Maximum Yield CAN Jan/Feb 2013

CANADA January - February 2013

FREE

GIVE YOUR PLANTS A

Check Up!

+

UNDERSTANDING PPM SCALES CLEAN AND GREEN: HYDROPONIC HYGIENE A LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING CAN GO A LONG WAY IN THE GROWROOM

maximumyield.com

FINDS:

NEW GEAR FROM THE GROW WORLD

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CONTENTS January/February 2013

FEATURES 30 The Top Five Mistakes Made by Advanced Growers

by Shane Hutto

34 Giving Your Plants a Checkup

by Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr.

38 Clean and Green: Hydroponic Hygiene

by Dr. Lynette Morgan

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46

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38 34

DEPARTMENTS 44 Conductivity in Hydroponics

by Bluelab Corporation Limited

46 Frightful Weather, Delightful Tomatoes

by Casey Jones Fraser

52 Creating Novel Hybrid Hydroponic Systems

by Ryan M. Taylor

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From the Editor

64

You Tell Us

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MaximumYield.com

66

Talking Shop

10

Letters to the Editor

68

Max Mart

14

Simon Says

70

Distributors

16

MAX Facts

74

Do You Know?

22

Product Spotlight

74

Coming up next issue

56 Six Ways Plants Move

by Phillip Macintosh

60 Garden Pharmacy: Grow Your Own Vitamin C

by Matt LeBannister

62 Understanding ppm scales

by Chad Garbet

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

MAXIMUM YIELD CANADA

1998 - 2013

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

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FROM THE EDITOR | Linda jesson VOLUME 15 – NUMBER 6 January/February 2013

Message from the

Editor Linda Jesson

Welcome to 2013! The New Year always brings promises of getting healthier, losing weight etc. This is no different with your garden, so we start the year off with giving your plants a checkup, as well as all the tips on growing clean and green in your grow room. Also, think you know it all? Well, you might be surprised when you read Shane Hutto’s article “The Top 5 Mistakes Made by Advanced Growers.” Of course, we made sure to touch base on other indoor gardening topics in this issue, including conductivity and ppm scales. Add in some timely trivia and twenty awesome new product finds and you have all you need to start making this year your best grow yet!

We are proud to announce our 15th anniversary of Maximum Yield Canada. We have lots of great things planned for 2013 as part of the celebration. Be sure to check out our new “I’m a Fan” contest. Simply tell us why you are a Maximum Yield fan and we will put your name into a draw to win a monthly gift certificate of $100 to your favourite indoor gardening shop, with a chance to win the final grand prize of a $1,000 gift certificate – see page 68 for more details.

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

If undeliverable please return to the address above.

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

Publication Agreement Number 40739092 Printed In Canada PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER - Jim Jesson GENERAL MANAGER - Don Moores BUSINESS MANAGER - Linda Jesson editorial editor@maximumyield.com Editor-in-chief Linda Jesson Assistant Editor Jessica Skelton ADVERTISING SALES Ilona Hawser - ilona@maximumyield.com Ashley Heppell - ashley@maximumyield.com Emily Rodgers - emily@maximumyield.com Kelsey Hepples - kelsey@maximumyield.com Katie Montague - katie@maximumyield.com DESIGN & PRODUCTION ads@maximumyield.com Art Director Alice Joe Graphic Designers Liz Johnston Jennifer Everts Dionne Hurd ACCOUNTING Tracy Greeno - accounting@maximumyield.com Tara Campbell - tara@maximumyield.com

CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION Brite-Lite Group • Biofloral • Eddis Wholesale • Greenstar Plant Products Inc. • MegaWatt • Quality Wholesale USA DISTRIBUTION Aurora Innovations • BWGS • General Hydroponics Humbolt Wholesale • Hydrofarm • Hydro International National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply • Nickel City Wholesale Garden Supply • R&M Supply • Tradewinds UK DISTRIBUTION Direct Garden Supplies • Growth Technology • Future Harvest Development Europe • Hydrogarden Nutriculture UK • Dutch Pro • Maxigrow AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION Dome Garden Supply • House N Garden • Futchatec • Growth Technology • Hydraspher

Share this issue and your love of growing with others! Direct your friends to maximumyield.com for their free digital subscription.

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

contributors Dr. Lynette Morgan holds a B. Hort.

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

Ryan Taylor is the founder and president of the Taylor Horticulture Company. In addition to growing a wide variety of hydroponic and bioponic crops, he also specializes in the manufacturing of hybrid hydroponic systems and consults with horticulturalists on methods for optimizing their production processes.

Ryan is obsessed with hydroponics and his cat.

Chad Garbet considers plants the

Dr. J. Benton Jones Jr. has 50

Casey Jones Fraser owns Garden

years of experience growing plants hydroponically. He is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Georgia, Athens and has authored eight books and written articles for magazines that deal with hydroponic issues.

He currently has his own consulting company, Grosystems, Inc. Dr. Jones currently lives in Anderson, SC, USA.

Grove Organics, in northern Kentucky/ Greater Cincinnati. He has a degree in communications and electronic media.

He believes that indoor gardeners can achieve the highest-quality crops and maximum yields when proper science is applied. Since 1998, Casey has been testing various nutrients and supplements in search of outstanding harvests.

Philip McIntosh is a science and

Matt LeBannister developed a

Shane Hutto is a technical advisor

at Grodan Inc. He earned a bachelor’s degree in horticulture at Oklahoma State University and received a research assistantship for his master’s degree.

During his graduate studies he researched production and extraction of surface waxes on horticultural commodities. His passion for growing is complimented by his experience in many types of controlled environment operations and design.

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.

most fascinating things on our planet.

Trying to get information about growing plants out to the general public is his goal. He works at Word of Mouth Hydroponics Inc. in Nanaimo, British Columbia where he passes his growing knowledge to customers.

Chad wants to see jungles inside our major cities and on every corner on every street.

technology writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany and chemistry and a master’s degree in biological science.

During his graduate research, he used hydroponic techniques to grow axenic plants. He lives in Colorado Springs, CO., where he teaches mathematics at Challenger Middle School.

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

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

COMING UP ON THE WEB Maximum Yield Canada Celebrates 15th Year Anniversary in 2013!

Maximum Yield Canada is proud to announce our 15th Anniversary and want to thank all our readers, advertisers and distributors who have been a huge part of this history. We have some special articles planned and of course special contests and advertising specials. Be sure to stay tuned and don’t miss an issue or contest all year!

Free Digital Subscription to Maximum Yield Canada Now you can receive Maximum Yield Canada free to your inbox every month. Subscribe to the digital edition of Maximum Yield by simply filling out the form at maximumyield.com/subscriptions

I’m a Fan Contest Introducing the newest contest from Maximum Yield! Tell us why you are a fan of Maximum Yield and you could win monthly prizes of $100 gift card to your favourite indoor gardening shop, and also have a chance at the grand prize of a $1,000 gift card to your favourite indoor gardening shop. Simply send your testimonial, name, address, phone number and email address to editor@maximumyield.com. Contest closes December 14, 2013.

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Got Questions?

Get Answers.

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

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Long Beach Love

Hard Copy Heartache

Hi Maximum Yield, My staff and I had the pleasure in meeting you and being at your [Long Beach] show. Being a business owner for 10 months, I came back from your event motivated and even more driven. I look forward to working with you as I trail-blaze through our industry!

Thanks Again, Robert Bayya

I was so pleased to see [your magazine] was a free subscription, but when I went to print off the form to get the magazine mailed to my home, there was a charge.

Also, I think it would be wonderful if your photos had some sort of figure heading ... I was often unsure of what I was looking at.

I am really excited about finding this magazine! … [Before finding it,] I felt constantly frustrated when searching for hard-copy, indoor gardening magazines.

Thank you so much for your time, Stephanie Nicholson

Thanks for Presenting Maximum Yield Many thanks for sending the magazines to use for our “Escape Winter” presentation on hydroponics. They were very much appreciated and were a hit with all workshop participants.

Barbara Hanbridge, master gardener

Long Roots Long Gone—Thanks Maximum Yield I would like to send you my most sincere thanks for getting me the thorough explanation of my long roots. I had, unfortunately, gotten a bit pessimistic about the possibility of anyone actually being interested in helping me. It is very refreshing to get help from someone/some entity (Maximum Yield) that is interested in my success (and sanity in this case)! These long roots have been driving me crazy! As far as I am concerned (and from reading the readers’ comments, I’m quite sure I speak for many), MY magazine is a top-shelf publication fueling education and leading to the success of many; but, I’m guessing you already know this. I feel better expressing my appreciation.

Many, many thanks, Jeff S.

enews

In our October 2012 E-News, we asked, “What growing techniques and products do you plan to use in the new year?” This is what one of our readers had to say: I’m going to give the new bubble flow bucket system a try since it is a hybrid set up that makes sense. I’m going to compare the difference to what I already use (a deepwater-culture bucket system). I’m curious to see how much of a difference the bubble flow system makes to the constant water flow aspect of the system.

Terry D. Haight, Jr.

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

Hello Stephanie, Maximum Yield is available for free at indoor gardening and hydroponic shops, as well as on our website. We also offer free digital subscriptions at maximumyield.com/subscriptions We only charge for hard-copy subscriptions that are mailed to you.

Thank you for your feedback on adding captions. Sometimes the images are placed strictly as design details. Other times, images are placed to supplement the article. In the latter case, we try to always include captions.

I hope I have answered all your questions. If not, don’t hesitate to contact me (editor@maximumyield.com).

via Facebook Great Minds in Agreement

Best hydroponic mag we receive in the shop.

Bradford Hydroponics Our customers love your Magazine and detail [sic] Articles, keep up the amazing work.

Sky Valley Indoor Garden Supply Monroe, Washington Had a fun time at the expo … the booths were great and so were the products!

Taylor Bedwell

We want to hear from you!

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

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

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simon says

What is a good disinfectant to clean out hydroponic units that can be used while growing a crop?

Thanks, John There are many more people inoculating hydroponic systems with various microbe armies in today’s high-tech gardening environment. This is tempered by those people that feel the best way to run a hydroponic system is with zero tolerance to life forms, taking hydroponics back to its sterile roots. There is definitely a case to be made in both circumstances. Since your question relates to the disinfecting approach, let’s start there. Remember that whichever approach you take, having a clean growing area is the key to success; dirty spaces and equipment will always develop more problems than clean and organized spaces.

When choosing the disinfecting route, there are a couple of options that can be useful while actively growing. An option that is popular with growers is the use of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can act as a disinfectant as it disassociates into water and free oxygen. This disinfecting effect will be temporary and might only last a few hours. Be cautious when using this substance, especially when diluting high concentrations in water.

A better option would be a type of continuous disinfection, rather than a staggered application of hydrogen peroxide. If you are concerned about water contaminants, you might want to consider installing an inline UV sterilizing system placed between the reservoir and the hydroponic units. A small bulb blasts the water with UV light as it passes through the filter. As long as this type of unit is well maintained, it will virtually eliminate all biological issues within your water supply.

Whether you are culturing helpful biology or banishing all biology, you want to be sure to focus on dissolved oxygen levels since most pathogenic organisms thrive in low oxygen environments. This is directly related to water circulation and temperature, so ensuring water movement and low temperatures will

Simon

Do you have a question for one of our resident experts?

Send it to editor@maximumyield.com or fill out the form on maximumyield.com and your answer might be printed in an upcoming issue.

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

both help dissolved oxygen. Also consider the use of supplemental oxygen supply ranging in sophistication from air pumps to electrolysis systems.

Something that more gardeners are attempting is to bring specific biology into their system. The concept behind this is to inoculate with beneficial organisms that will displace or out-compete undesirable ones. This is a delicate process that is gaining more traction, and for good reason; it can be very effective. There are a variety of bacterial and fungal-based products available in the market. These organisms are generally quite aggressive and will form what is called a biofilm on roots, thereby protecting the plants, essentially creating a perimeter shield. These organisms secrete all sorts of substances that can do much more that protect your plant. Check with your local shop to learn more about biological inoculants.

Part of what makes organisms effective is their release of enzymes, which break down unwanted material. It is also possible to take advantage of enzyme-based products, which will do a great job cleaning up a system without adding biology into your set-up. There are several quality options, so research this opportunity if you don’t want to look at a living army in your water.

Above all else, remember to take the time to scrub down your equipment and growing area between cycles. If you don’t, you might be setting yourself up for problems. MY

MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Commonly Used Pesticide Turns Honey Bees Into Picky Eaters Biologists have discovered that a small dose of a commonly used pesticide, imidacloprid, turns honey bees into picky eaters and affects their ability to recruit their nestmates to otherwise good sources of food.

(Source: sciencedaily.com)

MAXFACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia Awards for British Columbian Apples British Colombian apples did well at the 2012 National Apple Competition. Not only did the fruits take top place in a number of variety categories, they also brought home the grand and reserve champion awards in three divisions: commercial varieties, heritage varieties and new varieties. B.C. fruit took most of the awards in the New Variety division. B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association general manager Glen Lucas said he believes this year’s results are the best Okanagan apples have placed since the national contest was resurrected four years ago, after a 40year hiatus.

(Source: freshplaza.com)

Why Store-bought Tomatoes Taste Like Cardboard The mischievous culprit of why tomatoes taste like cardboard is a gene mutation discovered accidentally around 70 years ago, and is now deliberately bred into nearly all modern tomatoes. This mutation makes tomatoes a uniform and seductive deep scarlet red when ripe, but it also deactivates an important gene responsible for producing the sugar and aromas that are essential for a fragrant and flavourful tomato.

(Source: treehugger.com)

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Maximum Yield Canada | January February 2013

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

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MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Hemp promoters see possibility for a value chain So far, the hemp market in Canada has developed erratically. However, Russ Crawford— vice-president of the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance—says there is an opportunity to level out the industry by bringing together growers, processors and consumers into a hemp value chain, and attracting investment.

(Source: agcanada.com)

Can Organic Food Feed the World?

A new study published in Nature concludes that crop yields from organic farming are generally lower than from conventional agriculture. That is particularly true for cereals, which are staples of the human diet, yet the yield gap is much less significant for certain crops and under certain growing conditions, according to the researchers at McGill University and the University of Minnesota.

“To achieve sustainable food security we will likely need many different techniques— including organic, conventional and possible hybrid systems—to produce more food at affordable prices, ensure livelihoods to farmers and reduce the environmental costs of agriculture,” the researchers conclude.

(Source: sciencedaily.com)

Plants Could Use Light Even More Effectively for Food Production Scientists have concluded that it is possible to develop plants that produce even more food by reducing the level of pigments that make no contribution to photosynthesis.

