Author: Mya Green

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What are Additive Nutrients?

An additive nutrient, or nutrient supplement, can be described as any plant food product that seeks to enhance natural patterns of development. Unlike base nutrients, which are designed to progress and maintain healthy patterns of growth and bloom, additive nutrients and supplements aim to promote specific actions, whether it be the development of large, dense flowers, trichome production, root growth, or rapid cell expansion. While the importance of base nutrient supplements is unparalleled in the lifecycle of a plant, additives also have an important role to play. By combining additives with clean, quality-focused base nutrients, growers can easily push their crop beyond its genetic limits. For new growers, discovering the function of unique nutrient additives can be a challenging task. So, before committing to a nutrient system, read the article below for more information on our selection of additives. 

Trying to figure out which GreenPlanet Nutrients product is an additive nutrient? Look out for the Additive Icon found on the front of our bottles.

Learn more about our Bottle Icons in the video above!

A Closer Look at Additive Nutrients

So what are additive nutrients? Unlike base nutrients, which can be described as a foundation for plant growth, additive nutrients are supplements that aim to promote specific actions and outcomes. There are a wide variety of additive nutrients. For example, GreenPlanet Nutrients manufacturers 16 nutrient additives, ranging from beneficial bacteria supplements, bloom boosters, carbohydrates, enzymes, and hormone inoculants. While all these supplements have different desired actions and outcomes, they all aim to enhance the natural growth patterns of plants. Let’s take a look at some of our most exciting nutrient supplements. 

Get a Variety of Benefits from Additive Nutrients

Massive Bloom Formulation: Blooming Supplement 

Plants require an incredible amount of nutrients during the peak of flower. Luckily, GreenPlanet manufacturers the king of bloom enhancing supplements – Massive Bloom Formulation. Balanced evenly with an N-P-K of 1-2-3 and loaded with carbohydrates and L-amino acids, Massive has been trusted by the growing GreenPlanet community for over 20 years. It promises heavy harvests and quality flowers. So, if you’re looking for a tested, reliable source of plant nutrition during the flowering stage, except no substitutes for Massive Bloom Formulation.

PK Spike: Blooming Supplement 

GreenPlanet Nutrients PK Spike is a great example of a clean, quality-focused bloom enhancing supplement. Formulated with high-grade phosphorus and potassium, PK Spike can quickly increase root mass, speed up the production of flower sites and strengthen a plant’s cell walls for the later support of heavy flowers. It’s also hyper-concentrated and extremely water-soluble. That’s why PK Spike is the ideal bloom enhancing supplement for growers in hydroponic gardens, AutoPot Watering Systems, or drip irrigation networks. 

Horti-rawk: Flower Hardener 

If the environmental conditions of a garden are less than ideal, for example, if temperatures or humidity percentages reach inadequate levels for extended periods, mature buds can become loose, lose rigidity, or become soft and sponge-like. Consider adding GreenPlanet Nutrients Horti-rawK to your existing feeding program to increase late-flower hardiness. Horti-rawk provides your plants with a hyper-concentrated amount of potassium during the later stages of the flowering period. This increase in potassium helps encourage the tight formation of mature flowers.

Rezin: Trichome Enhancer

Rezin is our blooming additive formulated to enhance the natural processes within flowering plants that produce flavor and aroma. Growers can begin using Rezin at any time during the flowering period to encourage plants to express and expand terpenes and trichomes in flowers and across sugar leaves. However, adding Rezin during the last week of the vegetative stage has been shown to increase the amounts of potential terpenes that will be ready for full expression in the later stages of flower. To ensure GreenPlanet growers get the highest quality product and result possible, our formula does not contain any plant growth regulators (PGR), artificial coloring or dyes, and can be used until the final days before harvest.

Liquid Weight: Carbohydrate Supplement

GreenPlanet Nutrients Liquid Weight contains an array of simple sugars like dextrose, sucrose, and fructose. To encourage the rapid growth of healthy bacteria, fungi, and protozoa in your root zone, pairing your regular feeding program with a surgery, carbohydrate supplement will help to speed up the growth rate of beneficial microbes. Plants spend an amazing amount of energy-releasing complex sugars like cellulose into the root zone. So, by supplementing your plant’s expenditures with additional carbs, you can be sure the beneficial microbes in your soil will be plentifully fed, which in turn will support the cultivation and growth of your living medium. Adding a liquid carbohydrate supplement to your feeding program during the flowering phase will encourage your plants to feed heavier, increase output, enhance yields, and lead to more desirable flavors, pigmentation, terpene density, and trichome expansion.

Root Builder: Beneficial Bacteria

GreenPlanet Nutrients Root Builder is densely packed with two strains of extremely active beneficial bacteria: Bacillus Licheniformis and Bacillus Subtilis. Both of these microorganisms have different roles in the root zone. For example, Bacillus Licheniformis is utilized quickly to break down soluble minerals and convert them to energy for the plant. On the other hand, strains of Bacillus Subtilis mainly support a plant’s immune system by producing molecules called iturins, which target and eliminate sources of harmful bacteria. Without healthy probiotic supplements like Root Builder, stressful environmental conditions, inconsistent irrigation, or a deficient feeding program may produce a diseased root zone incapable of supporting steady growth. 

Ocean Magic: Natural Kelp Additive 

Ocean Magic is a vegetative additive derived from cold-pressed Atlantic Sea Kelp, that delivers a variety of benefits to your plants. For example, the ingredients found in Ocean Magic support properties such as rooting and the reduction of environmental and plant stress. Used as either a root-soak or foliar spray, Ocean Magic contains special, natural plant hormones including auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins, which have been linked to promoting vigorous growth, branching, and increased resistance to stress in plants.

Whatever your style of garden, chances are, GreenPlanet Nutrients has the perfect base nutrient program. To access the programs available at GreenPlanet Nutrients, contact a member of the GreenPlanet sales team, or your local garden supply store for product information and purchasing inquiries. 

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Why It’s Important to Test the pH of Your Run-Off

If you’ve recently noticed some leaf discoloration, mutation, or poor growth, it’s quite likely an inadequate pH range is the culprit behind these issues. pH is among the most important factors in the garden. But to understand it, we must first look at the basic biological functions of plants. In total, there are 16 essential elements that plants can absorb. These elements are divided into categories that contain nutrients that aim to support specific biological functions. However, to properly uptake these elements, plants must be fed within an adequate pH range. If you’re interested in learning more about the importance of testing your run-off, read the passages below. 

What is pH?

Potential Hydrogen (pH) is a unit of measurement that describes the acidity or alkalinity of any given substance on a scale of 0-14, with 7 being neutral. In the field of gardening, however, pH is the main factor that dictates the uptake of nutrients in the root zone. Depending on the pH of your nutrient solution, your plants may uptake more or less of a specific element. 

pH is the main factor that dictates the uptake of nutrients in the root zone.

The pH Scale and Nutrient Uptake

For plants to remain healthy and happy, they must be fed within an ideal pH range. For most plants in peat moss or soil-based systems, this pH range falls anywhere between 6.0 – 6.5. This scale can be thought of as the “sweet spot” for nutrient uptake. At this level, plants can uptake essential macro elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, while also having access to important micronutrients that help ward off common deficiencies and lead to the faster and healthier development of new growth. 

This scale can be thought of as the “sweet spot” for nutrient uptake.

Buffering Your Nutrient Solution

To maximize the rate at which your plant uptakes available nutrients, attempt to buffer your nutrient solution in the ideal range before irrigating your crop. Most fertilizers (but not all) will hold an acidic pH value, meaning the ingredients incorporated within the fertilizer will lower the pH of water (pH 7.0) once mixed at the recommended rate. So, after mixing your nutrients, test the pH of your solution, and if necessary, buffer your fertilizer into the appropriate range (pH 6.0-6.5). Use pH Up to raise the pH value of your solution, and pH Down to lower it.

pH Down

Only available in Canada

Tip: Dilute small amounts of pH Up or pH Down with water before adding it to your nutrient solution. This will help the solution adjust and decrease the chance of aggressive swings in pH value.

