In this week's episode, host Cian is joined by Jason Van Leuven, AROYA's Director of Applied Technology, for an in-depth look into the nuances of late flower cultivation—specifically, how to manage the crucial ripening stage and those last two weeks before harvest. Together, Cian and Jason break down what "ripening" really means for cultivators, how to spot the telltale signs that your flowers are reaching peak maturity, and why dialing back nitrogen and chloride—but maintaining calcium—is essen...
Aug 05, 2025•55 min•Ep. 142
Welcome back to AROYA Office Hours LIVE, episode 141! In this episode, hosts Jason and Cian dig into your most pressing grow questions with a return to the classic Q&A format. Get ready for a blend of detailed, long-form answers and quick, practical takes—all inspired by issues submitted by the AROYA community. Today’s episode covers a wide range of cultivation topics, including the science and practicality of using crop water stress index (CWSI) and thermal imaging for advanced plant monito...
Jul 18, 2025•59 min•Ep. 141
In episode 140, hosts Cian Sullivan and Jason Van Leuven, Director of Applied Technology at AROYA, are joined by special guest Jonah Carrington, Director of Genetics and R&D for Cookies Humboldt and One Log. Jonah takes us behind the scenes at one of the most diverse and innovative operations in the country, sharing the journey from humble beginnings to building a state-of-the-art genetic hub that drives Cookies' nationwide expansion. From construction and operational challenges in rural Hum...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 140
Welcome back, Gromies, to another episode of AROYA Office Hours LIVE! In episode 139, your host Cian is joined by Jason Van Leuven, Director of Applied Technology, and special guest Liam Spencer, an AROYA sales rep with deep roots in commercial cultivation and horticulture. This week, we're switching things up by diving headfirst into burning questions from the community about real-world cultivation challenges—no guest interview, just a roundtable packed with insights straight from the front lin...
Jun 27, 2025•57 min•Ep. 139
In this episode, host Cian is joined by Director of Applied Technology Jason Van Leuven for a look into the world of cultivation, featuring special guests Tyler Snell and Adam Redding from Certified Cultivators in Ohio. Certified Cultivators stands out as a third-generation family business that impressively transformed an auto parts facility into a cutting-edge cultivation and processing operation. In this conversation, Tyler and Adam share their remarkable journey from grassroots growing to man...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 138
In episode 137, we bring you something truly special as we kick off "Powr Talk," a new reality mini-series where real commercial cultivators make data-driven, in-the-moment decisions—no scripts, no sets, just the authentic, behind-the-scenes life inside a working grow. This week, hosts Cian and Jason are joined by Kevin Crouch and Sergio Picazo from Sacramento's legendary Powrhouse team. Together, they pull back the curtain on Powrhouse's innovative approach to commercial cultivation: a collabor...
May 23, 2025•57 min•Ep. 137
In this week’s episode, host Cian and resident expert Jason are joined by Anders Peterson, Director of Horticulture at PIPP Horticulture. If you’ve ever marveled at wall-to-wall multi-tier canopies in a grow room, chances are PIPP had a hand in it—and Anders has been at the center of that evolution. Anders kicks things off by sharing his journey, from his early days in the Bay Area working with Prop 215 growers and running his own facilities, to his transition into high-tech vertical cultivation...
May 09, 2025•59 min•Ep. 136
Welcome to Episode 135 of Office Hours LIVE, where cultivation knowledge meets practical application! Today, we're exploring the critical relationship between environment and irrigation for superior plant development. Host Cian is joined by cultivation experts Jason and Seth, ready to tackle your most challenging questions in real time. On today's agenda: mastering optimal dryback rates, comparing stakes versus sprayers for irrigation efficiency, conquering VPD management challenges, and maximiz...
Mar 14, 2025•58 min•Ep. 135
This episode explores the science and engineering behind optimal climate control for indoor plant cultivation. We're joined by special guest Willy Stober from Stober Engineering, alongside our expert hosts Cian, Jason, and Seth. Willy shares exclusive insights from his groundbreaking PG&E-funded research study examining energy consumption patterns and thermal load management in controlled environment agriculture. His work has revolutionized our understanding of how environmental factors impa...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 134
In this episode, our resident experts, Cian and Jason, explore common cultivation challenges, offering insights and strategies to enhance your grow operations. From debating vegging in place versus dedicated veg rooms to exploring solutions for persistent pest issues like thrips, they cover a wide range of topics crucial for cultivators. They also discuss efficient methods for resetting grow rooms, share techniques for optimal cloning, and address the impact of stressors on plant health. Whether...
