USA Feb 2011

USA

FREE

CLONING

WARS back to the basics: Proper airflow

www.maximumyield.com

2011

Indoor gardenING expo VANCOUVER BC, CANADA May 14-15

Denver

Colorado, USA March 31- April 3

SAN FRancisco California, USA July 16-17

long beach california, usa october 22-23

indoorgardeningexpo.com

FEATURES 46

CONTENTS February 2011

46

Clean and Green: Hydroponic Hygiene

56

Nutrient Deficiencies – Part 2

66

Cloning Wars

78

Frightful Weather, Delightful Tomatoes

by Dr. Lynette Morgan

by Matt LeBannister

by Brian Chiang and Josh Puckett

by Casey Jones Fraser

86

Building the Veg

96

Back to the Basics: Proper Airflow

by Lee McCall

by Jack Van Camp

104

Greenhouse Construction – Part 2: Frames

by Philip McIntosh

112

What Should We Know About Biological Inoculants?

by Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr.

66

122

Environmental Control

by Trevor Holt

122

DEPARTMENTS 10 12 14 20 22 32

From the Editor Letters to the Editor MaximumYield.com Simon Says MAX Facts Product Spotlight

84 94 102 118 120 132

Beginner’s Corner How It’s Made Green Thumb Gardening Avant-Gardening

136 140 141 142

Max Mart Coming up in March Do You Know?

Distributors

Growing for Health Talking Shop

Maximum Yield USA | February 2011

9

FROM THE editor

jessica raymond

Since February is deemed the month of love, why not show a little love to your plants? Bathe them in the spectrum-specific light they crave; keep their environment clean and green; prevent nutrient deficiencies before they start; and take control in the grow room for maximum quality and maximum yields.

Learning and perfecting your techniques is an endless journey, but a rewarding one. Writers this issue delve into some unique ways you can improve your grow by exploring a few winning factors that will influence your end results.

py ay Hapne’s D nti e l Va

Another way to love your plants is by learning all you can about what they need and want.You can do so by attending one, two, three or all four of the expos on our 2011 North American tour. First stop on the tour is Denver, Colorado at the Colorado Convention Center with over 300 exhibits presenting the latest in indoor gardening gear. We invite all you gardening enthusiasts to attend general public day, April 3, from noon until 5 p.m. No registration necessary! This biggest ever Maximum Yield Indoor Gardening Expo will feature our industry’s best companies from across the globe that are eager to share their knowledge and expertise with beginners and inspire those growers that have been growing for years.

Learn, network and become the best grower you can be by attending this educational expo. More information is available at www.indoorgardenexpo.com Jessica Raymond, Editor editor@maximumyield.com

contributors Brian Chiang has worked for

Casey Jones Fraser owns Garden

Dr. Lynette Morgan holds a B. Hort.

Dr. J. Benton Jones Jr. has 50

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

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

Jack Van Camp has been working for Homegrown Hydroponics. He has years of hands-on hydroponic gardening experience and will answer all of your questions through the Homegrown Hydroponics website at www.hydroponics.com He loves to share his knowledge with eager gardeners both locally and around the world.

Lee McCall graduated from

Matt LeBannister developed a

Philip McIntosh is a science and

Josh Puckett earned his bachelor’s

DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc., an advanced technology company based in California, for the last 13 years.

Brian received his bachelor’s degree in physics from UC Berkeley and master’s degree in physics from UC Davis. He is currently the managing director for Kessil Lighting, a DiCon business division.

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.

Trevor Holt is the owner of Sydney-

based Hydro Masta Pty Ltd. He has over 20 years of experience in the hydroponics industry. Their website (www.hydromasta.com.au) contains a full library of hydroponic help tips and ideas, plus their online store of over 800 quality products. Email sales@ hydromasta.com.au

10

Maximum Yield USA | February 2011

Grove Organics, in Northern Kentucky/ Greater Cincinnati. He has a degree in communications and electronic media.

He believes that indoor gardeners can achieve the highest quality crops and maximum yields when proper science is applied. Since 1998, Casey has been testing various nutrients and supplements in search of outstanding harvests.

technology writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany and chemistry and a master’s degree in biological science.

During his graduate research he used hydroponic techniques to grow axenic plants. He lives in Colorado Springs, CO. where he teaches mathematics at Challenger Middle School.

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.

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. degree in biology with an emphasis on plant biology from Sonoma State University. He currently works at the UC Davis Foundation Plant Services.

He has years of experience in the horticulture and agriculture industries.

He also serves as an advisor for the Kessil Research team.

Become a Maximum Yield contributor and have your articles read by 250,000 readers throughout USA, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand. 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

Connect to MaximumYield.com Instantly

Delightful Design

What is the black and white holographic symbol on the front cover of the Maximum Yield magazines? Is it a bar code of some kind?

Sweet designs you guys are pushing out lately. I was really impressed with the “Tips and Tricks - Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms” article in the January issue of Maximum Yield USA. The spread caught my attention immediately, with an organic, easy-onthe-eyes feel, but the content was easy to navigate as well. The flow chart made diagnosing deficiencies straightforward. Keep up the good work. I would love to see more on LEDS and green options for pest and disease prevention.

Ed Kubinski

The QR (Quick Response) Code found on the cover of every issue of Maximum Yield allows you to instantly connect to www.maximumyield.com from your Smartphone. Once you have downloaded your choice of QR software to your Smartphone, simply scan the QR Code and your phone’s browser will automatically launch, redirecting you to www.maximumyield.com. Full instructions on using this feature are available on page 14.

A Keen Eye In the October 2010 issue of Maximum Yield USA I read a wonderful article titled "Demystifying Nutrient Solutions."

My comment concerns the table of "Major Elements and Micronutrients" on page 117. The naming of the ions under the Major Elements heading is correct, but the naming of the micronutrients is not.

1. BO33-c is "borate," not "boron."

2. MoO4- is "molybdate" not "molybdenum.”

Laura Efferson

In my article “Demystifying Nutrient Solutions,” table one on page 117 lists the major elements and micronutrients, their ionic form and concentration range in solution. For the elements K, Ca, Mg, Cl, Cu, Mn and Zn, the name for the element and its ionic form are the same. For all the other elements, their elemental name and ionic form do not have the same name. Nitrogen (N) is the element name and the two N forms in a nutrient solution would be either the nitrate (NO3-) anion or ammonium (NH4+) cation. Going down the list of elements, phosphorus exists in solution as either the monohydrogen phosphate (HPO42-) or dihydrogen phosphate (H2PO4-) anion, sulfur as the sulfate (SO42-) anion, boron as the borate (BO33-) anion, iron as either the ferrous (Fe2+) or ferric (Fe3+) cation and molybdenum as the molybdate (MoO4-) anion. Terminology can be a challenge when discussing a scientific subject and hydroponics is no exception. It is my desire to present this subject accurately by properly identifying the elements and their forms found in a nutrient solution. - J. Benton Jones, Jr. 12

Maximum Yield USA | February 2011

Meghan Porter

Thanks Meghan. We always appreciate reader feedback. For more of what you want, flip to page 66 and 46 respectively for “Cloning Wars” (comparisons with LEDs) and “Clean and Green” (hygiene in the hydroponic grow room).

Freely Give I would like to carry your publication in my store North West Hydroponic Supply. We are a new store just over the USA/Canada border in Ferndale, Washington. I've been a long time Maximum Yield reader and have been bringing in my own collection to pass on to my customers until we get some fresh issues delivered. Thank you for the great periodical and Happy New Year.

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Seeing Red Red celery? That’s just freaky. According to the news item published in January Max Facts,“the celery turns red via selective breeding, arguably a more natural form of genetic modification.”

But, it’s still genetic modification. Humans are playing “God” and manipulating nature to do their bidding, not allowing for the natural creation of food. Maybe it’s just me, but I prefer my celery to be green, my tomatoes to be red, my oranges to be orange… and the list goes on.

Scott Young 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 EVENTS

It’s Expo Mania! All four 2011 expos planned on the North American Tour are selling out fast, which means you can expect nothing less than the best our industry has to offer in products and educational information at these highprofile events. Visit www.indoorgardeningexpo.com for dates and details.

SPEED READ

Take the next step in greenhouse design with framing tips, find solutions to common nutrient deficiencies, bone up on biological inoculants and create a clean, green growing environment.

LATEST NEWS

Beware of fake farmer’s markets and the newest and craziest genetically modified foods in this month’s latest news on the web.

I N D O O R

G A R D E N I N G

VOLUME 11 – NUMBER 11 February 2011 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 Printed In Canada.

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER - Jim Jesson GENERAL MANAGER - Don Moores BUSINESS MANAGER - Linda Jesson EDITOR - Jessica Raymond jessica@maximumyield.com ADVERTISING SALES 250.729.2677 Linda Jesson - linda@maximumyield.com Lisa Lambersek - lisa@maximumyield.com Ilona Hawser - ilona@maximumyield.com Ashley Heppell - ashley@maximumyield.com Christina Indseth - christina@maximumyield.com PRODUCTION & DESIGN ads@ads.maximumyield.com Mike Linden - mike@maximumyield.com Daniel Peters - daniel@maximumyield.com Nicole Tennison - nicole@maximumyield.com Jennifer Duong - jennifer@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

Connect to MaximumYield.com instantly from your Smartphone with our Quick Response (QR) Code, found on the cover of every issue of Maximum Yield. Now you can access the best products, the most in-depth articles and information and the latest news, at high speeds.

Simply download the QR Code Reader software compatible with your Smartphone, scan the QR Code and your phone’s browser will automatically launch, redirecting you to www.maximumyield.com. It’s that simple!

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

14

Maximum Yield USA | February 2011

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 House N Garden Futchatec Growth Technology Hydraspher

SIMON says

I have some yellowing leaves, both on the fringe and in a couple of cases the whole leaf. Two of the leaves look like yellow paint was spilled on them. Can you suggest possible causes?

Thanks, Charlie

Ahhh, the murky world of nutrient will be able to identify and address the issue deficiency diagnosis! This issue can be rapidly, keeping your garden growing in the mobile. This is distinct from the third a bane to rookie and veteran gardeners possibility. Epsom salts (MgSO4) are a right direction. alike. Many people are far to cavalier good idea for a root application or foliar One of the most common causes of about this issue and their solutions end spray. Check with your local grow shop yellowing leaves in gardens is a nitrogen up causing more problems either through or nutrient manufacturer for a product (N) problem.When deficient, nitrogen misdiagnosis or over correction. First off suggestion and an application rate and will cause new growth to be very small check your solution pH in a water system then spot treat a plant to assess the effect. and plants will grow slowly. In cases of or test the leachate in a soilless system.

Iron (Fe) deficiency also causes yellowing serious deficiency nitrogen will cause There is no point in trying to mitigate a in leaves and can be a common issue yellowing of leaves. In the case of nitrogen, nutrient problem if your plants’ roots are in as well. Because iron is not incredibly which is mobile within the plant, you will a situation where they can’t access the right mobile the deficiency will occur in the see yellowing on the older, lower leaves mineral balance. newer leaves rather With all plant issues than the older leaves “With all plant issues you must visually assess the you must visually assess as compared to a situation and track the movement of the issue on the the situation and track magnesium deficiency. It plant structures themselves.” the movement of the will also start in the leaf issue on the plant margins working its way structures themselves.Your question doesn’t to the middle while leaving the venation first as nitrogen is shifted to developing specify enough to truly diagnose the issue, green. Chelated iron is available in many growth. Check with your local grow shop which is already difficult to solve without products and is absorbable as a foliar or nutrient manufacturer for a product visual assessment of the plant in question. spray. Again, check with your local shop suggestion and for an application rate. Spot However, I will detail three of the most or nutrient manufacturer for a product treat a plant with a nitrogen foliar spray common deficiencies that could be causing suggestion and an application rate and (nitrate nitrogen if possible) and assess the the problem you are describing. then spot treat a plant to assess the effect. effect. A spot treatment is a technique of Before commenting on the three most It is possible to find some products in testing an product on a small part of your likely causes of the problem, I would the market that combine useful options garden prior to applying it to all plants. If like to remind all readers that whenever for all three issues in one bottle. Check you are unsure of the problem you can try possible, if you determine its worth the with your local hydroponic retailer and ask different spot treatments at the same time cost, sending away a dried tissue sample to about their calcium supplement options. In to try and isolate the issue. a lab for analysis is a great way to check general these products will contain nitrate Another possible culprit is a lack of the nutrient balance within your plant. In nitrogen, magnesium and chelated iron magnesium (Mg). Again this issue will fact this could be useful even for healthy within their formula. I can’t emphasize generally start in lower leaves but will plants so you have a baseline of nutrient enough what an excellent resource your be more pronounced initially in the leaf ratios that you can specifically target in local grow shop can be.Whenever you margin and along the edges of the lobes. successive crops. For now let’s try and have nutrient issues be sure to consult their Eventually the leaves will turn completely troubleshoot. Remember that taking the yellow with the exception of the venation. knowledgeable staff. time to properly diagnosis a crop problem Remember that it starts from the older will benefit you in the future because you Good luck in the garden. leaves because magnesium is not entirely 20

Maximum Yield USA | February 2011

MAX

facts

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Rain Gardens Sprouting Up Everywhere __________________ Rain gardens are increasingly popular with homeowners and municipalities and are mandatory for many communities nationally. U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists are finding ways to improve rain gardens so they not only reduce runoff, but also keep toxic metals out of storm drains.

Rain gardens not only slow water down to give it time to soak into the ground and be used by plants, but also filter out sediment and chemical pollutants. Scientists found that poultry litter biochar—activated carbons created from the charred remains of poultry litter—is a powerful pollutant magnet. It can attract heavy metals such as copper, cadmium and zinc, which are ordinarily tough to snag from wastewater.

Tests are being conducted on the poultry litter biochar as well as other farm and industrial byproducts at two demonstration rain gardens in Beaver, West Virginia, as well as at plots at a county landfill and a mineland reclamation site.

(Source: www.ars.usda.gov)

EYE Lighting and Sunlight Supply Donate Lighting for Lake Metroparks Farmpark Greenhouse and Hydroponics Displays EYE Lighting International, manufacturers of HORTILUX™ lamps, has partnered with Sunlight Supply, Inc. to donate new lighting equipment for the hydroponics greenhouse at Lake Metroparks Farmpark. EYE Lighting donated high pressure sodium and metal halide bulbs, and Sunlight Supply provided fixtures and ballasts to light over 300 square feet of growing area in the main hydroponics greenhouse.

"We look forward to seeing the effects of our new greenhouse lighting this winter," commented Valerie Reinhart, horticulture education specialist for Lake Metroparks Farmpark.

"Seeing all the vegetables and flowers in full bloom in the dead of winter should open people's eyes to the fun of gardening 12 months a year.”

Lake Metroparks Farmpark is a 235 acre family fun, science and cultural center located in Kirtland, Ohio. To learn more about the hydroponics greenhouse and the Great Tomato Works exhibit, visit www.lakemetroparks.com

Crops You Can Grow in Cold Weather __________________________ Just because it’s cold outside—and snowy in some regions—doesn’t mean you can’t keep up the green thumb you were developing all summer. It will be too late in the season to plant a lot of these, but depending where you live, there’s still time for a lot of them.

• Cabbage: including Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and romanesco.

• Root veggies: including beets, carrots, turnips, rutabaga, kohlrabi, parsnips, celery, radishes and potatoes.

• Leafy greens: including kale, spinach, Swiss chard, collard greens, mache, lettuce and parsley.

(Source: http://planetgreen.discovery.com)

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Maximum Yield USA | February 2011

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facts

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Can Kids Thrive on a Vegetarian Diet? _________ A nationwide survey of 1,258 eight to 18-year-olds found that an estimated 1.4 million kids are vegetarians. Plantbased diets are inherently healthier than meat-based diets, according to a host of studies, but this isn't to say that just by eating under the label vegetarian or vegan kids always eat healthier.

According to a recent article in the Washington Post, kids can thrive on a vegetarian diet but there are some definite dangers that parents need to be looking out for to keep their little ones at optimal health.

Dr. Hemant Sharma, a pediatrician at Children's National Medical Center, recommends three meals and three energy-dense snacks a day for his vegetarian patients including nuts, seeds and avocado, as well as such high protein foods as tofu and low-fat dairy and eggs. Particular areas of concern include iron, especially in teenage girls, and in vegan diets Vitamin D, B12 and calcium.

(Source: www.treehugger.com)

Progress Earth Releases Short Film on Revolutionary Vortex Brewer _____________ Progress Earth has recently released a short film detailing the Vortex Brewer, which is available now on their Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/user/ProgressEarth.

Gardeners, retail stores, nurseries, landscapers and farmers can experience the benefits of the Vortex Brewer, a revolutionary system that creates living compost tea. Just over six minutes long, this film discusses the benefits of compost tea, a living solution, when created using the Vortex Brewer.

It discusses working with living systems instead of against them. Check out the Vortex Brewer short film available for viewing now on www. youtube.com/ user/ProgressEarth.

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facts

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Infrared Sheds Light on Beneficial Microbes ____________ Infrared spectroscopy can quickly spot beneficial fungi on roots in soil. This type of spectroscopy has become established practice for quick and reliable analysis of grain and forage quality, as well as for other agricultural uses. The ability to quickly analyze field soils for these beneficial fungi, called Mycorrhizae, would allow scientists to judge which crop rotations or other farming practices increase mycorrhizal fungi. This is important nationwide to improve crop yields, and especially critical in semi-arid areas like the Central Great Plains.

The test could simplify, speed and make more objective measurements of Mycorrhizae in root samples compared to the standard method of visual scoring through a microscope. Scientists plan to study the spectral properties of other crop-fungal species to see whether there are universal spectral signatures for this important group of organisms.

(Source: www.ars.usda.gov)

New and Crazy Genetically Modified Foods According to Sustainable Table, about 200 million acres of farmland worldwide are now used to grow genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The most common GMO crops are soybeans, which represent 63 per cent of all GMO crops, corn at 19 per cent, cotton at 13 per cent and canola at five per cent. None of the following have been approved yet by the FDA, but with what we've seen so far, who's to say that they won't be in the future.

1. “Super Chicken Eggs” produce compounds that can fight a range of diseases from diabetes, to viruses to tooth decay.

2. “Non-Browning Apples” are missing the gene that produces the enzyme polyphenol oxidase.

3. “Fast-Growing Salmon” do not grow larger than regular salmon; they just achieve their size in 16 to 18 months rather than three years.

4. “Hyper-Producing Seeds” have an altered command gene that tells the plants when and how many flowers to generate.

5. “Enviro-Pigs™” are modified to produce 65 per cent less phosphorous in their poop and urine.

(Source: http://planetgreen.discovery.com)

Beware of the Fake Farmer’s Markets Two major U.S. supermarket chains have been holding misleading in-store marketing using “farmer’s markets” as their advertisement tag line. The trouble isn’t with grocery chains faking farmer’s markets, says the Wall Street Journal, but with the dilution of the term itself. Once people begin associating it with grocery stores, public will begin to stop seeing the direct-from-the-source connection that farmer’s markets imply.

Of course, this implication at even non-store, outdoor farmer’s markets isn’t always correct either. An investigative report by an NBC News affiliate in Los Angeles, California found that some sellers at LA-area farmer’s markets were pretending to be growers while actually just selling produce purchased at a wholesaler.

The real trick to knowing what you’re buying at a farmer’s market is, of course, to know the farmers themselves. Most legitimate growers are more than happy to allow you to visit and even tour their farms to see how they operate.

(Source: www.aaronturpen.com)

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Maximum Yield USA | February 2011

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facts

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Hydroponics Goes Mobile ________________ Calling all fans of Farmville, if you find yourself watering your crops on the bus, in the pub or sneakily at work then in the near future you could doing the same actions to produce real crops. The latest in hydroponic pocket gadgets will give users the power to control and assess the light, water and temperature levels of their system straight from their computers, iPhones, iPods or iPads.

The product is a contained growing chamber that uses high intensity LED lights with a drip irrigation system.

The box is controlled by a gadgets and server software for real time control. This product will work even work with Twitter, giving crop updates through tweets.

No longer will you have to rush home to make changes to your system. Wondering about how your plants are doing, how much water they have had, how hot the system is or if your light schedule has kicked in will be a thing of the past.

(Source: http://hydroponicsguide.co.uk)

LumiGrow Co-Hosts “Sustainable Crops…” Webcast ___________________ LumiGrow, Inc., manufacturers of horticulture LED lighting technologies, co-presented a live webcast with Environmental Growth Chambers, Inc., the leading provider of controlled environment chambers for scientific research and commercial applications. During the 25 minute webcast, attendees learned how to reduce energy consumption up to 50 per cent by retrofitting greenhouses and environmental growth chambers with LED lights.

