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By Lydia Kibet

The current rise in demand for indoor grows tents is attributed to their effectiveness in supporting plants throughout their cycle.

People use grow tents to protect their plants from bugs, reduce stale hair, increase power output in grow lights, and control growing conditions such as temperature and humidity.

As an enthusiast for indoor growing, you must have come across various designs of grow tents.

The outstanding design and features in two room grow tents make them a force to reckon with.

One of the unique features of two-room grow tents is the ability to support plants at different growth stages.

There are two main sections, one for growing young plants, another for plants in the maturity stage, which is not common in most grow tents.

The multipurpose design of this grow tent makes you save on the cost of buying extra grow tents.

This article reviews five of the best two room grow tents in the market that you can use for growing plants, especially cannabis. The review for each grow tent is comprehensive, unlike others that give half-baked information. The reviews also include pros and cons for each product, frequently asked questions, and factors to consider when choosing two-room to grow tents.  

The 5 Best Two Room Grow Tents for Indoor Growing

Here are top 5 two room grow tents for indoor growing:

1. VIVOSUN Mylar Reflective Grow Tent for Indoor Hydroponic Growing System
2. GROWNEER [Upgraded] 48″x36″x72″ Lodge Propagation
3. MAXSISUN Hydroponic Indoor Plants Growing Tent
4. VIVOSUN 2-in-1 Mylar Reflective Grow Tent for Indoor Hydroponic Growing System
5. VIPARSPECTRA Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent

1. VIVOSUN Mylar Reflective Grow Tent for Indoor Hydroponic Growing System

Common features

Multi-chamber: There are two-tier compartments for plants in propagation, vegetative, and flowering stages.

Compact size: The small size makes this grow tent is ideal for people with limited space.

VIVOSUN is an established brand for grow tents and other products for the marijuana community. When it comes to grow tents, VIVOSUN is the ultimate king, as evidenced in the 36″ x24″ x53″ grow tent.

The design of this two-room grow tent reflects the high-quality standards the company puts in its products. As a grower, you can have this two-room grow tent for plants during both the early or bloom/growth stages instead of buying separate grow tents.

If you are a small-scale grower, this is the right grow tent for you. Its small size is ideal for people with limited space, unlike most grow tents in the market. The tent has a nursery section in the lower compartment has two compartments of different heights. These compartments accommodate plants at different stages of growth. 

You don’t need to buy extra tents to support plants at different stages, a factor that sets this grow tent apart.

The fabric for this grow tent is made of Oxford 600D extra-thick canvas, making it durable. The inner layer is made from a Mylar, with a reflective capacity of 98%. The high reflective capacity ensures that any light that penetrates inside gets reflected in all plants. The tent is supported using easy-to-assemble metal poles that are also long-lasting. We cannot overlook other features in this grow tent, such as observation windows and removable floor trays that make growing easier.

Pros 

• Thick canvas with a highly-reflective Mylar cover to increase light penetration to the plants
• Strong metallic poles that are easy to assemble 

Cons

There have been complaints about the zippers malfunctioning. 

2. GROWNEER [Upgraded] 48″x36″x72″ Lodge Propagation

Common features

One piece of 48″x36″x72″ grow tent, 3 pieces of removable floor tray, 2 pieces of carbon filter belts, 3 pieces of removable floor tray, 1 piece of an instructional manual, and 1 piece of Velcro baffle.  

Propagation design: A larger growing space with 2-tier small compartments and a larger compartment. 

The Growneer brand has grown over the years and is now one of the best brands in the market. It has also developed two-room grow tents, including this tent. This grow tent has a major compartment and a smaller one.

The major compartment is used for mature plants, while the smaller section is used for seedlings or germination. Indoor growers revere this grow tent due to its large size. The tent’s incredible height is ideal for growing marijuana plants since the maximum height is 6.5ft. You can also choose the 5x4x7 ft for convenience. 

The two-room grow tents are made using an Oxford 600D canvas material, which is among the strongest in the market.

According to indoor growing enthusiasts, the canvas is so strong that it can stay intact for a long time, even in extreme conditions, thanks to its double-stitch design. The inner part of this two-room grow tent is made out of a Mylar with a reflective capacity of 95%. With this high reflective capacity, you can be assured of enough light supply, even at limited levels.

Forget about the ordinary two compartments that every manufacturer seems to rush for when making two-room grow tents. Growneer has gone a notch higher to add viewing windows for the users. Instead of opening the zipper in the grow tent to check on your plants’ progress, you only need to get closer and check through the viewing windows, and voila! How cool!

There is a second room, which doubles as the nursery section with two sections. Each section is further divided into two floors that allow plants at different early growth stages to prosper. There are many two-room grow tents in the market, but the two floors’ design in this grow tent beats them all.

Many brands focus more on the reflective capacity and the canvas material but forget about the zippers.

Not Growneer.

The material and stitching of zippers in this product are carried with utmost precision to ensure that it is long-lasting. People who have used this grow tent have never raised complaints related to leaking, which is a common phenomenon among grow tents.

Each of the three levels in this grow tent (main room and two levels in the nursery section) contains a removable floor tray. The removable trays act as a precautionary measure against spillage, which is common in indoor growing. The durable steel poles support the tent.

The poles are made to withstand massive pressure, given that they can withstand up to 100 pounds of weight. If you are looking for a uniquely-designed two-room grow tent, check what Growneer has to offer. 

Pros

• The poles are durable and can withstand 100 pounds of weight or more
• The canvas is thick for durability and is double-stitched to prevent light leakage
• Observation windows in all three levels
• 95% reflective Mylar layer to keep all the plants supplied with enough light

Cons

• In some cases, the zipper might malfunction

3. MAXSISUN Hydroponic Indoor Plants Growing Tent

The Maxsisun brand is fighting to establish itself in indoor growing, which is dominated by big brands.

Despite the low profile, the company has managed to manufacture one of the best two-room grow tents in the market today; the 5×4 grow tent.

The tent’s large design makes it ideal for people who love to go big in all grow tents in the market. Everything about this grow tent is top-notch: From the design to the functionality and the materials.

Maxsisun has a mix of green and black colors, which give it a classy look. With a height of 6.6ft, this grow tent can support most marijuana strains.

The grow tent has two chambers; the main chamber measuring 4ft by 4ft and a nursery section divided into two compartments. The nursery chamber’s unique design makes the grow tent ideal for growing plants at different stages in their lifecycle. On the other hand, the main chamber is used for plants in advanced stages of growth.

The fabric used in the tent is made from an Oxford 600D canvas. We are talking about a material that is tear-proof and water-proof with a 100% reflective capacity. You don’t have to worry about your plants getting inadequate light since the high reflective capacity covers these for you. 

Instead of opening the zippers to check your plants’ condition, you can use the observation windows. The observation windows are sophisticated to provide adequate ventilation and ducting, two vital conditions for indoor growing.

The tent uses zinc-plated rust-free poles for support. The metal poles can support up to 120 pounds of weight, which means the plants are safe here.

Pros 

• 100% reflective Mylar layer for an optimal supply of light
• Strong enough to hold up to 120 pounds of weight
• Spacious enough, with a base area of 4ft by 4ft

Cons

• There have been complaints about the brackets, although the company replaces them almost immediately 

4. VIVOSUN 2-in-1 Mylar Reflective Grow Tent for Indoor Hydroponic Growing System 

This Vivosun product is designed for large scale growers. The 108″x48″x80″ two-room grow tent ensures that your plants get adequate space to attain their optimal size.

The grow tent has a primary chamber and a secondary nursery chamber. The primary chamber supports plants in their advanced stages of growth. To access different sections in the grow tent, you have to use multiple chains to avoid confusion. On the other hand, the secondary nursery chamber is divided into different sections for supporting plants at their germination or seedling stage.  

The fabric in this two-room grow tent is made from an Oxford 600D canvas. The canvas is double-stitched to increase light reflection capacity and durability. The inside part of the grow tent contains a Mylar layer with a reflective capacity of 98%.

Additionally, the tent is supported by strong metallic poles, which further increases its durability.

Pros

• Highly durable and can withstand a relatively large weight
• Big size to accommodate large-scale growers
• High reflective capacity for adequate light supply

Cons 

• There have been cases of zippers malfunctioning from time to time 

5. VIPARSPECTRA Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent

The Viparspectra brand is known for making durable and affordable grow lights.

The company has diversified its services to include a 5ft x 4ft x 6.6ft two-room grow tent in the recent past.

This grow tent’s design makes it ideal for growing marijuana and other plants that undergo almost similar growth stages. The grow tent has several observation windows that you can use to monitor your plants.

Additionally, there are several ventilation spaces to allow the free flow of air.

The fabric used to make this tent is an Oxford 600D with tear-proof and water-proof conditions. The inner layer has a Mylar layer with a high reflection capacity to ensure that plants get adequate light supply to the plants. 

The supporting poles in this grow tent are sturdy and can withstand a lot of weight. You can use the nylon belts in this grow tent to hang carbon filters. 

Pros

• Strong and durable metal poles
• Easy to assemble
• Thick tent shell to prevent leakage of light
• Adequate ventilation

Cons

• There have been complaints about faulty zippers

Frequently Asked Questions about the best two-room grow tents

Which brands are the best for two-room grow tents?

The most renowned brands for two-room grow tents are Viparspectrsa, Growneer, and Maxsisun. However, these are not the only brands in the market today. Depending on your needs, you can get a two-room grow tent of your choice.

What factors should you consider when looking for two-room grow tents?

The following things play a crucial when it comes to two-room grow tents:

Durability: You should only settle for durable, grow tents. The grow tent should support carbon filters, clip-on-fans, and grow lights comfortably.

Canvas: The canvas should be thick (in most cases, Oxford 600D) to prevent leakage of light and double-stitched to prevent to increase its strength.

Size: The size of your grow tent depends on the number of plants to grow in it. The grow tent should be large enough to support all plants. Additionally, both chambers should support all the plants comfortably. If your indoor space is limited, you should go for a small grow tent. 

Reflectiveness: The inner Mylar layer should have a high reflection capacity. The reflection capacity of the Mylar layer should range between 95% and 100%. 

What are the benefits of growing plants in two-room grow tents?

Two-room grow tents allow plants to grow from germination to maturity in a single setup without disturbance or change of environment.

Conclusion

The review for the two-room grow tents above are comprehensive. When looking for a grow tent, you should settle for the one that fits most of your needs.

It is also advisable to buy the two-room grow tents from reputable brands for optimal benefits. 

By Lydia Kibet

The rise in demand for grow tents is a reflection of the overall revolution in the agricultural sector.

Growers are moving from the conventional methods of farming into sophisticated modern farming.

You don’t need to keep on spraying chemicals to keep away pests or count losses in case of uncertainty. The demand has also led to a surge in the number of grow tent manufacturers in the market. 

Like any other products, grow tents are subject to wear and tear.

The most vulnerable parts in the grow tents are the poles and hooks. Novice growers might struggle to locate the best replacement grow tent poles, which often forces them to go back to traditional growing.

This article will review the top five replacement tent poles in the market today.

However, before we get to that, let us look at the benefits of replacing grow tent poles. 

Why should you replace grow tent poles?

Replacing grow tent poles is a vital role that helps growers optimize their grow tents.

