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The Benefits of Bokashi Pro-Gro as a Commercial Cannabis Fertilizer

We love travelling to events across North America and talking to craft growers and LPs about our products. It’s a genuine treat to attend events like The Lift & Co. Cannabis Expo or the Homegrown Expo and talk shop with people in the industry. 

There is no fooling this crowd! Real growers aren’t fooled by flashy marketing, and they don’t want to hear a sales pitch. They want to know exactly what your product can or can’t do for their operation. So, what can Bokashi Pro-Gro do for you?

The Kitchen Sink

We’re not just boasting when we say we’re literally offering a living superfood for your soil with this mix. We’ve taken good old-fashioned Canadian wheat bran and we have inoculated it with beneficial microbes, probiotics, and beneficial fungi. We’ve also added a plethora of B vitamins, minerals, amino acids, organic whole food complex, kelp, and organic beetroot juice. We ferment all of that down and it becomes a building block for your soil with the microbes, nutrients, minerals, and organic matters. It’s been called a Kitchen Sink mix, and it’s all just really beautiful stuff. 

Organic or Synthetic Inputs

The beautiful thing about Bokashi is that it creates a living soil that works great with both organic inputs and synthetic salt inputs. You can drop your PPMS to 700 by using this as a soil amendment, or one and a half cups per 10 gallons of your medium, and literally water-only for the first little while. And then when it comes time to put your nutrients in, you can drop them down. 

Everybody loves to be able to use less salt. But the great thing about it is, even though you’re using less, the microbes break down those inorganic nutrients and salts to make them more bioavailable to the plant naturally. You’re using less, but you’re maximizing the potential of your nutrients and the inputs. You’re also creating stronger and louder chirping expressions, trite productions, bud sites, and just overall high bricks and health. This makes maximizing the plant so easy.  

And of course, growers take comfort in knowing that we have our CFIA approval. We have also recently acquired approval and certification by: 

The Oregon Department of Agriculture

CDFA
Health Canada

We’re proud to be compliant with industry standards, but we’re even prouder to step above and beyond compliance to exceed our customers’ expectations and make them rethink what’s possible.

Let’s Talk About Your Growth

Bokashi Pro-Gro Organic Soil Amendment gives you healthier, stronger plants with increased flavour, colour and yield!

The stuff works great on cannabis plants. I was seeing some deficiencies in the veg stage, so I sprinkled some on the topsoil, mixed it in, then watered. 3 days went by and my plants are growing faster and stronger and the deficiencies have stopped.

5-Star review on Amazon

Want to learn more about the large scale use of Bokashi Pro-Gro? Click Here.

This blog was written and provided in partnership with My Good Green.

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5 Things to Consider When Starting Your Community Garden Project

You’re thinking about starting or organizing a community garden project. Good for you! You are about to embark on an incredible journey that will bring people together and help your entire community! 

But, after your initial excitement for the idea, you might get discouraged when you step back and take a look at the sheer amount of work that needs to be done. You will start to second guess everything and ask questions like:  

  • Can I really do this?  
  • Is this really worth it?  
  • Am I going to rally enough people to make this work? 

Yes, you can! Fight your way through the early stages of doubt and push on. It may seem daunting at first, but all worthwhile endeavours seem that way when you start. Remember, you’re about to do an incredible thing for your local community and your environment. They need you to do this! Just keep these things in mind:

1. Understand How Allotment Plots Work

Most community gardens are established as allotment plots. This simply means this land has been made available for individual, non-commercial gardening, or the growing of food plants. A lot of community garden plots belong to people and families that rent the space, personally buy all the materials, and take care of all the maintenance.

Sourced from spacingOttawa

2. Plan the Layout Obsessively

The more time you spend obsessing over the layout of your garden beforehand, the more you will thank your obsessive self down the line. It’s okay to catch a mistake or potential issue on a piece of paper during the winter months when you’re in the planning stage. It’s a lot more frustrating to catch these issues in the summer months when you’re actually there in person.

