USA-CANADA EDITION · ISSUE 28 · 2019
FREE COPY
HELLIQ,N DE 600-7.50W HPS At 600W setting PPFD = 1200 -1225 umol At 750W setting PPFD = 1500 -1550 umol
S: UPERIO.R DE T:ECHNO.LO.GY FREEDO.M T:O.. MO.VE THAT: WO.NT: CO.O:K YO.UR PLANT:S! ,· -··
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The Hellions can sit comfortably just 45cm above your plant canopy, maximum light penetration without the burn!
REDUCED HEAT:
Super Spreaders are designed to disperse radiant heat, not to block light. They ensure that all plants feel nice and warm, not just the ones directly beneath the lamp.
INCREDIBLE LIGHT: SPREAD M_EANS BIGGER YIELDS!
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Adjust-A-Wings reflectors are purposefully lightweight.
Air movement in the grow room will gently sway the reflector, lighting areas that static fixtures cannot.
T:WO..- SYST:EMS IN .-O. NE -
Set your system up to suit your growing area. A fixture style combination unit or a remote ballast unit.
-:UNBEATABLE QUALIT:Y AND PERFQ:RMANCE
The Adjust-A-Wings Reflector. Hellion ballast and Hellion DE lamp are all crafted from materials of the highest quality.
The Hellions produce perfect. even light distribution across your crop.
These three components combine in harmony to create the Hellion Defender.
No hot spots or cold corners, just beautiful, even and prolific growth.
A lighting system of unparalleled power and performance.
ABSQlUT:E LIGHTiNG CQ:NTRQl The Hellions have:-
3 power settings - 450w, 600w and 750w 5 reflector width settings 5 lamp height settings
DISTRIBUTED BY BLOOM YELLOW BOTTLES 184 420 BLOOM / 1(844) 202 5666 WWW.BLOOMYELLOWBOTTLES.US
CONTENTS
URBAN BEEKEEPING
THE LOST ART OF
SEED SAVING
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS
9
90 AGRICULTURE’S DIRTY SECRET
44 WHO’S GROWING WHAT WHERE
41 12
DANDELIONS: WEEDS OF GOLD
I N TH IS ISSU E O F GA R D EN C U LT U R E :
76
7 Foreword
50 Lift & Co Recap
9 Product Spotlights
52 Mushrooms and bees
12 Nitrogen:Agriculture’s Dirty Secret
56 Relative Humidity,Transpiration, and VPD
18 CEC in Living Soils
64 The Hormesis Effect
20 LED Revisited
68 Legalization 2.0
28 Photosynthesis,Translocation,Transpiration, and Respiration
76 Dandelions:Weeds of Gold
32 5 Cool Ways To Help Your Garden Beat The Heat
80 Illinois Valley Hemp: Growing Pains
34 Regenerative Agriculture
85 Ask a Ph.D.
41 Who’s Growing What Where
86 Columbia: From White to Green
44 The Lost Art Of Seed Saving
90 Urban Beekeeping 5
FOREWORD & CREDITS
FOREWORD
I
n the indoor gardening market, many things have changed since we star ted. HPS has gone double-ended; digital ballasts have almost replaced magnetic; coco has
practically replaced peat; and, new biological products are
ION · ISSU E 28
WWW.G ARDENC ULTURE MAGAZI NE.COM
Eric 3
EDIT
Thanks again for reading, and happy gardening,
ADA
Legislation change is shaping a new landscape for the cannabis plant. Our editor, Catherine, explores the upcoming legalization of edibles and concentrates in Canada. Kyle L. Ladenburger shares his personal experience farming hemp for the first time. In From White to Green Jessica Steinberg discusses the changes sweeping over Colombia.
28 · 2019
N - CA
Of course, we also have some great ar ticles that will help boost your gardening game. Gareth Hopcroft will give us another lesson in the impor tance of understanding VPD in Relative Humidity, Transpiration, and VPD. In our newest segment, Ask a Ph.D., Colin Bell and the team at Growcentia answer the most asked, and seldom answered, questions in regards to biology and growing.
N · ISSUE A EDITIO ANAD
USA
Technology, of course, is not always good. One of the major technology-created tragedies is the plight of the bee and all pollinating insects. The poisons we use to help grow our food are killing them at alarming rates. Urban Bee Keeping, written by Alber t Mondor, and Rich Hamilton’s Can Mushrooms Save the Bees?, will give you a glimpse into their world. Such amazing creatures and they need our help.
ED I TO R Catherine Sherriffs cat@gardenculturemagazine.com
.org
enature
echoos
www.w
USA-C
G WIN GRO OF ART THE
We are thrilled to announce that Theo Tekstra will be back writing. He will be covering everything LED. Check out LEDs Revisited to see what he has to say. We will also have specialists from a variety of LED manufacturers as regular contributors to push the conversation!
PRESIDENT Eric Coulombe eric@gardenculturemagazine.com WE +1-514-233-1539 SE CHOORE U T AR E X C U T I V E E D I TNO Celia Sayers celia@gardenculturemagazine.com +1-514-754-1539
E TUR CUL
The most dynamic segment has been lighting. The first disrupter was double-ended HPS; Gavita led the charge, and everyone followed. Now, it’s LEDs, which are not a new technology, as growers have been using them for over a decade now. Worldwide demand for energy efficiency in lighting, in general, has fueled massive R&D, and the result is a little light that keeps getting more efficient and more affordable. For the first time, LED is more efficient than HPS. And the ability to custom-create light spectrums that are programmable is huge. The results are in from outstanding growers, and it seems LEDs are producing results comparable to any other type of light.
Special thanks to: Albert Mondor, Anne Gibson, Caroline Rivard, Catherine Sherriffs, Colin Bell, Evan Folds, Gareth Hopcroft, Grubbycup, Jessica Steinberg, Kyle L. Ladenburger, Matt Barnes, Matt Mountain, Rich Hamilton, and Theo Tekstra.
D E N G A R
becoming the norm.
CREDITS
DESIGN Job Hugenholtz job@gardenculturemagazine.com D I G I TA L & SO CI A L M A R K E T I N G CO O R D I N ATO R Serena Sayers serena@gardenculturemagazine.com +1-514-754-0062 ADVERTISING ads@gardenculturemagazine.com PUBLISHER 325 Media INC 44 Hyde Rd, Mille-Isles QC, Canada J0R 1A0 GardenCultureMagazine.com
t
ISSN 2562-3567 (Print) · ISSN 2562-3575 (Online) Garden Culture is published six times a year, both in print and online.
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7
old G l a Roy ea r t s
the h g n i r sts Captu t enthusia n of pla and wide. fa r A coco fiber based soils and medium company established in Northern California, Royal Gold continue to bring Humboldt County ‘s decades of cultivation leadership to the world. With quality and consistency as the building blocks and experience and insight as the tools of the trade, Royal Gold products give gardeners a foundation for success. With a product line that ranges from pure coco and inert soilless mediums (Tupur) to traditional style potting (Basement Mix) and planting (Mendo Mix) mixes amended with high quality dry amendments, they offer solutions for all garden types. With their most recent offering, Kings Mix, Royal Gold combines innovation and tradition with a peat-coco blend that has taken the cultivation community by storm. Solution oriented plant-in bags in convenient .75 cubic foot (about 5 gallons) and 3 cubic foot (about 20 gallons) sizes give cost and labor saving convenience that make scaling up your garden a breeze. From home growers to commercial facilities Royal Gold brings professional quality mediums to every garden! Visit RoyalGoldCoco.com to learn more.
Black Dog
GARDEN PRODUCTS
LE D Ph y to M A X
- 2 series
Designed and manufactured in Colorado, the PhytoMAX-2 series provides growers with the flexibility to have the right light for their space, whether a small tent or a large commercial cultivation facility.
Available in five different sizes, ranging from 210 watts to the industry-leading PhytoMAX-2 1000 at 1050 watts, that can yield 2.5-4.5 pounds per light. Driven by proven science and groundbreaking research, the innovative PhytoMAX-2 series leads the industry photobiology and artificial light spectrum technology. A full-spectrum solution that also incorporates UV light, the PhytoMAX-2 series increases trichome production, as well as the levels of THC, CBD, and terpenes, vastly improving quality and marketability.The lights are backed by a team of passionate industry veterans, growers, and scientists that work side-by-side with clients to help them make the most of their passion for growing, whether professional or hobbyist. Go to BlackDogLed.com for more info.
O C O C R IO Propagate faster and produce healthy plants organically. RIOCOCO’s 100% organic coconut fiber grow medium is super-washed five times and blended without fine particles. This super-clean coco medium promotes bigger, faster, and stronger roots and delivers optimum water holding capacity without the dust.
Non-tox ic , renewab le and biode gradable
RIOCOCO PCM is available in Open Top Bags (4 sizes), Closed Top Bags (1 gallon), and Starter Blocks. They’re even packed in biodegradable bags! Learn more: Hydrofarm.com
9
t h g i L t x Ne
tch i w S Veg8
d e v o r p m I & New
Now comes with with a wattage toggle that offers reduced wattage for cloning and acclimation purposes. This new fixture combines the Veg8 and lesser-known, NextLight Clone into one - now known as the NextLight Veg8 Switch. Located on the bottom of the fixture to allow for easy access when the unit is racked, you can toggle the unit from HI (190w) to LO (60w) at the flick of a switch. NextLight manufactures a range of full-spectrum LED grow lights designed to meet the needs of commercial and home growers alike. NextLight’s Full Spectrum provides the sun-like qualities plants love without the negatives of high energy requirements and high heat. Visit NextLight.com for more information.
Active Air Hum idifiers Maintai n optim
for your
GARDEN PRODUCTS
u indoor g m humidity lev row els
Cold, dry conditions slow photosynthesis and inhibit respiration, leading to stress, slow growth, and compromised yield. Active Air humidifiers feature a multi-directional fogging head and an easyto-install direct water connection.These premium humidifiers are built to last, with an industrial grade motor for many years of use. Active Air humidifiers are available in two sizes, with coverage of 320 square feet (75 PPD – AAHC75P) to 1614 square feet (200 PPD – AAHC200P). Visit Hydrofarm.com for more details.
The New SANlight Q6W An LED that combines all the features desired by growers. For the cultivation of ornamental and crop plants, the Q6W is an adequate and eco-friendly replacement for HPS lamps. Designed for large cultivation areas for top-lighting applications as well as in the vegetative and generative phases of the crop. Passive cooling, best efficacy, and sophisticated secondary optics, the Q6W is also adaptable. For larger grow spaces, daisy-chain up to 7 units with the optional y-connector. The Q6W can boost the quality, quantity, and homogeneity of your crop as well the usable cultivation area while reducing the temperature inside the cultivation room, water consumption of the plants, the use of chemical, and overall running costs Visit SANlight.com to learn more about the complete line.
ce n e i c S Growth Growth Science Nutrients offers an easy-to-use, complete 5-part liquid fertilizer line designed for commercial cultivation. Growth Science Organics was specifically crafted for organic production, using organically certified, sustainable materials.These nutrients adhere to NOP standards, feeding the plant and stimulating soil microbial communities. This helps to establish a regenerative soil life cycle that allows growers to reuse their soil time and time again.
Delive
rs h ig h yields rich, v and ibrant g r o w conven th— for tional g r owers o rg a n i and c enthu siasts alike!
Visit Hydrofarm.com to learn more about all the Growth Science products.
11
BY MATT MOUNTAIN
Agriculture’s Dirty Secret 12
NITROGEN
Knowledge is power. A problem you know about is far less dangerous than the one you don’t. It can be analyzed, worked on, and fixed until we make progress.
Y
ou may have seen repor ts in the science world recently about a par ticularly imaginative use for Google Streetview cars in America. Researchers have used them to assess real-world greenhouse gas emissions from nitrate fer tilizer plants in the United States (1). It has grabbed headlines because of
the conclusion that methane emissions from nitrate fer tilizer production in the U.S. are 149 times higher than previously thought. Fer tilizer production alone emits three times more methane than the U.S. thought it’s total annual methane emissions represented. These emissions are par ticularly harmful because methane (marketed as natural gas) is a greenhouse gas 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The study looked at fertilizer production because a previous assessment of pollution coming from methane had focused on its production and how it is burned to generate energy. However, the researchers point out that not all methane is used in power generation. A large amount goes into putting food on our plates via one of agriculture’s dirtiest secrets: the fertilizer industry.
Methane emissions from nitrate fertilizer production in the U.S. are 149 times higher than previously thought
Humans have been using naturally occurring minerals such as saltpeter (potassium and other nitrates) to add fer tility to soils for thousands of years. In the 1800s, notably in Germany and the U.K., people used controlled testing to assess the effects of different chemical soil additives. In 1842, this scientific process led to the first patent for what was called a ‘chemically enhanced manure.’
Some organisms can fix atmospheric nitrogen by taking the gas and turning it into a relatively stable compound that can be used by plants. These organisms are microbes living in specialized environments. Some live freely in the soil, and some, such as those that survive as symbiotes within nodules on the roots of plants, live in the legume (pea) family.
The Nitrogen Cycle
When these discoveries were combined with the technical and mechanical advances of the day, they boosted farming productivity, giving bir th to the agricultural revolution that our modern society knows well. And while many of the raw materials used in agriculture are mined or collected, some of them have to be made. Nitrogen, the element plants need to produce chlorophyll, is a macronutrient and plants cannot live without it. However, unlike potassium or phosphorus, it is unreactive to the extreme, which causes a problem. While you can find naturally occurring nitrogen compounds, such as potassium nitrate, nitrogen doesn’t like forming compounds with other elements. And so for a very long time, we have only been able to find it through the very plants that need it to grow. 13
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NITROGEN
Until the beginning of the last century, adding extra nitrogen to the soil meant either composting plants with high nitrogen levels (such as comfrey) or collecting manure from animals that had eaten those plants
Atmospheric nitrogen is sequestered in plants which eventually die and decay or get eaten by animals. When this happens, their tissues are broken down, and the nitrogen is made available for other plants or fungi to use. Until the beginning of the last century, adding extra nitrogen to the soil meant either composting plants with high nitrogen levels (such as comfrey) or collecting manure from animals that had eaten those plants.
In 1909, however, this historic loop was opened when Fritz Haber produced the first practical and ar tificial ammonia (NH3) by combining hydrogen gas with atmospheric nitrogen under high pressure. BASF bought the concept, and fellow chemist, Carl Bosch, was asked to collaborate, resulting in Nobel prizes for both men. It also liberated the international community from depending on mining historic animal waste deposits for fer tilizer production.
Comfrey is a plant with a high nitrogen level
At the very beginning, the only flaw in the process seemed to be what happens when too much nitrogen in the form of nitrate or ammonia is released into the environment. But in modern agriculture, our concerns are much more significant and involve runoff and eutrophication: algal blooms that create dead zones thousands of miles across the seas of the world.
The vast majority of both the consumption of and pollution by nitrate fer tilizer is due to “row farming.� Row farming usually involves crops such as wheat, corn, oilseed, and so on. In other words, the basis of our food production. For many years, farmers have applied vast quantities of nitrogen, generally in the form of ammonia (NH 4+) because it is so concentrated. Ammonia is toxic and dangerous, but microorganisms in the soil can conver t it into a form that crops can use. The result is supposed to be cheap productivity, but this is a false promise.
The Haber Process
15
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NITROGEN
Above and beyond the runoff concerns, upon application, the toxic ammonia star ts to off-gas. Overapplication causes soil bacteria to emit nitrous oxide (a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than CO2) at much higher levels than previously thought (2). The production of nitrogen fer tilizers uses and leaks massive amounts of methane and also emits CO2 .
Ammonia is toxic and dangerous, but microorganisms in the soil can convert it into a form that crops can use. The result is supposed to be cheap productivity, but this is a false promise
Of all the CO2 used in the world, 60% of it comes from ammonium nitrate production, despite the majority being condensed to prevent even more pollution. This latest scientific discovery pushes nitrate production into the category of most polluting activities, and with that position comes increased taxation and pressure to remediate and change production practices. What are we to do? Now that we know about the leakage from nitrate plants, we can fix it, stop leaks, and reduce emissions to where they were thought to be. But more impor tantly, we need to move away from nitrate-based fer tilizers.
In Europe, we have been doing so slowly, but still somewhat faster than North America. Last year, there was a shortage of CO2 for use in bars for carbonating drinks, a direct result of ammonium nitrate sales dropping as Europe shifted away from the product. As of 2027, it will be illegal to use quick release nitrate fertilizer in Spain, and many countries will likely follow suit to protect the environment and public health.
As we move to ban fast-release nitrate products, many companies are choosing an organic approach by using soil-based nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Others are developing ways to use algae to fix atmospheric nitrogen commercially, essentially providing advanced green manure. As with most problems, organic will not magically solve everything, as they are often animal-based and can cause the same runoff problems as mineral fer tilizer. However, when combined with other techniques, such as mixing nitrogen-fixing and leaching crops, moving to a system that is par tially organic (at the very least) holds a lot of promise. 3
Bio
Matt Mountain - Clearspeech.london With a Bachelor of Sciences degree and background in management consultancy, Matt’s day job is helping everyday people - aka customers, understand and benefit from the developments that researchers and manufacturers in advanced horticulture make every year. Matt has over 20 years of urban gardening experience in France and England, is now particularly concentrated on the practical application of hydroponics in small-scale urban food production with a focus on high value, high carbon cost produce.
Nitrogen fixing bacteria in root nodules
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CEC & LIVING SOILS
BY MATT BARNES
T
he benefits of growing in living, organic soil are many when compared with more conventional methods that use synthetic, chemical fer tilizers and iner t substrates. The complexity of flavor and aroma is improved, as is the nutrient density and overall quality of crops. Beyond that, when reusing soil, there are substantial cost
savings over multiple growing cycles, and that combined with no-till farming practices are environmentally sustainable practices we so desperately need.
The CEC and base saturation are paramount to a high-per forming living organic soil. Cations are positively charged nutrient ions consisting of mainly calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium, as well as trace elements. The higher the soil CEC, the more negative exchange sites are available to hold onto the minerals. When building a quality potting soil with plenty of humus and biology, the aim is to fill the CEC with a ratio of about 70% calcium, 10% magnesium, 4% potassium and 1.5% sodium. The rest of the space should be free for trace elements and exchangeable hydrogen.
credit: www.tur fcaresupply.com
Cation Exchange Capacity
credit: Grab N’ Grow Soil Products
A superior quality, well-constructed livA superior quality, well-constructed living potting ing potting soil will also have a high CEC soil will also have a high CEC (cation exchange (cation exchange capacity), which is the capacity), which is the measure of its ability to measure of its ability to hold minerals and nutrients. It has excellent moisture hold minerals and nutrients retention, which not only reduces the need for fer tilizer inputs but also presents a potential solution to harmful nitrate runoff and water waste.
mineral content provides maximum crop per formance. The results are often superior flavor and smell, increased secondary metabolite production, and nutritious yields limited only by plant genetics and environmental factors. To keep the soil balanced and restore consumed minerals, you can apply small spoon-fed amounts of organic amendments between growing cycles. When top-dressing, lightly scratch amendments into the top of your soil and apply a layer of worm castings or compost covered with some mulch. The soil biology will begin breaking down the organic minerals for the plant. Your living organic soil should increase in fer tility over time, requiring fewer inputs and less water. Be sure to always take the ratio of minerals above and the soil CEC into consideration, as applying too much of it can alter the balance and do more harm than good. If managed well, your soil can provide harvests for a lifetime. 3
Generally, when a soil CEC is filled close to the recommended ratio it will have an ideal mineral composition that allows efficient nutrient uptake by plants through root and microbial exudates. Both the plant roots and microorganisms can exude hydrogen ions and exchange them for calcium or other cations. This exchange is what leads to optimum soil pH levels of about 6.4. An excellent living organic potting soil takes all of this into account, and its rich
Matt Barnes, Director of Southern No-Till and Easy As Organics. Matt has worked to create viable gardening businesses in Australia with a focus on biological soil health. He has been heavily influenced by a number of forward-thinking people in the field of regenerative agriculture. Matt has studied soil biology and microscopy with Dr Mary Cole of AgPath and continues to use microscope analysis to determine compost and soil health. He also continues to develop sustainable, organic gardening products that maximize crop production while building soil carbon and encouraging ecological diversity.
Bio
19
REVISITED
It has be en quite an uphill bat tle for LED, and it ’s mos tly the indus tr y ’s own f ault... 20
LED REVISITED
BY THEO TEKSTRA
I
n 2015, I wrote an article about LED for Garden Culture. At that time, the most efficient white LEDs were up to 2.4 µmol/J, and the most efficient red LEDs went up to 2.7 µmol/J.Those top-bin LEDs were costly, so many manufacturers used much lower efficiency LEDs up to 2.1/2,2 µmol/J. Most Chinese sourced or rebranded cheap LED fixtures, though, were even
much below 1.9 µmol/J, making a switch from HPS expensive and not worthwhile. I was skeptical at that time, as there was so much misinformation in the market. How has the market changed in four years, and what is the current state of the LED? How has the industry progressed, and what lessons have been learned?
Short history When LED lamps and fixtures first came out for growing plants more than a decade ago, they were positioned as “magic lamps.” They would replace a 600W HPS with just 150W of energy use. But these early “UFO style” lamps fell through quickly and gave the whole LED industry a bad name. Incredibly, they are somehow still available.
These early “UFO st yle” lamps fell through quickly and gave the whole LED industr y a bad name
Since then, it has been quite an uphill battle for LED, and it’s mostly the industry’s own fault. I can show you videos of manufacturers promoting their 400W LED fixture to replace one (hell, maybe even two) 1000W HPS fixtures. When talking about their competition, and this is a direct quote: “You can grill chicken on a Gavita,” when their less efficient installation produced a higher heat-to-light ratio than HPS, totally disregarding thermodynamic laws. Subsequent higher efficiency and higher power fixtures were introduced, and guess what? According to certain manufacturers, they still replaced the 1000W HPS fixture, which of course, is not even close to the truth.
Even with the dropping prices, the investment in a µmol of LED is still about four times as expensive as a µmol of HPS light. Energy efficiency, less cooling, better spectrum, increased crop quality, shorter grow cycles, reduced maintenance costs, and the ability to grow multi-layer can offset the operational costs drastically, specifically on a cash crop such as cannabis. The latter explains the success of LED over the last few years.
Currently, when used in a fixture (so, after driver losses), red and blue LED fixtures perform well over 3 µmol/J, with the red LED still being most efficient. White LED fixtures get to 2.7 µmol/J after driver losses. Some white LED fixtures have extra red LEDs to improve the efficiency of the fixture and balance the spectrum.
Status of full spectrum LED today
Over the last few years, a few manufacturers stood up to break through this stigma of LED; Philips has been up front, as they have a vast interest in replacing their market-leading installed base. LED has become more science-based, and trials to test different spectrums have led to good results. White LED development enabled the industry to come with improved spectral quality, though in the beginning, again, that happened at the cost of less efficiency.
In greenhouses, LED is mostly used as supplemental light. In many cases, the high efficiency blue/red combinations provide enough spectral range to supplement the full spectrum sunlight, but that’s not always the case, especially when operating in the Nordics. We see renewed interest in the application of full spectrum lighting in horticulture. Though the fixture is less efficient, it results in better quality and faster crop, and there are strong indications that yield improves under full spectrum supplemental light compared to red and blue. For indoor growing, the choice of full spectrum over blue/red only is a no-brainer. For the sake of this argument, I will look at just the most efficient full spectrum LEDs on the market today. Just remember that blue/red LED fixtures can be about 10% more efficient.
With all the new technology in LED, we have also seen a drop in price over the years. It’s not a huge reduction, as new technology/better efficiency products are always more expensive at first. Still, we are currently in a position where, for a cash crop, you can easily do the break-even point calculation for LED. Those calculations can even be made in horticulture, especially if you take the energy efficiency rebate into account, making the investment a lot less.
So what, compared to traditional HPS fixtures, is the actual efficiency of a wide spectrum LED fixture? We need to consider driver losses, reflector materials and reflector losses, lamp quality, and lamp degradation. In this overview, you see the range within even a single HPS type of fixture. Not all reflectors are very efficient, and a dirty reflector can lose a lot of its reflective qualities. Lamps are available in a wide range of output.
21
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LED REVISITED
Efficiencies HPS EM/EL fixtures, including reflector depreciation and lamp depriciation
When a fixture is equipped with a new lamp:
At some point the lamp will degrade and have less output:
BEST CASE is the best lamps in the market with a new best-performing MIRO reflector. WORST CASE is a lower-quality lamp with an old anodized reflector. A 1000W lamp is a double-ended lamp with Miro reflector.
Even in the best case for HPS, with a new, highest qualit y reflector and the best lamp, a 2.7 Âľmol /J wide spectrum LED fix ture is over 30% more ef ficient than HPS
You see, even in the best case for HPS, with a new, highest quality reflector and the best lamp, a 2.7 Âľmol/J wide spectrum LED fixture is over 30% more efficient than HPS. This percentage will even be slightly better, as an HPS fixture in use is seldom at its optimal quality due to reflector losses and lamp degradation over its lifetime.
Data derived from published information by Philips, GE, OSRAM, Gavita, Eye Hortilux, Ushio, Fluence by Osram and lamp measurements in the lighting lab. 23
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LED REVISITED
So, what are the specific differences in the LED solution compared to the best HPS solution?
HPS
Criterium
LED
Efficiency
Average 1.9 µmol/J for a high-quality fixture.
2.7 µmol/J for a high-quality, wide spectrum fixture.
Heat dissipation
55-60% radiated heat.
10% radiated heat.
Spectrum
Limited, specifically in green and blue.
Custom, full spectrum.
Light spread
Optimal with reflector.
Lenses can be used to create a good spread but cause an extra 6-10% light loss.
Light maintenance
Reflector as well as lamp degradation will require replacements.
No lamp changes, less than 10% reduction over 8 years of continuous flowering use.
Costs
Cheap initially, but that price more than doubles with lamp and reflector changes plus labor over time, >30% more electricity use for lighting only.
Relatively expensive, 3-4 times an HPS fixture, but lower electricity use, less maintenance, no lamp or reflector replacement costs.
Climate control
The lower efficiency requires much more cooling capacity, up to >40%, which is a large investment and costs energy as well.
Though less cooling is required, in cold months, extra heating is required during the lights on cycle to maintain an optimal temperature. Still, the balance is much in favor of LED.
Crop cycle
The normal period of average of 9 weeks for cannabis flowering, depending on the cultivar.
Reduction in flowering time up to a week.
“Grams per Watt”
Good growers achieve 1-1.4 grams per Watt of lighting applied.
Because of the better efficiency, LED growers achieve 1.4-2 grams per Watt of lighting applied.
Crop quality
Good quality, cannabis responds well to HPS, though adding supplemental blue and green increases overall quality.
Increased quality of end product because of the full spectrum: Cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes increase under full spectrum light.
Multi-layer / short distance applications
NOT suitable. You need a certain distance to the crop and overlap of the fixtures to create a good light uniformity.
By being able to spread the light evenly over a large space using low power bars, extremely suitable.
Other than the initial costs, there are no significant advantages to HPS. The radiated heat of HPS is not always an issue though, and sometimes, is even desirable in cold climate situations, as radiant heat is a very efficient way to keep the leaf temperature optimal. There is one area, however, where HPS can still beat LED, and that is uniformity of light over a crop by using well-designed reflectors in a sizeable single-layer room. To get optimal consistency with LEDs, you need some distance to the crop or must use lenses that reduce the efficiency of the fixture. Even so, after those lens losses, the LED efficiency remains better, and in most cases, an excellent uniformity can be reached by choosing the right fixture.
The catch Sounds too good to be true? Where is the catch? Let’s say you want to replace your current HPS installation with LED. Can you do that? Absolutely! You will have a better spectrum and use much less electricity. However…
•
• •
Your HVAC installation will still be dimensioned for 30% more cooling, so you don’t save in investment there, though your climate control costs will decrease. The lower temperature can lead to higher relative humidity, requiring you to use more dehumidification. Less irradiant heat will mean less evaporation. Bringing the environmental temperature up will also cost you some energy in the cold months, but still, you will see less evaporation from the plants, having its impact on the water use, sap stream in the plant, and nutrient uptake. You will need to adjust the way you grow.
As you see, the climate is the biggest catch when you move from HPS to LED. In many cases, that extra capacity of HVAC you have available can be used to expand your facility without additional investments in cooling, but you will need to make sure you can maintain a temperature in your grow room. 25
LED REVISITED
Growing under LED requires adjustments of climate and fertigation because of a different energy balance. It’s a learning process, and having a supplier that has horticultural experience and crop experts available is a huge help. I would say this is one of the most critical factors for the successful implementation of LED.
Who to choose? With so many suppliers offering LED solutions nowadays and new ones popping up every month, who do you choose? Here are a few guidelines. 1. PPF/J (the efficiency of the fixture) does matter. The total output of the fixture and its efficiency are still the most important factors. You need to be able to distribute all that light, but specs as “PPFD at a certain distance” don’t mean a thing as a base spec. A narrow-angle LED will get you a higher intensity at a certain distance but at a much smaller surface. Does the manufacturer not specify PPF/J (in µmol/J)? Disqualified. Also, where do they get their data from? Are these fixture efficiencies? Are driver losses taken into account? 2. Spectrum does matter. Not all wide spectrum LED fixtures are the same. Some use a large amount of red and blue, and a few white LEDs to create what they call a “wide spectrum”. This pinkish-purple light, however, doesn’t have much of a continuous spectrum at all. Some Chinese manufacturers even dare to call their red and blue fixtures “full spectrum”. 3. There is no such thing as ‘good and cheap’. Top bin, efficient LEDs are expensive. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. 4. Continuity. Often a forgotten aspect. You are buying a product that will have to last about five to seven years. That is a pretty long time! Will the manufacturer be able to support you and honor your warranty claims? Will they even be there in three years? If something goes wrong, will they have the deep pockets to correct their mistakes? How big and successful is the organization? Buying cheap may seem attractive at first, but in the long run, can end in total disaster. Having to send your warranty fixtures back to a faraway country and waiting for a replacement is not an option. 5. Communication. I don’t mean if a manufacturer has fancy advertisements or a good trade show booth; what do they claim? Are their claims consistent? Have they been backed with good, reliable case studies? Is it all anecdotal, and does it seem too good to be true? What did they say before they had these new efficient models? Beware of snake oil. Ask for references. Take claims with a grain of salt as every manufacturer will put his best results forward.
There is one area, however, where HPS can still beat LED, and that is uniformit y of light over a crop by using welldesigned reflectors in a sizeable single-layer room You may have noticed that I currently work for an LED manufacturer. Does that color my judgment? It’s the other way around! Four years ago, I foresaw a good future for LED if the efficiencies were better and the costs per µmol lower. Investments in this technology are still relatively high, but we have come such a long way in efficiency. It is possible to break even in a shorter time. Energy efficiency will force us to choose different routes for the cultivation of crops, and the advantage is swinging clearly towards LED. Though for cash crops it is a no-brainer to calculate return on investment, for horticulture and greenhouses, it is still a complicated calculation. In a future article, we will focus on that subject and see what progress has been made in light recipes and application, such as hybrid lighting and multi-layer growing. 3
BIO Theo Tekstra is a regular contributor to Garden Culture Magazine and currently works for Fluence by Osram as the product marketing manager. Theo has also overseen disruptive product introductions into the hydroponics market for a major lighting manufacturer and is a respected and experienced industry professional in the horticulture industry. 27
BY GRUBBYCUP
Photosynthesis, Translocation, Transpiration &Respiration
28
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
P
hotosynthesis takes sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to charge ATP and NADPH. These are in turn used to power sugar production, which can be transpor ted around the plant where it can be conver ted back into ATP and utilized by cells.
ATP ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a complex and useful molecule made of a nitrogen base (adenine), a sugar (ribose), and a phosphate “tail” (triphosphate). When charged, it is in a form called ATP (adenosine triphosphate), and when discharged, it either loses a single phosphate section to become ADP (adenine dinucleotide phosphate) or loses two par ts to become AMP (adenosine monophosphate). ATP is an essential driving force in growth and activity. It supplies energy to cells and is also used in a variety of functions including signaling, RNA and DNA formation, cell to cell transpor t, and amino acid activation. ATP is not just found in plants, but in higher animals as well. Human beings use and regenerate their body weight in ATP every day.
Photosynthesis Photosynthesis combines carbon dioxide, water, and light to produce sugar and oxygen. When the chlorophyll in a plant is exposed to light, par t of the energy is used to split water (H2O) molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. This reaction captures electrons (to use as fuel), hydrogen (to conver t NADP to NADPH), and oxygen(O). The oxygen is released into the air, and the hydrogen and some of the energy is used to conver t low energy NADP+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) molecules into the higher energy NADPH molecules, and low energy ADP molecules into higher energy ATP molecules. In other words; light and water powers up the ADP to become ATP, and the NADP to become NADPH. These molecules store energy for the next reaction. The extra oxygen is released and is how plants produce it. Since this process requires light, it is referred to as the lightdependent por tion of photosynthesis. The ATP and NADPH can then be used to power the “Calvin-Benson cycle” in the light-independent por tion of photosynthesis, which takes carbon dioxide (CO2) entering through the stomata (pores on the undersides of leaves) and conver ts it to glucose (sugar) in a series of three steps:
1) Carbon Fixation: An enzyme known as RuBisCO (ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) combines the carbon dioxide with RuBP (ribulose bisphosphate), creating two molecules of 3-PGA (phosphoglyceric acid). 2) Reduction: The energy from ATP and NADPH molecules is used to convert the 3-PGA molecules into a molecule called G3P. With their energy spent, the ATP and NADPH return to their low power (ADP and NADP+) forms which can be recharged and used again. 3) Regeneration: Most of the G3P is used to regenerate the RuBP (used in step one), but some of it is used to create glucose (C6H12O6) and fructose (also C6H12O6).
Translocation The glucose and fructose are combined to form sucrose (C12H 22O11 aka table sugar), which is a carbohydrate that is transpor ted throughout the plant by a series of veins, known as the phloem, as par t of translocation. The phloem is found in a layer just under the bark and over the xylem. The phloem translocates not only sucrose but amino acids, proteins, hormones, and mineral elements as well in a generally sticky substance known as phloem sap. Sucrose can be used to power a variety of processes and contributes to the formation of cellulose (fiber). Sucrose can also be conver ted into starches for long term storage such as the endosperm found in seeds.
Transpiration Transpiration in plants starts when water first enters the plant through root hairs. It then passes through the roots, up through the tube-shaped xylem vessels to the leaves, and finally through openings on the bottoms of leaves known as stomata, exiting the plant by passing their specialized guard cells. The plant can move water (xylem sap) this way because the attraction (cohesion) of the water molecules for each other forms a chain of water molecules linked together. This is the same force that creates surface tension and capillary action. As water escapes to evaporation past the open guard cells on the underside of leaves, it creates a tug which lifts replacement water into the root hairs at the bottom. In times of severe drought, since there is no replacement water available, the chains of water will begin to shrink, which will cause wilting, and eventually break, resulting in terminal wilt. 29
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Respiration is the opposite of photosynthesis. Glucose (from photosynthesis) and oxygen are converted back into ATP (energy), carbon dioxide, and water.
Guard cells surrounding the stomata openings can deflate to close off the opening or swell to clear the path. When open, stomata not only allow water to leave the plant as it evaporates into the air (driving transpiration) but carbon dioxide (CO2) which is needed for photosynthesis to enter. Stomata close at night when photosynthesis needs drop. They will also close to prevent water loss in drought conditions. Since they open by swelling with water, a general lack of water in the plant can cause them to remain closed even under conditions where they otherwise would open.
Respiration is the opposite of photosynthesis. Glucose (from photosynthesis) and oxygen are converted back into ATP (energy), carbon dioxide, and water. For the above-ground portion of the plant, the oxygen is supplied by the stomata, and below ground, the roots must be able to absorb oxygen as well, which is why they can suffer from drowning.
Potassium is also used in enzyme activation. Enzymes are catalysts that interact with other molecules to effect change without being changed themselves. One analogy is that they are like keys that can change a lock from locked to unlocked, without any change in the key itself, and the same key could be used on several bolts (that are keyed the same). Potassium assists several vital enzymatic reactions including several involved with plant growth and photosynthesis.
Since respiration does not require light the way photosynthesis does, it occurs all the time throughout the plant.
Another use of potassium is in the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). A lack of potassium can slow ATP production, which in turn can slow all processes that use ATP for fuel.
30
Respiration
One of the reasons plants require potassium is the role it plays in guard cell function. The plant moves potassium ions (along with chloride) into the guard cells to draw water into them, causing them to swell and open. Potassium is pumped out to close the cells, which also pulls water out. A deficiency in potassium can interfere with proper guard cell function.
An overabundance of potassium is antagonistic to magnesium which is also needed for photosynthesis, so more is not always better.
Interconnection Under well-lit conditions, plants will emit more oxygen from photosynthesis than they will release carbon dioxide through respiration. This gives them a net effect of being oxygen producers. Since animals can’t use photosynthesis to gather energy, they generally rely on either eating plants or eating other animals that eat plants. Animals still use respiration, however, so they emit carbon dioxide. In a balanced environment, plants will use the carbon dioxide from animal respiration, and animals will use the oxygen freed by plant photosynthesis to mutual benefit. 3
®
©
®
Find Us: FoxFarmFertilizer.com
Call Us: 800-4FOXFARM
cool
ways T
TO HE L P YOUR GA R D E N S BE AT THE HE AT
here are many indications that climate change is upon us, and the crippling heat waves taking place across the globe is one of them. The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions says our days will only be getting hotter; if greenhouse gas emissions aren’t significantly reduced by midcentury, scientists expect 20 record highs for every
record low. Extreme temperatures can have a devastating impact on the garden, so we’ve put together a list of 5 cool ways to help your plants beat the heat next summer!
Palm Fronds
In dry climates where temperatures hit the triple digits, tomatoes experience leaf drop, eggplants stop flowering, and the squash develops only male flowers, so they don’t waste energy bearing fruit. Garden Culture Magazine did a feature on Faultline Farm (Issues UK 25, US 23) near California’s Mojave desert where the gardens consistently battle daytime temperatures of up to 115°F (46°C) in the summer. The lead horticulturalist at the time, Giavanna Accurso, told us about a neat idea she had to shade her crops from the heat with palm fronds eventually! At Faultline Farm, the fronds also double as barriers to keep the coyotes at bay.
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Credit: Custom Shade
2
Credit: Giavanna Accurso
1
Shade Cloth If you live in a climate where palm fronds aren’t at your disposal, there are plenty of manmade materials available to keep the garden cool. From something as simple as a patio umbrella or an old bedsheet to more elaborate shade cloths designed explicitly for vegetable gardening, these are all easy and affordable ways to give your plants a break from the blistering heat so they can deliver the yields you crave.
5 COOL WAYS
Mu lch
Adding mulch to the garden at the beginning of every growing season is an excellent way to conserve soil moisture and control its temperature during periods of drought.When it gets scorching hot, mulch will spare you the second watering per day. Less frequent watering also means nutrients will stay put rather than washing out. And plenty of nutrients there will be; applying mulch in the spring before the soil begins to dry out will lead to a steady supply of organic matter broken down by microorganisms throughout the summer. Fine mulches such as shredded hardwood and leaves, pine fines, and compost should be applied around the plant (but not right up against the stem) at a depth of 2 inches; coarse mulches, such as straw or wood chips need thicker applications of about 6 inches.
4
Credit: pixaby.
3
I n sul ating Co n tainers
5
Choose Plants Carefully
Credit: pixaby.
Credit: pixaby.
A trick to keeping the soil cool in container gardens is to insulate the flower pots with newspaper or another kind of mulch. Insulating the pot helps plants stay cool in the heat by par tially blocking the suns rays, but it will also keep them warm if temperatures dip. Select a pot about 3 inches larger in diameter than the plant’s primary pot. Once you’ve set the pot inside the larger one, fill the space between the containers with straw, leaves, newspaper, or any other kind of mulch. You can also add a couple of inches of leaves or bark to the soil surface for added protection.
We might all soon be doing a little xeriscaping; a gardening technique focused on water conservation and the selection of drought-tolerant plants. While succulents are always a good option, there are many trees, shrubs, and even flowers that don’t need a lot of water and can withstand the heat very well. Artichokes, wormwood, fountain grasses, and geraniums are all excellent choices. Coneflowers, globe thistle, lavender, and iris can also survive with little moisture. Selecting plant varieties like these will not only save on water; it’ll also spare you a whole bunch of maintenance on those sweltering days.You’re welcome!
33
BY EVAN FOLDS
Regenerative is the New Sustainable
What do you think; are we doing our humanity justice?
34
REGENERATION
F
or everything that humanity has going for it, do you think we could be doing a better job? In some ways, we are not smart enough, but in others, we’re too smart for our own good. In so many situations, we are amazing at doing the wrong things. The solutions to the problems we face are all around us, yet our
economic, social, and cultural systems seem stuck in the dark ages. What gives?
Of course, Big Money has interests, and it moves slow. For some, it is difficult to understand how people can make money by keeping us in the dark ages until it becomes clear that we are effectively using our buying power to purchase this reality into existence.
The solutions to the problems we face are all around us, yet our economic, social, and cultural systems seem stuck in the dark ages
We get to vote with what we buy daily, and it is the best tool we have to move the world in the directions we want it to go. Too often, we buy what we don’t support. The strategy is simple; if the company you are spending money with does not share your values, stop buying their stuff. If enough of us do this in a coordinated way, we can move the world. Our time to live care-free and oblivious to the Earth that provides for us is over. There are now companies in most sectors of business that perform similar services to conventional oldworld options but remain committed to true cost accounting and a values-based approach to business. We can no longer remain oblivious to the impact of our actions and addictions. We are out of balance; we are falling behind; you can see and feel the disconnect everywhere. Globally, we use 160,000 single-use trash bags every second; their average time of use is only 12 minutes. They are clogging up the oceans, and they sit in landfills for thousands of years until they melt into microplastics that are now being found inside organisms from the darkest depths of our oceans. There are billions of life forms contained in only a teaspoon of living soil; and we watch conventional farmers, lawn care services, our City Parks Department, and our neighbors destroy soil with man-made artificial toxic chemicals, only to chase all of the problems they are creating with more toxic chemicals. The way we farm and care for the land — monocultures, GMO crops, heavy applications of synthetic fertilizers —
has made us dependent upon toxic rescue chemistry, and unfamiliar with cleaner and more natural methods of agriculture. Think about it; we are smarter than yields at all cost, using artificial materials to grow living systems, short term thinking, and immediate gratification. Without a healthy perspective for balance and diversity through an “ecosystem approach,” we put ourselves on a chemical treadmill with a horizon that stretches only as far as the next crop. We obscure the broader and longer-term context of why we have become so chemically dependent in the first place, and how we might be able to break free of the addiction.
We have a limitation of language when it comes to holding ourselves accountable on this level. We are always playing for the shor t term and operating in ways that are blatantly benefiting the few at the expense of the many, but more directly, on an individual level, we consistently and unconsciously encourage the opposite of our self-interests. “Depructivity” is the dark side of productivity that, often by design, lies mostly outside of our awareness. It is “depructive” to corporate farmers’ subsidies and not family farmers. It is “depructive” to pollute the environment in the name of profit. It is “depructive” to gorge ourselves in the face of hunger. It is “depructive” to engage the present without a plan for the future. In short, “depructivity” undermines what we would want if we were asked. A good example of “depructivity” is the average car. Most cars run on gasoline, a source of energy produced from a finite resource that pollutes the Earth, and that we purchase from organizations that arguably do not have our interests in mind. When looked at objectively and we realize that we have other options, this doesn’t sound like a very smart idea, right?
35
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REGENERATION
Our time to live care-free and oblivious to the Earth that provides for us is over
Fast food is “depructive”. Estimates say that a $3 fast food cheeseburger would cost anywhere from $12 to $30 without government subsidies. Fast food agriculture pollutes the environment and is allowed to engineer “food” that is cheap, delicious, convenient, and extractive using our tax dollars. This is corporatism. It’s what Dr. Vandana Shiva calls “fake cheap”.
The strategy is simple; if the company you are spending money with does not share your values, stop buying their stuff
cut the cord, to build new systems that make the existing systems obsolete. To solve our problems, we need to raise the level of dialogue. We need a fresh conversation and new vocabulary. Sustainability is a popular buzzword for being hip to the social, environmental, and economic issues that we face, but sustainable is no longer sufficient. Unfortunately, we cannot sustain what we have and call it good enough.
In fact, anything fake is “depructive”. Fake fats. Fake news. Fake sugar. Fake money. Fake...period.
Regenerative is the new sustainable.
Many acts done in the name of productivity are, in the end, just plain stupid. But the term “depructive” is not a judgmental term. It is a new kind of word that escapes meaning and lives in the margins. It is pointing out a blind spot in our modern human nature.
What is “regenerative”? The term describes processes, perspectives, and methods that restore, renew, or revitalize. Regenerative systems build themselves up over time, and they yield more energy than they use. The principle of regeneration allows us to use our problems to find solutions.
We don’t have words for this phenomenon in our lexicon, and words matter. Without words, we are the blind leading the blind. We have become so accomplished at fooling ourselves that we are fooling ourselves.
A regenerative approach creates positive feedback loops that not only sustain themselves but retain the capacity to generate their own energy. By establishing systems that reinforce and support themselves, we are integrating the ambitions of society with the integrity of Mother Nature.
We are at an inflexion point in our history, where the actions that we take now will define the health and success of our future. And we don’t get a do-over. It is time to wake up. The status quo is not good enough. Given the ability and ingenuity available to us in the world, we are at a point of great potential prosperity; but we need new ideas rooted in the natural world, we need to bring balance and discernment to our decision-making process, we need more heart and less head, and we need to put people before profit. We face real and growing problems. Many have decades of entrenchment and momentum in the wrong directions. We cannot be afraid to say no to the conventional idea of progress, to
To solve our problems, we need to play a massive game of catch up. We need to mobilize masses of people motivated by a message of human health and common sense. We need to incentivize healthy actions and bring those who have become disillusioned by crony politics back into action, particularly in local politics. We have to tell a new story about ourselves, about our brilliance, about the wonder in the world. The reverence we generate must be passed down to our children in the form of imagination, intuition, and heartfelt inspiration. These impulses are in resonance with what makes us great and aligned with a future that includes every single one of us. 37
REGENERATION
We can right the wrongs of the world, but only together. Only when all of us organize around a core set of principles that no human with ambitions for a healthy future built on common sense can deny. We outnumber “them” by billions and are calling for a recalibration of our sociopolitical priorities and a new articulation of our cultural conviction. We are calling on all of us.
In fact, anything fake is “depructive”. Fake fats. Fake news. Fake sugar. Fake money. Fake...period
The issues that we face are daunting. They are not black and white, and are not a result of a single problem or a unique solution; they are multidisciplinary, cross political spectrums and specializations, and challenge us to show up in collaboration and cooperation, rather than calculation and competition. If we look at the enormity of the problem, it can be overwhelming. The secret is to let go, then break a complicated situation down into small bite-sized steps. If we seek guidance and have faith in living systems, we come to understand that Mother Nature has already shown us the way to abundance and that we are actually in the process of remembering. The consequences of compromise and settling for “good enough” in regards to human and environmental health and prosperity are now apparent. The prosperity gap is widening,
We can no longer remain unconscious to ourselves, our neighbors, and the Earth; we must respond with consciousness. We need to lead Mother Earth with open hearts and open minds through spiritual action and have a high-level conversation on what we want to be in the world that starts with common sense and ends with healthy people. If we get this right, the rest will come naturally. Ultimately, we are human be-ings, not human do-ings. We are resilient. Eventually, we will begin to go within, sit still, and meditate long enough to realize the damage that we are doing, the power that we have, and the dangers that we face, and navigate a path to prosperity and abundance. But the longer we wait, the harder we make it on ourselves. We have the solutions to our problems, and we can create abundance on Earth through positive feedback loops and regenerative methods. What we need is the personal, collective, and political will to make it happen. After all, the outcome for humanity is the sum of people’s desire for the future; the sum of human will. 3
Sustainability is a popular buzzword for being hip to the social, environmental, and economic issues that we face, but sustainable is no longer sufficient
Bio
Evan Folds is a regenerative agricultural consultant with a background across every facet of the farming and gardening spectrum. He has founded and operated many businesses over the years - including a retail hydroponics store he operated for over 14 years, a wholesale company that formulated beyond organic products and vortex-style compost tea brewers, an organic lawn care company, and a commercial organic wheatgrass growing operation. He now works as a consultant in his new project Be Agriculture where he helps new and seasoned growers take their agronomy to the next level.What we think, we grow! Contact Evan at www.BeAgriculture.com or on Facebook and Instagram @beagriculture 38
and people are being left behind. This is not just a human problem; this is a public health problem, it is an economic problem, and it is an environmental problem.
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GROWING PROJECTS
s ’ o Whowing at h Gr W Where 1.
USA
& Canada
Baie-D’Urfé, Canada
Growing Values
Credit: The Garden At the Fritz
Connecting veteran gardeners with youth is only part of the fun at The Garden at Fritz. In addition to teaching the next generation how to grow organic produce, the garden also donates all of its crops to local food banks and charities. Run by a group of volunteers, the aim is to help younger gardeners reach out to the local community and assume responsibility for others, helping those in crisis. The non-profit organization grows tomatoes, beans, squash, cucumbers, aubergines, and chilis in abundance; the warm weather in the 2018 growing season saw their harvests increase by 90% in some cases! Everyone is welcome to participate in the garden’s efforts; whether it be to share their gardening knowledge, learn from others, or to get some fresh air while enjoying the view of the lake!
2.
Developing social values. Learn more: gardenatfritz.com
Columbus, OH
Sunny Meadow Flowers Farm is all about small-scale floriculture and creating a connection between customers and where their bouquets come from. On an urban farm, just 6 miles outside of downtown Columbus, Steve and Gretel Adams grow seasonal, fresh cut flowers almost yearround. The first generation farmers make sustainability a priority, and therefore, focus on making their surrounding environment as healthy as possible. Organic growing practices have resulted in healthy soil and a reduced need for chemicals on the property. Pollinators are protected with integrated pest management that employs the help of beneficial insects, and mechanical cultivation replaces weed-killing herbicides. The farm is also dedicated to building strong relationships with the local community and promises the diverse range of flowers it grows will arouse feelings of joy and nostalgia in those who buy them.
Credit: Sunny Meadows Flower Farm
Community Connections
Putting the environment and the community first. Learn more: sunnymeadowsflowerfarm.com
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GROWING PROJECTS
o’s ng h t W owi a Gr WhWhere
USA
& Canada 3.
Memphis, TN
Education, Fish, and Food
Credit: New Way Aquaponics Farms
Math and science are a bigger part of gardening than most of us realize! New Way Aquaponics Farms uses the skills learned in school to yield better quantity and quality of the food it grows via aquaponics. The farm opened in 2017 with education in mind; it aims to show adults and school-age children alike the art of growing vegetables and protein simultaneously while also being environmentally sustainable. The technique grows plants with fish in water; the fish waste is converted into nutrients for the greens by naturally-occurring bacteria. Despite water being the medium of choice, aquaponics uses only 10% of the water used in conventional agriculture! Indoor demonstration grow rooms at New Way Farms allow eager learners to get up close and personal to the closed system; conference rooms are available for schools, and chefs are often on-site to demonstrate cooking techniques. Plans for the future include a 3,000 sq ft greenhouse to supply local restaurants, markets, and herbal medicine practitioners with fresh, clean produce. Classroom to farm; farm to table. Learn more: newwayaquaponicfarms.com
4.
Cocoa, FL
Credit: Susan Slater
Student Environment Susan Slater has a passion for gardening and growing food that she wants to share with everyone around her. She recently took over a plant nursery called Our World Edibles from her parents and is hoping to turn it into a non-profit organization focusing on permaculture and visiting schools to teach bucket gardening to food-insecure children or those who simply have a keen interest in growing. Slater is also a non-traditional older college student at Eastern Florida State College, where she has been leading a project that has planted mango, orange, and grapefruit trees throughout the campus for students to take from and eat. She’s also planted a beautiful aromatherapy garden containing mint, cilantro, rosemary, and fennel to help relieve her fellow students of school-related stress and anxiety. Gardening for the greater good. 3
43
BY ANNE GIBSON
The Case for Rekindling the Lost Art of
Seed Saving “Cultivating and conserving diversity is no luxury in our times: it is a survival imperative.” Vandana Shiva
T
en years ago, at a local gardening group, I heard an elderly gardener extolling the importance of saving seeds with a great sense of urgency. At the time, I thought ‘why bother?’
when seeds are so cheaply available. However, the insights he provided that day changed my view and revealed a dark side to our food security. As a result, I started a seed saving group with bags of seed varieties from his garden, learned the skills to process and store seeds, and have spent the last decade as a dedicated seed saver.
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SEED SAVING
Seeds were saved in backyards and on-farm from the crops with the best yields, flavor, color, shape, size, drought resistance, aroma, texture, resilience to pests, and many other beneficial characteristics Seed Heritage
Consolidation of the Seed Industry
In the early part of this century, seeds were in the public However, since 1996, when genetically engineered (GE) seeds domain. For generations, gardeners, farmers, and plant were introduced, continuous global mergers and consolidation breeders have been seed ‘stewards’ taking personal of seed companies have dramatically transformed the responsibility for preserving a diverse range of food crops. commercial seed industry. In recent decades, a handful of Because seeds adapt to local conditions, climate, and soils, agro-chemical multinational companies have swallowed up seed saving growers have been able small family-owned seed companies, to select the healthiest, most robust minimizing competition and eroding plants to collect seeds from. Farmers Seed saving has always the sustainable options for growers. and plant breeders globally have Naturally, they can charge everbeen an investment in saved their own varieties suited to increasing prices for seed. particular conditions – just for their future generations of private gardens and farms. By eliminating seed lines and plants. Rightly so, limiting choices to hybrid seeds or when seeds are the This diverse heritage and careful genetically modified varieties that selection meant small growers had can’t be saved as they won’t grow beginning and the end access to unique cultivars, with many true-to-type, these multinationals in the food chain plants chosen because they were now control the vast majority of disease-resistant. Seeds were saved what farmers grow, and consumers in backyards and on-farm from the eat. Farmers who buy these seeds crops with the best yields, flavor, color, shape, size, drought are unable to save them for replanting. Currently, just four resistance, aroma, texture, resilience to pests, and many other chemical companies largely control our future food supply, beneficial characteristics. and that’s a worrying thought. Saving seeds has helped growers over generations save money These global pharmaceutical/chemical giants have also used by being self-sufficient and not having to buy more. Each year, intellectual property laws to turn seeds into a commodity their crops became better with careful selection, resulting in that now enables them to control the world seed supply. So higher yields and fewer problems. Seed saving has always been rather than farmers freely creating new breeds of seeds for an investment in future generations of plants. Rightly so, when their benefit and public exchange, since the 1980s, there have seeds are the beginning and the end in the food chain. been legal patents preventing such creativity and diversity. The threat of legal action discourages many farmers from Backyard gardeners and crop growers have also contributed replanting seeds they buy. These corporations have forcefully to local seed banks around their countries. Without this input, protected their IP rights, restricting the way seeds can be small seed businesses could not survive, and our plant choices used, exchanged publicly, and saved for research. would be severely diminished. For many crops, only a small space is needed to collect enough seed on a commercial scale. The result is a weakening of our food security and the diversity Selling seeds is also a source of income. of seeds in gardens, farms, and the marketplace. Plant genetic resources that should be in the public domain have been increasingly eliminated through escalating corporate control supported by court decisions.
Loss of Diversity
A variety of runner bean seeds
At the same time, the dramatic increase in monoculture crops to meet consumer and supermarket demands for perfect looking fruit and vegetables has led to other problems. There has been a drop in the diversity of crop varieties grown commercially, with a limited selection of seeds available to farmers.
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SEED SAVING
Instead of growing a wide range Unfortunately, a vast range of crops and plant varieties In recent decades, of tomato varieties with the best are now extinct. The increase in the development of a handful of agroflavor, aroma, and characteristics genetically modified, hybrid, and sterile seeds based chemical multinational suited to the seasonal climate on terminator technology threatens the future of companies have changes, the vast majority are bred seeds, farmers, and food security. swallowed up small for consistency of size, weight, skin thickness to avoid bruising Local and cultural knowledge that has been family-owned seed in transport, farming equipment, passed down through generations on preserving companies, minimizing and ease of picking at harvest heirloom, wild and cultivated plant varieties competition and eroding has also largely vanished. Gardeners, farmers, time. Thousands of seasonally the sustainable and locally adapted plant varieties and growers who could be self-reliant, are have been lost. With this kind of predominantly outsourcing seeds rather than options for growers monoculture farming, there’s often saving their own. the need to use more herbicides and pesticides to grow the crop. Another financial and health cost to farmers, consumers, and the Nutrient-loss in food environment. Hybrid and genetically modified seeds grown for high yields and commercial convenience have tended to sacrifice Organic farmers are particularly vulnerable to the reduction in nutrient value, flavor, and mineral content. According to seed availability and diversity. Organic growers depend on seeds SeedSavers.net, an Australian organization supporting bred for their capacity to resist pests and disease and ability to seed saving, “The tradeoff between yield and nutrient outcompete weeds. The use of chemicals on conventionally level seems to be widespread across crops and regions, as grown crops suits the conglomerates who have both seed and plants partition their limited energy between different goals. farm chemical divisions. So they make money selling seeds farmers Substantial data show that in corn, wheat and soybeans, the can’t grow on and the herbicide and pesticide products they need higher the yield, the lower the protein and oil content. The to sustain their crops. higher tomato yields (in terms of harvest weight), the lower the concentration of vitamin C, levels of lycopene (the key antioxidant that makes tomatoes red), and beta-carotene (a vitamin A precursor).”
Australian seeds
Corn cobs with dried kernels save for seed
There’s little incentive for biotech companies to research organic seed varieties when this eliminates the need for chemicals. Diverse heirloom seed varieties bred for many generations have been deleted in favor of investment into the most profitable seed lines. There’s no financial incentive for investment into seed cultivars that farmers can easily replant. Diversity in the gene pool achieved by careful selection of seed varieties that survive through climate changes, resist pests or diseases, and that flower or fruit early or late, are sadly, significantly reduced. This lack of diversity reduces the buffer for growers. If one crop of a single cultivar fails, there’s a massive loss.
Ten years on, talking to my local nursery growers who have been selling vegetable, herb, and flower seedlings for decades, staying viable is a struggle. It’s a very cost-driven business. The price of seeds has skyrocketed in recent years. Heirloom and non-GMO seed varieties have considerably diminished, replaced with hybrids that grow well for a single season. These growers can’t source enough bulk seeds within Australia, so rely on overseas hybrid seeds that won’t produce the same results in the next generation because they are genetically unstable. Seeds worth saving are those that grow true-to-type or the same as the parent plant. They preserve the unique traits from generation to generation. Growers are caught between a rock and a hard place. Many small seed companies in Australia buy the bulk of their stock overseas. Imported seeds have to pass customs and quarantine restrictions. Quality standards for seeds in other countries can vary considerably to our own, so there’s always the concern about how safe they are.
Saving Life’s Building Blocks
With our climate throwing constant challenges at us to grow food, it’s never been more essential to have seeds that are resilient to change. We need to save and develop new varieties that do well in our local area. Here’s where an opportunity comes in. 47
MYCLOBUTANIL SEED SAVING RISK
Organic farmers are particularly vulnerable to the reduction in seed availability and diversity
The Open Source Seed Initiative
The Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI), was inspired by the free and open source software movement that provided alternatives to proprietary software. This organization was created by a group of plant breeders, farmers, seed companies, and sustainability advocates who want to ‘free the seed.’ Their goal is to make sure the genes in at least some seed are protected from use by intellectual property rights. For more information, visit osseeds.org. In effect, this initiative creates a growing gene pool of ethically produced, fair trade seeds that can be used freely, without fear of the intellectual property being used by the corporate giants and removed from public use. Seeds are Nature’s gift and a precious resource. As seed stewards, gardeners and growers can help preserve and pass these on to future generations. So, whether you choose to grow and save your seed, buy from a seed company that aligns with your values, or support a local seed saving group or seed bank, you can take steps to regain control of our seed supply actively. Every gardener and grower that takes action in this direction helps improve and sustain our seed diversity, and ultimately, our food security. Carol Deppe, a retired geneticist, plant breeder, and author of Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties, says “All gardeners and farmers should be plant breeders. Developing new vegetable varieties doesn’t require a specialized education, a lot of land,
or even a lot of time. It can be done on any scale. It’s enjoyable. It’s deeply rewarding.” More farmers and gardeners recognize they need to ‘take back their seeds.’ They need to save more of their own seed, grow and maintain the best traditional and regional varieties, and develop more of their own unique new varieties. How does it work? OSSI helps maintain fair and open access to plant genetic resources worldwide. This ensures germplasm is available to farmers, gardeners, breeders, and communities of this and future generations. OSSI works with plant breeders who commit to making one or more of their varieties available exclusively under the OSSI Pledge: “You have the freedom to use these OSSI-Pledged seeds in any way you choose. In return, you pledge not to restrict others’ use of these seeds or their derivatives by patents or other means, and to include this Pledge with any transfer of these seeds or their derivatives.” This pledge is on all seed partner packaging. 3
Harvest of colorful heirloom tomato varieties Seed Saving Books available through seedsavers.net 49
BY CATHERINE SHERRIFFS
Canadian Cannabis Expo Wows Crowds In Toronto
T
here was a cer tain energy at the Lift&Co Cannabis Expo in Toronto, Canada at the beginning of June: one of great excitement and anticipation. There has never been a more interesting time in the industry. In the first edition since legalization, the expo opened the doors to a whole new type of consumer. The
Garden Culture team was there to take it all in.
The Canadian Cannabis Destination If you don’t already know, Lift&Co is the largest cannabis consumer and industry event in Canada, featuring over 250 exhibitors from around the world and 150 exper t speakers. It’s an oppor tunity to be educated on the latest news and technology in the industry, and also get a sneak peek at what’s coming down the pipeline.
It’s an oppor tunit y to be educated on the latest news and technolog y in the industr y, and also get a sneak peek at what’s coming down the pipeline
There is something for everyone at the event; from long-time cannabis users, sophisticated growers, and businesses, to occasional users and those new to the world of cannabis. People of all adult ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds were in attendance, connected by curiosity or a passion for the plant.
The Latest And Greatest The expo draws attention to the products that are moving and shaking the industry. Grow tents, high tech lighting, fans, foliar and odor sprays from many different brands were all on display, along with simple things like carrying cases, rolling papers, grinders, health and wellness products, various edibles, and so much more. Amid all the browsing (and collecting of free samples!), consumers and industry exper ts alike were invited to various talks on topics such as cannabis investing, medical cannabis, sexual pleasure and health, parenting and cannabis, and the future of cannabis beverages. 50
Did you know that by 2025, it’s expected that the #1 way cannabis will be consumed is through drinks? Move over alcohol! Fascinating stuff.
Edibles And Education
But the underlying theme at this year’s event seemed to be all about the edible market, which will become legal on October 17 th and is an attractive option for Canadians who don’t want to smoke (check out our feature on page 68).
LIFT&CO
Featured speakers gave demonstrations on how to bake or cook with cannabis (think cookies, brownies, gummies, energy bars, and even chicken noodle soup), but spoke about the impor tance of education and making sure the dosing is just right.
Did you know that by 2025, it’s expected that the #1 way cannabis will be consumed is through drinks
The idea is to avoid any bad experiences with edibles that will scare people away from consuming it ever again. Cannabis is, after all, five times stronger when ingested, and so understanding dosing is essential.
Sure, there is a lot of anticipation and anxiety surrounding the tight regulations the Canadian government has imposed on the industry. But most of all, the vibe was one of deep satisfaction and fulfillment.
Proud To Be Canadian
Joshua Tuck of the Cannabis Cooking Company spoke at the expo about how his mother used to flush his weed down the toilet when he was younger; now she stands behind him and the business he and his girlfriend star ted with pride.
Education aside, there was an enormous sense of pride at the expo from all of those involved in the industry; growers and users ranging from novice to exper t feeling happy to be a par t of this blossoming business, relieved that their voices are finally being heard.
We’ve come a long way. 3
51
BY RICH HAMILTON
I t is e s t im at ed t h at one-t hird of t he f ood t h at w e c ons ume da ily rel ie s on t he p ol l in at ion of hone y bee s 52
MUSHROOMS AND BEES
T
he bees are dying and in massive numbers, a tragedy, given their importance to the ecosystem. It is estimated that one-third of the food that we consume daily relies on the pollination of honeybees. Globally, there are more of them than any other type of pollinating insect, making them the most important pollinator on Earth.
Believe it or not , mushrooms are being toute d as a possible solution to the plight of the be es Pollinators strongly influence ecological relationships, ecosystem conservation and stability, genetic variation in the plant community, floral diversity, specialization, and evolution. In tropical forests, woodlands, mangroves, and deciduous forests, many species of plants and animals will not survive if bees disappear. The production of many food sources such as seeds, nuts, berries, and fruits are all highly dependent on insect pollination.
Why Are The Bees Dying?
The worst of these viruses is ‘Deformed Wing Virus’ or DWV, which results in wrinkled and misshapen wings and is affecting honeybee populations worldwide
There are multiple threats to the bee population, but one of the major ones is a tic parasite known as Varroa destructor. The flat, round, parasitic pests with eight legs are invading honeybee hives around the world. At 2mm long, they latch onto the bees and feed on their tissues, transmitting devastating viruses along the way. Once a few of these tic parasites get into a hive, they reproduce at a rapid rate, decimating it from within.
viral properties. The variety of mushroom that may have the power to save the bees belongs to an order of fungi known as ‘polypores,’ which are extracts shown in numerous studies to possess potent antiviral properties in humans against dangerous infections like swine flu, poxviruses, and even HIV. Paul Stamets is a prominent mycologist; what he doesn’t know about mushrooms, isn’t worth knowing! Stamets has long suspected that the extracts of the polypore mushrooms have similar antiviral effects in bees as they do humans.
Paul Stamets holding Fomitopsis officinalis
A bee that has difficulty flying is unable to pollinate many plants. If the infected bee does manage to visit a flower, it will leave behind a trace of the virus, which is then transmitted to other pollinators that visit later. It truly is a disaster of epic proportions and something that beekeepers currently possess no effective means of fighting. U.S. beekeepers recently reported that 40% of their hives/colonies died during the year that ended March 31st, 2019. That number is up 33% compared to last year. “Colony collapse disorder” is real.
Believe it or not, mushrooms are being touted as a possible solution to the plight of the bees. Mushrooms are nutrient-dense, full of protein, iron, B-vitamins, and critical nutrients. Known health benefits include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-
A bee with ‘Deformed Wing Virus’
credit: Klaas de Gelder
How Can We Help?
credit: By Dusty Yao-Stamets - Wikipedia
The worst of these viruses is ‘Deformed Wing Virus’ or DWV, which results in wrinkled and misshapen wings and is affecting honeybee populations worldwide. DWV prevents the bee from flying, which weakens their immune system and halves their lifespan.
53
credit: Nikon’s Small World
MUSHROOMS AND BEES
Amadou mushroom
Varroa destructor parasite on the back of a bee
T he va r ie t y of mu shro om t h at m ay h av e t he p o w er t o s av e t he bee s bel ong s t o a n or der of f ungi k no w n a s ‘p oly p or e s,’ w hich a r e e x t r a c t s sho w n in numerou s s t udie s t o p o s se s s p o t en t a n t i v ir a l p rop er t ie s in hum a ns a g a ins t d a ngerou s inf ec t ions l ik e s w ine f l u, p ox v iru se s, a nd e v en HI V
This theory first emerged back in inal properties) experiencing a 79-fold So far, the results 1984, when Stamets observed bees reduction. Those fed amadou extract have been incredibly from his hive flying back and forth to a experienced a 44-fold reduction. promising. Caged pile of fungus-coated wood. They appeared to be sipping at a liquid that bees infected with The field test also showed promising had oozed from the mushroom’s myresults for another aggressive disease DWV have seen an celium, the fuzzy, white web of filthat is ravaging the honeybee popula800-fold decrease in aments through which fungi absorb tion, called Lake Sinai Virus; it saw a virus levels when nutrients. At the time, he believed substantial 45,000-fold reduction when the bees were attracted to the sugthe bees were fed red reishi extract! dosed with Amadou ar in the liquid, as fungi break wood mushroom extract. down into glucose. A few years ago, The research has only been conducted however, he woke from a lucid dream over two months in the summertime. in which the bees were ingesting the Future studies need to be carried out liquid as a form of self-medication for some ailment, and over a full year, and, especially during the winter, as this is the not for the sugar. hardest time for the honeybee. After telling friends about this dream, one of them urged him to call Washington State University (WSU) and speak to Walter Sheppard, the world’s leading bee expert. Less than five minutes into the phone conversation, Sheppard knew he wanted to work with Stamets.
Many questions are surrounding the mushroom extract itself. How does it work? Does it boost the immune systems of the bees so they can fight back? Or does it inhibit the virus directly? Perhaps it is something else entirely. Tests are needed in more beehives so we can learn more.
With the assistance of Sheppard, researchers from WSU, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a research programme has been running for the past few years where sugar-water feeders are dosed with extracts from the mycelium of various species of mushrooms, allowing them to analyse the effect on bees with DWV.
With the bee population disappearing, so much is at stake. Mushrooms and fungi have the potential to help, but they are complicated, and the journey has just begun. Scientists will be working to identify their benefits for a long time. Will they save the bees? Only time will tell. 3
So far, the results have been incredibly promising. Caged bees infected with DWV have seen an 800-fold decrease in virus levels when dosed with Amadou mushroom extract. The field tests have seen a lower, albeit still significant, reduction in DWV with bee colonies fed reishi mushroom extract (well known in homeopathic circles for its medic54
Bio
An industry veteran with over 20 years experience in a variety of roles, Rich Hamilton is currently a business development manager for a large UK hydroponics distributor. The author of Growers Guide book series, Rich also writes on all aspects of indoor gardening, as well as being an independent industry consultant working closely with hydroponic businesses worldwide.
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Relative Humidity,
Transpiration and VPD
Transpiration is the driving force behind water uptake from the roots; critical nutrients are taken up and distributed through this process
56
DEFINING AND ORGANIC RELATIVE HUMIDITY, TRANSPIRATION VPD
E
nvironmental factors are the most impor tant to get right when growing indoors. Having control over the lighting, temperature, CO2, relative humidity, and air movement within your grow room is essential to raising healthy and productive plants.
Some of these regulating factors have an intimate relationship. For example, the ideal relative humidity in a room is very dependant on the temperature. Humidity controllers help optimize the grow room environment. Most humidity controllers work as a humidistat, turning the humidifier on and off according to the relative humidity (RH) setpoint. This has limitations because the optimum RH changes depending on the temperatures of both the air and plants. To solve this problem, a new generation of humidity controllers have a setting that uses the metrics of Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD), which takes all of the above into consideration.
Having control over the lighting, temperature, CO2, relative humidity, and air movement within your grow room is essential to raising healthy and productive plant
Transpiration
Humidity, Relative Humidity, and Vapor Pressure Humidity Humidity is the amount of water in the air. The air’s moisture level can only be present as an invisible vapor. Unlike fog, steam, or mist, humidity is not visible.
Relative Humidity and Plant Growth
Relative Humidity and Vapor Pressure
RH has a significant impact on plant growth and greatly influences transpiration. Transpiration is the loss of water vapor from the leaves to the air. If there is not much water vapor in the air (low RH), there will be more demand for the plant to transpire. Transpiration is the driving force behind water uptake from the roots; critical nutrients are taken up and distributed through this process. Plants need to transpire to grow, but a balance is required. Too much will cause undue stress, and too little will lead to weak growth.
Water vapor in the air will exert pressure on plants; this is essential to understanding water movement through plants. In high RH conditions, the pressure on the plant is more significant than in low RH conditions. The more water vapor in the air, the more vapor pressure the plant feels. Think of all that water vapor in the air as a force pushing down on the plants; the more there is, the harder it is for the plant to ‘push back’ through transpiration.
credit: onfloriculture.wordpress.com
Relative Humidity (RH) is slightly different. RH is a measure of the actual water vapor in the air compared to the total amount of humidity the air could hold at the same temperature. As the air warms up, it expands, and as it cools, it contacts. Warmer air can hold more water than cooler air.
57
RELATIVE HUMIDITY, TRANSPIRATION AND VPD
Vapor Pressure Deficit Healthy plants have leaves and stems that are turgid, or in other words, pumped full of water. The water vapor inside the leaf that exits via transpiration is 100% RH. When the vapor pressure in the air is lower than the vapor pressure in the leaves, there is potential for transpiration.
VPD is a measurement of the difference of the water vapor pressure of the plant’s leaves compared with the vapor pressure of the air
VPD is a measurement of the difference of the water vapor pressure of the plant’s leaves compared with the vapor pressure of the air. The smaller the difference or the lower the VPD, the less the plant will transpire. An excellent way to think about VPD is the ‘drying power’ of the air or a measure of the air’s ability to pull water from the plant’s foliage. VPD is, essentially, one value that provides more information about how a plant will transpire and grow in its environment than anything else. The unit of measure is commonly kilopascals (Kpa).
A VPD of 0.4Kpa is very low and is mainly used for hardening-off plants that are fresh out of a propagator. This is best achieved at a low grow room temperature of 21-24°C, with the RH no higher than 70-75% (see Table A).
Temperature is Key
At the end of this range, a VPD of 0.8Kpa is considered near optimum for healthy and productive growth and can be used throughout a plant’s life cycle. To maintain this VPD, run the room somewhere between 23-27°C with RH between 60-65%. (see Table A).
Many growers will have heard advice about optimal RH levels in various stages of growth, but often, the temperature is disregarded, and it shouldn’t be. From a plant’s perspective, 55% RH as a single value doesn’t mean much. The example below represents two nearly identical grow rooms.
At the middle of this range, a VPD of 0.6Kpa is still quite low and is best suited for small plants that have already hardened-off and are starting to grow larger leaves with healthy root systems. Again, keeping the temperature moderate, between 22-25°C and 65-70% RH is best practice (see Table A).
Late Veg - Early Flower- VPD 0.8-1.2Kpa Example: A) Temperature 25°C (77°F), RH 55% B) Temperature 28°C (82.5°F), RH 55%
= typical VPD – 1.07Kpa = typical VPD – 1.28Kpa
The above example shows us why measuring VPD is so critical! With only a slight increase in temperature and the same RH value, the VPD has increased by 20%. Temperature and RH need to be considered together to understand how the plants are reacting to their environment.
What VPD should I aim for? The optimum VPD range for plants grown indoors is between 0.8-1.0Kpa. There are situations where you may want to go higher or lower than this, and we outline typical examples below. Early Veg – VPD 0.4-0.8Kpa This is for late propagation when the plants are young. They have few leaves and a small root system, so will perform best in this range when transpiration is limited.
When plants begin vigorous growth later in the vegetative stage and early flower, they have more leaves and roots and can and take up more water and nutrients with a higher transpiration setting range.
With a VPD of 1.0Kpa, transpiration will be moderate but not too stressful. This is an acceptable reading for plants in late veg and early to mid-flowering where healthy root systems will support the increased water uptake. At the end of this range, a VPD of 1.2Kpa creates a high transpiration rate from the leaves and is best suited for large, mature plants in the mid to late flowering stage. Late Flower – VPD 1.2-1.6Kpa When the plants have stopped vegetative growth and are maturing in the flowering stage, they have well-established root systems and leafy canopies to better cope with a higher rate of transpiration. The increased water uptake is helpful at this setting range, and the dry environment helps prevent pathogens. 59
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RELATIVE HUMIDITY, TRANSPIRATION AND VPD
Temperature and RH need to be considered together to understand how the plants are reacting to their environment
A VPD of 1.4 -1.6Kpa creates a high transpiration rate from the leaves. This should only be used at the end of a plant’s life cycle when you may want to force increased water uptake and higher transpiration.
VPD at Night
As the stomata close, the leaves become turgid (they are full of water). This is perfectly fine, and it is not necessary to set a significantly different VPD or RH level at night. Usually, the cooler air temperature at night will cause the RH to rise slightly, and the humidifier will remain off.
Controlling the vapor pressure deficit is managed by allowing transpiration to occur at a healthy rate. Transpiration happens during the day when leaves are exposed to light. At night, the stomata on the leaves close and transpiration stops.
°C 0 1
Table A: Temperatures, RH, and VPD values recommended for each growth stage.
Growth Stage
VPD
2
Low Transpiration / Propagation /Early Veg Healthy Transpiration / Late Veg / Early Flower High Transpiration / Late Flower Danger Zone
0.4-0.8 0.8-1.2 1.2-1.6 <0.4 / >1.6
3 4 5 6 7
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
AIR TEMPERATURE
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39
8
85 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.06 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.08 0.09 0.10 0.11 0.12 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.16 0.17 0.19 0.20 0.22 0.23 0.25 0.27 0.29 0.31 0.33
80 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.06 0.06 0.07 0.07 0.08 0.08 0.09 0.10 0.11 0.11 0.12 0.13 0.14 0.16 0.17 0.18 0.19 0.21 0.22 0.24 0.26 0.28 0.29 0.32 0.34 0.36 0.39 0.41 0.44 0.47 0.50 0.53 0.57 0.60 0.64 0.68
75 0.07 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.10 0.10 0.11 0.12 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.16 0.18 0.19 0.20 0.22 0.23 0.25 0.27 0.29 0.31 0.33 0.36 0.38 0.41 0.43 0.46 0.49 0.53 0.56 0.60 0.64 0.68 0.72 0.77 0.81 0.86 0.92 0.97 1.03
70 0.10 0.11 0.12 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.16 0.17 0.18 0.20 0.21 0.23 0.25 0.26 0.28 0.30 0.33 0.35 0.37 0.40 0.43 0.46 0.49 0.52 0.56 0.59 0.63 0.67 0.72 0.76 0.81 0.86 0.91 0.97 1.03 1.09 1.16 1.23 1.30 1.38
65 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.16 0.18 0.19 0.21 0.22 0.24 0.26 0.27 0.30 0.32 0.34 0.36 0.39 0.42 0.45 0.48 0.51 0.54 0.58 0.62 0.66 0.70 0.75 0.80 0.85 0.90 0.96 1.02 1.08 1.15 1.22 1.30 1.38 1.46 1.54 1.63 1.73
60 0.16 0.17 0.19 0.20 0.22 0.23 0.25 0.27 0.29 0.31 0.34 0.36 0.39 0.41 0.44 0.47 0.51 0.54 0.58 0.62 0.66 0.71 0.75 0.80 0.85 0.91 0.97 1.03 1.09 1.16 1.23 1.31 1.39 1.47 1.56 1.66 1.75 1.86 1.97 2.08
55 0.19 0.21 0.22 0.24 0.26 0.28 0.30 0.32 0.34 0.37 0.40 0.43 0.46 0.49 0.52 0.56 0.60 0.64 0.68 0.73 0.78 0.83 0.88 0.94 1.00 1.07 1.13 1.21 1.28 1.36 1.45 1.53 1.63 1.73 1.83 1.94 2.05 2.17 2.30 2.43
50 0.22 0.24 0.26 0.28 0.30 0.32 0.35 0.37 0.40 0.43 0.46 0.49 0.53 0.56 0.60 0.64 0.69 0.74 0.79 0.84 0.89 0.95 1.02 1.08 1.15 1.23 1.30 1.38 1.47 1.56 1.66 1.76 1.87 1.98 2.09 2.22 2.35 2.48 2.63 2.78
45 0.25 0.27 0.29 0.32 0.34 0.37 0.39 0.42 0.45 0.49 0.52 0.56 0.60 0.64 0.68 0.73 0.78 0.83 0.89 0.95 1.01 1.08 1.15 1.22 1.30 1.38 1.47 1.56 1.66 1.76 1.87 1.98 2.10 2.23 2.36 2.50 2.64 2.80 2.96 3.13
40 0.28 0.30 0.33 0.35 0.38 0.41 0.44 0.47 0.51 0.54 0.58 0.62 0.67 0.71 0.76 0.82 0.87 0.93 0.99 1.06 1.13 1.20 1.28 1.36 1.45 1.54 1.64 1.74 1.85 1.96 2.08 2.21 2.34 2.48 2.63 2.78 2.94 3.11 3.29 3.48
35 0.31 0.34 0.36 0.39 0.42 0.45 0.49 0.52 0.56 0.60 0.64 0.69 0.74 0.79 0.84 0.90 0.96 1.03 1.10 1.17 1.25 1.33 1.41 1.50 1.60 1.70 1.81 1.92 2.04 2.16 2.29 2.43 2.58 2.73 2.89 3.06 3.24 3.43 3.62 3.83
30 0.34 0.37 0.40 0.43 0.46 0.50 0.53 0.57 0.61 0.66 0.70 0.75 0.81 0.86 0.92 0.99 1.05 1.12 1.20 1.28 1.36 1.45 1.54 1.64 1.75 1.86 1.97 2.10 2.23 2.36 2.51 2.66 2.82 2.98 3.16 3.34 3.54 3.74 3.95 4.18
25 0.37 0.40 0.43 0.47 0.50 0.54 0.58 0.62 0.67 0.71 0.77 0.82 0.88 0.94 1.00 1.07 1.14 1.22 1.30 1.39 1.48 1.58 1.68 1.78 1.90 2.02 2.14 2.28 2.42 2.56 2.72 2.88 3.05 3.23 3.42 3.62 3.83 4.05 4.28 4.53
20 0.41 0.44 0.47 0.50 0.54 0.58 0.63 0.67 0.72 0.77 0.83 0.89 0.95 1.01 1.08 1.16 1.23 1.32 1.41 1.50 1.60 1.70 1.81 1.92 2.05 2.18 2.31 2.45 2.60 2.76 2.93 3.11 3.29 3.49 3.69 3.90 4.13 4.37 4.61 4.88
15 0.44 0.47 0.50 0.54 0.58 0.63 0.67 0.72 0.77 0.83 0.89 0.95 1.02 1.09 1.16 1.24 1.33 1.41 1.51 1.61 1.71 1.82 1.94 2.07 2.20 2.33 2.48 2.63 2.79 2.96 3.14 3.33 3.53 3.74 3.96 4.19 4.43 4.68 4.95 5.22
10 0.47 0.50 0.54 0.58 0.62 0.67 0.72 0.77 0.83 0.89 0.95 1.02 1.09 1.16 1.24 1.33 1.42 1.51 1.61 1.72 1.83 1.95 2.07 2.21 2.35 2.49 2.65 2.81 2.98 3.16 3.35 3.56 3.77 3.99 4.22 4.47 4.72 4.99 5.28 5.57
5 0.50 0.53 0.58 0.62 0.66 0.71 0.77 0.82 0.88 0.94 1.01 1.08 1.16 1.24 1.32 1.41 1.51 1.61 1.71 1.83 1.95 2.07 2.21 2.35 2.49 2.65 2.82 2.99 3.17 3.36 3.57 3.78 4.00 4.24 4.49 4.75 5.02 5.31 5.61 5.92
0 0.53 0.57 0.61 0.66 0.71 0.76 0.81 0.87 0.93 1.00 1.07 1.15 1.23 1.31 1.40 1.50 1.60 1.71 1.82 1.94 2.06 2.20 2.34 2.49 2.64 2.81 2.98 3.17 3.36 3.56 3.78 4.00 4.24 4.49 4.75 5.03 5.32 5.62 5.94 6.27
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
AIR TEMPERATURE
°C
RELATIVE HUMIDITY % 100 95 90 °F -0.08 -0.05 -0.02 32.0 -0.09 -0.06 -0.02 33.8 -0.09 -0.06 -0.02 35.6 -0.10 -0.06 -0.03 37.4 -0.11 -0.07 -0.03 39.2 -0.11 -0.07 -0.03 41.0 -0.12 -0.08 -0.03 42.8 -0.13 -0.08 -0.03 44.6 -0.14 -0.08 -0.03 46.4 -0.15 -0.09 -0.03 48.2 -0.16 -0.09 -0.03 50.0 -0.16 -0.10 -0.03 51.8 -0.17 -0.10 -0.03 53.6 -0.19 -0.11 -0.03 55.4 -0.20 -0.12 -0.04 57.2 -0.21 -0.12 -0.04 59.0 -0.22 -0.13 -0.04 60.8 -0.23 -0.14 -0.04 62.6 -0.25 -0.14 -0.04 64.4 -0.26 -0.15 -0.04 66.2 -0.27 -0.16 -0.04 68.0 -0.29 -0.16 -0.04 69.8 -0.31 -0.17 -0.04 71.6 -0.32 -0.18 -0.04 73.4 -0.34 -0.19 -0.04 75.2 -0.36 -0.20 -0.04 77.0 -0.38 -0.21 -0.04 78.8 -0.40 -0.22 -0.04 80.6 -0.42 -0.23 -0.04 82.4 -0.44 -0.24 -0.04 84.2 -0.46 -0.25 -0.04 86.0 -0.49 -0.26 -0.04 87.8 -0.51 -0.27 -0.04 89.6 -0.54 -0.29 -0.03 91.4 -0.56 -0.30 -0.03 93.2 -0.59 -0.31 -0.03 95.0 -0.62 -0.33 -0.03 96.8 -0.65 -0.34 -0.02 98.6 -0.68 -0.35 -0.02 100.4 -0.72 -0.37 -0.02 102.2
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39
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RELATIVE HUMIDITY, TRANSPIRATION AND VPD
To avoid the risk of pathogens, it is essential that water droplets never form on the plant’s leaves
Measuring the Plant Temperature If you are growing crops that are prone to fungal pathogens, run the RH slightly lower at night. This can be achieved through air extraction or using a dehumidifier.
Day – Night Transition It is imperative to change the environment between night and day slowly. A significant drop in temperature over a shor t period will increase the chance of water vapor condensing out of the air, par ticularly if running a high relative humidity. When water vapor condenses to a liquid, it is called the ‘dew point’. To avoid the risk of pathogens, it is essential that water droplets never form on the plant’s leaves. A lighting controller with a sunrise/sunset mode is better able to manage a slow transition from day to night. Many growers blame high RH for fungal pathogens on crops, but it is more often the changing RH and the dew point that makes the room so inviting to disease.
The plant’s temperature must be known to calculate VPD. An infrared thermometer provides a snapshot of the plant by measuring the leaf surface temperature. Doing this often is critical; just as you would check your thermostat each time you visit the grow room, you should also take a few leaf temperature measurements. When measuring leaf temperature, choose the leaves that are exposed to full light and positioned fur ther away from circulation fans. Optimum results will be leaves that are 1-3 degrees cooler than the air. Take as many readings as possible across the canopy, then input the average plant difference into the controller. When the leaves are cooler than the air, they are transpiring well, and their temperature is regulated. If the leaves are just as warm as the air or warmer, it’s a sign that the plant is in trouble. This could be a result of dry air, high temperatures, or a lack of available water. 3
BIO Gareth Hopcroft is a certified plant geek and all Will running high humidity cause any problems? When creating a grow room environment with a healthy VPD, remember to keep the temperature lower so that maintaining a high RH isn’t necessary. Aim for lows of 23°C and RH of 55%, and highs of 26°C and 70% RH.
round organic gardening devotee. Gareth has been involved in the UK hydro industry for 15 years and is currently the owner of Ecothrive; known mostly for bringing frass to the UK scene through his product ‘Charge’. When he’s not talking about indoor growing or microbes, you’ll find Gareth getting his hands dirty on his allotment or falling off his skateboard. Follow Gareth @ecothrive
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BY RICH HAMILTON
64
THE HORMESIS EFFECT
T
here are two schools of thought in the world of cannabis growing: the first is that you should give your plant everything that it needs throughout its lifecycle and that you should never deviate from the scheduled temperature, light conditions, or feedings. The result is a zero-stress environment;
many believe that altering it could have a detrimental effect on the plant’s growth, health, and yield. Scientific research finds that a fundamental level of stress is needed Applying stress for plants to reach optimum health. in the right There are a variety of environmental stressors that can be introduced amounts makes throughout the growing cycle to help them stronger, make it happen. Your best plants are likely to be the ones that not only hardier, and survive doses of good stress but healthier ones that thrive on it. Remember: timing is critical, as prolonged periods of stress can result in genetic abnormalities, hermaphroditism, or Hormesis is the idea that exposing in some cases, irreparable damage and even plant death. cells and organisms to mild intermittent stress will result in a “hormetic”(adaptive) response that can have Temperature various biological benefits. Biological stressors include Excess heat can be detrimental to plants in an indoor exercise, dietary restriction, and heat shock. German grow environment, as it can dramatically affect the rate pharmacologist Hugo Schulz first described hormesis of photosynthesis and alter growth patterns. The result is in 1888, following his observations that small doses of usually overstretched plants with fewer flowers and low poisons could stimulate the growth of yeast. resin production. Today, hormesis is par t of cutting edge research related to humans, as evidence suggests that repetitive mild stress Hormesis is the idea that exposure has anti-aging effects. When exposed to mild exposing cells and organisms stressors, the body reacts by using compounds called hormetins to adapt and stimulate response pathways to to mild intermittent increase the production of protective and restorative stress will result in a proteins. These help the body become more dynamic and better equipped to deal with various stressors. Studies “hormetic”(adaptive) response on hormesis are helping develop new prevention and that can have various treatment of many age-related diseases. The other opinion is that a little bit of stress is a good thing and that depriving the plant of water, light, and heat in small amounts at specific times could make it stronger, healthier, and more productive. Evidence shows there is some truth to this theory! This phenomenon is referred to as hormesis and occurs in all biological structures, including humans.
biological benefits
Exercise is an excellent example of hormesis in action. How does a bodybuilder achieve a perfectly toned, muscular physique? By lifting only light weights? Of course not! While they do carry out light resistance conditioning training, it is performed intermittently with very heavy weightlifting that causes the body immense stress and tears the muscle. By tearing a muscle, the body has to become stronger to repair it and is ready to repeat the process to achieve better results. The same rules apply to plants. Applying stress in the right amounts makes them stronger, hardier, and healthier. Hormesis can help transform plants from Danny DeVito to Arnold Schwarzenneger.
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THE HORMESIS EFFECT
Cold temperatures can act as a beneficial stressor if introduced at the right time
Light Cold temperatures can act as a Many crops are sensitive to beneficial stressor if introduced at The response disruptions in their light cycles, as the right time. Allowing the room various essential processes occur to cool down to between 50 and will boost both during the “lights on” and “lights 60 0 F (10-15°C) at night during the the metabolic off ” periods. Never interrupt a last two weeks of the flower cycle plant’s dark or light times during its will induce a hormetic response system and growth and flowering periods. It is in the plants, which will begin to production of possible, however, to play around panic about the onset of winter. with the type of light used at critical The response will boost both the anthocyanins, points. metabolic system and production resulting in of anthocyanins, resulting in more In the natural world, UV light is resin and more vivid colors in the more resin and more intense at higher altitudes. flowers. Another trick is to try more vivid colors Interestingly, the cannabis strains flushing the plant with ice cold with the highest THC levels water for the 48 hours before in the flowers originate from high altitude areas harvest. The sudden change will such as the mountains of the Hindu send the plant into hormetic Kush. When the plant is exposed response, and it will spend all of its to the harsh intensity of UV light, its hormetic energy on protecting itself. Expect to see an increase in response is to protect itself by producing more resin, essential oils, terpenes, and trichomes. which acts as a natural defense against the power ful and damaging effects of UV light. Make the most of Water this oppor tunity by using a “f inishing” lamp in the later Most fast-growing annuals require a lot of water to keep phases of f lower. A f inishing lamp is a f lowering lamp up with the growing demands throughout their lifecycle. which has had its spectral output modif ied to produce You can, however, withhold water to trick the plant into more UV light. thinking it is about to experience a period of drought. The plant’s hormetic reaction to dryness is to accelerate The only time I recommend deviating from your plant’s root growth to search fur ther and wider to find a new light schedule is in the 48 hours before harvest. During moisture source. This process also has the added benefit this time, keep the plant in complete darkness, only of increasing oxygen levels available to the root zone, switching the lights back on a strict two hours before making for healthier roots. picking. This dark period fools the plants into believing they are going to die, and the hormetic reaction is to go Perform this exercise during the last two weeks of the into survival mode and bulk up wherever possible. Once vegetative stage to achieve optimum root mass before the lights come back on, the plants will begin absorbing all the onset of flower. Do not withhold water for too long, the water they can, filling up with a final swell of goodness however, as this could result in wilting or fatal conditions. before harvest. Reducing humidity and water levels during flowering is also proven to induce a beneficial hormetic response in So, you see, not all stress is a bad thing; some of it is plants. Faced with drought conditions, many plants will essential for optimum per formance. It most def initely produce extra resin to coat its flowers and seeds in an takes some practice to get it right, but the benef its are attempt to seal in any existing moisture and protect plenty. With a little pain comes a whole lot of gain! 3 against damage. Extra resin is always a good thing. 67
BY CATHERINE SHERRIFFS
E d ib l e s B r e a k in g B a r r ie r s t o C a nn a b i s
L ega l iz at ion The Canadian edibles market opens on October 17, 2019, a date many are calling â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Legalization 2.0â&#x20AC;&#x2122; for its potential to revolutionize the cannabis industry
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2.0
LEGALIZATION 2.0
While cookies, brownies, and gummies will forever have their place, the future is in fine dining and incorporating the goodness of the plant with wholesome foods
A
single ingredient can elevate a recipe to the next level. It can make or break a dish and keep people coming back for more . One single ingredient is putting Canada on the path to becoming a wor ld-leading culinar y destination. It is, after all, the fir st countr y where chefs are legally allowed
to wor k with cannabis in the kitchen. With the edibles market opening in October 2019, professional chefs and bakers alike are creating dishes that go above and beyond what has typically been consumed in the cannabis world. And while cookies, brownies, and gummies will forever have their place, the future is in fine dining and incorporating the goodness of the plant with wholesome foods. Think chicken THC noodle soup with CBD broth; roasted duck with a THC-infused cherry sauce; eggs benedict with canna-hollandaise; THC butter-poached salmon, and so much more. “It’s not about coming to get stoned. Although, some people come to do that,” explains cannabis chef, Travis Petersen. “When microdosing cannabis properly, it opens up for a new dining experience. It opens your palate up; you become a little more friendly.” Petersen is Canada’s leading weed-chef. After a brief stint on MasterChef Canada, he combined his passions for cannabis and cooking in a way that broke the ‘sweets’ mold. Also known as The Nomad Cook, Petersen travels from coast to coast and sometimes beyond hosting private cannabis dinners, where he has learned that the people interested in edibles range in age and come from various cultural and professional backgrounds.
“It just blew me away, watching the 20-year-olds and the 68-year-old trade par ty stories. There’s a 50-year age gap there, and it doesn’t matter.” Never before has a chef had so much responsibility with a single ingredient, and Petersen treats his culinary creations with a tremendous amount of care. He strives to introduce his clients to the cannabis space in the safest way possible, infusing his dishes with distillate so he can microdose both THC and CBD, leading to what is known as the ‘entourage effect.’ “The impor tant thing is to balance the THC with CBD,” he says. “Think of THC and CBD as two musical instruments. They both sound good on their own, but when we put a guitar and a bass together, all of a sudden, we’ve got a band. When they’re working together, both become stronger, and they compliment each other.” A lemon has nine terpenes that make up its citrus smell and flavor; cannabis has more than one hundred. Petersen believes the future of cannabis edibles is in the terpenes and how they can be extracted for the desired effect on the consumer. For example, the chef says he would star t a dinner par ty with an appetizer containing THC and the terpene myrcene, which typically gives people the munchies, making them hungry for the several courses ahead. “That first course is infused with limonene, so now we’re going to give you some energy. All of a sudden, you’re a little more chatty than you’d normally be,” Petersen explains. “Then we move on and we use humulene; we want to suppress your appetite because we’re getting to the end of it. We want to finish off with linalool, which is found in lavender, to give you that nice calming, relaxing feeling heading out.”
The Nomad Cook, Travis Petersen
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Roasted duck breast and duck croquette with THC-infused cherry sauce by Travis Petersen
Chia Seed Pudding - Cannabis Cooking Company
Crispy Skin Halibut, Wasabi Pea Crumble, Fried Duck Fat Quinoa, Fennel, Sea Asparagus and a Lemongrass Coconut Nage + thc, by Travis Petersen
Vegan Coconut Fudge Bites - Cannabis Cooking Company
Healthy cannabis energy bars - Cannabis Cooking Company
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LEGALIZATION 2.0
“A l o t of p eop l e w ho wa n t t o e x p l or e c a nn a bis don’ t wa n t t o s ta r t smok ing. T he y w er en’ t smok ing p r e v iou sly, s o w h at ’s t he be s t way t o en t er c a nn a bis ? T h at w oul d be t hrough edibl e s.” - Jo s hua T uck , C a nn a bis C ook ing C ompa n y Petersen and his fellow cannabis chefs are treading carefully in this new market; it is encircled with red tape and for a good reason. Working together, Peterson believes Canada can create industry standards of safety practices, procedures, and techniques that other countries will eventually follow.
“People [consuming] edibles tend to be the newer user,” explains Joshua Tuck of the Cannabis Cooking Company. “A lot of people who want to explore cannabis don’t want to star t smoking. They weren’t smoking previously, so what’s the best way to enter cannabis? That would be through edibles.”
“I don’t think someone in Italy is saying they want to get on a plane and go to Canada to eat food,” he says. “But they might with cannabis if we make this ours.”
Those products are expected to swell the ranks of cannabis consumers by 1.5 million Canadians come the fall. A survey of 3,000 people by Lift & Co.’s consumer, non-consumer, and budtender panels found the population can be divided into four distinct groups:
Legalization: Phase Two The Canadian edibles market opens on October 17, 2019, a date many are calling ‘Legalization 2.0’ for its potential to revolutionize the cannabis industry. Health Canada has limited the amount of THC to 10 milligrams per package, driving home the message ‘star t low, go slow’. In addition to various ready-to-eat products, beverages, topicals, and extracts will also hit store shelves just before Christmas, breaking down barriers along the way.
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The “Canna-Savy” category makes up 10% of Canada’s adult population and includes mostly males who spend an average of $250/month on cannabis products and consume daily. The “Canna-Casual” group makes up 7% of adults and is comprised of mostly older people looking for pain relief. They consume cannabis approximately once per week and spend an average of $100/ month on products. The “Canna-Curious” category makes up 23% of Canadian adults and represents people who have not yet tried cannabis products but are interested in lightly experimenting with low-dose edibles and topicals. The “Unconvinced” represents 60% of adults and includes people who don’t suppor t legalization and likely won’t be experimenting with cannabis anytime soon.
The research also shows that Canadians are most interested in the quality, effects, potency, and price of the products coming to the edible market. And yet, there is a lack of knowledge in the industry; people don’t know enough about the differences between THC and CBD, or about how edibles will affect our bodies. According to many industry exper ts who attended the Lift & Co Cannabis Expo in Toronto, Canada, last June, education is the biggest hurdle the industry currently faces.
Joshua Tuck and Vanessa Labrecque of the Cannabis Cooking Company at Lift & Co in Toronto, Canada
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#FERTILZERFORTHEFUTURE
#FERTILZERFORTHEFUTURE
The Nomad Cook, Travis Petersen
“We want people to have a great experience with edibles and understand them, and we really believe that this was missed in the initial legalization of cannabis,” says Tuck. “Cannabis is legal right now but is it really accessible to everybody? Not really, because they don’t know what they want or need. So, we aim to educate people as best we can and help where we can help.” Tuck and his par tner Vanessa Labrecque star ted the Cannabis Cooking Company in July 2018 to teach consumers how to make edibles at home responsibly. Their cooking classes were an immediate success with par ticipants of all ages and backgrounds, and they were struck by how little education there is where edibles are concerned. For years, people have been buying products from the black market, which usually come in very high doses and with little guidance or information. “For the new users coming to the market, eating these 300-milligram cookies, you’re going to have a really bad experience, especially if you don’t know that you’re supposed to only eat a crumb of a cookie that strong,” explains Labrecque. With por tion control being a problem for so many of us, Labrecque set out to create healthy recipes that include cannabis in low, accurate, and evenly-dispersed doses so that we don’t have to hold back from having seconds. One of her favorite recipes is a healthy power bar that includes goji berries, cranberries, coconut, natural peanut butter, flax, hemp, and chia seeds, and cannabis, of course. “In our classes, we did see the need for healthy alternatives,” she says. “We have a lot of vegan people, a lot of gluten-free people, a lot of people with dietary allergies these days, so we do bake power balls and have vegan classes, [which] are actually our most popular classes.”
LEGALIZATION 2.0
Legalization 2.0 offers further opportunity to lift the negative stigma that has been clouding cannabis for years The future of cannabis from Hill Street Beverages
Industry exper ts predict the health and wellness sector will be one of the most popular where cannabis edibles are concerned. In Canada, the Neal Brothers brand has been creating nutritious snacks for 31 years. Now, it’s teaming up with HEXO to infuse cannabis into the good quality foods it’s known for making. Peter Neal, the Co-founder of Neal Brothers, says they are reinventing the wheel with the concepts of non-GMO, organic, and fair-trade at the forefront.
All The Red Tape
“Beyond the chocolate and gummies, we’ve got some exciting stuff coming out, but that will come with a better understanding of extraction methods and different types of cultivars we can use to infuse,” he says.
“If you make wine or a beer with alcohol, you can advertise on the Superbowl, you can have bus ads, you can have digital delivery everywhere, and you can have the most beautiful packaging in the world,” says Pullara. “But if you make a cannabis-infused beer or wine, you can advertise basically nowhere, everything is under lock and key, and the packaging looks like radioactive waste. It’s terrible that the government has taken a really negative view on the concept of branding.”
Beverage Bonanza There is perhaps no edibles category more exciting than beverages. Cannabis-infused cocktails and brews are being touted as a healthier and safer alternative to alcohol; by 2025, they’re expected to become the number one way cannabis will be consumed in Canada and will likely exceed $1.8 billion in annual sales. “It’s a pain in the ass to step outside and smoke,” says Dooma Wendschuh, Co-founder and CEO of Province, a company specializing in psychoactive products. “It is challenging for a lot of people to learn how to use vaporizers [...] Given the choice, people will prefer to consume psychoactive beverages. It’s just natural.” Many companies are designing the beverages to be a viable replacement for alcohol, one that enters and leaves the body at the same rate. Someone who consumes the drinks should not still have cannabis in their systems two days later. “We are going to have a similar onset,” explains David Pullara of Hill Street Beverages. “We have cannabis-infused wine, and you’re going to star t feeling it within about an hour, just like wine with alcohol in it.”
As exciting as the future of the edibles market is, there is also frustration surrounding the tight regulations Health Canada has imposed on the industry. Many say the maximum dose of 10 milligrams of THC per package will keep the black market alive; consumers can easily buy more for less and make their edibles, which without the proper education, can be dangerous. Other government rules prohibit companies from making health claims about their products and restrict how they can advertise.
Many industry experts echo the same concerns, but some believe it will only be a matter of time before Health Canada loosens the ropes. Tyler Robson, CEO of Valens Gro, says the government will have no choice if it hopes to compete with the black market. “I think they have taken the steps of over-regulating and then dialing it back as time goes on, which we’re okay with,” he says, “We’re setting the stage for everybody, so I can understand Health Canada’s hesitation to really open it up so early in the stage.” Regardless, Robson sees great things in the future of edibles. Legalization 2.0 offers further opportunity to lift the negative stigma that has been clouding cannabis for years. As that happens and as the industry continues to evolve, Robson hopes everyone will experiment with edibles and reap the benefits that come with the plant. “People are not used to the taste of cannabis. It is very potent and pungent, it’s almost an acquired taste, like certain types of liqueur,” he says. “I truly believe that if we can get it to a colorless, odorless, tasteless distillate, more people would be open to using it, for sure.” THC mac and cheese, anyone? It’s almost time to dig in. 3 73
BY CAROLINE RIVARD
Weeds of Gold With many of us now aware of declining bee populations, dandelions are making a remarkable comeback
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GARDEN WEEDS
I
n our modern western culture, where perfect green lawns have been worshipped for so long, the dandelion is generally seen as one of the most disgraceful weeds.
We have been taught that it is an invasive plant that we must eradicate, usually targeted with herbicides. With many of us now aware of declining bee populations, dandelions are making a remarkable comeback. Their yellow blooms are rich in nectar and pollen and are one of the first sources of food for bees and other pollinating insects following a long winter. This fantastic weed is not only excellent for our buzzing little friends. It is a pot-ofgold of wonders for humans too! Let’s take the time to rediscover what our ancestors and other cultures knew about the great dandelion since the beginning of time.
It helps all of the digestive organs per form at their peak, and keeps the bowels healthy. An ex tremely safe herb, the plant can be used over a long period.
Taraxacum officinale, the official remedy for all disorders The common Latin name of ‘dandelion’ says it all: Taraxacum off icinale directly translates to “the official remedy for all disorders.” Five thousand years ago, Chinese medicine began using this wonderful weed as a remedy and as a tonic herb. Over many centuries, many different cultures and countries used the dandelion as an essential staple of nutritious food and for healing many disorders. The plant was often integrated into medicinal gardens belonging to monasteries. In the 16th century, dandelion water was given to the nobles in England to treat and cure different illnesses, and the Norman of France were using the plant to control scurvy. Today, scientific studies and researches are discovering more dandelion benefits, such as antiinflammatory and anti-cancer proper ties.
Harvesting is always in the spring when “dent-de-lion” begin to carpet our fields and properties. The fresh, young leaves can be eaten raw in salads, the taste similar to slightly bitter arugula. If patient enough, you can even collect the tiny buds at the base of the rosette plant and make some pickled dandelion capers! Or as the Anglo-Saxon did, you can make dandelion wine, a beer-like beverage made from water, honey, yeast and the flowers fermented together for several days. Furthermore, the taproot can be dried, roasted, and used as a good coffee substitute.
Highly nutritious, dandelions are rich in potassium, calcium, lecithin, and are also excellent sources of iron, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, proteins, silicon, boron, and zinc. The dandelion provides several B vitamins along with vitamins C and vitamin E.
From weeding to collecting medicine It is safe to say that the dandelion can either be viewed as a curse for the gardener or as a blessing for the forager. The vitality of the tenacious weed is par t of what makes it such an effective medicine.
Dandelion plant washed and drying in the sun. Herbal tea in the making!
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GARDEN WEEDS
An easy and sustainable way to get rid of dandelions in your garden is to transform the weeds into medicine that you can use year round! The bitter taste of the leaves and the roots is an indication of its medicinal components. The bitter chemicals act as an anti-inflammatory, appetite stimulator, and diuretic. Pissa-bed plant, or Pissenlit in French, says it all: the diuretic proper ties of dandelions stimulate the kidneys, helping to eliminate urine and toxins from the body. Moreover, dandelions invigorate the digestive process, boosting the flow of bile while also protecting the liver and the pancreas, making them the perfect antidote to heavy meals and sluggish digestion, gas, and bloating. It helps all of the digestive organs perform at their peak, and keeps the bowels healthy. An extremely safe herb, the plant can be used over a long period. Unleash the natural medicine by using the dried leaves as an infusion or a decoction made of the dried roots. If you have a hard time with the bitter taste of the leaves, you can make them into a tincture and dilute it in water. If taken 20 minutes before a meal, a tincture will help with the digestion process. Fresh leaves may be added to salads or cooked as a potherb. The latex sap produced by the roots, leaves, and stems will help keep pests away, and the juice extracted from the stem and leaves is the most potent par t of the plant, medicinally speaking. It has long been used to get rid of war ts and soothe calluses. The key to the success of the process is to reapply the sap of the dandelion several times a day. An easy and sustainable way to get rid of dandelions in your garden is to transform the weeds into medicine that you can use year round!
Dandelion roots steeping in alcohol to make a medicinal tincture • • •
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Dig the roots of the dandelion and wash them thoroughly to remove dir t par ticles. Pat them dry and let them wilt for half a day. Chop them finely and put them in a glass jar, filled loosely to the top. Choose the size of the jar according to the number of roots you have. Fill the jar with a 40% alcohol or stronger. Cheap vodka does the trick, but organic alcohol will be a treat! Cover the roots completely. Cap the jar and let it sit in a cupboard for four to six weeks. Shake your jar a couple of times a week to extract more medicine from the plant. Strain and keep the liquid. Compost the plant material. Store the freshly made tincture in an amber glass bottle away from heat and light. Your homemade medicine will be potent for years!
When dandelions show their gold blooms in your gardens, be thankful for their presence; they are a valuable gift with many generous benefits to share. 3
A therapist and healer for over 15 years, Caroline’s passion for medicinal plants only began after leaving the city for the quiet country life in Quebec, Canada. Eager to learn, she’s never looked back, using forests and wildflower fields as her classroom ever since. In a time where reconnecting with plants and nature is badly needed, she spreads her love for herbalism by holding teaching workshops about the powers of medicinal herbs and natural remedies.
Bio
When it comes to foraging herbs and plants for food or medicine, we have the responsibility to do our own research and seek advice from experienced practitioners. This article provides a quick overview and is intended to raise awareness about a plant that is often discarded as a troublesome weed.
79
BY KYLE L. LADENBURGER
Af ter decades of demonization and strict prohibition, it is now legal nationwide to grow, process, and possess hemp
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here are always a couple of things one can count on when starting a new project or endeavor. The first is to expect the unexpected. The other is to realize that what can go wrong, typically will go wrong. There are times when we get lucky, and it’s smooth sailing, but those times are rare.
Hemp cannabis was at one time an Through May 2019, and strict prohibition, it is now legal expansive industry in the United States, nationwide to grow, process, and possess our area of Nor th and the crop was used to make a wide hemp. Central Illinois range of products including ropes, paper, received around clothing, medicine, and so much more. In late April, I teamed up with a couple 11 inches of rain, In the early 1900s, fears surrounding of longtime friends from high school to which is over Mexican immigration and severe racial join the new generation of hemp growers half the average, tensions led to the demonization of the in the U.S. One of my par tners already including a 14-day plant, eventually leading to the Marijuana had two acres of land to grow on, and to period where it Tax Act of 1937 which signified the rained at least once our knowledge, it had never been farmed beginning of the march towards total before. I have over ten years of experience a day prohibition. This all culminated in 1970 working for a fer tilizer company whose when President Richard M. Nixon signed primary clientele is outdoor cannabis the Controlled Substance Act into law, which lumped all growers in California’s Emerald Triangle and through the varieties of cannabis into one category and listed them as Pacific Nor thwest. Though I’ve helped and consulted a “Schedule 1” drug, meaning the substance has no known with dozens of medium to large scale outdoor cannabis medicinal value and carries a high risk for addiction and farms, I have never personally had complete hands-on abuse. Other drugs listed as Schedule 1 include heroin experience with an outdoor grow of this size. I was both and LSD. The bill effectively made all types of cannabis excited and nervous to get things rolling. illegal and launched a 50-year war on a plant that has many known and documented benefits. Thankfully, some Then the rains came. Through May 2019, our area of Nor th things don’t last forever. Central Illinois received around 11 inches of rain, which is over half the average, including a 14-day period where Last year, President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill into it rained at least once a day. The land designated for the law. Within the bill, there are provisions to differentiate two one-acre fields was not traditional agricultural land hemp cannabis from the varieties that contain higher and had several trees, shrubs, and grass that needed to levels of THC (the psychoactive component), removing be removed and tilled. Torrential rains make a formidable it from Schedule 1 status. After decades of demonization adversary when it comes to prepping the land for
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planting. It was nearly impossible to get the proper machinery in to remove the trees, and tilling a muddy field is nothing more than pointless. On the bright side, the ear th underneath was a beautiful dark, black soil that only Nor thern Illinois can provide.
Will things finally star t to run smoother? Will all of this hard work and frustration pay of f ?
We had wanted the plants in the ground by mid-June, but the heavy rains left us with our backs against the wall. Luckily, the precipitation held off in the first couple of weeks of June, and we rushed through the process of preparing the fields. Once the ground was finally tilled and manicured, plastic mulch was laid out in rows spaced five feet apart. Under the plastic mulch, we have a drip irrigation line that runs the whole length of the row. All irrigation lines will connect to the main line running from a 2,500-gallon liquid storage tank that receives water from the propertyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s well. The tank will be used to water when needed and for making mixes of nutrients when it comes time to feed
the plants. Laying out the plastic mulch and drip lines was not an easy task since none of us had much experience with this method of growing, but through trial and error, we finally completed the rows. They may not have been perfect, but the fields were ready with some time to spare.
The clones arrived in mid-June after a three and a half hour drive in a rented Penske truck without air conditioning, the first disappointment of that journey. We decided to go with rooted female clones since the crop was destined for the processing of CBD extract. The 3,500 plants were not even close to the growth stage we had expected to receive them in, and it was clear they needed to be repotted into larger three-inch containers and left to grow for at least another two to three weeks. The structure we had initially built to house the water tank and to act as a temporary staging area for the clones now had to be repurposed into a makeshift greenhouse. We worked hard and fast, and in about four days, all of the clones had been put into bigger pots and placed in their temporary home where they remained at the time of this writing. This set back was not the end of the world, as it gave us more time to get the fields and drip lines better prepared. Now, the high heat of summer is entering the fray, bringing with it a whole new set of challenges, mainly making sure the plants have enough moisture in their small containers. The original plan was to have the crops in the ground much earlier so their roots could spread out in search of water and the heat would have less of an impact. But the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. At this time, I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but wonder if we will ever be able to get the plants in the ground. Will things finally start to run smoother? Will all of this hard work and frustration pay off? The answers to these questions are all to come. Stay tuned for another installment about our growing adventures in another issue! 3
Bio
Kyle L. Ladenburger is a freelance garden writer who has worked in the gardening/hydroponics industry for over a decade.As an avid indoor and outdoor gardener, he is well versed in nearly all types of growing methods with an overall focus on sustainability and maintaining healthy soils. He holds a strong conviction that growing oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own food is a powerful way to change our lives and our world for the better.