This discovery mainly applies to protected cultivation, such as in greenhouses, as at least some of the non-photosynthetic pigments have a protective function.

(Source: sciencedaily.com)

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

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MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Food Safety Merger The CanadaGAP food safety certification program—set up by the Canadian Horticultural Council in 2008 and now used by over 2,000 companies and farms that produce, pack and store fruits and vegetables—will now be operated by a new not-for-profit corporation, dubbed CanAgPlus. CanAGPlus has been set up to integrate CanadaGAP with CPM’s (Canadian Produce Marketing Association) repacking and wholesale food safety program.

Under the new ownership, program participants can become members of CanAgPlus. This, in turn, would offer them new rights and privileges, such as to attend annual meetings, submit resolutions and elect the new company’s board of directors.

“Integration of the two food safety programs is expected to contribute to lower costs and greater efficiency for industry and for companies involved in growing, packing, storage, repacking and wholesale,” said Jane Proctor, CPMA’s vice-president for policy and issues management.

(Source: freshplaza.com)

Plant Perfumes Woo Beneficial Bugs to Their Roots Scientists have discovered that maize crops emit chemical signals that attract growth-promoting microbes to live amongst their roots.

This research could be particularly useful in the fight against soil-borne pests and diseases. By breeding plants that are better at recruiting disease-suppressing and growthpromoting bacteria, scientists hope to reduce agricultural reliance on fertilizers and pesticides.

(Source: sciencedaily.com)

Making a Business Out of It Raising hydroponic crops on rooftops is not a new idea, and it was commercialized in 2010 when Lufa Farms built the first commercial rooftop greenhouse in Montreal. Alterrus soon built a similar greenhouse on top of a parking garage in Vancouver, and idea kept spreading from there.

Aside from responding to the growing demand for local food, these farms strive to revolutionize the way cities feed themselves while making a profit. However, since some rooftop farms have been subsidized by public money, skeptics have questioned if these businesses can thrive at a commercial level. But Joe Nasr, a lecturer at Ryerson University’s Centre for Studies in Food Security, says it’s not unusual for incubators to get support. “I would say not to treat this any differently from any other industry that’s getting R&D funding to jumpstart innovation.”

(Source: freshplaza.com)

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT YOUR GUIDE TO THIS ISSUE’S

HOTTEST ITEMS Ask for them at your local indoor gardening store

Dutch Master’s Gold Range now Available in 250-ml Bottles By popular demand, Dutch Master is introducing new 250-ml sizes for their Gold Range product line. We are so confident in the results our Gold Range products deliver, we decided to offer our foliar sprays and tank additives in a smaller size for your customers on a budget and those who want to try before they buy. Our products are concentrated, effective (so your customers see results fast) and more affordable than ever. Encourage your customers to try the Dutch Master Gold Range and see just how good our products are. For information, please visit your local indoor gardening shop.

GeoPot’s G-lite Fabric Pots GeoPot introduces their new G-lite series fabric container.

The G-lite pots are made from a lighter weight fabric, but are still sewn with the same quality our customers have come to expect. They are available in 1.89to 37.85-L sizes with the option of adding handles. They are the perfect pot for the cost-conscious grower. For more information about these and other great products from GeoPot, go to your favourite indoor gardening store.

Global Pacific Nutrients Introduces Beyond Belief Beyond Belief is not a fertilizer; it is a growth stimulator that features a breakthrough formula that is truly beyond belief. Our proprietary blend is packed with B vitamins and multiple forms of seaweed specifically designed for thriving gardens. Beyond Belief works perfectly in soil, soilless and hydroponic applications; it can also be used as a foliar spray.

Beyond Belief encourages extremely vigorous root development, as well as a significant reduction in transplants shock during the propagation process. When used during the vegetative cycle, Beyond Belief aids in the generation of new growth shoots. To learn more, go to your favourite hydroponics store.

Botanicare’s pH Up and pH Down Botanicare is excited to announce the launch of our new, highly concentrated, dye-free pH Up and pH Down control solutions. With plants, nutrient availability can be affected by soil or solution pH. When pH levels are outside recommended ranges, nutrient lockout and nutrient deficiencies can occur, resulting in stunted growth and poor appearance. Control pH levels, minimize problems and maximize your plants’ full potential with Botanicare’s pH Up and pH Down solutions. For more information about these and other Botanicare products, visit your local hydroponics shop.

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Cultured Solutions Premium Plant Nutrient from Current Culture H2O

Current Culture H2O™ is pleased to announce the release of our new Cultured Solutions™ line of premium plant nutrients. Cultured Solutions™ is the first and only nutrient in the hydroponics industry developed specifically for high-performance water-culture applications, such as the Under Current. Our perfectly balanced mineral ratios and high-quality chelates make Cultured Solutions extremely effective at lower EC/TDS levels, where water-culture applications tend to perform best. By maximizing nutrient solution uptake, crops grown using Cultured Solutions are kept well-nourished and hydrated, resulting in optimum evapo-transpiration and stellar plant performance. For more information, visit your local hydroponic shop.

SteadyGROWpro Introduces rootPRO SteadyGROWpro is rolling out rootPRO, an all-in-one vegetative propagation kit that allows gardeners to clone their favourite plants. RootPRO is an easy-to-use kit that comes with steadyGROWpro soilless media plugs and a mini domed greenhouse. This product has space to stick 15 cuttings per kit, and is an inert, sterile product that optimizes plant growth. Used by home and greenhouse gardeners, professional gardeners, educators and hydroponic growers, steadyGROWpro is eco-friendly and can be reduced from its original form to a mass of less than 11% or incinerated for bio-mass purposes. For more information, go to your local indoor gardening supplies retailer.

Introducing the Affordable, User-friendly Etherdose Duo The Etherdose Duo is a low-cost, automated nutrient doser with the ability to remotely monitor EC, pH and temperature through household computer networks. The standard kit includes everything you need to monitor and adjust up to two channels of EC, pH and temperature with six pump channels, as well as up to three nutrient parts or a pH up/down. There are no buttons or an LCD to mess with—all monitoring and adjustments are made using the web interface, giving you the freedom to leave your growroom unattended for extended periods. The automated Etherdose Duo from Robomatic Corp. is affordable and user-friendly. Visit your local hydroponics retailer for more details.

Botanicare Pure Blend Tea The original. The game changer. Botanicare’s flagship hydroponic supplement and the product that launched the Botanicare brand is in the spotlight with a new look, new name and, now, a single, all-purpose formula. Pure Blend Tea™ (formerly Pure Blend Original) is a unique blend of all the major and secondary elements, trace minerals and an extensive array of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, carbohydrates, organic plant acids and natural humates. The new, improved Pure Blend Tea combines key elements of The Original Pure Blend Grow and Bloom formulas into one highly effective plant supplement. Give your plants the nutrition and balance they need to thrive with Pure Blend Tea organic-based compost solution. Available in 236.59-ml bottles to 208.2-L drums. Visit your favourite hydroponics store for more information.

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT UC Spin Tight 7.62-cm Bulkheads from Current Culture H2O

In our never-ending efforts to bring relevant products to modern growers we are proud to now offer our proprietary UC Spin Tight 7.62-cm Bulkhead to the hydroponics industry. Our new UC Spin Tight Bulkheads now come standard on all 60.57-L Under Current™ systems to improve ease of use and increase the longevity of the growth mods by reducing the stresses incurred on the plastic. These extremely useful bulkheads can be used in a wide variety of application, such as hydroponics, aquaculture or anywhere there is a need to create a union between large reservoirs of water or nutrient solution. These exceptionally durable bulkheads are made of 100%-recycled Zenoy plastic, offering both an environmentally appropriate product as well as a supremely functional tool.

Visit your favourite indoor gardening shop for more information.

Introducing the LivityGen The LivityGen is the first CO2 generator to utilize new, patent-pending technology that addresses common issues associated with other CO2 generators. The LivityGen is the only generator capable of producing CO2 that is room temperature or cooler. Even when the cooling knob is turned all the way up to 11 (maximum), the water flow rate is equivalent to a water-saving shower head. During CO2 production, 30.28 L of water vapour is produced for every 37.85 L of propane burned. The LivityGen can easily remove 70% of this excess water vapour without a chiller. With the LivityGen, you can feel confident that your plants have the CO2 they need while reducing dependency on air conditioners, dehumidifiers and exhaust fans. For more information, go to your local hydroponics shop.

Powerbox Controllers Whether running one light or 100 lights, it is all about safety. Building a proper electrical foundation is an essential part of every garden. Powerbox lighting controllers are designed to run your lights at peak efficiency while keeping you and your garden protected. Compare this to other options and you will find Powerbox provides the best in safety, ease of use, speed of deployment and cost savings.

To operate HID lights that consume lots of power, you will want to use both Powerbox lighting controllers and Powerbox flipboxes. Made with heavy-duty construction with industrial-grade components, these products are ETL-listed, UL-approved and CSA-approved—these are high-quality units designed and manufactured in California. Visit your local indoor gardening centre for more information.

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

Flower Tower Dry Racks GeoPot now offers the best designed dry racks in the industry. The Flower Tower’s unique features make it easy and convenient to dry your harvest.

Our Open Top buckle racks have four buckles attached to every level individually (our 91.44-cm model includes a middle support buckle). This is an ideal feature for adding or removing layers due to space restrictions or for removing your harvest from each layer.

Our U-Shaped Zipper Dry Rack is an enclosed rack that we have designed to load and unload your harvest without anything getting caught in the lip of the opening.

Thanks to the enclosed design, it has the versatility to be reversed and hung from either end to allow for even drying. Each of these feature a 5.08-cm-wide heavyduty Velcro strap and a reinforced top rim to prevent warping. For more information, visit your local hydroponics store.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

New Upgrades and Features on the Under Current We’ve recently added several new features that now come standard on the Under Current™ systems. Our proprietary injection-molded CCH2O Lids are available in 20.32 cm (standard), 13.97 cm and without hole (used on our Epicenter). These new lids offer improved structural integrity, as well as a convenient removable porthole for air hose entry and easy monitoring of the root zone. The new CCH2O 20.32-cm Net Pot has a standardized planting deck, reinforced design and lightproof upper portion. Both our CCH2O Lids and Net Pots are made of durable ABS. Also, now standard on all Under Current systems is our new Black Out series of growth modules in 30.28- and 49.21-L sizes. The new non-translucent growth modules will offer a completely lightproof environment for your plants’ root zone, as well as increased durability thanks to our enhanced UV-inhibiting additives. Visit your local indoor gardening store for more information.

Olivia’s Cloning Starter-kit from Olivia’s Solutions Olivia’s Cloning Starter-kit is what every grower needs to get cloning their favorite plant off to the right start. The Starter-Kit contains three items: one 118.29-ml bottle of Olivia’s Cloning Solution concentrate (makes 15.14 L), one 60-ml bottle of Olivia’s Cloning Gel and one tri-fold pamphlet with complete instructions on how to clone and propagate your favourite plant, plus tips every successful gardener needs know. All the essentials you need for your clones/ cuttings are in one easy-touse box. The liquid solution and gel can be used with any hydroponic or soil applications; all types of propagating domes, tents, trays, spray or mister applicators; and all types of cloning systems. Go to your local indoor gardening shop for more information.

Solis Tek Digital Ballasts Solis Tek Digital Ballasts is the leader in advanced lighting technology for horticulture.

Complete software-based digital platforms are standard with all STK products and provide the grower with revolutionizing new technologies and features, such as Ignition Control TM and SenseSmart TM Technology.

Backed by a five-year warrantee, Solis Tek boasts the lowest total harmonic distortion (THD) percentage in the world. It also offers the cleanest burning ballast the industry has to offer. Solis Tek comes standard with ignition control technology. Solis Tek ballasts are able to communicate with each other to determine load stability, and each ballast will fire individually to avoid surges and spikes within the electrical system for a more efficient start-up. It’s the safest and most efficient ballast on the market today. For more information, go to your local hydroponics shop.

Maverick Sun now Distributing Adjust-A-Wings at Half the Cost of the Avenger Maverick Sun is now a major distributor of the all new Adjust-A-Wings Enforcer reflector. The Enforcers are the new economy range of Adjust-A-Wings reflectors and super spreaders, designed to appeal to growers interested in sampling Hygro’s technologies, but might not be able to justify spending the kind of money required to obtain products from the Adjust-A-Wings Avenger range. Paul Cronk, owner of AdjustA-Wings says, “It is my personal opinion that the Adjust-A-Wings Enforcers, when used correctly and in accordance with our layout instructions, will outperform any and every other reflector … save for our unbeatable Adjust-A-Wings Avengers.” The Enforcer comes in large, medium and small sizes, and the large and medium wings are designed to utilize Hygro’s Super Spreader (sold separately) for even heat and light distribution. For more in-depth info, go to your local indoor gardening store.

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

Inda-Gro’s Induction Grow Lights Inda-Gro Induction Lighting Systems only manufactures induction grow lights. First discovered in 1891 by Nikola Tesla, induction lamps have always been known for their energy efficiency (they consume up to 70% less power than HID lamps), long life and low operating temperatures. Inda-Gro Induction Grow Lights combines these proven efficiencies with broad-spectrum-PAR-weighted phosphors for explosive growth and high yields all from a single lamp source. Our grow lamps also utilize an electrodeless fluorescent discharge lamp (EFDL) technology. With no internal electrodes, these lamps offer low lumen depreciation and a rated life of 100,000 hours.

To learn more, visit your favourite hydroponics store.

Gro Momma Bubbler Bucket Gro System

Duralastics Trays and Reservoirs

Titan Controls is excited to announce the Gro Momma Bubbler Bucket Gro System. The Gro Momma kit comes complete with a 18.93-L foodgrade bucket, 20.32-cm mesh bucket topper, air pump, air stone, vinyl tubing, T-fitting and Hydropebbles®; it’s a true plug-andplay gardening system.

Capable of expansion, the Gro Momma makes filling and draining systems easy— no matter how many sites— using the T-fitting at the base of the bucket to daisy chain or flush the system. Deep-water-culture and a high-flow air pump allow for maximum amounts of oxygenation in the root zone. Whether used for maintaining stock plants or expanded for a complete system, the Gro Momma is an affordable solution for any grower. See your local hydroponics retailer for more details.

Sunlight Supply is pleased to announce the release of Duralastics Trays and Reservoirs. These quality ABS plastic trays are made in the United States by Botanicare using 25% solar energy. The easy-clean drainage grid allows the grower to clean their tray without the hassle of scrubbing sharp corners to remove buildup. Builtin water level indicators allow you to easily identify the fill level in the trays.

