The Grow Awards 2026 🏆
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@CalGonJim
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1/12/26 4:18AM MONDAY.....💪💪💪💪👌 1/12 CANNAKAN DAY MEDICINAL SLAVERY WOULD MAKE HARVEST A BREEZE!! ABOUT THE LEDS 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. 🥊🍌👨‍🔬🚨🌞💪💪💪💪💪 1/15/26 12:36AM L-Phenylalanine: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/L-Phenylalanine#section=Crystal-Structures That’s your Mars Hydro bar-style LED grow light setup in a compact grow tent (looks like a 2x2 or similar Spider Farmer tent branding on the mylar walls), running super efficiently right now! Breaking down what I see from the photos: • The light is a multi-bar LED fixture (probably from Mars Hydro’s FC series, like FC3000, FC4000, or a smaller EVO variant) with Samsung LM301H (or similar LM301B/H EVO) diodes—these are high-end, efficient chips known for uniform distribution, low heat, and great full-spectrum output (warm white + red/IR boosts for veg/flower). • It’s hung at 19 inches (measured from the light bars to the canopy or sensor plane, with that white dotted line marker). The tent shows a hygrometer/thermometer combo reading 76°F / 53% RH (nice stable veg conditions—cooler side helps prevent stretch). • Your PAR meter app is showing 327 μmol/m²/s PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density) at that spot/height—solid reading for where you’re at. • Plants look like young cannabis in veg stage: multiple small pots (fabric or repurposed buckets like Krøger cottage cheese tubs—classic budget move!), healthy green canopy with some colorful accents (maybe early purpling or strain traits), topped or in early training, sitting in coco coir or similar media. • Power draw: ~50W current (from the energy usage screenshot), averaging super low over time (0.48–0.76 kWh daily average). That’s impressively efficient—likely dimmed way down or a lower-wattage model (e.g., 150–300W rated, but running at partial power). Total consumption over 30 days at ~14.5 kWh is pennies on the electric bill. This aligns perfectly with your earlier plan to target ~500 PPFD but getting great results at lower wattage/intensity. Right now at 19” and 327 PPFD: • That’s in the sweet spot for early-mid vegetative stage cannabis (typical recs: 300–600 μmol/m²/s for veg, starting lower ~300–400 for young plants to avoid stress, ramping up as they bush out). • Bar-style lights like this excel at even spread (no hot center like older quantum boards), so your canopy is getting consistent light without bleaching or stretch in spots. • Low power (49.6W) means minimal heat buildup—fans and passive cooling handle it easily, keeping temps/RH dialed (76°F/53% is golden for veg; prevents mold and encourages compact growth). Why it feels “great results at lower than recommended”: • Samsung diodes are top-tier efficient (often 2.8–3.1 μmol/J), so you hit usable PPFD without cranking full power. • Many Mars Hydro FC models recommend 18–24” for veg at 50–75% dim (your 19” fits right in). • Your plants are responding well—lush, no obvious deficiencies/stress, and you’re feeling physically ready to top/fill pots after the delay. To push toward your 500 PPFD goal without overdoing it: • Lower the light a few inches (try 16–18”) incrementally—PPFD scales roughly with the inverse square law, so dropping height boosts intensity noticeably (could jump 20–50% depending on spread). • Or bump dimmer % if it’s not maxed (your 50W draw suggests plenty of headroom). • Retest PPFD at multiple canopy spots for average (center often higher, edges lower in bars). • Watch for tacoing/upward leaf curl (too much light) or stretch (too little). This setup is dialed for low-energy, healthy veg growth—perfect for your “lower wattage wins” approach. Plants are happy, tent’s stable, and you’re crushing it efficiency-wise. If you drop the height or dim up, snap another meter reading/pic—I can help fine-tune further. How old are these ladies (weeks from seed/clone)? Any specific strain notes, or planning to flip to flower soon? Keep the momentum—today’s a win! 🌱💪😂 1/18 11:58AM. BRAM STOKERS TRAILER PARK DRACULA........I SHOULD BE WORKING ON THE PLANTS BUT THIS IS REALLY GOOD. MINA AND HER DAD ARE RUNNING PROPETY SCAMS, SHE CONVINSES THESE LOSERS THEY HAVE MAGIC DRACULA POWERSS....AND WE STEAL THEIR TRAILLER. REINFEILD RANDY , JULIANFIGURES IT OUT AND BLACKMAILS BOTH OF THEM. AND MUSICAL GUEST KISS!! A GREAT HALLOWEEN EPISONDE.... OH I FORGOT I AM SUPOSSSED TO BE GRWOING PIT.
