AROYA Office Hours

In today's episode, your hosts Jason, Seth, and Kaisha delve into a wide range of topics and respond to some fascinating listener requests. 

They discuss everything from optimizing irrigation techniques and the importance of monitoring pH levels, to the benefits of smaller media for better root development. They also explore the ever-evolving landscape of LED lighting technology in the cannabis industry and the crucial factors to consider when choosing the right lights for your grow room. 

Also, they dive into the delicate balance of quality versus quantity in cultivation, the role of CO2 levels during day and night cycles, and the potential risks and challenges faced by growers when it comes to pests and diseases. 

Let's dive right in!

This week, host Cian Sullivan teams up with resident cultivation expert Jason Van Leuven to bring you an information-packed session focused on advancing your cultivation game. In this episode, the duo takes listeners through the latest updates to the AROYA mobile app, highlighting how its new features are streamlining daily operations for cultivators everywhere.

Plus, Cian and Jason tackle community questions, including an in-depth discussion on thermal imaging, cultivation transitions, and the evolving science of plant monitoring. They discuss hot topics, such as using Far Red under-canopy lighting to accelerate plant senescence and the buzz around experimenting with a 13-hour flowering light cycle to potentially boost yields without extending total flowering times.

Alongside their signature practical advice, they explore both familiar and more experimental strategies cultivators are using to unlock better results, from everything in the light spectrum to emerging conversations about brix levels.

In episode 144, host Cian sits down with Jason Van Leuven and Cory Desloge, Director of Cultivation at Harbor House Collective, Massachusetts, for a look into modern cultivation. The conversation is packed with actionable insights on tech adoption, nutrient strategies, and the shifting landscape of the Massachusetts cannabis market.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

Cory Desloge’s background in commercial growing and how Harbor House Collective stands out in the industry.

The crucial role of automation and sensor data in scaling operations, improving consistency, and allowing more time for focused plant care.

A hands-on discussion about substrate EC management, custom nutrient blends, and experimenting with nutritional steering to optimize yield and quality.

Market realities in Massachusetts, including recent price drops, economic challenges, and shifting consumer preferences for quality and potency.

The value of genetic diversity, ongoing consumer education, and how the future of cannabis may parallel the evolution of the wine and craft beer industries, with a nod to small-batch, specialty products and immersive consumer experiences.

In Episode 143, host Cian is joined by expert guests Jason Van Leuven, Director of Applied Technology at AROYA, and Jeff Hegyi, Director of Cultivation at Xotic Brandz in Detroit. This week, we’re peeling back the curtain on cultivation operations that span both single-tier and double-stack rooms—giving you real-world insights that could help you save money and boost your yields.

Jeff shares his hands-on experience managing a mixed facility with a wide range of cultivars and multi-tiered setups, highlighting the nuts and bolts of sensor density, placement strategies, and practical data collection, no matter your budget.

If you’ve ever wondered about the real-world impact of heat stratification in multi-tier rooms, how to steer multiple strains at scale, or how nuanced sensor data can elevate your crop steering, this episode’s for you.

Plus, the team tackles listener questions on dialing in your environment, avoiding mold during heavy bulking phases, the realities of market compression, and why sharing knowledge—not gatekeeping—is the future of successful cannabis cultivation.

00:00 Sensor Placement in Multi-Tier Setups
03:20 Optimizing Costs with Sensor Investment
09:35 Adaptive Sensor Deployment Strategies
12:13 Optimizing Sensor Data for Cultivation
14:50 Cultivar Monitoring and Adjustments
19:39 Cultivation Issues with Gas Strains
21:41 Managing Light and Nutrient Levels
26:51 Optimizing Plant Growth Conditions
28:22 Avoiding Mold in LED Grow Rooms
32:06 Preventing Pathogen Spread in Plants
37:01 Plants Outgrowing Trellis Nets Rapidly
40:14 Sustaining Success in Cultivation
43:03 Innovative Community Advancing Plant Science
47:01 Market Saturation and Survival Strategy
51:31 Market Trends and Challenges
54:30 Conversation Highlights with Jeff Hegyi

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 essential for finishing strong. 

They cover ripening strategies, trichome and pistil development, nutrient transitions, and common missteps related to senescence and flushing. 

The episode also features thoughtful Q&A, tackling listener questions about replacing calcium nitrate with calcium sulfate or formate, achieving optimal ash quality in your final product, and the real-world challenges of dialing in irrigation and nutrition across different media and facility scales.