The webcast featured Robert Starnes, senior superintendent of agriculture for the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). UC Davis and other leading agricultural institutions have named energy-efficient research methods as critical to their sustainability strategies. These universities have identified environmental growth chambers and greenhouses as among the biggest energy consumers on campus. This is because most are lit by incandescent, fluorescent or high intensity discharge fixtures and bulbs that output more of the color spectrum than plants can actually use, resulting in energy waste. Visit www.lumigrow.com for more information about LumiGrow and the benefits of LEDs. 28

Maximum Yield USA | February 2011

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facts

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Innovative Chefs Foraging for Miner’s Lettuce Early settlers in California and throughout the Northwest snacked on Vitamin C-laden miner’s lettuce to fend off scurvy, a disease that resulted from a deficiency in the nutrient. The disease was common among those that lived without ample supply of fruits and vegetables. Miner’s lettuce actually gets its name from the miners that used it to maintain health during the Gold Rush. Today many a renown chef forage for the lackluster weed in the fields outside of San Francisco.

Miner’s lettuce is a native winter annual that’s loaded with flavor and puts your average greens to shame. It’s found in natural plant communities, agricultural land and urban areas and loves cold, damp conditions.

Miner’s lettuce is a green that even the most finicky, vegetable-averse child will love. If you haven’t eaten miner’s lettuce before, try it first at a restaurant in a salad or boiled as you would spinach and you won’t be disappointed. And once you know exactly what you’re looking for, consider going foraging yourself.

(Source: http://planetgreen.discovery.com)

New York School Sees Benefits of Hydroponics Lucky children in a New York school are now taking their science lessons in a rooftop hydroponic garden. The Manhattan School for Children has recently installed a 1,420 square foot rooftop greenhouse that is capable of producing around 8,000 pounds of produce annually. The hydroponic garden will produce tomatoes and strawberries as well as other crops that will be used by the school’s kitchen in preparing meals for the pupils.

The rooftop hydroponics project is part of the wider activities undertaken by New York Sun Works, an organization focused towards promoting “urban sustainability”. Aquaponics is also a key element in the garden. At $800,000 the project has certainly been costly, however if successful it could pave the way for similar projects throughout the city.

(Source: http://hydroponicsguide.co.uk)

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PRODUCT spotlight

GUIDE TO THIS MONTH’S HOTTEST ITEMS YOUR Ask for them at your local indoor gardening store.

3D Organics Presents Grow X 1-0-0 _____________________________ Grow X 1-0-0 is an organic indoor/outdoor foliar spray that provides the ideal ratio of microminerals and natural grow stimulators for instantaneous growth. Grow X 1-0-0 is nanoemulsified and contains organic nitrogen (from feather meal hydrosolate), fatty acids (from beeswax), proteins, hormones (from kelp) and microminerals (chelated with amino acids). One pint of Grow X 1-0-0 makes over 90 gallons of a ready-to-use spray. Grow X 1-0-0 is approved for use in organic crop production under National Organic Program Final Rule. Visit your local indoor/outdoor gardening shop for more information.

Carson Vision-Enhancement Devices _______________________ See beyond the limitations of the human eye with Carson Vision-Enhancement Devices. The Carson Aura Digital Night Vision Monocular provides a bright, clear and sharp image. It allows gardeners to see without disturbing day/night lighting cycles and features a zoom function that delivers two to three times magnification. The Carson zOrb is a USB digital microscope with an integrated camera that displays the magnified images it collects right on a computer screen. Its impressive 35 times magnification (on a 14 inch monitor) allows users to see details of ordinary objects that they never knew existed, and its built-in internal illuminator ensures a clear and bright picture. Its built-in 640 by 480 resolution digital camera makes it easy to save images on the USB, and it even captures close-focus video. Order Carson Vision-Enhancement Devices from your local indoor gardening shop today.

It’s a Boy – Announcing the Max 6 _______

Hydrofarm’s New Nutrient Hand Pump _____

The Max 6 from Can-Filters is in stock and available now at indoor gardening shops. The new addition to the line is three speeds (high 334 CFM, medium 264 CFM, low 201 CFM) and six inches high. This versatile product is smaller, stronger and more efficient. It is an inline mixed flow fan, with aerodynamically optimized airflow, quiet operation and extremely high efficiency. Max Fan saves space and saves energy. Visit your local indoor gardening retailer to learn more.

Have you ever tried to pour out a small amount of liquid nutrient into a measuring spoon, only to have it spill all over the place? With Hydrofarm’s new one ounce nutrient hand pump, spills can now be avoided. Hydrofarm’s nutrient hand pump screws on to the lid of one gallon and 2.5 gallon nutrient containers and one full pump delivers one ounce of nutrients. For more information, visit an authorized Hydrofarm retailer near you.

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PRODUCT spotlight

Upgraded Plant Pro Environmental Controller From Solatel Growers have requested new features on our Plant Pro Environmental Controller and those changes are finally here. The upgrade Plant Pro Environmental Controller offers exact electronic timing for lighting, irrigation, ventilation and CO2. New features include: separate day and night temperature settings; vent fan mode (fan and CO2 never on together) or sealed room mode (fan and CO2 are independent) where fan has sensor and timer modes; timing from power line or internal timekeeping signal (use with generator or noisy power line); and over temperature emergency shut down. For upgrade of existing units and more information visit an indoor gardening shop near you.

Hydro International Presents 1,000 Watt Bulbs ____________ Hydro International’s new 1,000 watt HPS Super Bulb features outputs 145,000 lumens with an enhanced spectrum. The Super Bulb is a super heavy-duty, EPA and TCLP factory tested bulb. Visit an indoor gardening shop for more information on Super Bulbs.

New From Nutriculture and Atami – the Wilma BIG 8 _____________________ The Wilma BIG 8 is tailor made for growers using a two light set-up in an eight by four foot grow area. The additional space allows plants more room to grow big, and achieve larger yields. The combination of massive four gallon pots with the accurate feeding of active hydro means more root mass, greater nutrient uptake and increased yields. Bigger pots and wider pot spacing means there’s plenty of room to let plants grow. Grow in any medium— clay, coco, soil, rockwool—and set feedings on a timer to suit the lifestage of the plants.

Visit your favorite hydroponics shop to learn more.

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PRODUCT spotlight

Your guide to this month’s hottest items.

OMRI Listed Eco-Hydro Fish Liquid Fertilizer 2-4-0.2 _____________ Eco-Hydro Fish 2-4-0.2 liquid organic fertilizer is made from fresh, wild caught Pacific northwest fish. Marine fish contain many more elements, including trace minerals, than freshwater fish, and are less susceptible to disease and parasites. Our Eco-Hydro Fish 2-4-0.2 is a hydrolysate, not an emulsion, making it ideal for both foliar and root applications. This product is screened twice through a 200 mesh Sweco screen so it will go through any fertigation system without clogging. Fish are an excellent food source for microbial action. Plant health is improved based upon the major increase of microbial action stimulated by Eco-Hydro Fish. Unproductive soil is easily rebuilt and replenished through repeated applications of this product. With Eco-Hydro Fish fertilizer, plants improve in color, health and considerable growth. For more information please visit an indoor gardening shop for more information.

New Hydrofarm Measuring Cups _______________________________ Hydrofarm’s measuring cups have reinforced handles, which allow you to easily measure powder, dust, liquid, seeds or pellets for your home, lawn or garden. They are sturdy, food grade plastic and virtually non-breakable. These measuring cups are perfect for digging deep into bags of fertilizer or other growing media and have an angled spout for mess-free pouring. Our measuring cups feature US and metric markings and are available in one, two, four, eight and 12 cups.

For more information, visit an authorized Hydrofarm retailer near you.

Vital Earth’s® Worm Castings _________________________________ Worm castings, also known as vermicastings, contain water-soluble nutrients that greatly enhance soil conditioning. Our superior quality worm castings use only African night crawlers, raised in organic bedding with no toxic materials. Worm castings are rich in microbial life, which convert nutrients already available in the soil into plant-ready forms. Unlike other compost, worm castings also contains worm mucus, which helps prevent nutrients from washing away with the first watering and holds moisture better than plain soil. Safe and pet-friendly, our worm castings should be an essential part of your garden, taking it to the next level. Available in: 2.25 pound buckets, 1.1 cubic foot bags and two yard totes. To learn more, visit a hydroponics shop near you.

Solar Flare™ T5 VHO Fluorescent Lighting Fixtures _____________ Solar Flare™ T5 VHO Fluorescent Lighting Fixtures are made with 95 per cent reflective European aluminum. They are major brand solid state electronic ballasts with dedicated 120 volt or 240 volt input power. They feature heavy duty white steel housing and are louvered and slotted for efficient cooling capability. They come complete with two chrome wire hangers for mounting/hanging and an eight foot grounded power cord.

Purchase your choice of lamps separately. VHO Lamps offer 7,200 lumens and 95 watts each and they feature a backlit on/off switch. The eight lamp and 12 lamp models offer two switches for a variety of configurations. Solar Flare™ fixtures come with a two year warranty. To learn more visit an indoor gardening shop near you.

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PRODUCT spotlight

Your guide to this month’s hottest items.

3D Organics Presents Pre-Fruit X 1-0-1 __________

PWX240S Sequenced Power Expander From Solatel __________________________

Pre-Fruit X 1-0-1 is an organic indoor/ outdoor foliar spray that delivers a precise ratio of microminerals and natural plant bloom enhancers for unsurpassable flowering quality. By weight, Pre-Fruit X 1-0-1 is over 20 per cent seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum), nano-emulsified and contains organic nitrogen, potassium, proteins, hormones, microminerals (chelated with amino acids) and neutraceutical grade Thiamine hydrochloride (vitamin B1).

One pint of Pre-Fruit X 1-0-1 makes over 160 gallons of a ready-to-use spray.

Pre-Fruit X 1-0-1 is approved for use in organic crop production under National Organic Program Final Rule. Visit your favorite indoor/outdoor gardening shop for more information.

Control six 1,000 watt, 240 volt lamps with the PWX240S Sequenced Power Expander from Solatel. A six foot, 10 gauge power cable connects to 240 volt 30 amp service.

The six foot trigger cord plugs into 120 volt controller or timer (not included) drawing very little current. Trigger switches current from power cable to outlets. Outlets are sequenced with 20 second on and five second off delay between pairs.

This reduces power line problems.

Visit your local indoor gardening shop for more information.

Organic Laboratories Now Available _______

Emperor Lighting From Megawatt _________

Organic Laboratories is one of the country’s leading producers and marketers of earth friendly pesticides and fertilizers. Tomato Maker is a revolutionary, natural-based fertilizer and soil conditioner that produces a robust tomato crop and provides comprehensive nutrition. Tomato Maker has shown to correct plant nutritional deficiencies and prevent blossom end rot. MycoStim is a natural-based biological soil and root inoculant with beneficial root colonizing fungi that increase the root’s ability to take up nutrients and water. Exel LG (lawn and garden) is a broad spectrum systemic fungicide for turf, fruit trees, ornamentals and flowers. A systemic product, it has a foliar or root application that will work its way throughout the entire plant to prevent disease and attack existing disease.

Organocide is an OMRI listed insecticide and fungicide for organic production, derived from a unique blend of soybean extract and sesame and fish oils. For more information, visit an authorized Hydrofarm retailer near you.

Emperor Lighting is the next generation of high intensity discharge lights with an improved design for higher lumen output and enhanced color spectrums.

Engineers worked with agricultural researchers to produce quality lights that trigger hormones in plants to help increase flowering and encourage tight internodes. The Emperor Lighting line was engineered for use with all ballast types. These lights feature continuous operation, longer bulb life, less lumen depreciation over time and they can be used in both vertical and horizontal fixtures. The Emperor Lighting line has been approved for hot starts, and works with electronic and magnetic ballasts. They are stamped with a heat sensitive logo, which will change color once the lamp attains its full spectrum. German technology, Canadian design and backed with a one year warranty. Look for them in early 2011 at your favorite hydroponics shop.

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PRODUCT spotlight

Your guide to this month’s hottest items.

Vital Earth’s® Organic Manna Mix _______________________________ Manna is often described as a source of divine nourishment and this powerful blend of some of Vital Earth’s® most potent ingredients is indeed divine. This is our superior coconut-based planting mix, and we think you will notice great improvement in the yields and quality of your end product. With Vital Earth’s® Coconut Pith, the holding capacity of the extra-long strands of coconut fiber creates the perfect air-to-water ratio for this triple-washed, low-saline, ideal container planting mix. Your plants are sure to be happy and healthy from seedling to harvest. Contains O.G. Cal-Phos and O.G. Dolomite Ag-10; Vital Earth’s® Coconut Pith; Vital Earth’s® Rose & Flower 5-9-4; MegaWorm® earthworm castings; mycorrhizal fungi and Vital Earth’s® Powdered Glacial Rock; fortified with Vital Earth’s® Organic Compost OMRI™. Available in 1.5 cubic foot bags and two yard totes. To learn more, visit a hydroponics shop near you.

Introducing Black Magic Extra Stout From Microbrewed Fertilizer ____ Black Magic Extra Stout is our flagship product that showcases Microbrewed Fertilizer's unique ability to bring small batch, craft-brewed, high end products to market at domestic prices. This crystal clear, 100 per cent soluble liquid flowering booster delivers the power you want without any thick or messy binding ingredients. When using Black Magic's proprietary blend of structured phosphite groupings coupled with new age bio-stimulant technology, the grower is sure to see an increase in quality, flower size and density. Our craft batch brewing procedure blends high powered phosphites in conjunction with pure organic bio-stimulants to create a product that is unrivaled in quality and unmatched in value. Black Magic is suitable for all growing mediums and is non-clogging in drip, ebb and flow and even aeroponic sprayers. Visit a hydroponics shop near you for more information.

Galaxy® Master Blaster Electronic Ballast __ Silent, lightweight and extremely efficient, the Galaxy Master Blaster features extruded aluminum housing that is engineered to dissipate heat and keep the components cool. It comes standard with a six foot 240 volt cord. The resettable circuit breaker offers short circuit protection. The lamp cord receptacle is compatible with all Sun System® reflectors and sockets. The Galaxy Master Blaster is generator ready and operates on 240 volt power only. We recommend using a large air-cooled reflector with this ballast and lamp; the eight inch Sun System® Magnum XXXL™ is ideal for this application. Comes with a two year warranty. To learn more visit an indoor gardening shop near you.

Vital Earth’s® PHC Biopak® _____________ Vital Earth’s® PHC Biopak® is a unique, dry, water soluble inoculant with beneficial bacteria. This product enriches the soil profile with beneficial microbes, which act as a sustainable fertility system. Once the microbes are in place in the root zone, they solubilize phosphorus, fix atmospheric nitrogen and can gradually improve soil tilth, which are processes that encourage healthy root growth.

Live beneficial microbes can reproduce in the root zone to maintain populations and sustain beneficial activities.

This product is all-natural.

It helps recover stressed plants, helps with transplant shock and processes excess fertilizers to prevent nutrient lock and soil buildup.

Available in one pound jars and five pound bags. To learn more, visit your favorite hydroponics shop.

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Clean

by Dr. Lynette Morgan

& Green

Hydroponic Hygiene

A little housekeeping can go a long way in keeping fungi, bacteria and viruses out of your grow space.

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M

any unseen nasties can cohabitate happily with plants in an indoor garden or greenhouse—after all, warmth, moisture and nutrients provide a cozy environment for a wide range of life forms. Fungi, bacteria and viruses all tend to have survival stages that can be carried over from one crop to the next, making cleanliness and hygiene an important aspect of growing healthy plants. This, coupled with the fact that some fungi in particular can also have a negative effect on our health, means that growers need to do some housekeeping from time to time to make sure the growing area remains a pleasant and healthy place to relax in. While there are some very efficient high-tech cleaning compounds on the market, smaller growers don’t necessarily need to invest in an arsenal of disinfectants, as some of the older, simpler versions still work well.

What are we dealing with?

Fungal spores, bacteria and viruses are difficult to keep out of a growing area as they can hitch a ride on new plants, seeds, equipment, growing substrates, clothing and footwear, as well as in dust, air currents or water, or they can be carried in by insects and other pests. For hydroponic growers, algae can become a cleaner’s nightmare as it will flourish anywhere there is light, moisture and nutrients, creating a persistent, slimy mess that can harbor fungus gnats and shore flies.

A heavy infestation of sucking pests such as whitefly will rapidly leave a thick, black, sticky residue over every surface—this is honey dew, which the insects excrete as they are feeding, and which then becomes colonized by sooty mold. The honeydew/ sooty mold residue becomes very difficult to remove—especially once it’s fully dried—and this is often the biggest cleaning challenge for most growers. Apart from pest grime, bio-films can develop on many surfaces creating a layer of organic material, which can harbor a range of pests and diseases such as fungal spores and insect eggs. Bio-films can also develop on the inside of nutrient reservoirs and growing channels, and these can harbor waterborne diseases such as Pythium.

Carry over to new plants Old plant debris—fallen leaves, trimmings, prunings and spent media—all create an ideal environment for pest and disease transfer. Some disease spores can survive for years inside old plant debris, while insect eggs may make the material a new source of infestations for many months to come. For this reason composting old plant material and growing media inside the growing area is not a good idea. Even growers who dump plant trimmings outside greenhouses have had issues with insect pests coming right back inside and carrying viruses with them. All old plant material should be bagged up, sealed and removed

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Clean and Green - Hydroponic Hygiene from the growing area immediately, particularly where decaying or diseased foliage or plants are being removed.

Cleaning and disinfection products and procedures There is a huge range of disinfecting and cleaning products on the market registered for use in the horticultural industry. Some chemical disinfectants and cleaners have the potential to be toxic to plants if residues are not removed before planting the next crop, and extra care needs to be taken with compounds used to clean reservoirs, tanks and growing channels.

There are several different types of disinfectants that are commonly used in greenhouses, pack houses and indoor gardens for plant disease control and general cleaning between crops. One of the oldest yet still quite effective disinfection agents is diluted household bleach (sodium hypochlorite), which provides a high kill rate for spores, bacteria and viruses when provided sufficient contact time. Bleach should be diluted to a 10 per cent solution with water before use in a well-ventilated area, and a contact time of 30 minutes should be allowed on surfaces being cleaned. Bleach residues, however, need to be thoroughly washed away before planting out the next lot of seedlings. The effectiveness of bleach can be increased by mixing a little good-quality detergent (a non-ionic surfactant) into the diluted bleach, which helps remove more grime and acts as a wetting agent.

Other compounds typically contained in greenhouse disinfection agents are quaternary ammonium chloride salts, hydrogen

Above: Sparkly clean and disinfected, ready for planting a new crop.

Right: The ultimate in cleanliness and crop hygiene.

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Commercial greenhouse growers need to take crop hygiene very seriously to help prevent major disease outbreaks.

dioxide and chlorine dioxide. Seventy per cent alcohol can also be used for dipping tools and wiping surfaces, and needs no rinsing to remove residues.

For those who want their indoor garden to remain “chemical free”, hot water and detergent combined with some elbow grease can be highly effective if all the surfaces are covered and

“Usually it is the nutrient reservoir that needs the most attention when the plants are growing, as algae, salt deposits, lime scale and other slime can all build up.” well scrubbed. For stubborn grime, insect messes and sooty mold residues, using a paste of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can help as a scouring agent, but again it needs to be well washed away after use. An old-fashioned household cleaning mixture of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and citric acid or vinegar is also suitable for cleaning a range of surfaces in the growing area, including channel surfaces, tanks, equipment, walls and floors. There are also new products available that don’t use chemical compounds and have been designed specially for use in greener growing environments.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), also called hydrogen dioxide, is another popular ingredient in cleaning agents. H2O2 is a powerful oxidant and disinfection agent provided it is used at the correct dose (at least 200 to 300 ppm) and allowed a contact time of more than 15 minutes where spores and other thick dirt

Clean and Green - Hydroponic Hygiene may have accumulated. H2O2 also needs to be well rinsed away or left to dissipate over a period of a few days, as even low levels of residue—as low as 10 ppm—have been found to have a negative effect on the growth of young and sensitive seedlings in hydroponics.

Running a solution of bleach or H2O2 through empty solution culture systems such as NFT, DFT or aeroponics between crops is a good way to clear out any organic matter or disease spores from inside the irrigation lines; however, these need to be rinsed well and run with clean water for at least 24 hours before replanting. Many growers who have a water supply that is considered “hard”—containing high levels of calcium—often find their pumps, tanks, irrigation lines and channels scaling up with a hard white deposit. One of the most effective ways of removing this hard lime scale is with a soak of diluted acid (phosphoric or nitric), which will dissolve away the deposits; this method is particularly good for soaking drippers or emitters that are otherwise difficult Explosive pest outbreaks can desiccate a crop and make for a big clean up job. to clean.

Hygiene during the cropping cycle While a good scrub with heavy duty disinfectant and cleaning agents is fine when the growing area is empty, maintaining hygiene when there are plants in place is another matter.

Botrytis or grey mould spores become airborne and can land on surfaces all around the growing area, ready to infect a new crop.

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Whitefly and other sucking insect pests can be responsible for a lot of mess – honeydew and sooty mold are difficult to clean off surfaces.

