Moisture in growth and flowering

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To contribute to the rapid and healthy development of plants, ideal humidity needs to be ensured as one of many factors. We know that plant respiration takes place through stomata, which are located on the underside of the leaves.

It is humidity that affects their function and therefore also the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. If a plant does not have enough water, the stomata close, photosynthesis stops and the plant suffers.

• • Low humidity- The stomata on the leaves remain open all the time, which leads to large water losses and subsequent wilting of the plants. It can go so far that, after prolonged drying out, the stomata close completely, the plant stops growing and eventually dies.

• • High humidity- As plants do not have the ability to get rid of excess water, this shows in the distribution of nutrients, which slows down or even stops completely. In addition, high humidity is a frequent cause of mould and fungi.

So how can humidity be regulated? For example, with a humidifier and a dehumidifier. These devices are never run at the same time. They should be positioned so that they are at roughly the same distance from all the plants. This ensures that moisture is spread evenly to all plants or, in the case of a dehumidifier, removed evenly.

Air humidifier

Humidification during the growth phase is important for plant development. Devices that work on the principle of evaporation are available. The device has a water tank from which water flows onto a heating element, which heats it until it turns into steam.

Apart from humidifying, the device also produces heat, which can be a disadvantage in some grow spaces. Using membrane humidifiers eliminates this warming.

Air dehumidifier

During the flowering period, especially in the last 2-4 weeks, humidity in the grow room needs to be reduced. At this time, plants are most susceptible to mould. A dehumidifier absorbs moisture from the air and stores it as water in a tank. Humidity can also be reduced by ventilating the grow room, but this does not achieve the same results as a dehumidifier.

Hygrometers are used to monitor relative air humidity. They are affordable, and some are equipped with a function that records the maximum and minimum humidity reached.

Humidity in growth and flowering

Humidity changes at different stages of growth. However, it already plays an important role during germination. Seeds need not only warmth and darkness but also high humidity. That is why they are often left for approx. 12- 24 hours in lukewarm water (temperature 20-25°C). Only then are they moved onto moistened paper or cotton wool. Because the seeds absorb moisture, their sprouts appear more quickly.

The period after planting the germinated seeds is considered the riskiest point. At this stage, humidity of around 80% is recommended. The main reason is to kick-start strong growth quickly. Many mistakes are made when watering plants while they are still small. Overwatering causes the roots and stem to rot, and eventually the whole plant dies. It is therefore worth remembering that the substrate should be moist, not wet.

In the following weeks, humidity is kept in the range of 60-80%. Higher humidity promotes faster and stronger branching of the plants.

At the beginning of flowering, or more precisely in the first month of flowering, it is sufficient to adjust humidity to approx. 65%. Only after the buds begin to thicken is humidity reduced to 50%. During this period, the buds are most susceptible to mould.

Today you have learnt what wonders humidity can do. You now know that higher humidity needs to be maintained at the start of growth and that the closer we get to the final phase, the more it needs to be reduced. Following these rules will certainly lead to the desired result.