CAN_SepOct10 by Maximum Yield

CANADA September - October 2010

FREE

the big picture

EXPLORING SUSTAINABILITY IN THE MODERN GARDEN

www.maximumyield.com

Indoor gardenING expo indoorgardeningexpo.com

long beach california, usa

october 16-17

contents September/October 2010

26 Features 26

Chill Out: Water Chillers Explained

Tranquility in Hydro

Advanced Aeroponics: Compressed Air for High Output Plant Production

by Stephen Keen with Pat King

by Lee McCall

by Joshua T. Serpa

Sustainability: Buzz Word or Legitimate Agenda?

Seaweed: A Precious Material for Plant Nutrition

Why Should I Care About pH?

Neem Oil: The Facts

Fruits and Vegetables Just in Time for Fall

Chemical Incompatibility: Why and How to Avoid Them

by Matt Geschke

by Luis Bartolo

by Charlene Rennick

by Matt LeBannister

by Donald Lester

Departments 6 8 10 12 14 20

From the Editor MaximumYield.com Letters to the Editor Simon Says MAX Facts Product Spotlight

54 66 68 70 74 74

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

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

FROM the editor Autumn signifies transition, a new season and a chance to modify and improve your current garden or to start a new one. This September/October issue gives you all the tools and information to do so. With 10+ feature articles on pH control, aeroponics, natural pest control, horticultural therapy and more, we have a readful to get you started. Growing with nature tends to be a key theme in our industry as many of us work towards a greener future through the power of modern gardening techniques. This includes using the powers of the sea to strengthen your crops; sustainable fish farming; natural remedies for pests and disease; and organic products. We elaborate on these earth friendly ideas in the following pages. Along with an abundance of new products and gardening news, we are proud to showcase Canadian industry pioneer Brite-Lite Group and community-minded Toronto retailer Grow It All. Thank you to all of our Canadian readers, retailers and exhibitors that made it out to California this past July for the 7th Annual San Francisco Indoor Gardening Expo. It was by far our biggest and best show to date. We invite you all to attend the upcoming Long Beach Expo - October 16-17, 2010.You can expect over 200 booths touting the latest innovations and earth friendly grow gear, live demonstrations, education seminars and door prizes throughout the weekend. Visit www.indoorgardeningexpo.com to learn more. See you at the show! Jessica Raymond, Editor editor@maximumyield.com

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

Lee McCall graduated from Johnson and Wales University with a concentration in Culinary Arts. Culinary school opened the door to research and work with hydroponics and organic production. Currently, Lee attends business school in Denver and focuses on continuing advancements with Maximum Yield and indoor gardening technology.

Stephen Keen has been an indoor gardening hobbyist for nearly 10 years. His personal successes with his garden led him to want to bring new ideas, mainly water-cooling, to the mainstream, which led to the founding of Hydro Innovations.

Jose Luis Pinheiro Bartolo is the president of Biobizz Worldwide Inc., a global leader in the production of hydroponic organic fertilizers and soil mixtures. He is passionate about the organic market and providing the highest service and perfectionism that comes direct from his heart and is projected to all aspects of his life.

Matt Geschke has a B.S. in biology

Joshua Serpa graduated from Southern Oregon University with a degree in communication and computer science. He is the division manager at Aerolife Systems, a company that manufactures high output aeroponic systems. His book, “The Art of Aeroponics,” will be available Spring 2011.

Donald Lester is the plant

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

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

from Baldwin Wallace College. He also completed an environmental geology degree from the University of Akron and received his M.S. in 2002. Matt is an adjunct professor at Kent State University.

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

on the web

G A R D E N I N G

Maximum Yield is published bi-monthly by Maximum Yield Publications Inc. 2339A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 Phone: 250.729.2677; Fax 250.729.2687

Upcoming Events Maximum Yield welcomes you to the Long Beach, CA Indoor Gardening Expo on the Pacific coast, October 16-17, 2010. This event will feature exhibitors from around the world showcasing the latest indoor gardening products and technologies. Visit indoorgardenexpo.com for full event details.

Featured Articles

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 SALES DIRECTOR - Lisa Lambersek EDITOR - Jessica Raymond jessica@maximumyield.com ADVERTISING SALES 250.729.2677

Fungi and the Ecosystem Fungi in our ecosystem called mycorrhiza assist the natural processes of life and decay, transforming base materials into sustainable food.

Chelated Micronutrients Chelated micronutrients are becoming popular because of their high efficiency. Knowing a bit about the various types of chelated micronutrients can help you choose the one that is right for you.

The Modernized Gericke System Hydroponics is more high-tech than ever but it pays to look back into history and revisit old ideas, like the Gericke system, which offer us creative growing options.

Expert Advice Connect with Maximum Yield’s new resident expert Simon hart by clicking on the Simon Says button on maximumyield.com. Submit your growing questions instantly and watch for his reply in the upcoming Simon Says column. Connect with www.maximumyield.com Maximum Yield www.facebook.com/MaximumYield www.indoorgardeningexpo.com

Tell us what you think at editor@maximumyield.com. We’d love to hear from you.

I N D O O R

VOLUME 13 – NUMBER 3 September/October 2010

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Linda Jesson - linda@maximumyield.com Lisa Lambersek - lisa@maximumyield.com Ilona Hawser - ilona@maximumyield.com Gaby Morin - gaby@maximumyield.com Ashley Heppell - ashley@maximumyield.com PRODUCTION & DESIGN ads@ads.maximumyield.com Alice Joe - alice@maximumyield.com Wes Cargill - wes@maximumyield.com Daniel Peters - daniel@maximumyield.com Nicole Tennison - nicole@maximumyield.com ACCOUNTING - Lee Anne Veres leeanne@maximumyield.com

CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION Brite-Lite Group Biofloral Eddis Wholesale Greenstar Plant Products Inc. Hydrotek MegaWatt Quality Wholesale USA DISTRIBUTION Aurora Innovations BWGS BWGS East BWGS West General Hydroponics Hydrofarm Hydro International National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight Supply R&M Supply Tradewinds UK DISTRIBUTION Growth Technology Hydrogarden Northern Hydroponic Wholesale Nutriculture UK AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION Futchatec Growth Technology Hydraspher

LETTERS to the editor The Future of Food Production

Compare and Contrast

I enjoy reading your publication. It is full of useful articles written by the best and most dedicated people in the industry, but I don’t have to tell you that. They wouldn’t be in your magazine if they weren’t the best in the industry. I also depend on your product reviews to keep up-to-date on the ever-changing industry products. The advertisements and the articles are my main influence in making purchasing decisions. They help me make confident, informed decisions. I am not a big, commercial grower; just a hobby gardener. I have been growing in soil for about 45 years and only in the past year have I become interested in hydroponics or as I think of it, the future of gardening. It is the future of food production and I am excited to play with the technology. Again, thank you very much for your great contribution to this emerging way of life.

I appreciate your Win Big…Grow Big contest, and I hope to win something. I liked the article on growing the herb Arnica Montana.You should have more articles like this one. The results showing the active ingredients doubled were interesting. I would love to see other unique crops trialled, like the Purple Dragon variety of carrots.You could also do a comparison trial of amaranth plants in soil versus hydroponics to see the difference in yields. It would be interesting to note the difference in yields when growing crops under different electronic ballast wattages, i.e. 600 versus 1,000 watt versions. I really enjoyed the previous issues featuring LED grow lights. They were well written and interesting. Seeing that LED grow lights are relatively new, you could do an indoor grow room trial using amaranth plants and see what the yield per plant would be compared to electronic ballasts with 600 watt and 1,000 watt version, and in different mediums. This would be very exciting, and it is something that I really want to see in Maximum Yield.

Henry Danforth

Thanks again Vicki

Blacking Out A few months ago, there was a great article titled “Are you Afraid of the Dark?” about growroom lighting or more specifically the dark period. Can you tell me where I could get it as an electronic file? Thanks, Russell Winnett The article you’re looking for is by Jonathan Valdman. To view this article electronically, simply visit www.maximumyield.com and search for Jonathan in our author archive.You can also search by article and check out this month’s feature articles.

Maximum Yield Magazines – A Long Shelf Life! I love the articles in Maximum Yield. I will be using Erik Biksa’s experimental CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture) model detailed in the 2007 issues of Maximum Yield Canada. This will be an ongoing process. I really like the idea of using the space outside the CEA room to act as a lung. Maximum Yield is doing great work.Your articles are educational and inspiring. I’ve learned a lot from your magazine. Keep up the great work. Hubert Young

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Maximum Yield reserves the right to edit for brevity. We want to hear from you! Write us at: Maximum Yield Publications Inc. 2339A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 or Email us at: editor@maximumyield.com

SIMON says Hi Simon, I’ve noticed references in several articles to bio-filters being used with hydroponic systems, and how they can provide stability for water cultures. I’m very much into DWC systems, and would love more information on this equipment. Could you point me in the right direction as far as reliable manufacturers and information? Also, how would these differ from a bio-filter for an aquarium? Faron

In a Deep Water Culture (DWC) system, a net pot rests inside a larger water-filled bucket. The plant’s roots are suspended in the nutrient-rich water, which is oxygenated with an air stone, for example. The void between the basket and the water surface increases oxygen to the roots. However, pathogens can spread rapidly between plants if a common reservoir is used. A (biologically active) bio-filter removes or introduces different organic compounds or organisms into a water based system. In an aquarium, bio-filters remove certain elemental compounds, such as nitrates and phosphates, with the use of specific bacteria. This important mechanism prevents algae blooms from accumulating in the tank, helps fish evade health problems and restores system balance. Aquaponic bio-filters are slightly different because in this case the hydroponic garden is used as the filtering system. The plants use organic compounds in the waste water as nutrients prior to being recirculating into the fish farming component of the system. Again the purpose is to decrease the accumulation of unwanted nutrients. Hydroponic bio-filters are quite different, controlling pathogenic organisms from proliferating and harming the plants, particularly in a recirculating DWC system. A more involved option would be developing a filter for the secretion of specific organic acids and growth regulating substances. The substrate used in the filter is the key to success. Initially bio-filters in hydroponics were based on sand (a physical filter). The use of micro-organisms increased the benefits but also changed the material used in the filter. The key property is usable surface area. Remember, as organic material or sediment passes over the material it can clog it. Passage diameter (open spaces) is very important. Material could include aquarium products like biological media. Porous materials such as rinsed lava rock, diatom chunks or lassenite provide a higher initial surface area. A pre-filter layer at the top of your bio-filter would be beneficial to clean out some particulate prior to moving through the bio-filter substrate.

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

You must inoculate your filter with diverse biology. Include some powdered or liquid inoculants with different bacteria and fungi. Consider the use of a quality aerobic compost tea, which will be more microbially-diverse than available inoculants. Sending your solution into a lab for analysis gives you a specific look at the microbial population, and demonstrate which products to reapply based on their success or failure to colonize the bio-filter system, saving you money in the long term. Remember that as microbes secrete organic acids and enzymes, pH fluctuation can occur and can stabilize at a different value than you are used to in a sterile water system. Don’t be scared of this drift as it should stabilize and is unlikely to affect nutrient availability. Applied biology must be kept alive with organic matter. Plant roots will slough off some organic material from the rhizosphere but additional components in your solution can help. Consider kelp extracts and humates. I would experiment with insoluble granular humates within the filter as a source of microbial feedstock. This would help you avoid some of the issues related to excessive organic compounds within the water system such as foaming and particulate build-up. Good luck in your garden. Simon Hart

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

MAX facts

Hydroponic news, tips and trivia from around the world

The Feel-Good Food Movement ________________________________ Vegetable patches in urban yards and kitchen gardens are taking root in Victoria, British Columbia as people realize the social, psychological and health benefits of growing their own food. The City of Victoria recently granted a special project $9,500 to create a demonstration and training garden at the Waterview Housing Complex in Victoria. The Waterview garden features several raised beds. Each household has the opportunity to grow their choice of fruits, vegetables or flowers. Called polyculture, intercrop or companion planting, this practice of diversity reduces the plants’ susceptibility to disease. But a generation of urban homeowners have little knowledge of gardening basics, let alone the concept of polyculture. To fill the void, two sisters have started a business coaching gardeners. Calling themselves the Earth Sisters, Marilyn Bowker of Cowichan and her sister Arlene of Victoria will help new gardeners with step-by-step instructions on how to grow a successful garden. (Source: www.canada.com)

Join the Indoor Gardening Online Community _____________________________________________ The indoor gardening industry is online, and you should be to. The first step is to become a fan of Maximum Yield on Facebook by visiting Facebook.com/MaximumYield for event updates, magazine sneak peaks, growing tips and more. You will also find a list of our favourite Facebook pages including: Forever Flowering, Nutrifield, EZ-Clone, Technaflora, Foxfarm, General Hydroponics, Serenade Garden, Humboldt Nutrients, SteadyGro, Kessil Lighting, Solis-Tek, EZ-Clone and more. Stay updated on the latest news, promotions, advice and product offerings. See you soon!

