Maximum Yield Australia Jul/Aug 2009 by Maximum Yield

AUSTRALIA July - August 2009

I N D O O R

G A R D E N I N G

FREE

leds

lighting for hyperspace crops or just hype? biodynamics

The Philosophy and Science of Living Systems

Annual

San Francisco

Indoor Gardening Expo

July 25th & 26th, 2009

www.indoorgardenexpo.com

CONTENTS july / august 2009 FEATURES 18

Biodynamics: The Philosophy and Science of Living Systems

Dosing Procedures for Nutrients and Additives

LEDs: Lighting for Hyperspace Crops or Just Hype?

by Evan Folds

by Bob Taylor

by Erik Biksa

What is Permaculture? by Emma Cooper

Hydroponic Growing Methods: Compared and Contrasted by Matt LeBannister

DEPARTMENTS 26

From the Editor

Letters to the Editor

MaximumYield.com

10 Ask Erik 12 MAX Facts 14 Product Spotlight 40 You Tell Us 42 Check Your Growing IQ 44 Retail Directory 46 Coming Up in September - October

46 Do You Know?

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

FROM THE editor

jessica raymond

A well-rounded gardener is always open to inspiration and information that may help increase yields and quality. From the tangible tools you can grasp like nutrients and additives, grow systems and LED lights, to abstract ideas such as biodynamics and permaculture, this copy of Maximum Yield Australia will help you do just that. We are pleased to bring you this issue’s You Tell Us, - a candid interview with Maximum Yield and Nutrifield. This Australian-born company is dedicated to modern advances in indoor gardening technology with a special focus on water-wise and cost-efficient cultivation methods. What makes your garden grow? We want you to share some of your gardening secrets with our readers. Email “Your Best Advice” to editor@maximumyield.com and you could be featured in this all-new column. Keep growing and keep sending in those gardening tips. We are thrilled to have some Australian companies exhibit at our upcoming “Growing our World Green” 6th Annual

San Francisco Indoor Gardening Expo – July 25 - 26, 2009. We welcome you to attend this incredible event showcasing the newest and most innovative products from around the world for the indoor gardening market. Visit www.indoorgardenexpo.com for more information, directions to the venue, hotel specials and a list of show exhibitors. Want to be the first to know? Sign up for our new E-News at www.maximumyield.com Industry news, new products, events, spotlights and more will be featured in this online newsletter, mailed to your inbox monthly.

Jessica Raymond, Editor

letters to the editor Maximum Yield Keeps you Knowing and Growing all Month Long

Do you have a newsletter I can sign up for? Please advise.

Thanks, Bev Nguyen Maximum Yield’s monthly E-News is now available, bringing you exclusive access to the latest information on the indoor gardening industry, new and original products and sneak peaks at what’s coming up on www.maximumyield.com and in Maximum Yield magazines. Plus, timely event listings from your corner of the globe, article teasers, fun photos, tips and ideas to keep you knowing and growing all month long. Sign up to receive a copy of Maximum Yield’s E-News in your inbox monthly by following this link: http://maximumyield.com/newsletter.php

Thumbs up to Maximum Yield

Gardening has always been a love of mine, and one day while in the local gardening centre, I picked up an issue of Maximum Yield. It changed my life. I realized how easy hydroponic gardening was for the average individual to master. I became fascinated with the overall benefits of converting my garden to hydroponics, with the helpful articles as a point of reference and the informative “Ask Erik” section. Maximum Yield is without a doubt the best hydroponic gardening magazine I have ever read, and has more accurate information on the subject than I have found anywhere. Thank you, Emmett Patterson 6

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

editor@maximumyield.com

Interest in LEDs Continues to Thrive

Do you have an article forthcoming about LED grow lights and how they compare to other indoor lighting options? That information would be quite helpful. Thank you. George Hart As the new light on the block, LEDs are gaining huge interest amongst indoor growers. This issue has a full length feature on the benefits of LEDs in the grow room from resident expert Erik Biksa. Don’t forget to join Maximum Yield on Facebook where members are debating LEDs in an informed discussion group. Also, visit the article archive on www.maximumyield.com for more on this hot topic.

Informative and Intriguing

I just wanted to give you all a big pat on the back for your most recent issues of Maximum Yield Australia. I have always been a reader of MY, but if I’m to be honest, I only picked it up off the shelf because it was free. The last four issues have been bulked up with articles that I am interested in and I read each one of them cover to cover. The information presented is not only factual and informative, but also intriguing. Maximum Yield is my new favourite magazine and I eagerly anticipate receiving every issue. James Miller Maximum Yield reserves the right to edit for brevity. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Write us at: Maximum Yield Publications Inc. 2339A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 or Email us at: editor@maximumyield.com

I N D O O R

G A R D E N I N G

VOLUME 7 – NUMBER 2 JULY/AUGUST 2009

WHAT’S NEW 2009 Indoor Gardening Expo Tour The biggest indoor gardening event of the year is coming your way this month, July 25-26 with the “Growing our World Green” expo in San Francisco. Exciting details are forthcoming on the “Greener Places, Sustainable Spaces” Expo in Orlando (November 7-8), and Montreal in the spring of 2010.Visit www.indoorgardenexpo.com for more information. Maximum Yield is proud to announce our all-new E-News online newsletter. Keep on top of the latest industry news, products, specials and more.You also gain exclusive access to the latest information on the indoor gardening industry, timely event listings and fun photos and tips.

VIDEOS & FEATURES Featured Products You’ve been asking for more information on the hot topic of cloning and we’ve been listening. This month we feature the Clone Insert and the TurboKlone.

Featured Articles The perfect lawnscape awaits with the help of specialty wheatgrass that is both lush and fertile. Nature also provides assistance with creating the most optimal growing environment. Learn how in this month’s CO2 special feature.

Featured Videos Matt Geschke, Chief Grower for Sure to Grow, demonstrates how their exciting new product can help speed up your growing system preparations.

What is Permaculture? by Emma Cooper Interested in learning more about permaculture? A variety of additional online resources on the topic are available to assist you.

Biodynamics – The Philosophy and Science of Livings Systems by Evan Folds The laws of thermodynamics and how they relate to indoor gardening will inspire you explore the spiritual aspect of agriculture.

LEDs: Lighting for Hyper Space Crops or Just Hype? by Erik Biksa A list of advantages to an LED lit grow chamber can be found in this online extra.

Evan Folds is president of Progressive Gardens, a natural approach land care company, and progressearth.com With a degree in biology and religion, Evan’s interests include making sense of food production and bringing awareness to such topics as empty food, municipal water fluoridation and spiritual intolerance.

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

Publication Agreement Number 40739092

GENERAL MANAGER - Don Moores BUSINESS MANAGER - Linda Jesson SALES DIRECTOR - Lisa Lambersek EDITOR - Jessica Raymond jessica@maximumyield.com ADVERTISING SALES 250.729.2677 Linda Jesson - linda@maximumyield.com Lisa Lambersek - lisa@maximumyield.com Keri Hendry - keri@maximumyield.com Julie Madden - julie@maximumyield.com PRODUCTION & DESIGN ads@ads.maximumyield.com Pentti Tikkanen - pentti@maximumyield.com Alice Joe - alice@maximumyield.com Wes Cargill - wes@maximumyield.com ACCOUNTING - Lee Anne Veres leeanne@maximumyield.com AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION Futchatec Growth Technology Holland Forge Hydraspher SupplyNet UK DISTRIBUTION Growth Technology Hydrogarden Northern Hydroponic Wholesale Nutriculture UK

ONLINE EXTRAS

Bob Taylor is the chief chemist of Flairform (www.flairform.com) - an Australian based manufacturing company. Bob was an approved NATA signatory and an official registered analyst for the government’s chemical analysis monitoring program of all fertilizers registered in Western Australia.

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.

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER - Jim Jesson

Maximum Yield’s E-News

contributors

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

Matt LeBannister works at

Homegrown Hydroponics, the manufacturer of the DNF line of premium nutrients and enhancement products. Matt manages the retail store at Homegrown’s head office in Toronto and as of late has been traveling the trade show circuit as their resident expert.

CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION Brite-Lite Group Biofloral Eddis Wholesale Greenstar Plant Products Inc. Hydrotek MegaWatt Quality Wholesale USA DISTRIBUTION Aurora Innovations BWGS BWGS East BWGS West General Hydroponics Hydrofarm Hydro International National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight Supply R&M Supply Tradewinds

Erik Biksa first appeared in Maximum Yield in December 1999, and in 2000 the first “Ask Erik” column was printed. Erik has contributed dozens of in-depth articles to Maximum Yield since. The “Ask Erik” column has assisted many gardeners by providing answers to a wide range of growing questions.

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

ASK

erik

Do you have a question for Erik? Forward it to editor@maximumyield.com with the words “Ask Erik” in the subject line, and your answer will be printed in an upcoming edition.

I have a question regarding using honey to give plants a good supply of carbon. Because honey contains sugar, could it be used in sugar water and sprayed onto the plants? I’m just wondering because I am a beekeeper so I have plenty of it. Cheers mates! Thanks from a cold Sweden Dante - A guardian of plants

Honey contains glucose, fructose and sucrose. The chemical composition of these sugars contains carbon. There may also be other beneficial substances in honey, particularly if unpasteurized. It would seem honey is a source of readily available bio-energy. The qualities of the honey will naturally vary from the sources of the pollen collected. Triacontanol, a naturally occurring substance in beeswax and alfalfa extracts has some hormonal-like properties to plants. Some research demonstrates increased yields and essential oil production in crops that receive some levels of triacontanol during the growth of the crop. The difference between attempting to supplement your crop with carbon and sugars from home sources versus manufactured products is often consistency. When you buy a manufactured supplement, it is typically the same from batch to batch. Also provided are specific instructions as to how and when to apply the product, and most importantly, at what dosage. This way you are using a product that is proven for your application, and can help to give you consistent results from application to application and from crop to crop.

You may have to do some experimentation as to how much to use, and when the best time to apply it is. Determining if it is suitable in hydroponics or soil only will also require some trial and error. If you go ahead with it, I would recommend giving a few different test plants different dosage rates, and perhaps replicate the dosage on another set of plants but vary the times that you added the honey. Keep your eye out for any potential increased insect attraction to your honey-sweetened growing system and plants. I have had organic soil growers report adding small amounts of honey to their waterings in the final phase of cropping, during the flush period. They felt that it helped improve the taste of the material harvested. Well, that’s the buzz… Cheers, Erik Biksa

For previous “Ask Erik” features go to www.maximumyield.com

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

MAX

facts

hydroponic news, tips and trivia from around the world

“Growing our World Green” 6th Annual San Francisco Indoor Gardening Expo

Only the Very Best Australian Jarrah Bee Pollen

This July, San Francisco will be host to the biggest Indoor Gardening Expo of the year, the “Growing our World Green” 6th Annual San Francisco Expo (July 25-26, 2009). The excitement has been building all year for this highlyanticipated event. New advances in lighting, nutrients, organics, pest control and water-wise gardening will be just a few of the environmentally friendly gardening solutions showcased. There will also be an education station, tons of prizes and fun to be had by everyone. For all show information including special hotel rates and show exhibitors, visit www.indoorgardenexpo.com

Considered the very best pollen in the world by raw food enthusiasts and now scientists, Jarrah Bee Pollen, native to Western Australia, is renowned for its ability to accelerate wound healing. Scientists have already discovered the remarkable health benefits of pollen as it is loaded with enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and healing phytonutrients. However, it has only been recently that studies have proven Jarrah Bee Pollen to be superior. Jarrah Bee Pollen is similar to Manuka Honey, which has been approved by the U.S. FDA for use as a topical treatment for healing wounds and burns, and is made from the same plants that Jarrah honey comes from. At this time, supplies of this pollen are limited, due to the severe drought in Australia.

(Source: www.indoorgardenexpo.com)

(Source: www.naturalnews.com)

Australian Study Shows Healthy Eating Still Affordable Despite rising food costs in Australia, healthy eating is still affordable, according to a new Australian study in Nutrition & Dietetics. Fruits and vegetables increased in price the most, by 47 per cent and 56 per cent respectively. However, the cost of bread, cereals and dairy foods stayed the same or even dropped over a seven-year period. This along with the increase in people’s income helped offset the rising prices in produce, making healthy eating as affordable as it was in 2000 for Australian families. The government is being urged to focus its policies on reducing the cost of healthy food like fruits and vegetables so that all families can have access to healthy foods at a reasonable price. In the mean time, Australians are being encouraged to prepare homemade meals from basic food items as opposed to eating out. (Source: Wiley - Blackwell. “Food Costs Soar But Healthy Eating Still Affordable, Australian Study Shows.” ScienceDaily 20 February 2009. 20 May 2009 <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090220075139.htm>).

The BFA Australian Organic Roadshow Dates Announced The 2009 Biological Farmers of Australia Roadshow tour will hit the road August 26, 2009 in Lismore, NSW, working its way around the west coast of the continent until November. Offering inspiring presentations from leading organic researchers and the latest industry news and innovations, the roadshows are simple and accessible. It’s the best opportunity for producers to gain insight into certified organics in their region. Organized for 10+ years by chairman Doug Hass, the BFA roadshows are an essential tool in the organic movement, 12

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

providing education to attendees on how the industry is progressing, and familiarizing them with supply chains and what is involved in going organic. The 2009 tour will be stopping in Sydney, Dubbo, Canberra, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Cairns and Perth. Sponsorship opportunities are still available, allowing organic businesses to market their services and products to those with a genuine interest in organics. (Source: www.bfa.com.au)

Flairform Growers Guide Do you know the best way to clone your favourite plant? Concise information on lighting, ventilation, pH, system design, diseases, pests, cloning, conductivity, nutrient technology and much more is available to you in Flairformâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all-new Growers Guide. For a free copy ask your local grow shop or download it for free at www.flairform.com Flairform - Water treatment specialists and horticultural consultants since 1966!

Lettuce Carotenoids Affected by UV Light in Greenhouse Recent studies have found that by growing green leaf lettuce in a greenhouse during the winter under the proper ultraviolet light can boost their levels of carotenoids, biological antioxidants that protect cells and tissue from damage. When regularly consumed from green leafy vegetables, carotenoids may help reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration later in life. Plants grown in the field express beneficial chemical compounds, thought to be a means to protect themselves from the effects of UV radiation. The role of light exposure on these compounds was examined on eight green and eight red leaf lettuce varieties. They each received either supplemental ultraviolet-A (UV-A) light, both UV-A and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) light or no UV (receiving only regular light). The green leaf lettuce varietiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC; carotenoid concentration levels were greatly increased when supplemented with UV-A plus UV-B, while the compounds in the red varieties were slightly but significantly reduced. (Source: www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2009/090223.htm) MY

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

PRODUCT spotlight

ask for these exciting new products at your favourite indoor gardening store.

Hydro-Logic’s KDF85 Filter now with Upgraded Medical Grade Carbon

Nutrifield® Cargo Boost

Hydro-Logic’s KDF85 filters now use medical grade catalytic granular activated carbon, an ultra premium grade of carbon that reduces chloramines to the lowest industry standard levels. Steam activated, the carbon provides a strong, dense product with an extremely high surface area. It is specially acid washed, pH buffered and rinsed with sanitized water, making it superior to ordinary grades and minimizing the possibility of metal contaminants. The KDF85 totally eliminates chlorine and helps reduce iron and hydrogen sulphide and is perfect for city and well water users. These filters last twice as long as the standard carbon filters and are available in three sizes to fit most of our purification systems - 25 centimetres for the Stealth-RO and Small Boy and 50 centimetres for the Tall Boy and Tall Blue. We also offer an upgrade for the newest addition to the family, the Big Boy. Trust only the best filters available for your prized plants. Trust Hydro-Logic to provide the purest water for your garden.

Cargo Boost is Nutrifield’s popular nutrient delivery system, helping to deliver rapid growth and larger yields as it is made up of small molecules that increase the nutrients’ ability to chelate. Unlike conventional chelation, the small molecules work in a two step process. The first step is the creation of nano clusters through sequestration. This is followed by specific molecules in Cargo Boost attaching themselves to the sequestered elements like a container of cargo. The molecules then deliver the food to your plant’s root system, where Cargo Boost pushes the nutrient through the plants outer cell wall, before returning to the nutrient pool to begin the process again. Cargo Boost also stabilizes your system’s pH from large fluctuations to maximize nutrient uptake and is a carbohydrate micro-organism stimulant. For more information about this product, please visit your local indoor gardening store.

