Temperature, humidity, VPD, lighting, ventilation, indoor vs greenhouse climate control
51 terms
A photoperiod of 12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of darkness, used to trigger and maintain flowering in photoperiod-sensitive cannabis plants, and also used to sex regular-seed plants.
The mother greenhouse uses a 12/12 schedule (lights on 6 pm–midnight) to sex out the new Schwale genetics. A black tarp prevents outside light from entering and interrupting the dark period.
ep 005
An indoor grow tent or room measuring 4 feet by 8 feet used for the flowering stage of cannabis cultivation.
Dakota specified the large flower room where the Battle of the Breeders strains were flowering as a '4x8' space. It was day 56 of flower at the time of harvest.
ep 003
A precision scientific instrument that measures photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) in units of PPFD (µmol/m²/s), used to quantify actual light intensity received by plants.
Dakota describes this as 'the coolest one, the new kid on the block' and plans to mount it at canopy height on an adjustable pole to track PPFD throughout the day and collect data over several months. 'It's really the next level.'
ep 005
A silica-based supplement from Puur Organics / Cronk Nutrients designed to strengthen plant cell walls, improve stress tolerance, and tighten internodal spacing.
Used throughout the greenhouse organic grow and also in the indoor tent watering. Dakota confirmed the greenhouse plants had received Armadillo Armor throughout the cycle, and the audible snap of defoliated branches was cited by Dakota as evidence of good silica uptake.
ep 001
Coco coir that has been pre-treated with a calcium/magnesium solution to saturate its cation exchange sites, preventing the medium from stripping these elements from the nutrient solution during early use.
AutoPot's guidelines (read aloud by Dakota) specify using coco that is 'already buffered and stabilized.' If unsure, they recommend running 2.5 gallons of pH 5.6 water with quarter-strength feed through each pot to instantly stabilize the coco before the automated system is turned on.
ep 001
A proprietary blend of cover crop seeds sold by BuildASoil, a living soil and organic growing education brand, designed specifically to benefit cannabis cultivation in organic bed systems.
Dakota describes following BuildASoil on YouTube for years and choosing their cover crop for the majority of greenhouse beds. A single bed uses a cheaper Amazon alternative as a side-by-side comparison test.
ep 005
The movement of air through and around the upper bud zone of a cannabis plant; adequate airflow reduces humidity pockets that promote powdery mildew and bud rot.
Dakota identified reduced airflow in the greenhouse compared to open-air outdoor as a likely reason greenhouse plants had more powdery mildew: 'there must just be less air flow in that sun it's crazy to see a few more issues in here than we even seen in a full outdoor test.'
ep 003
The addition of carbon dioxide gas to the grow environment above ambient levels (~400 ppm) to increase the rate of photosynthesis, enabling plants to use more light and nutrients, typically raising CO2 to 1,000–1,500 ppm.
The dedicated CO2 room is a recurring feature of the channel. A key strategic change this run is delaying CO2 introduction until mid-flower (past the stretch), rather than running it from seedling as before. Mr. Q supported this, noting how large nodal spacing became last run with early CO2. Dakota plans to introduce CO2 when plants begin 'thickening up' after the stretch.
ep 001, ep 004
The addition of carbon dioxide gas into an enclosed grow space to elevate CO2 concentrations above ambient (~400 ppm), typically to 1,000–1,500 ppm, to accelerate photosynthesis and increase yields.
Dakota notes the CO2 was 'tapered down towards the end' of the run, a best practice to reduce CO2 input as plants approach harvest. The CO2 room is described as 15 ft x 7.5 ft. The whole run was considered the most dialed-in setup to date.
ep 005
Cannabis cultivation conducted outdoors in Colombia's equatorial climate, characterized by high humidity, frequent rain, and year-round warm temperatures that create both opportunities and challenges.
Dakota repeatedly emphasized how surprising it was to find zero powdery mildew or bud rot on the outdoor patio plants given Colombia's notorious humidity and heavy rainy season. He suggested this opens the door to field-scale outdoor cultivation without a greenhouse.
ep 003
A cannabis breeding company that produced the Scrooge strain featured in the Battle of the Breeders grow.