The Future of Sustainability is Relocalization This year’s Ontario Heritage Conference was all about rural communities, with a strong environmental theme. John Ikerd, a retired professor of agricultural economics, laid out a vision of revitalized, relocalized rural communities that would solve energy and environmental problems through the production of “solar powered renewable energy and renewability machines” plants. John said we are at a critical time in agriculture and also a time of great possibilities. He concluded with a vision of a repopulated rural America. In the future we will have clusters of dense but small communities, where people will spend most of their lives. New American farms will be built on the insights from the past. The structures of the future may be new and energy efficient, but will be built on the ideas of the past. The preserved architecture is the most visible sign of the viability of a community. (Source: www.treehugger.com)

Growers Can Boost Benefits of Broccoli and Tomatoes ___________ A study has demonstrated that agronomic practices can greatly increase the cancer-preventive phytochemicals in broccoli and tomatoes. The highest levels of detoxifying enzymes were found in rats that ate selenium-treated broccoli. The amount of one of the cancer-fighting compounds in broccoli was six times higher in selenium-enriched broccoli than in standard broccoli powder. Selenium-treated broccoli was also most active in the liver, reaching a level of bioactivity that exceeded the other foods used in the experiment. Broccoli and other plants of the brassica family are unique in having a methylating enzyme that enables plants to store high concentrations of selenium. In a previous study, tomato and broccoli powders eaten together were found to be more effective in slowing prostate cancer in laboratory rats than either tomato or broccoli alone. In their current research, they are experimenting with ways to increase the bioactive components in these foods in order to test the efficacy of enriched broccoli and tomatoes in a new prostate cancer study. (Source: www.sciencedaily.com)

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

MAX facts

Hydroponic news, tips and trivia from around the world

Organic Food Near You _____________________ The launch of The Canadian Organic Food Database is proof that a great idea can translate to an incredible health resource connecting producer/providers with enthusiastic consumers. The site provides links to more than 2,000 organic food locations in Canada and invites organic food providers to list their services at no cost. Google Maps has been integrated to allow quick identification of provider locations. The database can be searched by city, province or postal code. Visitors are also invited to leave feedback on their experiences with organic food providers. While the total number of organic growers in Canada has not increased significantly in the latest countrywide data those growers have committed more hectares and the Certified Processors and Handlers in Canada are at an all time high. Overall produce is said to have risen 40 per cent in the latest statistical data. (Source: www.greenlivingonline.com)

Land-Based Fish Farms Possible but Problematic Wayne Gorrie, owner of PRAqua Supplies, British Columbiabased manufacturers of aquaculture equipment, argues that land-based closed containment systems for Atlantic salmon can be environmentally friendly and make money for their owners. For about $12 million, a closed-containment farm capable of producing 1,000 tonnes of full-sized, five-kilogram fish could be possible when coupled with hydroponics systems, which would allow the fish waste to be used as feedstock. However, building commercially successful land-based fish farms for Atlantic salmon, the main species in B.C.’s open-pen fish farms, is still a challenge the industry is trying to work through. Atlantic salmon are fussy eaters, easy to stress and don’t do well in overcrowded conditions and they need constant good-quality water being pumped through the systems. Gorrie said closed-containment systems for Atlantic salmon using existing technology would be huge “power hogs.” (Source: www.canada.com)

Educational Initiatives Brought to you by Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. _______________

Can Urban Farms Translate Popularity into Profitability? __________________________

West Credit Secondary in Mississauga, Ontario has recently set up a full scale hydroponics operation in their existing greenhouse in an attempt to educate students about plant biology, environmental systems and food production. With instructor assistance, the students will care for an edible 300 square foot hydroponic garden. The program is generously funded by the RONA Foundation with the help and expertise of the local hydroponic shop, Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. Homegrown has donated DNF brand nutrients and will lead seminars, giving back to the community and engaging young minds. Students will grow tomatoes, lettuce and herbs for the cafeteria. Congratulations the West Credit students for being proactive in learning about the Earth and sustainability.

City farms are sprouting in all sorts of unlikely places: in empty lots next to apartment complexes, across from high schools and in old industrial centers. Sizeable foodproduction plots have sprung up all over Canada and the United States. The urban farm movement aims to take control of food production away from large-scale industrial agriculture and root it within local food systems that attempt to ensure food access for the urban poor. Often located in low-income neighbourhoods, many city farms operate off the basic premise that healthy, affordable food is a basic human right. “Food justice” is the mantra of most of the organizations in the urban farming movement. That means of the estimated 14 per cent of North Americans who experience food insecurity—49 million people are unsure where they’ll find their next meal. However, these urban farms haven’t yet found a way to thrive in the market economy. Most rely heavily on volunteer labour and grant funding. They may be at the forefront of ecological sustainability, but economic sustainability continues eludes them. (Source: www.good.is)

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

MAX facts

Hydroponic news, tips and trivia from around the world

Manga MicroFarm Makes for Great Geeky Gardening What can you do with a stack of manga or comics that are destined for the recycling bin? Use them as a gardening medium, of course! At least, that’s what one artist has done in an installation at the Matsuzakaya department store in Nagoya, Japan. By piling up a stack, rubber banding them together, soaking it and sprinkling it with seeds, the artist explores a colourful and decorative way to raise a salad. PinkTentacle.com shows us the work of Tokyo-based artist Koshi Kawachi, who demoed “Manga Farming.” It’s simply the use of old manga as a growing medium for veggies. Within the comics, a crop of radish sprouts grow as happily as anything you’d see atop a Chia pet. While this is an art display, it does make you wonder what you might be able to do with the stack of comics under your bed, or the phone books you haven’t cracked open in the last five years. (Source: www.treehugger.com)

St. John’s Wort Collection Mined for its Medicinal Value _____________________ A unique collection of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum) is providing university collaborators with genetically diverse, welldocumented sources of this herb to use in studies examining its medicinal potential. Scientists are screening 180 properties of St. John’s Wort for biologically active compounds and their potential to combat viral infections, reduce inflammation or improve digestive health. The hypericum collection at the Agricultural Research Service Ames crop genebank was started in the 1990s and today encompasses about 60 species collected from around the world. This diversity has enabled investigations of genetic, environmental and developmental factors affecting the quantity and quality of bioactive compounds, as well as their modes of action. Of particular interest is how these compounds interact, and whether those interactions are critical to human health benefits. Recently researchers noted that combinations of four compounds from St. John’s Wort were more effective at reducing inflammation in mouse macrophage assays than when each was used alone. (Source: www.sciencedaily.com)

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

PRODUCT spotlight

See it. Want it. Find it at your local indoor gardening store.

Agrogreen® Specialty Liquid Fertilizers – Go Natural ________ Agrogreen® 4-1-1 and Agroblitz™ 6-4-4 are all-natural, 100 per cent biodegradable, nontoxic and derived entirely from botanical extracts. They are super-concentrated, water soluble and contain slow-release nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, plus calcium, magnesium and important trace elements. They’re reliable and affordable and support the survival of beneficial organisms while repelling harmful organisms. They can be applied as a foliar spray, root drench or blended with other products. Available sizes: 125 millilitres, 250 millilitres, 500 millilitres, one litre and five litres. For more information visit your favourite indoor gardening shop.

Scientific Expertise in Every Ounce of Sunshine® Advanced Sunshine® Advanced is formulated with earth-friendly ingredients to retain moisture, provide improved root aeration and drainage and develop strong, healthy root systems for maximum stem, flower and foliage. The peat moss and coconut fibre retain water and nutrients, and increased perlite provides excellent drainage. The organic nutrient package found in Sunshine® Advanced provides a supplemental charge after three to four weeks and the endomycorrhizal blend enhances the plant’s ability to access the nutrients in the root zone. Contact your favourite indoor gardening shop to learn more.

Award Winning Reflective Foils ________ Produced exclusively for the North American hydroponic and horticultural market, Easy Grow Ltd. is proud to announce the creation of 7.5 and 15 metre rolls of their famous food grade, reflective foils in Lightite and Eco. The Diamond Diffusion and Silver/White Lightite foils are over five millimetres thick and the Eco foils are three millimetres thick. All Easy Grow foils offer the same guarantee of non-gassing, food grade material with only clean virgin (non-recycled) polymers used in the production process. For more information visit an indoor gardening shop.

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

House & Garden Hydro A&B Base Nutrients ___________ House & Garden Hydro A&B base nutrients are an absolute must-have for all gardeners. The smart composition of the various elements ensures optimal nourishment of plants in the grow and the flowering period. Hydro A&B nutrients are composed of liquid main and trace elements, including Eddha-Fe (iron) and contain no bulking agents. This enables the plant to absorb the nutrients fast and effectively. House & Garden Hydro A&B nutrients are used for recirculating or run to waste systems using perlite, rockwool, clay balls and various other substrates. Ask for these products at your local hydro store.

Get Control of Garden Climates with Sunleaves ___________________________ If humidity and heat are turning every trip to your indoor garden into a hot and sticky situation, open the door to the new Sunleaves Portable Humidifier and Sunleaves Portable Dual-Hose Air Conditioner. This compact, highly efficient dehumidifier extracts up to 20 litres of water per day from the air. Treated air also passes through an activated carbon filter and washable dust filter to reduce particulate matter and odours. The Sunleaves Portable Dual-Hose Air Conditioner is the earth-friendly way to keep indoor garden temperatures and humidity at comfortable levels for people and plants. It uses an ozone-safe refrigerant to keep air cool and dry. For more information visit your favourite hydroponics shop.

Greenstar (Grotek) Half Page

TopMax Goes Organic ________________ TopMax is a 100 per cent organic flowering strengthener that dramatically increases the size and weight of floral clusters, leaving a sweet taste in the finished product. TopMax uses humic and fulvic acids to assist in the flow of nutrients. The main source of humic acid is a deposit called leonardite that comes from trees and vegetation that grew 300 million years ago. Fulvic acid is reclaimed from humate deposits and contains a natural electrical charge that attracts nutrients and minerals. Talk to your local indoor gardening retailer today to learn more.

Maximum Yield Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; September / October 2010

PRODUCT spotlight

See it. Want it. Find it at your local indoor gardening store.

New Sunleaves Reflector Gets You Growing _________ The Sunleaves Sunspot 10 Plug N’ Play Reflector offers performance and great compatibility at an affordable cost. It has heavy-duty housing; enamel-coated exterior finish; specular German-made reflective interior for maximum light exposure; and a mogul socket that’s designed to maximize airflow through its 25 centimetre inline vent flanges. Perfectly suited for gardens with carbon dioxide enrichment, it features a hinged lens enclosure that provides a completely airtight seal. Best of all, it’s pre-wired with a fixed socket that’s compatible with the industry-standard common outlet. Ask for Sunleaves Sunspot at your nearest indoor gardening shop.

All Purpose Grow Room Cleaner _______

Rev up Your Rhizosphere _____________

AgroKlean™ is a 100 per cent biodegradable liquid concentrate derived from natural botanical extracts. It safely and effectively deodorizes, disinfects, degreases and thoroughly cleans any surface in your grow space, leaving a pleasant lemon pine scent. AgroKlean™ is safe for people, pets, plants and the environment, and is also useful for home and office cleaning. AgroKlean™ is highly economical and replaces harsh, toxic, chemical cleaning products. Available sizes: 125 millilitres, 250 millilitres, one litre and five litres. For more information visit your favourite indoor gardening shop.

Botanicare’s new biological inoculant ZHO contains revolutionary supercharged endomychorrizal and Trichoderma fungi that naturally build a microbial system in and around plant roots significantly improving growth, vigour and production. ZHO contains special amino acids designed to intensify the rhizobial activity that ZHO ignites. Apply ¼ teaspoon of ZHO twice during your grow cycle and your plants’ vitality and development will exceed your expectations. ZHO is non-toxic to flora and fauna, improves soil structure, increases nutrient uptake and improves rooting. For more information visit your nearest indoor gardening store.

The Raw Food Diet _____________________________ Botanicare has combined the superiority of Sweet with the flavours of nature in the newest addition to the popular Sweet line—Sweet Raw. Sweet Raw helps maintain optimum metabolic levels by supplying plants with the vital energy they need during the entire grow cycle. Sweet Raw offers the same premium ingredients as the original flavoured versions, without the added flavours. Sweet Raw is a flavourless blend of more than 20 amino acids, select carbohydrates, enriching vitamins and an array of essential secondary and trace minerals. For more information visit an indoor gardening store near you.

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

A Custom Product with a Quick Response ________ Tongdy Control Technology and Intellisenc introduce the F2000IAQ-CO2 Carbon Dioxide Controller specifically designed for greenhouse applications. This unit is accurate and features a selfcalibrating 0 to 2,000 ppm range NDIR CO2 sensor. An LCD display indicates CO2, humidity and temperature. An on/off output controls CO2 level and is user adjustable. Light and temperature sensors enable output during the daytime and below 45°C. All parameters are adjustable with push buttons or a DIP switch and 0 to 50,000 ppm CO2 range is available. Analog outputs and PID control are available. 120VAC powered. For more information visit your nearest indoor gardening store.

New Predator Sighted in Indoor Gardens ____________________ Sunleaves Predator Series Plug N’ Play Viper 6 is perfect for gardeners on the hunt for an affordable, high-quality reflector. Its durable steel housing and compact size make it ideal for any space, and its 4.5 metre built-in ballast power cord, complete with the industry-standard common plug, makes set up simple. A hinged, airtight lens, 15 centimetre inline vent flanges and aerodynamic mogul socket makes it a perfect fit for gardeners who currently use CO2 enrichment or plan to do so in the future. Ask for the Viper 6 at your local indoor gardening shop.

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

PRODUCT spotlight

See it. Want it. Find it at your local indoor gardening store.

Biobizz Starters Pack _________________ The Biobizz Starters Pack is fully loaded with everything you need to initiate an organic growing adventure. The rooting, growing and blooming phases will be taken care of and you will be rewarded with the most amazing harvest as a result. The Biobizz Starters Pack is great for beginner growers with a quick and easy guide included. For more information visit your local indoor/outdoor gardening shop.

Go Green with Elicent _________________ Continental Fan is pleased to announce an improved and greener product for its renowned Elicent AXC In-Line Duct Fans. The new packaging features recycled materials and improved insulation to help reduce shipping damage. In addition, AXC Fans are now Energy Star qualified for improved efficiency while retaining the superior craftsmanship and quiet operation that has been trusted for years. Power consumption meets stringent Energy Star requirements of a minimum 2.8 cfm per watt. For more information and to check out Continental Fan’s full line of residential and commercial fan products, visit your favourite indoor gardening retailer. MY

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Water Chillers Explained

by Stephen Keen with Pat King

“Anything that creates heat can be cooled by water one way or another.”