Issues with pH

A variety of issues can arise if plants are not fed at an adequate pH range. For example, if plants are fed at a highly acidic rate, they will be unable to uptake and absorb valuable nutrients. This can lead to medium acidification, nutrient lockout, deficiencies, and the buildup of salts. If you’ve noticed worrisome growth patterns, it’s quite likely your plants are experiencing one or more of these issues. Follow the steps below to test the pH of your run-off and remedy the problem. 

Plants fed at a highly acidic rate will be unable to uptake and absorb valuable nutrients.

How to Test Your Run-Off

To test the pH of your plant’s run-off, start by collecting a sample. Begin by watering your plants with plain, neutral water (with a pH of 7.0) until roughly 20% of the water runs out of the bottom of your container. Then, collect the run-off into a container and test the sample. Ideal pH ranges for run-off should be between 6.0 – 6.5 in soil/soilless mixes like peat moss. However, any pH close to this range will be acceptable. If you test your solution and the pH deviates more than 1.0 from the ideal range, it’s clear that your plants are outside acceptable ranges of nutrient uptake. Remember, plain water acts like a solvent that rinses and neutralizes excess acidity. So, any number you receive from your run-off test is likely higher than the real pH value. 

Ideal pH ranges for run-off should be between 6.0 – 6.5 in soil/soilless mixes like peat moss.

How to Remedy pH Imbalances 

For any pH value under 5.5, consider feeding your crop at higher pH levels, or, buffer your medium with pH neutralizing compounds like calcium carbonate, dolomite lime, or oyster shell flour. After amending your medium with a neutralizing agent, the pH of your root zone should become stable over the next few irrigation cycles. As you water your plants, the pH neutral properties of either lime or oyster shell flour will slowly dissolve into the soil, thus raising the pH gradually over time. Resume your regular feeding schedule at a reduced rate and continue to re-test the pH of your run-off. When stable, your plants will be able to absorb all the essential nutrients offered to them. Soon, new, healthier growth patterns will emerge, and nutrient deficiencies will no longer plague the development of your crop. 

Feed your crop at higher pH levels, or, buffer your medium with pH neutralizing compounds.

Whatever your style of garden, chances are, GreenPlanet Nutrients has the perfect base nutrient program. To access the programs available at GreenPlanet Nutrients, contact a member of the GreenPlanet sales team, or your local garden supply store for product information and purchasing inquiries. 

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What’s the Difference Between Dry and Liquid Fertilizer?

Unfortunately, not all fertilizers are created equal. That’s not to say that one product or feed program won’t perform as advertised, but as we’ve learned from experience, there are a mountain of factors that go into producing a bountiful harvest: plant genetics, environmental controls and growing systems usually trump the list of important inputs — fertilizer, on the other hand, whether that be liquid nutrients or dry fertilizers, are usually the last factor to blame for a less than success crop. However, we can’t discount the importance of quality inputs. That’s why choosing a fertilizer that’s right for you and your garden remains extremely relevant.

But how do we choose the right fertilizer? This, undoubtedly, is a challenging question to answer. It’s true — if you don’t know what you’re looking for, a wall-to-wall selection of plant food can be overwhelming. But have no fear, we’re here to help. Below, we’ll look at the difference between two popular choices of fertilizer: dry and liquid.

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DRY FERTILIZER
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LIQUID FERTILIZER

Things to Consider Before Choosing Dry or Liquid Fertilizer:

Before we look at the advantages of either dry or liquid fertilizer, it’s necessary to ask yourself a few questions. But even more important, ask yourself about your goals. Why? Well, your individual goals will drive the outcome of your crop. We know, it sounds strange. But consider this: if you’re a lazy gardener (take no offense, we exist), you’ll probably lean towards a nutrient system that requires little to no effort. However, if you’re the type of person who wants to manage every control in the garden, then there are more complex programs as well. Overall, before you commit to a specific nutrient system, consider the questions below: 

3 Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Do I want to grow organic crops?

If the answer is yes, consider selecting only organic fertilizer. This will narrow down your options for nutrient programs, but that only makes choosing easier! Check out Medi-One

2. What kind of system will I be using?

In other words, how will you be growing your plants? Hydroponically? In soil? In coconut fiber? Indoors, or outdoors? All good questions to consider, as your growing method will dictate the appropriate fertilizer, again, narrowing the field of available choices.

3. How much experience do I have?

Just like someone told you when you were young, “learn to walk before you run”. Annoying, yes, but sound advice. There’s no shame in being inexperienced. But if you are new, it’s important to question your experience with plant food. Some fertilizers are more complicated than others. So, consider choosing something easy-to-use with simple instructions.

What’s the Difference Between Dry and Liquid Fertilizer?

First things first: it’s not that one is better than the other. There are, however, differences; the most obvious being that dry fertilizers are made of powder, or granular minerals, and liquid nutrients are concentrates formulated from minerals or organic material dissolved in water. This difference dictates how the fertilizer will be used.

For example, liquid fertilizer will be measured and mixed with water before being fed to plants, while dry, granular products like BackCountry Blend will be broadcast on top of the medium and will slowly dissolve into the rootzone. Some dry fertilizers, however, like Bud Booster, will follow the same mixing and measuring protocol as liquid fertilizers, so be sure to consult the instructions thoroughly.

In short, the biggest difference between dry and liquid fertilizers are the advantages growers can expect from using one or the other. We’ve created a list below of the advantages of using either dry or liquid fertilizer in the garden:

Advantages of Dry Fertilizer:

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  • Cost Effective — Dry fertilizers are famously affordable. If you’re on a budget, this advantage might be the deciding factor. Read, “Our Affordable Fertilizer Solution for Outdoor Growing”.
  • Easy-to-Use — Simple and straightforward, dry fertilizers are great for new, inexperienced growers, or ‘lazy’, easy-going gardeners.
  • Simple to Store — Dry fertilizers are compact and easy to store. They’re also hyperconcentrated, so a little goes a long way.
  • Scalable — Coming in at a low-cost, easy-to-use and simple to store, dry and granular fertilizers are great tools for commercial gardeners.

Among all the variables which determine a successful growing season, access to quality nutrients is perhaps the most important. Any experienced grower can tell the difference between an outdoor crop well sown in rich nutrients, and one grown in a medium that leaves the plant wanting for more.

Advantages of Liquid Fertilizers:

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LIQUID FERTILIZER
  • Intricate Formulas — Liquid fertilizers are formulated with interesting and unique ingredients. Take GreenPlanet’s Massive as an example. You’d be hard pressed to find a similar fertilizer in powder form.
  • Specific Uses — Liquid feed programs often include products that have specific uses, like root expansion, micronutrient enrichment and stalk hardening; this, arguably gives the grower more control in the garden. 
  • Preciseness — Sure, liquid nutrients might be more time consuming, but using them correctly will prevent unwanted issues like overfeeding or nutrient deficiencies.
  • Quality Outcomes  — Serious growers, those who value quality above all else, tend to rely more heavily on liquid nutrients.

So, there are differences between dry and liquid fertilizers, but it’s not that simple — it all depends on how you want your garden to perform. Want to learn more about our fertilizer? Contact a member of the GreenPlanet sales team, or your local garden supply store for product information and purchasing inquiries.

What feed program is right for you? Answering this question depends on a few simple, yet important considerations, including gardening practices, previous experience, and cultivation system of choice. 

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Understanding the Feed Program: 2 Part Backcountry Blend Outdoor Feed program

Perhaps the simplest, yet most effective fertilizer on the market, the BackCountry Blend (BCB) feed program provides steady nutrition throughout periods of vegetative, flowering and ripening growth, all while being one of the most affordable nutrient systems available to growers today. Originally formulated for the outdoor and greenhouse garden, BCB has quickly become a favorite for new and experienced growers in a variety of systems with specialized growing practices and routines.

This isn’t our first in-depth look at BackCountry Blend – we’ve been covering the potential of BCB for years. Coming in three parts, Grow, Bloom and Boost, the BCB feed program is a granular, slow-release fertilizer that works for gardens of all sizes and for growers of any personality. From large, easy-going outdoor gardens, to small, meticulous indoor shows, BCB delivers the results you expect from GreenPlanet Nutrients – all at a fraction of the price. Below, we’ll take a deeper look at the parts of the BackCountry Blend, and learn everything you need to know about using the feed program

Backcountry Blend Feed Program
GreenPlanet Nutirents Backcountry Blend: Grow, Bloom, and Boost

What is a Feed Program? 

