Air is essential for growth. It contains CO2, which is needed during the day for photosynthesis, and oxygen for the roots of the plant.
In the air, carbon appears as carbon dioxide (CO2). It is released into the air by breathing of plants and animals, and by rotting or burning organic matter.
The C (carbon) is used in building plant cells, and the O2 (oxygen) is exhaled by the plant.
Botany teaches us that sugar is built from CO2 and water. From this, starch, fat, fruit flesh, and other substances can also be formed.
Protein also contains carbon. This makes it clear why carbon sometimes makes up 50% of a plant’s dry matter.
Carbon is therefore a very important element for the structure of plants. Air has 0.04% carbon dioxide. This low concentration is still sufficient.
Most CO2 is used around the plant itself. We must ensure a constant flow of fresh, CO2-rich air in the grow room.
The air there must therefore be refreshed regularly by supplying new air with a fan.
Without CO2, a plant cannot breathe and therefore cannot live.
~ H2O + 6CO2 + Light → C6H12O6 + 6O2 ~
Simply put: ~ Water + Carbon + Light = Energy ~
The more CO2, the more energy a plant can produce, provided there is enough water and light.
Under normal circumstances, the air is rich enough with CO2 for our plants. However, if the grow room is tightly sealed from the outside world and air exhaust is greater than supply, there may be a lack of fresh air.
Your plants will turn paler, growth will slow, and flower buds will remain small.
The solution is to supply more air by creating an additional vent in the wall or door, or by using a fan to push air inside.
This immediately leads to an explosion of flower bud growth.
Keep in mind that an air opening must also be lightproof so as not to disturb the plant’s day-night rhythm!
It is not only important that enough air is supplied and exhausted, but also that the air in the room constantly circulates among the plants.
This means that the plant can always receive the CO2 it needs during the growth phase.
CO2 for Bigger Plants
Standard CO2 levels are between 350 and 450 ppm (parts per million) in the air.
We can increase this ratio from 350 ppm to 1200 ppm to boost yields.
Only when we are able to maintain all other values such as temperature and humidity in the room, and harvests are already good, can we experiment with CO2.
Only in this case does a lack of CO2 prevent a faster metabolism and become the weakest link in the growth process.
Please follow these guidelines:
• Use a gradual scale. As the harvest progresses, increase the value.
• Start with the standard CO2 level in the room.
• Increase this value every 3 to 4 days by 50 ppm, up to a maximum of 1200 ppm.
The grower who understands this lesson well can confidently take responsibility for playing Mother and Father Nature for their plants. They know what their plants need, and why, at each stage of development.