bongcloud said:
I've seen such damage contributed to sunburn multiple times. I've also read that the water on leaves causing sunburn is a myth, but didn't research it too much. Would you say this holds for LED as well? Likely, but I've seen some senior members of this forum claim it's true. I'd like to hear your educated opinion on it. I appreciate your contribution to this site, your answers always seem researched and well-founded.
Yes, it's common for many experienced growers to perpetuate misinformation. Misinformation is everywhere. It's why we have resources like that to help show us otherwise.
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I used to own an engineering design firm. We had a client once who wanted to design a series of weights inside of an automobile wheel, that would "throw" outwards, when the car began rolling. His idea was that it would generate "momentum" for the vehicle, thus adding efficiency in various different manners. When we consulted him, and explained that his physics were 100% wrong, and indeed, the opposite of what would actually happen, his reply was, "but I just know that it's going to work." I convinced him to hire an hour with a $110/hr professional engineer, to explain it in even more detail, he agreed, on the premise that that fee would be money well spent, if it prevented him from making a foolish, larger investment, in something that didn't work. After the appointment, which I silently attended, and which was very well represented by the engineer, he thanked us, and said, "I hear everything that you're saying, and I know that you guys know what you're talking about - but my idea will work - I just KNOW it will". Mind you, he had no experience or education in physics, but he had an almost Christ-like belief in his idea. We made one last attempt to convince him. We told him to go tie some weights to the end of a lawnmower blade, and see what happens when it gets up to speed. Again, he proclaimed his belief in his idea, and we told him that we could not, in good conscience, take his money, for such a ridiculous pursuit.
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The point being - when somebody really believes in their own ideas and perceived experiences, you will not remove that idea from circulation, no matter how stupid, false, or bizarre, it may be.
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On another note - if there were even a modicum of truth to this idea, I'd never have peppers. I live in an area that rains almost every day from June to November, and then the sun comes out at full force. Logically, if this were true, my plants would always be full of holes.
bongcloud said:
I've also assumed it could be a bacterial/viral infection, as it occurred during the plant's weakened state (in my case).
That is exactly my assumption. It could have been small damage started by a pest, or mechanical damage from heavy wind, etc. But 9 times out of 10, when I see that, if the plant is otherwise healthy, it just works through it.