The Most Common Misconception of Grow Automation

Automation isn't about the ability to take a vacation.

Dear Friend & Subscriber -

As you may know, I had the opportunity to travel to Oklahoma City earlier this month and chat with growers and industry professionals alike.

During these discussions, there were plenty of myths and misconceptions that came up. In new markets, it's common for misunderstanding to run rampant; we can only learn as we experience more. But one of the most poignant misconceptions was pointed out by my friend Zac Ricciardi, and it has stuck with me ever since.

The most common misconception growers have about automation is that it allows us to do less in the grow.

Let's face it: the thought of automating something in the grow to take a vacation is attractive.

This is the reason I first considered automation.

I set up my first automated system to make vacationing easier.

In the grow, there's always plenty to do. Some of it can be done periodically, some of it must be done daily. And one of those daily tasks that is absolutely necessary is ensuring your plants are properly fed.

Doing everything by hand takes time, and time is money, but only if you're using it wisely.

When I set up my automated watering system, it allowed me greater freedom to leave the grow for travel, but it did not free me from the responsibility of the grow. There are always plenty of other tasks to be done (cleaning, calibrating meters, transplanting, cloning, the list goes on and on). And this is where most growers fall into the trap of believing their automation system(s) will free them from their grows.

Automation offers you more time to tackle everything else that isn't automated.

Cloning.

Transplanting.

Defoliating.

Cleaning.

Time is money, and automation gives you more time to take care of the nuances that are the difference between high grade and top shelf products.

Poon Tang Pie at Day 63 being harvested.

Every grow and situation is different. But the never-ending task list of things that get back-burnered out of a lack of urgency does not change. Shit, my pH meter is probably due for a calibration as I write this now.

The value of automation is what you do with the freed-up time.

In some commercial settings, automation is a necessity that does not afford "extra" time. But many cases where a system or process was not previously automated and now is, this newfound time can be spent in a variety of ways that improve the overall final product: education, tasks and maintenance, and, yes, even the occasional mental health break (vacation).

Until next week,

Ben "Never Idle" Owens