Creation of a possibly new subforum - Known Cannabis Companion Plants and their Impacts - Ideation Phase

[Deebs]

I have been thinking about a new subforum for sometime. I would like to solicit feedback from the community, and how important you feel something like this could be. A forum area where we move beyond basic gardening tips to explore the human-plant-soil relationship. I think it would be interesting to document how specific botanical neighbors influence the chemical expression (chemovar), vigor, and resilience of the cannabis plant.

I have started a bit of discovery, and have been trying to breakdown plants known to interact with cannabis, categorized of course by their ethnobotanical function.

So far, I have found a few interesting insights I never knew, and things that where recorded understandings in data found from old world farmers.

Supposedly companion plants act in 4 different roles. (There could be more for sure, why this peaks my interest)

Terpene & Resin Enhancers (The Aromatic Neighbors)​

These plants are often grown in close proximity to influence the plant’s volatile organic compounds through "volatile signaling" or by attracting beneficial microbes.​

Nitrogen Fixers & Soil Builders (The Nurses)​

These plants convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form the cannabis plant can use, reducing the need for external fertilizers.​

The Guardians (Pest Repellents & Trap Crops)​

Traditional methods used "decoy" plants to lure pests away or "barrier" plants to repel them entirely.​

Dynamic Accumulators (The Miners)​

Plants that mine the subsoil for specific nutrients, which then become available to the cannabis plant when the companion is mulched or dies back.​

Just a couple of the questions that come to my mind (examples), but I have many more:

Have you noticed a change in the terpene profile when growing near lavender or Jasmine?​

Have you seen a difference in veg speed when using a cover crop of clover vs bare soil?​

​

Let me know what you all think!​

​

Deebs​

 

[DemonTrich]

I do know of you plant rosemary in the same pots or next to in-ground od plants, the rosemary plants are a natural deterrent to spider mites.

Its the main active ingredient in sns217 insecticide.

 

[HBZ]

I have been thinking about a new subforum for sometime. I would like to solicit feedback from the community, and how important you feel something like this could be. A forum area where we move beyond basic gardening tips to explore the human-plant-soil relationship. I think it would be interesting to document how specific botanical neighbors influence the chemical expression (chemovar), vigor, and resilience of the cannabis plant.

I have started a bit of discovery, and have been trying to breakdown plants known to interact with cannabis, categorized of course by their ethnobotanical function.

So far, I have found a few interesting insights I never knew, and things that where recorded understandings in data found from old world farmers.

Supposedly companion plants act in 4 different roles. (There could be more for sure, why this peaks my interest)

Terpene & Resin Enhancers (The Aromatic Neighbors)​

These plants are often grown in close proximity to influence the plant’s volatile organic compounds through "volatile signaling" or by attracting beneficial microbes.​

Nitrogen Fixers & Soil Builders (The Nurses)​

These plants convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form the cannabis plant can use, reducing the need for external fertilizers.​

The Guardians (Pest Repellents & Trap Crops)​

Traditional methods used "decoy" plants to lure pests away or "barrier" plants to repel them entirely.​

Dynamic Accumulators (The Miners)​

Plants that mine the subsoil for specific nutrients, which then become available to the cannabis plant when the companion is mulched or dies back.​

Just a couple of the questions that come to my mind (examples), but I have many more:

Have you noticed a change in the terpene profile when growing near lavender or Jasmine?​

Have you seen a difference in veg speed when using a cover crop of clover vs bare soil?​

​

Let me know what you all think!​

​

Deebs​

Man I love this and hope it takes off

 

[HBZ]

I do know of you plant rosemary in the same pots or next to in-ground od plants, the rosemary plants are a natural deterrent to spider mites.

Its the main active ingredient in sns217 insecticide.

I use rosemary essential oil in my IPM rotation now and it's certainly responsible for helping rid me of broad mites

 

[LoboGrow]

This is a good idea....

 

[Willie]

Terpene & Resin Enhancers (The Aromatic Neighbors)​

These plants are often grown in close proximity to influence the plant’s volatile organic compounds through "volatile signaling" or by attracting beneficial microbes.

Nitrogen Fixers & Soil Builders (The Nurses)​

These plants convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form the cannabis plant can use, reducing the need for external fertilizers.

