In a trial project, I am going to grow a range of 100+ species using LED (Light Emitting Diode)
This natty light source has been researched by NASA not to mention increasing numbers of enthusiasts and academics in the last 5 years. They are of such low power requirements that it is surely feasable to create a mobile propagation facility powered by solar energy!?
….The nature of light….
The energy produced by the sun reaches the earth as electromagnetic radiation.
Light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation are considered to have both a wave nature and a particle nature.
Particles or packets of light (its particle nature) are known as photons – the smallest divisible units of light. The brightness of light depends on the number of photons absorbed per unit time.
Each photon carries a fixed amount of energy which determines the amount that the photon vibrates.
The distance moved by a photon during one of it vibrations is referred to as its wavelength and is measured in nanometres.
Electromagnetic radiation spans a broad range of wavelengths.
At the one end of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation there are gamma rays which have a wavelengths of 10-5 nm and at the other end, radio waves which have a wavelength of 1012nm. A very small part of this spectrum can be seen by the human eye i.e. between the wavelengths 380 and 750 nm. This part of the electromagnetic spectrum is called visible light. Almost all life depends ultimately on this part of the spectrum for its energy.
A close-up look at plant cells in leaves will reveal tiny structures called chloroplasts, which ‘percieve’ and react to blue and red light, containing chlorophyll pigment molecules which predominantly absorb energy at 435-438nm(blue) and 670-680nm(red).
Within the spectrum, the longer the wavelength of the radiation, the slower the vibration of the photons and the less energy each photon contains. Thus photons of ultraviolet light, at the blue end of the visible spectrum, have shorter wavelengths and contain more energy than red light and infrared radiation. Sunlight is reported to contain 4% ultraviolet radiation, 52% infrared radiation and 44% visible light.
Standard supplementary lighting for plants has, in recent years, been provided by a couple of main sources. Flourescent tubes, either white or blue, partly because of their minimal heat output and low wattage are widespread in UK greenhouses. They allow placing close to the plant /seed tray and the white light, as expected, offers a good source of white light, whereas the blue one kicks out a blue / white spectrum.
Probably better known and grown with are high pressure sodium(HPS) lamps. They are known throughout the world by growers for emmitting a good source of Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) in the form of red light, but most of the energy from these devices is lost as heat, and for a budding mobile operation with a 400 watt HPS, heat and confined space plus high wattage equals pretty unfeasible.
Of all the grow lights currently on the market, blue and red LED’s in clusters are reportedly shown to have the more suitable spectral match in terms of chlorophyll absorbency. I cant refuse to play with them really can I? There is no other option but to explore these little diodes. After all, NASA were doing so at the turn of the millennia.
Who knows whats around the corner..!
more later…
Filed under: life
For a while now, a close eye has been kept on a certain plc which was initially formed just before the present government slipped them a licence to grow ganja, er,print money..no sorry that should read “…research Cannabis based medicines for treatment of many diseases experienced in the west. The year this firm came to mind was in 1999. By all who know the pleasures and experiences of Cannabis sativa var indica will the following be of no surprise. I make no apologies for lifting some of this from the plc’s www.
This plant alone contains molecules known as cannabinoids. Although rare in the plant kingdom, it would appear from recent research by scientists that humans have receptors throughout our bodies. The most famous cannabinoids is THC or delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol. The molecules have a core carbon skeleton whith a hydrophobic/lipophilic C5 H11 side chain. This enables the molecule to pass through fatty membranes in the brain (as elsewhere) activating all the receptors now known to exist here. So far nothing out of the ordinary here right? The endogenous receptors or endocannabinoids have been known about for a while as part of the knowledge explosion following discovery in the late sixties/early seventies. Thats right, but what I didnt know until just now was that recently, Scientists have discovered a veritable system of endocannabinoid receptors throughout the Central Nervous System. More than 30% of Cancer patients in a recent U.S study, suffering pain not responding to opioids(Morphine), described much pain releif when taking an extract of Cannabis which only comprised of THC and Cannabidiol) .
