Cannabis plants require different levels of humidity at each stage of their lifecycle. This is because their metabolic reactions change as they develop and mature.
When humidity is too low, cannabis will transpire all of the water it has stored in its growing medium, resulting in cell death. On the other hand, high humidity means that your plants will not transpire as quickly and can thus retain more moisture than they would under a low-humidity environment.
Transpiration
Transpiration is the process by which a plant releases water from its leaves and stems. In addition to facilitating other processes in plants, this also helps to maintain the balance of water and nutrients within the plant body.
It is a vital process in cannabis cultivation, as it allows a plant to access carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Without proper transpiration, a plant could have difficulty taking in the CO2 it needs to perform its best and achieve maximum yields.
The three major factors that affect transpiration are temperature, relative humidity and light. These factors must be monitored and controlled to ensure optimal conditions in every stage of the growing process.
Temperature has a strong impact on transpiration because it causes evaporation rates to increase when it is hot. This is why cannabis grown under warm temperatures tend to produce less bud than those grown in cooler environments.
Relative humidity is also important, as the amount of water in the air influences how much moisture a plant can transpire from the leaf surface. If the humidity is too low, a plant will shut down its stomata to conserve water.
In contrast, if the humidity is too high, it can cause an overabundance of water vapor to build up around the plant and inhibit its ability to transpire. This can negatively impact growth and yields, so it is important to monitor relative humidity levels throughout the life cycle of a cannabis crop.
Humidity can be easily manipulated, and this can help to improve the rate of transpiration. Often, growers will use humidity sensors and thermometers to track the amount of moisture in a growing room and adjust climate control systems accordingly.
Wind speed also has an impact on transpiration, as it can cause the rate of evaporation to decrease. This is especially true in indoor grow rooms, where it can be difficult to keep the air in a room at a consistent and even level.
A grower may also choose to use a ventilation fan to regulate the amount of water vapour in their growing space. Fans have the added benefit of circulating the air and helping to maintain even moisture, temperature, and relative humidity.
Nutrients
When cannabis plants are growing they need a variety of nutrients in large quantities to grow strong roots, stems, and leaves. Nutrients help the plant synthesize chlorophyll, amino acids, proteins, enzymes, and vitamins for photosynthesis, water uptake, and overall health.
The three macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are essential for all stages of marijuana plant growth, from vegetative to flowering. Nitrogen, in particular, is an important energy source for cannabis, enabling plants to grow stronger roots and better absorb nutrients.
Potassium is one of the most essential minerals for healthy marijuana plants, facilitating the development of new leaves and stems. A low potassium level in a cannabis plant can cause the leaves to shrivel, droop, and produce small, weak buds.
Cannabis plants also require calcium, magnesium and sulfur in very large amounts. These nutrients are necessary for photosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, and the stabilization of cell walls. They also promote a healthy microbiome and prevent disease and pest infestations.
As a rule, the ideal humidity for marijuana grows is around 40%-50%. This reduces the amount of moisture in the air that can cause mold and mildew to grow.
The relative humidity of the air is a measure of the amount of water vapor that the air can hold at a certain temperature. When the RH is 100%, the air is saturated with water vapor.
Humidity is a major factor in nutrient uptake by cannabis plants, so it is important to control it. Too much humidity can lead to nutrient burn, which results in yellowing and browning of the leaves.
A good way to manage humidity is by using a dehumidification system to ensure proper airflow. It is recommended to use a dehumidification system at least once per day during the growth phase of your cannabis crop, and once each week in the flowering stage.
If you’re a serious grower, you’ll know that the importance of controlling humidity cannot be overstated. It is a critical component to the success of your harvest. Without proper climate and humidity controls, the quality of your harvest can suffer significantly.
Moisture
The role of humidity is an often-overlooked aspect of cannabis cultivation, but it can be critical to the success of a cultivator’s operation. When the humidity levels aren’t just right, a number of problems can arise that damage plant health, quality and yield.
Humidity control is an ongoing process, a key part of cannabis cultivation that can be difficult to maintain at times. Rapid temperature drops into night cause humidity to jump upward; thirsty plants can wilt under this stress.
In addition, daytime heat can also increase humidity in the air, leading to water evaporation from plants’ leaves and stems. The problem is that this can also trigger the development of disease in your cannabis crop.
Mold, for instance, can grow on the surface of a cannabis plant if the humidity level is too high. Bud rot is another common problem. This fungus, which starts on the bud stem and spreads outwards, turns white and grey and can destroy the buds around it. It is also known to destroy the plant’s central core, reducing its yield and overall quality.
A dedicated dehumidification system is a must for any grower who wants to maximize their cannabis harvest potential. If not, a lack of humidity control can lead to nutrient lockout, a condition that can result in a reduced yield and poor product quality.
Ultimately, controlling humidity is the best way to ensure the health and safety of your cultivating operation. A properly implemented Dantherm air handling unit can help to ensure optimal moisture levels throughout your facility, allowing you to produce the highest quality, most potent crop possible.
The ideal moisture content for cannabis is between 55% and 65% according to ASTM standards. This is a good starting point for those looking to improve the health and quality of their cannabis crops while staying within regulatory guidelines.
There are several ways to measure moisture in a product, including loss-on drying and bench top moisture analyzers. The former method involves slowly drying the sample until it reaches a moisture content of zero percent, then recording the weight change. This method can take a few days to complete, but is an inexpensive and reliable way to determine the exact moisture content of your product.
Temperature
The role of temperature in cannabis cultivation is crucial for growing healthy, high-quality plants. Temperature fluctuations can affect how your plant grows and develops, affecting its size, color, resin production, and smell.
During the vegetative stage, cannabis plants like slightly cooler temps in the 70-85degF (20-30degC) range. This helps ensure your plants are growing as quickly and healthy as possible.
When your grow lights are on, the humidity in the air should be between 50-75%. This helps your plants maintain their water content and prevents fungus from developing.
In the flowering stage (when your cannabis plants start making buds), you want to keep temperatures slightly cooler, around 65-80degF (18-26degC). This allows your cannabis plants to produce the best bud color, trichome production, density, and smell.
As with most things in cannabis cultivation, it is important to monitor your temperature and humidity levels to get the best results. You can use a digital thermometer and hygrometer unit to monitor the ideal conditions for your particular grow space.
During the seedling stage, marijuana seeds and clones require high humidity to help them establish their root system. They also need it because they still lack a robust radicular system.
Young seedlings and clones need a very high RH of around 65-70 percent to be properly nourished. This is because they haven’t formed a robust radicular system yet, and it is therefore difficult for them to absorb nutrients from the soil.
Once the seedlings are fully developed and have established a root system, the humidity should drop to lower levels for optimal growth. At this stage, the RH is about 50% and the stomata are closed to limit the loss of water.
If your grow area is too dry, your plants will experience stunted growth and reduced yields. Too much moisture in the air can also lead to problems with mold and bud rot, which can reduce your final product quality. You can use a dehumidifier to drop the humidity in your grow room to 40-45%, which can encourage your plants to produce more resin while also preventing mold and bud rot.
