- Successful completion of Phase Three trials involving cannabis grown with wollastonite (CaSiO3) as a soil additive
- Phase Three trials BCBD measured and recorded significant improvements in root mass, powdery mildew control and pest elimination.
- Optimal results occurred with an admixture rate of 10% to 15% Wollastonite to the growth medium
VANCOUVER, BC / February 5, 2019 / VERTICAL
EXPLORATION INC. (TSX-V: VERT) (“Vertical” or the Company”) is pleased
to announce the successful completion of Phase Three trials involving
cannabis grown with wollastonite (CaSiO3) as a soil additive at BC Bud
Depot’s (BCBD) ACMPR-licenced Research and Development facilities in
Vancouver, BC. The positive Phase Three trials build on the success of
Phase Two Trials, which included samples of marijuana grown with 15%
wollastonite from the Company’s St. Onge project being entered in an
international growers’ competition, winning first place overall for Best
Flower at the August 2018 Kootenay Cannabis Cup in Cranbrook, BC. (see
October 2, 2018 news release.)
In the Phase Three trials BCBD measured and recorded significant
improvements in root mass, powdery mildew control and pest elimination.
In every case the most optimal results occurred with an admixture rate
of 10% to 15% wollastonite to the growth medium. Most notably, powdery
mildew, the most common fungal blight to affect Cannabis sativa, was
virtually undetectable with wollastonite admixture above 10%. An
admixture above 10% wollastonite also correlated with sharp reductions
in the presence of thrips and fungus gnats, insect pests with a sub-soil
life phase in which the wollastonite crystals lacerate and impale their
soft bodies. At a microscopic level, wollastonite’s needle-like
structure penetrates soft-bodied insect larvae and pupae, interrupting
the life cycle without the use of pesticides. Wollastonite’s unique
properties also allow it to break down into calcium, magnesium and
silicon in a highly bio-available form that balances soil PH throughout
the growth cycle – this allows the cannabis plants to uptake silicic
acid and promotes strong cell walls that better resist insect feeding
and spore penetration, supporting increased growth and elevated product
yields.
“We recorded a dramatic elevation of overall health among plants
grown with wollastonite,” stated Matthew Harvey, CEO of BCBD. “The
wollastonite group produced consistently low levels of powdery mildew —
little to none – appearing later in the growth cycle. Roots, meanwhile,
showed extreme vigour, growing dense and white with no sign of
yellowing. Root health indicates a plant’s ability to resist disease and
to support high yields of high-quality of finished marijuana.
According to Mr. Harvey the findings of the Phase Three BCBD
wollastonite study indicate a major financial implication for the
cannabis industry, where a trend towards cultivation of expansive plant
canopies creates a powerful incentive for effective and efficient
methods of crop protection and production.
As Mr. Harvey explained, “Large-scale cultivators need every tool at
their disposal to improve plant health and avoid crop losses – a 10% to
20% loss in crop production due to a preventable outbreak of a
destructive fungal pathogen can equate to millions of dollars of lost
product. Companies that take crop protection seriously are looking for
cost-effective soil additives that not only nourish plants but build
resilience against the pests and pathogens that threaten profits. Our
findings show wollastonite to be a critical tool for both cannabis crop
protection and top-end production in a market where quality is of vital
importance. It is no longer acceptable to spray fungicides on marijuana:
natural prevention is the key and wollastonite is the answer.
Vertical’s CEO Peter Swistak commented: “We are very excited by these
excellent Phase Three results which prove that wollastonite is a very
appealing natural growing additive for the cannabis industry because it
couples crop protection with product improvement, resulting in a more
natural and healthier product for consumers.”
With the highly successful completion of these Phase Three cannabis
trials at BCBD, Vertical is now moving aggressively forward with its
plans to test market its high-quality St. Onge wollastonite to both
micro-producers and large-scale cannabis companies. Vertical believes
that the cannabis industry offers significant revenue potential for the
company and anticipates providing further updates on its cannabis
testing and marketing efforts in the near future.
ABOUT VERTICAL EXPLORATION
Vertical Exploration’s mission is to identify, acquire, and advance
high potential mining prospects located in North America for the benefit
of its stakeholders. The Company’s flagship St-Onge Wollastonite
property is located in the Lac-Saint-Jean area in the Province of
Quebec.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Peter P. Swistak, President
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Telephone: 1-604-683-3995
Toll Free: 1-888-945-4770
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains
forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future
performance and reflect management’s current expectations and
assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s
current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information
currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these
forward looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are
subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to
differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements
are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable
securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to
update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the
forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by
these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR
in Canada (available at www.sedar.com).
SOURCE: Vertical Exploration Inc.
