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Legacy grower and Grower’s Ally cannabis cultivator Brian Keenan offers insight into organically controlling common hemp pests and diseases.
Two of the most common problems hemp growers face are crops ruined by pests and a contaminated end product. When you are at the mercy of Mother Nature, the best tool you can deploy is a strong integrated pest management (IPM) program that gives your plants the best opportunity to battle environmental elements that come your way.
Mites and mildew are completely manageable with the right inputs. Simply put, use products that test clean. Spraying close to harvest can be tricky, and sometimes even harmful, because many methods of extraction concentrate pesticide residues. Formulas like Grower’s Ally volatilize and are safe to use the same day of harvest.
Essential oils, like rosemary, are highly effective at knocking down soft-bodied insects. While many oils kill by suffocation, the primary mode of action in the Grower’s Ally rosemary-based formula is paralysis. Insects that can’t move also can’t eat, can’t reproduce and can’t cause any more damage. Because it is a light essential oil, the formula leaves behind no residue.
Growers should budget for preventative care. Maintaining healthy plants from the early stages of growth makes an incredible difference in the quality of the end product, and it is always more cost-effective to be proactive than it is to be reactive. Part of that is choosing a tool that will help you apply pesticide products efficiently. We recommend application with an atomizer. Atomizers create excellent coverage and will help your product go a lot farther. Simply put, it’s more bang for your important dollar.
The Wild West days are in everyone’s rearview mirror. You must protect your profits and your business by selecting pesticides that are registered by state agencies for use in hemp production. Look for the “OMRI [Organic Materials Review Institute] Listed” and “FIFRA [Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act] 25(b) Exempt” designations. It is important to your end product and, more importantly, to the end user.
This content appeared in the May 2021 issue of Hemp Grower.
“I noticed a small pest issue in my indoor garden. I used Spider Mite Control. After, I noticed I hadn’t seen any pest in a few days. I continued to treat and haven’t seen a pest since. I highly recommend this product.”
“I’m growing 100% organic and used the Grower’s Ally Spider Mite Control in the beginning of the spring season. The rosemary oil was very effective at killing spider mites."
"Grower's Ally Fungicide is my go-to for knocking out powdery mildew. The plants react incredibly to the applications. Happy, healthy, and no powdery mildew."
"The formulas are simple to use, and my rooms smell amazing after using the Spider Mite Control because of the essential oils present in the formula."
“My plants seem to love this stuff. I have bought both the spider mite and the fungicide. I'm on my 2nd application. No adverse reactions, no signs of mites or mildew.”
“Spider Mite Control saved our grow and allowed us to have a good harvest. We are highly satisfied with your product and look forward in doing business in the future.”
"Grower's Ally Spider Mite Control is a must have for extremely effective preventative and reactive plant maintenance. Most importantly I can use it in all phases. It is the backbone to my IPM."