Does anyone who grows under lights in an enclosed area use a carbon dioxide generator to increase the CO2 levels when the lights are on? If so what type do you use?

This is a bad idea.

That got to be a popular system (controled by pH controlers) for aquarium plants. It's probably also popular amongst the pot growers. I don't think orchids grow fast enough to make it worth it.

I use CO2 in small chambers for pH control of toxicity tests. A little can go a long way for that, and we only use 20lb bottles that are easy to tote around. In a greenhouse you'd probably use 100 lb bottles with a solenoid valve on a timer to squirt a little gas every so often down a small line woven around the benchs (kinda like a drip irrigation system). It's probably no more hassel and cost than the propane system for my winter heating, but I have enough junk to worry about.

I'll stick with SuperThrive.

The C3 and C4 plants would increase production, but like the law of diminishing returns, they would acclimate to the CO2 levels quickly, growth would return to normal. What is worse is that when you stop giving them the extra CO2, the get withdrawls from it.

CO2 injection and generation has been successfully used for years in the greenhouse business. I believe there has been research conducted to determine how beneficial it can be for orchids.

I don't know of hobbiests that are using CO2 injection or generation. The control and monitoring of these systems is fairly sophisticated and beyond the budget and know-how of most hobbiests. CO2 systems can also present hazards to bipeds.

I'd strongly recommend doing your research and being careful if you are contemplating such a system.

Good luck!

Supposedly one of the keys to Orchid Zone's success is that they are downwind of a coal fired power plant and it's resultant CO2. That has the feel of 'urban legend' to me... But perhaps they have maxed out all of their other growing conditions, and the CO2 is a bonus. Or perhaps there isn't even a power plant and people are just making ^%*$ up.

Regardless, I don't think you are going to see enough benefit to justify the expense. I can't imagine CO2 is a limiting factor. Perhaps for crops which grow really, really fast. Besides, most of those CO2 generators are just burning propane. You get heat, the possibility of carbon monoxide or ethylene from a poorly maintained burner, maybe explosions... And a propane bill (worst of all).

CO2 out of a cylinder isn't risk free either, one of my most vivid memories is my undergraduate mentor wrestling a cylinder to the ground (and largely failing) when the valve broke off. And that was just a story, I didn't see in person! *grin* I've seen pictures of these things taking out concrete block walls. We keep all of our compressed gas cylinders chained to a rack, so they don't escape catastrophically.

I think I'd invest in other equipment if I was looking to spend money. Like a good fertilizer injector. Or an RO water system if you don't have one already. You'll see more improvement from good water and proper nutrition than extra CO2.

Well that seems to be fairly unanimous - one less factor to consider :D

First of all, Terry Root is an amazing grower who can read plant body language and answers their every whim...and this is why his plants do so well.
CO2 injection caught on amongst cannabis growers to increase yield of plant mass. They want fast and stocky growth, and so use the highest light intensity they can get. To make use of this amount of light, extra CO2 is needed or the extra light goes to waste.
Orchids do not grow quick enough or tolerate these amounts of light to justify the expense IMHO. Also, if you are buying tanks of CO2 on a regular basis, there is a watchdog group that tends to anonymously tip off the authorities on suspicious activity. Not that anything illegal is going on, but I hear they like to make their visit in the wee hours of the night. One of our members got this visit, and he sells HID lights for a living. I guess they walked inside toward the lights, saw all the flowers and said something along the lines of "...Oh, you're one of THOSE people." Good thing he's a night owl.
Jon

I also have some good designs for bi-propelent liquid fuel rockets that use CO2 to presurize your fuel storage for feed into the combustion chamber. Other wise you need turbochargers.

I gave you the answer from the plant PhDs. I haven't run any studies myself. Anything without a study is, well, voodoo, propaganda, or heresay. I even have a link to a dirty CO2 and Orchids study on my website, www.nascentorchids.com. Good intialy growth, then returns to normal, plant acclimates, and if you ever remove the CO2 you get withdrawl. This is just like barbituates, there is no good way to administer it for long periods of time, and the plant quickly compensates to slow its own metabolism to normal.

Dear Rick, 45lbs chain driven supercharger + gasahol + 427 aluminum race engine = 2300hp, at least in Texas!

Steve
CO2 delivered Methanol + nitrous oxide in a 25 lb airframe = Mach 1.5 and 10,000 ft.

They tried to use cheap rum for the alcohol, but drank too much of it before the shot and had to go get some rubbing alcohol.

You worry about the orchid police. We had to worry about the ABTF, and the FAA

Very good/informative article Steve, thanks for the link!

I gave you the answer from the plant PhDs. I haven't run any studies myself. Anything without a study is, well, voodoo, propaganda, or heresay. I even have a link to a dirty CO2 and Orchids study on my website, www.nascentorchids.com. Good intialy growth, then returns to normal, plant acclimates, and if you ever remove the CO2 you get withdrawl. This is just like barbituates, there is no good way to administer it for long periods of time, and the plant quickly compensates to slow its own metabolism to normal.


I've considered crystal meth to try to fit all the things I need to do into one day... But that is probably a bad idea too.

I love your website, Steve. Particularly the paph maps. How did you do that?

Rob