Maximum Yield CAN July/Aug 2013

CANADA July - August 2013

FREE

15 maximumyield.com

th Anniversary ISSUE

Indoor gardenING expo

2013 Tour

Maximum Yield’s

indoorgardeningexpo.com

2013

San Francisco California long beach California july 27-28

October 26-27

AD

AD

CONTENTS

52

July/August 2013

FEATURES 40

30 Digging in the Dirt

by Lee McCall

36 How much Water is too Much?

by Frank Rauscher

48

40 Physiological Disorders of Indoor Gardens

by Dr. Lynette Morgan

59

30 48 Amazing Aloe

by Heather Brautman

54

DEPARTMENTS 6

From the Editor

62

Celebrating 15 Years

8

MaximumYield.com

68

Max Mart

54 Battle of the Bugs

10

Letters to the Editor

70

Do You Know?

by Eric Hopper

12

Simon Says

71

Distributors

14

MAX Facts

74

Coming up Next Issue

20

Product Spotlight

52 How to Grow Rosemary Indoors

by Heather Rhoades

59 Soil Testing

by Annie Spiegelman

4

36

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

AD

FROM THE EDITOR | Linda Jesson Fifteen years ago, the first issue of Maximum Yield was devoured by a Canadian indoor garden industry hungry for information about techniques and products that would help them grow. Demand for such information grew steadily, and Maximum Yield quickly spread to the United States and eventually to the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and most recently, Europe. The issue you are holding now marks our 15th anniversary issue, and we are thrilled to celebrate this milestone with our readers. To learn more about how we came to reach this publishing milestone, be sure to read our 15th anniversary special feature on page 64.

July and August can be hot and in this issue from the you will find great reads about finding and maintaining success in your summertime garden. We talk about why it’s important to get your soil tested every now and again, and Linda Jesson also about how much water is too much water to be adding to your garden. Check out how common physiological disorders can strike even the best green thumbs. Also, in our guide to beneficial bugs, we pair up which bugs are the best at battling those pests most harmful to your plants. We’ve paired these great features with a nice selection of new product profiles and some fun Max Facts to round off this anniversary issue.

For those of you that missed the most recent Novi, Michigan, Indoor Gardening Expo, we want to invite you to the upcoming 10th Annual San Francisco Indoor Gardening Expo taking place on July 28, 2013. This will be our biggest show ever and will include over 400 exhibitor booths. Education stations, networking, samples and more will all be a part of this highly anticipated expo. Please visit indoorgardenexpo.com for all the details.

Finally, we want to personally thank all of those who have helped up reach this special milestone celebrating 15 years in the industry. We couldn’t have done it without all of our advertisers, readers, contributors, distributors and retail shop owners that proudly display our publications. Thank you, all.

Here’s to 15 more years of growing!

Message Editor

15 Years!

6

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

VOLUME 16 – NUMBER 2 July/August 2013 Maximum Yield is published monthly by Maximum Yield Publications Inc. 2339A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 Phone: 250.729.2677; Fax 250.729.2687 No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission from the publisher.

If undeliverable please return to the address above.

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 editorial editor@maximumyield.com Editor-in-chief Linda Jesson Assistant Editor Jessica Skelton Assistant Editor Julie McManus ADVERTISING SALES Ilona Hawser - ilona@maximumyield.com Kelsey Hepples - kelsey@maximumyield.com Katie Montague - katie@maximumyield.com Jed Walker - jed@maximumyield.com DESIGN & PRODUCTION ads@maximumyield.com Art Director Alice Joe Graphic Designers Jennifer Everts Dionne Hurd Jesslyn Gosling ACCOUNTING Tracy Greeno - accounting@maximumyield.com CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION Brite-Lite Group • Biofloral • Eddis Wholesale • Greenstar Plant Products Inc. • MegaWatt • Quality Wholesale • Green Planet USA DISTRIBUTION Aurora Innovations • BWGS • General Hydroponics Humbolt Wholesale • Hydrofarm • Hydro International National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply • Nickel City Wholesale Garden Supply • R&M Supply • Tradewinds UK DISTRIBUTION Direct Garden Supplies • Growth Technology • Future Harvest Development Europe • Hydrogarden Nutriculture UK • Dutch Pro • Maxigrow AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION Dome Garden Supply • House N Garden • Futchatec • Growth Technology • Hydraspher

AD

contributors Frank Rauscher is a certified

Dr. Lynette Morgan holds a B.

horticulturist and consultant for the garden industry. He’s a contributing author to several publications and was writer and editor of the Green Pages.

Frank finds that analyzing plant stress and finding solutions is exciting. He is very much at home bringing new ideas to the field of horticulture and indoor gardening.

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

Heather Brautman’s hydroponics knowledge consisted of her favorite ride at Walt Disney World’s before she moved to California in October 2011.

Since becoming Hydrofarm’s staff writer in February 2012, she’s been enjoying learning about grow media—like coco coir and perlite—not paparazzi. She has a master’s degrees in technical writing as well as PR/communications.

Annie Spiegelman was raised

Eric Hopper has over 10 years of

Lee McCall is an alumnus of Johnson

and hardened in the asphalt jungle of New York City. She moved to the Bay Area over fifteen years ago and became a passionate environmentalist and Master Gardener. She is the author of three books on gardening (and life).

experience in the hydroponic industry as both a retail store manager and owner. He continuously seeks new methods and products that could help maximize garden performance. Eric resides in Michigan where he and his family strive for a self-sufficient and sustainable lifestyle.

& Wales University. His extensive culinary background helped him gain experience in and knowledge of fine dining and food production, which developed into a career in the hydroponics and year-round gardening industry. Lee and his business partner use their Denver-based businesses to educate the public on sustainable gardening and high-quality produce.

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

Maximum Yield is the largest free-to-consumer indoor gardening magazine in the world. Every issue is available on maximumyield. com, which has thousands of unique visitors monthly.

COMING UP ON THE WEB

Indoor Gardening Expo Updates

We’re now halfway through the 2013 Grow Like a Pro Indoor Gardening Expo season.

Be sure to mark the last two dates on your calendar; we’ll be in San Francisco, California, July 27 and 28 and in Long Beach, California, on October 26 and 27. Whether you’re a new or experienced gardener, these trade shows offer something for everyone.

Stay tuned to indoorgardenexpo.com for details so you can plan your 2013 vacation.

Also be sure to check out the expo buzz happening on our social media pages.

I’m a Fan Contest

Tell us why you are a fan of Maximum Yield and you could win monthly prizes of $100 gift card to your favourite indoor gardening shop, and also have a chance at the grand prize of a $1,000 gift card to your favourite indoor gardening shop. Visit maximumyield.com to enter online and to read some of the great responses we’ve received so far. Contest closes December 14, 2013.

8

Maximum Yield Monthly E-News Archives

Every month, Maximum Yield sends our followers an electronic newsletter containing a few of the latest indoor gardening industry tidbits.

We also keep all of that information posted online at enews.maximumyield.com in case you ever miss something.

Got Questions?

Get Answers.

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

Free Digital Subscription to Maximum Yield Canada Did you know you can receive Maximum Yield Canada free to your inbox every month?

Subscribe to the digital edition of Maximum Yield by simply filling out the form at maximumyield.com/subscriptions

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

Instant Access

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

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

AD

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR New I’m a Fan Winners Announced

Matthew Barton from Kings Beach, California, is the fourth winner of Maximum Yield’s I’m a Fan Contest! Matthew said, “You guys have got a great publication.

Even though I live in the US, I also read the Canada, UK and Australia versions.

I love the info I get out of them. The articles are great. I've only been in the horticulture business for three years, but I've been on the sales side of it for almost Matthew Barton 10 years. I find myself learning great things from Maximum Yield and it literally feels like Christmas every time I get my digital subscription in my inbox. Keep up the great work and I look forward to being a lifelong reader. Thanks.”

Thanks for the kudos, Matthew, and congratulations on winning Maximum Yield’s fourth I’m a Fan contest! We hope you enjoy your $100 gift certificate at your favourite indoor gardening shop, San Diego Hydroponics.

Michael Goodin from Nashua, New Hampshire, is the fifth winner of Maximum Yield’s I’m a Fan Contest!

Michael said, “I am new to the hydro world and to be honest, for a geek, I was completely clueless as to where to start. I needed a new soil for my veggie garden this year and stopped in to Hydro101.

The guys there were awesome and MIchael Goodin totally showed myself and my family a bunch of stuff and completely peaked our interest. As we left, he handed us a copy of Maximum Yield and told me to read it. [It was the] best advice all week! There were awesome articles on how to get started with hydro: different ways, different lighting, everything. The funniest part was I could swear that this copy was custom written for me. Everything my wife and I have been talking about was inside. I am hooked!”

Thanks for the kudos, Michael, and congratulations on winning Maximum Yield’s fifth I’m a Fan contest!

We hope you enjoy your $100 gift certificate at your favourite indoor gardening shop, Hydro101.

Would you like a chance to win Maximum Yield’s I’m a Fan contest?

Tell us why you are a fan of Maximum Yield and you could win the monthly prize of a $100 gift card to your favourite indoor gardening shop. See pg. 8 for details. Contest closes December 14, 2013.

Thank You

I’m a fan because I love growing for myself, as well as gardening in general. I have learned a lot from this magazine. I like reading the articles on new and approved nutrients, as well as new products that are coming out. I find myself picking up this magazine every time I go to my hydroponics store.

Mitch, Port Alberni, British Columbia 10

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

Hello,

We use your articles in our First Nations high school. I read the articles from your awesome magazine and make questions for the students. We have a great indoor garden growing in our tiny corner we share with the industrial arts shop class. We have all learned a great deal in the couple of months since we started our course. We hope to continue using your magazine as part of our curriculum development, and to add to the success of our green industries course.

Chris, Nestor Falls, Ontario

Hey, Maximum,

I love your magazines! They are so helpful and informative and contain up-to-date technology tips. I can find solutions to my gardening problems and learn about new products and new methods.

Connie, Quesnel, British Columbia

Keep it up

I like the mass appeal, colourful pictures and tasty editorials. I always tell myself one day I will make it to an expo. Keep up the good work and I will keep spreading the word in the field.

Riad, Pickering, Ontario

Friendly Facebook Tips We recently asked our Facebook fans: “What was the first crop you ever grew successfully, and what was the experience like?” Here’s what people said:

Jessica Amanda Anderson

“When I was five, I planted lupins in my front yard of my old house with my mom and they are still there today!

They grew every year and were beautiful, I was so proud.”

Hydrolight Wholesale staffer

“I remember planting tomatoes with my grandmother (God rest her soul) as a child. She was a real-deal Italian mother who had the green thumb. She did lots of canning of all sorts and was a beautiful woman. She had fig trees, plums, apples, apricots, grapevines and all kinds of vegetables. [Those were] good days as a kid growing up on the east side of Detroit in the early ’80s.”

We want to hear from you!

Maximum Yield Publications Inc. Snail-mail: 2339 Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 Email: editor@maximumyield.com Twitter: twitter.com/max_yield Facebook: facebook.com/MaximumYield

AD

SIMON SAYS simon says

Simon Hey Simon, I have a problem with spider mites (seems like a common problem). I was thinking of cranking up my carbon dioxide levels to 10,000 ppm with my CO2 monitor to try and eradicate them. Would it work?

Increasing the carbon dioxide levels to that completely unnatural concentration might actually be effective since I think it would be exceptionally hard for them to breathe. Of course, the danger of this is it would also be extremely harmful to people in and around the area. Even if you exhaust the room into a different area, the concentrations would still be highly elevated. I seem to remember talking to a scientist who mentioned that extreme levels of carbon dioxide can become phytotoxic, but I can’t recall exactly who gave me that information and I am not sure of the mechanism.

Personally, I would not recommend the method you suggest. Spider mites are a severe problem for many indoors gardeners and there are various methods that can be efficacious at keeping these pests at bay.

• Keep your growroom clean. This point can’t be stressed enough. If you are a serious gardener, your growing area should be tidy and free from debris. Also, avoid bringing problems in from outside by having air filters on your intake, and also consider wearing clothing just for the growroom. It might seem like overkill, but consider how meticulous commercial greenhouses are. They understand that in an unnatural environment, the introduction of a pest can quickly spread out of control, so prevention is the best solution.

• Be vigilant in your garden. Once a spider mite problem is detected, isolate the affected plants if you can move them, and then segregate them with a divider. Be sure to move them away from your other plants and try to reduce the amount of air movement around the affected plants.

12

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

• Chemical options are still available and can be effective. You will need to read the product’s label. All of it. Many of these products are exceptionally harmful if not applied exactly as recommend and licensed by the manufacturer. Their major downfall? Insects build up resistance far more quickly than humans because their lifecycles are shorter. This means that the spray that was very effective last year will be less effective this year. Use a rolling system of a variety of options to minimize the buildup of generational resistance.

• Go the organic route. We all know I love organics and I will continue that trend for this answer and remind all readers that there are many organic alternatives now.

Neem-based products have been leading the way for years, but now we have all sorts of plant extracts and essential oils that can impede the super web from forming in the middle of your crop. Note: if you have webbed super highways between plants, remember that dismantling them and squishing them with your thumbs (physical removal) can actually do a great job at decreasing the population prior to using an insecticide (chemical or organic). Be sure to clean your hands properly after since you don’t want to move mites so they can come back later.

• Try using nature’s solution. I can remember always telling clients in the shop that if I had a problem with gazelles in my backyard I would probably buy a lion. It’s a bit of a stretch but that was my pitch on beneficial insects—nature has a solution. Commercial greenhouses around the world use predatory insects as their primary method to help mitigate pests. Most of these insects are available to home gardeners as well. In this case there are a few types of mites that eat spider mites and there are more options on the horizon. For those of you that are not convinced on beneficials, consider these points: 1. Commercial farmers don’t use things that don’t work.

2. If you have a million mites in your room, buying 1,000 predators will not help you since they can only eat a certain amount everyday.

3. For large gardens the best approach can sometimes be to buy a bulk supply of predators prior to an outbreak.

This acts as a pre-emptive move that can inhibit an explosion of the spider mite population. This can be a good insurance policy on short-cycle annual plantings but is less effective in a perennial situation.

So, first you spot your mite problem by spending time in your garden, observing and noticing the issue early. Then you isolate your plants from further contaminating your crop. Try to physically knock down the population then apply a pesticide, organic if possible. Order your beneficial bugs and apply them as soon as they come in. Be vigilant with the remainder of the plants to make sure you have quarantined the mite population.

AD

MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Curing Cataracts A study suggests that certain antioxidants found in spinach and greens seem to protect against cataracts, which are common in Canada and are the result of a clouding of the eye lens that is linked to oxidative stress. This occurs with age as the lens is exposed to pollution and ultraviolet radiation. Researchers have revealed that lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants found in green leafy vegetables, can protect against cataracts. So, if you want to protect your vision, it may make sense to step up your intake of kale, spinach and greens.

(Source: newsfix.ca)

MAXFACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia Greenhouse Growers Applaud Tax Relief

Counting Cucumbers Once a specialty greenhouse crop, Ontario greenhouse-grown Persian (mini) cucumbers are now available year-round, and retailers require these bite-sized cucumbers to be sold in 1-lb pre-packaged bags or trays. The challenge is that this sweet flavoured, crunchy fruit grows naturally in different shapes and sizes.

Currently, the proper sorting and packaging of greenhouse grown mini cucumbers is done manually, and workers must judge by eye, but Tug Weld Manufacturing has designed a sophisticated solution with their Persian King Air Touch Mini Cuke Size Grader. It’s estimated that labour-intensive packing needs 40 employees to grade approximately 50,000 mini cucumbers manually per hour, while the Persian King Air Touch is able to easily process 30,000 cucumbers per hour while requiring only four to six operators.

(Source: freshplaza.com)

14

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

The provincial government of British Columbia is providing $7.6 million in carbon tax relief for greenhouse growers, which is an amount that correlates with the amount of carbon tax the province’s greenhouse growers pay in a year. “The bottom line is BC growers will be able to better compete with producers in the US and Mexico as a result of the carbon tax grant,” says BC Greenhouse Growers’ Association president Peter Cummings.

(Source: chilliwacktimes.com)

Creating an Organic Platform The Platform for Innovation in Organic Agriculture in the planning stages in Quebec is aimed at strengthening growth in the province’s organic agriculture sector by improving not only the competitiveness of producers, but also the environmental performance of farms. It’s a platform for research and development, knowledge transfer and training in organic crop production, which will take place in an open-air laboratory with a range of exclusive, state-of-the-art equipment and services that are not available elsewhere in Quebec or in Canada. “The new infrastructure will support the organic agriculture industry by accelerating the discovery and application of solutions that meet the needs of farmers and Quebec companies working in this sector,” said the Deputy Premier of Quebec and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, François Gendron. The Platform will benefit companies certified in organic production, as well as those in the process of converting to organic production.

(Source: agr.gc.ca)

Northern Food Rescue Program Twice a week in Whitehorse, individuals from the Boys and Girls Club of Yukon visit local grocery stores to pick up all the food that is near, or has just reached, its best before dates. Normally this food would be thrown away, but instead it is used in soups, casseroles or whatever else can be made. To offset the costs of a program such as this, the Boys and Girls Club of Yukon has begun a social enterprise called the “Northern Food Sustainability Project” that includes the growing of micro-greens, spices and vegetables that are then sold to the community.

(Source: bgcyukon.com)

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

15

MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Smelling Strawberries New research has unveiled what gives strawberries their characteristic flavour. The characteristic aroma of a fresh strawberry is the result of around a dozen different aroma compounds. One of these plays a particularly important role: HDMF (4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone), which is also known under the brand name Furaneol and also found in pineapples and tomatoes. A ripe strawberry has a particularly high concentration of this compound (up to 50 mg per kilo), which lies far above the odour threshold. This compound gives the ripe fruit its characteristic caramel-like aroma.

(Source: sciencedaily.com)

Orangutan Apples In an orchard in Kentville, Ontario, there are six unique apple trees growing fruit called orangutan. Yes, like the primate. The reason for its unusual name? It has a tangy, citrus flavour like an orange, and the bushy branches of the tree hang like the swooping arms of its tree-climbing namesake. Few people have tasted the orange-yellow flesh of this medium-sized apple, whose orange blush may baffle some. The new fruit tree was first crossbred in 1985 and it took five to 10 years for it to produce fruit. Over the next 10 years, the apple underwent tests focusing on storage capabilities, taste, disease resistance and commercial rootstock potential.

The orangutan is now available for grower licensing, meaning nurseries and apple farmers can apply to grow it, but you won’t see it on any store shelves for awhile.

(Source: freshplaza.com)

Greenhouses Keep Growing In the past two years, growers in Ontario have increased the total greenhouse acreage in the region by more than 16%. Greater awareness of healthy eating habits has caused the consumer demand that’s driven the expansion in acreage. According to George Gilvesy, general manager for Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, the total acreage for the region has increased by 353 acres from January 2011 to January 2013. “There are very good climatic conditions for greenhouse vegetables here,” said George. “Ontario has the most sunlight hours in all of Canada.” Because of that, and rising demand, he added that the future looks bright for Ontario’s growers.

(Source: ontariogreenhouse.com)

16

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

AD

MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

From Oilsands to Biofuels The federal Canadian government, an oil giant and a biofuels company are teaming up to build a plant in northern Alberta that will use carbon dioxide emissions from the oilsands to help turn algae into products such as fuel, fertilizer and livestock feed. The plant will be built at Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.’s Primrose South oilsands project near Bonnyville, Alberta. Toronto-based Pond Biofuels’ technology essentially feeds carbon dioxide emissions from smoke stacks—whether it’s at an oilsands site, coal plant or factory—to algae. Waste heat and water from Canadian Natural’s operations will also be used to help the algae grow.

(Source: edmontonjournal.com)

Too Many Biocontrol Agents Keeping it simple is a good rule of thumb when designing biocontrol programs to combat weeds and invasive plants, according to University of British Columbia biodiversity experts. Biocontrol programs use an invasive plant’s natural enemies (insects and pathogens) to reduce its population. Most biocontrol programs combine many different enemies (typically about three different species, but sometimes as many as 25) with the hope that at least one will prove effective. But more isn’t necessarily better, say researchers. Some combinations of enemy species can actually end up competing or interfering with each other, instead of attacking the weed.

(Source: sciencedaily.com)

Another Greenhouse for BC BC Hot House Foods has added a new 11-acre greenhouse facility in Abbotsford, British Columbia, to its portfolio. The new greenhouse will grow red peppers for the 2013 season with room for further expansion in 2014.

(Source: bchothouse.com)

18

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

AD

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT YOUR GUIDE TO THIS ISSUE’S

HOTTEST ITEMS Ask for them at your local indoor gardening store

Power All Cords Sunlight Supply®, Inc. is excited to announce the arrival of the Power All product line. These quality extension cords, adapters and power strips are perfectly suited to meet all of your electrical needs. Made of high-quality materials, Power All stands above the rest in reliability, safety, function and durability. Power All proprietary cords feature a built-in circuit breaker for added safety and to help protect your expensive equipment. With a product line as varied as the needs they meet, Power All is sure to have exactly what you need to get growing fast! Visit a retailer near you for more information.

Once & Done Feeder Paks Once & Done Organic and Natural Plant Feeder Paks are an efficient and easy method of feeding new transplants. Add to plant hole, backfill and remember to water. It’s that simple. Slow-release organic and natural fertilizers are combined in a unique biodegradable pack that keeps nutrients in the root zone, where they need to be. More nutrients near the roots mean more nutrients in the fruits.

Combine with Mykos and Azos to support abundant growth for even the most heavy-feeding plants.

Learn more at an indoor gardening store near you.

CO2 Manager V6

CO2 Manager V6 offers two algorithms to automatically control daytime CO2 concentration. One is for bottled CO2 injection, burners with continuous pilots and DSI-piezotype ignition burners, and the other is for gas burners using Honeywell Smart Valve. A microprocessor provides incredible precision, often within 10 ppm. This product also controls nighttime CO2. There is a safety shut-off if growroom temperature exceeds 40.5°C, as well as an automatic shut-off when there is no gas. The CO2 Manager V6 supports any burner or regulator/emitter, and supports a 30.48-cm turbine for exhaust. A patch cord connects with your ventilation system and interrupts CO2 enrichment when activated. CSA, CEC and NEC compliant for your safety. Contact your local grow store today for more information.

SuperCloset’s LED SuperFlower 3.0 Hydroponic Grow Box The new LED SuperFlower 3.0 grow box utilizes a proprietary spectrum facilitated by 3-W LEDs to flower large yields in tight spaces. In addition, the LED SuperFlower 3.0 grow box uses a proprietary 8-bandwidth spectrum that runs on 700 mA. Heat is dissipated efficiently amongst the 2-CM aluminum circuit boards that are the backbone of the Super LED lighting systems. The LED SuperFlower 3.0 is a dedicated flowering grow box and is a 600-W equivalent and uses about half of the electricity as a 600-W HID light while producing similar luminous efficiency. For more information, visit a local retailer.

20

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

AD

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Tomato & Vegetable 6-2-3 Tomato & Vegetable 6-2-3 is a technologically advanced blend of natural and organic fertilizers with Mykos root-enhancing soil microbes. The unique combination of nutrients provides even the hungriest heirloom with all the necessary food for abundant growth, while the beneficial Mykos helps bridge the gap between roots and the nutrients present in the surrounding soil. See more at a retail store near you.

Floralicious Plus Floralicious® Plus is a vegan bio plant stimulator and nutrient additive. It is everything that is Floralicious, except it has been formulated to be utilized in both the vegetative and regenerative (or, flowering) stages of growth. It has five times the concentration, so its application rates are reduced. Floralicious Plus stimulates microbial activity in the plant’s root zone. This metabolic fuel solution is packed with powerful vitamins, complex plant sugars, protein-building amino acids, seaweed extracts, carbon building blocks and aromatic oils, all in a fulvic-acid base.

Floralicious Plus adds quality flavour and colours and can be used for all plants in prepared soil/soilless mixes, coco blends and hydroponics. Visit your local indoor gardening store for more information.

Shear Perfection Pruning and Cutting Tools Shear Perfection™ Pruning and Cutting Tools will perform for years.

The titanium coated stainless steel blades will stay sharp during multiple uses and are very easy to clean. These shears include a comfort-grip handle with spring-loaded action for less fatigue on your hands. Storage is simple with an easy-lock mechanism. For right- or left-handed use. Shear Perfection– A Cut Above!

Visit a retailer near you for more information.

OxyDoser Air and Pure “Air stones are child’s play” now that the OxyDoser™ is here. These devices are attached to inexpensive water pumps to saturate or super-saturate large volumes of hydroponic fluid or compost tea with oxygen. One OxyDoser will replace air pumps and air stones in 94.64- to 37854+-L systems. The patented design surpasses any other technology on the market in simplicity, cost and performance. These devices use both liquid film and micro-nano bubbles to ease the transfer of oxygen, to ionize your nutrients for better uptake and to lower your aeration costs by 80%. They are offered in stand-alone units and performance hydro systems. OxyDoser also makes oxygen-rich, full-feeding, water-only soils and pre-mixes. Visit your local hydro store for more info.

22

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

23

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Serenade Garden Disease Control Serenade Garden Disease Control is made from a unique, patented strain (QST 713) of Bacillus subtilis. Bacillus subtilis penetrates and destroys many common fungal and bacterial disease spores, but does not harm beneficial insects or wildlife. This product is registered by the EPA, meets USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) standards and is listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic gardening. Serenade Garden Disease Control can be used on flowers, vegetables, lawns and other listed plants. To learn more, visit an indoor gardening store near you.

Digital Cycle This plug-in repeat cycle timer is now water resistant.

It safely handles 15 A and electric motors and pumps to 1.5 HP. This product is also perfect for controlling ventilation. It has separate day and night settings, from one second to 99 minutes for the on cycle and from one minute to 24 hours for the off cycle—and it displays the actual time remaining in the active cycle. A multi-colour LED indicates on, off and night mode. Also, the display and LED are visible under HID lights and they automatically dim at night. This timer is made with simple and accurate programming, and it maintains settings during power outages. Eight different configurations are possible. Contact a hydroponic equipment retailer to learn more.

SuperCloset’s SuperLocker 3.0 Hydroponic Grow Box The new LED SuperLocker 3.0 grow box utilizes a proprietary spectrum facilitated by 3-W LEDs to flower large yields in tight spaces. In addition, the LED SuperLocker 3.0 grow box uses a proprietary 8-bandwidth spectrum that runs on 700 mA. Heat is dissipated efficiently amongst the 2-CM aluminum circuit boards that are the backbone of the Super LED lighting systems. The LED SuperLocker 3.0 LED lighting system is a 250-W equivalent and uses about half of the electricity as a 250-W HID light while producing similar luminous efficiency. For more information, visit a local retailer.

Rainmaker Sprayers Sunlight Supply®, Inc. is excited to announce the arrival of the Rainmaker Sprayers. From the 0.95-L spray bottle to the 18.93-L battery-powered portable sprayer, these all-purpose sprayers feature chemical-resistant polyethylene plastic bodies. This durable plastic is translucent, allowing liquid level measurements to be easily identified. Rainmaker sprayers in the 3.79- through 11.36-L sizes come with a funnel-top design, while the 15.14- and 18.93-L models feature a threaded wide-mouth opening and integrated filter to help prevent spilling or dripping. Rainmaker Sprayers can be used for a variety of home and garden applications, including cleaning agents, herbicides, pesticides and foliar feeding fertilizer or compost tea.

