Maximum Yield Australia Edition Sep/Oct 2009 by Maximum Yield

AUSTRALIA September - October 2009

I N D O O R

G A R D E N I N G

FREE

VENTILATION

BASICS

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO KEEP YOUR PLANTS COOL

aQUAPONICS

CLEAN, GREEN AND ORGANIC

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

East Coast USA Indoor Gardening Expo

www.indoorgardenexpo.com NOVEMBER 7 and 8, 2009

FLORIDA

CONTENTS september / october 2009 FEATURES 18

Calcium and Magnesium: Beyond the Obvious

Aquaponics: Clean, Green and Organic

Ventilation Basics

by Richard Gellert

by Dr. Michael A. Nichols

by Bob Taylor

Grow Your Own Wheat Grass Indoors by Matt LeBannister

Biological Control: Past, Present and Future by Donald Lester

DEPARTMENTS 32

From the Editor

Letters to the Editor

MaximumYield.com

10 Ask Erik 12 MAX Facts 14 Product Spotlight 41 Check Your Growing IQ 44 Retail Directory 46 Coming Up in November/December 46 Do You Know?

34 MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

FROM THE editor

jessica raymond

With increased information and knowledge on organic and sustainable gardening, and copious amounts of new, innovated products, it’s an exciting time to be an indoor gardening enthusiast. Advances are being made daily towards modern and green grow methods, making the possibilities for a sustainable industry, truly limitless. Many share this increased concern for the health of our families and our earth. We are learning more and more about the options available to grow healthier plants by applying ecogrowing techniques, beneficial biological controls and sustainable gardening techniques. These and other topics are elaborated on in the following pages. It is the season of tours and tradeshows, from the AGHA conference held in Sydney this past July, the National Vegetable Levy tour for young Aussie growers in New Zealand and the European Greenhouse Tour planned for October – all supported by the biggest names in the Australian horticulture and hydroponics sectors. The enthusiasm for growth is exciting to witness. On the note of tradeshows, we wish to thank everyone who attended the recent 6th Annual San Francisco Indoor

Gardening Expo at the end of July. With approximately 8,000+ attendees, it proved to be the largest show ever. It was great to have some of Australia’s top manufacturers exhibiting their homegrown products. If you were unable to attend, we encourage you to join us in Orlando, Florida November 8, 2009 for the East Coast USA Indoor Gardening Expo. The “Greener Places, Sustainable Spaces” event is sure to be memorable. Visit www.indoorgardenexpo.com for all event details. I look forward to the constant stream of letters, so keep ’em coming and don’t forget to e-mail editor@maximumyield.com with “Your Best Advice,” which could be published in an upcoming issue of Maximum Yield.

Jessica Raymond, Editor

letters to the editor

editor@maximumyield.com

Friends and Fans

I can't seem to find Maximum Yield on Facebook? I wanted to learn more on LEDs and other related information. Thanks Branden Dais To join us on Facebook, simply visit www.maximumyield.com and click on the Facebook button, or you can follow this link: http://www.facebook.com/MaximumYield Currently, fans are heatedly conversing over LEDs in one of our discussion groups. You will also find a large library of articles on LEDs and other indoor lighting options in our article archive on www.maximumyield.com

Green Alternatives

I enjoyed reading Erik Biksa’s article, LEDs: Lighting for Hyper Space Crops or Just Hype? in the July/August issue. The way I see it, we need incremental stages of familiar comparable wattage LEDs to phase out or to build a complete replacement for HID lighting in a way that isn't so humbling to the hobby market. Surely this way in the long term, the market could reduce initial costs to early adapters, thus accelerating the market. I believe we need watt for watt replacements for HID lighting in the industrial green housing market to prove once and for all that proper LED diodes yield more than HID while generating less heat, therefore, justifying long term costs and adaptation. Charles Andrew Besso 6

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

The Right to Search

I really wanted to search on your website, but found there was no such feature. Any chance you are planning on adding a search bar to your website? I love your work. Great job! Thanks Rod Maley We are, in fact, developing an article-based search for the site to be released once a thorough testing process is completed. Our goal with maximumyield.com is to provide as much quality content and features to our online readers as we can. However, we also want to ensure this is not done at the expense of site usability or ease of navigation. Having said that, you may have noticed we recently introduced several new article navigation tools such as author lookup, additional articles by author and a library of complete back issues of all editions of Maximum Yield. Thanks for reading and keep growing. Wes Cargill, Graphic Team

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

Coming up on the Web Speed Read

1. Did you know root thickness is influenced by temperature? This and other fascinating hydro facts can be found in the featured articles this month on maximumyield.com 2. Having been harvested for food, fertilizer and medicine for thousands of years, seaweed is a highly regarded natural product that can assist with healthy organic growing. Luis Bartolo delves into this topic further on maximumyield.com 3. Look for the latest and greatest grow gear from globally-minded companies. This month we feature Grow Chunks from Grodan, the allnew Guardian Monitor from Blue Lab and General Organics, the new nutrient line from General Hydroponics.

“Today China and Japan are the biggest consumers of seaweed worldwide, with China harvesting 500 million tons a year for food use alone.” Luis Bartolo

—

UPCOMING EVENTS Mark your calendar for the East Coast USA Indoor Gardening Expo in Orlando, Florida. The “Greener Places, Sustainable Spaces” event, November 7-8, 2009 will be held at the beautiful Orlando-World Marriott World Centre. Join Maximum Yield for a fun-filled and informative weekend. For more information visit www.indoorgardenexpo.com

Latest News • Four students win Best Global Impact Award for hydroponics vertical farm project. • Hydroponic rooftop gardens sprouting in cities around the world are producing hundreds of gourmet lettuce plants, long vines of gourmet cucumbers and bushes of cherry tomatoes. • High-tech urban growers are utilizing hydroponics to feed city dwellers.

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

contributors

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.

Matt LeBannister works at

Richard Gellert owner of Hydro-

Dr. Mike Nichols is a retired university

Logic Purification Systems. His knowledge and passion of water purification technologies and its importance to the hydroponics and gardening industries has been instrumental in helping gardeners worldwide.

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

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.

lecturer and an honorary research associate in the College of Sciences at Massey University, New Zealand. He speaks extensively at conferences for international organizations such as the United Nations, and also writes and consults on a range of intensive horticultural topics.

I N D O O R

G A R D E N I N G

VOLUME 7 – NUMBER 3 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009 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. 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 PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER - Jim Jesson GENERAL MANAGER - Don Moores BUSINESS MANAGER - Linda Jesson SALES DIRECTOR - Lisa Lambersek EDITOR - Jessica Raymond jessica@maximumyield.com ADVERTISING SALES 250.729.2677 Linda Jesson - linda@maximumyield.com Lisa Lambersek - lisa@maximumyield.com Ilona Hawser - ilona@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 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

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

My indoor garden is in a well-enclosed environment and does not cycle an exhaust. I want to raise my CO2 levels in the growing area, because it has been reported that this will help to boost growth rates and yields. In the past, I enriched CO2 levels in the growing area by generating carbon dioxide gas by a natural fermentation process. I noticed it improved my situation a little, but obviously, the CO2 levels couldn’t get too high because of the size of my growing area. The CO2 was being generated through a couple of buckets containing the fermentation to generate the gas. What kind of carbon dioxide levels do you think I need to hit to really see a significant difference in my growth rates and yields? I already have a CO2 tank regulator, I was just thinking about running this off of a timer. What do you think my best options are?

This is a very good question indeed. As you have stated you are running a CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture) set-up, meaning you are running a sealed or “perfect” room. Because you do not actually remove any of the air from the environment as you are treating the air for purity (carbon scrubber/ozone), temperature (air-conditioner or heat exchanger) and humidity (de-humidifier, heater, airconditioner) boosting your CO2 levels can be a very efficient way to increase your growth rates and yields. Typically speaking, if you maintain levels of 1600 to 2000 PPM of CO2 (during the light cycle for most plants) you should see a significant increase in the rates of growth and yield. Most growers will notice a 10 to 30 per cent increase in yield and a 10 to 15 per cent reduction in cropping time. Before CO2 can be really effective, you should have all of your other growing parameters optimized. This includes, but is not limited to lighting, temperature, a healthy root system and optimal humidity levels. When running CO2, you can maintain a slightly warmer environment (i.e. 29°C) to help accelerate the plant’s metabolism. The increase in plant metabolism can be supported with elevated CO2 levels and can give you the results you are looking for. Fermentation and other bio-reactions can be used to elevate CO2 levels in smaller growing areas, especially if they are well sealed. While this method is very inexpensive and relatively “Arguably, the best way to increase and maintain precise elevated CO2 levels is with an infrared sensor/controller and a gas-fired CO2 generator.”

