Our atmosphere is largely made up of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is necessary for plants to carry out the photosynthesis process, which turns CO2 into energy. If introduced properly, high CO2 levels in a cannabis garden can make plants stronger and produce more. In order to produce the greatest cannabis product possible, how can you regulate and add CO2 to your grow space?
What Effect Does CO2 Have on Plants?
Stomates, or the pores through which plants “breathe,” allow plants to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. The process of photosynthesis starts when the plant uses CO2 along with artificial light or sunlight to create sugar and oxygen. As the oxygen is released back into the atmosphere, the sugar is utilised by the plant to grow.
If you also offer appropriate lighting, increasing the CO2 levels in your cannabis garden will enable your plants to produce more energy. Once more, light is the second prerequisite for your plants to produce energy, therefore you must match your CO2 levels with your illumination. Before getting into the specifics of how this is accomplished, there are a few more factors to take into account.
Who Should Employ Cannabis CO2 Systems?
The advantages of adding CO2 to a grow area are widely acknowledged and established. But, there may be a number of alternatives for you to initially enhance your yields before investing in an expensive CO2 system if you’re a beginning grower and/or on a low budget. Make sure you are familiar with how to:
- Cultivate a wholesome garden using a superior product.
- Eliminate or control pest and mold infestations
- Create a safe, enclosed grow area.
- Employ a powerful light source that is suitable.
- Use superior strain genetics
- Use high-quality growing media and nutrients.
You should be prepared to try raising your yields with additional CO2 if you have a grasp on the aforementioned issues.
How to Increase the CO2 in a Garden
There are several techniques to add CO2 to your garden, however the majority of these do not ensure controlled ppm (parts per million, used to measure CO2 levels in atmosphere). It’s crucial to spend money on a high-quality CO2 system because of this. You might think about delaying CO2 supplemented grows until you’re ready to make the leap if the systems below are too expensive or demanding for your space.
CO2 producers
By burning natural gas or propane, CO2 generators, which resemble patio heaters, produce carbon dioxide. When CO2 levels reach a certain ppm, they can be programmed to turn on or off automatically. Although it is fairly simple to obtain natural gas or liquid propane, their combustion produces heat that might be challenging to control in tiny grow spaces. Because of this, CO2 generators work better in huge grow rooms that have climate control equipment.
Constricted CO2
Compressed gas stations, hydroponic supply shops, and even home brew shops carry compressed CO2 tanks. In this instance, the producers produce the CO2, which is then gathered and compressed into tanks that may be purchased. This eliminates the need for a CO2 generator so you may add controlled amounts of CO2 to your plants using emitters. The advantage of this configuration is that since there is no CO2 generator, releasing CO2 into your garden will no longer generate heat. Compressed CO2 is therefore perfect for grow areas with little space.
A Guide to CO2 Usage in Cannabis Gardens
Our atmosphere contains 400 ppm or less CO2. It’s interesting to note that studies have shown that as CO2 levels rise to above 10,000 ppm, plant growth can continue to increase. It should be noted that CO2 becomes hazardous for people to breathe once it reaches 3,000 parts per million (ppm), and it is considered fatal at 5,000 ppm.
The majority of gardeners have discovered that when your garden is producing high-quality light, a CO2 level of 1,200 to 2,000 ppm will greatly accelerate plant growth. Moreover, your plants can tolerate a greater average temperature – roughly 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit – while employing CO2. Be careful that your plants will suffer harm from too much CO2 if your CO2 levels are too high compared to the amount of light or heat produced in your yard.
As CO2 is heavy and will sink to the earth, it is perfect for it to fall from above the garden. More plants will be able to absorb CO2 if fans are used to help keep it flowing about the space. Plants photosynthesize when it is dark outside, hence CO2 should only be released while the lights are on.
Cannabis cultivation is a dynamic process. By taking on a challenge like adding CO2, you might be able to advance your garden. Do you have any experience with CO2 in your garden? Use this chance to discuss your experiences in the space below.