Maintaining an optimum growing environment is vital if you want fast healthy plant growth and maximum yield. The growing environment is largely concerned with three key factors: grow room temperature, relative humidity (RH) and nutrient temperature. An optimum growing environment can vary from plant to plant. However, there are set ‘parameters’ you should aim to achieve for each environmental factor. The information below details the negative effect a poor growing environment can have on your plants. It also provides advice on how you can achieve the optimum grow room parameters required for excellent plant results.
Grow Room Temperature
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40°C |
The rate of cell death increases, which leads to the quick deterioration and death of your plants. |
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38°C |
Cells begin to die and the health of your plants decline. |
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30°C |
Stomata start to shut and plants begin to wilt. |
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22-28°C |
The most ideal room temperature for your plants. You will achieve excellent growth and maximum yield. |
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Below 18°C |
This cold temperature will turn both the stems and leaves purple and slow plant growth |
Preventing or reducing high grow room temperature - Use a fan speed controller to create a steady flow of fresh air in your room. Your grow lights will also give out a lot of heat; we recommend the CoolShade and AeroWing reflectors to effectively reduce the heat your grow lights emit.
Preventing or increasing low grow room temperature - Use a grow room heater to increase the temperature. You can also have your heater automatically regulated by a thermostat, which will make sure desired levels of temperature are constantly maintained.
Hint: Our bestselling ETI Digital ThermoHygrometer provides an accurate reading of both your grow room temperature and RH, which gives you a greater understanding of what is happening in your grow room. This will allow you to take corrective action if there are any problems.
Relative Humidity (RH)
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80% RH |
There is a higher risk of mould and stem/root infections occurring. The effectiveness off carbon filters are also rapidly reduced. |
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60-70% RH |
Ideal for plants during the vegatitive stage. You can expect lots of leafy green growth. |
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40-60% RH |
Ideal for plants during the flowering stage. You can expect large, healthy flowers. The slightly lower RH also reduces the risk of mould/fungus. |
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Below 40% RH |
Plants begin to wilt and the leaves begin to curl upwards from the edges. There is also a danger of 'over-fertilisation' |
Preventing or reducing high relative humidity (RH) - Increasing your extraction may help because this will remove heat and moisture, whilst drawing in cooler and drier air. We are also currently trying to source dehumidifiers, which will effectively decrease the level of humidity in your room.
Preventing and raising low relative humidity (RH) - Our Centrifugal Humidification System & Kits are designed to increase the amount of RH in your room and are very straightforward to set up. Included in the kits are the Faran Humidistats, which work to accurately control your humidifier and make sure the optimal levels of RH are always maintained.
Hint: Try to maintain a consistent grow room temperature and RH during both night and day. A drop in temperature may be unavoidable during your night cycle, but try to minimise this to 5°C. An extreme drop in temperature will slow down plant growth and reduce your yield.
Nutrient Temperature
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Above 25°C |
A high temperature will starve your plants of oxyge; resulting in root death and greater risk of pathogens. |
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21°C |
Perfect temperature for your nutrient solution. It will give the roots plenty of access to oxygen. This allows your plants to absorb all of the nutrients they need for best growth. |
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Below 15°C |
A cold temperature will limit the ability of your plant's roots to absorb water and minerals, leading to poor plant |
Preventing or reducing high nutrient temperature - Excessive nutrient temperatures can easily be dealt with using a nutrient chiller, which will prevent your nutrient solution from heating up regardless of how hot your room gets.
Preventing or raising low nutrient temperature - NeWatt Nutrient Heaters will warm your solution up to the optimum level required for excellent plant results.
We hope the above information gives you a good idea on how you should manage your growing environment this winter. If you would like further information on the issue of environmental control, please don’t hesitate to call us on 0845 644 5544 to speak to a member of our experienced team.
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