I just don't have a way to put them in total darkness if they are to tall. Just have the one tent. But I have a enclosed porch that is not heated. Could easily get one cold before chop. Just wouldn't want the soil getting very cold. Hmmm. Don't know but I think I'll try om the next one. Could use my hydrometer to compare the moisture harvested this way compared to just chopped, no darkness no temp drop.
the totall darkness is also just alittle "push" it doesn't even have to be total dark especially w/an auto even in a photo period strain the couple of days mentioned would barely be enough time to stress hermmie but coulld easily be monitored
anywhere you put the plant and give it more time to mature is the real benefit
the "snap" from light change is very negligable that late in the cycle to really play havok
sometimes some strains respond well to a big dark cycle to really snap into full bloom this has been known to take a week sometimes even two of "lingering" preflower depending on the variety but this can also cause stress release of hermmies depending on the proneness of the variety to do so
the cold situation would be fine if only at the very end
cold conditions will reduce nutrient uptake (ie.forced purpleing as one example that some desire,but this reduces P uptake)
freezing temps will damage the roots themself so depending on the hardness of the freeze will depend on the damage but if only last day or 36hours possibly would give time to reduce moisture content like you mentioned but you are getting into a grey area of exacts of the enviornment and the specific dtrain to determine how well it will react to the change in conditions
No matter the situation the longer it is on the plant usually the better until the point where more is degrading than being produced then final abmering of higher ratio
then where the bud is actually degrading instead of maturing hope this helps alittle
if i have left anything fuzzy or unclear please ask
