Humboldt County, it needs no introduction (but we’re going to do it anyway). The unofficial Cannabis capital of California, there’s not a Cannabis enthusiast alive who hasn’t heard of it. Comprised of 4,052 square-miles of mostly rural landscapes including mountains, redwood forests, and of course a beautiful 100+ miles of coastline, it’s a bucolic paradise. But while its reputation precedes it, it’s not all about the weed, man.

Originally inhabited by a variety of native tribes, the area that was to become Humboldt County was first visited by Europeans in 1775 when the Spanish landed on what would become the coastal town of Trinidad. It wasn’t until 1850 however, that Douglas Ottinger and Hans Buhne christened the port of Humboldt Bay, naming it after Alexander von Humboldt, the explorer and naturalist. Humboldt county was incorporated in 1853.

Modern Humboldt County and its Cannabis association was a result of a “hippie migration” during the 1960s. Drawn in by cheap property and a desire to live off the land, the counterculture settled into an agrarian life, growing Cannabis alongside their food crops. While they didn’t originally intend to grow Cannabis commercially, President Nixon’s “War on Drugs” ramped up demand for cannabis, and Humboldt pot farmers began to fill that demand. US trade embargoes against Mexico and the active destruction of Mexico’s Cannabis farms by the US government depleted the supply of cannabis nationwide. Though Colombia was quick to pick up the slack in supply, Humboldt County became the hotbed of Cannabis cultivation in California, and a new economy was born.

While Humboldt County gets the bulk of the recognition, it’s part of a larger tri-county Cannabis culture made up of Mendocino, Trinity, and Humboldt counties. Dubbed the “Emerald Triangle,” the region at one time produced over 70% of non-imported Cannabis consumed in the US.

But as we said, it’s not all about weed. Humboldt County is full of fun for outdoor types, artisans, and history buffs.

Even if you’re visiting the region to sample some Cannabis culture, chances are you’re going to want to do more than toke up in your Airbnb. Whatever your interests, you’re sure to find some Cannabis and non-Cannabis things to do and see.

Cannabis Attractions

We wouldn’t be Growers Network without talking about Cannabis. For the enthusiast or the cannacurious, there are a multitude of weed-themed activities: farm and dispensary tours, cooking with Cannabis classes, Cannabis Spa treatments, and more. Humboldt Cannabis Tours will even pick you up anywhere in the world in a private jet and drop you into the heart of the Emerald Triangle for a customized visit.

Other Attractions

Humboldt County has some of the most beautiful natural spots in the world. The region is home to 40% of the country’s old growth redwood forests. Parks in the area include:

1. Redwood National Park
2. Six Rivers National Forest
3. Shasta-Trinity National Forest

And if the forest isn’t your thing, you can go whale watching by boat or from the cliffs of the pristine northern California coast. Additionally, there are kayak tours, harbor boat rides, and even an oyster tour. Not the outdoor type? You can also check out the Loleta Cheese Factory tour or take a haunted history tour in Eureka, the county seat of Humboldt.

So as you can see, Humboldt County has a rich history and a lot to offer whether you're interested in Cannabis, beautiful natural sites, or even cheese. But wait! I almost forgot the best part of Humboldt! Did you know that Canna Cribs episode 5 features Humboldt’s own Honeydew Farms? You do now. Look for it next week, but until then, check out the trailer!

Did you like this article? Is there something about Humboldt we should have mentioned and didn’t? Let us know by leaving a comment in the survey below, or better yet, join our forum and start a conversation!

Hello growers! Hopefully your crop is healthy and green. Question: Are you using any beneficials as part of your pest control program? Did you know that you can use beneficial nematodes to help protect your plants from the things out there that would like to hurt it? True story! Read on for all the news on nematodes!

Writer’s Note: There are many different species of nematode, some are harmful and some are helpful. So if you hear about someone's crop being destroyed by nematodes, those aren’t the species we’re discussing today!

Quick Look

Scientific Name: Various species in the Phylum Nematoda
Including:

1. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora
   1. Steinernema carpocapsae
   2. Steinernema Feltiae

   Common Name: Roundworms
   How They Help: Paracistize pest species associated with Cannabis

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   “A nema-what?”

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   Nematodes are tiny invertebrates commonly referred to as roundworms. Nematodes are often predatory and nearly half are considered parasitic. Some are microscopic while other free-living nematodes can be much larger. When using them for pest control, different species will parasitize different arthropod pests both above and below the soil.

