Maximum Yield Canada July/Aug 2011 by Maximum Yield

CANADA July-August 2011

I N D O O R

G A R D E N I N G

FREE

Atmospheric

Excellence: If Plants Could Talk

+ Root Zone Chilling: Handling the Heat Five Minute Lesson: Keeping a Close Eye on Temperature

www.maximumyield.com

2011

Indoor gardenING expo SAN FRancisco California, USA July 16-17

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contents Features

Root Zone Chilling: Handling the Heat

Atmospheric Excellence: If Plants Could Talk

Thinking About Winter Crops in Summer

Insect Invasion

Defining Green: Learning the Language

LEDs – Making Your Investment Worthwhile

Fine Food on the Go - Road Trippin’ With Daniel Klein of the Perennial Plate

by Dr. Lynette Morgan

by Hans Kersbergen

by Clair Schwan

by Charlene Rennick by Donald Lester by Theresa Ryan

by Daniel Klein

Indoor Herbs for Summer Drinks

Knowing the Three S’s of Controlled Release Fertilizers (CRF)

by Matt LeBannister

by Don Mulcahy

50 Departments 6

From the Editor

8 10 12 14 20

MaximumYield.com Letters to the Editor Simon Says MAX Facts

GMO vs. Selective Breeding

Five Minute Lesson: Keeping a Close Eye on Temperature

66 68 70 74 74

by Michael Bloch

Talking Shop Max Mart Distributors Do You Know? Coming up next issue

Product Spotlight Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

FROM the editor It’s shaping up to be a hot and sunny summer.We all know that high heat in an indoor garden can be a problem any time of the year, but even more so during the summer when outdoor temperatures are more likely to influence indoor environments.Your plants’ roots could be cooking while you, the grower, is completely unaware. Help them beat the heat with our root chillin’ tips on page 24. While you’re keeping a watchful eye on root zone temperatures, don’t lose sight of those nasty pests that will invade your space and attack your plants while your attention is elsewhere. All these helpful hints and much more fill the pages of our summer issue of your favourite magazine—Maximum Yield Canada. We’ve got our finger on the pulse of the indoor gardening industry in Canada and across the globe, and every issue we make sure you’re in the know too. Check out Max Facts for the latest news and trivia from our growing industry, including an Ontario school that is growing the food for their cafeteria hydroponically and the greenest breweries in British Columbia. This issue we feature some amazing Win

Big…Grow Big giveaways. Be sure to enter for free online at maximumyield.com/winbig.php by August 15. Maximum Yield is proud to announce a new lifestyles magazine, Hydrolife. Hydrolife is a free bi-monthly magazine featuring a vibrant editorial mix of grow tips, extreme sports, music and the arts, gear and clothing, events and so much more. Check

it out online at MYhydrolife.com starting August 1.You can also pick up a copy at our 8th Annual San Francisco Indoor Gardening Expo, July 17, 2011.This world-class event will feature over 200 unique exhibitors who are ready and eager to teach you about the latest products and technologies to help you grow BIG. Be sure to stop by the Maximum Yield/Hydrolife booth and say hello.

Jessica Raymond, Editor editor@maximumyield.com

contributors Donald Lester is the plant

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

Clair Schwan is an experienced

Don Mulcahy received his Bachelor

Hans Kersbergen is one of the

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

Dr. Lynette Morgan holds a B. Hort.

Michael Bloch is the owner and editor of GreenLivingTips.com, an online resource powered by renewable energy. The site offers a wide variety of earth friendly tips, green guides, advice and environment-related news to help consumers and businesses reduce costs, consumption and environmental impact.

gardener and builder of homemade greenhouses. For detailed discussion and pictures of his greenhouses, visit www.frugal-living-freedom.com. See his advice and counsel on a range of vegetable gardening and greenhouse topics at http://www.vegetablegardening-and-greenhouses.com

Become a Maximum Yield contributor and have your articles read by 250,000 readers throughout Canada,USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand. 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.

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

of Science degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1990. In 1993 he began his career with the J. R. Simplot Company and has 16 years of experience in the fertilizer industry. Licensed California Pest Control Advisor since 2003.Email: don.mulcahy@simplot.com Cell: 1-209-481-0070.

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

owners of BAC or Biological Activated Cocktail. Before joining the team in 2003, Hans had his own hydroponic shop for six years. His “How to Grow” seminars run in conjunction with BAC’s products as examples. After five successful years, BAC is expanding and will include their products in Holland, Spain, Germany, Portugal, UK and, in the future, U.S.A.

on the web Upcoming Events

8 Annual San Francisco Expo 2011 (SFIGE11) Maximum Yield’s 2011 Indoor Gardening Expo Tour will once again be making a stop in San Francisco, July 16 to 17 at the Fort Mason Center. This event offers education and entertainment rolled into one. We look forward to seeing you all in San Fran in just over one month. Countdown with us to this world-class event on indoorgardenexpo.com th

I N D O O R

G A R D E N I N G

VOLUME 14 – NUMBER 2 July/August 2011 Maximum Yield is published bi-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. 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 EDITOR - Jessica Raymond jessica@maximumyield.com

Featured Articles

ADVERTISING SALES 250.729.2677

Old Fashioned Crops are Making Comeback With a renewed interest in the culinary arts and gardening in general, we are seeing a resurgence of some old crop favourites and finding many of these are well suited to indoor and hydroponic production.

Companion Planting in Hydroponics Companion planting outdoors is a popular gardening trend, but in a hydroponic garden, it’s a whole different game. Pay attention to these fresh tips and success and great yields will surely result.

The Great Organic Hydroponic Debate Find out what’s organic and what’s not and how these two concepts—hydroponics and organics—can work together under today’s certification standards.

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 www.maximumyield.com. It’s that simple!

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Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

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LETTERS to the editor Yellow and Mellow

Win Big…Grow Big

In the December 2010 issue of Maximum Yield USA, I was happy to see Matt LeBannister’s article on dealing with yellowing leaves. Yellow leaves are a recurring problem in my crops. I was wondering if a nitrogen deficiency could be the problem in yellowing bamboo stalks as well. In an older online article from Therese Cressman (“Growing Guide: Lucky Bamboo, July 2010”) she says yellowing leaves are a sign of too much light or too much fertilizer. She recommends removing the yellow leaves right away. I did but my bamboo continued to suffer. Any suggestions to help my bamboo are much appreciated.

This is awesome, plus today is my birthday! Thanks for having such a great contest. If you have any extra light bulbs around, send them my way. Namaste. - Jessica Potter, Broomfield, CO, USA

Ruth Alston

If the leaves on the lower part of the plant are the ones that are yellowing it is likely to be a nitrogen deficiency. With bamboo it could be caused by fluctuating pH levels. Using pH drops to check the water before it is replaced might do the trick. Bamboo is often grown in containers that cannot be drained. I would recommend replacing the growing container and medium to rid the root-zone of built up nutrients that cannot be flushed. Hope this helps. Maximum Yield Contributor: Matt LeBannister

Trichoderma Schmichoderma What is the effect of Trichoderma fungi on weeds? I also want to know how to spell the names of these weeds.

Thanks so much! - Darin Sanddar, Whitehorse, YT, Canada This is awesome. - Anthony Jones, New Haven, CT, USA Thanks very much for your happy news. I am really excited; I never win anything. - Dave Bassi, Hamilton, ON, Canada I’m so excited. Much thanks to you Maximum Yield. Great magazine! - Catherine Lee, Oakhurst, CA, USA Wow, this is great news! - David Wilkey, Falls Church, VA, USA I am so excited to win. I can’t wait to try out my new grow pot. Your magazine is great and you have very informative articles. I really enjoy and look forward to reading your upcoming issues. I always learn something new. Well keep up the good work and thanks for having this contest and giving out some great free stuff. Going green in Cali. - Paul Garces, Modesto, CA, USA I wanted to thank Maximum Yield for the Geo Humus soil conditioner that I received as part of the Win Big...Grow Big contest. I have already put it to good use. Thank you once again. - Alfredo Cardoch, Raleigh, NC, USA My goodness! Thank you so much! - Curtis Ingleton, Hamilton, ON, Canada This is awesome! I am so excited I won. - Katie Hilton, Hilliard, OH, USA

Sara Qadomi

Trichoderma fungi are known to infect and live in a symbiotic relationship with many types of plants, including crop plants and weed species. Trichoderma are most famous for their dual benefits to crops: solubilizing soil nutrients for the plant and producing enzymes to attack soil pathogens. However, Trichoderma is also known to produce some substances toxic to weed hosts. Nodeweed (Synedrella nodiflora) and Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) are known to naturally harbor Trichoderma fungi, and the weed Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is known to be susceptible to Trichoderma toxins, specifically oxalic acid. Isolating biopesticide materials from Trichoderma fungi is a relatively new field of study. Maximum Yield Contributor: Donald Lester We want to hear from you! Write us at: Maximum Yield Publications Inc. 2339 Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 or e-mail us at: editor@maximumyield.com 10

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

And you can win too.Visit http://maximumyield.com/contests.php and enter by August 15 for your chance to win the latest grow gear.

Reader Props You have great looking magazine—sharp bright colours, good quality paper and covers. I look forward to reading every issue cover to cover in my ever expanding quest for more hydroponic/indoor growing information. I find the articles current and interesting. I find “Simon Says” great. Overall, much better than other similar magazines Ron Daily

SIMON says Hey Simon, I have a very simple question that has me and many other growers confused. I grow in a general purpose peat-based growing medium with vermiculite and perlite in buckets and I feed from the top. My question relates to pH. I have heard that peat-based grow mediums are soilless, and therefore should be watered/fed at 5.8 to 6.1 pH. I have also heard that these mediums should be treated like soil and watered/fed at 6.4 to 6.8 pH. Other people have said that they water/feed at 6.1 to 6.2 pH and certain fertilizer companies instruct watering/feeding at 6.3 pH. I’ve been looking on different forums on the Internet, and it seems to be an area that really confuses a lot of people. I’ve noticed that the medium I use has a pH of anywhere between 5.3 to 5.8, so with this in mind, what should the pH of my water be? What runoff pH should I be looking for? What pH should I be watering/feeding with using peat-based products? Jon The use of sphagnum peat moss is prevalent in both professional and hobby gardens alike. This type of peat has some very good characteristics but there is no perfect media. After being harvested and dried pure peat would have a low pH, somewhere between 3.8 to 4.9 depending on the source bog and material. A lot of peat suppliers can, and do, ship straight peat but most of what they ship out are blended products. The product you are referring to specifically puts a variety of ingredients into the compressed bales and loose bags to amend the peat. To adjust the pH, most producers use dolomite lime to buffer the peat medium to somewhere between 5.5 to 6.0 (although individual bags vary). This buffering can last up to three months depending on the environmental conditions and irrigation methods. Remember that the peat will have a much higher buffering capacity than the water, which can be easily adjusted. This means to adjust pH of the peat with irrigation water would be exceptionally difficult. Your fertilizer solution is best buffered at 5.5 to 6.5 as a general rule. There could be a pH outside that range that works well for your crop, so experiment when possible. To assess a medium’s pH without an analytical soil analysis you can monitor the leachate, which drains from the bottom of your containers. If you find the leachate pH is lower than your water supply you can try mixing calcium into the top layer of the soil.You can also attempt to follow a more complicated biochemical process if you know the composition of the fertilizer you are using. Ammonium

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

nitrogen (NH4) will result in a drop in the medium’s pH while Nitrate nitrogen (NO3) can raise the medium’s pH due to interactions in the rhizosphere. If you intend to reuse your peat be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove residual nutrients before checking the pH. If the pH has drifted below 5.5 be sure to add more dolomite to ensure that you start with a higher buffering capacity. Bacterial-based organic supplements such as worm casting and compost should have a higher initial pH and can be excellent amendments to a peat base. Using coir can also be useful to moderate the low pH of peat by blending in material with a higher pH. Be cautious because this will also affect the overall structure and moisture release curve of your medium. MY

Do you have a question for Simon? Send it to simon@maximumyield.com with the words “Simon Says” in the subject line, and your answer will be printed in an upcoming edition.

MAX facts

Hydroponic news, tips and trivia from around the world

Canada Blooms in Tune With Juno Awards Canada’s largest garden show teamed up this year with one of the biggest celebrations of Canadian music to attract people with green thumbs and those with a passion for music. In celebration of the 40th Juno Awards, Canada Blooms featured a performance by country album of the year nominee Carolyn Dawn Johnson, as well as feature gardens designed in partnership with Canadian musicians Sarah Harmer, Jully Black and Ben Heppner. Visitors entered the event with a walk through the Green for Life Garden, which is nearly 9,000 square feet and valued at around $500,000. In addition to multiple feature gardens, the five-day event boasted Canada’s largest floral competition, workshops and seminars by gardening experts. (Source: http://ca.topmodel.yahoo.com)

Urban farms: Old Macdonald Moves Downtown Canadian agri-business Vegetable Patch will enter its fourth year exchanging property for food this summer. Land and homeowners exchange their property to the company to grow vegetable gardens in place of grass for baskets of vegetables. Currently Vegetable patch has 12 gardens just outside downtown Ottawa. (Source: www.canada.com)

Society Releases Go Green Videos The Raincoast Education Society (RES) released the third and fourth clips in a series of “Raincoast Sustainable Living Videos” during Earth Week. The videos explore alternative transportation and lifestyle ideas in the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, including hydroponic growing techniques, chickens that compost, green roofs and glass crushing. (Source: www.canada.com)

Combating Plant Diseases is Key for Sustainable Crops Climate change is likely to make plants more vulnerable to infectious disease. Pest and disease management has helped double food production in the last 40 years, but 10 to 16 per cent of the global harvest is still lost to plant diseases each year costing an estimated $220 billion. Climate change is impacting on the micro-organisms that cause these diseases. (Source: www.sciencedaily.com)

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

MAX facts

Hydroponic news, tips and trivia from around the world

Canada’s First School-based Market Garden Students of Bendale Business and Technical Institute in Scarborough Ontario have been growing red and yellow chard and other crops for their landscaping and gardening class in what is believed to be Canada’s first schoolbased market garden. Culinary art students transform the crops into meals for the teacher’s cafeteria and the student cafeteria. Excess produce is also bundled and sold at a community farm market. Almost 1,800 pounds of food has been harvested thus far. (Source: www.thestar.com)

Spotlight on Two of Canada’s Greenest Breweries British Columbia-based Driftwood Brewery recently launched a locally-sourced beer “brewed entirely with barley grown and malted on the Saanich Peninsula. Crannóg Ales is another local and organic B.C. brewery. In their words, “We brew unfiltered, unpasteurized ales using only organic ingredients, some of which come right from our own farm.” Crannóg Ales is located on a farm in Sorrento, B.C. The farm and brewery are fully integrated, with the brewery providing food for the livestock, and the farm providing hops for the brewery. The water for the brewery comes from a well in the middle of our farm, fed by springs on the farm as well as streams from the mountains which surround us. (Source: www.treehugger.com)

When Will the Food Bubble Burst?

