Cannabis Cultivation and Science Podcast

Why can't you just use canola oil from your kitchen to kill spider mites? If you’ve ever wondered about the true science behind oil-based pesticides, this episode is a deep dive into the physics and chemistry of plant protection. Tad and Julie Graesch explore why oils remain one of the most effective tools for managing resistant pest populations like two-spotted spider mites and thrips. In this episode, we cover: Physical Modes of Action: How oils kill through suffocation and desiccation, and why pests can’t develop resistance to being physically smothered. Mineral vs. Essential Oils: The functional differences between horticultural mineral oils (like SuffOil-X) and 25B essential oils (like Epishield). The Power of Formulation: Why inert ingredients, surfactants, and molecular weight are just as important as the active ingredients for preventing phytotoxicity. Dipping vs. Spraying: The high-stakes world of plant dips and how to target specific life stages—including the elusive thrips egg. Tank Mixing & Compatibility: Best practices for combining oils with microbials like Beauveria bassiana to create a synergistic knockdown effect. Whether you are a small-scale hobbyist or a large-scale commercial cultivator, understanding how to master oils will help you maintain a cleaner garden with fewer chemical interventions. You can order Bioworks products through KiS Organics, just reach out if you have any questions. About the Guest: Julie Graesch is the Technical Services Manager for BioWorks. With over 18 years of experience as a biological scientist, Julie has worked in laboratory, greenhouse, and field research, specializing in integrated pest management (IPM) for the horticulture industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Key Takeaways for Cultivators The Week 3 Strategy: Preventive sprays for Botrytis must occur when the flowers are still small and "open." Once the bud swells (Weeks 6+), the pathogen is already locked inside. Airflow is Everything: Buds act as heat sinks. Use fans 24/7 to cool the internal temperature of the flower, which is significantly higher than your room’s ambient temperature. Identify Your Mold: If your bud rot looks pink or white rather than grey, it may be Fusarium. This is a systemic issue that requires a different mitigation strategy and poses a mycotoxin risk. HLVd Survival: In living soil, HLVd may break down much faster than on sterile surfaces because the microbes decompose the host root tissue. Watch the Silica: Over-applying potassium silicate can cause the plant to excrete white crystals onto the leaves and stems—don't mistake this "silica vomit" for PM or resin! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Key Topics & Notes • Why experienced crop consultants rely heavily on chemical soil analysis for making management decisions • The limitations of relying solely on biological soil testing • Why soil structure and aggregation play a critical role in plant health • How soil physical properties influence water movement, aeration, and root development • The importance of walking fields and directly interacting with soil • Using smell, texture, and visual indicators to understand soil conditions • How agronomists diagnose soil problems using multiple indicators at once • Why soil management is similar to medical diagnosis — identifying root causes rather than symptoms • The role of experience and pattern recognition in interpreting soil tests • Bridging lab data with real-world field observations Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Key Takeaways: Botany vs. Hacks: Moving past "quick fixes" to understand the biological lens of plant science. The Limiting Factor: Learning to identify the specific environmental or nutritional gaps holding your plants back. Timeless Principles: Why botanical fundamentals are the most reliable tools in a cultivator’s shed, regardless of changing trends. Applied Horticulture: Bridging the gap between academic theory and high-level landscape maintenance. About Don Marshall: Don is a Certified Professional Horticulturalist, Certified Arborist, and ecoPro. He founded the Environmental Horticulture program at Lake Washington College, where he taught for over 40 years. He is the owner of Plant Designs, a fine gardening firm, and the co-author of Home Landscaping, Northwest Region. The Botany Foundations Course: Don and I have spent the last few years collaborating on a comprehensive online botany course. We designed this specifically for industry professionals and serious growers who want a university-level understanding of plant science without the time constraints of traditional schooling. This course provides the professional lens needed to evaluate and improve your grow. Stay Updated: www.kisorganics.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Underground Economy: Carbon as Currency Biological Gold: Why photosynthesis isn't just about plant growth—it’s about minting the "carbon currency" required to hire a microbial workforce. The Exudate Menu: A breakdown of Monosaccharides (fast cash), Polysaccharides (savings accounts), and Organic Acids (specialized mining tools). The Trading Post: How the plant uses targeted "buy orders" to trade energy for the specific minerals it needs. The Rhizophagy Revolution The "Commuter" Microbes: Understanding the research from Dr. James White’s lab at Rutgers. The Microbial Car Wash: A technical look at how plants lure, strip, "milk," and eject bacteria to scavenge for nutrients. Endophytes vs. Rhizophagy: Distinguishing between long-term "tenants" inside the plant and the transient "workers" in the root tip. The Biomimicry Reality Check Ecology vs. Agronomy: Why nature optimizes for survival, while growers optimize for yield, quality, and consistency. The Managed System: Why an indoor grow or greenhouse is not a wilderness, and why treating it as such often leads to inefficiencies and "natural" bottlenecks. The "Selfish" Microbe: Understanding Immobilization and Stoichiometry—why microbes sometimes "rob" your plants of nitrogen to build their own populations. Precision Biology & Biosecurity The Risk of Raw Inputs: Why compost can be the highest risk factor for heavy metals, PFAs, herbicide residues, and pathogens like Pythium. The Specialist Shop: Utilizing lab-grown consortiums for a cleaner, scalable facility. Mycorrhizal Fungi: The role of Rhizophagus irregularis in Phosphorus mining. Nutrient Unlockers: Using high-CFU strains like Microbial Mass or Mammoth P for data-backed biomass increases. Trichoderma: Beyond biocontrol—how it uses siderophores to "magnetize" insoluble iron and trigger Induced Systemic Resistance. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is part of the Foundations of Soil & Plant Science series — a selection of conversations that continue to influence how I approach soil health, plant performance, and cultivation systems. I’ve added a short new intro to each re-release with updated perspective and context. Originally released as Episode 20 My guest for this episode is Ben Hartman, farmer and author of The Lean Farm. Ben operates Clay Bottom Farm in Goshen, Indiana, and is known for applying lean manufacturing principles to agriculture. His work focuses on improving farm efficiency, reducing wasted time and materials, and designing production systems that prioritize value and profitability. In this conversation we discuss: What lean farming means and how it applies to cultivation Identifying and eliminating wasted time, labor, and inputs Designing efficient workflows and production systems How simplifying systems can improve consistency and profitability Applying lean principles to indoor and greenhouse cultivation While this conversation comes from outside traditional cannabis production, the principles discussed are directly applicable to any cultivation operation looking to improve efficiency and long-term sustainability. Part of the Foundations of Soil & Plant Science series. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

