Andrew Schell

Andrew Schell has 15 years of technical gardening experience, from warehouse operations in Los Angeles to the full-sun fields of Humboldt County. With a biochemistry degree from Humboldt State University and a plethora of lab experience, Andrew lends his perception of plant processes and nutrients from the molecular level. He is the in-house gardening expert for Humboldt Wholesale.

Articles by Andrew Schell

Peak Phosphorus: The Biggest Problem You’ve Never Heard Of Peak Phosphorus: The Biggest Problem You’ve Never Heard Of Peak Phosphorus: The Biggest Problem You’ve Never Heard Of Peak Phosphorus: The Biggest Problem You’ve Never Heard Of


In this day of dwindling resources and overpopulation, the term “peak oil” is often seen in headlines, but have you ever heard of “peak...

The Chemistry of Coco Coir The Chemistry of Coco Coir The Chemistry of Coco Coir The Chemistry of Coco Coir


As the ground-up seed husk tissue from the coconut palm tree, coco coir has become a popular and effective growing medium for indoor and...

Vitamins & Plants: Getting a Daily Fix Vitamins & Plants: Getting a Daily Fix Vitamins & Plants: Getting a Daily Fix Vitamins & Plants: Getting a Daily Fix


Vitamins are complex organic compounds required by all living organisms in small amounts for healthy day-to-day functioning. Let’s take a...

Hormonal Horticulture: A Breakdown of Plant Hormones, Part 3 Hormonal Horticulture: A Breakdown of Plant Hormones, Part 3 Hormonal Horticulture: A Breakdown of Plant Hormones, Part 3 Hormonal Horticulture: A Breakdown of Plant Hormones, Part 3


All hormones work together as a signaling network to regulate a plant’s defense responses. This is the final installment on plant hormones,...

Hormonal Horticulture: A Breakdown of Plant Hormones, Part 2 Hormonal Horticulture: A Breakdown of Plant Hormones, Part 2 Hormonal Horticulture: A Breakdown of Plant Hormones, Part 2 Hormonal Horticulture: A Breakdown of Plant Hormones, Part 2


This is the second installment in a three-part series on plant hormones. This time we focus on gibberellins, cytokinins and abscisic acid

Hormonal Horticulture: A Breakdown of Plant Hormones, Part 1 Hormonal Horticulture: A Breakdown of Plant Hormones, Part 1 Hormonal Horticulture: A Breakdown of Plant Hormones, Part 1 Hormonal Horticulture: A Breakdown of Plant Hormones, Part 1


There are five classic types of hormones—auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, ethylene and abscisic acid. In the first installment on plant...

Amino Acids: The Lego Blocks of Plant Proteins Amino Acids: The Lego Blocks of Plant Proteins Amino Acids: The Lego Blocks of Plant Proteins Amino Acids: The Lego Blocks of Plant Proteins


After water, amino acids are the second most prominent molecules in plants and animals. They act as the building blocks of proteins

Plant Pigments: Nature’s Source of Color & Life Energy Plant Pigments: Nature’s Source of Color & Life Energy Plant Pigments: Nature’s Source of Color & Life Energy Plant Pigments: Nature’s Source of Color & Life Energy


Plant pigments can be used by plants to attract pollinators, such as birds or insects, or to attract or deter predators, depending on the...

Paclobutrazol: Poison, Potential or Panacea? Paclobutrazol: Poison, Potential or Panacea? Paclobutrazol: Poison, Potential or Panacea? Paclobutrazol: Poison, Potential or Panacea?


Paclobutrazol is a plant growth regulator (PGR) that is present in a number of popular products on the market and is used by a significant...

Uprooting Potential of Mycorrhizae Uprooting Potential of Mycorrhizae Uprooting Potential of Mycorrhizae Uprooting Potential of Mycorrhizae


Scientists are learning more and more about mycorrhizae, the symbiotic associations between fungi and plant roots, and the benefits these...

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