We’ve all heard of the term “green thumb”, and while it may be of major benefit when tending to your garden, there should be a higher level of thinking and planning when considering marijuana cultivation. In order to yield the highest return, prior knowledge of logistics and proper arrangement of your layout, materials, and controls are essential to a successful cultivation system and outcome.

From the types of nutrients used, to the amount of grow space available, every step within the growing process is just as important as the last. The following are considered to be some of the most important factors that may impact the growth of marijuana plants. These factors should be monitored very closely in order to avoid any mishaps:

Climate Control  

A grow facility is heavily based upon the temperatures the room is kept at. Even the slightest change in temperature range can either freeze the roots of the plants or dry them out so terribly which may result in stagnation, bacteria, and mold growth. Whether you have an indoor or outdoor facility, temperature is a constant variable that should be continuously monitored. Growers should highly consider a reasonable HVAC system that can help airflow to lessen any mold or mildew within the grow room.

With MadgeTech’s Element HT data logger, users can easily monitor humidity by setting programmable alarms for ideal parameters. As soon as humidity levels go above or below the desired setting, users are quickly notified, saving the stress, questioning, and accountability of the grow room(s).

Hydration

In order for marijuana plants to grow at a constant rate, proper hydration is crucial. Under and overwatering tend to be one of the two most common issues growers face. While the amount of water needed is dependent on the size of the grow space and the size of the plants, there are certain factors worth observing in order to tell if your plants are getting an adequate amount of water. A visual check of the leaves is an easy giveaway as to whether or not the plants require more or less water. If the leaves are firm, droopy looking, or discolored (usually more yellow than green), this is a sign of overwatering. With proper drainage from each plant and paying close attention to a watering schedule, your plants will be growing healthy and tall in no time.

Humidity

Creating the right humidity levels in a grow room is not only complex but may take time to get right. In the preliminary stages, plants require relatively higher humidity levels due to their smaller roots. As the plants begin to grow and transpire into the “blooming” stage, humidity levels should slowly decrease.

CO₂ is essential to those who are looking for rapid growth progress within their facility. The plants breathe in CO₂ through their pores and use the CO₂ to convert sugars into oxygen which ultimately speeds up the growth process.

Thanks to MadgeTech’s Element CO2 wireless data logger, users can easily monitor humidity by setting programmable alarms for ideal parameters. As soon as humidity levels go above or below the desired setting, users are quickly notified, saving the stress, questioning, and accountability of the grow room(s).

Nutrients

Marijuana plants heavily rely on food and nutrients to flourish throughout the grow phase. After finding out which nutrients to use (based upon strain, size, etc.), the most organized method to utilize is a feeding chart. This helps keep order of the amounts of nutrients given (throughout the cultivation cycle, plants rely on different amounts of food) and most importantly how the plants are responding to the nutrients. Using a daily journal can help track daily times and amounts at which you are feeding and can be used as an indicator of over or underfeeding.

With the help of MadgeTech’s line of cultivation data loggers, monitoring these factors has become easier than ever. All MadgeTech data loggers engineered specifically for medicinal marijuana have LCD screens to provide users with live, real-time data. In conjunction with MadgeTech 4 data logger software and a free MadgeTech Cloud Services account, growers can monitor their facility remotely from anywhere in the world with internet access, reducing stress and maximizing control and yields.

About Nina:

Nina joined MadgeTech in May of 2018 as Business Development Coordinator who specializes in strategic business strategy and market research and analysis. Nina graduated from Southern New Hampshire University where she received her Master of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Marketing. Outside of the office she enjoys running, hiking, and traveling.