One of the frequently asked questions is on the importance of changing grow tent parts, especially the poles. Here are the reasons why you should replace your tent poles regularly:

Precautionary measure: Replacing grow tent poles should be carried out as a precautionary measure. When you replace the grow tent poles, you ensure that your grow tent remains intact if a calamity strikes. For instance, grow tents with new poles have less risk of collapsing in case of strong wind or heavy snowfall.

Keeps the plants: As poles age, they start cracking. In the process, some parts might disintegrate into the plants, endangering their growth and overall productivity. It is therefore advisable to change poles anytime they manifest signs of aging. 

The 5 Best Grow Tent Replacement Poles

1. Gorilla grow tent indoor grow room cfm kit.
2. Gorilla grow tent grow room gear board – 22mm.
3. Gorilla lite line indoor grow tent high cfm kit.
4. VIVOSUN Grow Tent Support Pole, Hanging Bar
5. GROWNEER 3 Packs 48 Inches Grow Tent Support Poles Hanging Bar, Net and Hooks

1. Gorilla grow tent indoor grow room cfm kit

The Gorilla grow tent indoor grow room cfm kit is designed to ensure that your indoor plants attain optimal production capacity. Whether your grow tent is on the verge of collapsing due to squeaky or aging poles or the poles’ base is weak, this is the ideal solution for you.

According to the kit’s specifications, the high cubic feet per minute (CFM) prevents the grow tent from collapsing due to high amounts of negative pressure. The replacement poles are not only strong but also convenient to use.

The poles in this kit are equipped with the right stagnant air exhausting and heat. The poles are created to withstand the high CFM, which might create high levels of negative high pressure, causing the canvas to cave in.

A caved canvas equals a smaller grow space and must be contained immediately, and that is where the Gorilla Grow Tent High-CFM Kit comes in. 

The kit is fitted with incredible features to fit into your Gorilla Grow Tent with ease. Besides, this kit’s poles are easy to install, making them user-friendly, even for novice users.

The Gorilla replacement poles in this CFM kit are made from the original sturdy steel, unlike other replacement poles made from soft metals or plastic. They are also equipped with high-density and custom-molded plastic clips to keep the joints tight and intact.

There are different kits under this category that growers can use:

The kits above are customized to fit in different tents from the Gorilla brand. Instead of trial and error, why not settle for the best? You can buy the poles individually or as a whole kit.

2. Gorilla grow tent grow room gear board – 22mm.

The Gorilla grow tent grow room gear board – 22mm is a sophisticated kit tailored to cater for up to 8 LIGHT LINE tents. These grow tents have a base measurement of 4×8, 5×5, 5×9, 8×8, 8×16, 9×9, 10×10, 10×20. 

With the grow room gear board, you are assured that the safety of your plants is absolute.

The gear board is highly developed to ensure that all the tent measurements fit easily. The manufacturers designed the board in such a way that it can remove any item on the floor to maximize space.

Other features in this board include oscillating fans, meters, and monitors for the new poles.

The board also has a 1′ extension pole that you can use to elevate your grow tent’s height. The poles in this grow room gear board are made from sturdy steel, just like the original poles.

3. Gorilla lite line indoor grow tent high cfm kit

Gorilla lite line indoor grow tent high cfm kit is the ultimate choice for the replacement of poles.

This kit is made with the grow tent owner in mind to increase the overall productivity.

Should the poor state of the grow tent canvas worry you? It should, but then it should not pronounce doom, given the sophisticated nature of replacement poles. This kit has high cubic feet per minute (CFM), whose primary function is to minimize suction of grow tent walls due to the high negative pressure in exhaust systems. The design of the poles ensures that the canvas doe not cave in, hence high productivity.

Although having stagnant air exhausting and proper heat are vital in a grow tent, they should be mitigated to minimize the risk of damage. If not mitigated, the exhaust fans in the grow tent might skyrocket negative air pressure, causing the canvas to cave in. The Gorilla Lite Line poles are developed using state-of-the-art design to keep it simple and easy to install. Even novice growers can change the poles with minimal assistance within a short period.

Another thing to note is that the poles in this kit are made from sturdy steel. The metallic bars’ extra features include high-density, custom-molded plastic clips for locking the poles in place.

Here are the most common kits under this category:

• 2×2.5 (4 Poles) 
• 2×4 (4 Poles) 
• 4×4 (4 Poles) 
• 4×8 (6 Poles) 
• 8×8 (6 Poles) 

You can choose one kit from the five above to serve your needs. 

4. VIVOSUN Grow Tent Support Pole, Hanging Bar

The most common features in this support pole include zinc plating, which makes it rust-proof. Vivosun prefers zinc due to its rust-resistance and sturdy nature. 

The Vivosun Support Pole is among the many products of the mighty Vivosun, a synonymous brand with top-notch quality products. The Support Pole is among the most reliable that you can get in the market today.

You can get the Vivosun replacement poles in two sizes: 4×2 and 4×4. Each variant is designed to accommodate the different sizes of grow tents in the market today. 

Regardless of their height, each of these poles measures 0.8mm in width. The zinc coating makes these poles resistant to rusting, a common phenomenon in grow tent poles. Another thing to note is that the poles can hold up to 88 pounds of weight.

It also means that you can comfortably hang grow lights on the poles without worrying about the whole structure crumbling due to pressure. After fixing the poles, you can also add fans and filters to support even with minimal experience.

5. GROWNEER 3 Packs 48 Inches Grow Tent Support Poles Hanging Bar, Net and Hooks

The Growneer brand has established itself as one of the best providers of grow tents.

Additionally, the company provides spare parts, including the 3 Packs kit. The 3 Packs kit comprises of a net trellis and three poles, measuring 48″. The design of these poles makes them ideal for a 4×2 or 4×4 grow tent. The thickness of each pole is approximately 0.8mm, while the diameter is 16mm. These measurements contribute significantly to the robust features in the pole.  

Growneer 3 packs grow tent support poles feature the following:

Elastic trellis and steel hooks: This kit contains an elastic trellis net. The net is durable, and you can adjust it for optimal support, unlike other replacement poles.  

Steel pole and plastic coating: The poles are made using steel and have plastic clippings to keep them strong. The design of the poles allows them to replace the damaged ones easily.     

Things to consider when looking for the best replacement grow tent poles

Choosing replacement grows tent poles is not as easy as many people put it. The process requires a deep understanding of different brands and attention to detail. When looking for replacement grow tent poles, you should look at the following:

Availability

When buying a grow tent, you should ask yourself if the replacement poles are readily available in case of a breakdown. You should find out where you can replace the poles easily.

Please note that new brands in the market might struggle to supply their spare parts. In other cases, the replacement poles might be absent in online stores, making it hard for buyers to get them on time.

The best replacement poles are the ones you can place an order for and have them delivered to you in a short duration.  

Durability

Can the replacement pole withstand extreme conditions, including massive weight from grow lights? Can the pole withstand corrosion for a long time?

If you answer these questions in the affirmative, that is the ideal replacement pole for you.

The pole should be able to support plants throughout their cycle. The connectors’ design of these poles should be strong enough to keep all the parts of the tent together.

The materials used in the poles should be rust-resistant and strong. Zinc-coated poles are ideal for the short-term since they fade with time. On the other hand, steel poles do not rust at all and therefore are the most ideal for replacements. 

Cost

In most cases, people emphasize designing the replacement pole and overlooking their cost. In some cases, the buyers end up paying more than what the market offers. Some of the things to look for when it comes to price include the installation cost, initial cost, and return to investment. 

Size

Different brands manufacture replacement grow tent poles of various sizes. When looking for a replacement pole, it is advisable to assess the poles’ size being replaced.

Buying too small or too big replacement poles is a loss and leads to inconvenience. Each brand uses unique measurements for it grow tents. Therefore, growers should only buy the replacement poles for matching grow tents for convenience.

Conclusion

We cannot cover everything to do with replacement poles, given the high number of market entrants.

However, here are some golden pointers to help you settle for the best grow tent replacement poles.

First, always check the brand of your grow tent, then buy the corresponding replacement pole.

Second, carry out a background check on the seller’s credibility through referrals or independent online reviews. Third, give a shot to the five replacement poles discussed above. These poles are from the biggest brands in the market and are the exemplification of excellent service delivery. 

Once you have established the ideal poles for you, go for it. You cannot get a 100% perfect replacement pole, but you can get the one that fulfills most of your requirements.

Once you identify an ideal replacement pole and a reliable seller, go for it. It is time to keep our grow tents strong again, regardless of the hurdles. 

By Lydia Kibet

What comes to your mind when you hear about grow tents?

Most probably, you think of indoor growing, thanks to the hype surrounding the practice.

Sadly, few growers give attention to outdoor grow tents, yet their benefits are equally outstanding. The few articles on the internet provide inadequate information on outdoor grow tents, making them unreliable.

After in-depth research, we have compiled a list of the best outdoor grow tents in the market today.

The article will cover the difference between indoor and outdoor growing, factors that determine outdoor growing, the most common grow tents, a buyer’s guide to outdoor grow tents, and FAQs. 

Comparison between indoor and outdoor growing

Indoor growing involves improvising growing conditions by adjusting the lighting, humidity, temperature, water, and nutrients to increase productivity and prevent diseases.

The whole process of indoor growing is expensive and, in some cases, requires expertise.

Outdoor growing is the oldest and most common method of growing marijuana and other plants. Despite its popularity, it is the most difficult to carry out. Plants in an outdoor setup are left to battle extreme weather conditions and pathogens, which is not the case with indoor growing.

However, outdoor growing inhibits the alteration of the chemical compounds due to chemicals. Plants that grow outdoor enjoy the benefits of direct sunlight. 

What does outdoor growing entail?

There are two major determinants of outdoor weed growing:

Good weather: Marijuana experts recommend starting the cultivation process during summer when there is adequate sunlight for the vegetative period. After summer, the monsoon season sets in, supplying the weed with enough naturally-filled water. The winter period allows the weed to start flowering. 

Adequate nutrients: Growing weed outdoor means that the plants have to use many nutrients to fight extreme weather conditions, pests, and diseases.

Therefore, you should ensure that the environment in which your plants grow has adequate nutrients. You can use foliar or add fertilizers to the soil to increase productivity. However, the nutrients supplements should be used in moderation to avoid destroying the weed’s natural flavor.

Before we review the best outdoor grow tents, let us look at the major features that define outdoor grow tents:

• First, an outdoor grow tent can be transparent or translucent to allow light penetration.
• Second, outdoor grow tents are made using strong canvas to protect the plants inside the plants from physical harm or attack by pests.

The Best 6 Outdoor Grow Tents in 2021

Let’s now get into the top six outdoor grow tents.

1. Home-Complete HC-4202 Walk-In Outdoor Grow Tent

The Home-Complete Outdoor Grow Tent is a large grow tent for large-scale weed growers. This grow tent has a walk-in design to access the eight shelves, so you don’t have to crawl. The simple design of this grow-tent allows easy access to the plants. The grow tent comes with a user manual on how to set it up.

This outdoor grow ten is made of a transparent PVC cover to allow easy penetration of light from the environment. The whole structure is supported by a sturdy steel frame making it firm. Anchors and a rope are add-ons to keep the grow tent firm even in extreme weather conditions. The design of the shelves in this grow tent is simple but hard to break.

The outgrow tent features a dark green color that gives it pomp and style. You can blend this color with your garden for a better experience. 

