Hydroponic Bud Market Share vs Organic...

[TerpeneTom]

Hello,

Question: Will hydroponically produced cannabis still be capable of competing with organically grown herb once legal?

From what I understand there is no true benefit of hydroponic flower for the consumer relative to organic herb. Hydroponic cannabis is solely beneficial for the producer, and not the consumer? No?

I am going to ask this in the Hydroponic forum as well for there will likely be a bias dependent upon the grower, although from what I have read organic seems superior on all quality related aspects.

Thanks

 

[cyat]

hydro done right can produce some great tasting clean meds with all most no heavy metals

 

[TerpeneTom]

Comparatively though?

From what I have gathered through extensive research, it seems consumers will likely demand organically grown product given the superior taste, etc... (many sources have provided evidence suggesting so, although anecdotal, but still valid)

 

[Snype]

Comparatively though?

From what I have gathered through extensive research, it seems consumers will likely demand organically grown product given the superior taste, etc... (many sources have provided evidence suggesting so, although anecdotal, but still valid)

The masses will continue to smoke hydroponics. The majority of people who smoke don't care about the same things like many of us here at IC. It's just the sad truth. The masses would rather pay the cheapest price possible. It will be this way forever.

 

[RoadRash]

I think it depends on whatever gives the grower more control over the health of their plants and the quality of their medicine.

I used to do Ebb & Flo with rockwool but had an exceptional experience with organic soil about 5 years ago and haven't used my Ebb & Flo trays since.

Of course, if I ever moved and then didn't have access to either my own composted soil or a good store-bought replacement (e.g. Ocean Forest), I would consider hydro again.


Ultimately I think it's good to be able to do both. Also I think it's possible that some plant strains prefer different treatments.

 

[Baked Alaskan]

All nutrients have to be broken down to ionic form to be taken up by the plant. So I dont think it really affects taste if you go organic or nonorganic, well grown and dried correctly have the most influence over quality. That being said, I grew the same strain for 10 or so years and it tasted the same hydro or organic. Only changed flavor wise was on how well it was grown and dried.

Right now in the cannabis industry there is no organic classification, anyone can call their product organic.

Of course no one can tell the future so we will see, good question btw.

 

[TerpeneTom]

Right.

Distinct differences in demand! Diverse customer needs and desires. Right, wrong, better, or worse...

Hydroponics will always be cheaper, given the growth rate, which is the commercial growers competitive advantage.

Seems the majority of the market is going organic and that is a trend that has resonated with a "majority" of the populace.

 

[TerpeneTom]

Certainly a valid point, Baked.

The quality of the growers environment is a definite variable which will ultimately determine the quality of the product. But organically produced herb seems to posses an inherent quality improvement over it's competitor, from the accounts of those who are reputable on sites akin to these.

Many variables! So much potential within this industry.

 

[TerpeneTom]

Is it the consistency of the media and ultimately the rhizosphere?

I like the direction of these innovative hydroponic methods, such as the PPK (and previously Krusty Buckets). Conceptually this method somewhat resembles soil - consistency of the Ph, ideal media moisture, drainage, etc....

These stress free environments allow the plant to truly express it's genetic potential, although from what I have read soil allows further expression of certain traits?

 

[BurnOne]

hydro done right can produce some great tasting clean meds with all most no heavy metals

I agree.
Burn1

 

[TheCleanGame]

From what I understand there is no true benefit of hydroponic flower for the consumer relative to organic herb. Hydroponic cannabis is solely beneficial for the producer, and not the consumer? No?

No.

It's all in the methods used, not the nutrient.

I've had "stellar" organic once... only once. I've had hundreds of different sources of cannabis in a variety of cities in various states.

My MaxiBloom hydro comes out better than 99% of the "organic" I've ever come across.

Does that mean it's better? No... but it's certainly seems to be easier to produce quality that way than 'organic' or there'd be a whole lot more quality organic bud around.

Done right... organic should be way better. Just love to see it on a regular basis some day. lol

Keep it Clean!

 

[TerpeneTom]

I'll have to experiment myself one day.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[Eureka Springs Organics]

The economics of growing are being over looked. Giant greenhouses will rule the day. Soil is cheaper to grow in. When pounds start to hit the 400-500 mark that will not be done under lights with hydro.

Hydro in greenhouses could start to be done more, and more though.

The key thing is that the market will control the growing method. Not the other way around.

 

[TerpeneTom]

Appreciate the insight, Eureka.

 

[TerpeneTom]

It does seem that cannabis grown indoors exhibits higher percentages of THC. What I remember reading from Ed's book, is that he compared the market to that of tomatoes, as the large producers certainly posses a significant portion of market share, but local producers are still relevant.

Where I live, people are ever demanding organic, locally sourced product, voluntarily choosing the higher cost/quality product.

 

[paint4420]

Tom I have to agree once the people are exposed to the diffrence in quality organic meds vs rushed and pesticide laden buds the choice will be easy

When my girlfreind was exposed to the diffrence she knew right away. And usually she doesnt really say ANYTHING about what we are smoking.

 

[unregistered190]

My MaxiBloom hydro comes out better than 99% of the "organic" I've ever come across.Keep it Clean!

Hey TheCleanGame, Do you happen to have any journals on how you run the MaxiBloom....what kind of setup you have, etc. I have had success with the product....but always looking for tips or a way to tweak the grow to make it better.

 

[cannascholar]

I think there will an increase in demand for organic, at least I'm betting on it and doing my first organic run with bio bizz. You definitely hear lots of talk about organic food so why wouldn't some pay a premium especially as people become more knowledgable thanks to internet, legalization, and the floods of pot. I will however buy a bag of hydro over organic if it was better smoke.

 

[TheCleanGame]

Hey TheCleanGame, Do you happen to have any journals on how you run the MaxiBloom....what kind of setup you have, etc. I have had success with the product....but always looking for tips or a way to tweak the grow to make it better.

Do a search for "Ask Lucas" on the net. Read the whole thread a few times over the next 6 months. Watch your pH. In hydro with mediums you'll be holding a narrow pH range since the pH swing happens as the medium dries out between waterings. Any hydro setup where the roots are in solution all the time... the pH swing needs to be handled in the reservoir. Matching your light wattage to your reservoir size is extremely important for making that an easy task.

That's about it. I still want to look into a few additives for humics and such... haven't really messed with anything though.

Touch of Kool Bloom powder at beginning of flower and just before the main budswell starts. Not much though.

The most important aspects are:

Feed light and fade at least 2 weeks at the end
Filter at least your intake air (exhaust helps with bug control) and make it a high micron filter to catch spores/pollen
Never spray anything on the plants
I don't use pesticides (chem or organic). Things go wrong, I fix it before flower and fix it safely. Prevention is the key here.
I always... ALWAYS... use reverse osmosis water. It's the only way to grow truly clean cannabis. The majority are unable to tell the difference, but I certainly can.

That info there should allow any grower to find the rest of the info necessary to teach themselves how to grow super clean cannabis. Good luck.

Keep it Clean!

 

[Buddle]

It does seem that cannabis grown indoors exhibits higher percentages of THC. What I remember reading from Ed's book, is that he compared the market to that of tomatoes, as the large producers certainly posses a significant portion of market share, but local producers are still relevant.

Where I live, people are ever demanding organic, locally sourced product, voluntarily choosing the higher cost/quality product.

Good for them..They should. It's going to keep smaller growers in business as well.
How big do gardens get before the buds are no longer the fruits of your passion,commitment etc and become just that..product for the market?