Just because plants are safely in the ground does not mean the grower’s work is done. Molds, fungi, insects and harmful bacteria can ruin a crop long before harvest, but with a little extra planning in the hot months the organic horticulturist can create a miniature ecosystem filled with beneficial organisms to fend off the worst garden offenders. Follow these tips during the summer months to ensure a problem-free garden in the fall.
Pest Management Basics
Insects, fungi and other pests attack plants which are stressed. Over-watering, over-fertilizing, small containers/root binding, extreme environmental conditions and erratic light regimens will stress plants out and allows pathogens to take hold, causing all kinds of problems. So first take care of the basics and make each plant as happy as possible to avoid fighting an uphill battle.
Beneficial Mycorrhizae
An often-overlooked way to control harmful fungi is to populate plants with beneficial fungi called mycorrhizae, either as a foliar spray or as a root inoculant, which spreads helpful fungi around the roots and discourages harmful fungi to do the same. Ecto mycorrhizae are specific to cannabis and other plants; they decompose vegetative matter deeper in the soil, making available minerals and nutrients which otherwise could not be absorbed. Another advantage of ecto fungi is that they take advantage of secondary carbohydrates which the plant doesn’t need, furthering symbiosis. These organisms penetrate the cannabis plants roots, allowing enzymes to pass directly into the root’s cells. This passage of nutrients and minerals is directly nourishing the plants and allows more available nutrients to be absorbed throughout the soil medium. Application of your pro-mycorrhizal should start at the base of the plant as a root drench and can be applied via a foliar spray every week afterward.
Beneficial Bacteria
Bacteria can synthesize particular compounds for cannabis plants, facilitate uptake of certain nutrients from the soil and can help in preventing many plant diseases. The addition of beneficial bacteria will stimulate plant hormones, improve growth and control or inhibit pathogens; this allows a plant’s soil structure to thrive and promotes all plant processes. Beneficial bacteria used as a root inoculant or root drench will attack harmful nematodes and help colonize roots to aid and enhance the breakdown of nutrients by beneficial mycorrhizae. Some common beneficial bacteria are Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescence and Trichoderma species.
Making a Tea
One of the best ways to support inoculated organisms is through the application of compost tea. There are many recipes for compost teas but this one is a simple and effective way of boosting up the “micro life food web” which supplies plants’ roots and outer immune system naturally. Making a tea using non-chlorinated water with an air stone, fresh worm castings and a little unsulfured black strap mola