You can increase the tent’s air supply by using the roll-up doors while still keeping the door sealed to prevent the entry of pests and insects.

Pros

• Large size with a walk-in design to allow easy access and the plants to attain optimal height. 
• Durable steel frame to support the whole structure
• Transparent PVC cover to allow optimal penetration of light. 

Cons

• Despite the presence of a user-manual, setting up this grow tent is tiresome. 

2. BBBuy 4-Tier Mini Outdoor Grow Tent

The BBBuy 4-tier is a walk-in grow tent designed for large-scale marijuana growers.

It measures 57″L x 57″W x 77″H and has eight shelves to support a large number of plants at different stages. You don’t have to worry about the plants outgrowing the tent, given its massive height. The tent is supported by sturdy steel tubes with a thickness range of 0.3mm-0.4mm. The grow has a door with a zipper that you can use as ventilation.

Besides regulating the ventilation, the zipper also protects plants against insects and pests.

The fabric used to make this grow tent is made out of a green PE cloth, which blends well with most lawns. This fabric’s color and material also act as a regulator for humidity and heat at different growth stages.  

Pros

• A large walk-in structure with eight shelves and a broad base area to accommodate many plants
• Steel frame to keep the structure intact and add strength 
• A PE fabric with a transparent/translucent design to allow light penetration
• Green color to blend with green lawns

Cons

• There have been complaints about the zipper malfunctioning.

3. Porayhut Pop Up Outdoor Grow Tent

The pop-up outdoor grow tent is ideal for small-scale marijuana farming, thanks to its small size. It features several windows that facilitate ventilation at different times of the year. The simple structure in this grow tent makes it ideal for novice growers. 

The fabric used to make this outdoor grow tent is protected from UV. Besides, it is waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about the young marijuana plants getting destroyed by a heavy downpour.

The grow tent measures 98″x49″x53″, or an approximate height of 4.5ft, which is ideal for young plants or Indica strains. If you intend to grow ornamental plants, this grow tent would be enough for their entire lifetime.

The fabric for this grow tent is made of Oxford 600D canvas. The canvas is highly durable and can withstand extreme conditions. Besides the canvas fabric, the tent also uses ropes and stakes to fix the tents to the ground and keep them strong. If you are a start-up grower, the Pop-up is the right pick for you.

Pros

• Relatively small, making it ideal for small-scale growers
• UV-resistant material to protect the plants
• Oxford 600D canvas to increase its strength

Cons

• The small size might be a disadvantage to novice growers who want to start large-scale growing

4. CO-Z Lean to Greenhouse Walk-in, Portable Mini Outdoor Grow Tent

The CO-Z outdoor grow tent is one of the most unique outdoor grow tents in the market today.

For instance, it has the shape of a quarter-circle that is appealing and outstanding. Second, its small size (78 x 39 x 85 inches) makes it the go-to point for small-scale growers. 

CO-Z has a height of seven feet and a width of 3.3 feet, enough to accommodate several plants. The frame for this grow tent is made from steel. Therefore, the steel is sturdy and can support massive weight and extreme conditions such as a storm. The grow tent also contains a rack with three floors. There are several connectors in the tent made out of plastic that keep the tent strong.  

Pros

• An outstanding shape of the grow tent
• Adequate space for small-scale marijuana growers
• Stable and robust structure with numerous support systems 

 Cons

• Three racks are not adequate to accommodate adequate plants

5. Quictent Waterproof UV Protected Reinforced Mini Cloche Outdoor Grow Tent

The Quictent waterproof outdoor grow tent is the face of simplicity and high-performance. It has a small size, which makes it ideal for small-scale or novice growers.

One of the unique features of this tent is that it has two compartments. Each compartment can accommodate an equal number of plants and is not fully separated.

The Quictent also has several windows that can be opened to increase air and light supply easily. You can also close the windows to prevent pests, insects, snow, or rain since it would destroy the plants.  

People have been using Quictent for some time due to various reasons. First, the design is simple and can be used to manage ground temperatures vital for the young plants. Second, the overall design and outlook are elegant, giving it an edge over other grow tents in the market. You can blend the grow tent with the surrounding environment for an outstanding look. Third, the grow tent has a strong and highly-responsive zipper that increases its durability. 

Pros 

• It has a simple design and is easy to setup
• There are several openings to optimize ventilation
• The frame is made out of strong steel poles that can withstand extreme conditions  

Cons

• The small size is inconvenient to marijuana growers. 

6. Best Choice Products Walk-in Greenhouse Tunnel Tent

If you are looking for a large outdoor grow tent, Best Choice Products got you covered.

The Tunnel tent, one of the products from this brand, is a walk-in grow tent designed for the outdoor growing of marijuana. The grow tent measures 15″ x 7″ x 7″ feet, making it ideal for the large-scale growing of marijuana. 

This special greenhouse also features a plastic cover and a threaded, powder-coated steel pole.

The plastic cover protects the plants against pests, insects, rain, and snow. The manufacturer also includes ropes and stakes to protect the tent from collapsing in extreme weather conditions. Eight roll-up windows act as ventilation.

Pros 

• Durable plastic cover to protect the plants against extreme conditions
• Spacious to support a high number of plants
• Durable steel tubes, ropes, and stakes to hold the structure intact

Cons

• The massive size might inconvenience small-scale weed growers.

Buyer’s Guide for Outdoor Grow Tents

The following are things to consider when buying an outdoor grow tent:

Number of plants

Before choosing an outdoor grow tent, you should beware of the number of plants to grow for convenience. Buying a large grow tent to host a few plants is costly and might cause inconvenience. It is advisable to settle for a grow tent that can accommodate an adequate number of plants without straining.

Racks and levels

When choosing a grow tent, you should count the levels or racks in it. The more the racks and levels, the better. The standard unit of racks should be at least six. Additionally, the racks should be removable.

Strength of the zipper

If you settle for a grow tent with a zipper, you should ensure that it is strong and does not jam easily. 

Design

There are two common designs of grow tents: walk-in and grounded. Walk-in grow tents are ideal for the Sativa strains or people intending to let the plants spend all their time there. On the other hand, grounded grow tents are suitable for Indica strains or young plants. Ensure you carry out your research on the strains of your plant or purpose for convenience.  

Durability

The durability of grow tents depends on the materials used, including the fabric and frames. The material used to make the grow tent should be non-toxic and able to withstand extreme conditions. 

Cost and warranty

If you are on a tight budget, it is advisable to settle for the one you can afford. Besides, the grow tent must have a warranty. It is advisable to check the terms of the warranty to avoid inconvenience. 

FAQs on Outdoor Grow Tents

Do outdoor grow tents protect plants against pests?

One of the main reasons for the use of outdoor grow tents is to prevent plants from pests. Several experiments carried out using the six grow tents have proved that they can prevent pests. However, these grow tents do not provide 100% protection, and in some cases, the pests might penetrate and cause damage. 

Which is the best place to source for outdoor grow tents?

Several outlets and online platforms are selling outdoor grow tents. However, before you settle for any seller, it is advisable to carry out prior research.

Conclusion

There is no outdoor grow tent with 100% precision. You should choose a grow tent that meets most of your requirements.

The list above contains some of the best outdoor grow tents in the market today. 

By Lydia Kibet

Have you figured out how much effort is required to grow plants indoors? 

You have to manage the extreme temperatures, the limited supply of light and sun rays, and humidity levels. 

This is where grow room controllers come in. 

There are more than five hundred climate controllers for grow tents in the market today. A large number of these controllers make it hard for novice growers to make a prudent choice. After reviewing several products in the market, we established five climate controllers to use for your indoor grow tents. 

The 5 Best Climate Controllers for Grow Tents

The controllers are:

1. Trolmaster Hydro-X Environment Control System (HSC-1)
2. Titan Controls Spartan Series Basic Digital Controller
3. Autopilot ECLIPSE F60 Digital Environmental Controller 
4. Trolmaster Hydro-X Environment Control System (HSC1) And 1X Adapter F (LMA-14)
5. Intelligent Growing Systems CO2/RH/Temp Controller Day/Night Settings, 6 Equipment

1. Trolmaster Hydro-X Environment Control System (HSC-1)

Hydro-X Control System is crafted to ensure that your indoor plants achieve optimal productivity levels. Its design makes it easy to install and modify.

You can also use it with most HVAC systems, grow light brands, commercial dehumidifiers and humidifiers, CO2 generators, and mini-split air conditioners. Hydro-X can control up to 512 grow lights, two humidity devices, four temperature devices, 2 CO2 devices, and nine preprogram devices.

The HSC-1 also comes with the TrolMaster App, which you can use remotely from your smartphone. 

Hydro-X has a 3-in-1 sensor that detects the temperature levels, the level of CO2, light and humidity. You don’t need to keep an eye on the grow room conditions since the app got you covered.

In case the set values surpass or fall short, a notification message is sent to your phone. The system is pretty easy to use, whether you’re a novice or seasoned indoor grower.

Pros

• Fully customizable
• Free smartphone app
• Easy to install

Cons

• The initial set up may seem complicated for a novice indoor grower

Verdict

Hydro-X makes a great choice for growers who want to customize their own grow room system for maximum yield due to its flexibility and versatility.

2. Titan Controls Spartan Series Basic Digital Controller

Titan Controls Spartan is the face of sophistication regarding the management of room conditions in indoor gardening. The controller uses an analog interface that is easy to use, even for novice growers. You can manage the CO2, humidity, and temperature levels using this controller by just tuning the controller’s highly responsive knobs.

The controller has a clear display to help you see the room conditions and adjust accordingly. The display is attached to a 15ft cord that records the room conditions. This controller’s output is 14.5 Amps maximum/120 Volts/60Hz, making it energy saving but with high power output.

Here is a breakdown of the accuracy for Titan Controls Spartan Series Complete Digital Environmental Controller:

• CO2 Range: 400-2000PPM with an accuracy of +/-100PPM
• Humidity Setting Range: 5%-95% rH and Humidity Accuracy: +/-3%
• Temp Setting: Adjustable 40°-122° F with Temp accuracy: +/-2° F 

Pros

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6 x 10 inches; 4.9 pounds, making it relatively portable
• It has a high accuracy rate for optimization of growing conditions
• It is resistant to dust, moisture, and rust

Cons

• There have been complaints of the controller breaking down after a short period

Verdict

Controlling indoor conditions has never been more accurate with Titan Controls Spartan Series. If you are looking for a lightweight room controller with high accuracy, this is the right choice for you. It is advisable to buy this controller from a reputable seller who offers a warranty.

3. Autopilot ECLIPSE F60 Digital Environmental Controller 

The F60 Digital Environmental Controller gives accurate results within a short period. ECLIPSE F60 can detect humidity, cycle timing, temperature levels, and cooling, whereby users can check using three digital screens. Thanks to its sophisticated design, you can get notifications from the LED lights’ active modes in case of any errors.

F60 uses a combination of an intelligent and sensitive remote for optimal results. This controller uses a temperature/humidity sensor and photocell for daylight detection. The probe is placed at exactly 15ft off the controller. It is resistant to EMI/EFI  from electronic ballasts and converts the data into a readable format, displayed on the digital screens.

This controller has four outlets: Cycle Timer, Cooling, Heating, and Humidify/Dehumidify.