For more information, please visit a hydroponics shop near you.

24

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

AD

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Ostberg Americas Announces the RKB Series Fan Ostberg Americas, Inc. announces the RKB series in-line centrifugal duct fan.

The RKB is a compact, high-capacity, rectangular centrifugal fan that can be installed in any position. This product is UL705 approved. The RKB connects to rectangular ducts, has backward curved impellers, is manufactured from galvanized steel and has a swing-out design for easy cleaning. It is also designed specifically for high pressures in long runs of ducting. This product is moisture-proof, approved for outdoor use and has maintenance-free motors protected from overheating with built-in thermo contacts. Six sizes (up to 198 m3/min) are available. Visit an indoor gardening store to learn more.

Kryptomite Washing your plants with Kryptomite is fast and easy. Its ready-to-use proprietary formula is food-grade, non-toxic and acceptable for use in organic crop production. Wash off those pesky critters and crawlers and let powdery mildew become a thing of the past. This product is natural and safe for use during all stages of a plant’s life cycle, as well as during and after harvest.

With Kryptomite, plant ailments and diseases might be prevented by practicing regular cleanings and timely attention to problems. Kryptomite wash is the ultimate solution for natural gardening maintenance! Learn more at your local retailer.

Digital Stat Digital Stat is a water-resistant thermostat with a 3.66-m probe.

Use for cooling, heating or as a high-temperature safety cut-off.

Safely switches 15 A or a 1.5-HP motor. It has separate day and night temperature settings, with a range of 10 to 50°C. A multi-colour LED indicates on, off and night mode. A photocell automatically determines day or night mode. Perfect for controlling exhaust fans, the dry low voltage contacts can also control large air conditioners. The hysteresis is fully adjustable up to 5°C. The unit can be set to cut-off and lock out, auto restart with or without adjustable minimum off time. It also maintains settings during power outages. See a local retailer for more information.

The OG Air-cooled Reflector Designed in the United States by Growlite and manufactured by Growlush, the OG Air-cooled Reflector is a new design for growroom lighting that utilizes a patented vertical orientation and a carefully researched and designed 360-degree parabolic reflector that allows it to evenly concentrate and layer light. In-house and independent evaluations have shown that a 600-W lamp fitted in an OG reflector can effectively match the performance of a 1,000-W bulb in a horizontal air-cooled reflector. The OG also features Concealed Vacuum Airflow Technology, which allows it to efficiently exhaust heat away from the bulb by creating a cyclone effect to swirl air around the bulb and out of the reflector to the ventilation system. For more information, ask a local retailer.

26

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

See us in San Francisco at booth

AD

335

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Ostberg Americas Announces the CK Series Fan The CK is an in-line duct fan that combines the benefits of a radial fan with high pressure and low noise levels along with ease of installation.

This compact fan installs in any position. It is also compatible with speed controllers, is moisture-resistant for use in humid/damp locations and is manufactured from heavy-gauge galvanized steel. The UL507 models are finished with a baked epoxy coating, and all models have standard autoreset thermal overload protection. The CK series is UL listed, and comes with a 10-year limited warranty. For more information, visit a local retailer.

Grow Up! Hydrogarden

SuperCloset’s LED Deluxe 3.0 Hydroponic Grow Box SuperCloset has just added the LED Deluxe 3.0 to its suite of hydroponics systems and grow cabinets. The LED Deluxe 3.0 grow box utilizes a proprietary spectrum facilitated by 3-W LEDs to flower large yields in tight spaces. In addition, the Deluxe 3.0 LED grow boxes use a proprietary 8-bandwidth spectrum that runs on 700 mA. Heat is dissipated efficiently amongst the 2-cm aluminum circuit boards that are the backbone of the Super LED lighting systems.

The Super LED light in the Deluxe is a 400-W equivalent and uses about half of the electricity as a 400-W HID light while producing similar luminous efficiency.

For more information, visit a local retailer.

The Hydrogarden is a sleek, efficiently designed hydroponic system that grows 20 plants at once using just 0.37 sq m of space. Nutrient-rich water feeds the roots, promoting vigorous and rapid growth. There is no weeding, no bending, no daily watering, no dirty hands and no dirty knees involved.

Plus, you can garden while standing up! The Hydrogarden is eco-friendly and sustainable gardening at its finest and involves no runoff and no harmful chemicals. In addition, Hydrogarden uses 90% less water and space. The Hydrogarden is proudly manufactured using durable, food-grade, UVprotected plastic designed to withstand years of outdoor use. It is the most affordable system of its kind on the market. Ask about it at your nearest retail store.

Growlush 600-W Programmable Digital Ballast The new Growlush 600-W Programmable Digital Ballast features the same quality, silent operation, dimming and super lumen functions as our previous silent, electronic ballasts, but adds the functionality of a built-in digital timer to manage your light schedule with down-to-the-minute accuracy, as well as a remote control option.

Growlush ballasts have low failure rates and are backed by a 3-year limited warranty and include safety features that include automatic shutdown in case of a short circuit, overheating or lamp failure. This modern, electronic ballast is up to 30% more energy efficient and can help to prolong lamp life by up to 10%. Additionally, users can seamlessly switch between MH and HPS bulbs and adjust light output on the fly from as little as 50% to as high as 110%. For more information, ask a local retailer.

28

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

AD

Dirt Digging in the

Get outside and soak up some vitamin D while playing in your hydroponic, raised bed, in-ground or container garden. While you’re at it, take advantage of long-time Maximum Yield contributor Lee McCall’s recommended products, technologies and practices for success.

30

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

by Lee McCall

Container, raised bed, in-ground and hydroponic techniques may all be implemented in an outdoor garden with great success. Outdoor gardening obviously differs from indoor gardening with regard to the relative balance of certain environmental factors. The benefit of free sunlight cannot be overstated for outdoor gardeners, as proper lighting is a major expense that indoor gardeners must bear in order to produce healthy crops. Alternatively, carbon dioxide enrichment is not possible for outdoor growers—excluding greenhouse operators—and this enrichment serves to increase the overall quality and fresh weight of indoor harvests. For the average residential grower larger plants may be more easily produced outdoors given the space restrictions that are present in indoor residential growrooms, so yields may be significantly higher outdoors. Bugs, on the other hand, are definitely easier to control indoors, since the grower exercises full control over the environment. While filtering incoming air will prevent moulds and bugs from infecting sterile crop spaces indoors, outdoor pest control may be regarded more as an annoying but expected part of the hobby, rather than something that is completely controllable. I have always had to invest more in pest control in outdoor gardens as opposed to indoor ones. While natural controls such as predator bugs, foliar sprays and insecticidal barriers like diatomaceous earth can help to control the pests and diseases that are constantly attacking outdoor crops, larger pests such as moles, rabbits, deer and squirrels will have to be physically restricted through the use of perimeter fencing or other deterrents.

For the average

residential grower larger plants may be more easily produced outdoors given the space restrictions that are present in indoor residential growrooms.”

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

31

Digging in the dirt The best recommendation I can provide for outdoor gardeners is to first implement a clean water source, free of heavy metals, chlorine, chloramines and contaminants. Carbon, sediment or reverse osmosis purification systems can help to provide a high-quality water source for all the plants in the garden. A quality growing medium and nutritional package will also help to keep growth progressive and consistent.

Outdoors, I prefer a growing medium that has dominant moisture-holding capabilities—a rich organic soil heavy in castings, composted forest humus, coconut coir and perlite-grade diatomite will provide this and encourage lush microbial colonization as well. I choose not to add any more perlite than the amount that comes premixed in most organic potting soils and planting mixes, as it tends to increase drainage and encourage drought.

I believe all

outdoor gardens should be supplemented with organic and natural fertilizers as opposed to synthetic ones, which deplete soils and eradicate naturally occuring microbial colonies.”

Rich organic soil is ideal for raised bed and in-ground gardens.

32

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

The type of rich organic soil I have described above is ideal for raised bed and in-ground planting. Go lighter on waterings if you are not used to incorporating such a heavy moisture-loving mix though, so as not to drown the roots slowly to death. Thorough watering is ideal, but make sure the plants are drying out, or consuming their water weight, between feedings. Aeration containers, whether fabric-based or injection-moulded, are also highly recommended for their root pruning properties and the increased dissipation of heat from the root zone caused from sun scald or high temperatures they can provide.

Dose (top dress) raised beds and container gardens once a month with a premium organic granular (dry) fertilizer to ensure the optimal health and vigour of your garden. Specialty blends are available from a wide variety of manufacturers that can provide plants with an immense but safely time-released amount of primary and secondary nutrients, trace elements and bacterial and fungal inoculants. I believe all outdoor gardens should be supplemented with these fertilizers as opposed to synthetic ones, which deplete soils and eradicate naturally occurring microbial colonies. These organic and natural fertilizer packages are relatively inexpensive—approximately $10 for a box or bag—and they will increase the vitality of the soil each time they are applied. This means that a raised bed or garden patch that has been treated this way season after

rich organic

soil heavy in castings, composted forest humus, coconut coir and perlite-grade diatomite will...encourage lush microbial colonization.”

season will actually increase in microbiological diversity. As the plot, bed or container naturally self-composts over time, nutrients should become more readily available and the soil’s water retention properties will be enhanced. Many people are also not aware that tilling their beds, plots or containers is a misguided practice. Until recently I was also an offender, until several experts educated me on the reasoning behind the principle.

Never till the soil! This disrupts the microbial colonization of the beneficial fungi and bacteria that are responsible for the bio-availability of nutrients to your plants.

When growing hydroponically outdoors I find myself obsessing over root zone temperatures more than I probably should, although this is a critical aspect of hydroponic gardening—indoors or out—that always tends to give me problems if I neglect it. Water chillers are great examples of innovations that implement technological advancements in order to overcome natural environmental conditions. Heat may no longer debilitate your plants if they are able to maintain cooler root zones from the application of a chilled nutrient solution with high oxygen concentrations. Despite temperatures of 35°C and upwards, certain varietals will definitely tolerate even extreme heat waves, so long as the roots are bathed with a chilled and oxygenated nutrient solution. Outdoors, insulate

Dosing container gardens once a month with a premium dry organic granular fertilizer will ensure optimal health and vigour.

the nutrient reservoir as fully as possible to Certain plant varieties will tolerate extreme heat waves, avoid temperature fluctuations and negative so long as the roots are pathogen growth. Some growers will actubathed with a chilled and oxygenated nutrient solution. ally bury their holding tank partially or even completely in the ground, which insulates the solution and protects it from light. Drip systems—which allow automated handsfree watering over a soilless or hydroponic grow medium using a submersible pump and timer—are easy to implement in most patio or outdoor gardening plots, and plastic tubing and drip emitters are available from most local hydroponic and indoor gardening supply outlets. Recirculating and drain-towaste systems may also be utilized. For water conservation purposes, I recommend soil, soilless or coco-based growing mediums that retain higher levels of moisture.

With the growing season in mind, always prepare in advance to have a better chance of success. If possible, start seeds indoors under grow lights so that the weeks of early vegetative growth establishment are already done when the weather finally allows outdoor planting. Use shade cloth if necessary when hardening off transplants started inside so as not to instantly overdose the fragile starts with intense sunlight and too big a change— this is a great way to provide sown seeds a healthy start without overstressing them. You can also use coconut coir chips or croutons as a top dressing to create a decorative, ecofriendly landscaping effect on raised flower beds or garden plots. Large-grade diatomite adds a decorative appeal that decreases insect populations and adds beneficial silicates to the soil as well.

As the weather gets warmer and vegetation reappears, we’re back once again to the joy of digging in the dirt in the backyard garden. Promote selfsustainable gardening practices whenever possible—and enjoy indoors under grow the fruits of your labour, comlights so that the pliments of the sun. MY

start seeds

weeks of early vegetative growth establishment are already done when the weather finally allows outdoor planting.”

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

33

AD

AD

How Much

Water is too Much?

by Frank Rauscher

36

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

Should you be watering your plants once a day?

Probably not if they’re cacti! In truth, different plants and different soils need different watering regimens.

Here’s a general guide...

Too much, not enough, too often or too seldom—these are concerns I hear from growers all the time regarding watering practices. The question most often heard, however, is simply, “How much?” A clearer understanding of the issues involved in watering your plants might help answer this for you.

“The optimal amount of water to apply is the amount you need to adequately saturate the soil to the depth of your plant’s root system.”

In regards to how much is too much—when your soil has good drainage, your only real concerns are wasting water and draining off essential nutrients; otherwise, it’s not really an issue. The optimal amount of water to apply is the amount you need to adequately saturate the soil to the depth of your plant’s root system. (If the plant is still in the early root development phase, the soil should be watered to a point a bit deeper than the roots currently exist.) When the amount of water applied is insufficient or the watering time too short, the water does not extend all the way to the depth of the roots—this problem is common with soil that drains or perks slowly, and often results in a plant with shallow roots and poor yield.

Soil type has a huge impact on the amount of water you’ll need to provide your garden. No matter what the soil type you’re using, the entire root system should be wet when watering is completed. This process might take some time after the watering cycle has completed, as soil moisture osmosis can be slow and gradual. In heavy soils like clay, a fully wet root ball can take several watering cycles to achieve because the water tends to run off if applied all at once or too quickly.

This means that the optimal amount of water your plants require is also tied to the rate at which it is applied. When you apply water by hand, it tends to be applied quickly and conditions of unequal soil moisture are more likely to occur.