simple, it does not offer a level of control as to the level of CO2 being maintained in the growing area and when it is dispersed. Additions of high quality worm castings in the growing medium can actually help to raise CO2 levels slightly in CEA grow rooms, particularly where there are large bodies of growing media. Bottled CO2 can be used on its own or in conjunction with a biological process to elevate CO2 levels in a sealed growing environment. The gas can be released via a timer and solenoid valve/regulator. With a timer, you control the frequency and duration of the gas released. However, this requires calculations based on the cubic volume of your growing area relative to the amount of gas released. An infrared CO2 monitor can be used instead of a timer, delivering a very high degree of accuracy. Unfortunately, the carbon dioxide tank will require frequent replacement, and the tanks are not especially fun to tote about. The cost of frequent replacement will also be a factor. All infrared CO2 sniffers are not the same. These are precision instruments, and are often priced as such. Some innovative models allow for the addition of an optional second sensor that will independently control a second CO2 generating/releasing device. This allows for more economical CO2 system set-up for both the vegetative and flowering environment, as one controller is able to control both completely independently from each other. Arguably, the best way to increase and maintain precise elevated CO2 levels is with an infrared sensor/controller and a gas-fired CO2 generator. The one draw back of gas fired CO2 generators is the additional heat they generate when increasing CO2 levels. Fortunately, there are some recent innovations that help to address this problem. Water-cooling is a highly effective means of removing heat, whether from a CO2 generator, your HID lighting or the radiator of your super-bike. Water-cooled CO2 generators are now a very efficient and economical option for the grower looking to maximize their growth rates while reducing their inputs. Look for more on this new technology in future articles. Cheers, Erik Biksa

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

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

MAX

facts

hydroponic news, tips and trivia from around the world

Organic Foods Provide More than Health Benefits

Former Advanced Growing Methods Highlight of European Tour

Organic foods have long since been praised for their low impact on the environment. They have also been noted for being nutrient-dense and thus healthier for us. Through studies and comparisons, researchers have spotted a trend that supports the decline in the nutritional quality of fruits and vegetables produced via modern growing practices in recent decades. A study published in the Journal of Applied Nutrition lists many nutrients that appear to be altered based on how they are farmed. The levels of certain nutrients in a variety of produce were compared with astonishing findings: The study lists chromium as being found at levels 78 per cent higher in organic foods; calcium at 63 per cent higher; and magnesium at 138 per cent higher. Other studies have shown that the use of pesticides can also alter the levels of certain vitamins including B vitamins, vitamin C and beta-carotene in fruits and vegetables. While many studies have been done looking into the benefits of organic produce there still is much to be learned.

The highly anticipated Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association escorted tour, to be held this October, will feature the protected cropping industry in Holland and Belgium. Highlights of the show include an overview of Dutch growing methods and glasshouse systems that were developed more than 30 years ago. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit with commercial growers and inspect the latest techniques and varieties for a range of greenhouse vegetables. A visit to the national research and manufacturing centres will also be included with a tour of the diverse range of technology and equipment. Attendees can also spend two days at Hortifair (NTV) at the RAI in Amsterdam, the world’s largest expo in the protected cropping industry. A five-day intensive training course taught by Ben van Onna at PTC+ (Practical Training Centre, Ede, Holland) will be offered, which is aimed at greenhouse managers and experienced growers. Ben comes with great credentials and was well received during his visit to Australia during the AHGA national conferences in 2003, 2005 and 2007. Among the topics planned are greenhouse management (Source: www.ahga.org.au) and plant physiology.

(Source: www.naturalnews.com)

Australian Ioteq IP Winner of International ‘Top 50 Water Companies’ California’s ‘The Artemis Project’ has named the Australian company Ioteq IP as one of the winners of its international ‘Top 50 Water Companies’ competition, placing Ioteq among the leading companies in the world. Selections were based on a matrix of four criteria - technology, intellectual property and know-how, team and market potential. And, according to Laura Shenkar, principal of The Artemis Project, Ioteq has excelled in key strategic areas in the emerging advanced water technology sector. The Ioteq patented Isan technology is an iodine-based disinfection system for use across many industries, including food safety, water sanitation and agriculture. This environmentally clean technology replaces chlorine for later disinfection and can extract all iodine from the water once disinfection is complete, allowing the water to be recycled or dumped without harmful chemical residues. (Source: www.theartemisproject.com)

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

East Coast USA Indoor Gardening Expo

The “Greener Places, Sustainable Spaces” Indoor Gardening Expo in Orlando, Florida (November 7-8, 2009) promises to be a fun and exciting event for growers from around the globe. The event will be held at the beautiful Marriott-Orlando World Centre, and will feature educational seminars, leading industry innovators and the newest and best products and technologies – truly something for everyone. General public is encouraged to join us on Sunday, November 8 from 12-5 p.m. This is an event you don’t want to miss. For all show information, accommodations and exhibitor listings, visit www.indoorgardenexpo.com

Hydroponic Farmers Stumble on Native Predator Bug in Greenhouse Located in Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Yarra Valley lives the Microsmiris mite, a native predator bug that was recently observed by two local Coldstream greenhouse growers. Microsmiris is a naturallyoccurring thrip predator that feeds on the pollen present in capsicum plant flowers, among other greenhouse pests. The Microsmiris as well as about eight different predator bugs are used in ridding greenhouses of pests, helping to reduce the dependence on pesticides. Many greenhouse growers in Australia are also choosing to go the route of hydroponics, which offers even greater control and three to four times the efficiency than other farming pursuits. With this protected cropping, they are able to exert greater control over product quality. Utilizing Microsmiris in integrated pest management systems is just one part of hydroponics, and the experts are preparing the breed for commercial sales. This mite is expected to generate a lot of interest (Source: www.hff.org.au) from hydroponic farmers.

Young Aussie Growers Gain Valuable Knowledge on Tour As part of the National Vegetable Levy funded tour, 10 young Australian vegetable growers were able to view leading agricultural practices near Christchurch, Timaru and Ashburton in New Zealand this past July. The tour provided an opportunity for the students to develop their skills and gain knowledge on growing practices new to the industry. They were exposed to issues surrounding production, marketing, processing, the supply chain and emerging research. The tour, supported by Horticulture Australia Limited, was aimed at enthusiastic and innovative young growers. The students also had the opportunity to attend the Horticulture New Zealand conference in Christchurch, a three-day annual conference which is a significant element of the tour featuring a variety of commodity and issue-specific information sessions. Past participants have gone on to become leaders within the Australian vegetable industry, winning industry awards and holding roles on Industry Advisory Committees. MY (Source: www.ausveg.com.au) MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

PRODUCT spotlight

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

New Bluelab Guardian Monitor

The Waterpack-ACS

The new Bluelab Guardian is a constant indicator of the desired levels of EC, pH and temperature, enabling the grower to optimize these parameters through each growing phase. With the Guardian Monitor’s built-in silent alarm system there is: • no more test strips or manual meters required • constant readings when adding nutrient or making pH adjustments • less risk of crop failure and disease due to an imbalance of nutrient or pH levels You can have peace of mind and ultimately, more time in your day! The Guardian Monitor has: • easy-to-read green LED displays • selectable values for conductivity and temperature • a simple push button pH calibration system • no calibration required for conductivity and temperature • a silent alarm for both high and low settings • retained settings during power loss (non-volatile memory) • temperature compensation • an international power supply • a water resistant design • a two year Bluelab guarantee (six months for pH probe) Please contact your favourite retailer for information.

The Active Circulation System is the latest invention from General Hydroponics Europe, which allows you to keep a central supply for several growing systems connected together, and automatically maintains the solution at the right level. The Waterpack ACS is a small, practical, efficient and user-friendly hydroponic system, made of four WaterFarms connected to a central active reservoir. The new ACS Controller offers a larger range of essential characteristics: It circulates the nutritive solution in the whole system in less than 30 minutes, allowing for rapid homogenization of the solution. It helps stabilize the pH and EC levels in all your pots, and guarantees a constant and optimized root environment. It is practical: one small air compressor is enough to move the flow in the whole system. The Waterpack ACS is adaptable to all systems, including those of other manufacturers and DIY systems, no matter how many pots you have. To learn more about the Waterpack ACS, contact a hydroponics retailer near you.

Grodan Introduces the Uni-Slab

Grodan Introduces Big Mama™

The Uni-Slab combines all of the benefits of our traditional slabs with the versatility of a block. With a size of 24 centimetres long by 20 centimetres wide by 10 centimetres high, the Uni-Slab has great stability for any size plant. The Uni-Slab is completely wrapped thus keeping all the roots of your plant safely contained within the slab, protected from light and outside contaminants. Yet it’s small enough to be maneuverable, allowing your plants to be spaced as the plant canopy requires. Due to its height, the Uni-Slab is suitable for both top drip and flood systems. Visit an indoor gardening retail store to learn more.

