Cultivating Chaos with Madam Calamity & Low Chapter 1

[Caligurl]

Exactly what @kaptain3d just said! That would be AWESOMENESS!!!
When and where fellas??

[Low]

@Caligurl @kaptain3d @Budbrother
I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never once have had good shrooms with any noticeable effect

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Photosynthetically Active Radiation

Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) refers to the portion of the light spectrum that plants can use for photosynthesis, specifically within the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nanometers (nm.)

three main light ranges

blue light 400-500 nm

boosts photosynthesis by being efficiently absorbed by chlorophyll, promotes compact and sturdy growth, and helps plants grow toward light. It opens stomata for better CO₂ intake, influences plant hormones that affect growth and flowering, increases resistance to environmental stress, and stimulates the production of protective compounds like flavonoids and anthocyanins. Overall, blue light enhances plant health and productivity.

green light 500-600 nm

its effects are often less pronounced than those of blue and red light. While it is less efficiently absorbed by chlorophyll, green light penetrates deeper into the leaf tissue, contributing to photosynthesis in lower leaves. It helps regulate plant growth and morphology, influencing traits such as leaf expansion and thickness. Green light also aids in balancing light conditions, promoting overall plant health and resilience. Additionally, it can enhance photosynthetic efficiency by helping plants utilize the full spectrum of available light, ultimately supporting healthy growth and productivity.

red light 600-700 nm

efficiently absorbed by chlorophyll and plays a key role in photosynthesis, promoting energy production. It encourages stem elongation and flowering, influencing plant height and development. Red light also helps regulate circadian rhythms and photoperiodic responses, ensuring timely flowering and fruiting. Additionally, it enhances leaf expansion and overall biomass accumulation. Overall, red light is crucial for optimizing plant health, growth, and productivity.

EDIT

Let’s add in…

Far red light 700-800 nm
significantly influences plant growth and development by affecting various physiological processes. It is detected by phytochromes, which help plants sense their light environment and trigger shade avoidance responses, promoting stem elongation when neighboring plants cast shade. Far red light also regulates flowering by interacting with red light, impacting the timing of flowering based on photoperiodic cues. Additionally, it enhances leaf expansion and overall leaf area, improving photosynthetic capacity, and promotes chlorophyll production, which can boost photosynthetic efficiency. While it can lead to increased stem elongation, far red light also plays a role in plant stress responses, helping plants adapt to varying environmental conditions. Overall, far red light is crucial for optimizing plant growth and adaptability.

Photosynthetic Photon Flux (PPF):
This term refers to the total amount of PAR photons emitted by a light source per second, measured in micromoles per second (µmol/s). PPF quantifies the light output from a light source and provides insight into how much light is available for photosynthesis.
Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD)
PPFD measures the amount of PAR that actually reaches a specific area, typically expressed in micromoles per square meter per second (µmol/m²/s). for determining the light intensity that plants receive at the leaf surface, directly influencing photosynthesis rates.
Effective Photosynthetically Active Radiation (E-PAR)
This refers to the portion of PAR that is effectively utilized by plants for photosynthesis. E-PAR accounts for light absorption and reflectance, providing a more accurate assessment of how much light is available for photosynthetic processes.

(FYI) Apogee recently released a E-PAR meter

µmol
A micromole is a unit that quantifies the number of photons, with one micromole corresponding to approximately 6.022 x 10²³ photons. In the context of light measurement, it allows for the comparison of photon fluxes and densities, providing a basis for understanding the light requirements of plants.

Impact on Plant Health:

Photosynthesis
PAR, particularly as quantified by PPFD, directly influences the rate of photosynthesis, which is essential for plant growth. Higher PPFD values increase photosynthetic rates up to a saturation point.
Chlorophyll Production
Blue light, particularly in the PAR spectrum, promotes chlorophyll synthesis, enhancing a plant’s ability to capture light energy. Increased chlorophyll levels typically result in healthier plants with higher growth rates.
Photomorphogenesis
The quality and quantity of light affect plant growth patterns. For example, blue light promotes compact growth, while red light encourages elongation and flowering.

