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The Pros and Cons of Prevention Vs. Remediation for Moldy Cannabis

Chorus • November 15, 2024

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. 


Moldy Cannabis and Powdery Mildew: The Problems

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. 


Prevention vs. Remediation of Mold and Mildew: What’s the Difference?

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. 


Mold Remediation for Cannabis Grows

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.


When to Choose Remediation for Moldy Cannabis

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.


The Pros of Remediation: Salvaging Affected Cannabis Plants or Finished Flower

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. 


Cons of Remediation: Risks of Mold Spreading, Quality Loss, and Ineffective Methods

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. 

Cannabis Mold Remediation Techniques:

Various technologies are available for the remediation of mold present in cannabis. Solutions include: 

  • Radiation: Utilizing radiation technologies such as gamma and electron beam (E-beam) irradiation to attack mold on cannabis.
  • Heat Treatment: Heating cannabis to specific temperatures (usually above 140°F) for a set duration to attempt to kill mold spores. 
  • Ultraviolet (UV Light): Leveraging UV-C light to target mold spores and pathogens on the surface of cannabis. 
  • Ozone Treatment: Using Ozone gas to oxidize and neutralize mold spores.


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.


Pros of Mold Prevention in Cannabis Cultivation

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.


Cannabis Mold Prevention Costs and Challenges

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.


Powdery Mildew and Mold Prevention Techniques

Cannabis cultivators can adopt various methods to prevent pathogens like powdery mildew and mold in indoor grow settings. 

  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM): The first step to an effective cannabis pathogen prevention protocol is to understand the threats cannabis plants face. 
  • Protocols for Entry and Exit: Workers entering and exiting cultivation facilities to tend the plants can potentially introduce pathogens into the growing environment. Maintaining strict entry and exit protocols can help minimize contamination. 
  • Clean, Purposefully Designed Grow Rooms: Cultivating cannabis in an old, repurposed, or dirty grow room is a recipe for mold and mildew running rampant. To minimize the risk of pathogens, cannabis growers should always begin with a clean facility built out with cultivation in mind. 
  • Decontamination Between Crops: Whether powdery mildew and other pathogens were detected in the previous harvest or not, cultivators must sanitize grow rooms between crops. 
  • Air Filtration: Mold and powdery mildew primarily spread through the air or via contaminated plant matter. Purpose-built air filters may help to reduce pathogens in the air, but their effectiveness is limited, and their impact is imprecise. 


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. 


Prevention vs. Remediation in the Long Run

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.


Choosing the Right Approach for Mold Management

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.


By Chorus January 23, 2025
The cannabis industry is built on the idea of creating positive change. From policy changes and community improvement to future-facing growing solutions, cannabis professionals bring innovation to every corner of the industry. Cannabis cultivation technology is evolving, too. Chorus specializes in providing cultivators with innovative solutions to maintain healthier grow rooms and higher-quality crops through pathogen control and pest management. Integrated Pest Management Plan Basics: What is IPM? Integrated pest management, or IPM, is a type of pest control methodology that considers organisms harmful to humans or human concerns’ life cycles and the environments in which they thrive. Using this information, IPM empowers cultivators to create environments that discourage pest proliferation and pathogen growth. IPM strongly emphasizes cost-effectiveness and environmental impact, seeking the most economical and safe solutions to common pest problems. Additionally, IPM embraces prevention over removing pests once they are present, resulting in a more minimal impact on plants, workers, and the environment. Why an Integrated Pest Management Plan Matters for Cannabis Cultivators IPM is an excellent choice to fulfill the unique needs of cannabis cultivators to maximize high-quality yields. Price is often the key consideration for cannabis cultivators; the sector typically operates on low margins , and saving money wherever possible is essential to continued success. IPM emphasizes economical methods and continuous pest prevention rather than outright treatment, ensuring predictably low costs compared to other pest-control strategies. Finally, cannabis products are meant to be consumed and enjoyed on every sensory level; consumers pay for top-shelf flavors and aromas. As such, it’s important to use pest-control techniques that have a minimal effect on the finished products. IPM emphasizes safe, non-toxic pest control methods to ensure a negligible impact on the taste, smell, and safety profile of the mature cannabis plants. This focus on safety is especially critical in medical cannabis cultivation. Key Components of an Effective IPM Cannabis Strategy IPM can seem more complicated than traditional pest-control methods; it requires more than just routinely spraying plants with noxious pesticides and fungicides. While this can make IPM seem intimidating initially, once you get started, this flexibility and utilization of unconventional methods become its greatest strengths. Proactive Pest Monitoring in Cannabis Cultivation The central principles of IPM are monitoring for pests and creating inhospitable environments for those that can harm crops, like powdery mildew and other types of mold. For an effective IPM strategy, cultivators need to proactively control for pests and pathogens through ongoing methods like entry and exit protocols, routine sanitization of surfaces and tools, and maintenance of air quality. Understanding What Species of Powdery Mildew Attacks Cannabis Plants There are more than 800 cataloged species of powdery mildew . Most plants are only susceptible to one or two of these species. Hemp and cannabis can be impacted by Golovinomyces ambrosiae and Podosphaera macularis , though there may be more. Implementing IPM to Prevent Powdery Mildew and Pathogen Growth Though there are only two known types of powdery mildew that affect cannabis plants, they can severely impact the quality and quantity of flower that a crop can produce. Cannabis cultivators must control this common pathogen. Powdery mildew is incredibly difficult to get rid of once it appears. Luckily, IPM strategies can help minimize its spread and even keep it from appearing in the first place. IPM for Cannabis: Tools and Techniques for Success Cannabis cultivators can leverage many different IPM techniques to manage, control, and minimize the presence of pests and pathogens in their grow rooms. Entry and Exit Protocols. Maintaining strict cleanliness standards for workers entering and exiting indoor grow rooms can help to prevent the introduction of germs and the spread of pathogens. Maintaining a Consistent Grow Room Environment. Temperature and humidity fluctuations create the ideal environment for powdery mildew to grow. An air quality monitoring system can help maintain consistent temperature, humidity, and airflow to create and sustain an inhospitable environment for pests. Regular Cleaning and Disinfection: Consistently sanitizing grow room surfaces and tools can help minimize the spread of pests and pathogens by removing bacteria. Air Sanitization Technology. Many pests and pathogens, including powdery mildew, spread through the air. Clean air is essential to IPM and critical for growing healthy cannabis plants. Creating a Customized Integrated Pest Management Plan for Your Grow Room Integrated pest management is the best way to ensure a cost-effective, healthy, and pest- and pathogen-free cannabis cultivation facility. Chorus creates and maintains healthier indoor spaces in cannabis cultivation facilities. Our innovative products are designed to complete any cannabis IPM strategy. Contact us today to learn more about our technology and discover how to get Chorus into your grow rooms.
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