Hydrolife Magazine April/May 2016 (USA Edition)

grow
The Leaf Doctor
Doc Deadhead
NEEM FOR MEDICINAL CANNABIS PLANTS
With more people using medicinal cannabis,
there is a greater need to grow plants organically,
which is where neem products come
in. World-renowned scientific experts such
as Dr. Sanja Gupta and Dr. Mehmet Oz have
boldly changed their positions on the use of
medicinal cannabis and its many benefits.
In Dr. Gupta’s two CNN specials, Weed and
Weed 2, he provides solid research to make
the case for cannabis as medicine. More to the
topic at hand, in Weed 2, Dr. Gupta quoted the
Journal of Toxicology, whose authors stated
that they found levels of pesticide residue in
medicinal cannabis as high as 69.5%. Novice
growers may give their plants a good flushing
to remove any toxic pesticides, but while flushing
may remove what is on the surface of the
plant, it cannot remove what is in the fabric of
the plant. This is why pesticide residue numbers
can creep so high.
Since 2010, field trials on medicinal cannabis
treated with pure essence of neem have been
conducted in Michigan, Colorado, California,
Oregon, New Mexico, Washington and
Arizona, all with positive results. In Michigan,
specific strain trials were conducted by a
chemical technician at one of the state’s
largest dispensaries. The trial groups showed
improved plant health and increased yields
at an average of 55.6%, and as much as 82.7%.
Here’s the yield increase on six strains of
medicinal plants that were sprayed with the
pure essence of neem:
Green Crack (DWC): 29.7%
Purple Afghani (DWC): 64.9%
Fire Bubba Kush (DWC): 47.5%
Master Kush (Soil): 61.4%
Critical Mass (Soil): 82.7%
Burmese Kush (Soil): 50.2%
When foliar feeding with pure neem
essence, remember that less is more. You
want to use the finest mist possible. This
allows plants to breathe in the nutrients
through their pores, creating a protective
shield against environmental stresses.
In addition to weekly foliar feeding
with pure neem extract, hydro growers
like to add a small amount of it to
their reservoirs to help build up the root
system, and soil growers add a granular
soil adjuvant made from the shucks of
neem seeds after the essence has been
extracted. Since it is granular, it needs to
be applied just twice during the growing
season: once at the beginning and once
halfway through.
AWARD-WINNING RESULTS
Commercial growers who grow with
the pure essence of neem have gone on
to win awards at various High Times
Cannabis Cups. The Strongest Strain on
Earth winner, Ghost Train Haze #1, was
grown by Michigan’s King of Cannabis,
the Leaf Doctor, who swears by neem
products. His award-winning strain
tested at 27.5% THC.
Doc Deadhead, a winner of four cannabis
awards, says the pure essence of
neem helps leaves communicate with
roots, allowing for the full genetic potential
of the strain. He also believes it to
be a genetic booster. “Pure neem extract
increased my yields by 30-50%,” he says.
“It completely controls all pest issues
while preventing powdery mildew. At the
same time, it increases potency—26.4%
THC speaks for itself.” Doc Deadhead
won the Second Place Medallion for his
hash at the High Times Cannabis Cup in
Flint, Michigan.
Professional growers often have to suit
up with special protective gear before
they apply synthetic plant nutrients and
pesticides, and then they need to vacate
the treated area for a period of time so
they don’t poison themselves. Luckily,
they don’t have these same concerns
when using pure, neem-based products
because they are made from plants and
nothing else. What could be better than
using all-natural, organic products on
anything you plan on ingesting?
James E. Kostrava is the founder and
CEO of Organibliss. Organibliss is an
all-natural, organic, OMRI-listed plant
growth enhancer that is primarily made
from the pure essence of neem. For more
information, visit organibliss.com.
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grow. heal. live. enjoy.
myhydrolife.com