Garden Talk with Mr. Grow It

In this episode, I sit down with legendary grower and author Ed Rosenthal to discuss what more than 50 years of growing plants has taught him. We talk about his role in the development of modern grow tents, co-founding High Times, and how indoor gardening has evolved over the decades. Ed also shares his insights on lighting, light spectrum, plant nutrition, organic inputs, UV light, autos, triploids, and advancements in plant breeding. We finish by discussing harvesting, drying, curing, and modern drying equipment, along with his advice for growers looking to improve their results.

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In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Nicole Gauthier to discuss how to identify, prevent, and manage some of the most common plant diseases. We cover how plant diseases develop, how to distinguish disease symptoms from nutrient deficiencies, and the importance of testing plants and soil for pathogens. Dr. Gauthier also breaks down Pythium, Fusarium, powdery mildew, Botrytis, and Hop Latent Viroid, including how these pathogens spread and the treatment and prevention methods available. We also discuss proper cleaning and sanitation practices, fungicides, and steps growers can take to reduce the risk of disease in their gardens.

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In this episode, I sit down with Chris from No Till Genetics to break down how to build and maintain a no-till garden that can improve with each grow. We cover his indoor setup, container size, essential ingredients, composting, irrigation, water quality, worms, mulch layers, cover crops, and the inputs he has added over the years. Chris also explains how he prepares his soil for the next planting without starting over, along with common problems growers may encounter.

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In this episode, I sit down with Richard Philbrook, Principal Scientist of Genetics at Dark Heart, to discuss how modern science is changing the future of plant breeding. We cover predicting offspring, stabilizing genetics, doubled haploids, tissue culture, marker-assisted selection, resistance genes, epigenetics, and selecting desirable traits. Richard also breaks down plant reversal, STS formulas and spray strategies, F1 hybrids vs. polyhybrids, triploids, and the testing that goes into genetics before they're released. We finish by discussing what plant breeding could look like 5–10 years from now as new technologies become more widely used.

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In this episode, I sit down with Matt, aka iCanTHC, to discuss some of his best advice for beginner gardeners from seed to harvest. We walk through the entire grow cycle, including germination, the seedling stage, transplanting, choosing a medium, watering, feeding, and reamending soil. Matt also shares his approach to plant training, topping, lollipopping, defoliation, and managing the flowering stage. We finish with his tips for determining when to harvest, drying, curing, and properly storing the final product.

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In this episode, I sit down with Tim and Gary from the YouTube channel Canadian Grower to discuss how to grow better plants indoors without overcomplicating the process. We break down what actually matters for getting good results, along with some things growers tend to focus on more than they need to. The conversation covers simple grow setups, living soil vs. hydroponics, lighting, side and undercanopy lighting, watering, temperature, humidity, and plant training. Tim and Gary also share how they approach keeping their gardens simple while still producing consistently good results.

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In this episode, I speak with Dan, also known as Hemp In A Pot, to discuss how to get the most out of your indoor grow equipment. We break down the proper use of humidifiers, oscillating fans, inline fans, carbon filters, grow lights, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners, along with the common mistakes growers make when using them. Dan also shares practical advice on equipment placement, airflow, light intensity, and choosing the right gear for your space.

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In this episode, I interview El Cannasseur to challenge one of the most common beliefs in living soil gardening. We discuss what living soil really is, whether large containers are actually necessary, and why he has found success growing in much smaller containers. The conversation also covers his grow setup, soil mix, feeding regimen, reusing soil, and common misconceptions about living soil.

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In this episode, I interview Saul Bunyan, the winner of the 2026 DGC Cup, to break down exactly how he grows his award-winning plants. We cover his complete approach, including genetics, grow setup, container size, feeding, watering, plant training, and environmental conditions. Saul also shares how he determines the perfect time to harvest, his drying process, and the reasoning behind the genetics he chose.

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In this episode, I sit down with Tad Hussey and Brandon Hudson from KIS Organics to analyze my soil test results and uncover what may be holding the soil back. We break down what a soil test can and can’t tell you, how to interpret key numbers like pH, chloride, organic matter, and EC, and where AI may or may not be useful in the process. The conversation also covers the Stash Nutrients x KIS Organics collaboration, what’s actually in the soil mix, and what really matters when it comes to plant quality and secondary metabolites. Tad and Brandon also share practical advice on flushing, runoff water, reamending soil, and what to test after making corrections.

