Garden Culture Magazine US 21 by Garden Culture Magazine

THE ART OF URBAN GARDENING AND INDOOR GROWING

U S A - C A N A DA E D I T I O N

I S SU E 21 Â· 2018

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CONTENTS

BRINGING MORE LIFE TO YOUR GARDEN

more plants

fewer accidents

76 WHO’S GROWING WHAT WHERE

grow room analytics

51 GROW ROOM TECHNOLOGY

56 I N T HIS ISSU E OF GA R D E N CU LTU R E :

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS

9 Foreword

56 Grow Room Analytics

10 Product Spotlights

62 The Great Survey Analysis

16 Agriculture and Technology

68 Printable Ponics

22 Top Tech Tips

72 Highway Planting

28 Foodscaping

76 Bringing (More) Life to Your Garden

34 Root Pruning

80 Best of the Blog

40 5 Cool Finds

84 Biochar

44 Taking Shape: Morphogenesis

89 Shorties

51 Who’s Growing What Where

90 THCv Made Easy

54 Why Condensate Reclamation Matters

96 Biostimulants

22 Th e

Great

hydro store 2 018

analysis

62 7

FOREWORD & CREDITS

FOREWORD

usually star t these talking about the topics in the issue and any other bits of wisdom I can scratch up. What I never do is talk about us. But this time is different. There

have been a few changes in the Garden Culture team over

I S S U E 21

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E.COM

A Nightm are

Team Meet our Dream

2018 I S SU E 21 ·

EDITION

ED I TO R Catherine Sherriffs cat@gardenculturemagazine.com

DA E D I T I O N

GROWIN G AND INDOOR

ADA USA - CAN

In this edition, we look at technology: man-made and made by Mother Nature. That might sound like a contradiction but the complexity of nature can sometimes be as interesting as the most amazing invention. Evan Folds takes a look at how technology and agriculture are inter twined, while Dr Callie Seaman gives the low-down on the gear that is “splurge-wor thy” for your grow room. On the other spectrum, Bringing Life to the Garden explains why beneficials should be a par t of every grow, while Kyle L. Ladenburger explains biostimulants and their application in crop management, as well as the need for a proper regulatory framework.

E XCU T I V E ED I TO R Celia Sayers celia@gardenculturemagazine.com +1-514-754-1539

USA-CANA

ING URBAN GARDEN THE ART OF

OWING T OF GR THE AR

Second, we are very proud to announce the appointment of our new editor, Catherine Sheriffs. A graduate of Concordia University’s journalism program, Catherine worked her way up the news ladder in English Montreal media, first as a repor ter and ending as the late-night news anchor on CTV. After becoming a mother, she eventually made the tough decision to prioritize her family-life, leaving television to raise her two young children. 2018 felt like the right time for her to jump back into a new challenge and we couldn’t be happier to have her on our team. Catherine brings a wealth of knowledge and professionalism to Garden Culture that will help us in our goal of becoming a leading information resource on indoor gardening.

PRESIDENT Eric Coulombe eric@gardenculturemagazine.com +1-514-233-1539

CULTURE

First and foremost, a massive thank you to Tammy Clayton, who over the past four years, has been the senior editor for the magazine and blog. She was vital to our survival in the early days and was always a pleasure to work with. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

Special thanks to: Albert Mondor, Catherine Sherriffs, Dr Callie Seaman, Evan Folds, Kyle L. Ladenburger, Mary Minchin, Matt Mountain, Micheal Parisi, Rich Hamilton, Stoney Tark, and Theo Tekstra. N G A R D E

the past couple of months.

CREDITS

for Pests...

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 t. 1-514-233-1539

Happy gardening,

Eric 3 @GardenCulture

@GardenCulture

@GardenCultureMagazine

@Garden_Culture

D I ST R I B U T I O N PA R T N ER S • Rambridge • Sunlight Supply • Biofloral • Hydrofarm © 325 Media INC

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.

E BOTANICAR

h System c n e B e d li S ew Modular N s e c u d o r t n I The commercial-duty slide bench is a versatile, modular system that provides complete grow space control. Modify length, working height, aisle width, and drainage slope to complement any growing style, room size or greenhouse. The robust frame is constructed of 1” x 2” powder coated steel tubes for maximum support of the Botanicare ABS trays while the rollers ensure smooth bilateral movement from the center. Side-by-side systems create movable aisles with a minimum width 1’5” resulting in more cultivation footprint. Botanicare’s unique system has reinforced cast aluminum roller connectors with spacers to maintain smooth rotation, tube alignment and structural integrity under increased pressure. Features an anti-tip bar with bump for stability and to prevent tipping when loaded. Equipped with a recessed drain and an adjustable, built-in slope for a fast run out. The integrated trellis support fits inside the frame, securing the trays in place, and can accept conduit for trellising structures. Visit Growmod.Botanicare.com to request a room layout or to learn more about how you can pair the slide bench with other equipment to maximize efficiencies.

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Condensate reclamation has become an integral part of how grow operations recycle water. While condensate is considered distilled water, it nevertheless must be treated before it is safe to reintroduce to your crop. You could invest in several filtration systems and adjust the pH yourself; or, you could simply install a HydroLogic Mini-ARCS (Automated Reclaimed Condensate System), the perfect addition to your water-conscious grow. It not only automatically removes pathogens, heavy metals, bacteria, sediment and other contaminants, but also balances pH to ensure a perfect base for your nutrient formulas. The Mini-ARCS can process 720 GPD, ideally calibrated for your small to medium grow. Visit HydrologicSystems.com for all your water filtration needs.

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Full Spectrum LEDs create very bright white light. The technology is new, exciting and promising. The light may appear to be “normal” white but often contains high energy in the blue spectrum. Some manufacturers are also experimenting with UV and infrared. Color balance is subtle, but protection is extremely important. The Agent 939 LEDfx is designed to protect you from the high energy spectrums, UV, and infrared, all in style and comfort. For more info, inquire at your grow shop or visit: MethodSeven.com

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A compact commercial warehouse design, that can be controlled with the optional Etelligent™ controller (sold separately). State-of-the-art 95% reflective German aluminum interior offers unparalleled output, reflectivity, and diffusion. Includes the highly efficient, agriculturally engineered Philips CDM-T 315 watt lamp.The 3100°K lamp is a very high 1.95 PPF per second light source and has higher amounts of beneficial UV and far-red spectrums. Available in 3100°K or 4200°K color temperature, both have high 92 CRI and 33,000 initial lumens (105Lm/W). The lamp performs with 90% lumen maintenance up to 8,000 hours and 85% PPF maintenance up to 20,000 hours.

The thermally optimized ballast has a non-fan cooled aluminum housing that is ideal for commercial environments. The highly efficient electronic square wave ballast operates on a 50/60Hz frequency and is designed specifically to drive LEC® lamps at sustained peak performance. Internal ballast programming protects the unit in an instance of an open circuit, short circuit, over and under voltage or high-temperature exposure. Features internal built-in circuit breaker. The fixture is dimmable from 50% to 100%, and the low-current, staggered ignition delay eliminates circuit inrush overload and protects lamp for longer-life. Visit SunlightSupply.com to learn all about the Sun System® 315 watt LEC® Boss Commercial Fixture.

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Private Reserve Spring Clamp Jars are clear glass jars with a rounded square design and silicone gaskets. All materials are safe for dry food and herbs. Ideal for display jars, cookie jars, or for items that will be accessed often such as coffee beans, dried herbs, and candies. The jars are equipped with clear gaskets and also include colored spare gaskets in purple, orange, green, red, yellow, and blue for color-coding different contents (not available for 98 oz model). Comes with stick-on labels for identifying contents and storage date. Available in a range of sizes: 18 oz, 27 oz, 34 oz, 49 oz, 70 oz, and 98 oz. All jars come in a pack of 6 except the 98 oz version, which is sold individually. Visit Hydrofarm.com to find out where to buy Private Reserve Spring Clamp Jars.

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Use to collect data from the various Stems (sold separately) with sensors.The Base then forwards this information to the cloud. A single Base can be used to communicate with up to 1,000 Stems depending on deployment. Powered by an indoor rated 110-volt power supply, simply plug it in and it is ready to go. Download the App, available for iOS and Android, and set thresholds to generate automated alerts. Sure TestÂŽ GroGuru Stem Sensors have been designed to provide you the info about your root zone to make your growing even more successful. These sensors measure the moisture content, Electrical Conductivity (EC), salinity and temperature of your

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medium. These lab rated sensors are highly accurate, very reliable and have passed SWAT certification conducted by the Irrigation Association.The Stem communicates wirelessly with the Base unit, called the Collector, which can be up to 1,000 feet away (batteries not included). The Stems report measurements from each of the sensors once every 30 minutes. This information is then reported to software on your desktop or smartphone app. Visit SunlightSupply.com for more info.

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Sunmaster With 2,200 µmol in total output and 1,900 µmol in the key 400-700nm range, the 1,000-watt SUNMASTER SUPER HPS HO lamp offers up to 20% more µmol and over 47% more red to far-red energy compared to other 1,000-watt single-ended HPS lamps. This impressive orange-red spectral output encourages earlier flowering and increases the total number of branches, internodes, and flowers. Key features include: • • • •

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S R E L L O R T N O C G IN T H AUTOPILOT FUEL LIG Autopilot FUEL Lighting Controllers represent the latest in lighting control. Available in versions for 8, 12, 16, and 24 lights, there are six models available: four with ETL cer tification, and two that offer universal X-plugs that accept both 120V and 240V power plugs. FUEL controllers also feature industrial-grade circuit breakers and a highly durable powder-coated finish. Commercial grade and ready for use in today’s professional production environments, allowing precise electrical control of your HID lighting. Visit Hydrofarm.com for more information.

H u r r ica n e ® Pro 16 Heavy Duty A portable fan that takes up a small footprint. Included is a wall mount bracket, allowing this fan to be on the floor or mounted on the wall. With a patented orbital internal gear set, the rotor of the fan blade oscillates a full 360°, allowing for maximum coverage in your selected space. This fan is ideal for home, greenhouses, garages, workshops, and any other area that may need a heavy-duty wall or floor fan. Made rugged with all metal construction, a black powder coated finish, and aluminum blades. Three-speed settings with an adjustable tilt, the fan runs at 3800 CFM and 1400 RPM.

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BY EVAN FOLDS

A Dialogue on

Agriculture and technology â&#x20AC;&#x153;The reigns of technology and agriculture operate from a protected center in the sole interest of shareholders, rather than as decentralized agents for the betterment of humanityâ&#x20AC;?

echnology and agriculture are inextricably tangled. In their essence, they may seem worlds apar t, but in their human application they complement and track one another intimately. In fact, you could even call agriculture one of the original human technologies.

AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

How did it happen that technology and agriculture are being leveraged against us?

At present, both technology and agriculture are totally out of control. They are dominated and built out of an artificial and algorithmic nature that feeds the monster of profit at all costs and at the expense of the average person. This, a result of the checks and balances we have put into place being either explicitly or implicitly owned by corporate interests that cannot be satiated. The reigns of technology and agriculture operate from a protected center in the sole interest of shareholders, rather than as decentralized agents for the betterment of humanity. Why does equity for all have to be mutually exclusive with business and profit? The lever of power here lies in the realm of incentive.

As a result, taxpayers are paying billions of dollars to subsidize already prosperous farms, many with corporate of fices in Manhat tan

Jaron Lanier, one of the pioneers of artificial intelligence (AI) and Silicon Valley, said recently in an interview, “There’s this question of whether what you’re fighting for is something that’s really new and a benefit for humanity, or if you’re only engaged in a sort of contest with other people that’s fundamentally not meaningful to anyone else…I think the fundamental mistake we made is that we set up the wrong financial incentives, and that’s caused us to turn into jerks and screw around with people too much.” The same is true in agriculture. The Farm Bill is one of America’s largest corporate welfare programmes. Although farm subsidies are justified as helping family farmers make ends meet, the majority of subsidy payments go to the largest high-income farms. Current farm subsidy policy allocates somewhere around two out of every three dollars to the top 10 percent of subsidy recipients, while completely shutting 60 percent of farmers out of the programme altogether. As a result, taxpayers are paying billions of dollars to subsidize already prosperous farms, many with corporate offices in Manhattan. How did it happen that technology and agriculture are being leveraged against us? And what can we do to change it? Let’s explore.

Humans are not animals because we have an ego, we can recognize ourselves in the mirror, and we have the unique ability to say “I”. With this blessing of consciousness comes great responsibility to be fair, to own the repercussions of our ideas, and decide the construction of a societal order that reinforces the better angels of our existence. No matter how many cards are stacked against us, we always have a choice. We evolve outside of the evolutionary balance of population and we attempt to use our ideas to compensate. This, we call technology. Technology is a tool, and in typical human fashion we have the ability to use our powers for good or we can use them to destroy ourselves.

Maybe the greatest and most potent idea in the history of humanity is agriculture. In fact, the history of agriculture represents the dawn of humanity, moving us from hunter-gatherers to a societal organization that allows the specialization and opportunity to pursue our passion and life’s purpose. When the first seed was planted, not unlike the first email, the world would never be the same. The freedoms that flowed from this revolutionary concept of growing food in fields literally created the world around us. Considering less than 2 percent of Americans identify as farmers, without agriculture there would be nothing to eat. In this light, agriculture paved the way for the modern world. Digital technology is getting a bad rap these days with memes of kids burying their heads in their cell phones, the invasion of our personal privacy, the perceived disruption of our elections by Russian bots, and the like; but it is important to recognize that the world no longer works without digital technology. Everything from stop lights to space flights relies on the technological power of automation and Big Data.

AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

There is, of course, some truth to the degenerative influence of digital technology on humanity

Take Facebook. It is free, but its purpose is making money for its shareholders. How does it do this? By selling advertisements to companies who want your data. Sure, people should know they are putting a window into their private world when signing up, but the fundamental flaw is that it can be used for bad because it is not working for the greater good.

Food science has done an incredible job engineering food to be produced ef ficiently and stay on the shelf longer, but in doing so it has tricked the human body into believing it is being nourished

This is the goal, isn’t it? Were we born onto Earth to work a job we hate for a boss that cares more about his bottom line than our current race to the bottom? Is it acceptable that we live in a world where children starve on a daily basis and have to walk miles to find drinking water? What else are we doing here but trying to achieve happiness and create an equitable global civilization for all? Some may call the idea that we can achieve this sort of fairness in the world naïve, but I call it a worthy and achievable goal. Buckminster Fuller said it best, “Make the world work, for 100% of humanity, in the shortest possible time, through spontaneous cooperation, without ecological offense or the disadvantage of anyone.” There is hope! The question for me has always been, how do you get entities who have power to give up power? I struggled with this idea until I discovered blockchain technology. Blockchain is a form of decentralized technology that has the power to make open source and properly incentivize just about anything. Rather than being owned by the few, with blockchain it can be owned and leveraged by the many. If you have not yet researched blockchain do yourself a favor; it is the future, and so much more than just Bitcoin.

