How Technology

Can Take Your

Cannabis Grow to
the Next Level
growlink
TM
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction..............................................................................................................3

No Longer a Hobby................................................................................................5

Elements of Expansion..........................................................................................9

The New Tools ..........................................................................................................16

Combined Solutions .............................................................................................23

Data for the Long Term ........................................................................................26

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 2
 INTRODUCTION
In 2012, when Colorado voters passed Amendment 64, many saw the
legalization of cannabis as a great experiment. Since then, marijuana
has practically gone mainstream, with medical use becoming legal
in more than half of the states in the union, and a rising tide of states
allowing recreational use. As a result, cannabis is now a booming
industry. In 2017, the U.S. market saw sales reach $9 billion, and
analysts predict that figure will rise to $21 billion by 2021. That would
make the cannabis industry bigger than the NFL, America’s most
profitable sports organization, which generates about $13 billion
in revenue.

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 3
 Given this rapid rise, many small- to mid-sized growers are looking to
raise their game, to shift part-time or small operations toward a more
commercial level. In this e-book, we will:

Review some of the reasons for establishing a more commercial,

higher-end growing operation;

Look at some of the items a grower may need to consider when

planning for an expansion; and

Consider the role of technology, including automation and data

analytics, as a means to drive higher yields while enabling the
grower to oversee larger, more complex operations and multiple
sites.

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 4
 NO LONGER A HOBBY
If cannabis cultivation belonged to hobbyists in the past, that is
no longer the case. With expanded legalization—most recently
in the relaxation of California’s recreational-use markets—the
commercialization of cannabis has taken on a new dimension.

As a result, even professional growers who had been operating small-

or mid-sized farming programs have recently realized the potential
benefits of expansion and modernization. In order to increase yield
and secure a loyal following in a fast-growing market, they are
expanding to bigger farming facilities or investing in multiple growing
locations. As competition increases, many are seeking to establish
themselves as viable players in an ever-crowded field. Those who
can claim an early seat at the table will be better positioned to meet
market demand over the long haul.

“THOSE WHO CAN CLAIM AN EARLY SEAT

AT THE TABLE WILL BE BETTER POSITIONED
TO MEET MARKET DEMAND OVER THE
LONG HAUL.”

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 5
 “IN ORDER TO INCREASE
YIELD AND SECURE A LOYAL
FOLLOWING IN A FAST-
GROWING MARKET, GROWERS
ARE EXPANDING TO BIGGER
FARMING FACILITIES OR
INVESTING IN MULTIPLE
GROWING LOCATIONS.”

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 6
 However, the move to expand a growing operation can include a
number of challenges:

Time.
Growers who tend to larger crops or multiple facilities may
find themselves pressed for time, especially if they take
a manual approach to watering, feeding, and other basic
responsibilities.

Consistency.
A small grower who expands may find it hard to maintain a
consistent approach to growing. As moisture, soil content,
lighting, and other factors vary among different sites (or
even across a single large grow), it can be difficult to apply a
rigorous methodology using manual methods. Intuition and
experience count for a lot in farming, but it’s hard to scale up
if these are your only tools.

Data.
In this data-driven era, small-scale farmers (who expand
without modernizing their facilities) miss an opportunity to
capture long-term information on effective methods. They fail
to capture data that they might use to produce higher yields
and more consistent crops over time.

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 7
 Small growers who expand may quickly discover that the rigors of
agriculture—the time, effort, and energy needed to manage large or
multiple sites—can outstrip their personal resources. Rather than just
making their operations bigger, many are looking to get smarter: to
farm more efficiently and cost-effectively.

In California, analysts note, “big agricultural producers are looking

to grow cannabis at scale.” That puts pressure on smaller growers
to operate at a higher level. It’s not just about growing more crops
in bigger operations. Legalization also includes the need for a new
level of sophistication among growers. As a result, many are actively
pursuing a modern approach for their operations.

Before considering the role of sensors and smart management tools

in an expanded grow operation, it’s helpful to first examine the
fundamentals. Just which considerations come into play for a small- or
mid-sized grower looking to take their game to the next level?

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 8
 ELEMENTS OF EXPANSION
For those seeking to expand a growing operation, it’s helpful to look
at a number of key variables.