Sourced from myallotmentgarden.co.uk

3. Be Patient, With People and Plants

At this point, we probably don’t have to sell you on the virtues of patience in the world of gardening and what a crucial prerequisite it is. You need to offer this same level of patience to the people who will help you. Some community gardens have a buzz and a high level of support before they even start, and a big mob of people show up on Day 1. Others do not. Others will see slow growth. Don’t be discouraged if pictures of your community garden don’t go viral and make you an overnight success. If you build it, they will come. They may come at their own pace, but they will come! You will get the help you need to achieve all your goals.

10 awesome allotment blogs, by Thompson & Morgan

4. Consider Organic Fertilizer

Your project is all about the community, so why not skip synthetic fertilizers and go with an organic fertilizer that’s better for your community as a whole. Organic fertilizers are a much more environmentally-friendly option for your local soil, air, and water. You are also simply going to see much better flavour, colour and yield.

5. Get the Most From Compost

Using a natural product like My Good Green Compost System can turn your food scraps into liquid gold. It’s a proven and predictable way to give yourself nutrient-rich soil. We have recently seen First Nations communities switching to Bokashi composting systems so they can maintain complete control over what they put back into their soil. The communities are also embracing the entire Bokashi product line, including the Pet Compost Kits.

Ever since our community was introduced to Bokashi, some of the local residents took it upon themselves to experiment with Bokashi. Some found that feeding a scoop of Bokashi a day to their dogs got rid of that awful wet dog smell and gave their loved fur animals, a healthy and shiny coat.

Gail Jacko, 2021, Whitefish River First Nation

We are proud to be used by a number of community garden projects across the US and Canada. If you have any questions about how our products can help your project, click here to contact us any time!

This blog was written and provided in partnership with MyGoodGreen

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Indoor vs Outdoor: How to Maximize Your Garden

While a successful harvest is possible for both indoor and outdoor operations, there are major differences to expect when comparing the quality, quantity and use-value of dry flower cultivated in either environment. For example, there appears to be an industry consensus that flower cultivated in a controlled indoor environment has superior quality to that of an outdoor garden. However, while outdoor gardens may lack an edge in quality over indoor operations, they arguably have the most potential to produce large, heavy flowers, and harvests which produce more dry weight for a smaller investment. 

And, with a divide in quality and quantity, the “use-value” of flower, a term which describes the purpose of a product in the market, evidently changes for each crop. For example, with a recent interest in “value-added” products, like edibles, infused drinks, tinctures and oil, cultivators of outdoor gardens have found it more economical to process flowers into concentrate forms of THC and CBD. Conversely, indoor farmers, who value quality above all else, still produce a variety of products for connoisseurs and general consumers alike. With these outcomes in mind, let’s look at some of the factors which go into maximizing both indoor and outdoor gardens. 

Quantity-Driven Outdoor Gardens

Outdoor Genetics

Getting to harvest during the outdoor season is no easy task, as potential hazards, early frost, flash-floods, pests and misconduct can all easily forecast failure. However, by focusing on important elements of a successful garden, like genetics, environmental considerations and plant nutrition, any gardener can achieve the benefits of a quantity-driven garden. Follow the points below for tips to consider while growing outdoors:

In any garden, plant genetics are the number one factor that contributes to predicting a maximum yield. However, in an outdoor garden, the importance of plant genetics are maximized. To reach a harvest during the outdoor season, plants must be reliable, resilient, and easy to manage. Among other genetic features to inspect, the most important characteristic of a plant to examine is the time it takes for the strain to reach maturity. 

For experienced growers, it is a well-known fact that all strains have different and sometimes unexpected lengths of flowering. For example, the sativa, Red Congolese, has an average flowering time of 11 weeks; this means that in an outdoor garden, the Congo wouldn’t reach full maturity until mid-November. Depending on your geographical location, the goal of growing the sweet and spicy Congolese outdoors may be obtainable; however, for everyone growing above the 49th parallel, the Congo would have a hard time surviving the cold nights and early morning frost of late autumn.

