Temperature in Cultivation - What Role Does It Play
The life cycle of plants requires certain rules from the very beginning. For a plant to have the right conditions for successful growth, it needs to be provided with sufficient water, nutrients, light, carbon dioxide, and last but not least, the correct temperature. We will discuss more about temperature in certain growth stages in today's article.
Providing plants with the right temperature is important from the moment we start planting germinated seeds so they can begin growing well. Sometimes, maintaining these conditions is not easy when talking about outdoor cultivation. In indoor growing, we are in complete control of the situation.
Measuring Devices
Let's introduce elements that do not directly affect growth and climate in the grow room, but provide us with data that helps us achieve the desired result.
- • Thermometer- Measuring temperature is considered essential in a grow room. Thermometers are very affordable, so it's not a bad idea to get several to control different parts of the grow room. This allows for proper setting of fans, air conditioning, and heating. The most suitable thermometer would be one that records maximum and minimum temperatures reached. Not everyone can monitor the grow room continuously throughout the day, and since temperature can fluctuate significantly between day and night, this could have negative consequences for the grower. What causes temperature fluctuations? It depends on the operation of lamps and fans.
- • Water Heater- 22-25°C is the ideal temperature for nutrient solution. Too low a temperature causes plant shock, while too high a temperature weakens the root system and increases the possibility of mold. Although not every grower will use it, it is important for a significant number of growers. And what's good to know is that the water heater should have the same power as the tank space being used.
- • Substrate Thermometer- It may not be the most important element for temperature monitoring, but it doesn't hurt to have one. After all, it's good to have the most detailed information possible about the conditions provided to the plants.
Nutrient Solution Temperature
By maintaining the correct temperature, 22-25°C, nutrient absorption is accelerated.
Temperature in Different Growth Stages
- 1) Seed Germination
- Before starting seed germination, the grow room should already be prepared. This means lamps should be hung, ventilation completely installed, irrigation system functionality tested, and containers filled with substrate. For proper germination, seeds require darkness, moisture, and heat. It is ideal to soak seeds in water for 12-24 hours at 20-25°C and leave them in a room with the same temperature in darkness. After this time, move them to moistened cotton (paper).
- 2) Planted Germinated Seeds
- During this period, seedlings are very sensitive. The temperature in the grow room should be maintained around 24-28°C.
- 3) First Weeks of Growth
- This phase occurs when germinated seeds are fully rooted. It is necessary to maintain a constant temperature, which during the day is between 24-28°C and at night between 18-26°C, and keep humidity optimally at 80%.
- 4) Flowering Phase
- This occurs when sexual reproductive organs (flowers) begin to appear on the plants. Since most varieties flower depending on day and night length, it is necessary to switch from the growth phase (18 hours light and 6 hours darkness) to the flowering phase (12 hours light and 12 hours darkness). The first visible difference appears after about a week. For autoflowering varieties, it's slightly different. The lighting time is 18-20 hours throughout growth with 4-6 hours of darkness. And the most important thing we're discussing in this article is temperature. It is maintained during the day at 24-28°C and at night 18-26°C.
- 5) Drying
- Ideal drying conditions are: darkness, uniform air circulation, humidity 45-55%, maintaining temperature at 16-20°C. If all this is observed, the drying time will be extended, but on the other hand, a higher final product quality will be obtained.