Guest: Julie Graesch
Biological Scientist | IPM Specialist
Currently with BioWorks
Formerly: BASF, Becker Underwood, Iowa State University

What “entomopathogenic fungi” actually means

How fungi like Beauveria and Metarhizium infect insect pests

Differences between blastospores and conidia

Why formulation and environmental conditions matter

Common reasons fungal biocontrol applications fail

Preventative vs. reactive use of entomopathogenic fungi

Integrating fungal biologicals into a broader IPM strategy

Entomopathogenic fungi are biological tools, not chemical knockdowns

Understanding fungal life cycles improves consistency and outcomes

Blastospores behave differently than traditional spore formulations

Successful IPM relies on timing, environment, and integration—not rescue sprays

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n this conversation with plant scientist and commercial cultivation strategist Dr. Matthew Indest, we explore the emerging frontier of seed-based cannabis production and what it would take for the industry to move beyond clonal propagation.

We cover:

The agronomic upside of seed-grown plants (disease resistance, vigor, adaptability, cost savings)

The scientific and operational barriers preventing widespread seed adoption

How genetic stability, inbreeding depression, and trait selection differ between cannabis and traditional crops

Data-driven cultivation strategies for evaluating new seed lines

Whether seed-based production can truly rival clonal systems for consistency and top-tier flower quality

What the next decade of cannabis breeding and cultivation might look like

About Dr. Indest:
Matthew holds a Ph.D. in plant science and has spent more than a decade bridging academic research with applied cannabis production. He has led breeding and cultivation programs across indoor, greenhouse, and outdoor operations and focuses on developing high-performing cultivars and integrated, data-backed production systems.

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This wide-ranging conversation with Bryant Mason covers a series of essential—but frequently misunderstood—topics in organic cultivation. We explore why simple, low-tech data collection strategies often outperform high-tech systems and how to interpret those readings in the real world. From there, we break down how pH truly behaves in biologically active soils, what your water test results do and don’t tell you, and how water chemistry shapes nutrient availability.

We also discuss practical considerations for under-canopy lighting, when it helps and when it’s a distraction, and dig into the recurring challenges Bryant sees around phosphorus and nitrogen management in living soil. Throughout the episode we jump between concepts, case studies, and troubleshooting insights that growers can apply immediately.

Topics Covered:

Low-tech monitoring and data-collection approaches

pH dynamics in organic systems

Water testing and interpreting results

Under-canopy lighting: pros, cons, and real-world use

Phosphorus and nitrogen management in living soil

Practical troubleshooting and decision-making strategies

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In this conversation, Tad and Dr. David Hawley (Chief Science Officer at Fluence) unpack what really matters when dialing in your lighting strategy for cannabis and other high-value crops. They get deep into how plants perceive light, what “good spectrum” actually means, and how to think about intensity, uniformity, and plant response in a more scientific (and practical) way.

Topics covered include:

Understanding Daily Light Integral (DLI) and how it relates to plant metabolism

When to use far-red and what to expect from it

The truth about UV lighting and secondary metabolite production

Managing leaf temperature and avoiding hidden stress from high PPFD

How fixture placement and uniformity impact yield and morphology

Using dimming strategies through different growth stages

Why overemphasizing spectrum specs can distract from the real gains

Practical steps for mapping your grow and verifying performance

David also shares insights on under-canopy lighting, canopy architecture, and the future of horticultural light design, offering takeaways for both commercial cultivators and serious home growers.

Resources mentioned:

Fluence by OSRAM

KiS Organics Living Soil & Nutrients

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In this conversation, Tad and Dr. David Hawley (Chief Science Officer at Fluence) unpack what really matters when dialing in your lighting strategy for cannabis and other high-value crops. They get deep into how plants perceive light, what “good spectrum” actually means, and how to think about intensity, uniformity, and plant response in a more scientific (and practical) way.

Topics covered include:

Understanding Daily Light Integral (DLI) and how it relates to plant metabolism

When to use far-red and what to expect from it

The truth about UV lighting and secondary metabolite production

Managing leaf temperature and avoiding hidden stress from high PPFD

How fixture placement and uniformity impact yield and morphology

Using dimming strategies through different growth stages

Why overemphasizing spectrum specs can distract from the real gains

Practical steps for mapping your grow and verifying performance

David also shares insights on under-canopy lighting, canopy architecture, and the future of horticultural light design, offering takeaways for both commercial cultivators and serious home growers.

Resources mentioned:

Fluence by OSRAM

KiS Organics Living Soil & Nutrients

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Can stress actually improve flower quality? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. José Leme to dive into the science of plant stimuli and how growers can apply it in practice. We cover:

🌿 Mechanical cues — how super cropping and vibration trigger plant defense pathways.

💧 Water restriction — why moderate, timed drought can shift carbon toward secondary metabolites like terpenes and cannabinoids.

🧪 Jasmonates (MeJA) — when they increase trichome density, and what trade-offs you need to consider.

🔬 Trichome measurement pitfalls — why bracts are the gold standard for consistent data.

🌱 Propagation & trial design — the importance of clonal fidelity and standardized protocols when testing stress strategies.

Dr. Leme and I also highlight practical guardrails for growers: cultivar differences, timing, and the “sweet spot” between beneficial stress and damaging stress.

📄 Referenced Studies:

Water Deficit Stress and Secondary Metabolites

Jasmonates in Growth, Trichomes, and Cannabinoids

Metabolic Responses to Water Deficit

Trichome Sampling & Quantification Methods

Trigonelline as a Biomarker for Drought Stress (Preprint)

Propagation & Clonal Fidelity in Cannabis Research

Additional vibration study discussed in the episode.

🎧 Whether you’re a grower, consultant, or researcher, this conversation will give you a framework for using stress not as a risk—but as a precision tool to enhance plant quality.

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This week on the Cannabis Cultivation and Science Podcast, we're diving deep into lighting and photobiology with Shane Torpey, founder of MIGRO. With a background in engineering and construction, Shane turned his passion for growing into a global grow lighting company known for trusted reviews and educational content.

We break down what’s working—and what’s not—in cannabis lighting for 2025, including:

Far-red and intra-canopy lighting

LED vs. HPS and how to transition

Maximizing PPFD without added CO₂

Dimming schedules at sunrise/sunset

The impact of lenses on LED light penetration

What really matters when choosing a grow light

Emerging technologies shaping the future of cultivation

Whether you’re scaling a facility or dialing in your home grow, this episode gives you the tools to make smarter lighting decisions rooted in science and real-world data.

Links to channels here:

https://www.youtube.com/@MIGROLIGHT

https://www.instagram.com/migrolight/

https://www.facebook.com/MIGROLIGHT/

https://www.tiktok.com/@migrolight

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Connor’s journey from greenhouse grower to propagation leader

Scaling propagation: key infrastructure and protocols

Hormonal treatments and substrate selection for optimal rooting

Managing cultivar libraries and mother plant health

IPM and environmental control strategies tailored for veg

Writing and refining SOPs for compliance and consistency

Track-and-trace integration in a regulated cannabis market

The role of living soil vs. hydroponics in Connor’s career

Collective Elevation: www.collectiveelevation.com

KIS Organics Products & Podcast: www.kisorganics.com

Cannabis Cultivation & Science Conference: September 5–7, 2025, Bozeman, Montana — featuring Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, Dr. Greenhouse, Jeremy Plumb, and more. Early bird tickets available now!

Join our Patreon for bonus content: Patreon.com/KISOrganics

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