Three recent studies from Dr. Jeb S. Fields’ Environmental Nursery Production Lab show that growers can reduce peat use in plant production by layering different substrate materials—a practice called substrate stratification—while maintaining plant growth or quality.

In the first study, the researchers tested how incorporating wood fiber into the bottom layers of containers affects plant growth. They found that using coarse wood fiber underneath and a finer moisture-retaining material on top helped the roots develop well, keeping the seedlings healthy and vigorous. The approach also offers growers the flexibility to tailor substrate mixes to specific crops or growing conditions.

A supporting study confirmed that layering low-peat and high-peat materials in the same container can significantly reduce overall peat use. Plants grown in these stratified mixtures performed as well or better than those grown in traditional uniform substrates.

A third study reinforces these findings, showing that stratified systems can cut total peat use while maintaining or improving plant quality compared to traditional uniform mixes.

Together, these findings give growers practical tools to reduce peat use, manage costs and achieve more sustainable production, all while maintaining the high-quality plants that customers expect.

Collectively, these findings provide practical strategies for nurseries and nurseries seeking to sustainably produce high-quality plants. By combining layered substrates, careful packaging and peat alternatives, growers can reduce peat dependence, improve root architecture and improve production efficiency.

These studies represent a step forward in sustainable gardening, demonstrating that environmentally responsible substrate management can go hand in hand with the production of high yielding plants.

According to Dr. Fields, “Researchers around the world have been looking for alternatives to peat for decades, but the answer may lie in managing the way we use the substrate we have. Through stratification, we can effectively reduce peat use by 50% without sacrificing plant growth or quality. Substrate stratification also allows the use of low-cost or recycled materials in place of permanent media and other sustainable growth materials and sustainable growth. Horticulture industry”.

The full article can be read on the ASHS HortTech e-journal website https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05570-24; https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05660-25; and https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05683-25

For more information:
American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS)
ashlars.org

Only six percent of marijuana users approve of the Trump administration’s actions on cannabis policy so far, according to a new poll. Rumors abound that the president plans to direct federal rescheduling of cannabis.

The latest version of NuggMD and Marijuana Moment’s quarterly presidential approval tracking poll also found that 51 percent of respondents would support the current administration if marijuana were rescheduled or legalized.

Some President Donald Trump calls cannabis III. Despite the recent news that plans to reclassify the drug as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act are very positive, marijuana users’ support for the president’s marijuana “actions” declined in the last quarter.

1.6 percent of respondents said they “strongly approve” of the actions, 4.5 percent approve, a plurality of 38.4 percent are neutral, 26.1 percent disapprove and 29.5 percent strongly disapprove.

“I find these data to be evidence that the White House needs to take tangible action on cannabis reprogramming to capture the clear political benefit of the public we poll, cannabis consumers who participate in state legal and regulated markets,” said Andrew Graham, chief communications officer for Nugg MD, Marijuana Moment.

“The trial balloon about the imminence of the overhaul is not going to cut it,” he said, adding that he doesn’t believe an executive leading the move to Schedule III “resolves the many problems with how federal law treats cannabis, a legal substance in many states.”

However, “I think it would benefit the industry and increase access, and consumers of cannabis would notice,” Graham said.

The latest quarterly poll found Trump’s overall approval rating among marijuana users down, from 11 percent in the previous quarter to around six percent this quarter.

The survey — which interviewed 448 cannabis users living in states with legal markets and has a margin of error of ±4.63 percentage points — was conducted before the president announced plans to move forward with the reorganization process initiated by the Biden administration, with deadlines for action ranging from Monday to early next year.

Trump confirmed Monday when asked by a reporter “very strongly” considering rescheduling cannabisHe said the reform “brings in enormous amounts of research that can’t be done if you don’t reclassify.”

Amid rumors of a reconsideration, top Democrats in Congress have complained that the reform would not go far enough, including Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) who called the move only a tentative one. president to “gaslight” voters into thinking he legalized cannabis to boost his “pathetic” approval rating.

Meanwhile, it is an important organization in the drug testing industry Amid ‘sounding the alarm’ reports Trump may soon end marijuana reregulation proposalthat the reform would have “catastrophic consequences for the safety of US workers and the transportation sector.”

Cannabis industry players are hopeful that reform will be passed as soon as possible, but opponents — including the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA) and Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) — are working to dissuade the administration before a final decision is made. For what it’s worth, a White House spokesperson told Marihuana Moment that no action has been taken so far.

They have been bipartisan members of Congress weighing a possible decision to reorganize last week—Democrats like Rep. Alex Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) call the reform a “no” and others like Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) have pushed back against the proposal.

Trump said this in mid-August he would make the reorganization decision in a week. But despite that timeline and increasing rumors, a White House spokesman told Marijuana Moment last week that “no final decision has been made on rescheduling marijuana.”

The Washington Post reported Thursday afternoon that Trump planned to issue an executive order to federal agencies to move ahead with cannabis rescheduling.

The outlet also said the president met with marijuana industry executives Robert F. Kennedy Jr. earlier this week in the Oval Office. with Secretary of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz. During that meeting, Trump called Johnson, the House Speaker, who opposed the rescheduling of cannabis,

If the administration ultimately enacts the rescheduling, it would mark one of the most significant developments in federal marijuana policy since its prohibition half a century ago, when it was banned under Article III. With a reclassification, marijuana has medical value and a lower abuse potential compared to Schedule I drugs like heroin.

—
It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
—

Trump endorsed the rescheduling — as well as an initiative to legalize access to industrial banking and adult use in Florida — on the campaign trail. The president had been silent on the issue since taking office for a second term, until a meeting in August where, in response to a reporter’s question, he announced that the administration would decide to reschedule in a few weeks.