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Ryan Lee of Chimera Genetics joins Grodan Crop Specialist Chad Rigby and host Riley Jones for a deep conversation on how cannabis genetics and cultivation strategy come together in controlled environments. Drawing from decades of breeding and research experience, Ryan breaks down how genetic potential is established, classified, and expressed, and where growers have the most influence once plants enter production.

The discussion connects genetic selection to real-world cultivation decisions, including climate strategy, root zone management, and crop steering. Chad ties breeding concepts back to precision growing, highlighting how irrigation, substrate choice, and environmental control shape consistency across rooms and runs.

Rather than treating genetics and cultivation as separate disciplines, this episode frames them as one integrated system. For growers focused on repeatability, efficiency, and long-term performance, it offers a clearer way to align genetics with how their facilities actually operate.

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In this special episode, we unpack one of Grodan’s most significant cannabis research milestones to date. Crop Specialist Chad Rigby returns to break down the findings behind our new whitepaper, Impressively high yields are reality for cannabis growers, highlighting how precision irrigation, EC management, and autoflower F1 hybrid seeds contributed to annual dry flower yields averaging 9.7 kg/m² — with multiple treatment groups surpassing 10 kg/m².

Together, Chad and host Riley Jones walk through the trial design, why lower EC outperformed higher EC, how staged shot sizes shaped generative steering, and what the GroSens Suite revealed about real-time plant behavior. They also explore how this research supports more consistent, repeatable outcomes for commercial growers and what it signals for the future of professional cannabis cultivation.

Want to dig deeper? Download the full whitepaper for trial data, methodology, and key insights at Grodan101.com. 

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In Part 2 of our “Start Clean, Stay Clean” series, we shift the focus from the root zone to the canopy — and why what happens above ground often reflects the strength of your entire cultivation system.

Zac Ricciardi (BioSafe Systems) returns alongside Grodan Crop Specialist Jon Jirikovec to share real-world strategies for dialing in foliar programs, strengthening IPM, and managing environmental conditions to support healthier, more consistent plants. From spray timing and product compatibility to SOPs and the root-to-canopy connection, this episode is packed with insights you can put to work.

🎙️ If you haven’t yet, check out Part 1 (Episode 24) for strategies on root zone management, water treatment, and microbial balance.

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It’s a mindset that guides this deep dive into the root zone on Episode 24 of the GroShow Podcast, as Zac Ricciardi (BioSafe Systems) and Jon Jirikovec (Grodan) join host Riley Jones to explore the underlying root zone conditions that can affect crop uniformity — and how dialing them in unlocks better data, healthier crops, and precision growing at scale.

From algae control and water testing to microbial timing and fertigation compatibility, this episode offers practical insight into what it really means to “start clean, stay clean” — and how Grodan stone wool enables growers to turn that clean foundation into more consistent crops, better irrigation control, and precision cultivation at scale.

Curious how to put these practices into action? BioSafe also offers a quick-reference guide on algae prevention and root zone protocols in stone wool — a helpful companion to what you’ll hear in the episode.

The conversation also explores how BioSafe inputs like Zerotol can be integrated without disrupting beneficial microbes or nutrient delivery. With real-world examples, clear timing strategies, and advice on what to track before and after system cleanup, it’s a must-listen for any grower looking to level up their root zone game.

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In Episode 23 of the GroShow Podcast, host Riley Jones is joined by Kaz Makarewicz (Product Owner, e-Gro) and Chad Rigby (Crop Specialist) to explore how growers are using Grodan’s all-in-one root zone monitoring system — the GroSens Suite — to improve irrigation strategy and crop steering.

From setting up sensors and configuring rooms in e-Gro to interpreting drybacks, EC trends, and real-time alerts, this episode walks through the full system and how it helps growers stay consistent across zones, reduce risk, and dial in better decisions every day.

Whether you’re just getting started or refining your process, this conversation is packed with practical insights on using real-time data to grow with more control.

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In Episode 22 of the GroShow Podcast, host Riley Jones heads to the East Coast to sit down with Zach Wise and Tim Larson from Happy Valley — a vertically integrated cannabis company in Massachusetts known for precision, consistency, and award-winning flower.

