Maximum Yield USA - April 2010

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I N D O O R

G A R D E N I N G

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biological systems

plants and humans

our organic

future trace elements in nature’s balance

Indoor gardenING expo montreal

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June 5-6

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FEATURES 48

CONTENTS april 2010

Growing Up: Tower and Vertical Systems for Small Spaces

by Dr. Lynette Morgan

62

Trace Elements in Nature's Balance (Part I)

74

Fine Tuning: Next Generation LEDs Part III

by Maynard Murray, PhD

by Erik Biksa

62

74 DEPARTMENTS

82

Taking Advantage of CO2 Enrichment

92

Our Organic Future

96

Growing Fads and Fallacies

by Isabelle Lemay, agr. and Mélissa Léveillé

by Luis Bartolo

by William Texier

102

Biological Systems: Plants and Humans

112

pH Management for Optimal Results

120

Small Spaces, Big Yields - Part I

by Evan Folds

by Andrew Taylor

by Lee McCall

102

10 From the Editor

100 Growing for Health

12 Letters to the Editor

118 You Tell Us

14 MaximumYield.com

133 Do You Know?

18 Ask Erik

134 Talking Shop

20 MAX Facts

136 Avant-Gardening

34 Product Spotlight

137 Coming up in May

72 Tips and Tricks

140 Max Mart

80 Beginner’s Corner

144 Distributors

90 Green Thumb Gardening

100 MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

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FROM THE editor

jessica raymond

Healthy growing continues to be a core theme in our articles. The beauty of this technologically-inspired industry is there are always new and modern alternatives for growing high quality crops and getting the most nutrient value from them. Alternatives like advanced feed programs, green-inspired lighting options and grow room climate control help us derive the most from our green growth. Emerging everywhere are hydro gardens and cityscape gardens, aquaponic greenhouses, hydroponic farm solutions— the world is indeed evolving around greener, more sustainable, urban farming.

contributors

editor@maximumyield.com

This issue gives you the tools to improve your own little urban garden. From vertical growing in small spaces and pH management, to lighting and trace elements, you will find your fill of great information from the front to the back cover. Got questions! Ask Erik or drop me an email at editor@maximumyield.com It is our pleasure to announce the upcoming 2010 USA Indoor Gardening Expos. The Maximum Yield Indoor Gardening Expo returns to San Francisco for the seventh year – July 24-25, 2010. We are also excited to host the 1st Annual Long Beach, CA Indoor Gardening Expo – Oct 16-17, 2010 at the beautiful Long Beach Convention Center. Both shows promise to give you more products, more education and more knowledge than you can imagine. Mark your calendar now and make plans to attend the biggest Indoor Gardening Expos of the year! More information at www.indoorgardenexpo.com

Dr. Lynette Morgan holds a B. Hort.

Mélissa Léveillé holds a license in communication, writing and multimedia. She is the newest member of the Nova Biomatique Inc. Team (www.igrowing.com), makers of the PLUG’N’GROW climate controllers. She is responsible for Nova Biomatique Inc.’s communications.

Dr. Murray's lifelong research in sea energy agriculture began in 1936. The years before he died in 1983 were filled with intense hydroponic research on his own farm in North Fort Myers, Florida. The science lay dormant for 20 years. Orsa Organix, distributors of sustainable, balanced and eco-friendly technologies, is teaching others what Dr. Murray discovered.

Andrew Taylor is the manager of

Jose Luis Pinheiro Bartolo is the president of Biobizz Worldwide Inc., a global leader in the production of hydroponic organic fertilizers and soil mixtures. He is passionate about the organic market and providing the highest service and perfectionism that comes direct from his heart and is projected to all aspects of his life

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

Erik Biksa holds a diploma in

William Texier started hydroponics in

Lee McCall graduated from Johnson and Wales University with a concentration in Culinary Arts.

Culinary school opened the door to research and work with hydroponics and organic production. Currently, Lee attends business school in Denver and focuses on continuing advancements with Maximum Yield and indoor gardening technology.

Isabelle Lemay is in charge of the technical support, customer service and research and development at Nova Biomatique Inc. (www.igrowing. com), makers of the PLUG’N’GROW climate controllers. She is an agronomist and holds a master’s degree in soil and environment studies, with a specialization in greenhouse production.

Matt LeBannister developed a green thumb as a child, having been born into a family of experienced gardeners. During his career, he has managed a hydroponic retail store and represented leading companies at the Indoor Gardening Expos. Matt has been writing articles for Maximum Yield since 2007. His articles are published around the world.

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

Flairform (www.flairform.com) – an Australian-based manufacturing company. As an analytical chemist with qualifications in plant function and nutrition, he has over 13 years experience in product research and development, and also writes extensively on hydroponic growing techniques. agriculture with majors in fertilizer sciences and crop production. Erik has amassed over 18 years of indoor gardening experience and intensive research. Since first appearing in Maximum Yield in 1999, the “Ask Erik” column and numerous articles have reached growers throughout the world.

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Jessica Raymond, Editor

MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

1985, doing research and development for General Hydroponics in California.

In 1995, he and his wife Noucetta Kehdi created General Hydroponics Europe.

William is best known for coining the term bioponics, or organic hydroponics.

William has 25+ years of hydroponics experience and is considered a hydroponics expert worldwide.

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.

LETTERS TO the editor

Snail Mail Growing Roots

Aquatic Inspiration

About half a year ago I signed up for a subscription to your magazine, which I thoroughly enjoy. I enjoy Erik Biksa’s question and answer pages, and now have some of my own. However, since I am from another place and time (living dinosaur) I do not own a computer, which means I cannot e-mail my questions. Would you please be so kind and pass on my questions.

Your last two issues had a good treatment of organic growing in soil, which is probably most applicable to me.

I just started reading Maximum Yield and find it very informative and enjoyable. It brings together all the techniques and events that are happening in the industry and in everyone’s indoor gardens. I love the articles and have learned so much from just one issue.

I’m not even done reading it yet either!

I was reading the article “Aquaponics: Clean, Green, Organic” by Dr. Mike A. Nichols and was immediately sucked in, as I’m going to be studying greenhouse production. I am extremely interested in such sustainable and ecological means of food production, with organics being a key theme as well. I love the concept and am amazed at what a little bit of ingenuity and insight can bring about. It is a technology that I am deeply interested in, and I want to learn more as it is an industry that I find my self drawn towards as a career in the near future.

Please, send my appreciation to Dr. Nichols. He has definitely inspired me pursue a field of work I love though wasn’t quite sure what path I was taking after my training. Now I am sure of what I want to do thanks to that article.

ASK erik

Thank you so much Hans Kögler Snail mail, e-mail or voice mail, we always welcome your questions!

Altered Ego The max fact you published in the February issue of Maximum Yield USA on genetically modified protection for soybeans has me very concerned. Does your company support genetically modified foods?

Please explain your position on this very controversial subject. We are the “mammals” being tested on.

Thank you Kyler Sintich

Regards

Bitter Blossoms in Iran

Michelle Ramirez

I am Mohammad Shahab from Iran. I want to thank you for Dr. Lynette Morgan’s article on saffron cultivation.

I am interested in saffron cultivation in Iran climatic conditions and am looking forward to implementing some of her techniques.

The Max Facts section of Maximum Yield magazine is reserved for news, notes and trivia from our industry. The information we publish is meant to keep our readers aware of what is going on industrywide; they are not personal opinion pieces. The views expressed by columnists are a personal opinion and do not necessarily reflect those of Maximum Yield or the Editor.

Best regards Mohammad Shahab

Maximum Yield in the Middle of Nowhere I enjoy reading your magazine immensely, and always look forward to receiving the next issue. I have a small agricultural business and travel to remote locations to visit customers and I frequently bring a copy of your magazine with me. Customers are always interested in reading my copy of your magazine, and ask if they can keep it. I would love to have some copies to bring them, as they don’t have access to computers to download the latest issue!

Sincerely Mark Harcdorf

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MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

Maximum Yield reserves the right to edit for brevity.

We want to hear from you!

Write us at: Maximum Yield Publications Inc. 2339A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 or Email us at: editor@maximumyield.com

Coming up on the Web What’s going on?

The Maximum Yield 2010 Indoor Gardening Expos have an impressive line-up of the finest shows ever for the North American market.

2010 kicks off with Montreal, QC and a strong Canadian market, followed by the 7th Annual San Francisco Expo – July 24-25, 2010 and the 1st Annual Long Beach, Ca Expo at the gorgeous Long Beach Convention Center – Oct 16-17, 2010. Everyone is welcome to come learn, network and grow! More details and info constantly being updated at www.indoorgardenexpo.com

Latest News Keep up with industry trends by checking our latest news on the web, updated weekly. Hydroponic solutions, germ-free veggies, organic farming for veterans and scalable urban farming will all be featured throughout this month.

Best New Products Jump start your indoor (and outdoor) grow this spring with the newest products from industry leaders Hydrofarm, Excel Air, Aurora Innovations, Lumatek and more. You can find this month’s featured products at your favorite indoor gardening shop, and make sure to tell them you saw them first on maximumyield.com

Win Big! Just two months remain in our photo cover contest Behind the Lens. If your photo is chosen, it will be published on the cover of Maximum Yield for the world to see. Entry submissions are unlimited. E-mail editor@maximumyield.com for more details.

The newest offerings in our wildly popular Win Big…Grow Big contest are in. Enter by April 15 to win lighting accessories, an all-inone grow kit, soil enhancer and grow foil.

Details for these contests and more can be found at http://maximumyield.com/contests.php

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

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MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

I N D O O R

G A R D E N I N G

VOLUME 11 – NUMBER 1 April 2010

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

If undeliverable please return to the address above.

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

Publication Agreement Number 40739092

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER - Jim Jesson GENERAL MANAGER - Don Moores BUSINESS MANAGER - Linda Jesson SALES DIRECTOR - Lisa Lambersek EDITOR - Jessica Raymond jessica@maximumyield.com ADVERTISING SALES 250.729.2677 Linda Jesson - linda@maximumyield.com Lisa Lambersek - lisa@maximumyield.com Ilona Hawser - ilona@maximumyield.com Julie Madden - julie@maximumyield.com Gaby Morin - gaby@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 USA DISTRIBUTION Aurora Innovations BWGS, BWGS West and BWGS East General Hydroponics Hydrofarm Hydro International National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight Supply R&M Supply Tradewinds CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION Brite-Lite Group Biofloral Eddis Wholesale Greenstar Plant Products Inc. Hydrotek MegaWatt Quality Wholesale UK DISTRIBUTION Growth Technology Hydrogarden Northern Hydroponic Wholesale Nutriculture UK AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION Futchatec Growth Technology 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.

Hey Erik, I am a long time grower and have tried just about every kind of nutrient, system or light over the years. One of the big differences I see today is that most of the feed charts out there have a lot more products on them than they used to. It takes me longer to mix up my nutes compared to when I used just powder! I don’t mind though; my yields and quality are a lot better than when I first started out, but it took a little getting used to using so many formulas.

My question is with all these different kinds of ingredients in the different products like carbohydrates, microbes, amino acids, etc. what do you think the best kind of system is to keep my reservoir stable, or should I be using a drain-to-waste system instead? I was having problems with the pH and weird build-ups in some of my hydro systems.

Thanks for all your advice!

That’s a very relevant question since feeding programs have progressed so far and changed since the early days. It used to be that growers used a simple one part powder to feed their plants in hydroponics or soil. One of the reasons that it was so simple is that these formulations were very basic compared to the nutrient technologies that are available today. They simply contained the basic elements required by plants in a synthetic form. Often, they were short on calcium, magnesium and if they did contain any trace elements, they were rarely chelated.

However, back in the “Always choose microbial early days of indoor inoculants that are formulated growing any harvest was specifically for hydroponics rather better than no harvest. than field agricultural blends.”

Today’s yields are often a lot heavier and of noticeably higher quality, largely in part due to improvements in crop feeding.

Since you mentioned carbohydrates, amino acids and beneficial microbes it suggests to me that you are using a feed program that uses lots of bio-active ingredients. These are important components in a complete feeding program that also contains the necessary basic elements as supplied with the base nutrient used in your program.

Even though your base nutrients are probably a lot more complex in their formulation and ingredients than they used to be, they stay relatively stable with regards the pH and TDS levels in the reservoir. It’s the living or biologically active ingredients that may create a level of instability not managed properly for the type of system being used. It’s way too much detail to go into here, but as a rule of thumb, use less of your biologically based ingredients in hydroponics systems like NFT, DWC, aeroponics, etc. The oxygen-rich environment coupled with a lack of growing substrate may create instability.

Also note that unbalanced blends of microbial products can create fluctuations as well. Always choose microbial inoculants that are formulated specifically for hydroponics rather than

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MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

field agricultural blends; there are some huge differences.You often get what you pay for in this regard.

For a greater level of stability and possibly improved results, drain-to-waste systems Drain-to-waste systems are a good using larger volumes choice for delivering nutrients directly to the root zone or rhizosphere. of growing medium Mediums like peat mixes or coco coir like peat mixes or coco (shown) help to establish an important relationship with the root system. coir are likely your best choice. The nutrients, additives and beneficials are only mixed in the reservoir right before being applied to the growth medium and root system. This means that the ingredients will be delivered directly where they are intended to be: in a rhizosphere (root zone), rather than floating around “looking” for a place to go. Beneficial microbes supplied are looking to create a beneficial relationship with the plant and the growth medium, as that’s what feeds them and gives them a place to live. Other ingredients in your program will further help to nourish the microbial life.

Otherwise, the microbes will react in the reservoir with other ingredients such as carbs and aminos over extended periods where they have not been introduced into an appropriate growth medium. Constructing a bio-filter can be effective for those hydroponics growers who prefer water based systems rather than media based systems while using full-spectrum nutrient feeding programs. The bio-filter provides the necessary mechanical substrate and environment for bioreactions, avoiding fluctuations in the reservoir.

Cheers, Erik Biksa

MY

MAX

facts

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

AHL Comes to Albuquerque AHL Year Round Garden Supply is pleased to announce the opening of a second location in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is the store’s first expansion in many years, and the first additional location in its 17 year history. The new store is located on Albuquerque’s bustling west side at 9421 Coors Boulevard NW, Suite K. The west side of Albuquerque is home to a growing population, and the new location is also convenient to the nearby cities of Corrales, Rio Rancho and Bernalillo. “We are excited to welcome our existing customers, as well as new customers, on the west side and north valley areas to the new store. Customers will have easier access to the great products, friendly service and knowledgeable staff that have become our hallmark over the years,” said Travis Chapman, General Manager of AHL Year Round Garden Supply. For more information, including maps, business hours and telephone numbers, please visit www.AHLgrows.com

Growing Guyana Style

Sustainable Food Processing

Vivian Fredericks and the Hauraruni Friendly Farmers Society that he chairs, is using hydroponics technology to grow food crops for the community. The landscape near Georgetown, Guyana is wide open but much of it is unsuitable for growing.

Near the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway the sand is white, which fails to retain moisture and is very nutrient poor. Hydroponics is the perfect alternative for growers in this area because it is inexpensive and the grower is in complete control of his or her plants.

Hydroponics is being promoted by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA). Fredericks attended a hydroponics seminar held by the Institute in Georgetown and then returned to Hauraruni full of confidence. The Hauraruni Friendly Farmers Society intends to grow more greens and vegetables hydroponically and sell them to the community and to supermarkets in Georgetown.

IICA has helped Hauraruni Hydroponics obtain support from such as Partners of the Americas and United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

In the past year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given three food processing companies an Energy Star rating: J.R. Simplot Company’s Aberdeen, J.R. Simplot Company’s Othello and ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston Inc. These three potato processing plants combined saved more than $10 million and reduced carbon emissions by 40,000 metric tons, equivalent to the electricity use of 5,000 homes.

Any food processing plant in the US can participate in the Energy Star Rating program. The plants are rated on a scale of 1 to 100. Efficiency is critical when it comes to these plants. Peeling, precooking, cooking and drum drying are estimated to be very energy intensive processes according to an EPA study. The plants above made improvements in three categories: processing, facility and overall energy management.

(Source: www.kaieteurnewsonline.com)

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MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

(Source: www.treehugger.com)

MAX

facts

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Come Experience Tranquility Through Gardening at Horizen Hydroponics

Horizen Hydroponics is proud to announce that on February 1, 2010, they opened a new store in Kalamazoo, MI in order to better serve their customers in southwest Michigan. Horizen Hydroponics has been serving customers in Grand Rapids, MI since 2002 by bringing them quality products, superior customer service and the knowledge to help you attain the highest quality yields possible! Horizen Hydroponics proudly features the House & Garden line of nutrients, as well as Botanicare, General Hydroponics, FoxFarm, Sunleaves and a number of other fine products. Visit Horizen Hydroponics at 4646 W. Main St. in Kalamazoo, MI. Phone: 1-269-567-3333; (Source: www.hhydro.com) Fax: 269-343-3122.

Polyface Farm’s 2010 Intensive Discovery Seminars – Nearly Sold Out Space is selling out quickly so register today to attend the annual Polyface Farm’s Intensive Discovery Seminars for 2010. You will spend two days with Joel Salatin and his family, learning about their rare farming systems, great food and hands-on discovery. Joel became somewhat famous when he was featured in the recent films Food Inc. and Fresh. Sessions will run July 19-20, July 23-24 and July 30-31, 2010. Sessions are limited to 30 attendees. Cost is $600 per person.

Complete details, maps and schedules are available at www.acresusa.com/events/events.htm

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MAX

facts

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Organic Farming Offers Work and Solace for Vets Organic farming is being offered as a form of therapy for war veterans.

Colin Archipley, who served three tours in Iraq, hires combat vets to work on his three-acre organic farm, Archi’s Acres, to try to help them shake the trauma of war.

Working the earth has long been recognized as good therapy for war veterans. About 20 Veterans Affairs Department centers have gardening programs.

Archipley said he thinks his workers are soothed by the farm’s rural atmosphere, since the noise and pace of city life might remind them of the urban battle zones where many fought.

The veterans at Archipley’s operation, meanwhile, appear grateful for the opportunity to put down their own roots in civilian life.

Archipley’s staff has grown from two to eight since he began hiring the veterans, and he recently bought an adjacent three-acre parcel where he plans more greenhouses and outdoor growing facilities.

(Source: www.marinecorpstimes.com)

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Hydroponic Fodder Solutions A revolutionary new Australian hydroponic technology has been manufactured that creates nutrient-rich feed in just six days. This easy-to-use fodder solution system holds trays loaded with grain and legume seeds in the climate controlled growing chamber. A small amount of fresh water floods and circulates throughout the trays. The seeds germinate, and in six days you have nutrient(Source: www.tonic.com) rich green sprouts.

A California cattleman who runs 300 heads of dairy cow in Modesto was the first taker of the system. He plans to replace his current expensive grain feed mix with the hydroponic sprouts. The systems come in various sizes producing from 60 to 6,000 pounds of feed per day.

The system is zero waste as the little run-off water that exists can be used for stock water. It boasts a 100 per cent organic feed that costs $0.05/pound and the system uses no more than $2 per day in power costs. The best part is there is no chemical fertilizer or pesticide runoff.

MAX

facts

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Germ-Free Vegetables for the Future Japanese companies have found a solution to food contamination that takes hydroponics even further by producing fruits and vegetables that are as close to sterile as possible.

Vegetables are cultivated in immaculate Japanese factories instead of the fields where they are subject to unpredictable weather, pests and contamination.

Everything in these factories is controlled: lighting, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide and water. The plants are not exposed to the air outside, and because there is no exposure to dirt and insects, there is no need for pesticides.

Production runs 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Some factories produce up to three million vegetables a year. The creators of these plant factories think that this could well be the future of food.

(Source: www.digitaljournal.com)

Local California Artist Paints Hydroponics Mural The spirit of hip hop was alive at Midtown, Sacramento retail gardening store Hydroponics. Local graffiti artist Steve Yorgason volunteered to paint a hydroponics mural on the side of the building, and owner Dave West eagerly agreed. Yorgason finished the painting in one day while friends danced to a DJ spinning records.

A public graffiti wall used to exist in town, and when it was shut down, a lot of artists were left without a canvas.

Yorgason was inspired to do graffiti as a teenager in 1993 and is the artist behind the “Three Women and an Armiore� mural on F and 12th street.

His girlfriend, Amy, helped by spraying the lettering for the mural.

The couple is hoping interest in this mural will get them the job at the two other hydroponics store locations in town.

(Source: www.sacramentopress.com)

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MAX

facts

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

U-Pick Hydro Farms Gain Popularity U-Pick farms featuring hydroponically grown produce are becoming popular in communities across America.

Many are using vertical, tower-style technology, like at McCracken Farms near Sebring, Florida. Owned by husband and wife team John and Lois McCracken and their son Mike, McCracken Farms has been in business for about 15 years.

They grow a variety of produce, which they offer at comparatively low prices to pickers of all age brackets.

But it’s not just the prices that make the family’s pick-ityourself operation popular with locals and visitors; it’s unique, clean, fun, educational and easy. Many of the old-time farmers that visit are impressed by the yields and how efficient hydroponic farming appears to be.

Some of the farm’s highlights include a strawberry maze with approximately 30,000 strawberry plants, unique citrus trees like the pummelo (an Asian grapefruit) and a large natural honeybee hive, home to about 40,000 honeybees.

(Source: www2.highlandstoday.com)

Scalable Urban Farming With Fish San Francisco Company Cityscape is creating a sustainable aquaponic food system (a combination of hydroponics and aquaculture) in response to our inefficient food system, with plans to launch their first farm in the first half of 2010.

Cityscape’s system will achieve greater sustainability than traditional hydroponics set-ups by keeping it allnatural with fish, water, fruit and vegetables all living together in a sort of permaculture.

Their aquaponic greenhouses will be built on vacant lots and on rooftops. Cityscape will serve as a wholesaler to local distributors and restaurants, as well as operate a weekly farmers market. Cityscape plans to raise and sell its tilapia fish as protein while growing its produce organically from a solution of water and fish waste.

Cityscape predicts their system will produce just over 100 tons of food in 20,000 square feet of space per year. They are envisioning a national network of similar urban farms. Aquaponic and hydroponic farms are but one of many potential urban farming solutions.

(Source: www.good.is)

MY

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MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

PRODUCT spotlight

See it. Want it.

Find it at your local indoor gardening store.

Hydro-Logic Upgrades the Stealth-RO The Stealth-RO100 and Stealth-RO200 have been the industry leading reverse osmosis filters for several years, offering quality and performance to hydroponics and organic soil growers. Hydro-Logic is proud to announce some important upgrades to both systems. First and foremost, is the addition of an optional flow restrictor that will bring the already efficient 3:1 ratio down to a 2:1 ratio of drain-to-product water. Both units come plumbed with the standard restrictor (3:1 ratio), saving an additional 33 per cent of drain water and making these the greenest and most efficient units on the market.

We have also included a pre-plumbed pressure gauge, allowing users to monitor system performance and diagnose low pressure and low flow problems. Another standard upgrade is the green certified coconut carbon block filter. This is the world’s first eco-friendly carbon filter and a Hydro-Logic exclusive product. Hydro-Logic brings you all these great upgrades at no increase in price. Pure water’s not magic, it’s logic.

Bloombastic Box for Beginners Atami makes it very easy for beginners to grow their very best. The Bloombastic Box for Beginners is made for a three square foot garden, and includes Terra Leaves (one quart), Terra Max (one quart), Bloombastic (eight ounces), ATA-zyme (three ounces), Root-c (three ounces) and a Bloombastic grow scheme.

In addition to the Bloombastic Box for Beginners, there are two other boxes in this successful series: the Ata Organics Box and the Atami Box. More information is available at your local hydro shop.

Humboldt Nutrients’ Royal Flush A high quality crop needs a clean and effective flush to reach its full potential. By flushing your crops, you remove heavy elements and salts from the plant, allowing for more aromatic and flavorful fruits and flowers.

Royal Flush from Humboldt Nutrients supercharges the flush process, grabbing-up and binding together undesirable salts and heavy minerals.

The Royal Flush then strips these larger particles out of your plant through the plant’s vascular system, leaving behind sugars and strong flavors.

It’s as simple as this; imagine that your plant is composed of water, sugars and salts. If you flush out the salts and dry out the water, you’re left with delicious and aromatic sugars, and sugars rule the natural world.

Try Humboldt Nutrients’ Royal Flush today and experience the difference between a flush, and a Royal Flush with a clean, sweet finish. Visit your hydro retailer to learn more.

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PRODUCT spotlight

See it. Want it. Find it at your favorite indoor gardening store.

