CANNABIS AND HEAT STRESS: HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND RESOLVE IT?

Although most cannabis varieties tolerate heat well, heat stress can occur when growing cannabis. The cannabis plant can only tolerate a certain amount of heat and light. Intense heat can be a serious problem that can permanently damage or even kill the cannabis plant. Even varieties that seem to survive heat stress may end up producing lower yields and poor quality buds.

What is heat stress in cannabis?

Heat stress means that cannabis plants lose the ability to self-regulate the internal balance that helps them cool themselves. Cannabis plants like high temperatures, but sometimes too much can cause a number of problems that can have a serious impact on the cannabis plant if not addressed in time.

Heat stress in cannabis occurs when plants are exposed to more or less intense temperatures than they can tolerate.

Why do cannabis plants overheat?

Overheating doesn't just happen because it's hot, but there are some other factors to consider to help you better identify the problem and find the cause. There are several reasons that cause heat stress:

Too much light

Intense lights are often the cause of excessive heat. For this reason, LEDs are generally preferred over HID lights because they produce less heat and can be easily dimmed.

Low humidity

If you are growing in a very dry location, plants lose moisture quickly. Low humidity prevents the plants from cooling down.

Insufficient ventilation

Ventilation is very important for growing. Plants that do not get enough fresh air are prone to overheating. Ventilation helps in keeping the temperature low.

Symptoms of heat stress in cannabis

If a cannabis plant is subjected to excessive heat stress, it can have very adverse consequences. The symptoms of heat stress in cannabis vary depending on the stage of the cannabis plant and the cause of the heat stress. A plant that becomes stressed during the growing season will have different symptoms than a plant that has already flowered.

It is important to distinguish between heat stress symptoms and other similar growing problems such as light intensity, lack or excess of nutrients.

Tips for dealing with heat stress in cannabis plants

Whether cannabis plants can recover from heat stress and to what extent depends on several factors, such as the stage of development of the plants and the extent of damage.

There are differences between coping with heat stress outdoors and indoors:

Managing heat stress in cannabis grown indoors

Heat stress problems in indoor cultivation can be avoided as follows:

• If you do not have light intensity control, increase the distance between the seedlings and the light source,
• place oscillating fans in the room,
• use LED lights, which generate less heat than conventional lights,
• if temperatures reach extremes, install suitable air conditioning,
• keep the room temperature below 25 °C.

Address heat stress in outdoor-grown cannabis

If you are growing outdoors, controlling heat stress can be a little more difficult, but you can still help your cannabis:

• Choose a cannabis variety with a natural heat tolerance.
• Grow the seedlings in pots and once the cannabis shows signs of heat stress, you can move the seedlings to a cooler location in the shade.
• Water plants in the morning and evening as they are more prone to rapid water loss due to exposure to direct moisture and heat.
• Plant at the right time to coincide with acceptable outdoor humidity.
• Keep roots cool. Avoid direct light on the roots. Seaweed supplements help the roots to regulate temperature and humidity and reduce the risk of plants drying out if overheated.
• Create shade. if you cannot move the plants, cover them to provide shade for a few hours during the hottest parts of the day.

By following these guidelines , you can easily prevent heat stress in cannabis plants. Preventing heat stress in cannabis starts with proper planning. Creating the right conditions before you start growing can save you a lot of problems later on. So take the time to make sure you know what conditions are ideal for your cannabis plants. Prevention is key. Ensuring the optimal environment for your plants is always better than finding a problem when it's too late.