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

What is a chiller and why would I want one? Let’s start with chiller basics - what is a water chiller and why would a person want one? A water chiller does just what its name implies—it cools water. Chillers are used in indoor gardening for a wide range of applications including nutrient cooling and watercooled equipment such as CO2 generators, dehumidifiers, air conditioning and even lighting. Basically anything that creates heat can be cooled by water one way or another. Given the efficiency of a chiller versus the efficiency of other common cooling methods, and the added control over garden temperatures (and therefore happier plants) that water-cooling affords, using water to cool makes financial sense. It does, however, cost a little more up front and it is a little more difficult to set up than traditional cooling methods. I compare it to installing radiant barrier on attic roofs or buying Energy Star appliances for your home—in most cases, well worth the investment.

How does a chiller work? The cooling function of a chiller is very similar to that of an air conditioner. The energy savings comes in the form of the superior efficiency of the heat exchange of water versus air (more on that below). Most chillers use electricity to power a thermostat-controlled compressor that forces refrigerant inside through a cycle. The refrigerant starts as a hot compressed gas being pumped to the condenser from the compressor. In the condenser the compressed gas begins to condense to liquid as the heat is removed by a fan. Most of the heat being absorbed by the refrigerant is removed at this point and blown out of the chillers. The cooled liquid leaves the condenser and enters either an expansion valve or capillaries to control the amount of refrigerant entering the evaporator. As the refrigerant enters the evaporator it starts to absorb heat and boils off, becoming a vapour. Water is pumped through or across the evaporator and the heat is absorbed from the water by the refrigerant. The refrigerant is again sucked in to the “ Installing a water chiller is compressor, compressed equivalent to buying Energy Star appliances - well worth into a hot gas and sent the investment.” to the condenser to start the cycle over. Some chillers also come with an option to run the cycle backwards. This results in the water being warmed instead of chilled and cool air instead of warm blowing out the back of the chiller. Why is a chiller more efficient than an air conditioner? The primary reason for the superior efficiency of a chiller over an air conditioner despite their use of the same internal components is that the thermal conductivity of water is 23 times greater than that of air. What that means is a chiller will exchange the heat in a given space much more quickly than an air conditioner, allowing it to run less to get the same results. This is where you save electricity. With an air conditioner, air is passed over the evaporator instead of water. Since the air is less conductive, the

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Chill Out: Water Chillers Explained “ The primary reason for the superior efficiency of a chiller over an air conditioner is that the thermal conductivity of water is 23 times greater than that of air.”

evaporator can’t draw out as much heat as it can with water. The chiller evaporator is significantly smaller than an air evaporator because of the increased thermal load of water. In nearly all cases the evaporator in a chiller will be significantly more efficient than that of an air conditioner, again allowing it to run less to get the same amount of cooling. Outdoor chillers used in conjunction with indoor watercooled air handlers can supply traditional style air conditioning; the difference is that there is water passed between them instead of refrigerant. This type of set-up can be installed by anyone as no refrigeration license would need to be installed. Water lines can run hundreds of metres to a water-cooled evaporator. A/C ducting cannot run for significant lengths as the airflow decreases dramatically with distance. Water is currently used in most large public buildings for heating and cooling, both due to its superior efficiency and because it affords the ability to use one cooling unit for a very large area, whereas several air conditioning units would be required due to the distance constraints involved with ducting. Types of chillers All chillers are not the same! Just like air conditioners, there are several different chiller designs and types available and your needs should be carefully considered before a purchase is made. If your application calls for a heavy duty chiller, you will not get the results you need from a chiller intended only for nutrient cooling. Further, actual cooling output varies from brand to brand even on chillers with the same size compressor, so do your research before you buy. In our market, there are a lot to choose from, but we’ve broken them down into three main categories:

Aquarium/ Reservoir chillers: “When used under the light loading for which they’re intended, these chillers are affordable and readily available.”

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Aquarium/Reservoir chillers: These chillers are very affordable, extremely common and are made to hold a body of water at a specific temperature against the ambient temperatures only. They are not made to carry a load. These chillers are only to be used for light duty cooling and can only be used indoors, so they are designed to run quietly as well. They cannot handle a direct or significant heat load. I compare them to refrigerators; as long as the door is closed and there is no heat being introduced, the refrigerator does exactly what you require of it, but you can’t put a constant heat source inside and expect it to stay cold. This goes for the aquarium/reservoir chillers as well. Mostly this is a result of smaller condensers and fans, necessary to suppress noise and maintain a small cabinet size. When used under the light loading for which they’re intended, these chillers are affordable and readily available with several different brands to choose from. Equipment chillers: These are usually more expensive than the variety mentioned above but are more rugged and are made to directly counteract a heat source. These chillers can handle constant loads and most can be placed

Chill Out: Water Chillers Explained

outside if desired. These chillers are usually more energy efficient and will last longer under harsh conditions. Some of these are better than others, and they can range from 80 to 100 per cent load capacity. This means that with a 12,000 BTU compressor for example, some will give you 12,000 BTU of cooling and some will only get you 9,600 BTU. The higher output chillers are usually a bit more expensive, but since they are more energy efficient, they will run less often, cost less to operate and last longer than the chillers with lower output, as you get more cooling out of the same power consumption. Commercial chillers: These chillers are the most expensive available, but are also the highest quality and longest lasting chillers you can buy. Some units come with built-in pumps and reservoirs so you simply attach your plumbing to the water outlets, add water, turn them on and set your water temperature. The commercial size chillers can only be placed outdoors (they are too large and remove too much heat to be placed indoors) and most can be roof-mounted if needed.

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

“Some units come with built-in pumps and reservoirs so you simply attach your plumbing to the water outlets, add water, turn them on and set your water temperature.”

How to properly size a chiller Properly sizing your chiller is vital! Heating and cooling are both measured in BTU and if the BTU loading is higher than the BTU output of the chiller, the chiller will run constantly and will never or rarely get your body of water to your desired temperature.You will need to closely estimate how much heat is being produced by the equipment that you’re trying to cool to know how much cooling you need.You must also consider ambient temperatures, how well the room is insulated, if there is any venting to the outside and the cubic footage of the area that you’re cooling. “A properly sized larger chiller will In general, use less power than a smaller chiller 1,000 watt bulbs because it runs less often and requires produce 3,500 less effort from the compressor.” BTU and 1,000 watt digital ballasts produce 2,500 BTU of heat. (Every light and ballast is different so these are generalizations). So if you were looking to cool a room with 4,000 watts and with the ballasts in the garden, you would need a chiller with at least 24,000 BTU to counteract the heat generated by the lights and ballasts alone.You’d need to add BTUs to the chiller if you wanted to add water-cooled air conditioning or if you wanted to use any other water-cooled equipment such as CO2 generators. If I can offer one piece of advice that you’ll thank me for later, it would be to always size your chiller 20 per cent larger than you think you need. A properly sized larger chiller will use less power than a smaller chiller because it runs less often and requires less effort from the compressor. A larger chiller will last longer and offers you the ability to expand your set-up later. I’ve found that many people add lights to their garden after they switch to water-cooling because they have freed up some electricity and have more control over their garden temperatures.

Where should I put it? For a chiller to operate at maximum efficiency, it must have a constant supply of fresh air. It is a mechanical heat exchanger and cannot exchange heat efficiently if it is in a closed room or in a hot attic. To take maximum advantage of its energy efficiency, the chiller should be placed outdoors if possible, even if it is hot outdoors. If you leave it in the house, even in a different room, your home air conditioner is cooling the heat from the back of the chiller, which is really just the heat from your garden, so it isn’t providing nearly as much energysavings as it does if you put it outside. In short, water cooling has been used for decades, mainly in commercial and industrial applications. It’s already been proven in these other applications that water chillers can be extremely energy friendly additions to the indoor garden! The energy savings that can be afforded by using water to cool your equipment and environment often allows gardeners to add more lights to their space because they have more control over their temperatures and smaller electric bills. This results in larger yields with little or no increase in power consumption, and happier plants in a more consistent environment. When

the correct chiller, for the correct application, properly sized, is used in the indoor garden, the benefits of more control and less energy use will nearly always offset the upfront expense. MY

All of Stephen`s articles are available exclusively on www.maximumyield.com

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Tranquility Hydro in

by Lee McCall

Cultivation of flora is an art, an amazing feat that we as humans have manipulated since the earliest days of time to provide sustenance for the mind and body. Horticultural therapy stimulates mental activity, triggering chemicals in the brain that affect mood and promote relaxation. To reach this level of consciousness in the world of indoor and year round gardening, dedication and precision must impact the desire to perfect individual skill and technique. Commitment will separate pros from “Joes” and exhibit the differences in overall quality and quantity, fuelling the aspirations to learn and progress. The art of gardening utilizes technology as the canvas and life as the colour palette. The following examples I provide display the exquisiteness and grandeur of simple techniques, capable of resulting beautiful productive yields and exceptional eye candy. Every individual who creates a garden indoors is fostering a living environment of organisms.

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Different variables will occur in every situation that inflict different symptoms affecting overall outcome and production rates. Obviously the better quality of equipment outfitting the area will sustain a higher level of control influencing a wider array of preferable species indigenous to the copied environment produced inside. Sunrooms present excellent areas for creativity due to the natural light penetration without the harshness of outdoor environmental factors like weather and wildlife. The ability to harness natural sunlight in conjunction with artificial lighting will produce spectacular conditions for optimal photosynthetic production, so long as stability in growth is executed with precise action and performance. In turn, energy is saved in lighting expenditures overall, and efficiency is increased through production rates. Electronic ballasts provide optimal output for enhanced and sole supplementation offering the best efficiency over that of conventional core and coil technology. I prefer full or enhanced spectrum metal halides that provide adequate amounts of warm and cool colour ratios for substantial fruit, flower and vegetative development. The lumen output is lower than that of most high pressure sodium lamps; however, many options offer Kelvin temperatures that are closer in comparison to that of natural full spectrum sunlight. The end result is tighter spacing between internodes with less overall

Maximum Yield Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; September / October 2010

Tranquility in Hydro

stretch throughout growth. Those who have the benefit of outfitting the perfect sunroom or greenhouse, keep in mind as the seasons change, the Kelvin of natural sunlight adjusts accordingly. Experiment with different options and availabilities

of both high pressure sodium and metal the grow room, but custom layout that halides to depict the best apparatus will provide favourable conditions to for each custom job. Light movers are house the operation. Tiled floors, custom exceptionally helpful in these situations as dry-wall installation, matching reflectors well providing supplemental light over an if using more than one light, professional extended area. Avoid using light movers installment and sealed containment are if the intended purpose is to cut lighting all external factors that aid in the Feng expense while maintaining consistent shui of a grow room. Intertwine varietals production with that are rich in “Feng shui of the area is also colours, textures a higher volume important to an extent to of plants.Yield and growth encourage relaxation and positive patterns to and growth is affected during reveal superlative mental stimulation from a “shade” periods function and therapeutic standpoint.” when lights are effect. For at opposite ends of their tracks breaking example, Zinnias are structurally dense the solid penetration to the canopy over varietals that provide excellent support a designated portion of the garden. As with tremendous height for Morning opposed to using two lights over an area Glory, Hummingbird Vine, and Passion rather than one with a light mover, for Flower to condense, climb and cover. mature growth cycles the more light that Plot a small patch of Columbines in is available with desirable temperatures between to provide excellent accent the more production is enhanced overall. colour, additional support and flower Early vegetative growth and plants that do differentiation. The end result is not require high concentrations of direct fragrant, visually appealing and can be light will benefit most from light movers executed in a ground space of about enabling the cultivar to cover twice the 1.2 square metres with a homemade area of the light’s intended output. system. Hydroponic applications provide Feng shui of the area is also important the luxury of simplistic and clean to an extent to encourage relaxation operation, maximizing the efficiency of and positive mental stimulation from production to space ratios containing a therapeutic standpoint. This doesn’t higher volumes of plants. Although necessarily mean interior decoration for it sounds far-fetched from the major aspects of general cultivation, adding eye-appealing structure and decoration to the surrounding area will boast the visual satisfaction. The sunroom in the pictures displays how an indoor sunroom is easily transformed to resemble a creative, colourful outdoor patio garden year round, only under the influence of unique hydroponics application with full environmental control. Transforming a room in the average home that allows the grower to escape to an oasis of life created by his or her own, stimulates the senses through smell, sight, taste and offers an extremely rewarding practice. Experimental trial and error will determine which crops are suitable for conjoined cultivation and which are not, meaning different species growing in the same systems, feeding off of the same nutrition allotment despite the differences in growth attributes.

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Experimentation will reveal many different hybrids and species are capable of growing in the same system and medium as long as adequate conditions are supplied to the root zone for each individual crop; the environment is suited for the variety of specimens; and nutrition is monitored precisely throughout the duration of growth to avoid deficiency and overdose. For hydroponic experimentation, I recommend flood and drain systems that utilize trays instead of buckets. This provides excellent usage of given space with less hardware requirement and more options for plant positioning and different species contained within. Although smaller containers are preferred, large plants are still capable of excellent growth through persistent feedings and attention to the root zone. Guttered trays are also able to disperse run-off water better than bucket versions, which benefits hardware cleanliness and deters negative microbial development resulting from stagnation. When conducting a flood and drain garden for visual appeal and décor purposes only, regular remove dead vegetation and flowers, flushing containers from the top instead of flooding from below when needed, and select species that are similar in water consuming properties. If a particular crop prefers light feedings over that of heavy ones, customize media blends within the different containers to enrich aeration properties or moisture holding capabilities based on the plant’s desires. Flushing the plants once or twice a week from the tops of the containers will help keep reservoirs clean of debris and remove excess build-up from nutrition regiments. Enforce dense amounts of oxygen with the use of air stones to promote a vigorous rhizosphere with healthy microbial activity, if any is implemented with nutrition. Submersible pumps left on in the bottoms of the reservoirs will ensure a healthy emulsion and consistency without stagnation. Whether the intended route is to achieve substantial yields, quality, décor or peace of mind, understanding tranquility in hydro will return superior results with less stress resulting from the physical labour during practice. Indoor cultivation in many ways is hard work on the mind and body, aside from the fact the intended outcome may never be assumed. Too many external factors exist that may affect or fluctuate the end result; the best plan of action is to monitor progress and critical thinking steps that promoted the original method or conclusion, enabling the cultivar(s) to track pertinent data and information. Referring back to the Feng shui of the area, keeping things simple, clean, smooth and consistent within the designated environment with minimal variables will improve stability around detrimental flux. MY

“For hydroponic experimentation, I recommend flood and drain systems that utilize trays instead of buckets.”

