1. How do you build and promote prevention of plant stress?
Today, it is difficult to support viable organic matter. Soil organic matter (SOM) serves as a nutrient reservoir for crops, but optimal SOM can be difficult to achieve. In most cases, plant health will require the addition of micronutrients, amino acids and plant boosters. Timing will also be critical to keep the plant in a healthy state, despite environmental pressures.
2. Can protein-based sustainable fertilizers compete with conventional nutritional inputs in hemp?
Yes, in two ways. Plants will “store” nitrogen efficiently as a protein for the future as needed. Nutrients then travel from source to sink (the mechanism by which sugars are transported through the phloem), or on an as-needed basis, to raise nitrogen efficiencies, a process that should be complemented by quality compost. These same fertilizers also rebuild the soil profile rather than strip it, thus rebuilding the viable organic matter that plant health is dependent upon. By using a low-salt sustainable fertilizer, we can make a difference in uptake and plant health.
3. How can I prepare my greenhouse plants for my outdoor grow?
Always build the root systems and stalks to take on the soils they are being transplanted into. Between calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium, soils must be in or near balance in the rhizosphere (not bulk soil) to build the plant vigor for taking on environmental stresses.
4. What roles do calcium, magnesium and sulfur play in hemp production?
These minerals have vital roles in plant health. Calcium is best known for its ability to strengthen cell wall integrity. Magnesium is essential for chlorophyll production and is linked to energy production. Magnesium also promotes water efficiency internally and balances carbohydrate metabolisms. Sulfur promotes a balanced buffering capacity of soils, nitrogen fixation, uptake and biomass balance.
5. How can I manage the organic matter in my soil with nutrition?
Start with a preplant program by putting down a compost, which will allow the soil to build up nutrients and organic matter. Incorporate nutrients that are readily available, creating a seamless nutrient availability cycle that will not add unnecessary salts to your soil solutions and will encourage soil biology and build up additional organic matter. Proper fertility will encourage growth of fibrous root hairs that will produce valuable exudates (substances secreted by the plant) and root slough, which is our most prized organic matter.
For more information: www.ferticellusa.com/hemp[email protected] 480.361.1300
