n this conversation with plant scientist and commercial cultivation strategist Dr. Matthew Indest, we explore the emerging frontier of seed-based cannabis production and what it would take for the industry to move beyond clonal propagation.

We cover:

The agronomic upside of seed-grown plants (disease resistance, vigor, adaptability, cost savings)

The scientific and operational barriers preventing widespread seed adoption

How genetic stability, inbreeding depression, and trait selection differ between cannabis and traditional crops

Data-driven cultivation strategies for evaluating new seed lines

Whether seed-based production can truly rival clonal systems for consistency and top-tier flower quality

What the next decade of cannabis breeding and cultivation might look like

About Dr. Indest:
Matthew holds a Ph.D. in plant science and has spent more than a decade bridging academic research with applied cannabis production. He has led breeding and cultivation programs across indoor, greenhouse, and outdoor operations and focuses on developing high-performing cultivars and integrated, data-backed production systems.

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This wide-ranging conversation with Bryant Mason covers a series of essential—but frequently misunderstood—topics in organic cultivation. We explore why simple, low-tech data collection strategies often outperform high-tech systems and how to interpret those readings in the real world. From there, we break down how pH truly behaves in biologically active soils, what your water test results do and don’t tell you, and how water chemistry shapes nutrient availability.

We also discuss practical considerations for under-canopy lighting, when it helps and when it’s a distraction, and dig into the recurring challenges Bryant sees around phosphorus and nitrogen management in living soil. Throughout the episode we jump between concepts, case studies, and troubleshooting insights that growers can apply immediately.

Topics Covered:

Low-tech monitoring and data-collection approaches

pH dynamics in organic systems

Water testing and interpreting results

Under-canopy lighting: pros, cons, and real-world use

Phosphorus and nitrogen management in living soil

Practical troubleshooting and decision-making strategies

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In this conversation, Tad and Dr. David Hawley (Chief Science Officer at Fluence) unpack what really matters when dialing in your lighting strategy for cannabis and other high-value crops. They get deep into how plants perceive light, what “good spectrum” actually means, and how to think about intensity, uniformity, and plant response in a more scientific (and practical) way.

Topics covered include:

Understanding Daily Light Integral (DLI) and how it relates to plant metabolism

When to use far-red and what to expect from it

The truth about UV lighting and secondary metabolite production

Managing leaf temperature and avoiding hidden stress from high PPFD

How fixture placement and uniformity impact yield and morphology

Using dimming strategies through different growth stages

Why overemphasizing spectrum specs can distract from the real gains

Practical steps for mapping your grow and verifying performance

David also shares insights on under-canopy lighting, canopy architecture, and the future of horticultural light design, offering takeaways for both commercial cultivators and serious home growers.

Resources mentioned:

Fluence by OSRAM

KiS Organics Living Soil & Nutrients

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