Grower & ’s
Anyone familiar with construction knows that a well built foundation is the most important element to a sound structure. This principle is the same for plants. By examining the techniques and implementations of different media types, we can gain insights into maximizing plant productivity. CANNAtalk sat down with a local commercial consultant to discuss some of the finer points of medium used currently in this rapidly expanding industry.
Please tell me a little about yourself and your background in horticultural consultation. My name is Brent V. and I have worked as Head Grower and Director of Cultivation at two separate vertically integrated facilities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. During my time there, I ran into several issues while expanding these operations and learned many things by trial and error. Some of these problems have been input related, like nutrients or media. Others have been environment related, like incorrect VPD (vapor pressure deficit) or too much light. Now I focus on two things: staffing commercial cultivators through my company Get A Grower and scaling up mid to large size facilities. I have worked with companies in Massachusetts, Michigan, Oklahoma, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. This has given me great insight into how growers all around the country operate.
Coco media has become the standard for commercial production these days. Why do you think producers have moved away from traditional mediums like rock wool and soil? Coco combines the best characteristics of other traditional mediums. It gives you the ability to manipulate dry back, like you can with rock wool, by steering the plant into either vegetative or generative mode. Higher water content with more frequent irrigations, along with a lower EC (electrical conductivity), will steer the plant into stem and leaf growth. Lower water content and higher EC will steer the plant into flower or bloom growth. Another great coco characteristic is that it can be treated and amended like soil, which can promote a rich biological root zone resulting in a higher quality end product than conventional hydroponics. At the same time, it tends to be a much cleaner product than traditional potting soil mixes. There is less worry about pest pressure coming in with 14|CANNAtalk