My guest for this episode is Dr. Wendy Zellner. Dr. Zellner received her doctorate from the University of Toledo in 2012, where she trained in molecular and cellular biology with a focus on the role of silicon in plant defense responses. She then completed a four-year postdoctoral position with the USDA-ARS, continuing her research on how silicon can alleviate both abiotic and biotic stress in crops such as tomato and tobacco. Her work has included developing standard methods for quantifying silicon uptake from fertilizer materials, identifying uptake mechanisms for silicon in model species, and evaluating how those pathways function across a range of crop systems. In this conversation we cover: The role of silicon in plant physiology and structure Silicon and plant defense against abiotic and biotic stress How plants take up and utilize silicon Misconceptions around silicon fertilizers and supplements Practical considerations for growers using silicon inputs This remains one of the most comprehensive discussions we’ve had on silicon and plant health, and it continues to be highly relevant for growers looking to better understand how this element functions within a complete fertility program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Guest: Julie Graesch Biological Scientist | IPM Specialist Currently with BioWorks Formerly: BASF, Becker Underwood, Iowa State University Topics Covered: What “entomopathogenic fungi” actually means How fungi like Beauveria and Metarhizium infect insect pests Differences between blastospores and conidia Why formulation and environmental conditions matter Common reasons fungal biocontrol applications fail Preventative vs. reactive use of entomopathogenic fungi Integrating fungal biologicals into a broader IPM strategy Key Takeaways: Entomopathogenic fungi are biological tools, not chemical knockdowns Understanding fungal life cycles improves consistency and outcomes Blastospores behave differently than traditional spore formulations Successful IPM relies on timing, environment, and integration—not rescue sprays Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

