Page 23 - Griffin Gazette - October 2026

product in an earlier Griffin article on PRO-MIX CX Grow product/container size, monitor runoff EC and pH, and
Bags. Eliminating pot filling, loose media handling, and record how quickly the root zone dries during each stage of
container cleaning can save considerable time in a large production. A newly transplanted plant cannot be irrigated
facility while also preventing uniformity issues that come like a fully rooted plant in peak flower. Crop steering
from hand filling containers. aside, irrigation quantity and rate will change as the roots,
canopy/flower biomass, lighting demand, and daily water
MATCH THE SUBSTRATE TO THE FACILITY
use increase.
Grodan Hugo Blocks and PRO-MIX CX Grow Bags can
both support precise cannabis production, but they do CONSISTENCY COMES BEFORE COMPLEXITY
not respond to irrigation in exactly the same way. Stone Crop steering does not need to begin with a complicated
wool provides a uniform and highly responsive platform irrigation recipe. Start with a uniform substrate, dependable
for growers who want tight control over water content, pH, emitters, protocols that generate accurate measurements,
and EC. Coir provides a familiar organic fiber with strong and comprehensive production records. Once those
water retention, drainage, and some nutritional buffering basics are repeatable, sensors and automation can make
characteristics. Container size and substrate volume will the program more precise. Technology is valuable, but it
also influence how quickly either system dries. These cannot correct an inconsistent root zone or inconsistent
factors should coincide with your overall production cycle practices. Whether the crop is grown in Grodan Hugo
schedule and plant spacing design. The “best choice” Blocks or PRO-MIX CX Grow Bags, the same principle
depends on the facility, irrigation equipment, plant density, applies. Successful crop steering starts below the canopy
production schedule, labor availability, and the grower’s and before a plant is ever planted. Once the right tools or
preferred steering strategy. inputs are in place, build a consistent root zone first, then
use irrigation, nutrition, lighting, and climate to guide the
Whichever substrate is selected, verify emitter output
crop where you want it to go.
before building the irrigation schedule. Determine the fully
hydrated weight to help determine maximum volumetric
water content (i.e., water holding capacity) for your specific

GRIFFIN GAZETTE 20 26 | 23