For growers, protecting cannabis from mold is an important task for maintaining the health of the plant and the entire future crop. The “disease” can manifest itself in the early stages of crop maturation, on an adult plant during the growing season, and even after harvesting. To get a healthy and strong harvest, you need to properly care for the mini-plantation and deal with the problems that have appeared in proven ways.
Why mold occurs and how to prevent it
Mold is a fungus of different types, so the fight against it is equated to the eradication of mycelium and mycelium. When you know the causes of mold, it is easier to deal with it. Fungi spread best under the following conditions:
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improper soil preparation;
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excessively high humidity;
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insufficient air circulation;
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watering with cold or hard water;
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high temperatures;
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insufficient amount of light and ultraviolet radiation.
To prevent the development of mold in cannabis, you need to take care of the quality of the soil in which the seeds will germinate. The substrate should be light, loose and sterile, and the containers thoroughly rinsed. A cannabis pot is best pre-treated with vinegar, soda or alcohol. It is not recommended to use outdoor soil: it has a dense consistency and can be contaminated with harmful microorganisms. After planting the crops, do not forget to regularly ventilate the grow box, water the plants with settled water at room temperature and arrange sunbathing for them.
The most common types of mold on seedlings
Some sources say that fungi contribute to the mineralization of organic matter and allow plants to receive more nutrients. This plus works only when it comes to large seedlings. Plants with small seeds will not benefit from mold, so it needs to be dealt with as early as possible. Usually seedlings are affected by:
- gray mold – characterized by the appearance of small dots of white and blue color on the leaves, in the stems and fruits of plants. The beginning of mold development in hemp buds is almost impossible to notice, which makes it difficult to fight.
- putrefactive mold (“black leg”) – provokes a loss of elasticity of the stem with further darkening and death of the plant. Cannabis may also experience yellowing of the leaves and lethargy.
- powdery mildew affects greenery during flowering and vegetation. It is characterized by the appearance of a grayish mycelium on the inside of the leaves.
Growers often encounter white or greenish mold on the soil where they grow cannabis. The fungus quickly spreads over the surface of the substrate and can kill immature shoots.
Do not confuse white mold with salt deposits. It feels harder to the touch and is formed when watering with hard water or frequent experiments with fertilizers.
How to Get Rid of Mold on Cannabis Plants
The only way to deal with the “black leg” and powdery mildew is to eliminate the entire plant. There is no saving it, and the sooner you get rid of the diseased bush, the less likely it is that moldy cannabis will infect other plants.
An integrated method is better suited for pest control. First, manually remove the top layer of damaged soil with a toothpick or wooden stick. Carefully cut off unusable and affected leaves with scissors. Be sure to disinfect tools with alcohol or vinegar. So that the roots do not become bare, add fresh, clean soil.
Then it is required to deprive the microorganisms of the opportunity to spread. For this you should:
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Set the temperature in the grow box to 25°C or higher.
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Lower humidity below 50%.
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Ventilate seedlings more often.
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Increase daylight.
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Check plants regularly for warning signs.
In case mold has appeared on marijuana buds, you need to get rid of all the damaged parts. Do this very carefully so as not to transfer the spores to other parts of the plant.
If you want to get a quality product rich in useful substances, it is recommended to use antifungal agents as a last resort and when you are sure of their safety.