Type of Operation
Once the decision has been made to start a cultivation center, the
next big question is: What growing method will be used—outdoor,
greenhouse, or indoor? Each of these methods has upsides and
downsides that need to be fully understood before making a decision.

Growing indoors will provide the maximum number of harvests per

year—an enclosed environment creates the ability to control the
climate and enable year-round growing. However, it comes at a price:
high energy consumption. Lights and cooling use a lot of electricity,
leading to indoor cultivation having the highest monthly energy bill.

“GROWING INDOORS WILL PROVIDE THE

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF HARVESTS PER
YEAR.”

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 9
 Greenhouse cultivation uses the sun as the primary light source—
free light. You have the ability to grow year-round and semi-control
the climate. Unlike indoor enclosures, greenhouses are not sealed
environments, exchanging air with the outside. This can lead to
problems inside the facility, especially on humid days. Introducing
outside air can also lead to the introduction of pests and pathogens.

Growing outdoors uses the sun as the only light source—again,

free light. There are also no costs associated with climate control or
lighting. Because the harvest season is controlled by the climate of
your region, you get a limited number of harvests per year.

Which method to use is ultimately your choice. You should base your
decision on the resources available to you and the climate of the
region you intend to grow in.

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 10
“GROWING OUTDOORS USES
THE SUN AS THE ONLY LIGHT
SOURCE—WHICH MEANS,
FREE LIGHT. THERE ARE ALSO
NO COSTS ASSOCIATED
WITH CLIMATE CONTROL OR
LIGHTING.”

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 11
 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are major factors
impacting the success of any indoor growing operation. Experts
note that “cannabis plants require a lot of light, which typically emit
a tremendous amount of heat. Without proper ventilation and air
exchange, producers risk cooking their crop or limiting yields due
to excess humidity, heat, or oxygen.” That makes the thoughtful
selection of a system a key consideration.

“HVAC SYSTEMS DESIGNED FOR

CULTIVATION CAN HELP THE GROWER
TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE CLIMATE
CONSIDERATIONS.”

In planning an expanded growing operation, it makes sense to look

for contractors who have specific expertise regarding indoor growing
and greenhouse operations. HVAC systems designed for cultivation
can help the grower to effectively manage climate considerations.
Likewise, lighting and electrical experts can plan and deploy systems
that maximize growing potential while limiting or controlling energy
costs.

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 12
 The Right Soil and Plants
As growers move to make their operations more professional, many
will want to pause and consider key elements such as grow mediums
and plant genetics. Decisions made at the early stages could have
long-term impact on the success of the operation.

Choosing the right grow medium is an essential part of gardening.

With so many varieties of grow media available, it can be difficult to
know which will work best for you.

You must choose one that suits both the needs of the plant and the
needs of your system. Water retention, aeration, and pH balance are all
aspects that vary depending on the medium and must be considered
when making the final choice. Soil used for germinating may not be
the same as the long-term growth medium.

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 13
 Different soils may contain different concentrations of nutrients. Other
grow mediums include rockwool, made from metal oxide or mineral
fiber combined with heat and pressure, and perlite, which resembles
tiny fish-tank rocks. Clay pellets are another option. Each has its pros
and cons, depending on the grower’s specific situation. For any serious
grower, this issue demands some scrutiny.

Do you start with seeds or clones? Like soil, this is a key consideration.
With seeds, especially from a seed bank, a grower may have a good
idea of exactly which type of plant will eventually emerge. On the flip
side, not all seeds will germinate. Clones may give you a head start on
growing, but may also include some inherited defects.

These are a few of the key elements growers will want to consider as
they move to expand and modernize their operations.

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 14
 Once these early decisions are made, many will view technology
as the linchpin for their expansions. As noted above, the logistics
of managing an expanded growing operation, combined with the
pressures of an increasingly professional industry, challenge the small-
and mid-sized grower to find more effective management techniques.

In this regard, sensors, remote monitoring, and off-site management

tools can be key elements on the road to larger-scale, more
professional growing operations. Let’s take a deeper look at some
of the available technologies and consider how they may be
implemented to drive higher yields while simultaneously liberating
growers to operate more efficiently.