Black, sticky, sooty mold grows on the honeydew excreted by sucking insects as they feed, which can cover foliage as well as other surfaces.

Most plants are sensitive to many of the cleaning compounds we commonly use, including bleach, H2O2 and even repeat applications of soaps and detergents, so in-crop hygiene needs to be more delicate. Usually it is the nutrient reservoir that needs the most attention when the plants are growing, as algae, salt deposits, lime scale and other slime can all build up, particularly if some light is reaching the nutrient inside the reservoir.

A quick drain, scrub and rinse should be all that’s needed to keep the nutrient tank in good condition when plants are still in the system. Any algae growing on other surfaces—such as on top of growing media, in return channels or on the floor where leaks occur—needs regular control. Putting lightproof plastic film covers over the top of growing media is the safest and most effective way of preventing and killing algae, as chemical control agents can cause phytotoxicity to the roots.

On hard surfaces such as floors and channel tops, algae can be sprayed or wiped with disinfectant, provided none of this makes its way back into the nutrient solution. Algae can be a problem in an otherwise clean growing area as it acts as a food source for fungus gnats, and the gnat larvae can cause serious plant damage when they feed on the roots, as well as spreading spores of certain plant pathogens.

Prevention of pest and disease problems is just as important as cleanliness. For growing areas where dirty shoes may tramp in

Clean and Green - Hydroponic Hygiene Clean, white plastic film makes a great cover for hydroponic systems to exclude light and algae growth.

Nutrient reservoirs often need attention to remove algae and other debris and sediment while the crop is still in the system.

Algae will grow on all surfaces where light, moisture and nutrients are present.

Algae growth on the top of rockwool cubes

can become so thick as to retard nutrient soil and other dirt, foot baths, even in a small growing area, can flow down to the roots. be important. A shallow tray with a nonslip mat on the base filled with diluted disinfectant (bleach or some other product), placed in the doorway so that anyone entering has to step both hygienic growing area. Generally, municipal water supplies are feet into it, has been shown to prevent many fungal spores and treated with disinfectant chemicals, and although sometimes insects from entering the growing area. Allowing only clean these chemicals—such as chloramines—can cause plant damage water, equipment and materials to enter the grow room and of their own, the water is usually free of plant pathogens. regular monitoring of the plants is also important for preventing Collected rain or ground water may need treatment before use disease outbreaks. Pruning knives, scissors and other tools should in hydroponic systems, although not all these water sources be cleaned between crops would be considered as conwith a quick dip in alcohol “If the water supply to the hydroponic taminated for plant growth. or a strong bleach solution, as Unclean water can contain a system is not from a clean source, this number of waterborne probthis prevents the carryover of any sap-transmitted viruses or can become a major obstacle to keeping lems, including the dreaded other spores such as Botrytis, pathogens Phytophthora, a hygienic growing area.” which can infect cut surfaces.

Pythium and Fusarium. LuckAny new plants or seedlings ily these days small hydroponic being brought into the growing area should be thoroughly ingrowers have a good choice of water treatment options, with spected for pest or disease problems and, if possible, quarantined non-chemical methods such as UV (ultraviolet light), ozone or away from the main growing system for at least a week. New RO (reverse osmosis) providing less risk than chemical-based plant material is one of the most common sources of pest and water disinfection agents. disease introduction, so it pays to know what the early signs of Keeping a clean, green growing environment is not only any problems may look like before introducing any new addimore pleasant to work and relax in—it provides some sensible tions to the system. preventive measures in the grower’s unceasing battle against the If the water supply to the hydroponic system is not from a unwanted insect intruders and nasty disease pathogens that are MY clean source, this can become a major obstacle to keeping a always looking to invade your indoor kingdom!

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Nutrient Deficiencies: Part Two

by Matt LeBannister

by Matt LeBannister

In the last few articles we discussed different nutrient deficiency disorders—many of which have similar symptoms—which can become serious if not properly diagnosed. In this final chapter on the subject, three common nutrient deficiencies are examined at length— sulfur, zinc and manganese.

Being an indoor gardener means you must fully take over the role of Mother Nature, caring for each plant and providing just the right nutrition for it to thrive and be healthy. For every plant and each stage of growth there are different nutritional needs that must be met. Plants in the vegetative phase of growth, for example, require larger amounts of certain nutrients like nitrogen for vigorous growth than plants in the bloom or flower phase, while blooming plants require more phospho-

“Using a quality multi-part nutrient can usually ensure that plants have all the nutrients they need present in their root zone.” rous than plants in the vegetative phase of growth. Using a quality multi-part nutrient can usually ensure that plants have all the nutrients they need present in their root zone. However, there are other factors that can affect a plant’s ability to absorb those nutrients, and when this happens a nutrient deficiency will develop—if the deficiency is prolonged, it can go on to become a more serious nutrient disorder.

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Sulfur Deficiencies Sulfur is an immobile nutrient that can often be deficient in plants. It is a key component of many plant functions and is necessary for the plant to manufacture hormones, amino acids, proteins, vitamins—including B1—plant cells and seeds, and is also necessary for respiration. With sulfur required for so many vital processes, plants can really suffer when there is a prolonged deficiency of this important nutrient.

The early symptoms of a sulfur deficiency can easily be confused with a nitrogen deficiency. At first, they both show signs of a deficiency in the older leaves that begin to yellow in between the veins that remain green, but as the deficiency progresses, the symptoms become more individual and identifiable.

The leaf stems will begin to turn a shade of purple and become elongated, and stems will become woody near the base. If the deficiency continues and is left untreated, the leaf tips will burn and turn downwards. Plants with a sulfur deficiency will generally be stunted and weak overall.

A sulfur deficiency can be traced back to various causes. Using a poor-quality, one-part nutrient solution might be responsible. Sulfur must remain separated from calcium in the bottle, and one-part nutrient solutions allow calcium and sulfur to combine, which makes the sulfur insoluble—meaning that the sulfur in the solution would not be available to be absorbed by the plant. This is actually the main cause of sulfur deficiencies. Adding a half teaspoon per quart of Epsom salts—magnesium sulfate—to your nutrient solution will provide adequate amounts of water-soluble sulfur to your plant if you suspect none is available.

Having an overabundance of calcium present in the soil or hydroponic solution can also cause a sulfur deficiency, because the calcium will bond with the sulfur, making it insoluble. Using quality, balanced, multi-part nutrients will prevent this from becoming an issue.

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Another cause of sulfur deficiencies is having the pH of the soil or hydroponic solution too high, which locks out certain nutrients—including sulfur. Keeping the pH levels in the ideal range from 5.8 to 6.8 will ensure that the plant can absorb and retain all available nutrients.

Zinc Deficiencies Zinc deficiency is also common in plants. Zinc, which is a micronutrient or trace element, is necessary for the production of chlorophyll, and without it photosynthesis cannot take place. Zinc can also promote the function of enzymes within the plant.

The symptoms of a zinc deficiency first affect the younger leaves and shoots. The youngest leaves will develop interveinal chlorosis, which is a lack of chlorophyll developing between the leaf veins.Young leaves will turn light yellow to pale green, and new growth will be stunted and smaller than the leaves of a healthy, thriving plant. As the zinc deficiency progresses in the plant, the youngest leaves will contort, then new growth will stop being produced completely. As the disorder reaches its peak, leaf tips will darken and die back.

There are various reasons for a zinc deficiency. A common cause is that the nutrient being fed to the plant is not complete and does not contain chelated trace elements, which are the

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“If pH levels drift below 5.8 or above 7.0 plants begin to lock out certain nutrients.

This means that no matter how much manganese you add to your soil or hydroponic solution, the plant will never be able to absorb it.” nutrients essential to plant development that the plant needs in small or trace amounts. Micronutrients can be left out of poorquality nutrient solutions, but switching to a complete nutrient that contains the required trace elements can solve this problem and prevent it from happening again in the future. Nutrients that lack these trace elements can be made more complete by adding kelp meal to your mixture, or plants can be foliar fed with kelp spray. Kelp is an excellent organic source of 60 to 70 water-soluble trace elements.

Zinc deficiency can also be caused when there is too little potassium, magnesium or calcium present. This really stresses how important it is to use high-quality nutrients that contain the right types and levels of nutrients for vigorous plant growth.

Fluctuating pH levels can also cause zinc deficiencies. When pH levels rise above the ideal range, zinc and other nutrients can become locked out—although plenty of zinc may be present, the plant cannot absorb it with the pH level above 7.0.

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Dropping the pH down between 5.8 and 6.6 and checking the levels more frequently will allow the pH-conscious gardener to maintain the plant’s ideal range, allowing the plant take in all the nutrients it requires.

Manganese Deficiencies The final nutrient deficiency that is necessary to discuss is a manganese deficiency. Manganese is an element essential for the synthesis of chlorophyll, and for the electron transport associated with photosynthesis.

Manganese and iron are both important to the production of chlorophyll, making the symptoms of manganese and iron deficiencies similar and often hard to differentiate. The youngest leaves on the plant will show symptoms first, beginning to yellow in between the veins, which will remain green. This is a sign of the plant’s inability to produce chlorophyll in adequate amounts. As the deficiency progresses, the rest of the leaves will begin to yellow in between the vein as well. Plant growth will become stunted, and if the deficiency is left untreated new growth and flowering may halt altogether. The leaves will eventually develop dead spots and fall off if the deficiency is left untreated and allowed to become severe.

Manganese deficiencies have different sources. Often they are caused by incomplete nutrients that don’t contain the proper trace elements, which means you should either switch to a quality multi-part nutrient or foliar feed your plants with kelp spray, which is a natural source of over 60 trace elements.

If the nutrient solution you use has manganese present, though, there is likely another reason your plants have become manganese deficient. A fluctuating pH level can be the origin of the problem again, because if pH levels drift below 5.8 or above 7.0 plants begin to lock out certain nutrients. This means Finally, an excess of potassium or phosphorous can also cause that no matter how much manganese you add to your soil or plants to become manganese deficient. When plants have phoshydroponic solution, the plant phorous or potassium toxicities will never be able to absorb it.

“If the nutrient solution you use has they will lock out nutrients, but Adjusting and maintaining the manganese present...there is likely checking EC levels frequently pH levels to somewhere between can prevent this from happenanother reason your plants have 5.8 and 7.0 will prevent nutrient ing. Growing mediums should be become manganese deficient.” lockout and allow the plants to flushed with straight pH-balanced absorb all the nutrients necessary water every third watering to for healthy growth. prevent excess nutrients from building up. If you suspect that Plants can also become manganese deficient if the soil or your plants are suffering from a nutrient toxicity then using a soilless medium is poorly drained. This can be remedied by waclearing solution to flush the growing medium can correct this tering less frequently or by using a more porous soil or soilless problem, leeching the overabundant nutrients from the growing mixture. Adding some perlite to the mixture will also improve medium and the plant, correcting nutrient toxicities before they your drainage and help keep soil from becoming waterlogged. become too severe.

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There are such a wide variety of different nutrient deficiency disorders that plants can suffer from. Many have similar symptoms, like yellowing or the development of brown spots on leaves, and the deficiencies which cause them can also be similar. Not using a quality multi-part nutrient solution might be one of your problems, while properly maintaining EC and pH levels can also be essential in preventing deficiencies from occurring. By learning the underlying causes of nutrient deficiencies you can better understand how to cure them and even prevent the deficiencies from happening in the first place—valuable knowledge that will keep plants healthy and MY gardeners happy!

Sources: Gardening Indoors, The Indoor Gardening Bible, George Van Patten (2002, Van Patten Publishing)

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by Brian Chiang and Josh Puckett

S R A W G N I N O L C D

TRIX LED ENSE MA

TECHNO

AY INTO T W S IT S E TL LOGY BAT

ORLD OF W E IV T A R HE LUC

CLONING.

There’s no question what dense matrix LED technology is capable of. With a growing presence in the indoor gardening industry, LEDs boast energy efficiency and long lifetimes, and—more importantly—they can produce specific spectrums optimized for plant growth. After years of research, scientists have discovered various wavelength combinations that enhance vegetative growth in addition to ideal wavelength blends for fruiting and flowering. Indoor growers everywhere are benefiting from the ability of LEDs to emit specific spectrums.

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The deep light penetration that’s possible with dense matrix LED technology now allows LED lights to be used as standalone sources. These LED units are also great as boosters to supplement missing spectrums in existing grow light systems, and the flexibility of mixing and matching different spectrums is empowering growers to improve production and do more with their indoor gardens—such as plant steering.

The efficiency of dense matrix LEDs derives from the consistency of their light output. Growers can rest assured that with LEDs, their plants are constantly receiving the required light output. We’ve seen the power of LEDs in vegetating, flowering and fruiting applications, but what about for seeding, rooting and cloning? With low heat emissions that are ideal for sensitive seedlings or cuttings, LEDs should actually be perfect for these applications. Let’s see how dense matrix LED technology fares in the sphere of cloning.

N I N CLO

Cloning and Light Throughout the history of agriculture, humans have developed techniques to control crops. Farmers have become more sophisticated in dealing with the mutations that naturally occur in plants by breeding different strains together, isolating traits and reproducing specific crops. It’s nearly impossible to know what each seed will produce, so farmers take notice of plants that display favorable traits and use asexual methods of reproduction, such as cloning. Often a hybrid breed is unable to reproduce, so these strains are cloned in order to replicate the results and maintain crop continuity. Rather than taking one strain and breeding it with another, it is easier and more economically viable to clone the existing hybrid plant. Cloning also eliminates stray mutations as well as genetic variability.

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Cloning Wars

“A typical LED lifetime of 50,000 hours saves the grower expensive bulb purchases.”

Growing processes are improved and expedited with the use of cloning. Waiting for a seed to germinate, reach a juvenile state and then finally mature requires an indeterminate and sometimes untenable amount of time. With cloning, however, this wait time is cut dramatically, and growers are able to see results at a much faster rate. If multiple cuttings are used, production can also be increased exponentially.

The concept of cloning is relatively simple—a cutting is taken from a plant, and then placed in a medium where it can have access to light and water. Timelines vary from crop to crop. There

are different types of cloning—hardwood, such as grapevines, comprised of lignified stems with a bud union; and softwood, such as tomatoes, consisting of green stems and leaves. For more complex setups, hormones and other nutrients can be used.

When cloning indoors or in nurseries, fluorescents have traditionally been used to provide light. Their relatively low heat as compared with other broadband sources is preferable for delicate, sensitive cuttings trying to re-propagate roots.

An alternative to fluorescents is LEDs. In addition to wide wavelength selection, LEDs emit little heat and require little electricity. They are versatile and easily swapped out and used in other applications because of their small size. A typical LED lifetime of 50,000 hours saves the grower expensive bulb purchases. With all these advantages to consider—especially energy efficiency and light consistency—we set out to find how clones would perform under dense matrix LED technology.

Experiment #1: Comparison Testing For our experiments, we departed from a traditional approach to cloning and used cloning units designed to make the process

more accessible to the consumer. We chose to take softwood cuttings from tomatoes to see the propagation of herbaceous plant material more clearly, and for their responsiveness to different spectrums of light.

The typical timeline for cloning tomatoes using fluorescents over cloning units lasts about a week and a half to two weeks.

Cuttings should begin forming calluses and start to root by the second or third day, and from days five to seven, root branching should be evident. By the 10th to 14th day, cuttings should be able to be transplanted.

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Cloning Wars We successfully followed this The results for the different schedule using dense matrix LED intensities of purple light were technology, and at the same time we comparable, and in all tests one dense tested the effect of different spectrums. matrix LED unit was installed over For each of our experiments, a 30 each cloning unit and found to be site cloning unit was set up. Using sufficient in terms of intensity. green cuttings of Husky Cherry Red The red LED treatment from the tomatoes, both terminal and middle primary trials demonstrated the best cuttings, two nodes were left above rooting. There seemed to be little the media advantage in and the rest “In all tests one dense matrix LED unit was continuing exposed installed over each cloning unit and found to be tests with to the mist sufficient in terms of intensity.” green LED for most light due to cases. Based on recommendations from its lack of root promotion. (Please industry experts, trials were run under multiple wavelengths— note: trials were conducted using green as the only source of green, red and purple at different intensities—to evaluate the light. While it is not a good treatment for promoting rooting LED treatment that would best promote rooting. We also set when used exclusively, there remains the possibility that green in aside a unit to run in the dark for comparison as a control group. conjunction with other wavelengths of light might be beneficial At the end of this experiment, we saw that light was necessary for root production). for rooting in propagated green tomato cuttings. In the cuttings Although red outperformed purple subjected to darkness, there was not only a lack of rooting, but as a rooting light treatment, our also severe foliar degeneration. However, high intensities of observations of the subjects under light did not appear to be necessary for root production. purple light showed sufficient promise for it to be included in the next experiment. Rooting results were also similar to tests run under fluorescent lighting; however, extremely healthy foliage vegetation and a dark green color on leaves, denoting dense chlorophyll production, was specific to our LED treatment.

Experiment #2: Blue, Red and Purple Spectrums For the next set of experiments, we included blue light in addition to red and purple, as blue is known to be conducive to vegetative growth in early stages.To provide uniformity of environmental conditions, three cloning units were assembled in the same grow cube, but with separate dense matrix LED treatments over each unit at uniform heights.

We analyzed performance by taking percentages of rooting as well as root branching, and measurements of both wet and dry mass of the roots produced were also taken. The spectrum that caused cuttings to produce the most root mass fastest was determined to be the best light treatment.

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Cloning Wars We are currently running more tests to eliminate unit bias.

Promising results from both the red and especially the blue treatments prove that dense matrix LED light works just as well as fluorescents for cloning, and suggests that the effectiveness of wavelengths varies with regard to different aspects of rooting (red for branching, blue for length).

After rooting results of each spectrum were compared for the first trial, blue was seen to outperform the other two light treatments as a root-promoting light.

We ran the test a second time and rearranged the placement of the lights to maintain the integrity of the experiment. Red light was placed over the unit that received the blue treatment in the first trial. In this second run, red provided better results for rooting as well as more root branching. However, when the first blue treatment was compared to the second red treatment, the blue demonstrated greater root mass overall, in addition to promoting longer root lengths.

Conclusion While the ideal wavelengths for cloning Husky Cherry tomato cuttings are still undergoing vigorous investigation, our current experiments do show that dense matrix LED technology is a viable, energy-efficient and consistent lighting alternative. The experiments also showed that LEDs produce healthy foliar vegetation, preparing the tomatoes to move easily to soil or soilless media. A compact form factor and long bulb lifetimes provide even more incentive to use dense matrix LED lights.

Although it seems that intensity and specific wavelength combinations may not be as specifically important for cloning as they are for other phases of growth, the results from the second experiment have prompted us to probe more deeply into wavelength formulas. With the flexibility to pick and choose “Our current experiments do show that dense matrix LED technology is a viable, energy-efficient and consistent lighting alternative.” spectrums with LEDs, we are continuing our studies on the effect of various wavelengths on different facets of rooting.

As we do more research and technology continues to advance, growers can only benefit from the findings and innovations that arise. With its spectrum-specific, penetrating light, combined with low heat emission and vast energy savings, dense matrix LED technology will continue to push the boundaries of how MY . light is used for indoor growing.

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FRIGHTFUL WEATHER,

DELIGHTFUL TOMATOES

by Casey Jones Fraser

Winter is here, and it’s time for homegrown tomatoes.

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Like everyone who loves tomatoes, I hate the loss of flavor those red gems seem to undergo this time of year, so I have resorted to growing my own year-round.

After various trials over the years, I found a method for growing multiple tomato varieties in a small indoor area. Most indoor gardeners are familiar with T5 fluorescent lights.

These narrow tubes have become a staple of our industry, and for good reason. T5 lights are great for small leafy plants (basil, lettuce, microgreens), and for the vegetative growth of flowering plants (one foot or shorter). Unfortunately, some growers who attempt flowering with T5 lights experience small leaf growth and immature fruits. Recently, though, some companies have made technological improvements to T5 systems, and these changes have created new tubes and ballasts for improved plant responses.

The Lighting I set out to grow full-sized and full-flavored tomatoes, and I wanted one of the new T5 systems to do it. I put my old favorite T5 next to the new system, and the difference was clear. The new one looked much brighter, without any increase in wattage. Systems with increased wattage (and increased brightness) per tube are also available, and similar systems are on the market now from your local indoor gardening shop. I used the four foot eight-tube T5, because it fit perfectly over my two foot by four foot hydroponics table. Under the table, I used a 20 gallon reservoir for the hydroponic nutrient solution.

The Plants Cuttings were already rooted in an aeroponic cloning machine. After growing out several tomato cuttings, I chose 10 plants to go into the ebb and flow system. Eventually, I chose the best six out of those 10 for fruiting and removed the weaker plants.

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Frightful Weather, Delightful Tomatoes The young tomato plants grew in one gallon grow bags with a coir-based mix for one month, and the table was flooded three to four times per week in 15 minute intervals.