New LEDGrowLight from LGL Technologies

Biogrow - Organic Plant Food from Biobizz

Nearly 50 per cent more effective than our previous red LED light, the new R22OSB combines a more efficient LED with a state of the art driver, and uses only 10 watts of energy. It has 220 LEDs and works on an 85 to 260 volt current for use anywhere in the world. The simple screw in Edison base found on all our lights make them ideal for custom applications. Our lights produce so little heat they do not need internal fans to cool them and will easily last for more than 50,000 hours. We guarantee this new LED light will outperform any other LED light with savings in electrical costs over traditional HID systems. You will save between three to 12 times the cost of the system over five years of commercial use. The R22OSB combines high efficiency and increased brightness with optimal colour output, resulting in the most advanced and effective design available anywhere. For more information visit your local hydroponics retail store.

Biogrow is a 100 per cent certified organic plant food, produced with love in the Netherlands, which promotes lush growth during the vegetative cycle due to healthy levels of nitrogen, magnesium and calcium. When used during the flowering period in small doses, Biogrow acts as an organic plant tonic. Due to the high content of natural sugars in Biogrow, fruits and vegetables will have a greatly improved taste.

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

Biogrow offers: • a high level of betains, ensuring active soil life • molasses derived from sugar beets, which is much higher in proteins and a feast for micro-organisms • a more efficient uptake of micro- and macro-nutrients • a pure blend of 100 per cent organic ingredients including natural vitamins (B1, B2, calcium and E) and up to 70 trace elements • a low but natural pH level To learn more about this or any other product in the OMRI listed Biobizz range, visit an indoor gardening store near you.

Hydro-Logic Goes Green Hydro-Logic is proud to announce all of our carbon filters will be upgraded to a new green certified coconut carbon filter. The Small Boy, Tall Boy and Tall Blue units will have the new filters included as standard. All of our systems, including the Stealth-RO and Merlin-Garden Pro, will have these available exclusively as replacements. The new Green Carbon Filters use coconut shells from India and are manufactured with a revolutionary process that carbonizes the shells in a closed combustion chamber. The methane, CO2 and other greenhouse gases that are produced are either scrubbed or re-used by the facility for power. There are zero greenhouse gas emissions from this method. As an added bonus, the carbon is of much higher quality and able to absorb chlorine and volatile organic compounds better than comparable filters. All this and the price remains the same as the standard filters. At Hydro-Logic we strive to make a positive impact on the earth. Pure water’s not magic – it’s logic. Visit a hydroponics retail store to learn more.

ATA Coco Max A and B from Atami Coco Max A and B form the foundation of fine growing results in steamed and unsteamed coco substrate. They are professional and fast working nutrients that provide a stable and biological balance in the coco substrate. Coco Max A and B contain more calcium and more magnesium, giving you a perfect start thanks to the automatic pH correction in your nutrient tank. Coco Max A and B are perfectly balanced for adding PK boost additives like Bloombastic. • Lower concentration of potassium allows growers to use PK additives at full dose, for maximum effects. • No ballast means more active ingredients and a more concentrated formula. • pH buffered means that Coco Max is easy to handle and use. Ask for ATA Coco Max A and B at your local indoor gardening retail store.

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

PRODUCT spotlight

ask for these exciting new products at your favourite indoor gardening store.

pH Electrode Storage from Flairform

Introducing GroStorm from Flairform

Dry storage of pH electrodes is the most common cause of pH meter failure. Flairform’s pH Electrode Storage solution prevents dehydration of the glass electrode and porous frit (or wick).

GroStorm is a 100 per cent organic additive with superior root absorption potential. It is widely accepted that organic additives enhance the root zone environment. However, few growers realize that organics are rarely absorbed by roots! GroStorm helps overcome this problem by also containing a natural chelating agent that helps to ‘piggy-back’ the organics through the root membrane.

This helps: • maintain electrode accuracy and response time • eliminate reading ‘drift’ • maximize electrode life-span Did you know? pH buffers 7.0 or 4.0 and distilled water are not suitable for storing pH electrodes as they can upset electrode calibration. Electrode storage solutions are carefully structured formulations that do not interfere with the chemical composition of the liquid/gel that is contained within the electrode. More information can be found at your local indoor gardening retail store.

• GroStorm contains the full suite of organic compounds needed from seed to harvest. • It is highly stable and super concentrated (0.5 - 2.0 millilitres per litre). • The vented cap prevents the bottle from collapsing or exploding. More information can be found at your local hydroponics retailer.

Flairform’s SilikaMajic Did you know that some silica products contain zero “available” silica? The ‘reactive’ silica in SilikaMajic is extremely stable. This ensures SilikaMajic is able to deliver all the benefits of silica. Super concentrated (26 per cent potassium silicate): Use at 0.2 millilitres per litre. Feedback from growers confirms why silica is essential: • increased strength and rigidity of stems and leaves • increased fruit weight • improved healing of pruning wounds • increased tolerance to high salinity More information can be found at an indoor gardening store near you.

Osram Sylvania Introduces Wide Spectrum T8 Fluorescent Lamps Sylvania’s Octron® T8 wide spectrum fluorescent lamps provide essential energy for use in indoor gardening applications. These lamps provide the types of light that are most beneficial for plants’ essential processes. Sylvania lamps provide the right balance of red and blue wavelengths. In fact, the Sylvania T8 Gro-lux wide spectrum lamp produces 10 per cent more Photosynthetically Active Radiation (uMoles/m2s) versus the equivalent T12 Gro-lux wide spectrum light source. These lamps bring out the vibrant natural colours of foliage, flowers and vegetables, enhancing their appearance. The lamps operate on Quicktronic® QHE high efficiency electronic ballasts with maximum efficacy and high lumen output, while providing 30 to 60 per cent energy savings when compared to F40T12 magnetic systems. The systems 16

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

are available with low, normal and high ballast factors, which produce a wide variety of light outputs for any applications such as warehouses or lower ceilings. The system is covered by the Quick 60+® warranty, the first and most comprehensive warranty in the industry. Visit an indoor gardening store to learn more.

NutrifieldÂŽ NF Zyme - Coming Soon Finally, after extensive testing, large scale trials and numerous customers asking when our latest additive NF Zyme will be released, we can say that it will be soon! NF Zyme will unlock your plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potential by developing an improved fruit bearing structure. The unique formula will help control cell division and stimulate root growth. NF Zyme aids in photosynthesis and food formation, which is caused by the regulation of stomata openings. NF Zyme has the ability to enhance all modes of growth or flowering. The reaction that will occur is dependant on the mode of root development, growth or flowering that the plant is experiencing. The key to this occurrence is the cytokinin hormones within NF Zyme. By making these hormones available at the correct stage, the plant will show an increase in yields. For more information about this product, visit your local hydroponics retailer.

Welcome Little Brother It has already been more than 18 years since the launch of Light Mix from Biobizz as an ideal potting soil for organic gardeners. Light Mix allows the grower to have control over the growing process through the application of liquid fertilizers. Slightly fertilized, it ensures a fast development of roots and vigorous new growth. The soil is composed to optimize drainage throughout the medium, which is essential for usage with automatic watering systems. Finally after many requests, the little brother has arrived, Light Mix (20 litres). Ask your local retailer for the upcoming new kid on the block and what kind of introductory offer they have.

MY You can find all of our products online at www.maximumyield.com. Each month your favourite new product profiles will be featured on our website. Get the latest information on what will make your garden grow. Do you want to be included in the product spotlight? Contact the editor at 1-250-279-2677 or email editor@maximumyield.com

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

by Evan Folds of Progress Earth

In 1924, the architect of biodynamics Rudolph Steiner (1861-1925) was asked, “How can the spiritual impulse and the inner schooling for which you are constantly providing stimulus and guidance, bare so little fruit? Worst of all, why is the will for action for the carrying out of these spiritual impulses, so weak?” Steiner replied, “This is a problem of nutrition. Nutrition, as it is today, does not supply the strength necessary for manifesting the spirit in physical life. A bridge can no longer be built from thinking to will and action. Food plants no longer contain the forces people need for this.”

