Maximum Yield CAN March/April 2012

CANADA March-April 2012

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Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

CONTENTS March/April 2012

FEATURES 58

26 34

A Sea of Fish Fertilizers

by Donald Lester

Beyond the Basics: Classifying Hydroponic Growing Systems With MIST

by Ryan M. Taylor

36

48

38

The Science Behind Light

42

The Pythium Predator

48

Hydroponic Simplicity: A Tribute to Steve Jobs

by Eric Hopper

50 38

by Dr. Lynette Morgan

by Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr.

50

An Electrical Primer

by Dr. Benjamin Grimes

The Future is Up - Greening North America’s Rooftops

by Simon Hart

54

Strong Stems, Healthy Plants

58

Master Media

64

The Slow Food Movement

DEPARTMENTS 6

From the Editor

62

Talking Shop

8

MaximumYield.com

68

Do You Know?

10

Letters to the Editor

69

Distributors

12

Simon Says

73

Max Mart

14

MAX Facts

74

Coming up next issue

20

Product Spotlight

by Matt LeBannister

by Shane Hutto

by Michael Bloch

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

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FROM THE EDITOR | JESSICA RAYMOND When dealing with complex issues of a high-tech nature—like those that exist in hydroponic gardening—it can be easy to overlook the basics when troubleshooting. Maximum Yield is here to remind you that simple doesn’t necessarily mean insignificant. We spend all our time dreaming of what crops we’ll grow, leaving no time to plan how we’ll grow them.

Consider grow mediums, for instance: the idea behind them is simple enough, but if you don’t choose the right product or if you don’t care for it properly, disaster can easily strike. The same goes for lighting and electrical; we’re always dreaming two jumps ahead instead of seeing what’s happening right in front of us. The experts featured in this issue guide you back to the basics so your garden can continue to thrive and you can get back to playing with more advanced techniques.

Developing skills and playing with techniques is what makes growing enjoyable.

If you’re eager to try something new,

consider delving into fish fertilizers—the latest way to feed your crops naturally; plus, Ryan Taylor uncovers a clear and creative way to choose a hydro systems in Beyond the Basics.

Speaking of trying something new, the 2012 ‘Grow Like A Pro’ Indoor Gardening Expos are the perfect place to network with other growers and learn about the newest and most innovative ways to enhance your garden and grow green all year long. Celebrate the launch of the 2012 ‘Grow Like A Pro’ Tour with Maximum Yield in the Mile High City—Denver, Colorado—for free. You read right! Simply head to indoorgardenexpo.com, follow the Denver, CO link, click on the Free VIP Ticket and join us and hundreds of growers from around the world March 11 for this exciting event.

We look forward to seeing you in just 10 short days!

Jessica Raymond, editor editor@maximumyield.com

contributors Eric Hopper has over 10 years of

Simon Hart is a certified organic

Dr. Benjamin Grimes Ph.D (hc) is a

Matt LeBannister developed a

Shane Hutto is a technical advisor

Dr. J. Benton Jones Jr. has 50 years of experience growing plants hydroponically. He is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Georgia, Athens and has authored eight books and written articles for magazines that deal with hydroponic issues.

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

Ryan Taylor is the founder and

Dr. Lynette Morgan holds a B. Hort.

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.

horticulture enthusiast. He regularly applies his extensive skills in engineering and science by installing his control systems for indoor gardens and greenhouses throughout Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Benjamin is devoted to the research and development of sustainable and alternative agriculture solutions.

Michael Bloch is the owner and editor of GreenLivingTips.com, an online resource powered by renewable energy. The site offers a wide variety of earth friendly tips, green guides, advice and environment-related news to help consumers and businesses reduce costs, consumption and environmental impact.

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Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

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

green thumb as a child, having been born into a family of experienced gardeners. During his career, he has managed a hydroponic retail store and represented leading companies at the Indoor Gardening Expos. Matt has been writing articles for Maximum Yield since 2007. His articles are published around the world. president of the Taylor Horticulture Company. In addition to growing a wide variety of hydroponic and bioponic crops, he also specializes in the manufacturing of hybrid hydroponic systems and consults with horticulturalists on methods for optimizing their production processes.

Ryan is obsessed with hydroponics and his cat.

gardener and soil manager. He grew up on a 30 acre mixed farm, which inspired a deep-rooted passion for nature and gardening. His university studies focused on forestry, biology and the environment. He’s worked as Greenstar Plant Products jack-of-all-trades for the past seven years and is the author of Maximum Yield’s “Simon Says’ column. at Grodan Inc. He earned a bachelor’s degree in horticulture at Oklahoma State University and received a research assistantship for his master’s degree.

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

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

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

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

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on the web

VOLUME 14 – NUMBER 6 March/April 2012 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.

‘Grow Like A Pro’ in Denver, Colorado, March 11, 2012 Maximum Yield will be returning to Denver, Colorado March 11 to kick off the 2012 Indoor Gardening Expo ‘Grow Like a Pro’ Tour. Take a vacation in this vibrant city; Maximum Yield and the Colorado Convention Center welcome growers from around the world to participate in a full day of networking, education and entertainment. Visit indoorgardenexpo.com for complete event details.

Got Questions? Get Answers.

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

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

Connect With Maximum Yield Connect to MaximumYield.com instantly from your Smartphone with our Quick Response (QR) Code, found on the cover of every issue of Maximum Yield. Now you can access the best products, the most in-depth articles and information, and the latest news at high speeds. Simply download the QR Code Reader software compatible with your Smartphone, scan the QR Code and your phone’s browser will automatically launch, redirecting you to maximumyield.com.

It’s that simple!

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

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Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

If undeliverable please return to the address above.

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

Publication Agreement Number 40739092 Printed in Canada PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER - Jim Jesson GENERAL MANAGER - Don Moores BUSINESS MANAGER - Linda Jesson 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 Ashley Heppell - ashley@maximumyield.com Hayley Jesson - hayley@maximumyield.com PRODUCTION & DESIGN ads@ads.maximumyield.com Jennifer Duong - jennifer@maximumyield.com Alice Joe - alice@maximumyield.com Liz Johnston - liz@maximumyield.com Denise Higginson - denise@maximumyield.com ACCOUNTING Tracy Greeno - accounting@maximumyield.com Tara Campbell - tara@maximumyield.com

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

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Inspired Reading

MAXIMUM YIELD

FREE

CANADA

Moisture Matters and symptoms • Over saturation signs programs • Nutrient application metres • A guide to moisture

+

We’ve got science to back it up!

Fight blight

denIng Indoor gar DENVERO COLORAD 10 - 11

Lovin’

Why hydrOpONics works? the

prevent pests plants Maintain your mother

.com www.maximumyield

maximumyield.com

I was happy to find your site and all the great and helpful information you offer. I know absolutely nothing about hydroponics but am very interested in learning. Like any new field, there seems to be endless choices of ways of getting started in growing.

I’m not looking to go commercial with it—just to provide for my family and friends. I want to grow organically, and am not clear if this is possible hydroponically.

I guess my inquiry is: how can someone like me with zero knowledge about this get started? Do you know of any sites similar to yours that perhaps offer online video tutorials or something like that? Do any full line product suppliers offer something like this?

Understandably with our busy schedules it’s difficult to learn these things just searching on our own.

Thanks for any suggestions or referrals you can make that would assist me.

Jason Trader

ary-February 2012

CANADA Janu

2011

From Zero to Grow

Blissful Beginner

Just checking out the latest issue of MY and it looks great. Love the articles and the graphics.

There’s a lot of good stuff in here, a lot of helpful information. My favourite articles from this issue are from my favourite writers including Dr. Lynette Morgan, Casey Jones Fraser and Matt LeBannister.

Keep up the great work. Maximum Yield rocks!

Josh Simmons

November/December

I just started receiving my new subscription to Maximum Yield. I absolutely love it—with new growing techniques, nutrient recipes from the experts and tips and tricks for every subject in between.

I especially liked We Need to Talk: An Insider’s Guide to Hydroponic Shops by Casey Jones Fraser from the Jan/Feb 2012 issue. Maximum Yield is going to be the vehicle for me to be a better gardener, indoors and out.

Aimee Lamson

GREAT LAKES

N MICHIGA 2-3

2012

expo

LONG BEACH

NIA CALIFOR 3-4

SAN FRANCISCO

CALIFORNIA

NOVeMBer

July 21-22

JuNe

MArCh

NEW: FolloW

us oN TWiTTEr

om indoorgardeningexpo.c

We absolutely love your publication! Thank you for bringing such amazing articles to our industry monthly.

Natalie Elola

Our BiGgest Fan

Lil Vic (Victor Trevino) is a 7-year-old gardening enthusiast from Stockton, California. He has been first in line at the Maximum Yield’s Indoor Gardening Expos for the last three years. Lil Vic enjoys growing flowers, cucumbers and corn.

Jason, you’re in luck.With every issue of Maximum Yield Canada, one of our goals is to introduce beginners to modern gardening techniques and tools and help people like you navigate the oftentimes perplexing practice.

In the following pages we cover: fertilizers, lighting, electrical, eco options, systems, media, plus 10 tips for starting your first garden and much more.

If we failed to answer your questions, I invite you to fill out our Ask the Experts question form at maximumyield.com/ask_expert.php Maximum Yield is here to help you in your hydroponics venture. Good luck and do keep us updated on your progress!

Lil Vic

We want to hear from you!

Maximum Yield Publications Inc. Snail-mail: 2339 Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 E-mail: editor@maximumyield.com Twitter: twitter.com/max_yield Facebook: facebook.com/MaximumYield 10

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

11

SIMON

SIMON SAYS

Hey Simon, It’s my understanding that humic acid is a great source of carbon for plants and that it’s readily absorbed by plant roots. If one is using humic acid in their nutrient stock tank can they cut back on the amount of CO2 injection in the grow room atmosphere?

Thanks, Craig

An interesting question Craig, and I can see where you are coming from. The short answer is that humic acid cannot replace carbon dioxide.You are correct in the assessment that humic acid can provide carbon dioxide but it’s in an indirect manner, not directly from this carbon-based substance. Humus is a degraded form of organic material high in carbon; in essence it is fully digested organic material that resists further decay.

However, soil microbes can be stimulated by its presence and this activity will release low levels of CO2 as the soil life breathes. Continue adding carbon dioxide to your growing area in the range you are trying to achieve, and don’t adjust for the microbial increase. If you want to, it is possible to measure activity in the soil with specific equipment but in an indoor growing area it is unlikely that microbe

activity would provide more than a negligible level of CO2.

It is absolutely correct that humic acid is beneficial to plants roots (and functions), but also to soil and microbes. Humic acid is an extract derived from ancient deposits of organic matter. In current top soils it exists as humus, and both humus and humic acid are great for plant roots.

Humic acid has an extremely high cation exchange capacity and this alone is of great benefit. In its simplest terms humic acid gathers a variety of nutrients and then shuttles them into the plant very efficiently.

On top of this, new research suggests that if the substance moves through the root system and into the plant it has similar effects to some plant hormones. Although the mechanism still eludes us, this is a very interesting development in understanding

erts? estion for our exp Do you have a qu om ld.c yie maximum Send it to editor@ the Experts in the with the words Ask ur answer will be yo d an e, subject lin ng edition. mi printed in an upco

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Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

this complex substance. The biodiversity in the rhizosphere expands more rapidly in its presence, which provides vast indirect benefits due to microbial secretions such as growth regulating substance, organic acids, disease suppressing compounds and unique carbohydrates such as glomalin.

On a related point, if you are trying to create an aerobic compost tea for disease prevention, new research suggests you should be taking out the molasses and using a blend of humic acid and kelp as the catalyst for bioactivity.

When choosing a humic acid there are many options but for those of you running a true water system I would choose a low molecular weight humic fraction product generally referred to as fulvic acid. For more information be sure to check in at your local shop to review the variety of brands and extraction methods available.

MAX FACTS

HYDROPONIC NEWS, TIPS AND TRIVIA

Blue Light Good for Lettuce Japanese scientists have discovered that treating lettuce seedlings with blue and red-blue light promotes the yield and antioxidant content of lettuce plants after transplanting.

Researchers reported that at 45 days after sowing, higher leaf areas and shoot fresh weight were obtained in lettuce plants treated with blue-containing LED lights and that polyphenol contents and total antioxidant status were also greater in lettuce seedlings treated with bluecontaining LED lights when compared to seedlings that had been treated with fluorescent lights.

(Source: sciencedaily.com)

MAXFACTS hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Tomato Expert Assists Kenya A Canadian tomato grower is going to Kenya to help growers there deal with Southern Bacterial Wilt.

Charlie Van Kampen is making the trip with the development group Farmers Helping Farmers, which has been active in the African nation for many years now.

The effects of the disease are causing serious setbacks in Kenya, where tomatoes are a staple part of the local diet, frequently used in traditional stews.

Van Kampen is taking seeds from a disease-resistant variety of tomato and hopes to teach Kenyan farmers how to graft it on to their current stock.

(Source: cbc.ca)

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Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

Controlling Whiteflies the Green Way A USDA study conducted in association with a scientist from the University of Arizona has shown Arizona cotton growers that controlling whiteflies with greener, whiteflyspecific pesticides is both more effective and less damaging to the environment than continuing to employ broad-spectrum insecticides that also killed all the whitefly’s natural predators.

The study—conducted by Steve Naranjo, a scientist with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Peter Ellsworth of the University of Arizona—showed that while whiteflies initially died off at about the same rate in areas treated with both the whitefly-specific and the broad-spectrum insecticides, the area where the researchers sprayed broad-spectrum insecticides had to be repeatedly sprayed to control whiteflies, while there was no need to re-spray the area treated once with the whitefly-specific insecticide.

(Source: ars.usda.gov)

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

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MAX FACTS

HYDROPONIC NEWS, TIPS AND TRIVIA

Fungicides Approved for Temporary Use

Scientists Say ‘Artificial Photosynthesis Systems’ Possible

Growers from Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia have been granted a temporary emergency-use registration on two fungicides to fight downy mildew in greenhouse cucumbers.