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@Urunascar
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Segunda semana, conociendo la luz solar así no sufren tanto estrés cuando las pase hacia afuera definitivamente y el led quedará como suplementario para días nublados (también será instalado afuera más adelante)
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Que pasa familia, vamos a comenzar con el próximo proyecto, Gorilla cookies Auto de FastBuds. Tiene muy buenas reseñas y pues me animé a colocar 4 plantas. Va pues al lío e germinado 4 semillas y germinaron en 48h, 4 de 4 unidades, un 100% de éxito en el ratio. Han sido Germinadas con Papel absorbente y un tupper para mantener la humedad, pasadas las 48 horas se colocaron directamente en tierra, a su maceta definitiva, en este caso 7 litros. Mars hydro: Code discount: EL420 https://www.mars-hydro.com/ Agrobeta: https://www.agrobeta.com/agrobetatiendaonline/36-abonos-canamo Hasta aquí todo, Buenos humos 💨💨💨
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This week has progressed normally but it would appear that BBK a number three is growing some sort of white substance on his leaves on one side of the plant. I am unsure if it is some sort of deficiency, fungus, mildew, bacteria, genetic defect, or user defect. Other than that it would appear that plant is healthy and growing in fact it is taller and bigger than the other two. Helmet head BBK 83 is doing well considering that I thought it wasn't going to make it due to sprouting with the shell fully attached.
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@Northfork
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Harvest went pretty well big long, heavy dense colas very turkey sticky smokes really well has good flavor and smell overall was very happy with the strain
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This week I have the wood ready to set up the trellis frame and getting ready to do a final transplant on the plants. Only 4 more weeks of veg till we push these ladies off into flower
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Getting stronger and sturdier the bud sites will be very plentiful
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@EBxAH
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Well week 7 has started and 1 full week into 12-12. This time of year is perfect for winter time flowering. Basha is 26" Steffa is 36" and Wandzia is 27" so I average the height at 30". I think they look pretty damn good for 50 days old, lol. These ladies are currently taking in a gallon a piece every two days now, different from last grow. Also I've been bottom feeding these girls. That's about it for now. Happy Growing Everyone ✌️❤️😁🍀🎶👽 EB
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@Grileon
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Nutrients started. Hot weathers here for me and having some water temperature problems. Frozen water bottles do some nice job.
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Yellowing of WW#2 is worrying me, looks to be a nutrient issue maybe? I raised the light above WW#2 by 4 inches in case its light burn as well. Other than that and the nute burn on The other plants things seem well. End of week update: things are looking great, I think whatever happened to WW2 is reducing its ability to form buds? Not sure. It’s looking okay, hoping they’re going to fill out well! Definitely need to grow the widow XXL again, it’s a shame I had another plant fall on WW2 and damage it, likely contributes to the yellowing and such. WW1 still has no amber trichomes, waiting for this entire week to end before I even think about harvesting. I am eager to harvest so I can get more light to lower buds on the other plants. I had to tie up 1/3 NL2 main colas. It was so heavy it was beginning to split the bottom stalk, there was no damage really just maybe 1/20th of the stalk was peeling from the weight. I tied him up to the light and everything seems well. I figured I wouldn’t run into that problem, but don’t underestimate how much weight buds can pack on!