There is, of course, some truth to the degenerative influence of digital technology on humanity. Just at the time when we need to be rethinking our relationship with nature and our planet, we and particularly our children are increasingly diverted into the counterfeit reality that technology presents; but the reasons for this are more nuanced than the current dialogue acknowledges.

For me, technology is not to blame. Instead, I think the culprit is malnourishment. In 1924, the great Rudolf Steiner identified nutrition as the source of our inability to rectify the social and political issues that we face. He said, “Nutrition, as it is today, does not supply the strength necessary for manifesting the spirit in physical life. A bridge can no longer be built from thinking to will and action. Food plants no longer contain the forces people need for this.” Could it be that the resolution to so many of the issues we face in the modern world is proper nourishment? Let’s look at some statistics on health. According to a recent study, approximately 85 percent of Americans are missing essential vitamins in their diet, and almost 60 percent of what people eat is processed food. An estimated 7 out of 10 Americans take a prescription drug regularly. The US spends $3.5 trillion on health care annually, more than any other nation on Earth, yet consistently scores as the sickest. And to make matters worse, our food is empty. Research tells us that we would need to eat 26 apples to get the same amount of iron as a single apple, and eight oranges to get the equivalent vitamin A as compared to 1950. If you extrapolate this across agriculture, no wonder we are trying harder and getting sicker. 19

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AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

The world is moving at light speed and evaluating humanity generationally no longer works

In other words, just like with technology, we have been conducting agriculture for the wrong reasons. This logic also applies to the way in which we use technology in agriculture. Food science has done an incredible job engineering food to be produced efficiently and stay on the shelf longer, but in doing so it has tricked the human body into believing it is being nourished. In other words, we can eat fast food every day and be calorically full, but our body does not receive the nutrients it requires to thrive and we do not experience deficiency until we get sick, or in other words, until it is too late. This is no different than growing obese plants with budget, artificial fertilizers, only to have them attract pests and disease. The use of genetic modification technology in agriculture is a similar story. The dialogue around genetically modified organisms (GMO) is that they will help feed the world, when the reality is that the overwhelming majority of GMO tech is used to grow crops that fuel cars and feed cows; and even if GMOs were a positive thing for humanity, they result in inordinate increases in the use of toxic biocides. Not only have we been conducting agriculture and utilizing technology at the expense of ourselves, we have been using technology in agriculture for the wrong reasons. Rather than technologizing the food we eat, we should apply our technological efforts towards enhancing the diversity, efficiency, and profitability of the growing, harvesting, and distribution of whole foods. Roughly one-third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year gets wasted, much of it because we are lazy, or as Steiner would say, malnourished. The raw power of our ideas can mold the Earth to our ideals faster than we think. I recently ran across a concept on social media that rings true: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Humanity is to Nature as Light is to Darknessâ&#x20AC;?.

At first, this statement may feel backward to some, par ticularly given the reality and seeming consensus that people are parasites destroying the Ear th. But by recognizing our unique spiritual nature and owning the responsibility we have as stewards of the Ear th, I believe that we can come to a much more positive and productive posture. The world is moving at light speed and evaluating humanity generationally no longer works. Whether you are a Baby Boomer or a Millennial, we are now all part of the (Re) Generation. It is up to us to ensure agriculture and technology work for people, not just profit. We do this by nourishing ourselves through the regeneration of the soil because if we fix the soil, we fix ourselves. As humans, we know that it is better to turn on the light than it is to curse the darkness. We can easily turn the wrong reasons into the right ones if we demand proper incentive, seek equity for all, and prioritize the life force of food that can help us bring our will into action. 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

TOP TIPS To Add Tech Into Your Grow Rooms

GROW ROOM TECHNOLOGY

How you maintain your grow room environment is the difference maker in how your plants will grow during both the vegetative and flowering stages

any growers are oblivious to what new gadgets are available for their grow rooms, let alone the benefits of each one.Technology is one thing, yet understanding all the fundamentals to run a successful indoor garden is an entirely different ball game. Below are five tips on what to consider when looking to upgrade your indoor garden.

Carbon Dioxide Plants utilize carbon in many different forms, however, CO2 is essential to their performance and growth. The function of photosynthesis is based on plants using CO2 and feeding through tiny stomata, which are located on the surface of the leaf tissue. When levels are low, the metabolism of the plant will begin to slow down and adapt to the nutrients and lighting available. Outdoors, the CO2 count is around 400 ppm, and while cannabis plants can comfortably absorb levels of up to 1500 ppm, it is not always possible when venting air from an outdoor source into the grow room. Investing in CO2 tanks will ensure that you are meeting plant requirements, as well as providing peak levels of 1500 ppm. You should also consider that the temperature of the grow room should be above 30°C (86°F) for the plants to fully-utilize the available CO2.

Many problems can arise inside a grow room if the water contains too much acidity or alkaline, just as if the nutrient solution is too strong or too weak

The state of CO2 as a gas is heavy, so oscillating fans will keep the air circulating around the tops and bottoms of your plants. This is very important, as it will remove any stagnant air and allow the stomata on the leaf to feed. It is crucial that the leaf transpire while the temperatures are above 24°C (75°F), so making sure your temperature and humidity are in accordance will play a huge role in the integrity of photosynthesis, and increase fruits and vegetables by up to 200 percent. CO2 CONTROLLER

Temperature and Humidity Replicating the outdoors in your grow room can be challenging, however, once you have dialed in your temperature and humidity, your plants will be under the impression they are at a specific point of a particular season. From springtime until the beginning of summer, outdoor conditions will be mostly warm and wet, with humidity levels increasing to 75 percent and above.

Between summer and winter, the environment will decrease humidity levels by nearly half to about 30 percent. Temperatures will also drop significantly, allowing fruits, flowers, and vegetables to become ripe and ready to harvest. Bearing this in mind, how you maintain your grow room environment is the difference maker in how your plants will grow during both the vegetative and flowering stages. It can also determine how secure your garden is from threats of plant disease such as powdery mildew, Botrytis and an infestation of unwanted insects. The rule when growing indoors is to replicate the following conditions: when in the growing stage, (more than 12 hours of light) there should be a temperature of 24°C (75°F). Humidity levels should be 75 percent, which means that the water content available in the air is close to 2/3. TEMP/HUMIDITY CONTROLLER

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Fans, Carbon Filters, and Air Flow There has never been a set rule of when to turn off the lights, carbon filters and fans inside the grow room. Many growers have different methods; however, most believe “lights-off” merely means everything goes off. This is not good practice. At night, your precious plants will be converting light energy they worked so hard to store throughout the day. Even though the lights will be off, keeping consistent air flow is essential. Apart from the grow lights, I personally keep everything on permanently. This ensures that air within the grow room throughout the night is still being replaced at a rate that is equal to the daytime. Stomata on the surface of the leaf will only open 60 minutes after the lighting period has begun, so for this instance of the darkness period, a supply of CO2 is not necessary. There are many benefits to keeping the air flowing during dark periods. In addition to cleaning the air around the tops and bottoms of the plants, mold and mildew will not be able to attach themselves to the surface of the leaves. Constant airflow will also strengthen the plants and deter insects, which thrive in high humidity. VENTILATION + TEMPERATURE OONTROL

Many problems can arise inside a grow room if the water contains too much acidity or alkaline, just as if the nutrient solution is too strong or too weak. Using pens to regulate pH and EC is an excellent way to make sure you are working clinically, and will help you observe the changes in the plant’s metabolism and food needs.

Hydroponic Systems The attraction to switch to hydroponics can sometimes become too tempting, especially after working with dirt and enduring the backbreaking work of filling pots. To top it off, hearing how commercial farmers achieve yields that are almost 300 percent more than the yields of organic growers, the two styles of growing can quickly become unequivocal. Knowing which hydroponic system to invest in must be wellresearched, depending on which fruit or vegetable you shall be growing, also to what scale you want to produce. Considering the use of hydroponic nutrients may also play a factor. For this reason, N.F.T systems and dripper systems are the most popular choice amongst commercial farmers growing largescale tomatoes, peppers, chillies, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, kale, cucumbers, eggplant, squash, broccoli, and cauliflower. Deep Water Culture will use the most amount of nutrients. In the cannabis industry, this system is the most often used for growing huge plants. There are, however, multiple formats of hydroponic systems which will require specific medium from Rockwool, hydroton, perlite, vermiculite, and coco. It is recommended to research before investing, as one system may be better-suited for a variety of factors, including logistics, production, and usability. 3 DWC HYDROPONIC SET

pH and EC Perhaps you are new to growing hydroponically and have not come across pH or E.C before. When growing in water, testing the amounts of potential hydrogen and electric conductivity available determines the uptake of nutrients to the plant roots. A significant part of growing hydroponically will also indicate if your water source is hard or soft. You will also be able to determine what mineral content there may be in reverse osmosis water. pH will determine the level of acidity or alkalinity present in your water source. When growing organically, there is a sweet spot of 6 pH; however, when growing hydroponically, the sweet spot can fluctuate between 5.8-6.8, aiming to average 6.3 pH. There are many variables to consider that even a bottle of the most expensive pH will not solve, such as polluted water, the available lighting, nutrients, CO2 , as well as what life stage the plant is in.

BIO Stoney Tark is a freelance writer with over 15 years experience in the canna industry. Specializing in plant science, tutorials, howto-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. 25

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BY ALBERT MONDOR, HORTICULTURIST AND BIOLOGIST photo: Albert Mondor

Foodscaping

a ne w way t o cre at e a ga rden Located on the Laval University campus in Quebec City, the Garden of Edible Rise is a landscaping entirely composed of edible plants

FOODSCAPING

ith manicured lawns and perfectly trimmed shrubs, the landscaping surrounding Nor th American homes and buildings was, until recently, mostly considered decorative. However, a new way of designing gardens, par ticularly appreciated by millennials, has just made its appearance: foodscaping!

An edible landscaping is also a sustainable ecosystem that respects living creatures in which interventions are minimal

A Functional, Ecological and Productive Garden The principle of foodscaping is simple because it involves designing gardens in which edible plants are grown. By making your own edible landscaping, you will be able to create a functional and ecological living environment that will allow you to produce organic, fresh, tasty and inexpensive food!

An Edible Garden With Style

What materials should be used for the creation of foodscaping? Apart from the fact that it is better to choose materials that are in harmony with those of the house, there is no established rule. Some will prefer modern materials such as cut stone and stainless steel, while others will want old farmhouse materials such as rusty steel, barn wood and straw bales. The recovery of used materials for the creation of an edible landscaping is particularly popular among millennials.

photo: Albert Mondor

Nut trees, fruit trees and shrubs, perennial or tropical vegetables, herbs, edible flowers and medicinal Like an ornamental garden, foodscaping must be well-planned (illustration: Guillaume Pelland, Paysage Gourmand). plants; any of these has its place in an edible landscaping. They have the ability to produce vegetables and fruits in abundance, year Numerous edible plants, such as Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla), after year, with little maintenance. As it is the case for permaculstrawberries (Fragaria x ananassa), kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephature, an edible landscaping is also a sustainable ecosystem that la), scarlet runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus) and peppers (Capsicum respects living creatures in which interventions are minimal. annuum), for example, are just as decorative as most annual and perennial flowers. Furthermore, to make your foodscaping as aesthetic and colorful as possible, you can associate edible flowers, such as A Landscaping Just As Good As Beautiful carnations (Dianthus) and pansies (Viola x witrockiana), with most vegVegetables are considered by a majority of people to be quite unetables. attractive, so they are often grown in a corner of the land far from the house. On the other hand, since it consists of plants that are just as beautiful as they are edible, foodscaping can be achieved almost anywhere: on the front land of a residence, on a terrace or even on a roof!

An ornamental flower bed in which have been introduced ‘Redbor’ kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala ‘Redbor’) with purple edible foliage 29

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FOODSCAPING

T o facil i tat e t he m a in t en a nce of a n edibl e l a nd s c a p ing, i t is a dv is a bl e t o p l a n t her b s a nd p er enni a l v ege ta bl e s

If you have a mature garden, an easy way to incorporate edible plants is to introduce those with ornamental qualities into your flower beds. Gradually, you will be able to transform some of your non-productive borders into edible and utilitarian landscaping.

A Well-Structured Foodscaping

A Perennial Edible Garden

Foodscaping can be achieved almost anywhere: on the front land of a residence, on a terrace or even on a roof

If you want to be successful at creating an edible landscaping at home, make sure that you plant fruit trees. In addition to maximizing the use of space, these plants form the backbone of a garden since they are, in a way, pivots around which the lower edible plants are then placed. You can opt for an apple tree or a cherry tree, but these species should be reserved for experienced gardeners. I suggest you plant hardy small fruit trees which produce little shade and require little maintenance, such as serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) or Asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia). If you live in an urban environment and your land is particularly small, plant hardy kiwi (Actinidia kolomikta), a climbing fruit species with beautiful variegated foliage producing an abundance of edible sweet berries very rich in vitamin C! Many species of fruit shrubs can be easily incorporated into an edible landscaping. Highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) and raspberries (Rubus idaeus) are certainly the most popular. In addition, many recently introduced cultivars, including Raspberry Shortcakeâ&#x201E;˘ (Rubus idaeus Raspberry Shortcakeâ&#x201E;˘), are small in size and are well adapted to be grown in containers in urban gardens. Some native fruit shrubs such as black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea var. edulis) and black elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) are very popular among younger generations of gardeners.

The herbaceous edible plants (perennial and annual vegetables, herbs, edible flowers and medicinal plants) can be arranged very creatively at the base of shrubs and trees. It is possible to associate edible plants the same way one creates an ornamental border, according to their height, shape, texture and color.