For a more reliable, resilient and manageable strain, consider an outdoor classic like Northern Lights. Known to be resistant to heat, cold, pests and disease, Northern Lights is the low growing, indica-dominant plant that’s sure to reach maturity with little or no issues

Red Congolese, Hytiva.com
Northern Lights, Hytiva.com

Environmental Considerations

Since we have no control over mother nature, it is in the gardener’s best interest to mitigate hazards and predict windows of opportunity. Depending on the season, a garden can thrive outdoors for approximately four months. However, in case of a rainy, or slightly colder June, it’s a good idea to establish plants as seedlings and cuttings inside, before attempting to transplant directly outdoors. Similarly, watch out for storms, heavy winds, drops in temperature and signs of pests or disease. If these problems arise, plants may need to be provided temporary shelter, or treated with pest and disease controls. For reliable control against unwanted pests, check out High Yields Products Lock Down Pads

Plant Nutrition

Because the outdoor season is so long, growers have begun to move towards fertilizers that are more economical and easier to use. While still boasting impressive results, slow-release fertilizers are among the best choice for outdoor gardens. For example, GreenPlanet’s Back Country Blend (BCB) is a highly affordably slow-release fertilizer that saves time and labour upon application. Back Country Blend is packed full of essential elements and comes in multiple parts for growing, flowering and hardening. Apply BCB during any stage of growth at the recommended rate, and watch your plants thrive. For more information on the Back Country Blend feeding program, click here. 

Quality-Driven Indoor Gardens

Unlike outdoor operations, the main advantage of growing indoors is the increased control growers have in all aspects of the garden. In short, there are no seasons in an indoor garden; so, if a grower’s genetics, environmental controls and plant food are quality-driven, then the end result is bound to be a cut above the rest. Need help getting started? Read the first installment of our series on creating the ultimate indoor garden: Creating the Perfect Environment Part 1: The Grow Space.

Indoor Genetics

While an outdoor gardener may select genetics on the basis of hardiness, ease and flowering time, there is no limit to the potential of successful strains indoors. For example, talented indoor growers might specifically select strains on a few identifiable characteristics including pigmentation, taste, output, terpenes, and cannabinoid profile. However, if there is anything to consider when choosing a strain for your indoor garden, refer to your own skills as a gardener. For instance, strains that have complicated dietary requirements or prolonged flowering times have a higher chance of pests, disease or error affecting the outcome of a harvest. So, if your controls in the garden aren’t ideal, consider choosing an easier plant to grow. For a complete list of popular, classic and trending strains, review online resources like Leafly or Wikileaf.  

Environmental Control

Controlling your environment is one of the most advantageous aspects of gardening indoors; and, next to supreme genetics, an ideal environment is the most important factor to consider when attempting to cultivate quality-driven produce. In general, most strains will thrive with lights on temperatures of 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit and average humidity levels of 50-60%. What’s important to understand about a controlled environment, however, is the lengths at which gardeners can tweak the garden in order to maximize yields. For instance, plants typically enjoy higher temperatures and humidity levels during vegetative growth. So, while it would be impossible to manipulate the weather outside, an indoor gardener may choose to elevate levels of temperature/humidity during this period of growth to produce new roots, shoots and increased foliage. To manage your garden from a distance, consider the most advanced digital technology – TrolMaster Hydro-X Pro Control System and modules.

Plant Nutrition

If your goal is quality, nothing will provide your plants with better nutrition than liquid plant food. However, with so many options available to consumers, choices, brands and styles can often confuse, if not discourage education on the subject of plant nutrition. For tested, easy and reliable liquid plant food, browse a selection of GreenPlanet’s liquid feed programs. Want to learn more about GreenPlanet Nutrients? Read the blog titled: Understanding the Parts of GreenPlanet Nutrients Base Fertilizer Programs

Understanding the Parts of GreenPlanet Nutrients Base Fertilizer Programs

By following the considerations above, a successful harvest is possible both inside and out of a simulated environment. Whatever your plans are for your garden, the team at GreenPlanet Wholesale is here to help! For more information about the products mentioned above, please contact GreenPlanet Wholesale directly. For all other inquiries about products and services offered by GreenPlanet Wholesale, contact our team or your local garden supply store for more information. 