A feed program is a schedule of plant nutrition that can be mapped in terms of fertilizer dosage, ratio, supplementation, and use over time. A liquid feed program, for example, usually contains several bottles and ranges in supplements including a base nutrient fertilizer, a vitamin supplement, a bloom booster, a source of carbohydrates, and a trichome enhancer. Granular or powder feed programs, being formulated with simplicity in mind, typically have half as many parts.

By combining growing, blooming, and quality-enhancing inputs into a feed program, growers can expect to produce heavy flowers and large, tasty fruits, harvest after harvest. To browse a complete list of feed programs available at GreenPlanet Nutrients, click here. Or, read the blog below for more information on the BackCountry Blend feed program.

GreenPlanet’s Backcountry Blend (BCB) Feed Program

GreenPlanet’s BackCountry Blend feed program is a dry, granular, slow-release nutrient system. This means that unlike GreenPlanet’s liquid fertilizers, which are concentrated solutions that are measured and mixed with water before irrigation, BCB is applied directly to the top layer of soil or soilless mix. After amending BackCountry Blend, and during every irrigation cycle, BCB Grow, Bloom or Boost will slowly release a timed, but well-rounded blend of nutrients into the root zone.

That’s what makes BackCountry Blend so simple – just add the appropriate amount of granular fertilizer to your containers or garden beds and water thoroughly. With the time saved using BackCountry Blend, growers can focus on what matters most in the garden – the plants.

The Backcountry Blend Feed Program Contains:

Base Nutrients

Additive Nutrients

Click here to learn about Base, Additive, and Maintenance.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE BLOG AND FIND OUT MORE.

Parts of the Backcountry Blend Feed Program:

The complete feed program comes in three parts: Grow, Bloom and Boost. While each product has the same application in the garden, each part has its own function based on the specific stage of plant growth. Furthermore, the Grow, Bloom, and Boost formulations of BackCountry Blend come incorporated with TrueCoat technology: a proprietary blend of micronutrients that are amended into each and every pellet of BackCountry Blend. Below, you’ll learn more about the specifications of each part of the BCB feed program.

Backcountry Blend Grow: Base Nutrient

Backcountry Blend Grow contains a carefully selected blend of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) that are measured specifically for the vegetative stage. With an N-P-K ratio of 16-10-8, BCB Grow is an aggressive vegetative formula with high nitrogen and calcium content that promotes general health, excessive spurts of vertical growth and the production of broad, green leaves and foliage. 

Backcountry Blend Grow

Backcountry Blend Bloom: Base Nutrient

BackCountry Blend Bloom contains a full spectrum of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) that are measured specifically for the flowering stage. The Bloom formula of BCB includes higher levels of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) that plants require during the flowering stage. Phosphorus plays a key role in essential functions of the plant such as photosynthesis, transfer of energy, and nutrient movement through the plant. Potassium aids in the conversion of phosphorus into energy your plants can use and strengthens cell walls to support larger yields. 

Backcountry Blend Bloom

Backcountry Blend Boost: Additive Nutrient

BackCountry Blend Boost is designed to be used in conjunction with BackCountry Blend Bloom during the flowering stage. Boost provides your outdoor plants with an extra dose of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca), as well as the addition of humic acid. Phosphorus and potassium are vital elements that aid in the development of flowers and the movement of nutrients through the plant. Calcium plays a major role in cell wall composition and also helps maintain chemical balances in the soil. And humic acids, as one of the most treasured, natural sources of nutrients, acts as catalyst for nutrient uptake, making hard-to-transport elements readily available. These added benefits improve overall yields, floral development, color, aroma and hardening in late flower. 

Backcountry Blend Boost

Using the Feed Program 

Like a recipe, growers that use feed programs will have the best results when the proper protocol is followed. Luckily, GreenPlanet Nutrients’ makes it easy for growers to follow the progress of their crop, week-by-week, simply by having access to one of five feed charts, and/or an online nutrient calculator. While using the BCB feed program, follow the weekly progress of your plants by referring to the GreenPlanet’s nutrient calculator, or, download the BCB feed chart below.

Features and Considerations  

Here are some features to consider about the BackCountry Blend feed program. First, GreenPlanet only recommends certain products and supplements for specific stages of plant growth. For example, the feeding program is split into two stages:  vegetative and flowering growth. In these different stages, only certain supplements are recommended for use. For example, BCB Grow is scheduled for the vegetative stage of growth, while BCB Bloom and Boost are charted for the flowering stage.

Backcountry Blend Feed Chart
Our feed charts are split into two stages: vegetative and flowering.

Also, as a slow-release fertilizer, BCB is only recommended to be amended to your soil/soilless mix every 3-5 weeks. So, refer to the feed chart, measure, broadcast either Grow, Bloom or Boost over your medium, water as needed and wait; soon your plants will be bursting from their pots, broad-leaved and soaking up every available ray of light.

One final consideration: the GreenPlanet feed chart recommends feeding plants 0.5-1 tsp of BCB Grow, Bloom or Boost per vertical foot of plant material. But be conservative at first – a little bit of BackCountry Blend can go a long way, especially in warmer climates where gardeners will frequently water their crop.

Backcountry Blend Feed Chart Considerations
It is important to note the various differences in climate that can change the way Backcountry Blend works in your garden.

5 Tips on Using Backcountry Blend 

There is no better program for the outdoor or greenhouse garden – the financial savings alone are enough to make every committed gardener switch to BackCountry Blend. Even though BCB is extremely easy-to-use, we’ve compiled a list below of simple, but important tips:

1. Keep your soil moist

Keep your soil moist at all times. Over-drying your medium while using BackCountry Blend may lead to minor leaf burns, although this is rare.

Keep soil moist

2. Top dress and work in

Top dress your plants and gently work BackCountry Blend into the top layer of the soil. 

Top dress and work in

3. Be precise

— If using irrigation or self-watering tools, amend the granular beads close to drip emitters and make sure contact with water is made.

Be precise with where you feed

4. Be conservative

Depending on the dietary requirements of your crop, your plants may require more or less BCB. Start small and gradually increase your dose overtime.

Be conservative with your feeding regime.

5. Use measuring tools

Avoid “free-handing” BackCountry Blend. Use measuring tools for the most accurate amendment.

Use Measuring tools to measure BCB

Want to learn more about BackCountry Blend? Contact a member of the GreenPlanet sales team, or your local garden supply store for product information and purchasing inquiries. Or, read more of our blogs on BackCountry Blend.

For all other inquiries, contact a member of the GreenPlanet sales team, or your local garden supply store for product information and purchasing inquiries. 

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Click here to use the GreenPlanet Nutrients Nutrient Calculator

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Sprout Seeds and Root Clones Faster with Vitathrive Propagation Solution

Do your plants need a boost? Try GreenPlanet Nutrients Vitathrive Propagation Solution! Formulated to provide rooting clones, sprouting seeds, and growing and flowering plants with a major dose of plant-enhancing properties, Vitathrive is a necessary component of any expert grower’s feed program. The most important component of Vitathrive, thiamine or vitamin B1, is a major determining factor in a plant’s metabolism. Not only do B1 vitamins promote and establish a plant’s metabolism, but there’s also evidence that thiamine plays an essential role in plant growth and protection from diseases and environmental stressors. It truly is the perfect plant tonic. If you want to learn more about the power of Vitathrive Propagation Solution, read the following article for additional information.

What is Vitathrive?

Vitathrive is our vitamin and mineral-based supplement. With an N-P-K of 0-0-1 and loaded with vitamin B1, Vitathrive is the perfect additive nutrient for young plants, rooting seedlings, or fresh-cut clones. Use Vitathrive aggressively throughout the vegetative stage, on transplant day, and during any periods of stress to increase root growth, reduce internal stress, and strengthen any plant’s immune response. Vitathrive is also hyper-concentrated. Apply Vitathrive at a rate of 1-2ml per liter (4-8 ml/gal) throughout the entire vegetative and flowering cycle. If your crop looks sad, stressed, or shrivelled, give it a helping hand with a dose of Vitathrive.  

