Tag: vitathrive

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Why Vitathrive is Our Secret to Sprouting Seeds and Rooting Clones Faster

Do your plants need a boost? Try GreenPlanet Nutrients Vitathrive Propagation Solution! Formulated to provide rooting clones, sprouting seeds, and growing and flowering plants with a major dose of plant-enhancing properties, Vitathrive is a necessary component of any expert grower’s feed program. The most important component of Vitathrive, thiamine or vitamin B1, is a major determining factor in a plant’s metabolism. Not only do B1 vitamins promote and establish a plant’s metabolism, but there’s also evidence that thiamine plays an essential role in plant growth and protection from diseases and environmental stressors. It truly is the perfect plant tonic. If you want to learn more about the power of Vitathrive Propagation Solution, read the following article for additional information.

What is Vitathrive?

Vitathrive is our vitamin and mineral-based supplement. With an N-P-K of 0-0-1 and loaded with vitamin B1, Vitathrive is the perfect additive nutrient for young plants, rooting seedlings, or fresh-cut clones. Use Vitathrive aggressively throughout the vegetative stage, on transplant day, and during any periods of stress to increase root growth, reduce internal stress, and strengthen any plant’s immune response. Vitathrive is also hyper-concentrated. Apply Vitathrive at a rate of 1-2ml per litre (4-8 ml/gal) throughout the entire vegetative and flowering cycle. If your crop looks sad, stressed, or shrivelled, give it a helping hand with a dose of Vitathrive.  

Watch the YouTube Channel, Grow Your Four, use Vitathrive to establish newly cut clones.

The Role of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Defence and Protection

Supplemental vitamin B1 (thiamine) has been a central part of agricultural research since the 1930s. But even in recent years, the role of B vitamins has been cited as a major contributor to plant health. For example, in an article published in 2018, experts argue that there is an overwhelming amount of evidence linked to thiamine and plant protection (Subki et al, 2018, p. 37). More specifically, the study cited found that thiamine carried antioxidant properties. This means that plants high in thiamine were more likely to be resistant to stressors such as low oxygen levels, high and low temperatures, light stress, fungal diseases, and pests (Subki et al, 2018, para. 10).  

Nutrient Uptake and Root Expansion

Plants ingesting additional vitamin B1 have also been shown to have increased nutrient uptake and root expansion, allowing growers to feed their crops with less inorganic elements. This evidence comes from a research paper published in 2017 that looks at the effect of thiamine hydrochloride on the growth and nutrient uptake of mustard greens (Sajjad, 2017, p. 265). The aim of the experiment was to identify differences in growth patterns and habits of nutrient uptake in two strains of mustard greens.

Soak the seeds in water an a B vitamin formula for 15 minutes. This will speed up the sprouting process.

(Robinson, 2012, p. 43 of The Grower’s Hnadbook)

The conclusion of the study was as follows: seeds soaked in an aqueous solution of thiamine had significantly stimulated growth patterns compared to regularly germinated mustard greens (Sajjad, 2017, p. 275). Also, there was a correlation found between vitamin B1 and increased vegetative growth (Sajjad, 2017, p. 275). The study found that plants fed with a solution containing 0.03% thiamine exhibited an increase in natural plant hormones. This increase in hormones resulted in higher rates of photosynthesis, faster growth, and increased nutrient uptake (Sajjad, 2017, p. 275). 

When to Use Vitathrive

GreenPlanet recommends using Vitathrive propagation solution when germinating seeds, propagating clones, or, throughout the entire vegetative period and from weeks 3 – 7 of the flowering stage. During propagation, Vitathrive will enhance the performance and germination success of seedlings and clones. The excess of thiamine will protect young plants from fungal diseases like pythium and exaggerate nutrient uptake, while the kick of potassium (0-0-1) will encourage early root stimulation. 

Cannabis plant cutting in rockwool cube with roots.
Early root stimulation will ensure your cuttings are quickly established in their grow medium.

These benefits are extended into the vegetative and flowering periods. However, the added protection from external stressors such as resistance to high/low temperatures, drought, excess humidity, pests, and disease is magnified as your plant’s uptake vitamin B1. Remember, vitamin B1 cloaks your plant’s in a protective aura. So, if your environmental conditions are less than ideal, or if you’ve come across pests or pathogens, consider adding Vitathrive to your established feeding routine. 

There’s no better time than now to start your garden off right with the help of Vitathrive. For all other inquiries, contact a member of the GreenPlanet sales team, or your local garden supply store for product information and purchasing inquiries. 

Works Cited

  • Subki, A. (2018). The role of thiamine in plants and current perspectives in crop improvement. B Group Vitamins – Current Uses and Perspective. Retrieved November 1st, 2021 from ResearchGate.net 
  • Sajjad, A. (2017). Effects of thiamine hydrochloride on plant growth and nutrient uptake of mustard. Applied & Pure Bio. Retrieved November 1st, 2021 from BiologyJournal.org

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Tips to Prevent Powdery Mildew

If unmanaged, powdery mildew (PM), mould, and fungus can easily devastate a crop. Next to harmful pests, PM is the single most damaging hazard in the garden. PM on plants promotes deficiencies, reduces quality, impairs yields, and severely devalues a crop. If left unchecked, powdery mildew can even encourage rot in fully formed flowers, or worse, curse a grow room with systemic issues of mould, fungus, and plant disease. While fairly common, powdery mildew is a potential hazard that can be easily prevented. However, if problems do arise, products and solutions are widely available to help treat and prevent powdery mildew. Read the following passages to find out more about powdery mildew and solutions available for treatment and prevention.

