Decision Matrices & Spectrum Recipes
Choose the right program for your garden — Short-Cycle, Quality-Max, or Yield-Max — plus diagnostic matrices and advanced override profiles.
Table of Contents
Section 9
Decision Matrix: Plant Type, Goal, and Spectrum Moves
Use this section to pick the right recipe and steering style for the room.
Applies to both 4×4 and 5×5 areas with two Tri-Spec fixtures, perpendicular or parallel.
Quick Selector (Tie to Recipes)
Use this table first, then load the corresponding recipe from Section 11.
Plant type / goal → Recommended recipe
Squat or bushy, needs a touch of stretch → Matrix A → Start from Baseline or Short-Cycling
Tall or stretchy, needs control → Matrix B → Start from Baseline or Quality Maxing
Yield priority, stable environment → Matrix C → Start from Scale-Breaking Yields
Quality priority (resin, color, aroma) → Matrix D → Start from Quality Maxing
If the room has already run a full, stress-free cycle on one recipe and you want to push harder, you may layer in Aggressive Profile overrides after all gates pass.
Matrix A — Squat / Bushy Cultivar (Needs a Touch of Stretch)
Load:
Start with Baseline or Short-Cycling Recipe (Section 11).
How to steer within the recipe
Bias toward normal FR pulses (EOD) and delay mid-day FR until you confirm no stretch spike.
Let Full+Red ramp as written in the recipe; do not add extra light-on FR just to get height.
Keep fixtures 12–14 in below canopy with ≥ 6 in leaf clearance for even lower-site development.
What to watch
Internode length vs your usual.
RH during FR windows; VPD must stay within the phase band.
Lower-site build vs airy lower buds.
Stop moves
If internodes start jumping, remove mid-day FR first, then shorten EOD FR.
If lowers get airy, do placement and Full+Red checks before adding more FR or UV.
Matrix B — Tall / Stretchy Cultivar (Needs Control)
Load:
Start with Baseline or Quality-Maxing Recipe (Section 11).
How to steer within the recipe
Prefer EOD-only FR pulses and either skip or postpone lights-on FR.
Delay or avoid mid-day FR on naturally stretchy lines; let Full+Red and training do most of the work.
Start fixtures toward the upper height window (14–16 in) to soften hot spots.
What to watch
Stretch in Weeks 1–2 (compare to your non–under-canopy runs).
VPD at lights-on; avoid “soft” starts with high RH and FR.
Any tendency toward airy or elongated structure.
Stop moves
If stretch increases, remove lights-on FR, keep only short EOD pulses.
Don’t increase Full+Red and FR on the same day; fix VPD and irrigation first.
Skip UV entirely if climate margins are tight or structure isn’t locked.
Matrix C — Yield Priority With Stable Environment
Load:
Start with Scale-Breaking Yields Recipe (Section 11).
How to steer within the recipe
Follow the recipe’s ramp to 100 % Full+Red and keep it there once validated.
Run both lights-on and EOD FR pulses, then introduce a single mid-day FR window only after the room proves stable.
Expect to increase irrigation frequency early; adjust EC modestly based on runoff trend.
What to watch
Dehu and VPD during and after FR windows.
Runoff EC and color (falling EC + pale color = underfeeding; rising EC + dry = under-watering).
Corner performance vs center seam.
Stop moves
Any climate drift (RH creep, VPD collapse) → step Full+Red back and/or remove mid-day FR before touching top-light.
Airy lowers → remove mid-day FR first; only then revisit Full+Red or placement.
UV is optional; if used, keep windows short and late-phase only.
Matrix D — Quality Priority (Resin, Color, Aroma)
Load:
Start with Quality-Maxing Recipe (Section 11).
How to steer within the recipe
Use short EOD FR pulses for finish support; keep mid-day FR conservative and only after a stable week.
Let Full+Red ramp to high output as long as color and VPD hold.
Treat UV as a scalpel: short, mid-day, and late only.
What to watch
Aroma and edge condition when FR/UV are introduced.
RH during FR windows; UV windows should not coincide with marginal climate.
Color and resin development vs your baseline rooms.
Stop moves
Any airy structure → remove mid-day FR and hold.
