Environmental Control
Environmental control
is essential for healthy plant growth. When we discuss environmental control in hydroponics, we are talking
about maintaining a good growing environment. Thus, environmental control involves controlling the
temperature, humidity and C0² (Carbon Dioxide) in your indoor grow room. One of many the advantages of
hydroponics over soil is that you have a tighter control over the growing environment. Here, we explain what
you, the hydroponic gardener, need to know about environmental control in order to make your indoor growing
projects a success.
Temperature
Day
Whether growing with soil or hydroponics, your plants process energy 24 hours a day. The speed at which your plants process energy is directly related to temperature in your hydroponic garden/grow room. Good environmental control means maintaining a grow room temperature of 22 °C - 28 °C. If the temperature in your grow room is too high, flowers/fruits will be of poor quality; whereas if the temperature is too low, your plants' growth will be stunted.
Night
Environmental control does not only involve maintaining the temperature in the day, but also at night. For fast vegetative growth, you need to keep day and night temperatures as close as possible. If you want to promote flower/fruiting, you should try to keep night temperature above 20 °C.
Roots
Environmental control also involves maintaining the temperature around the root zone. For a healthy root environment, temperature around the root zone should be between 20 °C - 24 °C. If it's too hot, the risk of root disease is increased. However, a temperature that is too low will shock your plants - resulting in poor growth.
Tip - To help make environmental control in your grow room simpler, Aquaculture-hydroponics stocks products the like Primair, a thermostatic twin fan speed controller. Designed for the rigorous grow room environment, the Primair will help you to keep temperature within the optimum range.
Tip - To help you monitor the environment in your grow room, use a thermometer, such as the ETI Digital Hygrometer, which measures the temperature in your grow room. Only when you are aware of what's happening in your grow room, will you be able to control the growing environment. A solution thermometer can be used to test your hydroponic nutrient.
Tip - Cool Shades reduce the amount of temperature your grow lights emit. They're particularly ideal if you are using several grow lights. Thus, making environmental control easier. If the temperature does become too high, consider investing in an air conditioner, such as the WA 12000 Split Air Conditioner.
Tip - A grow room heater, such as Tropic 1000 heater will help you to maintain a warm environment in you grow room warm during cold months.
Humidity
As highlighted above, environmental control also involves humidity. This is the amount of water vapour in the air compared to how much moisture that the air could hold at that temperature. Although essential, humidity is often overlooked by many indoor growers when they are considering environmental control.
Humidity is an important factor of environmental control because it affects the amount the amount of water your plants can move through their stems - vital for transporting essential nutrients. Ideally, aim for 40-75% humidity in your grow room. If the humidity is too low or to high, your plants' overall development will be adversely affected. However, when growing under hydroponic indoor grow lights, low humidity is more common than high humidity.
Tip - As well as temperature, the ETI Digital Hygrometer will help you to monitor humidity in your hydroponic indoor garden
Tip - When using hydroponics to grow, many indoor gardeners find it useful to use a humidifier useful for adding humidity.
C0² (Carbon Dioxide)
C0² is an important part of environmental control, and thus hydroponics, because it is vital for photosynthesis - the process by which your plants make their own food. There is approximately 300 parts per million (ppm) of C0² in the air. By raising this to 1000-2000 ppm in your grow room during the day, it's possible to speed up the photosynthesis rate. This will help to enhance your plants' development and yield.
Tip - the Harvest Master C0² Eazi Controller is an innovative C0² sensor and controller used in the hydroponics industry. This is because it makes it easier for you, the indoor gardener, to maintain the correct level of C0² in your grow room.