Best Grow Room Conditions For Maximium Yield

The Benefits of optimising grow room setup

Providing the best grow room conditions for temperature, CO and light intensity will ensure your plants will grow fast and healthy. Optimum conditions will enable you to achieve the best growth rate and maximum yield from your grow.

Plants grow by Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. The plant then releases the oxygen back into the air, and stores energy in the form of glucose which the plant used to fuel growth. Optimising each of these inputs will maximise the photosynthesis rate which will determine how fast your plants grow and how big they get by harvest time.

Photosynthesis process

The best light intensity for plant growth during flowering

The light plants receive is the energy source the plants use for photosynthesis and growth. The measurement of light used for photosynthesis is called Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR).

Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) is a crucial concept for indoor growers to understand as it refers to the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is essential for photosynthesis in plants.

PAR is the range of electromagnetic radiation wavelengths (measured in the 400 to 700 nanometer range) that plants use for photosynthesis. This is the same as the visual range i.e. from blue to green to red.

PAR is the range of light wavelengths (usually measured in the 400 to 700 nanometer range) that plants use for photosynthesis.

Recommended PAR intensity for flowering plants

Cannabis plants can utilise high PAR intensity and growth rate increases at a high rate up until about 800 µmols/m²/second. Above this level the rate of growth reduces and the system is less efficient as plants have limitations on the amount of light they can absorb in one light cycle. This is why most grow light manufacturers design grow lights to deliver an average PAR at around this level.

PAR intensity vs growth rate for medicinal herbs

The best light intensity for plant growth during vegging

The PAR intensity levels required during vegetative growth are about half of the requirements for flowering. We recommend a PAR level of 400 - 500 µmols/m²/sec for your grow room.

You can achieve these levels by reducing the power consumption of your grow light to 60% using a dimmer. If this is not available you can halve the number of lights (if possible) or raise the grow light to about two times the optimum hanging height.

The best light intensity for Autoflower plants

The photoperiod or amount of time grow lights are on for autoflowers is generally much longer than for photoperiod plants, usually about 20 hours. Plants are limited to the amount of light they can absorb in one day so we recommend a reduced average PAR intensity for Autoflowers.  The PAR intensity levels required for Autoflowers are 500 - 600 µmols/m²/sec.

What should the temperature be in my grow room?

The growth rate of Cannabis Sativa has been tested at two PAR (PPFD) levels and a range of temperatures. The lower PAR level at 500 µmols/m²/sec and higher at 1,000 µmols/m²/sec. At both PAR intensity levels the growth rate peaks at 85 Degrees Fahrenheit or 30 Degrees Celsius.

It is generally accepted that 77 to 86 Degrees Fahrenheit or 25 - 30 Degrees Celsius is the ideal temperature range for your grow room.

At temperatures above 86 Degrees Fahrenheit or 30 Degrees Celsius plants will be heat stressed and growth rate will reduce.

Night time temperatures must be maintained above 50 Degrees Fahrenheit or 12 Degrees Celsius to prevent cold shock which will stunt growth and may result in stunted growth or even plants dying.

Ideal temperature range for growing Cannabis

How to reduce temperatures in the grow room

  • Draw more air into the grow room from outside by increasing extract fan speed or size or opening ventilation flaps in your grow tent. A temperature controlled fan is a great way to manage temperatures at optimum levels.
  • Use an air conditioner if the outside temperatures are too high
  • reduce heat generation in the grow room by moving heat generating equipment outside or dimming the lights
  • Run the lights at night time when the outside temperature is cooler

How to Increase temperatures in the grow room

  • Draw less air into the grow room from outside by reducing extract fan speed or size or closing/restricting ventilation flaps in your grow tent
  • Use a heater and thermostat
  • Insulate your grow space to keep the heat generated by your lights in the grow room

Humidity levels in the grow room

Humidity refers to the amount of water vapour that can be measured in the air. Reduced humidity percentage in the air will cause water loss from your plant’s tissues. High humidity levels can cause microbial and fungal pathogens to develop resulting in mould and bud rot. 

