So, how do Coastal Redwoods get so big? Well it’s not the N-P-K that you’re putting on! First of all, these monsters are so big that they need a ton of water. Water is the medium for photosynthesis, nutrient transfer, germination (redwoods are conifers – they produce...
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The HEAT is ON!
There are many abiotic stressors which impede the growth and development of crops, but heat stress can have the greatest impact in reducing crop yields and the total biomass of the plant. Heat stress is especially detrimental when high temperatures disrupt the...
Playing Catch-Up – Stimulating Plant Growth and Fruit Development
The current warmer temperatures will help growers in the catch up game we’re playing this season to accelerate plant growth and fruit ripening, but are there other options that can help? A few of the factors that control plant growth rate, in addition to its genetic...
The Benefits of Greater Brix Levels in Plants
The sugar levels in a plant are like a gauge of photosynthetic activity. They are also a gauge of the health of the plant; the higher the sugar levels, the healthier the plant. Plants are every bit as complex as animals. Just like us, they have specialized cells and...
It’s About the Microbes First, Nutrients Second
Even though our soils are composed of almost 50% minerals, many of these minerals are not in a form that a plant can use. Plants need to be able to process nutrients to grow, photosynthesize, flower, pollinate and produce fruit. But nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus and...
Vital Compounds From the Sea to Your Soil
Many growers have become comfortable with adding seaweeds or kelps into their crop programs, given their ability have a “hormone-like” effect on a plant. Plants produce hormones naturally to regulate certain functions. Seaweeds and kelps are especially good at...
If You’re Not Using Biostimulants, You Should!
Agricultural growing practices have been evolving towards organic, sustainable or environmentally friendly systems. Part of that process is growers being open to the application of a new line of tools that complement the plant’s natural operating system. Plant...
Excess Phosphorus: When You Have Too Much of a Good Thing
Phosphorus is crucial for plant growth. It helps plants acquire, transfer and store the energy that helps them flourish. But, as is so often the case in plant biology, you can have too much of this good thing. Phosphorus buildup is caused by excessive use of inorganic...
What Drought? Now Too Much Water Can Be A Problem
With the much needed rainfall that we received this season still ongoing, it’s important to note that extra water can have a detrimental effect on soil fertility. In poor soils where nutrients have little organic matter to cling to, or even in good soils that have...
The Many Beneficial Effects of Flavonoids
As we head into bloom for many of our perennials, it’s important to do all that we can to ensure pollen tube germination and hormone transport. Let’s look at flavonoids. In plants, flavonoids are secondary metabolites that act as pigments but also play important roles...