USA Sep 2011

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Basic Plant Genetics

basic principles at work behind the modification of plant genetics can be demonstrated with a simple pack of playing cards.

Beat the heat www.maximumyield.com

2011

Indoor gardenING expo

long beach | california, usa october 22-23

NEW: Follow us on Twitter

indoorgardeningexpo.com

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CONTENTS September 2011

FEATURES 46 80

Fantastic Fresh Fodder

96

Biological Diversity and Microbe Strength

by Dr. Lynette Morgan

by Evan Folds

104

Unique Heirloom Tomatoes

by Matt LeBannister

118

Troubleshooting Your pH Tester

by Beth Dumey and Steve Goldberg

128 132

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A Sea of Fish Fertilizers

68

Have You Forgotten About Magnesium?

by Grubbycup

by Donald Lester

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DEPARTMENTS 10

From the Editor

114

Avant-Gardening

12

Letters to the Editor

130

Growing for Health

14

MaximumYield.com

142

Tips and Tricks

20

Simon Says

158

You Tell Us

22

MAX Facts

170

Talking Shop

30

Product Spotlight

172

Max Mart

80

Green Thumb Gardening

178

Coming up in October

102

Beginner’s Corner

179

Do You Know?

180

Distributors

Grow Your Own Fresh Air by by Emma Cooper

Basic Plant Genetics

by Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr.

56

82

46

Photosynthesis and Plant Nutrition

by Bently Mills

144

Beat the Heat

by Lee McCall

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FROM THE EDITOR | Jessica Raymond

Autumn signifies transition, a new season and a chance to modify and improve your... current garden or to start a new one.

This September issue gives you all the tools and information to do so. With 15+ articles on plant nutrition, fish fertilizers, plant genetics, microbes, micropropagation, pH troubleshooting and more, we have a readful to get you started.

Growing with nature tends to be a key theme in our industry as many of us work toward a greener future through the power of modern gardening techniques. This includes using the powers of the sea to strengthen your crops; beating the heat naturally; rooftop farms; and organic products.

We elaborate on these earth friendly ideas in the following pages. Along with an abundance of new products and gardening news, we are proud to showcase American patriots and industry leaders DL Wholesale and retail pioneers Hefty Harvest.

This fall marks the finale of Maximum Yield’s 2011 Indoor Garden Expo Tour in Long Beach, California October 23 featuring an expanded floor plan with over 250+ booths. You’re all invited on Sunday, general public day, to see, learn, discover and grow! Keep posted at indoorgardenexpo.com for event details and 2012 Expo Tour dates.

Jessica Raymond, editor editor@maximumyield.com

contributors Dr. Lynette Morgan holds a B. Hort.

Lee McCall is an alumnus of Johnson &

Wales University. His extensive culinary background helped him gain experience in and knowledge of fine dining and food production, which developed into a career in the hydroponics and year-round gardening industry. Lee and his business partner use their Denver-based businesses to educate the public on sustainable gardening and high quality produce.

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

Grubbycup has been an avid

indoor gardener for over 20 years.

His articles were first published in the United Kingdom, and since then his gardening advice has been published in French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Czechoslovakian and German.

He is also considered one of the world’s leading authorities on crochet hydroponics.

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.

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

Bentley Mills owns Georgia-based

Donald Lester is the plant

Beth Dumey is senior marketing communications specialist for Oakton Instruments. As a professional communicator, her articles have appeared in a variety of trade magazines, newsletters, and online venues. Visit www.4oakton.com

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.

FloraHydroponics. He operates a one acre commercial hydroponic greenhouse where he grows produce using deep pool floating raft technology. Bentley’s background in horticulture began while managing Micro Macro International (MMI).

Bentley can be contacted at Bentley@ florahydroponics.com

Steven Goldberg is marketing

manager for Oakton Instruments and has more than 21 years experience both in the laboratory and marketing as well as developing laboratory instrumentation including pH meters.

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

Become a Maximum Yield contributor and have your articles read by 250,000 readers throughout USA, Canada, UK, New Zealand and Australia. Maximum Yield is the largest free-to-consumer indoor gardening magazine in the world.

Every issue is available on maximumyield.com, which has thousands of unique visitors monthly.

Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Lost Online

San Francisco Success via Facebook

I am reading your July 2011 issue of MY USA. In it is an article by Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr. entitled Hydroponics: A Neverending Learning Experience. In the article a book by Dr. Jones, Hydroponic Handbook: How Hydroponic Growing Systems Work is referenced. I tried to locate the book to purchase it, but I am unable to locate the book or a seller of the book. Could you provide me with any information as to how I can locate this book? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks for a great show Maximum Yield! We had a great time up here and met a lot of fans and customers. See you all at Long Beach!

Nutrifield At the Maximum Yield Indoor Garden Expo Kari Kolden won a big martini glass vase from us.

SteadyGROWpro Thank you for being so great to myself and the EZ-CLONE crew! We love you guys and the show was a blast.

Thank you, Don Bates

Zry Dsp

Did you visit Amazon.com? The book is available there for $19.95.

An e-version is also available.

Nice show in San Francisco. Hope to see you all there next year!

Grozone Control Inc. Thanks for another great show. The Humboldt Nutrients crew always appreciates what Maximum Yield staff and magazine does for us. See you all in Long Beach 2011.

Fine Food, Friendly Face

Humboldt Nutrients

I appreciate you featuring Daniel Klein and The Perennial Plate in your magazine.

As a supporter of eco-food and sustainability myself, I started following Daniel on Twitter, as his interests align with mine. I’ve watched every episode from the new season and am working my way back through last season’s episodes. My favorites are Brothers and Mushroom Music, but they are all wonderful—original and thought-provoking.

Kayla Roberts

Thanks again for another amazing show guys! Think it was the best one yet! See ya at Long Beach.

Green Planet Wholesale Jenny Hunt won our other vase at the Maximum Yield Magazine Indoor Garden Expo. We had so much fun!

SteadyGROWpro Had a lot of fun at the show. It was awesome and every one was so helpful and just all around fun. Especially the guys from SteadyGROWpro.

David Grunwald Had a great time at the show this year! Thanks for letting us be part of it!

Michelle Marie White

Expo Enthusiast From Cali I am 15-years-old and work at Nor Cal Hydrogardens and Organics out of Redding, California. This year’s expo in San Francisco was awesome; it was cool to see all the reps and owners of the major products. Thank you for putting on this show again. I hope to see you all next year.

Logan

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Horticontrol thanks you for yet another awesome show!

Horti Kris Thank you for putting on the expo! My wife and I had a great time and it looks like everyone else did as well. Looking forward to next year!

Cheers Justin Flowers We had a great time at the show this weekend.

Thanks

Serenade Garden Disease Control We want to hear from you!

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

Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

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Coming up on the Web Upcoming Events See, Learn, Discover and Grow at the 2011 Long Beach Indoor Gardening Expo Maximum Yield is excited to welcome you to the 2nd Annual Long Beach Indoor Gardening Expo, October 23, 2011.

See live demonstrations, learn at our information sessions, discover new techniques and delight in the uniquely diversified products that will help your garden grow.

Visit www.indoorgardenexpo.com for full event details.

Got Questions? Get Answers.

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

Imagine a day when we can grow grapes in soilless solutions, cultivate sustainable lettuce and culture pineapples.

That day is today. Discover how many global innovators are changing how we grow food in Latest News.

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!

www.maximumyield.com www.facebook.com/MaximumYield www.indoorgardeningexpo.com twitter.com/max_yield

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

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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 Hayley Jesson - Hayley@maximumyield.com PRODUCTION & DESIGN ads@ads.maximumyield.com Tina Skujins - tina@maximumyield.com Mike Linden - mike@maximumyield.com Jennifer Duong - jennifer@maximumyield.com Alice Joe - alice@maximumyield.com ACCOUNTING - Tracy Greeno accounting@maximumyield.com

Latest News

Connect with Maximum Yield

VOLUME 12 – NUMBER 6 September 2011

USA DISTRIBUTION Aurora Innovations BWGS General Hydroponics Humbolt Wholesale Hydrofarm Hydro International National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight Supply Nickel City Wholesale Garden Supply R&M Supply Tradewinds CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION Brite-Lite Group Biofloral Eddis Wholesale Greenstar Plant Products Inc. MegaWatt Quality Wholesale UK DISTRIBUTION Growth Technology Future Harvest Development Europe Nutriculture UK AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION House N Garden Futchatec Growth Technology Hydraspher

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SIMON SAYS What is a good disinfectant to clean out hydroponic units that can be used while growing a crop?

