Maximum Yield - UK September/October 2009 by Maximum Yield

UK September - October 2009

I N D O O R

G A R D E N I N G

FREE

Digital Sun:

Brighter light for better results

HOW TO PRODUCE CUTTINGS ROOT-PARASITIC FUNGI NOVEMBER 7 and 8, 2009

www.indoorgardenexpo.com

FLORIDA, USA

Indoor Gardening Expo

CONTENTS september / october 2009 16

FEATURES 16

The Digital Sun: Brighter Light for Better Results

A Beginner’s Guide to Indoor Grow Room Pests and Pals

How to Produce Cuttings - 10 Steps to Success

What is pH?

The Ethical Gardener’s View on Plastic Pots

How to Compost With Coffee

Root-Parasitic Fungi: How to Control Pythium in Hydroponics

Rainwater Harvesting for Hydroponic Gardens

by Erik Biksa

by Bob Taylor

by Grodan

by Emma Cooper

by Noucetta Kehdi

by Charlene Rennick

DEPARTMENTS

4 From the Editor 4 Letters to the Editor 6 MaximumYield.com

8 Ask Erik 10 MAX Facts 12 Product Spotlight 40 You Tell Us 43 Do You Know?

44 Check Your Growing IQ 45 Coming up in November - December MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

FROM THE editor

jessica raymond

Controlled environment gardening is a great way to green up the environment while utilizing small spaces that may otherwise be left unused. However, it also provides the perfect opportunity to get creative. With so many modern growing operations leading the way, it’s easy to get inspired. It’s obvious from the myriad rooftop gardens, ingenious greenhouse layout schemes and good old fashioned hydroponic gardens springing up everywhere, we are pushing the limits and the yields that are possible with modern growing. We are also growing greener every day by making the most of what the Earth provides naturally – through rainwater harvesting, composting, organic fertilizers and all-natural growing containers. More on these topics can be found inside these pages from your favourite contributors in the UK and around the globe including

letters to the editor

Emma Cooper, Bob Taylor and Erik Biksa to name a few. We’ve also got a fantastic interview with GHE’s Noucetta Kehdi in this issue’s “You Tell Us” where she dishes about her passion for growing atypical plants and GHE’s educational initiatives in hydroponics. If you are a retail store in the UK Maximum Yield wants to hear from you. In our new column, “The Inside View,” we feature you and how you came to be a part of the indoor gardening family. We want to introduce you to the growers in your country. For more information on how your store can be featured in “The Inside View,” email editor@ maximumyield.com

Where to Buy

Search Solutions

Your magazine is without a doubt excellent. My question is where can I purchase the products you have on your product spotlight pages? There are never any numbers or e-mail addresses to contact anyone in the UK. Hope this is not too harsh a request.

I have just recently found your website and I am there everyday. Thank you for the superb information and pictures. Do you have a search feature available on your website? I read an article with an organic tea recipe a couple of days ago and now I can’t find it.

Kind Regards Trevor Melder Thank you so much for your kind compliments. The reason we do not include contact information for the product manufacturers is because of the importance of having consumers shop at their local hydroponics retail store. To access a list of retailers in your area, simply visit www.maximumyield.com Under Maximum Yield Issues you will find a link to our Best Of Maximum Yield and International Trade Directory. UK retailers can be found by flipping to page 110.

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

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

Thanks Shawn Moriarty We are currently working on adding a search feature to our website, www.maximumyield.com, which will allow you to search through all of our articles and authors with key words. Also, all Online Extras, such as the one you are looking for, will be linked for easy access. We have two great compost tea recipes available in our Online Extras. Please follow these links to access them. http:// maximumyield.com/articles/extras/USA/MY_OE_10_08_compost_ tea.pdf from Application Parameters for Using Compost Tea by Dr. Carole Rollins http://maximumyield.com/articles/extras/USA/MY_OE_05_09_ DiseaseControl.pdf from A Fresh Look at Insect and Disease Controls by Erik Biksa

A Cut Above I just picked up the new Maximum Yield UK yesterday; what a wonderful read. All of the material was very useful. There is nothing like it in our English mags. Tell the editor to keep up the good work. I look forward to the next issue. Thank you again. Cheerio for now. Regards Charles Hendry Maximum Yield reserves the right to edit for brevity.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Email us at: editor@maximumyield.com

Coming up on the Web Speed Read 1. Check out Sure To Grow’s chief grower, Matt Geschke as he demonstrates how these exciting products can help speed up your growing system preparations in this month’s featured video. 2. Hobby-sized versions of “sealed” CEA grow rooms are available, offering an affordable option to growing hydroponically like a professional with big, healthy yields year round. 3. Innovative technologies are popping up everywhere that are perfect for the kitchen gardener with very little space and the commercial grower who wants the biggest and the baddest equipment available. Now introducing the Prepara line of products and Hydro Innovations MiniGen – learn more about them on our website.

“Roots adapt to the conditions they are grown in, to a certain extent, and can thrive in a range of environments provided they have sufficient oxygen, moisture and nutrients.”

-Dr. Lynette Morgan-

Upcoming Events Orlando, Florida USA What:“Greener Places, Sustainable Spaces” When: November 7-8, 2009 Montreal, Quebec, Canada What: Return trip to this thriving Canadian city (theme to be announced) When: Spring 2010 (to be announced)

Latest News • Sustainable produce is being grown in large cities on rooftops and in innovative greenhouses using clean, renewable energy and captured rainwater. • Asexual cell division could hold the key to a breakthrough in plant breeding. • Aquaculture continues to grow in popularity and will probably remain the most rapidly increasing food production system worldwide through 2025.

Tell us what you think at editor@maximumyield.com. We’d love to hear from you. Erik Biksa first appeared in Maximum Yield in December 1999, and in 2000 the first “Ask Erik” column was printed. Erik has contributed dozens of in-depth articles to Maximum Yield since. The “Ask Erik” column has assisted many gardeners by providing answers to a wide range of growing questions.

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

Noucetta Kehdi is the co-founder and administrator of General Hydroponics in Europe. Noucetta got involved in hydroponics in the early 1990’s and in 1996 she moved to the southwest of France where she took care of a greenhouse educating herself on all things hydroponics.

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

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

G A R D E N I N G

VOLUME 9 – NUMBER 3 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009 Maximum Yield is published bi-monthly by Maximum Yield Publications Inc. 2339A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 Phone: 250.729.2677; Fax 250.729.2687 No part of this magazine may be reproduced without permission from the publisher. If undeliverable please return to the address above. The views expressed by columnists are a personal opinion and do not necessarily reflect those of Maximum Yield or the Editor. Publication Agreement Number 40739092

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER - Jim Jesson GENERAL MANAGER - Don Moores BUSINESS MANAGER - Linda Jesson SALES DIRECTOR - Lisa Lambersek EDITOR - Jessica Raymond jessica@maximumyield.com ADVERTISING SALES 250.729.2677 Linda Jesson - linda@maximumyield.com Lisa Lambersek - lisa@maximumyield.com Keri Hendry - keri@maximumyield.com Julie Madden - julie@maximumyield.com PRODUCTION & DESIGN ads@ads.maximumyield.com Pentti Tikkanen - pentti@maximumyield.com Alice Joe - alice@maximumyield.com Wes Cargill - wes@maximumyield.com ACCOUNTING - Lee Anne Veres leeanne@maximumyield.com

Two highly anticipated events for global growers:

contributors

I N D O O R

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

ASK

erik

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

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

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

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

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

MAX

facts

hydroponic news, tips and trivia from around the world

Cloned Crops Closer to Being Realized Cloning is a useful tool for farmers and gardeners who wish to replicate the best of their crops without the lottery of sexual reproduction. Clonal reproduction of crop species took a step closer to being realized with newly founded biology research. The authors of the research have made a form of asexual reproduction possible in a normally sexual species, turning meiosis into mitosis. Although this is not enough to reach clonal reproduction, it is a giant leap towards it. The work of the team, formed of researchers from France and Austria, could be very important commercially, because it makes the creation of stable new mutant crops much simpler. It is now much closer to being possible to produce perfect plant without the lottery of reassortment that each meiotic division and ensuing fertilization introduces. (Source: Public Library of Science. “Cloned Crops Closer To Being Realized.” ScienceDaily 10 June 2009. 15 June 2009 <http://www.sciencedaily.com/ releases/2009/06/090608204055.htm>)

Safe Dosage Tests of Organic Fertilizers Appropriate doses of organic residues, such as sewage sludge and animal waste, can benefit plants, but it has been found that excessive quantities can lead to a toxic impact on soil life. Researchers are currently establishing safe doses, in an effort to prevent these toxic impacts on soil, by utilizing controlled amounts of organic residues. The maximum safe doses of seven residues were analyzed, including two kinds of dehydrated sewage sludge, two kinds of composted mud, two kinds of heatdried mud and one sample of heat-dried pig waste. By adhering to these levels, researchers believe 95 per cent of agro-ecosystem species would be protected. (Source: Plataforma SINC. “Over-use of Organic Fertilizers in Agriculture Could Poison Soils, Study Finds.” ScienceDaily 31 October 2008. 27 February 2009 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081030194236.htm)

