growers know
The humidity in an average home in winter hovers around 30 per cent or less . Many plants require twice that or more .”
Many plants will alert you that they need more light . Leaf loss , elongated leaves , color loss , and spindly stems can be signs of light deprivation . Plants that have uneven growth ( more on the sunny side ) or lean toward the light are trying to adapt to less light than they ’ re used to or need . If you discover you don ’ t have enough natural light to sustain specific plants , even after moving them closer to a window , try adding reflective materials like Mylar or aluminum foil to augment the available illumination . If there are still shortfalls , install LEDs or other plant lighting products . Many grow lights on the market today are less expensive and more energy efficient than they were even a few years ago , so consider this potential resource seriously .
TEMPERATURE - An acceptable temperature range for an indoor plant will vary by species but generally falls between 65-78 ° F . This is pretty handy , as the same range is considered comfortable for humans . Indoor cold spots can be sneaky , though , and deadly to plants , so be on the lookout for them . Temperatures can vary widely near windows , depending on the exposure , the type of window involved ( single , double , or triple pane ), and the presence or absence of protections like trees or shrubs outside and shades or drapes inside . The safest approach is to keep plants at least eight inches away from windowpanes . Use a portable thermometer to track temperatures during cold snaps , and close drapes or blinds on cold nights . Avoid placing plants where they will be hit with blasts of arctic air when exterior doors open and close .
If you have a dedicated growroom in your basement or a grow area in your garage , keep plants out of direct contact with concrete flooring . Either elevate them or cover the floor with indoor / outdoor carpeting . For additional warmth , you can also employ plant heating mats . If the insulation in these areas is skimpy , position plants farther away from exterior walls than you would otherwise . Just as cold is the enemy , hot , dry air can damage or kill plants , too . Choose locations away from heat registers and heat generating appliances .
MOISTURE AND HUMIDITY - The humidity in an average home in winter hovers around 30 per cent or less . Many plants require twice that or more . The old-fashioned solution is to add water to a pebble-filled dish positioned under each plant pot . As the water evaporates , it contributes humidity to the air . Keeping a number of similarly outfitted plants together in one area creates an indoor microclimate that is somewhat more humid and stable than maintaining plants individually . Misting equipment or a conventional humidifier will also help increase ambient humidity . If you plan to use grow lights instead of relying on natural light , maintaining plants in a grow tent or other enclosure can help stabilize humidity levels as well . When humidity levels are too low , brown leaf tips may start to appear on otherwise healthy plants . It ’ s a classic indicator .
120 grow cycle