Maximum Yield USA March 2013 by Maximum Yield

FRONT COVER

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CONTENTS

March 2013

FEATURES 56 Infused with Life

by Carole Ann Rollins & Elaine Ingham

70 Humidity 101

by Clif Tomasini & Mike Steffes

78 It's Alive (Again!) by Donald Lester

168

144

56 86 The Importance of Being Efficient by J. Benton Jones, Jr.

96 An Aquaponic Adventure by Frank Rauscher

106 10 Tips Toward a Super Spring Start by Grubbycup

116 What the pH@#&! by Helene Isbell

126 Furry Frustrations

by Dr. Lynette Morgan

144 Lighting Choices Illuminated

by Mark Boutwell and Joey Espinoza

DEPARTMENTS 12

From the Editor

142

Tips and Tricks

MaximumYield.com

160

You Tell Us

Letters to the Editor

162

Talking Shop

Ask the Experts

166

10 Facts On....

MAX Facts

168

Max Mart

Product Spotlight

171

Distributors

Beginner's Corner

186

Coming up in April

Growing for Health

186

Do You Know?

Green Thumb Gardening

152 From Nasa, to Homes, Hospitals and Growers by Lance Denney

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

FROM THE EDITOR | Linda Jesson VOLUME 13 – NUMBER 12 March 2013

Get Ready, Get Set: Grow!

Maximum Yield is published monthly by Maximum Yield Publications Inc. 2339A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 Phone: 250.729.2677; Fax 250.729.2687 No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission from the publisher. If undeliverable please return to the address above.

Spring –the perfect time to try something new and this issue can definitely get you started. Discover the best type of lighting for your growroom, design a custom aquaponics pond or learn how to grow hydroponic fodder. Bolster your current garden by learning how to keep your plant’s ambient environment clean and healthy, how to identify nutrient antagonism and even how to turn your green tomatoes red. Ready to start that new garden project–we share all the tools within. This jam packed issue, created with growers and expo-goers in mind, is also your ultimate guide to the Denver Indoor Gardening Expo with sneak peaks at the products and technologies you can expect to discover from our industry’s top manufacturers showcasing in Denver. Meet first hand the industry experts and get ready to grow big! We are proud to announce our first winner of Maximum Yield’s I’m a Fan Contest. See page 18 to see what Ike White of Eastsound, Washington had to say! Thank you for the kudos Ike, we hope you enjoy your $100 gift certificate to Cascadia Garden Supply. Be sure to enter our I’m A Fan contest at maximumyield.com/ imafan for your chance to win the $100 monthly draw and the grand prize of $1000! See you all in Denver!

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

Publication Agreement Number 40739092 Printed In Canada PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER - Jim Jesson GENERAL MANAGER - Don Moores BUSINESS MANAGER - Linda Jesson

Message from the

Editor Linda Jesson

editorial editor@maximumyield.com Editor-in-chief Linda Jesson Assistant Editor Jessica Skelton ADVERTISING SALES Sales Manager Ilona Hawser - ilona@maximumyield.com Account Executives Ashley Heppell - ashley@maximumyield.com Emily Rodgers - emily@maximumyield.com Kelsey Hepples - kelsey@maximumyield.com Katie Montague - katie@maximumyield.com DESIGN & PRODUCTION ads@maximumyield.com Art Director Alice Joe Graphic Designers Liz Johnston Jennifer Everts Dionne Hurd ACCOUNTING Tracy Greeno - accounting@maximumyield.com Tara Campbell - tara@maximumyield.com USA DISTRIBUTION Aurora Innovations • BWGS • General Hydroponics Humbolt Wholesale • Hydrofarm National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply • Nickel City Wholesale Garden Supply • R&M Supply • Tradewinds CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION Brite-Lite Group • Biofloral • Eddis Wholesale • Greenstar Plant Products Inc. • MegaWatt • Quality Wholesale UK DISTRIBUTION Direct Garden Supplies • Growth Technology • Future Harvest Development Europe • Hydrogarden Nutriculture UK • Dutch Pro • Maxigrow AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION Dome Garden Supply • House N Garden • Futchatec • Growth Technology • Hydraspher

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

contributors Donald lester is the product manager at JH Biotech, a commercial fertilizer manufacturer with 28 OMRI-certiﬁed organic products. Donald has a master’s degree in agronomy with over 10 years of agricultural research experience and 50 scientiﬁc publications to his credit. He is also director of SaferGro Laboratories, a home and garden products company located in Ventura, California.

grubbycup has been an avid

frank rauscher is a certiﬁed

Dr. lynette morgan holds a B.

Dr. Carole ann rollins co-owns

Helene Isbell is an avid

Dr. J. Benton Jones Jr. has 50

Lance Denney is president of Green

mark Boutwell II I stepped into his

Clif Tomasini is the product manager

Dr. elaine Ingham is president of

mike steffes has worked in a range of scientific and technical fields from plant cell culture to LCD prototyping, water softening to filtration systems design. He enjoys the hands-on excitement of brainstorming and prototype creation. Mike also has a passion for writing. He currently works in the R&D department for Quest products and can be reached at msteffes@thermastor.com

indoor gardener for over 20 years. His articles were ﬁrst published in the United Kingdom, and since then his gardening advice has been published in French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Czechoslovakian and German. He is also considered one of the world’s leading authorities on crochet hydroponics.

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

Nature Technologies International LLC, producers of organic alternatives. She co-authored Adding Biology for Soil and Hydroponic Systems and has compiled and edited The Field Guide I and II for Actively Aerated Compost Tea. Contact 1-415-898-5895, naturetech@earthlink.net, www.nature-technologies.com

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

Environmental Technologies. Leaving the USAF as a Captain, Management Analysis Officer and Navigator, he went from planes to running trains for the next 22 years. His college degree is in business administration from the University of Arizona, with an emphasis in engineering, real estate, patent, contract and business law. Soil Foodweb Inc., an international laboratory system that assesses beneﬁcial balance in materials. The major emphasis of her work is to return health to soil, so that natural nutrient cycling and disease suppression mechanisms are present. Contact 1-541-752-5066, info@soilfoodweb.com, www.soilfoodweb.com

of Quest Dehumidifiers and Climate Control Equipment, a division of Therma-Stor in Madison, WI. Clif has worked for Therma-Stor since 2003, and has extensive product and application knowledge. Clif holds an M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin—Madison and a B.B.A from Northwood University.

horticulturist and consultant for the garden industry. He’s a contributing author to several publications and was writer and editor of the Green Pages. Frank finds that analyzing plant stress and finding solutions is exciting. He is very much at home bringing new ideas to the field of horticulture and indoor gardening. horticulturalist and has been an advocate of the hydroponics and organic gardening industry for over 10 years. A California native, Helene lives in San Diego, where she promotes the education of urban agriculture and represents Mad Farmer, a company that specializes in hydroponic nutrient supplements.

ﬁrst Garden when he was about four years old. His father would educate him on how the Native Americans taught the pilgrims how to survive using different techniques in farming. When Mark was in a garden his father would always forces him to use their space as effectively as possible. This is the reason why Mark gravitated to indoor garden as he got older.

Joey espinoza has been a techie for most of his life. So, when he began his gardening endeavors roughly four years ago, he was instantly interested with the concept of hydroponic gardening. He considers himself in this ﬁeld a constant student with a lot to share!

Become a Maximum Yield contributor and have your articles read by 250,000 readers throughout USA, Canada, UK, New Zealand and Australia. Maximum Yield is the largest free-to-consumer indoor gardening magazine in the world. Every issue is available on maximumyield.com, which has thousands of unique visitors monthly.

COMING UP ON THE WEB 2013 Maximum Yield Expos Ready to Roll This month kicks off the first of the Expos in the 2013 Grow Like a Pro Tour in Denver, Colorado – March 16-17, followed by Novi, Michigan – June 1-2, San Francisco, CA – July 27-28 and completing the tour in Long Beach, CA – Oct 26-27. Learn from the pros how to maximize your gardens potential! Show details, hotel specials and more can be found at indoorgardenexpo.com.

I’m a Fan Contest Introducing the newest contest from Maximum Yield! Tell us why you are a fan of Maximum Yield and you could win monthly prizes of $100 gift card to your favorite indoor gardening shop, and also have a chance at the grand prize of a

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

$1,000 gift card to your favorite indoor gardening shop. Simply send your testimonial, name, address, phone number and email address to editor@maximumyield.com. Contest closes December 14, 2013.

Got Questions? Get Answers. Maximum Yield’s resident experts are available and ready to answer your modern gardening questions. Email editor@maximumyield.com or fill out the “Ask the Experts” question form on maximumyield.com

Connect With Us Connect to maximumyield.com instantly from your Smartphone with our Quick Response (QR) Code, found on the cover of every issue of Maximum

Yield. Now you can access the best products, the most in-depth articles and information, and the latest news at high speeds. Simply download the QR Code Reader software compatible with your Smartphone, scan the QR Code and your phone’s browser will automatically launch, redirecting you to maximumyield.com. It’s that simple!

Connect with US maximumyield.com facebook.com/MaximumYield indoorgardeningexpo.com twitter.com/max_yield

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Maximizing Energy

In his article “The Symbolic Relationship Between CO2 and Ventilation” (Oct 2012), Matt LeBannister stated: “Keep in mind, however, that fluorescent light bulbs should not be used if you’re CO2-enriching the atmosphere of your growroom.” Could he please elaborate on why fluorescent lighting and CO2 should not be used together? Mark Meadows Hi Mark, Thank you for your question. We asked Matt to elaborate and this is what he says: “CO2 allows plants to maximize their ability to harness energy from light, and typical fluorescent bulbs don’t have a high output; therefore, it is a waste of money and inefficient not to go HID. Also, CO2 allows plants to withstand higher temperatures and the type of plants (fast growing) that will benefit from CO2 enrichment need high output lights, so using HIDs just make sense.” Hope this helps!

via Facebook Getting Excited to Grow Like a Pro! We recently announced the dates for the 2013 Grow Like a Pro Maximum Yield Indoor Gardening Expo tour. Here are some of the great reactions we got on Facebook: This just made my freakin year!!!! Thomas Farrell Going to the Denver show. Braddon Reese Nice!!! Dale Denton Can’t wait to kick it in June. Paul Trowbridge YESSSSSSSS. Novi wut wut. Christian Flickinger Outstanding! Looking forward to seeing all our friends! Julian from Xtreme Nutrients We always love going to these shows, love giving away free products! See you next in Denver. SUNMASTER

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

I’m a Fan Winner Announced

Ike White from Eastsound, Washington, is the first winner of Maximum Yield’s I’m a Fan Contest! Ike said, “I’m a huge fan of Maximum Yield! First off, the magazine looks great. I love your layouts, the cool (and often informative) ads and product reviews. I’m also a big fan of the quick little Max Facts and DIY projects. “I always start by checking out the basics articles, then dive into the more tech/ complex ones (like how light actually affects plants). I’ve learned so much from reading your magazine, and have been really inspired to try new methods and products because of it. Thank you for putting out this amazing publication.” Thanks for the kudos Ike, and congratulations on winning Maximum Yield’s I’m a Fan contest! We hope you enjoy your $100 gift certificate at your favorite indoor gardening shop, Cascadia Garden Supply. Would you like a chance to win Maximum Yield’s I’m a Fan contest? Tell us why you are a fan of Maximum Yield and you could win the monthly prize of $100 gift card to your favorite indoor gardening shop, and also have a chance at the grand prize of a $1,000 gift card to your favorite indoor gardening shop. Simply send your testimonial, name, address, phone number and email address to editor@maximumyield.com, or fill out the online form at maximumyield.com/imafan. Contest closes December 14, 2013.

We can’t wait to see you either! We have a lot of new things planned for the 2013 tour, and we invite you to mark these dates on your calendars and join us for the fun. This year, we’re stopping in: ✖ Denver, Colorado, March 16 & 17 ✖ Novi, Michigan, June 1 & 2 ✖ San Francisco, California, July 27 & 28 ✖ Long Beach, California, October 26 & 27 For more information, hotel specials and booth and sponsorship bookings, please visit indoorgardeningexpo.com

We want to hear from you! Maximum Yield Publications Inc. Snail-mail: 2339 Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 Email: editor@maximumyield.com Twitter: twitter.com/max_yield Facebook: facebook.com/MaximumYield Editor’s Note: After the publication of his article “Organic Fertilizer Elemental Contents: Do You Know What You’re Feeding Your Plants?” in Maximum Yield Feb. 2013, Dr. J. Benton Jones sent in some updated information on his experiment’s total iron content. The revised article can be found online at maximumyield.com. We apologize for any inconven-

ASK THE EXPERTS

Question: is it true that if you spray your plants with pure seltzer water, it’s a form of CO2 treatment? Juan Martinez

Grubbycup

That is a good question, Juan. The short answer is: not in useful amounts, but you might want to occasionally spray or water your plants with it anyway. Here is the long answer: The amount of CO2 dissolved in a gallon of seltzer water is pretty small compared with other ways of introducing CO2 into a garden. Simply talking (or singing, breathing, etc.) to your plants in close proximity would be a better (and cheaper) source of CO2. Using enough seltzer water to make a noticeable difference in the local CO2 levels would not only be cost prohibitive, but it would likely raise the humidity high enough to encourage mold growth. Another problem with using too much seltzer water is that plain carbonated water has a pH of 4 or so; to make seltzer water, a base— such as potassium bicarbonate or potassium sulfate—is often added to raise the pH.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Using to excess can lead to pH problems unless monitored and adjusted. However, occasional use can still be beneficial to your plants. The basic (alkaline) additives are often made of useful things. Potassium bicarbonate is an organically acceptable fungicide that doubles as a potassium source. Potassium sulfate is also known as sulfate of potash, which is used in fertilizers as a source of both potassium and sulfur. Depending on the particular water source, other nutrients might be included as well. Mineral water generally has at least 250 ppm of mineral salts and sulfur compounds. So, while seltzer water is not generally considered to be an acceptable source of CO2 enrichment, it can have benefits if used occasionally as a foliar spray or watered in as a tonic. Grubbycup

MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Optimistic Fruit and Veggies Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard University and the University of Wisconsin have found that people who eat more fruits and vegetables tend to be more optimistic—and other studies have found that optimistic people, aside from just having a sunnier outlook on life, tend to live longer and suffer from fewer heart-related diseases. (Source: medicaldaily.com)

MAXFACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

The Importance of (a Ladybug’s) Diet In order to most effectively use them as biocontrol agents, researchers are examining the eating habits of ladybugs. Researchers found that a certain ladybug species consumes two to three times more plant tissue after being fed a prey-only diet than after being fed a mixed diet of prey and plant tissue. This suggests that plant material is providing some key nutrients lacking in prey-only diets. In a follow-up study, researchers found that sugar consumption allows female ladybugs to survive and produce more eggs. As such, sugar feeding could be a way to help maintain healthy and active populations of this beneficial bug. (Source: ars.usda.gov)

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Lowering Nitrogen Losses in Biofuel Crops Perennial biofuel crops such as miscanthus, whose high yields have led them to be considered an eventual alternative to corn in producing ethanol, are now shown to have another beneficial characteristic—the ability to reduce the escape of nitrogen in the environment. In a four-year University of Illinois study that compared miscanthus, switchgrass and mixed prairie species to typical corn-corn-soybean rotations; each of the perennial crops was highly efficient at reducing nitrogen losses, with miscanthus having the greatest yield. (Source: sciencedaily.com)

MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Possible Treatment for Citrus Greening Amino acids in orange juice might reveal the way in which citrus greening (HLB) is able to attack. Studies of these amino acids by also might lead to an effective approach to treating the disease. (Source: freshplaza.com)

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Carrots Countering Diabetes Research suggests that diabetics who have a certain genetic mutation might be able to rely on carrots to reduce symptoms. The gene variant SLC30A4, which codes for a protein that helps beta cells in the pancreas make insulin. Beta carotene, which is commonly found in carrots, interacts with the gene and influences risk for type 2 diabetes. Higher beta carotene levels appear to protect against diabetes and presumably improve the gene’s efficiency in producing insulin. (Source: healthland.time.com)

MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

A Good Use for Used Coffee Grounds Studies conclude that used coffee grounds are a rich source of healthful antioxidant substances. In fact, filter, plunger and espresso-type coffeemakers leave more antioxidants in coffee grounds, while moka coffeemakers left the least. Also, once these compounds are extracted, the grounds can still be used for fertilizer. (Source: sciencedaily.com)

Supply and Demand Plants can adapt to extreme shifts in water availability, such as drought and flooding. USDA researchers observed that ecosystem water-use efficiency increased in the driest years and decreased in the wettest years. This suggests that the plants water demand fluctuated in accordance with water availability and that there is a cross-community capacity for tolerating low precipitation and responding to high precipitation during periods of warm drought. (Source: ars.usda.gov)

Maximum Yield USAâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; March 2013

MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

The Top American Snack Fresh fruit is now the country’s top snack, according to the NPD Group. During a two-year research period ending in 2012, fresh fruit was consumed as a snack in 10 more snack occasions a year than chocolate (the next top snack food) and 25 more occasions a year than potato chips (the third most popular snack food). The NPD report says that another factor contributing to dominance of fruit is its popularity with people of all age groups. It also says that healthier snack consumers snack more often between meals and eat a wider variety of healthy snacks, and fruit is the top go-to snack for these consumers. (Source: digitaljournal.com)

Marginal Lands as Alternative Energy A team of researchers led by Michigan State University shows that marginal lands (those unsuited for food crops) would be a prime location to grow plants specifically for fuel production. It is estimated that each acre could provide 215 gal. of ethanol with “substantial greenhouse gas mitigation.” (Source: sciencedaily.com)

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Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Battle of the Bugs University of Florida researchers are looking for integrated pest management (IPM) approaches to control the spotted wing drosophila, a destructive pest of Florida small fruit crops. They hope to discover which cultivars could help control, and what other techniques could disrupt, the pest. The spotted wing drosophila arrived in the United States from Asia in 2008. Currently, some chemicals are available to control the pest, and growers are also encouraged to apply cultural control methods, such as frequent harvest intervals and picking up dropped fruit to prevent additional habitat sources. (Source: agprofessional.com)

What Makes Constant Plant Growth Possible Stem cells—which are found at the tips of the shoots and roots—can transform themselves into other types of cells and develop new organs throughout the entire lifespan of the plant. However, in order for the plant to continue growing and developing organs (such as leaves, fruits and twigs), researchers have found that plants have a micro-RNA at the tip of their shoots that ensure several cells remain stem cells. Micro-RNAs are very small molecules of ribonucleic acid (RNA) that prevent proteins from being generated from other RNAs. Thanks to their diminutive size, micro-RNAs can move from one cell to the next in plants. (Source: sciencedaily.com)

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Boosting Soil Phosphorus with Biosolids Treated wastewater solids (called biosolids) are sometimes used by farmers to boost soil nutrient levels. Now, research by the USDA observed that phosphorus levels were generally higher in the biosolidamended soils (which had been amended 16 to 24 years previously) than in soils that didn’t receive the amendments. This strongly indicates that soluble phosphorus levels in biosolid-amended soils could exceed typical plant requirements for years after biosolids are added. Biosolids used in agriculture are processed to kill pathogens, and their use is strictly regulated to ensure that the materials don't harm the environment, human health or animal health. (Source: ars.usda.gov)

How Salt Stops Plant Growth Until now, it has not been clear how salt—a scourge to agriculture— halts plant growth. However, a team of researchers has discovered that an inner layer of tissue in the branching roots that anchor the plant is sensitive to salt and activates a stress hormone, which stops root growth. “We are familiar with how animals use a fight or flight strategy to face external challenges. While plants can’t run for safety, they can control how much they grow into dangerous territory,” commented one of the lead researchers, José Dinneny. “It turns out that abscisic acid, a stress hormone produced in the plant when it is exposed to drought or salty environments, is important in controlling the plant equivalent of fight or flight.” (Source: sciencedaily.com)

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT YOUR GUIDE TO THIS MONTH’S

HOTTEST ITEMS Ask for them at your local indoor gardening store

Achieve Better Airflow with Dura-Fans Dura-Fans are durable, efficient and available in sizes ranging from 4 to 12 in., with cfm ratings of 171 to 1,060. The Dura-Fan’s powder-coated steel housing encases a motor equipped with automatic thermal-overload protection to ensure safe operation. Installation is simple with the included mounting hardware. Dura-Fans are ETL listed and come with a five-year warranty. Locate a store in your area to learn more.

New Additions to the Final Flush Line Some flavorful new additions have hit the Grotek Final Flush lineup. The essences of grapefruit and sour green apple have been bottled to provide added low-level carbohydrates with a time-tested flushing agent. These flavors now complement our blueberry, pina colada and strawberry Final Flush family. Smell these options out in your local hydroponic shops and expect even more excitement from Grotek in 2013. See a hydroponics equipment retailer for more information.

GroBot Evolution Tired of being tied down at all times to your grow or greenhouse? Here's the solution that you need: the PurGro GroBot Evolution. For far less than it would cost to buy separate devices, you can have the GroBot Evolution monitor and control your entire room through any Internet-capable device. Just prune your plants and refill the pump rack when needed; the Bot has the rest of it handled. For more information, visit an indoor gardening store near you.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Come see us at the Maximum Yield Indoor Gardening Expo in Denver Colorado March 16-17th!

Booths 521-523!

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Black Holes Hydro’s new 0.25-in. Drippers Black Holes Hydro has taken the most versatile dripper one step further. Our 0.25-in. drippers are now completely adaptable to standard drip emitter buttons. It’s as simple as plugging an emitter into the barb of the 0.25-in. dripper. A 2-gph emitter is recommended and is far and away more effective than any other device used to distribute the flow of water into grow media. Both standard and pressure-compensating emitters work with Black Holes products, which are 100% made in the United States. No more cutting and building messy drip line and stake set ups. Black Holes drippers can be used in conjunction with any grow media in any garden. Contact your local hydroponic shop for more information.

Magnum Humboldt County’s Own Magnum with B1 is a potent magnesium supplement for preventing or treating magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is the critical element in the chlorophyll molecule, which drives all the energy processes in a plant. High demand for magnesium in the bloom stage—right when flowers are putting on mass at a rapid rate—can cause fading green leaves due to chlorophyll deficiency. Magnum will keep a plant’s energy factories optimized and the B1 helps relieve the serious stress caused by high-performance bloom. Contact a hydroponics shop for more information.

Brilliant Black

highest DEM levels of any humic-based Brilliant Black Ingredients: Humic acid, *Afalfa Leaf, *Sugar,Leaf, nutrient on the market, *Bacillus Subitilus, *Bacillus Pumilus, *Bacillus Megatarium, *Bacillus Iicheniformis, *Bacillus Amyliloquefaciens. Organic) “Soils" for plants and soils Brilliant(*Certified Black is also the only inoculated humate 8 bls. product that also contains immediately available herbs and superfoods to feed the biology of your soil, offering a rich, healthy plant with exuberant flowers. Dragonfly Earth Medicine’s Brilliant Black contains organic alfalfa blended with micronized humates and beneficial bacteria. A replenishing and restorative soil amendment for all stages of plant growth, Brilliant Black is organic. Visit your local hydroponics store to learn more. “Soils" for plants Ranking inand at soils the

The gnome's special humate blend Full spectrum herbal/ humic acid tea and soil additive

1 tsp. per gallon of non-chlorinated H2O, drench garden/use as dry amendment to soil blend

Expires: Storage Conditions :Store in cool dry place Dragonfly Earth Medicine 3160 Whitten Dr., Eugene, Or. 97405 dragonflyearthmedicine.com

Grand Daddy Pad The Green Pad CO2 Generator is proud to announce the newest in our innovative line of humidity-activated CO2 pads for indoor gardens: the Grand Daddy Pad (GDP Green Pad). With four times the CO2 generating power as our original Green Pad, each GDP can reach over 1,000 ppm levels in an indoor garden area of over 800 cu. ft. for up to two weeks. Our natural chemicals react to humidity or moisture to enrich your garden or propagation dome with beneficial CO2. If kept dry in the original packaging, they will still be effective in over a year. Tank users: keep a pack on hand for when your tanks run dry or to supplement your existing CO2 system to make those tanks last even longer. For more information or to order any of the innovative Green Pad CO2 products, visit your local hydroponics store.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

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ALSO CONT

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Smart Pot Transplanter We have made transplanting even easier! The Smart Pot® Transplanter is now available through your preferred distributor. No gimmicks, no strings and no wires attached; just another quality product from High Caliper Growing, Inc. Made in the United States, the Smart Pot Transplanter is a reusable 1-gal. Smart Pot specifically designed for transplanting. Its convenient and simple overlapping design allows for clean and easy use with all grow mediums. No more struggling; just peal down, transplant and reuse. To learn more visit your local hydroponics store.

OptiCal-Mg Unleash your plant’s potential with the newly launched OptiCal-Mg by Optimum Hydroponix®. This powerful calcium and magnesium liquid supplement with iron is the perfect addition to any plant nutrition program, whether you’re growing in soil, coco or other soilless media used for hydroponic cultivation. OptiCal-Mg is balanced just right to make calcium and magnesium readily available to maturing plants during the critical bud, flower and fruit development phase. Simply add OptiCal-Mg to your regular feeding program to optimize plant growth. Create bigger, heavier and more fragrant flowers and fruit. Invigorate overall health and development of root systems and plant structures. Also, use OptiCal-Mg to correct calcium or magnesium deficiencies at any time during a plant’s lifecycle. It can be used with all quality plant fertilizers. Available in 0.26-, 1.06- and 5.28-gal. formats. For more information, go to an indoor gardening shop near you.

PRO-MIX PUR from Premier Tech Horticulture PRO-MIX® PUR™ Powder and PRO-MIX® PUR™ Granular are two unique high-quality mycorrhizal inoculants that will meet the needs and requirements of growers of high-value crops. Formulated from 100% contaminant-free mycorrhizae, PRO-MIX PUR products are the only mycorrhizal inoculants that can answer the two main concerns growers have with inoculants: sterility and performance. The benefits of PROMIX PUR include higher yields and healthier plants, which is achieved by improving nutrient and water uptake, and increasing plant survival rate, resistance and crop vigor. Both products come with one of the highest mycorrhizae concentrations available in the market and a guaranteed minimum analysis certified by the EPA in most states, which is exceptional in the industry. Visit a shop near you to find out more.

M7 Photo Filter Method Seven Optics brings its patent-pending rendition technology to growroom photography. Introducing the M7 Photo Filter, which offers perfect color balance under HPS lights for photography and video. Made from German mineral crystal glass, the same formulation found in Method Seven’s award-winning rendition glasses, photographers can now experience perfect daylight-balance photography shooting under HPS lights. Color and details are vividly reveled and the strobe effect produced by some ballasts is also eliminated. For more information, see your local hydroponics store.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Colloidal Shield Using innovative technology, Silver Nutrient Solutions, LLC, manufactures the highest-grade ionic colloidal silver for hydroponic and agriculture use. Colloidal silver is a natural elemental antibiotic known to kill and prevent disease and pests and over 650 harmful pathogens. By adding Colloidal Shield to your nutrient solution or reservoir, nano particles of silver bind to—and suffocate—any pathogen present in your feeding solution, resulting in pathogen-free uptake into your plants! Besides being one of the purest elemental disinfectants on the market, Colloidal Shield works systemically when the silver is broken down by micro-organisms, in turn repairing damaged cell walls. For more information on Colloidal Shield, visit a retail shop near you.

Mite Kill and Mold Kill by Spider Organics Spider Organics produces Mite Kill and Mold Kill with OMRI-listed and 100%-natural ingredients. Our products eliminate spider mites and mold on contact. We provide you with a safe, economical and natural way to rid your garden of soft-bodied pests and mold. Spider Organics is a family-owned and -operated business with facilities in California, Oregon and Michigan. For more information, visit your local retail store.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Sun System Trifecta The Trifecta™ is a complete turnkey light kit in one box. It includes a Sun System® HardCore™1,000-W HPS/MH Switchable 120/240-V Ballast, an Econo Wing Reflector® and an Ultra Sun™ 1,000 HPS lamp all packaged in one small box that is easy to handle. The HardCore Ballast is quiet, rugged and dependable. Open ballast design is compact while still providing superior cooling capabilities that extend the life of the components. The Econowing Reflector is pre-wired with a 15-ft. lamp cord; so, no assembly required. It is made of 95% reflective German aluminum. The Ultra Sun 1,000-W HPS lamp is a high-quality lamp with excellent reliability and robust construction. The horticultural spectrum lamp and 2,000-K temperature is excellent for plant growth and flowering. Visit a hydroponics shop for more information in this ETLlisted product.

New Gorilla Grow Tent Grow Tent Sizes The Gorilla Grow Tent line just got bigger and better. Tents sizes have expanded to include a 3 by 3 ft., 4 by 4 ft., 4 by 8 ft., 8 by 8 ft., 10 by 10 ft., 12 by 12 ft. and 10 by 20 ft. Engineered with a patent-pending adjustable extension system, Gorilla Grow Tents enable the indoor home gardener to increase the height and size of their grow tents up to 3 ft. higher than the standard height of 83 in. All standard features, including double-reinforced structural poles for nostress accessory and component suspension, are found on all of the Gorilla Grow Tents. Call on your local hydroponics retailer for more information.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Deep Fusion Series Humboldt County’s Own Deep Fusion three-part might be the first of its kind in the industry. We’ve managed to combine the best of both worlds: high-potency chemical fertilizers balanced with molasses, kelp and B1. Molasses, which is the basic ingredient of almost all natural fertilizers, is a rich source of simple and complex sugars, polysaccharides, esters, vitamins, amino acids and micronutrients. With high-potency kelp extract and B1, the result is the most potent, full-spectrum, nutrientdense fertilizer line on the market. There’s no need to buy a lot of different products and try to get the proportions right; Humboldt County’s Own has done the hard work. Successful growing just got simpler—and more affordable. For more information, contact your nearest hydroponic retailer.

Environmental Control with Blueprint Controllers The Blueprint Controllers line gives you the ability to precisely control environmental conditions in your greenhouse or indoor garden. LED display screens and push-button controls make it simple to program and monitor lights, temperature, humidity and CO2 levels. The Blueprint Controllers line includes a wide range of atmospheric controllers, timers and CO2 generators designed to meet your specific requirements. Blueprint Controllers are easy to use, perform reliably and carry strong warranties. Visit a store near you to learn more.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

NeoSol LED Plant Grow Lights The NeoSol NS from Illumitex is the only commercial-grade LED plant growth fixture designed for home and hobby projects. Available with Illumitex Surexi F3 Spectrum LEDs (static spectrum), the slim design maximizes volumetric area for plant growth and minimizes fixture weight and energy consumption. Illumitex LED technology produces high photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) values with superior light utilization and beam uniformity. To find out more, see a hydroponic retailer near you.

