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Brian E. Whipker | Cannabis Business Times
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Brian E. Whipker

Dr. Brian E. Whipker, Ph.D., is a professor of floriculture at North Carolina State University specializing in plant nutrition, plant growth regulators and diagnostics. He co-authored eight scientific journal articles on the impact of fertilization with greenhouse species and three disorder diagnostic guides. Dr. Whipker has more than 30 years of greenhouse experience working with growers.

From Brian E. Whipker
Top Stories
Is Your Propagation-to-Post-Prop Fertility Transition Stalling Your Cannabis Crops?
A smooth handoff from propagation to finishing environment is key to preventing sudden nutrient swings that slow root growth and hinder vigorous plant establishment.
August 2, 2026
Figure 1: Low fertility during propagation can result in transplants stalling during early stages of production, resulting in slower crop maturity.
Cultivation Matters
Are You Watering Your Cannabis Plants Too Much? Too Little?
Finding the ‘just right’ Goldilocks zone of substrate moisture can mean the difference between a record-breaking harvest and a catastrophic crop failure.
June 1, 2026
Pythium, often observed as plant wilt, is common if plants are consistently overwatered and in a saturated root zone.
Cultivation Matters
The Dangers of Calcium Deficiency in Cannabis Crops
When environmental conditions reduce transpiration, Ca delivery to young tissues can be restricted, even when sufficient Ca fertility is available, leading to structural (and financial) instability.
April 1, 2026
Feel The Burn2 Cm
Cultivation Matters
Testing Your Cannabis Substrate Is 1st Step to Success
Preplant substrate sampling can help cannabis growers proactively identify and correct potential issues rather than react to problems after they arise.
November 26, 2025
Cultivation Matters Cannabis Substrate
Cultivation Matters
Steel Your Cannabis Crops Against Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiencies in cannabis crops can be caused by many triggers.
September 26, 2025
Iron deficiency observed as interveinal chlorosis of the upper foliage as a result of high substrate pH.
Cultivation Matters
Feel the (Cannabis Leaf Margin) Burn
Leaf margin burn can mean a variety of things when presenting in cannabis plants. Here’s what you need to know.
July 14, 2025
Calcium deficiency symptoms on upper foliage include marginal burn and distorted leaf growth due to impaired cell wall development.
Cultivation Matters
The Right Spot: Understanding Nutrient Mobility in Cannabis Plants
When identifying nutrient deficiencies, remember: location, location, location.
May 5, 2025
Cm Display
Top Stories
Balancing Root Zone pH in Cannabis Cultivation
Understanding how water quality, substrates and fertilizers impact substrate pH is crucial to crop health.
March 17, 2025
Cultivation Matters Top Story Image March 2025
Top Stories
3 Questions to Ask When Diagnosing Cannabis Plant Health Issues
Knowing the pattern, distribution, and timeline of a problem can guide you to the proper solution.
December 30, 2024
Cultivation Matters Jan 2025 Top Story Image
Columns
Teasing Out Mimics: Potassium vs. Magnesium
An NCSU study on optimal potassium and magnesium fertility for Cannabis sativa explored how various rates impact growth in the vegetative and flowering stages and the unique indicators of both nutrients to help with diagnostics.
October 1, 2024
LEFT: This six-week-old Cannabis sativa ‘BaOx’ plant received 0.0 ppm K fertility. RIGHT: Magnesium deficiency symptoms in their early stages.
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