Maximum Yield USA - March 2010

http://www.dutchmaster.com.au

http://www.dutchmaster.com.au

http://www.atmosphere.com

http://www.sunlightsupply.com

http://www.stealthgrow.com

http://www.hydrofarm.com

http://www.hydrotek.ca

http://www.canfilters.com/sourcebook.html


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From the Editor

Letters to the Editor

MaximumYield.com

Ask Erik

MAX Facts

Product Spotlight

Beginner’s Corner

Tips and Tricks

Green Thumb Gardening

Growing for Health

You Tell Us

Coming up in April

Do You Know?

Talking Shop

Avant-Gardening

Max Mart

Distributors

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FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

march 2010CONTENTS

Nutrients: Beyond Macros and Microsby Dr. Lynette Morgan

Using Conductivity to Control Nutrient Concentration (Part II)by Andrew Taylor

Grow Room Invasions: Next Generation LEDs Part II by Erik Biksa

Using Home Hydroponics to Grow Rosesby Lewis Dobson

Safe and Effective CO2 Enrichment in the Gardenby Isabelle Lemay, agr. and Mélissa Léveillé

We Need to Talk: An Insider`s Guide to Hydroponic Shops by Casey Fraser

Biological Products in Indoor Gardensby Donald Lester

Root-Parasitic Fungi: How to Control Pythium in Hydroponicsby Noucetta Kehdi

Aquaponics: Clean, Green and Organicby Dr. Michael A. Nichols

Little Growers' Roots are Spreadingby Heather Pearl

Do You Know What's Happening Under Your Drippers?by Dr. J. Benton Jones Jr.

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9MAXIMUM YIELD USA - March 2010

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10 MAXIMUM YIELD USA - March 2010

Casey Fraser owns Garden Grove Organics, in Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati. He has a degree in communications and electronic media. He believes that indoor gardeners can achieve the highest quality crops and maximum yields when proper science is applied. Since 1998, Casey has been testing various nutrients and supplements in search of outstanding harvests.

Want to learn more? Take the opportunity to learn “hands on” at the upcoming Canadian Indoor Gardening Expo in beautiful Montreal – June 5-6, 2010. An impressive mix of the top manufacturers from around the world will be in attendance to showcase and demonstrate the industry’s latest products. Everyone is welcome to attend on general public day – Sunday, June 6th. Saturday, June 5th has been set aside for industry only. Admission is free and the show is open from noon until 5 p.m. More information can be found at www.indoorgardenexpo.com

FROM THEeditor jessica raymond

contributorsNoucetta Kehdi is the co-founder and administrator of General Hydroponics in Europe. Noucetta got involved in hydroponics in the early 1990’s and in 1996 she moved to the southwest of France where she took care of a greenhouse educating herself on all things hydroponics.

Dr. Mike Nichols is a retired university lecturer and an honorary research associate in the College of Sciences at Massey University, New Zealand. He speaks extensively at conferences for international organizations such as the United Nations, and also writes and consults on a range of intensive horticultural topics.

Dr. J. Benton Jones Jr. has 50 years of experience growing plants hydroponically. He is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Georgia, Athens and has authored eight books and written articles for magazines that deal with hydroponic issues. He currently has his own consulting company, Grosystems, Inc. Dr. Jones currently lives in Anderson, SC, USA.

Heather Pearl is completing her BA in development geography at Kings College. She acts as fundraiser for the Little Growers team, helping to increase its exposure and endorsements. She is keen to champion the Little Grower’s cause for worldwide youth education in the fields of health and horticulture.

Jessica Raymond, [email protected]

Isabelle Lemay is in charge of the technical support, customer service and research and development at Nova Biomatique Inc. (www.igrowing.com), makers of the PLUG’N’GROW climate controllers. She is an agronomist and holds a master’s degree in soil and environment studies, with a specialization in greenhouse production.

Mélissa Léveillé holds a license in communication, writing and multimedia. She is the newest member of the Nova Biomatique Inc. Team (www.igrowing.com), makers of the PLUG’N’GROW climate controllers. She is responsible for Nova Biomatique Inc.’s communications.

Andrew Taylor is the manager of Flairform (www.flairform.com) – an Australian-based manufacturing company. As an analytical chemist with qualifications in plant function and nutrition, he has over 13 years experience in product research and development, and also writes extensively on hydroponic growing techniques.

Dr. Lynette Morgan holds a B. Hort. Tech. degree and a PhD in hydroponic greenhouse production from Massey University, New Zealand. Lynette is a partner with SUNTEC International Hydroponic Consultants and has authored five hydroponic technical books. Visit www.suntec.co.nz/consultants.htm and www.suntec.co.nz/books.htm for more information.

Erik Biksa holds a diploma in agriculture with majors in fertilizer sciences and crop production. Erik has amassed over 18 years of indoor gardening experience and intensive research. Since first appearing in Maximum Yield in 1999, the “Ask Erik” column and numerous articles have reached growers throughout the world.

Matt LeBannister developed a green thumb as a child, having been born into a family of experienced gardeners. During his career, he has managed a hydroponic retail store and represented leading companies at the Indoor Gardening Expos. Matt has been writing articles for Maximum Yield since 2007. His articles are published around the world.

Donald Lester is the plant products manager at JH Biotech, Inc., a California based agricultural technology company with 27 OMRI certified products. Donald has a master’s degree in agronomy with an emphasis in entomology. He is an agricultural scientist with over 10 years of research experience and 50 scientific publications to his credit.

For impressive results every time, growers must accept that advice can be gleaned from others who have been there, done that. This can be a difficult task for those of us that think we have everything figured out, although we may be experiencing less than perfect results in the garden. To help you outperform and outgrow your past endeavors (and succeed at new ones) I recommend a look at some of the unique and winning factors this issue offers.Your first lesson will cover the following topics:

lighting, conductivity, nutrients, roots, water, CO2 and pest control. Your homework this month will include kitchen composting, greenhouse construction, microgreen growing and an essay on the benefits of neem oil. The great news is this homework is fun and will keep you busy and learning throughout the winter.This issue of Maximum Yield contains a

comprehensive round-up of the newest products available to help you grow. Check them out at your favorite shop and while you are drooling over them, stop a moment and enter our “Win Big…Grow Big” online contest offering four chances to win some of the best grow gear ever.

Montrealcanada

http://www.indoorgardenexpo.com/

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LETTERS TOthe editor

Maximum Yield reserves the right to edit for brevity.

We want to hear from you!Write us at:Maximum Yield Publications Inc.2339A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9or Email us at: [email protected]

Talking Shop an Engaging ReadI remember reading an article three or four years back on hydroponic shops. The author, Cindy Rea, talked about people’s reluctance to enter their local grow shop “for fear of being overwhelmed by this particular gardening technique.” In fact, I was once one of those reluctant cynics; fortunately I was cursed with a strong desire to bring my love of gardening indoors and “play” through the seasons. In order to bring this desire to fruition, I had to step inside and say hello. And I’m so glad I did. I think it’s great that you are featuring local shops from across the country in the magazine now. As a beginner, I would have been so grateful to see the friendly faces of the local retailers before actually entering their store.

I’m excited about “getting to know” more people in this great industry, and especially hearing from retailers in Oregon, my home state. Keep up the great work.

Allison Joseph

Portland, Oregon

Stay tuned to Maximum Yield’s “Talking Shop” with a new store featured every month. This issue, meet Paula Christensen from Green Earth Products in Rapid City, South Dakota, page 134.

Texas-Sized Vermicomposting FacilitiesThank you for the quick “how-to” vermicompost in last month’s Maximum Yield USA (Worm Power, pg. 90). I wanted to get into it, but I wasn’t sure where to begin. It’s quite an amazing process really. I’ve recently read about some of the larger scale facilities, like the one in Westley, California, where something like 500,000 pounds of earthworms process 75,000 tons of material annually. What a great way to minimize landfill waste. Excellent article; I anticipate more articles like this one in the future.

Jason Wallburg

Odessa, Texas

90 MAXIMUM YIELD USA - February 2010

From Waste to Worthwhile

Worm Power!

Vermicomposting - composting with worms - is an ideal way

to turn kitchen waste into nutritious compost for the garden.

And you can vermicompost even if you don't have a garden!

A worm bin can be kept indoors, or on the patio, and the

compost and liquid produced are ideal for feeding houseplants.

Step 1:Firstly you need a container to keep your composting worms in. You

can buy ready-made wormeries, and many of these are very good. Or

you can find instructions on the Internet to make your own. The things

you need to remember when choosing or building a wormery are that

worms are living creatures and have certain requirements. Your worm

bin will need drainage and air holes, but you also need to ensure that

the worms can't escape and that they're kept in the dark.

by Emma Cooper

The Directionless ArtistAn advertisement in the last issue of Maximum Yield USA 2010, “Growing for the Future,” tells me to go to your website for more information on the photo cover contest, Behind the Lens. I did that but I can’t find it. Help!

Nick Millar

The link to follow is: http://maximumyield.com/BehindTheLens.php

We encourage you to send us as many photographs as you like, which best represent the themes laid out in the contest regulations. Good luck and have fun!

Five Ways to Say Thank YouFlipping through the February issue of Maximum Yield USA online, I was surprised and happy to see friendly and familiar faces from my local hydro shop, Fifth Season Gardening Co. They’re not just a hydro shop either. My wife and I frequent the beer and wine section for everything we need to make our famous brew—at least we think it’s famous—for the holidays. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and rarely, if ever, are they stuck for an answer for my question of the day (and trust me, I’ve got a grow room full of questions). With their help I have been able to integrate some of the new technologies into my garden, but they’ve also helped me use what I have for my best grow.

Nik Summers

Raleigh, NC

http://www.superthrive.com


PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER - Jim Jesson

GENERAL MANAGER - Don Moores

BUSINESS MANAGER - Linda Jesson

SALES DIRECTOR - Lisa Lambersek

EDITOR - Jessica Raymond [email protected]

ADVERTISING SALES 250.729.2677

Linda Jesson - [email protected] Lambersek - [email protected] Hawser - [email protected] Madden - [email protected] Morin - [email protected]

PRODUCTION & DESIGN [email protected]

Pentti Tikkanen - [email protected] Joe - [email protected]

Wes Cargill - [email protected]

ACCOUNTING - Lee Anne [email protected]

USA DISTRIBUTIONAurora Innovations

BWGS, BWGS West and BWGS EastGeneral Hydroponics

HydrofarmHydro International

National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight SupplyR&M SupplyTradewinds

CANADIAN DISTRIBUTIONBrite-Lite Group

BiofloralEddis Wholesale

Greenstar Plant Products Inc.HydrotekMegaWatt

Quality Wholesale

UK DISTRIBUTIONGrowth Technology

HydrogardenNorthern Hydroponic Wholesale

Nutriculture UK

AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTIONFutchatec

Growth TechnologyHydraspher

I N D O O R G A R D E N I N G

VOLUME 10 – NUMBER 12 March 2010

Maximum Yield is published monthly byMaximum Yield Publications Inc.

2339A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9Phone: 250.729.2677; Fax 250.729.2687

No part of this magazine may be reproducedwithout permission from the publisher.

If undeliverable please return to the address above.

The views expressed by columnists are a personal opinion and do not necessarily reflect those of Maximum Yield or the Editor.

Publication Agreement Number 40739092

Tell us what you think at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you.

Coming upon the Web

bonus FeaturesOnline Extras is Maximum Yield’s special gift to our readers. In case you didn’t get enough of what you wanted with our featured articles, we offer tables and tricks that can be printed and pasted in your grow room or greenhouse for easy reference.

Latest produCts & teChnoLogiesCheck out the industry’s latest innovations in lighting, nutrients and controllers.

ContestsPrizes and prestige could be yours with Maximum Yield contests. Enter our Win Big…Grow Big online reader contest for your chance to win four new prizes every second month. Plus, get your photograph displayed on the cover of Maximum Yield by entering “Behind the Lens.” No purchase necessary. The next winner could be you, so enter online today.

FEATuRESEvery month, maximumyield.com is bursting with new information. This month you get biological products, CO2, composting, conductivity, greenhouse growing, lighting, microgreens, neem oil, root fungi, water knowledge, and more! Check it out.


http://www.bloombastic.com

http://www.bloombastic.com

Do you have a question for Erik? Forward it to [email protected] with the words “Ask Erik” in the subject line, and your answer will be printed in an upcoming edition.

ASKerikErik,What is the deal with the new LED grow lights? Do they really throw off as much light as

promised? If so it would be a no brainer to change over. Does every lighting company sell them? How new are they? Why are people so skeptical? I don’t know if I should switch from my 1000 watt metal halide, but I will if it makes sense to do so. My electric bill is sick.

Thank you,

Confused

LEDs throw off a different type or quality of light versus HID lighting. One of the great things about LED lighting for crops besides the 50 to 75 per cent decrease in power consumption and cool running is the fact that the spectral output can be tailored to just about any wavelength. LEDs produce light in the bandwidths that plants use, and as a result measuring or comparing light intensity in lumens or lux is not a fair comparison. If measuring in PAR or PFD (measuring light required for photosynthesis rather than just visible light) LED lighting can be extremely intense.Some of the quad-band, high output LEDs will meet or

exceed the performance of your 1000 watt HID lighting system. Be prepared to spend a significant investment, however, you can often re-capture the higher purchase price within a couple of years with all the money saved on power consumption. Also, you will never have to replace a lamp/diode, which further offsets the higher initial purchase price of LEDs.Once LED lighting for plant growth becomes more

consistent from manufacturer to manufacturer and mass production helps to lowers cost of purchase, LEDs may cause an explosion in the number of people who grow at home. LEDs allow for high output gardens to be set up just about anywhere and overcome a lot of the limitations that HID lighting provides to would-be home growers.

Cheers, Erik B MY


Hello Confused,

The most straightforward answer I can give to you at this time is that it all depends on what type of LED lights you are using. There are a lot of different LED diode types, configurations and wattages available, so there can be some striking difference between one LED lighting system and another. HID (high intensity discharge) lighting has been around for some time now, and as a result is standardized. There is not a lot of variance between different HID lighting ballast and lamp manufacturers in terms of light output and spectrum, although there are some differences, perhaps on average within five to 10 per cent.As a new technology, some vendors are reluctant to jump on

board and promote LED lighting as the wave of the future. A lot of the hydroponic industry has been built on the back of LED lighting, so to speak. Regardless, LEDs are here to stay and as with all things in nature it’s critical for survival to adapt to a changing environment. In this case, the environment is the hydroponics marketplace, so what you may find is a lot of the innovators rather than the reactionaries will be involved with moving this emerging growth technology forward.

http://www.botanicare.net


Global Warming a Cool Issue According to Americans

hydroponic news, tips and triviaMAXfacts

A survey conducted at the end of 2009 by Yale University confirmed that Americans are skeptical about the causes of global warming, future effects and whether it’s even happening. The study has a margin of error of +/- three per cent. With this in mind, the percentage of Americans who think global warming is actually happening has fallen 14 points to 57 per cent. Just 47 per cent of Americans think that human activity is responsible for climate change, down 10 points from last year’s survey. At the end of 2009, 50 per cent of people surveyed said they were somewhat or very worried about global warming, down from 63 per cent the previous year. 43 per cent of Americans think the issue is not too important or not important all, with 38 per cent saying it is somewhat important. The last time this survey was conducted just 29 per cent of people thought global warming wasn’t a serious issue. The American public believes there is “a lot of disagreement” among scientists about whether warming is happening or not.

Is Decentralized urban Farming the Future of Food?

(Source: www.treehugger.com)(Source: www.good.is)

The founder of BK Farmyards advocates using urban land to grow crops closer to home, hoping to inspire the future planning of cities to include urban agriculture. Most Americans live in urban areas, and just as the population densities have shifted around the country, backyards should be re-examined.There are more than 10,000 acres of unused land in

New York City, according to the Department of Planning, and 1,500 of those acres are in Brooklyn. Plus, there are countless privately owned sunny backyards. Farming 36 backyards in Crown Heights or Bay Ridge is the equivalent to farming an acre.BK Farmyards pairs yard-owners with urban farmers, using

their website to crowd source available land. BK Farmyards found 700 square feet in backyards in Ditmas Park. Sharing backyards is a combination of online dating and Google maps, which allows you to meet your land match as a farmer. Hyperlocavore meets a similar need: sharing local resources through a social network interface.

Taiwan is putting orchids, a once high-priced product, within reach of the common consumer. The flowering of the orchid industry has been nurtured by a relationship between Taiwanese and California entrepreneurs. The flowers are now found in Costco, Wal-Mart and Trader Joe’s for as little as $15 or less, a bargain for a plant that takes up to two years to grow and whose blooms can last as long as a month or two. Taiwan is the world’s leading producer of phalaenopsis orchids, one of the most popular varieties. A couple of decades ago an orchid plant could cost as much as $2,000 in the United States.

Exotic Orchids Available for LessTaiwan’s hot and humid climate

is perfect for early-stage orchid growth. But the “spiking” process—the budding and blooming of orchids—needs cooler temperatures, so the young plants

are shipped to California, where the cool coastal climate is well-suited for the

blooming of orchids. Government officials in Taipei petitioned the

United States Department of Agriculture to allow its farmers to ship orchids to America in

sterile sphagnum moss, a process that produced hardier baby orchid plants. Shipping orchids embedded in moss dropped transportation costs from about $1.50 per plant to 20 cents.

(Source: http://fwix.com)

http://www.sunleaves.com


The iPhone Smartphone allows users to personalize their handsets to fit their lifestyle, with applications available ranging from the essential to the exotic. Gardeners have more than 100 applications to choose from, with themes containing landscaping tips to virtual tour videos; there’s even an app that its developers claim will repel mosquitoes. All apps show up as fingertip controlled icons.Gardening apps aim to help with everything from locating

supplies to fending off mosquitoes to converting cell phones into flashlights. Some are offered free, but most cost a one-time fee for downloading into your handset.Not every app remains long

on virtual shelves or operates with every phone, so growers should check for availability and compatibility before ordering. Some gardening applications include: Pocket Garden (99 cents), Flowers Guide ($1.99), Botanical Interests ($5.99), Landscaper’s Companion ($6.99), Garden Supplies Store Finder (99 cents) and the General Hydroponics Nutrient Calculator (free).(Source: www.motherearthnews.com)

Gardening Apps for your iPhone


New research has found that turfgrass lawns—in Southern California at least—may contribute to global warming. Greenhouse gas emissions would be lower if lawns did not exist. Turfgrass lawns help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and store it as organic carbon in soil, making them important “carbon sinks.” However, greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer production, mowing, leaf blowing and other lawn management practices are four times greater than the amount of carbon stored by ornamental grass in parks, a UC Irvine study shows. These emissions include nitrous oxide released from soil after fertilization. Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas that’s 300 times more powerful than carbon dioxide, the Earth’s most problematic climate warmer.Turfgrass is increasingly widespread in urban areas and

covers 1.9 percent of land in the continental U.S., making it the most common irrigated crop. This research was the first to compare carbon sequestration to nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions from lawn grooming practices.(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)

Turfgrass - Can’t Live With It, Can’t Live Without It

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The USDA has allocated $45 million for projects in support of critical plant health. Funding will be provided to more than 50 cooperators, including state departments of agriculture, universities, non-profit organizations and USDA agencies in support of over 200 projects. These state, regional and national projects will support the goals of the farm bill in building strong systems to safeguard the health of U.S. agricultural industries using early plant pest detection and surveillance, threat identification and mitigation. Roughly $2 million of these funds are being targeted to projects specifically related to the goal of safeguarding nursery production. A number of the target projects are relevant to the green industry. Several projects will seek to validate and measure the effectiveness of best management practices and nursery system approaches for pest management and nursery plant certification. Some projects are focused on the detection or containment of serious plant pests.(Source: www.greenhousegrower.com)

uSDA Funding to Battle Plant Pests

Lessons in BiodynamicsThis winter at The Farm at South Mountain, local farmer Maya Dailey, who won a Best of Phoenix for her Green Thumb last year, built a biodynamic compost heap, with the public’s help. Composting is an environmentally beneficial practice that utilizes decomposed organic materials to create soil that goes back into the farming techniques. It helps eliminate waste and decreases farming costs since you’re recycling materials back into the earth. Biodynamic composting, which is what was taught by Maya, integrates spirituality and celestial influences, which participants learned about in the class. The Farm at South Mountain, which includes an upscale restaurant Quiessence Restaurant and Wine Bar, uses locally grown food in its menu items. The session, according to participants, was energizing, educational and hands-on.(Source: http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com)

http://www.vitalearthsproducts.com

http://www.technaflora.com


Prison gardens are a growing trend, providing food for inmates while they learn a valuable skill set for when they are released. The idea rose to national fame when the Garden Project of San Francisco started selling fresh produce to Alice Waters’ acclaimed Chez Panisse restaurant. An increasing number of prisons are launching gardening programs. On-site gardens improve the nutritional intake

of inmates and as a direct result can reduce violence and improve participants’ mental health, teach horticultural skills that can be used upon inmates’ release and also often produce surplus that is sent to food banks or other community centers or services. A variety of prisons in the United States are following suit by launching their own inmate-tended gardens, including San Quentin State Prison’s Insight

Garden Program featuring 1,200 square feet of organic flowers; the organic produce garden at the California Institute for Women; the Greenhouse Project on New York’s Riker’s island, which produced 75,000 pounds of produce last year; an organic vegetable patch at Washington State’s McNeil Island Corrections Center, complete with composting units; and Greenleaf Gardens at the Prison Horticulture Vocational Program in New York’s Westchester County. Prison garden projects exist in New Zealand and London as well and no doubt in numerous countries in between.(Source: http://planetgreen.discovery.com)

Prison Garden Popularity Spreads

San Quentin


http://www.deepwaterinnovations.com

http://www.suretogrow.com


MY


Every year, Renee’s Garden donates seeds to a wide variety of organizations and educational programs worldwide that strive to improve social, economic and health conditions, and promote sustainable organic gardening. Renee’s Garden Seed encourages retailers to donate unsold seeds to local non-profit organizations at the end of the season.(Source: www.reneesgarden.com)

Renee’s Garden Seed Makes a Difference

Sales of organic products grew 17 percent despite the struggling economy. Results from the survey show organic food sales grew by 15.8 percent to reach $22.9 billion, while organic non-food sales grew by an astounding 39.4 percent to reach $1.648 billion. As a result, organic food sales now account for approximately 3.5 percent of all food product sales in the United States.Even though the industry seems to be growing, the

cost of organics can be prohibitive. That’s why the Environmental Working Group publishes an annual list of the “Dirty Dozen,” or the 12 fruits and vegetables that carry the most pesticide residue. If you’re going to spend money on organics, it’s better to put it towards produce on that list, rather than the “Clean Fifteen,” or the fruits and vegetables least likely to carry residue. A good rule of thumb is, if it has a tough or inedible skin or rind, conventional is probably ok. If it has a delicate, edible skin, it’s likely a member of the Dirty Dozen, which includes: peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, kale, lettuce, grapes, carrots and pears. The Clean Fifteen includes: onions, avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, mangos, asparagus, sweet peas, kiwi, cabbage, eggplants, papaya, watermelon, broccoli, tomatoes and sweet potatoes.

u.S. Organic Sales up 17 Percent

(Source: www.usnews.com)

http://www.reneesgarden.com

http://www.smartpots.com


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PRODUCTspotlightSee it. Want it. Find it at your local indoor gardening store.

Equilibrium Natural 1-2-1Plants must have accessible calcium and magnesium to successfully grow, fruit and flower. In thorough tests conducted by the Humboldt Nutrients team, specific solutions of Ca and Mg dominated the competition in side-by-side trials.If you want to reap a large bountiful harvest your plants must receive the correct ratio

of calcium to magnesium throughout it’s life cycle; but for that harvest to be flavorful, sweet and aromatic, one must ensure that the Ca and Mg you are feeding your garden are derived from high quality source materials.With our latest invention, Equilibrium Natural, Humboldt Nutrients offers the ease of a

one part Ca-Mg additive with the quality that has come to be associated with our products.Try Equilibrium Natural today and see the difference it makes in your normal routine.

Use Equilibrium Natural as part of one of our complete feeding programs and you will be hooked for life.Humboldt Nutrients, bringing equality to a garden near you. Contact your local hydro

store to learn more.

Humboldt Nutrients Presents Hydro DeuceHumboldt Nutrients Hydro Deuce brings the power of the H.N. natural line to your hydro system. The high quality potassium used in our Deuce Deuce is now formulated in a lower viscosity (thickness) allowing this award-winning formula to function without issues in your pumps and reservoirs.Potassium is the great equalizer in plants, ensuring that numerous chemical

interactions take place. Hydro Deuce has been crafted by the Humboldt Nutrients team using a specific ratio and grade of potash, which allows more complete absorption of potassium into your plants.Try Humboldt Nutrients Hydro Deuce today and experience the best of both

worlds. Humboldt Nutrients has finally put high performance hydroponics and all natural organics hand-in-hand. Ask for it now at your local hydroponics store.

All-New Flipbox™ from Powerbox™Powerbox™ is excited to announce the release of their all-new Flipbox™. Now you can expand production without installing additional power circuits, by running two lights from a single ballast (non-simultaneously). Simply plug a Flipbox™ into your ballast and plug two lights into your Flipbox™. A trigger cord controls changeover from one light to the other. The Flipbox™ is modular – you use one per ballast. This allows for flexibility in placement of your equipment and provides increased system reliability, compared to flip panels that control multiple ballasts. If there is a component failure, you don’t have to take down an entire panel system and experience downtime – you simply replace one module, while the rest of your system keeps running. Powerbox™ Flipboxes™ work with digital or magnetic ballasts, are priced affordably and include a best-in-class five year warranty. Visit your local hydro retailer for more information.

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PRODUCTspotlight See it. Want it. Find it at your favorite indoor gardening store.

C.A.P. Introduces “The Mini Sun Light™” 150 Watt HPS Mini System“The Mini Sun Light™” is a 150 watt high pressure sodium complete mini system. It features a C.A.P. 150 watt lamp with 16,500 lumens, highly reflective imported hammer-tone Alumabrite insert and includes a back-lit on/off switch. “The Mini Sun Light™” is also equipped with an eight foot grounded 120 volt power cord and E-26 medium base socket. Its vented ballast housing allows heat dissipation and a powder coated finish provides moisture resistance. For more information contact your retail distributor.

Aminozym - Organic Root Stimulator from Cash CropAminozym is an organic-based root and grow stimulator and tonic. Aminozym promotes leaf, stem and enzyme

production, guaranteeing the best start for young plants. This root stimulator consists of amino acids, natural flowering hormones, vitamins and organic macro and micro elements from seaweed kelp and vegetable matter. It ensures a faster growth rate, larger root mass, improved resistance to disease and increased production of the plant’s natural oils and resin. Use Aminozym from the start, until the end of the second week of bloom. Aminozym guarantees the fastest, healthiest and heaviest harvests. Visit your local grow shop to learn more.


http://www.hydrologicsystems.com



Conscious Earthworks™ Presents Vital Earth’s® High-Nitro GuanoVital Earth’s® High-Nitro Guano is an excellent and effective fertilizer, helping to increase the size and quantity of foliage in all vegetative plants, vines, shrubs and trees. Vital Earth’s® High-Nitro Guano is produced by fruit-eating bats in Indonesia. It helps to enhance growth in fruit and vegetables. Soils deficient in organic matter may be made more productive by the use of Vital Earth’s® High-Nitro Guano. Gently dig into soil surface once per month or as desired. Available in 44 pound bags. For more information on Vital Earth’s® High-Nitro Guano contact your local garden store.

Conscious Earthworks™ Presents Vital Earth’s® High-Phos GuanoVital Earth’s® High-Phos Guano is an excellent and effective fertilizer and a supreme source for promoting fruiting and flowering for all plant types. It is made from 100 per cent bat guano known as an effective fertilizer for centuries, with no additives. Soils deficient in organic matter may be more productive with the addition of Vital Earth’s® High-Phos Guano. Great for promoting improved crop yields. Gently dig into soil surface once per month or as desired. Available in 22 pound buckets. For more information on Vital Earth’s® High-Phos Guano contact your gardening store.

http://www.turboklone.com

http://www.hydrofarm.com


Introducing Geohumus Soil EnhancerGeohumus is the newest patent-pending water storing granulate containing hybrid material that can store up to 30 times its own weight in water.Geohumus is a soil enhancer

containing trace elements and minerals that ensure better and quicker plant growth, which leads to an increase in biomass. It is produced by means of polymerization of a hybrid material with water storing qualities, volcanic rock flour and colloidal silicate.Water that would previously have been lost to

evaporation or seepage beyond root level is now retained. With Geohumus both seepage and the required water amount can be reduced considerably and irrigation periods can be lengthened.Geohumus can be mixed with the substrate in a

concentration of one per cent. Numerous scientific studies have shown that Geohumus is completely non-toxic and absolutely harmless for the environment. Geohumus remains in the soil for three to five years and will then be degraded biologically.Geohumus – Just Add It!

Visit your local retailer to learn more.

House & Garden Shooting PowderThe secret of every successful grower is Shooting Powder. This sparkling bud expander is the absolute best in the field of flowering simulators. It gives visible results, can be combined with all base nutrients, is packed in handy

sachet, simple to use and has been extensively tested in the House & Garden’s research and development center. Try it once and you will come back for more.This flowering booster starts a new

flowering cycle after the regular flowering phase. The extra yield after applying this nutrient additive will surprise you. It actually creates a new layer on top of the existing fruit. Output increases of over 20 per cent can be reached this way. Shooting Powder is available now from indoor gardening retailers.

PRODUCTspotlight

http://www.plantrevolution.com



White Widow from Humboldt NutrientsWhite Widow is the newest and most powerful soluble mycorrhizal from Humboldt Nutrients. White Widow is a pure endo-mycorrhizal containing an extremely high and diverse amount of mycological spores. No other mycorrhizal on the market has more propagules per gram.A soluble mycorrhizal inoculant relies heavily on the

amount of spores in the product and the ability of that product to become soluble in water. White Widow is a super-fine powder that quickly and easily dissolves into water.With White Widow the speed and aggressiveness of your

plants’ root development is unprecedented. It is common to see large, furry, bright white roots shooting out of the bottom of containers only a week after transplanting.White Widow is bacteria free, making it ideal for

hydroponic systems. White Widow can also be used in soil and soilless gardens.If you can keep things healthy on the surface, White Widow

will handle the situation underneath. To learn more about White Widow contact an indoor gardening store near you.

Continued on page 130

C.A.P. Introduces the Variable Day and Night Fan Speed ControllerThe Day and Night Variable Fan Speed Controller is designed to gradually increase or decrease the speed of centrifugal fans depending on the day or night temperature set-points. It enables you to determine precise temperature levels to achieve within your growing environment by way of proper ventilation. Another great addition to C.A.P.’s line of greenhouse and hydroponic controllers! For more information contact your retail distributor.

PRODUCTspotlight

http://www.growgps.com

http://www.jbjlighting.com

by Dr. Lynette Morgan

Nutrients:Beyond Macros and Micros

Most of the potentially beneficial elements only need to be present in the nutrient solution or root zone in such minute quantities that some find their way into the plant’s environment through natural means, in water supplies or growing substrates and even as dust in the air. With many of the beneficial elements required at just a fraction of a part per million, there is such a fine line between a safe amount and toxicity, that the best method of incorporating these into a nutrient solution is with the use of commercially prepared hydroponic supplements, many of which are organically based. On the market these days

there are nutrient concentrates that feature a number of the proven beneficial elements such as silica, selenium, nickel and others as well as a good balance of the essential macro and micro nutrients. In the future we can expect to see

the range of beneficial elements in commercially prepared nutrients increase as scientists uncover more

of the secrets of advanced plant nutrition.

The nutrient solution is the foundation on which hydroponic plant growth is based. Its composition, in terms of

essential nutrient ions, oxygen, microbial life and other ‘beneficial’ elements determines the health and growth rate of plants in hydroponics. While most growers are familiar with the essential macro

and micro elements required for crop growth, plant matter has been found to contain well over 60 elements and soils are typically composed largely of aluminum, silicon and iron. Plant tissue has been found to contain elements as diverse as lead, gold, mercury, arsenic, uranium, sodium and many others, levels of which often reflect those found in the soil. In hydroponics, it has been found that plants will absorb and accumulate numerous non-essential elements from the nutrient solution, however, being non-essential does not necessarily mean that these extra elements are not beneficial to different plant species.



Why incorporate nutrient supplementsThere are two main reasons for the use of beneficial elements

as nutrient supplements in hydroponics. Firstly, many studies have demonstrated that certain ‘non essential’ elements have beneficial effects on the growth and development of many plant species. In fact it is likely that additional essential micro elements will be identified in the future, those which are currently only required in extremely low levels and thus difficult to identify and quantify. Secondly, many hydroponic growers are interested in the health giving properties of the fruits and vegetables they produce and there is a growing area of research into supplementing some of the human essential elements into plant material. Although plants need a certain diet of their own essential nutrients, humans require many others such as sodium, iodine, cobalt and selenium, as well as silicon, chromium, tin and vanadium in minute quantities. We obtain these nutrients from our food, and while many are present in animal products, we get certain amounts from eating plants. Many of the crops we eat contain the extra elements we need, although they aren’t essential for the plant itself. There has been some concern that hydroponic crops, grown with carefully formulated, salt fertilizer-based nutrients don’t contain the full range of extra elements required for a healthy diet. This is not entirely correct as most water sources contain small amounts of a large number of the same minerals found in soils and these do find their way into hydroponic crops in quantities comparable to well grown field crops. However, the hydroponic nutrient solution can be boosted with small amounts of the same potentially beneficial nutrient elements found in healthy soils and in many cases will then produce more nutritionally complete fruits and vegetables than those grown in many heavily cropped soil systems.

Tomato plants have been found to respond well to supplements of silica and titanium.

“plant matter has been found to contain well over 60 elements as diverse as

lead, gold, mercury, arsenic, uranium and sodium.”

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Nutrients: Beyond Macros and Micros

By having plants naturally incorporate human beneficial elements such as selenium into their tissue at increased levels, human nutrition can be improved. Furthermore, not only do some elements such as selenium play a role in health, and in some cases, cancer prevention, but they are incorporated into plant tissue in a much more biologically active form, which is more suited to human intake. Hydroponic garlic grown in selenium-enriched nutrient solution has been shown to have potent anti-cancer properties, which are a consequence of the form of selenium that develops inside plant tissue. The potential for enrichment of human diets with beneficial elements and organic supplements in hydroponic crop production is huge and something that even small growers can take advantage of.

Different plant species often vary in their response to many beneficial nutrients and supplements.

Silica – the missing macro element

Silica is much more than a trace element in many plant species. In fact silica is considered to be a beneficial macro element for many crops with a wide range of benefits for hydroponic crop production. Several plants need silica for growth including rice, sugar cane and tomatoes. Silica is transported from the roots and travels up to the shoot in the xylem vessels and is deposited mainly as hydrated silica dioxide or as polysilicic acids. Once silica has been incorporated into plant issue in this form, it can’t be redistributed throughout the plant, so it needs to be in constant supply if the entire plant is to contain a useful amount.

http://www.humboldtnutrients.com


Use of beneficial nutrients in crops such as wheatgrass, grown for their health giving properties, may give an extra boost to human nutrition.

The use of soluble forms of silica as an additive in hydroponics is not new; many cucumber and rose growers are aware of the benefits of adding silica to the nutrient solution, whether it is in an organic or non organic form. Silica in cucumbers, for example, reduces the incidence and severity of powdery mildew and other fungi. Silica contributes to the strength and thickness of cell walls, helping to keep leaves in a good position for good light interception and to resist attacks by fungi and insects. Silica also assists with the absorption and translocation of several macro and micro nutrients and plays a role in allowing plants to survive and thrive in adverse growing conditions such as high salinity or excess elements in the solution or soil. Silica in solution should, however, not be considered a micro element; levels as high as 140 ppm have been shown to have the most significant results since silica is naturally found in many plant tissues at up to 10 per cent or higher (dry weight).In the past silica has been a difficult element to

supply at high rates in hydroponic nutrient solutions. Chemical forms such as potassium metasilicate not only have a very high pH, but tend to form a glassy like substance, which blocks drippers and emitters when the enriched nutrient solution comes into contact with the air. These days more forms of silica are available on the hydroponic market and nutrient products and supplements containing silica as a macro element are readily available and easy to use.

http://www.humboldtnutrients.com


Beneficial micro nutrientsSome of the beneficial micro nutrient supplements have

undergone considerable investigation by scientists while others are only just being looked into. Aluminum, cobalt, sodium, selenium and silica all have known roles in certain plant species, which are well documented. Aluminum has been shown to be beneficial to some plants species, particularly those adapted to acidic soils when supplied at low concentration. Tea plants show increased antioxidant properties and increased growth in the presence of aluminum in the root zone. Cobalt concentrations in plants are typically in the range 0.1 to 10 ppm on a dry weight basis and cobalt is often found in low levels in natural water sources (0.04 ppm). At low levels, cobalt can have a number of beneficial effects, particularly in leguminous plants such as peas where application of eight ppm cobalt increases growth, nodule number and weight as well as seedpod yield and quality. Cobalt may also play a role in slowing leaf aging and disease resistance in some species. Since cobalt is also essential for human health, addition of this element to nutrient solutions can enhance the nutritional quality of hydroponic food. While selenium enrichment of food crops for human health has been an area of recent study, selenium may also have a beneficial role in plant growth and development. Plant tissue contains less than one ppm of selenium in most species; however, selenium is chemically similar to sulfur, a plant macro element, and appears to be metabolized via the same mechanisms. Trace amounts of selenium have been found to stimulate growth in a variety of plant species including ryegrass, lettuce and potato and to also provide the plants with more resistance to ultraviolet

Hydroponic garlic may be one crop where health giving compounds can be intensified with the use of advanced plant nutrition.


“Like humans, plants need a certain diet of their own essential

nutrients.”

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radiation. There is also evidence that boosting selenium levels in hydroponically grown plants can help protect them from biotic stress such as fungal diseases. Titanium is another element whose role in plant development and metabolism has been studied for over 90 years. While plant tissue is generally low in titanium content, being 0.1 to 10 ppm on average, titanium is present in soil in relatively high concentrations. Studies have found that the chlorophyll content of hydroponic tomato plants increased when titanium was added. When maize was provided with titanium in solution, the yield increased by 25 to 30 per cent and the concentration of sugars in the grain also rose.Another interesting potential beneficial element is iodine.

Iodine has been found to stimulate the synthesis of cellulose and the lignification of the stem tissue that helps the mechanical strengthening of the plant. Iodine has been found to increase the concentration of ascorbic acid in plants and the amount of total free-amino-acids in crops grown in solution culture. Iodine also seems to increase salt tolerance in plants by facilitating a lower chlorine uptake.

Hydroponic nutrient supplements come in a range of forms ready for use in even the smallest systems.

Potato growth has been found to be stimulated by addition of trace amounts of selenium.

http://www.humboldtsoils.com


There are increasing reports of other beneficial elements, which may play a role in plant growth and development. These include: silver (Ag), cerium (Ce), chromium (Cr), lanthanum (La), rubidium (Rb), tin (Sn), serium (Sr), vanadium (V) and tungsten (W). It is likely there are other elements whose quantities in plant tissue are so minute it is hard to quantify their role or presence, but these will lead to some exciting discoveries in plant nutrition in years to come.

Organic nutrient supplementsWhile individual beneficial elements such as selenium,

chromium and nickel can be added to nutrient products in fairly precise quantities via the use of fertilizer salts, they can also be supplemented with organic additives and mineral products. Organic concentrates derived from natural materials such as seaweed, fish waste, compost and vermicast, mineral clay and earth extracts contain a wide spectrum of elements including levels of macro nutrients, micro nutrients and beneficial trace minerals. Organic supplements may not be as precise as using fertilizer salts of beneficial elements; however, good quality products are likely to contain a wide range of beneficial elements and potentially other growth promoting compounds such as humic/fulvic acids amongst others.


Leguminous plants such as peas benefit from the addition of cobalt to the nutrient solution.

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Seaweed, for example, contains a wide range of minerals, some of which are known to be beneficial for plant growth and disease resistance, however, many decades ago scientists also found that naturally occurring cytokinins in seaweed could provide a growth stimulator effect. The level of naturally occurring cyctokinins and the growth effects are of course

Selenium has been found to stimulate growth in lettuce.


largely dependant on the species and source of seaweed and obtaining a stable extract for use in hydroponics. However, extracts of certain species of seaweed have been shown to improve root and shoot growth and improve stress resistance in some crops by increasing the natural production of antioxidants in the plant. Compost and vermicast-based extracts

Silica can assist with reducing the incidence and severity of powdery mildew in crops such as cucumbers and roses.


http://www.everestgardensupply.com


may also have the added advantage of boosting beneficial microbe levels in the root zone as well as providing a wide range of beneficial elements, although the composition of different supplements can be quite variable. Natural mineral, clay or earth extract products have been available for boosting the menu of elements for hydroponic plants for many years; these are a good way of safely incorporating rarer elements into nutrient solutions although they should be considered a slow release form of supplement.

Cucumbers are a crop well known to respond to high levels of silica.


MY

What macros and microsare your plants missing?

Check it out on maximumyield.comHydroponic garlic grown in selenium enriched nutrient solution has been shown to haveanti-cancer properties.

P Tlustos et al. “The role of titanium in biomass production and its influence on essential contents in field grown crops.” Plant and Soil Enviro, no. 1 (2005): 50, 19-25.

EAH Pilon-Smits et al. “Physiological functions of beneficial elements.” Current Opinion in Plant Biology (2009): 12:267-274.

E Diatloff et al. “Rare earth elements and plant growth II. Responses of corn and mungbean to low concentrations of lanthanum in dilute, continuously flowing nutrient solutions.” Journal of Plant Nutrition (1995): 18(10) 1977-1989.

C M Steveni et al. “Effect of seaweed concentrate on hydroponically grown spring barley.” Journal of Applied Phycology no. 4 (1992): 173-180.

REfERENCES

http://www.trimpro.ca

http://www.phosphoload.us

http://www.dutch-glory.com

http://www.xtremenutrients.com

by Andrew Taylor: Chemist for Flairform

It is important to control the concentration of hydroponic nutrients. Burning of roots or foliage can occur if levels are too high. If the concentration is too low then deficiency symptoms will occur.The concentration of nutrients and additives

is usually set by the manufacturers who recommend volumetric dose rates of, for instance, four to five teaspoons per gallon. Nutrient labels often list dosage rates in terms of both volume and EC. However, for the main inorganic nutrient, a conductivity

(EC) meter* is a helpful dosing aid.*Also includes cF and TDS meters

Using Conductivity to Control Nutrient

ConcentrationPart II



UnitsEC measurements are typically stated as mS (cF and ppm

are common, but unequal alternatives). For example, distilled water and organics have an EC of zero mS. Mature flowering plants, however, typically require a nutrient solution EC of around two mS.

Obtaining conductivity readingsStep 1. Make sure the meter is calibrated.Step 2. Remove a representative sample from the nutrient

reservoir:+ For re-circulating systems ensure the reservoir is always filled

to the same volume. If the reservoir is only half full, then the conductivity reading will be twice as high as what it would be when full.

+ Stir the nutrient thoroughly prior to sampling.+ Ensure the sampling container is clean.Step 3. Rinse electrode in distilled water before immersing in

the sample. Wait a few minutes* before switching the meter on and recording the EC.F

* Wait longer if the sample’s temperature is significantly different from 77oF.

“Without calibrating your EC meter, you can’t confidently use the EC recommendations

supplied on nutrient product labels.”

Uses of EC meters1. EC meters gauge the total concentration of salts in the

nutrient solution. They are useful for setting the target EC (table one ‘a’) when a nutrient batch is first made - see step four on next page.

Note: EC meters will not detect organics like vitamins and hormones.

2. They are also useful for maintaining the target EC as nutrient and water is consumed in re-circulating systems. However, because both good and bad salts are included in the reading, re-circulating nutrients must be frequently dumped because of the likelihood of toxic levels of bad salts (chloride) present, and an imbalance of good salts.

http://www.hydro-organics.com


Step 4. + If the EC is below target, add nutrient to the water until correct (to calculate this refer to table two). When making a new batch of nutrient, use the label’s volumetric dose rate as a guide.

+ If the EC target is exceeded then add more water. To calculate this refer to table three.

Refer to table one for commonly recommended EC levels for the main stages of growth. These levels are suitable for the majority of plant types (for specific plants see table one ‘b’). Within certain limits, there is no need to be precise with EC levels because plants will generally only consume what they

Using Conductivity to Control Nutrient Concentration - Part II

Artichoke 1.0-2.0mSAsparagus 1.5-2.0mSBarley 1.5-2.5mSBean 2.0-3.0mSBeetroot 2.0-3.0mSBroccoli 2.5-3.0mSBrussels Sprout 2.5-3.0mSCabbage 2.5-3.0mSCapsicum 2.0-2.5mSCarrot 1.5-2.0mSCauliflower 1.5-2.0mSCelery 2.0-2.5mSCucumber 2.0-2.5mSEggplant 2.5-3.0mSEndive 2.0-2.5mSFodder 1.5-2.0mSGarlic 1.5-2.0mSLeek 1.5-2.0mS

Banana 2.0-2.5mSBlack Currant 1.5-2.0mSBlueberry 1.5-2.0mSMelon 2.0-2.5mSPassionfruit 1.5-2.5mSPaw Paw 2.0-2.5mS

** This is a guide only. Values are represented as EC(mS/cm2 abbreviated to 'mS'). Generally use the lower value forrun-to-waste systems (e.g. coco fibre, rockwool, soil) or where dayair temperatures are above 86°F. Use the higher values whengrowing in re-circulating systems (e.g. NFT, Flood &Drain)where day air temperatures are below 86°F.

Table 1b. Recommended nutrientstrength** for specific plant species

Basil 1.0-2.0mSChicory 2.0-2.5mSChives 1.5-2.5mSFennel 1.0-1.5mSHops 1.5-2.5mSLavender 1.0-1.5mSLemon Balm 1.0-1.5mSMarjoram 1.5-2.0mS

African Violet 1.0-1.5mSAster 1.5-2.5mSBegonia 1.5-2.0mSCanna 1.5-2.5mSCarnation 2.0-3.0mSChrysanthemum 1.5-2.5mSDahlia 1.5-2.0mS

VegetablesLettuce 1.0-1.5mSOkra 2.0-2.5mSOnion 1.5-2.0mSPak-Choi 1.5-2.0mSParsnip 1.5-2.0mSPea 1.0-2.0mSPepino 2.0-3.0mSPotato 2.0-3.0mSPumpkin 2.0-2.5mSRadish 1.5-2.0mSSpinach 1.5-2.5mSSilver Beet 1.5-2.5mSSweet Corn 1.5-2.5mSSweet Potato 2.0-2.5mSTaro 1.5-3.0mSTomato 2.0-3.0mSTurnip 2.0-2.5mSZucchini 2.0-2.5mS

FruitPineapple 2.0-2.5mSRed Currant 1.5-2.0mSRhubarb 1.5-2.0mSStrawberries 2.0-2.5mSWatermelon 2.0-2.5mS

HerbsMint 2.0-2.5mSMustard Cress 1.0-2.5mSParsley 1.0-2.0mSRosemary 1.0-1.5mSSage 1.0-1.5mSThyme 1.0-1.5mSWatercress O.5-1.5mS

Flowers cropsFerns 1.5-2.0mSFichus 1.5-2.5mSFreesia 1.0-2.0mSImpatiens 1.5-2.0mSGladiolus 2.0-2.5mSPalms 1.5-2.0mSRoses 1.5-2.5mS



need. Most species will tolerate being above or below the recommended value by at least 10 to 20 per cent.

Step 5. When complete, rinse electrode with distilled water. Store the electrode in distilled water when not in use.

Calibrating EC metersUnless an EC meter is calibrated, you cannot confidently use

EC recommendations like those supplied on many nutrient products. Calibrating cross-checks the meter’s accuracy against a solution of known conductivity called a conductivity standard.To calibrate, either refer to your meter’s instructions, or do the

following:Step 1. Rinse electrode in distilled water then gently wipe

with a tissue to remove excess water. Immerse electrode in 2.76 mS/cm (cF 27.6) Conductivity standard* for five minutes, then calibrate the meter so that it reads the following:

+ For conductivity meters calibrate to 2.76 mS/cm or cF 27.6.+ For TDS meters calibrate to 1800 ppm (or as directed).*Note: To prevent contamination of the stock solution, decant a

portion into a smaller container and discard once used.Step 2. Remove electrode from conductivity standard and rinse

with distilled water. The meter is now ready to be used.

Maintaining EC electrodesCleaning conductivity electrodes: Conductivity meter

electrodes normally become coated with impurities. The degree to which this occurs will depend upon the nature of the samples being tested, and whether or not the electrode is rinsed with distilled water and properly stored after each use.Electrode contamination causes a loss in sensitivity and

therefore accuracy. Regular cleaning will maximize electrode performance and ensure a longer working life.Note that when testing nutrient solutions, both organic and

inorganic contaminations tend to co-occur. It is therefore important to use an all-purpose cleaner. Be aware that most cleaners usually only remove inorganic contaminants. Store the electrode in distilled water when not in use. This will help prevent salt build-up which tends to encrust the electrode if left to dry out.

“Electrode contamination causes a loss in sensitivity and accuracy, so clean

regularly for maximum performance.”



Limitations of TDS (ppm)EC readings can be used to determine the approximate TDS

(total dissolved salts) of various solution types. However, growers must be aware of the limitations with this method.TDS is calculated by multiplying the EC by a conductivity

factor; this derives the approximate concentration of salts in ppm (or mg/l). However, because the EC is dependant on the nature of the salts present, we must use a specific conductivity factor which matches the type of solution being tested. For example:Soft natural waters^: Multiply the conductivity by the

factor listed in the second column of table four. The factor depends on the conductivity units employed by your meter. If a natural water sample has an EC of 2.0 mS/cm, we can approximate that the TDS is 1,100 ppm (2.0 mS/cm x 550).

^uncontaminated scheme water, bore water, swamp waterHard/Alkaline waters: These waters require a conductivity

factor of around 650 (when measured in mS/cm).Inorganic nutrients: The typical grow and bloom hydroponic

nutrient formulations have much higher concentrations of ions like potassium and phosphate. Consequently, these solutions require a much higher factor than the waters mentioned above (800 when measured in mS/cm).

To further illustrate how important it is to consider the type of solution being tested, note that many high phosphate flowering additives will require a conductivity factor of 1,100 (when measured in mS/cm).


Purchasing a conductivity meterPopular styles of conductivity meters range from the more

expensive laboratory grade to the cheaper, pocket sized versions.The following specifications are important considerations:+ Ability to produce readings in Siemens (mS) or cF. Avoid

meters that will only yield TDS (ppm).+ Calibration facility: Helps ensure accuracy even when

electrodes are not performing to original specifications due to electrode contamination, physical damage, etc.

+ Housing that is both waterproof and floats helps protect against accidents and mishandling.

+ Temperature compensation: A built-in temperature sensor allows the meter to adjust readings to display what it would be if the temperature was at 77oF.

+ Long battery life with auto-off feature to prolong battery life.

