Save half your harvesting time, using half the staff, while maintaining the quality of your product.
Save half your harvesting time, using half the staff, while maintaining the quality of your product.
The EZ Air is a fully adjustable and customizable sub canopy air flow system for multi-tier and single-tier grows. The EZ Air enhances photosynthesis and greatly mitigates powdery mildew and botrytis pressure by injecting fresh, CO2 rich air directly into the underside of the canopy, flushing out the stagnant, moist air that surrounds the leaf.
Multiple studies have shown that insufficient airflow limits photosynthesis by suppressing gas diffusion in the leaf boundary-layer (this is the area of still, moist air that surrounds the leaf). With increasing airflow, the boundary area becomes thinner and more gas diffusion can take place through the stomata which is located on the underside of the leaf. With more CO2 diffusion into the leaf, photosynthesis increases thus increasing yield.
The EZ Air can be configured for sub canopy and above canopy airflow as a single, double or quad run for each tier. The available mounting hardware provides for complete adjustability of the x, y and z axis of the fan creating greater flexibility for various planting densities while simultaneously allowing the airflow tube to remain in contact with the underside of the canopy as the plants increase in size.
The Ez Air utilizes an 8” 735 CFM inline fan to pressurize a 6” polyethylene duct forcing air through ½” holes that are spaced every 6” at the ten and two position on the duct. This airflow can be measured at a rate of 4 meters per second at each hole and up to 2 meters per second when measuring the airflow 2 feet away from the duct.
NOTE:
A single Unit comes standard with 40′ of tubing |Perforated Air tubing can be ordered in spools of 20′, 40′, 100, 500′, 1000′
Polypropolene tubing – 2mil
8″ Inline fan
On/Off Switch
120 VAC
1.6 Amps
205 Watts
735 CFM
2450 RPM
Weight: 11 lbs.
Ship weight: 14 lbs
Assembled Dimensions: 24″ x 24″ x 12″
Ship Dimensions: 16″ x 16″ x 24″
Note: Units comes with 40′ of tubing |Perforated Air tubing can be ordered in spools of 20′, 40′, 500′, 1000′
1/2″ hole perforations are at 10 and 2 with 6″ spacing and equate to 160 holes per 40′
Polypropolene tubing – 2mil
8″ Inline fan
On/Off Switch
120 VAC
1.6 Amps
205 Watts
735 CFM
2450 RPM
Weight: 27 lbs.
Ship weight: 30 lbs
Assembled Dimensions: 48″ x 30″ x 24″
Ship Dimensions (Box 1): 16″ x 16″ x 24″
Ship Dimensions (Box 2): 52″ x 8″ x 8″
Note: Units comes with 40′ of tubing |Perforated Air tubing can be ordered in spools of 20′, 40′, 500′, 1000′
1/2″ hole perforations are at 10 and 2 with 6″ spacing and equate to 160 holes per 40′
Polypropolene tubing – 2mil
8″ Inline fan
On/Off Switch
120 VAC
1.6 Amps
205 Watts
735 CFM
2450 RPM
Weight: 45 lbs.
Ship weight: 50 lbs
Assembled Dimensions: 48″ x 30″ x 24″
Ship Dimensions (Box 1): 24″ x 24″ x 12″
Ship Dimensions (Box 2): 52″ x 8″ x 8″
Note: Units comes with 40′ of tubing |Perforated Air tubing can be ordered in spools of 20′, 40′, 500′, 1000′
1/2″ hole perforations are at 10 and 2 with 6″ spacing and equate to 160 holes per 40′
Download our complete informational PDF
REMOVING ALL UNNECESSARY FAN LEAVES FROM THE PLANT
Defoliation is the most critical element of the growing and harvesting process and effects every step of the process, from the moment the plants start growing, until the product is packaged and ready for the shelf. The key to proper defoliation is removing all unnecessary fan leaves as soon as they start developing. A simple rule is to remove all fan leaves from the bottom 3rd of the plant during the vegetative and flowering phase and then removing all remaining fan leaves during the flushing period or 10 days prior to harvest. The following are all the benefits and downstream effects proper pruning, and defoliation generates:
Benefits of Defoliation During the Growing Phase:
Benefits of Defoliation During the Drying Process:
Benefits of Defoliation During the Bucking Process:
Benefits of Defoliation During the Trimming Process:
Benefits of Defoliation During Extraction Process:
HANG WHOLE PLANTS OR INDIVIDUAL STEMS TO DRY IN A CLIMATE-CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT
The branches should be left to dry slowly in a temperature and humidity-controlled room. Drying cannabis branches typically takes 7 to 10 days. It is important to avoid rushing the drying process by using high heat and low humidity, as this can degrade the cannabinoids and terpenes in the buds, affecting the overall quality of the final product.