You asked and we listened; the big mama of all blocks is now here! Big Mama™ is the largest block ever produced by Grodan. It is 20 by 20 by 20 centimetres and contains well over twice the amount of wool as the popular Hugo block. This block is big enough to grow a large plant for its entire life – even a mother plant! When your plant outgrows its current block, just place it on top of Big Mama. Due to the height of this block we recommend top watering methods. Big Mama is solid wool and does not have a pre-cut hole thus making it suitable to hold any size smaller block on top (even a Hugo). Now available at hydroponics retailers everywhere.

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

MotherPlant from Hydrodynamics International Hydrodynamics International, the North American supplier of Clonex® Rooting Compound, is releasing a new bio-organic plant nutrient specifically for mother plants. Aptly named MotherPlant®, the twopart nutrient formula provides balanced nutrition for stock plants, whether grown hydroponically or in soil. N-P-K ratios are set to meet the nutritional needs of the mother plant, without excess nitrates. Bio-organics are added to improve the uptake of nutrients and strengthen the plant’s natural immunity to environmental stress. Whether a part-time hobbyist or a serious commercial grower, MotherPlant® will help produce the most vigorous clones possible! Our two-part liquid nutrient: • uses the highest quality minerals combined with bioorganics • provides high carbohydrate to nitrogen ratios in shoots • increases calcium to produce stronger cell walls • results in faster rooting and sustained root growth • produces stress-tolerant daughter plants • is available in a variety of sizes For more information, visit your local hydroponics retailer.

C.A.P. Proudly Introduces their New Everlastics Flood Tables Showcased at the San Francisco Indoor Gardening Expo, Everlastics Flood Tables feature a superior plastic design at a much lower price. Everlastics Flood Tables will work perfectly with your existing HydroHut and GrandStand. Available in 1.2 by 2.5 metres and 1.2 by 1.2 metres, black or white, these flood tables are made of environmentally friendly recycled plastic. Everlastics Flood Tables have no grooves on top of the media holding ribs, which allows for much easier cleaning! Contact your local hydroponics retailer to learn more.

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

PRODUCT spotlight

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

Merlin-Garden Pro goes Green The Hydro-Logic Merlin-Garden Pro has been the industry leading reverse osmosis machine for some time. Its ultra fast flow rates combined with its ease of use make it a very affordable option. However, there is always room for improvement. Hydro-Logic is pleased to offer the new Eco Green Drain Elbow for the Merlin-Garden Pro. This green elbow replaces the existing black drain elbow and saves 25 per cent of the drain water. By forcing more untreated water through the RO membranes, less water goes to waste out the drain line. Recommended only for those with less than 250 PPM in their untreated tap water. Any PPM reading above 250 may result in having to change the membranes more often as they are working harder removing contaminants. Others that may consider using these green elbows are those on metered wells or those wanting to conserve their water usage. Ask you local retailer for more information. Pure water’s not magic. It’s logic.

SteadyGRO Launches Eco-Friendly Slabs and Blocks

SteadyGRO Introduces New Sheet Media

SteadyGRO has launched an eco-friendly line of soilless media slabs and blocks. SteadyGRO soilless media is available in seven by 15 centimetres by 36 slabs encased in a reusable and recyclable tray. The tray is pre punched with three – 10 by 10 centimetre squares to accommodate SteadyGRO blocks. The trays are white on the outside and black inside to provide ideal growing conditions. The trays can be reused and refilled with SteadyGRO slab media. The tray is also marked appropriately for ease of recycling. SteadyGRO blocks are wrapped with a bio wrap made from recycled material. The wraps may be composted, and they easily biodegrade. The SteadyGRO soilless media is also designed for easy disposal. It may be incinerated without releasing harmful toxins or it may be ground or crushed to less than 11 per cent of its original volume. Go to your local indoor gardening retail store to learn more about the entire line of SteadyGRO products.

SteadyGRO has introduced a new line of sheet media for the indoor grower market. SteadyGRO soilless media was developed specifically for the grower industry. The media is sterile and inert, and its composition allows for more oxygen to seedlings and roots for faster starts and ultimately healthier plants. SteadyGRO’s unique structure eliminates algae growth along the surface of the media. SteadyGRO sheet media comes in two types; SteadyGRO which is a low water retention media, and SteadyGRO H+, a high water retention media. SteadyGRO sheet media comes in packs of two and 20, and also is available in 276, 162, 104 and 50 cell formats. SteadyGRO sheet media packaging has been engineered for easy and damage-free removal of the individual sheets. For more information on SteadyGRO sheets and the entire SteadyGro line, go to your nearest indoor gardening retailer.

Announcing Rootech Cloning Gel™ in a New Economic Size Rootech Cloning Gel™, the gel that gardeners have come to rely on, is now available in a seven gram size. Rootech’s new size is ideal for the grower who leans towards small crop production. This compact jar with a resealable cap will propagate between 70 to 100 cuttings. For years, Rootech has provided it’s customers with the performance they have come to depend on. Easy to apply and among the strongest gels on the market, with a concentration of .55 per cent I.B.A, Rootech is ideal for propagation of the most hard-to-root plants. It can also be diluted with water for use on cuttings that will form roots more easily. To learn more about Rootech Cloning Gel visit your local hydroponics retailer. 16

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

Mite Rid from HydroMasta The best kept secret of Australian hydroponic growers is now available. Mite Rid is the solution to the dreaded red spider and two spotted mite. Developed specifically for these pests using Azadirachtin and other organic botanical oils, Mite Rid is absorbed by the leaf so there’s no need to get under the canopy of the crop. Mite Rid penetrates the leaf tissue so any mite that tries to attack the plant will be eradicated. One application is usually all that is needed, although an additional spray may be required to clean up any new hatchlings, or if the infestation is heavy. Mite Rid is quickly setting the standard as an effective treatment with almost no plant sensitivity. Mite Rid is suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications and can be applied to soil or hydroponically grown plants. Concentrate 45 millilitres, makes 18 litres of spray. You will not believe how effective Mite Rid is. For more information visit your local hydroponics retailer.

CubeCapTM DripCap™ Already admired internationally is a new invention from CubeCap™. The new DripCap™ is designed to replace traditional drip-pegs, combining irrigation with the advantages of the CubeCap™, which is mainly applied in ebb and flood systems. DripCap™ is manufactured for ease of application and removal; it wraps around the plant securely and can be locked into place at any stage of plant growth. The patented design allows water droplets to completely saturate the media without having to relocate the device, as is common with standard drip-pegs. Further benefits from the use of DripCap™ relate to the reflection of light, which helps creates a desirable micro-climate for new roots to form. The slower evaporation rate also allows for savings in the amount of water and nutrients required by the plants for optimum growth. DripCap™ almost completely eliminates persistent algae and fungus gnat problems present in grow facilities. Look for them at all local retailers.

Continued on page 40

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

Calcium Magnesium and

Beyond the Obvious by Richard Gellert

Introduction Calcium and magnesium are common inputs in everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garden. They are the building blocks and catalysts that allow plants to flourish. They are found in the soil and plant food and in tap water, with some well sources having extreme amounts. Most experienced gardeners tend to supplement their feed regimen with extra calcium and magnesium (calmag), especially those with hydroponic gardens. Common knowledge has

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

it that cal-mag is pretty straight forward, that there is not much variation between the different kinds on the market or in your tap water. But is all cal-mag created equal? Would some forms of these minerals perform better than others? What forms are leading nutrient manufacturers using? How can you tell if you have a deficiency? What leads to these deficiencies and most importantly how can you avoid them? These are just some of the questions this article will attempt to answer. I will help refine your knowledge of these important components in your garden so they can help you achieve the highest quality and maximum yields of your favourite fruits and veggies.

Cal-Mag’s Key Role in the Garden Calcium, an essential part of the plant’s cell wall structure, improves the absorption of other nutrients by the roots and their translocation within the plant. It activates a number of plant growth-regulating enzyme systems; helps convert nitrate-nitrogen into forms needed for protein formation; and contributes to improved disease resistance. Calcium is an intracellular messenger as well and can send a signal from one cell to another telling other cells how to react or what to do. It also provides for the transport and retention of many other elements. Calcium, magnesium and potassium live in a delicate balance within plants. Too much of one will inhibit the other two. Finally, calcium is a co-factor in many enzymatic reactions. Its presence is needed to turn an enzyme on or off and allow it to catalyse a reaction. Magnesium is part of the chlorophyll in all plants. Magnesium is the central core of the chlorophyll molecule in green plant tissue and essential for photosynthesis. Thus, if magnesium is deficient, the shortage of chlorophyll results in poor and stunted plant growth. Magnesium also helps to activate specific enzyme systems. Enzymes are complex substances that build, modify or break down compounds as part of a plant’s normal metabolism. Most growers incorporate higher levels of cal-mag (around 50 to 200 ppm) during the first two weeks of bloom. This is when the plant takes up a higher concentration of calcium and magnesium to help facilitate the rapid division of cells, changing the plant from a vegetative process to a reproductive process. Also, during main flower set four to six weeks into the flowering process, additional cal-mag is required. Roy Gomez, owner of Humboldt Nutrients, had a very specific viewpoint about supplementing extra calcium. “I believe that calcium should be supplemented in a feeding regimen in the early vegetative and early bloom stages. As young children, we are told to consume milk as a calcium supplement for strengthening bone density and structure.Young plants should also receive this calcium supplement to help their stock, density and plant structure.” MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

Calcium and Magnesium: Beyond the Obvious "Natural chelates harness the power of nature’s smallest creatures to “fix” plant food for easy uptake."

