Producing top quality cannabis is ever more important in a market that is getting increasingly competitive. Obviously, all starts with cultivation, so it's of the utmost importance that growers bring their A-grow game, and have their plants express their full genetic potential. "At MIIMHort, we focus on understanding how plants interact with their environment and how growers can optimize those natural responses," says Colin Bell from MIIMHort. One key area of interest is plant defense and stimulation through biochemical signals. Chitosal and Microbial Mass Pro are two products that tap into these natural mechanisms, helping plants maximize their potential."
Triggering immune responses
Plants are not passive organisms. They constantly sense their surroundings, responding to potential threats by activating immune responses. Chitosal is a biochemical signal that plants recognize, helping them prepare for stressors before they become a real problem. "Chitosal is a combination of salicylic acid and chitosan," explains Colin. "Chitosan comes from fungal cell walls, which plants can detect as a sign of infection. It triggers a similar immune response to what they would do if a pathogen was present."
For cannabis, this response is particularly valuable. When the plant senses a fungal threat or biochemical pressure, it ramps up resin production. "It's a very safe way to trigger a plant's natural defenses," Colin adds. "Cannabis plants are already wired to respond this way, which makes Chitosal an effective tool."
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Improving root zone
Beyond biochemical signaling, microbial interactions in the root zone play a crucial role in plant health. Microbial Mass Pro is a concentrated blend of three microbial strains designed to enhance nutrient cycling, root development, and overall plant metabolism. "These microbes help the plant take up more of what it needs and even improve plant quality responses," Colin explains. "The idea is to maximize yield without sacrificing quality."
The microbes in Microbial Mass Pro are dormant in the bottle, meaning they have a long shelf life and can be used in a variety of applications. "You can put them in the reservoir, and they stay effective. It's an easy addition to any integrated pest management (IPM) strategy," Colin notes.
While a lot of data on Chitosal is more anecdotal, trials with Microbial Mass Pro showed extremely positive results. "There's definitely strain specificity - some cultivars respond better than others," Colin says. "But in trials we've run, yield increases ranged from 2 grams to 15 grams per square foot. When you scale that up, it adds up quickly."
Many growers use both Chitosal and Microbial Mass Pro, as they serve different but complementary functions. "Chitosal can also be used as a foliar application, while Microbial Mass Pro works in the root zone. You're hitting the plant with different stimuli to maximize success," Colin explains.
Biostimulants
The team at MIIMHort sees biostimulants as part of a broader ecosystem of plant care they want to fully tackle. "Think about it from a holistic perspective - fertility and nutrition, pest management, biostimulants, and hygiene all play a role," Colin says. "Our goal is to develop solutions that fit into each of these categories, making sure growers have what they need to succeed."
The market has faced its challenges, especially in recent years, but the focus remains on aligning the right product with the right market conditions and team. "2023 was a tough year -the market crashed hard in 2022-2023," Colin reflects. "But these challenges help us refine our approach and build a strong foundation for the future."
"At its core, MIIMHort is about giving growers the tools they need to enhance their crops naturally. Whether through Chitosal's immune-boosting properties or Microbial Mass Pro's root-stimulating microbes, the goal is to support plants in doing what they do best - growing strong and producing high-quality yields."
For more information:
MiiM Horticulture
Unit 201 - 7575 North Fraser Way, Burnaby, BC V5J 4Z3
+1 604-415-7767
info@miimhort.com
miimhort.com