To facilitate the maintenance of an edible landscaping, it is advisable to plant herbs and perennial vegetables. Among the most easy to grow perennial edibles are the Egyptian onion (Allium cepa var. proliferum), a perennial plant that is a good substitute for the common onion; skirret (Sium sisarum), which has a sweet and long white root that looks like parsnip; sea kale (Crambe maritima), whose fleshy leaves have a concentrated taste of cabbage, and Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosum), whose artichoke-flavoured root is very rich in fructans - considered as prebiotics that participate in the balance of the intestinal flora â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and is a wonderful substitute for potato. However, this plant is particularly aggressive, so it is necessary to install it in a large pot buried in the ground or to surround it with a thick metal border.

photo: Albert Mondor

Called the Fruit of longevity by the Japanese, the honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea var. edulis) produces elongated berries very rich in antioxidants

The sea kale (Crambe maritima), also called sea cabbage, has a powerful and delicious taste like cabbage 31

Edible plants grown in containers on a roof

In addition to growing perennial plants Several small which should not be replanted each year - the maintenance of an edible landscapedible plant ing can be reduced by planting veggies in varieties have a manner that their foliage is touching. It been developed is also possible to cover the ground with in recent years an organic mulch or to plant groundcovto be grown in ers that densely cover the soil while procontainers ducing edible crops such as alpine strawberries (Fragaria vesca var. semperflorens) and lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea). Finally, rather than placing plants in clumps or rows, opt for a more natural planting method based on a great diversity of plants.

photo: Albert Mondor

photo: Jean-Philippe Martin/La Shop agricole

FOODSCAPING

Cabbages (Brassica oleracea) planted through very fragrant flowers will be less easily spotted by the cabbageworm

A Smoothie Garden On Your Terrace

Are you a smoothie lover? It’s easy to create a small garden including some of your favorite plants to make delicious smoothies! Just plant them in containers on your balcony or terrace near your kitchen. Kale ‘Darkibor’ (Brassica oleracea var. acephala ‘Darkibor’), Strawberry Natural Albino® (Fragaria x ananassa Natural Albino®), Malabar spinach (Basella alba) and Blueberries Jelly Bean™ (Vaccinium corymbosum Jelly Bean™) are among the easiest plants to grow in pots and will do wonders in your smoothies!

Container Foodscaping Since more than 75% of North American and European populations now live in urban settings, many of them do not have a lot of space to create a garden. They must grow edible plants in pots on balconies, terraces, roofs or even walls. Several small edible plant varieties have been developed in recent years to be grown in containers. Furthermore, various shrubs such as raspberries, honeyberries and sea buckthorns, as well as some herbaceous plants such as chives (Allium schoenoprasum), marjoram (Origanum majorana) and several species of rambling stonecrops (Sedum) easily survive harsh winters in northern America and Europe, especially if they are grown in textile pots (like Smart pot) promoting excellent drainage and some insulation. 3

BY STONEY TARK

ROOT PRUNING FOR BETTER YIELDS

ROOT PRUNING D E N I A L EXP

ROOT PRUNING

hen plants grow outdoors, their roots reach deep down into the ear th as they work their way through a complex network of root hairs. Outside, we are able to see the full capacity of a plant in terms of the size, growth structure and flower or fruit production. Below is explained how

roots play an essential role in engineering what happens above the soil. Fur thermore, how root pruning is a natural process which will expand your root system to a whole other level.

You Can Prune Roots? It is common practice in the gardening world to pinch the tips of growing plants in order to encourage better blooms. We know that when the original tip is removed, a growth hormone is transmitted, and in response, two shoots will grow from where the original single shoot was. Commercially known as topping, this technique has multiple benefits, especially when it comes to canopy control. The tips of a plant’s roots will also perform the same action once it has come into contact with air.

On the basis that the top zone is free to move in any direction it chooses without being restricted to a specific pot size, then the network of roots that will grow can become enormous. It has become common culture amongst gardeners to grow in pots and to later re-pot when the time is right. This is the case for houseplants or plants that reside in the garden, however, this is not the most natural way for a plant to grow and will lead to root bound plants. (1) When trees are transplanted, they are also root pruned in order to promote new growth and suppor t.

a new per

spective

THE SCIENCE BEHIND ROOT PRUNING IS TO ENCOURAGE THE ROOT HAIRS TO SEARCH THROUGH THE MEDIUM AND TO P URP O SELY C OME IN T O C ON TAC T W I T H THE AIR Root Bound Is Bad? When we check the roots of a plant that we see fit to re-pot into a larger container, normally we check for long root hairs that are a healthy, clear white color. The growing medium will become totally full of roots that have firmly wrapped their way around the bottom of the pot, and the very base of the roots are layered with hairy, vibrant roots. What has happened here is a process known as “root bound”. Instinctively, the taproot of the plant has circled the outside of the pot looking for open space. There will often be two inches of roots at the bottom that have become bound to the pot.

When this happens, the plant in question will become stunted and remain in propor tion to the size of the root zone. This may seem practical for smaller houseplants or for an upstairs terrace which is sprinkled with all types of flowers and plants. The fact of the matter here is, when a plant is root bound, then the process of root pruning does not occur. A perfect example is a grower of bonsai, who would utilise cer tain techniques in order to limit the size and structure of the bonsai tree.(2)

How Does Root Pruning Work? There is no need to worry; there is no expensive equipment needed or any type of heavy investment of time or money. The science behind root pruning is to encourage the root hairs to search through the medium and to purposely come into contact with the air. Once this happens, the tip of the root will split and become two shoots. Here is the genius par t: root hairs will then turn away from the point of air and back into the darkness of the growing medium.

ROOT PRUNING

I N S T I N C T I V E LY, T H E R O O T W I L L SEARCH FAR AND WIDE FOR MOISTURE AND NUTRITION WHERE THE HAIRS W IL L P URP O SELY C OME IN T O C ON TAC T WITH AN AIR POCKET ONCE AGAIN.

ROOT PRUNING EXPLAINED

M A K ING YOUR OW N F ELT P O T S IS V ERY INE X P ENSI V E A ND A BRIL L I A N T WAY T O CU S T OMISE YOUR OW N SIZED P O T S Instinctively, the root will search far and wide for moisture and nutrition where the hairs will purposely come into contact with an air pocket once again. The rhythm that will occur will be new root tip production of 1,2,4,8,16,32,64 and so on. Imagine this intense network of intelligence permanently expanding, and as a result, improving metabolism and the rate of growth, dictating the size of the plant, increasing yields, as well as promoting healthier and stronger plants.

In effect, the process of root pruning occurs naturally with zero restrictions on the growth of the plant above the growing medium. Making your own felt pots is very inexpensive and a brilliant way to customize your own sized pots. The felt pots can be washed and reused if need be and will help you avoid a build-up of plastic around the garden. Because the roots will grow outwards, in a lateral motion, the shape and structure of the plant will grow in accordance with the scale of the roots.

What Can I Use At Home To Prune?

A root zone is also an anchor point for plants. It establishes them firmly and acts as a counter-balance as they grow, and also helps them endure heavy winds and the presence of wildlife. If you are unable to make felt pots yourself, there is a hands-on alternative which simply involves breaking the root structure apar t and pruning the roots yourself.

There seem to be more growers who are using felt-made pots. You may have seen these before; they are usually black or dark grey and come in various sizes. They are a modern day alternative to growing without plastic or clay pots. Once constructed into the shape of a pot, the felt material will perform the task of allowing a root zone to grow outwards, without at any point becoming bound to the side of the pots.

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ROOT PRUNING

ROOT PRUNING EXPLAINED

THE ROOTS OF A PLANT DICTATE EVERYTHING IN TERMS OF V I G O U R , V I TA L I T Y, H E A LT H , I M M U N E S Y S T E M A N D Y I E L D

Conclusion

The shor t answer is yes, as roots have unbelievable potential as far as expanding and re-growing. All that is required is a simple adjustment of the root zone which can be done by hand and with a pair of scissors or a knife.

If you perform this technique and are able to re-pot into a larger-sized felt pot, then the potential is unlimited in terms of root mass. The roots of a plant dictate everything in terms of vigor, vitality, health, immune system and yield. The bigger the root zone, the more you will feed, which will likely lead to bigger fruits, flowers and vegetables. Besides, moving away from a culture of using plastic pots is something we all must do. Investing in felt and producing your own pots, or buying felt pots online, is the first step we can take. Felt pots can also be a great deal of fun when teaching children to grow and correctly educating them about how roots grow when not restricted by plastic or clay wall.

Step 1: Carefully remove the existing pot of the plant that has become root bound. Ensure you have a good grip of the pot and the plant. Step 2: Once the plant is out of the pot, you will want to remove any growing medium around the roots. Carefully loosen any substrate until the roots are exposed. Step 3: With the plant f irmly in your hand, take a knife or pair of sterile scissors and begin cutting into the bottom 2-3â&#x20AC;? of the root ball. Step 4: Simply cut four parts. Imagine 12, 3, 6 and 9 on a clock and cut in this fashion. This will disassemble the existing root-bound formation, as well as encourage the roots that have been cut to grow back. Step 5: Carefully cut away the tips of the root tips, without compromising the structure of the root zone too much. Anything you cut away will grow back with two new root tips.

photo: mug-mike.blogspot.com

Can A Rootbound Plant Be Saved?

Step 6: Prepare the larger-sized pot you will be using for transplant. An excellent tip here is to add Trichoderma or any other type of benef icial bacteria and fungus into the grow medium. Once the roots come into contact with the spores, they will form a symbiotic relationship with the plant. Step 7: When repotting, open the base of the roots by hand and lay them out in the shape of a web. When the roots come into contact with the growing medium, they will establish themselves and begin their new quest to f ind nutrients

References https://www.thespruce.com/root-pruning-trees-1402459 2) http://www.bonsaiexperience.com/BonsaiStyle1.html

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TAKING SHAPE:

MORPHOGENESIS

he last “Fake or not” was more like an ar ticle instead of a claim. The question at hand: does the spectrum of a grow light influence photosynthesis? The answer was no, it doesn’t, but it does influence morphogenesis, which in turn can influence photosynthesis.

Adding light for an incr ease d y ield is not always the b es t s tr ateg y... Enhancing The Plant By Shape When you compare light sources and spectra, you see significant differences in the plant’s growth rate, the leaf’s density, shape, thickness, size and positioning, as well as root development, the density of the stomata on the leaf, internodal distance, and so much more. This is because of the way a plant responds to different wavelengths of light. Though net photosynthesis does not change very much with different light sources, a different plant shape can increase the light interception and total photosynthesis, resulting in a bigger plant with a better yield. However, adding light for an increased yield is not always the best strategy. For cultivars requiring less light per day, the biggest improvement could be seen instead with a better spectrum. So, yes, you can “steer” a plant with climate control and a specific spectrum of light. The problem? No plant is the same. Even within varieties, many cultivars will have different optimal spectrum and light requirements. There are, however, a few broad “rules” that are true for many plants. Here are a few basics: light can be regarded as a flux of particles called photons, which have a charge or electromagnetic waves, that contain a frequency (and accompanying wavelength). The higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength and the higher the energy. Visible light lies between about 380 and 780 nm. PAR light is Photosynthetic Active Radiation (the colors that

most drive photosynthesis) and lies between 400 and 700 nm (blue to red). You can measure light in energy, or in the number of photons per second (photon flux). As shorter wavelength photons contain more energy, the number of photons you get for your energy are fewer. This results in two types of graphs: energy weighted and photon weighted. Make sure you know what you are looking at when you look at a spectral chart. In 1972, Keith McCree not only published the first definition of PAR light, but he also did research as to which color was most effective for photosynthesis. The result is the wellknown “McCree curve”. A sharp cut off can be seen at about 680 nm (called the red cut off) while photosynthesis still takes place below 400 nm. Many scientists, therefore, discuss moving the edges to 350 nm and 750 nm.

MORPHOGENESIS

FAKE

OR NOT?

You c an “s teer ” a pl ant with climate control and a specif ic spec trum of light

ited s i v e r Later in this article, we will learn that you should not take this graph literally when you are defining an optimal light spectrum.

Adding blue light to red light increases the photosynthetic capacity dramatically. In some trials, it doubled after seven percent blue light was added. However, this increase is not linear and tapers off when adding higher amounts of blue light.

A few very important wavelengths can be distinguished:

1 Blue light Blue light is defined as the wavelengths between 400-500 nm. Some varieties do well with little blue light, but many plants like or need at least five to seven percent blue light for a normal, healthy development. A little bit more is nice, but not necessary. In conventional lighting, blue light is generally more expensive, as it takes more energy to produce than red light. For example, MH or CMH lamps are more expensive and less efficient than HPS lamps. Blue LEDs, however, are extremely efficient.

Blue light can keep the crop compact, which is one of the reasons why more of it is used in vegetative cycles. It can also increase the leaf thickness and opens the leaf stomata, which is very important. Stomata are the mouths of the plant; they open and close to regulate transpiration (evaporation of water) for cooling, and to take in CO2 for photosynthesis. Stomata open through photosynthesis, but also directly with blue light. It’s important that climate and light conditions are optimized to keep the stomata open while the plants are being lit. Blue light helps achieve this goal. Blue light plays an important role in the synthesis of certain enzymes, which in turn promote the same process for chlorophyll. In that respect, blue light also helps maintain the photosynthetic system of the plant, meaning plants stay greener. This is by no means a complete overview of blue light plant response, and as mentioned earlier, the response is not the same for all varieties. But for most plants, lower doses of blue light is essential for a natural and healthy development. Using blue light to influence the compactness of plants has been studied as a way to regulate plant growth. However, this is generally an effect and is not yet a complete substitute for growth regulators in the cultivation of perennials, for example. Blue light does have a distinct effect on morphogenesis and photosynthesis. Every plant light has some blue light in it, though some sources are somewhat deficient. Research does indicate that you do not need a lot of it, but you do need some. 45

MORPHOGENESIS

Indoor pl ant s ne e d to b e intr oduc e d to U V light gr adually, in shade d env ironment s out of the dire c t sunlight

2 Red light The McCree curve suggests that red light, between 600 and 700 nm, is more efficient for photosynthesis than blue or green light. Indeed, there is a peak in sensitivity of the receptors in the red spectrum. In McCreeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s method of measurement, he used low-light levels and single colors on single leaves. The McCree curve is not the response of a complete plant under high light levels, nor is it meant to be. You should be very careful to use this data when you define your lighting. The curve is not quite as steep under high-intensity, full-spectrum light, and the ratio of colors can influence the efficiency. Red light, as it has a relatively long wavelength in the PAR spectrum, is efficient to generate (takes less energy than blue light) and is excellent for photosynthesis. Just a small amount of red light can trigger reactions in plants. It is not so much the energy of the photon, but the number of photons that drive the photosynthetic process. This efficiency makes red spectrum lamps, like HPS, an economical choice for greenhouses, and actually more suitable than blue light. The sun already provides an abundance of blue light, unless, of course, the greenhouse is being lit in the winter when natural sunlight is scarce. In many Scandinavian greenhouses, for example, metal halide is often used during the dark season. Red light is also very important for flower induction, but not for the reason many people think; providing an abundance of red light will not make a plant flower. The pigment phytochrome is responsible for the flowering of plants with a photoperiodic flowering response. Generally, plants are very sensitive to low-intensities of red light; during the night, low amounts of red light can inhibit flowering of short-day plants, and promote flowering of some long-day plants.