Thanks, John

There are many more people inoculating hydroponic systems with various microbe armies in today’s high-tech gardening environment. This is tempered by those people that feel the best way to run a hydroponic system is with zero tolerance to life forms, taking hydroponics back to its sterile roots. There is definitely a case to be made in both circumstances. Since your question relates to the disinfecting approach, let’s start there. Remember that whichever approach you take, having a

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clean growing area is the key to success; dirty spaces and equipment will always develop more problems than clean and organized spaces.

When choosing the disinfecting route, there are a couple of options that can be useful while actively growing. An option that is popular with growers is the use of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can act as a disinfectant as it disassociates into water and free oxygen. This disinfecting effect will be temporary and may only last a few hours. Be cautious when using this substance, especially when diluting high concentrations in water.

A better option would be a type of continuous disinfection, rather than a staggered application of hydrogen peroxide. If you are concerned about water contaminants you might want to consider installing an inline UV sterilizing system placed between the reservoir and the hydroponic units. A small bulb blasts the water with UV light as it passes through the filter. As long as this type of unit is well maintained, it will virtually eliminate all biological issues within your water supply.

Whether you are culturing helpful biology or banishing all biology, in both situations you want to be sure to focus on dissolved oxygen levels since most pathogenic organisms thrive in low oxygen environments. This is directly related to water circulation and temperature so ensuring water movement and low temperatures will both help dissolved oxygen.

Also consider the use of supplemental oxygen supply ranging in sophistication from air pumps to electrolysis systems.

Something that more gardeners are attempting is to bring specific biology into their system. The concept behind this is to inoculate with beneficial organisms that will displace or out-compete undesirable ones. This is a delicate process that is gaining more traction, and for good reason; it can be very effective. There are a variety of bacterial and fungal-based products available in the market. These organisms are generally quite aggressive and will form what is called a biofilm on roots, thereby protecting the plants, essentially creating a perimeter shield. These organisms secrete all sorts of substances that can do much more that protect your plant.

Check with your local shop to learn more about biological inoculants.

Part of what makes organisms effective is their release of enzymes, which break down unwanted material. It is also possible to take advantage of enzyme-based products, which will do a great job cleaning up a system without adding biology into your set-up. There are several quality options so research this opportunity if you don’t want to look at a living army in your water.

Above all else, remember to take the time to scrub down your equipment and growing area between cycles. If you don’t, you may be setting yourself up for problems. MY Do you have a question for Simon?

Send it to simon@maximumyield.com with the words “Simon Says” in the subject line, and your answer will be printed in an upcoming edition.

Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

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MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Record Nighttime High Temperatures Big Deal for Crop Health This summer 93 weather stations in the US recorded all-time nighttime highs, which have a bigger impact on crop yields than increases in daytime temperatures—for each 1°C increase in nighttime temperature above the long term average, a 10 per cent decrease in crop yield was observed.

(Source: www.treehugger.com)

MAXFACTS hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Herbal Teas The idea that herbal teas may provide a variety of health benefits is not just folklore. A survey of the research literature on the health benefits from drinking three of the most popular herbals in America—chamomile, peppermint and hibiscus tea—found compelling science-based evidence.

• Evidence of moderate antimicrobial activity and significant antiplatelet-clumping activity was found in chamomile tea.

• Peppermint tea was found to have significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities, strong antioxidant and antitumor actions, and some antiallergenic potential • Based on a human clinical trial, drinking hibiscus tea was found to lower blood pressure in a group of prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults.

(Source: www.ars.usda.gov)

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E. coli an Unlikely Contaminant of Plant Vascular Systems Scientists have helped confirm that Escherichia coli is not likely to contaminate the internal vascular structure of field-grown leafy greens.

There was no evidence that E. coli had become “internalized” in leaves or shoots of baby spinach plants 28 days after the plants had germinated and grown in pasteurized soil.

(Source: www.ars.usda.gov)

Boosting the Pineapple Industry in the Bahamas Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) has started distribution of 5,000 tissue cultured sweet cayenne pineapple slips throughout the islands in an effort to stimulate the Bahamian pineapple industry.

The slips were imported and hardened at Nassau’s Lucayan Tropical hydroponics farm.

Presently, sweet cayenne pineapples are imported from Costa Rica and sold in the food stores. By producing them locally, there would be no need to import them. BAIC’s next initiative is the distribution of fruit trees—avocado, mango, sour sop, guava, and Persian lime.

(Sources: bahamaislandsinfo.com, www.freshplaza.com)

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MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Fundraising Effort for Hydroponics A fundraising effort was recently launched for an ongoing documentary project and web series called A Sustainable Reality: Redefining Roots that focuses on the key areas of sustainable indoor gardening. The goal is to raise at least $11,000 to redefine and restructure the concept of food production to enhance sustainability by farming indoors using a grow box and hydroponics systems.

In the long-term, the people behind the project hope to expand the scope beyond Chicago and the Mid-West and even to other states and eventually around the world. The mission is to reimagine the current models of sustainability in urban settings, transform long-abandoned decrepit buildings into spaces where visionaries can collectively work on sustainability projects. The project also aims to document and unite a number of individual and community grow projects to create a sustainable hub through donations.

(Source: www. onlineprnews.com)

Aquatic Eco-Systems Inc. Acquires Green Sky Growers Aquatic Eco-Systems Inc. (AES) of Apopka, FL has acquired Green Sky Growers, based in Winter Garden, FL. As a result of the acquisition, AES, operating under the name Green Sky Growers, will be a one-stop solution for new design ideas, existing garden troubleshooting, education and installation assistance.The facility will cater to commercial growers exploring new agricultural opportunities, homeowners looking for ways to efficiently grow plants or fish in their own backyard and those looking to tackle the emerging need for urban gardening.

With this new venture, Green Sky Growers will provide more high-end produce and exotic fish species to local restaurants and grocers, and through the local farmers market and homegrown co-op. Green Sky Growers will offer hydroponic and aquaponic education with a full curriculum of informational seminars.

(Sources: www.GreenSkyGrowers.com, AquaticEco.com)

A Taste of Sustainable Lettuce in the Heart of Berlin The Über Lebenskunst Festival that took place in August in Haus Der Kulturen der Welt in the heart of Berlin highlighted sustainability with a floating lettuce art project titled Vorratskamer. The lettuce was grown with the Dry Hydroponic system, an innovation by Viscon and Cultivation systems.

(Source: www.freshplaza.com)

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MAX

facts

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Plant People Promotes Hydroponic Growth Teresa Busch, owner and operator of The Plant People in downtown Juneau, is installing a hydroponic and aquaponic system in her plant shop. The system will demonstrate how growing can be accomplished in local homes to produce produce and other plants without the need for soil. The store will carry the necessary materials and counseling to create similar systems at home, which can be set up in something as small as a fish tank. Part of the elaborate set-up is a backdrop of mountains and sky above the two tiers of pond liners to make the fish feel at home.

Vegetarian tilapia and comet fish will live together, be fed from plants and supply their leavings, which in turn will act as vital nutrients for the plants.

(Sources: www. capitalcityweekly.com, www.theplantpeoplellc.net)

Plant People owner Teresa Busch poses with her work in progress, a new hydroponic and aquaponic system in her store.

“Lindsay Lohan” (in top right of photo), a comet goldfish who will soon be part of a miniature symbiotic ecosystem, swims with her brethren.

First Soilless Harvest of Black Magic Table Grapes This summer grower Giannangelo Boccuzzi, who works in Rutigliano (Bari, Italy), harvested the first Black Magic table grape from plants grown without soil. The harvested grape looks good, with color and shape typical of the cultivar. It has a sugar content of about 15 brix degrees.

