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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@cadur
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Not a lot of growth, it's just too cold in Blighty at the moment. Added some foam insulation under the pot and placed a heat mat under the insulation to avoid direct contact with the pot. Time will tell!
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Day 29, I’ve been slowing a little bit with fer too loser as I m going into flow and I used an all mix soil from biobizz that’s already charged with an high ec, I don’t wanna risk any over, I left it for one week with just water and regulator, the development of roots will help to absorbs the ec present in the soil so I will restart to fertilise next week. I’m using the complete line from aptus and I’m really satisfied I see how healthy the littles are. I will have my lamp 40 cm for this week and I’ll Move to 33 at the end of this week Day 32 this OS is flowering supersoeedy, I can already see buds, i had one of last lst just give her a more clean structure. I stopped to fertilise in the last 5 days, I just gave ph controlled water and yesterday 0.5 lt of water with just regulator and calmag. I wanted the plant to eat all the nutrients I gave during veg, I think this worked pretty well as I I saw her growing every day and I can. See an healthy nice green on leaves . I think that max tomorrow I’ll start again with fertiliser. Day 33 the orange sherbert is really running fast. I restarted feeding her today, flowering feedings started. Let’s goo Let’s goo!!
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@Reyden
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Salve a tutti i coltivatori Inizio a condividere la crescita di queste genetiche autofiorenti della RQS di cui 5 Green Gelato e 3 Northern light in vasi da 6,5 L e terriccio olandese light mix dell'Atami. Qui parto dalla 2 settimana di fioritura ( 31 giorni ) e devo dire che stanno rispondendo bene anche se purtroppo di giorno ho alte temperature che arrivano anche a 30°C con una lampada agro da 600w e scendono a 19°C a luci spente. Ho dovuto anche togliere alcune foglie prendisole più basse su alcune piante che sono state colpite da Septoria fogliare penso per colpa mia che in fase vegetativa e anche i primi giorni di fioritura ho spruzzato acqua sulle foglie più volte e non penso sia stata una mossa furba e anche l'umidità a luci spente quindi per 6 ore mi arriva a più di 80% anche con umidificatore spento.. Per il resto sto dando 4ml di soil nutrition bicomponente dell'Atami Bcuzz A/B e del the di banane per dare un po' di PK in più e ho messo anche cenere di legno di faggio per dare anche calcio e aumentare un po' l'alcalinita' del terreno visto che era un po' acido. Bene ringrazio a tutti quelli che passeranno di cui e auguro grassi raccolti a tutti noi! Reyden
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@Naujas
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77 days!!! wow she looks fantastic, the girl is maturing her flowers, they are growing very quickly :) I am going on a 5-day vacation now, so I think I will be very surprised to see her when I get back:) I am giving her advanced nutrients macro with 6.3 ph water, I think she has about 2-3 weeks left until harvest, good luck to everyone:)
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@nonick123
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Día 64 (23/12) Christmas holidays. Only watering Día 65 (24/12) Christmas holidays. Only watering Día 66 (25/12) Christmas holidays. Only watering Día 67 (26/12) Christmas holidays. Only watering Día 68 (27/12) CBD Auto 20:1 #1 - Riego con 0,5 litros de PK Booster Compost Tea OG Kush Auto - Riego con 0,5 litros de PK Booster Compost Tea Preparación del Té de Compost Ingredientes Agua Osmosis o Agua declorada durante 24 horas: 1 Litro (o la cantidad que necesites) PK Booster Compost Tea: 15 g/L ORGATREX: 5 ml/L BACTREX: 1 g/L Instrucciones: Airear con una bomba de aire de pecera durante 24 - 36 horas a 20-25 ºC Añadir BACTREX (1 g/L) 30 minutos ANTES de parar la aireación Usar el Té inmediatamente al apagar la bomba de aire Usar 0,5 Litros de Té por Planta Día 69 (28/12) Christmas holidays. Only watering Día 70 (29/12) Christmas holidays. Only watering 💦Nutrients by Bio Tabs - www.biotabs.nl/en/ 🌱Substrate PRO-MIX HP BACILLUS + MYCORRHIZAE - www.pthorticulture.com/en-us/products/pro-mix-hp-biofungicide-plus-mycorrhizae "GDBT420" 15% DISCOUNT code for the BIOTABS Webshop https://biotabs.nl/en/shop/ With 2 x Mars Hydro FC1500 EVO Led Grow Light (2024 NEW FC 1500-EVO Samsung LM301H 150W LED) - https://marshydro.eu/products/fc1500-evo-led-grow-lights/ - https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0CSSGN5D8?ref=myi_title_dp
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@fabialien
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Comenzamos esta aventura el dia 1 Agosto 2024. Hidratare por 24 hrs en vaso de agua con agua oxigenada, posteriormente pasaremos a servilleta y dejaremos se 24 a 48 hrs para pasar a maceta. Lunes 5 de Agosto hacemos trasplante a maceta definitiva.
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Esta semana la dejamos más tranquila a la Jack solo le hicimos un trasplante a 5 litros quedo bien , la dejamos recuperar unos días y después le hacemos las últimas podas y ya va a estar lista para florecer
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@MephodMan
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Just notice that one of the fan leaves that I put a small LST clip on has snapped off. Thinking that I may be better off sticking to the large clips removed a few of the LST clips and tied down branches with garden wire. I think this may be the better solution. Accidentally used 1 tsp for Bloom instead of 1/2 tsp. 5ml should be fine for a large plant, hopefully no nute burn as a result. So far she seems to be loving the extra nutes. Plants appear to have loved the 5ml of Bloom. No signs of burn this morning. Did some defoliation today to try and remove large leaves that were blocking light to bud sites
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100g of dry buds I guess this is normal result for Divine Seeds. I liked them a lot but I can't remember them.
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@DeltaEye
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I put the plants into an NFT system couple weeks ago. I could have waited a bit longer for the plants to develop a stronger root system before placing the rockwool cubes into NFT but I was being impatient because of the slow start and wanted to get the plants under proper light. Now two weeks later they are growing well with good root development. I switched the lights to flowering cycle about a week ago so they should start stretching soon. No preflowers yet.
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@Chubbs
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420 Fastbuds Week10 Gorilla Punch Auto These beauties are about as done as I think they're going to get. Definitely will be chopping them in the upcoming week. They smell super strong so can't wait to see how they'll finish and dry. Being sticky would be an understatement for sure. Both did get a little crispy on a few of the leafs but I think thats do to lowering the lights in the tent. All in all Happy Growing.
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@StarLorr
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Welcome to my Cherry🍒Cola diary. In this Diary: Seeds: [420 Fast Buds]from my growmie Tropicannibis_Todd 👊🏻😎 Media: Pro~Mix HP Open Top Grow Bag, Connect. Nutrients: Green Planet Nutrients, 2 Part Dual Fuel starter kit. RealGrowers: Recharge. Diablo nutrients: Ripping. Feeding : Tue 26Mar: 2L Nutes/Recharge pH'd 6.5 Fri 29Mar: 2L Monster K pH'd 6.5 ___________________________ The buds are very hard and heavy. Trichomes are white and the amber should be at my satisfaction by next weekend, sorry for the quality of the trichomes video... i know it looks like the same cameraman who captured UFO🛸on a pogo stick... will try harder next time😅😂............ i can see the finish line🏁👀1 more lap😎 ___________________________ Thanks for stopping by, likes and comments are appreciated.👊🏻😎 Keep on growin! Keep on tokin!!! 😙💨💨💨💨💨
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So I'm very happy with how this Purple Ghost 👻 Candy 🍬 turned out she's just beautiful . Had no problems growing her and she took multiple topping like a pro !! she's produced some lovely flowers
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Going well so far Right now just giving it spring water or distilled water haven’t Ph’ed it