The soilless mix held enough moisture to last for days. Once the plants were well rooted, watering was increased to once per day. A key to this growing technique was no branches—each plant grew one vine! As the vine grew, I trimmed off branches and kept the main growth tip going.

Once the plants reached nearly two feet in height and began flowering, I transplanted the six best plants into three gallon fabric pots.

The plants grew in a constant-drip hydro system, so I used a combination of grow rocks and coir-based soilless mix in the three gallon fabric pots. Three inches of grow rocks went in first, then I packed a small amount of coir on the surface of the rocks. After removing the one gallon grow bags, I placed the plants on grow rocks, and four inches of soilless mix was filled in around each root ball. The top two inches were filled in with more grow rocks, and two drip lines were connected to each planter to ensure even watering. This system had six tomato plants, which means 12 drip lines in total. If any single drip line clogged the other dripper continued to feed the plant, and if both drip lines clogged the soilless mix held enough moisture to last 24 hours or longer. Drip

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“The diatomaceous grow rocks are rich in silica and trace elements, and unfortunately they can grow algae as well as tomatoes.” lines were routinely checked for clogs—the use of enzymes in the reservoir can help prevent this problem.

I used a soilless mix containing multiple varieties of root inoculants, as roots grow stronger and faster with beneficial fungi and bacteria present, and I also added additional

bacterial and fungal products to the reservoir. With this system, roots grew through the fabric pots in seven to 14 days.

However, the diatomaceous grow rocks are rich in silica and trace elements, and unfortunately they can grow algae as well as tomatoes. To combat this problem, I added covers made of black and white poly film to each planter—no more algae. The completed system grew three varieties of tomatoes: two Brandywine, two Green Zebra and two Thesaloniki. Six tomato plants

in three gallon fabric pots sat in a two foot by four foot hydroponics tray, and the ebb and flow system was replaced with a drip system—each plant had two drip lines pouring over the layers of grow rocks and soilless mix. This system quickly grew thick roots, stems and leaves.

Many growers experience problems with vertical space when growing tall plants. I needed to create a tomato garden where only two to three feet of vertical space was required between the base of the plant and the grow lights. Growers know that regular tomato vines grow to be very long—anywhere from five to 25 feet—and in greenhouses they can grow to over 100 feet. These tomatoes were no different, but I needed to manipulate that growth sideways instead of vertically. So as the growth tips continued, I trained them all in a clockwise direction. I removed any branching so each plant was a single vine, and as each vine grew, it was tied down and trained to grow sideways. All of the plants grew on the same circular path.

Eventually all of the vines will overlap each other, and even overlap themselves. Each vine can grow infinitely long, and it will stay in the same garden space. As the tomato plants grow, the older leaves and fruits are removed.

“I removed any branching so each plant was a single vine, and as each vine grew, it was tied down and trained to grow sideways. All of the plants grew on the same circular path.”

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Frightful Weather, Delightful Tomatoes

The Recipe

The nutrient recipe included a basic A and B formula, as well as carbohydrates, enzymes, B vitamins, amino acids and a PK booster, with bacterial and fungal inoculants added weekly. Some early fruits showed signs of blossom-end rot, so a calciummagnesium supplement was added. As a test, after a few weeks the supplement was omitted.

Interveinal yellowing occurred and blossom-end rot showed up again, so the calcium-magnesium supplement became a regular part of the recipe, and soon we had flawless ripening fruits all over the place.

Older parts of the vines are eventually bare of leaves and fruit, while the younger sections are covered with flowers and foliage. At this point, the bare vines act as living plumbing, delivering food and water to the furthest points on the plant, and bare vines begin to layer up on top of one another like extension cords.

Flowers and fruits will now start showing up in larger quantities, and the feeding recipe will be altered to meet the needs of the plants, which continue to get longer and longer—although because I forced them into a clockwise pattern, they will always take up the same two foot by four foot garden space. Big round tomatoes will start showing up all over my indoor plants, even though temperatures are freezing outside. I couldn’t be happier!

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The Taste Test I’ve got two beautiful Brandywine tomatoes in my hands, and it’s almost dinner time. Here’s the real test: an appetizer of tomato slices with a pinch of salt and pepper. Whoa! These taste like they were grown in my backyard. A few days pass. Now I’m dicing a Green Zebra and throwing it on some eggs. I prefer skipping the salt, so I need a very tasty tomato for my breakfast.

Bingo! Another delicious summer-tasting tomato, grown in the middle of winter. My eggs have a new best friend. And the racquetball-sized Thesaloniki tomatoes have become a lunchtime staple—every time I make a sandwich, I pull a fresh one right off the vine and slice it up. My taste buds think it’s August!

Routine Maintenance Every few days, I check the vines for branching. As the branches are removed, the flowers get a good shake. Pollen starts flying around, and more flowers get pollinated, which keeps the tomatoes producing—without the need for bees inside the house.

Maintenance includes removing old leaves, picking ripe fruits, removing any branches and changing the reservoir weekly. I also inspect for nutrient deficiencies and insect damage while I’m doing the routine daily upkeep. Pests are controlled with organic sprays, and deficiencies are managed with slight alterations in the nutrient mixes. After a few months, the vines are wrapping around the garden, and some vines are nearly two inches thick.

The ripe tomatoes are round and colorful, but most importantly, they taste like tomatoes.

Now it’s your turn.Visit your local hydroponics retailer for some supplies. Clear out a small space for your new tomato garden and start seeds or cuttings.Winter is a great time for gardening, so eat MY healthy and have fun.

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BEGINNER’S CORNER

T O P O T W T O O H P E R D N A NTS A L P e

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begin p l e d to h sily. e n g i ea des d s n p i a t ese s quickly h t w o lant Foll p t o ep and r

Maximum Yield USA | February 2011

To pot a plant start with clean, scrubbed containers, preferably sterilized for the best success. Coarse steel wool or metal scouring pads clean pots in a jiffy.

Pot cleaning tips: •

•

Most harmful organisms can be killed by placing a stack of pots on a cloth under the hot water faucet and running hot water slowly into the top pot for five minutes.

Another option is this quick recipe for cleaning pots: 50/50 water and vinegar solution. Works well on both plastic and clay containers.

Getting ready to plant: In planting, place a piece of broken crockery over the hole in the bottom of the pot and cover with a handful of soil (you can use a few small stones instead of crockery pieces). The idea is to allow water to drain (instead of being trapped in the pot) without losing soil. Placing a piece of broken crockery or a few rocks will provide filtered drainage.

How to repot plants: In repotting plants, remove as much old soil as possible from roots, particularly from the top of soil ball, disturbing roots as little as possible. Use a pot proportionate in size to the plant.

Plants should be shifted to bigger pots as they grow larger.

•

•

•

•

Unglazed clay pots provide ideal growing conditions for plants. They are porous, providing necessary air circulation to roots and have drainage holes in the bottom, making overwatering less likely.

Plastic pots are lightweight and easy to handle but, as in metal or ceramic containers, water evaporates slowly, so you have to be careful not to overwater.

If drainage is not provided, water can accumulate in the bottom of the container. Then roots rot and give off gases toxic to the plant.

If you find a pot unattractive, set it in a jardinière that better suits your taste.

When to repot a plant:

•

When the plant has exhausted the nutritive value of the soil in the pot, it should be transferred to a larger pot to maintain its normal growth.

•

•

•

Consider the container:

How to pot a plant: Hold the plant in the pot with its crown just below the rim and spread the roots out evenly.

Fill the pot gradually with soil and firm it, without packing, as each handful is put in.

Final soil level should be at least ¼ inch below the pot rim to allow for easier watering.

Determine if a plant requires repotting:

•

•

•

• •

First remove the plant from the pot.

Do this by turning the plant upside down, supporting by two fingers on each side of the stem against the soil.

Tap the rim of the pot on the edge of a bench or table.This will loosen the pot so it may be removed.

If the plant requires repotting, there will be a heavy mat of roots showing through the dirt. If the roots have lost their healthy creamy white color and instead are of rusty appearance, repotting is required at once.

Handle the plant with care so that no more earth than necessary is disturbed or broken from the roots. Remove all the soil down to where the roots begin.

The general rule of thumb is to select the next largest size of pot, putting enough soil in the bottom to raise the plant to a height where all roots will be nicely covered and the soil is at least one half-inch from the top edge of the pot.

A stick is handy for firming the soil around the edge of the pot.

Always water thoroughly after potting, making sure all soil is well moistened.

MY

em by rt) e inse o Grow Th g a t in k (v d How T n Boo n Garde nd Bulbs a s n e d r a : a s s r e G e c r w Sou Homes & door Flo n Better Plants – I 1946) ( House k J. Fryer ic r e d e r F Maximum Yield USA | February 2011

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by Lee McCall

BUILDING

the Veg Vegetative growth chambers, or “veg rooms”, are designed to promote healthy structural and foliar development.

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“Everything that is dependent on luck or climate or nature outside is able to be deftly controlled for crop production by the indoor gardener.”

Bountiful harvests are the result of patience, care, attentiveness, precision and—most importantly—consistency. Gardening of any kind, whether it’s indoors or outdoors, in soil, in coco or hydroponic, is a very time-consuming physical hobby, almost like a full-time job. The art involved in this age-old practice is unique to every individual, as there are unlimited ways to accomplish great results, depending on the grower’s style; however, without diligence and discipline an optimum operation is nothing more than a pipe dream. Quality rewards are only possible if the effort put into maintenance of the garden is the equivalent of what is expected out of it.

Indoors, complete environmental control is at the grower’s fingertips. Everything that is dependent on luck or climate or nature outside is able to be deftly controlled for crop production by the indoor gardener. Bugs, molds, mildews and viruses or ideal levels of H2O, airflow, sun and CO2 are specific examples of what is normally pretty much out of the complete control of most outdoor gardeners. Inside, however, controlling these variables becomes a matter of how precisely and efficiently the grow room is designed. The canny design of an immaculate grow lab, when done properly, allows crops to reach their full potential without the harsh stresses found in the outside world.

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Building The Veg

Indoor crops that produce fruits or flowers will need two separate areas, one for healthy overall vegetative growth and one for bloom production. The same level of care and attention that is required in the bloom phase should go into the vegetative growth phase of every crop as well. Realistically, a fruit or flower can only be as good as the plant responsible for producing it. If the “veg” phase of the plant lifecycle is unhealthy, expect the bloom or flowering phase to follow closely in the same pattern.

“A fruit or flower can only be as good as the plant responsible for producing it. If the “veg” phase of the plant lifecycle is unhealthy, expect the bloom or flowering phase to follow closely in the same pattern.”

Vegetative growth chambers or “veg rooms” are designed to promote healthy structural and foliar development. This is a crucial stage in the lifecycle after initial seed germination or clone propagation, and it ultimately affects the overall health of the plant in the flowering stage, determining the quality and quantity of any harvest you can expect.

Commonly, grow rooms designed for vegetative growth only are best illuminated by either metal halide (MH) or T5 fluorescent lighting. These types of lighting systems are available in a wide

variety of styles to allow versatility for the grower and lamp options are extensive, ranging from 2800K up to 10,000K for halides, and three K to 6400K for T5s.Vegetative plant growth tends to favor four K to 7000K; personally, I find most available options in between these two temperatures to be effective.

As far as superiority between halides and 88

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Building The Veg

T5s goes, each style has pros and cons. Several companies have grown, most gardens favor temperate (approximately 70 to also been making good progress in LED development, which is 75°F) but not overly warm (85°F and above) temperatures; 20 proving to be very beneficial for promoting both vegetative and to 40 per cent humidity levels are comfortable, while higher flowering growth. Certain LEDs are able to produce spectral humidity levels of 50 per cent and above may not necessaroutputs unattainable by traditional HPS, MH and fluorescent ily hurt the garden, but will usually invite more problems light systems, and I have found these to be excepthan benefits. Carbon filtration exhausting is occasionally tionally effective for use as supplementals overlooked for veg rooms as some growers think it unneceswhen used in conjunction with either T5 sary, but it will definitely promote a cleaner environment or HID lighting. Providing useable spectral overall, with less chance of foliar fungal or mildew attacks. outputs to CO2 enrichment is another oftenoverlooked additive that is available the garden “Carbon filtration exhausting is occasionally is every bit as overlooked for veg rooms as some growers think it to benefit crop production in the important as the vegetative stage, which when used unnecessary, but it will definitely promote a cleaner available concenenvironment overall.” properly and efficiently will yield exceptional results in foliage size, tration of watts growth rate and fruit site development. per square foot being displaced.You can maintain Container size is another factor that influences the vegetaeither a 24 hour or 18 to six (18 hours on, six hours tive growth stage, primarily of concern for growers who off) lightcycle in your veg room to promote vegetafavor sphagnum peat moss, coco (coir), or organic soil. tive development, although I prefer 18 to six, since Freshly rooted cuttings or germinated seedlings are tender to it allows the crop to cease photosynthesis for a small transplant and susceptible to shock when young and fragile, period of time during which the plant systems can enjoy and their undeveloped root masses are quicker to drown in a “breather” and start up fresh again afterwards. excessively large containers that hold too much moistureDepending on the variety and strain of crops being laden grow medium. In my personal experience, when seedlings and clones are transplanted into smaller (half gallon or less) containers, this will allow the grow medium to dry at a quicker rate, allowing roots to expand as they reach out for more moisture and nutrients to feed from. Plants that are almost root-bound but still displaying healthy vibrant roots growing in containers of this size will transplant nicely into larger (two to five gallon) containers of the same or an equivalent type of substrate.

Growers that utilize raised bed methods may benefit from allowing their plants to grow vegetatively in containers and then transplanting them into the beds prior to the bloom phase. Growers using rockwool, hydroton, diatomite, perlite

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Building The Veg

and PET-1 need be restricted by the container size supcontact of fungal spores to the roots and not follow this porting the root mass. bacterium to the grow media will initiadvice about container Root inoculants containing beneficial ate strong colonization. It is also always size as closely due to bacterial and fungal colonies will increase highly recommended to implement a the air-to-moisture root mass vitality, soil structure and plant two-stage dechlorinator and sediment ratios always filter—at the very least—for those present with who have access to decent tap the use of “Root inoculants containing beneficial bacterial and water. Those subject to high PPMs these prodfungal colonies will increase root mass vitality, soil (parts per million) of unwanted ucts. So long structure and plant vigor and increase transplant minerals or toxicities out of the tap as the roots should consider reverse osmosis— success rates.” are protected new and improved models feature from direct contact vigor and increase transplant success rates. two-to-one waste water ratios with relawith light and given Compost teas are always excellent sources tively high flow rates of roughly 1,000 ample amounts of for these microbe-rich solutions; I prefer gallons per day. oxygen and fresh nuto feed these to the plants separately Preventative maintenance against trients, the vegetative from other base nutrients and additives. insects using agents such as neem oil, growth of short term Water-soluble and granular forms may be pyrethrins or beneficial insects will help (eight week) floweramended into the grow mediums or into keep detrimental garden pests off young ing crops should not the planting holes upon transplant. Direct clones and seedlings. Those plants that

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do become subject to infestations will more than likely carry the problem over to the bloom phase if they are not seen to before reaching this stage of growth. Foliar sprays are best done with the lights off so as to prevent burning on delicate foliage; resume normal lightcycles once the majority of the solution has dissipated off the leaves. Overuse of oil-based

sprays may impede leaf transpiration and clog the stomata, while sulfur vaporizers that control mildews and molds will have a similar effect if overused.

Overall cleanliness will promote a sterile garden and ensure stress-free transitions from vegetative to flowering states. Avoid over-fertilizing and over-watering

and provide clean bright light with mild temperatures, and vegetative production will flourish. Top, bend, prune and crop plants to promote even canopy growth and increase yields. And remember that the next cycle is always what makes the wait worthwhile—so relax, sit back and MY watch them grow!

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HOW IT’S MADE

JD-Lightings electronic ballasts may be new in the market, but we have been in production long enough to know quality ballasts. Our engineers use modern, state-of-the-art equipment to create high-performing products for consistent light output, bulb compatibility, safety and energy efficiency, and our electronic ballasts are constantly being improved with new technology. We carefully test each one in a rigorous quality-control process so you can concentrate on your garden.

To ensure a top-quality product every time, JD-Lightings uses only cutting edge tools and technology for every step of the process from research to assembly, testing to final production.

The core to our electronic ballast is a square-shaped printed circuit board (PCB) that dissipates heat more efficiently than our leading competitor’s longshaped boards, and our surface mount technology (SMT) system allows units to

be mounted accurately directly onto the surface of PCBs. Our ballasts’ dimming features work at settings of 50, 75 and 100 per cent, with a 110 per cent setting that is proven to actually hit 1,100 watts. Our electronic ballast dims gradually, while our leading competitors use a single dimming method—where users experience a sudden brightness and then dimming to a low aluminum level—which may cause damage to the lamps.

Quality Control

JD-Lightings Electronic Ballasts are waiting to grow for you.

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Input Quality Control: Electronic Components JD-Lightings insists on maintaining quality control right from the get-go— mounting each component individually onto the motherboard. These transformers are first carefully tested for high voltage, and only then are qualified components delivered to the relevant production lines.

Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Flow Control Next, the heart of the circuit board is constructed through our SMT flow control system, which proceeds through three steps: printing, multi-function mounting and reflow soldering. A good footprint design for the printed circuit board (PCB) clearly designates the recommended dimensions of the solder applications to ensure reliable solder joints. Printing is the process of solder paste-printing on to the board, which stencils out a placement for an adhesive known as solder paste. The multi-function mounter then automatically applies the solder paste on to the board for temporary adhesive attachment of components until the soldering process melts the paste. Reflow soldering is the process by which components are then put under controlled heat to melt the paste, thus permanently connecting the

components. It is important to monitor each stage of this process carefully in order to ensure proper heating zone temperatures are maintained to melt the paste, adjoin the appropriate surfaces and solidify the solder joints without overheating or damaging the electrical components.

Reflow Soldering Inspection After the reflow soldering process, there are three surface mount technology (SMT) lines to check for proper placement of components. Qualified units then get passed on to the manual insertion lines, which insert electronic plugins onto the printed circuit boards. These are then passed on to our wave soldering machine to solder on the electronic plug-in units.

Assembly Once all electronic units are soldered in, the PCBs are sent to our assembly department where the output cord, PCB drawer, bridge rectifier, input baffle and triode are all attached by members of our qualified production team. Each builder will assemble one ballast from start to finish and will test each unit before passing it on to the next department.

Testing Methods To ensure safety, all our ballasts are tested internally at each stage of production. We test at different settings during quality control because we know a ballast malfunction can affect your entire hydro system and delay your crop growth. So what separates good ballasts from bad ones? At JD-Lightings, we are confident that our industry-leading quality control system will maintain our extremely high standards of quality and safety throughout

“Our ballasts’ dimming features work at settings of 50, 75 and 100 per cent, with a 110 per cent setting that is proven to actually hit 1,100 watts.” the entire production process. Our system ensures that each ballast is subjected to a rigorous battery of tests, including a function test, a preliminary test, a power adjustment test, a high potential test, a burn-in test and a final test.

High Potential Test (Hipot Test) The hipot test verifies the integrity of the electrical insulation within the ballast to prevent electrical hazards. A series of increased voltages is applied between current-carrying conductors and the metallic framework of the ballast to detect leakage of current, and any flawed products are corrected at this stage to ensure complete electrical safety for our users.

Power Adjustment The power adjustment test checks the power status and allows adjustments to the rated power range. This step also confirms that the dimming features of 50, 75, 100 and 110 per cent are calibrated properly and tests for bulb compatibility and resonance ignition.

Crest Value Test The crest value test measures the maximum current of each ballast.

Burn-in Test The burn-in test—also known as the aging test—is used to test ballast performance, lighting lamp/ballast-system effectiveness and the flux and color quality of each unit over time.

The manual testing system is an efficient and precise method to determine the potential of each electronic ballast. We test in different chambers under controlled environments, analyzing the results in order to provide consistent light output and complete compatibility with various lighting systems. The goal of our research

and development team is to constantly improve the efficiency of our current technology and continue to provide a safe, reliable, and high-performing electronic ballast to our customers.

Final Production Sealing Machine Our electronic ballasts are resin-sealed with modified asphalt to ensure electrical components are insulated all the way through, without any air or moisture.

Resin casting is used in this important step in the final production process in order to protect the PCB and electrical units from environmental factors and mechanical damage as well. Our hightech sealing machine maintains an even distribution and an elevated temperature in order to keep the heated material flowing without allowing any unwanted thickening of the sealing agent.

Once final testing is performed and signed off on, the finished product is then delivered for ballast cleaning, appropriate labeling and packaging before eventually being shipped off to end-users everywhere.

And that’s how we do it. We utilize cutting-edge technology in order to bring you the finest electronic ballasts available on the marketplace today, and subject each unit to an exhaustive battery of tests in order to guarantee our valued customers the highest possible standards of quality and safety.

JD-Lightings’ Electronic Ballasts are ready to grow with you!

