From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Oak Grove, Mn

Every indoor growth cycle I have had an issue with intumescence.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=268326
Research has led me to experiment with addition of uv-b light to my setup. So far the results look promising, and should have uv-b lights up on most of the plants by next weekend. What I am wondering...since uv-b light is responsible for vitamin d production and vitamin d plays a role in plants with calcium mobility if there might be a solution to lack of uv-b in indoor growing with the supplemental addition of vitamin d. What are your thoughts?

11/20/2016 12:12:49 PM

Central Illinois

it would probable be like with humans, natural D from the sun would be better than a vitamin

11/20/2016 2:40:09 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

i had to see if it makes a difference.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=268357

i agree, natural from the sun would probably be better...but that is not an option in my downstairs grow room.

I have also ordered a uv-b meter. After it arrives I will do some checking of the various types of grow lights that I have and will list the results in my diary
I am guessing my LED lights will show the lowest amount. Intumescence has been more predominant with them.

11/20/2016 2:58:00 PM

Bavaria, Eurafrasia

Thanks for this idea, bnot! I will start some tries right now with D3 and post outcomes here, if you like.

1/16/2017 2:48:14 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

I think it is an idea worth pursuing..since i have added the uv-b lights havent seen an issue..but vitamin-d did seem to clear up some problems. If you try it..I would suggest using the water soluble form. The residue of the oil soluble wasn't good.

1/16/2017 5:57:17 PM

Quincy, CA

I think vitamin d is made in humans by uv-b hitting 7-dehydrocholesterol in the upper layers of the skin.
I don't think plants have 7-dehydrocholesterol

1/18/2017 11:42:24 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

dguyh, thanks for your comment. It made start to research more into plants and vitamin D.  I see that vitamin d2 and vitamin d3 are different.
The two sources I am studying now are:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3651966/

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016894520200420X

I find it interesting that many plants in the Solanaceae family (which tomato belongs to) have shown appreciable levels of D3. I expect to be doing some more experimentation with this in a few months...after some of my indoor grow lights are available.

1/19/2017 4:03:40 AM