JUNE 25, 2018
Why Growers are Opting for Greenhouse Operations for Their Cannabis Crops
Cannabis greenhouses have matured from trend to stable in the developing cannabis industry. As the standard for production of practically all other high-value horticultural crops, greenhouse cannabis cultivation is a logical development for a quickly advancing industry.
Basic benefits of greenhouse cultivation for cannabis:
- Greenhouses harness the power of the sun, thus saving energy while protecting the crop.
- Greenhouses allow for year-round cultivation in a climate controlled environment.
- Greenhouses cost less and yield more than expensive indoor grows and inconsistent outdoor grows.
Explaining how cannabis greenhouses work
Because of their design, greenhouses are built to provide a warm and consistent environment inside the facility, even when outside temperatures are extreme. Have you heard of the ‘greenhouse effect’?
The greenhouse effect is a process in which energy from the sun (solar radiation) passes through the clear walls of a greenhouse and heating up the soil and plants. The soil and plant then release the energy they’ve absorbed as infrared radiation. Because infrared cannot escape the greenhouse walls, the heat stays trapped and warms the air. While the greenhouse effect allows for year-round cultivation, advances in technology and design have empowered modern growers with a larger arsenal of tools.
Control systems in advanced cannabis greenhouses include:
- Supplemental lighting with system automation
- Multi-faceted climate control systems
- Sophisticated monitoring equipment
- Effective sunlight control
Do you know what cannabis needs to grow properly?
As a commercial crop, the cannabis plant is certainly one of the most demanding. In addition to needing both sufficient lighting and controlled exposure to sunlight for optimal growth, environmental controls maintaining temperature, air circulation, and humidity are all crucial.
Traditionally, cannabis crops require 12 hours or more of sunlight each day to stay in a vegetative state as they mature. Once a matured plant receives less than 12 hours of sunlight daily, it will start to flower and produce buds. Because of how much sunlight they require, outdoor cannabis crops are typically planted in the early summer and begin to flower in early fall.
How technology is advancing greenhouse cultivation
Advanced greenhouse designs, like the model for Solaris Farms, allow growers to maintain control of the light cycles and environments needed for each cannabis crop. Enhanced by the best of biotech, these greenhouses do more than just keep your crop warm. From a more consistent product to a greener thumbprint, there are a number of reasons why greenhouses are the optimal choice for growing cannabis.
Save by harnessing the power of the sun and LED lighting
Supplemental lighting has always been used cultivation experts to extend or amplify the hours of daylight their crops are exposed to. The right supplemental lighting is a key element of any greenhouse operation helping to keep plants healthy in less than ideal environments and it allows growers to retain control over their crops. While the debate between HPS and LED lighting rages on, there is one thing all cultivars agree on; the balance between natural and supplemental greenhouse lighting is a critical to growing a thriving cannabis crop.
Master your crop’s life cycle with state-of-the-art automation technology
From light deprivation techniques to maintaining a healthy crop all year-around, climate control systems including air, irrigation, and filtration mechanisms, modern greenhouses allow growers to intimately monitor every aspect of the crop.
Save money, energy, and the environment with modern greenhouse designs
Like other plants requiring specific environmental factors to grow, the cannabis plant is merely the next crop to attain the maturity and demand needed to require commercial cultivation. Commercial greenhouse cultivation not only results in substantial energy savings, but also protects the integrity of the crop. As cannabis legalization spreads and the industry matures, cannabis farmers are it more financially and ecologically beneficial to shift from indoor and outdoor grows to advanced greenhouse models that gives growers flexibility and control over their product.
Why cannabis should always be lab-tested
No matter how your crop was grown, or who it was grown by, cannabis should always be lab-tested for contaminants, pathogens, and pesticide residues before going to market. In Nevada, all cannabis products not only get tested, they must also be labeled with cannabinoid and terpene content as well as testing date information, dosing instructions, and extraction method.
Solaris Farms: Growing the Cannabis of Tomorrow
At Solaris Farms, our commercial cannabis greenhouses were designed with volume and purity in mind. We’ve woven cleanliness and compliance into the fabric of our operations and that’s why you can trust our products are potent, consistent, and pure. To learn more about our cannabis greenhouse designs or find out which brands you can try on dispensary shelves, connect with our executive team today.
