OUR PROCESS

 
 

The organic way…

Living soil is often thought of as a planting medium that is centered on compost and has an active microbiology and biodiversity, which can include worms and their castings, protozoa, healthy bacteria and fungi, amoebas, kelp extracts and rock dust, among other things.

At Daedalus Craft Cannabis, we grow the organic way. We build a compost based eco-system for the plants that is high in nutrient content and utilize organic amendments that work in harmony with the plant and the soil. The more common way to grow is to use chemistry, making micro-nutrients available to the plants through the use of plant ready water soluble nutrients. This is called “feeding the plant". This nutrient supply from synthetic additives heavily impacts the outcome of the plant. Here, we use no synthetic nutrients or fertilizers or pesticides ever. We source our organic composts from local farms and build our own mixes using materials found right here. We make our our worm castings using organic vegetable waste from our gardens. We use manure from our chickens and shells from their eggs. We source seaweeds from the ocean right down the road. We incorporate spent malted barley from nearby breweries. We mulch our leaves and grass cuttings from our yards and fields. We utilize the gifts of our natural surroundings and we’re constantly adding to and amending our mixes to try and bring out the most from our plants.

Living soil is certainly not the easier way, but we do believe it is the best way. Creating this naturally evolving environment takes extra effort and time and requires constant learning and patience in honing the craft. Still, we believe that by utilizing the most organic materials we can, we allow the plants to thrive in their most natural conditions. We believe the pay-off to this, the fruits of our labors, is in the final product. We believe our flowers reach their peak potential in smell, taste, and effect. We believe our products offer a smooth, clear experience that’s enjoyable every time.

Everything starts with the soil. We use organic compost locally sourced from nearby companies and mixed with our own materials from the farm.

Everything starts with the soil. We use organic compost locally sourced from nearby companies and mixed with our own materials from the farm.

We make our own worm castings too. Vermicomposting is the decomposition process of organic materials using various species of worms, usually red wigglers and other earth worms.

We make our own worm castings too. Vermicomposting is the decomposition process of organic materials using various species of worms, usually red wigglers and other earth worms.

The white fuzzy material in our compost is actually from a mycelium fungus which is a naturally occurring beneficial soil fungus that grows in rich organic matter.

The white fuzzy material in our compost is actually from a mycelium fungus which is a naturally occurring beneficial soil fungus that grows in rich organic matter.

We are constantly rotating our strains by routinely cloning and starting new seedlings.

We are constantly rotating our strains by routinely cloning and starting new seedlings.

In preparation for the outdoor growing season, we start our plants under lights. Here we are using bare-bulb metal ceramic halides.

In preparation for the outdoor growing season, we start our plants under lights. Here we are using bare-bulb metal ceramic halides.

Getting the plants sized and shaped prior to transplanting outdoors is an important part of the process.

Getting the plants sized and shaped prior to transplanting outdoors is an important part of the process.

Planting season starts in May. We transport our living soil and compost mixes to the garden to get ready for transplanting.

Planting season starts in May. We transport our living soil and compost mixes to the garden to get ready for transplanting.

Our first year, we built our beds in 200 gallon planters, using a mixture of Pro-mix, peet moss, perlite, rock dust, and our compost mixes.

Our first year, we built our beds in 200 gallon planters, using a mixture of Pro-mix, peet moss, perlite, rock dust, and our compost mixes.

Building and maintaining the outdoor beds is critical. These beds are given top coats throughout each season and we use various mulching techniques to let microorganisms and nutrients replenish the soil. This is known as "no till" gardening.

Building and maintaining the outdoor beds is critical. These beds are given top coats throughout each season and we use various mulching techniques to let microorganisms and nutrients replenish the soil. This is known as "no till" gardening.

Next is the transplanting phase, where we move our plants outside and plant them in their new beds.

Next is the transplanting phase, where we move our plants outside and plant them in their new beds.

Each year, the beds get bigger, as we dig out the centers for the new plants. We move the displaced soil to the outer edges of the beds and reinforce the planters. Then, we surround the roots of the new plant with fresh planting mix and add new top c

Each year, the beds get bigger, as we dig out the centers for the new plants. We move the displaced soil to the outer edges of the beds and reinforce the planters. Then, we surround the roots of the new plant with fresh planting mix and add new top coat.

After several months of watering and pruning, the plants mature and the flowering process takes place.

After several months of watering and pruning, the plants mature and the flowering process takes place.

We inspect our plants every day as they flower. We like to call this "spending quality time" with the plants.

We inspect our plants every day as they flower. We like to call this "spending quality time" with the plants.

Finally, its time to harvest. Harvest season begins in October and is the longest, most grueling part of the season. Dylan really likes to immerse himself in the process.

Finally, its time to harvest. Harvest season begins in October and is the longest, most grueling part of the season. Dylan really likes to immerse himself in the process.

Then, it's time to dry. We generally like to dry on the stalks, but space dictates how much we can. We use a "low and slow" process, keeping the temperatures cool and allowing the plants to dry over a longer period of time with proper humidity levels

Then, it's time to dry. We generally like to dry on the stalks, but space dictates how much we can. We use a "low and slow" process, keeping the temperatures cool and allowing the plants to dry over a longer period of time with proper humidity levels and air flow.

We continue the drying process in boxes, opening and closing them daily. When closed, they retain some humidity and start to slowly cure. Then we open, to let them breathe and air out. The smells really start to come out during this phase.

We continue the drying process in boxes, opening and closing them daily. When closed, they retain some humidity and start to slowly cure. Then we open, to let them breathe and air out. The smells really start to come out during this phase.

Curing is essential. Allowing for a proper cure allows the trichomes to fully develop and the terpines to really come out. We always dry and cure over a 4-6 week period, based on the plant and strain. We like to say "the plants make their own schedul

Curing is essential. Allowing for a proper cure allows the trichomes to fully develop and the terpines to really come out. We always dry and cure over a 4-6 week period, based on the plant and strain. We like to say "the plants make their own schedule."

The finished product. Realizing all your hard work for the year is an amazing feeling. We put care into every step of the process and take pride in all our extra efforts along the way. We believe it shows in our products.

The finished product. Realizing all your hard work for the year is an amazing feeling. We put care into every step of the process and take pride in all our extra efforts along the way. We believe it shows in our products.