Watch the YouTube Channel, Grow Your Four, use Vitathrive to establish newly cut clones.

The Role of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Defense and Protection

Supplemental vitamin B1 (thiamine) has been a central part of agricultural research since the 1930s. But even in recent years, the role of B vitamins has been cited as a major contributor to plant health. For example, in an article published in 2018, experts argue that there is an overwhelming amount of evidence linked to thiamine and plant protection (Subki et al, 2018, p. 37). More specifically, the study cited found that thiamine carried antioxidant properties. This means that plants high in thiamine were more likely to be resistant to stressors such as low oxygen levels, high and low temperatures, light stress, fungal diseases, and pests (Subki et al, 2018, para. 10).  

Nutrient Uptake and Root Expansion

Plants ingesting additional vitamin B1 have also been shown to have increased nutrient uptake and root expansion, allowing growers to feed their crops with less inorganic elements. This evidence comes from a research paper published in 2017 that looks at the effect of thiamine hydrochloride on the growth and nutrient uptake of mustard greens (Sajjad, 2017, p. 265). The aim of the experiment was to identify differences in growth patterns and habits of nutrient uptake in two strains of mustard greens.

Soak the seeds in water an a B vitamin formula for 15 minutes. This will speed up the sprouting process.

(Robinson, 2012, p. 43 of The Grower’s Hnadbook)

The conclusion of the study was as follows: seeds soaked in an aqueous solution of thiamine had significantly stimulated growth patterns compared to regularly germinated mustard greens (Sajjad, 2017, p. 275). Also, there was a correlation found between vitamin B1 and increased vegetative growth (Sajjad, 2017, p. 275). The study found that plants fed with a solution containing 0.03% thiamine exhibited an increase in natural plant hormones. This increase in hormones resulted in higher rates of photosynthesis, faster growth, and increased nutrient uptake (Sajjad, 2017, p. 275). 

When to Use Vitathrive

GreenPlanet recommends using Vitathrive propagation solution when germinating seeds, propagating clones, or, throughout the entire vegetative period and from weeks 3 – 7 of the flowering stage. During propagation, Vitathrive will enhance the performance and germination success of seedlings and clones. The excess of thiamine will protect young plants from fungal diseases like pythium and exaggerate nutrient uptake, while the kick of potassium (0-0-1) will encourage early root stimulation. 

Cannabis plant cutting in rockwool cube with roots.
Early root stimulation will ensure your cuttings are quickly established in their grow medium.

These benefits are extended into the vegetative and flowering periods. However, the added protection from external stressors such as resistance to high/low temperatures, drought, excess humidity, pests, and disease is magnified as your plant’s uptake vitamin B1. Remember, vitamin B1 cloaks your plant’s in a protective aura. So, if your environmental conditions are less than ideal, or if you’ve come across pests or pathogens, consider adding Vitathrive to your established feeding routine. 

There’s no better time than now to start your garden off right with the help of Vitathrive. For all other inquiries, contact a member of the GreenPlanet sales team, or your local garden supply store for product information and purchasing inquiries. 

Works Cited

  • Subki, A. (2018). The role of thiamine in plants and current perspectives in crop improvement. B Group Vitamins – Current Uses and Perspective. Retrieved November 1st, 2021 from ResearchGate.net 
  • Sajjad, A. (2017). Effects of thiamine hydrochloride on plant growth and nutrient uptake of mustard. Applied & Pure Bio. Retrieved November 1st, 2021 from BiologyJournal.org

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How to Properly Flush Your Crop Before Harvest

Flushing is an extremely important part of the cultivation process. Most indoor crops have a lifecycle of around three months – two weeks for propagation, another two for the vegetative stage, and eight weeks for the flowering period. During this time, growers enrich their crops with base nutrients, vitamin supplements, bloom boosters, and more, each week scaling up their feeding ratios to ensure their plants are absorbing a heavy dose of carefully crafted elements. Fortunately for plants, these feeding programs are packed full of essential elements that maximize potential yields. However, a heavy harvest isn’t the only thing to consider – cleanliness is also a major factor that determines the quality of a crop. If you’re new to cultivation, read the following passage for a complete understanding of how to properly flush your crop before harvest. 

What Is Flushing? 

Flushing, or a flush, is a term used to describe the action of rinsing a plant’s root zone with excess amounts of water. As mentioned above, growers enrich their crops with an array of nutrients in all stages of growth. These nutrients, which are essentially a combination of different micro and macroelements, tend to build up in the soil system over time. This accumulation of minerals happens not only in the root zone but also within the plant itself. While high levels of nutrients are needed to accelerate plant growth, the build-up of primary minerals such as nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium in freshly dried flowers can often leave the product with a harsh, bitter taste and blackened, tar-like ash. To avoid this upset, growers will often flush their crops to wash out minerals that have built up in the root zone over time.

To avoid dried flowers issues, growers will often flush their crops to wash out minerals that have built up in the root zone over time.

How to Properly Flush Your Crop Before Harvest 

  1. Start to flush 10-14 days before harvest
  2. Flush your plants until run-off
  3. Test the run-off samples and log the data
  4. Use beneficial bacteria
  5. Monitor your crop

#1: Start to Flush 10-14 Days Before Harvest 

There’s an industry consensus that plants in soil/soilless substrates need at least a 10-14 day flush. So, time your harvest correctly, and make sure to cease the use of plant food approximately two weeks before your crop’s harvest date. Or, follow the recommendations on your established GreenPlanet feeding program. For growers not using a feeding program, this mark will likely be around the sixth week of flower. However, if you’re managing a strain with a longer flowering time, be sure to consult strain-specific growing guidelines to ensure your crop has an adequate flush without becoming over-ripe. 

Example of where the Flush Period is indicated on GreenPlanet Nutrient FeedPrograms.

#2: Flush Your Plants Until Run-Off

The best way to completely saturate your medium is to water your plants until run-off. Start by watering your plants with plain, neutral water (with a pH of 7.0) until roughly 20% of the water runs out of the bottom of your container. For example, if your start by watering your potted plants with 1 Litre of plain water, at least 200mL should run out of the bottom of your container. This action will guarantee the flush of built-up sediment and mineral salts. 

Start by watering your potted plants with 1 Litre of plain water.

#3: Test the Run-Off Samples and Log the Data

If you want to be sure you’re flushing correctly, simply collect the run-off and test the samples with a conductivity meter. Start by flushing your plants until 20% of the water runs out of the bottom of your container. Then, collect some of the water in a container and test the sample with a conductivity meter. Finally, log the data and repeat the process every time you flush your plants. The data will ideally indicate a rapid decrease in salt concentration over time, meaning your plants are slowly flushing concentrations of salt away from the root zone, and are therefore becoming cleaner in the process.

Definition: Electrical Conductivity (EC)
The relative strength or concentration of a solution, or its ability to conduct an electrical charge. Other measurement solutions include the Parts Per Million (PPM) scale and/or Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) estimations. 

How Does EC work?
Salt emits an electrical charge (electrolytes) when in a solution. By testing the conductivity of that charge, you can get a reading of the relative strength of the solution.
The data will ideally indicate a rapid decrease in salt concentration over time, meaning your plants are slowly flushing the built-up sediment and mineral salts.

#4: Use Benefical Bacteria

Using a source of beneficial bacteria during the flushing process can have amazing benefits. Adding bacteria to the root zone speeds up the breakdown of hard to dissolve minerals. And so, since you’re trying to rid your plants of excess nutrient salts during this stage, using a beneficial bacteria supplement can lighten the load and ultimately accelerate the process of nutrient and fluid uptake. 

If you’re looking for a tested microbial supplement, try GreenPlanet’s Root Builder. Formulated with two sources of bacteria, Bacillus Licheniformis and Bacillus Subtilis, Root Builder can quickly increase microbial activity in the root zone, allowing for increased uptake, yield, and trichome formation.

