Grow What You Know

The Importance of Using Familiar Genetics in Cannabis Cultivation Trials for Under Canopy Lighting

When conducting proof-of-concept (POC) trials to evaluate the impact of under canopy lighting on cannabis cultivation, one of the most critical best practices is to grow a genetic strain you are already comfortable with. This approach ensures that growers can accurately assess the effects of under canopy lighting while minimizing variables that could skew results. The goal is to ensure you feel confident in your test results before throwing down a wad of cash on a container of lights.

Genetics Matter

Obviously, we are big fans of under canopy lighting here at Faven. We built the damn lights. But even we recognize that the results of using UCL vary depending on the strain and numerous other factors. Under canopy lights are designed to increase yield, improve bud quality, and enhance overall plant health. However, to effectively measure these benefits, growers must control as many variables as possible. One of the most significant variables in cannabis cultivation is the genetic strain, as different strains exhibit unique growth patterns, nutrient requirements, and responses to environmental conditions.

Testing UCL on Familiar Strains Will Save Time

Using a familiar genetic strain is essential because it is super important to establish a baseline for comparison. When you are intimately familiar with a strain's growth habits - such as its flowering time, yield potential, and response to light - you can more easily identify changes or improvements caused by under canopy lighting.

I have never met a cultivator who wasn't crazy busy and hurting for time. Running under canopy light tests on strains you have a ton of experience with will give you results you consider actionable.

For instance, if a grower knows that a specific strain typically produces a certain yield under standard conditions, any increase or decrease in yield during a trial with under canopy lighting can be attributed to the lighting variable rather than genetic variability. This reduces the risk of misinterpreting results due to unfamiliarity with the strain's behavior.

Keep It Simple

Another key recommendation is to grow the same genetic strain in both test and control groups, with one bench equipped with under canopy lighting and the other without. Placing these benches side by side in the same environment further minimizes external variables, such as differences in temperature, humidity, or nutrient delivery. By maintaining identical conditions except for the presence of under canopy lighting, growers can directly compare outcomes like bud density, cannabinoid content, or overall yield. This controlled setup ensures that any observed differences are due to the lighting intervention rather than external factors.

Limiting variables is a cornerstone of any scientific trial, and cannabis cultivation is no exception. In a grow facility, countless factors—such as irrigation, air circulation, or even slight differences in room conditions—can influence plant performance. By standardizing the genetic strain and growing conditions, cultivators can focus on the specific impact of under canopy lighting. This approach not only streamlines data collection but also increases the confidence in the trial's findings.

Final Thoughts

I will finish with this thought, growing a familiar genetic strain is a fundamental practice when testing under canopy lighting in cannabis cultivation. It enables growers to isolate the effects of the lighting, compare results accurately, and make informed decisions about implementing this technique. By adhering to these best practices, cultivators can optimize their trials, enhance plant improvements, and ultimately elevate the efficiency and profitability of their operations.

Hopefully this helps you save time and money on your first under canopy lighting tests. Let me know if you have any thoughts or questions in the comments section below.