Recession Bites into Eating Habits Ultraviolet LEDs Create Darker, Redder Lettuce Richer in Antioxidants Darker coloured leafy vegetables have been found to have higher levels of antioxidants than their lighter coloured relations. Thus, plant physiologists have begun to develop a way to make lettuce darker and redder, and therefore healthier using ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (LEDs). When hit with ultraviolet rays from the sun, the lettuce leaf creates UV-absorbing polyphenolic compounds in its outer layer of cells. These powerful antioxidant compounds are sometimes red and help block ultraviolet radiation. To create red leaf lettuce plants enriched with these compounds, they were exposed to approximately 10 milliwats per square metre of UVB light from low-power LEDs. After 43 hours of exposure, the lettuce was noticeably redder than other plants. How much exposure is required and whether the light should be pulsed or continuous is still being explored. (Source: Optical Society of America. “Ultraviolet LEDs Create Darker, Redder Lettuce Richer In Antioxidants.” ScienceDaily 18 May 2009. 20 May 2009 <http:// www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090518172659.htm>)

Due to the recession, and an increase of eight per cent in the cost of food, UK citizens are opting to cut back on food spending. Not only are they spending less and buying economy brands, but they are buying less food in total. Britons are spending more time cooking at home and less time eating out. All of this extra time spent at supermarkets has sparked a turf war amongst the big grocers. The independent sectors, including the butcher, bakers, fishmongers and greengrocers, are suffering the most. That is because most of us perceive small shops to be more expensive. This time last year, independents were receiving £550m of our grocery spending. This year the figure is £50m less. Organic food sales are also down 11 per cent. (Source: http://www.news.bbc.co.uk)

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

Cutting Greenhouse Gases Could Help Grow the Economy As predicted by a research group at the Queen’s University Belfast, utilizing greenhouse gas-producing resources more efficiently could result in over £14 billion more in products and services produced in Northern Ireland’s economy. The group linked greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and economic performance to calculate the figure. Achieving the same level of efficiency as Great Britain’s GHG emissions, local economic output would have to increase by about 53 per cent. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales all under perform compared with the English economy with respect to GHG emissions, with Wales having the least efficient performance of all four countries when carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane are taken into account. In terms of carbon dioxide efficiency, however, Northern Ireland did manage to narrow its performance gap between 1990 and 2006. (Source: Queen's University, Belfast. "Cutting Greenhouse Gases Could Help Grow The Economy." ScienceDaily 19 June 2009. 9 July 2009 <http:// www.sciencedaily.com¬ /releases/2009/06/090619082259.htm>)

Hydroponics Offers Unique Alternative for Britons Lacking an Outdoor Garden According to a recent study, there are an estimated 10 million people in the UK who do not have a garden. As an alternative, Britons are turning to the hydroponic gardening and enjoying the unique benefits just as much. Thanks to hydroponics, you no longer need soil to grow plants. Hydroponics is a concept which dates back to prehistoric times. Nowadays approximately 90 per cent of all cut fresh flowers purchased in the UK are hydroponically grown, and an estimated 65 per cent of all fruit and vegetables purchased from the supermarket are grown in hydroponics systems. In hydroponics the water, nutrients and air needed by a plant to grow are mainlined directly to the rootball, freeing the plant to use its available energy in its upper leaf, fruit or flower development. In short, it allows you to grow up to 10 times the yield, in half the space and in half the time. If you have the spare cash and a spare room, loft, cellar or closet, you too can become hydroponically enlightened. MY (Source: www.news.bbc.co/uk)

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

PRODUCT spotlight

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

General Hydroponics Europe Introduces BioSevia Terra BioSevia Terra, the same product used for hydroponics, is now available for use with soil. Since we first launched BioSevia for bioponics, we’ve been receiving huge amounts of mail from gardeners who were interested in using it in soil, but were not sure if they could. For all indoor and outdoor soil gardeners, we decided to make a new label adapted to your specific needs. Now, there is no need to hesitate when buying BioSevia Terra, as you are guaranteed to achieve excellent results. And, the concentration is such that you get an excellent return on your investment – one to two millilitres per litre is enough to give you the best possible crops! And don’t forget, BioSevia Terra is certified organic by Qualité France, and complies with the European regulation N° 2092/91 on organic agriculture. For more information, contact your local hydroponics retailer.

Thermostatically Controlled Centrifugal Fans from Can-Filters

STG Introduces the Clipper Clone Puck

Can-Filters Group has added the thermostatically controlled fan in sizes four HO and six HO to their line up of centrifugal fans. The new thermostatic fan is controlled by setting the dial to the desired temperature listed on the dial attached to the fan. The fan has an integrated sensor inside of the fan to sense the temperature of the airflow every 1.5 minutes. When the airflow temperature is hotter through the fan than the dial setting, the fan will automatically speed up. If the air flow across the blades is cooler then the set dial setting, the fan will automatically slow down. This thermostatic fan will permit full control of the environment. No remote sensors no problem! Can-Filters – Simply the Best. To learn more visit an indoor gardening store near you.

STG has developed a revolutionary Cloner puck designed to be a seamless replacement for current neoprene products. The technological breakthrough is that unlike current neoprene pucks, where the cutting must be removed, the STG Clipper Cloner goes from the cloner to the next stage of growth, with no additional transplant needed. This not only reduces the occurrence of transplant shock, but also saves growers a lot of time. Truly, two great value added benefits. The STG Cloner Puck fits the most common size clone systems like EZ Clone, Botanicare, Power Cloner, Clone Machine and others, and can also be used in conjunction with all of STG’s new Storm series inserts for net pots and buckets. To learn more about the Deluge Insert, visit your local indoor gardening store.

Announcing Technaflora’s Rootech Cloning Gel™ in a New Economic Size Rootech Cloning Gel™, the gel that gardeners have come to rely on, is now available in a seven gram size. Rootech’s new size is ideal for the grower who leans towards small crop production. This compact jar with a resealable cap will propagate between 70 to 100 cuttings. For years, Rootech has provided it’s customers with the performance they have come to depend on. Easy to apply and among the strongest gels on the market, with a concentration of .55 per cent I.B.A, Rootech is ideal for propagation of the most hard-to-root plants. It can also be diluted with water for use on cuttings that will form roots more easily. To learn more about Rootech Cloning Gel visit an indoor gardening store. 12

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

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

Keeping your Cool with the Fresca Sol™ Light System Air-cooled lights work great with cool air, but become less efficient when outside air temperatures become warmer. The Fresca Sol™ Water-Cooled Light Fixture keeps your room cool all year long and uses a lot less energy with water than with air, therefore, lowering your electric bills. Another great benefit of water-cooling is that you can place the lighting as close as 15 centimetres above plants instead of 46 to 61 centimetres with air-cooled systems, resulting in nine to 16 times more light for your plants! The Fresca Sol consists of a double wall hightemperature borosilicate glass vessel with brackets, socket and 4.5 metre Sun System® lamp cord. The easy access door accommodates 250, 400, 600 or 1000 HPS lamps. 250 or 400 MH lamps - tubular jacket only (no BT-37 or 56 lamps). In order to run the Fresca Sol effectively, you’ll need a minimum 227 litre reservoir needed per 1000 watt fixture. Requires active cooling with a water pump which is not included. For more information on the Fresca Sol Light System, go to your local hydroponics retailer. MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

PRODUCT spotlight

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

DripCapTM from CubeCap™ Not yet for commercial sale but already admired internationally is a new invention from CubeCap™. The new DripCap™ is designed to replace traditional drip-pegs, combining irrigation with the advantages of the CubeCap™, which is mainly applied in ebb and flood systems. DripCap™ is manufactured for ease of application and removal; it wraps around the plant securely and can be locked into place at any stage of plant growth. The patented design allows water droplets to completely saturate the media without having to relocate the device, as is common with standard drip-pegs. Further benefits from the use of DripCap™ relate to the reflection of light, which helps create a desirable micro-climate for new roots to form. The slower evaporation rate also allows for savings in the amount of water and nutrients required by the plants for optimum growth. DripCap™ almost completely eliminates persistent algae and fungus gnat problems present in grow facilities. CEO Steven Gallo will be unveiling the new DripCap™ at all major exhibitions, starting September 2009 at Proflora in Bogotá, Columbia. Ask your local retailer to carry the DripCap™.

New Indoor Products from 3D Organics Hit the Market

Sure To Grow Launches New Storm Series Inserts

3D Organic Solutions, LLC is now offering three new products formulated for outstanding indoor or hydroponic results! These products are organic based and can be used outdoors as well. OG Grow 4-0-1 is a one part indoor/ hydroponic grow formula that contains nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, boron, humic and fulvic acids, yucca, quillaja, sugars and more. OG Bloom .5-4-3 part A is the first in a two part indoor/hydroponic bloom formula that contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, boron, humic and fulvic acids, yucca, quillaja, sugars and more. OG Bloom 2-0-1 part B is the second in a two part indoor/hydroponic bloom formula that contains nitrogen, potassium, calcium, silicates, b-vitamins and more. Use 3D Indoor Products with 3D Powder Products for greater performance! 3-D Organic Solutions, LLC is a small, family owned and operated organic fertilizer company located in Ukiah, California that supports organic farming and agriculture. For more information on these products visit your local indoor gardening retailer.

