When a new growing cycle begins, the cannabis producer, based on his knowledge and experience, must make an inevitable decision: to plant seeds or cuttings? It seems like a simple and quick decision to make, but a wrong choice in the germination phase could determine the failure or success of the business, despite the fact that both options have their advantages and disadvantages.
Choosing one option or another will define a specific cultivation method, as well as the productive result that will be obtained from the plant in the following phases. And although it is more common to know the growth dynamics of seeds, cuttings or clones are usually the best option for growers who work indoors.
And why this preference towards cuttings? Cuttings are small pieces of adult plant that are stimulated to produce roots and give rise to a new individual. “Using cuttings means reproducing the same genetic information as the mother plant from which it comes from, ensuring the cultivation very specific characteristics in terms of variety or resistance to certain pests or diseases, for example” explains Juan Manuel García, Product Manager in Projar and Agronomic Advisor in the cultivation of Cannabis. “It is a very interesting option if the producer wants to maintain the same properties and quality of the original harvest for generations under very controlled growing conditions.”
The seeds, on the contrary, generate a brand new plant, much more productive, but slow growing in the early stages. “Even so, the root system that is formed is more robust than that obtained from a cutting, so it is ideal in outdoor crops, where the plant will have to be more resistant to weather conditions and take most of the nutrients from the ground and sunlight ”, adds García.
Projar, a leading fruit and vegetable technology company with more than 35 years of experience, designs and develops solutions for the cultivation of cannabis in all its phases through the manufacture of substrates tailored to the client needs as coconut fiber and peat in its factories in Spain, Baltics countries, India and Sri Lanka. Thanks to the continuous feedback with the producer and the technical advice they offer, their portfolio is constantly updated to respond to the needs and challenges that the professional cannabis producer has every day.
“Being manufacturers allows us to develop and test new customized solutions to the needs of each grower and the type of production of it. Therefore, knowing that the cuttings are very sensitive to the first transplant, we have developed CANNAPRO and CANNAPRO EXTRA, two new specific substrates for the germination phase of the cannabis plant ”, he points out.
CANNAPRO is a premium quality substrate composed of blond peat, black peat, coconut fiber and perlite. The mixture guarantees good rooting, while the contribution of coconut fiber and perlite offers adequate aeration, drainage capacity and durability of the substrate.
“We have developed this product specially to solve the rooting problems of producers who work with cuttings. A porous substrate with a light structure that guarantees optimal aeration and humidity conditions so that the roots develop strongly”, explains Juan Manuel. “A vigorous root system with greater branching will anchor itself better to the deeper layers of the substrate and will favor the absorption of nutrients.”
To strengthen the roots in the initial phase of cultivation, it is vital that the substrate has a high Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC). For this reason, in addition to blond peat, cocopeat and perlite, a good substrate should include a high content of organic matter. Projar has created a specific substrate for varieties with high nutritional and water requirements, CANNAPRO EXTRA, which also contains worm humus and micro-organisms which favor a rapid assimilation of nutrients and ensures a strengthening of the plant throughout the cycle of culture.
“Our goal is always to add value to the producer through our cultivation solutions. It is not only about offering products, but comprehensive solutions that adapt to their real needs”, concludes García. In this way, Projar has also developed GROW CUBES, small blocks of coconut fiber that offer the perfect growing medium for the development of the seedling before its transplantation to the final pot. “The coconut fiber guarantees a correct and rapid initial development of the root system by ensuring optimal aeration of the roots, thanks to its great water retention capacity and high porosity. This facilitates the development of absorbent root, improves nutrition and the health of the plant ”, explains García.
As cannabis cultivation, specially indoor, has become one of the crops with the highest levels of excellence in crop’s management, it’s extremely important to be advised by experts in this agronomic field.
Projar offers personalized advisory service to the cultivation areas before and during the cultivation phase to ensure that the solutions adopted meet the client’s expectations.
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