Dealing With Cold Temperatures This Winter and How to Keep Your Grow Rooms Warm

In this article, we explain the best ways to keep the optimal temperature and humidity, small grow spaces, large-sized rooms, and 8 items to buy that can make the world of difference this harvest.

Keeping seedlings and propagators warm

When you are trying to successfully germinate cannabis seeds, or root your usual bunch of clones, cold temperatures can set you back. As a worst-case scenario, the growing medium used becomes cold, wet, and a breeding ground for bad bacteria and pathogens. 

• Using a reptile heat mat is an excellent way to warm the floor up.
• Heating cables are also easy to put inside small spaces.
• A small heater left on during the lights off period will keep it warm.
• 50-100w heating cables can be wrapped around the base and tops of the pots

1 Meter squared tents and smaller grow spaces

If you need to keep a small grow tent or converted wardrobe warm over the Winter months, then this is easily achievable. Grow tents and small spaces won’t take long to heat up and retain the heat. Often small grow tents and converted cupboards will be inside a bedroom, which gives you more opportunity to heat the growing area. 

• Use a small heater connected to a temperature controller set to 22 degrees Celsius.
• You can use a gas heater in the bedroom, ensuring the air is warm and not too humid.
• Air conditioning units set to heat mode will switch on and off depending on the set temperature. 
• A dehumidifier may be required to take the moisture levels in the air down to comfortable levels. 
• Lowering the extractor output can help keep the tent or wardrobe warmer as heat builds up.
• 50-100w heating cables can be wrapped around the base and tops of the pots

Large grow spaces

A large-sized grow space, in this case, will cover cellars, attics, garages, and large-sized grow tents 1.5 meters squared and above. In a large grow space, the fresh air will be sourced from an intake that is directly connected to ducting, pulling in fresh cold air at a rapid rate. 

• Gas heaters set on the lowest setting will quickly heat rooms and keep them ambient. 
• Air conditioning units on heat mode set to 24 degrees Celsius will maintain consistency. 
• Lowering the extractor during the lights-off period will help fight off icy cold temperatures.
• 50-100w heating cables can be wrapped around the base and tops of the pots.

8 items that you may want to buy

Now that you are aware of the various options you have to keep the grow room nice and cozy, below is a list of all the different bits of equipment you may consider buying, to make life easy and straightforward.

1. Gas heater

For those who do not want to hammer their electric and prefer to use gas bottles, then a gas heater set on the lowest setting will massively help keep the air dry and the temperature and humidity levels where you want them. A cheaper alternative to electric model heaters, however, you should leave a window slightly open when using one.

 2. Electric heater

There is a wide range of electric heaters available to buy, and they come in all shapes, sizes, and power usage. It is best to use a low-powered heater, just to avoid tripping the power box potential and shutting the grow lights off unintentionally. 

 3. Heater cable

Heater cables are best for the early seedling or cloning stage and also can be wrapped around the pots helping keep them warmer. These cables come in different lengths and do a great job of producing a warm and gentle heat source.

 4. Reptile heating mat

I would say that a reptile heating mat placed underneath a propagator is the very best way to get your cannabis seeds sprouting, and clones popping out fat white roots. Heating mats are not expensive and are available to buy in small or large-sized matt sizes, these are an excellent cheap way to eliminate cold temperatures. 

 5. Dehumidifier

If your intake fan is blowing cold and wet air directly from outside into your grow room, then you may need to use a dehumidifier. When plugged in and left inside a small or large grow space, they will pull the moisture out of the air and allow you to empty it out once collected inside. 

 6. Temperature controllers

A temperature controller is designed to be connected to your heater, intake, and outtake fans, and once set to the desired temperature and humidity level, the temperature controller will do the rest of the work. Temperature controllers work wonderfully for growers who may not always be in the grow room to switch a fan or heater on and off and give you the peace of mind everything is digitally controlled, and is not reliant on you being there 24/7. 

 7. Air conditioning unit

You may think air cons are only for coping with hot Summer evenings, but you can still set the temperature to 24 degrees Celsius and place the setting on heat mode. When the sensor inside detects the room is dropping below 24 degrees, the air conditioning unit will kick in and produce a warm current of air around. Installing an air con unit inside your chosen grow space will pay off massively and is all remote controlled. 

 8. Digital hygrometer

The most accurate way you can get a reading of the temperature and humidity levels of your grow room is to buy a digital hygrometer. These little devices with a digital display can be left inside a propagator or grow room and is the most professional way to know the exact growing environment conditions. 

Conclusion

Cannabis plants do not respond well to cold environments and can end up becoming stunted, low-yielding, and susceptible to root rot and other pathogens. Using the different solutions provided in this article, can make a massive difference and keep your plants happy and thriving. I love to use gas heaters over electric ones due to the overall savings and the fact they produce an incredible amount of instant heat. 

Avoid power cuts by not using heaters over 1000w, and be prepared to invest in a temperature controller, as they will keep the grow room consistent. Good luck growing some high grades this Winter and giving your precious seedlings and clones the best possible start!