The Grow Awards 2026 🏆
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@CalGonJim
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1/12 4:14AM MONDAY!!!!!!!! CBG IS GOOD!1 LOWERD THE WATTAGE, EFFICIENCY IS GOOD. GREAT WHITE MYCO HAS INCREASED UPTAKE AND AND!!!! PHOTOSYNTHESIS EFFICIENCY ......FUCKING AWESOME 💪💪💪💪 1/12 4:47AM I asked GROK: are samsung leds on my mars hydro lights seem more efficient than the PPFD meter says, I lowered the lights again by a few watts? 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. 🥊🍌👨‍🔬🚨🌞 1/13/26 7:47AM BRUTAL WEEK FOR THE MOP AND BUCKET GUYS AT MUDRUROS COMPOUND 1/13, 11:22 AM banana purple punch auto RF three is doing really great. I haven’t really needed to do anything. I decided not to top. I didn’t want to do anything except light stress training. I think she’s gonna turn out just great. Her stock is one of the thickest. She’s just perfect.😍😍😍 2/1 4:20 AM setting up a new tent for flowering using two Mars Hydro TS 1000 lights at 50 W each. I’m getting about 500 PPF that’s good enough. I’ll keep the lights close to the plants. The wattage is low so the heat will be negligible should be highly efficient grow
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Missed the last couple of weeks of veg. This video is 1 week after the switch... I class this as the start of the flower period. Plants are looking good. Lollipopped the plants a few days before the switch and took some cuttings for the next grow! Having no issues with these plants and changing to led has kept temps down. Large oscillating fan on the wall is keeping air moving g while I have a4" intake and 6" rhino Pro filter
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Had to secure the Plants because they are getting so tall that the wind starts to hit them realy hard. So far its holding them pretty well Nice and dense Bud Structure already, hyped about the short internodial distance
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Well it's finally time to cut her down. It's day 95 post germination for this lady, and she's at maximum potency. All trichomes are cloudy with about 5-10% amber & she's giving out a mixed palet of aromas. I can smell a very distinct mix of lemon, urea, skunk, and spice. It was relatively easy plant to grow. I started in a super soul which ran out of nutrients early and I had to supplement with bottled nutrients. Going forward I'm going to have to put more thought into my initial soil composition. Please note: I'm only estimating the 'Wet Bud Weight'; for the purposes of this diary I estimated 12-16 ounces. Cannabis can loose up to 75% of its mass during the drying phase and based on past experience, I am expecting 4-6 ounces of finished flower. Dry/cure process: 1. Cut entire plant down by main stock 2 hang upside down in a dark room with controlled humidty and temps.... - Temperature should range from 67-72 °F, and my humidity will range between 57-60%. 3. Full trim complete after 8-11 days of drying. 4. Stick in Mason jars indefinitely with 2-way Boveda humidty packs (62%). 4-20. Smoke 2 joints before you smoke 2 joints.. and then you smoke 2 more ☮️ I'll post a thorough smoke report in roughly 3 weeks Thank you growdiaries.com Thank you growmies Thank you Fastbuds
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@Roberts
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Baked Bomb autoflower has been hitting a great growth spurt. She has not shown any piistils yet, but has the stretching appearance showing. I imagine they will show this week. Everything has been going great lately. I did clean out her underside some, and selective defoliation through the canopy. Thank you Bomb Seeds. 🤜🏻🤛🏻🌱🌱🌱💣 Thank you grow diaries community for the 👇likes👇, follows, comments, and subscriptions on my YouTube channel👇. ❄️🌱🍻 Happy Growing 🌱🌱🌱 https://youtube.com/channel/UCAhN7yRzWLpcaRHhMIQ7X4g
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Alright Robust in the original shape of a Christmas tree, its thick leaves and well-resined flowers the pistil phase starts to turn orange the trichomes we can go further to have milky with amber, and enjoy its performance until the end its smell is very strong it is sweet .
