Florida Company Specializes in Growing Marijuana with Aeroponics

Aeroponics isn’t a new practice for growing marijuana, but a company in St. Petersburg, says it’s mastered the process. Aeroponics is the practice of growing plants out of thin air. A “CropTower” helps the plants grow upward instead of outward.

The idea came from NASA, according to WTSP 10 News. Doug Fyvolent of Solaridy, says aeroponics is better for growing marijuana. He’s researched marijuana for years, along with finding a solution for growers running out of space.

Fyvolent, regarding the speedier growth cycle using aeorponics, said, “Growing the plants 10-percent faster.”

Fyvolent also said, “It allows you to maximize the square footage you already have, saving you the headaches, costs and time of looking for a bigger warehouse.

CropTowers have cups in them to prevent the plants from falling to the ground. It uses a waterfall system that took two years to develop.

Fyvolent said, “We will pump the water in and it will rain over the roots, then we recycle the water into a tank.”

In a single square-foot space, traditional growing allows for about 10 plants. With aeroponics, that same space can fit up to 104 plants.

By keeping the roots moist the worry about insect infestation and need for pesticides goes away.

Solaridy’s CropTowers are being leased to growers in Denver. Changes to Florida law could allow the process to be used in the state. Once changes are put in place, the aeroponics outfit will be put to use by Florida growers. Farms could be created for only aeroponics setups using less space and producing more medical marijuana.

Fyvolent said, “Where on a quarter acre of land, we can grow over 6,000 heads of lettuce a month. So, it’s a lot of land. A lot of nutrition.”

Florida’s medical marijuana program regulations are not set yet. The Department of Health is still working to create the rules and regulations for the state’s program.