Mixed Flow Inline Fan
If you are a home grower , you are well-advised to integrate your environmental controller with a mixed flow inline fan . While outlet dimmers will slow fan speeds , they don ’ t offer the accuracy of technology that is engineered for this specific job . Not only will running an inline fan at partial power likely damage the motor in time , but you will never have an accurate read on cubic feet per minute ( CFM ). Mixed flow inline fans have built-in speed controls so they can be run at specific CFM settings of your choice . When paired with a smart controller , your mixed flow fan will automatically shift speeds when temperature and humidity reach specific thresholds . With such precise control , home growers can take advantage of more cultivation metrics such as vapour pressure deficit ( VPD ).
Moisture Meter
As seen with other technologies like atmospheric controllers , moisture meters come in a variety of shapes and sizes . While long overlooked by growers , both commercial producers and hobbyist cultivators use moisture meters in their gardens today . If you grow in soil or a substrate like coco coir , the ability to get a precise reading on interior moisture levels is invaluable .
“ When designing a cannabis growroom , the biggest things to consider are heat , humidity , light , and water .”
Moisture meters can be extremely helpful in regions where fluctuating weather patterns impact humidity levels in the growroom . Instead of just blindly watering your plants and hoping for the best , you can get an accurate reading of moisture directly in the root zones . While a commercial producer will likely use a large , automated system with moisture sensors , a home grower can manually check pots in different parts of the growroom for an accurate assessment .
Quality pH Pen
Whether you grow cannabis hydroponically or in soil , a quality pH pen is critical for testing your irrigation water . From measuring the pH of your tap water to properly mixing liquid nutrients , you are operating in the dark without a good pH pen . Not only do pH pens tell you the acidity of your water , but more advanced models give readings on PPM and EC .
If you consistently irrigate your cannabis without testing pH , you could create a situation where your plants can no longer absorb nutrients . While cannabis needs both macronutrients and micronutrients to thrive , imbalanced pH will lead to nutrient deficiencies . This notion is particularly true for hydroponic growers , as pH levels in reservoirs can change quickly and cause big problems .
LED Lights
In recent years , LED grow lights have taken the cannabis industry by storm . Originally considered an expensive novelty used strictly for vegetative growing , LEDs are now being used across the industry . From high-powered , full-spectrum LEDs to models that have different setting for veg and bloom , LEDs are everywhere . Since LEDs use more accurate spectrum wavelengths than metal halide ( MH ) and high-pressure sodium ( HPS ) lights , they use far less electricity . In addition , because LED lights run much cooler than MH and HPS lights , they save you additional electrical costs on cooling your growroom with AC units and exhaust systems . Whether you are a commercial producer or hobbyist grower , there is really no reason not to look at adopting LED technology . While LED lights cost more upfront , their positive environmental and financial benefits simply cannot be ignored .
Smartphone Microscopes
Smartphone microscopes are fun new gadgets that can pay serious dividends for garden troubleshooting . The microscopes attach directly to the camera of both Androids and iPhones , giving you an intimate view of trichomes and pistils , as well as potential pathogens and bugs . Since they provide digital images , you can zoom in and out to get the very best reading on your cannabis crop . One of the coolest features of smartphone microscopes is the ability to share images with others via text message and email . By sharing images with your network , you can get a wide variety of opinions on critical decisions related to integrated pest management ( IPM ) and the best time to harvest .
Summary
With the speed at which the modern cannabis industry is innovating , it can be tough to stay ahead of the curve on new technologies . Yet , as we learn more about new advancements , it can take a discerning eye to know what equipment is necessary and what is not . Certain technologies like mixed-flow inline fans are indispensable for home growers , but they aren ’ t very relevant for commercial producers .
When designing a cannabis growroom , the biggest things to consider are heat , humidity , light , and water . Once you have technologies in place that provide and regulate these critical elements , the next step is to adopt equipment that helps you to better monitor the garden environment . While things like smartphone microscopes and moisture meters might not seem necessary to everyone , they are if you want to get cannabis cultivation down to a science .
24 Maximum Yield