The growing of cannabis is a complex dance between nature, art and science. Growers encounter a wide range of challenges that can affect profitability, quality and production from seed to harvest.
Nevertheless, these challenges are surmountable using the appropriate information and methods.
Pest and Disease Management
Infestations of pests and illnesses are among the most enduring problems in the cultivation of cannabis. In addition to diseases like powdery mildew and botrytis that can drastically reduce yields, pests like fungus gnats, aphids and spider mites may wreak havoc on crops.
Prevention: Vigilance must be maintained, and strict quarantine regulations for newly acquired plant material should also be followed in order to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases into the cultivation facility.
Monitoring: Before indications of a disease or pest infestation worsen, visual inspections, sticky traps, and microscopic analysis of plant tissue can assist in detecting them.
Avoid conditions that are favourable to the growth of pests and diseases by keeping an eye on environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and CO2 levels.
Cultural controls: Choose cultivars resistant to disease, rotating crops to break the life cycles of pests, and spacing plants optimally to increase air circulation.
Furthermore, maintaining appropriate nutrient and irrigation practices can support the resilience of plants against pests and diseases as well as their overall health.
Biological controls: Use natural enemies, such as predatory insects, mites and nematodes, to control pest populations.
These beneficial organisms can help suppress pest populations without the need for chemical pesticides, reducing the risk of pesticide resistance and minimising environmental impact.
Common biological control agents include ladybugs, lacewings, predatory mites, and beneficial nematodes.
Environmental Control
For both indoor and outdoor producers, variations in temperature, humidity, and light intensity can present serious difficulties.
Solution: You may help control the ambient conditions in grow rooms by investing in climate control equipment, such as dehumidifiers, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and more lighting.
In addition, using light deprivation techniques for outdoor cultivation can prolong the growing season and shield plants from extreme heat or cold.
Nutrient Management
It can be difficult to get the ideal nutritional balance, particularly in soilless or hydroponic growing systems.
Solution: To guarantee that plants receive the necessary nutrients at the optimum quantities, regular monitoring of the pH and nutrient levels in the growing medium is crucial.
High-quality, well-balanced fertiliser solutions designed especially for cannabis growing can help avoid nutrient imbalances and encourage strong plant development.
Genetics and Strain Selection
With thousands of strains on the market, it might be difficult to choose the best ones for particular growing environments and end-user preferences.
Solution: Finding cultivars that are compatible with the local climate, growing conditions, and cultivation objectives can be facilitated by carrying out in-depth research and speaking with knowledgeable breeders or growers.
Furthermore, farmers can adjust to shifting consumer preferences and market demands by experimenting with different strains and keeping a varied genetic library.
Harvesting and Processing
To maintain cannabinoid and terpene profiles while optimising production and potency, cannabis plants must be harvested and processed at the ideal moment.
However, low quality and potency might result from incorrect harvesting methods or post-harvest processing.
Solution: Hand-trimming, gradual drying, and curing are some of the appropriate harvesting and processing techniques that can help maintain the integrity of cannabis flowers and extracts.
Purchasing high-quality harvesting tools can help increase productivity and consistency in the post-harvest stage.
Thomas Walker is the founder of Walker Cultivation, a consulting firm specialising
in commercial cannabis production. Email at [email protected].