Any aroma flattening or edge stress after UV → disable UV for 3–5 days, then restart at a shorter window.
Do not raise Full+Red on the same day you add or extend FR/UV.
Fast If–Then Rules (Applies to All Matrices)
Keep this block as a quick correction card. It references the same FR/UV shapes used in the recipes.
If stretch increases in Week 1–2
→ Remove lights-on FR, keep only short EOD FR, and hold Full+Red steady for 48 hours.If lowers lag after proper placement
→ Increase Full+Red +10 % within the recipe’s range and reassess in 48 hours.
→ If still lagging and structure is set, add one mid-day FR window as defined in the recipe.If RH spikes during any window
→ Increase airflow and dehu.
→ If unresolved, remove mid-day FR first. As a last step, reduce Full+Red ~10 %.If tips nip or edges dry after any change
→ Revert to the prior scene, correct irrigation frequency before touching EC.
→ Reintroduce changes in smaller steps.If finish is behind
→ Extend EOD FR within the recipe’s late-phase range and keep UV off until flowers are clearly robust.If chasing aroma late
→ Add short mid-day UV exactly as defined in the late-phase recipe. Only extend if there is zero stress.
Hand-Off Summary for Operators
Use the Quick Selector to choose a matrix and its linked recipe.
Run the recipe in Section 11 for all numbers (percentages, minutes, timing).
Use this section only to bias FR and UV based on plant type and goal.
Change one lever at a time and log: scene, percentages, window lengths, and observations.
Follow the stop moves exactly; roll back one step whenever a stop condition is hit.
Introduce UV only after stability under the current Full+Red and Far-Red program.
Section 10:
Diagnostic Matrix and Corrections
Translate what you see into precise, low-risk fixes. Always change one thing at a time, log it, and verify climate and irrigation before adjusting light again.
Triage order (use this every time)
- Safety: If UV is active, disable it. Confirm no entry during UV windows.
- Environment: Check lower-canopy temp, RH, VPD, and CO₂. Fix airflow and dehu before spectrum changes.
- Irrigation: Verify moisture uniformity and runoff EC/pH. Prefer frequency changes before EC changes.
- Placement: Confirm fixtures are 8–20 inches below canopy with 6 inches leaf clearance and even overlap.
- Spectrum: Roll back the last scene change first. Hold 24–48 hours and reassess.
Symptom → Likely cause → Exact corrections
A) Structure and growth
| Symptom | Likely cause(s) | Corrections (in order) |
| Stretch spike in wk 1–2 | Far-Red at lights-on is too strong; mid-day FR added too early; VPD too low at lights-on | 1) Remove lights-on FR pulse. Keep only end-of-day 3–5 min at 15–20 percent. 2) If still stretching, shorten EOD FR to 2–3 min. 3) Raise VPD at lights-on by tightening RH or adding airflow. Hold Full+Red steady for 48 hours. |
| Airy lowers, loose structure | Mid-day FR window too long/strong; Full+Red too low; fixtures too high or spacing off | 1) Remove mid-day FR window. 2) Increase Full+Red +10 percent or lower fixtures 1–2 inches while keeping 6 inches clearance. 3) Re-center fixtures to remove dark lanes. |
| Sluggish growth despite good climate | Full+Red too low; irrigation frequency too low; CO₂ under target | 1) Increase Full+Red +10 percent. 2) Add a small irrigation event or shift timing earlier. 3) Verify CO₂ delivery at lower canopy height. |
| Lower canopy not responding | Placement uneven; center seam hot, corners dim | 1) Shift fixtures outward 1–2 inches to balance overlap. 2) If center is bright, raise both fixtures 1–2 inches. 3) Only then consider +10 percent Full+Red. |
B) Leaf posture and edges
| Symptom | Likely cause(s) | Corrections |
| Canoeing or edge curl shortly after power changes | Intensity increase outpaced airflow or VPD; hot microclimates at lowers | 1) Increase gentle airflow at lower canopy. 2) Reduce Full+Red −10 to −20 percent for 24 hours. 3) Re-introduce at smaller steps once VPD is stable. |