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

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

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

MiniGen Water-Cooled CO2 Generator

After extensive testing, Hydro Innovations is very proud to introduce our MiniGen Water-Cooled CO2 Generator. Measuring at only 15 centimetres by 15 centimetres by 25 centimetres, the MiniGen is perfect for smaller enclosures, and it can be used with or without the energy-efficient water cooling feature. The MiniGen has an electronic ignition with no standing pilot light and has a burner output of 1,250 BTU. When used with the water-cooling feature, 75 per cent of the heat produced by the burner is removed. It can be wall mounted or hung from chains. It burns propane fuel to produce CO2 and comes with a four metre gas hose with regulator. For more information on the MiniGen visit your local indoor gardening retail store. Continued on page 42 MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

by Erik Biksa

The Digital Sun:

Brighter Light for Better Results

There has been quite a ripple in the world of hydroponics since the introduction of digital lighting systems, sometimes referred to as electronic lighting systems, since their appearance within the last decade or so. As with many emerging new technologies, some of the first generation units showed us lots of promise, and in some instances they delivered on those promises; in others reliability was an issue with a few wrinkles that needed to be ironed out. 16

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

In the past, unit wattages of 400 watts or less had proved to be more reliable, as manufacturers and engineers had not yet conquered the higher wattage outputs, especially given the inconsistency of input voltages and the quality of electricity available in different parts of the globe. Some of the earlier un-shielded models also created RF (radio frequency) interference, causing problems with communication signals such as radio, wireless internet and cable.

``Digital units are using circuits and micro-processors to regulate wattages and electrical qualities, making them “smarter” over mechanical technologies such as core and coil ballasts.`` At present day, growers have some exciting options when it comes to choosing lighting systems for their indoor and greenhouse crops. Next generation digital ballasts outperform their magnetic/core and coil predecessors, while offering options and functions that are simply not available using the older core and coil ballast technologies. The higher wattages are typically very reliable now, and the holy grail of 1000 watt digital HID reliability is now here. Gone are the days of loud buzzing and humming, a situation with core and coil ballasts that becomes compounded with multiple ballast installations, especially overtime with ballast wear. Traditional ballasts, while reliable, produce a lot of heat that can be problematic. The heat produced is indicative of a less efficient process in converting the power coming in to power that is suitable for maintaining an arc in MH (metal halide) and HPS (high pressure sodium) lighting. This means that you are getting less light for every watt consumed, with more heat and bigger power bills versus high quality next generation digital/electronic HID lighting systems. So where do these differences in efficiency originate from when comparing digital ballasts versus core and coil ballasts? Primarily it’s in the fact that the digital units are using circuits and micro-processors to regulate wattages and electrical qualities, making them “smarter” over mechanical technologies such as core and coil ballasts. Core and coil ballasts use metal wire windings (coil) over a series of metal plates (core) to regulate or ballast the flow of electrical current to the lamp. HID lamps require ballasts because they have stricter requirements about the amount of voltage it takes to strike and maintain an arc in the lamp versus incandescent home lights. The arcing of the lamp produces light because the ballast sends the right amount of electricity through the arc tube, which excites and ignites the blend of particles. Once ignited, the particles become a gas that creates light for crops. If too little electricity is sent, the bulb will not stay lit; if too much is sent it will burn the bulb out or damage it beyond usability. Most of the core and coil ballasts used for growing indoors are Controlled Auto Wattage (CAW) transformers. They allow for a +/- 15 per cent difference in the amount of electricity coming in to keep a specified lamp lit while keeping it supplied with the correct amount of power. If there is too much variance in the output of the ballasts due to fluctuations in the electricity available, the lamp will not be able to stay lit or will “pulse.” MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

The Digital Sun: Brighter Light for Better Results

Don’t try this at home; it will void your warranty. Here we can see that there is a lot more “smarts” inside an electronic ballast versus its conventional predecessor.

As a matter of fact, one of the reasons electronic ballasts produce stronger light that is more useful to plants is that they do not pulse as much as lighting sources originating from magnetic (core and coil) sources. Part of the reason is that core and coil ballasts operate at lower frequencies, very much resembling line voltage frequencies of 50 to 60 hertz. Hertz (Hz) is the measure of how quickly a magnetic field is expanding and collapsing per second. Remember that the nature of the electricity we use is based on the principle of an expanding and col-

lapsing magnetic field, with the occurrence at a rate of many times per second, i.e. in our 50 to 60 hertz line voltage frequencies. This relatively lower frequency translates into the quality of light being emitted by the lamp.To the plant, the light is actually blinking 50 to 60 times per second, creating a strobe effect that is not often visible to the human eye; however, plants seem to sense it. Digital and electronic ballasts deliver their electrical lighting loads at much higher frequencies, for example greater than 10,000 hertz. This means a more

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

constant “on” of the lamp, with reduced pulsing or strobing of the light. Plant growth responds better to the lessened incidence of strobing created by digital lighting systems. Not only do plants benefit, but so does the grower as lamp life is increased, and the overall intensity of the lamp output is also increased. Nikola Tesla, regarded by many as one of the most brilliant electrical scientists/engineers to have walked the earth, seemed to have gravitated towards higher frequency electrical currents greater than the 10,000 hertz range as with digital ballasts versus the 50 to 60 hertz range used with core and coil/magnetic ballasts. Because digital ballasts are using smart technologies to help generate optimal lighting frequencies rather than mechanical ones as with core and coil, they offer some savings in the amount of electricity consumed. However, they do an even better job of converting the amount of electricity consumed into optimal frequencies for maintaining an arc in the lamps used for lighting. For example, no device is 100 per cent efficient. Power Factor (PF) is a relative measurement of the efficiency of electrical devices, basically stating how much power is being lost and un-available for “work” compared to the amount of power being consumed. Most core and coil ballasts have a PF rating of about 0.85, meaning that 85 per cent of the electricity being consumed is being translated into use for “work,” in this instance maintaining the arc in the lamp. The 15 per cent that is lost emanates as heat, which is a form of waste, helping to explain why core and coil ballasts tend to run so hot. High quality next generation digital ballasts have PF ratings of 99 per cent and higher. This means that the majority of electricity being consumed is being translated into usable electricity for lamps, due to the smart processing of the electricity by modern day circuits. Most growers who have adopted the digital age of lighting and made the switch find they are saving about five to 10 per cent on

Looking down on the two units, we can see that the digital ballast is much more compact. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also very light-weight compared to conventional units. Installing and mounting are simplified.

average in electrical usage, and in some instances much higher. Although growers get excited about less electrical draw, because it allows them to safely run more ballasts on the same circuit and because of the reduction in power costs, the real joy is in the increase in lumen output from their lamps. Some brands and wattages of lamps are better suited to accepting the greater than 10,000 hertz frequencies delivered by digital lighting. In most cases lamp output is actually increased by around 10 per cent, which is quite significant. The amount of light energy delivered to crops has a strong correlation to the potential yield of indoor crops and the overall quality of the harvest; provided other environmental conditions are managed. Not only is the sheer intensity improved, but as stated previously, so is the quality of light due to a reduction in the incidence of strobing. Lamp manufacturers with their eyes on the future have begun to develop lamps that are specifically manufactured for use on the higher frequency operating digital ballasts. This offers to increase the output potential of digitally driven lighting systems even further. Besides the improvements of how digital ballasts operate versus core and coil types, there are some capabilities and features you can find in next generation digital lighting systems that you just wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t find in common core and coil systems used for growing crops under artificial lighting. First off, digital lighting systems donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t create a huge spike in your electrical draw on ignition. This spike can be especially problematic when starting up a number of ballasts at the same time. Startup is when you are most likely to trip a breaker that would normally be okay while the lamps are operating. Digital ballasts do not create this spike, as they gently and quickly drive lamps to full brilliance, typically in less than one minute. This helps to eliminate power spikes, and allows growers to maximize the number of ballasts they can safely run on a given rated electrical circuit. These softer starts help to extend the life of the lamp, as well as helping to preserve the quality of light being emitted by the arc tube. Because digital ballasts are capable of driving your lamps brighter, MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

The Digital Sun: Brighter Light for Better Results you may still want to replace your lamps as often as with core and coil types. In a sense, you are replacing them due to how brightly they burned, rather than how inefficiently they were ignited. The distance at which lamps can be ignited, and still achieve their maximum rated lumens, is also improved with high quality digital lighting systems. Lamps, including 600 watt models, can be ignited at distances of 20 metres or even greater. Very few, if any, core and coil types have been able to achieve this, especially when using high quality horticultural lamps such as the one featured in this article. The fact that digital ballasts will ignite either MH or HPS lamps is an excellent advantage. While conversion and retro-fit bulbs are available for allowing HPS lamps to be used with MH core and coil ballasts and MH lamps to be used with HPS core and coil ballasts, the bulbs are pricey and tend to sacrifice some lumen output for their cross-over capabilities. With digital

ballasts, you can use a wider variety of lamps on the same unit. In fact, certain models of next generation digital ballasts can run more than one type of lamp wattage from the same ballast, giving it a wattage switching capability. For example one of the digital ballasts featured in this article can switch from 400 watt HPS/MH capabilities to 600 watt HPS/ MH capabilities. All the grower needs to do is turn the power off, switch the lamps, flick the 400 watt/600 watt selector switch and then run a different wattage lamp. This is perfect, because growers can supply a vegetative photoperiod in a one metre squared with a 400 watt MH lamp. When triggering the plants into flowering or up seven days after initiating the 12/12 photoperiod for short day plants, the 400 watt MH lamp can be replaced with a 600 watt Just plug into a quality, high amperage timer, and your digital ballasts will run either HPS or HPS lamp. At the flick of a switch, optimal MH lamps from the same unit. The lamps will run light levels and spectrums can be supplied brighter, and the ballasts much cooler, increasing grow room efficiency. for the flowering phase. This is very convenient and produces excellent results.The grower does not need to move the plants, or change lighting systems from vegetative to flowering growth, making growing in deep raised beds even easier! Because the grower is switching lamps periodically, bulb life is extended, providing yet another benefit. Growers are finding that by switching to a high quality AC reflector and replacing their conventional 1000 watt lighting systems with 600 watt digital units, they are getting great results with fewer heat problems and smaller electrical bills. A lamp socket extension makes 1000 watt reflectors suitable for 600 watt lamps.