   
   Beneficial nematode under the microscope

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   How Nematodes Help

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   Nematodes are hunters, and different species employ different hunting strategies. Some, like Heterorhabditis bacteriophora work beneath the soil, while the species Steinernema carpocapsae waits for a pest to walk by and attaches itself to the unsuspecting host. Both of these strategies allow the juvenile nematode to enter and kill the pest via a toxic bacterium, and then use the resulting corpse as part of its reproductive cycle, reproducing inside and sending their juveniles out into the environment to find their next host.

   

   An important thing to consider if you’re planning on using beneficial nematodes is that you have to keep your soil “clean.” Often, recycled soil contains other microbial pests that can kill off your beneficials, particularly certain species of fungi and bacteria. For this reason it’s important to use the cleanest substrate you can find and consider treating with a fungicide/bactericide combo in addition to using beneficials.

   Editor’s Note: You can also treat “dirty” media with other beneficials. A variety of soil inoculants are commercially available.

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   So there it is, beneficial nematode basics. While there are many pest control options available, the upside of beneficials such as the nematode is that they add a layer of organic defense when pesticides just won’t cut it due to safety and regulations, and this is especially important with a medicinal plant like Cannabis. Read on and check the list below to see what species of nematode we mentioned is best for each pest.

   Happy growing!

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   Targeting Pests with Nematodes

   Heterorhabditis bacteriophora can help prevent:

   1. Ticks
   2. Ant Queens
   3. Adult Fleas
   4. Humpback Flies
   5. Leafminers
   6. Gall Midges
   7. Moths
   8. Some Species of Weevils

   Steinernema carpocapsae can help prevent:

   1. Black Cutworms
   2. Caterpillars
   3. Flea Larvae
   4. Fly Larvae
   5. Webworms
   6. Wireworms
   7. Wood Borers
   8. Some Species of Weevils

   Steinernema Feltiae can help prevent:

   1. Black Cutworms
   2. Fungus Gnats
   3. Pill Worm
   4. Root Maggots
   5. Shore Flies
   6. Ticks
   7. Some Species of Weevils

You’ve taken all the precautions against disease, you’ve checked on your nutrient levels, your crop is pest free, but you’ve still got yellowing leaves. What’s going on? Well friend, have you considered light burn? If you haven’t, you’re not alone. It’s often misdiagnosed, but if you know what to look for, you can stop it.

Quick Look

Condition: Light Burn
Technical Name: Photobleaching and/or Photoinhibition
Symptoms: Yellow/white bleached leaves and buds
Cause: Light source is too intense/close to your plants
Remedy: Reduce the intensity/proximity of your grow lights

We should have issued a content warning because that photo are pretty hard to look at. Worse than pictures though is seeing your own plants looking unhealthy, so hopefully the info we provide today will help you prevent light burn or at least help you recognize it when it occurs.

As stated above, the cause of light burn is pretty simple, the lights in your grow are too close to your plants, or they’re too intense. Obviously, if your plants have grown so tall they’re in physical contact with the lights, this phenomenon is pretty self explanatory, but the leaves don’t actually have to come into contact with the light for this type of burn to occur, which can leave a grower scratching their head. Add to the fact that this condition is often mistaken for nitrogen deficiency or disease, and who would blame them for not knowing? There is hope however, and there are a few key characteristics that can help you diagnose light burn accurately.

Leaves Begin Pointing Up

Even before the leaves begin to yellow as a result of light burn, you may notice that the leaves begin to curl up. Leaves that point up can be an early indication of light burn. Being aware of this sign can help you address a "light burn problem" before it becomes a "light burn crisis."

Editor’s Note: This is sometime colloquially referred to as “taco-ing,” where the leaves start to resemble a taco shell.

The Light-bleached Leaves Don’t Fall Off Easily

With many nutrient problems and diseases that affect Cannabis leaves, growers find that the yellow leaves fall off on their own or with only a small amount of effort. This is not the case with light burn. Leaves affected by light burn won’t fall off readily and are more difficult to pluck off than nutrient deficient or diseased leaves, an important distinction when trying to diagnose.

Location Location Location!

Another distinction between light burn and other leaf problems is the location on the plant. Nutrient problems typically begin in the soil, so what you’ll find is the the problem begins at the lower level leaves. Light burn on the other hand will start at the top layer, those leaves closest to the light.

Treating for Light Burn

The first thing you need to do is move your lights farther away from your plants, or even reduce the number of lights. If you can’t do this, consider gently bending your plants or, though more extreme, consider cutting the top of the plant to reduce the height. This type of cutting shouldn’t be done if your plants have entered flowering however as you’ll lose part of your harvest.

