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Dehumidifiers are crucial to indoor growing. As a result of how plants transpire, indoor grow rooms are naturally humid. These plants continuously release water vapor into the atmosphere because it is necessary for their growth. Therefore, if you don't include humidity control in your environmental management, any grow room will become highly humid, especially in cramped grow spaces with strong lights, like those used for cannabis.

That's why understanding how humidity is produced and managed and the best ways to include dehumidification for temperature and humidity control is essential for commercial and medical-grade cannabis growers.

How Humidity Builds up in a Greenhouse and Indoor Cultivation

In a grow room, humidity can accumulate for several reasons. Temperature and transpiration are the two leading causes. Water vapor transpiration is a physiological process by live, active plants. This vapor rapidly builds up in the air in a closed setting and may do so before the air becomes saturated. The amount of water vapor in the air and temperature affect relative humidity. The air may store less moisture at lower temperatures—resulting in increased relative humidity. If that happens, water condenses on cold surfaces, such as fences, pipes, or even the plants themselves.

What Are the Risks if Humidity Is Too High?

When learning how to plant cannabis, you must understand that high humidity is essential for your growing plants' healthy growth and development.

While this is true, too-high humidity in your grow tent can negatively impact your plants, such as: 

• Being the habitat for microorganisms and mold;
• Make your blossoming plants experience botrytis or bud rot;
• Increasing the hazard from diseases and pests;
• Keeping your plants from transpiring or exchanging air;
• Encouraging unwelcome microbial expansion;
• Restricting carbon dioxide absorption necessary for effective photosynthesis by clogging the stomata.
• Reducing the roots' natural capacity to absorb water to induce dormancy;
• Impeding the uptake of nutrients by your plants;
• Minimizing your plant's yield.

Odor-Free Edibles: A Solution to Consider

One effective way to mitigate the effects of high humidity and prevent odor issues in your grow room is to explore odor-free edible options. These products can offer several benefits:

• Discreet Consumption: Odor-free edibles provide a discreet way to enjoy cannabis without the strong smell associated with smoking or vaping, which can permeate the growing area.
• Improved Grow Room Environment: By reducing the need for smoking within or near the grow room, you can maintain a cleaner air quality, which is crucial for the health of your plants.
• Enhanced Compliance: Using odor-free products can help in adhering to local regulations regarding cannabis cultivation and consumption, particularly in areas with strict odor control laws.

Factors That Influence Humidity

Facility Size

The size of the growing area greatly influences the effectiveness of humidity control. The airflow capacity of the dehumidifier must be adequate for the size of the space to get the optimum results.

The dehumidifiers won't be able to dry the entire room if it's too big. It will result in an uneven climate, with the development of microclimates and localized increases in humidity.

It is particularly problematic when trying to get rid of fungus-causing infections. Even a tiny amount of free water will encourage mold growth, spreading the fungus' spores throughout the rest of the greenhouse.

Location and Geography

Understanding the climate in which the growing facility functions requires knowledge of the location and surrounding area.

External climate significantly influences the internal climate. The external temperature, humidity, sunlight, rain, and wind must all be taken into account to determine the most accurate approximation of the required amount of water vapor removal.

Black Screens and Lighting

Humidity is linked to other climatic elements. Screens and lighting affect the temperature, which also affects relative humidity. Without taking them into account, dehumidification would not be able to regulate humidity. 

In addition, thermal or black screens are a requirement for climate control. The space should be closed as tightly as possible to provide the optimum humidity management results when necessary. The best outcomes are produced, and you have the most control.

Plant Cultivar

The rate of transpiration depends on the type of crop. Humidity will continue to increase if the transpiration rate exceeds the pace at which the dehumidifier removes water. The cannabis cultivar affects this. Conversely, strains with thicker buds would require greater water removal.

Plant density and the leaf area index

The LAI (leaf area index) is utilized to gauge the amount of plant matter present. It also influences transpiration, which the dehumidifiers must match in order to efficiently control the humidity.

HVAC or Heating Pipes

Indoor and greenhouse cultivation require both heating and cooling. This significantly impacts humidity, just as temperature impacts relative humidity. It's crucial to consider the functionality and capacity of these systems when designing humidity control for the facility.

Ideal Humidity Level for Cannabis

Between 40% and 60% is the recommended humidity range for cannabis flowering. Lowering your relative humidity during blossom can aid in preventing the growth of mold and mildew. Cooler temps will also assist you in maintaining your desired VPD to handle the reduced RH. Preferably during the second half of flowering, stay away from high temperatures above 84°F. Low humidity and high temperatures can quickly dry out your plants and stress them, which is terrible for your crop output.

Control Your Grow Room's Humidity With Anden Dehumidifiers 

Anden is built with components that have been shown to work well in grow rooms and is intended and constructed for professional growing. They have a full selection of dehumidifiers with growth optimization for any size growth, fine controls like humidistats and thermostats to help you retain total control throughout the cultivation process, and additional parts to help you keep your products operating smoothly and effectively.

You can find an extensive array of Anden dehumidifiers at Grow Light Central to cater to your every commercial indoor cannabis grow room needs. Aside from dehumidifiers, we also offer dehumidifier controllers, replacement filters, temperature/RH sensor modules, and hanging kits for models. 

With Anden dehumidifiers, it is now easy to effectively manage air  and humidity throughout your growing area to provide a wholesome, grow-friendly environment.