(Source: www.freshplaza.com)

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MAX FACTS

hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Promising Results From Hydroponically-Cultivated Lettuce The first results of the hydroponic cultivation system put up by Enza Zaden at its improvement hothouse are promising. Enza Zaden’s hydroponic lettuce team researches which varieties are especially suited for cultivation on water. The focus for now is on various types of lettuce—batavia, butter lettuce and Eazyleaf—but the seed company is looking to extend the project to include, endive, herbs and other leafy plants.

(Source: www.enzazaden.com)

Moffat County Greenhouse Project Receives USDA Grant Planet Yampa just received a vote of confidence from the U.S. Department of Agriculture receiving $50,000 in the form of a USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant. Planet Yampa is a large-scale hydroponic greenhouse complex that could potentially produce mass amounts of fruits and vegetables, manufacture food products and create 600 new jobs in Moffat County, Colorado. The vision is a complex of 12 greenhouses and other buildings for nurseries, manufacturing, administration and research. The project is estimated to take up to eight years to complete, and carries a price tag of $200 million.

(Source: www.craigdailypress.com)

Teenager Sells His Hydroponicallygrown Produce What began as a ninth-grade science fair project has turned into an all-consuming enterprise in the Frazier household. Last fall, Brad Frazier, 14, set out to prove that grown using a hydroponic system would outperform tomatoes grown in soil.

Six months later, the experiment, which won third place at the regional science fair, has expanded into an innovative and impressive growing operation at their St. Rose, Louisiana home and a subsequent stand at the Gretna Farmer’s Market.

Brad plans to expand by building a new greenhouse at twice the size, and a pond for goldfish, coy and perch. At this point the lettuce is Brad’s “prized-possession”. He grows butterhead, oakleaf and baby romaine. He’s found the “baby” or miniature varieties—like his baby cucumbers—are popular among buyers.

(Source: www.nola.com)

San Diego Eco-leader Lives Green Bill Toone, leader of Escondido-based conservation group ECOLIFE, starts his day cultivating fish and greens in his aquaponic farm in his backyard. Six 55 gallon barrels holding 100 tilapia that stands beneath 45 beds of greens.

Toone’s idea of using aquaponics has gained buy-in.

His non-profit won a $25,000 grant from Disney to replicate the system in Bwindi, Uganda.

(Source: www.signonsandiego.com)

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

YOUR GUIDE TO THIS MONTH’S

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

Float Gardening Worries Away With the Sunleaves Floating Thermometer Are you looking for an easy and hassle-free way to monitor the temperature in your indoor garden? The new Sunleaves Floating Thermometer is a great solution. This thermometer has a Fahrenheit and Celsius display, and it floats so you can easily monitor the temperature throughout your water-based garden and in other liquids. It also has a suction cup that can be mounted to any flat surface. It’s great for aquariums too. Check out the Sunleaves Floating Thermometer from an authorized BWGS retailer near you.

Vital Earth’s® O.G. Bloom Mix 0-9-0 For simply amazing blooms, whether tulips or tomatoes, nothing beats Vital Earth’s® O.G. Bloom Mix. If you’re looking for the biggest, healthiest blooms, this fertilizer is a must-have. This mix features a superior blend of bat and seabird guanos, specially formulated with no fillers for maximum results.

This all-natural organic fertilizer promotes intensive growth and flowering, and improves yields. Soil deficient in organic matter may be made more productive by the use of Vital Earth’s® O.G. Bloom Mix. Visit an indoor gardening shop near you for more information.

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Can-Lite Available Now Can Filters, the Original Carbon Filter manufacturer, well known for producing the longest lasting, highest quality activated carbon air filter in the market, has built the Can-Lite, designed for convenience and long life. The Can-Lite filter features 100 per cent Australian granulated carbon, aluminum top and bottom, integrated flange and well-made protective packaging. The Can-Lite has six sizes ranging from six inches to 14 inches. Can-Lite is manufactured in a dedicated carbon filter plant in North America. Now available from authorized Can Filters retailers.

Maverick Sun Puts You in Control The Maverick Sun Hydra Controller was designed with the best components available to ensure years of reliability and trouble-free use. It features rugged, durable construction and moistureresistant powder coat paint to keep outside debris from internal sensitive components. The quality made timer is very easy to operate.

The packaging mimics the actual design of the controller so you’ll know what you’re getting without opening the box. Included is an easy to read instruction booklet with illustrated diagrams, along with a three year warranty. Endusers are sure to love this highly anticipated controller. Sizes available are Hydra4 and Hydra8. More sizes available soon. Contact your local grow shop for more details.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Active Aqua Submersible Pump Filter Bag Hydrofarm’s Active Aqua Submersible Pump Filter Bags are ideal for ebb and flow, as well as drip hydroponic systems. The high quality filter material keeps the pump clear of debris and the gusseted bottom ensures proper pump seating. Our Submersible Pump Filter Bags feature a secure, corrosion-proof zipper at the top for easy closing and also allows the pump to be easily removed from the bag for cleaning. Available in small (6 ¾ by 9 ⅜ inches) and large (10 ½ by 13 ⅛ inches). For more information visit an authorized Hydrofarm retailer near you.

The One Man Band Does it All Maverick Sun’s newest addition to the family rocks. The One Man Band is a true all-in-one lighting system. Its compact design means it fits well inside grow tents or small growing areas. It features an electronic ballast that accepts 120 or 240 volts and will handle HPS and MH lamps. It features a temperature controller and timer.

Also included is a fan in a six inch duct with an exterior switch for air cooling and an easy-access hinged glass undercarriage with a premium silicon gasket for an airtight seal. Top it all off with a Maverick Sun D Lux HID lamp (included) and just like a One Man Band this fixture really does live up to its name. Available in 400 or 600 watts. Ask your local grow shop for more details.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Humboldt Nutrients Ginormous We all want to harvest giant flowers and enormous fruits. Humboldt Nutrients Ginormous is here to help you accomplish that goal.

This super bloom booster is made with macro- and micronutrients, trace elements and sugars. Crops grown with Ginormous have higher brix levels, larger flowers and stronger aromas. Ginormous is 100 per cent biodegradable and contains no harmful hormones or synthetic chelates. Ginormous makes the most demanding gardeners ecstatic at harvest time and gives first-timers professional results. Ask for Ginormous at your local hydroponic shop.

Active Aqua Fittings Hydrofarm has what you need to run and customize your own drip system. Our new Hose End Stoppers allow you to stop the flow on your ½ to one inch main lines with no hassle. Worried about a drop in pressure over a long run from your reservoir to your plants? Use our Hose Reducing Couplers to keep the pressure up and water flowing evenly to your plants over long distances. Need to stop the flow to your plants and drain your reservoir? The Hydrofarm ½ inch In-Line Valve will do the deed, drip free. All of our plastic fittings are rugged, tested and guaranteed to make your drip system a success. For more information visit an authorized Hydrofarm retailer near you.

Get Killer Roots

Introducing Optic Foliar Rev

A healthy root system is the basis for a healthy plant, and Orca from Plant Success is packed with the mycorrhizae to promote both. This all-in-one concentrated liquid mycorrhizal inoculant includes four highly effective endomycorrhizal species with 11 super aggressive bacteria strains. The liquid formula is also cleaner and easier to apply than other mycorrhizal products. In addition, this natural root booster will increase plants’ uptake of nutrients and water, protect against transplant shock, prevent drought stress and result in an overall higher yield. Orca is available now from authorized BWGS retailer across the country.

Optic Foliar Rev helps maintain and support the high levels of energy being produced by Mega Watts providing key ingredients—including micronutrients, amino acids, vitamins and carbohydrates—that target specific areas of a plant. Rev helps a plant maintain its highlyaccelerated growth and flowering rates, resulting in greener and healthier plants, as well as higher quality crop yields. Rev is highly concentrated and can be sprayed on plants with the lights on and without the need to adjust the spray’s pH. No damage, burning or magnification issues to worry about.

