What Does Grow Room Temperature Mean?
Grow room temperature refers to the overall temperature of the indoor grow space where plants are being grown. It is considered one of the main environmental control factors a grower needs to perfect in order to maximize yields. The others are humidity, lighting, and ventilation.
The ideal grow room temperature varies and depends on the crop. Annuals typically enjoy a constant room temperature of around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Most plants will flourish in a grow room kept at a steady 78 degrees Fahrenheit, but some plants, such as tropical plants, prefer warmer grow room temperatures between 80 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
Some plants also require very specific temperatures in order to flower and fruit. If the temperature dips or rises too high, a plant may not grow well. A plant will not reach its full growth potential and the yield will be significantly reduced if a consistent temperature is not maintained. Plants require reliable temperatures to thrive.
Maximum Yield Explains Grow Room Temperature
The grow room temperature mainly affects how a plant photosynthesizes, in addition to how easily it can uptake water and nutrients. Temperature is also a key factor in when a seed germinates. For example, many seeds will not germinate until the soil or grow medium is at the optimal temperature. For simple seed germination, the entire room doesn't require heating. Often just a heating pad under the seed tray will do.
Grow room temperatures are often a juggling act for growers, and efforts vary greatly depending on the outdoor climate where a gardener is growing. For the most part, growers struggle more so with keeping their rooms cool enough. This is because artificial lighting used in grow room gets hot. Often the temperature located directly around the light source is much hotter than the rest of the grow room.
To obliterate cold and hot spots, a grower usually uses exhaust fans and ventilation to create airflow and reduce the heat. Oscillating fans are also helpful at moving and blending the hot and cold air. In a large grow operation, fans are often not sufficient and a grower will need to also run an air conditioner.
Another way to achieve adequate grow room temperatures is to use air-cooled reflectors above your grow lights, or switch to a grow light that doesn't run as hot, such as LEDs. It's also important to get your humidity levels right, because humidity has a large effect on the room's overall temperature. Adult plants will release more humidity than younger plants, for example, meaning that the more crowded things get, the more effort in cooling down the growroom will be required.
