When evidence of a cannabis-impacting virus appears, it can spark dread in the heart of any grower. Viruses can wreak havoc on cannabis crops, no matter the strain, resulting in costly damage. Chances are, this is something every grower will have to deal with at least once or twice in their career.
The question remains, are plant viruses curable? Due to the sheer amount of viruses that are known to impact cannabis crops, the answer is not a direct yes or no. However, there are things growers can do to prevent, treat, and mitigate the damage done by plant viruses.
Photo by Ryan Lange on Unsplash
Plant viruses are harmful to cannabis plants for many reasons. They can impact everything from the plant’s health, growth, and crop yield. Viruses left untreated for too long can even result in total loss of the crop in some extreme instances.
Many of the viruses that impact cannabis also impact other commercial crops such as corn, soy, and beans. These viruses spread from plant to plant and crop to crop through various forms of transmission, including (but not limited to);
The sheer size of the farming industry and amount of potential hosts carrying viruses from one plant to another make this a nationwide problem. It does not matter if you operate an indoor grow, outdoor grow, or a hybrid version. Plant Viruses can impact any grow given the opportunity.
At the end of the day, plant viruses can wreak havoc on cannabis crops. However, growers can take measures to help prevent the spread of viruses and combat them if they appear in their grow.
In the case of many things, the best offense is a good defense. Knowing and understanding how viruses impact cannabis plants and taking preventative measures can not only save your crop but also save on labor and materials in the long run. As Sun Tzu wisely said in The Art of War;
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
While Sun Tzu was talking about war, this train of thought can also be applied to the battle against the viruses that can impact your cannabis crop. Your weapons against plant viruses may not include bows, swords, or horses, but the ones that are used can help you win the war.
The first step in preparing to fight the war against plant viruses is assessing your knowledge of viruses that can impact your cannabis crop. Can you identify the signs of plant viruses that are known to impact cannabis and traditional commercial crops in your area? Do you know what steps to take when a plant shows signs of being infected with a virus?
The second step is filling in the gaps of knowledge to better develop your understanding of plant viruses, how they impact cannabis crops, and how to combat them. The growth side of the cannabis industry is complex and always changing. No one person can truly master the entire profession. Throughout your entire grow career, the need for consistent learning is a vital skill that will help you succeed.
The third step is to apply the knowledge gathered. Whether this is in actively fighting a virus in your cannabis crop or taking preventative measures against a virus, there are a myriad of tasks to be done. By combining previously known and newly acquired information, you can put them to use and help take the next step towards winning the war against plant viruses.
Just like any war, it cannot be won in a single day. Battle plans and hard work are needed to make sure you conquer the viruses impacting your cannabis crop and prevent future viruses from taking hold. There are many ways growers can prepare to help prevent and fight against plant viruses.
Some of the most common tactics that can be used to fight against plant viruses include;
Viruses cannot be defeated in just one day. Patience and dedication are needed to successfully win the war against viruses in your grow. This mindset continues as you continue to work to prevent new viruses from impacting your cannabis crop in the future.
This can be a bit of a tricky question when you dive into the world of plant virus prevention. Can you completely cure a plant of a virus to where it is never impacted by a virus again? No. Can you save a plant impacted by a virus and salvage your crop? This can be done.
There are dozens of viruses that impact cannabis crops. Each one requires a skilled hand and knowledge about the virus to successfully save the impacted plant. A virus does not necessarily mean a death sentence for your cannabis crop. With proper prevention methods and quick, decisive actions towards fighting existing viruses in plants, the better your chances of saving your crop.
The first step to helping defend your cannabis crop against plant viruses is knowledge. Having a solid understanding of how to prevent and fight viruses and any other crop damaging problem can help save valuable time and resources. In some cases, it can even save your crop.
Verne Bio is dedicated to placing the power of knowledge into growers’ hands. Cannabis industry professionals can find valuable information on our blog about the viruses, mold, and viroids that are impacting cannabis crops nationwide. Information about how to test your cannabis, use our state-of-the-art testing kits, proper prevention methods, and more can also be found on our website.
Plant viruses, and any other cannabis-damaging blight, do not have to be a daunting prospect. With Verne Bio on your side, you can be ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at you.
Work Cited
Tzu, Sun. “The Art of War Quotes by Sun Tzu.” Goodreads, N/A, https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3200649. Accessed 26 March 2023.
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