The beginning half of the 2023 growing season has not been kind to Midwestern hemp farmers. Instead of it's plentiful spring precipitation May offered drought conditions that we don't normally see this early in the season. When we see this late in the season plants are generally better equipped to deal with the lack of precipitation as they have already established a deep root system to access water and nutrients deeper in the the soil. When we have drought conditions at the beginning of the planting and transplant season seeds have poor germination due to the lack of consistent soil moisture and transplants have difficulty establishing a healthy root structure in the compacted soil. Hemp farmers across the Midwest scrambled to combat these conditions by setting up drip and soak irrigation systems, and even used the more time consuming method of hand watering.
Drought conditions continued in June accompanied by elevated temperatures that we see in July and August. These conditions often lead to stunting in new plants as the roots, which are close to the surface, experience damage due to the excessive heat. This weather was the perfect breeding ground for pests, aphids in particular seemed to be excessive in number this year. Farmers across the Midwest also experienced poor air quality from Canadian wildfires. The haze can block sunlight which leads to reduced photosynthesis, which can cause slower growth and weaker plants. In a photo period plant like cannabis this can cause early flower signaling which can delay growth as the plant transitions between vegetative and flowering stages. The fine particulates can also accumulate on the leaves blocking respiration channels and potentially lead to plant death or damage. June closed by bringing a powerful thunderstorm with hurricane strength winds across the Midwest known as a Derecho, which had the ability to flatten fields and cause plant damage.
The beginning of July brought much needed rain, and the Derecho helped to clear the poor air quality providing a small respite for Midwestern hemp farmers. For the ones like myself that were relying on crop cover this year, that failed due to drought conditions, the battle against the elements continued as native prairie grasses and plants sprang to life quickly engulfing their surroundings. The rain also brought more pests, like Japanese beetles which in numbers can decimate plants. We also experienced a return of the poor air quality for a time, and many Midwestern hemp farmers did experience flower conditions a few weeks early in mid to end July. While the beginning of the 2023 growing season has been less than favorable compared to previous years - with a lot of hard work and dedication, and a little luck the end of year harvest will be fruitful for farmers.
[photos below of Sour Pineapple CBD hemp plant in early flower, full plant view and close up view]
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