3 Green light Green light lies in the spectrum between 500 and 600 nm. Not so long ago, people took the fact that plants are green as evidence that they do not use green light. If plants appear to be green, then it must be the green light that is reflected, right? Actually, recent research has suggested green light is in fact efficient, perhaps even more efficient than red and blue light in high-intensity white light. Without going too deep, there are two major reasons for that:

Red and blue light is mostly absorbed by the upper layer of the leaf, while green penetrates deeper. With the absorption of blue and red, a green leaf appears at the surface. 2. A lot of the green light goes through the leaf or is reflected into the plant, where it is used for photosynthesis. You might even say that using green light makes sure that the deeper leaves are better served. If you measure the light spectrum under a forest canopy, you will most likely see two little peaks in the spectrum: green light and far-red light. These are the colors that transmit through the leaves or reflect deeper into the canopy. So what are the effects of green light? In general, it causes a similar shade avoidance reaction as far-red light: it makes a plant stretch more. Not necessarily as violently as far-red light does, but it has a similar effect. However, it is mostly used for photosynthesis. You need to remember one thing: the most abundant color in the sun spectrum isâ&#x20AC;Ś green light! It would be a great mistake of evolution to not use it. There is currently no scientific proof, but there is horticultural research supporting the importance of green light.

4 Far-red light Far-red light lies just outside what we consider PAR light, which ranges from 400 nm (blue) to 700 nm (red). Far-red is around 730 nm, though the range is a bit wider. It does not have much of a photosynthetic response, but there is an enhancement effect when using far-red light with red light. When combined, photosynthesis is likely to occur. It is called the Emerson effect; two photosystems working in conjunction with a plant, one more receptive to red light, and one to far-red light.

MORPHOGENESIS

Far-r e d lig h t is n o t f ully-ab s or b e d by th e pl an t . In f ac t , mu c h o f i t is tr an smi t te d thr o ug h th e le ave s

Far-red light is not fully-absorbed by the plant. In fact, much of it is transmitted through the leaves. The ratio of red and far-red light influences photosynthesis. For sunlight, the ratio R: FR is about 1. It differs from artificial light sources, which influence photosynthesis and the shape of the plant. Far-red light can make the plant stretch; taking it away can stunt its growth, making it more compact. The stretching process is called “shade avoidance response”. Basically, the plant will stretch in order to compete with other plants for sunlight. The same effect occurs when the leaves of young plants touch adjacent plants. That’s why you want to space them out so they stay compact. Green light will also cause a shade avoidance response, though not as profound as far-red light does.

UVA and UVB

At the other side of the PAR spectrum, beyond blue, we find Ultra Violet (UV) radiation. First, there is UVA, followed by UVB and UVC. These photons are very energetic; UVB can easily cause skin burn, and UVB and UVC can destroy DNA. So be very careful when dealing with UV radiation. It can cause skin cancer, just as too much exposure to the sun can. Fortunately, the atmosphere filters out almost all the UVC from the sun, but electronic arc devices, like welding machines, and artificial light sources, such as metal halide lamps, can generate UVC in very high amounts. This is extremely dangerous to the eyes. Though you should handle UV light with care, it plays an important role in plant lighting and has wonderful advantages when using it similarly to sunlight. Firstly, UVA does contribute to photosynthesis, as seen in the response curve. It is not very efficient, but it does have an effect. The impact of UVA (315–400 nm) and UVB (280315 nm) is very different. UVB encourages the production of terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids, for example, more

A y o ung p l an t ’s s e n si t i v i t y t o U V is e v id e n t wh e n i t is b r o ug h t f r o m t h e in d o o r s t o f ull sunlig h t . If t h e p l an t h a s n e ve r ex p e r ie n c e d U V lig h t b e f o r e, i t s le ave s will wilt an d die.

directly than UVA does. High dosages can lead to dwarfed flowers, curling or burned leaves, and damaged plant DNA. It is certainly very challenging, to dose UV with a direct source, and good meters are very expensive. A young plant’s sensitivity to UV is evident when it is brought from the indoors to full sunlight. If the plant has never experienced UV light before, its leaves will wilt and die. New leaves will likely be resistant to UV, as they are developed through UV radiation. Indoor plants need to be introduced to UV light gradually, in shaded environments out of the direct sunlight. This is called the hardening process. The leaves will thicken under the influence of UV, also making them less vulnerable to fungal infections. Not only that; the plant’s rooting system will improve, and it will also see an increase in flavonoids, terpenes, and cannabinoids. In the last week or two, some growers may have changed their lamps for what they call “finisher” lamps. Typically, these lamps give out very high levels of UVA and UVB, and sometimes even UVC. It works by stressing the plants and forcing a protective response from them by creating trichomes and anthocyanins. For optimized results, I prefer to have the right levels of UV during the complete grow period. Be sure to take safety precautions when using these lamps, like wearing protective eyewear and shielding bare skin from the light. There is one very important reason why plants should be outside in the sun: Though it has, in high dosage, the power to destroy DNA, in normal doses it actually can repair it. In fact,“old school” breeders have been known to bring their mother plants outdoors during the summer to revive them. 3

BIO Theo Tekstra is a recognized expert in the horticultural lighting industry. As the marketing manager for Gavita he is involved in research programs and product development, and responsible for Gavita’s educational programs. A contributor to several magazines, books and publications, his “light matters” articles are a regular feature in Garden Culture Magazine. 49

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GROWING PROJECTS

s ’ t g o n a i h e r w h e Wro h W W G 1. C h i c ago, I lli nois

Credit: The Growing Initiative

Big Hearts, Big Results In 2009, James Origer took a tour of the Greater Chicago Food Depository and asked how much of their produce was locally sourced. The response he got was shocking; there were no organisations providing fresh fruits and vegetables to the food bank. “The Growing Initiative” was born, and today, Origer and about 150 volunteers plant and harvest sweet corn and squash to be donated to the Food Depository and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Using farmland dedicated strictly to the initiative’s use, the group aims to harvest about 160,000 lbs of corn every season, and has been able to harvest nearly 140,000 lbs of squash. Origer says it’s successful thanks to the volunteers who come out in droves, ranging from elementary school students to local families looking to do good for others. Moving forward, Origer’s hope is to take the “The Growing Initiative” and implement the same model on different farms in multiple communities. A big gesture providing an abundance of food, for very little cost. Learn more: bit.ly/2vO4K4S

2. Fo r t M ill , S .C .

Ed Currie is a mad-scientist of sorts; in his South Carolina greenhouse, he created a super hot pepper called the Carolina Reaper that will bring you to your knees. Peppers don’t get any hotter than this; measuring over 1.5 million on the Scoville Heat Unit Scale (a jalapeno can measure anywhere from 1,00010,000), the Carolina Reaper has been awarded the Guinness World Record. Vibrant red with a rough surface, Currie’s Puckerbutt Pepper Company says those who don’t fear the Reaper are fools. Because most of us are too chicken to ever try it, he describes the experience as one of great suffering, with ringing ears, blurred vision, and more often than not, vomiting. The intense heat lasts for about a half hour or so before subsiding. Why so hot? Currie says his company was built on his desire to find foods that reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. He decided to focus on super hot peppers after his research found that indigenous populations who eat them have very low rates of these illnesses. Believe it or not, he’s developed something that might be even hotter, called Pepper X: its heat levels are currently being tested. Try them if you dare… bit.ly/2Jufqro

Credit: Puckerbutt Pepper Company

Playing With Fire

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GROWING PROJECTS

s Who’ Growing

e Credit: Chris Polydoroff

3. Sw a n na noa , N C

t a h W Wher

Farming Future Nestled in the Swannanoa Valley, Warren Wilson College (WWC) is home to a picturesque, student-run farm focused on sustainable agriculture techniques. Pasture-raised pork, grass-fed beef, poultry and sheep spend their entire lives on the grounds, treated with love and care from beginning to end. With 275 acres divided into 25 fields, the farm uses and teaches systems that work with nature rather than against it. The animals roam the hillsides, eating specialised plants and home-grown grains in a rotational grazing system so as not to deplete the nutrients from the land. The farm supplies food throughout the college, but it also sells the meat it raises locally. Customers are promised the animals offered for sale have never received antibiotics, growth-promotants or hormones. After completing their education, WWC graduates leave with not only

years of actual farm experience; they are also armed with the tools and knowledge they need to practice sustainable farming. Making the agricultural world a better place… Learn more: bit.ly/2HZOz6Z

4. D e co r a h , I ow a

Credit: Seed Savers Exchange

Seed Savers Stored away in an underground freezer vault at Heritage Farm sit 20,000 heirloom seeds for endangered crops and plants. Seed Savers Exchange has future generations in mind; in the last century, the world has lost 75 percent of its edible plant varieties. Great care is needed to ensure the children of our grandchildren have food on their plates. The network of gardeners works diligently by growing and sharing select varieties of open-pollinated fruit, vegetable and herbs to refresh the seed supply. Each variety has a story: who it came from and how it made it into the collection is well-documented by a seed historian. The group, founded in 1975 by Diane Ott Whealy and Kent Whealy, started with only two seed varieties; one for “Grandpa Ott’s” morning glory, and the other for “German Pink” tomato. Today, the group is 13,000 members strong. You can help the cause by growing heirloom varieties in your garden and saving the seeds. Learn more: bit.ly/2r4Oh6Z 3

BY MICHAEL PARISI, HYDROLOGIC PURIFICATION SYSTEMS

W H Y C O N D E N S AT E R E C L A M AT I O N M AT T E R S Growers will typically just dump condensate instead of risking contamination by reintroducing it to plants

s grow operations in the cannabis industry mature and become increasingly sophisticated, more attention is being directed to how water is handled, especially where conservation is concerned. The first LEED cer tified cultivation facility is currently being built in Ohio, and water reclamation is one of the several key

infrastructure milestones needed to meet the coveted benchmark. Industry-wide, there’s a general understanding that the ultimate goal is to reach fully sustainable growing practices, and while the “perfect” grow-op might be years away, new methods are being employed by serious growers to refine their systems. Regulations also continue to play a larger role in how water use is managed, pushing for both less consumption and less discharge, the two primary issues in reducing an operation’s environmental impact.

CONDENSATE

Why Dehumidification and HVAC? Large commercial grow operations typically employ dehumidification and air-conditioning. Dehumidification is essential for mitigating cropdestroying fungi and mildew, while air-conditioning is typically required to control excessive heat generated by grow lights. Combined, these two systems can generate hundreds, even thousands of gallons a day of condensate water, depending on the scale of the operation. And while that water is essentially distilled, contaminants, pathogens and bacteria are still a valid concern, so growers will typically just dump condensate instead of risking contamination by reintroducing it to plants.

What Kinds of Contamination Exist in Condensate?

While fairly new to the cannabis industry, condensate reclamation is relatively easy to accomplish with specialized, off-the-shelf filtration systems

Condensate water chemistry can vary considerably from system to system. There are many factors such as age, environment, manufacturing, etc., that can influence quality. Most condensate water contains dust and other suspended solids, accumulated through air ducts and picked up as liquid makes contact. A quick google search for â&#x20AC;&#x153;HVAC duct contaminationâ&#x20AC;? reveals many of the potential variables that can ruin what would otherwise just be distilled water. Examples are corroded metals, manufacturing oil or any other contaminants the distilled water may encounter. Furthermore, the internal coils and other parts of these systems also contribute to contamination, as they are perfect breeding grounds for mold and organic pathogens.

Does Condensate Have a pH Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Healthy For Plants? Lack of mineral content in condensate forces the absorption of atmospheric C02, creating an acidic water profile. While this is not necessarily harmful to plants, acidic water acts like a vacuum, aggressively leaching metals as it comes in contact with coils, venting or other metal components. This is more of an issue with older equipment, although even trace amounts of certain metals such as lead should be considered as hazardous. The optimal pH for cannabis is a range from 6.0 to 6.5, and while condensate is usually closer to 5.0, dilution typically evens out any potentially harmful effects.

What Kind of System is Needed to Ensure Reusable Condensate?

While fairly new to the cannabis industry, condensate reclamation is relatively easy to accomplish with specialized, off-the-shelf filtration systems. The investment is usually minimal and ensures a suitable irrigation formula for healthy plants. These systems should include UV sterilization for zero pathogens and bacteria, re-mineralization for balanced pH, and sediment filters for dust and other suspended solids. For grow operations dealing in high volume, the value gained in water savings alone is enough to warrant the relatively small cost of a condensate reclamation system. 3

Dehumidification is essential for mitigating cropdestroying fungi and mildew, while air-conditioning is typically required to control excessive heat generated by grow lights. Combined, these two systems can generate hundreds, even thousands of gallons a day of condensate water Automated reclaimed condensate system for hydroponics

DR CALLIE SEAMAN

grow room a n a ly t ic s

GROW ROOM TECHNOLOGY

In a n y indu s t ry, you w il l f ind l ow-budge t p roduc t s, a s w el l a s high-qua l i t y, more e x p ensi v e one s. Bu t is pay ing big mone y w or t h t he in v e s t men t f or w h at your requiremen t s a re ?

ften, samples such as plant material or nutrient solution are sent to independent, accredited laboratories for elemental analysis to diagnose nutrient deficiency and toxicity. Microbial testing is also done for both phytopathogenic and human pathogenic fungus and bacteria, pesticide presence, along with primary and

secondary metabolite concentrations. The testing procedures require different methodology, instrumentation and expertise.

Often, samples such as plant material or nutrient solution are sent to independent, accredited laboratories for elemental analysis to diagnose nutrient deficiency and toxicity. Microbial testing is also done for both phytopathogenic and human pathogenic fungus and bacteria, pesticide presence, along with primary and secondary metabolite concentrations. The testing procedures require different methodology, instrumentation and expertise.

automatically when sensors have detected that it has gone out of range. These have even elevated to the next level, where they are now using cloudbased artificial technology, which will build profiles based on the data feed by a number of different users over time. The technology also monitors the environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity and lighting schedule. Therefore, a feed regime can be prescribed based on the plant’s growing environment to produce optimal results. Incredibly practical, the user can change the environment from a remote location in order to improve the growing conditions. There is still a long way to go with this type of technology, as it relies on the users sharing their data and profiles, but it will not be long before more and more is automated, and plants no longer have a need for hands-on human intervention!

For the everyday hobby grower, an increasing number of instrumentation and tests are becoming available for purchase

Having worked in labs for over 15 years, I have seen my fair share of instrumentation, ranging from $500,000 mass spectrometers to $65 pH meters. Both measure different things; not only physically different, but different levels of accuracy and sensitivity. Within the analytical labs, equipment is regularly maintained through servicing, calibration, and just regular use, thus giving more reliable and reproducible results. However, even if they are regularly maintained and calibrated, these high-value pieces of equipment can produce what is known as false positive and false negative results. These are, in a nutshell, results which are wrong, and can often cause confusion.

For the everyday hobby grower, an increasing number of instrumentation and tests are becoming available for purchase. Many of these claim to measure microbial content, terpene content, elemental concentrations and other metabolites. But are these pieces of equipment worth the money, and are they really that accurate?

So, how do we get around this? The best thing to do is speak to the lab you are using; ask them about their methodology and ask if anything present in your samples could cause interference with the tests you are requesting. Also, use accredited, independent and reliable labs that follow GLP.

Before purchasing any analytical or automated equipment, ask yourself these following questions:

In commercial greenhouses, nutrients are dosed via pre-programmed dosing machines. Over the last decade, these have grown leaps and bounds with online monitoring of the elemental content now available, and therefore dosing based on the plant’s needs. The pH can be altered

•

• • •

• •

What will I gain from knowing this piece of information? Will I regularly use this piece of equipment? Will I be able to maintain the equipment through calibration and servicing? Do I have the skills and knowledge to use this piece of equipment? How accurate do I need the results to be? What will it cost me if I do not have this piece of equipment? 57

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GROW ROOM TECHNOLOGY

W h at w il l i t c o s t me if I do no t h av e t his p iece of equip men t ?

K eep in mind, t he equip men t you p urch a se mu s t a l s o be w i t hin your sk il l se t The results you obtain are only as good as the equipment you measure it with. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the time or the patience to maintain the equipment, do not bother wasting your money. Remember; without proper maintenance, false results can be produced. Also, if you are not going to regularly use the equipment, then it is not worth the effort.

Sometimes, the simplest of equipment will yield the best and most reliable results

Keep in mind, the equipment you purchase must also be within your skill set. Some of the equipment available today requires significant training in order to perfectly understand how it is programmed. The results obtained may be more accurate, but do you really require precision results for what you are measuring? If you do not understand the equipment and find it difficult to operate, you are not going to utilize it. Sometimes, the simplest of equipment will yield the best and most reliable results, as less operator error occurs. An example is humidity and temperature; a simple max/min thermometer can be enough to be aware of what is happening in your grow room when you are not

present. It may not be as high-quality, but it will inform you of the range the plant has experienced, as opposed to an in-depth, minute-by-minute analysis.

The big question is, what will it cost if you do not have this piece of equipment? What will it cost in terms of yield value, crop health or time? So, do your research before spending a lot of money on some of this new fancy equipment; make sure it is fit for purpose, and find out what its maintenance needs are. Just because it looks high-end, does not mean that it will give you the results you want. 3

Dr. Callie Seaman is a plant obsessed Formulation Chemist at AquaLabs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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. 59

BY ERIC COULOMBE

The Results Are In! RETAIL

INDOOR GA RDEN

G ROW SHOP

GROW STORE

Great e h T

hydro store 2018

analysis The survey is done and the feedback has been amazing. Especially from the UK, where we received the most love and hate mail. The word “hate” is a little strong, but there were a couple of people who weren’t convinced that I wasn’t paid off by the winners. That never happened, but I did call over 100 stores, most of them, completely at random. In the USA, all of Hawthorne’s acquisitions did very well; I can assure you again, it was not by design. But it does show that they purchased the market leaders.

HYDRO STORE SURVEY

The North American market is very different in many ways from the UK but almost identical in others. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s check out the survey results:

Question #1

What is Your Favorite Nutrient?

USA/Canada UK General Hydroponics 14% Canna & Mills Canna 10% Plant Magic Botanicare 8% General Hydroponics Europe

11% each 9% 6%

The big brands are still the most popular in this category. There were 34 brands named in USA/Canada, and 37 named in the UK. One thing is for sure in both markets; the leaders are holding on, but there are more and more companies fighting their hardest for a small piece of the pie. Mills is the only newcomer to the group. Breaking into the nutrient game in either market is very difficult.

Question #2

What is the most sold nutrient?

USA/Canada UK General Hydroponics 42% Canna 60% Advanced Nutrients & Foxfarm 12% each Dutch Pro 5% Botanicare 9% It is not a coincidence that that oldest brands in their markets come in first place. Changing nutrients is a hard choice for many serious indoor gardeners. If you have spent years getting to know a fertilizer, understanding how it works and how to use it, trying something new comes with many risks. It is the unknown that we fear. Trust is a key ingredient; trust that the product will work as promoted and will be consistent. All top players are also very active marketers and promoters. They have strong and active salespeople and are constantly reminding you in stores and magazines why you should be using their products.

Question #3

What is your favorite supplement or additive?

Small guys are making some headway when it comes to favorite supplement or additive in the UK. In the USA and Canada, the big guys are still on top but only by the slimmest of margins and there are many new companies in both countries gunning for more market share.

USA/Canada GH 14% Xtreme Mykos 11% Botanicare, Canna 5% each & Terpinator

UK Buddhas Tree & Ecothrive Charge 11% each Xtreme (Mykos/Azos) 10% Canna Boost 8%

The numbers are very similar in questions 1 and 3, and in both cases, the USAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winner had 14%, and the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 11%. These are no great victories for the big companies who are desperately trying to hold onto their market share with new products being born every day. The big difference is the growth of biologicals, and the acceptance by growers to try new supplements. Xtreme is an obvious winner as it came in second in both markets. It was one of the first companies to introduce beneficial biology products to the UK. Small companies like Ecothrive Charge and Buddhas Tree are successfully competing with top brands; who knows if anyone will be able to crack the same nut in North America. 63

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Question #4

What is the most sold supplement?

HYDRO STORE SURVEY

The most sold supplement is very different in the two surveys. North Americans love calcium-magnesium supplements. It could be due to the prevalence of R/O water filtration, or it might be the popularity of coco substrates.

USA/Canada UK Botanicare Calmag 25% Canna Boost 38% GH (mix of products) 10% Buddhas Tree 16% Any CalMag Supplement 9% Atami Bloombastic 6% In the UK, Canna is still the leader and by quite the margin. The top three boosters there are what I call ‘metabolizer additives’. They all serve a similar purpose. Once again, the top brands in the USA are Botanicare and GH.

Question #5

What is your favorite carbon filter?

USA/Canada UK Can-Filters 58% CarboAir 22% Phresh (Sunlight Supply) 23% Mountain Air 17% Phat (Hydrofarm) 9% Can-Filters 13% This category presents a major difference in these two markets. In the USA, Hawthorne Group, who now owns Sunlight Supply and CanFilters, dominates with a combined 81%. In stark contrast, CarboAir, a very young company, has managed to top this poll in the UK. It’s surprising for the main reason that the filter has hardly been out long enough to determine if it is, in fact, more effective or efficient than its competitors. Enough can’t be said for good sales and marketing campaigns. I do think that Can-Filters and Rhino do better (sales) in the UK than this survey indicates. Another big difference is not having a favorite; in the UK, 21% say they have no preference, compared to just 2% in the USA/Canada.

Question #6

What is your favorite controller line?

USA/Canada UK Sunlight Supply’s - Titan 37% SMS & Global Air’s GHC 23% each Grozone 17% Control Freak 19% Hydrofarm’s Autopilot 16% Ecotechnics 11% Another big difference between the UK and North American markets is climate control. The top three products are fan speed controllers, and fancy ones too. Air conditioners are the primary mechanism for cooling a room in North America. The UK, however, is not the warmest place and cooling with fans makes sense for most growers. Of course, temperatures change outside all the time and that is why they have developed the best and most sophisticated fan speed controllers in the world. In the USA and Canada, we seem to use controllers with more features.

Question #7

What is your preferred pH-EC Meter?

A big hats off to a little company from New Zealand! From so far away, Bluelab has managed to be the biggest winner in these two markets, and the only one to win in both surveys.

USA/Canada UK Bluelab 55% Bluelab 79% Hanna 26% Essentials (Hydrogarden) 11% HM Digital 10% Great job, Bluelab! EC and pH meters are tricky instruments; Bluelab has been able to create reliable products with the low prices our market demands. Its Truncheon EC wand is the #1 EC meter worldwide. Hopefully, more apps and automation will soon be developed so we can see our water values and correct them from anywhere.

95% male

Question #8

What is your favorite ballast/light?

USA/Canada UK Gavita 16% Maxibright 19% Galaxy (Sunlight Supply) 13% Maxibright Daylight 315 CMH 13% Nanolux 11% Gavita & Dimlux 11% each These two markets have always differed on lighting. The main difference used to be the USA/Canada preferred 1000W, and the UK used 600 and 400. Over the past 5 years, CMH has been gaining ground in both markets, and over the past 12-18 months, it has become the UK’s hottest seller. CMH didn’t score too high in USA/Canada, but it was chosen as the favourite new product/technology. For now, DE HPS 1000 systems are tops in North America. I predict that will change soon, as CMH and even LED technology improves. Maxibright dominated in the UK, winning both first and second place for a total of 32%. Hawthorne also has quite a share; between Gavita (16%), Galaxy (13%) and Sun System (7%), they have 36% of the vote in the survey.

Question #9

Who is your favorite distributor?

USA UK Canada Sunlight Supply & Hydrofarm 34% each Highlight 33% Biofloral 38% BWGS (Bloomington’s) 22% Hydrogarden 16% Green Planet 19% There are a couple of similarities in this category. The first place position in the USA, Canada and UK differ by just 5 %. No one company controls more than 35 % of any given market. All the top picks are full-service providers. They offer all of the top brands and thousands of other products. In-house brands in lighting, carbon filters, and environmental control are also popular with the big distributors. The UK’s Highlight is the only exception, which doesn’t have any. The main difference between the distributors is positioning. In the USA, Hydrofarm and Sunlight have held the top two positions for as long as I can remember, and Bloomington’s was always in third, holding the majority of its strength in the East and Middle America. This hasn’t changed in 20 years and the barriers to compete at this level are massive. For the first time in the USA market, the Titans are going to battle. With Hawthorne’s purchase of Sunlight Supply, there is no telling what will happen next. The UK has also had two leaders for 20 years with Hydrogarden and Nutriculture. But unlike in North America, there has been a big change; Highlight Horticulture has surged in the past three years to take over as the market leader and shows no sign of slowing down. Canada is split in two, with the east and west being ruled by completely different companies. Biofloral rules eastern Canada, and Green Planet did well in the west. Each market has its set of distributors, and while some try to sell in all regions, they are usually met with resistance and end up with a small percentage of the market.

Ques t ion #10

What is your preferred trade show?

USA/Canada UK None 39% Autopot 54% MJ Bizz 21% Spannabis 34% This was pretty interesting; in the UK only The Autopot show exists, and it’s more of a get-together than a trade show. In terms of networking and spending quality time with the major players in the UK market, it is brilliant and really fun. Otherwise, the Brits head over to Barcelona for a little work and a great time at Spannabis. North America is the polar opposite. People used to attend as many May Yield shows as they could in one year. Now, that show is dead and there are so many options available. You would think the stores would all have their pick, but that’s not what’s happening. The stores are not interested in Cannabis shows, because they sell growing equipment. Basically, the community that once was hydro has been smashed into the wild and wonderful world of medical and recreational cannabis, and we have lost our identity. See for yourself: 39% don’t go to shows, and 12 % picked a show that doesn’t exist anymore! In the UK, 11% don’t attend shows at all either. 66

HYDRO STORE SURVEY

Q u e s t i o n # 11

What is your preferred growing method?

USA/Canada UK Coco/ Coco mixes 37% Coco/Coco Mixes 36% Hydroponic 30% Hydroponics 25% Organic 18% Organic 12% This was a complicated question, as we discussed the preferred method and media of both the stores and their customers. It was really interesting and insightful. The similarities are amazing: Coco’s indoor growing media has become the first choice worldwide. The hydroponic category was either clay pebbles, Rockwool or no media at all. Although it came in second on both surveys, respondents said they like hydroponics but their customers seem to gravitate back to pots and are using coco more than ever. Finally, there was, organic, which was more popular in the USA, particularly the West Coast. Still, this method is definitely growing in popularity in the UK as well.

Q ue s t ion #12

What is your favorite new product?

USA/Canada UK None 22% Mammoth P 16% CMH 18% Maibright’s Daylight 315 CMH 12% Mammoth P 14% None 10% It is amazing that with so many differences between the two markets, this question got the same three answers but in a different order: nothing, CMH and Mammoth P. Mammoth P is the big product winner, as it was the only brand to get the top mention in both surveys! CH is also taking off in both markets, and with so many options to pick in this category, apathy is also a big winner as so many people just don’t care about new products.

What does it all mean? I did these surveys to provide you with some industry statistics and my feeling on what they mean. Of course, everything I wrote is open to your interpretation. These are not facts, just opinions. The winners are only winners here; this survey in no way is meant to be a definitive statement of the market, but merely to show trends and give us more insight as to what is going on in the world of indoor and progressive gardening. The future is in the numbers; how clearly we can see depends on how we interpret them. 3 Eric

Great e h T

hydro store 2018

analysis 67

BY RICH HAMILTON

hile the technology has been around for a while, recent advancements have meant that 3D printers are now much more affordable and attainable. In fact, it has been repor ted that some low-end 3D printers and materials have dropped in price by up to 90 percent

in the last four years, meaning most households can afford to purchase one. This is a huge game changer in the way that par ts and products can be made; instead of buying or ordering them from an outside supplier, the possibility exists to produce them at home. The list of items that can be â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;printedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is growing all the time, and includes car chassis, boats and even houses!

PRINTABLE-PONICS

Technology must come up with ways to meet the demands for food supply, while also combatting various environmental challenges. 3D printing offers many solutions to these complex problems

3D source code can be written at home if you know how, or it can be easily downloaded for a minimal cost, or for free. The online 3D printing community is growing all the time and made up predominantly of people who believe that source code or â&#x20AC;&#x153;open sourceâ&#x20AC;? should be free and available for everyone. It is so refreshing to see a movement that is all about sharing, learning and progressing.

Interested In Printing Your Own Hydroponic System?

Why 3D Printing Is Relevant To Hydroponics Consider this: there are expected to be more than 9 billion people in the world by 2050, but the resource of land for farming remains the same. There are serious concerns about how future populations will be fed. Natural resources are being depleted at an alarming rate, many farming methods are seen as unsustainable and climate change is upon us; technology must come up with ways to meet the demands for food supply, while also combatting various environmental challenges. 3D printing offers many solutions to these complex problems.

image credit: https://3dprint.com/61551/3dponics-rhode-island/

Be sure to check out 3dponics.com. This website has some really informative content, and the company is leading the way in the field. You can currently download source code and print several different hydro kits from their site for free! One of the available models is a simple dripper system which can be attached to a bottle, creating a basic hydroponics system. This kit is ideal for small spaces such as balconies and kitchens. It is also great for beginners and can be used as a teaching aid in the classroom for the next generation of growers.

