Keeping the Ideal Grow-Room Temperature

Maintaining the ideal atmospheric conditions within a growroom is essential to give good growth rates and healthy harvests. With a bit of knowledge, experimentation and, most of all, good care this can be achieved. Temperature is one of the main dictators in terms of a plant's success as it has a significant impact on the water intake, light processing and intake of nutrients.

In terms of the light processing, the temperature has an influence on how well the plant can photosynthesize. Photosynthesis is the natural method that plants use to generate sugars and energy from light sources and is absolutely essential. If the ambient temperature is above or below the ideal range then the photosynthesis becomes a lot less efficient and therefore the plants will generate lower yields.

Before we investigate this it is of course important to have a thermometer in the environment. This is the starting point when aiming to obtain a uniform temperature throughout the grow room. Most lighting equipment will produce a higher level of heat in certain areas which will mean the balance is not correct.

The typical method of correcting this is to ensure a steady and consistent flow of air around the room. There are many types of fans available and oscillating are certainly a good starting point. The movement of the fan will mean that all areas of the room are targeted and that there is no hot or cool air lingering in one area.

Plants tend to flourish between 70 and 80 degrees farenheit, which is around 21 to 26 centigrade. This can be used for the early stages and the flowering stages. By using the thermometer the temperature can be checked on a regular basis. Using the thermometer in several different areas of the room will give an indication of how good and effective the air flow is.

An experimental method of finding the best temperature is adjusting the air flow during the vegetative growth stage. By measuring the plant growth each time the air flow and corresponding temperature is adjusted for a period of time the ideal temperature for efficient growth can be established.

Different plants have different preferences so this needs to be considered when growing different breeds in the same area. Also, the best temperature for the flowering stage is similar to that of the vegetative growth.

When the lights are off and the plants are transpiring the normal temperature should be about 10-15 degrees lower (5 degrees centigrade) that it is during the lighting period. This makes sense as it kind of corresponds to the night time temperature drop in the outside open air during growth periods.

If the temperatures drop any lower then it can lead to condensation which will then invite mould and fungi.

To prevent this, an electric heater can be used during these periods. Again, the temperature needs to be monitored so that it is kept within its ideal resting range of 55 to 70 degrees. An excellent device to assist with this is the Ram Air-Pro II which will control the heating and fans according to how warm the grow room is.

Seeds enjoy a slightly lower temperature than plants. They will of course not yet see the light so small electric heaters or heat mats will assist. Many seeds prefer different conditions and most seed packs give an indication of what to aim for.

It may take more than one grow cycle to find the ideal temperature but it will be worth the effort. As with most experimentation the best results often don't immediately come along but when they do it is worth the time and effort invested!