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

The Digital Sun: Brighter Light for Better Results As mentioned previously, digital ballasts also run quieter and cooler. Some digital ballasts encase the circuits with a resin, and the heat generated by the unit is passively vented.These types of units run completely silent. Other innovative digital ballasts use fan-cooling to keep the ballasts’ temperatures even cooler. Cooler circuits run more efficiently, creating a greater potential for light output. In some digital ballast units, the ballast cooling fans are thermostatically controlled, and also integrate fail safe sensors and functions. For example if the internal ballast temperature rises to over 72°C, the cooling fans will speed up, and the condition is indicated to the grower with an LED flashing function on the ballast. If temperatures exceed 90°C, the condition is also indicated to the grower with a flashing LED display. Either condition should not occur if there is adequate ventilation for the digital ballasts; the smart technology is actually telling the grower they are doing something wrong. Core and coil ballasts will not do this, and always run much hotter than digital ballasts operated in the same type of environment. There are many other advantages that digital ballasts can offer besides power savings, increased light output, improved quality of light, cooler operation and less noise. For example, most units are extremely lightweight versus traditional core and coil units, as well as being more compact. Potentially, the grower can house more ballasts in the same amount of space with a much easier and less weight to handle installation.

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

While core and coil ballasts are very reliable, in fact you could use one as a boat anchor, haul it up, dry and clean it and fire it up again (don’t try this at home), they cannot perform many of the smart functions and operations that digital and electronic ballast systems do for horticultural lighting. Just as there is a new breed of grower, there is also a new breed of lighting technologies that help to improve the growing process and give better results.There is an optimal lighting system for each individual application, so take some time and do the research to find the one that is right for you. MY For a quick review of the advantages of digital ballasts, visit www.maximumyield.com

A BEGINNER’S Guide to Indoor Grow Room Pests and Pals You may not realize it, but bugs are an important part of your life. In fact, people couldn’t live without them. Bugs pollinate our food crops and flowers, mix and fertilize soil, eat our garbage, provide food for wildlife and give us honey, wax and silk. There are millions of different kinds of bugs, and very few of them are pests that harm people or plants. Bugs have four important jobs in your garden: Predators, such as ladybugs and spiders, are part of the pest patrol. These garden defenders are skilled hunters that feast on plant-eating insects. Parasitoids, such as some tiny wasps, lay their eggs inside of garden pests. When the eggs hatch, the wasp larvae eat the insides of their victims. Pollinators, like bees and butterflies, move pollen from flower to flower as they feed on nectar, helping plants make seeds and reproduce. The Clean-Up Crew including earthworms, millipedes and fruit flies, eat and break down dead plants and animals. This process called decomposition, transforms waste into nutrientrich soil for healthy plant growth. Without these talented recyclers we would soon be buried in garbage. The Pest Patrol People sometimes use chemicals, called pesticides, to kill unwanted bugs in the garden. However, some of these chemicals can also harm people, pets and the helpful bugs that pollinate plants and eat pests. Pesticides can also pollute bay area waters and can poison the animals that call the water home. When pesticides are washed into storm drains by rain and over-watering of lawns and gardens, they wind up in creeks and other sources of water. Pesticides that are poured or rinsed down household drains cannot be removed by sewage treatment plants, so they also end up in the rivers and oceans. Instead of using pesticides, we can often control garden troublemakers safely by calling out the pest patrol – the hardworking bugs that eat the pests. These natural pest control experts protect our plants without harming people, wildlife or the environment. MY Visit our article archive on www.maximumyield.com for handy techniques and kid-friendly education to get your children interested in growing.

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

by Bob Taylor: Chief Chemist at Flairform

How to Produce Cuttings 10 Steps to Success Cuttings produce a plant having the same genetic characteristics as the stock plant (e.g. same appearance, size, yield, etc). This cannot be achieved using seeds.

A popular method of reproducing plants is by means of cuttings (or clones). A cutting is a plant part removed from a stock or donor plant that will develop roots and shoots when placed in soil under favourable conditions. In comparison to reproduction via seed, this method offers some lucrative benefits.

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

Cuttings taken from the most recent growth will produce plants that take less time to reach biological maturity. Commercial fruit growers do this to minimise the lengthy non-fruiting phase associated with seed propagated plants.

Figure 4.1a: Callus tissue forms prior to the formation of root initials (typically within five days.)

Figure 4.1b: Adventious roots break out of the callus tissue (typically seven - 10 days).

Figure 4.1 - Initial root formation

Stem cuttings: The most appropriate cutting material will vary between species; however, most species can be propagated using stem cuttings. Stem cuttings possess stems, leaves and sprouts (see Figure 4.2). Roots grow from the basal wood (Figure 4.1a and 4.1b) and shoots grow from the sprouts. The physical age of the material selected is important to a cutting’s survival. Material can be classified as softwood, semihardwood or hardwood. Semi-hardwood generally provides the best cutting material because it’s relatively unsusceptible to rotting, fungal attack or dehydration and it has a relatively high rooting potential. This material is best identified by wood turning hard and changing colour from green to brown with the formation of bark; it is not as supple as softwood, but still flexible; and its leaves are Figure 4.2: darker in colour. Material for stem cutting

Procedure

Step 1 Thoroughly wash and sterilize all hardware and areas that are likely to contact cuttings and cause disease contamination. Step 2 Pre-soak medium by immersing in a highly pH buffered seedling nutrient. This helps ensure that excess alkalinity is removed and ensures optimum root-zone pH. Gently squeeze to drain excess nutrient.

Step 3 To increase the success rate of cuttings (see figure 4.6) and seedlings, use a heat mat* and propagation lid to maintain root and air temperature at 20 to 25°C and relative humidity at 80 per cent. As a light source use cool white fluorescent lighting timed to run for 18 hours per day. Ensure this environment is established prior to planting cuttings. *Heat mat: A heat mat applies heat directly to the medium and basal end of the cutting to promote rapid root development. MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

How to Produce Cuttings - 10 Steps to Success

With minimal foliage and no roots, cuttings largely depend upon existing (internal) energy reserves for the creation of roots. Consequently, the longer it takes to form roots, the less chance there is of survival. Heating the air alone is counter productive as this promotes unnecessary foliage growth, which wastes valuable energy supplies that are required for the production of roots.

Step 4 Select a plant that has been well maintained, has favourable characteristics and is free of disease. The cuttings material must be of semihard wood. Avoid plants that are well into the flowering stage.

Figure 4.6: Heat mat, propagation lid and artificial lighting are beneficial for maximixing the success rate of cuttings and seedlings.

Step 5 Using secateurs (or Figure 4.3: a scalpel) remove a lateral How to produce a stem cutting (side branch) that has at least two sets of leaves on it and has a stem diameter of at least five millimetres (see Figure 4.2). Then immediately place the cut end into tepid water.

Step 6 Using a scalpel, trim cuttings as per figure 4.3: (1) Remove bottom set of leaves and nodes, (2) Cut through stem* at a 45° angle approximately five to 10 millimetres below where the leaves and nodes were, (3) Scuff (but do not fully remove) the bark between the nodes and the base of cutting, (4) if bottom set of leaves are too large these should be cut in half**. ** Better results may be achieved by trimming this set of leaves 24 hours prior to removing the cutting from the plant.

Step 8 Mist cuttings daily using water, and water the medium as required using a seedling nutrient (EC 0.8mS). Ensure to maintain root and air temperature at 20 to 25°C and relative humidity at 80 per cent. Diligently remove any dead leaves or dead cuttings as these are an ideal host for fungi. Also, keep removing floral buds. Step 9 Depending on the plant variety, roots usually develop within seven to 10 days. Once this occurs, gradually expose cuttings to their proposed environment. Note that a sudden change in humidity, nutrient strength, light intensity or temperature might kill them. Therefore, gradually increase nutrient strength to EC 1.5mS. Also, remove the propagation lid for 30 minute periods initially, increasing the frequency over the course of a few days (or as required) until the cuttings are ready to be planted into their proposed environment. Step 10 When transplanting, to avoid disturbing roots, simply plant the entire root block and medium used in the propagation system. If it is necessary to remove the cutting from the propagation medium, ensure to be extremely gentle with the roots during the transplanting process (Figure 4.5): 1. Allow the roots to settle naturally into the new medium. Do not allow the roots to become twisted or bent upwards. 2. Plant cutting to the same depth as it was before. MY

Figure 4.5: When transplanting cuttings, do not allow roots to become twisted or bent upwards, and plant at the same depth as before.