Spray it, see it, be-leaf it. That’s Optic Foliar. Contact an indoor gardening shop near you to learn more.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Ideal-AirTM 37,000 BTU Portable Commercial Air Conditioner Sunlight Supply®, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of the 37,000 BTU Portable Commercial Air Conditioner from Ideal-AirTM. This easy-to-use portable air conditioner provides instant air conditioning. Simply roll it into place and plug it in. For maximum efficiency, Ideal AirTM designed their portable air conditioners with an anti-mix air chamber separating the air being cooled and the air used to cool the machine. The state-of-the-art design allows for more efficient temperature control and maximum cooling ability. With the optional exhaust adapter and outside air intake the unit can be placed either inside or outside the room you are cooling. Ideal-AirTM Air Conditioners offer the ultimate in ease and flexibility, making it the perfect choice for any indoor gardener. Visit an authorized Sunlight Supply retailer for more information.

Oasis Grow Tents Need Natural?

Go With Neem NimBiosys Neem Oil is cold pressed to ensure higher potency and higher quality than regular neem oil. This EPA-approved pesticide works on as many as 200 different kinds of pests without harsh chemicals or toxins. This allnatural derivative of the neem tree works in a variety of ways; depending on the insect type, it can repel them, disrupt their growth hormones or prevent their ability to reproduce. It is recommended for use against aphids, beetles, stink bugs, leafhoppers, whiteflies, mealy bugs, mites, weevils, scale and thrips. This product also includes azadirachtin, a naturally-occurring compound that’s extremely important for effective pest control. NimBiosys Neem Oil is available now from authorized BWGS retailers across the country.

Brand new to the market are Oasis Grow Tents. Made of highly reflective light-tight material, these tents feature extra large zippered vents, making them the only true lightproof tents.

Oasis Tents are also one of the only tents to have clear plastic windows that you can see through.

Dual-sided duct openings allow you to tighten the canvas material around your ducting on the inside and outside of the tents. Strong and durable with steel poles and a removable floor layer, leaks and spills are easily contained. They also feature a unique attached accessory holder on the outside of the tent for added convenience. Available in a variety of sizes from three foot squared to eight foot squared, and all models are an impressive seven feet tall. Visit your local indoor gardening shop for more information.

Announcing Age Old Hydroponics Liquid Soil Keeping with the tradition of providing fast-acting and environmentally-safe products, Age Old Organics is proud to present Age Old Hydroponics Liquid Soil, a four part system that provides all the essential nutrients for healthy and robust growth. It is made with the finest raw materials in small batches. Hydro-Grow and Hydro-Bloom offer a well balanced source of nutrients to promote vigorous growth and boost blooming, TracePak provides a high source of micronutrients and our CalMag supplement builds cell structure. All four Liquid Soil products are offered in a starter pack that includes a feeding schedule. Visit your favorite hydroponics shop for more information.

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Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Actino-Iron for Organic Growing Actino-Iron is a soil and growing media additive that contains powerful microbes that act as a fungicide to help prevent plant diseases. Simply add to your soil mix for stronger roots and greener plants. Actino-Iron contains a patented microorganism that protects plant roots from disease-causing fungi including damping off, black rot, brownpatch, root rot and more. Actino-Iron also contains over 20 per cent slow-release natural iron to cure iron deficiency and create lush, healthy plants without burning. Tests by numerous researchers and universities show that plants grown with Actino-Iron are larger and greener. Actino-Iron is OMRI listed for use in organic gardening, and it can also be applied to landscape trees, shrubs, flowers and lawns. Now available in a convenient 10 pound bag. Ask your local grow shop to carry Actino-Iron from Natural Industries.

Proudly Presenting the Basic Econo Magnetic Ballast Line From Nickel City Full featured frills for financially frugal folks. Basic Econo magnetic coil ballasts are perfect for the consumer on a budget. These cool running, super quiet ballasts are available in 1,000 watt switchable, 400 watt switchable and 600 watt HPS. They are affordably priced, factory tested and made with heavy-duty American Aerovox capacitors. These steel-cased ballasts are solidly built for years of productive use. The Basic Magnetic Ballast is equipped with convenient carrying handles and designed to be one of the coolest running magnetic ballasts on the market.

A simple switch sets the unit to fire either high pressure sodium or metal halide standard HID bulbs. Visit an indoor gardening shop near you for more information.

Sun System® Blazer Reflector Sunlight Supply®, Inc. is excited to announce the arrival of the Blazer Reflector, the latest addition to the Sun System® reflector line.

Completely sealed for maximum air-cooling, 95 per cent reflective European aluminum interior and an EZ-Breeze® aerodynamic junction box are only a few of the many excellent features Blazer has to offer.

This state-of-the-art air-cooled reflector raises the bar for output and uniformity. An industry leader in its class, Blazer is a force to be reckoned with. Unmatched in output, uniformity and performance, you can’t afford not to have this reflector in your grow room. Your plants will thank you. American made at our Woodland, WA facility.

Visit an authorized Sunlight Supply retailer for more information.

Humboldt Nutrients Royal Flush A quality crop needs an effective flush to reach its full potential. Flushing removes heavy elements and salts, allowing for more aromatic and flavorful fruits and flowers. Humboldt Nutrients Royal Flush supercharges the flushing process, binding together undesirable salts and heavy minerals. Royal Flush then strips these larger particles out of your plant, leaving behind sugars and strong flavors. Your plant is composed of water, sugars and salts. If you flush out the salts and dry out the water, you’re left with delicious and aromatic sugars, and sugars rule the natural world. Try Humboldt Nutrients Royal Flush today and experience the difference between a flush and a Royal Flush with a clean, sweet finish. Ask for Royal Flush at your local hydroponic shop.

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BASIC PLANT GENETICS

by GrubbyCup

The basic principles at work behind the modification of plant genetics can be demonstrated with a simple pack of playing cards.

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Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

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Basic plant genetics

Gardeners have been breeding plants for specific traits for thousands of years. By following the simple rule of “cross your best examples together” substantial modification can be made to any plant over enough generations.

Many of the original heirloom vegetables are believed to have been developed using this basic technique. Most of the different varieties of tomatoes we know today are examples of plant breeding and many of them were originally developed by home gardeners.

While improvement can be made to plant strains without understanding any of the science behind it, learning even just the basics of Mendelian genetics can greatly improve breeding attempts and doesn’t require an advanced degree in molecular biology.

Plants have a number of chromosomes in their reproductive cells. The number of chromosomes depends on the type of plant. For example, peas have only 14 chromosomes, while some strains of wheat have 42.

Each chromosome contains many genes, which are the blueprints for how the plant will grow.

A plant may have a gene present that

“Most of the different varieties of tomatoes we know today are examples of plant breeding and many of them were originally developed by home gardeners.”

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will determine, say, whether it has the instructions to grow red flowers or to grow white flowers.

In this example, flower color is a trait and it may be expressed as red or white, depending on the gene. All the instructions contained in the genes are collectively known as the genotype of the plant.

It’s true that some complex traits require multiple genes to express, and some traits require specific combinations of genes to manifest. For example, calico cats have to be female, with a different color on each X chromosome.

For the purpose of this discussion, though, we’ll keep things simple and talk about an either/or situation: red flowers or white.

Mendelian traits are binary; they have two states. Since our hypothetical plant can have either red or white flowers, playing cards can be used to model a single regular trait, controlled by a single gene, located on a single chromosome.

Take a deck of playing cards and remove the jokers. Cut the deck in half and create two stacks—the left stack will represent genes from the father and the right stack the genes from the mother. To show your first resulting offspring, place one card from each stack face up.

Red cards symbolize the genetic instruction for red flowers and black cards represent an instruction to grow white flowers.

There are three possible scenarios governing what the two face-up cards will be. Twenty-five per cent of the time both cards will be red and your imaginary plant will produce red flowers. Twenty-five per cent of the time both cards will be black and your subject will produce white flowers. A plant with two of the same form of the gene is said to be homozygous for that trait.

Fifty per cent of the time, however, the pair will consist of one red card and one black card. A plant with one of each of the two forms of a certain gene is said to be heterozygous for that trait.

The color of flower that will manifest in a plant that is heterozygous for that trait will depend on which gene is dominant. Simply stated, the dominant gene wins all ties. If the red gene is dominant then the mixed pairs will show red flowers,

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Basic plant genetics

“Traits become stable or fixed when the other form of the gene... is eliminated or at least greatly reduced in the gene pool.”

while if the white gene is dominant then mixed pairs will have white flowers.

In order to keep things simple, we’ll assume that red genes will be the dominant form in our demonstration.

Because of the principle of dominance, when both parents are heterozygous the recessive form will present 25 per cent of the time and 75 per cent of the time the dominant form will show up. Even though 25 per cent of the plants are homozygous for the trait and 50 per cent are heterozygous, the resulting plants will have red flowers 75 per cent of the time.

To show the result over a number of plants, deal out 25 cards face down in a five by five grid—these will represent the genes inherited from one parent.To represent the gene each plant gets from the other parent, deal a card face up on each of the down cards.

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Basic plant genetics

Since red is dominant, for each pair that has a black card face up, flip the pair to exchange the up card and the down card.

Approximately 25 per cent of the face-up cards should be black and the rest red.

The phenotype is the plant that is expressed by growing out the seed. No matter what the face-down card is, the face-up card determines the phenotype. The genotype refers to both the up card and the down card together.

If the face-up card is red, then our hypothetical plant will grow with the dominant trait of red flowers. This will happen

75 per cent of the time, since the four possibilities in the two cards are: • Red, red = true breeding (homozygous) for red flowers.

• Black, black = true breeding (homozygous) for white flowers.

• Red, black = red flowers, since it is heterozygous and red is dominant.

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• Black, red = red flowers, since it is heterozygous and red is dominant.

In other words, the same ratio we saw before—of 25 per cent recessive to 75 per cent dominant—will occur, but on a larger scale.

The reason why understanding these ratios is important is that with real plants, there is no way to peek at the hole card—the only way to determine its value is by testing and deduction. All that can be observed directly is that about 75 per cent of the face-up cards are red.

Traits become stable or fixed when the other form of the gene (card color) is eliminated or at least greatly reduced in the gene pool.

If the recessive form of the gene (represented by a black card) is paired with another recessive form (another black card) there will be no ties, as only black cards are available, and the trait will breed true. All the face-up black cards should have a black card underneath as well. This is why recessive traits are easier to breed than dominant traits: if a recessive trait expresses itself, you know it will breed true if crossed with another plant that also expresses that trait.

If you take a plant with two black cards and cross it with another plant with two black cards, all the offspring will also have only black cards.

Most of the time the face-up card will be red and the plant will show the dominant form of the gene.The reason that dominant traits are harder to work with is that both the true-breeding plants and the heterozygous (mixed card) plants will both express as red flowers.

To stabilize a cultivar, as many important traits as possible are bred to be homozygous (both cards of the same color). Since Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

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Basic plant genetics

the bottom card can only be indirectly observed, it is more difficult to know the difference between the two.

What can be done with dominant traits is to keep breeding plants that appear to be true-breeding for the trait until it is statistically improbable that they aren’t true-breeding.

If one of the parents with a red up card has a black down card, you will still get red flowers, but as the generations continue then at some point two black cards will come together in the same plant. This will be a throwback and will show the recessive form.

Heterozygy may not be desirable for breeding a stable line, but it can have benefits. Hybrid vigor tends to express itself in heterozygous plants. Because of this factor hybrids are often ideally the product of two true-breeding plants of opposite color—two red cards to two black cards.

To observe the effects of hybridization, separate the cards by suits into four stacks. Put the

“Heterozygy may not be desirable for breeding a stable line, but it can have benefits.

Hybrid vigor tends to express itself in heterozygous plants.”

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two red stacks face up together to symbolize the mother and the black stacks face up for the father. The mother plant will show the dominant form since she has a red card and the father plant will not, since both his cards are black.

Randomly take one card from one of the two mother stacks. Since all her cards are red it doesn’t matter which stack you take from—the card will be red. Then take one card from one of the father stacks and again, no matter which stack you take from the card will be black. Since offspring get one card from their mother and one from their father, all the offspring will have one black card and one red card. Therefore, the children will all express the dominant trait because they will all have a red card. Hybrids that all have one red and one black card will all show the dominant form and can appear very similar to each other. This technique is often used to create commercial seeds.

Hybrids can also express hybrid vigor, which generates superior plants, although one drawback to hybrids is that they do not breed true.

In the following demonstration of hybridization all the offspring will have one red card and one black card. Arrange the stacks so that the mother has one red stack and one black stack and the father has one red stack and one black stack.

To simulate crossing the two parents, take one card from the mother (randomly choose between her two stacks) and do the same with the father. Deal several hands, flip the black pairs and what you should find is that the results change dramatically from the original hybrids. While the offspring of the cross making the hybrid creates siblings that are similar to each other, the generation after that will show both dominant and recessive traits. This is how traits can hide or skip generations.

If two plants that both show the recessive form of a trait are crossed, the offspring will also (generally) show the recessive trait.

If two plants that both show the dominant form of the trait are crossed, the offspring may or may not all show the dominant traits. If all the offspring show the dominant trait, that is an indication that at least one of parents is true-breeding for that trait. In the generation after that if no offspring display the recessive form of the trait then that is an indication that the line is true-breeding for the dominant trait. It is only an indication, however, since as long as one of the plants involved in the crossing has a black down card the recessive form may resurface in later generations.

Keeping good records is a must, and each plant should be evaluated for the desired trait (or traits). By observing traits over several generations and then comparing the results to the ratios from either dealing pairs with different combinations of parent stacks or the mathematical results from a Punnett square, educated guesses as to the value of the unseen facedown cards can be made.

Making sense of the mysteries of genetics can take a bit of effort, but by understanding these basic principles you can begin to improve your own seed making results dramatically. MY

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Fertilizers

A Sea of Fish

by Donald Lester

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

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

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A sea of fish fertilizers

T

he use of fish as a fertilizer for food crops has a long history. Perhaps the best-known stories are those relating to the coastal Native Americans placing a whole fish in the planting hole with their corn seeds—fish products have come a long way since then!

Fish fertilizers offer several advantages over their chemical counterparts. They can be totally organic, with all the associated benefits such as improved soil structure, increased microbial activity and better plant health, they don’t cause plant burn (phytotoxicity) as readily or as commonly as chemical fertilizers do and they generally have slower, more even release rates so they do not need to be applied as often.

Moreover, fish fertilizers are not readily leached from

“Fish fertilizers offer several advantages over their chemical counterparts. They can be totally organic, with all the associated benefits such as improved soil structure, increased microbial activity and better plant health.”

the soil but are instead slowly broken down by microbes that convert the fish into plant food. Fish fertilizers also often contain trace nutrients not found in chemical formulas. Finally, with the technological advances in fish farming, fish are considered to be a sustainable, renewable resource whereas the mined minerals used in chemical fertilizers are not.

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

These examples of fraud were an embarrassment not only to the organic certifying agency involved but also to the USDA that oversees the organic certification process—the stories made the national news and congressional hearings were held on the matter. Since then increased oversight has been implemented. Now, any fertilizer considered for organic certification with a nitrogen content greater than three per cent is considered to be a ‘high-nitrogen product’ and is subject to additional scrutiny and mandatory yearly inspections by the organic certifying agencies. Regulatory burdens like this and the resulting increased costs have already driven several organic fish product manufacturers out of the market.

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

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ATantalizing sea of fishIndoor fertilizers Tomatoes

Fish meals are made by grinding fish carcasses after a heating process has removed much of the oil—waste water left over from making fish meal can then be concentrated to produce fish emulsions. Finally, fish digested in vats using enzymes or strong acids or bases—instead of heat—produces fish fertilizers called hydrolysates. Basically, this process breaks down protein into its component amino acids, which are the building blocks used by plant cells.

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

Fish typically have a high oil content, which is beneficial not only for humans but also for plant growth. In recent years, however, omega-3 oils have been singled out for their health

benefits for the heart and brain, which has led to much of the oil being removed from fish products and only the remaining leftovers used for agricultural products. Often users will ask manufacturers what the oil content is in their fertilizer product, and typically the oil content is in the 40 to 45 per cent range. Marine species of fish like salmon typically have higher omega-3 levels and are therefore more likely to be processed for that oil, while freshwater species have lower oil levels to begin with so as a rule they are often considered to be less desirable for use in commercial plant production. In California the rules state that for a product to be a fish emulsion it must contain greater than 40 per cent solids in the product.