Relative humidity, often expressed as a percentage, indicates a present state of absolute humidity relative to a maximum humidity given the same temperature.

During the seedling or cloning process, humidity should be on the higher side at about 80% relative humidity. Clones will be healthier and root quicker in a warm and humid environment. Use a clear plastic dome or lid to increase moisture in your cloning trays.

Best grow room humidity levels for seedlings, vegetative and flowering stages of growth

Humidity level for the vegetative phase

At this stage the plants have developed a good root system and can uptake water and nutrients at a good rate. This means we can reduce humidity as the plants can take up water as required.

At this stage we recommend between 60 and 70% relative humidity.

Humidity level for the flowering stage

At this stage the plant canopy is dense and the plants are growing at a high rate. To reduce the risk of mould or mildew reduce the relative humidity to about 50% at this stage. Ensure there is good air flow around the plants by trimming leaves in the lower canopy and using circulating fans to move the air around to prevent moisture build up in parts of the canopy.

Humidity level for drying Flowers

To ensure buds dry but not too quickly maintain a relative humidity level of about 40% in the area you are hanging your flowers to dry.

Controlling humidity in the grow room

Giving plants the correct amount of humidity, allows their pores to open up inside the leaves, respire more CO2, and grow faster. However, exposing them to too much humidity can cause diseases such as bud rot due to water build-up encouraging bacteria and fungi to overrule the foliage. 

How to Increase humidity in the grow room

  • Reduce the power of your exhaust fan – this keeps moist air inside the growing area
  • Increase the temperature in the room 
  • Gently spray/mist your plants and soil to keep them moist – avoid flowering plants as this can cause the buds to rot
  • Surround your plants with water (in open containers)
  • Use a humidifier to deliver moisture into the growing area

How to Reduce Humidity in the grow room

  • Increase the power of your exhaust fan – this will draw less humid air from outside the room
  • Remove any open water source or cover them and cover the open surface the plant pots.
  • Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner if the outside humidity is too high
  • Water the plants at the start of their light period/when lights are turned on
  • Cool the air in the growing area

How much does added CO increase growth rate?

The normal atmospheric CO level is 370 parts per million (PPM). The best way to achieve this level in your grow room is to draw fresh air from atmosphere into your grow room at a high rate. It is recommended you change the air in your grow room frequently with the use of an extract fan and ducting drawing fresh air into the grow room. At these rates you will maintain very close to atmospheric levels of CO₂ of 370 PPM and achieve good growth. With this setup it is not practical to achieve any increase in CO₂ in the grow room. This is because any CO₂ added to the grow room will be removed quickly with the constant air flow out of the grow room.
Growing with elevated CO2 increases growth rate by up 30%

If you want to increase CO₂ levels in the grow room you will have to seal the room so the CO₂ does not escape and use a CO₂ generator or CO₂ cylinder with a CO₂ controller and regulator. Sealing the grow room will mean you will have to manage the temperature and humidity with air conditioning. This is relatively expensive and complex and requires a significant investment in equipment and time to setup but can increase growth rate and yield by up to 30%.

Using the naturally higher CO₂ levels in the house to increase growth rate

You can also use your own CO₂. Humans expel CO₂ when breathing out so the level within our homes is often twice the concentration outside. This is most common in winter months when the air circulation in homes is minimal. It's common for CO₂ levels in the home to range from 700 -1,000 PPM. In a bedroom at night CO₂ levels may reach as high as 2,000 PPM. Check out an article here on the CO₂ levels in the typical day of a person at home, work etc. https://www.co2meter.com/blogs/news/co2-levels-at-home 

 

RELATED ARTICLES

2 thoughts on “Best Grow Room Conditions For Maximium Yield

t4s-avatar
Zohi

From where can people buy Marijuana weed? Do you know how to get the Gas clinic delivery ?

June 23, 2022 at 13:41pm
t4s-avatar
Liquid Carbon for Agriculture

Great article! Thank you so much for sharing this very knowledgeable blog.

Liquid Carbon for Agriculture

May 3, 2022 at 14:48pm

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published