Available in black or white and a variety of sizes, Duralastics is sure to have a tray that fits the needs of any grower. To learn more, visit your local indoor gardening store.

Titan Controls Saturn 1 and 2 Sunlight Supply is pleased to announce the release of the Titan Controls Saturn 1 and 2. The Saturn 1 makes it easy to control temperature and humidity in your growroom. Titan Controls Saturn 2 has the added benefit of a CO2-controlling feature. Completely automate your room with this simple and straightforward controller. The Saturn 1 and 2 are ETL-listed for operation in commercial settings. Keep your temperature and relative humidity at the ideal levels, then add CO2 using a Titan Controls Atlasseries CO2 controller, and you’ve got a perfectly balanced room where your plants will flourish. For more details, talk to your local indoor gardening supplies retailer.

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

29

The Top Five

Mistakes

Made by Advanced Growers

By Shane Hutto Everybody screws up from time to time— Shane Hutto shows us where the pros often go wrong and how to avoid their mistakes.

Once you’ve been gardening for awhile and you’ve gained some experience, you’ll likely outgrow the rookie mistakes—but that’s not to say the pros don’t make mistakes too! Being an advanced grower means you have made a lot of mistakes and learned from them—the typical overwatering and inadequate pest-management problems should be out of your system by now. The thing that really sets advanced growers apart from novices, though, is the ability to solve new problems in the growroom and then prevent them from reoccurring.

The one problem I see a lot of expert growers struggle with is overconfidence—gardeners who think they know it all usually have the most to learn. Overconfident growers often quit checking the pH of their water or measuring their nutrients, for example. This is a really bad idea because we work with plants and—as with any living thing—changes happen constantly. You should always check that your equipment is properly calibrated and then use all the measuring tools in your arsenal to ensure your nutrients are precisely where you want them every time.

Another big mistake I see experienced gardeners make is failing to institute an equipment maintenance program. Whether you need new bulbs, pH probes or yellow sticky cards, there is always some kind of equipment to buy, but there are a few things you can do that can help increase the lifespan of your equipment. Bulbs and hoods should be cleaned on a regular basis, but use a polishing

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

top five mistakes made by advanced growers

cloth and don’t let the oils from your skin touch the bulb surface. Also, never touch the bulb or spray anything on it when it’s hot, as liquid on a hot bulb can cause the bulb to shatter. And to help improve the lifespan of your ventilation systems, clean your filters—this is one I see overlooked a lot, but it only takes a few minutes per filter and will allow your fans to run at a much lower stress level.

As you become a more advanced grower, you’ll likely want to increase the scale of your operation from time to time. Any increase in the number of plants comes with a corresponding increase in workload, though, so tending a much bigger garden can become a bit overwhelming.

The key is not to get lazy. It’s easy to say, “Oh, the plants all look pretty good. I’ll cut out early today and grab a beer.”

If this becomes a habit your crops might suffer and never reach their full potential. Spending lots of time in the growroom around your plants and keeping up with your general tasks is the best way to catch problems early on when they are still fixable.

Our industry is constantly coming up with new innovations and products to try and we all want to be on the cutting edge of growing. When you introduce a new product or do something differently in your garden, you should only change one thing at a time, though—that way you can properly evaluate the effects of the new product or system. It’s also a good idea to have a test garden where you can set aside a few plants to experi-

The one problem I see a lot of

expert growers struggle with is overconfidence—gardeners who think they know it all usually have the most to learn.” ment with so you can try new products without risking your crop. Never introduce too many new variables to your plants at the same time.

Poor planning is another major problem for many advanced growers. In order to be successful year-round and have good harvests on a regular basis, you have to plan ahead. Sometimes, however, you might actually need to take a vacation. Garden sitters are a nice idea, but no one cares enough to baby your plants the way you do—your plants need the same level of care whether you’re around or not, so you must plan these things well in advance.

They say growing is as much an art as it is a science; you will make mistakes whether you are a newbie or a professional, but the best growers are the ones who learn from their mistakes and are able to prevent them from happening again. That old saying couldn’t be truer—an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

s t n a l P r u Giving Yo

p u k c e h aC

by Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr.

Is tracking the nutrient element status of your plants and rooting medium really necessary?

Dr. J. Benton Jones Jr. explains why plants might need a checkup even if they don’t have any symptoms and tells us why we need more guys like him in the laboratory. >>

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

It has been my experience over many years of advising hydroponic growers that few bother to monitor the nutrient element status of their crops by means of periodic leaf analyses, assuming that all is well until leaf problems appear as symptoms of a possible nutrient element insufficiency. Leaf analysis monitoring is just not a common practice—growers will tell me that it’s too expensive and that they are unsure of when and how samples should be collected and where the samples should be submitted for interpretation.

Several years ago, a greenhouse tomato grower called me to describe leaf symptoms that had appeared. I asked if he had collected a sample for analysis and the next day he arrived at my office with a leaf sample in hand. The visual symptoms he had described on the phone were not easily recognizable and when I looked at the leaves he brought I was still stumped as to the source of the problem. The grower had also been in contact with an advisor associated with the greenhouse growing system he was using and this expert suspected that the problem was due to atmospheric contamination, either from drifting agricultural chemicals (his greenhouse was in an

Unfortunately, laboratories providing leaf analysis services—including symptom interpretation for greenhouse tomatoes—are not that thick on the ground.” active agricultural area) or from ethylene or some other gas being emitted from his gas heater. The leaf analysis, however, correctly identified the leaf symptoms as a zinc deficiency, induced by high phosphorus levels in the leaf tissue. I recommended that he remove phosphorus from his nutrient solution formulation—he followed my advice and when new growth emerged, there were no further deficiency symptoms.

Several years ago I was advising four greenhouse tomato growers, making monthly visits to assist with the management of their crops and to collect leaf tissue for monitoring the nutrient element status of their plants. All were having challenges. About mid-season, magnesium deficiency symptoms usually appeared on the older plant leaves, the number of tomatoes affected by blossom end rot increased and the leaf analysis results suggested that there was an unexplainable accumulation of some elements in the plants. This accumulation had changed the ratio among the major cations, as well as boosting the phosphorus content, which was now approaching one percent—a level thought to be toxic. One grower did make a substantial change in his nutrient solution formulation, but unfortunately that change was not reflected in the elemental content of the newly emerging leaves.

At this point, I wondered what the nutrient element content in the rooting medium was. All four tomato growers were monitoring the electrical conductivity (EC) of their medium solutions and resorting to water leaching when needed.

At the end of the growing season, I collected perlite from the Bato buckets they were all using. A water saturation extraction of the perlite didn’t provide much useful information, so I decided to treat the perlite as if it was a soil, using a soil extraction method. The analysis results were very revealing: it turned out there was a substantial accumulation of elements—particularly phosphorus—as well as potassium and calcium. The latter result explained the magnesium deficiency occurrence, due to the developing imbalance between the potassium and the calcium and magnesium. Perhaps the occurrence of blossom end rot could be related to the magnesium deficiency too, as this fruit disorder occurs when plants are under stress. The high phosphorus levels could also be interfering with biochemical processes in the plants, primarily affecting the functions of both iron and zinc.

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

35

giving your plants a checkup

Another issue that must be considered when troubleshooting plant deficiencies is what is occurring in the rooting medium that might be influencing the nutrient element status of the plant.”

Sometimes a leaf analysis result can be misleading or difficult to interpret. A greenhouse tomato grower sent a leaf sample to a laboratory where I am available to interpret the results.

The leaf analysis result was not very conclusive, so I contacted the grower asking him to describe the visual leaf symptoms.

He said the leaf margins were drying and I asked him to send me a sample of the perlite in which his plants were rooted.

When I looked at the assay results obtained by using a soil extraction method, I concluded that the leaves were deficient in magnesium, a state induced by an imbalance among the major cation elements potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Although the plant analysis result hinted at a possible major element insufficiency, the perlite assay results confirmed that the deficient element was magnesium.

Unfortunately, laboratories providing leaf analysis services—including symptom interpretation for greenhouse tomatoes—are not that thick on the ground. Some states do provide leaf analysis services through their land-grant state universities, but they don’t provide rooting medium analysis services such as I have described—and this is equally true for most commercial soil and plant analysis laboratories, which are able to conduct the assay, but are usually reluctant to make an interpretation.

Even the most experienced large-acreage growers do little routine testing. As long as plants are not showing symptoms and all seems to be going well, why test?

It’s a good question—without an easy answer. Experience has shown that plants grow well within a fairly wide elemental range, but what has not been well documented is that fruit yield and quality are both likely to be affected to some extent due to elemental insufficiencies even when there are no visual leaf or plant symptoms. Most greenhouse growers I have advised do not test and are not aware that their ability to produce high yields of quality fruit is being determined to some degree by the elemental content of their plants.

Another issue that must be considered when troubleshooting plant deficiencies is what is occurring in the rooting medium that might be influencing the nutrient

Most greenhouse growers I have advised do not test and are not aware that their ability to produce high yields of quality fruit is being determined to some degree by the elemental content of their plants.”

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

element status of the plant—an issue that also involves a time factor, as nutrient solution is being delivered to the rooting medium on a set schedule. It might be that the rooting medium is what requires monitoring and the nutrient solution formulation and use parameters need to be adjusted to avoid element accumulation and an increasing imbalance among the major cations.

The elements of primary interest in this scenario are magnesium and its deficiency or imbalance with potassium and calcium, as well as the accumulation of phosphorus.

So, now that I’ve convinced you that both leaf and rooting medium analyses are crucial steps in the hydroponic grower’s quest for the fabled maximum yield, I have to break the bad news: there just aren’t enough facilities around that can perform these important tests—and even fewer analysts attached to the facilities in question who are capable of correctly interpreting the test results.

What the indoor gardening scene needs now are analytical service laboratories that can provide leaf and rooting medium analysis service, as well as qualified personnel able to interpret the results, advising growers on what nutrient solution formulations and use parameters should be applied in order to correct and avoid plant nutrient element insufficiencies.

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

37

Clean & GREEN HYDROPONIC HYGIENE

BY DR. LYNETTE MORGAN

A little housekeeping can go a long way in keeping fungi, bacteria and viruses out of your grow space.

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

M

any unseen nasties can cohabitate happily with plants in an indoor garden or greenhouse—after all, warmth, moisture and nutrients provide a cozy environment for a wide range of life forms. Fungi, bacteria and viruses all tend to have survival stages that can be carried over from one crop to the next, making cleanliness and hygiene an important aspect of growing healthy plants. This, coupled with the fact that some fungi in particular can also have a negative effect on our health, means that growers need to do some housekeeping from time to time to make sure the growing area remains a pleasant and healthy place to relax in. While there are some very efficient high-tech cleaning compounds on the market, smaller growers don’t necessarily need to invest in an arsenal of disinfectants, as some of the older, simpler versions still work well.

WHAT ARE WE DEALING WITH?

Fungal spores, bacteria and viruses are difficult to keep out of a growing area as they can hitch a ride on new plants, seeds, equipment, growing substrates, clothing and footwear, as well as in dust, air currents or water, or they can be carried in by insects and other pests. For hydroponic growers, algae can become a cleaner’s nightmare as it will flourish anywhere there is light, moisture and nutrients, creating a persistent, slimy mess that can harbour fungus gnats and shore flies.

Above: Sparkly clean and disinfected, ready for planting a new crop.

Commercial greenhouse growers need to take crop hygiene very seriously to help prevent major disease outbreaks.

A heavy infestation of sucking pests, such as whitefly, will rapidly leave a thick, black, sticky residue over every surface—this is honey dew, which the insects excrete as they are feeding, and which then becomes colonized by sooty mould. The honeydew/ sooty mould residue becomes very difficult to remove— especially once it’s fully dried—and this is often the biggest cleaning challenge for most growers. Apart from pest grime, biofilms can develop on many surfaces creating a layer of organic material, which can harbour a range of pests and diseases like fungal spores and insect eggs. Bio-films can also develop on the inside of nutrient reservoirs and growing channels, and these can harbour water-borne diseases, such as pythium.

Right: The ultimate in cleanliness and crop hygiene.

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39

clean and green: hydroponic hygiene

CARRY OVER TO NEW PLANTS

Old plant debris—fallen leaves, trimmings, prunings and spent media—all create an ideal environment for pest and disease transfer. Some disease spores can survive for years inside old plant debris, while insect eggs might make the material a new source of infestations for many months to come. For this reason, composting old plant material and growing media inside the growing area is not a good idea. Even growers who dump plant trimmings outside greenhouses have had issues with insect pests coming right back inside and carrying viruses with them. All old plant material should be bagged up, sealed and removed from the growing area immediately, particularly where decaying or diseased foliage or plants are being removed.

CLEANING AND DISINFECTION PRODUCTS AND PROCEDURES

There is a huge range of disinfecting and cleaning products on the market registered for use in the horticultural industry. Some chemical disinfectants and cleaners have the potential to be toxic to plants if residues are not removed before planting the next crop, and extra care needs to be taken with compounds used to clean reservoirs, tanks and growing channels.

There are several different types of disinfectants that are commonly used in greenhouses, pack houses and indoor gardens for plant disease control and general cleaning

Botrytis or grey mould spores become airborne and can land on surfaces all around the growing area, ready to infect a new crop.

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

Black, sticky, sooty mold grows on the honeydew excreted by sucking insects as they feed, which can cover foliage as well as other surfaces.

between crops. One of the oldest, yet still quite effective, disinfection agents is diluted household bleach (sodium hypochlorite), which provides a high kill rate for spores, bacteria and viruses when provided sufficient contact time.

Bleach should be diluted to a 10 percent solution with water before use in a well-ventilated area, and a contact time of 30 minutes should be allowed on surfaces being cleaned. Bleach residues, however, need to be thoroughly washed away before planting out the next lot of seedlings. The effectiveness of bleach can be increased by mixing a little good- quality detergent (a non-ionic surfactant) into the diluted bleach, which helps remove more grime and acts as a wetting agent. Other compounds typically contained in greenhouse disinfection agents are quaternary ammonium chloride salts, hydrogen dioxide and chlorine dioxide. Seventy percent alcohol can also be used for dipping tools and wiping surfaces, and needs no rinsing to remove residues.

For those who want their indoor garden to remain chemical free, hot water and detergent combined with some elbow grease can be highly effective if all the surfaces are covered and well-scrubbed. For stubborn grime, insect messes and sooty mould residues, using a paste of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can help as a scouring agent, but again it needs to be well washed away after use. An old-fashioned household cleaning mixture of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and citric acid or vinegar is also suitable for cleaning a range of surfaces in the growing area, including channel surfaces, tanks, equipment, walls and floors. There are also new products available that don’t use chemical compounds and have been designed especially for use in greener growing environments.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), also called hydrogen dioxide, is another popular ingredient in cleaning agents. H2O2 is a powerful oxidant and disinfection agent provided it is used at the correct dose (at least 200 to 300 ppm) and allowed a contact time of more than 15 minutes where spores and other thick dirt might have accumulated.

