Last Updated on April 21, 2022 by Gary Stephen
Various environmental circumstances have a significant effect on the growth of plants. As we all know, some of these factors are lighting, hydration, air purity, humidity, and many others. Having a grow tent or room is one solution to breed cultivars under curated conditions. But understanding How to Control Temperature in a Grow Tent is very important! Why?
Temperature is one element bearing a major impact on the conduciveness of a grow tent. Depending on the plants’ stage of development, the appropriate room temperature may vary. Too much heat or coolness can impair the pace of your plants’ growth. It can also increase the susceptibility of plants to diseases. It is best to learn how to determine what your plant needs at any given moment. This is to keep your cultivars in their ideal health. In this article, we will help you understand the basics of thermoregulation in a grow tent. So, let’s dive in.
What is the optimum room temperature in a grow tent?
To start with the basics, let us learn first what is the optimal room temperature in a grow room. You may identify it according to the different stages of the plants’ growth.
The ideal temperature varies from one plant species to another. Some are thermophilic while other breeds favor a colder habitat. Generally, plants thrive well in an environment with a temperature between 70°-80° F or 20°-30° C.
The range mentioned is well suitable during the vegetative stage. Young cultivars in this phase tend to grow best in a slightly warmer temperature with mid to high humidity. At night, lower the temperature without going beyond the suggested range. It may also help to promote faster and healthier growth of the crops.
Plants undergoing a flowering or fruiting stage always need a cooler environment. You can set the temperature around 65° up to 80°F or 18° up to 26° in Celcius. Lowering temperature aids in producing the best bud quality in terms of its density, color, scent, and trichomes. It is also beneficial to maintain a difference of 10°F or 8°C between the daytime and nighttime temperature. This is to amp up the color development of the bud.
| Life Stage | Temperature | Humidity |
| Cloning Stage | 70°F up to 85°F | High |
| Seedling & Vegetative Stage | 70°F up to 85°F | Mid to high |
| Flowering or Fruiting Stage | 65°F up to 80°F | Mid to low |
What are the consequences of an improperly control temperature in a grow tent?
It is ideal to maintain a cool environment inside the grow room. But, there can also be hazards when you expose the cultivars to extreme temperatures. The table below shows the different scenarios that might occur between a space that is too cold or too hot for the plants to grow in.
| Too Cold
(Less than 60°F or 15°C) |
Too Hot
(More than 80°F or 26°C) |
|
|
How does temperature affect different aspects of plant growth?
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Relative Humidity
Humidity plays an important role in facilitating the plant’s growth and the amount it yields. It determines its ability to absorb moisture. Humidity that is too high causes the leaves to reach in for moisture in the surrounding air. As a consequence, it delays the growth of the plant. It also increases its susceptibility to molds as well as potential rotting of the bud.
An environment that has too low humidity prompts the plant to draw in much more moisture from the root. In effect, it causes stress on the leaves and may concurrently decelerate the growth too.
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The varying levels of humidity affect how much water the plant absorbs. Regulating the humidity in a grow room will give you better control over its nutrient intake and its resistance against diseases. The table below shows the ideal relative humidity at different stages of the plant’s growth.
| Growth Stage | Ideal Relative Humidity |
| Cloning Stage | 70% |
| Vegetative Stage | 40% up to 60% |
| Flowering Stage | 40% up to 50% |
| Final Weeks of Flowering Stage | 40% up to 45% |
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Drying/Curing Process
A controlled level of temperature and humidity is also vital in the drying and curing stage of the newly harvested buds. It’s very important especially in the case of marijuana. This process helps to bring out the aroma and improve the potency of the plant.
Maintaining an optimal room temperature of 70°F or 21°C, the ideal humidity during the drying phase is set at 50%. Meanwhile, an RH of around 58% up to 65% is required for curing to take place inside the jar in the most effective way.
| Temperature | Humidity | |
| Drying | 70°F or
21°C |
50% RH |
| Curing (in Jar) | 58 – 65% RH |
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Plant Color Help Control Temperature in a Grow Tent
In cultivating cannabis, various strains of marijuana can grow buds and leaves in colors pink, red, orange, purple, or blue. Although the pigment is pre-determined by the plant’s own genetic makeup, the temperature can assist in either highlighting or suppressing its natural shade.
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Growth Pattern
Temperature also affects the speed of the plant’s growth. In the case of cannabis, the plant tends to favor a lower temperature during the nighttime. Maintaining the coolness very often helps to make it grow faster. But, exposing it often to warmer temperatures at night might cause stunting. It may also cause slowing its upward growth.
How to control the temperature in the grow tent?
Now, we already know the baseline figures for the most conducive room temperatures. Also, its probable adverse effects on the different aspects of the plant’s growth. Let us then get into the various ways we can effectively control or cool down the temperature inside the grow room.
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Air Circulation Help Control the Temperature in The Grow Tent
Keeping the room with proper airflow is one essential factor to consider. It’s important especially during the construction of the grow room or tent. The sizes and quantity of the fans to be installed must be relative to the size of the space. This is to ensure it is enough to cover the entire area. Remember though to aim the blowing of the fans indirectly. Place them towards the wall or in rotation, to not enforce too much breeze against the plants.
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Exhaust System
There are two important functions of the exhaust system in your space. First, it facilitates drawing the warm air out of the room. Second, it helps to promote better air circulation. Both are essential in thermoregulation and in promoting a conducive environment. Thus, to ensure having an optimal plant growth.
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Air Conditioning
Procuring a proportionately-sized air conditioner is one obvious way to guarantee the delivery of cool air into the room. Thus, it is perfect to use for hot weather like during the summer season. Furthermore, ACs also help to counteract the heat emitted from the light bulbs. Also from other various equipment such as pumps and generators.
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Type of Lighting
There are actually different types of lighting systems commonly used in a grow space.
In the Air-cooled lighting system, it utilizes an extraction fan to blow air towards the bulb and expels it through an insulated ducting. In effect, the light bulb gets cooled while the warm air from it is drawn out of the space.
Alternatively, the Water-cooled lighting system uses a reservoir or water pump. In some cases, it uses a chiller to cool down the lamp bulb. It’s known to be more effective than an air-cooled mechanism. At the same time, it reduces the need for air conditioning too.
Another type of lighting used nowadays is the Light Emitting Diode or LED bulbs. This variety is least likely to emit heat, that is why it is great to use during the hot summer days. But, it may also come as a disadvantage during the winter season. Since it is not capable of producing enough heat to help warm the room.
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Lighting Schedule
Apart from choosing the appropriate type of light bulb, it is also necessary to strategically plan out its usage depending on the time of the day. So let’s say for example, during the vegetative stage, the plant requires at least 18 hours of light exposure. Given the condition, you can opt to light it from the very start of the day. You can then turn down the lighting for 6 hours during the midday wherein the temperature is at its hottest. Thereafter, resume the lighting once again to complete the number of hours required.
Setting the timer to shut off the lights at the warmest part of the day helps to cut extra heat into the room. Yet, still maintaining the desired level of temperature. Hence, it’s only requiring less effort and energy to cool down space. Furthermore, it also gives growers the chance to boost their savings.
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Light Movers
We have already established that lighting is essential in the growth of the plants. It also contributes to heat. Hence, using light movers allow the growers to spread an even heat across the area. In that way, it prevents the formation of hotspots. It will also extend the distribution of light even to the usually shaded parts of the room.
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Room Insulation
Installing foam insulation is another way on how to efficiently cool a grow room. It acts as a barrier to prevent the outdoor heat from penetrating inside. This is particularly helpful if the room or tent is widely exposed to sunlight. Or, even with minimal shade only surrounding the vicinity.
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Cooling Humidifiers
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Reservoir Placement & Chillers
Naturally, soil provides the cultivars better protection against temperature fluctuations. Plants cultivated above the ground are more vulnerable to overheating of roots. To avoid that from happening, it is advisable to position your reservoir in a cool location. This will prevent the contents from warming.
Moving the placement of your reservoir is least likely possible or inconvenient. You can then try putting a bottle of frozen water in the nutrient tank can be an excellent quick fix. But, for a more stable and consistent solution, it is best to invest in a reservoir chiller instead. This will ensure that the nutrient solution is at its favorable temperature. Also, to keep the plants cool and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, molds, and mildew.
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Smart Pots Can also Contribute to Control the Temperature in The Grow Tent
On a side note, placing the plants in smart pots may not be enough. It is important to consider the appropriate quantity of pots that the grow room can accommodate. Overcrowding is one common mistake that contributes to untoward warming of the space.
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The tips shared above are only a few of the basic solutions on how to efficiently cool a grow room. Not only will this promote better health for your plants but it can also increase your total yield. They are simple and very inexpensive to install. Thus, it is worthwhile to give each one a try.
