Airflow is a critical factor to plant health in a myriad of ways: good airflow acts as natural pest prevention, encourages growth, and lets light reach more of each plant for photosynthesis and full nutrient development.
How to Improve Airflow
1. Harvest plants regularly to prevent overcrowding
This means harvesting from the outside-in for all of your leafy greens and herbs, and taking care to harvest fruit once ripe.
2. Leave slots between larger plants covered with Pod Caps
If you want to let a plant really leaf out (pun intended) or grow tall (like some peppers, herbs, and vines), you'll need to leave slots around that plant free. Note that this doesn't mean uncovered!
Ensure you place a Pod Cap on any empty spots to prevent algae from growing inside your device while keeping other unwanted things out.
How does airflow = pest prevention?
Pests like places to hide, and they'll choose to set up shop where it's easiest. When plants are crowded, any closed-off space becomes less disturbed due to the lack of air, meaning it's easier to rest.
Additionally, it's easier to keep an eye on your plants when you can see all of them! Taking a quick visual pass (called scouting) over your Gardyn whenever you're harvesting or caring for it increases your chances of noticing anything amiss. Guaranteeing you can see each of your plants completely? That's scouting, leveled up.
What about adding a fan?
A small fan on low near your Gardyn can help increase airflow, though it's best to not point it directly at your plants. This can also help reduce symptoms of edema, a common and perfectly harmless disorder in peppers and other plants.
Questions? Reach us at support@mygardyn.com, or chat with us! We're here to help.