Additional tips:

1. Nutrient deficiencies can make light burn worse, so if you’ve diagnosed a case of light burn, be sure to check on your nutrient levels as well.
2. The veins of the leaves will typically remain green when experiencing light burn, unlike the complete yellowing caused by other issues.
3. Heat stress is another condition that presents in the same way as light burn, so make sure your grow is kept at an acceptable temperature.
4. While light burn in outdoor grows is unlikely, moving a plant from an indoor to an intensely lit outdoor environment can cause it to occur. Consider transitioning your plants gradually by moving them to a partially shaded area for a few days before exposing them to full sun.

So, do you feel “enlightened?” We hope so! Did we miss something, or is there a Cannabis condition we haven’t covered that you think we should? Drop a comment in the survey below, or better yet, start a discussion in our forum. Happy Growing!

Plant diseases can be a nightmare in any grow operation and Cannabis has no shortage of diseases that would love to ruin your crop. So for today’s profile we’re going to discussPseudomonas cannabina a bacterial blight pathogen you may find yourself dealing with in your grow.

1. Common Name: Bacterial Blight
2. Scientific Name: Species of the Pseudomonas genus, including Pseudomonas cannabina
3. Symptoms: Yellowing leaves, water-soaked lesions, necrosis of lesions
4. Caused by: Bacteria
5. Timing: Anytime conditions are cool and wet

What is Pseudomonas cannabina?

Pseudomonas cannabina is a flagellated bacteria that causes blight on leaves. The symptoms can often be mistaken for Brown Leaf Spot, Septoria, a nutrient deficiency, or symptoms due to overwatering. It is spread most often by water through irrigation. It’s important to note that “blight” is a general term for the symptoms caused by several fungal or bacterial vectors.

What to look for

As previously mentioned, symptoms include leaf lesions as well as stem and leaf rot. Lesions show as tan or brown spots haloed in yellow.

How to Treat/PreventPseudomonas cannabina

Treatment

An issue in treating blight is that it isn’t immediately apparent whether the symptoms are the result of a bacterium such as P. cannabina or a fungus. Fortunately there are many commercial bactericide/fungicide combos available to treat blight.

Writer’s Note: Always be aware of the laws and safe practices regarding pesticide use in your jurisdiction, and only use products according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Prevention

Prevention of Bacterial Blight begins with the environment. Make sure you aren’t overwatering, as Pseudomonas cannabina thrives in wet conditions. Additionally, keep adequate space between plants to reduce likelihood of spread. There are also air sanitizers available that will kill microbial pathogens before they can start causing havoc for your operation.

So now you know a bit aboutPseudomonas cannabina and what you can do to prevent it from ruining your grow. Have additional questions about this bacterial disease vector? You should join our forum where you can post pics and ask our expert community about this topic or any other!

Happy Growing!

Plant diseases can be a nightmare in any grow operation and Cannabis has no shortage of diseases that would love to ruin your crop. So for today’s profile we’re going to discuss Verticillium Wilt, yet another fungal disease you may find yourself dealing with in your grow.

Quick Look

1. Common Name: Verticillium Wilt
2. Scientific Name: Six species within the Verticillium genus:
   1. V. dahliae
   2. V. albo-atrum
   3. V. longisporum
   4. V. nubilum
   5. V. theobromae
   6. V. tricorpus
3. Symptoms: Shriveled, yellow-brown leaves (begins at lower leaves), brown stem
4. Caused by: Fungus
5. Timing: Spring-Fall

What is Verticillium Wilt?

Verticillium Wilt is a condition caused by several fungi species of the Verticillium genus. Starting in the soil, the fungus infects the plant through the roots and moving upward through the water conducting tissues. The result is a wilting of the plant due to water stress.

What to look for

Symptoms of Verticillium Wilt to watch for include yellow and shriveling of leaves. You may also see a sudden wilting of the plant, particularly in hot weather. The plant may recover when cooler and wetter conditions prevail.

How to Treat/Prevent Verticillium Wilt

There are no chemical treatments available for Verticillium Wilt infected Cannabis, so prevention and mitigation are key. Here are some preventative tips:

1. Wash tools and boots to prevent spreading the disease via contaminated soil.
2. Control weeds as some species can host the fungus with no symptoms.
3. Remove infected plants and destroy them.
4. Heavy watering and fertilizers may stimulate new tissue growth, but this does not prevent potential reinfection.

Writer's note: In some cases it’s recommended that the infected soil be grassed over for a minimum of fifteen years (!) before replanting.