On display at HomeGrown Expo 2015 in Coventry, UK, a printed venturi in action. photo: Garden Culture Magazine

it would eliminate the need for ever buying a replacement part or new system at the local grow shop

PRINTABLE-PONICS

On a commercial level, with the source code for all machinery parts pre-downloaded on a computer, it would reduce the need for ‘tooling’ several different components for the same machine. In essence, the machine could be created for one specific job, thus overall reducing the manufacturing process with less cutting, drilling, milling, refining, assembly, etc. The flexibility of creating 3D source code means that parts can be customized and modified if unforeseen circumstances arise. Plus, with the ability to print parts wherever a 3D printer is available, more work could be done at one site, perhaps closer to where the demand for the product is. The end result is a positive one with a much lower carbon footprint: less waste of energy, raw materials and packaging, as well as fewer transportation and storage requirements. For the hobbyist hydroponic grower, it would eliminate the need for ever buying a replacement part or new system at the local grow shop. By either buying or creating the source code for the particular part that you need, you would never have to buy that part again! Creating items yourself means you would also be reducing your carbon footprint by cutting down on unnecessary waste from packaging and raw materials, as well as by reducing the amount of plastic entering the environment.

3D Printing And The Environment Some might argue that 3D printing (especially at home) increases energy usage and brings more plastic into the world. However, the impact on the environment is certainly much less than creating and purchasing parts via conventional means. The 3Dponics system, for example, costs only around a penny a day to run! The plastics used in 3D printing are also eco-friendly with PLA plastic being the most popular choice. It is corn-based, and emits fewer toxins during the printing phase, creates less waste, and is much better at disposing of products no longer useful.

The Indian government has introduced a massive roadside planting program called the National Green Highway Mission.

Environmental concerns aside, many consider “3D hydroponics” a food production revolution! By creating the very thing that will help you grow food at home, you are assuming complete control of your own personal food chain. There is something to be said for knowing where your food comes from and exactly what is in it. The demand for sustainable, organic, locally-sourced foods is constantly on the rise; people want “clean” food and are prepared to pay for it. So, it comes as no surprise that 3D hydroponics is drawing new interest from big restaurant chains, small, independently-run eateries, executive chefs, as well as food magazines and critics.

This Is Just The Beginning... Imagine what’s around the corner? In another 15-20 years, it might be possible to print an entire working hydroponics system for multiple plants. It could be adapted to meet specific needs by either customizing the code before printing or by mixing parts from different systems, creating a unique, tailor-made growing tool. What a time to be alive! 3 71

BY ALBERT MONDOR, HORTICULTURIST AND BIOLOGIST

More Plants, Fewer Accidents

GREEN ROADS

hat’s up with the constant mowing next to many Nor th American highways? When you think about how these plants add value in so many ways, it doesn’t make sense to cut them back – worse yet, doing so can be dangerous.

Scientific studies have shown that roadside greenery can substantially reduce the number of traffic accidents. This is par tly because the plants act as a wind barrier, preventing drifting snow and ice on the road surface in winter.

Scientific studies have shown that roadside greenery can substantially reduce the number of traffic accidents In the United States, less than 1% of all traffic accidents involve roadside trees. One study showed a 46% decline in collision rates on urban streets and highways after roadsides were planted.

The Indian government has introduced a massive roadside planting program called the National Green Highway Mission.

As surprising as it might seem, it has been shown that roadside trees and plants tend to calm drivers, lower their stress levels and actually slow them down. Not only that, but any cars that do skid off the roadway will be cushioned by the bushes and sturdy herbaceous plants. Take common reeds, for instance; tall, fast-growing grasses found along many North American highways.

Plants Actually Protect Roads Despite what you might think, trees and plants rarely damage road and highway infrastructures. In fact, some studies have shown that asphalt lasts longer when it is shaded by tree leaves because it suffers less UV, rain and wind damage. Maintenance costs are also cut in half when the pavement is shaded by trees. Lastly, plants reduce air pollution and improve roadside air quality. In addition to trapping CO2 and converting it into oxygen, a single tree can remove 7,000 soot and dust particles from a liter of air!

Underpass Park was built in Toronto beneath a highway overpass.

A futuristic green highway imagined by artist Gonzalo Golpe.

GREEN ROADS

Asphalt lasts longer when it is shaded by tree leaves because it suffers less UV, rain and wind damage The Max Juvenal overpass, in southern France, is an example of a road that’s perfectly integrated into its environment

The High Line allowed a whole community to flourish.

The Seoul 7017 Skygarden project saw a former highway overpass in South Korea’s capital turned into a park and green pedestrian walkway

Greening Bridges and Overpasses Road infrastructures are not usually very attractive or wellintegrated into the urban environment. One of the best ways to make these huge concrete eyesores blend into their surroundings is to cover them with greenery. Just imagine cars, buses, bicycles and pedestrians all travellng through a fabulous green oasis high above the ground or a river! There’s no doubt about it – a planted bridge or overpass can be a powerful architectural statement and a real source of pride for city residents. It can make a name for a city and boost its international visibility. As the High Line did for New York City, a planted bridge or overpass can help revitalize a neighborhood. In addition to being greatly valued and well used by residents, the High Line has given a great economic boost to the neighborhoods it passes through. Dozens of new businesses and real-estate projects have sprung up near the elevated park, which has generated more than $2 billion in spin-off since it opened. The High Line attracts seven million visitors a year, making it the city’s most popular cultural venue.

> The Chapultepec Project, a huge elevated garden, is to be built soon in the heart of Mexico City

Just imagine cars, buses, bicycles and pedestrians all travelling through a fabulous green oasis high above the ground or a river! Both a symbol and a catalyst, the High Line has inspired elected officials in cities around the globe to propose similar projects. People in Chicago, London, Mexico City, Philadelphia, Rotterdam, San Francisco, Seoul, Toronto and a few other cities may well see some amazing elevated gardens take shape in their midst in the near future. These innovative projects, with their countless benefits, are allowing us to change our vision of road and highway infrastructures and to enhance our definition of green spaces. 3 75

BY MATT MOUNTAIN

Bringing (more)

life to your garden

*PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: If you have ever lost a crop because of Pythium, Fusarium or similar, and do not currently use beneficials, stop reading now and buy some immediately. 76

BENEFICIALS

“Ever y commercial greenhouse I have visited in the last 15 years throws some white powder on the roots before repot ting any thing and ever y thing”

why ‘beneficials’ should be part of every grow*

here are as many opinions on how to grow plants as there are plants, but indoor gardening often divides into two camps. Mineral growers often believe they have the fastest, biggest, most efficient systems, and can control inputs and outputs in a way organic growers cannot. Organic growers often

believe they have more environmentally-friendly ingredients and methods and can deliver crops with taste and intangible x-factors that mineral growers cannot. Generally, these assumptions are proved correct. Ish. But they are absolutely not set in stone: the opposite of each of those assumptions can also be true. So, which philosophy do we follow? Who is “right”? One potential (if unlikely) beacon of hope is, I would contend, industry standards. ‘Industry standard’ things can be good, like the Technics 1210 or BMW 5 series rear legroom; bad, like British cars in the 1970s, or neutral, like beige. But, by definition, they are always large-scale examples to study and learn from. And when crossing a massive data set with another (more obvious) beacon of hope, namely peer-reviewed scientific research, great things can be achieved: take the lessons from industry and inspiration from research. Advanced gardening is no different. Most right-thinking people wouldn’t want to imitate industrial farming techniques, but, the fact remains that companies in hyper-competitive sectors are pushed hard to ensure things work, and deliver results for every penny spent. They also have the resources, scale, and controlled environments to run tests in a way that home or small commercial gardeners cannot. So, what can we learn from big growers while we wait to see if LEDs have finally managed to beat CMH for crop quality? Well, most of us are still overlooking the next most effective ingredient available after water and nutrients and a high-quality fulvic acid: beneficial microorganisms.

Despite using many shamefully nasty PGRs and pesticides, every commercial greenhouse I have visited in the last 15 years throws some white powder on the roots before repotting anything and everything. That white powder is dried Trichoderma genus fungi. They do this because despite using harsh, cheap fer tilizer, use of so-called ‘beneficial’ fungi (called Mycorrhizae) and root zone colonizing bacteria (often called rhizosphere bacteria) provides improvements in germination, propagation, growth, pathogen resistance, and yield (1). Yes, lots of products have marketing that says they do this. What they don’t have is decades of commercial use and peer-reviewed studies from universities around the world to back those claims up. So should we all be doing this too? Is it wor th it? The shor t answer is: yes. “Beneficials” boost plant health and performance in a variety of ways, from directly predating on pathogenic fungi, to affecting gene expression in their hosts and optimising pathways within the plant. In return, beneficials can benefit from an abundance of fungal prey. In the case of fungi such as Trichoderma spp, it can direct connections into plant roots, providing sugars which plants can produce in abundance through photosynthesis, something nonphotosynthetic fungi would have difficulty manufacturing. To be clear: this is not a parasitic relationship; it is a beneficial symbiosis which helps plants in almost every situation they encounter. Even the energy cost to the plant of the association seems to be covered by the increases in photosynthetic and metabolic efficiency that Trichoderma provides (2).

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BENEFICIALS

credit: Wendy Fabiola Izquierdo Estevez

credit: gardenerspantry.ca

“Beneficials” boost plant health and performance in a variety of ways, from directly predating on pathogenic fungi, to affecting gene expression in their hosts and optimizing pathways within the plant

Trichoderma harzianum

Mycorrhizal fungi

The most common Trichoderma species is harzianum, although many species and mixes are used, each with their own specificities. In fact, despite early uptake, one of the major fails in the use of beneficials comes from the commercial sector where a large percentage of sales are still of just one Trichoderma strain. Trichoderma is not the only organism that is useful in culture, however - far from it. At Les Sourciers in the south of France, where marketing is wor th nothing if crops fail and customers are let down, a mixture of Trichoderma fungi and Streptomyces bacteria is used to effectively protect crops in re-circulating hydroponics over the summer when reservoir temperatures regularly reach 30 oc and root pathogens are rife. Streptomyces is the most prolific producer of antibiotic and antifungal compounds in use today, and appropriate strains for gardening such as Streptomyces lydicus and Streptomyces griseus confer additional protection from Pythium, Fusarium and other common root pathogens than Trichoderma alone can provide. Going fur ther, bacteria that improve Phosphorus availability/metabolism are now available, and strains that help process faster or improve tolerance to a wider (or narrower) range of biotic and abiotic pathogens and stressors will be with us very soon - so why isn’t everyone using them?

I think a major factor is the perception that in a clean, well-controlled hydroponic grow, we want to minimize biological inputs. This isn’t wrong in many senses, but adding an organism such as Trichoderma isn’t going to do anything negative if pathogens aren’t present. In fact, it helps break down dead cells from roots and other plant matter that inevitably circulates in even the cleanest system and otherwise forms a home for exactly the kind of pathogens we want to avoid. And, of course, adding beneficials also brings all the metabolic advantages outlined above. Another factor may be marketing. Beneficials rarely promise “explosive growth” or “1000% more yield guaranteed*” and when it comes to handing over hardearned cash, it can seem like a waste to put money into something described as “insurance”. But here’s the thing: whether you are growing with organic feed, pure mineral or a hybrid, beneficials aren’t insurance: they are major performance boosters that can also save your entire grow from some of the most common and persistent pathogens in gardening. The downside is that being living organisms, beneficials do not work instantly; they need to establish (although this can be as little as 72 hours), and when you have a heat stress or root rot problem, panic often ensues and an immediate fix (chemicals) looks tempting. That’s not a reason not to use beneficials, but why you should seriously consider making some of that ‘industry standard’ your own standard every time you star t a grow. 3

(1) Multifunctional fungal plant symbionts: new tools to enhance plant growth and productivity - Gary E Harman - New Phytologist 2011 Salinity tolerant Trichoderma harzianum reinforces NaCl tolerance and reduces population dynamics of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under salt stress conditions Laxmi Rawat , Y. Singh , N. Shukla & J. Kumar Improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by plants (Harman & Mastouri, 2010; Shoresh et al., 2010) (2) Trichoderma strains increase photosynthetic rates ⁄efficiency in plants whose roots are measured by several different parameters (Vargas et al., 2009; Mastouri, 2010; Shoresh et al., 2010). 79

BY CATHERINE SHERRIFFS

GardenCultureMagazine.com

best of

the blog

Our mental health is directly linked to many factors that can’t be fixed by medicine. So, many doctors in the UK are trying a different approach: it’s

called

and

“social

involves

prescribing”, recommending

recreational activities like gardening to people suffering from mild depression and anxiety. You can find this ar ticle and all of the freshest garden and growing-related news on our blog at gcmag.co

GARDEN THERAPY

People can go to a doctor and get a referral to a communit y gardening group, with the cost par tly covered by the health system

nstead of filling out prescriptions, many UK doctors are telling patients with mild depression and anxiety to grab a set of garden tools. A new movement called “social prescribing” is gaining popularity, and it’s based on the knowledge that not all of what ails us can be fixed with medicine alone. As a result, recreational activities

like gardening are being recommended to help people cope with mental health issues.

Nothing New

Good For The Soul Here’s how it works: people can go to a doctor and get a referral to a community gardening group, with the cost partly covered by the health system. The idea is to help patients create connection in their lives, whether it be to their communities, neighborhoods, or to a general sense of enjoyment. Patients are usually assigned a mentor who will show them the tricks of the trade and check-in with them as they continue through their healing process.

Hor ticultural therapy is actually a timeproven treatment method, its benefits documented since ancient times

A study at the University of Gloucestershire found that 1,300 patients in South West England felt a significant improvement in their wellbeing after enrolling in an art course. A researcher at the University of the West of England also spoke to a patient participating in a Devonbased gardening group, who loved that he was treated by others as someone who had something to contribute. Activities like these, whether it be gardening or painting, can help people increase self-esteem or confidence, and can also provide support to those who are grieving. Proponents say it also relieves the financial burden on the health system.

Horticultural therapy is actually a timeproven treatment method, its benefits documented since ancient times. In fact, working-garden environments are commonly used in hospitals, nursing homes, and even prisons around the world. Here are a couple of examples:

Riker’s Island

New York City’s main jail complex, on Riker’s Island, houses 7,600 inmates. It’s also home to an urban farm, where a greenhouse offers vocational training to prisoners. They can spend time learning gardening skills, planting and raising flowers. The idea is to help them establish the connection between people and plants, and realize that they have something meaningful to offer in society.

