Scale Cannabis Cultivation Profits With Vertical Grow Racks
The use of vertical grow racks is a new cultivation trend that aims to increase production in indoor cultivation facilities. The system allows you to maximize unused vertical grow space by multiplying the yields per square foot. A successful indoor operation is not a guessing game; you must know what to buy, what it will solve, and how it will provide a return on investment.
Here are some of the essential vertical farming tools and services that the ideal cannabis grow room needs to get started.
1. High-Density Vertical Grow Racks
Vertical grow racks house your cannabis plants. They must be strong enough to support the weight of all the components of a cultivation system, which include, but are not limited to plants, lighting, drainage, and an air filtration system.
Vertical grow racks also help increase your grow space, allowing you to maximize your production. Notably, they help utilize overhead space that would otherwise go unused with horizontal farms.
MMI Agriculture manufactures multi-level vertical grow racks to help you maximize your horizontal and vertical space. We build them with cross and diagonal beams to provide the necessary strength to support your plants. Furthermore, they are made to last and are resistant to corrosion from the humid environment.
One important consideration in using uprights is the development of microclimates with the increased canopy cover, which will necessitate an automated and efficient ventilation system.
2. A Qualified Design Team 
Because each grow space is unique, a layout designed to organize your grow space is required for maximum utilization of available resources.
When installing your grow racks, you’ll need a team to assess the space and create drawings that maximize the available capacity. Because no two grow space is the same, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to acquiring a vertical system for your operation.
We walk with you in the design phase, using the latest CAD and drafting technology to ensure that your grow operation is getting the most out of your available space.
A good design helps you create a reasonable budget for the vertical systems you’ll need to install. Our 3D models give clarity eliminating the possibility of costly rearrangements.
3. Hydroponic Grow Trays
Grow trays serve as a home for your marijuana plants. It is the platform where your plants will receive nutrients and water as they grow. The proper trays ensure proper root growth and thus higher yields.
You can grow your plants in a variety of trays, including reservoir trays with holes, reservoir trays without holes, and mesh trays.
Trays with holes and mesh trays are ideal for ‘automated’ water drainage for your plants. However, they can be risky when there’s lighting equipment attached to lower shelves in your grow racks. You need to monitor your drainage with these types.
On the other hand, trays without holes help reduce the chances of water leaking the floor and affecting equipment attached to your racks. They have deep bottom channels to prevent overwatering your plants.
Please read our article on Everything You Need to Know About 1020 Trays to learn more about hydroponic trays.
4. Tabletop Units On Caster Wheels
For a midsized operation, our tabletop caster units are the ideal solution for your operation. These types of uprights allow you to move your crops in between rooms.
They are designed for spaces where vertical rack systems aren’t feasible. Consider our tabletop caster units if you think of repurposing that guest room or extra apartment space to grow marijuana.
Thanks to their caster wheels, these units can be easily moved.. If you’ve decided on a location for your plants, you can lock the caster wheels to prevent them from moving.
Moreover, our units can house multiple tiers to accommodate as much canopy as possible. The caster units are easy to use when turning in tight spots or spaces, and they make your plants easily accessible.
Also, if you have a commercial operation, tabletop units are ideal for growing seedlings. The uprights’ mobility allows you to move the plants to a location where they can be transplanted to your shelving.
5. Mezzanine Walkway
Have trouble reaching for crops on the higher levels of your vertical systems? Our retractable mezzanine walkway is a piece of equipment built to solve this problem.
The mezzanine walkway is a patent-pending solution developed so that employees can safely and efficiently tend to plants located on higher elevations. The mezzanine is a heavy-duty fiberglass grate that is permanently installed with the system. When an aisle is created, the mezzanine extends out and locks into place, creating a safe aisle for employees to use. The mezzanine then slides back under its adjacent grow tray and lays dormant until the aisle is opened up again.
The retractable walkway improves worker safety and efficiency by providing a stable and sturdy platform to work while tending to the plants. They are made of fiberglass grating that supports continuous traffic up and down levels of the vertical systems.
The convenience of our retractable elevated decking and the time it saves employees makes it a worthwhile investment.