| Tip burn after spectrum change | Irrigation frequency lagging relative to light; input EC too high for new transpiration pattern | 1) Increase irrigation frequency with smaller shots. 2) If runoff EC is rising, drop input EC modestly. 3) Hold spectrum steady for 48 hours. |
| Edge singe, papery feel | UV duration too long or percent too high; UV scheduled outside midday | 1) Cut UV time in half or disable for 3–5 days. 2) Ensure UV is midday only. 3) Do not raise FR or Full+Red on the same day. |
C) Color, aroma, and resin
| Symptom | Likely cause(s) | Corrections |
| Pale color with normal runoff EC | Light increased without frequency support; CO₂ delivery weak under canopy | 1) Add irrigation frequency. 2) Verify CO₂ at lower canopy. 3) If pale persists, reduce Full+Red −10 percent for 24 hours, then step back up slowly. |
| Aroma muted after adding UV | UV dose too aggressive; plant not mature enough | 1) Disable UV for 3–5 days. 2) Re-start at 5 min mid-day at 10 percent only when flowers are robust. |
| Resin not improving late | UV off or too conservative; FR timing not supporting finish | 1) If plants are stable, add UV 5 min mid-day at 10 percent for 3 days, then 10 min if no stress. 2) Extend EOD FR from 5 to 8 min at 15–25 percent if finish timing lags. |
D) Timing and finish
| Symptom | Likely cause(s) | Corrections |
| Finishing slow | Insufficient EOD FR; mid-day FR removed too early | 1) Extend EOD FR to 5–8 min at 15–25 percent. 2) Keep Full+Red steady. 3) Add UV only if flowers are stable. |
| Ripening uneven across footprint | Uneven coverage or airflow; one fixture hotter than the other | 1) Balance fixture distances and outputs. 2) Add a small cross-flow fan at lowers. 3) If center leads, raise fixtures 1–2 inches. |
E) Climate reactions during windows
| Symptom | Likely cause(s) | Corrections |
| RH spikes during FR window | Dehu margin tight; airflow weak below canopy | 1) Increase airflow and dehu duty. 2) Shorten mid-day FR to 5 min or remove it. 3) If needed, reduce Full+Red −10 percent until RH stabilizes. |
| Lower canopy temp rises more than expected | Air doesn’t move across fixtures; fixtures too close to leaves | 1) Redirect fans for gentle laminar flow. 2) Raise fixtures 1–2 inches while keeping within the 8–20 inch window. |
| VPD dips at lights-on | FR pulse plus low dehu response at start | 1) Remove lights-on FR pulse. 2) Start dehu earlier and increase fan lead-in before T0. |
F) Irrigation and EC signals
| Symptom | Likely cause(s) | Corrections |
| Runoff EC rising while plants look “dry” | Frequency too low for new photon load | 1) Add a small irrigation event or pull one forward. 2) Hold spectrum steady 48 hours. |
| Runoff EC falling and color fading | Demand increased after light change; feed strength too low | 1) Increase frequency first. 2) If runoff EC still falls, raise input EC modestly within your normal range. |
| Uneven drybacks pot-to-pot | Distribution issue, not spectrum | 1) Check emitters and line pressure. 2) Fix hardware, then revisit light. |
Fast rollback procedures
- Acute stress after any change
Revert to the previous scene immediately. Reduce Full+Red −10 to −20 percent for 24 hours while you correct climate or irrigation. - Stretch in wk 1–2
Remove lights-on FR. Keep only EOD 3–5 min at 15–20 percent. - Airy structure mid flower
Remove mid-day FR window first. Then add +10 percent Full+Red or lower fixtures 1–2 inches. - Any UV-related stress
Disable UV for 3–5 days. Re-start at 5 min mid-day at 10 percent only if plants are robust.
Placement and overlap quick checks
- If the center seam looks too bright and corners lag, raise both fixtures 1–2 inches or shift them outward 1–2 inches.
- If dark lanes persist between fixtures, shift closer together 1 inch or lower 1 inch within the safe window.
- Maintain at least 6 inches clearance from the nearest leaf after each tuck or defol.
Operator flowchart (one-pager)
- See a symptom.
- Pause UV. Check lower-canopy temp, RH, VPD, CO₂.
- Check irrigation frequency and runoff EC/pH.