Dakota noted: 'this is Compound Genetics shout out Seedsman for making these available for those international participants... Colombia this is not easy to get.' The Scrooge #2 was described as smelling like it would 'hit you like a train.'
ep 001, ep 003
Colombia's most respected competitive cannabis event, featuring categories for amateur and professional growers and extractors.
Santi (the team's rosin maker) won first place in the professional rosin category at Copa with the Watermelon Emoji strain rosin. Mr. Q noted he had verbally called the win before it happened in his dab report video.
ep 001
A nutrient brand sponsoring the channel, used in the indoor tent grows. Features base nutrients (Micro, Bloom, Grow) and additives.
Dakota used Cronk Nutrients' 'Intermediate Plan' for the first post-transplant hand watering in the 4x8, mixing in additives: Armadillo Armor (silica), cal-mag, and Monkey Juice. The base nutrients included Micro, Bloom, and Grow. The resulting solution came to pH 5.8 without needing pH adjustment.
ep 001
A removable panel or curtain installed at the open sides of a greenhouse to be pulled down during heavy rain at night, protecting plants while maintaining daytime ventilation.
Dakota identified this as a needed greenhouse improvement: 'eventually we do got to put in some type of current we can pull down at night for hard rain you know just kind of seal it up but just open air test looking really good.'
ep 003
A climate control device that removes excess moisture from the air in a grow room, reducing humidity to prevent mold, powdery mildew, and other humidity-related issues.
Notably, Dakota confirmed they deliberately did NOT use a dehumidifier or air conditioning for this entire cycle as a test of strain resilience: 'this cycle we have not used the dehumidifier whatsoever or the air conditioning back there total rough test.'
ep 003
A measure of the concentration of dissolved nutrients in a feed solution. Higher EC indicates a stronger nutrient solution; too low an EC can lead to nutrient deficiency.
Mr. Q diagnosed the CO2 room clones as likely suffering from too-low EC in addition to overwatering, citing nitrogen-deficient and pale new growth as evidence. Dakota's solution was to step up the EC on the next feeding round. Later, Dakota confirmed he cranked up EC along with cal-mag when the plants recovered.
ep 001, ep 004
A productivity metric used in cannabis cultivation that divides total dried flower yield (in grams) by the wattage of the grow light used, indicating how efficiently the light was converted into harvestable material.
Dakota calculates 0.8 g/w for this run, noting the EVO3 was never run at 100% but only at 70–80% power throughout the entire grow. He calls it 'one of the best producers we've ever had in a 2×4.'
ep 002
A high-tech Colombian cannabis company that Mr. Q visited recently, which was preparing to export a batch of their Medin Hood strain.
Mr. Q arrived at the shoot wearing a Green Mile shirt and described it as 'the most high-tech company in Colombia.' They were drying flowers of the Medin Hood strain in their studio at the time of filming.
ep 001
A California-based cannabis seed company whose Granny Candy strain is featured in the greenhouse. Also available through Seedsman.
Granny Candy clones from Nat's Farm in Humboldt, California, were brought to the Colombia greenhouse. Mr. Q described it as having 'super stinky candy, sweaty terps.' 15–20 different phenos were being run simultaneously across the greenhouse bed.
ep 001
A complete five-component nutrient program from Kronk Nutrients used for the CO2 room run, covering all stages of growth with separate formulations followed precisely to protocol.
Dakota states the CO2 run 'did the Kronk nutrients five part system and followed it to a T.' Credited as part of why the run was the most dialed-in yet. The Pure Organics line is a separate, simpler one-per-week organic variant used in the outdoor beds.
ep 005
An organic nutrient line from Kronk Nutrients designed for living soil growing, requiring only weekly applications since soil biology supplements feeding between doses.
