Yo, what up peeps, it’s your boy Dan here to talk about how fungi can make your cannabis plants absolutely poppin’. Fungi are these dope life forms that are fundamental to all life on Earth. They’re not even plants or animals; they have their own kingdom, and they play an important role in breaking down dead stuff and freeing up nutrients for the rest of the ecosystem. But did you know that fungi can also help your weed grow? That’s right, when fungi and plant roots work together, they form a symbiotic partnership called mycorrhizae that increases nutrient uptake and protects against disease.
So, what is mycorrhizae exactly? It’s when a fungus and a plant root come together to share the wealth. The fungus gets sweet, sweet sugars from the plant’s leaves and in exchange, it helps the plant absorb more water and nutrients from the soil. And we’re not talking about just any old nutrients; mycorrhizae can help plants access crucial building blocks like phosphorous and nitrogen, which are super important for getting those big, beautiful buds.
But that’s not all, folks. Mycorrhizae can also help protect your precious plants against diseases, drought, salt stress, and even toxicities in soil with high metal concentrations. Pretty sweet deal, huh?
Now, you might be wondering how to cultivate this special relationship between your plants and fungi. Well, you’ve got a few options. First off, you can attract mycorrhizal species that are already chillin’ in your soil by feeding them the right food. Mycorrhizal fungi love organic matter like compost and other microorganisms, but they also love some sugary sweetness. Try adding some fruit juice or maple syrup into the soil (10ml per gallon of water) to attract those beneficial fungi.
Another option is to head out to the nearest forest and capture a fungal colony with your bare hands. Just make sure you’re taking soil from an area that’s free of chemicals and pollution. Then inoculate your growing medium with this microbe-rich goodness.
If you’re feeling fancy, you can also use specially designed products to inoculate your soil with Glomeromycota fungi that will bind to your roots and shuttle in those nutrients in return for plant sugars.
But wait, there’s more! It’s not just fungi that can help your plants grow strong and healthy; bacteria are also key players in the soil game. Don’t worry, we’re not talking about bad bacteria here; we’re talking about those good bacteria that team up with cannabis plants to promote growth and fight off harmful bacteria.
You can introduce good bacteria into your soil using Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas flavescens products that form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots. These tiny dudes help fix nitrogen and increase nutrient solubilization while protecting against the bad bacteria out there. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s even a special form of algae called Lithothamium in there that protects the bacteria from pH irritation and provides trace nutrients for optimal plant health.
So which one should you choose: mycorrhizal fungi or bacteria? The truth is, they both play important roles in making sure your plants have everything they need to thrive. Mycorrhizal fungi physically fuse with root systems and break down complex molecules while carrying free nutrients into the roots in exchange for sugars created through photosynthesis (so basically plant money). Beneficial bacteria work alongside plants to fight off bad bacteria and even help them uptake atmospheric nitrogen (which is like super important). So why not use both? Give your plants all the love they deserve by cultivating these awesome relationships in your soil.
Until next time, Dan