Montreal Awaits Rooftop Crops Montreal-based Lufa Farms is eagerly awaiting a crop of vegetables and herbs grown in what has been billed as the world’s first rooftop garden farm. The urban farm’s first harvest looks promising and is almost entirely pre-sold. Farm Facts: • The choice of produce is varied and plentiful, enough to fill 2,000 trolleys each week • Crops grown include everything from lettuce, peppers, zucchini, eggplant, bok choy and celery, to fine herbs such as rosemary, basil and parsley • The greenhouse spreads across 3,000 square metres above Montréal’s north end • It is completely automated • It features a rainwater collection system • It took $2M to build and stock the greenhouse Lufa Farms is already set to open another greenhouse on a city rooftop, five times larger than the original. (Source: www.rte.ie)

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Over the last few decades we have created a global food production bubble—one based on environmental trends that cannot be sustained, including overpumping aquifers, overplowing land and overloading the atmosphere with carbon dioxide. Food appears to be the weak link for our global civilization as well. The food bubble is based on the overuse of land and water resources. It is further threatened by the climate stresses deriving from the excessive burning of fossil fuels. When the bubble bursts, food prices will soar worldwide, threatening economic and political stability everywhere. The principal threats to our future are climate change, population growth, water shortages, spreading hunger and failing states. What we now need is a mobilization to reverse these trends. The challenge is to quickly reduce carbon emissions, stabilize population and restore the economy’s soils, aquifers, forests and other natural support systems. This requires not only a redefining of security but a corresponding reallocation of fiscal resources from military budgets to budgets for climate stabilization, population stabilization, water conservation and other new threats to security. (Source: www.treehugger.com)

MAX facts

Hydroponic news, tips and trivia from around the world

Vanilla: Preserving a World Favourite Flavour The Food Water Relationship

On average we drink between two and three litres of water per day. It takes 1,500 litres of water to produce just 2.2 pounds of grain and 10 times that amount—15,000 litres—to produce 2.2 pounds of meat. Total agriculture accounts for 70 per cent of total water use. To produce enough food to satisfy a person’s daily needs takes about 3,000 litres of water. It takes 1,000 times more water to feed the human population than it does to satisfy its thirst. The world is thirsty because it is hungry. Lesson: water is a renewable but finite resource. (Source: www.fao.org)

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Vanilla is one of the world’s best-loved flavours, second only to chocolate; it’s also the second most expensive spice after saffron, and demand for it is increasing all the time. Highly labour intensive cultivation methods and the plant’s temperamental lifecycle and propagation mean production on a global scale is struggling to keep up with the increasing demand for the product. But now its future in the global food industry could be more secure, thanks to University research. Scientists are working to create new and robust methods for the cloning of some economic species and some rare species of the orchid through tissue culture. Tissue culture or cloning of a high quality parent plant from somatic cells offers a viable and simple method for the large scale commercial production of vanilla plants. (Source: www.sciencedaily.com) MY

PRODUCT spotlight

Ask for them at your local indoor gardening store.

YOUR GUIDE TO THIS ISSUE’S HOTTEST ITEMS Boldtbags 5 Gallon 4 Bag Kit The Boldtbags 5 gallon four bag kit offers the perfect range of filtration with the 220, 160, 73 and 25 micron bags. Boldtbags are made from heat-fused nylon and FDA approved watertight lining. The Swiss grade mesh screens have been measured to the absolute micron and heat-stamped to prevent fluctuation. Boldtbags use reinforced military grade nylon stitching and are bolted at the stress points to keep everything in the bags and not on you. The durable nickel-plated grommets can be used easily with suspension systems and will never rust. Visit your local indoor gardening shop for more information.

Soft Twist Tie Garden Wire Now Available Through Authorized Greenstar Retailers The new Soft Twist Tie Garden Wire is a soft, pliable, reusable wire and great for fastening shrubs, plants, flowers, vines and decorations. UV stabilized and able to handle extreme temperatures, these Soft Twist Ties are available in four convenient roll sizes: five metres, 17 metres, 76 metres and 152 metres. For more information visit your favourite indoor gardening shop.

Hydro International Introduces the All New Arc Pruner Meet the latest member of our gardening line of products, the new KM-641-A ARC Pruner. Its small, curved, stainless steel blades prevent rusting and are perfect for fruits, vegetables, bonsai and flowers. Its ergonomic size fits perfectly in your hand and the non-slip handles are comfortable and make for a secure grip. The ARC is the ideal pruner when you need to get in close on dense foliage without damaging plants. The ARC also comes with a free bonus sharpening stone and extra spring. Visit your favourite indoor gardening shop for more information.

Titan Controls® Helios 11™ and Helios 12™ Sunlight Supply®, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of the new Classic Series Helios 11™ and 12™ 240 volt light controllers from Titan Controls®. The Helios 11™ and Helios 12™ feature premium quality Siemens brand relays, trigger cord sets for use with wall timers, multi-tap outlets allow that accept 120 or 240 volt cord sets and plastic enclosures that resist dust and moisture. The Helios 11™ will control up to four 1,000 watt lights at 240 volts and the Helios 12™ will control up to eight 1,000 watt lights at 240 volts. Be in control with Titan. Visit an indoor gardening shop near you for more information about the Helios 11™ and Helios 12™.

Guru 120W Finisher When it comes to growing, sometimes big is not your only goal. The Guru 120 watt Finisher is built for flowering and vegetative growth in small spaces—a spare cabinet, closet or cupboard that can be transformed into a mini plant heaven. It covers approximately eight square feet at 50 watts per square foot of comparable HPS lighting. It comes with a six month, 100 per cent money back return policy as well as a two year warranty. The Guru 120 watt Finisher is the Guru 300 watt Finisher’s younger brother. If you have a small space to fill with happy, high yielding plants, give them some love with the Guru 120W Finisher. Order today at your local indoor gardening shop. 20

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

PRODUCT spotlight

Your guide to this issue’s hottest items. Ask for them at your local indoor gardening store.

Fun and Entertaining TimeLapse PlantCam With the Timelapse PlantCam you can make a video record of an entire grow. Just set up a Timelapse PlantCam to take photos at timed intervals and you’ll soon have a fascinating video. Timelapse PlantCam takes high resolution (four megapixel) images. With no tools, additional software or wiring required, the camera is very easy to use; and set-up takes just three minutes. The rugged, weatherproof design makes Timelapse PlantCam sturdy enough for year-round use indoors or out. Included with the Timelapse PlantCam are batteries, mounting accessories and everything needed to create captivating videos suitable for sharing on YouTube and other websites. Visit your favourite gardening shop for additional information.

Boldtbags Large Cone 3 Bag Kit The Boldtbags Large Cone three bag kit makes filtration easy and efficient. Available in all the micron grades of the regular Boldtbags but the micron screen continues to the top where it attaches to a metal ring. The bag is tapered creating optimum downward flow, as well as out through the sides of the bag once product starts to collect at the base. The Large Cone tapers to a straight edge, and once all excess liquid is wrung from the bag, it can be inverted to produce a “brick” of extract or nutrients. Visit your favourite indoor gardening shop for more information.

Hydro International Presents Bloom Florigen Bloom Florigen is a flower spray like no other, guaranteed to increase flower uniformity. It will create rapid flower mass and it will enhance your plant’s health and vitality. Use 20 millilitres per litre of water spray solution every five to seven days of your flower cycle. Bloom Florigen contains B vitamins and is high in potassium compounds. For more information visit an indoor gardening shop near you.

Two New Premium Soil Products Join the Greenstar Line-up in BC and Alberta Guru 300W Finisher TThe Guru 300 watt Finisher LED grow light is engineered to replace a 1,000 watt HPS, using 1/6th the heat. It uses six different wavelengths of LEDs that plants crave. It is thoroughly tested and proven to work, which is why all of Guru’s lights are backed by a six month return policy and a two year warranty. The only thing you will miss when switching over is your electricity bill. It covers 20 square feet of dense growing space and eliminates the need for ballasts and hoods. It will save you big—approximately $500 a year—and will last about seven years. Designed completely to maximize yields, the Guru 300 watt Finisher will leave your plants healthy and your harvest ripe. Available now at your local hydroponics shop. 22

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Greenstar Plant Products is thrilled to now be distributing Eco-Soil’s Ultimate Potting Soil and Ultimate Potting Soil with Pumice within British Columbia and Alberta. Ultimate Potting Soil is a top quality soil product, high in organic matter. This mix is excellent for soil structure and is infused with a variety of essential ingredients for plants. Ultimate Potting Soil with Pumice combines the added benefits of pumice to the supercharged effects of Ultimate Potting Mix. Both of these fantastic soils are available in 35 litre bags through authorized Greenstar retailers. For more information visit your local indoor gardening shop.

Hydro International Presents the Original Miami Ballasts – Redesigned and Redefined The Original Miami Ballasts now come with our universal plug and are designed for those customers who are looking for the lowest price with the highest quality components available on the market today. This baby is near silent, simple to use and one of the coolest running ballasts around. 120 or 240? Doesn’t matter, we’ve got you covered. This ballast also comes with our innovative 120/240 volt easy switch. Here is the recap—cool running, super quiet, super heavy-duty, factory tested, hps/mh switch, 120/240 volt easy switch, power cord, handles. Visit an indoor gardening retailer for more information.

Boldtbags Large Wash Bag The Boldtbags Large Wash Bag is new and improved with a snap buckle closure to keep the zipper locked in place. The Large Wash Bag is made of Swiss grade quality mesh with reinforced stitching at the seams and military grade zipper and buckle. The mesh screen has been measured to the absolute micron and heat stamped to prevent fluctuation. Boldtbags Large Wash Bag can be used to help speed up the agitation process or to wash delicate laundry. It is the most durable bag on the market and comes with a two year warranty. Visit your local indoor gardening shop for more information.

Titan Controls® Atlas 3™, 4™, 5™ and 6™ Sunlight Supply®, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of the newest Atlas CO2 controllers from Titan Controls®. The Atlas 3™, 4™, 5™ and 6™ are all manufactured in North America. The Titan Controls® C02 control line integrates multiple features, all designed to help take the guesswork out of CO2 monitoring/ controlling in your garden. The Atlas line uses digital technology to monitor/control your garden CO2 levels to help you provide just the right amount of CO2. Be in control with Titan. Visit an indoor gardening shop near you for more information.

Guru Instigator Line of Lighting Greenstar Plant Products is proud to now distribute a long-standing industry staple, Wilt Pruf®. A natural pine oil emulsion, Wilt Pruf® protects valuable shrubs and ornamentals when under water stress by reducing moisture loss through foliage. Wilt Pruf® is the safe way to reduce moisture loss from windburn, winter kill, drought or transplant shock. Greenstar is pleased to carry Wilt Pruf in ready-to-use (RTU) and concentrated sizes. For more information visit your local indoor gardening shop.

Greenstar Welcomes Another Great Product to Our Lineup Greenstar Plant Products is proud to now distribute a long-standing industry staple, Wilt Pruf®. A natural pine oil emulsion, Wilt Pruf® protects valuable shrubs and ornamentals when under water stress by reducing moisture loss through foliage. Wilt Pruf® is the safe way to reduce moisture loss from windburn, winter kill, drought or transplant shock. Greenstar is pleased to carry Wilt Pruf in ready-to-use (RTU) and concentrated sizes. For more information visit your local indoor gardening shop. Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Root Zone

Chilling Handling the Heat

Is heat a problem in your indoor garden? Handle it with this advice so your plants can be at the top of their game. by Dr. Lynette Morgan

Heat loading in indoor hydroponic gardens is a common problem.The combination of high intensity lighting, small enclosed spaces, limited air exchange and sweltering summers all take their toll on plants. Small volumes of recirculating nutrient and restricted growing containers also contribute to heat buildup in the root zone, often to the point where roots can cook without the grower even being aware of the problem. A hot environment is hard to handle, often rather expensive to keep cool, and if combined with high humidity, the tropical conditions have some nasty consequences for plant growth and development. However, hydroponic systems can offer some significant advantages when it comes to a little manipulation of a plant’s physiology to boost yields and keep crops happy. Root zone temperature strongly affects shoot growth. In fact root zone temperatures play more of a role in growth and development than that of the air surrounding the plant.This is because the root tissue sends numerous `non hydraulic’ messages to the shoot, which influence the way the shoot responds to the environment. So with many plant functions under the control of what goes on down in the roots, temperature in the root zone becomes an extremely important factor to be keeping an eye on. Ignorance is not bliss Many of us have probably seen the effects of high air temperatures of crops—wilting, reductions in

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

growth, tip burn, premature bolting, loss of chlorophyll (leaves going pale and yellow), flower and fruit let drop, overall losses in yield and increases in root disease pathogens such as pythium that prey on stressed root tissue. At high temperatures, plant tissue has a rapidly increased rate of respiration that burns up assimilate produced during photosynthesis, leaving much less for growth and development. While most growers keep a regular check on the air temperature surrounding their plants and aim to keep this within an ideal range for the species being grown, few realize the potential of root zone temperature control. Nutrient temperature buildup can be surprisingly fast and become excessive under hot lights and in systems with very limited root zones, so regular root zone temperature checks are a good idea. Research has shown that even a short duration, less than 30 minutes of root zone heat buildup, can have a very negative effect on many crops, which can not be compensated by having a low daily temperature average. Just a few minutes a day of root zone temperatures over 30°C have been shown to retard the growth of some heat sensitive crops such as lettuce and parsley.

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Root Zone Chilling

Showing the impressive root structure of aeroponic production.

Root zone temperature physiology It seems that chilling in the root zone via the nutrient solution affects the plant’s physiology in a number of different ways, which allows the aerial portion of the plant to withstand higher than optimal temperatures. Firstly, we know a cooler nutrient solution holds more dissolved oxygen for root uptake, so that oxygen starvation is likely to be far less of problem than it would be with a warm nutrient. Secondly cooling of the roots to well below ambient air temperatures seems to allow higher assimilation rates by reducing both photo inhibition and stomatal closure that typically occur once the plant becomes temperature stressed. What is even more interesting is that the positive effects of nutrient chilling seem to be largely the result of changes in the production of plant growth hormones abcissic acid (ABA) and cytokinins that control a range of plant responses. Cytokinins are mainly synthesized in roots and any environmental stress in this tissue, such as high temperature, results in a shortage of this hormone being sent up to the shoots.Very low cytokinin concentrations in the roots of even warm season crops have been found after only five days at -12 to 38°C suggesting that the response of cyctokinin deficiency to high temperatures is very rapid. Cytokinins are important as they stimulate cell division, cell enlargement, chloroplast formation, synthesis of chlorophylls and proteins and in general, drive plant growth and development. The small leaf area, stunted growth and leaf yellowing often seen in heat stressed plants may be at least particularly attributable to a reduction in cytokinin synthesis in the roots. ABA is known as a stress hormone and has been found to increase in leaves when roots are exposed to high temperatures. ABA is inhibitory to growth and results in stomatal closure and the reduction in photosynthesis that results as the plant starts to shut down.

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Tricking plants into handling the heat Apart from keeping a close check on root zone temperatures to make sure they are not over heating and cooking the roots, there is a well proven technique that can be used to fool the physiology of many plants into handling higher then optimal air temperatures. Root zone chilling of the hydroponic nutrient solution is a technique being used commercially by many growers in warm or tropical climates, most often with cool season crops such as butterhead lettuce, herbs and other vegetables. In Singapore NFT, aeroponic and deep flow culture systems are utilized with extensive nutrient chilling to grow butterhead and Romaine lettuce, crops that otherwise do not grow or yield well at ambient air temperatures. Chilling the nutrient solution down to as low as 16 to 18°C, allows the cool season vegetables to crop well at ambient air temperatures that are often well above optimal for these crops (28 to 36°C). Without nutrient chilling, the root zone usually warms to the level of the air and this gives numerous growth problems including slow growth, lack of heart formation, bolting, tip burn and low marketable yields. Other researchers have reported that nutrient chilling of lettuce also reduces the occurrence of the fungal root disease Pythium aphanidermatum. Chilling the nutrient tricks the physiology of the plant into growing in air temperatures that would otherwise not be economic. However, trials have shown that while root zone chilling via nutrient cooling can have these effects, the root zone cooling must be applied soon after early crop establishment and maintained for the life of the crop for maximum effect. While this technique of root zone chilling is perhaps more economically viable with high value crops in tropical climates such as cool season lettuce, herbs and other vegetables, it has

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Root Zone Chilling

Lettuce being grown in a deep flow system with chilled nutrient under tropical conditions.

also proven to be beneficial for other species. Warm season plants such as capsicum and cucumber have also been shown in research trials to respond in a similar way to root zone chilling when ambient air temperatures are higher than optimal for their growth and development. Cucumber is warm season plant whose optimal root zone temperature lies around 25°C, once root temperatures increase to 35°C, severe reductions in shoot growth can begin to occur. Cucumbers grown at high air temperatures (38°C) have been found to have a larger leaf area and higher yield when the root zone was cooled to below 25°C. Capsicum (sweet pepper), another warm season crop has been found to respond to nutrient chilling when grown under warm aerial conditions in tropical Singapore. It was found that capsicum plants grown at a root temperature of 20°C had more leaves, greater leaf area and dry weight than plants grown at ambient root zone temperatures of 25 to 40°C even though both were under the same ambient tropical conditions of high temperature and light intensities. Under normal growing conditions for capsicum (22 to 26°C), having a nutrient solution temperature of 20°C would result in growth reductions, however, under the high temperature tropical conditions, root zone chilling to 20°C had significant benefits to crop growth and development

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Tropical lettuce production using DFT and chilled nutrients.

via altering the physiology of the plant to handle the temperature stress. Red basil plants, while normally considered a fairly warm season crop, have been found to have increased vegetative growth, more intensive development of purple anthocycanin pigment as well as increased development of aromatic compounds in the leaves when grown in a chilled nutrient at 25 to 26°C under tropical conditions. Cool season vs. warm season crops and nutrient chilling Obviously for the technique of root zone chilling via the nutrient solution to work effectively the correct temperature needs to be constantly maintained and this optimal temperature is likely to be not the same for all species. Cool season crops such as lettuce may benefit from nutrient chilling to a cooler temperature than warm season crops and there is evidence to suggest that root zone chilling is only beneficial when ambient air temperatures are consistently higher than optimal. Furthermore, as with any technique or treatment, overdoing it can have

“...we know a cooler nutrient solution holds more dissolved oxygen for root uptake, so that oxygen starvation is likely to be less of a problem than it would be with a warm nutrient.” some fairly drastic results—chilling the nutrient in a crop that is not under high air temperatures could potentially result in growth reductions or chilling damage, particularly with warm season plants. Such over chilling results in root tissue damage and decay, reduction in nutrient ion absorption and water uptake.

Even some warm season crops such as capscium have been shown to produce well under high heat and humidty with a certain degree of root zone chilling.

Chilled roots tend to be whiter, thicker and larger in mass than those grown at higher than optimal temperatures.

“Root zone chilling of the hydroponic nutrient solution is a technique...with cool season crops such as butter head lettuce, herbs and other vegetables.” Best systems for nutrient chilling Various studies on the effect of nutrient or root zone chilling for hydroponic crops under high heat conditions have shown that deep flow water culture gives the best results for many crops such as lettuce, herbs and other vegetables. Aeroponics and nutrient film techniques are also commonly used for root zone chilling; however, these seem less effective than deep flow methods. It is possible that the larger volume of chilled nutrient solution in deep flow systems maintains cooler temperatures for longer, while the thin (two to three millimetres deep) flow of NFT and fine mist of aeroponics tend to heat up more during application. Another possibility is that the more of the root system that is submerged in the chilled nutrient, the greater the effect on the physiology of the plant. In general, however, solution culture methods are the only effective way of providing consistent chilled nutrient solution and in insulated systems can be reasonably cost effective. MY

References He J, Lee SK and Dodd IC., 2001. Limitations to photosynthesis of lettuce growth under tropical conditions: alleviation by root zone cooling. Journal of Experimental Botany Vol 52(359): 1323-1330. Thompson HC, Langhans RW, Both AJ and Albright L D., 1998. Shoot and root temperature effects lettuce growth in a floating hydroponic system. Journal of the American Society of Horticultural Science Vol.123(3) 361-364. Dodd IC, He J, Turnbull CGN, Lee SK and Critchley C., 2000. The influence of supraoptimal root zone temperatures on growth and stomatal conductance in Capsicum annuum L. Journal Of Experimental Botany Vol 51(343) 239-248.

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Atmospheric Excellence:

If Plants Could Talk by Hans Kersbergen

Room Temperature The growth and bloom periods of plants are determined by time (12 or 18 hours), and also the colour of lights used (blue = grow period, red = bloom period). Plants will also react to the temperature of the room. The ideal temperature during the growth period is 24°C. This means summer temperatures during the day and in the evening will be warm. In this way, the plants will produce growth hormones, and when autumn 30 Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

starts, the daytime temperature will still be warm with the night time temperatures much cooler. When you keep the temperature in the bloom period 28°C when the lights are on and 20°C when the lights are off, it is a sign for the plants to produce bloom hormones.

Humidity Humidity is one of the most important properties to control in the grow room. In the growth period, you must keep the humidity around the plant about 85 per cent to avoid over-evaporation of cuttings. Focus your efforts on helping the substrate produce strong roots, which

will be going in search of water, an action you want to see during the growth period. The only item you must be aware of is curling leaves, an indication that the leaves have a cooling problem. This can be a direct result of lack of water circulation through the plant via the roots (root pressure) or the humidity in the room may be too low. As your plants grow, they produce more leaves, which signals an increase in evaporation. During this time you must be aware of the grow room’s humidity. A higher humidity causes the roots to work harder at bringing water to the leaves. If leaves start to curl, they need cool water via the substrate.

Fans and Air Socks It is very important to create the same temperature and humidity in the grow room every day. How do you do this?

The plants also need fresh outside air, as it contains CO2. Allowing your plants to continue to grow in the evening will provide an additional benefit of 25 per cent more CO2 thanks to assistance from the plants and trees outside. This air must be brought into the room evenly using an air sock (placed between the filter and the reflectors). When the inlet air is too warm (above 18°C) you must put the air sock below the plants. This air sock is also preventative against all kinds of spores and mites and it muffles a noisy inlet.

Water Temperature and Tank Your nutrient solution must be mixed in a reservoir that is dark in colour, as light will influence your water’s pH. Using a cover on the top of your tank will help keep light away. A circulation pump in the tank will help keep the nutrients dissolved in the water. An oxygen pump will provide improved root pressure. Another beneficial tool is a heating element in the tank, assisting with maintaining an ideal water temperature for the plant. The ideal temperature for the plant is 22°C—room temperature of 24°C minus the evaporation of the plant—this is around two or three degrees). When the water quality is very poor use a filter or bring down the hardness of the water with a pH nitrogen minus (acid eats lime). Don’t use the water too long (two or three days) because it will get warmer (lose oxygen) but also the pH of the water will rise.

As one of the most important properties to control, a proper humidity helps avoid over-evaporation.

dry, you can lower the EC in the water tank. But don’t forget to keep feeding. By neglecting your nutrient schedule, other problems will arise. Flushing can also create pythium (root rot) and long, stretching plants.

Watering Watering of the plants depends on your climate; this includes the humidity, temperature, EC and air movements (in and out). When you follow a feeding schedule exactly you will see you plants evaporate at just the right amount. MY

EC and Flush

Maintaining an ideal temperature in the grow room signifies plants to produce bloom hormones.

Place a ventilator in every corner so that air is blowing in a circle; this circulation will produce a cyclone. The only disadvantage to this is the eye of the cyclone will be at a higher temperature and humidity than the rest of the room. To control this, simply place your filter in the middle of the room to take away the air.

When salts build up in your substrate, it takes water away from the roots, causing them to have to fight for hydration. A domino effect then occurs, as the roots cannot get water quickly enough to the leaves and they start to curl. If this continues for a long period of time, the leaves will burn. Salt buildup is the result of improper nutrient ratios or a concentration of bad salts (chloride, sodium). Many growers flush their system when they start to see leaf curl, which they blame on too much nutrient. The best way to counteract leaf curl is to check the water levels in the substrate. If it is too

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

thinking about

Winter Crops

in Summer by Clair Schwan

Greens are some of the best and most versatile crops that come out of the garden, and fortunately, they're also one of the easiest crops to grow well into winter. None of us want to think about winter just yet, but if we’re going to be prepared to harvest vegetables in the colder months, then now is the time to prepare. Unless your indoor gardening plans include adding heat to the space, you can expect to only harvest vegetables in the winter as they won’t grow much. If you’re a frugal gardener like me, start your winter vegetables during warmer weather that is more conducive to growth. Timing is everything. The challenge is to start your cold hardy crops at a time when you can get them to reach maturity just as winter starts to set in. Sure, you can take your spring kale plants into winter, but you’ll be fighting a couple of issues; they’re tired and near the end of their natural life, and they’re probably too tall to fit comfortably under a row cover or cloche. This means you’ll have to start thinking about what you want to harvest this winter and get those seeds started now. That will allow you to bring newly matured plants into the winter months, under the protection of your unheated greenhouse or garden tunnel. These fresh recruits will perform much better for you in the winter than any plants that were started in the spring, simply because they are younger and still have a zest for life. Another fine quality of newly matured plants is they tend not to be excessively tall, and 32

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therefore fit better under a cloche or row cover. As an example, Winterbor kale can be 6 to 90 centimetres tall after a full season of growing and harvesting. Being so high off the ground not only requires a relatively large row cover, but it also places the plant up away from the medium that naturally serves as the “thermal battery” during the winter months.

If you’re interested in growing through the winter, now is the time to start planning your garden. Stay focused on cruciferous vegetables, salad greens, root crops and Chinese vegetables that are in the mustard family. Good luck, and may you be successful in stretching the growing season by selecting the proper plants and giving them the basic protection they need. MY

Here are a few of my favourite winter harvesting crops. Consider direct seeding these now.

Kale is very cold hardy and capable of surviving outdoors in milder winter climates. Given a modest amount of protection, kale can do very well in an unheated greenhouse.

Bok Choy prefers cooler weather.The ground in the greenhouse was frozen solid and all my plants took a hit, except the Bok Choy, which was in fine condition through to harvest. Carrots can be planted most any time of year.They probably won’t notice the first few frosts. The above ground portion might show signs of colder weather, but the root portion will be fresh and crisp in the ground for many weeks after all the summer plants are on the compost pile. If you cover the carrots with mulch or row covers, you can dig fresh carrots well into the winter, possibly all winter long.

About the Author:

Clair Schwan is an experienced gardener and builder of homemade greenhouses. For detailed discussion and pictures of his greenhouses, visit www.frugal-living-freedom.com. See his advice and counsel on a range of vegetable gardening and greenhouse topics at www.vegetable-gardening-and-greenhouses.com

Onions and Leeks

are cold hardy cousins even though they thrive in warmer weather. Leeks are the most cold hardy of the two, but onions can last longer into the winter months if you give them protection like thick mulch. Leeks are typically used right out of the ground, and onions are typically cured so they can be stored in the cellar.

Lettuce and Salad Greens

can do quite well into the colder months if you provide double protection. I’ve seen lettuce seedlings grow at low temperatures in an unheated greenhouse using a simple cloche. They might look a little ragged after a night in the deep freeze, but they can come back during the warmth of the day.

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t c e s In sion a v n I

Meanwhile, back at the greenhouse... There are many ways that plant growth can be disrupted: insufficient light, not enough or too much water, imbalanced nutrients, not enough or too much humidity or lack of root development. In a hydroponic garden, these environmental controls are stabilized by the gardener, but occasionally indoor plants can be compromised by outside influences. Insects can destroy a crop in a relatively short period of time if the grower is not prepared for the onslaught. Bugs are sneaky. They can hitchhike into your home on fresh produce, potted plants, clothing or through an open door. These chompers with wings have different ways of attacking a plant. They can munch off the leaves it needs for development before it flowers or infiltrate the growing medium around the root system. Much like a military operation, the invasion of insects is organized, swift and specific. These flying teeth have goals. Sometimes an insect invasion is specific to one species of plant while others create a wider scope of destruction. What to look for and how to defend yourself Pests with teeth go for the fleshy part of the leaves, stems and flowers. They eat until there is nothing left but veins; a mere skeleton. Those without teeth still manage to make effective use of their mouths and will suck the sap right out of the plant. These bugs are trained in subterfuge and opt to attack from underneath the skin of the plant where they remain invisible to human detection. Spot insects before the damage is done Even the stealthiest of insect attackers leave a trail of clues to follow. These can be used to establish their location and to expose their weaponry: teeth or without teeth. If teeth have been used, the carnage is obvious. Alternately, sap suckers are harder to detect. Plants that

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drop seemingly healthy leaves that have not discoloured are one indication. A lifeless stem that cannot support the weight of the plant and failure to grow is another. An assessment of damage should be completed before any counterattacks are made. Can the plant come back from the injury or is it irreparable? Are the parts of the plant the bugs are using for food the same as yours or will you still have your harvest when it comes time? Is the damage to the plant going to prevent it from completing its growth cycle? Non-toxic pest control for hydroponic gardens If you think the plant can overcome the attack, there are non-toxic treatments that can be used to save the plant without making its fruit inedible for humans. If your problem is mites or other chomping bugs, spraying the plant with a canola oil mixture will suffocate them.