Fat Flowers 3-6-6 Micronized herbs bring the best to your crop, offering a clean, vibrant flower that is sought after for its boutique-level of cultivation. Cacao is one superfood in Fat Flowers that separates DEM’s products Fat Flowers from any other plant food on tea for flowering/ The Irradiator™ 6 and 8 in. and Non A/C Reflectors are the latestsuperfood ad- fruiting the market. plants Fat Flowers is an Encourages fruit/flower cycle to reachultimate immunity and yields ditions to the Sun System® line. The Irradiator 6 and 8 in. Reflectors organic, biostimulant, rhizo-tonic *Alfalfa leaf, *Nettle Leaf, *Kelp, *Wild yam, are completely sealed with double-gasketed glass and captured Ingredients: thumb elixir for*Plantain your Leaf, garden. Dragonfly *Burdock Root, *Turkey Rhubarb, *Raw Cacao, Humic Acid, Azomite, *Sugar, * screws that pull the glass frame tight for an airtight seal. As with*Horsetail, all Earth Medicine Bacillus Subitilus, *Bacillus Pumilus, *Bacillus has formulated “Superfood" Tea for Plants Megatarium, *Bacillus Licheniformis, *Bacillus Amylilo Sun System reflectors, they feature a 95% reflective German aluminum product that contains benefi3-6-6 quefaciens.a(*Certified Organic). 2 tbls. mixed . in 1 gal. of non-chlorinated H20. interior. The Irradiator is also offered in a non-air-cooled version to Let steep 12 hrs. Strain cialfor foliar bacteria, ot just drench. a blend of organic 8 bls. Expires: suit every grower’s needs. These state-of-the-art reflectors raise the herbs, sugar and more. Fat FlowStorage Conditions: Store in cool dry placeDragonfly Earth Medicine 3160 Whitten Dr., Eugene, Or. 97405 dragonflyearthmedicine.com bar for output and uniformity. An industry leader in its class, Irradiaers 3-6-6 is organic like all Dragtor dominates the competition. Unmatched in output, uniformity and onfly Earth Medicine products. performance, you need Irradiator in your growroom. Visit your nearest See an indoor gardening retail indoor gardening store for more information. shop for more information.

Sun System Irradiator 6 and 8 in. and Non A/C Reflectors

DEM

Fat Flowers

B’Cuzz Grow Rokz B’Cuzz Grow Rokz are a special kiln-fired, lightweight aggregate that is super-heated and formed into pebbles 0.39 to 0.63 in. in size. The ceramic shell and inner pore structure retains moisture and releases it back to your plant’s roots as needed. Grow Rokz will not compact, ensuring excellent aeration for the life of your plant. It is reusable and lasts indefinitely, making it a great value. Grow Rokz are excellent for use in net pots, ebb-and-flow and drip systems. They are available in 11.89-gal. bags. Visit your local retail shop for more information.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Sunleaves Extension Cords Bridge the Gap Sunleaves Extension Cords bridge the gap when the power source is out of reach. The 12 ft. and 25 ft. standard Sunleaves Extension Cords feature three impact-resistant outlets and a grounded plug, and are intended for indoor use only. The 25 ft. heavy-duty Sunleaves Extension Cord with in-line outlets features three outlets (two in-line) with weather-guard protection and 8 ft. spacing between outlets. Learn more about these and other quality products at your nearest indoor gardening store.

Killer Tea from Emerald Triangle Killer Tea is made from pure OMRI worm castings and the freshest and most potent seabird and bat guanos on the market. We use only the upper, fresher layers of guano that contain nutrient-rich, decomposing matter. We spent two years testing every guano and worm casting on the market, and we discovered there was one worm casting that yielded drastically superior results. We learned that some species of worms from a particular area of the world produce growth factors in their gut, and the difference is easy to see. Killer Tea is a clean, clear yellow liquid with no disgusting outhouse odor. It works well in all types of grow systems, improves plant growth at all phases from clones to harvest and has a long shelf life. You can use it in your flush cycle too. For more information, contact your local hydropinics shop.

Nanolux Dimmable Ballasts The Nanolux dimmable digital ballast is a premier choice for your garden. Available in 600-W and 1,000-W versions, the Nanolux ballast sets a new standard. This ballast is half the size of traditional digital ballasts and operates HPS and MH lamps. The Nanolux ballast incorporates a random start feature, which gives each ballast a 0 to 15 second window to strike the lamp. This feature allows for a lower initial power draw when using multiple ballasts. In addition, the Nanolux ballast is programmed with soft start and soft dimming, helping extend lamp life. The Nanolux ballasts operate on 100 to 265 V and utilize a LED notification system. Customize your light output between 100%, 75% and 50%. The Nanolux ballast comes pre-wired with Hydrofarm’s new dual-lamp receptacle, which allows you to plug in all common reflectors without an adapter plug. Visit an indoor gardening store for more information.

New Extension Poles Added to the Gorilla Grow Tent’s Accessory Line The Gorilla Grow Tent line just got taller. Grow Tent extension poles in the 2-ft. range are now available for sale and offered for all sizes in the product line. The 2-ft. extensions will complement the 1-ft. extensions that are currently shipping with each Gorilla Grow Tent and that allow a customer to increase the height of their tent from the standard height of 7 to 8 ft. The 2-ft. extension will allow a Gorilla Grow Tent customer the ability to go from the standard height of 7 to 9 ft. Using both extensions together, the Gorilla Grow Tent customer can increase the height of their standard tent from 7 to 10 ft. The new poles are priced accordingly to the size of the tents they complement. Call on an indoor gardening store near you for more information.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Airavida Smoke Deodorizer Spray Smoke Smell Be Gone is the best solution for eliminating smoke odors. It’s a convenient, safe and effective remedy against those tough smoke smells created from cigarettes, cigars and any other smoke-related products. Unlike air fresheners, which only mask odors temporarily, the natural extracts in Smoke Smell Be Gone eliminates smoke odors at the source. For more information, visit a hydroponic shop near you.

Operator Halide Plus Glasses Method Seven Optics—the company that brought you perfectly balanced color, clarity and safety under HPS lights—introduces a Halide Plus lens, giving you balanced color and protection while working under metal halide lights. The halide-tuned lens is a dark-smoke color with M7’s silver Plus coating, making these glasses the perfect crossover product between the growroom and the street. This product was developed in collaboration with Carl Zeiss Vision Labs and made in Italy, ensuring the best technology for clarity, focus and comfort. To learn more, speak to a hydroponics retailer.

Agrotech Magnum DE and the Par Wing DE Reflectors Agrotech Magnum DE and the Par Wing DE Reflectors are the latest additions to the Sun System® reflector line. These reflectors are made specifically for 1,000-W HPS horticulture lamps. The double-ended lamps unique design allows for maximum optical efficiency and output. These lamps and reflectors must be used with high-frequency electronic ballasts and not magnetic ballasts. Like all Sun System reflectors, both the Par Wing and Agrotech Magnum DE offer excellent reflectivity and diffusion with 95% reflective German aluminum interior. Includes a new industry-first detachable 15-ft. lamp cord at the reflector and at the ballast for easier installation. Visit a hydroponics store for more information.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

beginner's corner

Nutrient Antagonism

by David Kessler

“Why, if I am feeding my plant plenty of magnesium, does it still show signs of magnesium deficiency?” Well, let David Kessler explain… It is possible that feeding an excess of nutrients to your plant can still result in deficiencies. This is because sometimes plants suffer from “nutrient antagonism.” Nutrient antagonism is when an excess of a particular element blocks the absorption of another element the plant needs and can happen with elements of a similar size and charge (positive or negative). Some of the most common antagonisms are iron blocking manganese (or the reverse), magnesium blocking calcium (or the reverse) and potassium blocking both magnesium and calcium.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Another reason for a plant being deficient in an element applied in an appropriate dosage is called binding. Binding occurs when elements mix together and bond, forming a compound that is insoluble and cannot be absorbed by a plant’s roots. This is seen when concentrated acids or bases are mixed into nutrient solution and a cloud of precipitate forms. The precipitate, or milky cloud that is formed, is the result of elements binding and becoming unavailable to the plants. Binding can also occur when iron or zinc is mixed in a solution of phosphates (HPO4-2) and a mineral called strengite forms. This compound is completely insoluble and will make both the phosphorous and the iron or zinc unavailable to plants.

A heavy flush with plain pH adjusted water, followed by an application of fresh nutrient solution can usually solve both of these types of issues. The chart below shows more common nutrient antagonisms.

Nutrient in Excess NH4, K, Ca, Mg, Na K and / or Ca Cl N Ca Mg Ca PO4 Fe Mn Mo Legend Symbol B Ca Cu Cl Fe K Mg Mn Mo Zn NO3 SO4 PO4 NH4

Induced Deficiency K Mg NO3, SO4 K Mg Ca B Fe, Mn, Zn or Cu Mn Fe Cu Nutrient Boron Calcium Copper Chlorine Iron Potassium Magnesium Manganese Molybdenum Zinc Nitrate Sulfate Phosphate Ammonium

David Kessler heads research and development at Atlantis Hydroponics and writes for their popular blog. David has over two decades of experience and multiple degrees from the State University of New York. He’s also an accredited judge for the American Orchid Society and travels the world judging orchid events. Follow his blog at atlantishydroponics.wordpress.com

Bind when ing occu r toge element s form ther an s mix in d is ins g a comp bond, ound olub l that e an be ab sorb d canno t e pl an t’s r d by a oots .”

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Infused Life: With

How Microbes Work in Your Plant Growing System by

Carole Ann Rollins, PhD. and Elaine Ingham, PhD.

Gone are the days when hydroponics was a solely synthetic system—growing successfully in an organic system is impossible without the use of beneficial microbes. However, with these new live inclusions comes a new set of growing parameters to learn…

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Infused with life

Growing successfully in an organic system is impossible without the use of beneficial microbes. However, you cannot simply switch from synthetic to organic. Using beneficial microbes in a plant growing system requires a different set of growing parameters than are used in a totally synthetic system, whether a hydroponics, soil-based or soilless environment. The switch requires a new approach that follows the rules of our natural world where plants have been growing successfully in the wild for millions of years. In a synthetic system, plants are completely dependent on people to maintain feeding schedules and oversee delivery mechanisms. In a growing environment where microbes are used, people are no longer in complete control, and the plant is not completely dependent on people. As people, we need to provide basic nutrients and microbes, but that is where our job ends in a microbe-growing environment. Now, the plant decides when it wants to eat, how much it wants to eat and how it prefers its food to be delivered—via roots, via leaves or a particular group of microbes. This enables your plants to grow bigger, faster and more nutrient-dense.

“The plant decides when it wants to eat, how much it wants to eat and how it prefers its food to be delivered—via roots, via leaves or a particular group of microbes.”

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Infused with life Years ago, we didn’t need to add microbes if we were growing outside in “The only way to get the beneficial microbes soils since the microbes were naturally there. For many decades now, back into our plant growing systems is by though, we have been killing off the adding them, as well as the foods that are naturally occurring microbes with salt-based synthetic fertilizers and toxneeded to sustain those populations.” ic pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and even some organic pesticides. What we haven’t killed off directly has been zapped through pesticide drifts. The only way to get the beneficial microbes back into our plant growing systems is by adding them, as well as the foods that are needed to sustain those populations. Part of our job is to be sure the salt levels in our growing system are below 100 ppm when we add microbes to soil or hydroponics systems. Microbes can still be added to leaves when using synthetic fertilizers on soil that are above 100 ppm, but not directly to the soil. Microbes are like people in that they need food, air and water to thrive. If they are given too much salt they become dehydrated, shrivel up and die. If salt levels in your soil or nutrients are less than 100 ppm, you can add microbes (no matter if you are using synthetic or organic nutrients); however, above that 100 ppm threshold, the microbes start dying off.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Infused with life

Bacteria

Fungi

Protozoa

Why are microbes so necessary for successful growing when using organic nutrients? Let’s look to Mother Nature for the answer. The sun is the primary source of energy for all life on earth. Its energy is stored in bonds of carbon-based chemicals that are also called organic matter and are produced by plants through photosynthesis. This energy can later be released for use by microbes and by higher plants through the process of respiration. What does this mean for our plant growing systems? Organic nutrients are carbon-based, while synthetic nutrients are salt-based. Salt-based synthetic nutrients can diffuse directly into a plant through the cell walls, so microbes are not needed. Most carbon-based organic matter is chemically complex and cannot diffuse directly through the cell walls,

“Most carbon-based organic matter is chemically complex and cannot diffuse directly through the cell walls, so microbes are needed to consume that organic matter and break it down into plant available forms.”

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Bacterial & Fungal Feeding Nematodes

Mycorrhizal Fungi

so microbes are needed to consume that organic matter and break it down into plant available forms. Although there are some simple forms of organic matter that are not chemically complex and can convert to a form that is usable by plants, most organic nutrients are dependent on microbes for transformation. In salt-based systems, the concentration of salts outside the root has to be extremely high in order to force the nutrients into the plant. When disease-causing organisms find their way into the system, they feed off these high nutrient concentrations and flourish, making salt-based systems extremely susceptible to disease. Natural systems are less susceptible, as long as the set of organisms in their soil is present. Disease-causing organisms tend to have boom-and-bust life cycles. Once they’re established, they grow rapidly and damage everything; so, in order to prevent this, you need to ensure the habitat does not allow them to do so. High concentrations of nutrients provide the best conditions to allow these organisms to grow. The chemical world has tried to sterilize their systems to prevent all living things from being there, but this is impossible. Instead of trying to kill everything, re-add the organisms that are beneficial to plants and prevent the disease-organisms from being able to get a foothold in the system. If you are trying to grow in an organic system, you might be experiencing great difficulties and are unsure why. You are buying the best nutrients out there and applying them according to the instructions, but your plants are just not growing the same as they did when you were using synthetic nutrients. You’ve added the bacillus subtillus and mycorrhizal fungi microbes—that means you have some of the puzzle right, but not entirely. You need to add a full spectrum diversity of beneficial bacteria, saprophytic fungi, protozoa and fungal and bacterial-feeding nematodes for complete nutrient cycling to occur. With only one species of bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, you are missing thousands of other species of bacteria, saprophytic fungi, protozoa and nematodes. Why do you need thousands of species and all those different groups of microbes? Again, let’s look to Mother Nature for the answer. Different microbes are activated under different environmental

Infused with life

conditions—temperature, humidity and nutrient availability. If we have 20,000 to 40,000 different species of bacteria and 15,000 to 30,000 different species of fungi in one teaspoon of compost tea, some will be awake and some will be asleep. Different types of plants need certain species of bacteria and, since we have only been able to identify and culture

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

less than 0.01% of the species of microbes out there in the world, we have to rely on the plant to pick and choose which microbes it needs to grow and thrive. A full spectrum of aerobic organisms is found only in products such as worm castings, compost and liquids derived from those materials (called compost tea).

Infused with life

“Different types of plants need certain species of bacteria and, since we have only been able to identify and culture less than 0.01% of the species of microbes out there in the world, we have to rely on the plant to pick and choose which microbes it needs to grow and thrive.”

Below is a summary of the basic nutrients and microbes necessary for growing in a natural system.

Compost tea Compost tea combines the benefits of compost with added foods (such as sea kelp and humic acid) to stimulate the growth of beneficial micro-organisms in the compost tea. Growing micro-organisms produce glues that instantly hold them onto leaf surfaces and fine soil particles. Compost tea is effective at covering all surfaces of a plant or soil with these beneficial microbes to provide: rapid protection against disease, nutrient cycling to transform food sources from sea kelp and humic acid into plant available forms soil structure, water retention due to air passageways created by the microbes in the soil and nutrient retention from sea kelp and humic acid.

Humic acid Humic acid is chemically complex, preventing the nutrients it contains to be used by plants. Beneficial, aerobic fungi usually consume humic acids and the fungi then hold nutrients that were contained in the humic acid. Bacteria can use the fungal waste products produced by the fungi, and fungi and bacteria need to be eaten by predators like protozoa or nematodes in order for the nutrients to be transformed into plant available forms. When fungi and bacteria are eaten, the nutrients that were once held within the humic acid are released in plant available nutrient forms.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Sea kelp Sea kelp contains some soluble nutrients that plants can use directly, but much of sea kelp is chemically complex. It is mainly used as a food by both bacteria and fungi, and when bacteria and fungi consume kelp, they retain the nutrients from the kelp in their biomass. The bacteria and fungi must then be eaten by either protozoa or bacterial and fungal feeding nematodes in order to transform those nutrients, originally from the kelp, into a plant available form.

Mycorrhizal fungi Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots of a vascular plant. Mycorrhizal fungi form critical relationships with most plants on the planet. Relationships are symbiotic when two or more different living organisms, such as mycorrhizal fungi and plants, form relationships. Mycorrhizal fungi and plants each receive mutual benefits from each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the plant provides the fungi with sugar from photosynthesis and in exchange, the fungi gathers nutrients from rocks, sand, silt, clay and organic matter such as sea kelp and humic acid, then sends those nutrients back to the plant in exchange for more sugar.

Worm castings Worm castings contain a large variety of beneficial bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes. These organisms colonize the soil rapidly and perform many different beneficial functions for plants, such as rapid protection against disease, nutrient cycling to transform food sources from sea kelp and humic acid into plant available forms soil structure, water retention due to air passageways created by the microbes in the soil and nutrient retention from sea kelp and humic acid.

Maximum Yield USAâ&#x20AC;&#x201A;|â&#x20AC;&#x201A;March 2013

growing for health

Hydroponic Fodder by Maxwell Salinger

When we think about hydroponics, we often only consider products for human consumption. However, farmers are now looking to produce their own animal feed. Here’s a look at the how and why... While fodder usually refers to dried hay or straw (typically containing things like sorghum or corn) used to feed livestock, hydroponic fodder is a sprouted grain that is fed to the animals as a living green dietary supplement. Hydroponic fodder is by no means a completely new concept and has been readily accepted and implemented for years in New Zealand and Australia, where record-breaking heat has left many farmers’ grain stocks dwindling. Although we haven’t seen a heat wave this extreme here in the United States, we have faced droughts that threaten large livestock facilities, as well as family farmers. The most popular grain used in hydroponic fodder applications is barley, but many people are experimenting with seed mixes to cater to specific animal dietary needs. Grains such as oats, corn and wheat are sometimes used, but the possibilities are vast. Also, while there are many methods of delivering water to hydroponic fodder, the most popular is a modified NFT channel (which is open and double to triple the width of a normal lettuce channel). Using a NFT channel rather than a misting system helps reduce wasting of water, as well as the possibility for mold infestations, which is one of the largest obstacles for

The digestibility of the feed greatly increases—the energy content of barley sprouted in a hydroponic system increases up to 125% and the crude protein can be increased to over 200% that of the dry seed.”

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

hydroponic fodder producers. Indeed, the environment required to germinate grains is so conducive to mold production that sanitation becomes paramount in producing a quality crop. Mold infestations can lead to reduced yield and palatability, and can be dangerous to livestock health. Hydroponic production begins with surface sterilization of the seed to prevent any contaminates from entering the system. This can be achieved with diluted bleach or a horticultural-grade hydrogen peroxide solution. The seed is then soaked in clean water for 12 to 24 hours to activate the seed. Care must be taken to prevent the seed remaining submerged for too long. Extended periods of submersion can lower germin-ation rates by depriving the activated seed of oxygen. After soaking and rinsing, the seed is spread straight into the NFT channels at approximately 0.25in. deep. After seven to eight days, the hydroponic fodder sprouts are harvested as large mats of roots and shoots by simply rolling them into manageable sections. These harvested fodder mats weigh up to seven times the initial seed weight. In addition to providing farmers a means of supplying their animals with fresh green feed all year round (regardless of weather), hydroponic fodder also has some great nutritional properties. The digestibility of the feed greatly increases—the energy content of barley sprouted in a hydroponic system increases up to 125% and the crude protein can be increased to over 200% that of the dry seed. In fact, it is often recommended that hydroponic fodder is mixed with dry roughage to ensure proper gut health, especially in ruminant animals. Hydroponic fodder can also benefit farm logistics. By producing feed on a daily basis, the need for large grain and grass storage facilities is reduced. Additionally, less land is required to produce hay for the following year, opening up the space for other uses. So, whether the farmer is looking to reduce their feed costs or provide nutritious supplement to his animal’s diet, hydroponic fodder production can provide a great alternative to basic grain and hay.

Maxwell Salinger is a research horticulturist at CropKing inc. located in Lodi, Ohio. Maxwell graduated with a degree from The Ohio State University in Crop Science and has been heading up the research currently being done with CropKing’s Graze Green fodder system. Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Basics for Your Growroom by Clif Tomasini & Mike Steffes

Despite ever improving channels of knowledge in the hydroponics industry, there are still breaks in the general awareness on humidity controls in the growroom. Thankfully, Clif Tomasini and Mike Steffes can help us fill those gaps…

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

HUmidity 101

Indoor gardening is following the course of most emerging industries in that solutions borrowed from mature industries are adapted to fit new needs. Over time, outdoor plant products, filters, fans, building supplies and lighting technologies have all been adapted to better fit the needs of the indoor gardener. As the marketplace continues to develop, information about product performance continually passes among growers, retailers and manufacturers. This shared information eventually leads to improved products that result in better, and more efficient, grow techniques. Rapid changes might occur as an industry moves towards maturity, and gaps in knowledge can be common as users strive to keep up with the new tools, supplies and equipment, while manufacturers get caught up in developing and not take time to communicate with the end user. Thankfully, there are industry publications to provide a bridge. Thanks to information published over the past several years, indoor growers have become aware that too much humidity can cause disease, rot, mold and mildew—and that this is especially true when plants get to be dense and full. However, what solutions work best and why, or even how much moisture needs to be removed from a growroom, are areas in which awareness isn’t as common. This article addresses humidity controls in growrooms.

Thanks to

information published over the past several years, indoor growers have become aware that too much humidity can cause disease, rot, mold and mildew—and that this is especially true when plants get to be dense and full.”

What is the difference between humidity and relative humidity? Rule #1: Relative humidity (RH) is not the same

as absolute humidity

Absolute humidity is the quantity of moisture in the air—for example 100 pints of moisture in a grow room—whereas relative humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air relative to the maximum amount of moisture that could be in the air (75% relative humidity = 75% of the maximum moisture content).

Rule #2: A warm environment can support more water vapor than a cool environment An 80°F room can have twice the moisture in it as the same room at 60°F. In other words, a room that is 80°F and 50% RH during the lights-on cycle can reach 100% RH if the temperature drops to 60°F. When relative humidity reaches 100%, this is called the dew point—as the temperature drops, liquid water (or, dew) will quickly condense out of the vapor. Adding a small heater to raise the temperature by several degrees in an otherwise cool wet growroom is a simple way to reduce the percentage of relative humidity when the lights are off and can be a useful stopgap measure while working on a longer term solution.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Rule #3: Your key to mold control is moisture control Mold growth requires fungal spores, organic material and moisture. Spores are ubiquitous and difficult to remove through filtration, so moisture is the only variable you can realistically control. The idea is to solve any moisture problems before they become mold problems. Experts consistently agree that 50% relative humidity or lower is your target for preventing mold.

Rule #4: Humidity equalizes rapidly While temperature stratifies and requires air movement to achieve balance, humidity equalizes rapidly. This is useful because it means dehumidifiers don’t require ductwork in most growrooms. Rapid vapor equalization also poses a challenge, because water evaporates quickly, forcing growers to reduce evaporation by cutting unnecessary water exposure to open air.

HUmidity 101

What are my options to control humidity? Ventilation Ventilation is best for small growrooms and can work well for most hobbyists. This solution works by diluting the water vapor, which works well in dry climates with moderate temperatures year round but comes up short during humid seasons or in humid climates. An example of using ventilation to keep a growroom dry is when the conditions outside of the room are controlled by the use of a grow tent. Growers using this method should filter the incoming air with pleated air filters to help prevent the introduction of pests and other airborne contaminants. One major issue with using ventilation is that it does not work well for growers using supplemental CO2. Another downside to ventilation is that it will have some effect on room temperature. Though outside air in New Mexico or Arizona is very dry, it can be extremely hot or cold at different times of the day, providing less than optimal results at those times.

How much moisture does my air conditioner remove? With so many variables in play, there is no general rule of thumb to estimate water removal based on air conditioner model, brand, air temperature, run time or room size. Fortunately, there is a relatively easy method any grower can use to find out how much moisture their air conditioner removes. Collecting runoff from the air conditioner is usually a fairly simple task. Water from a 24-hour period is sufficient for finding your water removal rate, but the longer time period, the better. Yet, collecting water over a four-hour period—with air conditioning running, of course—is enough to estimate the amount of moisture your air conditioner would remove in 24 hours.

Air conditioning Air conditioning works well at removing moisture when lights are on, temperatures are near 80°F and there is a need for cooling. Using an air conditioner to dry a room when the lights are off is not recommended. Excessively cold temperatures can stress plants. While air conditioners use great amounts of energy to remove moisture and as temperatures go below 70°F, air conditioners tend to freeze up. Supplemental heat can be used to drive the need for cooling and to prevent the air from getting excessively cold and freezing up the air conditioner. The problem with this is that supplemental heat requires lots of energy and quickly becomes expensive to maintain. It isn’t wise to use your cooling system as a long-term moisture management solution.

Dehumidifiers Dehumidifiers are the only sure way of controlling humidity at all times. Although commonly available, dehumidifiers are designed for light use in residential basements, there are two companies in the United States that build high-quality, high-capacity commercialgrade dehumidifiers. These are extremely energy efficient, don’t create excessive heat and will last for many years. For smaller growrooms, removing the condensate bucket and attaching a garden hose to drain the water, if needed, can modify basement-style dehumidifiers. Larger operations will want to consider the extended reliability and moisture removal capacity of commercialgrade dehumidifiers. Also, for best performance, install air conditioner vents and dehumidifiers as high in the room as possible to ensure that cold or hot air is not blown directly on plans. This will assist with water drainage from the equipment as well.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

“A little

understanding and a little investigation coupled with a bit of math is all you need to ensure you have the right equipment to protect and grow your investment under all circumstances.”

Plants transpire about 99% of the water they receive, so the amount of water your plants receive is approximately the amount that needs to be removed each day.”

Conduct this experiment during a time when moisture is most problematic, such as when plants are large and the external environment is humid. Don’t forget that air conditioners often don’t run continuously when the lights are off. In other words, if the air conditioner runs constantly when the lights are on, but only for, say, 30 minutes when the lights turn off, your air conditioner isn’t removing any water for a major portion of the cycle.

How much moisture needs to be removed to protect my plants? Plants transpire about 99% of the water they receive, so the amount of water your plants receive is approximately the amount that needs to be removed each day. For example, 30 plants each receiving 0.5 gal. per day is 15 gals. total water per day. If you water every other day, divide by two in order to get an average per day. So, 8 pints per gallon multiplied by 15 gallons is 120 pints per day of moisture into the room. Use the results of your moisture collection experiment to subtract whatever water your air conditioner removes from your total input water. If you have a remainder then that is the water that must be removed by a dehumidifier. It just so happens that dehumidifiers are sized by their capacity in pints per day. It is important to check these numbers at the peak of the plants’ growth or the final two weeks of flowering. A little understanding and a little investigation coupled with a bit of math is all you need to ensure you have the right equipment to protect and grow your investment under all circumstances.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

It’s ALive (again)

The process of steam sterilization kills soil pathogens such as soil-borne fungi and bacteria, fungus gnat eggs, snails, other pest insects, weeds and weed seeds. However, the steam is non-discriminating in its killing action, so beneficial insects, fungi and bacteria are also killed. Sterilized soil is just what it says: devoid of life. The problem is that the balance of good and bad fungi, bacteria and insects is now lost. Commercial field growers (in particular, berry growers) who fumigate soil have the same problem. In nature, detrimental organisms are kept in balance by beneficial organisms. As long as the proportion of good bugs is equal to or greater than the population of bad bugs, we don’t have a problem. It’s when the bad guys overpower the good guys that we get a problem. One way to re-establish balance after sterilization is to reintroduce beneficial fungi into the soil. Mycorrhizal fungi are symbiotic fungi that grow on the roots of plants, physically protecting them from pathogens with a sock-like layer (or, mantle). The fungi dissolve nutrients in the soil and transport them into the plant roots. In return, the plant provides finished goods in the form of proteins and sugars to the fungi. Mycorrhizae fungi spread out into the soil and in effect extend the root system by up to 100 times. There are several species of mycorrhizal fungi available on the market. Many mycorrhizal fungi available on the market today contain several species of fungi to take the guesswork out of which species is needed for which crop. Another beneficial fungus to consider using is trichoderma. Trichoderma is similar to mycorrhizae in that they attach themselves to the plant roots and spread out into the soil to dissolve nutrients for the plant. But trichoderma have some other advantages over mycorrhizae. They have as two enzyme systems: cellulose, which breaks down organic matter, and chitinase, which breaks down chitin (a major structural component of fungal cell walls). So, typically in the spring time when temperatures are cooler and the

pathogen population is low, trichoderma will break down cellulose materials in the soil like sawdust, bark, leaf litter, dead roots, etc. to provide nutrients to the plant roots. But when the weather warms and pathogenic fungi begin to grow in the soil, trichoderma produces chitinase and actually parasitizes pathogenic soilborne fungi like pythium, rhizoctonia and others. A beneficial bacterium that has gained a lot of attention in recent years is bacillus subtilus, and it is a good biological to add to sterilized soils to regain balance. This beneficial bacterium produces not only enzymes, but antibiotics as well. And bacillus subtilus has a tail (or, flagellum) that makes it mobile when the soil is moist so it can go on seek and destroy missions in your soil to hunt down and destroy soil pathogens.

One way to re-establish balance after sterilization is to reintroduce beneficial fungi into the soil. Mycorrhizal fungi are symbiotic fungi that grow on the roots of plants, physically protecting them from pathogens with a sock-like layer (or, mantle).”

New Gualala Light Rail HPV (SAles)

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

It’s ALive (again)

Be wary of products that list many biological agents. Some agents might actually feed on each other. And, with many biological species in a mix, how can you be sure there is enough of any one organism to be effective at rapidly regaining a balanced population in your sterilized soil? There are many organisms that live in soil, but not all are the best competitors with soil pathogens. Stay with species that have a body of scientific research demonstrating that they are beneficial to soils. Sterilized soils with low organic matter content might not be able to support a healthy population of beneficial organisms. In this case, the addition of humic acid might be the solution. Humic acids are a concentrated form of organic matter. As plant matter decays, it goes through several forms on its

By adding the organic versions of these materials after soil sterilization, you can save yourself a lot of headaches with soilborne diseases and insects, produce a healthier crop and minimize your exposure to toxic chemicals.”