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Immer noch keinen Dünger, nur die gute Erde .... Die Speed Queen steht ja experimentell in einer kalten Garage mit einer SkinnyHeat Heizmatte von Romberg unter dem Growzelt. Sehr hohe Luftfeuchte im Zelt - Ich hoffe auf die stabile Genetik von Mandala Seeds ....
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Gracias al equipo de Sweet Seeds y MarsHydro, sin ellos no sería posible esta hazaña. 💐 🍁 Versión fotodependiente de rápida floración de una de las más sabrosas variedades de nuestro catálogo, la Crystal Candy®️ (SWS58), premiada con el 1º Premio a la Mejor Indica en la Spannabis Champions Cup 2017. Crystal Candy F1 Fast Version®️ (SWS73) es el híbrido resultante del cruce entre nuestra Crystal Candy®️ y una cepa seleccionada de Sweet Special Auto®️ (SWS35). Esta versión posee el curioso y exquisito aroma dulce que recuerda a chicle de fresa o tiendas de caramelos que tan apreciada ha hecho a la Crystal Candy®️ original. Esta variedad es una gran productora de grandes cristales de aromática resina que recubren las flores, y las hojas cercanas a estas, con una alta densidad de tricomas largos y de gran cabeza. De sus cogollos se pueden obtener extracciones de exquisita calidad y aroma extremadamente agradable. 🌻 🚀 Consigue aquí tus semillas: https://sweetseeds.es/es/f1-fast-version/2487-crystal-candy-f1-fast-version.html 💡 Mars Hydro TS 3000, como la lámpara de cultivo LED más grande de la serie TS, ofrece suficiente cobertura para un área de 4 × 4 pies con un precio asequible y rendimientos de calidad; a cambio, se puede aplicar tanto al cultivo doméstico como al cultivo comercial. Potencia - 450w Cobertura Vegetal – 5×5 pies Cobertura de flores - 4 × 4 pies La opción abrumadora para la mayoría de los productores que la aplican en tiendas de campaña. Consigue aqui tu lámpara: https://marshydro.eu/products/mars-hydro-ts-3000-led-grow-light/ 📆 Semana 7: Seguimos en la etapa de engorde, esto va que vuela 😍, la resina esta cada vez mas presente ❄️ , los cogollos comienzan a engordar Esta semana seguira el TS-3000 de MarshHydro al 100% y 30cm de distancia. Se estan desarrollando mejor que nunca, con una floracion mucho mas rapida, noto una gran mejoria gracias al Marshydro TS-3000. Reclaman nutrientes como locas con la nueva luz, solventadas las carencias, se que va bien de nutrientes. Continuo con defoliaciones Aplico una solución con nutrientes EC 1600 y otra con agua del grifo reposada y PH 6.6
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Easy strain to grow, didn't stretch much and yielded good for a cookie. Frosty REALLY dense buds fragrant buds. Really good. 🙏: 1:
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Hey everyone 😃. Due to the lack of space in the flower tent at the moment, I decided to use a delayed LST for the 2 women 🙂. So I can let them grow again in the next 30 days until there is room in the flower tent 😄👍. I'm curious to see how they will recover, and I think that growth will continue in the next 48 hours 👌. I wish you a lot of fun with the update, stay healthy 🙏🏻 and let it grow ☘️🍀 You can buy this Strain at : https://sweetseeds.es/de/sweet-skunk-f1-fast-version/ Type: Sweet Skunk F1 Fast Version ☝️🏼 Genetics: Sweet Skunk Auto (SWS34) X Early Skunk 👍 Vega lamp: 2 x Todogrow Led Quantum Board 100 W 💡 Bloom Lamp : 2 x Todogrow Led Cxb 3590 COB 3500 K 205W 💡💡☝️🏼 Soil : Canna Coco Professional + ☝️🏼 Fertilizer: Green House Powder Feeding ☝️🏼🌱 Water: Osmosis water mixed with normal water (24 hours stale that the chlorine evaporates) to 0.2 EC. Add Cal / Mag to 0.4 Ec Ph with Organic Ph - to 5.5 - 5.8 .