Used in both the greenhouse living soil beds and the mother greenhouse. Dakota says 'Something what I love about the Kronk Pure Organics, you only have to use it once a week.' It was also used in the CO2 room via the five-part Kronk system.
ep 005
A biologically active growing medium cultivated to support diverse communities of beneficial microorganisms, fungi, and soil fauna that break down organic matter and make nutrients available to plants.
All eight greenhouse beds are described as living soil, now enhanced with cover crops that are cut and incorporated before transplant. Dakota says they are 'going even more organic' and uses Kronk Pure Organics as a weekly supplement.
ep 005
A soil-based growing medium enriched with organic amendments, microbial life, and compost that feeds plants through a natural nutrient cycle rather than synthetic salts.
Mr. Q describes the raised bed soil as 'magical and living soil.' The mix uses a base of trucked natural earth at approximately $220 per large truck load, blended with coco fiber, mycorrhizae, and organic amendments. One community bed uses the team's traditional home mix for a side-by-side comparison.
ep 004
A nutrient additive used by Dakota in the first hand-watering of the transplanted indoor plants, added alongside cal-mag and Armadillo Armor.
Mentioned briefly as part of the Cronk Nutrients feeding plan for veg day 18 hand-watering in the 4x8. Specific function not elaborated upon in the episode.
ep 001
Beneficial fungal organisms that colonize plant roots and extend their absorptive surface area, improving nutrient and water uptake.
Dakota lists mycorrhizae (referred to as 'micer') alongside organic amendments as a component added to each of the seven main greenhouse beds at approximately 100–250 kg per bed combined with other amendments.
ep 004
A cannabis farm in the northeast of Humboldt County, California, which supplied the Granny Candy and other elite clones being run in the Colombian greenhouse.
Referenced as the source of Granny Candy clones and the Chicken & Waffles from a previous greenhouse run. Dakota expressed nostalgia comparing the Colombia greenhouse beds to 'the Cali shots at Nat's Farm.'
ep 001
A cultivation trial conducted fully outdoors with no protective covering, exposing plants directly to rain, wind, sun, humidity, and all ambient environmental conditions.
Dakota contrasted the 'open air test' on the patio with the greenhouse run, concluding that 'open air test looking really good' and suggesting it may be viable to grow in Colombia's field conditions with no greenhouse at all.
ep 003
An organic-based nutrient line formulated as a concentrated liquid that can be delivered through an automated drip irrigation system without clogging emitters.
Dakota teases a switch away from synthetic salts to a mystery organic nutrient line described as highly concentrated (small amounts yield large nutrient volumes) and compatible with indoor coco drip, outdoor beds, and both environments simultaneously. Previous lines used include Mills, Cutting Edge, Advanced Nutrients, and Cron Nutrients. The brand identity is withheld as a reveal for the next episode.
ep 004
Cannabis plants grown in containers on an elevated outdoor terrace or patio, exposed to natural sunlight, rain, and ambient environmental conditions.
Dakota had placed Smackdown and Banana Biscotti plants on an outdoor patio for a resilience test. He had not visited them for a month and was visibly surprised by the quality: 'holy smokes dude this is insane bro' at first viewing.
ep 003
A grow trial where the same strain is cultivated simultaneously in a fully open-air outdoor environment and inside a greenhouse structure to compare yield, disease resistance, and bud quality.
A major theme of the episode. Dakota found the open-air outdoor Smackdown and Banana Biscotti produced bigger, frostier, mold-free buds compared to their greenhouse counterparts which showed some powdery mildew and smaller production. Less airflow and reduced direct sunlight in the greenhouse were cited as likely causes.
ep 003
Rice hulls that have been partially boiled before drying, a process that neutralizes organic compounds and prevents them from decomposing and altering substrate pH when used as a growing medium amendment.
Dakota states they will source parboiled rice hulls for a future side-by-side test against perlite in the Autopot system. Parboiled hulls are the recommended alternative to raw hulls for hydroponic and coco-based growing.
ep 005
A volcanic glass product expanded by heat, widely used as a lightweight aeration and drainage amendment in growing media. It prevents compaction and improves oxygen retention at the root zone.
