Indoor vs Outdoor Cannabis Production Prohibition of marijuana in Canada, the United States, and many other countries across the world, has sent Cannabis Production indoors, hidden from the light of day.A cannabis crop without sunlight may seem to be at a disadvantage, but technological advancements, especially within the last decade, have cannabis crops shining a light on achieving exceptional aesthetic quality and flavour with higher THC percentages.Now that prohibition in many areas has been lifted, the ability to grow outdoors is back on the table for some, but is it worthwhile to plant seeds under sunny skies?
Someone new to the Marijuana Production market, or a grower thinking of making a change, may want to consider the differences between the two methods, indoor versus outdoor.The affect on a grower’s bottom line, the quality of product and the consumers who use the product are the ultimate influences on whether an operation will be successful or not. Cannabis is a billion-dollar industry.Research done through StatsCan shows that Canadians spent almost $6-billion on cannabis products in 2017, although in a prohibitive market, these figures could be far higher if illegal transactions were included. The cost to grow cannabis mirrors the reward. Exorbitant amounts of money are spent to control the climate for indoor cannabis growth, but the cost of the energy needed to run these facilities may be a heavy price for all of us. As technology has advanced, and the power of growing lights and fans has increased, so too has their energy consumption.Said to take 2,000 kWh to grow a single pound of product, the same as two months of power for the average household, energy consumption can consume profits. To balance the budget, indoor growers focus on year-
round growth, with the ability to manipulate budding, breeding projects and a more potent product for the consumer.
Outdoor growth can see a hefty reduction to a grower’s pocketbook at start-up but does not have the ongoing costs associated with indoor energy consumption. Outdoor farming also relies on fewer numbers of staff for most of the growing season, pulling in temporary help when harvesting.In contrast, indoor facilities require staffing to maintain strict climate controls to grow their plants all year round.Like all crops, cannabis requires the ideal location, soil, water and climate to produce optimal results.Researching which strains perform best outdoors is important to maximizing growth potential on the grower’s land.Fortunately, different strains perform better in different climates. Sativas can grow in hotter, humid climates,while Indicas can protect themselves in colder climates.Choosing the strain that is best for the location is the most important step in achieving a quality product.Cannabis plants grown outdoors benefit from the sun and natural nutrients of the soil, which can result in larger yields than those grown indoors. Unlike the protected indoor crops, outdoor cannabis crops are exposed to the elements: snow, frost, rain, hail, gusts of wind, as well as animals and critters tracking through the fields.For this reason, the final product can look a bit worse for wear, compared to its indoor counterpart.Both indoor and outdoor crops are susceptible to pests such as mites.The outdoor crop would be at an advantage in this case, because nature controls mites through their natural predator,the lady bug, whereas a mite infestation in an indoor facility can be difficult to control without the use of pesticides. In recent years, consumer expectation is that products across all markets be sustainable, not genetically modified in any way, free of pesticides and other chemicals, and produced in a way that does not negatively impact the
environment. The responsibilities of the cannabis market are no different. Great advancements are being made in technology and growing techniques to keep the health of the consumer, the environment, and the world’s resources at the foreground of the cannabis industry. Greenhouse growth operations have become a popular option, reaping the positives of both outdoor and indoor cannabis setups.Greenhouses have created a marriage of the sun with the protection of an indoor facility, offering the sustainable, environmentally friendly alternative that consumers are pushing their dollars towards.Through solar radiation, the sun warms up the soil and the plants within the greenhouse, which in turn release energy known as infrared radiation.The energy is trapped within the greenhouse, maintaining the warm environment needed for growing. The technique can greatly increase the profitability of the business by allowing year-round cultivation.Partnering with the sun, limits energy maximums to the winter months for lighting and climate controls where days are shorter. Growers should find the balance that is right for their operations and their market. For years indoor cannabis has been considered a better-quality product with a more flavourful profile, but the way cannabis is grown may have just as much influence on the buying decisions of the market.An organic, environmentally focused product would appeal to a large portion of today’s consumers. The bottom line is that with legalization comes increased competition.Whether a grower decides on an indoor, outdoor or greenhouse facility, their success in the cannabis industry will rely on paying attention to advancements in the market, while staying true to the essence of why consumers buy their product.