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Opening the doors to standardized cannabis propagation

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2 months ago

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Twenty cannabis growers from all over Europe and the world recently gathered in Austria for another industry event: a one-day invitation-only masterclass on cannabis propagation, hosted by Fluence, one of Europe’s largest cannabis clone producers, at the Flowery Field in Vienna.

The day included lectures, live demonstrations and a rare guided tour through a facility that is usually closed to outsiders. “It was a good mix of practice and theory,” says Fluence’s Theo Tekstra. “In the morning we had a theoretical block, then we had an in-depth tour of the tissue culture laboratory and the mother plant and reproduction areas, and in the afternoon a practical workshop. Everyone saw and participated in the whole process.”

© Fluence BioengineeringA cannabis tissue culture clone in the early rooting hardening phase was demonstrated at the Flowery Field hands-on session, demonstrating propagation techniques with Fluence LED lighting.

Historical installation
Flowery Field was founded by Alexander Klima, a former law student who noticed that Austrian regulations discriminated between plants and their uses. In practice, this means that cannabis can be sold as an ornamental plant, as long as it is not harvested for consumption.

What started as a small shop selling houseplants along with cannabis cuttings, has since become a major production site, with a hundreds of square meters of mother plant and tissue culture laboratory where eight technicians work every day. The company now focuses entirely on cannabis clones, supplying customers in Austria and neighboring countries, often with same-day delivery to selected locations.

Standardized expansion
For Franz Joseph Sima, Fluence’s long-time propagation specialist, the masterclass aimed to show how standard procedures transform the mother and clone phases of cannabis production. “Many producers still have challenges in the expansion phase,” he said. “At Flory Field, these processes have been refined over twenty years. We wanted participants to see how a consistent and commercially viable system works in practice.”

The workshop covered everything from mother plant maintenance and replacement schedules, to light intensity, watering and pest management. The attendees received the full procedure afterwards. “The only condition,” says Franz, “was to be there.”

© Fluence BioengineeringFranz Josef Sima, Cannabis Research & Plant Specialist at Fluence, guiding participants through best practices in mother plant maintenance and clone cutting.

From tissue culture to mother plant
Participants followed the entire production chain, from tissue culture and virus testing in the laboratory, to cutting and preparation of clones. Flowery uses PCR testing to ensure cultivar stability and purity, a practice more common in pharmaceutical or ornamental horticulture than cannabis.

“The contrast was striking,” says Theo. “You have this sterile white lab on one side, and on the other a fully commercial clone factory based on the mother plants. Seeing both under one roof gave people a real sense of scale.”

Opening the doors
One of the main takeaways from the day was the atmosphere of openness. “In the Dutch horticulture industry, growers thrived by visiting each other and sharing knowledge,” says Theo. “In cannabis, everyone tends to close their doors. Events like this are a step to change that.”

The small group format helped. What began as quiet observation soon turned into a back-and-forth of ideas, with growers comparing notes, solving problems, and sharing their methods.

© Fluence BioengineeringAttendees of the Fluence Propagation Masterclass at Flowery Field in Vienna, a meeting of cannabis cultivation professionals from all over Europe.

Interest in the event exceeded expectations, Franz and Theo both say, and Fluence is already considering repeating the format. “We can do another show in the same place, and maybe even one in the US. It’s something that people can clearly see. In cannabis, very few cloning procedures have been proven for a decade or more, so showing something that has stood the test of time makes a big difference.”

For one day, Flowery Field opened its doors, its laboratories and its mother rooms to a small but focused group of professionals. “In a sector where practical knowledge tends to be kept close to the box, that alone was worth a visit,” concludes Theo.

If you are interested in participating in Fluence Masterclass events across Europe, please get in touch (email protected)

For more information:
fluency
https://fluence-led.com/

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New Plant Improvement Act comes into effect

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20 hours ago

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December 27, 2025

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The South African Department of Agriculture has announced that the Plant Improvement Act 2018 (Act 11 of 2018) and accompanying regulations came into force on 1 December 2025. President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the proclamation of the new Act after Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen approved the regulations. The Act replaces the Plant Improvement Act 1976 (Act 53 of 1976). Both the proclamation and its regulations were published in Official Gazette 53707 of November 21, 2025.

