:

The fact is cbn is degraded thc and light, temperature , oxygen and time will degrade Tetrahydrocannabinol;

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I was a kid when I realized that light,temps,oxygen over time will degrade most things that aren't living .
Realized this degradation applies to plants as well.
Then you got erosion etc...

mr sunshine said:

Montana Biotech*is a*lab*focusing on RE-discovering the science behindcannabis.*Cannabinoids*are the therapeutic compounds found in thecannabis*genus. Both*hemp*and*marijuana*produce*phyto-cannabinoids. The true difference between*cannabis*hemp*and*cannabis marijuana*is the plants ability to produce, enzymaticaly,*THCA. New discoveries have lead researchers to the hypothesis that it is the functionality of the enzyme,*THCA, not the absence of the gene coding for the enzyme that differentiates*marijuana*varieties from*cannabis*hemp*varieties. Plant derivedcannabinoids,*phytocannabinoids, are created by the*cannabis*plant through a single*enzyme*catalyzed reaction. Each*cannabinoid*has a correspondingenzyme*catalyzing their creation.*CBN*is the only known*cannabinoid*NOT derived from an enzymatic process; instead*CBN*is a degradation product, UV LIGHT EXPOSURE, heating, of*THC.

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^^ Excellent! Thank you.

I do still wonder how long it actually takes the plant to die though.. I simply can't come to terms with the idea that it dies immediately after being cut. Death is a process and takes time no matter how we reach that point or what species we are. Doesn't it stand to reason that the plant is alive for a short period while it drys out? If the answer is Yes isn't there an answer to my original question in the grey area somewhere? Or, do they in fact stop producing THC because they have been signaled it's the end?

the plant begins to senesce..leaves probably yellow, your buds swell. trichs cloud. the plant is no longer producing cannabinoids..they turn amber as light breaks down terpenes and such..plenty of studies showing time it takes for decarbing as well as degradation and the product