Pyrethrin is a natural pesticide derived from chrysanthemum flowers and has been successful in destroying insects without harming to the plant. Other effective organic substances available that destroy bugs without causing harm to the plant, the environment or people include: • brightly painted strips of paper slathered with Vaseline • predator bugs • cider vinegar/dish soap mixture

c i x o t nonBrightly painted strips of paper slathered with vaseline will attract and trap a variety of pests, keeping them away from your prized plants.

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Defining Green

by Donald Lester

Learning the Language

ORGANIC

NATURAL

Recent news stories about global warming, pollution, recycling and renewable energy reflect the public’s increasing awareness of environmental issues. And all of this awareness has prompted businesses to generate a flurry of new marketing terms to capitalize on this interest. This influx of new terms into the market can be confusing. However, these terms fall into four main categories that have been around for decades: organic, natural, sustainable and green. Once you know the differences between these categories then you can better understand the new marketing terms coming into the marketplace. In most polls consumers don’t know the difference between these four terms. But to the groups that support these environmental causes there are significant differences. All of these terms relate to the environment in a general way but each has a different emphasis.

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

SUSTAINABLE

GREEN

Organic Most people think the term organic refers to foods or products that do not have any synthetic pesticides or hormones. And they are correct. But there is much more to it. The term organic is regulated and its use on labels has legal implications. The term organic (and its uses) is overseen by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP). This program is the umbrella program administered by the U.S. government. All other organic certifying programs fall under this standard and must meet or exceed these standards. There are some 45 organic certification organizations in the U.S. and many have their own emblems or logos for manufacturers to use on their products to indicate compliance.

The organic certification of a product involves several criteria. For example, organic products cannot contain any genetically modified organisms or genetically altered ingredients, no sewage sludge derived materials, no chemically synthesized ingredients and no chemical pesticides, plus many other criteria too numerous to mention here. For more information see the Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI) website: www.omri.org As a rule organic materials command a higher price in

“The term organic is regulated and its use on labels has legal implications.” the marketplace than their conventional counterparts mainly because a farmer needs to stop using conventional pesticides and chemicals for three years before he can grow an organic crop. It is because of this expense, and the non-regulated status of the term natural, that companies are switching to natural to command the same high price premium without all of the regulations and costs associated with using the term organic. Natural The term natural refers to the popular belief that synthesizing a food item results in a loss of its nutrients and beneficial health properties. Health conscious people tend to gravitate towards natural and organic labels. But, the term natural is not a regulated term. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated it has no plans to establish a formal definition of the term natural because it has other priorities for its limited resources. However, in terms of food the FDA established some broad guidelines in 1993 that still hold today: The product must not contain added colour, artificial flavours or synthetic substances. And use of the term natural is not permitted in the ingredient list, with the exception of the phrase natural flavourings.

Several industries are trying to establish criteria for using the term natural. The personal care products industry has established national certification standards for use of the term. But, because there is no regulation, an increasing number of manufacturers are using the term natural to capitalize on its popularity. For example, 23 per cent of all new products launched globally in 2008 featured the term natural according to the market research organization Mintel. The marketing term “100 per cent natural” scored the highest on a survey by EcoPulse as the most identifiable marketing term. Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Defining Green: Learning the Language

Sustainable The term sustainable relates to production processes and practices that can be maintained without harming the environment or depleting natural resources. In the case of farming, some environmental groups believe that the conventional use of synthetic chemicals is not sustainable because the land becomes worn out and over time loses its ability to support crops, microorganisms, insects and other life. For farming and horticultural businesses, processes like composting, using cover crops and water recycling are all considered sustainable processes and farms and nurseries that utilize these practices would be regarded as sustainable. In

“Green products might be manufactured from recycled components.” general, this term is not limited to processes anymore; businesses in all sectors are now claiming they are sustainable. The term “sustainable agriculture” is more broadly defined by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture as an integrated system of plant and animal production practices having a site-specific application that will over the long-term: satisfy human food and fibre needs; enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agriculture economy depends; make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls; sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole. Green The term green (also known as eco-friendly, nature friendly and environmentally friendly) refers to the impact of the product on the environment. In general, green products are those products deemed to have less of a direct negative impact on the environment, or are less detrimental to human health than their conventional equivalents. Green products might be manufactured from recycled components, or be manufactured in a more energy conservative way, or be supplied to the market with less packaging or less shipping to reduce pollution. Green products might also reduce the production of waste products compared to their conventional counterparts. Using the term green in marketing materials is also referred to as Environmental Marketing, Ecological Marketing and Eco-Marketing. Determining whether or not a product is green is not always straightforward. For example, in the energy sector nuclear power might be considered a green source of energy because it does not contribute to air pollution. But critics argue that the negative environmental impact of radioactive waste far outweighs any benefits gained from the reduction in air pollution.

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

In a survey of 1,000 consumers EcoPulse found that 60 per cent of Americans indicated they are looking for greener products. But green is another unregulated term. As you might expect, green industries claim they are easier on the environment than their competitors. Although the public wants green products there is some skepticism of green claims, mainly because a few unscrupulous companies have made green claims that were false. The practice of presenting a product or service as green when it isn’t is called greenwashing. If a company is found to be greenwashing, its reputation in the market is severely tarnished. Symbols, Emblems and Logos Most eco-labelling is voluntary and not mandatory by law (with the exception of organic claims). Because many eco-terms are not regulated by the government, several third-party entities have emerged to create their own guidelines. Each entity has its own emblem that a manufacturer can use to certify its compliance. There are literally dozens of emblems in the marketplace. A searchable database of these emblems is featured on the Consumer Reports website at www.greenerchoices.org The market, the public, politicians and even the U.S. economy are all moving toward more environmentally safe products, practices and services. Now that you know a little about the differences in the eco-labelling terms used in the market today you can make better choices about which produces to purchase and which companies to support, such as those that employ environmental philosophies and adopt environmental practices. MY

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

LEDs

Making Your Investment Worthwhile by Theresa Ryan

LED grow lights are flooding the market with the promise of saving energy, enhancing the growth cycle and glowing for years. Here’s how to choose the best LED indoor grow lights and make your investment worthwhile.

What to look for when buying LED grow lights I’m sure you’ve noticed that LED grow lights are not cheap—and if they are, you need to know why. An educated consumer ends up with the best value for their dollars spent. The LED grow light market is filled with manufacturers churning out plastic models that are inefficiently designed in order to lower costs. The consumer buys an LED light with no ventilation that burns out in five months, just when the warranty expires— perfect. In order to prevent this frustrating scenario, you need to know who you are buying from and develop trust in the company before purchasing their LEDs.

LED bulbs LED bulbs (or chips) are the most important components of your new light. Cree, Bridgelux and Semiled are the world’s leading providers of high-performance LED chips. Can’t find this information 42

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on an LED grow light manufacturer’s website? Simply ask your retailer who manufactures their chips; this will ensure that your lights are bright, efficient and long lasting. Some manufacturers keep costs down by using poorly designed plastic LED chips, and I can assure you these will not provide optimum illumination and will die very quickly.

designed circuits protect the chips even in the event of a power failure. Ask your potential supplier what their power supply failure rate is—a safe design will be under five per cent. If your power supply fails and the chips are protected, you can easily replace the power supply for under $10. After all, your LED chips are meant to last 50,000 hours, and in most cases the power supply will die before that.

Power supply Small, precious LED chips need protection from their power supply, so specially

Heat dissipation At this point you are beginning to see a

from where the growth is happening. Your LEDs should boast a strong, direct wavelength with a chip housing designed to reflect directly onto wherever you position it, thus ensuring the output is being used efficiently and is keeping your plants as strongly illuminated as possible.

Warranty

trend—you really have to care for that little chip. After all, it’s pumping out the light that grows your crop. LED chips are very sensitive to heat, and if the design of the chip and the material used allow heat to build up, the light will burn out very quickly. The chip needs to breathe—it needs air circulation. A heat sink base houses the chips internally, and while some manufacturers use thin pieces of flat aluminum board or plastic to increase surface area, this configuration does not allow heat to dissipate, and in this situation the chip will overheat and die in about four to six months. A solid lighting fixture, on the other hand, will use a cast metal heat sink with fins or a column structure to ensure the chips have proper airflow. Better heat flow equals peak performance—and a longer lifespan.

Wavelength Lower efficiency ratings on HID bulbs stem from the fact that their light wavelengths are not directed 100 per cent onto the subject—instead, they emit their light at a full 360 degrees. The beauty of LEDs is their direct wavelength—there is no wasted light bouncing off the top of the housing and reflecting back, or spreading out in other directions away

Find a company who can give you a reliable guarantee on their product. With a big initial investment, you want to be covered in case of any defect and ensure the lights are actually saving you money on energy. If the new LED lights you’re considering aren’t very good, the supplier will probably not be willing to offer you a substantial warranty, because low-quality LED lights deteriorate very quickly. Some foreign factories state they offer warranties to US customers, but even if the warranties are legitimate, the logistics of returning the defective items overseas can be extremely difficult if they don’t have a branch in the US. If your lights stop working, you would have to ship the lights back overseas, wait a very long time for a diagnostic—and then who knows if you will ever see the light again? Check out companies that offer at least a two year warranty and a return process online for you to check out. If you’re feeling like a real social animal, you might also want to call them and talk to a customer service rep to get some answers.

Company location, information and a live contact

profitable business. Investigate, and look for the key qualities we’ve discussed. LEDs are the future for indoor growers who are serious about consuming less energy to produce higher crop yields of strong, healthy plants. Replace those lights that make your meter spin like crazy now, and invest in LEDs that’ll save you energy, time and money—but first be sure to do your homework. Follow these guidelines and find a reputable company that uses state-of-the-art technology and the best materials available to produce the high-quality LED fixtures you’ll need to achieve your best crop. MY

“Find a company who can give you a reliable guarantee on their product. With a big initial investment, you want to be covered in case of any defect and ensure the lights are actually saving you money on energy.”

If a company does not freely offer contact information such as a phone number, address or a contact person, stay away. Some will just display an e-mail address. Be extremely wary with these companies. Whether they offer great prices or not, you’ll want to avoid getting scammed by sellers overseas looking to make a quick buck.

Price Some companies boast super-low prices on their LEDs—you need to think about what materials they are using in order to keep the prices so low and still be a Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Fine Food on the Go -

Road Trippin’ With Daniel Klein of the Perennial Plate

Chef and activist Daniel Klein of The Perennial Plate ventures across North America on the Good Food Road Trip in search of fine food with a sustainable edge, making a stop in Vancouver and Montréal.

Tell me a little bit about the Perennial Plate and your role in the series? After learning to cook at my mother’s bed and breakfast, I went on to work and train at many of the world’s top restaurants. My culinary education brought me to Spain, France, England, India and New York, where I worked and trained at top Michelin starred restaurants. After graduating from NYU, I also pursued a career in film. I directed, filmed, edited and produced projects on various issues including the development industry in Africa and oil politics. I wanted to do something I would enjoy that combined

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

all my skills and wasn’t sure I wanted to keep doing restaurant work for the rest of my life. I’ve always considered myself an activist. I try to have some point of impact of

improving things in food or the world or whatever. Putting all those ideas together, the idea of The Perennial Plate came up. Originally it was going to be a pilot for a TV show. As I filmed I saw individual pieces that were really great on their own. Getting it seen by people can be frustrating so instead of going through traditional avenues of getting the work I just up it on the Internet. It was pretty overwhelming at first—filming and creating something new every week—but it was enjoyable and I met incredible people and people started watching, which is really wonderful. Once I got into the swing of things and had some more time

I’ve always considered myself an activist. I try to have some point of impact of improving things in food or the world or whatever. Putting all those ideas together, the idea of The Perennial Plate came up.

to reach out and talk to people on Twitter and Facebook, more and more people started to watch. After season one we thought, “What should we do next?” Going around America just seemed like a no brainer, plus I wanted to travel. We did fundraising through Kickstarter.com, a crowd funding platform. Through Kickstarter, you post a video about your project, set yourself a goal—ours was $20,000—and you offer rewards for each donation amount. For instance, a $30 donation received a copy of our first documentary film, a $60 donation got a t-shirt, and so on. If you reach your goal, you get the money; if you don’t reach your goal, no one’s credit card is charged. We gave ourselves a month to raise the money and we did it in a couple weeks. We had over 450 people donate to us. It was really inspiring to see all those people give so generously. We also get the occasional donation on our website. The Perennial Plate is making an impromptu stop in Canada. Will this be your first trip to Vancouver? Yes. What are you plans for the Vancouver episode? I’m not sure yet. We’re currently

working on it. I’ve heard wonderful things about the seafood in Vancouver so we’ll probably focus on that. Perhaps we’ll do something with raw fish. I’m very excited because everyone I talk to whose been there has raved about it. It’s beautiful there with good food so I’m really looking forward to it. For Mirra’s birthday and my

birthday we’ll be in Canada—Vancouver for Mirra’s and Montréal for mine—so hopefully we’ll have some good footage up there and have a nice time. Canada wasn’t part of the initial plan but we were so close and we really wanted do to go to those two cities. Six months is a long time to be on the road but a short time to span the country. We could spend so much time in these two places but we just don’t

have the time. I think we’ll spend four or five days each in Vancouver and Montréal, which is more we’re spending anywhere else, with the exception of New Orleans and New York. Have you always wanted to be a chef? I haven’t always wanted to be a chef and I don’t know if I ever thought that. My mom is a good cook; she teaches cooking classes and has a bed and breakfast. I was raised learning how to cook and eating good food. While making my first documentary film after college I started working as a waiter for a couple months and was asked to go into the kitchen. I liked it and I was so into it. From that opportunity I got to work and cook all over the world. What made you decide to cook (and eat!) for a living? I love to cook and I like storytelling and working on changing the way we eat in this country and around the world. I needed a project that would combine these two passions. What is your goal or hope for the Perennial Plate? I hope people continue Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Fine Food on the Go

to watch. I’d love for the Perennial Plate or its offshoots to continue to make people think about their food, try to cook and be entertained while learning where their food comes from. I want to do a cookbook and possibly a TV show based on this trip around the country. Who knows from there? There are a lot of opportunities. This trip is all consuming so it’s hard to think about those things right now. How do you decide on the focus for each episode? We put out a request for story ideas on the website so we have at least 500 ideas from people around

the country. We’re stopping in a lot of different places and if what we film isn’t good, we don’t use it; if it works out, great. In Iowa the initial idea was heirloom seed savers but we weren’t able to capture the essence of it on film in the short time we had. We did feel like we got that something special from a dairy farmer in southern Iowa.