Step 7 Immediately immerse entire basal end into cutting gel. (See region three in Figure 4.3). Punch a hole in the medium of diameter slightly greater than that of the basal end and deep enough so cutting will not fall over. Push right to the base of the pre-made hole then press medium against the stem. Do not re-water! 28

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

To read more of Bob Taylor’s articles, visit www.maximumyield.com and search under our author archive

What is pH? by Grodan

The unit of measure of nutrient solution acidity or alkalinity is termed pH. It is a description of the concentration of the H+ ions in the feed solution, substrate or drain water. The mathematical description is: pH = -log10[H+] = log10 1/[H+] This equation tells us that as the concentration of H+ ions in a solution increases, the solution becomes more acidic. Conversely, as the H+ concentration decreases, the more basic the solution becomes. To control the pH and still retain a certain degree of buffering, the bicarbonate (HCO3) content of the raw water (bore-hole, well or mains) must be determined and adjusted to contain 40 to 60 ppm using one or a combination of acids. The naturally occurring bicarbonate ions in the water act as insurance against wide fluctuations in the pH of the solution. However, some sources of water, particularly rainwater, contain very little, if any bicarbonate (<6.1 ppm). Feed solutions composed of mainly rainwater will cause the slab solution to have an unstable pH. The addition of potassium bicarbonate to the stock tank will provide some buffering capacity under these situations. The bicarbonate content of the water and the pH of the water are closely co-related. However, the pH is not a measure of the bicarbonate content in the water and the bicarbonate content is not a measure of the pH of the water. As the bicarbonate content increases, the pH increases. This is due to the equation:

Why is it important to regulate pH of the nutrient solution? The pH of the nutrient solution will determine the availability of certain elements. Generally Iron (Fe) Manganese (Mn) and Zinc (Zn) become less available as the pH is raised from 6.5 to 7.5. At a high pH, phosphorus will form insoluble phosphate salts which will precipitate out into the solution. Thus phosphorus will become unavailable to the plant until the pH is reduced to within normal limits. A balanced uptake of each of the nutrients by the plant is only possible if the root zone pH is within the range 5.5 to 6.0. The primary control of pH in the root zone is through the input (drip) solution. It should be noted that the crop itself has the ability to change the solution pH around its roots quite considerably, especially during early season vegetative growth. MY

Basic Concepts Basic pHpH Concepts Below you will find an illustration of the basic pH concepts. Below you will find an illustration of the basic pH concepts. Baking Soda

HCO3 + H H2O + CO2

BASIC

The pH of the water will rise through the addition of bicarbonate ions due to its reaction with free hydrogen (H+). This will result in the creation of water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2). More importantly however, hydrogen ions, which are what is measured by the pH meter, are removed from the solution. As a result, the pH meter detects fewer hydrogen ions and produces a reading indicating a higher pH.

Lemon Juice

7 5 6 4 3 1 2 ACIDIC

12 11 0 1 8 9

pH rang for optimal nutrient uptake

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

The Ethical Gardener’s View on Plastic Pots The plastic plant pot is the gardener's equivalent to the shopper’s plastic carrier bag: we know we use too many of them some 500 million each year in the UK - but they’re really cheap and they’re handy. The only trouble is that like carrier bags, they have become a huge waste problem; they pile up in our gardens, in our bins, and the majority of them are either sent to landfill or incinerated. And the manufacturer of virgin plastic uses significant amounts of fossil fuels (four per cent of the world's annual oil production is used to produce plastics and a further three per cent to manufacture them). An obvious alternative is to recycle them, not just by giving your surplus to neighbours or a local community project, but by being able to take them back to be recycled commercially, ideally to be made into more pots. Until recently, the argument against recycling on a large scale has been that it's too complex and costly to sort the mixed plastics. But now the majority of plant pots are made from polypropylene, with trays made from polystyrene, and advanced technology means that mechanical sorting is feasible. However, Steve Griggs of Associated Polymer Resources points out that the specialized machinery is very expensive. The challenge for gardeners is to persuade garden centres and nurseries to take back used pots, and set up a collection scheme with one of the country's specialist plastic recyclers who can clean and granulate the plastic so that it can be re-used. Using degradable plastic, plastic which has been treated with an accelerant so that it will degrade when finished with, throws up problems of emissions and the length of time it takes to break down. And, according to Friends of the Earth, does nothing to promote lasting solutions to plastic waste. 30

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

Biodegradable pots, made from a range of materials such as coir, wood chips, rice husks, miscanthus or seaweed, are becoming increasingly popular.There are two types: ones that last a few months and can be planted straight into the soil, where they gradually break down and add humus to the soil; and more rigid ones made from plant materials such as rice husks and latex which last up to three years and can be put on your home compost heap to degrade. Caroline and Derek Taylor of the Hairy Pot Plant Company have recently switched to coir pots, which they describe as ‘rustic looking,’ having trialled several other kinds for three years. The roots establish quickly and are air pruned once they push through the sides of the pots, which encourages them to branch more inside the pot. This avoids rootballing and creates a well-developed root system that enables the young plants to romp away, with no disturbance, as soon as they are planted out in their pots. Organic grower Mike Kitchen of Rocket Gardens has had similar success with compressed wood fibre pots from France, the largest of which, he says, can last for up to a year before degrading. Both these kinds of biodegradable pots dry out more quickly than ordinary plastic pots, and need to be handled more carefully. Except for the ones you make yourself from newspaper, biodegradable pots are also more expensive and their manufacturer has a carbon footprint. In the case of coir, which is mainly sourced from Sri Lanka, there's the extra transport costs, although very little energy is used in their manufacturing as the coir is dried by the sun for most of the year. But as coir importer Joe Collinson explains: “We should consider the social costs of what we're using too. In this case, the pots, which are finished by hand, provide a livelihood for communities.”

Did you know? • Each UK household produces over one tonne of rubbish annually. • The average net saving of CO2 from recycling plastics is estimated to be between one tonne and 1.5 tonnes CO2 equivalent per tonne of plastics. • Worldwide, we produce and use 20 times more plastic today than we did 50 years ago. • Plastics make up around seven per cent of the average household dustbin in the UK. • Nearly 57 per cent of litter found on our beaches was plastic. Viewpoint Alan Knight, Sustainability Director, Wyevale. "Recycling plant pots is a low carbon form of recycling as the material has already been manufactured and you're making use of lorries that would normally be returning empty to the growers. If we simplify the kinds of plastics we offer in our garden centres, it will make the recycling process even easier." Caroline Taylor, The Hairy Pot Plant Company. "Coir pots provide valuable employment in an under-developed area of Sri Lanka and work brilliantly as a pot. Last year we grew 20,000 plants in them.You plant the whole thing in the ground, thus avoiding waste and giving the plant a great start in life." David Gwyther, The Horticultural Trades Association Director General. "The industry has long been very conscious of the environmental challenge caused by used plastic pots, and has for many years been seeking both alternative materials and costeffective collection and recycling schemes. There are no quick fixes to this problem. It continues to require diligent development and trial work. HTA is monitoring these activities and running its own investigative schemes. Current industry projects include a SEEDA funded waste reduction and recycling project, and recycling experiments by Hilliers and Bransford Plants. We are pleased that Wyevale too is running a pilot recycling scheme. Though we have no details of this at present, we would hope that it would add to the industry's developing knowledge on how to come up with real solutions to the problem." What you can do • Take any unwanted plastic pots to a garden centre that offers a recycling service. If your nearest centre doesn't offer one, suggest the idea to them. • If you want to buy plastic pots (with or without plants in them) choose ones that are made from recycled plastic. • Make your own seed pots from newspaper. Use cardboard tubes for seedlings that put out long roots, e.g. sweet peas. • Experiment with biodegradable pots, both ones that you can plant directly into the soil and ones which can be used over longer periods and that can eventually be put on the compost heap. Reprinted with permission from www.bbc.co.uk

For more ways to exert a “green” thumb over your indoor garden visit www.maximumyield.com

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

How to Compost with Coffee

Turn the Waste from your Morning Coffee into Plant Food by Emma Cooper

Maybe you're one of many people trying to reduce the amount of trash you produce. Maybe you're wondering why your local coffee shop is giving away its waste coffee grounds to gardeners. Or maybe you're just looking for a free source of fertility for your garden. The reason for all of this is that coffee grounds are easy to use in the garden, to make compost or as plant food.

Source your coffee grounds. If you can't function without a proper cup of coffee in the mornings, then you may well brew your own. If so then you have a ready supply of coffee grounds to use in the garden. If you're not a coffee drinker, or you don't have a coffee machine, then you'll have to hunt down a local coffee shop that gives its waste grounds away - or maybe there's a coffee machine at work you can empty.

Use them fresh. Because they're damp and full of nutrients, coffee grounds quickly start to go moldy. Moldy coffee grounds are still fine to use, but they don't look as nice so you may want to compost them instead of using them as mulch.

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

Mulch. If you're after a low-maintenance garden, then you can simply toss your waste coffee grounds onto the soil as mulch. Their dark colour absorbs heat from the sun and can help the soil warm up, and they'll add nutrients to the soil as they break down.

Deter pests. Another advantage of using coffee grounds directly on the soil is that it can deter pests. Slugs and snails aren't fond of the caffeine or the gritty texture, and might go elsewhere for a munch. If you have a problem with cats using your garden as a litter box, then coffee mulch can help to disguise the smell and encourage them to go elsewhere.

And if you've got access to a regular supply of coffee grounds, then it's worth experimenting to see whether the smell confuses carrot flies and other pests that find their way to your plants by smell.

