GREEN MIND SA

Test report on hydroponic growing under L.E.D. lighting.
Our evaluation aims to determine the yield in grams per watt across three grows in boxes, over an area of 1.5 m by 1.5 m, i.e. 2.25 m². Each box contains 49 plants in 7-litre pots on a hydroponic coco substrate.

Run-to-waste drip irrigation in an OPEN circuit, fed from the same reservoir of mineral nutrient solution. We will use the CRYSTAL TOP fertiliser range. So as not to skew the test, all parameters will be identical in the three boxes.

Temperatures
Day 29 °C, RH 55%.
Night 24 °C, RH 45%.

Light sources
Box 1: Osram by Fluence Spydr x 660W, 2.3 μmol/J = 1'535 μmol/s.
Box 2: F.O.G 600W AIR GROW PRO II, 2.3 μmol/J = 1'380 μmol/s.
Box 3: F.O.G AIR GROW PRO III HYPER RED 600W, 2.75 μmol/J = 1'650 μmol/s.

Genetics and techniques used
LIMONCELLO, CRM phenotype from Green Mind SA, identical in all three growing spaces. 49 plants placed in each box, each pot holding 7 litres of substrate and measuring 18 × 18 cm.

For the first trial, we chose a hydroponic COCO substrate (Plagron). Irrigation is by run-to-waste drip in an open circuit, controlled by a TROLMASTER AQUA-X cycle timer, with a 30-second cycle every hour during the day periods. Night cycles were set to 3 × 1 min per 12-hour night period.

Electrical conductivity levels were kept higher than for a crop under 1'000 W HPS bulbs: EC from 1.5 to 1.9 in the vegetative stage, up to 2.9 in flowering, with no sign of burn or over-fertilisation. The pH was kept between 5.5 and 6.0.

Course of the grow
The plants in the three growing spaces showed distinctly different development.

The transition, adaptation and rooting period is faster under the model:
600W AIR GROW PRO III HYPER RED.

The vegetative period is slightly faster under the models:
F.O.G 600W AIR GROW PRO II and Osram by Fluence 660W Spydr x.

Stretch during the pre-flowering period is more pronounced under the grow light:
Osram by Fluence 660W Spydr x.

For weeks 3, 4 and 5 of flowering:
the three grow lights perform equally.

For the last 2 weeks of flowering:
1. The Fluence 660W Spydr x lamp appears to produce larger but less compact buds than the F.O.G lights; their colour is light green and beginning to turn yellow.
2. The F.O.G 600W AIR GROW PRO III HYPER RED and F.O.G 600W AIR GROW PRO II grow lights gave the plants a purple, violet hue, and very compact, hard buds.

The F.O.G AIR GROW PRO III HYPER RED version gave the buds more flavour and terpenes.

Conclusion and yield

1st place: F.O.G 600W AIR GROW PRO III HYPER RED. Result for 600 W over 2.25 m² = 808 g, i.e. 1.35 g/W.

2nd place: F.O.G 600W AIR GROW PRO II. Result for 600 W over 2.25 m² = 693 g, i.e. 1.15 g/W.

3rd place: Osram by Fluence Spydr x. Result for 660 W over 2.25 m² = 733 g, i.e. 1.11 g/W.

The F.O.G 600W AIR GROW PRO HYPER RED grow light was rated the best grow light in the test by Green Mind SA. Its yield in grams produced per watt consumed and the quality of the end product won unanimous approval, making it the best grow light tested to date.

Protocol, cultivation and report: 15 April 2021.
Green Mind SA.

Master Grower: Santo Mike.