n this conversation with plant scientist and commercial cultivation strategist Dr. Matthew Indest, we explore the emerging frontier of seed-based cannabis production and what it would take for the industry to move beyond clonal propagation. We cover: The agronomic upside of seed-grown plants (disease resistance, vigor, adaptability, cost savings) The scientific and operational barriers preventing widespread seed adoption How genetic stability, inbreeding depression, and trait selection differ between cannabis and traditional crops Data-driven cultivation strategies for evaluating new seed lines Whether seed-based production can truly rival clonal systems for consistency and top-tier flower quality What the next decade of cannabis breeding and cultivation might look like About Dr. Indest: Matthew holds a Ph.D. in plant science and has spent more than a decade bridging academic research with applied cannabis production. He has led breeding and cultivation programs across indoor, greenhouse, and outdoor operations and focuses on developing high-performing cultivars and integrated, data-backed production systems. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This wide-ranging conversation with Bryant Mason covers a series of essential—but frequently misunderstood—topics in organic cultivation. We explore why simple, low-tech data collection strategies often outperform high-tech systems and how to interpret those readings in the real world. From there, we break down how pH truly behaves in biologically active soils, what your water test results do and don’t tell you, and how water chemistry shapes nutrient availability. We also discuss practical considerations for under-canopy lighting, when it helps and when it’s a distraction, and dig into the recurring challenges Bryant sees around phosphorus and nitrogen management in living soil. Throughout the episode we jump between concepts, case studies, and troubleshooting insights that growers can apply immediately. Topics Covered: Low-tech monitoring and data-collection approaches pH dynamics in organic systems Water testing and interpreting results Under-canopy lighting: pros, cons, and real-world use Phosphorus and nitrogen management in living soil Practical troubleshooting and decision-making strategies Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this conversation, Tad and Dr. David Hawley (Chief Science Officer at Fluence) unpack what really matters when dialing in your lighting strategy for cannabis and other high-value crops. They get deep into how plants perceive light, what “good spectrum” actually means, and how to think about intensity, uniformity, and plant response in a more scientific (and practical) way. Topics covered include: Understanding Daily Light Integral (DLI) and how it relates to plant metabolism When to use far-red and what to expect from it The truth about UV lighting and secondary metabolite production Managing leaf temperature and avoiding hidden stress from high PPFD How fixture placement and uniformity impact yield and morphology Using dimming strategies through different growth stages Why overemphasizing spectrum specs can distract from the real gains Practical steps for mapping your grow and verifying performance David also shares insights on under-canopy lighting, canopy architecture, and the future of horticultural light design, offering takeaways for both commercial cultivators and serious home growers. Resources mentioned: Fluence by OSRAM KiS Organics Living Soil & Nutrients Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this conversation, Tad and Dr. David Hawley (Chief Science Officer at Fluence) unpack what really matters when dialing in your lighting strategy for cannabis and other high-value crops. They get deep into how plants perceive light, what “good spectrum” actually means, and how to think about intensity, uniformity, and plant response in a more scientific (and practical) way. Topics covered include: Understanding Daily Light Integral (DLI) and how it relates to plant metabolism When to use far-red and what to expect from it The truth about UV lighting and secondary metabolite production Managing leaf temperature and avoiding hidden stress from high PPFD How fixture placement and uniformity impact yield and morphology Using dimming strategies through different growth stages Why overemphasizing spectrum specs can distract from the real gains Practical steps for mapping your grow and verifying performance David also shares insights on under-canopy lighting, canopy architecture, and the future of horticultural light design, offering takeaways for both commercial cultivators and serious home growers. Resources mentioned: Fluence by OSRAM KiS Organics Living Soil & Nutrients Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Can stress actually improve flower quality? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. José Leme to dive into the science of plant stimuli and how growers can apply it in practice. We cover: 🌿 Mechanical cues — how super cropping and vibration trigger plant defense pathways. 💧 Water restriction — why moderate, timed drought can shift carbon toward secondary metabolites like terpenes and cannabinoids. 🧪 Jasmonates (MeJA) — when they increase trichome density, and what trade-offs you need to consider. 🔬 Trichome measurement pitfalls — why bracts are the gold standard for consistent data. 🌱 Propagation & trial design — the importance of clonal fidelity and standardized protocols when testing stress strategies. Dr. Leme and I also highlight practical guardrails for growers: cultivar differences, timing, and the “sweet spot” between beneficial stress and damaging stress. 📄 Referenced Studies: Water Deficit Stress and Secondary Metabolites Jasmonates in Growth, Trichomes, and Cannabinoids Metabolic Responses to Water Deficit Trichome Sampling & Quantification Methods Trigonelline as a Biomarker for Drought Stress (Preprint) Propagation & Clonal Fidelity in Cannabis Research Additional vibration study discussed in the episode. 🎧 Whether you’re a grower, consultant, or researcher, this conversation will give you a framework for using stress not as a risk—but as a precision tool to enhance plant quality.