Work Cited

  • Lewis, D. Untitled Marijuana Picture. Retrieved February 1st, 2020 from Unsplash.com

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Feed Your Crop Organically with the AutoPot AquaValve5

Since its initial release, AutoPot Watering Systems have taken the Canadian market by storm. By passively automating watering cycles, gardeners who have opted for AutoPot solutions have enjoyed an array of advantages in all sectors of cultivation. At GreenPlanet Wholesale, we have been consistently proud to partner with companies that offer the best of technology. With the shared goal of fostering a healthier, greener planet, the research and development team at AutoPot Watering Systems have outdone themselves again.

Canada, meet the AutoPot AquaValve5: a new, innovative piece of hardware that affords the use of liquid organic nutrients in existing AutoPot systems, and helps protect against blockages, sediment build-up and unforeseen, head-scratching hazards. Follow the passages below for more information on this, and other benefits of AutoPot’s latest cultivation device. 

What is the AutoPot AquaValve5?

Much like the original design, the AquaValve5 is an intricate float-valve that regulates the passive flow of water into the saucers of the AutoPot self-irrigation system. However, unlike the original float-valve, the AquaValve5 has an increased inlet size of almost 66% and allows gardeners to use a wider variety of organic and mineral-based nutrient systems. Other expected benefits of the new design include faster flow rates, increased reliability and protection against sediment blockages and build-up. Read more below for details on AutoPot’s development of the AquaValve5

Larger Inlets and Hose for Liquid Organic Fertilizer

The most distinguishing feature of the AquaValve5 is its size. With a 5mm internal diameter inlet, and options for either 9mm or 16mm mainline hose, the AquaValve5 makes easy work of viscous, organic and mineral fertilizers. Before releasing the AquaValve5 to the European market, the research and development team at AutoPot thoroughly tested the efficacy of the device in their UK-based R&D facility. For example, in a liquid organic feed test on asparagus peas, the AquaValve5 performed with amazing results. Eight 1Pot AutoPot modules made up the control for the test and were given varying doses of plain, reverse osmosis and organic fertilizer irrigation.

AQUAvalve5 – Liquid Organic Feed Test on Asparagus Peas. Read more.

With no surprise, the AquaValve5 handled the varying doses of fertilizer and water with no issues. So, the researchers took the test a step further and set-up a ninth 1Pot module to a standalone reservoir, this time letting the system run with a constant flow of liquid organic fertilizer. Based on the data available from our partners at AutoPot, this “wild-card” module performed with excellent success, had no clogging issues or sediment build-up and maintained steady growth rates compared to the control modules.

AQUAvalve5 – “Wildcard” Module. Read more.

Fully Compatible with Existing Systems

AutoPot Watering System Accessory Packs now come standard with the AquaValve5, 9mm, 9-16mm, and 16mm pipe-work and fittings. As mentioned above, this option gives growers a much wider variety in fertilizer choice and helps protect against issues of sediment blockage and build-up. If you already have an AutoPot system and want to experiment with liquid organic fertilizer, your existing 1Pot, 1Pot XL, XL SmartPot, and easy2grow trays, pots and lids will all accommodate the new AquaValve5, 9mm and 16mm pipe-work. Existing reservoirs can also be adapted to work with the AquaValve5, as 9mm top hat grommets, golf-filters and inline-taps are available as spare parts to reconfigure hard plastic or FlexiTank reservoirs. 

A Word From AutoPot

AutoPot continues to innovate the hydroponic landscape with designs that elevate the potential of a garden. Now with the AquaValve5, no task, method or system is impossible to manage. In discussing the “proof of concept” surrounding the AquaValve5, AutoPot’s representatives had this to say on the motivation behind engineering the new design:

Whether ‘results’ are defined by flavour, size, yield, health, purity or enjoyment, nothing is more important to a grower than ‘results’. If a grower’s preferred means of getting results isn’t open to them they will surely find another way. Hence the changes we’re about to make – changes that keep our systems in line with contemporary use and allow our growers to get exceptional results however they grow.

(AutoPot R&D, 2020, para. 9)

Want to get growing with AutoPot? Contact a member of GreenPlanet Wholesale’s team today! For all other inquiries about products and services offered by GreenPlanet Wholesale, contact our team or your local garden supply store for more information.

Works Cited 

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