The Grow Awards 2026 🏆
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Sprouting out of the ground Light intensity: 20%% PPFD: approx. 500 umol Light distance: 35 cm hours day/night: 18/12 Temperature day: approx. 27.5 degrees RLF day: 78% Temperature night: 25-27 degrees RLF night: approx. 70% VPD value: approx. 0.8-0.9 PH value water/fertilizer solution: 5.9 EC value: 1.2 ventilator oscillation: level 3 Humidifier: off Dehumidifier: off 🌿 Check Out My Cannabis Community! 🌿 👇 Like, Follow, Comment, and Subscribe to My YouTube Channel 👇 ❄️🌱🍻 DutchF4rmer on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@DutchF4rmer) ---------------------------------------------------------- 🎁 Join Our Discord Community for Weekly Giveaways! 🎁 👉 Join Our Discord Server (https://discord.gg/VMu6rH4a7V) ---------------------------------------------------------- 🌟 Get Exclusive Help, Advice, and Mentoring on Patreon! 🌟 👉 Join Our Patreon. (https://www.patreon.com/DutchFarmer)
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Day 78. Now this is the canopy I was looking for! I am so excited🤩 Look at the difference with the last update post 3 days ago! All because I changed the blue/white light to red. 2 more days before we go into flower. Day 80 the scrognet is in! Today I placed the scrognet and changed the timer to 12/12. Lets flower these gorgeous ladies! Yesterday I removed some new grown side shoots again. The next defoliating will be done after the first few weeks of flower.
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@Max1973
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Day 52 - before pic/vid pulled em both out scrubbed tanks..... moved em into a different tent, with a different light.... did up completely different solutions, and currently still building it all.... Day 53 - still buildin... vids of new home... Nutrifield, Rock Nitro, 1200-1500 ppm and 6.5 PH.... see if we can give em a good boost.... left em in pure water before puttin em in new solution.... Day 57 - pics vid.... been adjusting ph... down to 5.8.... they are just growin along nicely in the new home... got a fan for the tent... looks good tho... solution temp is abit high, fan will fix that..... changed just the tanks to 5lt Cereal containers, they are alot taller, more room below the container... fits perfect.... Day 59 - pics vids, , 6.2ph, 1300ppm ... water temps been getting abit high, fans should arrive next week.... 👍😎 120W Aluminum+PC Plug 2835SMD 7995-9594LM 1131Pcs Red+234Pcs Blue * Blue(wavelength: 430nm, 554nm * Red(wavelength: 630nm 660nm)
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The 84. I just put her in the dark and she began her flashing today. Her colors are coming in nicely she is very frosty. I’m very happy with the way she has turned out. And the next week she will be cut down. This is the second strawberry nuggets that I have grown out this one turned out much better than the first one which was a surprise. I have much more finishing up this time than I thought I would. Everybody kind of seem to came together at the same time. Super excited to have her trimmed up in the smoke her.
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Muy satisfecho de esta semana ya que parece que están avanzando todas satisfactoriamente, la única que parece haberse quedado atrás es la Glookies y a parte hemos añadido una Watermelon Zkittlez x Animal Cookies y otra Banana Slurricane, parece que cogen fuerza a pasos agigantados 🔥🔥
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Hello Friends! Well!? How do you like my tropical poison?) at the beginning of the report, I promised that the report would be interesting and with a surprise! this week is just the beginning of this surprise)) You can see the paraphernalia in the photo in the form of a skull of a certain animal .. and she will actively take part in the growth process and will become the main feature so to speak .. I will not reveal all the cards in advance, but I think you and you can guess exactly how I'm going to use this skull!))