6. Air Filtration System
Air quality is often overlooked in indoor cultivation. Ventilation systems are designed to remove stale air from the grow space and replace it with fresh air from outside.
Most mold and fungi that can lower your marijuana yields are transmitted through the air. Moreover, poor-quality air can harbor harmful bacteria and unwanted pollen, all of which can impact the quality of your canopies.
Then again, cannabis plants are known to emit a strong odor, which isn’t harmful but can be bothersome to neighbors. These odors released by the plants or fertilizer are known as VOCs (Volatile organic compounds).
Air purification is the most effective way to remove odors and harmful plant pathogens. Popular equipment used in the air purification of a grow room include:
- Intake filters– They clean the air taken into the grow room from outside.
- Stand-alone filters– They filter and recirculate air within the grow space.
- HEPA purifiers– They are small-scale air purifiers used on small grow room systems, for example, closets and cabinets.
- Photocatalytic purifiers- These use specialized catalysts that create powerful oxidizers which can destroy molds and bacteria, ensuring clean air in your grow room
We’ve delved more into ventilation systems here in Ventilation for Your Grow Room: The Beginners Guide
7. LED Lighting
When establishing a grow room, you must create the ideal artificial environment for your plants to thrive. Lighting in the grow space mimics the effect of sunlight on your plants.
There are various types of grow lights like HIDs, fluorescent, and LED lights. LED grow lights are preferred as they save on electricity. Also, they emit a lower temperature compared to HIDs and fluorescent grow lights. The low temperature prevents the scorching of your crops and reduces the workload on your ventilation system.
Moreover, LED grow lights have the ideal color spectrum and light intensity. These lights provide a broad light spectrum that can aid in the transition of your cannabis plants from growth to flowering.
They are outfitted with diodes, allowing you to generate any light spectrum. As a result, LED lights provide a consistent environment for plants to grow naturally without the color of the light changing abruptly.
ION lighting is a leading LED grow light manufacturer specializing in designing the best LED lights for your canopies.
8. Mobile Components
Moving vertical racks loaded with canopies on wheels can be a difficult task. Unless you want to hire the Hulk, you’ll need solutions to lighten your employees’ workload.
By integrating mobile capabilities with our bulk racking, our heavy-duty systems are easily moved back and forth, helping to create an aisle so you can access your plants. MMI Agriculture provides three types of equipment to assist you in moving your carriages:
- Tracks – We offer tracks with anti-tip capabilities with an optional ADA ramp to eliminate tripping hazards.
- Stainless steel wheels with precision bearings – Our carriages roll on stainless steel wheels fitted with precision bearings to keep them held on the tracks
- Drives and handles – The stainless steel drive shafts in our carriages are resistant to rust and corrosion. You have three handle options. Our standard option is a single-spoke mechanical assist handle.
You can move entire loads with MMI Agriculture mobile components smoothly and effortlessly. We make the mobile carriages even more user-friendly by including three gear ratios.
9. Vertical Grow Racks Installation Service
After you’ve purchased your equipment, it’s imperative that you get it installed correctly. What should you look for in a good installation service?
- Insurance and licensing – Is the company licensed to install uprights? Are they also insured to cover any damages that may occur?
- Experience– MMI Agriculture has a long history of installing vertical systems. An experienced installer can handle any problems that arise during installation.
- Knowledgeable – The company should be able to address your concerns and put you at ease.
- Reliable – A reliable company stands behind the products and services it provides. For example, MMI Agriculture provides a 10-year warranty on products and labor after installation.
- Trustworthy – You will most likely be allowing installers into your home or warehouse and even giving them your hard-earned money. You need to know they have a good reputation, so you don’t have to be looking over your shoulder
Partner With the Right Vertical Grow Racks Installation Company
MMI Agriculture is an experienced, dependable, trustworthy, and knowledgeable provider and installer of vertical farming systems and equipment.
We collaborate with commercial cannabis farmers to design seamless indoor farms that make the most of every inch of available grow space. We have the best uprights on the market, whether you need a tabletop caster unit for your apartment grow space or vertical grow racks for your warehouse grow room.
Contact us if you need advice or assistance placing an order.