The Guardians (Pest Repellents & Trap Crops)​

Traditional methods used "decoy" plants to lure pests away or "barrier" plants to repel them entirely.

Dynamic Accumulators (The Miners)​

Plants that mine the subsoil for specific nutrients, which then become available to the cannabis plant when the companion is mulched or dies back.

Do you have any examples in those four categories as they pertain to weed growing?

 

[Deebs]

I do have a few yeah, but not many. I built out the section but there are no threads yet. I haven't had the time to create them.

Cannabis Companion Planting

This section explores the traditional and unknown plants grown alongside cannabis for pest management, nitrogen fixation, or "energetic" synergy.

phenohunter.org

Here are a couple of examples for the terpene & resin enhancement:

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica):

Traditionally believed to increase the essential oil content in neighboring plants. It is a "dynamic accumulator" of minerals.​

• Note of interest: Often found growing near wild cannabis in the Himalayas; the two share a love for nitrogen-rich, disturbed soils.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium):

Can increase the vigor of nearby plants and is thought to stimulate the production of secondary metabolites (like cannabinoids and terpenes).​

Basil & Lemon Balm:

Provide a "terpene mask" for aroma while their flowers attract diverse pollinators and hoverflies (whose larvae eat aphids).​

​

​

Accepting any feedback, The category names could even be different. Look at them as placeholders. If there is a better term that we think reflects that relationship better, or other groups that are relevant, we can evolve.​

 

[Willie]

Sorry in advance for being a pita

Ok, those three all have companion plant benefits whatever they are planted next too. I was looking for something specific and more factual in how they relate to cannabis as a companion crop.

What about Himalayan Knotweed? It's a nitrogen fixing legume, or cowpeas, or alfalfa, or clover, or hairy vetch, or black eye peas or daikon radish or basil, or arugala, or marigold.....etc? All those and more are beneficial to other crops as well as weed.

Basil & Lemon Balm:
Provide a "terpene mask" for aroma while their flowers attract diverse pollinators and hoverflies (whose larvae eat aphids).

Is this hearsay or are these plants documented doing this "terpene mask" for aroma on cannabis?

Is this subject going to be anecdotal or factual? I'd prefer the latter myself. If there are facts/science or convincing personal experience supporting these claims post a link.

 

[Deebs]

Much of this could start out to be very anecdotal, for sure. Many growers follow practices based on anecdote or tradition rather than scientific evidence (even the articles that make the claim explicitly admit it’s unproven). I would love this to be more factual, and that is the intent of this. Research and observation. Curiosity. I do also have the feeling that much of the information remains largely anecdotal or inferred from general plant interaction principles.

Here were just a few reference links, I am currently researching information for any relevant studies to backup or debunk any justifications.

Phytochemical Composition of Urtica dioica Essential Oil with Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies - PubMed

The decrease in paw edema and human cell lines HeLa cytotoxicity showed that UDEO possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which could be attributed to the high amount of phenolic and flavonoid contents.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Benefits of Companion Planting for Cannabis

Learn how to use companion planting to make your cannabis garden more efficient and more sustainable.

sensiseeds.com

Cannabis Blog - Latest 420 News & Stories | Dutch Passion

Find all the latest cannabis news and the latest Dutch Passion cannabis blogs. This is the place to grow your knowledge about all things 420.

dutch-passion.com

The growth, photosynthetic pigments and essential oil composition of monocropped and intercropped lemon balm with yarrow

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of lemon balm intercropping with yarrow on the vegetative growth, photosynthetic pigments and essential oil contents as well as the chemical composition of essential oils. Accordingly, the lemon

www.academia.edu

 

[Willie]

Ok, let's look at those links...
1) This seems to be a study about essential oil properties. Not seeing anything about companion plants or cannabis either.
2) This is an opinion piece. Starts out like it has intention but just regurgitates common horticultural thoughts. Since it's from Sensi Seeds, at least cannabis is mentioned. Scarlet Palmer there's the author.
3) This is another fluff BLOG (anecdotal) piece by a seed company. Just more regurgitation about companion plants in general, nothing specific.
4) This one is interesting but it's about intercropping yarrow and lemon balm versus monocropping. I don't see anything about cannabis or them being a companion to cannabis.



