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Plant hormones in cannabis cultivation

Phytohormones-at-Cannabis

How to use plant hormones in cannabis cultivation

Hormones produced in the human body have a great influence on our metabolism, our behaviour and our physical condition. Hormones are not only produced by humans, however, but are also found in plants and animals.

In the course of the life cycle of the cannabis plant, hormones control various areas such as growth, development and maturation. These plant hormones are also called phytohormones. Phytohormones regulate the morphology and metabolism of cannabis plants and also the reaction of plants to environmental conditions such as pests, weather or stress.

Certain external conditions cause the formation and release of phytohormones to increase the plants' chances of survival and growth. These organic compounds are already effective in very small doses. Every reaction of the plant is an interaction of 2 or more phytohormones. Plant hormones occur naturally in plants, but are also synthesised. They are often called growth regulators and must be dosed very precisely. Furthermore, the right time of use or the respective growth phase must be taken into account. The grower can use the positive effects of plant hormones to increase yields and the quality of the harvest.

In the following, we would like to introduce you to the most important phytohormones, their effect on plants and their possible uses in growing.

Coconut water cannabis

Coconut water is a rich source of numerous phytohormones, especially cytokinins.

Hormones are a type of natural chemical messengers and signals produced by an organism to enable the functioning of the organism and cells. Hormones are produced in very small quantities and only in certain parts of the body before they are transported to the part of the body where they are needed. In humans and animals, this is done through the so-called endocrine system (a network of glands), which produces and stores hormones, and then transports them via the circulatory system to the appropriate destination. Plants do not have an endocrine system. All plant cells can produce hormones, which are then transported via the plant's own juices or from cell to cell or used locally.

Most plant hormones promote and influence plant growth in different ways. The interaction of the different plant hormones is particularly decisive. The ageing process of the plant is also the result of a complex interaction of different hormones such as ethylene, auxin-cytokinin and gibberellin.
Plant hormones play an important role in the transition to flowering and in the course of this phase. When the cannabis plants start flowering, the production of auxin decreases and the production of gibberrellin, which is also responsible for elongation at the beginning of flowering, increases. At the same time, the production of cytokinin, which is responsible for the formation of new shoots and flower buds, is increased.

Auxins

Auxins represent a group of plant hormones that regulate growth and photoperiod. Auxins are included in many rooting preparations because they cause roots to form on the stem. They can also be used to increase the overall root growth of the plant.

Auxins play an important role in the following processes:

  • Fructification
  • Cell division and elongation of the plants, leads to stronger branches
  • Leaf formation, falling off of leaves when they are no longer needed
  • Root formation and development
  • Water absorption
  • Apical dominance: The growth of side shoots is suppressed in favour of the growth of the main shoot. (vertical growth)
  • Photoperiod: reaction of plants to changes in light time
  • Gravitropism: Roots grow positively gravitropically, i.e. according to gravity; shoots and shoot axes grow negatively gravitropically, i.e. against gravity.

Auxins belong to the main group of growth hormones and were the first to be studied in detail. They cause, for example, a seedling to move towards the light. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is the most potent naturally occurring auxin. It is mainly produced in young leaves, shoots and in developing flowers. However, this auxin is unstable and is therefore not used as a regulator in commercial cultivation. IAA is found in high concentrations in kelp, in shoots of willows and in coconut water. The synthetic version of this phytohormone is idol-3-butyric acid, which is also found in Clonex is also contained in Auxins, like all phytohormones, are produced by plants in very small quantities. In highly concentrated and synthetic form, they have a strong growth-inhibiting effect and are even used for weed control.

Auxins help growers increase root development and serve as a general growth stimulator during the growing phase. A decoction of germinated pulses such as lentils and chickpeas are a source of auxins. Besides the supply of auxins from external sources, the auxin content of the plants can also be influenced in the plants themselves by physical means, e.g. low-stress training. This brings the plants into a desired shape.

Sprouted chickpeas

Chickpea sprouts can be used to make a fertiliser additive that is rich in auxins.