However, evenly moist soil provides your best chance for healthy root development and the maximum yield from your crop. The easiest way to achieve this is to use slow-drip watering, a process in which runoff is avoided and run time can be ascertained through the use of a soil probe and moisture meter. Although moisture meters are by no means 100% accurate, they do provide a digital comparison between moisture levels at various depths of the root ball. This can add a lot of insight compared to the simple use of an “educated finger” for checking soil wetness.

“Evenly moist soil provides your best chance for healthy root development and the maximum yield from your crop.”

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

37

How much water is too much?

All this can sound like way too much work in order to figure out how long to water, but it doesn’t need to be. With containers, potting soil is your typical growing medium. It provides good drainage, so if you have applied the water slowly, then the point at which you can observe runoff from the bottom of the container will indicate that you’re done.

Then, to determine when to water again, know your plant’s preferences and check your soil moisture periodically. Also, take notes—you won’t have to keep repeating this process if you are using the same containers and medium again.

Raised beds might have heavy, slow-draining soils, which introduce a variable of percolation rates and requires that water be applied slowly in order to prevent runoff at the top. Bottom runoff is not visible in raised beds, so a soil probe to examine the deeper levels of soil moisture will be required—in-ground garden beds need this even more.

Now, let’s address an even more important issue: how often is too often? Most houseplants need water about once a week, but what about other crops? Watering a plant every day is frequently done, yet rarely debated; and while there are plants that do well

with daily watering, there are many that do not. That’s why I feel a better understanding of watering frequency is vital.

The ideal condition of soil moisture for most plants is when the lower section of the root ball does not ever dry out, but stays moist while the upper section remains welloxygenated and only slightly moist. (That being said, drought-tolerant species and low-water users are not tolerant of continually wet soil—their root systems need to have more oxygen present.) Of course, when water is applied from the top—as is normal—then for a time the top section will naturally be the wettest. This is one reason why watering too frequently can cause trouble.

Factors such as evaporation, transpiration and soil drainage are all keys to figuring out a good watering schedule that will achieve the ideal soil moisture condition. Evaporation is a function related to the soil and is based primarily on ambient air temperature, wind and surface area. When growing indoors, the air temperature is impacted to a great degree by the type of light source employed and the number of hours that the lamps are run.

If you’re growing in a room without air conditioning, then

“The ideal condition of soil moisture for most plants is when the lower section of the root ball does not ever dry out, but stays moist while the upper section remains well-oxygenated and only slightly moist.”

38

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

evaporation will increase as the summer brings warmer temperatures.

Movement of water from the roots to the stems and leaves before exiting the pores or stoma is called transpiration.

High air temperatures, dry air, wind and the type of plant involved all affect the rate of transpiration. When soil moisture is depleted and the roots can no longer pull up enough water, the rate will slow and the plant will start to stress. Leaves will flag or wilt and tissue death will eventually occur. When trying to anticipate how much water might be needed for your plants, it should be apparent that mature plants with large roots will take up and give off much more water than small ones. Vegetative plants also use more water, in order to support production. In other words, you’ll need to increase watering frequency as the plant matures—especially when growing in a container.

Different soils also drain or percolate at different rates. Many potting soil products use coconut fibre to help retain water for a longer period of time, whereas other products add sand to help increase drainage and allow oxygen to return more quickly.

Succulent plants do well with fasterdraining soil, while bog plants, like horsetail and canna lilies, can have their roots wet all the time. Knowing plant and soil characteristics and then keeping that balance right during the various phases of plant growth is what makes for success.

A good balance between the air and water in the root system is also extremely important. Respiration is the process within a plant where oxygen is taken into the roots from the soil and the plant converts the sugars it created during photosynthesis into energy.

Without adequate soil oxygen (which can be depleted by overwatering), the roots do not function properly and the plant shuts down. Often the symptoms you’ll observe in this situation are almost identical to those you’ll see when a plant is drying out—the leaves flag or wilt and the plant begins to die.

This is why plants will actually die much faster from overly frequent watering than from drought. A comparison might be made with humans—how long can we go without breathing air,

compared to how long can we go without drinking water?

Then there are those plants that are drought tolerant; these varieties have adapted to growing in conditions where water might be withheld for weeks or even months. Many of these plants take up as much water as they can when it’s available. So, when given irrigation frequently, these plants often take up so much water that it damages them. There is a big difference between lowwater plants and drought-tolerant species, however; low-water plants just don’t take up water quickly and so will be far less affected by overwatering. Still, respiration is important for all plants and adequate soil oxygen must be assured.

So, the age-old question “How often and how much should I water my plants?” does not have a simple one-size-fits-all answer. Depending on plant characteristics and soil, proper watering frequency can vary greatly. The key to establishing an appropriate routine is knowing your plants and your soil. If you understand the interaction between your soil, your plants and the ambient temperature, you’ll have a head start on a good watering schedule. The use of a quality moisture meter can also help in monitoring and maintaining the correct frequency of irrigation. (The amount of dissolved oxygen in the soil is also great to know, but meters that measure this are rather expensive). Follow these steps and, within a short time, your plants will be healthy and vigourous. MY

“When trying to anticipate how much water might be needed for your plants, it should be apparent that mature plants with large roots will take up and give off much more water than small ones. Vegetative plants also use more water, in order to support production.”

Reference: coopext.colostate.edu/4DMG/Plants/guidline.htm Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

39

Physiological

Disorders of Indoor Gardens

by Dr. Lynette Morgan Indoor Gardening Allows gardeners to be fully in control of their plants. So, when physiological disorders strike, they can seem strange, mysterious and even sinister…

Indoor gardens can be a fairly intense environment for hydroponic plants. High levels of light, heat, carbon dioxide enrichment and a plentiful supply of water and nutrients give plants everything they could want; however, sometimes growth can still go awry with no obvious cause.

Physiological disorders, which affect a plant’s development, are usually the culprit, and they are caused by environmental or cultural factors.

Some of these physiological disorders, such as tip burn on heading lettuce or blossom end rot (BER) on tomatoes, are common in indoor gardens, large-scale commercial greenhouses and outdoor production, so they are relatively well-understood and easily recognizable. Other physiological conditions, however, are much more specific to the enclosed environment of indoor hydroponic system and are not as well-understood or easily diagnosed by growers. Some physiological disorder symptoms are also non-specific, meaning the same symptom could be caused by a number of different issues—like plant pathogens, nutritional problems or a complex physiological problem.

In this case, having a good idea of basic plant requirements and physiology is the best place to start.

Physiological problems in detail Humidity & root pressure issues

Humidity levels—if not kept below a certain level—might be more often associated with an increased risk of fungal and bacterial disease; however, it also plays an important role in plant physiology. The plant must be able to transpire and lose water in order to maintain the transpiration stream within itself. If transpiration is slowed down due to high humidity or lack of air movement (which removes the stale and humid boundary layer sounding the leaf), 40

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

41

physiological disorders elements like calcium can’t be transported fast enough to the developing leaf tips and fruit.

When this occurs, many inexperienced growers mistake the resulting brown or black tissue of BER—in tomatoes and peppers— and tip burn—on the youngest leaves in lettuce, strawberry and other salad crops—to be a disease. However, it is most often due to a localized deficiency of calcium that develops in the extremities of the plants. In wellrun hydroponic systems, tip burn and BER are rarely caused by a calcium deficiency in the root zone; these calcium transport problems are more commonly found in warmer growing conditions and are usually associated with high humidity. These conditions can be improved by lowering humidity and increasing airflow over the plants to boost the rate of transpiration and, therefore, the flow of calcium out to developing fruits and leaf tips. Calcium transport disorders like these also have a genetic element, and many modern cultivars of lettuce and tomatoes have had some degree of BER or tip-burn resistance bred into them.

Glassiness

Another less well-known physiological disorder related to humidity levels is glassiness, most commonly seen in lettuce, young seedlings and other succulent crops. Glassiness creates patches with a water-soaked, almost translucent appearance on the leaves of plants—and it’s often seen first thing in the

Water-soaked tissue in a young seedling caused by the physiological disorder “glassiness.”

42

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

morning and it might disappear later on as the plants warm up. This disorder is related to both high humidity and root pressure, which is greatest at night. Roots can take up excess moisture under the cooler conditions at night and, using root pressure, pump this up to the foliage where it can’t be lost from the leaves thanks to the low rate of transpiration that occurs when temperatures are cool and humidity is high.

This condition is usually reversible (with no lasting damage) once good ventilation and airflow are introduced and humidity is lowered. However, if glassiness persists and becomes severe, leaf cells can eventually die and create dead patches of foliage that could then be infected with disease.

Edema (Oedema)

Edema is more common than most growers realize; however, its symptoms are often not correctly linked back to the cause. As with glassiness, edema is caused by an imbalance between the plant’s water uptake and water loss, and develops when root pressure is high and transpiration low. The enlarged cells—which are full of water—divide and rupture, causing a number of symptoms like raised blisters, galls and water-soaked swellings or protrusions on leaves, stems and veins. In later stages, the damaged tissue becomes corky with gall-like formations that harden and darken with age. In mild cases, plants can recover from edema; in severe ones, leaves can curl and become distorted

“In well-run hydroponic systems, tip burn and Ber are rarely caused by a calcium deficiency in the root zone; these calcium transport problems are more commonly found in warmer growing conditions and are usually associated with high humidity.”

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

43

physiological disorders High EC or salinity damage is more common in sensitive crops such as lettuce.

and foliage will drop in the later stages. It has been suggested that edema is linked to the spectral quality of the lighting, with red light promoting the condition and ultraviolet inhibiting it.

Edema, however, is usually controlled or prevented by careful management of the environment by increasing air movement, lowering humidity with high rates of ventilation, using a welldrained growing medium with optimum levels of nitrogen, etc.

Light, temperature and cO2 issues specific to indoor gardens A halo of yellow tissue around this cucumber leaf is a result of high EC in the root zone.

Continuous light injury or abnormal photoperiod effects

Light injury is another physiological disorder often only seen in indoor gardens, where HID lighting can be run continuously or for long periods. Many plant species can tolerate continuous lighting (although running lamps for 24 hours a day might not give the growth increases expected), but some species—including tomato, potato and some ornamentals—are intolerant of extended or continuous periods of light. If exposed to such conditions, they can develop physiological disorders, such as becoming severely chlorotic, yellowed and stunted or with brown flecking of the foliage. High-light injury is also more common in environments where CO2 enrichment is used and it is thought that a high buildup of starch in the chloroplasts might play a role in this disorder.

CO2 injury

Salt burn can be mistaken for plant disease.

Blossom end rot of tomato fruit is a physiological disorder related to calcium transport within the plant.

44

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

Enriching an enclosed growing area with CO2 can result in significant growth benefits; however, CO2 toxicity can occur when levels run too high. Some plant species are more susceptible to CO2 toxicity than others, so maximum-level recommendations are hard to define. That being said, optimum ranges for most plants are below 1,600 ppm, more commonly in the 800 to 1,200 ppm range. Sometimes, in indoor gardens, the cause of CO2 toxicity is a faulty CO2 monitor; in that case, the grower would not be aware that CO2 levels are well above optimum.

It should also be noted that high levels of CO2 are toxic to humans as well—levels of 5,000 ppm can cause dizziness or a lack of coordination—which is another good reason for keeping CO2 monitors properly calibrated.

In plants, symptoms of CO2 toxicity can include leaf rolling or deformation, chlorosis or mottling of the leaves and, in later stages, leaf drop of older foliage.

Gasses as unwanted contaminants

Some of the most severe physiological disorders are caused by gasses that find their way into the growing environment.

Propane leaks from heating systems have been known to cause injury to indoor crops, but ethylene is a more common issue.

Ethylene is a gas and a plant hormone that can originate from a number of sources, including rotting vegetation, ripening fruit, vehicle exhaust and some plant-growth regulators. However, malfunctioning heating systems and the incorrect use of burners to generate CO2 are the most common causes of ethylene contamination in growing environments.

“Physiological disorders can be easily forgotten and overlooked; so, when a problem starts occurring, it pays not to just assume that every issue is either a disease or nutrient disorder.”

The severity of symptoms depends on the species being grown and the level of ethylene buildup. Some sensitive plants, such as tomatoes, will show symptoms—like epinasty (downward bending of the leaves while remaining turgid), reduced growth and height and, in severe cases, leaf and flower abscission—at ethylene levels as low as 0.05 ppm.

Premature bolting

“Bolting” is the term used to describe the premature elongation of a plant’s compact stem. The entire plant, which is still relatively young and immature, grows upward and forms a flower stalk.

Lettuce, other salad greens and herbs can bolt or go to seed extremely early, sometimes while still in the seedling stage.

Typically, this occurs when temperatures are higher than optimal, often combined with low light levels or overcrowding. Some cultivars have been bred to have some degree of premature bolting resistance, but this physiological disorder is still a common problem, particularly with lettuce. Prevention is relatively easy, however, maintain temperatures below 25oC for lettuce and other cool season salads, maintain suitably high light levels and prevent seedlings from becoming pot-bound and overcrowded before planting out.

Media and nutrient issues

Overwatering and under watering are the most common causes of physiological disorders in hydroponic crops; however, overwatering is far more common and misdiagnosed than under watering (we all know what a dry root system looks like, after all). Interestingly, overwatering initially looks quite similar to under watering—at least from the top of the plant. Wilting, downward hanging leaves, eventual leaf/bud/flower drop, yellowing and chlorosis are all signs of overwatering. In the most severe cases, epinasty will result because the damaged root systems will have started producing ethylene. Overwatering can be prevented by reducing the frequency and volume of nutrient applied, particularly under cooler growing conditions, and using a coarse, free-draining medium like perlite.

Elephant’s foot

Leaf rolling can have a number of causes including CO2 toxicity.