The registration, which is valid only until the end of 2012, applies strictly to the tank-mix of Syngenta's Revus and Bayer's Previcur N fungicides for use on greenhouse cucumbers only.

Downy mildew has also been linked to low yields in a number of related crops such as gourds, squash, pumpkins and melons.

(Source: freshplaza.com)

A recent international study says that by mimicking natural photosynthesis and using tiny molecular circuits, harvesting and transporting solar power could be made far more efficient. Although the molecular circuitry required to make this possible would have to be remarkably intricate—“10 times smaller than the thinnest electrical wire in computer processors”—the researchers claim that “a clear framework exists for the design and synthesis of an effective antenna unit for future artificial photosynthesis systems.”

(Source: huffingtonpost.com)

Maize Gets Sex Change A Purdue University researcher has found that removing naturally-occurring plant steroid hormones in corn plants not only makes them shorter and sturdier, but produces only female plants—a big advantage for the seed industry.

Hybrid maize seed producers must remove male pollen-producing tassels from corn plants so that they do not pollinate themselves, but Burkhard Schulz—an assistant professor of horticulture and landscape architecture—said maize plants that produce only female organs would eliminate the costly and painstaking detasseling step.

“We don’t know if this is a special case for corn or if this is generally the same in other plants,” Schulz said. “If it is the same in other plants, it should be useful for creating plants or trees in which you want only males or females.”

(Source: sciencedaily.com)

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Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

MAX FACTS

HYDROPONIC NEWS, TIPS AND TRIVIA

Prince Edward Island Faces Potato Shortage A potato shortage is imminent on Prince Edward Island, one of Canada’s major potato-producing provinces. Stocks are currently down 30 per cent after last season’s poor harvest and because of high demand across continental North America.

Potatoes are P.E.I.’s largest export crop.

(Source: cbc.ca)

Quebecers Eat Their Fruits and Vegetables Canadian adults are not consuming enough fruit and vegetables, according to a recent Concordia University study. The project examined factors such as gender, education, income, marital and smoking status as they related to how often people of various backgrounds ate fruits and vegetables. The study also revealed that lower-income subjects ate fewer servings of fruits and vegetables than individuals with higher education and income levels and that people from Quebec ate more fruits and vegetables than subjects from any other province.

(Source: sciencedaily.com)

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Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

Pesticides Found on Organic Apples Nearly 24 per cent of organic apples tested in Canada in 2009 and 2010 contained pesticide residue, according to government inspection documents recently obtained by CBC News.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) released findings to the CBC that showed 23.6 per cent of 178 organic apples tested in 2009 and 2010 contained pesticide residue.

"Based on the limited data we have, we can also say that it appears that these pesticide residues are being found in organic products less frequently and at somewhat lower levels than conventional produce," CFIA officials told CBC News in an e-mail.

Organic produce can acquire pesticide residues from several sources, including post-harvest processing, spray drift or the soil where it was grown.

(Source: freshplaza.com)

Maximum Yield Canada | January / February 2012

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

YOUR GUIDE TO THIS ISSUE’S

HOTTEST ITEMS Ask for them at your local indoor gardening store.

Sun System® Blazer Reflector - New Size

Announcing the arrival of the 20-centimetre Blazer Reflector from Sun System. Completely sealed for maximum air-cooling, 95 per cent reflective European aluminum interior and double gasketed glass are only a few of the many excellent features Blazer has to offer. This state-of-the-art air-cooled reflector raises the bar for output and uniformity. An industry leader in its class, Blazer is a force to be reckoned with. Unmatched in output, uniformity and performance, you can’t afford not to have this reflector in your grow room. Your plants will thank you! Visit your nearest indoor gardening retail shop to learn more.

ProTerra Professional High Drainage Mix

AutoPot’s 1Pot Module Watering System

ProTerra professional high drainage mix (HDM) is made with Hydrotek’s exclusive formula. This porous growing media was created with long-fibred Canadian sphagnum peat moss including large peat chunks and coarse perlite. ProTerra HDM is designed for crops that require higher air capacity and drainage. Fortified with a well-balanced charge of macro- and micronutrients, it includes a wetting agent and is pH balanced with dolomitic and calcitic limestone. It is specially designed and developed for high aeration with less weight. Because of its porosity, ProTerra HDM is highly resistant to the formation of algae. Purchase ProTerra HDM from your favourite hydroponic shop today.

The AutoPot 1Pot Module offers a unique and extremely simple solution to providing your plants with everything they need. The 1Pot Module requires no electricity, timers or pumps, just gravity pressure from a waterbutt or tank.

Once set up the AQUAvalve within the tray takes over. Once set the pH and EC remain constant in your reservoir.

With the 1Pot Module hundreds of pots can be linked. The pots and trays can be easily moved and spaced if the plants grow too large. The 1Pot Module requires minimal input, and is therefore extremely low maintenance.

It can be left unattended for weeks at a time whilst still producing outstanding results. AutoPot is available now from authorized retailer distributors.

Root Pouch Introduces the Deep Green Vertical Tomato Grower

by Vee Garden The Deep Green is perhaps the best tomato container on the market. Tomatoes can be planted (root and stem) to a depth of 76 centimetres. The increased surface area of the soil column (made from Root Pouch fabric materials) warms up earlier in the season. The built-in composter provides a constant source of nutrients and moisture. Now you can grow any vegetable just about anywhere. Visit your favourite indoor gardening shop to purchase the Deep Green Vertical Tomato Grower today.

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Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Maintenance-free Growing With the Easy2grow System

Low Rider™ Air-Cooled Reflector

AutoPot’s easy2grow system provides a fully automatic supply of water and nutrients in 8.5 litre pots, with a built-in wet/dry cycle to mimic natural systems. No pumps, timers or electricity is needed; all it requires is gravity pressure from a water tank.

Whether using the easy2grow starter kit or multiple easy2grow extension kits on a commercial scale, this system provides everything the plant requires. The easy2grow system can be used with the medium of your choice. The automated easy2grow system allows gardeners to go away for a weekend and still be sure of healthy plants and bumper harvests. Visit your nearest hydroponics shop.

Announcing the arrival of Low Rider™, the newest aircooled reflector in the Sun System Reflector lineup.

The Low Rider™ has the distinction of being the most compact high output hood on the market! It is unique because it’s only 15 centimetres tall (44 by 44 centimetres square) for low ceilings or use between floor joists. It’s completely sealed with hinged and double gasketed glass, and features 95 per cent reflective European aluminum interior and built-in six-inch oval shaped air-cooled flanges with bead ring to keep ducting securely in place.

Visit an indoor gardening shop near you for more information.

Sunshine Advanced Super Hydro Sunshine Advanced Super Hydro is a problem solver for humid climates. It combines a start-up fertilizer and a solid dose of microbes. Super Hydro contains our highest degree of aeration with an optimal combination of washed coir to limit salts, and Canadian sphagnum peat moss. While moisture conditions are vital, it's the bio-actives that give Super Hydro its powerful punch. Worm castings are added to bring vital micronutrients into the root zone and to introduce a variety of microbes that ensure naturally healthy plants. Send them off to a screaming start with our most generous nutrient pack containing optimal nitrogen and potassium to support a superior root system. With organic Super Hydro, expect superior performance in both vegetative and reproductive growth phases. Available now at authorized Sunshine Advanced retail shops across the country.

Introducing Blackstar Reflectors This large air-cooled reflector, for six or eight inch ducts, is perfect for those requiring maximum air-cooling and circulation. Its highly reflective surfaces evenly distribute and diffuse light. It also has a tempered hinged glass swing panel with rubber gasket design for easy cleaning and maintenance. It will accommodate all bulb sizes. The pebbled reflective surface allows for even light diffusion. Made with sturdy steel and aluminum construction. Includes 600 volt and a 15 foot socket cord with universal connector. The swing glass with spring loaded steel safety wire ensures easy and safe operation. Order it today from your favourite retailer.

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Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Sunshine Advanced Ultra Coir Sunshine Advanced Ultra Coir was designed for the grower who wants to control every aspect of nutrition. This delightfully simple blend can be used alone or mixed with our other quality growing media. Largely composed of washed coconut coir for lower pH, this mix offers maximized water retention, a valuable quality in dry climates with problematic high evaporation rates. The addition of compost brings nitrogen to higher levels than any other formula, coupled with a heavy potassium load to stimulate expansive rooting through this porous yet fertile mix. Don't risk your crop on a media prone to rapid dehydration when Ultra Coir absorbs and nurtures its moisture content to make sure its there when roots need it most. Visit your nearest hydroponics shop for more information.

Sun System® Luxor™ Reflector Announcing the arrival of Luxor™, the latest addition to the Sun System reflector line. Luxor offers a vertical burning lamp in a completely symmetrical reflector providing optimal light usage from the lamp. This state-of-the-art reflector is specifically optimized to eliminate any hot spots from your growing area. The completely sealed reflective chamber, with double gasketed glass, ensures airtight performance. Luxor offers a robust design and is made from durable materials providing superior strength and longevity. The reflective insert is made from a combination of a new 98 per cent reflective German aluminum and 95 per cent reflective textured German aluminum in the corners for unmatched output and light diffusion. Visit an indoor gardening shop near you for more information.

The Revolutionary FlexiTank The new AutoPot 225 litre FlexiTank revolutionizes water storage. It has everything you need in one compact box. It takes only minutes to assemble (no tools required). The box size is only 80 by 18 by 13 centimetres and it weighs only three kilograms. All of these features make the FlexiTank a truly cutting-edge product and the perfect practical solution to water storage. A 100 litre version of the FlexiTank is in production and will be available very soon. For more information visit your favourite hydroponics shop.

Officially Upgraded—Botanicare’s ReadyGro™ and Cocogro® ReadyGro and Cocogro now include premium high pith coir fiber in a larger 1.75 cubic foot bag. Tests found that smaller particles of coco coir provide plants’ roots with more oxygen and increased growth rates. Botanicare decided to incorporate the blend into all of their soilless mediums. The improved, high pith, coco-based ReadyGro and Cocogro formulas now contain 50 litres (previously 42.5 litres), have higher CEC levels to retain more nutrients and improve plants health and growth rates. For more information visit your favourite indoor gardening shop.

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Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

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Fertilizers

A Sea of Fish

by Donald Lester

Despite recent controversy, fish fertilizers can be used successfully in outdoor, indoor, organic and hydroponic gardens. Sound fishy? It’s not.

Read on to discover the various advantages and how to implement sea sustenance into your garden.

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Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

Fish fertilizers offer several advantages over their chemical counterparts. They can be totally organic, with all the associated benefits such as improved soil structure, increased microbial activity and better plant health; they don’t cause plant burn (phytotoxicity) as readily or as commonly as chemical fertilizers do; and they generally have slower, more even release rates so they do not need to be applied as often. Moreover, fish fertilizers are not readily leached from the soil but are instead slowly broken down by microbes that convert the fish into plant food. Fish fertilizers also often contain trace nutrients not found in chemical formulas. Finally, with the technological advances in fish farming, fish are considered to be a sustainable, renewable resource whereas the mined minerals used in chemical fertilizers are not.

Unfortunately, fish products have taken on a bad name in recent years because two unscrupulous fertilizer manufacturers were caught spiking their ‘certified organic’ fish fertilizers with synthetic nitrogen. The main culprit is now out of business but these incidents have created a firestorm of controversy in the organics industry, leaving many to question the

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

27

thoroughness of the organic certification process. These examples of fraud were an embarrassment not only to the organic certifying agency involved but also to the USDA that oversees the organic certification process—the stories made the national news and congressional hearings were held on the matter. Since then increased oversight has been implemented.

Now, any fertilizer considered for organic certification with a nitrogen content greater than three per cent is considered to be a ‘high-nitrogen product’ and is subject to additional scrutiny and mandatory yearly inspections by the organic certifying agencies. Regulatory burdens like this and the resulting increased costs have already driven several organic fish product manufacturers out of the market.

Rather than using whole fish as a fertilizer, manufacturers today offer processed fish products in several easy-to-use forms, the most common being fish emulsion, fish hydrolysate and fish meal, all of which are usually available in both conventional and organic versions. Each formulation has its own set of pros and cons for indoor gardening.

Fish meals are made by grinding fish carcasses after a heating process has removed much of the oil—waste water left over from making fish meal can then be concentrated to produce fish emulsions. Finally, fish digested in vats using enzymes or strong acids or bases—instead of heat—produces fish fertilizers called hydrolysates.

Basically, this process breaks down protein into its component amino acids, which are the building blocks used by plant cells.

“Fish fertilizers offer several advantages over their chemical counterparts. They can be totally organic, with all the associated benefits such as improved soil structure, increased microbial activity and better plant health.” range. Marine species of fish like salmon typically have higher omega-3 levels and are therefore more likely to be processed for that oil, while freshwater species have lower oil levels to begin with so as a rule they are often considered to be less desirable for use in commercial plant production. In California the rules state that for a product to be a fish emulsion it must contain greater than 40 per cent solids in the product. Some manufacturers have told me they average about 38 per cent solids, so to avoid a penalty for low solids content they avoid using the term fish emulsion on the label at all and instead label it a ‘liquid fish product.’

Fish hydrolysate Fish hydrolysates are another class of fish-based product available for use in agriculture and indoor gardening. In commercial fish processing plants the meat is usually removed as a fillet

Fish emulsion Over the years fish emulsion has meant anything from ground-up fish to fish excrement. In fact, there is a misapprehension that fish excrement or fish emulsion added to a hydroponics system makes it an aquaponics system. But, technically, aquaponics actually refers to a growing system where fish are grown in a tank and their waste is cycled through to the plant roots to act as a natural fertilizer. An aquaponics system does not need additional fish-based products added to work properly.