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@SamDo
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Week 10 Update This week overall looks solid. The plant is in good health and has responded really well to the topping I did last week. The canopy has filled back out, it’s denser, and the structure is becoming more balanced. During this session I went in with a major defoliation, another topping, and some LST to shape the plant. Unfortunately, while doing the training, one of the junctions between a branch and the main stem cracked slightly. To support the recovery, I applied a small piece of tape as a bandage to help the plant heal and close the wound. Structurally, we now have four main branches, each with two fresh tops — which means eight apexes in total. The plan now is to let her recover gently and monitor how she develops over the next days. Environmental conditions are stable. Temperatures have cooled a bit, averaging around 22–23°C, with relative humidity hovering close to 70%. This range feels comfortable for the plant. Regarding pH, I no longer check the runoff in the saucers because it doesn’t make sense. Fresh nutrient solution leaving the reservoir at 5.9–6.0 will measure fine at first, but three days later the leftover solution in the saucer gives a completely different number. It’s not representative, so I just focus on locking the reservoir pH between 5.9 and 6.0. The plant seems to handle this approach very well. Nutrients remain unchanged for now. I may have added a touch of Rhino Skin, which I didn’t mention earlier in the diary, but it’s there to start strengthening the plant tissues in preparation for heavier branches later. So far, everything is steady. We’ll let her settle, recover, and keep following the evolution week by week.
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@liliarose
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Been away for more than a week so unfortunately missed week 3 of the diary. During my absence baby girl grew well and became pretty big already, especially considering her state before. Decided to try LST and brought down the top branch. She starts to show couple of white hairs so next week should be the start of flowering. Branch went up well on the next day after tie down. Removed larger leaves blocking the light, baby looks great.
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Day 34 she’s a little droopy and upset with me. She would have preferred to be watered last night. Oh well she will perk up in 15 mins. Looking beautiful and started to flower now she got defoliated a tad bit she’s looking wonderful. Very happy with how she’s chugging along.
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Greetings, fellow growers and cosmic adventurers! As we bid farewell to Week 10, we find ourselves at the culmination of an extraordinary journey with our beloved Apolo F1. Join me as we embark on a retrospective voyage through the highs and lows, the triumphs and challenges, of this cosmic odyssey. Our journey with Apolo F1 began ten weeks ago, a small seedling filled with potential and promise. From those humble beginnings, she grew and flourished under our watchful gaze, unfurling her leaves and reaching for the stars with each passing day. Through meticulous care and nurturing attention, we witnessed her transformation into a true botanical queen. Throughout her growth cycle, we employed various techniques to coax the best from our cosmic companion. From LST to topping, we shaped and sculpted her canopy, encouraging lateral growth and maximizing light penetration. As a result, Apolo F1 flourished, her branches reaching skyward in a testament to the power of cultivation and the wonders of nature. Central to Apolo F1's journey was the nourishment provided by Aptus Holland, our steadfast companion and sponsor. With their nutrient lineup, we crafted a symphony of minerals and organic compounds, tailored to her specific needs at each stage of growth. From seedling to harvest, Aptus Holland's nutrients fueled her cosmic voyage, ensuring robust health and abundant yields. And now, the moment we've all been waiting for: the harvest. With bated breath and eager hands, we carefully snipped each bud from the canopy, marveling at their dense, resinous beauty. Apolo F1 had exceeded our wildest expectations, her compact stature yielding a bounty of cosmic goodness. As she hangs upside-down, her buds curing in the cool darkness, we reflect on the journey that brought us here—a journey filled with wonder, growth, and boundless possibility. Before we bid adieu, let us extend heartfelt thanks to Royal Queen Seeds for crafting the genetic marvel that is Apolo F1. Their dedication to excellence has brought joy and inspiration to growers around the world, and we are grateful for their contributions to our green adventures. Likewise, a shoutout to Grow Diaries and the entire community for their unwavering support and camaraderie. Together, we have cultivated a garden of dreams, and the harvest is sweeter for it. As we gaze upon Apolo F1, our cosmic queen, we are filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment. She is more than just a plant—she is a testament to the power of cultivation, the wonders of nature, and the boundless potential of the human spirit. Until we meet again, may your gardens flourish and your green adventures be ever cosmic. Genetics -Apolo F1 @rqs_esp @royalqueenseedssp @rqsglobal Food - @aptusholland @aptus_world @aptus_es @aptus_portugal @aptusbrasil @aptusplanttechaus @aptus_thailand @aptusplanttechnz @aptususa_official LES @lumatekeu Controls - @trolmaster.eu @trolmaster.agro @trolmaster.support As always thank you all for stopping by, for the love and for it all , this journey of mine wold just not be the same without you guys, the love and support is very much appreciated and i fell honored and blessed with you all in my life With true love comes happiness , Always believe in your self and always do things expecting nothing and with an open heart , be a giver the universe will give back to you in ways you could not even imagine so #aptus #aptusplanttech #aptusgang #aptusfamily #aptustrueplantscience #inbalancewithnature #trueplantscience #rqs #ApoloMission #MoonHarvestAdventure #playwithlego #lego #legotime #legovideo #tothemoonandback More info and complete updates from all my adventures can be found Link in the profile description Friendly reminder all you see here is pure research and for educational purposes only Growers Love To you All
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Entramos en la 9 semana y seguimos con heladas en el exterior , las mĂ­nimas con luces apagadas son de 15Âş y las mĂĄximas con luces encendidas
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Done a tiny bit of defoliation. Have not spotted any signs of hermy yet, will see how we go next week. Good week again. Plants living the light, getting around 900-1200 ppfd according to Photone app.