#5: Monitor Your Crop 

It’s completely normal for plants to undergo physiological changes during the flushing period. In fact, it’s positive that certain changes take place. Since your crop is nearing the end of its lifecycle, it’s common for growth rates to slow, and for new colors to emerge. Also, due to the lack of nutrition during this stage, it’s likely that old foliage will begin to yellow and die off. But don’t worry, this is a normal transition sometimes referred to as “autumning-off”, or the process of a crop expressing autumn colors during the flushing process. Overall, the changes above are a good sign that your plants are nearing maturity. 

Plants undergo physiological changes during the flushing period, and old foliage will begin to yellow and die off.

Whatever your style of garden, chances are, GreenPlanet Nutrients has the perfect base nutrient program. To access the programs available at GreenPlanet Nutrients, contact a member of the GreenPlanet sales team, or your local garden supply store for product information and purchasing inquiries. 

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3 Tips for Growing in Coco Coir

Coco coir occupies a grey area between soil/soilless media and hydroponic gardening. While it may feel like soil, coco acts and performs much like a hydroponic system. For example, growers using a coco-based medium can expect to water their plants more often, feed with a slightly more concentrated nutrient solution, and irrigate plants at lower pH levels. But don’t let these conditions discourage you from experimenting with coco coir – the potential benefits of establishing plants in coconut mediums are incredible; it’s not unlikely for plants in coco to outgrow rival flora in peat moss or rockwool. If you’re thinking about making the move to coco, read the passages below for 3 tips for growing in coco coir. 

What is Coco Coir? 

Plant-grade coco coir is a simple byproduct of the coconut fiber industry. Between the husk and the coconut meat is a dense but fibrous layer of threads. When processed, the milk and meat of the coconut are usually combined or sold separately as food products, while the husk is sold to adjacent industries to be made into textiles or fabrics. The middle section, however, is set aside, ground up, composted, or thrown away; only recently has the coir been sold to agricultural industries for use in the garden. Although, this use of the coconut byproduct has led growers to rely on coco coir as a powerful medium with an array of potential benefits. 

While it may feel like soil, coco acts and performs much like a hydroponic system.

For example, instead of throwing away or composting the leftover byproduct, the fibers of the coir can be ground into a fine medium, washed, dried, and sold to growers in loose or brick form. Some coco medium manufacturers, like Royal Gold, even enrich the coconut fibers with a calcium charge to ensure the medium is ready to use right out of the bag. While using a coconut fiber medium, growers can expect a host of benefits. Read the following passages for the expected benefits and more tips and advice on growing in coco coir. 

Benefits of Using Coco Coir:

The coconut byproduct has led growers to rely on coco coir as a powerful medium with an array of potential benefits. 

Tips For Growing in Coco Coir

#1: Treat Coco like a Hydroponic System 

While coco coir fiber feels like a soil system, it behaves much like other hydroponic media. So, treat your coco medium like a hydroponic system. This can mean watering your crop less but at a higher frequency. Coconut fiber is light, airy, and highly porous, but it also has the potential to hold incredible amounts of moisture when saturated. If young plants in coco are over-watered, it can quickly damage a crop. So, start by irrigating your plants with small amounts of water once or twice a day, and increase the volume of liquid feed as your crop grows. 

Coconut fiber is light, airy, and
highly porous.

#2: Use a Calcium Magnesium Supplement 

Calcium and/or magnesium deficiencies are a common problem for growers utilizing coconut coir. To avoid these issues, consider supplementing your crop with a source of calcium and magnesium. Most high-quality fertilizers include a boost of calcium and magnesium. So why is additional cal-mag needed? This question can be easily answered when cultivators examine the relationship between coconut media and calcium/magnesium.

In short, the cation exchange sites in coco coir will lock on to the calcium-magnesium elements in fertilizer and render them unavailable to the plant. So, growers must provide a larger dose to ensure that Ca and Mg are available to plants. 

#3: Pre-Charge Your Medium

Some coco mediums are not pre-charged with a dose of calcium-magnesium. Read the label on your loose or brick coco and determine whether or not the manufacturer of the product enriched their medium with minerals. If the coco has been rinsed and dried but not charged with minerals, it’s highly recommended that cultivators irrigate and enrich their medium with a low dose of nutrients and a calcium-magnesium supplement before transplanting. This charge will provide young plants with a foundation of minerals upon transplant and further support root expansion and nutrient uptake in the vegetative stage. 

It’s highly recommended that cultivators irrigate and enrich their medium before transplanting.

Whatever your style of garden, chances are, GreenPlanet Nutrients has the perfect base nutrient program. To access the programs available at GreenPlanet Nutrients, contact a member of the GreenPlanet sales team, or your local garden supply store for product information and purchasing inquiries. 

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Why Growers Should Read the Guaranteed Analysis on Fertilizer

Plants absorb a wide variety of elements throughout their lifecycle. In total, there are 16 essential nutrients that plants need to maintain healthy patterns of growth. If you’re new to cultivation, choosing a nutrient product for your garden can be a challenging task. However, understanding the contents of fertilizer can help influence purchasing decisions. For example, inspecting the guaranteed analysis can be a great way to determine whether or not a nutrient product would be beneficial in your garden. Read the passages below to learn how to read the guaranteed analysis on fertilizer. But first, read the section below titled, “General Nutrient Considerations”, to learn about the elements that are required to keep plants happy and healthy. 

General Nutrient Considerations

Plants in any environment need a vast array of elements to maintain periods of vigorous growth. In total, there are 16 essential elements necessary for healthy and deficient-free plant growth. These elements are separated into three categories called, macro, secondary, and micronutrients, and are typically combined at an adequate rate within liquid, powdered, or granular nutrient supplements. However, growers must be aware of the combination of elements within fertilizers – inspecting the guaranteed analysis can assist in fine-tuning a cultivator’s approach to fertilization. 

What is a Guaranteed Analysis?

Law requires that fertilizer manufacturers display the contents of liquid, powder, and granular fertilizers on the back of containers in the guaranteed analysis section. This basic label describes the percentage of macro (primary), secondary, and micronutrients in each formula. So, if you’re interested in learning more about the importance of reading the guaranteed analysis, follow the sections below for more information.

Important Terms:

  • Micronutrients: Trace elements required in very small amounts. Includes iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), boron (B), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), sodium (Na), cobalt (Co), silicon (Si), and nickel (Ni). 
  • Secondary Nutrients: Calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S). 
  • Macronutrients: Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Important elements needed in the highest concentrations. Listed as the three numbers on the front of fertilizer containers- also referred to as N-P-K.

Why Read the Guaranteed Analysis?

Growers can reference the guaranteed analysis on the back of fertilizer containers to fine-tune nutrient enrichment and safeguard against nutrient toxicity and deficiencies. More than that, cultivators can inspect the different types of elements used in nutrient formulas to ensure they meet specific standards of quality. 

Reading the Guaranteed Analysis Examples:

Example #1: Cover Your Bases 

Before purchasing fertilizer, cultivators can reference the guaranteed analysis to ensure their plants are getting the necessary macro, secondary, and micronutrients to maintain healthy patterns of growth. Follow the example below to learn how to cover your bases!

Reference the guaranteed analysis on the back of fertilizer to ensure your plants are getting the nutrients they need to remain healthy and happy. Take GreenPlanet’s 3-Part for example.

If we examine the guaranteed analysis on the back of GP3 Micro, Grow, and Bloom, we can evidence all the essential elements needed for aggressive vegetative and flowering growth. 

GP3 Micro, for instance, contains an aggressive amount of the primary macronutrient nitrogen (N), as well as a long list of trace elements like iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), boron (B), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and cobalt (Co). The nitrogen and micronutrient component of GP3 compliments the other two parts of the program beautifully. For example, GP3 Grow contains essential secondary nutrients such as magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S), while GP3 Bloom is packed with highly concentrated sources of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). The combination of these products gives plants a wide variety of micro, secondary and macro elements to uptake during periods of growth and bloom. 

Click here to view GP3 Micro Guaranteed Analysis

Click here to view GP3 Grow Guaranteed Analysis

Click here to view GP3 Bloom Guaranteed Analysis

Example #2: Select Specific Elements

Growers might reference the back of fertilizer to select elements needed in specific stages of growth. Read the passages below to learn how reading the guaranteed analysis will help you pick and choose what nutrients your plants absorb.  

If your plants are experiencing a nutrient deficiency, the guaranteed analysis can be inspected for evidence of an element that might quickly remedy the issue. A calcium magnesium deficiency is a common problem in the garden.

Luckily, calcium and magnesium are major components in GreenPlanet’s Pro-Cal. So, if you happen to notice the development of a calcium or magnesium deficiency in your plants, growers can reference and incorporate Pro Cal into their feeding program to rid plants of nutrient deficiencies.

Click here to view Pro Cal Guaranteed Analysis

Example #3: Quality Controlled Ingredients

Not all ingredients are created equal. So, if you’re on the hunt for the best raw ingredients, reference the guaranteed analysis and read the “derived from” section. Read the passages below to learn more about the benefits of inspecting the source of elements in nutrient formulations. 

GreenPlanet formulates its nutrients with the cleanest raw ingredients. Let’s take Hydro Fuel Grow A&B as an example. At the bottom of the guaranteed analysis, you’ll notice a list titled “derived from”. While the guaranteed analysis describes the percentage of elements contained within the formulation, the “derived from” section describes the source of the element. This is important for a few reasons. First, some elements, like calcium, have different grades that range in quality and solubility. Calcium carbonate, for example, is generally regarded as a low-quality source of calcium because of its insoluble nature. Hydro Fuel contains no carbonates, bi-carbonates, unnaturally derivatives, or fillers. However, it’s always a good idea to quality assure the ingredients you’re feeding your plants by inspecting the guaranteed analysis. 

Click here to view Hydro Fuel Grow A Guaranteed Analysis

Click here to view Hydro Fuel Grow B Guaranteed Analysis

Second, some nutrient manufacturers, like GreenPlanet, include multiple sources of high-quality ingredients. For example, Hydro Fuel Grow (A) contains three unique sources of chelated iron (Iron EDTA, Iron EDDHA, Iron DTPA). Not all brands include multiple sources of chelated metals. So, before committing to a fertilizer, refer to the guaranteed analysis to quality assure the ingredients going into your garden.  

Whatever your style of garden, chances are, GreenPlanet Nutrients has the perfect base nutrient program. To access the programs available at GreenPlanet Nutrients, contact a member of the GreenPlanet sales team, or your local garden supply store for product information and purchasing inquiries. 

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What’s the Difference Between Our Base, Additive and Maintenance Products?

Base, additive, or maintenance

Whatever you grow, chances are, GreenPlanet Nutrients has the ideal nutrient system to support your crop. However, selecting a fertilizer can often be a difficult task. So, to help educate and encourage our clients, we’ve organized our catalog of products into three sections: base nutrients, additives, and maintenance products. To learn more about the products offered at GreenPlanet Nutrients, read the following passages below. 

The Difference Between Base, Additive, and Maintenance Products 

Base Nutrients

A base nutrient, or a base nutrient system, can be described as a crop’s main source of plant food. Furthermore, an adequate base nutrient program will likely contain a well-rounded list of macro and micro-elements, be highly concentrated, and provide your plants with essential minerals throughout periods of growth and bloom.

Additive Nutrients

An additive nutrient can be described as any plant food product that seeks to enhance natural patterns of development. And unlike base nutrients, which are designed to maintain healthy patterns of growth and bloom, additive nutrients aim to promote specific actions, whether it be the development of large, dense flowers, trichome production, root growth, or rapid cell expansion.

Maintenance Products

Unlike base and additive supplements, some of our products specialize in maintaining or preserving a particular area in a plant’s life cycle. So, while not directly considered a fertilizer, maintenance products help support specific actions such as pH stability, plant health, and general performance in the garden

More About Base Nutrients

Why are base nutrients important? Like us, plants are only able to digest certain elements throughout their lifecycle. So, a base nutrient could be described as any liquid or powdered plant food which contains most of, or all of the essential elements for plant health and stability. Although base nutrient systems vary in many ways, most notable in price, brand, and in the number of “parts”, an adequate base nutrient program will contain a well-rounded list of macro and micro-elements, be highly concentrated, and provide your plants with essential minerals throughout periods of growth and bloom.

More About Additive Nutrients 

What are additives? Unlike base nutrients, additive nutrients are supplements that aim to promote specific actions and outcomes. There are a wide variety of additive nutrients available on the market. For example, GreenPlanet Nutrients manufacturers 16 nutrient additives, ranging from beneficial bacteria inoculants, bloom boosters, and carbohydrates supplements. While all these supplements have different desired actions and outcomes, they all aim to enhance the natural growth patterns of plants.

Base nutrient supplements can be seen as your plant’s source of “meat and potatoes”, essential elements necessary for growing healthy crops. Additives on the other hand, if we stick with food analogies, can be described as a plant’s “dessert”, something that is not essential for survival, but if supplemented appropriately, can ultimately enhance the potential for size, flavour and appeal during flower.

Enhance Your Crop with Flowering Supplements and Additives

More About Maintenance Products

Why use maintenance products? Maintenance products are specialized products that assist in the general upkeep of the garden. Designed to be used periodically with base nutrients and additives, maintenance products support specific actions that aim to promote and optimize crop production and plant health. Some maintenance products such as pH Up and pH Down are essential for maintaining stabilized plant growth and are recommended for buffering nutrients during every irrigation cycle. 

– Maintenance Products are only available in Canada –

Combining Base Nutrients and Additives in a Feed Program 

GreenPlanet offers growers four distinct liquid feed programs: the 1-Part Medi-One, the 2-Part Dual Fuel, GP 3-Part, and the Hydro Fuel 4-Part. But what feed program is right for you? Read the passages below for more information on the feed programs available at GreenPlanet. Or, click the button below for advice on choosing your ideal nutrient system. 

1-Part Medi One Feed Program 

A complete, organic feed program formulated for the medical grower. 

Medi One is a balanced blend of organic ingredients that encourages vigorous growth in the vegetative stage and resinous aromatic flora production in the flowering stage. Medi One is also OMRI listed. This means that the ingredients that go into producing Medi One are backed against industry standards for organic fertilizer production. 

Feed Program Contains: 

2-Part Dual Fuel Feed Program  

A simple and highly concentrated feed program designed to save growers time and money.

Whether you’re a novice cultivator with your first grow tent or a master grower producing on a commercial scale, our 2-part Dual Fuel Feed Program gives you the ability to fine-tune your garden to ensure you get bigger and better yields! Simple and easy to use so you can scale up or down without the headache.

Feed Program Contains:

3-Part GP3 Feed Program

Formulated for the veteran grower, GP3 offers increased flexibility, control, and reliability. 

GP3 is the OG of 3-part feed programs. It’s the 3 part base nutrient system that has been tried and tested by seasoned growers throughout the years. If you want a product backed by veteran growers, then this is the feed program for you.

Feed Program Contains: 

4-Part Hydro Fuel Feed Program

The classic and easy-to-use formula for the traditional hydroponic garden.

The 4-Part Hydro Fuel Feed Program gives growers extreme control over both vegetative and flowering growth with two specific formulas for each stage of production. The base nutrient component comes in four parts: A&B Grow and A&B Bloom. 

Feed Program Contains: 

Your green-thumbed adventure starts here! To access the programs and products in this blog, contact a member of the GreenPlanet sales team, or your local garden supply store for product information and purchasing inquiries. 

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What are trichomes and why do they result in high-quality cannabis?

Macro of trichomes on a cannabis plant.

When it comes to cannabis, experienced growers prefer quality over quantity. The truth is, growers today want to produce bigger trichomes, not flowers. Unlike its flowers, cannabis trichomes hold a wealth of psychoactive, medicinal, and therapeutic properties. The market’s changed; instead of gigantic, dull cannabis buds, growers are far more interested in producing tight flowers, covered with a dense layer of crystalized trichomes.

Grow Trichomes with GreenPlanet Nutrients Rezin

What are Trichomes?

Trichomes are small, dome-like glands that coat the leaves and buds of mature cannabis plants. They are resinous and oily, but also have a glass, or crystal-like appearance. Trichomes also have functional properties. For example, experts argue that trichomes can mitigate leaf and flower temperature, leading to a stronger plant that’s more resistant to bouts of extreme heat or cold (Wagner, 1991).