Fish typically have a high oil content, which is beneficial not only for humans but also for plant growth. In recent years, however, omega-3 oils have been singled out for their health benefits for the heart and brain, which has led to much of the oil being removed from fish products and only the remaining leftovers used for agricultural products. Often users will ask manufacturers what the oil content is in their fertilizer product, and typically the oil content is in the 40 to 45 per cent Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

29

A sea of fish fertilizers

and the remaining head and body are discarded. This discarded material is often kept on ice to reduce odour and then sold to other companies like fertilizer manufacturers for further processing into things like fish protein products. Animal protein is not actually very useful in plant production—what is more desirable are the amino acids that make up the protein. There are three primary ways in which to break down protein into its amino acid building blocks: you can treat it with a strong acid (low pH) or a strong base (high pH) or with enzymes.

Generally these acids and bases are synthetic in nature and so are not permitted in organic production, but an allowance has been made for manufacturers to allow them to use just enough of these materials to do the job while not adding any other nutrients to the final product. Using an acid has the side benefit of bringing down the pH of the final product into a pH range of 3.5, which prevents the growth of odour-causing bacteria and human pathogens. Enzymes tend to be more expensive than acids or bases.

Fish meal Unlike liquid hydrolysates and emulsions, fish meals are granular or powdered in form. Fish is heated to remove fats and oils to use in various health and cosmetics products and the lean carcasses that remain are ground up into a meal, sprayed with phosphoric or sulphuric acid for stabilization and deodorization and then dried. Generally, fish meals contain more protein than emulsions, but less than hydrolysates.

Fish meals usually have an NPK analysis of around 10-6-2 or 12-6-2. The high nitrogen content obviously makes them good for vegetative growth and the relatively high phospho-

Fish meal

rus content makes fish meals good for root development and bloom as well. The downside is that fish meals have a strong odour—after application they continue to smell for a few days and are therefore usually buried into the root zone. They are not recommended for indoor use, but if you can stand the smell they can be mixed into potting or bulk soils where they act as a slow-release fertilizer.

“Technically, aquaponics actually refers to a growing system where fish are grown in a tank and their waste is cycled through to the plant roots to act as a natural fertilizer.”

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A sea of fish fertilizers

“Fish meals also support increased microbial activity. They contain tremendous amounts of protein and are a great food source for bacteria and the annuals and vegetables that prefer a bacterial dominance in their soil.”

Suitability for hydroponics and foliar applications Fish emulsions and fish hydrolysates can be used in hydroponics systems because they are liquid in form. Emulsions are more soluble and some of their nutrients are useable by plants without the need for beneficial microbiology, but both product types work best in organic systems with microbes present.

Toxins and heavy metals might be present in these products and odour is always a concern, especially with emulsions, although some manufacturers are introducing fish emulsion products into the market that have essential oils like lavender added to improve the smell.

If you use a filter in your system, fish hydrolysates might need straining to prevent clogging of the filter’s fine mesh screen. For soil applications with a drip system be sure the fish product will pass through at least a 70 mesh screen to minimize emitter plugging and fouling.

Beneficial biology Organic fish fertilizers excel at supporting the beneficial microbe populations that are the base of the soil food chain. They

all provide some NPK and most of these products—at least those made from sea fish—also provide trace elements, micronutrients, vitamins, minerals and other desirable materials.

Fish hydrolysates in particular come about as close as possible to duplicating the practice of burying a whole fish, although the hydrolysis process actually makes the fish more

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available to microbes, breaking down large molecules into tiny ones. Microbes can and do readily feed on the organic matter and proteins from the meat and guts. Calcium from the fish bones is also retained in hydrolysates and the oils make great fungal food for those plants that prefer fungaldominated soils: perennials, trees and shrubs. For this reason, hydrolysates make great fungal food for inclusion in compost and compost teas.

Fish meals also support increased microbial activity. They contain tremendous amounts of protein and are a great food source for bacteria and the annuals and vegetables that prefer a bacterial dominance in their soil. Covered with bacteria, fish meal added to a compost pile gets the pile cooking due to the heat generated by high microbial metabolism. In addition, flies (and fly larvae) readily feed on it, which in turn attracts other members of the soil food web.

Not all products sold as fish fertilizers are made just from fish. Some contain non-fish organic additives, primarily seaweed and crab shells. The seaweeds are full of micronutrients and plant hormones like auxins and cytokinins, while crab shells provide chitin, which is found in the cell walls of fungi and is a big structural component in insect exoskeletons.

The right fish fertilizers or combinations of fish fertilizer products can be great for your plants. Fish hydrolysates provide more nutrients, vitamins, hormones and micronutrients; fish meals are slower acting but more suitable for outdoor use and larger areas; while fish emulsions are ideal for quickacting foliar sprays. With such a nice array of choices perhaps you should consider adding fish products to your plant feeding program. MY

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

33

Beyond the Basics:

Classifying

Hydroponic

Growing Systems With MIST

by Ryan M. Taylor

Hydroponic systems are traditionally classified according to the irrigation method employed, which can cause confusion to beginning growers. Ryan Taylor explains the MIST system, which classifies grow systems according to modularity, irrigation, substrate and technology.

Believe it or not, I actually like my in-laws—since the time I began wooing their daughter, they have taken an active interest in my hydroponics career and have made me feel like part of their family.

In other words, they are a far cry from the ‘monsters-in-law’ cliché.

Recently they decided to build a hobby system of their own and it didn’t take long for them to become frustrated and call me for help.You see, hydroponic systems are typically named after the type of irrigation system they employ, regardless of the other features the system might include. Compounding this confusing tendency, readers may be talked into believing there is ‘one best way’ to build a particular type of system.

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I suspect that my in-laws are not alone among beginners in their level of confusion. If our industry is to continue to expand, we really need to develop a more useful and specific set of criteria with which to classify hydroponic growing systems—rather than just lumping them together based on the irrigation method they use.

A set of four basic dimensions could be used to classify hydroponic growing systems, for instance, and each system could then be described according to how it employs each of these four dimensions.

This classification protocol would make describing particular grow systems both simpler and more precise and would go a long way toward dispelling the confusion faced by many new growers.

The MIST Classification System MIST is an acronym that can be used to describe the four major dimensions of any growing system: modularity, irrigation, substrate and technology. Each dimension describes a particular aspect of the system, with each aspect represented as a continuum of possibilities between extremes.

Modularity refers to the degree to which plants are interconnected by substrate and nutrient solution. At one extreme, plants are grown in individual pots, buckets or bags that are completely independent of one another. At the other extreme, plants are densely grown in beds or troughs—we refer to this arrangement as being ‘tightly coupled’ because all the plants share the same substrate and nutrient solution. In between these two extremes is a virtually limitless array of arrangements where plants are ‘loosely coupled’ between each other—one example might be a flood-and-drain system in which individual substrate-filled buckets are packed densely on a bed: in this case, the plants share irrigation solution but not the root substrate.

Irrigation refers to the method of supplying water, nutrients and other growth aids to the plants. This is a complex dimension with many sub-dimensions, four of which are described: • Flow describes whether the system solution is moving or stationary and the rate at which it changes.

• Level characterizes the amount of solution in the root zone at a given time, ranging from a thin film to a deep basin.

• Origin refers to the point at which solution is applied to the plant; major points of origin include foliar (leaf) feeding, top-feeding of the substrate and sub-irrigation from below the substrate.

• Waste is a sub-dimension concerned with the useful life of the nutrient solution: systems are said to be ‘open’ if solution passes through the root system just once before being discarded, whereas systems are ‘closed’ if the solution is re-circulated over the life of the crop—in practice, growers often use a hybrid strategy combining solution add-backs with periodic replacement of the entire solution.

Substrate refers specifically to the growing media in the root zone. At one extreme, plant roots are grown without media at

A hybrid substrate composed of a 50:50 mix of coco and LECA.

all, absorbing nutrient solution through misted air or by hanging in a periodically flooded chamber. More often than not, though, an inorganic or organic substrate is used to provide both anchorage and nutrient solution to the plant. Substrates are characterized by their qualities, including water holding capacity, porosity and cation exchange capacity: by creating a mix that balances these properties effectively, higher yields can be produced than with stand-alone substrates.

Technology refers to the operational power of the system.

Fully passive systems rely on manual aeration and irrigation of the nutrient solution, while fully active systems are automated—with timers, water pumps, air pumps and so on. In practice, most systems use a combination of both passive and active modes, employing both grower-power and technology for system operations.

The MIST classification system can help growers across all levels of expertise by providing them a useful framework for designing their own grow operations and allowing them to better understand the basic principles behind hydroponic systems and more critically evaluate the available literature. Although some combinations of system dimensions will work better than others, the possibilities are virtually infinite! MY

Table 1: The MIST Classification System Dimension

Aspect

Minimum

Hybrid

Maximum

Modularity

Containers

Independent

Loosely Coupled

Tightly Coupled

Flow

Static

Mixed

Dynamic

Level

Film

Variable

Deep

Origin

Top-feed

Mixed

Sub

Waste

Open

Add Back + Discard

Closed

Substrate

Media

None

Inorganic/Organic

Mixed

Technology

Automation

Passive

Selected

Active

Irrigation

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

35

An Electrical Primer

by Dr. Benjamin Grimes

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Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

“My lights aren’t coming on,” is one of the most common complaint calls I receive—and it is almost always the result of the same thing happening: overloaded circuits. The wiring in your home or office was designed to handle light loads constantly or heavy loads occasionally, but most indoor gardening systems require heavy loads for 12 or more hours per day. Unless you have a custombuilt home, or a shop designed for running heavy equipment, your wiring can probably only handle a certain load. The following chart is a rough guideline for what your wiring can safely handle:

Voltage

Circuit Rating (Amps)

Max Available Watts

Number of 1,000 Watt Lights

Number of 600 Watt Lights

Number of 400 Watt Lights

110/120 110/120 110/120 220/240 220/240 220/240 220/240 220/240 220/240 220/240 220/240 220/240 220/240 220/240

15 20 30 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 100 125 200 400

1,800 2,400 3,600 4,800 7,200 9,600 12,000 14,400 16,800 19,200 24,000 30,000 48,000 96,000

1 2 3 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 20 25 40 80

2 3 5 7 10 14 17 21 24 28 35 44 70 141

4 5 8 10 16 21 27 32 38 43 54 68 109 218

Tripping a breaker means that your circuit has been overloaded or shorted. While it may be tempting, do NOT under any circumstances replace a breaker that is tripping constantly with a higher rated breaker; in other words, do NOT replace a 15-amp breaker with a 20-amp or a 20-amp breaker with a 30-amp. Doing so is like striking matches and throwing them at a can of gasoline—you’ll be fine for a little while, but eventually one will catch and you’ll burn your house down.

I once was called to a house where the owner had replaced his 15-amp breaker with a 20-amp breaker, then [he] ran his two 1,000-watt ballasts off the line. Luckily for him the outlet terminal melted off before the wire ignited in the wall: it was the closest thing I’ve seen to a miracle.

220/240 circuits are generally capable of handling heavier loads for longer periods of time: these circuits usually supply power to your clothes dryer, oven and range and—in some homes—electric vehicle outlets. Most are rated to handle 30- or 50-amps at 220/240 volts. If you need more electricity than you are wired for, hire an electrician to install a new circuit that meets your needs: a $300 circuit install is a lot cheaper than a fire! MY

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37

SCIENCE 38

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

The horticultural lighting industry is in a state of constant evolution involving pure science, technology and plant physiology as indoor growers strive to recreate the sun within their indoor gardens. Many factors are at play when choosing the proper lighting system—energy consumption, physical space and budget constraints will all influence your final decision. Because indoor gardens are nearly as diverse as their operators it isn’t feasible to deal with every possible scenario for horticultural lighting applications in a single article, but we are able to break down any discussion on horticultural lighting into the ways it is affected by the laws of physics. These physical laws apply equally to all indoor horticultural lighting applications and are an invaluable source of reference when designing or assessing an indoor garden.

Diminishing Light Energy The inverse square law states that light energy diminishes exponentially. This physical law is very important for the indoor gardener because it means that the farther a plant is from a light source the less energy there is available for photosynthesis. For example, the light energy hitting a leaf two metres away from a light source will only be one quarter the amount of light energy hitting that leaf at one metre away, the light energy at three metres will be 1/9th the light energy at one metre and so on. The optimal distance from light source to plant canopy depends on many factors but the two most pivotal are the wattage of the bulb and the way a grower chooses to remove radiant heat. A good rule of thumb is to place the light source as close to the plant canopy as possible without burning the leaves, which should ensure your plants are receiving the maximum amount of light energy available without subjecting them to stress.

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39

The Science Behind Light

“A good rule of thumb is to place the light source as close to the plant canopy as possible without burning the leaves, which should ensure your plants are receiving the maximum amount of light energy available without subjecting them to stress.”

Point of Diminishing Returns The point of diminishing returns is used to calculate the point of maximum efficiency in terms of light energy. We use this formula to find the maximum amount of light energy that can be applied to the garden’s physical space without wasting energy—in other words, we are looking for the point at which adding additional light energy is no longer validated by any increase in yield. We usually discuss the point of diminishing returns in terms of watts per square foot. It’s very important to remember when discussing a garden’s square footage in a lighting context that we’re talking about the plant surface area, though—not the physical size of the room.

Through my experience with growing everything from sprouts to squash indoors I have found it is easier to separate vegetable crops into two general categories: leafy greens and fast-growing annuals. Lettuces, basil, sprouts and almost all of the culinary herbs are categorized as leafy greens, while tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers, peppers, squash and most vegetables bearing fruit fall into the fast-growing annual category.

I found the point of diminishing returns for leafy greens to be around 25-watts per square foot and for most fast-growing annuals it seems to be around 40-watts per square foot of garden. For example, a productive use of a 1,000-watt HID bulb for leafy greens would be a 40-square-foot plant surface area, which would take up an eight-foot by five-foot space.

A productive use of a 1,000-watt HID bulb for fast-growing annuals would be a 25-square-foot plant surface area or a five-foot by five-foot space.