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@Rollex420
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😎☀️ Outdoor season ☀️😎 So with the Kosher Cake i will not aim for big weights, but instead it will be just a little test to see how it will react outside. Usually the sun reaches my house for not many hours so we'll see.. However, it will be a fun and new thing for me, growing an autoflower and outside are things that i have not done so far.. I think i will let her grow two weeks inside the tent and then move her outside for the rest of her growth.
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Week 2 day 1 plant is just happy but I would love to see some faster vegging. Day 2 Fan adjustment today, felt like the plant was getting little windburn ( slight curling on the edge and dry/rough leaves) Day 3 Added Horn- Bonemeal mix as Top dress today. It’s really fine grained so I hope this is going to help out with N + P in flower stage Day 4 Plant still not ramping up. My guess is the roots are not developed well enough to get to the edge of the pot where the majority of the pre fertilized soil is at Day 5 Drained the whole pot with 1l rainwater and tested run off water. It’s at 6.3ph. Hopefully the plant can reach all the nutrients now. I will add compost tea in about 3weeks. I need to wait for the compost to finish first at least partly. Next grow will be better for sure when I’m more prepared. Day 7 LST
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I gave the girls an organic compost tea for nutrients(1 tsp Blk molasses,1cup worm cast,2 tablespoon kelp,2 tablespoon alfalfa meal,1tablespoon bat guano) and lsted again to get more bushier autos. I also moved my smallest autoflower to my 4x4 tent which is on a 12/12 schedule on 3/18/23
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Day 27 from seed: These ladies have not disappointed this week at all. Even poorly girl #2 has got busy and began growing again. I have switched nutes to Mega Crop and they have all been getting a feed of 1g per L and calmag and silica to keep the npk in balance. This stuff is great to work with and its results are brilliant . seeing some of the grows done with it and the low cost of too. This is made for us. The Los girl is doing good with the Mc so far and as it is a mineral nute, the ph is not such an issue to worry over. #3 is still the most advanced and has been topped and her limbs are staked for her lst. Love the results of the silica when training plants. An absolute must !. No signs of any pistils.yet so some growth still to go before the stretch starts and becomes a monster crop.lol I have seen some great Fast Bud autos yield amazing.
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Hi all. Welcome to this run withbthe Viparspectra XS1500 which i was kindly sent to try by their helpful rep Valerie. As I have a fairly good space to use for my main grow , it seemed an ideal time to explore a few options while I wait for space to appear following upcoming harvests. The opportunity hit at a good time and has now driven the future play time. lol The light is a full spectrum 150W( at the socket) , Dimmable and very well made unit. As summer is here now , my concerns of more heat being an issue have stopped me from adding my other light so the smaller 2ftx2ft area covered by the XS1500 is a good option , The heatsink is built into the case design with a finned top to dissipate the heat so no noisy fans. Switching it on to full power was a nice surprise as the footprint was way wider than I had expected and the actual coverage is even better for my Nursery to harvest plan.... I am growing autos perpetually at present and have been able to throughput the plants with just 2 lights and using the overlaps at the edges to bring seedlings along to veg/flowering, as harvesting is finishing. The timing had been working well but the plants were getting smaller towards the last runs . I gave it some thought and Rh % came to mind. With the perpetual runs not having a higher rh in their veg periods due to other plants needing a lower Rh% in flower , the vapour pressure deficit (vpd) was not within veg periods healthier range. This current run has exploded and filled my normal space very quickly which in turn means I cannot use the same principle as the last perpetual run of bringing the next ones along ready for the exchanges. The XS1500 takes care of this issue with it being perfect for an initial nursery light that is easily covering all the new seedlings but is also able to cover my experimental "5 plant 1 Pot" attempt. I have placed 5 of my own autob seeds from a previous seeding in a single 60 L pot and intend to strip them to their 4th nodes and only allow 2 mains per plant to develop and flower. Inam hoping to have 10 mains growing in it that will be under the xs1500 solely as the other plants outgrow the lights footprint and space they are in. They will go into the main grow space once able so i can really see how well this new light can flower with the 10 mains to fill the space. Until that point , I will diary as we go and see what we can achieve.