The root zone can be the cause of other physiological disorders in hydroponics. Some of the most common of these disorders are related to salinity damage and electrical conductivity (EC) buildup. As with many physiological disorders, the symptoms of these might be confusing to new or inexperienced growers; however, they are usually never forgotten once encountered.

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

45

physiological disorders

“Overwatering and under watering are the most common causes of physiological disorders in hydroponic crops.”

Tipburn can be common on lettuce and other vegetables under conditions of high humidity.

For example, one condition that is common in pepper plants (other plants can also develop a similar appearance) is elephant’s foot—or, foot corkiness. Elephant’s foot is characterized by a swollen and sometimes cracked area on the stem close to the base of the plant, caused by injury to the stem cells by excessive amounts of salts. It is easy for nutrient salts to accumulate around the base of the plant, particularly where the nutrient is irrigated close to the stem area or when a highly free-draining growing medium is used under lowhumidity conditions. Elephant’s foot is less likely to occur when seedlings are planted deeper into the growing medium and when nutrient salt buildup around the stem is prevented.

Salinity damage

Salinity damage in hydroponic systems is much more common in some crops than others.

Tomatoes, for example, are fairly 46

Bolting or premature flowing of lettuce causes elongation of the plant and is common under warm growing conditions.

tolerant of high EC and salt buildup, whereas other more sensitive plants like cucumbers and lettuce are not.

Cucumbers show a fairly distinctive disorder when the EC becomes too high in the root zone (EC levels of only 3 to 3.5 have been shown to cause these symptoms in some cucumber crops): wilting during the warmest part of the day, fol-lowed by a distinctive leaf halo—a thin band of yellow coloration around the leaf margin.

This disorder is more common under warm growing conditions with rapid evaporation from the growing media and high rates of water uptake by the plant. These act to concentrate the EC and salts around the root zone, leading to salinity damage. Salinity damage is common under the warm, dry conditions of many indoor hydroponics gardens where EC levels in the root zone can climb far more rapidly than a grower might realize.

In this case, the EC in the feed solution should be dropped right back to adjust for the increased rate of water uptake by the plants.

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

Fruit malformation caused by low temperatures during fruit set is a condition termed catface.

in conclusion

Physiological disorders can range from mild (sometimes not even noticeable) to severe (causing plant death), so identification of the problem is the key to a quick recovery. Physiological disorders can be easily forgotten and overlooked; so, when a problem starts occurring, it pays not to just assume that every issue is either a disease or nutrient disorder.

Most of these physiological conditions are induced by factors that are fully under our control and—in an indoor situation—that means keeping a constant check on light, humidity, temperature, salinity in the root zone, CO2 and heating/venting systems. Luckily, these days growers have the choice of the latest technology for monitoring and adjusting the indoor growing environment so that many physiological disorders can be prevented—using and maintaining the best equipment to monitor CO2, root zone moisture levels, pH, EC, temperature, humidity and vapour pressure deficit, airflow and light levels go a long way to preventing any unwanted growth issues. MY

g n i z a m A

Aloe:

Beat the Burn With Nature’s

Natural Nurse

by Heather Brautman

Before beating a quick path to the closest beach, lake or apartment-complex pool, it’s become second nature to fill a bag with the essentials: bottled water, a steamy novel, floaties for the kids and sun block.

However, even the most organized protected person can get hit with sunburn.

Fortunately, there’s a cheap, completely natural salve close at hand…

48

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

Aloe vera—or simply “aloe”—is thought to have first sprouted seed in northern Africa, but has furthered its roots around the globe to India, Central America, Australia, the Caribbean and the southern United States. According to the Arizona Cooperative Extension, aloe vera has been used medicinally for 6,000 years.

The University of Maryland Medical Center states that aloe was one of the most frequently used prescriptions during the 18th and 19th centuries. It’s long since moved out from behind the pharmacy counter and onto the shelves (chances are it’s also freely propagating in a garden near you).

How it works

Aloe is 99% water, and the rest is made up of the important parts that directly affect human healing.”

Even if you’ve never broken off a leaf and spread the thin, viscous, clear liquid over a recent burn, you’re probably aware that the “lifeblood” of an aloe vera plant can cool and heal burns, blisters, scratches and scrapes.

Aloe is 99% water, and the rest is made up of the important parts that directly affect human healing. Within that remaining 1%, there are polysaccharides (which help skin grow) and glycoproteins (which suppress pain and inflammation, kick-start the healing process).

Union County College offers two ways you can take advantage of aloe vera’s beneficial sap. First, you can try going old school by simply breaking off a leaf and let the liquid run across the burn or itchy area. Or you can boil up something more potent by brewing up the plant’s dried sap and use it—after cooling the liquid—as a washout for wounds.

Of course, aloe is so prevalent these days that it’s possible to completely skip the homegrown route entirely— whether it’s because you have a black thumb or simply prefer to let someone else do the work. You can find aloe vera extract everywhere. A short trip to a drugstore, pharmacy or holistic health store will reveal aloe vera in lotion, tincture, face wash, ointment and other products.

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

49

Amazing Aloe

Paging Dr. Aloe

burns that were dressed with aloe healed completely in less than 16 days, compared to the 19-day recovery period of those treated with silver sulfadiazine.”

While some non-believers could toss claims about aloe’s “super powers” as bunk, holistic practitioners have touted its benefits for ailments such as diabetes, radiation-related mucositis, epilepsy and amenorrhea. Aloe, as mentioned above, is proven to work on burns. (The latter is according to Wilkes University, where practitioners cited aloe’s “beneficial effects for treating epidermal and superficial disorders and wounds”).

University of Maryland cites some interesting statistics about use of aloe on minor burns: In one study, burns that were dressed with aloe healed completely in less than 16 days, compared to the 19-day recovery period of those treated with silver sulfadiazine (the traditional medication prescribed by physicians). Maryland also noted that aloe’s benefits extend to other ailments, as it aided sufferers of genital herpes and psoriasis with anti-inflammatory effects that bested hydrocortisone cream.

Grow your own Aloe vera could be called “easy vera,” as it is one of the most low-maintenance plants you’ll shepherd through your garden. Aloe vera plants require very little water and thrive best in direct sunlight.

This plant doesn’t ask for much. A simple potting mix with perlite, grit or sand will serve as a fine home. The Arizona Cooperative Extension notes that even cactus mix soil will work for the aloe vera plant. Make sure the plant’s new “home” has a drainage hole and only water when the soil is dry. Also, while these plants don’t quite enjoy “chilling out,” you can easily move them in from the frost and back out when the sun begins to blaze again.

Aloe vera plants make a lush addition to your garden, even if you don’t plan to break off a leaf or two. When the plants mature, you’ll have uniform light green color with fronds that extend up to 1.21 m in length.

Just be careful with the soft, but prickly spines around the edges. Invest in your aloe plants and they’ll reward you with a stalk bearing cylindrical yellow flowers in a rosette shape.

If you do plan to use your aloe plant for healing purposes, don’t worry that breaking off a leaf will destroy the plant or cause necrosis to set in. Stem wounds and broken roots heal themselves (most successfully under shady conditions).

50

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

When you’re ready to buy your seedlings or cuttings, you’ll find them online through a variety of sellers, from massive mass merchandisers to specialty succulent shops. You can also venture out and buy from local nurseries, where you might even get advice on planting and supporting your new in-house first aid.

The biggest key to avoiding disappointment (i.e., discovering something you’ve planted is not what you planned on) is to do your research. Buy from trusted vendors, who have feedback and encouraging information on their websites. Pop into your nearby horticultural shop and ask who they buy from or who they’d recommend. Then get growing!

Limitations and considerations Holistic practitioners and DIY-ers alike might both strongly advise you try to take the homegrown route as much as possible, but even a strong contender such as aloe has its limitations. Influential health affiliated organizations such as the University of Medicine and Dentistry of

New Jersey state that pregnant women should not take aloe vera in pill format. Women who are looking to conceive, or are unsure whether they are currently pregnant, should stay away too and find other ways to cool their burns.

The University of Colorado Denver also warns a larger group of people against the use of aloe vera in pill format—which can serve as a stimulant laxative—including people suffering from chronic constipation, inflammatory intestinal diseases and kidney disease. UC Denver also echoes the University of Medicine and Dentistry’s warning against pregnant women taking aloe vera supplements, and also adds children under 10 years old to the warning list. UC Denver also warns that people allergic to garlic, tulips and onions might also find themselves allergic to aloe vera, which is considered to be in the same Lillaceae plant family.

Also, keep in mind that aloe’s positive health benefits only work for

superficial burns. More intense burns from hot stove coils or boiling water, and chemically induced blisters should be treated by medical professionals immediately. In some cases, there’s just no plant-based option for treating something so severe, especially when delaying care could result in life-threatening infection, blood loss or improper healing. The University of Maryland also notes that while aloe has shown to reduce recovery time by up to nine days for some burns, it should never be applied to an open wound. MY

When you’re ready to buy your seedlings or cuttings, you’ll find them online through a variety of sellers, from massive mass merchandisers to specialty succulent shops.”

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

51

How to Grow Growing rosemary indoors can be tricky. Many good gardeners have tried and, despite their best efforts, end up with a dry, brown, dead rosemary plant. Knowing the secrets to proper care of rosemary plants grown indoors will help you keep your rosemary plants growing happily indoors all year long.

by Heather Rhoades

52

Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2013

The four most common reasons rosemary plants die when grown indoors are: • lack of sunlight • poor watering practices • powdery mildew • pests If you can avoid these issues, your rosemary plant will live happily inside.

Let’s look at how to avoid each.

In the winter, rosemary plants grow much more slowly and need much less water than they do in the summer. Watering too often will cause root rot, which will kill the plant. On the other side, if the soil of the rosemary plant is allowed to dry out completely, the roots will die back and the plant will not have enough roots to support itself.

Powdery mildew Lack of sunlight

Lack of sunshine is the most common reason for a rosemary plant growing indoors to die. Often rosemary plants are brought indoors without any acclimation. They go from six to eight hours of strong, direct light to four to six hours of weak or indirect light. The rosemary plant is unable to produce enough energy to stay alive on this amount of weak light and simply dies.

The first step to preventing rosemary light starvation is to put your rosemary on a sunlight diet before you bring it indoors. Several weeks before you bring the rosemary inside, move the plant to gradually shadier areas of your yard. This will force the rosemary plant to grow leaves that are more efficient at turning light into energy, which will help it cope with weaker indoor light when it moves inside.

Once your rosemary moves indoors, make sure that you place it in the brightest window in your house, which is normally a south-facing window. If your rosemary plant is not getting at least six to eight hours of light a day, place an indoor lamp as close as possible to the plant to help supplement the sunlight.

Poor watering practices

Indoors or outdoors, rosemary plants are very susceptible to powdery mildew. Most homes do not have the same air circulation as the outside world, which makes this an even worse problem for the plant inside.

The best way to drive away powdery mildew on rosemary plants is to increase the air circulation around it.

Letting a fan blow on it for a few hours a day or taking it out of more high humidity rooms, like the bathroom or kitchen, will help improve the air circulation. You can also treat the plant with a fungicide to help keep away the powdery mildew.

rosemary moves indoors, make sure that you place it in the brightest window in your house.”

The second most common reason for an indoor rosemary plant to die is poor watering practices. Often, indoor rosemary plants are watered too little or too much. Make sure that the drainage on the container with the rosemary is excellent. Only water the soil when the top is dry to the touch. That being said, never let the soil dry out completely.

Pests

While pests might get the blame for killing a rosemary plant, most pests will only infest a plant that is already weakened. Unfortunately, most rosemary growing indoors, despite all best efforts, grows in a somewhat weakened state. The more strict you are about making sure your rosemary plant is watered properly and gets enough light, the less likely pests will bother the plant.

If your rosemary plant is infected with pests, use a houseplant pesticide to remove them.

Since rosemary is an herb and it is mainly grown to be eaten, look for organic pesticides. One that is growing in popularity is neem oil, as it is very effective against pests but is completely harmless to humans and pets.

For more gardening tips and rosemary tricks visit gardeningknowhow.com or check out their Q&A section at gardeningknowhow.com/questions

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

53

by

Eric Hopper

Battle of the Bugs: AG B I uide to

eneficial

nsects

There are few things as troubling as discovering an insect infestation in an otherwise flawless garden. Once discovered, a grower must immediately launch a counter-attack to get rid of those harmful bugs. Here’s a look at one environmentally friendly weapon in the anti-pest arsenal…

54

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

Nothing disturbs the production of a flourishing garden or the disposition of a horticulturalist like pests. These nasty buggers can wreak havoc on a plant’s ability to perform while frustrating the gardener into a frenzy of despair. Most gardeners’ first reaction is to buy an insecticide. Don’t get me wrong, there are some great insecticides on the market; however, before you reach for that can of poison, consider recruiting some beneficial insects to do the job for you.

Beneficial insects in nature

“

Horticulturalists who have grown plants both indoors and outdoors notice a difference in terms of pest. Indoor infestations are generally much more destructive and overwhelming than outdoor pest problems.

The reason for this is nature’s natural predators. Indoor gardens are safe havens for pests, whereas pests in outdoor gardens are subjected to predatory bugs, birds and other critters that keep their populations in check. Some insect predators are actually drawn to plants by pheromones produced by the pests or the plant itself.

For

every pest, there is at

least one predatory counterpart that can be introduced into a garden in order to naturally battle the bothersome bugs.

”

new

Apple Crumble So good, you have to try it!

Neutralize Odors, Naturally

available at all fine hydroponics retailers

onaonline.com Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

55

Battle of the Bugs Nature is a diverse and powerful force that provides balance in all ecosystems. This balance can be used to a horticulturist’s advantage: for every pest, there is at least one predatory counterpart that can be introduced into a garden in order to naturally battle the bothersome bugs.