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

way to becoming coal. Plants die and then become compost, peat, brown coal, Leonardite and black coal over time. This progression is marked by a loss of oxygen in the molecules. For example, black coal is not an oxygenated fuel. The oxygen in humic acid acts as a magnet to nutrients in the soil. Calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium and zinc all attach to these many oxygen sites on humic acid and become available for plants to absorb and use. Not only that, humic acids are an excellent source of carbon for the beneficial fungi mentioned earlier. Moreover, humic acids are known to be plant stimulants. Sometimes soil becomes difficult to wet after many cycles of steam sterilization, kind of like burned soils after a forest fire. One product that can help overcome this phenomenon is a wetting agent. There are several wetting agents on the market with many of them being chemically derived or synthetic. One natural wetting agent is derived from yucca plants. Yucca is a dessert plant that withstands very high temperatures in very dry conditions. It is thought that saponins in the plant are responsible for this water-conserving action. Yucca saponins are routinely added to commercial bulk soil mixes or bagged soil mixes to help aid in water distribution in pots. A side benefit to this water distribution is that fertilizers and nutrients carried in the water are also more evenly distributed with the addition of yucca saponins. Since the high temperature associated with soil sterilization can alter the chemistry of saponins, it is a good idea to reapply them to the soil after the sterilization process. All of the materials mentioned here available in the market as either conventional products or organically certified products. By adding the organic versions of these materials after soil sterilization, you can save yourself a lot of headaches with soilborne diseases and insects, produce a healthier crop and minimize your exposure to toxic chemicals. And the great thing is you don’t have to wear a moon suit to apply them!

The Importance of Being

EffIcIEnT: Applying Green Principles to Hydroponic Growing by J. Benton Jones, Jr. Organic products are not the only way to go green in the garden. Making your system more efficient, while challenging, is another way…

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

The importance of being efficient

Today, the challenge for the hydroponic grower is to determine what can be done to make his growing system more efficient in its use of items needed to grow successfully– that is, to make the growing procedure conform to green principles. It’s not an easy task, as little is being researched today to assist growers in ways to improve the efficiency of commonly used hydroponic growing systems. Great care is needed in the formulation and use of nutrient solutions so the elements applied are better utilized by the growing crop. For those growing systems requiring a rooting medium, minimizing the accumulation of salts in the rooting medium and reducing the requirement to periodically leach with water are green issues. What are needed are nutrient solution formulations that fit the plant species and stage of growth, as well as having factors that result in full utilization. Some growers add enough solution to create an effluent, which serves as a leaching of the rooting medium and partially removes that which accumulated from the previous irrigations. However, the effluent must be collected and disposed of. At one time, I was advising a greenhouse tomato grower who was using his spent nutrient solution as irrigation water for his commercial vegetable garden. It seemed like a win-win situation. But he soon noticed that the elements in the spent nutrient solution do not match the nutrient element needs of the vegetable plants and continued applications could significantly alter the fertility status of the soil, creating an imbalance among the essential plant nutrient elements. After one season, the hydroponic grower looked for another means of disposing the spent nutrient solution.

There is a way to reuse this nutrient solution effectively, however: reconstitution. Reconstitution of a nutrient solution is little practiced, as testing is required to determine its pH and elemental content (and thus what will be needed to adjust the pH and what quantity of reagents will be needed to restore the elemental content to that of the original). For reconstitution, the nutrient solution will require filtering to remove suspended debris and sterilization in order to kill microbial organisms. Nonetheless, reconstitution can be cost-effective. It saves in water and reagents, as well as the cost associated with disposal if a spent nutrient solution is identified as being a hazardous waste. Aside from nutrient solution, what is to be done with the rooting medium at the end

The Importance of Being

EffIcIEnT: Applying Green Principles to Hydroponic Growing

by J. Benton the Jones, Jr. “Having a means of determining water needs of the plant and applying only when Organic products are not the only way needed can resulttoingosignificant savings in green in the garden. Making electrical power, your reduced as well treatment systemas more efficient, while another way… requirements of thechallenging, nutrientissolution.”

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

us Find nver e De ing at th Garden or th Indo po Boo Ex

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The importance of being efficient

of the growing period? Can it be recycled or put to some other use? A greenhouse tomato grower switched his rooting medium from perlite to composted milled pinebark. At the end of the growing season, a local nursery purchased the pinebark for use as a potting soil for bedding and woody ornamental plants. The grower recovered the initial cost for the pinebark and reagents added during the growing season— a very profitable means of disposal. I have used spent perlite as a soil amendment in my vegetable garden, as it adds plant nutrient elements and—with continued application—is making my clay textured soil more friable. Most hydroponic growing systems also require a reliable source of electrical power. Each time an electrically powered pump comes on to deliver a nutrient solution to the rooting medium, the cost is based on the time required to deliver the nutrient solution. Some growers use a set time method for nutrient solution delivery

“Making your current hydroponic growing systems green is a significant challenge with no easy answers.”

whether the plants have need for water or not. Having a means of determining the water needs of the plant and applying only when needed can result in significant savings in electrical power, as well as reduced treatment requirements of the nutrient solution. Placing a water-sensing device in the rooting medium, or using a program that predicts plant water use based on measured energy inputs, makes sure water is applied only when needed. Growers need to be aware of the real costs associated with disease and insect control—in particular, that prevention is more cost-effective (green) than having to treat for a disease or insect outbreak. It is a matter of knowing what disease organisms and insects are likely to appear, and then following those procedures that will prevent unwanted outbreaks. In general, most hydroponic growing systems are inefficient in their use of water and reagents, and have fairly high electrical power requirements. Making your current hydroponic growing systems green is a significant challenge with no easy answers. However, as quality water becomes scarce and costly, significant by J. Benton Jones, Jr. changes will have to be made in how water is used to efficiently deliver the essential plant nutrient elements to the rooting medium for Organic products are notwith thea minimum only way root absorption loss to the The ideal would be no loss—a toto go greenenvironment. in the garden. Making tally green method for growing—and it’s a goal your system more efficient, while worth pursuing.

The Importance of Being

EffIcIEnT: Applying Green Principles to Hydroponic Growing

challenging, is another way…

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Green thumb gardening

by Heather

Rhoades

Blushing Tomatoes: What Makes Tomatoes Turn Red? Nothing beats a bright red tomato, right? Well, what if that pesky fruit won’t change its green coat? Thankfully, there are steps you can take to help with that! It can be frustrating to have a tomato plant full of green tomatoes with no sign that they will ever turn red. Some people think that a green tomato is much like a pot of water—if you watch it, nothing seems to happen. So the question becomes, “how do tomatoes turn red?” As wearisome as waiting might be, you will be glad to know that there are a few factors that can either speed up or slow down how fast a tomato turns red. The main determiner in how fast a tomato turns red is the variety—smaller fruited varieties will turn red faster than large fruited varieties. This means that a cherry tomato will not take nearly as long to turn red as a beefsteak tomato. Tomatoes cannot turn red, even forced by modern technology, unless it has reached the mature green stage, and the variety will determine how long this takes.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Another factor in how long it takes for a tomato to turn red is the outside temperature. Tomatoes will only produce lycopene and carotene—two substances that help a tomato turn red—between the temperatures of 50 and 85°F. If it is any cooler than 50°F, those tomatoes will stay green. Any warmer than 85°F and the process that produces lycopene and carotene comes to a screeching halt. Tomatoes are triggered to turn red by a chemical called ethylene. Ethylene is odorless, tasteless and invisible to the naked eye. When the tomato reaches the proper green mature stage, it starts to produce ethylene. The ethylene then interacts with the tomato fruit to start the ripening process. Consistent winds can carry the ethylene gas away from the fruit and slow the ripening process. If you find that your tomatoes fall off the vine—either knocked off or due to frost—before they turn red, you can place the unripe tomatoes in a paper bag. Provided that the green tomatoes have reached the mature green stage, the paper bag will trap the ethylene and will help to ripen the tomatoes. There are not many things that a gardener can do to hurry the ripening process up on tomatoes that are still on the plant. Mother Nature cannot be easily controlled and she plays a major role in how quickly tomatoes turn red, but heeding this advice should aid in producing the results you are looking for.

Tomatoes will only produce lycopene and

carotene—two substances that help a tomato turn red— between the temperatures of 50 and 85°F.”

Reprinted from Gardening Know How (Ggardeningknowhow.com) Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

An Aquaponic by Frank rauscher An aquaponics system is simply a method for growing large-scale crops and fish for food, right? Well, allow us look at things in a more fish-friendly and esthetically pleasing way…

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

e r u t n e v Ad

An Aquaponic Adventure How about a new way of looking at aquaponics? Not for eating fish or large-scale crop production, but for fun, beauty and adding interest to your home or landscape. Since aesthetics are of big interest here, the layout and location is going to be among our first considerations. Hydroponic systems work outdoors as well as indoors, so a backyard pond (if local climate permits) can be a very attractive addition to our landscape—and when we integrate a hydroponic plant system with an outdoor pond, we can wind up with a real conversation piece, as well as a great source for organic and wholesome food (we’ll keep the emphasis on eating what we grow, but you’ll keep the fish as co-partners in the project).

Remember that fish produce waste, which contains ammonia. At high levels, ammonia is harmful for the fish and lowers the quality of the water. However, in aquaculture, water from the fish pond or tank is fed to the plant growing media, where the billions of naturally occurring beneficial micro-organisms break the ammonia down first into nitrite and then into nitrate. Nitrate and other nutrients are absorbed by the plant roots and, in turn, serve to clean the water. Dissolved and solid waste is filtered out of the water by the root systems and the filters that you provide. Cleaner water is now returned to the fish pond improving water quality and often providing oxygenated water that the fish need. This is a natural and sustainable process that produces high-quality food without chemical inputs.

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Where to s t ar t? Decide what type and how many plants you want in your aqua-garden. Think about how much time you have for maintenance (if time constraints are a concern, then the simpler the pond the better), how much you have to spend on this project (a do-it-all-at-once or a partnow-part-later project), what type of pond (a pre-formed pond liner or a heavy-duty flexible liner) and what type hydroponic system you want to use (media-filled grow beds, NFT, deep-water-culture or something else). Make these decisions before getting too far into your plan.

Finding that spot in your yard where you can build a pond and then where you can install your hydroponic garden is where to begin. Take a look at your yard. Low maintenance is usually a preferred option, and the right amount of direct sunlight for your plants is vital. However, when it comes to the pond, more direct sun equals more algae. Algae are plant forms that will compete with your crop for nutrient in the water. It also makes your pond unattractive and needs to be filtered away. So, watch for sun angles (they will change seasonally). Also, try to avoid areas that have constant leaf or twig drop as this will increase maintenance requirements. The area should be level and out of the way of water runoff, either from irrigation or rain. You want an aquaponic garden that is easy to enjoy, so note nice views (mountains), bad views (neighbor’s two-story house), noisy areas (busy street), areas of high use (place for the kids and dog to play), etc. when selecting a site. And check with local building codes for required permits.

An Aquaponic Adventure

The size or number and type of plants that you intend to care for will give you some ideas on the size of pond (remember, the water from a pond can even be pumped to a modestly remote garden). Some plants require more grow media than others, but let’s start with an example. You’re growing tomatoes and you want to care for 16 plants. Each plant would need at least 2 cu. ft. of media in order to provide a decent root system capable of good production. A typical aquaponic pond-water-to-gardenmedia ratio is in the range of 3 to 4 gal. of water per cubic foot of media. So, in this case, we’d need a pond of around 120 gal. of water. The number of fish, of course, will depend on their size—and remember, they do grow. A recommendation for fish quantity versus pond size is about 1 in. of fish per gallon of water. If you purchased 6-in. fish, you’d need about 20 fish. However, if they are not full grown, you might want to start out with less than this. Remember, these are estimates only; different fish produce more waste (more feeding does this also). What you’re looking for is enough waste production from your fish to adequately feed your plants. Your water needs to be fish ready before introducing them. Never use pesticides or herbicides in your aqua-garden, as these chemicals are usually fatal to all fish and marine life. Also remember, though, that your garden will be growing from this water, so you’ll want to be very careful before introducing any chemicals that might benefit the fish. Avoid salt- or potassium-softened water to fill your pond; the added sodium is not good for the plants. So, do your research! Check with your local fish pond specialist and read all labels carefully. It’s a good idea to put a couple inexpensive goldfish into the pond to test for water safety before you start adding more expensive varieties. The right choice of fish is as important as is the correct stocking densities and food for these fish. Some popular fish types are: trout, talapia, carp and goldfish, koi, jade perch, silver perch, bluegill, channel catfish, crayfish and Murray cod.

If the site is not level, consider building up the site to support the pond. The use of wall blocks or stacking stones as a retaining wall to hold the pond and surrounding soil in place will provide long-lasting durability. The soil used should compact and form easily. If creating a free-form pond using a liner, shape the soil to suit your desired form. If using a pre-shaped pond, be careful to avoid having any sharp rocks, etc.

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An Aquaponic Adventure

A basic aquaponic system

Water aeration is important for the fish and your plants. Some hydroponic systems introduce oxygen into the water (like rockwool or clay pellet media in a recirculating system). If you intend to use a NFT system, you will be adding oxygen to the water, perhaps through the use of an airstone. This will provide the oxygen the fish need. Also, fountains enhance the aesthetics of the pond and add oxygen to the water in support of whatever other technique you decide to use for your plants. Waterfalls and fountain features, however, will increase the need for a more powerful pump. The pump that you select must see that each gallon of water is recirculated at least once every two hours. Pre-shaped ponds have a listed water capacity. If using a free-form pond; estimate average depth, width and length. There are 7.5 gal. per cubic foot. Note that the elevation in height difference between the pond surface water and the top of the grow media for your plants will affect pump flow. There are a number of common pump alternatives: direct drive pumps can handle greater height differences, submersible pumps (convenient space-wise and very common) will generally have proportionately reduced flow rate for increased height difference and external drive pumps are usually for the larger flow rate applications. Always check labeling on the box for pumping height and estimated flow rate at that height.

The intended use of the pond will affect the type and size of the filter. Fish increase the need for filter capacity, but your garden will reduce that. If in an area with leaf drop, you might also want to incorporate a skimmer.

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An Aquaponic Adventure

The process for getting your plants started will vary according to the type of hydroponic system you’ve chosen and whether you’ll be using seeds or young transplants. For tips on this aspect, do thorough research so that you have the best chance for success.

In the beginning, there won’t be much nutrient in the water, and it can take up to three months to build it up. If that is too long for you, nitrites can be added (if acceptable with your organic preferences) by using a product like aquatic plant fertilizer tablets that are available and listed as safe for fish. Micronutrients like zinc, iron and manganese, for instance, are heavy metals that plants need in trace amounts. Most pet care sites will advise you to neutralize or remove these, but your plants and the fish actually need a little bit. With the right design for your aqua-garden, the right fish food will supply what your plants need as well as your fish. Fish should generally be fed only what they will eat in five to 10 minutes. Excessive food, however, will bring on problems with algae and water clarity.

The water garden will need to be maintained regularly to keep, the water clean and algae down. On a continuing basis you will need to monitor the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates in order to keep them at safe and healthy levels. Filters and skimmers need to be cleaned regularly (daily to weekly) to keep them in optimum working condition. You’ll know how often by paying attention to how much you remove when cleaning. Periodically, at least once every few years, you will need to remove large amounts of debris by temporarily removing the contents of the pond (fish, plants, etc.) and cleaning it out. However, remember that since there are fish in the pond, the water needs to be ready for the fish before they are reintroduced. So, you can be starting off on a fun new project that will be giving you some of the best tasting, organically grown vegetables in town. Your aquaculture project will provide a beautiful accent to your yard that will be a conversation point for your friends and guests in years to come. 104

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

10 Tips Toward a Super Spring Start

by Grubbycup

Spring planting marks the beginning of the outdoor gardening season, and getting off to a good start can go a long way toward a successful harvest in the fall. Here are ten tips to get you started.

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Starting Plants from Cuttings

Assess the sun exposure of the garden plots

Different plants have different light requirements. A full-sun plant will underperform and underproduce in a shady location, and intense sunlight can damage or burn shade-loving plants. Take note of how many hours of direct sunlight each location in your garden gets during a day. Six hours or more is suitable for full-sun plants, between three and six hours is considered either partial sun or partial shade and less than three hours of direct sun is considered full shade. Dappled sun means that the plants prefer their filtered, as if they were under the canopy of other plants.

Make practical choices about the size of the garden

It is very easy to get excited in the spring and overplant, but keep in mind that a small garden tended to all season will outproduce a large garden that is abandoned halfway through summer. Gardening takes both time and effort, and is more suitable for a long-distance mentality than a sprinting one. It is also often desirable to plant a variety of vegetables in a garden, since some plants (such as squash) can be very prolific and there are only so many ways to prepare the harvest from a bumper crop. If, in the fall, there is an excess of harvest from one kind of vegetable, trading with other gardeners or giving to relatives, friends and local food banks are all possible venues to disperse a surplus without waste.

Six hours

or more is suitable for full-sun plants, between three and six hours is considered either partial sun or partial shade and less than three hours of direct sun is considered full shade.”

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Ten Steps Toward a Super Spring

Prepare the location

Hopefully, the majority of last year’s garden debris was cleaned up and moved to the compost pile at last season’s harvest; if it was not, clean the area before planting. One reason to compost the leftover material in the fall is to allow time for it to be ready for the following spring. This was a standard procedure in Roman and Greek farming, and common practice in early American farming. To prevent unwanted weed growth, the area can be watered enough to sprout the offending seeds and then allowed to dry out enough to kill weed sprouts, or covered with a tarp or mulch in advance to retard weed growth.

Improve the soil if needed

Soil tests can give information about possible deficiencies. Nitrogen is often boosted with compost or herbivore manure and then supplemented throughout the season with fertilizer. Rock phosphate is a common long-acting phosphorus source, and potassium levels can be improved with potash or langbeinite. Home test kits are available, or samples can be sent out for analysis (many college agricultural extension programs will do it for under $10, and the results include a recommendation of amendments to correct any deficiencies).

Select suitable plants or seeds

Find out which plants do well in your garden zone, and what they need to do well in your area. Plant labels, the Internet, local garden clubs and neighboring gardens are all sources to consult. Since the tender spring starts will end in harvested produce, select plants where the harvest will be enjoyed. Personally, I have a taste for freshly harvested tomatoes, so I select varieties that either I know I like from previous years or from those similar to my favorites—with an new variety or two mixed in so I can keep an eye out for new favorites.

For container planting, use a quality potting mix

If purchasing a potting soil, check the ingredients and inspect the product before purchasing. Compost is the primary component of many homemade potting mixes. In many places in the United States, green waste made of lawn and garden trimmings is picked up from homeowners for a fee before it taken to a facility, converted into compost and sold back to the American consumer as compost for another fee. This process is profitable for the garbage men and compost facility, but not very carbon efficient or budget conscious. Garden debris is a resource that can be made into valuable compost without incurring shipping costs or middleman markups. For a simple homemade potting soil base, use one to two parts compost, one part coir and one part perlite. To this base, you can add mix amendments like seed, bone, blood or kelp meals—which will release their nutrients and fertilize the plants. Composting is simple enough to do at home, and the compost resulting from last year’s garden debris can be made into this year’s garden potting mix.

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Composting

is simple enough to do at home, and the compost resulting from last year’s garden debris can be made into this year’s garden potting mix.”

Ten Steps Toward a Super Spring

Find out the frost dates in your area and plan accordingly In many areas, to maximize the growing season, seeds can be started indoors under the sort of lights used for indoor gardens or in cold frames. T5 lighting is well-suited for starting seeds with a minimum of fuss. A simple cold frame can be made with a wooden box covered with a glass panel or covered with a clear plastic tarp. Find the last frost date for your area and count backward to find when to start the seeds. For example, if the last frost date for your garden is in April and the recommendation is to start the seeds four weeks before planting, they should be started in March. This can be particularly important when trying to get the most out of a short natural growing seasons.

Harden plants before moving outdoors

Plants started indoors should be hardened by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. This is done by moving them to less sheltered locations in steps or by introducing them to the new location for first a few—and then several hours—a day over a period of a week or so. Plants moved immediately from a sheltered indoor environment to the harsher conditions outdoors might suffer from shock, possibly stalling or killing the plant; so, a gentler introduction to the new environment makes the transition easier and less stressful.

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Make a plan for watering

Gardens need water to grow, and there are several options available. While a watering can is suitable for a small container garden, it is often too labor-intensive for larger gardens. A simple drip irrigation system can be connected to an existing sprinkler system or supplied by a garden hose. Since drip systems disperse water at a low rate over a longer period of time, the soil has time to absorb a higher percentage of the moisture, thus reducing runoff waste.

10.

Take photos and enjoy the journey

Once the garden is planted and ready for the growth of summer, take “before” photos to compare with the “during” photos of summer and the “after” photos of harvest. Not only will they serve as keepsakes of the pleasant memories of your garden, but they can serve as reminders of what worked and what didn’t in following seasons. Remember, every journey starts with a single step—and a well-prepared spring start can get you off on the right foot.

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What the pH@#?!: Deciphering the Ups and Downs of pH On a very basic level (no pun intended), pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. pH is a term used in chemistry to measure the activity of hydrogen (hydroxyl and hydroxide) ions in an aqueous solution. The concept of pH was primarily introduced to science in 1909 and shortly thereafter revised and developed into the modern definition and measurements that are used today. While it is agreed that the “H” in pH represents “hydrogen,” it is debated whether the “p” stands for “power” or “potential.” Either way, “the power of hydrogen” or “potential hydrogen” both help to clarify the abstract definitions often associated with the mysterious symbol.

The pH scale The pH scale is a tool used to determine the pH level of a given substance. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic, 14 the most alkaline (or, basic) and 7 the neutral midpoint. The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning that each value above or below neutral represents a tenfold increase in acidity or alkalinity from the previous unit. For example, a pH level of 4.0 is ten times more acidic than a pH level of 5.0, and a hundred times more acidic than 6.0. On the other end of the spectrum, a pH level of 9.0 is ten times more alkaline—or basic—than 8.0. This makes it crucial to take accurate readings when testing pH levels of a nutrient solution.

Why is pH important for plants? pH affects just about everything, and plants are no exception. pH levels affect many factors in a plant’s life cycle. That’s why it is important to consider the pH level of the soil or medium plants are being grown in, as well as the solution they are being watered with.

Certain plants grow better in acidic or alkaline environments Just like animals, different plants have different food preferences. Plants such as citrus fruit, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, potatoes and orchids are prime examples of acid-loving plants. Plums, poppies, sage, cherries and sunflowers are plants that prefer a more alkaline environment. Many plants are tolerant of a wider range of acidity and alkalinity, including beans, broccoli, garlic, peas, melons, onions and corn, to name a few.

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What the pH@#?!: Deciphering the Ups and Downs of pH

Availability of nutrients Plants rely on a specific group of macro- and micronutrients to provide the bulk of their sustenance. Without proper nutrition, plants experience deficiencies and perform under par. Mineral nutrients are only soluble within a solution when the pH level is balanced within a prime range (usually around 5.5 to 6.2). Macronutrients tend to be less available in soils with low pH, whereas micronutrients are less available in high pH soil. If pH levels stray from the ideal range, vital nutrients will be rendered unavailable to the plant, and the plant will be unable to eat the food it needs.

Disease cure and prevention Certain diseases thrive in environments that are too acidic or too alkaline. For example, powdery mildew (a common garden nightmare) thrives on the surfaces of leaves with a slightly acidic pH. By treating the plants with a foliar application with a high pH (around 8.0), it will kill the mildew spores and help prevent reoccurrence of the disease.

What is the optimal pH range for plants grown in soil? While different plants have varying ranges of pH to achieve optimal growth, most plants cultivated in soil will perform best when grown in a pH range of about 6.0 to 6.5. When growing in soil, the grower will ideally test the soil and the solution used to water the plants. If the soil is homemade, there are test kits available to check the pH of the soil. Most commercial-grade specialty soils that come pre-bagged have already been tested and pH balanced The water is what differs from region to region and must be carefully monitored on a regular basis. The pH of the nutrient feed solution should be checked after adding fertilizer and adjusted to reach the optimal range of 6.0 to 6.5. pH adjusters designed for horticultural applications are available at most hydroponic stores or specialty nurseries.

What is the optimal pH range for hydroponically grown plants? As with soil, plants grown hydroponically have pH preferences depending on plant variety. In general, plants in hydro tend to do better in a slightly more acidic environment than plants in soil. A pH range of about 5.5 to 6.0 is ideal for most hydroponic growth. It is particularly important to consider pH in hydro, as all of the plant nutrition is coming from the fertilizer solution. 120

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“ As with soil, plants grown hydroponically have pH preferences depending on plant variety.”

Too high or low of a pH level will prevent either macroor micronutrients from being absorbed by the plants. When growing with hydro, the medium used—whether it is inert or not—will have a slight effect on pH levels.

Why does the pH of a nutrient solution fluctuate? In a nutshell, the explanation of this question is that plants use different elements, such as nitrogen, at different rates. As plants eat, they deplete certain substances and tend to raise the pH as they digest the fertilizer in the solution.

How is pH tested for horticultural purposes?

Paper test strips: These are among the most inexpensive and simple methods of testing pH. Paper strips infused with pH sensitive dye are dipped into the nutrient solution being tested. The color that appears on the strip corresponds with a color chart that determines the pH level.

What the pH@#?!: Deciphering the Ups and Downs of pH

Liquid indicator solutions: Similar to the paper test strips in that they use color, the liquid indicator solution is a popular and reliable method for novice or budget growers. A small sample of nutrient solution is taken from the reservoir in a container provided in the test kit. A few drops of pH sensitive liquid are added to the solution and change to specific colors depending on the pH level. The colors correspond with a chart that determines the pH.

Digital meters: High-tech (compared to the previous methods), accurate and easy to use, digital meters are the most logical choice for professional growers. They use a glass bulb electrode to precisely determine the pH of the solution being tested. Digital meters must be stored properly and calibrated often. They are notorious for breaking down and can be a source of frustration for growers who rely upon their precision. When using digital meters, it is important to keep them clean and wet while storing them. It’s also a good idea to have a liquid test kit on hand for backup.

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“ Look for adjusters that contain at least two to three acids in the pH down and two to three bases in the pH up.”

What the pH@#?!: Deciphering the Ups and Downs of pH

“ UNDERSTANDING WHY PH IS IMPORTANT AND HOW TO MANAGE PH BALANCE HELPS TO ENSURE HAPPY PLANTS.”

How is pH adjusted for horticultural purposes? Many common household items will have an effect on the pH level of pure water. Some of these include lemon juice to lower the pH or baking soda to raise it. However, for the serious grower, it is recommended to use pH adjusters that are specifically designed to work well within a hydroponic nutrient solution. pH down (acid) lowers pH levels, while pH up (base) raises them. There are several brands of pH up and down available in the hydro industry. Choose brands that do not add dyes to their pH adjusters, as artificial dyes have no added benefit to the health of plants. Look for adjusters that contain at least two to three acids in the pH down and two to three bases in the pH up. This will provide for a more stable pH level with less drastic fluctuation. There are many important factors to consider when growing beautiful and bountiful plants, and pH ranks high in importance among them. Understanding why pH is important and how to manage pH balance helps to ensure happy plants. Attention to detail in the garden provides for a much deserved and rewarding end result; treat your ladies right and enjoy the bounty of healthy harvests!

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Visit us at Booths 209-211

Furry Frustrations By Dr Lynette Morgan Despite all our modern technology and information, hydroponic disease outbreaks still can get the better of us. So, here�s ' a primer on how to identify, get rid of and prevent molds and mildews in your growroom. 126

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Furry Frustrations

Despite all our modern technology, information sources and even some considerable experience with hydroponics, plant plagues and pestilence can still get the better of us. Although some problems are relatively easy to identify and cure, others can besiege us for weeks or, even worse, just keep coming back year after year. Newer growers are often confused with disease symptoms that look alike (and even some that don’t look so similar) and those don’t live up to their names— downy mildew, for example, often first shows as round yellow spots on the upper leaf surface. On the other hand, powdery mildew appears just as the name suggests: a sprinkling of white spores over the upper leaf surfaces. Nonetheless, it is sometimes confused with downy mildew, which is a completely separate disease with different control methods and conditions under which it develops. To complicate matters further, furry spores from a number of pathogens can be various shades of grey, cream, brown and black, making identification from furry growths alone a hit and miss process. And it’s easy to miss the sporulation when it occurs on the undersides of leaves. Luckily, in the controlled environment of a well-run indoor garden, fungal and bacterial disease attack is less common than in outdoor or field crops, which are exposed to the elements and (in particular) the drenching effects of rain. Wet leaves and high humidity—which can’t be controlled outdoors— create a high disease pressure, as most fungal and 128

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Furry Frustrations

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While

prevention of disease with correct climate control goes a long way towards a healthy crop, it unfortunately doesn’t always guarantee a problem will never occur; so, regular inspection of all plants in an indoor garden needs to be carried out.”

bacterial pathogens need moisture to infect plant tissue. By modifying the environment effectively, we can significantly reduce the likelihood of any opportunistic disease spores being able to attack plants. While prevention of disease with correct climate control goes a long way towards a healthy crop, it unfortunately doesn’t always guarantee a problem will never occur; so, regular inspection of all plants in an indoor garden needs to be carried out. Most disease issues can be fairly easily controlled if found and dealt with early before any major damage is done.