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ASK A PH.D.
Garden Culture’s
Ask A Ph.D.!
Question:
How do microbes work in hydroponic growing systems? Answer from: Dr. Colin Bell, Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Mammoth Microbes In the cannabis industry, most living soil and organic growers understand the importance of applying and using soil microbes to enhance nutrient availability and plant health. From a scientific perspective, we know that there are significant plant benefits when using soil microbes in soilless and hydroponic growing practices. We are here to answer the question: How DO microbes work in hydroponic growing systems?
Maintaining beneficial plant-microbe root interactions is necessary for a healthy plant immune system. Introducing microbes into hydroponic systems enables chemical signaling to occur between plants and microbes, which allows plants to fight off diseases and reduce stress responses naturally. Growers often attempt to control pathogenic microbes from infecting the plant by using disinfectants. Although disinfectants can limit plant pathogens with regular application, they do not kill all bacteria or prevent them from rapidly reestablishing. As an alternative to using disinfectants, we can use beneficial microbes to reduce pathogen outbreaks. This approach extends the benefits of plant-microbial interactions into the hydroponic environment. 3
Introducing microbes into hydroponic systems enables chemical signaling to occur between plants and microbes, which allows plants to fight off diseases and reduce stress responses naturally
Introducing microbes in hydroponic environments – just like in nature - maximizes plant health and development. At the microscopic scale, there are actually some similarities between hydroponic and soil systems. For example, microbes swim throughout the water column in soils just like they would in aquatic environments to engage with plant roots. Beneficial microbes are essential for plant growth in aquatic systems. They degrade plant-produced organic compounds and convert them into metabolites to help plants maximize nutrient uptake and development. This works in part because beneficial microbes stimulate the plant’s metabolic system, which allows them to naturally take up MORE nutrients than they would without microbial associations.
Hydroponic systems are less buffered than natural systems, and so using beneficial microbes has a significant impact. Bacteria are the best candidates for use in hydroponic environments because they are typically more tolerant of the high osmotic pressure. Different bacteria species can also effectively adapt and thrive in wide temperature, pH, and nutrient ranges. In hydroponic systems, beneficial microbes also protect plants against pathogens by growing along the surface of their roots. Beneficial microbes block pathogens such as Pythium from potential infection sites and also out-compete pathogens for the resources necessary for growth. Overall, the absence of beneficial microbes increases pest pressure, which threatens crop health.
Bio
Colin Bell is the co-founder, co-inventor and Chief Growth Officer at Mammoth Microbes. Colin is passionate about science, and received his Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, specializing in soil microbial ecology and plant-microbe interactions. He left his academic position at Colorado State University in March 2015 to launch Mammoth Microbes.When he’s not traveling the world interacting with and learning from cultivators, there is nothing Colin enjoys more than teaching and working with the team at Mammoth Microbes.You can find Colin on Instagram: @colinwbell 85
BY JESSICA STEINBERG
n e e r G o t e From Whit The Colombian culture, and the warmth of their people that I experienced while there never caught mention, not even a breath of attention 86
COLOMBIA
Colombia, as many people are suggesting, w i l l b e c o m e t h e g l o b a l h u b f o r c a n n a b i s s u p p ly
F
or years, I had to laugh to the repeated joke forcefully, ‘oh, so you’re a drug dealer.’ As if I haven’t heard that one before. But no, I’m not a drug dealer. I don’t deal drugs, but I have studied them for more than three and a half years. My Ph.D. thesis does not focus on the black market, but I do explore the legal cannabis market.
Maybe there is truth in any cheesy joke. After all, I do deal with drugs, theoretically. The jokes only became more cliché the moment I decided to include Colombia in my thesis. ‘Now you’re getting into the big leagues, Jess!’
Many people know about Colombia because of the war on drugs – a history drowning in violence and instability
While some jokes were funny, there was no comedy in getting ethical approval from the review board at my school, the University of Oxford. While all of my ethics forms required close attention to detail, due to the ‘illegality’ of cannabis, it soon became apparent that I wasn’t only applying to my university for approval. Moral justification extended to friends, family, and colleagues.
Messages flooded my inbox, ‘isn’t it super dangerous there? What’s a young, solo, female traveler going to do in Colombia?’ My snarky reply? ‘At this point, I’m not sure how Colombia is any more dangerous than New Zealand, Paris, London, or even my home country of the USA.’ People cringed when I said, ‘I’m not going to live in fear because it might be a school, a mosque, a bridge, but it’s not an entire country.’ I know it’s an unfor tunate truth, but that’s just the reality we live in today. Political rant aside, I reassured my personal ethics committee that I cer tainly wasn’t going to travel to danger. The typical reaction, however, lured over my mind. The Colombian culture, and the warmth of their people that I experienced while there never caught mention, not even a breath of attention.
Af ter some preliminar y digging, I realized that the stereotypical response was informed by Narcos (cheers for that one, Netf lix!). Many people know about Colombia because of the war on drugs – a histor y drowning in violence and instability.
The ‘danger zone’ that my informal ethics board referred to existed, which is precisely the problem: it existed. Now, of course, there are still areas, regions, and groups that encounter danger and are identified as ‘high risk.’ However, the Colombia we visit today is by no means a Colombia stuck in static drug history. I’m not sure who would have predicted that a country known for its illegal coke production would soon become known for its legal cannabis production. Although many did not foresee the substance and policy shift, there’s a lot more predictability in the structure of the legal market today. Think about other Colombian crops that are pinned around the globe, from cacao to coffee. Most of the renowned, high-quality Colombian coffee and chocolate is consumed outside of Colombia. The hungry cravings that build our bellies and wake us up (you decide if I’m referring to the coke or coffee), fuel an agri-economic and political structure throughout the Colombian land. What once happened to the coffee and chocolate supply chain may very soon happen to cannabis, and there’s danger in repeating history, too. Many farmers are replacing their long-standing crop production with cannabis cultivation. They seem to be chasing the cash-crop dream. Investment is also trickling in from around the world to help fund a new Colombian drug era.
I asked myself, ‘who, what, when, why, and where did this come from?’ A seemingly unimpor tant thought one evening materialized into uncovering a complex layer of socio-economics and politics.
87
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C ol umbi a is deemed a s h av ing t he ide a l en v ironmen t, y e t i t is a va s t c oun t ry w i t h numerou s micro-cl im at e s Colombia, as many people are suggesting, will become the global hub for cannabis supply. While this statement may frame the future, what is happening now entails a lot of hype and not a lot of substance. The media star ted to mount Colombia as the next promised land. A country of golden-green that is referenced thanks to three key C’s:
Climate Columbia is deemed as having the ideal environment, yet it is a vast country with numerous micro-climates (from the tropics to the mountains).
This time, Colombian won’t be known as the drug trade capital of the world. Instead, it may be a leader in agronomics, a seed bank haven, a pharmaceutical renaissance or a global supply hub
Cost The low cost of production is attractive for many reasons, yet the lack of resources, infrastructure, and other labor costs require a lot of capital.
Cultivation The abundance of agricultural land is also attractive, yet this land has experienced years of pesticides, heavy metals and other biologicals that destroyed the soil. Be careful about what you read these days; after all, we are living in the era of ‘fake news.’ I had to remind myself that although the news may be misleading, there is some truth behind it.
In May of this year, there were three impressive cannabis conferences: a medical cannabis conference, CannaCiencia, held in Bogotá; the Colombia Investment Summit; and a B2B conference, ExpoCannabiz in Car tagena. From the sessions to networking, almost everyone walked away with some capital. Whether it was financial, social, or political capital, there’s a lot of value being generated. These conferences are legitimizing the Colombian sector, and its par ticipants are putting it on the map again.
This time, Colombian won’t be known as the drug trade capital of the world. Instead, it may be a leader in agronomics, a seed bank haven, a pharmaceutical renaissance or a global supply hub. No one knows yet! And although we don’t know how history will write itself this time, at least we know that Colombia is rewriting its history through cannabis. 3
BIO
Jessica is a Ph.D. student at the University of Oxford researching the legal cannabis industry. She is the managing director of international cannabis consultancy, The Global C, and co-founder of entOURage Network, an organisation to empower and connect women in the European cannabis industry. Her work brings her to the UN and WHO and she speaks globally about her research and work, as well as the charity that she founded when she was 13 years old, Giveable Giggles. 89
BY ALBERT MONDOR, HORTICULTURIST AND BIOLOGIST
Urban
Bee keeping T
he fate of humanity is linked to pollinating insects. More than three-quarters of plants grown by humans depend directly on
different species of pollinators. Indeed, without bees, bumblebees, and other insects, such as butterflies and hoverflies, many edible plants could not produce the seeds and fruits we eat.
Bees are essential for human survival 90
URBAN BEE KEEPING
Without pollinators, our plates would be empty
T he Good Ou t weighs T he Bad
Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just bees that carry pollen from one flower to another; hoverflies are also excellent pollinators. Apricots, almonds, cherries, cucumbers, zucchini, strawberries, kiwis, melons, peaches, watermelons, pears, peppers, apples, plums, tomatoes, and sunflower seeds are produced through pollination by bees and other insects. Without pollinators, our plates would be empty.
Thousands of bee species For many people, pollinators have black and yellow stripes; many of us are not able to differentiate between wasps and bees. Some people also believe that only honeybees pollinate plants. There are more than 20,000 species of bees on our planet and many bees sport colors besides black and yellow; some are green or orange, while others are white. Among the various species of bees, the majority have adopted a solitary way of life, while others, like the honeybee, live in a community. 91
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URBAN BEE KEEPING
There are more than 20,000 species of bees on our planet and many bees sport colors besides black and yellow; some are green or orange, while others are white
Leafcutter bees are solitary insects that are important pollinators.
Some animals such as birds and bats pollinate plants, but insects are by far the most important pollinators. Certain plant species, such as magnolias, are pollinated by beetles. Other plants, such as carnations, are pollinated mainly by butterflies, while plants belonging to the carrot family, such as fennel, are pollinated by insects called hoverflies, a close relative to flies. To a lesser extent, flies and ants can also contribute to pollination. Nevertheless, bees and bumblebees are the best pollinators, and the honeybee is unquestionably one of the most important pollinators of all.
Most pollinating insects, like this bumblebee, can be approached and observed without fear to be stung.
Bees are having a hard time Due to their sociability and interdependence in the colony, bees are vulnerable. The decimation of the bee population would have dramatic ecological consequences for floral and faunal biodiversity, and this would also have a severe impact on the agricultural economy. Indeed, honeybees are indispensable both for agriculture and for the balance and functioning of natural ecosystems. In many parts of the world, there has been a significant decline in honeybee populations and wild bee diversity in recent years, to the point where it is of grave concern to the global scientific community. The causes advanced to explain this decline are the use of synthetic pesticides, the intensification of agriculture, the fragmentation and loss of natural habitats, climate change, as well as the prevalence of parasites, including the infamous Varroa mite, diseases, and other pathogens in hives.
Urban bees are not so bad Although surprising, urban bees can find multiple nectar sources in urban settings. Parks and private gardens are favorite places where bees can forage nectar-rich flowers in abundance. Some recent scientific studies done in France have shown that the honey produced by urban bees is of excellent quality. These studies show that urban honey contains very few pesticides compared to that produced in rural settings. Honey produced in cities is also free of various heavy metals such as lead. 93
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URBAN BEE KEEPING
Beehive
In contrast, urban bees are more exposed than their rural counterparts to various air pollutants, including soot and dust from coal combustion and diesel engines. These pollutants settle on plants and can sometimes poison foraging bees. Thus, according to some beekeepers, the absence of pesticides in the cities and the fabulous plant biodiversity found there help make good quality honey, but urban settings can still be toxic environments for bees.
Urban beekeeping If you want to raise honeybees at home, check with the authorities of your municipality first to see if regulations allow the installation of hives on its territory. It is also essential to respect regulations regarding the location of hives. In some US states and Canadian provinces, hives must be placed at a minimum distance of 15 meters from a public road or house. On the other hand, a hive can be installed closer to a street or a residence if the land on which it is located is surrounded by a fence that is at least 2.5 meters high. In some countries, it is mandatory to register your beehive with the Department of Agriculture and write your name and address on it. The number of hives must be determined according to the reserve of nectar available. If there are too many hives in one place, it can harm native bee species. Therefore, it is essential to consider other colonies nearby. That is why it is better to install your hive in collaboration with a specialist beekeeper who will use the tools at his disposal to locate other hives.
Honeybees love bee balm nectar
It is necessary to place your hive in a sunny and dry place, sheltered from winds. It is also crucial to put it in a quiet environment where there is little activity so that the flight path of the bees does not cross places where people frequently move. In dense urban environments, tall fences or shrubs can be placed to direct the flight path of bees more than 2.5 meters above the ground and make the hive less visible from the vicinity. It is essential that bees have permanent access to a source of clean water near the location of their hive (water garden, pond, etc.). Where possible, it is desirable to locate the hive near a natural water source such as a river or lake and to avoid bees causing inconvenience by being attracted to swimming pools in the neighborhood. The care of a colony of bees is not complicated or tedious. It involves making visits to the hive at regular intervals, not exceeding 15 days. In critical periods, such as during the swarming season, for example, visits should be a little more frequent. Keep a diary in which you briefly describe when you visited and what activities were done. Manipulate the hive in sunny weather in the late morning or early afternoon. Proceed as quickly as possible while remaining calm and disturbing the bees as little as possible. To reduce the aggressiveness of bees, avoid handling the hive when there is a lot of human activity in the vicinity or when it is cold or rainy outside. Use a smoker and proper protective clothing when handling.
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Fennel is particularly prized by hoverflies, pollinating flies
Finally, it is essential to prevent swarming, a phenomenon where the queen and some of the workers leave the hive to form a new colony. The best way to avoid this problem is to ensure that the colony never runs out of space. Replacing the queen every year or every two years also helps to reduce the risk of swarming.
Nectar-rich plants and insect hotels There are two other actions to take if you want to host pollinating insects in your garden. If you grow edible plants, it is advisable to accompany them with plants whose flowers produce nectar. The latter will attract various pollinating insects, which will increase the quantity and quality of vegetables and fruits produced. Grow plants belonging to the Asteraceae family (yarrow, aster, cosmos, daisy, rudbeckia, marigold, etc.), Lamiaceae (lavender, mint, bee balm, sage, thyme, etc.) and Apiaceae (dill, angelica, coriander, fennel, etc.). These plants produce abundant nectar much appreciated by pollinating insects. Whether they are indigenous or non-native plants, bees prefer the flowers that produce the most nectar.
bark, bricks, and pots where insects can reproduce, rest, or hibernate during the cold season. The hollow stems of certain plants such as bamboo will attract solitary bees such as cutting bees and mason bees. You can also install bricks if their openings are filled with mud, which, once dry, will allow some species of pollinating insects to dig galleries. Simple logs pierced with holes of varying diameters (3mm to 14mm) also provide shelter for various critters. 3
In addition to being very useful, an insect hotel is a real work of art that is a focal point in a garden!
It can also be very interesting to create and install an insect hotel in your garden or on your terrace. It is a wooden structure with a roof containing various materials such as logs, pieces of wood, or hollow bamboo,
BIO Passionate about environmental horticulture, urban agriculture and extreme landscape design, Albert Mondor has practiced his craft for over 30 years and created numerous gardens in North America. In addition to teaching courses and lecturing at conferences across Canada, his weekly gardening column has appeared in the Journal de Montréal and the Journal de Québec since 1999. In April 2018, Albert Mondor published Le nouveau potager, his tenth horticultural book. He is a regular guest and contributor to radio and television programs and his hosting The Trendy Gardener spots broadcasted on Météo Média and online. You can also read his blog called Extreme Horticulture at albertmondor.com. Follow Albert on Facebook: fb.com/albert.mondor 96
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