AutoPot's guidelines recommend a minimum of 30% perlite or similar amendment in coco-based mixes. Dakota explained perlite is difficult to find and extremely expensive in Colombia, which is why rice hulls were substituted.
ep 001, ep 005
A measure of acidity or alkalinity of the nutrient solution fed to plants; coco and hydroponic media require precise pH (typically 5.5–6.2) for optimal nutrient availability.
Dakota pre-saturates the coco media at pH 5.5 to 5.8 before transplanting. During the drip feed test he notes he is feeding at pH 5.6. He later mentions the organic nutrient line being run through the drip system at the same pH range.
ep 004
A scale measuring the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, ranging 0–14. Cannabis in coco coir is typically fed at pH 5.5–6.2 to ensure optimal nutrient availability.
Dakota confirmed feeding the CO2 room at pH 5.6–5.8 for 100% coco. When mixing 20 L of Cronk nutrient solution for the AutoPot tent hand-watering, the mix came out to a 'perfect 5.8 pH' without needing pH up or down. AutoPot guidelines recommend buffering coco with 2.5 gallons of pH 5.6 water at quarter-strength.
ep 001
A measurement of the amount of photosynthetically active light (400–700 nm) hitting a surface per second, expressed in micromoles per square meter per second (µmol/m²/s). Used to determine whether plants are receiving adequate or excessive light.
Mr. Q and Dakota performed live PPFD checks throughout the episode. In the CO2 room on level 5, they measured 500 µmol at the canopy center and ~400 at the sides. At plant canopy height, moving up 10 inches raised readings by 200 µmol. Outdoors in the greenhouse, overcast readings hit 1,000–1,300 µmol; full noon sun previously measured 2,000–2,500 µmol.
ep 001, ep 004, ep 005
A concentration unit used in cannabis cultivation either for nutrient solution strength (as an alternative to EC) or for CO2 level measurement in the grow room.
Dakota monitors CO2 PPM on the room sensor, noting it reads 779 PPM on first check and crosses 800 PPM shortly after, at which point the controller shuts off the CO2 flow. During the day-11 update the CO2 is at 1100 PPM and day 3 flower it is referenced as running well.
ep 004
A unit of pressure used to measure water pressure in irrigation systems; optimal pressure ensures even dripper flow across all emitters.
Dakota measures 60–70 PSI at the pump and 40 PSI maintained system pressure during testing. He notes 40 PSI as 'perfect' for the drip system. The 60% PSI figure is referenced when running the first full automated feed through the CO2 room drippers.
ep 004
Greenhouse or outdoor growing infrastructure improvements: raised beds elevate plant root zones for better drainage and reduced disease pressure; drip lines deliver water directly to root zones for efficiency.
Dakota read viewer comments from the previous vlog suggesting these improvements for the greenhouse setup: 'I've been reading a lot of you guys' comments on the last Vlog as far as suggestions raise beds drip lines.' Plans to implement these were implied.
ep 003
The outer shell of rice grains, used as a lightweight, biodegradable aeration amendment in growing substrates. They function similarly to perlite by improving drainage and oxygen availability in the root zone.
After discovering perlite is both rare and expensive in Colombia, Dakota sourced sanitized rice hulls from a local garden center for approximately $15 per bale. AutoPot recommended adding 30% aeration amendment; rice hulls were used as the practical local substitute. Dakota mixed them at approximately 30% into the coco for the re-transplant.
ep 001
An international online cannabis seed retailer that stocks genetics from multiple breeders, making otherwise hard-to-source cultivars accessible in countries like Colombia.
Seedsman is a channel sponsor offering 10% off with code 'HomeGrowTV.' Blue Moon Gelato (described as 'the special grow-along strain') and Peyote Skittles were sourced from Seedsman for this run. Humboldt Seed Company genetics are also noted as being available on Seedsman.
ep 001, ep 003
A woven or knitted fabric used to reduce the intensity of direct sunlight reaching plants, protecting them from heat stress.