The outlets have a heavy-duty protective cover to prevent atmospheric pressure from getting into the device. The humidity and temperature outlets have day and night set points that are customized for optimal results. The cycle timer outlet regulates all the devices involved in the on and off function for 24 hours. F60 also has an in-built logger that records both the minimum and maximum humidity and temperature levels.

Common features in Autopilot ECLIPSE F60

• Separate day/night temperature and humidity set points
• Four outlets for controlling temperature, cycle timed device and humidity
• Programmable cycle timer that records after 1 second
• Independent or synchronized temperature and humidity outlets 
• Cycle timer outlets modes that work for 24 hours continuously 
• You can record the temperature and humidity levels with ease 
• It uses LED mode with error detectors for more accurate results
• It has an inbuilt battery that can keep it running for a long time, even after power failure
• It meets the standards for ETL listing
• The maximum operating amperage is 14.5 and has a 120V

Pros

• Product dimensions: 10.50L x 10.40W x 6.00H and 5.10 pounds, which makes it easily portable
• It can record temperature, humidity, and errors instantly
• The inbuilt battery ensures continued functioning even after power failure

Cons

• Servicing this controller requires costly expertise

Verdict

Autopilot ECLIPSE F60 gets all your indoor growing needs sorted. The sophisticated features, excellent performance, and unmatched design give it an edge over most climate controllers. You don’t need to be a pro-gardener since the F60 got you covered. 

4. Trolmaster Hydro-X Environment Control System (HSC1) And 1X Adapter F (LMA-14)

Trolmaster Hydro-X environment control system is the face of intelligence and versatility when it comes to environmental control systems in the market.

With this control system, you can manage up to 512 lights, two humidity systems, four temperature devices, nine preprogram devices, and two CO2 devices. You can increase the overall yield of your plants by customizing the grow room system. 

If there is an easy-to-maintain control system in the market today, it is this Hydro-X model.

The controller uses two separate lines to help you create several lighting layouts, based on your preference. You can create a sophisticated schedule, including auto-dimming, sunrise/ sunset simulation, and overheat shutdown. The schedule ensures that you manage the lighting system effectively. 

The Hydro-X system has a 3-in-1 sensor that monitors light, temperature, and humidity. Besides, there is a CO2 sensor that monitors the CO2 levels in the grow tent. The system has smoke detectors that detect smoke or alert you in case of fire. With Hydro-X helps you can entirely control your grow environments.

Hydro-X has a unique design with four device stations: humidity, program, CO2, and temperature.

These device stations and program device stations are connected through different devices into a centralized control center. Despite this intricate design, the connection is flexible, a factor that makes it easy to control them. 

The Hydro-X controller’s design allows it to link up with the control network through a standard cable.

You only need to download the Hydro-X app to your mobile device and link it to the system. You can then access and monitor the functions of the grow rooms remotely. In case of a malfunction in the grow room, a notification pops up on your phone. The application also allows you to read historical data for the grow room. In case of connectivity issues or network malfunctions, you can use a customized micro-SD for data logging.

Another feature that sets Hydro-X apart is its easy-to-use interface. For instance, it has a sophisticated 128×128 LCD. You can access all the settings and data on the conditions through the LCD.

Pros

• Four device stations for controlling the grow tent conditions
• Easy-to-use interface with smartphone compatibility
• Sophisticated sensors for CO2, humidity, temperature, and light

Cons

• The initial setup is complicated, and therefore you need to engage an expert, less you mess up.

Verdict

The inclusion of a smartphone-controlled application gives you authority at your fingertips. Managing the necessary growing conditions: temperature, humidity, CO2, and light is the first step to increasing productivity.  

5. Intelligent Growing Systems CO2/RH/Temp Controller Day/Night Settings, 6 Equipment

The Intelligent Growing Systems CO2/RH/Temp Controller is designed to solve all your indoor issues. First, this climate controller uses sophisticated intake and exhaust fans to keep the CO2 and oxygen levels under control. 

Common features in Intelligent Growing Systems include:

• Seamless integration of CO2 enrichment of intake and exhaust ventilation
• Temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 electronic sensors
• Alarm system hook-up (with iMS-100)
• 24-hour data logging of the sensor value

Pros 

• Feeds up to 45 amps of controlled equipment (110-120V)
• It gives an automatic difference for exact CO2 concentration
• Ready to use

Cons

• The initial setup is complicated.

Verdict

Most people overlook the impact of CO2 concentration in grow tents, which is catastrophic. It would be best if you stood out by using this state-of-the-art and high-performance climate controller for optimal results. 

Things to Consider when Looking for Climate Controllers for Grow Tents

Whether you are a novice or seasoned grow tent user, you must consider the following things when buying a climate controller. These include:

• Durability: The materials used to make the controller must be durable. You can confirm the controller’s durability by checking the warranty and reviews. 
• Alarm: An ideal climate controller should have an alarm to keep you alert in case of abnormalities in temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, or light. 
• Ease of use: When looking for a climate controller, you should settle for easy to use, especially if you are a novice. 
• Warranty: The more extended the warranty, the better the deal. Always settle for climate controllers with at least a 1-year warranty. 
• Display: A good controller uses a clear LCD from which you can observe the readings in temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, and light levels.     

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Climate Controllers for Grow Tents

Indoor growers frequently ask these questions on climate growers:

Is there a specific temperature and humidity for grow tents and rooms?

The ideal conditions for the indoor growing of plants are not constant. Instead, they depend on the plant species and existing climatic conditions. For instance, the difference between the night and day temperatures should almost be the same. 

The growth of the plant also determines the right humidity for the grow tent. For instance, seedlings should have 70-75% humidity levels, while at the vegetative stage, the humidity levels should be 50-70%. On the other hand, the flowering and harvest stages should have humidity levels of 40-50% and 45-50%, respectively.

What are the implications of extreme humidity and temperature in grow rooms? 

Growing plants in unregulated humidity and temperatures in grow tents can be adverse. First, high humidity levels can cause the plants to get sick, especially at the seedling stage. A combination of low temperature and high humidity might lead to the plants getting stunted. 

Where can I buy the perfect climate controllers for grow tents and rooms?

Getting the best climate controller is a pipe dream. However, you can identify a climate controller whose features fit most of your plants’ requirements and order them from the leading stores. 

Is climate controller long-lasting?

There are two major determinants of how long a climate controller can last. First, if you take good care of the climate controller, and second, the grow tent’s conditions. Once these factors are put in check, the climate controller can last for an extended period. However, we cannot overlook that some controllers have a superior quality, which makes them last longer. 

What are the benefits of using a climate controller for grow tents and rooms?

The controller maintains the right conditions for plants, making them grow better. Healthy plants translate to high yields. 

Final thoughts on the best climate controllers for grow tents

There is no single climate controller that fits all the requirements of indoor grow tents. 

This is because different plant species have different requirements. 

When looking for a climate controller, you should ensure that it meets most of the requirements. The list of climate controllers above meets most of the growing requirements.

Anytime you think of owning a controller, you should think of these. Their design, functionality, and power consumption have everything you need to keep your indoor plants healthy and productive.

By George Mouratidis

Despite the many legal challenges facing the recreational cannabis industry, dispensary sales continue to reach all-time “highs.”

Recent data out of MJ Biz Daily suggests that retail weed in the USA rose 40 percent between 2019 – 2020. As more states legalize recreational or medical marijuana, this industry could soon be worth $37 billion. 

While the opportunity to open a dispensary has never been better, that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

Not only is the competition intense, but there are also a lot of complicated legal and taxation requirements dispensary owners have to abide by. On top of all that, dispensary managers have to worry about their business’s day-to-day operations (e.g., inventory, customer service, and sales).

Thankfully, there is a technology that can help dispensary owners efficiently manage their marijuana and their moolah. 

In recent years, many software companies have emerged in the point-of-sale (POS) systems specifically for cannabis dispensaries.

Typically based on the cloud, these unique POS systems help dispensary owners manage everything from inventories and shipments to compliance paperwork and customer loyalty programs.

Using a high-quality POS system won’t only keep your dispensary legit, it could seriously boost your store’s “pot-ential.” 

Since dispensary POS software is such a central part of any retailer’s business, it’s worth spending the extra time evaluating all of the options on the market.

Going with the right POS system from the get-go can save you a lot of headaches down the line. 

What Does A Dispensary POS System Do?

A good POS software is way more than a glorified cash register. In fact, you could consider a POS system the “brain” of your business.

POS will help you manage your dispensary’s data flows in real-time.

Since cannabis laws are continually changing, dispensary POS systems are well-geared to handle compliance issues like state reporting and customer ID verification. Your software should also integrate with seed-to-sale tracking and send the necessary paperwork to your state’s regulators.

Beyond compliance issues, a dispensary POS system will help your budtenders perform at peak efficiency. Indeed, many POS systems alert budtenders to inventory, pricing, and detailed product descriptions in real-time. All of this up-to-date information should help speed up your service and improve your store’s customer experience. Plus, POS could help you monitor each employee’s performance so you could “weed out” any weak workers.

Speaking of “weeding out” employees, POS systems serve many significant safety functions.

Let’s face it, not everyone entering the marijuana industry has noble intentions.

What if one of your employee’s slides some OG Kush to an underage friend? How could you track this bad behavior? POS systems provide an extra layer of security that helps discourage any bad actors. 

Going along with safety, POS could protect against hacking. These systems should also be able to handle power outages or Internet failures.

Even if you have a photographic memory, there’s no way your brain could handle the mountains of data in your dispensary location. No matter how small your operation is, you need a POS system to succeed in the legal cannabis industry.

What Should New Dispensaries Look For In A POS System?

As you could already tell, there’s a whole lot dispensary POS systems have to offer. So, how do you go about picking the perfect POS for your store? Here are a few key considerations to keep in mind when browsing the current POS market.

Compliance, Compliance, Compliance

We can’t overstate the importance of state compliance when researching dispensary POS systems. Due to its long history of illegality, cannabis will always face stringent regulations. It doesn’t matter how successful your dispensary is; if you fail to meet your state’s requirements, you could lose everything.

Therefore, the first thing you should investigate in any POS system is how they plan to help you stay within the law. This includes features like automatic reporting, ID verification, accurate weight measurements, and taxation software. Your POS system should also integrate directly with your state’s approved seed-to-sale system like BioTrack or METRC. 

You should also ask how your POS system will adapt to changing regulations in your state. Since cannabis laws are always in flux, you need to double-check that your POS team knows how to modify their system.

Is This POS System Good For The “Tech-Challenged”? 

Another consideration to keep in mind is ease-of-use.

You don’t want your budtenders to be fumbling around different screens while patients impatiently wait for their weed! Dispensary POS systems should be intuitive to use—especially for non-tech-savvy employees. This will make your budtenders more efficient at their job and boost your customers’ experience. 

Take a long look at your chosen POS system’s design and try to envision your employees flipping from screen to screen. You should also ask the POS company if on-site training is required and whether that’s included in the final price.

How Will This POS Fit My Store’s Style?

Although ease-of-use is significant, it’s also important to consider how a POS system will fit into your store’s design. Not only should this unit fit seamlessly with your dispensary’s aesthetic, it should also compliment your business strategy.

For instance, perhaps you like to run your dispensary like an Apple store where employees are constantly walking around the store.

On the opposite extreme, you may want to provide medical patients with privacy to browse your store’s catalog on touchscreens. Both of these store models are great for different businesses, but they require distinct POS features.