C.A.P. Introduces the Biggest Reflector in the Industry Introducing the new XXXtreme six and eight inch reflectors from C.A.P., the biggest reflectors available! XXXtreme reflectors are designed with AlumaBrite, a highly reflective imported aluminum.

They come complete with an aerodynamic socket assembly and a 15 foot built-in lamp cord. Measuring up to 43 inches in length and 31 inches in width, they truly are the biggest the industry. For more information contact your retailer.

Introducing Black Pearl™ from Grotek Grotek is proud to add Black Pearl™ to our product line up. This organic product is a blended powder that aims to build soil by replenishing nutrients. Black Pearl™ contains nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium to support vegetative growth, larger root systems, vigorous blooming and increased drought tolerance. This product also includes the benefits of a technical grade soluble kelp extract. Kelp has been used for centuries by coastal farmers to enhance soil nutrition. Black Pearl™ is high in organic matter, most of which comes from charcoal based carbon, a long lasting soil builder.

This product is designed as both a soil improver and a plant nutrient. Visit your nearest indoor gardening retailer to learn more.

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PRODUCT spotlight

See it. Want it. Find it at your favorite indoor gardening store.

Humboldt Pruners Lumatek Presents the High-Par Output Lamp Lumatek is proud to introduce our new line of horticultural specific, High-Par Output Lamps. Designed by the world’s leading HID lamp engineers, these lamps provide exceptional performance on both magnetic and electronic ballasts and are 100 per cent European engineered and manufactured.

Lumatek’s High-Par Output Lamps deliver an optimized spectrum and high level of Photosynthetic Active Radiation to promote healthy plant growth. These lamps have strengthened seals and a reinforced arc frame to ensure long lasting performance with stable lumen output. Ask for the High-Par Output Lamp at your local indoor gardening retail shop.

Northern California burns through thousands of horticultural shears every year.

The high cost of pruners, coupled with their relatively short lifespan, has been aggravating the Humboldt Nutrients crew for years.

We decided to make a better pair of pruners and to sell them at a reasonable price, two per package.

In extensive beta testing throughout the hills of Humboldt County these shears have refused to gunk up or slow down production. The precision ground, high quality stainless steel blades have the strength to survive years of abuse while maintaining a superior cutting edge.

Top notch blades, ergonomic grips and a lightweight design allow gardeners to snip more material over a longer period of time. Your hands and your plants will thank you for using Humboldt Pruners. Visit an indoor gardening retailer to learn more.

Continued on page 42

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PRODUCT spotlight

Continued from page 38

Sun System Budget Gro II Ballast The all new exposed ballast design concept on the Sun System Budget Gro II is compact and cool! The ballast is separated from other components offering superior cooling while extending the longevity of capacitor and igniter.

Features: • exclusive power pointer allows the grower to easily switch from 120 to 240 volts • lamp cord receptacle accepts all Sun System lamp cords • stainless steel handles make hanging easy • soft rubber feet provide quiet running if placed on a hard surface • excellent quality provides years of trouble free operation Visit your favorite indoor gardening store to learn more.

Hydrofarm Premium Saucers Now Available These sturdy and reusable green saucers come in various sizes to match most pots. Use these to collect excess water drainage and soil spillage. Helps keep plants moist longer, and maintains a cleaner garden.

• ribbed bottom keeps plants out of water and prevents them from sticking to the saucer • checking water levels is a snap • sturdy, rugged and reusable • protects floors and decks from water • available in six, eight, 10, 12, 14 and 16 inch sizes Contact your indoor gardening retailer for more information.

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PRODUCT spotlight

House & Garden Roots Excelurator Roots Excelurator is the best and most powerful root stimulator available in today’s market, and our top product in the area of ultra-concentrated nutrients.

This powerful root stimulator ensures the explosive growth of plant roots and rids the plant of brown roots. Roots Excelurator is packaged in a light-proof aluminum container with a sealed lid to guarantee that the product stays fresh. Roots Excelurator is a must have for every successful grower. Use Roots Excelurator throughout the entire vegetative growth cycle as well as in the first three weeks of growth at a rate of 1.1 milliliters per gallon. Roots Excelurator is available now at your local retail shop.

Aurora Innovations Root Pots Anyone who has grown in fabric containers can attest to the fact that plants grow much better when their roots can breathe. Root Pots are superior containers that allow water to evaporate more evenly, creating a dense, fibrous and vigorous root structure. Root Pots auto-prune roots and provide evaporative cooling in hot climates and thermal insulation in cold climates.

Root Pots are used with soil or soilless media, indoors or outdoors, with drip lines, flood tables or hand watering.

Root Pots are the only reusable fabric containers made of recycled materials, and they break down and degrade after three to five years as roots eventually emerge through the containers. Available in one gallon and up to 600 gallon sizes. Contact your local indoor gardening store to learn more.

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Growing Up Tower and vertical Systems for small spaces

by Dr. Lynette Morgan Whether you are growing in a commercial greenhouse or an indoor hobby garden, maximizing space is always an objective.

Indoor cropping areas need specialized equipment—fans, vents, heaters, coolers, pumps and lights that will provide for all the plant’s needs in its protected environment, and these can be expensive to set up and run. As growers we take pleasure in our work; giving our plants a comfortable space and providing optimal conditions for growth is highly rewarding. By optimizing the carefully designed growing environment, we are helping eliminate plant stress, and in turn we get a high level of productivity and maximum yields from a relatively small space.

Many new growers make the mistake of cramming as many new plants as possible into a small area not realizing just how quickly they will grow and expand to fill every available space, creating a tangled jungle that becomes a mission to prune, train and control. Small, short plants such as lettuce, strawberries and many herbs never reach an impressive degree of height and will not make the most of limited indoor space. This is where vertical systems really have an advantage.

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Vertical systems can increase the number of plants grown in a small space by a large factor.

Vertical, wall or tower/ stack systems for hydroponic “Vertical systems create ‘multiple environments’ production are nothing within the levels or layers new. In the early days of of the growing area.” commercial hydroponics, vertical systems consisting of long, thin tubes of growing media such as sawdust were suspended from overhead rails and planted down each side with small crops such as strawberries. Nutrient was drip fed from the top and drained out the base and many of these `tubes’ were in excess of six feet tall. While the idea of vertical systems obviously appealed to greenhouse growers to increase plant density dramatically, there were initially many problems with the early systems and some complete failures occurred.

We have learned a great deal from these initial attempts with vertical growing and modified the concept of stack cropping to the point where highly successful systems have been developed along with the equipment required to run them correctly.

Vital Light To the uninitiated, the concept of a vertical system may seem a daunting concept. Most beginners start with traditional horizontal or single plane cropping with all the plants sitting on one level below an overhead light source.

This makes controlling light relatively simple by adjusting the number of lamps overhead and their distance from the plants. In Column systems are best a greenhouse, growers carry out suited to climates with high the same adjustment with the use light, as shading on the lower of supplementary lamps in winter levels always occurs. and shade screens, as required, in summer. Each plant has uninterrupted light from above and, in a well run growing area, all plants have the same root conditions and environment.

Humboldt Wholesale Half V

Growing Up: Tower and Vertical Systems for Small Spaces

The ‘Hydro Stacker’ system used to grow a crop of commercial strawberries.

Vertical systems create ‘multiple environments’ within the levels or layers of the growing area that need to be carefully managed and planned for. Plants growing at the top of a vertical system receive the highest light (assuming only an overhead light source is available); there is then a gradient of light from the top to the base of the vertical system along with shading from those plants on the upper levels of the stack. In basic systems, or those with no additional side lighting, this shading and light fall-off effect is often what causes problems in naturally lit and grow room based vertical systems. For this reason, we mostly see successful commercial vertical systems in climates with naturally high light levels that allow acceptable production on the lower, shadier levels of the system.

For indoor growers utilizing artificial light, vertical cropping has much more potential and some excellent systems have been developed, particularly those that incorporate their own light source. Artificial lighting these days doesn’t need to be placed above the crop; side or central vertical lighting can provide

Making use of vertical space can take on many forms and is suitable for a range of smaller plants.

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sufficient illumination so even the tallest vertical system gets the same intensity of light on all plants in all levels of the stack.

Further more vertical systems that rotate help eliminate problems with shadows and uneven illumination so that lighting is used even more efficiently. Indoor gardens with reflective wall and floor surfaces further assist to bounce light back onto the Multi level growing trays or plants so that a highly efficient beds are commonly found in system can be maintained year greenhouse systems and help maximize greenhouse space. round. In comparison outdoor or greenhouse vertical systems in even high light climates, can suffer from uneven illumination due to shading from other stacks, greenhouse structures and on cloudy days.

Vertical Varieties The vertical systems available to hydroponic growers nowadays are quite impressive. We have come a long way from plastic tubes filled with sawdust suspended from a rail. The design of the vertical is important as it determines the root volume

Vertical systems can be either based on substrate or solution culture methods.

Growing Up: Tower and Vertical Systems for Small Spaces

Strawberries and lettuce are commonly grown in vertical systems.

Systems with individual planting pockets are an improvement on the basic column system.

available to each individual plant; how the nutrient is delivered and the flow passage of moisture down the system; the collection system at the base of the stack; and how air may move under and around

each plant for humidity control. System design can also affect light interception by plants and the amount of space each has for upward growth and development.

Many vertical systems rely on the use of a high quality growing media to support the plant and provide a reserve of moisture; however, solution culture and aeroponic vertical systems are also available.

Vertical systems come in a number of designs: there are the standard `tube’

“Vertical systems featuring a diverse assortment of fruits, vegetables and herbs plus flowering, scented and ornamental plants are colorful, living displays that bring a touch of nature inside.” systems, which are the most basic and consist of a straight column into which plants are spaced at uniform intervals.

An advancement on the basic tube, there are also `stack’ systems, which involve individual planting units stacked on top of one another, creating planting spaces or pockets for each plant. There are also vertical systems that don’t rely on circular ‘column’ type structures but consist of tiers

Many different versions of vertical systems have been developed over the years, like this pyramid style, some more successful than others.

of growing channels, beds or chambers that can be constructed from the floor to almost the top of the growing area.Vertical systems may also be complete ‘walls’ of plants, particularly when used for display Continued on page 56

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Growing Up: Tower and Vertical Systems for Small Spaces

Potential Problems Apart from the obvious issue of supplying light to plants on the lower layers, there are a few other issues that can cause problems with vertical cropping. A complication, which often led to plant death with the early versions of vertical cropping, is the distribution of nutrient solution. In a tall column of growing media, when nutrient is supplied typically only at the top of the system, a moisture gradient quickly develops. This moisture gradient results in the root zone at the top of the column becoming relatively dry and the media at the base of the stack remaining quite saturated. The taller the column, the greater this gradient and often plants at the base of the system become waterlogged and die from a lack of oxygenation in the root zone. Later modifications in nutrient distribution, by applying the nutrient at multiple levels in the stack, and the use of highly free-draining substrates at the base of the system, alleviate some of these difficulties. Maintaining uniform moisture in a basic column system is a skill that growers need to master, although some newer designs featuring solution culture and aeroponics have eliminated some of these difficulties. Another aspect of vertical cropping in small spaces is air flow and ventilation; with plant density increases of as much as 20 fold, there is a higher requirement for good air flow up, under and around each of the plants in the vertical system. The increased number of plants means much more moisture is released into the air by the plant’s transpiration.

This has to be removed and replaced by drier air to prevent diseases and keep up the rate of photosynthesis. Those using CO2 enrichment with vertical systems also need to take into account the increase in plant numbers and how much additional CO2 generation is going to be required. Finally, vertical systems can pose some problems with access to plants, particularly on the higher layers and when mature plants are fully leaved out. Having a system with movable columns make sense as access pathways can be created as required; otherwise sufficient space has to be allowed to squeeze through the growing area to tend plants and for harvesting and re-planting operations.

Nutrient solutions for vertical systems are typically no different than with other types of hydroponic systems. Careful and regular monitoring of EC and pH is required as changes in the nutrient solution can occur rapidly due to the higher density created by an increase in plants in the. Larger nutrient reservoirs are recommended for vertical cropping to help slow changes in solution temperature, EC, pH and individual elements. A higher degree of oxygenation is also recommended where the nutrient is going to be flowing past a much greater number of root systems than would be encountered in a single layer cropping system.

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Growing Up: Tower and Vertical Systems for Small Spaces Continued from page 52

purposes. Some of the more advanced vertical systems rotate around a light source, while others are so fully automated as to move the plants to a nutrient feeding station at regular intervals.

Free draining media like perlite is well suited to use in tall vertical systems, as it helps prevent over-saturation at the base of the stack.

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Benefits of vertical cropping The benefits of a successful vertical system are fairly obvious; the number of plants that can be grown per unit of floor space is impressive, many times more than can be supported in single plane cropping. Although because of the much higher density, other factors, such as the requirement for more light, side lighting and a greater degree of air movement and ventilation, should be taken into account. In a system where as many as 20 times more small plants can be grown, provided sufficient light has been provided, the increase in productivity can be impressive and worth the extra degree of skill it takes to manage such

Vertical systems create eye catching displays when flowering and ornamental plants are used.

Growing Up: Tower and Vertical Systems for Small Spaces intensive cropping. Another benefit of vertical systems, which has attracted the attention of indoor landscape artists, is the fantastic displays that can be created.

A diverse assortment of smaller fruits, vegetables and herbs are suited to vertical cropping, as are many flowering, scented and ornamental plants creating colorful, living floral displays or ‘green walls’ to bring a touch of nature inside. The concept of ‘green walls’ which are simply vertical type NFT systems, is a concept that is catching on worldwide as a way of providing green spaces indoors.

Overall, while vertical systems create more of a challenge than single plane cropping, the maximized use of growing space, potential for much higher yields and impressive display created by a wall of green is well worth the effort.

MY

Maximum light interception by all plants is an important factor to consider with vertical systems.

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All of Dr. Lynette Morgan's past articles can be found by visiting maximumyield.com

Small salad crops and microgreens are particularly well suited to multi-level and stack systems and can increase yields per unit area dramatically.

Trace Elements in Nature's Balance

Part I

by Maynard Murray, PhD

The following excerpt from Dr. Maynard Murray’s pioneering book “Sea Energy Agriculture” explains the core of his startling theory: that sea solids—mineral salts remaining after water is evaporated from seawater—are the perfect trace element supplement.

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Approximately 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans and other collections of water.

Protruding from these vast waters are pinnacles of land called continents. Over an estimated two billion years, the land has been worn down by rainfall, which washes the various soil elements out to sea. Thus, it is apparent that the sea is an enormous receptacle of the former chemical richness and balance that once supported life on land. Although it is not possible to know the exact rate of chemical denudation of the land masses over geological time or even at present, from recent estimates

“About four billion tons of dissolved material is carried to the sea by rivers each year.� it has been determined that the rate ranges from six tons per square mile for Australia to about 120 tons per square mile for Europe. On a worldwide basis then, about four billion tons of dissolved material is carried to the sea by rivers each year. The most soluble elements are first picked up by rainwater and that is the reason why sodium chloride (common table salt) is so scarce on land, yet abundant in the sea. In several million more years, nature will succeed in completely eroding the land masses so that the sea will once more cover the earth and the cycle will be complete. Concurrently, geological forces will again raise land masses, which will exhibit the rich chemical balance of the present seawater. This new state of balance will be temporary when taken over an extended time span since the same cycle of erosion would begin again.

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Trace Elements in Nature's Balance - Part I

“Seawater is the most ancient natural solution on earth and [may be] the most ideal physiologically.”

Seawater is the most ancient natural solution on earth and, in my opinion, it is the most ideal physiologically.

The disease resistance of plants and animals in the sea is remarkably different from disease resistance in land animals and comparisons between animals of the same or similar species are most interesting. For example, freshwater trout all develop terminal cancer of the liver at the average age of 5 1⁄2 years; cancer has never been found in sea trout. It is also known that all land animals develop arteriosclerosis, yet sea animals have never been diagnosed as arteriosclerotic.

Investigators have also established the startling absence of disease in the sea, citing not only the absence of “chronic” disease forms, but especially the general vigorous health of sea animals that has apparently lengthened life many times in comparison to similar land species. These longevity differences are especially evident in such sea mammals as whales, seals and porpoises who have identical physiological systems with the majority of land animals important to man.

And the major differences between sea and land life appear to be attributable to the superior food chain of the sea.

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The topsoil of land is characterized by elements in a colloidal state, defined as “a gelatinous substance, which when dissolved in a liquid will not diffuse readily through animal or vegetable membranes.” The sea is characterized by elements in a liquid crystalloid state, defined as “a crystallizable substance which when dissolved in a liquid will diffuse readily through vegetable or animal membranes.”

Unlike the colloid state of topsoil on land, the liquid crystalloid of the sea retains only the amount of each element that maintains a consistent chemical balance. Hence, excessive amounts of any given element(s) will drop to the bottom of the ocean, where it can be taken up only if the plant and animal life have depleted that element from the seawater solution. Thus the chemical balance is maintained.

The colloidal state of the land causes the opposite effect.

When an element is leached from land, the resulting imbalance causes either a blocking of the other elements present so they cannot be taken up by the plants, or a substitution of some other element (for the one leached) takes place. As more and more of the topsoil elements were leached away, man began to put back manure, decayed foliate and dead animals for fertilizer. In the process he had returned the elements to soil in the same proportion as they had been cropped out. In

“There is growing evidence that excessive build-up of [nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium plus lime] blocks the uptake of vital trace elements.”

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Trace Elements in Nature's Balance - Part I

modern times, agriculture has begun the process of adding the basic elements of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium plus lime (calcium chloride) in large amounts which initially has caused the yield from crops to increase. As has already been pointed out, however, there is growing evidence that excessive build-up of these four elements blocks the uptake of vital trace elements. In essence this means that leaching away of elements and excessive application of the four macro elements to crop reduced soil have seriously weakened our physiological food-nutrition supply to the point where it is amazing that we are able to function at all. It is no wonder that disease constantly attacks the various land “The major differences organisms, including humans, in an attempt between sea and to naturally recycle the land life appear to elements so that a fresh be attributable to the start can be made. superior food chain of In the sea, by the very nature of its liquid the sea.� crystalloid state, there is no occurrence of blocking or need to substitute elements.

All elements of the atomic table are in a solution of consistency, balance and proportion, available to all sea life. The sea plants that ingest inorganic elements and thereby begin the food chain always have the same chemical solution to feed on so that their chemical analysis is always identical from one sample to the next.

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Trace Elements in Nature's Balance - Part I The extreme opposite is true on land, where even plants that are grown a few feet apart exhibit chemical differences, especially evident in the micro or trace elements. Given the consistent chemistry of the sea plants, there is never a need to attempt developing “disease resistant strains” as in land seed hybrids because sea plants are always disease resistant.

Further evidence of this consistent chemistry is found throughout the

“On land, plants that are grown a few feet apart will exhibit chemical differences.” food chain in the sea when we note that animals feeding on a sea plant diet are also consistently balanced. These facts are rendered conclusive when comparisons are drawn between sea and land life. In land animals, for example,

the range of iodine numbering in fat is tremendous and packing houses have found differences in animals from the same as well as different farms. In addition, while chemical analysis of muscle tissue of the whale and porpoise is always the same, the same analysis on land animals varies considerably from animal to animal.

An article appearing in Science News (Vol. 100, August 14, 1971) entitled “Trace Elements: No Longer Good Versus Bad,” indicated the dramatic changes in interest in the topic of trace elements and health by the scientific community over the last 10 years.

This article points out that only a dozen or so trace element laboratories existed in the United States by 1966.

Dr. James Smith, Chief of the Veterans Administration Hospital Trace Element Research Division in Washington, D.C. now estimates that there are over 50 laboratories in the U.S. devoted to working on trace elements and their role in physiology. Research is also being conducted in various European countries, the Soviet Union, Egypt, Iran and Australia.

The continuation of this article will appear in the May issue of Maximum Yield USA. MY

Reprinted with permission from Acres U.S.A., P.O. Box 91299, Austin, Texas 78709 1-512-892-4400, Subscriptions: $27/year.

For a sample copy of Acres U.S.A. call 1-800-355-5313 or visit www.acresusa.com

A brief history of Dr. Maynard's lifelong research in sea energy agriculture is available on maximumyield.com

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12

TIPS & tricks Plants for Improving Air Quality

by Glory Lennon Perhaps you lead a hectic life. Perhaps? There’s a laugh! Who among us doesn’t? You’re likely bouncing around from dawn to dusk and beyond without a moment to rest. In fact you barely have time to breath. Luckily that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about, fresh air. Or do you?

If you are like so many others you spend a vast amount of time indoors either at work or at home and many of the items that surround us are contaminated. Furniture, carpets, the paint on walls, detergent, grocery bags, rubber, plastic, varnish and cleaning solvents all exude potentially harmful chemicals.

These chemicals, particularly benzene, trichoroethylene and formaldehyde, can cause allergies, asthma, skin and eye irritation, respiratory distress and even psychological disturbances, liver and kidney damage and cancer. Yikes! We’re talking serious damage here and that’s all from ordinary items around our homes and offices. So, what can we do to get a breath of fresh air?

Well, you already know houseplants can keep heating and cooling costs down and they have been known to relieve stress, but did you know that houseplants can improve air quality?

Science has proven it. Researchers discovered this by taking several of the most common houseplants and placing them in rooms where the aforementioned chemicals were present and within 24 hours the air quality improved drastically.

The top performers eliminated 30,000 micrograms of these harmful chemicals within 24 hours. That is all from one plant in one day. Imagine how much cleaner your air could be with three or four plants in a room. Not only will you be surrounded by beauty, but you’ll be breathing easier.

Deep breath in....deep breath out. Aahhh, that feels good!

No matter what your home or work environment, your schedule or if the shade of your thumb is more brown than green, houseplants are the easiest way to have indoor air of outdoor quality. What could be better?

NASA Approved Houseplants for Improving Indoor Air Quality Boston Fern The Boston Fern is rated the best houseplant for eliminating harmful chemicals from the air. It has earned a reputation for being difficult to grow, but in fact, bright light, moderate water and cool temperatures will give you the prettiest “air filter” around.

Fern

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Peace Lily

Peace Lily With dark green, shiny foliage and Calla-type white flowers, this plant will brighten any semi-dark corner as long as adequate water and humidity is provided.

Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea) Also called Parlor Palm, Bamboo Palm is a favorite due to the easeof-care and outstanding beauty.

Bamboo Palms require light and water, and can be grown on a dish of pebbles and water for extra humidity.

Palm

Ficus Alii Starting out as a shrub but eventually taking on a tree form, this easy care, long, slender, bright green foliaged plant was at the top of the NASA clean air study second only to the Boston Fern.

Ficus

Ficus Benjamina This is one plant that longs to be left alone.

Move it, brush up against it too often or fuss over it and it will drop half its leaves. Stick it in a bright corner, out of drafts and direct sunlight, water sparingly and it will flourish and provide clean air.

Snake Plant A jungle plant that can do quite well with very little light, the Snake Plant’s long, variegated, snake-like leaves, fleshy and stiff, can take household conditions without wilting or dropping leaves. Water moderately and place it above a saucer full of pebbles and water to increase humidity.

Rubber Plant

Rubber Tree Plant Large, glossy, stiff, dark green leaves with a red, pink or brownish underside, the Rubber Tree plant can sit in any corner with little light and moderate water. Dusting the leaves will keep it looking pretty or you can place it under a cool shower every once in a while and it’ll be as happy as it might be in its natural jungle paradise.

Spider Plant Mostly seen in hanging baskets with a profusion of baby “spiders� arching out from the mama plant, the Spider Plant requires bright, indirect light, moderate watering and the occasional clipping of babies so they can root in water. These babies make nice gifts for friends and co-workers once planted in their own tiny pot.

Schefflera A beauty whether the bright green or the variegated cultivar, the Schefflera takes bright indirect light or low office light and dry indoor winter conditions without a complaint. It likes a bit of water diluted with a mild fertilizer every once in a while.

Dracaena Dumb cane and Corn plant are two of the more popular houseplants of the Dracaena species. Lovely plants with variegated leaves and a tendency to get a bit leggy when not placed in bright, indirect light. If the leaves drop off at the bottom leaving bare stems, simply cut the whole thing down. It will re-sprout in no time and you can root the top portion of the plant in water. Once roots form, which usually takes two to six weeks, plant it in the same pot and almost instantly you will have a full plant.

Dracaena

Golden Pothos and English Ivy These vining plants look quite attractive in hanging baskets or at the base of other houseplants to cascade over the pot. They can take bright light or low light but they need a bit of water to stay happy. If they get too leggy simply snip off the ends, stick these pieces in water and add a few hydroponically growing plants to your ever increasing collection of houseplants. Of course, once rooted you could also pot them up and give them to friends.

Fiddle Leaf Dieffenbachia A cousin of the Dumb Cane, the Fiddle Leaf Dieffenbachia likes low light and dry winter conditions with moderate watering and not too much fuss.

MY

Dieffenbachia

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Fine Tuning Next Generation LEDs Part III The current generation of LED lighting fixtures emit minimal heat and use very little electricity, as documented in the first two articles in this series. In addition to providing more intense light levels than the first generation of LEDs, they factor in trace amounts of light spectrums needed by plants. These high-output, quad band lighting systems provide the intensity and necessary spectra for light loving plants to complete their life cycles faster while producing high yields and crops of superior quality. Let’s examine some tips and tricks that will help you get the most out of your LED-lit indoor garden.

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The LEDs being discussed provide a very intense source of light for photosynthesis, which can be deceptive to growers not familiar with the technology. Growers are used to having a lot of heat on the tops of their plants due to how close they must place their HID lamps. This is often the reason growers keep rooting cuttings/clones and seedlings farther away from the light or will often switch to fluorescents for propagation.

LEDs emit so little heat that when placed close to a humidity dome/flat for propagation, temperatures inside the humidity dome will not increase. This does not mean that you should keep your LED fixture too close to

by Erik Biksa

“Plants will naturally grow shorter and tighter under blue light so growers can sacrifice some intensity for more light coverage per LED fixture.” tender young plants. Young plants will not suffer from heat stress like they would with other types of crop lighting, but the intensity of the PAR (photosynthetic active radiation) delivered to the plants may prove to be too much. This intense light may stimulate the young plants too strongly, essentially “over working” them relative to the size of their root system.

How close you can keep your LEDs to your young plants in the propagation environment will have a lot to do with the type of LED fixture you are using.

The models being discussed here are very intense. A distance of about 36 inches from the tops of the plants in propagation is recommended, while a distance of 48 inches would be recommended if you’re using the extremely intense models.

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Next Generation LEDs Part III

Propagators using LEDs will be able to produce healthier cuttings in the same time frame they are accustomed to or even faster versus traditional propagation methods using fluorescent or HID lighting. This is because when the temperature inside the humidity dome can be maintained at a constant and steady 80°F through the rooting process, cuttings will root faster and much healthier. Optimal temperatures are much easier to maintain with cooler running LEDs. A common reason for failure or sickly looking cuttings is that the temperature inside

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the dome during the propagation process fluctuates often and is above the optimal range, a common problem with hotter running high-output fluorescent and HID lighting systems. The higher temperatures combined with the high humidity levels can lead to disastrous results including stem rot.

During vegetative growth and for mother plants, you can typically get a lot of coverage from a single fixture, particularly if it is vegetative, or “V” designated, which uses a higher ratio of blue diodes in the arrangement. The high percentage of blue light helps keep growth structure squat, promoting bushier plants that are better suited for indoor environments under artificial light sources. Also, because the plants will naturally grow shorter and tighter under blue light, growers can sacrifice some intensity for more light coverage per LED fixture; simply accomplished by raising the LED fixture higher up from the tops of the plants.

“Powerful deep red wavelengths supplied by far-red LED diodes stimulate lots of flower and fruit development.”

Sweet and Innocent Looking: It’s hard to believe but this simple looking LED crop light fixture keeps up with 1000 watt HPS lighting, using about a third of the power.

Plants grown under LED light sources are naturally “hard,” a desirable trait more akin to plants in their natural settings. This makes plants less susceptible to insect and fungal infestations and better able to support heavier weight loads on their branches in the later bloom phase.

Air circulation is an important factor for any intensive greenhouse or indoor garden, often provided by installing oscillating fans to sweep air through the plant canopy, promoting gas exchange through the leaves and stimulating the plants to thicken their cells.

Because LEDs contribute to a cooler running environment; plants will typically consume less water. This means more time between watering in most instances. However, stimulating plants grown under LEDs to transpire more water through the leaves also encourages the plants to take up more nutrients and vitamins from the nutrient solution. This does not mean you should “force feed” your plants. Rather, by tweaking the growing environment and using select plant metabolic enhancers, you can drive the plant’s natural bio-processes at a higher rate. One of the benefits to this is that the grower is in control of the plants, and there is less risk of pushing the plants to the point of damage.

Note:

For faster vegetative growth growers may choose to sacrifice some area covered per LED lighting fixture for higher intensity by lowering the fixture several inches closer to the tops of plants. One aspect of using specialized vegetative blends of LED lighting for vegetative growth is that the plants will stay squat with tighter internodal spacing similar to MH lighting even with less intensity; giving growers the freedom to cover a lot more area with fewer lighting fixtures. However, don’t expect the growth rates to be as fast when economizing vegetative lighting in this regard, although you can expect the growth patterns to be exceptionally healthy and well suited for artificial lighting.

With smaller plants and less canopy for the light to penetrate, growers may be able to provide lighting levels for a four by eight foot area using just one LED fixture. Larger plants with more canopy and crop height will benefit from the addition of another LED fixture, reducing the overall footprint to around four by five feet.

As with HID lighting, commonly grown indoor plants may benefit from slightly less intense light levels during the early bloom/transition phase versus peak flowering. With HIDs, however, the reason that lamps are often raised during early/ pre-flower is to avoid over heating the tops of the plants, which promotes undesirable stretching. For some varieties of plants, flower-set seems to occur better when the plant isn’t being worked as hard with higher light levels. With LEDs the grower MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

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Next Generation LEDs Part III 1000 Points of Light: More diodes means more possibilities in terms of blending different spectrums and creating a more even source of intense light.

can very tightly control both aspects, without having to sacrifice Peak flowering (mid-bloom phase) is the optimal time to one for the other. For LED growers, this simply means raising increase the light levels reaching the plants. With high-output the lights a few inches higher up for the transition phase, then quad band LED crop lighting, it is very easy to overheat the lowering them back done once flower-set has occurred. plant canopy. To avoid this, simply lower the LED fixture about To trigger a faster and amplified flowering response when six inches closer to the tops of the plants then in the early making the transition, nutrient additives may be applied flowering/transitional phase of the bloom cycle. The plants will to ignite the process. Some of these are formulated with receive increased levels of light energy without overheating and fractionated kelp extracts as the active causing increased plant stresses. ingredient. These powerful bloom coLighting tactics with the featured LEDs “With high-output quad factors shift the plants into flowering faster, for the ripening phase are still in the band LEDs available it seems experimental phases, firstly because the so the plants spend more time in full bloom like a growing renaissance optimal light levels during ripening are for bigger harvests.

Once flowers have formed, growers for society is not far off.” somewhat plant type and even strain typically discontinue using their bloom dependent. Some strains produce better igniter additives and switch to a bloom stimulator/enhancer crop quality when day and night temperatures run cooler during to amplify the flowering phase. During peak flowering, the ripening, for example 65°F dark and 75°F during the light cycle. powerful deep red wavelengths supplied by the far-red LED Those strains that prefer slightly cooler ripening temperatures diodes stimulate lots of flower and fruit development because seem to do better with slightly decreased light levels at this time. the spectrum being delivered to the developing flowering Strains that prefer warmer ripening temperatures seem to prefer plants is so precise for the bloom response. having higher lighting intensities maintained up until harvest.

There is no easy way to determine which route to go, although Some practical ways to increase the plant’s metabolic it has been noted that strains with more equatorial genetics in rates and transpiration of water through the leaves their gene-pool seem to prefer the warmer temperatures and (for both grow and bloom phases): greater light intensity at ripening versus plants that have more of Increased air circulation their genes originating from Northern climates. (be careful not to keep fans too close to plants) The plants natural ripening process can be further enhanced by a combination of the exacting light wavelengths delivered with Slightly lowered humidity levels (for example 40-50% RH versus 50-65%) high-output quad band LED crop lighting coupled with the right nutrient additive. Ripening formulations can help the crop Applications of bio-stimulant plant additives that better transfer stored chemical energy that has been amassed enhance the plants metabolic rate of activity. These formulations often include full spectrum B-vitamins, through the plant’s life cycle into the finishing flowers and fruits. co-factors, humates, fulvates and L-amino acids Annual plants “know” their life cycle is coming to an end and transfer their reserves into a final fruit/flower swell. Experienced Additions of fulvic acid with base nutrients growers know that this is where their biggest gains in crop yield Faster draining growing mediums; for example often occur; everything else has been about ramping-up to this with additions of perlite or drainage layers very important and all too often rushed phase of growth.

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Broadside LED lighting: LEDs work great at any angle, so they can broadside larger plants with intense light or provide side lighting in HID lit gardens.

Earlier dual band LED growth technologies seemed to promote a near endless ripening cycle, as their spectrum did not contain high enough intensities of the trigger signals in their light spectrum to help remind the plant that it’s life cycle was coming to an end. Pioneering indoor growers who experimented with the earlier technologies will notice the difference in the ripening process; faster, more even ripening, so crops finish in the same time frame versus HID grown indoor gardens.

At the time of this writing, the new generation of high-output quad band LED crop lighting fixtures appears to have all the benefits of the earlier generation of LED lights for plant growth while overcoming some of the previous challenges, allowing LEDs to go head-to-head with HID lighting for high yielding indoor gardens. LED technology has tremendous potential for changing the way people grow crops. With high-output quad band LEDs available it seems like a growing renaissance for society is not far off. As with any new technology, price may pose a barrier for some interested in adopting LED lighting, however, as their popularity inevitably increases, the cost of production should begin to decrease making the technology more affordable to a wider range of people. It may not be too far off when every home can have a highly productive space available for growing plants to improve the quality of life on our little green planet and for all those that inhabit it; thanks in part to LED technologies.

MY

Visit maximumyield.com to review 12+ years of grow tips from Erik Biksa.

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BEGINNER'S

corner

Container Herbs for Beginners Increasingly, we’re being told that we can ‘green up’ our lifestyle by growing some of our own food. Articles everywhere suggest that everyone can grow a few herbs on the windowsill, but if you’ve never gardened before then that’s not as simple as it sounds. Here is a basic run down of what you’ll need, and what you’ll need to know, to grow some easy culinary herbs in pots.

Firstly, you will need some containers. Herb plants are sold in small pots, which will quickly be outgrown. Look for some containers that are at least six inches in diameter (they don’t need to be huge). If they don’t have drainage holes in the bottom then you’ll need to punch some yourself.

You’ll also need some compost—potting or multipurpose is fine for most herbs. Look out for composts that say they are peat-free.You won’t need a large bag to pot up a few herbs; your containers might have their volume printed on the bottom. If not, estimate how much compost you’ll need.

Herbs can be divided into two main categories. Perennial herbs live for several years whilst for annual herbs you’ll need new plants each year.

Perennial culinary herbs include thyme, mint, rosemary and oregano. There are many different varieties of each, but the most useful varieties will be widely available. For perennials it’s easiest to buy a small plant from the garden center and grow it at home.

by Emma Cooper

Thyme is a low-growing plant that likes sunny and dry conditions. Rosemary likes the same things, but grows much larger.You can get upright rosemary and prostrate (which grows down over the side of the pot), but the flavor is the same. And oregano is another herb in this group (known as Mediterranean herbs, because they like it sunny and dry) and also grows quite tall, but oregano is much less woody than rosemary.

With all of these sun-loving herbs, you will need to water them when you plant them into your pots. But once they show signs of new growth you can leave it longer between watering and let the compost dry out. Never leave them sitting in water, because they will rot. They are tough plants, but you may want to bring them under cover in wet weather.

Mint is different; it can handle a lot more water and more shade than the Mediterranean herbs. It’s also a thug—keep it in a container by itself, because it will push out anything else that’s planted with it.

With just a little bit of care, perennial herbs will provide all the fresh leaves you need for several years. If they start to look too big for their pots, you can either

“The flavors in upright rosemary and prostrate are the same.”

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“Parsley is best sown in early spring for summer harvest, and will happily live indoors on the windowsill.” pot them into bigger pots, or tip them out and divide them into sections and replant the sections into different pots so you’ll have more plants for your garden, or to share.

The cheapest way to grow annual herbs, like basil, coriander and parsley, is to buy some seeds and sow them yourself. If you sow them indoors, on the windowsill, the warmer conditions indoors will help them to germinate more quickly.

Parsley is best sown early in the spring, for summer harvests, and in late summer for autumn and winter harvests. Parsley will happily live indoors on the windowsill, or outside on the patio. The seeds can take a few weeks to germinate though, so be patient. One or two parsley plants should be enough at any one time. Parsley likes sunny spots, but more water than the Mediterranean herbs.

Coriander likes warmer weather than parsley, so don’t put your plants outside until the weather has warmed up (usually May) or the cold will kill them. Keep harvesting leaves from your coriander, even if you don’t want to use them. Coriander runs to seed very quickly, and then the leaves taste bitter, but regular harvesting slows it down. Sow a pot of seeds every couple of weeks for a continuous supply throughout the summer. Bring a couple of pots indoors if you want fresh coriander.

Basil is a sun-loving herb, so don’t sow your seeds too early in the year unless the plants will be growing indoors— they don’t like cold weather. Keep your basil well watered, and harvest leaves even if you don’t use them, because (like coriander) this will stop the plants flowering too soon.

When your annual herbs are flowering, put them and their used potting compost onto the compost heap and start again with fresh seeds and fresh compost—used potting compost has no plant nutrients left in it to feed new plants. If you don’t have a compost bin yet then it’s time to start one so that you can turn your plant and kitchen waste into home made compost to feed your herbs next year!

MY

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Taking Advantage of CO2 Enrichment Isabelle Lemay and Mélissa Léveillé

Optimal photosynthesis, generally resulting in maximal growth and yields, is just one of the many benefits of CO2 enrichment in the garden. In order for your plants to really enjoy effective CO2 enrichment, it is important to do it the right way. The following article suggests different tricks to ensure these advantages are fully accessible to your plants.

Choosing an appropriate enrichment method for the garden Certain criteria must be taken into consideration when choosing a source of CO2, such as the price, the impact on the garden’s climate and potential toxicity. However, bottled CO2 and combustion generators are the most effective and common way to enrich your garden.

The importance of CO2 distribution in the cultural environment Once the ideal CO2 source is identified, the positioning of the equipment must be carefully studied to make sure the plants absorb the precious CO2 at maximum capacity. According to some research, the best results are obtained by injecting CO2 in the upper third part of the plants where photosynthetic activity is at its highest.

“Hot air tends to rise and cold air descends; this is also true for CO2.”

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CO2 movement in the air Several factors influence CO2 movement in the air, including some relatively simple physical principles. When these principles are understood, it is possible to foresee CO2 movement in the garden, and control it directly toward the leaf area.

The first factor to consider is CO2’s weight. At ambient temperatures, CO2 tends to drop as its weight is heavier than the air’s weight (composed mainly of nitrogen and oxygen). For example, at 77°F, CO2 weighs 66 ounces per three feet cubed

in comparison to 42 ounces per three feet cubed for the air.

This means that CO2 will naturally go down to the ground.

A second physical factor that influences CO2 movement is the temperature. Hot air tends to rise and cold air descends; this is also true for CO2. This is why the cold CO2 from the bottle will normally go down while the hot CO2 generated by combustion will rapidly rise up to the ceiling.

The diffusion principle is also responsible for CO2 movement.

Diffusion is simply explained by the fact that gas tends to take up as much room as possible. Generally, it will direct itself from a location where its concentration is elevated to another where its concentration is lower. Although this principle is applicable to CO2, this gas does not travel very far by simple diffusion.

The air movement also influences significant CO2 displacement in the garden. In fact, CO2 follows the air path, which can be created with a fan.

Here is an example to summarize the above statements.

A garden is enriched with a regulated CO2 bottle. After the injection, CO2 tends to drop (weight and temperature) and then moves in the air towards the locations that are less concentrated (diffusion). Once CO2 is diffused in the air, it does not stay on the ground but instead follows the rising movement of the hot air (temperature and air movement).

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Taking Advantage of CO2 Enrichment

“Whatever the source is, it is beneficial to place it far from an exhaust fan to avoid wasting CO2 outside.”

Effective distribution systems Regardless of which enrichment method is being used, good CO2 distribution in the garden is important so your plants can absorb it properly. To obtain a homogeneous CO2 concentration in the garden, it is beneficial to inject it at different locations.

To do so, use several CO2 generators with average power in one room instead of one high flow rate unit. This same principle is also applicable to CO2 bottles. With bottled CO2, which tends to drop due to its weight and the temperature, it is logical and favorable to inject it lightly above the plants or directly at their third upper part. When CO2 comes from combustion, the generator’s location may vary; wherever it is, hot CO2 will rise up towards the ceiling anyway. However, it is important to avoid installing the generator directly on the ground to protect it against water damages or close to the ceiling to avoid fire hazards. Whatever the source is, it is beneficial to place it far from an exhaust fan to avoid wasting CO2 outside.

Not only is it important to install CO2 sources in strategic locations, it is also recommended to use rotating fans to create air movement that quickly directs CO2 towards the plants. For bottled CO2, simply placing a fan near the gas outlet will move and distribute CO2 evenly around the room and the plants (figure one). For CO2 generators, a ceiling fan can be used to mix CO2 in the air and to bring it down to the plants’ level (figure one).

Figure One: Placing a fan near the gas exit moves and distributes the CO2 around the room and the plants.

Using fans is also really effective in renewing the air and CO2 around the plants. In just a few minutes, leaves can absorb all the available CO2 around them. Because this gas moves really slowly by diffusion and only on a short distance, ventilation is essential to provide the plants with a proper and stable concentration for their growth.

In the case of bottled CO2, another ingenious and simple system is to connect a perforated plastic tube to the regulator and install it above the plants. CO2 will then be vaporized trough the small holes and homogeneously distributed near the 84

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Taking Advantage of CO2 Enrichment

Avoiding CO2 Waste Depending on the size of the garden, the expense of CO2 enrichment (equipment, operating costs) can be high. Applying the following recommendations will help reduce those costs.

K Do not add CO2 during the dark phase; plants only

absorb CO2 in the presence of light.

Use a CO2 controller to know the concentration in the garden and to keep it at an ideal level for the plants (around 1000 parts per million).

K Regularly calibrate the CO2 controller for an exact reading and a precise concentration.

K Avoid CO2 enrichment while the exhaust fan is functioning as CO2 will be lost to the outside.

K Use a combined action controller, which manages more than one climate parameter at once and prioritizes temperature and humidity to maintain ideal conditions for CO2 absorption.

K Place the controller at a location that is representative of the climate around the plants (upper third part).

K

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Figure Two: A ceiling fan can be used to mix the CO2 with the air and bring it down at the plants’ level.

plants (figure three). It is easily possible to pierce the holes on the tube by placing it under water while injecting CO2. The holes’ size and location will determine the CO2 distribution.

A controller combined with an effective distribution system will maintain a precise and stable CO2 concentration in the garden. Like all other equipment, the controller must be installed at a logical location to be effective. It is only the CO2 sensor that has to be placed at a location representative of the concentration around the plants. Depending on the controller’s

Taking Advantage of CO2 Enrichment

“The moment one of the [environmental] parameters is no longer ideal, it becomes an obstacle to plant growth.”

Figure Three: Connecting a perforated plastic tube to the regulator is an ingenious and simple way to ensure an even distribution of the CO2.

model, the sensor might be inside or outside the controller’s enclosure. It is best to install it in the center of the garden at a height that is equivalent to the upper third part of the foliage.

This way, CO2 concentration will be steady near the plants and will perfectly fulfill their needs!

A good application of the advices mentioned above will surely have a positive impact on your yield’s quality and quantity. However, other aspects have to be taken into consideration for ensuring optimal plant growth and avoid wasting CO2. Here are a few:

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Good climate management In order to fully benefit from CO2 enrichment, all of the environmental parameters must be well managed. It is important to perfectly master your plants’ needs on every level— temperature, relative humidity, lighting, CO2 concentration, etc. The moment one of these parameters is no longer ideal, it becomes an obstacle to plant growth. In a garden enriched with CO2, it is important to consider that the best temperature for plants will be slightly higher than usual.

Effective gardening with CO2 requires careful planning and appropriate choices of equipments and layout, all based on the plant’s needs and the garden type. A predetermined plan for a perfect distribution system does not exist; the ideal plan varies for each cultural environment and is established according to a strict analysis of the location. Finally, the best CO2 enrichment system will only be effective if all of the plant’s needs are satisfied! MY Check out the pros and cons of various CO2 enrichment methods and benefits by visiting maximumyield.com

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Water pollution is thought to be caused only by man-made chemicals from manufacturing plants. In fact, there are several causes of water pollution, some of which are natural. The major categories of water pollution sources are: direct source and indirect source.

Direct sources of water pollution come from sewerage systems, factories, treatment plants, cargo ships and boats where the pollutant flows directly to the body of water. Indirect sources of water pollution come from the atmosphere that becomes rainwater, or groundwater systems. For example, when chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used in farms, some of these seep in the soil, and some evaporate in the atmosphere. When it rains, the chemicals are already part of it, and it becomes part of the runoff from the soil. Pollution from ships seeps directly into the sea. Cargo ships that travel for months spill some wastewater in the sea. Oil spills also pollute the sea and greatly affect the ecosystem since oil floats on water, and it blocks oxygen and sunlight. It also contains heavy metals that poison aquatic animals.

The causes of water pollution, whether transmitted to bodies of water directly or indirectly, are categorized as: pathogens, contaminants and thermal

pollution. Pathogens are bacteria and other micro-organisms that thrive and multiply in water systems, some of which are harmful and can multiply excessively. Some pathogens do not cause disease, but they prevent other organisms from thriving, especially in bodies of water where there is an imbalance of growth of algae. Sewerage systems that release untreated water when it rains or floods also contain a lot of pathogens.

Contaminants are organic or inorganic substances that are not naturally found in a water system, but become part of it because of man-made activities (i.e. runoff from homes, factories and by-products from treatment plants, including water treatment by-products). Organic water pollutants include products such as detergents, insecticides, gasoline and oil. Other organic pollutants include plant waste and tree debris. Inorganic water pollutants include chemical waste, heavy metals and sediments from mining and quarrying sites and riverbanks. Water runoff from agricultural land also adds to water pollution, especially because rain washes off pesticides from trees and crops. There are also large items that pollute the water such as trash, plastics and wreckages.

Thermal pollution is caused by the drastic change of water temperature because of human practices. This is mainly caused by factories and power plant facilities that use the body of water adjacent to them as a coolant for their machines. The water becomes warmer than usual, which drives the fish and other water animals away, and encourages the abnormal growth of certain water plants. A sudden drop in water temperature, on the other hand, may be caused by the release of water from dams to warmer rivers.

These practices, however, cannot be avoided.

Sewerage and wastewater treatments are being carried out to lessen the impact on water pollution.

MY

Water Pollution

Sources of

gardening

GREEN THUMB

MY

Our Organic Future What was once an uncommon term used by concerned scientists is now frequently on the lips of civilians. Global warming is a real concern and the blame rests squarely at the feet of carbon emissions, which are a direct result of our advanced industrial lifestyle. Most of what we take for granted, the keyboard we type on, the chair on which we sit, has contributed to climate change.

Globally, agriculture and horticulture contribute an estimated 11 per cent of the total greenhouse gas emissions. Chemically-treated crops affect the earth’s natural growing and carbon processing cycles, and because the natural environment is unable to process these alien waste forms efficiently and effectively, over time our earth becomes sterile.

Instead of being processed and recycled, the waste (gasses, toxins, etc.) are released directly into the earth’s atmosphere where they form mass amounts of poison, further damaging the ozone layer. This creates a circle of destruction where the planet can longer contain its waste, and instead burns a hole in the sky to escape.

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by Luis Bartolo

This is not to say that organic farming is carbon neutral. It is just more efficient at containing negatives within its natural life cycle. This process is slow, but it’s the only one this planet was designed to function by.

Nature is self sustaining and has a propensity to clean up after itself when it produces waste. Plants naturally absorb negative gasses from the air like CO2, which assists the photosynthetic process in producing organic compounds needed for plant growth and development. It is then recycled and sent back into the atmosphere as oxygen, and extracted by humans and other living beings for survival.

Another dangerous result of “Most of what we chemical farming is eutrophication. take for granted, Eutrophication occurs when nitrates fertilizers, and other toxins the keyboard we from from pesticides, are washed into type on, the chair rivers and streams from farmland, on which we sit, or absorbed into the atmosphere has contributed to to fall back to the earth as rain. An climate change.� estimated 67 million birds die each year as a backlash from pesticide use; the estimate for fish is six to 14 million annually. Several water companies in Germany now pay farmers to switch to organic operations because it costs less than removing chemicals from water supplies. In recent years, the water quality in certain valleys of Northern France became so bad due to pollution the local politicians, backed by the community, demanded a conversion to organic farming.

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Our Organic Future

“The natural environment is unable to process these alien waste forms (chemicals) efficiently and over time our earth becomes sterile.”

The number of organic farms is still a minority in comparison to modern factory farms. This, however, wasn’t always the case. Pre-1940, most of the world’s agricultural practice was organic or at the very least nonsynthetic. Chemical replicates of NPK became available during the previous century, although they weren’t popular until the manpower shortage and food demands of World War II. Intensive chemical farming relied on less manpower to manage and produce and it was cheaper; this is how chemical farming became so prevalent today.

In recent years there has been an upsurge in consumer demand for organic produce. This has been seen as something of a trend that has no conclusive benefits for human health or for the environment. Detractors take pains to point out that organic food 94

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is no better than conventionally-grown food and is simply a marketing ploy.

In fact, organic agriculture reduces greenhouse gas emissions by effectively locking more carbon into the soil rather than releasing it into the atmosphere, as is the case in conventional agriculture.

If organic fertilizer was used to grow corn and soybeans, two of the most widely produced crops in the United States, carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could be reduced by an estimated two per cent annually. Organic farming also uses 50 per cent less energy than conventional farming methods, therefore, less pollution is processed by the already overburdened ecosystem.

“A return to natural and self sustainable growing principles will ensure the longevity of our natural resources.”

There is no doubt that organic, sustainable agricultural practices can mitigate climate change. As stated in the 2002 report of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), organic agriculture enables ecosystems to better adjust to the effects of climate change and has major potential for reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

The FAO report also found that, “organic agriculture performs better than conventional agriculture on a per hectare scale, both with respect to direct energy consumption (fuel and oil) and indirect consumption (synthetic fertilizers and pesticides),” with highly efficient energy usage.

The United Kingdom’s Soil Association found that organic farming in the UK is about 26 per cent more efficient in energy use per ton of produce than conventional farming, excluding tomatoes grown in heated greenhouses.

The milk and beef industry showed the greatest gap, using 28 and 41 per cent less energy respectively than their conventional counterparts.

Organic agriculture helps counteract climate change by restoring soil’s organic matter content, reducing soil erosion and improving soil’s physical structure. Organic soils also have greater water-holding capacity, which explains why organic production is much more resistant to climate extremes such as droughts and floods.

Such savings in energy consumption alone should be enough of an incentive for governments to place more focus on organic agriculture. Healthy soils can also process more toxins from other areas of industry safely and naturally, thereby reducing the stress on the ozone layer.

Before the 1990s, the number of organic farmers represented less than one per cent of the total agricultural sector in most countries. Since that time the situation has changed with many countries expanding organic agriculture considerably. This is in part due to the increased profits from organic produce, as well as increased consumer demand.

Just as our planet has been negatively affected by chemical use in agriculture, the consumption of chemically-treated food by humans has had a detrimental effect upon our health. We, like the natural environment, are a delicate living ecosystem. When we build our cells upon inorganic and unnatural compounds, the body becomes unable to process and develop adequately.

The result of this is new generations of super bugs and an increase in the rise of cancers and other serious diseases. It is no surprise that the first cases of such maladies came about with the advent of industrial agriculture.

A return to natural and self sustainable growing principles will ensure the longevity of our natural resources and the health and well being of the next generation who will no longer be exposed to toxins in their soil, air, water and food.

We will likely continue to advance and embrace new technologies, but by focusing on the original building blocks of life and sustaining them we can progress exponentially and infinitely, without destroying our world in the process.

MY

The history of organics is available on maximumyield.com

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“As a general rule, doing something that weakens your plants when they are already attacked by pathogens is not a bright idea.�

Growing

Fads and Fallacies With the increase in population and the limit of garden space, gardening has increasingly become more confined to smaller spaces, hence emerging more hydroponic technologies to bring the best and fastest results to growing. This is good but you will find that this is often exercised by people with little or no previous knowledge of plant growing. As a result, there are numerous fads circulating in the home grower world that are deeply rooted in people’s mind.

These fads are often propagated on Internet forums. Technical books on hydroponics are hard to read for most people without previous knowledge in chemistry and plant physiology. Many books on the subject of indoor growing cover your choices of

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by William Texier - GHE

system, lighting, ventilation, etc. Some of those books are well written and thorough but tend to be missing a detailed section on proper hydroponics practices. Some Internet forums cannot be trusted since manufacturers may use them to promote their products by posing as simple users, ranting and raving on how this product is miraculous. Others are good faith users that can, by like of experience, draw the wrong conclusions and propagate them; or it could be something observed once and made as a rule without repetitive testing to verify what was observed! As a result, products are used improperly, causing damage when they could have been potentially useful. I will try to review some of them below.

Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)

Many companies sell H2O2 with the claim of miraculous effects, from improving the oxygen level in the nutrient solution to killing all pathogens on site. They often use anthropomorphic images such as: “the oxygen ion search for the bad guy.” Of course, there is some truth behind all that, but the presentation is rather misleading.

When H2O2 is dissolved in water, it rapidly loses an oxygen atom that becomes a free radical. As you probably know, free radicals are extremely reactive oxygen ions. They have an electric charge and they attach themselves very easily to any other particle with an opposite charge. “Attach” in this case means oxidize, or kill. It is this same process that transforms iron into rust.

All micro-organisms, as well as every living cell, have electrical activity, and thus attract a free oxygen ion...and die! The free radical does not have a selection mechanism that makes it target the bad guys. It will indiscriminately oxidize spores and pathogens, but also root cells.

At the same time that it is cleaning the nutrient solution, it is weakening the plant. In fact, the quantity that you can introduce in the nutrient solution without killing your plant is “Free radicals so small that it is not enough oxidize, or kill, to completely free the solution spores and from pathogens. It is true that pathogens, but their population will be reduced, also root cells.” but they will rapidly come back in even greater numbers to attack the weakened plants. As a general principle, doing something that weakens your plants when they are already attacked by pathogens does not strike me as the brightest of ideas.

The claim of extra oxygenation is also greatly exaggerated.

It is important to realize that this ionic form of oxygen is not the one that the plant can use. Plants absorb O2, the gaseous oxygen that is in the air, the reunion of two oxygen atoms.

What happens to that oxygen ion when it is released? Since it is very reactive, it will not live long, or travel far. It will, most likely, encounter something to attach to. It will then precipitate out of solution with that “something.” Once again, that can be a cell, a spore, but also a metallic ion such as iron. If some of those ions, obviously a small portion, manage to turn into gaseous oxygen, they will simply get out of the solution, at least for the larger part. The reason is simple: there is a maximum of MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

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Growing Fads and Fallacies dissolved oxygen that you can have in the water. This maximum varies mostly in relation to the temperature. Once that saturation in oxygen is attained, any extra would simply dissipate in the air. Granted, a minute fraction might be absorbed by the plant, but certainly not enough to make a difference.

Don’t get me wrong, hydrogen peroxide is a very good product.

There is nothing more efficient to rid a system from pathogens between two crops. I highly recommend the use of H2O2, especially if you experienced root problems in your previous crop. The use of a strongly acidic solution to dissolve the salts that might accumulate in the line, as well as using a strong solution of H2O2 to get rid of pathogens, should be your routine practice between crops. It is only the idea of using it with plants in the system that makes the hair on my neck curl backward!

but not long enough for the air to become too hot. And this can be repeated a few times for more effect. However, it is a mistake to put the tabs in your nutrient tank. They must be dissolved in a separate bucket with no connection with your system.You simply do not want CO2 in your root zone! CO2 is a by-product of plant metabolism that is released by the roots in the nutrient solution, as well as some other molecules exuded by the plants.

“CO2 is a byThey are “polluting” the nutrient product of plant

metabolism and “pollutes” the nutrient solution.”

CO2 Tabs

There is no doubt that bringing extra CO2 in the atmosphere surrounding your plants will improve their growth, their health and the yield of your crop. It is not easy to do when growing in a small space; the heat from the light forces a quasi-constant renewal of the air, making it less practical to introduce CO2.

CO2 tabs serve a good purpose since they release in the growing space a large amount of CO2 in a short time. Therefore, it is possible to shut the ventilation down for just a little while,

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Plant tissue at high magnification.

solution. A properly designed hydroponics system works well for two reasons: it oxygenates the nutrient solution, but also, it helps dissipate the gazes out of the solution.

CO2 tabs are absolutely counter-productive in the root zone.

It is definitely a good idea to use them, but do use an extra container. Another good way to add CO2 is the slow release system that will bring a slow increase of CO2 at all times by means of a basic chemical reaction. This is practical, low-tech and efficient, and it will not pollute the nutrient solution. Both low-tech methods, if well used, can save you money.

Enzymes Most people are not familiar with the relationship between enzymes and bacteria. In fact the difference is pretty big: bacteria are alive, and enzymes are produced by bacteria, as part of their metabolism. They are the weapons of bacteria.

Their role is to break down dead matter into single elements on which bacteria can feed. Enzymes are short lived but bacteria produce them all “Enzymes are the time. Therefore, during a crop, if you produced by bacteria, introduce bacteria, it is like introducing as part of their millions of enzyme factories that are metabolism. They going to work for the duration of the are the weapons of crop. If well managed, it is obviously more bacteria.� efficient than introducing enzymes during the crop; at best, it is a quick action that will not last very long.

Enzymes are very useful when used properly, or in between crops, when you need to clean a substrate from the residues of the previous crop and you want a quick, strong effect. In that case, nothing works better than enzymes! For the rest of the time, use bacteria or fungi (they are also enzyme factories). The typical bacterium to use in this case is Trichoderma harzianum, an especially efficient and economical product.

We have seen with those few examples how useful products can be detrimental when used improperly. Many beginners tend to buy all the products on the shelf and hope that this will help them succeed in their growing operation. In fact, it is often the contrary. As strange as it might sound, I have seen many beginners fail just by doing too much. It is better to start with the basics: a hydroponics system, a plant, a nutrient and a pH corrector. This is all you really need.

From there, you can start experimenting with the many products on the market today, but not before learning Bacillus bacteria MY how to use them efficiently!

GROWING for health

Medicinal Herbs at Home:

Anise

by Matt LeBannister

The selling of over counter drugs is a billion dollar industry.

Relief from small ailments can be easily obtained the natural way if one decides to grow some medicinal herbs at home.

Anise is the herb up for discussion this month. It can be found as flavoring in different liquors such as Jägermeister, Ouzo and the infamous Absinthe. Absinthe is legendary for supposedly turning a generation of writers mad from hallucinations, but the main medicinal ingredient in anise, anethole, is not to blame. Anise has a pleasant taste similar to fennel or licorice and is part of the parsley family.

The part of the anise plant that is harvested for medicinal purposes is the seed. They can be used on their own or pressed for the anise seed oil. The oil can be applied topically. It is a mild antiparasitic and can be used to treat lice and scabies.

Anise is most commonly used to treat digestive problems. To do this the anise must be ingested. The seeds can be boiled and made into a very delicious tea; one teaspoon of dried anise seeds will be enough for one cup of tea.

The anise seed tea can also be good for chest coughs. Anise is known to break down phlegm and mucus that builds up in our throats and lungs when we get a chest cold or cough. Another great way to treat this problem is to boil the anise seeds in water as if making tea. Instead of drinking the water place your head over the steam and breathe in the vapors. A towel can be placed over one’s head to trap even more of the vapor. This can be done for 10 to 15 minutes as often as needed.

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Anise

The consumption of anise seed tea can also be beneficial for women experiencing menstrual cramps. A couple cups a day can keep that menstrual pain at bay.

Anise can be grown easily when its few needs are meet. It requires a sunny place to grow and flower. T5 fluorescent bulbs or a 400 watt HID would be ideal, but a very sunny windowsill will do. Soil must be rich in nutrients and drained well. It is the anise seeds that one is after. When grown outdoors the anise should be planted in February or early March and harvested midsummer. Indoors we must take on the role of “mother nature” and pollinate the anise plants ourselves. Once flowers open, one should use a painters brush and dab all the flowers. This should spread the pollen and result in pollination. In six to 10 weeks the fruit or seeds will be mature and ready for harvest and drying.

Anise is an extraordinary plant that can benefit us greatly.

Whether used for flavoring our desserts, foods and liquors, or curing our tummy aches, anise is a part of human medicinal MY history and most likely will be for some time to come.

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Plants and Humans

MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

by Evan Folds

With all the debate on health care in the United States, it’s hard to be anything but cynical about our legislative intentions when not a word is mentioned of food quality or providing an incentive for people to eat healthier food. In September 2009 President Obama convened a special joint session of Congress for a health care speech and did not utter one word about empty food or misguided agricultural policy. We’re a pill-driven society, and the same goes for our gardening and farming practices.

When people learn that USDA subsidies encourage mega-farms and monocropping or that school lunches consist of pizza, soda and french fries, they understandably cry foul, but the majority of our food is produced by these farms and our kids continue to eat junk. It doesn’t add up. When soft drink manufacturers show up for a meeting on farm policy something must be rotten in Denmark.

Bottom line, there is a lack of collective will being demonstrated by the people of the United States in regards to food policy, which is a direct result of our nutritionally vacant diets…and round and round we go.

The idea of “essential nutrients” attempts to define what a plant must have in order to grow. It has resulted in the development of primary hydroponic nutrients, but it really only ends up crippling health. In a previous article we defined “essential” nutrition for plants as being 16 elements by polling the top 10 sites in a web search.

These elements were: hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), carbon (C) and 13 mineral elements primarily obtained from the roots: nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), boron (B), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mb), chlorine (Cl).

When chemistry pioneers ashed some plants in the late 1800s and discovered these “essential” nutrients they mistakenly assumed that this was everything needed for healthy plants.

It’s easy to see how they arrived at this assumption considering the technology at that time, but it has done great harm to humanity. We have paid so much attention to the few elements that physically end up inside of plants and almost no attention to how all of the elements work together synergistically. There are many things to blame—greed, simplemindedness, materialistic coercion—but the bottom line is that we have done it to ourselves. This may sound dire, but the good news is that we can do something about it by taking control of our own personal agriculture. It’s not too late!

The easiest way to understand what we’re missing when growing plants with limited elemental nutrition is to consider human health. What happens to people who eat fast food for every meal? They get sick. The same is true for plants. Phil Callahan is an entomologist and has spent the bulk of his career

Evident from our growing diet of junk food, there is a lack of collective will by the people of the United States to change our nutritionallychallenged diets.

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Biological Systems: Plants and Humans investigating the ability of common garden pests to pick up on infrared frequencies emitted by unhealthy plants.

Pests cannot digest complete proteins, so when the plant is not sending a signal that it represents a food source the pest starves to death or moves on to the next plant. This may sound too simple, but it’s true. What, did you think your stubborn pest infestation was just bad luck?

The last 50 years of institutional research have been geared towards developing what the eco-pioneer Charles Walters called “toxic rescue chemistry.”

We’ve been focused on killing what we don’t want rather than encouraging what we do want. The unfortunate result is a general weakness of all biological species.

Humans tend to compartmentalize life into neat little categories for convenience.

We think of our health as being different from our landscapes, or we feed our pets what we don’t want to eat.

It turns out that the immune system of plants operates in the same way that a human immune system works. Plants

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“We’ve been focused on killing what we don’t want rather than encouraging what we do want.” literally create their own antibiotics, but when provided a limited diet or when manipulated by genetic modification (GMO) they are stripped of this ability and become vulnerable to waiting pathogens. Humanity’s attempts at rectifying this manufactured weakness by trying to kill the problem or manipulating the genetic expression of plants to produce unnatural compounds only makes the problem worse. The average homeowner treats common plant diseases such as black spot or powdery mildew with a toxic soup of fungicides when it is really only a result of a bad diet. Again, consider what people do to combat illness. We don’t try to duck and dodge the flu virus; we eat good food so that our bodies can withstand it naturally.

Biological Systems: Plants and Humans A plant or a human body is not programmed to be sick. The plant realm has received far less attention than human health in regards to this sort of specific elemental research, so we’re still in the dark ages when it comes to understanding how the majority of the elements work with plants. Generally speaking, it is mineral deficiencies and lack of biological balance in natural systems that accounts for illness. This can be illustrated in a number of ways via human health. For example, the formation of each individual codon in DNA requires a specific mineral catalyst, some of them are extremely rare, and most of them are not found in our food anymore. These elements are not found in our food because they are no longer in our soils or hydroponic systems. It’s hard to overstate how important these micronutrients are for biological health. For instance, we know of over 300 enzymes in the human body alone that require zinc as a catalyst. The same sort of mindbending complexity is found in plants.

“Plants create their own antibiotics, but when provided a limited diet or when manipulated by genetic modification they are stripped of this ability and become vulnerable to waiting pathogens.”

We need a Dr. Richard Olree in the plant world. Dr. Olree set out to discover how and what trace elements governed the creation and expression of specific amino acids in regards to human health. His work is compiled in a book called Minerals for the Genetic Code and represents maybe the greatest leap forward in the understanding of the mysteries of the periodic table since it was first introduced by Mendeleev in 1869. In his research he discovered truly groundbreaking associations between elements seemingly not needed or found in the human body, but necessary nevertheless for use in the human genetic expression. In other words, he validated that our bodies require much more than what they are comprised of.

Minerals for the Genetic Code by Charles Walters is a compilation of Dr. Olree's work on amino acids and human health.

His findings validated that our bodies require much more than what they are comprised of to complete the human genetic expression.

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Biological Systems: Plants and Humans Take for instance the element yttrium (Y). Maybe one in 1000 people have even heard of it and it is rarely found in nature, but it turns out that certain bacteria in the human intestinal tract are dependent on it, while at the same time very sensitive to aluminum toxicity. When we make the connection that common deodorants and the filler in widespread pharmaceuticals contain relatively high amounts of aluminum we have isolated a specific instance of human degeneration. We tell ourselves we do not need yttrium because our bodies do not use it directly, then we compound the issue by making it even harder for our bodies to use it.

This analogy is played out every time we use cheap artificial fertilizers on our lawns and in our gardens, and even when we use so-called complete hydroponic nutrients. By using more of the elements that may provide a growth response we are sacrificing the ones that allow the health response.

These associations are rarely easy to recognize, but they are absolutely vital to proper health. As Dr. Olree puts it, these associations have “baffled the fools, and fooled the wise.� Take the elements iodine (I) and fluorine (F) as another example.

Most people are aware that sea salt contains no iodine, which is how table salt (NaCl + iodine) was sold to us initially in the

Iodine, found in table salt, is crucial for healthy thyroid function.

1940s. For those of us who have shunned table salt, it’s easy to have a low iodine diet unless we supplement in some way and iodine is absolutely crucial for healthy thyroid function, as well as myriad other physiological and metabolic processes. Iodine is found in the halogen group located in the row second from the right on the periodic table. The halogens are defined by having one open binding site in their valance shell and are extremely volatile.

Fluorine (F) is also found in the halogen group and is added to municipal water systems in an attempt to curb dental decay. Water fluoridation is an extremely dangerous public policy (for more, see www.FluorideAlert.org), but

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“Every time we…fill up the hydroponic system with fluoridated water, we are introducing elements that hinder the ability of our plants to grow in health.” it is a perfect example of how we are missing the mark.

Because fluorine mimics the chemical structure of iodine (they both have one open binding site), it can replace it in the thyroid, especially in low iodine diets, resulting in cancers or any number of thyroid issues. Not only this, but fluorine has a very high affinity for calcium (Ca), in fact, it is only found in nature as calcium fluoride (CaF).

Because of this it builds up on bones with implications in osteoporosis and bone cancer and is highly attracted to and calcifies the pineal gland in the brain, or the root of consciousness. Do you see all of the disconnects? In this instance we are exposing ourselves to a form of an element that is toxic and hindering the body’s ability to use other elements, or we are attempting to use an element for health that is actually hindering health. Now project this onto the idea of plant and soil vitality. Every time we water the lawn or fill up the hydroponic system with fluoridated water, we are introducing elements that hinder the ability of our plants to grow in health.

Don’t worry; you don’t need a PhD to grow plants. Simply source gardening products such as sea-mineral complexes or kelps that provide all of the earth-bound elements for your soil or hydroponic plants and let the growing situation use what it desires, not what some scientist stuck in the dark ages tells you to use. We take for granted the complexity of biological systems, but we act like we have it all figured out.

MY In all reality, we know not what we do.

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pH Management

for Optimal Results

by Andrew Taylor, Chemist for Flairform

This article explains how to keep the pH of nutrient solutions between 5.0 and 6.5. This helps make sure all nutrients are available for root up-take, and minimizes the risk of plumbing blockages.

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Optimum pH for nutrient solutions For nutrients to remain dissolved and, therefore, available for uptake by roots, it is critical to maintain the pH between 5.0 and 6.0 with an absolute maximum of 6.5. When the pH of the nutrient solution is above 7.0, calcium, sulfate (and trace elements of copper, iron, manganese and zinc) can precipitate and become unavailable to the roots, causing plumbing blockages. High pH values, or those above 6.0, are to be avoided more than low values of 4.5 to 5.0. The effect of low pH upon the stability of nutrients is relatively insignificant.

The precise pH at which precipitation of macro-nutrients starts is determined by the combined concentrations of calcium and sulfate. Except for fertilizers low in calcium and sulfate this problem commonly occurs at pH 6.5 where the net* EC is 2.5 mS, or pH 7.0 for 1.5 mS solutions. Hence, to avoid precipitation, higher nutrient concentrations generally must be held at lower pH values. *Assume make-up water has nil EC. In spite of this precipitation problem, some references advocate pH values well above 6.5 for some plant varieties, conditions that risk depleted concentrations of the above mentioned elements.

“It is best to adopt a pH maintenance regime that prevents pH from getting too high.”

pH recommendation of 6.2 to 6.3?

Although 6.2 to 6.3 is a popular pH recommendation, which has no scientific basis. It appears to have gained mythological status from the early days of hydroponics when the only cheap means of measuring pH was the common ‘bromothymol blue’ pH indicator used for testing fish tank water. Interestingly, the lowest pH value able to be determined by that indicator is about 6.2. Hence, this value has unfortunately become an entrenched recommendation in some sections of the hydroponic industry.

Adjusting nutrient pH The working nutrient pH should be checked at the following times: 1. When working nutrient solutions are first made.

2. After the addition of top-up water or additives, especially if they are highly alkaline.

3. In re-circulating systems, pH should be checked on a daily basis because the uptake of water and nutrients causes pH to change (figure one).

It is best to adopt a pH maintenance regime that prevents pH from getting too high. If pH is too high for a long enough period of time, the resultant precipitate usually cannot be redissolved.

How to minimize pH fluctuation 1. Use a nutrient brand that is highly pH buffered, particularly when using highly alkaline water.

2. Supply at least two gallons of nutrient for each large plant.

Failure to do this will magnify pH (and EC) fluctuations, especially during hot and dry weather where water uptake and evaporation are excessive. Note, to avoid excess water uptake and evaporation; keep air temperature below 86oF and relative humidity above 50 per cent.

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pH Management for Optimal Results How to adjust pH Step 1. Measure the pH: Use either a liquid pH indicator or an electronic pH meter (see sections below). Before measuring the pH, ensure that the nutrient is well stirred and that the sampling container is clean.

Step 2. Choosing a target pH: Note that it is inconvenient and unnecessary to hold pH at a single point value. Therefore, choose a target pH that minimizes the amount of pH maintenance:

TIP

If your pH tends to continuously rise (the most common trend), then at each adjustment reduce the pH to about 5.0 using a pH down product. This will give you a much larger pH “safety” margin than if adjusting to, for example, 5.8.

If pH tends to continuously fall, at each adjustment increase the pH to about 6.0 using a pH up product.

Step 3. Adjusting the pH: Add a small amount of pH down or up product*. Then stir well and check pH. Repeat this process until the target pH is achieved. *Important: Pre-dilute the dose into one quart (or at least 100 fold) of water before adding to nutrient, then rapidly stir the nutrient as you add this mixture. Failure to do this may cause permanent precipitation of essential nutrients. Also, if accidental overdosing to above 6.5 occurs, reduce the pH back to below 6.0 as quickly as possible using pH down.

1

Handy hints for adjusting nutrient pH 1. Add “high pH” (alkaline) additives before adding nutrient: Most additives will affect nutrient pH at least slightly. The best technique to adopt with those that elevate pH significantly is to add them to the water and adjust the pH down to 6.0 prior to adding the nutrient.

The less preferred but simplest alternative is to pre-dilute the additive in a separate volume of raw water. Then once this solution is added to the nutrient solution, quickly lower the pH to below 6.5. Note that a white cloudy precipitate (calcium sulfate) may form when the pre diluted additive initially merges with the nutrient solution. However, because the initial particle size of the precipitate is small, it will usually re-dissolve if the pH is immediately re-adjusted.

Copyright @2008 www.flairform.com

Figure one: Simplified illustration of how nutrient uptake effects pH of the nutrient solution

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2 3

2. Do not pre-adjust pH of raw water: Note that the pH values being discussed here are the values of the working nutrient solution, not your make-up water. Unless your make-up water has a high alkalinity, do not bother attempting to adjust its pH prior to the nutrient being added. If you attempt this procedure you will typically get wild pH swings either side of the pH target without ever landing on the target value.

3. Estimating the volume of acid (especially for larger systems): Step 1. Take a one quart sub-sample (or known volume) of working nutrient.

Step 2. Add a few drops of pH indicator (figure two ‘a’).

Step 3. While stirring this solution, measure the volume of acid required to turn this solution yellow – figure two ‘b’ (Yellow indicates a pH of 6.0 with most broad range liquid indicators).

Step 4. Multiply the volume of acid* by the volume of nutrient in your reservoir. That calculation will give you the volume of acid required to adjust the entire volume down to pH 6.0, for example.

Copyright @2008 www.flairform.com

Figure two: pH indicators are useful for determining how much acid needs to be added to the nutrient reservoir.

Total volume of nutrient ÷ Volume of sub-sample x volume of acid

TIP

If this volume is very small (most likely if a highly concentrated acid is used), to ensure accuracy you will require the use of a finely graded pipette. A better method is to allocate a portion of acid specifically for conducting this calculation and dilute it by a known amount, for example 10-fold. Ensure to compensate for this dilution when calculating how much of the concentrated acid to add to the reservoir.

Measuring pH with ‘indicators’ pH indicators are undoubtedly the simplest and most reliable method of measuring nutrient pH. Although they will not distinguish between, for example, a pH of 5.2 and 5.3, wide range indicators with good color resolution can be: • fast and user friendly • extremely accurate and reliable • economical In comparison, pH meters require constant up-keep (i.e. cleaning, calibrating and correct storage), but even then may not give reliable readings. pH indicators work on the principle that the color produced by the particular dye used in the indicator formulation is dependant on the pH of the solution (figure three).

Experience shows if you are aiming to adjust pH to 5.5 (orange) then an accuracy of +/- 0.2 is achievable. Because of MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

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Figure three: This is the color range produced by a wide range pH indicator within the optimum pH range 5.0 to 6.5. Note the ease with which pH change can be detected.

their fundamental accuracy, reliability and easy of use, wide range pH indicators are the preferred method for measurement of pH in nutrient solutions. Note that pool and aquarium pH indicators are usually not suitable because unlike broad range indicators, they do not operate below pH 6.0.

Taking pH readings Step 1. Before measuring the pH ensure that the nutrient is well stirred, especially after pH up or down products are used. This is one of the most common mistakes made when testing pH (or conductivity). Also, ensure that the sampling container is clean.

Step 2. Using the sampling vial, remove a small sample of nutrient from the

nutrient reservoir, add a drop of the indicator, mix, and then compare the final solution color with those on the colored reference chart (figure three).

Step 3. If the pH is not between 5.0 and 6.5, adjust it immediately.

Measuring pH with pH meters pH meters employing a glass electrode are useful for precise pH measurement in nutrient solutions but require frequent calibration, proper storage and handling to ensure accuracy and reliability. The principle on which such meters operate is based on the fact that when glass of a certain composition separates two aqueous solutions having different hydrogen ion concentrations, a voltage is developed between the two faces of the glass. The electronic meter is simply a

very sensitive voltmeter which measures that voltage but is calibrated in terms of pH units instead of volts.

Obtaining pH readings Step 1. Make sure the meter is calibrated.

Step 2. Remove a ‘representative’ sample from the nutrient reservoir (figure four): • Stir the nutrient thoroughly prior to sampling.

• Ensure the sampling container is clean.

Step 3. Rinse electrode in distilled water before immersing in the sample.

Wait a few minutes before switching the meter on and recording the pH. Wait longer if the sample’s temperature is significantly different from 77oF. Step 4. If the pH is not between 5.0 and 6.5, adjust it immediately.

Step 5. When complete, rinse the electrode with distilled water. Store the electrode in a proper storage solution when not in use.

Copyright @2008 www.flairform.com

Copyright @2008 www.flairform.com

pH Management for Optimal Results

Figure four: Thoroughly stir nutrient reservoir before sampling.

Then leave the electrode in the sample for a few minutes before switching the meter on and taking the measurement. Do not immerse the electrode deeper than ~1 inch.

MY Andrew Taylor and Bob Taylor’s articles date back more than two years, with how-to tips on hydro nutrients and management, conductivity, ventilation, lighting basics, pH and more. Visit www.maximumyield.com and check them out!

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YOU TELL US

What filter do I need for my growing environment? How do filters clear the air? What should I be looking for in a quality grow tent?

These questions and more are answered in this exclusive interview with Evan Townsley of International Growers Supply, Inc. (IGS).

Maximum Yield (MY): How are filters beneficial in a grow room or greenhouse?

Evan Townsley: Organic odors emanating from steeping, syrupy, bio-teas, manure composts and vegetation can permeate a growing environment. What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas but odors travel far and wide. Filters help moderate the environment’s atmosphere by cleaning the air rather than masking the odors.

MY: You offer the grower a variety of filters. Explain how they are different.

Evan: IGS fills needs in the myriad niches of our expanding market. Not all applications are the same so catering to specific needs is what drives our lateral brands.

The Organic Air brand (www.organicairfilter.com) includes charcoal fiber filters and HEPA filters. A unique, inverted, dual cone design coupled with vertical pleats gives these cuttingedge filters cover a large surface area but are available in a small package. Charcoal fiber filters use a mesh material to achieve a super lightweight odor filter with millions of micropores on the surface of each carbon thread comprising the mesh. These pores are negatively charged by nature and attract any organic odor. Our HEPA (high efficiency particulate arrestor) filter cleans the air going into a greenhouse. Attached to intake blowers, they remove molds, pollen, insects and

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Evan Townsley

bacteria. The mesh size in our HEPA filters is five times smaller than a human hair. HEPA filters clean the air of contaminants, leading to better crops with less hassle.

The Elf and Goblin filters use pelletized charcoal carbon, which has been a staple in carbon filtration for years. These filters were specifically designed to be hung from the ceilings of grow tents or attached to smaller fans or blowers. They are lightweight, compact and very affordable. The Elf has a four inch (100 millimeter) mouth and the Goblin a six inch (160 millimeter) mouth.

Phat filter is our flagship filter brand targeted to experienced growers and larger scale greenhouses. PHAT filters use non-pelletized, virgin RC 412 charcoal from Australia.

Pelletized charcoal is bound together with heavy binding agents or glue that doesn’t filter. Because the non-pelletized charcoal is

made without glue, the Phat filters are lighter.They have a larger, usable carbon surface area from which to attract odors.We make 18 sizes of Phat filters to suit the needs of every possible grower.

See our filter calculator at www.Phatfilter.com/sizes.html where you can plug in your greenhouse dimensions, number of lights being used and find out how many filters you need and what sizes.

MY: You mention your flagship Phat filter - how it is unique?

Evan: Phat filters are built with the finest charcoal in the world, mined from a source that yields the highest quality carbon.

The charcoal goes into netting, which goes into our perforated aluminum casing. The bottom of the Phat filter casing is conical so it drives air off the bottom of the main cylinder and sends it back toward the charcoal. This increased air movement inside the cylinder is important for efficiency. When filters are transported, the charcoal inside the cylinder always settles—the pieces of charcoal find a closer home to their neighboring pieces of charcoal. We fill our filter cylinders very carefully during manufacturing but after transport, all filters will have a charcoal bed that has settled even lower and tighter. To protect against air passing through the space created at the top of a filter after settling, we employ a unique anti-air bypass system. Most manufacturers add a piece of foam at the top to expand into the space. We use specialized foam and wrap it in a non-permeable layer of material so air cannot pass through the foam. Foam is permeable by air. This little detail makes our system foolproof.

Lastly, we wrap our Phat filters in a pre-filter, or blanket of Dacron. The Dacron traps larger dirt particles to keep them from going inside the filter and needlessly clogging the charcoal.

Filters need forced air. Air is either pushed or pulled through a filter. Dirty or smelly air goes in, travels across the bed of charcoal hitting the surface where micro-pores in the charcoal, like fissures in rocks, trap the organic odors. The air continues on its path out of the filter clean and odor-free.

MY: Because the Phat filters are lightweight, does that not negatively affect the output?

Evan: Phat filters are lightweight for several reasons. Filters are generally heavy and difficult to transport, hang or maneuver.

We use aluminum in our casing, bottom plate and top collar to minimize weight. We use virgin charcoal with no binders and this alone makes the Phat Filter up to 40 per cent lighter than traditional pelletized charcoal filters. We have managed to produce a lighter-weight filter without compromising on the key factors that make a great filter; so no, the lightness of our filters does not negatively affect output.

MY: Tell us about other products that IGS offers the indoor gardener?

Evan: IGS offers the HydroHut indoor garden tent – a market that has matured very quickly. HydroHut uses quality material and small margins to compete in this market. We use all steel poles and corners that are 20% thicker than others as well we galvanize our steel and powder coat it to prevent rust, along with a thicker exterior canvas. IGS concentrates on providing consistent features to give the customer the best experience possible. Competition dictates that we continuously change our product and as successive models are launched, we find innovative ways to improve.

MY

If you would like to have your product featured in "You Tell Us," please contact editor@maximumyield.com or give us a call at 250 729 2677

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by Lee McCall

small spaces

Big Yields part I

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Sugar Baby tomatoes (shown above) may be small, but are extremely productive and will be trialed against Early Girl tomatoes.

H

aving been an active consumer and contributor to this unique industry for several years, I have learned that the best way to improve is with hands-on experience. Every garden is different in equipment, nutrients, plant species, strain and environmental condition, therefore, only trials and error will reveal fault and strength of the grower and his or her operation. Producing a garden that performs exactly according to your wishes may take years of working with the same clone in order to understand growth attributes and crop performance. Side-by-side experimentation allows the grower to learn about crop productivity in relation to a particular grow medium, nutrient, cultivation method, or even a grow light. Part one of this series covers all aspects of seed germination through aggressive vegetative growth on two choice tomato strains, Sugar Baby and Early Girl. One is a cherry variety and the other a slicing tomato and both types are known to produce copious amounts of fruit on relatively short plants. This will suit my area perfectly due to my height restrictions, and both varieties are tolerant to many diseases making them easier to grow.

“CO2 in nature will reveal "natural� growth characteristics without atmospheric augmentation.�

Construction of the grow room can initially be an expensive investment. Separate areas for seed germination, clone propagation, vegetative production and flowering/ blooming/fruiting growth may be necessary. To increase efficiency, conduct seed germination, clone propagation and vegetative growth within the same area, space permitting. Seedlings may benefit from 24 hour light cycles initially, but is not mandatory for clones or aggressive vegetative growth.

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Small Spaces, Big Yields:Veg Part 1 The portable grow room I have chosen to use for this trial consists of an easy-to-assemble aluminum pole structure, similar to a camping tent. A 95 per cent reflective Mylar lines the inside of the area for optimal light dispersion and little to no light leakage. Light tight ducts are fabricated into opposite facing walls of the structure so that the reflector may be properly air-cooled on its own “closed loop” ventilation circuit. Air can efficiently enter in one side of the duct, travel through the reflector removing a large percentage of the

“The square shape of the system allows for multiple systems to be placed neatly and compactly in the garden.”

The grow room outfitted with the germination seedling heat mat, compact fluorescent light system, HID light system and oscillating fan.

Cinch cord grow room ducts secured around ventilation ducting to ensure a lighttight fit.

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heat from the lamp and exhaust out the duct opposite the intake side through a high velocity inline fan. An additional port on the back right corner of the ceiling allows for proper installation of a carbon filter as well. This allows all volatile organic compounds, pollen and dust to be effectively removed from the garden and vented out the top of the structure. There are screen covered windows with Velcro flaps that may open and close for increased air circulation, and additional ducts near the bottom for HEPA filters and intake air. All of the ducts are dual sided, internally and externally located on the structure. They feature heavy duty drawstrings that cinch tight around flexible aluminum ducting used for ventilation and prevent light from escaping or entering in.

This will help deter potential disruption of dark periods that can hinder production.

For aggressive vegetative production, the designated reflector of choice is exceptionally unique. The design is made to house both metal halide and high pressure sodium

High output roof mounted fan used to extract heat from the grow light.

“A small activated carbon filtration system will maintain a clean environment inside the grow space and prevent odors, dust and pollens from leaving. ”

Grow room ducts are strategically placed for optimal ventilation.

lamp options simultaneously allowing for “full spectrum” capabilities. Vegetative growth will be driven by a 400 watt metal halide bulb possessing a 5K “daylight” spectrum; this should promote healthy foliar development, dense structural growth and increased fruit sites compared to high pressure sodium lamps that can encourage internodal spacing. The specular design of the reflector distributes light down into a specific square footprint over the canopy. Light is evenly

concentrated so growth is benefited directly underneath the lamp and to the outer regions of the footprint. This reflector design is engineered to provide intense light penetration to areas of the plant that are heavily shaded by dense foliage or overgrowth. Vegetative production will boast 44.4 watts of light per square foot overall, however, the limited quantity of plants within the area amount to approximately 100 watts per square foot of the garden since they are within a two foot by two foot arrangement. The closer the light is to the canopy, the more minimized the footprint, and the closer I will be to achieving this outstanding watt per square foot rating.

A 440 CFM (cubic feet per minute) fan is mounted outside the grow room on its roof to extract heat from the high intensity light. Rather than push air into the reflector housing, I prefer to have the fan pull air through so as to create a negative pressure effect that ensures heat is being efficiently extracted from the housing and not blown around inside the reflector. None of the air surrounding the actual

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Small Spaces, Big Yields:Veg Part 1

plants will be fed into the reflector ventilation, a necessary detail for those who wish to use CO2 enrichment systems. A small activated carbon filtration system will maintain a clean environment inside the grow space and prevent odors, dust and pollens from leaving. I will not be using supplementary CO2 for this experiment. As plants are normally not exposed to higher levels of CO2 in nature, this will reveal “natural” growth characteristics without atmospheric augmentation. By documenting results such as yields and growth rates prior to the addition of CO2, it is easier to distinguish the overall benefits, if any, that the supplement can provide.

Hydroponic and organic soil techniques will both be used.

Unlike a previous trial with the Caribbean Red habanero

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Specialized reflector specifically engineered to distribute light into a square footprint for ultimate canopy penetration.

chili, each method will utilize an individual feeding regiment that is best suited for the chosen method. The hydroponic system I have chosen to work with is established as one of the most productive, well recognized and simplistic operating systems on the market. Known as a “drip bucket” system to many, it features a self-contained reservoir for nutrient solution, and within that, a growing chamber that supports the growing medium and root mass. This system is a small bucket placed inside a larger one that operates off a continuous percolating effect. A special column that runs through both buckets uses an air pump to project nutrient solution up to a drip ring that hovers around the stalk of the plant and disperse oxygen rich nutrient to the root zone. This action keeps the nutrient solution well mixed and prevents

“Documenting results such as yields and growth rates prior to the addition of CO2 makes it easier to distinguish the benefits that the supplement can provide.�

Carbon filtration and grow light ventilation operates best when separated.

stagnant water, which can assist pythium development. The square shape of the system allows for multiple systems to be placed neatly and compactly in the garden.

The entirety of this experiment will be executed in a floor space not exceeding nine square feet. The innovation of the industry continues to provide user-friendly products that allow anyone to have an indoor garden whether the space is in an apartment, loft, attic, shed, basement or spare bedroom. The heat vented from my grow light will also be used to warm areas of my house for energy conservation.

Depending on the area, this proves to be exceptionally advantageous during the winter months when natural gas utility prices soar past that of electricity costs. Temperature in the grow room is also much easier to control since the temperature outside is considerably lower.

You have now been introduced to the Small Spaces Big Yields series; I’m optimistic that the trial will live up to the title.

MY Exclusive Maximum Yield articles from Lee McCall date back to 2008. Review your favorites on maximumyield.com

PRODUCT spotlight

See it. Want it. Find it at your favorite indoor gardening store.

Continued from page 44

The Humboldt Mix Introducing the Humboldt Mix from Humboldt Soils. This is a product of many years of trials and tests in the hills and valleys of Northern California.

This high performance, all purpose soil is able to handle virtually any type of crop, for any type of garden. Humboldt Mix is a dependable backyard recipe that will enhance the flavors and aromas of your favorite plants. Humboldt Mix is blended with hand selected materials and contains only top of the line ingredients that ensure consistent performance.

The high porosity of Humboldt Mix keeps the plant’s root system in a perfect air capacity, allowing for faster drainage of water and absorption of nutrients. The efficient flow of water, nutrients and oxygen enables a large healthy root zone, full of beneficial life.

The Humboldt Mix is sold in 3.8 cubic foot compressed bales and 2.8 cubic foot loose filled bags. Look for more professional soil blends from Humboldt Soils and bring some Humboldt County Quality to your garden. Ask for Humboldt Mix at your local retail store.

Active Eye Microscopes from Hydrofarm Hydrofarm’s new line of microscopes leaves nothing to chance. Active Eye is the name to turn to when you need to identify pests or disease in your garden. The Active Eye Loupe offers 30x magnification in a handy package and our three different mini microscopes offer varying magnification settings that let you focus on healthy plants.

All of these handy garden tools have LED lights that help you illuminate your subject. Contact your Hydrofarm retail representative for more information.

EqualSun Moves Your Earth EqualSun is pleased to announce the arrival of the EqualSun Garden Manager.

The Garden Manager was designed by a former NASA engineer in conjunction with an indoor gardening hobbyist to eliminate many of the difficulties experienced in confined space gardening. Convenient access to all of your plants and easy management of the complex task of rotating each plant will let you spend more time enjoying your garden and less time working on it.

You entire garden is placed on a raised series of “planets” that rotate and bringing each plant in your garden directly to you. Each of the planets also revolve, which allows all of your plants to receive an equal amount of sun.

Your plants will grow straighter, stronger and your yield will be increased significantly.

Seeing is believing. Ask for the EqualSun Garden Manager at your local indoor gardening retail store.

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Wilmod Sulfur Evaporator The Wilmod Sulfur Evaporator features a ceramic 75 watt temperature regulated infrared heating element that safely controls the melting rate of sulfur prills and also provides sole containment of the sulfur without the use of a separate cup.

The unit comes equipped with a nine foot heavy duty power cord and durable housing. The evenly distributed evaporation process is dispersed through the flow of heat making the sulfur vapors accessible to hard to reach crevices, corners and dense canopies. Contact your indoor gardening retail distributor for more information.

PRODUCT spotlight

Announcing the New R410A Excel Air Systems is excited to announce the new R410A Do-It-Yourself Air Cooled Air Conditioning System. R410A is an environmentally friendly refrigerant that allows for increased efficiency during system operation, as well as taking advantage of stateof-the-art micro-channel technology used in the Outdoor Condenser, reducing system size and improving overall system efficiency. The new units are available in sizes ranging from one ton (cool up to 3,000 watts of lighting) to five tons (cool up to 15,000 watts of lighting). All systems come as complete packages, and best of all, anyone can install these systems, no mechanic required! Check out your local indoor gardening shop to learn more.

House & Garden Bud-XL House & Garden Bud-XL extracts sugars from the leaf of the plant and transfers them to the fruit. The fruit is made sweeter with improved flavor. Bud-XL also increases the size and robustness of the flower, resulting in increased fruit production and greater yields.

Start adding Bud-XL to the nutrient after the first flowers are formed. This is the period that the big bract loses its function. By adding BudXL you ensure that the plant’s energy is no longer used for keeping the bract, but is directed to forming flowers and fruits. Use in conjunction with Shooting Powder for best results.

Use Bud-XL during the flowering period. Available in one quart and one gallon.

Bud XL is available from local indoor garden shops now.

Alg-A-Mic from Biobizz Alg-A-Mic is an OMRI listed, high-grade organic seaweed concentrate extracted through cold-press. It contains a high content of trace elements and hormones of vegetable origin, naturally occurring amino acids and vitamins that cater to the whole spectrum of a plant’s needs.

Alg-A-Mic is a bio-stimulant to be used sparingly. It can be used as a soil drench, an additive for hydroponic nutrients or as a foliar spray for instant vigor in any stage of plant growth.

It has gained popularity for its effectiveness among bonsai growers in the USA and Japan.

Alg-A-Mic can be taken in by the leaves through sprayers and with water directly applied to the root-zone. Healthy plants grown with Alg-a-Mic are less likely to suffer from deficiency and temperature fluctuations. Available in 17 ounces, one quart, one gallon and two gallons. Visit an indoor gardening shop to learn more about the Biobizz product line.

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Introducing the CHHC-4 from Global Product Solutions

Maverick Sun Introduces T5 High Output Fluorescents

The next generation in Sentinel CO2/environmental controls is here; the CHHC4 is similar to the CHHC-1 in appearance making the transition easy for retailers and consumers. But, that is where the similarities end.

Maverick Sun is proud to announce the newest addition to our professional quality lighting products. These T5 High Output Fluorescent fixtures, which come in either four or eight lamp versions, were computer designed to give even light over your plants. They are linkable, come with 15 foot cord and have a full five year warranty.

We are also introducing a line of D Lux fluorescent lamps that come in two spectrum choices of bloom or vegetation.

These high quality lamps offer the best in phosphor technology to give perfect spectrum your plants the light levels and spectrum they require for hearty growth and monster size blooms!

Please contact your local hydroponics retail store for more information on this high quality system.

Improvements include: • Eco-friendly green LED displays.

• Weather-resistant housing to prevent moisture and contaminants from entering the units.

• Removable remote probe for placement in remote locations. In case of damage, replacement of probe is easier.

• More powerful CPUs for more accurate readings and control; also allows for greater expansion of future software capabilities.

• High-tech, dual beam CO2 sensor.

• Rohs (reduction of Hazardous Substances Act) compliant. Rohs is a European consumer safety law that forbids the inclusion of lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium in electrical products. It also limits amounts of PBB (Polybrominated Biphenols) and PBDE (Polybrominated Biphenol Ethers), two commonly incorporated flame retardants.

To learn more about the new CHHC-4, contact your local indoor gardening or greenhouse retailer.

Introducing New Air Pumps and Air Stones by C.A.P. C.A.P. announces its new line of Xtreme Air Pumps and Air Stones. An Air Pump used in conjunction with an Air Stone is an excellent way to add oxygen to the nutrient solution in your hydroponic growing system. This will result in a healthy root system and increased growth rates. Flexible Air Stones are extremely permeable, producing a full curtain of bubbles without strong air resistance. There is no harmful back-pressure created to damage air pump diaphragms. For more information contact your hydro retailer.

New and Affordable LightScout™ DLI 100 Meter New for 2010, Spectrum Technologies, Inc. introduces the LightScout DLI 100 Light Meter. Simple to use and affordable, the DLI 100 Meter measures the light “falling” on your plants.

The LightScout DLI 100 Meter is the first step in measuring the light intensity levels affecting your crops. Sold in sets of three to compare light level intensities inside or outside your greenhouse. With the push of a button, the DLI 100 Meter records light intensity for a 24 hour period and then calculates the Daily Light Integral (DLI). Real-time intensity levels are shown every four seconds in µmol m-2 s-1 (or footcandles).

Spectrum Technologies, Inc. manufactures affordable weather and plant measurement technologies that help growers make better decisions for their crops. To learn more contact your local indoor gardening retail store.

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PRODUCT spotlight

See it. Want it. Find it at your favorite indoor gardening store.

Titan Controls® Helios 4™ The Helios 4 runs four 240 volt ballasts for a maximum 4000 watts of HID lighting over your garden. It features a 15 foot relay trigger cord set that plugs into a wall timer that can be configured in a variety of timing patterns and accommodate any garden’s requirements.

Three screws under the back panel cover make this timer easy to wire into your power system. The lighting controller has a convenient on/off switch that makes lamp replacement easy. The Helios 4 has the quality, features and functionality you’ve been looking for in an HID lighting timer! Ask for Helios 4™ at your favorite indoor gardening store.