Essentially what Scientists have discovered is that humans have an intrinsicly natural and deep relationship with this plant. Our bodies have evolved to have specific receptors all over our body. We would not be who we are if we didnt consume this plant. Its getting obvious is it not?
No wonder then that the UK based firm originally from Cambridge; run and concieved by Dr.Geoffrey Guy- none other than GW pharmaceuticals plc are doing deals left, right and centre regarding seperate market development and marketing with different partners for home shores and Canada (Bayer..Booo!) in the EU as well as in the US, not to mention a recently announced …(London, UK; Princeton, NJ, USA; Tokyo, Japan; 14 February 2007: GW Pharmaceuticals plc (AIM: GWP) and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. today announce that they have entered into a major long term strategic cannabinoid alliance.)Their press release!! This leading Japanese pharmaceutical company had a turnover last year of £6.3 billion. They’re now big dope dealers, man.
GW developed a aerosol spray called ’sativex’, in and around 2001… Cheesy or what!??
About Sativex
Sativex is an investigational product presented as a pump action oro-mucosal spray, which delivers a pharmaceutical formulation containing delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Each 100µL spray contains 2.7mg THC and 2.5mg CBD.
Sativex is standardized by both composition and dose and is supplied in small spray vials. Sativex is thought to act via cannabinoid receptors that are distributed throughout the central nervous system and in immune cellsi. These receptors are distributed throughout the pain pathways of the nervous system, and their activation is known to reduce pain in relevant pain models.
Its that last line I like, where it says “known to reduce pain…” thats the line for the court room,Porton Down, UK, 30 January 2007: GW Pharmaceuticals plc (GWP), the developer and manufacturer of a range of new cannabinoid medicines, including Sativex®, announces its preliminary results for the year ended 30 September 2006.
Operational Highlights
- Sativex regulatory submission filed in four European countries for the relief of Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis
- European (ex-UK) licence agreement signed with Almirall, including £12m signature fee. Launch preparations now underway
- Sativex regulatory submission filed in Canada to extend approval to the treatment of Cancer Pain
- FDA permitted Sativex to enter directly into US Phase III trials in Cancer Pain, allowing late stage US development to commence during 2007
- US Sativex licensing discussions progressing on track
- Further encouraging data from Phase III trials in MS Spasticity and Neuropathic Pain
- Phase III MS Neuropathic Pain trial recruiting on track
Financial Highlights
- Balance sheet strengthened with net cash inflow for the year of £6.8m. Significant inflows include Almirall signature fee and £8.1m US equity financing
- Cash and short term deposits at 30 September 2006 of £19.9m, ahead of guidance
- Revenues of £1.98m, including £1.35m relating to commercial sales of Sativex. £12m Almirall signature fee to be recognised as revenue over 15 years
- Net loss of £11.9m, in line with expectation
WOW. They got big plans too. Now check out the papers almost every week, to see continual political ridiculousness and demonising of a plant which is having 100s of £0,000,000’s invested in anticpation of multi -£Billion returns.
Check out the people still doing time in prison?Whats going on? Keep your ears close to the ground cos the sands are shifting… this feals surreal. what were all those busts about last summer, the drought which hasnt really finished? Hmmm, this climate upon the man on the street whilst the company mentioned here was filing European applications to take control of a potential goldmine. Has no-one paid attention? Do I see green lights or Have I forgot to turn my headtorch off ?
scientists have proved
ITS MEDICINE AFTER ALL
and after all…
its my body
My choice
alone, and apart from philosophy, it is an excellent nutrient mining crop whilst producing one of the most complete foods (its seed!) known to man.
