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NEW REVOLUTION 315 EC High Power, Low Noise • Sealed housing to prevent odour leaks • Fully serviceable • 5 year guarantee The Super Silent Revolution 315 EC is the ultimate in duct fans. The most powerful and efficient fan on the market, perfect for larger grow room environments. Manufactured in Europe with state of the art EC technology and German engineering by Systemair, the 315 EC delivers a much higher air flow than AC fans of its size - and uses less energy doing it. The Super Silent Revolution 315 EC delivers more air under the usual pressures of a larger grow room environment than other EC fans - giving you extra air flow when a carbon filter, ducting and metalwork are connected.

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CONTENTS

THE WATER PIONEERS

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS

30 Grow Room Hygiene

18 WHO’S GROWING WHAT WHERE

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Name Description Name Description Name Description

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3.15A 3.15A 3.15A

pcs/package pcs/package pcs/package

Dimmable Dimmable Dimmable

NONO NO

pcs/Box pcs/Box pcs/Box

Mercury content Mercury content Mercury content

CMP315W/T/P/4200K/PGZ18 CMP315W/T/P/4200K/PGZ18 CMP315W/T/P/4200K/PGZ18

28mg 28mg 28mg

Lumen maintenance Lumen maintenance Lumen maintenance

Line drawings Line drawings Line drawings

LUMii SOLAR GRO

HOW MICROBES WORK IN HYDROPONICS

I N THIS ISSU E OF GA R D EN CU LTU RE :

Order Information Order Information Order Information

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Environmental parameters Environmental parameters Environmental parameters

69 44

Electrical Data/ Requirement Electrical Data/ Requirement Electrical Data/ Requirement

Spectrum Spectrum Spectrum

Ideal for growth stage Warning: Warning: Warning: This lamp cause skin burn inflammation from short wave ultraviolet radiation if outer envelope of lamp the lamp This lamp cancan cause skin burn andand eyeeye inflammation from short wave ultraviolet radiation outer envelope the lamp This lamp can cause skin burn and eye inflammation from short wave ultraviolet radiation if ifouter envelope ofofthe is broken or punctured. Do not where people will remain for more than a few minutes unless adequate shielding broken punctured. Donot notuse useuse where people willremain remain formore more than few minutes unless adequate shielding isisbroken ororpunctured. Do where people will for than a afew minutes unless adequate shielding oror or other safety precau,Especifically designed for frequency electronics ballasts. other safety precau,Especifically designed forlow lowlow frequency electronics ballasts. other safety precau,Especifically designed for frequency electronics ballasts.

13 Foreword

50 5 Cool Finds

15 Product Spotlights

55 Secrets of the Soil - Book Review

18 The Water Pioneers

56 How Microbes Work in Hydroponics

22 Harvesting Rain Water

60 KNF Fundamentalists

25 How Clean is Your Water?

64 How to Make Water Work

30 Silicic Acid

69 Who’s Growing What Where

34 Grow Your Own Protein

74 Unlocking the Secrets to DWC

40 5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Water

80 Sound Gardening Advice

44 Dirty, Dirty,Very Dirty. Grow Room Hygiene GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM

millspaysthebills_uk www.dnamills.co.uk

HYDRO

FOREWORD & CREDITS

FOREWORD

n this issue, we take a closer look at the relationship between water and your plants. Known as the universal solvent, water can dissolve more elements than any other

liquid. Unfor tunately, water does not discriminate, carrying with it anything that dissolves, as well as many suspended par ticles small enough to hang around. If you are not careful, these excess dissolved elements can build up in the grow medium and throw the plant out of balance. It also depends on the source. What if the water is so poor before adding the nutrients that you can never give your plants a properly balanced diet? That is the million dollar question when it comes to growing and water quality. What you don’t know may be hur ting your plants.

Water is a complex subject that we will humbly try to cover. If you are looking for practical advice, Stoney Tark’s 5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Water is a good star t. Evan Folds delves into the mysteries of H 20 in How To Make Water Work and Water Pioneers. You may never see water the same way again. We are proud to have microbe specialists Colin Bell PhD and Peter Baas PhD from Mammoth P writing their first ar ticle for GC. If you haven’t already, they will make you want to run microbes in your hydro system. Nico Hill pays homage to the people behind the movement in KNF Fundamentalists. Stay tuned for the next edition for step-by-step instructions on how to make your own LAB.

Happy growing,

CREDITS

SPECI A L TH A N KS TO: Albert Mondor, Colin Bell PhD and Peter Baas PhD, Cosmic Knot, Dr Callie Seaman, Evan Folds, Nico Hill, Stephen Brookes, Stoney Tark, and Tom Forrest. PRESIDENT Eric Coulombe eric@gardenculturemagazine.com +1-514-233-1539 E XCU T I V E ED I TO R Celia Sayers celia@gardenculturemagazine.com +1-514-754-1539 ED I TO R Catherine Sherriffs cat@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

Eric 3 @GardenCulture

@GardenCulture

@GardenCultureMagazine

@Garden_Culture

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

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

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS

Bluelab Mult

imed

GROWING PRODUCTS

pH Meter

ia Fast and accu rate pH meas urement of nu solution and ro trient ot-zone; in the palm of th e

The Bluelab® Multimedia pH Meter gives fast, accurate measurements in nutrient solution or any other media type. Calibration is simple with a one push button on the meter and fresh Bluelab® Calibration Solutions. So many great features: • Direct measurements from substrates and nutrient solutions • A fast sensor response • Toughened spear tip for longevity and peace of mind • Simple two-point calibration process with 30-day calibration indicator • Backlit LCD display, low battery indicator, auto off function • Standard 2m cable • 2 x AAA alkaline batteries included

hand

The Bluelab® Leap™ pH Probe is also available separately and it is suitable for use with all Bluelab® products that use a BNC connection. Available at GrowthTechnology.com

Need Everything You

to Start Growing

Efficiently

Adjust-A-Wings NEW 600-750W HELLION DE-HPS Illumination Kit Designed with everyday growers in mind—particularly those with standard domestic 8’ (243 cm) high ceilings or growers wishing to cultivate plants on multiple tiers, the HELLION unique design features provide several benefits when using high-powered lamps. The double-parabolic Defender reflector has 5 width settings and 5 lamp height settings. The Superspreader fits directly beneath the lamp and disperses radiant heat, allowing for a much closer placement to your plant canopy than is possible with other grow lights.The electronic ballast has three power settings (450W, 600W and 750W) to drive the perfectly matched HELLION DE-HPS lamp at three key intensity bands.

Now also available at Highlight Horticulture in the UK.

New Maxibright 4K Daylight and 3K Agro La mps CMH grow lights have quickly built up a reputation amongst indoor growers as the new ‘go-to’ lamp. Maxibright have been busy developing this technology and are proud to announce their new Daylight and Agro lamps, with enhanced outputs and spectrum for cutting-edge indoor grow rooms. The Daylight lamp’s output comes in at 1.75µmol s-1 W-1 while the Agro lamp boasts a whopping photon efficiency of 2µmol s-1 W-1. Daylight’s spectrum now offers enhanced blue and the Agro, an enhanced red. Made for each stage of growth, these lamps will improve plant morphology, nodal structure and flower quality, as well as better taste and aromas from the increased production of compounds such as essential oils, terpenes, and flavonoids. These lamps have your back, whatever the stage of growth. Learn more: Maxibright.com

Progrow Premium

Carbon Filters

Progrow might not be a name you’re familiar with just yet but don’t let that put you off.Years of development and testing in real-world situations to find the most effective carbon grade and filter design have resulted in the Progrow line of filters. Progrow carbon beds are a set width because more carbon doesn’t necessarily make a better filter. When filtering air, the amount of time odours are in contact with the carbon bed is only a fraction of a second. The quality and the effectiveness of the carbon used is much more important than the quantity. Visit WHGUK.com for more information.

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

You Deserve the Best and So Do Your Plants

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CHANGED Two new stronger, black powder-coated frames in 16mm & 25mm tempered rolled steel All new metal corner connectors New quick lock, push & click pole assembly New ventilation - 20% bigger ports all round to accommodate acoustic ducting The new BudBox features a green viewing window All new inspection doors - (from XL up) Ground level irrigation ports - (from XL up) Strong door clips & new branded, high quality zips Two new tent sizes - XL plus & XXL plus The Titan range has no intrusive vertical or ground poles

environment is ever ything

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS Gold Label HydroCoco 60/40 A&B UK Specialized nutrient solution now available from Highlight Horticulture

GROWING PRODUCTS

R LUMii SOLA ps Pro and Gro lam LUMii SOLAR Pro and Gro lamps are real stars. Compact, efficient, and robust, these CDM lamps are designed for the Urban Grower. The Gro lamp is perfect for younger plants with a stretch preventing cooler colour temp of 4200k and an impressive PPF of 580 µmol/s PAR. The Pro lamp used for all stages of growth has a bloom boosting warmer colour temp of 3200k and a PPF of 600 µmol/s PAR. The LUMii SOLAR lamps are half the price of other brands without compromising quality, helping you maximise yields for the best price.

Specially designed solution for HydroCoco 60/40 mix HydroCoco 60/40 A&B is a balanced, highly concentrated, 2-part base nutrient solution for cultivation on 60/40 HydroCoco mix. A specially developed formula in order to prevent deficiencies of iron and other microelements. Enabling improved absorption with fluctuating pH levels in the growing media when rapid developments take place. Suitable for both vegetative and flowering phases of growth.

Requireme Data/ ntnt nt Electrical Requireme Requireme Data/ Data/ Electrical Electrical

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code Product code code Product Product

（V） Voltage Operating （V）（V） Voltage Voltage Operating Operating

100V 100V 100V

Description Name Description Description Name Name

(Amps) Current Operating (Amps) (Amps) Current Current Operating Operating

3.15A 3.15A 3.15A

pcs/packag ee e pcs/packag pcs/packag

Dimmable Dimmable Dimmable

NONO NO

pcs/Box pcs/Box pcs/Box

P/4200K/PG Z18Z18 CMP315W/T/ Z18 P/4200K/PG P/4200K/PG CMP315W/T/ CMP315W/T/

parameter ntal ss s Environme parameter parameter ntal ntal Environme Environme content Mercury content content Mercury Mercury

For more info, go to Grow-Lumii.com

28mg 28mg 28mg

drawings Line drawings drawings Line Line

maintenan Lumen cece ce maintenan maintenan Lumen Lumen

LUMii SOLAR GRO

entent Requirem Requirem Data/ Data/ ent Electrical Electrical Requirem Data/ Spectrum Electrical Spectrum Spectrum

Visit GoldLabel.nl to learn more.

iswitch Maxibright Max

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（W） Wattage Lamp （W）（W） Wattage Wattage Lamp Lamp

Solo Timer

Do you ever worry about unreliable timers wreaking havoc with your light cycles? Ever had problems with lights not turning off when they should, or turning back on at random times in the middle of your dark cycle? Fear not, dearest grower, with the Maxiswitch Solo Timer, Maxibright have all your light-cycle worries covered.