Impact on Nutrient Uptake:

Root Development
Adequate PAR levels and optimal PPFD enhance root growth, improving the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients effectively.
Carbohydrate Synthesis
Photosynthesis generates carbohydrates that serve as energy sources for metabolic processes, including nutrient uptake. Suboptimal PAR levels can limit energy production, negatively impacting nutrient transport and assimilation.

Ultraviolet Radiation (UVA and UVB)

We’ve been talking about the supplementation of UV a lot over the years. Thanks to Bugbee and his studies, we have an even better understanding. However, the benefits of using it is questionable.. some like myself may wonder if it’s actually worth it. It’s been debated and argued. I didn’t see a big enough difference to justify the extra wattage. I say if you have it, and Have the room on your breaker… send it! We know the effects it’s supposed to have. Let’s talk about how plants utilize UV, and why it can benefit the quality of the crop.

UVA (315-400 nm) and UVB (280-315 nm) are forms of ultraviolet light that influence plant health beyond photosynthesis.

Impact on Plant Health

UVA radiation stimulates photoreceptors involved in growth regulation, affecting pigmentation and the production of secondary metabolites. Increased flavonoids and phenolic compounds enhance UV tolerance and provide defense against herbivores.
UVB exposure can trigger protective mechanisms in plants, leading to increased production of protective compounds such as flavonoids and UV-absorbing substances, which protect against oxidative stress.

Impact on Nutrient Uptake:

Metabolic Enhancement
Exposure to UVA and UVB can lead to increased production of protective compounds, potentially improving nutrient absorption under stress conditions.
Calcium Uptake: UVB radiation has been shown to enhance calcium uptake in some plant species, likely through stimulation of root activity and modification of cell membrane permeability.

Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD)

VPD is a measure of the difference between the moisture content in the air and the maximum moisture the air can hold when saturated, influenced by temperature and relative humidity.

Impact on Plant Health:

Transpiration Rate
A higher VPD leads to increased transpiration, which helps cool plants but can also result in significant water loss. Excessively high VPD can induce stress due to dehydration.
Stomatal Conductance: Under high VPD conditions, stomata may close to conserve water, limiting CO₂ uptake and reducing photosynthesis.

Impact on Nutrient Uptake

Water Flow
Transpiration generates negative pressure, pulling water and dissolved nutrients from the roots through the xylem to the leaves. Maintaining an optimal VPD is crucial for efficient nutrient uptake.
Nutrient Concentration: High VPD can increase nutrient concentrations in the root zone due to rapid evaporation, which can benefit nutrient uptake if managed correctly.

Temperature

Soil temperature significantly impacts plant health and nutrient uptake, influencing biochemical and physiological processes in both the soil and plants.

Impact on Plant Health:

Root Function
Soil temperature affects root respiration and activity. Optimal temperatures (typically between 15°C to 24°C or 60°F to 75°F) promote healthy root growth, while extreme temperatures can inhibit root function and development.
Microbial Activity: Soil temperature influences microbial populations that are critical for nutrient cycling. Warmer soils enhance microbial activity, leading to increased nutrient availability.

Impact on Nutrient Uptake:

Nutrient Availability
Soil temperature affects nutrient solubility and diffusion rates. Warmer soil temperatures can increase the availability of nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium.
Mycorrhizal Associations:
Beneficial fungi that form symbiotic relationships with plant roots thrive within specific temperature ranges. Optimal soil temperatures support these relationships, enhancing nutrient uptake.

Soilless Media Temperature
In soilless growing systems (e.g., hydroponics, aeroponics), the temperature of the growing medium also plays a significant role in plant health and nutrient uptake.

Impact on Plant Health:

Root Health
Optimal temperatures for soilless media generally range between 20°C to 22°C (68°F to 72°F). At these temperatures, root activity is maximized, promoting healthy growth and function.
Aeration and Oxygen Availability: Higher temperatures can reduce oxygen solubility in water, which can lead to root stress if oxygen levels drop below necessary thresholds.

