If you are looking to become a successful cannabis cultivator, then you will need to understand how to use crop cycling to ensure that your plants are growing at their full potential. There are many factors to consider when it comes to this type of cultivation, including how to water your crops, whether to trim them wet or dry, and the use of photoperiods. By using these tips, you will be on your way to achieving success with your cultivation.
Photoperiod vs autoflowering
There are two main cannabis cultivars to choose from: autoflowers and photoperiod. Both offer different benefits and drawbacks. However, the right choice depends on your particular situation.
If you are a beginner grower, then you should consider cultivating autoflowers. They are easier to cultivate and have less maintenance needs. Photoperiod plants, on the other hand, are more difficult to manage. You have to make changes in your light cycle, and you must also keep track of the veg and flowering phases of the plant.
In contrast, autoflowers are ready for harvest immediately. They are easy to maintain and they grow small. This type of marijuana plant is perfect for growing outdoors. Its ability to grow quickly makes it suitable for a novice grower.
However, a photoperiod plant can also provide a higher yield. While you can harvest your autoflowers, you will not get as much in terms of THC and yield as you would with a photoperiod strain.
Depending on the size of the plant, the amount of buds produced can vary. A large plant will produce a larger yield.
When choosing the right strain, you must be careful. Autoflowering varieties are very similar to photoperiod strains, except that they don’t have to go through a vegetative phase. Moreover, they are not affected by light leaks.
The size of your grow area has a significant impact on the final yield. Unlike autoflowers, photoperiod plants can be cultivated in a smaller area.
Wet vs dry trimming
Wet vs dry trimming for cannabis cultivation is an age old debate. There are numerous advantages and disadvantages to both methods. Choosing the right way to trim is an important decision that should be made with care.
Trimming buds can be a daunting task. However, it is not impossible to do. Luckily, there are a variety of tools on the market that can help you out. Some of these products are even self-cleaning. Depending on your needs, you can also invest in mechanical trimmers. They can save you a lot of time and effort.
Dry trimming is a popular technique for reducing the drying time of cannabis. It is more efficient because it allows you to control the rate at which the buds dry.
This process is not only useful in humid climates where it would be challenging to dry intact plants, but it is also good for novice and seasoned cultivators alike. A well-prepared flower will give users a pleasant taste and experience.
For many people, it is not a question of whether to trim wet or dry, but which method to use. Regardless of your choice, you will have to prepare your plants for the task. Once you have cut off the fan leaves, you can hang the plant up and allow it to slowly dry.
One of the most interesting aspects of wet trimming is the fact that it enables growers to save space during the drying process. Besides allowing you to trim more buds in less space, wet trimming can reduce the risk of mold and mold spores.
Nitrogen and iron fertilization
The nutrient requirements of medical cannabis are not well known. This is largely due to the legal status of the plant. However, there is a growing demand for medicinal products. Therefore, understanding the plant’s biology is important for designing modern cultivation strategies.
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth. It has been found to affect the concentration of photosynthetic pigments. Furthermore, it influences morphological and physiological status of the plants.
In this study, the N supply was investigated in five different treatments, with a completely randomized block design. Increasing the N supply to 120 kg N ha-1 increased the total biomass of the plants.
A higher N supply also enhanced the osmotic potential of the plants. Moreover, the protein contents were found to increase.
Iron fertilization was also evaluated in this study. While the treatment did not have any influence on the calyx diameter and aril/peel ratio, it did have a positive impact on the aril juice content. Compared to the other treatments, the aril/peel ratio was 7% higher in the iron fertilization group.
The morpho-physiological function under long photoperiod was significantly lower at low N supplies. Similarly, K deficiency was detrimental for function in one genotype.
Besides nitrogen, a total of fourteen other nutrients are important for plant growth. These include phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, copper, zinc, and sulfur. Each of these is needed in different amounts.
Watering
Crop cycling for cannabis cultivation is a technique that adjusts environmental conditions to allow plants to grow optimally. This process can be complex and can have a range of benefits.
For starters, it’s a simple way to avoid overwatering. Rather than leaving a plant soaking wet, you can collect some water runoff and leave it in the pot. If the soil has enough moisture, this will encourage a healthy crop.
There are many factors that affect how much water a plant needs. Some of these include temperature, humidity, and general health of the plant.
It’s possible to measure the amount of water needed by a plant with a hygrometer. This can help you to calculate a reasonable watering schedule for your crops.
A pH meter is a handy tool that can tell you how acidic or alkaline the water you’re using is. Using a pH balancing solution can solve the problem if your water isn’t in the right range.
You can also use a tensiometer to measure the water tension in your soil. The more compact your growing medium, the longer it will hold water.
To get the most out of your crop cycling for cannabis cultivation, learn when to water and how to do it correctly. Proper watering helps your plants to absorb the nutrients they need, and minimizes your exposure to pests and diseases.
Vapor pressure deficit
Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) is a key metric for indoor cannabis growers. This is because it allows growers to gauge the impact of humidity on plant growth. It can also help to fine-tune water flow through plants.
VPD is defined as the difference between the vapor pressure inside a leaf and the vapor pressure outside of the leaf. It is usually expressed as millibars or pascals.
Increasing VPD improves the overall growth of your plants, especially during the late stages of their lives. However, too high of a VPD can cause stress, over-drying of the plant tissue, and wilting.
Understanding the VPD can be the best way to provide the ideal conditions for growing your crops. But achieving this can be tricky. There are several factors that affect the vapor pressure in the air.
Temperature is one of the primary factors that determines the vapor pressure deficit. As a result, different combinations of temperature and humidity levels are used to reach the optimal VPD range.
For a drier environment, a vapor pressure deficit of around 0.4 kPa can be measured. Conversely, a humid, hot environment will require a VPD of at least 1.6 kPa. Managing the VPD of your cannabis plant can be challenging in a grow room, but it is possible to achieve perfect conditions.
The ideal VPD of your plant is directly linked to the process of transpiration. Transpiration is the evaporation of water from the leaves of the plant. A good VPD will open up the stomata, which will allow the plant to release more water vapor into the air.
Technology is elevating the playing field
The cannabis industry is undergoing a rapid evolution. Cutting-edge technology is elevating the playing field for growers. Despite its unique challenges, cannabis companies continue to thrive. With a growing interest in cannabis worldwide, the industry has opened up new opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Cannabis cultivation is an energy-intensive process. This is primarily driven by lighting, equipment, and microclimate control. In addition to energy usage, the process can cause greenhouse gas emissions.
Indoor growers are using cutting-edge technology to minimize water usage and greenhouse gas emissions. For example, Chalice Farms uses temperature and humidity sensors to measure the climate in the grow room. It also estimates savings from its automated irrigation system.
Water consumption will continue to be a big concern for the cannabis industry. Climate change is likely to make water availability more scarce. As the demand for water increases, it is also possible for more water to be diverted from rivers and streams, potentially impacting aquatic life.
Soil erosion is a common problem associated with outdoor cannabis cultivation. A survey of 4,428 grow sites found that nearly one-third are located on steep slopes. Rainstorms, land terracing, and forest clearing can all cause soil erosion.
Nitrogen is a major component of plant growth. When applied in large quantities, nitrogen degrades the ecological environment. Excessive nitrogen can also lead to multi-scale impacts such as increased soil acidification and eutrophication.