“Many high phosphate flowering additives will require a conductivity factor of 1,100 mS/cm.”

http://www.ushio.com/hiluxgro



The problem with TDS in hydroponicsIt is not uncommon to find some hydroponic operators

assigning a TDS value of about 1,400 ppm to the common 2.76 mS/cm conductivity standard; they have used a conversion factor of 500, a factor which is only valid for relatively pure sodium chloride waters. As discussed above, 800 is a more realistic factor for hydroponics because many nutrient mixtures of around 2,200 ppm yield a conductivity of 2.76 mS/cm.Additionally, quoting TDS values derived from conductivity

readings, and without quoting the factor used, can imply different conductivity values to different people depending on what conversion factor they favor!

MY

A handy and helpful table on recommended nutrient strengths for specific plants species can be found online at www.maximumyield.com


“TDS is a derived value and employs guesswork of the composition of the solution.”

Consider the following scenario:You calibrate your TDS meter in a 2.76 mS/cm conductivity

standard to 1,800 ppm. Using the same conductivity standard, your friend calibrates his meter to 1,400 ppm. If you then give your friend a nutrient strength recommendation he will add 30 per cent more nutrient than what you intended!To summarize, conductivity factors that attempt to accurately

convert conductivity readings into TDS must be customized to suit both the concentration range and ratios of the particular salts present in the water being analyzed. This requires prior knowledge of the sample’s composition, and logically, such an effort would be counterproductive. The inevitable conclusion is that the general use of conductivity to determine TDS is, at best, only an approximate method. Remember, the fundamental property being measured is conductivity. TDS is a derived value and employs guesswork of the composition of the solution. For these reasons, in the water industry it is fast becoming international practice to simply quote electrical conductivity (EC) values and not TDS.

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With some people, the need to garden is an obsession. Whether you are growing herbs, flowers or vegetables, that motivation to see the fruits of your labors is a constant craving.If you live in a northern climate or have a short outdoor

growing cycle, your green thumb may yearn for some of that gardening action during the dormant season. Recruiting some form of a hobby greenhouse may be the answer to your winter gardening restrictions.Hobby greenhouses come in almost any shape, size and for

most locations. You can customize any greenhouse design to fit whatever kind of space you have in your dwelling for your potted plants. With all the different materials, designs and accessories, not having enough space for a greenhouse just isn’t probable.There are ways to turn a balcony into a greenhouse, a window

planter into a year-round herb garden or a rooftop into a private produce section. There are lean-to style greenhouses for outdoor sheds, decks and garages that use the wall of your home for support. You can get a small free-standing growing shelf that will fit on your balcony or porch or you can go for a fully glassed-in structure that will soon overtake you.

Not sure how long you are going to live in that cramped apartment? You can buy a greenhouse that is the same size as a small bookshelf; the frame snaps together without tools and has a polycarbonate cover. Can’t tell one end of a hammer from the other? Free-standing models are available already framed with adjustable shelves; this is all covered with UV-treated plastic. Only renting? Portable greenhouses can be disassembled with ease and relocated to your new sunnier studio flat. Need two more months in your growing season? You can set up a portable cold frame made of lightweight, waterproof, UV-resistant material that stores in a bag you can carry. It contains zippered and screened windows for ventilation and two portholes for water and power access. It comes with stakes that are used to anchor into the ground.For every growing setback, there is a greenhouse solution. All

it takes to find it is a little digging and a green thumb.

BEGINNER'Scorner

MY

Winter Hobby?by Charlene Rennick

Does Your Green Thumb Need a


http://www.genhydro.com

by Erik Biksa

For those of you just joining in, this is a continuation from part one in this series on high intensity and high output LED (light emitting diode) technologies as a light source for high yielding indoor gardens. In our last installment we discussed the benefits and the limitations of dual band diode lighting versus conventional indoor crop lighting systems like high output fluorescents, MH (metal halide) and HPS (high pressure sodium).The earlier generation LED lights produced lots of

light relative to the amount of power they used, ran very cool and eliminated wasted light wavelengths. However, they were unable to deliver very high intensity levels for larger, high yielding gardens and omitted the “trace” amounts of light wavelengths that


certain types of plants seemed to require to fulfill their life cycles in a timely fashion.Enter the higher wattage, very high output quad band

LED crop lighting systems. By using higher wattages and more individual diodes/chips in the lighting board and driving them with hundreds of milliamps rather than tens of milliamps, the overall intensity is incredible. Coupled by the fact that there are 288 diodes/chips per fixture being tested, we had a 600 watt LED lighting system. We also discovered that these are not driven to their full capacity, so a 600 watt LED fixture is really only drawing about 327 watts of power. Amazingly, this provides light intensities that compete with 1000 watt HPS lamp in the 630 to 680 nm (nanometer) range, the light for flowering and fruiting responses.

GrowRoom InvasionsNext Generation LEDs Part II


Not only is this next generation of LED crop lighting much more intense than it’s predecessor, it also offers a broader spectrum while still delivering very efficient light wavelengths versus conventional light sources. The quad band lighting arrangement being examined has output in the following wavelengths: 455 to 475 nm, 620 to 630 nm, 660 nm and bright white (2700K; full spectrum). Note that there are higher ratios of red and blue diodes versus others, as this is where the majority of the photosynthetic response curve falls into. However, it still supplies the “trace” levels of all the bandwidths required. Also note that the quality of the “red” light is improved with this generation due to innovations in the manufacturing of the individual chips/diodes.

Someone who really knows their lighting may also notice that very little light would be produced in the 555 nm range based on the diode types listed above. At this nanometer rating, the light is mostly green; a bandwidth plants tend to reflect back more than absorb (that’s partly why plants look green to us). Oddly, this is also the peak wavelengths we use to measure lumens (lm) and lux (lx) for growth. Growers have been using lm and lx to measure the intensity of their HPS and MH lamps; not really measuring the usable light for growth. Lux and lumens measure mostly green light, because these units of measurement were intended to be relative to how the human eye sees light rather, than the “shades of the rainbow” (spectrum) that plants use for photosynthesis (growth).

“The new LEDs are not driven to their full capacity, so a 600 watt system

draws only about 327 watts of power with light intensities that compete

with 1000 watt HPS lamps.”

http://www.phatfilter.com


Next Generation LEDs Part II

Look at figure one. What you see is a high lumen (7130 lumens from over 12 inches away) rating from the veg model being tested. Now think about this: what you are seeing is the LED’s output in the lowest area of the spectral emission because the average light meter isn’t measuring in the right wavelengths for LEDs/photosynthesis. This LED crop light was intentionally designed to have a low output in this range for efficiency.This means that the reading should be considered much more

intense for growth in terms of what it might compare to with MH and HPS lighting, because the majority of intensity is being measured in the 555 nm or “green” light range. With MH and HPS lighting, very little of the total output occurs in the blue and red areas where photosynthesis happens (HIDs are mostly in the yellow/green bandwidths). With LED lighting, the vast majority of the output occurs in the red and blue ranges with very little in the green (555 nm) area, making LEDs very efficient (and standard light meter readings deceiving).

Upon consulting chart one in this article, you will see that when compared to an HPS lamp, the majority of the HPS lamps intensity is in the green to yellow (550 to 600 nm) range of light, while a considerably smaller percentage is in the blue, orange and red spectrums where most of the real “action” occurs. So, when we hold a light meter up to them and measure the lumens or lux, they appear to be giving lots of light for growth. More accurately, they are giving lots of light although as intensity; not very much where it is needed the most: in the blue and red portions.

“Seeing is believing, and if you plug in one of the newer high output

quad band LEDs, you will be amazed at the intensity of light created.”

Chart one: LED VS HPS for Photosynthesis: Notice how much of the HPS lamps intensity is in the green and yellow bandwidths. These bandwidths are used in very small amounts for plant growth.


Advanced growers know that vegetative plants will grow more vigorously with high levels of blue light and then produce larger flowers and fruits during the bloom phase with higher levels of red and orange wavelengths. If any lighting engineers are reading this, they are likely horrified to see a discussion of LED lights for plant growth in terms of lumens; the author recognizes that the majority of the light meters that most growers own measure in lumens or lux rather than PFD (photon flux density), Micro-Einsteins, PAR, etc.In the end, seeing is believing, and if you plug in one of the

newer high output quad band LEDs, you will be amazed at the intensity of light created; and perhaps even more amazed by the lack of heat produced along with the light. Make sure to have some protective glasses on.Well how does it yield? Reportedly some “test pilots” in the

State of California found the 600 watt quad band crop light to yield within +/- five to 10 per cent of a standard 1000 watt HPS lamp that used a high quality horizontal lamp reflector for the bloom phase. Obviously a lot more data is required before anything can be considered utterly conclusive; however, these early reports and findings are looking extremely promising.As well, 600 watt high output LEDs are available in custom

outputs and chip/diode ratios for improved vegetative growth characteristics and are even more efficient, as vegetative plants typically require lower light intensities. In short, this means you can cover more square feet of growing area in veg with a single 600 watt high output LED than you can in flowering; especially with specialized vegetative growth diode arrangements (see figure one for a comparison).

Figure one: Intense LED lighting: Given how little of the LED’s output is in bandwidths that are measured in lumens, this reading suggests that this LED lighting system is incredibly intense (+7000 lumens).

http://www.hydrohuts.com


for a high-output quad band LED system over a standard or a cost effective digital 1000 watt HPS/MH ballast, bulb, high quality reflector and cords. While that might stop some people in their tracks, take the time to consider the following.The 1000 Watt HPS will draw about

In the real world, which many of us are forced to live in, we must also consider the economic factors in terms of how viable high output quad band LED crop lighting systems are for indoor growers.It is true that in North America, you

can expect to pay near three times more

three times more power to produce the same light intensities in the bloom 610 to 680 nm range. In fact, the LED will produce a higher quality of “red” light in the bloom phase because the diodes/chips allow for light wavelengths to be tailored very exactingly. Little can be done to enhance the spectrum of HPS lamps, although the horticultural HPS lamps are superior to standard lamps. Now if you live somewhere where electricity is expensive, or want to run multiple lamps, the savings actually pay for the difference within a short time frame.

Costper kWh

$0.20 12 $2.40 $240.00 $720.00 $960.00 $1,440.00$0.20 12 $0.78 $78.48 $235.44 $313.92 $470.88

Kilowatts used(1kW=1000 watts)1 (1000 watt HPS)*

0.327 (LED)** Each light source covers a light loving garden area of approximately four by four feet or four by five feet.

Hours perlight cycle

Costper day

Cost per100 days

Cost per300 days

Cost per400 days

Cost per600 days

Next Generation LEDs Part II

The above chart does not factor the replacement costs of HID lamps such as MH and HPS. Consider that every six months to maintain optimal light levels, the bulbs will require replacement. With the LEDs they will require no replacement at all for over 50,000 to 100,000 hours. To save you from doing the math, they will run for at least 10 years before needing replacement using a 12 hour lighting cycle. In the opinion of the author, it will take some time before growers in real world situations will be able to confirm these findings. However, it is clear that tremendous cost savings are offered in terms of lamp replacements, and more importantly, the cost of electricity.Also note that further energy saving can

be achieved by choosing high-output LED crop lighting systems because little cooling will be required. With HID lighting systems, a lot of heat is produced by the lamps and ballasts. This has to be vented away, commonly with air cooled

“With the LEDs they will require no replacement at all for over 50,000 to

100,000 hours.”

http://www.ecogrow.com


reflectors, vent fans and air-conditioners. Obviously, this all uses quite a bit of electricity. For the home gardener this means a bigger power bill and more noise with fans and ACs humming to keep the lamps cool.For the commercial grower it means having fewer lighting

systems on the same 200 AMP service versus using lower wattage and lower heat-output quad band high intensity LED systems. That’s right, because they use less electricity growers can run more lights safely per circuit. In an apartment, that might mean having three lights in a room where you could have only had one HID lamp. That is a quick way to triple your productivity levels, especially in smaller spaces.So now we have more information on some of the potential

benefits of using high-output quad band LED crop lighting systems: less heat and less electrical use means more efficient gardens and the capability to run more lights per circuit. In terms of economics, we have also examined the cost benefits when considering the cost of electricity and lamp replacement. In our next installment we will have a look at the emerging technology from the growing perspective. That is, how to tweak your garden for maximum yields when using next generation LED lights for plant growth. We will discuss modifications in temperature, humidity and CO

2 levels that will not only make

your LED garden more efficient, they will almost certainly make it more productive as well. Until then... MY

Years of experience and research have made Erik an expert on growing indoors and hydroponically. You can find all his

articles by visiting maximumyield.com

Specialized LED Lighting: Although the bloom model LED is suitable for vegetative growth, the more specialized veg model is available, providing more blue light and greater lighting coverage for the vegetative growth cycle.

http://www.organicairfilter.com


Grow RosesRegardless of whether you love the smell of fresh roses, or making potpourri from the petals, there is nothing quite like growing roses in your own garden. Unfortunately, many regions don’t have a climate that will enable grafted roses to grow and thrive. Fortunately, you can easily grow roses with a home hydroponics system.Have you always wanted to grow a perfect blue rose, along

with green, black and purple ones? As you may be aware, many of these exotic rose colors result from a variance in nutrients found in the soil. For example, if a blue rose is kept in a certain type of soil, it will take on a reddish color. In a similar way, a red rose bush may produce yellow roses when the pH of the soil is not optimal.When you use a home hydroponics system to grow

roses, you can be assured that each plant will get the exact nutrients that it needs. At the same time, you will always be able to control lighting and temperatures. This is especially important to consider if you want to experiment with grafting, as well as creating your own strains of roses. As you may be aware, successfully grafting roses requires a good bit of patience and effort.There is no question that growing roses

challenges many gardeners. At the same time, if you go to a florist, you may not always enjoy the smell of roses that have been sitting in a refrigerator. Fortunately, when you grow with hydroponics, you will be able to do all kinds of fascinating experiments with roses. You may even find that you can create a stunning new rose color, or even one with multi-colored petals.

About the AuthorLewis Dobson is the director of the popular blog backyard-garden-and-patio.com. He is an expert on gardening and his blog contains stacks of information on things like homemade hydroponics and much more. Get free tips from his site today.

by Lewis Dobson

Using Home Hydroponics to

MY

http://www.backyard-garden-and-patio.com

http://www.nutri-plus.ca


Neem OilTIPS &tricks

MY

Here are the Facts When used as a pesticide the ingredient that affects the insects is azadirachtin. Azadirachtin confuses growth hormones causing insects and eggs to never reach maturity. The catch is that neem oil is not as effective against adult insects since they are already mature. The fatty acids in the oil can clog the membranes of soft skinned insects such as aphids and kill them as a result. To destroy pest populations, neem oil must be sprayed on the affected plants two times a week for at least two weeks. This will help ensure each successive pest generation will be diminished until there is none left. Mix neem oil in water at a rate of one to two teaspoons per quart of water. Neem oil can also be poured on a cloth or paper towel and be manually applied to the leaves of the plants. This can be especially effective against scales. Neem oil can be used against a variety of pests including, but not exclusive to, spidermites, aphids, scales, thrips and mealy bugs. The one downside to applying neem oil is that it will also kill any beneficial insects in your garden.Neem oil and neem cake also improve the quality of soil. The recommended

dilution rate for neem oil as a fertilizer varies from two milliliters to 15 milliliters of neem per quart of water. Experiment by starting with small amounts and working your way up, checking the EC and pH levels often. One of the ingredients prevents nitrogen-fixing bacteria from converting the nitrogen in the soil into gas, thus allowing more nitrogen to be available to the plant.Neem oil can be effective as a pest control or fertilizer when applied properly.

But don’t take my word for it. Try it for yourself and give Maximum Yield your feedback.

THE FACTS

Neem oil is a botanical product derived from pressing the seeds of the Indian Neem tree and it functions as an insecticide as well as a plant fertilizer. However, the effectiveness of neem oil as a pesticide or fertilizer is often up for debate. Many gardeners swear by its ability to keep pest populations under control and its ability to eliminate the pests entirely. Others choose to use chemical pesticides claiming neem oil’s active ingredient azadirachtin takes too long to take effect.

The idea of using neem oil as a fertilizer has only recently been brought to the attention of western gardeners, but has been the common practice of gardeners from India and Pakistan for centuries. Neem cake, made from the pressed fruit and seeds used to extract the oil, is also gaining popularity as a fertilizer.

Matt LeBannister


Neem oil and neem cake can make great natural fertilizers. Both contain many different macro and micro-nutrients. According to AgroGreen Canada’s website, the average sample of neem oil will contain the following:

Azadirachtin - 1800 ppmTotal Nitrogen - 1.20 per cent by massPhosphorous - 0.07 per cent by massPotassium - 0.01 per cent by massMagnesium - 0.03 per cent by massCopper - 10 ppmMagnesium - 0.40Zinc - 20.00 ppmIron - 14.00 ppm

Careful consideration should be given when using neem oil as a pest control. While it is quite effective against a variety of pests such as spidermites, aphids and gnats (above), it doesn't discriminate against beneficial insects, such as ladybugs (top).

http://www.biobizz.com

Safe and Effective CO2 Enrichment in the Garden

Isabelle Lemay and Mélissa Léveillé


well-being of our plants and our safety? This article will answer these questions and more!Choosing the appropriate CO2 enrichment method for your gardenThe best known and most effective methods of CO

2

enrichment are combustion CO2 generators and CO

2

bottle regulators. Other methods of CO2 enrichment

include a baking soda and vinegar mix, compost, dry ice or fermentation, but these methods are less effective and can be difficult to control.

CO2 enrichment in the garden often makes all

the difference between a satisfying harvest and an exceptional one! When plants are provided with a CO

2 concentration between 700 and 1,000 parts per

million (ppm), they can achieve optimal photosynthesis resulting in record growth! Knowing that the outdoor air contains an average CO

2 concentration

of approximately 400 ppm, we clearly understand the benefits of CO

2 enrichment. But which enrichment

method is best to choose? How can we ensure the


Combustion generator or CO2 bottle?As its name indicates, the generator creates

CO2 by combustion. The most common

fuels used are propane and natural gas. When there is sufficient oxygen available for complete combustion, the generator converts more than 99 per cent of the gas into CO

2

and water vapor. As for the pressured liquid CO

2 bottle, the operation is simple: with

a proper regulator, the CO2 is gradually

released from the bottle into the garden. The following table shows the pros and cons of using these two methods according to price, influence on the climate and toxicity.

Combustion Generator

Price

Impactson thegarden’sclimate

PotentialToxicity

Others

• Operating costs are relatively low once the CO2 generator is purchased.• More economical than CO2 bottles.

• Produces heat and water vapor: one pound of propane generates about 1.5 pounds of water and 20,000 BTU of heat.• CO2 generators are not recommended for small growing volumes (less than 424 cubic feet).• Requires good management of temperature and humidity to avoid damage to plants.

• Risk of toxicity in cases of incomplete combustion caused by defective device or lack of oxygen.• Poor quality of fuels are to be avoided: some may cause sulfur dioxide pollution (e.g. kerosene).

• A generator with a heat exchanger can recover some of the heat generated by combustion to heat another room.

• Expensive source of CO2.• The larger your garden, the higher the cost.

• The garden’s climate is not affected since no heat or water vapor is generated.• Can be used in the presence of high temperature and humidity levels in the garden.• Excellent choice for small growing volumes.

• Safe source of CO2.• Risk free for crops, since no toxic gas is released.

• Regulators may freeze at large gas flow (more than 20 cubic feet per hour).• Some models can withstand gas flow up to 50 cubic feet per hour without freezing.

CO2 Bottle and Regulator“The most common fuels

used for combustion generators are propane

and natural gas.”

http://www.biobizz.com



CO2 and SafetyPotential risks related to a high CO

2 concentration

A CO2 concentration equal or greater than 1,500 ppm may

cause partial or complete closure of the plant’s stomas which results in a reduction of CO

2 absorption as well as a limitation

in plant transpiration. Transpiration is an essential process to plant growth since the roots absorption of water and nutrients depends on it. Far from serving the plants best interests, an excess of CO

2 will slow down growth.

For gardeners, an excess of CO2 is just as harmful, if not

more so! The maximum CO2 concentration exposure is a

15 minutes period at about 30,000 ppm , but possible side effects can occur at a concentration as low as 1,000 ppm. High concentrations may occur with defective equipment (generator, CO

2 bottle, regulator, controller), and especially in

confined and isolated spaces with poor air exchange. Above 10,000 ppm, the side effects on human health worsen as the CO

2 concentration and duration of exposure increase.

CO2Concentration

(ppm)Side effects on health*

~ 400

~ 600-800

~ 1,000

~ 5,000

~ 10,000

~ 20,000

~ 30,000

~ 40,000

~ 50,000

~ 100,000

~ 150,000

~ 250,000

None (normal concentration in outdoor air)

None (normal concentration in wellventilated houses and offices)

May cause asthma or sick building syndromeMay cause drowsiness if exposure is prolonged

Professional limit exposure in many countries(for eight hours)

Drowsiness if exposure is prolonged

Increase of respitary amplitude

Respiratory rate two times higher than normalExposure limit: 15 minutes

Limit for irreversible effects on health

Dizziness, confusion, respiratory difficulties,headachesRespiratory rate four times higher than normal

Visual disorder, shaking, sweatingMore than 10 minutes exposure can lead to death

Sudden loss of conciousness

Respiratory arrest resulting in death

*please note that these effects can largely vary depending on individuals and on the room conditions.

health side effects of exposure to different Co2 concentrations

“An excess of CO2 in the garden will slow plant growth; above 10,000 ppm will

negatively affect human health depending on the concentration and duration of exposure.”

http://www.continentalfan.com


To prevent excessive CO2 concentrations, regular inspection

and maintenance of the enrichment equipment used in the garden is important. For CO

2 bottles, it is possible to spray

the equipment fittings with soapy water; if there is a leak, bubbles will appear where the gas is escaping. Getting a CO

2

monitoring device is also strongly recommended; knowing the ambient CO

2 concentration allows fast reactions in case

of danger. A CO2 controller is a very interesting solution. Not

only will it ensure safety, it will also maintain a stable and precise concentration in the garden (great benefit to plants) and the gardener will benefit from great savings!

Incomplete combustion: flickering orange and yellow flames, produce many toxic compounds as carbon monoxide, ethylene and sulfur dioxide.

Complete combustion: produces bright blue flames dotted with purple flames. Combustion is odorless and clean, producing CO2 and water vapor.

The dangers of incomplete combustionIn the particular case of a combustion generator, there is

an additional risk: an incomplete combustion caused by a defective burner or a lack of oxygen. When properly burned, propane and natural gas produce bright blue flames dotted with purple flames (figure one). The combustion is odorless and clean, producing CO

2 and water vapor. Incomplete

combustion is easy to detect with its often flickering orange and yellow flames. It creates a danger from the toxic

http://www.capcontrollers.com



compounds that emerge from the flames, which are harmful to plants and humans and can even be fatal. The main toxic gases from incomplete combustion are carbon monoxide (CO), ethylene (C

2H

4), sulfur dioxide (SO

2), nitrogen monoxide and

nitrogen dioxide (NO and NO2) and propylene (C

3H

6). Their

effects on plants and humans are numerous, but here are the main ones.Carbon monoxide is a

colorless, odorless, tasteless and non irritating gas. However, it is very toxic! Exposure to low doses may cause flu symptoms on humans, but higher doses are dangerous and can be fatal. Poisoning occurs when inhaled carbon monoxide replaces the oxygen in the blood. As the carbon monoxide level increases in blood, the oxygen level decreases and the body’s organs and tissues may no longer function properly. The main systems affected are the cardiovascular and nervous systems.Ethylene is a gas that is naturally produced from the plants

and can have various effects. Mainly, it causes fruit ripening, aging of the organs and may also cause the leaves to fall. Without getting into these complex processes, the presence of ethylene at the wrong stage of development may have side effects on plants such as preventing flowering, reducing the yield and fruit quality or causing the leaves to lose chlorophyll, a reduction of flower’s pigmentation and other wilting symptoms. At high concentrations, propylene may cause similar symptoms to carbon monoxide.

C3H6= propylene

= ethylene C2H4

= nitrogen dioxide NO2

= carbon monoxide

CO= nitrogen monoxide

NO

“As for nitrogen oxides, a large quantity may decrease the plant’s

growth and cause necrosis.”

http://www.orcagrowfilm.com


Sulfur dioxide is also harmful to plants. When this gas is present in abundant quantities, the plants close their stomas. As for nitrogen oxides, a large quantity may decrease the plant’s growth and cause necrosis. Interestingly, a low concentration combination of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide may be more damaging to plants than a high concentration of one of these two gases.

Reference: Wacquant, C. 1995. Maîtrise de la conduite climatique tomate sous serre et abris en sol. CTIFL, France, 127 pages.

Critical concentrations of gases emitted by incomplete combustionWith that said, how can we protect ourselves against the side

effects of incomplete combustion? First, proper maintenance and verification of the generator should be frequently executed. Then, the room where the generator is being used should contain enough oxygen to allow complete combustion. A simple way to do it is to make sure some ventilation is present with the outdoor air to maintain an acceptable oxygen level without wasting the precious generated CO

2.

For example, a 24,000 BTU CO2 generator requires about

five cubic feet (CF) of air per minute of functioning. So if a generator burns for 15 minutes per hour, it requires five by 15 = 75 CF per hour of fresh air. Thus, a 100 CFM fan has to work about one minute per hour to replenish the oxygen supply to ensure complete combustion.

Critical Concentrations (ppm)

Ethylene (C2H4) 0.01 to 0.5 5

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) 0.1 to 0.5 2

Nitrogen monoxide anddioxide (NO and NO2)

0.01 to 0.5 25 to 30

Propylene (C3H6) 10 to 50 -

Carbon Monoxide (CO) 100 to 500 50

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) 2,000 to 30,000 5,000

PlantsGas

Human

= Sulfur Dioxide

SO2

http://www.capcontrollers.com


In order to avoid wasting CO2, some gardeners choose a

culture volume as airtight as possible, without any air exchange. The CO

2 generator is not recommended in this type of

confined space due to a high risk of lack of oxygen and, therefore, incomplete combustion. The CO

2 bottle is much safer

for this type of garden.Selecting and applying an appropriate CO

2 enrichment

method for the growing area is no easy task. But taking the time to do so will allow one to achieve the expected results and will ensure the plants’ and the gardener’s safety. The results from a garden that benefits from good CO

2 enrichment management

will be worth the invested time and money.


MY

The pros and cons of combustion generators and CO2 bottles and regulators can be found

online www.maximumyield.com

Another strongly recommended protection is to purchase a detector. Some gases, such as ethylene, strongly affect plants but are expensive to detect. However, it is not expensive to acquire a carbon monoxide monitor, and it is a good indicator of combustion quality. Normally, a concentration greater than 30 ppm of carbon monoxide in the undiluted gas from the generator indicates incomplete combustion; the presence of other harmful gases is very likely.

“The results from a garden that benefits from good CO2 enrichment

management will be worth the invested time and money.”

http://www.horticontrol.com

http://www.hydrodynamicsintl.com

Palm

This is not to say that you can't grow oregano, sage, thyme, rosemary, basil and cilantro indoors. These simply require more specific growing environments and a bit more attention. If you have the proper environment and the time to dedicate to them, try growing these herbs indoors as well. Indoor gardens are eco-friendly, but the benefits reach even further. Indoor gardening is a good fit for homeowners, renters or even those on the road in a recreational vehicle. Indoor gardening provides healthy food and provides natural air cleaners that also serve as decorating accessories. Indoor gardening is a win-win situation both for the environment and the gardener.

Easy Indoor HerbsHerbs do require a bit of maintenance, but the rewards far outweigh the care required to make them thrive in an indoor environment. You'll need a location that receives at least six hours of full sun per day, or you’ll have to use grow lights. Always enrich your soil or medium before planting the herb seeds. Good drainage is key to growing healthy herbs indoors.

Mint Leaves – be sure to grow this one separately from your other herbs, as it tends to be invasive. Excellent in tea.

Lemon Grass – purchase a stalk from the store, cultivate it in a few inches of water and voila, you have your own lemon grass.

Chive – needs less light than some other herbs.

Parsley – slow growing, but once it's established, it's a great kitchen herb to have on hand.

Bay Tree – slow growing, but worth the wait.

Fern

Ficus

MY

Indoor gardening has many benefits: It's an eco-friendly way to detoxify the air inside your home, provides chemical-free herbs and plants for your kitchen, adds beauty to your home's décor and reduces your stress level significantly. People across the globe are trying their hand at indoor gardening and are finding it to be a very enjoyable and productive hobby.Do you feel you have a black thumb rather than a green one?

There are several varieties of indoor plants and herbs that are hardy and easy to grow. Think of these plant additions to your home as natural air cleaners and built-in décor.

Eco-Friendly Indoor Gardening

Easy to Grow Indoor PlantsChinese Evergreen – for homes with low-light conditions, this plant is ideal. It requires very little maintenance, so it's a great choice for beginning gardeners.

Weeping Fig – this plant is extremely hardy and will survive despite long periods of little tender loving care.

Chamaedorea Palm – you'll love this plant addition if your décor lends itself to a tropical theme.

Cactus Combo Bonsai – these wonderfully unique plants are ideal for most any climate since they adapt easily to changes in temperature and moisture levels.

Braided Ficus Tree – an adaptable indoor tree that requires little fuss to thrive.

English Ivy – fantastic choice for hanging baskets or topiaries.

Boston Fern – ferns only require feeding roughly once a month and love high humidity, so they're ideal for a bathroom or greenhouse.

Peace Lily – a fantastic air purifier that also provides great greenery and blooms.

About the AuthorIsabella Samvosky’s website, Natural-Salt-Lamps.com contains information on Solay Wellness products. For successful indoor gardening try Solay Simple Biodynamic Natural Plant Food. (ArticlesBase.com)

by Isabella Samvosky

GREEN THUMBgardening



http://www.novabiomatique.com

We Need to TalkAn Insider's Guide to Hydroponic Shops by Casey Fraser

I can say with no hesitation that I want every indoor grower to reap bountiful harvests of picturesque crops. Guess what...I’m a hydroponics sales person. For salespeople like me, a successful garden is just good business. In fact, your success is more important to me than how much money you spend in a visit. We want long-term customers, not quick sales. The salespeople I know in this industry prefer gardening success over irrational purchases, regardless of the ticket price.As a grower, I want the highest yields of gourmet produce out of every

grow. As a salesman, I want customers to have excellent results too. So if the customer and the retailer are both after the same goal, why is there so much frustration, confusion and mistrust between the custom-ers and sales reps?In an effort to improve your shopping experience (not to mention your

crops) I have created a list of “focus areas” for you. I believe this list will be useful for new and experienced growers. Focusing your questions will makes it easier for the sales rep to find solutions for your indoor garden troubles.



Focus #1 – CatalogsAsk for a catalog to view the available product options. Communicate with the clerk about what you’re looking for. If you need a specific product or are curious about pricing, simply ask. If you don’t know what you want, say so. If the shop does not carry what you need, ask for similar options that are available or ask to have something ordered in.

Focus #2 – LightingYour garden starts with lighting. Tell the salesperson the light sizes you’re growing with, or the light you’re looking for. Outline the dimensions of your garden: square (3’ x 3’), rectangle (2’ x 4’), circle (5’), basement (10’ x 10’), etc. Next, let us know the wattage and lighting type (high pressure sodium, metal halide, fluorescent or LED). This specific lighting information, combined with grow room dimensions, will tell us how much light your plants need. When a salesperson suggests additional lighting or increased wattage, the motivation is not simply sales; we want you to be successful and satisfied. We want your lighting to be the perfect fit for your garden.

Focus Areas for SuccessUse catalogues and industry publications like Maximum Yield to sort through available products.

Know what you want to grow and know your garden dimensions so an effective lighting scheme can be designed.

Technology exists to enhance your grow; do your research and ask questions so you can be sure to buy only what you need.

If choosing to grow hydroponically, investigate available systems before jumping in.

Different systems require different grow mediums. Once again research will be a huge benefit for you.

Consider performance, quality and pricing when choosing nutrients and supplements.

Know your budget and stay within it.

http://www.nutrifield.com.au/nutrients


Focus #4 – HydroponicsIf you choose to garden hydroponically (without soil) there are many different systems to choose from. Here are the basic topics for hydro gear: performance, track record, ease of use, cleaning/maintenance, complexity and price.

We Need to Talk: An Insider's Guide to Hydroponic Shops

Focus #5 – Soils and Growing Mediums (aka Root Zone Substrates)Indoor gardeners use soil, soilless mixes, grow rocks, rockwool, coco coir and several other types of growing media. If you grow in hydroponics, just tell the sales person what system you have, and they will direct you to the appropriate growing medium. Ask which products offer the ideal pH range and water holding capacity for your indoor gardening method. You can also search the internet for soil recipes. Grow stores carry individual products like perlite, biodynamic compost, worm castings, etc., to help you build your own custom soil. Ask your local store if they have a preferred soil mix for top yields.

Focus #3 - Cooling, Exhaust Fans and CO2

This area can be complicated, so expert advice will be extremely helpful. Many grow light reflectors have built-in duct ports, so you can connect ventilation equipment. Your sales clerk will suggest the perfect exhaust fan for your hot grow lights. Exhausting your room will cool things down and bring fresh air to your plants. An intake fan may also be helpful (exhaust fan kicks out old air/intake fan brings in fresh air). A more expensive (and often more productive) option is to use CO

2 and air conditioning, instead of pulling

a constant stream of fresh air through your room. If you want a professional set-up, you could use exhaust fans to cool the lights independently from the room, and keep the grow room supplemented with air conditioning and CO

2. For a small hobby

set-up, you could simply install one exhaust fan that will dump out the old air, cool your light(s) and bring in new air via suction. As you can see, the options are many. Once the clerk understands your lighting requirements and space, he or she will be able to recommend various ventilation equipment to suit your budget.

NOTEManufacturers are creating fresh concepts for safely cooling equipment with water instead of air. Be sure to ask about such products at your local grow shop.

http://www.oliviassolutions.com


Focus #7 – Budget and ListNow that you know about the gear, grab that catalog from #1. Get a sheet of paper and start listing products for your current or future garden. Continue to add and delete products until you can fit everything into your budget. Share the list with your sales clerk and see if you left anything out. Together, you may realize a carbon filter and exhaust fan are more important than that aeroponics unit. When working within a set budget, we want to make sure you get everything you need without overspending. Don’t try out a new technology unless you can afford them. We can also direct you away from products with a high failure rate. After all, we’re growers too!That’s how you get the right growing gear for your specific

situation. Sure, I left out topics like climate controllers, digitals meters and cloning machines, but a good grow store will gladly keep you informed on such items. So please ask questions (heck, bring in a long list of questions), and be friendly. You might learn something new, and your plants will thank you for it.

Focus #6 – Plant Nutrients and SupplementsSimply put, nutrients feed your plants and supplements assist in that function. The top nutrient companies offer recipe charts, which have been researched and designed for gardens like yours. When using products simultaneously, don’t simply follow the label’s instructions; use the manufacturer’s recipe guide to determine the specific amounts of each product. Using too much will actually decrease yield and quality. If you are new to gardening, please don’t invent your own nutrient recipe.Performance, quality and pricing should be considered

when choosing a nutrient brand for your garden. ‘Grower A’ has a 1000 watt garden. He spends $50 on two bottles and harvests less than one bucket of tomatoes, flowers and herbs. ‘Grower B’ has an identical garden set-up, but spends $500 on a scientific assortment of nutrients and supplements, and harvests more than two buckets of tomatoes, flowers and herbs. You must decide if the increase in yield is worth

the increase in cost. For many growers, garden success is worth every penny.

For others, they are satisfied as long as the plants survive

(regardless of yield and quality), in which case price rules. Be sure to ask which brands guarantee quality and performance, and it’s always a good idea to ask which brand they prefer or use personally.

MY

http://www.nutrifield.com.au/additives/nf-zyme

Biological Products in Indoor Gardens


Biological products are beneficial living organisms sold to out-compete detrimental organisms. There are several good bacteria on the market that kill or out-compete bad bacteria or fungi. This is particularly important in hydroponics because bacteria thrive in water. If you can maintain a balance of good and bad bacteria, or establish a population of good bacteria up-front, then you can prevent some pretty nasty bacterial diseases or even fungal diseases like the water mould root rots pythium and phytophthora.

by Donald Lester


The concept of using one biological organism to fight another is called biological control and it is becoming more important in commercial agriculture. Biological control is also happening in the food industry. Many types of yogurt have beneficial bacteria in them known as probiotics. Many of the organisms sold for biological control exist naturally so why do you need to buy them? The organisms sold in the marketplace are generally selected for their killing power meaning you are buying and adding a “big brother” to beef up your natural flora of organisms. And the good part is that you can use these powerful tools in your indoor gardening program.Arguably the most powerful beneficial bacteria is

Bacillus subtilis. This bacterium is so tough it can withstand severe pressure differentials; enough that NASA uses this bacterium as a model organism for space research. Bacillus subtilis is well known in the research world because, not only can it out-compete other bacteria for space and nutrients, Bacillus subtilis produces powerful enzymes and antibiotics that it uses on competitors. Unlike fungal biological products that grow on plant roots, Bacillus products have small tails or flagella making them motile and able to go on seek-and-destroy missions in your nutrient solution.Biological products, overall, are better at preventing

disease rather than curing it. Therefore, it is important to establish a population of beneficial micro-organisms at planting time and maintain them through the growing cycle. There are several things you can do to stack the deck in your favor: select the proper organism, buy quality material, avoid temperature extremes, maintain hygienic conditions and avoid the use of strong chemicals.

“Bacteria thrive in water, which is why growers should make use of beneficial living organisms to out-compete the bad bacteria,

especially in hydroponics.”

“Biological products generally prevent disease, not cure it.”

http://www.nutrifield.com.au/additives


Biological products offer a safe, environmentally friendly method of disease prevention for your harvests.

In hydroponics, because the plant`s roots are immersed in a liquid growing solution, poor growing conditions can lead to disastrous results.

solution. Poor hygiene and other factors can lead to disastrous disease infections. Knowing your production history and problems can help you out here. If you don’t know what disease is plaguing your operation, seek help from a professional. They can help you choose the right product to control the infection and guide you in selecting the proper biological to use as a follow up for maintaining a healthy growing system.

In shopping for biological products first look for biological organisms, not extracts of living organisms. This is an important distinction. Extracts can provide protection for a short time but a living organism is self-maintaining and can even grow in strength under the right conditions.Another consideration is determining what pathogen or

detrimental organism you are trying to prevent. Hydroponics keeps the roots of plants immersed in a liquid growing

Biological Products in Indoor Gardens

http://www.mygreenplanet.com

Bacillus subtilis

Biologicals are living organisms so they do best in certain environmental conditions. Use fresh products and avoid sterilizers, bacteriacides, fungicides and other strong chemicals when using biologicals. The shelf life of biologicals can vary greatly so look for those that last 18 months to two years. Avoid using products that require refrigeration; you don’t know if they got warm and degraded before you bought them. Also, be sure the label has a guaranteed analysis, meaning a count of the organisms is actually listed so you know what you are getting. Avoid products with more than three living organisms; more organisms mean fewer of each and possibly a weak product. And continue adding the product as the label indicates to maintain high levels of beneficial organisms.Biological products typically come as liquids or powders

and are quite easy to use. One of the big advantages to using biologicals is that they are completely safe for people, pets, children, houseplants and the environment. You can literally apply these things with your bare hands and have no fear of hurting yourself. Moreover, biologicals have no re-entry limits, no harvest intervals to worry about and no toxic residues.With the marketplace moving toward organically grown foods,

public demand for chemical-free foods, safety and liability issues associated with conventional products and the high cost of conventional product registrations, the future in plant pest control is biological. Consider putting biological products to work in your indoor garden today. MY

“Biologicals can be applied with bare hands with no fear of injury; they are completely safe

for people, pets, houseplants and the environment.”

Additional articles by Donald Lester can be found at www.maximumyield.com

http://www.nutrifield.com.au/contact

GROWINGfor health

Microgreens are edible greens that are tiny in form and are derived from the seeds of different herbs, plants and vegetables. Microgreens are stemmed and bear leaves usually ranging from one to two inches in size. Even though microgreens are tiny in size, their flavors are quite intense, though not as strong as the mature herbs and greens. A typical microgreen contains a central stem with two completely developed cotyledons and a pair of true leaves from the main plant. The size of the microgreens and the configuration of the leaves vary according to the plant species.One of the most common misconceptions about

microgreens is that they are sprouts. There are considerable differences between the two and each is produced in a different way. For example, sprouts are water grown in semi-dark conditions and are eaten as a tangled mass of stems, underdeveloped leaves and roots. Also, the flavors, textures and colors of sprouts are not quite developed as they are with microgreens. Microgreens are becoming immensely popular, common in the greenhouses and on farms, and appearing in homes and restaurants. The concept of microgreens has become very popular all over North America. The best thing about the microgreens is that they are easy to grow, simple to prepare and delicious to taste. Microgreens are rich in nutrients.Good business opportunities exist with microgreens

as they are highly marketable. Whether you are a commercial grower trying to expand, a supplier looking to supply microgreens to restaurants or a gardener hoping to grow some greens; if you have the seeds, consider the job done. Microgreens are derived from several vegetables like broccoli, green and red cabbage, red kale and beetroot. Microgreens can be grown easily at home, in a medium filled pot, and they can be grown year round.

TenderandTangy

Microgreens


MY

http://www.getbluelab.com

by Noucetta Kehdi

Root-Parasitic Fungi:How to Control Pythium in Hydroponics


Roots don’t get the attention they deserve. This comment is true for all types of growing methods, but even more in hydroponics where roots are barren and vulnerable. So root management in hydroponics is an extremely important issue.But don’t roots take care of themselves? Generally they do,

at least to some extent. But when in adverse situations, they will be easily attacked by several diseases. A good grower must be able to address the problem before hand. The question is how to get and maintain a healthy root system.

“Generally, roots take care of themselves, but in adverse

situations they can be easily attacked by disease.”

These slimy roots are unhappy due to a pythium attack.


A dynamic, well-designed growing system, clean, highly-oxygenated water, a well-drained substrate, good ventilation and the right temperature and humidity levels are the main ingredients to success when growing hydroponically. Many more parameters are involved of course, but following these basic directions, and the application charts on the nutrient bottles, will allow you to keep your plants happy and healthy. And basically, this is what you are looking for because it is when your plants are stressed that pests and diseases start invading.The root level is a particularly vulnerable part of the plant,

be it in soil or in water. When your temperature is high, and your water circulation is poor, your plants will suffer due to a lack of oxygen. At the root level this oxygen starvation reduces the permeability of roots to water, and consequently the absorption of mineral salts, which will weaken the plant and eventually lead to a poor crop. Under continuing stress conditions, the roots will emit ethylene, a stress hormone that accumulates in the roots and participates to the slow degradation of the root system. Furthermore, ethylene is recognized by some pathogens as the sign for a weak individual, and a motivation to attack.

This drawing depicts the inside of an aeroflo hydroponics system and the oxygenation that happens inside the nutrient-rich solution.

“Under extreme stress conditions, roots will emit the

stress hormone ethylene.”

http://www.hotboxworld.com


Root-Parasitic Fungi

WHAT’S A PATHOGEN?It’s an organism that can cause sickness.There is an immense variety of pathogens in our

environment, and some of them are fungi like: fusarium, pythium, verticillium, phytophtora and many more. Fusarium and pythium are two of the most common and destructive root aggressors known to all growers, soil gardeners or hydroponicists. They are very ferocious invaders that are often the reason for total crop destruction.What we must realize is that a large diversity of micro-organisms

live all around us. They live on plants, in soil and water, in the air we all breathe, on our skin and in our food. Some are beneficial and some are pathogens, in the sense that they can “induce sickness.” Most of these organisms will remain harmless as long as the body they live on is in good health. But as soon as they sense the first signs of stress, they will attack.

These roots are healthy once again after a pythium attack. Provided the grower reacts quickly enough, some recovery is possible.

“Fusarium and pythium are ferocious invaders that are often the reason for total

crop destruction.”

http://www.apexfertilizer.com


http://www.eelriverhydroponics.com



WHAT IS PYTHIUM?Pythium is a destructive root-parasitic fungus.Under favorable conditions pythium multiplies very fast and

liberates microscopic spores that infect the roots and deprive the plant of food. It attacks mainly seeds and seedlings, which have little resistance to disease. Larger plants are more resistant; they do get injured too, but if quickly detected they can be treated and saved, although your crop will be definitely stunted.Like other fungi, pythium exists everywhere in the plant’s

environment and will attack practically all plants. The best conditions for its development are high moisture levels and a temperature between 68 and 86°F. Plus poor oxygenation of the nutritive solution in hydroponics, of course. It is a fungal spore that lives in air and water and will be present in your growing area, no matter how clean it is. It will come in on your shoes, your clothes, your hands, etc. It will come in with your water, especially when your water supply comes from wells or rivers and streams. There are millions of opportunities for this fungus to get into your garden. So, it is important to keep your growing environment clean and keep track of the quality of the water you are using.

The roots of this young plant are being attacked by pythium. You can tell they are dying from the brown and slimy texture on the roots.

http://www.agbio-inc.com




Pythium is often described as a “secondary infection” because it only attacks when the plant is already slightly damaged or when growing conditions are not at best. It takes advantage of sick or wounded tissues to colonize the root and creates damping off and root rot.

HOW DO YOU RECOGNIzE A PYTHIUM ATTACK?On a general basis, when pythium

attacks, infected seeds will turn soft, mushy and black, and will die. Seedlings will get soggy stems and collapse. For no apparent reason, larger plants and mothers will start wilting and yellowing (which is often incorrectly identified as a nutrient deficiency). Sometimes leaves

will tend to curl downwards. Your plants will show poor growth and your yields will be reduced; you may even lose your crop entirely.It is not easy to catch a pythium attack

on time, especially when growing in soil, as the first signs of plant stress will not show immediately above ground. Only after a few days will you notice that your plants look unhappy. Meanwhile at the root level the game was started long ago.In hydroponics, pythium, which loves

and thrives in water, is quite a common disease. If you are not vigilant enough, the consequences can be extremely damaging. But hydroponics offers the grower a priceless advantage: access to the root system. To have a better grasp on his future crop, a good hydroponicist will regularly check his root system, as roots offer a wealth of information on the plant’s health, the quality of the nutritive solution and the functioning of the growing system.

But be careful. In some growing systems you can lift your plants out of the growing chamber. When plants are young you can easily extract them to see if the roots are healthy. But once the root system develops, it is better to look at it from a neighboring access hole to prevent wounding the plant, as wounded roots will attract fungi as surely as a sick plant.When you look at the roots at that

stage, and if pythium started to attack your plants, you will see different symptoms, depending on the extent of the damage. Infection starts at the tip of the root then slowly disintegrates root hairs and the fine lateral roots which are critical for nutrient uptake. The gleaming white roots will turn into light brown, then to dark brown and then to black. When the infection is severe, the lower portion of the stem can become slimy and black. Usually the soft to slimy rotted portion of the root can be easily separated from the inner core.

These basil plants are showing healthy roots at a very high temperature of 118°F, thanks to a bio-filter and micro-organisms.

"When the infection is severe, the lower portion of the stem can become

slimy and black."

http://www.hydroponics.com


http://www.hannainst.com/usa



Some growers have discovered other means of fungi prevention by using wetting agents and chlorination of the nutritive solution, UV light, hydrogen peroxide and ozone. But be careful, as some of these methods may be detrimental as they can interfere with some of the mineral salts in the solution, thus endangering the balance of your plant’s nutrition.There are other means to prevent

pythium and fungi in general. Some companies offer products like special silicate powders, beneficial bacteria or fungi, or different mixes of various strains of both to add to your nutritive solution. Some go further and offer a “biological filter” that will filter all residues, increase water oxygenation and include a mix of micro-organisms that will colonize and form a protective barrier on the roots, thus blocking the invasion of pathogen organisms. A big advantage to these filters is to keep your roots healthy, even when you have a difficult time controlling your temperature levels.Pythium is one among a huge diversity

of fungi. Although, many more exist, like fusarium, verticillium, phytophtora and rhizoctonia, which will cause root rot of adults and damping off of seeds and seedlings. They will develop easily, according to temperatures and pH levels, but they will thrive in the same conditions as pythium. Prevention against their attacks is the same as for pythium, the most important aspects being to continuously keep your plants as healthy and vigorous as possible. The root system of large plants will recover, if you react quickly enough!

HOW TO fIGHT PYTHIUM?The answer is quite simple: by keeping

your plants healthy you will allow them to resist fungal attacks. And to keep them healthy in hydroponics, there are basic and mandatory rules: good water quality, optimal oxygenation of the nutritive solution, good ventilation, a well drained substrate, adequate temperature and humidity levels, suitable feeding programs and general cleanliness. These are the first preventative measures that all hydroponic growers must keep in mind to start with, as prevention remains the most efficient solution.But there are moments too when your

plant is particularly vulnerable, and when it is good to watch them closely.

All of Noucetta Kehdi's articles can be found at

www.maximumyield.com

MY

On a general basis, start with disease-free plants and seeds. Avoid overfeeding and overcrowding of plants and keep good ventilation. It seems that pythium will thrive better at high alkalinity levels, so keep your pH as low as possible, while following the plant’s needs, of course.

Transplanting is another key operation, as a wounded root is a perfect ground for infection. So when you transplant, use a clean spot and be particularly gentle with the young roots. To avoid transplant stress and root manipulation, you can use aeroponic propagation systems where you only need to move your plant from one pot to the next, without interfering with the root system.

So don’t hesitate to renew your mothers. After some time your mother becomes old and eventually carries the pythium spores. And your cutting will carry it too. This is why it is wise to use your mother once or twice, and then replace it with one of the newly rooted cuttings. This way you will always propagate healthy young mothers and get healthy and vigorous cuttings, devoid of disease.

As with the mother plant, another phenomena takes place when you cut some of its stems off: the root mass becomes too important for its new needs, the root system becomes mushy and sad and parts of it start decaying. At that time it will release more ethylene, and pathogens, including pythium, will rush in.

When preparing your cuttings for propagation, use clean utensils, and take good care of both cutting and the mother plant, as the cuts inflicted during the operation are a wonderful opportunity for pathogen penetration.

Keep a close watch on your seedlings and cuttings, as it is often at that stage that your plant will be infected. It is important to choose your germination substrate very carefully and to keep your germination area as clean as possible.

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http://www.botaniwipe.com

http://www.deeppocketsguttersystem.com


In the beginning man was a hunter-gather. This nomadic life slowly changed when food resources declined and men became farmers.Man is still primarily a hunter-gatherer in relation to food

from the sea; however, the world’s fish resources are declining at an increasing rate, making fishing a less efficient and less attractive option. Only about four per cent of the world's oceans remain undamaged by human activity, with climate change and fishing being the strongest influences.The answer clearly lies in the hunter gatherer in the seas being replaced by the farmer of the sea

with aquaculture. This is already occurring in a number of countries including Canada, Scotland, Chile, New Zealand, Norway and Australia.In Australia there is also a significant fresh water fish farming industry producing eels,

barramundi and Murray cod, but all of these land based systems have two major problems, namely the limited fresh water supply and (even more critical) the disposal of the nutrient rich waste products from the fish.

Illustration by Ivan Flower-Jones

AquaponicsClean, Green and Organic

by Dr. Michael A. Nichols


SO WHAT IS AqUAPONICS?I was first introduced to aquaponics when visiting Western

Australia and met with two people from Curtin University; a postgraduate student from Cyprus and his supervisor. The student’s research involved the production of fish (Barramundi) combined with growing a crop of NFT hydroponic lettuce.My next involvement with aquaponics was at the South

Pacific Soilless Culture Conference held at Massey University. Among the papers was one presented by Schultz from the University of the US Virgin Islands in the West Indies. In this paper he described how he grew crops of basil in an aquaponic system with Tilapia fish.At a hydroponics meeting in Singapore, a whole day was set

aside for a discussion on aquaponics. Leading the discussion was Professor Jim Rakocy from the US Virgin Islands, along with his colleague Charlie Schultz. They were ably supported by a Canadian aquaponics researcher, Nick Savidov from Alberta in Canada.A visit was made to the aquaponics project of Dr. Jim

Rakocy and Charlie Shultz at the University of the Virgin Islands in the West Indies. Water is a very scarce resource on the Island of St. Croix and all the water for the project is collected as rainfall on a large plastic sheet, and stored in a deep reservoir. Essentially, the only water being lost from the system is through transpiration, as all the other water is re-circulated from the fish to the hydroponics system, and then back to the fish.The US Virgin Islands is considered tropical, and so all the

crops are produced without any protection. Rakocy and Shultz have found that they require at least four different fish tanks to

“only about four per cent of the world's oceans remain

undamaged by human activity.”

http://www.sharkcage.ca


ensure a regular supply of nutrients for the hydroponic system. It is not possible to mix fish of widely different ages (sizes) in the same tank because of the risk of cannibalism. They have also found that it is desirable to grow plants of different ages, to ensure that the uptake of minerals by the plants is also evened out over time.

The fish waste has to have the solids removed and much of the ammonia excreted by the fish converted to nitrate before it reaches the hydroponic tanks through the use of a bio-filter. Simplistically, a bio-filter may comprise only a section of windbreak mesh, through which the solution slowly passes. Over a short period of time, a broad spectrum of micro-organisms becomes established around the bio-filter. Some of these micro-organisms are capable of converting ammonia to nitrite, and others can carry out the next step of converting nitrite to nitrate.

The hydroponic system used in the Virgin Islands is the deep flow method (DFT), and the solution is aerated regularly along the growing tanks.I visited the aquaponics project of Dr. Nick

Savidov at the Horticultural Research Institute in Brooks, Alberta, Canada. With winter temperatures below -22°F, this environment could certainly not be considered tropical.From a horticultural viewpoint, Savidov has shown that not

only does a recirculating aquaponic system results in fewer root diseases in the crop, but also that the crop yield from aquaponics, when compared with conventional hydroponic, is often increased.The reduction in root disease is not surprising, as there is

considerable interest in Europe in developing an ecological

Aquaponics: Clean, Green and Organic

Produced primarily using nutrients from fish waste, it is possible that some aquaponic crops could be marketed as certified organic.

DFTDeep Flow

Method


http://www.milwaukeetesters.com



balance of organisms in the nutrient solution, as clearly a sterile solution is not sustainable even in the short term. The deep sand filters being developed in Europe for recirculating hydroponics systems are a good example of this approach.There is no simple explanation for the increased yield

reported by Savidov, but one possibility is that the organic components in the nutrient solution (possibly humates) may make the trace elements more readily available to the plants. A recent report of microbiologists with the Alberta Research Council (ARC) has shown a presence of so called Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria, or PGPR, in aquaponics water. There is no doubt that the UV sterilization of the recirculating nutrient solution undertaken in conventional hydroponic systems has the potential to alter the microflora population and composition plus precipitate out iron; these factors alone may be enough justification for moving away from the conventional hydroponic systems.The key factor in aquaponics is that the plants

are grown using a deep flow hydroponics system. However, worldwide there has been a steady move away from deep flow hydroponic systems towards Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) and media based systems that use, for example, rockwool or coco peat (coir). Using a deep flow system with forced aeration throughout the deep channel by aquarium aeration stones, means that the plant root system has access to a large quantity of water, and also to a large buffer of nutrients without running short of oxygen. In aquaponics the nutrient solution is actually more dilute than in conventional hydroponics, but because it is present in a large volume, the plant roots are able to extract all they need. In tests strawberry plants were grown in NFT and coir using aquaponics water from a DFT facility as a source of nutrients. The leachate was then returned to the DFT facility. The trial showed a potential

NFTNutrient

FilmTechnique



An aquaponic greenhouse showing plants being supplied nutrients from their fishy counterparts (above left). Tilapia, a common species, thrive in their own tank, providing nutrient-rich water to the plants (above).

for aquaponics operations to successfully grow greenhouse crops using several techniques while providing an opportunity for diversifying aquaponics operations.A new aquaponics facility was constructed at CDCS in Brooks

using expertise acquired from working with the previous model. In the new facility the research team managed to:(a) Radically improve usage of greenhouse space by more than

two times. With the same gas bill the producers will be able to double the yield of greenhouse crops.

(b) Significantly decrease labor requirements through new design and better protocol for crop management based on the design.

(c) Entirely eliminate water discharge from the system. It is a completely contained system now, which allows introduction of new fish species, for example, barramundi in North America, without any contact with the environment. No fertilizers or pesticides were used to produce greenhouse crops. The developed system is unique by its efficiency in space, labor and water usages, and its environmental impact is close to zero. The new design allows aquaponics operations

in a fully automated regime and shows a high potential for considerably larger operations incorporating integrated waste management.

A study/survey on bacterial contamination and a spoilage rate of green vegetables was conducted at CDCS. The leaves were collected in aquaponics and compared to the green vegetables purchased in grocery stores. The aquaponics produce showed minimal spoilage compared to other samples. This confirmed

“aquaponics is not just more efficient and

environmentally friendly than other technologies, but it is also a safer way to produce vegetables.”

http://www.ncwgs.com



previous two-year food safety studies, which showed no presence of E. Coli or other pathogens in aquaponics produce. It is not a surprising result as the plants are grown in a confined area with no contact with animal manure, which is a main source of E. Coli contamination in field-grown produce. Thus, aquaponics is not just more efficient and environmentally friendly than other technologies, but it is also a safer way to produce vegetables.

Consuming fish that contain Omega 3 fatty acids is necessary in order to obtain adequate levels in the human diet.

OMEGA 3 (ω3)One interesting aspect of aquaponics

is that one of the critical human health constituents found in fish are the Ω3 fatty acids. There are essentially three Ω3 fatty acids, namely DHA (important for brain health), EPA (important for cardiovascular health) and ALA. DHA and EPA are only found in seafood, and are derived by fish from the consumption of micro-organisms consumed at sea by fish etc. EPA is found in a range of plant derived seed oils, e.g. hemp seed oil, but our bodies are only able to convert small

quantities (10 per cent) of EPA to the physiologically active DHA and EPA. Thus to ensure an adequate level of EPA and DHA in our diet it is necessary to consume fish which contain these fatty acids. This does not mean that the fish must be sea fish, but that the fish must have been provided with a source of DHA and EPA, which means that they must have been fed with fish meal sourced from sea fish.

“there are essentially three Ω3 fatty acids,

namely dha (important for brain health),

epa (important for cardiovascular health)

and aLa. dha and epa are only found in

seafood.”

http://www.serenadegarden.com


EDUCATION AND AGRITOURISMAs society becomes more urbanized,

a separation is developing between those with a rural background and those who believe that food comes from the supermarket. Aquaponics provides a very suitable educational vehicle to demonstrate the link between animals (fish), fish waste, plant nutrition and human food. It also provides an excellent example of the need to have a balanced ecology.Agritourism provides a valuable

interphase between urban and rural, and between the developed and developing world. Jon Nielson, a teacher from Rosemary High School (Alberta), successfully introduced aquaponics as part of his biology and chemistry curricula using aquaponics mini-systems developed at CDCS. As a result, the average marks in biology increased by 20 per cent and has prompted other schools in the district to consider aquaponics as a teaching tool for biology and chemistry teachers.

CONCLUSIONAquaponics is an ecologically sustainable

system capable of producing food with few, if any, pesticide residues. Preliminary studies have demonstrated it is worthy of further investigation and development as a commercially viable business.There is one added marketing

advantage of aquaponics and that is that provided the pesticides used to control pests and diseases conform to organic criteria, then clearly the crop could be organically certified.

REFERENCES:nelson, r L & pade J s (2007) “Agri-tourism”. Acta Hort., 742, 225-227rakocy, d s, schulz, J e, bailey, r C & thoman, e s (2004)

“Aquaponic production of tilapia and basil: comparing a batch and staggered cropping system”. Acta Hort., 742, 63-69.

rakocy, J e, bailey, d s, schulz, r C & danahar, J J (2007) “Preliminary evaluation of organic waste from two aquaculture systems as a source of inorganic nutrients for hydroponics”. Acta Hort., 648, 201-207.

savidov, n a, hutchings, e & rakocy, J e (2007) “Fish and plant production in a recirculating aquaponic system: A new approach to sustainable agriculture in Canada” Acta Hort., 742, 209-221.

Some crops typically grown in subsrates, such as tomatoes, don’t lend themselves well to deep flow hydroponic systems.

To learn more about Dr. Nichols' aquaponics research arounf the world,

visit www.maximumyield.com

MY

http://www.steadygro.com


YOU TELL US

Cary Senders

have to remove the clone or cutting once the puck is removed from the system. With Storm Clone pucks the cutting stays right where it is therefore removing any chance for shock during transplant. STG is all about eliminating variables that can harm your crops.

MY: How was it discovered that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethyelen (PE), the materials used in STG products, could work as a successful growing medium?

Cary: The idea originated in Israel. A kibbutz (collective farm) began experimenting in their fields with small pieces of polyester that were left over from their textile mill production. The idea was to jelly roll seeds inside the rags and plant them in the field, and surprisingly

Maximum Yield (MY): What products are available in the Sure To Grow (STG) line and how can a hobby or commercial grower choose the right option for their unique situation?

Cary Senders: The STG line consists of rockwool type products like seed starter cubes, blocks, slabs and loose fill and is ideal for those grow in flood tables or use top drip methods.Our Grow Pads are designed specifically

for microgreens and wheatgrass. This product has become a staple for many commercial microgreens growers in the US and Canada. Our Flood and Drain mats are lightweight and more user friendly than coco mats.The new STG Storm series offers

growers an innovative option for their net pots and buckets. This line was primarily designed for manufactured systems like flood and drain, aeroponic, DWC or a combination of systems. These one piece, ready to use out of the box cylinders, offer growers the luxury of not having to clean or prep their media. Plus, all STG products are pH neutral giving growers a level of ease of use and predictability.Our new Clipper clone pucks are

designed for use with all manufactured clone systems, plus the grower does not

it worked. A problem arose as they plowed the fields; they were bringing up thousands of rags that got stuck in their tractor blades. They turned to DuPont who manufactured the PET fiber who turned to PET pillow stuffing as a fix. They found that if they produced the fiber with what are called cluster balls, the fiber was able to hold lots of water, with excellent aeration qualities. In essence this fiber had all the desired qualities of a great plant growth media.At the end of the day, the kibbutz and

DuPont decided not to puruse this as a commercial idea, and we were contacted by a Dupont representative in 2005 to evaluate the technology and see if we were interested in taking over the patents. After conducting extensive trials, we decided to license the technology and create what is now known as Sure To Grow.

Cary Senders of Sure To Grow, hydroponic growth media technology, discusses STG for a new generation of growers.

Sure to Grow product line.


MY: Is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) safe? How can you be sure?

Cary: We get this question a lot and we appreciate you asking. PET is a very safe product, and is the most widely used food safety packaging material in the world. It is also OMRI approved for food packaging because it is sterile, inert and pH neutral. These same qualities transfer over very well for a hydroponics growing media. No other media can make the same claim.By mid-2010, all of our STG products

will be made from 100 per cent post consumer recycled materials! We will be the first and only media manufacturer in the world able to make this claim, and it is something we are very proud to be able to do for our industry, our growers and the environment. A great resource to learn more about PET safety is www.plasticinfo.org

MY: How is the storm series different from the original STG product line?

Cary: STG is a grow media technology and, in essence, a textile fiber, manufactured right here in the USA in the textile mills of North Carolina. This manufacturing process, combined with

since 2007. We have a couple of interesting studies on STG available on our website and what’s fascinating is the number of crop and plant professionals that routinely contact us to do their own trials with STG. Crop professionals around the world are testing and evaluating the STG technology for a wide range of unique applications. Here are some examples:The Ohio State University Department

of Crop Sciences is growing hundreds of trees in a specially designed STG pot liner. Scientists at OSU believe that STG will provide the trees with better insulation so they do not have to be moved indoors for the winter. If this theory is proven, the labor savings alone for the movement of literally millions of trees would be an industry changing event.Three major roofing manufacturers

are evaluating STG for green roof applications, due to of its lightweight and durable nature.Several large, commercial agricultural

systems manufacturers are trialing proprietary STG designs for several new systems that are going to be coming to market.

MY: What crops can be successfully grown with STG?

Cary: That’s easy; we have yet to find a crop that can’t be grown is STG.

MY: What research has been done that proves STG’s success rate in growing various crops?

Cary: We have two existing patents on our technology, and three have been filed

the flexibility of our technology, allows us to find ways to make media designs that benefit growers, and enable us to offer the largest variety and most comprehensive family of media products on the market.A case in point is our new Hail mini

cubes. Hail is an STG aggregate consisting of pourable one inch cubes that need no cleaning or pre prep. A two cubic foot bag weighs only about two pounds.These kinds of value added, ease of use

qualities are what STG is all about. In just two years we have brought over 20 new plant media designs to this market, always trying to improve, always trying to make it easier for our growers.

If you would like to have your product featured in "You Tell Us," please contact

[email protected] or give us a call at 250 729 2677

MY

Healthy white roots as a result of growing in STG.

Basil thriving in STG hail croutons.

The revolutionary Storm Hail Croutons for large bucket and net pot systems.

http://www.plasticinfo.org

Little Growers’Roots are Spreading

by Heather Pearl

Children love to create. Caring for plants, watering them and watching them grow, instills confidence and sparks creativity. Little Growers aims to harness youngsters’ eagerness and natural curiosity, encouraging them to grow and taste a variety of produce.By enabling children to get involved in growing, Little

Growers also encourages them to learn about their environment, sustainability and healthy eating. They produce their own healthy, fresh food and learn key life skills.Little Growers is responding to the pressing need for improved

eating habits and better nutrition. Children and families are a key target group in healthy eating and increased physical activity campaigns. Recent research found that many young children do not associate a carrot stick with a carrot grown in the ground or a chip with a potato. Experts have confirmed that obesity, diabetes and heart disease are increasing in the developed world and change must be imminent if we are to reverse this worrying trend. It is great to see the Obamas taking the first steps in the

“Children love to create; caring for plants, watering them and watching them

grow instills confidence and sparks that creativity.”

Faringdon Junior School have all hands on deck as they begin their Little Growers project in their environmental area, planting and growing their own produce from scratch.


Every parent wants their children to have what’s best; access to fresh fruit and vegetables as part of a healthy nourishing diet is just one aspect of that. If only it were that simple! But that’s the challenge taken on by Jason Ralph-Smith, founder of Little Growers. He believes that getting youngsters to grow tasty produce is an exciting and educational way of involving them in what they eat.


Washington kitchen garden. Little Growers reflects this proactive approach at a school level, allowing communities to take action by instilling healthy values at a young age in the form.So there’s plenty to be done and Little Growers is taking up the

challenge and their philosophy is taking root in schools around the UK. Launched in 2008, Little Growers, a community interest company, started work with seven schools around the UK. These included a school for disabled children and a community school for disadvantaged and troubled youngsters. Following the success of the initial phase, a further 12 schools joined the project. They have installed hyroponic technology and polytunnels and are now well under way in their growing projects. Another 50 schools, which are in the beginning stages of their set-ups, are using propagators whilst awaiting grant funding. Over 1,350 children ranging from four to 19 years old now have had direct contact with Little Growers initiatives.Children’s’ enthusiasm and innovation for their Little Growers

projects is remarkable. Participating schools sell their Little Growers produce at the local farmers market creating revenue for the school, healthy fresh produce for their community and a great and engaging experience for the children.At the heart of the Little Growers project is a unique self

watering technology invented by Jason Ralph-Smith. The watering systems provide controlled irrigation for food crop production powered only by gravity. They are environmentally

The older students at Hawthorn Primary are championing the cause for Little Growers with their school banner.

http://www.naturescontrol.com


Little Growers`Roots are Spreading

friendly, extremely safe for use in the schools and very simple to manage. The added advantage is they can be left unattended several weeks, ideal for school weekends and holiday breaks. The system has been proven to work in a range of environments and climates. These include Thailand, South Africa and Europe, proving that Little Growers projects are

lessons, in the canteen and after school clubs, giving children a taste of ‘home-grown’ fruit and vegetables.The process that schools follow to

become involved in Little Growers is simple. Those showing an interest simply explain why they wish to be involved and what they will undertake to ensure that the objectives of Little Growers are fully delivered. Little Growers then provides all the necessary equipment including polytunnels, self-watering systems, water butts, raised beds, liquid fertilizer, seeds and propagation units. Little Growers offers continuous support, and if required hands on assistance with the set up, either from Jason Ralph-Smith or one of our volunteers. The schools are also provided with key information via online video examples on how to maintain the project and make it the greatest success possible for the childrens’ enjoyment and learning.Jason Ralph-Smith acknowledges there

are other schemes promoting healthy eating in schools, but none that combines the complete package from total food production to consumption, incorporating environmental issues. Little Growers combines all the key stages that children need to understand healthy eating and environmental sustainability, from planting, growth, maintenance, harvest, and eating.With a database of 2,000 UK schools

expressing an interest in getting involved, Little Growers is applying for funding to expand and eventually take their growing scheme into all schools in the UK and now the United States.Jason says: “Our ultimate goal at Little

Growers is to build the concept to the level where the produce grown by the children is sold in local supermarkets with branding of Little Growers so that the whole community can access locally grown food. Initially we aim to grow enough produce to supply the school canteens. Then as more food is grown sales to the parents will be incorporated to provide healthy produce and added revenue for the school, with the supermarket distribution being the ultimate goal.”

“A database of

2,000 schools have

expressed an interest

in getting involved

with Little Growers.”

These youngsters from Hawthorn Primary admire their newly planted tomato and pumpkin plants, eagerly anticipating their first harvest of produce.

highly adaptable and have great potential for development worldwide.When they come on board, all schools

are provided with complete growing kits free of charge, so they can get started immediately. They select which seeds to plant and learn what they need to make them grow. Their fresh produce is then used throughout the school; during

http://www.thegreengro.com


“Little Growers touches on areas that are close to people’s hearts.”

Hawthorn Primary School children get stuck in planting their chosen crop varieties as they begin their Little Growers project at the start of the school year.

MY

Feel free to contact [email protected] for more information or inquiries into Little Growers schemes.

We would love to hear from you.

an opportunity for the community to work together for a sustainable, eco-friendly project.On the horizon for Little Growers are: school recycling which

will then be used to provide the raw materials for the growing systems, wormeries and composting to allow the schools to create their own fertilizer and compost and expanding the projects to family gardens at home. All of these areas increase the impact and environmental sustainability of the Little Growers ethos, making a significant and long-term difference to children, the community and the environment.

Little Growers is also winning fans around the world, with interest from Japan, South Africa and the United States but currently, their focus now is to become an international scheme with a wide range of schools involved across the globe, tailoring the concept to their needs and environment. Japanese schools are currently in the process of establishing Little Growers projects for the start of the new school year. They are developing exciting Little Growers projects in congested urban environments to provide green space for the children and to counteract pollution.Encouraging community

support and development is a key area. Little Growers aims to establish volunteer networks to support schools and involve the wider community. By making links with allotment and horticultural groups, schools and pupils would benefit from specialist knowledge and share in expert growers’ enthusiasm and support. Ideally volunteer groups would champion the cause of growing fresh produce locally, healthy eating and healthy environments. Little Growers touches on areas that are close to people’s hearts, whether it be their children’s future or the future of the planet. Volunteer networks give ongoing support for the Little Growers’ schools whilst providing

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.vitallandscaping.com

Under Your Drippers?

by Dr. J. Benton Jones Jr.

Do You KNoW WHaT’S HaPPENING

The drip irrigation procedure is the most commonly used method for dispensing water and nutrient solution to hydroponically grown plants rooted in either an inorganic or organic substrate, with a dripper head anchored on a peg at the base of each plant. The system is fairly easy to install, relatively free of malfunctions and cost effective. Flow from the dripper requires that the water or nutrient solution be under pressure, with the flow volume determined by the size of dripper head opening. Since drippers can clog or occasionally malfunction, they need to be monitored during their period of use. To minimize clogging, a filter is placed at the head of the delivery line to remove suspended material from the water or nutrient solution that will be dispensed.



The volume of water or nutrient solution to be delivered with each irrigation and the frequency of irrigations is usually a calculated value based on the atmospheric demand on the plant for water and its nutrient element requirement determined by species and stage of growth. Normally water and nutrient element requirements are calculated in slight excess of that actually needed by the plant in order to avoid the potential for insufficiencies.The combination of frequency and length of time for each

irrigation as well as the size of the dripper opening, will determine how much of the rooting media will become saturated at each irrigation. Some recommend that with each irrigation, there should be some runoff that is either discarded or collected for possible re-circulation.What portion of the applied water or nutrient solution

retained in an inorganic substrate, such as course sand, perlite or rockwool, is determined by their individual physical properties? Initially, these rooting media are essentially “nutrient element free,” but with time there is an accumulation of unabsorbed nutrient elements as soluble ions, frequently referred to as salts. Following the accumulation of ions in the retained solution, precipitates begin to form. These precipitates are a mix of calcium sulfate and calcium phosphate, with that initially formed acting as a seed to keep the process continuing with each application of nutrient solution. Co-precipitation of other elements, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc, also occurs.

“Water and nutrient element requirements are calculated in slight excess of what is actually needed

by the plant in order to avoid insufficiencies.”

http://www.ncwgs.com


The rate at which ion and precipitate accumulation occurs depends on the rooting media characteristics, rate of root absorption and the elemental composition and frequency of application of the nutrient solution. With ion (salt) accumulation, both water and nutrient element root uptake declines. The concentration level of ion accumulation is determined by measuring the electrical conductivity (EC) of solution being discharged from the rooting media or measured in an aliquot of solution taken from a formed cavity in the rooting media. With an elevated EC, the rooting media requires leaching with pure water to remove the accumulated salts. Unfortunately, leaching will not remove all of the soluble ions and it will not remove the accumulating precipitates. The disposal of the leachate may require special procedures in order to meet local environmental requirements.With time, the plant will eventually have three sources of

nutrient elements, that being supplied by the nutrient solution that retained in the rooting media as soluble ions and that in the form of precipitates. Since root surfaces are highly acidic, there contact with these precipitates will dissolve elements that can then be root absorbed. At this point, the grower has

This application of drip irrigation is using expanded clay pellets as the medium to grow basil.

Do You Know What's Happening Under Your Drippers?

“Precipitate formation is less likely to occur with organic media, as they may have physical and chemical exchange buffering properties.”

http://www.biologicsystemsusa.com

http://www.hydrodynamicsintl.com


lost control of the nutrient element status of his plants. With each change in stage of plant growth, it is common practice to adjust the elemental composition of the nutrient solution to meet these changing demands, the result of the formation and/or maturing of fruit or the formation of flowers. But, depending on the reservoir of elements in the rooting media, a change in either the nutrient solution formulation or irrigation schedule (volume and frequency of application), with the intention to alter the nutrient element status of the plant, becomes problematic.

“A grower using the drip irrigation method needs to be aware of what

may be happening under each dripper, as plant performance, yield and product quality can easily suffer.”

The small size drippers used in this irrigation system are perfect for even saturation.

If the rooting media is organic, such as pinebark, course peat, saw dust or coir, their physical and chemical properties complicate the interaction among that of the nutrient solution, retained nutrient solution and the plant roots. Precipitate formation is less likely to occur since these organic substrates have both physical and chemical exchange properties that

provide some degree of “buffer capacity” that would keep the accumulating precipitating elemental ions, such as the calcium cation and the sulfate and phosphate anions, from concentrating sufficiently to form precipitates.This method is far from being ideal. Unfortunately, little

research is being conducted to make the drip irrigation technique more efficient in dispensing water and plant nutrient

http://www.vitallandscaping.com


elements in order to minimize the accumulation of soluble ions and precipitates. In this way, the need to periodically leach the substrate to reduce the EC of retained ions (salts), and to create a rooting environment that provides control of the nutrient element status of the plant is eliminated.

Do You Know What's Happening Under Your Drippers?

Allan Cooper, the inventor of the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), suggested when using the “W” form of the nutrient trough, that a concentrated form of the nutrient solution be periodically flowed down one side of the trough and only water down the other. Using this same concept with the drip irrigation technique, one would apply a concentrated nutrient solution once a day, either in the early evening or before dawn, sufficient in volume to saturate the rooting media. Then during the daylight hours, only water would be applied to keep the plant fully turgid. However, to make such a system work, the elemental composition of the nutrient solution needs to be carefully formulated.Another procedure that needs to be explored is to alternate

the application of nutrient solution and water, just sufficient to saturate the rooting media at each irrigation, balancing water and nutrient element requirements just sufficient to sustain healthy plant growth. Again such a procedure would require the use of a carefully formulated nutrient solution that just meets the nutrient element requirement of the plant.

“An elevated EC will require leaching with pure water to remove accumulated salts.”

http://www.maximumyield.com


Learn ways to make the drip irrigation more efficient atwww.maximumyield.com

Another means for utilizing the drip irrigation technique would be to place the rooting media in a watertight vessel with the nutrient solution being released at the base of the rooting media, sufficient to maintain a constant depth of nutrient solution in the bottom of the container. I have found that a dilute modified formulation of the Hoagland-Arnon nutrient solution works well with this procedure. The advantage of this procedure is that all of the applied nutrient elements and water are totally utilized by the growing plant. Therefore, there is no runoff, no accumulation of unabsorbed nutrient elements, or EC build-up that would affect water and nutrient element uptake by the plant.The drip irrigation procedure is

widely used. Therefore, a grower using

this method of dispensing water and a nutrient solution, needs to be aware of what may be happening under each dripper that will determine plant performance and yield as well as the quality of products produced. Much is yet to be learned so that adverse conditions associated with this procedure can be prevented.

References:Cooper, A. 1996. The ABC of NFT. Casper Publications, Narranbeen, Australia.

Hoagland, D.R. and I. Arnon. 1950. The Water Culture Method for Growing Plants without Soil. Circular 347. California Agricultural Experiment Station, University of California, Berkeley, CA.

A drip system using perlite-filled bags as the growing media.

Organic rooting media can complicate the interac-tion among the nutrient solution, retained nutri-ent solution and the plant roots.

In this set-up the rooting media is enclosed in a water tight vessel and the nutrient solution is released at the base.

MY

http://www.ledinnovationdesign.com


Global Product Solutions Presents HID-1HID lighting is an essential part of any indoor garden. Timers work great to turn lighting on and off. But what happens if the cooling fails while the lights are on...fried plants, plus momentary power outages, which negatively affect ballasts and lamps. With these safety factors in mind the Sentinel HID-1 was designed to protect your plants as well as control and safeguard your lighting systems.

Features:• digital 24 hour time clock• back-up battery in the event of a power outage• hot start prevention logic, which prevents HID lamps from re-firing until they have properly cooled after a power failure• built-in temperature sensor that automatically shuts down the lights to prevent overheating in the grow area• two receptacles – one to control your lights (daytime), one to control dehumidifiers, heaters or exhaust fans

Connect up to 1200 watts of HID lighting directly to the HID-1 or use one or more Sentinel HPH-4 or HPH-8 and operate as many lights as you need. Now available from local retailers.


Continued from page 42

Premium Coco Peat from Cash CropCash Crop Coco Peat is a natural, organic fiber derived from the coconut husk. The Coco Peat has been treated and aged precisely, which prevents it from compacting or decomposing during use. Cash Crop Coco Peat is RHP certified and has been washed to remove all salts and buffered with a special blend of nutrient, which prevents calcium and magnesium block out. Additionally, Coco Peat contains trichaderma mould which is a natural root stimulator, and protector from root disease. Cash Crop Coco Peat has superior air, water and nutrient holding capacity. It’s able to hold seven times its own weight in water and has an air porosity of 30 per cent. Visit your local grow shop to learn more.

Sun System Solar Flare and Solar Wind T5The new Solar Flare and Solar Wind lighting fixtures are designed with the newest Very High Output (VHO) fluorescent technology. VHO ballasts and lamps are a brand new innovation, offering an amazing 7200 lumens at 95 watts each.

These fixtures are made with 95 per cent reflective European aluminum reflectors, major brand solid state electronic ballasts, heavy duty white steel housing and are louvered

and slotted for efficient cooling capabilities. As an added bonus, the eight and 12 lamp models offer two switches for a variety of lamp

configurations to suit your growing needs.

Visit your local retailer to learn more.

http://www.hmdigital.com

New from Green Air Products – HyperGrow™Here is something you are going to love. This hydroponic kit comes in a beautiful box complete with everything necessary to get growing. Perfect for the first time grower or someone who wants to add a couple more plants to their garden. Designed for use indoors or on the patio. Takes only moments to assemble – anyone can do it.The top pot will support one or two large plants while

the lower outer tray is perfect for lettuce herbs and small flowers. The constant circulation provides roots with abundant aeration and nutrients for vigorous growth of almost any type of plant. No tools or additional accessories needed.

HyperGrow™ Kit includes:• two-tier potting system• LECA stones• grow cubes• Green Air Products® nutrient start pack

• submersible pump, fountain and tubing

• illustrated instructions

Ask your local indoor gardening store to carry HyperGrow.

High Quality Hydroponics Fertilizer - Shiva A&BCash Crop Shiva A&B is a two part, high quality, hydroponics fertilizer that is designed to be used in the grow and bloom cycle, in any medium (soil, hydroponics, coco peat). Shiva A&B are made from the most expensive and purest raw material, guaranteeing the fastest growth rates and heaviest yields. It’s simply the easiest to use and the best hydroponic nutrient on the market today. Since Shiva A&B are made from

the best raw materials, they will never clog your vat, pump or irrigation system and the EC will always remain stable.Available in one quart, one gallon, two gallons and four

gallons. Ask for Shiva at your nearest hydro retailer.

COMING UP INapril

www.maximumyield.com

I N D O O R G A R D E N I N G April will be available April 1 for

FREE at selected indoor gardening retail stores across USA and on maximumyield.com

groWing upMaximize your growing space with specialty equipment and vertical hydroponic systems.

Leds ContinuedModifications in temperature, humidity and CO2 levels will make your LEDs more efficient and productive.

the Future oF the environmentAgriculture is estimated to contribute 11 per cent of the world’s total greenhouse emissions. Take a more efficient approach to growing with organics.

sea soLid suppLementsSea solids are the perfect trace element supplement. All the elements are available to sea life, and they can be applied successfully to your plants in a balanced solution.

industry meet and greet pLus expert adviCeMaximum Yield USA features manufacturers, retailers and growers from this ever-expanding industry. Get to know your indoor gardening comrades in Talking Shop, You Tell Us and Your Best Advice.

Upcoming international events (Montreal, Canada!), exclusive contests, latest industry news, reader question and answer, best products and technologies, and much, much more.



ultra Sun 150, 250 and 400 Watt HPS LampsThese high-output HPS lamps are specifically engineered for plant growth. The Ultra Sun’s spectrum and output rival lamps that are significantly more expensive. Plus, the Ultra Sun HPS lamps have a one year warranty. A quality and performance line of lamps at an excellent price.

• Ultra Sun 150 watt - 16,000 lumens• Ultra Sun 250 watt - 29,000 lumens• Ultra Sun 400 watt - 50,000 lumens

Visit your local hydro store for more information.

House & Garden Top BoosterHouse & Garden Top Booster is an excellent flowering stimulator, which acts on the basis of potassium, phosphorus and Eddha-Fe (iron). These elements are important for the plant’s flowering; potassium for the beginning of the flowering stage and phosphorus for the proper development of fructification, while the Eddha-Fe additive ensures a better coloring of the leaves.Top Booster creates an optical drought giving the plant the impression that the last

phase of its life cycle has started. To ensure its survival, the plant will then begin forming flowers and fruits to reproduce. Add Top Booster for two to three days and then return to the usual nutrient composition. The plant will continue to form fruits and flowers. As this aspect of the final phase of the plant’s cycle starts earlier, the fruits and flowers have more time to become larger.Never use Top Booster in combination with PK 13-14, Top Shooter or Shooting Powder. Top Booster is available now from

your local hydroponics retailer.

Do you want to be included in the product spotlight? Contact the editor at 1-250-279-2677 or

email [email protected]

You can find all of our products online at www.maximumyield.com. Each month your favorite new product profiles will be featured

on our website. Get the latest information on what will make your garden grow.

MY


Sun System® Introduces New Air-Cooled Reflectors - Blockbuster 6” and 8”With the Blockbuster’s square shape it is a perfect match for your square growing areas. The Blockbuster delivers a very uniform, square, intense light pattern for optimum growing.

• interior made from 95 per cent reflective European aluminum

• completely sealed with neoprene gaskets and hinged glass

• available in six or eight inch integrated air-cooled fittings• pre-wired with lamp cord and socket• galvanized steel housing with Dupont powder coated finish

For more information about the new six and eight inch Blockbuster Reflectors, visit your local retail hydro dealer.

ActiveAqua Domes Now AvailableThis ActiveAqua humidity dome fits perfectly with Hydrofarm’s ActiveAqua flood tables. They feature three-way ventilation for superior temperature and humidity control with vents on the top and on the side. These tall domes accommodate larger plants for increased growing volume. Available in two feet by four feet, two feet by two feet and three feet by three feet. ActiveAqua domes are now available at an authorized Hydrofarm retail store near you.


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Most species of plants will tolerate an EC level that is above or below the recommended value by at least 10 or 20 per cent.

If you can decide on a soil or medium mix that suits your needs, you can custom create your own with the help of a knowledgeable sales clerk at your local grow shop.

Bacillus subtilis, considered the most powerful beneficial bacteria, have small tails (flagella), which makes them motile.

The rinds from watermelons can be thrown directly into your compost pile.

Silica in cucumbers reduces the incidence and severity of powdery mildew and other fungi.

The newest generation of LED lights will run for at least 50,000 to 100,000 hours, or the equivalent of 10 years, before needing to be replaced.

A CO2 concentration equal or greater than 1,500 ppm may cause partial or complete closure of the plant’s stomas, which results in a reduction of CO2 absorption and a limitation in plant transpiration.

Microgreens and sprouts are not the same, as is the popular belief. Significant differences worth mentioning are the flavors, textures and colors, which are much more developed in microgreens.

Precipitate formation is less likely to occur with organic rooting media, such as pinebark, course peat, saw dust or coir, since these substrates have physical and chemical exchange properties that provide buffering.

Plants that are starving for oxygen will suffer at the root level as oxygen starvation reduces the permeability of roots to water and the absorption of mineral salts.

Neem kills aphids and other insects by clogging the membranes of their soft skins with the fatty acids in the oil.


AT A GLANCE

TALKING SHOP

Company: Green Earth Products Inc.

Owners: Paula M. Christensen and Bill Bom

Location: 5700 Higway 79 South, Unit 1Rapid City, South Dakota 57702

Phone: 605-342-1307

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.green-earth-products-inc.com

Motto: Promoting healthy living through a cleaner lifestyle.

For over a decade I owned a local delivery business with partner Bill Bom, but when health issues forced me to quit, I looked no farther than my own backyard for the next venture. A seasoned greenhouse gardener, I struggled to find plant products nearby. A niche market existed for a local gardening supply store that would be open year round, not just during the summer months. Until that time most local gardeners had to travel 600 miles to the next city or order by mail.Located on a major secondary highway, foot traffic is non-existent. Fortunately,

the highway links to Colorado, Wyoming and North Dakota, so there is never a shortage of customers. And though the interior of the store is small—there is approximately 950 square feet of useable floor space—when we do get a first time customer, they are really impressed with all that we stock.

by Paula Christensen

Paula Christensen

Bill Bom

Although I had been introduced to hydroponics gardening in the 70s, when my dad got me a summer job in a local commercial hydro greenhouse, I didn’t originally plan on carrying hydroponics supplies. We were on a tight budget and I didn’t know just how many people in the area were interested in hydroponics. But, as the years pass and more people hear about our store, interest in hydroponics increases.I also wanted to honor my agricultural roots and healthy

lifestyle, so in 2008, after Bill and I came back from a tradeshow, I decided to completely revamp the entire store, and changed the name from Grapevine Hobby Greenhouses to Green Earth Products Inc. I started stocking not just gardening supplies, but an eclectic collection of natural and organic products for the home and garden, including earth-friendly house goods, bamboo furniture and children’s accessories, natural pet products, greenhouse accessories and more. Check out our e-store at www.green-earth-products-inc.comWe use what we sell and we ask our customers for their

input on new products so that we can answer detailed questions on their care and use or provide the customer with a knowledgeable contact to better address their concerns.I like having a reputable resource for my customers, which

is the main reason I offer Maximum Yield magazine to them. One of the biggest challenges I have seen for beginning hydroponics gardeners in the mid-west is the potential for information overload.I believe that growing, whether hydroponically or in soilless

mediums, is going to become much more important in the years to come. MY

The biggest challenge we face, and something we never considered when we were drawing up the business plan, is how best to reach the mid-westerners interested in hydroponics as well as the rest of the products we offer. In an effort to reach as many potential customers as we can, I write a monthly newspaper article, advertise in local newspapers and do presentations at local garden clubs. I even taught Hobby Greenhouse Gardening 101 classes for about two years in the hopes of teaching the public about eating healthier and being good stewards of the land by using natural and organic fertilizers and insecticides.



AVANT-GARDENING

MY

If you’re a composter then you know that sometimes it feels like a chore to take your kitchen scraps out to the compost bin. No one wants to run outside every time they eat an apple or chop some onions. Well you don’t have to anymore if you get a com-post crock.Compost crocks will blend in on your kitchen countertop. They look more like

cookie jars than a container to store your disposables in. Peel a carrot or a cucumber, toss in the peels. Making coffee? Toss in the grinds and the filter too. Are you a fan of watermelon? The rinds can go right in your compost crock where they will wait until you have a free moment to dump them into your outside compost bin.If storing stuff on your counter that you’re used to putting in the trash doesn’t sounds

like a great idea to you, don’t worry. Kitchen compost crocks come with replaceable carbon filters. They fit neatly into the lid of the crock and eliminate odors. No one will ever know that it’s filled with your kitchen waste.Compost crocks come in different colors and are even made from different materials.

It will be easy to find one that will look good in your kitchen. There are stainless steel models and also ceramic ones. Now just because you have a compost crock doesn’t mean that you can let the contents sit for weeks on end. Be sure to empty your crock at least once a week.Compost crocks are easy to empty and clean. You can use a hose from the garden to

give it a quick rinse over your compost bin; or, you can bring it back inside with you and wash it out in the sink. Getting a dishwasher safe compost crock makes it even easier to clean.Stop feeling guilty about throwing away your kitchen scraps. With a compost crock in

your kitchen you’re on your way to making the most nutrient-rich, good for your plants compost that you’ve ever made. And you’ll owe it all to your compost crock.

Kitchen Composting

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MAX-MART


LLC

13762 Doolittle Drive, San Leandro, CA 94577

Phone: 510.903.1808 Fax: 510.764.1246

www.hydrogardendelight.com

ON

I N D O O R G A R D E N I N G


MAX-MART


Get your Max-Mart ad into the next issue!Call Maximum Yield at (250) 729-2677 for more information.

MAXIMIZE YOUR EXPOSURE WITH

MAX-MART


ALABAMAAlabama Organics3348 Bethel Road,Valley Head, AL 35989256-635-0802

ALASKABrown’s Electrical Supply365 Industrial Way,Anchorage, AK 99501907-272-2259

Far North Garden Supply300 Centaur Street,Wasilla, AK 99654907-376-7586

Far North Garden Supply2834 Boniface ParkwayAnchorage, AK 99504907-333-3141

Holmtown Nursery Inc.1301 - 30th Avenue,Fairbanks, AK 99701907-451-8733

ARIzONAACI Hydroponics1325 South Park Lane,Tempe, AZ 85282800-633-2137

Homegrown Hydroponics601 East Broadway Road,Tempe, AZ 85282480-377-9096

Homegrown Hydroponics1702 East Prince Road,Tucson, AZ 85719520-323-1212

Natural Pools & Gardens2143 North Country Suite C,Tucson, AZ 85716520-323-2627

Sea of Green Hydroponics815 W. University Drive, Suite 110,Tempe, AZ 85281800-266-4136

Sea of Green West2340 W. Bell Road, Suite 116,Phoenix, AZ 85023602-504-8842

Sea of Green Hydroponics402 North 4th Avenue,Tucson, AZ 85705520-622-6344

ARKANSASFermentables3915 Crutcher Street,N. Little Rock, AR 72118501-758-6261

Mickey’s Mercantile1303 Highway 65 South,Clinton, AR 72031501-412-0214

Old Soul Organics and More1771 Crossover Road,Fayetteville, AR 72701479-444-6955

CALIfORNIA3rd Street Hydroponics636 3rd StreetOakland, CA 94607510-452-5521

805 Hydroponics & Organics1785 E. Thousand Oaks BoulevardThousand Oaks, CA 91362805-494-1785

A+ Hydroponics & Organics1604 Babcock Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627949-642-7776

A Fertile World (Eureka)65th Street, Eureka, CA 95501707-444-0200

A Fertile World (Fortuna)610 7th Street,Fortuna, CA 95540707-725-0700

Abundant Hydroponics LLC1611 Shop Street, #1-A,South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150530-54 HYDRO

Advanced Garden Supply2660 Lake Tahoe Boulevard,Building C, Unit 9,S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150530-541-4769

Advanced Garden Supply3113 Alhambra Drive, Unit F,Cameron Park, CA 95682,530-676-2100

Advanced Hydroponics17808 Sierra Highway,Canyon Country, CA 91351661-299-1603

AG Natural403 Idaho Maryland Road,Grass Valley, CA 95945530-274 0990

All Seasons Hydroponics17614 Chatsworth Street,Granada Hills, CA 91344818-368-4388

Alternative Hydro3870 East, Colorado Boulevard,Pasadena, CA 91107888-50-HYDRO

Always Sunny Hydroponics708 W. Swain RoadStockton, CA 95207209-473-9827

American Hydroponics286 South G Street,Arcata, CA 95521800-458-6543

Anthony’s Garden & Lighting Supply30 Ridge Road, Suites 8 & 9Sutter Creek, CA 95685209-267-5416

Anything Grows10607 W. River Street, Building 3 Suite C,Truckee, CA 96161530-582-0479

Atwater Hydroponics3350 Glendale Boulevard,Los Angeles, CA 90039323-663-8881

Auburn Organic4035 Grass Valley Highway,Auburn, CA 95602530-823-8900

B & S Gardening Supplies590 Commerce Court,Manteca, CA 95336209-239-8648

Bakersfield Hydroponics2408 Brundage Lane, Suite BBakersfield, CA 93304661-323-7333

Bare Roots Hydroponics1615 East Cypress, #5Redding, CA 96002530-244-2215

Beginning HydroponicsPO Box 1232,Corona, CA 92787951-735-4446

Berkeley Indoor Garden844 University AvenueBerkeley, CA 94710510-549-2918

Berkeley’s Secret Garden921 University Avenue,Berkeley, CA 94710510-486-0117

Best Coast Growers4417 Glacier Avenue Suite C,San Diego, CA 92120800-827-1876

Best Yield Garden Supply3503 West Temple Avenue, Unit A,Pomona, CA 91768909-839-0505

Better Choice Hydroponics610 S. Washington Street,Senora, CA 95370209 533 2400

Better Grow Hydro Pasadena1271 E. Colorado Boulevard,Pasedena, CA 91106626 737 6612

Better Grow Hydro Los Angeles5554 Bandini Boulevard,Bell, CA 91106323-510-2700; 877 640 GROW

Brentwood Hydroponics & Organics560 Valdry Ct #85Brentwood, CA 94513925-634-6704

BWGS West2247 North Plaza DriveVisalia, CA 93291888-316-1306

California Hydro Garden1043 South Glendora Avenue, Suite AWest Covina, CA 91790626-813-0868

California Hydroponics310 Coral Street, Suite CSanta Cruz, CA 95060831-423-4769

Central Coast Hydrogarden1951 Santa Barbara Street,San Luis Obispo, CA 93401805-544-GROW

Citrus Heights Hydrogarden8043 Greenback LaneCitrus Heights, CA 95610916-728-4769

City Farmer’s Nursery4832 Home Avenue,San Diego, CA 92105619-284-6358

Clover Hydroponics & Garden Supply2626 South Main Street,Lakeport, CA 95453707-263-4000

CNG Garden Supplies22 Ricknbacker Circle,Livermore, CA 94551209-836-5550

Coca’s Central Valley Hydroponics116 West Orangeburg Avenue,Modesto, CA 95350209-567-0590

Concord Indoor Garden2771 Clayton Road,Concord, CA 94519925-671-2520

Conejo Hydroponics3481 Old Conejo Road #106Newbury Park, CA 91320805-480-9596

Conrad Hydroponics Inc.14915 Unit E, Olympic Drive,Clearlake, CA 95422707-994 3264

Constantly Growing6200 Enterprise Drive, Suite ADiamond Springs, CA 95619530-642-9710

Constantly Growing4343 Hazel Avenue,Fair Oaks, CA 95628916-962-0043

Constantly Growing - Davis123 D StreetDavis, CA 95616530-756-4774

D&S Garden Supplies17-130 Doolittle DriveSan Leandro, CA 94577510-430-8589

MAXIMUM YIELDdistributors


Dazey’s Supply3082 Redwood Drive,Redway, CA 95560707-923-3002

Direct Hydroponics Wholesale14228 Alberts Way,Chino, CA 91710909-606-5885

Dirt Cheap Hydroponics17975 H Highway 1,Fort Bragg, CA 95437707-964-4211

Discount Hydroponics4745 Hiers Avenue,Riverside, CA 92505877-476-9487

Eel River Hydroponics & Soil Supply164 Dinsmore Drive,Fortuna, CA 95540707-726-0395

El Centro Hydro & Brew Supply Inc.591 main Street, Suite N-2El Centro, CA 92243760-235-4985

Elite Horticulture Supply22330 Sherman Way, C13,Canoga Park, CA 91303818-347-5172

Emerald Garden8249 Archibald Avenue,Ranch Cucamanga, CA 91730909-466-3796

Emerald Garden13325 South Highway 101,Hopland, CA 95482707-744-8300

Emerald Garden307 East Perkins Street,Ukiah, CA 95482707-463-2510

Endless Green Hydroponics25 Enterprise Court, Suite 3Napa, CA 94558707-254-0200

Evergreen Hydroponics923 N. Central Avenue, Suite B,Upland, CA 91786909-946-7100

Everything Green Hydroponics915 Texas Street,Fairfield, CA 94533707-432-0774

Everything Green448 Georgia Street,Vallejo, CA 94590707-647-0774

Extreme Hydroponics11479 San Fernando Road C,San Fernando, CA 91340818-898-0915

EZ Green Hydroponics7017 Reseda Boulevard,Reseda, CA 91335818-776-9076

Farm Hydroponics, The1950 Lake Tahoe Boulevard #3,S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150530-541-3276

Foothill Hydroponics10705 Burbank Boulevard,N. Hollywood, CA 91601818-760-0688

Foothills Hydrogarden3133 Penryn Road,Penryn, CA 95663916-270-2413

Full Sun Supply3535 Industrial Drive, Unit B-3Santa Rosa, CA 95403877-FULL-SUN

Funny Farms Hydroponics963 Transport Way, #12Petaluma, CA 94954707-775-3111

G & G Organics and Hydroponics901 W. Victoria Street Unit D,Compton, CA 90220310-632-0122

Garden Connection, The 2145 Park Avenue, Unit 2Chico, CA 95928530-342-7762

Garden Depot, The203 Commerce Street, Suite 101Lodi, CA 95240209-339-9950

Garden Highway Garden Supply598 Garden Highway #22Yuba City, CA 95991530-755-2877

Garden Shed, The1136 El Camino RealSan Carlos, CA650-508-8600

Garden Spout, The44800 Highway 101,Laytonville, CA 95454707-984-7260

Garden Spout, The630 S. Main Street,Willits, CA 95490707-456-0196

Garden Warehouse6355 Scarlet Court, #2,Dublin, CA 94568925-556-3319

Go Big Hydroponics4501 Van Nuys Boulevard,Sherman Oaks, CA 91403818-789-3341

Go Green Hydroponics15721 Ventura Boulevard,Encino, CA 91436818-990-1198

Golden Gecko Garden Center, The4665 Marshall Road,Garden Valley, CA 95633530-333-2394

Golden Harvest Hydroponics & Garden Supply8626 Lower Sacramento Road #48,Stockton, CA 95210209-951-3550

Gonzo Grow2550 Guerneville Road, Suite C,Santa Rosa, CA 95401707-546-1800

Gottagrow Garden Supply769 Wilson Street,Santa Rosa, CA 95404707-544-7782

Grass Roots Hydroponics31877 Corydon, Suite 150Lake Elsinore, CA 92530951-245-2390

Grass Valley Hydrogarden12506 Loma Rica Drive,Grass Valley, CA 95945530-477-2996

Green Acres Hydroponics1215 Striker Avenue, Suite 180,Sacramento, CA 95834916-419-4394

Green Coast Hydroponics3560 State Street,Santa Barbara, CA 93105805-898-9922

Green Coast Hydroponics2405 Mira Mar Avenue,Long Beach, CA 90815562-627-5636

Green Coast Hydroponics496 Meats AvenueOrange, CA 92865714-974-4769

Green Coast Hydroponics11510 Whittier BoulevardWhittier, CA 90601562-699-4201

Green Door Hydro and Solar830 Traction Avenue,Los Angeles, CA 90013212-625-1323

Greenfire Sacramento3230 Auburn Boulevard,Sacramento, CA 95821916-485-8023

Green Gopher Garden Supply679 Redwood Avenue, Suite A,Sand City, CA 93955831-899-0203

Green Joint Ventures61 Tarp Circle,Salinas, CA 93901831-998-8628

Green Lady Hydroponics4879 Newport Avenue,San Diego, CA 92107619-222-5011

GreenLeaf Hydroponics2212 Artesia Boulevard,Redondo Beach, CA 90278310-374-2585

Green Logic Garden Supply860 Piner Road, #38,Santa Rosa, CA 95403707-843-3156

Greenmile Hydroponic Garden Supply1480 South E. Street, Suite D,San Bernardino, CA 92408909-885-5919

Green Thumb Hydroponics35 Quinta Court, Suite B,Sacramento, CA 95823916-689-6464

Green Thumb Lighting & Garden1647 W. Sepulveda Boulevard, Unit 5,Torrance, CA 90501888-326-GROW

Greentrees Hydroponics Inc.2581 Pioneer Avenue, Unit DVista, CA 92081760-598-7551

GreenWay Hydroponics11510 Whittier Boulevard,Whittier, CA 90601562-699-4201

Grodan Inc.5152 Commerce Avenue,Moorpark, CA 93021541-646-8245

Gro More Garden Supply2937 Larkin Avenue,Clovis, CA 93021541-646-8245

Grow A Lot Hydroponics, San Diego1591 N. Cuyamaca Street,El Cajon, CA 93612559-348-1055

Growers Choice Hydroponics1100 Carver Road,Modesto, CA 95350209-522-2727

Growers Choice Hydroponics16754 East 14th Street,San Leandro, CA 94578510-278-6200

Grow It Yourself Gardens401 Sunset Drive, Suite L,Antioch, CA 94509925-755-GROW

Grow Light Express5318 East Second Street suite 164,Long Beach, CA 90803888-318-GROW

Grow Your Own3401 Traval Street,San Francisco, CA 94116415-731-2115

Grunder Family Organics & Hydroponics12321 Magnolia Avenue, Suite C,Riverside, CA 92503877-468-7974

H20 Gardening355 West 7th Street,San Pedro, CA 90731310-514-1416

Hahn’s Lighting260 E. VA Suite 1,San Jose, CA 95112408-295-1755

Harvest Hydroponics6650 Merchandise Way Suite B,Diamond Springs, CA 95619530-622-5190


High Desert Hydroponics13631 Pawnee Road, #7Apple Valley, CA 92308760-247-2090

Hi-Tech Gardening5327 Jacuzzi Street, #282,Richmond, CA 94804510-524-4710

Hollywood Hydroponics and Organics5109 1/2 Hollywood Boulevard,Los Angeles, CA 90027-6105323-662-1908

Home Life Hydroponics and Organics1745 East Vista Way,Vista, CA 92084760-643-2150

Hooked Up Hydroponics339 S. Golden State Boulevard,Turlock, CA 95380209-668-1300

House of Hydro224 Weller Street, #B,Petaluma, CA 94952707-762-4769

Humboldt Electronics2547 California Street,Eureka, CA 95501707-443-9408

Humboldt Hydroponics1302 Union Street,Eureka, CA 95501707-443-4304

Humboldt Hydroponics2174 Pine Street,Redding, CA 96001530-241-7454

Humboldt Hydroponics601 I Street,Arcata, CA 95521707-822-3377

Humboldt Hydroponics2010 Tunnel Road,Redway, CA 95560707-923-1402

Humboldt Nutrients65th Street,Eureka, CA 95501888-420-7770

Hydroasis2643 S. Fairfax Avenue,Los Angeles, CA 90232888-355-4769

Hydrobrew1319 South Coast Highway,Oceanside, CA 92054760-966-1885; 877-966-GROW

Hydro Depot5665 Redwood Drive, #B,Rohnert Park, CA 94928707-584-2384

Hydrogarden Delight13762 Doolittle Drive,San Leandro, CA 94577510-903-1808

Hydrogarden Mendocino County1240 North Main Street,Fort Bragg, CA 95437707-962-9252

Hydro King105 Hartnell Avenue, Suite C and D,Redding, CA 96002888-822-8941

Hydro King2540 South Whitman Place,Chico, CA 959282530-893-GROW (4769)

Hydro-Logic Purification Systems2825 Mattison Lane,Suite 103,Santa Cruz, CA 95065888 H2O LOGIC

HydroPacific - Hydroponics & Garden Supplies351 C Hastings Av.,Ukiah, CA 95482707-467-0400

Hydroponic Connection Warehouse, The1995 Evans Avenue,San Francisco, CA 94124415-824-9376

Hydroponics 4 Less41669 Winchester Avenue,Temecula, CA 92590800-A1-HYDRO

Hydroponics Plus2250 Commerce Avenue, Suite CConcord, CA 94520925-691-7615

Hydroponics Unlimited.com2728 E. PalmdaleBoulevard #121Palmdale, CA 93550661-266-3906

Hydrostar Hydroponics & Organics1307 W. Sixth Street, #211,Corona, CA 92882951-479-8069

Igrow Hydro2280 Veatch Street,Oroville, CA 95965530-534-4476

Igrow Hydro9000 Atkinson Street,Roseville, CA 95678916-773-4476

Inland Empire Hydrogarden1301-C South State Street,San Jancinto, CA 92853886-72-HYDRO

Inland Empire Hydrogarden28822 Old Town Front St. #206Temecula, CA 92590886-74-HYDRO

Innovative Growing Solutions (IGS)7922-B Miramar Road,San Diego, CA 92126858-578-IGS7

Kaweah Grower Supply1106 1/2 N. Ben Maddox Way,Visalia, CA 93293559-625-4937

Kern Hydroponics2408 Brundage Lane, Suite B,Bakersfield, CA 93304661-323-7333

Lazy Gardeners Hydroponics ‘N’ More14626 East Whittier Boulevard,Whittier, CA 90605562-945-0909

Let it Grow1228 2nd Street,Crescent City, CA 95531707-464-9086

Let it Grow160 Westwood Center,Arcata, CA 95521707-822-8733

Liquid Gardens21752 Devonshire Street,Chatsworth, CA 91311818-718-7624

Long Beach Hydroponics & Organics1772 Clark Avenue,Long Beach, CA 90815562-498-9525

Lumatek Digital Ballasts33 Commercial Boulevard, Suite BNovato, CA 94949415-233-4273

M&M Garden Supply2509 West Lane, Suite BStockton, CA 95205209-939-0664

M&M Garden Supply22540 D Foothill Boulevard, 2509 Westlane Suite BStockton, CA 95205

Marin Hydroponics1219 Grant Avenue,Novato, CA 94945415-897-2197

Medicine Man Farms1602 53rd Avenue,Oakland, CA 94601707-980-0456Mendocino Garden ShopPO Box 1301, 44720 Maint Street (at Hwy. 1),Mendocino, CA 95460707-937-3459Mendocino Greenhouse & Garden Supply900 East School Way,Redwood Valley, CA 95470707-485-0668Merced Hydroponics1809 East 21st Street,Merced, CA 95340209-726-4769M.G.S.22540 D Foothill Boulevard,Hayward, CA 94541510-582-0900Monterey Bay Horticulture Supply224B Reindollar Avenue,Marina, CA 93933831-38-HYDROMonterey Bay Hydroponics and Organics81 Hangar Way, #1,Watsonville, CA 95076831-761-9999Myron L Company2450 Impala Drive,Carlsband, CA 9210-7226760-438-2021Mystic Gardens8484 Florin Road, #110,Sacramento, CA 95828916-381-2464National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply1950 C South Grove Avenue,Ontario, CA 91761888-888-3319Nature’s Secret Garden and Supply41469 Albrae Street,Fremont, CA 94577510-623-8393New Leaf Hydro34150 123rd Street,Parablossom, CA 93553 661-944-2226NorCal CreationsPO Box 28,Cedar Ridge, CA 95924Nor Cal Hydroponics4837 Geary Boulevard,San Francisco, CA 94118 415-933-8262Northcoast Horticulture Supply122 West 4th Street, Suite BEureka, CA 95501707-444-9999Northcoast Horticulture Supply1580 Nursery Way, Suite QMcKinleyville, CA 95519707-839-9998Northcoast Hydrogardens3450 North State Street,Ukiah, CA 95482707-462-7214No Stress Hydroponics7543 Santa Monica Boulevard,West Hollywood, CA 90046323-845-9874One Stop Hydroponics12822 Victory BoulevardNorth Hollywood, CA 91606818-980-5855Oracle Garden Supply5755 Oberlin Drive, Suite 100San Diego, CA 92121858-558-6006Orange County Hydroponics12687 Beach Boulevard, Unit H,Stanton, CA 90680714-893-9493Organic Bountea1919 Dennis Lane,Santa Rosa, CA 95403800-798-0765



Orsa Organix111 Willow Street,Redwood City, CA 94063650-369-1269

Pacific Beach Hydroponics1852 Garnet Avenue,San Diego, CA 92109858-274-2559

Pacific Coast Hydroponics4147 Sepulveda Boulevard,Culver City, CA 90230310-313-1354

Pacific Garden Supply128 H Carlos Drive,San Rafael, CA 94903

Palmdale Hydroponics2728 East PalmdaleBoulevard Suite 108,Palmdale, CA 93550661-266-9908

Palm Springs Hydroponics4651 Ramon Road,Palm Springs, CA 92264760-327-ROOT

Plant It Earth2279 Market Street,San Francisco, CA 94114415-626-5082

Plant Life32 Race Street,San Jose, CA 95126408-283-9191

Plant-N-Grow1602 53rd Avenue,Oakland, CA 94601707-980-0456

Precision Hydroponics132 Kennedy Avenue,Campbell, CA 95008408-866-8176

Pro Gardening Systems3715 Santa Rosa Avenue #2,Santa Rosa, CA 95407707-585-8633

Pro Gardening Systems4936 Highway 12,Santa Rosa, CA 95472707-538-8402

Pro Gardening Systems765 Petaluma Avenue,Sebastopol, CA 95472707-829-7252

Redway Feed Garden and Pet Supply290 Briceland Road,Redway, CA 95560707-923-2765

Redwood Garden Supply55 Myers Avenue,Myers Flat, CA 95554707-943-1515

Reforestation Technologies International1341 Daton Street, Units G&ISalinas, CA 93901831-424-1494; 800-RTI-GROW

Roots Grow Supply1330 North Hulbert, #101Fresno, CA 93728559-840-0122

Sac Hydroponics9529 Folson Boulevard, Suite CSacramento, CA 95827916-369-7968

San Diego Hydroponics East County11649 Riverside Drive,Suite 141,Lakeside, CA 92040619-562-3276

San Diego Hydroponics Beach Cities4122 Napier Street,San Diego, CA 92110619-276-0657

San Diego Hydroponics North802 N. Twin Oaks Valley Road #108San Marcos, CA 92069760-510-1444

San Francisco Hydro123 Tenth Street,San Francisco, CA 94103

Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - West815 Almar Avenue, Suite K,Santa Cruz, CA 95060831-466-9000

Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - East4000 Cordelia Lane #4,Soquel, CA 95073831-475-9900

Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - North6241 Graham Hill Road,Felton, CA 95018831-335-9990

Santee Hydroponics7973A Mission Gorge Road,Santee, CA 92071619-270-8649

Seaside Hydrogarden1070 Highway 101 North,Crescent City, CA 95531707-465-3520

Skywide Import & Export Ltd.5900 Lemon Hill Avenue,Sacramento, CA 95824916-383-2369

Socal Hydroponics1727-B Oceanside Boulevard,Oceanside, CA 92054760-439-1084

South Bay Hydro1109 W. 190th Street, Unit #F,Gardena, CA 90248310-538-5788

South Bay Hydroponics and Organics569 East Evelyn Avenue,Mountain View, CA 94041650-968-4070

South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - San Jose1185 South Bascom Avenue,San Jose, CA 95128408-292-4040

South County Hydroponics22511 Aspan Street, Suite ELake Forest, CA 92630949-837-8252

South Valley Hydroponics320 Kishimura Drive, #3Gilroy, CA 950201-866-848-GROW

Sparetime Supply208 E. San Francisco Avenue,Willits, CA 95490-4006707-459-6791

Specialty Garden Center1970 East Vista Way, Suite 10,Vista, CA 92084760-758-4769

Sun-In Hydroponics1257A Cleveland Avenue,Santa Rosa, CA 95401707-578-5747

Sunland Hydroponics8300 Foothill Boulevard,Sunland, CA 91040818-352-5300

Supersonic Hydroponic and Organic Garden Supply850 Shasta Avenue, Suite BMorro Bay, CA 93442805-772-5869

Supersonic Hydroponic and Organic Garden Supply3850 Ramada Drive, Unit D2Paso Robles, CA 93446805-434-2333

Super StartsPO Box 732,Bellmont, CA 94002650-346-8009

Sweet Leaf Hydroponics1611 Sebastobol Road,Santa Rosa, CA 95407707-575-GROW (4237)

Sylvandale Gardens1151 Evergreen Road,Redway, CA 95560707-923-3606

Tahoe Garden Supply645 Westlake Boulevard, Suite 2, PO Box 487Tahoe City, CA 96145530-581-3200

Tell 2 Friends Indoor Gardening62 Sutherland Drive,Auburn, CA 95603530-889-8171

The Green Shop66420 Mooney Boulevard, Suite 1Visalia, CA 93277559-688-4200

The Hydro Source671 E. Edna PlaceCovina, CA 91723877 HYDRO 82; 626-915-3128

The Shop6542 Front Street,Forestville, CA 95436707-887-2280

The Urban Farmer Store653 E. Blithedale Avenue,Mill Valley, CA 94941415-380-3840

The Urban Farmer Store2833 Vicente Street,San Francisco, CA 94116415-661-2204

The Urban Farmer Store2121 San Joaquin Street,Richmond, CA 94804510-524-1604

Thrive Hydroponics70 A West North Street,Healdsburg, CA 95446707-433-4068

Thunders Hydroponic Center1729 Yosemite Boulevard,Medesco, CA 95354

TNC Supply9490 Main Street, P.O. Box 763Upper Lake, CA 95485707-275-9565

Tower Garden Supply & Organic Nursery403 W. Olive Avenue,Fresno, CA 93728559-495-1140

Tradewinds Wholesale Garden Supplies1235 Striker Avenue #180,Sacramento, CA 95834888-557-8896

Tulare County Growers Supply435 W. Noble Avenue, Unit A,Farmerville, CA 93223559-732-8247

Turbo Grow1889 San Pablo Avenue,Pinole, CA 94564510-724-1291

Two Chix Garden Supply1230 Yuba Street,Marysville, CA 95901530-923-2536

Under The Sun12638 Foothill Boulevard,Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423707-998-GROW (4769)

Urban Gardens22516 Ventura Boulevard,Woodland Hills, CA 91364818-876-0222

Urban Gardens Unlimited704 Filbert Street,San Francisco, CA 94133415-421-4769

US Orchid & Hydroponic Supplies1621 South Rose Avenue,Oxnard, CA 93033805-247-0086

Valley Garden Solutions Inc.15650 Nordhoff Avenue, Suite 104,North Hills, CA 91345818-336-0041

Wai Kula Hydrogardens5297 Linda Vista Road,San Diego, CA 92110619-299-7299


Weather Top Nursery44901 Harmon Drive,Laytonville, CA 95454707-984-6385We Grow Hydroponics3350 East Los Angeles Avenue,Simi Valley, CA 93063805-624-4566West Coast Growers Hydroponics13481 Colifax Highway,Grass Valley, CA 95945888-924-4769West Coast Hydroponics, Inc.27665 Forbes Road, Unit 10Laguna Niguel, CA 92677949-348-2424Western Auto1156 Main Street,Fortuna, CA 95540707-725-1189

COLORADOBath Nursery & Garden Center2000 E. Prospect,Fort Collins, CO 80525970-484-5022Big Tomato, The14440 E. 6th Avenue,Aurora, CO 80011303-364-4769Big Tomato, The3000 Main Avenue,Durango, CO 81301970-375-1238Boulder County CaregiversPO Box 7406,Golden, CO 80403303-495-2195Boulder Hydroponics1630 N. 63rd Street, #5,Boulder, CO 80301303-415-0045Cultivate Hydroponics & Organics7777 W. 38th Avenue, #A120A, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033303-954-9897Denver Hydroponic & Organic Center6810 North Broadway, Unit DDenver, CO 80221303-650-0091Desert Bloom Hydroponics445 Pitkin Avenue,Grand Junction, CO 81501970-245-6427Ever Green Hydroponics Inc.1131 Francis Street, Suite A,Longmont, CO 80501303-682-6435Garden Tech737 Garden of the Gods Road,Colorado Springs, CO 80907719-278-9777Greenhouse Tech917 East Fillmore,Colorado Springs, CO 80907719-634-0637Grow Store South, The5050 S. Federal Boulevard, #37,Englewood, CO 80110303-738-0202Grow Store, The8644 W. Colfax Avenue,Lakewood, CO 80215888-510-0350GWS Hydroponics7025 Highway 82 Building 4B,Glenwood Springs, CO 81601970-384-2040Head Start Hydroponics & Organic Gardening Emporium34500 US Highway 6, Unit B-9,North Edwards, CO 81632970-569-3139Hydro-Grow Supply644 Peterson Road,Colorado Springs, CO 80915719-596-2600

Hydro Shack, The220 Main Street, Suite EFrisco, CO 80443970-668-0359Indoor Paradise Hydroponics309 S. Summit View, Unit 17,Fort Collins, CO 80524-1462970-221-3751Olympic Hydroponics Supply LLC.1530 S Nevada Avenue,Colorado Springs, CO 80906719-635-5859Rocky Mountain Lighting and Hydroponics7100 N. Broadway, Suite 3DDenver, CO 80221303-428-5020Way To Grow3201 E. Mulberry Street,Fort Collins, CO 80524970-484-4769Way To Grow6395 Gunpark Drive,Boulder, CO 80301303-473-4769

CONNECTICUTHarvest Moon Hydroponics775 Silver Lane,East Hartford, CT 06118860-568-4067LiquidSun® CT10C South Main Street,East Windsor, CT 06088860-254-5757Organix Hydroponics749 Saybrook Road, (Tradewinds Plaza)Middletown, CT 06457860-343-1923

fLORIDA3D Hydroponics and Organics7139 US Highway #19,New Port Richey, FL 34652727-847-3491Advanced Hydro Gardens4960 NW 165 Street, Suite B-4,Miami, FL 33014866-97-HYDROAtlantic Hydroponics430 Count Street,Melbourne, FL 32901321-821-1535Blossoms Experience, The7207 NW 54th Street,Miami, FL 33166866-452-4769Cultivating Eden Hydroponic Supplies946 18th Avenue SW,Vero Beach, FL 32962772-564-8880East Coast Hydroponics & Organics461 Forrest Avenue, Suite 105Coca, FL 32922321-243-6800Eden Garden Supply5044 N. Palafox Street,Pensacola, FL 32505850-439-1299Esposito Garden Center2743 Capital Circle NE,Tallahassee, FL 32308850-386-2114Falero Hardware & Hydroponics6758 W. Flager Street,Miami, FL 33144305-266-8878Florida Garden Supplies2692 W 79 Street,Hialeah, FL 330161-800-931-5215Florida Garden Supplies8020 Belvedere Road, Unit 4, West Palm Beach,FL 33411561-333-1088Future Farms Inc., The14291 SW 120th Street, Suite 105Miami, FL 33186305-382-2757

Gardener’s Edge Gainesville5000 NW 34th Street, Suite 13,Gainesville, FL 32605352-375-2769

Gardener’s Edge Jacksonville5325 Fairmont Street,Jacksonville, FL 32207904-398-8012

Gold Coast Hydroponics1539 SW 21st Avenue,Fort Lauderdale, FL 333121-800-780-7371

Gold Coast Hydroponics4241 SW 71st Avenue,Miami, FL 331551-800-780-6805

Grace’s Hydro-Organic Garden Center8877 North 56th StreetTampa, FL 33617813-514-9376

Green Thumb Hydroponics Supplies13482 North Cleveland Avenue,Fort Meyers, FL 33903239-997-4769

GreenTouch Hydroponics Inc.5011 S State Road 7, Suite 104Davie, FL 33314954-316-8815

Grower's Choice & Hydroponics11855 North Main Street,Jackonsonville, FL 32218904-683-4517

Growing Garden Inc., The12811 SW 42nd Street,Miami, FL 33175305-559-0309

Harvest Time Hydroponics14414 N. Florida Avenue,Tampa, FL 33613813-264-7101

Healthy Gardens and Supply of Florida, Inc.196 East Nine Mile Road, Suite F,Pensacola, FL 32534850-912-4545

High Tech Garden Supply2975 West New Haven Avenue,Melbourne, FL 32901321-821-0853

Hydro For Less9545 Southwest 72nd Street,Miami, FL 33173305-598-4311

Hydroponics International Inc.7029-10 Commonwealth Avenue,Jacksonville, FL 32220904-693-6554

Hydroponics of Tampa120 W. Bougain Villea,Tampa, FL 33612813-333-6828

Hydro Terra Corp.924 North Federal Highway,Hollywood, FL 33020954-920-0889

Palm Beach Hydroponics Supply, Inc.968 N. Congress Avenue,West Palm Beach, FL 33409561-296-6161

Simply Hydroponics & Organics7949 Ulmerton Road,Largo, FL 33773727-531-5355

Simply Hydroponics & Organics (North)3642 South Suncoast Boulevard,Homosassa, FL 34448352-628-2655

Stoney Hydro @ Schiro's Barn n Garden Supplies7812 Causeway Boulevard,Tampa, FL 33619813-626-0902

Sunshine Hydroponics Garden Center1420 East Altomonte Drive,Altamonte Spring, FL 32701407-830-GROW



Sunshine Hydroponics Garden Center5561 S. Orange Blossom Trail,Orlando, FL 32809407-859-7728

Sunshine Hydroponics Garden Center6100 Hanging Moss Road,Suite 500,Orlando, FL 32807888-833-GROW

Worm’s Way Florida4412 North 56th Street,Tampa, FL 33610800-283-9676; 813-621-1792

GEORGIAAtlantis Hydroponics1422 Woodmont Lane, #4,Atlanta, GA 30318404-367-0052

Atlantis Hydroponics2561 West Point Avenue,College Park, GA 30337678-510-0032

Flora Hydroponics Inc.2475 Jefferson Road, Suite 600Athens, GA 30607866-404-0551

Savannah Hydroponics & Organics4107 Eighth Street, Suite CGarden City, GA 31408912-349-4030

HAWAIIAqua Plant Hawaii / Kahala Hydroponics4224 Wailae, Suite 1A,Honolulu, HI 96816808-735-8665

Eco-Island Supply810 Haiku Road, #394Haiku, HI 96708808-575-9171

Green Hands of Aloha1713 Mary Street,Honolulu, HI 96819808-847-4263

Ohana Greenhouse & Garden Supply300 Hukilike Street, #2M,Kahalui, HI 96732808-871-6393

Pahoa Feed & Fertilizer15-2754 Old Government Road,Pahoa, HI 96778808-965-9955

IDAHOBoise Hydroponics614 North Orchard Street,Boise, ID 83706208-344-3053

Greenthumb Greenhouses5895 Ensign Avenue,Boise, ID 83714

ILLINOISAerostar Global824 South Kay Avenue,Addison, IL 60101

Alternative Garden SupplyA-615 Industrial Drive,Gary, IL 60013800-444-2837

Big Grow Hydroponics9225 Trinity Drive,Lake In The Hills, IL 60156847-854-4450

Brew and Grow1824 North Besly Court,Chicago, IL 60622773-395-1500

Brew and Grow3224 South Alpine Road,Rockford, IL 61109815-874-5700

Brew and Grow2379 Bode Road, Schaumburg, IL 60194847-885-8282

Fertile Ground463 West MacArthur Drive,Cottage Hills, IL 62018618-259-5500

Green Fields8137 N. Milwaukee,Niles, IL 60714847-965-5056

Grow Big Hydroponics7817 B North 2nd Street,Manchesney Park, IL 61115815-637-4769

Hydrocork20647 Renwick Road,Crest Hill, IL 60435815-838-0100

Kreation’s Indoor Gardening Center3427 Old Chatman Road,Springfield, IL 62704217-341-0821

Let it Grow - CarbondaleWest Main Street,Carbondale, IL 62908573-450-5401

Prairie House Garden Center15151 South Harlem Avenue,Orland, IL 60462708-687-3131

Water Works Indoor Gardening1900 South Dirksen Parkway,Springfield, IL 62703217-553-6929

INDIANABWGS7854 North State Road 37,Bloomington, IN 47404800-316-1306

Five Point Gardens56555 Oak Road,South Bend, IN 46619574-287-9232

Frogs Lilly Pad, The706 Citation Road,Carmel, IN 46032317-846-4610

Harvest Moon Hydroponics4200 S. East Street,Indianapolis, IN 46227317-780-8070

Hops & Harvest4616 E. DuPont Road, Suite Q,Fort Wayne, IN 46825260-918-3035

Magic Bulb Garden Center6229 Allisonville Road,Indianapolis, IN 46220317-202-2852

Sunleaves Garden Products7854 North State Road 37,Bloomington, IN 47404888-464-9676

Worm’s Way Indiana7850 North State Road 37,Bloomington, IN 47404800-598-8158

KANSASGreen Circle Hydroponics6890 W. 105th Street,Overland Park, KS 66212913-642-3888

KENTUCKYGarden Grove Organics29 East 7th Street,Covington, (Cincinnati Metro), KY 41011859-360-1843

Grow Shop, The of Lexington2320 Palumbo Drive, Suite 130,Lexington, KY 40509859-268-0779

Louisville Hydroponics3471 Taylor Boulevard,Louisville, KY 40215502-366-4000

New Earth Garden Center9810 Taylorsville Road,Louisville, KY 40299800-462-5953

Worm’s Way Kentucky1360 Donaldson Hwy. Suite A,Erlanger, KY 41018800-669-2088

LOUISIANALaughing Buddha Nursery4516 Clearview Parkway,Metairie, LA 70006504-887-4336Ourcrazydeals Hydroponics201 Angus Drive,Yungsville, LA 70592337-303-6146Urban Organics285 St. Claude Avenue,New Orleans, LA 70117504-352-4709

MAINEGreen Thumb Indoor Gardening19 Stage Road,St. Albans, ME 04971207-938-5909Urban Garden Center235 Lewiston Road,Toposhan, ME 04086207-373-0990

MARYLANDEast Coast Organics2800 Sisson Street,Baltimore, MD 21211Healthy Gardens and Supply5001-F Harford Road,Baltimore, MD 21214443-708-5144Maryland Hydroponics Inc.10051 North 2nd Street, Laurel, MD 20723301-490-9236Maryland Hydroponics Inc.12130 Nebel Street, Rockville, MD 20852240-551-4625Meadowview Feed & Garden Center1202 Meadowview Road,Pasadena, MD 21122443-817-0018Purple Mountain Organics100-7010 Westmoreland Avenue,Takoma Park, MD 20912877-538-9901

MASSACHUSETTSGreenlife Garden Supply481 Boston Road, Unit 4,Billerica, MA 01821978-262-9966Green Path Garden Supply276 West Main Street,Northborough, MA 01532508-393-4181Harvest Moon Hydroponics29 Washington Street, Route 1Foxboro, MA 02035800-660-6977LiquidSun® MA8 Lynwood Avenue,Holyoke, MA 01040413-539-6875New England Hydroponics15 D Coolege Hwy. (Rt. 10),Southampton, MA 01073888-529-9025Worm’s Way Massachusetts121 Worc-Providence Turnpike,Sutton, MA 01590800-284-9676

