Beyond the Basics: Expert Insights on Fueling Your Hemp Crop
Growing a successful hemp crop requires more than just good genetics and adequate water. True quality and yield are unlocked from the ground up, through a deep understanding of soil biology and plant nutrition. In a recent iHemp Hour episode, we sat down with Gordy Johncock and Sean from Cutting Edge Solutions, a leader in the hydroponics and plant nutrition industry, to discuss how growers can optimize their crop’s health and potential.
Here are some of the key evergreen takeaways from that conversation.
1. Healthy Plants Start with Healthy Soil
Many Michigan farmers are planting on land that previously grew other agricultural crops. While fertile, this land can present hidden challenges. Years of traditional farming can leave behind residual pesticides and heavy metals that are permissible for food crops but will cause a hemp crop to fail Michigan’s stringent testing standards.
Sean highlighted a powerful, sustainable solution: bioremediation with fiber hemp. Much like plants in a bioswale filter toxins from water runoff, fiber hemp can be grown in contaminated soil to actively pull up and sequester heavy metals. This process not only cleans the soil for future high-value cannabinoid crops but also produces valuable fiber that can be used for materials like the hemp boards on our studio wall.
2. Unlock Nutrients with Biology, Not Just Chemicals
The team at Cutting Edge Solutions advocates for a blended approach, using clean, food-grade salts combined with powerful biologicals. Their philosophy centers on compost teas, but with a crucial distinction: they avoid all animal manures, or “guanos.”
“When I say guanos, I’m talking about any form of composted or uncomposted fecal matter,” Gordy explained. While these products contain biology, they also carry a high risk of pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella, as well as an accumulation of heavy metals, which can lead to failed tests.
Instead, their “Hum Tea” brew is built on a foundation of worm castings. Worms have a perfect microbiome for the plant’s root zone (the rhizome), and their castings are encased in a mucous membrane that acts as a perfect, slow-dissolving inoculant for the soil. This brew introduces beneficial fungi and bacteria that act as a digestive system for the plant, breaking down larger, locked-up nutrients in the soil and making them readily available for uptake.
3. The Secret Catalyst for Terpene Production
For growers focused on cannabinoids, terpenes—the aromatic compounds that give plants their unique smell and flavor—are critical. Sean shared a fascinating discovery that is key to maximizing them: manganese.
Through soil testing and research, their founder, Uncle John, found a direct link between soils naturally high in manganese and cannabis crops with exceptionally vibrant terpene profiles. “Manganese is the essential building block, it’s the catalyst towards terpene production,” Sean noted. While most nutrient lines contain some manganese, ensuring it’s in a bio-available form that the plant can easily absorb is crucial for developing the rich flavors and smells that define a high-quality crop.
4. There is No “Perfect” pH
Many growers obsess over maintaining a precise pH level. However, the experts at Cutting Edge suggest a different approach. Different nutrients become available to the plant at different pH levels. By allowing your pH to “float” within an acceptable range (e.g., 5.5 to 6.5 and even slightly beyond), you give the plant a wider window to access the full spectrum of nutrients it needs, rather than locking it into a narrow band. As Sean put it, “Nobody wants to drink the same beverage all day every day… the plant’s the same way.”
Your Partner in Cultivation
At iHemp Michigan, our mission is to bring these expert insights to our state’s farmers to help build a thriving and sustainable industry. Understanding the complex relationship between soil, biology, and plant nutrition is fundamental to producing clean, compliant, and high-quality hemp.
To connect with more experts and join a community dedicated to elevating Michigan’s hemp industry, become a member of iHemp Michigan today!