Impact on Nutrient Uptake:

Nutrient Solution Concentration
As temperatures rise, nutrient solutions can become more concentrated due to increased evaporation rates. This concentration must be managed to avoid nutrient imbalances.
Nutrient Solution pH: Temperature affects the pH of nutrient solutions. Elevated temperatures can lead to increased pH, which influences nutrient solubility and availability.

Integrated Impact on Plant Health and Nutrient Uptake

The interplay among PAR (including metrics like PPFD, PPF, E-PAR, and micromoles), UVA, UVB, VPD, soil temperature, and soilless media temperature is essential for understanding plant health and nutrient uptake.

Synergistic Effects:

Optimal Light Conditions:
Balancing PAR with UVA and UVB exposure maximizes photosynthesis while promoting protective mechanisms, resulting in healthier plants.
Water and Nutrient Flow
A well-maintained VPD ensures efficient transpiration, which facilitates nutrient uptake from the roots while preventing water stress.

Nutrient Dynamics:

Root System Development
Adequate light conditions and optimal temperatures foster root system development, which is crucial for nutrient acquisition.
Nutrient Transport
The combined effects of temperature, light, and humidity levels significantly influence the movement of nutrients in the soil and through the plant, optimizing nutrient transport and uptake.

[Caligurl]

@Low

I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never once have had good shrooms with any noticeable effect

LOL… I think we could help you out with that. I’ve had time to reset my tolerance LOL… but I was just thinking I wanted to grow some more soon.

Funny story. I told my hubby, yesterday, I wanted to go the this really cool nursery here… it’s MASSIVE. He is usually pretty indifferent but does like this nursery… but yesterday, his answer was “Heck yeah! Lets go!”… ok…

We get my plants, load up the car. I turned on the engine and went to put the car in reverse and he grabs the dash and says “Wooah! Hold on! That all happened really fast and I need a sec to let things settle in”… my first thought was he hurt his back again (he has a really bad back). I said "Oh my gosh, you ok? and he said “yeah, just really, really high”… I was puzzled and said “How many gummies did you take”? and he said “No, no, no… the question should be ‘how many tabs did you take’”… ROFLMAO!!!

[Low]

Mulder’s Chart is a significant tool in agronomy and soil science, specifically focused on nutrient interactions and their availability to plants. Its development stemmed from the need to understand how various essential nutrients affect each other in the soil environment, particularly concerning cation exchange capacity (CEC) and nutrient balance.

Detailed Components of Mulder’s Chart

Nutrient Positioning on the Chart

• Axes Configuration:
• X-Axis and Y-Axis: The two axes of Mulder’s Chart typically represent the concentrations of various nutrients. Common axes include macronutrients (N, P, K) and secondary macronutrients (Ca, Mg) or micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu).
• Quadrants: The arrangement of nutrients in quadrants allows for visual representation of nutrient relationships and can indicate potential deficiencies or toxicities. Each quadrant represents different nutrient interactions that can be classified as synergistic, antagonistic, or neutral.

Nutrient Interactions

Synergistic Relationships

Synergistic interactions occur when the presence or increase of one nutrient enhances the availability or uptake of another nutrient, leading to improved plant growth and health. Here are some key examples:

• Nitrogen (N) and Sulfur (S):
• Impact: Sulfur is critical for the synthesis of amino acids, and when nitrogen is abundant, it can improve protein synthesis. Sulfur enhances nitrogen metabolism in plants, thereby improving overall plant vigor.
• Application: In fertilization practices, applying sulfur alongside nitrogen can lead to better yields in crops like canola and legumes, which require ample protein for growth.
• Phosphorus (P) and Zinc (Zn):
• Impact: Zinc is vital for the activity of enzymes involved in phosphorus metabolism. Adequate zinc levels can enhance phosphorus uptake, promoting root development and flowering.
• Application: For crops that require high phosphorus (like corn), ensuring sufficient zinc availability can maximize phosphorus effectiveness, thus improving overall crop performance.
• Calcium (Ca) and Boron (B):
• Impact: Calcium plays a role in cell wall stability and is crucial for cell division and elongation. Boron helps in the transport of calcium within the plant and is important for flower and seed development.
• Application: When growing fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes and peppers, ensuring adequate calcium and boron levels can enhance fruit quality and reduce issues like blossom end rot.
• Potassium (K) and Magnesium (Mg):
• Impact: Potassium aids in the regulation of stomatal openings, affecting water use efficiency, while magnesium is a central atom in chlorophyll and is essential for photosynthesis. Their combined presence can enhance photosynthetic efficiency and stress tolerance.
• Application: Balanced fertilization with both potassium and magnesium can improve crop resilience under drought or heat stress conditions.

Antagonistic Relationships

Antagonistic interactions occur when the presence of one nutrient inhibits the uptake or utilization of another nutrient, leading to deficiencies or toxicities. Here are some significant examples:

• Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg):
• Impact: High calcium levels can inhibit magnesium uptake by competing for the same sites on root membranes, leading to magnesium deficiency, which can manifest as interveinal chlorosis in leaves.
• Application: In high-calcium soils (such as those rich in limestone), applying magnesium sulfate or monitoring magnesium levels is crucial to prevent deficiencies, particularly in crops sensitive to magnesium like potatoes.
• Potassium (K) and Calcium (Ca):
• Impact: Excessive potassium can interfere with calcium uptake, leading to physiological disorders such as blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers, where fruit ends become black and rotted due to calcium deficiency.
• Application: Fertilizer management should involve monitoring potassium applications to avoid imbalances that can hinder calcium availability, especially during the fruiting stage.
• Iron (Fe) and Phosphorus (P):
• Impact: High levels of phosphorus can inhibit iron availability in the soil, especially in alkaline soils. This can lead to iron chlorosis, where young leaves turn yellow while the veins remain green.
• Application: When phosphorus levels are elevated, iron supplementation or using iron chelates can mitigate the effects and prevent iron deficiency in sensitive crops like citrus.
• Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn):
• Impact: Excess copper can inhibit zinc uptake, leading to zinc deficiency symptoms such as leaf chlorosis and poor growth.
• Application: Soil tests should guide copper and zinc applications to prevent imbalances, particularly in soils where copper is frequently applied as a fungicide.

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)

• Definition and Importance: CEC is the ability of soil particles, particularly clay and organic matter, to hold and exchange cations. Higher CEC values indicate greater nutrient-holding capacity, allowing soils to retain essential nutrients for plant uptake.
• Soil Texture and CEC:
• Clay vs. Sand: Clay soils typically have a higher CEC than sandy soils due to their larger surface area and higher organic matter content, making them more effective at holding nutrients.
• Organic Matter: Organic matter significantly enhances CEC by providing additional sites for cation binding, improving soil fertility and nutrient availability.
• Nutrient Dynamics: Understanding CEC is critical for managing nutrient applications, as it influences how nutrients are retained in the soil and made available to plants.

Soil pH and Nutrient Availability

• Impact of pH:
Soil pH affects nutrient solubility and availability. Each nutrient has an optimal pH range for availability
• Acidic Soils (pH < 6):
• Increased availability of micronutrients like iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) but potential toxicity issues.
• Reduced availability of macronutrients like phosphorus (P) due to precipitation with iron and aluminum oxides.
• Alkaline Soils (pH > 7):
• Reduced availability of micronutrients like iron, zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), potentially leading to deficiencies.
• Increased availability of macronutrients like calcium and magnesium.
• Visualizing pH Effects: Mulder’s Chart can be used to illustrate how nutrient availability shifts at various pH levels, emphasizing the importance of maintaining optimal soil pH for effective nutrient management.