H2O2 also needs to be well rinsed away or left to dissipate over a period of a few days, as even low levels of residue—as low as 10 ppm—have been found to have a negative effect on the growth of young and sensitive seedlings in hydroponics.

Running a solution of bleach or H2O2 through empty solution culture systems such as NFT, DFT or aeroponics between crops is

Whitefly and other sucking insect pests can be responsible for a lot of mess – honeydew and sooty mould are difficult to clean off surfaces.

Explosive pest outbreaks can desiccate a crop and make for a big clean up job.

a good way to clear out any organic matter or disease spores from inside the irrigation lines; however, these need to be rinsed well and run with clean water for at least 24 hours before replanting. Many growers who have a water supply that is considered hard—containing high levels of calcium— find their pumps, tanks, irrigation lines and channels scaling up with a hard white deposit. One of the most effective ways of removing this hard lime scale is with a soak of diluted acid (phosphoric or nitric), which will dissolve away the deposits; this method is particularly good for soaking drippers or emitters that are otherwise difficult to clean.

HYGIENE DURING THE CROPPING CYCLE

While a good scrub with heavy duty disinfectant and cleaning agents is fine when the growing area is empty, maintaining hygiene when there are plants in place is another matter.

Most plants are sensitive to many of the cleaning compounds we commonly use, including bleach, H2O2 and even repeat applications of soaps and detergents, so in-crop hygiene needs to be more delicate. Usually it is the nutrient reservoir that needs the most attention when the plants are growing, as algae, salt deposits, lime scale and other slime can all build up, particularly if some light is reaching the nutrient inside Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

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clean and green: hydroponic hygiene

Clean, white plastic film makes a great cover for hydroponic systems to exclude light and algae growth.

Nutrient reservoirs often need attention to remove algae and other debris and sediment while the crop is still in the system.

the reservoir. A quick drain, scrub and rinse should be all that’s needed to keep the nutrient tank in good condition when plants are still in the system. Any algae growing on other surfaces—such as on top of growing media, in return channels or on the floor where leaks occur—needs regular control. Putting lightproof plastic film covers over the top of growing media is the safest and most effective way of preventing and killing algae, as chemical control agents can cause phytotoxicity to the roots. On hard surfaces like floors and channel tops, algae can be sprayed or wiped with disinfectant, provided none of this makes its way back into the nutrient solution. Algae can be a problem in an otherwise clean growing area as it acts as a food source for fungus gnats, and the gnat larvae can cause serious plant damage when they feed on the roots, as well as spreading spores of certain plant pathogens.

Prevention of pest and disease problems is just as important as cleanliness. For growing areas where dirty shoes might tramp in soil and other dirt, foot baths, even in a small growing area, can be important. A shallow tray with a nonslip mat on the base filled with diluted disinfectant (bleach or some other product), placed in the doorway

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

so that anyone entering has to step both feet into it, has been shown to prevent many fungal spores and insects from entering the growing area. Allowing only clean water, equipment and materials to enter the grow room and regular monitoring of the plants is also important for preventing disease outbreaks. Pruning knives, scissors and other tools should be cleaned between plants with a quick dip in alcohol or a strong bleach solution, as this prevents the carry-over of any sap-transmitted viruses or other spores such as botrytis, which can infect cut surfaces.

Any new plants or seedlings being brought into the growing area should be thoroughly inspected for pest or disease problems and, if possible, quarantined away from the main growing system for at least a week. New plant material is one of the most common sources of pest and disease introduction, so it pays to know what the early signs of any problems look like before introducing any new additions to the system.

If the water supply to the hydroponic system is not from a clean source, this can become a major obstacle to keeping a hygienic growing area. Generally, municipal water supplies are treated with disinfectant chemicals, and although

Algae growth on the top of rockwool cubes can become so thick as to slow nutrient flow down to the roots.

Algae will grow on all surfaces where light, moisture and nutrients are present.

sometimes these chemicals—such as chloramines—can cause plant damage of their own, the water is usually free of plant pathogens. Collected rain or ground water might need treatment before use in hydroponic systems, although not all these water sources would be considered as contaminated for plant growth. Unclean water can contain a number of waterborne problems, including the dreaded pathogens phytophthora, pythium and fusarium. Luckily, these days small hydroponic growers have a good choice of water treatment options, with non-chemical methods like UV (ultraviolet light), ozone or RO (reverse osmosis) providing less risk than chemical-based water disinfection agents.

Keeping a clean, green growing environment is not only more pleasant to work and relax in—it provides some sensible preventive measures in the grower’s unceasing battle against the unwanted insect intruders and nasty disease pathogens that are always looking to invade your indoor kingdom!

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43

Conductivity in

Hydroponics 44

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

Electrical Conductivity (EC) is a parameter that gets ignored quiet often among growers in North America who tend to use parts per million (ppm) more than they do EC. In fact, EC is the true measure of electrical conductivity whereas ppm is the quantity of what’s being measured.

EC meters can’t actually read ppm. Get a jump start on further understanding conductivity.

Conductivity is the total soluble salts contained within a liquid solution. Pure water has a conductivity measurement of zero because it does not contain salts. By adding soluble elements to the water, electricity is able to move through the solution giving it a conductivity rating.

So, why is conductivity important?

Using hydroponics as an example, different crops grow well at different nutrient strengths (measured in EC, which is also called CF). Controlling this nutrient strength is all important in providing the best conditions for your crop. Without proper measurement, your crop could fail from root burn brought on by too high a nutrient level, or death by natural causes from not receiving the vital elements they need to grow.

To the left is a list of crops with the ideal EC value the crop is grown at in a hydroponic system for optimum performance. Although there are ideal EC values for each plant type, this does not mean that a range of plants, all technically requiring different strength nutrients, cannot be grown in a home situation together. The grower simply lists the range of EC values and picks an average value.

For most home systems this value is between 1.2 EC and 2.0 EC, depending on the requirements of the predominant crop types being grown. MY

CROP

ec value

CROP

ec value

African violet

1.0 - 1.2

Lavender

1.0 - 1.4

Asparagus

1.4 - 1.8

Leek

1.6 - 2.0

Avocado PEar

1.8 - 2.6

Lettuce - Fancy

0.3 - 0.8

Balm

1.0 - 1.4

Lettuce - Iceberg

0.6 - 1.4

banana

1.8 - 1.4

MElons

1.0 - 2.2

basil

1.0 - 1.4

Mint

1.0 - 1.4

beans

1.8 - 2.5

Mustard/Cress

1.2 - 2.4

beetroot

1.4 - 2.2

Onion

1.8 - 2.2

blueberry

1.8 - 2.0

Parsley

0.8 - 1.8

borage

1.0 - 1.4

Passion Fruit

1.6 - 2.4

broccoli

1.4 - 2.4

Pea

1.4 - 1.8

brussel sprout

1.8 - 2.4

Pumpkin

1.4 - 2.4

cabbage

1.4 - 1.8

Radish

1.2 - 2.2

capsicum

2.0 - 2.7

rhubarb

1.6 - 2.0

carrot

1.4 - 2.2

Roses

1.8 - 2.6

cauliflower

1.4 - 2.4

Sage

1.0 - 1.6

celery

1.5 - 2.4

Spinach

1.8 - 3.5

chives

1.2 - 2.2

Silver Beet

1.8 - 2.4

cucumber

1.6 - 2.4

Squash

1.8 - 2.4

dwarf roses

1.6 - 2.6

Strawberry

1.8 - 2.5

egg plant

1.8 - 2.2

Thyme

1.2 - 1.6

endive

0.8 - 1.5

tomato

2.2 - 2.8

fennel

1.0 - 1.4

turnip, parsnip

1.8 - 2.4

kohlrabi

1.8 - 2.2

watercress

0.4 - 1.8

Article contributed by Bluelab Corporation Limited

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

45

In Control

l u f t F righ

tful h g i l e D

Winter is here, and it’s time for homegrown tomatoes. not possible, you say?

Well, it is at Casey Jones Fraser’s house! Here’s how he does it.

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

frightful weather, delightful tomatoes

Everyone who loves tomatoes hates the loss of flavour those red gems undergo during winter. I, for one, have resorted to growing my own year-round.

After various trials over the years, Iʼve found a method for growing multiple tomato varieties in a small indoor area.

Most indoor gardeners are familiar with T5 fluorescent lights. These narrow tubes have become a staple of our industry, and for good reason. T5 lights are great for small leafy plants (basil, lettuce, micro greens, etc.) and vegetative growth of flowering plants (30 cm or shorter).

Unfortunately, growers who attempt flowering with T5 lights have experienced small leaf growth and immature fruits. More recently, some companies have made technological improvements to T5 systems.

These changes have created new tubes and ballasts for improved plant responses.

The plants Cuttings were already rooted in an aeroponic cloning machine. After growing out several tomato cuttings, I chose 10 plants to go into the ebb-andflow system.

The young tomato plants were grown in 3.79-L grow bags with a coir-based mix for one month.

The table was flooded three to four times per week in 15 minute intervals. The soilless mix holds enough moisture to last for days. Once the plants were well-rooted, watering was increased to once per day.

A key to this growing technique is no branches! Each plant grows one vine. As the vine grew, I trimmed off branches and kept the main growth tip going so there was one vine per plant.

Once the plants reached nearly 60 cm in height and began flowering, I transplanted the six best plants into 11.36-L fabric pots. Since the plants were to be grown in a constant drip hydro system, I used a combination of grow rocks and coir-based soilless mix in the fabric pots. A 7.62-cm layer of grow rocks went in first, followed by a small amount of coir packed onto the surface of the rocks. After removing the 3.78-L grow bags, the plants were placed on the grow rocks and 10.16 cm of soilless mix was filled in around each

Roots grow

stronger and faster with beneficial fungi and bacteria, so I also added additional bacterial and fungal products to the reservoir.”

The lighting I set out to grow full-sized and fullflavoured tomatoes, and I wanted one of these new T5 systems to do it. I put my old favourite T5 next a new model and the difference was clear. The new T5 looked much brighter, but didn’t have any increase in wattage (however, systems with increased wattage and, thus, increased brightness per tube are available). I used a 1.22-m 8-tube T5 because it fit perfectly over a 0.61- by 1.22-m hydroponics table. Under the table, I used a 75.71-L reservoir for the hydroponics nutrients solution.

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

root ball. The top 5.08 cm were filled in with more grow rocks. Two drip lines were connected to each planter to ensure even watering. Since this system had six tomato plants, 12 drip lines in total were needed. (If any single drip line clogged, the other dripper would continue to feed the plant.

If both drip lines clogged, the soilless mix would hold enough moisture to last 24 hours or longer.

Still, drip lines should be routinely checked for clogs, and the use of enzymes in your reservoir can help prevent this problem.)

As always, I used a soilless mix containing multiple varieties of root inoculants. Roots grow stronger and faster with beneficial fungi and bacteria, so I also added additional bacterial and fungal products to the reservoir (with this particular system, the plants’ roots were growing through the pots in seven to 14 days). The diatomacious grow rocks I used were rich in silica and trace elements. Unfortunately, they can grow algae as well as tomatoes; so, to combat this problem, I added covers made of black and white poly film to each planter. No more algae!

The system is now complete. I am growing three varieties of tomatoes: two brandywine, two green zebra and two Thessaloniki. This system quickly grows thick roots, stems and leaves.

However, indeterminate tomato vines grow to be very long—anywhere from 1.52 to 7.62 m. In greenhouses, they can grow to over 30 m. My tomatoes are no different, but I needed to create a tomato garden where only 60 to 91 cm of vertical space is required between the base of the plant and the grow lights. In other words, I needed to manipulate that growth sideways instead of upright. So, as the growth tips continued, I trained them all in a clockwise direction.

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frightful weather, delightful tomatoes

First, I made sure to remove any branching, so each plant is a single vine. As each vine grew, it was tied down and trained to grow sideways. All of the plants grew on the same circular path. Eventually all of the vines overlapped each other, and even overlapped themselves. This way, each vine can grow infinitely long and stay in the same garden space.

As the tomato plants grew, the older leaves and fruits were removed. Older parts of the vines were eventually bare of leaves and fruit, while the younger sections were covered with flowers and foliage. At this point, the bare vines acted as living plumbing, delivering food and water to the furthest points on the plant. Bare vines began to layer up on top of one another like extension cords.

The recipe The feeding recipe was also altered to meet the needs of the plants. Flowers started showing up in larger quantities, and big round tomatoes started showing up all over my indoor plants, even though temperatures are freezing outside. I couldnʼt have been happier!

The nutrient recipe included a basic A and B formula, as well as carbohydrates, enzymes, B vitamins, amino acids and a PK booster.

Bacterial and fungal inoculants were added weekly.

Some early fruits showed signs of blossom end rot, so a Cal-Mg supplement was added. After a few weeks, the Cal-Mg was omitted. Then interveinal yellowing occurred and blossom end rot showed up again, so the Cal-Mg supplement became a regular part of the recipe. Soon we had flawless ripening fruits all over the place.

the bare vines

acted as living plumbing, delivering food and water to the furthest points on the plant.”

The taste test Now, Iʼve two beautiful brandywine tomatoes in my hands, and itʼs almost dinner time. Here is the real test: an appetizer of tomato slices with a pinch of salt and pepper… Whoa!

These taste like they were grown in my backyard.

A few days pass. Now Iʼm dicing a green zebra and throwing it on some eggs (I prefer skipping the salt, so I need a very tasty tomato for my breakfast). Bingo! Another delicious summer-tasting tomato grown in the middle of winter. My eggs have a new best friend.

The racket-ball-sized Thessaloniki tomatoes have become a lunchtime regular. Every time I make a sandwich, my taste buds think itʼs August!

Routine maintenance Every few days, I check the vines for branching. As the branches are removed, the flowers get a good shake.

Pollen starts flying around, and more flowers get pollenated. This keeps the tomatoes producing without the need for bees inside your house!

Maintenance includes removing old leaves, picking ripe fruits, removing any branches and changing the reservoir weekly. During any of those tasks, I also inspect for nutrient deficiencies and insect damage. Pests are controlled with organic sprays, and deficiencies are managed with slight alterations in the nutrient mixes.

Now, go visit your local hydroponics retailer for some supplies. Start seeds or cuttings, and clear out a small space for your new tomato garden. Eat healthy, and have fun!