Also, the hair-like structure of resin glands leads professionals to believe that trichomes can act as a pest-deterrent and defence mechanism via their oily nature and the production of chemical compounds (Wagner, 1991). Fruits, vegetables, and flowers produce trichomes across the plant kingdom. However, specific glands in cannabis have been praised for their unique psychoactive and medicinal compounds.

Trichomes are small, dome-like glands found on the buds of mature cannabis plants.

Important Compounds Found in Cannabis Trichomes

THC

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis. While perhaps the most prevalent, THC is one of at least 113 cannabinoids found in marijuana plant tissue. THC forms heavily in the lipid glands of exposed plant matter like flowers and leaves as an evolutionary defence response to stress, pests, and environmental conditions. 

Molecular chemical structure of cannabinoid THC Tetrahydrocannabinol
THC is one of at least 113 cannabinoids found in marijuana plant tissue.

When taken, tetrahydrocannabinol is absorbed into the bloodstream and travels to the brain, attaching itself to the naturally-occurring endocannabinoid receptors located in the brain. This attachment can distort and affect perception, pleasure, thinking, coordination, and movement. In short, THC is the compound in cannabis responsible for making the user feel “high”. However, there are also medicinal and therapeutic uses for THC. For instance, THC has had success in treating pain, discomfort, and bladder overactivity for people with multiple sclerosis. 

CBD

Cannabidiol or CBD is another immensely important compound found abundantly in cannabis. Also a primary active ingredient in hemp, CBD has been championed widely for its therapeutic and medicinal benefits. And unlike THC, CBD does not cause a “high” when ingested. Potential medicinal benefits are as follows: insomnia relief, acute and chronic pain assistance, inflammation ease, depression support, and arthritis aid (Perez, 2021, para. 1). 

Molecular chemical structure of cannabinoid CBD Cannabidiol
CBD/Cannabidiol is the most well-known and abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid found within the cannabis plant. CBD has also been championed widely for its therapeutic and medicinal benefits.

CBD can be ingested in many forms, including oils, herbs, patches, capsules, lotions, sprays, and even bath bombs. Since CBD is a therapeutic compound without any psychoactive effects, individuals using or prescribed CBD may experience a more relaxed and regulated mood, reduced muscle pain, and low fatigue. 

THCA

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), the precursor of THC, is also found in the resinous glands of cannabis plants. Unlike the smaller molecular compound THC, THCA’s chemical composition is too large to fit into the endocannabinoid receptors in the brain, making it a non-intoxicating active ingredient. In order for a cannabinoid compound to become intoxicating (like THC), the molecule must be small enough to attach itself to a type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1). The shape and size of the THCA molecule, however, is too large to make this CB1 to cannabinoid connection. 

Molecular chemical structure of cannabinoid THCA Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid
THCA’s chemical composition is a non-intoxicating active ingredient.

Remember, THCA is the precursor to the intoxicating compound THC. The chemical conversion comes from a simple process called decarboxylation, or the rapid application of heat and light. Heat removes the carboxylic acid group from THCA, altering the THC chemical structure. This makes it the perfect shape to fit into the endocannabinoid system. But like other compounds found in trichomes, THCA alone has amazing health benefits. For example, recent studies have shown that THCA can promote dietary and immune system recovery and function (Ruhaak, 2011). 

CBN

Cannabinol (CBN) comes from the breakdown of THC in mature cannabis plants. CBN isn’t as psychoactive as THC, but it can still produce a calming, therapeutic effect after consumption. Since CBN doesn’t necessarily produce a “high”, it’s often overlooked as an unimportant cannabinoid. However, there are several benefits of CBN being examined in recent studies. For instance, studies have shown that concentrations of CBN have antibacterial, neuroprotectant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Cannabinol also has a minor sedative effect, leading researchers to believe that future studies will yield further medicinal evidence for the use of CBN.

Molecular chemical structure of cannabinoid Cannabinol CBN
CBN, or Cannabinol, has antibacterial, neuroprotectant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

What’s most interesting about CBN is its interaction with other cannabinoids. Dr. Ethan Russo, a neurologist responsible for popularizing the “entourage effect”, says CBN itself isn’t a sedative (Rahn, 2020, para. 5). But when combined with other cannabinoids like THC and CBD, cannabinol can work synergistically to influence certain therapeutic effects.

Grow Trichomes – Not Flowers

Cannabis buds are valued on much more than size – strain, terpene concentration and cannabinoid content all play an essential role in determining the value of raw flower. But how do we grow trichomes? 

GreenPlanet product aficionado, Sonny, is here to give you all the info on Rezin.

Enhance Trichomes with Rezin

Bring fire to your crop with Rezin, our trichome, flavor, and aroma enhancer. Formulated with trace amounts of molybdenum and vitamin B1, Rezin can be used in both the flowering and flushing periods of growth to boost essential oil, trichome, and resin content.

Rezin contains no plant growth regulators (PGRs), artificial coloring, or dyes. And, since it contains only a trace amount of a single micronutrient, Rezin will not impact the EC/PPM of your nutrient solution. Rezin will help promote aromas and flavors to bring out the best qualities of your plants in both the late-stage and flushing period.

Rezin is the answer to ensure your flowers are covered in beautiful, frosty trichomes.

Remember, to enhance the smell and taste of cannabis, grow trichomes, not flowers! For more information on the products or information mentioned in this article, contact your GreenPlanet representative directly, or your local garden supply store. 

Works Cited 

  • Rahn, B. (2020). The entourage effect: How cannabis compounds may be working together. Retrieved December 1st, 2021 from Leafly
  • Ruhaak, L. (2011). Evaluation of the cyclooxygenase inhibiting effects of six major cannabinoids isolated from cannabis sativa. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. Retrieved December 1st, 2021 from J-Stage
  • Perez, L. (2021). 9 science-backed benefits of CDB oil. Retrieved December 1st, 2021 from Forbes Health 
  • Wagner, G.J. (1991) Secreting glandular trichomes: More than just hairs. Plant Physiology. Retrieved December 1st, 2021 from National Library of Medicine

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Understanding the Feed Program: Hydro Fuel

GreenPlanet Nutrients makes four different and distinct feed programs. Made for the medicinal gardener, the 1-Part Medi-One feed program is an organic system that offers plants a wide variety of bio-available elements. The 2-Part Dual Fuel program is GreenPlanet’s simplest and most concentrated formula. The 3-Part program, GP3, was designed to be intricate and balanced, made for the seasoned grower with an established routine. The 4-Part Hydro Fuel system is GreenPlanet’s final feeding program. Coming in four parts, the base nutrient component of Hydro Fuel is made for the easy-going traditional grower – someone who wants the complexity of a multipart feed program, but with none of the effort. If you’re thinking about purchasing GreenPlanet’s Hydro Fuel feed program, read the following passages for more information. 

What is a Feed Program?

A feed program is a schedule of plant nutrition that can be mapped in terms of fertilizer dosage, ratio, supplementation, and use over time. Usually containing several bottles, a complete feeding program should contain supplements including a base nutrient fertilizer, a vitamin supplement, a bloom booster, a source of carbohydrates, and a trichome enhancer. By combining these inputs into a feeding program, growers can expect to produce the most quality-driven harvest possible. To browse a complete list of feed programs available at GreenPlanet Nutrients, click here. Or, read the blog below for advice on choosing a GreenPlanet feed program.

GreenPlanet’s 4-Part Hydro Fuel Feed Program

GreenPlanet’s 4-Part Hydro Fuel base nutrient system gives growers extreme control over both vegetative and flowering growth with two specific and balanced formulas for each stage of production. The base nutrient component comes in four parts, A&B Grow and A&B Bloom, two formulas for each stage of growth. But don’t let the excess of nutrients fool you into thinking Hydro Fuel is complicated – GreenPlanet’s 4-Part feed program is one of the simplest, yet most effective nutrient systems on the market. Here’s more information on each part of the Hydro Fuel feed program: 

Click Here to read GreenPlanet’s Hydro Fuel Feed Chart

Base Nutrients

Additive Nutrients

Click to see the products that make up the Hydro Fuel 4 Part Feed Program

Using the Feed Program

Like a recipe, the Hydro Fuel feeding program has the best results when the formula is followed. A feed program is a schedule of plant nutrition that can be mapped in terms of fertilizer dosage, ratio, supplementation. So, throughout the weeks of vegetative and flowering growth, the Hydro Fuel feeding program will guide the grower through different stages of a plant’s life. It will also offer general feeding ratios, doses, and helpfully supplementation tips. All the measurements of plant food on GreenPlanet’s feeding programs are described in milliliters of fertilizers per liter of water.