Feb 28, 2025•57 min•Ep. 133
Welcome to another episode of Office Hours LIVE, where we explore the intricate world of commercial horticulture. In today's episode, host Cian and expert Seth Baumgartner navigate the complexities of substrate EC, irrigation strategies, and the optimization of growing conditions under various lighting environments. The duo discusses the importance of understanding your market, making responsible business decisions, and investing in key cultivation areas to remain competitive in a fluctuating in...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 132
Welcome to another episode of Office Hours LIVE, AROYA's podcast dedicated to exploring the intricate world of cultivation. In episode 131, join our host Cian, alongside cultivation experts Jason and Seth, as they dive into the complexities of environmental conditions and their impact on plant growth. From the effects of substrate EC levels and CO2 on plant health to the potential benefits and considerations of under-canopy lighting, this episode provides valuable insights for growers looking to...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 131
Welcome to another episode of Office Hours LIVE. This is episode 130. Join our resident experts Seth and Jason as they unravel the complexities of managing light and nutrient dynamics to optimize plant growth. This week, we're tackling a question from our audience: Does higher PPFD and DLI require higher EC, and how should you adjust your nutrient strategy accordingly? We explore the intricate balance between light levels, nutrient uptake, and plant health, offering insights drawn from both scie...
Feb 07, 2025•59 min•Ep. 130
Hello and welcome back to another episode of AROYA Office Hours LIVE Episode 128, your go-to source for cultivation education! I'm your host, Kaisha, and we are thrilled to reach episode 128. Today, we have an engaging discussion lined up with experts Jason, Seth, and special guest Cian. This episode is packed with valuable insights directly from our live audience's questions. We start by diving deep into a question on the complexities of fertigation schedules and dryback percentages for newly t...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 129
Hello and welcome back to another episode of AROYA Office Hours LIVE Episode 128, your go-to source for cultivation education! I'm your host, Kaisha, and we are thrilled to reach episode 128. Today, we have an engaging discussion lined up with experts Jason, Seth, and special guest Cian. This episode is packed with valuable insights directly from our live audience's questions. We start by diving deep into a question on the complexities of fertigation schedules and dryback percentages for newly t...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 128
In today's session, we answer pressing questions from our dedicated community. Our experts, Jason and Cian, alongside our ever-engaging host, Kaisha, tackle a variety of topics—from managing PH runoff and exploring the best irrigation strategies to understanding the complexities of canopy uniformity and the science behind optimal VPD levels. We kick things off by addressing Billy's detailed inquiry about dealing with PH levels during the mid-flower stage and the potential solutions, including ad...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 127
In Episode 126, we're thrilled to kick off the new year with our special guest, Mike Strupp, co-founder of Wood Wide High Craft, joining hosts Kaisha, Seth, Jason, and Cian. In this episode, we explore groundbreaking discoveries in modern research, including unique strain traits and optimal growing techniques. We uncover the challenges that come with scaling a cannabis business, maintaining quality, and the strategic importance of branding. Additionally, we tackle common cultivation hurdles like...
Jan 10, 2025•59 min•Ep. 126
Welcome to the 125th episode of AROYA Office Hours LIVE. Today, our hosts Jason, Seth, and Cian, explore a range of topics, from the rising popularity of Z Terps, particularly Z Skittles, to the benefits and challenges of growing these finicky strains. We'll discuss regional trends, market fluctuations, and the strategies that savvy growers use to stay ahead. Plus, essential techniques like under canopy lighting, crop evaluation, irrigation strategies, and canopy management. Our experts share pr...
Dec 20, 2024•57 min•Ep. 125
In this episode, our experts, Seth, Jason, and Cian unpack the 50% dryback strategy, answer your questions about runoff expectations, and explore the impact of irrigation techniques on plant metabolism. We'll also shine a light on how media size, field capacity, and saturation levels can influence successful plant growth and discuss the challenges growers face when using different terminologies and measurements. Plus, highlight the critical role of sensors in accurate water content measurement, ...
Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 124
Welcome to Episode 123 of AROYA Office Hours LIVE! I'm Kaisha, your host, joined by co-host Cian and our cultivation experts Jason and Seth. Today, we'll look into the intricacies of water management in cultivation, focusing on rockwool media, proper sensor placement, and effective irrigation strategies to prevent plant stress and wilting. We'll also explore how these practices impact yield and quality, and share tips on optimizing pot sizes, using data logging for accurate monitoring, and maint...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 123
Welcome to episode 122 of Office Hours LIVE, brought to you by AROYA. Hosts Jason, Cian, and Kaisha explore plant cultivation with expert insights. We cover vital aspects of plant growth and environmental control, focusing on nutrient balance, pH levels, and the critical role of Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) during flowering stages. Jason shares his experience from various growing facilities, offers practical tips on managing low pH, and introduces valuable tools like the VPD calculator and the u...
Nov 15, 2024•50 min•Ep. 122
In this episode, Cian provides valuable insights into plant care, highlighting the importance of stem and root examinations to prevent issues like crown rot and root contamination. We also explore medium-specific concerns, including pH issues in rockwool and coco. Our discussion emphasizes the role of Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) in maintaining plant health, and we provide practical guidance on balancing temperature and humidity to optimize yield. We touch on the significance of proactive pest m...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 121
In Episode 120, Kaisha, Seth, Jason, and Cian discuss advanced cultivation techniques and the latest industry trends. We explore the intricate details of lighting, from far-red light and its impact on phytochromes to the benefits of transitioning from HPS to LED systems. Seth and Jason tackle the complexities of managing irrigation strategies, balancing generative and vegetative growth, and the critical importance of data in optimizing cultivation practices. We discuss everything from flower for...
Nov 01, 2024•59 min•Ep. 120
In today's installment, Kaisha, Cian, and Jason explore the intricate world of cultivation. We tackle various pressing issues that both novice and seasoned growers face. From media size and defoliation techniques to managing nutrient feeds and understanding the importance of substrate size and oxygenation, this discussion promises to offer invaluable insights. Jason also sheds light on the industry's shift towards alternative nutrients for cleaner produce and better ripening, emphasizing the bal...
Oct 25, 2024•51 min•Ep. 119
Welcome to Episode 118 of AROYA Office Hours LIVE! In this episode, hosts Rachel, Cian, and Jason talk about various aspects of cultivation. From managing humidity and preventing mold growth to optimizing lighting and controlling plant height, we cover a wide range of topics that are crucial for every grower. We explore the best practices for maintaining ideal conditions during the vegetation phase, address common concerns like necrosis and nutrient deficiencies, and discuss innovative technolog...
Oct 11, 2024•51 min•Ep. 118
Today, Rachel steps in as moderator while Kaisha enjoys a well-deserved vacation. Blending scientific insights with practical advice, our dynamic hosts Jason, Seth, and Cian talk about optimizing plant growth, especially under evolving cultivation conditions. Join us as Cian, part of AROYA's agronomic client success team, shares his experiences with monitoring multiple cultivars and optimizing irrigation strategies using detailed dashboard data. We discuss the importance of understanding the mic...
Oct 04, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 117
In today's episode, we explore several critical aspects of growing—from morning watering strategies and balancing irrigation patterns, to the science of developing new strains and the importance of documentation in crop registration. We'll also tackle your questions about managing substrate EC, transitioning plants from vegging to flowering, and effectively using advanced control technologies like PID systems for optimal environmental management. We cover practical advice on maintaining ideal wa...
Sep 27, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 116
In this episode, our host Jason takes the reins solo as we explore the latest irrigation approaches, adjustment strategies, and the vital generative versus vegetative phases in plant growth. You'll get an in-depth introduction to the FREE AROYA Irrigation Calculator, a powerful tool designed to streamline your irrigation planning. We’ll discuss the nuances of managing irrigation in various substrates like rockwool and coco, and answer community questions around calculating runoff, rooting indica...
Sep 13, 2024•44 min•Ep. 115
In this episode, hosts Jason, Seth, and Kaisha talk about the intricacies of optimizing irrigation strategies, the nuances of managing pH and nutrient levels, and the importance of precision in commercial plant production. Seth discusses the significance of monitoring dryback in the early stages of growth, Jason explains the minimal impact of volumetric water content in hydroponic media, and Kaisha shares insightful poll results from various facility types. Together, they tackle your burning que...
Aug 30, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 114
On this week's show, your hosts Jason, Kaisha, and Seth talk about the nuances of cultivation, with a spotlight on optimizing plant nutrition and environmental control. Episode 113 covers a wide array of critical topics, including the use of molasses in living soil systems, the challenges of using it in hydroponics, and the ideal range for BPD (leaf vapor pressure deficit) swings to prevent mold and pathogen issues. Plus, the importance of maintaining humidity levels and temperature to foster he...
Aug 23, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 113