315315 315

code code Product Product code Product

（V）（V） Voltage Voltage Operating Operating （V） Voltage Operating

100V 100V 100V

Description Description Name Name Description Name

(Amps) (Amps) Current Current Operating Operating (Amps) Current Operating

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NONO NO

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If you only have a modest grow room and don’t require the usual, bulkier contact relays, this unit is ideal for operating one HID grow light, up to 600W. The perfect solution for hobby growers, concerned with getting high-quality performance out of a small area. Features a heavy-duty reliable switch for up to 600W of HID lighting with a plug manufactured to BS1363 British Standard. The 24-hour programmable timer with 15-minute intervals offers precision controlled timings.

Informatio Informatio Order Order nn n Informatio Order

（W）（W） Wattage Wattage Lamp Lamp （W） Wattage Lamp

Visit Maxiswitch.co.uk for more information on the full range.

M a x i fa n

TF (Tube Fan) R ange Storming their way onto the environmental control scene come the new ‘tube fan’ range from Maxigrow. Don’t be fooled by their sleek and compact stature; they actually offer much more airflow than almost any competing brand of an equivalent make and size. World-renowned German manufacturing means that you can expect extremely robust performance and amazing durability from these fans, along with some of the highest volumes of air movement you can find on the market. On top of that, they actually come with a UK plug already fitted! No more messing around with tiny screwdrivers after you’ve got it out of the box, these products come completely ready to plug-and-play. Highquality components and exceptional build quality ensure a durable and air-tight housing - zero air leaks!

If you’re looking for maximum airflow, with minimal cost and fuss, then these bad-boys should be your number one choice. Visit Maxibright.com for all the details.

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

BY EVAN FOLDS

The Water Pioneers

Life does not live without water. Goethe said, “Water sustains all”.

THE WATER PIONEERS

Dr Pollack ’s discoveries begin to describe the benefits of juicing, how water operates within cells and the mystery of why clouds stay stuck together

s important as water is you would think that there are numerous institutes dedicated to studying it, but there are few. The work of uncovering the secrets of water has been left to innovators whose dedication to this seminal substance goes beyond plaudits and public recognition.

Water research is generally stunted due to water being the “universal solvent”, meaning that it will dissolve almost anything it comes into contact with. When performing modern popular science with its requirement of purity and replicability, any research that is not conducted with pure H2O is deemed “contaminated” and cannot be published. Of course, this cannot be accomplished even in laboratory settings, as water exists as H 2O only in a vacuum or a textbook. This leaves us mostly to our imaginations when it comes to water, but there are some looking to bridge the gap. The preeminent pioneer of water is Viktor Schauberger (1885-1958), known during his time as the “Water Wizard”. In his youth, Schauberger was a forester in Austria where he spent months at a time alone in the woods Viktor Schauberger developing an intuitive and intimate relationship with water. He witnessed fish sitting still in flowing streams or climbing raging waterfalls, and rocks floating in moving currents. He proceeded to turn these observations into technologies geared towards bettering the human experience. Schauberger’s work can be encompassed in his maxim, “Comprehend and Copy Nature”. His basic thesis contains a universal twofold movement principle that views life sustaining itself through the balance of implosive and explosive movements. With implosive movement, there is coolness, suction, growth, and health. Explosive movements generate heat, pressure, pollution, fragmentation, illness, and death. It is impor tant to note that man has succeeded mostly in mastering the explosive movement in order to release energy. Schauberger was issued many patents and performed numerous projects proving the merits of his work, most that were sequestered by the US government after his

death. What is left for public consumption can be found in Callum Coats incredible book Living Energies. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) was a German physician who developed a system of medicine called homeopathy that utilizes the ability of water to retain or remember subtle energies. Through serial dilution and potentization, called succession, the vibrational imprint of the substance being diluted is transferred into the water for delivery as a medicine. Because typical homeopathic solutions have diluted Samuel Hahnemann the substrate beyond Avogadro’s number, there is no longer even a molecule of the original substance left in the solution, yet the solution still carries out the medicinal effect. Homeopathy receives much ridicule but has proven remarkably durable over time. It is utilized in agriculture in every country on Ear th through the biodynamic methods of spraying BD500 and BD501 as “field sprays”. Worldwide, over 200 million people use homeopathy medicinally on a regular basis, and it is included in the national health systems of a number of countries including Brazil, Chile, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Another water pioneer who worked in the field of “water memory” was Marcel Vogel (1917-1991), who is best known for his work with crystals. He recognized that the molecular structure of water as ice or its liquid crystalline form is fundamentally the same as quar tz crystal, and through

Marcel Vogel

GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM

THE WATER PIONEERS

Water research is generally stunted due to water being the “universal solvent”, meaning that it will dissolve almost anything it comes into contact with

his work demonstrated that the vibrational information impressed into quar tz crystals could be transferred and imprinted into water.

But the star of contemporary water research is Dr Gerald Pollack of the University of Washington

Vogel called the process “charging water”, and through experimentation showed that there is a measurable change in the hydrogen bonding as observed by infrared and ultraviolet spectrophotometry, as well as a change in the electrical conductivity of the water, the surface tension, pH, and freezing point. Dr Masaru Emoto (19432014) may be the most popular modern figure in the activated water field, having introduced countless people to the potentials of water through his work. Using highspeed photography, he was able to capture how Dr Masaru Emoto our thoughts and different kinds of music affect the structure of water at the moment of freezing. Dr Emoto and others have theorized that water has the ability to receive and transfer what the Japanese call “hado” (vital energy).

Image: Ancestral Health Radio

But the star of contemporary water research is Dr Gerald Pollack of the University of Washington. He made a splash in 2013 with his book The Four th Phase of Water that describes his premise of “exclusion zone” water and how it behaves when exposed to charged surfaces. Dr Pollack’s discoveries begin to describe the benefits of juicing, how water operates within cells and the mystery of why clouds Dr Gerald Pollack stay stuck together. Water is an endlessly fascinating subject, and this brief introduction to the pioneers of water research only scratches the surface of those who have dedicated their lives to dive deeper into the mysteries of this amazing substance. The rest is up to you! 3

Bio

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. 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

BY STONEY TARK

Harvesting Rainwater Rainwater is free, long-lasting, full of beneficial nitrogen, and is how nature intended

ater is an essential element in the home as well as in the garden. As many parts of the world face dry seasons, the long-term sustainability of gardens and farms will heavily depend on the amount of water available. Below are factors to consider before harvesting your own water source.

Rainwater Or Tap Water? Life on earth would not exist if it were not for rainwater. However, since we are blessed with the luxury of turning on a tap to access chlorinated, clean, drinking water, our beloved gardens benefit from both sources. Still, because there are chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride in most tap water, many green-conscious growers shy away from using it in the garden. Rainwater is free, long-lasting, full of beneficial nitrogen, and is how nature intended. Some variables should be considered, such as the level of pollution (e.g. high sulfur levels) in the surrounding

area. Acid rain is a result of water molecules combining with the exposed gases and heavy metals in the atmosphere. This can have adverse effects on farmlands adjusting the pH, which causes an imbalance in soil microbiology.

Inexpensive Methods Of Harvesting Store-bought water harvesting systems are usually very expensive and may require home installation. Having said that, these systems are incredible, and through gravity, pressure, and a filtering system, clean drinking water appears in a tank.

HARVESTING RAINWATER

Through gravity, pressure, and a filtering system, clean drinking water appears in a tank

Mosquitoes also often arise around an open water source. These annoying pests will lay eggs and produce water-borne larvae. An experienced gardener understands the threat these larvae pose in the prime breeding season. Using chemicals to kill the mosquito larvae is a bad idea; there are organic alternatives, which consist of bacterial compounds.

Creating your own system can be as basic as using a large container, barrel, waste bin, an old bath, or by digging out a pond. Depending on the scale of the garden and whether the water is to be used for drinking or just the plants, you can better determine what size will suit your needs. For those who have drain pipes, collecting the water directly into a barrel or drum is the easiest way, however, it is important that the previous contents of the barrels or drum were non-toxic. Directing water from a sloping roof into a single point is also a simple method, but if you will be using the water for drinking, be sure there is no algae growing on any area the water comes into contact with. A corrugated, sloping roof can be made from metal or plastic and will do an excellent job of isolating the rainfall.

If you are harvesting water for use inside the home, then incorporating a good filtering system is key. Mosquitoes can breed viruses, so be sure they do not enter the water source by adding a broad net over the containers. If you have a lid over your container, then make sure that immediately after watering the garden you cover the top, as mosquitoes only need the slightest opportunity to lay their eggs.

Cleanliness and Quality The most critical part of sourcing your water is having a clean, safe, chemical-free supply that can be stored away for long periods of time.

Algae and Mosquitoes One of the most significant problems with water is algae, and if left to grow, the water source becomes dirty and is no longer ideal for a filtering system. One way to effectively combat the formation of algae within a water source is to prevent sunlight from penetrating the barrel, tub or whatever you may be using. If using a white, plastic tub and you notice a green formation on the inside, then paint the tub black, or cover the outside of the container with a material that will prevent the sunlight from coming through. Darkness is required because without sunlight, photosynthesis cannot occur, meaning the algae cannot survive in darkness. If you have a large pond, then algae building up on the sides will be consumed by fish, tadpoles, newts, and frogs. If you are choosing to drink the harvested rainwater, then ensure that all dirt is carefully removed with a filtering system. Bacteria can range in the size of 0.2 - 2 microns, which is incredibly tiny, so if you are making a homemade version and want a filter, then a 1-micron screen is what you need. Check the pH and electric conductivity of your water; considering the water is distilled, the natural state should be at a pH level of 7.0. 3

www.cellmax.eu

WATER PURITY

Growers need to know what kind of water they have in order to properly select their base nutrients BY STEPHEN BROOKES

How clean Is Your Water?

f your answer to the above question is either “clean” or “not clean”, think again. Unless you’ve had it lab-tested, you don’t know what’s in your water. When people say

“clean”, they often actually mean their water has a low electrical conductivity and is soft. However, this has nothing to do with how clean the water is; it’s simply a measurement of how many calcium and magnesium ions are in the water. If you have had your water lab-tested, well done; that’s next-

Depending on what part of the country you live, your water trickles through a variety of rock types that dictate whether you have hard or soft water

level grower commitment.

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

WATER PURITY

Hard water nutrients are a “British thing”, as they are used most commonly in the UK. In the United States, they’ve been using reverse osmosis (RO) water for years; they haven’t sold a single bottle of hard water nutrient for decades. It’s time we start taking water quality seriously like our fellow US growers! Afterall, growing with RO will get the EC low...

Hard water nutrients are a “British thing”, as they are used most commonly in the UK

and therefore when it rains, the slightly acidic nature of rainwater dissolves the calcium from the limestone and into the water table to create a large number of calcium ions, otherwise known as ‘hard water’. The picture below shows the chalky nature of the rocks in the UK’s south-east.

Where Does Your Water Come From? All of our tap water comes from the rain, which feeds streams, rivers and lakes. The sun heats the water, which causes evaporation. Clouds form and rainfall is triggered as the water vapour cools. This process is known as the water cycle. Depending on what part of the country you live, your water trickles through a variety of rock types that dictate whether you

Moving north towards Liverpool, the rock type changes from the Cretaceous in the south to the Carboniferous in the north, and finally to a granite majority in Scotland. The Carboniferous rock in the north is very tough and resists erosion quite well, but some can still leach into the water table, so this area is classified as having soft to moderately soft water. With its granite rock, Scotland almost completely resists erosion, and therefore, the water is very soft with little calcium or magnesium ions. have hard or soft water. If you look at the map of the UK, you can see the variety of rock types we have. To simplify this, we have very soft limestone in the south-east of the UK which is called Cretaceous limestone. It’s a soft rock,

This is the only variable that has an impact on the hardness of your tap water. If you search ‘what quality is my water’ on Google, you should be able to find out precisely what is in it. These are my local water results below. Analysis

Typical value

UK/EU limits

Hardness Level Mod. Soft Hardness Clarke 3.50 clarke Aluminium <7.54 200 µg Al/l Calcium 16.2 mg Ca/l Residual chlorine - Total 0.64 mg/l Residual chlorine - Free 0.52 mg/l Coliform bacteria 0 0 number/100ml Colour <1.28 20 mg/l Pt/Co scale Conductivity 149 2500 uS/cm at 20oC Copper 0.0077 2 mg Cu/l E.coli 0 0 number/100ml Iron 28.3 200 µg Fe/l Lead <0.484 10 µg Pb/l Magnesium 2.30 mg Mg/l Manganese 1.31 50 µg Mn/l Nitrate 4.56 50 mg NO3/l Sodium 15.4 200

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

Foliar Spray:

Spray your plants and see positive results in 24 - 48 hours.

Root Drench:

Use regularly in nutrient mix for healthier roots, increased vegetative growth, and larger flowers.

www.hydroponic-moonshine.com

WATER PURITY

What Does Hard or Soft Water Mean For Growers? Hard water contains more than 181 milligrams of calcium carbonate per litre, and soft water has less than 61 milligrams of calcium carbonate per litre.

Rather than using hard water nutrients, growers in hard water areas can use RO machines to drop their background EC to zero

However, with water companies using chloramines more often, you will need to use an upgraded carbon filter. Look for “catalytic carbon filters”, which have been modified to remove a higher percentage of chloramines.

Growers need to know what kind of water they have in order to properly select their base nutrients. If you live in a hard water area, the base nutrient of choice should have less calcium and magnesium in it. It should also be somewhat acidic to counter the high-buffering capacity of the extra calcium ions in the water. Growers in soft water zones, however, need a base nutrient with high levels of calcium and magnesium that is also low-acid because the pH is less stable.

Who Has Good Water? A geological map of the UK shows many different rock types, meaning there is a large scale of water types ranging from very soft to very hard. Unfortunately, chlorine is also added to drinking water, which growers need to be aware of if using beneficial bacteria. Picture driving an F1 car with well-worn tires from a Fiesta; you’ll move, but not very quickly. Chlorine is designed to kill dangerous bacteria, but it’s indiscriminate and kills the majority of your beneficial colonies as well. You can always allow the water to stand for 24 hours and let the chlorine evaporate; however, water companies are now starting to add chloramines (a mixture of chlorine and ammonia) as a disinfectant. Unfortunately, this won’t evaporate, which is why it’s cheaper for water companies to run. It doesn’t create disinfection byproducts when chlorine reacts with organics in water, so there are pros and cons to this process.

On the other hand, you can choose to start from zero and go the route of reverse osmosis. An RO machine works by pushing the water under high pressure through a semipermeable membrane to remove 95-99% of the salt content. They usually have removal ratios like 3:1, 2:1 and 1:1 (ratio of clean water to dirty water). When using RO machines, add a small amount of calcium and magnesium to the clean water to get the background EC to 0.2; this helps to prevent large pH swings through the buffering effect of calcium. Rather than using hard water nutrients, growers in hard water areas can use RO machines to drop their background EC to zero. Think of it like this: your dinner plate is half full of food you like, but only in small portions. There’s only half a plate left for the rest of your food, so you’ll never get a full-balanced meal. In this situation, you’re the plant, and the plate is the water with nutrients. Hard water is full of calcium and magnesium, so there’s only a little room for other nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; your plant will struggle to be truly balanced. When you decide to use RO, your plate is clean and ready for a nutritional meal which leads to optimal growth and health. It’s the purest water you can start on; heavy metals and chlorine won’t be present, and there won’t be any chloramines either if you get a catalytic converter. There’s a reason why every top grower in the US starts with RO water; it really ensures a proper grow. Take the leap and try it once; you’ll never look back! 3

What Can You Do? You can start by purifying your water. A de-chlorinator will remove 99% of chlorine while also taking away about 90% of large particles like rust, silt and sediments. These gadgets are great for people living in very soft water areas who want to remove the chlorine so that beneficials work at their optimum. It also makes sure that the water is free from large particles that can lower its overall quality.

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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BY TOM FORREST

Silicic Acid cid ilicic A S

SILICIC ACID

ilicon (Si) is the second most abundant element present in the Ear th’s crust. Soils generally contain up to 40% silicon (Kovda 1973) and plants use this key element in vast amounts. Recent advancements in the production of silicon fer tiliser compounds and manufacturing techniques

are giving farmers access to a new wave of silicate products.

Silicate compounds are essential to fight plant disease and for pest resistance The physically and chemically active Si petrol, silicates must be “refined” before Microbes or other substances in the soil are represented they can be used. However, this might chemicals must by monosilicic acids, polysilicic acids, and not be a problem, because it is elemental come into play so the silicon that plants need, not silicic acid organosilicon compounds (Matichenkov and Ammosova, 1996). These forms of per se. plants can benefit silicon are interchangeable with each other, from the silicates in as well as with other crystalline minerals Silicon-oxide bonds are very strong the ecosystem and living organisms (soil microbes and bonds that do not “magically” break up. plants). Silicic acid is the general name for a Therefore, adding silicates (SiO2 and family of chemical compounds containing the element silicon such) to your plant’s diet does not help them in their need attached to oxide and hydroxyl groups. for silicon. Microbes or other chemicals must come into play so the plants can benefit from the silicates in the ecosystem. Monosilicic acid (H4SiO4) is the centre of these interactions Adding silicic acid, on the other hand, will benefit your plants and transformations. Monosilicic acid is the product of silicon immediately in their need for silicon, because this form of mineral dissolution (Lindsay 1979), absorbed by plants and silicon is readily available without the help of mineralization living organisms (Yoshida 1975). They can influence the by microbes in the ecosystem. Having said that, potassium chemical and biological properties of the soil, including silicate products do still have an effect on plants because significant interactions with phosphorus, aluminium, iron, the silicates can be turned into absorbable molecules by manganese and other metal mobility. organisms or other chemicals (e.g. strong acids). Monosilicic acid is also essential in the formation of polysilicic acids and secondary minerals, however, plants and microbes can only absorb monosilicic acid (Yoshida 1975). Polysilicic acids will influence soil texture, water retention, cation exchange capacity, and soil erosion stability (Matichenkov et al, 1995). Modern agricultural research and manufacturing in Europe have developed novel methods of blending and isolating these silicic acid compounds in a stable form (with a long shelf life; essential for successful product development). Brands are now available worldwide with extremely high concentrations of silicic acids. There is an ongoing debate about the efficacy of monosilicic acid products vs older potassium silicate products. The benefits of silicic acid products over typical potassium silicate products are easy to explain. Silicic acid products (such as Super Si) contain just that: an absorbable form of silicic acid. Potassium silicate is a molecule that does not contain silicic acid, but silicate (SiO2), which is not readily available for plants. Scientists agree that for horticultural purposes, the amount of silicic acid that is yielded from dissolving potassium silicate into water is almost non-existent. Much like crude oil versus

Monosilicic acid is readily absorbable by the plant and can also make an aqueous solution more acidic, which increases absorbability of other minerals. Other forms of silicon in the soil are not easily assimilated by plants and only a small proportion is absorbed as H4SiO4. Once absorbed by the plant, silicon polymerizes when it dehydrates and concentrates on the epidermis cells as biogenic amorphous silicon (SiO2). This biological process illustrates that silicate compounds are essential to fight plant disease and for pest resistance (Epstein 1999). Silicon can also alleviate various abiotic stresses including salt stress, metal toxicity, drought stress, radiation damage, nutrient imbalance, high temperatures, freezing and more. These beneficial effects are mainly attributed to the high accumulation of silica in the surface tissue. Soil structure degradation occurs if a soil is lacking in silicon. This influences the decomposition of secondary minerals that control numerous growth factors and other soil structure properties. Silicon fertiliser also absorbs phosphorus and decreases leaching of the mineral by 40-90% (Matichenkov et al, 2000). It is noteworthy that the phosphorus is kept in a plant-available form.

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SILICIC ACID

Microbes or other chemicals must come into play so the plants can benefit from the silicates in the ecosystem

Numerous field experiments have demonstrated that Si fertilization has more influence on plant growth for acid soils than liming (Ayres, 1966; Fox et al, 1967). Si fertilisers have also been proven to increase the productivity of crop yield, as well as the concentration of essential oils and sugars. When using any silicon product, it is essential to add this compound to your reservoir first. This drastically reduces the likelihood of silicate compounds negatively reacting with base nutrients. Silicon product dilution rates vary, however, the best products will have a dilution rate of 1.5mL per 10L of water. This ratio can be doubled at the start of the flowering cycle to reduce plant stretching and decrease internodal spacing in certain plant varieties. As the silicon is deposited in the walls of epidermal cells after absorption by plants, it contributes considerably to stem strength.

These essential compounds allow for a plethora of growth benefits in almost all plant species, whilst potentially improving the quality of your soil

Silicon is not a very mobile element in plants. Therefore, a continuous supply of this element would be required for healthy and productive development during all growth stages. Silicic acid products are especially effective when used as a foliar spray, however, the concentration required is higher and these are generally used at 1mL per 1L of water. Despite the scientifically-recognised fact that plants take up silicon equivalent to some macronutrients, it is still not widely recognized as an essential element. This could be due to the non-availability of any product having a defined concentration of orthosilicic acid. The differences between monosilicic acid and orthosilicic acid are purely in the names of the two substances. In essence, none of the silicic acid products that are sold in the market contains molecules as simple as Si(OH)4. Most of the products contain chains of silicon elements coupled with loads of oxide and hydroxyl groups. In general, people refer to orthosilicic acid when they talk about water-soluble or plant absorbable silicon compounds. But in chemical, historical, and linguistic terms, orthosilicic acid is defined as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the trueâ&#x20AC;? silicic acid, or something that is readily available. Monosilicic acid is the name for a single silicic acid molecule. But since silicic acid has various forms in which it exists, this term is rather strange.

Including silicon in any fertiliser regime is extremely important. These essential compounds allow for a plethora of growth benefits in almost all plant species, whilst potentially improving the quality of your soil. For our favourite fruits or flowers, it can drastically improve the quantity and the quality of the final harvest. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hesitant to change your existing nutrient regime, try using a monosilicic acid foliar spray like SuperSi on half of your crop. Spray twice per week at night during the vegetative growth period, and enjoy the results of a serious silicon superstar! 3

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BY ALBERT MONDOR, HORTICULTURIST AND BIOLOGIST

flexitarian is someone who limits his consumption of meat, but who is not exclusively vegetarian. The flexitarian diet can be practised in a variety of ways: some people do not eat meat every meal or regularly choose to make an entire day meatless, while

others are vegetarians most of the time, but occasionally eat meat.

Quinoa

GROWING PROTEIN

About a third of North Americans avoid eating meat at least a day a week. Elsewhere in the world, a 2015 survey found that 56% of French people claimed to eat less meat than they did before, whereas only 3% said they had increased their meat consumption.

One of the challenges of flexitarianism is to maintain a sufficient daily intake of protein

Kale is one of the easiest plants to grow in a container Just like vegetarians, most flexitarians want animals to be treated better and have many environmental concerns, especially when it comes to climate change. Others impose dietary constraints for a variety of economic, health or social reasons. One of the challenges of flexitarianism is to maintain a sufficient daily intake of protein. Here are some protein-rich plants that you can grow at home: • • • • •

Broccoli Edamame (soy) Spinach Bean Kale

• • • • •

Corn Parsley Peas Quinoa Sunflower

Pea sprouts grown on a kitchen counter

Although it is usually the seeds that have the highest protein content, young shoots of broccoli, spinach, kale, parsley and peas can also provide large amounts. You can also eat the leaves of beans, quinoa and soy. These plants will be ready to be eaten about two to three weeks after sowing when their leaves are well developed. Sunflowers and corn can also be grown using this technique, but only their foliage will be ready to eat.

Quinoa grown in a Canadian garden

These protein-rich plants can be easily grown outdoors in containers, either on a terrace or balcony. Keep in mind that larger vegetable crops, such as corn and sunflower, grow better and produce higher yields if grown directly in the ground with a fair amount of compost. During the winter in northern parts of North America and Europe, it is imperative to grow these edible plants indoors, ideally under artificial lighting. Seeds can simply be placed in pots or a plastic tray filled with moist potting soil. The seeds are then covered with some substrate and a translucent dome can be placed on the pots or tray to maintain maximum moisture.

GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM

GROWING PROTEIN

It is imperative to grow these edible plants indoors, ideally under artificial lighting

Sprouts and Microgreens In Your Kitchen Sprouts and microgreens are more popular than ever, particularly among millennials. They can be used in salads, sandwiches, spring rolls, sushi and even smoothies! Here is how to grow your own sprouts and microgreens:

Sprouts Growing sprouts is simply a matter of sprouting seeds and consuming them when rootlets begin to grow, usually within 2 to 7 days. In addition to promoting the elimination of certain substances that impede digestion, sprouting increases the number of nutrients available. 5 Steps To Growing Sprouts:

3. 4.

Rinse the seeds and soak them in warm water for a few hours. Empty the water, rinse the seeds and place them at the bottom of a 500 ml Mason jar. Do not put more seeds than it takes to cover the bottom of the jar. Cover the opening of the jar with a piece of cheesecloth held in place with an elastic band. Place the jar upside down in a bowl at an angle so that air can circulate. You can put the jar in a dimly lit place in your kitchen, as light is not needed for germination of most seeds. Rinse the seeds once or twice daily until small white rootlets are visible, indicating that they are ready to eat.

Corn microgreens

Microgreens Microgreens are usually crunchier and tastier than sprouts. They are typically harvested a little later than sprouts, about 7 to 21 days after sowing. Microgreens are harvested when the first two leaves - which are actually cotyledons used to feed the plant before the growth of true leaves - are well developed. You can also wait for true leaves to come out before harvesting. 5 Steps To Growing Microgreens: 1.

2. 3.

4. image: indiaphile

5. Sprouted beans

Put about 2â&#x20AC;? of moist potting soil in a reclaimed plastic tray (the kind used for salad and other greens in supermarkets). Lightly press the potting soil and sprinkle the seeds. Cover the seeds with a little substrate and close the lid or place a translucent dome on the tray to maintain maximum moisture. If the majority of seeds do not need light to germinate, once the stems are out, it is necessary to expose them to the light coming from a south-facing window or from an artificial lighting system. Do not forget to add some water if the substrate is dry; if condensation forms, be sure to open the dome for a few minutes. 3

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SCAN FOR MORE INFO

BY STONEY TARK

WAYS

To Make The Most Of Your Water

IMPROVING YOUR WATER

When using Rockwool or coco for hydroponic growing, hard water can cause nutrient build-up around the roots

ater is a fundamental part of our everyday lives, especially when it comes to farming. Obtaining it through their roots and foliage, plants need water in order to grow healthy and strong. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a list of five things to consider about the water used for your garden.

Hard Water

Water Softening

Calcium and magnesium both play a role in the hardness of water; whether your water source is hard or soft is determined by the number of calcium bicarbonates dissolved. You will always know if you have hard water, as it will likely leave a white chalky residue around drinking glasses, and when boiling water in a saucepan, the evaporated water will leave behind a clear white residue. Around taps, calcium deposits will cause scale buildup.

Hard water comes from a source that is close to mineral-rich rocks. The conductivity of hard water is high, as is the pH level due to the high amounts of calcium and magnesium present.

Hard water comes from a source that is close to mineral-rich rocks. The conductivity of hard water is high, as is the pH level due to the high amounts of calcium and magnesium present. An EC reading will not reflect through the number of salts or chemicals in the water source, but you can always use a nutrient analysis kit. This way, you will be able to determine what exactly is in the water that may be harmful to you, the soil and your plants. To purify hard water, you can buy reverse osmosis kits or water softeners.

< 15 < 15 - 50 < 50 - 100 < 100 - 200 < 200

ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm

= Very Soft = Soft = Medium Soft = Hard = Very Hard

Reverse Osmosis This process is similar to water softening but has no negative effects associated with drinking or feeding your plants. Reverse osmosis is a carefully performed filtering process which uses porous membranes to remove particles, ions and molecules from water. Using RO water is the best option for hydroponic growing because it allows you to increase the nutrient absorption rate and provide the most consistent feeding regimes. RO water is incredibly pure, but unfortunately, the process is drip-by-drip, meaning producing enough of it to keep up with the high demands of conventional large-scale growing or farming is not possible. While RO systems are very expensive, they are an excellent way to completely clean water used for either drinking or smaller gardens. IMAGE CREDIT: /www.protec-arisawa.com

When water is tested to determine the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium, the hardness factor is based on what ppm is registered. Below is a list of the various levels of hardness in water. (1)

This is a process used to remove high levels of calcium and magnesium from a water source, such as from a well where it is in permanent contact with mineral-rich rock. Water softening involves using sodium as an ion to draw out the trace amounts of calcium. Keep in mind, this isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t best practice, as excess amounts of sodium can be toxic to plants leading to problems in the garden later on.

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IMPROVING YOUR WATER

Hard water may leach calcium onto pipes as temperatures fluctuate in your indoor garden

Very hard water: natural travertine (calcium carbonate minerals pools and terraces in Pamukkale(South-West Turkey)

Growing Medium

Harvesting Rainwater

The growing medium used is a very important factor when it comes to water usage and feeding plants. Replacing ions held inside the structure of the water molecule can be difficult, especially if you have hard water. Some water sources are polluted with various chemicals and salts. A well-balanced, organic medium will have the capacity to not only break down and naturally buffer nutrients, but also adjust the pH levels.

Finding a reliable and plentiful source of water can be challenging in various parts of the world where reverse osmosis or advanced filtering systems are not possible or even available. This is why many farmers choose to collect rainwater, which is not only cheap but can also be very beneficial to gardens. When rain falls from the sky, nitrogen is absorbed from the atmosphere and is utilised by plants. Keep in mind that when collecting rainwater, you must be conscious of what the water will come into contact with. (2) Ideally, you want the water to avoid potential contaminants such as older roofing, asphalt or moss-covered slopes. A smooth, metal surface will decrease the chances of harmful bacteria leaching into the water. 3

The overall retention of primary and trace elements is far higher with a commercial potting soil mix, making it better suited for hard water use and commercial farming. When using a recirculating system, soft water is recommended as it has the integrity to gel with tiny chelates present in the hydroponic nutrient. Hard water may leach calcium onto pipes as temperatures fluctuate in your indoor garden. It is also important to note that when using Rockwool or coco for hydroponic growing, hard water can cause nutrient buildup around the roots.

references 1. https://www.scribd.com/doc/47770908/Analysis-of-Hard-Water 2. http://pages.uoregon.edu/hof/S01havestingrain/data.html

BIO Stoney Tark is a freelance writer with over 15 years experience in the canna industry. Specializing in plant science, tutorials, how-to-guides, top tips, microbiology, breeding and all fundamentals cannabis-based. Living in Amsterdam and the resident writer for Soft Secrets, as well as Hightimes and Garden Culture Magazine.

43 GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

DR CALLIE SEAMAN

grow room h ygiene

GROW ROOM HYGIENE

K eep in mind t here a re se v er a l a re a s t h at c a n h a rb our pat hogenic microbe s un t il t he y ta k e up p erm a nen t re sidence w i t h your p l a n t s

ave you ever had a friend tell you their plant roots are brown and slimy? A classic case of root rot. Maybe someone has told you they have bud rot and their produce is covered with grey mould. Or, their crops are blanketed with a white powdery dustâ&#x20AC;Ś the list goes on and on.

Having been in their grow room and seen the state they leave their equipment, you might not be surprised. Grow rooms are the perfect environment for various types of microbes to thrive; the good and the bad. Whether it be bacteria, fungus or a virus, it can make you and your plants sick. Any form of disease or pest in your grow room can be devastating, either reducing yields or destroying entire crops. Prevent such outbreaks with simple hygiene! From easy, everyday rituals, to high-tech sterilisation equipment, there are several ways to keep your grow room clean.

From easy, everyday rituals, to high-tech sterilisation equipment, there are several ways to keep your grow room clean

By definition, hygiene is the conditions or practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease, especially through cleanliness. One of the most basic rules is washing your hands. The physical action of scrubbing and rinsing removes the highest percentage of microbes from our hands, no matter what kind of soap is being used. The same principle applies to your grow room; there is no replacement for elbow grease and regular cleaning. When cleaning your grow room, keep in mind there are several areas that can harbour pathogenic microbes until they take up permanent residence with your plants. These potential hazards include pump filters, pipework, dirty measuring cups, dead plant material, buckets of still water or nutrients, dirty sponges, old growing media, dirty plant pots, and scalpels. Removing dead plant material from the room is incredibly important; so is cleaning and sterilizing equipment after use, and regularly cleaning out the pump filters

and pipework. Media can sometimes contain microbes that are pathogenic to plants. Often, good quality growing media such as coco is steam-sterilised and then inoculated with Trichoderma to keep disease out.

The air blowing into the room via the intake fan can also be cause for trouble. If the air passes plants with powdery mildew, the spores will likely spread. Placing a carbon filter or a UV ozone generator on your intake fan can help prevent such a situation. Anything dipped into a nutrient tank can be a source of contamination, and therefore, a means of transferring any disease from one tank to another. This includes pH meters, CF meters, mixing spoons, syringes and measuring cups. Cleaning these tools between uses with antimicrobials is highly recommended. Rather than dipping a syringe directly into nutrient solution or other bottles, pour the liquid into cups and measure it from there before adding it to the nutrient tank. Be sure to properly sterilize your scalpels, as this tool is used to cut into the plant; anything on its surface has a direct route into the flesh. Often overlooked as sources of disease are seeds and cuttings. Before germination, seeds are usually sterilized by soaking in alcohol and sodium hypochlorite. Unfortunately, chemical methods can impact the germination rate, and if not rinsed properly, the seeds can lead to the toxicity of young seedlings. High-quality seed producers often pre-sterilize their seeds so you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to. When it comes to cuttings, always look at the condition of the room they were taken from. Ask if the room has battled

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For more information about the Gavita Master controllers visit www.gavita.com

GROW ROOM HYGIENE

Medi a c a n s ome t ime s c on ta in microbe s t h at a re pat hogenic t o p l a n t s disease or pests in the past, though There are several sterilization methHumans are you might not always get the truth! ods you can try in your grow room: Quarantining cuttings before allownot immune to ing them into your room is always Chemical: illness caused a wise choice, however, a lack of Chemicals such as sodium hypochlospace may not make this possible. rite, hydrogen peroxide (unstable), by poor hygiene Treating new plants with pesticides ethanol, ozone and peracetic acid are in the grow or fungicides before taking them all used to kill microbes within hydroroom into the room is another option. If ponic systems and grow rooms. Silver you choose to go this route, always stabilised hydrogen peroxide has the research the chemical you plan on added benefit of increasing the oxyusing, particularly if you are consuming the produce. gen content of the nutrient solution and leaves no residual Non-toxic and biodegradable contact killers that suffochemicals when broken down to water in the tank. Unforcate insects are my favourite, and they can be applied to tunately, sodium hypochlorite will increase the concentracuttings before they go into your grow room. tion of sodium and chlorides in your tank, and has, in my opinion, a nasty smell. Humans are not immune to illness caused by poor hygiene in the grow room. For example, air conditioning Heat and pressure: systems contain refrigeration units and hold water, and Use heat to cook microbes to death without using any can, therefore, be a source of Legionella, which cause toxins. For the microbes that survive extreme heat, autolegionnaires disease. Keep yourself safe by always readclaving is used. This process applies a combination of high ing the manufacturing instructions on how to properly pressure and heat to equipment over an extended period clean the unit. If you are really concerned, test kits for of time. Autoclaving is most often used in laboratories and legionella in air conditioning units are also available. On for equipment being used for tissue culture. The average another note, leaving stagnant water in your room is grow room doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t typically need such extreme measures the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes which can of sterilisation; autoclaving is both costly and time-conharbour malaria. suming. Still, the advantage to this method is the lack of residues and resistance that often occur in chemical sterilization.

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GROW ROOM HYGIENE

Qua r a n t ining cu t t ing s bef ore a l l ow ing t hem in t o your room is a lways a w ise choice

. Another option is using steam to sterilize your grow room; there are many portable units that can be used to clean walls and other surfaces, as well as equipment.

Irradiation: Even the name sounds scary! This type of sterilization falls into two categories: •

•

If your water source does not come from mains water, reverse osmosis is a good way to care for your plants

Non-ionising – This method uses UV lamps, which have germicidal properties. However, keep in mind that this can lead to degradation of plastics within your room. Repetitive, unprotected, direct exposure to this type of radiation can lead to skin cancer in humans as well. Ionising radiation - This includes gamma radiation from radioisotopes such as 137Cs (Caesium 137) or 60 Co (cobalt 60). This method is most often used for the sterilization of surgical equipment

Filtration: Reverse osmosis not only removes salts from your water but also acts as a form of sterilization by removing microbial content. If your water source does not come from mains water, reverse osmosis is a good way to care for your plants with water free of unwanted microbes.

Remember; prevention is quite often easier than the cure, so take your health and the health of your plants into consideration and clean up after yourself! 3

BIO 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.

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Make your gorgeous, green lawn and beautiful blooms the envy of the neighbourhood with this self-scheduling sprinkler irrigation system.The Blossom 12 actually monitors the local weather forecast to determine whether your grass and gardens will need to be watered so you don’t have to. After consulting multiple weather sources, this high-tech gadget will create an appropriate watering schedule for your property. In dry conditions, it will automatically turn on, but you can also control it from anywhere with your smartphone or tablet. Never worry about wasting water again; simply shut the sprinkler system off remotely. Made to withstand the elements, the Blossom 12 can either connect to weather satellites via Wi-Fi or through a power outlet. Let your garden be the smartest on the block. Order from Amazon: amzn.to/2MDkXOZ

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Spare yourself (and your neighbours) the embarrassing wrestling match with the garden hose. These beautiful ground hose guides are the perfect way to prevent kinks while also protecting your plants from being crushed by the hose when watering. By GardenMate, these guides come in a convenient two-pack and the two-legged design makes them extra sturdy for bigger hoses. They’re also weather-proof, meaning they won’t rust in the rain. When you’re not watering your gardens simply leave them in the ground and let them act as decorative borders for your beds. Watering large garden spaces doesn’t have to be frustrating! Ships across the UK from Amazon: amzn.to/2ypO3OJ

On ly T h e F i n e st

Perfect for home gardeners looking to give their plants the purest water possible, this garden hose adapter filter is sure to help flowers grow. It successfully removes 99% of chlorine from hose water and balances pH levels, allowing beneficial organisms to help your plants thrive. Wonderful for ponds, potted flowers, and other delicate plants, it’s very simple to install; all you have to do is insert your garden hose tube ends into either end of the filter. Once it’s in place, the filter won’t reduce the hose pressure and is built to last for about one year before a new one is needed. This little gem will keep your gardens green with the perfect blue. Ships throughout the UK: uk-water-filters.co.uk

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BOOK REVIEW

BY EVAN FOLDS

Book Review:

Secrets of the Soil by Peter Tompkins & Christopher Bird

ou may have heard of the book called The Secret Life of Plants. Stevie Wonder did the soundtrack for the documentary movie in 1979 based on a fascinating exploration of the physical, emotional, and spiritual relations between plants and humans.

The authors, Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird, have written an even more incredible follow-up book called Secrets of the Soil. It did not receive the same critical acclaim as their previous work, primarily because the authors took an even riskier dive into the spiritual and esoteric concepts of soil and agriculture. Rather than take the perspective of the plant, Secrets of the Soil tells the story of the soil by way of innovative farmers, scientists, and mystics who utilize novel techniques such as Rudolf Steiner’s biodynamic methods, Dan Carlson’s Sonic Bloom sound frequency work, and many other incredible technologies that have the capacity to help us heal and regenerate agriculture in powerful ways. There are chapters on rock dust, the soil food web, the legendary health and longevity of the Hunza people from the Himalayas, and a chapter called “Weeds: Guardians of the Soil” that discusses complete system farming and describes how weeds do so much more to protect the soil than to harm it. There is even an entire chapter on the efficacy of the vor tex in water described through the work of Patrick Flanagan and the great Viktor Schauberger.

Secrets of the Soil is a clarion call for changing agriculture for the better

Secrets of the Soil is a clarion call for changing agriculture for the better. Written in a non-technical voice, it is revolutionary in its scope and is required reading for anyone interested in the secrets of the natural world. It goes beyond agriculture to probe the primal mysteries of the soil and presents a compelling picture for the regeneration of our planet. Conventional agriculture is failing us. Secrets of the Soil not only provides potential answers to the questions many are not even asking yet, but it does so in a way that is enter taining and approachable. If you are serious about agriculture and human health, you will be moved by the message. 3

GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM

BY PETER BAAS, PHD; COLIN BELL, PHD

Green Revolution How Microbes Work In Hydroponics 56

MICROBES IN HYDROPONICS

Microbial solutions are the key element of the next green revolution In all natural terrestrial and aquatic systems, no plant exists that doesn’t interact with microbes

here are many benefits and challenges growers can experience when utilizing the natural power of beneficial microbes in hydroponic systems. We hope this will help shed light on how microbes work to suppor t plant growth and yield in soilless systems.

Soil microbes have been critical to plant growth since plants first evolved over 700 million years ago. To this day, soil bacteria and fungi continue to shape soil environments, allowing plants to thrive. Our team of PhD. scientists are dedicated to understanding how plant-microbial interactions support plant health and development in agriculture and natural ecosystems. In the cannabis industry, most living soil and organic growers understand the importance of using microbes to enhance plant nutrient uptake. However, it is less clear how microbes work to support plant growth in hydroponic growing. In hydroponic growing, the goal is to supply all nutrients that plants need in the ‘right’ amounts so they won’t become nutrient deficient. However, plant nutrient deficiencies and poor growth can still occur even if there is a plentiful nutrient supply in the reservoir solution. Applying beneficial microbes can help plants maximize their full phenotypic potential in two main ways; by maximizing nutrient recycling into accessible forms, and by inhibiting and/or excluding plant pathogens from affecting plant health. In all natural terrestrial and aquatic systems, no plant exists that doesn’t interact with microbes. Around the world, studies have clearly shown that soil and water samples can contain billions of microbial cells which represent tens of thousands of different bacterial and fungal species – and many of these microbes live within millimetres of plant roots (called the rhizosphere). After decades of research, we now understand that these interactions are so important that, in nature, plants actively recruit specific microbes to maximize their growth potential and success. Plants manipulate their rhizosphere microbiome (microbes in the root zone) through changes in the chemistry of compounds released through their roots. In the rhizosphere, microbes benefit plants

by continuously adjusting nutrient availability, supporting optimal plant growth conditions. To a large degree, microbes accomplish this by facilitating ion exchange processes on the surface of the roots – causing profound effects on improved plant nutrient uptake. Microbes are especially important for plant growth in aquatic systems; they maximize nutrient availability by degrading plant-produced organic compounds and converting them into beneficial metabolites. As this process takes place, plant physiology and metabolism are stimulated. Hydroponic systems are less buffered than natural systems, so using beneficial microbes can have an even greater positive impact! It is impossible to maintain a completely sterile environment in hydroponic growing. Early stage plant tissue culture grown in controlled laboratory environments is the only cultivation method known that allows for plants to grow in conditions completely devoid of microbes. All hydroponic systems will include microbes from the environment and all hydroponically grown plants have surface bacteria growing on their roots. Regardless, it is common practice to use disinfectant additives to keep hydroponic systems ‘as sterile as possible’ to control pathogenic microbes from infecting the plant. Using these products likely won’t kill all microbes or prevent them from rapidly reestablishing within days after sterilization efforts (although, hopefully, they are efficacious in limiting plant pathogens). As an alternative to using disinfectants, the use of beneficial microbes can reduce pathogenic microbes by outcompeting them for the resources necessary for growth. This approach extends the benefits of plant-microbial interactions into the hydroponic environment. Beneficial microbes protect plants against pathogens by growing along the surface areas of their roots – blocking pathogens from potential infection sites and

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The absence of beneficial microbes increases the risk of having pathogenic microbes and other pests establish

Beneficial microbes protect plants against pathogens by growing along the surface areas of their roots

competing against them. Microbes also facilitate chemical signalling which allows plants to naturally fight off diseases and reduce stress responses. Just like in nature, a healthy rhizosphere microbiome is necessary for a healthy plant immune system. One challenge when using microbes in hydroponics is environmental tolerance. Because many microbes do not persist well in hydroponic environments, we must understand how to select the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;rightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; microbes for our growing environment, which isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily easy! To successfully utilize the natural power of microbes in hydroponic growing, we must: 1. 2.

Understand how specific microbial groups function to support plant growth Identify which microbes can persist in hydroponic growing environments

The first step is to identify which microbes are most important for specific plant-beneficial functions. This is best accomplished with microbial consortia (groups of microbes), which interact closely with each other to perform complex functions like breaking down plant-released material to liberate nutrients. Likewise, the absence of beneficial microbes increases the risk of having pathogenic microbes and other pests establish. Introducing a highly functional microbiome into hydroponic environments - like in nature - maximizes microbial functions targeted at enhancing plant health and development.

There are many commercial microbial products that work well in hydroponic environments. It is impor tant to consider the environmental tolerances of different microbial groups to ensure success when using microbes. Even though mycorrhizae and other fungi play impor tant roles in enhancing plant growth in soils, the high nutrient concentrations and high rate of watering in hydroponic systems are more favourable to bacteria and, thus, allow them to play a critical role in the plant rhizosphere. Bacteria are the best candidates for use in hydroponic environments because they exhibit a vast diversity of physiological and physical characteristics that are most compatible with hydroponic environments. Bacterial metabolic versatility and evolutionary breadth is actually greater than that of all multicellular organisms on the planet! Bacterial strains can use vastly different compounds, ranging from requiring oxygen to generating it. Different bacteria species can effectively adapt and thrive in wide temperature, pH and nutrient ranges. All of these factors are impor tant for selecting the right microbes that will persist and function as desired in hydroponic and soilless systems. Using soil microbes in agriculture is now considered the next key innovation allowing farmers to naturally maximize crop quality, health and yield across many crops. Likewise, we are now able to use microbes with precision in hydroponics to attain similar results. Microbial solutions are the key element of the next green revolution that is enabling a more sustainable agricultural system. Applying microbes with specific physiological functions that promote effective nutrient use will increase plant growth, health and quality in hydroponic and soilless systems. 3

GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

BY NICO HILL

Korean

Nat ural F arming F undamentalis ts

KNF FUNDAMENTALISTS

he Korean Natural Farming movement is one that has been steadily snowballing along for a good while now. Star ting geographically from its roots in (of course) Korea, it has slowly and surely gained momentum and spread throughout the entire world. With laws relating to cannabis production in the

Americas over the past few years, there has been a great deal of interest in methods of organic crop production with people desiring only the cleanest of medicines for the top shelf of their cabinets. At the heart of every movement are the people involved in said activities. Without them, I wouldn’t be writing this article and trying to encourage all you hydro-purists to pick up some brown sugar on your way back from the hydro store. A few issues ago we had a brief look into Master Cho’s background considering he is the father of the whole thing. But, there are, of course, a lot more characters involved in the whole story, and their diversity is pretty much a microcosm of a fully functioning, organic, living soil. Most people getting into KNF will no doubt venture straight onto YouTube to see what tutorials there are on all the different things you can make. This route of engagement will no doubt land you directly onto the lap of a Mr Chris Trump of Hawaii. This man is nothing short of a legend in his own right, maintaining a 500-acre Macadamia nut farm entirely using organic KNF methods – the largest example of which you will find in the world. His video tutorials are nothing short of inspirational, breaking down each part of KNF in a nice and concise way.

‘Don’t worry Chris, my love for you is merely platonic’

Contributions from Chris are also found on the awesome website www.naturalfarminghawaii.net, created by Drake and co, who are all about enhancing people’s understanding of KNF and the natural world in general. It’s not all isolated to the tropical lands of Hawaii though; even in the grim and grey land of Blighty, there are those that have been trying to spread the good word for quite some time. Nigel Davenport of TNC (The Nutrient Company) has been harping on about how to make your own FPJ’s and LAB’s for a good while now, with plenty of info on his site about it all. The community of growers who are actually using KNF techniques and integrating it into their grows/daily lives is nothing short of the true heroes, though. If any of you have

There has been a great deal of interest in methods of organic crop production with people desiring only the cleanest of medicines for the top shelf of their cabinets heard of something called ‘Instagram’, there are definitely a good few peeps on there worth checking out, if only for the hilarious banter and memes. @microbe.alchemist is a great example of a grower applying and extolling the virtues of KNF, whilst keeping it all sewn together with some hilarious memes. @Masonic_ Smoker from Compton also comes out with some KNF gems now and again that will surely have you growing some of the infamous rippers I keep hearing about. Don’t ask him for actual advice, though – you’ll probably just get trolled.

The point of all this is that it seems to be a mainly peopledriven movement, which is hardly surprising as it basically goes directly against the principles big agricultural companies run by. Working alongside the natural world and creating your own inputs, rather than buying something in a plastic bottle made from dwindling mineral supplies. So, get involved, get your smug face out and start making your own inputs. We’ll have Bayer/Monsanto shut down in no time. 3

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BY EVAN FOLDS

How To Make

Water Work

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Water, thou hast no taste, no colour, no odour; canst not be defined, art relished while ever mysterious. Not necessary to life, but rather life itself, thou fillest us with a gratification that exceeds the delight of the senses.â&#x20AC;? Antoine de Saint-Exupery Wind, Sand, and Stars 1939

HOW TO MAKE WATER WORK

Water expresses over 70 anomalies that baffle the mighty scientific method

ater is unassuming but alive with energy; it is seemingly inert but is the personification of vitality. Water is a riddle of life and, on balance, there may be no more miraculous and, at the same time, disrespected substance on Earth.

For most of human history, water has been revered, having been recognized as one of the four classical elements, along with air, earth, and fire. It was not until the 18th century that chemist Antoine Lavoisier ran an electrical current through water and realized that it gives off two gases we call hydrogen and oxygen. Since this time water has worked to confound even the most brilliant scientists; the true nature of water escapes deductive scientific explanation. Water can be described as being beyond science, such are the words of the French biologist Fred Vles, “Biology is, for the most part, the science of water”.

In greenhouse applications, water that has been activated using implosion technology and beneficial frequencies has resulted in up to a 40% reduction in water use

Water expresses over 70 anomalies that baffle the mighty scientific method, which demands strict objective replication that belies the true nature of this seminal substance. Water scoffs at such rigidity, and never repeats itself. In the words of Heraclitus, one of the original Greek philosophers, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man”. Most everyone is familiar with the classic textbook H2O chemical structure from grade school, but you may be surprised to discover that modern popular science with all of its authority, expertise, and experience has never actually seen a water molecule. They are, after all, incredibly small. For reference, the average snow crystal contains about 10 quintillion (10 followed by 18 zeros) water molecules. Water is involved in literally everything. To create 1 tonne of steel it takes 300 tonnes of water. A nuclear power plant requires 30 million gallons of water to cool its reactors…every hour. It takes an average of 460 gallons of water to make a quarter-pound of hamburger. California’s drought-stricken Central Valley churns out 80% of the globe’s almonds, and since each nut takes a gallon of water to produce, this accounts for close to 10% of the state’s annual agricultural water use—or more than what the entire population of Los Angeles and San Francisco use combined. For the details, watch the Netflix documentary Water & Power: A California Heist

or read the article titled A Kingdom From Dust, documenting the shady business practice of Stewart Resnick, the biggest farmer in the United States. Water is special because it is a polar molecule. This means that it expresses a positive charge and negative charge in its stable molecular form, which is very rare in Nature. This polarity allows water to take the role of the universal solvent. Water picks things up and carries it around on an ionic level, and true to form in our materialistic age, we tend to consider this only in a physical sense; but water is also capable of carrying around and facilitating subtle energies. This is the basis of homeopathy or biodynamic agriculture.

Because water is a polar molecule and opposite charges attract, water hugs itself through a process called hydrogen bonding. One consequence of hydrogen bonding is capillary action, which was actually the subject of Albert Einstein’s first scientific paper. With capillary action, water molecules attract one another so strongly that they defy the force of gravity, such as in chromatography experiments where water pulls colours apart as it travels up a paper towel, or in a hydroponic system where the wicking action of capillary mats delivers water to plants without pumps. For all we owe water, we treat it with unfortunate disrespect, even scorn. To highlight the extreme resistance of popular science towards water, in 1988 John Maddox (1925-2009), the editor of the famous scientific journal Nature, issued a response to the research submitted by the renowned scientist Jacques Benveniste (1935-2004) proving the merits of homeopathy, first developed by Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843). The results generated by Benveniste showing efficacy for homeopathy were in complete contradiction with generally accepted scientific views, and through a long, dramatic process were rejected by the journal. Maddox is quoted as saying, “Our mind is not as so much closed as not ready to change the idea of how modern science is constructed.” Whoa. 65

HOW TO MAKE WATER WORK

Water’s ability to transport physical and energetic substance includes delivering oxygen and nutrition inside of living cells, as well as carrying away the toxins. Dr Peter Agre was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2003 for the discovery of the mechanism by which cells “drink” water. He called them “aquaporins”, spiral protein channels that exist in microbes, plants, and people that regulate the cellular water cycle. In the human body alone, at least 11 different variants of aquaporin have been found.

When was the last time you asked water what it wants? This may feel like a silly question, but considering the potential for results, what have we got to lose?

It turns out that the molecular structure of water determines a cell’s ability to access an adequate supply. Basically, aquaporins drink water one molecule at a time, meaning, in simple terms, if the structure and surface tension of water is too strong, it creates clustering that will not allow water to penetrate or be infused into cells. The same hydration principle applies in agriculture with plant cells. It is this sort of consideration towards water that can result in enormous benefits for farmers. In other words, it is not just the purity of the water that should be in question for farmers and gardeners, but also the molecular structure. In greenhouse applications, water that has been activated using implosion technology and beneficial frequencies has resulted in up to a 40% reduction in water use. This has tremendous implications for farm profitability, as with many farms water is the most expensive line item. Water is far more than a substance to dissolve fertilizer into; it is a primary nutrient itself. In fact, with a simple experiment of creating what I call “activated water”, you can witness the growth benefit that water can bring on its own with some intention. Root several cuttings of a basil or tomato plant and pot them in identical soil for comparison. From the same water source, separate two samples using one as the control. With the other sample, stir the water to organisation in one direction and then reverse the flow over and over again for at least 20 minutes. Perform this exercise for each watering and watch for yourself how beneficial plain water can be in the garden. So why does this stirring exercise work? The simple answer is that water thrives on energy and movement, specifically that of implosive movement; and when treated with this intention can perform on a higher level. There is a reason that a river meanders or a wave curls. The way water moves allows its ability to perform to its potential. This phenomenon is brought to life through the use of flow forms, water features designed to mimic mountain streams and leverage the powerfully revitalizing properties of naturally energized water. Developed by John Wilkes in the 1970’s, his work was inspired by the vortex principle introduced by Rudolf Steiner in biodynamic agriculture, and they have since been implemented into countless homesteads and public gardens the world over. For more, read the book Flowforms: The Rhythmic Power of Water.

Think of it this way: when water flows down a drain we do not have to engineer the vortex that forms; water moves in this spiral form by default. Now, make the connection that our conventional means of irrigation involve straight pipes and right angles. In other words, we are not respecting what water wants, only what we want to get from it. When was the last time being selfish worked for you? When was the last time you asked water what it wants? This may feel like a silly question, but considering the potential for results, what have we got to lose? This activation of water can also be accomplished using energy directly from magnets, crystals, or frequency. Both form and frequency are major influences on the ability of water to perform its work. So, armed with the knowledge that water is far more than just wet, how do we get water to do more work for us in our agriculture? Beyond the examples already given, the most powerful tool that you have is an open mind; our perspective drives our actions, and an open mind drives experimentation. Keep records of the results you are generating; trust, but verify. Don’t take my word for it, prove it to yourself. While many have trouble accepting the idea that energy is a relevant topic in agriculture, one could at the same time argue it is the most important. In fact, life is energy, energy is life. Surely, we can all agree that there is more to life than what is physically here and that we are more than the sum of our parts. Just consider for a moment why a plant grows up against gravity, or why they are influenced by the moon and other celestial cycles. Every living organism expresses this life force and the subtle energies that communicate the energetic organisation that allows life to build itself move through water. While the concept of activated water may be outside of the conventional box, I can assure you from many years of experience that if you can jump out of it with two feet and an open mind, your growing will be all the better for it. 3 GA R D EN CU LT U R E M AGA Z I N E.CO M

WHAT’S GROWING ON

Who’s Growing

t a h W Wh

ere

in the UK

Leeds, West Yorkshire

Growing For Better Mental Health

Credit: Growing Better

Coping with mental health issues can be debilitating, and Growing Better’s urban farm has dedicated itself to providing a supportive environment for those in need. There is strong evidence that gardening can be therapeutic, so clients of the organisation can either self-refer or are referred by their doctors. Together, they grow high-quality produce like microgreens, pea and sunflower shoots in a hydroponic vertical farm. Growing in a controlled environment means pests and disease are unlikely, and the weather is never an issue. The company keeps it fresh and local, making sure produce is picked and delivered within 24 hours. Moving away from toxic agriculture, Growing Better never plants GMO seeds, and refuses to use harmful pesticides, herbicides, or other nasty chemicals.

Growing healthy food and healthy minds… Learn more: growingbetter.strikingly.com

Edinburgh, Scotland

Herbs can be used for so many things in our lives; whether it be a flavour for foods, medicinal, decorative or simply for their wonderful aroma, we can all find a purpose for them. At least that’s what the Secret Herb Garden hopes for. Herbs are the heart and soul of this lovely greenhouse; the public is invited to walk amongst the many varieties from around the world, enjoying their tastes, sights and smells as they wander through. The goal is to educate people on how herbs and nature play very important roles in all of our lives. In addition to a magical and serene greenhouse, the Secret Herb Garden also offers a school where various courses are offered on topics ranging from growing your own herbs and cooking with them, to beekeeping and candle making. The onsite shop and cafe offer homemade teas, coffees, candles and honey. So many different herbs...so many purposes. Learn more: secretherbgarden.co.uk/

Credit: Secret Herb Garden

Magical Herbs

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WHAT’S GROWING ON

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From Cannabis To Carrots

Credit: BEES UK

Hydroponic equipment seized by police in drug raids is being turned over to school-age children. It sounds somewhat backward, doesn’t it? The concept is really quite simple: rather than destroy the equipment taken from illegal drug organisations, Devon and Cornwall police, along with educational social enterprise BEES UK, are donating it to food growing projects in schools. With one in five children under the age of 15 suffering from food insecurity in the UK, the project is timely. Staff and students alike get proper training to produce fast-growing and nutritious carrots. Good for the students and for their grades; it’s been cleverly integrated into the curriculum. The hydroponic equipment is being recycled into aquaponic systems, where nutrients are provided by fish. The goal? To one day have every school promoting healthier lifestyles by teaching children how to grow their own food using hydro and aquaponics. Learn more: beesuk.org/

Beautiful Blueberries

Sussex, England

Credit: Langridge Organic

There are blueberries as far as the eye can see on the organic farm at Selehurst Garden Blueberries. Beautiful shades of blue and purple dangle from green bushes; varieties like Early Blue, Duke, Spartan and more are traditionallygrown on the farm and hand-picked June through September every year. Owner Bob Hewitt is passionate about the super fruit -- they’re high in fibre, vitamin C and antioxidants. He’s also passionate about environmentally-friendly practices; because the farm is certified organic, wildlife thrives near the berry bushes and helps control pests and disease. Dormice, grass snakes, buzzards and owls all live nearby. The lake adjoining the berry field is home to Kingfishers and many different birds and fish. Selehurst Garden Blueberries is also strict about no air miles, meaning the berries travel only short distances to their final destinations in the Sussex and Surrey areas. Delivery routes are very carefully planned to minimize carbon emissions. You can’t find ‘em any fresher… Learn more: blueberrybob.co.uk/ 3

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BY TOM FORREST

eep Water Culture (DWC) is a hydroponic growing method that suspends plants above an aerated reservoir of water. The reservoir solution requires a rich, oxygenated mixture of H2O composites (water) and a hydroponic nutrient (fer tiliser) to feed the crop.

DWC cultivation can be very effective for fast growth and heavy-yielding plants. Plants have direct access to aerated nutrient (food) in functional mineral compounds. This method of hydroponics can be fun, seriously rewarding, and teaches new growers valuable lessons about the importance of root health, water quality and its contents. Deep Water Culture systems can yield exceptional results, however, this method of hydroponic production has certain risks that may cause the rapid demise of your favourite plants. To keep your crop healthy and happy in any kind of recirculating DWC system, ensure you follow these 10 essential guidelines:

1. Know Your pH

2. How Strong Is Your EC/TDS? Once we’ve made up our nutrient-rich water and checked the pH, we need to make sure the concentration of ‘food’ in the water is suitable for our crops and their stage of growth. The dissolved mineral compounds in hydroponic solutions allow for easy uptake by the plant. However, if too much or too little food is available, it can be harmful. DWC systems generally require a lower EC than other methods of hydroponic production, as the plants have direct access to nutrients without a structurally supportive substrate. We recommend always following feed charts but err on the lower side of concentration ratios. Generally, an EC of 0.8 – 1.8 is the ideal range for the complete life cycle of any heavy fruiting or flowering plants.

image credt: Plantcaretools

Varying pH levels encourage certain compounds to be more available to the plant and can influence whether environments are hospitable for beneficial bacteria. For DWC systems, it’s ideal to maintain a pH of between 5.5 – 5.8. This allows for effective nutrient uptake while reducing the risks of pathogens or disease. A higher pH can provide a welcoming environment for root problems like pythium, while pH that is too low can prevent nutrient uptake, causing the acidity to become harmful to delicate root hairs. Certain nutrients have been balanced with a mixture of compounds that stabilise the pH of a hydroponic solution while also encouraging rapid uptake of essential minerals. It’s always recommended to use a nutrient regime that has been designed specifically for recirculating water-based systems, as the pH and exchange capacity has been precisely calculated to keep your garden flourishing. image credt: Growth Technology

3. Aeration and Waterflow Dissolved oxygen refers to the level of free, non-compound oxygen present in water or other liquids. Non-compound oxygen, or free oxygen (O2), is oxygen that is not bonded to any other element. The bonded oxygen molecule in water (H2O) is in a compound and does not count toward dissolved oxygen levels. One can imagine that free oxygen molecules dissolve in water much the way sugar does when it is stirred. Plant growth requires dissolved oxygen to allow root hair development and for use in transpirational processes. In commercial hydroponic systems, the water is usually aerated using large air-pumps or by creating strong ‘waterfall’ arrangements where the water surface is broken by a constant flow of liquid.

