Learn about the various aspects of cultivation in this column, featuring interviews with experts from different sides of the cultivation process as well as thoughtful commentary from co-columnists Zac Hildenbrand, PhD, professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, the principal founder of Inform Environmental, a partner of Medusa Analytical, and a director of the Curtis Mathes Corporation; and Hannia Mendoza, an MS Chemistry student at The University of Texas at El Paso.

The Cultivation Classroom

Articles

A look at how some cultivation methods are used to increase plant canopy penetrationfor indoor cannabis cultivation, increasing crop size while enhancing cannabinoid, terpene, and flavonoid production.


Lighting Penetration in Indoor Cannabis Cultivation

In continuation of our cultivation education series, Adam Jacques and Zacariah L. Hildenbrand, get to the root of the issue of experiencing an HLVd infestation and if anything can be done to salvage your crops.

HLVd: The Menace to Cannabis Crops

This article emphasizes anthocyanin production in cannabis cultivation, focusing on how cultivators can leverage environmental conditions and advanced lighting technologies to enhance plant health, aesthetic qualities, and phytochemical content.


Enhancing Anthocyanin Levels in Cannabis: Environmental Factors at Play

Gretchen Schimelpfenig is a Senior Energy Engineer at Energy Resources Integration, LLC where she implements energy efficiency programs and provides direct consulting services. She is the former Technical Director of the Resource Innovation Institute and manager of the organization’s Technical Advisory Council. She authored RII’s Lighting, HVAC, and Facility Design & Construction Best Practices Guides for Controlled Environment Agriculture and the Lighting, HVAC, and Controls Best Practices Guides for Cannabis Cultivation. She has worked with partners like the University of Vermont to optimize commercial and industrial buildings, including greenhouses and controls systems used for academic research on hemp and other cultivars. She has a B.S. in Architectural Engineering from the University of Wyoming and an M.S. in Civil Engineering from Stanford University. She is a licensed Civil Professional Engineer in California and Vermont.

This article provides insights on the latest findings from academic researchers exploring the impacts of emerging technology on hemp grown for cannabidiol (CBD).

Cornell University Research on Hemp Responses to Light Treatments, Part 1

In this article, we dive deeper into the physical, cellular, and molecular adaptions that plants demonstrate in response to light intensity and spectrum.

Shining a Light on Cannabis Photobiology

How can greenhouse cultivators improve profitability by installing high-efficiency heating systems to reduce energy costs?

Heating Technologies Improve Profitability for Cannabis Greenhouses

This column reviews a study published by cannabis industry design and construction professionals and describes the impact of energy regulations affecting heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system selection in cannabis production facilities.

Integrated HVAC Systems for Cannabis Cultivation Have the Lowest Life Cycle Cost

This article provides insights into the opportunities involving the genetic modification of cannabis. 

Maximizing Cultivation Efficiency Through the Utilization of Genetic Technology

This column expresses how cannabis facilities that invest in RCx projects can enhance equipment reliability and worker safety, improve conditions for plant growth and development, increase canopy yields, and reduce maintenance costs.

Retrocommissioning Pays Dividends

A look at what epigenetics means, how other plant industries have used or studied them, and how that can be applied to cannabis to improve yields, plant genetics, and solve plant illness.