With an ever-growing number of states legalizing cannabis, and hemp being deemed a legitimate industrial resource, thousands of people are now trying their hand at growing various strains of these plants.

However, some pathogens in the soil are harmful to various strains of cannabis.

At the same time, countless people are cultivating home-grown crops to build their stockpiles and create homemade cannabis products. That number is sure to continue to surge as more states modify their cannabis laws and regulations.

Nurturing A Healthy Cannabis Crop

In truth, cannabis isn’t an overly finicky plant. Many strains that you’ll find at i49.net/michigan are tolerant of less-than-ideal growing conditions, making them perfect for beginners and people who don’t have a lot of time to devote to their gardens. Still, those plants have certain requirements. They need appropriate periods of sunlight and darkness, plenty of water, and the right nutrients to foster their growth and produce high yields of potent, resin-filled buds. Cannabis plants rely on the soil they’re planted in to provide water, nutrients, and airflow as needed.

Fighting Pathogens And Pests

Cannabis plants can be vulnerable to a range of plant pathogens in the soil. Those invaders detract from the plants’ strength and potency. They can greatly reduce their yield capacity and cause any number of other problems. In worst-case scenarios, they’ll destroy your crop altogether. However, there are several ways to keep certain hazards at bay. One of the newest and most highly touted alternatives is using Trichoderma to control pathogens in the soil.

What Is Trichoderma?

Trichoderma is a type of fungus that exists naturally in soil. Though some types of fungi are precisely the pathogens you want to keep out of your garden, Trichoderma is a bit different. It’s a beneficial fungus that helps keep the soil balanced, makes nutrients more readily available to plants, and provides much-needed carbon for the plants.

It also aids in controlling harmful fungi and other pathogens that could be out to destroy your crop. Trichoderma competes with those other pathogens for resources. Since it’s stronger and more resilient than those pathogens, it usually wins by choking out the competition. This fungus won’t harm your plants, though. It’s only after the resources in the soil, and it forms a symbiotic relationship with the plants.

In addition to controlling pathogens in the soil, Trichoderma provides a range of other benefits. It helps strengthen plants’ root systems and fosters water retention and uptake. It can also promote photosynthesis to keep the plants strong and healthy. Trichoderma can also make your plants more tolerant to environmental hardships like drought and nutrient-deficient soil.

How To Use Trichoderma For Pathogen Control

As mentioned, Trichoderma exists naturally in soil. Still, it’s not always present in all types of soil, and there’s not always enough of it to provide the beneficial effects you’re looking for. Fortunately, you can purchase Trichoderma and add it to your garden. It’s available as a powder or liquid and can be sprinkled onto the soil or mixed into a solution to spray on the plants themselves.

Fighting Fungus With Fungus

Many may feel that adding fungus to the soil is counterintuitive in light of all the problems many fungi can cause. Trichoderma is in a class all its own, though. Instead of harming plants and starving them of the resources they need to thrive, it fosters the growing process. It’ll help ward off pathogens in the soil while providing numerous additional benefits for your crop.