This week on the Cannabis Cultivation and Science Podcast, we're diving deep into lighting and photobiology with Shane Torpey, founder of MIGRO. With a background in engineering and construction, Shane turned his passion for growing into a global grow lighting company known for trusted reviews and educational content. We break down what’s working—and what’s not—in cannabis lighting for 2025, including: Far-red and intra-canopy lighting LED vs. HPS and how to transition Maximizing PPFD without added CO₂ Dimming schedules at sunrise/sunset The impact of lenses on LED light penetration What really matters when choosing a grow light Emerging technologies shaping the future of cultivation Whether you’re scaling a facility or dialing in your home grow, this episode gives you the tools to make smarter lighting decisions rooted in science and real-world data. Links to channels here: https://www.youtube.com/@MIGROLIGHT https://www.instagram.com/migrolight/ https://www.facebook.com/MIGROLIGHT/ https://www.tiktok.com/@migrolight

📝 Episode Highlights: Connor’s journey from greenhouse grower to propagation leader Scaling propagation: key infrastructure and protocols Hormonal treatments and substrate selection for optimal rooting Managing cultivar libraries and mother plant health IPM and environmental control strategies tailored for veg Writing and refining SOPs for compliance and consistency Track-and-trace integration in a regulated cannabis market The role of living soil vs. hydroponics in Connor’s career 🧪 Mentioned in This Episode: Collective Elevation: www.collectiveelevation.com KIS Organics Products & Podcast: www.kisorganics.com Cannabis Cultivation & Science Conference: September 5–7, 2025, Bozeman, Montana — featuring Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, Dr. Greenhouse, Jeremy Plumb, and more. Early bird tickets available now! Join our Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/KISOrganics

In this episode of the Cannabis Cultivation and Science Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Michael Gutensohn, an expert in plant physiology and secondary metabolism, to explore the intricate relationship between environmental stress and the production of secondary metabolites in cannabis. We discuss how various abiotic stressors—such as light intensity, temperature fluctuations, and nutrient availability—can influence the biosynthesis of key phytochemicals, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Dr. Gutensohn shares insights from his research on plant defense mechanisms, metabolic signaling pathways, and how growers might harness controlled stress to enhance both plant resilience and phytochemical output. Whether you’re a cultivator aiming to fine-tune your grow environment or a scientist delving into cannabis metabolomics, this episode offers valuable, research-backed perspectives on optimizing secondary metabolite production through stress modulation.