Powdery mildew Powdery mildew is perhaps the most common and frustrating of all the diseases encountered in an indoor garden, especially since commercial growers have noticed that powdery mildew—which was once relatively easy to eradicate with a few quick sprays—has become much more resilient to chemical control options and outbreaks can reoccur in rapid succession. Indoor gardeners might already be noticing the same problem. Powdery mildew is easily recognized, although the first signs of a new infection might go unnoticed as they often occur inside dense leaf canopies. Powdery mildew creates the development of fine, whitish powdery deposits that look almost like a sprinkling of talcum powder over the upper leaf surface. As the disease progresses, entire leaves can be completely covered in this white mycelium growth—at which point the leaf will begin to yellow; dry, dead brown spots develop; and, eventually, the leaf will abscise from the plant. Stems and fruit can also become infected in severe cases. Powdery mildew is not just one disease, however; the name applies to the symptoms that develop. There are

Furry Frustrations

Under protected

cultivation in greenhouses and with indoor gardens, the most common species of fungi that cause powdery mildew symptoms are erysiphe, leveillula, microsphaera, podosphaera, odium and sphaerotheca, and possibly a few others.” Botrytis on lettuce. This disease has a wide host range

a number of different fungi genera that cause this powdery problem. Some powdery mildew fungi are specific to certain plants, while others have a much wider host range. Under protected cultivation in greenhouses and with indoor gardens, the most common species of fungi that cause powdery mildew symptoms are erysiphe, leveillula, microsphaera, podosphaera, odium and sphaerotheca, and possibly a few others. Erysiphe is common on lettuce and other salad green plants, and often the leaves show characteristic yellow patches after the appearance of the white mycelium growth. Leveillua occurs mostly on tomatoes and peppers, and might also produce fungal spores on the lower leaf surfaces and stems, as well as the upper surface. Leveillua on tomatoes is a little different from other powdery mildew species as it grows unseen within the leaf tissue for a latency period of up to three weeks from first infection. Conditions for development of powdery mildew vary depending on the species of fungi. Most of the common powdery mildew species need high humidity (greater than 90%) for infection to occur, while leveillula infection on tomatoes and peppers can occur across a wide range of relatively humidity levels. Generally moderate to warm temperatures (68 to 86°F) favor infection. While high humidity does favor the development of many powdery mildew species, the greatest rate of infection and spread within a growing area occurs when humidity levels climb

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at night (thus allowing the spores to germinate and infect leaves) and then the less humid daytime air allows the newly produced spores to dry and be released into the air for further spread. So, control of humidity—particularly nighttime relative humidity levels (which are more difficult to deal with)—is seen as one of the best tools for prevention of powdery mildew. Increasing air movement up, under and through the canopy often gives a good degree of mildew control, as does preventing of overcrowding and selective pruning to let air flow through the crop. As with many diseases, genetic resistance is also one of the best forms of powdery mildew prevention; however, few crops have a wide selection of resistant cultivars to choose from. Many cucurbit plants (such as cucumbers and melons) have hybrid cultivars with a high degree of powdery mildew resistance and these should be selected wherever possible, as mildew is a very common and devastating disease on these crops. Some tomato cultivars have resistance to oidium species of mildew but not to other forms, and certain ornamentals, such as zinnia, might also have resistant cultivars. Since powdery mildew has its fungal hyphae and spores exposed on the leaf surface, it should—in theory—be easy to control with sprays (provided there is good and thorough leaf coverage). There are a few natural remedies, including spraying the foliage with milk and other weakly alkaline compounds to change the pH of the leaf surface,

Furry Frustrations

Powdery white spots, the first signs of a mildew infection.

making it less desirable for the fungal spores to germinate. While these have been proven to have only a shortterm and limited range of effect, sodium and potassium bicarbonates have been scientifically proven to be more effective for prevention of a number of common mildewcausing fungi species. Potassium bicarbonate has proven to be more effective than sodium bicarbonate and does not compound the problem with unwanted sodium runoff. Sodium and potassium bicarbonate do need to be used with care though, as overdosing plants with baking soda will burn the foliage severely. So, the general recommendation of 0.72 oz. per gallon (or less) should be followed. Another highly effective compound is sulfur, either applied as a protectant fungicide (micronized sulfur) product or in a sulfur vaporizer. Sulfur works by a process of selective toxicity—that is, the sulfur is more toxic to the disease than to the host. However, sulfur needs to used with care. If applied when temperatures are too warm, it can cause considerable plant injury. Foliar sprays of silica, salicylic acid or chitosan also might help provide protection by providing a barrier to infection or by inducing the plant’s natural defense response to attack by powdery mildew. There are also some biological fungicides, including those using suppressive beneficial fungi like Bacillus subtilis (serenade); however, results with these can vary somewhat depending on the environmental conditions, which need to be just right for the beneficials to grow and multiply before they can start suppressing the pathogen. Some growers have found that light sprays of horticultural oils or neem oil have assisted with powdery mildew control, but many research studies have found these are not very effective. Many chemical fungicides are still highly effective if used correctly and rotated so that disease resistance does not build up. The effectiveness of different fungicides can vary significantly

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Furry Frustrations

(Left) Yellow spots on older leaves is often the first sign of downy mildew. (Right) Powdery mildew is particularly common on cucurbits.

with the particular powdery mildew species and the crop being grown, so if one product does not appear to be working, another should be tried. Keep in mind that eradication fungicides need to be used as soon as the first powdery signs are seen as early control is critical. It is also important to check the label of spray products; many are only registered for use on ornamental crops and should not be applied to food-producing plants, and others might have with holding periods that must be waited

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out before the plants can be harvested and consumed. As with most disease, successful control of powdery mildew doesn’t just involve one quick fix spray. To get complete control, the environment, plant density, humidity levels, air movement, genetic resistance, natural, biological and chemical control compounds all have something to offer— and often more than one approach will be needed to get the mildew monsters under control.

Downy mildew Downy mildew is a completely different disease from powdery mildew, although the two are often mistaken. It can be a major issue, particularly on lettuce and some annuals and flowering ornamentals under certain conditions. Downy mildew produces fine greyish-white powdery patches on the underside of the lowest leaves (it will then progress up the plant if the disease remains uncontrolled). Nonetheless, the first symptom of a downy mildew outbreak is the appearance of light green to yellow spots bordered by the leaf veins on the older foliage. Often, the appearance of these yellow spots is not linked to a downy mildew infection until the furry spore-producing bodies pop up on the undersides of the leaf. Downy mildew is common in greenhouses in winter, as periods of cool temperatures and high humidity (where leaves remain damp) encourage the mildew to attack. The spread of downy mildew spores is maximized when night temperatures are between 41 and 50°F, and day temperatures are 54 to 68°F). Under these favorable conditions, the disease can progress from infection to sporulation (and spread via spores) in less than five days. Control of downy mildew involves selecting genetically resistant cultivars wherever possible, modification of the growing environment and the use of fungicide rotational spray programs (downy mildew, just like powdery

us Find nver e De ing at th Garden or th Indo po Boo x E

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overfeeding with nitrogen, which creates soft succulent growth prone to fungal infection, and maintaining good levels of foliar calcium are important to produce plant tissue strong enough to prevent opportunistic infection.”

Powdery mildew on plant stem.

mildew, is capable of developing fungicide resistance). The main environmental control option that is usually successful in controlling downy mildew is to increase air temperature (above 77°F) and reduce humidity levels at night while also avoiding getting the foliage wet and increasing ventilation. For those who don’t wish to spray fungicides in their indoor gardens, any plant that shows symptoms of downy mildew should be removed from the growing area and destroyed to prevent spores spreading to other plants and creating an epidemic. Good hygiene practices, including wiping and washing all surfaces with a strong disinfectant and removing all plant debris, will also help prevent any carry-over of disease from one crop to the next.

Grey mold (botrytis) Another common fungal disease that also develops greyish furry patches on stems, leaves and fruit—and is sometimes mistaken by new growers for downy mildew or other rot pathogens—is grey mold (Botrytis cinerea). It has a wide host range, from lettuce, tomatoes and peppers to a wide range of annuals and ornamentals, herbs and strawberries (pretty much any plant we could choose to grow). Botrytis can infect plants right from the early seedling stage and might cause damping off through all stages of the plants development, and it can even cause rots in harvested produce during storage. Botrytis spreads by airborne conidia—spores that germinate on leaf surfaces when conditions are wet or humid. The conidia germinate and rapidly penetrate the leaf surface cells, especially where damage might have occurred through leaf trimming or other wounds. Botrytis can also infect any rotting or dying older tissue present on the plant. After infection, the first visible signs of this disease appear as brown water-soaked areas, from which the grey or brown mycellial growth (which sometimes resembles fine ash) forms. Conditions that favor botrytis development are 138

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high humidity (above 95%) and cooler temperatures, and the disease becomes much more severe where damp stagnant air forms and where there is insufficient air movement and ventilation. Botrytis is a disease that has, over the years, developed multiple resistances to a wide range of chemical fungicides, making many sprays ineffective for control. The first form of defense should be modifications to the growing environment, increasing air flow, venting out moist air rapidly, particularly at night when condensation would otherwise form. Taking care with plant density is also important, as overcrowding often leads to botrytis problems, and any leaves that show the first signs of grey mold infection should be removed before the spores have a chance to mature, become airborne and infect surrounding plants. Preventing overfeeding with nitrogen, which creates soft succulent growth prone to fungal infection, and maintaining good levels of foliar calcium are important to produce plant tissue strong enough to prevent opportunistic infection. Some beneficial fungi have been formulated into products that can be sprayed onto plants to act as antagonists to botrytis, including formulations containing Trichoderma harzianum spores. Using silica, salicyclic acid and other plant strengthening agents as both foliar sprays and in the nutrient solution might also offer some production against botrytis and other fungal pathogens by inducing the plant’s natural defense mechanisms. Furry sporulating diseases might seem like a formidable foe; however, many outbreaks are due to a combination of problems with environmental control (humidity and stagnation of the air flow) and a source of active infection from other plant material, crop debris or spores left over from a previous outbreak. So, cleanliness, attention to growing environment, preventing overcrowding and knowing what the early signs of an outbreak look like are all vitally important for controlling these furry plant invaders.

tips and tricks

Combatting Critters by Karen Wilkinson

How to do Battle with Snails, Slugs and Caterpillars

Even though they’re slow, snails, slugs and caterpillars are sneaky little pests that can leave massive destruction in their wake. So, don your armor and your weapons, and prepare to battle the bugs!

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Pests, diseases and fungi are more than mere annoyances—they’re grave threats to growers’ livelihoods and, therefore, are the enemy. Along with the many factors that go into growing a high-quality, productive crop, one must constantly keep tabs on potential infestations and the onset of disease. Snails, slugs and caterpillars are slow-moving, yet sneaky creatures that—if left to their own devices— will devour leaves, vegetation and roots. So, it’s best to stop them in their tracks, which can be achieved through cultural practices, predators and sprays.

Snails and slugs These slimy, slow, soft-bodied blobs do most of their feeding at night and leave behind evidence in the form of silvery trails, or snail trails. Always on a hunt for food, snails and slugs nibble holes in leaves and eat nearly any vegetation, including roots, and are especially fond of new growth. Fortunately, they’re not the brightest of creatures and deterring them from your garden doesn’t take too much grief. One of the simplest methods is blocking their paths by creating an impenetrable perimeter around the garden or individual plants. Snails and slugs thrive in warm, damp environments, so it’s best to create a dry perimeter that impedes their progress using beach sand (the saltier, the better) or lime or diatomaceous earth. Other eradication approaches include sprays and the predatory decollate snail.

Caterpillars While some caterpillars eventually grow into beautiful butterflies, their in-between stage can be a nuisance. Most often green (though they also come in other colors), caterpillars have sets of feet along the length of their bodies and love munching upon leaves and foliage, potentially killing plants. It’s best to remove them by hand, by using predatory bugs like trichogamma wasps (A.K.A stingless wasps) and podisus maculiventris (A.K.A soldier bugs) and by using homemade sprays containing bacillus thuringiensis bacteria, pyrethrum and rotenone, along with garlic and hot pepper. Another preventative measure is being aware of any large trees or foliage above your plants. They serve as havens for these and other creatures, which can easily drop onto your garden and become problematic. Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

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Lighting Choices

Illuminated By Mark Boutwell II & Joey Espinoza

It’s a no-brainer to know that you’ll need a light if you want to grow plants indoors, but the hard part is understanding the different grow light options and which of those will best suit your growing needs.

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Before explaining the different grow light options in this industry, allow us to give a better understanding of what light is and how the plant uses and processes light naturally from the sun.

“At this point in time, there are five basic lights in the hydroponic industry: fluorescent/induction, metal halide (MH), high pressure sodium (HPS), LED and plasma lighting.” First of all, there’s something called spectrums, which are also called wavelengths or dimensions. We normally can’t see these wavelengths as they travel through the air, but you can after it rains—when you see a rainbow in the sky you are being given an opportunity to see what plants “see.” The purple, orange, red, yellow, indigo, blue and green colors you see in the rainbow are all different wavelengths that are given off by our sun. When talking about plants, however, we are primarily interested in the reds and blues. These are the colors that are absorbed by plants (the other colors—in particular, green—are reflected, which is why plants appear green). Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

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And now that we know what plants absorb, we need to know how the light is processed inside the plant. Light is needed for three different processes. Phototropism triggers the plant’s ability to turn toward the sun. Photoperiodism is the plant’s reaction to the amount of daylight it receives (most of the time, this will control when the plant is in vegetative or a flowering state). The last process is photosynthesis, which absorbs the energy and converts it into sugars for food.

“ Induction lighting uses an electronic ballast to create a high frequency that generates a small amount of energy.” So, how do plants get this light when they are inside? Lamps, of course! At this point in time, there are five basic lights in the hydroponic industry: fluorescent/induction, metal halide (MH), high pressure sodium (HPS), LED and plasma lighting. Each of these lighting systems reacts to the plants slightly different; depending on how these lights are engineered, the plants will absorb the energy wavelength differently. Let’s talk about fluorescent lighting first. You can use this for rooting clones, seeds, vegetative growth, flowering and supplemental lighting. The style lighting I would recommend in the fluorescent family is T5. These, for the most part, run cool and are inexpensive. Another type of fluorescent lamp is induction lighting. Induction lighting uses an electronic ballast to create a high frequency that generates a small amount of energy. It then sends that energy around in an oval-shaped tube where it slowly reacts with the mercury in the tube to cre-

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Lighting Choices Illuminated

“An HPS bulb is typically smaller and skinnier compared to a MH bulb. This is important to note as some ballasts are made to only power HPS bulbs, which means you would need to purchase a MH conversion bulb.” which mimics the sun’s rays during spring and summer. Some growers will also use MH lighting during their flowering stages of growth because it gives off some ultraviolet light, which helps most plants produce more natural oils, typically making the plant more valuable. High pressure sodium (HPS) lighting gives off a Kelvin range of 2,000 to 3,000 K, which is best for the flowering or fruiting stage of a plants’ growth cycle. The color that an HPS produces is an orange-to-red spectrum, mimicking the sun’s rays during the late summer and fall. This color, along with the proper light schedule, aids the plants in producing flowers or fruits while they prepare to die off during the winter. The HPS is the most popular lighting set-up for all indoor gardens. Many gardeners will use only an HPS bulb for their entire cycle in order to save money, as well as maximize their turnaround time. These growers typically will keep ate a dangerous ultraviolet light. Because ultraviolet light is still a part of the spectrum of light we generally don’t want a lot of, an inventor named of Nicola Tesla used a phosphorus compound to change the spectrum of light generated by the initial reaction with the mercury in the tube. Now, over 100 years later, we’ve used advancements in technology to better tune the phosphorus levels and quality in order to alter the ultraviolet light into the spectrum plans ideally to grow under. The light generated by the induction light is then maximized by its unique shape—the light is generated throughout the tube instead of a single point, making every surface of the tube a light source. The reason why fluorescent technology lasts longer than other lighting sources is because there is less moving parts that can break. There’s no soldering, no arc tubes, no fragile wires and no worry about oil on your hands. Also, fluorescent lighting turns on very slowly. Now, let’s look at metal halide (MH) lighting. It is used mainly for the early growth and vegetative period since they produce more of a blue spectrum,

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Lighting Choices Illuminated

“Metal halide (MH) lighting is used mainly for the early growth and vegetative period since they produce more of a blue spectrum, which mimics the sun’s rays during spring and summer.”

their plants in a vegetative state for short periods and then quickly induce fruiting or flowering. Based on this method (which is extremely popular for indoor growing), the HPS bulbs will be used more than MH because the flowering cycle will typically be much longer then the vegetative cycle. Also note, an HPS bulb is typically smaller and skinnier compared to a MH bulb. This is important to note as some ballasts are made to only power HPS bulbs, which means you would need to purchase a MH conversion bulb. These are specifically made to work with HPS-only ballasts, as well as produce the correct color spectrum in order to achieve a great vegetative cycle. LED grow lights are a great new technology that ended up getting a bad reputation because the market wasn’t ready for them. When they first entered the market, they were slapped with huge price tags and even larger claims. That caused many people to shy away, especially once the claims were clearly false. So, let’s focus on the facts surrounding LED grow lights. LED stands for light emitting diodes. Nearly all LED grow lights are good for 50,000 hours of light—that’s six solid years. Along with the bulbs lasting longer than many other grow lamps, you will typically have a much cooler light when you use LED systems—on average, they operate 300°F degrees cooler than other lighting sources. Keep in mind that newer technology LED lights are becoming more intense and they produce enough heat to cause issues, depending on the growing situation. As such, proper ventilation is still required in order to achieve great results. As mentioned above, our plants use very specific colors of light and do not use all colors to grow. This is why LED lights are a big advantage. They are able to provide specific colors that our garden needs to grow vigorously. However, no matter how many proper colors you have in your light, this does not mean proper colors will always beat a higher intensity. 150

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LED can be a great choice, especially for gardeners who understand the long term over the short term. LED advantages are not always seen immediately; however, they will be noticeable after some time as money will be saved in the long run rather than in the short term. Also, LED grow lights are a new and developing gardening technology; they will continue to get better and better. Plasma lighting is the newest technology in the indoor grow light world. They were created in order to produce results just as good as the traditional HID systems, but to give you those results with less maintenance involved. The big advantage, aside from cooler light fixtures, is that plasma is more efficient at converting electricity to useable spectrums for your plants (in other words, other systems produce more heat than they do light for your plants). Also, these new lights do not require bulky equipment, making them easier to work with. On top of this, they do not contain mercury, so it can be argued that they are more earth-friendly than other grow lights. Of course, they also last much longer than other lighting systems, giving them an advantage by lowering your on-going gardening costs when it comes to replacing equipment. As you can see, there are many choices for indoor grow lights and they all have their advantages and disadvantages. No one is better than the other, so just take a look at what you’re growing and how big your budget is, and see which lighting type would be best for you.

from nasa to homes to hospitals to growers by

lance denney

how you can grow green with hospital-and space-certified new sanitizing air technology© (sat) 152

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From NASA to Homes, Hospitals and Growers

Did you know that 50% of all sicknesses can be traced back to the polluted air in our homes, and that astronauts used to get sick while in space and brought home early? Well, as NASA, the EPA and all asthmatics know, polluted air lowers our immune systems and allows mold, bacteria and germs to sicken us, our pets and our plants. That’s why nothing grows as well indoors unless we mimic outdoor environments. Today, we have a growing indoor mold problem that sickens plants as much as humans. But, how can we possibly kill mold 24/7 and still have a space that is safe to live in and grow plants? First off, counter to popular belief, bleach doesn’t kill mold. Indeed the executive director of a mold-remediation company once wrote, “When you are faced with a wall covered in mold, bleach is not the product to use.” Bleach (whose active ingredient is sodium hypochlorite) is very effective in removing discoloration, but it can leave the microflora that enables the mold to return in exactly the same spot when conditions are right. And what do mold spores need to reactivate? Moisture, which is exactly what you need to grow plants!

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Luckily, we’re not doomed to fighting expensive and destructive mold infestations forever (unless we keep doing what we’re already doing, that is). The secret: look to the air. The only thing that is constant in an indoor environment is air. That means it can be constantly toxic, constantly problematic, constantly monitored and constantly adjusted. Thankfully, it can be automatically modified to be constantly killing microbes, mold spores, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), and knocking down pollen, particulates and spores without knocking people, pets, and plants down in the process. While the standard method of air filters can drop the proverbial ball and let sickness-causing micro-organisms through, there is another technology. This newest, and arguably the best, method of cleaning air and keeping buildings safe to be and grow in is called Sanitizing Air Technology (SAT), which was designed for NASA’s growing chambers and astronauts. (Remember how astronauts used to get sick and be sent home? Well, with SAT astronauts don’t get sick.) Here are the differences:

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From NASA to Homes, Hospitals and Growers

So, a question: Why isn’t there a ton of mold outside? After all, spores go everywhere, there’s tons of moisture and there aren’t any manmade filters out there. Well, the answer is that UV light, ionization, ozone and hydroxyls all suppress and kill it. These natural killers are utilized by SATs. Here’s a look at them in more detail:

UV light and hydroxyls

UV light kills within a 1- to 1.5-ft. radius. While nice for air going through ducts or a machine, UV light only kills germs and mold going past the UV source. You can’t run all the air in the building, furniture, flooring, cabinets and people through your air vents, much less at the same time. But, when you add a four-to-five precious-metal-infused honeycomb around a certain wavelength UV light and a fan, you get hydroxyls—miniscule amounts of ozone and other sanitizing air technologies emitted into the air that actively goes out and kills airborne and surface bacteria and microbes. This kills mold fast—within hours definitely, and sometimes within minutes—but the gas that is produced is very reactive and short-lived. You have to replenish it constantly, and spread it out via fans, HVAC systems and air currents as widely as possible. As it can also piggyback on moisture, it can go pretty much everywhere—which is exactly what you want.

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From NASA to Homes, Hospitals and Growers

Ionization

Ionization electrifies any floating particulates in the air. There are positive ions, which are bad for you, and negative ions, which are good for you. In nature, both types of ions are created by the sun. There are tons of studies out there, but here’s a quick summary of sorts. Negative ions are undetectable molecules that, when we inhale them, produce biochemical reactions that increase serotonin levels. Conversely, room air circulation, heat and humidity, and the proximity of devices that might emit counter-

acting positive ions (such as computer monitors) can affect negative-ion output levels. Negative ions also help to eliminate pollen and dust. They make airborne particulates and dust stick together electronically (like magnets) and fall out of the air you’re breathing during daylight (since these ions are created by the sun in nature). Notice how clean the air is after an electrical storm? So, pulse or radio wave ionizers are great for stopping airborne particulates like pollen or dust from getting into or around plants, people, buildings or manufactured products.

Ozone

Ozone (O3) is very volatile. As soon as it comes into contact with a VOC, odor or mold, it immediately passes its third molecule to that other compound and changing itself into pure oxygen (O 2). Ozone is mostly made outdoors by lightning and the sun’s UV light reacting with O 2. Nature makes it, and it neutralizes the Earth’s atmospheric toxins. But at high levels, ozone can be slightly toxic, break down rubber and damage some types of plants. So, you actually have to be careful how much you use and what you buy. Still, sanitizing a moist room’s walls with concentrated ozone for two to four hours every two to four months can be very effective at eliminating mold—just evacuate the room of people when doing it! So, which is the best? Well, it depends on the problem, traffic loads, size of room or building, and your budget. The best answer is to call a company that’s experienced and ask for an audit. Sometimes the answer is really easy, but you want exactly the right answer! Remember, the EPA says to keep windows and doors open as much as possible. Your mission, if you should decide to accept it, is to make your indoor growing environments as clean, or cleaner, than outside—after all, the sun goes down, outside.

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The Team at Supreme Growers.

You Tell tell Us us

Supreme Growers Maximum Yield recently sat down with Scott Freedman of Supreme Growers to talk about soil biology, bamboo farming and keeping it simple. Tell us a little about how your company started and who the people behind Supreme Growers are. Supreme Growers co-founders Scott Freedman and Steven Blackburn are lifelong friends and the yin and yang of Supreme Growers. Steve has made a name for himself in tech as a prolific developer of countless distribution networks, while Scott has been a professional horticulturalist and indoor gardener since 1993. Through the years, the duo has succeeded in many facets of agriculture, including building and operating a successful 19-acre organic bamboo nursery where they constantly study, test and refine their techniques for getting amazing growth rates and yields out of their favorite plants. In 2009, the duo went all in, supporting the Colorado indoor movement and developed Supreme Growers, headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, as a way to bring professional-strength, plant-specific soil biology formulations to the indoor gardening scene. In 2013, Supreme Growers developed a new look, expanded to be OMRI listed and now offers its products nationally. 160

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What is your company’s philosophy? Less is more; less chemicals equals more flavor. Founded in 2009, grassroots soil biology expert Supreme Growers has quickly gained a reputation with growers throughout Colorado for providing high-quality, pure source, natural inputs at simple no-nonsense prices that make sense for everyone.

What is something about your company or team that our might surprise our readers? We work hard so you can keep it simple. We believe that indoor gardening should be natural, safe, fun and delicious! We want you to grow more, with less.

What is soil biology and what are the benefits of it? What is the difference between soil amendments and fertilizers? Soil biology is a term that represents the diverse natural species of living soil beneficials that make up a healthy soil and support the soil food web. Living soil beneficials like mycorrhizae fungi are natures answer to chemical fertilizers, fungicides and pesticides. Growing a diverse soil loaded with these living beneficials is how plants were naturally balanced and protected before the promotion of chemical gardening. Crops grown in fertile living soils teaming with beneficials require less fertilizer as they can better process both organic and synthetic inputs into useable nutrition. Because this all happens in the rhizosphere, this nutrition is naturally delivered directly to the plants root zone as the plant signals. The results are naturally balanced plants that are able to grow to their full potential without the need for massive amounts of fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides. Take this simple analogy: fertilizers can be thought of as the steakand-potato building blocks of nutrition. They provide the basic building blocks needed to add plant growth. Soil amendments do not

directly feed the plant. Soil amendments expand the water and nutrient holding capacity of the surrounding soil and roots so it can hold more of the nutrients provided by fertilizers. Soil amendments often contain living microbial components that are able to solubilize and process unused fertilizers and convert them into useable plant food, delivered directly to the plants root zone.

What is your most popular product? Why do you think that is? SoilBlast is our OMRI-listed living soil beneficial mega pack, and is a product that yields fast results. SoilBlast provides billions of living soil beneficials that quickly go to work solubilizing unused and locked up soil wastes, quickly converting them into useable plant food. It is popular because it keeps plants looking great, even after a long weekend of neglect.

What are mycorrhizae? What are the benefits and what it is best used for?

How does your experience working with nurseries and bamboo farming reflect your direction and business now? Through the years we have been approached with every type of growing system, from completely chemical based to completely organic. One thing we have learned is to walk in step with nature and never try to outsmart her. We embrace organics at our commercial production facility and we promote natural gardening practices because, in the end, quality always wins over quantity.

What words of wisdom can you share about the business, the industry or the future of the industry? This industry is in a constant state of evolution. Companies are introducing new products weekly and it can be hard to keep up. Customers have more choices than ever and if you don’t give growers a legit reason to buy your products, they won’t. Learn early to separate marketing from science.

“Mycorrhizae” is Latin for fungus (myco) root (rhizae). It represents a symbiotic class of fungi that naturally bond to plant roots, feeding off the wastes and returning a powerful organic plant food directly to the root zone. Mycorrhizae are found in most virgin soils around the world. There are specific species and blends of these fungi that are particularly well-suited for the type of high-stress indoor gardening practiced today.

How do your company’s practices impact the environment? Why is this important to you? Our soil biology products help keep nutrients in the rhizosphere by developing a complex web of bacteria and fungi that hold water and nutrients at the root zone and don’t allow it to wash through and into the water supply. Our living soil blends keep more nutrients at the root zone and less from washing down the drain. Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

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talking shop

Passing it on:

AT A GLANCE Company: Montgomery Hydroponics Owners: Daniel Sims and Eric Novinsky Location: 8950 Brookville Rd., Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 Phone: 1-301-588-1935 Email: montgomeryhydro@gmail.com Web: montgomeryhydro.com Motto: “To Better Your Growth and Ours”

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What’s the most important part of running a hydroponics business? According to Montgomery Hydroponics, it’s having up-to-date knowledge and skills to pass on to their clients. And if they don’t have an answer, they’ll be sure to find it for you as quick as they can! Both Dan and Eric bring a diverse range of professional experience of their business. For instance, Eric worked many years as a lighting technician for special occasions—concerts, conventions, philanthropic promotions for museums and even the lighting of the national Christmas tree (a great many bookings would revolve around political events because in Washington, DC politics is the major pastime). Eric also tried his hand in entrepreneurial endeavors by starting Wave Integrations Co., which specialized in high-end video tech installations. Finding this newfound project less than fulfilling, however, Eric and his former business partner decided to part ways. Having learned many hard and valuable lessons, he was in search of a more satisfying venture. Enter Dan Sims. Dan met and worked alongside Eric for many years prior to their current partnership. In addition to their shared professional experience, Dan has extensive experience in the hydroponics and horticultural fields. For starters, he

travelled to and lived in Amsterdam, where he gained knowledge that would serve him well in all aspects of indoor gardening and hydroponics. Dan would then accumulate more skills when he relocated again, this time to Humboldt County, California. The following few years there would teach him new practices on a much larger scale. This invaluable hands-on learning process is what would later inspire him to open his own hydroponics retail business. Dan was often frustrated with the lack of true product knowledge in the industry, so he wanted to educate and expose consumers to the truly remarkable products and systems that have recently emerged on the market using his own first-hand research and skill set. He wanted the opportunity to get better results for his clients, as well as himself. After all, Dan knew that—like him—clients were not getting the best product and systems knowledge through their retailers. This would be especially accurate on the East Coast.

Photos by Eric Novinsky and Clara Jane Timme

Montgomery Hydroponics

terms of expertise and the willingness to share it. In order to So, having found a greatly underserved market here in share our knowledge, we at Montgomery Hydroponics have to Washington, DC area, the idea for Dan to open up his own remain teachable as advancements are made and methods behydroponics supply company was born. The idea, coupled come easier; in other words, we have to stay on top of the latest with Eric’s desire for a second chance at being an entrepreinnovations in our industry. Oh, and if by some small chance neur, was the growth medium (as it were) needed to open there is a question we can’t answer, we honestly say, “I don’t Montgomery Hydroponics. know, but I will find out.” We would rather arm our clients and Montgomery Hydroponics opened its doors in May of this ourselves with the correct solution than to give faulty informapast year, and it is currently being operated by the owntion or advice. Now, that might not sound like a selling point, ers—as most small start-up businesses are. Even though but ask anyone who has had misguided advice just how invaluMontgomery Hydroponics is a relatively new company, able an honest answer and a little research can be! many entrepreneurs can attest to the fact that a lot of That’s what this business is on so many planning, organization, research, different levels—remaining teachable finances, etc. go into the opening “In order to share and being open to new ideas, whether and operation of a small business. our knowledge, we at it’s specifically in hydroponics or runAs everyone is well aware, today’s Montgomery Hydroponics ning a company. It is through this comeconomic climate calls for having have to remain teachable pany culture that we hope to better serve a solid, well-thought-out business our patrons. At Montgomery Hydroponand marketing plan prior to the as advancements are opening of any company. It is one made and methods become ics, we believe in providing first-hand product and systems knowledge and thing to have a vision of where you easier; in other words, experience to the greatly underserved want your business to be in, say, we have to stay on top of client looking for tech support in their five years; however, it’s another to hydroponics supplier. At one time, we take that vision and methodically the latest innovations in were that customer searching for correct break it down and commit to an our industry.” information and expertise—that is a peractionable plan. Once it is done, spective we plan on never forgetting. however, you can see the obvious Montgomery Hydroponics, although new on the block, benefit to having a tangible process to guide you in your is off to a great start. Located in the downtown Silver decision making. Spring area of Maryland, we’re able to serve Maryland, It’s an exciting to be involved in the hydroponics industry DC and Virginia. Our online store traffic has increased as new innovations and technological advancements are exponentially and we are expanding our interactivity with being realized in today’s marketplace. Likewise, consumers our clients online. Another feature we have is that we ofhave become concerned from where their produce origifer complete hands-on service for setting up systems and nates and by what method it’s grown. Also, people want to getting our clients started. We also do system checkups to become more independent when it comes to their fruit and make sure the client will meet and maintain their growth vegetable supply. Nothing is quite like realizing the fruits goals. This is a huge benefit, as it ensures that the products (literally!) of your own labor. and systems we recommend perform as they should. We It is this passion that we want to bring to an already expandlook forward to a long and growing relationship with our ing market in the Washington, DC area. This area—and the clients and the community we serve. East Coast in general—has long been an underserved area in

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10 facts on...zinc by Philip mcintosh

Zinc (atomic symbol Zn and atomic number 30) exists as a silvery grey metal in its elemental form. It is not certain from exactly where the name zinc comes, but the ancient alchemist Paracelsus called it zincum. The zinc concentration in most dried healthy plant tissues ranges from 20 to 50 ppm. However, many plants have a very narrow range of zinc requirement (about 15 ppm)

The only zinc ion of importance to plants is Zn+2, which is why the usual hydroponic nutrient ingredient is hydrated zinc sulfate (ZnSO4â&#x20AC;˘7H2O) at about 0.05 ppm. Zinc is an enzyme cofactor that is an essential component of thousands of different enzymes important in plant metabolism. Zinc deficiency in plants is evident when leaves have interveinal chlorosis, resulting in a striped or mottled appearance. In extreme cases, the leaves will turn grey or even white and fall off. Zinc is somewhat (but not fully) mobile in plants. This often causes zinc deficiency symptoms to appear first in leaves of medium age. This is a bit unusual since mineral toxicity symptoms generally appear in either younger or older leaves first. As is the case for many metals, zinc can be toxic to plants if exposure is too high, especially in saline soils. Zinc toxicity is not common, but it causes leaves to either be chlorotic or very dark green and can result in stunted growth and development of both roots and leaves if present. Despite the occasional toxicity of zinc, some plants (for example, Thlaspi caerulescens and Arabidopsis halleri) have evolved to be highly tolerant of it, and can accumulate high concentrations of zinc (hundreds of ppm) in their tissues without apparent ill effect.

