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                 -+- The Merry Pranksters from Menlo Park -+-
                               10.1990.01.01.33

                 Marijuana Grower's Handbook - part 33 of 33
                               by pH Imbalance
                                "Experiments"

                                     from

                         Marijuana Grower's Handbook
                         [Indoor/Greenhouse Edition]
                                 Ed Rosenthal


   Horticulturists have reported a number of methods for increasing plant
yields which are still in the experimental stage.  These include stimulating
growth using an electrical current, the use of estrogen and progestin, and
the use of strobe lighting.

                                 ELECTRICITY

   Experiments at the University of Maryland indicate that a very weak
electrical current running through the soil increases the growth rates of
plants.  This stimulation seems to be most effective when the plants are not
receiving a lower than optimum level of light.  Some researchers speculate
that the current increases the roots' efficiency in obtaining nutrients by
affecting the chemical-electrical charges of the nutrient dissolved in the
water.  One company manufactures a photovoltaic device specifically to
charge the soil.  The magazine Mother Earth News reported in the March 1984
issue that plant growth can be doubled using these devices.
   "Sun Stiks" are available from Silicon Sensors, Highway 18 East,
Dodgeville, Wisconsin 53533.

                    FEMALE HORMONES - BIRTH CONTROL PILLS

   Over the years there have been a lot of anecdotal reports indicating that
birth control pills stimulate plant growth.  In 1983, a farmer in Texas
reported that his tomato plants grew many more tomatoes after they received
two treatments of estrogen-based pills.
   There may be a problem of safety regarding the use of these hormones.
There have been no studies on what happens to the hormone once it is taken
up by the plant.  When estrogen is given to farm animals, it increases their
growth rate, but the meat contains traces of the substance, which sometimes
affects people who eat it.

                                STROBE LIGHTS

   Some botanists have speculated that the pigments which are used in
photosynthesis respond to energy peaks in the light wave.  These scientists
believe that much of the light is wasted by the plant because it isn't
"peak".  They speculate that much energy could be saved by supplying the
plant only with light "peaks".  One way to do this is by using a strobe unit
in place of conventional lighting.  The strobe flashes a high intensity of
light, but it is on for only fractions of a second.  The result is that the
plants receive many light peaks in between periods of darkness.
   There has been little research on this theory, but one grower claimed to
get satisfactory results.
   One way to use a strobe without too much risk might be to use it to
supplement more conventional lighting.  If a higher growth rate is noticed,
the strobes could be tried alone.  Should this system worm, electrical costs
could be lowered by as much as 75%.


               [pH:And Thus Ends "Marijuana Growers Handbook"]





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