spaceman’s DIY Electrostatic Field Generator, EFG, for genetically modifying cannabis seed using the Ebner effect.
Hi Everybody,
I came across an unusual video from the Ice Age Farmer on youtube describing an almost lost method of genetically altering seeds (and eggs) to strip them of hybridization and GMO processes, known as the Ebner Effect.
The proponents of this method (germinating plant seeds and embryogenesis of bird and fish eggs) claim to have produced ferns and salmon having “prehistoric” characteristics. 12 ear stalks of corn too.
I am searching for the trip weed of my youth and also hoping to take the skunk out of the grower’s equation.
Youtube poster Mark Burch has given me the inspiration for my DIY static field generator.
(Please remember, Safety First with all tools and electrical applications!)
The Electronic Flyswatter(hereafter EFS) used in this guide probably won’t kill you if mishandled but it CAN deliver a nasty shock. I can’t take responsibility for any mishaps one may encounter so proceed carefully should you try this.) This model requires “D” cell batteries, though some models use “AA”.
Tools and supplies and U.S. sourcing:
TOOLS
Hot glue gun
Needlenose pliers
Micro Philips head screwdiver
Wire snips
Optional:
Soldering rig
SUPPLIES
Electronic flyswatter = Harbor Freight
8x10 acrylic sheets (4) = Menards, Home Depot, etc.
Trisonic (or any 110volt to 3volt adapter) = eBay
11” cable ties
Optional:
60mm x 10mm Petri dishes
Let’s start by disassembling a non-powered EFS. 5 tightly inserted screws need removal.
At this point I have decided to power my Electrostatic Field Generator(hereafter EFG) with a Trisonic power adaptor, available on eBay, rather than use “D”cell batteries. This little guy has the desired voltage(3v) and a polarity reverse switch that makes wiring a no brainer. This step is purely personal preference, if using batteries one can skip the next few pages.
Since I want to use this EFG horizontally for seeds as well as vertically for cloning, I will condense the size and fix it together as one unit. I need to do a lil’ cuttin’. It helps to remove the battery terminals from their brackets and mark the cut areas on the exterior of the housing. Reassemble the two halves and cut with a hacksaw.
I will solder directly to the battery terminals and will reuse their mountings. Sorry no pics of this, crappy camera blurred everything,
Cut off plug adapters and solder a wire to each battery terminal. This is where the reverse polarity switch comes in handy, Chinese have a weird way of colorcoding electronics, if the unit doesn’t power up, just flip the polarity switch.
After soldering, reinsert terminals to mounting brackets, hot glue the parts back together then screw together the two halves , sorry no pics.
If using batteries one can resume the DIY here.
Pry apart both sides of the swatter portion to free the screens. Cut off one of the large mesh screens and cover the exposed wire cut with electrical tape. These screens have sharp, pointy edges, take care.
Sandwich each screen between 2 pcs of 8x10 acrylic sheets, hot glue each screen at several points, then hot glue together.
Attach spacers at corners of one completed “plate”. In this case, medicine bottle caps have the desired thickness (5/8” or 15mm) and provide protection from sharp corners. Repeat at each corner then hot glue both plates together at the spacers. Hot glue housing to one edge of plates.
Cable tie around housing to keep power button on.
I could have avoided this step and wired directly to the adapter as I thought the power switch was on/off. The power switch has to stay depressed for power to flow.
Using the EFG
Choosing seeds.
Since this is a side by side grow I chose some old seeds from a single plant. The ink faded or rubbed off the container so I’m not sure of it’s heritage, only that they came from a single plant. Again, I am looking for differences between the treated seed and the control group that aren’t treated, not specifics of the variety.
Numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 are selected for the EFG. These will each be sprouted in separately marked petri dishes. The remaining 8 seeds are the control group and will be marked with letters in order of germination, A, B, C and so on.
Admittedly this is a small sample, I am restrained by my two small tents. Still I’m hoping for at least one female from the treated group, extras from the control group will go to my grow buddy.
I’ll use 60mmx10mm petri dishes for sprouting with an extra petri dish cover underneath to place the seed in the middle of the electrostatic field.
Control group on left, individual test seeds on the right.
Below. Fantastic Four in the EFG!
All seeds were started on Jan. 4th two days before the New Moon in the biodynamic tradition. Early sprouting seeds tend to have greater germination rates during the New Moon. Two days before allows time for water to penetrate the seed coat and the aligned tidal forces of the Sun and New Moon help crack the coat.
Treated seed #1 and #3 sprouted Jan 6th
Seeds A, B, and C sprouted the day after. More to come…