Author: Samantha White

Growing

Secondary Metabolites of Cannabis
Secondary metabolites are chemical compounds that plants produce to fight against threats, adapt to environmental pressures and facilitate ecological relationships.In cannabis, these compounds go beyond basic growth and survival functions. They’re responsible for the plant’s recreational and medicinal benefits, as well as the distinct flavors and aromas that differentiate strains. The secondary metabolites of cannabis are unique in that they can be tailored to address specific medicinal or recreational needs, influencing the plant’s market value.In this blog post, we’ll explain …
Growing

Monitoring Runoff in Recirculating Hydroponic Systems
When cultivating cannabis hydroponically, growers can choose between drain-to-waste and recirculating systems. In drain-to-waste systems, the nutrient solution is discarded after use; in recirculating systems, the nutrient solution is reused. When using a recirculating system, it is important to collect and test the runoff—the excess nutrient solution that passes through the root zone—because it gives an idea of whether it is suitable for reuse or adjustments need to be made. Neglecting to monitor runoff can lead to salt buildup, resulting in …
Growing

Spurring Plant Growth with Triacontanol
Triacontanol (sometimes abbreviated as TRIA) is a natural non-hormonal growth promoter. First discovered in alfalfa, it is found in the epicuticular waxes—thin layers of wax on the surfaces of leaves, stems and other aerial plant parts that protect against environmental stressors—of several plant species,[1] as well as beeswax.[2] Unlike phytohormones,[3] triacontanol does not directly regulate plant growth or development. Instead, it acts as a secondary plant growth enhancer, improving the physiological efficiency of cells and optimizing processes so plants better express …
Growing

Guiding your Garden Through Crop Steering
Crop steering is a cannabis cultivation technique where careful control over environmental factors guides plant growth, optimizes yields and enhances quality. By adjusting elements like light intensity, irrigation, temperature, humidity and root zone conditions, growers can steer plants toward vegetative growth—channeling energy and resources on foliage, stems and roots—or generative growth, also known as flowering or reproductive growth. This blog post explains how crop steering works and how different environmental controls can steer crops toward one type of growth over the …
Growing

Comparative Analysis of Batch and Inline Methods of Fertigation
Fertigation is the process of delivering nutrients to plants through irrigation. In hydroponic systems, this method fertilizes the root zone directly based on plant requirements, allowing plants to absorb nutrients and water efficiently while minimizing nutrient leaching. The two types of fertigation systems are batch and inline injection. Each has its pros and cons, and choosing the best system depends on factors such as operation size and complexity, budgetary constraints and need for scalability. Batch versus inline injection The primary difference between batch …
Growing

Managing VPD for Cannabis
The vapor pressure deficit (VPD) is the difference between the moisture currently in the air and the maximum moisture it can hold when saturated. As we discussed in our previous blog post, VPD is an important parameter to measure and control because it directly influences plant transpiration. In this blog post, we’ll explain how to determine the VPD of the grow room using temperature and humidity, the ideal VPD levels for cannabis and the equipment needed to monitor and adjust VPD. Measuring …
Growing

Understanding Vapor Pressure Deficit
In our previous blog post, we talked about the importance of plant transpiration and how to ensure plants transpire at an ideal rate for optimal growth. One way that growers can determine if the right amount of transpiration is occurring is by measuring the vapor pressure deficit (VPD).VPD indicates the air’s moisture saturation level. Lower moisture in the air allows more plant transpiration, while higher saturation reduces it. In this post, we’ll explore how VPD works, its impact on plant …
Growing

Understanding Plant Transpiration
When plants transpire, they move water from the roots to the shoots and release it into the atmosphere. Transpiration influences several other important processes, including nutrient uptake and photosynthesis. Understanding how plant transpiration works can help indoor cannabis cultivators foster an ideal environment for optimum transpiration rates. Figure 1. Plant transpiration. Image by brgfx on FreepikThe transpiration processTranspiration occurs primarily through small openings in the leaves called stomata. The stomata regulate water loss by pulling water up through the tiny tubes of …
Growing

Understanding Calcium-Magnesium Supplementation in Coco Medium
Any comprehensive nutrient line already contains calcium and magnesium, but growers who use coco coir may need to apply more of these two secondary macronutrients. Coco coir binds with them and locks them up, making them less available for uptake. To avoid deficiencies, growers need to understand how coco coir interacts with calcium and magnesium. Importance of calcium and magnesium for plants Calcium and magnesium are essential nutrients that plants require in significant amounts. Calcium Plants typically absorb more calcium than phosphorus, with concentrations …
Growing

Carbon Dioxide Supplementation
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is essential for photosynthesis. The amount of CO2 available to plants affects their net photosynthetic rate. Providing additional CO2 in indoor cultivation serves two purposes: (1) It can prevent a reduction in plant growth, which can happen in tightly sealed indoor environments if CO2 drops below ambient outdoor levels. (2) It can spur the rate of photosynthesis by providing elevated levels of CO2, resulting in bigger yields.In this blog post, we’ll discuss the role of CO2 in …
Growing

Selecting the Right Water Source
The best water for hydroponics has no contaminants, an EC close to 0 millisiemens and a pH of 7[1]—a level of purity that makes it easy to provide everything plants need without risk of toxicity. Unfortunately, most water sources are not this pure. Some contain high concentrations of sodium or iron, which can be harmful to plants and are hard to manage in hydroponics. Water containing chloride can be especially challenging; issues can arise at just a few parts per million. …
Growing

Irrigation Water Quality in Hydroponics
Water is the lifeblood of agriculture. Not only does water irrigate roots, but it also delivers oxygen and essential nutrients to plants for healthy growth, big yields and high crop quality.The quality of irrigation water is paramount. Poor water quality can lead to problems like stunted growth, nutrient toxicities or deficiencies, accumulation of harmful heavy metals in plant tissue, and bacterial contamination; in severe cases, it can even lead to plant death.Assessing water quality involves more than just its appearance, …
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