Crop steering is the practice of adjusting root-zone, irrigation, climate and canopy-management strategies to support specific plant-development objectives throughout the crop cycle.

Grodan’s 5-Phase Model provides a structured, phase-based approach that helps growers steer the crop proactively rather than relying on reactive growing.

The Grodan 5-Phase Model divides the cannabis crop cycle into five phases:

1. Propagation of Cuttings
2. Vegetative Growth
3. Flower Setting
4. Flower Swelling and Bulking
5. Flower Ripening and Peak Cannabinoid Accumulation

Each phase connects plant-development objectives with guidance for root-zone management, irrigation, crop steering, climate and canopy control.

Plant objectives change as the crop develops, so the same irrigation and root-zone strategy is not appropriate for every phase.

A strategy that supports vegetative growth may not create the generative response required during flower setting. Water content, EC and dry-back values therefore need to be interpreted within the context of the crop’s current phase and objective.

Important root-zone measurements and indicators include:

• Water content
• Electrical conductivity
• Root-zone temperature
• Overnight dry-back
• Inter-irrigation dry-back
• Drain
• Irrigation timing and activity

These measurements help growers understand current root-zone conditions and compare crop performance with the objectives of the current phase.

No. The Grodan 5-Phase Model provides a structured framework and contextual targets, but it is designed to be adapted to each grower’s facility, cultivars, production goals and growing environment.

It supports grower decision-making rather than replacing cultivation experience.