In the coming years we will keep our focus steadily on the technical side of the industry, bringing to our subscribers the latest developments in the MMJ market.
But before we can look to the future, let’s first take a look back at this past year. Below you will find a short compilation of some of our most interesting articles of the past year.
Vapor pressure deficit
Mastering the environment of a growing room is crucial. There are many issues that arise from an environment out of control, such as excessively high levels of mold or yeast. Read more on understanding vapor pressure deficit (VPD), the best read article of 2019!
How to grow hemp hydroponically
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants in a water-based, nutrient-rich solution. With the push for more economical, environmentally friendly, and sustainable practices of growing crops, hydroponics has become a method of plant cultivation popular among growers from a range of different backgrounds including both domestic and commercial. How to grow hemp hydroponically is what we explained to you earlier this year.
Stop the smell
In the cannabis industry, odor issues are particularly felt. Lots of money is being spent on carbon filtration and other odor control systems. But let’s deal with the odor at the molecular level, the team with Cannabusters says. They have developed a way to stop smell through oxidative odor elimination
Automation of cannabis production
Cannabis growers are continuously looking for solutions to improve their growing operations. Automation can play an important role in this, says Maarten van der Gaarden, commercial manager at WPS. "Many of the processes can be easily managed, enabling growers to achieve better yield and eventually better profits." Time to discuss these opportunities!
A tour of a Las Vegas based cannabis indoor facility
Harvest is just finished at the Las Vegas facility of 1933 Industries, and that means it’s time for a thorough cleaning of the grow rooms. But also during the growing season the company keeps a clear eye out on the internal organization. CEO Chris Rebentisch explains how, growing in the desert, they have to keep their focus on the water use and, growing in an urban environment, odor complains are not an option. “You cannot leave anything to chance.” Join us for a tour of a Las Vegas based cannabis indoor facility
Quality issues in cannabis
"Quality doesn't seem to matter in the cannabis industry" Levin Amweg provocatively says. “A large number of growers do not take care of marketing products that align with the pharmaceutical standards of the industry. This results in huge quantities of cannabis products sent back because they were not compliant.”
Efficiency is key
The Netherlands has a long history in the horticulture industry. The Dutch boast great expertise when it comes to growing plants in both greenhouses and indoor farms. When the cultivation of medical cannabis was legalized, it was inevitable that growers started looking to the “greenhouse capital of the world” for answers. It is this history and knowledge that Inhuis brings to the industry. We were happy to share how Ron Berkhout brings this efficiency to cannabis cultivation
The similarities and differences between cannabis and vegetable growing
How is growing medicinal cannabis the same as growing vegetables? Sonny Moerenhout shares more on the similarities and the differences. “I like to compare growing cannabis to propagation in tomato growing, because logistics and quality are the most important elements for running your facility optimally,” he says. “In propagation hygiene is incredibly important, just like in medicinal cannabis growing, where hygiene is also a major element."
Indoor growing of cannabis
Not many people can boast almost 50 years of experience within the horticultural industry. Glenn Behrman, President and founder of Greentech Agro and CEA Advisors and developer of the Growtainer® and Growracks®, is part of this very exclusive group. “In 2010 I was among the first to see potential in indoor farming. But first, I had to go through an intense learning process which eventually led me to the Growtainer® idea”, Glenn says. Now that the cannabis industry is on the rise, the veteran horticulture expert decided to jump into this new adventure, offering people his extensive knowledge and hands on experience. "Cannabis isn't lettuce", he shortly says.
"Merging cannabis with the horticultural world is the big key"
The cannabis industry truly is a special sub set of horticulture. In order to be successful, it is necessary to be more than a grower. For instance, it is crucial to calculate precisely the power that a greenhouse is going to need. This is the vital lesson that Sam Thoman with Strawberry Fields learned during his time within the industry.
MJBizCon 2019
The 2019 edition of the MJBizCon saw a particular focus on the cultivation side of the industry, with the majority of exhibitors showcasing solutions for large-scale commercial cannabis growing. We made an extensive photo report of the 2019 show.
Cannabis lessons from the Netherlands: the silicon valley of greentech
Growing medical cannabis does not only require the right knowledge, it also asks for a commitment that goes beyond ‘mere’ growing. “My mission is to develop affordable medicines for patients,” says Eric Uleman, president of CannNext. “We have an ultramodern cultivation facility in the Netherlands. This is one of the top five indoor growing operations in the world, because we do not use any pesticides, we use LED, and we recycle 100% of the water. We grow a fully organic product that is specifically meant for patients.”
"The difference between growing at a pH of 5.5 and of 6.2 has an enormous impact on a crop”
It’s not the most riveting subject in horticulture but if you don’t pay attention to pH, it can cost you a customer. Every grower knows that pH needs to stay between 5.5-6.5 in hydroponics because certain compounds can only be absorbed by plants at this level.