- Verify placement and overlap.
- Roll back the last spectrum change.
- If unresolved, apply the tabled correction for the symptom.
- Log change, wait 24–48 hours, reassess.
Minimal logging template
- Date and time
- Footprint (4×4 or 5×5) and scene name
- Channel settings and window durations
- Lower and upper canopy temp, RH, VPD, CO₂
- Runoff EC and pH on one representative pot
- Observations (posture, internodes, edges, aroma)
- Action taken and reason
Keep this section printed near Tri-Chan. It prevents over-correction and protects finish quality.
Section 11:
Recipes (Phase-by-Phase)
Pick one primary recipe per room and run it consistently. Start with Baseline in new rooms or with new teams. Once the room is stable and logged, you can move to a more aggressive recipe that fits your goal. Use the gating checks inside each recipe. If any gate fails, hold or roll back before advancing:
Baseline – safest starting point for most rooms; ramps Full+Red up to 100% as the canopy and climate prove stable.
Short Cycling – finish a bit sooner by pairing stronger Far-Red with a ramp to 100% Full+Red by Week 3.
Quality Maxing – push resin, color, and aroma while ramping Full+Red to 100% by Week 3.
Scale-Breaking Yields – 100% Full+Red all cycle in rooms with strong HVAC, dehu, and fertigation.
Aggressive Profile – 100% Full+Red all cycle plus extended FR/UV windows, only after 7+ calm days on a baseline recipe.
Assumptions:
• 12/12 flower cycle
• Two Tri-Spec per 4×4 or 5×5 (perpendicular or parallel)
• For 18/6 or other cycles, scale all FR/UV window lengths proportionally to the photoperiod.
1) Baseline Recipe: Safe Default for Most Rooms
Use this as your first run in a new room or when first bringing under-canopy online.
Baseline Recipe (Phases vs Spectrum)
| Spectrum | Weeks 1–2 (Commissioning) | Weeks 3–6 (Build) | Weeks 7+ (Finish) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full+Red | 50–70% all photoperiod, ramping up as climate allows | 70–90% all photoperiod, continue ramping; if VPD/RH/CO₂ are rock solid, you may reach 100% | 80–100% all photoperiod, hold in this range; do not spike above a stable level late |
| Far-Red | 5 min @ 20% at T0 and 5 min @ 20% at T12 | Keep pulses; once stable ≥1 week, add one mid-day 10 min @ 15% (Emerson window) | Pulses as above; EOD may extend to 5–8 min @ 15–25% if finish lags |
| UV | Off | Off | 5 min @ 10% mid-day, then 10 min @ 10% after 3 days with zero stress |
2) Short-Cycling Recipe: Shorten Flowering by ~1-7 days
Use when the goal is to shave days off finish while keeping structure controlled.
Full+Red note: Scale from 50 → 100% intensity over Weeks 1–3, then hold high and steady.
Short-Cycling (Weeks of Flower vs Spectrum)
| Spectrum | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Weeks 4–6 | Weeks 7+ (Finish) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full+Red | 50–70% all day | 70–85% all day | 85–100% all day (as climate allows) | 90–100% all day, hold steady | 80–100% all day, protect finish (no last-minute spikes) |
| Far-Red | EOD 5 min @ 20% (T12 only) | EOD 5 min @ 20% | EOD 5 min @ 20% | EOD 6–8 min @ 15–25% if finish lags | Keep EOD 6–8 min @ 15–25% until desired finish window |
| UV | Off | Off | Off | Off | 5 min @ 10% mid-day → 10 min after 3 days with no stress |
3) Quality Maxing Recipe: Resin, Color, and Aroma Focus
Use when you want maximum quality signals and are willing to trade a bit of speed or raw yield.
Full+Red note: Scale from 50 → 100% intensity over Weeks 1–3, then hold high with stable climate.
