2023 Guide to Hemp Production - 6

CULTIVATION
TRIALING
NEW GENETICS
Treadwell Farms' extensive program for
testing different hemp cultivars has led to
some important observations for growing
the crop.
BY JAVIER GARCES
C
hoosing the right genetics is one of the most
critical decisions growers face. At Treadwell
Farms, we have grown over 40 hemp cultivars
beginning with the Florida Agricultural Mechanical
University (FAMU) Hemp pilot project in 2020. Florida
has a very unique growing environment compared
to other states, and we feel it is very important
to run trials prior to offering specific genetics to
our customers. We have also grown these various
genetics throughout the last several years using
different growing methods including in-ground
outdoor production (raised beds with plastic mulch
and drip tape), as well as containerized production in
greenhouses, shadehouses and outdoors on ground
cloth. We have been very fortunate to work with a
diverse group of farmers spread throughout the state
growing in these various methods.
Irrigation & Fertilization
Genetically speaking, even though the various
cultivars come from the same species, we have
observed wide differences in irrigation and fertilization
requirements, as well as in susceptibility or tolerance
to insect pests and diseases. As for fertilization
requirements, at Treadwell Farms we allow the crop
to somewhat dictate the fertilization regime. When
growing in containers, we take both pour-through
leachate readings and send off tissue samples to a
lab for analysis. There are several labs, both staterun
and private, that will analyze for plant nutrient
levels, soil/media samples, and disease analysis. The
pour-through technique is a way growers are able to
6 | 2023 GUIDE TO HEMP PRODUCTION
Image 1. Botrytis bud rot. Photo: Javier Garces.
check the pH and EC or ppm (two different units to
measure the same thing) of container crops on site.
The pH refers to how acidic or basic a soil is, while the
EC/ppm provides a measure of the overall soluble salt
concentration of the soil. These are both indicators of
the amount and availability of nutrients for the plant.
This technique is performed as follows: 30 minutes
to two hours after irrigation, ½ cup (120 mL; 4 fl.
oz.) of distilled water is poured over the surface
of a 1 gallon container or 1 ½ cups over a 3 gallon
container for pine bark/sand potting mixes. If the
media contains peat moss or other organic substrate
amendments, additional water may be required. The
leachate can then be captured when it runs out of
the bottom of the container to measure pH and EC/
ppm. Use the appropriate meter to collect data, be
sure that the instrument is calibrated (weekly or as
needed). This information should be recorded on a
data collection sheet and provides the grower the
nutritional status of the media in those containers.
Plant tissue samples are collected at various points
throughout the growing season and sent off to a lab for
nutritional analysis. This gives the grower information
if there is any nutritional imbalance during the different
growth phases of the crop's life cycle. This allows us
to correct any issues prior to the plants exhibiting
deficiency symptoms, and can also confirm the issue
if symptoms are already being observed. Growing
different cultivars, we have observed that certain
genetics will take more fertilizer compared to other
cultivars, even though they were planted at the same
date, same age and same size. For example, some
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