I'm curious of what can be done with LED lighting spectrum control, CO2 enrichment, nutrient and temperature variations. Some of these new grow chambers on the market afford the ability to precisely control the environment through the growth cycle. Are we going to see better weed? With all this technology in addition to the latest genetics why do we all think the weed of today is not as good as the "Redbud I got back in '74" or whatever that fav was that we all have? Is it the memory or the new weed that's getting weaker?
Well, as for the Redbud back in '74, people's recollection is iften distorted over time. (As in, the older I get the better I used to be....ha ha ha). However, to be fair, there might have been (and indeed there were) some really special strains, which may have been lost.
Good Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Thai, Mexican, Jamaican, Hawaiian, Afghan, Indian, African, Pakistani, and other grasses were around then, as well as some not so good ones. There was a great deal of variation. I was lucky to have a dealer across the street, another one, two doors down, another 5 doors down, and another at the end of the block, so I usually had access to some great grass/hash.
BUT, modern breeders have also created some really good grasses, so who knows? I do think that, due to the expertise and professionalism of modern breeders, there tends to be much more uniformity within the strains, and that is a good thing.
In 1979, I remember reading an article, in the Vancouver Sun Weekend Suppliment, with cops stating that "The weed of today is 10 times stronger than it was in the hippie generation". Interesting how this EXACT SAME BULLSHIT is repeated by prohibitionists, today!! EXcept they, now, say that the weed of today is 10 times stronger than the weed of the 70's and 80's. If true, then that would mean todays weed is 100 times as strong as in the hippie days.....Complete bullshit!
I have no experience with LED's, but if they work for you, then stick with them. CO2 supplimentation can aid in growth, however, if you do this you MUST have good ventilation, and have your setup be such that NONE of your living space will be, in any way, contaminated with the CO2. CO2 is a poison, and it can kill you, silently. My recommendation is DO NOT use CO2 if you grow inside your home! Also, when entering a grow area, supplimented with CO2, first ensure that you have stopped the CO2 flow, well before you enter, AND that you have completely ventilated the CO2 out of the room before entering it. Anoxia can happen very quickly, and NO crop is worth dying for.
Good luck