“SENSORS, REMOTE MONITORING, AND

OFF-SITE MANAGEMENT TOOLS CAN BE
KEY ELEMENTS ON THE ROAD TO LARGER-
SCALE, MORE PROFESSIONAL GROWING
OPERATIONS.”

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 15
 THE NEW TOOLS
When a rapid expanse of operations threatens to overwhelm a
grower’s time and resources, technology can be a powerful ally.

In recent years, large-scale commercial farmers have turned to a

range of technological fixes to enhance their operations, from robotic
agricultural equipment to GPS-guided precision planting. For the
smaller grower, the rise of app-based technology promises to deliver
similar results.

Wirelessly connected sensors, monitors, and delivery mechanisms all

offer the farmer greater freedom and flexibility, higher consistency
in operations, and access to data that can improve growing practices
over time.

Let’s consider several areas where automation, wireless connectivity,

and remote management can dovetail to help an operation move up
to a higher level. These include irrigation, dosing, and environmental
controls.

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 16
 Irrigation
Cannabis plants use a lot of water, so regardless of your setup, you’re
going to want to make sure you have plenty of H2O. Manual watering
methods are both imprecise and labor-intensive. Water ends up
costing more than it should, and plants don’t always get what they
need. A more refined technique is required for those seeking to scale
up their operations.

Smart irrigation systems can improve crop quality and yield by

optimizing water use to reduce over-watering, under-watering, and
run-off. This helps growers to reduce the cost of water and also helps
them to comply with environmental regulations that may dictate the
location and amount that one may irrigate.

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 17
 ““[WITH MANUAL WATERING,]
WATER ENDS UP COSTING
MORE THAN IT SHOULD,
AND PLANTS DON’T ALWAYS
GET WHAT THEY NEED. A
MORE REFINED TECHNIQUE
IS REQUIRED FOR THOSE
SEEKING TO SCALE UP THEIR
OPERATIONS.”

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 18
 A comprehensive control system has the ability to regulate any
type of pump, irrigation valve, flood floor, or flood table, and will
manage irrigation based on the volumetric water content of your
grow medium. A smart irrigation system will supply plants with the
correct amount of water and provide growers with an increase in the
consistency and profitability of their yields.

“SMART IRRIGATION SYSTEMS CAN

IMPROVE CROP QUALITY AND YIELD BY
OPTIMIZING WATER USE TO REDUCE
OVER-WATERING, UNDER-WATERING,
AND RUN-OFF.”

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 19
 Fertigation
Nutrient management is a critical cost control in the modern growing
operation. While an ample supply of nutrients is key to boosting
yields, the expense associated with feeding requires that the grower
take a thoughtful approach to the process.

A smart nutrient control system will monitor water reservoir and

control nutrient dosing by measuring pH, conductivity temperature,
and water level to enable the grower to maintain the balance of the
system. Built into the design for both pressurized in-line and dilute
tank applications, such systems can dose dozens of different recipes
to multiple rooms and zones, taking much of the guesswork out of the
process and ensuring a consistent application.

Automated dosing systems use differentiating ratios of A, B, and C

nutrients to maintain proper nutrient and pH levels. They can be
scheduled to work in coordination with smart irrigation systems
for optimal balance and control. Here again, app-based remote
management frees up the grower’s time while enabling constant
control over these key variables.

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 20
 Environment
A smart environmental controller enables the grower to exercise
constant control over a range of climate variables. Built-in controllers
include I/O modules for data acquisition from connected sensors and
precision equipment control. It may come equipped with sensors to
measure aspects such as temperature, humidity, VPD, CO2, and light.
Systems with native iOS and Android apps allow the grower to adjust
any one of these variables without having to be physically present.

Settings make it possible to control the diverse variables

independently or in synchronized fashion. Presets allow for day or
night adjustments of temperature, humidity, and CO2 to keep these
key metrics at desired set points.

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 21
 A single system can control multiple rooms or can be synchronized to
manage the grow across multiple facilities.

Automated dosing systems use differentiating ratios of A, B, and C

nutrients to maintain proper nutrient and pH levels. They can be
scheduled to work in coordination with smart irrigation systems
for optimal balance and control. Here again, app-based remote
management frees the grower’s time while enabling constant control
over these key variables.