Together, they explore how Happy Valley built a high-performance cultivation system from the ground up. From selecting standout genetics and pheno-hunting in-house to dialing-in environmental control, irrigation, and facility design, Zach and Tim share what it takes to scale premium flower without sacrificing craft quality.

You’ll also hear how Grodan stone wool fits into their approach to consistent production, and why precision growing and data-backed decisions are key to navigating a competitive and maturing cannabis market.

Whether you’re running a large-scale grow or looking to level up your processes, this episode offers practical insights from two cultivators committed to efficiency, innovation, and excellence.

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In Episode 21 of the GroShow Podcast, host Riley Jones is joined by Grodan Crop Specialist Jon Jirikovec and Anders Peterson and Michael Williamson from PIPP Horticulture for part two of a special mini-series with the Cultivation Elevated podcast.

If you caught part one on Cultivation Elevated, you’ll recognize today’s guests — and the ongoing collaboration between Grodan and PIPP Horticulture behind this mini-series. In this episode, we take a deeper dive into vertical cultivation: how smart facility design, irrigation planning, and substrate strategy all work together to support crop success at scale.

From optimizing airflow and drain layout to aligning media choice with multi-tier systems, Jon, Anders, and Michael share practical guidance drawn from years of fieldwork and facility builds. We explore the real-world challenges of vertical growing — including common mistakes, irrigation missteps, and how to avoid dry-back or pooling issues in tightly stacked environments.

You’ll also hear why infrastructure decisions upstream can directly shape root zone performance and crop consistency downstream, and how early planning can pay off in efficiency, yield, and long-term ROI.

Whether you’re designing a new facility or optimizing an existing one, this episode offers grounded, experience-driven insight from two teams who’ve helped shape the future of vertical cannabis cultivation. 

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In Episode 20 of the GroShow Podcast, host Riley Jones welcomes Grodan Crop Specialist Jon Jirikovec for a deep dive into one of the most important (and often underestimated) parts of a successful grow: initial substrate saturation and rooting strategy. From troubleshooting dry-back issues to dialing in daily irrigations, Jon shares the foundational practices that help cultivators get the most from their Grodan blocks and slabs. 

What if inconsistent rooting or poor substrate hydration are limiting your yields without you even realizing it? Jon breaks down proper saturation techniques that create uniform water distribution, why early irrigation decisions shape root structure, and how to avoid common mistakes like using low EC or skipping QC checks on block weights. 

We also explore how to maintain capillarity during the rooting-in phase, why sensors should be placed strategically, and how overly wet or dry conditions can throw off nutrient balance in the root zone. Jon outlines a multiphase irrigation approach—refreshment, drain, and dry-back—that sets growers up for long-term consistency, crop steering, and improved plant health. 

If you're building out a facility or looking to refine your early-stage irrigation protocols, this episode offers clear, actionable guidance grounded in real-world experience—and shows why so many top growers trust Grodan stone wool to set the foundation for success. 

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In episode 19 of the GroShow Podcast, host Riley Jones sits down with Jared Toogood of Plant Nerd to break down the techniques helping growers fine-tune their operations. From advanced lighting strategies to precision irrigation and pheno-hunting for elite genetics, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Jared shares how real-time data collection and a single-stage nutrient approach help streamline workflows and improve plant health. We also discuss how undercanopy lighting boosts flower production and why substrate selection with Grodan stone wool is key to optimizing irrigation efficiency.

Tune in to explore Michigan’s competitive cannabis market, the role of controlled environment agriculture, and how small refinements can lead to major gains in yield and quality.

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Chris Carlino and Scott Judd from Blue Goose Flower share how they’ve perfected indoor cannabis cultivation in a competitive market on this episode of the Grodan GroShow Podcast. Based in Sacramento, California, Blue Goose Flower has overcome challenges to achieve success by transitioning to Grodan stone wool, leveraging the GroSen Suite, and addressing biofilm irrigation issues while optimizing sustainable practices. Discover how adaptability, sustainability, and top-tier product quality have helped them thrive without relying on flashy marketing.

Learn how they balance market demands with innovative growing practices, refining irrigation and monitoring systems to cultivate trendy strains like Lemon Cherry Sherbet. Chris and Scott also reflect on their Northern California roots, showcasing how craft operators can succeed in such a competitive market.

Packed with inspiration, innovation, and actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for growers of all levels.