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These examples are quite generalized and only represent two lighting footprint options for a 1,000-watt light. The point of diminishing returns will vary greatly depending on the crop that is being grown and is somewhat subjective—depending on the crop’s market value and what I like to call its ‘sentimental value.’ Sentimental value is unique to the individual grower because it is not based on purely financial considerations like overhead costs or profit margins and a person who really enjoys growing their own food indoors and values knowing where it came from probably doesn’t mind paying a little extra for the end results. For some fast-growing annual crops I will actually deploy more watts per square foot (50- to 60-watts), because paying a little extra on the energy bill is justified by the resulting increase in yield—this is especially applicable when the market value of a particular crop is higher.

No matter the market value, there is a point at which adding more light becomes useless. When more light energy is added to a given area than a plant can possibly process the light saturation point will be reached and at this point adding additional light energy will result in no further gain.

Diminished Output All artificial light sources break down over time and their light energy output declines—just because a bulb continues to produce light doesn’t mean its energy output for horticultural purposes remains the same as the day it was purchased! High pressure sodium and fluorescent bulbs for indoor gardening should be changed every year, if not sooner. Metal halides tend to decline in light energy at a faster rate than high pressure sodiums and should therefore be replaced more often. I replace metal halide bulbs every six to nine months and high pressure sodium and fluorescents every nine to 11 months.

The light energy in an indoor garden is the driving force for plant photosynthesis. Wasting light energy or not providing enough to effectively cover your square footage is essentially depriving plants of the chance of performing up to their potential. Placing your light source as close as possible to the plant canopy, calculating the proper wattage for the plant surface area and changing your bulbs regularly will help maximize your return on investment and optimize the efficiency of your indoor garden. MY

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

41

by Dr. Lynette Morgan

Emerging research reveals simple, modern solutions to help even beginner gardeners fight back against Pythium so your plants feel better fast.

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Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

Pythium. The word strikes fear into many a hydroponic gardener—even those who have never encountered a plague of this nature have usually heard what a scourge this pathogen can be. Unfortunately Pythium can strike at any time and many a new grower has been disillusioned by an outbreak of wilting leaves and browned roots. Pythium is the genetic name for over 50 species in the class Oomycetes, of which only a few are common on hydroponic crops. Pythium ultimum, Pythium aphanidermantum and Pythium dissotocum are the main culprits we encounter in soilless systems, although the range of species being found to cause highly damaging attacks has been growing. In hydroponic spinach, for example, there is one species of Pythium that attacks under cool conditions and another that thrives at higher temperatures.

Pythium spread and infection Pythium is termed a water mould, as it thrives under wet conditions and produces zoospores, which spread by water and through nutrient solutions. In most hydroponic systems there are few natural enemies of Pythium, so once it starts multiplying a large source of inoculum can rapidly develop.

The spread of Pythium is relatively simple. After infection, the pathogen produces two kinds of spore—the oospores, which have a thick wall and can survive dry conditions for months or years, germinating again when conditions are favourable for infection, and the zoospores. Released from diseased tissue, these have a pair of beating flagella by which the zoospores swim toward a new plant surface, attracted by chemicals released by plant roots. Once the zoospores have made it to a new site they encyst and infect the plant to start the cycle again. Infection rates with Pythium zoospores are much higher in hydroponic systems with low levels of oxygen in the root zone, which is why overwatering, which reduces the air-filled porosity of a growing substrate, is often a major contributing factor to a Pythium outbreak.

Spinach is particularly prone to Pythium infection, having two species of Pythium that can attack at high and low temperatures.

One of the main problems with Pythium infection is that while it can rapidly cause symptoms such as damping off on young seedlings, older plants might be heavily infected for some time before any signs are seen, and often the rate at which symptoms appear is dependent on temperature.

At higher temperatures, more rapid browning and dieback of Pythium-infected roots is common, while at lower temperatures many crops don’t show any of the usual symptoms while the pathogen is busy breeding and building up levels of inoculum in the root zone. Many growers are often not even aware they have Pythium, as it can attack the tiny feeder roots without any obvious signs until the leaves suddenly start a midday wilt pattern, by which time there is little chance of control and recovery. Typical symptoms of Pythium infection are die-back of recently germinated seedlings, browning of

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

43

The pythium predator

root tips, loss of feeder roots and the gradual spread of brown, rotten root tissue. The tops of the plants may remain green, but can become wilted during the warmer part of the day.

Plant stunting, lack of growth and eventual death usually occur rapidly with severe infections. Milder outbreaks might cause continual, moderate loss of feeder roots, with the plant continually trying to replace these. Short, stubby, thickened roots may also be seen, and overall growth is often severely reduced.

Some plants—such as cucumbers in solution culture— are more prone to Pythium attack than others, and this is thought to be due to the large volumes of mucilage produced by the roots, which attracts Pythium zoospores.

Mucilage is organic matter or exudate released by healthy root tissue, and it often appears as a whitish mass around and in the root mat. Pythium feeds on organic material such as mucilage, multiplies, then launches a full-blown attack on the root system. Another factor that predisposes indoor or greenhouse hydroponic crops to Pythium outbreaks is the presence of tiny black shore flies or fungus gnats, which are attracted to wet growing media and rotting vegetation.

Fungus gnat larvae (small white grubs that feed on roots) also ingest Pythium oospores, which then stay in their guts until the insects become flying adults, ready to carry the infection on to a new crop. This is why Pythium, which in itself is much more common under overly damp conditions, is often associated with the presence of fungus gnat flies and larvae.

of root rot pathogens in hydroponics is focusing on the use of beneficial microbe species, either alone or in combination with effective fungicides and biocontrol agents.

Pythium prevention factors

1. Consider oxygen.

A high level of oxygen around the roots is proven to be suppressive of Pythium and some of the other root rot pathogens as well. Oxygen in most of our hydroponic systems comes from pores in the substrate (the air-filled capacity of the growing media), which holds air. Air has approximately 21 per cent oxygen, while nutrient solution or water can only hold six to 13 ppm depending on temperature. So while aeration of the nutrient can certainly help, especially in solution culture systems, plants can get more oxygen directly from the air.

Choosing a highly aerated media—such as a coarser grade of coco fibre with long fibres that open out the substrate, good-quality rockwool or chunky perlite—all mean more oxygenation around the roots, provided of course no one is being too heavy-handed with the irrigation. Forced aeration of the nutrient solution is also beneficial in all hydroponic systems.

Creating a good level of turbulence in solution culture systems may also be a valuable technique, because when the flow of nutrient solution is turbulent, Pythium zoospores shed their flagella and encyst, losing the ability to sense and be attracted to infection sites on the roots.

Pythium control As with many root diseases, Pythium is extremely difficult to control once it is present at high inoculum rates in a hydroponic system, and prevention is the best form of defense. If the water supply is suspected of carrying Pythium spores—which is more common in well or ground water—slow sand filtration or filtrating slowly through 61 to 91 centimetres of granulated rockwool has been found to be effective. The correct dose of UV can also treat a water supply and will reduce the population of swimming zoospores. However, UV can’t be used to treat oospores already in the plant’s root zone or growing media. There has been some evidence that the use of soluble silica at 100 ppm can help control Pythium in cucumbers by strengthening the plant, while many other studies have found that the treatment of nutrient solution with a small dose of non-ionic surfactant (certain types of detergent) can reduce and even eliminate a Pythium outbreak. Much of the current research into control

“As with many root diseases, Pythium is extremely difficult to control once it is present at high inoculum rates in a hydroponic system, and prevention is the best form of defense.”

The first visible sign of Pythium on the tops of plants may be midday wilting and a failure to thrive.

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Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

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The pythium predator

4. Maintain biodiversity in the root zone.

A severe infection of Pythium can result in a completely brown and rotten root system.

2. Don’t ever overwater.

Review your watering procedures. Nutrient, when applied to a substrate, displaces the air-filled pockets—then when draining fully occurs, more air is drawn down into the root system.

But if watering is too frequent, the air-filled pores remain saturated, and the plant has less access to the oxygen contained in air. Overwatering is the most common cause of Pythium in hydroponics, and it seems most inexperienced growers tend to water plants to death without understanding the root system requirement for breathing and absorbing oxygen for respiration.

3. Keep the temperatures down.

Maybe investing in a solution chiller or even a bottle of ice in the nutrient tank when it’s hot is worth considering.

Solution chilling to lower the risk of Pythium is probably a better option in a continually circulating solution culture system where the chilled nutrient can keep root temperatures down to an optimal state, but shading the root zone can also be easily carried out. Keeping the air temperature down with evaporative or air conditioning is also an option. Pythium has been proven to be far more aggressive when conditions are hot, and less oxygen is held in the nutrient solution as temperature increases as well. Combining an overly warm root zone with a bit too much irrigation and a heavy, saturated growing media is going to cause problems sooner or later.

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Heavy use of sanitation chemicals was once thought to be the answer to preventing Pythium attack; however, research has shown that even with very thorough cleaning and use of disinfectants, Pythium is not always completely eradicated, and new sources of the disease are pretty much everywhere.

Encouraging a healthy root zone with a highly diverse range of microbes is a more effective long-term approach. Recently disinfected hydroponic systems are devoid of useful microbes, allowing opportunists such as Pythium an open field for attack. A well-seasoned system might be a better approach, as would be the introduction of beneficial microbes. There are many thousands of species of beneficials, so natural inoculates such as fresh vermicast (worm castings) incorporated into the growing media are worth trying, as are the microbial products on the market. Hydroponic systems are often low in microbial diversity and density, particularly with regard to those species that might control root rot disease pathogens such as Pythium.

However, several species of specific microbes have been shown to have potential for controlling root rot pathogen in certain crops. These microbes include Pseudomonas chlororaphis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, some species of Bacillus, Gliocladium, Lysobacter and Trichoderma, which indicates that inoculation with beneficial microbes of the correct species could be an effective control option if carried out correctly.

5. Eliminate stress.

Environmental stress is one factor that often brings on a Pythium attack. Keeping temperatures within range; supplying plenty of oxygen and sufficient light (Pythium attack is more common under low light in certain plant species); applying correct watering practices; and reducing transplant shock are all good methods of preventing problems. Healthy plants are more able to resist and defend themselves from Pythium, while those that have been weakened or damaged will release phenolic compounds, which signal to any lurking Pythium spores that it’s a good time to attack.

6. Reduce Pythium inoculation.

Unfortunately, Pythium is pretty much everywhere in our environment. However, it is most commonly introduced on new transplants—which probably will appear symptomless—in water (well or ground water in particular); on feet, shoes or clothing; carried by animals; as wind-blown dust; or sometimes in growing media such as peat or substrates, which might have been in contact with soil or plant matter such as compost.

7. Don’t let the gnats attack.

One of the more common methods of spread is via fungus gnats and shore flies. These tiny insects are attracted to overly damp media, and are common in some hydroponic systems.

Unfortunately, the larvae of these flies not only chew on the root system, they also carry Pythium spores in their gut and mouth parts and are responsible for transmission of the disease.

Fungus gnats can be controlled with commercial products or with beneficial predators, or by reducing watering, removing any rotting vegetation or covering the surface of growing media.

8. Give some thought to biofilms, root tissue fragments and mucilage.

When cleaning out a system or even while the crop is still developing, areas of biofilm (a layer of grime and organic matter) can build up inside the irrigation system. Old root fragments are a common source of Pythium infection, and can be difficult to eradicate from growing media, although oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide will dispose of organic matter if applied at a strong enough dosage. Mucilage is more difficult to manage—some crops, such as cucumber, which produce vast quantities of this root exudate material, are best not grown in recirculating systems because of this. While all roots produce some organic compounds, the buildup can become higher in recirculating systems in which there is little biodynamic diversity, as beneficial microbes are responsible for much of the breakdown of mucilage.

membrane of the fungus structures, killing them. Surfactants might cause quite a bit of foaming at the nutrient tank in recirculating systems, but may be worth trying—particularly if all else fails.

MY

Sources and references Stanghellini, M. E. and Tomlinson J A., 1987, “Inhibitory and Lytic Effects of a Nonionic Surfactant on Various Asexual Stages in the Life Cycle of Pythium and Phytophthora Species.” The American Phytopathological Society Vol.77, No. 1, pp 112-114.

Seebold, I. W. and Dixon E., 2008, “Control of Pythium Root Rot in a Tobacco Float System with Surfactants.”

Phytopathology Vol. 98, No. 6, pp 143.

Cherif M., Tirilly,Y. and Belanger, R. R., 1997, “Effect of Oxygen Concentration on Plant Growth, Lipidperoxidation and Receptivity of Tomato Roots to Pythium F under Hydroponic Conditions.” European Journal of Plant Pathology Vol. 103, pp 255-264.

Sutton, J. C., Sopher, C. R., Own-Going, T. N., Liu,W., Grodzinski, B., Hall, J.C. and Benchimol, R.L., 2006, “Etiology and Epidemiology of Pythium Root Rot in Hydroponic Crops: Current Knowledge and Perspectives.”

Summa Phytopathology,Vol. 32, No.4.

9. Surfactants are worth trying if a Pythium outbreak is starting to occur.

While many commercial NFT growers have experimented with the use of non-ionic surfactants in their nutrient for Pythium and other root rot pathogen control, the results are somewhat inconclusive, as many factors other than pathogens can cause similar symptoms.

Many researchers have carried out trials into the effect of surfactants for Pythium control in hydroponics with promising results, although dose rates and the surfactant products used differ from study to study. Non-ionic surfactants (detergents) have been proven to control Pythium in nutrient solutions by having a lytic effect—they dissolve the plasma

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Hydroponic Simplicity:

A Tribute to Steve Jobs

by Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr. Mr. Jones reminisces about Steve Jobs and wonders how the iGrow system might have worked.

The two 114 litre cans in the background contain nutrient solution. The depth of nutrient solution in the 34 litre containers on the right and four metre long troughs on the left are maintained by the use of float values that are fed by gravity nutrient solution from the 114 litre cans.

