Cannabis Cultivation and Science Podcast

Guest: Julie GraeschBiological Scientist | IPM SpecialistCurrently with BioWorksFormerly: BASF, Becker Underwood, Iowa State UniversityTopics Covered:What “entomopathogenic fungi” actually meansHow fungi like Beauveria and Metarhizium infect insect pestsDifferences between blastospores and conidiaWhy formulation and environmental conditions matterCommon reasons fungal biocontrol applications failPreventative vs. reactive use of entomopathogenic fungiIntegrating fungal biologicals into a broader IPM strategyKey Takeaways:Entomopathogenic fungi are biological tools, not chemical knockdownsUnderstanding fungal life cycles improves consistency and outcomesBlastospores behave differently than traditional spore formulationsSuccessful IPM relies on timing, environment, and integration—not rescue sprays Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

n this conversation with plant scientist and commercial cultivation strategist Dr. Matthew Indest, we explore the emerging frontier of seed-based cannabis production and what it would take for the industry to move beyond clonal propagation.We cover:The agronomic upside of seed-grown plants (disease resistance, vigor, adaptability, cost savings)The scientific and operational barriers preventing widespread seed adoptionHow genetic stability, inbreeding depression, and trait selection differ between cannabis and traditional cropsData-driven cultivation strategies for evaluating new seed linesWhether seed-based production can truly rival clonal systems for consistency and top-tier flower qualityWhat the next decade of cannabis breeding and cultivation might look likeAbout Dr. Indest:Matthew holds a Ph.D. in plant science and has spent more than a decade bridging academic research with applied cannabis production. He has led breeding and cultivation programs across indoor, greenhouse, and outdoor operations and focuses on developing high-performing cultivars and integrated, data-backed production systems. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This wide-ranging conversation with Bryant Mason covers a series of essential—but frequently misunderstood—topics in organic cultivation. We explore why simple, low-tech data collection strategies often outperform high-tech systems and how to interpret those readings in the real world. From there, we break down how pH truly behaves in biologically active soils, what your water test results do and don’t tell you, and how water chemistry shapes nutrient availability.We also discuss practical considerations for under-canopy lighting, when it helps and when it’s a distraction, and dig into the recurring challenges Bryant sees around phosphorus and nitrogen management in living soil. Throughout the episode we jump between concepts, case studies, and troubleshooting insights that growers can apply immediately.Topics Covered:Low-tech monitoring and data-collection approachespH dynamics in organic systemsWater testing and interpreting resultsUnder-canopy lighting: pros, cons, and real-world usePhosphorus and nitrogen management in living soilPractical troubleshooting and decision-making strategies Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this conversation, Tad and Dr. David Hawley (Chief Science Officer at Fluence) unpack what really matters when dialing in your lighting strategy for cannabis and other high-value crops. They get deep into how plants perceive light, what “good spectrum” actually means, and how to think about intensity, uniformity, and plant response in a more scientific (and practical) way.Topics covered include:Understanding Daily Light Integral (DLI) and how it relates to plant metabolismWhen to use far-red and what to expect from itThe truth about UV lighting and secondary metabolite productionManaging leaf temperature and avoiding hidden stress from high PPFDHow fixture placement and uniformity impact yield and morphologyUsing dimming strategies through different growth stagesWhy overemphasizing spectrum specs can distract from the real gainsPractical steps for mapping your grow and verifying performanceDavid also shares insights on under-canopy lighting, canopy architecture, and the future of horticultural light design, offering takeaways for both commercial cultivators and serious home growers.Resources mentioned:Fluence by OSRAMKiS Organics Living Soil & Nutrients Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this conversation, Tad and Dr. David Hawley (Chief Science Officer at Fluence) unpack what really matters when dialing in your lighting strategy for cannabis and other high-value crops. They get deep into how plants perceive light, what “good spectrum” actually means, and how to think about intensity, uniformity, and plant response in a more scientific (and practical) way.Topics covered include:Understanding Daily Light Integral (DLI) and how it relates to plant metabolismWhen to use far-red and what to expect from itThe truth about UV lighting and secondary metabolite productionManaging leaf temperature and avoiding hidden stress from high PPFDHow fixture placement and uniformity impact yield and morphologyUsing dimming strategies through different growth stagesWhy overemphasizing spectrum specs can distract from the real gainsPractical steps for mapping your grow and verifying performanceDavid also shares insights on under-canopy lighting, canopy architecture, and the future of horticultural light design, offering takeaways for both commercial cultivators and serious home growers.Resources mentioned:Fluence by OSRAMKiS Organics Living Soil & Nutrients Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.