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors ALABAMA Alabama Organics 3348 Bethel Rd., Hammondville, AL 35989 256-635-0802 Hydro-Ponics Inc. (of Birmingham)

2969 Pelham Pkwy. Suite. 3 Pelham AL 35124 205-358-3009

ALASKA Far North Garden Supply 2834 Boniface Parkway, Anchorage, AK 99504 907-333-3141 Southside Garden Supply AK 12870 Old Seward Hwy., Unit 114, Anchorage, AK 99515 907-339-9997 Holmtown Nursery Inc. 1301 - 30th Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99701 907-451-8733 Sea of Green Flagstaff 204 East Route 66 Flagstaff, AZ 86001 928-774-7643 Home Grown Hydroponics 2401 East Baseline Rd. Gilbert, AZ 85234 480-633-2100 Ground Control Hydroponic & Garden Supplies 1392 Ocean Dr. Homer, AK 99603 907-235-1521 Northern Lights Greenhouse & Garden Supply Suite 105-9737 Mud Bay Rd., Ketchikan, AK 9901 907-225-GROW (4769) Mesa Hydroponics 1720 W. Southern Ave, Ste. C7 Mesa, AZ 85202 480-969-4769 Alaska Jack’s Hydroponics and Garden Supply 1150 S. Colony Way, Ste.9, Palmer, AK 99645 907-746-4774 Peninsula Garden Supply AK 44224 Sterling Highway, Suite 4, Soldotna, AK 99669 907-420-0401 Alaska Jack's Hydroponics and Garden Supply 244 S Sylvan Way Unit 25 Wasilla AK 99654 907-373-4757 Far North Garden Supply 300 Centaur Street, Wasilla, AK 99654 907-376-7586 ARIZONA Casa Grande Hydroponics 205 N. Florence St., Casa Grande, AZ 85122 520-836-4606 Sea of Green Flagstaff 204-C E. Route 66, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 928-774-SOGF (7643) Home Grown Hydroponics 2401 East Baseline Rd. Gilbert AZ 85234 480-633-2100 The Hydro Closet 5826 West Olive Ave. #106, Glendale, AZ 85302 602-361-2049 Home Grown Hydroponics 1838 W. Bell Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85023 602-368-4005 Sea of Green West 2340 W. Bell Rd., Suite 116, Phoenix, AZ

602-504-8842 Show Low Hydroponics 1400 E. Deuce of Clubs #2 Show Low, AZ 85901 928-537-4606 ACI Hydroponics 1325 South Park Lane, Tempe, AZ 85282 800-633-2137 Home Grown Hydroponics 1845 East Broadway Tempe, AZ 85282 480-377-9096 Sea of Green Hydroponics 1301 E. University Dr., Tempe, AZ, 85281 800-266-4136 _________________________

Gonzo Grow 10297 W Van Buren St., Suite 8 Tolleson, AZ 85353 623-780-GROW (4769) _________________________ Sea of Green Hydroponics 402 North 4th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85705 520-622-6344 Sea of Green Tuscon East 7955 E. Broadway Blvd., #151., Tucson, AZ 85710 520-751-7745 _________________________

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

American Hydroponics 286 South G St., Arcata, CA 95521 800-458-6543 Let it Grow 160 Westwood Center, Arcata, CA 95521 707-822-8733 _________________________

Northcoast Horticulture Supply 639 6th St., Arcata, CA 95521 707-826-9998 _________________________ Sweet Harvest Hydroponics & Organics 1041 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 805-473-0004 Auburn Organic 4035 Grass Valley Hwy., Auburn, CA 95602 530-823-8900 Quail Mountain Ranch 230 Palm Ave., Auburn, CA 95603 530-889-2390 Tell 2 Friends Indoor Gardening 62 Sutherland Dr., Auburn, CA 95603 530-889-8171 Bakersfield Hydroponics Bakersfield , CA 661-808-4640 _________________________

Tucson Hydroponics & Organics 4235 W. Ina Rd., Ste. 131 Tucson, AZ 85741 520-395-2052 _________________________ ARKANSAS Mickey’s Mercantile 1303 Hwy., 65 South, Clinton, AR 72031 501-412-0214 Old Soul Organics and More 1771 Crossover Rd., Fayetteville, AR 72701 479-444-6955 Growfresh Organics & More 2900 Zero St., Ste 106, Fort Smith, AR 72901 479-648-8885 Fermentables 3915 Crutcher St., N. Little Rock, AR 72118 501-758-6261 Anuway Hydroponics 2711 W. Walnut St., Rogers, Arkansas 72756 479-631-0099 CALIFORNIA Greenleaf Hydroponics 1839 W Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, CA 92801 714-254-0005 Grow It Yourself Gardens 401 Sunset Dr., Suite F, Antioch, CA 94509 925-755-GROW High Desert Hydroponics 13631 Pawnee Rd., #7, Apple Valley, CA 92308 760-247-2090 _________________________

A Fertile World 5565 W End Rd Arcata, CA 95521 707-825-0255 _________________________

Stop N Grow 5455 Rosedale Hwy., Bakersfield, CA 93308 661-859-1988 _________________________ Green Leaf Hydroponics 3903 Patton Way #103 Bakersfield, CA 93308 661-245-2616 Kern Hydroponics 2408 Brundage Lane, Suite B, Bakersfield, CA 93304 661-323-7333 _________________________

The Hydro Shop 3980 Saco Rd., Bakersfield, CA 661-399-3336 _________________________ Super Starts PO Box 732, Bellmont, CA 94002 650-346-8009 Berkeley Indoor Garden 844 University Ave., Berkeley, CA 94710 510-549-2918 Berkeley’s Secret Garden 921 University Ave., Berkeley, CA 94710 510-486-0117 Hydroponic Connection, The 2816 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, CA 94702 510-704-9376 The Hydroponic Connection Berkeley

2816 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley CA 94702 510-704-9376

Brentwood Hydroponics & Organics 560 Valdry Ct #85, Brentwood, CA 94513 925-634-6704 Good To Grow & Global Garden Supply 1350 Rollins Rd., Burlingame, CA, 94010 650-733-4420 Advanced Garden Supply 3113 Alhambra Dr., Unit F, Cameron Park, CA 95682 530-676-2100 Sky High Garden Supply 3081 Alhambra Dr. Suite 105 Cameron Park, CA 95682 530-676-4009 Precision Hydroponics 132 Kennedy Ave., Campbell, CA 95008 408-866-8176 Elite Horticulture Supply 22330 Sherman Way, C13, Canoga Park, CA 91303 818-347-5172 Hydro International 7935 Alabama Ave., Canoga Park, CA 91304 Advanced Hydroponics 17808 Sierra Hwy., Canyon Country, CA 91351 Myron L Company 2450 Impala Dr., Carlsband, CA 9210-7226 760-438-2021; 661-299-1603 _________________________

San Diego Hydroponics North County Coastal 6352 Corte Del Abeto #J Carlsbad CA, 92011 760-420-8934 _________________________

The Greenhouse Garden Supply 7619 Fair Oak Blvd. Carmichael, CA 95608 916-515-9130 thegreenhousegardensupply.com _________________________ NorCal Creations PO Box 28, Cedar Ridge, CA 95924 Garden Connection, The 629 Entler Ave. #32 Chico, CA 95928 530-342-7762 Hydro King 2540 South Whitman Place, Chico, CA 959282 530-893-GROW (4769) Grow4Less Garden Supply & Hydroponics 320 Trousdale Dr., Suite L Chula Visa, CA 91910 619-425-GROW _________________________

San Diego Hydroponics North 645 Marsat Court #101 Chula Vista, CA 91911 619-737-9272 _________________________ Citrus Heights Hydrogarden 8043 Greenback Lane Citrus Heights, CA 95610 916-728-4769 Green Thumb Hydroponics 6412 Tupelo Drive Citrus Heights CA 95621 916-721-6969

Conrad Hydroponics Inc. 14915 Unit E, Olympic Dr., Clearlake, CA 95422 707-994 3264 Under The Sun 13361 East Highway 20 Clearlake Oaks, CA USA 95423 707-998-GROW G & G Organics and Hydroponics

901 W. Victoria Street Unit D, Compton, CA 90220 310-632-0122 Concord Indoor Garden 2771 Clayton Rd., Concord, CA 94519 925-671-2520 Hydroponics Plus 2250 Commerce Ave., Suite C Concord, CA 94520 925-691-7615 123 Grow 2175 Sampson Ave. #123, Corona, CA 92879 951-280-9232 Hydrostar Hydroponics & Organics 1307 W. Sixth St., #211, Corona, CA 92882 951-479-8069 The Hydro Spot 21785 Temescal Cyn Rd., Corona, CA 92883 A+ Hydroponics & Organics 1604 Babcock St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949-642-7776 The Hydro Source 671 E. Edna Place Covina, CA 91723 877 HYDRO 82; 626-915-3128 Let it Grow 1228 2nd St., Crescent City, CA 95531 707-464-9086 _________________________

Northcoast Horticulture Supply 1070 Highway 101, Crescent City, CA 95531 707-464-1200 _________________________ Seaside Hydrogarden 1070 Hwy., 101 North, Crescent City, CA 95531 707-465-3520 Pacific Coast Hydroponics 4147 Sepulveda Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90230 310-313-1354 Dr. Greenthumbs Hydroponic Garden Supplies 566 San Ramon Valley Blvd., Danville, CA 94526 925-314-9376 Constantly Growing - Davis 123 D St., Davis, CA 95616 530-756-4774 Constantly Growing 6200 Enterprise Dr., Suite A Diamond Springs, CA 95619 530-642-9710 Appleseed Hydroponics 6650 Merchandise Way Suite B, Diamond Springs, CA 95619 530-622-5190 Victory Garden Supply 1900 N Lincoln St., #100 Dixon, CA 95620 707-678-5800 Watch it Grow Hydro

9453 Firestone Blvd Downey, CA USA 562-861-1928

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors Grow A Lot Hydroponics, San Diego 1591 N. Cuyamaca St., El Cajon, CA 93612 619-749-6777 Indoor Garden Solution Inc. 12424 Exline St., El Monte, CA 91732, 626-453-0443 Go Green Hydroponics 15721 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, CA 91436 818-990-1198 _________________________

A Fertile World (Eureka) 6th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 707-444-0200 _________________________ Bayside Garden Supply 4061 Highway 101 Ste 6 Eureka, CA 95503 707-826-7435 ________________________

Humboldt Hydroponics 1302 Union St., Eureka, CA 95501 707-443-4304 _________________________

Northcoast Horticulture Supply 60 West 4th St., Eureka, CA 95501 707-444-9999 _________________________ Happy Green Lawn Care

3890 Walnut Drive Eureka, CA USA 95534 Tel: 707-497-6186 Fax: 707-832-2255 Constantly Growing 4301 Hazel Ave., Fair Oaks, CA 95628 916-962-0043 Fallbrook Hydro 208 E Mission Rd., Ste B Fallbrook, CA 92028 760-728-4769 _________________________

Tulare County Growers Supply 435 W. Noble Ave., Unit A, Farmersville, CA 93223 559-732-8247 _________________________ Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - North 6241 Graham Hill Rd., Felton, CA 95018 831-335-9000 _________________________

Hydrogarden Mendocino County 1240 North Main St., Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707-962-9252 _________________________

A Fertile World (Fortuna) 610 7th St., Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-0700 _________________________

Northcoast Horticulture Supply 357 Main St., Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-5550 _________________________ Nature’s Secret Garden and Supply 41469 Albrae St., Fremont, CA 94577 510-623-8393 _________________________ Gro More Garden Supply & Hydroponics Gro More Garden Supply 2686 Clovis Ave., Ste.109 Fresno, CA 93727 559-348-1055 _________________________

Roots Grow Supply 1330 North Hulbert, #101 Fresno, CA 93728 559-840-0122 _________________________ Tower Garden Supply & Organic Nursery

403 W. Olive Ave., Fresno, CA 93728 559-495-1140 Valley Hydroponics 207 E. Sierra Ave. Fresno, CA 93710 559-449-0426 Grow Wurks Hydroponics 765 S. State College Boulevard. Suite J Fullerton, CA 92831 714-253-Grow (4769) SB Hydro 1109 W. 190th Street, Unit #F, Gardena, CA 90248 310-538-5788 Golden Gecko Garden Center, The 4665 Marshall Rd., Garden Valley, CA 95633 530-333-2394 Probiotic Solutions 20889 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville, CA 95441 707-354-4342 South Valley Hydroponics

320 Kishimura Dr., #3 Gilroy, CA 95020 866-848-GROW _________________________

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

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172

Zen Hydroponics 1801 Victory Blvd. Glendale, CA 91201 877 ZEN Grow; 818-806-4500 _________________________

Stop N Grow 340 Pine Ave., Goleta, CA 93003 805-685-3000 _________________________

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

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Grass Valley Hydrogarden 12506 Loma Rica Drive Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-477-2996 grassvalleyhydrogarden.com _________________________ Dirt Cheap Hydroponic 151 N 7th St. #4 Grover Beach CA 93433 805-473-3478 _________________________

Grass Roots Hydroponics 31875 Corydon, Suite 130 Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 951-245-2390 _________________________ South County Hydroponics 22511 Aspan St., Suite E Lake Forest, CA 92630 949-837-8252 Clover Hydroponics & Garden Supply

All Seasons Hydroponics 17614 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, CA 91344 818-368-4388 _________________________

AG Natural 403 Idaho Maryland Rd., Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-274 0990 _________________________

Vital Landscaping Inc. 12817 Loma Rica Dr., Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-273-3187 _________________________

West Coast Growers Hydroponics 13481 Colifax Hwy., Grass Valley, CA 95945 888-924-4769 Joy's Green Garden Supply 340-A Elm Ave, Greenfield, CA 93927 831-674-1416 M.G.S. 22540 D Foothill Boulevard, Hayward, CA 94541; 510-582-0900 Thrive Hydroponics 30-A Mill Street Healdsburg CA USA 95448 707-433-4068 Bear Valley Hydroponics & Homebrewing 17455 Bear Valley Rd., Hesperia CA 92345 760-949-3400 Emerald Garden 13325 South Hwy. 101, Hopland, CA 95482 707-744-8300 Surf City Hydroponics 7391 Warner Ave. Ste B Huntington Beach, CA 92647 714-847-7900 Hydroluv Hydroponics

Eel River Hydroponics & Soil Supply 164 Dinsmore Dr., Fortuna, CA 95540 707-726-0395 _________________________ The Shop 6542 Front Str., Forestville, CA 95436 707-887-2280 Dirt Cheap Hydroponics 17975 H Hwy. 1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707-964-4211

La Habra Hydroponics 1301 S Beach Blvd., Suite O. La Habra, CA 90631 562-947-8383

16582 Gothard St Huntington Beach CA 92647 714-916-0428 Dutch Garden Supplies Park Circle Suite 12 Irvine CA 92614 949-748-8777 West Coast Hydroponics, Inc. 27665 Forbes Road, Unit 10 Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 949-348-2424 Hydro Life Hydroponics

18109 E Valley Blvd La Puente CA 91744 626 581 8800

43 Soda Bay Rd., Lakeport, CA 95453 707-263-4000 _________________________

San Diego Hydroponics East County 11649 Riverside Dr., Suite 141, Lakeside, CA 92040 619-562-3276 _________________________

Total Hydroponics Center Inc 4820 Paramount Blvd., Lakewood, CA 90712 562-984-GROW (4769) _________________________ Weather Top Nursery 44901 Harmon Dr., Laytonville, CA 95454 707-984-6385 CNG Garden Supplies

22 Ricknbacker Circle, Livermore, CA 94551 925-454-9376 DL Wholesale 6764 Preston Ave. Suite D Livermore CA 94551 510-550-0018 _________________________

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 6485 Brisa Street, Livermore, CA 94550 888-570-4678 (Southern CA) _________________________ Garden Depot, The 203 Commerce Street, Suite 101 Lodi, CA 95240 209-339-9950 Valley Rock Landscape Supply 2222 N H Street; Lompoc CA 93436 805-736-0841; 805-735-5921 562 Hydro Shop 717 East Artesia Blvd. Long Beach Ca,90805 562-726-1101 _________________________

Green Coast Hydroponics 2405 Mira Mar Ave., Long Beach, CA 90815 562-627-5636 _________________________ Grow Light Express 5318 East Second St. Suite 164, Long Beach, CA 90803 888-318-GROW

Long Beach Hydroponics & Organics 1772 Clark Ave., Long Beach, CA 90815 562-498-9525 _________________________ Atwater Hydroponics 3350 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90039 323-663-8881 Green Door Hydro and Solar 830 Traction Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90013 212-625-1323 Hardman Hydroponics 3511 Youree Dr., Shreveport Los Angeles 71105 318-865-0317 Hollywood Hydroponics & Organics 5109 1/2 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027-6105 323-662-1908 Hydroasis 2643 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90232 888-355-4769 LAX Hydro 10912 S. La Cienaga Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90304 310-337-6995 Nirvana Hydroponics 340 South San Pedro Los Angeles, CA 90013 310-795-2914 _________________________

Sunland Hydroponics 4136 Eagle Rock Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90065 323-254-2800 _________________________

Superior Hydroponic Supply 5651 Hollywood Blvd., 90028 Los Angeles,CA 323 465-grow (4769) _________________________ Green Giant Hydroponics 7183 Hwy. 49 Unit B Lotus, CA 95651; 530-622-4465 Big Momma’s 11455 Clayton Creek Rd., Lower Lake, CA 95457 707-994-1788 California Green Hydroponics 16491 Rd., 26, Suite 101 Madera, California 93638 559-674-1400 grow 22333 Pacific Coast Hwy., Ste. 101 Malibu, CA 90265; 310-456-2910 Deep Roots Garden Center & Flower Shop 207 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310-376-0567 B & S Gardening Supplies 592 Commerce Court, Manteca, CA 95336 209-239-8648 Monterey Bay Horticulture Supply

218 Reindollar Ave., Suite 7A, Marina, CA 93933 831-38-HYDRO

Two Chix Garden Supply 1230 Yuba St., Marysville, CA 95901 530-923-2536 _________________________

Northcoast Horticulture Supply 1580 Nursery Way McKinleyville, CA 95519 707-839-9998 _________________________ Mendocino Garden Shop PO Box 1301, 44720 Maint St. (at Hwy. 1), Mendocino, CA 95460 707-937-3459 Hooked Up Hydroponics 1004 W. 15th St. Suite B & C, Merced, Ca 95340 209-723-1300 Indoor/Outdoor Garden Supply 1501 W. Main St., Merced, CA 95340 209-580-4425 The Urban Farmer Store 653 E. Blithedale Ave., Mill Valley, CA 94941 415-380-3840 Mission Viejo Hydroponics 24002 Via Fabricante Suite 502 Mission Viejo, CA 92691 949-380-1894 Coca’s Central Valley Hydroponics 116 West Orangeburg Ave., Modesto, CA 95350 209-567-0590 Year Round Garden Supply 11000 Carver Rd. #20 Modesto, CA 95350 209-522-2727 _________________________

Green Light Hydroponics 2615 Honolula Ave. Montrose, CA 91020 818-640-2623 _________________________ 247 Garden

1101 Monterey Pass Rd. Unit B Monterey Park CA 91754 323-318-2600 South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - Mtn. View 569 East Evelyn Ave., Mountain View, CA 94041 650-968-4070 Murphys Hydroponics & Organics 785 Murphys Creek Road Suite C2 Murphys, CA 95247 209-728-8058 Redwood Garden Supply 55 Myers Ave., Myers Flat, CA 95554 707-943-1515 _________________________

Endless Green Hydroponics 25 Enterprise Court, Suite 3 Napa, CA 94558 707-254-0200 _________________________ Wyatt Supply 4407 Solano Ave., Napa, CA 94558 707-251-3747 _________________________

Conejo Hydroponics 3481 Old Conejo Rd., #106 Newbury Park, CA 91320 805-480-9596 _________________________

Big Momma’s 2581 Stokes Ave., Nice, CA 95464 707-274-8369 _________________________

Stop N Grow 640 S. Frontage Rd., Nipomo, CA 93444 805-619-5125 _________________________ Valley Garden Solutions Inc. 15650 Nordhoff Ave., Suite 104, North Hills, CA 91345 818-336-0041 _________________________

Foothill Hydroponics 10705 Burbank Boulevard, N. Hollywood, CA 91601 818-760-0688 _________________________ One Stop Hydroponics 12822 Victory Boulevard North Hollywood, CA 91606 818-980-5855 Lumatek Digital Ballasts 33 Commercial Boulevard, Suite B Novato, CA 94949 415-233-4273 Marin Hydroponics 721 Francisco Blvd East San Rafael CA 94901 415-482-8802 Marin Hydroponics 1219 Grant Ave., Novato, CA 94945 415-897-2197 Roots Grow Supply 40091 Enterprise Dr. Oakhurst CA 93644 559-683-6622 3rd Street Hydroponics 692 4th Street Oakland, CA 94607 510-452-5521 Medicine Man Farms 1602 53rd Ave., Oakland, CA 94601 707-980-0456 Plant-N-Grow 1602 53rd Ave., Oakland, CA 94601 707-980-0456 Hydrobrew 1319 South Coast Hwy., Oceanside, CA 92054 760-966-1885; 877-966-GROW Socal Hydroponics 1727-B Oceanside Boulevard, Oceanside, CA 92054 760-439-1084 Cultivate Ontario 2000 Grove Ave. #a110 Ontario, CA 91761 909-781-6142 Flairform 1751 S Pointe Ave., Ontario, CA 91761 213-596-8820 GreenCoast Ontario Unit 102-103 1920 S. Rochester Ave., Ontario, CA 909-605-5777 _________________________

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 1950 C South Grove Ave., Ontario, CA 91761 888-888-3319 _________________________

Palm Tree Hydroponics 2235 E 4th St, Suite G Ontario, CA 91764 909-941-9017 _________________________

RH Distribution 1751 S. Pointe Ave., Ontario, CA 91761 888-545-8112 _________________________

Green Coast Hydroponics 496 Meats Ave., Orange, CA 92865 714-974-4769 _________________________ Greenback Garden Supply 9341 Greenback Ln., Ste C Orangevale, CA 95662 530-391-4329 _________________________

Advanced Soil & Garden Supply 350 Oro Dam Boulevard, Oroville, CA 95965 530-533-2747 _________________________ Igro Hydro 2280 Veatch St., Oroville, CA 95965 530-534-4476 Orville Organic Gardens 5250 Olive Hwy Ste 1 Oroville, CA 95966 530-589-9950 US Orchid & Hydroponic Supplies 1621 South Rose Ave.,, Oxnard, CA 93033 805-247-0086 Pacifica Hydroponics 90 Eureka Square Pacifica, CA 94044 650-355-5100 _________________________

America’s Best Hydroponics & Gardening Center 641 W. Palmdale Blvd. Unit D Palmdale, CA 93551 661-266-3906 _________________________

Hydroponics Unlimited 641 W. Palmdale Blvd. “D” Palmdale, CA 93550 661-266-3906 _________________________ Palm Springs Hydroponics 4651 Ramon Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92264 760-327-ROOT

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DNA Hydroponics Inc 19345 North Indian Canyon Dr., North Palm Springs, Suite 2-F CA 92258 760-671-5872 _________________________

Green Bros Hydroponics 14072 Osborne St., Panorama City, CA 91402 818-891-0200 _________________________ Mission Hydroponics 1236 East Mission Pomona, CA 91766 909-620-7099 New Leaf Hydro 34150 123rd St., Parablossom, CA 93553 661-944-2226 Alternative Hydro 3870 East, Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107 888-50-HYDRO 365 Hydroponics 2062 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 626-345-9015 Garden All Year Inc. 3850 Ramada Dr.,Unit D2 Paso Robles, CA 93446 805-434-2333 Supersonic Hydroponic & Organic Garden Supply 3850 Ramada Dr., Unit D2 Paso Robles, CA 93446 805-434-2333 Foothills Hydrogarden 3133 Penryn Rd., Penryn, CA 95663 916-270-2413 _________________________

Funny Farms Hydroponics 963 Transport Way, #12 Petaluma, CA 94954 707-775-3111 _________________________ House of Hydro 224 Weller St., #B, Petaluma, CA 94952 707-762-4769 Wyatt Supply 1016 Lakeville St., Petaluma, CA 94952 707-762-3747 Deep Roots Hydroponics 830 Perry Lane Petaluma CA 94954-5320 707-776-2800 JNJ Hydroponics 4774 Phelan Rd. Suite 2 Phelan, CA 92371 760-868-0002 Turbo Grow 1889 San Pablo Ave., Pinole, CA 94564 510-724-1291 Hillside Hydro & Garden 4570 Pleasant Valley Rd., Placerville CA 95662 530-644-1401

All Elements Hydroponics & Gardening Supply 5623 Motherlode Drive Placerville, CA 95667 530-642-4215 Best Yield Garden Supply 3503 West Temple Ave., Unit A, Pomona, CA 91768 909-839-0505 Mission Hydroponics 1236 East Mission Pomona, CA 91766 909-620-7099 Emerald Garden 8249 Archibald Ave., Ranch Cucamanga, CA 91730 909-466-3796 Radiant Roots Gardening & Hydroponics 1394 S Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach, CA 90277 310-540-2005 Shadow Valley Aquatics 75 Kimick Way, Red Bluff, CA 96080 530-526-0479 Bear Roots Hydroponics 1615 East Cypress, #5 Redding, CA 96002 530-244-2215 Dazey’s Supply 3082 Redwood Dr., Redway, CA 95560 707-923-3002 Humboldt Hydroponics 2010 Tunnel Rd., Redway, CA 95560 707-923-1402 Redway Feed Garden & Pet Supply 290 Briceland Rd., Redway, CA 95560 707-923-2765 Sylvandale Gardens 1151 Evergreen Rd., Redway, CA 95560 707-923-3606 Hydro King 105 Hartnell Ave., Suite C and D, Redding, CA 96002 888-822-8941 Orsa Organix 111 Willow St., Redwood City, CA 94063 650-369-1269 _________________________

Mendocino Greenhouse & Garden Supply 960 East School Way, Redwood Valley, CA 95470 707-485-0668 _________________________ EZ Green Hydroponics 7017 Reseda Boulevard, Reseda, CA 91335 818-776-9076 Hydro Hills Hydroponics 19320 Vanowen St., Reseda, CA 91335 Hi-Tech Gardening 5327 Jacuzzi St., #282, Richmond, CA 94804 510-524-4710 The Urban Farmer Store 2121 San Joaquin St., Richmond, CA 94804 510-524-1604 _________________________

Discount Hydroponics 4745 Hiers Ave., Riverside, CA 92505 877-476-9487 _________________________

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

173

MAXIMUM YIELD distributors _________________________

All Ways Hydro 2220 Eastridge Ave. Suite C Riverside CA 92507. 888-HYDRO98 _________________________

Calwest Hydroponics 11620 Sterling Ave., Suite A Riverside, CA 92503 800-301-9009 _________________________ Hydro Depot 5665 Redwood Dr., #B, Rohnert Park, CA 94928 707-584-2384 Constantly Growing 1918 16th Street Sacramento CA USA 95811 916-448-1882 Green Acres Hydroponics 1215 Striker Ave., Suite 180, Sacramento, CA 95834 916-419-4394 Greenfire Sacramento 3230 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95821 916-485-8023 Green Thumb Hydroponics 1537 Fulton Ave. Sacramento CA 95825 916-934-2476 Green Thumb Hydroponics 35 Quinta Court, Suite B, Sacramento, CA 95823 916-689-6464 _________________________

KY Wholesale 8671 Elder Creek Rd. #600 Sacramento, CA 95828 916 383 3366 _________________________ Mystic Gardens 8484 Florin Rd., #110, Sacramento, CA 95828 916-381-2464 Sac Hydroponics 9529 Folson Boulevard, Suite C Sacramento, CA 95827 916-369-7968 Skywide Import & Export Ltd. 5900 Lemon Hill Ave., Sacramento, CA 95824 916-383-2369 Tradewinds Wholesale Garden Supplies 1235 Striker Ave. #180, Sacramento, CA 95834 888-557-8896 Green Joint Ventures 61 Tarp Circle, Salinas, CA 93901 831-998-8628 _________________________

Reforestation Technologies International 1341 Daton St., Unit G Salinas, CA 93901 800-784-4769 _________________________

Xtreme Gardening 1341 Dayton St. Annex B Salinas CA 93901 800-784-4769 _________________________