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

Some manufacturers have told me they average about 38 per cent solids, so to avoid a penalty for low solids content they avoid using the term fish emulsion on the label at all and instead label it a ‘liquid fish product’.

Fish hydrolysate Fish hydrolysates are another class of fish-based product available for use in agriculture and indoor gardening.

In commercial fish processing plants the meat is usually removed as a filet and the remaining head and body are discarded. This discarded material is often kept on ice to reduce odor and then sold to other companies like fertilizer manufacturers for further processing into things like fish protein products. Animal protein is not actually very useful in plant production—what is more desirable are the amino acids that make up the protein. There are three primary ways in which to break down protein into its amino acid building blocks: you can treat it with a strong acid (low pH) or a strong base (high pH) or with enzymes. Generally these acids and bases are synthetic in nature and so are not permitted in organic production, but an allowance has been made for manufacturers to allow them to use just enough of these materials to do the job while not adding any other nutrients to the final product. Using an acid has the side benefit of bringing down the pH of the final product into a pH range of 3.5, which prevents the growth of odor-causing bacteria and human pathogens. Enzymes tend to be more expensive than acids or bases.

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A sea of fish fertilizers

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

Fish meals usually have an NPK analysis of around 10-6-2 or 12-6-2. The high nitrogen content obviously makes them good for vegetative growth and the relatively high phosphorus content makes fish meals good for root development and bloom as well. The downside is that fish meals have a strong odor—after application they continue to smell for a few days and are therefore usually buried into the root zone. They are not recommended for indoor use, but if you can stand the smell they can be mixed into potting or bulk soils where they act as a slow-release fertilizer.

Suitability for hydroponics and foliar applications Fish emulsions and fish hydrolysates can be used in hydroponics systems because they are liquid in form. Emulsions are more soluble and some of their nutrients are useable by plants

Fish meal

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without the need for beneficial microbiology, but both product types work best in organic systems with microbes present. Toxins and heavy metals may be present in these products and odor is always a concern, especially with emulsions, although some manufacturers are introducing fish emulsion products into the market that have essential oils like lavender added to improve the smell.

If you use a filter in your system, fish hydrolysates may need straining to prevent clogging of the filter’s fine mesh screen.

For soil applications with a drip system be sure the fish product will pass through at least a 70 mesh screen to minimize emitter plugging and fouling.

Beneficial biology Organic fish fertilizers excel at supporting the beneficial microbe populations that are the base of the soil food chain. They all provide some NPK and most of these products, at least those made from sea fish, also provide trace elements, micronutrients, vitamins, minerals and other desirable materials.

Fish hydrolysates in particular come about as close as possible to duplicating the practice of burying a whole fish, although the hydrolysis process actually makes the fish more available to microbes, breaking down large molecules into tiny ones.

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

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Tantalizing Indoor Tomatoes A sea of fish fertilizers

Microbes can and do readily feed on the organic matter and proteins from the meat and guts. Calcium from the fish bones is also retained in hydrolysates and the oils make great fungal food for those plants that prefer fungal-dominated soils: perennials, trees and shrubs. For this reason, hydrolysates make great fungal food for inclusion in compost and compost teas.

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Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

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ATantalizing sea of fish fertilizers Tantalizing Indoor Tomatoes Indoor Tomatoes

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

Not all products sold as fish fertilizers are made just from fish. Some contain non-fish organic additives, primarily seaweed and crab shells.

The seaweeds are full of micronutrients and plant hormones like auxins and cytokinins, while crab shells provide chitin, which is found in the cell walls of fungi and is a big structural component in insect exoskeletons.

The right fish fertilizers or combinations of fish fertilizer products can be great for your plants. Fish hydrolysates provide more nutrients, vitamins, hormones and micronutrients, fish meals are slower acting but more suitable for outdoor use and larger areas, while fish emulsions are ideal for quick-acting foliar sprays.

With such a nice array of choices perhaps you should consider adding fish products to your plant feeding program! MY

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Have You Forgotten

magnesium by

Dr.

J

Benton

J ONES

jr.

A doctor of science has the latest word on what determines a magnesium sufficiency in a rooting medium.

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Have You Forgotten About Magnesium?

I began my professional career as an assistant professor of agronomy at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). In order to become acquainted with the agricultural industry in the state, I attended regional and county extension meetings, met with farmers and made visits to the outlying agricultural research stations. With the coming of spring, newly planted crops were emerging, new growth was appearing in pastures and trees were advancing into full leaf. With the coming of summer, however, I observed that not all crop plants were growing very well, with visual evidence of a possible nutrient element deficiency—even some of the roadside plants were showing signs of stress. The visual leaf symptoms on all of these plants were similar to those present in magnesium (Mg) deficiencies.

“Most of the plant tissues collected were found to be either deficient in Mg or near what would be considered deficient for each crop or plant species.”

A graduate student in the agronomy department was concluding a long-term corn fertilizer research project on plots that were located on each of the major soil types in the state and he had observed visual leaf symptoms of a possible nutrient element deficiency on corn plants in some treatment plots. I had him collect corn leaf tissue from all of the plots for elemental analysis and in my visits to the various outlying research stations I also collected soil samples and leaf tissue from plants showing symptoms. That fall and winter was spent assaying the soil and plant samples collected and then making an evaluation of the results. Most of the plant tissues collected were found to be either deficient in Mg or near what would be considered

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Have You Forgotten About Magnesium?

“It turned out that stress was the factor that had contributed to the widespread appearance of Mgdeficient plant leaf symptoms.”

deficient for each crop or plant species. Most of the soils collected with the plant tissues, however, soil-tested sufficient in Mg, based on current soil testing interpretation criteria.

A colleague and I then decided to do a more detailed analysis that would require us to collect sufficient quantities of soil in order to conduct a greenhouse study. With the coming of the next crop year, we made preparations to revisit those sites where I had collected plant tissue and soil samples the year before. But as the season progressed, the expected symptoms of Mg deficiency did not appear! No more widespread signs of Mg deficiency were seen in field crops or even among roadside plants.

So what had been the cause for the high incidence of Mg deficiency symptoms seen in many plants throughout the state the previous year? The answer was that the previous year was the final year of a succession of summers of low rainfall and high air temperatures, coupled with high light-intensity days due to cloudless sky conditions, meaning that plants had undergone a

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Have You Forgotten About Magnesium?

number of years of moisture and heat stress. Now, with more normal rainfall, moisture stress was at a minimum, while air temperatures were also within their normal expected range and cloud-covered days had returned. It turned out that stress was the factor that had contributed to the widespread appearance of Mg-deficient plant leaf symptoms and that these symptoms had then disappeared when growing conditions became less stressful.

At one time Mg was classified as a secondary element along with the elements calcium (Ca) and sulfur (S). Today, that classification has been dropped and Mg, Ca and S are classed as major elements, in the same grouping with the elements nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

An atom of Mg is in the structure of the chlorophyll molecular. Magnesium acts as an enzyme activator in various energytransfer functions in plants, so any deficiency will slow plant growth. The visual leaf symptom of a Mg deficiency is a chlorosis appearing on older leaf tissue, which is an indication that this element is mobile in the plant.