Visit www.maximumyield.com for a variety of unique "feng shui" grow room layouts that will soothe and inspire you.

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

utput Plant Pr O od igh uc H r ti fo

erpa a T. S hu jos by

Growing plants in compressed air aeroponic systems is an efficient art. True aeroponic systems have the potential to conserve fresh water, one of nature’s most precious resources. By providing plants with just the right amount of water and nutrients they need to grow, water waste is minimal. Due to our population’s predicted exponential growth in the next 40 years, the need for clean, fresh water for food crops is dire. According to Scientific American magazine, 70 per cent of the earth’s fresh water is used for agriculture. By 2050, fresh water will become an extremely valuable and expensive commodity unless water collection techniques are improved. Enter the age of compressed air aeroponic systems. Compressed air aeroponic systems use water and nutrients efficiently, which reduces the cost of food production and increases profits.

Compr ess ed Ai r

ADVANCED AEROPONICS:

Plants grow faster in true aeroponic systems because the nutrient solution is instantly available for the plants to metabolize. Essentially, there are no barriers between the nutrient solution and cells (root hairs) that consume the plant food. Root zone health is extremely important to the success of any growing system, but in a true aeroponic system, the roots not only live but also thrive. In the case of compressed air aeroponics, plant metabolism is also greatly increased when nutrient solution is fogged into the root zone at the optimal micron size, (0-30 microns) allowing the plants to absorb the solution without causing damage to the root hairs. If the micron size of the fog is too large or too small, the aeroponic system will not function properly and will cause root zone damage and potentially crop failure.

““It takes time to persuade men to do even what is for their own good.” – Thomas Jefferson 36

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Advanced Aeroponics The most amazing thing about compressed air aeroponic systems is the amount of root hairs that grow in the root chamber. In case you are unfamiliar, root hairs are those fuzzy roots that can be seen after your cuttings have anchored in a starter cube. They usually expand perpendicular to the main and lateral roots. They are extremely fragile and most aeroponic systems cannot produce them at all. Root hairs are single-walled cells, which is why they are so good at absorption. They are approximately one micron wide and up to three millimetres long depending on plant species. Root hairs grow rapidly and can multiply with the correct root hormones. In compressed air aeroponic systems, root hairs can re-grow if damage occurs in the root zone due to drying out or over saturation. This is very uncommon if not impossible in a typical spray-o-ponic system. These fine root hairs drastically increase the absorption rate of the root zone; they are the point at which Mycorrhizal

“Plant growth is positively correlated to root respiration.” fungi and beneficial bacteria colonize, forming the symbiotic relationship between bacteria, fungus, roots and nutrients. More research needs to be done to study the relationship of root hairs and root respiration. Root respiration is the gas exchange that occurs in the root zone by which O2 is consumed and either beneficial bacteria and fungi or the plant itself) releases CO2. Plant growth is positively correlated to root respiration—hence the smart pot craze. With compressed air aeroponic systems, fresh O2 is repeatedly injected into the root zone every time the fog nozzle turns on. This replenishment of oxygen around the root zone is one of the catalysts for true aeroponic growth. With the advent of compressed air aeroponic systems gardeners will see increased yields per square foot and plants pushing the limits of their genetic potential.

Compressed air aeroponic set-up.

One of the most outstanding advantages of these systems is the quality of the end product. When plants are grown aeroponically the roots are flushed completely. At harvest, pure water is fogged into the root zone forcing the plant to consume any remaining carbohydrates it has stored. Improved flavours are apparent in food grown aeroponically. As aeroponic systems gain popularity, consumers will become conscious of aeroponic produce and seek it out. Conventionally grown crops (in soil) carry many problems not seen in indoor, hydroponic or aeroponic gardens. With aeroponics, soil pH is no longer a problem. Parasites that commonly breed in soil are no longer a problem. Soil borne pathogens and parasitic fungi (Pythium and Fusarium) are a non-issue as well. People might think that root rot only happens in hydroponics but overwater your soil garden or use stagnate pond water on your soil-grown plants and your roots will rot. In soil gardens, root diseases are impossible to see while in an aeroponic system it is very easy to tell if your root zone is healthy and growing. When you grow aeroponically you get to start from scratch with pure water (0 PPM), exact minerals and the proper concentrations of nutrients, exact beneficial fungi (endomycorrhizae), exact sugars (digested cane sugar) and exact beneficial bacteria that plants crave. Aeroponics gives the grower total control over what their plants consume. The grower can maximize flavours and yields and control consistency, quantity and quality.

“Aeroponics gives the grower total control over what their plants consume.”

Fresh aeroponic roots forming at 12 days. Notice the lack of root hair due to over fogging.

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Compressed air aeroponic systems can be automated so very little physical effort is required from the grower once the system is set up properly. At the hobbyist level, this is great for people with disabilities or the elderly. On a commercial level it is much easier to produce large volumes of produce. Automation reduces

the need to hand water and feed.You simply need to make sure all of the parameters are set correctly. If the nutrient solution is properly stored, the reservoir can last for long periods. The nice thing about an automated garden is that you can focus on plant maintenance, pruning and the other aspects of gardening that will increase your yields. Compressed air aeroponic systems may not be for everyone. A good understanding of water purification, reagent grade nutrients, plant genetics, full spectrum lighting, sealed environment agriculture, compost tea and other intricacies is recommended. Compressed air aeroponic systems are more expensive to set up but the benefits and advantages will far outweigh the initial set up costs. With a little time and understanding the techniques to successful aeroponic growing can be learned. In the near future, compressed air aeroponic systems may become the standard way to grow high value crops. After all, the proof is in the pudding, and aeroponic pudding tastes great. MY

Compressed air aeroponic cuttings.

References: Despommier, Dickson. “Growing Skyscrapers: The Rise of Vertical Farms.” Scientific American (November, 2009). Segal, Eran, Tammi Kushnir, Yechezekel Mualem, and Uri Shani. “Water Uptake and Hydraulics of the Root Hair Rhizosphere.” (2007).

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Sustainability: Buzz Word or Legitimate Agenda? by Matt Geschke

"Sustainability is not a singular idea but a complex paradigm that many previous civilizations employed." One of the most impassioned topics currently discussed in the mainstream media is that of sustainability. It would appear that this concept is new and novel due to the intense interest it has garnered by all engaged in the dialogue. However, it may be surprising to some that the fundamental practices are centuries old. I have lectured on this topic for nearly 10 years and have distilled down a definition that I feel is broad enough to encompass the concepts covered in this article while allowing the reader to interpret and subsequently tailor the message to his or her life. Sustainability as I have come to understand it is the act of producing all of the necessities for life in a manner that does

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Incan circular terrace near Moray, Peru.

not degrade the quantity or quality of resources for future generations. This is not to say the aforementioned resources cannot be amended or modified but their quality and quantity must not be degraded. This may appear to be a tall order for many of us who have been raised in a “single use” society. The notion of “no net loss” requires a dramatic change in our behaviour as well as a nearly wholesale replacement of the traditional agriculture model. For us to truly understand and ultimately discuss sustainability with a level of competence it is important to understand its genesis and its consequent evolution throughout history. What

makes the concept of sustainability unique is that it is actually a myriad of symbiotic, yet often disparate, applied concepts, anchored to a very specific set of beliefs. Therefore, it is not a singular idea but a complex paradigm that many previous civilizations employed; and through its implementation they enjoyed great wealth and prosperity. By using sustainable practices the Incas and the Aztecs were able to support populations that many estimate were in the millions. Imagine the food security burden associated with a population of that magnitude and then factor into the equation that these civilizations lived at altitudes

"Mesoamerican inhabitants developed more than half the agricultural products that the world eats today." with very little precipitation, long before the industrial revolution. Accomplishing these feats of agricultural sustainability was nothing short of miraculous. How were these civilizations able to conquer this apparently insurmountable task? The answer is relatively simple; through sustainable agriculture. Mesoamerican inhabitants developed more than half the agricultural products that the world eats today. Among these are more than 200+ varieties of potato; 20+ varieties of corn; as well as varieties of beans, peppers, squash, quinoa and amaranth. The Incan culture is responsible for developing agricultural techniques and methods so effective that many of them are still in use today. Arguably the most recognizable Incan method used in their sustainable model was the construction of andene terracing. These terraces were often constructed in a circular fashion and employed regional topography to their advantage as they were built on natural slopes. This design allowed the passive force of gravity to irrigate their crops without the use of mechanical pumps. The faces of the slopes were waterproofed by tiling the surface with a mosaic of flat impervious rocks. Upon this stone foundation, walls and terraces were constructed with

Pisac, Peruvian terraces in the Sacred Valley.

"The overall design combines many of the fundamental elements currently employed in contemporary hydroponic systems." multiple water inlets along the top and several drainage channels at the bottoms. These voids were filled with mineral rich soils and amended with nitrogen rich seabird and bat guano as well as coarse aggregate and sand at the bottom to aid in drainage. Sound familiar? The overall design combines many of the fundamental elements currently employed in contemporary hydroponic systems: The use of automated irrigation, the circular design to maximize space, upper terraces feeding lower terraces and the use of organic fertilizers and drainage amendment to maximize yield. A second lesser known Incan design was the Waru Waru; this system was constructed on high flat plateaus, where terrace construction was not possible or where direct precipitation was the only available irrigation method.

u r a W u War Maximum Yield Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; September / October 2010

Sustainability: Buzz Word or Legitimate Agenda?

"Many of us involved in this industry design our products to excel in controlled environments and as a result humidity is one of the most critical factors that we address."

Deep water ditches were excavated around the agricultural plots and were subsequently filled with rain water. These channels served as reservoirs for irrigation but they also created a humid rich microclimate due to evaporation. This is of paramount importance for one of the greatest challenges of cultivation at elevation is the lack of humidity. Many of us involved in this industry design our products to excel in controlled environments and as a result humidity is one of the most critical factors that we address. Amazingly enough, the Incans were able to accomplish this task 500 years ago, at 14,000 feet of elevation, without humidifiers or fuzzy logic controllers. The Incans were also dedicated to research and development as it applied to plant morphology and genetic resistance. To this end they constructed an exceptionally large circular terrace in the Peruvian city of Cusco. Experts believe that this location is where most of the hybridizing experiments took place and as result of the massive scale of this operation, hundreds of Incan farmers were employed year round to ensure that the desired outcome was achieved. By constructing this massive terrace system the Incas were able to replicate the conditions found at various elevations and consequently develop elevation specific hybrids. By using this technique the Incas were able to develop varieties of maize and potato that grew at 14,000 feet amsl (average mean sea level) that were previously only cultivated successfully at 3,000 feet amsl. On a related note, it is evident from archaeological investigation that the Aztecs constructed massive aquaponic farms by raising fish alongside crops. They built artificial islands known as chinampas in regionally low lying areas (marshes or lakes) and planted them with a variety of regional crops. Canals were then constructed throughout this network of islands and afforded the farmers the ability to tend their crops from a canoe. Waste from the fish fell to the bottom of the canals and was collected to fertilize plants. Plants also benefited from the microclimate created by the evaporating water.

Maximum Yield Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; September / October 2010

It should be obvious by now from this crash course in Mesoamerican agriculture that the solution to our sustainability problem with regards to agriculture has already been defined over 500 hundred years ago. Our charge now, as members of the hydroponic community, is to take these concepts and extrapolate them into forms and techniques that are applicable to modern controlled environment agriculture. Detractors to this cause cite that the current sustainable practices are not viable when expanded to the magnitude necessary to provide the quantity and quality of food needed to sustain the global population. Ironically, I agree with this assessment, however, I am not deterred but inspired. As a global community we have been given a once in a lifetime opportunity to mould the future through environmentally conscious food production. The models currently employed are broken and do not incorporate technological advancements available in other industries. The hydroponic industry has a tendency to be a bit incestuous with regards to solutions to our internal problems. This is not only reasonable but expected for many of the suppliers to our industry have a vested interest in their proprietary technologies.

"Current sustainable practices are not viable when expanded to the magnitude necessary to provide the quantity and quality of food needed to sustain the global population." Unfortunately, it is this short sighted, margin-based approach to technological development that has placed us at the precipice. Many experts believe that without a means of sustainable agriculture we will exceed our planetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s carrying capacity by 2050. These are dire times and we must adopt a sense of urgency. We have an opportunity to make a difference and we must embrace it. Instead of accepting the broken and inefficient technologies we are given with a willing look and open hands, we must demand that the industry designs future products with sustainability in mind. It all starts with the growers; we are the inventors, we are the solution and we can drive this agenda, but we must remain steadfast in our resolve.

We must commit to products that can be recycled or used as fuel for another process. We must abandon technologies that are inefficient to ship and manufactured thousands of miles away. We must train a critical eye on those who supply our nutrients. Are they mining these constituents in an environmentally sound fashion or are they buying low and selling high with no regard to the impact they cause? We must be judicious in our approach to irrigation; drain-to-waste must be reevaluated and new re-circulating designs must be developed. Finally, our current "We are the inventors, lighting options must be re-examined and we are the solution revamped with not just lumen intensity and we can drive this and wattage in mind but with energy agenda." efficiency (watt to usable lumen ratio), functional lifespan and recyclability calculated into the equation. In the end this is our responsibility and our planet; we can accept what the talking heads tell us or we can prove them wrong. This is the event horizon! MY

Access to a variety of articles on sustainable growing can be found at www.maximumyield.com

Trimpro Half Page

Maximum Yield Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; September / October 2010

Seaweed A Precious Material for Plant Nutrition

by Luis Bartolo

Seaweed has been harvested for food, fertilizer and medicine for thousands of years. History books record that the Chinese used seaweed for medicinal purposes as early as 3,000 B.C. The Greeks for example used seaweed as animal food as early as the first century B.C. One translated text written in 46 B.C states: “The Greeks collected seaweed from the shore and having washed it in fresh water, gave it to their cattle.” Today China and Japan are the biggest consumers of seaweed worldwide, with China harvesting 500 million tons a year for food use alone. Seaweed has been as a source of organic material to add to soil or soilless cultivation. It is only

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

during the latter half of the last century that techniques were developed to fully understand the physiological responses that seaweed clearly produces. Parallel to laboratory and industrial studies to characterize and understand seaweed, techniques were developed to extract and concentrate active ingredients used to influence the plant physiology. So the use of seaweed in agriculture has moved from using a simple dried product, which was harvested by hand and spread on the soil, to distribution of seaweed derived products manufactured into small dried flakes, suspensions or solutions containing active ingredients produced from the seaweed raw material.

as Phaeophyceae, Rhodophyceae and Chlorophyceae, respectively. Brown seaweeds are usually large, and range from the giant kelp that is often 20 metres long, to thick, leather-like seaweeds from two to four metres long, to smaller species 28 to 58 centimetres long. Red seaweeds are usually smaller, generally ranging from eight centimetres to about a metre in length; however, red seaweeds are not always red. They are sometimes purple, even

brownish red, but they are still classified by botanists as Rhodophyceae because of other characteristics. Green seaweeds are also small, with a similar size range to the red seaweeds. Seaweed contains all known trace elements. These are present in a form that is acceptable and available to plants. Trace elements can be made available to plants by chelating—that is, by combining the mineral atom with organic molecules.

But what is seaweed exactly?

In the classification of all living things, seaweed is classified within the ‘plant’ group, although they are apparently a little behind in evolutionary terms compared with the more familiar plants seen every day. Seaweed may belong to one of several groups of multi-cellular algae: the red algae, green algae and brown algae. As these three groups are not thought to have a common multicellular ancestor, the seaweeds are a paraphyletic group. In addition, some tuft-forming blue green algae (cyan bacteria) are sometimes considered seaweed. “Seaweed” is a colloquial term and lacks a formal definition. Botanists refer to these broad groups

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Seaweed: A Precious Material for Plant Nutrition

"Applied to plants that can cold acclimatize, seaweed extract initiates or speeds up the acclimatization process even when the plant is not subjected to a cold stress." Effect of Seaweed

Research shows that high quality seaweed extracts can have a five-principle effect on plant growth. All of them remove or reduce the influence of a number of growth constraints, with the result that treated plants function better, and produce higher yields and better quality crops. Seaweed supplies all trace elements required for plant growth across the entire spectrum. Seaweed and seaweed products also exert some form of biological control over a number of common plant diseases such as pythium. Soil fungi and bacteria are known to produce natural antibiotics, which hold down the population of plant pathogens, and when these antibiotics are produced in sufficient quantities, they enter the plant and help it to resist disease. The production of such antibiotics is increased in soil high in organic matter, and it may be that seaweed still further encourages this process. Seaweed also acts as a soil conditioner. It has the ability to transform light and sandy soils into denser mediums by creating organic polymars which bind the soil particles together. This creates better structure and also assists in water retention.

Immune system:

A regular application to the foliage of plants induces Localized Acquired Resistance (LAR) against a range of fungi, bacteria and viruses. There are indications that this effect may also be systemic. Applications also improve the plant’s ability to withstand certain levels of environmental stresses and reduce the attacks and flare-ups of sap-sucking insect pests on the plants. As well as resistance to frost through this method, a localised resistance to heat stress can also be utilized by the plant through the application of seaweed. The plant’s cells respond to the seaweeds nature of existing in deep cold, helping the plant to cool down.

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Chlorophyll:

Foliar application of seaweed extracts will result in greater maintenance of chlorophyll, leading to greener plants. This is in part due to a complex family of different betaines in the seaweed extract, which help reduce natural damage to the photosynthetic process. Research has shown that application through foliar sprays and watered into the growing medium has the same effect on enhanced chlorophyll, and in most cases produced actual higher levels of chlorophyll in the plants.

Microbes:

Specific carbohydrates in seaweed extracts serve as a source of food for beneficial and benign soil bacteria, resulting in a large increase in microbe numbers. These microbes produce plant growth stimulating compounds that encourage root growth and a significantly larger root mass. The increased bacterial population can also both physically exclude and compete with potential plant pathogenic soil fungi. Research has proven that seaweed contains qualities that make plants more resistant to insect and fungal disease. The activation of the natural microbial structure of the soil or medium in combination with all trace elements makes the plant stronger and better able to deal with attacks. The carbohydrates in seaweed and seaweed products work in natural combination with the iron, cobalt, copper, manganese, zinc and other trace elements. That is why these trace elements in seaweed and seaweed products do not settle out, even in alkaline soils, but remain available to plants at all times.

Nematodes:

The complex range of compounds found within seaweed extracts can help reduce nematode damage. This includes a reduction in hatch and a disorientation or simple ‘burn-out’ of immature nematodes (J2s), minimizing root penetration.

Frost:

Applied to plants that can cold acclimatize, seaweed extract initiates or speeds up the acclimatization process even when the plant is not subjected to a cold stress. This allows plants to tolerate greater levels of cold, reducing the amount of damage.

As you can see seaweed is one of the unique organic compounds that can be used in agriculture in many different ways. Beside the immune system the usage of seaweed has a lot of benefits: • • • • • • •

beneficial for the environment does not harm birds or any other animals increases root depth and branching fortifies the plant’s natural defences increases plant’s nutrient absorption capacities improves colour/quality of vegetables, ornamentals or lawn breaks down large organic molecules into easier to absorb subunits

Learn more about natural nutritional alternatives including seaweed at www.maximumyield.com under our article archive.

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

WHY SHOULD I CARE

ABOUT pH? by Charlene Rennick

Have you ever wondered why the “p” in “pH” is a lower-case letter while the “H” is capitalized? What does it mean?

“The level of pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14 with 0 representing the highest concentration of acid and 14 representative of the most alkaline.”

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

The “p” stands for potential and the “H” stands for hydrogen. Okay, so that makes it as clear as mud. What is potential Hydrogen? A scientific explanation would state that pH refers to the plant’s ability to attract hydrogen ions. A less scientific explanation says pH is the acid/alkaline balance. Translated into a language those of us without a PhD can understand, pH level refers to the acidity and alkalinity of both the water and the growing medium. If the environment is too acidic, that means the plant will not attract enough hydrogen, while an environment that is too alkaline will attract too much hydrogen. An environment that continually fluctuates from one extreme on the pH scale to the other is unhealthy for the plant. Hydrogen is one of four elements all living plants need to survive. Without hydrogen, the plant would wilt and not be able to take in nutrients. Plants absorb hydrogen through the water via a process called osmosis*. This hydrogen-osmosis cycle is what keeps nutrients traveling from the water into the plant. Once a plant has died due to lack of water, there is no amount of water that can be added to it that will revive it.

The level of pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14 with 0 representing the highest concentration of acid and 14 representative of the most alkaline. Seven is the magic figure for pH because it means that there is a balance of acid and alkaline in the solution and is often referred to as pH neutral. It is usually sufficient to say that a pH neutral environment is perfect for most plants, but some vegetation requires water or a growing medium that is more acidic than alkaline in order to flourish or have the right colour of blossoms, while other plants prefer the opposite. Testing strips for pH can be purchased to determine exactly what the acid/alkaline balance is in your water or

“Reverse Osmosis is contrived. That means it is not a naturally occurring phenomena.”

growing medium. A variety of instrumentation and metres are also available. These products make it easy to adjust the pH level for home gardeners or for mixing nutrients for your own hydroponic garden. *Recyling Water via Osmosis Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a method of removing pathogens or disease-carrying organisms from water, especially in areas where safe drinking water is scarce. When used in hydroponics, rainwater is collected and then filtered through an RO system to make it clean and safe for agricultural use. Hydroponic systems collect the water used by the plants, filter it through reverse osmosis and then add nutrients to make it nutritious for plants. Osmosis is the name given to the process by which molecules, naturally and without any scientific intervention, move from a weaker solution to a stronger solution through any porous (permeable) membrane. Reverse Osmosis is contrived. That means it is not a naturally occurring phenomena. Pressure is used to reverse the flow of water back through a permeable membrane from a stronger, more concentrated area of mineral content to a weaker one. This forcibly removes salt and other minerals from sea water or very hard water that has a high calcium or magnesium content. The process uses a fine membrane as a filter to remove salt and minerals from water in addition to larger pieces of dirt and pollens. It doesn’t remove all harmful substances, though. Some contaminants and pollutants have particles that are so tiny that they slip through the membrane, so reverse osmosis is usually combined with a carbon filter to further purify the water. Because reverse osmosis strips most of the minerals from water, it becomes void of nutrients. In order to make it healthy for use in hydroponic gardens, nutrients have to be added for the plants. Neglecting to add nutrients to RO-filtered water would strip the plant of its own nutrients. MY Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

YOU TELL US

Maximum Yield discusses innovative indoor gardening products, education and the environment with June Angus, vice president for Canadian industry pioneer Brite-Lite Group. Maximum Yield (MY): What role does Brite-Lite play in the indoor gardening and hydroponics industry for the end-user?

June Angus: We manufacture a line of products under the Optimum Hydroponix® brand that includes a family of nutrients and supplements for hydroponics as well as some specialty products for growing in coco fibre. These products are sold in retail stores mainly in Quebec and Ontario, and coast to coast across Canada. About 10 products are also registered for sale in five US states with more states coming soon. Brite-Lite also reaches end-users directly through our chain of indoor gardening specialty stores. There are currently three stores in Ontario under the banner Brite-Lite Indoor Garden Centre and 11 stores in Quebec known as Qué-Pousse Centre de jardinage d’intérieur.

We also have an active role in helping our industry develop. In the early days, we participated in events sponsored by the Hydroponic Society of America and the International Society for Soilless Culture. These conferences were largely directed by scientists and academics. We recognized a need for something more focused for our industry and so Brite-Lite became one of the founding members of the Hydroponic Merchant’s Association (now known as the Progressive Gardening Trade Association or PGTA). We were also an early supporter of specialty publications for our industry and one of the original advertisers in Maximum Yield.

MY: Let’s examine Brite-Lite’s history in the industry.

June: Brite-Lite got its start in Montréal in 1969 by selling used fluorescent fixtures that were recuperated from offices and industrial buildings.The company repaired and then sold them out of a retail store in Montréal.Within a couple of years gardening supplies and some early hobby hydroponics kits got added to the mix making Brite-Lite an industry pioneer. The concept of hydroponics got everyone excited and over the next 40 years Brite-Lite began retailing, wholesaling and manufacturing. We created and refined a one-stop-shop retail concept that included demonstration gardens.The stores became a model for the BriteLite/Qué-Pousse chain that includes both corporate-owned and independent outlets. Along the way the company developed Optimum Hydroponix® two part Grow and Bloom nutrients for hydroponics.That line of products has grown significantly over the years and now includes over 20 products. As demand for our products expanded, wholesaling them to other stores was the next logical step and so Brite-Lite Group Wholesale was born.

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

June Angus, vice president of Brite-Lite Group.

Our home market in Quebec is also unique in North America. Even just 15 years ago, a lack of consumer friendly material in French was a real obstacle for customers in our market. That’s why we went ahead and got the rights to publish a French translation of an early edition of George Van Patten’s Gardening Indoors. Brite-Lite also encouraged the publishers of Maximum Yield to create a French edition for the Quebec market.

“We created and refined a onestop-shop retail concept that included demonstration gardens.” MY: How can growers find out about the newest and most innovative products available from Brite-Lite?

June: For information about what’s new with the OptimumHydroponix® line go online to www.optimum-hydroponix.com. A series of individual product information sheets for Optimum Hydroponix® products are available along with a product guide. Our products are also promoted at tradeshows including the Indoor Gardening Expos. End users who shop at Brite-Lite/Qué-Pousse can pick up a free copy of our product guide. The latest edition was hot of the press last month. General information about Brite-Lite and its stores along with our latest retail catalogue is available at www.hydroponix.com and by calling 1-800-489-2215. MY: What products are you most passionate about right now?

June: We are really excited about our Mo’Koko line of products for growing in coir. We have a Mo’Koko premium select growing mix that is sterilized, buffered and ready to use. We have also just re-branded our popular Optimum Hydroponix® two part nutrients for growing in coco to become part of our Mo’Koko line. Other exciting additions to our product line include the Mystik series of supplements (Root, Grow and Bloom). Each contains a rich blend of all natural ingredients with highly concentrated seaweed, botanical extracts, more than 30 trace elements and amino acids allowing for superior assimilation of nutrients. Titan is another very popular newcomer to our product line. It is added to a feeding program during the three final weeks of production. Finally, ZenZyme is our new enzymatic product that helps keep growing media healthy throughout a crop cycle by breaking down and recycling undesirable residue and waste.

MY: What educational materials do you offer that will help growers use your products efficiently and effectively?

June: We offer a variety of print materials through our stores and wholesale operations, as well as online. Our Optimum Hydroponix® product guide includes fold out recipes with mixing directions. Individual product information sheets are also available. Our retail catalogue includes much of this information as well as general gardening advice. MY: What strategies has Brite-Lite implemented to lessen their environmental impact on our planet?

June: We try to reduce, reuse and recycle as often as possible. Just recently we managed to cut back to one garbage pick up per week from three. A lot of our paper gets recycled through a shredding company. We reuse boxes and wooden pallets from our network of corporate stores. These steps are not only good for the environment, but make good business sense too. At our stores, services such as refilling and refurbishing carbon filters are offered. As well, Brite-Lite in Gloucester, Ontario recently registered as a member of the Stewardship Ontario program that charges us a nominal fee for various products we sell. The money is used to fund recycling and environmentally friendly disposal programs throughout the province. MY: How does Brite-Lite’s support local causes and community building?

