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How To Turn Growing into a Career

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How To Turn Growing into a Career

Trellis

How To Earn A Living Growing!

With the ever expanding concrete world, growing plants can be a very useful and influential career option. The world is falling short on greenery, and needs plantation in abundance. And if you love to work in the open and prefer grass and plant life over concrete structures or confined desk jobs, then choosing a career in Horticulture can be very satisfying for you. Horticulture is a huge career field with jobs that can range from gardening, to farming, to teaching agriculture, the choices are vast. Getting into and building a career in horticulture depends greatly on your interest level and the particular job you wish to take up. Some careers may need a degree, while in others all you would require to have is experience and willingness to work in that particular field. To work as a gardener it might not be necessary to have a university degree, but for a career which requires more knowledge or level of expertise, you would be required to have a degree. It is very essential that learned people are in the profession and available around, to be able to guide others in the sector to be able to grow better. Working in horticulture can be creative as well as scientific. Some careers specializes in conservation and research which focuses more on environmental problems, while others require design and planning expertise while keeping beauty and functionality in mind.

Some career options in growing are horticulture, agriculture, arboriculture and botany.

Horticulture

Working as a horticulturist would require you to manage large landscapes or parks, but the focus of a horticulturist would be more on caring for plants and trees. In horticulture you would be working on projects related to new crops and solving environment related problems. These involves pest control initiatives, and the study of certain types of plant population. Horticulturists are required to work in both the field and in laboratory setting as they perform tests and analyzes data. To work in the horticulture industry, you would typically need to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in plant science, botany or any such related degrees. Working in horticulture requires very good people management skills, and also to have vast knowledge of gardening and plants.

Agriculture

Agriculture includes farming, aquaculture or hydroponics, plant breeding, and specialty growing such as viticulture. When working as an agricultural professional, you would need to be both indoors and outdoors. A career in agriculture can take you beyond farming. The agriculture industry also has scopes for bioprocessing and irrigation engineers, soil scientists and plant geneticists. The educational requirements for an agricultural professional are different for different level of jobs. For a root level worker, educational qualifications might not be very necessary, but for most jobs in the agriculture sector, an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree is very valuable.

Arboriculture

Arboriculture is the cultivation and study of individual trees, shrubs and vines. In arboriculture, the professional is most often responsible for caring and managing trees in a designated area. An arborist is responsible for looking after all plantation, pruning and removal of trees in that particular area. Arborists are generally employed in organizations that specialize in tree care, cultivation and removal. An arborist is required to have at least a bachelor’s degree.

Botany

Botany is that segment of biology that studies all about plants. It focuses on plant’s relationship with the environment, the life cycle of plants, and the discovery and conservation of certain species of plants. A botanist researches about plants and plays a vital role in the growth and sustaining of certain species. A bachelor’s degree is a must for a botanist, and a master’s degree and later on doctorate degree is deemed valuable for advanced positions.

There are numerous other career options such as forestry, forest science, forestry consultancy, soil science, plant genetics, and many more. Growing can be a fun and enjoyable profession, while being a very helpful one for the environment and mankind.

Mobile Nutrients

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Mobile Nutrients

cannabis veg growth

What Are Mobile Nutrients

The growth and development of plants highly depends on nutrients acquired from the soil, air, or through fertilizers. Nutrients are essential for the growth of a plant, and they differ in their ability to move within the plant. The demand of nutrients keeps changing throughout the life of the plant. It generally increases during vegetative growth, and decreases during reproductive development. When inside the plant, nutrients are transported to the locations where they are necessary, generally to the points of growth. Once nutrients are absorbed by the plant, some elements can be mobile while others can be immobile. Nutrient mobility influences redistribution of nutrients and the fertilization of crops.Mobile nutrients can leave their original location and move to areas where the requirement is more, and immobile elements normally get locked in place and stay there. If one knows how nutrients move within the plants, then it can become a lot easier in diagnosing deficiency symptoms. The deficiency symptoms of mobile nutrients can be first seen in the older leaves as the nutrients are transported to new growth from there. Immobile nutrient deficiencies can be first seen in the new growth as the plant cannot take ample amount of nutrients to transport them to the new shoots.

What Are The Mobile Nutrients

There are eighteen elements, found in the nature, which can be considered necessary for plant growth and nutrition. Each of these elements has their own functions in the plant, and differs in characteristics and in the level in which they are required. Three out of these eighteen elements are non-minerals and the rest are minerals. The non-mineral elements are carbon (C), hydrogen (H)and oxygen(O). These elements are used within the physical plant structure, and are obtained from the environment (from carbon dioxide, CO2) and water (H2O). They form the basis for carbohydrates such as sugars and starch and acts as the source of energy for the plant.The minerals can be further classified into primary and secondary macronutrients and micronutrients. Plants need macronutrients in comparatively large amounts and micronutrients are required in smaller amounts. The requirement of nutrients increases as the plant grows.If nutrients are deficient or present in excess amounts, then plant will be damaged by slowing down or constraining the growth. Most of the time deficiencies can be identified by observing plants.