Make a liquid feed. Put about a pound of coffee grounds into a bucket or watering can with 23 litres of water, leave it to warm up for a little while, and you've got a nitrogen-rich feed that you can use on hungry plants in your garden. The resulting feed will be slightly acidic - good for use on acid-loving plants (such as camellias, azaleas, gardenias, hydrangeas, rhododendrons and blueberries).You can use it elsewhere, but keep an eye on your soil pH by testing your soil each season with a soil pH metre or garden chemistry test kit.

Add coffee grounds to your compost heap. If you have a compost heap, then you can add coffee grounds - filters and all - to your heap. The carbon to nitrogen ration of coffee grounds is around 20:1, which means that it adds a nitrogen boost to your heap that can kick-start the composting process or compensate for a lot of carbon-rich brown materials (woody plant stems, crumpled paper or cardboard). The carbon to nitrogen ratio of coffee grounds is similar to that of grass clippings, and because it has been

ground up, it has a large surface area and breaks down quickly.

Give your worms a boost. You can also add coffee grounds to your worm composter; the worms will love munching their way through them. In a worm composter, you'll need to keep a careful eye on the pH levels to keep your worms happy. Balance out the acidic coffee grounds with some lime, or crushed up eggshells. If you're a real coffee addict, then you'll also appreciate the final bonus it brings to your garden. Everywhere you go in your garden, you'll get that fresh coffee aroma. About the Author: Emma Cooper is the voice of the Alternative Kitchen Garden podcast and writes about kitchen gardening and environmental issues. An edible plant geek, she tries to grow her own food sustainably with the help of a reluctant husband and two pet chickens.Visit http://coopette.com for more information. MY You will find a list of other compostables used in your daily life by visiting www.maximumyield.com and searching our UK Online Extras.

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

These slimy roots are unhappy due to a pythium attack.

Root-Parasitic Fungi:

How to Control Pythium in Hydroponics by Noucetta Kehdi

Roots donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get the attention they deserve. This comment is true for all types of growing methods, but even more in hydroponics where roots are barren and vulnerable. So root management in hydroponics is an extremely important issue. But donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t roots take care of themselves? Generally they do, at least to some extent. But when in adverse situations, they will be easily attacked by several diseases. A good grower must be able to address the problem before hand. The question is how to get and maintain a healthy root system. A dynamic, well-designed growing system, clean, highlyoxygenated water, a well-drained substrate, good ventilation and the right temperature and humidity levels are the main ingredients to success when growing hydroponically. Many more parameters are involved of course, but following these basic directions, and the application charts on the nutrient bottles, will allow you to keep your plants happy 34

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

and healthy. And basically, this is what you are looking for because it is when your plants are stressed that pests and diseases start invading.

This drawing depicts the inside of an aeroflo hydroponics system and the oxygenation that happens inside the nutrient-rich solution.

“Ethylene is recognized by some pathogens as the sign of a weak individual, and a motivation to attack.” The root level is a particularly vulnerable part of the plant, be it in soil or in water. When your temperature is high, and your water circulation is poor, your plants will suffer due to a lack of oxygen. At the root level this oxygen starvation reduces the permeability of roots to water, and consequently the absorption of mineral salts, which will weaken the plant and eventually lead to a poor crop. Under continuing stress conditions, the roots will emit ethylene, a stress hormone These roots are healthy once again after a pythium attack, proving that that accumulates in the roots and participates if you react quickly enough, it is to the slow degradation of the root system. possible to have some recovery. Furthermore, ethylene is recognized by some pathogens as the sign for a weak individual, plant of food. It attacks mainly seeds and and a motivation to attack. seedlings, which have little resistance to disease. Larger plants are more resistant; they do What’s a pathogen? get injured too, but if quickly detected they It’s an organism that can cause sickness. can be treated and saved, although your crop There is an immense variety of pathogens will be definitely stunted. in our environment, and some of them are Like other fungi, pythium exists everywhere fungi like: fusarium, pythium, verticillium, in the plant’s environment and will attack phytophtora and many more. Fusarium and practically all plants. The best conditions for pythium are the two common and most de- its development are high moisture levels and structive root aggressors known to all growa temperature between 20 and 30°C. Plus ers, soil gardeners or hydroponicists. They poor oxygenation of the nutritive solution are very ferocious invaders that are often the in hydroponics, of course. It is a fungal spore reason of total crop destruction. that lives in air and water and will be present What we must realize is that a large diversity in your growing area, no matter how clean of micro-organisms live all around us. They it is. It will come in on your shoes, your live on plants, in soil and water, in the air clothes, your hands, etc. It will come in with we all breathe, on our skin and in our food. your water, especially when your water supSome are beneficial and some are pathogens, ply comes from wells or rivers and streams. in the sense that they can “induce sickness.” There are millions of opportunities for this Most of these organisms will remain harmless fungus to get into your garden. So, it is imas long as the body they live on is in good portant to keep your growing environment health. But as soon as they sense the first clean and keep track of the quality of the signs of stress, they will attack. water you are using. Pythium is often described as a “secondary What is Pythium? infection,” because it only attacks when the Pythium is a destructive plant is already slightly damaged or when root-parasitic fungus. growing conditions are not at best. It takes Under favourable conditions Pythium advantage of sick or wounded tissues to multiplies very fast and liberates microscopic colonize the root and creates damping off spores that infect the roots and deprive the and root rot. MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

Root-Parasitic Fungi: How to Control Pythium in Hydroponics

“Pythium is often described as a “secondary infection,” because it takes advantage of sick or wounded tissues.”

“A good hydroponicist will regularly check his root system, as roots offer a well of information on the plant’s health, the quality of the nutritive solution and the functioning of the growing system.”

How do you recognize a pythium attack? On a general basis, when pythium attacks, infected seeds will turn soft, mushy and black, and will die. Seedlings will get soggy stems and collapse. For no apparent reason, larger plants and mothers will start wilting and yellowing (which is often incorrectly identified as a nutrient deficiency). Sometimes leaves will tend to curl downwards.Your plants will show poor growth and your yields will be reduced; you may even loose your crop entirely. It is not easy to catch a pythium attack on time, especially when growing in soil, as the first signs of plant stress will not show immediately above ground. Only after a few days will you notice that your plants look unhappy. Meanwhile at the root level the game was started long ago. In hydroponics pythium, which loves and thrives in water, is quite a common disease. If you are not vigilant enough, the consequences can be extremely damaging. But hydroponics brings a new dimension to growing, and offers the grower a priceless advantage: access to the root system. To have a better grasp on his future crop, a good hydroponicist will regularly check his root system, as roots offer a well of information on the plant’s health, the quality of the nutritive solution and the functioning of the growing system.

The roots on this young plant are being attacked by pythium. You can tell they are dying from the brown and slimy texture on the roots.

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

But be careful. In some growing systems you can lift your plants out of the growing chamber. When plants are young you can easily extract them to see if the roots are healthy. But once the root system develops, it is better to look at it from a neighbouring access hole to prevent wounding the plant, as wounded roots will attract fungi as surely as a sick plant. When you look at the roots at that stage, and if pythium started to attack your plants, you will see different symptoms, depending on the damage extend. Infection starts at the tip of the root then slowly disintegrates root hairs and the fine lateral roots which are critical for nutrient uptake. The gleaming white roots will turn into light brown, then to dark brown and then to black. When the infection is severe, the lower portion of the stem can become slimy and black. Usually the soft to slimy rotted portion of the root can be easily separated from the inner core. How to fight pythium? The answer is quite simple: by keeping your plants healthy you will allow them to resist fungi attacks. And to keep them healthy in hydroponics, there are basic and mandatory rules: good water quality, optimal oxygenation of the nutritive solution, good ventilation, a well drained substrate, adequate temperature and humidity levels, suitable feeding programs and general cleanliness. These are the first preventative measures that all hydroponic growers must keep in mind to start with, as prevention remains the most efficient solution. But there are moments too when your plant is particularly vulnerable, and when it is good to watch them closely. 1. Keep a close watch on your seedlings and cuttings, as it is often at that stage that your plant will be infected. It is important to choose your germination substrate very carefully and to keep your germination area as clean as possible. 2. When preparing your cuttings for propagation, use clean utensils, and take good care of both cutting and the mother plant, as the cuts inflicted during the operation are a wonderful opportunity for pathogen penetration. 3. As with the mother plant, another phenomena takes place when you cut some of its stems off: the root mass becomes too important for its new needs, the root system becomes mushy and sad and parts of it start decaying. At that time it will release more ethylene, and pathogens, including pythium, will rush in. 4. So don’t hesitate to renew your mothers. After some time your mother becomes old and eventually carries the pythium spores. And your cutting will carry it too. This is why it is wise to use your mother once or twice, and then replace it with one of the newly rooted cuttings. This way you will always propagate

These basil plants are showing healthy roots at a very high temperature of 48°C, thanks to our bio-filter and micro-organisms.

healthy young mothers and get healthy and vigorous cuttings, devoid of disease. 5. Transplanting is another key operation, as a wounded root is a perfect ground for infection. So when you transplant, use a clean spot and be particularly gentle with the young roots. To avoid transplant stress and root manipulation, you can use aeroponic propagation systems where you only need to move your plant from one pot to the next, without interfering with the root system. 6. On a general basis, start with disease-free plants and seeds. Avoid overfeeding and overcrowding of plants and keep good ventilation. It seems that pythium will thrive better at high alkalinity levels, so keep your pH as low as possible, while following the plant’s needs, of course. Some growers have discovered other means of fungi prevention by using wetting agents and chlorination of the nutritive solution, UV light, hydrogen peroxide and ozone. But be careful, some of these methods may be detrimental as they can interfere with some of the mineral salts in the solution, thus endangering the balance of your plant’s nutrition. There are other means to prevent pythium and fungi in general. Some companies offer products like special silicate powders, ben-

eficial bacteria or fungi, or different mixes of various strains of both to add to your nutritive solution. Some go further and offer a “biological filter” that will filter all residues, increase water oxygenation and include a mix of micro-organisms that will colonize and form a protective barrier on the roots, thus blocking the invasion of pathogen organisms. A big advantage to these filters is to keep your roots healthy, even when you have a difficult time controlling your temperature levels. Pythium is one among a huge diversity of fungi. Although, many more exist, like fusarium, verticillium, phytophtora and rhizoctonia, which will cause root rot of adults and damping off of seeds and seedlings. They will develop more or less easily, according to temperatures and pH levels, but they will thrive in the same conditions as pythium. Prevention against their attacks is the same as for pythium, the most important aspects being to continuously keep your plants as healthy and vigorous as possible. The root system of large plants will recover, if you react quickly enough! MY All of Noucetta Kehdi’s articles can be found at www.maximumyield.com under our author archive.

