Does Cannabis Prefer Soil Dominated By Fungi Or Bacteria?

[Hal]

I'm reading a great book on organic soil now called, "Teaming With Microbes: A Gardener's Guide To The Soil Food Web," by Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis. It's only about $15 at Amazon.

In chapter 12 (page 100), under the headline "New Rules" it states, as rule #1: some plants prefer soils dominated by fungi; others prefer soils dominated by bacteria.

What does the cannabis plant prefer?

 

[JackTheGrower]

Since the soil is an ecosystem the plant is a part of it..

I would think balanced is the wise answer.

 

[maryjohn]

Bacterial like most annuals.

 

[EllieGrows]

Bacterial like most annuals.

Can you quote anything to verify this. Not that I don't trust you, but sources are always good.

 

[spiral]

Im sayin balanced, everybody in the soil has their job.

 

[RockyMountainHi]

Can you quote anything to verify this. Not that I don't trust you, but sources are always good.

Sure!

Bacterial like most annuals.

end qoute


pardon the pause for self entertainment,,,,,

 

[3dDream]

Aren't there bacteria that support good fungi?

 

[EllieGrows]

pardon the pause for self entertainment,,,,,

I cant tell whether you are making fun of me or not, but I'll take it as humor.

*giggle*

 

[jaykush]

both, diversity is key.

 

[maryjohn]

diversity is important, but the soil we are after is highly fertile, bacteria dominated.

as I understand things:
to get fungal dominated soil, you compost a lot more brown matter compared to "regular" microbial dominated compost. This is more or less the kind of soil you find in forests.

Think about it, when the whole plant is being consumed by the soil (as when an annual dies back), there is a lot of green material to eat. When the soil is eating what's left by perennials, it's matter that has had most of it's nutrition withdrawn by the plant (as in tree leaves). The "drained" material is high carbon food for fungus and of course some but not as many bacteria (diversity is the key).

at least that's how I think it works. could be wrong...

 

[JackTheGrower]

Aren't there bacteria that support good fungi?

<joke>

Like me and my last Girlfriend?

<bada bing bada boom>

 

[CT Guy]

I'd put it in a category comparable to grasses, which prefer a slight bacterial dominance.

 

[Hal]

OK...further reading (actually 3 paragraphs past where I stopped reading) reveals rule #2 and rule#3, which are:

rule #2: holds that most vegetables, annuals, and grasses prefer their nitrogen in nitrate form and do best in bacterially dominated soils.

rule #3: points out that most trees, shrubs, and perennials prefer their nitrogen in ammonium form and therefore do best in fungally dominated soils.

This book also says that bacterial dominated soils are more alkaline (above 7 ph) and fungally dominated soils are more acidic. This is due to the stuff that gets puked out by the respective organisms (sorry for the puke reference but I can't find the fucking word..tip of my tongue...ahhhhhhhhhh!)

It seems as though most of the suggested PH levels for growing pot are below 7...so this would suggest a desire for a fungally dominated soil. But the it seems like cannabis would fit better with the plants listed in rule #2, which would mean that it wanted a bacteria dominated soil.

So, I'm confused.

And stoned

 

[JackTheGrower]

Found a book on what Hemp needs and uses..

http://books.google.com/books?id=cD...page&q=what soil does cannabis prefer&f=false

 

[Hal]

That looks like some great info there Jack. I just scanned it, too stoned at the moment to try to read anything scientific. I'll read it tomorrow.

Thanks for posting that

 

[habeeb]

it's bacterial dominated

 

[habeeb]

Found a book on what Hemp needs and uses..

http://books.google.com/books?id=cD...page&q=what soil does cannabis prefer&f=false

don't have that book, but I have clarke's other book, and it's good. I''m sure this one is just as good. I suggest his other book to anyone if you don't have ( marijuana botany ). but what I find crazy is the title is marijuana, but he only refers to the plant as cannabis in the book...

 

[JackTheGrower]

don't have that book, but I have clarke's other book, and it's good. I''m sure this one is just as good. I suggest his other book to anyone if you don't have ( marijuana botany ). but what I find crazy is the title is marijuana, but he only refers to the plant as cannabis in the book...

Major Coinage but the Teaser pages have me wanting..

 

[JackTheGrower]

No one likes Fungi all the way.. LOL You can't do ground coffee without Fungi!

LOL..

You know what I was thinking? It's going to be about what materials you add to the soil as to which is in dominance.


Thus the Poll is a trick Question!

What do I win!

Jack

 

[maryjohn]

Smug self satisfaction, which is the holy Grail for organic growers.

Every time I drink from it I get thirstier than thirst.