KLONE - Genetics Facility - Elite Flagship Build-Out

Build-Out of KLONE: A High-End Genetics Facility

KLONE, a premier wholesale genetics company, sought a state-of-the-art facility to keep up with the rapidly growing demand for commercial and recreational plant genetics in Colorado. With the goal of providing high-end, carefully researched genetics to cultivators and dispensaries across the state, KLONE partnered with Vulcan Squad to execute a full build-out of their new facility. The result is a highly efficient, well-designed space that caters to the unique needs of plant cultivation while ensuring maximum output of high-quality genetics.

This project started with the construction of the essential infrastructure, such as front offices, bathrooms, and break rooms, all designed to support the workforce and provide comfort. After completing the basic framework, Vulcan Squad moved on to design and construct rooms dedicated to specific stages of cultivation. Each room featured tailored solutions, including specialized lighting, HVAC systems, irrigation, fertigation, and airflow systems, all aimed at optimizing plant health and genetic research. A key component of the build-out was the creation of a storage and staging area for essential nutrients and irrigation supplies, ensuring the facility could operate smoothly and efficiently.

Project Highlights:

• 12ft ceilings ideal for vertical cultivation
• 3 grow rooms, each 800 sq. ft.
• 3 Research and Development (R&D) rooms for genetics testing
• A staff break room with full amenities
• A clean room for tissue culture
• Changing rooms for staff and visitors
• A front reception area with a secure entrance
• Compliant security systems with offsite storage
• A storage area with shelving for supplies
• Clone room with a controlled propagation environment
• Compliant electrical and HVAC systems
• HVAC and airflow provided by Quest and Patterson
• Fertigation systems using Dosatron
• Irrigation by DAB
• Both LED and HID lighting

KLONE Mother Room

One of the most critical areas of the facility is KLONE’s Mother Room, where the foundational plants are housed. To optimize space, Vulcan Squad installed vertical racking systems from PIPP Horticulture, taking full advantage of the room’s 12-foot ceilings. This vertical cultivation method allows KLONE to house mother plants on two levels, doubling the available space and increasing the potential output. Controlled LED lighting ensures that each level receives the proper light intensity for mother plants to thrive, providing a healthy and consistent environment.

In the Mother Room, pest management is a top priority. KLONE understands that the health of its plants directly affects the quality of the genetics they sell to their customers. For this reason, Quest dehumidifiers were installed to control humidity, while fans from Patterson help with air movement to prevent mold, mildew, and other issues that could arise in stagnant air conditions. With these systems in place, KLONE can maintain a high level of plant health, ensuring that their customers receive only the best genetics available.

KLONE Clone Room

The Clone Room at KLONE was designed to provide a controlled environment for newly cut clones, which are particularly vulnerable during their early stages of growth. Vulcan Squad built the Clone Room with specific features to manage airflow, CO2 levels, humidity, and temperature. Proper airflow is essential in this room to prevent mold growth and ensure a stable environment. The room’s ventilation system was carefully designed to provide gentle, even circulation, preventing pockets of stagnant air that could harm the delicate cuttings.

CO2 management is another critical factor in the Clone Room. A balanced level of CO2 promotes robust photosynthesis, which is essential for the healthy development of young clones. Vulcan Squad installed equipment to regulate CO2 levels, ensuring that the clones have the resources they need to grow into strong, healthy plants. Similarly, humidity control is crucial in the Clone Room. Excess humidity can lead to stress on the plants, while insufficient humidity can stunt their growth. Vulcan Squad’s installation of specialized humidity control systems ensures that the clones receive the ideal environment for growth, reducing stress and promoting healthy development.

KLONE R&D and Flower Rooms

KLONE is known for its commitment to innovation in plant genetics, which requires a significant amount of research and development (R&D). To support their ongoing efforts, Vulcan Squad designed and built several R&D rooms where KLONE can experiment with crossbreeding different strains. These rooms are equipped with vertical racking systems, allowing KLONE to maximize the space available for growing multiple strains at once. By utilizing vertical cultivation, KLONE can grow more plants in less space, providing the opportunity to test a greater variety of genetic combinations without requiring additional square footage.

In addition to the R&D rooms, KLONE also required Flower Rooms to grow and test new strains. These rooms are outfitted with HID lighting, which is ideal for the flowering phase of plants. HID lighting provides the intensity needed to promote vigorous growth and maximize yields. To further enhance the efficiency of the Flower Rooms, adjustable tables were installed, allowing KLONE to easily move plants around as needed and optimize the growing environment.

The Flower Rooms also benefit from Vulcan Squad’s HVAC installation. Proper airflow and temperature control are essential for the flowering phase, as any fluctuations can significantly affect plant health and yield. Quest and Patterson systems were installed to provide precise climate control, ensuring that the plants are growing in optimal conditions throughout their entire life cycle.

HVAC, Fertigation, and Irrigation Systems

One of the most significant aspects of the KLONE build-out was the installation of highly specialized HVAC, fertigation, and irrigation systems. Proper temperature control and air circulation are critical in plant cultivation, as plants require stable conditions to thrive. Vulcan Squad installed HVAC systems from Quest and Patterson, both leaders in the industry, to ensure that the facility maintains optimal temperatures and humidity levels throughout the cultivation process. These systems not only promote plant health but also help to minimize the risk of mold and mildew, which can devastate a crop.

The fertigation system at KLONE was built using Dosatron equipment, which allows for precise control over the nutrient delivery process. Fertigation combines fertilization and irrigation into one automated system, ensuring that the plants receive the exact amount of nutrients they need at every stage of growth. This level of control helps to reduce waste, minimize labor, and optimize plant health, all of which contribute to the overall efficiency of the facility.

For irrigation, Vulcan Squad selected DAB systems, known for their reliability and performance in agricultural settings. The irrigation system is fully automated, ensuring that the plants are watered consistently and evenly. This automation reduces the potential for human error, ensuring that each plant receives the right amount of water without over- or under-watering.

Conclusion

The build-out of KLONE by Vulcan Squad is a testament to the power of customized solutions in plant cultivation. By addressing every aspect of the facility’s needs, from HVAC to lighting to fertigation and irrigation, Vulcan Squad created a highly efficient and productive space for KLONE to continue its pioneering work in plant genetics. With specialized rooms for every stage of cultivation, KLONE is well-equipped to meet the demands of Colorado’s growing commercial and recreational market while continuing to push the boundaries of genetic research.

As KLONE continues to develop and refine new plant strains, their facility will be a key factor in their success. The comprehensive build-out by Vulcan Squad ensures that KLONE can operate at peak efficiency, providing the space and resources needed to deliver high-quality genetics to cultivators and dispensaries across the state.