Automated Drip Irrigation Systems for Hemp Farming

A Brief History of Hemp Production

Hemp, also known as industrial hemp, is thought to be the earliest known cultivated crop with evidence dating back to around 8,000 BC from an area in China during what was known as the Neolithic Age. Hemp was used from around this time to the 5th millennium BC with different uses- from medicines, pottery, clothing, and paper. In Greece, hemp was used for rituals.

While across Europe, the plant was known for its use in textiles and papers. In medieval times, hemp was a source of food for dishes like pies and torts. Later in Europe, hemp was used for clothing, textiles,and rope material for ships. Hemp made its way to the Americas through the travels of Spaniards around 1545 in Chile. Through time, hemp production and cultivation grew in the Americas spreading through colonies and settlements, as well as native tribes using the plant for various uses like clothing and fibers.

The use of this plant is very extensive and rich in history. Today, hemp is used for many of the same purposes as our ancestors. The hemp industry has been growing exponentially over recent years and is set to be as lucrative as it once was in the early years of the United States.

Growth Requirements for Hemp

To take full advantage of this growing industry, it is important for a commercial grower to be aware of all the requirements for growing hemp. This crop has shown to grow more vigorously than corn, but requires much less water, along with amendment applications like fertilizers and herbicides. This marks hemp as more sustainable to grow and cultivate. Hemp is an annual plant that grows well in most areas. It does best in warm conditions with well draining soil or grow media that is bursting with organic matter.

Once established, a hemp plant is relatively drought tolerant, but the seedlings can be highly water dependent and need irrigation for the first 4-6 weeks of growth. Hemp is a larger crop and requires some space for proper growing and yields. It should also be noted that hemp is what is called a short-day plant. This means that it will only fully mature to flower when day length is around 12 hours. This can be supplemented through lighting in a greenhouse. Soil should be loose with excellent aeration, loam soils are best with high fertility and loads of organic matter. The soil should be around the neutral pH zone at 6.0-7.5 favoring a more basic soil composition.

Acidic soils are not good for proper nutrient absorption. Poor soils will result in establishment failures and result in a less than ideal plant. Making sure to meet these general growth requirements is essential for success in the commercial hemp production industry.

Getting Started in Hemp Production Requires Expert Advice and Guidance

While understanding the fundamentals for commercial hemp production is important for proper growth and successful yields, a grower must also have the right equipment and systems for the job. Netafim is one of the hemp industry’s trusted sources for all things irrigation and drip irrigation systems, with over 50 years of experience and services provided.

Netafim was founded on the belief that drip irrigation is the answer to solving the problem of a lack of quality water for food production. With their introduction of drip irrigation in the 60’s, the horticulture industry was set to revolutionize the way water was used and incorporated into a growing area. Netafim offers many types of drip irrigation to suit any commercial growing area and type. From flat topographies, lateral lengths, and sloping terrains.

Their drip irrigation systems offer flexible pipes, filtration, digital farming and fertigation, pressure and flow control, and flow monitoring in their systems. Netafim quite simply offers one of the best drip irrigation solutions for hemp production on a commercial scale.

Why use drip irrigation for Hemp Production? 

Drip irrigation is a system of moving water through a flexible polyethylene tube system. This tubing has drippers welded into the wall of the tube inside and out. The drippers installed into the tubing take water at a higher pressure and allow it to slowly drip a set amount of water as needed by the plants being grown. This dripping water is applied directly to the root zone and allows for a decrease of surface runoff and water waste.

The continuous flow of water and nutrient solutions allows for a grower’s ability to monitor and manage a plant’s growth throughout the growing season. This direct monitoring and control allows for earlier, healthier, and more profitable yields in crops more consistently than traditional methods of farming irrigation. Overall costs associated with plant nutrients and water consumption are also reduced due to the direct application to the plant’s roots instead of across a soil surface. This results in minimal evaporation loss and water run off. In hemp production on a commercial scale, the delivery of water and nutrients is essential for proper growth and yields. By meeting the nutrient requirements for the crop, maximum yield potential can be met easier with a high probability than standard systems.

Due to hemp varieties preferring a soil that is moist instead of saturated, the drip irrigation method offers water at a slower rate minimizing saturation in the soil. The use of drip irrigation also reduces overall weed growth due to less water run off and with nutrient solutions in a system, less nutrient loss into the surrounding soil. Using a method that deposits the water directly into the root zone instead of over-head onto the leaves, helps to reduce the instances of fungal growth and diseases. In hotter months, a drip irrigation will reduce not only evaporation loss, but also the risk of leaf scorching through watering. Overhead systems, may result in a scorching of plant tissues when exposed to higher temperatures and stronger UV rays seen in summer months.

Types of Netafim Drip Irrigation Systems

In any application (seasonal or permanent), Netafim is a company that offers customized drip irrigation systems with amazing customer support to ensure your systems run smoothly and effectively. Through the use of pressure and flow controls, digital farming techniques, filtration, and pipe protection, Netafim drip irrigation systems are a solution to hemp production watering needs.

Depending on the growing area’s topography, specific systems work best for a hemp production site. For flat topographies with very little slope, Aries drip line is the solution. For longer lateral lengths, Typhoon Plus provides the durability and resistance to clogs needed to delivering higher and consistent yields. For terrain that is more sloping and has more hills, DripNet PC offers no flow variations on higher and lower areas with no compromise to quality and yields. Netafim piping is a high performance solution to irrigation needs due it its high flexibility and lightweight properties.

Due to the welded connections, these pipes offer leak-proof systems and have proven to reduce overall material and labor costs. For areas of water that is not ideal for crop production, Netafim offers filtration solutions for many levels of commercial hemp production. These drip irrigation systems offer the commercial grower automation solutions, enabling the irrigation system to run smoothly with no worry and hassle.

Simply set the system to the desired settings perfect for your crop needs and let the system do all the work. Automation allows for more precise applications of water and plant nutrients, as well as reduces overall costs associated with over application.

Netafim Drip Irrigation Products and Systems: The Solution to Your Hemp Watering Needs

As each application is unique and no two grow operations are exactly the same, Netafim offers a wide range of products and irrigation systems ideal for all commercial hemp applications. Depending on the grower’s needs and goals, a system can be found and customized to the grow area’s specific needs.

With these lines, it is important to use appropriate tools and parts to maintain optimum function. For ensuring commercial hemp crops receive the best dose of nutrients and water, an installation of a dosing channel connection is ideal. Using a dosing channel will take the guesswork out of mixing nutrient solutions to be applied to meet plant needs from day to day because the digital connection channel can be set to a desired level of application.

For improved humidity levels in the growing area’s environment, an install of a fogger will aid in proper environmental control. Humidity levels that are controlled help a plant maintain water levels and reduces overall stress of the plant between watering.

Automation-

Dialing in your entire hemp farming operation and automating it for maximum efficiency is what a commercial grower should be working towards. Integration of digital control systems that can automatically control crop watering, plant nutrient dosing systems, environmental control systems, and lighting systems (if applicable), will all ultimately contribute to a hemp farmer's bottom line by mitigating costly mistakes, reducing overhead, and improving crop yields. More of Netafim products can be found at MORR Inc. where knowledgeable staff can assist you in making product choices that fit your budget and commercial operation. Shop all MORR Inc.’s drip irrigation systems, products, and supplies here- https://www.morr.com/watering-irrigation/drip-irrigation-equipment.html

About MORR Inc.-

Wholesale commercial agriculture, horticulture, and hydroponics supplies, equipment, automated systems distributor, and grow build-out construction services. 

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