TiChad

Here is a curious thing on roots and substrates.
It could be said that the root, or root system, has a pyramidal structure. The main tap root grows vertically down into the soil, and its secondary offshoots spread themselves throughout the substrate. In turn, these secondary roots develop small offshoots, called capillaries or simply root hairs, which are responsible for the collection and transportation of water and nutrients for the entire plant.

The roots always maintain the same growing structure (main root, secondary roots, and capillaries), but their method of colonising the substrate may vary depending on its composition and granulometry. If you use a compact substrate, the roots will have serious difficulties in expanding, as they won’t find any gaps to grow through, slowing down the substrate colonization and, therefore, the plant growth.

This is a common problem among growers who don't have the correct substrate for cannabis cultivation. It should be noted that a specific substrate may be suitable for one type of plant, but not for others. If you use the wrong substrate your plants will grow very slowly, lanky and with sparse foliage. They will also be more likely to suffer from problems associated with overwatering or during a period of drought

I found the answer to my micro organism question and thought I would share. This is pieced together from a blog.
Microorganisms and their interaction with the roots
The roots live inside the substrate, but they are not alone. The substrate is easily the part of the plant with the most life per square centimetre. It is a medium where millions of microorganisms belonging to the fungi, algae, protozoa and bacteria families coexist with all kinds of flora and fauna, all of them performing important and vital functions in the root zone.

In this case, we will concentrate on the microorganisms that are beneficial for the cannabis plant, such as Trichoderma, Endomycorrhiza and Rhizobacteria.
The roots absorb food from the substrate and transfer it to the rest of the plant, where it's converted into energy to carry out metabolic functions. There is a symbiotic interaction between fungi such as Trichoderma or endomycorrhiza, among others, and the roots. These beneficial fungi establish themselves on the capillary roots and, as they colonize them, they create a nutrient uptake network that is much faster and efficient.

Beneficial fungi are a great cultivation supplement, especially for growers who use organic fertilizers, since they make the nutrients more assimilable and easier for the roots to take up. Being more easily absorbed by the plant, they also promote more vigorous growth and abundant flowering.

Another advantage of using fungi such as Trichoderma is to protect the plant against other fungi that could potentially devastate them, including the dreaded pythium and fusarium, both fatal for the cannabis plant. Once established in the substrate and the roots, the beneficial Trichoderma fungus leaves no room for other harmful fungi, becoming a very tough shield to penetrate, so the plants colonised by Trichoderma will hardly need to worry about root problems at all.

There are several brands of Trichoderma on the market, some come on their own like GHE's Trichoderma, while other products such as Elycitor from Bio Technology incorporate other types of microorganisms, as endomycorrhiza and ectomycorrhiza, in addition to different types of bacillus, enzymes, elicitors, humic and fulvic acids, amino acids, etc., making them high-quality products that are ideal to inoculate the substrate with beneficial microorganisms.

Prune your leaves on the plant? Yes or no? My head tells me no. I researched both sides and I am torn.

I am getting ready to purchase seeds for my next grow. What varieties are harder to grow/more temperamental? I do need varieties with higher THC or a good profile for constant pain? I am growing for my husband who is on medical. He has had 3 knee replacements and a rod in his neck. He also has a rare form of lipoma. He has constant pain in his joints and muscles. I appreciate any and all advice and knowledge. Thank you

Can you use the electric currents in water to manipulate the color of the plants? Maybe by manipulating the metal elements?

I know when you feed your plants you are actually feeding the bacterium the plants use to feed off from. Is there anywhere where I can find the list of natural elements that you feed the little critters to have them produce the essential elements the plant needs?

Does anyone grow using light theory? Has anyone produced a pink color? If so, what light sequence do you use to do this and when in the grow do you start the color lights?

What are peoples thoughts on Molasses ?pertaining directly to terpenes. I am curious about its use in cannabis plants. But, I am also torn on using it in my grow. It is a leftover byproduct from manufacturing sugar. Not sure how I feel about something processed so much. especially the way it is processed today. Seems too close to a chemical additive. I won't ingest it because of that reason. But, it is still safer than any chemical.

