In this article we explain all about growing organic Cannabis with beneficial mycorrhizal fungi and how to get the most out of your organic garden. If you are already running an organic cannabis grow or are intending to start one, then beneficial bacteria and fungi are superb to add to your soil to encourage the uptake of organic cannabis nutrients (adding to your original Paradise Seeds organic cannabis seeds!). Understanding the soil food web, the interaction with beneficial fungi and how the roots of a Cannabis plant will form a symbiotic relationship with the mycorrhizal will certainly give you an advantage when it comes to knowing what to feed the microbes and fungi.
The 2 types of mycorrhizal fungi: Ecto and Endo
Everything on the planet is a carbon-based life form, so when organic matter is decomposing and slowly breaking down, the end result is a black or dark brown organic matter that is between solid and liquid state. Mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial microorganisms depend on carbon as a food source especially sugars and humates. In return for their role in the symbiotic relationship, they will convert Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and trace elements as and when the plants require them. Below are some of the ways to add organic cannabis nutrients, in the form of carbon, to your growing medium to keep the function of the soil food web optimal and well balanced.
- Top-dressing worm castings
- Top-dressing compost
- Unsulphured black strap molasses mixed with plain water
- Sugar Beet molasses mixed with plain water
- Honey mixed with plain water
- Pieces of bio-char with molasses.
Use aerated teas to boost bacteria and fungi populations for organic cannabis growing
Aerated compost teas are an effective form of organic cannabis nutrients and popular amongst organic Cannabis farmers across the globe. As the beneficial bacteria and fungi are classed as aerobic, this means they depend on oxygen to thrive and multiply.
Using a freshwater source, unsulphured black strap molasses or honey, air stone and allowing a mix of bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi to brew and aerate for a minimum of 24 hours, will increase the population count into the billions.
5 benefits of aerated teas for organic cannabis
- Aerated compost teas added to soil will help create positive fungi and help keep your growing medium teaming with beneficial bacteria to ensure a healthy microbe population.
- Teas can be fed at different times of the life cycle meaning an organic Cannabis grower can use high Nitrogen feeds during 18/6 and P-K dominant during 12/12.
- Treating plants with teas throughout the flower period can dramatically improve the final taste, terpene profile, and how clean and soft the ash will burn.
- Many organic Cannabis farmers will choose to recycle their growing medium to take advantage of the soil food web and save money in the process.
- Your Cannabis plants will have the best chances of protection against pathogens such as root rot and will combat any attack from anaerobic bacteria that has been caused by over saturation and poor air flow.
You can read more about this topic in our article on the Benefits of Fungi for Cannabis plants.