The 34 litre containers are planted to either tomato or pepper rooted in perlite and the two four metre long troughs planted to green bean rooted in perlite. The same nutrient solution formulation is used for these crops.

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The recent passing of Steve Jobs brought back memories, as vmy first computer was an Apple II. My next computer purchase was a Macintosh, as I was just beginning my writing career and this computer had the capabilities I needed. I had founded two international journals, serving as their executive editor; with my Mac, as it was fondly called, I could boot any submitted disk, scan submitted manuscripts, edit and then generate camera-ready copy for publication. I purchased two additional Macs and for more than 10 years, I edited hundreds of manuscripts and wrote many articles, book chapters and seven books. I still have these Macs, but I have now reluctantly converted to a Microsoft system laptop, which I am using to write this article.

As I read the tributes to Steve Jobs, the word simplicity was frequently mentioned, as Jobs wanted his products to have a simplicity that would make them unique and impossible to modify their operating system or attach other devices.

Some have argued that this has limited the acceptance of Apple computers, turning away those wanting to add additional software and hardware capabilities.

As I thought about the concept of simplicity, I wondered if it could be applied to hydroponics. The most commonly used hydroponic growing systems and operating principles are wide in scope and can be easily modified. Today’s hydroponic grower can choose from

a number of growing systems—some better suited for particular uses than others—employing various operating procedures, so simplicity might not actually suit hydroponic growing.

With every Apple product Jobs made the decision how it was to be used.You didn’t have a choice of options or the ability to modify its operational characteristics or functions. His products sold because they did what they were designed to do—and they did it so well.

So, let’s design a hydroponic growing system as Jobs would have, employing a fixed design and operating procedure.

The rooting vessel is either a box or trough, the size optional—depending on how easy it is to handle—with a depth of 23 centimetres. The rooting medium is perlite and the rooting container is filled to a depth of precisely 18 centimetres.

This depth is critical, so anything less or more than 18 centimetres will adversely affect plant growth. Either by hand measurement and addition or with the use of a float value, a few centimetres of nutrient solution is constantly maintained in the bottom of the rooting vessel. If the depth of the solution is more or less than a few centimetres, plant growth

will be adversely affected and if the depth of the nutrient solution fluctuates, root growth will be impaired as well.

The nutrient solution is a diluted modification of the Hoagland/Arnon nutrient formulation (see note below). If anything other than this nutrient solution formulation is used, plant growth will be adversely affected.

What are the selling points for this Jobs-inspired hydroponic growing system? This system is simple in its design and easy to build and operate, with no loss of water or reagents to the environment, no need for elaborate equipment, timers or a nutrient solution recovery system and no need to monitor the rooting medium for EC or pH. No electrical power is required. All of the water and nutrient elements are totally utilized by the plant and a wide range of plant species will grow well in this system, whether it is placed outside or in a controlled environment.

Hmmm—what do you think?

Would you use this hydroponic growing system? MY Note: This nutrient solution formulation is described in my book, Hydroponic Handbook: How Hydroponic Growing Systems Work, pages 57 to 58.

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by Simon Hart

The Future is

UP Greening NORTH America’s Rooftops The latest trend in urban farming is rooftop gardens or green roofs. Green roofs keep food close to home, make efficient use of vacant space and offer the potential for economic growth.

Photo Credit: Patrick Blanc

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Our cities are growing rapidly as more of us seek environment, so generally alpine, dry land and out the urban lifestyle, but have you ever looked indigenous species are selected. This type down at a city through a plane window and of roof is not very pleasing to the eye— noticed how barren the tops of all those sometimes more brown than green— buildings look? Rooftops stretch as far it is functional, inexpensive to Green roofs are something but as the eye can see, but most roofs hold install and requires very little more than HVAC systems and little maintenance. that many of us have the odd cellphone relay station. With The future probably lies begun to hear about-and all of our efficient urban planning, in intensive green roofs, we still always seem to overlook this installations where functional more and more often we valuable real estate in the sky. For a aesthetics are the goal. These are now actually able to variety of reasons, though, planners rooftops feel like real gardens, and entrepreneurs are now looking at with ground cover, shrubs and see them in real-world the potential of these spaces to radically even trees. The relatively deep soil applications. change our cities, and potentially, the puts a heavy load on the roof and future of our food supply. reinforcement is sometimes required, Green roofs are something that many of us but along with the high capital cost have begun to hear about—and more and more associated with this type of roof there often we are now actually able to see them in realare also amazing benefits, including the world applications. A green roof is simply an extension possibility of local urban food production. of a standard roof, which involves installing a waterproof layer There are lots of good reasons for planning green roofs on top of normal roofing materials. This layer is part of a system into our cities before we even begin to consider local food that involves a root barrier, a drainage network with growing production, including positive economic, social and even medium and select plant species. environmental benefits. When it comes to pure economics, There are two main types of green roofs and they are very there are several reasons to consider installing green roofs. different from each other, even though many of the benefits they provide are identical. The first and more common type is an extensive green roof, which generally involves a modular system forming an interlocking grid. The growing medium is quite shallow and under high temperatures leads to a lowmoisture, almost desert-like microclimate. The coarse mineralbased soil lends itself to low plant diversity. The plants have to be low to the ground and hardy in order to survive this harsh

Photo Credit: Patrick Blanc

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The Future is Up—Greening America’s Rooftops

Photo Credit : Patrick Blanc

The future probably lies in intensive green roofs, installations where functional aesthetics are the goal.

Photo Credit : Patrick Blanc

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The first bonus is found underneath the garden. When roofs are covered with soil and plants they last for much longer because the sun’s energy is being absorbed by the organic material, so a roof that needed replacing every 10 years might now last 40.

Extending the life of roofing materials is an exceptional benefit for developers and could be a key reason for them to consider greening their next project.

A green roof also means there is essentially an extra floor on top of every building and from a building owner’s perspective this means additional revenue. This might seem greedy, but always remember the best way to get private sector buy-in for additional costs is increased revenue. For the early adopters there is also a marketing and branding opportunity available here to promote the green initiative and take advantage of the publicity around its development.

Because of the vegetation and growing medium they are covered in, green roofs provide dramatic temperature regulation. This is a key benefit because it helps deal with the urban heat island effect, where hard surfaces absorb heat, thus increasing city temperatures.

The green material absorbs solar energy without any massive release of heat and it also actively cools the surrounding air with the evaporation of dew and with water created by the plant’s own transpiration. A planted roof will cool a building in summer and warm it in colder weather, reducing dependence and stress on building ventilation systems and saving energy. This is a clear economic benefit with the increased energy efficiency, but it’s also easy to see how this has social and environmental benefits as well.

From a purely social perspective, the aesthetics of rooftop gardens soften hard city lines and the tranquility provided can act as a sort of horticultural therapy for residents. A green roof can provide urban park land by taking advantage of what is essentially wasted space and the foliage can even reduce the amount of noise that echoes through busy urban areas. Green rooftops can be a much-needed reminder of the natural world outside of our urban

When roofs are covered with soil and plants they last for much longer because the sun’s energy is being absorbed by the organic material, so a roof that needed replacing every 10 years might now last 40.

Photo Credit: Patrick Blanc

sprawl and allow us to feel connected with nature while surrounded by skyscrapers.

Gardens within our cities can also be gathering places and can create a stronger sense of community. We are only just coming to realize the serious importance of green spaces to human health and the sense of wellbeing such natural connections provide. As more research comes out showing the tremendous benefits of greening in our urban communities it becomes increasingly clear just how important such initiatives will be for the social fabric of our communities in the future.

Part of the problem with industrial agriculture is the lack of diversity in our production systems. Monocrops have no place anywhere—especially on our rooftops—and biodiversity is probably one of the most important benefits green rooftops will provide. Bringing the natural world back into our urban spaces will create a healthier ecosystem as well as a more enjoyable experience for garden managers and people who just enjoy green spaces.

The flow of water in a city during a rain or snow event is affected by all the hard surfaces—concrete surfaces that can

absorb little to no water. This can put incredible pressure on storm drains and the water system, but the plants and soils of a green roof can retain huge amounts of water. This water is then filtered and used by the plants or released much more slowly into the city’s drainage system.

Our cities produce a large volume of carbon emissions, but as green roofs grow they fix atmospheric carbon, which can help to keep our carbon dioxide levels in a more manageable range. Plants absorb carbon along with many other compounds from the air and there are clear benefits when plants are used to purify the air in our communities. Air quality can be a health hazard, but plants are a natural HEPA filter! So our green roofs can provide carbon sinks that clean the air, make people feel better, help the environment and increase profits for developers—and they could even help feed us.

Rooftop gardens hold the key to urban food production. There is nothing more local than farming on the top of a building and selling the produce on the street below. Being close to market would be a huge benefit to the many potential urban farm businesses that would develop as a result of rooftop

greening initiatives. These micro-farms would also be labour-intensive, meaning there would be a positive affect on local employment. As with organic farming, the emphasis would be on labour rather than mechanization, which would bring more people back to growing food—an important step considering how many young people are abandoning farms for the city. A reconnection with our food supply would be positive not just for garden workers but also consumers, who would feel much more connected and in tune with their food. There would also be the peace of mind and security that would come from knowing where our food was coming from and that it was produced locally.

The movement toward greening our cities is now beginning to get the attention it deserves and green rooftops clearly have a tremendous role to play in the development of the green potential of our urban spaces. Using the skylines of our cities to grow food looks like it will be the way of the future and the benefits will be tremendous. For now, we’ll keep watching the city planners and urban innovators as they continue to search for the best methods to bring food to our rooftops… MY Maximum Yield Canada Canada | March | March / April 2012

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by Matt LeBannister

STRONG STEMS, HEALTHY PLANTS The three main culprits of weak or stretched stems and ways to toughen them up.

There are many variables that must be considered when setting out to grow consistently healthy plants. When growing indoors, gardeners must take responsibility for meeting all of their plants’ needs. However, having the right knowledge can give indoor gardeners a big advantage over outdoor growers, because while traditional outdoor gardeners are more or less at the mercy of their local soil and weather conditions, indoor growers have the ability to maximize crop potential by customizing the growing environment to meet their plants’ specific requirements.

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Controlling temperature indoors means there are no unexgrow thin and spindly as they stretch toward the light source. pected spring frosts or protracted heat waves, while having the The stems of plants left growing on the furthest edge of the ability to feed plants frequently with a nutrient solution range of a light source will often begin to reach toward specifically designed for each stage of growth allows the middle, and will be noticeably weaker than those the indoor gardener to fully meet the plants’ directly under the light. This can be remedied a The most nutritional needs. Natural sunlight is replaced number of ways. Rotating the plants periodicommon cause of weak by light bulbs designed to mimic the sun, but cally so that they each get equal time directly or stretching stems is an also to give plants the perfect intensity and under the light can help keep stems from inadequate source of light.

When plants do not receive spectrum for their particular stage of growth. stretching. Sometimes just adding reflective light of sufficient intensity Plants can be watered frequently and allowed material—either mirrored or flat white— for their growing phase to drain, keeping them from drying out or around the edge of the growing area can they can begin to grow thin drowning. The only real disadvantage facing help to keep light in, or you can install an and spindly as they stretch indoor gardeners, in fact, is that they are in apparatus called a light mover to move the toward the light complete charge of their crops—if something light source around over the garden, effectively source. goes wrong, it’s because they did something distributing light evenly to all your plants. wrong, and they can’t blame it on the weather.Weak, Sometimes all your plants can begin to stretch. This limp, discoloured or stretched stems are major symptoms is most likely because the light is simply not strong enough. that indicate one or more of the needs of your plants are not Fast-growing plants in their vegetative stage require lights that being met. Weak stems will not transport water and nutrients can provide them with 2,500 lumens/foot candles of light for efficiently throughout the plant, greatly diminishing potential 18 uninterrupted hours a day in order to maintain vigorous yield. They cannot support large leaves, fruit or flowers and can health and strong stems. Flowering plants need 10,000 lumens/ be damaged easily. foot candles of light for 12 uninterrupted hours a day to proCertain conditions affecting the overall health of the plant duce fruit and flowers to their maximum potential. tend to manifest themselves as afflictions of the plant stem.

Most stem problems can be treated and all can be prevented, though—with a little knowledge and foresight.

The most common cause of weak or stretching stems is an inadequate source of light. When plants do not receive light of sufficient intensity for their growing phase they can begin to

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strong Stems, Healthy Plants

Each different wattage and type of bulb will have a different becomes too stagnant or humid, damping-off is likely to occur. output, and since light diminishes exponentially over distance, Humidity domes can be used to keep the air and root zone these two variables must be factored in when determining the humid while seedlings or cuttings grow, helping to prevent the right bulb for you and the correct distance to hang that bulb fragile roots from drying out. Humidity domes should be venfrom in order to effectively light your plants. For example, tilated or removed once a day for 10 minutes to allow the seedplants growing 60 centimetres away from the light source are lings or cuttings to be exposed to some dryer air, thus reducing receiving four times less light than plants 30 centimetres away the risk of them damping-off. from the light source receive. To tell how much light in lumens Using a sterile growing medium can also help prevent Pyyour plants are actually receiving from the light source, divide thium wilt. To sterilize your own soil—this is best done in the light output by the distance squared. mid-summer—simply place it in a clear plastic bag and leave Nitrogen is another factor that is highly important in leaf it in direct sunlight. The sun will heat up the soil, killing any and stem development as well as overall plant health. harmful pests and bacteria. Soil can also be baked in an It is a macronutrient that plants need in relatively oven at 177°C for 10 to 15 minutes.