Triacontanol

This plant growth stimulator is found in a variety of natural sources such as alfalfa, sugar cane and beeswax. Triacontanol is a "fatty alcohol" and is sometimes called melissyl or myrcicyl alcohol. It is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Research has shown that triacontanol is a powerful growth stimulator that regulates basic metabolic processes such as photosynthesis, enzyme activity, uptake of CO2 and much more. In the right dosage, triacontanol significantly increases the amount of chlorophyll in leaves and improves the rate of photosynthesis. Similarly, it increases cell growth in the roots, creating a resilient root zone that allows for increased nutrient uptake. Due to its strong regulating properties, the phytohormone significantly increases yields. Triacontanol is found in particularly high concentrations in lucerne plants and alfalfa. A tea made from dried alfalfa promotes seedlings and plants, but should not be used too frequently or too concentrated as a foliar fertiliser.

Triacontanol has many important functions:

  • Yield increase, weight gain
  • Increasing growth
  • Increase enzyme activity
  • improved chlorophyll production and CO2 assimilation
  • Improving the germination capacity and germination rate of seeds
  • Increased bud and flower formation
  • stronger root growth
  • Increase in the number of leaves with simultaneous enlargement of the leaf surfaces
  • greater branching
  • Prevention of early leaf, bud and fox fall,
  • Earlier maturity for flowering
  • Improving resilience
  • increased nutrient uptake
  • improved water balance
  • Promotion of protein synthesis

The flower booster Massive from Green Planet contains Triacontanol

Cytokinins

Cytokinins promote cell division in the root tips and shoots. They also influence the ageing process of the leaves. These phytohorms are mainly found in coconut milk. They drive metabolism by increasing the transport of sugars and increasing flower development on lateral branches.

The concentrationn of cytokinins is highest in young leaves, shoots and seeds. If the hormone is added to the planting medium or if the leaves are sprayed with it, you can achieve that nutrients are better absorbed and the flowering is accelerated. However, the maturation of the flowers takes the same time as with untreated plants.

Maize plant hormones

Maize is the perfect source of cytokinins: a tea made from maize shoots stimulates the plants during the growing and flowering phase.

The tasks of cytokinins:

  • Promote cell division
  • Leaf formation and enlargement of the leaves
  • Reduction of apical dominance
  • Delay of the ageing process: treated leaves stay green longer
  • Increase in earnings
  • Larger flowers

If you use cytokinins together with other phytohormones, you should proceed with caution. Auxins and cytokinins can have opposite effects on each other. A high proportion of auxins in relation to cytokinins promotes root development. A low proportion promotes shoot formation. As the height of the plant increases, the effect of the hormone decreases. Maize, coconut water and seaweed are considered excellent sources of cytokinins. Make a (seedling) brew to boost your plants, promote stronger branches and achieve larger flowers.

Zeatin is a cytokine and growth hormone used to increase lateral plant growth and the number of flowering starts. Seaweed and Alg-A-Mic contain a high proportion of zeatin.

Giberellin

  • Giberellin has many important functions within the plant:
  • stimulates cell elongation
  • stimulates germination
  • Promotes and increases flower development
  • Increases trichome formation
  • delays the ageing process in leaves
  • Root development
  • Response to environmental stress

Giberellins are natural growth hormones that work together with auxins to wake the seed from its dormancy. They also increase seed germination, stem diameter and fibre content, and stimulate cell division. So far, more than 75 plant-based giberellins have been found. Giberellic acid is the most common.

Giberellins are key for the initiation of flowering. They promote the formation of buds and trichomes and stimulate branch growth and root formation. They also help plants cope with environmental factors and are mainly found in young leaves, in the flowers and in the root system.

As soon as the cannabis seeds come into contact with water, gibberellin is formed in the embryo, activating the plant metabolism and initiating germination. Above all Seaweed and Seaweed contain a lot of gibberellin. Dwarfism is often a typical symptom of gibberellin deficiency. An excess, on the other hand, leads to long and weak branches.

seaweed cannabis

Gibberrelin is widely used in commercial agriculture, e.g. to increase the life span of flowers or to increase fruit size. The correct dosage is of great importance: the gap between a dose that triggers flowering and a dose that suppresses flowering is only small.

Gibberellic acid is used by growers when older cannabis seeds are to be germinated. It is sometimes used in the production of feminised seeds, although this method is largely obsolete. A good source of gibberellins are also seaweed and algae products, which provide the plants with many important macro- and micronutrients and cause great plant growth. If the wrong dosage is used, gibberellin can lead to very slender and lanky plants.