The updated legislation establishes systems for the registration of businesses related to plants and propagating materials for cultivation and sale, as well as the registration of the premises where these businesses operate. It also establishes quality standards for plants and propagating material, determines sales conditions and establishes a national list of plant varieties. The law includes processes for evaluating plant varieties when there is uncertainty about their value for cultivation and use, and strengthens import and export control of plants and propagating material. Certification schemes for plants and propagating material are also part of the framework.

The 2018 Act introduces new provisions that were not included in the 1976 Act. These additions include the registration of businesses related to plants and propagating material, along with new rules for the cultivation of Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) varieties in South Africa. The revised definition now classifies hemp as a low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) plant or plant part containing no more than 2 percent transdelta 9 THC, a change from the previous limit of 0.2 percent. The Act also provides for the publication of a Gazette of the National List of Varieties and specifies the process for hearing claims submitted to the Registry in connection with applications for the National List of Plant Varieties. In addition, the Law establishes an advisory committee that can assist the Registry in technical or administrative matters related to its implementation.

According to the department, the Plant Improvement Act creates a legal framework for the production and sale of high-quality seeds and vegetative propagation material. This framework supports the productivity and long-term sustainability of food production in South Africa.

Source: South African Government News Agency










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Trump’s Marijuana Order Means Congress Must Delay The Federal Hemp Ban’s Timeline (Op-Ed)

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20 hours ago

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December 27, 2025

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“Congress, you have orders from the president. Extend the implementation period of the hemp ban.”

By Adam Terry, Cantrip

As it was widely reported, last week the entire cannabis universe watched as President Donald Trump signed an executive order to change marijuana from schedule I to III. What wasn’t as widely reported was what Trump also did: He addressed lawmakers again on the law As Congress passed the new definition of hemp last month.

The exact text of the executive order reads:

“The Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative, Policy, and Public Affairs will work with Congress to update the final statutory definition of hemp-derived cannabinoid products to ensure that Americans have access to appropriate full-spectrum CBD products, in line with Congress’ intent to reduce the sale of products that pose serious health risks…”

This provision is careful and detailed. He directs a deputy chief of staff to work with Congress to update the new definition of hemp, directly acknowledging what the hemp industry has been saying for weeks: full-spectrum CBD products are not eligible under this new language.

He specifically acknowledges that if CBD products are to be subsidized or covered by Medicare, as is part of Trump’s plan, those products will be hemp-derived.

Full-spectrum CBD is a staple for many Americans. It is a lifesaver for veterans and senior citizens who rely on these products for various therapeutic purposes. It is a crucial element for some people with epilepsy, including pediatric patients. I’ve had moms and dads message me that Epidiolex, a federally approved CBD prescription drug, wasn’t working for their kids, and instead they were relying on other CBD products to find relief for their kids.

This is not just politics for them, but a stark reality.

You can’t have full-spectrum CBD with only 0.4 mg of THC per container, as required by the newly enacted change to the federal definition of hemp, and the president acknowledged that in his executive order, I’m sure with counsel to groups like the Commonwealth Project who were at the signing. Therefore, it is very likely that the definition of hemp will be reopened and legalized.

So here’s the bottom line: this conversation will take time, and probably longer than hemp has left before the ban comes into force late next year. While I have been working with the New Jersey legislature for nearly three years to craft a bill to regulate hemp cannabinoids in a way that does not diminish the CBD market, it has yet to make full impact in the state due to this complexity.

This means that the best first step for Congress to take is to extend the deadline for implementing a revised definition of hemp to ensure access to full-spectrum CBD for the tens of millions of Americans who will lose access next November if this language is enacted.

With 2026 being a close election year, most legislation will slow down after April, so it is unlikely that a final bill updating this language and regulating hemp cannabinoids will reach the finish line until the next Congress, which begins in January 2027. And the extension must pass soon, because farmers can’t plant in the spring if their harvest is in time.

I look forward to the next interview. Hemp needs to be regulated in this country, that much is clear. The White House has just sent a signal that prohibitionist redefinition cannot stand if the people who rely most on cannabis are to do well, especially in red states that voted for this president and those who have no access to cannabis outside of hemp products.

Congress, you have orders from the president. Extend the implementation period of the hemp ban, and let’s do the real hard work to craft legislation that includes safe access to cannabis for Americans in this great nation.

Adam Terry is the co-founder and CEO of THC-infused beverage company Cantrip.

