Cannabis Cultivation and Science Podcast

Tad Hussey
  • 4.8 (708)
  • NATURAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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 organic growing from a science based perspective and draw in top experts from around the industry to share their wisdom and knowledge. If you want to hear the latest in growing technology and methods, this is the place..

  1. Foundations Series #4: What's Your Garden Missing? Cracking the Code of Applied Horticulture with Don Marshall

    1D AGO

    Foundations Series #4: What's Your Garden Missing? Cracking the Code of Applied Horticulture with Don Marshall

    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 between academic theory and high-level landscape maintenance. About Don Marshall: Don is a Certified Professional Horticulturalist, Certified Arborist, and ecoPro. He founded the Environmental Horticulture program at Lake Washington College, where he taught for over 40 years. He is the owner of Plant Designs, a fine gardening firm, and the co-author of Home Landscaping, Northwest Region. The Botany Foundations Course: Don and I have spent the last few years collaborating on a comprehensive online botany course. We designed this specifically for industry professionals and serious growers who want a university-level understanding of plant science without the time constraints of traditional schooling. This course provides the professional lens needed to evaluate and improve your grow. Stay Updated: www.kisorganics.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 10m
  2. Foundations Series #3: The Soil Food Web: Science, Dogma, and Controlled Ecosystems with Tad Hussey

    FEB 24

    Foundations Series #3: The Soil Food Web: Science, Dogma, and Controlled Ecosystems with Tad Hussey

    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 trade energy for the specific minerals it needs. The Rhizophagy Revolution The "Commuter" Microbes: Understanding the research from Dr. James White’s lab at Rutgers. The Microbial Car Wash: A technical look at how plants lure, strip, "milk," and eject bacteria to scavenge for nutrients. Endophytes vs. Rhizophagy: Distinguishing between long-term "tenants" inside the plant and the transient "workers" in the root tip. The Biomimicry Reality Check Ecology vs. Agronomy: Why nature optimizes for survival, while growers optimize for yield, quality, and consistency. The Managed System: Why an indoor grow or greenhouse is not a wilderness, and why treating it as such often leads to inefficiencies and "natural" bottlenecks. The "Selfish" Microbe: Understanding Immobilization and Stoichiometry—why microbes sometimes "rob" your plants of nitrogen to build their own populations. Precision Biology & Biosecurity The Risk of Raw Inputs: Why compost can be the highest risk factor for heavy metals, PFAs, herbicide residues, and pathogens like Pythium. The Specialist Shop: Utilizing lab-grown consortiums for a cleaner, scalable facility. Mycorrhizal Fungi: The role of Rhizophagus irregularis in Phosphorus mining. Nutrient Unlockers: Using high-CFU strains like Microbial Mass or Mammoth P for data-backed biomass increases. Trichoderma: Beyond biocontrol—how it uses siderophores to "magnetize" insoluble iron and trigger Induced Systemic Resistance. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    20 min

  3. FEB 17

    Foundations Series #2: Lean Farming & Efficient Cultivation Systems with Ben Hartman (Originally Episode 20)

    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. Ben operates Clay Bottom Farm in Goshen, Indiana, and is known for applying lean manufacturing principles to agriculture. His work focuses on improving farm efficiency, reducing wasted time and materials, and designing production systems that prioritize value and profitability. In this conversation we discuss: What lean farming means and how it applies to cultivation Identifying and eliminating wasted time, labor, and inputs Designing efficient workflows and production systems How simplifying systems can improve consistency and profitability Applying lean principles to indoor and greenhouse cultivation While this conversation comes from outside traditional cannabis production, the principles discussed are directly applicable to any cultivation operation looking to improve efficiency and long-term sustainability. Part of the Foundations of Soil & Plant Science series. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    58 min
  4. Foundations Series #1: Silicon in Plant Health & Stress Resistance with Dr. Wendy Zellner (Originally Episode 98)

    FEB 10

    Foundations Series #1: Silicon in Plant Health & Stress Resistance with Dr. Wendy Zellner (Originally Episode 98)