Here are a couple examples:

Beneficial

insect: Predator mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis, Mesoseiulus longipes and Neoseiulus californicus)

Pest insect: Spider mites Most gardeners would agree that the worst-of-the-worst pest is the spider mite. This is especially true in indoor gardens or greenhouse environments, where entire crops can be wiped out in a matter of days. There are some effective predatory insects that can be used to combat these relentless bugs and the three species of predatory mites (listed above) are the most effective at treating a spider mite problem.

Most beneficial-insect suppliers will offer a combination of these three predator mites in one package. This is helpful because they all reproduce in slightly different environmental conditions. In introducing all three predator mites simultaneously, the hope is that at least one of the species will find the garden’s environment suitable for reproduction. Of the three, Mesoseiulus longipes is probably the most suitable for an indoor garden. They have the widest range of preferable humidity and temperature, but, most importantly, they find lower humidities—which are generally found within indoor gardens—suitable for reproduction.

“

a day and adult females will lay up to 15 eggs a day. The total life cycle (from egg to adult) of a spider mite destroyer is around 18 days, with a total lifespan of about eight weeks. When established, spider mite destroyers will reproduce at a rate that is fast enough to destroy a spider mite infestation, hence their appropriate name.

Beneficial

insect: Predator nematodes (Steinernema nematode and Heterorhabditis nematode)

Pest

insect: Thrips or fungus gnats Besides being a huge nuisance, thrips and fungus gnats have something else in common: they both rely on soil or medium for a portion of their life cycle. A great way to treat any pest insect that lives a portion of their life cycle in the medium is to use predatory nematodes. Predatory nematodes are tiny worm-like creatures that feed on the eggs and larvae of soil-borne insects. As soon as any signs of thrips or fungus gnats appear predatory nematodes should be watered in to the medium.

Most beneficial insect suppliers sell a combination of both Steinernema and Heterorhabditis nematodes because they work at different depths in the soil. Combined with sticky traps to catch adults, predatory nematodes are an effective and non-toxic option for completely eradicating a thrip or fungus gnat problem.

General predatory

insects are insects that feed on a variety of pest insects.

Beneficial

insect: Spider mite destroyers (Stethorus punctipes)

Pest

insect: Spider mites The spider mite destroyer is another excellent defense against the infamous spider mite. These tiny beetles are related to the ladybug and feed specifically and exclusively on spider mites. Spider mite destroyers are best used in conjunction with the predator mites due to a long establishment time.

These tiny workhorses will eat around 50 spider mites

56

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

”

Beneficial

insect: Whitefly parasites (Encarsia formosa) or Whitefly predators (Delphastus pusillus)

Pest

insect: Whiteflies Whiteflies are one of the easiest pest insects to identify. If you have an abundance of tiny white bugs, you guessed it, they’re whiteflies. Whiteflies themselves do little damage to the plants and are more of an annoyance than anything. When left untreated, however, the honeydew that the whiteflies deposit on the plants will eventually grow a pathogenic black mould that is detrimental to the plants. Whitefly parasites are a grower’s best defense against these annoying buggers.

A whitefly parasite deposits its eggs in developing whitefly pupae. When the egg hatches a whitefly parasite comes out instead of a new generation of whiteflies. This cycle continues until the whiteflies have been eradicated. Whitefly parasites work best on greenhouse whiteflies (the most common variety), but also work well on sweet potato whiteflies and other whitefly varieties. If you have a sweet potato whitefly problem, it could be beneficial to use whitefly predators. These beneficial warriors consume 200 to 800 whitefly eggs per day and prefer the eggs of sweet potato whiteflies (but are generally less effective on greenhouse whiteflies).

Beneficial

insect: Aphid predators (Aphidoletes aphidimyza) or Aphid parasites (Aphidius matricariae)

Pest

insect: Aphids Gardeners with greenhouses or indoor gardens find aphid predators extremely effective against aphid infestations. A single release of aphid predators is usually sufficient to establish a population, but it can be advantageous when experiencing large aphid problems to release aphid predators a few times throughout the plant’s life cycle. Another choice for an aphid problem is aphid parasites, which act as an effective control and preventative measure. Aphid parasites lay their eggs inside living aphids, essentially destroying the aphid internally until they hatch from the remaining insect carcass.

“

General predatory insects

General predatory insects are insects that feed on a variety of pest insects. These opportunist bugs are some of the most common and most effective insects released in gardens for biological control. Below are a few examples:

Beneficial

insect: Green lacewing larvae (Chrysopa rufilabris)

Aphid

parasites lay their eggs

inside living aphids, essentially destroying the aphid internally until they hatch from the remaining insect carcass.

”

Beneficial

Pest insect: Thrips, aphids, mealybugs and whiteflies Adult green lacewings feed on nectar and pollen, but their larvae are ferocious predators that feed on a variety of pest insects.

Green lacewing larvae are true opportunists and will feed on any insect, larvae or egg that they can inject with their paralyzing venom. These tiny creatures suck the life out of helpless pest insects at an extremely fast rate. Most beneficial insect suppliers will provide green lacewing eggs, which can be distributed evenly throughout the plants.

When the eggs hatch, the tiny larvae will search and destroy, traveling up to 30.48 m to find their first meal.

insect: Praying mantis (Tenodera sinensis)

Pest insect: Thrips, aphids, whiteflies, fungus gnat, mealy bugs and spider mites The praying mantis is the ultimate opportunist beneficial insect. These awesome bugs will eat anything they can catch.

Praying mantis egg sacks can be hung within the garden’s Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

57

Battle of the Bugs environment to promote hatching. When the egg sack hatches, over 100 miniature mantises will release their carnage on any and every pest insect they encounter. The tiny warriors will grow into adults over a three to four month period. Mantises are very elusive creatures, so don’t be surprised if you don’t see many after they hatch. A praying mantis will wait patiently, sometimes for hours, until an appetizing insect wanders by. Then, the mantis will pounce on its prey and devour it. Adult mantises are often very territorial and a single adult mantis can claim a fairly large area as its exclusive hunting grounds. Also, mantises feed entirely on other insects making them a great choice for any enclosed garden space.

Beneficial

insect: Ladybugs (Hippodamia convergens)

Pest

insect: Thrips, aphids, whiteflies,fungus gnat, mealy bugs and spider mites Of all the beneficial insects available to gardeners, none are as versatile or popular as the ladybug. Don’t let their reputation as a cute and cuddly insect overshadow their destructive power. Ladybugs are

“

The

Beneficial

insect: Pirate bugs (Orius insidiosus)

Pest

insect: Thrips, aphids and spider mites Pirate bugs are good to try when other treatments have failed.

These beneficial insects feed on thrips, aphids and even spider mites.

They feed on multiple stages of pest insects life

implementation of

beneficial insects offers a naturalistic approach to solving the ongoing pest insect problems associated with horticulture.

actually tiny beetles who, like the mantis, feed only on other insects.

A ladybug’s favourite snack is aphids, but these opportunists will eat virtually any insect they can fit into their tiny jaws of death. Ladybugs eat thousands of insects in their lifetime (about one year). Another great thing about an established ladybug population is that the larvae are just as carnivorous as the adults. The little larvae resemble tiny alligators and will feed on pest insects’ eggs and larvae.

In outdoor gardens, however, ladybugs tend to fly away to their preferred food source, so getting them to establish on the plants can be a little tricky. A sugar water solution can be sprayed on the ladybugs to “stick” their wings together for a few days. This is generally long enough to get them to establish on an outdoor crop. Ladybugs can also be stored at under 10ºC—where they’ll enter a dormant stage—for multiple weeks at a time. This allows a gardener to release 58

adult bugs intermittently in their garden while storing the remaining bugs in a refrigerator. In some cases, ladybugs that are released intermittently will establish and reproduce better than those that are released all at one time.

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

cycles (eggs, larvae and adults), making them a popular choice for thrip and spider mite control.

However, the adult pirate bugs will also bite humans—so, beware if you release a large population. Their bite is harmless, but annoying just the same.

”

The implementation of beneficial insects offers a naturalistic approach to solving the ongoing pest insect problems associated with horticulture. There are many advantages to such biological control methods, but the largest advantage is probably the removal of pest insects’ resistance. Any grower who has used chemical insecticides over a period of time only to see the pest become immune will attest to the ongoing anguish of that battle. However, an insect cannot build a resistance to being eaten. By using nature’s solutions, a grower can save their crops from devastation, relieve their frustration and feel good knowing they aren’t contributing to the creation of resistant “super” bugs.

Give Your Ground a Surprise Pop Quiz

by Annie Spiegelman

Having your yard landscaped can be expensive; so, before you or someone else starts digging, be sure to take the soil test so your money doesn’t go to waste…

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

59

Soil Testing

If you’re thinking about having your yard landscaped, here are some questions to first ask yourself (and anyone else who looks remotely interested) about your backyard soil: • Is the soil worked easily?

• Is the soil full of living organisms?

• Are earthworms abundant in the soil?

• Is water and air available for plant growth?

• Does my garden make me look good?

“I’m really, really mystified by homeowners who will plop down $30,000 to a landscape designer who will come up with a plant palette without ever thinking to take a spoonful of soil to test it first,” says soil scientist professor Stephen Andrews. “One of the criteria for selecting a landscape architect is to “all home gardeners

caring for a plot of land, large or small, can become superb stewards of their gift from Mother Nature by learning a little soil science.” give them a soil quiz! Ask them what kind of soil test they will be providing. Be an informed consumer.”

So, after you’re done hating your compacted soil and admiring yourself in front of the mirror in your new garden hat, it’s time to get scientific. Why?

Because we compost spinning tree huggers believe all home gardeners caring for a plot of land, large or small, can become superb stewards of their gift from Mother Nature by learning a little soil science.

“If you’re going to do any type of landscaping project, make sure to test your soil first to understand what kind of a baseline you have,” says Andrews. “If you’re changing a large backyard area, doing drainage work or you’ve just purchased a new home, go get a commercial soil test done. It might cost you a few hundred dollars, but you’ll have a thorough analysis and interpretation of your land. The soil scientists at the testing company will give you specific advice on how to proceed.”

For the rest of us, who don’t have the green to spend on the brown, it’s perfectly fine to take the mom-and-pop route. Head down to your local plant nursery and purchase a home garden test kit. A good soil test will run about $20. Do it with the kids or grandkids. Or, get the entire neighbourhood and have a soil testing barbecue! One test kit will have enough tubes to do 10 soil tests. You might be the diva who does everything organic, but…you’re living next to Charlie Chevron who uses every petrochemical on the planet. Get together and literally talk dirt.

"When collecting

your home soil sample, choose a few different sections of your yard.”

60

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

With the home soil test, you’ll be testing your soil’s pH. The pH level will tell you if nutrients are actually available to your plants or if you’re just out fertilizing, polluting and wasting your hard-earned cash on garden products.

“The ideal pH of soil for many common plants is 6.5. The reason we want the soil to be slighty acidic is because the plant nutrients are carried in a solution. If it’s slightly acidic, the nutrients can dissolve and can be transported,” says Andrews. “If the pH is too alkaline, the nutrients will sit there like lead balls of pasta, not going anywhere.

By having it slightly acidic you have the best pH for nutrient uptake. To lower the pH, use coffee grounds, tea bags, sulphur, aged animal manure or compost. To raise the pH, add limestone or oyster or egg shells.”

Home tests also check the availability of your soil’s macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). These are the main nutrients and minerals needed by your plants (which is why you’ll see the letters N-P-K on fertilizer containers). Once you know which nutrients are already hanging out in your soil, you won’t be wasting money on unnecessary products.

When collecting your home soil sample, choose a few different sections of your yard. For instance, your edible garden in raised beds would be one test area, while your front lawn, a slope or a woody spot would each be a separate area to test. “For each chosen area,

do a representative sampling. Pick 10 to 15 different spots in that area and dig down 15 to 20 cm,” recommends Andrews. “Remove critters, rocks, roots and plant material. You just want soil parts. Take all samples from that area and mix them into a plastic baggie.

Label the bag and the area accordingly. For a lawn, dig down only 5 to 8 cm.”

“Testing your soil twice a year—once in the spring and again in the fall—is especially helpful if you’re growing fruits and vegetables year-round.”

If you’ve decided to do the commercial test, you’ll want to decide just how comprehensive a test you need.

Andrews suggests testing for pH nutrient availability, particle size analysis, bulk density, moisture content, organic matter content, macro- and micronutrients and soluble salts. If you live in an urban area and are growing edibles, or in an older home where lead contamination from paint is prevalent, heavy metals testing should be done as well.

As mentioned earlier, commercial soil testing should be done when you first move into a home. It should also be done every 10 years or so, depending on your budget and your gardening success or utter failure.

The home soil test, on the other hand, would be useful to do any time a considerable amount of plants in your yard look beaten down, chewed up or super sluggish.

(Gardeners don’t have patience for lollygagging plants.

Testing your soil twice a year—once in the spring and again in the fall—is especially helpful if you’re growing fruits and vegetables year-round.

“Cold season crops have different needs than warm season crops. Like us, our underground soil friends slow down when it’s colder outside,” says Andrews. “The bacteria slow down; but, once the soil warms up, the disco lights come on and they’re ready to party!”

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

61

Celebrating 15 years

Celebrates 15 Years Fifteen years has brought a lot of change to Maximum Yield, but one thing remains the same: the fundamental company philosophy of uniting the indoor gardening industry globally in order to help it grow.

62

Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2013

i’M A FAN! Michael Goodin

ConteSt

Nashua, New Hampshire

curreNT

W IN N e r !

“I am new to the hydro world and to be honest, for a geek, I was completely clueless as to where to start. I needed a new soil for my veggie garden this year and stopped in to Hydro101.

