Wind

Marijuana Horticulture

by Jorge Cervantes

Wind is one of the strongest forces outdoors. Sustained wind will suck moisture from plants. Wind causes plants to draw moisture from the roots and shed it through the leaves in a defensive mechanism to regulate internal temperature and chemistry. It creates a prole if the water supply is limited.

For example, Southern Spain and other arid regions are subject to strong desert winds that transport abrasive sand and other particles. We call it “kalmia” in Spain because the grit is mixed with saline air from the Mediterranean. These winds can destroy crops. If your climate is plagued by such abrasive winds, protect plants with windbreaks. Wash foliage with plenty of water to remove the particles after windstorms.

Moderate sustained winds will dry out container – and field-grown crops within a few hours. Container crops suffer the most. For example, plants grown in five gallon containers on a terrace that receives full sun and constant moderate winds uses about two gallons of water daily! Indoors, the same plant would use 75 percent less water!

Plant in protected areas so the garden suffers little effect from strong wind.