Abscisic acid

Abscisic acid plays a major role in the response of plants to environmental stress such as cold or drought.

Abscisic acid performs the following functions:

  • Promotes seed dormancy
  • Inhibits the growth of the seedling
  • stimulates the closing of the stomata and stops perspiration
  • involved in leaf ageing
  • Promotes rooting
  • Inhibits fruit ripening
  • while all other plant hormones promote growth in certain ways, abscisic acid inhibits growth. It counteracts the effects of the other phytohormones and
  • prevents seeds from germinating under unfavourable environmental conditions, e.g. cold. It prevents plants from forming new leaves during drought.

When winter comes, the plants produce abscisic acid in their flowers. This stops the growth.

Plant hormones cannabis drought

Abscisic acid is of great importance for the plant's reaction to drought.

Ethylene

Ethylene is a naturally occurring hormone that activates the ripening and ageing of flowers and fruits. Ethylene is naturally produced by the breakdown of methylene and is found in all parts of the plant, especially in ripe fruits and older cells. It counteracts the effects of auxin and activates the ageing process in plants. Ethylene is important for breaking seed dormancy and at the same time promotes germination.

The functions of ethylene:

  • Helps with the germination of seeds
  • regulates stress reactions
  • increases the length of the petioles and the internode distances
  • Stimulates and regulates fruit ripeness
  • Interrupts seed dormancy

High concentrations of ethylene occur mainly during stress. In very windy regions or when the fan is too strong indoors, the plants start to produce more ethylene. This increases the diameter of the plant stems and thus helps the plant to protect itself against the wind.

Female cannabis flowers need much more ethylene for their development than male flowers. Young plants should not be supplied with additional ethylene, as this can result in dwarfism and low flowering growth. Stressed and flowering plants release ethylene, which must be removed by fans and aerators. Otherwise, the flowers may ripen prematurely, which is accompanied by small mini-buds.

Phytohormones-at-Cannabis

In poorly ventilated grow rooms, an increased concentration of ethylene occurs, which can also lead to small flowers and increased yellow leaves. Treating seeds with ethylene before sowing shows positive results in terms of growth, flowering, yield, rooting and maturation of cannabis.
Additive products containing ethylene are mostly liquid and for spraying. The phytohormone should not be used in hot weather (when the lights are on) or in too high a dosage. In that case, it can have a toxic effect on the plants.

Brassinolide

Brassinolides regulate the development and growth of plants. They promote the elongation of branches and stimulate root growth and cell division. The phytohormone is also involved in stress response, resistance to cold, pollen development and ageing. This plant hormone was the first to be isolated in 1979. Since then, many more brassinolides have been discovered. Plants with dwarfism and mutations often have a brassinolide deficiency.

Functions of brassinolides:

  • Act together with auxins for cell expansion
  • Stimulates root growth
  • strengthens the plants during cold and drought
  • stimulate cell division
  • Promotes germination

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a natural precursor of the painkiller asprin. It occurs naturally in high concentrations in young willow shoots.

The function of salicylic acid:

  • Induces a natural defence against pests and other pathogens.
  • Alleviates stress from heat and overwatering
  • Influences the germination of the seeds
  • Involved in photosynthesis, flower formation and maturation
  • Promotes root formation

A homemade "willow water" promotes root development and the overall health of cannabis plants. Make an infusion from young, fresh and crushed willow shoots. Add the chopped willow shoots to boiling water and leave to infuse overnight. The next day you can use the "willow tea" for leaf fertilisation or irrigation. Willow water is also an excellent and natural way to root cuttings.

Willow Water Cuttings-Cannabis

Willow water from young willow shoots is rich in salicylic acid and perfect as a natural rooting agent.

In the field of phytohorms, their effects and possible applications, more research is needed. We know that plant regulators can offer both advantages and disadvantages. Plant growth regulators obtained from natural raw materials show positive, strongly regulating and hardly any negative effects. The use of synthetic growth regulators, however, manipulates yields and the development of plants, and can be associated with quality losses and possible health risks.

We therefore recommend: Avoid the use of synthetic plant hormones because they can have a harmful effect on human health and also on the environment.