Growing when living in harsh conditions

[Kbailey3232]

Hello all, I am living in southern Louisiana where the climate can be quite nasty. Super hot and humidy (up to 100%) in the summer and freezing periods (down to 14-40*F) with sometimes snow in the winters.
My question would be (obviously indoor is a must to successfully grow) how should I go about dealing with or. controlling all the unfavorable factors and environment to suit the needs of the plant? Would one of those grow tents with air filtration, heaters, A/C’s, dehumidifiers, etc. work or can humidity and cold/heat still get through to the pants?
I’m thinking about setup my grow up in my spacious attic that unfortunately has no insulation and is very susceptible to very hot (90 F) to very cold (17F-40F) temperatures with humidity levels up to 100% in the summers. What is the smartest and easiest way to control this extreme environment in a space like this? Or is it even possible?
Please let me know your thoughts, thanks
Kbailey3232

 

[lvstealth]

yes, you will have to fix those things to use your attic. the tent is not insulated for winter/summer conditions. you can pick a section of the attic and insulate it. but in an attic setup, you will get tired of dragging water up the stairs.

 

[Pushrod Monkey]

First consideration for you is adequate dehumidification. Do not go small and just consider the water from it a bonus.

Next is ventilation.

https://htgsupply.com/informationcenter/ask-the-doc/gardening-articles/understanding-ventilation/

 

[Kbailey3232]

First consideration for you is adequate dehumidification. Do not go small and just consider the water from it a bonus.

Next is ventilation.

https://htgsupply.com/informationcenter/ask-the-doc/gardening-articles/understanding-ventilation/

Thank you much, and I’m am aware that humidity is key. Need around 40% for all cycles, Correct?

 

[Pushrod Monkey]

Thank you much, and I’m am aware that humidity is key. Need around 40% for all cycles, Correct?

No. Search for a VPD chart and use the humidity to your benefit early.

 

[Kbailey3232]

No. Search for a VPD chart and use the humidity to your benefit early.

Okay, so Inwill need to adjust the humidity throughout cycle to compensate for the ever changing humidity outside? That makes sense/ thank you for your help. So how should I enclose my space? Say a 5’x 7’ area. What’s a good air tight material that will seal properly?

 

[Pushrod Monkey]

Okay, so Inwill need to adjust the humidity throughout cycle to compensate for the ever changing humidity outside? That makes sense/ thank you for your help. So how should I enclose my space? Say a 5’x 7’ area. What’s a good air tight material that will seal properly?

Panda film but read up on the ventilation because you need air exchange. You will have to dehumidify the entire room but it doesn’t have to be airtight.

 

[Kbailey3232]

yes, you will have to fix those things to use your attic. the tent is not insulated for winter/summer conditions. you can pick a section of the attic and insulate it. but in an attic setup, you will get tired of dragging water up the stairs.

I’m planning on having a filtered water source pumped up to the attic with a drip system, in-line oh monitor, a timer for feedings, a nutrient trough for mixing food/nutrienys for the plants, and several carbon filter ventilators

 

[Pushrod Monkey]

I’m planning on having a filtered water source pumped up to the attic with a drip system, in-line oh monitor, a timer for feedings, a nutrient trough for mixing food/nutrienys for the plants, and several carbon filter ventilators

https://cannabisreports.org/marijuana-growing/how-marijuana-grow-room-air-exchange-works

 

[Kbailey3232]

Panda film but read up on the ventilation because you need air exchange. You will have to dehumidify the entire room but it doesn’t have to be airtight.

I plan on using several fans for circulation and want to completely enclose just the grow area (5’x7’) hopefully keeping the grow space adequate enough without having to change the entire room/space if the attic. It’s a fairly large attic to be able to control 100% of the space

 

[Kbailey3232]

https://cannabisreports.org/marijuana-growing/how-marijuana-grow-room-air-exchange-works

Very helpful and informative article thank you Pushrod Monkey!

 

[Pushrod Monkey]

I’m planning on having a filtered water source pumped up to the attic with a drip system, in-line oh monitor, a timer for feedings, a nutrient trough for mixing food/nutrienys for the plants, and several carbon filter ventilators

https://cannabisreports.org/marijuana-growing/how-marijuana-grow-room-air-exchange-works

I plan on using several fans for circulation and want to completely enclose just the grow area (5’x7’) hopefully keeping the grow space adequate enough without having to change the entire room/space if the attic. It’s a fairly large attic to be able to control 100% of the space

Fans and more fans. Not directly on the plants! But over, under and around. Fans are our friends.

 

[Kbailey3232]

I plan on using several fans for circulation and want to completely enclose just the grow area (5’x7’) hopefully keeping the grow space adequate enough without having to change the entire room/space if the attic. It’s a fairly large attic to be able to control 100% of the space

You don’t think just dehumidifying only the grow room rather than the whole entire attic would work? Or would the humidity seek into the grow space somehow?

 

[Pushrod Monkey]

You don’t think just dehumidifying only the grow room rather than the whole entire attic would work? Or would the humidity seek into the grow space somehow?

Speaking from my experience and that of friends - you can humidify a tent but have to dehumidify the room it’s in. In short.

 

[Kbailey3232]

https://cannabisreports.org/marijuana-growing/how-marijuana-grow-room-air-exchange-works

Fans and more fans. Not directly on the plants! But over, under and around. Fans are our friends.

Okay got it. I’ve done a few grows in the past but never hydroponic or anything with the modern technology we have now. Like LED lighting, new soil toys, (ie. coco), and all the new nutrients and foods

 

[Kbailey3232]

Speaking from my experience and that of friends - you can humidify a tent but have to dehumidify the room it’s in. In short.

Okay, so if I’m having too high off humidity I won’t be able to do the opposite of what you just mentioned?

 

[Kbailey3232]

Speaking from my experience and that of friends - you can humidify a tent but have to dehumidify the room it’s in. In short.

Not sure dehumidifying an entire 1500 sq ft atttic can be achievable with the outside relative humidity being upwards to 85-100% would take a shot load of units and everything sealed from the outside air

 

[Pushrod Monkey]

Okay, so if I’m having too high off humidity I won’t be able to do the opposite of what you just mentioned?

You want high humidity in veg. Lower humidity in flower and especially at the end. You need to figure out how you can do this in this space. Attic? Think mini split also. An attic in Louisiana in summer would be a steambath.

 

[Kbailey3232]

You want high humidity in veg. Lower humidity in flower and especially at the end. You need to figure out how you can do this in this space. Attic? Think mini split also. An attic in Louisiana in summer would be a steambath.

Yes! It’s hot at and super humid in the summer: winter and fall would probably be the best for flowering since it’s low and normal like where I’m from in Northern California

 

[Kbailey3232]

Yes! It’s hot at and super humid in the summer: winter and fall would probably be the best for flowering since it’s low and normal like where I’m from in Northern California

I have to time it so beg is in the Fall and flowering in the spring. That could be ideal. Stay away from the nasty hot moist summers