There are a million theories to maximize your crop yields and growth rates. “Mom knows best” could be one of them, Mother Nature that is. Select a place that grows the biggest, most lush and vigorous crops on earth, and then emulate it. The jungles of Borneo or Cambodia and the deserts of Nevada all have different plant types that dominate, but for sure, fast, lush and rapid cropping plants are more likely in the jungles than high in the mountains.

Temperatures into the mid 90˚Fs (35˚C) are commonplace for many growers, but climate control can reduce the stress of high temperature on the plants, turning it to growth opportunity instead. Plants produce more chemical change, in less time at higher temperatures and keeping a balance of temperature with the other aspects of climate to maximize plant comfort is the trick.

Some basic (and simple) facts

• Plant metabolism rises with temperature
• Wide open stomata are necessary to allow the higher CO₂ transfer rate, to feed the increased plant metabolism, so humidity must be kept higher (possibly to 75%) to slow transpiration and improve nutrient uptake.
• CO₂ is plant food, the meat and potatoes of the plant kingdom. Make sure to feed them with high (1800-2000ppm) carbon dioxide levels then add the nutrients to match the growth produced.
• Climate controllers help manage the temperature, humidity, CO₂ and light cycles as a single organic growing environment. High yielding, fast cycling harvests, with minimal room maintenance or crop management are repeatedly achieved by novice growers.

Tony Olissoff is with Harvest Master and can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit their website at www.harvestmaster.com .