[Growers] Q&A

Interview Summary: Cannabis Cultivation Basics with Adam Jacques and Zacariah L. Hildenbrand

In this interview by Cannabis Science & Tech, cannabis experts Adam Jacques and Zacariah L. Hildenbrand emphasize the foundational role of soil in cannabis cultivation.

Introduction to Experts:

• Adam Jacques: Chief Geneticist at AgSense LLC, has over 20 years of experience cultivating cannabis, specializing in high-CBD strains.

• Zacariah L. Hildenbrand: Research Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, founder of Inform Environmental, and partner at Medusa Analytical.

Personal Backgrounds:

• Jacques: Began using cannabis at 14 for medicinal purposes, which led him to grow his own due to high costs. Eventually, he became involved with the Compassion Center in Eugene, Oregon, offering low-cost medicine.

• Hildenbrand: Entered the cannabis space in 2015, viewing it as the new frontier of medicine. He started an analytical testing lab and later collaborated with Jacques on genetic projects.

Importance of Soil in Cannabis Cultivation:

• Both experts rank soil health as a 10 out of 10 in importance. Poor soil can lead to plants absorbing unwanted metals and minerals, negatively impacting plant health and quality.

Measuring Soil Composition:

• Jacques highlights the difficulty of measuring soil composition during flowering and relies on runoff tests. Hildenbrand emphasizes the importance of knowing soil composition, especially for outdoor grows, and suggests using available data from soil manufacturers.

Comparing Cannabis Cultivation to Other Gardening:

• Growing cannabis is similar to growing tomatoes; both require attention to plant needs throughout their lifecycle. Cannabis plants, however, require careful handling to avoid contamination.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Cultivation:

• Indoor: Offers controlled environment agriculture (CEA) with better control over variables but higher costs and risks if something goes wrong.

• Outdoor: Nature helps with pest management, but soil quality and composition need careful monitoring.

Soil Concerns from Seed to Harvest:

• Main concerns: Heavy metal accumulation, mold, and pests. Both experts stress the importance of pre-testing soil and maintaining strict standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Innovations in Soil:

• Retroactive Innovation: Returning to organic, living soil methods, allowing plants to uptake nutrients naturally. This method is compared to a buffet of nutrients available for plants as needed.

Personal Experiments and Successes:

• Avoiding surprises through meticulous note-taking and documentation. Properly maintained living soil results in cleaner, high-quality cannabis flowers.

Advice for Cultivators:

• Hildenbrand: Emphasizes the importance of taking detailed notes to track and address issues.

• Jacques: Stresses the need for a deep connection with the plants and understanding their needs through observation and experience. Beginner's luck is common, but consistency and detailed record-keeping are key for long-term success.