Things to consider when drying cannabis plants:
REMOVING THE BUDS FROM THE STEM WITH THE BUD BUCKER
Things to consider when bucking:
NOTE: We recommend Bucking the plants a day or two before they are completely dry, then follow step 4. and Pre-Cure the Bucked Buds prior to Trimming. If plants are too dry to safely use the Bud Bucker, use scissors.
a) Cut and individualize branches from the stalk
b) Cut and individualize stems from the branches (leave 2-3 inches at the base of the stem when using the Bud Bucker)
c) Using scissors or Bud Bucker, when possible, remove and individualize all Buds from the stem
d) Leave 1/8” of stem at Buds base after Bucking
e) When Bucking dried Buds with the Bud Bucker, be sure the Buds are not over dried, and the feed rate is set to 20 or lower
f) When Bucking wet Buds, be sure to Buck and Trim immediately after harvesting, do not allow the harvested plants to sit for more than a few hours before Bucking and Trimming, doing so can cause the leaves to curl in, and Buds to squish, effecting Trim quality
g) TAKE THE TIME ON THIS STEP TO ENSURE THE BUDS ARE 100% INDIVIDUALIZED, WITH NO MORE THAN 1/8” OF STEM, AND FREE OF ANY FAN LEAVES
Important Note: If break down of colas are a concern, cut the cola off the top before feeding the stem into the bucker. Keep in mind that at some point prior to packaging the buds will have to be broken down. Most facilities do not package buds larger than golf ball size. Consider allowing the bucker to perform the inevitable and break the colas down for you, as it will have to be done at some point
EQUALIZE DRYNESS IN PREPARATION FOR TRIMMING
Our objective is to reduce the number of buds that need to be touched up after they have ran through the Satellite bud trimming machine down to 20-30% of all buds. To do this and to get a consistent trim using a trim machine, it is crucial to homogenize, equalize or create a consistent dryness through and in your entire harvest and especially from small buds to large buds. IF YOUR PRODUCT IS NOT CONSISTENTLY DRY, IT WILL NOT CONSISTENTLY TRIM. Thus, step 4. and the pre-cure process is arguably the most important step in the process.
Suggestions for Pre-Curing:
Side Note: The Pre-Cure step should not disrupt your grow cycles, as you have already freed up the dry room for the next harvest, as well created more space for storage having already bucked the buds.
Adding this pre-cure/staging phase into the process allows you to trim the product when your schedule and resources are available, while simultaneously ensuring that the product is dry enough to effectively trim with a machine, creating less touch up on the back end and saving time and labor.
REMOVE THE LEAF FROM THE BUDS, COLLECT AND SEPARATE THE TRIM
Note: Dry Trimming is done by friction, not cutting. Be sure your trim room humidity is not above 40%
DO THE FOLLOWING TO ELIMINATE TOUCH UP, SAVE YOUR SMALLS AND MAINTAIN BUD STRUCTURE:
IF THE MACHINE ISN’T WORKING, IT IS NOT THE MACHINE! IT IS THE PROCESS OR THE PRODUCT AND WE CAN HELP!
SORT BUDS INTO SHAKE, POPCORN, SMALL, MEDIUM, AND LARGE BUDS
Pre-sorting is typically done as the product comes out of the Satellite Bud Trimmer it immediately get sorter on the Bud Sorter. The enables you to remove the shake and popcorn from you’re A & B buds prior to Touch Up. Removing shake and popcorn before touch up ensures that unnecessary handling of popcorn is avoided, as well sifting through shake to find the buds that need to be touched up.
The Bud Sorter: The Sorter let you accurately, efficiently, and safely sort your cannabis and hemp buds into shake, popcorn, small, medium, and large buds. Without vibration or moving parts, your buds stay in pristine condition.
Suggestions for Pre-Sorting:
FINE-TUNE THE MOISTURE CONTENT OF THE BUDS AND ALLOW THE DECAY OF SUGARS AND CHLOROPHYLL
Curing improves the aroma and flavor of cannabis by encouraging the breakdown of by-products in the buds after they are first harvested, as they still contain sugars and starches stored by the plant for growth. After harvest, the plant begins to degrade as enzymes and aerobic bacteria break down these excess sugars and starches. Curing cannabis essentially forces the plant to consume the remaining sugars, starches and nutrients before they have had a chance to dry out and become trapped inside the plant. If this process happens too quickly, not only will the sugars and chlorophyll in the flower disappear: the terpenes will too, taking all the flavor with them. The curing process ensures that the sugars and chlorophyll in the flower are broken down slowly, without affecting the terpenes. The presence of these leftover sugars and minerals is what causes the burning sensation in the throat that is noticeable when smoking cannabis that has not been properly cured.
REMOVING ANY REMAINING LEAF OR STEM AS QUALITY CONTROL AND TO INCREASE BAG APPEAL
The only way to automate the harvesting process efficiently is to reduce the handling and hand trimming of buds. Touching up is where most facilities spend most of their budget and time. If you must touch up and handle over 50% of your buds after using a trim machine, you might as well have just hand trimmed the entire crop. After 14 years of working with our clients we have realized that REDUCING THE TOUCH UP IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO! If you have descent product and our process is followed correctly, touch up should be 25% of all buds or less.
Suggestions for Touch Up:
Note: We have found that on average a QUALIFIED hand trimmer can trim 2 pounds of product per day but can touch-up just over 6 lbs. per day.
REMOVE ANY REMAINING SHAKE AND POPCORN PRIOR TO PACKAGING
After touch up is complete and using either The Bud Shaker Box, The Bud Sorter or The Bud Sorter Mini, sort the product one last time prior to packaging to ensure that all shake and popcorn has been removed.
Suggestions for Final Sort:
PACKAGE PRODUCT FOR STORAGE, DISTRIBUTION AND SALES
Packaging the product into various size containers for sales or storage can be done in a variety of ways including by hand. There are several automated packaging companies in the industry that can help facilitate this process. The important thing is that it is done right after touch up to preserve quality.
Suggestions for Packaging: