UK EDITION · ISSUE 22 · 2018
THE ART OF URBAN GARDENING AND INDOOR GROWING
PRODUCTION
L ABOR ATORY
PRODUCTION PL ANT
FACTORY
MAYA
KEES
GROW PRODUCTS
H YGRO EC-VA L UE .............
INDOOR GA RDEN
RETAIL
G ROW SHOP
GROW STORE
The Great
hydro store OPINION
NATION-WIDE
2018
CHOICE 2018 EDITION
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INDUSTRY’S
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HORTI KING
GEAR
HortiGear Ballast - Lamp Control Gear For HPS - MH Lamp
CONTENTS
74
indoor container gardens
GROW YOUR OWN LUFFA
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS
13
36
CBD
WHO’S GROWING WHAT WHERE
in the UK
Temperature
Max fan spee
53 THE POWER
58 I N THIS ISSU E OF GA R D EN CU LTU RE :
OF
PH
Active
CABLE
Min fan speed
POWER
Room temperature sensor
EC signal cab active
46
11 Foreword
58 CBD in the UK
13 Product Spotlights
64 Air Filtration for Indoor Gardening
20 Humidity
69 Shorties
24 The Great UK Hydro Survey
73 What’s In Your Water, Counts
36 Grow Your Own Luffa
74 Indoor Container Gardens
40 5 Cool Finds
80 Fake or Not?
46 The Power of pH
82 Shorties
The Great
hydro store
53 Who’s Growing What Where 2 018
24 GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM
7
millspaysthebills_uk www.dnamills.co.uk
HYDRO
Rare Dankness Industries, Denver - CO - USA
FOREWORD & CREDITS
For the last couple of months, I have spent most of my mornings talking to shops in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. It was once again, an amazing experience. The shops are busy, and their outlook is positive. The number of indoor gardening retail locations in the UK hasn’t changed much over the past few years, but the battle for business has been heating up. We surveyed over 100 UK shops and a dozen industry and cultivation exper ts, and they have spoken. Some held on to their title and other names you know have fought their way to the top. Some results are to be expected and some might come as a surprise, either way, it is a great read if you want to know what’s up and what’s down with UK growers and shops. The results are just pages away. If what you are looking for is how to make that perfect organic mix for your indoor garden, than we have something for you too. ‘Cause according to our numbers, interest in organic alternatives is growing. We also have a look at some of the basics. In The Power of pH, Stephen Brookes explains its impor tance for growers. Another often overlooked issue is humidity. Dr Callie Seaman brings to light how relative humidity can be the root cause of deficiencies. Or maybe, you just want to grow your own luffa. Grubby has long grown this vegetable, and he shares how to grow, harvest, and prepare your own sponges. Happy Growing,
Eric
The Great
hydro store 2018
TIO N
GAR DEN
PRO DUC
FAC TOR
INDO ING AND
WIN OR GRO
G
L ABO
RY
Y KEES
H YGRO L UE EC-VA .. ...........
MAYA
INDOOR
G ROW
GRO W STO
SHO P
Th
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GARDE N
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at
store hydro
PRESIDENT Eric Coulombe eric@gardenculturemagazine.com +1-514-233-1539
OPINIO
N
2018
POLL
N-WIDE NATIO
E XCU T I V E ED I TO R Celia Sayers celia@gardenculturemagazine.com +1-514-754-1539 SEN I O R ED I TO R Tammy Clayton tammy@gardenculturemagazine.com DESIGN Job Hugenholtz job@gardenculturemagazine.com D I G I TA L & SO CI A L M A R K E T I N G CO O R D I N ATO R Serena Sayers serena@gardenculturemagazine.com +1-514-754-0062 ADVERTISING ads@gardenculturemagazine.com PUBLISHER 325 Media 44 Hyde Rd., Milles Isles Québec, Canada t. +1 (844) GC GROWS info@gardenculturemagazine.com GardenCultureMagazine.com
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D I ST R I B U T I O N PA R T N ER S • HydroGarden • Maxigrow • Highlight Horticultur e • Nutriculture DGS • WHG UK
© 325 Media
PAGE 24
22 · 2018
R ATO
TIO N PRO DUC PL ANT
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Survey #2.
N · ISSUE UK EDITIO
AN OF URB THE ART
PRO DU
Well, we did it again. The Great UK Hydro Store
SPECI A L TH A N KS TO: Dr Callie Seaman, Evan Folds, Grubbycup, Kris Whitten, Marco Spomer, Stephen Brookes, Theo Tekstra, and a special shout-out to all the store managers, owners, and industry experts that took the time to speak to me.
GR OW
A
nother trip down the UK hydro rabbit hole.
CREDITS
RETAIL
FOREWORD
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from 325 Media Inc.
GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M
11
IN
C
2018 E
Power Packs
The Pro Select 600W Key Features:
Selectable Power Modes with LED indicator 250W 275W super power 400 W 440W super power 600W 660W super power
Super power modes Soft start technology End of lamp life detection Short circuit protection Thermal protection and auto reset Silent and lightweight Runs High Pressure Sodium and Metal Halide lamps Diagnostic LED feature Dynamic frequency control Fast lamp re-strike
The Pro Max
600W
Suitable for use with 400V or 240V Metal Halide/HPS Lamps Key Features: Suitable for use with 400V or 240V lamps Identifies if a 400V or a 240V lamp is being used and adapts accordingly Soft start technology for longer lamp life and continual efficient output
Auto detects which lamp is in !
Dynamic frequency control for constant regulated output Diagnostic LED feature Silent Running and lightweight
Fast Lamp re-strike ensures hot lamps start as quickly as possible Selectable Power Modes: 400W, 500W, 600W & 660W Super When multiple Pro Max GOLD power packs are started from the same power supply they will safely ignite your lamps one at a time to reduce electrical surges
The Pro Max GOLD 600W is designed for use with 400V (HPS) lamps or 240V (Metal Halide/HPS) lamps. This intelligent ballast identifies the correct voltage required to power the lamp and automatically adapts to the correct voltage, so you don’t even need to remember to flick a switch. This saves time, money and effort by not needing to change your set up and allows greater flexibility of use during the growing cycle.
GROWING PRODUCTS
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS The first product engineered and produced by Growcentia’s founders at Colorado State University, MAMMOTH P has much to offer your garden. Using innovative proprietary technology, the team developed an approach to identify and apply nature’s very best microbes to improve nutrient availability to plants.
Ma
mm oth P
MAMMOTH P is an organic beneficial bacterial bloom stimulant that targets phosphorus cycling to maximise both quality and yield. Growcentia aims to help growers boost the health of their soils or growth media to enhance plant health and yields while minimising environmental impacts of agriculture. Available from WHG UK. Visit MammothMicrobes.com for more information.
icRO75 Hydrologicom cation system ifi r u p r e t a w p sis ta
Reverse Osm
A micro-sized, por table Reverse Osmosis (RO) system, the Hydrologic micRO75 filters your tap water, creating a controllable and stable pure water foundation on which to build your nutrient solution.
• • • •
Super-efficient Micro in size and por table Easy to set up, includes a garden hose connector Includes KDF/carbon pre-filter and membrane
The micRO75 is an economical entry level RO solution, capable of filtering 283 litres of tap water per day. Included in this compact unit is a KDF/carbon pre-filter and membrane. It’s practical too, as it comes complete with a garden hose connector, 6mm shut-off valve, and pressure gauge. For maximum efficiency, the micRO75 features a 2:1 drain to product water ratio. Give your plants a stable foundation on which to grow with the Hydrologic micRO75! To find your local retailer visit Maxigrow.com/where-to-buy/
Temperature dial
Max fan speed dial Active
CABLE
Min fan speed dial
POWER
Room temperature sensor
EC signal cable – active
E C1 Co n tro l l e r The all-new fan powered controllers from trusted manufacturer GAS have arrived. Simply plug into any System Air EC fan and let it thermostatically control your fan. The EC1 is powered from the fan, so there’s no need for a power pack. You can control the minimum and maximum fan speeds and set your desired temperature. The controller does the rest. Visit GlobalAirSupplies.co.uk/ec1-controller for more info.
GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M
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The complete environment contr oller G.A.S. AC FAN OUTTAKE
Control your EC fans, AC fans, and hyperfan with the Enviro Controller from GAS. It monitors temperature, humidity, and light. This unit has separate settings for day and night, for balancing fans, and a dump feature for closed loop rooms. The controller also allows you to control two plug sockets, either by a timer or with temperature and humidity settings that control humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and heaters.
AC/EC CONTROLLER
AC FAN INTAKE
Enviro Controller
GROWING PRODUCTS
Temp
Fan
Exit 1
Humidity
Day/Night
Exit 2
13 AMP ENVIRO CONTROLLER
Max. Load 2200W
EXIT 1
Full details available at: GlobalAirSupplies.co.uk/enviro-controller.
Max. Load 13 AMP
Maxibrig
This powerful stimulator can be used alongside any other feeding schedule without causing overfeeding. Suitable for all medium types, including soil, coco, and hydro.
EC OUTTAKE
EC INTAKE
ht Easy H a
N E W an d Im pr ov ed! A powerful, 100% organic flowering stimulator, Sugar Rush increases the resin and crystals production to maximise the sweetness and sugar content in the fruit. This works by using a unique blend of carbohydrates, amino acids, and multiple sugar strains.
ENTER
EXIT 2
SAVE EXIT
Max. Load 2200W
powered by
Create a perfect, uniform environment with a powerhouse that can control all aspects of your grow equipment. Improving environments - increasing yields
ngers
A practical solution to hanging all manner of lighting, ventilation, and carbon filters securely in your grow room. These second-generation Maxibright Easy Hangers featuring a stronger metal ratchet system and easy to follow instructions. Each Easy Hanger can safely and securely suspend up-to 35kg of equipment. Easy to adjust and precise, even in small increments. Problems with unbalanced positioning, difficult height adjustment, and lamp changes are a thing of the past when you use Maxibright Easy Hangers in your grow room.
Learn more: SugarRushNutrients.co.uk
• • • •
NEW stronger metal ratchet system Precise adjustment – in small increments Adjustment cord length: 2m Maximum load per Easy Hanger: 35kg
To find your local retailer visit Maxigrow.com/where-to-buy/
A revolutionary pH stabiliser, perfectpH automatically balances your hydroponic system’s pH, keeping it in the ideal range for optimal nutrient absorption. Using next-generation ionization technology, the product eliminates excess pH swing that inhibits plant growth and weakens plants’ immune systems. Eliminate chemical buffers, frequent reservoir changes, pests, wasted water, and nutrients while dramatically increasing yields using the same technology as NASA. Simply drop it into your reservoir and watch your plants thrive.
perfectpH
More info at TorusHydro.com.
GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M
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Your Plants Deserve The Best SmallBoy Filters 12000 to 24000 litres Just £ 63
TallBoy Filters 30000 to 60000 litres Just £ 116
It’s Better to Start With PURE WATER Distributed exclusively through:
hydrologicsystems.com
GROWING PRODUCTS
n io l l e H s g in W A t s u j Ad w Room Light Gr o 400V DE 750W
Designed specifically for use in grow rooms. The Hellion 750W DE grow light allows closer placement of the light to your plants, eliminating the risk of heat-damage to plants through its ingenious design. The light uses a specifically designed Super-Spreader® that prevents hot spots with options to adjust the reflector wings and lamp position. These functions simply add to its capability of eliminating heat damage to your plants. The Hellion is flexible too. In addition to having lamp, reflector, and Super-Spreader® adjustments, it also gives you the option to mount the dimmable ballast on the reflector as one complete unit or to use the ballast remotely – The choice is all yours!
• • • • •
Adjust-A-Wings quality and reliability throughout.
Designed for grow rooms Dimmable ballast - 450W, 600W, and 750W power modes Eliminates hot spots and heat damage to plants Adjustable lamp, reflector wings, and Super-Spreader® flexibility Attach the Hellion dimmable ballast to the reflector or use the ballast remotely
To find your local retailer visit Maxigrow.com/where-to-buy/
A i r O3 zo n e Effectively remove odours from your grow room environment with the all-new AirO3zone ozone generators. Eliminates all odours from the air in your ventilation system before it leaves your ducting. Designed and made in Europe, these ozone generators add another layer of odour security, and are fully serviceable. Visit GlobalAirSupplies.co.uk/ozone-generators for more information.
oller r t n o C t i ng h g i L l a Simplify Y SolisTek Digit our Contr Selecting the right controller for your garden is a vital choice. Upgrading to ols a SolisTek Digital Lighting Controller offers complete control of your lighting environment. Control up to 300 lights on 2 independent light cycles. Connect up to 25 sensors per room for the most accurate plant canopy temperature monitoring available. • • •
Customise sunrise and sunset - gentle star t, and peaceful end of the day. High-temperature auto dim and shut-off. Data log tracks garden activity and events.
Exclusive SolisTek features make it one of the easiest and most effective controllers for your garden. Visit Solis-Tek.com to learn more.
GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M
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Moo
N ut
GROWING PRODUCTS
n sh
i
ne t En Comprised of exceptionally tiny particles! Each particle in Moonshine carries a negative electromagnetic han charge capable of attracting, holding, and exchanging positively charged particles (cations) of magnesium, ce r ® calcium, carbon, trace minerals, and other nutrients in a manner that allows roots to absorb them more easily. r ie n
Make Moonshine a regular part of your feeding schedule and experience multiple benefits: • Fewer nutrients needed overall • Improved growth and stamina of the crop • Healthier, sturdier, more disease-resistant plants • Organically derived and 100% biodegradable • Higher Brix content discourages insects, reducing insecticide needs Moonshine users report earlier harvests and exceptional crop quality and yields.
waiting for image
DON’T DELAY - BUY MOONSHINE® TODAY Learn more: Hydroponic-Moonshine.com
MaxiFan
Tube Fan (TF ) Range
Expanding its range of fans, Maxifan now includes a series of seven TF fans. Built using German motors (EMB PAPST), these single-speed fans ensure reliability, efficiency, and longevity of use. Maxifan TF fans run quietly, are free from air leaks, and move large amounts of air quickly. Each fan in the TF range includes a steel mounting bracket and is hardwired to ensure quick, easy, and secure installation. • • • • •
Seven size options A robust and durable casing Hard-wired - just plug and play Move large amounts of air quickly and quietly Easy to install – Metal mounting bracket included
To find your local retailer visit Maxigrow.com/where-to-buy/
“I have a long time passion for the best quality plants and have come to learn that you only get quality out if you put quality in. This is why I reached out to scientists worldwide who could formulate a line of nutrients, using only high-quality liquid ingredients that deliver exactly what plants need. Now that you’re using SNOOP’S PREMIUM NUTRIENTS, get ready for PREMIUM yields and quality.” - Snoop Dogg Pharmaceutical-grade ingredients sourced from the Netherlands and the UK, including the highest quality chelated iron. Snoop’s Premium range of nutrients include everything you need for the start, grow, and bloom phases. Bespoke recipes available for both non-circulating and circulating watering systems. For those that love coco, the recipe is tailor-made, taking into consideration the elements already present in the background EC of the coco from the buffering process. Visit Eden-Horticulture.com for more information.
GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M
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DR CALLIE SEAMAN
Wat er is a v ery s t ick y mol ecul e 20
HUMIDITY
B
ack in the early 2000s, when I used to work in my local grow shop, time and time again a customer would come in telling me about their plants - “they are showing chlorosis, leaf curling, and looking generally unhealthy.” Often, they would go on to tell me they have a deficiency and wanted some Epsom salts or wonder juice to fix
the issue. I would go through diagnosis questions enquiring about their feed design and the environment, as any good sales adviser should before selling the customer anything.
Rel at i v e humidi t y p l ays s uch a big pa r t in your p l a n t s’ p roduc t i v i t y “What is your humidity at?” “Bang on, perfect... no, no, no - it’s not that, I’ve definitely got a magnesium deficiency.” “I am not saying you haven’t, but what is the relative humidity in your room?”
The temperature of the air also plays a large part in the relative humidity of your room
After about 10 minutes, they would admit that they have no idea what it is and you find yourself having convinced them to invest in a hygrometer. Two days later they would come back in and, low and behold, when the lights were on, the humidity went down to 30%, but at night it rises to 65%. “Everything is fine, yes?” No! Relative humidity plays such a big part in your plants’ productivity and is so often overlooked. The deficiencies and toxicities seen in the plant are just a secondary effect of the primary cause, HUMIDITY issues. Addition of nutrient correction solutions can bring their own problems, which are often not seen until it is too late and the damage appears 6 weeks into flower.
Why is relative humidity (RH) so important, and how does it work? The best explanation I have come across was to think about the air surrounding the plants holding moisture like a sponge. At 100% RH, water would be visible on the surface of this imaginary sponge, as it is saturated with water. Therefore, RH is a measure of how close the water is to the surface of the sponge. Plants take up water by a mechanism known as transpiration, where water exits the plant due to evaporation through tiny little pores that open and close on the leaves, called stomata.
water. If too high, this can slow down the uptake of some elements, such as calcium, that rely on transpiration for their uptake.
Something that is important, but I am not going to cover today, is vapour pressure (VP). This is basically the plants sensing RH and is what controls the opening and closing of the stomata, and essentially, what controls leaf transpiration. VP is also influenced by the RH and the air temperature and is what we are fundamentally trying to keep within a comfort zone for the plant. The temperature of the air also plays a large part in the relative humidity of your room. With increased temperature, more water evaporates. However, the warm air holds a lot of water in the form of vapour moisture. Basically, water molecules are further apart from one another as they are moving faster due to heat, these are then able to fill the increased space in the warm air. Therefore, the relative humidity is low. As the temperature of the air falls, the water vapour in the air condenses (sticks together, basically) to produce water drops (see figure 1) and most often seen on cold panes of glass! This can occur on the surfaces of leaves which may cause problems with fungal infections and mould. A condensation issue most often occurs at the start of the light cycle, as the top of the plant warms and begins to transpire, the humidity starts to increase. In the lower parts of the plant that have not yet warmed, condensation of the water vapour occurs, forming perfect little pockets for botrytis and other fungi to thrive.
Water is a very sticky molecule and, as it leaves the plant, more water is drawn up into the plant via the roots. The process increases if the humidity surrounding the plant is low, as the imaginary sponge can hold onto more water. This, in turn, leaves salts behind in the growing media and increases the EC in the nutrient solution, which can result in nutrient build-up and lockout. Hence, the plant will start to display signs of deficiencies, such as calcium and magnesium. On the other hand, with high humidity, the transpiration rate drops, as the air surrounding the plants does not hold as much
figure 1 GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M
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HUMIDITY
i t is a l i t t l e bi t of a t r a de-of f be t w een h av ing a h a p p ily t r a nsp iring p l a n t, a nd no t p roducing t he p erf ec t f unga l pa r a dise
Due to the drop in temperature during the dark period, the room’s relative humidity increases naturally. With the mixture of still air, this becomes the perfect breeding ground for nasty, flower destroying, fungus. So, what is the ideal humidity for your plants to grow?
As we all know, it is hard to maintain the humidity at a constant point, so as long as they are within this range, the plants will be productive. Plants will be okay down to 40% RH, but will grow more vigorously in higher humidity. If you have suffered from grey mould and other fungal issues, lowering the humidity and the temperature during the flowering cycle will help. Good air circulation is a must at all times. Plants can give other signs to let you know that the humidity is not ideal. Table 2 gives a quick overview of some of the symptoms, remember as always, there are often several reasons for a plant to behave in a particular way, these are just some of the more common ones:
Plants can give other signs to let you know that the humidity is not ideal
Well, it is a little bit of a trade-off between having a happily transpiring plant, and not producing the perfect fungal paradise. It is all about keeping the plant within its comfort zone. As temperature increases, a plant is happier if the humidity increases with it, to compensate for the higher rate in transpiration. A higher humidity is more desirable in the vegetative phase of your plant’s life cycle, but due to the lack of plant matter, and that the microclimate which forms in between the plants has not yet formed, this is harder to achieve. Once the flowers set and fruits have started to form, a lower humidity is more desirable to help reduce the risk of disease. Table 1 summarises the ideal ranges of humidity for different stages and times.
Daytime (21-28°C)
Nighttime (15-23°C)
Vegetative growth (18 hrs)
65-80%
55-70%
Flowering cycle (12 hrs)
55-70%
55-70%
Table 1: Relative humidity ranges for optimum growth.
Symptom
RH is TOO...
Leaf curling down and under Leaf curling up Tip Burn Grey mould or Botrytis Calcium deficiencies
Low High Low High High
Table 2: Signs and symptoms of humidity stress. I hope this quick overview helps you to understand humidity, diagnose any issues and solve the root of the problem, hopefully giving you happier, healthier, and more productive plants.
Dr. Callie Seaman is a plant obsessed Formulation Chemist at AquaLabs – the company behind SHOGUN Fertilisers and the Silver Bullet plant health range. She has been in the hydro industry for 15 years in research development and manufacturing and had previously worked on the VitaLink range. She has a PhD in fertiliser chemistry and a BSc (HONS) in Biomedical sciences and loves nothing more than applying this knowledge to pushing the boundaries of nutrient performance.
GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M
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BY ERIC COULOMBE
PRODUCTION
L ABOR ATORY
PRODUCTION PL ANT
FACTORY
GROW PRODUCTS
H YGRO EC-VA L UE .............
RETAIL
INDOOR GA RDEN
G ROW SHOP
GROW STORE
The Great
hydro store 2018
Over three years ago, I decided to get to know our UK readers and shop owners a little better. I started calling stores, just to introduce myself and to find out who is reading Garden Culture. It only took about ten calls to realise that I needed to document this info. So, I came up with a series of questions that would help me understand the market better. It was one of the best experiences of my working life. I called over 100 shops, and published the results of the first Great UK Hydro Store Survey in 2015, to much fanfare.
24
95% male
A lot has happened in the industry since then, and I felt it was time to do the survey again. I asked mostly the same questions, with a couple of new ones. Many things have changed over the past few years and some not at all. One thing that has remained steady, is the estimated number of shops in the UK. They continually ranged between 400 to 600 - about 400 proper brick and mortar stores and 200 much smaller retail spaces. And, the fierce competition between stores hasn’t changed either. UK shops have waged “price wars” for ages, and things are not really getting better. The demand for the cheapest products are part of the issue, but the real problem is discounting the most popular products, particularly on light kits and fertiliser. It is a difficult problem to solve when most stores sell the same products and end users play a shrewd game of pitting one store against another for the cheapest price. In the price race to the bottom, it is the stores that lose the most. Just like in the first survey, most of the top lines are not the cheapest, and in fact, they are on the more expensive side. So, it seems that UK growers don’t mind buying expensive products as long as they work, and they get a good deal.
None given 14% Mainland Europe 2%
North East 3%
North West 5% Yorkshire and the Humber 4%
East Midlands 3% West Midlands 18% Wales 1%
To the 100 stores and 10 industry experts that took the time to talk, I can not thank you enough. I didn’t just ask questions, we discussed issues and shared stories and I am a better person for it.
Question #1 What is Your Favourite Nutrient? I like this question because it shows that what people like the best, is not necessarily their best seller. In fact, it rarely was.
1 Canna
10% Mills 10%
2 Plant Magic 9% 3 GHE 6% 4 Biogreen 5% Plagron 5% 5 BioBizz 4% BioTabs 4% Gold Label 4% 6 Atami 3% Bloom Yellow Bottles 3% DutchPro 3% Green Planet 3% House & Garden 3% Hydrotops 3%
The Dutch brands are still favoured in the UK, but there have been some big changes. Canna holding the top place is no surprise. But they have fallen from 20% to 10%, and they are not alone in 1st. Newcomer Mills Nutrients have come on strong over the past couple of years, and their popularity is clear. Besides being a solid product, the Mills team has painted their way into the hearts of UK growers. In case you don’t get the paint reference, Mills hired unbelievably talented graffiti artists to create beautiful murals in over 20 shops. Not to take anything away from Canna, who are always creating new marketing and training programs that keep them at the top.
Scotland 7%
Ireland 2%
HYDRO STORE SURVEY
East 3% Great London 1% South East 16%
Plant Magic is a strong second with 9%, and General Hydroponics Europe (GHE) with 6%, up from 1%. There is history with these two in the UK, and brand loyalty seemed to be the key word when talking about Plant Magic and GHE. Plagron has been making a big push, and it’s paying off, not even mentioned in the last survey, they finished with 5%. Biogreen was up from 1% to 5%. In the first survey, there were 23 brands mentioned. This time, there is a whopping 37. Stores are looking for their own identity by having a slightly more exclusive nutrient offering.
South West 14% GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M
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Question #2 What is Your Best Selling Nutrient?
1 Canna 60% 2 DutchPro 5% 3 Shogun 4% Mills 4% 4 Hydrotops 3% Plagron 3% Plant Magic 3% 5 BioBizz 2% Gold Label 2% Growers Ark 2% Vitalink 2% 6 Biogreen 1% BioNova 1% Chemical Generation 1% Ferro 1% Field Marshall 1% Green Haze 1% Plant Vitality 1% Remo 1% House & Garden 1% Ionic 1% Powder Feeding 1%
Canna is king once again. When it comes to the most sold nutrient in the UK, there is only one, CANNA. In the last survey, they finished with 59%. There are few categories where a brand dominates as Canna does in this one. Again, one of the most expensive lines is #1. As mentioned earlier, UK stores compete fiercely on price. Retail-level discounting on Canna, and Canna Boost, in particular, is now at the point that some stores claim to lose money, just to get a bigger sale. This problem is not exclusive to Canna, but it is amplified when every store carries the same lines, and most customers have no problem playing the bargaining game. After over 20 years of being one of the world’s leading nutrient brands, it seems that getting UK growers to switch from Canna presents quite a challenge.
Question #3 What is Your Favourite Supplement or Additive? Here again, this is about what the respondents prefer, not what sells the best.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9
10
Buddhas Tree
11%
Ecothrive
11%
Xtreme
10%
Canna Boost
8%
Plagron Green Sensation Mammoth P Plant Success Great White Atami Root Stimulant/Bloombastic Dutchpro Explode Hydrotops Flower Bomb/Triple F
7% 6% 5% 4% 4% 4%
Growers Ark Root Tonic House & Garden Roots Excelerator Mills Vitalize Aptus Regulator Evoponic Elixir Steroids Gen 200 Control Superthrive Terpinator BioGreen X-Force Snoop’s Yummy Yield BioCanna Boost CX Regenaroot Bloom - Organic Sweet Hygrozyme Green Planet Massive Moonshine Plant Life Sugar Rush Shogun Sumo Boost Terpenes Rock Resinator
3% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%
Another tie for first and what a pair to be on top! Holding onto #1 in this category is quite a feat. A small homegrown company, Buddhas Tree has certainly impressed stores and growers with their service and products that work, and work really well in the right hands. Buddhas Tree was the favourite last time with 19%. But the competition is fierce, and the landscape keeps changing as growers evolve and learn new techniques. Ecothrive tied in 1st. This small team have worked their butts off teaching growers about Charge, singing the praises of mealworm frass. And UK growers and their plants just love it.
Dutchpro holds onto their second position with 5%. Mills and Shogun tie for 3rd place for the first time at 4%. The real question looking forward - which company will commandingly take the second spot?
And Xtreme’s Mykos and Azos taking 2nd place with 10%, points to one of the biggest stories of this survey - the trend towards biological stimulants. Ecothrive, Xtreme, Hydrotops, Plant Success, and Mammoth P make up 36% of the total vote! Mammoth P is a newcomer that at 6% has certainly caught the market’s attention, and Plant Success’ Great White and Orca are also amongst the favoured beneficials. In the last survey, only Ecothrive, Hydrotops, and Xtreme made the list with a combined 10%. This is a huge shift and shows a positive future for beneficial bacteria, mycorrhizae, and organic gardening in general. These stimulants can be addictive and may change your entire outlook on organic gardening. Canna Boost did well, slightly up from last time. The product, as you will see in the next category, is a very good seller, but due to price competition at the retail level, not so profitable, and therefore, not as popular as it could be. The other story here is the lack of a true market leader. Yes, we have picked a winner based on our survey, but it was a close count and the differential between first and last is only 10%. Note that there are 31 BRANDS. So, it looks like there are too many to really call a definite leader. One thing is clear, products based on beneficial biology are here to stay and will continue to grow in popularity. And, everyone will keep chasing Canna.
26
HYDRO STORE SURVEY
Question #4 What is Your Most Sold Additive?
1 2 3
Canna
Boost & Rhizo
Question #5 38%
What is Your Favourite Carbon Filter?
Buddhas Tree 9-18 & Flower Burst 16% Atami Bloombastic
6%
Dutchpro Explode
5%
4 5 6
Shogun Sumo Boost Biobizz Top Max Advanced Nutrients Big Bud & Overdrive House & Garden Bud XL & Excelerator Plant Magic Plagron Green Sensation Flower Bomb CalMag (generic) Plant Success Great White Mills Vitalize PK Booster (generic) Xtreme Mykos/Azos
4% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2%
7
BioGrow Plant Vitality Superthrive Growers Ark Root Tonic Ecothrive Charge Evoponic Elixir Steroids Gen 200 Control Green Planet - Bud Booster CX Regenaroot Aptus Regulator Plant Life Bud Boom Raw Microbes
1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%
Well, Canna keeps pulling the big numbers and proving that they are #1 and not going anywhere. Plants don’t lie, and growers can’t argue with happy plants. So, the people who have been using Canna and Canna boosters are a hard bunch to switch over. Brand loyalty cannot be bought but has to be earned through consistent results in the garden. That doesn’t mean that everyone else will roll over and stop trying. Looking at the previous question, you would think that some of what stores LOVE would translate into sales. Maybe not yet, but I predict that beneficial biology type products will take a larger share of the additive market. The real question is, who will give Canna a run for their money?
1
SMS
23%
Global Air System’s GHC
23%
Control Freak
19%
Ecotechnics
11%
Rhino Pro DimLux Air Pro RAM Can-Fans (Isomax) DeVa RLC1 Gavita Master Controller GSE Tech Grow
8% 7% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1%
2 3 4 5
6 7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
CarboAir
22%
Mountain Air
17%
CanFilters
13%
Rhino Phresh Kaizen Ram PrimaKlima ProGrow None, that’s right, they don’t really care at all.
12% 10% 2% 1% 1% 1% 21%
Carbon filters are a staple with UK gardeners. But are all carbon filters made equal? If I had to go with what I heard during the survey, CarboAir is doing something right. The team at Global Air Systems hit the ground running and managed to take the top spot, in almost no time at all. Mountain Air has been a strong brand in the UK, staying at 17%, but rising from 3rd to 2nd. Can-Filters maintained third but dropped overall from 17% last time to 13%. Rhino took a dive dropping from 35% to 12%. That is a major shift and wasn’t really explained other than CarboAir taking their share. The other story here is the real second place winner, no one. Many stores (21%) didn’t really care what filter they sold as long as their customers didn’t complain about the quality. Even when pushed a bit, they stuck to none. Can they be won over by good salespeople or marketing, or will they always buy the best deal they can get?
Question #6 What is Your Preferred Environmental Controller Line? Once again, Global Air Systems has made the top spot. With a keen eye for what UK growers want, they have another hit. The GHC is a versatile fan speed controller that can run AC or EC fans and comes with all sorts of fancy settings to dial in the perfect air temps. The SMScom controllers seem to be a staple product in many stores and have been the go-to for years. Their lower end controllers are the big sellers. Control Freak made their Frequency Controller to run AC fans more energy efficiently and silently. All these products basically do the same thing, in different ways. They help control grow room temperature with fans. True environmental control takes into consideration; day and night temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels. Many of the shops said they were really working to get their customers to take environmental control more seriously. And this is reflected with Ecotechnics in 2nd place. If you want to up your game, think about controlling all parameters. It is well worth the investment. GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M
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HYDRO STORE SURVEY
Question #7 What is Your Preferred pH - EC Meter?
1 2 3
4
Bluelab
79%
Essentials
11%
ETI
2%
Grow in Berlin pH
2%
Kaizen
2%
pH Pal Hanna Horiba HM Digital none
1% 1% 1% 1% 1%
At 79%, Bluelab holds the largest margin of victory out of all the questions asked. Congratulations and keep up the good work. “It’s Gotta Be Bluelab!” That was exactly what so many stores said when I asked this question. Up from 59% last time, Bluelab is the undisputed champ of water meters in the UK. The Truncheon, Bluelab’s EC meter, was mentioned by name by almost every shop. It is a sturdy, reliable, and time-tested product. There are cheaper products that can basically do the same thing, but none have displaced Bluelab. Essentials, at 27% in the last survey, dropped to 11% this year. It was often described as a good, inexpensive pH pen. I can’t really say there is a third place at 2%. This only confirms again that UK growers tend to support higherend products that deliver.
Question #9 What percentage of Sales Are Digital Vs. Magnetic Ballasts? In the first survey, 63% of stores said they primarily sell magnetic ballasts, and digital ballasts were just getting noticed by smaller growers. During that time, the double-ended 600s, 750s and even 1000W have gained in popularity. We’ve reached the point that at least 80% of new small growers buy digital ballasts. Most magnetic ballasts are sold to larger operations who want to reduce costs and the risks of significant investments. This makes the overall statistic skewed. One thing is for sure, digital ballasts are taking over, and it’s all because of price. As the price differential between the two shrinks and the benefits of the technology become undeniable, digital ballasts will soon be the choice for all growers.
Question #8 What is Your Favourite Ballast or Ballast Light Kit?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8
Maxi
19%
Maxi 315
13%
Gavita
11%
DimLux
11%
Adjustawings Hellion Solistek A1 Lumii DeVA SunMaster ProGear Kaizen Nanolux Omega Budmaster OCL DE - Century E-Papillon Horti King Ursa Optilux Par Bright - Venture Lumatek
10% 7% 7% 6% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%
Maxigrow has certainly grown, having combined 32% of your vote for favourite ballast. While 19% mentioned different models of digital ballasts from Maxigrow, 13% specifically named the Daylight 315 CMH. Although magnetic ballasts are still big sellers, none were mentioned as a favourite. That 315 CMH model is a big story in lighting. Maxigrow launched this light kit more than five years ago under the Hortilux Schneider brand. But as we know, UK growers can take a minute to decide if they like something. In the case of Maxi’s Daylight 315, it took a few years, but now everyone is recognising their value. Tied for 3rd place are Gavita and Dimlux, both slightly down from last time around with 16% - 11% and 12% - 11% respectively as competition in the HPS DE market heats up. Adjustawings Hellion placed well with 10%. Launched in 2017, the Hellion is their first attempt at creating a lighting system around their very popular reflector. SolisTek, Lumii, and DEva are not that far behind in a market that is now turning double-ended digital. It should be noted that Budmaster is the only LED mentioned.
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29
A SEA OF GREEN IN 2018
HYDRO STORE SURVEY
Question #10 What Is Your Favourite Lamp?
1 2 3 4 5 6
7
Philips
36%
SunMaster
34%
Osram
10%
GroLux Sylvania Solistek 10K Finisher Bay 6 Sunlux GI extreme Lumatek NONE
7% 6% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1%
It seems Philips is back. Well, kind of... the 315 CMH in Maxibright Daylight CMH is a Philips product. Apart from the Green Power SE 600 and 400W, few stores have access to their HPS DE product. Philips pulled their products from certain industries about 4 years ago. During the last survey, their products were difficult to find in the UK and the 20% vote reflected that. It was a combination of lamps that landed them on top this time, with an impressive 42% of their total votes mentioning the CMH 315. Sunmaster is now a close 2nd, with 34%. Although they are down from the first place spot (38% to 34%), it is still an excellent showing. Sunmaster Dual Spectrum was the most popular in their line. Osram is still a respected name, but dropped from 19% to 10%. It seems the CMH lamps are claiming their market share at the expense of all others. A notable 6% for Solistek, whose 10,000 Kelvin lamp is used for specific plant steering for increased resin production in the last week before harvest.
Q u e s t i o n # 11 What is Your Favourite Grow Tent?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10
BudBox
27%
Secret Jardin
14%
Bloomroom
12%
Mammoth Gorilla Homebox Green Cube Lighthouse Trojan Alien - From Dr. Greens Bay 6 Cultilab Black Orchid Dark Room Maxi Growbox none
10% 9% 7% 4% 4% 3% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 5%
BudBox is #1 in a tough category. As one of the first grow tents in the UK, BudBox has helped an evolving market for over 14 years. It seems that the pro-UK sentiment was strong in this category. People mentioned that they prefer to support a UK brand. We know this is kind of funny as all the tents are made in China. But the brand is British and that resonates in the UK. Enough to double sales against the nearest rival. Along with BudBox, Secret Jardin (14%), and Mammoth (10%) were all described as premium brands. Bloomroom (12%), however, came in 3rd because it offers good quality for the price. We have 16 brands in a category with little to differentiate one from the next. Each one of these was described as their favourite tent, with the reasons varying from wanting to sell the best tent possible to trying to maximise value for the money. The top 3 brands won based on quality, not price, again showing UK growers are willing to pay for the good stuff. And let’s not forget the 5% who really couldn’t care less, as long as they don’t come back broken, and they can make some money selling it.
The top 3 brands won based on quality, not price, again showing UK growers are willing to pay for the good stuff
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HYDRO STORE SURVEY
Question #12
Question #13
What is Your Favourite Trade Show?
1 Autopot Summer Social (UK) 2 Spannabis (Spain) 3 Cannafest (Czech Republic) 4 5 6 7
MJBizCon Cultiva (Austria) Indo Expo (United States) Cannabiz (Netherlands) None
54% 34% 6% 3% 1% 1% 1% 11%
I still remember my first Autopot Summer Social like it was yesterday. Seriously, I love that show. There is something special about hanging out with all the top players in the UK industry under the stars, camping in Piddington. Good food, lots to drink, and just good fun with a little business mixed in. Here too, the pro-UK sentiment was apparent. It is the only show in the UK, so you kinda expect it to win. But if you have ever been to Spannabis, and I know a lot of you have, it is some pretty stiff competition. Curry over tapas, and clouds over the sun. Good on Autopot for coming in first and providing the UK shops with an industry-only show and a memorable experience.
Who is Your Favourite Wholesaler?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8
Highlight
33%
HydroGarden
16%
Maxigrow
15%
Growth Tech Nutriculture Century Dutch Garden Supplies Erith Creations Wholesale DB Horticulture GAS Autopot Ikon WHG Ecothrive Fargo Mariner My Plant Life None
7% 6% 4% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 1% 2%
Highlight Horticulture is clear Favourite! With a relatively small crew and up against longtime industry heavyweights, Highlight has risen to the top and overwhelmingly won favourite UK hydro wholesaler. The toughest category for sure, running an efficient multi-million-pound wholesale company is a gargantuan task, especially when a dozen other companies are all vying for the same business. It can be a logistical nightmare and the demand for superior service is no joke. Expectations are high and in order to be the best, mistakes and a bad attitude are no longer tolerated. Having Canna in the UK is a major plus for Highlight, but it is the service behind the product that grows a company. That is what store after store had to say, the service and the way they treat you is more personal, and when they make mistakes, they are easier to deal with. The other big winner is Maxigrow with 15%, up from 8%. Maxi is riding the 315 CMH wave like a champ, and continuing to be UK’s go-to brand for ballasts and lighting. Hydrogarden down from 26% to 16%, Nutriculture from 13% to 6% and Growth Technology from 15% to 6% are a bit of a surprise. Yet, the pie is only so big and competition has never been greater.
Que s t ion #14
How is Business Going Over the Past Year? On a scale from 1 to 10
Up from 7.34 to 7.7 UK shops are busy and doing well. I can tell you for certain the majority of the shops I called were quite busy. It often took several calls to one shop to get someone with 10 minutes to spare. The mood was positive and optimistic. The indoor gardening industry is booming worldwide, and the feeling in the UK is that the best days are still ahead of us. Just like in all sectors of this industry, competition is no joke and stores have to work harder than ever to win retail business. 33
HYDRO STORE SURVEY
Question #15 What is Your Preferred Growing Style and in What Media?
1 2 3
77% Hydroponics (including coco and peat substrates) 12% Organic soil mixes 11% Non-organic soil mixes
Question #16 What was the Best NEW Product/ Technology in the Past Year?
1 2 3
Mammoth P
16%
Maxi’s Daylight 315
12%
Adjustawings Hellion 750 DE
7%
None
10%
So, how are they doing it? 1. 2.
34% 14%
3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
12% 9% 8% 7% 1%
Hand water in plastic pots Top Drip (Recirculating) Deep Water Culture (DWC) Top Drip (Run to Waste) Flood and Drain Tables NFT Autopots Aeroponics
In what media? Of the 77% who choose hydroponically, here is the media breakdown: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
26% Coco 21% Coco and Clay Mix (60/40) 14% No Preference - DWC - Aeroponics 10% Clay Pebbles 9% Rockwool
The winner here is clearly hydroponics. But the story is the increase in the preference of coco and coco mix. Coco users have grown from 25% to 47%. The market actually seems to be regressing in this field as more customers are just filling pots with coco and hand watering. Store owners seem to like more sophisticated systems, but when it comes to the average customer, simple is best. Although organic biostimulants are very popular right now, they are being used in soilless media and not as part of an organic regimen.
There were over 40 other products mentioned in this category. Mammoth P and other beneficial biology products are one of the changes in the UK market. Although growers are not changing over to pure organic gardening, they are starting to use the additives. The other big winner and obvious shift in the market is the new popularity of ceramic metal halide lamps, and in particular, Maxi’s Daylight 315. It is good to see Adjustawings. After 25 years of making reflectors, they have a entered the world of full light kits.
The Great
hydro store 2 018
Conclusion As I wrap up the second Great UK Hydro Store Survey, I feel the future looks bright for UK growers. The market is strong, and so is the desire for shops and growers to reach the next level of growing. When a little more thought and investment turns towards environmental control and automation, it might not be too long before UK growers are considered amongst the best in the world. Keep up the good work and never stop growing.
35 GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M
35
F
BY GRUBBYCUP
L ove e h t r o o
f
Luffas grow your own
36
GROW YOUR OWN: LUFFAS
L
uffas (also known as loofahs or dishrag gourds) produce the versatile luffa sponges in USDA zones 6 or higher. The luffa is in the same family as gourds, cucumbers, melons, and squash. Their black seeds
resemble oversized watermelon seeds and can benefit from a day’s soak in clean water before planting. Luffas require a long (5-7 month) frost-free growing season. You can star t them early indoors before the last frost, though the young plants need careful hardening off when moved outside after the danger of frost is past. They are somewhat prone to transplant shock, but by taking care to disturb the roots as little as possible, this can generally either be avoided or at least kept relatively mild.
Luffas are vining plants, so small individual container trellises will help begin training seedlings started indoors. They can be grown in the ground or in containers with a capacity of at least 20 litres (5-gallons). When planted outdoors, they are frequently placed within reach of a sturdy trellis or chain link fence, as the vines commonly grow 4.5 - 9 meters (15-30”) long and the luffa produces fairly heavy fruits, like a cucumber of equivalent size, until they start to dry out. Luffas hanging from a support tend to grow straighter than those on the ground, which have a tendency to curl as they develop. As luffas are monoecious, they have separate male and female flowers that appear on the same plant. The flowers of both genders are an intense, attractive yellow. The male flowers are found along long stems in clusters of varying maturities and the female flowers have a visible seed pod at the base. If the female flower becomes pollinated, it will develop into a luffa gourd. The flowers mature roughly in order of development, from stem bottom to tips. They are attractive to a variety of pollinators, including ants, and are a favourite of several types of bees. It is also possible to hand-pollinate by removing a recently opened male flower and using it to gently dust the stigma on the pistil of an opened female flower. To help coordinate an overlap in bloom maturity, it produces many more males than female flowers. If desired, you can harvest and eat immature luffas, which taste similar to summer squash or zucchini. One of the common names of immature luffas is “Chinese okra,” which reflects this. If used for cooking, the young, tender luffas are desirable - once the fibres have started to develop, it is considered too mature for eating. Luffas grown for their fibre are allowed to fully mature and are harvested only after they have dried (or close to it) on the vine. The dark green skins will lighten to first a light green, and then to a mottled yellow and brown indicating readiness for harvesting. Luffas ready for harvesting are light in weight and the skin feels ready to separate from the fibre beneath. Being intolerant to freezing, any luffas not ready for harvest will generally be a loss shortly after the first hard frost.
growing luffas instead of buying them can result in substantial cost savings To clean the luffas and prepare them for storage or use, first peel off the outer skin. This exposes the fibrous xylem network that comprises the sponge. The skin usually isn’t difficult to remove and is easily pulled off in chunks using only your fingers. To save the seeds, select the best luffas from the harvest. Cut one end open to shake or rinse out the seeds. Luffas generate many seeds per gourd, so after the first successful harvest, there is generally no shortage for the following year, even keeping only the best. Rinse the luffa sponges well to remove any remaining gel and seeds from the fibres. If desired, a short bath in a dilute bleach solution can whiten the fibres and even out discolourations. Dry the luffas completely, and either put them to use or store them in a container to protect from dust and moisture. Luffa sponges have a very long shelf life when kept clean and dry. The prepared luffa sponges have a variety of uses, and growing luffas instead of buying them can result in substantial cost savings. If purchased at a bath and body store, a single luffa sponge may well cost as much, or more than, an entire pack of luffa seeds. GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM
37
GROW YOUR OWN: LUFFAS
A less well-known (but personal favourite) use of luffa sections is as starting plugs for seedlings
Luffas are often cut to convenient sizes Luffas require using each as small, free-standing and used to scrub bodies or dishes. bottomless fibre pots. They are sturdier Luffas sold commercially for this purpose a long than conventional homemade pressed have proven so popular that a plastic soil cubes and eliminate the need of a (5-7 month) mesh “luffa� was designed and sold as binder as is found in commercial plugs. a cheaper, less ecological, alternative. They are also completely biodegradable frost-free Luffas used as a washing aid will last and as renewable as your next harvest longer and stay cleaner when allowed growing season of luffas. The openings in the fibrous to dry completely, regularly. Rotating sides allow for air pruning, and they between a few different sponges can allow longer drying adapt to growing in soil or hydroponic use. The rounds times between uses. can also be cut and used as an alternative to collars for rooting cuttings in a cloning machine. A less well-known (but personal favourite) use of luffa sections is as starting plugs for seedlings. The interior People have cultivated luffas for food and as a utility of a slice of luffa has a distinctive pattern of holes, which plant for thousands of years, with good reason. can be packed with moist potting mix or coco coir. The With minimal processing, it provides useful fibre in a fibres of the luffa provide an exterior wall which allows convenient shape. 3
GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM
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GREEN PRODUCTS
cool
finds 1
Livi n g S c re e nsaver
Bringing new life to old monitors, Jake Harms upcycles colourful iMacs into small aquariums. A surprisingly beautiful finish, he buffs and polishes the relics to make them look like new. His 3.5-gallon iMacAquariums have integrated daylight LEDs and make a great accent in any room. The custom built acrylic tank features a curved front that perfectly fits the monitor’s shape. Get one ready to add water and fish for $349399 USD (varies by colour). You can also get a DIY Kit that comes with complete instructions and sells for $189USD. International shipping is available. www.bit.ly/imac-aqua
2
Perfe ct fo r U nwindin g Designed and built by Ben Spencer, this nautical themed outdoor chair is 100% upcycled from a wooden cable spool. Beautifully finished, it looks more like fine rustic furniture than the standard spool hacker rendition. Sturdily fastened together with metal rods and anchors. The wood is sanded smooth and protected with stain and sealer, so it will last a lifetime. A gem of an upcycling project. Get a closer look in this video: www.bit.ly/bldr-vid.
40
PIONEER
Grow Books “Two indispensable books” GARDEN CULTURE MAMAPUBLISHING.COM
NEW
GREEN PRODUCTS
cool
finds 3
Smo ki n’ H ot Wheel
It’s hard to believe this sleek looking cooker was once a rusty tire rim. A little sandblasting, high-temperature spray paint and parts from your local hardware store completely transform it. The grates for cooking and coal containment were trickier but designer Joe Peters demonstrates how to acquire the final pieces. Unlike most tire rim BBQ designs you see online, this one requires no welding. It’s also the most stylish. You will need a few common power tools and some woodworking clamps. Get full directions at www.bit.ly/rim-grill. More of Joe Peters work can be found on his site: www.joepeters.crevado.com/wood-working
4
Dig Yo ur Lig ht , M an
This shovel broke in a location that created a perfect slit for light to peek through this unique upcycled lamp. It acts as a standing wall sconce, providing more mood lighting than illumination. You may want to devise a wall anchor of sorts if you have boisterous residents. Whether it’s old or new, you definitely want a D-handle shovel for this project, as it provides a flat surface for stability not possible with a no-handle implement. It involves some sanding, spray paint, and a particular Ikea light kit. A super simple job, even the newbie DIY’er could ace this one. The whole idea was inspired by the shovel. Get the directions from www.bit.ly/dig-lamp.
5
Tran sfo r m e d To mes
An amazingly good looking finish to possibly the easiest DIY project. The materials are probably lying around your house. But if you’re short on huge old books, there are always flea market and garage sale finds. Artfully stacked and decoupage-glued together, the final coat of paint will cover a myriad of blemishes. Starting with a primer, topped by a stain-kill sealer is probably a good idea, so no old dyes or greasy stains can bleed through your paint. White looks great in the room pictured, but any colour will do. Or you could leave the old book cover designs intact with a shellac sealer. Stack construction directions: www.bit.ly/tome-table. 3
42
ALGA-MAX Strengthens the moisture balance Improves bud formation Reduces the effects of abiotic stress Ensures exuberant flowering
BY STEPHEN BROOKES, NPK TECHNOLOGY
pH is important!
The
Power of
M
any articles have been written about the potential of hydrogen, some basic and some advanced. This article will blend the two together and hopefully make the ‘non-believers’ re-assess the vast importance of pH. Every textbook will tell you about the influence pH has, but a lot of growers
will tell you they don’t bother with adjusting or monitoring pH and they get good results. The following will explain why pH is so crucial for specific methods of growing and why some growers seem to get away with not measuring or adjusting, but also why they will never truly reach full potential in their crops. Firstly, a little history about where pH originates.
46
THE POWER OF PH
Plants thrive in slightly acidic media because nutrient availability is highest in mildly acidic conditions What does pH stand for? A much-debated topic, especially with regards to the ‘P’ in pH. It all star ted with the Carlsberg Foundation, founded by J.C. Jacobsen (also the founder of the Carlsberg Brewery), to help with advancing biochemical knowledge related to brewing. During this time, a chemist called Søren Peder Lauritz Sørensen came up with the concept of measuring pH for brewing beer. According to the foundation, the ‘P’ stands for the power of hydrogen. This is fur ther reinforced by the German word for power being potenz and the French word for power being puissance. However, there is also the Latin interpretation of ‘p’ as pondus hydrogenii (quantity of hydrogen) or potentia hydrogenii (capacity of hydrogen). From the evidence, it is most likely correct as the power of hydrogen. In 1934, Arnold Beckman invented the first method of electronically measuring pH in response to Sunkist who wanted more accuracy when measuring their lemons. Fast forward 84 years, and we’re here using their methods to ensure optimal plant growth and health.
The Science The science of pH is phenomenal. What growers need to know is simple compared to the chemistry of hydrogen and hydroxyl ions interacting in water. As an example, here’s the scientific definition of pH; pH is the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration: pH = −log [H +] The square brackets around the H+ automatically mean “concentration” to a chemist, so the equation above basically means that for each 1-unit change in pH, the hydrogen ion concentration changes ten-fold. Pure water has a neutral pH of 7, while pH values lower than 7 are acidic, and pH values higher than 7 are alkaline (basic). The reason we use a logarithmic scale in pH measurements is due to the massive numbers involved. As an example, a strongly acidic solution can have 100,000,000,000,000 (100 trillion) times more H+ ions than a strongly basic solution. The pH scale is open-ended, meaning we can theoretically have -1 pH, but most commonly it is between 0 and 14. It is therefore much easier to use a logarithmic scale rather than writing down all the zeros. Strangely enough, because it is a ten-fold increase or decrease, count the zeros in the number above, and you’ll find it’s a 1, with 14 zeros after it. That’s logarithms!
The science of growing We know that a pH 7 solution is neutral (equal amount of H+ and OH - ions), below 7 is acidic (higher concentration of H+ ions), and a pH above 7 is basic (higher concentration of OH - ions). Why do we need to know this? The vast majority of plants thrive in slightly acidic media because nutrient availability is highest in mildly acidic conditions. The following graph will help you visualise the effect pH has on nutrient uptake.
pH
GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M
47
Prepare to be amazed Transport
Lights on, no damage or burning
Overgrow
Performance and mold control
Now available in the UK with Highlight Horticulture www.opticfoliar.com
THE POWER OF PH
The
Power credit: Agribusiness Pakistan
of
Soft water requires small amounts of acid to lower the pH compared to hard water As the image shows, different elements have a preferred pH for maximum uptake, and it’s for this reason that it is better to allow the pH to drift slowly over time and not held steadfast at single pH values. Most often the pH will rise during vegetative growth depending on the environment and the nutrients used. This is because the plant will donate ions (H+) to accept positive (+) ions and vice-versa to maintain an equilibrium. Positive ions are called cations, and negative ions are called anions. During a time of heavy vegetative growth with good lighting, the plant roots typically take up nearly all their nitrogen as nitrate. When a plant takes up nitrate (NO3-), it releases hydroxyl ions (OH -), which increases the pH in the nutrient reservoir. When the plant takes up ammonium (NH 4+), Ca 2+, K+, or Mg 2+ it releases a proton (H+) to the soil solution and this increase of hydrogen ion concentration thereby decreases the pH of the nutrient solution. This is why in hydroponics we tend to see fluctuations of pH as the plant uptakes different nutrients. Plants are very good at maintaining and changing their environment to ensure healthy growth. Changing it too much by adding lots of pH down or up can disturb the plant and slow growth. Fur thermore, pH down is usually sold as phosphoric acid or nitric acid. These acids will donate an H+ ion to lower the pH and then become available as phosphorus or nitrogen, but adding too much to try and maintain a set pH can lead to imbalance and an excess of either nitrogen or phosphorus. Therefore, try to use nitric acid in vegetative growth and phosphoric acid in bloom.
Hard and soft water What defines hard water and soft water? Soft water is anything with between 0-100mg/l calcium carbonate content, slightly hard to moderately hard has 100-200 mg/l, and hard to very hard has any amount above 200 mg/l. In growers’ terms, that means tap water with an EC of 0.1-0.5 is considered soft and above 0.5 is considered hard water. However, do not confuse soft water with always being great and hard water as always being bad for plant growth. The hardness only comes from elements that are multivalent ions like calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+), not monovalent like sodium (Na+) or chlorine (Cl-), so soft water could contain lots of chlorine and sodium, which are detrimental to plant growth in large amounts. It is much better to filter your water with an RO (reverse osmosis) machine, and then build up the nutrient profile as you need. When you adjust pH in your reservoir, it’s impor tant to know whether your water is hard or soft. Soft water requires small amounts of acid to lower the pH compared to hard water, which needs a significant amount of acid due to the buffering effect of the calcium. Lastly, for soft water hydroponic growers, adding a cal-mag product at the beginning can increase the buffering capacity of the solution, so that pH swings are reduced.
pH for organic gardening? Maintaining pH is much easier when growing plants organically. Organic nutrients with the array of microbes and mycorrhizae, stabilize soil pH and help the plants selfadjust as their needs change.
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THE POWER OF PH
The
Power of
it is better to allow the pH to drift slowly over time
The non-pH growers? Fully organic soil will have a higher pH level than substrate fed with mineral-based fer tilizers. Due to interactions between the bacteria, plant, and mycorrhizae, there is a continual adjustment of plant nutrient uptake. Mycorrhizae produce a slime which increases pH, and nitrifying bacteria thrive in a slightly higher pH of 6.2+. Organic growers, sit back and chill, your pH microbe army has it under control.
pH tools? The most common tool for pH measurement is a pH pen. This measures the hydrogen ion concentration in water, which then calculates whether the solution is acidic, neutral, or alkali. It does this by measuring the electric potential between the pH electrode and a reference electrode; the difference is then displayed as a pH reading. Pens need calibrating either electronically or manually. The standard calibration pen will go into a known pH 7.0 solution and turned with a small screwdriver until the display reads 7.0. If electrically calibrated, the pen will go into a known pH 7.0 solution, and a calibration button pressed to set at the correct point. The better pH pens will also require a fur ther calibration with a known pH 4.0 solution to increase accuracy and reliability. Top Tip: Never trust your pH pen 100%! Use your intuition and experience to confirm with the pH pen that your solution is correct. If one week your new reservoir solution is suddenly 5.0 when it is usually 5.8, don’t make adjustments straight away, check to see if the pen needs cleaning, calibrating, etc. and maybe have a backup pen to double-check readings. Lastly, if you’re having accuracy issues, buy some KCL (potassium chloride) solution and store your probe in there for 24 hours. This essentially re-sets the fluids in the pen to increase reliability. New technology recently developed, allows you to place a tube into a reservoir which acts as a buffer, keeping the pH between 5.8-6.2, the most prominent in the UK being the Torus Hydro, perfect for the non-pH growers…
You’re an unruly lot, and things seem to always work out just fine for you. This says a lot for how well plants can cope in less than favourable conditions, and how good nutrient manufacturers are making their base feeds to allow for non-measurement of pH while still allowing you to get good results. I know lots of people who don’t measure or adjust pH, yet they grow good crops. However, there is growing good crops, and then there is growing optimal crops. The reason you can produce a good crop without pH measurement is that you’ve been lucky, the base feed you use lowers the pH naturally to a desirable zone, and uses buffering elements to resist pH movement in solution. Still, the problems you can encounter are multiple. A period with the pH above 6.8 or below 5.2 drastically reduces the uptake of nutrients, or even worse, causes a reaction that makes the nutrients become unavailable. This leads to deficiencies or even toxicities in some cases, which slows growth and leads to a lower yielding crop. Secondly, knowing what pH level you should have and where it is, can give you pre-warning of root issues, such as pythium, taking hold - which would show the pH dropping significantly over time. Lastly, pH rising over time can be an indicator of healthy nutrient uptake and growth during the vegetative period. So, measuring pH will give you a pat on the back for a job well done, if you decide to star t measuring it.
Conclusion pH is impor tant! It takes less than 5 minutes to measure and adjust to the optimal levels, which will improve your crop’s health and, ultimately, your yield. You may have been a grower for ten years and gotten along just fine without measuring pH, but remember the problem you had that time? Imagine if by spending 5 minutes measuring and adjusting pH, you could have prevented that problem… 3
BIO:
Stephen Brookes is a science fanatic, hydroponics obsessed bookworm that works at NPK Technology. He has a bachelor degree of Science in Outdoor Education and Geography, MSc in Nutrition and Scientific Investigation, and is now working on his PhD, researching the effects of different ratios of cannabinoids in the human body. Motto: The more you learn, the less you know!
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WHAT’S GROWING ON
Who’s Growing
t a h W Wh
ere
1.
Cardiff, Wales
in the UK
Influential Spuds & Peepers
Credit: Courtesy of Eggseeds
Would you identify potatoes as the one crop that inspires people to grow food? Sam Holt did. He says they are the gateway veg. And he’s proven that theory with his Grow Your Own Potatoes Project. Get people growing spuds, and suddenly they’re bitten by the gardening bug, wanting to know what else they can grow. The humble spud is a big influencer in Cardiff, especially in schools, the key target for Sam’s Eggseeds business.
2.
Eggseeds has an egg hatching project, and teachers love the results. The kids start out with unhatched eggs and an incubator, then raise the chicks to maturity to populate the chicken coop. All schools should have chickens, they’re an engaging asset to the garden. But they also inspire children to get more involved in learning. Sam’s involvement in Cardiff Transition has helped fuel the now 65-some community growing projects in the city. Eggs and potatoes; a foundation for countless good things. Learn more: www.eggseeds.com
Totnes, Devon
Bigger Than Life
It’s an open farm where the public is welcome for a visit or to pitch in as volunteers. Children are always welcome, as experience in the garden leads to a life of enjoying and, hopefully, growing vegetables. And it’s a place of serious study for the horticultural program students at local Schumacher and Bicton Colleges. Said students often do their training and internship here. Spreading sustainability around town and into the future. Learn more: www.bit.ly/sch-farm
Credit: Courtesy of School Farm
Old School Farm has a multi-faceted impact on their community. It began as a veg box garden in 2010 with a focus on providing people around Totnes with high quality food that was both ecologically and locally grown. Founded by four women on land leased from Dartington Hall, the no dig farm has grown from 20 original CSA members to 70 today.
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WHAT’S GROWING ON
’s o h Wrowing G
t a h W Where
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in the UK
Broompark, Durham
The People’s Farm Just 2 miles outside of Durham City sits the 15-acre Cooke’s West Wood Farm worked by a cooperative known as Abundant Earth. The group is very active in the local Transition Durham project and keen on sustainable practices and land-based skills. They seek to change the world around them through locally grown food and knowledge.
Credit: Courtesy of Abundant Earth
They have practiced permaculture since the first day of soil preparation, and follow organic growing methods. Abundant Earth provides the people of Durham with a CSA veg box scheme and farm fresh eggs. Along with the chickens and tree fruits, they raise sheep for meat and wool, do some woodland management, and teach craft courses working with materials gathered on their farm. In addition to co-op members, they welcome volunteer help from the community at large. A smallholding community since 2006. Learn more: www.abund-earth
Bread & Beets
Tetbury, Gloucestershire
You might not instantly connect a mill with garden fresh vegetables, but the two go together for John Lister, owner of Shipton Mill. It’s not a market garden. He’s strictly into flours, of such high quality its used in more artisan breads in Britain than any other label. Lister employs Ella Hashemi and Emily Thomas solely to raise organic produce for his staff. They grow all manner of goodness using biodynamic methods, and the mill workers pick it as it ripens to take home for dinner. Potatoes, peas, and a paycheck! Credit: Courtesy of Feeding Body and Soul
4.
Extraordinary, no? But it seems Lister isn’t your average flour maker. It’s all organic, beyond excellent quality. The derelict mill in ruins inspired John to restore it back into working order, and sources some of its grain from the surrounding area, much like the original miller did in the 1300’s. An interesting story about quality foods produced in sustainable ways. Learn more: www.bit.ly/mill-abt 3
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CBD in the UK
This product is the result of extensive preclinical research on CBD in epilepsy
58
CBD
The UK is the most prominent producer and exporter of CBD in the world for medicinal and scientific use!(1) “In a recent report from UN’s International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), the UK produced 95 tonnes of legal cannabis in 2016, up more than double on the previous year. This accounted for around 45 percent of the world total, and the UK exported 2.1 tonnes in the same year, which made up more than two thirds (67.7 percent) of the world total.”(2) CBD stands for Cannabidiol, and it is one of 113 cannabinoids (that we know of) in the cannabis plant. It has no psychoactive effects and may have a therapeutic effect on anxiety due to its anxiolytic compounds.(3) It has also been researched for its medicinal effects on addiction, inflammation, and epilepsy.(4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
CBD and THC are the main constituents of the cannabis plant, in many countries illegal, classifying cannabis as a class B drug or narcotic, which has no recognised medicinal value, including the UK. However, the UK has recently allowed CBD to flourish with certain strains of Cannabis that contain less than 0.2% of THC, which can now be legally grown here with a license and the oil extracted for medicinal use. A big announcement in November 2017 from the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) meant that they were making stricter regulations and control on the sale of CBD. An MHRA spokesperson said: “We have come to the opinion that products containing cannabidiol (CBD) used for medical purposes are a medicine. Medicinal products must have a product licence (marketing authorisation) before they can be legally sold, supplied or advertised in the UK, unless exempt. Licensed medicinal products have to meet safety, quality and efficacy standards to protect public health.
Should patients be allowed to grow and consume their own medicine and what would be the implications of this? If you use CBD and if you have any questions, speak to your GP or other healthcare professional. We have written to UK CBD stockists and manufacturers to inform them of our view. We can provide regulatory guidance to any company who may wish to apply for a licence.”(13)
Who is legally growing cannabis in the UK? GW Pharmaceuticals is the most well-known pharmaceutical company licensed to produce and sell cannabis products in the UK market. In operation since 1998, the company has produced their lead product, Epidiolex,
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Plant Life = Good Life Available to buy in the U.K. For wholesale, contact: Eden Horticulture or Erith Horticulture.
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Welcome to Plant Life, We offer premium CBD (cannabidiol) Oil products available to purchase in the U.K. Our CBD hemp oil products are made from premium grade, full-spectrum hemp. We ensure our products are of the highest quality; offering our customers the absolute real deal to create a stable equilibrium in your mind & body providing wellbeing & happiness in your life.
CBD
It has no psychoactive effects and may have a therapeutic effect on anxiety
since 2007. This product is the result of extensive preclinical research on CBD in epilepsy and has significant antiepileptic and anticonvulsant activity using a variety of models. A question on many people’s minds is that with the UK classifying cannabis as a class B drug or narcotic, which has no recognised medicinal value, why can some companies grow and supply elements of the cannabis plant? Should patients be allowed to grow and consume their own medicine and what would be the implications of this?
Where can you buy CBD? There are many outlets for CBD in the UK, the most significant and a recent seller is Holland and Barrett’s, where they sell Jacob Hooy CBD+ Oil 5% for £60 per 30ml bottle, along with other companies’ products. This, however, is from cold-pressed hemp seeds rather than from the flower of the cannabis plant and leads us to wonder if there is a significant distinction between hemp seed oil and CBD oil.
Hemp oil vs CBD oil Hemp oil comes from the seeds of the hemp plant and is usually a cold-pressed extraction, and though nutritious, it has low or
unproven medicinal effects. CBD oil, on the other hand, comes from the flowers of the cannabis plant and is an extraction with much evidence proving its therapeutic effects. Hemp oil has high levels of omega acids, but relatively low levels of CBD compared to CBD oil which can contain 2-99.9% CBD, depending on the source. People looking for CBD for medicinal uses need to make sure they are buying CBD oil and not a product derived from hemp seed. CBD is fast becoming prevalent in the UK, through increased research and consumer knowledge. Unfortunately, when a product is in high demand, unscrupulous companies can make money by marketing and selling inferior forms of a good product. The positives are that CBD is becoming extensively researched and therefore, consumer awareness will also increase, which may lead to the whole plant becoming medicinally viable in the UK. 3
References 1. 2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
https://www.incb.org/incb/en/precursors/technical_reports/2017. html https://www.standard.co.uk /news/uk /uk-is-the-worlds-largestsupplier-of-legal-cannabis-report-by-un-body-reveals-a3782866. html Lee, J., Bertoglio, L., Guimarães, F. and Stevenson, C. (2017). Cannabidiol regulation of emotion and emotional memory processing: relevance for treating anxiety-related and substance abuse disorders. British Journal of Pharmacology, 174(19), pp.32423256. Shannon S, Opila-Lehman J (December 2015). “Cannabidiol Oil for Decreasing Addictive Use of Marijuana: A Case Report”. Integrative Medicine. 14 (6): 31–5. Prud’homme M, Cata R, Jutras-Aswad D (2015). “Cannabidiol as an Intervention for Addictive Behaviors: A Systematic Review of the Evidence”. Substance Abuse. 9: 33–8. Ribeiro A, Ferraz-de-Paula V, Pinheiro ML, Vitoretti LB, MarianoSouza DP, Quinteiro-Filho WM, Akamine AT, Almeida VI, Quevedo J, Dal-Pizzol F, Hallak JE, Zuardi AW, Crippa JA, Palermo-Neto J (March 2012). “Cannabidiol, a non-psychotropic plant-derived cannabinoid, decreases inflammation in a murine model of acute lung injury: role for the adenosine A(2A) receptor”. European Journal of Pharmacology. 678 (1–3): 78–85.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11. 12.
13.
Li K, Feng JY, Li YY, Yuece B, Lin XH, Yu LY, Li YN, Feng YJ, Storr M (January 2013). “Anti-inflammatory role of cannabidiol and O-1602 in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice”. Pancreas. 42 (1): 123–9. Costa B, Trovato AE, Comelli F, Giagnoni G, Colleoni M (February 2007). “The non-psychoactive cannabis constituent cannabidiol is an orally effective therapeutic agent in rat chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain”. European Journal of Pharmacology. 556 (1–3): 75–83. Friedman D, Devinsky O (September 2015). “Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Epilepsy”. The New England Journal of Medicine. 373 (11): 1048–58. Welty TE, Luebke A, Gidal BE (September 2014). “Cannabidiol: promise and pitfalls”. Epilepsy Currents. 14(5): 250–2. doi:10.5698/1535-7597-14.5.250. Gloss D, Vickrey B (March 2014). “Cannabinoids for epilepsy”. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(3): CD009270. Devinsky O, Cross JH, Laux L, Marsh E, Miller I, Nabbout R, Scheffer IE, Thiele EA, Wright S (May 2017). “Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome”. The New England Journal of Medicine. 376 (21): 2011–2020. doi:10.1056/ NEJMoa1611618. PMID 28538134. https://www.gov.uk /government/news/mhra-statement-onproducts-containing-cannabidiol-cb
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BY KRIS WHITTEN
Air Filtration for indoor gardening
64
AIR FILTRATION
filtration of intake air is highly impor tant
W
hen we think of air filtration in regards to indoor gardening, the first thought that comes to mind is odour control. Discretion is a top priority of gardening indoors and most, if not all, indoor gardeners use activated charcoal filters (carbon filters) to prevent offensive, incriminating
odours emanating from their gardens. CEA (controlled environment agriculture) gardeners will use carbon filters to continuously “scrub” the air in the gardening space to remove odour. Gardens that rely on exchanging the air inside the garden with fresh outside air (air exchange) use carbon filters to remove odours from the air they are exhausting. Air exchange setups require an inlet to allow fresh air to enter the space and replace the air being exhausted. The focus of this ar ticle is the impor tance of filtering “intake air.”
Unfiltered intake inlets allow pests, mould, and mildew spores to freely enter The benefits of filtering intake air are twofold. Indoor gardens that rely on air exchange for climate control are more susceptible to plant pests, and mildew vs CEA rooms. Unfiltered intake inlets allow pests, mould, and mildew spores to freely enter the garden. Once inside, these contaminants quickly become established and wreak havoc on plants. Filtering the intake air is essential if you want to keep your garden pest and disease-free. The principles of air filtration are quite complex. Entire books have been written about the subject. In layman terms, air filters are devices composed of fibrous materials that remove solid par ticulates such as dust, pollen, mould, and bacteria from the air. They can be composed of many different materials, such as fibreglass, paper, polyester, cotton, carbon, steel, and polyurethane foam. They are typically “pleated” like an accordion to increase overall surface area. Iner tial impaction, interception, sieving, diffusion, electrostatic attraction, and airspeed combined with porosity and thickness of the fibres dictate what size
par ticles are trapped. Porosity and thickness determine the air flow resistance (a.k.a. pressure drop). You are probably familiar with the term HEPA filter. HEPA is an acronym that originally stood for highefficiency par ticulate absorber. Also sometimes called high-efficiency par ticulate arresting or high-efficiency par ticulate arrestance. HEPA was a rating created in the 1940’s during the Manhattan Project by the US government for filtering airborne nuclear par ticles as small as .3 micron with 99.97% efficiency. Eventually, HEPA became a generic term for highly efficient filters. Minimum efficiency repor ting value (MERV) is a measurement scale developed in the late 1980s in an attempt to rate air filter effectiveness. Unfor tunately, the testing method used to determine a filters’ MERV rating is flawed, therefore, doesn’t accurately represent filtration ability. Particulates are measured in microns. The smaller the particle, the smaller its micron rating. For example, a human
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AIR FILTRATION
The benefits of filtering intake air are twofold
hair is 50-150 micron. Particles 2 microns in size and smaller are invisible to the human eye. Mould and mildew spores can range from 1-200 micron. Keeping mould and mildew spores out of our gardens is paramount, so choosing a filter that removes particles 1 micron and higher at as close to 99% as possible is of utmost importance. Are you confused yet? Officially mind blown? Wondering how the aforementioned information translates in regards to filtering your intake air? We haven’t even gotten into the strengths and weaknesses of the different types of air filters that you can implement in your indoor garden. There are multiple options available from DIY homebrewed solutions to products readily available at your local hydro store. Let’s discuss the pitfalls of the most common methods indoor gardeners use to filter their intake air. In the spirit of full disclosure, let it be known that I am the inventor and manufacturer of the Dust Shroom reticulated foam intake filter.
Pantyhose? I confess. I’ve attempted to use pantyhose as an intake filter. It’s almost as effective as using a spaghetti strainer to bail water out of a sinking boat. Or using red Christmas lights to grow indoor tomatoes. This might keep large insects and birds out but isn’t wor th the risk of shoplifting them, the humblest ion of actually purchasing them, or sleeping on the couch when your significant other realises you got them out of her dresser.
HVAC filters It is possible to fabricate an intake filter using readily available home ventilation replacement filters from your
local home improvement store. You would need to design an air tight “box” to hold the filter and duct it into your garden. Depending on the filter’s resistance and the CFM rating of your exhaust fan, you may need to add an intake fan to help overcome the resulting airflow loss. Gardens that rely on air exchange need to be able to replace the cubic volume of air inside the growing space in a minimum of 5 minutes, preferably 1-2 minutes. To calculate this multiply the garden’s width x length x height (in feet) to determine how many cubic feet you have. Fans are rated in cubic feet per minute. Size your fans accordingly, taking into consideration air flow restrictions caused by intake and carbon filters.
Indoor gardening specific filters There are numerous intake filters marketed specifically for indoor gardening. The options range from coneshaped pleated filters made from fabric, coconut husk, or charcoal fibre to inline filters that use replaceable elements, or reticulated foam coated in oil (known as wet filtration). Both pleated cone filters and inline filters with replaceable panel elements are highly restrictive. Like with DIY HVAC filters, you need to compensate for these restrictive proper ties when selecting fan sizes. Wet reticulated foam filters have minimal air restriction and superior filtration abilities, but require monthly or bi-monthly cleaning and re-oiling to maintain effectiveness. In conclusion, filtration of intake air is highly impor tant. You should select an intake filter that removes the highest percentage of par ticles down to 1 micron and offers the least amount of airflow restriction possible. 3
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f you haven’t heard, edible flowers are big on this year’s food trends list. Sure, they add bright pops of gorgeous colour and impart delightful aromas or flavours, but there’s a lot more going on. Many flowers, like the plants that bear them, contain compounds that offer mental and physical health benefits.Take a clue from their rich colours - a sure sign of strong
phytonutrient, flavonoid, and antioxidant presence in fruits and vegetables. Broccoli or cauliflower in the garden bolting? Let the blooms form and eat them; they contain many of the same perks as the vegetable. Goldenrod, a bane to many with allergies, relieves allergy symptoms! It also aids digestion. Roses are rich in Vitamin C and so are marigolds, but the latter also contains more lutein and zeaxanthin than kale or spinach! Chrysanthemums and dianthus pack a potassium punch, while borage is rich in iron. The antioxidants in hibiscus flowers prevent cholesterol deposits. Violas and violets offer antiinflammatory effects, and nasturtiums contain antibiotics. That’s just a sampling of flower eating benefits. Obviously, it’s time to plant as many of the 42 different palatable, safe-toeat posies as possible, and do some in-depth research. You probably already grow some of these every summer. FYI: Eat only the coloured parts of the petals, unless otherwise documented.
Hibiscus Chrysanthemums
• • •
http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/edible-flowerslist.html https://www.livestrong.com/article/179060-thebenefits-of-lotus-seeds/ https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/ archive/2012/04/18/42-edible-flowers.aspx
CREDIT: Sunset Magazine
Learn more/Sources:
Goldenrod, a bane to many with allergies, relieves allergy symptoms! It also aids digestion
Goldenrod
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WATER QUALITY
BY MARCO SPOMER - HYDROLOGIC PURIFICATION SYSTEMS
What’s in Your Water, Counts
T
C A LCI U M , M AGNESIUM, AND P OTA S SI U M L I V E I N A D EL I C AT E BAL ANCE WITHIN PL ANTS
here is a myriad of substances that can end up in the water you are feeding your plants. For gardening, the main indicator of water quality is hardness. Hardness is the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium, the most abundant minerals in tap water, which makes up the majority of the ppm in your water.
The most typical form of these minerals in untreated water is calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. Unfortunately for gardeners, and contrary to popular belief, these forms are virtually unusable by plants, especially fast-growing plants. The molecules of these compounds are far too large and immobile to be absorbed by the roots and transported to where the plant needs them. And, beyond a certain amount of hardness, your plants can show nutrient lockout problems. Other minerals in water can also impede proper plant growth. Too much iron, manganese, lead, copper, or zinc can lead to lockout and deficiency problems. And, you can never accurately control the amounts of critical inputs your plants need to feed correctly. The Right Amount of Calcium... Does Wonders Calcium and magnesium are common inputs in everyone’s garden. They are the building blocks and catalysts that allow plants to flourish. Most experienced gardeners supplement their feed regimen with extra calcium and magnesium (CalMag), especially those with hydroponic gardens. Calcium is an essential part of the plant’s cell wall structure and improves the absorption of other nutrients by the roots and their translocation within the plant. It activates a number of plant growth-regulating enzyme systems, helps convert nitrate-nitrogen into forms needed for protein formation, and contributes to improved disease resistance. Calcium is an intracellular messenger, sending a signal from one cell to another, telling other cells how to react or what to do, as well as a cofactor in many enzymatic reactions. Its presence is needed to turn an enzyme on or off and allow it to catalyse a reaction.
However, calcium, magnesium, and potassium live in a delicate balance within plants. Too much of one will inhibit the other two.
The Water Solution Starting with pure water, as close to zero ppm as possible, allows you to add calcium and magnesium in the quantities required during each phase of growth. Every other part of the nutrient formula can also be specified to exact amounts. Being able to control precisely what makes up the ppm of your plant food will allow you to dial-in amazing results and have rich harvests every time. You won’t have to worry about nutrient deficiencies or lockout problems if you start with pure water. Well or spring-sourced water is often excellent, and although it may be healthy for humans to consume, the mineral content is usually way too high for your plants. For instance, orchids and bonsai plants are very sensitive to excess minerals and chlorine. A good reverse osmosis (RO) system will remove all contaminants from the water. RO systems are affordable and do not require anything else but proper water pressure to make them do their thing. Distillation will do the same thing, but is costly and uses lots of energy. Starting with water that is pure allows you to dial-in the perfect feed program and realise the biggest flowers and tastiest fruits you can imagine. Growers that use RO water can never go back to tap water after seeing the enormous difference it makes on their harvests. Knowledge is the key when it comes to this important component of a garden, whether it’s indoor or outdoor, hydroponics or dirt farming. The quality of your water can be the magic bullet to achieving optimum results, every time. 3
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BY EVAN FOLDS
Indoor Container Gardens
Growing in containers is much more about growing the plant, not the soil
I
n the year 1800, only 3 percent of the world’s population lived in urban areas. By the year 2008, for the first time, the world’s population was evenly split between urban and rural living. In our increasingly urban world where people are busy, and convenience is
king, container gardening is wildly popular. Research estimates the average home has 4.2 planters. With an estimated 126,220,000 million households in the United States that is 530,124,000 billion containers! Whoa.
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CONTAINER GARDENS
One question that is always hotly debated is whether to buy or make your own potting soil
Container gardening is an art form, expressing itself through methods of watering, styles of containers, but most importantly, the quality of the potting soil. We are going to explore some tricks of the potting soil trade for indoor gardening.
contamination. Many cheap varieties sold as “compost” have aged animal manure in them that can easily be contaminated and can leach fertility from the crop you are growing as it decomposes. If you are going to buy soil, you get what you pay for, and there is nothing more important. Most good potting soils will provide a couple of weeks of The holy grail of potting soil is to be able to mix it up and ideal fertility before you will want to start supplementing merely water it for the life of the plant. While this may with fertiliser. Soilless mixes will cost you a bit less, but be possible for light feeders, like greens or other short require nutrients, right from the beginning. The artificial cycled varieties, it is unrealistic for vs natural fertiliser question always flowering plants in production. Can arises, but this is simply a matter you get a pepper plant to produce of preference. Just keep in mind in the United with a heavy custom potting mix and that using salts will ensure that you water? Yes. Will it produce what it need to flush your soil over time, States that is is capable of when compared to a which natural fertilisers do not this 530,124,000 feed schedule with greater precision require. billion containers! and targeted inputs over time? No. It is better, and why not be the best? A method gaining in popularity for Whoa indoor grows is a no-till approach. The advantage of indoor container While considered ideal because of gardens is the ability to have a more the ability to get “off the bottle” and targeted and streamlined approach the cost savings of using microbes relative to outdoor, in-ground, or to generate adequate food, new acreage growing. You can get your gardens can suffer until the microbial hands around the entire garden, you colonisation is mature enough, which, can maximise resources, you can as mentioned above, is no easy task. feed at the right time, even down to Unless you are prepared to go all the hour and generally provide for in and tend to the trial and error of the plant what it is asking for given listening to your plants’ specific the stage of growth of the crop. requirements and allow your soil to mature Relative to growing in mature soil over the seasons, in the ground, growing in containers is much more about this method can be growing the plant, not the soil. Absolutely incorporate challenging. Seeking soil microbes in your indoor container garden, but the out growers that microbes responsible for soil in the Earth need many have accomplished seasons to organise to their potential and mitigate the need this on their own is a to bring fertility from fertilisers. Using organic fertilisers good starting point. only compliments the work soil microbes will be able to do in the container garden time frame. Any gardening project should be budget conscious. One question that is always hotly debated is whether to buy or make your own potting soil. If you are going to purchase your potting soil, do not get the cheap stuff. Too many times, growers try to cut corners with economy out-of-the-bag mixes, and it stunts or otherwise ruins the crop with heavy salts, fungus gnats, or some other
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You Deserve the Best and So Do Your Plants
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CONTAINER GARDENS
Too many times growers try to cut corners on economy out-of-the-bag mixes
For any indoor grow of scale, a diversity of natural ingredients, Ancient forestr y premium potting mix is no small like vegetable and animal meals, expense. The cost gets up there that will be more slow-release. Use areas will likely quick, which is why many choose mineral sources that fit your budget, provide a wide to formulate their own potting soil. such as rock dusts and sea minerals, range of bacteria When doing this, pay attention with an emphasis on ensuring soil to the ratio of water-retaining microbes are present from a good and fungi ingredients (peat moss, coir, etc.) humus source or compost tea. to water drainage materials (perlite, Brewing compost tea is an excellent sand, rice hulls, etc.). A mix that way to ensure proper microbial drains well is going to ensure that your roots can respire inoculation over time in the indoor container garden. I like more and can aid in the growth potential of your crop, but to think of microbes as construction workers. Your job as it means you will have to water more frequently. the contractor is to bring the microbes to the job site, over and over. It is not possible to build a neighbourhood in a A good ratio for a drainage mix is 1-2 parts water-retaining day! ingredients to 1 part drainage ingredients. If you prefer to water less often, 3 to 1 is a better ratio. If you are creating While it costs less in materials to mix your own soil relative a mix for seedlings or cuttings, where you will be more to buying it premixed, without some convenience planning, attentive to watering, a 1 to 1 ratio is recommended. it can cost just as much in time. But don’t be discouraged, the chore will get easier with repetition. Mixing on an open The retaining and drainage ingredients will calibrate your floor is somewhat cumbersome. Making a framed wooden moisture levels, but they don’t do much for crop fertility. box approximately 120x180x30cm raised off the floor Everyone always wants a recipe for soil mixes, but rather will not cost much and, not only will this small investment than offer specifics, I suggest doing your own research for contain the mix as you blend your ingredients, it will save formulas. They are all over the map. Being specific always your back. When you get tired of the manual mixing, you results in people thinking they are going to do it wrong, can step your game up to an automated mixer. They can stressing to find particular ingredients, locally. Focus on using vary in price, depending on volume and specs.
Perlite is a good water drainage materials
Coco-coir is a good water-retaining ingredient
GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M
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you can actually develop a fertility profile for the type of crop you are growing Once you have a handle on the process and you have The effort of testing your soil also brings into play the balanced the budget to see how much you are spending concept of strain-specific fertility. If you are growing the over time, it may make sense to consider reusing your same type of plant continuously, especially using clones, you potting mix. Entirely possible, but takes more than simply will find that the plant species being grown pulls relatively harvesting and replanting. You must re-amend the mix with the same fertility profile from the soil mix. After you consideration of what the plants used in the first round, define your ingredients, take a baseline soil test. Then run so minerals are balanced for the your crop, making sure to record next crop. The best way to do this not only the volumes of your is through routine base saturation recipe ingredients but the relative This is why soil testing. I have worked with many amounts of inputs used through the many choose to small and commercial growers in this life of the crop. capacity using methods I developed formulate their for an organic lawn company I had Once the grow is complete, take own pot ting soil years ago. Combined with living another soil test and compare microbes, the results are amazing. the data from the baseline test. In doing this, you can actually develop a fertility profile for the type of crop you Mixing soil are growing that will tell you the amount of each element used during growth. This data can then be used to alter the original soil recipes and refine the amount and spectrum of inputs. Whatever you do, make sure to experiment. Using different recipes within the same grow can teach you, more than anything, about what works best. Container growing does not have to be an exact science, but the more attention you pay to the ingredients you are using and the way your crop is performing, the more efficient and productive it can be. 3
Evan Folds is a regenerative agricultural consultant with a background across every facet of the farming and gardening spectrum. He has founded and operated many businesses over the years - including a retail hydroponics store he operated for over 14 years, a wholesale company that formulated beyond organic products and vortex-style compost tea brewers, an organic lawn care company, and a commercial organic wheatgrass growing operation.
Bio
He now works as a consultant in his new project Be Agriculture where he helps new and seasoned growers take their agronomy to the next level.What we think, we grow! Contact Evan at www.BeAgriculture.com or on Facebook and Instagram @beagriculture
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FAKE T
OR NOT?
BY THEO TEKSTRA, GAVITA INTERNATIONAL B.V.
he biggest response I ever got on a social media post was April 1, 2017, when I “introduced the Gavita Laser Lights” on Facebook. For those who want to read it, I included a link at the bottom of the ar ticle. Obviously, this was an April Fools post, but it was incredible to see how
long this thing lasted, and I still get (serious) questions and inquiries about it. Mixing fiction with credible data can make a compelling (false) argument, and sometimes reality is stranger than fiction. So, here is the challenge: I will write a short article every edition, and it is up to you to decide whether this is fact or fiction. Call it an exercise in critical thinking and fact checking. FAKE or not? Discuss Episode 2: Spectrum Hardly Influences Photosynthesis online at GCMag.co/Fake-or-Not. The truth comes out May 15, 2018.
Spec tr um Hardly Inf luences Photosynthesis Photosynthesis Let’s first get this out in the open: the spectrum of a wide range of lamps has minimal effect on photosynthesis. That is, if the plants are healthy. If you measure the photosynthesis of plants under a variety of lamps, from incandescent to LED, you will not see a lot of difference. Don’t believe me? Look at research that Bruce Bugbee did back in 1994.1 A quote:
Now, we all know that you can’t grow a decent plant under LPS or incandescent, the first has a too narrow spectrum and the latter way too much infrared. It just illustrates that the spectrum is not so much the main driver for efficient photosynthesis. There are many other plant processes that require various wavelengths (colours) of light.
“PHOTOSYNTHETIC R ATE IS SURPRISINGLY LITTLE AFFECTED BY LIGHT QUALITY FROM STANDARD L AMPS.”
But how about the McCree curve? It clearly shows that green is about 25% less efficient than other colours of light? Yes and no. Yes, the experiment is valid, and it was repeatedly verified, but no, this is not how you should interpret the results. Without going too much into details, McCree tested leaf disks under quite a low intensity of light. We see that plants as a system, under high-intensity light, have a different response. There is even evidence to suggest that green light is more efficient in high intensity “white” light than red light.2 For more about McCree and spectrum, read “Light Matters 5 – Supplementing the Sun”: GCMag.co/Light-Matters-V.
The most efficient spectrum in that research came from a low-pressure sodium lamp, which you would never use to grow a plant, of course. The most important aspect of a lamp, purely for photosynthesis, is efficiency in the PAR spectrum and preferably in the orange/red area, and not so much the wide spectrum.
Bugbee, B. 1994. Effects of radiation quality, intensity, and duration on photosynthesis and growth, p 39-50. In: T.W.Tibbitts (ed.). International Lighting in Controlled Environments Workshop, NASA-CP-95-3309 1
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2 . Ichiro Terashima, Takashi Fujita, Takeshi Inoue, Wah Soon Chow, Riichi Oguchi; Green Light Drives Leaf Photosynthesis More Efficiently than Red Light in Strong White Light: Revisiting the Enigmatic Question of Why Leaves are Green. Plant Cell Physiol 2009; 50 (4): 684-697. doi: 10.1093/pcp/pcp034
FAKE OR NOT?
Open for Debate.
T he mos t ef f icient sp e c tr um in that r e se ar ch c ame f r om a low-pr e s sur e so dium l amp
Bring Your Knowledge to GCMag.co/Fake-or-not. The truth comes out May 15, 2018.
gre en light is more ef f icient in high intensit y “ white” light than re d light
Morphogenesis If it is not photosynthesis that makes the difference with different spectra, then what is it? For the most part, it is morphogenesis. When you compare light sources and spectra, you see very significant differences on the plant’s growth rate, shape, leaf density, leaf size, the stomata density on the leaf, leaf thickness, internodal distance, and much, much more. In a study done by Sander Hoogewoning3 comparing the effects of CFL, HPS and artificial sunlight, the results were remarkable:
The artificial sunlight treated plant had more than twice the leaf area than the CFL and HPS grown plants. Another effect that is hard to monitor, but should not be underestimated, is rooting. Under some spectra, plants root better, and a better root system in flowering gives a much better result. You can imagine that with so many factors playing an important role, and not in the least the genetics you are using, it is very complicated, if not impossible, to give a very specific lighting advice. Maybe for that Indica, you want a bit of extra stretch to keep the plant more open, or maybe you want to suppress the stretching of that Sativa. To make things even more complicated: light intensity plays a role as well. It is also not automatically so that a wider spectrum gives you a better result, that depends on the ratios of colours in the spectrum. One thing is clear, though: a better result under a better spectrum is not so much the effect of the photosynthetic efficiency of the light, but the morphogenesis of the plant. Discuss Episode 2: Spectrum Hardly Influences Photosynthesis online at GCMag.co/Fake-or-Not. The truth comes out May 15, 2018.
From: Journal of Experimental Botany, Volume 61, Issue 5, 1 March 2010, Pages 1267–1276, https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erq005
The April Fool’s post that inspired Fake or NOT? FB.com/theo.tekstra/posts/10155185892803620 3
Sander W. Hogewoning, Peter Douwstra, Govert Trouwborst, Wim van Ieperen, Jeremy Harbinson; An artificial solar spectrum substantially alters plant development compared with usual climate room irradiance spectra, Journal of Experimental Botany, Volume 61, Issue 5, 1 March 2010, Pages 1267–1276, https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erq005 3
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SHORTIES
A PEAR A DAY
S
weet and juicy, pears deserve a starring role in your diet. A top favourite fruit for thousands of years, the pear packs a boatload of health benefits. One medium pear provides 24% of your daily fibre needs in only 100 calories. They offer an excellent source of Vitamin C (7mg) and potassium (190mg) along with phytonutrients
and antioxidants. And these sodium, cholesterol, and fat-free fruits are pretty easy to grow in USDA zones 5-8. Native to Europe and Asia, there are some 3000 pear varieties to choose from. Dwarf pear trees are great for small yards, maturing at 1.8-2.4 meters (8-10 feet) tall and 1.8-2.1 meters (6-7 feet) wide. You will still get a bushel of full-sized pears off the smaller trees a year. They can also be grown in containers and espaliered to form a living, fruit-bearing fence. You need to grow a pair though for pollination and optimum fruit production.
Sources: • http://usapears.org/pear-nutrition/ • https://www.starkbros.com/tags/dwarf-pear-trees • https://www.farmflavor.com/at-home/cooking/farm-facts-pears/
FYI: Pears don’t ripen on the tree. Post-harvest cold storage stops the ripening process.
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