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In this special 200th episode of Garden Talk, the tables are turned as Rob from CLTV interviews me about my gardening journey and the lessons I've learned along the way. We discuss the advice I’d give myself 10 years ago, including what actually moves the needle, common mistakes to avoid, and how my approach has evolved over time. The conversation covers everything from watering, lighting, environment, nutrition, and plant training to harvesting, drying, curing, and breeding. We also dive into my current grow setup, managing multiple projects, and how life changes—including becoming a parent—have influenced the way I garden. This is the longest episode yet! Click that like button to appreciate the 200th episode milestone :) Thank you all so much for tuning in over the years!!!

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In this episode, I interview Scott Skamnes from Crescive Soil Services to discuss why so many living soil grows fail—and how to avoid the most common mistakes. We break down the biggest issues growers run into, including inconsistent bagged soils, poor compost tea practices, and common soil imbalances. Scott also explains what to focus on when building living soil, whether water pH should be adjusted, and how to properly interpret soil test results.

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In this episode, I interview Dave Baker to discuss how to grow autos faster and bigger by dialing in one of the most important factors—lighting. We cover topics like PPFD, light cycles, under-canopy lighting, far red and IR effects, and how different spectrums can influence morphology and trichome production. Dave also shares insights on plant training, nutrient strategies, EC, and maximizing yield potential with autos.

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In this episode, I sit down with Manny from The Grow Under The Stairs, who takes a unique approach—and gets impressive results because of it. We dive into his methods, from deep water culture and soil comparisons to container size, nutrients, and lighting. He also shares his strategies for plant training, topping, supercropping, grafting, and pest prevention.

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In this episode, I interview Dr. Colin Bell from Mammoth Microbes, who dives into microbial strategies that can lead to healthier, stronger plants. He explains how microbes influence plant morphology, flowering timing, and even secondary metabolite production. The conversation covers introduced vs. native microbes, compost teas, and the role of endophytic and seed-borne bacteria. He also shares practical strategies for building microbial diversity and using tools like Trichoderma to combat common issues such as Fusarium.

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In this episode, I interview Nate aka Garden Like a Viking. He dives into DIY garden hacks that actually work, from using wood ash and homemade fish fertilizer to boosting nitrogen naturally. We explore techniques like electroculture, cover crops for nitrogen fixation, and JADAM solutions for managing powdery mildew. The conversation also covers important topics like pH in organic gardening and how to handle high pH water sources.

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In this episode, I interview Manny from AutoPot. He breaks down the basics of fertigation and why combining irrigation and fertilization can take your grow to the next level. He explains what fertigation is, how it works, and the benefits of delivering nutrients through your watering system. The conversation covers liquid organic options that won’t clog systems, the best media for passive fertigation, feeding strategies, and how to prevent salt buildup. We also discuss water quality, equipment, common misconceptions, and troubleshooting tips to help growers get the most out of their fertigation setup.

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In this episode, I sit down with South, a guerrilla grower who regularly cultivates over 100 plants at a time in outdoor, off-grid locations. We break down what guerrilla growing really is, how he selects the perfect spot, manages water sources, and keeps his sites hidden. He shares his approach to feeding, pest prevention, plant training, and handling environmental challenges like temperature and humidity.

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In this episode, I sit down with legendary breeder MrSoul from Brothers Grimm Seeds to break down how stable feminized genetics are actually created. We dive deep into reversing plants the right way, including an STS recipe, spray strategy, storage, and the timing of pollen release. He also shares what traits he looks for, how he approaches pheno hunting, and best practices for growing and feeding pollinated plants.

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In this episode, I interview Patrick from Typ3cannabis, who dives into the art and science of breeding plants for distinct flavors and effects. Our conversation covers how genetics, selection, and intentional breeding decisions shape aroma profiles, potency, and the overall experience. We also discuss the challenges breeders face and the techniques used to bring truly unique traits to life.

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