Temperature plays a crucial role in the flowering phase of weed plants. The timing and duration of flowering are highly sensitive to fluctuations in temperature and can have a significant impact on the overall growth and reproduction of the cannabis plant.
In general, warm temperatures stimulate the flowering process, while extremely cold temperatures can delay or prevent flowering altogether. This is why wee plants in warmer climates tend to flower earlier and for a longer period than those in colder climates.
Temperature also affects the size, shape, and color of flowers. For example, exposure to high temperatures during the flowering stage can cause the cannabis flowers to become smaller and lighter in color, while low temperatures can cause them to become larger and darker.
Additionally, temperature can also impact the development of pollination in plants. High temperatures can increase the rate of pollination, while low temperatures can slow it down. This can have a direct impact on the plant’s ability to produce seeds and perpetuate its species.
Temperature Effects on Cannabis Plants
Temperature plays a major role in how cannabis plants thrive and grow. Even though it is vital to their health, plants can’t create their own heat which means that they are entirely dependent on the temperatures provided by their environment.
When fluctuations occur, especially when drastic ones take place too quickly, then the health of the cannabis plant can be adversely affected. In extreme cases, an overly high temperature or an excessively low temperature can lead to the growth of unhealthy or even dead vegetative growth.
How Does A Cannabis Plant Get Warm?
Cannabis plants rely on external factors to maintain their body temperature, as they do not have the capability to adjust their internal thermostat like animals do. Sunlight is a major contributor to the warming of a plant and its surroundings, as it is composed of energy in the form of light and high-frequency particles that may be absorbed by the leaves or reflected off from them. The temperature of a plant does not always reflect that of its environment.
For example, when there is wind present, it will cool down the plant by helping reduce evaporation from its surface. Additionally, when water droplets fall from clouds onto the plants, they absorb relatively warm air in comparison to colder air surrounding them; thus causing one possible mechanism for a plant getting warmed up.
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is essential for all living things, but it is particularly important for plants. It is the process by which cannabis plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and excess water into oxygen and energy-rich carbohydrates such as glucose. In an optimum environment, photosynthesis occurs rapidly and efficiently, allowing a plant to nourish itself and grow healthy.
Temperature is an important factor in determining how quickly plants can perform photosynthesis and how successful that process will be overall. While photosynthesis can safely occur at any temperature between 60 °F (15°C) and 85°F (30°C), it becomes more difficult when the temperature falls below 68°F (20°C).
At this point, sugars do not move around as easily, reducing the rate at which they are transported to different areas of the plant where they are needed most. Too cold or too hot of temperatures can stunt a plant’s growth due to a lack of efficient photosynthesis.
Respiration
Respiration is a temperature-dependent process for marijuana plants and other living organisms that relies on oxygen to create energy stored within cells. Respiration decreases as the temperature drops, so in principle, this should be beneficial because it helps lower the amount of energy a weed plant uses while allowing more sugars and oxygen to reach its leaves. However, there is a potential drawback: when a crop develops too quickly due to cold temperatures, the total respiration of the crop increases.
Temperature from Seedling to Harvest
As a grower, it’s crucial to understand that temperature can have a significant impact on your marijuana plant’s growth. The temperature needs of your plants will vary depending on the stage of growth they are in. To ensure optimal growth and health, it’s essential to maintain the following ideal temperatures for each stage of the growing process:
Seedling Stage
During the seedling stage, the ideal temperature range is between 68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C). This temperature range provides a warm and stable environment for the seeds to germinate and start to sprout. It’s important to keep the temperature within this range to prevent stunted growth or failure to germinate.
Additionally, maintaining a consistent temperature and avoiding temperature fluctuations is crucial during this stage.
Vegetation Period
During the vegetative stage, the ideal temperature range is between 68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C). This temperature range provides the perfect environment for cannabis plants to grow rapidly and develop strong stems and leaves.
Maintaining consistent temperatures within this range will encourage healthy and vigorous growth, while fluctuations or extreme temperatures can lead to stress and slow growth. It’s important to note that during this stage, the cannabis plants will also benefit from a slightly lower nighttime temperature, around 10°F lower than the daytime temperature, which will promote better growth and overall health.
Additionally, providing proper ventilation and air circulation will help regulate the temperature and prevent any temperature-related issues.
Flowering Period
During the flowering period, the ideal temperature range is between 68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C). However, it’s important to note that during this stage, the plants are more sensitive to temperature fluctuations and may require a more stable environment. Sudden temperature changes can cause stress to the plants and negatively impact the quality and quantity of the buds.