Sumo Fultec – the King of Boosters Cash Crop Sumo PK is the ultimate super booster and stimulator for buds and fruits. Consists of laboratory grade phosphorous potassium and organic fulvic acid and increases yields up to 30 per cent.

Benefits: • Aids and stimulates the development and yield of buds and fruits.

• A powerful electrolyte, which can balance and energize all plant cells. The physical well-being of plants and microbes is determined by proper electrical potential.

• Unique capacity to dissolve minerals and trace elements. This feature has tremendous importance for fast-tracking a plant’s nutrient up-take.

• Increases cell division, stomata opening and transpiration. Assists plant respiration as well as improving the conditions of beneficial-bacteria in the medium.

Use from the start of the third week in the bloom period and use until the end of the sixth week, with a 12 hour light cycle. Sumo can be mixed with all fertilizers. Available in one quart and one gallon bottles.

Visit your local hydro retailer to learn more.

Dial-A-Watt with Lumatek’s Dimmable Ballast More than a dimmable ballast, the new Dial-A-Watt from Lumatek allows you to power a multitude of different wattage lamps on the same ballast giving gardeners total control of their light. The fifth generation Lumatek™ ballasts were designed to give gardeners the ability to tailor their light output to their particular needs and to control the amount of electricity they use.

Now you can either dim your lamps when needed or use up to three different wattages of lamps on one single ballast.

With the Super Lumens feature available on all models you can get up to 10 per cent more light with the flip of switch.

Available in 250, 400, 600, Twin 600 and 1,000 watts.

For more information contact your favorite indoor gardening retailer.

MY You can find all of our products online at www.maximumyield.com. Each month your favorite new product profiles will be featured on our website. Get the latest information on what will make your garden grow.

Do you want to be included in the product spotlight?

Contact the editor at 1-250-279-2677 or email editor@maximumyield.com

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DO YOU

know?

1 When the pH of a nutrient solution is above 7.0,

calcium, sulfate and trace elements of copper, iron, manganese and zinc can precipitate and become unavailable to plant roots.

2

trout all develop terminal cancer of the 7 Freshwater liver at the average age of 5 ⁄ years while cancer 1

In the early days of vertical gardening, systems consisted of long, thin tubes of growing media such as sawdust that were suspended from overhead rails.

3 Plants grown under LED light sources are naturally “hard,” a desirable trait more akin to plants in their natural settings, making them less susceptible to insect and fungal infestations and better able to support heavier weight loads.

are over 300 enzymes in the human body that 4 There require zinc as a catalyst.

5

estimated 67 million birds and six to 14 million 6 An fish die each year as a backlash from pesticide use.

At ambient temperatures, CO2 tends to drop as its weight is heavier than the air’s weight. For example, at 77°F, CO2 weighs 66 ounces per three feet cubed in comparison to 42 ounces per three feet cubed for the air.

2

has never been found in sea trout. All land animals develop arteriosclerosis, yet sea animals have never been diagnosed as arteriosclerotic. is a mistake to put CO tabs in your nutrient tank.

8 ItThey must be dissolved in a separate bucket with no 2

connection with your system. are over 50 laboratories in the U.S. devoted 9 There to working on trace elements and their role in physiology. recommendation for a pH of 6.2 to 6.3 has 10The no scientific basis. It appears to have gained mythological status from the early days of hydroponics when the only cheap means of measuring pH was the common bromothymol blue pH indicator used for testing fish tank water.

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TALKING SHOP

AT A GLANCE Company: UltraLoHydro.com Owners: Jon Barker and Derek Reed Phone: 877-499-GROW (4769) Email: info@UltraLoHydro.com Web: www.UltraLoHydro.com

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Consumers are in the midst of a shopping evolution sparked by advancements in technology and the latest web capabilities. The e-commerce age initiated in the early ‘80s became trendy with the launch of eBay in 1995, and so was born an appealing and effortless method for shopping from home.

It only makes sense that the modern industry that is indoor gardening would follow suit, and take advantage of the growing population of online shoppers.

One of the pioneering online hydro stores is UltraLoHydro.com, owned by Jon Barker and Derek Reed. The pair saw an opportunity to make quality gardening products available to a national customer base, particularly individuals who are not close to an indoor gardening store or are otherwise unable to get to a shop.

Before launching UltraLoHydro.com just one year ago, Jon was importing and selling decorative stones while Derek worked as a computer programmer.

Both have been avid gardeners for years and they saw a niche market for an online supplier of high quality indoor gardening products. As is the case with any new business, Jon and Derek worked long hours with little pay. Unfamiliar with the ins and outs of running an online retail store, they struggled to process the flood of orders in a timely manner. This was made even more difficult by their mere student status in learning how to run a website and mail order company.

With customer service their main priority, they were able to gain a dedicated customer base that stood by them during challenges and helped them through their growing pains.

Low prices and extensive product knowledge also helped make them a popular choice for growers.Online shopping appeals to consumers because it is routine and predictable.

UltraLoHydro.com features a variety of search options for ease-of-use including search by product category, by manufacturer, best sellers and new and sale items. Customers can also sign up for a permanent online count, making the process that much simpler.They subscribe to a 100 per cent customer satisfaction philosophy and nothing less. They make it painless for people to shop online by having a no-hassle guarantee for returns on defective merchandise and helping customers identify what products are best for them, without focusing on what is most profitable for them. The customer always has a choice, and UltraLoHydro.com wants to be yours.Visit for low price point and keep coming back for the positive shopping experience.Currently available on UltraLoHydro.com are products from Sunleaves, Sunlight Supply, American Hydroponics and Nickel City Wholesale.

They also carry the Trinity brand of ballasts, available in 400, 600 and 1000 watt sizes. In the future look for their new line of Trinity brand meters and reflectors! They also carry specially designed lighting kits that offer consumers the best value.

Five dedicated employees, with a shared vision of customer satisfaction, help grow the online store. In a short time the

store has grown to become a leading online provider of gardening supplies, keeping in time with the ever-expanding indoor gardening industry. The industry is insatiable in its desire for a better and faster approach to gardening. Since starting UltraLoHydro.com, Jon and Derek have learned that consistently introducing new products and promoting knowledge and education are the keys to keeping customers happy. Customers are the backbone of the business, which is MY why they stay true to customer satisfaction.

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AVANT-GARDENING Start Dozens of

New Plants with

an Aeroponic Cloner

by Susan Slobac

Aeroponic cloning is a fast way to produce sturdy young plants easily.

An aeroponics cloner uses the same mechanisms for aeroponic gardening in order to get plant cuttings to take root.

The cuttings are held suspended in air, and the bottoms are misted finely with rooting hormone. Because conditions are very clean and completely suited to rooting cuttings, you can expect your cuttings to show good roots in as little 136

MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

as five to 10 days. After this, the young plants can be grown in an aeroponics system, or transferred to a hydroponics system, where the plants will grow in a medium, or they can be potted up in soil in individual four inch or one gallon pots. Aeroponic cloners are available in several different sizes. A quality aeroponics cloner will come with a tray that will hold anywhere from 45, 70 or 165 cuttings, so you can select the size

QUICK RESULTS In an aeroponic cloning system, you can expect the cuttings to start showing roots in five to 10 days. This speedy process is due in part to the conditions under which the cuttings are grown. Shown above, the supended cuttings are sprayed with a controlled, fine mist of rooting hormone.

COMING UP IN may

that will best meet your needs. An aeroponic cloner will come with several different components.You can expect to see a submersible pump and micro jets in the system. A reservoir tank will also usually be included, as will some sort of clear cover for the top of the tray.You will use your aeroponics cloner with some type of rooting solution and a water treatment solution to keep the water clean and fresh. By using aeroponic cloning with hydroponics, you will see rapid growth in your cuttings, strong and healthy root systems will form quickly, giving you quality plants year round.

A QUICK LOOK AT AEROPONIC CLONERS

The Real Organic Hydroponics

CUTTING TRAY The tray on some cloners can hold well over 100 cuttings. Choose a unit that matches your growth requirements.

Combine quality and taste be employing organic hydroponics, a challenge that has yet to be reached fully.

Live Longer, Live Better

MANIFOLD Look for a system that is well contructed and leak-proof.

Eliminate or reduce your own health problems by enhancing the health of your plants.

MICRO JETS These little guys play a key role in delivering measured amounts of nutrients to the cuttings, promising a strong and healthy root system.

Automation Benefits Stabilize environment conditions, save energy and simplify your life with automated climate control.

RESERVOIR TANK The tank will hold a submersible pump that delivers nutrients to the tray system above.

You may also need a water treatment solution to keep things fresh and clean.

Small Spaces, Big Yields 2 Grow mediums, germination techniques and nutritional regiments for healthy vegetative development are discussed.

Trace Elements Aeroponics is also a great option for busy garden centers that need to supplement their plant supplies during busy seasons.

Now that spring is here, those in the horticultural and nursery trade have gardeners roaming their store aisles, purchasing new plants for their gardens. It is the nursery owner’s job to make sure that their tables are always well stocked with a variety of plants that appeal to home gardeners.

In addition, there are always special events such as home and garden shows and plant sales that require a large inventory of young plants. This is when you may want to give serious consideration to using an aeroponic cloner to help you produce new plants quickly.

A busy gardening center with a great deal of turnaround on plant sales will likely want one of the larger sizes of aeroponics cloner in order to keep up with demand for young plants.

Breakthroughs in the science of sea solid supplements from Dr. Maynard Murray are examined further.

Industry Meet and Greet Plus Expert Advice Maximum Yield USA features manufacturers, retailers and growers from this ever-expanding industry. Get to know your indoor gardening comrades in Talking Shop, You Tell Us and Your Best Advice.

Upcoming international events (Montreal, Canada!), exclusive contests, latest industry news, reader question and answer, best products and technologies, and much, much more.

www.maximumyield.com

About the Author

From years of indoor and hydroponic gardening, Susan Slobac has developed an in-depth knowledge of aeroponic cloning.

MY

April will be available May 1 for at selected indoor gardening retail stores across USA FREE and on maximumyield.com I N D O O R

G A R D E N I N G

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MAX-MART

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MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

LLC

Phone: 510.903.1808 Fax: 510.764.1246 13762 Doolittle Drive, San Leandro, CA 94577

www.hydrogardendelight.com

Thank You

to the staff and clients of

for

great years.

Wishing you all the best for the future

Pentti

MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

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MAX-MART

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MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

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.

MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

143

MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

ALABAMA Alabama Organics 3348 Bethel Road, Valley Head, AL 35989 256-635-0802

ALASKA Brown’s Electrical Supply 365 Industrial Way, Anchorage, AK 99501 907-272-2259 Far North Garden Supply 300 Centaur Street, Wasilla, AK 99654 907-376-7586 Far North Garden Supply 2834 Boniface Parkway Anchorage, AK 99504 907-333-3141 Holmtown Nursery Inc. 1301 - 30th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701 907-451-8733

A Fertile World (Fortuna) 610 7th Street, Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-0700

Best Coast Growers 4417 Glacier Avenue Suite C, San Diego, CA 92120 800-827-1876

Abundant Hydroponics LLC 1611 Shop Street, #1-A, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 530-54 HYDRO

Best Yield Garden Supply 3503 West Temple Avenue, Unit A, Pomona, CA 91768 909-839-0505

Advanced Garden Supply 2660 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, Building C, Unit 9, S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 530-541-4769

Better Choice Hydroponics 610 S. Washington Street, Senora, CA 95370 209 533 2400

Advanced Garden Supply 3113 Alhambra Drive, Unit F, Cameron Park, CA 95682, 530-676-2100 Advanced Hydroponics 17808 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country, CA 91351 661-299-1603

ARIZONA

AG Natural 403 Idaho Maryland Road, Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-274 0990

ACI Hydroponics 1325 South Park Lane, Tempe, AZ 85282 800-633-2137

All Seasons Hydroponics 17614 Chatsworth Street, Granada Hills, CA 91344 818-368-4388

Homegrown Hydroponics 601 East Broadway Road, Tempe, AZ 85282 480-377-9096

Alternative Hydro 3870 East, Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107 888-50-HYDRO

Homegrown Hydroponics 1702 East Prince Road, Tucson, AZ 85719 520-323-1212

Always Sunny Hydroponics 708 W. Swain Road Stockton, CA 95207 209-473-9827

Natural Pools & Gardens 2143 North Country Suite C, Tucson, AZ 85716 520-323-2627

American Hydroponics 286 South G Street, Arcata, CA 95521 800-458-6543

Sea of Green Hydroponics 815 W. University Drive, Suite 110, Tempe, AZ 85281 800-266-4136

Anthony’s Garden & Lighting Supply 30 Ridge Road, Suites 8 & 9 Sutter Creek, CA 95685 209-267-5416

Sea of Green West 2340 W. Bell Road, Suite 116, Phoenix, AZ 85023 602-504-8842 Sea of Green Hydroponics 402 North 4th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85705 520-622-6344

ARKANSAS Fermentables 3915 Crutcher Street, N. Little Rock, AR 72118 501-758-6261 Mickey’s Mercantile 1303 Highway 65 South, Clinton, AR 72031 501-412-0214

Anything Grows 10607 W. River Street, Building 3 Suite C, Truckee, CA 96161 530-582-0479 Atlantis Garden Supply 2851 A Whipple Road, Union City, CA 94587 510-487-8007 Atwater Hydroponics 3350 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90039 323-663-8881 Auburn Organic 4035 Grass Valley Highway, Auburn, CA 95602 530-823-8900

Better Grow Hydro Pasadena 1271 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasedena, CA 91106 626 737 6612 Better Grow Hydro Los Angeles 5554 Bandini Boulevard, Bell, CA 91106 323-510-2700; 877 640 GROW Brentwood Hydroponics & Organics 560 Valdry Ct #85 Brentwood, CA 94513 925-634-6704 BWGS West 2247 North Plaza Drive Visalia, CA 93291 888-316-1306 California Hydro Garden 1043 South Glendora Avenue, Suite A West Covina, CA 91790 626-813-0868 California Hydroponics 310 Coral Street, Suite C Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-423-4769 Central Coast Hydrogarden 1951 Santa Barbara Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805-544-GROW Citrus Heights Hydrogarden 8043 Greenback Lane Citrus Heights, CA 95610 916-728-4769 City Farmer’s Nursery 4832 Home Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105 619-284-6358 Clover Hydroponics & Garden Supply 43 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport, CA 95453 707-263-4000 CNG Garden Supplies 22 Ricknbacker Circle, Livermore, CA 94551 209-836-5550 Coca’s Central Valley Hydroponics 116 West Orangeburg Avenue, Modesto, CA 95350 209-567-0590

B & S Gardening Supplies 590 Commerce Court, Manteca, CA 95336 209-239-8648

Concord Indoor Garden 2771 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94519 925-671-2520

CALIFORNIA

Bakersfield Hydroponics 2408 Brundage Lane, Suite B Bakersfield, CA 93304 661-323-7333

3rd Street Hydroponics 636 3rd Street Oakland, CA 94607 510-452-5521

Conejo Hydroponics 3481 Old Conejo Road #106 Newbury Park, CA 91320 805-480-9596

Bare Roots Hydroponics 1615 East Cypress, #5 Redding, CA 96002 530-244-2215

805 Hydroponics & Organics 1785 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805-494-1785

Conrad Hydroponics Inc. 14915 Unit E, Olympic Drive, Clearlake, CA 95422 707-994 3264

Beginning Hydroponics PO Box 1232, Corona, CA 92787 951-735-4446

Constantly Growing 6200 Enterprise Drive, Suite A Diamond Springs, CA 95619 530-642-9710

A+ Hydroponics & Organics 1604 Babcock Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949-642-7776

Berkeley Indoor Garden 844 University Avenue Berkeley, CA 94710 510-549-2918

Constantly Growing 4343 Hazel Avenue, Fair Oaks, CA 95628 916-962-0043

A Fertile World (Eureka) 65th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 707-444-0200

Berkeley’s Secret Garden 921 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94710 510-486-0117

Constantly Growing - Davis 123 D Street Davis, CA 95616 530-756-4774

Old Soul Organics and More 1771 Crossover Road, Fayetteville, AR 72701 479-444-6955

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MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

D&S Garden Supplies 17-130 Doolittle Drive San Leandro, CA 94577 510-430-8589 Dazey’s Supply 3082 Redwood Drive, Redway, CA 95560 707-923-3002 Direct Hydroponics Wholesale 14228 Alberts Way, Chino, CA 91710 909-606-5885 Dirt Cheap Hydroponics 17975 H Highway 1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707-964-4211 Discount Hydroponics 4745 Hiers Avenue, Riverside, CA 92505 877-476-9487 Eel River Hydroponics & Soil Supply 164 Dinsmore Drive, Fortuna, CA 95540 707-726-0395 El Centro Hydro & Brew Supply Inc. 591 main Street, Suite N-2 El Centro, CA 92243 760-235-4985 Elite Horticulture Supply 22330 Sherman Way, C13, Canoga Park, CA 91303 818-347-5172 Emerald Garden 8249 Archibald Avenue, Ranch Cucamanga, CA 91730 909-466-3796 Emerald Garden 13325 South Highway 101, Hopland, CA 95482 707-744-8300 Emerald Garden 307 East Perkins Street, Ukiah, CA 95482 707-463-2510 Endless Green Hydroponics 25 Enterprise Court, Suite 3 Napa, CA 94558 707-254-0200 Evergreen Hydroponics 923 N. Central Avenue, Suite B, Upland, CA 91786 909-946-7100 Everything Green Hydroponics 915 Texas Street, Fairfield, CA 94533 707-432-0774 Everything Green 448 Georgia Street, Vallejo, CA 94590 707-647-0774 Extreme Hydroponics 11479 San Fernando Road C, San Fernando, CA 91340 818-898-0915 EZ Green Hydroponics 7017 Reseda Boulevard, Reseda, CA 91335 818-776-9076 Farm Hydroponics, The 1950 Lake Tahoe Boulevard #3, S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 530-541-3276 Foothill Hydroponics 10705 Burbank Boulevard, N. Hollywood, CA 91601 818-760-0688 Foothills Hydrogarden 3133 Penryn Road, Penryn, CA 95663 916-270-2413 Full Sun Supply 3535 Industrial Drive, Unit B-3 Santa Rosa, CA 95403 877-FULL-SUN Funny Farms Hydroponics 963 Transport Way, #12 Petaluma, CA 94954 707-775-3111 G & G Organics and Hydroponics 901 W. Victoria Street Unit D, Compton, CA 90220 310-632-0122

Garden Connection, The 2145 Park Avenue, Unit 2 Chico, CA 95928 530-342-7762 Garden Depot, The 203 Commerce Street, Suite 101 Lodi, CA 95240 209-339-9950 Garden Highway Garden Supply 598 Garden Highway #22 Yuba City, CA 95991 530-755-2877 Garden Shed, The 1136 El Camino Real San Carlos, CA 650-508-8600 Garden Spout, The 44800 Highway 101, Laytonville, CA 95454 707-984-7260 Garden Spout, The 630 S. Main Street, Willits, CA 95490 707-456-0196 Garden Warehouse 6355 Scarlet Court, #2, Dublin, CA 94568 925-556-3319 Go Big Hydroponics 4501 Van Nuys Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 818-789-3341 Go Green Hydroponics 15721 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, CA 91436 818-990-1198 Golden Gecko Garden Center, The 4665 Marshall Road, Garden Valley, CA 95633 530-333-2394 Golden Harvest Hydroponics & Garden Supply 8626 Lower Sacramento Road #48, Stockton, CA 95210 209-951-3550 Gonzo Grow 2550 Guerneville Road, Suite C, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 707-546-1800 Gottagrow Garden Supply 769 Wilson Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 707-544-7782 Grass Roots Hydroponics 31875 Corydon, Suite 130 Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 951-245-2390 Grass Valley Hydrogarden 12506 Loma Rica Drive, Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-477-2996 Green Acres Hydroponics 1215 Striker Avenue, Suite 180, Sacramento, CA 95834 916-419-4394 Green Coast Hydroponics 3560 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 805-898-9922 Green Coast Hydroponics 2405 Mira Mar Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815 562-627-5636 Green Coast Hydroponics 496 Meats Avenue Orange, CA 92865 714-974-4769 Green Coast Hydroponics 11510 Whittier Boulevard Whittier, CA 90601 562-699-4201 Green Door Hydro and Solar 830 Traction Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90013 212-625-1323 Greenfire Sacramento 3230 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95821 916-485-8023 Green Gopher Garden Supply 679 Redwood Avenue, Suite A, Sand City, CA 93955 831-899-0203

Green Joint Ventures 61 Tarp Circle, Salinas, CA 93901 831-998-8628 Green Lady Hydroponics 4879 Newport Avenue, San Diego, CA 92107 619-222-5011 GreenLeaf Hydroponics 2212 Artesia Boulevard, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 310-374-2585 Green Logic Garden Supply 860 Piner Road, #38, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 707-843-3156 Greenmile Hydroponic Garden Supply 1480 South E. Street, Suite D, San Bernardino, CA 92408 909-885-5919 Green Thumb Hydroponics 35 Quinta Court, Suite B, Sacramento, CA 95823 916-689-6464 Green Thumb Lighting & Garden 1647 W. Sepulveda Boulevard, Unit 5, Torrance, CA 90501 888-326-GROW Greentrees Hydroponics Inc. 2581 Pioneer Avenue, Unit D Vista, CA 92081 760-598-7551 GreenWay Hydroponics 11510 Whittier Boulevard, Whittier, CA 90601 562-699-4201 Grodan Inc. 5152 Commerce Avenue, Moorpark, CA 93021 541-646-8245 Gro More Garden Supply 2937 Larkin Avenue, Clovis, CA 93021 541-646-8245 Grow A Lot Hydroponics, San Diego 1591 N. Cuyamaca Street, El Cajon, CA 93612 559-348-1055 Growers Choice Hydroponics 1100 Carver Road, Modesto, CA 95350 209-522-2727 Growers Choice Hydroponics 16754 East 14th Street, San Leandro, CA 94578 510-278-6200 Grow It Yourself Gardens 401 Sunset Drive, Suite L, Antioch, CA 94509 925-755-GROW Grow Light Express 5318 East Second Street suite 164, Long Beach, CA 90803 888-318-GROW Grow Your Own 3401 Traval Street, San Francisco, CA 94116 415-731-2115 Grunder Family Organics & Hydroponics 12321 Magnolia Avenue, Suite C, Riverside, CA 92503 877-468-7974 H20 Gardening 355 West 7th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731 310-514-1416 Hahn’s Lighting 260 E. VA Suite 1, San Jose, CA 95112 408-295-1755 Harvest Hydroponics 6650 Merchandise Way Suite B, Diamond Springs, CA 95619 530-622-5190 High Desert Hydroponics 13631 Pawnee Road, #7 Apple Valley, CA 92308 760-247-2090 Hi-Tech Gardening 5327 Jacuzzi Street, #282, Richmond, CA 94804 510-524-4710

MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

145

MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

Hollywood Hydroponics and Organics 5109 1/2 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027-6105 323-662-1908

Hydroponics Plus 2250 Commerce Avenue, Suite C Concord, CA 94520 925-691-7615

Home Life Hydroponics and Organics 1745 East Vista Way, Vista, CA 92084 760-643-2150

Hydroponics Unlimited.com 2728 E. Palmdale Boulevard #121 Palmdale, CA 93550 661-266-3906

Hooked Up Hydroponics 339 S. Golden State Boulevard, Turlock, CA 95380 209-668-1300 House of Hydro 224 Weller Street, #B, Petaluma, CA 94952 707-762-4769 Humboldt Electronics 2547 California Street, Eureka, CA 95501 707-443-9408 Humboldt Hydroponics 1302 Union Street, Eureka, CA 95501 707-443-4304 Humboldt Hydroponics 2174 Pine Street, Redding, CA 96001 530-241-7454 Humboldt Hydroponics 601 I Street, Arcata, CA 95521 707-822-3377 Humboldt Hydroponics 2010 Tunnel Road, Redway, CA 95560 707-923-1402 Humboldt Nutrients 65th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 888-420-7770 Hydroasis 2643 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90232 888-355-4769 Hydrobrew 1319 South Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054 760-966-1885; 877-966-GROW Hydro Depot 5665 Redwood Drive, #B, Rohnert Park, CA 94928 707-584-2384 Hydrogarden Delight 13762 Doolittle Drive, San Leandro, CA 94577 510-903-1808 Hydrogarden Mendocino County 1240 North Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707-962-9252 Hydro King 105 Hartnell Avenue, Suite C and D, Redding, CA 96002 888-822-8941 Hydro King 2540 South Whitman Place, Chico, CA 959282 530-893-GROW (4769) Hydro-Logic Purification Systems 2825 Mattison Lane, Suite 103, Santa Cruz, CA 95065 888 H2O LOGIC

