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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These buds are extremely dense with a delicious fruity aroma.
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Haven’t had a chance to post here lately but here’s some pics I’ve took over the last few weeks since I started training, it’s coming along nicely
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I just saw that biotabs.nl commented ... Wow thanks... Anyway of course you are right I should reduce the stress for a while... However there is a lot of plant matter being produced. The stem is finger thick ... Cannabis is such am amazing plant I am not an experienced grower by the way... The plant was just above 30cm tall now it is 41 I added some orgatrex 2ml on Tuesday. Will ad some more next week. Some leafs show some spots ... But please bear in mind this is growing at 28 degrees with CO2 on 1200ppm So I expect some nutrient deficiency... As I rather have a bit too less... A few handful of leafs had to go and I just removed the ones that showed spots.... Makes it also easier to spot new leafs with deficiency
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Probably the shortest and stoutest strain I've ever grown. Definitely an ultra indica. Excited to see those big fan leaves. Could get high temp to a lower value but I'm too lazy. 20-28 C is fine. ♥️💛💚 - Day 14 22Jan All girls got a liter. O.3 Grow Big /L 0.7 CalMag /L
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@Ecogeek
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Lost of changes these last few weeks in addition to changing the light position and duration I back off the feeding and giving both jst purified water. Did a flush today since their looking close to home plate. Had to do a heavy defoliation with some of the leaves on both plants. It looked like some mold developed but after cleaning the tent and letting the girls get bone dry to avoid it’s return everything is a go! It’s been a exciting and knowledgeable grow
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The babies 😍 have a beautiful look and colors, they seem quite filled with resin. Now the drying phase of 15 days begins after which I will complete the trimming and weigh it. By eye I can say that it will be about 100gr per plant
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Day 99 Day 49 Flower 09/08/24 Friday (Morning) FLUSH- de-chlorinated tap water pH 6 with flawless finish. She's taken a full 5L with 1L run off, I shall continue to do this daily or every 1.5 days when top soil dries out. Starting her flush this week, seeing those trichomes maturing, and pistils now forming 50-60% red. Flush for 10-14 days depending on trichomes. Day 100 Day 50 Flower 10/08/24 Saturday (Evening) FLUSH- de-chlorinated tap water pH 6 with flawless finish. Another 5L and seeing about 10-15% run off. Not quite the 1L. Day 101 Day 51 11/08/24 Sunday (morning) FLUSH- de-chlorinated tap water pH 6 with flawless finish. 5L run off 10% Majority of pistils now maturing, trichomes flooded with cloudy , barely seen clear anymore, spotting a few amber's. Day 102 Day 52 Flower 12/08/24 Monday (Morning) FLUSH- de-chlorinated tap water pH 6 with flawless finish. 5L again with run off 10% Day 103 Day 53 Flower 13/08/24 Tuesday (Evening) FLUSH- de-chlorinated tap water pH 6 today again with flawless finish. Full 5L again with 10% run off. All fans starting to fade now, tops all bending under the weight 🤩 Euphoric sweet lemon zest smell with a gassy slap. Video and pictures ✌️💚 Day 105 Day 55 Flower 15/08/24 Thursday (end of week) Final FLUSH- de-chlorinated tap water pH 6 with flawless finish. Full 5L again little run. Finally!!! The FLUSH has finished!! She has developed beautifully 😍 All buds are solid as rocks. She is now entering her 2 day dark period from 10am today till 10am Saturday morning ✌️💚
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Day 64 (First Grow, Flowering Phase): Hey everyone! We’re on day 64, and the flowering phase is in full swing. The buds are forming beautifully, and the plants have grown 5-10 cm above the SCROG net, creating a lush canopy. The humidity is steady at around 50% or lower, which is ideal for this stage. To recap, we've been maintaining an even canopy with the SCROG net and our Timor shield mantis continues to keep pests at bay naturally. Our plants are thriving, thanks to the even light distribution and careful humidity control. We're considering installing a second fan in a few weeks to improve airflow and potentially adding a second SCROG net to support the plants as they continue to stretch during flowering. This should help stabilize the plants and ensure they get the support they need as the buds get heavier. Any tips or advice for the next steps? Let us know in the comments!
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Finally Week 10 , these babies will receive 48 hours of darkens and then the real fun begins ! ✂️
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Packing Trich’s & Terps. Most dominant terp of the grow.