To provide the best environment for flowering, it’s recommended to maintain a consistent temperature within the 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C) range. Additionally, it’s beneficial to maintain a slightly lower nighttime temperature, around 10°F lower than the daytime temperature, as this will encourage the plants to produce more buds and promote better overall health.
Late Flowering (1-2 weeks before harvest)
During the late flowering period, which is 1-2 weeks before harvest, the ideal temperature range is still between 68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C). However, it’s important to maintain consistent temperatures within this range to prevent any stress on the plants that can negatively impact the quality and potency of the buds.
At this stage, the mature plants are in their final stages of growth and it’s crucial to provide the best environment for the buds to mature and develop their full flavor and potency. Sudden temperature fluctuations or extreme temperatures can cause stress to the plants, leading to smaller buds, reduced potency, and altered flavor.
It’s also important to maintain a slightly lower nighttime temperature, around 10°F lower than the daytime temperature, as this will encourage the plants to produce more resin and promote better overall health.
Adjusting Temperature
Adjusting the temperature in your grow room is an important aspect of growing marijuana plants. Maintaining the ideal temperature range for each stage of growth can have a significant impact on the health, growth, and quality of your plants.
There are several methods for adjusting the temperature in your grow room, including using air temperature conditioning or heating units, ventilation systems, and insulation. It’s important to choose the right methods and equipment to provide the best temperature environment for your plants and to monitor the temperature differences regularly to ensure that it stays within the recommended range.
By making the necessary adjustments to temperature, you can ensure that your plants receive the optimal growing conditions they need to thrive.
Ways to Lower Temperatures
Lowering the temperature in your grow room can be achieved in a few ways. One way is to increase total airflow in the room by allowing more warm air to be extracted and more cool air to enter by increasing velocities or using bigger tube vents.
This helps maintain optimal temperatures and keeps your plants healthy, as it reduces the chances of diseases and growth problems due to high temperatures.
Furthermore, it is also important to remember to turn off all lights during the day and turn them on at night. By doing this, excess heat created from the lights will be eliminated, thus reducing overall temperature.
Another suggestion would be to install an air conditioning unit (AC). AC’s not only lower temperatures but also help reduce humidity levels which can lead to fungal development if left unchecked. Additionally, if you are using HPS lights in your grow room, consider using a cool tube for even further temperature reduction.
Cool tubes essentially act as reflectors for the light, funneling out the excessive heat and helping decrease temperatures so that plants do not suffer from overheating or dehydration stress due to extreme environmental conditions.
Raising Temperatures
Raising temperatures in indoor grow rooms and tents can often be challenging, but there are several ways to do it. One way is to upgrade your lighting system to include more powerful grow lights that provide increased heat output. This may require additional wiring and a larger ballast, as these types of light can generate more energy than the standard wattage lights.
Another option is to place an electric heating mat at the bottom of your tent or room. This will help evenly distribute heat throughout the enclosed space. Home improvement stores also sell various materials that you can use to insulate your grow room, further trapping the heat generated from other sources, like lighting and/or supplemental space heaters.
Finally, you’ll want to use a simple space heater with a thermostat so you can easily control and monitor the temperature of your indoor garden without any guesswork. With all of these methods combined, you should have no problem regulating an ideal climate for your plants in any size indoor garden setup.
Measuring Temperature
Measuring temperature is an important part of successful marijuana cultivation. Outdoors, one can typically rely on a thermometer from the weather station to read outside temperatures and make sure they maintain optimal levels. For indoor cultivation, however, one must take more care to ensure accurate and consistent readings.
To do this, it’s best to use a digital thermo/hygrometer that has built-in memory. This allows growers to store past readings and keep track of fluctuating changes in temperature as necessary. Additionally, thermometers with wire sensors allow growers to hang the displays outside the grow room so they can be monitored while the lights are off in order to check for optimal conditions during any hour of the day or night.
With proper behavioral monitoring, any grower can be confident their plants are receiving only the best environment for growth within their chosen space.
Maintaining Correct Temperatures
Maintaining the correct temperature is essential for growing healthy marijuana plants. When you are indoor growing, you have greater control over the environment, with air and soil temperatures remaining relatively stable throughout different weather conditions. However, as soon as you move to outdoor growing your plants will be partially subjected to extreme weather conditions which can impact their overall health and growth.