Primary Macronutrients

Primary macronutrients comprise of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K), which contributes to nutrient content of plants, function of plant enzymes and biomechanical processes. If macronutrient are present in deficit amounts it will result in reduced plant growth and yield. These three elements are considered most important nutrients that are absorbed from fertilizers.Secondary macronutrients comprise of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S).

Primary Micronutrients

Micronutrients, even though used in very small quantities, are also essential for plant growth and survival. These include boron (B), copper (Cu),iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni).

Mobility in plants- In the plant, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassiumand magnesium are very mobile. Suplhur, copper, iron, molybdenum, zinc, and manganese are moderately mobile. Calcium and boron are immobile nutrients.

Mobility in soil- In soil, nitrogen as nitrate, sulfur as sulfate, and boron are very mobile. Potassium, calcium, molybdenum and magnesium are moderately mobile. Organic nitrogen, phosphorous, copper, iron, zinc and manganese are immobile nutrients.

How To Grow Cannabis In 14 Steps

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How To Grow Cannabis In 14 Steps!

In this article I’m going to walk you through the complete 14 step process for growing cannabis. I won’t be using any fancy terms such as lumens, lux, ppm, and etc. I want to keeps this as basic as possible so any body can comprehend it. So lets dive right on into this.

Step 1: Germination Of Seeds 

Wk 0

There are 2 main methods that I use to germinate my seeds. 

Method number 1 is to place my seeds into a paper towel and spray it with a spray bottle until the paper towel is real moist but not dripping. Then place the moist paper towel into a zip-lock bag. Wait for 1 or 2 days and check to see if you got a root.Method number 2 is to get a cup and fill it with water then place your seeds into the cup.  (Almost all your seeds should float ) Wait for a few hours and check to see if your seeds sunk to the bottom of the cup. Ones that didn’t sink try to push them down with your finger. ( Remeber not to keep your seeds under water for too long or they’ll drown. 12hrs max! )

Step 2:  Plant Germinated Seed

Wk 1

After your seed has been germinated and you got your tap root it’s time to figure out how you want to grow.        ( But for this tutorial we are going to stick with good old fashion dirt. )  To save pace when I plant my seedlings I use a 4 oz Styrofoam cup.  When I plant my seedling I create a hole just long enough for the root to lay in, and the shell to sit right above the dirt. Then I sprinkle dirt over the hole and shell covering up everything.

Step 3: Water Seedlings   

( Use PH Water  6.0-7.0 )

Wk 1 to Wk 2

When your cannabis plant is still in its seedling stage the roots are not established enough to use a watering can. If you water with a watering can the water run off could take your plant with it. The recommended way to water your plant is to mist it with a spay bottle or mister. ( At this stage your plant does not need food)

Light Cycle 18hrs


When your plant first pop out of the ground!		Cannabis Seedling
After about week your plant will begin to look this!

Step 4: Begin To Feed Seedlings  ​

( Use PH Water  6.0-7.0 )

Wk 2

At This stage your plants used up all the stored nutrients from the seedling phase and needs to start sending roots out to gather nutrients. Now is the time when you should start feeding your plants, but don’t go all out. Start with a light dose of nutrients then gradually increase your dosage to where you want to be at. ( Tip your plant could use way less then the recommended dosage. )Here the plants are still pretty small and a watering can could still take your plant, what I use is a condiment bottle.Cannabis in veg
Cannabis Early Veg Phase

Light Cycle 18hrs

Step 5: The Beginning Of Vegetative Growth    ​ 

(Clones Normally Start Here )

Wk 2 to Wk 3

The first sign that your plant is in vegetative growth is when your seedling leaves fall off, and your plant begins to look like a little cannabis plant. You’ll start to notice that your plant is growing faster and your leaves would start to resemble the actual cannabis leaf. At this stage your plant will need the most nutrients( mainly a nitrogen heavy feed ). 

Light Cycle 18hrs

Step 6: Plant Training ( Optional )

Wk 3 or Wk 4

This technique is a little more advance, but if done right you can double your harvest, if done wrong you could kill your plant. At this stage you’ll want to top your plant to produce multiple main colas at the top for flowering.

Light Cycle 18hrs

How to train cannabis
Cannabis Plant Training

Step 7: Transplant Into A Bigger Container 

Wk 4 or Wk 5

After your plant starts looking like a cannabis plant, you’ll need to transplant your plant so that your roots can continue to grow. ( If you don’t transplant your plants, after awhile your roots will begin die ) ​

Light Cycle 18hrs

Step 8: Ending Vegetative Growth Phase

Wk 5

This is the last week to do specialize plant training, before you flip your lights into a 12 hours on 12 hours off cycle.Light Cycle 18hrscannabis veg growth
Cannabis End Veg Phase

Step 9: Flowering 

Wk 6      (First wk of flower )

At this phase you would want to transplant your plant into it’s final container.  (Normally those containers are 3-5 gal pots/ buckets. )  You would also want to switch your nutrients from a vegetative growth nutrient into a flowering heavy nutrient. 

