Air is essential for growth. It contains CO2 which is necessary during the day for photosynthesis and oxygen for the roots of the plant.
In the air, the carbon occurs as carbon dioxide (CO2). It is brought into the air by breathing plants and animals and by decaying or burning organic substances.
The C (carbon) is used in the construction of plant cells and the O2 (oxygen) is exhaled by the plant.
Botany teaches that sugar is built up from CO2 and water. From this, starch, fat, pulp and other substances can arise again.
Protein also contains carbon. Thus it becomes understandable that the carbon sometimes makes up 50% of the plant's dry matter.
The carbon is therefore a very important element for the structure of the plant. The air has 0.04% carbon dioxide. However, this low content is sufficient.
Most CO2 is used around the plant. We will have to ensure a constant flow of fresh, CO2 rich air in the plant room.
The air there must therefore be regularly refreshed by supplying new air with a fan.
Without CO2, a plant cannot breathe and therefore cannot live.
~ H2O + 6CO2 - Light C6H12O6 a 6O2 ~
Simply put: ~ Water + Carbon - Light a energy ~
The more CO2 the more energy the plant can make if there is enough water and light.
Under normal circumstances, the air is rich enough with CO2 for our plants. However, if you have closed off the cultivation space very well from the outside world and the air discharge is greater than the supply, then there may be a shortage of fresh air.
Your plants will become lighter in colour, growth will slow down and flower buds stay small.
The solution is to supply more air by making an (extra) air grille in the wall or door if necessary or create a ventilator that push air inside.
This immediately result in an explosion of the flower bud.
Keep in mind that an air opening must also be light-tight so as not to disturb the day and night rhythm of the plants!
It is not only important that sufficient air is supplied and exhausted, but also that the air in the space can constantly circulate between the plants.
This means that the plant can get the CO2 it so desperately needs at any time during the growing period.
Co2 for bigger plants
Standard Co2 levels are between 350 and 450 ppm. Co2 (parts per million) in the air.
We can increase this ratio of 350 parts of Co2 per million to 1200ppm to increase the harvest.
Only when we are able to maintain all values such as temperature and humidity within the room and good harvests are achieved, can we start experimenting with Co2.
Only in that case does the lack of sufficient Co2 prevent a faster metabolism and is therefore the weakest link in the growth process.
Please note the following guidelines:
• Use an ascending scale. As the harvest progresses, you increase the value.
• Start with the standard Co2 value in the room.
• Increase this value by 50 ppm every 3 to 4 days, up to a maximum of 1200 ppm.
The cultivator who has understood this lesson well can confidently take on the responsibility of playing father and mother nature for his plants. He knows what and why his children need at what point in their development.