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

The Philosophy and Science of Livings Systems Life force cannot be measured in the repeatable way necessary for modern science to accept. However, when we look at phenomenons such as drastic increases in degenerative disease in developed countries over time or the fact that only around 40 per cent of people vote, we can begin to paint a clearer picture of the lack of bringing will into action. In fact, life force is what’s missing from the USDA’s organic standards, evidenced in the idea that it does not mandate healthy food, only how it is grown. It is becoming progressively clear that the standards we have set for ourselves in regards to food production are far too low. Simple evidence of this is the confusion amongst the public about what organic actually means. What happens when a word limits our ability to fully comprehend what we are talking about? Words can have different meanings for different people. The same is true of the word biodynamics. Odds are that most people have never heard of biodynamics. Although biodynamics sounds like a fresh word, the word and the concept have actually been around for many decades. It is a philosophy and a science, but most of all, it is a method of farming and creating compost. Biodynamics actually predates the organic movement yet it is not a mainstream form of crop production. This is mainly because it involves an unconventional way of looking at living systems that has been conditioned upon us all from birth. Don’t get me wrong, we’re all conditioned and there’s a place for data points and lab replicability, but nature works in spirals, not straight lines, and derives its power from the chaos that supports order. If our intentions are to align ourselves more closely with “If our intentions are to align ourselves more closely with the ideals of natural systems, biodynamic farming is the first place we should be looking.”

Rudolph Steiner (1861- 1925)

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

Biodynamics - The Philosphy and Science of Living Systems “It is important to recognize that the physical and spiritual aspects of agriculture are truly one and the same, as with all of life, and we are only teaching ourselves half of the story.”

the ideals of natural systems, biodynamic farming is the first place we should be looking. A biodynamic worldview looks at the earth, or the farm, or the grow room, as a living organism. It provides a more holistic approach to our plant growing situations and an appreciation for how the subtle forces that we collectively ignore can have significant influences on plant growth. In practice, the subtle forces are often times much more influential than the measurable ones. The time has come to bring this very deliberate and dynamic form of agriculture to the homeowner, farmer and mainstream gardening community. Steiner, a well-respected and well-published scholar, introduced biodynamics via eight lectures on agriculture given in 1924. They were introduced in response to observations from farmers that soils were depleting following the introduction of artificial fertilizers at the turn of the century. In addition to degraded soil conditions, farmers noticed deterioration in the health and quality of crops and livestock.Yet yields at all costs won the day, and then went on winning for the next 100 years as the yields began to diminish. It is only now that we are beginning to collectively realize our errant ways and the repercussions of our empty food and general inefficiency in producing it. Thus, biodynamic agriculture was the first ecological farming system to develop as a grassroots alternative to artificial agriculture and it is one of the answers to once again making sense of our collective food production. In a nutshell, biodynamics can be understood as a recipe of “biologically dynamic” agricultural practices. The biological 20

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practices include a sequence of established organic gardening techniques designed to improve soil health. But what makes biodynamics special and unique is the employment of specific fermented plants and herbs called biodynamic preparations, or preps, numbered by Steiner BD500508. In truth, these preps are used as forces and not as substances. For instance, one teaspoon of the preps can be used to potentize seven to 10 tons of compost. Each preparation is added deliberately to guide a particular decomposition process in the compost heap. It is the dynamic aspect of biodynamics which gives rise to its characterization as a spiritual or mystical approach to agriculture. How far down the spiritual road one wants to travel is up to the individual. Personally, I would encourage you to get going, but Steiner never lost focus on the whole. It is important to recognize that the physical and spiritual aspects of agriculture are truly one and the same, as with all of life, and we are only teaching ourselves half of the story. These dynamic practices are intended to influence biological as well as metaphysical or supersensible aspects in growing situations, such as increasing the life force of a farm, or adapting planting and harvesting to natural rhythms such as celestial cycles or the motion of a vortex. The concept of dynamic practice, or those practices associated with non-physical forces in nature like vitality, life force, homeopathy, chakras, chi, subtle energy and related concepts, is a commonality that also underlies many systems of alternative and complementary medicine such as acupuncture or kinesiology. This is by no means an isolated or anomalous practice. This all encompassing approach to agriculture results in “living” products that create truly superior plants.You may not be able to tell the difference by looking at the products, but your plants certainly will. These concepts are not new, but they are novel to most. If some of this sounds out of left field, I ask you to open your mind. In order to fully appreciate what Steiner has put forth with the method of biodynamics it is important to view life as being made up of physical matter that we can feel and measure, but also subtle energies that serve to organize this physical matter. This is accomplished via the phenomenon of resonance. Some examples are in order. Consider the vortexial organization and form of a tornado. If we could walk up to one, we would be able to punch it. It is physical, yet it is derived of thin air. Project this idea onto the electrons whirling around in the atoms that

“In order to fully appreciate what Steiner has put forth with the method of biodynamics it is important to view life as being made up of physical matter that we can feel and measure, but also subtle energies that serve to organize this physical matter.”

make up the human body and you have come to a realization that our bodies, and all of life, are organized by supersensible energies via resonance. Sure, it sounds like science fiction, but what other explanation is there for why entropy does not cause things to just fall apart? In Steiner’s courses he speaks on how rhythms indicate the degree to which natural beings have become emancipated from their relation to surrounding nature. “This emancipation in the cosmos is almost complete for human life. For the animal life it is less so; plant life on the other hand is still, to a high degree, immersed in the general life of nature, including the outer earthly world.” “A biodynamic worldview looks at the earth, or the farm, or the grow room, as a living organism.” A simple recognition of how plants (etheric), animals (astral) and human (ego) organisms effect and are affected by various rhythms is a means to awareness of how life is a process in time regulated by the earthly and cosmic environment. The Mayan people, for instance, did not spend thousands of years developing and implementing various calendars to track these celestial rhythms for nothing. It is telling to know that the only calendar collectively utilized by modern society (Gregorian Calendar) was only used by the Mayans to collect taxes. Steiner’s remarks on the relationship of plant life to its earthly and cosmic surroundings inaugurate a rich field for observation and experience. He points to the rhythms of sun, moon and planets, but does so always while noting the vital relationship between cosmic influence and earthly substance. Above all, making, fermenting and applying biodynamic preparations are done with an understanding of the proper time for such activity in relation MY to the seasonal variation in these rhythms. References http://www.michaelfieldsaginst.org/education/comparison.pdf

The laws of thermodynamics and how they relate to indoor gardening can be found at www.maximumyield.com

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

Dosing Procedures for Hydroponic Nutrients and Additives by Bob Taylor: Chief Chemist of Flairform

By not following specific dosing guidelines, the performance of hydroponic nutrients is reduced. Growers must take particular note of these guidelines when using multi-part nutrients (e.g. two and three parts) as these are more complex. If ease-of-use is desirable then a well balanced one part nutrient should be used.

relatively little impact on pH. Secondly, it usually contains the iron which is highly unstable at pH levels much above 6.5. In three part nutrients the phosphate is sometimes dispersed across two bottles. Therefore, determine which contains the highest concentration of phosphate, and add that first.

The following three guidelines apply to multi-part nutrients: 1. Do not combine concentrated nutrients in too little water: With two and three part nutrients, the parts are kept separate for good reason - mix these together in concentrated form (or in too little water) and you will see why (figure 1). A white precipitate will form and, depending on the formulation, can happen well within a minute or so. Try this for yourself – mix an equal volume of each part in a glass, undiluted. The majority of the precipitate Figure 1 is typically calcium sulphate. Now, add excess water and see if it will dissolve. The longer you delay dilution, the more difficult (or impossible) dissolution becomes. Along with poor pH control, this is a cause of the white precipitate in nutrient tanks (figure 2b). To prevent this, always add the majority of water before combining nutrients. Additionally, always stir well before each subsequent part is added.