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@dank604
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The lower budsites have come in nicely over the last couple weeks and I finally got a digital microscope to inspect the trichomes. I have a few amber so far with some cloudy but majority are still clear. I think I have a week or two left before I chop her. She has one more watering+feeding left before I start the flush in about this time next week assuming I get some more cloudy+amber trichomes before then, if not I will continue with current feeding schedule until I'm satisfied.
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@Ninjabuds
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Blackberry moonrocks both plants are still some of the best seedling in the tent so far. The better if the 2 is for sure the #1 plant in the tent. It has had the best start of a seedling i have seen in a wile. The leaves are angled like an airplane and they just seem thicker than the average leaf. They both seem like there going to have middium to longer indernode spacing. It's looking like a good start to a week the plants are strong they are getting to the point I can let the dried dry out completely. I'm thinking by the end of this week the plants will be starting to be sold. Last week I put all the plants into my bigger 2x4 tent with my medicgrow mini sun 2 the 500w version. Only a few of the plants were ready for that light. Seems like the only plants that really have good resistance and have a strong start are the weedseedsexpress.com seeds. Shout out to weedseedsexpress.com for the strong plants. I ended up putting all the plants back into my 2x2 tent with the 55w amazon light it has alot more blue light in its spectrum. It's kinda weird b4 I switched the plants to the 2x4 tent they were getting 220umol under my amazon 55w led then when I put them under the 500w light 25% strength about 50in from plants and they were getting only about 195umol in that tent but it was stressing most the plants. I assume a larger light has more side lighting hitting the plants. I think when useing larger lights it's good to measure umols from the top but also coming from the sides. I think durring seedling stage they only need about 50% the umols coming from the side the plants as the top is receiving. When I put the plants back in the small tent about the same umols as they were getting b4 the switch and they were still a little stressed. So for a few days I put the small light at the top the tent giving them 100umols for a few hrs then 130umols the rest the day.
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@LovelyT
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Critical is definetly a sativa strain, as she just wants to grow straight up. I wanted to take pictures before i defoliated but, i forgot. Sorry guys but next week i will definetly post before trimming. No smell yet, but she is comming along nicely. Was thinking of trying the Supercropping method with this strain let me know what yall think, as critical does respond very well to any training. Feel free to post some opinions.I would Love the feedback, AS ALWAYS........ HAPPY GROWING😉!!
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Today is day 74 since the plants sprouted, and day 35 of the 12/12 light schedule. I got lazy with the diary after I switched to flower, but I switched to the flower schedule the day of the my last veg update. Everything has been very hands off since flower, to be honest. I've still been following the General Hydroponics nutrient schedule for my dosing, and the plants have seemed happy with that. Both plants look great in there, especially plant #2, which has tons of roots reaching out of the pot and onto the grow tray. From what I had read online, triploid plants are supposed to be seedless, at least when it comes to fruit. I was hoping that would mean the plants would be incapable of producing pollen sacks/seeds. As usual for my grows, I found pollen sacks at about 5 weeks of flower on plant #2, and promptly picked it off. That's the only one I've found so far, but I'll have to keep a sharp eye out for the next few weeks. From experience, these bastards pop up on the lower nodes from weeks 5-8 of flower. If any of them open during weeks 5-7, the whole crop gets tons of seeds.
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Brothers and sisters farmers. My job here is over! Growth was rather difficult because of the heat, but I believe that this strain is the only one who perhaps kept more than all the others, rediscovering to give me the solid nuggets! Greetings to all of you, fantastic Weed friends Happy and abundant harvesters
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@Radagast_
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19.07. Girl Scout Cookies Day 85# I don't have much to write, the plant was at the end of its twelfth week yesterday, it's progressing well, it's happy, it's healthy, we pray to the sun and so on :D Stay High and Keep Growing!!!
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@Fergie
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hey guys so flower mode is truley under way had tie these ladies down with 1.5m scrog net by black orchid 😀as can see beast mode is on they ate sitting at 1.9 meter before i attack and tie down . will be weaving the buds through over next few weeks to maximize my bud development . I also have asecond scrog incase decides to get out of control again which i know it will 😀still only running r/o water cal-max and will be doing a compost tea this week .