Selecting Soilless Substrate

 

Soilless substrates are used across the world, offering a solution to those with difficult soils to grow on, or those who are looking to increase efficiencies when it comes to nutrient and water inputs. These substrates are comprised of non-soil components, but still provide the structural support needed by the plant in order to grow.

When it comes to the base material used for soilless grow media, there are two groups: synthetic and non-synthetic products. 

How do I chose what substrate to use?

While both synthetic and non-synthetic substrates are good options for providing structural support, nutrients and water to the plant root system through the cropping cycle, there are a few key questions to consider when purchasing a growing media:

1) What is the cost? 

Substrates are not created equally when it comes to cost. It is not recommended, however to chose the cheapest/most expensive one without understanding what you are getting with it. It is definitely an important factor to consider, but make sure that you understand the rest of the list below when making your choice. 

2) Where is the material coming from?

In COVID times, shipping delays are all too real for producers of all shapes and sizes. This should definitely be a consideration if you have yet to order your growing media for the upcoming season. There are many local substrate providers who might be able to fill your needs without having to ship overseas. 

3) What is the baseline nutritional status of the media?

While soilless substrates do not have much to offer in terms of baseline nutrients, it is important to realize that there are differences between the base materials. Some substrates are going to be more prone to having high initial salt levels compared to others, and if the media is not treated properly, these salts can be very damaging to your new crop. Be sure to ask your provider about your substrate and the treatments it has received. 

4) What is the particle density, porosity and particle size range of my substrate? 

These are key parameters that are going to determine how well or how poorly your substrate holds on to water. A substrate with tiny particles, means that the air and water spaces within your media are also going to be very small. This makes it harder for the plant to pull water out of those air spaces. It is also difficult for this water to drain out of the media, meaning the roots are more prone to sit in a wet matrix, regardless of the time of day. This has a tendency to lead to root disease and sub-optimal plant productivity. On the other end of that spectrum, large particles have very little capacity to hold onto water, meaning you are significantly increasing the number of irrigation events throughout the day to sustain plant growth. 

5) How do I want to handle my substrate?

Substrate is available for purchase in a few different forms. It can be purchased in large bulk orders, where the producer must hydrate, divide up into the individual growing containers, and then move those containers into the growing space. The other option is to purchase pre-filled slabs (also referred to as grow bags). Some crops have the option for specialized containers that help mitigate some production issues that typically develop down the line, while others don't. It is up to the producer, the target crop, and the labour force available, to decide which method is going to work best for that particular operation. 

6) What am I going to do with my substrate now that I'm finished with it?

This is where things get a little hairy. Synthetic substrates cannot be composted, and usually require transport off site for disposal. Non-synthetic substrates do have the option for composting, but must be done in a strategic way to prevent the accidental creation of an oasis for lingering insects and disease. This
plays in to point number 5 as well - removing the inner contents of a slab wrapped in plastic is much more time consuming to compost compared to a crop grown in a container.   

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For those who are new to growing in substrate, these questions can be overwhelming...but never fear! Your Protected Crop Specialist is here. If you have any questions on soilless substrates check out some of Perennia's resources:

• 2020 - 2021 Getting Into the Weeds Session on Soilless Substrate
• Perennia's fact sheet on Substrate
• Contact Talia Plaskett, our Protected Crop Specialist

Aseptic Sampling Technique

What is aseptic sampling?

Aseptic sampling refers to certain principles that must be followed during product sampling to avoid contamination or the introduction of a microorganism, or other contaminant, not originally present in the product by one’s actions.

Aseptic sampling is about managing the risk of contamination of the sample itself, as well as the process or container.

Why should I practice aseptic sampling?

Collection of samples while not practicing aseptic technique can lead to contamination of the sample – leading to inaccurate results, failed quality assessments and potential costs associated with re-testing product.

For example: A bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus is a common member of the body’s microbiota and is frequently found on the surface of the skin and in the upper respiratory tract. If aseptic technique is not used, such as proper operator hand washing/sanitation and protective equipment while collecting samples (including gloves), a cross-contamination of this microorganism can occur between the operator taking the sample and the product. This could lead to a detection of Staphylococcus aureus in the sample during quality analysis, leading to a failed quality assurance test. This could result in a re-test of that product and delays in releasing the product to market.