What is the most exciting or interesting thing you’ve seen or done so far on the “Good Food Road Trip”? This trip has been an awakening for me to all the diversity that is America. The people are

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

really interesting; they are generous and kind. I’ve met with people from the middle-of-nowhere Mississippi with 50 guns and a flag on their wall and then I’ve met with New Orleans folks who own a hotel. I’m pretty sure if the

three met they wouldn’t get along. In the backwoods parts of America there’s really two stories going on. There’s that sustainable/adventurous aspect, people really connecting with their food— hunting, fishing. But then they’ll prepare it with something form Wal-Mart. This is

I don’t really think there’s an answer to what sustainable eating is. I think as long as you’re engaged, looking for answers or challenging the way you eat, then that’s a good place to be.

so far from buying local and people getting back to where their food comes from. It’s pretty fascinating really. What is your definition of “real food”? Real food is when you make it yourself, when it’s not processed and the source is at least thought about. From the show’s perspective it means seeing where food from comes, its beginnings. I like to show what’s special or awesome about food from how it’s killed or harvested, how it’s prepped and how it’s cooked. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned so far about sustainable and socially responsible eating? I don’t really think there’s an answer to what sustainable eating is. I think as long as you’re engaged, looking for answers or challenging the way you eat, then that’s a good place to be. With each person we meet and place we go I gain new perspectives. Ideas haven’t necessarily been learned so much as reinforced. Sustainable eating is about making

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

People love food and they love to learn about where their food comes from.

informed decisions based on each individual product, which is really difficult for people to understand. Eating local isn’t always the best choice, for example. For something that grows well in your area in the right season, then yes, local is the best thing, but not if it’s being forced out with lots of water and feed that can be harmful. All farms are not near cities, so it’s hard to make certain products locally. I have learned not to be dogmatic about how I eat. There isn’t always time to find out where your food comes from. People love food and they love to learn about where their food comes from. Sometimes I think we’re too obsessed with food and it can be a little overwhelming; it is meant to be enjoyed. Do you see urban or modern gardening as a trend with staying power? I think more people are getting back to farming and growing their own food; I sure hope that continues. That’s a really fantastic trend. Do you and Mirra garden at home? Yes. We have a garden and we have chickens. I’m not the greatest gardener, though. I have a laissez-faire attitude towards planting. MY How can our readers learn more about Real Food, sustainable and adventurous eating and the Perennial Plate? www.theperennialplate.com www.Facebook.com www.Twitter.com/perennialplate

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Wild Spring Green Pizza

Recipe: Ramp Pesto Ingredients: • 1 part ramp leaves • 3 parts nettles • 1 part garlic mustard • 1 part dandelion greens • 1/2 part extra virgin olive oil (more if needed) • salt

Instructions:

Blanch the nettles in hot water followed by an ice bath. Wring out the water. Puree all the ingredients together.You can add nuts or parmesan if you want, but we we’re going for more of a sauce consistency. This could be used in pasta or as a sauce for more full flavored fish or a lighter meat. We used it on pizza, with a few dollops of chevre and cooked it in a wood-fired oven then garnished with some micro greens.

Recipe: Pizza Dough Ingredients: • 1 cup levain • 3 cups flour • 1/2 cup warm water • 2 tablespoons EVO • 2 teaspoons sea salt

Instructions:

Because I was making dough for 150, I mixed the dough in a mixer. But for a small batch, do it in a bowl. Add a little extra water if necessary.You want the dough to be nice and wet. Once the dough is formed (as little mixing as possible, just knead until combined), I let it rise for a couple hours in the kitchen and then overnight in the fridge. The next morning, I divided it into small balls, covered with a damp towel and let it slowly rise again until I was ready to cook the pizzas. In the heat of a wood-fired oven they don’t take more than a minute.

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Indoor Herbs for Summer Drinks by Matt LeBannister

All in favour of a refreshing twist on summer drinks, raise your glass.

fter an abnormally long winter—that in many parts of the country lasted through spring—summer is finally here. With summer comes warm weather and long, sunny days. These days are filled with fun in the sun by the pool, at the beach and in the garden. To cool off why not enjoy a delicious summer drink accented with some of your indoor garden herbs. The herbs suggested in this article can be grown easily under fluorescent lights or in a sunny windowsill.

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

indoor herbs for summer drinks

There are many herbs that grow easily indoors that add a unique, refreshing twist to summer drink standards.The one that is most often used and is the most versatile is mint, of which there are many varieties. The most common varieties for summer drinks are peppermint, spearmint, lemon mint and orange mint. Each has its own unique flavouring so preference is up to the individual. Each type of mint makes a great addition to mint juleps, mojitos, lemonade, iced tea, fruit punch and iced soda water. A pinch or sprig of mint leaves in a cool summer drink can make any drink special and extra refreshing. Another herb that makes a great addition to certain summer drinks is basil.There are many different varieties of basil including sweet basil,Thai basil and lemon basil. Each has a unique taste and smell. Fresh basil will best accent iced tomato or vegetable juice, Caesars and Bloody Marys. Basil has a very strong flavour and can overpower the drink if too much is added. A great way to ensure the basil does not overpower the other flavours is to freeze one to two leaves of basil in an ice cube the night before. As the ice cubes slowly melts the flavour will release into the drink.This can be done with any of your favourite herbs.

Another great way to infuse a drink with herbs is to make your own herb flavoured syrup. To do this first choose your favourite indoor grown herbs. Mint, lemon balm, basil, thyme, tarragon, basil and lemon verbena all grow easily indoors and taste great. To make the syrup first add a half cup of sugar and a cup of water into a small sauce pan. Bring the mixture slowly to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mix thickens. Take the pan off the heat source and add a few pinches of your favourite herb. Once the syrup has cooled, 30 minutes to an hour later, strain out the herbs and allow the syrup to continue cooling in the fridge. Now the syrup is ready to be added to your drink.You can make a great summer herb drink by adding two to four tablespoons of your newly made syrup to a glass of soda water and ice. Garnish with a slice of lemon or lime, serve and enjoy. There are so many great herbs and great summer drinks that you can mix and match. Experimenting until you find the perfect combination is part of the fun. With the variety of herbs that can be grown indoors, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unlikely youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll ever run out of fresh summer drink ideas. MY

Recipes for Summer Drinks With Herbs Iced Tea With Mint

• Brew favourite tea at double strength and pour over ice • Add lemon slices • Add a ½ cup of mint leaves per pitcher

Basil Spicy Caesar

• Dip rim of glass in lemon juice then celery salt • Add one cup of tomato juice with or without clam juice • Add a couple of dashes of Worcestershire sauce • Add a dash of hot sauce • Garnish with a sprig of basil instead of celery

Mojito • • • • • •

Crush one tablespoon of mint leaves Add the juice of half a lime Add one to two tablespoons of sugar Add one ounce white rum (optional) Add ice and carbonated mineral water Stir well

Thyme Lemonade • • • • •

A ½ cup of fresh lemon juice A ½ cup of water One tablespoon of sugar Couple pinches of fresh thyme One ounce gin or vodka (optional)

Mint Julep

• One tablespoon of sugar • One tablespoon of lemon juice • Four to six mint leaves and one sprig of mint for garnish • One cup crushed ice • One ounce bourbon (optional)

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Knowing the Three S’s of Controlled Release Fertilizers (CRF) by Don Mulcahy For many gardeners controlled release fertilizers have become an important part of their supplemental plant nutrition program. There are many advantages to using a controlled release fertilizer, and before choosing one, it is important to know the three S’s: safe, simple and sensible.

Advances in Controlled Release Fertilizers: Controlled release fertilizers were developed originally to slow or control the release of nutrients over time.With a controlled release fertilizer, the full amount of nutrients can be applied at the time of planting, or at the earliest stages of growth, thereby continuously releasing the nutrients to the plant’s roots over time so the plant can adapt to its nutrient needs.

How it works: Controlled release fertilizer begins to work after application when soil moisture enters an encapsulated fertilizer and the nutrients inside the coated granule dissolve but are not yet released. Once in a solution, the encapsulated nutrients can release slowly and consistently for months to the root zone through diffusion. Upon completion of the release of nutrients, the coating membrane will collapse and microbially-decompose into naturally occurring carbon dioxide, ammonium and water.

Safe: Controlled release fertilizers are intended to maximize the efficiency of nutrients while minimizing the potential risk for negative environmental effects such as leaching and runoff. Soil texture affects how nutrients and water are retained in the soil. Clays and organic soils hold on to nutrients and water longer than sandy soils.As water drains from sandy soils, it often carries nutrients along with it through the soil profile.When nutrients 54

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

N-P-K

leach through sandy soils, they are not available for use by plants. Sandy soils are extremely vulnerable to nutrient loss through leaching. It doesn’t matter if you are growing ornamental plants, strawberries or citrus—the crops you are growing demand the utmost safety and performance. Controlled release fertilizers improve nutrient uptake in crops grown by decreasing the potential of nutrients lost to groundwater.

Simple: The benefits provided by additional nutrients may depend on when they are delivered to the growing media and in turn available to plants growing in the media. Sudden delivery of too much fertilizer can be wasteful or even detrimental, causing soluble salt injury to the plants. Delivery of too little fertilizer or delayed fertilizer of an adequate amount may starve plants. It is beneficial to provide fertilizer that delivers relatively uniform rates of nutrients to the growing media. When growing a diverse range of crops growers want to keep their fertilizer program simple while giving the plants the nutrition they need for optimal performance. For a significant amount of the container grown nursery business in North America, growing

“colour” has become more common and is defined by growing a plant from start to finish and sold in one season. In a North Carolina State University research experiment by Richard Bir titled Fast Tracking Color Crops: Does Fertilizer Count?2, controlled release fertilizers from four different companies were applied once at the beginning of the experiment with completely soluble fertilizers applied weekly. The fertilizers were applied at three rates so that all plants were fertilized at a rate that was calculated to provide the same amount of nitrogen per pot per month from the different sources of fertilizers for each test species. The conclusion was that “controlled release fertilizers consistently produced the best growth regardless of the company providing the fertilizer.” In another experiment titled Slow Release vs.Water Soluble Fertilization Affects Nutrient Leaching and Growth of Potted Chrysanthemum3, Charm and Delano chrysanthemums were planted in a peat-based root medium using standard greenhouse cultural practices. Fertilizer treatments included: (1) alternate liquid fertilizer of a water soluble N-P-K formulation alternated with tap water, (2) constant liquid fertilizer, (3) controlled release fertilizer and (4) slow release tablets.The end result was that the root dry mass was higher for plants that received the controlled release fertilizer, more than double for those that had the constant liquid fertilizer. It was determined that “the resulting larger root system which developed with controlled release fertilizer compared to liquid feed fertilization may be considered an advantage of using a controlled release fertilizer instead of frequent applications of high concentrations of soluble fertilizers.”

“Controlled release fertilizers maximize the efficiency of nutrients while minimizing the potential risk for negative environmental effects.” “Cents” ible: Growers are demanding more from their fertilizers today than just a source of plant nutrients. They want reliable products that can help them move plants to market quicker with better quality at a lower cost. Using controlled release fertilizer makes sense, because they have the ability to keep nutrients available to the crop during its lifecycle. There is greater nutrient uptake efficiency to the plant using a controlled release fertilizer, and more nutrients are protected from loss since they are metered out daily. Controlled release fertilizers allow the maximum amount of nutrients to be taken up by the plant, and reduce lost nutrients due to leaching or volatilization. Growers will also save money on labour, equipment and the cost of repeated fertilizer applications. The technology being utilized today to encapsulate fertilizers is state-of-the-art and has been refined over the last five decades.

Simple - This wholesale nursery in Hollister, CA grows perennials with controlled release fertilizers at a low rate.

Growers who use these controlled release fertilizer technologies are achieving results that go beyond a plant’s nutritional needs, they are achieving results that impact their bottom line as well. MY

Footnotes 1. Ashok K . vs. ControAlva, Differential Center, U lled Release FertilizLeaching of Nutrie niversity o n f Florida ers, Citrus Researc ts from Soluble h and Edu 1992. 2. Richard cation B Dept. of Hir, Fast Tracking C Research orticultural Scien olor Crops: Does F University and Extension Cent ce, Mountain Horticertilizer Count? , 1999-20 er at Nort u 00. h Carolinaltural Crops State 3. Christo ph Suave, Sloer J. Catanzaro, K Nutrient w Release vs. Wat imberly A. William published Leaching and Grow er Soluble Fertilizas and Roger J. in the Jou t rnal of Plah of Potted Chrysation Affects n nt Nutrit ion Vol. 21,themum No. 5, 199 8.

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

by Michael Bloch

Find out the difference between Genetically Modified (GM) crops and selective breeding, the dangers of GM crops and how they work against nature.

I decided to write this article after visiting a teacher’s resource site and came across a lesson plan aimed at children that alluded to transgenic or Genetically Modified Organism (GM) crops being better than the crops we have today that have resulted from thousands of years of traditional selective breeding techniques. The lesson plan smacked of some of the old pesticide campaigns such as “DDT is good for me” and we all know how that turned out. DDT was originally hailed as a miracle pesticide and deemed safe but was banned in most circumstances across the USA by 1972. Over three decades later, traces of it can still be found in animals— even in penguins in Antarctica. I’ve been following the “for and against” GMO arguments for a few years now hoping to see enough evidence to dispel any misgivings; but exactly the opposite is happening. Let’s take at look at selective breeding vs. GMO processes as this is an incredibly important topic in relation to the future of our food security, the wider environment and our freedom. In terms of urgency, it’s on par with the issue of climate change in my opinion.

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Selective breeding Selective breeding is the process of developing a plant or animal based on selecting desirable characteristics of the parent. For example, saving seeds for replanting from plants within a crop that have shown to be particularly robust or breeding a white dog with a black patch over its eye via two parents that have the same trait. Humanity has been tinkering with selective breeding for thousands of years. Often it has been beneficial and has led to many of the food sources we have today. However, it can really only go so far—within species or closely related species. Interbreeding between totally different species doesn’t and can’t happen with traditional selective breeding techniques—and it doesn’t happen in nature either. It never has as far as I know and there is a very good reason for it. Species evolve in nature through natural selection (the survival of the fittest), or through mutation where an abnormal trait is introduced by mistake that proves to be beneficial to that plant or animal, and that mutation is passed on, becoming dominant.