The Douglas Greenhouse In Montreal, Canada, The Douglas Hospital works with mental health patients with a variety of disorders. The hospital greenhouse is described as a magical place that is both calming and energizing. Patients are given tasks

It makes sense, doesn’t it? Leisure activities are so important for us all, regardless of our mental health status. They bring joy to our lives, providing us with a sense of ambition and meaning. Without them, I very much doubt any of us would be in a healthy state of mind.

The Douglas Hospital greenhouse 81

GARDEN THERAPY

GardenCultureMagazine.com

Mixed Evidence

These programs are obviously set up by institutions to help people who need it the most. But what’s nice about this “social prescribing” movement is that it encourages all of us to involve ourselves in community activities, such as gardening, to keep positive.

best of

Evidence of how effective the social prescribing movement is has been mixed so far. A review by BMJ Open found most studies on the subject were too small-scale and biased to truly determine its success. It Doctors say the suggested that people with more severe greenhouse program forms of anxiety and depression might suppor ts patient need more intervention, and could recover y by giving use gardening or similar activities in them impor tant roles conjunction with other therapies and medications. Certainly, a valid point.

like planting seedlings, repotting plants, and watering the gardens. Doctors say the greenhouse program supports patient recovery by giving them important roles to play.

the blog

to play

Still, social prescribing is an interesting alternative to coping with some major health issues whether it be depression, chronic illness or even aging. Encouraging people to be social and acquire new skills is never a bad thing. Gardening in particular can provide us with a sense of peace and tranquility, as well as the desire and motivation to care deeply for another living thing. No matter what your skill level, there’s always something to learn in gardening. And there’s always something you can contribute. It’s good for the earth; but it’s also good for the soul. 3

Encouraging people to be social and acquire new skills is never a bad thing

Sources used: https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/80146284 83

BY STONEY TARK

NATURE’S NATURE’S INTELLIGENCE INTELLIGENCE

At a microscopic level, the structure of this clean, chemical-free, highly stable carbon material has more sur face area than an entire football field once unfolded and flat tened

BIOCHAR

hat if there was a natural soil conditioner that was not only easy to source but could feed soil microbiology and remain stable for thousands of years? Well, read on! Biochar has the most complex structure of any material on Earth and is excellent for improving soil retention while also protecting against soil-borne diseases.

What Is Biochar?

Biochar can be

A Complex Structure

The name “biochar” stems from a Larger surface area leads to higher wamixed into soil as combination of biomass and charcoal. ter retention, improved drainage and an a growing medium, The product is the result of a process increase in wicking action in the event of which improves called pyrolysis, a procedure that involves rainfall. The way biochar is formed ensures aeration and heating wood to a temperature of 250°C it will not decompose; its resistance to (482 oF) or more in an oxygen-deprived chemical and biological weathering helps water retention, setting. The science behind this involves it endure the elements for thousands of while also slowly carbon being absorbed from a gas into a years, and during that time, biochar acts releasing nutrients solid state. (1) The commercial by-product as a buffering agent for micro and macro over time is known as charcoal. At a microscopic nutrients. Used by green-conscious farmlevel, the structure of this clean, chemicalers to fight climate change, adding biochar free, highly stable carbon material has more surface area in small broken pieces serves as the ultimate amendment, than an entire football field once unfolded and flattened. The increasing soil fer tility, nutrient-uptake and the general conintricate design of charcoal is easily the most compact and dition of farming lands. porous material on this planet, with carbon dating proving that the Ear th has been amending itself with naturallyformed biochar for millions of years. (2) Biochar structure (600 x magnification)

Pyrolysis Explained credit: www.biocharireland.com

A Greek word meaning “fire” and “separating”, pyrolysis is an irreversible change in chemical composition. By heating wood to temperatures of 250-300°C (482-572oF), organic matter is suppressed into a carbon-rich substrate. (3) The difference between ash and biochar is the amount of oxygen present at the time of combustion. Because biochar is made in an oxygendeprived setting, the substrate will not turn to ash.

Food For Thought The microbiology deep within the soil culture plays a huge role in the uptake of nutrients for plants. Soil microbiology can determine what minerals and nutrients are fixed into the Ear th. For example, depletion of nitrogen can be amended by nitrogen-fixing bacteria, or by carefully balancing phosphorus levels. (4) The beneficial bacteria that live in the soil thrive in oxygen and carbon-rich environments.

BIOCHAR

At a microscopic level, the structure of this clean, chemical-free, highly stable carbon material has more sur face area than an entire football field once unfolded and flat tened

image credit: by Charmaster

Used by green-conscious farmers to fight climate change, adding biochar in small broken pieces ser ves as the ultimate amendment, increasing soil fer tilit y, nutrient-uptake and the general condition of farming lands

As the charcoal breaks down over time, tiny pieces will replenish the depleted soil. Biochar can be mixed into soil as a growing medium, which improves aeration and water retention, while also slowly releasing nutrients over time. For large-scale farming, adding a top layer of fine charcoal dust will enrich the soil during rainfall.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Biochar? There are numerous benefits to using biochar; not only is it environmentally friendly, but it is also cost-effective. Users reduce their carbon footprint by producing a soil amendment that classifies as â&#x20AC;&#x153;all-naturalâ&#x20AC;?. Biochar has the ability to retain water and also encourages the wicking action of the soil; meanwhile, the composition of the nutrients available to the plant roots will improve. Once biochar is made, it will be readily available for at least a thousand years. Rainfall triggers the biochar to slowly leach nutrients into the soil, instead of washing them out and pushing them below the surface where roots may not be able to access them. Using biochar in your soil will improve plant vitality, vigor

Making Biochar at home

and growth, and increase silica uptake. While boosting the soil microbiology dramatically, expect to also gain added protection from soil-borne diseases, as well as an increase in plant metabolism. 3

References: https://www.biochar.ac.uk /what_is_biochar.php http://www.biochar.info/biochar.biochar-overview.cfml https://www.britannica.com/science/pyrolysis http://assets.cambridge.org/97805216/21113/excerpt/9780521621113_excerpt.pdf

Simple Sprouts Easy Edible Gardening

nstant gratification in an edible garden is hard to come by, unless, of course, you are growing sprouts! Sprouts are baby plants, harvested at the peak of their nutritional goodness after just three to six days. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and enzymes, they contain a whole slew of nutrients missing

from full-grown plants. In fact, sprouts have 10-100 times the glucoraphanin of a mature vegetable, which helps protect against cancer while detoxifying your body and boosting the immune system. Not only that; they are nature’s most plentiful source of plant hormones, which can reduce the signs of aging, improve gut bacteria, and counterbalance a poor diet and stress. They come in a wide variety, but some of the more common sprouts include bean, sunflower, and alfalfa. Easy to grow year-round, you don’t need a lot of space, soil or sun to grow sprouts. Choose chemical-free seeds and wash well before placing about 2 tbsp in a sanitized mason jar. Cover with a few inches of water, and place a mesh or cheesecloth over top the jar. Allow to soak for 8

Easy to grow year-round, you don’t need a lot of space, soil or sun to grow sprouts to 12 hours before draining and rinsing. Place the jar on its side, rinsing and draining two to four times a day until they are ready for harvest. Enjoy their fresh taste in sandwiches, salads and so much more! 3 Sources: • • •

https://foodfacts.mercola.com/sprouts.html https://www.treehugger.com/green-food/grow-your-ownsprouts-jar.html https://skysprouts.co.uk/

BY MARY MINCHIN, AUTHOR OF CBD MADE EASY!

THCV

Not only has it been shown to reduce tremors associated with diseases such as Parkinson’s, THCV also has been found to reduce anxiet y

THCV made easy I’d like to introduce you to a little known, but extremely fascinating cannabinoid that is making researchers sit up and pay attention: THCV. Perhaps you are familiar with Larry Smith; he’s an excop suffering from Parkinson’s Disease whose story went viral when his severe dyskinesia (uncontrolled movements), loss of voice and tremors calmed within minutes after taking a few drops of cannabis oil under his tongue. According to research, there is a possibility that one of the main cannabinoids responsible for reducing Smith’s tremors is tetrahydrocannabivarin, or THCV. This intriguing little cannabinoid has been nicknamed ‘The Sports Car of Cannabinoids’, and researchers are only just beginning to discover the vast medical potential it holds.

What is the relation between THC and THCV? If you look at the molecules side by side, you will see that THCV has the same molecular structure, except it has its tail chopped off; It is missing a few carbon atoms. These few atoms make a lot of difference in the psychoactive effect of THCV. THC activates CB1 receptors in the brain, (this is called working as an agonist- think of a key opening a lock) and this gives the psychoactive effect it is well-known for. Does THCV get you high? Well, yes… and no. Or actually, no… and yes. In low doses, THCV acts in reverse to THC; as an antagonist (it blocks the lock so the key cannot open the door) against the CB1 receptor. It stops any psychoactive effect , and will not get you high. However, in high doses, this effect can reverse and THCV can then act as an agonist , just like THC. The ‘lock’ will then open, enabling the psychoactive effect. Although the chemical difference is subtle, THCV can produce very different effects than THC.

THIS INTRIGUING LITTLE CANNABINOID HAS BEEN NICKNAMED ‘THE SPORTS CAR OF CANNABINOIDS’

Possible Health Advantages Not only has it been shown to reduce tremors associated with diseases such as Parkinson’s, THCV also has been found to reduce anxiety and is currently being studied for its ability to reduce and possibly block panic attacks. In Israel, studies are being conducted to assess THCV in the treatment of PTSD. Pure THCV is also getting some interest to help combat obesity. There is some evidence from animal trials that the isolate of THCV has been shown to be an appetite suppressant and will help reduce food intake. Although, when combined with THC, the effects were found negligible. The potential for diabetes treatment is gaining momentum, however. According to a study conducted by E.T Wargent et al, THCV is a new potential treatment against obesity-associated glucose intolerance, and in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted by the University of Nottingham, School of Medicine, they discovered THCV lowers blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes. This has gained the attention of GW Pharmaceuticals, which is currently working on a cannabis-based drug, utilising CBD and THCV to lower blood sugar levels between meals and improving insulin protection.

Image credit: Pearson education, Inc

THCV

“ Although the chemical difference is subtle, THCV can produce very different effects than THC. “ This fabulous little cannabinoid has also been found to stimulate bone cell growth and has potential in the treatment of osteoporosis and similar ailments. Researchers believe it has potential in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, and it has been documented that it reduces the number of seizures in those suffering from some forms of epilepsy. Now for the bad news... Unfortunately, most strains of cannabis only contain trace amounts of THCV. With its popularity growing, high THCV strains might soon appear more abundantly. For now, according to Steep Hill Labs, the best way to find THCV currently is in African Sativas. THCV is still illegal in many countries, but this doesn’t make it any less interesting to sit back and watch science discover more about the many cannabinoids of the cannabis plant! 3

BIO Mary Minchin is a former pharmaceutical employee & advocate of CBD and its many benefits. She is in her fourth year of her science degree, majoring in biology & chemistry. She recently switched her focus from pharmacy to science to pursue other more meaningful passions. The book CBD Made Easy was written with the purpose of simplifying how CBD works in the human body, listing all the currently known ailments CBD can alleviate, then directly referencing the related medical studies in one short publication. www.cbdmadeeasy.xyz Contact Mary at: cbdmadeeasy@gmail.com

Sources 1. Gwpharm.com/about-us/news/gw-commencesphase-i-study-thcv-potential-treatment-obesityand-related-metabolic 2. Cannabis-med.org/index. php?tpl=page&id=7&lng=en 3. Psychiatryadvisor.com/ptsd-trauma-and-stressorrelated/medical-marijuana-cannabis-ptsdtreatment/article/415709/ 93

Fighting

lastics are one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worst pollution problems; according to the United Nations, 8 million tonnes of it ends up in the oceans every

year. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the equivalent of one garbage truck of plastic every minute. The impact on marine life is substantial;

#FERTILZERFORTHEFUTURE

one needs to look no further for evidence than a dead sperm whale found on a beach in Spain earlier this year, its stomach full with 64 pounds of plastic waste he had mistaken for food.

Plastic Pollution Plastic water bottles and utensils take up to 450 years to biodegrade; plastic straws and stir sticks take about 200 years. At the rate we are going, the UN estimates there will be more plastic in the ocean than sea life by 2050. The UK is taking a small step in the right direction by banning the sale of plastic straws and cotton swabs. The plan is to eradicate plastic waste by 2042, and British Prime Minister Theresa May is calling on other countries to do the same. Around the world, there are many movements taking place that can make a difference; France has banned plastic cups and cutlery, several US cities including Seattle, Miami Beach, and Malibu have banned single-use straws, and across Canada, hundreds of bars and restaurants have done the same. Many cities are also banning plastic bags.

Science is even taking aim at plastic pollution with a newlydeveloped plastic-eating enzyme. Working together, researchers from the US and UK say the enzyme, Ideonella sakaiensis 201F6, has the ability to eat polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The discovery could lead to a viable recycling solution for millions of tonnes of plastic water bottles. A wonderful development for sure, but we cannot rely only on the scientific community to fix the problem; we all need to be taking steps, big or small, to kick our plastic addiction. For more on the plastic problem, visit us at GCMag.co 3 Sources: • • •

http://web.unep.org/unepmap/un-declares-war-ocean-plastic https://4ocean.com/blogs/blog/how-long-does-it-take-trash-tobiodegrade https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/16/world/plastic-pollution-scienceenvironment-enzyme-intl/index.html

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Biostimulants Ef ficacy Through Ef ficiency

BIOSTIMULANTS

s I ponder what the future of agriculture and crop production may look like, I am certain of one thing: in order for crops to be grown in a way that is truly sustainable, in regards to both the production aspects as well as to the health of the environment, it is inevitable that we will have a lower reliance on industrially

produced fertilizers. Face it; the minerals and elements mined from the earth are not finite, and the damage inflicted to our soils and waterways through the inappropriate use or overuse of fertilizers will one day, probably sooner than later, have a breaking point for the survival of natural ecosystems. There is an inherent need for us to focus on using all of our agricultural inputs in the most efficient ways possible. One small step that could have a significant impact on the efficiency of fertilizers and the quality of crop production is the integration of natural plant biostimulants into already established crop management programs.

it is inevitable that we will have a lower reliance on industrially produced fer tilizers Currently, plant biostimulants do not have an officially recognized definition on the regulatory level, but the generally accepted definition is as follows: plant biostimulants are substance(s) and/or microorganisms whose function when applied to seeds, plants, or the rhizosphere is to stimulate natural processes to enhance/benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, crop quality and/or yields. That definition is quite a mouthful, but the main idea is that these products can be applied in relatively small amounts when compared to standard plant nutrients, and can improve plant growth regardless of their own nutrient content if they have any at all. Though the individual materials and substances may vary widely in a physical or chemical sense, they tend to fall into a few distinct categories in how they contribute to plant growth and development.

