The Importance of “N” in Plants

By Colin Bell, PhD Chief Revenue Officer and Co-Founder, Growcentia Nitrogen (N) is an essential macro element required for the success of all known life forms, including cannabis plants. N acts as a key catalyst to support photosynthesis and other important biochemical reactions required for healthy cannabis growth. For example, N is a key elemental…

The Importance of “K” in Plants

By Colin Bell, PhD Chief Revenue Officer and Co-Founder, Growcentia Potassium (K) is one of 17 essential elements required by plants for healthy growth and reproduction. Along with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), K is classified as a macronutrient, and is considered second only to nitrogen in terms of its importance to plant growth. In…

Mammoth P Jug Image

The Importance of “P” in Plants

By Colin Bell, PhD Chief Revenue Officer and Co-Founder, Growcentia Phosphorus (P) is an essential macro element, required for the success of all known life forms, including cannabis plants. P is especially important for early stage root development, stem strength, resistance to disease, nutrient uptake, flower formation and yield. All aspects of cannabis growth and…

What is a Consortium Anyway?

by Colin Bell, PhD; Matt Wallenstein, PhD; Peter Baas, PhD The Growcentia team often refers to microbes working together as a consortium.  One key concept in soil ecology is the importance of communities over individual species. No single species functions alone in nature; rather, groups of plant and microbial species often form consortia of closely interacting…

Image of Scientist working with soil in laboratory

Using Beneficial Soil Microbes to Improve Plant Growth

By Colin Bell, PhDChief Growth Officer and Co-Founder, Growcentia Plants have co-evolved with soil microbes over hundreds of millions of years. As bacteria colonized the Earth and transformed the atmosphere over three billion years ago, they created conditions which made it possible for the evolution of soil fungi (approximately 900 millions of years ago). Together,…

Image of Grass with Water Droplets

What are enzymes and what do they do?

Enzymes are specialized proteins that soil microbes use to make nutrients available for microbial and plant uptake, by breaking down organic material into small enough molecules for plants to absorb through their cell wall. by Colin Bell, PhD; Matt Wallenstein, PhD; and Peter Baas, PhD on November 30, 2017 ___________________________________________   Ever wonder how microbes…