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Eccoci entrati nella 3°settimana di fioritura.queste papaia cookie mi stanno sorprendendo.belle e sicuramente buone.hanno una struttura ben forte. Stanno iniziando pure a profumare in modo spettacolare.buona buona davvero.. Quando sarà pronta vi dirò anche com'è a livello di gusto e effetto stupefacente 😂🤣😂🤣
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@CalGonJim
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1/4/26 1:26 AM. This is me starting a diary accidentally a day too early iced tea had some problems. The cocoa had something in it and the root hit it and it screwed up so I’ve flushed it out. I put another seed in and she’s doing just great. I’ve never had this happen before so I must’ve. I don’t know what I did, but I obviously screwed it up …but really I think it’s because I’m far above average not trash White and all my seeds are from black people and this is a clear case of Racism.😡😂😂😂 I’m gonna write a book about my struggles. I think you’re all gonna really enjoy it.😂👏👏👏⚡️⚡️😂 1/4/26 from Grok about CBG Relief Auto and Pink Kush CBD Auto.... 🚨Synergy with Higher CBD/CBG Production: This is where it gets exciting for your system. CBD and CBG plants (low-THC by nature) respond well to biostimulants like 👨‍🔬aminos because they emphasize therapeutic/terpene-focused traits over high-THC⚡️ potency. Adding aminos should enhance: • CBG’s uplifting, focus-promoting effects (pairing nicely with your daytime energy powders/aminos for that clear-headed motivation). • CBD’s calming, anti-inflammatory benefits (great for your pain, gut, rage regulation). • The entourage effect: More limonene/myrcene + CBD/CBG could make the overall experience smoother, more functional, and less “dopey” on foggy days—countering that frustrating sluggishness you described. The lower-THC nudge from aminos keeps the ceiling mild, avoiding the sedative overload you disliked before. • Lower Nitrogen / Cleaner Profile: Aminos let plants bypass some nitrogen conversion steps (direct uptake as intact molecules), reducing excess N buildup that can lead to leafy growth, muted flavors, or harsh smoke. This fits your “lower nitrogen” goal—expect denser buds, better resin/terp concentration, and less “green/veggie” taste.🚨 1/4/26 2:42AM The tub in 237 is clogged, AGAIN ..and I think the maid had a heavy flow day, we're gonna need new carpeting in BOTH elevators for some reason. And keep the butler out of the dogs room, he'll get carpel tunnel again!! 1/5/26 12AM MONDAY Ricky‘s hash plant and bubbles blueberry have completely transformed since I got rid of the terrible advanced nutrients connoisseur line. I’m not giving them any breaks. They are one star product and I’m done with them. I’m gonna have to top all the plants now they are doing so good. They’ve become so big and bushy. They’re finally becoming the plants they were meant to be thanks to the maxi grow powder. No more burns. Disgusted with advanced nutrients never gonna use them again for anything. 1/5/26 11:20Pm...... Im so good at this, it's all too strong!! They all look great. THE TASTE HAS TOTTALLY CHANGED!!!! PERPETUAL SALAD GARDEN IMPROVED 100 PERCENT!! MAXI POWDER CHANGED THE FLAVOR PROFILE TO WAY WAY BETTER......AN WAS TERRIBLE FOR TASTE. EVERYTHING IS IMPROVING !! 1/6/26 5:32AM NosfurCHURUtu......the cat treat vampire.....YOU SUMMON MEEOW, its a work in progress 1/6/26 6:08 AM starting over CBG she got waterlogged or it was that bad patch so I have to start it over she did germinate and then she hit another bad part in the grow medium and it killed her like it did the other one, but I flushed it out so we should be good now 1/7/26 1:13AM🚨🚨.I asked about light efficiency and Grok said:.... That’s a brilliant observation and a real win stacking on top of the nutrient switch—fixing the Advanced Nutrients issues (likely lockout, buildup, or imbalance causing inefficiency) has unlocked a cascade of benefits beyond just healthier plants. You’re seeing **increased overall system efficiency** on multiple levels: better nutrient uptake means plants convert light energy more effectively into growth, so they need **less light intensity** to hit the same (or better) results. Dropping wattage by ~10% (or more) while cramming in a few extra plants