3. Add equal amounts of each part: Avoid roughly measuring out the nutrient dose. An excess of one nutrient species does not compensate for deficiencies in another. In the case of a two part, 'under' dosing part ‘B’ for example, could cause a deficiency in over half the nutrients required (i.e. P, K, S and all of the trace elements excluding iron). This problem is compounded with two and three parts because the dose volumes for each part will be roughly ½ to ⅓ (respectively) of what it would otherwise be if using a one part. Therefore, without appropriate measuring equipment, when small tank volumes are being used, the dosing error can be significant. Understandably the complexity of two and three parts makes regular dosing a tedious task. Since a better balance is now achievable in a one part format, two and three part nutrients are losing appeal amongst growers.

Figure 2. When adding an undiluted, high pH additive (2a), it will remain unless the pH is quickly adjusted to below 6.0-6.5 (2b).

Note that the source of white precipitate above the water line, on the surface of media and equipment (e.g. clay pebbles) is salt deposition from evaporation. Notably, the amount of precipitation from this source is greater at a higher EC nutrient concentration. 2. The part containing the phosphate should be added first: The addition sequence of each nutrient part can affect nutrient stability, particularly if the water has high alkalinity. Alkalinity (bicarbonate and carbonate) is that component of natural waters that causes high pH. Adding the nutrient dose to high alkalinity water can decrease the stability of several nutrient species (including calcium, sulphate, iron, copper, manganese and zinc). Therefore, instead of pre-adjusting the pH of make-up water (often a very difficult task) it is preferable to first add that part of the nutrient that lowers pH the most. This is usually the part that contains the phosphate. In two part nutrients this is usually part ‘B.’ Note that the part without any phosphate will have 22

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It must be noted, however, that all nutrient types require the following dosing guidelines: • Thoroughly stir the nutrient. Always stir immediately after the addition of nutrient, additives or top-up water. Doing so will eliminate high zonal concentrations of the less soluble nutrient species. Further, it removes zones of extreme pH (either high or low), thereby preventing the destabilization of nutrients that are unstable outside of the optimum pH window of 5.0 to 6.5 (figure 3). • Be diligent with pH. This is probably the most crucial area of nutrient management. • Beware of high pH additives. Note that essentially all additives will affect nutrient pH at least slightly. The best technique to adopt with those that elevate pH significantly (e.g. silica, PK additives) is to add them to the water and adjust the pH down to 6.0 prior to adding the nutrient. The less preferred but common alternative is to predilute the additive in a separate volume of raw water prior to adding to the nutrient solution, then quickly lower the pH to below 6.5 once this solution Figure 3 is added. Note that a white cloudy precipitate (calcium sulphate) may form when the pre diluted additive initially merges with the nutrient solution (figure 2a). However, because the initial particle size of the precipitate is small, it will usually re-dissolve if the pH is MY immediately re-adjusted.

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

Lighting for Hyperspace Crops or Just Hype? by Erik Biksa

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) amongst indoor gardeners in recent days. The feedback varies; some people are wowed by this new technology while others are disappointed. So what are some of the reasons for the polar opposite views when it comes to LED lighting for crops?

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In this article we will examine some aspects of LED lighting, and perhaps shed a few photons on just what LEDs have in store for the future of indoor gardening. This certainly won’t be this writer’s last article on the subject either, as this emerging technology continues to evolve. To give a quick glance into the historical background of LEDs, the following has been copied from Wikipedia.org: The first practical visible-spectrum (red) LED was developed in 1962 by Nick Holonyak Jr., while working at General Electric Company. He later moved to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. [11] Holonyak is seen as the “father of the light-emitting diode.” [12] M. George Craford, a former graduate student of Holonyak’s, invented the first yellow LED and red and red-orange in 1972 that were 10 times brighter. [13] Until 1968, visible and infrared LEDs were extremely costly, on the order of US $200 per unit, and so had little practical application. [14] The Monsanto Corporation was the first organization to mass-produce visible LEDs, using gallium arsenide phosphide in 1968 to produce red LEDs suitable for indicators. [15] Hewlett Packard (HP) introduced light-emitting diodes in 1968, initially using GaAsP material supplied by Monsanto. The technology proved to have major applications for alphanumeric displays and was integrated into HP’s early handheld calculators.

“One of the areas that LEDs may help to improve is our understanding of just exactly what wavelengths plants need to perform a variety of biological processes and at different phases in their development.” You may notice that there are some corporate giants that have been involved in the development of this technology, and in the earlier years, at great costs. At present day LED lighting technologies are available to home consumers that were once more exclusive to research facilities such as those maintained by NASA. Now, there has been a lot of work done from using LEDs for numeric displays to bring their luminance levels up and cost levels down to make them practical for horticultural lighting. Where LEDs differ from conventional lighting sources such as incandescent, fluorescent and HID (high intensity discharge) is that they do not use any filaments, but rather a semi-conductor. The light produced by the individual diodes is extremely efficient in converting energy to light. Conventional lighting actually produces very few photons (light energy) relative to the amount of electricity being consumed. The wasted energy is given off as heat. The fact that conventional grow room lighting typically produces tremendous amounts of heat is indicative of the efficiency of the lighting process. MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

LEDs: Lighting for Hyper Space Crops or Just Hype? Whereas, with LED lighting the diodes run extremely cool, although a small amount of heat may be given of the circuitry and driver system. Have you ever seen a blue HPS (high pressure sodium) lamp? The answer is likely no, and that’s because there are limitations to the spectral outputs of conventional lighting technologies. With LEDs, just about any single wavelength, for example 630 nanometers (red) can be created. The light emitted from the diodes is more vivid, clear and true to specific desired wavelengths. LEDs use about 1⁄10 of the power versus conventional lighting sources to achieve optimal results. The individual diodes can be manufactured to just about any wavelength for output. What’s even better is that instead of trying to make a single diode an “all rounder” for plant growth, you can tailor custom lighting spectrums by blending different diodes that have different spectral outputs. This is very advantageous, as it allows growers to create custom spectrums for different growth phases and even different strains of plants. One of the areas that LEDs may help to improve is our understanding of just exactly what wavelengths plants need to perform a variety of biological processes and at different phases in their development. Researchers have already been able to determine, using tailored spectrum LEDs that different species of plants, and even different strains within the species, have different preference in terms of the light wavelengths (i.e. ratios of red to blue, inclusion or exclusion of orange, etc.) that are delivered. The most up-to-date research has been demonstrating that plants need more than just a combination of red to blue diodes to produce stronger flowering and growth responses. Interestingly, it has been held that plants do not use any green light at all. “These data indicate that GL (green LED light) treated seedlings elongate significantly faster than dark-grown seedlings and are growing three to four times the rate of seedlings receiving high-fluence rate blue light.”1 What does that mean? It means that we still have a lot to learn with what plants respond to in terms of lighting, and even more specifically, which wavelengths are preferred by different species for optimum growth and flowering. This helps make LED lighting technology a vehicle to the better understanding of the crops we grow, and how we can grow them more efficiently. At present, no single diode will outshine a HID lamp in terms of lumens. However, assessing the relative efficiency of LEDs with lumen 28

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measurements is misleading. Lumens measure the relative intensity of visible light, for the human eye, not for the wavelengths plants use in the photosynthetic process. Photosynthesis Photon Flux Density (PPFD) is likely the most accurate way to determine the efficiency of a light source for horticultural applications. For practical purposes, it would be safe to say the things that growers should love about LEDs Low power consumption - This combined LED and CFL growth chamber uses less than 210 is that they are even when all appliances are on, making extremely efficient watts, it possible to run from alternate power sources at the conversion such as solar and wind. of electricity to photons (light for growth), and because they are so efficient, they operate extremely cool compared to HID lighting. As a grower, could you imagine consuming 1⁄10 of the power you associate with lighting, while virtually eliminating the need to exhaust or air-condition the growing area? What about replacing the lighting after years instead of months, as with conventional horticultural lighting? With LED lighting, growers’ dreams can become reality. However, this is where the reader is addressed with caution. The following will provide an outline that makes all of this possible, but with present LED lighting technology featured it will not produce the heavy yields that HID gardeners are accustomed to. If your expectations are reasonable, and next generation LED lighting is used, you might be very satisfied to produce a small crop to supplement your diet using a minimal amount of power, creating very little heat and doing so relatively quietly and peacefully versus conventional indoor gardening with intensive ventilation or air-conditioning. The basic model described is capable of providing small crops just about anywhere imaginable. LEDs may allow people to grow where they had not been able to previously. As a matter of fact, the model will consume less than 210 watts of electricity, making it possible to operate on power stored from wind or solar sources.

