One of the many challenges new marijuana growers face is humidity control since it tends to fluctuate regularly. Because some new growers may not fully understand the importance of humidity control, and as a result end up losing many of their plants to diseases and pests. Most plants need humid air to survive because they lose a lot of their moisture through pores in their leaves. This moisture is very difficult for them to replace this missing moisture because the water absorbed by the plant’s roots is not always sufficient.
The thinner a plant’s leaves are, the more humidity it needs as well. Since cannabis is a fairly thin-leaved plant, it is important that the humidity is kept at an adequate level so your plants can thrive and produce a high yield.
There are many different humidifiers one can choose from, but most of them fall into four distinct categories, including:
1. Central Humidifiers: These humidifiers are built into home heating and air conditioning systems and supply humid air to the whole house.
2. Ultrasonic Humidifiers: This type of humidifier produces a cool mist using ultrasonic vibrations.
3. Impellar Humidifiers: These humidifiers produce a cool mist by employing a rotating disk.
4. Evaporators: This type uses a fan to blow cool air through a wet filter or belt.
5. Steam Vaporizers: This option uses electricity to heat water and create steam. The steam is then cooled and released into the air in a fine mist.
Although there are many options available, it’s best to determine what is needed for your specific growspace.
Here are a few great options for grow room humidification:
1. Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
With a 1.5-liter tank and ultrasonic mist technology, this humidifier will keep the air moist for up to 16 hours. This humidifier also doubles as a night light and has a handy auto-shut off feature. This feature kicks in when the water level becomes low or the water tank is removed. When you purchase this product, you get the humidifier, an AC power adapter, disk cleaning brush, user manual, and a 5-year warranty.
This specific model features a 360-degree mist nozzle, and easy to fill water tank, and all the essentials needed to get started right away. This humidifier is easy and quick to clean and maintain, and it can sufficiently raise the humidity in up to a 250 square ft. room. It’s also pretty affordable, retailing for about $39.99 USD.
2. Vicks Filter-Free 1.2 Gallon Cool Mist Humidifier
The Vicks filter-free mist humidifier is a very quiet device and provides up to 30 hours of consistent air moisture. This ultrasonic device feeds water onto a mist plate vibrating at an ultrasonic frequency, thus propelling the cool mist into the air. This model has a 1.2-gallon tank and is easy to clean and maintain. It is also fuss free since its filter does not have to be replaced. This humidifier can effectively humidify up to a 400 sq. ft. room and has an adjustable mist control output.
And this specific model features a wide tank opening for easy refilling and cleaning. It is also relatively small, allowing one to place it in a convenient spot within their grow room. The reviews for this product are generally good, however there have been several complaints about the system dripping during maintenance. The humidifier is currently priced at $39.86 USD.
3. Everlasting Ultrasonic Comfort Humidifier
This device features a 1.6 gallon tank and has a super high mist output that can last up to 50 hours of continuous use. This model is suitable for rooms smaller than 500 sq. ft., which is perfect for most home-grown operations. It also features an LED nightlight built into the device and an essential oil tray. In addition, it features an auto shut off feature.
This allows the device to turn itself off when the water level starts running low, preventing damage to you or your device. Another bonus is that this device does not need any expensive filters and can be used with standard tap water. There are not many complaints about this device, the only being that it can be a little bit noisy sometimes. This humidifier is a little bit on the expensive side, running one around $54.95 USD.
4. Levoit Cool Mist Ultrasonic Air Humidifier
This device is quite possibly one of the better options out there. Not only does this humidifier feature near silent operation, it has a built-in sensor to gauge the humidity levels in its environment. Because of this, you can set this device to your desired humidity, which is crucial for growers as humidity often has to be adjusted and changed. It also has an auto-shutoff feature and turns off when it senses its water level getting low. Not only does this protect you, but it also protects the device itself. This model is very easy to use and comes complete with a remote control.
You can also set a timer between 1 and 12 hours for peace of mind. It also features a warm and cool mist option and comes complete with an essential oil diffuser. This humidifier is perfect for larger rooms as it can adequately cover up to a 750 sq. ft. room. The only complaint about this device is its motor. In some cases, the motor included has failed within several months, however, these are reports from several isolated cases. Since this humidifier has many features, it will cost one a little bit more than others (which average around $40). The current price for this device clocks in at $89.99 USD.
Buying a humidifier for your grow room or marijuana operation is no easy task. There are many variables you must consider before buying a humidifier as all operations are different and require different things. The first thing you have to consider is the room size. Small humidifiers are great for small grow rooms and setups, however, larger grow rooms need larger humidifiers. Sometimes, some rooms may need more than one in order to distribute the moisturized air evenly.
Another factor to consider is control. Humidifiers with a control timer function are best suited to grow rooms and grow tents because they allow you to remotely control the humidity. Some humidifiers even have sensors which allow the device to adjust the humidity according to your preferences. This is especially important to consider since marijuana plants can be sensitive to both over and under humidification.
Finally, another factor to consider is how easy the device is to clean. A clean humidifier will provide your grow room with clean, fresh moisture. However, a dirty device can cause harm to your crops because the mist emission will be unclean. It’s important to considering these factors when setting up grow room setup for optimal crop health and yield.