Hop-latent viroid, or HLVd is a real problem and a LOT of plants are infected. HLVd causes lower potency, lower terpene levels and fewer buds on smaller plants. However, plants seem to have varying degrees of susceptibility HLVd, and one strain, Jamaican Lion, seems to be immune to HLVd. (If you can find seeds for it, you might consider adding it into your breeding program!) It may turn out that the anthocyanins (purple coloring) is an anti-viral. Purple weed could save California’s pot farms from ‘severe’ pathogen (news – 2023) 'Purple weed' could save California's dying pot farms An estimated 90% of California’s cannabis farms are infected with a “severe” pathogen that can destroy the value of pot plants, leaving cannabis farmers with a worthless harvest. But a recent scientific breakthrough is offering a glimmer of hope for the beleaguered farmers. Scientists have discovered a type of purple-colored cannabis that appears to fight the widespread plant disease, which is called hop-latent viroid, or HLVd. HLVd damages cannabis plants and significantly reduces their value by decreasing the amount of active compounds, like THC, they produce. But two weeks ago, a group of scientists at Medicinal Genomics, a Massachusetts-based company, announced they had accidentally discovered that one of their cannabis plants appears to be partially resistant to HLVd. The scientists also noticed that the plant turned purple as it was fighting the disease. Cannabis plants can occasionally turn from green to other colors, like red, blue or purple, because of genetic or environmental factors. Purple plants have long been valued in the cannabis community, with prized strains like Granddaddy Purple, Mendocino Purps and Purple Haze. Kevin McKernan, the chief science officer for Medicinal Genomics, announced his company’s findings earlier this month at a conference in Florida. McKernan said the plant was significantly more purple than a second plant that had the same genetics but was not exposed to the viroid. “We don’t know why [this is happening]. This could be an immune response, but we’re not seeing this [purple coloring] as heavily increased in the control that’s not infected,” McKernan said. (snipped, but worth reading) Granny
Understanding HLV in Cannabis Cultivation Hop Latent Viroid, or HLV, is a strain rumored to reside in every cannabis plant, lying dormant until it’s triggered by stress factors. This strain is purported to cause significant damage once activated. But is this fear just a result of industry speculation, or is it a legitimate concern that cultivators need to consider? HLV: Fact or Fiction? Different voices within the cannabis cultivation industry offer varying opinions on HLV. Some providers are fueling the flames of fear, offering testing kits to check for the strain. Others conveniently attribute crop failures to this supposed threat. But is HLV as detrimental as some make it out to be? From my interactions with tens of thousands of customers, it appears that the HLV scare is more of an exception than a rule. Demystifying HLV: The Takeaway for Cannabis Growers As a trusted voice in the cannabis industry, I believe in the importance of providing transparent and reliable information to our community. Until substantial evidence is presented, I urge growers to focus on proven cultivation techniques and crop care methods. Keep abreast of new developments and potential threats, but don’t let unproven theories detract from the real tasks at hand. The Role of Vigilance in Cannabis Cultivation In the fast-paced world of cannabis cultivation, growers must remain vigilant, ready to adapt and evolve. It’s critical to separate fact from fiction and not be swayed by unfounded rumors. As we navigate this journey together, I’m committed to providing informed insights to help you make the best decisions for your crop. HLV in Cannabis Cultivation: Unmasking the Myths and Reality The Resilience of Blue Dream: In the face of HLVd, Blue Dream showcases notable resilience. Studies indicate that it is much less susceptible to having another infection due to HLVd. This means that while Blue Dream can still be infected by the viroid, it appears to have a lower likelihood of subsequent infections with other pathogens that often piggyback on the weakened immunity of HLVd-infected plants, such as Fusarium, Powdery Mildew, or pests.