Magnesium is part of the chlorophyll in all plants.

The Different Forms Calcium and magnesium are found in most plant nutrients. They are also available combined into one bottle as a supplement. Some companies go one step further and separate the two giving one the ability to really dial in the perfect feed recipe. The ratio of calcium to magnesium can vary and be very specific to a particular type of plant. Calcium and magnesium are also the most abundant minerals in tap water. The majority of the PPM, or EC reading, you obtain from a measuring device is cal-mag. The most typical form of these minerals in your untreated water is calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. Unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, these forms are virtually unusable by plants, especially fast growing plants. The molecules of these compounds are far too large and immobile to be absorbed by the roots and transported to where the plant needs them. Relying on the cal-mag in tap water can lead to many problems which we will discuss later in this article. Nutrient manufacturers use different forms of cal-mag and base their decision on what they feel delivers the most benefits to the type of plants they have targeted with their plant food and supplements. Below are a few examples of calcium and magnesium compounds used by nutrient manufactures: • Calcium nitrate • Calcium carbonate • Calcium chloride • Calcium gluconate • Calcium proteinate • Calcium acetate • Magnesium nitrate • Magnesium carbonate

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

Beyond the various compounds of these two minerals there are chelators which are used to make the cal-mag more readily available. There are vast differences in what manufacturers use to chelate their cal-mag. Most typical synthetic chelators are EDTA, DPTA and EDDHA and are classified as poly-amino carboxylic acids. Natural chelates are also used and include humic and fulvic acid, organic amino acids or a micro-organism based chelation process, which harnesses the power of nature’s smallest creatures to “fix” plant food for easy uptake. Calcium is always used as CA2+ within plants, but how it gets into the plant is a whole other story. Each of the various forms of calcium has different absorption co-efficients. Each form of calcium is absorbed into the cell at different rates and requires a different method for the cell to take it in. Each method requires more or less energy for the cell to exert to do so. Some highly chelated forms of cal-mag can enter the plant’s phospholipid membrane through osmosis. The quicker the cal-mag can be absorbed, the more efficiently the plant can make use of these compounds, thus facilitating lightning fast growth and cell division.

Calcium and magnesium are the most abundant minerals in tap water.

Calcium Deficiencies Calcium deficiency symptoms appear initially as generally stunted plant growth. Necrotic (dead) leaf margins on young leaves or necrosis around the base of the leaves is very common. In its advanced stage it can eventually lead to death of the terminal buds and root tips. Generally the new growth of the plant is affected first. The mature leaves may be affected if the problem persists. Cupping of mature leaves is a tell tale sign of a calcium deficiency. Classic symptoms of a calcium deficiency include blossom-end rot of tomato (death of the end part of the fruits), tip burn of lettuce, blackheart of celery and death of the growing regions in many plants. All these symptoms show soft, dead necrotic tissue at rapidly growing areas. Generally, a calcium deficiency is related to poor translocation of calcium to the tissue rather than a low external supply of calcium. Calcium has a very low mobility in plants which makes this one of the most common problems in a garden. Calcium may be available externally but it is in the wrong form for the plant to absorb readily. Magnesium Deficiencies Deficiencies typically occur with the middle or lower leaves. The most common symptoms are interveinal chlorosis or yellowing between leaf veins, which stay green, giving a marbled

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

Calcium and Magnesium: Beyond the Obvious “In many relations, people are the same as plants - what you put in is what you get out. We can feed ourselves fast food everyday to become full, but it doesn’t mean that is the best choice for living."

The most common cause of calcium and magnesium deficiencies is lockout, which is caused by too large cal-mag molecules accumulating on the outside of roots.

appearance. Necrosis, or death, can develop in the highly chlorotic tissue. The symptoms generally start with mottled chlorotic areas developing in the interveinal tissue and spreads to large dead spots. This begins with older leaves and spreads to younger growth. Magnesium deficiencies are usually confused with a virus, or natural aging in the case of tomato plants. In its advanced form, a magnesium deficiency may superficially resemble a potassium deficiency. The tell tale sign of a magnesium deficiency is the interveinal chlorosis produces a raised puckered surface, with the top of the puckers progressively going from chlorotic to necrotic tissue. Other symptoms of this deficiency are fruits and vegetables tend to be small and woody while flowers never develop to their full potential. Roy Gomez understands the important role of magnesium and states: “As aging adults, it is not uncommon for people to become magnesium deficient. There are multiple sources of magnesium supplements in the health food market. I believe that magnesium is an important element to supplement in an aging plant’s life. Certain plants consume large amounts of magnesium during the early and late flowering stages. If magnesium deficiencies occur in plants, it causes late-season yellowing in leaf veins and older leaves.” How Cal-Mag Deficiencies Occur The most common cause of calcium and magnesium deficiencies is lockout. When there is too much cal-mag already in the untreated source water being used as the base to the nutrient formula it can cause the good cal-mag in the plant food to become unavailable. Think about it this way the cal-mag in your tap water has a large molecular structure and is very immobile in that form. These molecules try to go through your roots and up into the plant where they can be used. The molecules are too large to be absorbed efficiently and end up accumulating on the outside of the roots. This causes a road block that can lock out the good forms of cal22

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

mag you are trying to feed them. Other key components of the nutrient formula can also be locked out and the problems escalate until your plants appear to be stunted and yellow and growth crawls to a halt. There are ways to mitigate this problem. Fulvic and humic acid, as well as living beneficial biology, can help break down the relatively immobile cal-mag in your tap water and allow it to become more available to the plants. This process takes time and is not guaranteed to free up all the cal-mag in an efficient manner. The whole idea behind hydroponics is to minimize your time and maximize your harvests. There is no time to wait around for the cal-mag to be made available. What the plants need is cal-mag that they can readily absorb and use immediately. Another way to acquire deficiencies is by not adding enough cal-mag to your nutrient formula when using purified water. Reverse osmosis gives you the purest water possible and so you have to add the correct amount of cal-mag to ensure you have the proper feed solution. The best way to start your nutrient formula is to begin with purified water, add 50 to 250 ppm calmag, and then add your additional macro- and micro-nutrients. The amount of cal-mag you add depends on the variety of plants, what stage in their life they are in and the media you are using. Certain growing media, such as coco coir, requires additional calcium due to its cation exchange capacity properties. Growing in coco requires additional calcium, especially in the first few weeks of the plants life.

"Fulvic and humic acid, as well as living beneficial biology, can help break down the relatively immobile cal-mag in your tap water."

Best Practices to Avoid Problems The most ideal way to avoid deficiencies is by starting with a base of purified water. That way you are not guessing how much cal-mag you have and you won’t be as susceptible to lock out problems. Reverse osmosis technology removes 95 to 99 per cent of all contaminants and is the most efficient method to rid your tap water of the majority of cal-mag and other PPMs. After having the cleanest base available you want to select calmag that is formulated specifically for horticulture. Going beyond this, look for labels that list several different sources or compounds of cal-mag and ensure that they have been chelated to make them that much more available to your plants. If growing organically, it is paramount that you select cal-mag supplements that have been chelated naturally with amino acids or living biology. By using these highly absorbable forms of cal-mag you are helping to ensure the healthiest and quickest growing plants. Some nutrient manufacturers address the excessive cal-mag in tap water by marketing hard water formulas. “Although a grower can use a hard water formula for his or her plants, it doesn’t mean they should,” said Brantley Pierce of Green Coast Hydroponics. “In many relations, people are the same as plants - what you put in is what you get out. We can feed ourselves fast food everyday to become full, but it doesn’t

mean that is the best choice for living. Starting with R.O. water and building a quality nutrient profile from scratch is like home cooking. It takes more preparation and time but the results equal a higher quality of life.” Finally, there are some brands of cal-mag that have been super chelated with living biology and are readily available to your plants. These types of cal-mag can actually be foliar sprayed on the leaves and absorbed in a matter of hours. Results can be seen amazingly fast and deficiency problems can be corrected in a matter of days. In conclusion, it is clear that calcium and magnesium play significant roles in everyone’s garden. Having the proper forms and correct amounts will determine the final outcome of your harvest. Starting with a base of purified water and supplementing the feed formula with specific, very usable forms of cal-mag will ensure healthy and happy harvests. Pure water is the platform for continued success in the garden. MY

Visit www.maximumyield.com to read more of Richard Gellert’s articles in our author archive.