The enclosure is highly portable, and sets up in minutes. Constructed from highly durable material, this silver lined growing chamber may be moved and re-used with the exactly the same set-up, time and time again. The pre-fabricated growing enclosure has a number of great features including: • sealable passive air intakes • a multitude of duct ports, adjustable from 10 to 20 centimetres in diameter, or can be completely shut • side access ports, as not to disrupt crops • a durable and light tight wide zippered opening • waterproof and tear resistant flooring • a highly reflective specular (textured) covering that helps to diffuse light • coverings are free of phyto-toxins The ceiling support members of this chamber are adjustable, allowing you to create the ideal grid for suspension of lighting, sensors, fans and filters. While the improvements allow for a greater weight load, they won’t need to come into play with lightweight and easy to hang LED lighting fixtures. The structure is ideal, because it helps contain and reflect the light inside. It also prevents light leaks from entering the growing area and interrupting dark cycles, which will delay or impede flowering in some crops. Operating an LED in ambient living conditions does not generate a significant amount of heat, so ventilation and air exchange requirements are greatly reduced. To control the temperature and humidity in the growth chamber, a very small 15 centimetre duct booster fan that consumes only 25 watts of electricity can be used. However, the fan does not need to run constant, and can be plugged into a grow room environmental controller that will only activate the fan on rise of temperature or humidity past the grower set point. The fan cycles vary infrequently Chamber overview - Here we can see all when the growth components minus the fermentation tank used to chamber is generate additional CO2. Note that all instruments and equipment can be easily adjusted to the crop located in normal height. ambient living

temperatures, as very little heat is generated. On average, the inside of the LED growth chamber was not much more than 1.5 degrees above ambient temperatures. Because air exchanges are so infrequent, a fermentation process can be used to significantly elevate CO2 levels in the growth chamber without adding any additional heat, with the added benefit Narrow bandwidth - LEDs are designed to of a useable byprovide the plants with light wavelengths used the most. Research has shown that product. performance is improved with supplemental full In this model, spectrum lighting, such as low wattage CFLs. beer was fermented inside of the growth chamber. During the primary fermentation, CO2 levels averaged a whopping 2800 parts per million (ppm) inside of the growth chamber. After the primary fermentation process begins to taper off, levels remained between 900 to 1200 ppm during the secondary fermentation, ideal for most types of crops. So besides generating beneficial levels of CO2 to boost production levels under the LEDs, a beneficial by-product is also created. As mentioned previously, this growth chamber uses less than 210 watts of electricity, making it possible to run with alternate power sources such as wind or solar. Coupled with the possibility of generating fuel through fermentation, this model has some global sweeping possibilities. Current research, as cited in this article, has demonstrated that plants and other organisms will do better with a wide bandwidth of available light wavelengths, however, for efficiency, most of the photon energy should be in the blue and red portions of the spectrum. To bring other wavelengths into the growing environment, two 45 watt compact fluorescents (CFLs) were added to complete the spectrum. One bulb is cool white (blue/white light) and the other is warm white (red/white light). While not added for their intensity, the CFLs are very efficient at rounding the spectrum without adding too much heat and consuming very little electricity. Fluorescents have good lumen per watt conversions. Some pioneering LED growers have observed that for the reproductive phases in many types of plants, they were able to achieve better results by blending a small portion of fluorescent lighting with the red and blue LEDs. However, the latest highMAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

LEDs: Lighting for Hyper Space Crops or Just Hype? output LED lighting systems have started to blend a few diodes in the orange and yellow spectrum in their lighting arrays, and prove to be providing better results than just combinations of red and blue alone. The diodes featured in this article are 0.5 watt diodes, driven to about 0.3 watts of output. Each of the two panels only consumes 45 watts of electricity. Higher output diodes are available, and growers wishing to grow exclusively with LEDs may achieve better results with higher wattage diodes. LED lighting systems are available with one or even three watts of output per diode. These systems are considerably more expensive, but the increase in production capability helps to offset the initial expense. As mentioned, LEDs won’t need replacing for at least 35,000 hours of operation and consume very little electricity relative to the amount of light they can deliver for photosynthesis, helping to recapture the capital outlay over time. To keep the air stirred in the growing area, a small desk type fan is suspended with an adjustable light hanger, so that it can be set to the ideal height as the crop advances.Vibrations from the fan are minimized because it is suspended by the nylon cord of the light hanger, and the vibrations from the small

duct booster fan are minimized by suspension with rubber strapping. A small carbon filter is installed before the vent/extraction fan to help reduce any airborne contaminates originating from the growing area to enter other areas. Each of the lighting fixtures (two-45 watt CFLs, two-45 watt LEDs) is suspended from adjustable light hangers. The fluorescent and LED fixtures are lightweight, and are extremely easy to position with the adjustable hangers, allowing people with disabilities to easily maintain optimal light levels in the garden by raising or lowering the light fixtures. Artificial lighting intensity drops relatively quickly with distance travelled, so for the best results in this type of set-up, you will want to cultivate low growing plants with a relatively fast crop turn around time. Radishes, lettuces, herbs and greens would do very well. For higher light plants such as vegetables and fruits, growing dwarf varieties that auto-flower and finish less than 45 centimetres tall may also be very well suited. It may be not too far off in the distant future where LEDs that run extremely bright, with customizable wavelengths, using very little electricity and generating virtually no residual heat will be available. At present, LEDs have earned a place in indoor cultivation for propagation,

Minimal heat - The temperature inside the growth chamber operates only a degree or two above ambient temperatures, making air exchanges in frequent for better CO2 supplementation efficiency.

“Some of the most recent developments have LEDs emitting very intense light outputs.”

Measured efficiency - The infrared CO2 measuring device accurately displayed CO2 levels of +2800 ppm that were achieved through a fermentation process occurring inside of the growth chamber.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Artificial lighting intensity drops relatively quickly with distance traveled, so for the best results in this type of set-up, you will want to cultivate low growing plants with a relatively fast crop turn around time.â&#x20AC;?

Red Light Emitting Diode

vegetative growth and even for producing flowers and fruits, given the right LED lighting configuration and management. If these types of growth chambers were produced en masse, bringing their cost down, and supplied with a solar or wind power source, humanity could take a step in the right direction. The combination of technologies has the potential for increasing the quality of life for all the inhabitants of this planet, while reducing our individual carbon footprint on the environment. Look for more to come as this exciting new technology continues to evolve and emerge. MY Sources: Folta M. Kevin. Green Light Stimulates Early Stem Elongation, Antagonizing Light-Mediated Growth Inhibition. Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Program and Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611

A list of advantages to an LED-lit grow chamber can be found by visiting www.maximumyield.com

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

What is Permaculture? by Emma Cooper

PERMACULTURE is a combination of two words - PERManent and agriCULTURE or simply CULTURE - used to describe a way of designing systems for human use that meet human needs in a sustainable way. The term was first used in the 1970s, by two Australians - Bill Mollinson and David Holmgren. Permaculture is a method of design that encourages us to develop efficient and productive systems - for producing food, to provide for our material needs or to simply create healthy communities - based on three core values. Earthcare encourages us to think about the effect our activities have on the planet, and to develop ways to live more sustainably. Peoplecare aims to develop healthy communities, by respecting and supporting everyone. Fairshares places realistic limits on individual consumption, with the result that the planet's resources are used wisely and equitably. Permaculture includes many design concepts, based on taking inspiration from natural systems that are sustainable in the long term. It's important to look at the system as a whole, not the individual parts, so that the connections between the parts are visible and each part can be put in the right place. In terms of a community, this might mean ensuring that homes and workplaces are close together to avoid the need to commute. In gardening terms it would mean putting the plants that need the most attention closest to the house, while perennial plants that can fend for themselves more are further away. Designs make the best possible use of resources, to minimize inputs (including human effort) and maximize outputs. Waste products are used as inputs elsewhere - reused or recycled locally.

