Growing marijuana plants in a drought

Growing cannabis in a drought isn’t impossible, although it’s a challenge that is difficult to master.

There are areas with predominantly hot and dry climates.

How do these marijuana growers deal with it?

At the end of each growing season, these farmers are still putting out cannabis crops that look healthy, like they have everything it takes to grow – they did.

Read on for a comprehensive guide to help you understand the concept of growing marijuana during a drought.

Availability of water

The cultivation of all crops requires water, and marijuana is no different. Water supplies must be provided for growing cannabis outdoors. A growing season without water is just a waste of time. In arid and arid soils, farmers have developed intricate irrigation systems that provide the water needed to keep crops hydrated.

The climate seems to be changing no thanks to our bad activities that seem to be causing global warming on the planet. In the last growing season, farmers had to rethink how to supply their crops with water as many parts of the country faced different drought problems. These drought conditions are likely to continue this season.

Opportunities for an adequate water supply

They include:

1. Procurement of water shares either through direct purchase or through leasing.

2. Maintaining water proportions.

3. Irrigation system (pivot, drip or flood design).

4. Practicing regenerative methods to maintain soil moisture.

5. Utilization of the available water supply.

Irrigation systems

The irrigation system that can be used on farms depends on the field and the variety of cannabis being planted. Every strain of cannabis is different, just as every farm and field varies in its soil needs.

Here are the general guidelines for choosing the irrigation system that is best for different crops.

Drip irrigation

This is perfect for a cannabis or hemp field grown for the flowers and biomass needed for cannabinoid production. Especially when the cultivator is planting on raised beds. This method of irrigation enables the grower to deliver nutrients directly to the plants.

The drip irrigation design is very precise.

It provides a low pressure water supply to the roots and base of the plants. With this method, the leaves of the plant do not get wet.

The design is more like a series of tubes or ribbons placed along the row of plants. It can be below or above the ground, but it is not placed higher than the expected height of the plant. It’s mostly automated.

Drip irrigation can be used in a field 20 to 50 hectares wide. In addition to cannabis, it can also be used for craft flowers and to produce large amounts of biomass.

It’s an inexpensive method of irrigation. As the grower expands the cannabis field, more pipes are laid. It saves the labor costs that would be incurred if workers were paid to wet the flowers instead.

Pivot irrigation

This is another optimal alternative for growing cannabis. It is ideal for growing industrial hemp.

Pivot watering is also used for rows of plants. They look like big sprinklers. They draw water from a spring, which could be a river, a well or a tank, and spray the plants in a clockwise direction.

It can also be automated and uses less water compared to flood irrigation. It’s not as efficient as the drip irrigation system, however, as water can land on the leaves without reaching the bottom. It’s perfect when the plants are still in the germinating and germinating stages.

The germination rate of a plant improves when there is enough water available.

Flood irrigation

This method of irrigation is cost effective and is mostly used when there is direct access to free or affordable water.

Water is consumed excessively as the system is designed to pump water from the source to the field; cover the ground. This can cause mold and other diseases to spread to the crop and reduce the quality and quantity of the expected yield.

Water supply

An irrigation system needs a stable water supply throughout the growing season. For varieties that buy water, their water is delivered to ponds. A trench system is also used in the west to monitor how much water is being delivered to a farm.

Many are actively preparing for the upcoming dry season as states could cut water supplies to farms and other facilities. Residential houses always have priority.

Now is the best time for growers to take steps to replenish their irrigation ponds.

Before summer sets in, all farmers should try to have enough water in their ponds to prevent disasters like forest fires in their cannabis fields.

Another thing is saving water on the farms. Some farmers tend to run out of water in the middle or late season, even before the plants get into the flowering stage.

Center Pivot Group’s farm manager Ben Grinnel said in an interview, “One thing about water is that once it’s downriver, it’s impossible to get it back.”

Preservation of soil moisture

Regenerative farming practices are used to efficiently maintain soil moisture levels. No-till is a good example of this practice.

No-till helps the soil to hold much of the moisture absorbed during the winter and spring seasons.

The use of conventional farming methods can be harmful to the soil in a field. In Grinnel’s words; “Every time you turn or traverse the ground, tons of moisture is lost through evaporation.

Bottom line: water is essential to a cannabis field

People can argue that marijuana and hemp don’t need water to survive because they thrive in arid conditions. But the truth is that no culture can do without water. An optimal amount of water would further increase the yield of a cannabis plant.

Therefore, to ensure adequate water supply for outdoor cannabis during a drought, you need to set up an irrigation system and then take water-saving measures.

Do this and expect maximum plant growth potential as well as maximum yield. (Provided all other cultivation factors are met)

CANNABIS WATER USE, READ MORE …

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