Fluctuating temperature isn’t healthy for plants. A temperature that is too high or too low, can kill your indoor plants. That’s why maintaining the right temperature is so vital for successful indoor cultivation. Now, you might be inquisitive about learning tips for temperature control in your growing environment.
Before getting to know the tips, we should keep in mind the temperature-dependent factors in an indoor growing environment. These factors are:
- Outdoor temperature
- Airflow or air exchange rate in a grow room
- Ventilation system
- Indoor hydro fans
These factors can contribute to an increase or decrease in temperature in your growing environment. For instance, outdoor heat can generate more indoor heat, which can create heat stress for your greenhouse plants. Also, like any other lights, grow lights create hot conditions inside your grow room.
This is why you should learn how to control the temperature in your greenhouse. In this blog, we will share 10 important tips for controlling grow room temperature for growing healthy plants and maximizing yields.
1. Invest in Proper Insulation
The ideal temperature for your greenhouse plants during summer is between 23 to 29 °C (daytime), and 15 to 23 °C (nighttime). To maintain this temperature-controlled greenhouse, indoor gardening should ensure proper insulation.
An adequate insulation system will make sure the heat you’re trying to provide to your greenhouse plants remains at the ideal amount. Make sure to airtight your greenhouse to keep the growing environment warm at night.
To avoid losing heat from your grow room, look for any leaks or gaps in the roofs or walls and seal them with silicon caulk. Allowing outside air to infiltrate your greenhouse won’t keep the temperature stable. Lastly, insulating your grow room alone will ensure a steady temperature for the growing environment.
2. Choose the Right Location
Your grow room location matters. In winter, you should place your growing environment where it can receive adequate sunlight. Thus, plants’ development won’t be hindered by the lack of heat. On the contrary, in summer, you can do the opposite of what you do in winter.
Furthermore, avoid areas with extreme temperature exposure, for example, south-facing walls that get unbearably hot. Also, gardeners should consider the wind pattern and potential frost pockets when placing the greenhouse.
3. Install Ventilation System
For regulating temperature, installing a proper ventilation system is obligatory. The ventilation system will help you to get rid of the excess heat and keep your
To set up an optimized ventilation system, you’ll need exhaust fans near the roof of the grow tents to expel hot air and draw in cooler outside air.
To achieve a temperature-controlled greenhouse, indoor cultivators can use adjustable louvers or side vents as well to control airflow. Besides, roof vents can passively release hot air.
Lastly, ventilation will not only help you to keep your growing environment at a controlled temperature but also prevent humidity buildup on your greenhouse plants.
4. Consider Shade Cloth
Shade cloth is another versatile tool to control temperature. General and advanced-level greenhouse shade cloths are used to protect plants from harsh sunlight.
Simply put, shade cloth reduces the intensity of heat. Monofilament shade cloth is used for general greenhouses. More advanced greenhouses that grow high-value cash crops use Aluminate shade cloth to protect indoor plants from heat stress.
However, choose shade fabric density to reflect lights according to your plants’ needs (typically ranging from 30% to 70% shading).
5. Use Cooling System
In hot climates, a cooling system is necessary to maintain the growing environment temperature. You can add extra equipment for your growing environment.
- Evaporative coolers
- Air Conditioners
- Misting Systems
However, in the case of running evaporative coolers, make sure that sufficient air circulation throughout the growing environment. Without proper air circulation, it can give rise to moisture buildup.
Besides, air conditioners can be a wise choice for cooling the grow room environment for controlling the temperature in hot weather.
6. Heating Options
Plants can instinctively sense that winter is arriving. That’s why heating your greenhouse in the winter season is as necessary as cooling it in the summer. Growers can install heaters to increase the temperature.
To level up the temperature, you can choose any of the following options:
- Natural Gas
- Electric
- Passive solar heat
However, growers should use thermostats and hygrometers to measure the temperature and humidity on a regular basis. The ideal temperature of a growing environment is between 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Automate Temperature Control
The modern-day has changed agricultural techniques. Growers should invest in automated temperature control for better temperature management.
