Yes as I expected. The best way to measure LED's is with a quantum sensor. Check out Apogee
Yes you are correct the craft farmer has the upper hand because of their knowledge at the moment. But that is going to change in the near future. Once big business gets involved the quality and quantity will come down to as stated tissue
analysis done very day or 2, all of the nutrients the plants need will be in separate stock tanks, grow room environments will be beyond what a craft farmer can achieve. Meaning they will have controls over say ..1 or .01 percent of temperature and humidity. They will have a recipe for every strain. It is just a matter of time. Big business has the money to invest and they will. Take a car assembly plant today, do they hand spray cars anymore. It is automated, you couple this with some color sanding and buffing and you have a high quality paint job. The same paint job costs what 10k from a custom paint shop but they are doing it for a fraction of the cost. They will get the upper hand it is just a matter of time. Money is hard to stop. Sure there is a opportunity for a craft farmer but once this thing blows up and international trading of cannabis is allowed, the craft farmer is DONE. Large corporations will find a location where labor and electricity are cheap and exploit it to no end. Also they will as mentioned have the upper hand because they will have data available that a craft farmer cannot afford. It is going to become much like car racing has become. There was a time not that long ago when a smart guy in his garage or small shop was competitive. Right now the craft farmer has the upper hand because of experience but science is going to win in the end. Couple this with cheap labor and cheap electrical and the craft farmer is going to lose.
This is more for my personal understanding and ideas than anything. I am interested in how much the corporation is willing to venture in regards to risk. Meaning 1500 lights at 6 weeks and a spider mite infestation is a huge risk. I just would like to see what input the nerdy accounts have to say about that part of the situation. Also 1500 lights taking down at once is a nightmare. I see more of a harvest every few days.
I am not ignorant to what is going on in the cannabis world. Bottom line is as stated you cannot beat big money. They will think nothing of investing to make money. Once they can exploit cheap labor and cheap electricity the craft farmer is done. BTW I have control over all aspects of the grow. I am just stating what is fact. Big Business will win in the end. No way around it!!