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Challenges of greenhouse vs. sun-grown cannabis

Along with the bombardment of cutting-edge horticultural technology, the experts working in the cannabis cultivation industry have diversified their skill sets.

There are pros and cons to every cannabis cultivation method, but certain factors determine which is the best for you. Some of the top ones include your assets, money, and geographic region. Zoning rules, municipal services, and the cost of land also play an important role in determining how and where your cannabis harvest can bloom.

Greenhouse and sun-grown cannabis cultivation are two competitive methods. Both come with challenges and benefits. But is there a clear winner between greenhouse and sun-grown cannabis harvests? Is there any significant quality difference between the two?

Greenhouse cannabis cultivation
When we talk about growing cannabis in a greenhouse, the method comes with a unique combination of benefits and challenges. You might enjoy cheaper costs and more readily available sunshine. As per many expert cannabis cultivators, greenhouses can be the perfect blend of indoor and outdoor cannabis cultivation benefits.

Moreover, growing cannabis in a greenhouse can be more efficient because of the ability to use alternative illumination on cloudy days or shade plants when they have had enough sun.

But greenhouses typically require more machinery than sun-grown cannabis cultivation. Adding in things like ventilation, temperature control, weather sensors, and automation gear can significantly raise the initial investment. 

Greenhouses also shield plants from harsh weather and reduce animal damage. If you can't decide between growing outdoors and greenhouses, the latter is the way to go.

Those cannabis cultivators who don't live in a climate ideal for growing cannabis, but do have access to the resources and available space, can benefit from this technique. 

The farmers can also insure their greenhouse cannabis cultivation business by developing a robust risk management plan which will help them face any unforeseen future challenges that might come with this cultivation method. 

The working
Greenhouses take the shape of smartly designed glass cubes that absorb light and heat from the outdoors while keeping the interior at a comfortable temperature and humidity level for cannabis growth. A greenhouse has a bubble-like barrier to safeguard your cannabis plants from pests, molds, mildew, and diseases.

Greenhouses not only produce consistently high cannabis harvest, but it also saves a lot of cost on providing artificial lighting. 

Benefits

  • Since sunlight comes in free, artificial lighting is not needed.
  • Engineered glass structures allow cannabis cultivators to cultivate continuously throughout the year.
  • Greenhouses typically have more HVAC systems, which helps keep the grow room at a consistent temperature and ideal conditions.

Consequences

  • Conditions on the outside can change the temperature inside the glass framework. 
  • Cannabis cultivators must ensure that the greenhouse is kept at an appropriate temperature all year round.

Sun-grown cannabis
Since our ancestors cultivated cannabis in the open air, under the bright sun, centuries ago, many modern cannabis cultivators look down on the practice. This strategy not only involves a more intuitive and organic approach to planting seeds and watching them develop, but it will also only be successful if growers can find the optimal conditions for their crops to flourish.

When growing cannabis outdoors, most cultivators have trouble determining what conditions will produce the best cannabis harvest.

Plants that are grown outdoors are well-suited for photosynthesizing in the sun's rays. It has been found that cannabis plants that are grown in direct sunshine have a more robust flavor profile. This is because of the rapid terpene development that occurs under ideal conditions.

Using natural sunlight instead of artificial lights reduces overhead expenses. This fact alone is reason enough to favor outdoor cultivation, as it results in a significantly smaller carbon impact. Many argue that growing cannabis outdoors is more environmentally friendly than producing it in greenhouses, but they often fail to mention the extensive use of pesticides that is necessary. 

Benefits 

  • When compared to techniques like Greenhouse cannabis cultivation, it typically needs less plumbing.
  • The use of nature results in greater cannabis harvests, and the resulting strains tend to have a more robust taste.

Consequences 

  • It requires a lot of work to control pests
  • The harvest can be unpredictable due to situations like weather and water availability.
  • Finding the right climate for a high-yield weed crop becomes increasingly difficult.

Summary
Many factors play a vital role when it comes to choosing the best method for commercial cannabis cultivation. Some of the top ones are scale, cost, and location. You must also check the zoning and cultivation rules in your state and municipality. 

Resources, weather, and regulations will all play a role in deciding whether to grow under the sun or in a greenhouse. Growing outdoors can reduce costs if you live in a climate that supports cannabis cultivation.  

On the other hand, go for a greenhouse if you have uncertain climatic conditions and you are not into sacrificing the reliability of outdoor cultivation.

For more information:
AlphaRoot 
www.alpharoot.com 

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