Grow Room Can auto plants thrive in temps a bit cooler?

[Archaic]

Keep in mind that there isn't really any Ruderalis left in modern autoflowers. All that's left is the autoflowering trait that's been diluted to way WAY less than 1% of the overall DNA.

The indica varieties grow in the mountains of Afghanistan and India, they are pretty well suited to cool temps. I've never had an issue with mid 60s bothering my plants. In fact, ive probably grown my best plants on the lower edge of the temp range.

 

[Arthur]

What's your rH like through the winter?

 

[Stone420]

Keep in mind that there isn't really any Ruderalis left in modern autoflowers. All that's left is the autoflowering trait that's been diluted to way WAY less than 1% of the overall DNA.

The indica varieties grow in the mountains of Afghanistan and India, they are pretty well suited to cool temps. I've never had an issue with mid 60s bothering my plants. In fact, ive probably grown my best plants on the lower edge of the temp range.

Thanks, @Archaic . I have some Northern Lights auto seeds so they should work fine. If I'm not mistaken, NL has Indica breeding.

What's your rH like through the winter?

@Arthur, I keep my grow room typically set for around 55% rh as a rule. I have a small humidifier in the tent with an Inkbird rh controller, and a large whole room humidifier that is programmable. On the Inkbird controller, I have a dehumidifier plug so I can run the dehumidifier off the same sensor.

 

[Arthur]

Good to go, was thinking if you had low temps and high rH, now mold becomes a concern. Sounds like you've got that angle covered.

 

[trailanimal]

A comment from an auto grower saying Ruderalis tolerates cool weather has me considering how to best utilize my indoor growing location during the winter months as I’ll explain:

My grow tent is in a cabin built over horse stables at my farm. I have a central unit for HVAC, but the unit struggles to keep up if I set the temp at real comfortable temps. In the summer I can set at 80, and the grow room location has best cooling, so that room is around 78F. The LED puts off minimal heat, so I am around 81F in the tent. At night the temp is 75F and the temp swings are minimal so the plants love this range of 75F to 81F.

In the winter, the heat bills are enormous if I set at 68F. So I’d really like to set at 60F if I could get away with that low of a temp? I think the LED would warm the tent to 63 - 64F, then get a bit cooler when lights off, but I run 18 hour light for autos.

My question is will an auto with Ruderalis genetics be well suited for growing in a bit cooler temp than a sativa may like? If this is a Yes, I may want to consider growing auto strains exclusively inside during the cold seasons.

As long as your plants are getting good light they should do fine in low 60s. Probably grow slower, but they will grow. In my environment cool temps and low light periods really slow my grow down, but I can still get decent harvests with the right strains. When faced with less than "optimum" grow conditions. I look for the fastest and hardiest.

 

[Jean-O]

Some genetics are bread to handle the cold better than others for sure! Definitely good to research ur strains n pic ones that are bread for colder climates.

 

[Stone420]

As long as your plants are getting good light they should do fine in low 60s. Probably grow slower, but they will grow. In my environment cool temps and low light periods really slow my grow down, but I can still get decent harvests with the right strains. When faced with less than "optimum" grow conditions. I look for the fastest and hardiest.

Thanks @trailanimal . If knowing upfront I'll be keeping the temps down around 60F - 65F (60F nights lights off - 65F 18 hour lights on days) what strains(s) would you suggest based on your experience?

 

[Stone420]

Some genetics are bread to handle the cold better than others for sure! Definitely good to research ur strains n pic ones that are bread for colder climates.

For sure...I'm reaching out now to select some hardy strains for this winter. Open for ideas.

 

[trailanimal]

Thanks, Archie. I hope @trailanimal will see this tag and respond. If some auto strains are more suitable for cool climates than others, maybe @trailanimal can point me in the right direction.

Sweet Skunk/Sweet Seeds has been a consistent winner for me. A new one this year seems unstoppable, BLKMRRR/Binary Selections. The start of this season was exceptionally hot and dry, so I haven't seen this one in cool/cold. My feeling is....she can hack. I think most strains that tout speed, vigor and resistance will do it. I'd stay away from IBLs(inbred line). They will give the most uniformity, but if they weren't bred specifically to be fast&hardy they probably won't do as well as a fast strain with more diversity. Just my observations. I'm sure there are IBLs that are up to a cool grow, I just haven't grown any. For starters I'd germ several of your "chosen" and grow forward with the the most vig.

 

[trailanimal]

Thanks @trailanimal . If knowing upfront I'll be keeping the temps down around 60F - 65F (60F nights lights off - 65F 18 hour lights on days) what strains(s) would you suggest based on your experience?

With lots of light I see happy plants @65f