When you’re evaluating a POS system’s design, try to envision how it fits into your dispensary’s style. You might also want to consider whether POS add-ons like large digital displays would make your business more efficient. 

How Could POS Keep Your Customers Happy?

A great POS system should keep your customers engaged with your brand. There are many ways POS could help improve customer satisfaction, but one feature to look out for is eCommerce integration. 

Let’s face it: everyone nowadays is shopping online.

You need to consider how POS will help enhance your digital shopping experience.

For instance, does your POS system automatically integrate with sites like Leafly or WeedMaps?

Could your customers schedule an in-store appointment online?

Most significantly, will your inventory change in real-time across all of these platforms? 

On top of eCommerce, you need to consider how your POS system will manage special deals, loyalty programs, and SMS messaging. While these bonus features may not be “essential,” they could go a long way towards building rock-solid brand loyalty. 

How Secure Is My POS System? 

Security is crucial in any business, but especially when dealing with a federally illegal substance.

Marijuana laws may be relaxing throughout the USA, but that doesn’t mean there’s no risk involved with this substance. Your POS system should have a way to protect your business’s sensitive data from potential hackers.

Figure out how your POS system will help you deal with potential safety issues like hacking or sending tax money. Will your data be secure in the event of a blackout? Does your POS system keep running with low or no WiFi? Could your POS system alert you to any inventory issues or regulation changes? 

Asking these security-related questions should put your mind at ease before purchasing POS software. 

How Good Is The Company’s Support Staff? 

No matter how intuitive the design, there’s always going to be challenges integrating new technology into your dispensary. When those issues arise, you need access to a friendly support staff to walk you through any and every problem.

Ask your POS company how long they’ve been in business and how many people they employ. Of those employees, how many handle customer service? Also, ask how fast and how often you should expect to get in contact with a customer care rep.

Please double-check your POS team places a priority on providing prompt customer service any day of the week.

Could POS Systems Help Manage Delivery Services? 

Sometimes customers prefer the discretion and convenience of getting their cannabis goods delivered. Indeed, since many people use medical marijuana for mobility or mental health issues, cannabis deliveries serve an essential function in the community. 

Luckily for dispensary owners, many POS systems offer unique features that could enhance your delivery program.

A few companies even provide real-time-tracking so you could keep a close eye on your drivers. For extra convenience, some POS vendors integrate with sites like Potify to help customers order their weed. 

If you are going to add a delivery service to your dispensary, please take a peek at your POS system’s offerings. Of course, double-check this program will abide by your state’s compliance laws and automatically update your inventory.

What Are The Best Dispensary POS Systems? 

1. IndicaOnline

Established in 2011, IndicaOnline is one of the oldest and most trusted POS vendors in the US and Canada. With its HIPPA-approved status, METRC-approved reporting, and batch tracking software, you’ll have nothing to worry about in terms of compliance. 

However, it’s not just compliance that makes dispensaries go crazy for IndicaOnline’s offerings.

Indeed, many customers are blown away by this system’s easy-to-read menus and quick connectivity with iPads. This system’s sleek cash drawer and receipt printer also come with Bluetooth connectivity and handheld barcode readers. 

IndicaOnline also has many hot add-ons like large interactive signage, delivery offerings, customer analytics, and easy connectivity with Potify and WeedMaps. This POS software also offers a 14-day free trial and multiple payment programs starting at $250 per month.

No matter what plan you go with, you can expect 24/7 access to IndicaOnline’s superb customer service.

2. Cova

If you’re looking for an experienced POS provider, look no further than the Colorado-based company Cova.

With over 400 employees and five offices in the US and Canada, Cova is unquestionably one of the most well-established names in this growing field. This large POS provider also has multiple accolades to its name, including the 2019 Expert’s Choice Award from FinancesOnline.

What is it so many critics like about Cova’s POS? Well, there are many noteworthy features, but many managers rave about Cova’s intuitive tablet-focused design. A few stand-out features include a built-in ID scanner, multiple payment options (including gift cards), and easy online queuing. 

If you don’t live in a WiFi hotspot, there’s no need to worry about Cova shutting off on you. This company promises to keep working even if there’s no Internet in your area. For extra security, the company has a massive customer care division available over the phone or online. 

Cova seamlessly blends with METRC, BioTrack, and Leaf Data Integrations for easy compliance. The company also offers delivery service, eCommerce, and well as integration with Leafly and WeedMaps.

At a minimum of $350 per month, Cova might be a bit pricier than competitors. However, this company earns its premium price by offering one of the most robust and reliable POS experiences. 

3. Nature Pay

Created in 2015, Nature Pay is a relatively new player in the dispensary POS world. Although it’s not as established as brands like Cova, this company has a few unique options worthy of investigation. 

Indeed, one of Nature Pay’s most impressive features is that it works with credit and debit card transactions. Although Nature Pay’s website doesn’t advertise delivery tracking, it promises to provide standard POS features like inventory tracking and state compliance. The company also has a unique loyalty program and will allow you to create branded gift cards. 

In addition to its marijuana POS offering, Nature Pay is passionate about cannabis banking. If you’re interested in establishing a legitimate bank account for your cannabis business, the team at Nature Pay should be able to help you. 

Although Nature Pay’s POS places a heavy emphasis on credit card and cashless payments, it also has a “cannabis ATM” program. Anyone who’d like to add an ATM service to their dispensary can’t pass on giving Nature Pay a consultation call.

Nature Pay doesn’t list average prices on its website, but recent reviews suggest dispensaries should expect to pay between 5 – 6 percent on each purchase plus an extra 30 cents. 

4. Meadow

Are there any California dispensary owners out there? If so, you might want to give Meadow a go!

Founded in 2014, Meadow is one of the fastest-growing dispensary POS systems in the Golden State. Interestingly, this company was initially an on-demand directory that helped CA customers connect with local dispensaries. As the cannabis market expanded, Meadow gradually grew into an all-in-one POS system. 

Beyond METRC-enabled compliance, Meadow boasts a stellar eCommerce and delivery division. Anyone who uses Meadow will have access to the company’s efficient tracking system, detailed maps, and SMS communication with drivers.

For security, Meadow claims to back your data up in multiple sources. The company promises superior encryption technology, secure document storage, and 99.99 percent uptime. 

Meadow has a tiered pricing system to work for each dispensary’s budget. Although the company asks you to request a quote, it promises never to charge additional set-up fees. 

Make Your Pot Profitable With POS! 

If you want to have the best dispensary on the block, you need to invest in POS.

But just any old POS system isn’t going to cut it! Anyone involved in the cannabis trade has to double-check their POS server can handle the legal complexities of this industry.

Only after you’ve squared away compliance issues should you turn your attention to add-on features.

Since POS is such a crucial decision, please take all the time you need to evaluate various systems. 

By Lydia Kibet

The current shift from growing plants outdoors to indoors is rapidly increasing.  

The downside of this trend is that most plants lose essential nutrients, leading to low productivity. After testing several plant supplements, we identified five of the best plant nutrients to boost your plants’ yields. The products are:

1. Lotus nutrients starter kit
2. Coco-wet wetting agent
3. Spray-n-grow micronutrients
4. Raw-B Vitamin (by NPK industries)
5. Lotus nutrients grow pro series

The 5 Best Plant Nutrients in 2021

1. Lotus nutrients starter kit

The Lotus nutrients starter kit is handcrafted to make the process of growing plants easier.

Unlike other growing starter kits that can only support the plant at a particular growth stage, the Lotus kit supports the plant through growth stages.  The nutrients starter kit comes in three forms; grow, boost, and bloom. 

Lotus Pro Series Grow 16oz.

The Lotus Pro Series Grow is the ultimate choice for all your growing needs. This formulation ensures that your plants get the rare glow characterized by rapid vegetative and lush allure.

Using this formulation makes the plant’s stems thick and robust. The formulation is also responsible for dense canopy, strong root system, and tight internodal spacing. A plant that grows with these features ends up being highly productive. 

Lotus Pro Series Boost 18oz

What comes to your mind when the word “Boost” is mentioned? The Lotus Pro Series Boost is the exemplification of power and endurance. This magic wand is the perfect choice for optimizing your plants’ size and the density of flowers. Using this boost is also vital for maximizing oil production, making yields more potent and tasty. 

Lotus Pro Series Bloom 16oz

With the Lotus Series Bloom supplement, you don’t have to worry about the plants flowering. The supplement ensures that the flowers grow strong, resulting in high yields. Spraying plants with this booster keep the flowers dense and increases overall productivity.

Pros

• The starter kit supports the plant through its entire lifecycle.
• The nutrients in the supplements under this kit can support different plants.
• There are no known long-term effects of using the supplements in the plant.

Cons

• The supplements do not protect the plant from attacks by pests and diseases.

The versatility, high nutrients levels, and safety of the supplements make them the kit ideal for plants from the vegetative stage to fruition. However, if you are looking for a pesticide, this kit is not for you.

2. Coco-wet wetting agent

The Coco-wet wetting agent is one of the best innovations that have ever graced the field of farming.

This agent is designed to absorb any chemical applied on the plant surface. The manufacturers of Coco-wet took time to understand the concept of using chemicals on plants and how to mitigate wastage.

The agent lowers the surface tension between the plant surface and the chemical compound sprayed on the plant. The low surface tension ensures that the sprayed liquid sticks to the plant’s surface and easily gets absorbed into the plant.

Using Coco-wet also ensures that the sprayed liquid does not evaporate quickly. 

Pros

• The Coco-wet wetting agent mixes easily with all the foliar nutrients.
• It is organic and non-toxic.
• The agent increases the uptake of nutrients from the foliar spray.
• It is non-chemical and safe for both people, animals, and pollinating insects.

Cons

• The agent cannot prevent the plant from attack by pests and diseases. 

If you plan to spray foliar to your plants, spray the Coco-wet wetting agent first for optimal results. It is high time to use Coco-wet wetting agent confidently, given that it is compatible with other foliar sprays.

3. Spray-n-Grow micronutrients

Did you know that most plants only need 16 vital elements? These elements are zinc, sulfur, copper, boron, hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, molybdenum, manganese, chlorine, iron, phosphorus, potassium, oxygen, carbon, and calcium.  

There are three main classifications of plant nutrients:

• Macronutrients: They are the primary mineral nutrients that occur in large quantities. These nutrients include nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.
• Secondary mineral nutrients: These nutrients occur in lesser amounts and include calcium, sulfur, and magnesium
• Micronutrients- Micronutrients occur in tiny amounts. They include hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen.

What is the Spray-N-Grow agent made of?

Now that you have a hint at the significant nutrients used by plants, let’s look at the Spray-N-Grow supplement.

First things first, Spray-N-Grow Micronutrients is made up of nutrients infused in water, which acts as a catalyst for biological processes.

How does the Spray-n-Grow formulation work?

The formulation increases phosphate concentration at the tips of the plant buds, leading to more blooms and increased flower size.

The formulation reconditions the soil, which ends up being a hub for oxygen and water, two vital ingredients for the plant’s growth and development. The end result is dense buds, meaning more yields. 

Spray-N-Grow Micronutrients also activate microorganisms in the soil, which are vital for producing essential nutrients for the plant.

This formulation manages the cumulative stress condition characterized by petrochemical use, salt-buildup, and over-fertilization.