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

Aquaponics

Clean, Green and Organic by Dr. Michael A. Nichols

Illustration by Ivan Flower-Jones

Introduction In the beginning man was a hunter-gather. This nomadic life slowly changed when food resources declined and men became farmers. Man is still primarily a hunter gatherer in relation to food from the sea; however, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fish resources are declining at an increasing rate, making fishing a less efficient and less attractive option. Only about four per cent of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oceans remain undamaged by human activity, with climate change and fishing being the strongest influences. The answer clearly lies in the hunter gatherer in the seas being replaced by the farmer of the sea with aquaculture. This is already occurring in a number of countries including Canada, Scotland, Chile, New Zealand, Norway and Australia. 26

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

In Australia there is also a significant fresh water fish farming industry producing eels, barramundi and Murray cod, but all of these land based systems have two major problems, namely the limited fresh water supply and (even more critical) the disposal of the nutrient rich waste products from the fish. So what is aquaponics? Western Australia I was first introduced to aquaponics when visiting Western Australia and met with two people from Curtin University; a postgraduate student from Cyprus and his supervisor. The studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s research involved the production of fish (Barramundi) combined with growing a crop of NFT hydroponic lettuce. Palmerston North, New Zealand My next involvement with aquaponics was at the South Pacific Soilless Culture Conference held at Massey University in 2003. Among the papers was one presented by Schultz from the University of the US Virgin Islands in the West Indies (Rakocy et al, 2004). In their paper they described how they grew crops of basil in an aquaponic system with Tilapia fish. Singapore In 2005 at a hydroponics meeting in Singapore (Carruthers, 2005), a whole day was set aside for a discussion on aquaponics. Leading the discussion was Professor Jim Rakocy (Rakocy et al, 2007) from the US Virgin Islands, along with his colleague Charlie Schultz. They were ably supported by a Canadian aquaponics researcher, Nick Savidov (Savidov et al, 2007) from Alberta in Canada. University of Virgin Islands In February 2006 a visit was made to the aquaponics project of Dr. Jim Rakocy and Charlie Shultz at the University of the Virgin Islands in the West Indies. Water is a very scarce resource on the Island of St. Croix and all the water for the project is collected as rainfall on a large plastic sheet, and stored in a deep reservoir. Essentially, the only water being lost from the system is through transpiration, as all the other water is re-circulated from the fish to the hydroponics system, and then back to the fish. The US Virgin Islands is considered tropical, and so all the crops are produced without any protection. Rakocy and Shultz have found that they require at least four different fish tanks to ensure a regular supply of nutrients for the hydroponic system. It is not possible to mix fish of widely different ages (sizes) in the same tank because of the risk of cannibalism. They have also found that it is desirable to grow plants of different ages, to ensure that the uptake of minerals by the plants is also evened out over time. The fish waste has to have the solids removed and much of the ammonia excreted by the fish converted to nitrate before it reaches the hydroponic tanks through the use of a biofilter. Simplistically, a bio-filter may comprise only a section of windbreak mesh, through which the solution slowly passes. Over a short period of time, a broad spectrum of microorganisms becomes established around the bio-filter. Some of

Aquaponics: Clean, Green and Organic these micro-organisms are capable of converting ammonia to nitrite, and others can carry out the next step of converting nitrite to nitrate. The hydroponic system used in the Virgin Islands is the deep flow method (DFT), and the solution is aerated regularly along the growing tanks Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, Australia. In August 2006 Geoff Wilson (an Australian) organised a series of workshops and visits for Jim Rakocy, Wilson Lennard (the 1st Australian to obtain a PhD in Aquaponics in Australia), Nick Savidof and myself in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Aquaculture is developing rapidly in Australia, but there is still a long way to go before aquaponics is well established. There is a considerable cost in disposing of nutrient rich water into city sewage systems, and in the country the ability to dispose of such waste into nearby rivers and streams is soon going to be stopped. Similar provisos will also apply in the future for all conventional hydroponic nutrient solutions worldwide. Many of the land based aquaculture systems in Australia are now seriously looking at the option of using fully recirculating aquaponic systems to provide the solution. There is no doubt that land based aquaculture is going high tech. High fish stocking rates are possible by supplying the fish tanks with oxygen rather than bubbled air. However, high density aquaculture also means significant increases in the quantity of nutrients in the “waste” water, and also higher levels of carbon dioxide in the air in the fish shed. These high levels of CO2 in the fish shed atmosphere will find a ready use in any adjoining greenhouse complex. One of the major problems with aquaponics in Australia (and probably world-wide) is that nearly all the operators have come to aquaponics from an aquaculture background, and consider that the horticultural part is easy. This is rather surprising as all

the economic studies by both Jim Rakocy and by Nick Savidof have shown that the horticultural component of the system is capable of providing a much higher profit than the fish part! In New Zealand it is possible to produce organically certified salmon provided that the salmon are fed with “organically” certified feed, but it is difficult (impossible) to get organic certification for an aquaponics grown crop because the crop is being produced hydroponically, and not grown in the soil. We find this decision totally nonsensical. Internationally aquaponics has now become much more than a scientific oddity. For example in the Westland district of Holland, Priva, Wageningen University, TU Delft and a number of other businesses and Knowledge Institutes are investing €870,000 euros (¥130mill) in an “Experimental Aquaculture” project, growing tomatoes with fish in the same greenhouse. They argue that combining horticulture and fish production means a more intensive use of the greenhouse and will lead to an integration of logistics chains in greenhouse horticulture and aquaculture. The project is aimed at strengthening the international competitive position of both sectors. There are a number of successful (and some unsuccessful) aquaponic projects that have proven to be profitable in the USA. FAO has initiated aquaponic projects in both Egypt, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, but it is, to us, surprising that the technology has not been “picked up” by other international organisations (such as AVRDC). Producing high quality fish protein combined with fresh vegetables in a non-polluting sustainable manner would appear to have everything going for it. From an international point of view aquaponics appears to offer considerable potential for those countries with limited water resources plus a shortage of animal protein enabling them to get the best of both worlds! It must always be remembered that a recirculating hydroponic crop production system is currently the most efficient use of water for crop production.

An aquaponic greenhouse showing plants being supplied nutrients from their fishy counterparts (left). Tilapia, a common species, thrive in their own tank, providing nutrient-rich water to the plants (above).

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Omega 3 (Ω3) One interesting aspect of aquaponics is that one of the critical human health constituents found in fish are the Ω3 fatty acids. There are essentially three Ω3 fatty acids, namely DHA (important for brain health), EPA (important for cardiovascular health) and ALA. DHA and EPA are only found in seafood, and are derived by fish from the consumption of micro-organisms consumed at sea by fish etc. EPA is found in a range of plant derived seed oils, e.g. hemp seed oil, but our bodies are only able to convert small quantities (10 per cent) of EPA to the physiologically active DHA and EPA. Thus, to ensure an adequate level of EPA and DHA in our diet it is necessary to consume fish which contain these fatty acids. This does not mean that the fish must be sea fish, but that the fish must have been provided with a source of DHA and EPA, which means that they must have been fed with fish meal sourced from sea fish. Is aquaponics an “organic” solution? There is also the potential to sell the crops as certified organic, (provided that no unacceptable pesticides have been applied) as it is produced entirely from natural manure (fish waste). However, in some countries organic certification is not permitted for hydroponic crops. It is difficult to see any logic in such a philosophy as not only are the plants only using organically derived nutrients, but the aquaponics is far more sustainable than any soil based organic system.

PHOTO: IVAN FLOWER-JONES

The organic certification authorities have not asked the question of “what is soil?” Essentially soil comprises to a greater or lesser extent: • solid particles (e.g. sand, clay, silt) • organic matter • micro-organisms • water • gases (oxygen, CO2)

This outdoor installation demonstrates using the aquaponic infrastructure as landscape elements for this property.

Consuming fish that contain Omega 3 fatty acids is necessary in order to obtain adequate levels in the human diet.

An aquaponics system contains these four components, though with a slightly different balance. This makes it nearly impossible to see where the problem lies, particularly as the aquaponics system uses no pesticide, and the nutrients for the crop are derived solely from the fish. In fact, it is a superior system to the usual soil based organic vegetable production garden in that it is highly sustainable and much more efficient in both nutrient uptake and in water use than any soil based system. So why are more people not considering aquaponics? We believe that there are a number of reasons, namely: 1) It would be an exception to find someone who is both an expert in aquaculture and in hydroponics. The skills are very different for the two enterprises. 2) The major greenhouse vegetable crops are tomatoes, cucumbers and sweet peppers. These are normally grown hydroponically in solid media (such as rockwool or coco peat). They do not lend themselves to deep flow hydroponic systems. There is a need to develop a suitable aquaponics system that uses a substrate, rather than deep flow. 3) Control of conductivity is an essential component of modern greenhouse tomato production, and this is difficult (but not impossible) to achieve with dilute nutrient solutions, such as those used in aquaponics. 4) Social obstacles, for example, lack of public awareness and information about aquaponics technology especially in the financial sector, which makes it difficult for potential aquaponics operators to get bank loans approved. Education and Agritourism As society becomes more urbanised, a separation is developing between those with a rural background and those who believe that food comes from the supermarket. Aquaponics provides a very suitable educational vehicle to demonstrate the link between animals (fish), fish waste, plant nutrition and human food. It also provides an excellent example of the need to have a balanced ecology. MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

Aquaponics: Clean, Green and Organic

Produced primarily using nutrients from fish waste, it is possible that some aquaponic crops could be marketed as certified organic.