There are large amounts—although less so when fruiting Adding a layer of dry material along the soil a number of reasons or flowering. Nitrogen is largely responsible for line will help to keep the surface dry and also your plant stems might the chlorophyll in leaves, making it essential reduces the likelihood of fungal growth. Sand, seem stretched or weak, for photosynthesis, and also plays a significant perlite or fine sphagnum moss is ideal for this. although insufficient light role in the production of certain amino acids Once a couple of weeks have passed, plant intensity, nutrient toxicity and enzymes. stems will toughen up enough for them to no and disease are the When nitrogen reaches toxic levels within the longer be at risk of contracting the dampingmost common plant, however, certain adverse symptoms might off fungus. culprits. become pronounced. Plants might appear overly Another fungal infection that can cause stems to green and lush, yet growth will be stunted and fruit be weak and droop is verticillium wilt. This disormay have trouble setting. Stems will become weak and can der can affect plants in every stage of growth, although the be easily damaged. They will also be able to be bent over with symptoms of verticillium wilt will most often first appear on little resistance, and the tissue in the stem that transports water the lower and outer parts of the plant. Stems and leaves will throughout the plant will begin to break down, restricting the become weak and begin to droop, and the interior of the stems uptake of water by the plant. may become discoloured.

There are a few causes of nitrogen toxicity. There could be too Cleanliness is the best way to prevent verticillium wilt. Thormuch nitrogen present in the growing medium or hydroponic oughly cleaning equipment between crop rotations can help, solution, in which case flushing the growing medium with and sterilizing tools when taking cuttings straight pH balanced water or with a clearing solution can help is essential to prevent the spread of the rid the medium and plant of the built-up nitrogen.You fungus from one plant to another. This is should also use a quality plant nutrient formula like pine important since plants are at their most tree oil extract, which is a natural source of nitrogen vulnerable when being cut—with the stress and relatively safe compared to other nitrogen-rich involved, and the fact that there is an open wound nutrient additives becreated, through which the fungi could find easy access cause the risk to the plant’s vital systems. of toxicity Keeping your grow room well ventilated and making sure is low. plants are not spaced too closely together can also reduce the risk There of verticillium wilt. There is no cure for this infection, so plants is another that are noticeably afflicted must be destroyed in order to prevent relatively comthe transfer of the disease to the remaining healthy plants. mon disorder that affects There are a number of reasons your plant stems might the stems of plants during their seedling seem stretched or weak, although insufficient light intensity, phase, known as Pythium wilt or damping-off. nutrient toxicity and disease are the most common culSeedlings that are afflicted will seem to rot at the prits. Keep these factors in check and you’ll go a long point where the stem and the growing medium meet. way toward preventing plant stem problems from ever This is a fungal infection of the plant tissue that will eventuoccurring—which ally cause the stem to be unable to take up water and nutrients will lead to from the roots, causing the seedling to eventually fall generations over and die. of healthy To prevent Pythium wilt from afflicting your seedlings, plant plants with them in well-drained soil with plenty of light. If the air strong stems. MY 56

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Master Media

by Shane Hutto

Mr. Hutto takes us on a tour of all the different kinds of stuff you can use to grow other stuff.

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For most of us the beginning was all about what to grow—and we thought about that long and hard—but what we’d grow that stuff in was an afterthought.

Once you have your light source and your space set up, though, you’ll finally start thinking about what medium to use. Most of the time you start with what your mentor uses: whether it’s your buddy, your local retailer or something you’ve read on the Internet, typically the first person who tells you what they use and sounds like they know what they are talking about is who you end up following. This usually gets you at least something in the way of yield if you’re lucky, but we all want to get the most out of our garden.

Today’s consumer is bombarded with choices. Rockwool, hydroton, coco coir and peat mixes (what most call soil or soilless mixes) all have their pros and cons and each of these choices is available in its own particular varieties and brands, so obviously a beginner can be overwhelmed quickly. The fundamental questions to ask yourself before making this decision are: how well do you read instructions and how often do you plan to check on your plants?

As a beginner you will have to learn when and how much to water and feed your plants, regardless of the type of medium you are using. Getting the most out of your garden is about finding a balance between how much effort you need to put in and how much time you have to devote to your hobby.

for a reason! Most peat mixes are ready to go and require very little preparation other than filling up your plastic pots. Rockwool is rather easy to prepare as well—the whole ’24-hour soak’ requirement is simply a myth, you just have to rinse the rockwool in ph 5.5-adjusted water for a few minutes.

After the pre-soak it’s ready to use.

Hydroton is similar in preparation to rockwool in that it must be rinsed— with plain water—but it must then also be agitated to remove the excess sediment. Then you just need to fill your system and you’re good to go.

Coco coir is a preparation-intensive medium. It does come in bags but still usually needs the salts rinsed out. Mostly, though, it comes in bricks, which are convenient to carry but expand significantly once water is added.

The bricks must be soaked and broken up—I like to use a garden spade and break them up while they are soaking. Coco coir must also be rinsed after it is broken up to ensure the high salt content is flushed away.

Rockwool is rather easy to prepare as well—the whole ’24hour soak’ requirement is simply a myth.

Follow the instructions When preparing your medium the most important advice I can give you is to follow the instructions: they are on the bag

Regular sanitation Another task that is a big consumer of time is regular sanitation.

In any controlled growing environment, whether it’s indoors or in a greenhouse, regular cleaning is a must. Whether it involves picking up dead leaves and bugs or just general floor cleaning, there’s always something to do. Which medium you use will make a difference in how long your cleaning chores will take.

Coco behaves a lot like peat in this category; when dry it flies all over the place and seems dusty. Hydroton is good in that it doesn’t fly around, but drop part of a bag or a net pot full of those round clay balls and they roll everywhere. Rockwool tends to be dust free after the initial wetting and once it’s in place it pretty much doesn’t move unless you move it!

Watering and feeding The next major task that needs to be figured out is to determine how often you need to water or feed your plants. This is also the job that is the easiest to mess up, no matter which medium you’ve chosen to use. The answer a horticulturalist will tell you is “when the plant needs it.”You can certainly overwater plants in an indoor garden—if you watered peat two times a day in an indoor environment the plants would be dead in a couple of weeks! Soilless mixes should be checked for moisture by feeling the weight of the pot or by sticking your finger a couple of inches below the surface to feel the moisture yourself.

Another characteristic of the soilless mixes is they change to a lighter colour as they dry and if you practice this can be a good indicator of when to water. Hydroton feeding is almost the opposite; it can pretty much be watered throughout the daily light cycle and remain viable because it retains virtually no moisture.

Coco retains nutrients well, but it also drains well. Rockwool

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Master Media

also falls in the middle: it’s designed to hold air and water evenly so it can be watered frequently, but it still holds enough air for the roots to breathe.

The amount of water your plants need will fluctuate the most in rockwool. On the hottest days (or under strong light) they should be watered often with short-duration soakings, but for cool windless days they may be watered only once.

Factor in all these considerations when deciding whether a medium is going to be easy for you to work with. The truth is that they are all user-friendly to a degree and you must decide which is best for your needs. The peat mixes are user-friendly in that you do not have to monitor the pH too much and you’ll still get a nice plant. Hydroton is great because it’s really hard to overwater. Rockwool and coco both have their ups and downs for new growers. Rockwool is an easy medium to use because what’s in it is what you feed it; there are no hidden nutrients or other factors to consider in the root zone and it allows you to know exactly what you’re doing—whether you’re doing it right or wrong.

I do tend to advise most new growers of the somewhat temperamental nature of coco as a growing medium.

Which medium you use will make a difference in how long your cleaning chores will take.

Cost comparisons Once you have chosen your preferred medium you’re off to the store to compare prices. Many of us start rethinking our options at this point! On first impression the peat mixes seem like the clear winners for cost, but then you must consider the amount of peat it will require to handle the size of plants you plan to work with. Hydroton has a very good structure and will allow plant roots to penetrate outside the clay, forming massive roots. Coco holds nutrients very well; it’s expensive but can produce quality root masses. Rockwool actually has the best root mass-to-product volume in the hydro industry—it is manufactured so that a rock will expand to 50 times its size, with an equivalent amount of rock fibre. All that extra space is air space, into which roots can grow.

Media maintenance All growing media require regular maintenance, which means that at some point your crop’s lifecycle will come to an end and the media will have to be replaced or reused. The one thing to keep in mind when reusing any medium is that plant diseases are almost always species-specific. Media like hydroton are cost-effective because they can be reused several times, but must be thoroughly washed between crops. The other thing about hydroton reuse is that after several uses the rocks begin to break down and fall apart: remember, we are dealing with water—the same destructive force that made the Grand

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Canyon! Rockwool can be reused but it has to be reprocessed first, back at the factory. In Europe a very high percentage of commercial growers send back their used rockwool to be melted down and made into ‘new’ rockwool again. In North America, used rockwool from indoor growers is sometimes made into bricks for house building.Your used rockwool can be tilled into the garden for aeration or it can also be reused for other species in potting containers. Coconut coir is not reused often, due to its propensity to hold high microbial counts. This happens because root zones establish beneficial fungi and bacteria that thrive as long as plants continue to grow, but once they are harvested the roots will begin to decay and diseases will be present in the medium. Peat mixes are very similar to coconut in this respect, it can be steam sterilized under high temperatures and pressure—but not everybody has the kind of expensive equipment this process requires.

Once you’ve mastered growing in each of the media we’ve discussed you’ll probably begin to think about plant quality, but that’s material for another column. For now, you should realize that each medium offers its own set of challenges and benefits, but finding the one that’s right for you and your situation is key to success early in your gardening experience. MY

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talking shop

Looking for the hydro store?

It’s just up the road past the dancing Venus fly trap….

AT A GLANCE Company: Word Of Mouth Hydroponics Inc. Owners: Kyle Zver and Scott Davis Location: 1-1611 Bowen Road, Nanaimo B.C. Phone: 1-250-591-1180 or 1-855-591-1180 E-mail: info@pnwgardensupply.com Web: wordofmouthhydroponics.com

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Kyle Zver and Scott Davis got into this industry originally because Kyle’s Yugoslavian grandparents had been raised as farmers and were avid gardeners. Inspired by their passion, Kyle developed a strong interest in hydroponics.

Kyle wanted to improve on the industry that he loved, making hydroponics more user-friendly and cutting edge while reaching out more successfully to the mainstream consumer. He’s also a people person and loves dealing with questions and providing excellent customer service.

Before opening Word Of Mouth Hydroponics Kyle spent a decade doing different customer service jobs, including about five years at a major Canadian corporation where he was able to obtain some valuable managerial experience.

This helped Kyle develop a leadership-

oriented outlook and gave him the impetus to look a bit farther ahead in his career aspirations.

Scott got involved in hydroponics because he always wanted to be an entrepreneur and loves the business aspect of it all. He’s looking forward to seeing where this industry takes him in the future.

Scott always knew he was going to own his own business—in fact, even before he and Kyle opened Word Of Mouth Hydroponics, Scott was already looking for an opportunity to be able to open a store.

“We started running our business out of a storage facility in 2010,” Kyle tells us, “and we quickly saw how much potential our business had—so we decided to expand as big as we could, as quickly as we could.We wanted to become the ‘one stop shop’ for all gardening, horticulture and hydroponics in the area, so we went looking for the best store we could afford.

Our store is now located on 1-1611 Bowen Road, in Nanaimo B.C. We’d spent a long time looking for the best location and we finally found it—complete with a warehouse, offices, a large retail space and tons of parking. It was perfect and it gives us the room we need to keep expanding.

Our start-up years have been very interesting. We started out pretty naïve and quickly realized how much work was involved trying to make something out of nothing. We’ve always worked crazy hours, but we are finally having a lot of fun running this business now that the hard parts are done! The main thing

Scott, Chad (Venus) and Kyle in the tomato grow tent.

we’ve learned is that nothing ever goes according to plan—ever.”

“We all get along great and we all have different strengths,” Scott continues. “Chad started with us full time the day our retail store opened. He has been a gardener his whole life and grew up doing farm and agricultural work. He is amazing at what he does, and he always wanted to be an accredited horticulturist, so as soon as things settle down around the store we are shipping him off to school to become Word Of Mouth’s full-time horticulturist.

He is also our full-time mascot and is very popular with rush hour traffic as he dances up and down Bowen Road in his Venus fly trap costume!”

“We have a very diverse market share and have gotten lots of valuable exposure around here lately,” says Kyle.“We’ve attended some

”

We are the friendliest hydroponics store around, period. ” Maximum Yield and local trade shows and will be attending a few other planned events soon as well. Simply by word of mouth we’ve met a lot of awesome people throughout the industry—from professional gardeners to hobbyists—and we are definitely making a buzz.We are the friendliest hydroponics store around, period.”

Scott is very serious about the qualities that give Word Of Mouth Hydroponics an edge in a very competitive industry.

“We’ve all got a lot of time and effort invested in this company and that gives us an advantage in that we personally care

very much about each and not that hard to get started. Plus they’re every customer’s experialways surprised how much bigger and ence with us—and that better plants grow hydroponically, as opthey leave happy every posed to growing in soil.” single time. Our company’s “We love this industry,” Kyle finishes strengths are that we work up, “and we are looking forward to harder and longer than expanding in the coming years. We’ve everyone else, we never got a lot of plans for our business and give up and we adapt very we think everyone will love the results. quickly to every new situaWe’ve always felt that if we do the best tion. This is our life and we possible job and always provide the best wouldn’t want to be doing anything other service, our business will succeed—and than this.”

I still think we’re on the right track! To Kyle agrees. “We test out all of the prodall of our customers and suppliers out ucts we carry and we only carry the best there, we very much appreciate doing products around. We’ve business with you.” MY got some great suppliers and are always expanding into new products and more sustainable methods of growing and food production.

We are designing and building a few new products instore and now that we have almost completed our ‘Sun Room’ office (see pictures) we have Chad “Venus” Garbet begun germinating palm trees, corn, blue tomatoes, purple calabash, peppers, herbs and different varieties of lettuce. We want to be able to eat everything we grow and also to show our customers how easy to is to grow and eat your own healthy food year round.”

Kyle and Scott are planning to be in this industry for the long haul. “The future of this industry is going to be huge,” Scott predicts. “Between increasKyle Zver ing concerns over rising fuel prices, the availability of fresh water and skyhigh food prices, it has never been a better time to begin your path to self-sustainability. The biggest response we get is that people are consistently surprised that it’s Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

63

The Slow Food Movement

by Michael Bloch

Reversing the Fast Food Trend

“ W e are not on ly what we eat,

64

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

The following is an amusing snippet from the Simpsons that sums up our general approach to food these days.