For instance, automation allows you to turn on and off the grow lights without doing anything. Similarly, a programmable thermostat is able to set a temperature schedule for you.
Besides, as we have discussed earlier, outdoor temperature contributes to influence the indoor temperature. That’s why the automated temperature controller comes with another feature called “weather forecast”. You can adjust your temperature based on the outside temperature.
8. Monitor with Thermometers
You should monitor your grow room temperature on a regular basis. It’s a must-do task. You’ll just need a thermometer and place it at different heights in your growing space to make sure uniform temperature readings.
However, different growth stages of plants require different temperatures. For instance, for seed germination, the soil temperature you’ll need is between 70- and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Furthermore, for the vegetative stage, the most suitable temperature is between 70-82°F or 21-28°C.
So, consider your plant’s type and plant’s growth stage and monitor the growing medium temperature regularly. It will eventually help you to maintain the ideal temperature in your growing space.
9. Adding Thermal Mass
Adding thermal mass to your greenhouse is another easiest heating method. Thermal mass indicates those materials that absorb and release heat when required.
For example: water is one of the most capable thermal masses to heat up your growing space because it has a high heat capacity. You can use water barrels in the cold season to heat up the greenhouse.
Place your water barrels with loose lids where the sun shines most of the day. Thus, the sun will heat water and that heat will be emitted back to the greenhouse.
Note that in this method gardeners should change the water barrels each week to make sure there are no bacteria build-up. This water thermal capacity is most used in aquaponic systems where fish and plants are grown symbiotically.
10. Insulate Plant Containers
The plant’s root has 3 major tasks to do:
- Absorbing water and minerals
- Attaching and supporting the plant
- Storing Food
In the summer soil temperature may increase. Excessive temperature can be detrimental to your greenhouse plants. You can use insulated pots or containers to prevent the roots from extreme heat.
Growers can wrap their pots with bubble wrap, or they can use foam insulation to provide plants with extra protection. Also, gardeners should make sure of a proper drainage system to avoid waterlogging and root rot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding temperature control in your growing environment.
How Do You Control Plant Temperature?
To control plant temperature greenhouse growers can install horizontal airflow fans (HAF), use shade cloths to avoid extra sunlight, and set up a proper ventilation system. However, gardeners should keep in mind that the temperature of the growing space can fluctuate during the day and nighttime. Also, the indoor temperature can be controlled by measuring the outdoor temperature correctly.
What Are the Four Ways to Prevent Heat Stress in Plants?
You can water your plants in the morning, deep watering, insulating the growing space, and implementing of proper ventilation system are 4 important ways to prevent heat stress in greenhouse plants.
What Helps Plants to Manage Temperature Stress?
If your plants are well-hydrated, then transpiration (exhalation of water vapor through stomata) can help to manage temperature stress. Because active transpiration creates an appropriate thermal condition for your plants. Evaporation occurs in Transpiration reduces the temperature of the greenhouse plants.
How Can We Prevent Heat Loss in Greenhouse?
The first thing you can do to prevent heat loss is to insulate the leaks or gaps that may have in your growing space. Next, you give extra protection by providing a double layer of coverings. Lastly, clean the exterior of the grow room to allow more sunlight exposure.
Final Words for Controlling Temperature in Your Growing Environment
Each system that you can set up to control the temperature in your growing space has a different capacity. Before you try to manage the temperature of your growing space, you should be clear about your plant’s development stage (Germination, Juvenile, vegetative, adult vegetative, and generative phase) temperature requirement, plant type, and outside weather.
Author Bio:
My name is Frank, and I am a passionate blogger on behalf of HGS Hydro Store. I enjoy writing on a wide range of subjects, from complex issues in plant care to creative solutions, and I embrace the joys of hydroponics and indoor gardening. Let’s work together to create a beautiful garden since I love to share advice and ideas for caring for plants.