174

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National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight Supply 1900 Bendixsen St. , Bldg. 1, Samoa, CA 95564 800-683-1114 (Northern CA) _________________________ Greenmile Hydroponic Garden Supply 1480 South E. Street, Suite D, San Bernardino, CA 92408 909-885-5919 Pure Food Gardening/ Microclone 830 H Bransten Rd. San Carlos,CA 94070-3338 Green Gopher Garden Supply 679 Redwood Ave., Suite A, Sand City, CA 93955 831-899-0203 Modern Gardens 26620 Valley Center Dr Unit #104 Santa Clarita CA 91351 661 513 4733 Best Coast Growers 4417 Glacier Ave. Suite C, San Diego, CA 92120 800-827-1876 City Farmer’s Nursery 4832 Home Ave., San Diego, CA 92105 619-284-6358 Home Brews & Gardens 3176 Thorn St., San Diego, CA 92104 619-630-2739 _________________________

Indoor Garden Depot 1848 Commercial St. San Diego CA 92113 619-255-3552 _________________________ Innovative Growing Solutions (IGS) 5060 Santa Fe St. Ste.D San Diego, CA 92109 858-578-4477 _________________________

Mighty Garden Supply 4780 Mission Gorge Pl. #A-1, San Diego, CA 92120 619-287-3238 _________________________

Miramar Hydroponics & Organics 8952 Empire St., San Diego CA 92126 858-549-8649 _________________________

Oracle Garden Supply 5755 Oberlin Dr., Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92121 858-558-6006 _________________________

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

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San Diego Hydroponics Beach Cities 4122 Napier St., San Diego, CA 92110 619-276-0657 _________________________ Direct Hydroponics Wholesale 1034 W. Arrow Hwy. #D San Dimas, CA 91773 888-924-9376 Liquid Gardens 1034 West Arrow Hwy. #D San Dimas, CA 91773 888-924-9376 Hydro Depot 2090 Cesar Chavez Street San Francisco, CA 94124 415-282-5200 Plant It Earth 661 Divisadero San Francisco, CA 94117 415-626-5082 Plant It Earth Warehouse 1 Dorman Ave., San Francisco, CA 94124 415-970-2465 _________________________

Grow Your Own 3401 Traval St., San Francisco, CA 94116 415-731-2115 _________________________ Hydroponic Connection Warehouse, The 1995 Evans Ave., San Francisco, CA 94124 415-824-9376 The Hydroponic Connection San Francisco 1549 Custer Ave. San Francisco CA 94124 415-864-9376 Nor Cal Hydroponics 4837 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94118 415-933-8262 Plant It Earth 2279 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94114 415-626-5082 _________________________ UrbanGardens advanced hydroponics and gardening

704 Filbert Street, San Francisco, CA 94133

Urban Gardens Unlimited 704 Filbert St., San Francisco, CA 94133 415-421-4769 _________________________ San Francisco Hydro 123 Tenth St., San Francisco, CA 94103 The Urban Farmer Store 2833 Vicente St., San Francisco, CA 94116 415-661-2204 US Garden 417 Agostinio Rd., San Gabriel, CA 91776 626 285-5009 Inland Empire Hydrogarden 1301-C South State St., San Jancinto, CA 92853 Hahn’s Lighting 260 E. VA Suite 1, San Jose, CA 95112 408-295-1755

Rasa Hydroponics

5725 Winfield Blvd. Suite 8 San Jose, CA 95123 408-227-7272 Plant Life

32 Race St., San Jose, CA 95126 408-283-9191 Hydrofarm, Inc. 2249 South McDowell Extension Petaluma, CA 94954 800-634-9990 Hydrofarm Southwest 12991 Leffingwell Road Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 800-634-9990 South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - San Jose 1185 South Bascom Ave., San Jose, CA 95128 408-292-4040 D&S Garden Supplies 17-130 Doolittle Dr., San Leandro, CA 94577 510-430-8589 Hydrogarden Delight 13762 Doolittle Dr., San Leandro, CA 94577 510-903-1808 Central Coast Hydrogarden

1951 Santa Barbara St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805-544-GROW Healthy Harvest Hydroponics and Organics 2958 S. Higuera St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805-596-0430 _________________________

San Diego Hydroponics North County Inland 802 N. Twin Oaks Valley Road #108 San Marcos, CA 92069 760-510-1444 _________________________ Marin Hydroponics 721 Francisco Blvd East San Rafael, CA 94901 415-482-8802 Pacific Garden Supply

128 H Carlos Dr., San Rafael, CA 94903 San Rafael Hydroponics 1417 Fourth St. San Rafael, CA 94901 415-455-9655 _________________________

Green Coast Hydroponics 135 Nogal Drive. Santa Barbara, CA 93110 805-898-9922 _________________________ Nutes Int’l 204 N Quarantina St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103 805-687-6699 Planet Earth Hydroponics 102 East Haley St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805-899-0033 _________________________

Urban Grow Systems 204 N Quarantine St., Santa Barbara, CA 93103 805-637-6699 _________________________

Santa Clarita Valley Hydroponics 25835 Railroad Ave. #26 Santa Clarita CA 91350 661 255 3700 661 255 3701 _________________________

California Hydroponics 310 Coral St., Suite C Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-423-4769 Hydro-Logic Purification Systems 370 Encinal St., Suite 150, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 888-H2O-LOGIC Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - West Side 815 Almar Ave., Unit K, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-466-9000 Glow Hydroponics

124-H Blossom Hill Rd San Jose, CA 95123 408-455-7720 Gottagrow Garden Supply 769 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, CA 95404 707-544-7782 _________________________

Green Logic Garden Supply 860 Piner Road, #38, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 707-843-3156 _________________________ Hydro Depot 13 West 3rd Street Santa Rosa, CA 95401 707-542-3866 Organic Bountea 1919 Dennis Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 800-798-0765 Wyatt Supply 747 Yolanda Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95404 707-578-3747 Deep Roots Hydroponics 3715 Santa Rosa Ave. Suite A2 Santa Rosa, CA 95407 707-540-0773 Next Generation Hydroponics 10658 Prospect Ave., Ste.A Santee, CA 92071 619-438 2415 _________________________

Santa Rosa Hydroponics 4880 Sonoma Hwy Santa Rosa, CA 707-595-1340 Santa Rosa Hydroponics 4130 S Moorland Ave Santa Rosa, CA 707-584-9370 _________________________ Santee Hydroponics 7949 Mission Gorge Rd., Santee, CA 92071 619-270-8649 Gardening Unlimited 60 Old El Pueblo Rd., Scotts Valley, CA 95066 831-457-1236 Deep Roots Hydroponics 2661 Gravenstein Hwy S #E Sebastopol CA 95472-8200 707-829-7668 Hydro Depot 6731 Sebastopol Ave. Sebastopol, CA 95472 707-829-1510

Bloom Brothers Garden Supply, Inc.

3293 Industry Dr. Signal Hill, CA 90755 562-494-0060 ________________________

We Grow Hydroponics 3350 East Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley, CA 93063 805-624-4566 ________________________ ________________________

Advanced Garden Supply 2660 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, Building C, Unit 9, S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 530-541-4769 ________________________ Farm Hydroponics, The 1950 Lake Tahoe Boulevard #3, S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 530-541-3276 Valley Hydro and Organics 19230 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma, CA 95476 707-396-8734 Motherlode Hydroponics and Organics 799 W Stockton St. Sonora, CA 95370 209-532-2022 Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - East Side 4000 Cordelia Lane Soquel, CA 95073 831-475-9900 ________________________

Orange County Hydroponics 12797 Beach Boulevard, Stanton, CA 90680 714-893-9493 ________________________

HomeGrown Indoor Garden Supply

681 A Grider Way, Stockton, CA 95210 209-477-4447 ________________________

Golden Harvest Hydroponics & Garden Supply 8626 Lower Sacramento Road #48, Stockton, CA 95210 209-951-3550 M&M Garden Supply 2509 West Lane, Suite B Stockton, CA 95205 209-939-0664 Pacific Ave Indoor Garden Supply 4633 pacific Ave Stockton, CA 95207 209-955-0945 Hydroponics Depot 8712 Sunland Blvd Sun Valley, CA 91352 818-771-0600

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Northcoast Hydrogardens 3450 North State Street, Ukiah, CA 95482 707-462-7214

Sunland Hydroponics 8300 Foothill Boulevard, Sunland, CA 91040 818-352-5300 ________________________

Wyatt Supply 2200 N. State St. Ukiah, CA 95482 707-462-7473

Tahoe Garden Supply 645 Westlake Boulevard, Suite 2, Tahoe City, CA 96145 530-581-3200 The Otherside Hydroponics 19425 Ventura Blvd Tarzana CA 91356 818-881-HYDRO (4937) ________________________

Grass Roots Hydroponics 27250 Madison Ave. Suite C Temecula, CA 92590 951-296-1090 ________________________ Hydroponics 4 Less 41669 Winchester Avenue, Temecula, CA 92590 800-A1-HYDRO Inland Empire Hydrogarden 28822 Old Town Front St. #206 Temecula, CA 92590 886-74-HYDRO ________________________

TNC Supply 9490 Main Street, P.O. Box 763 Upper Lake, CA 95485 707-275-9565 North Bay Hydroponics 1650 Lewis Brown Dr. Vallejo, CA 94589 707-647-0774 Sky High Garden Supply 3081 Alhambra Dr. Suite 105 Cameron Park CA 95682 530-676-4009 Hydroponics Market 15816 Arminta St Van Nuys, CA 91406 818-305-6261 886-72-HYDRO ________________________

Stop N Grow 4160 Market Street, Unit 11 Ventura, CA 93003 805-639-9489 ________________________ ________________________

Flower Hut Nursery 603 4th Street Wheatland, CA 95692 530-633-4526 ________________________

Green Coast Hydroponics 11510 Whittier Boulevard Whittier, CA 90601 562-699-4201 ________________________ GreenWay Hydroponics 11510 Whittier Boulevard, Whittier, CA 90601 Lazy Gardeners Hydroponics ‘N’ More 14626 East Whittier Boulevard, Whittier, CA 90605 562-945-0909 Garden Spout, The 260 Margie Dr Willits, CA 95490 707-456-0196 Jolly Rancher 399 Business Park Ctr. Suite 205 Windsor CA 95492 707-838-0842 Green Acres 20946 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA91367 Sparetime Supply 208 E. San Francisco Avenue, Willits, CA 95490-4006

805 Hydroponics & Organics 1785 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805-494-1785 ________________________ ________________________

Art of Hydro 2636 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805-230-2227 ________________________ Green Thumb Lighting & Garden 1647 W. Sepulveda Boulevard, Unit 5, Torrance, CA 90501 888-326-GROW Los Angeles Hydroponics & Organics 3007-3009 W. Artesia Blvd. Torrance, CA 90504 310-323-4937 Anything Grows 10607 W. River Street, Building 3 Suite C, Truckee, CA 96161 530-582-0479 Garden Depot Hydroponics 1460 Freitas Park Turlock, CA 95380 209-250-0101 Hooked Up Hydroponics 339 S. Golden State Boulevard, Turlock, CA 95380 209-668-1300 Emerald Garden 307 East Perkins Street, Ukiah, CA 95482 707-463-2510 ________________________

HydroPacific - Hydroponics & Garden Supplies 351 C Hastings Av., Ukiah, CA 95482 707-467-0400 ________________________

BWGS-CA 7530 W. Sunnyview Avenue Visalia, CA 93291 888-316-1306 ________________________ The Green Shop 66420 Mooney Boulevard, Suite 1 Visalia, CA 93277 559-688-4200 Kaweah Grower Supply 1106 1/2 N. Ben Maddox Way, Visalia, CA 93293 559-625-4937 Greentrees Hydroponics Inc. 2581 Pioneer Avenue, Unit D Vista, CA 92081 760-598-7551 Home Life Hydroponics and Organics 1745 East Vista Way, Vista, CA 92084 760-643-2150 Specialty Garden Supply 7 Hangar Way Ste B Watsonville Ca 95075 831-768-0420 Evergreen Farm Feed and Garden 1131 Main Street Weaverville, CA 96093 530-623-2884 California Hydro Garden 1043 S. Glendora Avenue, Suite A West Covina, CA 91790 626-813-0868 No Stress Hydroponics 7543 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046 323-845-9874 Hydronation 2491 Boatman Drive, Suite B West Sacramento, CA 95691 916-372-4444

Urban Gardens 22516 Ventura Boulevard, Woodland Hills, CA 91364 818-876-0222 ________________________

Ultra Lo Hydro ultralohydro.com 937-252-8224 _________________________ Garden Highway Garden Supply 598 Garden Highway #22 Yuba City, CA 95991 530-755-2877 Golden Valley Hydroponics 870 W. Onsott Rd. Ste F Yuba City, CA 95993 530-763-2151 Southern Humbolt Garden Supplies

31653 Outer Highway 10 Yacaipa, CA 92373 909-794-6888 Yucca Valley Hydroponics 56825 Twentynine Palms Hwy. Yucca Valley, CA 92284 760-369-0300 COLORADO South Park Hydroponics 42 E Buckskin Rd. Alma CO 80420 719-836-1533 Green Spot Garden Center & Antiques

711 State Avenue Alamosa CO 81101 719-589-6362

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National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 3550 B Odessa Way, Aurora, CO 80011 866-877-4188 (Northeast) _________________________

Nick’s Garden Center 2001 S. Chambers, Aurora, CO 80014 303-696-6657 ________________________

The Big Tomato Indoor Garden Supply 14440 E. 6th Ave. Aurora, CO 80011 303-364-4769 ________________________ Boulder Hydroponics 1630 N 63rd St. Unit #5 Boulder CO 80301 313-415-0045 Candy Shop Hydroponics LLC 2740 Canyon Blvd Boulder, CO 80302 303-444-3355 Family Hydroponics-Boulder 2125 32nd Street Boulder, co 80301 303-996-6100 One Love Garden Supply 3620 Walnut street Boulder, CO 80301 303-586-1715 Polar Ray 5171 Eldorado Springs Dr. Boulder, CO 80303 303-494-5773 Rocky Mountain Hydroponics and Organics 2125 32 Street Boulder, CO 80301 303-996-6100 Way To Grow 6395 Gunpark Drive, Boulder, CO 80301 303-473-4769 Deep Roots Garden Supply 1790 Airport Road, Unit 1 Breckenridge, CO 80424 970-453-1440 Mile High Hydroponics 37 Strong St. Brighton, CO 80601 303-637-0069 Brighton Hydroponics 839 South Kuner Rd., Brighton, CO 80601 303-655-1427 ________________________

ACME Hydroponics 300 Nickel St Suite 3 Broomfield, CO 80020 720-524-7306 ________________________ Colorado Grow 3400 Industrial Lane, Unit 10A Broomfield, CO 80020-1652 303-465-GROW (4769) Hydrofarm Mountain 400 Burbank St Broomfield, CO 80020 800-634-9990

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors J&D Organic Growing Solutions 217 1/2 Clayton Street Brush, CO 80723 970-310-5408 CT. Home Grown

45 South Canterbury Rd. Canterbury CT 06331 BIG BloomZ 1011 Caprice Drive, Castle Rock, CO 80109 303-688-0599 ________________________

Gardener

Indoor

The

Indoor Gardener. The 3225 I-70 Business Loop Unit A10 Clifton, Colorado 81520 970-434-9999 ________________________ Indoor Garden Warehouse 8100 S Akron St., Suite 322, Centennial, CO 80112 720-496-2110 Garden Tech 737 Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 719-278-9777 Greenhouse Tech 917 East Fillmore, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 719-634-0637 Hydro Grow Supply 644 Peterson Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80915 719-596-2600 Purple Mountain Hydroponics LLC 1530 S Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 719-635-5859 Room To Grow LLC 422 South 8th Street Colorado Springs CO 80905 719-633-8682 Roots and Rocks Hydroponic and Organic Garden Supply 1014 S. 21st Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904 719-634-1024 ________________________

N-BR Y-

ROC K

High Tech Garden Supply 5275 Quebec St. Commerce City, CO 80022 720-222-0772 _________________________

I F E R, C

Grofax 25797 Conifer Rd #a-8 Conifer, Co 80433 303-838-5520 _________________________ Grow Your Own

27051 Barkley Road Conifer, CO 80433 303-816-GROW (4769) Happy Grow Lucky

11873 Springs Rd. Conifer, CO 80433 1-303-838-8700 _________________________

Roll-N-Green Farms Horticultural Supply 25797 Conifer Rd #A-8 Conifer, Co 80433 303-838-5520 _________________________

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Global Organics & Hydroponics 11 N Broadway Cortez CO 81321 970-564-8100 _________________________ Joy of Growing 1410 Valley View Dr. Delta CO 81416 970-874-2550 _________________________

BWGS-CO 11685 E. 55th Avenue Denver, CO 80239 888-316-1306 _________________________

Chlorophyll 3801 Mariposa St. Denver CO 80211 303-433-1155 _________________________ Cultivate Hydroponics & Organics 666 S. Buchtel Blvd Denver, CO 80210 303-954-9919 Denver Hydroponic & Organic Center 6810 North Broadway, Unit D Denver, CO 80221 303-650-0091 Greenlight Garden Supply 7741 E Colfax Ave Denver CO 80220 720-389-8320 HyGrow Indoor Gardening Supplies

6271 Beach Street, Unit F Denver, CO 80221 303-396-1420 Indoor Paradise Denver 7100 N Broadway, Ste. 3D, E Denver, CO 80221 303-428-5020 NoDo Urban Garden Supply 1330 27th Street Denver, CO 80205 303-296-3424 Rocky Mountain Hydroponics and Organics 1717 39th Ave Denver, CO 80205 800-58-HYDRO The Grofax 7540 East Colfax Ave. Denver, CO 80220 720-328-2127 The Grofax 755 South Federal Blvd Denver, CO 80219 720-328-5164 The Grow Outlet 4272 Lowell Boulevard Denver, CO 80211 303-586-5543 Ultimate Hydroponics & Organics 2380 S. Broadway Denver, CO 80210 303-282-0034 Way To Grow 301 East 57th Ave. Denver, CO 80216 303-296-7900 _________________________

All Seasons Gardening 434 Turner Drive, Suite 2B Durango, CO 81303 970-385-4769 _________________________

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Blue Sky Hydroponics 1301 Florida Road Unit C Durango, CO 81301 970-375-1238 DHL Garden Supply 178 Bodo Dr.Unit B Durango, Co 81303 970-247-1090 _________________________

The Grow Store South 5050 S. Federal Boulevard, #37, Englewood, CO 80110 303-738-0202 _________________________ Rocky Mountain Hydroponics and Organics 439 Edwards Access Rd Unit B101 Edwards, CO 81632 970-926-2100 Bath Nursery & Garden Center 2000 E. Prospect, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970-484-5022 Gold Coast Hydroponics West 8101 S.W. Frontage Road Suite 300 Fort Collins, Colorado 80528 970-232-3220 Indoor Paradise Hydroponics 309 S. Summit View, Unit 17, Fort Collins, CO 80524-1462 970-221-3751 Way To Grow 3201 E. Mulberry Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524 970-484-4769 _________________________

Green Gardens 133 E. Tomichi Ave. Gunnison, CO 81230 970-641-1161

Cultivate Hydroponics & Organics 7615 W.38th Ave. Suite B111 Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 303-954-9897

Grow in Peace

CONNECTICUT _________________________

1241 Mine Road Idaho Springs CO 80452 303-567-GROW GroWize 3225 S. Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80227 303-986-2706 Way to Grow 11989 West Colfax Ave Lakewood CO 80215 303-546-3600 _________________________

MileHydro 355 S. Harlan St. Lakewood CO 80226 303-935-4769 _________________________

The Grow Store 8644 W. Colfax Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80215 888-510-0350 _________________________ Ultra Lo Hydro ultralohydro.com 937-252-8224 _________________________

CT Home Grown 45 South Canterbury Rd. Canterbury, CT 06331 860-546-6161 _________________________ Grow Crazy 11 Berlin Rd. Unit 2 Cromwell CT 06416 203-660-8486 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 775 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT 06118 860-568-4067 LiquidSun® CT 10C South Main Street, East Windsor, CT 06088 860-254-5757 _________________________

Rogue Hydroponics 160 Broadway Hamden, CT 06518 866-277-4432 _________________________ Organix Hydroponics 749 Saybrook Road, (Tradewinds Plaza) Middletown, CT 06457 860-343-1923 _________________________

Hydro Shack, The 753 10 Mile Drive Frisco, CO 80443 970-668-0359 _________________________ Rocky Mountain Hydroponics and Organics 7800 Colorado 82 #203 Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601 970-947-9551 Hydro Planet 711 Washington Avenue, Golden, CO 80401 303-279-6090 _________________________

Desert Bloom Hydroponics 445 Pitkin Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501 970-245-6427 _________________________ _________________________

Primo Gardens 1600 North Ave. Suite B Grand Junction, CO 81501 970-241-1209 970-668-0359 _________________________ Greeley Nutrients 700 11th Street Unit 101 Greeley CO 80631 970-673-8302 Green Thumb Garden Supply Co. 2830 W 27th St Greeley CO 80634 970-506-1711 Your Grow Bud 6801 South Emporia St. Suite 106 Greenwood Village, CO 80112 303-790-2211

Victory Hydro Gardening 1387 E. South Boulder Rd. Louisville, CO, 80027 303-664-9376 _________________________ Colorado Hydroponics & Organics 2740 Commercial Way Unit 1 Montrose CO, 81401 970-252-7450 Greener Mountain Indoor Gardening 20 Lakeview Drive, Unit 210 Nederland CO 80466 303-258-7573 Grow in Peace 176 Hwy. 119 South Nederland CO 80466 303-258-3520 Grow Depot 1434 W. 104th Ave. Northglenn, CO 80234 303-459-7878 Four Corners Organics & Hydroponics LLC 68 Bastille Unit #3 PO Box 627 Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 970-731-1685 Pueblo Hydroponicss and Organics - Downtown 113 W 4th St, Pueblo CO 81003 719-542-6798 Pueblo Hydroponics and Organics- South 2704 S Prarie Ave Suite C Pueblo CO 81005 719-564-2660 Pueblo Hydroponics and Organics 609 E Enterprise Dr Pueblo West CO 81007 709-647-0907 Salida Hydroponic Supply 1242 C Street Salida, CO 81201 719-539-4000 Little Shop of Growers 2560 Copper Ridge Drive Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 970-879-8577

Good To Grow 335 Westport Avenue Norwalk, CT 06851 203-956-5600 www.goodtogrowct.com _________________________ Delaware Sunny Day Organics 1867 Coastal Hwy. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware MD 19917 302-703-2538 FLORIDA _________________________

Urban Sunshine 1420 E. Altamonte Dr. Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 407-830-4769 _________________________ Full Bloom Hydroponics 1489 W. Palmetto Boca Raton FL 33486 888-725-4769 Best Hydro 4920 Lena Road, Bradenton, FL 34211 941-756-1928 Palm Coast Hydroponics 4490 N Hwy US1 Ste. 108 Bunnell FL 32110 386-246-4119 _________________________

East Coast Hydroponics & Organics 461 Forrest Avenue, Suite 105 Coca, FL 32922 321-243-6800 _________________________

GreenTouch Hydroponics Inc. 5011 S State Road 7, Suite 104 Davie, FL 33314 954-316-8815 Absolute Hydroponic Garden Center Inc 336 North Boundary Ave. Deland, FL 32720 386-734-0696 Organic Grow Hut 2 780 Deltona Blvd. #107 Deltona, Florida 32725 1-888-574-GROW; 386-259-5777 Gold Coast Hydroponics 1539 SW 21st Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312 1-800-780-7371 _________________________

Biofloral 6250 NW 27th Way, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309 877-735-6725 _________________________ Green Thumb Hydroponics Supplies 13482 North Cleveland Avenue, Fort Meyers, FL 33903 239-997-4769 Gator Hydroponics 4460 SW 35th Terrace Suite 310 Gainesville, FL 32608 352-301-5383 _________________________

Florida Garden Supplies 2692 W 79 Street, Hialeah, FL 33016 1-800-931-5215 _________________________ Hydro Terra Corp. 924 North Federal Highway, Hollywood, FL 33020 954-920-0889 Simply Hydroponics & Organics (North) 3642 South Suncoast Boulevard, Homosassa, FL 34448 352-628-2655 Hydroponics International Inc. 7029-10 Commonwealth Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32220 904-693-6554 _________________________

Grower’s Choice & Hydroponics 11855 North Main Street, Jacksonville, FL 32218 904-683-4517 _________________________ Urban Organics & Hydroponics 5325 Fairmont Street, Jacksonville, FL 32207 904-398-8012 Simply Hydroponics & Organics 7949 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33773 727-531-5355 GrowSmart Indoor Garden Centers 14587 Southern Boulevard, Loxahatchee, FL 33470 561-429-3527 Palm Beach Discount Hydroponics – West 14703 Southern Blvd. Loxahatchee, FL 33470 561-296-8555 Atlantic Hydroponics 430 Count Street, Melbourne, FL 32901 321-821-1535

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High Tech Garden Supply 2975 West New Haven Avenue, Melbourne, FL 32901 321-821-0853 ________________________ Advanced Hydro Gardens 4960 NW 165 Street, Suite B-4, Miami, FL 33014 305-474-4376 Blossoms Experience, The 7207 NW 54th Street, Miami, FL 33166 866-452-4769 _________________________

Florida Garden Supplies 9545 Sunset Drive, Miami, FL 33173 800-931-5215 _________________________ Future Farms Inc., The 14291 SW 120th Street, Suite 105 Miami, FL 33186 305-382-2757 Gold Coast Hydroponics 4241 SW 71st Avenue, Miami, FL 33155 1-800-780-6805 Growing Garden Inc., The 12811 SW 42nd Street, Miami, FL 33175 305-559-0309 VitaOrganix 7921 NW 67th St Miami, FL 33166 786-845-8633 3D Hydroponics and Organics 7139 US Highway #19, New Port Richey, FL 34652 727-847-3491 _________________________

Florida Garden Supplies 8442 Tradeport Drive, Unit 200, Orlando, FL 32827 _________________________

_________________________

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 455 S. Andrews Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 877-649-3567 (Southeast) _________________________ Hydroponic Depot II 2395 S Tamiami Trail #19 Port Charlotte FL 33952 941-255-3999 EZ Grow Green 604 S.W. Bayshore Blvd. Port St. Lucie, Fl 34983 772-807-7755 Urban Sunshine Organic & Hydroponic Gardening 2841 South Nove Rd., Ste. 5 South Daytona, FL 32119 386-236-9989; 386-492-6978 Mr. Nice Guy Hydroponics 1800 NW. Federal Hwy., Stuart, FL 34994 772-934-6785 Esposito Garden Center 2743 Capital Circle NE, Tallahassee, FL 32308 850-386-2114 Evershine Hydroponics

1519 Capital Circle NE Unit #35 Tallahassee FL 32308 850-765-0040 Grace’s Hydro-Organic Garden Center 8877 North 56th Street Tampa, FL 33617 813-514-9376

Florida Garden Supplies 8020 Belvedere Road,Unit 4, West Palm Beach,FL 33411 800-931-5215 _________________________ Palm Beach Discount Hydroponics – East 968 North Congress Ave. West Palm Beach, FL 33409 561-296-6161 GEORGIA _________________________

Atlantis Hydroponics 1422 Woodmont Lane, #4, Atlanta, GA 30318 404-367-0052 _________________________ Flora Hydroponics, Inc. 1239 Fowler St. NW Atlanta, GA 30318 Flora Hydroponics Inc. 2475 Jefferson Road, Suite 600 Athens, GA 30607 866-404-0551 Flora Hydroponics, Inc. 195 Paradise Blvd. Athens, GA 30607 _________________________

Grace's Hydro-Organic Garden Center

8707 Temple Terrace Highway Tampa FL 33637 813-514-9376 Hydroponics of Tampa 120 W. Bougain Villea, Tampa, FL 33612 813-333-6828 Stoney Hydro @ Schiro’s Barn n Garden Supplies 7812 Causeway Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33619 813-626-0902 _________________________

Urban Sunshine 6100 Hanging Moss Rd ste 50 Orlando, FL 32807 407-647-4769 ________________________

Worm’s Way Florida 4412 North 56th Street, Tampa, FL 33610 800-283-9676; 813-621-1792 _________________________

Urban Sunshine 6142 S. Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32809 407-859-7728

Monkey Hydroponics 940 West Oakland Ave. Unit A1 407-574-8495 _________________________

_________________________

Green Winters Inc. 147 Tomoka Avenue, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 386-235-8730; 800-931-5215 The Healthy Harvest Ste. 126 21113 Johnson St. Pembroke Pines, FL. 33029 954-538-1511 Eden Garden Supply 5044 N. Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL 32505 850-439-1299 Healthy Gardens and Supply of Florida, Inc. 196 East Nine Mile Road, Suite F, Pensacola, FL 32534 850-912-4545

_________________________

Happy Planet Hydroponics 1179 E. Alfred St., Tavares FL 32778 352-253-1001 _________________________ 365 Hydroponics 13054 W Colonial Drive Winter Garden, FL 34787 407-656-GROW(4769) Cultivating Eden Hydroponic Supplies 946 18th Avenue SW, Vero Beach, FL 32962 772-564-8880

Atlantis Hydroponics 2561 West Point Avenue, College Park, GA 30337 678-510-0032 _________________________ Alpha Hydroponics and Garden Supply Inc. 3904 N Druid Hills Rd. Suite 247 Decatur GA 30033 404-590-4769 Savannah Hydroponics & Organics 4107 Eighth Street, Suite C Garden City, GA 31408 912-349-4030 Atlantis Hydroponics 5182-B Brook Hollow Parkway, Norcross, GA 30071 770-558-1346 HAWAII Eco-Island Supply 810 Haiku Road, #394 Haiku, HI 96708 808-575-9171 Aqua Plant Hawaii / Kahala Hydroponics 4224 Wailae, Suite 1A, Honolulu, HI 96816 808-735-8665 Green Hands of Aloha 1713 Mary Street, Honolulu, HI 96819 808-847-4263 Ohana Greenhouse & Garden Supply 300 Hukilike Street, #2M, Kahalui, HI 96732 808-871-6393 Aiyah’s Garden 4558 Kukui Street. Kapa’a, HI. 96746 Aiyah’s Garden 3-3122 Kuhio Hwy. unit B-2 Lihue, HI. 96766 808-245-2627 Pahoa Feed & Fertilizer 15-2754 Old Government Road, Pahoa, HI 96778 808-965-9955

IDAHO Boise Hydroponics 614 North Orchard Street, Boise, ID 83706 208-344-3053 Four Seasons Garden Supply 6218 W Overland Rd Boise ID 83709 208-377-3030 Greenthumb Greenhouses 5895 Ensign Avenue, Boise, ID 83714 ILLINOIS Aerostar Global 824 South Kay Avenue, Addison, IL 60101 Brew and Grow 181 Crossroads Parkway, Bolingbrook, IL 60194 847-885-8282 Let it Grow - Carbondale West Main Street, Carbondale, IL 62908 573-450-5401 Versaponics.COM Box 166 West Main St. Carbondale, IL62901 573-450-5401 Alternative Garden Supply 615 Industrial Drive, Unit A Cary, IL 60013 800-444-2837 Brew and Grow 3625 N. Kedzi Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618 773-463-7430 Fertile Ground 463 West MacArthur Drive, Cottage Hills, IL 62018 618-259-5500 Brew and Grow- Crystal Lake 176 W. Terra Cotta Ave. Crystal Lake, IL 60014 815-301-4950 _________________________

Midwest Hydroganics 20647 Renwick Road, Crest Hill, IL 60403 815-838-0100 _________________________

Inc.

