Many indoor cannabis growers see mold and mildew on cannabis buds as inevitable at some point in the growing cycle. After all, the warm, damp environment that cannabis plants love also allows pathogens to thrive.
In the future, that will change. Companies like Chorus are developing technology that will make prevention a better, more sustainable solution than remediation for
powdery mildew on cannabis and other pathogens.
Keep reading to learn about the differences between prevention vs. remediation and which solution best suits your commercial cultivation operation.
The presence of mold in finished cannabis products can affect the smell, taste, and effects. Mold on cannabis buds can also have serious adverse impacts on consumers. Because it can be so harmful to product quality and consumer experience, cannabis that does not pass mold tests cannot be sold in regulated markets.
The effects of mold on cannabis aren’t limited to the finished product, though. Mold or powdery mildew on plants can
harm their growth and vitality. Even if the finished product has low enough mold levels to pass tests, the quality will be sub-par, the yield will be smaller, and your profits will be lower.
Mold and mildew on cannabis buds in indoor cannabis cultivation operations harm plants and consumers alike. What is the solution?
Most growers will focus on either prevention or remediation, though some implement a combination of approaches.
Cannabis remediation refers to lowering or eliminating already-present pathogens in the environment and/or finished product to acceptable levels.
Prevention, on the other hand, refers to blocking mold or mildew in the first place.
Remediation, or addressing mold once it is present on plants or harvested flower, remains the method of choice for many cannabis cultivators.
Mold remediation is typically implemented post-harvest, but cultivators can also attempt to remediate mold when it is detected on plants during the growth cycle.
Mold and mildew are incredibly common in all types of agriculture. How do you know when it’s not a problem, and how do you know when you need to address it?
Generally speaking, the best time to address mold or mildew on your cannabis plants is as soon as you notice it. However, remediation is a logical post-harvest choice if problems weren’t fully addressed during the growing cycle.
Mold and mildew can be sneaky. By the time you notice it on your cannabis plants’ fan leaves, chances are it is far more extensive throughout the crop and the plants than you can see.
When this happens, sometimes remediation is the only way to salvage your crop. Mold remediation methods can help you control the spread and potentially reduce the mold present so that you can continue cultivating.
Remediation is also a sensical post-harvest choice in many situations. If previous efforts to control or treat powdery mildew on cannabis during the grow cycle failed, remediation should also be considered for the finished flower. Additionally, some cultivators routinely implement remediation post-harvest as a type of insurance to guarantee there is no mold present in the finished product during state testing.
Mold can spread incredibly quickly and often flourishes in indoor agriculture settings. When you notice mold or mildew on one plant, it’s likely already spread to others. If left unchecked or your remediation techniques are ineffective, mildew can quickly spread to other plants or rooms, reducing yields and potentially putting your entire cannabis crop at risk. Furthermore, mold present in the finished product can lead to failed test results, consumer illness, and negative press.
Remediation has limited applicability in managing powdery mildew, one of the
most common pathogens affecting indoor-grown cannabis. Most existing remediation methods for powdery mildew on cannabis are limited in effectiveness or require massive investments of time, energy, and resources. When it comes to powdery mildew, an approach that combines many different prevention and remediation methods is often necessary.
Various technologies are available for the remediation of mold present in cannabis. Solutions include:
When applied to harvested flower, currently available remediation techniques can reduce the levels of terpenes and cannabinoids — including THC. Additionally, many cannabis consumers report that remediation can negatively affect the appearance, smell, taste, touch and overall experience of the affected finished product.
Even when relatively controlled with remediation, mold and mildew on cannabis in indoor agriculture settings can negatively impact your plants. Depending on the type of mold or mildew and the level of presence, your plants may produce a smaller yield or lower-quality product.
The most notable advantage of using mold prevention techniques in cannabis grows is that it allows plants to function at peak performance throughout the growth cycle.
Pathogens like powdery mildew stress cannabis plants, forcing the plants to devote energy to dealing with the threat. When mold or mildew isn’t present in the first place, your cannabis plants are free to devote all of their energy to establishing roots, growing, and producing high-quality buds.
Prevention of mold and mildew on cannabis plants can also keep pathogen levels in your finished products substantially lower than relying on remediation alone. In the competitive cannabis market, where differentiators are becoming increasingly important, this could give your company an incredible boost.
Additionally, prevention techniques reduce the bioburden in indoor grow facilities, allowing you to get each room up and running to perform at peak efficiency more quickly.
Though mold prevention approaches can be a boon to many indoor grow facilities, they are not the perfect fit for every situation.
Companies with a limited budget, short timeframe, or limited resources might be unable to install a mold prevention system from the beginning of their first growing season.
Additionally, there are far more obvious options for mold remediation than prevention.
Cannabis cultivators can adopt various methods to prevent pathogens like powdery mildew and mold in indoor grow settings.
Existing mold and mildew prevention strategies can significantly reduce the risk of cannabis crop loss due to pathogens when used as part of a complete pathogen prevention protocol. However, these strategies aren’t foolproof and are often time- and energy-intensive. Chorus is developing technology to change that.
Though mold prevention in cannabis cultivation operations does require a higher up-front investment for many operators, it pays off in the long run. Preventing mold and mildew can keep your plants healthier, meaning you don’t have to spend money on remediation down the line or even risk losing your crop to a pathogen. In the long term, cannabis mold prevention is key to larger yields, higher-quality products, and greater profits.
Bill Gates once said, “Treatment without prevention is simply unsustainable.” While the right choice for your business when choosing between cannabis mold prevention vs. remediation will depend on your cultivation operation’s size, practices, and unique needs, prevention is the surest way forward.
Heightened awareness of the effects that pathogens are having on our lives is creating an opportunity to rethink, in innovative ways, the solution for protecting our indoor environments.
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