What to Consider When Growing Cannabis in a Greenhouse

Cannabis greenhouse comprised of steel tubing

In Ohio, marijuana is still a controlled substance, but its medicinal use is legal. This will not be a post about how to go about jumping through the hoops to get a grower's license, but will address a few of  the issues of when you are actually preparing to grow cannabis in a greenhouse.

Understand Your Climate

You may find a greenhouse kit that says it works great for growing in Colorado, but if you are in Cleveland or Columbus or Cincinnati, you have to understand the differences weather makes to your greenhouse. Outside humidity, number of sunny days, amount of snowfall, intensity of winds are all factors to take into consideration. For Ohio, it would be wise to choose steel tubing as the framework for your greenhouse because of its durability in all types of weather, as well as its weight and load bearing capabilities.

Build with the Future in Mind

Experts say that the Ohio cannabis industry could hit a billion dollars within the next 3 to 5 years. As more patients are approved, demand will grow, meaning your little greenhouse will also need to expand. With a steel tubing frame made from Gatorshield galvanized tubing, this will be an easy transition. Due to its 99% zinc coating, Gatorshield tubing is easily welded. It is also capable of being fabricated using several different methods including hole punching, cutting, flattening, bending and more without the degradation of the coating, meaning when you add on to your greenhouse, you will not compromise the integrity of your structure with the additions.

Create Zones for Growth

Different stages of growth have different requirements

Cannabis has varying needs when growing. For example, when the plant is flowering it needs a lower humidity than when it is in a more dormant state. It also needs much less sunlight, which requires blackout curtains. Vegetative plants need about 18 hours of sunlight, which in colder months can be accomplished through sun lamps. These differences will require you to create zones inside your greenhouse in order to keep your plants healthy and thriving.

Adding fans and vents to keep air flowing will also be necessary, but attaching this equipment is easily accomplished when building with a steel tubing frame. The frame should be sturdy enough to handle the weight of the load.

There are additional considerations such as having a drying room and packaging for your products. Finding a company with expertise in that area will be helpful. Finding steel tubing for your greenhouse is as easy as looking up Ohio Galvanized Steel. They have been producing high quality products for greenhouses and solar panel supports since 1990.