Moe: I got this deep fryer on loan from the United States Army. It can flash fry a buffalo in 40 seconds.

Homer: Forty seconds? But I want it now!

It's not that we don't care about eating with our family at a leisurely pace, but rampant consumerism has led us to believe we need to acquire things; and those things cost money that must be earned. Home ownership in many countries places huge financial strains on families too; meaning both parents may be working, which leaves little time for It's funny, but cuts incredibly close to food preparation. the truth. I eat two meals a day in front Aside from the cultural aspects, the of my computer so I can keep working. I modern approach to such as basic and sometimes watch the microwave heat up important function in our lives is creating whatever abomination I have chosen for a massive impact on our environment. a meal, impatient for the two minutes to Many of us are still unaware of problems hurry up already. The food I eat related to issues such as food miles, has little to do with taste, and palm oil, soy beans and the more to do with conveconnection between food Slow food nience and the ‘feed the and fossil fuel. Enter the extends way machine’ factor. slow food movement. beyond sustenance Family meals can be into every aspect a rather quick affair What is of life; it's a these days in many recalibration and slow food? households; takeout re-evaluation of The slow food movefood is common and what is ment is about good, meals are often eaten in important. clean and fair food. Slow front of the television. I food principles state the remember a time of lengthy food we eat should taste good; meals when everyone talked it should be produced in a clean way that about their day, expressed concerns and does not negatively impact the envisolved problems—the television was ronment, animal welfare or our health; strictly forbidden. Many pantries are and food producers should receive fair stocked with pre-made, preservative-laden sauces and freezers full of frozen meals compensation for their work. Slow food is also about slowing down to enjoy food labeled healthy. and life with family and friends. It's about Food is a primary need, yet we're beconnecting more with our food. The coming increasingly disconnected from principles of the slow food movement it. For many of us it's all about speed.

”

”

are very much inline with the principles of the locavore movement, which is the practice of eating food that’s been grown and harvested within a 100 mile radius.

I remember a lunch I attended about a decade ago that went for two hours. It was more an event than a lunch, really, with incredibly tasty, fresh and healthy food that was consumed at a leisurely pace and in the presence of good company. I don't remember many other lunches in my life so vividly.

While a two hour lunch every day is unrealistic for most of us, a five minute lunch in front of the computer is a bit of an insult to ourselves and the bounty that nature offers. We're effectively just feeding at the trough, much like many of the factory-farmed animals we consume.

Slow food extends way beyond sustenance into every aspect of life; it's a recalibration and re-evaluation of what is important. In some instances it may mean paying a little more for good quality and ethically-raised food, but that money can usually be easily gained through not buying as much of the junk that clutters our lives; the pursuit of which steals our lives and an unnecessary amount of our planet's resources.

Slow food resources

If you're interested in learning more about the slow food movement; there are organizations across the country.Visit slowfood.ca for a list of local chapters in your province. MY

but how we eat.”

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

65

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DO YOU KNOW?

1.

A planted roof will cool a building in summer and warm it in colder weather, reducing dependence and stress on building ventilation systems and saving energy.

2.

A good rule of thumb is to place the light source as close to the plant canopy as possible without burning the leaves, which should ensure your plants are receiving the maximum amount of light energy available without subjecting them to stress.

3.

The Sunset and USDA zones can help determine which store-bought plants are appropriate for your climate: check the available sunlight hours in your space and compare them to the listed requirements of prospective seeds and plants.

4.

Rockwool is rather easy to prepare—the whole ’24-hour soak’ requirement is simply a myth.

5.

Any fertilizer considered for organic certification with a nitrogen content greater than three per cent is considered to be a ‘high-nitrogen product’ and is subject to additional scrutiny and mandatory yearly inspections by the organic certifying agencies.

6.

Hot compost piles break down plant material in a matter of several weeks and can reach temperatures of 54 to 71°C.

8.

In California the rules state that for a product to be a fish emulsion it must contain greater than 40 per cent solids in the product. Some manufacturers average about 38 per cent solids, so to avoid a penalty for low solids content they avoid using the term fish emulsion on the label at all and instead label it a ‘liquid fish product’.

When roofs are covered with soil and plants they last for much longer because the sun’s energy is being absorbed by the organic material, so a roof that needed replacing every 10 years might now last 40.

68

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

7.

9.

All artificial light sources break down over time and their light energy output declines—just because a bulb continues to produce light doesn’t mean its energy output for horticultural purposes remains the same as the day it was purchased!

MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

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

Garden Centre

Your Plant’s Personal Trainer

IncrediGrow Garden Centre 103-7500 MacLeod Trail SE Calgary, AB T2H 0L9 403-255-0740

Canadian Garden Supply 1730 Highway 3 Castlegar, BC V1N 4W1 250-304-2911 Sun Beam Central 3444 River Road Chemainus, BC V0R 1K4 250-246-1379 Chilliwack Indoor Garden Centre Ltd. 311 - 44500 South Sumas Road Chilliwack, BC V9R 5M3 604-824-2944 ------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------Quick Grow 1-1204 Edmonton Trail Road NE Calgary, AB T2E 3K5 877-426-4769

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

Twins Greenhouse 13 - 2235 30th Avenue, NE Calgary, AB T2C 7C7 403-273-2881

Art Knapp 2855 Wentworth Road Courtenay, BC V9N 6B7 250-334-3024

Hydro-Lite 12249 Fort Road Edmonton, AB T5B 4H7 780-477-7860

Just-N-Tyme Greenhouse and Hydroponics Supply 1094 McKenzie Avenue Courteney, BC V9N 3C5 250-703-0476

Box 82008 Yellowbird RPO Edmonton, AB T6J 7E6 780-885-4769 Fusion 5 Organic Gardens Inc.

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

PO Box 5821, 120B 1 Street, SW High River, AB T1V 1P3 866-652-2594

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

BRITISH COLUMBIA Interior Gardener’s Supply 221 - 1 McDermid Road, Box 1257 100 Mile House, BC V0K 2E0 250-395-3399 A.R.I. Research 120 - 4111 Hastings Street Burnaby, BC V5C 6Y7 604 433 6067 Jon’s Plant Factory 3925 East Hastings Burnaby, BC V5C 2H8 604-294-3000 Solar Greenhouse and Hydroponic Supply 4752 Imperial Street Burnaby, BC V5J 1C2 604-438-7244 Hygro Gardening Supplies Inc. 1791 Tamarac Street Campbell River, BC V9W 5Y7 250-286-0424

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

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

Duncan Plants & Ponics 6512 Bell McKinnon Road Duncan, BC V9L 6C1 250-746-5591 Better Than Nature Enderby 1900 George Street Enderby, BC 250-838-5502 Growing Solutions Box 650, 1150 Bowlby Road Errington, BC V0R 1V0 250-248-1101 Kamloops Sunshine Gardens Greenhouse Superstore 5 - 1744 Kelly Douglas Road Kamloops, BC V2C 5S4 877-372-2270 Room 2 Grow 901 Laval Crescent Kamloops, BC V2C 5P4 250-372-3663

Long Lake Nursery Hydroponic Supply 4900 Island Highway, North Nanaimo, BC 250-758-5012 Progressive Growth 41 - 1925 Bowen Road Nanaimo, BC V9S 1H1 800-405-4769 ------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------Better Than Nature Kelowna 725B Evans Court Kelowna, BC V1X 6G4 250-868-8978 Oasis 12 - 1771 Cooper Road Kelowna, BC V1Y 7T1 250-763-4769

Smart Grow 2422 - 23 Avenue, NE Calgary, AB T2E 8J4 403-236-9999

Niloc Wholesale Inc.

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each province.

Pacific NW Garden Supply Unit C1 - 1810 Kyle Court Kelowna, BC V1Z 3Z4 250-769-4791 ------------------------------------------------

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

Sal’s Indoor Garden Supplies & Hydroponics 187 Asher Road Kelowna, BC V1X 3H5 778-753-5549 -----------------------------------------------BC Hydroponics 3 - 20092-93A Avenue Langley, BC V1M 3Y4 604-888-5716 Green Earth Garden Supplies Unit 5, 19300, Langley Bypass Langley, BC V3S 6K2 604-532-7106 GreenStar Plant Products Inc. 9430 198 Street, Langley, BC V1M 3C8 604-882-7699 Excel Air Systems 200 - 20170 Stewart Crescent Maple Ridge, BC V2X 0T4 604-728-0757 Pacific NW Garden Supply 109 - 20110 Lougheed Highway Maple Ridge, BC V2X 2P7 Planting Plus Greenhouse Supplies and Hardware 22394 Dewdney Truck Road Maple Ridge, BC V2X 3J2 604-466-5949 Triple Tree Nursery 20503 Lougheed Highway Maple Ridge, BC V2X 2P9 604-465-9313 Nutty Zone 5 & 6 - 33201 London Avenue Mission, BC V2V 4P9 604-814-2223

Pacific NW Garden Supply Unit 14- 104 Silica Street Nelson, BC V1L 4M1 250-354-4767 Buckerfields 587 Alberni Highway Parksville, BC V9P 1J9 250-248-3243 Sundogz Garden Supply & Hydroponics 30 - 1365 Old Alberni Highway Parksville, BC V9P 2B8 250-954-2046 Better Than Nature Penticton 101 - 78 Industrial Avenue, West Penticton, BC V2A 6M2 250-770-8978 Advanced Wholesale Superstore 406 - 1952 Kingsway Avenue Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 6C2 604-945-0174 ------------------------------------------------

PG2 1798 Nicholson Street Prince George, BC V2N 1V6 250-612-4769; 1-888-817-4769 Skytek Indoor Solutions 833 4th Avenue Prince George, BC V2L 3H5 800-975-9835 Spruce Capital Feeds 1694 Quinn Street Prince George, BC V2N 1X3 250-564-6010 Omega Garden Inc. 1695 Peligren Place Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 2S3 250-752-1301; 888 976 6342 Garden Effects 200-2288 #5 Road Richmond, BC V6X 2T1 604-214-6620 Pacific Rim Indoor Garden & Lighting 170- 12111 Bridgeport Road Richmond, BC V6V 1J4 604-232-4468 Natural Choice Garden Centre, The 5500 48th Avenue, SE Salmon Arm, BC V1E 1X2 250-832-7151 ------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

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

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

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

69

MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

Garibaldi Nurseryland & Florist 38917 Progress Way, Squamish Industrial Park Squamish, BC V0N 3G0 604-892-3892 Coastal Growers Supply 103 - 12824 Anvil Way Surrey, BC V3W 8E7 604-599-1778

Indoor Jungle 2624 Quadra Street Victoria, BC V8T 4E4 250-388-5611 Mr. Fertilizer 9 Burnside Road, West Victoria, BC V9A 1B2 250-381-4644

Fast Eddie’s Systems 108 - 18760 96th Avenue Surrey, BC V4N 3P9 604-888-2499

Progressive Growth 111 - 1790 Island Highway Victoria, BC V9B 1H5 250-391-9519

Garden King Supplies 7533 135 Street, Unit 109 Surrey, BC V3W OM8 604-598-1912

Sunwest Garden Supply 2035 Unit B Louie Drive Westbank, BC V4T 1Y2 250-768-1636

Pacific NW Garden Supply 15374-103A Avenue Surrey, BC V3R 9V8 604-588-4769; 800-443-4769

Good Guys Gardening Center 250 McKenzie Avenue, South Williams Lake, BC V2G 1C6 250-392-2069

Warehouse Garden Supplies & Hydroponic 109 - 8173 128 Street Surrey, BC V3W 4G1 604-543-3177 A+ Gardening Supplies 1450 Venables Street Vancouver, BC V5L 2G5 604-876-4769 BN Garden Supply 4493 Boundary Road Vancouver, BC V5R 2N3 604-431-2977 Double AA Garden Supplies Ltd. 2908 Commercial Drive Vancouver, BC V5N 4C9 604-876-8837 Pacific NW Garden Supply 2137 East Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V5L 1V2 604-254-4765 Vancouver Garden Supply 4894 Fraser Street Vancouver, BC V5V 4H5 604-879-8167 Advanced Garden Supplies 7979 Aspen Road Vernon, BC V1B 3M9 250-545-9545 AJs Pets & Things 3219 - 31st Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 2H2 250-549-3222 Better Than Nature Vernon 3506 25th Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 1P4 250-260-4466 Northern Lights Greenspace 3 - 2706 45th Avenue Vernon, BC V1T 3N4 250-558-4757

70

Trees Company Nursery & Garden Supplies G9 C17 RR1, 7030 Powell Road Winlaw, BC V0G 2J0 250-226-7334 MANITOBA All Grow Distributors 410 Madison Street Winnipeg, MB R3J 1J1 204-231-1694 Better Than Nature Winnipeg 2B - 2 Donald Street Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K5 204-453-3032 Gro Pro International Hydroponics 101-904 Porthee Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3G 0P4 204-956-1389 Kleen Gro Hydroponics 218 Osbourne Street South Winnipeg, MB R3L 1Z3 204-475-7096 My Two Sons 2 - 2055 McPhillips Street Winnipeg, MB R2Y 3C6 204-339-3489 Nature’s Nutrition 1819 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3J 0G4 204-889-2979 Northern Lights Hydroponics 129 Regent Avenue East Winnipeg, MB R2C 0C2 204-415-5106 Ready Set Grow!

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

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each province.

