Month Archives: February 2025

Advanced Tips

Nutrients in Hydroponics
Plants require specific nutrients to survive and develop properly. These are called essential nutrients because (1) plants cannot complete their lifecycle without them; (2) they perform specific functions that no other nutrient can replace; and (3) they are directly involved in the plant’s metabolic or structural processes.[1]In addition to the three non-mineral essential nutrients—hydrogen, oxygen and carbon—plants require 14 essential mineral nutrients. These are categorized as primary macronutrients, secondary macronutrients or micronutrients, depending on the amount needed (e.g., micronutrients are …
Advanced Tips

Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria in Soilless Cultivation
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are beneficial bacteria that colonize the root zone, acting as biostimulants, biofertilizers and biocontrol agents that influence plant responses to their environment.Rhizobacteria inhabit the rhizosphere—the region of soil immediately surrounding roots, as well as the sticky root surfaces themselves. This zone regulates key factors such as nutrient availability and microbial interactions that support plant health and survival.Although soilless systems lack a traditional rhizosphere, root surfaces remain bioactive, allowing PGPR to colonize them in hydroponic conditions. This …
Advanced Tips

Unlocking Humic Substances for Plant Growth
Humic substances are naturally occurring compounds derived from decomposed animal and plant matter through microbial activity and geochemical processes, such as composting and lignin degradation. Composing up to 80% of organic soil matter,[1] they play a vital role in promoting plant growth.Humic acid, a primary component of humic substances, has become a focus of agricultural research for its ability to enhance fertilizer efficiency, improve crop quality and increase yields when combined with mineral fertilizers. Since hydroponics are soilless, supplementing cannabis …
Growing Tips

Post-Harvest Care: Trimming and Drying
Growing a successful cannabis crop does not end when the buds are ready for harvest. Two post-harvest processes heavily influence cannabinoid and terpene concentrations: trimming and drying. Their timing and technique can lead to significant differences in the final product’s secondary metabolites—and hence its color, flavor, fragrance and potency.Harvest timingBefore post-harvest care begins, the first step in securing a high-quality cannabis product is harvesting at the right time. Unripe buds lack the potency and cannabinoid and terpene content of mature …
top