How It’s Grown: Outdoor Cultivation
Many Licensed Producers prefer the traditional approach — cultivating cannabis outdoors, basking in the natural elements. Here’s a glimpse into the why and how of this age-old practice.
Explore How We Grow: Outdoor Cultivation
In the world of cannabis production, not every facility resembles a futuristic lab with high-tech grow rooms and LED lights. Some Licensed Producers embrace a more traditional method, cultivating their product in the open air and under the sun.
It’s a back-to-basics, old-school technique, cherished for its simplicity, reliance on natural elements, and generally lower costs.
One of the greatest advantages of outdoor growing is being able to offer consumers excellent value because Mother Nature supplies much of the light, water, and nutrients that we would otherwise engineer in a controlled environment. But it’s a double-edged sword — while Mother Nature gives us a lot, she can also throw us for a loop.
So, how do Producers make the most of nature’s offerings while navigating its unpredictable aspects? here we will spill the secrets.
Picking the Right Place and Space
Unlike indoor growing, which can happen almost anywhere, selecting the perfect spot for outdoor cannabis cultivation is crucial. Producers must identify a suitable region and planting zone that best supports a cannabis crop, securing approval from Health Canada for outdoor production on the chosen site.
It’s not just about finding an expansive field. Producers need to consider climate, weather patterns, soil quality, and whether a strain is suited for outdoor growth. The plant must be robust, with flowering cycles aligned to the area’s growing season. Some Producers even conduct soil tests or trial strains outdoors as part of their research.
Getting Ready to Grow
Outdoor growing doesn’t start outdoors. Before planting in late April or early May, Producers prepare their plants indoors. While some may start with seeds, most use clones from mother plants.
Clones for the outdoors are cut in mid-April. They will spend a couple of weeks in a cloning room prior to being transplanted into small pots, and then moved to a greenhouse to climatise before going in the ground.
Planting methods vary; Pots and peat moss as a planting medium, allows for robust growth. Alternatively, plant directly in the ground, relying on natural living soil.
Thriving and Surviving
While outdoor cultivation relies on nature, it still demands human intervention. Producers continue to support plant growth by protecting them from potential threats, supplementing nutrition, and ensuring overall well-being.
Trellises are used for wind protection and deploys predator bugs against pests. Plant companion crops like alyssum, marigolds, and golden yarrow can be grown around fields to attract beneficial insects.
Rainwater often isn’t sufficient, prompting Producers to use irrigation systems. Daily field walks and leaf analysis help determine fertilisation needs.
From Harvesting to Processing
Harvest season for outdoor-grown cannabis, known as Croptober, typically spans late September to mid-October. The timing varies by strain maturity. Harvest can be done by hand, with the plants hung indoors to dry.
Post-harvest, the fate of the yield depends on the intended use. This can usually be established after analysing cannabinoid and terpene levels. Processing may include extraction, pre-rolls, vapes, concentrates or tinctures.
