Marijuana Business Magazine September 2019

Marijuana Business Magazine | September 2019 138 I n typical marijuana cultivation operations, water acts as a vehicle to deliver nutrients and minerals that cannabis plants need to thrive. Outdoor growers in regions such as the Emerald Triangle in Northern California rely on captured rainwater, which often naturally contains minerals at levels that can be beneficial to cannabis. But indoor growers—especially those in urban environments—can’t just irrigate cannabis with municipal water. Straight from the tap, city water contains too many unknowns, including chlorine and other contaminants. Savvy marijuana cultivators test their water frequently and adjust the nutrient mix and soil amendments accordingly. Several Ways to Water Cameron Bravmann, the prin- cipal of Green Belt Strategies, a Portland, Oregon-based cannabis consultancy focused on cultivation, said if you’re in an area with decent municipal water, it’s possible to use it to grow cannabis. How to treat irrigation water in your grow operation, from catchment to municipal tap water to reverse osmosis Best Practices In Cultivation | Bart Schaneman High-quality water is one of the most important elements of any marijuana farm. Cultivators who are looking to source and maintain the best water for their grow operations should consider: • Testing the water frequently for any changes to mineral levels or the pH balance and adjusting the nutrient mix accordingly. • Using filters to remove contami- nants, including a reverse osmosis system, which will essentially create a “clean slate.” • Developing a catchment system if your grow is in an area with enough natural rainwater. • Deploying irrigation systems that can reduce your water usage and help with conservation. Water Works Plants are automatically watered and fed via this fertigation room at Green Thumb Industries. If levels are not perfect, the cultivation team can adjust them using mobile devices. Courtesy Photo