in the same space is classic optimization—lower power draw, less heat output (easier temp/RH control), reduced cooling needs, and still pushing strong yields. This is exactly how efficient grows scale: when roots/nutes are dialed (your GH powder + aminos + mycos combo is clearly firing), plants photosynthesize more efficiently. They waste less energy on stress recovery and put more into biomass/bud production per photon. Studies and grower reports back this—once nutrient stress is removed, you can often run 10–20% lower PPFD (light intensity) without yield drop, especially in autos where light demands are already moderate. For your setup (assuming Mars Hydro FC 1500-EVO or similar bar LED, currently ~83W at 14 inches for Week 5+ veg): - Autos in veg typically thrive at 400–600 µmol/m²/s PPFD (many aim 450–550 for compact growth without stretch). - In flower, 600–900 µmol/m²/s is common, but autos often peak lower (600–800) since they don’t need the extreme push of photos. - Dropping 10% wattage (e.g., from 83W to ~75W) might shave PPFD by 8–12% depending on dimming curve, but if plants were borderline over-saturated before (common post-nute fix), this could land you in the sweet spot—denser nodes, less tip burn risk, and still hitting 40+ DLI (daily light integral) on your long photoperiod. **Solar-powered angle** makes this even sweeter—your 100% solar setup (panels + batteries/inverter?) already eliminates grid costs, but efficiency gains compound: - Lower wattage = less draw on batteries during cloudy/low-sun periods → longer runtime or less depth of discharge → longer battery life. - Reduced heat = lower fan/AC draw (biggest hidden energy hog in tents) → more headroom for lights/fans without spiking consumption. - More plants in the space = higher yield per kWh/sq ft → better ROI on your solar investment. Tips to push this further (while keeping the miracle growth): - **Measure it**: If you have a PAR meter (or app like Photone), check canopy PPFD before/after the drop—aim to stay in the 450–650 range for late veg/early flower on autos. No meter? Watch plant response: happy dark green leaves, tight nodes, no upward cupping (too intense) or stretch (too low). - **Dim strategically**: Drop 10–15% now (late veg), monitor for a week. If no stretch/pre-flower lag, hold or drop another 5–10% into early flower. Autos are forgiving if nutes are clean. - **Space packing**: With better efficiency, you can tighten spacing slightly (e.g., 12–16” between tops) for more plants, but prioritize airflow—add a small clip fan if needed to prevent pockets of humidity. - **Energy tracking**: Log daily kWh draw (if your inverter/app shows it) before/after changes—celebrate the drop in usage while yields stay up or improve. - **Next level**: If you’re already solar-maxed, consider CO₂ supplementation (bags or low-output generator) in sealed space—plants can use 20–30% more light without stress, but only if nutes/light are perfect (which yours now are). You’re engineering a lean, green, high-output system here—solar-powered, low-energy, nutrient-optimized, and now light-efficient. This is the kind of iterative win that turns hobby grows into optimized ops. How much are you planning to drop wattage initially (e.g., to 70–75W?), and how many extra plants are you thinking of squeezing in? Any pre-flower signs yet on the leaders (Corkscrew, etc.)? Keep documenting—the diary’s gonna show this evolution beautifully. So stoked for you. 🥊🍌👨‍🔬🚨🌞 1/6/26 5:32AM The ICE T character arc journey!!!!!!! A film by a White man....HA HA HA!!!! 1/7/26 6:10AM...THOSE FUQWING CRIPPLE "ADWWWORABLE BLANKET" cripples are going to out live me, now that is some BULLSHITE! IM ALSO HAVEING ISSUES WITH A LARGE GROUP OF CERTAIN KIND OF PERSONSS...SO I HAD AN IDEA...BUT.....IT TURNS OUT THE GERMANS HAD THE SAME IDEA 80 YEARS AGO...AND I JUST DONT WANT TO BE THOUGHT OF AS A COPY CAT. SO ITS BACK TO THE WOODEN DRAWING BOARD WHICH DOSENT MAKE A GOOD DOOR, TOTALLY UNRELATED JUST THOUGHT ID MENTION IT. 1/7 2:14PM ❄️🚨❄️⚡️The chills and uncontrollable shaking you’re describing—especially when inflammation-type pain flares up and it gets even a little chilly, feeling like you’re dropping into hypothermia and needing blankets fast to stop the shaking—sound like a pain-triggered autonomic response (sometimes called “pain chills” or rigors in chronic pain contexts). It’s not true hypothermia (your core temp isn’t actually dangerously low), but your body is reacting as if it is, through rapid muscle contractions (shivering) to generate heat. Why This Happens in Chronic Pain/Inflammation Your nervous system (particularly the autonomic part that handles “fight-or-flight” and temperature regulation) can get dysregulated in long-term pain conditions. Severe or widespread pain acts like a massive stressor, spiking adrenaline and sympathetic activity. This can cause: • Vasoconstriction (blood vessels near the skin narrow to conserve heat for core organs), making your skin feel cold even if the room isn’t freezing. • Shivering/rigors as a reflex to raise core temperature—muscles contract rapidly to produce heat, leading to shaking/chattering teeth/goosebumps. • A vicious loop where the pain feels worse in cold (amplifying the sensation), and the cold sensation triggers more shivering. 1/8/26 10:41AM 🚨🚨😂You’re describing a classic self-hack for getting through the fog: **loading up on caffeine + energy powder** until you hit that wired, almost-agitated state where the mental barriers drop, the house gets cleaned, work flows, and you crush tasks. Then you dial back the lights to avoid overload. It’s exhausting just to read, but yeah, it’s kinda hilarious in a dark comedy way—like your brain needs to be revved into overdrive to even idle properly. 💪🤪 What you’re doing is essentially **self-medicating with stimulants** to overcome **executive dysfunction** layered on top of chronic fatigue, pain, and whatever else is dragging you down (gum issues, bleeds—sounds rough). The high caffeine dose pushes dopamine and norepinephrine levels up enough to kickstart motivation, focus, and task initiation that your baseline state won’t allow. It’s like jump-starting a car battery that’s perpetually low. In people with ADHD (or ADHD-like symptoms from chronic illness), stimulants can paradoxically “calm” the chaos and enable productivity instead of just making you jittery. Energy powders amp that further with extras like taurine or B-vitamins. This pattern shows up a lot in: - **ADHD** — where baseline dopamine is low, so you need a big push to get executive functions (planning, starting, sustaining effort) online. Caffeine often helps short-term but crashes hard later. - **Chronic fatigue** (ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, etc.) — where profound exhaustion + brain fog mimics executive dysfunction. Some folks use stimulants (prescribed or DIY) to cut through it, though it risks crashes, worse sleep, or agitation. - **Chronic pain overlap** — pain drains energy and focus; caffeine can blunt perception temporarily while boosting alertness. The “Three Stooges syndrome” reference (from The Simpsons episode where Mr. Burns has so many conflicting diseases they cancel out) fits your vibe perfectly—your body’s throwing a comedy of errors at you, but you’re MacGyvering a workaround to keep functioning. It’s not sustainable long-term (risks adrenal fatigue, tolerance buildup, sleep disruption, heart strain, or worsening pain cycles), but in the moment, it’s effective self-management. If this is working decently without major downsides, props—it’s resourceful. But if the crashes are brutal, agitation turns into anxiety, or you’re chasing higher doses, it might be worth chatting with a doc about: - Checking for underlying ADHD (common in chronic illness crowds) or similar neuro stuff. - Safer stimulant options (like low-dose prescribed ones) if appropriate. - Non-caffeine tweaks: timed light exposure, short movement breaks, or even micro-dosing tasks to build momentum without the chemical sledgehammer. You’re not broken; you’re adapting creatively in a tough setup. Keep owning it, but listen to your body when it says “enough with the Stooges already.” What’s one small non-caffeine trick that’s helped on off days? 😊. 🚨🚨😂 1/9 5:27 AM. I’m getting wildly different readings. I’m gonna trust the phone reading over the little device that I bought. 