Founded by cbdMD, National CBD Month is an initiative to raise awareness and educate people about the importance of CBD for wellness. In honor of this celebrated component of hemp and cannabis, we’re taking a look at CBD use and how perlite and vermiculite can support the cultivation of cannabis.

About CBD

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a component of hemp and cannabis plants. cbdMD explains that CBD generally isn’t used to treat or cure a disease and is most often used to support your existing health and fitness routine. (However, there are some medical applications like the treatment of epilepsy that are verified with proper testing, evidence, and a doctor’s supervision.) It is frequently used to address the following:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Chronic pain
• Skincare
• Animal wellness

Like all health products, it’s important to choose a reputable supplier and discuss options with your healthcare provider before starting a new treatment. 

CBD versus THC

Hemp and cannabis plants are similar and often confused and compared. Both provide CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Many people still confuse CBD with the high-inducing THC from cannabis plants. CBD does not cause a high, and federally regulated products only contain non-detectable amounts of THC that will not impact brain function or blood levels. While cannabis consumption with THC laws varies from state to state (with many still considering it an illegal drug), all 50 states have laws legalizing CBD with varying degrees of restriction.

According to the World Health Organization, “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential….to date, there is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”

Growing Amendments for Successful Cannabis Cultivation

Perlite for Successful Cannabis Cultivation

Perlite is formed by molten (magmatic) rock, also known as volcanic glass. When perlite ore is heated rapidly in industrial furnaces, the volcanic glass softens, causing entrapped water molecules to turn to steam and expand the perlite particles—much like popcorn. These expanded perlite particles are lightweight and insulated glass bubbles that can hold water and air.

• Helps increase cannabis root mass and overall yield.
• Retains water in three ways: In between individual grains, in channels leading to the cores of the grains, and on the highly irregular surfaces of each particle.
• It allows you to feed your plant more. Because the perlite particles hold water, it aids in draining, which gives you the opportunity to give your plant more nutrients. Efficient draining also keeps roots very oxygenated.
• It’s lightweight. Because of its light weight—especially compared to other soil aggregates—perlite is easy to transport and mix.
• It’s stable for indoor and outdoor use. Add it to your outdoor plants, indoor pots, and even hydroponic gardens.
• It’s mixable. It mixes easily with soil and other amendments.
• It’s sterile and chemically inert. Growing with perlite promotes only the healthiest of root systems, ensuring a pest, and disease-free environment.

At Dicaperl, our perlite ore produces a large grade expanded product that is harder and more consistent, so when you open your bag, you can expect kernels—not dust. You’ll be happy, and your plants will be happy, too.

Vermiculite for Successful Cannabis Cultivation

Vermiculite is a hydrated magnesium aluminum sheet silicate mineral closely related to mica, and has all of the thermal and chemical resistance mica is known for. When subjected to heat, vermiculite expands and forms particles that are very productive in soil and soilless media mixes. It’s even great for growing cannabis hydroponically! Vermiculite’s benefits include:

• Acts as a magnet for nutrients. Vermiculite acts as a magnet for nutrients like potassium, calcium, and magnesium, making it an especially valuable and time-saving addition for passive hydroponics systems.
• Effectively re-releases nutrients. It provides cation-exchange capacity, releasing vital elements to the plant roots as required.
• Improves aeration. The expanded particles create matrixes in the soil, delivering air to the roots.

Diatomaceous Earth, a biologically generated form of Silica, has an abundance of benefits as a soil amendment:

Thanks to the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO) there’s now another reason to consider natural diatomaceous earth as a soil conditioner. The silica content of diatomaceous earth is absorbed into plant tissue and helps improve plant structure and resistance to pests and disease. Since AAPFCO acknowledged silicon dioxide as a Beneficial Substance and subsequently published an approved method for testing soluble silicon, it’s important for growers to focus not on products with high SiO2 content, but the plant available or soluble silicon content. Diatomaceous Earth benefits include:

• Plant-available Silica (PAS)
• Increases plant health
• Does not decompose 
• Reduces abiotic and biotic plant stressors
• Greater yields

For Reliable Growing Mediums, Choose Dicalite Management Group.

Dicalite Management Group is an international industrial minerals company with a unique multi-mineral platform including perlite, vermiculite, and diatomaceous earth, represented across three brands: Dicalite, Dicaperl, and Specialty Vermiculite. Our sales and technical services team work closely together to ensure you are getting the right product for your cannabis growing. We know you’ll love the results of using our minerals, so we’d like to send you a free sample. Call us today at 866-728-3303 to request your sample and speak with a knowledgeable representative.

Stay tuned! Dicalite’s new direct-to-consumer platform, Harvest Hero, will soon be offering soil amendments for cannabis and other plant growth. The consumer-led movement towards the legalization of cannabis in the United States, in combination with the rapidly growing demand for at-home growing and gardening, has increased the need for superior performing soil amendments. Harvest Hero plans to roll out several horticultural products in 2021, starting with a patent-pending Enhanced Perlite Mix that has proven to significantly improve plant yield.