So, I am brand new to cannabis growing. I was actually drug, kicking and screaming into it. My husband is on Medical and he thought that it might be beneficial for him to grow. I had absolutely no interest in it. He tried to grow a plant and it didn't work out too well. Nothing came from it. No buds, no harvest. He bought more seeds and started them. Well, he tried several times and finally got two to tail. This is when he really started asking me to help. I tried really hard to avoid helping.
I mean really, really hard.
I garden and have a little knowledge on growing green things and he was asking so many questions.
all
the
time
So, I did what any good wife would do.
I gave in.
He kept showing me pictures of different plants and how to grow certain ways. Picture after picture. But, pictures without explanation honestly did nothing to help me learn to grow.
The plants were just about an inch high when I finally agreed to "help". I knew absolutely, positively zero. That is a big fat 0 on cannabis plants. I have only seen wild hemp growing on the sides of the roads where I grew up. I made a deal with him that if I took over trying to grow, I want to do it my way. He agreed.
Let the adventure begin.
Boy, I did not have a clue what I had gotten myself into.
We transplanted the small little babies (He had gotten two to tail) into their new homes which I just used what I had which was two 20 gallon totes.
I did some quick research and figured out a soil and water/tea concoction for the new plants. He showed me pictures of growing techniques and I was like "oh I know how to do that, it was espalier and bonzai."
I cannot use chemicals so I made living soil and Tea and took on the grow. This is where it got funny. I started touching and moving them around and took off the center to keep the plants stress hormones from releasing so I could work with the plants easier. My husband went nuts. Every time I went cutting and training, tying them down he would wince and make these funny whining sounds. He would ask constantly "are you sure about this?" My answer was always the same."Nope, I have no clue." and I would laugh and smile. What else did he expect? 0 experience.
The whole time I am reading like crazy. Everything I could find on these odd little plants.
The plants grew and grew as I read and read.
I quickly realized I had made some mistakes. Making a few wrong cuts. Soil not deep enough in the pot. Among other things. But I don't believe anything too horrible to affect the end result. I think.
But, I have never seen a full grown cannabis plant let alone grow one!
I made changes, moved the grow area, different lighting, I added CO2. Ventilation. I have excitedly watched the plants grow and I am learning a lot.
One plant is almost four weeks into bloom. The other will go into bloom two weeks. I also started a few clones. That actually made it and they go into flower in two weeks. Ya, the person who was drug kicking and screaming into this whole thing is doing all of that. The person who didn't want to grow one plant is now growing five. (only allowed five in our state)
The thing I did not expect is I became intrigued with the little things. I mean really intrigued. I am having so much fun learning as I go. I have made mistakes but that is what your first grow is about. learning. I am having so much fun with it I plan on using light theory concepts on my next grow. Yup, I am planning our next grow.
But, I need to make it through my first grow first. You grow for the end result. I don't think I can even say I am growing until I complete one grow with good end results. Can I?
I will keep up my grow journals and hopefully, in a few weeks I will be starting my first ever harvest. I will get to see what cannabis blooms look like.
Weird.
I am a person growing cannabis who has never seen cannabis. (only in pictures)
I do smoke for my own medicinal reasons but never have I seen a whole plant. Let alone whole blooms.
Weird?
I am looking forward to savor the end result.
Everyone at 420 has been so helpful. I don't think I would be doing as well as I am if it wasn't for all the great information here. So, thank you for that.

Hello all. I am a person who is highly sensitive to chemicals. pretty much all chemicals. I have even had issues with purchased medical cannabis because of hydroponic or chemical based growing mediums being used. I have been unable to find medical that is grown without chems. so, I decided to grow my own. It has been an amazing journey so far. I am growing indoors. I cannot grow outdoors in my state. I am having great results. Actually unbelievable results by growing chem free. I have read it is very hard growing this way. I am not at harvest quite yet but am so excited to see the fruits of my labor. Are there many growers who grow totally chem free?