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Hi all the happy people here in GrowDiaries. This is my second cultivation ever and it will be fun to try a bigger space than my closet grow. First, I'm just going to say I'm done with the construction of my new growroom. I put some pictures on the construction here in week one. The room is 2.14 meters by 1.7 meters and has a ceiling height of 2 meters. It provides a floor area of ​​3.6 square meters. I use a 54 Watt Lightwawe T5 for germination and 2 Pcs 400 Watt HPS lamps. I have a channel fan that replaces the room air about 40 times an hour to get a comfortable theme in the room, the air enters a fresh air intake from the outside. The air is purified through a carbon filter to then leave the room to the rest of the basement. Then I use that heat to heat the rest of the basement. I will use 8 pcs 15 liter Autopots to grow with and a 100 liter water tank that supplies the pots of water and nutrition. I will grow completely organically in soil and will watercure my buds to get the best possible medicine for me. But there are no cultivation rooms to be displayed here, so I continue with what is most important. Today I have put my seeds in my moisture dome and hope the seeds have germinated within a few days. I am very excited to see how the new growroom will work and how this Blue cheese Auto from Royal queen seeds will turn out. Blue Cheese automatic cannabis seeds are a cross of Blueberry Automatic and Cheese Automatic that has been perfected over five years of breeding and careful selection. The result is a feminized, autoflowering strain with superior yield, flavor, and effects to either of its distinguished parent strains. THC: 16% CBD: Low Yield Indoor : 325 - 375 gr/m2 Yield Outdoor: 60 - 110 gr/plant Height Indoor: 40 - 70 cm Height Outdoor: 60 - 110 cm Flowering: 7 - 8 weeks Harvest month: 9-10 weeks after planting Genetic Background: Blueberry x Cheese x Ruderalis Type: Sa 35% In 40% Ru 25% Effect: Cerebral and uplifting Climate: Mild .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2017-09-11. Kl 12.00. Week 4 starts. I have cleaned the whole room for the new week and gave the girls water and nutes. Added videos and pics. Girl nr 1 is 27 cm high and girl nr 2 is 50 cm high and nr 3 is 15 cm high. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017-09-12. Kl 10.00. New pics and video. Nr 2 has grown 5 cm in 23 h, its incredible. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017-09-13. Kl 22.00. Everything is great in the garden right now. Updated with new video. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017-09-15. KL 10.00. New pics and videos. Girl Nr 1 is 33 cm high, Nr2 is 70 cm and girl Nr is 22 cm. Nr 2 has grown 20 cm the last 3 days. Look at the stem of girl Nr 2 😍 The girls are starting to smell a lot now. Its a intense smell in the grow room. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017-09-16. Kl 10.00. The girls grow like crazy, i have to defoliate about 20 leafs a day. Nr 2 is 76 cm tall now, i wonder when she slows down?. Added 2 liters of water and nutes this morning and 2 new videos. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2017-09-17. Made a time laps of the girls first 28 days.
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@valiotoro
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Hello everyone 😎 Week 6 of flower for the Amnesia Zkittlez🍭 Only 1 plant left then finito✔️ Very nice smell super sweet🤤 The buds are super sticky🔥
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Another great week goto keep defoliating every few days still more LST trying to open her out a little more it's drinking loads and buds are starting to show some signs of trichomes 😊decided to up the nutrients to 1.5 m per L and put explode in this week hopefully she likes it 😀
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Week 9 (3/14/22 - 3/20/22)
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Partimos la primera semana vegetativa, aún fertilizando lo mínimo 👌🏻 Día 4
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6/28 I had to water deeply despite watering thoroughly yesterday. This heat wave is supposed to pass today. We have had temps in the 90's. Ihate it but the girls seem to love it. RH is super high and controlling pm is a pain in the balls. When my connection is better I'll add my vid and photos. Still need a follow up preventative spray. BT is really awesome but super narrow and I've found random stink bugs, earwigs, crickets and grasshoppers as well as easily identifiable leaf damage. I'm thinking Spinosid. Save my PM stuff for PM. Tried checking my PH with a soil meter. The bags are basically just roots. The only two plants it read came to 6.5 which is strange because I usually run around 7.3. I'll certainly take it. If it's correct that is. RH 64 TEMP 84 6/29 Didn't water this morning due to a torrential downpour last night. Nothing broken after first glance. The thunder and wind woke me last night. This storm was horrific yet my plants still seem unaffected. Need to rearrange the cage. It will be a pain to have to move that ice cream cake. Maybe I could find a way to modify the cage outwards. I also need to move the plant in the tote in the back. Luckily I got back and watered before plants dried out. Noticed a FEW dead or yellow leaves on the middle interior of some plants. I upped dosage of growbig last feed and fed a little earlier. I'll go back to my normal feeding schedule and see what happens. Thing is the plants are getting huge so I would think increased nutes would help. Couldn't he lockout. Too much water. Maybe nutes in the soil are leaving? I'll figure it out. I temporarily pulled the stalk on the ice cream cake back and tied it to the posts to get it off the fence. 6/30. 90s again today. I deeply watered and noticed a couple more yellow leaves (bottom middlish). Only thing that was changed was feeding. I may go back to original schedule. Funeral today so I'll have to check things out later. UPDATE: Went back maybe sux hours after watering to find the grow bags dry. I reached my hand in the side and it's pretty much all roots. These high temperatures and wind are drying my plants out. No droop but the soil WAS dry. I watered again and plan to check again tonight. When temps go down I'll probably do a preventative Spinosid spray. 7/1 Watered and fed two gallons. Grow big at 1 1/2 tbsp. Still some yellow leaves on the interior. I'm talking like maybe five. Accidentally destroyed lace wing eggs. I knew it was something to keep an eye out for but I mistakenly thought it was BAD. Oh well it was just two eggs. I'm sure there are more. Tried measuring PH with soil meter but the only two plants that registered were 6.5 and 6.6. I believe the PH to be a bit higher. The bags are so full of roots it's hard to get a measurement. I know my soil and water WAS on point before my gauge broke. However I leave the 7.3 as that was about what the big ones tested at last time measured. 7/2 These are some resilient strains. Currently 54 degrees at 9am. It had been 80 or 90 in the last few days. Perfect rain today. A light shower all day. Obviously didn't water. Found a few yellow leaves but the plants look so good. The also seem to be stretching but it's far to early for the preflower stretch. I'll keep an eye out. Things are looking pretty good. Still need to move that plant in the back. 7/3 Watered today. Looks like it might rain but top soil was a little dry. Also noticed this site measures teaspoons not tablespoons which is how I measure. I'll need to adjust that. There's tell tale damage from a variety of pests (leaf hoppers, pillars, grasshoppers ECT.) So I think I'm going to do a spray within the next couple days. Im leaning towards Spinosid but Dr. Zymes supposably helps the PM as well. I'll do more research and update. 7/4 54 degrees and raining. Haven't checked the girls out yet today.
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Defoliated a bit more, feeding sugar royal and green sensation. The smell is really coming through now.