For those growing in soil, Mg sufficiency is usually assumed when the soil is adequately supplied with Ca and the soil water pH is within the recommended range. However, Mg soil availability is pH-dependent and if the soil water pH is less than 5.4 Mg deficiency can occur even when soil Mg availability is classed as being sufficient. When liming an acid soil based on a soil test recommendation, the form of limestone recommended

Facts about the essential plant element magnesium Atomic number: 12 Atomic weight: 24.30 Element symbol: Mg Ionic form: Mg2+ Discover of essentiality and year: van Sachs, Knop, 1860 Essential element designation: major element Function: major constituent of the chlorophyll molecule; enzyme activator for a number of energy-transfer reactions Mobility in plants: moderately mobile Form absorbed by plant roots: magnesium (Mg2+) cation Source reagent for making a nutrient solution: magnesium sulfate, MgSO4.7H2O (10 per cent Mg and 23 per cent S) Concentration range in nutrient solution formulations: 30 to 80 mg Mg/L (ppm) Form of magnesium in soil: as the magnesium cation (Mg2+) on

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the colloidal cation exchange complex and in the soil solution Movement in the soil: primarily by diffusion Magnesium-containing fertilizers: magnesium sulfate, MgSO4.7H2O (10 per cent Mg, 23 per cent S); SUL-PO-MAG (magnesium potassium sulfate, K2SO4.MgSO4.6H2O, 5.9 per cent Mg, 9.7 per cent K, 4.9 per cent S) Magnesium-containing limestone: dolomitic limestone (six to 12 per cent Mg) Typical plant deficiency symptoms: yellowing and interveinal chlorosis on older leaves; slow plant growth; reduced fruit yield; possible development of blossom end rot of tomato fruit; increased susceptibility to disease Plant symptoms of excess: results in cation imbalance among Ca and K; slowed growth with the possible development of either Ca or K deficiency symptoms Critical plant level: 0.25 per cent (will vary with plant species, time and plant part) Excessive plant level: >1.50 per cent

Have You Forgotten About Magnesium?

may be specified depending on the soil test level for Mg. If the level is less than sufficient, dolomitic limestone would be recommended, since this form of limestone contains Mg. Among the three cations, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, the Mg2+ cation is the least competitive and its deficiency can be induced when both K and Ca are at high levels in the rooting medium, whether the rooting medium is a nutrient solution or a solid matrix.

Ammonium (NH4+) is another cation that is highly competitive among the three major cations and its presence in the rooting medium can be a factor in creating Mg deficiency in a plant.

There are plant species and varieties within species that are sensitive to Mg and deficiencies can occur when the plant is under moisture or temperature stress, even when there is sufficient Mg in the rooting medium or in that being supplied by a nutrient solution. Tomato is a plant that would be classified as Mg sensitive. Among field crop plants corn is also Mg sensitive, although plant breeding has reduced this sensitivity to some degree.

The appearance of visual Mg deficiency symptoms in greenhouse tomatoes is not an uncommon occurrence when plants are setting and maturing fruit, as this function acts as a form of stress on the tomato plant’s metabolism. Adding more Mg to the nutrient solution or rooting medium at this plant stage 76

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Have You Forgotten About Magnesium?

“Tomato is a plant that would be classified as Mg sensitive. Among field crop plants corn is also Mg sensitive, although plant breeding has reduced this sensitivity to some degree.” of growth will not correct the deficiency, though, as its origin occurred during the vegetative plant growth period, either due to insufficient Mg being supplied or as a result of an imbalance among the major cations that reduced Mg root absorption.

Although insufficiency of Mg during vegetative growth may not result in visual leaf symptoms it can eventually be a factor resulting in lower than expected fruit yield.

Based on my own hydroponic tomato growing experience, I have increased the Mg content in the Hoagland/Arnon nutrient solution formulation by 50 per cent, so that when the tomato plant enters its reproductive stage there is sufficient Mg in the plant to advert the potential for deficiency. I believe that many nutrient solution formulations are insufficient in Mg or that the other major cations in the formulation are at such concentration levels that Mg root absorption is impaired—the Steiner concept of elemental balance among the ions in a nutrient solution addresses the issue of cation balance as essential to ensure plant nutrient element sufficiency1. Most hydroponic nutrient solution formulations do not take into consideration the effect that Mg concentration and its ratio among the other major cations can have on the potential for creating a Mg insufficiency.

What determines Mg sufficiency in a rooting medium and within the plant is a complex subject, with the occurrence of its insufficiency being the result of various factors as discussed in this article. Magnesium is an essential plant nutrient element that has attracted little attention, but its insufficiency can significantly affect plant growth and fruit yield. How do you avoid an insufficiency? You should ensure that there is sufficient Mg in the rooting medium—in proper balance among the other cation essential nutrient elements—and that those factors that can place undue stress on your plants be minimized. MY The Steiner concept of ionic balance in a nutrient solution is presented in several publications: 1

Jones, Jr., J. Benton, 2005, Hydroponics: A Practical Guide for the Soilless Grower, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. Jones, Jr., J. Benton, 2011, Hydroponic Handbook: How Hydroponic Growing Systems Work, Grosystems Inc., Anderson, SC (available on amazon.com) Steiner, A.A., 1984, “The Universal Nutrient Solution”, pp. 6370. IN: Proceedings Sixth International Congress of Soilless Culture, The Hague, Switzerland.

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GREEN THUMB GARDENING

Harvesting

living

Water

by Michael Bloch

Drought is a part of normal life in many parts of the world and given the threats posed by climate change combined with traditionally low rainfall, growers and non-growers alike need to keep their clean water supplies high. A rainwater tank is a sustainable option to help through lean times.

Water tanks haven’t been an overly attractive home addition until recently.These days, tanks come in many shapes, colors, materials and sizes to suit any home and space. If having a full size water tank isn’t an option for you, rain barrels are a very affordable and easy-to-install option.They look like a pickle barrel, are mostly made of plastic and hold up to 80 gallons.

In this article we’ll take a brief look at the various materials commonly used to construct larger tanks—and the various advantages and disadvantages.

Poly (plastic) rainwater tanks Poly tanks are made from polyethylene, a UV-stabilized, food-grade plastic.These tanks are light and have a long, serviceable life. Many poly tanks carrying a 25 year warranty, although many claim 15 years is a more realistic lifespan.They are also usually the second cheapest of the options covered in this article.

One of the major disadvantages of polyethylene is the material is made from petrochemicals, meaning this big hunk of plastic will take generations to breakdown and it will release toxins in doing so. However, polyethylene tanks can be easily recycled after 15 years, so it’s just a matter of breaking the tank up and carting it to a recycler.

Some poly tanks are made with a vertical seam; this is a weak point that may cause splitting and subsequent water loss so a seamless tank is probably a better choice. Polyethylene water tanks and fire don’t mix as they’ll just melt should the flames get too close.

The other issue is the effects of drinking water stored for such a long time in this material. Polyethylene tanks are relatively new on the market, so there are no serviceable life studies in relation to these issues as far as I know.

I had a polyethylene rainwater tank at my old place where temperatures would get up to around 114°F in the shade and below freezing during winter.The tank performed well over the couple of years I had it before selling the property, but there was a bit of an odd taste to the water on hot days.A subsequent poly tank I acquired for my current property has also stood up well to similar extremes, and without the odd taste.

Before purchasing a poly tank, check the warranty for temperature stipulations as some manufacturers will void the warranty if the tank is installed near extremely hot conditions.

Steel tanks Galvanized tanks have been around for over 150 years and are usually the cheapest option. Hot-dip galvanizing is a process used to coat steel or iron with zinc.The zinc helps slow down corrosion, but depending on environmental factors, a galvanized tank may last well under five years, particularly if the roof of the structure capturing the rainwater is made from Zincalume, due to electrolysis.

Zincalume® has been around for about 30 years and was originally used for roofing. It’s a mix of 55 per cent aluminum, 43.5 per cent zinc and 1.5 per cent silicon bonded to steel.There’s a lot of conflicting information around about lifespan, but the general consensus seems to be about 10 to 15 years.

Some metal tanks now also have polyethylene linings to further slow down corrosion. If you do buy a steel tank, look into installing extra sacrificial anodes to further delay corrosion.

Concrete water tanks Concrete rainwater tanks can be installed either above or underground. The latter is a good option if you’re short on space as they can be constructed to allow for load bearing, for example, under a driveway.

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Given the material, they are very heavy and often poured on-site or delivered in sections that are then basically cemented together.

Again, a polyethylene liner may be used.Without a liner, the tank will leach lime and over time you’ll have slightly alkaline water.

Concrete is porous so without a liner water will penetrate into the concrete over time, which may cause corrosion of steel framework.

Concrete is also an energy-intensive product that requires a great deal of heat and water in its production.

Fiberglass This is another long-lasting option that can be installed above or underground. Fiberglass tanks resist corrosion and are not generally affected by chemicals.As fiberglass tanks tend to allow more light in than other types of tank materials, this can encourage the growth of algae, so they should be painted or a gel coat should be applied.

Fiberglass can also be brittle, leaving it prone to cracks; something you don’t want, particularly in an in-ground situation.