Pros

• The formulation is safe for people, plants, animals, and insects. 
• The formulation infuses easily to most plants, making it easy for plants to grow healthy.
• It improves the plant’s health and root structure.
• It is non-toxic and a biocatalyst.

Cons

• The concentrate might activate dangerous bacteria, which consequently lead to attacks by pathogens.

Spray-N-Grow Micronutrients is the ideal solution for all your soil needs. The sophistication in its manufacture ensures that plants grow healthy. 

4. RAW B-Vitamin

RAW B-Vitamin is a sophisticated plant supplement that is designed to keep all your horticultural needs in place.

The conglomeration of vitamins in the formulation is carefully mixed for optimal results. The formulation is compatible with all other nutrients, and growers can use at different stages of growth.

For optimal results, use this formulation during drought conditions, transplanting, or blooming. The dominant nutrients in RAW B-Vitamin are 1% Vitamin B1, water-soluble, and 9% magnesium.

Directions for use

There are two major things to observe when using RAW-B Vitamin:

• Shake the package to mix the RAW-B contents well before use.
• Start small and increase the dosage with time.

Pros

• Raw-B Vitamin is highly soluble, making the growing process easy. 
• The formulation is organic and non-toxic to people, plants, and pollinating insects.
• The versatility of the formulation makes it ideal for the whole life cycle of plants.

Cons

• Using large doses of the formulation at the initial stages might adversely affect the plant’s productivity. 

From the above description, it is evident that the manufacturers created RAW B-Vitamin is to increase the plant’s productivity and health. Your plants need essential nutrients, and that’s why RAW-B Vitamin is here to take care of your plants.

5. Lotus Nutrients Grow Pro Series

If you are looking for a supplement that gives your plants a lush look with a rapid growth rate, the Lotus nutrients grow pro series is the real deal.

Manufacturers created this supplement to give your plants tight internodal spacing, thick stems, healthy roots, and dense canopy development. What do the above qualities translate to? A bumper harvest. That simple. 

What gives Lotus Grow Series the X-factor in farming?

The following is a breakdown of the outstanding features that make the Lotus Grow Series unique:

• Fulvic acid improves the nutrient chelation and uptake in the plant
• Over 15 uniform nutrients to keep the plant healthy and without any deficiency
• Fully-soluble, low-sodium, seaweed extract to increase the strength of factors that promote growth
• 100% chelated and fully-soluble micronutrients
• Full-spectrum micronutrients and macronutrients integrated for optimal benefits
• Non-acid forming, neutral PH to suppress the adverse effects that are synonymous with acidic or alkaline levels
• 100% naturally-occurring and sourced amino acids that are water-soluble for optimal benefits to the plant

Pros

• Organic nutrients for easy uptake by the plant
• The nutrients are non-toxic to plants, people, and insects
• Versatility to support the plants at different stages of growth 

Cons

• The powder does not contain chemicals for preventing attacks by pathogens. 

Forget about the “sophisticated” fertilizer that boosts productivity in plants to high levels, Lotus Pro Series Grow is the real deal. The powder’s easy solubility and uptake of nutrients make it easy to use, even among novice growers. However, this powder does not solve problems caused by pathogens. Are you planning to transplant your plants or tend to them? Infuse Lotus Pro Series Grow into them for a bumper harvest. 

Things to do when looking for the best plant nutrients

More people move from organic manure to sophisticated supplements, especially in indoor growing.

Despite the increased popularity of these supplements, few growers understand the basics of using them. Here of the tips to take into account when looking for the best organic plant nutrients:

Test the soil

Before you think of using supplements on your plants, it is advisable to carry out a soil test. A soil test helps you to single out nutrients that your plants lack. This goes a long way to help you choose the right supplement. 

Go organic

Forget about the hyped commercial Ads on mainstream media about sophisticated fertilizers; organic fertilizers are the real deal.

Organic fertilizers should strictly be made from organic materials. In this case, we are talking about byproducts of the food industry, such as chicken remains, alfalfa meal, chicken feathers, and corn gluten meal.

Other byproducts that can be used in organic fertilizers are plant leaves and grass clippings. Additionally, these byproducts must go through the natural decomposition process for optimal results. 

Organic nutrients undergo easy uptake into the plant, unlike chemically-manufactured supplements that undergo a complex process before uptake. Organic nutrients are also less toxic, a feature that makes them safe for use.

Check the macronutrients level. 

More often than not, we overlook the role of macronutrients and instead focus on micronutrients.

The three macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) to a plant’s health should be adequate.

Nitrogen is responsible for the flowering and production of healthy leaves.

On the other hand, phosphorus hastens the flowering and fruiting process.

It also boosts the overall health of the fruits.

Finally, potassium improves the overall health of the plant at different stages of its cycle. In most cases, the ratio should be 7:3:4 for the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).

If your plants contain the above nutrients, you can omit using the supplements. 

Take care of the micronutrients.

The average garden soil contains almost all the micronutrients required for a healthy plant.

During a soil test, you should pay attention to calcium, magnesium, and sulfur levels. Other nutrients under this category are manganese, zinc, boron, and molybdenum.

Although plants can still yield optimally when the micronutrients are deficient, adding a supplement to the soil is prudent. The micronutrients not only keep the plant healthy but also makes them resistant to diseases.

Start small and increase gradually.

Using water-soluble supplements is one of the best ways to feed nutrients into a plant since plants’ uptake is easy.

However, using large amounts of supplements can cause “burns” on the plants due to excess uptake of the nutrients. When starting on the plant nutrients, it is advisable to use them in small doses until they adapt.

Once they adapt to the supplements, you can increase their measurements gradually.

Understand your plants

Each plant species requires unique nutrients, and therefore you should learn more about their differences.

Additionally, each plant requires a different set of nutrients at certain stages in their lifecycle. Using the wrong supplements can cause the plant to wither and even die, or reduce the overall productivity. You can involve a horticultural expert to assess your plants and recommend the right nutrients. 

Conclusion

From the above reviews, it is clear that each supplement is tailored to meet different nutrients’ requirements.

Before you buy plant nutrients, you should understand the deficient nutrients to avoid disappointments.

It is also prudent to understand the macronutrients and micronutrients for each plant. If you are not sure what your plant requires, it is advisable to seek help from an expert who can offer unadulterated advice and the best choice for your plants.

By George Mouratidis

We don’t care how passionate you are about legalized weed—“bud bureaucracy” can be a real pain in the, um, “bud.” 

Even the most enthusiastic cannabusiness owners don’t enjoy the hassle of tagging and tracking their plants.

However, if marijuana is ever going to go mainstream, it must be traceable. Anyone who loves legal weed needs to take an interest in seed-to-sale tracking. 

Thankfully, many hi-tech companies are putting out software solutions to make canna-compliance as straightforward as possible. In addition to tracking location in real-time, most seed-to-sale systems monitor critical metrics like inventory, weight, transportation, packaging, and sales. This software’s primary goal is to provide state regulators with up-to-date info on all your plants. 

Since cannabis law is continually changing, companies need reliable seed-to-sale vendors that stay on top of compliance issues.

No matter how small your cannabis operation is, a seed-to-sale system can save you serious legal headaches as you tend to your business.

What Makes Cannabis Compliant? – The Marijuana “METRC System”

The primary purpose behind seed-to-sale software is simple: help cannabis companies comply with their state’s laws. So, what exactly makes cannabis “compliant?”

Unfortunately, this isn’t an easy question to answer.

Heck, there are now dozens of attorneys who devote their entire legal practice to understanding cannabis law. 

While there are many nuances in cannabis compliance law, the central issue is the disconnect between state and federal restrictions. Because weed remains illegal at the federal level, there’s no national standard for compliance. Hence, every state has to come up with its own legal framework for cannabis tracking.

Although there are differences in every state’s cannabis regulations, the one “metric” most seed-to-sale systems use is “METRC.”

Short for “Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting & Compliance,” METRC is by far the most widely used reporting system across the USA. This system works by using radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags to track every cannabis plant’s life cycle.

An important feature to note about METRC is that it’s not designed to make your business more efficient. In fact, working with METRC alone can be downright annoying. Despite all of your hard work, you won’t gain any business insights from METRC’s platform. All that METRC cares about is providing the state with a traceable record for your marijuana products. 

However, since METRC is an essential part of cannabis compliance, cannabis operators have to stay on top of their data entry without stalling business operations. Hence the growing demand for third-party seed-to-sale software that automatically integrates with METRC and other official tracking systems. 

Instead of wasting precious time inputting data into METRC’s system, you can use a third party seed-to-sale software to send and record essential data. Not only does seed-to-sale software keep your business compliant, it often has other features that help your business grow, such as forecasting yield, managing workflows, and analyzing financial data.

How Should You Choose A Seed-To-Sale Software?

As with any other business expense, choosing the right seed-to-sale software depends on your needs.

Before you begin researching different software providers, you must clearly understand why you want this system. Do you simply want to comply with your state’s laws, or do you want this software to provide the most up-to-date business analytics imaginable?

Another consideration worth investigating is how user-friendly your software is. How much extra time (and money) are you going to spend re-training employees? Is this system better suited for IT departments, or could non-specialists figure it out?

Also, how reliable is your vendor’s customer service department—because, trust us, you’re going to experience a few hiccups in the initial stages! 

It’s also essential to review how often your seed-to-sale system updates.

As you already know, the cannabis industry is in a rapid state of flux. State laws for proper tracking are always getting revised, which means you need to work with a team that constantly monitors these changes. Whatever seed-to-sale system you’re researching, be sure to test the company’s legal knowledge and ask how it intends to alert you to compliance reforms.

Lastly, you must figure out how easy it is to leave your chosen seed-to-sale software.

Even if you have a great gut feeling about your software, you never know when things might not work out. Be sure you know how much you’ll need to pay to get out of your company’s contract. 

FYI: there are a few cannabis consulting groups springing up across North America. These firms could provide you with an objective, third-party opinion on what seed-to-sale system works best for your business strategy, goals, and budget. It might be worth your while visiting one of these consulting firms for more personalized assistance.

Where To Find The Best Seed-To-Sale Software — Besides Google! 

Although we’ll share five of the best seed-to-sale companies below, please don’t take our word for it!

Whether you’re a cultivator, manufacturer, or distributor, you must do your due diligence when evaluating all the seed-to-sale vendors on the market.

Unfortunately, it can still be challenging to find reliable info on cannabis seed-to-sale vendors online. If you’re struggling to find a seed-to-sale software using standard search engines, you might want to join a few professional cannabis groups on Facebook or LinkedIn.

Many industry experts also recommend networking with legal cannabis businesses at live events and trade shows.

Although the Internet has many virtues, nothing beats tried-and-true “word of mouth.” In a rapidly changing industry like cannabis, it pays to stay as well-connected as possible. Networking with others in the field could clue you in on new compliance laws and hot seed-to-sale systems. 

The 6 Best Cannabis Seed-To-Sale Tracking Systems

1. Canix

Despite opening in 2019, Canix is already one of North America’s most successful seed-to-sale providers. In fact, this Bay Area-based company is so popular that it clinched the top spot in TechCrunch’s competitive “Disrupt 2020” challenge. 

So, what is it that makes Canix’s system stand apart? For starters, Canix provides all of its clients with RFID scanners that can recognize barcodes up to 10 feet away. After scanning your plant, you could easily access relevant info on Canix’s intuitive app, which also has Bluetooth compatibility. As a bonus, you don’t need an Internet connection to access Canix’s user-friendly app on any device. 