50

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

creating Novel

Hybrid

hydroponic systems by

Ryan M. Taylor

What is hybrid hydroponics? Here, Ryan Taylor offers a definition of this hot catchphrase, gives an example of a custom hybrid system and reveals valuable tips for successful growth…

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

The number

of possible growing media becomes infinite when you begin to mix the diverse materials together in various ratios.”

A catchphrase in our contemporary industry is “hybrid hydroponics.” While I have not found an agreed-upon definition for what this phrase means, I believe the heart of the concept refers to a growing trend towards the innovative combinations of multiple growing substrates and multiple irrigation methods to boost plant growth rates and maximize yields. In other words, newer generations of growers are moving beyond the archetypical singleirrigation-method systems (e.g. flood-and-drain, drip, deep-water-culture, etc.) and embracing relatively new substrates to produce results closer to optimal yields than previous generations could achieve. Increased scientific understanding is a significant contributor to this trend, but an equal or greater amount of credit belongs to the technological development of new substrates.

Over the past few decades, a large number of materials have been developed as potential growing media or substrate amendments. Diversity and innovation reign supreme in this domain: raw materials like peat and pumice, recycled materials like glass and tires, processed materials like expanded clay and rockwool, as well as food and agricultural waste products like coir, bark and hulls and, of course, water are all used. Then, the number of possible growing media becomes infinite when you begin to mix the diverse materials together in various ratios.

Although growers can purchase effective commercial systems and substrate mixes, a lot of people are bitten with the do-it-yourself bug and prefer to create their own uniquely blended substrate from the multitude of possible ingredients. It can be enjoyable to put one’s creativity to the test by designing a unique soilless mix, but satisfaction ultimately depends on the yield and quality of the crops harvested from your mix.

In this article, we will glimpse the development of a hybrid hydroponics system that has been adapted from another.

Along the way, we will look at a few significant factors that should affect your choice of mix components and discuss a number of practical procedures that will help to calibrate your fertigation decisions.

Case study: bio bucket 2.0

My motivation for creating an original bio bucket system came from reading an article published in Maximum Yield called “Hybrid Hydroponics with Bio Buckets” by Casey Jones Fraser. In the article, Fraser discussed an innovative growing system consisting of a continuously running dripdeep-water-culture system that combines four different media in a mesh basket (i.e. rockwool, peat-perlite mix inoculated with beneficial bacteria, and expanded clay). For a lengthier discussion of this particular system, I’d recommend checking out Casey’s article on the Maximum Yield website.

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

53

Creating Hydroponic Systems growingNovel media Hybrid options

Though imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, it isn’t in my nature to waste any opportunity to add personal touches on any system. Why not experiment with the infinite combinations of irrigation methods and substrate composition? In general, the systems I prefer to make and use have multiple irrigation systems coupled with only one or two substrates. The possibility of growing with such an inherently complex mix of ingredients seemed worth the time and effort if it delivers the expected high yields.

So, for this article’s hybrid system, let’s begin with the growing media components inside a 15.24-cm. mesh basket. Fill the bottom 5.08 cm. of the basket with a layer of large-sized pieces of rigid and highly porous glass foam medium, which will basically be submerged in aerated nutrient solution for the duration of the grow.

My greatest concern with the original bio bucket was the possibility that chunks of the peat-perlite mix dropping through the basket and into the reservoir below to potentially clog the pump. To safeguard against this possibility, and to make the eventual separation of components easier, let’s add a coco basket liner, which will theoretically wick a sufficient amount of aerated nutrient solution to constantly moisten the mix it contains. Within the liner, put a 50–50 mix of peat and small-sized glass foam pieces.

When attempting

Guidelines and suggestions for successful hybrid hydroponics

to build hybrid growing systems, begin by understanding how each type of medium will react with each irrigation system you want to incorporate.”

So, we have now “built” our novel system and are excited to crank it up.

However, we are more or less flying blind since we have little information for predicting its functional performance. It is one thing to grow with the individual components (e.g. media type or irrigation system) and get excellent results, but once multiple media are mixed and coupled with multiple irrigation systems, new dynamics emerge with unpredictable behaviours; in other words, there is an inherent risk of failure when designing and using innovative growing systems.

54

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

Prepping the bio bucket.

To mitigate your risk exposure to failure and increase the chances of getting high-quality large yields, I offer the following tips and practical procedures to aid your efforts:

Think big—Sometimes people create novel systems by throwing together whatever happens to be lying around or leftover from previous grow cycles. This isn’t necessarily the best idea. A worst-case scenario is that your plants will suffer and die because the properties of the media mix you created are out-of-balance and unknown. Another possible scenario is that you have excellent growth results, but you can’t duplicate the results because of the unknown mixture ratios.

Start small—A general rule in design and engineering is to add levels of complexity only after the dynamics of simplified system versions are understood. Translation: when attempting to build hybrid growing systems, begin by understanding how each type of medium will react with each irrigation system you want to incorporate. Once this is

accomplished, build on that knowledge by combining two media together, and so on and so forth until the dynamics of the final system is understood.

So, for the bio bucket 2.0 described earlier, let’s say that my original plans called for a recirculating irrigation component.

Since I hadn’t attempted to grow this particular media and irrigation combination before, I would begin by building a small, stand-alone prototype. If the results are successful and do not require further tinkering, only then would I add the recirculating capability.

Failure is inevitable and valuable—Another maxim of science and engineering is that failure cannot be escaped and we should we always try to avoid it. Often people who have a modicum of success in the early stages of system development become complacent about adding further innovations their systems. Some believe the old adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and others might stop tinkering because of a fear of failure. The truth of the matter is that hybrid hydroponic growing systems are complex, and the chances of designing and building an optimal system on your first attempt are infinitesimally small. It is imperative to recognize that improvement is always possible and the chance of failure shouldn’t be a stumbling block. Through failure we can gain insights that success does not yield.

Success is knowing the properties of your substrates—Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your media is of utmost importance. There are quite literally dozens of tests you can perform on your media to determine the properties of both the individual components and total mixed substrate.

While a number of these tests require specialized, and often

Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your media is of utmost importance. ”

expensive, equipment to measure a particular property, many cheap tests can be done to an acceptable degree of precision to assure excellent growth results. In my opinion, the variable of utmost importance is the air-to-water ratio, which refers to the relative amounts of usable oxygen and water a substrate makes available to plant roots. It is important to strike a balance in the moisture level of the substrate between moderate aridity and total saturation to avoid root death due to lack of water or oxygen. As a rule, this can generally be accomplished by combining media with high water-holding capacity (e.g. coco, peat or rockwool) with media that have high airfilled porosity (e.g. expanded clay, glass foam or perlite). If you are looking for a greater degree of precision, a simple method for testing this ratio is to saturate your media mix, allow for complete drainage and then record the length of time it takes the media to dry to a certain standard (e.g. dryness at 5.08 cm. depth below the surface). This result will allow you to gauge how often you will need to irrigate the media, providing your plant with a stage-appropriate nutrient solution. So, whether you easily find success or struggle to make progress in your attempts at hybrid hydroponics, you should always bear in mind that the goal is to always learn from your mistakes and to build a better growing system.

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

55

6

Ways

PLANTS

MOVE

by Philip McIntosh

Plants move and react to things in their environment in all kinds of ways and for all kinds of reasons—Philip McIntosh takes us on a tour of tropic responses…

56

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

“Tropisms are plant movements directed toward or away from a stimulus.”

All living things respond to stimuli in one way or another.

Plant responses are subtle at times, but always very efficient— the solar tracking of leaves to maximize light capture is one example. Plants move, grow and change form in response to a variety of factors. Plant responses to changes in their world are regulated in many ways and on many levels, ranging from the molecular to that of the whole plant.

Tropisms are plant movements directed toward or away from a stimulus. Some familiar tropisms are phototropism (movement toward light), gravitropism and geotropism (movement relative to a gravitational field—or, toward the center of the Earth) and thigmotropism (plant growth in response to physical contact). Other tropisms include chemotropism (movement in response to a chemical in the environment), hydrotropism (growth or developmental response to water) and thermotropism (response dependent upon temperature).

It is helpful to also designate plant responses that are triggered by a definite stimulus, but not in a direction that is related to the direction of the stimulus. Such movements are called nastic movements. Examples of this are a mimosa folding its leaves in response to a touch or a dionaea (Venus flytrap) closing in response to the presence of an insect.

A lot of tropism research has focused on how plant hormones known as auxins control plant growth by stimulating cell elongation. It is well accepted that phototropic and geotropic bending of shoots and roots results from cells on one side of a plant elongating faster than cells on the other side, thus causing the plant to bend and change the direction of its growth.

simple-seeming process is that the elongating cells cause the shoot to bend toward the light. Exactly how the concentration of auxin gets to be higher on the dark side is not perfectly understood, but current research suggests that auxin is transported from one side to the other and perhaps from other places in the plant. The biochemistry of auxin-regulated bending is still being worked out, even after many decades of research.

Two other pieces of the phototropism puzzle lie in the proteins phototropin and phytochrome. Although these two molecules are almost certainly on the light-receiving end of the phototropism system, the biochemical steps that go from there to the action of auxin are still under investigation.

Geotropism Geotropism is a form of gravitropism, which is growth in a direction parallel to a gravitational field. Earth’s gravity results from its mass, is directed toward the center of the planet and diminishes in strength as one gets further from the Earth’s surface. Plants are able to detect the presence of gravity and align themselves with it accordingly. Primary stems are negatively geotropic in most plants and have a strong tendency to grow upward away from the Earth, while primary roots are positively geotropic and grow toward the earth. Secondary stems and roots are plagiogeotropic, meaning they grow at an oblique angle–not exactly straight

Phototropism Photosynthesis is a popular way to make a living on Earth and plants—as well as some microscopic organisms—have finely tuned, light-controlled positioning systems. Auxins are important in regulating how plant organs move and grow toward a light source, and photosynthesis is one of the moststudied topics in botany.

In the basic model of phototropism, the concentration of auxin is elevated on the unlit side of a plant shoot exposed to light, which causes the cell walls on that side to become less fixed in structure. The cells on the unlit side elongate and then re-solidify their cell walls—the effect of this deceptively Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

57

Six Ways Plants Move

“Photosynthesis is a popular way to make a living on Earth and plants—as well as some microscopic organisms—have finely tuned, light-controlled positioning systems.” down and not perfectly horizontally, either. And then there are the diageotropic rhizomes, which snake along perpendicular to the pull of gravity.

It is clear why plants benefit from having a gravitational sensor system—after all, roots need to get into the ground where the water and minerals are and shoots need to get into the air where the light, carbon dioxide, pollinators and the rest of the exciting world exists—but how exactly do they do it?

Early researchers suspected that auxins played a role in gravitropism and they were correct. Roots curve into the Earth because of differential cell elongation in the root.

This is pretty much exactly the same mechanism that guides phototropism, but the sensing and signaling system is different.

As is the case with phototropism, the detection phase of the gravitational response is well known. Starchy grains called amyloplasts in root caps settle, under the influence of gravity, to the lower side of cells–this transmits a biomechanical signal of some kind that indicates which way is up (or down, as the case may be) and the auxin transport and regulation machinery takes it from there.

Hydrotropism Plants cannot detect water at a distance and do not have the ability to direct their growth toward it. However, if they do detect water in their environment, plants are able to direct growth in the direction of greater water concentration. Plants also respond to water by rapidly growing when it is present and slowing growth when it is not. Roots can be sparse in a region of low moisture but suddenly explode in a riot of highly branched growth in a spot where water is plentiful.

Roots grow in all directions exploring the local substrate and when a good source of water is found it makes sense for a plant to take advantage of it by shifting resources away from non-productive regions to more promising ones. Some tree species have a reputation for finding their way into water pipes and sewer systems–they are simply taking maximum advantage of a lucky find.

Thigmotropism

Plants can detect the presence of gravity and align themselves with it accordingly; primary stems in most plants grow upward away from the earth and primary roots grow toward the earth.

58

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

Anyone who has seen a morning glory coiling around a fence post has observed thigmotropism in action.

This response occurs following a force

contact—the direction of curvature of an extending tendril when it comes in contact with a rigid surface is toward the rigid surface, which results in the tendril growing in a coiled fashion if contact is made with a suitable support.

The sensory input to elicit the growth response is mediated by blebs, which are cell membrane protrusions on the plant epidermis. Blebs operate by an unknown mechanism, but somehow transmit a signal that is acted upon very rapidly. Some tendrils will begin to curve within less than a minute of being subjected to a touch stimulus. At the cellular level, a combination of differential cell elongation and changes in cell turgor pressure are responsible for generating growth along or around a solid object.

was occurring. Plants roots tend to proliferate in regions of high nutrient ion concentration and they are also sensitive to organic compounds that can signal the presence of potential sources of nutrients or would-be attackers, such as bacteria and fungi.

Pollen also exhibits a strong response to biochemical factors. When a pollen granule alights on the stigma above a clutch of waiting ovules, the growth of its pollen tube is guided inexorably downward by chemical signals from below.

Chemotropism

Thermotropism

Chemotropism is growth toward a chemical stimulus.

Both positive and negative chemotropisms commonly occur. Throughout the evolutionary history of plants the soil has provided a chemically diverse environment, which explains why roots are generally the most chemotropic plant organs. Early research indicated that plant roots had a tendency to turn away from a poor soil toward a healthier one, which suggested some sort of chemical sensing

Thermotropism is a plant movement in response to a temperature change.

A typical nastic response is that of downward leaf curl in cold weather, which can often be seen in rhododendrons. This movement and change in leaf geometry is thought to be aimed at preventing water loss through stomata on the underside of the leaves.

In controlled experiments where a source of heat is directed at specific plants and plant organs, results are variable. The roots of some plants show positive thermotropism (bending toward the heat source) in one temperature range and negative thermotropism for another temperature range.

In general, higher temperatures (20 to 30°C) elicit a negative response and lower temperatures (15 to 20°C) result in a positive response. Plant thermotropic response can even cancel out the gravitropic tendency of young laboratorygrown corn roots, suggesting there is a complex interaction between the two tropic sensory systems.

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

59

Garden

by Matt LeBannister

Pharmacy Grow Your Own Vitamin Vitamin C is one of the most important nutrients in the human diet. Unlike many animals, humans cannot synthesize vitamin C, so we must consume it. It is vital to the proper function of the immune system, cardiovascular system, skin care, teeth and gum care, hair care and more. Without enough vitamin C in our diet, these systems can become compromised and even fail.

You probably are aware of how much vitamin C there is in oranges and other citrus fruit, but there are many plants that have just as much vitamin C content and can be easily grown indoors.