Some crops typically grown in subsrates, such as tomatoes, don’t lend themselves well to deep flow hydroponic systems.

Agritourism (Nelson & Pade, 2007) provides a valuable interphase between urban and rural, and between the developed and developing world. Aquaponics has the potential to provide an ideal vehicle to provide both an educational and a holiday experience for tourists. In 2007, Jon Nielson, a teacher from Rosemary High School (Canada), successfully introduced aquaponics as part of his biology and chemistry curricula using aquaponics mini-systems developed at CDCS. As a result, the average marks in biology increased by 20 per cent and has prompted other schools in the district to consider aquaponics as a teaching tool for biology and chemistry teachers. Conclusion Aquaponics is an ecologically sustainable system capable of producing food with few, if any, pesticide residues. Preliminary

studies have demonstrated it is worthy of further investigation and development as a commercially viable business. There is one added marketing advantage of aquaponics and that is that provided the pesticides used to control pests and diseases conform to organic criteria, then

clearly the crop could be organically certified. References Nelson, R L & Pade J S (2007) “Agritourism”. Acta Hort., 742, 225-227 Rakocy, D S, Schulz, J E, Bailey, R C & Thoman, E S (2004) “Aquaponic production of tilapia and basil: comparing a batch and staggered cropping system”. Acta Hort., 742, 63-69. Rakocy, J E, Bailey, D S, Schulz, R C & Danahar, J J (2007) “Preliminary evaluation of organic waste from two aquaculture systems as a source of inorganic nutrients for hydroponics”. Acta Hort., 648, 201-207. Savidov, N A, Hutchings, E & Rakocy, J E (2007) “Fish and plant production in a recirculating aquaponic system: A new approach to sustainable agriculture in Canada” Acta Hort., 742, 209-221. MY To learn more about Dr. Nichols’ aquaponics research around the world, visit maximumyield.com

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

Ventilation Basics by Bob Taylor, Chief Chemist of Flairform

Artificial lighting and plant transpiration generates heat and humidity that can produce poor growing conditions.Ventilation equipment must be capable of removing this excess heat and humidity. Equipment Overview Exhaust fan: Generally speaking, the exhaust fan (figure one) should be capable of removing or exchanging the volume of air in the room within five minutes. Consult your fan manufacturer or grow shop for the best fan size and type.You will need to account for room size; configuration of ducting (diameter, length and junctions/bends); inlet/outlet filters; the maximum temperature of incoming air; and the total wattage of all electrical devices in the grow room. To prevent condensation from pooling in the fan, mount it vertically in the ceiling as opposed to high on a wall. Inlet fan: Pushing air into the room (figure one) helps maximize the effectiveness and lifespan of the exhaust fan. To ensure the exhaust fan is not restricted, use an inlet fan of equivalent airflow capacity.

Figure 1. Basic layout for ventilation and lighting.

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

Tips for best airflow 1) Where air is being moved through ducting, centrifugal/ radial (or mixed inline) fans are the most efficient (figure two). 2) Where air enters the fan unit/ducting, ensure it is mounted flush with a solid and sealed surface of diameter at least double the diameter of the inlet itself (figure one). A flange may be needed to achieve this. 3) Keep objects at least one meter away from the inlet. 4) Position a diffuser screen on the opening. A filter (preferably activated carbon) will help act as a barrier to spores and pests. Ducting: For maximum fan efficiency keep ducting as short and straight as possible. Where junctions are needed, employ ‘Y’ junctions instead of ‘Ts.’ If the diameter of ducting needs to changed en-route, ensure this change is gradual (e.g. 10 degrees). Oscillating fan: Usually operates 24 hours a day to ensure air is always distributed evenly (but gently) through the room (figure one). This eliminates hot spots (zones prone to CO2 depletion or excessive humidity and temperature that are most likely to occur nearest lights and dense foliage). Relative location of inlet, exhaust and oscillating fans: As a general rule, try to keep the air moving in one direction; this creates and maintains air momentum. The ideal configuration depends on many factors including room size and shape, and the relative placement of equipment/ plants within the room. As a Figure 2. For moving air through general rule, locate the inlet and ducting, the centrifugal/inline fan is the most efficient. exhaust at opposite ends of the room, with an oscillating fan maintaining the airflow direction provided by the inlet (figure one). For wider rooms especially, employ multiple inlets and exhausts and space them evenly across the room’s width. This will help ensure all air is replaced. To verify the system is working throughout the room, routinely check temperature and humidity at various points. I strongly suggest speaking to your local grow shop when designing your ventilation system. A system which is perfect for one particular climate may be useless in another. Thermometers and hygrometers: These devices provide minimum/maximum data and will inform of the worst case scenario (figure one). Position the probe in that place of highest temperature/humidity (typically directly beneath the lights and amongst the foliage). However, for accuracy, shield the probe (or sensor) from direct heat and light. Grow room dimensions: The more plants there are in a given area, the quicker temperature and humidity will rise to extremes. Therefore, aim to minimize the number of plants. If this is not

feasible then ventilation rates must be increased. Switching fans on and off Automated method: Thermostats and humidistats are useful for activating the inlet and exhaust fans (figure one). Position Figure 3. The heat generated by HID lamps is the biggest problem facing the thermostat’s sensor indoor growers, especially in summer. An at the hottest point effective way of removing this heat is by directly ‘ducting’ heat away through air in the foliage, and the cooled shades. These simplify ventilation humidistat’s sensor at requirements by minimizing hot spots and enable lights to be positioned closer the most humid point to foliage. (determined using a thermometer and hygrometer). For day time (lights on) they should be set to activate the fans when either the temperature exceeds 27°C or the humidity exceeds 70 per cent RH. At night time, the temperature should be allowed to drop to 20°C. To achieve this, you will need a controller that allows separate settings for both day and night. Or, you will need a separate, dedicated set of fans for both day and night. An axial fan in the ceiling (controlled with or without a timer) may be sufficient to produce the correct night time conditions. Manual method: In extremely hot or humid climates it is usually necessary to have fans running constantly so the absence of control gear (thermostats, etc.) is of little concern. The temperature and humidity targets mentioned above still apply. A modest degree of control can be gained using a timer, a surprisingly effective aid, especially if the weather is consistent or predictable. Temperature still too high? Consider the following options: 1) Shift the lights-on period tonight. 2) Air-condition the incoming air. 3) Reduce the amount of lighting. 4) Employ air-cooled light/shades (figure three). Temperature too low? Low temperatures will cause humidity (RH) to increase. For example, the RH of a body of air will increase from 55 per cent to 100 per cent if its temperature drops from 25°C to 15°C. Therefore, consider pre-heating incoming air. If air is coming directly from outside, bring it from another room where it has been able to warm up first. If incoming air is not heated you may be restricted as to how frequently fans are operated, especially at night when lights off. MY For additional articles by Bob Taylor visit www.maximumyield.com

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

Grow Your Own Wheat Grass Indoors by Matt LeBannister

Healthy eating is a major concern for most people. Some people claim that wheat grass should be included in a healthy diet. Wheat grass refers to the young grass of the common wheat plant and can be pressed into juice for immediate consumption or dried into powder tablets that can last indefinitely if frozen. There are ongoing debates as to the nutritional properties of wheat grass. Neither Maximum Yield nor myself endorse the consumption of wheat grass in juice or tablet form for the treatment to any diseases or disorders. Ann Wigman, one of the early pioneers of wheat grass, made claims that drinking wheat grass could cure AIDS and was later sued as a result. Ann Wigman originally claimed in

the 1940s that she had cured herself of cancer by the drinking juices of different weeds she found in vacant lots in Boston. She has founded the former Hippocrates Institute and the Ann Wigmore foundation and has also written books on how to grow wheat grass and the health benefits of sprouts. Some of the more realistic health claims about wheat grass are as follows: • g ives you more energy • improves sleep • improves the digestive system • detoxifies heavy metals from the blood stream • promotes general well-being • strengthens immune system

Your wheat grass planting kit can include grow mediums such as rockwool, coir, potting soil or even a cotton seedling mat, shown here.

