Cold temperature issues

If those are the lowest temperatures you'll encounter, you should be alright.

Be aware that small heaters can really rack up a high electric bill. Check out the wattages and just make sure it's not running 24/7. I had a small one that was 1500 watts and it only took me a month to realize it...

 

Temps that low will definitely slow things down! Definatly keep a heater of some sort in the garage. Maybe be able to combat those chilly nights by running your light during the night and lights off during the day. Running off peak hours will cut your bill down a smidgen too.

 

You probably answered your own question - both are good ideas but just make sure it doesn't get too warm.

I have the same situation in my own flower room. It's not in the garage, but kind of at a far end of the castle that's unheated. When the light is on its fine - when its off it gets cool in there.

I put one of those oil-filled radiator type heaters in the room (but this is not a tent, either; it's a room) and it works very well. I set it on a separate timer so that it comes on when lights go out, so you may want to do something on the same idea.

Concrete garage floors get cold; get your pots off of the cold concrete, too - perhaps up on a pallet or similar?

I also set my exhaust fan on a variable wattage meter. This is a contraption which allows you to plug your exhaust fan into this unit which has a knob that allows you to turn your exhaust fan up or down which is very handy. In the summer you can crank it right up and in the winter it allows you to lower it so that it will stay warmer in your tent when the lights are on.

Hope the ideas help.

J

 

Lilj86 has a good point too - and I forgot to say the same. Great advice. I do the same thing - I find it works better in both summer and winter to run my lights at night. In the winter this keeps it warmer when it's colder at night and in the summer when it's hotter during the day - it works. It also has it so that the lights are on when I get home from work which is always important too.

J

 

I'd be leery of propane because of fire. I know it's a little more electricity but a little oil filled radiator will not be much more money and then you just set the timer when the lights go off it comes on. I have it come on an hour after lights out when it's just starting to cool down and shut off an hour before lights come on so it only ends up being ten hours which isn't too bad and then no never have to worry about it - problem solved.

Lilj86's comment about growth slowing down is a harsh reality - plants do not like cold temperatures. It can make your garden come to a grinding halt.

J

 

heaters wont fix you problem....i had this issue in my early days....the solution is to raise the tent off the concrete floor of the garage...i raised mine up 5in and insullated with styrofoam and horse blankets and put my tent on top of that...fixed over night...if your air temps are 55-65...the soil temps are in 40's(where your problem is)...

 

Although I warm my flower room now in winter.One year I didnt bother,and it was getting down to 35-40 degress some nights.I chose to ignore it,and my pineapple express came out good still.Prolly didnt yield as much,but still got 2 oz per plant average.

Not advised,but your no where near close to hurting them was my point so you can relax.

Yes the plant can be hard to grow at times,but in maine fall temps can go as low as 35-40 at night outside as well,and shit does fine.

Again yes yield can be effected,but unless its freezing temps I'll bet your plants will live.

 

A heater on a timer so it comes on say for 15 min. every 30-45 min coupled with an atmospheric controller is the best I have found yet for controlling cold nighttime temps. Without the atmospheric controller the temps just swung too much for me. it would go from like 68 ish to 78 in no time once the heater came on. I don't like all that up, and down. So I added the atmospheric controller which controls temp, and R.H. Cost me about $100 but worth the investment to me. Also during lights on my exhaust only kicks on when it needs to. Also Budd has some really good advice. Get that tent up off the floor, and insulate under it.

 

Thats it.

I did basically the same, except I cheated a bit.
I raised the pots up on some insulation foam to get them off the concrete, but I also use one of these. Amazon.com: Growers Supply Company GSHML 20-3/4-by-48-Inch Large Seedling Heat Mat: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Ive found going into the room with a light green light, during dark hours that the temps are 55-60, yet the pots are nice and warm.
Ive noticed no time loss in my grows, and the good thing is, the strains that get purple, REALLY get purple with the cold nights!

 

Ohh my I didnt catch that part...

Yea concrete will suck the warmth away from your tent/pots/plants bigtime.

I love a cheap fix.Should do.

GL

 

I'd raise your tent like advised yesterday. Forgot to mention I had issues with cold floors in the garage. Spent $6 on a 4x8 1/2" thick styrofoam insulation from lowes. Cut that bitch in half and stuck it under the water tray of my tent. Works great!