So now you know a bit about Verticillium Wilt and what you can do to prevent it from ruining your grow. Have additional questions about Verticillium Wilt? You should join our forum where you can post pics and ask our expert community about this topic or any other!

Happy Growing!

Plant diseases are a major headache in any grow operation and Cannabis has no shortage of diseases that would love to ruin your crop. So for today’s profile we’re going to discuss Septoria Leaf Spot, a disease you may find yourself dealing with in your grow.

Quick Look

1. Common Name: Septoria Leaf Spot/Yellow Leaf Spot/Leaf Spot
2. Scientific Name: Septoria cannabis
3. Symptoms: White-yellow lesions on leaves, browning of leaves, chlorosis (whitening)
4. Caused by: Fungus
5. Timing: Summer-Fall (spores can survive in detritus year-round)

What is Septoria Leaf Spot ?

Septoria leaf spot, also called “Yellow Leaf Spot” or just “Leaf Spot” is a fungal disease with various species that infect a wide variety of plants. The Septoria cannabis species however is limited to infecting hemp and Cannabis only. As seen above, it is characterized by causing yellow-white circular spots to appear on the leaves. Left untreated it will spread to all vegetative growth, leaving the plant unable to complete biological processes. While not often fatal, this disease will result in slowed growth and low yields.

What to look for

As previously mentioned, Septoria symptoms include leaf spots, leaf death, and chlorosis (whitening of the plant). Conditions that invite this disease include wet leaves, dead plant material in the vicinity, and humidity.

How to Prevent/Treat Septoria Leaf Spot

Non-Chemical Control

To prevent Septoria Leaf Spot it’s important to control the environment of the grow. Here are a few prevention tips:

1. Keep relative humidity low.
2. Make sure to clean up and remove all dead plant material as these can host fungal spores and reinfect when the time is right (Summer-Fall).
3. Avoid overhead watering if possible, especially in the evening as wet leaves can facilitate infection.
4. Create additional space between plants to prevent transmission and an all-out infestation of the crop.

Chemical Treatment

There are a variety of commercial fungicides available to combat Septoria Leaf Spot, however, some growers prefer a more biological approach since Cannabis is a consumable product. Before purchasing any chemical treatment, be sure to check the pesticide laws in your jurisdiction, and always follow the product instructions provided by the manufacturer.

So now you know a bit about Septoria and what you can do to prevent it from ruining your grow. Have additional questions about Septoria Leaf Spot? You should join our forum where you can post pics and ask our expert community about this topic or any other!

Happy Growing!

Plant diseases are a major headache in any grow operation and Cannabis has no shortage of diseases. So for today’s disease profile we’re going to discuss Bud Rot, a disease you may find yourself dealing with in your grow.

Quick Look

1. Common Name: Bud Rot or Gray Mold
2. Scientific Name: Botrytis cinerea
3. Symptoms: Fuzzy gray mold
4. Caused by: Fungus
5. Timing: Year round

Writer’s Note: Bud rot should never be smoked or otherwise ingested. It is never safe, and doing so can cause serious complications for patients with lung ailments and/or compromised immune systems.

What is “bud rot”?

Bud Rot is a fungal infection that affects the buds of cannabis plants. It starts growing on the stem inside the bud and spreads outward (much like apple rot), and as a result it can be very hard to detect. As bud rot grows, it destroys the surrounding bud from the inside out, eventually producing spores to transmit to nearby buds, and turning what remains into a slimy mush in the process. Like other fungi, bud rot thrives in high humidity environments. However, unlike other fungal ailments, bud rot likes relatively cool temperatures.

What to look for

Bud rot appears as a fuzzy brown-gray mold on stems and buds. An often overlooked symptom is the growth of black seed-like structures that grow from the infected buds. These are best observed with a handheld microscope or jeweler’s loupe.

How to Treat/Prevent Bud Rot

There are no approved fungicides available for dealing with bud rot, so prevention is important. The best way to prevent it from starting is to control the humidity and temperature of your grow. Air flow is also important to keep bud rot from settling in. If you discover bud rot in your grow operation, you should remove the affected bud(s), being careful not to let the affected buds come into contact with other buds. You may have to remove an entire plant if the bud rot is widespread. Do not shake or otherwise cause the infected portions to vibrate -- doing so may release spores.

Editor’s Note: Bud rot can also be carried by insect pests! All normal prevention methods for insect pests can help as well.

So now you know a bit about bud rot and what you can do to prevent it from ruining your grow. Have additional questions about bud rot? You should join our forum where you can post pics and ask our expert community about this topic or any other!

Happy Growing!