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

For these results it is said that one must harvest at the time when the wheat grass is at its nutritional peek. It is also claimed that the wheat grass will lose its potency if the juices are not consumed within three hours of its harvest. As far as nutrition is concerned, wheat grass has a multitude of different components that are

beneficial to humans. Wheat grass contains many amino acids. Some are vital to muscle and brain function such as Alanine. Alanine also improves the immune system, because it is used to make the antibodies, which fight off disease and infection in our bodies. Another essential amino acid found in wheat grass is Asparic acid. Asperic acid removes ammonia from the blood stream and can increase endurance. Wheat grass juice is known to contain a number of different vitamins.Vitamin C is found in wheat grass and is generally believed to bolster the immune system and promote general well being. Pregnant women are encouraged to increase their daily intake of vitamin C to increase the baby’s immune response. It is also a known antioxidant. Vitamin E is also found in wheat grass and is another antioxidant. Antioxidants protect our cells against “free radicals,” which damage our DNA. These “free radicals” are believed to cause the aging process in humans. Vitamin B9 is found in wheat grass as well as folic acid, used for the production and maintenance of new cells. Folic acid is also recommended for women during pregnancy to prevent birth defects.

Affordable and easily grown at home, the growth progression of wheat grass is quite quick. Expect to see seeds germinating in a couple of days (left). Within three days following germination, shoots are growing and the grass is craving sunlight (centre). Approximately seven to 10 days after planting, the wheat grass will reach its nutritional peak and is ready to harvest (right).

There are a variety of trace minerals present in wheat grass. Boron can be found which improves brain function. Calcium is available and is used in the making and maintaining of healthy, strong teeth and bones. Iron is present and is a major component of oxygen carrying red-blood cells. Zinc is another trace element found in wheat grass and supports a healthy immune system. One major reason people consume wheat grass is for the high levels of chlorophyll found in it. There are many claims about what chlorophyll can do for the human body. Many people believe that it has healing qualities and is high in antioxidants. However, others claim that chlorophyll cannot be properly absorbed by our stomachs and is therefore useless to consume. Now that the nutrition behind wheat grass is better understood, one can make the decision as to whether wheat grass will be a good addition to their healthy diet. People wishing to add wheat grass to their diet will be able to grow it easily and affordably at home. To do this, all one needs is a supply of wheat grass seeds, a tray with holes and one without for drainage, some growing medium and some fluorescent lights or a sunny window sill. Growing Wheat Grass The first step is to soak the wheat grass seeds in water for two to eight hours prior to planting. This allows the seeds to take up some water and will speed up the germination process. The seeds should be placed in the dark while they are being soaked.

During this time one should prepare the preferred medium for planting. If you have chosen to use a seedling pad made of cotton, rockwool or coco coir, it is good to soak the medium for two to eight hours prior to planting. This allows the medium to safely adjust its pH levels, because some mediums can be acidic or alkaline. Soil or potting mix can be used and is actually more forgiving when it comes to pH levels than other available mediums. Now that the medium and seeds are ready for planting, one can sow the seeds. The soaked seeds should be spread evenly over the surface of the medium so that the seeds are touching each other, but not so much that they are overlapping one another. If you choose to use soil or a loose potting mix, some of the medium should be spread over the seeds to keep the light off of them. Seeds germinate poorly when exposed to the light. If choosing to use a cotton seedling pad or other hydroponic medium, the tray containing the seeds could be lightly dusted with vermiculite or simply kept in the dark for the first couple days. The first couple days after germination there won’t be much to do in terms of caring for your wheat grass. The gardener must watch the temperature if using a heating mat to speed up germination. If temperature goes above 32°C the seeds can become dormant. Misting the medium once a day should provide enough moisture to promote healthy growth. Too much moisture combined with heat and darkness can be an instant recipe for mould. To combat this, any cover should be removed at least once a day to allow fresh air to reach the seedlings.

A couple days after planting the wheat grass shoots will have appeared and will be craving sunlight. At this time, the seeds no longer need the darkness. Putting the tray under some fluorescent lights or on a sunny windowsill will work just fine. The wheat grass will increase production of chlorophyll and nutrients steadily over the next five to seven days of growth until reaching the nutritional peak. This important moment in the wheat grass’s life happens approximately seven to 10 days after planting or when the wheat grass is 17 to 27 centimetres tall. This is the ideal time to harvest. It is commonly believed that for wheat grass to be effective it must be consumed within three hours of harvest. To harvest the wheat grass simply trim the grass three to five centimetres above the medium. The wheat grass will grow back if done properly allowing for a second harvest in a week’s time. Growing wheat grass for the first time can be a little tricky for any gardener. All plants need love and care to survive. With experience, even the beginner gardener will find that keeping a continuous supply of wheat grass in their home can be easy and affordable. MY References Koha, Loretta Harmony. Ann Wigmore Wheat Grass Pioneer, Living Food Educator. Additional benefits and uses of wheat grass can be found at maximumyield.com

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

Biological Control: Past, Present and Future by Donald Lester

The Australian Hydroponics and Greenhouse Growers Association Conference was held July 19-22 at Sydney Olympic Park. Over 300 growers, industry personnel and government representatives were in attendance, with about 40 vendor booths. Some 20 guest speakers were invited to give presentations about biological control, fertilizer and nutrient management, new and emerging plant diseases of commercial concern and other topics. Donald Lester is the product manager for JH Biotech, Inc. of Ventura, California, a manufacturer of plant nutrients and biological products. He spoke about the perception of biological control and the development of commercial biological control products in the past and present. He also discussed the social factors and market trends that indicate biological control products will be with us, and be more prominent, in the future. Donald fielded several questions afterwards, mostly in the area of biopesticide regulation differences between the U.S. regulatory system and the Australian government system. The following article is a synopsis of his presentation.

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

Donald Lester speaking at the AHGA Conference.

The earliest known written record of using one organism to control the population of another was the use of cats for the control of rodents in food stores in ancient Egypt around 3,000 BC. The Egyptians were so impressed with cats that they deemed them gods. Biological Control is a term that was coined by University of California professor Harry Smith in 1919. Currently, in terms of agriculture, the USDA defines biological control as “The involvement of the use of beneficial microorganisms, such as specialised fungi and bacteria, to attack and control plant pathogens and the diseases they cause.” Beneficial micro-organisms that fit this definition are also known as biological control agents (BCAs). There are over 300 commercially available BCAs on the market today for controlling insects, nematodes, fungi, bacteria, weeds and other pests. The most successful commercial BCA is Bacillus thuringiensis used for insect control. Annual sales of Bacillus thuringiensis worldwide averaged $100 million in the year 2000. During the past few decades BCAs have been developed for use on soil pathogens. This presentation will discuss four BCAs that have been used in greenhouse and soilless hydroponic systems to control soil pathogens: Bacillus subtilis, Trichoderma sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Mycorrhizal fungi. This presentation will briefly cover how biological control was perceived in the past, how trends in today’s world influence how BCAs are viewed and the factors and trends in the marketplace that are driving the increased use of BC’s into the future.

There are four mechanisms that biological control agents use to control pests and pathogens: direct competition, antibiosis or antagonism of pest populations, parasitism and inducement of the plant immune system. In the past, competition with detrimental micro-organisms was the main mode of action. Biological control fell out of favour because of problems with unrealistic expectations. One problem with BCAs was poor formulation. Not too many years ago BCAs often had to be shipped in refrigerated coolers or on dry ice which lent to a very short shelf life. This made usage difficult and the results unpredictable. Besides high expectations, low efficacy, relatively low cost and widespread availability of conventional chemicals and insufficient knowledge of the biology of BCAs and pathogens all led to a decline in the use of BCAs.