Hydrostar Hydroponics & Organics 1307 W. Sixth Street, #211, Corona, CA 92882 951-479-8069 Igrow Hydro 2280 Veatch Street, Oroville, CA 95965 530-534-4476 Igrow Hydro 9000 Atkinson Street, Roseville, CA 95678 916-773-4476 Inland Empire Hydrogarden 1301-C South State Street, San Jancinto, CA 92853 886-72-HYDRO Inland Empire Hydrogarden 28822 Old Town Front St. #206 Temecula, CA 92590 886-74-HYDRO Innovative Growing Solutions (IGS) 7922-B Miramar Road, San Diego, CA 92126 858-578-IGS7 Kaweah Grower Supply 1106 1/2 N. Ben Maddox Way, Visalia, CA 93293 559-625-4937 Kern Hydroponics 2408 Brundage Lane, Suite B, Bakersfield, CA 93304 661-323-7333 LAX Hydro 10912 S. La Cienaga Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045 310-337-6995 Lazy Gardeners Hydroponics ‘N’ More 14626 East Whittier Boulevard, Whittier, CA 90605 562-945-0909 Let it Grow 1228 2nd Street, Crescent City, CA 95531 707-464-9086 Let it Grow 160 Westwood Center, Arcata, CA 95521 707-822-8733 Liquid Gardens 21752 Devonshire Street, Chatsworth, CA 91311 818-718-7624 Long Beach Hydroponics & Organics 1772 Clark Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815 562-498-9525 Lumatek Digital Ballasts 33 Commercial Boulevard, Suite B Novato, CA 94949 415-233-4273 M&M Garden Supply 2509 West Lane, Suite B Stockton, CA 95205 209-939-0664

HydroPacific - Hydroponics & Garden Supplies 351 C Hastings Av., Ukiah, CA 95482 707-467-0400

M&M Garden Supply 22540 D Foothill Boulevard, 2509 Westlane Suite B Stockton, CA 95205

Hydroponic Connection Warehouse, The 1995 Evans Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124 415-824-9376

Marin Hydroponics 1219 Grant Avenue, Novato, CA 94945 415-897-2197

Hydroponics 4 Less 41669 Winchester Avenue, Temecula, CA 92590 800-A1-HYDRO

Medicine Man Farms 1602 53rd Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601 707-980-0456

146

MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

Mendocino Garden Shop PO Box 1301, 44720 Maint Street (at Hwy. 1), Mendocino, CA 95460 707-937-3459 Mendocino Greenhouse & Garden Supply 900 East School Way, Redwood Valley, CA 95470 707-485-0668 Merced Hydroponics 1809 East 21st Street, Merced, CA 95340 209-726-4769 M.G.S. 22540 D Foothill Boulevard, Hayward, CA 94541 510-582-0900 Mighty Garden Supply 4780 Mission Gorge Pl. #A-1, San Diego, CA 92120 619-287-3238 Monterey Bay Horticulture Supply 224B Reindollar Avenue, Marina, CA 93933 831-38-HYDRO Monterey Bay Hydroponics and Organics 81 Hangar Way, #1, Watsonville, CA 95076 831-761-9999 Myron L Company 2450 Impala Drive, Carlsband, CA 9210-7226 760-438-2021 Mystic Gardens 8484 Florin Road, #110, Sacramento, CA 95828 916-381-2464 National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply 1950 C South Grove Avenue, Ontario, CA 91761 888-888-3319 Nature’s Secret Garden and Supply 41469 Albrae Street, Fremont, CA 94577 510-623-8393 New Leaf Hydro 34150 123rd Street, Parablossom, CA 93553 661-944-2226 NorCal Creations PO Box 28, Cedar Ridge, CA 95924 Nor Cal Hydroponics 4837 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94118 415-933-8262 Northcoast Horticulture Supply 122 West 4th Street, Suite B Eureka, CA 95501 707-444-9999 Northcoast Horticulture Supply 1580 Nursery Way, Suite Q McKinleyville, CA 95519 707-839-9998 Northcoast Hydrogardens 3450 North State Street, Ukiah, CA 95482 707-462-7214 No Stress Hydroponics 7543 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046 323-845-9874 One Stop Hydroponics 12822 Victory Boulevard North Hollywood, CA 91606 818-980-5855 Oracle Garden Supply 5755 Oberlin Drive, Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92121 858-558-6006 Orange County Hydroponics 12687 Beach Boulevard, Unit H, Stanton, CA 90680 714-893-9493 Organic Bountea 1919 Dennis Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 800-798-0765

Orsa Organix 111 Willow Street, Redwood City, CA 94063 650-369-1269

Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - West Side 815 Almar Avenue, Unit K, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-466-9000

The Green Shop 66420 Mooney Boulevard, Suite 1 Visalia, CA 93277 559-688-4200

Pacific Beach Hydroponics 1852 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, CA 92109 858-274-2559

Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - East Side 4000 Cordelia Lane Soquel, CA 95073 831-475-9900

The Hydro Source 671 E. Edna Place Covina, CA 91723 877 HYDRO 82; 626-915-3128

Pacific Coast Hydroponics 4147 Sepulveda Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90230 310-313-1354

Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - North 6241 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA 95018 831-335-9990

The Shop 6542 Front Street, Forestville, CA 95436 707-887-2280

Pacific Garden Supply 128 H Carlos Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903 Palmdale Hydroponics 2728 East Palmdale Boulevard Suite 108, Palmdale, CA 93550 661-266-9908

Santee Hydroponics 7973A Mission Gorge Road, Santee, CA 92071 619-270-8649

The Urban Farmer Store 653 E. Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415-380-3840

SB Hydro 1109 W. 190th Street, Unit #F, Gardena, CA 90248 310-538-5788

Palm Springs Hydroponics 4651 Ramon Road, Palm Springs, CA 92264 760-327-ROOT

The Urban Farmer Store 2833 Vicente Street, San Francisco, CA 94116 415-661-2204

Seaside Hydrogarden 1070 Highway 101 North, Crescent City, CA 95531 707-465-3520

Plant It Earth 2279 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94114 415-626-5082

The Urban Farmer Store 2121 San Joaquin Street, Richmond, CA 94804 510-524-1604

Skywide Import & Export Ltd. 5900 Lemon Hill Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95824 916-383-2369

Plant Life 32 Race Street, San Jose, CA 95126 408-283-9191

Thrive Hydroponics 70 A West North Street, Healdsburg, CA 95446 707-433-4068

Socal Hydroponics 1727-B Oceanside Boulevard, Oceanside, CA 92054 760-439-1084

Thunders Hydroponic Center 1729 Yosemite Boulevard, Medesco, CA 95354

Plant-N-Grow 1602 53rd Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601 707-980-0456

South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - Mtn. View 569 East Evelyn Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94041 650-968-4070

Precision Hydroponics 132 Kennedy Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008 408-866-8176

South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - San Jose 1185 South Bascom Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128 408-292-4040

Pro Gardening Systems 3715 Santa Rosa Avenue #2, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 707-585-8633

South County Hydroponics 22511 Aspan Street, Suite E Lake Forest, CA 92630 949-837-8252

Pro Gardening Systems 4936 Highway 12, Santa Rosa, CA 95472 707-538-8402 Pro Gardening Systems 765 Petaluma Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472 707-829-7252 Redway Feed Garden and Pet Supply 290 Briceland Road, Redway, CA 95560 707-923-2765 Redwood Garden Supply 55 Myers Avenue, Myers Flat, CA 95554 707-943-1515

South Valley Hydroponics 320 Kishimura Drive, #3 Gilroy, CA 95020 1-866-848-GROW Sparetime Supply 208 E. San Francisco Avenue, Willits, CA 95490-4006 707-459-6791 Specialty Garden Center 1970 East Vista Way, Suite 10, Vista, CA 92084 760-758-4769 Sun-In Hydroponics 1257A Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 707-578-5747

TNC Supply 9490 Main Street, P.O. Box 763 Upper Lake, CA 95485 707-275-9565 Tower Garden Supply & Organic Nursery 403 W. Olive Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728 559-495-1140 Tradewinds Wholesale Garden Supplies 1235 Striker Avenue #180, Sacramento, CA 95834 888-557-8896 Tulare County Growers Supply 435 W. Noble Avenue, Unit A, Farmerville, CA 93223 559-732-8247 Turbo Grow 1889 San Pablo Avenue, Pinole, CA 94564 510-724-1291 Two Chix Garden Supply 1230 Yuba Street, Marysville, CA 95901 530-923-2536 Under The Sun 12638 Foothill Boulevard, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423 707-998-GROW (4769)

Sunland Hydroponics 8300 Foothill Boulevard, Sunland, CA 91040 818-352-5300

Urban Gardens 22516 Ventura Boulevard, Woodland Hills, CA 91364 818-876-0222

Supersonic Hydroponic and Organic Garden Supply 850 Shasta Avenue, Suite B Morro Bay, CA 93442 805-772-5869

Urban Gardens Unlimited 704 Filbert Street, San Francisco, CA 94133 415-421-4769

Supersonic Hydroponic and Organic Garden Supply 3850 Ramada Drive, Unit D2 Paso Robles, CA 93446 805-434-2333

US Orchid & Hydroponic Supplies 1621 South Rose Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93033 805-247-0086

Super Starts PO Box 732, Bellmont, CA 94002 650-346-8009

Valley Garden Solutions Inc. 15650 Nordhoff Avenue, Suite 104, North Hills, CA 91345 818-336-0041

Sweet Leaf Hydroponics 1611 Sebastobol Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 707-575-GROW (4237)

Vital Landscaping Inc. 12817 Loma Rica Drive, Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-273-3187

San Diego Hydroponics Beach Cities 4122 Napier Street, San Diego, CA 92110 619-276-0657

Sylvandale Gardens 1151 Evergreen Road, Redway, CA 95560 707-923-3606

Wai Kula Hydrogardens 5297 Linda Vista Road, San Diego, CA 92110 619-299-7299

San Diego Hydroponics North 802 N. Twin Oaks Valley Road #108 San Marcos, CA 92069 760-510-1444

Tahoe Garden Supply 645 Westlake Boulevard, Suite 2, PO Box 487 Tahoe City, CA 96145 530-581-3200

Weather Top Nursery 44901 Harmon Drive, Laytonville, CA 95454 707-984-6385

Tell 2 Friends Indoor Gardening 62 Sutherland Drive, Auburn, CA 95603 530-889-8171

We Grow Hydroponics 3350 East Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley, CA 93063 805-624-4566

Reforestation Technologies International 1341 Daton Street, Units G&I Salinas, CA 93901 831-424-1494; 800-RTI-GROW Roots Grow Supply 1330 North Hulbert, #101 Fresno, CA 93728 559-840-0122 Sac Hydroponics 9529 Folson Boulevard, Suite C Sacramento, CA 95827 916-369-7968 San Diego Hydroponics East County 11649 Riverside Drive, Suite 141, Lakeside, CA 92040 619-562-3276

San Francisco Hydro 123 Tenth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

147

MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

West Coast Growers Hydroponics 13481 Colifax Highway, Grass Valley, CA 95945 888-924-4769

Hydro Shack, The 220 Main Street, Suite E Frisco, CO 80443 970-668-0359

Florida Garden Supplies 2692 W 79 Street, Hialeah, FL 33016 1-800-931-5215

West Coast Hydroponics, Inc. 27665 Forbes Road, Unit 10 Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 949-348-2424

Indoor Paradise Hydroponics 309 S. Summit View, Unit 17, Fort Collins, CO 80524-1462 970-221-3751

Western Auto 1156 Main Street, Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-1189

Lyons Indoor Gardening 138 Main Street, Lyons, CO 80540 720-530-3828

Florida Garden Supplies 8020 Belvedere Road, Unit 4, West Palm Beach, FL 33411 561-333-1088

COLORADO

Olympic Hydroponics Supply LLC. 1530 S Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 719-635-5859

Bath Nursery & Garden Center 2000 E. Prospect, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970-484-5022 Big Tomato, The 14440 E. 6th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80011 303-364-4769 Big Tomato, The 3000 Main Avenue, Durango, CO 81301 970-375-1238 Boulder County Caregivers PO Box 7406, Golden, CO 80403 303-495-2195 Boulder Hydroponics 1630 N. 63rd Street, #5, Boulder, CO 80301 303-415-0045 Cultivate Hydroponics & Organics 7777 W. 38th Avenue, #A120A, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 303-954-9897 Denver Hydroponic & Organic Center 6810 North Broadway, Unit D Denver, CO 80221 303-650-0091 Desert Bloom Hydroponics 445 Pitkin Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501 970-245-6427 Ever Green Hydroponics Inc. 1131 Francis Street, Suite A, Longmont, CO 80501 303-682-6435 Garden Tech 737 Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 719-278-9777 Greenhouse Tech 917 East Fillmore, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 719-634-0637 Grow Store South, The 5050 S. Federal Boulevard, #37, Englewood, CO 80110 303-738-0202 Grow Store, The 8644 W. Colfax Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80215 888-510-0350 GWS Hydroponics 7025 Highway 82 Building 4B, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 970-384-2040 Head Start Hydroponics & Organic Gardening Emporium 34500 US Highway 6, Unit B-9, North Edwards, CO 81632 970-569-3139

Rocky Mountain Hydroponics and Organics 15985 S. Golden Road Golden, CO 80401 720-475-1725 Rocky Mountain Lighting and Hydroponics 7100 N. Broadway, Suite 3D Denver, CO 80221 303-428-5020 Way To Grow 3201 E. Mulberry Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524 970-484-4769

Future Farms Inc., The 14291 SW 120th Street, Suite 105 Miami, FL 33186 305-382-2757 Gardener’s Edge Gainesville 5000 NW 34th Street, Suite 13, Gainesville, FL 32605 352-375-2769 Gardener’s Edge Jacksonville 5325 Fairmont Street, Jacksonville, FL 32207 904-398-8012 Gold Coast Hydroponics 1539 SW 21st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 1-800-780-7371 Gold Coast Hydroponics 4241 SW 71st Avenue, Miami, FL 33155 1-800-780-6805

Way To Grow 6395 Gunpark Drive, Boulder, CO 80301 303-473-4769

Grace’s Hydro-Organic Garden Center 8877 North 56th Street Tampa, FL 33617 813-514-9376

CONNECTICUT

Green Thumb Hydroponics Supplies 13482 North Cleveland Avenue, Fort Meyers, FL 33903 239-997-4769

Harvest Moon Hydroponics 775 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT 06118 860-568-4067 LiquidSun® CT 10C South Main Street, East Windsor, CT 06088 860-254-5757 Organix Hydroponics 749 Saybrook Road, (Tradewinds Plaza) Middletown, CT 06457 860-343-1923

FLORIDA 3D Hydroponics and Organics 7139 US Highway #19, New Port Richey, FL 34652 727-847-3491 Advanced Hydro Gardens 4960 NW 165 Street, Suite B-4, Miami, FL 33014 866-97-HYDRO Atlantic Hydroponics 430 Count Street, Melbourne, FL 32901 321-821-1535 Blossoms Experience, The 7207 NW 54th Street, Miami, FL 33166 866-452-4769 Cultivating Eden Hydroponic Supplies 946 18th Avenue SW, Vero Beach, FL 32962 772-564-8880 East Coast Hydroponics & Organics 461 Forrest Avenue, Suite 105 Coca, FL 32922 321-243-6800

GreenTouch Hydroponics Inc. 5011 S State Road 7, Suite 104 Davie, FL 33314 954-316-8815 Grower's Choice & Hydroponics 11855 North Main Street, Jackonsonville, FL 32218 904-683-4517 Growing Garden Inc., The 12811 SW 42nd Street, Miami, FL 33175 305-559-0309 GrowSmart Indoor Garden Centers 14587 Southern Boulevard, Loxahatchee, FL 33470 561-429-3527 Harvest Time Hydroponics 14414 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33613 813-264-7101 Healthy Gardens and Supply of Florida, Inc. 196 East Nine Mile Road, Suite F, Pensacola, FL 32534 850-912-4545 High Tech Garden Supply 2975 West New Haven Avenue, Melbourne, FL 32901 321-821-0853 Hydro For Less 9545 Southwest 72nd Street, Miami, FL 33173 305-598-4311 Hydroponics International Inc. 7029-10 Commonwealth Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32220 904-693-6554

Eden Garden Supply 5044 N. Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL 32505 850-439-1299

Hydroponics of Tampa 120 W. Bougain Villea, Tampa, FL 33612 813-333-6828

Hydro Grow Supply 644 Peterson Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80915 719-596-2600

Esposito Garden Center 2743 Capital Circle NE, Tallahassee, FL 32308 850-386-2114

Hydro Terra Corp.

924 North Federal Highway, Hollywood, FL 33020 954-920-0889

Hydro Planet 711 Washington Avenue, Golden, CO 80401 303-279-6090

Falero Hardware & Hydroponics 6758 W. Flager Street, Miami, FL 33144 305-266-8878

Palm Beach Hydroponics Supply, Inc. 968 N. Congress Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33409 561-296-6161

148

MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

Simply Hydroponics & Organics 7949 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33773 727-531-5355 Simply Hydroponics & Organics (North) 3642 South Suncoast Boulevard, Homosassa, FL 34448 352-628-2655 Stoney Hydro @ Schiro's Barn n Garden Supplies 7812 Causeway Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33619 813-626-0902 Sunshine Hydroponics Garden Center 1420 East Altomonte Drive, Altamonte Spring, FL 32701 407-830-GROW Sunshine Hydroponics Garden Center 5561 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32809 407-859-7728 Sunshine Hydroponics Garden Center 6100 Hanging Moss Road, Suite 500, Orlando, FL 32807 888-833-GROW Worm’s Way Florida 4412 North 56th Street, Tampa, FL 33610 800-283-9676; 813-621-1792

GEORGIA Atlantis Hydroponics 1422 Woodmont Lane, #4, Atlanta, GA 30318 404-367-0052 Atlantis Hydroponics 2561 West Point Avenue, College Park, GA 30337 678-510-0032 Flora Hydroponics Inc. 2475 Jefferson Road, Suite 600 Athens, GA 30607 866-404-0551 Savannah Hydroponics & Organics 4107 Eighth Street, Suite C Garden City, GA 31408 912-349-4030

HAWAII Aqua Plant Hawaii / Kahala Hydroponics 4224 Wailae, Suite 1A, Honolulu, HI 96816 808-735-8665 Eco-Island Supply 810 Haiku Road, #394 Haiku, HI 96708 808-575-9171 Green Hands of Aloha 1713 Mary Street, Honolulu, HI 96819 808-847-4263 Ohana Greenhouse & Garden Supply 300 Hukilike Street, #2M, Kahalui, HI 96732 808-871-6393 Pahoa Feed & Fertilizer 15-2754 Old Government Road, Pahoa, HI 96778 808-965-9955

IDAHO Boise Hydroponics 614 North Orchard Street, Boise, ID 83706 208-344-3053 Greenthumb Greenhouses 5895 Ensign Avenue, Boise, ID 83714

ILLINOIS Aerostar Global 824 South Kay Avenue, Addison, IL 60101 Alternative Garden Supply A-615 Industrial Drive, Gary, IL 60013 800-444-2837 Big Grow Hydroponics 9225 Trinity Drive, Lake In The Hills, IL 60156 847-854-4450 Brew and Grow 1824 North Besly Court, Chicago, IL 60622 773-395-1500

Brew and Grow 3224 South Alpine Road, Rockford, IL 61109 815-874-5700 Brew and Grow 2379 Bode Road, Schaumburg, IL 60194 847-885-8282 Fertile Ground 463 West MacArthur Drive, Cottage Hills, IL 62018 618-259-5500 Green Fields 8137 N. Milwaukee, Niles, IL 60714 847-965-5056 Grow Big Hydroponics 7817 B North 2nd Street, Manchesney Park, IL 61115 815-637-4769 Hydrocork 20647 Renwick Road, Crest Hill, IL 60435 815-838-0100 Kreation’s Indoor Gardening Center 3427 Old Chatman Road, Springfield, IL 62704 217-341-0821 Let it Grow - Carbondale West Main Street, Carbondale, IL 62908 573-450-5401 Prairie House Garden Center 15151 South Harlem Avenue, Orland, IL 60462 708-687-3131 Water Works Indoor Gardening 1900 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL 62703 217-553-6929

INDIANA BWGS 7854 North State Road 37, Bloomington, IN 47404 800-316-1306 Five Point Gardens 56555 Oak Road, South Bend, IN 46619 574-287-9232 Frogs Lilly Pad, The 706 Citation Road, Carmel, IN 46032 317-846-4610 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 4200 S. East Street, Indianapolis, IN 46227 317-780-8070 Hops & Harvest 4616 E. DuPont Road, Suite Q, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 260-918-3035 Magic Bulb Garden Center 6229 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46220 317-202-2852 Sunleaves Garden Products 7854 North State Road 37, Bloomington, IN 47404 888-464-9676 Worm’s Way Indiana 7850 North State Road 37, Bloomington, IN 47404 800-598-8158

KANSAS Green Circle Hydroponics 6890 W. 105th Street, Overland Park, KS 66212 913-642-3888

KENTUCKY Garden Grove Organics 29 East 7th Street, Covington, (Cincinnati Metro), KY 41011 859-360-1843 Grow Shop, The of Lexington 2320 Palumbo Drive, Suite 130, Lexington, KY 40509 859-268-0779 Louisville Hydroponics 3471 Taylor Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40215 502-366-4000

New Earth Garden Center 9810 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40299 800-462-5953 Worm’s Way Kentucky 1360 Donaldson Hwy. Suite A, Erlanger, KY 41018 800-669-2088

LOUISIANA Laughing Buddha Nursery 4516 Clearview Parkway, Metairie, LA 70006 504-887-4336 Ourcrazydeals Hydroponics 201 Angus Drive, Yungsville, LA 70592 337-303-6146 Urban Organics 285 St. Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117 504-352-4709

MAINE Green Thumb Indoor Gardening 19 Stage Road, St. Albans, ME 04971 207-938-5909 Urban Garden Center 235 Lewiston Road, Toposhan, ME 04086 207-373-0990

MARYLAND East Coast Organics 2800 Sisson Street, Baltimore, MD 21211 Healthy Gardens and Supply 5001-F Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214 443-708-5144 Maryland Hydroponics Inc. 10051 North 2nd Street, Laurel, MD 20723 301-490-9236 Maryland Hydroponics Inc. 12130 Nebel Street, Rockville, MD 20852 240-551-4625 Meadowview Feed & Garden Center 1202 Meadowview Road, Pasadena, MD 21122 443-817-0018 Purple Mountain Organics 100-7010 Westmoreland Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 877-538-9901

MASSACHUSETTS Greenlife Garden Supply 481 Boston Road, Unit 4, Billerica, MA 01821 978-262-9966 Green Path Garden Supply 276 West Main Street, Northborough, MA 01532 508-393-4181 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 29 Washington Street, Route 1 Foxboro, MA 02035 800-660-6977 LiquidSun® MA 8 Lynwood Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040 413-539-6875 New England Hydroponics 15 D Coolege Hwy. (Rt. 10), Southampton, MA 01073 888-529-9025 Worm’s Way Massachusetts 121 Worc-Providence Turnpike, Sutton, MA 01590 800-284-9676

MICHIGAN BIg Creek Hydroponics 555 Old Little Lake Road, Marquette, MI 49855 906-249-5297 Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The 23529 Little Mack Avenue, St. Clair, MI 48080 586-775-9485

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The 6540 Allen Road, Allen Park, MI 48101 313-383-1766 Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The 46912 Gratiot, Chesterfield Twp., MI 48051 586-949-7453 Gro Blue Indoor Gardening Supplies 270 W. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 734-913-2750 Growco Garden Supply 1042 Michigan Street, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 877-939-6900 Home Grown Hydroponics 8075 Gratiot Road, Unit C, Saginaw MI 48609 989-781-1930 Homelight Gardens 3471 S. Huron Road, Bay City, MI 48706 989-922-0088 Horizen Hydroponics 1614 Leonard Street, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 866-791-1664 Horizen Hydroponics 4646 W. Main Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 269-567-3333 HotHydro® 5245 Jackson Road, Suite F Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-761-5040; 877-893-0716 Hydroharrys.com 24500 Dequindre, Warren, MI 48091 800-461-8819 Hydro Heaven 73647 W 8th Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48235 313-861-0333; 877-823-2076 Hydrospot 34236 Michigan Avenue, Wayne, MI 48184 734-722-1285 Indoor Garden Superstore 2570 Dixie Highway, Waterford Twp., MI 48328 248-673-2200; 877 22 HYDRO J&L Growco 206 S. Michigan Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307 231-796-1528 Kalamazoo Indoor Garden 450 W. Maple, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 269-344-2550 Light Green Water 3661 Highland Road, Waterford, MI 48329 248-681-0001 Stealth Hydro 15 E. Cross Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198 866-998-1916 Sunnyside Hydroponics 24930 Gratiot Avenue, Eastpoint, MI 48021 586-777-2528 Sunshine Supply Co. 5800 East Pickard Street, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 989-775-3700 Superior Growers Supply 19582 Middlebelt Road, Livonia, MI 48152 248-473-0450 Superior Growers Supply 4870 Dawn Avenue, East Lansing, MI 48823 517-332-2663

