Every year, wildfires devastate millions of acres of forests and land, hurt certain wildlife, and negatively impact the cannabis industry. The worst of 2020 was felt by cultivators in the states of California and Oregon. Furthermore, with ash and smoke blocking out the sun, outdoor cultivators were left with few options for remediating these issues. Although these conditions primarily affect west coast cultivators, wildfires can suddenly start up wherever there is a fuel source.
Smoke reduces the cannabis quality
Steep Hill Labs director of cultivation science Linda Abernathy stated it best when she said that heavy particulate or smoke exposure degrades the quality of the product so extensively that most individuals won’t purchase it. There’s no doubt that products exposed to these conditions will fail regulatory testing because of ash, cinders, and dirt. However, she also claimed that there are a handful of remediation methods that make for successful market-ready products.
Lower the contamination
One such solution involves preventing and treating contaminants such as cleaning out the growing area and your hydroponic systems when you experience a lower level of contamination. Heavy contamination, on the other hand, requires pressure washing and replacing ceiling tiles, drywall, and anything else that has absorbed larger amounts of these contaminants. Additionally, the level of contaminants that warrant taking extra measures will impact the operating efficiency of the growth facility.
So how do contaminants such as ash and soot affect the cultivation of your plants? In 2020, there were nearly 59,000 wildfires that destroyed over 10 million acres of US land, almost double the amount from 2019 and higher than the US 10-year average. The latest outlook of the government’s drought monitor revealed that the primary areas of cannabis growth (the West and Southwest) will undergo prolonged drought conditions throughout 2021.
Ultimately, these severe drought conditions will lead to a wide range of problems such as highly unstable crop growth, a dramatic loss of pasture lands, and serious water emergencies. The drastic deterioration of cultivation harvests will result in other problems for residents of these areas such as poor air quality. If hazardous readings exceed 250 micrograms per cubic meter for prolonged periods, the EPA will step in and recommend closing events, schools, and workplaces.
The reality is that smoke is a volatile substance where cannabis plants are concerned and can cause a significant amount of stress to the growth process, especially to those individuals who utilize greenhouse or outdoor operations.
If you are looking for a good smoking experience, there are a range of beakers and bongs that you can buy. To learn more, contact Tank Glass at (323) 364-7952 for additional sources of information or send us a message at support@tankglass.us.