Cannabis Cultivation and Science Podcast

The Mechanics of Genetic Drift Plants are natural genetic mosaics. As they grow and divide over time, typos naturally accumulate in their DNA code, which are known as somatic mutations. Traditional vegetative cuttings and field-grown plants accumulate these mutations at a very low, linear baseline rate over decades. However, the extreme genomic degradation highlighted in the paper is driven by rap...

In this conversation, host Tad Hussey (KIS Organics) and Dr. Deron Caplan (CannaCribs Horticulture Consulting) discuss the intersection of agricultural science and commercial cannabis cultivation, focusing heavily on irrigation, lighting, and research methodologies. Drought Stress vs. Drybacks: Dr. Caplan clarifies a major industry misconception by distinguishing standard irrigation "drybacks" fro...

In this episode, we discuss: Bridging the Genetic Gap: Looking critically at how horticultural research transfers between high-THC cultivars and industrial hemp. The 13-Hour Photoperiod: Breaking the traditional 12/12 cycle to achieve a 39%–50% yield increase and a 9% THC boost. Linear Light Scaling: The direct relationship between light intensity and flower yield scaling all the way up to 1,800 m...

o keep the audience engaged while highlighting the technical value of the episode, this version focuses on the "why" and the high-level takeaways, leaving the "how" for the audio. Podcast Summary In this episode, Tad Hussey of KIS Organics talks with plant pathologist Dr. Nicole Gauthier to separate fact from fiction regarding cannabis pathogens. The discussion moves past the basics of "mold" to l...

Key Takeaways & Discussion Highlights The Railroad Roots: Joey’s transition from a Union Pacific engineer to a "vigilante botanist." He discusses the influence of Carl Sagan’s The Demon-Haunted World and using science as a "candle in the dark" in a consumerist society. Botany for the "Jaded Working Class": Why academic botany often fails to connect with the public and why Joey targets the "cynical...

Why can't you just use canola oil from your kitchen to kill spider mites? If you’ve ever wondered about the true science behind oil-based pesticides, this episode is a deep dive into the physics and chemistry of plant protection. Tad and Julie Graesch explore why oils remain one of the most effective tools for managing resistant pest populations like two-spotted spider mites and thrips. In this ep...

Key Takeaways for Cultivators The Week 3 Strategy: Preventive sprays for Botrytis must occur when the flowers are still small and "open." Once the bud swells (Weeks 6+), the pathogen is already locked inside. Airflow is Everything: Buds act as heat sinks. Use fans 24/7 to cool the internal temperature of the flower, which is significantly higher than your room’s ambient temperature. Identify Your...

Key Topics & Notes • Why experienced crop consultants rely heavily on chemical soil analysis for making management decisions • The limitations of relying solely on biological soil testing • Why soil structure and aggregation play a critical role in plant health • How soil physical properties influence water movement, aeration, and root development • The importance of walking fields and directly in...

Key Takeaways: Botany vs. Hacks: Moving past "quick fixes" to understand the biological lens of plant science. The Limiting Factor: Learning to identify the specific environmental or nutritional gaps holding your plants back. Timeless Principles: Why botanical fundamentals are the most reliable tools in a cultivator’s shed, regardless of changing trends. Applied Horticulture: Bridging the gap betw...

The Underground Economy: Carbon as Currency Biological Gold: Why photosynthesis isn't just about plant growth—it’s about minting the "carbon currency" required to hire a microbial workforce. The Exudate Menu: A breakdown of Monosaccharides (fast cash), Polysaccharides (savings accounts), and Organic Acids (specialized mining tools). The Trading Post: How the plant uses targeted "buy orders" to tra...

This episode is part of the Foundations of Soil & Plant Science series — a selection of conversations that continue to influence how I approach soil health, plant performance, and cultivation systems. I’ve added a short new intro to each re-release with updated perspective and context. Originally released as Episode 20 My guest for this episode is Ben Hartman, farmer and author of The Lean Farm ....

My guest for this episode is Dr. Wendy Zellner. Dr. Zellner received her doctorate from the University of Toledo in 2012, where she trained in molecular and cellular biology with a focus on the role of silicon in plant defense responses. She then completed a four-year postdoctoral position with the USDA-ARS, continuing her research on how silicon can alleviate both abiotic and biotic stress in cro...

Guest: Julie Graesch Biological Scientist | IPM Specialist Currently with BioWorks Formerly: BASF , Becker Underwood , Iowa State University Topics Covered: What “entomopathogenic fungi” actually means How fungi like Beauveria and Metarhizium infect insect pests Differences between blastospores and conidia Why formulation and environmental conditions matter Common reasons fungal biocontrol applica...

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...

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...

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 includ...

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 includ...

Can stress actually improve flower quality? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. José Leme to dive into the science of plant stimuli and how growers can apply it in practice. We cover: 🌿 Mechanical cues — how super cropping and vibration trigger plant defense pathways. 💧 Water restriction — why moderate, timed drought can shift carbon toward secondary metabolites like terpenes and cannabinoids....

This week on the Cannabis Cultivation and Science Podcast, we're diving deep into lighting and photobiology with MIGRO. With a background in engineering and construction, Shane turned his passion for growing into a global grow lighting company known for trusted reviews and educational content. We break down what’s working—and what’s not—in cannabis lighting for 2025, including: Far-red and intra-c...

📝 Episode Highlights: Connor’s journey from greenhouse grower to propagation leader Scaling propagation: key infrastructure and protocols Hormonal treatments and substrate selection for optimal rooting Managing cultivar libraries and mother plant health IPM and environmental control strategies tailored for veg Writing and refining SOPs for compliance and consistency Track-and-trace integration in...

In this episode of the Cannabis Cultivation and Science Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Michael Gutensohn, an expert in plant physiology and secondary metabolism, to explore the intricate relationship between environmental stress and the production of secondary metabolites in cannabis. We discuss how various abiotic stressors—such as light intensity, temperature fluctuations, and nutrient availa...

Welcome to the Cannabis Cultivation and Science podcast, I'm your host Tad Hussey of KIS Organics. This is the podcast where we discuss the cutting edge of growing from a science based perspective and draw on top experts from around the industry to share their wisdom and knowledge. My guest this week is Bryant Mason. I’ve had Bryant on the podcast a few times in the past and he’s one of my favorit...

Before starting the podcast, I wanted to share about an exciting new conference that we are hosting in conjunction with Collective Elevation in Bozeman, Montana. I’ve been talking to Suzanne Wainwright Evans about hosting a conference for years, and Adam at Collective graciously offered to open up his doors and let us host it on his property. The event is happening on September 5-7th, 2025 and I’m...

Saul began his agriculture work in vineyard and winery operations on the Central California coast.  After deciding to focus his career on crop protection he moved north where he managed IPM programs at Monterey Mushroom Company and Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo.  This work led to a position as IPM Manager at Harborside Farms where he directed their bio-intensive greenhouse cannabis IPM program.  Saul now w...

Dr. Nadia Sabeh is the President and Founder of Dr. Greenhouse, Inc., an agricultural and mechanical engineering firm that specializes in the design of HVAC systems for indoor plant environments. Dr. Sabeh has her PhD in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC) and is a licensed Mechanical Engineer in the State of California. For ov...