June: We have always been largely focused on education. From the beginning, Brite-Lite staff volunteered as speakers or consultants for groups ranging from garden clubs to school classrooms. We currently have a long-term relationship with a community garden organization in Montréal that produces food for a local food bank. Each year we provide some equipment and supplies for starting seedlings early in the spring. They call on us for additional advice or assistance as needed. We are also one of the sponsors for the hydroponics module of a “mobile space lab” created by a Montréal board of education. The display travels to schools in the region to give students a simulated space lab experience. All of these initiatives allow us to share our knowledge and experience while giving back to the community.

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Neem Oil S T C FA THE

by Matt LeBannister Neem oil is a botanical product derived from pressing the seeds of the Indian Neem tree and it functions as an insecticide as well as a plant fertilizer. However, the effectiveness of neem oil as a pesticide or fertilizer is often up for debate. Many gardeners swear by its ability to keep pest populations under control and its ability to eliminate the pests entirely. Others choose to use chemical pesticides claiming neem oil’s active ingredient Azadirachtin takes too long to take effect. The idea of using neem oil as a fertilizer has only recently been brought to the attention of western gardeners, but has been the common practice of gardeners from India and Pakistan for centuries. Neem cake, made from the pressed fruit and seeds used to extract the oil, is also gaining popularity as a fertilizer.

Here are the facts: When used as a pesticide the ingredient that affects the insects is Azadirachtin. Azadirachtin confuses growth hormones causing insects and eggs to never reach maturity. The catch is that neem oil is not as effective against adult insects since they are already mature. The fatty acids in the oil can clog the membranes of soft skinned insects such as aphids and kill them as a result. To destroy pest populations, neem oil must be sprayed on the affected plants two times a week for at least two weeks. This will help ensure each successive pest generation will be diminished until there is none left. Mix neem oil in water at a rate of one to two teaspoons per litre of water. Neem oil can also be poured on a cloth or paper towel and be manually applied to the leaves of the plants. This can be especially effective against scales. Neem oil and neem cake also improve the quality of soil. The recommended dilution rate for neem oil as a fertilizer varies from two millilitres to 15 millilitres of neem per litre of water. Experiment by starting with small amounts and working your way up, checking the EC and pH levels often. One of the ingredients prevents nitrogen-fixing bacteria from converting the nitrogen in the soil into gas, thus allowing more nitrogen to be available to the plant. Neem oil can be effective as a pest control or fertilizer when applied properly. But don’t take my word for it. Try it for yourself and give Maximum Yield your feedback. MY

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Neem oil and neem cake can make great natural fertilizers. Both contain many different macro and micro-nutrients. According to AgroGreen Canada’s website, the average sample of neem oil will contain the following:

Neem oil can be used against a variety of pests including, but not exclusive to, spidermites, aphids, scales, thrips and mealy bugs. The one downside to applying neem oil is that it will also kill any beneficial insects in your garden.

Azadirachtin- 1800 ppm Total Nitrogen - 1.20 per cent by mass Phosphorous - 0.07 per cent by mass Potassium - 0.01 per cent by mass Magnesium - 0.03 per cent by mass Copper - 10 ppm Magnesium – 0.40 Zinc – 20.00 ppm Iron – 14.00 ppm

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Fruits and Vegetables

Just in Time for Fall

Buying according to season is the most cost-effective way to shop for groceries with the added benefit of enhanced flavour. As well, purchasing in-season fruits and vegetables are a sure way to get the highest level of nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants from your food. The following is a list of what produce to look for this fall and how to test their quality. Acorn Squash • Look for blemish-free, dull green rind. • Can keep up to two months. Apples • Choose firm, unblemished apples. Butternut Squash • Feel for top-heavy squash. • Check skin for blemishes. Cauliflower • Look for tightly-packed florets. • Check for yellow spots before buying. • Keeps up to five days, refrigerated. Figs • Squeeze to test for firmness - not too soft, not hard. Grapes • Check for grapes to be plump and vibrant-coloured. Mushrooms • Avoid blemished or dried out mushrooms. • Store in paper bag for the right humidity. Parsnips • Shouldn’t look withered or limp or have too many small roots. • Can be stored up to four weeks in refrigerator. Pears • Find pears free of blemishes or bruises. Pomegranate • Whole pomegranates should feel heavier than they look. • Can be stored up to three months in the fridge. Pumpkin • Pick a pumpkin with a tough skin that can’t be scratched by your thumbnail. Sweet Potatoes • Avoid sweet potatoes with black spots. • Make sure they’re not shrivelled. Swiss Chard • Leaves should be vibrant and green. • Avoid wilted chard.

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Chemical

Incompatibilities: Why and How to Avoid Them by Donald Lester

Every day more and more new products are coming into the market, each with a different chemistry or mode of action. With production costs spiralling upward growers are forced to be as efficient as possible in the delivery of these materials to their plants. So it is common for growers to try and mix several products in one tank rather than apply separate foliar applications or soil drenches. This is where problems, particularly chemical incompatibilities, can arise.

Maximum Yield Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; |â&#x20AC;&#x201A; September / October 2010

Incompatibility in chemicals is quite common. Perhaps the most familiar example is our doctor or pharmacist warning us of possible drug interactions with the medications we take. The “Wiley Guide to Chemical Incompatibilities” lists over 9,000 incompatible chemical combinations. Of course, not all of these materials are used in garden, greenhouse or hydroponic products. But, this figure does give us some idea of the scope of the problem. Moreover, the problem of chemical incompatibility is getting worse because as the economy declines growers start looking for more all-in-one products to reduce application expenses. Generally, these products already have several ingredients in them so the chances of having incompatibility increases with the addition of more products.

Chemical incompatibility can manifest itself in many different ways: cloudiness in the mixture; precipitation or settling out of solids in the tank; formation of noxious or toxic fumes; excessive heat or fire; explosion; production of corrosive materials; formation of solids or films inside tanks and lines; ruptured containers; and plant phytotoxicity (i.e. burning) once the new mixture is applied. Mixes that settle out or become cloudy are insoluble and unavailable to the plant. Moreover, these deposits can clog dripper lines, plug filters and screens and degrade pump performance, not to mention the added headache of having to shut down the system and painstakingly clean each component.

“The ‘Wiley Guide to Chemical Incompatibilities’ lists over 9,000 incompatible chemical combinations.”

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Chemical Incompatibilities: Why

and

How

Avoid Them

Precipitation (sedimentation) can occur because of a chemical reaction, or it can be caused by oversaturation where no chemical reaction takes place. For example, when we mix salt in water we can dissolve only so much salt. After we reach the saturation point any salt added will remain undissolved in the water. The amount of dissolvability remaining in a liquid is often referred to by formulators as how much “room” is left. If there is enough room then we can mix something else into the solution and have it all dissolve leaving a clear solution. If we run out of room then we get precipitation. This type of precipitation can often be overcome by mixing the first product in a large volume of water and then adding the second product afterward. External influences can have an impact on sedimentation too. The temperature of the air has an influence on sedimentation. The warmer a fluid is the more solids it can dissolve. Conversely, as a fluid gets colder it can hold less in solution (i.e. dissolve less solids). So, some tank mixes cannot be allowed to cool below a certain temperature point otherwise precipitation takes place.

The main way to avoid these problems is to read the product labels for known incompatibilities. Manufacturers try to test the most likely tank mixes of their products and give recommendations for those mixes. But manufacturers cannot test every combination of their product with all the other products on the market. It is simply not practical. This is why you will often see on chemical labels a recommendation to perform a “jar test” before mixing large quantities of product. The “jar test” is a quick method for determining if products are compatible. This simple test is performed by taking a clean glass jar and mixing the two (or more) products straight from the bottle in concentrated form. If precipitation is going to take place it will happen faster with concentrated chemicals. This simple test often helps growers avoid a tank full of useless liquid with a layer of sludge on the bottom, and a potential disposal problem. As a rule of thumb you can reasonably expect a reaction in the jar test if the two (or more) products have drastically different pH values. When I say drastically different I mean a difference of at least two pH units.You can usually find the pH values of the products on their respective Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). These forms are available from the manufacturer and are usually posted on their websites for download. The pH of the water used for dilution can make a big difference in how chemicals react with each other. Sometimes an incompatibility between two chemicals can be made workable by adding an acidifier or water conditioning product. If the water pH is not near 7.0 then there is a good chance you will have to treat the water first to adjust the pH before

“The ‘jar test’ is a quick method for determining if products are compatible.”

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Left: Water at the correct pH dissolves the materials to form a clear solution. Right: When a calcium product is added to high pH water, a cloudy, insoluble precipitate forms.

making your tank mix. In general, it is better to adjust the pH of the water first rather than try to correct the solution pH once everything is mixed together. A common sense measure that often goes overlooked is proper cleaning of the mixing tank before starting a new mixture. Be sure the mixing tank has been cleaned well. I know of several people who have experienced a chemical incompatibility problem because they added products to a tank that still had chemical residues inside. Even small amounts of some chemicals can cause big problems in the right combination. In some complex mixes it may be necessary to mix the ingredients in a particular order or sequence. Sometimes you will see these sequences given on the label for more popular mixes that use tricky combinations of materials.

Product manufacturers usually have highly trained chemists on staff who can guide you through these types of mixes. Go directly to the manufacturer for this type of advice because distributors and retailers usually do not have chemists on staff for this type of assistance.You can also consult university experts, usually free of charge, to help with troubleshooting. In some cases a chemist, or the label, will advise you to add one product to a large volume of water first before adding a second product. Sometimes this dilution with water will slow the chemical reaction enough so that the mixture can do its work in the plants before the reaction takes place. This is why you will see on some product labels that the mixture must be used within 24 or 48 hours of mixing. Many sophisticated growers like the flexibility of creating their own special blend rather than buying generic off-theshelf, one-size-fits-all products. And growers tend to stick with mixes they know will work for them. In having gone through the process of finding that right mix growers invariably encounter product incompatibilities. This may be one reason why beginners are intimidated with the chemistry of plant products. But if you read the labels; compare the pH values of the products; perform the jar test; check the pH of your water; and seek qualified assistance from the manufacturer; you can avoid many of the more common chemical incompatibility problems and create tank mixes that MY are right for your operation.

“If precipitation is going to take place it will happen faster with concentrated chemicals.”

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

TALKING SHOP AT A GLANCE Company: Grow It All Owner: Trevor Wilkinson Location: 165 Geary Ave. Toronto, Ontario Phone: 416-588-9595 Web: www.growitall.ca Email: growitall@gmail.com Twitter: twitter.com/growitall Motto: Hydroponics for Everyone

Owner of Grow It All, Trevor Wilkinson.

Grow It All is a full-service hydroponics store located in west central Toronto with convenient access to public transportation. We serve the needs of indoor and outdoor growers of all levels of experience and varied interests. We are the “hydroponics for everyone” store. Our displays reflect the diverse interests of our customers. Our current grows include tomatoes, peppers, herbs, flowers, gesneriads, and we’re just resting a shitake log we recently flushed. The back of the store hosts a new mother room and we are now able to offer cuttings rooted in rockwool. This gives a head start to growers just starting out. And since we look for unique plants, these cuttings can be enjoyed by advanced growers as well.

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

We exist solely for our customers. We are very proud of our customers and hear success stories everyday. Recently a Dedicated employee and hydro enthusiast Paul Norton shows few of our growers invited us to their flower show, an event off a tomato seedling grown in store. th celebrating the 50 anniversary of the Canadian African We also carry lights, grow systems, fans, you name it. In Violet Society. The blooms, foliage and artistic displays were fact if we don’t have it, we will research the benefits and get truly beautiful. We came back with lots of specimens we it for you fast. hope to propagate and add to our cuttings selection. Grow It All offers friendly, knowledgeable service. We firmly We are also proud to be an authorized dealer of believe there is no such thing as a stupid question. We have Homegrown Hydroponics products. Our most popular all been beginners at some point and we all always have nutrient line is, without a doubt, the Dutch Nutrient something to learn. We love answering questions. If we don’t Formula array. Most customers won’t try anything else once have the answers we will get them. they’ve used DNF. Part of our learning process at Grow It All involves You will find trusted names like Botanicare, General staying on top of current issues related to growing in our Hydroponics and our store brand TripTonic. Most recently community. At a recent Green Neighbours 21 we are very pleased to be able to offer meeting, among the issues we discovered House and Garden Van De Zwaan. was a concern from food growers House and Garden products about the safety of growing in work, big time. We like the soil in our urban landscape and extreme concentration the rapidly declining numbers as it helps to reduce of pollinators due to a lack of environmental costs related to hydroponics for everyone indigenous plants being grown distribution and packaging. in the city. One of our customers We also carry organic products is Food Share, a local non-profit like Organa Add and Organa Guano, organization dedicated to good, healthy food for which will significantly enhance the flavour all, regardless of income. We are pleased to be providing them of many plants. By adding organics in the mix like worm products and have been invited to visit and offer consultation. castings and glacial rock dust, plants can benefit from gentle, Grow It All is the “hydroponics for everyone” store because constant nutrition and improved microbial life at the root if it grows, we’re interested. We want to be a partner in our zone. The nutritive value will also increase by providing growers’ success. Come and visit us today! plants healthy trace minerals.

grow it all

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

MAX-MART

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Maximum Maximum Yield Canada Yield Canada | September | July/ /October August 2010

MAXIMUMdistributors YIELD ALBERTA Double AA Garden Supplies Ltd. Bay 9 2820 Centre Avenue Calgary, AB T2A 7P5 403-273-9188