Applications of Mulder’s Chart

Tailoring Fertilizer Applications
By understanding nutrient interactions and their effects on plant health, growers can formulate targeted fertilization strategies that consider both macronutrient and micronutrient requirements.
Avoiding Nutrient Imbalances
The chart helps in preventing nutrient antagonism and deficiency by encouraging balanced fertilization practices. For instance, applying potassium without adequate calcium can lead to plant stress.

Identifying Soil Issues
Mulders Chart assists in diagnosing soil fertility problems. For example, observing stunted growth may prompt an analysis of nutrient interactions shown in the chart.
Remediation Strategies
If deficiencies or toxicities are identified, corrective actions can be taken, such as amending the soil with specific fertilizers or lime to adjust pH and nutrient balance.

Soil Variability and Local Conditions

Regional Differences
The interactions depicted in Mulder’s Chart may not apply universally across different soil types or geographic regions. Local soil characteristics, climate, and agricultural practices must be considered when applying the chart’s principles.
•Dynamic Soil Environment
Nutrient availability is influenced by biological activity, microbial populations, organic matter decomposition, and external factors such as weather, necessitating regular soil testing and monitoring.

•Microbial Influence
Soil microorganisms play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and availability. Their interactions can complicate the straightforward relationships depicted in Mulder’s Chart.
•Environmental Stressors
Factors such as drought, salinity, and pest pressure can affect nutrient uptake and overall plant health, complicating the simple nutrient balance model.

[Low]

@Caligurl

I said "Oh my gosh, you ok? and he said “yeah, just really, really high”… I was puzzled and said “How many gummies did you take”? and he said “No, no, no… the question should be ‘how many tabs did you take’”… ROFLMAO!!!

LMFAO!!! sounds like my kind of adventure. Did he get through the trip comfortably?? 🫨

[Caligurl]

LOL… oh yeah… the inner peace and love that comes with it will be with him for a few days LOL… I totally forgot we had some left… gifted to me by BlackThumbBetty a few years ago

[Low]

That’s awesome! We were lucky to receive some goodies from Betty a while back. Loved it all.

[kaptain3d]

Just your luck I’m in Canada, I would have won that dance contest…

I think that’s one of the only times I was sorry not to live in the USA.

[Low]

@kaptain3d

I would have won that dance contest…

No doubt about that!

@kaptain3d

I think that’s one of the only times I was sorry not to live in the USA.

LOL

[kaptain3d]

I’m just kidding
You won fair and square!

[Low]

[Growmoredank]

Good morning all!

[Low]

Just had lunch, morning!

[MadamCalamity]

Flower Day 59

[Bentstick]

Looking awesome!

[Low]

New res…

Look how bad this one got, no idea how

Last runoff

Ran about 20 gallons of tap through after seeing these numbers… will see how things balance out.

[WilIy]

Fantabulous, won’t be long now .

Thanks @Low for posting all the info above. It certainly is a balancing act. It reminds me of the need to maintain my lung room to keep grow area at a consistent temp/humid spread (VPD) to match nutes & DLI… Hell, due to wide swings in vpd I usually paint my girls nails up to their elbows grin

[Low]

Thanks Willy. I did my best to get it all broken down to an understandable level. Despite everything you can find online I never seem to find many clear explanations. The only way I can break it down further is by people asking questions, we all think differently.

Edit

Nutrients and dli I feel like can never get dialed in. You almost have to gear toward a specific cultivar or several that are similar, and run nothing but. Changing plants and variations throughout the year on a home scale are always changing, changing parameters, demands, etc.

[WilIy]

Took me a lot of reading to realize the correlation and why my grows go well until rate of transpiration changes drastically while EC/pH are at a constant.
Putting it all in one spot makes it easier to understand for those of us just starting out and a good refresher for those that have been at it awhile.

[Low]

Yes. I’m trying to come up with an “ultimate post.” I was just talking to @MadamCalamity about this. Always find the “what,” and rarely find the “why?” Want to know why things happen not what they are supposed to do. I think understanding the why, will make everything easier.