Maybe "Horticulture" would be a better sub forum. That's what we seem to be talking about, common horticultural practices that are not specific to weed.

Any more links?

 

[Deebs]

How do you define something if its never been defined? Apply the scientific method. I noticed the same thing from the seed sites, it provides the anecdotal information as you stated, but also think growers use those practices based on a tradition. I dont think I have found any extensive studies that provide detailed analysis. That is the whole reason for the scientific method. Iterate as needed.

Ask a Question​

• Begin with observations that spark curiosity.
• Formulate a specific, testable question based on these observations.

Conduct Background Research​

• Gather existing information related to your question.
• Understand what is already known and identify gaps in knowledge.

Formulate a Hypothesis​

• Develop a hypothesis, which is a possible explanation or answer to your question.
• Ensure the hypothesis is testable and falsifiable.

Design and Conduct an Experiment​

• Create a detailed plan for testing your hypothesis.
• Carry out the experiment while carefully recording data and observations.

Analyze the Data​

• Organize the collected data using tables, graphs, or charts.
• Look for patterns or relationships that support or contradict your hypothesis.

Draw Conclusions​

• Determine whether the data supports your hypothesis.
• If the hypothesis is not supported, consider revising it or forming a new one.

Communicate Results​

• Share your findings with others through reports, presentations, or publications.
• This step may lead to further questions and additional research.

 

[Willie]

Once it's anecdotal instead of factual it opens the door wide for BroScienceville.

Cannabis has been grow for centuries, where is it grown in a serious way using these companion plants? Should be ample evidence somewhere.

The scientific method is NOT ".well I heard an old sheepherder in afghanistan did this and that. Or "my uncle louie told me" Or "the guy 3 doors down claims to get such and such results".

 

[Deebs]

I do not have all the answers but i have a lot of questions.

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/14/4/636

Evaluating Ecosystem and Agronomic Services Provided by Companion Cropping in Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) – DOAJ

ABSTRACT Hemp, Cannabis sativa L., was legalized in the United States in the 2018 Farm Bill for industrial production. While growing has boomed, profitable...

doaj.org

Hemp Intercropping to Build Soil Health and Profitability - LAC COURTE OREILLES OJIBWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Developa project evaluation planthat utilizes the market fluctuation analyzes, hemp regulations,yield or pest deterrent benefits offered by companion plantsthatwill hold true regardless of hempprices,collectdata on cultivar performance in extremeweather events to define whichcultivars arewell...

portal.nifa.usda.gov

Influence of Companion Planting on Microbial Compositions and Their Symbiotic Network in Pepper Continuous Cropping Soil - PMC

Continuous cropping obstacles have become a serious factor restricting sustainable development in modern agriculture, while companion planting is one of the most common and effective methods for solving this problem. Here, we monitored the effects ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Research Progress on the use of Plant Allelopathy in Agriculture and the Physiological and Ecological Mechanisms of Allelopathy - PMC

Allelopathy is a common biological phenomenon by which one organism produces biochemicals that influence the growth, survival, development, and reproduction of other organisms. These biochemicals are known as allelochemicals and have beneficial or ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Marijuana Not Monoculture! | Project CBD

Companion planting offers many benefits for marijuana growers.

projectcbd.org

Cannabis and Companion Planting

Companion planting is a method of cultivation where various plants are grown together in ways that promote a dynamic, flourishing ecosystem to increase yield and health of both plants and soil. Int…

hempedification.wordpress.com

 

[BOMBAYCAT]

An addition to the list of companion plants is Chamomile. I have been playing with it several years now. It is sometimes known as the "Dr. Plant" because it is very aromatic and helps other plants produce more resin. I am still trying to prove in a more quantitative way that it improves my MMJ. I do know that a FPE made from the blossoms (in a sun tea) is a very good insecticide when sprayed on my MMJ. The FPE is also a good fungicide when germinating seeds. Me bad as I was reusing potting soil and got damping off wilt several years until I used the FPE as a tea for the germination of the seeds.

Anyway I think your plan is a good one and very useful for growers so thanks.