MY

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BACK TO THE BASICS:

PROPER AIRFLOW

by Jack Van Camp

It might not seem as important to the process at first glance as heat, light or humidity control, but proper airflow cannot be overlooked when gardening indoors. Plants absorb water and nutrients though osmosis, but these elements can only be carried a couple inches off the medium with osmosis alone.

The rest of the uptake for the plant requires transpiration—the plant’s continual loss of water through its leaves—to suck water to the upper parts of the plant. Plants are 75 to 85 per cent water, and this constant flow gives the plant its rigidity. With proper airflow and controlled temperature, you will be able to consistently maintain the maximum parameters for optimum plant growth.

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Good airflow and air exchange are basic requirements for providing plants with essential gasses they need for photosynthesis and respiration. Good airflow helps the plant with transpiration, which in turn helps the plant in cooling itself, while sufficient volumes of good-quality air will keep CO2 at a constant level and will enhance the overall wellbeing of the organism.

CO2 makes up only a small fraction of the atmosphere and the percentage in the air is always fluctuating, although it is usually present at around 300 or 350 parts per million. Oxygen makes up 21 per cent of our atmosphere, while the bulk of our air is nitrogen at 78 per cent. While plants do need oxygen—which

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is relatively abundant—at the leaves and the roots to complete respiration, carbon dioxide is a little rarer, so the answer to keeping up carbon dioxide levels is more airflow. Lack of airflow in grow rooms and greenhouses creates carbon dioxide deficiencies, which result in low yields.

All of the very complex actions a plant needs to perform regularly are best done in a comfortable setting, and what seems like a nice day to you is also a nice day to a plant—79°F at 60 per cent relative humidity is good. But daily temperature changes, too much or too little water, humidity fluctuations and inadequate airflow can all negatively influence the metabolic rate of the plant. Plants have different ranges of tolerance for growing, and if temperature

“Temperature and humidity must both be controlled by proper airflow, which will also influence the germination of seeds, the success of cuttings and the onset of flowering.”

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and humidity stray too far on either side of particular comfort ranges the plant suffers. If the temperature gets too hot, for example, the metabolic rate of the plant increases and it will rush through essential processes that will ultimately weaken its foundations. If the room is too cold, on the other hand, then water transport and absorption functions become impossible, and plant metabolism goes downhill quickly. Temperature and humidity must both be controlled by proper airflow, which will also influence the germination of seeds, the success of cuttings and the onset of flowering.

In the grow room the moisture content of the air should also be measured and controlled because of the effect it can have in a positive way.

Water vapor in the ambient air can be measured either as a percentage of relative humidity, or—more accurately— as vapor pressure deficit (VPD). The air holds different amounts of water at different temperatures, even though the relative humidity reads the same. The water-holding capacity of the air doubles for every 10° increase in temperature, so if your room reads 80 per cent relative humidity, it will hold around 14 pounds of water at 50°F. With a 10° increase in 98

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carbon atoms from the air, it must open its stomata. Every time this occurs, water vapor is lost. In Michael Pollan’s book “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” he states “It’s as though every time you opened your mouth to eat, you lost a quantity of blood.” In this case, 97 per cent of a corn plant’s intake comes from the air and three per cent comes from the ground. All this is directly influenced by factors such as humidity, air movement in the room and temperature and the rate of water loss depends on these three factors. The plant’s ultimate goal every morning is to get as much carbon dioxide to itself as it can, although the carbon dioxide is in the air in a relatively small percentage. The plant must take in carbon dioxide while retaining as much water vapor as possible.

Maintaining balanced temperature and humidity will keep your plants’ transpiration running smoothly, and proper airflow will keep respiration occurring. With carbon dioxide being such an important factor in plant growth, it is also a good temperature to 60°F, the air will hold around 28 pounds of idea to consider adding it to a grow room. First, set up your water at the same 80 per cent relative humidity reading. room to run efficiently with normal air and then add carbon When the air is full of water, a dew point is reached and dioxide whatever way you choose. Carbon dioxide injectors the water-saturated air can condense out “free water” in the with tanks and gas-burning generators are two ways to add form of condensation on the carbon dioxide to your plants and the structures of environment. The increase the room. When the air is in carbon dioxide should be “Shutting down your outtake fan for totally full of water, the plants measured using a formula stop transpiring and proper for your room dimension, two or three hours to boost carbon metabolizing slows to a crawl. in which the length, width dioxide levels is not a good idea in any This is all a result of lower and height of the room situation, as heat will build up quickly VPD readings. With high are multiplied by .0015. and the plants’ stomata will close, VPD readings, the air can hold This formula will give you more water and plants are approximately 1,500 PPM causing them to go into stasis.” encouraged to transpire rather of carbon dioxide in one than shut down, but with hour of burn or injection. too high a VPD reading the Shutting down your outtake plant will dry out and be unable to replenish itself with water fan for two or three hours to boost carbon dioxide levels is fast enough. Control of VPD can be achieved with heating not a good idea in any situation, as heat will build up quickly and cooling thermostats in conjunction with humidifiers or and the plants’ stomata will close, causing them to go into dehumidifiers. There are also chart recorders that will give a stasis. There are also other negative results that could occur, 24 hour, seven day or 31 day print reading with a dew point such as stretching and failure to metabolize magnesium. display, or a digital thermometer and hygrometer that can give There is a product available that excretes carbon dioxide from you a high and low temperature and humidity reading over a organic compost and is driven by air pressure.You can set this 24 hour period. unit on a timer during light hours and let it run for 90 days. After Adequate airflow, temperature and humidity are the most the compost is spent, you can use it for fertilizer for your outside important factors for plant growth, but carbon dioxide in the garden and you do not have to lug tanks or sequence timers and surrounding air must also be present at an optimum level in fans. The important thing is, whichever method you choose to order for photosynthesis to take place. Plants take in carbon employ, to have extra carbon dioxide present in your grow area at dioxide and release oxygen and water vapour at the same time, a concentration higher than the ambient air around you. which is a bit of a trade-off. As an example—although an Keep your air moving and monitor the temperature and MY extreme one—there is corn. In order for a corn plant to intake humidity and you’ll get maximum yields.

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GREEN THUMB GARDENING

THE AMAZING Hemp Plant

Industrial hemp is an extraordinarily useful plant that can provide environmentally friendly food, fiber, fuel, medicine and building products. Hemp is incredibly robust to the point in some places it is invasive and considered a noxious weed. Some varieties are very hardy and able to thrive in saline and heavily degraded soils. It’s these characteristics that make it a great candidate to replace pesticide and herbicide dependent crops such as cotton. Hemp is also a water miser and can be processed into useful products with little energy and without requiring toxic chemicals.

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Here are some other fast facts about hemp: •

Hempseed has high levels of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, essential fatty acids and trace elements.

•

Hempseed oil comprises nearly ⅓ of the seeds’ weight making it a viable source for cooking oil, lighting and bio-fuel.

•

Hempseed oil is also beneficial as a body care product and can be made into soaps, conditioners and lotions.

•

The stalk provides an incredibly strong, durable and rot resistant fiber that’s been used in the shipping industry for centuries. As hemp can grow over 10 feet tall, the long fibers are perfect for rope.

•

The short fibers of the stalk can be used in textiles as a replacement or blender fiber for cotton.

•

The core of the stalk can be used to make paper and organic plastics.

“The core of the stalk can be used to make paper and organic plastics.”

•

The woody core, known as hurds, can be mixed with lime, sand, plaster and cement to create very strong concrete or building bricks.

•

Hemp is a great insulation material that can be applied in the wall cavities and roof spaces of houses as a replacement for fiberglass batts.

•

The core fiber can also be utilized in producing fiberboard that is twice as strong as wood-based fiberboard.

•

•

The stalk can also be used to make methanol and ethanol.

The flowers and leaves are used to make medicines for treating many ailments such as glaucoma and cancer sufferers can be prescribed it to ease pain.

•

Hemp can be planted as a crop for restoring the fertility of fields in the process of stock rotation.

•

Given its fast growth, hemp may also be useful in carbon sequestration (taking carbon out of the air and putting it back into the earth).

And that’s just a short list. Currently, most hemp products are imported. Thankfully, this is changing; but the changes are too slow. Hemp is truly an amazing plant that countries should be making far more use of in an effort to reduce our impact on the environment. We should be doing more to help farmers grow it in our own countries MY or growing it ourselves.

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by Philip McIntosh

CONSTRUCTION PART TWO: FRAMES

In part one of “Greenhouse Construction” (Maximum Yield USA December) we looked at some basic design parameters and floor/foundation construction options. With respect to the design it boiled down to “do you research before starting to build?”

With floors, the primary issues were cost and maintainability.

Once a location has been chosen and the foundation has been installed (at least to the point where the rest of the structure can start to go up), next comes the frame, which is the subject of this article.

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Greenhouse Frames The greenhouse frame supports whatever covering is used to transmit light to the interior of the building. The frame may also serve to support shelving, wall-mounted equipment such as fans or control systems, and provide structural support for doors. For these reasons, the shape and assembly method used for the frame requires forethought and planning. A greenhouse frame can range in cost and complexity from a simple hoop design made from plastic pipe, all the way up to a custom job costing tens of thousands of dollars (or more).

Plastic. The venerable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) hoop style greenhouse is not the most robust of structures but it works and it’s hard to beat on price. A number of viable hoop structure ideas can be found on the Internet. One basic design calls for a wooden rectangular base with short sections of rebar hammered into the ground outside the base at regular intervals. The open ends of long sections of ¾ inch PVC pipe are then slid over each piece of rebar on one side and bent over to the other side onto the opposing piece of rebar (see “How to Build an Inexpensive

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Greenhouse Construction - Part Two Hoop-Style Greenhouse” in the references). Another section of pipe runs along the top to give rigidity to the structure. Heavy-duty tie wraps fasten the top pipe to the tops of the arches.

Some wood frame construction on both ends provides support for doorways and light equipment mounting. The only realistic covering for a hoop is plastic sheeting (more on that in the final article in this series).

A small PVC hoop greenhouse can be put together for less than $100 and a larger one, suitable for a small commercial venture or

more extensive plant collection, can be built for around $500, which is an amount significantly less than that of any other approach. A nice advantage of PVC hoop construction is that it provides for a fast and inexpensive way to expand growing space as needed.

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frames are also possible. They can be made from PVC pipe assembled with standard joints intended for building PVC furniture, although they cost more and, unless well-designed and supported, are not as sturdy as hoop frames.

White schedule 40 PVC has poor resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and will usually last for several years at most

them from the sun’s damaging rays to extend their service life considerably.

Dark-colored (usually some shade of grey) schedule 80 PVC has good UV resistance, but is more expensive and less flexible.

PVC hoop frame greenhouses do not handle heavy snow loads well but the curved shape is resilient under wind stress. With diligent snow removal and regular inspections, they can provide many years of service.

Another option for plastic framing is UV-resistant polymer resin. This kind of plastic material is popular among greenhouse kit suppliers. It can be made in attractive colors, and has good structural, chemical and environmental stability. It’s easy to cut and drill for assembly but not flexible, so designs must be similar to those specified for wood or metal frame construction such as rectangular or A-frame buildings.

Do-it-yourself builders can purchase dimensional sections of new or recycled plastic “lumber” to create any desired custom frame. It won’t be cheap though—with prices for two by four boards running from $3 to $5 per linear foot, depending on whether or not they are fiber reinforced.

when exposed to direct sunlight before becoming brittle and easily broken.

PVC frames can be painted to shield

Wood. Wood is the oldest and most familiar framing material in use for all manner of buildings, greenhouses included. Many attractive and efficient homes for plants have been built from

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standard dimensional lumber. Small, fully assembled structures are sometimes available for delivery from local portable or ready-made building suppliers and many reasonably priced wood frame kits are offered by manufacturers. Depending on the size, wood frame structures can be purchased or built for a cost of about $500 up to many thousands (or even tens of thousands) of dollars.

Although not as stable as plastic resin, wood offers several attractive features.

Many people prefer the appearance of wood over plastic resin or metal and few would argue that a PVC frame is better looking. Inexpensive pine lumber

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is available just about everywhere and it can be stained or painted to improve its appearance and weather resistance. Treated lumber is a good choice for framing any outdoor building that is not necessarily waterproof, and after it has cured for several months, it too can be painted or stained to improve its appearance. If cost is of no concern, redwood makes for a beautiful and lasting frame.

Appearance considerations aside, wood is easily cut and shaped, and a variety of fastening methods from good old-fashioned nails to specially designed framing joints make putting together a small wood frame greenhouse a one-day (or less) job. Wood also offers the option to build indoors, vents and benches as integral parts of the frame.

You can’t really do that with a PVC hoop.

Plans for greenhouse frames are available at building suppliers, in books found at your local library, or free on the Internet (see references). In fact, just about any framed building plan can be adapted for a greenhouse application, so long as proper drainage is provided for

the roof.

Metal. Galvanized steel framing has become popular in residential and commercial construction in recent years for several reasons. Assembly is quick with the right tools (e.g. a pneumatic or electric screw gun). A U-shaped steel track is fastened to a foundation to layout the shape of the structure. C-shaped studs are then placed in the track at regular intervals and fastened with screws at the bottom and to a capping track on top.

Since the studs are made from formed galvanized sheet, they are not very heavy, yet they are strong, stable, and somewhat flexible which makes for very stress resistant buildings. Steel is not attacked by insects, bacteria or fungi. Unlike wood studs, steel studs are highly uniform

“Wood also offers the option to build indoors, vents and benches as integral parts of the frame. ” which makes for less on-the-spot problem solving when a board does not fit right because of warpage. If needed, steel studs are easily cut with metal saws. Steel is a good choice for a large greenhouse that needs to support a lot of weight such as glass glazing or heavy wall and ceiling mounted equipment.

Steel frame construction presents some disadvantages. For one thing, the only real option for a sizable foundation is a poured slab. Nothing else provides the needed stability and mounting surface for the bottom tray attaching screws. Small freestanding greenhouses that simply rest on the ground are possible though (staked to the ground with rebar). Steel framing is a bit more expensive than wood, and it takes certain tools, skills and experience that are unique to the material and construction method. Steel is a poor insulator, but this is normally not an issue in building a greenhouse. Rust can form where the galvanized coating has been cut or drilled, so some treatment (paint, for example) is needed to cover

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Greenhouse Construction - Part Two

these exposed areas. Steel frame kits are pre-cut and drilled but make sure the members have been treated if any holes or cuts were made after the initial galvanizing process.

Galvanized steel tubing like that used for electrical conduit can be used for hoop structures as well. Some companies sell the bending tools needed to form the tubing into the correct shape. Steel hoop frames are suitable for

“Aluminum is lighter in weight and thus easier to handle for a do-ityourself builder. ” Quonset-type structures that can be made much larger and more stable than is possible using PVC pipe.

Aluminum is another metal used to build structures using the same techniques as are used for steel.

Aluminum is lighter in weight and thus easier to handle for a do-it-yourself builder. It is also easier to cut and drill.

Aluminum is corrosion resistant and is provided by greenhouse building suppliers in green and white, which most people prefer in appearance to unpainted galvanized steel. Aluminum can support glass as well as any other covering, but since it is not as strong as steel it’s probably better suited to smaller structures.

Once your frame is up and you’ve given it a stress test with a few good shakes (at least), it’s time for the outer covering.

There are a number of options including plastic sheeting, rigid plastics, fiberglass and glass. The pros and cons of each will be addressed in the next and final installment of this series on greenhouse MY design and construction.

References Anonymous. Agricultural Building and Equipment Plan List. University of Tennessee Extension; http://bioengr.ag.utk.edu/extension/ExtPubs/ PlanList97.htm (Accessed December 27, 2010) Anonymous. Greenhouse Designs, Blueprints, and Plans. H2outhouse. com, Inc. Greenhouses, http://www. h2othouse.com/html/plans.html (Accessed December 27, 2010) Anonymous. Metal Frame Greenhouses. Greenhouses.com., <http:// www.greenhouses.com/metalframegreenhouses.html> (Accessed December 28, 2010) Trenholm, Dave. 2008, How to Build an Inexpensive Hoop-Style Greenhouse. <http://www.albertahomegardening.com/how-to-build-an-inexpensive-hoop-style-greenhouse/> (Accessed January 5, 2011)

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What Should We Know About

Biological Inoculants?

by Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr.

Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr. defines biological inoculants and their working nature in an attempt to dissect a statement that spurred a debate.

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Figure 1

An illustration of the rhizosphere:

A = Amoeba consuming bacteria, BL = Energy limited bacteria, BU = Non-energy limited bacteria, RC = Root derived carbon, SR = Sloughed root hair cells, F = Fungal hyphae, N = Nematode worm

A statement in the June 2010 issue of Maximum Yield’s Industry News magazine caught my attention as the contributor stated, “Diversity of biological inoculants is the most important element in any organic garden, especially if the garden is an indoor short cycle crop.” The focus of his statement was on the value gained from the use of biological inoculants added to an organic-based rooting medium, particularly when time is a factor. I would agree that there is much that is unknown on this subject and equally as much misinformation out there. To understand what biological inoculants are and how they work, one needs to know what factors influence the decomposition of organic matter and what occurs around plant roots. Let’s take the latter subject first.

Around the plant root there develops a cylindrical zone called the rhizosphere (the narrow region of soil that is directly influenced by root secretions and associated soil micro-organisms - see figure one). This is an active biochemical zone that has both enhancing and protective aspects. Substances absorbed by the root are taken from the rhizosphere, which has biological and chemical characteristics quite different from the rooting media itself. The

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rhizosphere is normally more acidic than the rooting media, and is a zone within which various elemental interactions occur that both prevent and enhance root absorption of certain elements as well as small molecular substances. The formation and stability of the rhizosphere varies with root medium conditions and the characteristics of the plant root. When there is a constancy of conditions within the rooting medium a

“A common practice when planting tree seedlings or woody ornamentals is to treat the roots with a Mycorrhiza organism in order to enhance survival and stimulate initial plant growth.” rhizosphere will form around the plant roots, but its form and function will vary considerably depending on conditions, and the exact nature of its purpose and functions is still not that well understood.

Within the rhizosphere there can exist what are called Mycorrhizae, which are symbiotic fungi having a particular association with each plant species. Mycorrhizae play a major

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role in the growth of most plant species—particularly so in woody-stemmed plants and trees. A common practice when planting tree seedlings or woody ornamentals is to treat the roots with a Mycorrhiza organism in order to enhance survival and stimulate initial plant growth, particularly when planting into a relatively infertile soil or when the soil has less than desirable physical and chemical properties.

Now let’s address those factors that influence the biological characteristics of the whole soil or of an organic soilless medium. Micro-organism types and populations are mainly determined by plant species, with many different micro-organisms existing at varying population strengths when a diversity of plant types is present. Within a mono-culture plant growing system, the variety of organism types decreases, but the number of organisms of the few types that are present is high.

Such a condition will reduce plant productivity, the extent of the reduction dependent on the physio-chemical properties of the rooting media. Under any of these growing conditions, the addition of an organism as an inoculant will not alter the microbial makeup nor significantly alter the biological activity within the rooting medium. However, for a freshly prepared organic soilless medium, inoculation with a particular organism can be beneficial to the plant being rooted in that medium if the organism applied is able to use

“An inoculant may contain a single organism or a mix of organisms, and may be comprised of either bacteria or fungi or a mix of both.”

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substances existing in the medium as an energy source while providing growth enhancement to the plant.

All micro-organisms require an energy source to survive and grow—that energy source may exist primarily in the rooting medium itself, or it may be obtained from organic materials sloughed off from the roots of the growing plant. Without an energy source, micro-organisms in the inoculant will not survive. Therefore, the biochemical properties of both the rooting

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medium and the plant roots themselves become major factors influencing micro-organism populations and activity. What benefit can be derived from the use of an inoculant to enhance plant growth for short-season organically grown plants—the question being addressed at the beginning of this article—can only be answered by knowing the characteristics of both the plant being grown and the properties of the rooting medium, as well as the types of micro-organisms in the applied inoculant.

An inoculant may contain a single organism or a mix of organisms, and may be comprised of either bacteria or fungi or a mix of both. An inoculant may contain organisms that already exist in the rooting media, so why is it necessary to add them? If the organic rooting medium has a stable biological character, the inoculate micro-organisms will not be able to further decompose the rooting medium anyway. Therefore, if the objective is decomposition in order to release elements from their organic solid phase into a solution phase for root absorption—where they can be utilized by the plant for its growth—it will not occur.

Before we go further, let’s discuss what is happening in the organic rooting medium that impacts elemental plant utilization.

Only those elements that exist in ionic form in the solution phase are available for root absorption. Those elements in solution

exist in equilibrium with the solid phase that may have a cation exchange capacity or chelating ability affecting their availability for root absorption, while inorganic chemical reactions can change soluble elements into an insoluble form and vice versa.

The level of biological activity will affect the elemental composition of the solution phase, since micro-organisms are equal competitors for the same elements as those required by plants.

