When the temp or humidity of our indoor growing tent changes, how do them affect our plants, how can we know and what can we do to fix them? Let's read this out.
From germination through growing stages and flowering or fruiting, we can create an optimal environment for our plants by controlling the temperature and humidity levels. Plant metabolism needs cooler nights in order to rest--with a drop of about 10 degrees being desired.
Plants are constantly taking in water to absorb nutrients and grow to their full potential. Both temperature and humidity can affect how much water our plants take in, so that controlling these levels also gives us control over the plants’ nutrient intake. These tips can be very important for plant beginners.
Signs of Extremes in Temperature
When temperatures rise too high or fall too low, our plants are adversely affected.
When plants are too hot we may notice:
- Leaves that are yellow or have brown/yellow spots
- Leaves that are curled up or wilted
- Blooms or fruit dropping off
- Blossom end rot for scalded plants
When plants are too cold we may notice:
- Wilting or drooping leaves or stems
- Splits in woody stems
- Very loose root balls
- Spots on flowers and leaves that look burned
Signs of Extremes in Humidity
Humidity levels are important in indoor growing since humidity affects transpiration (plant breathing) and their ability to absorb nutrients. Poor levels can also create an environment ripe for disease and pests.
When humidity levels are too high we may notice:
- Mold and bud rot that can make plants completely unusable
- White powdery mildew on leaves
- Excessively damp leaves
- Underdevelopment of young plants & slow growth
When humidity levels are too low we may notice:
- Slowing or stopping of plant growth
- Burning on the tips of leaves (too much nutrient intake due to lack of moisture)
Early stages of growing require higher humidity levels than the rest of the growing cycle. It’s common to add a humidifier to grow spaces during the early germination or clone growing stage, while a dehumidifier may be required later in the growing process.
Some practical methods to improve the optimal levels of temperature and humidity for our indoor growing tents:
Air Circulation and Ventilation
Proper airflow in your grow area provides fresh air for both temperature and humidity modulation. This can help fight off problems like white powdery mildew brought on by high humidity levels, and other issues to our plants.
Temperature and Humidity Monitoring
The best way to know the exact temperature and relative humidity in our greenhouse is by adding a monitor. There are various options available, many of which allow for remote monitoring from other rooms such as INKBIRD temperature controllers and humidity controllers.
