The term “low and slow” has been passed around every growing circle. This drying method uses low temperature, moderate humidity, and long hang times—an ideal environment for breeding mold and bacteria. Controlling temperature and humidity during the drying process to maximize terpene and cannabinoid preservation is a delicate art form. While the post-harvest period can feel like a chore or expensive waiting game for some, many cultivators see it as an integral part of the plant life cycle. From freeze drying in a matter of hours to much slower approaches, there are many contentious if not conf ..read more

NEW YORK – A recent national survey revealed a significant majority of Americans over the age of twenty-one support the legalization of cannabis cultivation at home, highlighting the disparity between current legislative policies and public opinion on the matter. Conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Royal Queen Seeds, a global cannabis seed bank, the study found 59 percent of respondents believe Americans should have the legal right to grow cannabis at home. The survey — which gathered responses from more than 2,000 adults, including 713 cannabis consumers, in February — shed light o ..read more

NEW YORK – The average price for a pound of cannabis flower fell 8.1 percent nationally in 2023 to around $995, but cultivators in Alaska, Ohio, and Missouri still enjoy the hefty wholesale prices from a largely bygone era. According to a new report from Leaflink, Alaska leads the country with an average wholesale flower price of $2,374.74 per pound, followed by Ohio at $2,282.70 and Missouri at $2,065.88. It’s worth noting the report presents Ohio’s pricing data in grams to align with how the “unique market operates.” As a result, Leaflink excluded Ohio from its flower price ranking but provi ..read more

Any gardener can tell you ladybugs are nice beneficial pests. While having a healthy coccinellidae population is hardly a bad thing, it’s far from an effective pest management strategy in a commercial setting. In fact, ladybugs are known to “farm” aphids, making sure to stockpile their favorite sap-sucking insects so they have a constant supply of food. On the other hand, serious predator bugs like aphidius colemani, a parasitic wasp, can decimate aphid colonies in greenhouses and commercial fields. These beneficial bugs lay eggs in aphid nymphs and let their larvae consume any problematic pes ..read more

The fight against fungi and pests is a war with no end in sight. Whether it’s aphids, spider mites, fungus, gnats, or mealybugs, there’s always something trying to devour a farmer’s profits for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Mealybugs are an especially annoying pest for cannabis cultivators. These insects feed on plant juices from foliage and stems, excreting a sap-like substance. This post-meal residue attracts other unwanted predators, including wasps, ants, and aphids. If not addressed quickly, mealybugs become the harbingers of death.  These little white pests are common in indoo ..read more

Grow lights are the cornerstone of any indoor or light-assisted greenhouse cultivation facility. After all, light is the driving force behind photosynthesis, which creates all the energy within a plant. Grow lights are available in a variety of power requirements and color spectrums to help plants reach their maximum potential. Matching the light spectrum and intensity to your goals is crucial when designing a facility. Factors to be considered include the stage of growth planned for the space and whether plants will be grown under a single setup throughout their cycle. A clearly defined culti ..read more

Cannabis is an incredible plant that can be grown in a tiny pot or spread freely across mountains in the wild. Over the years, cultivation methods have evolved to meet the needs of different microclimates, yield quotas, and sustainability imperatives. My company uses aeroponic methods instead of soil or hydroponics, and they’re helping us reach our sustainability goals. Although many cultivators start clones aeroponically, full-life-cycle aeroponic cultivation at scale is not all that common. Consequently, we often find ourselves fielding questions about how the method works, because at first ..read more

Cultivators have no shortage of options when deciding where to bury their seeds, but each one comes with unique benefits and drawbacks. The growing medium, or media, is the substrate or substance that supports a plant’s root system and provides an environment for water, nutrients, and plant exudates to exchange. The cannabis plant can grow in almost any medium but prefers media that drains well, allowing for maximum air exchange in the root zone. Grow media can be a single ingredient or comprised of a blend of inputs depending on how the cultivator plans on feeding nutrients to the root system ..read more

Data collection and monitoring of the environment, water conditions, and media are essential for commercial growers trying to push their plants to their full genetic potential. With a small array of industry-focused sensors or handheld devices, forward-thinking cultivators gain access to valuable insights into the long list of factors directly impacting their garden’s overall growth and health. With real-time and historical information, data from sensors can be used to create log books with detailed notes that paint a clear picture of where things may be going wrong throughout production cycle ..read more

Nearly all life on Earth requires light to survive, and cannabis is no exception. While cultivators can certainly grow a plant with any common light source, cannabis plants will only thrive under specific spectrums and wavelengths that need to change depending on the stage of growth. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to manage light for optimal plant health and a robust harvest. What is light and how do plants use it? Light is a form of energy that produces different wavelengths based on the activity levels of particles emitted from the light source. This energy is defined by photons moving at d ..read more