Growing environments: Difference between revisions

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Cannabis can grow in any environment that fulfills the basic requirements of providing light, water, and air. This page to here to describe some of the typical configurations and key components for those attempting to grow in a new environment.
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Cannabis can grow in any environment that fulfills the basic requirements of providing light, water, and air. This page is here to describe some of the typical configurations and key components for those attempting to grow in a new environment.
   
 
== Outdoor ==
 
== Outdoor ==
   
When growing outdoors a key consideration is when to plant seeds for optimum light and temperature conditions. It is best to know the DLI your plant will receieve when choosing a location. You can check the DLI for a given longditude and latitude through the year on suntracker. https://dli.suntrackertech.com/
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When growing outdoors a key consideration is when to plant seeds for optimum light and temperature conditions. It is best to know the DLI your plant will receive when choosing a location. You can check the DLI for a given longitude and latitude through the year on Suntracker. https://dli.suntrackertech.com/
 
== Indoor ==
 
== Indoor ==
While growing indoors it is crucial to monitor and adjust the environment's [[Temperature and Humidity|temperature and humidity]] as there is no natural mechanism to regulate these factors. Data from [[Environment Sensors|environment sensors]] will give the best indication of if the environment is sufficient but there are also[[Symptoms of bad environment|symptoms of a bad environments]] that can be helpful in determining sufficiency.
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While growing indoors it is crucial to monitor and adjust the environment's [[Temperature and Humidity|temperature and humidity]] as there is no natural mechanism to regulate these factors. Data from [[Environment Sensors|environment sensors]] will give the best indication of if the environment is sufficient but there are also[[Symptoms of bad environment|symptoms of bad environments]] that can be helpful in determining sufficiency.
   
=== Raising humidity ===
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=== Temperature and humidity ===
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==== Raising humidity ====
 
Raising the humidity of your growing environment can be most easily achieved by adding an electric humidifier or diffuser to the space. Alternatively, placing a wet towel in the area will help to raise humidity.
 
Raising the humidity of your growing environment can be most easily achieved by adding an electric humidifier or diffuser to the space. Alternatively, placing a wet towel in the area will help to raise humidity.
   
=== Lowering humidity ===
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==== Lowering humidity ====
Electric dehumidifiers are a simple option for lowering humidity but they may be too large for your grow area, a more compact option is to use a chemical dehumidifer. They are comercially available but can also be made from epsom salts or silica gel.
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Electric dehumidifiers are a simple option for lowering humidity but they may be too large for your grow area, a more compact option is to use a chemical dehumidifier. They are commercially available but can also be made from Epsom salts (Magnesium sulfate) or silica gel.
   
=== Raising temperature ===
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==== Raising temperature ====
Generally speaking the easiest way to raise the growing environment temperature is to raise the temperature of the room it is in. If this isn't possible then raising the light intensity or adding an elecric heater can help.
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Generally speaking, the easiest way to raise the growing environment temperature is to raise the temperature of the room it is in. If this isn't possible then raising the light intensity or adding an electric heater can help.
   
=== Lowering temperature ===
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==== Lowering temperature ====
 
Temperature can be lowered by increasing the rate of airflow from inside to outside the growing environment, in other words, increasing ventilation. The light being used may also be adding to the temperature so decreasing its intensity, where possible, will lower the temperature.
 
Temperature can be lowered by increasing the rate of airflow from inside to outside the growing environment, in other words, increasing ventilation. The light being used may also be adding to the temperature so decreasing its intensity, where possible, will lower the temperature.
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=== Adding extra Co<sub>2</sub> ===
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Very high levels of Co<sub>2</sub> (>1,000ppm) can induce headaches and sleepiness<ref>https://www.kane.co.uk/knowledge-centre/what-are-safe-levels-of-co-and-co2-in-rooms</ref> so be sure to buy a [[Environment Sensors#Carbon Dioxide .28Co2.29|sensor]] to ensure you are exposed to safe levels.
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To increase Co<sub>2</sub> concentration to a high level in the grow environment the enclosure must be sealed to prevent the gas from escaping. Ventilation must also be reduced or disabled. There are two main methods of adding Co<sub>2</sub>: using a tank with regulator and tubing into the grow space or using a chemical reaction that produces Co<sub>2</sub>. A cheap reaction that can be used is a mixture of 2:1 water to sugar with a tablespoon of instant yeast. The rate of Co2 production will depend on the temperature.
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'''Co<sub>2</sub> is heavier than air''' so however it is attained it should be inserted above the canopy so that it falls onto the plant. Fans on the floor pointing upwards can also help direct Co<sub>2</sub> from the floor into the leaves.
   
 
== Example indoor environments ==
 
== Example indoor environments ==
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An ultra simplistic design often utilizing plastic buckets.
 
An ultra simplistic design often utilizing plastic buckets.
 
https://spacebuckets.com/template
 
https://spacebuckets.com/template
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== References ==

Latest revision as of 13:30, 4 May 2022

Cannabis can grow in any environment that fulfills the basic requirements of providing light, water, and air. This page is here to describe some of the typical configurations and key components for those attempting to grow in a new environment.

Outdoor

When growing outdoors a key consideration is when to plant seeds for optimum light and temperature conditions. It is best to know the DLI your plant will receive when choosing a location. You can check the DLI for a given longitude and latitude through the year on Suntracker. https://dli.suntrackertech.com/

Indoor

While growing indoors it is crucial to monitor and adjust the environment's temperature and humidity as there is no natural mechanism to regulate these factors. Data from environment sensors will give the best indication of if the environment is sufficient but there are alsosymptoms of bad environments that can be helpful in determining sufficiency.

Temperature and humidity

Raising humidity

Raising the humidity of your growing environment can be most easily achieved by adding an electric humidifier or diffuser to the space. Alternatively, placing a wet towel in the area will help to raise humidity.

Lowering humidity

Electric dehumidifiers are a simple option for lowering humidity but they may be too large for your grow area, a more compact option is to use a chemical dehumidifier. They are commercially available but can also be made from Epsom salts (Magnesium sulfate) or silica gel.

Raising temperature

Generally speaking, the easiest way to raise the growing environment temperature is to raise the temperature of the room it is in. If this isn't possible then raising the light intensity or adding an electric heater can help.

Lowering temperature

Temperature can be lowered by increasing the rate of airflow from inside to outside the growing environment, in other words, increasing ventilation. The light being used may also be adding to the temperature so decreasing its intensity, where possible, will lower the temperature.

Adding extra Co2

Very high levels of Co2 (>1,000ppm) can induce headaches and sleepiness[1] so be sure to buy a sensor to ensure you are exposed to safe levels.

To increase Co2 concentration to a high level in the grow environment the enclosure must be sealed to prevent the gas from escaping. Ventilation must also be reduced or disabled. There are two main methods of adding Co2: using a tank with regulator and tubing into the grow space or using a chemical reaction that produces Co2. A cheap reaction that can be used is a mixture of 2:1 water to sugar with a tablespoon of instant yeast. The rate of Co2 production will depend on the temperature.

Co2 is heavier than air so however it is attained it should be inserted above the canopy so that it falls onto the plant. Fans on the floor pointing upwards can also help direct Co2 from the floor into the leaves.

Example indoor environments

Tents

Cabinet

Spacebucket

An ultra simplistic design often utilizing plastic buckets. https://spacebuckets.com/template

References