Features and Considerations

Here are some features to consider about the Hydro Fuel feed program. First, GreenPlanet only recommends certain products and supplements for specific stages of plant growth. For example, the feeding program is split into two stages: vegetative and flowering growth. In these different stages, only certain supplements are recommended for use. For instance, you’ll notice that products that increase flower size, like Massive Bloom Formulation, are only introduced in the second week of the flowering stage.

Products that increase flower size, like Massive Bloom Formulation, are only introduced in the second week of flower

Also, Hydro Fuel is fed in equal ratios throughout vegetative and flowering stages and growth. So, no matter the stage of growth, you can expect to add equal amounts of Hydro Fuel A&B. This makes mixing Hydro Fuel a breeze. Also, mixing a 1:1 ratio fertilizer means that growers need only buy equal amounts of Hydro Fuel A&B. When used correctly, both parts of Hydro Fuel will run out at the same time. This feature of the 4-Part feed program saves growers time, money, and waste. 

Tips on Using Hydro Fuel

Another aspect of the Hydro Fuel feed program to examine is the rise and gradual plateau of the recommended Parts Per Million (PPM) of your nutrient solution. PPM is a unit of measurement which describes the concentration and strength of a nutrient solution.

PPM is a unit of measurement which describes the concentration of a solution.

While following the Hydro Fuel feeding program, you’ll notice that the PPM of you’re nutrient solution will gradually increase as you move into the flowering stage, finally plateauing in weeks 2 – 6, followed by a gradual decrease in strength as you move towards the final weeks of flush. These general measurements are based on the assumption that as time progresses, your plants will become larger, and therefore be able to digest a more concentrated nutrient solution. However, these nutrient levels generally plateau and decrease as plants ripen and move towards the flushing stage. For a more in-depth understanding of PPM and plant nutrition, refer to the blog titled: Understanding Plant Nutrition And Factors That Influence Availability.

Want to learn more about Hydro Fuel? Contact a member of the GreenPlanet sales team, or your local garden supply store for product information and purchasing inquiries. Or, read the blog titled: Everything You Need to Know About GreenPlanet’s Hydro Fuel.

Works Cited

  • Russo, E. (2019). The case for the entourage effect and conventional breeding of clinical cannabis: No “strain,” no gain. Frontiers in Plant Science. Retrieved, December 10th, 2020 from US National Library of Medicine.
  • Stirk, W. A., & Van Staden, J. (2014). Chapter five – Plant growth regulators in seaweeds: Occurrence, regulation and functions. Advances in Botanical Research, 125–159. Retrieved, December 10th, 2020 from ScienceDirect. 

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Everything You Need to Know About GreenPlanet’s Hydro Fuel

GreenPlanet’s Hydro Fuel was made for the easy-going, traditional gardener – someone who wants the control and intricacy of a multipart base nutrient, but with none of the extra effort. Choosing a reliable nutrient system can be a challenging business. First, growers need to decide if they want to grow organic or mineral-based crops. Secondly, the fertilizer in question must be compatible with the gardener’s growing system. And last, before committing to a feeding system, growers must be comfortable with the program itself. To help eliminate the guesswork when selecting fertilizer for the garden, here’s everything you need to know about GreenPlanet’s Hydro Fuel. If you’re thinking about purchasing GreenPlanet’s Hydro Fuel feed program, read the following passages for more information. 

GreenPlanet’s 4-Part Hydro Fuel Base Nutrient

GreenPlanet’s 4-Part Hydro Fuel base nutrient system gives growers extreme control over both vegetative and flowering growth with two specific and balanced formulas for each stage of production. The base nutrient component comes in four parts, A&B Grow and A&B Bloom, two formulas for each stage of growth. But don’t let the excess of nutrients fool you into thinking Hydro Fuel is complicated – GreenPlanet’s 4-Part feed program is one of the simplest, yet most effective nutrient systems on the market. Here’s more information on each part of the Hydro Fuel base nutrient system.

Hydro Fuel Grow A&B

Hydro Fuel Grow A&B are the growing components of GreenPlanet’s 4-Part base nutrient system. Designed to be used together in equal ratios throughout the vegetative stage, Hydro Fuel Grow A&B provides your crop with a diverse range of micro, macro, and secondary nutrients. Hydro Fuel Grow A is the nitrogen and micronutrient heavy part of the vegetative A&B program. It gives plants clean access to micronutrients like boron, cobalt, molybdenum, zinc, and chelated sources of iron and manganese. The B component of Hydro Fuel Grow compliments this formula perfectly by being packed full of phosphorus and potassium, two nutrients that encourage rapid root growth and cellular expansion. 

Hydro Fuel Grow A&B is Designed to be used together in equal ratios throughout the vegetative stage

Hydro Fuel Bloom A&B

Hydro Fuel Bloom A&B are the blooming components of GreenPlanet’s 4-Part base nutrient system. Formulated to be used together in a 1:1 ratio, Hydro Fuel Bloom A&B provides your plants with elements that encourage the expression and expansion of dense flowers. For instance, Hydro Fuel Bloom A is made with balanced levels of nitrogen and micronutrients to ensure your plants stay healthy and free of common nutrient deficiencies during the flowering stage. Hydro Fuel Bloom B, however, is loaded with aggressive amounts of phosphorus and potassium. Hydro Fuel Bloom A&B guarantees the maximal expression of flowers during the blooming period by providing gardeners with access to an easy-to-use and balanced fertilizer. 

Hydro Fuel Bloom A&B is formulated to be used together in a 1:1 ratio

Why Should You Use GreenPlanet’s 4-Part? 

Stage Specific Nutrients 

GreenPlanet’s Hydro Fuel is unique because it offers growers balanced levels of elements in stage-specific ratios. Hydro Fuel is split into two distinct feeding systems: Hydro Fuel Grow A&B and Hydro Fuel Bloom A&B. Each formula is specifically designed for both the vegetative and flowering stages of growth. This means that every time you feed your plants with Hydro Fuel, you’re providing them with exactly what they need for that period of growth. If you’re looking for a nutrient system that’s simple and stage-specific, there’s no better choice than GreenPlanet’s Hydro Fuel. 

It’s that simple. Grow A&B for the vegetative stage and Bloom A&B for the flowering stages of plant growth.

Easy-to-Use Ratios

Every part of GreenPlanet’s Hydro Fuel is mixed in simple 1:1 ratios. So, no matter the stage of growth, both parts of Hydro Fuel are added into the reservoir in equal amounts. Unlike other multi-step feed programs which are fed to plants in varying ratios over time, Hydro Fuel is made simple by being supplemented in completely equal parts. This aspect of GreenPlanet’s 4-Part makes it one of the simplest and most efficient base nutrient programs on the market. So, if you’re the type of grower who’s interested in an intricate, balanced, yet easy-to-use base nutrient system, Hydro Fuel might be the perfect choice for your garden.

Multimedia Feed Program 

Both Hydro Fuel Grow and Bloom A&B can be supplied to plants in a variety of media; this includes soil, peat moss, coco coir, rockwool, hydro stone, and true water-based systems. Made from extremely soluble sources of micro and macronutrients, Hydro Fuel can be used in any of the media variations listed above with little to no salt or residue build-up. This is because Hydro Fuel is formulated with only the highest quality ingredients – no carbonates, bi-carbonates, or fillers are used in the manufacturing of GreenPlanet nutrients. Whether you’re a beginner testing out a new system, or a seasoned grower with an established routine, GreenPlanet’s 4-Part makes growing in any medium easy and stress-free. 

Whatever your style of garden, chances are, GreenPlanet Nutrients has the perfect base nutrient program. To access the programs available at GreenPlanet Nutrients, contact a member of the GreenPlanet sales team, or your local garden supply store for product information and purchasing inquiries. 

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