Although permaculture design can be applied to anything we create, currently its most well known applications are for gardening or agriculture. A forest garden is a system for growing food that mimics a natural forest. Several 'layers' of plants grow at different heights, making the best possible use of the space, light and available nutrients.The seven layers are the root zone, the soil layer, herbaceous plants, shrubs, low trees, the canopy (tall trees) and climbing plants.The majority of the plants used in forest gardens are perennial or selfseeding. In a well-planned forest garden there is little maintenance required after the initial planting, but there is always something useful to be harvested. Although most of the plants will produce food, many forest garden plants have multiple uses - providing herbal medicines, dye and fibres. In fact, the list of possible uses for plants is almost endless. Another well known example of permaculture design is the herb spiral. Herb plants (again, with a mixture of edible, medicinal and other uses) are grown spiraling around a mound of soil. The south-facing side will be sunny and hot; the north side will be cooler. The top of the mound will be drier than the bottom. Each herb can be given its ideal growing conditions, and will be healthy and productive. Permaculture is a very broad and interesting subject, and hopefully this brief introduction will encourage you to develop your own efficient and productive growing methods. MY A variety of resources on Permaculture are available at www.maximumyield.com

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

by Matt LeBannister

Collias and spider plant under LED on flood and drain table.

Hydroponic Growing Methods: Compared and Contrasted Growing hydroponically indoors is rapidly becoming the popular choice of beginners and advanced gardeners alike. This trend is due to the simple fact that a plant grown using any hydroponic technique will grow faster and yield more production than an identical plant grown in soil. To grow hydroponically means only to grow in a soilless medium and the plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roots are supplied with a premixed nutrient solution. The hydroponic technique, whether it is flood and drain, passive hydroponics, drip or sprinkler, deep-water culture or nutrient film technique, is entirely up to the gardener. Each system has its advantages and its disadvantages. With the proper know-how and maintenance, one can pick a hydroponic garden that is best suited for their situation and have that garden thrive. Passive hydroponics is the simplest and lowest production method of growing hydroponically. The passive form of hydroponics involves growing a plant in a hydroponic medium contained in a self-watering pot. Self-watering pots do not actually water themselves. These innovative 34

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plant containers have a wick that transfers nutrient solution from the potâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reservoir to the growing medium and roots using capillary action. All growing mediums are adequate for passive hydroponics. However, choosing to use soil as the growing medium would technically be growing with terraponics and not hydroponics. There are benefits of growing your plants using passive hydroponics. Growing in self-watering pots is the simplest way of growing hydroponically. These pots do not have any moving parts. This means there is nothing to breakdown or get clogged. The gardener only must refill the reservoir or top-water the plant whenever the growing medium dries out. This method is becoming a favourite with orchid growers because it mimics the conditions orchid roots prefer in nature. However, there is a downside to growing using passive hydroponics. Since the plant is still being grown in a pot, the plant can become root-bound, and become unable to reach its full potential. The main benefit if growing

“The passive form of hydroponics involves growing a plant in a hydroponic medium contained in a self-watering pot.” hydroponically is the unlimited root space available. This benefit does not apply to passive hydroponics. This limitation is the main reason why passive hydroponics yields the least production compared to the other hydroponic growing methods. Next on the production scale of hydroponics is the deepwater culture technique. This technique involves a growing tray containing plants fitted on top of a reservoir. The plants in the top tray are generally started in rockwool that is placed in baskets and surrounded by a coarser medium. The plants’ roots are allowed to grow down into the reservoir. The water in the reservoir should just reach the bottom of the baskets containing the plants. This will coax the roots to grow down into the reservoir in search of nutrients. Air-stones should be used to aerate the water. The benefits of growing in a deep-water culture hydroponic system are numerous. The deep-water culture system is simple in its design and limits the risk of root damage. With roots allowed to grow down into the reservoir, deep-water culture systems do not need a submersible pump to supply the root-zone with nutrient solution. Even if an air pump breaks, the roots that are not submerged will take in oxygen, preventing the plant from drowning.

Aloe in expanded clay passive hydroponic system.

Various plants in passive systems.

The main negative attributes of growing in a deep-water culture system are in regards to available space. This system limits the grower’s space to the size of the reservoirs available. The relation between growing tray size and reservoir size makes growing on a large scale using the deep-water culture systems difficult. However, the deep-water culture method is great for beginners and advanced growers. These systems can yield moderate production, with little fuss and few moving parts. Flood and drain systems are popular recirculating hydroponic systems. They are also known as ebb and flow systems. This system involves a hydroponic growing table that is periodically flooded with nutrient solution by a submersible pump. Once flooded, the growing medium will absorb the nutrient solution and the left over run-off will be drained back into the reservoir to be recirculated. The table should be flooded only two to five centimetres up the growing medium. Rockwool is the medium of choice of growers using the flood and drain method. Mediums such as coco-coir, diatomite and expanded clay are not as common but are popular as well. The ability of the medium to absorb water will decide how often the grow table will need to be flooded. The number of floodings can vary from one to two times per day using rockwool or coco-coir, to once an hour when growing in gravel, diatomite or expanded clay. Flood and drain systems are popular because they are versatile, simple and efficient. Pumps deliver nutrient solution to the growing medium set to a timer that makes using a flood and drain system easy for beginners and advanced growers. All the grower must do is maintain pH and EC levels and change the whole nutrient solution once a week for professional results. One negative aspect of growing hydroponically using the flood and drain technique is one that affects all recirculating MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

Hydroponic Growing Methods: Compared and Contrasted

The ability of the medium to absorb water will decide how often the grow table will need to be flooded.

Modified mister/deep water culture system with collias.

Collias in expanded clay on flood and drain table.

hydroponic systems. The delivery of the nutrient solution to the growing medium relies on a submersible pump. The medium used on a flood and drain table does not need to retain an abundance of water as a result of the ability to flood the growing medium with nutrient solution periodically. If the pump used to flood the growing medium fails, the fact that the medium does not retain an abundance of water will mean plants dry out quickly. If the problem is left unchecked for as little as 24 hours plants can be seriously damaged or die. The fact that most hydroponic mediums do not retain much water allows a large amount of oxygen to reach the root-zone. This near ideal water to oxygen ratio in the growing medium can usually be accredited with the moderate to high yield production associated with the flood and drain hydroponic systems. Another recirculating hydroponic system is the drip or sprinkler system. This system involves dripping or sprinkling nutrient solution around roots that have been held in place by expanded clay, rockwool, gravel, diatomite or other hydroponic medium. The solution is collected and drained back into the reservoir where it is recirculated. The drip or sprinkler system allows roots to have large amounts of oxygen from the air. The nutrient solution will also have rich amounts of oxygen as the solution is constantly flowing 24 hours a day. The main difficulty with drip or sprinkler systems is the same pump related problem that all recirculating hydroponic systems face. If the pump fails, it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be long before the plant becomes damaged and dies. There are lesser annoyances associated with drip or sprinkler systems. If drips do not reach all parts of the medium then roots 36

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can be damaged. The thin tubing, drippers and sprinklers can become easily clogged if precautions are not taken. Using a pump filter bag and a pre-filter for the pump can prevent anything that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t water soluble from clogging the lines or drippers. Running a clearing solution through the system between crop rotation can break down any built-up salts in the lines. Growers using a drip or sprinkler system must also be careful of the pH and EC levels and check them as often as possible. This is due to the fact that water evaporates quickly from a drip system and growing mediums are less forgivable of pH and EC fluctuations. A pH of 5.8-6.0 and an EC of 2.0-3.0 are ideal for high light, high yielding plants grown in drip or sprinkler systems. Nutrient Film Technique (N.F.T.) can be the most yield productive method of growing hydroponically. N.F.T. is a method where plants are held in a sloped gutter or pipe with a collar and the roots are not held in place with a medium, but are allowed to grow freely with the gutter or pipe. A constant thin film of nutrient solution is run down the sloped gutter or pipe and across the roots and finally drained back into the reservoir to be recirculated. N.F.T. is the most yield productive hydroponic method for a number of reasons. The nutrient solution film is constantly running which allows for maximum uptake of nutrient. N.F.T. is the best hydroponic technique in regards to oxygen available to the root-zone. Oxygen is readily available to the roots in the air and the roots in the nutrient solution as it carries a layer of oxygen with the nutrient. The attributes that make the N.F.T. hydroponic systems the best for yield production are what makes the N.F.T. system one of the more difficult methods to master. Plants in an N.F.T. system

The deep-water culture system is simple in its design and limits the risk of root damage.

can die quickly when pumps fail due to the lack of any medium to retain water. It is best to keep the bottom 40 per cent of the roots in the nutrient film. The root-zone in N.F.T. systems does not have the benefit of being in a growing medium that would help buffer any pH or EC fluctuations. The pH and EC levels in a N.F.T. hydroponic garden must remain constant and within a certain range to keep plants healthy and yields at the highest. Another negative aspect of working with N.F.T. gardens is that the plants downstream receive less oxygen and nutrients than those upstream. N.F.T. is definitely not for the beginner gardener but can be mastered through meticulous observation of the system and quick correction of any fluctuations. The ideal pH of 5.8-6.0, EC of 2.0-3.0 and temperature of 15째C to 18째C must be maintained for N.F.T. gardens to thrive and excel above the alternative systems. Hydroponics is no longer the growing method of the future, but the method of today. When deciding which system is right for your needs, remind yourself of the factors involved. Whether beginner or advanced gardener, hydroponics has something to offer everyone. MY Additional articles by Matt LeBannister can be found at www.maximumyield.com

Plants in deep water culture systems.