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The Grow Store 721 W. Blue Star Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684 231-421-5191 Van Hydro 7480 N State, Davison, MI 48423 810-653-8267 Wild Child 7740 M 72 East, Traverse City, MI 49690 866-711-GROW

MINNESOTA American Garden Supply 601-6th Avenue, North, Princeton, MN 55371 763-631-0543 Brew and Grow 8179 University Avenue, Fridley, MN 55432 612-780-8191 Duluth Hydroponics 26 W 1st Street Duluth, MN 55802 218-341-7253 Eco Garden Supply 800 Transfer Door 25 in rear St. Paul, MN 55114 651-647-1896 Eden Indoor Organic Gardens 831 Highway 75 North Moorhead, MN 56560 218-477-EDEN (3336) Indoor Gardening 10 NE 3rd Street, Faribault, MN 55021 507-209-1546 Interior Gardens 115 -1620 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 800-498-4178; 612-870-9077 Midwest Hydroponics 3440 Belt Line Boulevard, Suite A, Minneapolis, MN 55416 888-449-2739 Still-H2O Inc. 14375 North 60th Street, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-351-2822

MISSOURI Divine Hydroponics 301 North Bishop Avenue, Rolla, MO 65401 573-426-2348 Dr. Green Thumbs 1106 West Park, Livingston, MO 59047 406-222-7440 Grow Your Own Hydroponics 3617 Saint John Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64123 816-241-2122 Green Circle Hydroponics 12 East Missouri, Kansas City, MO 64106 816-421-1840 Green Thumb Organics 249 Mid Rivers Drive, St. Peters, MO 63376 636-561-4769 (GROW) Heartland Hydrogardens 5695 E. Clark Lane, Suite L, Columbia, MO 65202 HYDROGARDENS 573-474-GROW (4769) Let It Grow - Springfield 2519 E. Kearney Street, Springfield, MO 65803 417-862-GROW Let It Grow - Girardeau 879 S. Kings Highway, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 573-803-0628 U-Grow 1724 North, 13th Street, St. Louis, MO 63106 314-452-6368

Worm’s Way Missouri 1225 North Warson Road, St. Louis, MO 63132 800-285-9676

MONTANA Alpengrow Nursery Supplies 238 Highway 93 S., Eureka, MT 59917 406-882-4496 Bizzy Beez LLP 5875 Highway 93 S, Whitefish, MT 59937 406-863-9937 Heightened Harvest 2018 Main Street #4, Billings, MT 59105 406-252-4311

NEBRASKA Advanced Hydro-Ponics 10711 Mockingbird Drive, Omaha, NE 68127 (108th and L-Q) 402-991-6630 Paradigm Gardens 8949 J Street, Suite 5, Omaha, NE 68127 402-339-4949 Patio-Ponics 3255 Cornhusker Highway, Suite 4 Lincoln, NE 68504 402-466-9218

NEVADA AAA Indoor Organic Garden SuperCenter 2101 S. Decatur Boulevard, #21, Las Vegas, NV 89102 702-450-4769 Advanced Gardens Hydroponics 3111 South Valley View, (on Desert Inn West of Valley View) Suite V103 Las Vegas, NV 89102 702-257-4769 All American Hydroponics 2675 East Patrick Lane, Unit 8, Las Vegas, NV 89120 702-894-9888 Anything Grows 190 West Moana Lane, Reno, NV 89509 775-828-1460 Carson Valley Hydroponics 2520 Empire Ranch Road, Carson City, NV 89701 775-884-4769 Lorraine Ink 290 Spear Court, Fernley, NV 89408 775-575-7757 Nevada Hydroponics 4700 B Maryland, Suite 1, Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-798-2852

NEW HAMPSHIRE Hydro World 17 White Birch Lane, Lincoln, NH 03251 603-745-3030

NEW JERSEY 77HYDRO 37 Fairfield Place, West Caldwell, NJ 07006 877-774-9376 Claraqua 4 Redwood Court, West Windsor, NJ 08550 East Coast Horticultural Supply 1652 Hurffville Road, Swewell, NJ 08080 856-228-5290 Garden State Hydroponics 511 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001 888-300-8711 Green Touch 2 Hydroponics Inc. 888 Route 33, Unit 1, Hamilton, NJ 08619 609-570-8829

greentouch2 HYDROPO NI C S

I NC .

NEW MEXICO

NORTH CAROLINA

AHL Year Round Garden Supply 1051 San Mateo Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 505-255-3677 AHL Year Round Garden Supply 9421 Coors Blvd. NW Suite K, Albuquerque, NM 87114 505-899-0592 Common Shaman 1319 San Mateo N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87110 505-255-6463

Be Well Hydroponics & Urban Gardening 4732 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC 28205 704-344-8010 BWGS East 4045 Perimeter West Drive, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28214 800-316-1306 Fifth Season Gardening Company 45 Banks Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 828-253-4112 Fifth Season Gardening Company 106 South Greensboro Street, Carrboro, NC 27510 919-932-7600 Fifth Season Gardening Company 1616 D-3 Battleground Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27408 336-271-3373 Fifth Season Gardening Company 5619-A Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606 919-852-4747 Flow & Grow Hydroponics & Organic Garden Center 4521 Cumberland Road, Fayetteville, NC 28306 910-423-FLOW (3569) High Tech Garden Supply 2712 B Freedom Drive Charlotte, NC 28208 704-697-0911 New Age Gardens 2236A US Highway 70, Swannanoa, NC 28778 828-299-9989 Progressive Gardens 6005 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-395-1156 The Family Tree Nursery & Garden Center 6033 Ocean Highway E.,(on mile marker 35) Winnabow, OH 28479 910-253-9200

NEW YORK Bronx Hydro & Garden 39 Bruckner Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10454 718-993-3787 California Hydroponics 27 Corporate Circle, East Syracuse, NY 13057 315-432-9387 East Coast Hydroponics 14649 Horace Harding Exp, Flushing, NY 11367 718-762-8880 Environmental Gardens 8 John Walsh Boulevard, Suite 310 Peekskills, NY 10566 800-254-0507; 914-736-6676 FutureGarden Inc. 59 Central Avenue, Farmingdale, NY 11735 516-420-0884 Greentree Nursery 308 Elmira Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 607-272-3666 Grow Room, The 8 Bridge Street, Nyack, NY 10960 800-449-9630 Harvest Moon Hydroponics Henrietta Townline Plaza, 3047 West Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14623 716-865-7353 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 340 West at 59, Central Nyack, NY 10960 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 147 Fourth Street, Troy, NY 10960 Healthy Harvest Organics and Hydro 163 Broadway, Fort Edwart, NY 12828 518-480-4698 Hudson Valley Hydroponics 217 Route 32 North, New Paltz, NY 12561 845-255-3633 Hydro Garden Center 1069B Lyell Avenue, Rochester, NY 14606 1-800-277-1322 Hydroponics of Buffalo 1497 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216 716-838-3545 Hydroponics Shops of America 2606 Erie Boulevard, Syracuse, NY 13224 315-251-2516 Indoor Outdoor Gardener 8223 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11209 718-836-2402 KG Garden Supply 1327 Floyd Avenue, Rome, NY 13440 1-877-KG-HYDRO Saratoga Organics & Hydroponic Supply 19 Front Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020 518-885-2005; 800-850-4769 Sunlight Solutions Hydroponics 2045 Niagara Falls Boulevard, Suite 13, Niagara Falls, NY 14304 888-GROWBOX Sunset Hydroponics & Home Brewing 1590 West Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14615 866-395-9204

OHIO Advanced Hydrorganics Indoor Garden Center 5204 Darrow Road, Hudson, OH 44236 234-380-1287 Akron Garden Center 434 W Wilbeth Road, Akron, OH 44314 330-724-2700 Cleveland Garden Center Inc. 727 East 185th Street, Cleveland, OH 44119 216-481-7868 CropKing 134 West Drive, Lodi, OH 44254 330-302-4203 Carefree Garden Center 134 West Drive, Lodi, OH 44254 330-302-4203 Dayton Hydroponics 3856 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, West Carrolton, OH 45449 937-859-3999 Garden Indoors of Ohio 4720 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, OH 43214 800-833-6868 Greenleaf Hydroponics 1805 Elm Road, Warren, OH 44483 330-372-1039 Harvest Moon 9215 Market Street, Youngstown (North Lima), OH 44452 800-776-8399 Garden Grove Organics 29 East 7th Street, Covington, (Cincinnati Metro), KY 41011 859-360-1843 Grow Wizard, The 5700 Denison Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102 216-961-2500 Herb-N-Garden Center 14901 Puritas Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44135 216-252-2001

Indoor Garden Worx 906 Blue Avenue, Zanesville, OH 43701 866-900-9679 Indoor Gardens 1222 Hill Road, North, Pickerington, OH 43147 614-866-6065 Kissed by the Sun Hydroponic 10740 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45241 513-769-0159 Magic Home Gardens 209 Cemetery Road, Canal Winchester, OH 43110 614-837-2440 Magic Home Garden 4538 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, OH 43214 614-263-2440 Summit Hydroponics 1030 Kenmore Boulevard Akron, OH 44314-2114 330-753-5222 Sweet Greens 5540 Brecksville Road Independence, OH 44131 800-421-7084 Super Harvest 5956 A Colerain Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45239 513-385-5999 Toledo Hydroponics Ltd. 855 S. Holland-Sylvania Road, Suite 2 Toledo, OH 43615 1-877-893-0716 Trinity Hydro Organics 435 Woodman Drive Riverside, OH 45431 937-252-GROW Urban Gardens 671 E. Center Street Marion, OH 43302 740-375-2800 Worm’s Way Greater Cincinatti / N. Kentucky 1360 Donaldson Road (Route 236), Suite A, Erlanger, KY 41018 800-669-2088

OKLAHOMA AAAAHA! Hydroponics Unlimited P.O. Box 74, Oakhurst, OK 74050 Organics OKC Garden Supply 3620 N Pennsylvania Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73118 405-528-GROW Tulsa County Hydro-Organics 1928 W. Albany, Broken Arrow, OK 74012 918-259-HYDRO Urban Garden 3141 E. 15th Street, Tulsa, OK 74104 918-289-0018

OREGON American Agriculture 9220 Southeast Stark Street, Portland, OR 97216 800-433-6805 Anthony’s Garden & Light Supply 93779 B Troy Lane, Coos Bay, OR 97420 541-266-8822 Aqua Serene 2836 W. 11th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97402 541-302-9073 Aqua Serene 465 Applegate Way, Ashland, OR 97520 541-482-7600 Aurora Innovations PO Box 22041, Eugene, OR 97402 866-376-8578 Basin Indoor Gardening 1221 Main Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97601 541-273-2023

MAXIMUM YIELD USA - April 2010

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

B.I.G.S. 155 SW Century Drive, Suite 401, Bend, OR 97702 541-385-5222 BIGS Warehouse 2606 SW 4th Street, Unit B Redmond, OR 97756 541-504-8886 Cascade Horticulture 39570 Pioneer Boulevard, Sandy, OR 97055 503-668-8242 Corvallis Hydroponics & Organics 5490 SW Philomath Boulevard, Corvallis, OR 97333 541-738-2820 Everybody’s Garden Center 2701 SE 14th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202 800-669-5483 Forever Green Organic Hydro Gardens 7530 Crater Lake Highway, White City, OR 97503 541-826-2946 Garden Spout, The 4532 South East 63rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97206 503-788-4769 Gorge Garden Center 1203 12th Street Suite H, Hood River, OR 97031 541-386-GROW Gorilla Garden Supply 1810 Virginia Avenue, North Bend, OR 97459 541-756-5005 Garden Supplies Green Thumb Hydrogarden and Organic Supply 2021 West Main Street, Medford, OR 97501 541-779-8600 Grow America Garden Supply LLC 11511 SW Pacific Highway, Tigard, OR 97223 503-841-6868 Growing Crazy (Hooked On Hydroponics) 817 W. 2nd Street, Medford, OR 97501 H2organic LCC 620 NE 3rd Street, McMinnville, OR 97128 503-434-6107 Herb N’ Jungle Hydroponics 930 SE Textron Drive, Bend, OR 97702 541-382-4010 Homegrown Garden Supply 7112 NE Gilsan Street, Portland, OR 97213 877-EZ2-GROW In and Out Gardens 1574 Skypark Drive Medford, OR 97501 541-858-3333 Indoor Garden Center 1697 SE 25th Street, Salem, OR 97302 503-566-7888 Indoor Garden Depot 15828 SE McGloughlin Boulevard, Milwaukie, OR 97267 503-786-2445 Indoor Garden Supply 536 SW 6th Street (rear alley), Redmond, OR 97756 541-504-7750 Island Flowers & Indoor Garden Center 909 N. Tomahawk Island Drive, Suite 103, Portland, OR 97217 503-546-3185 J-N-B Hydro 2 Go 155 West Central Avenue, Sutherlin, OR 97479 541-459-9211 Ladybug Indoor Gardens 3960 W. Main Street, Medford, OR 97501 541-618-4459 Lights Distributing 9843 SW 55th Avenue, Portland, OR 97219

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Liquid Sun 1845 Southwest Highway 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367 541-994-7070 Moonshine Park Farm 135 South East 62nd, Unit F South Beach, OR 97366 541-444-2298 Northern Light and Garden Beaverton 9290 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, Beaverton, OR 97005 503-297-7331 Northern Light and Garden Grants Pass 1203 Rogue River Highway, Grants Pass, OR 97527 541-474-1700 Northern Light and Garden Salem 1915 Lancester Drive, Salem, OR 97305 503-364-4769 Oregon Rainforest Co. 19949 E. Burnside Street, Gresham, OR 97233 503-465-9909 Paradise Supply Inc. 1409 N. Highway 99, Ashland, OR 97520 541-552-1037 Rain or Shine 13126 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230 503-255-1981 Roots Garden Supply 5426 North Gay Avenue, Portland, OR 97217 503-285-4768 Roseburg Hydroponics 853 SE Stephens Street, Roseburg, OR 97470 541-229-1420 SunInside Gardening Co. 665 Conger, Unit F, Eugene, OR 97402 541-686-9966 The Good Earth Organics 30088 Redwood Highway, Cave Junction, OR 97523 541-592-4496 Urban Flora 2865 South East, Portland, OR 97214 503-236-3344 Westcoast Organic and Hydroponic Supply 12410 SE 282nd Avenue, Unit C Boring, OR 97009 503-766-4106 Wizard's Garden, LLC 621 Spruce Street, Unit C, Myrtle Point, OR 97458 541-572-2333

PENNSYLVANIA Full Bloom Hydroponics 84 South 24th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 888-872-3602 Garden Indoors of Pennsylvania 208 Route 13, Bristol, PA 19007 800-227-4567 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 1239 South Airport Road, Allentown, PA 18103 610-432-4949 Healthy Gardens and Supply 1012 Lincoln Avenue, Prospect Park, PA 19076 866-32-HYDRO High Tech Garden Supply 20232 Route 19, Unit 6, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066 724-473-1113 Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh 2008 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-232-7030 Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh 830 Route 119, Greensburg, PA 15601 724-836-1118

PA Hydroponics & Home Gardening Supply 20 Quaker Church Road, York Springs, PA 17372 717-528-4175

RHODE ISLAND Good To Grow 34 Nooseneck Hill Road, West Greenwich, RI 02817 401-392-3100 Hydro-Earth 1243 Mineral Springs Avenue, North Providence, RI 02904 401-305-5520 LiquidSun® RI 1179 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, MA 02861 401-722-2724 Oakworld Garden Center 39 West Street, Barrington, RI 02806 401-245-5705

SOUTH CAROLINA 247 Garden Supply 535 D Clemson Road, Columbia, SC 29229 803-788-4445 All Good Hydroponics & Gardening 6729 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29223 803-708-4819 GreenSpirit Hydrogarden 1864 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29405 843-225-1GRO; Green Thumb Unique Gardening & More 1230 Rutherford Road, Greenville, SC 29609 864-271-8830

SOUTH DAKOTA Green Earth Products Inc. 5700 Highway 79 S.,Unit 1, Rapid City, SD 57702 605-342-1307

TENNESSEE Advanced Hydroponic Garden 783 French Mill Road, Dandridge, TN 37725 800-521-1643 Advanced Hydroponic Garden 6912 Clinton Highway, Knoxville, TN 37921 866-938-3318 All Seasons Gardening and Brewing Supply Co. 924 8th Avenue, South, Nashville, TN 37203 800-790-2188 Atlantis Hydroponics 1800 Rossville Avenue, #3, Chattanooga, TN 37408 423-752-5400 National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply 126 Belinda Parkway, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 888-265-9005 Perpetual Harvest 75 Riverport Drive, Jackson, TN 38301 877-422-3391 Sun City Hydroponics 2235 Whitten Road, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38133 901-372-8100 Worm’s Way Tennessee 707 Rivergate Parkway, Suite E Goodlettsville, TN 37072 800-397-4153

TEXAS Airline Hydroponics P.O. Box 980904, Trader’s Village #363, Houston, TX 77098 713-942-0484

Botani Hydroponics & Organics 7730 Highway 6 South Houston, TX 77083 281-575-1999 Brite Ideas Hydroponics & Organics 4360 S.Congress Avenue, #310, Austin, TX 78745 512-444-2100 Earth Organics 1360 Lee Trevino Drive,Suite 105 El Paso, TX 79936 915-591-9500 Field of Dreams Indoor Growing Supplies 5302 Slide Road Unit B, Lubbock, TX 79414 806-793-2901 GreenMaker Nursery 3030 Northwest Loop, Stephenville, TX 76401 254-965-7273 GroGreen Hydroponics 4015 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75226 214-370-9984 Happy Harvest Hydroponics & Organic 1500 Crescent Drive, Suite 202 Carrollton, TX 75006 972-466-1300 Houston Discount Hydroponics 9384 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77063 713-464-9406 Hydro Mart 3841 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088 972-475-6114 Hydroponic Nation 9700 Almeda Genoa Road, Suite 108, Houston, TX 77075 281-501-9636 Innergrow Hydroponics 24451 Interstate Highway 20, Wills Point, TX 75169 866-475-4769 Jolly Green Hydroponics (Greenhouse Horticultural Supplies) 13628 Neutron Road, Dallas, TX 75244 (866) WE-JOLLY; 469-341-5555 Lone Star Hydroponics and Organics 1302 Motor Circle, Dallas, TX 75207 214-634-9376 Sol Organics & Hydroponics 1634 Babcock Road, San Antonio, TX 78229 210-366-9082 Texas Growers Supply 5990 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. E. #602, Humble, TX 77396 281-441-3739 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Central Austin) 5126 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78756 512-459-4769 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (South Austin) 2125-A Goodrich Avenue, Austin, TX 78704 512-440-4769 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Dallas) 3400 Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75226 214-744-4769 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Houston) 7730 A Park Place Boulevard, Houston, TX 77087 713-641-4769 Ultimate Hydroponic Garden Supply 6125 West Sam Houston Parkway, North Suite 206 Houston, TX 77041 713-856-8425

UTAH Salt Lake Plant & Hydro 60 West 3300 S. #6, South Salt Lake, UT 84115 801-488-3200

Greenthumb - Vermont 394 Route 15, Jericho, VT 05465 802-899-4323

Linda’s Gardening & Hydroponics 11522 Canyon Road East, Puyallup, WA 98373 253-531-9641

LiquidSun® VT 1 Bellows Falls Road, (Route 5 North) Putney, VT 05158 802-387-1100

Liquid Sunshine Hydroponics 5087 Lincoln Road, Blaine, WA 98230

Peak Hydroponic Garden Supplies 20 School Street, Plainfield, VT 05667 802-454-8000

VIRGINIA Blue Ridge Hydroponics & Home Brewing Co. 5524 Williamson Road, Suite 11 Roanoke VA 24012 540-265-2483 Clean & Green Technologies 196 Corning Drive, Christiansburg, VA 24073 866-694-1628 Hydroponics & Growlights 13400 Occoquan Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-490-0700 I Love Hydroponics 612 N. Sheppard Street, Richmond, VA 23221 804-377-3020 I Love Hydroponics 368 Newtown Road, #105, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 757-490-5425 Inside-Out Garden Supply 6517 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22150 703-451-3259

WASHINGTON Aqua Serene 3839 Stone Way North, Seattle, WA 98103 206-547-GROW (4769) Eco Enterprises 1240 NE 175th Street, #B Shoreline, WA 98155 800-426-6937 Garden Smart 500 Bond Drive, Castlerock, WA 98611 360-274-7960 Green Gardens Distributing 12738 Bel-Red Road, Bellevue, WA 98005 425-454-5731 Hydro-Tech 2121 Aurora Avenue, North, Seattle, WA 98103 206-547-2202 Indoor Garden Depot 6400 NE Highway 99, Suite H, Vancouver, WA 98665 360-993-7779 Indoor Garden Depot 1401 S. 324th Street, Federal Way, WA 98003 253-874-1112 Indoor Garden & Lighting 3839 6th Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98406 253-761-7478 Indoor Garden & Lighting 23303 Highway 99, Suite A, Edmonds, WA 98026 425-673-2755 Indoor Garden & Lighting 714 South Central Avenue, Kent, WA 98032 253-373-9060 Indoor Garden Supply LLC 1950b Belmont Loop, Woodland, WA 98674 360-841-8055

VERMONT

Kent Garden Supplies Ltd. 18817 East Valley Highway, Kent, WA 98032 425-251-9299

Green Thumb Gardening P.O. Box 235, Route 15, Underhill, VT 5489 800-564-9376

Kitsap Garden & Lighting 2130 6th Street, Bremerton, WA 98312 360-377-1277

M & R Lighting 17238 Memorial Drive, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273 360-848-1080 M & R Lighting Unit C 22914 Highway 410, Buckley, WA 98390 253-891-4190 Mike's Indoor Garden Supply 6121 172nd Street NE #A, Arlington, WA 98223 425-346-6481 National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight Supply 5408 NE 88th Street, Building A, Vancouver, WA 98665 888-478-6544 Northern Light and Garden Vancouver 6305 NE Highway 99, Vancouver, WA 98665 360-993-7779 Northern Lights Gardening 4159 Hannegan Road, Bellingham, WA 98225 360-715-8585 Northwest Horticulture Supply 161 Hooker Road, #1, Sequim, WA 98057 360-582-0702 Renton Indoor Garden Center 207 Sunset Blvd. N, Building A, Renton, WA 98055 425-917-9000 River City Hydroponics 1514 East Francis Avenue, Spokane, WA 99208 509-464-0246 Solar Shop 306 West 4th Street, Tonasket, WA 98855 509-486-4508 Spokane Organic and Hydroponic Supply 4823 East Sprague Avenue E., Spokane Valley, WA 99212 509-534-4055

WISCONSIN Aric's Indoor Garden Supply 1104 West Wisconsin Avenue, Appleton, WI 54914 920-574-3258 Brew and Grow 285 N. Janacek Road, Brookfield, WI 53045 262-789-0555 Brew and Grow 3317 Agriculture Drive, Madison, WI 53716 608-226-8910 Grow BIG Hydroponics 954 S. Westland, Appleton, WI 54914 920-749-4769 Paradigm Gardens 4539 Helgesen Drive, Madison, WI 53718 608-241-3800

PUERTO RICO Tecno-Hydro Ave Campo Rico GJ17, Carolina, PR 00982 787-752-8252

MY WE THANK ALL OF OUR DEDICATED RETAILERS FOR OFFERING MAXIMUM YIELD TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.

ARE YOU CURRENTLY DISTRIBUTING MAXIMUM YIELD FROM YOUR RETAIL STORE? If so, pass along your contact information to us here at the magazine care of ilona@maximumyield.com and we will add your store’s name, address and telephone number to our distributor listing in an upcoming issue.

Add your company logo to the distributor listings!

Call 250-729-2677 or Email ilona@maximumyield.com

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