KALE One such vitamin-C-rich plant is kale, from the cabbage family. There are different varieties of kale: some have green leaves while other types produce white, purple or bluish leaves. Some varieties have smooth leaves while others are ruffled. Kale has a delightful earthy flavour with nutty notes.

It can be consumed raw as part of a salad or steamed to preserve the rich nutrients contained within.

Kale is considered somewhat of a super plant because of how nutritionally rich it is. Just one cup of kale contains 88.8 percent of our recommended daily amount (RDA) of vitamin C, 1327.6 percent of our RDA of vitamin K and 354.1 percent of our RDA of vitamin A. Kale also contains an abundance of trace elements, folate and dietary fibre. Eating kale two to three times per week can lower your cholesterol.

Kale can be grown indoors in a sunny windowsill or under fluorescent light bulbs in either soil or soilless mediums or hydroponic systems.

CHIVES Chives are herbs related to garlic, onions and leeks. Chives are bulb-forming perennials. The stems (or scapes) grow above ground and are thin hollow leaves that grow between 20- to 38-cm high. The stems have a mild onion flavor that makes them great for cooking. Chives do not retain their flavour when dried, so they are best enjoyed either fresh or frozen. Chives can be harvested gradually, as the leafy part will grow back if the bulb is left undamaged.

Chives are extremely nutritious; they are high in vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, iron, manganese and other trace elements. Not only are chives known for boosting the immune system, but they are also known to aid in digestion.

Chives can easily be grown indoors under fluorescent 60

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

lightbulbs or in a sunny windowsill. Bulb-forming plants are not always suited to hydroponic systems and tend to do best in soil or soilless gardening mediums.

ROSEHIPS Rosehips are the fruit of rose plants and are extremely high in vitamin C, containing more than many citrus fruits.

Rosehips are small elliptical orbs that are usually orangeyred, but can be darker, almost purple or black. They are edible fresh (avoid the hairs inside of the fruit), cooked or dried. Rosehips are commonly used in jellies, tea, pies, syrup (for sore throats), and they have a sweet, pleasant flavour. Rosehips not only boost the immune system, they can be used to soothe nausea and diarrhea and to help with urinary tract infections.

Roses can be grown indoors easily. Many people find that the roses grown indoors or in greenhouses can produce more luscious and beautiful blooms than their outdoor counterparts. Roses, which produce rosehips as fruit, require HID light bulbs to thrive. They need the intense light to grow large flowers and lots of rosehips. To produce the rosehips indoors, you must pollinate the flowers yourself. This can be done with a paintbrush by transferring pollen from one flower to another.

Vitamin C is so important to human health. Sailors on long voyages would not get enough vitamin C in their diet and would contract a vitamin-C-deficiency disorder called scurvy, which is potentially fatal. Eating a healthy, complete diet that is rich in vitamin C will keep us healthy and help prevent illness. A bountiful source of this vital diet component is no further away than one’s garden—a living pharmacy.

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Understanding

ppm scales

BY CHAD GERBET

Everybody knows that ppm stands for part per million, but did you know that there is more than one ppm scale? In fact, it’s necessary to know which of these scales are being used in order to truly know your ppm (and the corresponding EC value)…

Parts per million is used for many different things, including checking or nutrient solutions. Most people in the hydroponic industry know and use different ppm scales, but the majority of at home gardeners are left in the dark.

Two of the most common scales are the 500 and 700 scales. The 500-ppm scale, also called total dissolved solids (TDS) meter, is based on checking the sodium chloride content of a solution. The 700 scale, on the other hand, checks for potassium chloride.

Now people ask, “Why can’t I use an EC scale?” Well, that is a great question.

The EC scale is not as accurate as ppm and this is the reason: The EC is more of a reference, not an accurate reading (only a chemical analysis can truly measure ppm.) Below is an example ppm values attained through calculation from an EC of 2.4 in both 500 and 700 scale: 2.4 EC x 500 [scale] = 1,200 ppm 2.4 EC x 700 [scale] = 1,680 ppm So, if you are reading an article that says you should grow your crop at 900 62

ppm, how do you know which scale the writer is referring to? Is the scale on your ppm meter right for the job?

If you’re lucky enough to have the author tell you what nutrient brand they’re using, be sure to do some online research about these products particular ppm scales. However, most writers neglect to tell you what brand

Most meters give readings in EC, 500-ppm and 700-ppm scales. Just be sure to maintain the cleanliness of the meter so you don’t get sloppy, inaccurate readings. It’s also good to take a note of what the regular ppm of your water source is for a reference so you know when you meter is off.

“Most meters give readings in EC, 500-ppm and 700-ppm scales.” of nutrients they are using. Here’s a trick on how I figure out what scale they are using: Canadian brands seem to use the 700 scale and American companies tend to use the 500 scale; so, take a look at where the magazine and/or the writer is from.

Also, don’t think you need to go out and buy a bunch of different meters.

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

Remember, these different ppm scales aren’t to confuse people; they reflect the most accurate way to measure the nutrient solutions.

Precision means a lot to these nutrient companies, so they find the best way to measure their product, meaning the consumer can get the best production out of the products.

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2011

YOU TELL US

Maximum Yield recently sat down with Andrew Ungerleider of Growstone, LLC, to discuss what makes Growstones different from other growing medium.

Maximum Yield: Tell us a bit about your company. How did it start? Who are the people behind it?

Andrew Ungerleider: In response to the destructive pumice strip mining I saw taking place in northern New Mexico, my wife Gay Dillingham and I co-founded Growstone.

Perlite and pumice are volcanic rocks used as ingredients in concrete, as a mild abrasive in cosmetics and cleansers, and to abrade blue jeans. Perlite is also used in soils. Working with a ceramicist, I found an alternative [made of] recycled glass. It was a cost-effective and superior alternative that was completely Earth-friendly‌We like to say that instead of mining the Earth, we mine the landfill. And the result is Growstones! They are breakthrough high-productivity soil aerators and a hydroponic growing medium. They look like porous little sponges and hold a perfect balance of air and water, which helps nutrients and oxygen release in proper ratios for ideal results.

64

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

MY: How did you come up with the idea for Growstones?

AU: The idea behind Growstones was to create cellular glass, which mimics volcanic silicates like pumice and perlite. The idea of foam glass has been around for a long time; in Europe, companies actually use foam glass in road construction. What I figured out was a way to take the glass and engineer it to hold the perfect balance of air and water for growing.

MY: What are Growstones made of and how are they made?

AU: They are made from 100%-recycled glass. We utilize our patented technology to recreate a volcanic reaction in a controlled environment.

The first step in our manufacturing process is crushing the glass bottles into small pieces. Then that glass is milled into a fine powder and a natural foaming agent is added. That material is fired in a large kiln and baked. The blend rises as it bakes and bubbles of gas are released, creating a network of pore cells in the material that form a rigid and highly porous foam with the desired physical properties. When the material comes out of the

kiln on the conveyor belt, it cools down. As soon as it reaches room temperature, the product cracks into smaller chunks.

These chunks are then crushed into the desired sizes.

Since our production facility is right in the landfill, no longdistance transport of raw materials is necessary. This saves thousands of gallons of fuel and significantly reduces our carbon footprint. Also, the manufacturing does not use water at any stage. In the end, the results are high-performance, chemical-free, recycled and non-toxic soil amendments and hydroponic substrates.

MY: What makes Growstones different from other grow mediums? What are the benefits to using your product?

AU: Unlike expanded clay, perlite, vermiculite and pumice, Growstones are made from mining the local landfill versus strip-mining our precious mountaintops. Since we engineer the stones, we are able to create superior attributes—such as perfect balance between aeration and water absorption.

Also, our product is ultra-lightweight, dust free and does not breakdown. It even adds much needed silica back to the earth. Finally, the irregular shape of our chemicalfree, non-toxic product prevents rolling.

MY: What are all the ways one can use Growstones?

AU: • For aeration and oxygenation of root systems • In dry climates, to save water (it has highly efficient absorption characteristics) • As a top dressing to prevent fungus gnats • Lining pots and containers (it is ultra lightweight and has optimum water retention) MY: What impacts do your products have on the environment?

AU: We believe we are a restorative technology. We are diverting glass headed for landfills, recycling and creating green jobs, all while providing a superior-engineered product without the harmful effects of strip-mining minerals. It doesn’t get more sustainable than that.

MY: What made you decide to expand into the Canadian market?

AU: We love Canada! Growers in Canada have a long and rich tradition of indoor growing, hydroponic growing and, most importantly, a love of products that do not damage the Earth …

“ Since we engineer the stones, we are able to create superior attributes— such as perfect balance between aeration and water absorption.”

Expanding into Canada has long been our dream, and we were approached by a key Canadian distributor to bring our revolutionary product to Canada. Hydroponic gardening is very popular in Canada and, as in the USA, growers are very conscience to be environmentally friendly and support sustainable efforts. The hydroponics industry is successful and rapidly expanding in Canada and, according to some reports, it dominates the production of a limited number of crops, and is one of the fastest growing sectors in the Canadian horticultural industry.

MY: Will your products work differently in different climates?

AU: The Growstone Soil Aerator product provides a perfect balance of air and water holding capabilities, so in wet climates, they act as a great drainage medium that miraculously prevents overwatering, and in dry climates, their ability to efficiently hold water and provide aeration porous oxygenation promotes a healthy root mass. Growstones are used successfully worldwide in all sorts of different climates and growing conditions.

MY: Is there anything happening in the R&D stage that you’re at liberty to tell us about?

AU: We are currently working on a perfectly balanced and sized aerator/hydrator called Soil Mate Plus. This product will help everyday gardeners significantly improve their soil the easy way. Soil Mate Plus enhances aeration, improves drainage, provides optimum water retention, reduces soil compaction and prevents overwatering.

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

65

talking shop

Shop manager Clair

AT A GLANCE Company:

Sunbeam Central

Location:

3444 River Rd., Chemainus B.C., V0R 1K4

Phone:

250-246-1379

E-mail: sunoffice6@gmail.com

Motto:

“ Let it grow, let it grow, let it grow!”

66

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

Sunbeam Sherman, the shop’s greeter, in the garden

Central

From empty boxes to a jam-packed store, Vancouver Island’s Sunbeam Central has come a long way in 12 years. And while they had to learn many lessons on the journey, they also made sure to have fun while doing it!

It’s amazing where a dream can take you, even when you start with almost nothing.

Sandra Morgan—who originally called herself the Real Plant Lady and was one of the first to come up with the concept of plant rentals and maintenance in the Cowichan Valley—realized that her friends wanted to purchase some hydroponics equipment, so she and her employee Tim Harris decided to open up Sunbeam Central in Chemainus. At first, with the number of clients still low, the store kept almost no stock—in fact, they started out selling clothing and fishing tackle alongside the tiniest amount of hydroponic supplies in front of empty boxes.

However, Sandra kick-started the shop with pure energy, a willingness to learn and master talent for customer service. They had everything to learn, including that patience is a virtue and a sense of humour gets you everywhere.

Slowly, but surely, the team helped Sunbeam Central gain market share and recognition through word of mouth, being honest, working hard and loving their jobs. As Clair Morgan, Sandra’s daughter and Sunbeam’s main manager for the past six years, summarizes, “Surround yourself with staff and customers who all have the same goals of getting ahead, a passion for the industry and a burning fire for keeping up with the science of growing and technical advancements.”

And it’s a recipe for success that works. Sunbeam Central is still going strong today, 12 years later. Their tiny stock of hydroponic supplies has expanded exponentially, and Sunbeam really believes in supporting those who support them when it comes to supplies. This is why they do not venture outside of what is available through wholesalers—especially when they can purchase locally. Back at the shop, the staff has “become better and better at making more stock fit into the same space,” says Clair.

“I love it when the staff looks at me like deer in the headlights when a huge pallet of

“ The underlying goal of the venture is always the same: to prosper and to help others do the same.” new stock lands, asking me where to put it,” she adds. “I just glare and tell them to be self-motivated because I honestly have no idea!”

Even though the store is still in the same location, but that definitely doesn’t mean that Sunbeam has become stagnant.

Sunbeam also operates a well-known local Gravel Mart, through which a whole new clientele are introduced to the idea of hydroponic growing. Frequently, sheer curiosity pushes this new clientele to step through Sunbeam’s doors… and they are often then inspired to grow veggies, flowers, organics and fish; start deepwater-culture systems and ponds; and more. “It makes every day different, and every customer enjoyable [as we try] to fulfill their many different needs,” says Clair. “The hydroponic industry is unlike any other, and our customers are as diverse as our inventory.”

Sunbeam’s biggest strength, however, is not their stock; it’s their six “very happy, fun employees of the year.” Working together and by getting along so well, Clair and the staff are sometimes astounded with what they can pull off in a day. Imagine a store jammed with customers, all of whom have different–and high–demands, and getting through it by gelling with one another behind the counter.

Everyone’s needs are met and the staff seems to magically pull it all off with a smile—nothing feels better for the team at Sunbeam. Of course, those crazy days can weigh in here and there; so, to release tension or stress, the team enjoys doing things together. A couple examples: playing paintball in Tim’s backyard, throwing dinner parties for each other and dancing in the office to YouTube videos when no one is around, There is never a dull moment at the shop, and each day brings new challenges and opportunities to Sunbeam Central and its staff. The underlying goal of the venture is always the same: to prosper and to help others do the same. However, serious as that sounds, they recognize that–even on the most overwhelming days–the hydroponics retail business is a fun and exciting trade.

As Clair says, “We just think, where the industry is right now, right this moment in time, is perfect in every way.”

Sunbeam Central’s team letting off some steam.

