In this episode, I sit down again with Bryant Mason of Soil Doctor Consulting for a fast-paced, practical conversation on the fundamentals growers often overlook. We dig into low-tech monitoring tools, pH behavior in organic systems, water testing basics, under-canopy lighting, and smarter phosphorus and nitrogen management. If you want a grounded look at what actually moves the needle in cultivation, this one delivers.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. David Hawley to talk about what plants actually care about when it comes to light. We dig into how to think in DLI instead of just chasing PPFD numbers, why uniformity matters more than raw power, and how spectrum fine-tunes rather than defines your grow. David breaks down what far-red and UV really do (and don’t do), how to manage leaf temperature as light intensity climbs, and why clean lenses and smart dimming often beat a fancy new fixture. It’s a practical, myth-busting chat about using light as a tool—not a trophy—and it’s packed with tips you can apply right away whether you’re running a living soil facility or just trying to dial in a tent at home.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. David Hawley to talk about what plants actually care about when it comes to light. We dig into how to think in DLI instead of just chasing PPFD numbers, why uniformity matters more than raw power, and how spectrum fine-tunes rather than defines your grow. David breaks down what far-red and UV really do (and don’t do), how to manage leaf temperature as light intensity climbs, and why clean lenses and smart dimming often beat a fancy new fixture. It’s a practical, myth-busting chat about using light as a tool—not a trophy—and it’s packed with tips you can apply right away whether you’re running a living soil facility or just trying to dial in a tent at home.

Plants don’t just endure stress—they use it. In this episode, Dr. José Leme joins me to explore how mechanical vibration, super cropping, and controlled water restriction affect plant physiology, trichome density, and secondary metabolite production. We also break down recent research on jasmonates, drought signaling, and why your method of measuring trichomes matters more than you think.

Shane Torpey of MIGRO joins Tad to break down the latest in grow lighting for 2025. They cover far-red, intra-canopy lighting, LED vs. HPS, maximizing PPFD without CO₂, dimming schedules, and what really matters when choosing a grow light. A must-listen for growers looking to boost yields through smarter lighting.

In this episode, we sit down with Connor Ockfen, a seasoned cultivator and propagation lead at Collective Elevation in Montana. Connor manages a large-scale cloning and vegetative program that produces over 15,000 clones a year. He shares actionable insights into mother plant care, clone uniformity, rooting protocols, environmental management, and how to maintain genetic integrity across a commercial cultivar library — all while staying in compliance with Montana’s state tracking systems. This is a must-listen for anyone involved in propagation, veg, or commercial-scale plant production.

In this episode of the Cannabis Cultivation and Science Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Michael Gutensohn, an expert in plant physiology and secondary metabolism, to explore the intricate relationship between environmental stress and the production of secondary metabolites in cannabis. We discuss how various abiotic stressors—such as light intensity, temperature fluctuations, and nutrient availability—can influence the biosynthesis of key phytochemicals, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Dr. Gutensohn shares insights from his research on plant defense mechanisms, metabolic signaling pathways, and how growers might harness controlled stress to enhance both plant resilience and phytochemical output. Whether you’re a cultivator aiming to fine-tune your grow environment or a scientist delving into cannabis metabolomics, this episode offers valuable, research-backed perspectives on optimizing secondary metabolite production through stress modulation.

In this episode we talk about a recent calibration issue and Logan Labs and what the implications are, what are the limitations and benefits of soil testing, nitrogen management, and a new educational course Bryant is working on.

Some exciting Cannabis Cultivation & Science Conference updates and practical tips and tricks from Jared Ferguson, the greenhouse and fertility manager at Collective Elevation in Bozeman, MT.

Saul began his agriculture work in vineyard and winery operations on the Central California coast.  After deciding to focus his career on crop protection he moved north where he managed IPM programs at Monterey Mushroom Company and Jacobs Farm/Del Cabo.  This work led to a position as IPM Manager at Harborside Farms where he directed their bio-intensive greenhouse cannabis IPM program.  Saul now works as a Technical Sales Representative for BioBee USA.

Dr. Nadia Sabeh is the best in the industry when it comes to air flow and environmental controls related to plants. It was great to get her back on the podcast to talk about what she sees coming up in 2025 and how we can be more efficient with our grow room in regards to energy consumption.

Suzanne has been a regular guest on the show due to her expertise in pest management and biocontrols. In this episode, we dive into a variety of topics that are important aspects of understanding pesticides, isopod management, and much much more. This is part two of a two part interview.

Suzanne has been a regular guest on the show due to her expertise in pest management and biocontrols. In this episode, we dive into a variety of topics that are important aspects of understanding pesticides, isopod management, and much much more. This is part one of a two part interview.

There's a lot of information about the environmental impacts of peat moss and other horticultural substrates. Dr. James Altland digs into the actual data around peat moss and how it compares to alternative options.

As part of my effort to bring successful cultivators on the podcast to share their experiences, this week's interview with Christine talks about many of the challenges they have overcome in their multi-tier facility as well as some of the tips and tricks she's learned along the way.

There's a lot of information available online these days around cannabis cultivation as well as it's potential medical benefits and risks. In this episode, I talk with Christine Goedhart from the University of British Columbia about her recent Biology of Cannabis course and how she created the curriculum and also about how to evaluate an authoritative source of information. We also discuss the myriad of products and marketing that make it difficult to separate really good research from poor quality science.

There are many similarities between the Giant Pumpkin and Cannabis Communities as well as cultivation techniques and fertility. In this episode I sit down with Matthew DeBacco, who founded and teaches the first cannabis horticulture courses at a public university (University of Connecticut) and is also a giant pumpkin grower.

This week's episode is all about tissue culture and micropropagation. My guest has done extensive research on the subject in relation to cannabis and published optimal media and lighting recommendations for the industry. If this is a subject you're in, you really need to check out this podcast and look into the published papers by Dr. Zarei.

Adam Arnold of Collective Elevation in Bozeman, Montana shares how they are able to grow in an extreme environment and run one of the largest living soil greenhouse facilities in the United States. This episode is full of a lot of great advice for growers on all scales and expertise.

Viruses and Viroids have become more of an issue in cannabis in recent years. In this episode we talk about best practices, testing options, and the economic impact of these pathogens.