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

Rainwater Harvesting for

Hydroponic Gardens

by Charlene Rennick

As the urban horizon reaches its outward limits and begins its climb upward, the number of people in cities per square kilometre, increases in density. (Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population density is 4,761 per square kilometre with the United Kingdom ranked 48th most dense country in the world).The impact that this kind of population crunching has on the demand for municipal water supplies is enormous. Recent water bans in this vast country demonstrates the kind of blunt force that urban density has on water supply. 38

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

Aquifers include any geological structures that hold or move ground water and are a source for underground wells or springs. They can become stressed or experience accelerated erosion due to the strain of providing water for such high density urban structures. To offset some of the pressure of supplying clean water where there is a high demand, a simple addition of green technology can make a huge difference. Rainwater harvesting is a free source of water and is a renewable energy source. This form of green technology would work well in the UK where the climate is temperate and rainfall is plentiful year round. It can be used for washing and watering plants. Once the initial expense of the collection and storage equipment is relieved, the savings can be recouped very quickly. Many countries in the Caribbean and South America have been harvesting rainwater for domestic use during the past 300 years. What do you need to harvest rainwater? The first piece of equipment is usually free. It is called the catchment area and is the roof of your house. The conveyance system includes the eaves, trough and gutters if you are able to collect from your rooftop. Before setting up under your roof, it will need to be determined if any toxic substances

have been used in its construction as these could contaminate the rainwater. If your roof is made of wood, plastic, fibreglass or aluminium, it is safe to use. Clean cisterns are essential to store the water. Pump(s) are required to remove water from the cistern and a filtration device is necessary to remove dust and pollens. Any of this equipment can be purchased or built easily. If your roof is not an option, uncoated stainless steel, galvanized steel, reinforced concrete or baked-enamel finishes can be used as a catchment basin. Make sure it says lead-free. The following components are the minimum requirements for a catchment basin, according to http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/Sitework/rainwater-harvesting: • a solid secure cover • a coarse inlet filter • an overflow pipe • a manhole, sump and drain to facilitate cleaning • an extraction system that does not contaminate the water (e.g. a tap or pump) • a soakaway to prevent spilled water from forming puddles near the tank

Additional features might include: • a device to indicate the amount of water in the tank • a sediment trap, tipping bucket or other "foul flush" mechanism • a lock on the tap • a second sub-surface tank to provide water for livestock, etc. Hydroponic gardens are the perfect place to start using harvested rainwater. The principle of recycled water is inherent in this style of plant care. Nutrients are added to the water source and re-circulate to nourish the plant. This minimizes the quantity of water needed. Even a large plastic barrel such as a catchment basin with an inexpensive handheld filter system would provide enough water for a small-scale domestic hydroponic kitchen garden or home operation. MY Visit www.maximumyield.com for additional tips on water-wise gardening.

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

YOU TELL US Maximum Yield sits down with cofounder of General Hydroponics Europe (GHE) Noucetta Kehdi, to discuss growing atypical plants and GHE’s educational initiatives in the field of hydroponics.

Noucetta Kehdi

MY: What part of growing atypical plants has been the most fun for you? Noucetta: The project to grow atypical plants started when my husband William Texier and I decided to build our first greenhouse. It was stunning to watch the growth of the first tomatoes, the first basil, the first peppers. We rapidly realized that we could grow anything we wanted. Searching for the right plants was and still is the best part of the whole venture. I love exploring the Internet to find the right seed companies and nurseries, and researching each plant before purchasing it. It is quite an exhilarating feeling when you witness the first seedlings sprouting, sometimes after weeks of patience.

MY: Which varieties of plants are your favourites to grow? Noucetta: Fragrant plants, definitely! It is such a delight to enter the greenhouse and be overwhelmed by these amazingly sweet and powerful scents! I especially love Gardenia wolkensi, Michelia champaca, Datura mrahana, Tagete lucida and Helicrisum italicum. Another favourite family of ours is the medicinal plants group. Over the years we have collected more than 130 species from different countries, not only for the pleasure of collecting, but also to study their potential use as viable commercial crops. We worked with the Department of Pharmacognosis in Toulouse (France) to study the difference in active principles content for Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort) and Hieracium pilosella (Mouse-ear Hawkweed). Their researcher compared plants grown with our products in hydroponic systems with control plants growing in soil using a traditional method. The results were stunning each time with our crops containing two to three times more active principles! 40

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

The easiest and most delicious plants we have been growing lately are Physalis peruviana. They are very sturdy, grow beautifully in hydroponics and are extremely prolific. Once the plant starts producing, there is an endless quantity of fruit, year round. I pick some every day and enjoy the succulent, juicy fruit. Furthermore, they represent an excellent cash crop, one that I often refer to when asked about potential commercial crops in hydroponics. GHE is quite involved in educating the world on the benefits of hydroponics. Can you tell me more about the company’s initiatives with “Hydroponics as Conservation,” “Natural Heroes on PBS,” Hydro for Hunger and Solar Energy? Hydroponics for us is a passion and a way of life. Not only do we care about the end product for human consumption, we are careful with ecological, social and environmental issues.This is not new to our company and it is not a consequence of these recent years of ecological concern.This issue has always been on our minds. Sponsoring Natural Heroes was the initiative of Lawrence Brooke, founder of GH in North America, and partner of GHE in Europe. Created in 2004, the goal of the series is to promote positive ventures that make a difference to our environment, and to bring attention to the big environmental issues of our time. The main message is that one person can make a difference, and that each one of us can positively influence our future. Peggy Bradley and her colleagues created Hydro for Hunger. Through on-site instruction and training programs they help poor communities worldwide to become self-sufficient using hydroponics. They raise awareness about food shortages and the possibility to overcome this problem. Food for Hunger shows a family how to build a small hydroponic system using industrial wastes, and to start a small crop of tomatoes or other common plants for their own consumption. Once they produce their first crop, they are encouraged to grow more, and sell to nearby markets in order to generate extra income. Solar energy is one great accomplishment of GH California. They built a huge solar roof on top of their plant, which produces more than 50 per cent of their electrical consumption! In Europe, we just added a new warehouse to our plant, and are in the process of building our own solar equipment on its roof.

MY: What exactly is the One Earth – One Future initiative? Noucetta: One Earth - One Future is a declaration which was issued after the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 1 – 12, 1992. Written more than 15 years ago, the information it presents is stunning. One Earth - One Future puts forward the huge disparity existing between the populations on our planet; the terrible way we are managing our natural resources; and how a minority wastes more than 75 per cent of the world’s reserves. I especially like this document, because it uses simple yet powerful images to compare our world to a village of 1000 people. Definitely food for thought!

The following questions have been answered by GHE co-founder William Texier. Willam develops new products and manages the GHE greenhouse. He is their main chemist in Europe and their main technical consultant. MY: Through GHE’s studies with bioponics, hydroponics and aeroponics, what pros and cons have you found with each method? To start with, what people call aeroponics is a misnomer. True aeroponics requires that the nutrient solution be passed through a membrane and delivered to the roots as a mist. True aeroponics proved to be difficult to put in practice, especially on a large scale. Because the roots are so happy, the plant tends to grow a huge root mat, but with very little green above. Our technology is properly called aero hydroponics, since the nutrient solution travels in the air to be oxygenated. Developed by Lawrence Brooke in the early 80s, aero hydroponics has many advantages over classic hydroponics such as drip irrigation on rock wool slabs. The most important component is oxygenation, a key word in hydroponics cultivation. In fact, it is the only technique that still works in countries were the weather is constantly hot. Because the plants are provided with a constant flow of oxygenated nutrient, one can grow in temperatures far above what is currently recommended. In our greenhouse, the thermometer goes to 40°C every summer and even then we lose very few plants, if any! Also the fact that we use no substrate or a reusable one such as clay pebbles is a big advantage since there is no refuse to dispose of at the end of each crop. Having visual contact with the roots allows you to react as soon as you see the premises of a pathogen infection. Bioponics is another story. It would take a full article to answer that question. Briefly, the amount of nitrogen than you can bring with a bio-nutrient is noticeably lower than with a mineral one. As a result, the growth of green leaves or of the plant structure in general is inferior to the one with mineral nutrition. It presents a limitation if you want to grow basil or parsley as you will get only about half the yield. When it comes to harvesting flowers or fruits,

the yield is much better than with mineral salts (about 10 per cent less), but the flavour and quality is improved. And since you grow a little green mass, you achieve that yield with very little water and nutrient. The difficulty is that the classic instruments in hydroponics don’t tell you as much as they do with mineral nutrition. The pH is less important in bioponics and the EC readings give you only what is available to the plant at that moment, and not what is still locked in an organic molecule. The eye of the grower becomes an important tool, as it should be anyway!

