Part Two: Environmental Conditions
In Part Two of this blog, we examine how to apply crop steering techniques using environmental conditions. As we mentioned in Part One of this blog, irrigation impacts how plants grow and can also be used as a steering tool. You can access it here in case you missed it. But let's dig into how changing environmental conditions can impact plant growth.
The simple result of an enclosed growing space combined with focused sunlight is an ideal growing space. Humidity, however, can often be an enemy in such situations. Condensation is a common by-product in greenhouses as plants release moisture back into the air— especially when cold temperatures batter the greenhouse exterior. Humidity in a greenhouse is necessary, but controlling it is crucial to preventing plant stress and negative side-effects like fungus, mold, or mildew.
Despite a desire for locally grown produce, almost half of the fresh fruits and vegetables bought by American's last year were grown outside of the United States. According to the USDA, in 2008, organic produce grown in the US accounted for less than one percent of total crop acreage, and improvements have been slow.
Indoor plants require lighting, water, nutrients, humidity, and air circulation. Proper airflow is a crucial component in growing healthy, vigorous cannabis plants.
Conversations around the idea of crop steering to increase yields, save resources, and boost terpenes and aromas have increased in the last few years amongst cannabis growers. Some growers contend that crop steering is just a new way of discussing dry down, a technique where farmers allow crops to dry out between watering or feeding to encourage a particular type of growth. Others contend that it's basically just mimicking the natural conditions plants would be subject to if they were grown outdoors. Let's dig into it and see what all the hype is about.
Nutrient deficiency in plants can impact your bottom line. Delivering the right nutrients at the right time can make or break your grow operation. Let's examine how you can prevent nutrient deficiency in plants through intelligent automation.
South of the North Carolina state capital of Raleigh is the small rural town of Clinton, N.C., the headquarters for Vertical Crop Consultants, or Cropbox.
Tripp Williamson, Owner, and Founder started VCC in 2016, after years of working for the family business, Williamson Greenhouses, and finding his passion and success. Tripp had the vision to create more innovative and sustainable ways to grow local produce. He also wanted to provide insights to all indoor growers, not just the shipping container market.
Collecting data in your indoor grow, or greenhouse provides critical information that directly impacts your cultivation operation's success. Acquiring an extensive understanding of critical crop level and environmental data helps you grow with confidence. So let's examine ways that big data can increase yields, provide more accurate crop predictions, and furnish you with some much-deserved peace of mind.
Dr. Robert Flannery is the first Ph.D. in the United States with certified technical expertise in growing commercial cannabis. He earned his doctorate from UC Davis in Plant Biology with an emphasis in Environmental Horticulture with specific expertise in hydroponic crop optimization for cut-flower production. While working on his doctorate, Dr. Flannery began advising Cannabis cultivators throughout Northern California on modern horticulture practices. As Production Director at SPARC in San Francisco, Dr. Flannery managed the company's largest department and supervised every segment of cannabis cultivation, packaging, & delivery of the final product to retail. An overachiever for sure!
Indoor cannabis grow operations have become the industry standard by providing privacy and an environmentally controlled growing space. These indoor grow facilities have a few downsides that you need to consider when creating a sustainable grow operation.
