Yo, what’s good fellow cannabis growers? It’s your boy Dan here to talk about Trichoderma and why it’s important for growing that sticky icky. Now, you’ve probably heard of Trichoderma before, whether from other growers or from reading up on cannabis growing. But if you don’t know what it is, don’t trip! I got you covered.
Trichoderma is a straight up gangster fungi that can be found in all sorts of soils in different ecosystems. It feeds off other fungi and loves to colonize plant roots. This can be hella useful when growing cannabis because it fights off other pathogenic fungi while promoting healthy growth and nutrient uptake. Basically, Trichoderma is the homie you want in your garden.
So what are the benefits of using Trichoderma for cannabis? Let me break it down for you.
Better Root Development: Trichoderma loves to colonize plant roots and feed off bacteria and other fungi in the rhizosphere. When applied directly to seeds or potting soil, Trichoderma can colonize the root surface and cortex, leading to bigger, healthier root systems for your plants.
Natural and Environmentally Friendly: Unlike chemical pesticides or herbicides, Trichoderma is all-natural and won’t harm the plant and animal life around you. It’s a fungi that naturally exists in soil ecosystems, so introducing it to your cannabis garden won’t have any negative impact on the environment. While some people may have allergic reactions to Trichoderma, it’s generally considered safe when used properly. Trichoderma-treated soil isn’t toxic to animals or other plants in your garden.
Protection From Pathogens: Trichoderma is like a bodyguard for your plants, protecting them from pathogens in multiple ways. It can parasitize other fungi and produce antibiotics and metabolites that attack and destroy plant pathogens. Plus, it’s skilled at competing for nutrients in the rhizosphere and can starve out other less competitive fungi. Trichoderma can also destroy the eggs and juveniles of plant-eating nematodes while helping plants produce natural defense chemicals to fend off soil-borne and above-ground pathogens.
Improved Plant Health and Fruit Production: Besides promoting root growth and controlling plant pathogens, Trichoderma can also stimulate overall plant growth and increase fruit production. This is because it secretes organic acids that break down organic matter in soil, promoting nutrient uptake by the root system. Trichoderma can also control soil pH, which is important for cannabis plants that prefer slightly acidic soil. Plus, it secretes “hormone-like” compounds that promote both above and below-ground growth.
Soil Detoxification: Trichoderma can purify old or contaminated soil by degrading heavy metals and organic pollutants present in chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Some species of Trichoderma are highly resistant to chemical toxins like pesticides.
Now that you know the benefits of Trichoderma for cannabis growing, let’s talk about how to use it. There are a few ways to use Trichoderma:
Amend soil prior to planting: Add Trichoderma to your entire soil mix at a ratio of roughly 1g of Trichoderma powder or granules per liter of soil, and combine thoroughly. Or, add 5g of Trichoderma to the top layer of your soil where it’ll come into direct contact with your plant’s roots.
Coat seeds prior to planting: Put a small amount of Trichoderma powder in a clean and dry Petri dish or plate. Use tweezers to gently place your seeds into the powder. Plant your seeds directly into soil or in their starter blocks to germinate.
Support plants as they grow: Add Trichoderma to water and apply it directly to your plant’s soil as you would a liquid fertilizer. Combine 5g of Trichoderma with 1l of unchlorinated water, and water as normal once every 2-3 weeks.
In conclusion, Trichoderma is an important fungi for cannabis growing that can promote healthy root development, protect plants from pathogens, improve overall plant health and fruit production, and detoxify soil. It’s also natural and environmentally friendly, making it a great alternative to chemical pesticides and herbicides. And if you want to take your cannabis growing to the next level, you best be using it. Stay lit!