Fusion 5 Organic Gardens Inc. PO Box 5821, 120B 1 Street, SW High River, AB T1V 1P3 866-652-2594 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 Quick Grow 1-1204 Edmonton Trail Road NE Calgary, AB T2E 3K5 877-426-4769 Smart Grow 2456 - 23 Avenue, NE Calgary, AB T2E 8J4 403-236-9999 Twins Greenhouse 13 - 2235 30th Avenue, NE Calgary, AB T2C 7C7 403-273-2881 BRITISH COLUMBIA A+ Gardening Supplies 1450 Venables Street Vancouver, BC V5L 2G5 604-876-4769 Advanced Garden Supplies 7979 Aspen Road Vernon, BC V1B 3M9 250-545-9545 Advanced Wholesale Superstore 406 - 1952 Kingsway Avenue Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 6C2 604-945-0174 AJs Pets & Things 3219 - 31st Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 2H2 250-549-3222 A.R.I. Research 120 - 4111 Hastings Street Burnaby, BC V5C 6Y7 604 433 6067 Art Knapp 2855 Wentworth Road Courtenay, BC V9N 6B7 250-334-3024 Aurora Lighting 750 3rd Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3C5 250-564-9888 Backwoods Hydroponic & Garden 10590 Carlson Road Prince George, BC V2K 5E5 250-963-9541 BC Hydroponics 3 - 20092-93A Avenue Langley, BC V1M 3Y4 604-888-5716 Better Than Nature Enderby 1900 George Street Enderby, BC 250-838-5502 Better Than Nature Kelowna 725B Evans Court Kelowna, BC V1X 6G4 250-868-8978 Better Than Nature Penticton 101 - 78 Industrial Avenue, West Penticton, BC V2A 6M2 250-770-8978 Better Than Nature Vernon 3506 25th Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 1P4 250-260-4466

BN Garden Supply 4493 Boundary Road Vancouver, BC V5R 2N3 604-431-2977 Buckerfields 587 Alberni Highway Parksville, BC V9P 1J9 250-248-3243 Canadian Garden Supply 1730 Highway 3 Castlegar, BC V1N 4W1 250-304-2911 Chilliwack Indoor Garden Centre Ltd. 311 - 44500 South Sumas Road Chilliwack, BC V9R 5M3 604-824-2944 Coastal Growers Supply 103 - 12824 Anvil Way Surrey, BC V3W 8E7 604-599-1778 Cowichan Hydroponic Supplies 4 - 2955 Jacob Road Duncan, BC V9L 6W4 250-746-0244 Double AA Garden Supplies Ltd. 2908 Commercial Drive Vancouver, BC V5N 4C9 604-876-8837 Duncan Plants & Ponics 6512 Bell McKinnon Road Duncan, BC V9L 6C1 250-746-5591 Excel Air Systems 200 - 20170 Stewart Crescent Maple Ridge, BC V2X 0T4 604-728-0757 Fat Eddie’s Systems 108 - 18760 96th Avenue Surrey, BC 604-888-2419 Garden Effects 200-2288 #5 Road Richmond BC V6X 2T1 604-214-6620 Garden King Supplies 7533 135 Street, Unit 109 Surrey, BC V3W OM8 604-598-1912 Garibaldi Nurseryland & Florist 38917 Progress Way, Squamish Industrial Park Squamish, BC V0N 3G0 604-892-3892 Good Guys Gardening Center 250 McKenzie Avenue, South Williams Lake, BC V2G 1C6 250-392-2069 Green & Clean Energy Co. Ltd. 2875 Cudlip Road Shawnigan Lake, BC V0R 2W0 250-732-7224 Green Earth Garden Supplies Unit 5, 19300, Langley Bypass Langley, BC V3S 6K2 604-532-7106 GreenStar Plant Products Inc. 9430 198 Street Langley, BC V1M 3C8 604-882-7699 Growing Solutions Box 650, 1150 Bowlby Road Errington, BC V0R 1V0 250-248-1101 Happy Acres Greens & Backroad Hydroponics Equipment 2058 Cambie-Solsqua Road Sicamous, BC V0E 2V0 250-836-3878 Hygro Gardening Supplies Inc. 1791 Tamarac Street Campbell River, BC V9W 5Y7 250-286-0424

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

Indoor Jungle 2624 Quadra Street Victoria, BC V8T 4E4 250-388-5611 Interior Gardener’s Supply 221 - 1 McDermid Road, Box 1257 100 Mile House, BC V0K 2E0 250-395-3399 Jon’s Plant Factory 3925 East Hastings Burnaby, BC V5C 2H8 604-294-3000 Just-N-Tyme Greenhouse and Hydroponics Supply 1094 McKenzie Avenue Courteney, BC V9N 3C5 250-703-0476 Kamloops Sunshine Gardens Greenhouse Superstore 5 - 1744 Kelly Douglas Road Kamloops, BC V2C 5S4 877-372-2270 Kootenay Bubble Refinery PO Box 81 Slocan Park, BC V0G 2E0 250-226-7753 Kootenay Grower’s Supply Nelson 721-G Front Street Nelson, BC V1L 4B8 888-422-8333 Long Lake Nursery Hydroponic Supply 4900 Island Highway, North Nanaimo, BC 250-758-5012 Mr. Fertilizer 9 Burnside Road, West Victoria, BC V9A 1B2 250-381-4644 Mylo’s 3837 Squilax Anglemont Hwy Scotch Creek BC V0E 1M0 250-955-0525 Natural Choice Garden Centre, The 5500 48th Avenue, SE Salmon Arm, BC V1E 1X2 250-832-7151 Nico’s Nurseryland 830 - 28th Street, NE Salmon Arm, BC V1E 2S7 250-804-2004 Northern Lights Greenspace 3 - 2706 45th Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 3N4 250-558-4757 Nutty Zone 5 & 6 - 33201 London Avenue Mission, BC V2V 4P9 604-814-2223 Oasis 12 - 1771 Cooper Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 7T1 250-763-4769 Omega Garden Inc. 1695 Peligren Place Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 2S3 250-752-1301; 888 976 6342 Pacific NW Garden Supply 109 - 20110 Lougheed Highway Maple Ridge, BC V2X 2P7 Pacific NW Garden Supply 107 Nicol Street Nanaimo, BC V9R 4T1 250-754-5292 Pacific NW Garden Supply 2137 East Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V5L 1V2 604-254-4765 Pacific NW Garden Supply Unit 14- 104 Silica Street Nelson, BC V1L 4M1 250-354-4767 Pacific NW Garden Supply Unit C1 - 1810 Kyle Court Kelowna, BC V1Z 3Z4 250-769-4791

Pacific NW Garden Supply 15374-103A Avenue Surrey V3R 9V8 604-588-4769; 800-443-4769 Pacific NW Garden Supply 1139B Industrial Road 3 Cranbrook, BC V1C 5E3 250-489-4761 Pacific Rim Indoor Garden & Lighting 170- 12111 Bridgeport Road Richmond, BC V6V 1J4 604-232-4468 PG2 1798 Nicholson Street Prince George, BC V2N 1V6 250-612-4769; 1-888-817-4769 Planting Plus Greenhouse Supplies and Hardware 22394 Dewdney Truck Road Maple Ridge, BC V2X 3J2 604-466-5949 Progressive Growth 111 - 1790 Island Highway Victoria, BC V9B 1H5 250-391-9519 Progressive Growth 41 - 1925 Bowen Road Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H1 800-405-4769 Room 2 Grow 901 Laval Crescent Kamloops, BC V2C 5P4 250-372-3663 S.A. Ecoline Products Ltd. 5671 Auto Road, SE Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4S1 250-833-4769 Skytek Indoor Solutions 833 4th Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3H5 1-800-975-9835 Solar Greenhouse and Hydroponic Supply 4752 Imperial Street Burnaby, BC V5J 1C2 604-438-7244 Spruce Capital Feeds 1694 Quinn Street Prince George, BC V2N 1X3 250-564-6010 Sun Beam Central 3444 River Road Chemainus, BC V0R 1K4 250-246-1379 Sundogz Garden Supply & Hydroponics 30 - 1365 Old Alberni Highway Parksville, BC V9P 2B8 250-954-2046 Sunwest Garden Supply 2035 Unit B Louie Drive Westbank, BC V4T 1Y2 250-768-1636 Trees Company Nursery & Garden Supplies G9 C17 RR1, 7030 Powell Road Winlaw, BC V0G 2J0 250-226-7334 Tridon Hydroponics 12 - 1708 Bowen Road Nanaimo, BC V9S 1G9 250-755-1900 Triple Tree Nursery 20503 Lougheed Highway Maple Ridge, BC V2X 2P9 604-465-9313 Valley Indoor Geenhouse Supplies 103 - 44195 Yale Road West Chilliwack, BC V2R 4H2 877-702-1169 Vancouver Garden Supply 4894 Fraser Street Vancouver, BC V5V 4H5 604-879-8167 Vancouver Island Garden Supply Ltd. 4770 Wellington Rd Nanaimo, BC V9T 2H3 250-585-8881

Warehouse Garden Supplies & Hydroponic 109 - 8173 128 Street Surrey, BC V3W 4G1 604-543-3177

S&L Worx Hydroponics 135 Main Street, Unit 14 Dartmouth, NS B2X 1R6 902-434-GROW (4769)

West Coast Gardens Equipment and Supplies 113 - 805 Notre Dame Kamloops, BC V2C 5N8 250-851-2992

Steve’s Hydroponic Headquarters 131 Sackville Drive Lower Sackville, NS B4C 2R3 902-865-7764

MANITOBA All Grow Distributors 410 Madison Street Winnipeg, MB R3J 1J1 204-231-1694 Better Than Nature Winnipeg 2B - 2 Donald Street Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K5 204-453-3032 Gro Pro International Hydroponics 101-904 Porthee Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3G 0P4 204-956-1389 Kleen Gro Hydroponics 224 Osborne Street South Winnipeg, MB R3L 1Z3 204-475-7096 My Two Sons 2 - 2055 McPhillips Street Winnipeg, MB R2Y 3C6 204-339-3489 Nature’s Nutrition 1819 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3J 0G4 204-889-2979 Northern Lights Hydroponics 129 Regent Avenue East Winnipeg, MB R2C 0C2 204-415-5106 Ready Set Grow! 375 Henderson Highway Winnipeg, MB R3C 2H2 204-668-GROW NEW BRUNSWICK Atlantic Hydroponics & Greenhouses Inc. 42 Brandon Street Moncton, NB E1C 7E8 506-858-0158 Craft N’ Grow 60 Micmac Road Eel Ground, NB E1V 4B1 506-624-9317 Jardins Notik Gardens 798 Gray Road St-Charles NB E4W 4N9 506-876-9100 Scott’s Nursery Ltd. 2192 Route 102 Highway Lincoln, NB E3B 8N1 506-458-9208 21st Century Gardening 20 Bayside Drive St. John, NB E2J 1A2 506-657-9982 Ultimate Hydroponics PO Box 1191 Hampton, NB E5N 8H2 506-639-5948

Sweetleaf Smoke Shop and Hydroponics 3132 Isleville Street Halifax, NS B3K 3Y2 902-454-6646 Woodland Farm Nursery 3544 Highway 1, Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0 902-532-7617 Woodin Nickel Hydroponics 3393 Central West, Highway 4 Pictou County, NS BOK 1H0 902-695-7640 ONTARIO Agrogreen Canada Inc. 1938 Hwy #20, RR#1 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E6 866-650-1136 AKA The Indoor Gardener 207 Exeter Road, Unit D London, ON N6L 1A4 519-652-4224 AKA The Indoor Gardener 3014 Highway 29 Brockville, ON K6V 5T4 613-342-2700 All Grow Hydroponic 391 Marwood Drive, Unit 14 Oshawa, ON 866-606-4723 All Seasons 1000 Dundas Street East Mississauga, ON L4Y 2B8 905-848-2619 Best of Hydroponics 360 Richmond Street London, ON N6A 3C3 519-858-1533 Bluewater Hydroponics 1173 Michener Road, Unit 12 Sarnia, ON N7S 5G5 519-337-7475 BMA Hydroponics 404A Maitland Drive, Unit 2 Belleville, ON K8N 4Z5 613-967-9888 Brite-Lite Indoor Garden Centre 4373 Steeles Avenue West North York, ON M3N 1V7 416-663-2999 Brite-Lite Indoor Garden Centre 1677 Cyrville Road, Meadowbrooke Plaza Gloucester, ON K1B 3L7 613-842-8999 Brite-Lite Indoor Garden Centre 1659 Victoria Street, North, Unit 6 Kitchener, ON N2B 3E6 888-670-0611

NOVA SCOTIA

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

Den Haan’s Garden World 12688 Highway 1, Brickton Annapolis County, NS B0S 1M0 902-825-4722

D&M Gardens 2961 Main Street Blezard Valley, ON P0M 1E0 705-897-3727

Greenfield Grow & Brew 69 Wilson Mountain Road Murray Siding, NS B6L 4N7 902-897-6568

Diatomite Canada 1938 Hwy #20, RR#1 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E6 866-650-1136

Plant Manager Gardening 12 Industrial Drive, Richmond County Industrial Park Lennox Passage, Cape Breton, NS B0E 1V0 902-345-2112