    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 crops such as tomato and tobacco. Her work has included developing standard methods for quantifying silicon uptake from fertilizer materials, identifying uptake mechanisms for silicon in model species, and evaluating how those pathways function across a range of crop systems. In this conversation we cover: The role of silicon in plant physiology and structure Silicon and plant defense against abiotic and biotic stress How plants take up and utilize silicon Misconceptions around silicon fertilizers and supplements Practical considerations for growers using silicon inputs This remains one of the most comprehensive discussions we’ve had on silicon and plant health, and it continues to be highly relevant for growers looking to better understand how this element functions within a complete fertility program. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 21m
  5. Episode 155: Entomopathogenic Fungi Explained: Blastospores, Beauveria, and Smarter IPM with Julie Graesch

    JAN 7

    Episode 155: Entomopathogenic Fungi Explained: Blastospores, Beauveria, and Smarter IPM with Julie Graesch

    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 applications fail Preventative vs. reactive use of entomopathogenic fungi Integrating fungal biologicals into a broader IPM strategy Key Takeaways:Entomopathogenic fungi are biological tools, not chemical knockdowns Understanding fungal life cycles improves consistency and outcomes Blastospores behave differently than traditional spore formulations Successful IPM relies on timing, environment, and integration—not rescue sprays Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 16m
  6. Episode 154: Is Seed Based Cultivation the Future of Cannabis? - with Dr. Matthew Indest

    12/10/2025

    Episode 154: Is Seed Based Cultivation the Future of Cannabis? - with Dr. Matthew Indest

    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 widespread seed adoption How genetic stability, inbreeding depression, and trait selection differ between cannabis and traditional crops Data-driven cultivation strategies for evaluating new seed lines Whether seed-based production can truly rival clonal systems for consistency and top-tier flower quality What the next decade of cannabis breeding and cultivation might look like About Dr. Indest: Matthew holds a Ph.D. in plant science and has spent more than a decade bridging academic research with applied cannabis production. He has led breeding and cultivation programs across indoor, greenhouse, and outdoor operations and focuses on developing high-performing cultivars and integrated, data-backed production systems. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 26m
  7. Episode 153: Rethinking the Basics: pH, Water, Light & Nutrients with Bryant Mason

    11/18/2025

    Episode 153: Rethinking the Basics: pH, Water, Light & Nutrients with Bryant Mason

    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 don’t tell you, and how water chemistry shapes nutrient availability. We also discuss practical considerations for under-canopy lighting, when it helps and when it’s a distraction, and dig into the recurring challenges Bryant sees around phosphorus and nitrogen management in living soil. Throughout the episode we jump between concepts, case studies, and troubleshooting insights that growers can apply immediately. Topics Covered: Low-tech monitoring and data-collection approaches pH dynamics in organic systems Water testing and interpreting results Under-canopy lighting: pros, cons, and real-world use Phosphorus and nitrogen management in living soil Practical troubleshooting and decision-making strategies Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 11m
  8. Episode 152: Light, Spectrum, and Plant Signals — A Practical Guide with Dr. David Hawley part 2

    11/04/2025

    Episode 152: Light, Spectrum, and Plant Signals — A Practical Guide with Dr. David Hawley part 2

    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 include: Understanding Daily Light Integral (DLI) and how it relates to plant metabolism When to use far-red and what to expect from it The truth about UV lighting and secondary metabolite production Managing leaf temperature and avoiding hidden stress from high PPFD How fixture placement and uniformity impact yield and morphology Using dimming strategies through different growth stages Why overemphasizing spectrum specs can distract from the real gains Practical steps for mapping your grow and verifying performance David also shares insights on under-canopy lighting, canopy architecture, and the future of horticultural light design, offering takeaways for both commercial cultivators and serious home growers. Resources mentioned: Fluence by OSRAM KiS Organics Living Soil & Nutrients Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 1m
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4.8
out of 5
708 Ratings

About

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 organic growing from a science based perspective and draw in top experts from around the industry to share their wisdom and knowledge. If you want to hear the latest in growing technology and methods, this is the place..

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