GMO

Contamination

GMO stands for genetically modified organism. When used in reference to food GMO is usually shortened to GM. This is where the genes from one species can be introduced into an entirely different species through human intervention. For example, taking a gene from a jellyfish and inserting it into the zebrafish genome created the glofish—a fish that glows in the dark. Another example is genes from a bacteria inserted into food crops so that the crop can create its own insecticide. These plants and animals are also known as transgenic.

It’s been shown that GM crops do escape and infect other crops (referred to as outcrossing). The ramifications of that are not only the reduction of crop biodiversity by the invasion of crops we still don’t fully understand, but it’s also related to the intellectual property issue mentioned above.

Owning a species As these transgenic plants and animals have a different genome (genetic makeup), they are new species that have been patented. They are the intellectual property of the company that created them and these companies exercise tight control over how they are used. Biotech companies force farmers to sign contracts stating that the farmer will not save seed produced by the crop. What we are seeing is a handful of companies taking control over food crops, replacing them with species they own; even the seeds we buy for our backyard veggie gardens. It’s another good reason to consider buying heirloom and heritage seed lines.

“Humanity has been tinkering with selective breeding for thousands of years. Often it’s been beneficial and has led to many of the food sources we have today.”

Here’s an example Farmer A grows a GM crop with seed provided by Company X. Farmer B grows a non GM crop. Farmer A’s crop invades Farmer B’s crop through pollination; subsequent generations are infected with the GM genes. Company X now effectively owns Farmer B’s crop.

There’s documented cases whereby companies producing GM crops have prosecuted people in Farmer B’s situation. WHO (World Health Organization) also mentions a case where traces of a maize type, which was only approved for feed use, appeared in maize products for human consumption.

GM crops, herbicides and pesticides The overuse of pesticides and herbicides has always resulted in the same situation—insects/weeds develop resistance or nontarget species (including humans) being negatively affected. Some crops have also been genetically manipulated to resist certain herbicides. The company creates not only the crop, but the herbicide the crop is resistant to. The end result is farmers spraying even more herbicide knowing that it won’t kill the crops. The weeds become resistant and round and round we go. Stronger/better poisons will need to be created and another crop will need to be developed to be immune to it. Meanwhile, what other damage has been done?

Lack of study The GM industry is huge and it’s very powerful; with many complicit partners in government.You’d be surprised how many high ranking politicians and bearers of office have either worked for major biotech and agribusiness companies before entering office or immediately upon leaving. In some cases it’s a revolving door—work for the company, then work in the Department of Agriculture or the EPA, then back to the company. Due to this infiltration, the studies you’d think would be required to release these plants and animals onto the market for human consumption simply haven’t been done.

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

GMO vs Selective Breeding

Allowing GM crops and animals to become the core of our food supply could end in disaster. Transgenic crops are not in harmony with nature, they fly in the face of it. And what happens when our activities work against nature? Climate change is a classic example.

GMOs and your child’s education

A crop-duster completes an aerial application of pesticide on a field.

The guinea pig In a nutshell; people are the GM experiment.You’re the guinea pigs of this brave new world of GM; and the sad thing is, nobody asked your permission. The situation is bigger than us too. Other animals feed on the same crops that we do. What will be the long term effects on them? What will happen when creations such as the glofish invariably get into aquatic ecosystems? Nobody can say because nobody knows. As for human health, a recent study published in the International Journal of Biological Sciences claims to have established a link between three GM maize varieties and negative effects on kidney and liver function in rats after just 90 days of feeding. In addition, some effects on heart, adrenal, spleen and blood cells were also frequently noted.

Is the future frankenfood? GM crops are hailed by their proponents as the answer to the world’s food shortage. It’s my opinion that this is at best naive and at worst a plain lie. If you’re looking for a more informed point of view, have a read of the Union of Concerned Scientists report, Failure To Yield. After 13 years of commercialization, the report concludes that these frankencrops have done little to increase overall crop yields. There is no food shortage problem, there is a food wastage and distribution problem. The world creates an abundance of food.

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Ask your children what they are being taught about GMO at school. If the teacher’s lesson plan I viewed is indicative of what our children will be learning, I fear we are in deep trouble. But don’t take my word for it. The above really only scratches the surface of all the issues related to the GM crop and food industry. Research the topic, the “for and against” arguments. But whatever conclusion you arrive at about GM food; it remains that selective breeding is very different to the technology behind GMO. Our children deserve to know, because without that knowledge, they are more likely to accept GM food without questioning it, and I fear that is the plan. MY

“Allowing GM crops and animals to become the core of our food supply could end in disaster. Transgenic crops are not in harmony with nature, they fly in the face of it.”

Maximum Yield Canada | May / June 2011

Five Minute Lesson:

Keeping a Close Eye on Temperature

The best thing you can do to avoid extreme temperatures in the grow room or greenhouse? Pay attention. Extreme temperatures affect us. They affect plants too.

Temperature affects plant growth, flowering, seed production and pollination. If the environment is too cold, seeds won’t germinate, cuttings won’t root and flowers won’t produce pollen. Your plants will grow slowly or stop growing altogether. If the environment is too cold, your seeds won’t germinate and cuttings won’t root. Plants can die from oxygen deficiency or succumb to pathogens that like higher temperatures.

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Control your nutrient solution temperature.

Temperature affects the growth rate and structure of plants. Most plants prefer a root zone temperature of 18 to 22ºC (cooler for winter crops, warmer for tropical crops). Keep your solution at around 20ºC for the best oxygen content and uptake by the roots. High water temperature (above 22ºC) quickly reduces dissolved oxygen and increases the risk of root disease.

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Tips Cold water temperature can shock roots and cause other problems. Adding water to your reservoir? Get it to the same temperature as the root zone water before you start the pumps. Rapid changes to the temperature of the solution will stress plants.

Prevent big temperature swings. In winter: Put a heat mat under your

reservoir or use aquarium heaters for your nutrient. In summer: Use chillers and protect your solution from direct sunlight by insulating it or sinking your reservoir in the ground.

If you can’t prevent temperatures from rising too high, lower plant stress levels by lowering the strength of your nutrient solution. A warm, dry environment evaporates water quickly. Evaporation can cause big problems by increasing the concentration/conductivity of the nutrient solution. Can’t easily lower the temperature of your growing environment? Try covering your reservoir with black and white plastic (white side up, black side down).This will reflect light away and help prevent evaporation. Reducing direct light on the solution will also slow or prevent the growth of algae and bacteria. If you’re growing indoors, be aware of the heat from plant lamps. A slight change in a light’s position can make a big difference to growth. Outdoors, or in a greenhouse, the amount of sunlight will affect the temperature of your growing environment. MY Article contributed by Bluelab Corporation Limited

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

yield of

TALKING SHOP

AT A GLANCE Company: Yield of Dreams Hydroponic Owner: Noel Metcalf Location: #12, 559 Steven Court Newmarket, Ontario Phone: 1-877-954-1476 Web: www.hydroponics.com Motto: “If you plant it, it will grow.”

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Owner Noel Metcalf with his star employee Kurtis McIlroy, who always wears a smile.

You might call Noel Metcalf and his accountant said it was amazing we wife Dawn late starters—they had a made money in the first month. The baby to celebrate their 25th wedding Homegrown family helped us get a anniversary recently, and it took jump off the start. They were one of Noel quite a while to realize that he the pioneers.” didn’t really like being a mechanic Most new retail operators find their for a living—but since they’ve gotten first few years to be a bit of an uphill themselves into the retail hydroponics slog, but when Noel opened Yield of biz, they couldn’t be happier. Dreams Hydroponics it seemed like Noel had always been sort of everything just fell into place. fascinated by gardening. “We didn’t struggle!” Noel laughs. “Like many people, when I was “It has been a great ride. I’m so lucky. young—just a kid—I helped my So many people want to be the boss parents and grandparents with their at something they love, and I’ve never gardens.” he explains. “When I moved had a day at work when I wasn’t happy. out I started The best part my own of my job is garden. One “What makes us unique is our ‘low pressure, that I do help day a bright no pressure’ sales. To be successful you don’t people all the light came need to sell, you need to help customers solve time. To see on and I their problems.” a customer decided I smiling and wanted to successful is do this for a living. I made enough in probably the best reward.” the first year to cover my wage.” Noel had a bit of family business It’s not usually that easy to establish background, and it seems like that’s all a new retail hydroponics business, he needed. but Noel had a head start because he “Growing up, my parents had was working with a well-established businesses and I learned a lot from company when he broke in, and that them,” Noel says. “I learned the made all the difference. gardening part from love and that “We started up as a Homegrown comes easy.” Hydroponics store,” says Noel. One of the right things Noel did “They’ve been fantastic for us. Our when he opened his shop was pick a

f dreams great spot. There’s no getting around it—in the retail business, location is everything. “We’re now considered one of the best stores in central Ontario. There’s not much competition in the area. We’re centrally located and close to Toronto, so we bring customers from all around—they drive up to two hours to see us.” Noel also learned early on that great service and selection are the two things you can’t do without in the hydroponics trade. Just two years ago Noel was fortunate enough to find Kurtis McIlroy to work with the Yield of Dreams team. Kurtis is very knowledgeable about indoor gardening and he gives the customers the advice they need to be successful, plus he’s always wearing a smile. “We always have a broad selection of inventory for customers,” he says, “and we have a reputation for always having products when our customers need them. If it is a quality product, we offer it to our customers. You really have to believe in the products you’re selling.” Noel likes to see his products help people to grow greener, and he sees a great future in the marriage of hydroponics and organics. “Our main line is the Dutch Nutrient line, because it is high quality and because the customers demand it—the repeat business on it is fantastic. We also carry an increasingly large organic selection, including the complete Botanicare line, raw guanos, earthworm castings, more advanced compost teas; it’s nice to see people responding to

Noel’s youngest son scoots around the shop, which is like a second home. All three of his children grew up in the shop.

Yield of Dreams features a large garden lush with over 300 plants of all varieties.

that. I’m always happy to help them get away from the chemicals if that’s what they want to do.” Once Noel gets people in the store is when his selection starts to shine. He’s got great products that really work and they tend to sell themselves, particularly when customers can see the results on-site. “We have a big garden in our store with over 300 plants, and depending on the time of year we grow pineapples, tropics, greens and more. This allows us to test all the systems and nutrients.” Nobody gets a hard sell when they walk into Noel’s shop. “What makes us unique is our ‘low pressure, no pressure’ sales. To be successful you don’t need to sell, you need to help customers solve their problems—and they’ll come to their own conclusions as to what they need.” Noel’s work seems to make him happy at home as well. Although Dawn helps out all the time, and their three kids are a bit of a fixture in the shop, theirs is a pretty ‘traditional’ relationship. “My wife and I have three children—a 10 year-old daughter, a nine year-old son and an 18 month-old baby—and the family has been a perfect fit with the business. They’ve grown up in the

store,” Noel says. “But Dawn takes care of our three kids. She is my backbone and support, and she makes it possible for me to come to work and spend the time I need to at the business.” Does Noel have any words of wisdom to share with our readers about the retail game, the indoor growing industry or the “Noel likes to see his products help people to grow greener, and he sees a great future in the marriage of hydroponics and organics.” future of the hydroponics business? Of course he does! “There’s a lot of satisfaction to be found in this business,” he says. “Even after 13 years I’m happy every time I walk through the door. If you love what you do and you’re diligent about it, you will be both happy and successful in the hydroponics industry.” MY

The shop is centrally located in Ontario and is considered one of the best stores in the area.

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

MAX-MART

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

WIN BIG! MAXIMUM YIELD’S

GROW BIG! 4 Chances to WIN

every 2nd month for the entire year! Enter now at maximumyield.com/winbig

1 WIN Serenade Garden Prize Pack Serenade Garden Disease Control contains the active ingredient Bacillus subtilis, which controls and suppresses a broad range of fungal and bacterial diseases. Prize pack includes: Serenade Garden Disease Control (32 ounce concentrate), Serenade Garden one gallon pump sprayer, Serenade Garden tablespoon. Visit www.serenadegarden.com

3 WIN Cultilene Rockwool Blocks (1 case, 48 pieces, 6” by 6” by 6”) Cultilene rockwool cubes feature Cultilene’s unique PlantCOMFORT fiber structure with superb air-to-water ratio resulting in better roots and faster initial rooting. They also feature Optidrain with cross-shaped grooves along the bottom of the block, allowing for excess water to run off faster, better aeration and less root damage. Visit www.dlwholesale.com and www.cultilene.us

2 WIN AIBC LED Grow Light The plug-and-grow, nine watt LED grow light can fit almost anywhere and will last over 50,000 hours. AIBC’s grow lights are the next generation of high power LED technology. The nine watt bulb is ideal for all phases of plant growth and works well with any hydroponics or soil-based indoor garden. Visit www.aibcusa.com

4 WIN Nature’s Solution Organic Products Nature’s Solution Organic Products prize pack includes Sea Kelp (one pound makes 80 gallons), Ancient Humate (one quart makes 64 gallons), Mycorrhizae (one pound makes 320 gallons) and Worm Castings (five pounds treats 64 square feet). These are very concentrated products and a great value for the consumer. Visit www.nature-technologies.com, www.gardeningwithnature.net

Draw closes on August 15, 2011. For complete contest rules, go to maximumyield.com/winbig Prizes may not be exactly as shown. 69 Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

