Heat & Humidity

New grower. I read this forum but have never posted. I need some wise words from an experienced grower. I grow in the southeast US-hot as hell. Not to mention the humidity. I grow in my basement which is perfect in several ways with the exception of not being climate controlled. I constantly wrestle with heat and humidity. Short of spending thousands of dollars for central heat and air how does one manage the temp and heat swings? I put a small dehumidifier in my tent. Did nothing. It collected water but didn't touch the RH. The entire downstairs would have to be dehumidified-which is huge. It runs the entire length of my house. Then in winter it is cold and dry as a bone. Requiring the exact opposite. So with seedling temps/RH being different from vegging. And vegging temps/RH different from flowering. And flowering temps/RH different from drying-which is different from curing! How the hell!!!!???? Im lucky to get in the ideal range for any one of those! Granted, I am only a few degrees outside of the range but I am almost always outside of it. Even drying and curing upstairs I am outside of the range. Ive had one grow which went so-so. My second grow is looking much better-we will see about the end result. I grow for myself only with only two plants a time.

Here is where I am at...I will do my best and let it go. Im not going to spend thousands of dollars to manipulate the grow environment. I find it hard to believe that a plant that flourishes in India and Africa is that hyper-sensitive to temp and RH issues. I've decided I am no longer wrestling with Mother Nature. If someone has grown in similar conditions I would like to hear your experience.

I dont control my basement humidity and havent had a problem yet. Sometimes humidity is high as 90% in there, sometimes as low as 20.
Air flow is pretty effective at preventing problems.
I do stick with sativa dominant strains, because bud density can be a problem in humid environments

Listen low humidity is not really a problem at all it’s only in the hot summer will you need to deal with it. Avoiding moldy weed could be your biggest challenge but the plants will grow just fine even in a steamy environment. I live in the north but still have family in the southeast US so I know how hot it gets. Tropical conditions are a huge issue when you are trying to dry the buds but plants don’t mind as much.
You need a dehumidifier but it will also throw some heat. Get the biggest unit you can afford. Doesn’t need to be in the grow tent; somewhat close to the grow area should help lower ambient RH. You can use the water collected from the dehumidifier for your plants; they will thrive on it but you probably will need to add back macros in the form of soluble cal/mag.
Try to do your growing in the lowest part of the house; a basement is preferable. Consider getting a portable a/c for the hottest months which will set you back in in both equipment and power costs. Try to keep temps in the grow area below 90; mid 80s is fine. Heat is usually a bigger problem than humidity. Tight dense nuggets need comfortable temps.

You mentioned you couldn't cool or dehumidify the entire basement due to size; Can you put up a small partition and build what they call a lung room to then house your heating/cooling and humidifying/dehumidifying equipment saving precious tent space. Then draw your air from that room and exhaust back to the main basement. That little room would then draw air from the basement - or you might be able to draw from outside air (get a good filter) or a mix of the two.

So far I found the same thing, making the environment 'right' in an indoor (home) grow is the biggest challenge. Add the requirement for stealth and low noise and it gets even harder.

Thanks Gentlemen. I am trying not to turn my life upside down or spend tons of money for what amounts to a hobby. I like growing and I enjoy good smoke but I will continue more as a minimalist. My tent runs hot and/or humid-that's just the way it is. One day I may have to surrender to major changes but for now ill test the limits of the prescribed temps/RH.

Sort of same shoes here; I just try and take good preventative measures where I can. I.e. as I move plants into flower they get a quick spray with neem, Souther Ag BFF, etc. Then right before flower another treatment if I have the right things on hand (i.e. I should make it a point to be sure to have them).