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

YOU TELL US... Maximum Yield talks to Dr. Mohammad Dakani, head scientist of Nutrifield, about sustainability, globalization and quality.

Dr. Mohammad Dakani, head scientist for Nutrifield

MY: Sustainability â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the term is used throughout the Nutrifield website. But, what does it mean to the company and how is it converted to beneficial, useable products?

Dr. Dakani: The key issue in sustainable agriculture is the ability of a growing system to produce crops indefinitely without causing irreversible damage to the environment. When Nutrifield was created, sustainability was one of the underlying missions that we intended to achieve. The key to Nutrifield being successful was the ability to translate this challenge into products that worked in synergy with the environment but also increased yields. The solution involved creating a range based around certified organic additives and beneficial microorganisms. The micro-organism approach was extremely important, as this was a missing link in soilless growing systems. 40

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

The Nutrifield range was able to encompass sustainability by developing products such as Fulife, Cargo Boost, Alaska Pure, Ocean Mist, X10 Boost, Triboost, Multi Burst, Take Off, Bio Kleen, Bioxy and Herbal Boost. MY: Why do you feel it is important to expand to the global market with your products? What kind of response do you envision for your products in the United States?

Dr. Dakani: Australia is traditionally renowned as a leader in the agricultural industry. The issue that can be raised is that the population of Australia is so small in comparison to North America and Europe. Nutrifield believes in the range of products we offer and we want to be able to share this competitive advantage with everybody around the world. It is

hard to anticipate the response the United States market will have to the Nutrifield range of products but to date the signs seem to be positive, as there are a number of large distributors and retail outlets contacting Nutrifield. It seems the American market is more in touch with organically certified products than the Australian market, which is a definite advantage for the Nutrifield range. MY: Can you explain to me the ageing and treatment process used on coconut husks in order to ensure a long lasting growing product?

Dr. Dakani: The process involved in the manufacturing of Nutrifield Premium Coco begins by selecting the ideal coconut husks for the production process.This is followed by the removal of the majority of the coconut fibre, which then is exposed the fine material that is used to manufacture Nutrifield Premium Coco. The raw coco coir is then washed with monsoonal water to drop the electrical conductivity below 1mS/cm. The material is then buffered with the appropriate materials and tested to ensure the material is within specification. This is the first of three laboratory tests that occur and is how Nutrifield can guarantee the quality of the coco coir. The ageing process then begins and allows the material to progress from the raw state and turn into a highly cellulose growing medium. The ageing process is highly important and a minimum allowable period of six months is used. A longer period will cause the material to degrade quickly. This is extremely important in ensuring the coco coir consists of 45 per cent cellulose material and will guarantee the long lasting physical properties of Nutrifield Premium Coco. After drying, the final laboratory analysis is preformed to ensure that Nutrifield Premium Coco meets the RHP certification standards and also falls within Nutrifield’s specifications. The material is then run through a sieve to ensure an optimized particle size distribution that is essential in achieving the correct water to air ratio in the completed product. MY: What is the RHP Dutch stamp of quality?

Dr. Dakani: The RHP stamp of quality is a strict quality assurance certification procedure that is awarded to the highest quality substrates. The RHP stamp ensures the end consumer that the product has undergone rigid manufacturing processes to achieve the optimum quality in growing mediums. This is extremely important in the commercial sector because it guarantees a washed, parasite free and buffered coco coir medium. The strict RHP standard ensures Nutrifield Premium Coco contains less

than 1mS/cm E.C. The standard also includes that the coco coir be pre-buffered for optimum pH and to prevent calcium and magnesium lock-out for your plants, which is a common occurrence in inferior products. Nutrifield Premium Coco is also free from any parasites and, therefore, does not require neem enrichment. The RHP stamp of quality guarantees Nutrifield Premium Coco will deliver optimum results every time for the grower. (Nutrifield RHP Number: 036ST09) MY: Why did Nutrifield feel it was important to shift their focus to producing biodynamic products? How do these products work to invigorate and energize plants?

Dr. Dakani: The shift in focus for Nutrifield was decided upon after analysing the market and realizing that there is already an enormous amount of intensive chemical programs available for plant growth. The general market trend showed two key points. 1. The end consumer has become more savvy on the type of product they have decided to use on their plants 2. There is strong consumer growth in the organic sector. The entire Nutrifield range was researched and developed to work in synergy with each product and the plant. The Nutrifield range is able to induce responses from the plant to naturally solve the problem without consuming valuable energy. An example of this can be seen when comparing Bioxy to a synthetic system sanitiser, such as Hydrogen Peroxide. The Hydrogen Peroxide fixes the issues but has the detrimental effect of burning out the plants fine root filaments. Whereas the beneficial micro-organisms in Bioxy achieve the same outcome but in a natural way as well as improving nutrient accumulation. MY: What was the reason behind affiliating with Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA)? How has this helped to strengthen Nutrifield’s ideals as a company?

Dr. Dakani: The organic market is dramatically expanding in Australia and a number of manufacturers are attempting to ‘green’ their products with false environmental claims, such as organic. To stand above the rest, it was important for Nutrifield to differentiate our range and prove to the consumer that our products are certified organic. The BFA is one of two governing bodies in Australia whom can issue Certified Organic status. The governing organization strictly enforces routine site visits, paper work compliance and random product sampling to ensure no product is within breach of their organics codes. To fall in line with our beliefs in relation to sustainability and biodynamics, we wanted to be able to reassure our customers that they are purchasing genuine certified organic products. With the help of the BFA, Nutrifield is actively continuing to increase consumer awareness on the benefits of certified organic products. As a Nutrifield customer, you can rest assured that you are receiving a quality certified product every time. MY MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

CHECK YOUR growing I.Q.

by Erik Biksa

1. Which of the following are considered disease management tools for sound organic cropping purposed? a) resistant plants b) site selection c) exclusion d) all of the above e) none of the above 5. B.T.U. stands for: 2. Good grow room hygiene can: a) impress your family b) prevent insects c) prevent disease d) improve crop health

a) Bacon, Tomato, Ă&#x153;berkraut b) British Thermal Units c) Bad Temperature Units d) Biological Testing Units 6. Tera Preta is:

3. During vegatative growth, by pinching or cutting the top most growing points on many varieties of plants, you can stimulate: a) yourself b) seed production c) branching d) flowering 4. What are some differences in cultivating with coco coir as a soilless media versus peat? a) Active Ingredients (AI) b) Rates of Application (RA) c) Modes of Entry (ME) d) b and c

a) a soil pest b) an earth friendly certification c) a French pastry d) a remarkable soil cultivated in the Amazon 7. Which of the following are advantages of coconut coir VS peat as a growing media? a) it retains its structure for up to 18 years b) it is near neutral in pH c) it may contain naturtally occuring rooting hormones d) it retains more air space e) all of the above

ANSWERS: May/June 2009 quiz 1) a, 2) d 3) a 4) e 5) transfer of pathogens and insects 6) a,b,c,d.=

Answers to this quiz will be printed in the September/October 2009 issue of Maximum Yield. 42

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - July/August 2009

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