Dakota constructs a temporary bamboo-framed outdoor clone and mother area between the house and office, using simple shade cloth. The area receives morning sun and full shade by 4:30 PM, making it suitable for vegetative pheno hunt plants and clone hardening.
ep 004
A small independent cannabis breeder whose genetics (Grape Graffiti and Punch & Punch F2) are featured in the greenhouse this run.
Dakota described Shadowborn as 'a small time breeder' and expressed excitement about having their genetics featured. After success with Punch & Punch (F1) in a previous community bed, two full greenhouse beds were dedicated to Grape Graffiti and Punch & Punch F2 this round.
ep 001
A plant-available form of silicon added to nutrient solutions or foliar sprays to strengthen cell walls, improve stem rigidity, reduce internode spacing, and increase stress tolerance.
Mr. Q suggested a silica foliar spray for the struggling CO2 room plants. He also noted that high silica doses can reduce internode spacing and referenced 'Syndica' (a silica product) as an example, suggesting doubling or tripling the dose can noticeably shorten internode space. Dakota confirmed the greenhouse plants were receiving Armadillo Armor (a silica product from Puur Organics/Cronk) throughout the cycle, and the audible snap of cut branches indicated good silica uptake.
ep 001
A sensor module measuring temperature, humidity, and derived Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD), used to optimize the grow environment for plant transpiration and health.
Two THV sensors are installed in the greenhouse: one at the upper canopy level and one at the lower end to detect environmental gradients. The greenhouse previously had no such monitoring, so this is a significant data-collection upgrade.
ep 005
The breeder responsible for the CBD Dawn strain being grown in the greenhouse.
The CBD Dawn occupied the first half-bed of the greenhouse. Mr. Q noted it showed tight, indica-type internodal spacing—unusual for a CBD strain typically derived from sativa-leaning genetics—and showed strong powdery mildew resistance compared to the adjacent Ultra Pink.
ep 001
A measurement of the proportion of water present in a growing substrate, expressed as a percentage, used to guide irrigation timing and frequency.
Dakota references VWC sensors feeding data into the Pulse dashboard to automate drip irrigation. After fully saturating coco to 2% runoff, he notes the VWC at full saturation, then allows it to dry back to 30–35% before the next irrigation event.
ep 004
A measurement of the difference between the actual vapor pressure in the air and the saturation vapor pressure, used to optimize plant transpiration rates. Proper VPD management helps prevent issues like mold, while ensuring healthy stomatal function.
Monitored via the Pulse THV sensor installed in the greenhouse. Though not discussed at length numerically in this episode, VPD data will be collected alongside temperature and humidity as part of the new monitoring setup.
ep 001, ep 002, ep 005
A measure of the difference between the moisture content of the air and the maximum moisture it can hold at a given temperature; a key metric for optimizing transpiration and clone health.
Dakota uses an AC Infinity VPD gun to check conditions inside propagation domes. He found VPD inside some domes reached 1.5 due to overheating from new heat pads and the uninsulated roof, which killed a batch of clones. This prompted installation of the AC Infinity Terraform 7 and CloudForge T7 humidifier.
ep 004
A measure of the amount of water present in a given volume of substrate, typically expressed as a percentage. Used with substrate sensors to monitor moisture levels and optimize irrigation timing.
Dakota used the Pulse sensor to track VWC in the AutoPot coco substrate. After the first hand-watering in the 4x8, VWC jumped from 15% to 30%. He planned to use these readings to calibrate dry and wet thresholds and set automated alarms for the AutoPot system.
ep 001
A soil probe that measures the percentage of water volume in a given volume of substrate, used to monitor moisture levels and dry-back cycles in growing media.
Dakota describes the Pulse VWC probe as one of his favorite monitors. It is inserted into the living soil bed to track irrigation dry-backs, soil EC, and moisture data, allowing growers to determine when and how much to irrigate.
ep 005
The excretions of earthworms, used as a rich organic soil amendment providing slow-release nutrients and beneficial microorganisms.
Dakota mixes 10% worm castings into a light coco mix for seed germination trays. Worm castings are also referenced as part of the organic amendments going into the greenhouse raised beds.
ep 004