The guys there were awesome and totally showed myself and my family a bunch of stuff and completely peaked our interest.

As we left, he handed us a copy of Maximum Yield and told me to read it. [It was the] best advice all week! There were awesome articles on how to get started with hydro: different ways, different lighting, everything. The funniest part was I could swear that this copy was custom written for me. Everything my wife and I have been talking about was inside. I am hooked!”

! s e i r t n e n a F r e h t O ge ing-ed e cutt d m a e h iv r neve you g of t I’ve onth ll a m a h t y t r dvice “Eve almos a d y n g a s olo techn the tip nks!” . I use nsors. Tha Ohio e r o f o be p ty, s the Coun orain l , o – Din

thy crops from g trophy-wor “I’m achievin information horticultural the incredible agazine.” – imum Yield m ax M in d te ois presen dstock, Illin Harrison, Woo

“I’m on disabilit y and de tr y a ve cided to getable garden. tips on I found everythin the g from w germina atering ting and to others v ery help I am no ful, as t a gree – Danie n thumb l, Midhu .” rst, Ont ario, Ca nada

! the great info fan! Love all ge hu ad a re s ’m “I ents! alway ’ advertisem rs ile !” ta xt re ne d e an t for th and can’t wai ia front to back rn g City, Califo – Kevin, Kin

My favourite store:

“I’m a fan of Maxim it is a um Yie wealt h of u ld bec and i seful ause get m inform ore e ation, ducat I pick ed ev it up. er y tim Thank – Bra e d, Em s.” erson , Iowa

“I now have ever y aspect of my cultiva under contro tion l, and i owe it all to Max Yield! Yellow imum Bottle and beneficial m organisms icrohave change d the game for me!!

Thank you, sirs and ma’ ams.”

– Jarred, Sac ramento, C alifornia

Tell us WHY you’re A FAN For A cHANce To WIN A $100 gIFT cerTIFIcATe moNTHlY ANd A grANd prIze oF $1,000 To speNd AT Your FAvourITe HYdro sTore

Celebrating 15 years

Our team

Jim Jesson, President

Linda Jesson, Business Manager/Editor

Coming from a diverse background in print media, comprised of everything from music magazines, tourist magazines, auto traders, newspapers and more, the owners of Maximum Yield—Jim and Linda Jesson and Don Moores—collectively share over 75 years of involvement in the publishing business. Bringing these experiences together for Maximum Yield has been a tremendous and rewarding achievement.

“We love what we do, and we love to help businesses grow and our readers learn to grow,” shares Linda. “Getting to know our customers has been the most important step in creating a successful publication and the most fulfilling. We are all about the customer, and by that we mean not only our advertisers, but also the retail shops and the readers. We love the people we work with.”

In a time when being organic and ecofriendly and living green is not only in vogue but also guiding an international transformation of the way plants are grown, each issue of Maximum Yield offers a strong mix of content that is useful for seasoned and

Don Moores, General Manager

Tracy Greeno, Accountant 64

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

accomplished growers, as well as first-time gardeners. Addressing all levels of growers is important to the magazine, with each issue striving to include content for everyone in this constantly growing market.

Embracing and welcoming this industry growth, Maximum Yield continues to grow and expand right along with it. With an international magazine roster, including publications in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and, most recently, Europe, the reach of such a strong media platform for manufacturers and distributors to promote and sell products globally has never been so subsequently extensive.

The latest addition to the Maximum Yield catalogue is the exciting new lifestyle publication, Hydrolife. This free-to-consumer magazine is dedicated to urban gardeners, surfers, skateboarders, bikers, snowboarders, surfers, artists, musicians, culture junkies, eco-enthusiasts and extreme sports fanatics. Published six times a year, it is available through your local indoor gardening, skateboard, surf, snowboard and bikes shops, and online.

“Getting to know our customers has been the most important step in creating a successful publication and the most fulfilling.”

Although Maximum Yield publications continue to fly off the shelves of hydro stores worldwide, the company has also embraced the arrival of the digital era by providing each issue of Maximum Yield through a free digital subscription sent directly to your inbox. Online interaction with customers and readers through social media, web and video also plays an important part of the Maximum Yield presence.

“Digital is definitely here, and we welcome it by offering the digital subscriptions to all our publications,” Linda said. “However, our readers still want the hard copy issue. We have customers from all over the world who contact us to share that they have a library of every single issue!”

Another area of growth over the past several years is the international Grow Like a Pro Indoor Gardening Expo tour. As what can only be described as “Maximum Yield—live,” the trade show setting provides an opportunity for companies to network, expand and build on what has become an international indoor gardening family. Manufacturers and wholesalers exhibit, retail stores get the opportunity to enjoy face-to-face experiences with these companies and readers get to take

advantage of seeing and learning first-hand the products available to the industry.

The upcoming San Francisco, California, Indoor Garden Expo celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, while the latest emerging markets—Long Beach, California; Denver, Colorado and Novi, Michigan—have joined the expanding expo tour in more recent years.

When asked to divulge something that might surprise readers about the company, Linda shares, “I think our customers and readers are often surprised to learn that we have our office on Vancouver Island in British Columbia in a small town (population of 94,000) and that we create all of our international publications at this location, from advertisement sales to graphic layout, editorial and even the direct-to-plate production. We welcome everyone to stop by and say hello any time they are in Nanaimo. We love visitors!”

And, if you do find the opportunity to stop by the office, what you can expect to see in the day-to-day operations of the magazine is a lot of hustle and bustle!

“Life in the Maximum Yield office is busy, day in and day out, as we help customers around the world connect. We begin our day contacting clients in the United Kingdom and Europe, followed by our North American clients and wrap up our day with calls to our Australian and New Zealand clients. From helping retail shops to creating marketing campaigns for our manufacturers and distributors, to booking booths at an upcoming Indoor Gardening Expo, our days are never boring and always extremely rewarding,” adds Linda.

Not foregoing its own achievements, Maximum Yield has also helped many young companies grow into international success stories over the years. Surely, there must be a secret to this.

“There is no secret, just our desire and determination to help companies succeed.

We help by introducing the products to retail shops globally through our Industry News, and then help them build a marketing campaign in Maximum Yield and Hydrolife based on their budget and goals. Maximum Yield offers a multifaceted platform to promote your company, from our publications and web, to social media

“We welcome everyone to stop by and say hello any time they are in Nanaimo.

We love visitors!”

Our team

Ilona Hawser, Sales Manager

Kelsey Hepples, Account Executive

Katie Montague, Account Executive

Jed Walker, Account Executive

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

65

Celebrating 15 years

Our team

Julie McManus, Assistant Editor

Alice Joe, Art Director

Jennifer Everts, Graphic Designer

dionne Hurd, Graphic Designer

Jesslyn Gosling, Graphic Designer 66

The look of Maximum Yield may have changed over the past 15 years, but the magazine’s goal has remained the same: to educate and promote sustainable indoor gardening to the masses, and to help companies promote and grow their business globally.

and the trade shows. Combined, they offer the strongest media to reach and grow your business globally,” says Linda.

“We feel successful when our customers have grown their business through their investment in our media properties. We have been told many times over how Maximum Yield has been instrumental in our customers’ business growth.

When this happens, we know we’re doing the right thing,” says Jim. Linda adds that the best advice she would give companies and entrepreneurs just starting off in the industry would be to pick up the phone and call Maximum Yield. Its trained marketing representatives can help connect and promote businesses in a way that meets each company’s individual needs and goals.

The dynamic team at Maximum Yield is comprised of owners Jim and Linda Jesson and Don Moores; sales manager Ilona Hawser; sales team Kelsey Hepples, Katie Montague and Jed Walker; graphic manager Alice Joe; graphic designers Jennifer Everts, Dionne Hurd and

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

Jesslyn Gosling; assistant editor Julie McManus and accountant Tracy Greeno. “Each and every publication produced is a team effort, and the hard work and dedication necessary to make it happen is constantly celebrated.

The dedicated team and strong vision in the Maximum Yield office has a tremendous impact on the continual growth and advancements with the company,” says Don. When asked what’s in store for Maximum Yield in its next 15 years, Linda shares, “Maximum Yield will continue to strive to educate and promote sustainable gardening to the masses and to help companies promote and grow their business globally. I believe the world is smaller because of our ability to connect businesses through our publications and trade shows worldwide.

We will continue to grow and expand our social media presence along with developing more web and video education. The thought of having a hydroponics system in every household would be a dream come true! Let’s make that happen in the next 15 years!”

“Each and every publication produced is a team effort, and the hard work and dedication necessary to make it happen is constantly celebrated.”

Here’s what our clients are saying Congratulations Maximum Yield! Fifteen years strong!

Maximum Yield has been a staple magazine in the Can-Filters office for years. It’s great to see all the new ads that companies are coming out with, and it’s the first place to look to check out if anyone is coming out with new products. Reading through the articles really helps expand my knowledge in subjects I didn’t know much about before. And whenever I am planning a trip through any given area, I’m sure to cross reference my trip list with the store locator at the back of every issue.

Let’s not forget the trade shows. Max Yield has always shown us a great time and I look forward to the shows that I am able to attend. The networking and face-to-face meetings are priceless and the friendships built will last a lifetime.

Thank you so much for what you’ve done for the industry and I can’t wait to see everyone again soon!

Brandon Arcuri, Outside sales Can-Filters

We’d like to thank Maximum Yield for all of the great exposure they have helped give us over the years. We have really benefited from doing business with them and wish to congratulate them on their 15th anniversary.

Melissa Lehmann, Sales representative Atmosphere

Congratulations on your many years serving our industry! You are all such outgoing and fun people, and you have done a wonderful job getting everyone together for your many shows!

All the best from the staff at Nutrilife Plant Products

For the past 15 years, Maximum Yield and Future Harvest Development have formed a close working relationship. Perhaps this is because both companies are from British Columbia, but we think it’s mostly because of the great service and passion for indoor gardening that both companies share. Maximum Yield magazine has come a long way over the past 15 years and has become the number one source for information on how to grow and source innovative new products. We recall one of the first ads we put in Maximum Yield for SunBlaster Lighting in 2002. Thanks to these ads in Maximum Yield magazine and the fantastic trade show opportunities, we have been able to reach the customers and strategic partners that have allowed us to become one of the leading manufacturers of indoor growing equipment, showcasing brands such as SunBlaster Lighting, PlantLife Products and Nutradip. A big thank-you to Maximum Yield from all of us for providing unprecedented service over the past 15 years. Congratulations on your 15th anniversary; we look forward to working closely over the next 15 years.

Kirk Glendening, Customer support representative Future Harvest Development

It is with great pleasure that Eddi’s Wholesale Garden Supplies sends our congratulations to Linda and Jim Jesson and the Maximum Yield team on 15 outstanding years in our industry. It seems like only yesterday you started Maximum Yield. From a small beginning, you have now gone on to unite the whole hydroponic market. Your spirit, drive and hard work have made your organization what it is today. This anniversary is a milestone to celebrate. Congratulations!

Andi Wilson and the Eddi’s team Eddi’s Wholesale Garden Supplies, Ltd.

First off, both Excel Air Systems and myself would like to congratulate Maximum Yield on this very special anniversary! Being a supporter from the early years, I’ve had the pleasure in watching the publication grow exponentially from a single magazine in Canada to an industry-leading multi-country publication with one of the top trade show circuits in North America. A large part of our growth at Excel Air Systems has come directly from our exposure in Maximum Yield magazines, but even more so at the tradeshows, where the quality of retail shops and customers that attend these shows makes it a great opportunity to talk face to face and connect on a direct level. The biggest reason Excel Air Systems has been a Maximum Yield partner for so many years is because they believe in providing great knowledge to their customers and have built a tremendous foundation to withstand the test of time. I can’t wait to see what the next 15 years looks like. Keep up the good work!

Brandon Kion, Excel Air Systems

Congrats to Maximum Yield for always being the premier source of information for the indoor gardening industry! We at Commercial Lighting Products have made it our go-to magazine for product information and advertising exposure since we’ve been in the industry. Here’s to another great 15 years!

Tayhler Paul, Marketing and communications associate Commercial Lighting Products

As one of the first publications dedicated to hobby hydroponics, Maximum Yield has been a big part of getting our industry off the ground. We are so proud of what Maximum Yield has accomplished and how they have connected industry leaders, consumers and newcomers to the field of progressive gardening. With the help of this publication, our industry has grown in leaps and bounds and is now one of the fastest growing sectors in North America.

Thanks, Maximum Yield, for bringing us out of the shadows and lighting up our lives.

With love, Alex Rea and the whole Homegrown Hydroponics team Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

67

MAX-mART

Unit 6 12342 82A Avenue

❘ Surrey, B.C. ❘ 604.599.1778

BOGARTS GARDENING SUPPLY

www.coastpetandplant.com

Established profitable retail business (grosses $200k plus) in great location for sale in Armstrong, B.C., (business only) specializing in tropical plants, organic herbs, hydroponics, nursery, and gifts. Strong customer base and good supplier relationships along with staff in place make this a care-free investment. Purchaser may also choose to operate business. Armstrong is a spectacular place to live, a wonderful safe community and this is a great opportunity to be your own boss.

Same owner for 6 years, health problem forces sale.

5 year lease available from landlord: $1,000 per month (plus $400 in utilities) for 3,000 square feet of retail space.

Serious inquiries only. Financial statement to be supplied to purchaser upon offer acceptance.

like us on

Facebook

facebook.com/maximumyield

68

+

Kelly Rankin 604-781-4687 • kelly.rankin@shaw.ca

visit us

follow us on

Twitter

twitter.com/max_yield

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

online maximumyield.com

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

69

DO YOU KNOW?

1.

Spider mite destroyers (Stethorus punctipes) are tiny workhorses that will eat around 50 spider mites a day.