Envirotex P.O. Box 21069 Paris, ON N3L 4A5 519-442-1237

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

MAXIMUMdistributors YIELD Garden Depot 605 Justus Drive Kingston,ON Canada K7M 4H5 613-384-8882 Green And Clean 761 Barrydowne Road Sudbury, ON P3A 3T6 800-246-5503 Green Kingdom Hemp 1103 Cassells Street North Bay, ON P1B 4B3 705-494-7169 Green Thumb Hydroponics 3075 Ridgeway Drive, 25 Mississauga, ON L5L 5M6 Greenthumbs Garden Supply 338 Kingston Road Toronto, ON M4L 1T7 647-345-GROW (4769) www.green-thumbs.ca Grow It All Hydroponics Inc. 165 Geary Avenue, Unit 3B Toronto, ON M6H 2B8 416-588-9595 Grower’s Choice Hydroponics 1621 McEwen Drive 14 Whitby, ON L1N 9A5 905-725-GROW Happy Hydroponics 68 Princess Street Hamilton, ON L8L 3K9 905-545-8434 Home Hydroponics 289 Rutherford Road, South 22 Brampton, ON L6W 3R9 905-874-GROW Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 26 Meteor Drive Toronto, ON M9W 1A4 416-242-4769 Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 521 Dunlop Street West Barrie, ON L4N 9W4 705-721-8715 Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 5386 Greenlane Road Beamsville, ON L0R 1B3 905-563-6121 Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 79 Woolwich Street South Breslau, ON N0B 1M0 519-648-2374 Hydro Culture Emporium Inc. 150 Robertson Rd Unit 22 Nepean, ON K2H 9S1 613-715-9472 Hydrogarden 1122 Paul Street Cornwall, ON K6H 6H5 613-360-6996 Hydrotech 2436 Kingston Road Toronto, ON M1N 1V2 416-267-4769 In-Home Gardens 279 Colborne Street Brantford, ON N3T 2H3 519-754-9090 Indoor Gardens Canada 2952 Thompson Road Smithville, ON L0R 2A0 905-957-6969 Indoor Harvest 3040 New Street Burlington, ON L7R 1M5 289-337-9169 J & C Hydroponics 343 Elgin Street, Unit A Cambridge, ON M1R 7H9 519-622-9969 Jungle Hydroponics 2215 Gerrard Street East Toronto, ON M4E 2C8 416-699-0861

grow it all hydroponics for everyone

Markham Hydroponics 95 Royal Crest Court 18 Markham, ON L3R 9X5 905-305-0698 Nature’s Elements Box 119 500 Mill Street Neustadt, ON N0G 2M0 519-799-5323 Nature’s Garden Supplies 24-340 Don Park Road Markham, ON L3R 1C5 905-470-7887 Northern Hydroponics 236 Simpson Street Thunder Bay, ON P7C 3H4 807-623-3666 Northern Lights Green Supply 1938 Highway 20 (at 406), RR 1 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E6 905-892-3743 Northern Lights Hydroponics 1185 Tecumsch Road Windsor, ON N8W 1B5 519-254-4015 Ontario Growers Supply 1540 Fanshawe Park Road West London, ON N6H 5L8 519-641-3992 Ontario Hydroponics 103015 Grey Road 18 Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N6 519-372-1144 Ozone Environmental Technologies 361 Rowntree Dairy Road Unit 4 Woodridge, ON L4L 8H1 905-264-6618 Paradise Gardens Hydroponics 2158 Chiefswood Road Oshweken, ON N0A 1M0 519-445-2275 Peterborough Hydroponic Center 347 Pido Road, Unit 32 Peterborough, ON K9J 6X7 705-745-6868 Planetary Pride 372 Queen Street East Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A 1Y7 1-888-215-8970 Pro Grow Indoor Garden Supplies 1710 Bishop St. Unit 2 Cambridge, ON N1T 1T2 519-624-7692 Second Nature Hydroponics 4 - 2133 Royal Windsor Drive Mississauga, ON L5J 1K5 S e c o n d 905-403-4769 NATURE HYDROPONICS Supply For You 3615 Weston Road, Unit 6 North York, ON M9L 1V8 416-741-8062 Sweet Hydroponic Gardens 776 Bruce Street Renfrew, ON K7V 3Z8 613-433-9600 Toronto Hemp Company 665 Yonge Street Toronto ON M4Y 1Z9 416-920-1980 Urban GreenHouse Hydroponics & Aguaculture 7635 Tecumseh Road E. Windsor, ON N8T 3H1 519-944-8444 urbangreenhousehydroponics.com Vantage Hydroponics 1 Adelaide Street North London, ON N6B 3P8 519-451-4769 Yield of Dreams Hydroponics 559 Steven Court 12 Newmarket, ON L3Y 6Z3 877-778-7960 QUEBEC Amazonia Hydroponique 394 Boulvard Arthur-sauve St. Eustache, QC J7R 2J5 450-623-2790

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010

B&S Electrique Inc. 2240 Pitt Street Montreal, QC H4E 4H1 514-931-3817 Benoit Dupuis Extincteurs Inc. 2503 Victoria Street Ste-Julienne, QC J0K 2T0 450-831-4240 Biofloral 675 Montee, St. Francois Laval, QC H7C 2S8 877-38-HYDRO Boutique Grunge 364 rue Sherbrooke Magog, QC J1X 2S1 819-847-4141 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 Brite Lite Hydroponics 940 Bergar, Laval, QC H7L 4Z8 450-669-3803 Centre Jardin Denis Brodeur 15 Nord C.P. 658 Waterloo, QC J0E 2N0 Chanvre du Nord Inc. 38 DeMartigny est St-Jérome, QC J7Z 1V4 866-565-5305 Comptoir Richelieu Inc. 350, du Collège Sorel-Tracy, QC J3P 6T7 800-363-9466 Culture Uni Vert 36 rue de Martigny E Saint-Jérôme, QC J7Z 1V4 www.cultureunivert.com Distribution De la Plante 5498 Hochelaga Suite 910 Montreal, QC H1N 3L7 514-255-1111 échologik 798 St Jean Québec, QC G1R 1P9 418-648-2828; 418-648-8288 Espace Culture Boutique 17 boul. Ste-Rose Est Laval, QC H7V 3K3 450-622-2710 Ferme Florale Inc. (Botanix) 2190 Blvd. Laurier (route 116) St. Bruno de Montarville, QC J3V 4P6 450-653-6383 Fernand Corbeil Produits Horticoles - Horticultural Products 17 boul. Ste-Rose Est Laval, QC H7L 3K3 450-622-2710 Fleuriste Savard Inc. 1833 boul. Louis-Frechette Nicolet, QC J3T 1M4 819-293-5933 Fred Lamontagne Inc. 356 Chemin du Sommet Est, Rimouski, QC G5L 7B5 418-723-5746 Gerard Bourbeau & Fils Inc. 8285, 1 re Avenue Charlesbourg, QC G1G 5E6 418-623-5401 Horticulture Piégo 228 Pierre Bertrand Sud Vanier, QC G1M 2C4 418-527-2006 Hydroculture Guy Dionne 8473 - 19th Avenue Montreal, QC H1Z 4J2 514-722-9496

Hydroculture Guy Dionne 1990 Cyrill-Duquet Local 150 Québec, QC G1N 4K8 418-681-4643 Hydro Expert 12752 Industriel Montreal, QC H1A 3V2 514-624-3091 Hydro Plus 149 avenue Principale A Rouyn Noranda, QC J9X 4E3 819-762-4367 Hydro Rive-sud 4721 Boulvard de la rive sud Levis, QC G6W 1H5 418-835-0082 Hydro Sciences 4800 de la Cote-Vertu Blvd. Saint-Laurent, QC H4S 1J9 514-331-9090 Hydro Times 1533 Boulevard Cure Labelle Laval, QC H7V 2W4 450-688-4848 Hydro-Tonyque 761 Avenue Gilles Villeneuve Berthierville, QC J0K 1AO 450-836-8088 Hydrobec 2145 Lavoisier Suite 4 Ste-Foy, QC G1N 4B2 418-687-1119 Hydromax Gatineau 3-1695 Atmec (porte 6) Gatineau, QC J8P 7G7 819-663-7470 Hydromax Laval 295 Boulevard Curé Labelle Laval, QC H7L 2Z9 450-628-8380 Hydromax Mont-Laurier 388 Rue Hebert Mont-Laurier, QC J9L 2X2 888-609-4476 Hydromax Montreal 9300 Lajeunesse Montreal, QC H2M 1S4 514-381-0111 Hydromax St-Henri 3522 Notre-Dame Montréal, QC H4C 1P4 514-481-3939 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 Hydromax Val-David 895 route 117 nord Val-David QC J0T 2N0 888-320-0129 Hydroponique 2000 84 Boul. Curé Labelle Ste-Therese, QC J7E 2X5 450-971-0726 Hydroponique Plus Inc. 405 - 18 Avenue Lachine, QC H8S 3R1 514-634-3677 Hydrosphere 2000 2400 rue Canadian, Suite 104 Drummondville, QC J2C 7W3 819-478-9791 Hydrotek 12300 Rue de l’avenir St. Janvier, QC J7J 2K4 nternational Hydroponique 5478 Hochelaga St Montreal, QC H1N 3L7 514-255-2525

Jardinages Gilles Robert Inc. 574 St-Hubert Granby, QC J0H 1Y5 450-375-3441 Les Grands Jardins Lavel 2900, Boul. Cure-Lavelle Chomedey, Laval, QC H7P 5S8 250-729-2687 Les Entreprises Fernand Pigeon Inc. 174 Beaudoin Nord Durham-Sud, QC J0H 2C0 819-858-2777 Les Serres Binette Inc 2568 Boul. Mercurre Drummondville, QC J2A 1H2 819-478-7195 MegaWatt Hydroculture 636 Route 364 Morin Heights, QC J0R 1H0 450-226-2515 Méristème Hydroponique 871 Dufferin Granby, QC J2G 9H8 450-991-1514 Momentum 11289 London Avenue Montreal, QC H1H 4J3 888-327-4595 Naturexpert Inc. 828 Chemin du Sixième Rang Gatineau QC J8R 3A4 Pablo Jardinage Drummondville 2080 Joseph St-Cyr Drummondville, QC J2C 8V6 819-475-2525 Pablo Jardinage Intérieur 2 Des Ormeaux Suite 500 Trois-Rivières, QC G8W 1S6 819-693-6000 Pablo Jardinage Shawinigan 5023 Boulevard Royal Shawinigan QC J9N 6T8 819-731-9766 Pépinière Eco-Verdure 965 Boul. Sauvé St-Eustache, QC J7R 4K3 450-472-6474 Plant-O-Maxx 3169 Blais, Boisbriand, QC, J7H 1H2 514-968-7799 Plant-T-Plantes 3439 boulevard Fiset Sorel-Tracy, QC J3P 5J3 450-780-0008 Point De Vue 880 chemin St-Féréol Les Cèdres, QC J7T 1N3 450-452-2878 / 1-877-510-2991 Pousse Magique 515 rue Lanaudiere Repentigny, QC J6A 7N1 450-582-6662 P.P.M. Hydroponique 504 Rue du Parc St. Eustache, QC J7R 5B2 450-491-2444 Qué-Pousse - Laval 940 Bergar Laval, QC H7L 4Z8 450-667-3809 Qué-Pousse - Montreal 2215 Walkley Montreal, QC H4B 2J9 514-489-3803 Qué-Pousse - Mont. Tremblant 462 Montée Kavanagh Mont-Tremblant, QC J8E 2P2 819-429-6145 Qué-Pousse - Point-Claire 1860D Sources Blvd Pointe-Claire, QC H9R 5B1 514-426-5057

Qué-Pousse - Sherbrooke 4394 Bourque Rt. 112 Rock Forest, QC J1N 1S3 819-563-0353 Qué-Pousse - St-Constant 6264 Route 132 Ste-Catherine, QC J0L 1E0 450-635-4881 Qué-Pousse - St-Jerome 709A 14e Avenue, Sud Saint-Antoine, QC J7Z 4B8 450-436-3803 Qué-Pousse - Vaudreuil-Dorion 3666-D, boul. Cité des Jeunes Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC J7V 8P2 450-424-0306 Rap Hydroponique 326 Rue Vachon Trois-Rivières QC G8T 8Y2 819-376-5959 Rap Hydroponique 5700, rue Martineau Local 7 Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 8B1 450-768-5188 Sherbrooke Hydroponique 3545 King Est, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 5J4 819-829-9299 Simplement Vert 8B Georges-Gagne Delson, QC J5B 2E1 514-913-8378 (VERT) Sonador Horticulture Inc. 819-479-2941 St-Jean Hydroponique 747 rue St-Jacques St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 2M9 450-346-9633 Summum Bio Teck 2100 Ontario Est Montreal, QC H2K 1V5 866-460-2226 Un Monde Sans Terre 565 Beausejour Alma, QC G8B 5V3 418-480-3274 Univert 4 Saisons 2100 Ontario Est Montréal, QC H2K 1V5 514-527-2226 Val d’Or Hydroculture 1261 3e Avenue Val d’Or, QC J9P 1V4 Vinexpert De L’Est 6384 Beaubien est Montreal, QC H1M 3G8 514-354-8020 XXXtractor Inc. 1228 St. Marc Montreal, QC H3H 2E5 514-931-4944 www.xxxtractor.com SASKATCHEWAN B&B Hydroponics and Indoor Gardening 1404 Cornwall Street Regina, SK S4R 2H7 306-522-4769 Busy Bee Upholstery Box 811, 134 5th Avenue East Gravelbourg, SK S0H 1X0 306-648-3659 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 | September / October 2010

MY 73

DO YOU know?

Fogponics is an ideal means of providing upper roots with a nutrient-enriched fog, which penetrates deep into root tissue keeping them moist, well nourished and free from decay.

Seaweed acts as a soil conditioner, with the ability to transform light and sandy soils into denser mediums.

Some 12,000 BTU compressors may give you 12,000 BTU of cooling while others will deliver only 9,600 BTUs of cooling.

The Aztecs constructed massive aquaponic farms by raising fish alongside crops. They built artificial islands known as chinampas in regionally low lying areas and planted them with a variety of regional crops.

Exotic Orchids at Home Discover simple tips and environmental tweaks for

growing and caring for three varieties of exotic and beautiful orchids at home.

Root Pruning 101

Properly pruned roots equal productive, fibrous root systems, increased root tips for increased nutrient and water uptake. Common methods of root pruning, and the associated pros and cons are detailed.

Cool Toys and Tools for Hydro Growers

The wide range of exciting and useful tools, meters and instruments designed for horticultural applications provide valuable, educational information, but they’re also fun. This short list will inspire you to spend even more time with your plants.

Distilled water and organics have an EC of zero milliseimens (mS). Mature flowering plants typically require a nutrient solution EC of around two mS. Reverse Osmosis is contrived. That means it is not a naturally occurring phenomena.

Many experts believe that without a means of sustainable agriculture we will exceed our planet’s carrying capacity by 2050. Aquarium chillers are only to be used for light duty cooling and can only be used indoors.

COMING UP IN November - December 2010

Exclusive industry features, new contests and prizes, latest news and much more.

www.maximumyield.com

Maximum Yield Canada (November/December) will be available November 1 for FREE at selected indoor gardening retail stores across Canada and on maximumyield.com Subscriptions are available at maximumyield.com/subscriptions.php

Maximum Yield Canada | September / October 2010