Setting Up a Grow Room

For those that are setting up a large indoor garden in order to escape a hostile climate outdoors a grow room can be a very good idea. These are typically large, indoor (or greenhouse) rooms that are optimized for growing various types of plants. This optimization comes in the form of specialized lighting, heat sources, and irrigation systems. Setting up a grow room requires some knowledge in the area of plant cultivation, electrical systems, lighting systems, and to an extent plumbing. Grow rooms can utilize either hydroponics or traditional soil methods; however, soil is not recommended since it is more expensive and produces results slowly. The very first decision that has to be made prior to setting up a grow room is whether you will soil or hydroponics since it will influence every facet of your operation.

Lighting

Plants need light to survive since photosynthesis is the means by which they receive a good deal of their energy. Having the proper shelves or overhead network by which lights can shine down on plants is crucial to their growth. The three most common types of lighting utilized in a grow room are: high intensity discharge lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, and traditional fluorescent lamps. LED lights are also slowly gaining traction where popularity is concerned due to their low heat and low energy consumption. High intensity discharge lamps are the most luminous efficacy (the most bang for your buck), and are the most popular type of lighting system used.

Ventilation

While it might not seem like an issue for those new to growing having proper ventilation is very important to the health of plants. After all, plants are living beings and need to breathe just like people do; without the proper ventilation system in place a plant can become injured or even die. Simple ventilation solutions include f ans in slightly ajar windows while complex systems can include a network of vents and pumps. No matter what method is used to bring fresh air into plants it must be tested for efficiency, and if power is ever lost ventilation is the first concern that must be addressed to preserve the plants. Ventilation systems can be one of the more expensive items to implement into a grow room, and if the situation calls for it no expense should be spared.

Covert Growth

Grow rooms are often used in parts of the world where they wish to keep their plant growth quiet. Such applications are not unheard of for grow rooms that house vegetables that could be attractive to thieves. With ever-increasing regulations around the world for growing one’s own food housing a grow room in the basement or another covert location can be highly desirable. Ventilation, lighting, and electrical systems can be more difficult to implement in an underground environment; however, when the situation calls for it a secluded space in which to grow in can be high importantance. It is up to each individual grower to know whether or not they need to conceal their growing operation.