With the legalization of marijuana throughout the USA and the extensive culture of the cannabis plant both indoor (hydroponics) and outdoor, cultivators need to rationalize their productions.

But why do we need water purification? Today, producers rely on various innovative technologies to boost their yields—and ensure their plants achieve remarkable growth. As part of the cultivation process, water is a crucial element in cannabis growth and, if well-treated, can genuinely have a significant impact on yields.

What are the conventional techniques for water purification in cannabis growth? How does the new machine developed by BLH Aqua Technology can change the game for producers? Let’s explore.

Reasons Water Purification is Necessary

Light, oxygen, nutrients, and water play an important role in cannabis growth. Cultivators should be aware of the level of minerals the water contains as it may affect their crops.

There are two types of water for the cannabis plant: hard and soft water.

• Hard water has a high amount of dissolved minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, or lime. Sadly, plants can suffer from absorbing too many nutrients, which may impede their growth and overall health.
• Soft water, on the contrary, contains little minerals. An example of soft water may be rain and is one of the best water for the plants. Ionized, purified, and distilled water are also considered soft water.

Not only does water affect the plants but also the irrigation system overall. Therefore, to sustain and grow healthy crops, cultivators must purify the water they use. Crops need pure water, and the purer the water, the greater the ability to obtain the desired yields.

On top of it, water absorption requires the water molecules to interact together. In bulk water, the molecules get close together, and the hydrogen bond doesn’t allow water to be absorbed easily. Cultivators need a system where water is easily absorbed for their plants to grow to their fullest potential.

Conventional Techniques for Water Purification

Water filtration with the use of a commercial-scale reverse osmosis (RO) system is the typical technique employed by cultivators today. Existing for around sixty years, RO technology is regarded as one of the most efficient methods for water purification. 

Osmosis is a process that enables one to separate the substances altogether, from the highest concentration of nutrients to the lowest concentration. 

RO reduces contaminants and enables them to achieve energy and water efficiency while limiting waste. The process makes desalination possible and can be used to recycle water. Lastly, the technique is said to remove up to 99% of minerals and contaminants in the water. 

But is RO a sustainable, affordable technique for cultivators of all sizes, including small or large commercial productions? Can we imagine a water purification technology for sustainable and environmentally friendly industrial production? How can States with a water restriction policy manage their water use?

Aqutonix Absorption Improvement

The Aqutonix is a water-purification device launched by a team of professionals in South Korea —which has excellent potential for cultivators. A safe and economical tool, the machine can be installed on irrigation systems directly.

The Aqutonix fosters the germination and growth of the crops by naturally altering the water absorption process.

By using high-voltage electricity to weaken hydrogen bonds in water to ease the absorption of the water through aquaporins, the plant absorbs water more efficiently. By breaking down the molecules, absorption occurs faster. Since the plant absorbs water quicker, producers can reduce water consumption by up to 40%, which has a significant influence on yields and crops.

Furthermore, growers can enjoy 20% more yield with this easy-to-install, environmentally friendly device. As water efficiency and increased production are met, States concerned with water restriction issues such as California can look into a new purification system that will cost less and provide more exceptional crops.

The Aqutonix can handle about 50 gallons of water per minute that can irrigate about 7 acres of cannabis. The machine can also tackle any production size as BHL Aqua Technology Global Marketing Manager, Mr. Grey, mentioned, “Even the larger cannabis farms are relatively small, and so it made a lot more sense.”

Plans for the future

Grey confessed that when industrial-sized farms arrive on the market, there will be a need to develop machines that can handle more water. BHL Aqua Technology is already looking at such innovations.