“SYSTEMS WITH NATIVE IOS AND ANDROID

APPS ALLOW THE GROWER TO ADJUST
[TEMPERATURE, HUMIDITY, ETC.] WITHOUT
HAVING TO BE PHYSICALLY PRESENT.”

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 22
 COMBINED SOLUTIONS
For some time, growers have had access to various elements of
the technology described here; sensors aren’t new, nor is remote
monitoring. What excites many growers as they explore the latest
technological advances is the emerging ability to bring together
multiple dimensions of grow management in a single, unified
platform.

Consider all the moving parts of a growing operation: HVAC,

dehumidifiers, vents, lights, cameras, dosing, and irrigation systems.
Some can be tweaked for greater effectiveness; some even offer
a degree of automation. With the latest technologies, all of these
systems can be tied together at a single point of control. That’s a huge
potential win for those with expanding grow operations or those who
are growing in multiple sites.

With a combined management application, off-site growers can more

effectively manage their operations. Sensors deliver alerts across a
range of variables, giving real-time visibility along with the power to
adjust systems on the fly.

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 23
 “WHAT EXCITES MANY
GROWERS AS THEY EXPLORE
THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL
ADVANCES IS THE EMERGING
ABILITY TO BRING TOGETHER
MULTIPLE DIMENSIONS OF
GROW MANAGEMENT IN A
SINGLE, UNIFIED PLATFORM.”

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 24
 All of this can be done today with existing technologies. Looking
ahead, ag tech experts say that surveillance will be the next big
wave in grow technology. They plan to implement cameras, not just
as a means of offering growers a visual check-in on their crops, but
as a means to drive higher yields. For example, cameras paired with
infrared sensors and artificial intelligence may soon deliver effective
pest-control tools for growers who are not physically present. Such
systems could also help growers to comply with evolving security
concerns.

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 25
 DATA FOR THE LONG TERM
In addition to unified remote control, the latest technologies offer
another, sometimes overlooked benefit to the expanding grow
operation: the delivery of data over time.

Consider the manually based grow operation. It’s hard to know exactly
how much water or nutrient mixture was delivered to which plants
at what time. Realistically, the record-keeping task alone makes this a
dubious prospect. But there’s tremendous value in such information.
The data-driven grower can replicate successful results, and can make
adjustments when crops deliver less-than-optimal yields.

“IT’S HARD TO KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH

WATER OR NUTRIENT MIXTURE WAS
DELIVERED TO WHICH PLANTS AT WHAT TIME.”

Big commercial farms have already discovered the power of data.

“Several well-known investors recently dropped a combined $40
million into Farmers Business Network, a data analytics startup.
Venture capital has flooded the ag tech space, with investment
increasing 80% annually since 2012,” Forbes reports.

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 26
 The report goes on: “Sensors on fields and crops are starting to
provide literally granular data points on soil conditions, as well as
detailed info on wind, fertilizer requirements, water availability and
pest infestations. GPS units on tractors, combines and trucks can help
determine optimal usage of heavy equipment.”

Even small- and mid-size growers can make use of such advances
as they look forward and plan to build out their operations.
Today’s management systems make this possible by tracking and
accumulating data over time. Growers who compile reports can see
at a glance which watering regimen drove the best results, which
nutrient mix delivered the most promising results, and other critical
information.

Sensors and controllers don’t just make growing simpler; they make it
significantly smarter. That’s important for growers looking to compete
in an increasingly commercialized, professionalized arena. Cannabis is
no longer a hobbyist’s game. With widespread legalization, marijuana
has entered the realm of legitimate agriculture, and it’s high time for
growers to take advantage of the latest technologies to compete in
that bigger arena.

How Technology Can Take Your Cannabis Grow to the Next Level 27
 growlink
TM

About Growlink
Growlink is an agriculture technology company that connects
growers to their operations. We build well-designed, tightly
integrated hardware and software products that enable you to work
smarter, providing wireless automation and control, data collection,
monitoring, optimization, and visualization. All in one platform.

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875 Kalamath
Denver, CO 80204
800-432-0160
info@growlink.com