If I was to choose a fitting word describing the ongoing situation around one of our most valuable plants it would have to be,
CONSPIRACY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
now off you go and do away with your capitalist oppressors safe in the knowledge that the judge will need to be a) from another era and b) extremely good at law and judging to even get your case! Whilst as soon as it comes to a hint of technical detail, any sober and sane judge..er, well they er..should see the watertight argument for growing and using. Ask Tony at Tony’s Hemp Corner in Kings Cross. He got away with a suspended sentence for bringing back more than 20 kilos through Lutun airport…the year? 1999. Hopes are currently high for anyone with the outright balls to blatantly set up shop and sell cafe style. Running cafes are hard work. Its easier being stoned
Filed under: life
For some cannot see what they have and it will be, soon, too late.
There is an orchard full of delectable plants situated on top of an ancient spring forming part of the ancient healing leechwell waters on the south side of town. In less than three-quarters of an acre there is more biodiversity than is to be found anywere else in Totnes town centre. Lush. For ever lush, right?
Well no not at all if the local district council has its way. With all the documented stupidity known to local councils it took some thinking about, yet the exhibition of some prize twattery from South hams district council necessitates thanks and a mention.
I think im gonna get you by the short and curlies. We were gonna cross swords at some point, so now will do. Im up for a fight it has got to be said and you will do quite nicely. Outside, now!
Well, actually, its Lots and lots of Plants. As of April that is, which is not the perfect scenario for someone with psuedo-commercial style propagation aims. Still, making good with what you got and get is a pre requisite from where Im sitting, and plants cost quite a lot of money as does food so I ‘ll let you into a little secret …
Having recently been spat out of a foreign environment only to double somersault and land so cleanly on my feet that I was almost kidnapped by the UK Gymnastics head coach meant that I found myself with the semi-ripe cutting of a rare but beautiful project idea; and now, finally have found the suitable growing media in order to sustain her.
Appearing in the luckier parts of South Devon later this year(2007) will be the first signs of a specimen hugely affected by climate change yet happily subsisting in many parts of Europe…none other than a mobile solar powered propagation facility complete with medicinal horticulture supplies, seeds and plants for the purpose of giving away to those most in need as well as for general sale to the public. The aim is to cut out the non-local competition, leaving them dead in the water.
As mentioned on the soil association website… “During 2003/04, direct sales through farmers’ markets, box schemes and farm shops grew faster than any other market outlet at 16%. Direct marketing enables producers to build relationships with consumers and to recieve a fair price for produce sold. At present in the UK we import around 55% of the organic produce sold. Much of this food could be grown or produced locally….”
(http://www.soilassociation.org/web/sa/psweb.nsf/B2/retailing.html)
Its high time… and now, thankfully, at long last, I will have a mobile grow room. I say long last, which is stretching it when I think about it, because I havent desired one for very long…September last year is all, this has all manifested quite quick, but then you got to be in it to win it, and Ive been in the thick of it at the thin end of the wedge, burning at both ends like a half-wick.
Getting on with the job in hand necessitates a grow room producing vast numbers of edible and useful plants.
Partly because of health issues, partly in light of food security issues and through concern for those who are socially excluded; abhorence and disgust cannot remotely explain my feelings I have with regard the utter lack of provision of services to those on low incomes as well as for people who are stranded in rural areas; having been abandoned by successive governments in the UK. All people are in need of affordable organic food and medicines, not just middle class middle england. While this is so, I expect the project to develop and grow.
The trials and tribulations of this and other adventures, including current negotiations with theDartington Hall Estate in Devon about building a medicinal Heritage botanic garde, will be revealed here. Im not too sure what the crack is with blogs but I remember enjoying filling in my French diary during a visit there when at School so I’ll give it a shot. The chances of me slacking with regular entries are pretty high because I havent sown one seed yet and its March! shhh!
When eventually I do get on the case its gonna be loads of fun experimenting with LED lights ( See www.ipsophyto.co.uk) If anyone thinks they have heard the phrase ipso phyto before they were probably wrong. Ipsophyto is an archaic secret latin phrase with a meaning i havent contrived yet. Which is the same for the next post.
From a bus stop near you…