What is Powdery Mildew? 

Powdery Mildew creates white patches of fungal growth that stand out against the green leaves. 

Powdery Mildew is a fungal disease that is common in a wide variety of plants and typically forms in white splotches on the tops of large fan leaves. Powdery mildew develops fast in environments with high humidity and moderate temperatures. Greenhouses, for example, provide the best environment for the widespread development of plant diseases like powdery mildew. As destructive as PM might be, luckily, it is one of the easiest plant diseases to identify. Plants exposed to spores may appear to have been dusted with flour, as powdery mildew starts off as small, circular white spots and later develops into widespread patches of white mildew that can be wiped or brushed off.

What Causes Powdery Mildew? 

Weak genetics, an unstable environment, and irregular feeding patterns can all contribute to the development of plant disease. For instance, if a mother plant has had previous spells of powdery mildew, the offspring of that plant carries on the disease, and can also be easily susceptible to spores in the future. Environmental conditions present growers with additional concern for the spread of disease.

For example, “day-time” temperatures and levels of humidity are something every indoor gardener is concerned with maintaining. In the range of 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26C) and 50-60 percent humidity, plants have an ideal environment in which to grow. However, “nighttime” temperatures and humidity levels must also be managed and maintained. If not, spikes in humidity coupled with low nighttime temperatures may lead to an increased risk of disease development.

For the best chance of cultivating a disease-free crop:

Breed your own genetics
Maintain a consistent, stable environment
Feed your crop appropriately with nutrient supplements

How to Prevent Powdery Mildew 

If your garden’s genetics and environment are both strong and stable, powdery mildew prevention is the next step to think about on the path to cultivating the cleanest crop possible. Like pest control, the best solution for managing PM is not having it at all. So, before dealing with the headache of disease treatment, consider the options available to stop PM from becoming a problem in the first place. 

Look out for round patches of powder that look like flour.

Environmental Control 

Identifying the environmental factors that put your plants at risk for PM is the first issue to consider when trying to avoid it. If the levels of temperature and humidity in your garden are ideal, the next step to avoiding powdery mildew is to consider the garden’s air movement, plant placement, and potential sources of disease.

PM will thrive in environments with little air movement. So, to increase prevention measures, consider purchasing additional air movers like floor or wall-mount fans – with adequate air movement, all the large fan leaves in your garden should be gently swaying. “Plant placement” is equally important. Plants too close to each other, or too close to the wall will have an increased chance of contracting and spreading diseases like powdery mildew. For the best chance of avoiding the later issues that come with treating PM, make sure that all the plants in your garden have enough physical space to grow and transpire without the extra buildup of humidity. 

Here is an example of good airflow and ventilation for indoor growing.

Finally, if you’ve noticed an unexpected outbreak of powdery mildew, search your outdoor property for potential sources of disease. Plant disease is possible even in the cleanest gardens. If you manage a clean garden that has suddenly contracted PM, it’s quite likely that an outside source of mould has infiltrated your grow room. To combat this concern, consider cleaning outside sources of fungus and protect your crop with clean sources of fresh air: Intake or HEPA filters are a low-cost method of preventing exposure to powdery mildew. 

Strengthen Your Crop With Supplements 

Along with a stable feeding program, the most adept growers enrich their crops with supplements like GreenPlanet Nutrient’s Vitathrive and Plant Guard to build strong plants that are resistant to environmental stress. Vitathrive is GreenPlanet’s propagation supplement that contains a full complement of b-vitamins and elements that aid the plant through the vegetative stage. Among other benefits, Vitathrive helps to reduce the stresses that come from rapid cell growth, environmental conditions, and heavy fruit loads. GreenPlanet’s potassium silicate supplement, Plant Guard, also helps prepare your plants for poor environmental conditions by strengthening cell walls and increasing resistance to environmental stress.

How to Treat Powdery Mildew 

If you’re concerned about contracting PM, inspect your crop daily for the earliest possible signs of disease. Depending on the control solution, plants can be treated for powdery mildew at any stage of growth; however, treating your plants sooner rather than later is ideal, as some treatment methods can negatively affect the outcome of plants in flower. A wide variety of treatment solutions are available for plants in the vegetative stages, these include home-remedy options, sulfur sprays or burners, and/or chemical removal. While these treatment options are effective against powdery mildew, most are not recommended during the flowering period. 

Need continued support with your crop? GreenPlanet is here to help!  For more information about the products mentioned above, please contact GreenPlanet Nutrients directly. For all other inquiries about products and services offered by GreenPlanet, contact our team or your local garden supply store for more information. 

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