Fluence consultant Ryley Leech saw early CBN formation on a number of strains,
including Super Silver Haze. 

Last week, we posted an analysis of trichome formation by Fluence consultant Ryley Leech at a commercial cannabis facility deploying SPYDRx PLUS systems.

Colorado-based Leech has spent many years studying medicinal cannabis, always toting his camera to create the stunning images that help him with his research.

Detail of cannabis trichomes under LED grow lights for cannabis, showing lighting tech for commercial cultivation.

Die Abstammung von Dr. Who öffnet sich für einige verschiedene Cannabinoide wie CBG und CBC.

In those same studies of the California plants, Leech observed extremely early production of cannabinol (CBN), compared to what he’s used to seeing. He says he also saw CBN in cannabis genetics where he normally wouldn’t expect to see CBN.“I definitely saw the CBN earlier than I would have expected,” says Leech, who has been cultivating and growing cannabis for 10 years.

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“It’s the first time I saw CBN forming at the site of trichome formation.”

Having conducted more than a decade of research under legacy lighting systems such as HPS, metal halide and even early LED systems, Leech was particularly interested in the opportunity to study the effects of the new Fluence LED grow lights emitting a broad spectrum particularly well-suited to cannabis cultivation. The California plants were growing under Fluence SPYDRx PLUS grow lights.

So why is Leech so interested in CBN?  Known to have a sedative effect, CBN is a weak psychoactive chemical compound found in cannabis indica and cannabis sativa. From a medicinal standpoint, benefits of CBN include pain relief, antibacterial and anti-convulsive properties, and bone-cell-growth promotion. It is also an anti-inflammatory and an appetite stimulant.

“I saw early CBN formation and I saw it on the veinlet areas between the ridges of the leaf. This is slightly outside where you expect to see it,” Leech says. “That’s an interesting developmental aspect. Increased light intensity may play into that.”

Detailed view of cannabis trichomes under LED grow lights for commercial cannabis cultivation.

Die meisten "orangen" Trichome, die Leech auf Super Silver Haze sah, befanden sich auf den Blattadern der Blüte und nicht auf der Blüte selbst.

And while, generally, cannabis growers view the appearance of CBN — signaled by the appearance of orange-red anthocyanin — as a sign the plant is near harvest, Leech is fairly certain this was not the case on the plants he observed under the Fluence LED grow lights at day 47 of their flower cycle.

“Typically you’re not looking for CBN because it’s a sign of THC degradation,” says Leech. And while more studies will have to be done, he suspects that the Fluence LED lights are giving plants a light more true to what their ancestors received from the sun, before they were hybridized to grow under HPS lights, and so the plants are reverting to a more natural growth pattern. Leech strongly suspects that the appearance of CBN in this environment is not a sign of THC breakdown. “Even though I was seeing CBN, along with increased anthocyanin production, other markers told me the plant wasn’t done.”

Close-up of cannabis trichomes under LED grow lights for cannabis, showcasing advanced cannabis lighting technology.

Bei der J1-Genetik beobachtete Leech "starke kapitatgestielte Trichome und Einheitlichkeit". 

Growers may be required to rethink their markers for harvest time when growing under Fluence systems as the appearance of orange trichomes may no longer be an indication that it’s time to pull the plants.

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“I do believe the plants I saw will finish earlier than their usual expected cycle time, but I’m not sure we can look to orange trichomes as a signal to harvest,” Leech says.”

Growers need to have a whole-plant awareness. Before making the call to harvest, they should dig deep and look at trichomes that you would identify as a THC-based trichomes,” he adds.

“This peculiarity is going to require considerably more research,” he says.

And Leech, who’s happiest peering through his camera’s viewfinder at an intricately beautiful cannabis flower, is sure to be at the forefront of that research.

Cannabis bud with white trichomes under LED grow lights, showing CBN; commercial cannabis lighting technology in use.

Abgesehen von THC ist Blackberry Kush für ihren geringen CBD-Gehalt bekannt.