Keeping it Nice & Warm
These nice little additions will help!
Plants, Cold and Shock
Plants can feel the gradual change in temperatures. If the temperature is not correctly managed then the growth will begin to slow down as winter approaches and this will become significant if it starts to go below 18 degrees.
If it goes below 15 degrees it will feel this as an attack on its roots and they can go into shock. Growth will completely shut down and all the energy will go into protecting and repairing the roots. Effectively it will become dormant until the temperature reaches an acceptable level again.
There are some methods that you can use to help avoid this...
Lighting
If you are using traditional lighting such as HPS lamps then about 80% of the consumed energy is emitted as heat. Temperatures tend to be a lot lower at night so running these to be on at night can help to overcome this. If your plants are in the state of veg then run them for between 18 and 24 hours
Conversely, if you are using LED lighting they emit very little heat so other heating methods can be considered
Heaters
Tube heaters are a good option. As well as heating the beauty of these is they take up very little space compared to other types. They can also be fitted into most spaces in terms of size and shape.
They help to provide a stable environment to protect plants against sudden temperature and humidity fluctuations.
Fan heaters can be used, but if they are too close to the plants then the dry, hot air can damage plants as it reduces the humidity and stunts their growth. Definitely useful to warm the surrounding areas though.
Thermostats
A thermostat will anaylse the temperature and control the devices accordingly.
Whlist in the summer they are great for the fan and cooling control, they can ensure that the heaters are activated when the temperature drops.
A thermostat is particularly useful for tube heaters that don't have a thermostat included.
Nutrients
Keep the temperature of the reservoir between 18 and 21 degrees. This is where your nutrients are mixed and stored ready for consumption by your plants. If it is too cold then your plants will not absorb as much as they require for efficient growth. When it is too warm then the oxygen levels will reduce.
In cold weather periods a water heater will help to keep the solution at the best temperature.
Store Links
© Emporium Hydroponics 2022. All Rights Reserved.