SUPPLEMENTAL CO2
A good CO2 controller will essentially
automate the CO2 system, controlling both the concentration (usually
expressed in ppm) and the appropriate times for operation. Plants thrive
in consistent environmental conditions and the concentration of CO2 is
no exception. The amount of CO2 in the
environment is detected by a ‘sniffer’,
which will periodically sample the
atmosphere’s concentration of CO2
and send a signal to the controller.
If the concentration falls below the
system’s set-point, the controller will
then trigger the CO2 device to turn on.
On the other hand, a good controller
will stop the CO2 unit when exhaust
fans are in operation so the CO2 is not
being removed from the garden as soon
as it is emitted. Newer, software-based
control systems offer additional control
features, such as remote access to the
devices and data logging. Data logging
of CO2 levels can provide valuable
information over the course of a few
garden cycles and can help a gardener
determine the optimal concentration of
CO2 for their particular crop.
TEMPERATURE AND
NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS
As previously mentioned, photosynthesis is a chemical reaction and, like other
chemical reactions, it can be affected
by temperature. A typical indoor garden
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Maximum Yield USA | January 2017
will have an optimal temperature
range of 70-80˚F. An indoor garden
enriched with CO2 will have a slightly
higher optimal temperature range
(usually around 75-85˚F).
It is also common for growers to
increase the nutrient concentration in
growrooms with increased CO2 levels.
This makes perfect sense because if
the rate of growth increases, the nutrient requirements will increase as well.
Since nutrient requirements vary, there
is no perfect way to tell the exact nutrient concentration needed. That being
said, a grower can expect to increase his
or her garden’s nutrient concentration
"
an indoor GARDEN
ENRICHED WITH CO2 WILL HAVE
A SLIGHTLY HIGHER OPTIMAL
TEMPERATURE RANGE.�
by five to 15 per cent when enriching the
atmosphere with CO2.
IN GENERAL
Increasing the amount of CO2 in the
atmosphere of an indoor garden or
greenhouse can increase growth rates
when all other factors are considered.
This will not only equate to faster vegetative growth, but also larger yields.
For some growers, increasing the rate
of vegetative growth will allow them to
start fruiting or flowering more quickly.
A shorter vegetative cycle can mean
more garden cycles per year and a more
profitable garden.
Growers who want to invest in CO2
equipment should go all-in. In order
to reach the full potential of a CO2
enriched environment, growers will
not only need equipment for creating
the CO2, but also the adequate control
devices to automate the system for efficiency. Without the full package, CO2
enrichment can be a disappointing
venture with little gained in terms of
overall financial investment.
CO2 enrichment should be viewed as
icing on the cake. In other words, CO2
systems should be something that
growers add to an already fully functional and productive garden. The basics
of lighting, ventilation, and nutrition
should always be the first priorities for
any indoor grower striving for success.