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Greenhouse hygiene programs emphasize deep-penetration sanitation during cleanouts

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2 days ago

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December 26, 2025

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During winter clean-ups, greenhouse operators prepare facilities for the next production cycle, with hygiene remaining a critical focus. Effective sanitation during crop transition plays a key role in reducing pathogen pressure and promoting long-term crop health, particularly in operations that manage virus risks such as Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV).

Disinfectants commonly included in greenhouse hygiene programs include Intra Multi Des GA, supplied in North America by Houweling Americas. “This product is widely used by vegetable and ornamental growers as part of comprehensive cleaning and routine sanitation strategies, especially where deep penetration is required on complex surfaces,” says the Houweling Americas team.

© Houweling Americas

Getting under the surface
Biofilms and organic debris continue to limit the effectiveness of many disinfectants, harboring microorganisms in cracks, crevices, and porous materials. According to the Multi Des GA technical team, the formulation is designed to address this challenge through penetration rather than surface activity.

“Intra Multi Des GA has five active ingredients that work together to provide strong penetration properties, allowing the product to reach microorganisms hiding in difficult access areas,” the team explained. While not positioned as a dedicated biofilm remover, the formulation is intended to reveal and eliminate pathogens sheltered beneath biofilm layers.

For best results, a two-step sanitation approach is recommended: deep cleaning to remove organic matter and biofilm, followed by disinfection. “Skip the cleaning step increases the risk of completely eliminating pathogens,” the team noted, highlighting the continued opportunity for farmer education around proper hygiene sequencing.

The role of cleaning before disinfection
As part of the Intracare product portfolio, Houweling Americas also supplies Intra Foam Organics, a cleaner designed to remove organic material prior to disinfection. Organic debris can significantly reduce disinfectant performance if not completely removed, especially on high-traffic or porous surfaces. When used as a first step, cleaners like Intra Foam Organics help ensure that disinfectants can come into direct contact with target pathogens.

Performance on porous and uneven surfaces
Concrete floors, block walls and other porous greenhouse materials remain among the most difficult areas to sanitize. According to internal tests, Intra Multi Des GA works reliably on these surfaces, moving into the micro-cracks where pathogens can persist.

“When applied to porous materials such as concrete blocks, the formulation moves significantly across the substrate,” the team explained. “This behavior is different from traditional disinfectants that remain on the surface and do not reach the embedded microorganisms.”

© Houweling Americas

Broad spectrum pathogen control
Growers of all types of crops rely on Intra Multi Des GA to manage a wide range of pathogens, including fungal, bacterial and viral threats. The reported efficacy against ToBRFV has made it an essential component of hygiene protocols in tomato production.

“Intra Multi Des GA has shown excellent efficacy against ToBRFV and has proven effective in eliminating the virus on contact when used appropriately,” the team reported. Beyond viral control, growers also use the product against pathogens such as Fusarium and Pythium in crop and ornamental systems.

Waste behavior and crop turnover
Unlike non-residue disinfectants, Intra Multi Des GA is designed to leave a residual effect on treated surfaces during cleaning, providing extensive protection between crops. This waste is not intended to come into contact with the collected products, but is used to maintain sanitation during downtime.

Operational efficiency is another matter. The product is applied at a low concentration of use, requires a short contact time and usually requires only one application, allowing rapid crop rotations without compromising hygiene standards.

Long-term sanitation results
Growers who consistently incorporate Intra Multi Des GA have reported cumulative improvements in crop rotation hygiene programs over multiple seasons. In one documented case, a Dutch tomato operation managing ToBRFV reported no subsequent infections after integrating the product into the cleaning protocol.

“Starting clean remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of early cycle infection,” the team emphasizes.

Supporting North American producers
Houweling Americas supplies Intra Multi Des GA and other Intracare solutions through established distribution partners and provides technical support to assist with implementation. In addition to hygiene products, the company’s portfolio includes nutrient solutions, growing substrates, LED lighting, water treatment technologies and biostimulants such as Intra Eco Shield, with Intra Boost, a next-generation willow bark-derived biostimulant, scheduled for a North American launch in early 2026.

Based in British Columbia and Ontario, Houweling Americas works closely with growers to develop integrated solution programs that support yield, plant health and resilience. The company is part of Royal Houweling, a Dutch family business founded in 1925 and recently recognized with royal status for its long-term commitment to horticulture and sustainability.

For growers seeking technical guidance on hygiene protocols or product performance, the Houweling Americas team encourages direct engagement for further assistance.

For more information:
Houweling America
1-800-252-5824
houwelingamericas.com

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