Welcome to the Cannabis Cultivation and Science podcast, I'm your host Tad Hussey of KIS Organics. This is the podcast where we discuss the cutting edge of growing from a science based perspective and draw on top experts from around the industry to share their wisdom and knowledge. My guest this week is Bryant Mason. I’ve had Bryant on the podcast a few times in the past and he’s one of my favorite guests. Bryant is a Certified Crop Advisor who specializes in organic cannabis nutrition. He has spent the last 8 years working to combine precision laboratory techniques with data science in an effort to unravel the complexities of cannabis soil and crop nutrition. Along with his work on soilless media, he also helps outdoor cultivators around the U.S. with nutrient management and cover cropping. If you would like to do soil testing, help interpreting a soil test, or are interested in an online course on these subjects, his website is www.soildoctorconsulting.com. If you want to save $100 on his course, you can use the discount code KISORGANICS, all one word. I’ve taken his course and was recently going back to review some of the content. It’s excellent and I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to do a deep dive on cannabis fertility and re-using your soil. After recording the podcast with Bryant, he had a couple of points he wanted to clarify so there is a short addendum that I added in at the very beginning of the podcast. Now on to the show!

Before starting the podcast, I wanted to share about an exciting new conference that we are hosting in conjunction with Collective Elevation in Bozeman, Montana. I’ve been talking to Suzanne Wainwright Evans about hosting a conference for years, and Adam at Collective graciously offered to open up his doors and let us host it on his property. The event is happening on September 5-7th, 2025 and I’m super excited. We are kicking it off with workshops from The Bug Lady Suzanne and Dr. Greenhouse, followed by a facility tour and then a bunch of excellent speakers and networking events over the next 2 days. Then on the 7th, the Montana Living Soil Alliance is hosting a tasting event that will be included in the price of the conference ticket. The tasting event will be a private event, with cannabis donated by the Living Soil Alliance, as a way to have an amazing sensory experience and see what premium quality Montana Living Soil has to offer. Tickets are limited to 200 spots, so be sure to grab a ticket if you’re interested. Tickets are now on sale at kisorganics.com and the conference is called the Cannabis Cultivation and Science Conference. In honor of the conference, I wanted to do an interview series with some of the amazing folks at Collective Elevation to give a growers perspective and share some of what they’ve been able to accomplish. I’ve already had Adam Arnold on the podcast and you can also view a tour of their facility on the kisorganics youtube page. My guest this week is Jared Ferguson, the Greenhouse Manager at Collective Elevation. He’s been working at Collective for over 4 years now, but prior to that he studied Environmental horticulture at Montama State University in bozeman. During which he worked for the universities greenhouse facility and research farm, where hje got his first experiences in mixing soil, amending plants, managing irrigation, and conducting IPM processes. Now on to the show!

Saul began his agriculture work in vineyard and winery operations on the Central California coast. After deciding to focus his career on crop protection he moved north where he managed IPM programs at Monterey Mushroom Company and Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo. This work led to a position as IPM Manager at Harborside Farms where he directed their bio-intensive greenhouse cannabis IPM program. Saul now works as a Technical Sales Representative for BioBee USA.

Dr. Nadia Sabeh is the President and Founder of Dr. Greenhouse, Inc., an agricultural and mechanical engineering firm that specializes in the design of HVAC systems for indoor plant environments. Dr. Sabeh has her PhD in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC) and is a licensed Mechanical Engineer in the State of California. For over 20 years, she has dedicated her education and career to helping farmers control their environments, allowing them to grow crops indoors, in greenhouses and in facilities that would otherwise be impossible or impractical to do so. Nadia has a free VPD app for both iPhone and Android as well as an amazing podcast called "The Doctor is in" that's available on all streaming platforms. https://www.doctorgreenhouse.com/podcast/tag/podcast