Well I guess everyone has their theroies but until empirically shown everything is just conjecture. What a great idea Ohso to test out the different stages of trich color to see what the high results. I love the suggestion to write it down and label the cures, lol. One question. Ive noticed the ripening of the flowers tends to trigger off the weather/light cycle in addition to the genetic life cycle too. Have you noticed extensions or shortening of the maturity cycle based on the weather patterns (i.e., alot of cloudy or cooler days mixed between hotter days extends the cycle). Sorry SM didnt mean to hijack the thread.
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Greenthumb111..... Those are great questions. The anwser to them is yes - weather does affect Mary as she heads for the finish line.
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Temperature has the most dramatic effect. Two or three cold nights, in a row, with temps below 55 degrees, slams the door shut on any new growth, and will speed the finish (by as much as 10-14 days). But the finish will be less than maximum potential reached, so that's not a good thing. Bummer....
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When I get a few cold nights in a row, towards the end, and a storm front (with rain or even the possibility of rain) starts my way. I call game over. I cut & run, to prevent the possiblity of bud mold.
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Extra days, of warm weather (temps above 70 degrees & below 85 degrees) are always a blessing. The extra sunlight & mellow temps, ensure full development (maximum gentic potential reached)... Ya...Hoo......
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Cloudy days will generally only slow down Mary on a one for one basis. I mark off such days on my calendar (to help keep track). Each very cloudy day, delays the finish one day. Mary just sits in suspended animation. A day or two like this does not bother me. A week of heavy overcast, means Mary is not going to finish at maximum potential. Cold weather will come and growth just inches along. Maximum potential will not be reached. Bummer.....
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So, every plant has a gentic potential that can be reached, but never exceeded. Weather is sometimes a farmers friend, and sometimes our enemy. It's always better to have some, than none. I never risk pounds, trying to obtains a few extra ounces. I've seen greedy growers lose entire crops, from not taking all factors into account. They waited, it got cold & rainy and bud mold, powery mildew and the like got them.
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Hope this helps...
Keep it Real...Organic..... & Thanks for sharing your thread Seamaiden... you are aways a good sport......