How do I practice aseptic sampling?

One of the most important rules when collecting aseptic samples is to avoid contaminating the sample. This requires the sample collectors to collect all samples with caution to make sure this rule is not violated. The results of aseptic sample analysis are questionable, and of no use, unless the integrity of the sample can be assured from collection to shipment, and through analysis. We will discuss below some basic methods to reduce the risk of sample contamination.

For quality control and traceability, when taking a sample be sure to record information such as:

• Who took the sample?
• Where and when was it collected?
• How was it taken?
• What training did the sampler receive?

This can assist in the investigation of any possible cross-contamination issues.

Personal equipment, such as lab coats, hair nets or disposable or cleanable boots, are important to ensure that the collector does not contaminate the sample. Additional essential items for aseptic sampling include:

•           Sterile containers – Ensure that your product is placed into a sterile container or bag, such as Whirl-Pak bags or Falcon tubes. The sampling container must not be opened and exposed to the environment prior to immediate collection of samples to avoid contamination.
•         Clean gloves - If a product must be touched during sample collection, have one of the facility workers who are involved with handling the product place the sample into the collection container with gloved hands. Because employees are normally involved in handling the product during production, we would not consider that they have added additional contamination to the product. When gloves are used, they must be put on in a manner that does not contaminate the glove. Gloves must be of the right size to function properly.
•       Sampling tools - Spoons, scoops, specific types of triers, forceps, tongs, dippers, and cups.  The type of tool used is determined by the product to be sampled; however, to reduce the risk of sample contamination it is recommended to use a new sterile sampling tool for each sample.

In addition, be sure to check the sterilization date on all sampling equipment and containers. The date should be on the label or package of the equipment. Some equipment might be sterilized in one’s local laboratory or purchased sterile. Equipment sterilized in a local laboratory is normally sterile for at least two months. After that time, the equipment should be re-sterilized.

Finally, after collection, ensure that the sample is packaged in a secure way to reduce the risk of damage or contamination of the sample while it is being transported to the lab for analysis.

At BloomLabs, we take thorough care to ensure that the samples we receive are always tested “as received”. Meticulous aseptic techniques and Standard Operating Procedures are used in the Microbiology Laboratory to ensure that no cross-contamination occurs during analysis. For example, this includes use of a Biological Safety Cabinet, proper sanitation of personnel and surfaces, and sterile sampling equipment and PPE to ensure that no contamination of the sample occurs during analysis. This ensures an accurate quality result, free of any contamination from the laboratory.

 

The use of aseptic technique at the production facility, during transportation and at the laboratory ensures your product receives the highest quality of analysis free of any contamination.

Webinar - Maximizing Spray Coverage and Product Efficacy

Most pesticide application information is NOT geared towards protected crops, which is why maximizing your spray coverage and product efficacy is even more important for effectively combatting your pest and disease issues. 

Join Jason Deveau ('The Spray Guy') , Louis Damm (Dramm Corporation), Michael Brownbridge (Bioworks) and Colin Ashbee (Bioworks) on January 20 at 9 am EST for a series of presentations which focus on cannabis as the model crop. They will be discussing spray equipment catered to cannabis production, teachings on how to analyze your spray coverage, and best spray practices for using Bioworks' products. 

For those who are interested in participating, click on the following link - no registration is required here, so jump on the link tomorrow morning and follow the prompts above the 'agenda'. 

Hope to see you there!

Posted by: Talia Plaskett

Regulatory Requirements for Testing Cannabis - What Do I Need to Know?

 You’ve grown some beautiful cannabis and now Health Canada requires you to test it to sell it in the market – here’s what you should know.

Analytical testing of cannabis is a regulatory requirement under the Health Canada Cannabis Act and Regulations but what does that mean?  How do you know what to test for?  How do you determine if your test results are acceptable, and your cannabis passes the test?  Great questions!

 

Under “Good Production Practices”, Part 5 of the Cannabis Regulations, sections 89 to 92 outline what testing is required to meet regulatory requirements:

•                Testing for phytocannabinoids; and
•          Testing for contaminants.

