Broad public support of the cannabis industry hasn't changed their marginalized existence. Outrageous, non-refundable license fees, risky banking options, and oppressive taxes. They make it challenging for cannabis businesses to flourish. Legislatures Merkley and Perlmutter announced the 2017 bi-partisan SAFE Banking Act, the industry had hope. Unfortunately, it's made little progress in the last five years. So let's unpack this politically charged issue and look at the current bill.
Indoor and greenhouse farming benefit from a vast array of technology. Everything from precise monitoring, automated irrigation or fertigation events, lighting controls, crop tracking, controlled environment systems, and seed-to-sale platforms, there's no shortage of new technology that improves growers’ lives. But the one thing that doesn't receive much attention is smart motor controllers. Let's examine this reliable workhorse and how it can improve your grow operation.
Have you considered the nutrient source you are feeding your plants? There are so many things to consider when planning your grow strategy, and nutrients play a significant role in the success of your plan. The two primary sources of fertilizer or nutrients are organic or synthetic. It can be further broken down as either plant or animal-sourced nutrients. Deciding whether to use plant or animal-based products can be based on price, plant yields, absorption rates, your personal preference, or any combination of criteria. Sustainability may not play a part in your decision, but maybe it should. Let's examine the most current research to get to the heart of plant nutrition basics around sustainability.
Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Tim Crowell is a cannabis educator and crop advisor still living and working out of his hometown. After earning his BS in Sustainable Environmental Design at UC Davis, he earned a second degree in Remote Sensing (drones). He's been actively working in cannabis cultivation for a little over twelve years. Before starting his crop advisory business, Tim recently held an Assistant General Manager position at Connected California and Alien Labs.
Vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and its function in plant growth can be used as a tool for increasing your harvest. VPD isn't new, but historically farmers relied on the natural climate. Only more recently, with the rising popularity of indoor commercial farming and greenhouses, it's become possible to precisely control environmental conditions, including VPD. With the best genetics and nutrients globally, your plants can't reach their potential without dialing in humidity and temperature. Knowledgeable cultivars manipulate VPD to encourage the stomata on their plants to open, allowing them to take up as many nutrients as possible, resulting in increased growth.
When temperatures rise, you're not the only one who feels the heat. Plants suffer when temperatures rise, especially if it's for an extended time. It can cause irreversible damage by way of plant function or development. Heat stress isn't simply droopy leaves; it can show up as things like stunted growth, leaf drop, leaf scald, failure to flower. Let's look at strategies to avoid heat stress in your indoor growing environment.
Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, A.J. Sullins was destined to become an entrepreneur. His mom Kim was a youth pastor who eventually became a court reporter, and his dad Walter owned several Baskin Robbins retail shops. With seven sisters who were also independent thinkers, A.J. started his first successful business at just 13. He successfully negotiated contracts to manufacture and supply cotton candy and kettle corn to the N.M. State Fair and International Balloon Fiesta vendors. He added the local collegiate and semi-pro sports stadiums to his client list and, at age 21, upgraded to supplying alcohol and concessions as well.
Technology innovations improve and enhance our lives. It's no surprise that it's changing how and where we grow crops and other commercially grown plants. Climate change is altering weather patterns, taking crops indoors is becoming a viable and practical option. Let's take a look at how technology used for vertical farming is changing how we grow.
April 2016 marked the 60th anniversary of the first voyage of the Ideal X, the origin of modern container shipping. This expansion played a critical role in driving the global economy. The modern shipping container has improved much more than the shipping industry. It has entirely transformed supply chains, improved domestic and international economies across the globe while driving trillions of dollars in yearly trade. But that was the beginning; now, shipping containers are used for homes, agriculture, and art installations. Let's look at the benefits of container farming.
Controlling environmental factors in a commercial greenhouse or indoor grow is necessary for growing high-quality crops. An automated system eases the burden of manually performing tasks while building consistent, predictable cycles that maintain ideal growing conditions. High-quality systems are expensive but capable of reducing overall production costs in the long run. Think of your environmental controls like an investment rather than an expense. It'll pay off eventually.