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 monitoring, as well as strategies for optimizing your facility improvements on a limited budget. 

The conversation then moves to essential pest management approaches—like cooking or freezing a grow room—and wraps up with tactical advice on crop shot size strategies, sensor placements (even if you have just one), and more.

Jason and Cian are here to offer their insights, war stories, and actionable advice. If you love getting into the nitty-gritty of precision agriculture and want to hear answers to real questions from real growers, you won’t want to miss this one. And as always, keep those questions coming for future episodes—ARAOYA Office Hours LIVE is all about helping you grow smarter, better, and more efficiently.

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 Humboldt to the technical nuances of genetic preservation, R&D, and adapting to changing industry demands, Jonah gives an honest look at what it takes to maintain efficiency, accountability, and a strong company culture—while keeping every piece of equipment (and plant) running at its best.

We dig into everything from scaling production and developing new strains for both flower and hash to the importance of leveraging data (including AROYA’s advanced crop steering sensors) for repeatable success across different cultivation environments.

Along the way, you'll get insights on the realities of tourism myths, market optimism, and why a dedicated, empowered team is the heart of top-tier operations.

00:00 Career Change Leads to Unexpected Journey
05:16 From Indoor Growing to Farming
11:17 "Promote Within: Value of Internal Talent"
17:53 Building Accountability-Driven Culture
25:40 Insights on Strain Yields and Processing
31:42 Optimizing Strain Analysis with Sensors
38:01 Embracing Technology in Agriculture
42:41 Early Challenges in Business Focus
48:21 Legal Industry: Social Adoption Misconceptions
53:18 Evolving and Educating in Industry
57:13 "If You Build It" Optimism

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 lines.

Liam brings a unique dual perspective: not only is he helping growers solve problems daily, but he's also a seasoned cultivator himself, drawing from hands-on experience with everything from large-scale greenhouses to small craft operations. 

Jason and Liam team up to tackle tricky topics, including the nuances of EC behavior and drybacks during late flowering, the proper approach to ripening strategies, and the ever-controversial topic of flushing. You'll hear them break down irrigation uniformity at scale, troubleshooting sensor data, and why consistent processes are the foundation for top-shelf results.

Whether you're running a massive commercial facility or tending your own bench, this episode is a goldmine of actionable advice and hard-won lessons. Stick around—it’s Office Hours, and the deep dive is just getting started!

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 managing a thriving commercial-scale operation. They discuss their hands-on experiences, the importance of teamwork, and how building a positive, trust-driven company culture has been their superpower as they have grown from a startup team of under 30 to over 170 employees. 

The episode explores their innovative approaches, like double-tier veg setups, meticulous cleanliness, and ongoing R&D trials to refine their methods. The team also discusses practical strategies for crop steering, irrigation, and maintaining tight quality control to meet Ohio’s strict regulatory standards, all while putting an emphasis on people, community, and relentless learning.

Plus, listeners get answers to real cultivation questions and a candid look at Certified’s expansion plans and the challenges that come with scaling up while protecting their unique culture.

If you’re curious about what it really takes to build and sustain a successful cannabis business—from the ground up and from the heart—this is one episode you don’t want to miss!

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 collaborative retrofit project centered around boosting plant health, maximizing yields, and scaling quality through a synganic cultivation strategy.

Tune in for a no-holds-barred conversation on community-led innovation, why transparency matters in agriculture, and how integrating tech solutions like AROYA's high-density sensor analytics and irrigation control allows growers to continuously push the boundaries while navigating the realities of commercial farming in one of the industry's most competitive regions.

00:00 "Powerhouse: Synganic Plant Health Focus"
04:21 Connect Catalyst: Kevin Vu Tribute
09:31 Innovative Indoor Cultivation Techniques
12:12 Optimizing Indoor Growing Strategies
15:08 "Collaboration with Matt Caputo"
17:44 Embracing Transparency in Cultivation
21:57 "Trust and Transparency in Cultivation"
25:37 Mastering Diverse Strategic Implementations
27:25 Optimizing Cultivation with Calcium Chloride
31:11 Passion Fuels Client Engagement
35:14 Valve Cleaning with Water Hammer Technique
37:40 Disc Filter Maintenance Insights
41:41 Premium Quality Cannabis Production
47:07 "Connect Community's Power Tour Insight"
50:15 Success in Sacramento's Competitive Market
54:08 Community Support Acknowledgments
55:06 Partnership Excitement and AROYA Demo