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Week 2 in the books here and all is still Lookn good. Should be coming up on fim day pretty soon so that we can better manage plant heights through the stretch. Don’t expect to take much more than another week or so before we make the flip to flower. The Ghost Train clone is still fighting for roots so we’ll likely wait and see based on this cut. As soon as she starts to perk up we’ll move em over. Alls well so far👍. Background I’m killing a few birds with one cycle here. Got some famed breeder strains to show off - genetics that we just haven’t gotten around to growing successfully. Details as follows; Outlaw Seeds - Muffin Berry Why these guys aren’t listed on GD is surprising to me. All the hallmarks of a budding quality breeder from what he read although, I admit, this is our first go in real time. Just another addition to the berry strains as we continue our everlasting quest to find that “best berry” of them all.👍 AMS - Pineapple Express Great co. And I’ve got a full stable of their genetics kicking off this year. This strain has been a massive unicorn for us in the past and I still have yet to see one flower out to the finish proper. Can’t wait to see what this one does. The reviews have been terrific so 🤞. OSS - Banana Sherbet A kick in freebie that came with 2 other strains by OSS. Proven and reliable breeder with excellent hybrid combos. I expect this banana sherbet to be no different and early signs are that she’ll be one of the strongest👌. AMS - Ghost Train (clone) Another unicorn that we’ve had issues with. Our outdoor plant that was supposed to be an auto and turned out to be a photo. Unlikely with the typical fall weather that she’ll see harvest so this is an opportunity to take a cut and possibly salvage that grow. Really looking forward to this one for sure. They’ll all sit in bucket company bags and containers and we’ll be irrigating on drip lines with fewer plants than usual in this space. Hopefully we don’t run into any deficiency issues given that these buckets are a slight detraction from our typical dutchies. Only time will tell, here we go again👍🤞.
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@Turbobox1
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Are these autoflowers doing ok my first grow week 4
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💩Holy Crap We Are Back At It And Loving It💩 Growing in a 11 ounce pot 👈 👀 👀 👈 Growmies we are at DAY 49 and she's just killing💀it👌 TALK ABOUT FROSTY 👈 Amazing results thus far for the Tiny Pot 😀 👉Added straws within the Tiny pot to help watering in week 4 👈 So I'm starting to see she needs watering every single day and now need nutrients 🙃 Lights being readjusted and chart updated .........👍rain water to be used entire growth👈 WATERING SINGLE TO TWICE DAILY 😋 👉I used NutriNPK for nutrients for my grows and welcome anyone to give them a try .👈 👉 www.nutrinpk.com 👈 NutriNPK Cal MAG 14-0-14 NutriNPK Grow 28-14-14 NutriNPK Bloom 8-20-30 NutriNPK Bloom Booster 0-52-34 I GOT MULTIPLE DIARIES ON THE GO 😱 please check them out 😎 👉THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO GO OVER MY DIARIES 👈
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Estamos a meio da 2° semana a crescer bem ja cm boa ramificação mas a dar indicios de falta de magnezio, mais uma semana começa o lst Afinal vai começou mais cedo q o esperado.. a crescer muito rápido, mais uns dias estamos no inicio da 3°semana
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Bloom has begun. I have two plants that are Sedona shorter than the other three but still very happy with each of them. There is a favorite which is in the center. I like her structure, bounce back from the heat and training. She’s absolutely lovely. I’ve also been bottom watering/feeding. They love it. The roots have creeped out from the bottom of the power pots.
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@Brustwehr
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2018-11-19 Flowering in full swing. Pulling slows down. In the morning, on the day of the compote replacement, my PPM-meter broke down. Therefore, the new solution was kneaded by eye. Tomorrow a new device will arrive and I will clarify what I have mixed there. 2018-11-24 Buds swell, there is time to figure out how to do time lapse video.
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Todo bien, seguimos. Próxima semana se cambia el fotoperiodo, se aplicará una defoliación para evitar posibles plagas