Features

Outdoor cannabis weathers heat, fire, drought

Published on September 9, 2021 by David Wylie

A 60-acre outdoor cannabis crop in BC has weathered a rough summer.

Tending to Speakeasy Cannabis Club’s 60-acre field near Rock Creek this year has been filled with challenges, says founder Marc Geen.

“This year’s weather and threat of fires was a real rollercoaster ride and kept us on our toes everyday this season,” says Geen.

  RELATED: Biggest ever outdoor crop

“The scorching weather in June and July, total lack of rain, forest fires throughout the province, water restrictions, throwing in some COVID to the mix and it’s been a wild ride.”

They have so far made it through relatively unscathed, says Geen, adding buds have set well and the plants are healthy and vigorous.

Harvest nears and optimism is high.

“I expect a bumper crop this year and based on last year, we anticipate a significant increase in total yield.”

Geen took photos from around the field:

Here’s the full gallery on Google Drive

Pot feeling the heat

The most difficult challenge was the heatwave that hit BC in June, when sustained temperatures soared to never-before-reached highs in parts of the province.

Plants don’t grow as well in extreme heat and they also require excessive water. Geen says the irrigation system ran 24 hours per day seven days per week for two months.

As wildfires burned, the company assembled firefighting equipment and trained its own crew in preparation. Water tanks, trucks, trailers, tractors, water pumps and heavy equipment were made ready.

“The scorching weather in June and July, total lack of rain, forest fires throughout the province, water restrictions, throwing in some COVID to the mix and it’s been a wild ride. I am relieved to tell you all we made it through, relatively unscathed. The crop is looking fantastic, buds have set well and are progressing as expected and the plants are healthy and vigorous. I expect a bumper crop this year and based on last year, we anticipate a significant increase in total yield. I’ve taken a few pictures from around the field for everyone to have a look at how things are coming along,” says SpeakEasy Founder Marc Geen

Last year, live resin made from fresh frozen biomass was successful, says Geen. This year, the company will be dedicating a large portion of the crop to that process.

They’ll also be using this year’s harvest in pre-rolls, including a cultivar that’s high in CBG.

Here’s the company’s full statement.