MAXIMUMdistributors YIELD ALBERTA Double AA Garden Supplies Ltd. Bay 9 2820 Centre Avenue Calgary, AB T2A 7P5 403-273-9188 IncrediGrow Garden Centre 103-7500 MacLeod Trail SE Calgary, AB T2H 0L9 Garden Centre 403-255-0740 Quick Grow 1-1204 Edmonton Trail Road NE Calgary, AB T2E 3K5 877-426-4769 Smart Grow 2422 - 23 Avenue, NE Calgary, AB T2E 8J4 403-236-9999 Twins Greenhouse 13 - 2235 30th Avenue, NE Calgary, AB T2C 7C7 403-273-2881 Hydro-Lite 12249 Fort Road Edmonton, AB T5B 4H7 780-477-7860 Niloc Wholesale Inc. Box 82008 Yellowbird RPO Edmonton, AB T6J 7E6 780-885-4769 Fusion 5 Organic Gardens Inc. PO Box 5821, 120B 1 Street, SW High River, AB T1V 1P3 866-652-2594 BRITISH COLUMBIA Interior Gardener’s Supply 221 - 1 McDermid Road, Box 1257 100 Mile House, BC V0K 2E0 250-395-3399 A.R.I. Research 120 - 4111 Hastings Street Burnaby, BC V5C 6Y7 604 433 6067 Jon’s Plant Factory 3925 East Hastings Burnaby, BC V5C 2H8 604-294-3000 Solar Greenhouse and Hydroponic Supply 4752 Imperial Street Burnaby, BC V5J 1C2 604-438-7244 Hygro Gardening Supplies Inc. 1791 Tamarac Street Campbell River, BC V9W 5Y7 250-286-0424 Canadian Garden Supply 1730 Highway 3 Castlegar, BC V1N 4W1 250-304-2911 Sun Beam Central 3444 River Road Chemainus, BC V0R 1K4 250-246-1379 Chilliwack Indoor Garden Centre Ltd. 311 - 44500 South Sumas Road Chilliwack, BC V9R 5M3 604-824-2944 Valley Indoor Geenhouse Supplies 103 - 44195 Yale Road West Chilliwack, BC V2R 4H2 877-702-1169 Art Knapp 2855 Wentworth Road Courtenay, BC V9N 6B7 250-334-3024 Just-N-Tyme Greenhouse and Hydroponics Supply 1094 McKenzie Avenue Courteney, BC V9N 3C5 250-703-0476 Pacific NW Garden Supply 1139B Industrial Road 3 Cranbrook, BC V1C 5E3 250-489-4761 Cowichan Hydroponic Supplies 4 - 2955 Jacob Road Duncan, BC V9L 6W4 250-746-0244

Your Plant’s Personal Trainer

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Duncan Plants & Ponics 6512 Bell McKinnon Road Duncan, BC V9L 6C1 250-746-5591 Better Than Nature Enderby 1900 George Street Enderby, BC 250-838-5502 Growing Solutions Box 650, 1150 Bowlby Road Errington, BC V0R 1V0 250-248-1101 Kamloops Sunshine Gardens Greenhouse Superstore 5 - 1744 Kelly Douglas Road Kamloops, BC V2C 5S4 877-372-2270 Room 2 Grow 901 Laval Crescent Kamloops, BC V2C 5P4 250-372-3663 West Coast Gardens Equipment and Supplies 113 - 805 Notre Dame Kamloops, BC V2C 5N8 250-851-2992 Better Than Nature Kelowna 725B Evans Court Kelowna, BC V1X 6G4 250-868-8978 Oasis 12 - 1771 Cooper Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 7T1 250-763-4769 Pacific NW Garden Supply Unit C1 - 1810 Kyle Court Kelowna, BC V1Z 3Z4 250-769-4791 Sal’s Indoor Garden Supplies & Hydroponics 187 Asher Road Kelowna, BC V1X 3H5 778-753-5549 BC Hydroponics 3 - 20092-93A Avenue Langley, BC V1M 3Y4 604-888-5716 Green Earth Garden Supplies Unit 5, 19300, Langley Bypass Langley, BC V3S 6K2 604-532-7106 GreenStar Plant Products Inc. 9430 198 Street Langley, BC V1M 3C8 604-882-7699 Excel Air Systems 200 - 20170 Stewart Crescent Maple Ridge, BC V2X 0T4 604-728-0757 Pacific NW Garden Supply 109 - 20110 Lougheed Highway Maple Ridge, BC V2X 2P7 Planting Plus Greenhouse Supplies and Hardware 22394 Dewdney Truck Road Maple Ridge, BC V2X 3J2 604-466-5949 Triple Tree Nursery 20503 Lougheed Highway Maple Ridge, BC V2X 2P9 604-465-9313 Nutty Zone 5 & 6 - 33201 London Avenue Mission, BC V2V 4P9 604-814-2223 Long Lake Nursery Hydroponic Supply 4900 Island Highway, North Nanaimo, BC 250-758-5012 Progressive Growth 41 - 1925 Bowen Road Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H1 800-405-4769 Tridon Hydroponics 12 - 1708 Bowen Road Nanaimo, BC V9S 1G9 250-755-1900

Vancouver Island Garden Supply Ltd. 4770 Wellington Rd Nanaimo, BC V9T 2H3 250-585-8881 Kootenay Grower’s Supply Nelson 721-G Front Street Nelson, BC V1L 4B8 250 353 1887 Pacific NW Garden Supply Unit 14- 104 Silica Street Nelson, BC V1L 4M1 250-354-4767 Buckerfields 587 Alberni Highway Parksville, BC V9P 1J9 250-248-3243 Sundogz Garden Supply & Hydroponics 30 - 1365 Old Alberni Highway Parksville, BC V9P 2B8 250-954-2046 Better Than Nature Penticton 101 - 78 Industrial Avenue, West Penticton, BC V2A 6M2 250-770-8978 Advanced Wholesale Superstore 406 - 1952 Kingsway Avenue Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 6C2 604-945-0174 Aurora Lighting 750 3rd Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3C5 250-564-9888 Backwoods Hydroponic & Garden 10590 Carlson Road Prince George, BC V2K 5E5 250-963-9541 PG2 1798 Nicholson Street Prince George, BC V2N 1V6 250-612-4769; 1-888-817-4769 Skytek Indoor Solutions 833 4th Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3H5 1-800-975-9835 Spruce Capital Feeds 1694 Quinn Street Prince George, BC V2N 1X3 250-564-6010 Omega Garden Inc. 1695 Peligren Place Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 2S3 250-752-1301; 888 976 6342 Garden Effects 200-2288 #5 Road Richmond, BC V6X 2T1 604-214-6620 Pacific Rim Indoor Garden & Lighting 170- 12111 Bridgeport Road Richmond, BC V6V 1J4 604-232-4468 Natural Choice Garden Centre, The 5500 48th Avenue, SE Salmon Arm, BC V1E 1X2 250-832-7151 S.A. Ecoline Products Ltd. 5671 Auto Road, SE Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4S1 250-833-4769 Nico’s Nurseryland 830 - 28th Street, NE Salmon Arm, BC V1E 2S7 250-804-2004 Mylo’s 3837 Squilax Anglemont Hwy Scotch Creek BC V0E 1M0 250-955-0525 Green & Clean Energy Co. Ltd. 2875 Cudlip Road Shawnigan Lake, BC V0R 2W0 250-732-7224 Happy Acres Greens & Backroad Hydroponics Equipment 2058 Cambie-Solsqua Road Sicamous, BC V0E 2V0 250-836-3878

Kootenay Bubble Refinery PO Box 81 Slocan Park, BC V0G 2E0 250-226-7753 Garibaldi Nurseryland & Florist 38917 Progress Way, Squamish Industrial Park Squamish, BC V0N 3G0 604-892-3892 Coastal Growers Supply 103 - 12824 Anvil Way Surrey, BC V3W 8E7 604-599-1778 Fast Eddie’s Systems 108 - 18760 96th Avenue Surrey, BC V4N 3P9 604-888-2499 Garden King Supplies 7533 135 Street, Unit 109 Surrey, BC V3W OM8 604-598-1912 Pacific NW Garden Supply 15374-103A Avenue Surrey, BC V3R 9V8 604-588-4769; 800-443-4769 Warehouse Garden Supplies & Hydroponic 109 - 8173 128 Street Surrey, BC V3W 4G1 604-543-3177 A+ Gardening Supplies 1450 Venables Street Vancouver, BC V5L 2G5 604-876-4769 BN Garden Supply 4493 Boundary Road Vancouver, BC V5R 2N3 604-431-2977 Double AA Garden Supplies Ltd. 2908 Commercial Drive Vancouver, BC V5N 4C9 604-876-8837 Pacific NW Garden Supply 2137 East Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V5L 1V2 604-254-4765 Vancouver Garden Supply 4894 Fraser Street Vancouver, BC V5V 4H5 604-879-8167 Advanced Garden Supplies 7979 Aspen Road Vernon, BC V1B 3M9 250-545-9545 AJs Pets & Things 3219 - 31st Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 2H2 250-549-3222 Better Than Nature Vernon 3506 25th Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 1P4 250-260-4466 Northern Lights Greenspace 3 - 2706 45th Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 3N4 250-558-4757 Indoor Jungle 2624 Quadra Street Victoria, BC V8T 4E4 250-388-5611 Mr. Fertilizer 9 Burnside Road, West Victoria, BC V9A 1B2 250-381-4644 Progressive Growth 111 - 1790 Island Highway Victoria, BC V9B 1H5 250-391-9519 Sunwest Garden Supply 2035 Unit B Louie Drive Westbank, BC V4T 1Y2 250-768-1636 Good Guys Gardening Center 250 McKenzie Avenue, South Williams Lake, BC V2G 1C6 250-392-2069

Trees Company Nursery & Garden Supplies G9 C17 RR1, 7030 Powell Road Winlaw, BC V0G 2J0 250-226-7334 MANITOBA All Grow Distributors 410 Madison Street Winnipeg, MB R3J 1J1 204-231-1694 Better Than Nature Winnipeg 2B - 2 Donald Street Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K5 204-453-3032 Gro Pro International Hydroponics 101-904 Porthee Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3G 0P4 204-956-1389 Kleen Gro Hydroponics 218 Osbourne Street South Winnipeg, MB R3L 1Z3 204-475-7096 My Two Sons 2 - 2055 McPhillips Street Winnipeg, MB R2Y 3C6 204-339-3489 Nature’s Nutrition 1819 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3J 0G4 204-889-2979 Northern Lights Hydroponics 129 Regent Avenue East Winnipeg, MB R2C 0C2 204-415-5106 Ready Set Grow! 375 Henderson Highway Winnipeg, MB R3C 2H2 204-668-GROW NEW BRUNSWICK Dieppe Hydroponics 988 Champlain St. Door #3 Dieppe, NB E18 1P8 506-384-4769 Craft N’ Grow 60 Micmac Road Eel Ground, NB E1V 4B1 506-624-9317 Ultimate Hydroponics PO Box 1191 Hampton, NB E5N 8H2 506-639-5948 Scott’s Nursery Ltd. 2192 Route 102 Highway Lincoln, NB E3B 8N1 506-458-9208 Atlantic Hydroponics & Greenhouses Inc. 42 Brandon Street Moncton, NB E1C 7E8 506-858-0158 Jardins Notik Gardens 798 Gray Road St-Charles, NB E4W 4N9 506-876-9100 21st Century Gardening 20 Bayside Drive St. John, NB E2J 1A2 506-657-9982 NOVA SCOTIA Den Haan’s Garden World 12688 Highway 1, Brickton Annapolis County, NS B0S 1M0 902-825-4722 Woodland Farm Nursery 3544 Highway 1, Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0 902-532-7617 S&L Worx Hydroponics 135 Main Street, Unit 14 Dartmouth, NS B2X 1R6 902-434-GROW (4769) Sweetleaf Smoke Shop and Hydroponics 3132 Isleville Street Halifax, NS B3K 3Y2 902-454-6646

Plant Manager Gardening 12 Industrial Drive, Richmond County Industrial Park Lennox Passage, Cape Breton, NS B0E 1V0 902-345-2112 Steve’s Hydroponic Headquarters 131 Sackville Drive Lower Sackville, NS B4C 2R3 902-865-7764 Greenfield Grow & Brew 69 Wilson Mountain Road Murray Siding, NS B6L 4N7 902-897-6568 Woodin Nickel Hydroponics 3393 Central West, Highway 4 Pictou County, NS BOK 1H0 902-695-7640 ONTARIO Canadian Hydrogardens Ltd. 1330 Sandhill Drive Ancaster, ON L9G 4V5 905 648 1801 Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 521 Dunlop Street West Barrie, ON L4N 9W4 705-721-8715 Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 5386 Greenlane Road Beamsville, ON L0R 1B3 905-563-6121 BMA Hydroponics 404A Maitland Drive, Unit 2 Belleville, ON K8N 4Z5 613-967-9888 D&M Gardens 2961 Main Street Blezard Valley, ON P0M 1E0 705-897-3727 Home Hydroponics 289 Rutherford Road, South 22 Brampton, ON L6W 3R9 905-874-GROW In-Home Gardens 279 Colborne Street Brantford, ON N3T 2H3 519-754-9090 Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 79 Woolwich Street South Breslau, ON N0B 1M0 519-648-2374 AKA The Indoor Gardener 3014 Highway 29 Brockville, ON K6V 5T4 613-342-2700 Indoor Harvest 3040 New Street Burlington, ON L7R 1M5 289-337-9169 J & C Hydroponics 343 Elgin Street, Unit A Cambridge, ON M1R 7H9 519-622-9969 Pro Grow Indoor Garden Supplies 1710 Bishop St. Unit 2 Cambridge, ON N1T 1T2 519-624-7692 Hydrogarden 1122 Paul Street Cornwall, ON K6H 6H5 613-360-6996 Agrogreen Canada Inc. 1938 Hwy #20, RR#1 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E6 866-650-1136 Diatomite Canada 1938 Hwy #20, RR#1 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E6 866-650-1136 Northern Lights Green Supply 1938 Highway 20 (at 406), RR 1 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E6 905-892-3743 Brite-Lite Indoor Garden Centre 1677 Cyrville Road, Meadowbrooke Plaza Gloucester, ON K1B 3L7 613-842-8999

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

MAXIMUMdistributors YIELD Happy Hydroponics 68 Princess Street Hamilton, ON L8L 3K9 905-545-8434 Garden Depot 605 Justus Drive Kingston,ON Canada K7M 4H5 613-384-8882 Brite-Lite Indoor Garden Centre 1659 Victoria Street, North, Unit 6 Kitchener, ON N2B 3E6 888-670-0611 AKA The Indoor Gardener 207 Exeter Road, Unit D London, ON N6L 1A4 519-652-4224 Best of Hydroponics 360 Richmond Street London, ON N6A 3C3 519-858-1533 Ontario Growers Supply 1540 Fanshawe Park Road West London, ON N6H 5L8 519-641-3992 Vantage Hydroponics 1 Adelaide Street North London, ON N6B 3P8 519-451-4769 Markham Hydroponics 95 Royal Crest Court 18 Markham, ON L3R 9X5 905-305-0698 Nature’s Garden Supplies 24-340 Don Park Road Markham, ON L3R 1C5 905-470-7887 All Seasons 1000 Dundas Street East Mississauga, ON L4Y 2B8 905-848-2619 Green Thumb Hydroponics 3075 Ridgeway Drive, 25 Mississauga, ON L5L 5M6 Hydro Culture Emporium Inc. 150 Robertson Rd Unit 22 Nepean, ON K2H 9S1 613-715-9472 Second Nature Hydroponics 4 - 2133 Royal Windsor Drive Mississauga, ON L5J 1K5 905-403-4769

