Air and Humidity

BobNarley · 05-30-2008, 10:00 AM

Air and Humidity
Besides temperature and C02 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 in-
clude 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)
tbrough various passing gasses.
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
blcck large amounts. Furthermore, the dust clogs the pores through
which plants transpire. Dust can easily be washed off leaves using a
fme mist spray. Water must be prevented from touching and shat-
tering 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 industrializ-
ed 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
Regatively charged area.
. ,
Regardless of the controversy regarding growth and the air 5
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
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 roughly simulated by grounding a sheet of
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 attached to the electrical wire, which is at-
tached to the grounding source. As the foil gets soiled, it is replac-
ed.

Humidity
Cannabis grows best in a mildly humid environment: a relative
humidity of 40-60 percent. Plants growing in drier areas may ex-
perience chronic wilt and necrosis of the leaf tips. Plants growing in
a wetter environment usually experience few problems; 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 ventila-
tion, 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 humidity. The solu-
tion 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 at-
mospheric 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
composition and temperature from the surrounding atmosphere.
The plant uses C02 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 C02
depleted.
Plants develop firm, sturdy stems as the result of environmen-
tal stresses. Outdoors, the plants sway with the wind, causing tiny
breaks in the stem. These are quickly repaired by the plant's rein-
forcing the original area and leaving it stronger than it was original-
ly. 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 from 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.

05-30-2008, 10:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
BobNarley My Mood: Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mojove Desert-Southern California Posts: 530 gRamz: 13,473 Danks: 26 Danked 17 Times in 14 Posts	Air and Humidity Air and Humidity Besides temperature and C02 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 in- clude 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) tbrough various passing gasses. 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 blcck large amounts. Furthermore, the dust clogs the pores through which plants transpire. Dust can easily be washed off leaves using a fme mist spray. Water must be prevented from touching and shat- tering 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 industrializ- ed 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 Regatively charged area. . , Regardless of the controversy regarding growth and the air 5 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 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 roughly simulated by grounding a sheet of 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 attached to the electrical wire, which is at- tached to the grounding source. As the foil gets soiled, it is replac- ed. Humidity Cannabis grows best in a mildly humid environment: a relative humidity of 40-60 percent. Plants growing in drier areas may ex- perience chronic wilt and necrosis of the leaf tips. Plants growing in a wetter environment usually experience few problems; 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 ventila- tion, 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 humidity. The solu- tion 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 at- mospheric 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 composition and temperature from the surrounding atmosphere. The plant uses C02 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 C02 depleted. Plants develop firm, sturdy stems as the result of environmen- tal stresses. Outdoors, the plants sway with the wind, causing tiny breaks in the stem. These are quickly repaired by the plant's rein- forcing the original area and leaving it stronger than it was original- ly. 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 from 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.

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