NEW BRUNSWICK ------------------------------------------------

Dieppe Hydroponics 988 Champlain St. Door #3 Dieppe, NB E18 1P8 506-384-4769 -----------------------------------------------Craft N’ Grow 60 Micmac Road, Eel Ground, NB E1V 4B1 506-624-9317 Ultimate Hydroponics PO Box 1191, Hampton, NB E5N 8H2 506-639-5948 Scott’s Nursery Ltd. 2192 Route 102 Highway Lincoln, NB E3B 8N1 506-458-9208 Atlantic Hydroponics & Greenhouses Inc. 42 Brandon Street Moncton, NB E1C 7E8 506-858-0158 Jardins Notik Gardens 798 Gray Road St-Charles, NB E4W 4N9 506-876-9100 21st Century Gardening 20 Bayside Drive, St. John, NB E2J 1A2 506-657-9982 NOVA SCOTIA Den Haan’s Garden World 12688 Highway 1, Brickton Annapolis County, NS B0S 1M0 902-825-4722 Woodland Farm Nursery 3544 Highway 1, Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0 902-532-7617 ------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

Woodin Nickel Hydroponics 3393 Central West, Highway 4 Pictou County, NS BOK 1H0 902-695-7640 -----------------------------------------------ONTARIO Canadian Hydrogardens Ltd. 1330 Sandhill Drive Ancaster, ON L9G 4V5 905 648 1801 Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 521 Dunlop Street West Barrie, ON L4N 9W4 705-721-8715 Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 5386 Greenlane Road Beamsville, ON L0R 1B3 905-563-6121 BMA Hydroponics 404A Maitland Drive, Unit 2 Belleville, ON K8N 4Z5 613-967-9888 D&M Gardens 2961 Main Street Blezard Valley, ON P0M 1E0 705-897-3727 Home Hydroponics 289 Rutherford Road, South 22 Brampton, ON L6W 3R9 905-874-GROW In-Home Gardens 279 Colborne Street Brantford, ON N3T 2H3 519-754-9090 Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 79 Woolwich Street South Breslau, ON N0B 1M0 519-648-2374 AKA The Indoor Gardener 3014 Highway 29 Brockville, ON K6V 5T4 613-342-2700

Indoor Harvest 3040 New Street Burlington, ON L7R 1M5 289-337-9169 J & C Hydroponics 343 Elgin Street, Unit A Cambridge, ON M1R 7H9 519-622-9969 Pro Grow Indoor Garden Supplies 1710 Bishop St. Unit 2 Cambridge, ON N1T 1T2 519-624-7692 Hydrogarden 1122 Paul Street Cornwall, ON K6H 6H5 613-360-6996 Agrogreen Canada Inc. 1938 Hwy #20, RR#1 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E6 866-650-1136 Diatomite Canada 1938 Hwy #20, RR#1 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E6 866-650-1136 Northern Lights Green Supply 1938 Highway 20 (at 406), RR 1 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E6 905-892-3743 Brite-Lite Indoor Garden Centre 1677 Cyrville Road, Meadowbrooke Plaza Gloucester, ON K1B 3L7 613-842-8999 Happy Hydroponics 68 Princess Street Hamilton, ON L8L 3K9 905-545-8434 Garden Depot 605 Justus Drive Kingston,ON Canada K7M 4H5 613-384-8882 Brite-Lite Indoor Garden Centre 1659 Victoria Street, North, Unit 6 Kitchener, ON N2B 3E6 888-670-0611 AKA The Indoor Gardener 207 Exeter Road, Unit D London, ON N6L 1A4 519-652-4224 Best of Hydroponics 360 Richmond Street London, ON N6A 3C3 519-858-1533 Ontario Growers Supply 1540 Fanshawe Park Road West London, ON N6H 5L8 519-641-3992 Vantage Hydroponics 1 Adelaide Street North London, ON N6B 3P8 519-451-4769

Markham Hydroponics 95 Royal Crest Court 18 Markham, ON L3R 9X5 905-305-0698 Nature’s Garden Supplies 24-340 Don Park Road Markham, ON L3R 1C5 905-470-7887 All Seasons 1000 Dundas Street East Mississauga, ON L4Y 2B8 905-848-2619 Green Thumb Hydroponics 3075 Ridgeway Drive, 25 Mississauga, ON L5L 5M6 Hydro Culture Emporium Inc. 150 Robertson Rd Unit 22 Nepean, ON K2H 9S1 613-715-9472 ------------------------------------------------

Second Nature Hydroponics 4 - 2133 Royal Windsor Drive Mississauga, ON L5J 1K5 905-403-4769 -----------------------------------------------Nature’s Elements Box 119 500 Mill Street Neustadt, ON N0G 2M0 519-799-5323 ------------------------------------------------

Paradise Gardens Hydroponics 2158 Chiefswood Road Oshweken, ON N0A 1M0 519-445-2275 Ontario Hydroponics 103015 Grey Road 18 Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N6 519-372-1144 Envirotex P.O. Box 21069 Paris, ON N3L 4A5 519-442-1237 Peterborough Hydroponic Center 347 Pido Road, Unit 32 Peterborough, ON K9J 6X7 705-745-6868 Sweet Hydroponic Gardens 776 Bruce Street Renfrew, ON K7V 3Z8 613-433-9600 Bluewater Hydroponics 1173 Michener Road, Unit 12 Sarnia, ON N7S 5G5 519-337-7475 Planetary Pride 372 Queen Street East Sault Ste Marie, ON P6A 1Y7 1-888-215-8970 Indoor Gardens Canada 2952 Thompson Road Smithville, ON L0R 2A0 905-957-6969 Green And Clean 761 Barrydowne Road Sudbury, ON P3A 3T6 800-246-5503

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

Green Kingdom Hemp 1103 Cassells Street North Bay, ON P1B 4B3 705-494-7169 -----------------------------------------------Brite-Lite Indoor Garden Centre 4373 Steeles Avenue West North York, ON M3N 1V7 416-663-2999

Northern Hydroponics 236 Simpson Street Thunder Bay, ON P7C 3H4 807-623-3666 Greenthumbs Garden Supply 338 Kingston Road Toronto, ON M4L 1T7 647-345-GROW (4769) ------------------------------------------------

grow it all hydroponics for everyone

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

Supply For You 3615 Weston Road, Unit 6 North York, ON M9L 1V8 416-741-8062

Homegrown Hydroponics Inc. 26 Meteor Drive Toronto, ON M9W 1A4 416-242-4769

All Grow Hydroponic 391 Marwood Drive, Unit 14 Oshawa, ON 866-606-4723

Hydrotech 2436 Kingston Road Toronto, ON M1N 1V2 416-267-4769

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

Hydrosphere 2000 2400 rue Canadian, Suite 104 Drummondville, QC J2C 7W3 819-478-9791 Les Serres Binette Inc 2568 Boul. Mercurre Drummondville, QC J2A 1H2 819-478-7195 Pablo Jardinage Drummondville 2080 Joseph St-Cyr Drummondville, QC J2C 8V6 819-475-2525 Les Entreprises Fernand Pigeon Inc. 174 Beaudoin Nord Durham-Sud, QC J0H 2C0 819-858-2777 Hydromax Gatineau 3-1695 Atmec (porte 6) Gatineau, QC J8P 7G7 819-663-7470 Naturexpert Inc. 828 Chemin du Sixième Rang Gatineau QC J8R 3A4

Ozone Environmental Technologies 361 Rowntree Dairy Road Unit 4 Woodridge, ON L4L 8H1 905-264-6618 -----------------------------------------------QUEBEC Un Monde Sans Terre 565 Beausejour Alma, QC G8B 5V3 418-480-3274 Hydro-Tonyque 761 Avenue Gilles Villeneuve Berthierville, QC J0K 1AO 450-836-8088 ------------------------------------------------

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

Jardinages Gilles Robert Inc. 574 St-Hubert Granby, QC J0H 1Y5 450-375-3441 Méristème Hydroponique 871 Dufferin Granby, QC J2G 9H8 450-991-1514 Jardinage d’intérieur Huntingdon 72 Dalhousie Huntingdon, PQ J0S 1H0, Canada 450-322-6079 Hydroponique Plus Inc. 405 - 18 Avenue Lachine, QC H8S 3R1 514-634-3677 Biofloral 675 Montee, St. Francois Laval, QC H7C 2S8 877-38-HYDRO

Fernand Corbeil Produits Horticoles - Horticultural Products 17 boul. Ste-Rose Est Laval, QC H7L 3K3 450-622-2710 Hydro Times 1533 Boulevard Cure Labelle Laval, QC H7V 2W4 450-688-4848 Hydromax Laval 295 Boulevard Curé Labelle Laval, QC H7L 2Z9 450-628-8380 ------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each province.

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

Qué-Pousse - Point-Claire 1860D Sources Blvd Pointe-Claire, QC H9R 5B1 514-426-5057

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

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

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

Boutique Echologik 829, cote d’Abraham Quebec, QC G1R 1A4 418-648-8288

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

Amazonia Hydroponique 394 Boulvard Arthur-sauve St. Eustache, QC J7R 2J5 450-623-2790

Pousse Magique Atwater 3522 Notre-Dame, ouest,

Boutique Echologik 790 St - Jean Quebec, QC G1R 1P9 418-648-2828

Hydrobec 2145 Lavoisier Suite 4 Ste-Foy, QC G1N 4B2 418-687-1119

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échologik 798 St Jean Québec, QC G1R 1P9 418-648-2828; 418-648-8288

Chanvre du Nord Inc. 38 DeMartigny est St-Jérome, QC J7Z 1V4 866-565-5305

Hydroculture Guy Dionne 1990 Cyrill-Duquet Local 150 Québec, QC G1N 4K8 418-681-4643

Hydro Sciences 4800 de la Cote-Vertu Blvd.

Saint-Laurent, QC H4S 1J9 514-331-9090

Hydrotek 12300 Rue de l’avenir St. Janvier, QC J7J 2K4

Pousse Magique 515 rue Lanaudiere Repentigny, QC J6A 7N1 450-582-6662

Pablo Jardinage Shawinigan 5023 Boulevard Royal Shawinigan QC J9N 6T8 819-731-9766

St-Jean Hydroponique 747 rue St-Jacques St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 2M9 450-346-9633

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

Sherbrooke Hydroponique 3545 King Est, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 5J4 819-829-9299

Hydromax Terrebonne 1674 Chemin Gascon Terrebonne, QC J6X 4H9 450-492-7447

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

Plant-T-Plantes 3439 boulevard Fiset Sorel-Tracy, QC J3P 5J3 450-780-0008

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

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

Qué-Pousse - St-Constant 6264 Route 132 Ste-Catherine, QC J0L 1E0 450-635-4881

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

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

Benoit Dupuis Extincteurs Inc. 2503 Victoria Street Ste-Julienne, QC J0K 2T0 450-831-4240

Rap Hydroponique 326 Rue Vachon Trois-Rivières QC G8T 8Y2 819-376-5959

Hydroponique 2000 84 Boul. Curé Labelle Ste-Therese, QC J7E 2X5 450-971-0726

Hydromax Val-David 895 route 117 nord Val-David, QC J0T 2N0 888-320-0129

Montreal, Qc H4C 1P4 514-481-3939 Qué-Pousse - Montreal 2215 Walkley Montreal, QC H4B 2J9 514-489-3803 Summum Bio Teck 2100 Ontario Est Montreal, QC H2K 1V5 866-460-2226 Univert 4 Saisons 2100 Ontario Est Montréal, QC H2K 1V5 514-527-2226 Vinexpert De L’Est 6384 Beaubien est Montreal, QC H1M 3G8 514-354-8020 XXXtractor Inc. 1228 St. Marc Montreal, QC H3H 2E5 514-931-4944 www.xxxtractor.com Qué-Pousse - Mont.

Tremblant 462 Montée Kavanagh Mont-Tremblant, QC J8E 2P2 819-429-6145 MegaWatt Hydroculture 636 Route 364 Morin Heights, QC J0R 1H0 450-226-2515 Fleuriste Savard Inc. 1833 boul. Louis-Frechette Nicolet, QC J3T 1M4 819-293-5933

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

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

P.P.M. Hydroponique 504 Rue du Parc St. Eustache, QC J7R 5B2 450-491-2444 ------------------------------------------------

Val d’Or Hydroculture 1261 3e Avenue Val d’Or, QC J9P 1V4 Horticulture Piégo 228 Pierre Bertrand Sud Vanier, QC G1M 2C4 418-527-2006 Qué-Pousse - VaudreuilDorion 3666-D, boul. Cité des Jeunes Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC J7V 8P2 450-424-0306 Centre Jardin Denis Brodeur 15 Nord C.P. 658 Waterloo, QC J0E 2N0 Sonador Horticulture Inc. 819-479-2941 SASKATCHEWAN Busy Bee Upholstery Box 811, 134 5th Avenue East Gravelbourg, SK S0H 1X0 306-648-3659 B&B Hydroponics and Indoor Gardening 1404 Cornwall Street Regina, SK S4R 2H7 306-522-4769 Waterboy Supply 401 Dewdney Avenue East Regina, SK S4N 4G3 306-757-6242 YUKON, NUNAVUT and NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Porter Creek Indoor Garden Centre 1307 Centennial Street Whitehorse, YT Y1A 3Z1 867-667-2123 WE THANK ALL OF OUR DEDICATED RETAILERS FOR OFFERING MAXIMUM YIELD TO Their cUSTOMERS.

Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012

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COMING UP NEXT ISSUE

MAX-mART AX-MART

Old Fashioned Crops are Making Comeback With a renewed interest in the culinary arts and gardening in general, we are seeing a resurgence of some old crop favourites and finding many of these are well suited to indoor and hydroponic production.

Understanding Heirloomology Get set up to grow only heirloom—warm up your plate and palate with these delicious and distinct peppers.

Talking Shop With…

Get to know your local hydro shop. We could feature your favourite grow gurus in the next issue. Recommend your favourite shop to be featured in Maximum Yield Canada by e-mailing editor@maximumyield.com Maximum Yield Canada (May/June) will be available in May for FREE at select indoor gardening retail stores across Canada, and on maximumyield.com

www.maximumyield.com Maximum Yield Canada (May/June) will be available in May for FREE at select indoor gardening retail stores across Canada, and on maximumyield.com Subscriptions are available at maximumyield.com/subscriptions.php

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Maximum Yield Canada | March / April 2012