Goldman’s Grow Shop 910 Greenwood Road, Glenview, IL 60025 847-657-7250 _________________________ Grow Masters 4641 Old Grand Ave. Gurnee, Il. 60031 224-399-9877 Big Grow Hydroponics 9225 Trinity Drive, Lake In The Hills, IL 60156 847-854-4450 Grow Big Hydroponics 7817 B North 2nd Street, Manchesney Park, IL 61115 815-637-4769 _________________________

Gardinside 618 S. Rt. 59 suite 104 Naperville, IL 60540 630-276-9885 _________________________

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors Green Fields 8137 N. Milwaukee, Niles, IL 60714 847-965-5056 _________________________

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Worm’s Way Indiana 7850 North State Road 37, Bloomington, IN 47404 800-598-8158 _________________________ Autumn Bloom Alternative Indoor Gardening 1020 Derby Street Pekin, Illinois 61554 309-642-6943 _________________________ Grow Shop of Peoria 2621 N University Peoria, IL 61604 (309)-299-0953 GroUp Gardening 221 N. 5TH St. Pekin, IL 61554 309-349-4407 Aerogro 502 N Prospect suite 18 Bloomington, IL, 61704 Prairie House Garden Center

15151 South Harlem Avenue, Orland, IL 60462 708-687-3131 Brew and Grow 3224 South Alpine Road, Rockford, IL 61109 815-874-5700 Brew and Grow 359 W. Irving Park Road Unit E, Roselle, IL 60172 630-894-4885 Organic Garden Center 9223 Skokie Blvd. Skokie, IL 60077 847-675-2722 _________________________

Worm’s Way Mail Order 7850 North State Road 37 Bloomington, IN 47404 800-274-9676 _________________________ Kentuckiana Hydroponic Garden Supply

632 Eastern BLVD, Unit B

Clarksville, IN 47129 812-725-8005 Frogs Lilly Pad, The 706 Citation Road, Carmel, IN 46032 317-846-4610 Hops & Harvest

4616 E. DuPont Road, Suite Q, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 260-918-3035 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 1336 East Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46202 317-780-8020 Magic Bulb Garden Center 6229 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46220 317-202-2852 _________________________

Kreation’s Indoor Gardening Center 2110 North Grand Ave Springfield , IL, 62702 217-341-0821 _________________________ Kentuckiana Hydroponic Garden Supply 632 Eastern Blvd, Unit B Clarksville, IN 47129 812-725-8005 Water Works Indoor Gardening 1900 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL 62703 217-553-6929 INDIANA _________________________

BWGS-IN 1400 Hancel Pkwy., Mooresville, IN 46158 800-316-1306 _________________________ Sunleaves Garden Products 7854 North State Road 37, Bloomington, IN 47404 888-464-9676

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Grow Shop, The of Lexington 2320 Palumbo Drive, Suite 130, Lexington, KY 40509 859-268-0779 Louisville Hydroponics 3471 Taylor Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40215 502-366-4000 New Earth Garden Center 9810 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40299 800-462-5953 The Wine-N-Vine Inc. 1524 East McGalliard RD. Muncie IN. 47303 765-282-3300 Bluegrass Organic Grow Shop 125 Quinn Dr., Nicholasville, KY 40356 859-887-0677

Greenlife Garden Supply 611 US Rt. 1 York, ME 03909 207-363-0844

LOUISIANA Laughing Buddha Nursery 4516 Clearview Parkway, Metairie, LA 70006 504-887-4336 Urban Organics 285 St. Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117 504-352-4709 Ourcrazydeals Hydroponics 201 Angus Drive, Yungsville, LA 70592 337-303-6146

Meadowview Feed & Garden Center

MAINE The Urban Garden Center 600 Wilson St. Brewer, ME 04412 207-989-2020 LiquidSun of Maine 51West Gray Rd. Gray, ME 04039 207-657-8033 Natures Palate Indoor Garden Store

1321 Mercer Rd ( rte2) Mercer, ME 04957 877-587-4150; 207-587-4150 Maximum Grow Gardening 6117 E Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46219 317-359-GROW (4769) _________________________

Kreation’s Indoor Gardening Center 3427 Old Chatman Road, Springfield, IL 62704 217-341-0821

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Next Generation Gardening & Hydroponics 6805 Madison Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46227 317-786-0066 _________________________

Five Point Gardens 56555 Oak Road, South Bend, IN 46619 574-287-9232 _________________________ KANSAS Green Circle Hydroponics 6890 W. 105th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212 913-642-3888 KENTUCKY Garden Grove Organics 29 East 7th Street, Covington, (Cincinnati Metro), KY 41011 859-360-1843 _________________________

Worm’s Way Kentucky 1360 Donaldson Hwy. Suite A, Erlanger, KY 41018 800-669-2088 _________________________

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Newfield Farms

122 Water Street Newfield, ME 04095 207-956-3334 _________________________

Evergreen Garden Center 301 Forest Ave Portland, ME 04101 207-761-2800 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply Maine178 Rand Rd. Portland, ME 04102 Phone: 207-899-4387 _________________________ The Urban Garden Center 659 Warren Ave Portland, ME 04103 1-207-347-2350 Here We Grow 30 Parsons St. Presque Isle, ME 04769 207-SOY-BEAN (769-2326) Green Thumb Indoor Gardening 19 Stage Road, St. Albans, ME 04971 207-938-5909 New England Horticulture Supply 125 John Roberts Road Suite 1 South Portland, ME 04106 207-899-0510 Urban Garden Center 235 Lewiston Road, Topsham, ME 04086 207-373-0990

MARYLAND East Coast Organics 2800 Sisson Street, Baltimore, MD 21211 Healthy Gardens and Supply 5001-F Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214 443-708-5144 Eco Greenworks 7814 Parston Dr. Forestville, MD 20747 301-278-7541 Maryland Hydroponics Inc. 10051 North 2nd Street, Laurel, MD 20723 301-490-9236 1202 Meadowview Road, Pasadena, MD 21122 443-817-0018 Purple Mountain Organics 100-7010 Westmoreland Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 877-538-9901 _________________________

Montgomery Hydroponics 8950 Brookville Rd. Silver Springs, MD 20910 301-588-1935 _________________________ MASSACHUSETTS Grow it Green 122 Pulaski Boulevard Bellingham MA 02019 508-883-GROW Greenlife Garden Supply 481 Boston Road, Unit 4, Billerica, MA 01821 978-262-9966 GYOstuff – Grow Your Own 2400 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140 617-945-1654 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 29 Washington Street, Route 1 Foxboro, MA 02035 800-660-6977 Here We Grow 123 Russell St. (Rt. 9) Hadley, MA 01035 413-584-FARM (3276) LiquidSun® MA 8 Lynwood Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040 413-539-6875 _________________________

INDOOR GARDEN CENTER

Rootdown Hydroponics Indoor Garden Center 236 Mystic Ave. Medford MA 01255 781-874-1693 _________________________ Green Path Garden Supply 276 West Main Street, Northborough, MA 01532 508-393-4181 LiquidSun® RI 1179 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, MA 02861 401-722-2724 _________________________

Evergreen Garden Center 216 Newbury St. Peabody MA 01960 _________________________

Hydroponics N More Garden Center

331 Centre Ave., Rockland, MA 02370 781-421-3356 _________________________

Tru Bloomz Hydroponics

1201 Fall River Ave. Seekonk, MA 02771 508-336-4443 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 560 Boston Turnpike (Rt.9) Shrewsbury, MA 01545 508-845-4477 _________________________

New England Hydroponics 15 D College Hwy. (Rt. 10), Southampton, MA 01073 888-529-9025 _________________________

Worm’s Way Massachusetts 121 Worc-Providence Turnpike, Sutton, MA 01590 800-284-9676 _________________________ MICHIGAN Get Growing Urban Garden Centre 142 S. Main St Adrian MI 49221 U Can Grow Hydro 2247 W. Liberty Ann Arbor MI 4810 734-369-3387 _________________________

Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The 6540 Allen Road, Allen Park, MI 48101 313-383-1766 _________________________ Gro Blue Indoor Gardening Supplies 270 W. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 734-913-2750 Grow Show, The 4095 Stone School Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 734-677-0009; 734-677-0509 HotHydro® 5245 Jackson Road, Suite F Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-761-5040; 877-893-0716 Homelight Gardens 3471 S. Huron Road, Bay City, MI 48706 989-922-0088 J&L Growco

206 S. Michigan Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307 231-796-1528 Hydro Vision 11820 Belleville Belleville, MI 48111 734-325-6210 Growers Outlet 7720 Clyde Park SW Byron Center, MI 49513 616-878-4444

A Plus Hydroponics of Michigan LLC

9750 Cherry Valley Ave SE Caledonia MI 49316 616-891-0706 Greenway Gardens 916 W 13th St Cadillac, Mi,49601 231-775-7075 ________________________

Cultivation Station 3 Inc. 46912 Gratiot, Chesterfield, MI 48051 586-949-7453

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HydroMaster 36345 Groesbeck Hwy Clinton Twp, MI 48035 586-792-0277 H2O Grow Supply 3364 Arent Ct Coloma, MI 49038 269-468-3890 Van Hydro 7480 N State, Davison, MI 48423 810-653-8267 _________________________

The Grow Station 5670 Telegraph Rd. Dearborn, MI 48127 313-406-5147; 800-797-4769 (GROW) __________________________

_________________________

Superior Growers Supply 4870 Dawn Avenue, East Lansing, MI 48823 517-332-2663 _________________________ Sunnyside Hydroponics 24930 Gratiot Avenue, Eastpoint, MI 48021 586-777-2528 Hydro Vision 495 Fenway Dr. Fenton, MI 810-714-1719 Granny Green Thumbs 103 W. Grand River Flowerville MI 48836 517-223-1302 _________________________

OÊFÊÊÊGÊAÊRÊDÊEÊNÊÊÊCÊIÊTÊY

The Grow Shop of Garden City 28505 Ford Road Garden City, MI 48135 734-956-5400 _________________________

Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC 799 S. Wisconsin Avenue Gaylord, MI 49735 989-731-8800 _________________________

Holland Hydroponic Outlet 587-40 East 8th Street, Holland, MI 49423 616-298-7395 _________________________

Flower Factory, The 2223 East Highland Road Highland, MI 48356 248-714-9292 _________________________ Hydro Grow Room 15201 N. Holly Road, Unit B Holly, MI 48442 248-369-8333 Hydro Grow Room 15201 N Holly Rd Unit B Holly MI, 48430 248-369-8333 Holland Hydroponic Outlet 1220 Phoenix Rd. South Haven MI 49090 269-637-5941 ________________________

HGR Garden Supply 15231 N. Holly Rd. Holly MI 48442 248-369-8333 ________________________

Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC 705 S., Loxley Houghton Lake, MI 48629 989-422-2800 _________________________

Hydro Giant 14455 Ford Rd, Dearborn, MI _________________________

Growco Garden Supply 1042 Michigan Street, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 877-939-6900

Hydro Vision 1247 e Grand River Howell, MI 48843 517-552-4965 _________________________

NEW 2nd LOCATION!

4640 West River Dr Comstock Park, Mi. 49321 _________________________

Cultivation Station – Eastern Market, The 2518 Market Street, Detroit, MI 48207 313-394-0441 _________________________

Hydro Giant 21651 W. 8 Mile Rd. Detroit, MI (8Mile & Lahser) 313-387-7700; 313-216-8888 _________________________ Hydro Heaven 73647 W 8th Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48235 313-861-0333; 877-823-2076 _________________________

Ultra Lo Hydro ultralohydro.com 937-252-8224 _________________________

Urban Gardening Center, The 2520 22nd Street, Detroit, MI 48216 313-898-0200 _________________________

Home Grown Hydroponix 5333 Plainfield Suite C, Grand Rapids MI 49525, 616-361-2924 _________________________

Horizen Hydroponics 1614 Leonard Street, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 866-791-1664 _________________________ Holland Hydroponic Outlet 604 N. Beacon Blvd Grand Haven MI 49423 616-847-1277 It is Green Ville Gardens 11500 Morgan Mills Road NE Green Ville, MI 48838 616-745-0500 _________________________

Hydroharrys- HP 24047 Dequindre Road Hazel Park, MI 48030 248-541-0099 _________________________ Garden Doctor

2974 28th St. SW Grandville MI 49418 616-530-2500

Superior Growers Supply, Inc. 2731 East Grand River Howell, MI 48843 517-376-6843 _________________________

Green Forest Indoor Garden Supply, LLC. 2555 N. State(M-66) Rd. Ionia, MI 48846 616-523-6111 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 1745 West Main St. Kalamazoo, MI 49006 269-978-8697 _________________________

_________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 2815 East Grand River Ave. Lansing, MI 48912 517-580-0555 _________________________ Hills Hydro 1290 S. Lapeer Rd., Lake Onion, MI 48360 248-693-5747 _________________________

Flo-N-Grow Hydroponics Co. 214 North 2nd Street Niles, MI 49120 (269) 683-1877 www.FNGhydro.com _________________________ _________________________

Horizen Hydroponics 5425 W. Saginaw Highway Lansing, MI 48917 517-323-ROOT _________________________

Superior Growers Supply Inc. 3928 West Saginaw Highway Lansing, MI 48917 517-327-1900 _________________________ Hills Hydro 700 Main St. Ste III Lapeer, MI 48446 810-245-8687 _________________________

Superior Growers Supply 292200 Seven Mile West Livonia, MI 48152 248-473-0450 _________________________ Northern Lights Hydroponic & Garden Supply 29090 Campbell rd. Madison Heights, MI 48071 248-439-6269. BIg Creek Hydroponics 555 Old Little Lake Road, Marquette, MI 49855 906-249-5297 Indoor Garden Center 236 Mystic Ave. Medford, MA 02155 781-874-1693 Stealth Hydro 14630 King Dr. Milan, MI 48160 734-961-4333 Big Blue Hydroponics 590 Ottawa St. Muskegon, MI 49441 231-571-9400 Growing Consultant Hydroponics & Things 2260 Apple Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49442 231-773-5600 Green Lantern H2O 1383 E. Laketon Ave Muskegon, Mi 49442 231-722-0420 Sunshine Supply Co. 5800 East Pickard Street, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 989-775-3700 _________________________

Horizen Hydroponics 4646 W. Main Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 269-567-3333 _________________________ Kalamazoo Indoor Garden 450 W. Maple, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 269-344-2550

Third Coast Horticulture Supply 2357 Holton Rd. Suite B Muskegon, MI 49445 231-288-1762 _________________________

Aric’s Indoor Garden Supply 611 Main st. Norway, Michigan 49870 (906)563-1518 _________________________

HGR Garden Supply 200 E. Main St, Owosso MI 48867 989-472-4999 _________________________ Super Grow 288 W. MONTCALM PONTIAC, MI 48342 248-24SUPER (78737) Green Earth Hydroponics 8127 Portage Rd. Portage, MI 49002 269-342-4190 _________________________

Hydroponics Highway Inc. 2708 14th Ave. Port Huron MI, 48060 810-982-4769 _________________________ Ultra Green Hydroponics 9300 Telegraph Rd. Redford MI 48239 313-534-9377 Hydro Vision 66783 Gratiot Ave. Richmond, MI 48062 586-430-1956 _________________________

Growers Edge 175 Marcell Dr Rockford MI 49341 _________________________ Hills Hydro 896 S. Rochester Rd. Rochester Hills, MI 48307 248-650-4937 _________________________

Green Thumb Hydroponics & Organic Indoor Supply 8460 Algoma Suite G Rockford MI 49341 616-884-5500 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 28000 Groesbeck Highway Roseville, Michigan 48066 586-435-2335 _________________________ Home Grown Hydroponics 4880 Gratiot Rd., Ste # 2 Saginaw MI 48638 989-781-1930

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors _________________________

Superior Growers Supply, Inc. 5716 South Pennsylvania Avenue South Lansing, MI 48911 517-393-1600 _________________________ _________________________

Light Green Water 3661 Highland Road, Waterford, MI 48329 248-681-0001 Bubonic Hydroponics 38540 Michigan Ave Wayne MI, 48184 734-331-2316 _________________________

________________________ Hydro Giant 19363 Eureka Rd, Southgate, MI 734-281-8888 _______________________

Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The 23529 Little Mack Avenue, St. Clair, MI 48080 586-775-9485 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 7889 Telegraph Road. Taylor, MI 48180 313-908-7554 _________________________

Hydro Grow, The 8210 Telegraph Road, Taylor, MI 48180 313-633-0641 Great Lakes Green Horticultural Supply 757 S. U.S. Highway 131 Three Rivers, MI 49093 269-278-130 Grow Store, The 90 N U.S. Highway 31 South , Traverse City, MI 49685-7923 231-421-5191 _________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 720 South Garfield Ave. Traverse City, MI 49686 231-668-6913 _________________________ Wild Child 7740 M 72 East Traverse City, MI 49690 866-711-GROW Hydro Vision 1910 West rd Trenton, MI 48183 734-301-3745 _________________________

Hydroharrys – WL 1138 E. West Maple Road Walled Lake, MI 48390 248-896-0099 _________________________ Beste's Indoor/Outdoor Garden Supply 21410 Schoenherr Warren, MI 48089 586-776-1794 Hydro King Indoor Garden Supply 32000 Van Dyke Ave Warren MI 48093 586-939-0518 Indoor Garden Superstore 2570 Dixie Highway, Waterford Twp., MI 48328 248-673-2200; 877-22-HYDRO

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Hydrospot 34236 Michigan Avenue, Wayne, MI 48184 734-722-1285 _________________________ B&B Hydro Supply 28974 Warren Rd Westland MI 48185 Ultra Green Hydroponics 8067 N. Wayne Rd. Westland MI 48185 734-425-1000 G.C. II 1006 E. Colby St. Suite A Whitehall, MI 49417 231-893-2400 _________________________

Indoor Eden 9281 East-M 36 Whitmore MI 48189 810-355-1465 _________________________ AAA Hydroponics LLC 22 50th Street Wyoming, MI 49504 616-249-8338 Urban Garden Supply 4516 Pasadena Ave. Flint, MI 48504 810-733-0420 Urban Garden Supply 3410 S. Dort Hwy Flint, MI 48507 810-875-9580 _________________________

Cultivation Station – Grand Rapids, The 4907 S. Division Ave., Wyoming, MI 49548 616-855-4440 _________________________

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

The Interior Tomato, LLC 519 N. Central Ave. Duluth, MN 55087 218-260-5167 _________________________

Indoor Gardening 10 NE 3rd Street, Faribault, MN 55021 507-209-1546 _________________________ Brew and Grow 8302 Highway 65 NE., Minneapolis, MN 55432 763-780-8191 Interior Gardens 115 -1620 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 800-498-4178; 612-870-9077 _________________________

Midwest Hydroponics 5825 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park,MN 55416 888-449-2739 _________________________ Eden Indoor Organic Gardens 831 Highway 75 North Moorhead, MN 56560 218-477-EDEN (333 _________________________

The Grow Stop 7380 Highland Road Waterford, MI 48327 248-599-9231 _________________________ MINNESOTA Duluth Hydroponics 26 W 1st Street Duluth, MN 55802 218-341-7253

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

_________________________

Grower’s Edge 175 Marcell Drive Rockford, MI, 49341 _________________________ U-Grow 1724 North, 13th Street, St. Louis, MO 63106 314-452-6368 _________________________

Advanced Hydro-Ponics 10711 Mockingbird Drive, Omaha, NE 68127 (108th and L-Q) 402-991-6630 _________________________ ________________________

Paradigm Gardens 8949 J Street, Suite 5, Omaha, NE 68127 402-339-4949 _________________________ Worm’s Way Missouri 1225 North Warson Road, St. Louis, MO 63132 800-285-9676 _________________________

Green Thumb Organics 249 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, St. Peters, MO 63376 636-397-4769 (GROW) _________________________ MONTANA Heightened Harvests 3103 Harrison Ave. Butte, MT 59701 406-494-4222 One World – Life Products 906 Broadwater Billings MT 59101 406 839 9969 Heightened Harvest

American Garden Supply 601-6th Avenue, North, Princeton, MN 55371 763-631-0543Q _________________________ Still-H2O Inc. 14375 North 60th Street, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-351-2822 Eco Garden Supply 800 Transfer Door 25 in rear St. Paul, MN 55114 651-647-1896

1415 S 32nd St. West Billings MT 59102 406-656-1156 Alpengrow Nursery Supplies 238 Highway 93 S., Eureka, MT 59917 406-882-4496 _________________________

MISSISSIPPI _________________________

Butteopia 127 Main Street, Butte, Montana 59701 1-406-782-8476 _________________________ Big Sky Garden Supply 528 West Idaho, Kallispell, MT 59901 406-755-1465 Box of Rain INC 860 North Meridian Rd. Suite B #19&20 Kalispell, MT 59901 406-755-RAIN (7246) Cornucopia Grow Your Own 127 Stoner Creek Road Lakeside, MT 59922 406-709-1076 Dr. Green Thumbs 1106 West Park, Livingston, MO 59047 406-222-7440 Bizzy Beez LLP 5875 Highway 93 S, Whitefish, MT 59937 406-863-9937

Sunrise Garden Center

Stealth Hydro 15 E. Cross Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198 866-998-1916 _________________________

_________________________

5173 W 4th St. Hattiesburg, MS USA Tel: 601 264 9300 matthew@sunrisegc.com www.sunrisegc.com _________________________ MISSOURI Versaponics LTD 879 South Kingshighway Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703 573-450-5401 _________________________

HYDROGARDENS Heartland Hydrogardens 705 Vandiver Drive, Suite G Columbia, MO 65202 573-474-4769 _________________________ Grow Your Own Hydroponics 3617 Saint John Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64123 816-241-2122

NEBRASKA Bodhi Organic Garden Supply 1438 S1 St. Ste 6 Lincoln, NE 68502 402-438-6785 Patio-Ponics 3255 Cornhusker Highway, Suite 4 Lincoln, NE 68504 402-466-9218

NEVADA Carson Valley Hydroponics 2520 Empire Ranch Road, Carson City, NV 89701 775-884-4769 Lorraine Indoor Gardens 290 Spear Court, Fernley, NV 89408 775-575-7757 Hydro Store, The 1014 W. Sunset Road, Henderson, NV 89014 702-434-7365 AAA Indoor Organic Garden SuperCenter 2101 S. Decatur Boulevard, #21, Las Vegas, NV 89102 702-450-4769 Advanced Gardens Hydroponics 7850 Dean Martin Dr. Suite 506 Las Vegas,NV 89139 702-247-4769 All American Hydroponics 2675 East Patrick Lane, Unit 8, Las Vegas, NV 89120 702-894-9888 Best Hydroponic Supply 6818 W Cheyenne, Las Vegas, NV 89108 702-750-9300 Grow Hydro Gardens 5870 s Decatur Suite 11 Las Vegas, NV 89148 702-997-7053; Toll Free 866-568-4769 Hydro Store, The 7145 W. Ann Road, Las Vegas, NV 89130 702-434-9376 Nevada Hydroponics 4700 B Maryland, Suite 1, Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-798-2852 Anything Grows 190 West Moana Lane, Reno, NV 89509 775-828-1460 Everything Green Hydroponics Box 34869 Reno, Nevada 89533 The Hydro Store 121 Woodland Ave #160

Reno NV 89523 775-787-2760

NEW HAMPSHIRE Greenlife Garden Supply 885 Second Street Manchester, NH 03102 603-782-8259 The Beez Kneez Garden Supply 180 Emerald St., Keene, NH 03431 603-903-1488 _________________________

Hydro101 545 Hooksett Rd. #24 Manchester, NH 03104 603-782-8894 _________________________

Natural Roots Hydroponics 24 Crown St. Nashua NH 03060 603-204-5528 Four Seasons Horticulture Supply 2076 White Mountain Hwy. North Conway, NH 03860 603-733-5444 NEW JERSEY Garden State Hydroponics 511 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001 888-300-8711 Bergen County Hydroponics 70 Essex Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 201-342-2001 _________________________

greentouch2 HYDRO PO N I C S

I N C .

Green Touch 2 Hydroponics Inc. 888 Route 33, Unit 1, Hamilton, NJ 08619 609-570-8829 _________________________ Garden Indoors of New Jersey 600 Meadowlands Pkwy. Suite 25 Secaucus NJ 07094 201-865-1616 East Coast Horticultural Supply 1652 Hurffville Road, Sewell, NJ 08080 856-228-5290 77HYDRO 37 Fairfield Place, West Caldwell, NJ 07006 877-774-9376 Claraqua 4 Redwood Court, West Windsor, NJ 08550 NEW MEXICO _________________________

AHL Year Round Garden Supply 1051 San Mateo Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 505-255-3677 _________________________

All Seasons Gardening 3600 Osuna Road, Suite 406 Alburquerque, NM 87109 505-508-4292 _________________________ Common Shaman 1319 San Mateo N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87110 505-255-6463 _________________________

All Seasons Gardening 1228 Parkway, Suite E Sante Fe, NM 87507 505-438-GROW _________________________ Santa Fe Hydroponics 821 W. San Mateo Road, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505 505-467-8454 Taos Gardening Supply 120 Bertha Taos, NM 87571 575-758-9131

NEW YORK Organica: Garden Supply & Hydroponics 296 Delaware Ave., Albany, NY 12209 518-618-7666 The Grow Room 32-32 49th Street Astoria, NY 11103 718-218-GROW (4769) Saratoga Organics & Hydroponic Supply 19 Front Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020 518-885-2005; 800-850-4769 The Grape Vine 4020 Hempstead Turnpike Bethpage,NY,11714 516-731-1100 Bronx Hydro & Garden 39 Bruckner Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10454 718-993-3787 Bklyn Hydro & Garden 316 McGuiness Blvd Brooklyn NY 11222 718-383-0095 Brooklyn Farms 51 Hicks Street St. Brooklyn, NY 11231 347-725-3491 Indoor Outdoor Gardener 8223 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11209 718-836-2402 Hydroponics of Buffalo 1497 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216 716-838-3545 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 340 West at 59, Central Nyack, NY 10960 California Hydroponics 27 Corporate Circle, East Syracuse, NY 13057 315-432-9387 Upstate Hydroponics 2026 Lake Rd unit B Elmira, NY 14903 607-483-9199 _________________________ FutureGarden Inc. 59 Central Avenue, Farmingdale, NY 11735 516-420-0884 _________________________ Sunflower Supplies, LLC 176-18 Central Ave Farmingdale, NY 11735 631-651-8281 East Coast Hydroponics 14649 Horace Harding Exp, Flushing, NY 11367 718-762-8880 Healthy Harvest Organics & Hydro 163 Broadway, Fort Edwart, NY 12828 518-480-4698 Saratoga Organics & Hydroponic Supply 10 Saratoga Ave S. Glen Falls, NY 12803 518-798-820 Hydroponic Shops of America 2568 Western Ave. Guilderland NY 12009 518-355-1503 Hydroponic Shops of America 720 Willow Ave. Ithaca NY 14850 607-697-0199 Greentree Garden Supply 606 Elmira Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850 607-272-3666 Mike’s Nursery & Grower Supplies 199 E. Fairmount Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750 716-763-1612

Harvest Moon Hydroponics 217 Route 32 North, New Paltz, NY 12561 845-255-3633 _________________________

The Green Box 495 9th Avenue NY NY 10018 212 967 4777 thegreenboxhydro.com _________________________ Sunlight Solutions Hydroponics 2045 Niagara Falls Blvd, Suite 13 Niagara Falls, NY 14304 888-GROWBOX KG Garden Supply 4575 Commercial Drive New Hartford, NY 13413 877-KG-HYDRO The Grow Room 8 Bridge Street,

Nyack, NY 10960 800-449-9630 Revolution Hydroponics 309 West State St. Olean NY 14760 716-373-GROW (4769) Mor Gro Hydroponics 5680 State Route 104 E Oswego , NY 13126 315-877-8725 Environmental Gardens 8 John Walsh Boulevard, Suite 310 Peekskills, NY 10566 800-254-0507; 914-736-6676 Harvest Moon Hydroponics Henrietta Townline Plaza, 3047 West Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14623 716-865-7353 ________________________

Hydro Garden Center 1069B Lyell Avenue, Rochester, NY 14606 1-800-277-1322 ________________________ Sunset Hydroponics & Home Brewing 1590 West Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14615 866-395-9204 Hydroponic Garden Centers Inc 146 49 Horace Harding Exp Rushing NY 11367 718 762 8880 LiquidSun of New York 1702 Fiero ave Rotterdam, NY 12150 518-952-4654 Hydroponics Shops of America 2606 Erie Boulevard, Syracuse, NY 13224 315-251-2516 _________________________

Green Zone Hydroponics 2148 Niagara Falls Blvd. Tonawanda, NY. 14150 716-693-9663 Green Zone Hydroponics 2928 Southwestern Blvd Orchard Park NY 14127 716-677-9663 _________________________ Harvest Moon Hydroponics 147 Fourth Street, Troy, NY 10960

Follow The Sun 1185 B Yonkers Ave Yonkers, N.Y 10704 914-237-2760 NORTH CAROLINA Advanced Hydroponic Garden 55 Shiloh Road #6 Asheville, NC 28803 1-828-277-3488 Fifth Season Gardening Company

21 B Westside Dr. Asheville NC 28806 828-225-5007 Fifth Season Gardening Company 45 Banks Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 828-253-4112

Fifth Season Gardening Company 106 South Greensboro Street, Carrboro, NC 27510 919-932-7600 ________________________

BWGS-NC 4045 Perimeter West Drive,Suite 400, Charlotte, NC 28214 800-316-1306 ________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 2712 B Freedom Drive Charlotte, NC 28208 704-697-0911 ________________________ Flow & Grow Hydroponics & Organic Garden Center 4521 Cumberland Road, Fayetteville, NC 28306 910-423-FLOW (3569) Fifth Season Gardening Company 1616 D-3 Battleground Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27408 336-271-3373 Good Harvest Garden Center 629 Oakridge Farm Hwy. Mooresville NC 28115 704-658-9136 Fifth Season Gardening Company 5619-A Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606 919-852-4747 New Age Gardens 2236A US Highway 70, Swannanoa, NC 28778 828-299-9989 Progressive Gardens 6005 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-395-1156 OHIO Akron Garden Center 434 W Wilbeth Road, Akron, OH 44314 330-724-2700 Summit Hydroponics 1030 Kenmore Boulevard Akron, OH 44314-2114 330-753-5222 _________________________

