Interview with a Cultivator: HYBRID Team from Chiang Mai Uses Crop Steering Technique.
In the ever-evolving world of agriculture, applying advanced techniques can significantly increase the quantity and quality of yields. One of the modern techniques is Crop Steering. In this interview, we had the opportunity to talk with Bank from the HYBRID team in Chiang Mai about their experience and success with this technique.
Take a tour with Bank, a cultivator from the HYBRID team in Chiang Mai (Facebook / IG), who uses King Whale in cultivation with the Crop Steering technique.
Why did you start cultivating cannabis, and why did you choose it as your main profession?
I began cultivating before starting the HYBRID store (a high-quality cannabis dispensary shop) and have been continuously learning and developing from peers in our group and through my own research. Back in the day, my initial efforts could have been described as poor. However, I never gave up. I worked hard, often until 3-4 in the morning almost every day. I've persisted, and now I'm entering my third year of cultivation.
The more I cultivate, the more I fall in love with it because cannabis has a wide variety of strains. I started collecting strains from the very beginning of my cultivation journey. I've been following champion breeders and sourcing seeds to plant. Now, I've also begun breeding seeds myself. And there's still so much more for me to learn in this area.
Currently, I cultivate in two locations. One is at the HYBRID store, set up to showcase our cultivation system to customers directly. It lets them see that the buds we sell are truly high-quality, locally grown products that we cultivate ourselves. (Part of the store features our own cultivated buds, and the other part sources from farms that we've vetted for quality).
How does you determine which buds are good and which aren't? And what methods do we use to select them?
Everything has to be top-notch, but within a budget. That's my main principle. To achieve optimal cultivation, it's not just about experience; you need the right equipment too. Mostly, I DIY and create the equipment myself from scratch.
For instance, when I cultivate using the Crop Steering technique, I have to water multiple 'shots' in a day, with varying EC (Electrical Conductivity) levels, to ensure that the plants receive the maximum amount of nutrients.
Seeing slight tip burn on the leaves indicates that we've reached the maximum threshold. Usually, I maintain an EC of 3.0 to 4.5 during the flowering stage. King Whale has been a significant help in this regard. Currently, in weeks 4-5, I'm operating at an EC of 4.5. The reason for maintaining a high EC is to ensure that our buds reach their full potential.
The strains I cultivate must tolerate high EC levels. Mostly, I've observed that they can handle it. King Whale has never let me down in this aspect.
The flower buds should have multiple branching points, similar to the fine texture of the flower itself. This depends on the strain as well. And they must receive adequate light. BEARLED provides a lot of red light, resulting in finely textured buds. When trimming, the buds look very beautiful.
How does King Whale help in the cultivation process?
It helps tremendously. I mix the fertilizer in a tank and leave it to distribute in multiple 'shots'. Therefore, the pH in the tank must remain stable at all times. King Whale assists in keeping the pH stable consistently, which is exactly what I need.
I also cultivate with a high EC. King Whale is the perfect solution for this. Considering its affordable price and the fact that it's produced in Thailand, I, being a Thai grower, prioritize supporting Thai fertilizers. Especially when they are of such high quality, I've been waiting for something like this for a long time.
How does the Drip system in Crop Steering differ from the regular watering method?
It's quite evident that during the peak phase, if we water by hand, we probably wouldn't want to water 2-3 times a day. One plant in a 1-gallon pot would consume about 2 liters of water per day. However, with Crop Steering, this can increase to 3 liters per day.
King Whale doesn't have issues with clogging or salt granules on the soil surface. I also noticed that there's a new OXY ROOT; I'm thinking of trying that out as well.
The HYBRID team has noticed several benefits from using the Crop Steering technique:
- Increased yield: By precisely determining the amount of fertilizer and the watering schedule, plants absorb more water, leading to a significant increase in yield.
- Improved quality: Not only is there an increase in the quantity of the harvest, but the quality of the produce is also enhanced.
- Increased resource efficiency: This leads to less water wastage and other resource losses, allowing for more efficient use of fertilizers.
Challenges and Learning.
Certainly, this journey has its challenges. The HYBRID team learned that continuous adaptation and understanding of each method that affects the growth of cannabis for the best yield is crucial for success.
What will do next in the next step?
Right now, I'm looking for assistance. From using adjustable pumps and manually operating them, I've now got a Growlink. It's a device specifically designed to control nutrient dosing for Crop Steering. I'm about to install it
And as I mentioned earlier, I'm currently studying different plant strains and starting to breed them myself. It's a big challenge for me.
Right now, I'm really into King Whale.
