February 3, 2023, saw the first licensed sales of recreational marijuana in Missouri, bringing the total number of states where recreational marijuana is legal up to 21 plus Washington DC. All signs point to an increase in sales – and of course, cultivators and dispensaries – around the country. In this rapidly growing industry, it is crucial to have an efficient system in place to manage the production and storage of the product. The racking systems used to store the plants during their growth cycle can make or break the efficiency of that system. 

Read on to learn more about the importance of racking systems for cannabis cultivators and the types of racking systems available in the market.

Why think about racking systems?

A well-designed racking system not only helps maximize the use of space in a grow room, but also ensures that the plants receive the right amount of light, water, and nutrients to yield the greatest possible output. A racking system that is designed correctly for the space, growth techniques, and plant strains can also help stop the spread of diseases and pests, which can be a major concern for cultivators.

What kinds of cannabis racking systems are available?

There are several types of racking systems available in the market for cannabis cultivators. Each of these systems has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of the racking system will depend on various factors such as the size of the grow room, the type of plants being grown, and the budget of the cultivator.

Wire racking systems

Wire racking is best suited for the early stages of your plants’ life cycles, when you’re propagating seedlings and the plants may need to be relocated in the grow room for optimal access to light and nutrients. 

Wire racking often goes hand-in-hand with utility carts that move easily in the space. The lightweight flexibility of a wire racking system can be very helpful when delicate seedlings need frequent adjustments, but isn’t a good fit for larger plants that both weigh more and need more stability.

Tabletop racking

Simple and affordable, tabletop storage (or “bench storage”) of cannabis plants is a traditional approach for small-scale cultivators. In this system, the plants themselves grow in pots or trays, and the flat, raised surface of the bench or table allows the cultivators to access the plants easily for watering and maintenance. Benches or tables can be single- or multi-tier, with their height limited only by what is easily accessible for the cultivator. 

Tabletop racking takes up a lot of space per plant, so it’s not ideal for large operations. However, there are ways to help a tabletop system grow along with you. One solution is mobile tables or benches. With wheels or castors attached at the base, less floor space is needed per table, because rather than having consistently spaced aisles between the rows of tables, staff can move the tables easily along preset lines to create access paths for all the plants. 

Vertical racking

Vertical racking systems are designed to maximize the use of space in the grow room, from floor to ceiling. This makes them ideal for cultivators who have limited floor space but a lot of vertical space in their grow room. With warehouse prices rising, vertical racking systems can help cultivators maximize their production per square foot of grow room space.

The vertical racking system consists of multiple levels of shelves, and each can hold many plants. The plants grow in pots or trays and are spaced apart to allow for adequate light and air circulation. The shelves can also be designed to evenly distribute nutrients and maintain consistent temperatures for each plant, and rotating elements can be included that make all plants easily accessible to staff. 

Vertical racking systems can be mobile as well, compounding the use of square footage by using the available vertical space and also maximizing the use of the floorspace. 

Your grow space and operations have their own unique needs, and the experts at SSI can help you choose the right racking system to meet those needs. Contact us today for a consultation.