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1991-04-06
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Viewed from Centre of Eternity 615.552.5747
-+- The Merry Pranksters from Menlo Park -+-
10.1990.01.01.14
Marijuana Grower's Handbook - part 14 of 33
by pH Imbalance
"Air and Humidity"
from
Marijuana Grower's Handbook
[Indoor/Greenhouse Edition]
Ed Rosenthal
Besides temperatures and CO2 content, air has other qualities including
dust content, electrical charge and humidity.
Dust
"Dust" is actually composed of many different-sized solid and liquid
particles which float in the gaseous soup. The particles include organic
fibers, hair, other animal and vegetable particles, bacteria, viruses, smoke
and odoriferous liquid particles such as essential oils, and water-soluble
condensates. Virtually all of the particles have a positive electrical
charge, which means that they are missing an electron, and they float (due
to electrical charge) through various passing gases.
The dust content of the air affects the efficiency of the plant's ability
to photosynthesize. Although floating dust may block a small amount of
light, dust which has precipitated on leaves may block large amounts.
Furthermore, the dust clogs the pores through which plants transpire. Dust
can easily be washedoff leaves using a fine mist spray. Water must be
prevented from touching and shattering the hot glass of the lights.
Negative Ions
in unindustrialized verdant areas and near large bodies of water, the air
is negatively charged, that is, there are electrons floating in the air
unattached to atoms or molecules. In industrialized areas or very dry
regions, the air is positively charged; there are atoms and molecules
missing electrons.
Some researchers claim that the air's electrical charge affects plant
growth (and also animal behavior). They claim that plants in a positively
charged environment grow slower than those in a negatively charged area.
Regardless of the controversy regarding growth and the air's electrical
charge, the presence of negative ions creates some readily observable
effects. Odors are characteristic of positively charged particles floating
in the air. A surplus of negative ions causes the particles to precipitate
so that there are no odors. With enough negative ions, a room filled with
pungent, flowering sinsemilla is odorless.
Spaces with a "surplus" negative ion charge have clean, fresh smelling
air. Falling water, which generates negative ions, characteristically
creates refreshing air. Dust particles are precipitated so that there are
fewer bacteria and fungus spores floating in the air, as well as much less
dust in general. This lowers the chance of infection.
Many firms manufacture "Negative Ion Generators", "Ionizers", and "Ion
Fountains", which disperse large quantities of negative ions into the
atmosphere. These units are inexpensive, safe and recommended for all
growing areas. Ion generators precipitate particles floating in the air.
With most generators, the precipitating particles land within a radius of
two feet of the point of dispersal, collecting quickly and developing into a
thick film of grime. Newspaper is placed around the unit so that the space
does not get soiled. Some newer units have a precipitator which collects
dust on a charged plate instead of the other surrounding surfaces. This
plate can be rougly simulated by grounding a sheet a aluminum foil. To
ground foil, either attach it directly to a metal plumbing line or grounding
box; for convenience, the foil can be held with an alligator clip attacked
to the electrical wire, which is attached to the grounding source. As the
foil gets soiled, it is replaced.
Humidity
Cannabis grows best in a mildly humid environment: a relative humidy of
40-60 percent. Plants growing in drier areas may experience chronic wilt
and necrosis of the leaf tips. Plants growing in a wetter environment
usually experience fewer problms; however, the buds are more susceptible to
molds which can attack a garden overnight and ruin a crop.
Growers are rarely faced with too dry a growing area. Since the space is
enclosed, water which is evaporated or transpired by the plants increases
the humidity considerably. If there is no ventilation, a large space may
reach saturation level within a few days. Smaller spaces usually do not
have this buildup because there is usually enough air movement to dissipate
the humdity. The solution may be as easy as opening a window. A small
ventilation fan can move quite a bit of air out of a space and may be a
convenient way of solving the problem. Humidity may be removed using a
dehumidifier in gardens without access to convenient ventilation.
Dehumidifiers work the same way a refrigerator does except that instead
of cooling a space, a series of tubes is cooled causing atmospheric water to
condense. The smallest dehumidifiers (which can dry out a large space) use
about 15 amps. Usually the dehumidifier needs to run only a few hours a
day. If the plant regimen includes a dark cycle, then the dehumidifier can
be run when the lights are off, to ease the electrical load.
Air Circulation
A close inspection of a marijuana leaf reveals many tiny hairs and a
rough surface. Combined, these trap air and create a micro-environment
around the plant. The trapped air contains more humidity and oxygen and is
warmer, which differs significantly in the composition and temperature from
the surrounding atmosphere. The plant uses CO2 so there is less left in the
air surrounding the leaf. Marijuana depends on air currents to move this
air and renew the micro-environment. If the air is not moved vigorously,
the growth rate slows, since the micro-environment becomes CO2 depleted.
Plants develop firm, sturdy stems as the result of environmental
stresses. Outdoors, the plants sway with the wind, causing tiny breaks in
the stem. These are quickly repaired bythe plant's reinforcing the original
area and leaving it stronger than it was originally. Indoors, plants don't
usually need to cope with these stresses so their stems grow weak unless the
plants receive a breeze or are shaken by the stems daily.
A steady air flow form the outdoor ventilation may be enough to keep the
air moving. If this is not available, a revolving fan placed several feet
from the nearest plant or a slow-moving overhead fan can solve the problem.
Screen all air intake fans to prevent pests.