The main benefit that really seems to encompass all of the biostimulants is a natural increase in nutrient uptake. By allowing the plant easier access to and better absorption of elemental nutrients, growth rates will be elevated and average yields will trend higher. Some biostimulants also have the ability to influence positive growth through interactions with the plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hormonal pathway, both directly and indirectly. This type of interaction can lead to the development of a more extensive root system. or perhaps an increase in lateral branch growth and flower bud production, to name a few. Another important benefit that biostimulants can bring to the table is their ability to improve a plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resistance to disease and other forms of abiotic stress such as excessive heat and drought. All of these separate benefits can work together to help a plant thrive in almost any type of environment, and allow them to do so with less reliance on excessive fertilization and watering.

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BIOSTIMULANTS

Due to its natural abilit y to act as a filter to ocean waters, seaweed does contain most, if not all, of the essential plant nutrients in addition to other minerals, amino acids, and vitamins The odds are you are already using capacity (CEC) of the soil, which The odds are some type of biostimulant in your in turn helps to prevent positively you are already garden without even realizing it. Plant charged nutrient ions from becoming biostimulants are sold in a wide variety “locked-up” with other negatively using some type of forms and are even mixed in together charged ions or soil particles. This of biostimulant with a plant nutrient product. They can increase in the CEC of a soil will allow in your garden be purchased as either liquid or dry nutrients to remain in a more available granular products and are typically form for plants to use. Humic and without even found on a label under the “non-plant fulvic acids have the ability to protect realizing it food ingredients” heading unless the nutrients on the molecular level, which company chooses to use them as part of also ensures they remain available to the plant nutrient claim because some plant roots. More recent studies have biostimulants do contain available nutrients. There are shown that humic substances can induce the production numerous biostimulant type products out there today, of compounds in a plant’s secondary metabolism, more than will be able to fit into this article. Here are allowing it to respond more favorably to external abiotic some that can be considered the most common found stressors like excessive heat and drought. on the market.

Humic Substances Humic substances are a natural component of the organic matter found within the soil and primarily consist of decomposed plant and animal tissue as well as residues from soil microorganisms. The soluble portions of a humic substance are what is typically used in horticulture and are referred to as either humic or fulvic acids. The humic and fulvic acids are extracted from humified organic matter such as decomposed peat moss or volcanic soils. They can be derived from compost and vermicompost or from mineral deposits such as Leonardite. Humic substances have long been recognized as a positive contributor to overall soil fertility. Products containing humic substances have the ability to increase the uptake of nutrients by the plant roots, achieved in a couple of different ways. Due to the organic content of humic substances, they can improve the cation exchange

Seaweed Extracts Seaweed extracts are arguably the most widely-used and recognized biostimulant on the market today. For centuries, seaweeds have been incorporated into agricultural practices, but it is only more recently that science has begun to understand the complexities of its biostimulant capabilities. Due to its natural ability to act as a filter to ocean waters, seaweed does contain most, if not all, of the essential plant nutrients in addition to other minerals, amino acids, and vitamins.

Seaweed Extracts 99

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BIOSTIMULANTS

Seaweed ex tracts contain natural polysaccharides that improve aeration and water retention within the soil

This is why seaweed extracts can be registered and sold as biofertilizers. However, the macro and micronutrients found within are in such small amounts that they have little to no effect on overall plant nutrition. Instead, seaweed extracts are prized for their many biostimulant properties. To begin, seaweed extracts contain natural polysaccharides that improve aeration and water retention within the soil. Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates that, along with other organic compounds, have a positive effect on soil microflora that promotes the sustainable growth of beneficial microorganisms. Seaweed extracts also contain naturally occurring antioxidant properties that can help a plant to better alleviate both abiotic and chemical stress. Plants treated with seaweed extracts have been shown to be more resistant to the harm caused by extreme temperatures, drought, and high-salinity levels in the root zone. Although these are all very important benefits provided by the application of seaweed extracts, the biostimulant components that are most notable are the naturally occurring plant growth hormones found in the seaweed itself. These compounds have proven to be invaluable to the horticultural field, not only in commercial agriculture but for the home gardener as well. Seaweed extracts contain an array of natural plant growth hormones including cytokinins, auxins, abscisic acids, and gibberellins. Together, these compounds can impact plant growth and development in several positive ways. Different hormones will have different effects on certain aspects of growth, but seaweed extracts can collectively aid in seed germination, root growth and establishment, increased lateral branch growth, as well as increased flower bud formation.

Protein Hydrolysates (Amino Acids) Protein Hydrolysates are created through the chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins into their constituent amino acids and short chain peptides. They are most often derived from crop and animal by-products of the agricultural industry. The most common forms sold in the market today are fish protein hydrolysates and soy protein hydrolysates. In a true hydrolysate, the amino acids are in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lâ&#x20AC;? form, which is the form that can be utilized by plants. Protein hydrolysates and amino acids, in general, can be utilized for their nitrogen content and are more often than not marketed and sold as an organic fertilizer material. Even though they can be used as a source of nitrogen, they are truly revered for the multiple roles they can play as biostimulants. However, protein hydrolysates represent one of the relatively newer products in this category, and the impact amino acids have on plant growth and development is not completely understood. The amino acids derived from protein hydrolysates have been shown to have a direct effect on plant growth by regulating the enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation. These help control or regulate the uptake of nitrogen into the plant and determine which type of protein structure it will ultimately become. Studies are also beginning to show that the more complex protein hydrolysates display hormonal activity within a plant and work to develop anti-stress compounds to aid in overcoming drought and extreme temperatures. 101

BIOSTIMULANTS

Beneficial bacteria can be found inhabiting the area right around the hear t of the rooting zone called the rhizosphere, and can also colonize the ver y cells of the roots themselves. Another biostimulant-type activity that is chemically much better understood about protein hydrolysates and amino acids is their ability to protect micronutrients and to contribute to their mobility in the soil and uptake by plant roots. Some amino acids such as glycine and proline have the ability to chelate and complex certain fertilizer ions, protecting them from getting tied up with other nutrient ions or soil particles and increasing their availability and acquisition by the roots.

Microorganisms Beneficial microorganisms represent perhaps the most unique category of biostimulants. They are tiny living organisms that work, often symbiotically, with the roots of a plant to deliver a multitude of benefits. Microorganisms truly do a majority of the heavy lifting, and without them, plant life wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to thrive in the way it does today. They do so much hard work under the soil at such a small scale that is invisible to the naked eye. Though there are hundreds of different types and species of microorganisms, they are most commonly separated into two distinct categories: beneficial bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi. â&#x20AC;&#x2039;

Beneficial bacteria can be found inhabiting the area right around the heart of the rooting zone called the rhizosphere, and can also colonize the very cells of the roots themselves. Different bacteria species will impact plant growth and development in a variety of ways, but generally, the benefits they deliver range from helping to convert soil nutrients into plant-available forms, increasing nutrient-use efficiency, stronger resistance to attacks from disease, and an enhanced abiotic stress tolerance. There are also beneficial bacteria that lean more towards the biological control realm when one looks at their possible modes of action. Some bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus, have been shown to have fungicidal properties along with other standard biostimulant behaviors. Other species, like Bacillus thuringiensis, display strong biopesticide capabilities and are a leading reason why biological controls are becoming a more popular pest control method every year.

Beneficial Bacteria

Image credit: NRCS - USDA

Beneficial bacteria interact with plants and influence their growth and development in almost every possible way. From assisting in nutrient acquisition to increasing a plants resistance to stress and disease, beneficial bacteria are an indispensable weapon to have in your biostimulant arsenal. More often than not, the relationship between beneficial bacteria and the plants they colonize is one of mutual symbiosis, where both the plant and the bacteria benefit from the alliance. There are, however, times when the association can be parasitic to the plant. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on the symbiotic side of things.

Beneficial bacteria: Rhizobium bacteria nodules 103 103

BIOSTIMULANTS

the EPA regards the majorit y of biostimulant-t ype claims, such as hormonal ef fects and abiotic stress resistance, as falling under the realm of pesticide and plant grow th regulator products Mycorrhizal Fungi Over the past 10-15 years, the popularity of mycorrhizal fungi use in both agriculture and home gardens alike have been on a steady rise. This is for good reason since the addition of the fungi to any growers regiment provides a multitude of benefits. Mycorrhizal fungi are specialized fungi species that form an interconnection with plant roots that, similarly to beneficial bacteria, is most often mutually symbiotic, but in some cases can be naturally parasitic. Over thousands of years, plants and mycorrhizal fungi have co-evolved to help each other grow and thrive. This relationship exists for nearly 90 percent of all terrestrial plant species. Mycorrhizal fungi have the ability to attach themselves to the roots of a plant. Once they are connected, either outside the root cell or within, they begin to grow hyphal networks that act as an extension of the main root and can spread over a larger area than the root itself. As the mycorrhizal fungi navigate through the soil they are able to access plant nutrients that are either out of reach to the regular root system, or in a form that is unavailable for absorption, which is especially the case for most forms of phosphorus in the soil. The fungi then deliver the nutrients to the root for uptake, and in return, the mycorrhizal fungi are given access to carbohydrates, a food source for fungi extruded from the roots themselves. This mutualistic relationship has the potential to play a profoundly important role in the sustainability of normal crop production. By increasing the efficiency in which nutrients are acquired, there lays the possibility of using less supplemental fertilization. Plants that are more efficiently accessing the nutrients within the soil will be healthier and have more energy to tolerate stressful situations, and can show an increase in crop quality and yield. After reading all of this you may be thinking to yourself: “I use some of these products in my garden, but how come I don’t see these types of claims on the labels?” Well, the answer to that lies in the fact that there is no officially accepted definition for biostimulants on the regulatory level. Instead, these products will be labeled as fertilizers if they contain any nutrients (seaweed extracts and protein hydrolysates) or simply as a soil amendment (humic acids and microorganisms) if they do not. Given the absence of a specific, approved definition and a lack of regulatory framework, regulation of biostimulants will remain vague and uncertain. This is the case here in the US as well as in the EU. In the US, fertilizers and soil amendments are regulated on the state level under the authority of each state’s department of agriculture. Pesticides are not only regulated on the state level, but also on the federal level by the EPA. The EPA also regulates plant growth regulator type products under the same

canopy as pesticides. Currently, the EPA regards the majority of biostimulant-type claims, such as hormonal effects and abiotic stress resistance, as falling under the realm of pesticide and plant growth regulator products. State regulators do not want to come into direct conflict with anything the EPA deems to be under their regulatory authority, so they simply only allow fertilizer or soil amendment claims on the labels. For instance, seaweed extract products will either be labeled with a very low NPK fertilizer value or as a non-plant food soil amendment product with a notation that the seaweed extract is added to the product as a food source for soil microbes. Of course, this not the real purpose of the product; state regulators will not allow a company to put any language about initiating root growth, for example, on the label, because doing so would technically put the product under the regulatory umbrella of the EPA. The EPA does grant biostimulant manufacturers a vitaminhormone exemption, but when a company goes this route, they are forced to add the phrase “not for use on food crops” to the label, which usually defeats the purpose of the product.

The reason why there needs to be a proper definition and clear regulatory framework is that true biostimulants are not pesticides or plant growth regulators and, arguably, should not be placed under the EPA’s regulatory authority. Biostimulants are simply products that stimulate a natural process within the plant that is beneficial to overall development and yield. Unlike a pesticide or plant growth regulator, a biostimulant isn’t acting directly on a plant but instead encourages it to work in different ways. Over the last couple of years, there has been a push to properly define and regulate biostimulants in a way that makes sense to all parties involved. This movement is being advanced in such a way that it includes state and federal regulators, as well as industry professionals. Everyone with a stake in the game can clearly see that a proper regulatory framework needs to be created and that biostimulants will continue to become a major component in the future of crop production. In other words, biostimulants are here to stay, and the time to start truly embracing their benefits should be sooner rather than later. 3

BIO

Kyle L. Ladenburger is a freelance garden writer who has worked in the gardening and hydroponics industry for over a decade. As an avid indoor and outdoor gardener, he is well versed in nearly all types of growing methods with an overall focus on sustainability and maintaining healthy soils. He holds a strong conviction that growing one’s own food is a powerful way to change our lives and our world for the better. 105

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eat moss is widely-used in gardens around the world, and for good reason. Plants thrive in peat because it provides a sterile growing medium and delivers highly-absorbent qualities; it retains water better than other types of soil and prevents soil compaction. There’s no doubt peat moss will make your gardens more productive than ever, but at what cost?

Many of us never stop to think about where peat comes from, or what kind of impact it has on our ecosystems. Despite the fact that peat moss grows naturally in bogs, digging it up for horticultural purposes comes at an unsustainable cost to the environment and to wildlife. As fast as it is to destroy, peat takes an incredibly long time to grow; it forms at less than one millimeter per year! Not only that, but peat stores a third of the world’s soil carbon; so draining the bog and removing the moss releases CO2 into the atmosphere. Peat bogs are also the breeding ground for Curlews, an endangered bird species.

For those who would rather use peat-free mediums, a number of alternatives exist. In fact, soils containing bark and wood fibers are said to produce similar results to peat. Another excellent option is coconut fiber, known as coir. Coir retains water just as well, if not better than peat, and decomposes at a slower rate. Soils containing coir can be purchased at many garden centers, but if you can’t find it, you can simply make your own by combining one part homemade compost with one part coir, which can be found at many hydroponic shops. For more sustainable gardening solutions, consider going peat-free!

There were originally 95,000 hectares of peat bogs in the British Isles; today, fewer than 5,000 hectares remain in good condition. As a result, the government is pushing for peat-free gardening in the UK by 2020, but it is completely voluntary. The issue is somewhat muted in North America, where most of the peat moss sold comes from Canada’s vast number of bogs. The Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association says special care is taken to restore the bogs, such as allowing them to re-flood and seeding them with shredded moss grafts. It says bogs grow back to their almostnatural states within 10-15 years. 106

Sources: • • • •

Gardening For Wildlife: A Complete Guide to Nature-Friendly Gardening by Adrian Thomas https://www.sundaygardener.net/peat-moss-benefits-anddisadvantages/ http://econewsnetwork.org/2016/11/peat-free-potting-soil/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/should-sustainablegardeners-use-peat-moss/2017/05/09/1fc746f0-3118-11e7-953400e4656c22aa_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.e9910173cad7 or wapo.st/2FufTY8 3

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