MY: What advancements has GHE made in the adaptation of traditional organic growing methods in soilless cultivation? GH introduced its first nutrient solution on the market more than 30 years ago! Even before that, our chemist Cal Herrmann was working with NASA in the field of mineral nutrition. After all that time, we feel that we have pretty much exhausted what can be done using mineral salts. FloraDuo, the two part nutrient that we are about to launch, will be certainly the last addition in our line of mineral nutrients and incorporates all we have learned thus far. We believe that we have to introduce more life into our systems. I am talking about protecting crops from pathogens, improving nutrient intake, boosting the metabolism of the plants, increasing the health of the plant and enhancing the quality of the crop. Increasing yield cannot be done by improving the elements available, since we have already reached that limit, but by improving the way that plants can absorb those nutrients, yield increases are possible. This requires microbial life. We are starting to introduce life in hydroponics by using bacteria and fungi to decompose our bio-nutrient. We are currently exploring the field of microorganisms here in France, in collaboration with a French institute of agronomy, and also at GH in California with a full time biologist, and scientists at the University of California. After a few months of research, we are starting phase two with some tests in our greenhouse. The goal is to bring to hydroponics the advantages of the microbial life of good soil, without the downsides such as pathogenic organisms. The first results are promising but we are still far away from marketable products. However, the research is exciting and if we succeed, we will bring hydroponics to a whole new world. Additional Resources: www.eurohydro.com/about_us.php?mod=hydroponics www.eurohydro.com/bioponics_about.php www.naturalheroes.tv http://carbon.org/ www.hydroforhunger.org www.eurohydro.com

MY You can access all of our “You Tell Us” features by visiting www.maximumyield.com

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

PRODUCT spotlight

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

Continued from page 15

All-New Mite Rid from HydroMasta

Trimpro Gasoline For the fifth year in a row, Trimpro has been developing a new model of trimmer. We just put the final touch to our last model, the Trimpro Gasoline! The Trimpro Gasoline is equipped with a four strokes Honda motor. It is probably the most quiet and most reliable gas motor available on the market. The speed of the motor can easily be adjusted by the user at any time. They can also use the machine either as a “table top” trimmer or install the “Automatik” top since both components are included with the machine. The Trimpro Gasoline will be available on the market in early June and only a limited amount will be built for this fall season. Visit an indoor gardening store to learn more.

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

Get Your Wings with the Fresca Sol™ Wing Reflector by Sun System® The Fresca Sol Wing Reflector is made from 95 per cent reflective German aluminium and easily attaches to the Fresca Sol™ Light System with four thumb bolts. Ideal reflector design and restrike bend above lamp optimizes performance. The reflector dimensions are 50 centimetres by 36 centimetres by 11 centimetres. For more information on the Fresca Sol Wing Reflector, visit a hydroponics retailer near you.

New Max-Fan Model from Can-Filters Group Can-Filters Group is proud to announce the arrival of the most powerful fan in the industry. The 40 centimetre Max-Fan is available producing 2436 cfm, consuming 360 watts MY and drawing 1.8 amps. You can find all of our products online at Early winter is the www.maximumyield.com. Each month your expected release date for favourite new product profiles will be featured the highly anticipated on our website. Get the latest information on six inch Max-Fan. what will make your garden grow. Visit your local hydroponics retailer to Do you want to be included in the product spotlight? Contact the editor at 1-250-279-2677 or learn more. May the email editor@maximumyield.com force be with you! 42

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

DO YOU

know?

1 Pesticides that are poured or rinsed down household drains cannot be removed by sewage treatment plants, so they end up in the rivers and oceans.

2 Semi-hardwood material is identified by wood

turning hard and changing colour from green to brown with the formation of bark. Although not as supple as softwood, it is still flexible.

3 Roofs that are made of wood, plastic, fibreglass or

aluminium are safe to use for rainwater harvesting. Although, one will need to determine if any toxic substances were used in their roofâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s construction before utilizing it for this purpose.

The longer it takes for a plant to form roots, the less chance there is of the plant surviving.

5 Coffee grounds deter outdoor garden pests such as

slugs and snails as they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fond of the caffeine or the gritty texture. The smell will also confuse outdoor pests like carrot flies and indoor pests that find their way to your plants by smell.

6 The majority of core and coil ballasts used for

growing indoors are Controlled Auto Wattage transformers. They allow for a +/- per cent difference in the amount of electricity coming in to keep a specified lamp lit while keeping it supplied with the correct amount of power.

7 At the root level, oxygen starvation reduces the

permeability of roots to water, and consequently the absorption of mineral salts, which will weaken the plant and eventually lead to a poor crop.

8 Rustic looking plant pots made of coir help roots

establish themselves more quickly and will be airpruned once they push through the sides of the pots, encouraging them to branch more inside the pot.

9 A traditional coil 1000 watt ballast generates around 3,500 BTUs per hour.

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

CHECK YOUR growing I.Q.

by Erik Biksa

1. What are some of the advantages of using enzyme type hydroponic/soilless nutrient additives? a) Makes it possible to reuse soilless growing mixes (peat, coco, etc.) b) Reduces the window of opportunity for pathogens such as pythium c) Converts dead root matter into food source for the plant d) All of the above e) None of the above 2. Why might it be advantageous to apply an enzyme based product at double strength during the last week before harvest while â&#x20AC;&#x153;flushingâ&#x20AC;? the crop? 3. Which of the following are beneficial bacteria that may be used to inoculate plants/soil for improved crop performance? a) Bacillus b) Streptomycetes c) Actinomycetes d) Pseudomonas e) Trichoderma

4. Certain soil based bacterium are able to provide a release of beneficial plant growth regulators such as cytokinins to crops. a) True b) False 5. Salicylic acid is useful for: a) colourful visualizations b) triggering a plant immunity response c) lowering the pH of nutrient solutions d) auditory hallucinations 6. Mycorrhizal fungi can expand the surface area of a root mass by as much as 700%. a)True b) False

ANSWERS: July - August 2009 quiz 1) c, 2) a, 3) d, 4) d, 5) a, 6) uses less gas, emits less heat, possibly safer.

answers to this quiz will be printed in the November - December 2009 issue of Maximum Yield. 44

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

MAX-MART

COMING UP IN november-december 2009

FEATURES

Dosing Procedures for Nutrients and Additives Nutrient performance is far more complex than simply using a quality brand. Bob Taylor explains why incorrect dosing procedures are the #1 cause of poor performance.

Water as a Substrate There remains a misconception among growers that the substrate alone sets up the relations of air and water with the root system of their plants. Noucetta Kehdi debunks this theory by introducing aero hydroponics, or aeroponics, and what makes this form of growing truly advanced.

Autopot’s Little Growers (UK) Launched in 2007 by the UK’s Autopot, Little Growers is an educational initiative for children that focuses on fun while encouraging and teaching them how to grow their own nutritious food. Learn more about how Little Growers is taking off in the UK and around the globe.

How to Start Gardening Early in the Year Emma Cooper gets you energized about planning and organizing your next indoor (or organic outdoor) grow.

What is pH: Part II The experts at Grodan introduce ways to control pH while still maintaining a certain degree of buffering.

You Tell Us Maximum Yield discusses biological technical engineering, ISO quality and Dutch RHP standards and “smart” products with Atami’s Wilma Bakker. I N D O O R

Your Best Advice G A R D E N I N G

MAXIMIZE YOUR EXPOSURE WITH

MAX-MART

Get your Max-Mart ad into the next issue! Call Maximum Yield at (250) 729-2677 for more information.

Are you curious to know what successful techniques your indoor gardening mates are utilizing in their growing ventures? Well now you can in our new column “Your Best Advice,” brought to you by Maximum Yield readers. That’s right! You are the author of our brandnew column.Your advice could be featured in an upcoming issue of Maximum Yield. Send your techniques to editor@maximumyield.com

www.maximumyield.com Online Extras for Maximum Yield UK Readers Online Extras for November/December serve to inspire and enthuse with guidelines that will help the beginner to the more experienced grower achieve success in all of their gardening endeavours. Check indoorgardenexpo.com to stay informed about upcoming 2009 and 2010 Indoor Gardening Expos.

MAXIMUM YIELD UK - September / October 2009

NOVEMBER 2009

FLORIDA, USA

Indoor Gardening Expo

Accommodations by:

Nov 7 and 8 , 2009 th

Free Public Admission Sunday, Nov 8th • Discover Products from the World’s Leading Manufacturers and Distributors • Seminars • New Product Showcase • Door Prizes and More...

Industry thOnly Day

Saturday, Nov 7 - Noon - 6pm $5.oo Donation accepted at the door for Hydro for Hunger

Free Publicth Admission Sunday, Nov 8 - Noon - 5pm