Adult females will lay up to 15 eggs a day.

Glassiness is a physiological disorder in plants related to humidity levels, most commonly seen in lettuce, young seedlings and other succulent crops. Glassiness creates patches with a water-soaked, almost translucent, appearance on the leaves of plants, and is related to both high humidity and root pressure.

3.

2.

Overly vegetative plants don’t have many developing flowers or fruit, as they are sending most of the assimilate produced via photosynthesis into further leaf growth.

Aloe vera has been used medicinally for 6,000 years. In both the 18th and 19th centuries, it was among the most frequently used prescriptions.

4.

6.

8.

Carbon, sediment or reverse osmosis purification systems can help provide a high-quality water source for all plants in your garden.

Enriching an enclosed growing area with CO2 can result in significant growth benefits; however, CO2 toxicity can occur when levels run too high.

7.

Commercial soil testing should be done whenever you move into a new home.

5.

The ideal pH of soil for many common plants is 6.5. The reason we want the soil to be slightly acidic is because the plant nutrients are carried in a solution. If it’s slightly acidic, the nutrients can dissolve and can be transported.

9.

70

If possible, always start seeds inside under grow lights so the weeks of early vegetative growth are already done when the time for outdoor planting comes.

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

10.

Bolting is the term used to describe the premature elongation of a plant’s compact stem. Typically, this occurs when temperatures are higher than optimal, often combined with low light levels or overcrowding.

MAXIMUM YIELD distributors 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 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 All Season’s Garden Centre 10027 81 Ave., Edmonton, AB T6E 1W7 780-448-2385 -------------------------------------------------------

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 Northern Lights Indoor Gardening Centre 10108 100th Ave. Grand Prairie, AB T8V 0V5 780-538-3277

BRITISH COLUMBIA Interior Gardener’s Supply 221 - 1 McDermid Road, Box 1779 100 Mile House, BC V0K 2E0 250-395-3399 OK Garden Supply 104-5498 267th Street.

Aldergrove, BC V4W 3S8 604-607-7263 Bogarts Gardening Supply 3545 Okanagan St. Armstrong, BC V0E 1B0 250-546-9790 Jon’s Plant Factory 3925 E. Hastings St. Burnaby, BC V5C 2H8 604-294-3000 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

-------------------------------------------------------

Valley Indoor Geenhouse Supplies 103 - 44195 Yale Road West Chilliwack, BC V2R 4H2 877-702-1169 ------------------------------------------------------Sundogz Garden Supply 1824 Alberni Hwy. Coombs, BC V0R 1M0 250-954-2046 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 -------------------------------------------------------

Progressive Growth 2459 Cousins Avenue Courtenay, BC V9N 3N6 250-334-8425 ------------------------------------------------------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 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 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 Hydroponic Garden Shop 113 - 805 Notre Dame Kamloops, BC V2C 5N8 250-851-2992 ------------------------------------------------------Aqua Gro Hydroponics Supplies Suite 101 2689 Kyle Rd. Kelowna, BC V1Z 2M9 250-769-7745 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

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each province.

GreenStar Plant Products Inc. 9430 198 Street, Langley, BC V1M 3C8 604-882-7699 Pacific Western Garden 5785 203A Street.

Langley B.C V3A 1W7 604-510-4839; 778-898-5888 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

Skytek Indoor Solutions 833 4th Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3H5 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

Planting Plus Greenhouse Supplies and Hardware 22394 Dewdney Truck Road Maple Ridge, BC V2X 3J2 604-466-5949

Natural Choice Garden Centre, The 5500 48th Avenue, SE Salmon Arm, BC V1E 1X2 250-832-7151

Triple Tree Nurseryland 20503 Lougheed Highway Maple Ridge, BC V2X 2P9 604-465-9313 -------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------

Gro Green Garden Supply 7260 Park Street Mission, BC V2V 6G8 604-814-4345 ------------------------------------------------------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 ------------------------------------------------------Word of Mouth Hydroponics Inc. 1-1611 Bowen Rd., Nanaimo, BC V9S 1G5 250-591-1180 -------------------------------------------------------

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 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 Better Than Nature Penticton 101 - 78 Industrial Avenue, West Penticton, BC V2A 6M2 250-770-8978 -------------------------------------------------------

Quick Grow Indoor Garden Center 1945 Kirschner Rd. Kelowna, BC V1Y 4N7 250-861-3434

Aurora Lighting 750 3rd Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3C5 250-564-9888 -------------------------------------------------------

BC Hydroponics 3 - 20092-93A Avenue Langley, BC V1M 3Y4 604-888-5716

Backwoods Hydroponic & Garden 10590 Carlson Road Prince George, BC V2K 5E5 250-963-9541

Green Earth Garden Supplies Unit 5, 19300, Langley Bypass Langley, BC V3S 6K2 604-532-7106

PG2 1798 Nicholson Street Prince George, BC V2N 1V6 250-612-4769; 1-888-817-4769

-------

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 Garibaldi Nursery 38917 Progress Way, Squamish Industrial Park Squamish, BC V0N 3G0 604-892-3892 -------------------------------------------------------

Coast Pet & Plant Supplies Unit 6 12342 83A Ave. Surrey, BC 604-599-1778 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fat Eddies Systems Inc. 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 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 U-Grow Garden Supplies 8265 Main St. Vancouver, BC V5X 3L7 604-880-1111

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 506 25th Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 1P4 250-260-4466 Northern Lights Greenspace 3 - 2706 45th Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 3N4 250-558-4757 OK Garden Supply 12-4601 23rd Street.

Vernon, BC V1T 4K7 778-475-6075 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 Unit #111-1790 Island Highway Victoria, BC V9B 1H5 250-391-9519 ------------------------------------------------------Sunwest Garden Supply 2035 Unit B Louie Drive Westbank, BC V4T 1Y2 50-768-1636 -------------------------------------------------------

Good Guys Gardening Center 250 Mackenzie Ave. S. 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 Better Than Nature Winnipeg 14 Gertrude Winnipeg MB R3L OM6 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 819 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 Canadian Green Products 811 Central St. Centerville, NB E7K 2B9 506-276-3555

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

71

MAXIMUM YIELD distributors -------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------

Nature’s Garden Supplies 24-340 Don Park Road Markham, ON L3R 1C5 905-470-7887

Bluewater Hydroponics 1173 Michener Road, Unit 12 Sarnia, ON N7S 5G5 519-337-7475

Dieppe Hydroponics 988 Champlain St. Door #3 Dieppe, NB E18 1P8 506-384-4769

BMA Hydroponics 404A Maitland Drive, Unit 2 Belleville, ON K8N 4Z5 613-967-9888 -------------------------------------------------------

All Seasons 1000 Dundas Street East Mississauga, ON L4Y 2B8 905-848-2619

Indoor Gardens Canada 2952 Thompson Road Smithville, ON L0R 2A0 905-957-6969

Green Thumb Hydroponics 3075 Ridgeway Drive, 25 Mississauga, ON L5L 5M6

Green And Clean 761 Barrydowne Road Sudbury, ON P3A 3T6 800-246-5503

------------------------------Craft N’ Grow 60 Micmac Road Eel Ground, NB E1V 4B1 506-624-9317 Ultimate Hydroponics 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 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 ----------------------------------------------

Home Hydroponics 289 Rutherford Road, South 22 Brampton, ON L6W 3R9 905-874-GROW Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 79 Woolwich Street South Breslau, ON N0B 1M0 519-648-2374 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 -------------------------------------------------------

Iponic Zone 151 Brunel Road.

Mississauga, ON L4Z 2H6 905-502-7211 Hydro Culture Emporium Inc. 1315 Richmond Rd. Unit #7 Ottawa, ON K2B 8J7 613-715-9472 Harvest Time Hydroponics 5918 Main St., Niagra Falls, ON L2G 5Z8 289-296-7754 -------------------------------------------------------

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 -------------------------------------------------------

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) -------------------------------------------------------

grow it all hydroponics for everyone

Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 26 Meteor Drive Toronto, ON M9W 1A4 416-242-4769 Hydrotech 2436 Kingston Road Toronto, ON M1N 1V2 416-267-4769

Toronto Hemp Company 665 Yonge Street Toronto, ON M4Y 1Z9 416-920-1980 Truly Local 851 Queen Street, West Toronto, ON M5R 2K2 647-855-5932 -------------------------------

Happy Hydroponics 68 Princess Street Hamilton, ON L8L 3K9 905-545-8434 -----------------------------------------------------Garden Depot 605 Justus Drive Kingston, ON K7M 4H5 613-384-8882 Brite-Lite Indoor Garden Centre 1659 Victoria Street, North, Unit 6 Kitchener, ON N2B 3E6 888-670-0611 Kawartha Hydroponics 12 Lindsay St. S. Lindsay, ON K9V 2L6 705-324-5200 -------------------------------------------------------

AKA The Indoor Gardener 207 Exeter Road, Unit D London, ON N6L 1A4 519-652-4224 -------------------------------------------------------

Brite-Lite Indoor Garden Centre 4373 Steeles Avenue West North York, ON M3N 1V7 416-663-2999 LV Garden Supply 415 Oakdale Road Unit 379 North York, ON M3N 1W7 416-744-7762 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

Indoor Farmer 10 Wyman Road, Unit 4, Waterloo, ON N2V 1K7.

519-886-9200 ------------------------------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 & Aquaculture 7635 Tecumseh Road E. Windsor, ON N8T 3H1 519-944-8444 -------------------------------------------------------

ONTARIO

Ontario Hydroponics 103015 Grey Road 18 Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N6 519-372-1144

Canadian Hydrogardens Ltd. 1330 Sandhill Drive Ancaster, ON L9G 4V5 905 648 1801

Ontario Growers Supply 1540 Fanshawe Park Road West London, ON N6H 5L8 519-641-3992

Envirotex PO Box 21069 Paris, ON N3L 4A5 519-442-1237

QUEBEC

Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 521 Dunlop Street West Barrie, ON L4N 9W4 705-721-8715

Vantage Hydroponics 1 Adelaide Street North London, ON N6B 3P8 519-451-4769

Peterborough Hydroponic Center 347 Pido Road, Unit 32 Peterborough, ON K9J 6X7 705-745-6868

Un Monde Sans Terre 565 Beausejour Alma, QC G8B 5V3 418-480-3274

Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 5386 Greenlane Road Beamsville, ON L0R 1B3 905-563-6121

Markham Hydroponics 95 Royal Crest Court 18 Markham, ON L3R 9X5 905-305-0698

Sweet Hydroponic Gardens 776 Bruce Street Renfrew, ON K7V 3Z8 613-433-9600

Hydro-Tonyque 761 Avenue Gilles Villeneuve Berthierville, QC J0K 1AO 450-836-8088

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

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

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 J0S 1H0, 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 -------------------------------------------------------

-------

Best of Hydroponics 360 Richmond Street London, ON N6A 3C3 519-858-1533

72

Gerard Bourbeau & Fils Inc. 8285, 1 re Avenue Charlesbourg, QC G1G 5E6 418-623-5401

Naturexpert Inc. 828 Chemin du Sixième Rang Gatineau QC J8R 3A4

Green Kingdom Hemp 1103 Cassells Street North Bay, ON P1B 4B3 705-494-7169 -------------------------------

Plant-O-Maxx 3169 Blais, Boisbriand, QC, J7H 1H2 514-968-7799 -------------------------------------------------------

Grow It All Hydroponics Inc. 165 Geary Avenue, Unit 3B Toronto, ON M6H 2B8 416-588-9595 -------------------------------------------------------

Jungle Hydroponics 2215 Gerrard Street East Toronto, ON M4E 2C8 416-699-0861

Yield of Dreams Hydroponics 559 Steven Court 12 Newmarket, ON L3Y 6Z3 877-778-7960 -------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------

Ozone Environmental Technologies 361 Rowntree Dairy Road Unit 4 Woodridge, ON L4L 8H1 905-264-6618 -------------------------------------------------------

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

MegaWatt Hydroculture 636 Route 364 Morin Heights, QC J0R 1H0 450-226-2515

Hydromax Laval 295 Boulevard Curé Labelle Laval, QC H7L 2Z9 450-628-8380 ------------------------------------------

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 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 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

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 Qué-Pousse - Mont.

Tremblant 462 Montée Kavanagh Mont-Tremblant, QC J8E 2P2 819-429-6145

Pépinière Eco-Verdure 965 Boul. Sauvé St-Eustache, QC J7R 4K3 450-472-6474Amazonia 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 - VaudreuilDorion 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

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

73

COMING UP NEXT ISSUE

Building Blocks of Growing Fire, water, earth and soil used to be the building blocks of the world. While atoms and string theory have taken over their places in science, there’s no denying that the four elements still play a critical role in growing healthy plants.

Improving Flavour When it comes to good food, we are all looking for taste, aroma and texture. Sometimes these all come together to create a sensory delight, but when it comes to fruit, vegetables and herbs, appearances can be deceiving.

Organic Bloom Boosters To get the most out of their plants, gardeners use nutrient additives, soil amendments and foliar treatments specifically designed for particular stages in a plant’s life cycle. There are plenty of choices available, including some high-performance organic options.

PLUS: Hydroponic news, tips and trivia, hot new products, exclusive giveaways and more!

www.maximumyield.com Maximum Yield September/October will be available soon for free at select indoor gardening retail stores across the country and on maximumyield.com. Subscriptions are available at maximumyield.com/subscriptions

Stay in the Know with Maximum Yield’s E-News Every month Maximum Yield’s E-News brings you the latest news, tips and tricks, reader questions, contests and upcoming events.

If you are not yet subscribed to our mailing list, sign up today at maximumyield.com/enewssignup

74

Maximum Yield Canada | July/August 2013

AD

AD