Page 17 - Griffin Gazette Issue 3 - 2018
P. 17

CBD is extracted from the cannabis   plants. Plan to scout phenotype   occurs. Maintain media pH at 5.8-6.2 in
            plant and offered as a supplement/  and rogue starting around week six.   the media of your choice (peat-based,
            treatment for medical conditions such as   Alternatively, grow from cuttings from   coir-based or inert media all work well).
            seizures, pain, anxiety and depression.   mother  stock  (female  stock  plants).   Pinch prior to transplant and take care
                                               DNA-based testing is available for sexing   to avoid root-bound liners. Also, avoid
            Hemp can provide strong potential as   and is financially practical for stock plant   drought stress, as this will stunt plants.
            a diversification crop for ornamental   production, but probably not for the
            growers with a bit of land. States with   thousands of plants that go to the field.   Hemp has a few specific needs in the
            pilot programs for hemp production   The stock plants (aka “the moms”) must   field. It is sensitive to water-logged
            generally have lower barriers to entry   be grown under long days to maintain   soils; consider using raised beds and
            compared  to  commercial  marijuana   vegetative  growth. Long days can be   plastic row cover to minimize this risk.
            production and production needs are   achieved with HPS or LED lights with    Avoid  drought stress,  as  this  can  lead
            relatively simple. Currently, 40 states   day extension or with other night   to development of male flowers. The
            have industrial hemp programs in place.   interruption methods.        best way to manage the crop is with
            Rules vary by state, and growers must                                  drip irrigation, which can be supported
            be registered/licensed to grow hemp.                                   with an injector to make nutrient supply
            Note that CBD products are often state                                 more efficient. Alternatively, consider
            regulated and all forms of cannabis are                                use of slow release or controlled release
            federally illegal.                                                     fertilizers.
            Production is much simpler for hemp                                    Planting densities range from 600 to 800
            than  for  marijuana,  generally  following                            plants per acre to 2000 plants per acre.
            a tobacco-like model. First, while hemp                                Wider spacing will allow space for larger
            liners are produced in the greenhouse,                                 plants. Speaking of the field, recognize
            most  hemp  production  occurs  in  an                                 that planting next to ag crops will very
            agricultural field under natural light.                                likely increase your risk of insect pests
            Second, while hemp is a short-day                                      migrating to your hemp crop.
            plant  (like  a  mum  or  poinsettia),  the                            If you are interested in producing hemp for
            liners are produced in late spring, so                                 CBD, fiber or other use, check with your
            there is minimal need for supplemental                                 state regulating agency to understand
            lighting to keep the plants vegetative.                                the registration/licensure process. Your
            Finally, there is nothing mysterious about                             extension agent should be able to direct
            hemp production – the liners are grown                                 you to the proper office or you can
            in conventional trays with conventional                                search “industrial hemp” with your state
            media and with conventional fertilizers.
                                               Speaking of lights, use of lights and light   name to find information online. It would
            For key production considerations, let’s   deprivation systems is common practice   also be a good idea to check with an
            start in the field. Hemp for CBD is grown   when growing marijuana year-round.   attorney well-versed in hemp production
            differently  than  hemp  grown  for  fiber.   However, with a target field transplant   in your state. Since cannabis is still illegal
            Fiber crops are grown  like grain crops   date of May 15-June 15 for most areas   at the federal level, most organizations
            in open fields and are bulk harvested.   (avoid planting to the field after July 1), the   run their hemp operations separate from
            Hemp grown for CBD extraction is   liner crop won’t need supplemental light   their traditional greenhouse operations,
            generally grown in spaced rows. Also,   because the day length is adequate over   i.e. separate businesses. Finally, join
            when growing hemp for CBD, the     the two to three weeks of production time.   your local hemp growers association
            focus is on female plants. Males bring                                 for mentoring support and collective
            the risk of fertilization, which can result   The two- to three-week crop time can   influence with regulating agencies.
            in high THC levels and lower quality   easily  fit  into  your  greenhouse once   Once you’ve done your research and
            CBD oil. This is different from industrial   you  start  selling  your  first  round  of   decided to grow hemp, remember
            production for fiber, which utilizes both   spring crops. Start with soft cuttings.   to reach out to your Griffin sales rep
            female and male plants. Therefore,   It’s common for cannabis growers to   for help. We are working with hemp
            anything that can be done to increase   take 4-6 node cuttings, but smaller   growers across a number of states, and
            the percentage of female plants being   cuttings should be successful. Stems   can supply you with the products and
            planted will greatly reduce labor required   are  generally  cut  at  a  45°  angle,  with   knowledge to grow a successful crop.
            later to rogue males.              cuttings quickly submersed in water
                                               to protect the hollow stem. Rooting is
            Reducing the presence of males starts in   best achieved with the use of rooting
            propagation. If growing from seed, start   hormone and bottom heat. Maintain long   More to see online
            with feminized seeds, but recognize   days (16 hours, natural or artificial) and   See our digital Gazette for information
            that this doesn’t guarantee only female   feed sparingly at 50 ppm once rooting   on hemp rules state by state.

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