For the gardener attempting to grow organically, suitable sources of organic fertilizers that are balanced in their elemental makeup

“For composts...adding an inoculant may not stimulate decomposition at all if the compost does not have the easily available energy source required by the organisms in the inoculant.” are difficult to find. In addition, most organic composts are not reliable sources for the essential nutrient elements needed by plants for several reasons. The concentration of an element can vary considerably, for example, even though it was generated from the same initial ingredient sources, such as manures, garbage, plant product wastes, and so on. For composts, since they are the end product of decomposition and therefore have some degree of stability—that is, they are not easily subject to further decomposition—adding an inoculant may not stimulate decomposition at all if the compost does not have the easily available energy source required by the organisms in the inoculant. The idea that just inoculating an organic substrate will always result in decomposition cannot be relied upon.

So the general use of an inoculant is probably not to be recommended, since the characteristics of the inoculant, the plant species and the rooting medium will all determine the effect obtained. Therefore, the “diversity of biological inoculants” is not “the most important element” as suggested in the opening statement—the situation is actually far more complicated. MY

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avant-gardening

by Troy Marshall

How to Harvest and Store

Lavender

Lavender is not only beautiful to look at, it smells great as well. Lavender can be used to decorate your home, in cooking and in some home remedies. Commercially grown lavender can be purchased in dried form or as lavender oil, but you can easily grow and harvest your own. Growing lavender will surely add beauty to your garden.

Harvesting lavender: • Wait until the flowers have just fully opened. The fully opened lavender flowers are fragrant but not overpowering.You will want to preserve the flowers at this point because they contain a fine concentration of essential oils. The longer the flowers are in bloom, the less potent they are.

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• Use a pair of pruners or secateurs in cutting the flowers. Be careful when cutting so you don’t crush the flowers.

• Cut right above the leaves. Also, pick flowers that are part of a long stem. This way when you dry the lavender, you can easily hang the flowers using the stems.

• Encourage more flowers to grow.You can accomplish this by leaving around one to two inches of green when cutting.

Don’t cut the woodiest parts.

• Use a drying rack. Although this is not required, a drying rack for herbs and flowers makes it easier for you to dry your lavender.

Drying and storing lavender: • Hang the lavender. In the absence of a drying rack, you can use strings or rubber bands to hold the stems together and hang these upside down.You can group the stems into six before tying them together firmly. Another option is to hang the lavender stems individually on a string. If your home is located in an area with low humidity, you can group the stems together in half dozen bunches. Otherwise, it is best to hang each stem separately in order to dry the flowers faster.

• Place the lavender in a dry, dark place. In a moist environment, the lavender will mold and rot. The ideal drying temperature is between 86 to 90°F on the first drying day. For the next drying days, the temperature should be between 75 and 82°F. Attics and lofts are great places to dry them.You can also place the lavender in brown paper bags with holes at the bottom and on the sides so air comes in.

• Check the drying progress. Once in awhile, see how the lavender is doing. The stems will shrink so adjust the string or tighten the rubber bands. After a month, the lavender should be dry enough.

• Store the lavender in a dry, dark place.You can place them in a cardboard box or a brown paper bag with no holes.

Depending on how you want to use the dried lavender, you can choose to remove the flowers from the stems or keep the flowers on the stems.

Lavender has many uses. They can be used for decorating your home by including them in a dried flower arrangement. The dried flowers can be added to scented sachets or used in candle making. Aromatherapy oils and lotions come infused with lavender oil. It is very easy to grow, harvest and store lavender.

Instead of buying dried lavender, consider growing lavender MY plants yourself.

(Source: www.howtodothings.com)

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GROWING FOR HEALTH

WHY SHOULD I CARE

ABOUT pH?

by Charlene Rennick

“The level of pH is measured on a scale of zero to 14 with zero representing the highest concentration of acid and 14 representative of the most alkaline.”

Have you ever wondered why the “p” in “pH” is a lower-case letter while the “H” is capitalized? What does it mean?

The “p” stands for potential and the “H” stands for hydrogen. Okay, so that makes it as clear as mud. What is potential Hydrogen? A scientific explanation would state that pH refers to the plant’s ability to attract hydrogen ions. A less scientific explanation says pH is the acid/alkaline balance.

Translated into a language those of us without a PhD can understand, the pH level refers to the acidity and alkalinity of both the water and the growing medium. If the environment is too acidic, that means the plant will not attract enough hydrogen, while an environment that is too alkaline will attract too much hydrogen. An environment that continually fluctuates from one extreme on the pH scale to the other is unhealthy for the plant.

Hydrogen is one of four elements all living plants need to survive. Without hydrogen, the plant would wilt and not be able to take in nutrients. Plants absorb hydrogen through the water via a process called osmosis*. This hydrogen-osmosis cycle is what keeps nutrients traveling from the water into the plant. Once a plant has died due to lack of water, there is no amount of water that can be added to it that will revive it.

The level of pH is measured on a scale of zero to 14 with zero representing the highest concentration of acid and 14

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Osmosis is the name given to the process by which molerepresentative of the most alkaline. Seven is the magic figure for cules, naturally and without any scientific intervention, move pH because it means that there is a balance of acid and alkaline from a weaker solution to a stronger solution through any in the solution and is often referred to as pH neutral. It is usuporous (permeable) membrane. ally sufficient to say that a pH neutral environment is perfect Reverse Osmosis is for most plants, but some contrived. That means it is vegetation requires water or a not a naturally occurring growing medium that is more phenomena. Pressure is used acidic than alkaline in order to “Reverse Osmosis is contrived. to reverse the flow of water flourish or have the right color back through a permeable of blossoms, while other plants That means it is not a naturally occurmembrane from a stronger, prefer the opposite. Testing ring phenomena.” more concentrated area of strips for pH can be purchased mineral content to a weaker to determine exactly what the one. This forcibly removes acid/alkaline balance is in your salt and other minerals from water or growing medium. A sea water or very hard water that has a high calcium or magvariety of instrumentation and meters are also available. These products make it easy to adjust the pH level for home gardeners nesium content. or for mixing nutrients for your own hydroponic garden.

The process uses a fine membrane as a filter to remove salt and minerals from water in addition to larger pieces of dirt and pollens. It doesn’t remove all harmful substances, though. Some contaminants and pollutants have particles that are so tiny that *Recyling Water via Osmosis Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a method of removing pathogens or they slip through the membrane, so reverse osmosis is usually disease-carrying organisms from water, especially in areas where combined with a carbon filter to further purify the water. safe drinking water is scarce. When used in hydroponics, rainwaBecause reverse osmosis strips most of the minerals from ter is collected and then filtered through an RO system to make water, it becomes void of nutrients. In order to make it it clean and safe for agricultural use. Hydroponic systems collect healthy for use in hydroponic gardens, nutrients have to be the water used by the plants, filter it through reverse osmosis added for the plants. Neglecting to add nutrients to ROand then add nutrients to make it nutritious for plants. filtered water would strip the plant of its own nutrients. MY

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Environment Control

by Trevor Holt

It is essential to know your plants’ particular needs well to obtain good results. The aspects to consider are numerous but the climate, particularly airflow, temperature, temperature, humidity and CO2 enrichment certainly influence the most growth and yield (harvest quantity and quality). So, what are the effects of climate on plants and which methods can be used to more efficiently control them in indoor gardening?

Airflow The importance of good air exchange and CO2 availability in an indoor growing environment cannot be overstated. Airflow and CO2 are so often overlooked and can have a dramatic effect on the overall health and performance of plants.

An ideal environment requires at least 30 air changes per hour; therefore, a good extraction fan is paramount.

More air movement is better than not enough.

To calculate the size of the fan you would need, measure the length, width and height of the space, then multiply this figure by 1,000. This will give you the cubic quart capacity of the space. Finally, divide this figure by 30 (the air changes required per hour). This will give you the required fan size.

Equally as important as an extraction fan is an intake fan. If the intake hole is too small you will create a vacuum and the extraction fan will end up fighting against itself and probably (over time) burn out. The intake vent should be three times the size of the exhaust vent unless the latter is also powered by a fan to draw the air in. A good gauge to see if your air exchange is correct is to try and close the door to the room. If it’s difficult then you need to increase the size of the intake or add a fan that pushes air in as well.

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Temperature

Humidity

Fluctuations in temperature can cause High humidity is another cause for considerable problems. A temperature concern, as dramatic fluctuations in between 73 to 80°F is desirable. Generhumidity can cause bolting in the plants ally it may be difficult to maintain this (stretching), blistering on the leaf surtemperature range, however, as a general face and mold problems on flowers. A rule try to keep the space as close to this humidity of 40 to 60 per cent is desirrange as possible. Sudden leaps and dips able. Fresh air intake and good air circuin temperature should be avoided as this lation is absolutely essential to healthy can cause undue stress to plants. High plant growth and is a good way of keeptemperatures of 86°F and above will ing the humidity in check. Coincidently, cause the plants tend plants to “High humidity is another cause for to grow best transpire. in climates concern, as dramatic fluctuations in approximate If they are humidity can cause bolting in the to human unable to replace plants, blistering on the leaf surface comfort. what is lost and mold problems on flowers.” If you quickly visit your enough, grow space they can become stressed and may die. It and it feels like a fridge or a furnace, is advisable to cut your nutrient strength it’s likely that your plants are feeling by half if there is the possibility of an uncomfortable. increase in the transpiration rate or hot If growing in a greenhouse, choose weather is predicted. If temperatures fall a location that faces east away from below 59°F the uptake of vital mineral the intense heat from the afternoon salts is impeded, creating a deficiency in sun. Alternatively, run your “lights on” the plant, usually indicated by a purperiod at night. pling of the stem. To counter this, a tank heater should be used as this will help keep the root zone warm.

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Environment Control

“In my opinion using any of the [previously mentioned] methods without monitoring the actual CO2 levels...is hit and miss.”

CO2 Enrichment

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is one of the essential elements required in photosynthesis. Increasing CO2 levels is the most effective and immediate way to enhance and increase plant growth rates.

Research by biologists and plant physiologists throughout the world have long recognized the benefits of CO2 for plant

growth. Horticulturists and greenhouse workload is decreased. This results in less growers have used CO2 generators to water loss and more water usage within enhance growth rates on plants for many the plant. The plant cells work more effiyears with amazing results. ciently with plant growth rates increasing Carbon dioxide is an odorless gas and a from 70 to 200 per cent. minor constituent of the air we breathe.

Simple sugars like glucose provide plants It comprises only 0.034 per cent (340 with energy and are formed into the more parts per complex million, or “By increasing the CO2 in your grow- plant parts ppm) of the such as caring enviroment from between atmosphere bohydrates, 1,000 and 1,500 ppm your plants amino but is vital to will grow strong.” all life. Plants acids, are made up protein, of about 80 to 90 per cent carbon and cellulose, leaves, roots, branches and flowwater with other elements being nitrogen, ers. The oxygen that all plants give off calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphocomprises about 80 per cent of the earth’s rus and trace elements making up only a atmosphere, which is used by humans, small percentage. Almost all of the carbon animals and marine life. The importance in plants comes from this minor 340 ppm of CO2 and good airflow in the growing of carbon dioxide in the air. By increasenvironment equates to about 75 per cent ing the CO2 in your growing environof the plant’s total food source with the ment from between 1,000 and 1,500 ppm other 25 per cent coming from around its your plants will grow strong. With higher root zone. It is critical to get your enviCO2 concentrations the stomates under ronment right or disaster will follow. the leaves that allow the passage of CO2 The next question for the grower is how into the plant will close slightly as their do you increase the CO2 levels in the greenhouse? There are three methods of increasing CO2 levels in the environment: injecting CO2 by way of bottled CO2 cylinders, which you hire from the gas company; using L.P.G gas burners, which supply heat and increase the CO2 levels in the environment; and with home made concoctions using yeast and sugar.

Manual CO2 Method Any extra CO2 around the plant will help. I would suggest before attempting this that you look at getting your air exchange in your garden correct before adopting any sort of CO2 injecting methods. If the air exchange is not correct, you can stress the plant.

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Environment Control

Bottled CO2

the full benefit of using bottled CO2 gas.

This method injects CO2 into the grow- Your gas consumption depends upon the ing environment with a regulator, flow volume, cycle time and lights on period. meter and solenoid, which is connected If you have a large space, a short cycle to a timing device and periodically time and an 18 hour lights on period, opens the solenoid to let the gas flow through to emitters. The emitters are placed above the plants; the CO2 then falls from the emitters onto the plants.

CO2 gas bottles come in three sizes The plants, in turn, 1. Size D contains 212 ounces of carbon absorb the CO2 dioxide equivalent to 660 gallons rich gas. Injecting 2. Size E contains 529 ounces of carbon bottled gas can be dioxide equivalent to 1,671 gallons extremely effec3. Size G contains 1,093 of carbon dioxide tive because of equivalent to 3,476 gallons the purity; however, it can also be extremely dangeryou are going to use a lot of gas, and ous in enclosed areas, therefore, never cylinders will not last long. put the cylinder inside the growing The E size is the most practical size as environment. Always store the CO2 the large G size cylinders are very heavy bottles outside the grow room as CO2 and the small D size cylinders do not becomes unstable above 86°F. last long in grow rooms larger than 70 Above is listed the bottle sizes and calculations you will need to make, to get cubic feet.

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To know what levels are required and how much to add to achieve 1,500 ppm you need to calculate your volume. This is done by measuring the length, width and height of the space. To calculate take the average background CO2 level of 350 ppm then your desired CO2 level you wish to achieve, for example 1,500 ppm, which is 1,500 ppm (desired) minus 350 ppm (background level) = 1,150 ppm needed to inject.

You then take the cubic capacity by enrichment level = volume of CO2 required. If your flow metre is in gallons, there are 220 gallons in 35 cubic feet, so multiply room volume by 220, which will give you cubic quarts. Now that you know how much CO2 to add, you need to decide how often you want to release (frequency), and how long you want to release (period).

FIRE IT UP Modern and well constructed gas fired CO2 generators are designed for use in grow rooms. Always use a high quality model and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure safe and troublefree operation while boosting growth rates and yields.

In my opinion using any of the mentioned methods without monitoring the actual CO2 levels in the environment is hit and miss, and a CO2 infrared sensor is the only way you are going to get accurate CO2 levels consistently.

L.P.G or Natural Gas

allowing for factors as wind chill, excess Each burner uses 0.075 kilograms per number of air changes per hour, wind hour of gas. Twin burners will provide velocity and direction etc. this would an atmosphere of approximately 1,500 give approximately 41 to 50°F rise. In a ppm in a ventilated 49 by 49 foot greenhouse, enough ventilation may be area. Each burner produces 7.8 ounces achieved by heat convection through the of CO2 per hour. fan outlet without it being operated. It is Models are available in two, four and dangerous not to have adequate ventilaeight burntion as CO2 ers. The unit “On many models, each burner at in high levels incorporates maximum gas rate burns app. 2.6 of concentrais harmful an electric ounces per hour of propane. This tion to humans. solenoid produces 3.15 MJ (875 watts) of Poor ventilaand pilot light to turn useful heat and 7.8 ounces of CO .” tion can also 2 the unit be detected on and off by build up in humidity, which can be detected in sevautomatically. Ventilation is important in conjunction with CO2 generation eral ways: moisture on the walls; a “sweet taste” to the air when drawn in over the and heating.

CO2 being heavier than air will initongue; or measured by a hygrometer. tially be lifted with heat to the top of CO2 levels can be accurately measured the growing area then fall and disperse with the use of disposable gas phials. evenly through the plants.

Each growing area—whether indoors or On many models, each burner at out—will have its own unique growing maximum gas rate burns app. 2.6 environment, therefore, individual adjustounces per hour of propane. This ment and some experimentation will be produces 3.15 MJ (875 watts) of useful needed to find the right level for your MY heat and 7.8 ounces of CO2. Without garden.

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PRODUCT

Continued from page 42

spotlight

Hydro International Presents Bloom Organic S.W.T.N.R _____________ Hydro International’s Bloom Organic S.W.T.N.R controls aroma production, enhances flavor and increases plant health. Growers should use one milliliter per quart of nutrient solution every week. Bloom Organic S.W.T.N.R contains natural flavor enhancers, carbohydrates and sea minerals. Available in one quart, 0.5 gallons, three gallons and five gallons.

Visit your local hydroponics shop for more information on Bloom Organic S.W.T.N.R.

Hydro International Presents In-Line Blowers In-line blowers from Hydro International feature superior air and sound performance with a choice of 110 volts/60 hertz or 220 volts/50 hertz. These high performance blowers feature a maintenance-free balanced motor that is made in Japan. They are wide in size and air flow range and cased in leather and super quiet. Available in four, six, eight, 10 and 12 inches.

Visit your local hydroponics shop for more information.

FD-100 Flood Detector From Solatel _______ With Solatel’s new FD-100 you can detect overflow of water or nutrients if a pipe breaks or a drain clogs. A flood sensor is connected by a 10 foot cable to a control box with two 120 volt, 15 amp outlets. “Flood On” outlet is on during flood and off during no flood. The “Flood Off” outlet does the opposite—it is off during flood and on during no flood. The hold switch selects automatic or manual reset. Check out the FD-100 at your favorite indoor gardening shop.

MY

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TALKING SHOP

AT A GLANCE Store name: Tulaware County Owners: John Alvarez and Larry Blake Location: 435 W Noble Ave. Unit A Farmersville, CA Phone: 559-732-8247 Fax: 559-732-8246 Email: Tcgrowerssupply@yahoo.com Web: www.tcgrowerssupply.com

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According to John Alvarez and Larry background in agriculture, acquired his Blake of Tulare County Growers Supply, business acumen working for over 17 years staying on top of new developments in in every aspect of the plastics industry the industry and communicating with from manufacture to design.With the customers is combination of business all-important in smarts and passion for “With the hydro industry you the hydroponics learn something new every day— the hydroponics industry retail game. if you don’t, you’re not reaching these two were able your customers.”

“With the hydro to bring to their new industry you venture,Tulare County learn something new every day—if you Growers Supply soon became one of the don’t, you’re not reaching your customers,” leading hydro stores in the Central Valley. says John. “We decided to open Tulare Like so many start-up businesses Tulare County Growers Supply to give people a County needed to be able to carry that choice and a fair price,” he continues. “There are so many new customers turning to hydroponics.

We noticed a demand to open a new hydro store in our area.”

In 2009 the two founded their new store in Farmersville, California.

John Alvarez’s family From left: Jesse, John and Alfred at the Bakersfield location. had been involved in agriculture-related business ventures for first high-quality product line on their over three generations. John himself had roster to have any credibility in the built many companies from the ground marketplace, and for them it was Maverick up over the years but seems to have Sun Lighting. “Our start-up years were found his true calling in the hydroponics touch-and-go just like many businesses, industry. Larry Blake, who also has a strong but with the territories that many large

suppliers have [acquiring quality product your number one advertisers.” lines] was the main problem we had to The two entrepreneurs now have a overcome,” says John. “We would like to second store in Bakersfield, California, and thank Maverick Sun, Sunlight Supply and they employ 10 full-time workers between R&M Supply for seeing an opportunity their two locations as well as running a to do business with us.” warehouse operation to distribute some The first years were not easy—the of the great new products they have two partners had to handle everything made it their business to discover. “We themselves, and they found it difficult carry as many products as we can in the initially trying to hydro industry,” John “Team work — working hard juggle the long explains. “One of these for our customers — that’s our hours demanded products is the Liquid biggest strength.” by a retail outlet Ladybug spider mite with all the killer. There are new headaches of dealing with distributors and products [like this] every day, which keeps finding good quality products to carry. us busy looking for them so we can offer They soon discovered that it was all about them to our customers.” customer service in the grow supply trade.

Running a hydroponics business is also Customers appreciate the personal touch, about being open to new ideas, John and if you’re selling a good product at a and Larry have discovered. “We learned fair price and offering service that makes a lot about the hydro industry since we every visit to the store a pleasure, you won’t have opened the doors,” says John, “And go far wrong. “Stay on top and keep your we learn every day.” New products, customers happy,” John stresses. “They are new science and a constant stream of

customer-generated tips and comments make this the kind of business where the successful operator can never afford to stop learning. “In this industry you grow with it, or you fall behind—never let your store fall behind!”

John and Larry plan to continue to keep learning new things about their industry every day, and to keep giving their treasured customers the solid service that has brought them this far in a tough marketplace. “When we started Tulare County Growers Supply we had a motto: stay strong and move forward,” John explains. “I guess if you never forget that you will be successful.”

The constant search for new products to address the needs of their customers is just one aspect of Tulane County’s commitment to providing superior service.

John can’t seem to stress this enough, “Team work—working hard for our customers—that’s our biggest strength.”

John Alvarez and Larry Blake seem to have found the winning formula for success in the ever-changing hydroponics industry—hard work, constant learning and over-the-top customer service. So what’s next for these guys? “Don’t ever think there is no room to grow—because there are opportunities every day,” John confidently assures me. And will they ever change their winning formula? “It has never changed,” he laughs. “Customer MY service is number one!”