Quality Maxing (Weeks of Flower vs Spectrum)
| Spectrum | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Weeks 4–6 | Weeks 7+ (Finish) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full+Red | 50–65% all day | 65–85% all day | 85–100% all day (if VPD holds) | 90–100% all day, hold steady | 80–100% all day, don’t spike late chasing yield |
| Far-Red | EOD 3–5 min @ 15–20% | Same | Same | Optional 10 min mid-day @ 10–12% after 1 stable week | EOD 5–8 min @ 15–20% only if finish needs a small nudge |
| UV | Off | Off | Off | Off | 5–10 min @ 10% mid-day; start 5 min, extend to 10 min if zero stress |
4) Scale-Breaking Yields Recipe: Max Photon Load (Strong Rooms Only)
Use only in rooms with surplus HVAC, dehu, and fertigation and proven stability.
Full+Red note: 100% intensity throughout the light cycle once the room is commissioned and stable.
Scale-Breaking Yields (Weeks of Flower vs Spectrum)
| Spectrum | Weeks 1–2 | Weeks 3–4 | Weeks 5–6 | Weeks 7+ (Finish) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full+Red | 100% all photoperiod once climate is proven stable | 100% all photoperiod (verify climate daily) | 100% all photoperiod | 100% all photoperiod, hold steady – no extra late spikes |
| Far-Red | 5 min @ 20% at T0 & 5 min @ 20% at T12 | Same pulses + one mid-day 10 min @ 15% after 1 stable week | Same: pulses + 10 min mid-day @ 15% | EOD 5–8 min @ 15–25% if finish lags; keep mid-day FR only if structure dense |
| UV | Off | Off | Off | Optional 5–10 min @ 10% mid-day only if flowers robust & climate margins wide |
5) Aggressive Profile Recipe: Advanced Overrides (Use After 7 Stable Days)
Use this on top of any recipe only after a room has been stable for ≥7 days: VPD on target, no RH spikes >5 pts during windows, no edge singe, and clean logs.
Full+Red note: 100% intensity throughout the light cycle. All aggression comes from FR/UV windows and slight spatial tweaks, not more top-end intensity.
Aggressive Profile (Weeks of Flower vs Spectrum)
| Spectrum | Weeks 1–2 (Early)* | Weeks 3–4 (Build) | Weeks 5–6 (Push) | Weeks 7+ (Late / Finish) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full+Red | 100% all photoperiod once room is commissioned | 100% all photoperiod | 100% all photoperiod | 100% all photoperiod (optionally lower fixtures ~1 in if more intensity is desired) |
| Far-Red | Pulses: 5–10 min @ 20% at T0 & T12 | Pulses: 10–15 min @ 20% at T0 & T12 | Pulses as above + mid-day 15–20 min @ 15–20% (Emerson, overlap with Full+Red) | Pulses as above + EOD 20–30 min @ 20–25%; mid-day 15–20 min @ 15–20% only if structure stays tight |
| UV | Off | Off | 10–15 min mid-day @ 10% (step 5 → 10 → 15 min as tolerated) | 15–20 min mid-day @ 10% max, only if flowers are robust and zero edge/tip stress |
*In practice, Aggressive Profile usually starts Week 3+ after you’ve validated a baseline recipe; Weeks 1–2 values show the upper limits, not a recommendation to be aggressive that early.
Aggressive Rollback: Any edge singe, aroma flattening, stretch spike, or RH rise >5 pts that doesn’t recover within 10 minutes → revert to your prior baseline recipe, disable UV for 3–5 days, and step FR windows back one level.
Gate checklist cards (print these)
Gate A — After first FR exposure
- No stretch spike in Week 1–2
- RH and VPD stable during FR pulse
- Runoff EC not rising due to under-watering
Gate B — After adding mid-day FR
- Internodes stable
- No airy lowers
- Dehu margin comfortable during window
Gate C — After introducing UV
- No edge singe or stall after 3 days
- Aroma stable or improving
- No entry conflicts during UV window
Footprint alignment notes for all recipes
- Keep both fixtures at the same Full+Red level.
- If the center seam is hot, raise both fixtures 1–2 inches or shift outward 1–2 inches.
- If corners lag, shift fixtures outward before adding power.
- Maintain at least 6 inches from the nearest leaf after every tuck or defol.
Operator hand-off summary
- Select the recipe that matches the room goal.
- Advance only when the gate passes.
- Change one variable at a time and log it.
- Remove mid-day FR first when structure or RH drift appears.
- UV is late only, short, and never during entry.
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