MICHIGANBIg Creek Hydroponics555 Old Little Lake Road,Marquette, MI 49855906-249-5297Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The23529 Little Mack Avenue,St Claire’s Shores, MI 48080586-775-9485Gro Blue Indoor Gardening Supplies270 W. Liberty Street,Ann Arbor, MI 48104734-913-2750Growco Garden Supply1042 Michigan Street, NE,Grand Rapids, MI 49503877-939-6900


HYDROGARDENS

Home Grown Hydroponics8075 Gratiot Road, Unit C,Saginaw MI 48609989-781-1930Homelight Gardens3471 S. Huron Road,Bay City, MI 48706989-922-0088Horizen Hydroponics1614 Leonard Street, NW,Grand Rapids,MI 49504866-791-1664Horizen Hydroponics4646 W. Main Street,Kalamazoo, MI 49006269-567-3333HotHydro®5245 Jackson Road, Suite FAnn Arbor, MI 48103734-761-5040; 877-893-0716Hydroharrys.com24500 Dequindre,Warren, MI 48091800-461-8819Hydrospot34236 Michigan Avenue,Wayne, MI 48184734-722-1285Indoor Garden Superstore2570 Dixie Highway,Waterford Twp., MI 48328J&L Growco206 S. Michigan Avenue,Big Rapids, MI 49307231-796-1528Kalamazoo Indoor Garden450 W. Maple,Kalamazoo, MI 49001269-344-2550Light Green Water3661 Highland Road,Waterford, MI 48329248-681-0001SH Hydroponics Inc.115 Holmes Road, Building 3 Suite A,Ypsilanti, MI 48198734-879-4014Sunnyside Hydroponics24930 Gratiot Avenue,Eastpoint, MI 48021586-777-2528Sunshine Supply Co.5800 East Pickard Street,Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858989-775-3700Superior Growers Supply19582 Middlebelt Road,Livonia, MI 48152248-473-0450Superior Growers Supply4870 Dawn Avenue,East Lansing, MI 48823517-332-2663The Grow Store721 W. Blue Star Drive,Traverse City, MI 49684231-421-5191Van Hydro7480 N State,Davison, MI 48423810-653-8267Wild Child7740 M 72 East,Traverse City, MI 49690866-711-GROW

MINNESOTAAmerican Garden Supply601-6th Avenue, North,Princeton, MN 55371763-631-0543Brew and Grow8179 University Avenue,Fridley, MN 55432612-780-8191

Eco Garden Supply800 Transfer Door 25 in rearSt. Paul, MN 55114651-647-1896Eden Indoor Organic Gardens831 Highway 75 NorthMoorhead, MN 56560218-477-EDEN (3336)Indoor Gardening10 NE 3rd Street,Faribault, MN 55021507-209-1546

Interior Gardens115 -1620 Central Avenue NE,Minneapolis, MN 55413800-498-4178; 612-870-9077

Midwest Hydroponics3440 Belt Line Boulevard, Suite A, Minneapolis,MN 55416888-449-2739Still-H2O Inc.14375 North 60th Street,Stillwater, MN 55082651-351-2822

MISSOURIDivine Hydroponics301 North Bishop Avenue,Rolla, MO 65401573-426-2348Dr. Green Thumbs1106 West Park,Livingston, MO 59047406-222-7440Grow Your Own Hydroponics3617 Saint John Avenue,Kansas City, MO 64123816-241-2122

Green Circle Hydroponics12 East Missouri,Kansas City, MO 64106816-421-1840

Green Thumb Organics249 Mid Rivers Drive,St. Peters, MO 63376636-561-4769 (GROW)

Heartland Hydrogardens5695 E. Clark Lane, Suite L,Columbia, MO 65202573-474-GROW (4769)

Let It Grow - Springfield2519 E. Kearney Street,Springfield, MO 65803417-862-GROW

Let It Grow - Girardeau879 S. Kings Highway,Cape Girardeau, MO 63703573-803-0628

U-Grow1724 North, 13th Street,St. Louis, MO 63106314-452-6368

Worm’s Way Missouri1225 North Warson Road,St. Louis, MO 63132800-285-9676

MONTANAAlpengrow Nursery Supplies238 Highway 93 S.,Eureka, MT 59917406-882-4496Bizzy Beez LLP5875 Highway 93 S,Whitefish, MT 59937406-863-9937Heightened Harvest2018 Main Street #4,Billings, MT 59105406-252-4311

NEBRASKAAdvanced Hydro-Ponics10711 Mockingbird Drive,Omaha, NE 68127 (108th and L-Q)402-991-6630

Paradigm Gardens8949 J Street, Suite 5,Omaha, NE 68127402-339-4949

Patio-Ponics3255 Cornhusker Highway, Suite 4Lincoln, NE 68504402-466-9218

NEVADAAAA Indoor Organic Garden SuperCenter2101 S. Decatur Boulevard, #21,Las Vegas, NV 89102702-450-4769

Advanced Gardens Hydroponics3111 South Valley View, (on Desert Inn West of Valley View) Suite V103Las Vegas, NV 89102702-257-4769

All American Hydroponics2675 East Patrick Lane, Unit 8,Las Vegas, NV 89120702-894-9888

Anything Grows190 West Moana Lane,Reno, NV 89509775-828-1460

Carson Valley Hydroponics2520 Empire Ranch Road,Carson City, NV 89701775-884-4769

Lorraine Ink290 Spear Court,Fernley, NV 89408775-575-7757

Nevada Hydroponics4700 B Maryland, Suite 1,Las Vegas, NV 89119702-798-2852

NEW HAMPSHIREHydro World17 White Birch Lane,Lincoln, NH 03251603-745-3030

NEW JERSEY77HYDRO37 Fairfield Place,West Caldwell, NJ 07006877-774-9376

Claraqua4 Redwood Court,West Windsor, NJ 08550

East Coast Horticultural Supply1652 Hurffville Road,Swewell, NJ 08080856-228-5290

Garden State Hydroponics511 Avenel Street,Avenel, NJ 07001888-300-8711

Green Touch 2 Hydroponics Inc.888 Route 33, Unit 1,Hamilton, NJ 08619609-570-8829

NEW MEXICOAHL Year Round Garden Supply1051 San Mateo Blvd. SE,Albuquerque, NM 87108505-255-3677

AHL Year Round Garden Supply9421 Coors Blvd. NW Suite K,Albuquerque, NM 87114505-899-0592

Common Shaman1319 San Mateo N.E.,Albuquerque, NM 87110505-255-6463

NEW YORKBronx Hydro & Garden39 Bruckner Boulevard,Bronx, NY 10454718-993-3787


H Y D R O P O N I C S I N C .greentouch2


California Hydroponics27 Corporate Circle,East Syracuse, NY 13057315-432-9387

East Coast Hydroponics14649 Horace Harding Exp,Flushing, NY 11367718-762-8880

Environmental Gardens8 John Walsh Boulevard, Suite 310Peekskills, NY 10566800-254-0507; 914-736-6676

FutureGarden Inc.59 Central Avenue,Farmingdale, NY 11735516-420-0884

Greentree Nursery308 Elmira Road,Ithaca, NY 14850607-272-3666

Grow Room, The8 Bridge Street,Nyack, NY 10960800-449-9630

Harvest Moon HydroponicsHenrietta Townline Plaza, 3047 West Henrietta Road,Rochester, NY 14623716-865-7353

Harvest Moon Hydroponics340 West at 59,Central Nyack, NY 10960

Harvest Moon Hydroponics147 Fourth Street,Troy, NY 10960

Healthy Harvest Organics and Hydro163 Broadway,Fort Edwart, NY 12828518-480-4698

Hudson Valley Hydroponics217 Route 32 North,New Paltz, NY 12561845-255-3633

Hydro Garden Center1069B Lyell Avenue,Rochester, NY 146061-800-277-1322

Hydroponics of Buffalo1497 Hertel Avenue,Buffalo, NY 14216716-838-3545

Hydroponics Shops of America2606 Erie Boulevard,Syracuse, NY 13224315-251-2516

Indoor Outdoor Gardener8223 5th Avenue,Brooklyn, NY 11209718-836-2402

KG Garden Supply1327 Floyd Avenue,Rome, NY 134401-877-KG-HYDRO

Saratoga Organics & Hydroponic Supply19 Front Street,Ballston Spa, NY 12020518-885-2005; 800-850-4769

Sunlight Solutions Hydroponics2045 Niagara Falls Boulevard, Suite 13,Niagara Falls, NY 14304888-GROWBOX

Sunset Hydroponics & Home Brewing1590 West Ridge Road,Rochester, NY 14615866-395-9204

NORTH CAROLINABe Well Hydroponics & Urban Gardening4732 Monroe Road,Charlotte, NC 28205704-344-8010

BWGS East4045 Perimeter West Drive, Suite 400Charlotte, NC 28214800 316 1306

Fifth Season Gardening Company45 Banks Avenue,Asheville, NC 28801828-253-4112

Fifth Season Gardening Company106 South Greensboro Street,Carrboro, NC 27510919-932-7600Fifth Season Gardening Company1616 D-3 Battleground Avenue,Greensboro, NC 27408336-271-3373Fifth Season Gardening Company5619-A Hillsborough Street,Raleigh, NC 27606919-852-4747Flow & Grow Hydroponics & Organic Garden Center4521 Cumberland Road,Fayetteville, NC 28306910-423-FLOW (3569)High Tech Garden Supply2712 B Freedom DriveCharlotte, NC 28208704-697-0911New Age Gardens2236A US Highway 70,Swannanoa, NC 28778828-299-9989Progressive Gardens6005 Oleander Drive,Wilmington, NC 28403910-395-1156The Family Tree Nursery & Garden Center6033 Ocean Highway E.,(on mile marker 35)Winnabow, OH 28479910-253-9200Urban Organics and Hydroponics4604 W. Market Street, Suite 106,Greensboro, NC 27407336-316-0604Water’s Edge Hydro-Gardens & Organics107 South White Street,Wake Forest, NC 27587919-562-5343

OHIOAdvanced Hydrorganics Indoor Garden Center5204 Darrow Road,Hudson, OH 44236234-380-1287Akron Garden Center434 W Wilbeth Road,Akron, OH 44314330-724-2700Cleveland Garden Center Inc.727 East 185th Street,Cleveland, OH 44119216-481-7868CropKing134 West Drive,Lodi, OH 44254330-302-4203Carefree Garden Center134 West Drive,Lodi, OH 44254330-302-4203Dayton Hydroponics3856 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, West Carrolton, OH 45449937-859-3999Garden Indoors of Ohio4720 Indianola Avenue,Columbus, OH 43214800-833-6868Greenleaf Hydroponics1805 Elm Road,Warren, OH 44483330-372-1039Harvest Moon9215 Market Street,Youngstown (North Lima), OH 44452800-776-8399Garden Grove Organics29 East 7th Street,Covington, (Cincinnati Metro), KY 41011859-360-1843Grow Wizard, The5700 Denison Avenue,Cleveland, OH 44102216-961-2500Herb-N-Garden Center14901 Puritas Avenue,Cleveland, OH 44135216-252-2001

Indoor Garden Worx906 Blue Avenue,Zanesville, OH 43701866-900-9679

Indoor Gardens1222 Hill Road, North,Pickerington, OH 43147614-866-6065

Kissed by the Sun Hydroponic10740 Reading Road,Cincinnati, OH 45241513-769-0159

Magic Home Gardens209 Cemetery Road,Canal Winchester, OH 43110614-837-2440

Magic Home Garden4538 Indianola Avenue,Columbus, OH 43214614-263-2440

Summit Hydroponics1030 Kenmore Boulevard Akron, OH 44314-2114330-753-5222

Sweet Greens5540 Brecksville RoadIndependence, OH 44131800-421-7084

Super Harvest5956 A Colerain Avenue,Cincinnati, OH 45239513-385-5999

Toledo Hydroponics Ltd.855 S. Holland-Sylvania Road, Suite 2Toledo, OH 436151-877-893-0716

Trinity Hydro Organics435 Woodman DriveRiverside, OH 45431937-252-GROW

Urban Gardens671 E. Center StreetMarion, OH 43302740-375-2800

Worm’s Way - Greater Cincinatti / N. Kentucky1360 Donaldson Road(Route 236), Suite A,Erlanger, KY 41018800-669-2088

OKLAHOMAAAAAHA! Hydroponics Unlimited P.O. Box 74,Oakhurst, OK 74050

Organics OKC Garden Supply3620 N Pennsylvania Avenue,Oklahoma City, OK 73118405-528-GROW

Tulsa County Hydro-Organics1928 W. Albany,Broken Arrow, OK 74012918-259-HYDRO

Urban Garden3141 E. 15th Street,Tulsa, OK 74104918-289-0018

OREGONAmerican Agriculture9220 Southeast Stark Street,Portland, OR 97216800-433-6805

Anthony’s Garden & Light Supply93779 B Troy Lane,Coos Bay, OR 97420541-266-8822

Aqua Serene2836 W. 11,Eugene, OR 97402541-485-2171

Aqua Serene Hydro Gardens465 Applegate Way,Ashland, OR 97520541-482-7600

Basin Indoor Gardening1221 Main Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97601541-273-2023


Garden Supplies

B.I.G.S.155 SW Century Drive, Suite 401,Bend, OR 97702541-385-5222BIGS Warehouse2606 SW 4th Street, Unit BRedmond, OR 97756541-504-8886Cascade Horticulture39570 Pioneer Boulevard,Sandy, OR 97055503-668-8242Corvallis Hydroponics & Organics5490 Philomath Road,Corvallis, OR 97333541-738-2820Everybody’s Garden Center2701 SE 14th Avenue,Portland, OR 97202800-669-5483Forever Green Organic Hydro Gardens7530 Crater Lake Highway,White City, OR 97503541-826-2946Garden Spout, The4532 South East 63rd Avenue,Portland, OR 97206503-788-4769Gorge Garden Center1203 12th Street Suite H,Hood River, OR 97031541-386-GROWGorilla Garden Supply1810 Virginia Avenue,North Bend, OR 97459541-756-5005Green Thumb Hydrogarden and Organic Supply2021 West Main Street,Medford, OR 97501541-779-8600Grow America Garden Supply LLC11511 SW Pacific Highway,Tigard, OR 97223503-841-6868Growing Crazy (Hooked On Hydroponics)817 W. 2nd Street,Medford, OR 97501H2organic LCC620 NE 3rd Street,McMinnville, OR 97128503-434-6107Herb N’ Jungle Hydroponics930 SE Textron Drive,Bend, OR 97702541-382-4010Homegrown Garden Supply7112 NE Gilsan Street,Portland, OR 97213877-EZ2-GROWIn and Out Gardens1574 Skypark DriveMedford, OR 97501541-858-3333Indoor Garden Center1697 SE 25th Street,Salem, OR 97302503-566-7888Indoor Garden Depot15828 SE McLoughlin Boulevard,Milwaukie, OR 97267503-786-2445Indoor Garden Supply536 SW 6th Street (rear alley),Redmond, OR 97756541-504-7750Island Flowers & Indoor Garden Center909 N. Tomahawk Island Drive, Suite 103, Portland, OR 97217503-546-3185J-N-B Hydro 2 Go155 West Central Avenue,Sutherlin, OR 97479541-459-9211Ladybug Indoor Gardens3960 W. Main Street,Medford, OR 97501541-618-4459

Lights Distributing9843 SW 55th Avenue,Portland, OR 97219

Liquid Sun1845 Southwest Highway 101,Lincoln City, OR 97367541-994-7070

Moonshine Park Farm135 South East 62nd, Unit FSouth Beach, OR 97366541-444-2298

Northern Light and Garden Beaverton9290 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, Beaverton, OR 97005503-297-7331

Northern Light and Garden Grants Pass1203 Rogue River Highway,Grants Pass, OR 97527541-474-1700

Northern Light and Garden Salem1915 Lancester Drive,Salem, OR 97305503-364-4769

Oregon Rainforest Co.19949 E. Burnside Street,Gresham, OR 97233503-465-9909

Paradise Supply Inc.1409 N. Highway 99,Ashland, OR 97520541-552-1037

Rain or Shine13126 NE Airport Way,Portland, OR 97230503-255-1981

Roots Garden Supply5426 North Gay Avenue,Portland, OR 97217503-285-4768

Roseburg Hydroponics853 SE Stephens Street,Roseburg, OR 97470541-229-1420

SunInside Gardening Co.665 Conger, Unit F,Eugene, OR 97402541-686-9966

Urban Flora2865 South East,Portland, OR 97214503-236-3344

Westcoast Organic and Hydroponic Supply12410 SE 282nd Avenue, Unit CBoring, OR 97009503-766-4106

Wizard's Garden, LLC621 Spruce Street, Unit C,Myrtle Point, OR 97458541-572-2333

PENNSYLVANIAFull Bloom Hydroponics84 South 24th Street,Pittsburgh, PA 15203888-872-3602

Garden Indoors of Pennsylvania208 Route 13,Bristol, PA 19007800-227-4567

Harvest Moon Hydroponics1239 South Airport Road,Allentown, PA 18103610-432-4949

Healthy Gardens and Supply1012 Lincoln Avenue,Prospect Park, PA 19076866-32-HYDRO

High Tech Garden Supply20232 Route 19, Unit 6,Cranberry Twp., PA 16066724-473-1113

Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh2008 Smallman Street,Pittsburgh, PA 15222412-232-7030

Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh830 Route 119,Greensburg, PA 15601724-836-1118

PA Hydroponics & Home Gardening Supply20 Quaker Church Road,York Springs, PA 17372717-528-4175

RHODE ISLANDHydro-Earth1243 Mineral Springs Avenue,North Providence, RI 02904401-305-5520

LiquidSun® RI1179 Central Avenue,Pawtucket, MA 02861401-722-2724

Oakworld Garden Center39 West Street,Barrington, RI 02806401-245-5705

SOUTH CAROLINA247 Garden Supply535 D Clemson Road,Columbia, SC 29229803-788-4445

All Good Hydroponics & Gardening6729 Two Notch Road,Columbia, SC 29223803-708-4819

GreenSpirit Hydrogarden1864 Meeting Street,Charleston, SC 29405843-225-1GRO;

Green Thumb Unique Gardening & More1230 Rutherford Road,Greenville, SC 29609864-271-8830

SOUTH DAKOTAGreen Earth Products Inc.5700 Highway 79 S.,Unit 1,Rapid City, SD 57702605-342-1307

TENNESSEEAdvanced Hydroponic Garden783 French Mill Road,Dandridge, TN 37725800-521-1643

Advanced Hydroponic Garden6912 Clinton Highway,Knoxville, TN 37921866-938-3318

All Seasons Gardening and Brewing Supply Co.924 8th Avenue, South,Nashville, TN 37203800-790-2188

Atlantis Hydroponics1800 Rossville Avenue, #3,Chattanooga, TN 37408423-752-5400

National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply126 Belinda Parkway,Mt. Juliet, TN 37122888-265-9005

Perpetual Harvest75 Riverport Drive,Jackson, TN 38301877-422-3391

Sun City Hydroponics2235 Whitten Road, Suite 104,Memphis, TN 38133901-372-8100

Worm’s Way Tennessee707 Rivergate Parkway, Suite EGoodlettsville, TN 37072800-397-4153

TEXASAirline HydroponicsP.O. Box 980904, Trader’s Village #363,Houston, TX 77098713-942-0484



Botani Hydroponics & Organics7730 Highway 6 SouthHouston, TX 77083281-575-1999Brite Ideas Hydroponics & Organics4360 S.Congress Avenue, #310,Austin, TX 78745512-444-2100Earth Organics1360 Lee Trevino Drive,Suite 105El Paso, TX 79936915-591-9500Field of Dreams Indoor Growing Supplies5302 Slide Road Unit B,Lubbock, TX 79414806-793-2901GreenMaker Nursery3030 Northwest Loop,Stephenville, TX 76401254-965-7273GroGreen Hydroponics4015 Main Street,Dallas, TX 75226214-370-9984Happy Harvest Hydroponics & Organic1500 Crescent Drive, Suite 202Carrollton, TX 75006972-466-1300Houston Discount Hydroponics9384 Richmond Avenue,Houston, TX 77063713-464-9406Hydro Mart3841 Main Street,Rowlett, TX 75088972-475-6114Innergrow Hydroponics24451 Interstate Highway 20,Wills Point, TX 75169866-475-4769Jolly Green Hydroponics (Greenhouse Horticultural Supplies)13628 Neutron Road,Dallas, TX 75244(866) WE-JOLLY; 469-341-5555Lone Star Hydroponics and Organics1302 Motor Circle,Dallas, TX 75207214-634-9376Sol Organics & Hydroponics1634 Babcock Road,San Antonio, TX 78229210-366-9082Texas Growers Supply5990 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. E. #602,Humble, TX 77396281-441-3739Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Central Austin)5126 Burnet Road,Austin, TX 78756512-459-4769Texas Hydroponics & Organics (South Austin)2125-A Goodrich Avenue,Austin, TX 78704512-440-4769Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Dallas)3400 Elm Street,Dallas, TX 75226214-744-4769Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Houston)7730 A Park Place Boulevard,Houston, TX 77087713-641-4769Ultimate Hydroponic Garden Supply6125 West Sam HoustonParkway, North Suite 206Houston, TX 77041713-856-8425

UTAHSalt Lake Plant & Hydro60 West 3300 S. #6,South Salt Lake, UT 84115801-488-3200

VERMONTGreen Thumb GardeningP.O. Box 235, Route 15,Underhill, VT 5489800-564-9376

Greenthumb - Vermont394 Route 15,Jericho, VT 05465 802-899-4323LiquidSun® VT1 Bellows Falls Road, (Route 5 North)Putney, VT 05158802-387-1100

VIRGINIABlue Ridge Hydroponics & Home Brewing Co.5524 Williamson Road, Suite 11Roanoke VA 24012540-265-2483Clean & Green Technologies196 Corning Drive,Christiansburg, VA 24073866-694-1628Hydroponics & Growlights13400 Occoquan Road,Woodbridge, VA 22191703-490-0700I Love Hydroponics612 N. Sheppard Street,Richmond, VA 23221804-377-3020I Love Hydroponics368 Newtown Road, #105,Virginia Beach, VA 23462757-490-5425Inside-Out Garden Supply6517 Backlick Road,Springfield, VA 22150703-451-3259

WASHINGTONAqua Serene3839 Stone Way North,Seattle, WA 98103206-547-GROWEco Enterprises1240 NE 175th Street, #BShoreline, WA 98155800-426-6937Garden Smart500 Bond Drive,Castlerock, WA 98611360-274-7960Green Gardens Distributing12738 Bel-Red Road,Bellevue, WA 98005425-454-5731Hydro-Tech2121 Aurora Avenue, North,Seattle, WA 98103206-547-2202Indoor Garden Depot6400 H NE Highway 99,Vancouver, WA 98665360-993-7779Indoor Garden Depot1401 S. 324th Street,Federal Way, WA 98003253-874-1112Indoor Garden & Lighting3839 6th Avenue,Tacoma, WA 98406253-761-7478Indoor Garden & Lighting23303 Highway 99, Suite A,Edmonds, WA 98026425-673-2755Indoor Garden & Lighting714 South Central Avenue,Kent, WA 98032253-373-9060Indoor Garden Supply LLC1950b Belmont Loop,Woodland, WA 98674360-841-8055Kent Garden Supplies Ltd.18817 East Valley Highway,Kent, WA 98032425-251-9299Kitsap Garden & Lighting2130 6th Street,Bremerton, WA 98312360-377-1277Linda’s Gardening & Hydroponics11522 Canyon Road East,Puyallup, WA 98373253-531-9641

Liquid Sunshine Hydroponics5087 Lincoln Road,Blaine, WA 98230M & R Lighting17238 Memorial Drive,Mt. Vernon, WA 98273360-848-1080M & R LightingUnit C 22914 Highway 410,Buckley, WA 98390253-891-4190National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight Supply5408 NE 88th Street, Building A,Vancouver, WA 98665888-478-6544Northern Light and Garden Vancouver6305 NE Highway 99,Vancouver, WA 98665360-993-7779Northern Lights Gardening4159 Hannegan Road,Bellingham, WA 98225360-715-8585Northwest Horticulture Supply161 Hooker Road, #1,Sequim, WA 98057360-582-0702Renton Indoor Garden Center207 Sunset Blvd. N, Building A,Renton, WA 98055425-917-9000River City Hydroponics1514 East Francis Avenue,Spokane, WA 99208509-464-0246Solar Shop306 West 4th Street,Tonasket, WA 98855509-486-4508Spokane Organic and Hydroponic Supply4823 East Sprague Avenue E.,Spokane Valley, WA 99212509-534-4055

WISCONSINAric's Indoor Garden Supply1104 West Wisconsin Avenue,Appleton, WI 54914920-574-3258Brew and Grow285 N. Janacek Road,Brookfield, WI 53045262-789-0555Brew and Grow3317 Agriculture Drive,Madison, WI 53716608-226-8910Grow BIG Hydroponics954 S. Westland,Appleton, WI 54914920-749-4769Paradigm Gardens4539 Helgesen Drive,Madison, WI 53718608-241-3800

PUERTO RICOTecno-HydroAve Campo Rico GJ17,Carolina, PR 00982787-752-8252

WE THANK ALL OF OUR DEDICATED RETAILERS FOR OFFERING MAXIMUM YIELD

TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.

ARE YOU CURRENTLY DISTRIBUTINGMAXIMUM YIELD FROM YOUR RETAIL

STORE?

Add your company logo to the distributor listings! Call 250-729-2677 or Email [email protected]

If so, pass along your contact information to us here at the magazine care of

[email protected] and we will add your store’s name, address and telephone number to

our distributor listing in an upcoming issue.

MY

http://www.sunshine-systems.com

http://www.canna-hydroponics.com

http://www.genhydro.com

Documents

Maximum Yield USA - March 2010