Taking care of plants indoors, in a grow tent, is about so much more than light and water. Water, nutrients, light, temperature, humidity, soil conditions including pH and composition, and so much more must be maintained within a specific range that varies according to the plant’s current growth stage.

Worse yet is the fact that sometimes plants manifest the same symptoms for which there could be several causes. For instance, chlorosis, or a yellowing of the leaves, could be caused by overwatering, underwatering, and nitrogen deficiency. You need to be a good sleuth to determine what the cause is.

And so, with that said, we put together this short guide to help offer some insights into some of the main problems faced by indoor growers.

Poor Ventilation

Plants need proper ventilation to transpire effectively, which influences moisture absorption, nutrient exchange, and resistance to diseases like mold.

Common symptoms of stagnant air include:

• Wilting foliage or drooping stems
• Mold or mildew on plants or inside the grow tent
• Persistent musty odors
• Uneven or inconsistent plant growth

Fortunately, rectifying the simple problem of stagnant air, assuming there is no problem compounding it, is to install adequate ventilation infrastructure such as clip-on fans, inline fans, and ductwork.

Adequate ventilation is also associated with climatic controls associated with temperature and humidity, which will also be covered in this article.

Overwatering

Believe it or not, overwatering is, for many cultivars, as big of or bigger a problem than underwatering.

Common symptoms of overwatering include:

• Musty soil smell
• Soil stays soggy and doesn’t dry out
• Wilting
• Yellowing leaves or leaf drop
• Brown roots
• Fungus gnats around the soil

Overwatering can be addressed in several ways, the first and most immediate of which is to adjust the irrigation schedule so that the soil dries properly between watering.

Also, proper ventilation, achieved through a clip-on fan, inline fan, and ductwork, along with the use of fabric pots that encourage the soil to drain properly, can help regulate soil saturation levels.

Underwatering

Underwatering is usually easier to diagnose, and certainly easier to immediately address, than overwatering.

Typically, plants that are underwatered:

• Wilting
• Slow growth
• Yellowing, dry, or brittle leaves
• Persistently dry soil

In addition, a big symptom of underwatering is soil that is persistently dry.

The quickest way to address underwatering is simply to adjust the irrigation schedule so that the plants are given more water, or watered with the same volume of water but on a more frequent schedule.

Inadequate/Insufficient Light

Etiolation is another problem among plants grown indoors, even those in grow tents, if they are not provided with adequate lighting. Even modern LED grow lights, if not positioned properly or switched on for sufficient periods, may not furnish plants with sufficient light for optimal growth.

Some of the signs that a plant is not getting enough light follow:

• Stretched out stems
• Plants that are reaching or getting “leggy” leaning towards a light source
• Leaves that are a pale green or yellowish can also be an indication that the plant is not getting enough light.

It is also the case that the proper spectrum light should be offered to the plant based on its current stage of growth.

Consequently, you should invest in high-quality, full-spectrum LED grow lights and automate the schedule to ensure that your plants have optimal access to light needed for healthy growth.

Inadequate Fertilization

Plants need to be fed the proper amount, and in the right nutrient balances, given the cultivar and the stage of growth. Too little, or too much, fertilizer can stunt growth, or burn or even kill the plant.

Signs of under or over-fertilization include:

• Chlorosis (yellowing leaves) which generally indicates inadequate nitrogen levels or absorption.
• Brown leaf edges may indicate a potassium deficiency.
• Browning or dried out leaves, which can indicate too much fertilizer (fertilizer burn).

It is also critical to balance soil pH for what you are growing, because if the pH is either too high or too low for the species, the plant will not be able to properly absorb nutrients, whether or not you apply fertilizer to the soil.

Temperature Control Issues

Temperature swings can stress plants, severely impacting growth and yield. Moreover, some plants require higher daytime and cooler nighttime temperatures.

Temperatures that are too high or too cold cause stunt growth and cause blossom drop, which can be a serious issue if plants have already entered their flowering stage.

Ensuring that your grow tent is outfitted with HVAC equipment, LED grow lights and necessary ventilation accessories, monitored by AI-powered controllers will help you maintain temperatures in the proper range throughout the day.

Humidity Is Too High or Too Low

Believe it or not, humidity can also significantly impact the growth, and overall health, of your plants. If the humidity is too low, it can stress the plants, and if it is too high, it can predispose the plants to mold, mildew and other pests.

Humidifiers and dehumidifiers, such as those in our CLOUDFORGE and HYDRONE series, provide powerful and precise humidity control when paired with controllers for monitoring the system, as well as appropriate ventilation accessories.

Upgrade Your Grow Tent with Help from AC Infinity

Now that you’re better-equipped to diagnose and rectify some of these common problems affecting indoor growers, take a look through our collection of humidifiers, dehumidifiers, ventilation accessories, HVAC equipment, and other indoor growing accessories and upgrade your grow tent today.

You can also get in touch with us directly and we will be more than happy to assist you.