Once upon a time...or maybe twice...there was a plant. The plant was full of properties: therapeutic properties, emotional properties – even some philosophical insights. But, behind the scenes, certain chemical properties in the Cannabis plant have been undervalued in their roles as medicine. Until recently, the focus on the Cannabinoids themselves (such as THC and CBD) have left the chemistry of terpenes largely overlooked.

Diagnosis and Biological Control

 Quiet but vicious, root aphids are the worst kind of pest that a Cannabis gardener can face. Commonly confused with fungus gnats, even by experienced growers, root aphids are a separate and significantly more aggressive pest facing Cannabis gardeners today. Proper diagnosis between these pests is crucial in order to control them. Aphids are notorious for their ability to adapt to new environments, especially when it comes to developing resistance to chemical controls. To effectively control these pests using biological methods, insect-eating worms called parasitic nematodes can be recruited to hunt down root aphids. There are also certain types of fungi that infect and grow on insects, killing them in the process. The key to using these biological products effectively is to understand the type of environment that favors the growth of the product, whether it is an insect or a fungus. When properly applied, these biological controls offer more complete control over aphid populations than chemical controls.