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

67

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

Sundogz Garden Supply 1824 Alberni Hwy. Coombs BC V0R 1M0 Art Knapp 2855 Wentworth Road Courtenay, BC V9N 6B7 250-334-3024 Just-N-Tyme Greenhouse and Hydroponics Supply

Garden Centre

Your Plant’s Personal Trainer

IncrediGrow Garden Centre 103-7500 MacLeod Trail SE Calgary, AB T2H 0L9 403-255-0740 ------------------------------------------------------Quick Grow 1-1204 Edmonton Trail Road NE Calgary, AB T2E 3K5 877-426-4769 Smart Grow 2422 - 23 Avenue, NE Calgary, AB T2E 8J4 403-236-9999 Twins Greenhouse 13 - 2235 30th Avenue, NE Calgary, AB T2C 7C7 403-273-2881 Hydro-Lite 12249 Fort Road Edmonton, AB T5B 4H7 780-477-7860 Niloc Wholesale Inc. Box 82008 Yellowbird RPO Edmonton, AB T6J 7E6 780-885-4769 Fusion 5 Organic Gardens Inc. Box 5821, 120B 1 Street, SW High River, AB T1V 1P3 866-652-2594

BRITISH COLUMBIA Interior Gardener’s Supply 221 - 1 McDermid Road, Box 1779 100 Mile House, BC V0K 2E0 250-395-3399 Solar Greenhouse and Hydroponic Supply 4752 Imperial Street Burnaby, BC V5J 1C2 604-438-7244 Hygro Gardening Supplies Inc. 1791 Tamarac Street Campbell River, BC V9W 5Y7 250-286-0424 Canadian Garden Supply 1730 Highway 3 Castlegar, BC V1N 4W1 250-304-2911 Sun Beam Central 3444 River Road Chemainus, BC V0R 1K4 250-246-1379 Chilliwack Indoor Garden Centre Ltd. 311 - 44500 South Sumas Road Chilliwack, BC V9R 5M3 604-824-2944 -------------------------------------------------------

1094 McKenzie Avenue Courteney, BC V9N 3C5 250-703-0476

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70

Planting Plus Greenhouse Supplies and Hardware 22394 Dewdney Truck Road Maple Ridge, BC V2X 3J2 604-466-5949 Triple Tree Nursery 20503 Lougheed Highway Maple Ridge, BC V2X 2P9 604-465-9313 Nutty Zone 5 & 6 - 33201 London Avenue Mission, BC V2V 4P9 604-814-2223

Pacific NW Garden Supply 1139B Industrial Road 3 Cranbrook, BC V1C 5E3 250-489-4761

Long Lake Nursery Hydroponic Supply 4900 Island Highway, North Nanaimo, BC 250-758-5012

Cowichan Hydroponic Supplies 4 - 2955 Jacob Road Duncan, BC V9L 6W4 250-746-0244

Progressive Growth 41 - 1925 Bowen Road Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H1 800-405-4769

Duncan Plants & Ponics 6512 Bell McKinnon Road Duncan, BC V9L 6C1 250-746-5591

Word of Mouth Hydroponics Inc. 1-1611 Bowen Rd., Nanaimo, BC V9S 1G5 250.591.1180

Better Than Nature Enderby 1900 George Street Enderby, BC 250-838-5502 Growing Solutions Box 650, 1150 Bowlby Road Errington, BC V0R 1V0 250-248-1101 Kamloops Sunshine Gardens Greenhouse Superstore 5 - 1744 Kelly Douglas Road Kamloops, BC V2C 5S4 877-372-2270 Room 2 Grow 901 Laval Crescent Kamloops, BC V2C 5P4 250-372-3663 -------------------------------------------------------

West Coast Hydroponic Garden Shop 113 - 805 Notre Dame Kamloops, BC V2C 5N8 250-851-2992 ------------------------------------------------------Better Than Nature Kelowna 725B Evans Court Kelowna, BC V1X 6G4 250-868-8978 Oasis 12 - 1771 Cooper Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 7T1 250-763-4769 Pacific NW Garden Supply Unit C1 - 1810 Kyle Court Kelowna, BC V1Z 3Z4 250-769-4791 BC Hydroponics 3 - 20092-93A Avenue Langley, BC V1M 3Y4 604-888-5716 Green Earth Garden Supplies Unit 5, 19300, Langley Bypass Langley, BC V3S 6K2 604-532-7106 GreenStar Plant Products Inc. 9430 198 Street, Langley, BC V1M 3C8 604-882-7699

Valley Indoor Geenhouse Supplies 103 - 44195 Yale Road West Chilliwack, BC V2R 4H2 877-702-1169

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each province.

Excel Air Systems 200 - 20170 Stewart Crescent Maple Ridge, BC V2X 0T4 604-728-0757 Pacific NW Garden Supply 109 - 20110 Lougheed Highway Maple Ridge, BC V2X 2P7

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

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Tridon Hydroponics 12 - 1708 Bowen Road Nanaimo, BC V9S 1G9 250-755-1900 ------------------------------------------------------Vancouver Island Garden Supply Ltd. 4770 Wellington Rd Nanaimo, BC V9T 2H3 250-585-8881 Kootenay Grower’s Supply Nelson 721-G Front Street Nelson, BC V1L 4B8 250 353 1887

Spruce Capital Feeds 1694 Quinn Street Prince George, BC V2N 1X3 250-564-6010 Omega Garden Inc. 1695 Peligren Place Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 2S3 250-752-1301; 888 976 6342 Garden Effects 200-2288 #5 Road Richmond, BC V6X 2T1 604-214-6620 Pacific Rim Indoor Garden & Lighting 170- 12111 Bridgeport Road Richmond, BC V6V 1J4 604-232-4468 Natural Choice Garden Centre, The 5500 48th Avenue, SE Salmon Arm, BC V1E 1X2 250-832-7151 -------------------------------------------------------------

S.A. Ecoline Products Ltd. 5671 Auto Road, SE Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4S1 250-833-4769 ------------------------------------------------------Nico’s Nurseryland 830 - 28th Street, NE Salmon Arm, BC V1E 2S7 250-804-2004 Mylo’s 3837 Squilax Anglemont Hwy Scotch Creek BC V0E 1M0 250-955-0525 Green & Clean Energy Co. Ltd. 2875 Cudlip Road Shawnigan Lake, BC V0R 2W0 250-732-7224 Happy Acres Greens & Backroad Hydroponics Equipment 2058 Cambie-Solsqua Road Sicamous, BC V0E 2V0 250-836-3878 -------------------------------------------------------

Pacific NW Garden Supply Unit 14- 104 Silica Street Nelson, BC V1L 4M1 250-354-4767 Buckerfields 587 Alberni Highway Parksville, BC V9P 1J9 250-248-3243 Sundogz Garden Supply & Hydroponics 30 - 1365 Old Alberni Highway Parksville, BC V9P 2B8 250-954-2046 Better Than Nature Penticton 101 - 78 Industrial Avenue, West Penticton, BC V2A 6M2 250-770-8978 -------------------------------------------------------

Aurora Lighting 750 3rd Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3C5 250-564-9888 ------------------------------------------------------Backwoods Hydroponic & Garden 10590 Carlson Road Prince George, BC V2K 5E5 250-963-9541 PG2 1798 Nicholson Street Prince George, BC V2N 1V6 250-612-4769; 1-888-817-4769 Skytek Indoor Solutions 833 4th Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3H5 800-975-9835

Kootenay Bubble Refinery PO Box 81, Slocan Park, BC V0G 2E0 250-226-7753

A+ Gardening Supplies 1450 Venables Street Vancouver, BC V5L 2G5 604-876-4769 BN Garden Supply 4493 Boundary Road Vancouver, BC V5R 2N3 604-431-2977 Double AA Garden Supplies Ltd. 2908 Commercial Drive Vancouver, BC V5N 4C9 604-876-8837 Pacific NW Garden Supply 2137 East Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V5L 1V2 604-254-4765 Vancouver Garden Supply 4894 Fraser Street Vancouver, BC V5V 4H5 604-879-8167 Advanced Garden Supplies 7979 Aspen Road Vernon, BC V1B 3M9 250-545-9545 AJs Pets & Things 3219 - 31st Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 2H2 250-549-3222 Better Than Nature Vernon 3506 25th Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 1P4 250-260-4466 Northern Lights Greenspace 3 - 2706 45th Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 3N4 250-558-4757 Indoor Jungle 2624 Quadra Street Victoria, BC V8T 4E4 250-388-5611 Mr. Fertilizer 9 Burnside Road, West Victoria, BC V9A 1B2 250-381-4644 Progressive Growth 111 - 1790 Island Highway Victoria, BC V9B 1H5 250-391-9519

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Sunwest Garden Supply 2035 Unit B Louie Drive Westbank, BC V4T 1Y2 50-768-1636

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

Coastal Growers Supply 103 - 12824 Anvil Way Surrey, BC V3W 8E7 604-599-1778 ------------------------------------------------------Fat Eddies Systems Inc. 108 - 18760 96th Avenue Surrey, BC V4N 3P9 604-888-2499 ------------------------------------------------------Garden King Supplies 7533 135 Street, Unit 109 Surrey, BC V3W OM8 604-598-1912 Pacific NW Garden Supply 15374-103A Avenue Surrey, BC V3R 9V8 604-588-4769; 800-443-4769 Warehouse Garden Supplies & Hydroponic 109 - 8173 128 Street Surrey, BC V3W 4G1 604-543-3177

Trees Company Nursery & Garden Supplies G9 C17 RR1, 7030 Powell Road Winlaw, BC V0G 2J0 250-226-7334

MANITOBA Better Than Nature Winnipeg 2B - 2 Donald Street Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K5 204-453-3032 Gro Pro International Hydroponics 101-904 Porthee Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3G 0P4 204-956-1389 Kleen Gro Hydroponics 218 Osbourne Street South Winnipeg, MB R3L 1Z3 204-475-7096 My Two Sons 2 - 2055 McPhillips Street Winnipeg, MB R2Y 3C6 204-339-3489

Nature’s Nutrition 1819 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3J 0G4 204-889-2979 Northern Lights Hydroponics 129 Regent Avenue East Winnipeg, MB R2C 0C2 204-415-5106 Ready Set Grow!

375 Henderson Highway Winnipeg, MB R3C 2H2 204-668-GROW

NEW BRUNSWICK

Plant Manager Gardening 12 Industrial Drive, Richmond County Industrial Park Lennox Passage, Cape Breton, NS B0E 1V0 902-345-2112 Steve’s Hydroponic Headquarters 131 Sackville Drive Lower Sackville, NS B4C 2R3 902-865-7764 Greenfield Grow & Brew 69 Wilson Mountain Road Murray Siding, NS B6L 4N7 902-897-6568

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

Craft N’ Grow 60 Micmac Road Eel Ground, NB E1V 4B1 506-624-9317 Ultimate Hydroponics Box 1191, Hampton, NB E5N 8H2 506-639-5948 Scott’s Nursery Ltd. 2192 Route 102 Highway Lincoln, NB E3B 8N1 506-458-9208 Atlantic Hydroponics & Greenhouses Inc. 42 Brandon Street Moncton, NB E1C 7E8 506-858-0158 Jardins Notik Gardens 798 Gray Road St-Charles, NB E4W 4N9 506-876-9100 21st Century Gardening 20 Bayside Drive St. John, NB E2J 1A2 506-657-9982

NOVA SCOTIA Den Haan’s Garden World 12688 Highway 1, Brickton Annapolis County, NS B0S 1M0 902-825-4722 Woodland Farm Nursery 3544 Highway 1, Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0 902-532-7617 -------------------------------------------------------

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

Sweetleaf Smoke Shop and Hydroponics 3132 Isleville Street Halifax, NS B3K 3Y2 902-454-6646 -------------------------------------------------------

Brite-Lite Indoor Garden Centre 1677 Cyrville Road, Meadowbrooke Plaza Gloucester, ON K1B 3L7 613-842-8999 -------------------------------------------------------

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Canadian Green Products 811 Central St. Centerville, NB E7K 2B9 506-276-3555 -------------------------------------------------------

Northern Lights Green Supply 1938 Highway 20 (at 406), RR 1 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E6 905-892-3743

Woodin Nickel Hydroponics 3393 Central West, Highway 4 Pictou County, NS BOK 1H0 902-695-7640 -------------------------------------------------------

ONTARIO Canadian Hydrogardens Ltd. 1330 Sandhill Drive Ancaster, ON L9G 4V5 905 648 1801 Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 521 Dunlop Street West Barrie, ON L4N 9W4 705-721-8715 Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 5386 Greenlane Road Beamsville, ON L0R 1B3 905-563-6121 BMA Hydroponics 404A Maitland Drive, Unit 2 Belleville, ON K8N 4Z5 613-967-9888 D&M Gardens 2961 Main Street Blezard Valley, ON P0M 1E0 705-897-3727 Home Hydroponics 289 Rutherford Road, South 22 Brampton, ON L6W 3R9 905-874-GROW In-Home Gardens 279 Colborne Street Brantford, ON N3T 2H3 519-754-9090 Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 79 Woolwich Street South Breslau, ON N0B 1M0 519-648-2374 Indoor Harvest 3040 New Street Burlington, ON L7R 1M5 289-337-9169 J & C Hydroponics 343 Elgin Street, Unit A Cambridge, ON M1R 7H9 519-622-9969 Pro Grow Indoor Garden Supplies 1710 Bishop St. Unit 2 Cambridge, ON N1T 1T2 519-624-7692 Hydrogarden 1122 Paul Street Cornwall, ON K6H 6H5 613-360-6996 Agrogreen Canada Inc. 1938 Hwy #20, RR#1 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E6 866-650-1136 Diatomite Canada 1938 Hwy #20, RR#1 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E6 866-650-1136

Nature’s Elements Box 119 500 Mill Street Neustadt, ON N0G 2M0 519-799-5323 -------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------Garden Depot 605 Justus Drive Kingston,ON Canada K7M 4H5 613-384-8882 Brite-Lite Indoor Garden Centre 1659 Victoria Street, North, Unit 6 Kitchener, ON N2B 3E6 888-670-0611 -------------------------------------------------------

AKA The Indoor Gardener 207 Exeter Road, Unit D London, ON N6L 1A4 519-652-4224 ------------------------------------------------------Best of Hydroponics 360 Richmond Street London, ON N6A 3C3 519-858-1533

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

Green Kingdom Hemp 1103 Cassells Street North Bay, ON P1B 4B3 705-494-7169 ------------------------------Brite-Lite Indoor Garden Centre 4373 Steeles Avenue West North York, ON M3N 1V7 416-663-2999 Supply For You 3615 Weston Road, Unit 6 North York, ON M9L 1V8 416-741-8062 All Grow Hydroponic 391 Marwood Drive, Unit 14 Oshawa, ON 866-606-4723 Paradise Gardens Hydroponics 2158 Chiefswood Road Oshweken, ON N0A 1M0 519-445-2275

Ontario 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

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

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

Markham Hydroponics 95 Royal Crest Court 18 Markham, ON L3R 9X5 905-305-0698 Nature’s Garden Supplies 24-340 Don Park Road Markham, ON L3R 1C5 905-470-7887

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

All Seasons 1000 Dundas Street East Mississauga, ON L4Y 2B8 905-848-2619 Green Thumb Hydroponics 3075 Ridgeway Drive, 25 Mississauga, ON L5L 5M6 Hydro Culture Emporium Inc. 150 Robertson Rd Unit 22 Nepean, ON K2H 9S1 613-715-9472 Harvest Time Hydroponics 5918 Main St., Niagra Falls, ON L2G 5Z8 289 296 7754 -------------------------------------------------------