Present Today much more is known about BCAs. Biological control is considered a mature science. Research has generated a wealth of information on how BCAs impact plant disease. In the past 20 years there have been some 5,000 articles published in refereed journals, and over 50,000 popular articles covering the subject. Advances in computing, molecular biology, analytical chemistry and statistics have led to new research aimed at understanding the pathogens, host plants and biological control organisms on many levels. Advances in formulation now make it possible for manufacturers to offer BCAs in easy-to-use liquid and granular Past formulations with shelf lives of up to two years in some cases. In the past few decades biological control has been viewed as the There is also an increased reluctance to use conventional Egyptians viewed it – one organism to keep the population of chemicals. In fact, it is said that chemistry sets today do not even another organism in check. And like the Egyptians with the cats, come with chemicals anymore due to legal liability. Add to this BCAs in the last few decades were expected to be self-sustaining the fact that modern chemistry equipment can detect chemicals with no maintenance required. This natural phenomenon of at far lower concentrations than machines just 20 years ago. Now pest population regulation gave rise to the ecological basis of with residues recorded where none had previously existed (values integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Biological control used to be recorded as below detectable limits) consumers see was viewed as a self-sustaining component in an IPM program. the world as becoming more polluted. They view any amount of chemical residue as too much, especially with the long term negative effects of many chemicals becoming so prominent in the news. One publication adding to the avoidance of conventional chemicals is the “Shoppers Guide to the Dirty Dozen” list. This list was compiled by the Environmental Watch Group using U.S. government data from 2000-2007 to rank which fruits and vegetables had the highest amounts of pesticide residues. All of these factors are paving Over 300 growers, industry personnel and government representatives attended the AHGA Conference focusing on biological control, fertilizer and nutrient management and new and emerging plant diseases of commercial concern. the way for organic foods to MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

Biological Control: Past, Present and Future

About 40 leading educators and manufacturers exhibited at the AHGA Conference, making it the largest event of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region for 2009.

enter the marketplace which command a premium price and reduce the use of conventional chemicals. Moreover, additional benefits of using BCAs have been identified: • no minimum residue limits (MRLs) • no withholding periods • proven efficacy • IPM friendly and environmentally friendly • safer to use, reduced liability • cost-effective • reduces risk of pathogen resistance build-up • BCAs more stable than chemical pesticides • non-phytotoxic • improvements in overall crop health and yield • number of organic growers increasing • no toxic waste disposal problems However, there are still some factors that limit the effectiveness of BCAs. They are living organisms and suffer from the same environmental pressures that mankind do: weather, temperature, moisture content of soil or media, pH, disease pressure, timing of application, storage and handling and competition from native micro-organisms. But, with proper education growers have been able to successfully employ BCAs in commercial operations with excellent results. Rather than the old one-on-one model - one BCA for one pathogen - manufacturers and researchers are using combinations of BCA organisms to increase target spectrums or increase the length of time a control may be effective. This new concept fits in well with the goals of IPM and increases the efficacy of BCAs adding to their credibility. 38

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

Biological Control in Greenhouses and Hydroponic Systems Over the years research has shown that BCAs have the capacity to be curative rather than just preventative. Several research studies show good control of several common greenhouse and hydroponic pathogens. Lettuce has several key pathogens: Pythium, Botrytis and Phytophthora. Studies have shown that Pseudomonas and Bacillus subtilis effectively control these pathogens (Card, et al. 2002, Boshoff 2006). Cucumbers have a slightly larger set of pathogens than lettuce. Pythium has been effectively controlled with Bacillus subtilise (Utkhede, Koch, and Menzies 1999). Trichoderma and Pseudomonas putida have been shown to control several root, crown and foot rots in tomatoes. And Bacillus subtilis is effective in controlling powdery mildew (Sivan and Chet. 1993, Kamilova,Validov and Lugtenberg 2009, Latunde-Dada 1993). Cut flowers benefit from BCAs as well. Trichoderma was shown to control Botrytus grey mould. Pseudomonas and Bacillus subtilis are strong candidates for control in hydroponic chrysanthemums. (Elad 1993, Orlikowski 1995, Liu et al. 2007). Future Trends show that BCAs are in our future. Surveys of both conventional and organic growers indicate an increasing interest

in using biological control products. In fact, many conventional growers use softer chemistries when they can. One wine grape grower told me that his decision to switch from conventional chemicals to more organic materials was influenced by the complaints he was receiving from his customers about odours in the tasting room. This got him thinking and he was stricken by the realization that his grandchildren play in his vineyard. Trends also show that chemicals will continue to be banned. Europe banned 22 chemicals in 2008 and six more in 2009. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is constantly reducing the amount of methyl bromide soil fumigant used every year as well. Furthermore, the cost is always increasing to register conventional chemicals. The growing organics market and increased public awareness of the environment add to the pressures against chemicals. BCAs will not replace conventional chemicals but they will certainly play a role in filling in the vacuum as conventional chemicals disappear. Besides market trends there are other factors driving the growth in BCAs: organic crop premiums, IPM, worker safety and liability costs, residue management and resistance management. Organic crop premiums induce growers to reduce their chemical inputs. Integrated pest management also stresses reduced chemical usage. The costs associated with worker safety and liability is far greater than using comparatively safe biological products. Would you rather see your workers applying a safe product or would you rather see them in a moon suit? Increased fertilizer and nutrient costs have growers looking at biological agents to break down their crop residues to free up expensive nutrients naturally. And BCAs donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the resistance build-up phenomenon that conventional chemicals do. So, who is saying this? The greenies? The environmentalists? No, the agricultural chemical industry (Farm Chemicals International, July 2008). BCAs still have their limitations with environmental factors and sometimes narrow usage conditions, but it is expected that improvements in formulation technology, advancements in biotechnology and increased understanding of micro-organism physiology - over time - will remove the guesswork and specialized education needed to get the full benefit of BCAs. This increase in biological knowledge will no doubt lead to advances in formulation that will take the guess work out of application timing, worries about pH levels, temperatures and other environmental variables. So, the trend is for chemical usage to decline because of the factors I have outlined above. And as IPM becomes the central strategy in pest control, it makes sense that BCAs will continue to grow in use and popularity as we move forward. MY

To learn of further benefits of BCAs, visit www.maximumyield.com

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

Continued from page 17

PRODUCT spotlight

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

Introducing General Organics General Hydroponics is proud to announce General Organics. “GO” is the first complete line of superior organic liquid nutrients and supplements from the global leader in premium plant foods. The products are sustainably sourced, and produced with solar power for the lowest possible environmental impact. BioThrive Grow and Bloom offer essential nutrients for thriving crops. BioMarine enhances soils and boots plant growth. CaMg+ will benefit your plants ability to transport calcium and micronutrients. BioRoot encourages beneficial microbial activity in the root zone. BioWeed creates plant and soil vitality. BioBud provides flowering plants with minerals, humates and amino acids.

Diamond Black is an exceptional source of plant active humates. The GO line not only feeds and enhances your plants, they build soils and feed beneficial microbes. The formulas bring together the time tested gardening techniques of ancients with the ecological and efficient methods of the future. General Organics represents General Hydroponics deep commitment to sustainability, quality, simplicity and innovation. To learn more visit your nearest hydroponics retailer.

Sure to Grow Launches New Storm Series Inserts

Subculture from General Hydroponics Europe

STG has launched a major new product line called the Storm series. The Storm inserts are one piece, solid inserts designed to fit the most common sizes of net pots and buckets, with sizes to fit the most widely used systems including C.A.P. Ebb and Gro, Botanicare, GH, DWC, EZ Clone and many others. The Storm inserts are also perfect for use in any application where net pots and buckets are used; flood and drain tables, DWC, aeroponics and home builds. The Storm series is a revolutionary technology to replace hydroton with many advantages that growers will love. • ready to use out of the box; installs in seconds • pH neutral • no pre-treatment • weighs only grams • no shed, no dust, no mess • keeps your systems clean and easy to maintain • STG non-wicking technology means little to no green algae Want to see the results of Storm series in action for yourself? Go to www.SureToGrowVideo.com or visit an indoor gardening retail store. 40

MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

SubCulture is a beneficial mix of micro-organisms that will help increase the vitality and yield in all plants. It surrounds the roots with a protective barrier, and inhibits growth, propagation and thus survival of their predators. Whether in soil or hydroponics, our proprietary blend of bacteria and fungi colonize the root zone and media to form a symbiotic relationship with your plants. Root systems will increase, as well as nutrient absorption. Use it year round, but mainly in hot weather and high temperatures, as this is its best application. For more information visit an indoor gardening retailer near you. 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

CHECK YOUR growing I.Q.

by Erik Biksa

1. After initiating flowering, the very tips/growing points at the tops of the plants appear to be taking on a slightly yellow, less green apperance. The symptoms exhibited are likely the result of: a) nitrogen deficiency b) magnesium deficiency c) iron and/or zinc deficiency d) none of the above 2. To correct this problem which type of application would be more effective? a) foliar spray b) root drench 3. In nutraceutical crops, essential oil production levels are often at their peak: a) mid-day b) end of the day c) start of light-cycle d) end of dark cycle 4. What methods may help in keeping mother/stock plants healthy, while not being grown to harvest cuttings? a) providing lower light intensities, very high in the blue spectrum (7000+ Kelvins) b) moderate to low fertilizer levels c) maintaining cooler temperatures (15 to 18°C) d) all of the above

ANSWERS: July/August 2009 quiz 1) e 2) b,c,d 3) c 4) a 5) b 6) d 7) e

5. As a rule of thumb what should the capacity for a carbon filter used in a “scrub” (re-circulating) application per 1000W HID lamp: a) 150 CFM b) 420 CFM c) 680 CFM d) none of the above 6. What are some of the advantages in using an electronic ignition/glow plug type gas fires CO2 generator versus a standing pilot type model?

Answers to this quiz will be printed in the November/December 2009 issue of Maximum Yield. MAXIMUM YIELD Australia - September/October 2009

East Coast USA Indoor Gardening Expo

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