Owners John and Sol Alvarez.

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MAX-MART

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LLC

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

www.hydrogardendelight.com

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MAX-MART

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COMING UP IN March

FEATURED ARTICLES Controlling Salt Build-Up

Salt build-up is a common occurrence in hydroponic solutions and soilless systems, which can be serious and even fatal for plants. Luckily there are a number of easy options to correct the problem that growers of all skill levels can implement.

The Pythium Predator

Do you run and cower when you hear the word Pythium?

You’re not alone. This plant plague can strike at any time leaving behind wilted leaves and brown roots. By understanding how and why it spreads, you will more easily be able to control and eventually prevent this devastating disease.

Hairy Root Tissue Culture and the Future of Horticulture

Since the dawn of agriculture, humans have controlled and experimented with plant species. The modern techniques of tissue culture assist with cultivation and micropropagation of plants by the millions, as genetic clones.

www.maximumyield.com Stay in the Know With Maximum Yield’s E-News Every month Maximum Yield’s E-News brings you the latest news, tips and tricks, reader questions, contests and upcoming events. If you are not yet subscribed to our mailing list, sign up today at www.maximumyield.com/newsletter.php. Don’t miss out. subscribe today.

Maximum Yield USA March will be available March 1 for FREE at selected indoor gardening retail stores across the country and on maximumyield.com Subscriptions are available at maximumyield.com/subscriptions.php

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I N D O O R

G A R D E N I N G

DO YOU

know?

7

8

Bare vines on some crops, particularly tomatoes, act as living plumbing, delivering food and water to the furthest points on the plant, and bare vines begin to layer up on top of one another like extension cords.

In addition to developing on plant surfaces, bio-film (a layer of ‘dirt’ or organic material) can develop on the inside of nutrient reservoirs and growing channels where they may harbor waterborne diseases such as Pythium.

9 All micro-organisms require an energy source to

survive and grow, which may exist in the rooting medium or obtained from organic materials sloughed off from the roots of the growing plant.

1 A typical LED’s lifetime is 50,000 hours.

2 Diatomacious grow rocks are rich in silica and trace elements, and unfortunately can grow algae.

3 Sucking pests such as whitefly excrete honey dew,

10Overuse of oil-based sprays may impede leaf transpiration and clog the stomata.

11Sulfur is necessary for the plant to manufacture hormones, amino acids, proteins, vitamins— including B1—plant cells and seeds.

a thick, black, sticky residue on leaf surfaces, which becomes colonized by sooty mold.

4 The rhizosphere is the narrow region of soil that is directly influenced by root secretions and associated soil micro-organisms that develops around a plant’s roots.

5 If your room’s relative humidity reads 80 per cent, it will hold around 14 pounds of water at 50°F.

6 Often a hybrid crop breed is unable to reproduce on it’s own, so strains are often cloned in order to replicate results and maintain crop continuity.

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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

ARIZONA ACI Hydroponics 1325 South Park Lane, Tempe, AZ 85282 800-633-2137 Homegrown Hydroponics 601 East Broadway Road, Tempe, AZ 85282 480-377-9096 Homegrown Hydroponics 2525 West Glendale Ave Phoenix AZ 85051 602-368-4005 Natural Pools & Gardens 2143 North Country Suite C, Tucson, AZ 85716 520-323-2627 Sea of Green Hydroponics 1301 E. University Dr. Tempe AZ, 85281 800-266-4136 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 Growfresh Organics & More 2600 S Zero St, Suite C Fort Smith, AR 72901 479.648.8885 Mickey’s Mercantile 1303 Highway 65 South, Clinton, AR 72031 501-412-0214 Old Soul Organics and More 1771 Crossover Road, Fayetteville, AR 72701 479-444-6955

CALIFORNIA 3rd Street Hydroponics 636 3rd Street Oakland, CA 94607 510-452-5521 805 Hydroponics & Organics 1785 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805-494-1785 A+ Hydroponics & Organics 1604 Babcock Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949-642-7776 A Fertile World (Eureka) 65th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 707-444-0200

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A Fertile World (Fortuna) 610 7th Street, Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-0700 Abundant Hydroponics LLC 1611 Shop Street, #1-A, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 530-54 HYDRO Advanced Garden Supply 2660 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, Building C, Unit 9, S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 530-541-4769 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 AG Natural 403 Idaho Maryland Road, Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-274 0990 All Seasons Hydroponics 17614 Chatsworth Street, Granada Hills, CA 91344 818-368-4388 Alternative Hydro 3870 East, Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107 888-50-HYDRO Always Sunny Hydroponics 708 W. Swain Road Stockton, CA 95207 209-473-9827 Always Sunny Hydroponics 2511 West LN. Stockton, CA 95205 209-939-0660 All Ways Hydro 2220 Eastridge Ave. Suite C Riverside CA 92507 888-HYDRO98 American Hydroponics 286 South G Street, Arcata, CA 95521 800-458-6543 America’s Best Hydroponics & Gardening Center 641 W. Palmdale Blvd. Unit D Palmdale, CA 93551 661-266-3906 Anthony’s Garden & Lighting Supply 30 Ridge Road, Suites 8 & 9 Sutter Creek, CA 95685 209-267-5416 Anything Grows 10607 W. River Street, Building 3 Suite C, Truckee, CA 96161 530-582-0479 Art of Hydro 2636 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805-230-2227 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 B & S Gardening Supplies 590 Commerce Court, Manteca, CA 95336 209-239-8648 Bakersfield Hydroponics 2408 Brundage Lane, Suite B Bakersfield, CA 93304 661-323-7333 Bare Roots Hydroponics 1615 East Cypress, #5 Redding, CA 96002 530-244-2215

Beginning Hydroponics PO Box 1232, Corona, CA 92787 951-735-4446 Berkeley Indoor Garden 844 University Avenue Berkeley, CA 94710 510-549-2918 Berkeley’s Secret Garden 921 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94710 510-486-0117 Best Coast Growers 4417 Glacier Avenue Suite C, San Diego, CA 92120 800-827-1876 Best Yield Garden Supply 3503 West Temple Avenue, Unit A, Pomona, CA 91768 909-839-0505 Better Choice Hydroponics 610 S. Washington Street, Senora, CA 95370 209 533 2400 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 Bloom Hydro 1602 53rd Ave. Oakland CA 94601 707 980 0456 Box Of Rain Inc. Po Box 302, Rexford, CA 59930 406-755-7245 Brentwood Hydroponics & Organics 560 Valdry Ct #85 Brentwood, CA 94513 925-634-6704 BWGS-CA 7530 W. Sunnyview Avenue 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 Calwest Hydroponics 11620 Sterling Avenue, Suite A Riverside, CA 92503 800-301-9009 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 Farm Hydroponics 8903 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Sun Valley, CA 91352 818-767-2076 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

Concord Indoor Garden 2771 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94519 925-671-2520 Conejo Hydroponics 3481 Old Conejo Road #106 Newbury Park, CA 91320 805-480-9596 Conrad Hydroponics Inc. 14915 Unit E, Olympic Drive, Clearlake, CA 95422 707-994 3264 Constantly Growing 6200 Enterprise Drive, Suite A Diamond Springs, CA 95619 530-642-9710 Constantly Growing 4343 Hazel Avenue, Fair Oaks, CA 95628 916-962-0043 Constantly Growing - Davis 123 D Street Davis, CA 95616 530-756-4774 Cultivate Ontario 2000 Grove Ave #a110 Ontario, CA 91761 909-781-6142 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 Deep Roots Garden Center & Flower Shop 207 N. Sepulveda Blvd.

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Telephone: 310-376-0567 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 Dr. Greenthumbs Hydroponic Garden Supplies 566 San Ramon Valley Blvd.

Danville, CA 94526 925-314-9376 Dutch Garden Supplies17831 Sky Park Circle Suite 12 –CIrvine CA 92614 949-748-8777 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 Flairform 1751 S Pointe Avenue, Ontario, CA 91761 213-596-8820 Flower Hut Nursery 603 4th Street Wheatland, CA 95692 530-633-4526 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 Gardening Unlimited 60 Old El Pueblo Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 831-457-1236 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 Leaf Hydroponics 3903 Patton Way #103 Bakersfield CA 93308 661-245-2616 Green Giant Hydroponics 7183 Hwy 49 Unit B Lotus CA 95651 530 622 4465 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 Light Hydroponics 2615 Honolula Ave. Montrose, CA 91020 818-640-2623 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

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

Grow It Right Aquaponics POB 552, Eureka, CA 95502 707-407-6519 Grow A Lot Hydroponics, San Diego 1591 N. Cuyamaca Street, El Cajon, CA 93612 619-749-6777 Grow 4 Less Hydroponics 320 Trousdale Ste L Chula vista, CA 91910 619-425-GROW (4769) 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 Grow4Less garden Supply & Hydroponics 320 Trousdale Dr., Suite L Chula Visa CA 91910 619-425-GROW 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 Grow Zone 718 Willow Rd. Menlo Park CA 94025 650-326-4769 Grow Wurks Hydroponics 765 S. State College Boulevard. Suite J Fullerton, CA 92831 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 Hardman Hydroponics 3511 Youree Dr Shreveport La 71105 318-865-0317 Harvest Hydroponics 6650 Merchandise Way Suite B, Diamond Springs, CA 95619 530-622-5190 Healthy Harvest Hydroponics and Organics 2958 S. Higuera St. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805.596.0430 High Desert Hydroponics 13631 Pawnee Road, #7 Apple Valley, CA 92308 760-247-2090 High Street Hydro 180 Cleveland Avenue, Auburn, CA 95603 530-885-5888 Hi-Tech Gardening 5327 Jacuzzi Street, #282, Richmond, CA 94804 510-524-4710 Hollywood Hydroponics and Organics 5109 1/2 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027-6105 323-662-1908 Home Brews & Gardens 3176 Thorn St San Diego, CA 92104 619 630 2739 Home Life Hydroponics and Organics 1745 East Vista Way, Vista, CA 92084 760-643-2150

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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 Hydro Hills Hydroponics 19320 Vanowen St. Reseda CA 91335 Hydrogarden Mendocino County 1240 North Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707-962-9252 Hydro International 7935 Alabama Avenue Canoga Park, CA 91304 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 Hydronation 2491 Boatman Drive, Suite B West Sacramento, CA 95691 916-372-4444 HydroPacific - Hydroponics & Garden Supplies 351 C Hastings Av., Ukiah, CA 95482 707-467-0400 Hydroponic Connection Warehouse, The 1995 Evans Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124 415-824-9376 Hydroponics 4 Less 41669 Winchester Avenue, Temecula, CA 92590 800-A1-HYDRO Hydroponics Market 15816 Arminta St Van Nuys, CA 91406 818-305-6261 Hydroponics Plus 2250 Commerce Avenue, Suite C Concord, CA 94520 925-691-7615

Hydroponics Unlimited 641 W. Palmdale Blvd. “D” Palmdale, CA 93550 661-266-3906 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 Indoor Garden Depot 1848 Commercial St. San Diego CA 92113 619-255-3552 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) 5060 Santa Fe St. Ste.D San Diego, CA 92109 858-578-4477 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 KY Wholesale 8671 Elder creek Rd. #600 Sacramento, CA 95828 916 383 3366 La Habra 1301 S Beach Boulevard, La Habra, CA 90631 562-947-8383 LAX Hydro 10912 S. La Cienaga Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90304 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 Los Angeles Hydroponics and Organics 3007-3009 W. Artesia Blvd.

Torrance, CA 90504 310-323-4937 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 M&M Garden Supply 22540 D Foothill Boulevard, 2509 Westlane Suite B Stockton, CA 95205 Marin Hydroponics 1219 Grant Avenue, Novato, CA 94945 415-897-2197 Medicine Man Farms 1602 53rd Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601 707-980-0456

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 Miramar Hydroponics & Organics 8952 Empire Street San Diego CA 92126 858-549-8649 Modern Gardens 26620 Valley Center Dr. Santa Clarita, CA 91351 661-513-4733 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 1900 Bendixsen Street , Bldg. 1, Samoa, CA 95564 800-683-1114 (Northern CA) National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply 6485 Brisa Street, Livermore, CA 94550 888-570-4678 (Southern CA) National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply 1950 C South Grove Avenue, Ontario, CA 91761 888-888-3319 Natural Pest Controls 8320 B Hazel Avenue, Orangevale, CA 95662 916-726-0855 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 60 West 4th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 707-444-9999 Northcoast Horticulture Supply 357 Main Street, Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-5550 Northcoast Horticulture Supply 1070 Highway 101, Crescent City, CA 95531 707-464-1200

Northcoast Horticulture Supply 639 6th St. Arcata, CA 95521 707-826-9998 Northcoast Horticulture Supply 1580 Nursery Way 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 Nutes Int’l 204 N Quarantina Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 805-687-6699 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 Orville Organic Gardens 5250 Olive Hwy Ste 1 Oroville, CA 95966 530-589-9950 Orsa Organix 111 Willow Street, Redwood City, CA 94063 650-369-1269 Pacific Beach Hydroponics 1852 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, CA 92109 858-274-2559 Pacific Coast Hydroponics 4147 Sepulveda Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90230 310-313-1354 Pacific Garden Supply 128 H Carlos Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903 Pacifica Hydroponics 90 Eureka Square Pacifica, CA 94044 650-355-5100 Palm Springs Hydroponics 4651 Ramon Road, Palm Springs, CA 92264 760-327-ROOT

Palm Tree Hydroponics 2235 E 4th St,Suite G Ontario, CA 91764 909-941-9017 Plant It Earth 2279 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94114 415-626-5082 Plant Life 32 Race Street, San Jose, CA 95126 408-283-9191 Plant-N-Grow 1602 53rd Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601 707-980-0456 Precision Hydroponics 132 Kennedy Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008 408-866-8176 Probiotic Solutions 20889 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville, CA 95441 707-354-4342 Pro Gardening Systems 3715 Santa Rosa Avenue #2, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 707-585-8633 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 Reforestation Technologies International 1341 Daton Street, Units G&I Salinas, CA 93901 831-424-1494; 800-RTI-GROW RH Distribution 1751 S. Pointe Avenue Ontario, CA 91761 888-545-8112

Roots Grow Supply 1330 North Hulbert, #101 Fresno, CA 93728 559-840-0122 Roots Grow Supply 40091 Enterprise Dr. Oakhurst CA 93644 559 683 6622 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 Diego Hydroponics Beach Cities 4122 Napier Street, San Diego, CA 92110 619-276-0657 San Diego Hydroponics North 802 N. Twin Oaks Valley Road #108 San Marcos, CA 92069 760-510-1444 San Diego Hydroponics North County Coastal 6352 Corte Del Abeto #J Carlsbad CA, 92011 760-420-8934 San Francisco Hydro 123 Tenth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 San Rafael Hydroponics 1417 Fourth Sreet San Rafael, CA 94901 415 455 9655 Santa Clarita Valley Hydroponics 25835 Railroad Ave. #26 Santa Clarita CA 91350 661 255 3700 661 255 3701 Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - West Side 815 Almar Avenue, Unit K, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-466-9000 Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - East Side 4000 Cordelia Lane Soquel, CA 95073 831-475-9900 Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - North 6241 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA 95018 831-335-9990 Santee Hydroponics 7973A Mission Gorge Road, Santee, CA 92071 619-270-8649 SB Hydro 1109 W. 190th Street, Unit #F, Gardena, CA 90248 310-538-5788 Seaside Hydrogarden 1070 Highway 101 North, Crescent City, CA 95531 707-465-3520 Shadow Valley Aquatics 75 Kimick Way, Red Bluff, CA 96080 530-526-0479 Skywide Import & Export Ltd. 5900 Lemon Hill Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95824 916-383-2369 Socal Hydroponics 1727-B Oceanside Boulevard, Oceanside, CA 92054 760-439-1084 South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - Mtn. View 569 East Evelyn Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94041 650-968-4070 South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - San Jose 1185 South Bascom Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128 408-292-4040 South County Hydroponics 22511 Aspan Street, Suite E Lake Forest, CA 92630 949-837-8252 South Valley Hydroponics 320 Kishimura Drive, #3 Gilroy, CA 95020 1-866-848-GROW Southern Humbolt Garden Supplies 34919 Yucaipa Boulevard, Yucaipa, CA 92399 909-797-6888

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

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 Stop N Grow 340 Pine Avenue, Goleta, CA 93003 805-685-3000 Stop N Grow 4160 Market Street, Unit 11 Ventura, CA 93003 805-639-9489 Stop N Grow 640 S. Frontage Road, Nipomo, CA 93444 805-619-5125 Sun-In Hydroponics 1257A Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 707-578-5747 Sunland Hydroponics 8300 Foothill Boulevard, Sunland, CA 91040 818-352-5300 Sunland Hydroponics 4136 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90065 323-254-2800 Supersonic Hydroponic and Organic Garden Supply 850 Shasta Avenue, Suite B Morro Bay, CA 93442 805-772-5869 Supersonic Hydroponic and Organic Garden Supply 3850 Ramada Drive, Unit D2 Paso Robles, CA 93446 805-434-2333 Super Starts PO Box 732, Bellmont, CA 94002 650-346-8009 Surf City Hydroponics 7319 Warner Street, Suite B Huntington Beach, CA 92647 714-847-7900 Sweet Leaf Hydroponics 1611 Sebastobol Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 707-575-GROW (4237) Sylvandale Gardens 1151 Evergreen Road, Redway, CA 95560 707-923-3606 Tahoe Garden Supply 645 Westlake Boulevard, Suite 2, PO Box 487 Tahoe City, CA 96145 530-581-3200 Tell 2 Friends Indoor Gardening 62 Sutherland Drive, Auburn, CA 95603 530-889-8171 The Green Shop 66420 Mooney Boulevard, Suite 1 Visalia, CA 93277 559-688-4200 The Hydro Source 671 E. Edna Place Covina, CA 91723 877 HYDRO 82; 626-915-3128 The Hydro Shop 3980 Saco Road Bakersfield, CA 661-399-3336 The Otherside Hydroponics 19425 Ventura Blvd Tarzana CA 91356 818 881 hydro (4937) The Shop 6542 Front Street, Forestville, CA 95436 707-887-2280 The Urban Farmer Store 653 E. Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415-380-3840 The Urban Farmer Store 2833 Vicente Street, San Francisco, CA 94116 415-661-2204

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Maximum Yield USA | February 2011

The Urban Farmer Store 2121 San Joaquin Street, Richmond, CA 94804 510-524-1604 Thrive Hydroponics 70 A West North Street, Healdsburg, CA 95446 707-433-4068 Thunders Hydroponic Center 1729 Yosemite Boulevard, Medesco, CA 95354 TNC Supply 9490 Main Street, P.O. Box 763 Upper Lake, CA 95485 707-275-9565 Total Hydroponics Center Inc 4820 Paramount Blvd Lakewood, CA 90712 562-984-GROW (4769) 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, Farmersville, 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 Quail Mountain Ranch 230 Palm Ave Auburn, CA 95603 530-889-2390 Ultra Lo Hydro ultralohydro.com 937-252-8224 Under The Sun 12638 Foothill Boulevard, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423 707-998-GROW (4769) Urban Gardens 22516 Ventura Boulevard, Woodland Hills, CA 91364 818-876-0222 Urban Gardens Unlimited UrbanGardens 704 Filbert Street, San Francisco, CA 94133 415-421-4769 US Garden 417 Agostinio Rd San Gabriel Ca 91776 626 285-5009 advanced hydroponics and gardening

704 Filbert Street, San Francisco, CA 94133

US Garden 417 Agostinio Rd San Gabriel Ca 91776 626 285-5009 US Orchid & Hydroponic Supplies 1621 South Rose Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93033 805-247-0086 Valley Garden Solutions Inc. 15650 Nordhoff Avenue, Suite 104, North Hills, CA 91345 818-336-0041 Valley Hydroponics 6632 N Blackstone Avenue, Unit B Fresno, CA 93710 559-449-0426 Valley Rock Landscape Supply 2222 N H Street Lompoc CA 93436 P: 805 736 0841 805 735 5921 Victory Garden Supply 1900 N Lincoln St #100 Dixon CA 95620 707 678 5800 Vital Landscaping Inc. 12817 Loma Rica Drive, Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-273-3187 Watch It Grow Hydro 9453 Firestone Blvd.