 So, essentially that means you need to test your cannabis for cannabinoid content and ensure it is free of pesky microbial and chemical contaminants.

 

Testing for phytocannabinoids, or cannabinoids, is to determine the cannabinoid content of your cannabis – the THC and CBD you hear so much about.  This includes a breakdown of the total cannabinoid content into individual cannabinoids (cannabinoid profiling) and how much of each cannabinoid is present (cannabinoid potency).

 

Testing for contaminants is broken down into microbial-type contaminants and chemical-type contaminants. 

1. Microbial testing determines the presence or absence of microbials such as E. coli and Salmonella spp. and the colony-forming units (cfu) of Total Combined Yeast and Moulds, Bile-tolerant Gram-negative Bacteria, and Total Aerobic Microbial Count.
2. Chemical contaminant testing determines the presence or absence and potency of potentially harmful heavy metals, such as Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury.  As well as the presence or absence and potency of harmful mycotoxins, such as Aflatoxins B₁, G₁, B₂ and G₂.  Other chemical contaminants include testing for residues of pest control products (also known as pesticides) meaning it is also necessary to determine whether pesticide active ingredients are present or absent, and if present, the concentration of the pesticide active ingredient.

Seems so simple, right?  Unfortunately not all things are as easy as they seem. “Cannabis Product”, Part 6 of the Cannabis Regulations, section 93 outlines how to determine if your results are passable:

 

• Microbial and chemical contaminant limits are acceptable so long as it meets limits accepted by one of the authorized publications outlining these limits as referred to in Schedule B of the Food and Drug Act.  This list of publications includes the European Pharmacopeia and the US Pharmacopeia, for example.  The task of choosing an acceptable publication to follow for limits can be a bit daunting, as you also must keep in mind the intended use (for example, inhalation) for your cannabis product.
• When it comes to pesticides, Health Canada has established their own limits for residues as identified and described under the Pest Control Products Act.  A comprehensive list of 96 pesticides and the limit for each can be found in the Health Canada guidance document “Mandatory Cannabis Testing for Pesticide Active Ingredients”.  The Cannabis Regulations also states that the more stringent limit applies to generally accepted tolerance limits in relation to residues of pest control products.  Which further breakdown to any pesticide result that exceeds an acceptable residue limit must be reported to Health Canada.

While testing your cannabis may seem very complex, it is a necessary chore to ensure regulatory requirements are met. Our experts at BloomLabs are well versed in the necessary regulatory testing, as well as the interpretation of the test results, so don't hesitate to reach out and inquire about all that we have to offer!

Posted by: Michelle Shearer

Cannabis Infused Gummy Testing Now at Bloom Labs!

The Bloom Labs team is committed to growing with the industry and the challenges that come with it. Most recently, the analytical team has developed and validated methods for analyzing potency and microbial contaminants in cannabis infused gummies. 

Our analytical chemistry team worked diligently to profile ten different cannabinoids, including THCA, CBDA, CBGA, Delta-9-THC, Delta-8-THC, THCV, CBD, CBG, CBN, and CBC with a detection limit of 0.13 mg/g. Our microbiology team can now confidently analyze gummies to enumerate aerobic microorganisms, bile-tolerant Gram-negative bacteria, yeast & moulds, and detected pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella species. In addition, our team validated methods to detect Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, as they pertain to common food-borne and food-manufacturing pathogens.

We are excited to offer this service, and better help our clients by expanding the matrices validated for analytical testing. If you would like to submit your cannabis infused gummies for analytical testing or shelf life studies, please visit our website www.bloomlabs.ca or contact Lab Director Nichole Taylor (ntaylor@perennia.ca) to submit a Chain of Custody form. If you have a different cannabis matrix and are curious about what kind of tests we offer, please visit https://bloomlabs.ca/analyticaltesting/ to find out!

Posted by: Ceilidh MacDonald and Ricardo Blanco Sanchez

BloomLabs wins Three Emerald Scientific Proficiency Awards for Microbiological Analysis of Cannabis!

The analytical testing team of BloomLabs at Perennia has participated for the first time in blind proficiency tests from Emerald Scientific. Emerald Scientific is the leader in cannabis science and cannabis proficiency tests. These tests arrive in the lab and the analysts have no idea the content of them, including which are contaminated. We then submit our results online and wait to see if we have submitted accurate results.

