The challenge for a medicinal cannabis grower is the ability to produce a homogenous, so reliable final product. The final product must be of constant quality. Technically, you end up with indoor cultivation or a closed greenhouse system. In this way, you can prevent most natural influences, which benefits the product.
Delphy explains: "When we enter a cannabis cultivation company in the United States, it looks like science fiction. It is so clinical. I do understand. Harmful residues are easily found. Through ventilation windows and cracks, crop protection agents, from nearby companies, and metal particles (through dust) can enter the building easily. That is really not allowed. Pollution is a risk.
The starting material is the starting point
The medicinal cannabis products meet strict conditions. Beforehand, the producer indicates the THC and CBD content. The maximal deviation is then only 10%, which is just a small margin. Besides, the cultivars are decisive in the height of the content components (THC and CBD). By tissue culture or cuttings from a mother plant with the right content components, you can breed genetically identical plants. This will give you a uniform crop with similar content components. Breeding is getting a lot of attention. Delphy does not breed, but does have close contact with those parties.
Cultivation measures
To be able to supply a constant product, the crop is controlled for this. The tests of Delphy have already provided many valuable insights. The tests which have been conducted now were mostly focused on light, substrate, starting material and the addition of biostimulants.
They have looked at the use of two types of light: deep red - blue and deep ted - white spectrum. This test has not been done in an indoor setting, so the effect of natural light could not be excluded. Delphy: "We did not see a significant difference in these test between these two types of light. The differences are expected to increase if the cultivation is completely closed and there is no influence of natural light.
The cannabis test of Delphy have thus far been conducted on coconut substrates. This showed that the results of the block were better on a mat. Added advantage was that the plant was easier to move on a block. In the new test, also rockwool substrates will be used. Delphy: "Because rockwool is a very uniform product with other qualities than coconut substrate, it is interesting how the crop grows on this. Each substrate has its qualities and advantages and disadvantages. Being aware of these differences and making an informed choice is important in this.
Last year, a complete arsenal of organic crop protection agents has been used with the cannabis test of Delphy. They can work with thrips, spider mite, lice and white fly. Mildew and, particularly, Botrytis, are fungi for which no organic agents are yet allowed, so climate actions must be taken, plus, last but not least, biostimulants must be used. With beneficial fungi in the soil and matching assimilates and humidity balance, you make the plant stronger, so it is less susceptible for diseases and plagues.
Delphy has clearance
The Improvement Centre of Delphy has been given clearance to do its own tests in Bleiswijk. At the moment, the strategic lines are set out for the coming five years. There is a license for both indoor and greenhouses. For the aforementioned reason, they will only make use of the indoor license.
It will be a state of the art set up. Delphy: "We want to be the knowledge center for cannabis worldwide. The space for this has already been reserved. There are two types of partners: partners who take control and partners who want to participate in the results, networking and training. It will be a large investment, but certainly worth it. Our doors are open to companies who want to work with us.
For more information:
Delphy
www.delphy.nl 
[email protected]