Purely Hydroponic, LLC 1507 Lear Industrial Pkwy. Avon, OH 44011 866-787-5060 _________________________ Campbells Indoor Gardening Supplies 1721 Greenville Road Bristolville, OH 44402 330-889-0049

Magic Home Gardens 209 Cemetery Road, Canal Winchester, OH 43110 614-837-2440 ________________________

CincyPonics 3314 Harrison Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45211 513-661-3886 ________________________ Dumont Seed Co. 619 30th ST. N.W. Canton, ohio 44709 330-492-0204 Dayton Hydroponics 4920 Provident Drive Cincinnati, Ohio 45246 513-942-7111 Eastside Hydroponics 834 Ohio Pike #318 Cincinnati, Ohio 45245 513-528-4769 Kissed by the Sun Hydroponic 10740 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45241 513-769-0159 Cleveland Garden Center Inc. 727 East 185th Street, Cleveland, OH 44119 216-481-7868 Grow Wizard, The 5700 Denison Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102 216-961-2500 Herb-N-Garden Center 14901 Puritas Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44135 216-252-2001 Garden Indoors of Ohio 4720 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, OH 43214 800-833-6868 Magic Home Garden 4538 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, OH 43214 614-263-2440 Miami Valley Hydro 8220 N. Dixie Dr. Dayton OH 45414 937-280-4468 Garden Connections 3341 Centerpoint Dr. Grove City OH 43123 614-871-0707 Advanced Hydrorganics Indoor Garden Center 5204 Darrow Road, Hudson, OH 44236 234-380-1287 Sweet Greens 5540 Brecksville Road Independence, OH 44131 800-421-7084 _________________________

Hydro Gardens Wholesale 1144 N Memorial Drive Lancaster, OH 43130 855-210-5599 _________________________ Carefree Garden Center 134 West Drive, Lodi, OH 44254 330-302-4203 CropKing 134 West Drive, Lodi, OH 44254 330-302-4203

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors USA Hydrogarden 7450 Industrial Pkwy, Ste. A Lorain, Ohio 44053 440-282-4880 The Grow Shop 165 Davids St. Marion OH 43302 740-223-7467 _________________________

Urban Gardens 671 E. Center Street Marion, OH 43302 740-375-2800 _________________________ Top Garden Products 8600 East Avenue Suite C. Mentor, OH 44060 440-290-8773 Green Garden Indoor Garden Center 1664 North Main St. N. Canton, OH 44720 330-494-1234 Gardening-Indoor 5851 Youngstown-Warren Rd. Niles, OH 44446 USA 330-932-1023 Pet Finatics LLC 3150 Navarre Ave Suite A Oregon, OH 43616 Indoor Gardens 1222 Hill Road, North, Pickerington, OH 43147 614-866-6065 _________________________

Trinity Hydro Organics 465 Woodman Drive Riverside, OH 45431 937-252-GROW _________________________ 4 Ever Green Grow Shop 5228 Detroit Rd. Sheffield, Ohio 44035 440-934-2664 Hot Hydro ® 855 S. Holland-Sylvania Rd. #2 Toledo, Ohio 43615 419-866-1266 Organic Garden Center 5215 Monroe St. Toledo OH 43623 419-517-8110 Toledo Hydroponics Ltd. 855 S. Holland-Sylvania Road, Suite 2 Toledo, OH 43615 877-893-0716 _________________________

Plant Lighting Hydroponics 2201-A Pinnacle Parkway Twinsburg, OH 44087 888-258-0670 _________________________ Greenleaf Hydroponics 1805 Elm Road, Warren, OH 44483 330-372-1039 Dayton Hydroponics 3856 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, West Carrolton, OH 45449 937-859-3999 Gardening-Indoor 9215 Market St. Youngstown (North Lima) OH 44452 330-758-0272

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Indoor Garden Worx 304 West Monroe Street. Zanesville, OH 43701 866-900-9679 OKLAHOMA Tulsa County Hydro-Organics 1928 W. Albany, Broken Arrow, OK 74012 918-259-HYDRO AAAAHA! Hydroponics Unlimited P.O. Box 74, Oakhurst, OK 74050 Organics OKC Garden Supply 2800 N Pennsylvania Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73107 405-528-GROW The OKC Urban Gardener 3711 N. Western Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73118 405-521-9300 Urban Garden 3141 E. 15th Street, Tulsa, OK 74104 918-289-0018 OREGON _________________________

Aqua Serene 465 Applegate Way, Ashland, OR 97520 541-482-7600 _________________________

Astoria Indoor Garden Supply 1343 Duane St. Unit C Astoria OR 97103 503-468-0606 _________________________ Rogue Silicates Inc. POB 21, Azalea, OR 97410 541-837-8590 American Agriculture

9966 SW. Arctic Dr. Beaverton OR 97005 503-641-3500 _________________________

B.I.G.S. 35 NW Bond Bend, OR 97701 541-385-5222 _________________________ Herb N’ Jungle Hydroponics 930 SE Textron Drive, Bend, OR 97702 541-382-4010 Northern Light & Garden 9290 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, Beaverton, OR 97005 503-297-7331 Westcoast Organic & Hydroponic Supply 12410 SE 282nd Avenue, Unit C Boring, OR 97009 503-512-7710 The Good Earth Organics 30088 Redwood Highway, Cave Junction, OR 97523 541-592-4496 Anthony’s Garden & Light Supply 93779 B Troy Lane, Coos Bay, OR 97420 541-266-8822 Corvallis Hydroponics & Organics 5490 SW Philomath Boulevard, Corvallis, OR 97333 541-738-2820

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

_________________________

Aqua Serene 2836 W. 11th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97402 541-302-9073 _________________________

Aurora Innovations PO Box 22041, Eugene, OR 97402 866-376-8578 _________________________

H2organic LCC 620 NE 3rd Street, McMinnville, OR 97128 503-434-6107 Green Thumb Hydrogarden & Organic Supply 2021 West Main Street, Medford, OR 97501 541-779-8600 Growing Crazy (Hooked On Hydroponics) 817 W. 2nd Street, Medford, OR 97501 _______________________ In & Out Gardens 1574 Skypark Drive Medford, OR 97501 541-858-3333 _________________________

Vital Organics Northwest 457 River Ave. Eugene, OR 97404 541-688-0028

Ladybug Indoor Gardens 3960 W. Main Street, Medford, OR 97501 541-618-4459

Advanced Indoor Gardens 17831 se 82nd drive Gladstone, OR 97027 503-305-6341

Advanced Organics & Garden Supply 290- B Merlin Avenue Merlin, Oregon 97532 541-659-1466

Northern Light & Garden 1203 Rogue River Highway, Grants Pass, OR 97527 541-474-1700 Paradise Supply LLC 560 NE. “F” Street, Unit C, Grand Pass, OR 97526 541-955-7293 Vital Organix 932-B SE “M” Street Grants Pass, OR 97526 541-226-9283 _________________________

Oregon Rainforest Co. 19949 E. Burnside Street, Gresham, OR 97233 503-465-9909 _________________________

H2organic LCC 620 NE 3rd Street, McMinnville, OR 97128 503-434-6107 _________________________

Wizard’s Garden, LLC 621 Spruce Street, Unit C, Myrtle Point, OR 97458 541-572-2333 _________________________ Green Zone Garden Center & Hydroponic Supplies 454 S.W. Coast Hwy Newport OR 97365 USA 541-265-8252 _________________________

Garden Supplies

Healthy Harvest Indoor Garden Suite #1, 1635 SE Tualatin Valley Hwy., Hillsboro, OR 97123 503-640-0995 _________________________ Gorge Garden Center 1203 12th St Ste. H Hood River OR 97031 541 386 4769 _________________________

In & Out Gardens 93484 Hwy 99 South Junctin City OR 97448 541-234-2342 _________________________ Basin Indoor Gardening 417 N. Spring St. Klamath Falls, OR 97601 541-273-2023 Green Zone Garden Center & Hydroponic Supplies 1845 S W Hwy. 101 Ste. 3 Lincoln, OR 97367 541-994-7070

Gorilla Garden Supply 2011 Union Ave, North Bend, OR 97459 541-756-5005 _________________________ Green Garden Indoor Garden Center 1664 North Main St. N. Canton, OH 44720 330-494-1234 _________________________

Indoor Garden Depot 3260 SE Oak Grove Blvd., Oak Grove, OR 97267-1421 503-786-2445 _________________________ All About Hydroponics 633 Claude Rd. Ontario, OR 98914 208-731-9823

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BWGS-OR 18201 NE Portal Way, Ste. 104 Portland, OR 97230 888-316-1306 _________________________ Everybody’s Garden Center 2701 SE 14th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202 800-669-5483 Garden Spout, The 4532 South East 63rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97206 503-788-4769 Jantzen Beach Hydroponics 909 N. Tomahawk Island Drive, Suite 103, Portland, OR 97217 503-546-3185 Lights Distributing 9843 SW 55th Avenue, Portland, OR 97219 Rain or Shine 13126 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230 503-255-1981 Roots Garden Supply 5426 North Gay Avenue, Portland, OR 97217 503-285-4768 Urban Flora 2865 South East, Portland, OR 97214 503-236-3344 BIGS Warehouse 2606 SW 4th Street, Unit B Redmond, OR 97756 541-504-8886 Indoor Garden Supply 536 SW 6th Street (rear alley), Redmond, OR 97756 541-504-7750

DC Hydroponics & Organics 7275 Green Siding Rd. Roseburg, OR 97471 541-679-3700 Roseburg Hydroponics 853 SE Stephens Street, Roseburg, OR 97470 541-229-1420 Indoor Garden Center 1697 SE 25th Street, Salem, OR 97302 503-566-7888 Northern Light & Garden Salem 1915 Lancester Drive, Salem, OR 97305 503-364-4769 Cascade Horticulture 39570 Pioneer Boulevard, Sandy, OR 97055 503-668-8242 Moonshine Park Farm 135 South East 62nd, Unit F South Beach, OR 97366 541-444-2298 J-N-B Hydro 2 Go 155 West Central Avenue, Sutherlin, OR 97479 541-459-9211

American Agriculture 9220 SE Stark St. Portland OR 97216 800-433-6805

Samurai Greenhouse Supply 32067 Old Hwy. 34 Tanget, OR 97389 541-928-3431 Grow America Garden Supply LLC 11511 SW Pacific Highway, Tigard, OR 97223 503-841-6868

Bloom Garden Supply 518 NE 20th Ave. Portland, OR 97232 971-255-1336

Pharmer Hydroponics 11135 SW Industrial Way Bldg 10-4 Tualatin, OR 97062 503-486-5751

PENNSYLVANIA Pocono Hydroponic Solutions 25 Route 611 Bartonsville, PA 18321 570-730-4544 Green Solutions Hydroponics 1700 Orange Street Berwick, PA 18603 570-752-1530 Garden Indoors of Pennsylvania 208 Route 13, Bristol, PA 19007 800-227-4567 422 GROW 1775 North Main Street Extension Butler, PA 16001-1327 724-561-3777 ________________________

High Tech Garden Supply 20232 Route 19, Unit 6, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066 724-473-1113 ________________________ New Moon Indoor Garden Supply 20550 Route 19 Perry Highway, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066 724-591-8086 Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh 830 Route 119, Greensburg, PA 15601 724-836-1118 Buds to Blooms Garden and Supply Co., LLC 509 Orchard Avenue Kennett Square, PA 19348 610-388-0100 _________________________

The Companion Plant 363 E. Main St Kutztown, PA 19530 610-683-9676 _________________________ Flairform PO 1417, Lansdale, PA 19446 215-395-6353 _________________________

RH Distribution PO 1417, Lansdale, PA 19446 888-545-8112 _________________________ Esbenshades Greenhouses 546A East 28th Div Hwy Lititz Pa 17543 717-626-7007 Hydro Ponics of Harrisburg 310 South 10th Street, Lemoyne, PA 17043 877-684-3808 Always Green Garden Supply 4400 Old William Penn Hwy Ste. 106 Monroeville PA 15146 412-646-1243 New Stanton Hydro 150 Post Ave. New Stanton, PA. 15672 724-635-0297 Hydrofarm East 270 Canal Road Fairless Hills, PA 19030 888-780-4567 The Companion Plant 363 E. Main St Kutztown, PA 19530 610-683-9676 Esbenshades Greenhouses 546A East 28th Div Hwy Lititz Pa 17543 717-626-7007

Full Bloom Hydroponics 84 South 24th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 888-872-3602 Gardening-Indoor 20550 Rt. #19 Cranberry Twp. Pitsburgh PA 16066 724-591-8086 Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh 2008 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-232-7030 Healthy Gardens and Supply 1012 Lincoln Avenue, Prospect Park, PA 19076 866-32-HYDRO Northeast Hydroponics & Homebrewing 221 Scranton Carbondale Hwy. Scranton PA 18508 570-209-7924 Full Time Garden Supply 1011 Ritner Highway Shippensburg PA.17257 717-477-0350 Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh 9 North Main St. Washington, PA 15301 724-222-0200 Western Pennsylvania Innovative Gardening 1177 Pittsburgh Road, Suite 103 Valencia, PA 16059 724-903-0800 Organic Garden Center 800 Washington Blvd. Williamsport, PA 17701 570-322-3120 _________________________

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 450 Grim Lane, York,PA 17406 877-779-7111(Northeast) _________________________ PA Hydroponics & Home Gardening Supply 20 Quaker Church Road, York Springs, PA 17372 717-528-4175 RHODE ISLAND Oakworld Garden Center 39 West Street, Barrington, RI 02806 401-245-5705 Solar Seed Hydroponics, Inc. 2406 Putman Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814 401-710-9010 Organically Grown 768 Atwood Ave Cranston, RI 02920 401-944-0549 GrowRI 184 Admiral Kalbfus Road Newport, RI 02840 401-619-0776 Hydro-Earth 1243 Mineral Springs Avenue, North Providence, RI 02904 401-305-5520 The Organic Grow Hut 375 Putnam Pike- Ste 13 Smithfield, RI 02828 401-349-4141 South County Hydroponics 51 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879 401-783-1733 Mother Nature Hydroponics 1268 Post Rd. Warwick RI 02888 401-780-0600

GrowRI 105 Franklin street Unit # 38 Westerly, RI 02891 401-596-0904 _________________________

Good To Grow 34 Nooseneck Hill Road, West Greenwich, RI 02817 401-392-3100 _________________________ Growin’ Crazy 93 Kingston Road Wyoming, Rhode Island 02898 401-284-0810 SOUTH CAROLINA GreenSpirit Hydrogarden 1864 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29405 843-225-1GRO Skyes the Limit 455 B Fleming Rd. Charleston, SC 29412 843-566-2121 247 Garden Supply 535 D Clemson Road, Columbia, SC 29229 803-788-4445 The Urban Garden Hydroponics 9557 Two Notch Rd. Ste. E Columbia, SC 29223 803-788-9313 _________________________

All Seasons Indoor & Outdoor Supplies 1350 Hwy. 501 Business, Store 3&4 Conway, SC 29526 843-347-9266 _________________________ Green Thumb Unique Gardening & More 1230 Rutherford Road, Greenville, SC 29609 864-271-8830 SOUTH DAKOTA _________________________

Green Earth Products Inc. 5700 Highway 79 S.,Unit 1, Rapid City, SD 57702 605-342-1307 _________________________ TENNESSEE Innovative Hydroponic Supply Inc. 3286 North Park Blvd. Unit G Alcoa TN 37701 865-984-0280 Atlantis Hydroponics 1800 Rossville Avenue, #3, Chattanooga, TN 37408 423-752-5400 Advanced Hydroponic Garden 783 French Mill Road, Dandridge, TN 37725 800-521-1643 Perpetual Harvest 75 Riverport Drive, Jackson, TN 38301 877-422-3391 Advanced Hydroponic Garden 6912 Clinton Highway, Knoxville, TN 37921 866-938-3318 Sun City Hydroponics 2235 Whitten Road, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38133 901-372-8100

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National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 126 Belinda Parkway, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 888-265-9005 _______________________ All Seasons Gardening and Brewing Supply Co. 924 8th Avenue, South, Nashville, TN 37203 800-790-2188 _________________________

Botani Garden 15120 Bellaire Blvd Houston, TX 77083 281-575-1999 Houston Discount Hydroponics 9384 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77063 713-464-9406 Hydroponic Nation 9001 Frey Road Houston TX 77034 713-943-1115 In-N-Out Garden Supply 11011 S Wilcrest Drive Ste K Houston, TX 77099 281-568-5265

Worm’s Way Tennessee 901 Main Street, Nashville, TN 37072 800-397-4153 _________________________ TEXAS Abundant Harvest Hydroponics & Organics 3101 Avenue E East, Arlington, TX 76011 817-649-0100 Brite Ideas Hydroponics & Organics 4201 South Congress Ave. Suite 310 Austin, TX 78745 512-444-2100 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Central Austin) 5126 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78756 512-459-4769 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (South Austin) 2125-A Goodrich Avenue, Austin, TX 78704 512-440-4769 Third Coast Horticulture Supplies 7010 Burnet Rd., Ste.A Austin, TX 78757 512-459-4353 Happy Harvest Hydroponics & Organic 1500 C rescent Drive, Suite 202 Carrollton, TX 75006 972-466-1300 Jolly Green Hydroponics (Greenhouse Horticultural Supplies) 13628 Neutron Road, Dallas, TX 75244 866-WE-JOLLY; 469-341-5555 Lone Star Hydroponics & Organics

1302 Motor Circle, Dallas, TX 75207 214-634-9376 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Dallas) 3400 Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75226 214-744-4769 _________________________

Organic Garden & Feed 3801 N Interstate Hwy 35,Suite126, Denton Texas 76207 940-381-9890 _________________________ Earth Organics 1360 Lee Trevino Drive,Suite 105 El Paso, TX 79936 915-591-9500 Hydrofarm Central 950 Avenue S Grand Prairie, TX 75050-1133 800-634-9999 Airline Hydroponics P.O. Box 980904, Trader’s Village #363, Houston, TX 77098 713-942-0484

Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Houston) 7730 A Park Place Boulevard, Houston, TX 77087 713-641-4769 Ultimate Hydroponic Garden Supply

6125 West Sam Houston Parkway, North Suite 206 Houston, TX 77041 713-856-8425

Texas Growers Supply 5990 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. E. #602, Humble, TX 77396 281-441-3739 Field of Dreams Indoor Growing Supplies 5302 Slide Road Unit B, Lubbock, TX 79414 806-793-2901 Hydro Mart 3841 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088 972-475-6114 Brite Ideas Hydroponics & Organics 5121 Crest Way Dr., Ste. 203 San Antonio, TX 78239 210-248-9309 _________________________

Sol Organics & Hydroponics 1634 Babcock Road, San Antonio, TX 78229 210-366-9082 _________________________ Innergrow Hydroponics 24451 Interstate Highway 20, Wills Point, TX 75169 866-475-4769 UTAH Wasatch Hydroponics 4050 South Howick, Suite 11E, Salt Lake City, Utah 84107 801-716-4133 VERMONT Greenthumb - Vermont 394 Route 15, Jericho, VT 05465 802-899-4323 Peak Hydroponic Garden Supplies

20 School Street, Plainfield, VT 05667 802-454-8000

LiquidSun® VT 1 Bellows Falls Road, (Route 5 North) Putney, VT 05158 802-387-1100

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors Green Thumb Gardening P.O. Box 235, Route 15, Underhill, VT 5489 800-564-9376 VIRGINIA Fifth Season Gardening Co. 900 Preston Ave. Charlottesville VA 22903 434-293-2332 Clean & Green Technologies 196 Corning Drive, Christiansburg, VA 24073 866-694-1628 Maryland Hydroponics 1061 West Broad Street Falls Church, VA 866-324-9376 Lucky Roots 612 North Sheppard St. Richmond, VA 23221 804-377-3020 Blue Ridge Hydroponics & Home Brewing Company 5327 D Williamson Road Roanoke, VA 24012 540-265-2483 Inside-Out Garden Supply 6517 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22150 703-451-3259 I Love Hydroponics 368 Newtown Road, #105, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 757-490-5425 Hydroponics & Growlights 13400 Occoquan Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-490-0700 West VIRGINIA Panhandle Hydroculture 800 East Moler Ave. Martinsburg, WV 25401 304-240-7587 Mountaineer Gardening and Hydroponics 258 Kingwood St. Morgantown WV 26505 304-290-2460 Almost Heaven Hydroponics 3476 University Ave., Morgantown, WV 26505 304-598-5911 WASHINGTON AJ’s Indoor Gardening 1317 Summit St. Aberdeen, WA 98520 360-533-1170 _________________________

Island Horticulture Supply 8608 S March Point Rd. Anacortes WA 98221 360-293-0000 _________________________ Mike’s Indoor Garden Supply 6121 172nd Street NE #A, Arlington, WA 98223 360-474-1900 Belfair Garden & Lighting 24090 NE State Route 3 #F Belfair,WA 98528 360-275-2130 Green Gardens Distributing 12738 Bel-Red Road, Bellevue, WA 98005 425-454-5731 Northern Lights Gardening 4159 Hannegan Road, Bellingham, WA 98225 360-715-8585 Liquid Sunshine Hydroponics 5087 Lincoln Road, Blaine, WA 98230 Kitsap Garden & Lighting 2130 6th Street, Bremerton, WA 98312 360-377-1277 M & R Lighting Unit C 22914 Highway 410, Buckley, WA 98390 253-891-4190

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Island Horticulture Supply 1500 Port Dr., Burlington, WA 98233 360-293-0000 _________________________

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Grogro Hydro 12403 NE. 124th Street, Kirkland, WA 98034 888-7-GROGRO; 425-820-6200 _________________________

Hydro-Tech 2121 Aurora Avenue, North,Seattle, WA 98103 206-547-2202 ________________________

Indoor Tropics

5930 Sunburst Lane #B Cashmere, WA 98815 509-470-7782

_________________________ Indoor Gardening 111 W.Main Centralia, WA 98531 360-807-4259 Grow Center, The 615 South Fir DeerPark WA 99006 509-276-GROW Cascadia Garden Supply 188 A St. Eastsound WA 98245 360-376-6040 _________________________

KP Indoor Garden Store 8912 Key Peninsula HWY N Lakebay, WA 98349 253-884-SURE (7873) ________________________ InDoor Gardening 1158 Commerce Longview WA, 98632 360-353-3851 Indoor Gardening 5718 Pacific Ave. Lacey WA 00000 360-338-0676 ________________________

Indoor Tropics 704 N. Wenas St.

Ellensburg, WA 98926 509-933-4441 _________________________ Healthy Grow Indoor Garden Supplies 10 SE Everett Mall Way Suite B Everett WA 98208 425-374-2227 _________________________

Indoor Garden Depot 8630 Evergreen Way, Suite B Everett, WA 98208 425-347-0700 _________________________

Indoor Garden Depot 1401 S. 324th Street, Federal Way, WA 98003 253-874-1112 _________________________

North West Hydro Supply 1355 Pacific Pl, Ste. 101 Ferndale WA 98248 360-778-3254 _________________________ Fife Indoor Garden Center 1422 54th Ave. E. Fife, WA 98424 253-922-5352 Good 2 Gro 3507 W Clearwater Ave. Kennewick, WA 99336 509-737-1313 Hefty Harvest Garden & Hydroponic Supply 2825 Marvin Road NE Ste M Lacey, WA 98516 360-628-8964 _________________________

Indoor Garden & Lighting 714 South Central Avenue, Kent, WA 98032 253-373-9060 _________________________ Kent Garden Supplies Ltd. 18817 East Valley Highway, Kent, WA 98032 425-251-9299

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

Indoor Garden & Lighting 20505 Highway 99,, Lynnwood, WA 98036 425-673-2755 _________________________ Go-N-Green Hydroponics 1241 State Ave Suite #102 Marysville, WA 98270 360-386-8230 Green Acres Indoor Garden & Lighting 514 State Ave, Suite #102 Marysville, WA 98270 360-658-GROW (4769) Island Hydroponic & Supplies 1515 5th Street #B, Marysville, WA 98271 425-299-5855 Mike’s Indoor Garden Supply 1204 East Wheeler Road, Moses Lake, WA 98837 509-766-5856 M & R Lighting 17238 Memorial Drive, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273 360-848-1080 Northern Lights Gardening 1524 Riverside Dr #2 Mt. Vernon, WA 98273 360-982-2217 ________________________

Indoor Garden & Lighting 8606 Preston Fall City Rd. SE Preston WA 98050 425-222-9661 ________________________ Linda’s Gardening & Hydroponics 11522 Canyon Road East, Puyallup, WA 98373 253-531-9641 Renton Indoor Garden Center 329 Wells Ave. S., Renton WA 98057 425-917-9000 Eco Enterprises 1240 NE 175th Street, #B Shoreline, WA 98155 800-426-6937 _________________________

Aqua Serene 3839 Stone Way North, Seattle, WA 98103 206-547-GROW (4769) ________________________ Grogro Hydro 12316 32nd AVE NE #103 Seattle, WA 98125

Seattle's Hydro Spot 917 NW 49th St. Seattle, WA 98107 206-784-2161 ________________________

Sodo Hydro 1727 1st Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98134

206-682-9377; 888-90-HYDRO (904-9376)

__________________________ Northwest Horticultur-e Supply 161 Hooker Road, #1, Sequim, WA 98057 360-582-0702

SnoGro Indoor Gardening Supply 502 Maple Ave. Snohomish WA 98290 360-863-6935 509 Grow 2718 N Division Spokane, WA 99207 509-327-GROW(4769) Grow Center, The 2808 W Sprague Spokane WA 99202 509-456-GROW River City Hydroponics 1514 East Francis Avenue, Spokane, WA 99208 509-464-0246 Spokane Organic & Hydroponic Supply 4823 East Sprague Avenue E., Spokane Valley, WA 99212 509-534-4055 Spokane Organic & Hydroponic Supply 8701 North Division Suite D Spokane Valley, WA 509-468-4800 ________________________

Waterworks Hydroponics 5039 S. Washington Tacoma, WA 98409 • 253-301-4343 waterworkshydro@hotmail.com ________________________ Garden City Hydroponics 14103 Pacific Ave., S. Tacoma WA 98444 253-301-3985 ________________________

Indoor Garden & Lighting 3839 6th Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98406 253-761-7478 ________________________ Solar Shop 306 West 4th Street, Tonasket, WA 98855 509-486-4508 ________________________

Indoor Garden Depot 6400 NE Highway 99, Suite H, Vancouver, WA 98665 360-993-7779 _________________________

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National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 4525 NW Fruit Valley Road, Vancouver, WA 98660 888-478-6544 (Northwest) ___________________________

National Garden Wholesale/ Sunlight Supply 5408 NE 88th Street, Building A, Vancouver, WA 98665 888-478-6544 _________________________

Indoor Garden Supply LLC 1250 Atlantic Ave, Woodland, WA 98674 360-841-8055 WISCONSIN _________________________

Aric’s Indoor Garden Supply 1104 West Wisconsin Avenue, Appleton, WI 54914 920-574-3258 _________________________ Grow BIG Hydroponics 954 S. Westland, Appleton, WI 54914 920-749-4769 H2oGrow 1150 Madison rd Beloit WI 53511 608-289-1852 Brew and Grow 285 N. Janacek Road, Brookfield, WI 53045 262-789-0555 Sustainable Growth LLC 218 N Dewey St. Eau Claire WI 54703 715-901-0511 Garden Supply Guys 752 Memorial Drive - Suite A Green Bay, WI 54303 920-857-9493 Hydro Your Own 8501-75th Street, Unit C Kenosha, WI 53142 262 697 6112 Brew and Grow 3317 Agriculture Drive, Madison, WI 53716 608-226-8910 _________________________

Paradigm Gardens 4501 Helgesen Drive, Madison, WI 53718 608-241-3800 _________________________ Brew and Grow 2246 Bluemound Road Ste. B Waukesha, WI 53186 262-717-0666 PUERTO RICO _________________________

Tecno-Hydro Ave Campo Rico GJ17, PO Box 1450 Carolina, PR 00982 787-752-8252 _________________________

COMING UP IN april 2013

DO YOU KNOW?

Make sure salt levels in are below 100 ppm when we add microbes to soil or hydroponics systems. More salt than that causes the microbes to shrivel up and die.

Plants transpire about 99% of the water they receive, so the amount of water your plants receive is approximately the amount that needs to be removed each day.

Trichoderma have two enzyme systems: cellulose, which breaks down organic matter, and chitinase, which breaks down chitin (a major structural component of fungal cell walls).

Top 10 Errors in Applying Fertilizers As a product manager for a global fertilizer manufacturer, Don Lester routinely gets technical calls and troubleshooting requests from customers. Well, he kept a log of these calls and recently made a summary of the top ten biggest mistakes growers make when preparing and using fertilizers and other plant products.

Grindo No matter if you’re using soil, aquaponics or hydroponics with organic or synthetic inputs, Johnathan Valdeman argues that grindo (greenhouse/indoor) growing offers the best of both the indoor and outdoor worlds. This article explains why.

www.maximumyield.com Maximum Yield USA April will be available next month for free at select indoor gardening retail stores across the country and on maximumyield.com Subscriptions are available at maximumyield.com/subscriptions

Also, Stay in the Know with Maximum Yield’s E-News Every month Maximum Yield’s E-News brings you the latest news, tips and tricks, reader questions, contests and upcoming events. If you are not yet subscribed to our mailing list, sign up today at maximumyield.com/enewssignup 186

Maximum Yield USA | March 2013

A pH of 5.5 to 6.0 is ideal for most hydroponic systems.

Gaseous Nutrition Carbon dioxide: we all know it’s required for photosynthesis, but the amount you need is another question. The use and abuse of CO2 in small indoor gardens can be complex as different crops have varying responses different levels.

Never use pesticides or herbicides in your aquaponics system, as these chemicals are usually fatal to all fish and marine life.

In aquaculture, water from the fish pond or tank is fed to the plant growing media, where the billions of naturally occurring beneficial microorganisms break down the ammonia from fish waste into nitrite and then into nitrate.

Six hours or more of sun is suitable for full-sun plants, between three and six hours is considered either partial sun or partial shade and less than three hours of direct sun is considered full shade.

The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning that each value above or below neutral represents a tenfold increase in acidity or alkalinity from the previous unit.

The term powdery mildew is not just one disease. The name applies to the symptoms that develop. There are a number of different fungi genera that cause this powdery problem.

10.

The spread of downy mildew spores is maximized when night temperatures are between 41 and 50°F, with day temperatures of 54 to 68°F).