Light Cycle 12hrs

cannabis transplant
I typically transplant my plant 2 days before flowering!		Cannabis roots

Step 10: Feeding During Flowering  ​       

( Use PH Water  6.0-7.0 )

Wk 7 thru Wk 9     

( Second wk up to the third wk of flowering )

While it’s still in the beginning phase of flowering you would want to provide a feed that promotes flowering.
( While in this phase I tend to feed heavier then normal. ) 

Light Cycle 12hrs

Step 11: Minor Plant Training 

Wk 10    (Fourth Wk of flowering )

By now your plant is thriving and you have all kinds of insane growth. This is when you’ll want to cut a lot of that under growth off, every part of the plant that you don’t think would get enough light or places that you feel is too crowded.

​Light Cycle 12hrs

Spliffseeds

Photo By ​spliffseeds

Step 12: Cut Back On Nutrient Feed        ​

( Use PH Water  6.0-7.0 )

Wk 11 or  Wk 12       

( Fifth and sixth wk of flowering )

At this point you can see the finish line and want to start letting the plant use all the nutrients that is in your soil.
I typically only add approximately 1/4th of the recommended dosage at this stage.

​Light Cycle 12hrs

Step 13: Flush

​( Use PH Water  6.0-7.0 )

Wk 13 and Wk 14       ( Last Wks )

Water with water to get rid of the nutrient taste!

​Light Cycle 12hrs

Step 14: Harvest

The End! Enjoy!

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List Of Everything I Use

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Why Do Plants Need Calcium?

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What Is Calcium?

What is calcium? Why do plants need calcium? Where do we get calcium from? These are some of the questions that beginner growers ask. Let’s begin with the basic first, calcium is a alkaline metal with the symbol Ca and its atomic number is 20 on the periodic table. Calcium is the fifth most abundant element in the earth crust, and every living cell depends on it. But for today we would be talking about why plants need calcium. 

Why Do Plants Need Calcium?

Calcium is an essential secondary macro-nutrient that is absorbed by the roots of plants and travels by the xylem to new shoots and leaves. The plant uses calcium to strengthen cell walls, hold cells together, plants metabolism, and activates specific plant enzymes. Calcium improves the absorption of nutrients and helps in their translocation within the plant. Calcium is a alkaline metal which helps neutralize organic acids in plants that form during cell metabolism such as bonding to pectate acid to form calcium pectate. Unlike most macro-nutrients calcium is not a mobile nutrient meaning that it starts at the roots and ends at the leaves, it does not go up and down.This Island Is Covered with Limestone
( Limestone is mainly composed of  calcium carbonate or dolomite)

Calcium Deficiency 

In nature calcium deficiencies are rare because there is so much of it in the soil, unlike everything else calcium is not considered a leach able nutrient. But depending on your soil condition, what calcium you have could not be available to your plant. In This section  we are going to discuss a lot of the main causes for calcium deficiency.   

Environmental Stress

Calcium travels by transport of the xylem, as the plant draws in new water it releases the old water thru its leaves into the air. Humidity, temperature, light, soil condition and wind could potentially slow down transpiration affecting the intake of calcium. ( “Xylem: the vascular tissue in plants that conducts water and dissolved nutrients upward from the root and also helps to form the woody element in the stem.”) Definition from dictionary.com

Lack Of Watering

Very similar to environmental stresses the lack of water can and will cause a calcium deficiency. ( Remember that calcium is up taken with water by the xylem)

Water PH

When your PH is below 6 the solubility of calcium drops. ( Ideal PH is 6.0- 7.0)

What Happens When There Is Too Much Calcium?

Excessive calcium creates a nutrient lock preventing other important macro nutrients and micro nutrients from being adsorb. (Potassium, magnesium, manganese and iron and etc…. ) When you have an excessive amount of calcium you’ll begin to see symptoms of other deficiencies making it hard for the beginner grower to spot and diagnose.Calcium is consider a non leach able substance meaning that it doesn’t drain away with water. If you are adding more calcium than your plant can use and keep adding more and more flushing your plants might be difficult then anticipated.

Sources Of Calcium

Gypsum: Composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate ( Will Not Raise PH )   Buy Now!

Lime: Calcitic lime and/or Dolomite lime  ( Will Raise PH ) According to U.S. National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine some plants could pull carbon from calcium carbonate instead of from the air.   Buy Now!

Grounded Shells: You’ll want to bake them around 200 degrees  and then crush them up. ( Remember this method is more natural but takes longer to be available, you can add vinegar to speed up the process)

Bone meal:  Just like the name implies bone meal is finely grounded up animals. Buy Now! 

​Cal Mag: Calcium and Magnesium deficiency are most of the time associated together.    Buy Now!

 In a recent study we provided evidence that pigweed, an aggressive weed, attenuates this problem exploiting large crystals of calcium oxalate as dynamic carbon pools. This plant is able to photosynthesize even under drought conditions, when stomata are closed and water losses are limited, using carbon dioxide from crystal decomposition instead from the atmosphere. ​ U.S. National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine  

References 

ScienceDirect

Soil in the Environment By Daniel Hillel   

U.S. National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine  

Cell.com

​North Carolina  Department Of Agriculture And Consumer Services
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