DEEP WATER CULTURE

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DEEP WATER CULTURE

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New methods of DWC allow for aeration of a central reservoir alongside extra air provided in each individual pot. Water flow constantly moves aerated liquid around the system, ensuring consistent nutrients are delivered to every plant.

temperature also affects whether the liquid is habitable for living organisms. Higher temperatures (with reduced D/O) encourage anaerobic pathogens to attack delicate root hairs.

Water movement also influences nutrient uptake, as insufficient flow or stagnant areas can cause toxicities and deposits of unused nutrients. My advice for aeration is to always overcompensate with air pumps (and always have backup pumps).

The golden numbers for water temperature are between 18°C – 23°C. Cultivation facilities utilise water chillers (and sometimes heaters) to stay within these parameters.

Water flow for ‘undercurrent’ systems should always use larger plumbing than typical feed irrigation; I’d suggest a minimum of 50-75mm (2-3”) PVC irrigation.

Now that we understand the important parameters of our hydroponic system, we need to keep them in check. Clever system design is crucial for effective growth throughout multiple growth cycles. Many systems are fantastic for the first few weeks, but after plant mass develops and plumbing is put to the test, they become impractical and frustrating.

5. Water Control and System Design

Ideally, your hydroponic system will prevent light from shining onto the water solution, while also providing ample water movement and aeration without accumulating algal growth. It should be easy to drain, clean and maintain; even with a heavy fruiting tree in the system.

4. Ideal Water Temperature Correct water temperature is the ultimate key to successful recirculating hydroponic production. The temperature of this life-giving liquid solution influences nutrient uptake, dissolved oxygen, pH and can be the difference-maker between happy, healthy, glowing white roots, or dark, smelly, disease-ridden struggles. Keeping your water temperature optimised is a balancing act influenced by both external and internal factors such as light, room temperature, system design, water pumps, air pumps, and crop cycle. If the water temperature is too high, the dissolved oxygen is reduced. Lower temperatures increase dissolved oxygen potential, however, cause slower plant growth. Water

My advice for effective design is to always use plumber’s tape for all joints; err on the larger pipe sizing, and try to have the correct water monitoring technology to keep an eye on all your important parameters (pH, EC and temperature).

6. Plant Spacing and Pot Sizing Depending on personal preference, you may have many plants in a single large reservoir, multiple plants spaced in their own modules, or a combination approach. Plants require much smaller pot sizes in DWC systems as there’s no need to accommodate soil particles or substrate! De-leafing and checking individual plants can become difficult if plants are not spaced correctly. This also affects your support trellising and training later in the flowering stage. The important lesson here is to expect larger and faster growth than traditional soil cultivation, so prepare your spacing and netting accordingly.

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DEEP WATER CULTURE

Always ensur e your se e dling or cut ting has s tr ong , es t ablishe d r oot s befor e tr anspl anting into a hydr oponic sys tem.

Plants will grow significantly faster in DWC systems, and will, therefore, require some innovative structures and supports. Certain hydroponic systems have custom designed ‘cages’ to aid heavy fruiting plants and are extremely useful for optimised designated plant spacing. If you’ve designed your own system, we recommend considering the available netting options that you can install (and efficiently access) or alternatively, the classic ‘yo-yo’ solution is always adaptable for a variety of arrangements.

8. Seedlings and Substrates When transplanting into any hydroponic system, it can be easy to damage fragile seedlings. Most hydroponic systems will use expanded clay (clay-balls), perlite or growstone (recycled glass). These substrates hold very minimal moisture but allow for fantastic support for the initial developing root system. Always ensure your seedling or cutting has strong, established roots before transplanting into a hydroponic system. In commercial hydroponic tomatoes, they often set the seedling (in its Rockwool cube) on top of a slab, but without access to the slab underneath until the root density is sufficient. Keep an eye on the bottom of the cube until you see a healthy white root mass that looks ready to burst into your DWC system.

9. Water Changes – How Often and Why? The most common question posed by DWC gardeners is how often they need to change their reservoir or nutrient solution. Essentially, it’s a cost vs. reward calculation. Good, modern hydroponic nutrients are designed to be pH stable and allow for effective uptake of nutrient for anywhere between one and three weeks. The solution will be at its most effective when used only for the duration designated by the manufacturer. However, this is drastically influenced by your plants’ uptaking and exuding compounds from the solution, the water temperatures, the water filters, pumps and aeration alongside the variable factors from your home water source.

Floating Rafts of Lettuce in Deep Water Culture

image: AST Bead Filters

7. Plant Height and Support

Ideally, I’d sug ges t changing the water ever y one to t wo we eks to maint ain a fresh and healthy solution Ideally, I’d suggest changing the water every one to two weeks to maintain a fresh and healthy solution. This is also key to deter the accumulation of harmful bacteria and pathogens that can wreak havoc if left to breed uninhibited.

10. Automation DWC systems can be a means to automation and reducing labour, however like any garden system, optimised gardening requires constant vigilance. Systems can be programmed using clever dosing units that can control the input of nutrient and pH adjustment, while water temperatures can be maintained using reliable hydroponic chillers. Float valves are generally used to refill the main reservoir, however, these need to be checked regularly and engineered to prevent stagnant water. It depends on your budget as to the level of automation you can achieve in your DWC garden. However, it’s still possible to cultivate amazing gardens in a humble system!

Experiment with a DWC garden and let us know your experiences via @StealthGarden social media! 3

BIO

Founder of Indicated Technology Pty Ltd, Tom is a certified horticulturalist and paid consultant working in the Australian medical cannabis industry. After finishing studies in production horticulture (hydroponics) and plant biology; Tom has spent the past 6 years working in the protected cropping space. Tom is passionate about sustainable yet economic cultivation methodologies and also teaches cannabis cultivation as part of university and private education programs. Tom is also the Communications Manager for Stealth Garden wholesale supplies.

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BY COSMIC KNOT

Talk To Your Plants H

ave you ever ventured out into nature and noticed the sounds coming from the forest? Whether it be the wind, water, animals or insects, there are so many musical notes that we can sometimes take for granted. A birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chirp or a cricketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s song is

an integral par t of the spring, summer and autumn months. While most would assume they are just mating calls, there may be much more to them than meets the ear.

SOUND ADVICE

It has long been said that the number of birds in a given area may correlate to the health of the local vegetation, including farmers crops. That being said, there are few who understand the potential in that statement; many hear the sounds of nature without giving it a second thought. It turns out there is evidence that certain frequencies may have a positive effect on plants, and this may help us unlock part of the equation for uninhibited growth in our gardens at home.

It turns out there is evidence that certain frequencies may have a positive effect on plants

In the evening during the warmer months, the crickets come out to sing their song. The morning brings the birds out of their nests to greet the rising sun. The frogs signal the coming spring, and the migratory birds signal that autumn is on its way. There have been studies that have shown how the sound of insects and frogs generally falls between 2,000 Hz to 15,000 Hz, with crickets generally falling below 10,000 Hz. You can even tell the temperature outdoors based on the hertz of the frogs or crickets, and birds are generally in the same frequency range as well. Through this understanding, researchers sought out the potential of sound manipulation for indoor gardens. Experiments were conducted on crops based on certain frequencies. One garden would be subjected to a certain pitch, while a control crop was exposed to regular conditions. The experiments seemed to show a dramatic increase in productivity towards the crops subjected to sound, especially in the average range of 5,000 Hz. The use of foliar sprays in conjunction with certain frequencies applied during the transition times of morning and evening were also shown to have a more beneficial effect on indoor crops as well. The potential link between plants and sound seems to bring about this question: can plants hear? Through studies, it has been found that it’s not that plants hear, so to speak, but they can possibly feel the vibrations from sounds. These vibrations may resonate with certain elements, allowing them to move more freely within the plant tissue. For example, when the crickets sing, their song has been shown to prepare plants for the coming evening by inducing them to open their stomata and collect the settling dew along with the micronized dust from the day. The birds in the morning are said to remind plants that a new day has begun, causing them to close up their pores and get ready for the sun. It seems that it’s all interconnected and this brings about more questions than answers. What else might we be overlooking in nature? For generations, natural farmers in certain regions of the world have sung to their fields while applying fertilizers made of compost teas and rock dust. Some farmers also play certain types of music to their gardens while applying nutrients. This

practice is based on the belief that music imprints their gardens and water with beneficial qualities that help plants grow. The inseverable cosmic link of everything in nature is something that has been disregarded by most modern agricultural practices. However, scientists are starting to see that there may be something to these age-old practices after all. Now that modern science is starting to catch up to what some would deem an esoteric gardening practice, we’re starting to see that there is more going on in Mother Nature than we understand and that there’s still so much to be discovered. Many home gardeners are starting to pick up on natural farming practices and are incorporating different sounds into their gardens to help them grow. If the natural order of things is left unhindered, results will likely follow. The only way to get our world back to a perfectly harmonious state is by understanding what makes it all work in the first place. By working with these natural energies, as opposed to against them, we can begin to build better farming practices. This means spending time in our natural surroundings and evaluating what makes it all come to life. Many people claim that simply walking through the forest puts them at ease and helps them think more clearly. The sounds of the forest very well may play a huge part in that relaxation effect. Even music tuned to the pitch of nature has shown to promote relaxing qualities on the listener. Based on these recent studies, it would seem a deeper look into the mysteries around us might hold the key to creating better gardens and maybe even a brighter future. It’s time to take a look into more “sound” gardening practices. 3

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