Training & Plant Architecture
Canopy Density, Airflow & Flower Microclimate
Dense canopies change radiation, airflow, humidity, and drying within leaves and flowers. Plant architecture should therefore be evaluated as a microclimate variable, especially during flowering.
Key concepts
- Bulk room RH may not describe humidity inside dense flowers
- Dense leaves increase resistance to air movement
- Shade and reduced air exchange can slow surface drying
- Opening a canopy changes both light distribution and microclimate
What to measure or observe
- Compare RH or temperature at canopy edge and interior when possible
- Inspect morning or post-irrigation drying
- Map stagnant regions
- Track disease occurrence by canopy zone
Common mistakes
- Pointing stronger fans at one spot instead of correcting distribution
- Using room RH as the only disease-risk observation
- Removing large amounts of foliage without measuring the new light environment
- Ignoring flower-to-flower contact
Visuals this lesson still needs
- Dense-canopy airflow cross section
- Flower microclimate diagram
- Edge-versus-interior sensor comparison
- Canopy-opening tradeoff graphic