Currently, Canix is compliant with METRC in ten US states and has successfully tracked over 2 million plants. The company also boasts its forecasting technology could help cultivators plan at least 90-days in advance. To help clients get the most out of their system, Canix also offers reliable live phone support and on-site training.  

2. Trellis

Trellis is a Canadian-based seed-to-sale provider that has gained a lot of attention in recent years. In fact, most people only became aware of this company after Snoop Dogg’s Casa Verde fund gave Trellis an eye-popping $2 million.

Now a part of Akerna, Trellis is most concerned with helping cultivators, manufacturers, and distributors manage their inventory. Trellis designed their system to be as user-friendly as possible. With its easy-to-remember icons and linear tracking system, even non-tech-savvy users shouldn’t have issues using Terllis’s interface. 

Trellis claims to have over six decades of combined experience and is always available for questions via phone. The company also offers a compliant employee training program to help your team grasp the essentials of cannabis compliance law.

Although headquartered in Toronto, Trellis has become an international business in recent years. Today, companies in the USA, Australia, and Jamaica rely on Trellis to comply with seed-to-sale laws.

3. Viridian Sciences

Thanks to its partnership with the multinational SAP SE, Viridian Sciences is one of the largest seed-to-sale operators in the global cannabis space.

Indeed, this company now claims to offer clients a combined 200 years of development services experience. So, if it’s a robust data pool you’re interested in, you’d better start your search with Viridian.

Thanks to its superior scale, Viridian Sciences can offer a thorough ERP experience. In addition to the supply side, Viridian Sciences also offers dispensary POS software for those who are interested. Currently, Viridian Sciences is compliant with both METRC and BioTrack. 

Although you can’t use Viridian Sciences while offline, the company does claim to be “software agnostic.” This means you could operate on any Internet-connected device at any time. For convenience, all of Viridian Sciences’ services are compatible with Excel and SQL. The company also allows clients to work remotely on mobile devices. 

4. MJ Platform

MJ Platform is one of the oldest seed-to-sale firms in the USA.

First opened in 2010, this Colorado-based business has been a leader in developing cannabis compliance software, and it currently works with about 30 percent of legal cannabis operators. 

With its proprietary algorithms and Akerna-backed software, MJ Platform helps clients understand past trends, set reminders, and manage current data in real-time. This system is now offered to cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, dispensaries, and delivery services.

Plus, MJ Platform also offers a robust consulting program that’s excellent for people new to the cannabis industry. With over 30 years of combined experience in the marijuana space, MJ Platform claims to help new businesses better define their goals and develop a successful strategy. 

5. Helix BioTrack

Like MJ Platform, BioTrack launched its seed-to-sale software about a decade ago. However, it wasn’t until 2013—when BioTrack became Washington State’s first official seed-to-sale system—that most people heard about this company. 

To date, BioTrack has processed over $20 billion worth of cannabis in hundreds of locations. This company also holds nine government contracts in eight US states and Puerto Rico. 

Now integrated with Helix TCS, Inc., Helix BioTrack offers a suite of software solutions for cultivators, processors, manufacturers, and dispensary owners. In addition to BioTrack compliance, Helix BioTrack is fully-equipped to integrate with METRC or Leaf Data Systems. This company will also send a representative on-site to help fully incorporate its technology into your business.

Although headquartered in Florida, Helix BioTrack has already worked with thousands of clients in 25 US states. Anyone interested in working with one of the most respected seed-to-sale systems can’t ignore Helix BioTrack’s offerings.

6. Distru

Distru is a powerful and comprehensive platform for cannabis entrepeneurs. A newer player, but a company that is quickly becoming the talk of the town. 

Users love the robust analytics feature set. In addition, Distru is a breath of relief in that it centralizes several functionalities into one platform. You’ve got access to a CRM, inventory management, order fulfillment, as well as compliance with METRC. 

Study Seed-To-Sale Seriously Before Buying!

While all of the seed-to-sale vendors listed above are highly rated, we encourage you to take your time evaluating all of your options. The software you work with will play a vital role in keeping your business afloat both legally and financially. Therefore, it pays to take your time screening all of these choices. 

Please don’t be shy about asking any of these companies for detailed info on how they will track and store your data. The more info you get upfront, the more confident you’ll feel about choosing the right seed-to-sale system for your business’s needs. 

Cannabis marketing is tricky. 

While the herb has become not only increasingly popular, but increasingly legal, there are still many hurdles, both legal and attitudinal. 

Cannabis businesses still need to operate on the razor’s edge that all innovative and forward thinking industries are resorted to. Therefore, cannabis marketers need to be agile and creative. Legalization has been increasing, but it’s still not federally legal in the states.  

Simultaneously, however, because the cannabis market is relatively new (at least on a legal, public level), there are many channels and tactics that seem “old” to experienced marketers that not only work in the cannabis space, but are extra effective. 

This article is written by a marketer who is new to the cannabis space. I’ve been helping grow EBTP for the last year or so, and I’ve applied many things from my past to these efforts, but have also learned some new things. 

At the end of this article, you’ll have a great idea as to how to build your own digital marketing plan to take over the cannabis industry. 

Which Channels Work Best for Cannabis Marketing Strategy?

In reality, you’ve only got a few truly ‘scalable’ acquisition channels. Depending on who you ask, these channels are typically: 

• Paid ads
• SEO
• Virality
• Sales
• Partnerships

However, there is a lot of wiggle room within each of these broad buckets to get creative. Additionally, not every channel needs to scale to the moon or to Silicon Valley’s definition of success. Sometimes, you just need a channel to get you to lift off and get your first few customers. 

I’ll cover some of my favorite channels here. 

1. Social Media 

Social media is great for cannabis brands and marijuana marketing for a few reasons. 

First, it’s direct-to-consumer. As I’ll cover in a minute, paid advertising includes a cornucopia of challenges for cannabis companies, and you largely avoid these with organic social media channels. 

Second, cannabis brands, by their nature, can afford to be more informal and irreverent than many legacy brands. This type of voice does well on social media. Look at media brands like MorningBrew, or even legacy CPG companies like MoonPie and fast-food brands like Wendy’s. 

People are on social media to be entertained, and a cannabis brand has a great opportunity to be entertaining, funny, and edgy. 

Finally, social media is, apart from the time you spend on it, free to use. You don’t need a large budget to start building up a Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram following. You just need to be good at those platforms. 

Social media is also excellent if you’ve already got a great network of influencers with big audiences, or you’re confident you can build those relationships. 

Organic social media marketing, however, will likely never be sufficient alone for growth. The reach you can get will be limited, and the targeting non-existent. Whether you’re a local dispensary or an ancillary products business like Everything But The Plant, social media can be a great supplemental channel (especially for customer support and brand building), but it likely won’t pay the bills. 

And that brings me to my favorite bill paying channel, SEO (and content marketing) 

2. SEO & Content Marketing

SEO is the primary channel we’ve invested in for Everything But The Plant.

Why?

Several reasons:

First, there is a ton of search volume that already exists in the cannabis space.

Both high intent and commercial terms (like “best grow lights”) and informational queries (like “how to start a cannabis business”). The overall search landscape is huge, which means the demand is already there; you just need to capture it. 

Second, it’s “free” to start.

I put free in quotes, because creating great content is actually expensive. Still, you don’t have to buy ads or pay for a sales team, so the resource cost is low and, if you’ve got the time to spare, you yourself can write the first several articles before you hire anyone externally. 

Third, it’s an owned channel.

You can build an email list and collect emails from your content, which is great because Google or Facebook or whatever social media platform can never take that away from you. Sure, Google’s algorithm can change, but it’s not typically as rapid as a social algorithm, and there are more ways than one to distribute good content. 

To invest in SEO, you need a few things: 

1. A good SEO tool like Ahrefs
2. The ability or hired resources to write
3. The ability to build links and build up your website authority

Once you have those in place, then you can construct a marjiuana marketing strategy via content and blogging and start executing. That, in a nutshell, is what I’m doing with this very blog post 🙂 

3. Cannabis Advertising

Ahh paid ads.

Many a great startup has died due to addiction to paid ads. You can get fast feedback and if you get your unit economics right from the beginning, it can be a great way to grow. But it can also lead to you avoiding building moats in terms of longer term, owned channels. 

Still, paid ads can be a great gateway to customers. 

Big problem in the cannabis space though: many ad platforms don’t allow drug related advertising. There are some loopholes, though. 

Paid search/PPC

Google, Bing, and other search engines tend to have restrictions on marijuana-related keywords in their advertisements. However, if you sell CBD or hemp-based products, you can typically get around this with some creativity. Similarly, the ancillary products market can usually find quite lucrative ROI in ad channels, as things like “grow tents,” “plant nutrients,” and “grow lights” are easy enough to mask as only ambiguously connected to illegal drugs. 

Paid social

Facebook has strong restrictions against drug advertising, both in terms of imagery and copywriting. 

Again, there are workarounds, though even CBD products have to be incredibly creative to get around them. Paid social is a very tough channel for cannabis brands. 

Programmatic advertising

Programmatic is another option. Google still runs the biggest programmatic ad exchanges, so you’re still SOL on that, but there are options among privately brokered networks. 

With all of these advertising channels, unless you’re a tenured expert yourself, I highly recommend working with a specialized cannabis marketing agency. 

You won’t need a cannabis marketing agency for any other channel, but for paid, you’ll find them invaluable for finding creative workarounds with copywriting and imagery and finding you the right ad exchanges for programmatic. 

4. Messaging

Messaging is not solely an “acquisition” channel, but it’s highly effective. 

When I say “messaging,” I mean it broadly as the ability to connect with your audience one-to-one or one-to-many on your own terms. This could include email marketing, but also SMS or push notifications.

If you run a cannabis app like Eaze, for example, your best channel is likely the most direct one: push notifications and localized and personalized suggestions for your users. 

If you’re a cannabis dispensary, medical or recreational, simply texting your customers may be the most cost effective and best way to bring people back in.

There are tons of software tools nowadays that can help you with this, but it all starts with a good CRM. HubSpot CRM is free, and Pipedrive is another great option. 

If you’re interested in email marketing, Mailchimp, Convertkit, and Sendfox are great options. For SMS and one-to-one communications for retailers, you might get value from something like Endear. 

Whatever the case, messaging shouldn’t even be a consideration; you should definitely have at least one channel where you can message your customers. This is table stakes. Your current customers are almost always your best chance at business, and since you’ve already got their information and data, you’ll likely have much greater luck driving repeat purchases and even virality or word of mouth through these channels. 

5. Podcasts

Podcasts are an emerging channel, but for the cannabis space, shouldn’t be overlooked. 

It’s pirate radio, where you can connect directly with your most passionate members of your audience. 

Those listening to a podcast about a given topic, particularly a niche one, are highly likely to be serious consumers or advocates/evangelists. 

Whether you start your own podcast (highly recommend), or just appear on other popular ones, this channel is still underrated. 

You can also run sponsored spots on existing podcasts, something many, many CBD brands like Charlotte’s Web do. 

How to Build a Cannabis Brand

One thing that is not often talked about is how few iconic and cohesive cannabis brands there are. 

