What can a cultivator of cannabis learn from NASA astronauts?

Recently, residents of the International Space Station have tried the first space-grown vegetables. It was the first time that plants had been grown away from the Earth without the use of sunlight. As a consequence, many consider that harvesting in space can now offer alternatives which had so far been difficult.

The feat was made possible using a flat panel bank light including red, blue and green LEDs. These devices have helped the growth of plants and allowed to observe and analyse the growth process. The use of these lamps for growing plants outside our planet is an idea that NASA already thought of in the 1990’s, as explained by Ray Wheeler from the 'Research Exploration and Technology Program Office at Kennedy'.

From the cannabis sector there are many who, like the Oregon activist Johnny Green, think the marijuana industry can learn a lesson from NASA. Nevertheless, the possibilities in space are much more limited than those on our planet, where the conditions are more favourable. He considers that energy resources are scarce, so any saving measures that can be taken will be vital in the future when grass crops will proliferate and have more needs than others.

Wheeler explained that the blue and red light (such as those used in the experiment) with a certain wavelength is needed for the good growth of plants. He also believes that, probably, they may be more efficient than other tools. Meanwhile, green LED lighting improves human visual perception of the products obtained, since it makes them look like edible food and not as strange-coloured herbs.

Those tending their strains using LEDs are many today, as well as those who benefit from good results and yields. Among other things, this kind of lights do not generate as much heat as others do, which ends up affecting crops. Therefore, the generalization of LEDs may be the way forward for those tending their pots at home.