Precision Growing; What Should be Measured in the Substrate, How to Do That, and Why?
11 October 2022
Water Content, EC, and pH measurements in Stone Wool for Cannabis Cultivation.
The importance of WC, EC, and pH for cannabis cultivation was discussed in previous articles. As it was mentioned, there are several target levels to maintain in the stone wool; WC between 50 to 90%, EC of minimum 1.5 mS/cm in propagation, and about 2.5-2.8 mS/cm for the solution during vegetative to flowering (and an EC of the substrate between 3 to 6 mS/cm), and a pH between 5.5 to 5.8.
It is one thing to monitor the nutrient solution before it is given to the crop via the irrigation system, this can be done with the settings in the climate computer and the fertilization recipe. In addition you should measure the rootzone as a grower. This can be done by inserting specialized root zone sensors into the stone wool. This will allow close monitoring of the situation and conditions in the substrate and therefore the root zone of the plants.
The advantages of monitoring
There are many advantages of monitoring root zone conditions, such WC, EC & temperature directly in the substrate;
- Optimizing the irrigation and fertigation strategy.
- Gaining information and therefore having control over the dynamics in the root zone on a daily basis, thanks to te constant data logging and collection.
- Improving crop activity, quality and yield.
- Reducing input costs for water, fertilizer, pesticides & energy.
Why is it important to do substrate measurements?
First and foremost, the grower receives information that he or she can use to make considered decisions on the nutrition and irrigation scheme, and adjust accordingly. That can help reduce the risk of damage to the crop because of mistakes and unpredicted changes.
Next, accurate measurements can help prevent the accumulation of non-essential elements in the root zone. When not flushing it, this results in an increased EC, which can damage the crop.
Finally, thanks to the information gained by measuring the stone wool and root environment, the costs of water and fertilizers are reduced. Resulting from that, the company is more sustainable as water use is minimized together with fewer wasted fertilizers that are flushed with the drain water.
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Measuring is knowing
Caramet sensors of SenseNL are specially designed to measure WC, EC, and temperature in the stone wool substrate. Using its two pins, the sensors should be inserted into the stone wool as can be seen in the figure. When using several sensors in one growing area, it is preferable to make sure the sensor is inserted at a fixed height into the stone wool product. It reduces variation between the measurements of the different sensors. Based on the information a grower will receive from the sensors, he or she will be able to make adjustments that will improve the conditions of the crops (e.g., adjusting the EC). These measurements can have a heavy impact and can help prevent damage.
Want to know more?
On this website you will find more information about our stone wool substrates and instructions for optimum use! If you have any question, remark, or request, please feel free to contact us here, or via our Facebook and Instagram accounts.
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Discussing Substrates, Operations, and More; Interview with GreenLeaf Medical
GreenLeaf Medical started in 2017 and has grown tremendously since then, growing and selling a full range of products to the medicinal market within the USA. Samer Abilmona has been in the cannabis industry for a little over 10 years, but he has cultivated cannabis for the majority of his adult life. He has been the Executive Director of Cultivation and Operation of GreenLeaf Medical since 2019, then the company consisted of one cultivation facility, started to work on the second, had one dispensary in Maryland, and recently received a license in Virginia. Nowadays, the company is a multi-state operator, with facilities in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. The cultivation is tailored to their market leader, smokable flowers. Other products within their range are live resin, live rosin, and distillates for vape cartridges as well as for edibles. About 6 months ago GreenLeaf Medical merged with Columbia Care, now the Cannabist Company, Samer has been managing a few additional cultivation and extraction facilities in West Virginia, two facilities in Washington DC, and a second Virginia location.
Understanding and Mitigating Channeling in Stone Wool Substrate
Stone wool substrate has gained popularity in horticulture due to its excellent water retention and air porosity characteristics, which are essential for healthy plant growth. However, one common issue that growers often encounter when using stone wool is channeling. Channeling refers to the inefficient distribution of water and nutrients within the substrate. In this article, we will explore what channeling is, what typically happens when it occurs, how to identify its signs, and discuss methods to prevent it. We will also delve into why some stone wool products are more prone to channeling than others and explore the role of binders and wetting agents. Finally, we will touch upon the importance of choosing the right irrigation system to avoid channeling.
What is Slag Wool and How does it Differ from High-Quality Horticultural Stone Wool?
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