Sure, there are a few names you could rattle off if you’re already in the industry. But because of the lack of mainstream advertising exposure as well as the nascent status of the industry as a whole, recognizable brand awareness has been tough to build.

Now, to the opportunist, this is great. Especially the digitally savvy marketer who can operate outside of mainstream advertising channels. 

While I think it will still be difficult to build recognizable brands in some portions of the market (for example, cannabis itself), here are some paths I could imagine taking in various areas of the cannabis industry to build a powerful brand. 

CBD

CBD products are legal basically everywhere in the states and are widely available. Whether it’s a salve, lotion, CBD soda, or even CBD flowers you can smoke, the product is increasingly popular, and one might even say trendy. 

If I were running a CBD brand, I’d certainly be looking to flood as much ROI positive cash as I can in advertising channels, especially since it’s not available for cannabis products/THC. You’d still need to get creative on Facebook, but companies like Dram Apothecary and Charlotte’s Web have made huge progress on channels like podcasts and Facebook ads. 

Additionally, if you’re selling CBD, you can also operate on a traditional model, selling in stores, gas stations, retail outlets, etc. Dram and other CBD drinks, for example, can be found in convenience stores and Whole Foods. 

Channels like SEO and content, however, may be quite crowded with CBD. If you have a powerful website and lots of money for quality writers, it could work. But otherwise, big websites like healthline and WebMD will be hard to beat for “CBD” keywords. 

Ancillary products

The ancillary products market is perfect for SEO and sales, and potentially paid advertising as well (depending what products you sell). 

By ancillary products, I mean “everything but the plant.” 😉 

Because the ticket price tends to be higher and the audience is more B2B, the value of a sale is worth the spend on SEO and also a sales team. This isn’t true with lower sales price products like CBD oils or even cannabis leafs. 

Paid advertising can also work here, but only if you’re selling products that can appear only ambiguously related to cannabis (such as grow tents and grow lights). For bongs, pipes, etc., it won’t work as easily. 

Local Business Marketing for your Dispensary 

If you have a dispensary, go as local as possible. 

There will be an SEO play in terms of ranking for terms like “dispensary near me,” but a lot of that lies in getting good reviews and some basic directory listings on products like Google Local and Yelp. 

Additionally, invest in a CRM, a solid website, and in-person branded materials like brochures and word-of-mouth appeals. Your in store experience and current customers will be your biggest assets.

Most cannabis websites and web design in general tends to be outdated, especially with local businesses. If you can appear more professional in those areas, you’ll stand out from the competition and trigger more brand recognition. 

Conclusion

Cannabis companies need to get creative with their marketing, especially on certain channels like paid advertising. But the opportunity to build a huge and recognizable brand via channels like podcasts, SEO, sales, and even local and personal messaging is there. 

Whether you’re selling CBD on an e-commerce website or legal cannabis in Colorado, there’s space to build your cannabis brand. Cannabis consumers are ready and willing to support new companies, and the industry is only growing. 

Especially with the covid pandemic, things have sped up and cannabis entrepreneurs and marketers have a great opportunity to strike it big.

By George Mouratidis

Few grow light brands command the same level of respect as Black Dog LED. Despite their exorbitant prices, Black Dog’s LED lights remain some of the most highly sought-after units.

Any cannabis growers who want to add serious “shine” to their grow tent can’t ignore this American company’s product line. 

While Black Dog LED often outshines the competition, you might be wondering whether its prices are too high. Is it worth the extra hundreds (or thousands!) for a pristine PhytoMAX-2 model?

Of course, we can’t determine whether Black Dog LED is right for your situation. That being said, Black Dog LED lights are typically marketed at intermediate and advanced home-growers. Beginner cultivators or people with cramped grow closets might not be as enthused with Black Dog LED.

If you’re still interested in the Black Dog name, then it’s worthwhile investigating this brand’s history, products, and features. Only a thorough understanding of Black Dog’s offerings can help you decide whether this light is right for your tent.

A Brief History Of Black Dog LED

Black Dog LED was formally created in 2010, but founder Corey Drew says he had an idea for the company years earlier. Dissatisfied with the quality of LED models on the market, Drew decided to use his horticulture expertise to create an ideal LED grow light. The result of Corey Drew’s efforts is the PhytoMAX-2 we all know today. 

To this day, Black Dog LED makes it clear it’s not in the business of making cost-effective lights. While Black Dog LED tries to keep its lights as affordable as possible, its primary goal is to manufacture the highest-quality full-spectrum products. Not only does Black Dog LED spend a great deal of money on manufacturing, it also pours tons of capital into its R&D department.

Indeed, Black Dog LED is exceptionally proud of its many proprietary technologies. For instance, the company claims to have been the first to incorporate IR, UV, and “nano white chips” in one unit. 

In addition to its full-spectrum coverage, Black Dog LED lights deserve credit for introducing 3W LEDs in a single diode. Before Black Dog unveiled this innovative diode, the industry’s standard was “3W3 diodes,” which were just three 1W diodes. 

Beyond these powerful light innovations, Black Dog LED also had a hand in many safety features. Most notably, this company was the first to install successful thermal cutoffs in their lights. Black Dog LED also developed a unique pair of grow glasses to protect cultivators’ peepers.

Black Dog LED still manufactures and tests all of its lights in Colorado. Although initially founded in Niwot, most of Black Dog’s operations are now in Boulder.

What Is Black Dog’s “Phyto-Genesis Spectrum”?

One of Black Dog’s most-discussed technologies is its “Phyto-Genesis Spectrum.” The company took roughly six years to develop this proprietary, full-spectrum display perfect for vegetative and flowering stages. 

Indeed, Black Dog LED believes so strongly in its Phyto-Genesis Spectrum that it doesn’t add dimmers or spectrum switches on its lights. The company claims this spectrum is stronger than all other light models, including HPS, MH, and fluorescent. 

According to Black Dog LED, engineers carefully monitored photosynthesis rates while testing different light spectrums. Only the wavelengths that supported optimal cannabinoid and terpene production went into the Phyto-Genesis Spectrum. This also includes “Beyond PAR” wavelengths like ultraviolet, near-infrared, and infrared. 

As a bonus, Black Dog LED took heat transfer into account when making its Phyto-Genesis Spectrum. Black Dog analysts evaluated how much heat cannabis leaves absorbed with different wavelengths. Thanks to this innovative research, Black Dog claims its Phyto-Genesis Spectrum keeps ambient air temps 10° F warmer than other LEDs, which significantly reduces cooling costs.

What Is Black Dog LED’s PhytoMAX-2 Model? 

As you browse Black Dog LED’s catalog, you’ll soon discover all of this company’s grow lights go by the same name: PhytoMAX-2. While these lights have many glaring differences (e.g., size, weight, price, and wattage), they all have basically the same construction. For instance, here are a few crucial features all PhytoMAX-2 lights share:

• Glass lenses for easy cleaning.
• Lifespan of ≥70,000 hours.
• Phyto-Genesis Spectrum technology.
• 8-foot cord length.
• 5-year warranty.
• ETL certification.

Black Dog LED also boasts that all of its PhytoMAX-2 lights only use the highest-quality LEDs such as Cree to give a full-spectrum display. To help with heat management, PhytoMAX-2 lights have the industry’s largest heat sink. These lights are also marketed as having even edge-to-edge coverage, which maximizes efficiency and reduces the risk of light burn. 

One PhytoMAX-2 model that deserves a special mention is the PhytoMAX-2 1000. As the title suggests, this is a 1000W light, making it the strongest in Black Dog’s catalog. In fact, the PhytoMAX-1000 is still considered the most powerful commercial LED grow light. 

Black Dog says the PhytoMAX-2 1000 can give off a staggering 1602 μMol/s total downward photon flux. Tests at Black Dog LED’s facilities also demonstrated PhytoMAX-2 1000 yields at least 15 percent more than a standard 1240W HPS.

What Are the Top-Selling PhytoMAX-2 Units? 

While all PhytoMAX-2 units share similar features, there are significant differences in power, size, and coverage. Here are the critical specs for every PhytoMAX-2 unit now available on Everything But The Plant:

PhytoMAX-2 200

• Dimensions: 12’’ x 12’’ x 5’’
• Weight: 14 lbs.
• Number of LEDs: 84
• True wattage: 210 W
• Max flowering coverage: 3’ x 3’
• Max vegetative coverage: 3.75’ x 3.75’
• Price: $629.00

PhytoMAX-2 400

• Dimensions: 15.75’’ x 15.75’’ x 5’’
• Weight: 24 lbs
• Number of LEDs: 168
• True wattage: 420 W
• Max flowering coverage: 4.25′ x 4.25′
• Max vegetative coverage: 5.25′ x 5.25′
• Price: $1,099.99

PhytoMAX-2 600

• Dimensions: 18.75’’ x 18.75’’ x 5.13’’
• Weight: 32 lbs.
• Number of LEDs: 252
• True wattage: 630 W
• Max flowering coverage: 5’ x 5’
• Max vegetative coverage: 6.5’ x 6.5’
• Price: $1,549.00

PhytoMAX-2 800

• Dimensions: 21″ x 21″ x 7″
• Weight: 50 lbs.
• Number of LEDs: 336
• True wattage: 840 W
• Max flowering coverage: 6’ x 6’ 
• Max vegetative coverage: 7.5’ x 7.5’
• Price: $1,949.00

PhytoMAX-2 1000

• Dimensions: 21″ x 21″ x 7″
• Weight: 53 lbs.
• Number of LEDs: 420
• True wattage: 1050 W
• Max flowering coverage: 6.5’ x 6.5’ 
• Max vegetative coverage: 8’ x 8’
• Price: $2,279.00

What Are The Drawbacks Of Using Black Dog LED Units? 

Although Black Dog LED has gained a lot of praise in the cannabis cultivation space, that doesn’t mean it’s beyond critique. Despite the PhytoMAX-2’s many fantastic features, there are potential cons customers should keep in mind.

Let’s start with the elephant in the room: these lights are super expensive. Even though these lights will last a long time (~ 70,000 hours), you’re still going to take a massive financial hit. Be sure to carefully consider the potential yields you’ll get from this light versus your budget.

Another potential issue you might have with the PhytoMAX-2 is a lack of customizability. Unlike the KIND K5 1000 WiFi, Black Dog relies solely on its Phyto-Genesis Spectrum for all plant growth stages. While this makes the PhytoMAX-2 easy to operate, it also makes it impossible to adjust light intensity. If you’re someone who likes to tinker with different lighting schedules, you probably won’t like this restrictive feature.

Lastly, depending on what size you go with, it may be challenging to get this light into your grow space. At average weights between 25 – 50 lbs, PhytoMAX-2 isn’t exactly the ideal choice for closet growing. Remember: these lights were designed for maximum space cover and intensity, not discretion.

Is Black Dog LED The Right Choice For You?

There’s no doubt Black Dog LED’s PhytoMAX-2 has many attractive features. However, that doesn’t mean it’s right for all home-growers. 

Given this light’s steep price tag, it’s no surprise the PhytoMAX-2 most appeals to advanced indoor cultivators. New home-growers with a small space and a limited budget aren’t the best fit for these premier grow lights. However, if your only concern is maximizing light penetration and canopy space, then the PhytoMAX-2 is a fantastic choice.

If you’ve still got questions about any of Black Dog LED’s lights, please click this link to our Black Dog LED products page. You could also check out our other grow light recommendations on this previous blog post.