We participated this fall in all microbiological tests that are required by Health Canada for testing in cannabis.

Well, you know the end of the story now – and we have three fancy new proficiency badges to show for it!!

Posted By: Nichole Taylor 

Submitting Samples: Sample Sizes & Chain of Custody (CoC)

While there has been a significant skew towards production advice on this blog so far, the other members of Perennia's cannabis team are going to be adding some dimension to the information that is presented here. The most well-established portion of the team is Bloom Labs. Bloom is a full-service analytical testing lab that is well versed with the requirements for compliance under Health Canada's Cannabis act. They have the skills and knowledge required to perform the mandatory testing on dried flowers and oils. For more information on their services, please check out our website. 

For now, lets review some of the important things to consider for sample submission to Bloom labs.

Sample Size Requirements

When sampling product to submit to Bloom labs for analytical testing, please keep in mind our minimum sample size requirements per matrix:

Sample Analyses Requested	Dried Flower	Extracts
Microbiology – Full Testing	25 – 30 g	30 mL
Microbiology – No Salmonella	11 g	15 mL
Heavy Metals	1 g	1 mL
Aflatoxins	2 g	2 mL
Pesticides	2 g	2 mL
Loss on Drying/Moisture	2 g	N/A
Cannabinoids	5 g	1 mL
Terpenes	5 g	1 mL
Residual Solvents	N/A	1 mL
Foreign Matter	3 g	3 mL
Density	N/A	3 mL

For Full Compliance Testing Packages, we require a sample size of 50 grams or milliliters. Personalized testing packages are also an option, so be sure to reach out for more information on this!

Sample Submission

The process for submitting samples is quite simple. When you decide you want to use BloomLabs by Perennia for your third-party laboratory testing facility, randomly sample your product based on your internal standard operating procedure, seal the bag or container, and ensure the shipping container or box is secured for shipping or delivery.

Next, access our Chain of Custody (CoC) Form from our website or request one from our Lab Director by email (ntaylor@perennia.ca).

Complete the CoC form with your contact information (#1), sample names (#2), matrices (#3), sample mass (#4), tests you want (check boxes for analyses, #5), and sign and date the bottom to release your samples to us (#6).

We recommend you email us with a copy of the CoC in order to prepare for the receipt of your sample; this allows us to prepare and organize our analyses accordingly to provide you with results as soon as possible! We also require a copy of the CoC with the samples upon arrival to complete the documentation process.

You may choose to drop off your samples at our lab in Bible Hill or use a courier service to ship your samples. If you choose to drop off your samples, we are available for sample reception between 8 AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday.

After we receive your samples, we will enter them in our online system, called our Client Portal, which will give you access to real-time information about your samples, as well as sample results.

For help differentiating between analysis types and your requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us:

Nichole Taylor, ntaylor@perennia.ca, 902-309-0583

https://bloomlabs.ca/contact-us/

Getting Into the Weeds: Farming in a Humid Year

Every year, Perennia's Horticulture Team sits down to discuss what major issues, questions and themes came up throughout the growing season. While there are differences between the crops grown here, we are typically able to identify pain points that are applicable to all producers. Last year, with the unexpected hot weather and lack of rainfall, we decided to tackle the basics surrounding irrigation. We wanted to make sure that everyone was on the same page on how to design and implement an irrigation system, for both soil and substrate based systems. For those of you who missed it, or are interested in a refresher...you can find all of these sessions here.

So what were the major challenges of 2021 you ask? 

Most producers can agree that there was significantly more rainfall and a higher humidity measured throughout the growing season than what we would typically experience. So, with that, enter our theme for the upcoming 'Getting Into the Weeds' Webinar series...Farming in a Humid Year!

November 23 - Understanding the Infection Cycle: Targeting Effective Disease Management

November 30 - Year in Review: A Disease Summary of 2021 - What Did We Learn?

January 12 - The Fundamentals of Fungicides

February 3 - Why Herbicides Fail: Targeting Effective Herbicide Application

If you are interested in learning more and/or registering for these free webinars, check out our list of upcoming online sessions. 

Posted by: Talia Plaskett