1 Viewed from Centre of Eternity 615.552.5747 -+- The Merry Pranksters from Menlo Park -+- 10.1990.01.01.14 Marijuana Grower's Handbook - part 14 of 33 by pH Imbalance "Air and Humidity" from Marijuana Grower's Handbook [Indoor/Greenhouse Edition] Ed Rosenthal Besides temperatures and CO2 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 include 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) through various passing gases. 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 block large amounts. Furthermore, the dust clogs the pores through which plants transpire. Dust can easily be washedoff leaves using a fine mist spray. Water must be prevented from touching and shattering 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 industrialized 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 negatively charged area. Regardless of the controversy regarding growth and the air's 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 the 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 rougly simulated by grounding a sheet a 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 attacked to the electrical wire, which is attached to the grounding source. As the foil gets soiled, it is replaced. Humidity Cannabis grows best in a mildly humid environment: a relative humidy of 40-60 percent. Plants growing in drier areas may experience chronic wilt and necrosis of the leaf tips. Plants growing in a wetter environment usually experience fewer problms; 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 ventilation, 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 humdity. The solution 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 atmospheric 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 the composition and temperature from the surrounding atmosphere. The plant uses CO2 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 CO2 depleted. Plants develop firm, sturdy stems as the result of environmental stresses. Outdoors, the plants sway with the wind, causing tiny breaks in the stem. These are quickly repaired bythe plant's reinforcing the original area and leaving it stronger than it was originally. 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 form the 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. (818-752-2572) XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XX XX Altered States XX XX XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XX | XX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX X