Most growers will agree that one of the most aggravating and damaging problems to cannabis crops is pests. Coming in all shapes and sizes, pests can destroy an entire harvest if left untreated. Knowing what pests can impact a cannabis crop is the first step toward preventing them from invading your grow. How do Pests Damage Cannabis Crops? Depending on the pest and where it has been, they can do a wide range of damage. Pests can be carriers of viruses, viroids, and other types of pathogens. At the very least, they leave cannabis crops susceptible to pathogens after devouring parts of the plant including the leaves and roots. When this happens, cannabis plants will place time and energy into repairing the damage rather than producing large, healthy flowers. Pests can also damage the flowering buds in certain cases. Some pests, like spider mites, leave webs over the flowers and leaves (any part of the plant they can reach), ruining the cannabis crop. In other cases, pests can stress the flowering plants out to the point they herm. Aphids are a common pest that many growers will encounter in their careers. These small bugs are known to devour plant sap. There are multiple species of aphid, including (but not limited to); ● Green Peach Aphid ● Potato Aphid ● Wooly Apple Aphid ● Rose Aphid Aphids can damage plants at all stages of their lifecycle, starting with the larvae damaging plant roots. Adult aphids will feed on sap from the plant, chewing on leaves and stems. According to the University of Wisconsin, “large numbers of aphids can reduce the growth rate or vigor of plants from excessive sap removal. Chlorotic spots may develop where cell contents have been removed or there may be general yellowing.” Thrips Thrips are another common insect that is known to damage cannabis plants. These small winged insects are known to chew on stems and leaves of the plant. Similar to aphids, thrip larvae can also damage the roots of the plant. According to Missouri Botanical Garden, “The insects feed by puncturing the surface of the plant parts with their single large mandible and slurping the plant juices that seep from the wound.” Fungus Gnats Fungus gnats are one of the most common plant pests that anyone who works with plants will experience. These tiny winged insects lay their eggs in the soil/soil alternative. Typically, it will be the larvae that cause the most damage to plants, feeding on the roots of the plant. According to the Colorado State University Extension Office, “Fungus gnat adults are highly attracted to moist-growing media. Furthermore, as the growing medium ages or degrades it tends to retain more moisture, which will also attract fungus gnat adults.” This is why IPM schedules are vital to helping prevent the onset of bugs like fungus gnats. For more information about IPM, please continue reading below. Grasshoppers Grasshoppers are a common pest typically seen by those with outdoor grows or greenhouses. This common pest is known to devour and damage leaves. According to information from the Utah State University Extension Office, there are more than 400 different kinds of grasshopper species in North America alone. Unlike aphids and thrips, grasshoppers need a larger predator than ladybugs. This is why growers who experience grasshopper infestations on their cannabis crops utilize natural pesticides (depending on state laws) and predator bugs like praying mantis. Mealybugs If you find a small white bug covered in what looks like cotton crawling on your plants, then you may have mealybugs. These tiny bugs are a common pest that destroys plant foliage. In some instances, they can go after the roots of a cannabis plant as well. According to the University of Wisconsin, “Mealybugs are difficult to get rid of because immatures typically wedge themselves in stem crotches, leaf folds, or other tight locations where washing or pesticides cannot reach them. The best way to control mealybugs on houseplants is to prevent them from being established in the first place.” Mites The umbrella term Mites can cover many different subspecies. The most widely recognized is the spider mite, known for its webbing that can destroy entire crops. However, there are other crop-damaging mites including; ● Banks Grass Mites ● Hemp Russet Mites ● Cyclamen Mites Mites, whatever the specific kind may be, can infiltrate a grow via host, new plant introduction (if the new plant is already infected and not treated before introduction), or contaminated soil. These pests thrive in decaying biomass and can breed rapidly if not tackled immediately upon detection. In this case, a multi-pronged plan of attack is required. How to Prevent Pests from Attacking a Cannabis Crop The best line of defense against pests like those listed above is to practice good cleanliness standards, quarantine new plants that come into the grow, use PPE to limit host transfer, and have a well-rounded IPM plan in place. When it comes to cleanliness, the key is to be consistent and thorough. It will not do your crop any good if you simply do the bare minimum. For example, even if you clean the soil and debris from the pots and tables, while at the same time leaving the same material under the tables on the floor, it will not prevent pests. By implementing a strong and thorough cleaning schedule, it can go a long way toward preventing pests from taking hold of your cannabis crop. When bringing new plants into the grow, it is important to quarantine them to ensure they will not introduce pests and pathogens to the established crop. While this sounds like a no-brainer, it can be easily overlooked in the excitement to incorporate new strains and genetics into your grow’s portfolio. Quarantining your new additions can help keep your established plants healthy and prevent expensive problems from occurring. Did you know that humans can be a host to carry pests to plants? Bugs like aphids and spider mites can hitch a ride on our clothing, which are then transferred to healthy plants. We can pick up pests in our home grows, vegetable/herb gardens, other grows or grow rooms (even in the same facility!), and even from the woods for those that enjoy a good nature walk. However, you don’t have to give up those things to make sure your cannabis crop stays healthy. Having PPE gear like gloves, scrubs, and hair nets can help prevent the transfer of pests. Please note that for this to be effective, PPE gear needs to be utilized correctly. IPM is short for Integrated Pest Management. This can be a combination of things. First and foremost is using beneficial bugs that prey on harmful bugs. Ladybugs are a popular option, however, praying mantis also are great predator bugs. There are a wide variety of predator bugs that can be included in an IPM regime. Second, preventative sprays can be used, depending on your state’s laws and regulations. These sprays typically contain natural oils like peppermint and eucalyptus. For more information about what sprays are allowed, please contact the program that oversees the legal cannabis industry in your state. No one wants pests in their grow. By implementing these steps, keeping them out is a lot easier. There are a lot of things that can impact cannabis crops negatively, the more you can prevent the better. And the more you know about pests like those listed above, the easier it will be to keep your cannabis crop healthy and produce high yielding harvests.

When evidence of a cannabis-impacting virus appears, it can spark dread in the heart of any grower. Viruses can wreak havoc on cannabis crops, no matter the strain, resulting in costly damage. Chances are, this is something every grower will have to deal with at least once or twice in their career. The question remains, are plant viruses curable? Due to the sheer amount of viruses that are known to impact cannabis crops, the answer is not a direct yes or no. However, there are things growers can do to prevent, treat, and mitigate the damage done by plant viruses. Why are Plant Viruses so Harmful? Photo by Ryan Lange on Unsplash Plant viruses are harmful to cannabis plants for many reasons. They can impact everything from the plant’s health, growth, and crop yield. Viruses left untreated for too long can even result in total loss of the crop in some extreme instances. Many of the viruses that impact cannabis also impact other commercial crops such as corn, soy, and beans. These viruses spread from plant to plant and crop to crop through various forms of transmission, including (but not limited to); Bugs such as grasshoppers and aphids. Pollen. Human or animal contactbetween plants. The sheer size of the farming industry and amount of potential hosts carrying viruses from one plant to another make this a nationwide problem. It does not matter if you operate an indoor grow, outdoor grow, or a hybrid version. Plant Viruses can impact any grow given the opportunity. At the end of the day, plant viruses can wreak havoc on cannabis crops. However, growers can take measures to help prevent the spread of viruses and combat them if they appear in their grow. Preparing for Battle Photo by CRYSTALWEED cannabis on Unsplash In the case of many things, the best offense is a good defense. Knowing and understanding how viruses impact cannabis plants and taking preventative measures can not only save your crop but also save on labor and materials in the long run. As Sun Tzu wisely said in The Art of War; “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” While Sun Tzu was talking about war, this train of thought can also be applied to the battle against the viruses that can impact your cannabis crop. Your weapons against plant viruses may not include bows, swords, or horses, but the ones that are used can help you win the war. The first step in preparing to fight the war against plant viruses is assessing your knowledge of viruses that can impact your cannabis crop. Can you identify the signs of plant viruses that are known to impact cannabis and traditional commercial crops in your area? Do you know what steps to take when a plant shows signs of being infected with a virus? The second step is filling in the gaps of knowledge to better develop your understanding of plant viruses, how they impact cannabis crops, and how to combat them. The growth side of the cannabis industry is complex and always changing. No one person can truly master the entire profession. Throughout your entire grow career, the need for consistent learning is a vital skill that will help you succeed. The third step is to apply the knowledge gathered. Whether this is in actively fighting a virus in your cannabis crop or taking preventative measures against a virus, there are a myriad of tasks to be done. By combining previously known and newly acquired information, you can put them to use and help take the next step towards winning the war against plant viruses. How to Win the War Just like any war, it cannot be won in a single day. Battle plans and hard work are needed to make sure you conquer the viruses impacting your cannabis crop and prevent future viruses from taking hold. There are many ways growers can prepare to help prevent and fight against plant viruses. Some of the most common tactics that can be used to fight against plant viruses include; ● Santatising tools between use and between crop rooms ● Keeping your grow clean ● Quarantining new plants coming into your grow ● Regular testing throughout your plants’ life cycle Viruses cannot be defeated in just one day. Patience and dedication are needed to successfully win the war against viruses in your grow. This mindset continues as you continue to work to prevent new viruses from impacting your cannabis crop in the future. Can You Cure a Plant Virus? This can be a bit of a tricky question when you dive into the world of plant virus prevention. Can you completely cure a plant of a virus to where it is never impacted by a virus again? No. Can you save a plant impacted by a virus and salvage your crop? This can be done. There are dozens of viruses that impact cannabis crops. Each one requires a skilled hand and knowledge about the virus to successfully save the impacted plant. A virus does not necessarily mean a death sentence for your cannabis crop. With proper prevention methods and quick, decisive actions towards fighting existing viruses in plants, the better your chances of saving your crop. Where to Start Learning about Plant Viruses The first step to helping defend your cannabis crop against plant viruses is knowledge. Having a solid understanding of how to prevent and fight viruses and any other crop damaging problem can help save valuable time and resources. In some cases, it can even save your crop. Verne BioAnalytics is dedicated to placing the power of knowledge into growers’ hands. Cannabis industry professionals can find valuable information on our blog about the viruses, mold, and viroids that are impacting cannabis crops nationwide. Information about how to test your cannabis, use our state-of-the-art testing kits, proper prevention methods, and more can also be found on our website. Plant viruses, and any other cannabis-damaging blight, do not have to be a daunting prospect. With Verne BioAnalytics on your side, you can be ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at you. Work Cited Tzu, Sun. “The Art of War Quotes by Sun Tzu.” Goodreads, N/A, https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3200649. Accessed 26 March 2023.

Photo by CRYSTALWEED cannabis on Unsplash Cannabis cultivation requires a certain balance to keep your plants healthy and happy. There are dozens of things that can go wrong, impacting the yield and in turn, the revenue your grow needs to keep operating. Nutrient deficiencies are one of the most common problems growers can experience. Thankfully, nutrient deficiencies can be remedied if caught in time and diagnosed properly. However, that takes experience to do properly. The goal of this article is to provide an overview of what a nutrient deficiency is, some of the most common kinds of nutrient deficiencies, and how to combat them. What is a Nutrient Deficiency? A nutrient deficiency is caused by a lack of one or more nutrients a cannabis plant needs to thrive. According to Leafly, “When cannabis plants don’t get the correct amounts of nutrients, they become stressed and more susceptible to bugs, mold, and other pathogens. Their growth may also be stunted, resulting in reduced yields.” As one might imagine, this is something that should be avoided at all costs. However, proper knowledge of the needs of the specific strains in your grow can help avoid this problem. Experienced growers may find that what works with one strain may need to be tweaked in order to fit the needs of another. But if a nutrient deficiency is found in a cannabis crop, it is important to address the situation immediately to avoid crop or yield loss. Let’s take a closer look at what this procedure entails. What Does a Nutrient Deficiency in Cannabis Look Like? Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay Nutrient Deficiencies can appear in different ways depending on the specific nutrient the plant is lacking. Deficiencies can manifest themselves as color variations or spotting on the leaves, damage to the stem of the plant, and to the root system. In some instances it even affects when the plant goes into its flowering stage. The tricky part of correctly identifying a nutrient deficiency stems from the fact that they can share similar characteristics as other deficiencies, excesses, viruses, viroids, and even some forms of pest damage. It is at this point, growers will need to become a detective of sorts to correctly identify the culprit and avoid costly misdiagnoses. What are Some of the Most Common Nutrient Deficiencies? There are a few common nutrient deficiencies that growers will see during their careers. While any nutrient the plants need can cause a deficiency, there are three main nutrients to keep an eye out for. Nitrogen A nitrogen deficiency will often appear as yellowing and dropping leaves. The impacted plants will also have stunted growth with smaller leaves. If left untreated, this deficiency can cause premature flowering, leaving growers with a lower yield. Potassium A potassium deficiency can be seen most noticeably in the leaves of the plant. The tips of the leaves will turn a dark rust color, often appearing as if they had been burned. The stems will weaken and if left long enough, can cause a reduction in flowering. Phosphorous This deficiency will not only affect the growth of a plant, effectively stunting it, but will also make the leaves turn dark in color, curl, and drop. A phosphorous deficiency can also leave a plant susceptible to viruses/viroids, pests, and other harmful pathogens. Apart from the changes in the leaves, a phosphorous deficiency can also be indemnified by the discoloration of the leaf stems. How to Fix a Nutrient Deficiency in Cannabis Photo by Esteban López on Unsplash When caught in a reasonable amount of time, nutrient deficiencies can be fixed and the plants can be saved with minimal to no damage. The key is to identify the correct nutrient that is causing the deficiency and fix it without throwing the plant into nutrient excess. The first step is to determine what nutrient is causing the deficiency. This can be done by using the clues that your plant is giving you and comparing it to your feeding regimen. At this stage, research on the nutrient needs of individual strains can also prove helpful. Once the correct nutrient deficiency is identified, then it is possible to fix it. This is done by adjusting the feeding regime for that strain or by supplementing the existing feeding regime by using a nutrient tea. This tea is often used several times a week depending on the needs of the plant to provide extra nutrients the plant needs to remain healthy and growing properly. As mentioned before, it is important to be able to avoid over-adjustment of your nutrients in order to avoid nutrient excess. This in itself is a problem and can cause further harm to your cannabis crop. To read more about nutrient burn and excess, please visit our article here. Where to Learn More About Nutrient Deficiencies Want to learn more about nutrient deficiencies, excess, or other problems you may run into while growing a cannabis crop? Verne Bio’s Knowledge Center is a must-have tool for growers of all experience levels. Located on our website, this wealth of information can help expand your cultivation knowledge, giving you more confidence to care for the plants we all love. While searching through our catalog of cannabis-specific articles, readers can expect to find topics such as; ●          Hop Latent Viroid ●          Botrytis ●          Current viruses and viroids impacting the market ●          Tips and tricks for preventative care measures In addition to our Knowledge Center, this information and more can be brought straight to you via our newsletter. Sign up for our newsletter directly on the homepage of our website. We promise you won’t want to miss out! At Verne Bio, we take pride in helping keep growers up-to-date with much of the latest information in the cultivation industry. We believe cultivation education should be accessible to growers of all experience levels. That is why we provide not only information about viruses and viroids, but also detailed information about cannabis cultivation. From pests, to pathogens, to nutrient deficiencies and beyond, Verne Bio is proud to play a supportive role in the cannabis community. Works Cited Goggins, Pat. “Cannabis nutrient deficiencies & leaf symptoms.” Leafly, 1 October 2020, https://www.leafly.com/learn/growing/troubleshooting/nutrient-deficiencies. Accessed 13 August 2023. Loud Clouds Co. “Cannabis Nutrient Deficiencies & Excesses.” Loud Clouds Co., 2016, https://loudclouds.co/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/marijuana-deficiency-chart-jorge-cerva ntes.jpg. Accessed 13 August 2023.