Nature’s Elements Box 119 500 Mill Street Neustadt, ON N0G 2M0 519-799-5323 Yield of Dreams Hydroponics 559 Steven Court 12 Newmarket, ON L3Y 6Z3 877-778-7960 Green Kingdom Hemp 1103 Cassells Street North Bay, ON P1B 4B3 705-494-7169 Brite-Lite Indoor Garden Centre 4373 Steeles Avenue West North York, ON M3N 1V7 416-663-2999 Supply For You 3615 Weston Road, Unit 6 North York, ON M9L 1V8 416-741-8062 All Grow Hydroponic 391 Marwood Drive, Unit 14 Oshawa, ON 866-606-4723 Paradise Gardens Hydroponics 2158 Chiefswood Road Oshweken, ON N0A 1M0 519-445-2275 Ontario Hydroponics 103015 Grey Road 18 Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N6 519-372-1144

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Envirotex P.O. Box 21069 Paris, ON N3L 4A5 519-442-1237 Peterborough Hydroponic Center 347 Pido Road, Unit 32 Peterborough, ON K9J 6X7 705-745-6868 Sweet Hydroponic Gardens 776 Bruce Street Renfrew, ON K7V 3Z8 613-433-9600 Bluewater Hydroponics 1173 Michener Road, Unit 12 Sarnia, ON N7S 5G5 519-337-7475 Planetary Pride 372 Queen Street East Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A 1Y7 1-888-215-8970 Indoor Gardens Canada 2952 Thompson Road Smithville, ON L0R 2A0 905-957-6969 Green And Clean 761 Barrydowne Road Sudbury, ON P3A 3T6 800-246-5503 Northern Hydroponics 236 Simpson Street Thunder Bay, ON P7C 3H4 807-623-3666 Greenthumbs Garden Supply 338 Kingston Road Toronto, ON M4L 1T7 647-345-GROW (4769) www.green-thumbs.ca Grow It All Hydroponics Inc. grow it all 165 Geary Avenue, Unit 3B hydroponics for everyone Toronto, ON M6H 2B8 416-588-9595 Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 26 Meteor Drive Toronto, ON M9W 1A4 416-242-4769 Hydrotech 2436 Kingston Road Toronto, ON M1N 1V2 416-267-4769 Jungle Hydroponics 2215 Gerrard Street East Toronto, ON M4E 2C8 416-699-0861 Toronto Hemp Company 665 Yonge Street Toronto, ON M4Y 1Z9 416-920-1980 Grower’s Choice Hydroponics 1621 McEwen Drive 14 Whitby, ON L1N 9A5 905-725-GROW Northern Lights Hydroponics 2690 Oulette Ave Windsor, ON N8X 1L7 519-254-4015 Urban GreenHouse Hydroponics & Aguaculture 7635 Tecumseh Road E. Windsor, ON N8T 3H1 519-944-8444 urbangreenhousehydroponics.com Ozone Environmental Technologies 361 Rowntree Dairy Road Unit 4 Woodridge, ON L4L 8H1 905-264-6618 QUEBEC Un Monde Sans Terre 565 Beausejour Alma, QC G8B 5V3 418-480-3274 Hydro-Tonyque 761 Avenue Gilles Villeneuve Berthierville, QC J0K 1AO 450-836-8088 Plant-O-Maxx 3169 Blais, Boisbriand, QC, J7H 1H2 514-968-7799

Gerard Bourbeau & Fils Inc. 8285, 1 re Avenue Charlesbourg, QC G1G 5E6 418-623-5401 Les Grands Jardins Lavel 2900, Boul. Cure-Lavelle Chomedey, Laval, QC H7P 5S8 250-729-2687 Simplement Vert 8B Georges-Gagne Delson, QC J5B 2E1 514-913-8378 (VERT) Hydrosphere 2000 2400 rue Canadian, Suite 104 Drummondville, QC J2C 7W3 819-478-9791 Les Serres Binette Inc 2568 Boul. Mercurre Drummondville, QC J2A 1H2 819-478-7195 Pablo Jardinage Drummondville 2080 Joseph St-Cyr Drummondville, QC J2C 8V6 819-475-2525 Les Entreprises Fernand Pigeon Inc. 174 Beaudoin Nord Durham-Sud, QC J0H 2C0 819-858-2777 Hydromax Gatineau 3-1695 Atmec (porte 6) Gatineau, QC J8P 7G7 819-663-7470 Naturexpert Inc. 828 Chemin du Sixième Rang Gatineau QC J8R 3A4 Jardinages Gilles Robert Inc. 574 St-Hubert Granby, QC J0H 1Y5 450-375-3441 Méristème Hydroponique 871 Dufferin Granby, QC J2G 9H8 450-991-1514 Jardinage d’intérieur Huntingdon 72 Dalhousie Huntingdon, PQ J0S1H0, Canada 450-322-6079 Hydroponique Plus Inc. 405 - 18 Avenue Lachine, QC H8S 3R1 514-634-3677 Biofloral 675 Montee, St. Francois Laval, QC H7C 2S8 877-38-HYDRO Brite Lite Hydroponics 940 Bergar, Laval, QC H7L 4Z8 450-669-3803 Espace Culture Boutique 17 boul. Ste-Rose Est Laval, QC H7V 3K3 450-622-2710 Fernand Corbeil Produits Horticoles - Horticultural Products 17 boul. Ste-Rose Est Laval, QC H7L 3K3 450-622-2710 Hydro Times 1533 Boulevard Cure Labelle Laval, QC H7V 2W4 450-688-4848 Hydromax Laval 295 Boulevard Curé Labelle Laval, QC H7L 2Z9 450-628-8380 Qué-Pousse - Laval 940 Bergar Laval, QC H7L 4Z8 450-667-3809 Point De Vue 880 chemin St-Féréol Les Cèdres, QC J7T 1N3 450-452-2878 / 1-877-510-2991

Hydro Rive-sud 4721 Boulvard de la rive sud Levis, QC G6W 1H5 418-835-0082 Boutique Grunge 364 rue Sherbrooke Magog, QC J1X 2S1 819-847-4141 Hydromax Mont-Laurier 388 Rue Hebert Mont-Laurier, QC J9L 2X2 888-609-4476 Hydroculture Guy Dionne 8473 - 19th Avenue Montreal, QC H1Z 4J2 514-722-9496 Hydro Expert 12752 Industriel Montreal, QC H1A 3V2 514-624-3091 B&S Electrique Inc. 2240 Pitt Street Montreal, QC H4E 4H1 514-931-3817 Distribution De la Plante 5498 Hochelaga Suite 910 Montreal, QC H1N 3L7 514-255-1111 Hydromax Montreal 9300 Lajeunesse Montreal, QC H2M 1S4 514-381-0111 Hydromax St-Henri 3522 Notre-Dame Montréal, QC H4C 1P4 514-481-3939 International Hydroponique 5478 Hochelaga St Montreal, QC H1N 3L7 514-255-2525 Momentum 11289 London Avenue Montreal, QC H1H 4J3 888-327-4595 Pousse Magique Atwater 3522 Notre-Dame, ouest, Montreal, Qc H4C 1P4 514-481-3939 Qué-Pousse - Montreal 2215 Walkley Montreal, QC H4B 2J9 514-489-3803 Summum Bio Teck 2100 Ontario Est Montreal, QC H2K 1V5 866-460-2226 Univert 4 Saisons 2100 Ontario Est Montréal, QC H2K 1V5 514-527-2226 Vinexpert De L’Est 6384 Beaubien est Montreal, QC H1M 3G8 514-354-8020 XXXtractor Inc. 1228 St. Marc Montreal, QC H3H 2E5 514-931-4944 www.xxxtractor.com Qué-Pousse - Mont. Tremblant 462 Montée Kavanagh Mont-Tremblant, QC J8E 2P2 819-429-6145 MegaWatt Hydroculture 636 Route 364 Morin Heights, QC J0R 1H0 450-226-2515 Fleuriste Savard Inc. 1833 boul. Louis-Frechette Nicolet, QC J3T 1M4 819-293-5933 Qué-Pousse - Point-Claire 1860D Sources Blvd Pointe-Claire, QC H9R 5B1 514-426-5057 Boutique Echologik 829, cote d’Abraham Quebec, QC G1R 1A4 418-648-8288

Boutique Echologik 790 St - Jean Quebec, QC G1R 1P9 418-648-2828 échologik 798 St Jean Québec, QC G1R 1P9 418-648-2828; 418-648-8288 Hydroculture Guy Dionne 1990 Cyrill-Duquet Local 150 Québec, QC G1N 4K8 418-681-4643 Pousse Magique 515 rue Lanaudiere Repentigny, QC J6A 7N1 450-582-6662 Fred Lamontagne Inc. 356 Chemin du Sommet Est, Rimouski, QC G5L 7B5 418-723-5746 Qué-Pousse - Sherbrooke 4394 Bourque Rt. 112 Rock Forest, QC J1N 1S3 819-563-0353 Hydro Plus 149 avenue Principale A Rouyn Noranda, QC J9X 4E3 819-762-4367 Qué-Pousse - St-Jerome 709A 14e Avenue, Sud Saint-Antoine, QC J7Z 4B8 450-436-3803 Rap Hydroponique 5700, rue Martineau Local 7 Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 8B1 450-768-5188 Culture Uni Vert 36 rue de Martigny E Saint-Jérôme, QC J7Z 1V4 www.cultureunivert.com Comptoir Richelieu Inc. 350, du Collège Sorel-Tracy, QC J3P 6T7 800-363-9466 Ferme Florale Inc. (Botanix) 2190 Blvd. Laurier (route 116) St. Bruno de Montarville, QC J3V 4P6 450-653-6383 Hydrobec 2145 Lavoisier Suite 4 Ste-Foy, QC G1N 4B2 418-687-1119 Chanvre du Nord Inc. 38 DeMartigny est St-Jérome, QC J7Z 1V4 866-565-5305 Hydro Sciences 4800 de la Cote-Vertu Blvd. Saint-Laurent, QC H4S 1J9 514-331-9090 Pablo Jardinage Shawinigan 5023 Boulevard Royal Shawinigan QC J9N 6T8 819-731-9766 Sherbrooke Hydroponique 3545 King Est, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 5J4 819-829-9299 Plant-T-Plantes 3439 boulevard Fiset Sorel-Tracy, QC J3P 5J3 450-780-0008 Qué-Pousse - St-Constant 6264 Route 132 Ste-Catherine, QC J0L 1E0 450-635-4881 Benoit Dupuis Extincteurs Inc. 2503 Victoria Street Ste-Julienne, QC J0K 2T0 450-831-4240

Hydroponique 2000 84 Boul. Curé Labelle Ste-Therese, QC J7E 2X5 450-971-0726 Pépinière Eco-Verdure 965 Boul. Sauvé St-Eustache, QC J7R 4K3 450-472-6474 Amazonia Hydroponique 394 Boulvard Arthur-sauve St. Eustache, QC J7R 2J5 450-623-2790 P.P.M. Hydroponique 504 Rue du Parc St. Eustache, QC J7R 5B2 450-491-2444 Hydrotek 12300 Rue de l’avenir St. Janvier, QC J7J 2K4 St-Jean Hydroponique 747 rue St-Jacques St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 2M9 450-346-9633 Hydromax Terrebonne 1674 Chemin Gascon Terrebonne, QC J6X 4H9 450-492-7447 Hydromax Trois-Rivières 6157 rue Corbeil Trois-Rivières Ouest, QC G8Z 4P8 819-372-0500 Pablo Jardinage Intérieur 2 Des Ormeaux Suite 500 Trois-Rivières, QC G8W 1S6 819-693-6000 Rap Hydroponique 326 Rue Vachon Trois-Rivières QC G8T 8Y2 819-376-5959 Hydromax Val-David 895 route 117 nord Val-David, QC J0T 2N0 888-320-0129 Val d’Or Hydroculture 1261 3e Avenue Val d’Or, QC J9P 1V4 Horticulture Piégo 228 Pierre Bertrand Sud Vanier, QC G1M 2C4 418-527-2006 Qué-Pousse - Vaudreuil-Dorion 3666-D, boul. Cité des Jeunes Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC J7V 8P2 450-424-0306 Centre Jardin Denis Brodeur 15 Nord C.P. 658 Waterloo, QC J0E 2N0 Sonador Horticulture Inc. 819-479-2941 SASKATCHEWAN Busy Bee Upholstery Box 811, 134 5th Avenue East Gravelbourg, SK S0H 1X0 306-648-3659 B&B Hydroponics and Indoor Gardening 1404 Cornwall Street Regina, SK S4R 2H7 306-522-4769 Waterboy Supply 401 Dewdney Avenue East Regina, SK S4N 4G3 306-757-6242 YUKON, NUNAVUT and NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Porter Creek Indoor Garden Centre 1307 Centennial Street Whitehorse, YT Y1A 3Z1 867-667-2123

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Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

DO YOU know?

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Research has shown that even a short duration, less than 30 minutes of root zone heat buildup, can have a very negative effect on many crops.

Plants that have had genes from a bacteria inserted into them so that the crop can create its own insecticide are known as transgenic.

COMING UP IN September - October 2011

Maddening Mildew

Powdery mildew, a frustrating and oftentimes reoccurring disease, can be conquered. This article helps you understand how it develops and spreads and exactly what you’re up against.

The Cost of Sunlight

The use of water-soluble fertilizers can result in the loss of nutrients through leaching, volatilization and immobilization in soils.

Unlike most agricultural inputs, the sun’s energy is generally left off the balance sheet, as farmers usually assume that sunlight has no monetary value. However, agricultural utilization of sunlight is far from free. So, what is the true cost of sunlight?

Keeping the humidity in the grow room around 85 per cent will help avoid over-evaporation of small cuttings.

Within our ecosystem, certain types of fungi called Mycorrhiza assist the natural processes of life and decay. Learn about the various types of Mycorrhiza, their growth processes and how they operate.

The positive effects of nutrient chilling seem to be largely the result of changes in the production of plant growth hormones abcissic acid (ABA) and cytokinins that control a range of plant responses.

Minimize waste and make your own nutrient-rich plant food with the help from our wiggly friends, worms.

Fungi and the Ecosystem

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In chemistry the term organic means the material contains carbon. In the organic foods world the term organic refers to foods produced without pesticides, synthetic substances, sewage products and other restrictions.

Air circulation in the grow room has a number of benefits including, increasing CO2 concentration towards the leaf area, allowing for better light penetration and increasing photosynthesis

Maximum Yield Canada | July / August 2011

Vermicomposting: Worms and Recycling

Seed saving tips, rooting hormones, jellyfish fertilizer, your letters, new contests, upcoming events, latest news and a smattering of new product spotlights.

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Maximum Yield Canada (September/October) will be available September 1 for FREE at select indoor gardening retail stores across Canada, and on maximumyield.com Subscriptions are available at maximumyield.com/subscriptions.php