Cannabis plants are dependent on their environment for materials and energy. These key inputs, known as the limiting factors, drive photosynthesis and therefore plant growth. As outlined in the Marijuana Grower’s Handbook, the limiting factors are light, carbon dioxide, nutrients, water, and temperature. Through my work to update the book, which is now the Cannabis Grower’s Handbook, I’ve highlighted another critical limiting factor, oxygen.
Read MoreEnriching the air around your plants with CO2 supercharges the photosynthetic process, creating healthier plants and, ultimately, bigger yields. Gaining sufficient carbon from CO2 is important even at the earliest stages of plant development, when the plant prioritizes root development. Like compound interest, these early “investments” in plant structure support the creation of additional biomass as the plant matures. The best results from CO2 enrichment are realized when it’s applied to both the vegetative and flowering stages.
Yield improvements from CO2 enrichment derive from more, larger, and denser buds and can exceed 30-40% … commonly generating 25-30 pounds of additional finished product per 1,000 square feet per harvest. As Ed Rosenthal likes to say, plants evolved when there were greater concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere and they “know” how to use more of it.
Read MoreWhen it comes to germinating cannabis seeds there are many different ways to get those tiny jewel boxes of prized genetics to pop. In response to my scientific investigations exploring different methodologies for germinating seeds, Marijuana Seed Breeders conducted a survey of experts and home growers to ask about their preferred method of germination. I wanted to share the results of this survey as well as some of my own tips for spouting your seeds. Let’s give our plants the best chances possible to grow into their full potential by starting them off right.
Read MoreWhen it comes to seeds, Royal Queen Seeds knows what they are talking about. Here they’ve provided some great tips for starting off your grow with the best seeds possible.
Read MoreThe 2021 cannabis workforce outlook looks toward diversity, inclusion, and social equity. Cannabis legalization is fast outpacing the capacity of licensed businesses to build and retain diverse teams. For companies, the emerging cannabis industry’s future success will depend on effectively implementing social impact plans and inclusive HR practices. This year, job seekers can expect to see hiring at all levels of the supply chain.
Read MoreAs with so many things related to cannabis, ice water hash washing has its roots in Amsterdam. As the legend goes, a man named Sadu Sam determined that the resinous trichomes on the cannabis plant are packed with oil-based compounds. Trichomes are the "mitochondria" of the cannabis plant—the part full of precious cannabinoids. The trichomes' oil results in the compounds sinking in water. Meanwhile, the rest of the plant floats to the top. This is the basis of hash washing, or "Sadu Sam's Secret."
Read MoreCollecting kief is a great way to get the most out of your harvest. Whenever I have a bag of trim I make sure to not let the trichomes go to waste by using a simple dry sift method utilizing a mesh screen and a kief collector that’s small enough to fit on my desk while I write. Trichomes and crystals cover both the bud and the sugar leaves on the cannabis plant and should not be squandered!
Read MoreBuilding a Wick System: An Easy Way to Grow
This excerpt from my new book “Ask Ed: Marijuana Success” hones in on one of my favorite ways to grow cannabis at home with a wick system.
The wick container system is an easy way to garden because it’s self-watering and removes the uncertainty of when to water. It requires far less care than hand watering, and it’s simple, fast to assemble, and inexpensive to set up. The wick system is based on capillary action. One example of this is a tissue drawing up water from a puddle. The system we set up works on the same principle. Instead of tissue, we use braided nylon rope.
“How can I keep my cannabis plants from flowering?” I am referring to young plants germinated from seeds or clones that are hearty enough to bring outdoors. Now I want them to grow larger, but if they go by the natural light cycle there are over 10 hours of darkness which will trigger flowering.
Read MoreImprove your germination rate by following Frank from Purple Caper Seeds’ step by step process for popping seeds in coir and transplanting seeds to soil after germination.
Read MoreLearn about the pharmacological concept of binding affinity and why opioids can cause respiratory arrest and death and the natural cannabinoids in cannabis do not. By Uwe Blesching, Ph.D.
Read MoreBuds infected with powdery mildew or other molds and fungi are unfit for smoking, by Reginald Gaudino VP R&D at Front Range Biosciences. Here’s why and how to prevent mold and mildew on your cannabis.
Read MoreMedical cannabis expert Uwe Blesching Ph.D. breaks down the top 5 evidence-based reasons why cannabis is an effective pain reliever as compared to opioids, and describes how the future of medical marijuana is moving toward a chemotype-based classification system.
Read MoreLearn about how to target, control and prevent mites in your marijuana grow, and the many varieties of predator mites you can use as to control cannabis crop destroying mites.
Read MoreHow to improve the flavor and the high of your cannabis buds by implementing a controlled drying and curing process. By Franco, the strain hunter.
Read MoreLearn all the details about the cannabis ripening process in this visual guide & discover my favorite marijuana bloom enhancers.
Read MorePost-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Learn the facts: the signs, the research, and how cannabis can help relieve PTSD symptoms and save lives.
Read MoreHere’s all you want to know about rosin, AKA as SHO (solventless hash oil): What is rosin? How is rosin made? What is the difference between rosin and BHO? And more.
Read MoreHere’s all the details you need to know about the best way to determine the picking time of your marijuana buds: Ripening facts, trichomes and more.
Read MoreThere are a multitude of flushing methods, but they share a common goal: to remove most of the nutrients available to the roots, thereby encouraging the plant to use the non-assimilated salts and nutrients still remaining in the plant.
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