Downey, CA 90241 562-861-1982

Wai Kula Hydrogardens 5297 Linda Vista Road, San Diego, CA 92110 619-299-7299 Weather Top Nursery 44901 Harmon Drive, Laytonville, CA 95454 707-984-6385 We Grow Hydroponics 3350 East Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley, CA 93063 805-624-4566 West Coast Growers Hydroponics 13481 Colifax Highway, Grass Valley, CA 95945 888-924-4769 West Coast Hydroponics, Inc. 27665 Forbes Road, Unit 10 Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 949-348-2424 Western Auto 1156 Main Street, Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-1189

COLORADO ACME Hydroponics 300 Nickel St Suite 3 Broomfield, CO 80020 720.524.7306 All Seasons Gardening 434 Turner Drive, Suite 2B Durango, CO 81303 (970) 385-4769 Alpenglow Garden Supply 2712 South College Ave Fort Collins, CO 80525 970-266-8888 Bath Nursery & Garden Center 2000 E. Prospect, Fort Collins, CO 80525 970-484-5022 Blue Sky Hydroponics 1301 Florida Road Unit C Durango, CO 81301 970-375-1238 Boulder Hydroponics 1630 N. 63rd Street, #5, Boulder, CO 80301 303-415-0045 Brighton Hydroponics 839so.Kuner rd., Brighton Colorado 80601 303-655-1427 BWGS-CO 11685 E. 55th Avenue Denver, CO 80239 888-316-1306 Chlorophyll 3801 Mariposa St. Denver CO 80211 303-433-1155 Colorado Grow 3400 Industrial Lane, Unit 10A Broomfield, CO 80020 P (303) 465-GROW (4769) Cultivate Hydroponics & Organics 7777 W. 38th Avenue, #A120A, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 303-954-9897 Deep Roots Garden Supply 1790 Airport Road, Unit 1 Breckenridge, CO 80424 970-453-1440 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 Family Hydroponics-Boulder 2125 32nd Street Boulder, co 80301 303-996-6100 Garden Tech 737 Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 719-278-9777

Go Green Hydro 1005 Caprice Drive, Castle Rock, CO 80109 303-688-0599 Greeley Nutrients 700 11th Street Unit 101 Greeley CO 80631 970 673 8302 Greenhouse Tech 917 East Fillmore, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 719-634-0637 GroWize 3225 S. Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80227 303-986-2706 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 970-569-313 High Tech Garden Supply 5275 Quebec St. Commerce City, CO 80022 720-222-0772 Hydro Grow Supply 644 Peterson Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80915 719-596-2600 Hydro Planet 711 Washington Avenue, Golden, CO 80401 303-279-6090 Hydro Shack, The 220 Main Street, Suite E Frisco, CO 80443 970-668-0359 Indoor Garden Warehouse 8100 S Akron St., Suite 322, Centennial, CO 80112 720-496-2110 Indoor Paradise Hydroponics 309 S. Summit View, Unit 17, Fort Collins, CO 80524-1462 970-221-3751 J&D Organic Growing Solutions 217 1/2 Clayton Street Brush, CO 80723 970-310-5408 Lyons Indoor Gardening 138 Main Street, Lyons, CO 80540 720-530-3828 Mile High Hydroponics 37 Strong St. Brighton, CO 80601 303 637 0069 National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply 3550 B Odessa Way, Aurora, CO 80011 866-877-4188 (Northeast) Nick’s Garden Center 2001 S. Chambers, Aurora, CO 80014 303-696-6657 Olympic Hydroponics Supply LLC. 1530 S Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 719-635-5859 Polar Ray 5171 Eldorado Springs Dr. Boulder, CO 80303 303 494 5773 Primo Gardens 1600 North Ave. Suite B Grand Junction, CO 81501 970-241-1209 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 Roll-N-Green Farms Horticultural Supply 25797 Conifer Rd #A-8 Conifer, Co 80433 303-838-5520

The Grow Outlet 4272 Lowell Boulevard Denver, CO 80211 303-586-5543 Ultra Lo Hydro ultralohydro.com 937-252-8224 Victory Hydro Gardening 1387 E. South Boulder Rd. Louisville, CO, 80027 Tel: 303-664-9376 Way To Grow 301 East 57th Ave. Denver, CO 80216 303-296-7900 Way To Grow 3201 E. Mulberry Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524 970-484-4769 Way To Grow 6395 Gunpark Drive, Boulder, CO 80301 303-473-4769

CONNECTICUT 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 Absolute Hydroponic Garden Center Inc 1607 Old Daytona Steet Deland, FL 32724 386-734-0696 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 Biofloral 6250 NW 27th Way, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309 877 735 6725 Best Hydro 4920 Lena Road, Bradenton, FL 34211 941-756-1928 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 Eden Garden Supply 5044 N. Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL 32505 850-439-1299 Esposito Garden Center 2743 Capital Circle NE, Tallahassee, FL 32308 850-386-2114 Evershine Hydroponics 1519 Capital Circle NE Unit #35 Tallahassee FL 32308 850-765-0040 EZ Grow Green 604 S.W. Bayshore Blvd.

Port St. Lucie, Fl 34983 772-807-7755 Florida Garden Supplies 2692 W 79 Street, Hialeah, FL 33016 1-800-931-5215 Florida Garden Supplies 8020 Belvedere Road, Unit 4, West Palm Beach, FL 33411 800-931-5215

Florida Garden Supplies 9545 Sunset Drive, Miami, FL 33173 800-931-5215 Florida Garden Supplies 8442 Tradeport Drive, Unit 200, Orlando, FL 32827 800-931-5215 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 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 Grace’s Hydro-Organic Garden Center 8877 North 56th Street Tampa, FL 33617 813-514-9376 Green Thumb Hydroponics Supplies 13482 North Cleveland Avenue, Fort Meyers, FL 33903 239-997-4769 GreenTouch Hydroponics Inc. 5011 S State Road 7, Suite 104 Davie, FL 33314 954-316-8815 Green Winters Inc. 147 Tomoka Avenue, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 386-235-8730 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 Hydroponic Depot II 2395 S Tamiami Trail #19 Port Charlotte FL 33952 941 255 3999t Hydroponics International Inc. 7029-10 Commonwealth Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32220 904-693-6554 Hydroponics of Tampa 120 W. Bougain Villea, Tampa, FL 33612 813-333-6828 Hydro Terra Corp.

924 North Federal Highway, Hollywood, FL 33020 954-920-0889 Monkey Hydroponics 940 West Oakland Ave. Unit A1 Oakland FL 34787 407 574 8495 National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply 455 S. Andrews Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 877-649-3567 (Southeast) Palm Beach Discount Hydroponics – East 968 North Congress Ave. West Palm Beach, FL 33409 561 296 6161 Palm Beach Discount Hydroponics – West 14703 Sothern Blvd.

Loxahatchee, FL 33470 561 296 8555

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

Palm Beach Hydroponics Supply, Inc. 968 N. Congress Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33409 561-296-6161 Palm Coast Hydroponics 4490 N Hwy US1 Ste. 108 Bunnell FL 32110 386 246 4119 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 The Healthy Harvest Ste. 126 21113 Johnson St. Pembroke Pines, FL. 33029 Tel: 954-538-1511 Urban Organics & Hydroponics 5325 Fairmont Street, Jacksonville, FL 32207 904-398-8012 Urban Sunshine 6142 S. Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32809 407-859-7728 Urban Sunshine 6100 Hanging Moss Rd ste 500 Orlando, FL 32807 407-647-4769 Urban Sunshine 1420 E. Altamonte Dr. Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 407-830-4769 VitaOrganix 7921 NW 67th St Miami, FL 33166 786 845 8633 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 Aiyah’s Garden 3-3122 Kuhio Hwy. unit B-2 Lihue, Hi. 96766 808 245 2627 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

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Harvest Moon Hydroponics 1336 East Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 4620 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 Worm’s Way Mail Order 7850 North State Road 37 Bloomington, IN 47404 800-274-9676

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 615 Industrial Drive, Unit A Cary, IL 60013 800-444-2837 Big Grow Hydroponics 9225 Trinity Drive, Lake In The Hills, IL 60156 847-854-4450 Brew and Grow 359 W. Irving Park Road Unit E, Roselle, IL 60172 630-894-4885 Brew and Grow 3625 N. Kedzi Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618 773-463-7430 Brew and Grow 3224 South Alpine Road, Rockford, IL 61109 815-874-5700 Brew and Grow 2379 Bode Road, Schaumburg, IL 60440 630-771-0555 Brew and Grow 181 Crossroads Parkway, Bolingbrook, IL 60194 847-885-8282 Fertile Ground 463 West MacArthur Drive, Cottage Hills, IL 62018 618-259-5500 Goldman's Grow Shop 910 Greenwood Road, Glenview, IL 60025 847-657-7250 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 Organic Garden Center 9223 Skokie Blvd.

Skokie, IL 60077 (847) 675-2722 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-IN 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

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

KENTUCKY

Inc.

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 Geaux Hydroponics!

2126 O’Neal Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70816 225-751-4769 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 Evergreen Garden Center 301 Forest Avenue Portland, ME 04101 207-761-2800 Green Thumb Indoor Gardening 19 Stage Road, St. Albans, ME 04971 207-938-5909 Greenlife Garden Supply 611 US Rt. 1 York, ME 03909 978 262 9966 High Tech Garden Supply – Maine178 Rand Rd.Portland, ME 04102 Phone 207-899-4387 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 High Tech Garden Supply 560 Boston Turnpike (Rt.9) Shrewsbury, MA 01545 508-845-4477 LiquidSun® MA 8 Lynwood Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040 413-539-6875 New England Hydroponics 15 D College 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 Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The 6540 Allen Road, Allen Park, MI 48101

313-383-1766 Cultivation Station 3 Inc. 46912 Gratiot, Chesterfield, MI 48051 586-949-7453 Flo-N-Grow.

214 N. 2nd Street, Niles, MI 49120 269-683-1877 Flower Factory, The 2223 East Highland Road Highland, MI 48356 248-714-9292 Green Forest Indoor Garden Supply, LLC. 2555 N. State(M-66) Rd. Ionia, MI 48846 616-523-6111 Gro Blue Indoor Gardening Supplies 270 W. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 734-913-2750 Grow Store, The 721 W. Blue Star Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684 231-421-5191 Grow Show, The 4095 Stone School Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 (734)-677-0009 (734)-677-0509 Growco Garden Supply 1042 Michigan Street, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 877-939-6900 Growing Consultant 2260 Apple Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49442 231-773-5600 High Tech Garden Supply 7889 Telegraph Road.

Taylor, MI 48180 313-908-7554

Holland Hydroponic Outlet 587-40 East 8th Street Holland, MI 49423 616-298-7395 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 Hydro Giant 14455 Ford Rd, Dearborn, MI 313-216-8888 Hydro Giant 19363 Eureka Rd, Southgate, MI 734.281.8888 Hydro Giant 21651 W. 8 Mile Rd. Detroit, MI (8Mile & Lahser) 313-387-7700 Hydro Grow, The 8210 Telegraph Road, Taylor, MI 48180 313-633-0641 Hydrospot 34236 Michigan Avenue, Wayne, MI 48184 734-722-1285 Hydro Vision 1247 e Grand River Howell, MI 48843 Hydro Vision 1910 West rd Trenton, MI 48183 Hydro Vision 2858 E Highland rd Highland, MI 48356 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 Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC 3218 W. Houghton Avenue West Branch, MI 48661 989-345-8800 Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC 9091 W. Lake City Road Houghton Lake, MI 48629 989-422-2800

Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC 799 S. Wisconsin Avenue Gaylord, MI 49735 989 731 8800 Ultra Lo Hydro ultralohydro.com 937-252-8224 Urban Gardening Center, The 2520 22nd Street, Detroit, MI 48216 313-898-0200 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

MISSISSIPPI Indoor Garden Shop LLC 1310 Bienville Boulevard, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 228-875-3725

MISSOURI Divine Hydroponics 301 North Bishop Avenue, Rolla, MO 65401 573-426-2348 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 Mall Drive, St. Peters, MO 63376 636-397-4769 (GROW) Heartland Hydrogardens 705 Vandiver Drive, Suite G Columbia, MO 65202 HYDROGARDENS 573-474-4769 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

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MAXIMUM YIELD MONTANA

distributors

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 Big Sky Garden Supply 528 West Idaho, Kallispell, MT 59901 406-755-1465 Cornucopia Grow Your Own 127 Stoner Creek Road Lakeside, MT 59922 406-709-1076 Dr. Green Thumbs 1106 West Park, Livingston, MO 59047 406-222-7440 Heightened Harvests 2018 Main Street #4, Billings, MT 59105 406-252-4311 Heightened Harvests 3103 Harrison Avenue, Suite B Butte, MT 59701 One World – Life Products 906 Broadwater Billings MO 59101 406 839 9969

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 Best Hydroponic Supply 6818 W Cheyenne, Las Vegas, NV 89108 702-750-9300 Carson Valley Hydroponics 2520 Empire Ranch Road, Carson City, NV 89701 775-884-4769 Hydro Store, The 7145 W. Ann Road, Las Vegas, NV 89130 702-434-9376 Hydro Store, The 1014 W. Sunset Road, Henderson, NV 89014 702-434-7365 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

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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 HYDROPONICS 609-570-8829

greentouch2 INC.

NEW MEXICO 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 All Seasons Gardening 3600 Osuna Road, Suite 406 Alburquerque, NM 87109 505-508-4292 All Seasons Gardening 1228 Parkway, Suite E Sante Fe, NM 87507 505-438-GROW Common Shaman 1319 San Mateo N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87110 505-255-6463

NEW YORK Bklyn Hydro & Garden 3116 McGuiness Blvd Brooklyn NY 11222 718-383-0095 Bronx Hydro & Garden 39 Bruckner Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10454 718-993-3787 Brooklyn Farms 521 Hicks Street Brooklyn, NY 11231 347-725-3491 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 Green Zone Hydroponics 2148 Niagara Falls Blvd.

Tonawanda, NY. 14150 716-693-9663 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 Revolution Hydroponics 309 West State St. Olean NY 14760 716.373.Grow (4769) 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 The Grape Vine 4020 Hempstead Turnpike Bethpage,NY,11714 516-731-1100 Upstate Hydroponics 2026 Lake Rd unit B Elmira, NY 14903 607 483 9199

NORTH CAROLINA

Be Well Hydroponics & Urban Gardening 4732 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC 28205 704-344-8010 BWGS-NC 4045 Perimeter West Drive, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28214 800-316-1306 Fifth Season Gardening Company 21 B Westside Dr. Asheville NC 28806 828-225-5007 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) Good Harvest Garden Center 629 Oakridge Farm Hwy. Mooresville NC 28115 704-658-9136

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

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 Eastside Hydroponics 550 Ohio Pike Cincinnati, OH 45255 513-528-GROW Garden Connections 3341 Centerpoint Dr. Grove City OH 43123 614 871 0707 Garden Indoors of Ohio 4720 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, OH 43214 800-833-6868 Greenleaf Hydroponics 1805 Elm Road, Warren, OH 44483 330-372-1039 Grow Wizard, The 5700 Denison Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102 216-961-2500 Harvest Moon 9215 Market Street, Youngstown (North Lima), OH 44452 800-776-8399 Herb-N-Garden Center 14901 Puritas Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44135 216-252-2001 Hydro Gardens and Lights 1144 N Memorial Drive Lancaster, OH 43130 705-65 Hydro 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 Toledo Hydroponics Ltd. 855 S. Holland-Sylvania Road, Suite 2 Toledo, OH 43615 1-877-893-0716 Trinity Hydro Organics 465 Woodman Drive Riverside, OH 45431 937-252-GROW

Urban Gardens 671 E. Center Street Marion, OH 43302 740-375-2800

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

ADVANCED ORGANICS & GARDEN SUPPLY 290- B MERLIN AVENUE MERLIN, OREGON 97532 541-659-1466 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 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 Bloom Garden Supply 518 NE 20th Ave. Portland, OR 97232 (971)255-1336 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 Gorilla Garden Supply 1810 Virginia Avenue, North Bend, OR 97459 Garden Supplies 541-756-5005 Green Zone Garden Center & Hydroponic Supplies 454 S.W. Coast Hwy Newport OR 97365 USA P: 541-265-8252 Green Zone Garden Center & Hydroponic Supplies 1845 S W Hwy. 101 Ste. 3 Lincoln OR 97367 USA P: 541 994 7070 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 & Out Gardens 1574 Skypark Drive Medford, OR 97501 541-858-3333 In & Out Gardens 93484 Hwy 99 South Junctin CIty OR 97448 541-234-2342 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 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 97233503-465-9909 Paradise Supply LLC 560 NE. "F" Street, Unit C, Grand Pass, OR 97526 541-955-7293 Rain or Shine 13126 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230 503-255-1981 Rogue Silicates Inc. POB 21, Azalea, OR 97410 541-837-8590 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

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

Vital Organix 932-B SE “M” Street Grants Pass, OR 97526 541-226-9283 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 Buds to Blooms Garden and Supply Co., LLC 509 Orchard Avenue Kennett Square, PA 19348 484-860-8056 422 GROW 1775 North Main Street Extension Butler, PA 16001-1327 724-561-3777 Flairform POB 1417, Lansdale, PA 19446 215-395-6353 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 Hydro Ponics of Harrisburg 310 South 10th Street, Lemoyne, PA 17043 877-684-3808 National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply 450 Grim Lane, York,PA 17406 877-779-7111(Northeast) New Stanton Hydro 150 Post Ave. New Stanton, PA. 15672 724-635-0297 Organic Garden Center 800 Washington Blvd.

Williamsport, PA 17701 570-322-3120 PA Hydroponics & Home Gardening Supply 20 Quaker Church Road, York Springs, PA 17372 717-528-4175 Pocono Hydroponic Solutions 25 Route 611 Bartonsville, PA 18321 Tel: 570-730-4544 RH Distribution POB 1417 Lansdale, PA 19446 888-545-8112 Western Pennsylvania Innovative Gardening 1177 Pittsburgh Road, Suite 103 Valencia, PA 16059 724 - 903 - 0800

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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 Organically Grown 768 Atwood Ave Cranston, RI 02920 401-944-0549 Solar Seed Hydroponics, Inc. 2406 Putman Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814 401-710-9010

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; Greenspirit Hydrogardens 3600 Unite 1 Hwy.17 S. North Myrtle Beac, SC 29582 843-361-7777 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

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Worm’s Way Tennessee 901 Main Street, Nashville, TN 37072 800-397-4153

TEXAS Abundant Harvest Hydroponics & Organics 3101 Avenue E East, Arlington Road, TX 76011 817-649-0100 Airline Hydroponics P.O. Box 980904, Trader’s Village #363, Houston, TX 77098 713-942-0484 Botani Garden 15120 Bellaire Blvd 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 Organic Garden & Feed 3801 N Interstate Hwy 35, Suite126, Denton Texas 76207 940-381-9890 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

VERMONT Green Thumb Gardening P.O. Box 235, Route 15, Underhill, VT 5489 800-564-9376 Greenthumb - Vermont 394 Route 15, Jericho, VT 05465 802-899-4323 LiquidSun® VT 1 Bellows Falls Road, (Route 5 North) Putney, VT 05158 802-387-1100 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 Fifth Season Gardening Company 900 Preston Ave. Charlottesville VA 22903 434-293-2332 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

West VIRGINIA Panhandle Hydroculture 800 East Moler Ave. Martinsburg, WV 25401 304-240-7587

WASHINGTON 509 Grow 2718 N Division Spokane, WA 99207 509-327-GROW(4769)

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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 Green Tree Hydroponics and Garden 12316 Pacific Ave South Tacoma, WA 98444 253-495-6757 Good 2 Gro 3507 W Clearwater Ave. Kennewick WA 99336 P: 509 737 1313 Go-N-Green Hydroponics 1241 State Ave Suite #102 Marysville, WA 98270 (360)386-8230 Grow Center, The 2808 W Sprague Soca WA 99202 509-456-GROW GROGRO HYDRO 12316 32nd AVE NE #103 Seattle, WA 98125 Healthy Grow Indoor Garden Supplies 10 SE Everett Mall Way Suite B Everett WA 98208 425-374-2227 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 8606 Preston Fall City Rd. SE Preston WA 98050 425 222 9661 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 1250 Atlantic Ave, Woodland, WA 98674 360-841-8055 InDoor Gardening 1158 Commerce Longview WA, 98632 360-353-3851 Indoor Tropics 5930 Sunburst Lane #B Cashmere, WA 98815 509-470-7782 Island Horticulture Supply 8608 S March Point Rd. Anacortes WA 98221 P: 360 293 000 Island Hydroponic & Supplies 1515 5th Street #B, Marysville, WA 98271 425-299-5855 Kent Garden Supplies Ltd. 18817 East Valley Highway, Kent, WA 98032 425-251-9299

Kitsap Garden & Lighting 2130 6th Street, Bremerton, WA 98312 360-377-1277 Linda’s Gardening & Hydroponics 11522 Canyon Road East, Puyallup, WA 98373 253-531-9641 Liquid Sunshine Hydroponics 5087 Lincoln Road, Blaine, WA 98230 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 (360) 474-1900 National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight Supply 4525 NW Fruit Valley Road, Vancouver, WA 98660 888-478-6544 (Northwest) National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight Supply 5408 NE 88th Street, Building A, Vancouver, WA 98665 888-478-6544 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 Sodo Hydro 1727 1st Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98134 888-904-9376 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 VM Indoor Garden Supply 2903 NE 109th Ave Ste. D Vancouver, WA 98682 P: (360) 256-2933

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

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