Advanced Tips

Advanced Tips

Bridging Yield Gaps in Cannabis Cultivation

In agriculture, a yield gap refers to the difference between a crop’s maximum yield potential and the yield the farmer actually achieves.[1] For cannabis, the yield gap is the difference between the highest possible flower yields and those currently achieved by commercial growers under optimal conditions. Data from 2018 collected from commercial cannabis growers in Canada found projected yields ranged from as low as 3.36 grams of dry flower per square meter to as high as 3,590 grams.[2] While there is …
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Secondary Metabolites of Cannabis

Secondary metabolites are chemical compounds that plants produce to fight against threats, adapt to environmental pressures and facilitate ecological relationships. In cannabis, these compounds go beyond basic growth and survival functions. They’re responsible for the plant’s recreational and medicinal benefits, as well as the distinct flavors and aromas that differentiate strains. The secondary metabolites of cannabis are unique in that they can be tailored to address specific medicinal or recreational needs, influencing the plant’s market value. In this blog post, we’ll explain …
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Monitoring Runoff in Recirculating Hydroponic Systems

When cultivating cannabis hydroponically, growers can choose between drain-to-waste and recirculating systems. In drain-to-waste systems, the nutrient solution is discarded after use; in recirculating systems, the nutrient solution is reused. When using a recirculating system, it is important to collect and test the runoff—the excess nutrient solution that passes through the root zone—because it gives an idea of whether it is suitable for reuse or adjustments need to be made. Neglecting to monitor runoff can lead to salt buildup, resulting in …
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Spurring Plant Growth with Triacontanol

Triacontanol (sometimes abbreviated as TRIA) is a natural non-hormonal growth promoter. First discovered in alfalfa, it is found in the epicuticular waxes—thin layers of wax on the surfaces of leaves, stems and other aerial plant parts that protect against environmental stressors—of several plant species,[1] as well as beeswax.[2] Unlike phytohormones,[3] triacontanol does not directly regulate plant growth or development. Instead, it acts as a secondary plant growth enhancer, improving the physiological efficiency of cells and optimizing processes so plants better express …
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Guiding your Garden Through Crop Steering

Crop steering is a cannabis cultivation technique where careful control over environmental factors guides plant growth, optimizes yields and enhances quality. By adjusting elements like light intensity, irrigation, temperature, humidity and root zone conditions, growers can steer plants toward vegetative growth—channeling energy and resources on foliage, stems and roots—or generative growth, also known as flowering or reproductive growth. This blog post explains how crop steering works and how different environmental controls can steer crops toward one type of growth over the …
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Managing VPD for Cannabis

The vapor pressure deficit (VPD) is the difference between the moisture currently in the air and the maximum moisture it can hold when saturated. As we discussed in our previous blog post, VPD is an important parameter to measure and control because it directly influences plant transpiration. In this blog post, we’ll explain how to determine the VPD of the grow room using temperature and humidity, the ideal VPD levels for cannabis and the equipment needed to monitor and adjust VPD. Measuring …
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Understanding Plant Transpiration

When plants transpire, they move water from the roots to the shoots and release it into the atmosphere. Transpiration influences several other important processes, including nutrient uptake and photosynthesis. Understanding how plant transpiration works can help indoor cannabis cultivators foster an ideal environment for optimum transpiration rates. Figure 1. Plant transpiration. Image by brgfx on Freepik The transpiration process Transpiration occurs primarily through small openings in the leaves called stomata. The stomata regulate water loss by pulling water up through the tiny tubes of …
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Understanding Calcium-Magnesium Supplementation in Coco Medium

Any comprehensive nutrient line already contains calcium and magnesium, but growers who use coco coir may need to apply more of these two secondary macronutrients. Coco coir binds with them and locks them up, making them less available for uptake. To avoid deficiencies, growers need to understand how coco coir interacts with calcium and magnesium. Importance of calcium and magnesium for plants Calcium and magnesium are essential nutrients that plants require in significant amounts. Calcium Plants typically absorb more calcium than phosphorus, with concentrations …
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Sources of Carbon Dioxide Supplementation

Supplementing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the grow room is common in indoor cannabis cultivation. As we discussed in our blog post on CO2 supplementation, CO2 is essential for photosynthesis. By increasing the amount of ambient CO2, growers can boost their plants’ photosynthetic rates, producing bigger yields and shortening the crop life cycle for more frequent harvests. In this blog post, we will discuss the different methods of CO2 supplementation. CO2 injection systems and tanks CO2 injection systems and tanks rank among the most popular ways …
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Carbon Dioxide Supplementation

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is essential for photosynthesis. The amount of CO2 available to plants affects their net photosynthetic rate. Providing additional CO2 in indoor cultivation serves two purposes: (1) It can prevent a reduction in plant growth, which can happen in tightly sealed indoor environments if CO2 drops below ambient outdoor levels. (2) It can spur the rate of photosynthesis by providing elevated levels of CO2, resulting in bigger yields. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the role of CO2 in …
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Irrigation Water Quality in Hydroponics

Water is the lifeblood of agriculture. Not only does water irrigate roots, but it also delivers oxygen and essential nutrients to plants for healthy growth, big yields and high crop quality. The quality of irrigation water is paramount. Poor water quality can lead to problems like stunted growth, nutrient toxicities or deficiencies, accumulation of harmful heavy metals in plant tissue, and bacterial contamination; in severe cases, it can even lead to plant death. Assessing water quality involves more than just its appearance, …
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Cannabis Pests and Pathogens

Pests and pathogens threaten cannabis crops. Pests—larger organisms[1] like insects and mites—physically damage plants, whereas pathogens are microorganisms that infect and cause diseases within plants. A useful rule of thumb might be that while pests can typically be removed physically, pathogens cannot. Both pests and pathogens pose distinct threats to plant health, reducing cannabis yield and quality. This blog post explores some of the most common pests and pathogens that cannabis growers may encounter, the specific plant sites they target, and …
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