Second Nature Hydroponics 4 - 2133 Royal Windsor Drive Mississauga, ON L5J 1K5 905-403-4769 -------------------------------------------------------

grow it all hydroponics for everyone

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

------------------------------------------------------Happy Hydroponics 68 Princess Street Hamilton, ON L8L 3K9 905-545-8434

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Sweet Hydroponic Gardens 776 Bruce Street Renfrew, ON K7V 3Z8 613-433-9600 Bluewater Hydroponics 1173 Michener Road, Unit 12 Sarnia, ON N7S 5G5 519-337-7475 Planetary Pride 372 Queen Street East Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A 1Y7 1-888-215-8970

Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 26 Meteor Drive Toronto, ON M9W 1A4 416-242-4769 Hydrotech 2436 Kingston Road Toronto, ON M1N 1V2 416-267-4769 Jungle Hydroponics 2215 Gerrard Street East Toronto, ON M4E 2C8 416-699-0861 Toronto Hemp Company 665 Yonge Street Toronto, ON M4Y 1Z9 416-920-1980 Grower’s Choice Hydroponics 1621 McEwen Drive 14 Whitby, ON L1N 9A5 905-725-GROW Northern Lights Hydroponics 2690 Oulette Ave Windsor, ON N8X 1L7 519-254-4015 Urban GreenHouse Hydroponics & Aguaculture 7635 Tecumseh Road E. Windsor, ON N8T 3H1 519-944-8444 urbangreenhousehydroponics.com -------------------------------------------------------

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

QUEBEC Un Monde Sans Terre 565 Beausejour Alma, QC G8B 5V3 418-480-3274 Hydro-Tonyque 761 Avenue Gilles Villeneuve Berthierville, QC J0K 1AO 450-836-8088 -------------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

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

Northern Hydroponics 236 Simpson Street Thunder Bay, ON P7C 3H4 807-623-3666

Les Grands Jardins Lavel 2900, Boul. Cure-Lavelle Chomedey, Laval, QC H7P 5S8 250-729-2687

Greenthumbs Garden Supply 338 Kingston Road Toronto, ON M4L 1T7 647-345-GROW (4769)

Simplement Vert 8B Georges-Gagne Delson, QC J5B 2E1 514-913-8378 (VERT)

Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

71

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

Hydrosphere 2000 2400 rue Canadian, Suite 104 Drummondville, QC J2C 7W3 819-478-9791 -----------------------------------------------------Les Serres Binette Inc 2568 Boul. Mercurre Drummondville, QC J2A 1H2 819-478-7195 Pablo Jardinage Drummondville 2080 Joseph St-Cyr Drummondville, QC J2C 8V6 819-475-2525 Les Entreprises Fernand Pigeon Inc. 174 Beaudoin Nord Durham-Sud, QC J0H 2C0 819-858-2777 Hydromax Gatineau 3-1695 Atmec (porte 6) Gatineau, QC J8P 7G7 819-663-7470 Naturexpert Inc. 828 Chemin du Sixième Rang Gatineau QC J8R 3A4 Jardinages Gilles Robert Inc. 574 St-Hubert Granby, QC J0H 1Y5 450-375-3441 Méristème Hydroponique 871 Dufferin Granby, QC J2G 9H8 450-991-1514 Jardinage d’intérieur Huntingdon 72 Dalhousie Huntingdon, PQ J0S 1H0, Canada 450-322-6079

Fernand Corbeil Produits Horticoles - Horticultural Products 17 boul. Ste-Rose Est Laval, QC H7L 3K3 450-622-2710

Pousse Magique Atwater 3522 Notre-Dame, ouest, Montreal, Qc H4C 1P4 514-481-3939

Hydro Plus 149 avenue Principale A Rouyn Noranda, QC J9X 4E3 819-762-4367

Hydro Times

Qué-Pousse - Montreal 2215 Walkley Montreal, QC H4B 2J9 514-489-3803

Rap Hydroponique 5700, rue Martineau Local 7 Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 8B1 450-768-5188

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

Summum Bio Teck 2100 Ontario Est Montreal, QC H2K 1V5 866-460-2226

Culture Uni Vert 36 rue de Martigny E Saint-Jérôme, QC J7Z 1V4 www.cultureunivert.com

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Univert 4 Saisons 2100 Ontario Est Montréal, QC H2K 1V5 514-527-2226

Comptoir Richelieu Inc. 350, du Collège Sorel-Tracy, QC J3P 6T7 800-363-9466

Hydromax Trois-Rivières 6157 rue Corbeil Trois-Rivières Ouest, QC G8Z 4P8 819-372-0500

Ferme Florale Inc. (Botanix) 2190 Blvd. Laurier (route 116) St. Bruno de Montarville, QC J3V 4P6 450-653-6383

Pablo Jardinage Intérieur 2 Des Ormeaux Suite 500 Trois-Rivières, QC G8W 1S6 819-693-6000

1533 Boulevard Cure Labelle Laval, QC H7V 2W4 450-688-4848

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Qué-Pousse - Laval 940 Bergar Laval, QC H7L 4Z8 450-667-3809 ------------------------------Point De Vue 880 chemin St-Féréol Les Cèdres, QC J7T 1N3 450-452-2878 / 1-877-510-2991 Hydro Rive-sud 4721 Boulvard de la rive sud Levis, QC G6W 1H5 418-835-0082 Boutique Grunge 364 rue Sherbrooke Magog, QC J1X 2S1 819-847-4141 Hydromax Mont-Laurier 388 Rue Hebert Mont-Laurier, QC J9L 2X2 888-609-4476 Hydroculture Guy Dionne 8473 - 19th Avenue Montreal, QC H1Z 4J2 514-722-9496 Hydro Expert 12752 Industriel Montreal, QC H1A 3V2 514-624-3091

Hydroponique Plus Inc. 405 - 18 Avenue Lachine, QC H8S 3R1 514-634-3677

B&S Electrique Inc. 2240 Pitt Street Montreal, QC H4E 4H1 514-931-3817

Biofloral 675 Montee, St. Francois Laval, QC H7C 2S8 877-38-HYDRO

Distribution De la Plante 5498 Hochelaga Suite 910 Montreal, QC H1N 3L7 514-255-1111

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Hydromax Montreal 9300 Lajeunesse Montreal, QC H2M 1S4 514-381-0111

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Brite Lite Hydroponics 940 Bergar, Laval, QC H7L 4Z8 450-669-3803

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each province.

Hydromax St-Henri 3522 Notre-Dame Montréal, QC H4C 1P4 514-481-3939

Vinexpert De L’Est 6384 Beaubien est Montreal, QC H1M 3G8 514-354-8020 XXXtractor Inc. 1228 St. Marc Montreal, QC H3H 2E5 514-931-4944 www.xxxtractor.com Qué-Pousse - Mont. Tremblant 462 Montée Kavanagh Mont-Tremblant, QC J8E 2P2 819-429-6145 MegaWatt Hydroculture 636 Route 364 Morin Heights, QC J0R 1H0 450-226-2515 Fleuriste Savard Inc. 1833 boul. Louis-Frechette Nicolet, QC J3T 1M4 819-293-5933 Qué-Pousse - Point-Claire 1860D Sources Blvd Pointe-Claire, QC H9R 5B1 514-426-5057 Boutique Echologik 829, cote d’Abraham Quebec, QC G1R 1A4 418-648-8288 Boutique Echologik 790 St - Jean Quebec, QC G1R 1P9 418-648-2828 échologik 798 St Jean Québec, QC G1R 1P9 418-648-2828; 418-648-8288 Hydroculture Guy Dionne 1990 Cyrill-Duquet Local 150 Québec, QC G1N 4K8 418-681-4643 Pousse Magique 515 rue Lanaudiere Repentigny, QC J6A 7N1 450-582-6662

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International Hydroponique 5478 Hochelaga St Montreal, QC H1N 3L7 514-255-2525

Fred Lamontagne Inc. 356 Chemin du Sommet Est, Rimouski, QC G5L 7B5 418-723-5746

Espace Culture Boutique 17 boul. Ste-Rose Est Laval, QC H7V 3K3 450-622-2710

Momentum 11289 London Avenue Montreal, QC H1H 4J3 888-327-4595

Qué-Pousse - Sherbrooke 4394 Bourque Rt. 112 Rock Forest, QC J1N 1S3 819-563-0353

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

Hydrobec 2145 Lavoisier Suite 4 Ste-Foy, QC G1N 4B2 418-687-1119 Chanvre du Nord Inc. 38 DeMartigny est St-Jérome, QC J7Z 1V4 866-565-5305 Hydro Sciences 4800 de la Cote-Vertu Blvd.

Saint-Laurent, QC H4S 1J9 514-331-9090 Pablo Jardinage Shawinigan 5023 Boulevard Royal Shawinigan QC J9N 6T8 819-731-9766 Sherbrooke Hydroponique 3545 King Est, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 5J4 819-829-9299 Plant-T-Plantes 3439 boulevard Fiset Sorel-Tracy, QC J3P 5J3 450-780-0008 Qué-Pousse - St-Constant 6264 Route 132 Ste-Catherine, QC J0L 1E0 450-635-4881 Benoit Dupuis Extincteurs Inc. 2503 Victoria Street Ste-Julienne, QC J0K 2T0 450-831-4240 Hydroponique 2000 84 Boul. Curé Labelle Ste-Therese, QC J7E 2X5 450-971-0726 Pépinière Eco-Verdure 965 Boul. Sauvé St-Eustache, QC J7R 4K3 450-472-6474 Amazonia Hydroponique 394 Boulvard Arthur-sauve St. Eustache, QC J7R 2J5 450-623-2790

Hydrotek 12300 Rue de l’avenir St. Janvier, QC J7J 2K4 St-Jean Hydroponique 747 rue St-Jacques St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 2M9 450-346-9633 Hydromax Terrebonne 1674 Chemin Gascon Terrebonne, QC J6X 4H9 450-492-7447

Rap Hydroponique 326 Rue Vachon Trois-Rivières QC G8T 8Y2 819-376-5959 Hydromax Val-David 895 route 117 nord Val-David, QC J0T 2N0 888-320-0129 Val d’Or Hydroculture 1261 3e Avenue Val d’Or, QC J9P 1V4 Horticulture Piégo 228 Pierre Bertrand Sud Vanier, QC G1M 2C4 418-527-2006 Qué-Pousse - Vaudreuil-Dorion 3666-D, boul. Cité des Jeunes Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC J7V 8P2 450-424-0306 Centre Jardin Denis Brodeur 15 Nord C.P. 658 Waterloo, QC J0E 2N0 Sonador Horticulture Inc. 819-479-2941

SASKATCHEWAN Busy Bee Upholstery Box 811, 134 5th Avenue East Gravelbourg, SK S0H 1X0 306-648-3659 B&B Hydroponics and Indoor Gardening 1404 Cornwall Street Regina, SK S4R 2H7 306-522-4769 Waterboy Supply 401 Dewdney Avenue East Regina, SK S4N 4G3 306-757-6242

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YUKON, NUNAVUT and NORTHWEST TERRITORIES P.P.M. Hydroponique 504 Rue du Parc St. Eustache, QC J7R 5B2 450-491-2444 -------------------------------------------------------

Porter Creek Indoor Garden Centre 1307 Centennial Street Whitehorse, YT Y1A 3Z1 867-667-2123

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1 WIN

2 WIN

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(1 L) each of: Xtreme Veg, Xtreme Juice and Xtreme Boost. Xtreme Veg is an all-in-one root and grow stimulator made from organic matter and seaweed kelp. Xtreme Juice increases efficiency of mineral fertilizers. Xtreme Boost promotes enzyme production, improves resistant to disease and encourages fruit swelling. Visit xtremenutrients.com

The Nutrifield prize pack includes: Lucius Maximus digital ballast, NF Coco, NF Zyme and EP FM2 fans. The Lucius Maximus durable, energy-saving digital ballast works on HPS and MH lamps. NF Coco’s improved formula features amino acids, phyto nutrients, vitamins enzymes and more. NF Zyme’s unique formula will optimize root growth. EP FM2 centrifugal fans are built for highouput conditions. Visit nutrifield.us

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Current Culture H2O is giving away a UC Solo™ single module water culture system and Cultured Solutions™ premium plant nutrient sample pack. Includes a 13 gal. growth module, Heavy Harvest lid with convenient porthole, custom-molded heavy-duty net pot, drain valve kit, Eco Plus dual air pump, air hose, two medium round air stones and Growstones™. Visit cch2o.com

Draw closes on February 15, 2013. For complete contest rules, go to maximumyield.com/winbig Prizes might not be exactly as shown.

COMING UP NEXT ISSUE

DO YOU KNOW?

1.

Tropisms are plant movements directed toward or away from a stimulus.

Two of the most common ppm scales are the 500 and 700 scales. The 500 ppm scale, also called total dissolved solids (TDS) meter, is based on checking the sodium chloride content of a solution.

The 700 scale, on the other hand, checks for potassium chloride.

It Starts With A Seed Lots of gardeners take seeds for granted, but—as Grubbycup shows us—there’s a lot going on in these little packages of life…

Cutting With Precision and Ease Cloning your mother plant is a fairly simple process; however, if done sloppily, in haste or without some experience, it can result in weak, disease-prone offspring. This article offers tips on how to take cuttings that will grow into healthy plants.

Water Worries: Water Quality Issues and How to Deal with Them If your water is not right, your plants won’t reach their full potential. Let one of our resident experts take you through everything you need to know about your water supply in order to give your garden its best chance…

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

www.maximumyield.com Maximum Yield Canada (March/April) will be available in March for free at select indoor gardening retail stores across Canada, and on maximumyield.com Subscriptions are available at maximumyield.com/subscriptions and maximumyield.com/digital-subscription

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Maximum Yield Canada | January/February 2013

3.

4.

2.

One cup of kale contains 88.8 percent of our recommended daily amount (RDA) of vitamin C, 1327.6 percent of our RDA of vitamin K and 354.1 percent of our RDA of vitamin A.

Pure water has a conductivity measurement of zero because it does not contain salts.

Sucking pests, such as whitefly, excrete a sticky substance called honey dew when feeding. Honey dew can then become colonized by sooty mould; combined, this residue is very difficult to remove—especially once it’s fully dried.

6.

5.

Vitamin C is vital to the proper function of the immune system, cardiovascular system, skin care, teeth and gum care, hair care and more. Without enough vitamin C in our diet, these systems can become compromised and even fail.

7.

One of the oldest, yet still quite effective, disinfection agents is diluted household bleach (sodium hypochlorite), which provides a high kill rate for spores, bacteria and viruses when provided sufficient contact time.