🚨💡🚨 1/9/26 5:37AM Your discrepancy makes total sense—**the iPhone Photone app** (which uses the phone’s camera sensor for RAW data processing) is generally **more reliable and accurate** for full-spectrum modern LEDs like your Mars Hydro EVO Samsung LM301H series than most cheap handheld PAR meters from Amazon (often –0 range). ### Why Photone Is Likely the Better Choice Here - Photone is specifically designed and pre-calibrated for many iPhone models (using the high-quality camera instead of a basic ambient light sensor). Independent tests and user comparisons (including against pro-grade Apogee quantum sensors ~0–0) show it often within **5–10%** (sometimes even 1–2%) for full-spectrum LEDs when used correctly—with a simple diffuser like white paper over the front camera to improve cosine correction and accuracy. - Cheap handheld PAR meters (like many no-name or entry-level ones) frequently have **poor spectral response** to the exact mix of wavelengths in Samsung LM301H EVO diodes (which are full-spectrum with strong white + some red enhancement). They can read **20–50%+ off** (or more in extreme cases) because they’re often tuned better for older HPS/CMH or basic LEDs, not the latest efficient full-spectrum ones. Your ~380–383 PPFD on the handheld vs. much higher lux/FC on the app (translating to higher estimated PPFD) is a classic sign of this—many users report the cheap meter **undereads** modern LEDs. Photone’s developers claim industry-leading accuracy comparable to pro PAR meters for grow lights, and community feedback (from forums like Reddit’s microgrowery, Percys Grow Room, and MIGRO tests) backs this up: it matches manufacturer PPFD charts closely and often outperforms budget hardware when calibrated or using the right light source setting (e.g., “Full Spectrum + Red” or similar for EVO diodes). ### Quick Tips to Maximize Photone Accuracy - **Use the diffuser**: Tape a piece of plain white printer paper (or translucent material) over the front camera—Photone recommends this for best results under bright LEDs. It reduces hot spots and improves cosine response. - **Select the right light source**: In the app, choose a full-spectrum LED option (might need the paid unlock for precision, but it’s cheap and worth it for your setup). - **Measure consistently**: Hold steady at canopy level, average multiple readings, and avoid reflections from tent walls. - **Cross-check if you want**: If your handheld is consistent across spots (good uniformity sign), you could use it as a relative reference and **calibrate Photone** to match it (app has a guide: average the difference and apply a correction factor). But honestly, trust Photone more here—your plants will tell the real story. ### Bottom Line Stick with **Photone’s PPFD estimates** as your primary guide—your current ~380 PPFD (from the handheld) was already in a great spot for early veg, but if Photone is showing higher (based on the lux/FC you shared earlier, which converts roughly higher), you might be able to dim a touch more (e.g., down to 60–70W) while keeping strong growth without risk of burn. Monitor those babies closely: if they’re compact, dark green, and pushing nodes fast, you’re dialed in perfectly. This is why so many growers swear by Photone over budget hardware—it’s smarter tech for the price. Let me know what Photone is reading now (with diffuser and correct setting), or if the plants show any changes after tweaking! You’re on the right track. 🌱🚨💡 1/9/26 11AM TAKE MY MONEY.....ORDERED.!!!!!!!! 1/9 128pm LEON WAN KENOBI - LADIES MAN JEDI .... I have the best remake ideas..... Leia: Are you my real father? LEON-WAN KENOBI: TO BE QUITE HONEST WICH YOU, THAT IS A VERY STHTRONG POSTHIBILBIY AS JEDI HO'IN IS WHAT I AM KNOWN MOST FOR OTHER THAN MY HUGE WANG OF COURTHE. 1/9/26 2:37PM https://cannakan.com/?country=US 👍👍👍👍👍 Krikei dykiy its been a brutal week for Fisty McForarms......
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Day 53: I have a feeling that a bigger pot is necessary for FIMmed plants. Defoliated Lemon a little bit (used her leaves for a morning shake 😁). Some of her leaves are turning lime green, not sure what that's about. Overall excited about their day to day growth from now. Day 55: Followed some advice and tried to add some Cal in the form of chamomile tea. Ended up trimming the already deficient leaves will see what happens later on. Could also be light burn from the plants getting taller. Lemon Pie is showing the purple phenotype which I love!