Choosing a tank material Choice is wonderful, but as you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages with each type of tank—particularly when it comes to environmental impact—so it’s really a matter of gauging your needs and budget and then choosing the lesser of the evils. In regards to the required investment, you should bear in mind the initial cost and possible replacement costs.

Rebates on rainwater tanks and associated plumbing are working checking into; many governments now offer cash-back schemes.

Even with the various disadvantages of each material, given the length of serviceable life of most tanks and the tens of thousands of liters of water you can collect over that time; installing a rainwater tank is still a very green move.

A brief note on rainwater tank regulations Before buying and installing a tank you should check with your local authorities as in some places you will need a special permit and in others they may be totally banned. MY About the author:

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

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F a n ta s t i c F r e s h

Fodder Dr. Lynette Morgan

T h e r e ’ s n o d o u b t a b o u t i t: h y d r o p o n i c s isn’t just for humans. Fresh fodder g r o w n h y d r o p o n i c a ll y c a n b e f e d t o livestock, zoo animals and even pets.

We usually think of hydroponic or indoor crops as being destined for human use, but livestock and pets can also benefit from hydroponic growing methods. Many of us are familiar with wheatgrass shoots grown in trays and snipped to produce a healthy juice —the principal of hydroponic animal fodder is exactly the same, only the livestock eat the entire product, root mat and all, without the need for any expensive juicing equipment.

Although green fodder production using sprouted grains is not a new idea, using modern technology and methods to produce high volumes of quality animal feed in a small space is something that has a lot of appeal today. The great thing about hydroponic fodder is that it can be produced by everyone from pet owners to very large-scale commercial operations with considerable benefits to livestock health and productivity.

What is hydroponic fodder production?

Hydroponic green fodder is essentially sprouted grain such as wheat or rye—or barley, which works best. The grains are soaked, laid out onto growing trays or channels and left to germinate under ideal temperatures of 60 to 75°F. While the grain initially contains enough storage reserves to fuel growth for the first few days, a complete hydroponic nutrient solution is then given to the developing fodder shoots to boost nutrition and produce a better product. Every two pounds of grain produces between 15 to 20 pounds of fresh green feed after seven to eight days and the resulting feed consists of large thick mats of shoots and roots that are then fed entirely to livestock.

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Fantastic Fresh Fodder

Domestic NFT fodder system designed by FodderTech in Australia.

The benefits of hydroponic fodder Using fodder systems has allowed farmers with relatively small blocks of land to run higher stock numbers than would normally be possible by supplementing grass or other feed with fresh fodder on a daily basis. Feeding high-value animals such as horses, which need a certain level of quality nutrition, is another area where commercial fodder systems have been put to good use, particularly in areas where grass production is low for many months of the year.Young or sick animals—as well as breeding, lactating and fattening livestock and those being housed indoors—can all obtain enhanced benefits from fresh fodder year round as a supplement to dry feed, and they enjoy the juicy shoots once they become familiar with the mats of fodder. Hydroponic fodder has been fed to livestock as diverse as dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, rabbits, poultry and deer in both commercial and domestic applications.

Well-designed hydroponic fodder factories are also very economical with water and fertilizer. In these systems the nutrient solution is circulated round the trays of sprouting fodder so there is maximum efficiency and no wastage of valuable nutrients.

Why sprouted fodder?

There are numerous benefits to feeding sprouted grains. Many of us are familiar with the health benefits of wheatgrass, which

“Every two pounds of grain produces between 15 to 20 pounds of fresh green feed after seven to eight days and the resulting feed consists of large thick mats of shoots and roots that are then fed entirely to livestock.”

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Fantastic Fresh Fodder

is essentially a type of fodder that is cut when young and juiced for us to drink. However, hydroponic fodder goes one step further, as the livestock actually consume the root mat, grains and 10 inch shoots, thus ensuring they get the most nutrition possible from the entire system. While wheat shoots are grown hydroponically in NFT systems for food juicing, animal fodder systems often utilize only barley grain. Seed barley (Hordeum vulgare) has proven to be one of the best grains in terms of production and animal nutrition and is in fact recognized as being one of the most nutritious of all plant foods, containing a broad range of essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids in high concentrations.Young green barley leaves are almost 40 per cent protein; protein which is 90 per cent usable and easily digested and assimilated.

Cereal grains are high in phytates, which are enzyme inhibitors. As the seed germinates the phytates are eliminated and this allows maximum absorption of the nutrients contained in the grain. Many other nutrition changes occur in the sprouting grain as well—complex compounds break down into

Commercial livestock operations can use fresh hydroponic fodder to supplement other feed.

more simple constituents and there are increases in hydrolytic enzymes and improvements in the content of total proteins, fats, essential amino acids, total sugars and B-group vitamins.

In particular, the increases in vitamin E, beta carotene, biotin

“Young green barley leaves are almost 40 per cent protein; protein which is 90 per cent usable and easily digested and assimilated.”

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Fantastic Fresh Fodder

Tiered fodder systems can be highly productive with a quick crop turn around of less than 10 days.

and free folic acid in sprouted grains are often more than tenfold. Nutritional feed analysis of hydroponic barley fodder has found protein levels of up to 40 per cent, amino acids at 12.9 per cent, carbohydrates at 71 per cent and fat at three per cent, as well as enzymes, vitamins and minerals—including potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, beta-carotene, B1, B2, B6, C, folic acid, chlorophyll and alkalinity (required for animal diets). Finally, fresh fodder does not cause acidosis in livestock in the way that dry grain can.

Fodder systems—big and small Fodder system package deals consisting of growing sheds, channels, nutrients and equipment to provide the correct growing environment and nutritional system for maximum feed production are now commercially available. Many of these systems originated in Australia, where fresh hydroponic fodder production was initially seen as an answer to prolonged drought conditions. These days, however, fodder systems are common around the world, as the value of the fodder they

Fodder mats are harvested with root systems intact to be feed to livestock.

produce is considered superior to many other types of feed available for livestock.

Fodder-production systems for livestock are essentially the same as those used for many other crops, such as lettuce, herbs, microgreens and even the human equivalent of fodder—wheatgrass for juicing. NFT—or nutrient film technique—is the preferred method of fodder production, although other systems using overhead misters that deliver water and nutrients to the trays of sprouting grains are also sometimes used. In NFT systems large shallow channels contain pre-soaked 88

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Fantastic Fresh Fodder

“Cereal grains are high in phytates, which are enzyme inhibitors. As the seed germinates the phytates are eliminated and this allows maximum absorption of the nutrients contained in the grain.”

A wide range of animals such as these petting zoo residents enjoy a feed of fresh green hydroponic fodder.

grain, while hydroponic nutrient solution flows through these channels at a shallow depth, providing mineral elements and moisture. Within 24 hours the barley or wheat grains begin to sprout and rapidly send up fresh green shoots—and at the high density the grain is sown at, a dense mat of fodder is ready to harvest within a week.

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The main concern with sprouting grains for both animal and human consumption is hygiene and climate control. High humidity around the developing grain can lead to the development of certain bacteria and fungi, some of which produce toxins that can lead to animal health problems. The best way of combating the growth of these naturally-occurring fungi is to not sprout the grains in a high-humidity environment and to ensure there is adequate air movement around the developing fodder, to keep everything as clean as possible and to use bottom-watered systems such as NFT rather than overhead misting.

Some growers, particularly those just growing a few trays of fodder on a small scale, pre-sterilize their grains with a short soak in a diluted household bleach solution to kill off any fungi spores naturally occurring on the grain. A one per cent solution of bleach should be used to wash the grains for 10 minutes before rinsing with fresh water several times, then soaking and

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Wheat grains sprouting, 24 hours after soaking.

sowing into the fodder system or trays. Water should also be treated to make sure it is clean before applying to the grains and general hygiene procedures—such as washing and sterilizing trays between crops of fodder—should be maintained in order to produce a clean and healthy product.

A crop of fast-growing grains under ideal conditions of temperature and humidity will produce healthy fodder at a rapid rate. Although wheat and barley will sprout and grow under cooler conditions, temperatures of 60 to 75°F provide the fastest rate of production and lessen the possibility of any problematic fungi developing.

Healthy, dense fresh shoots, fodder requires a clean system and humidity control to prevent fungal diseases outbreaks.

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Fantastic Fresh Fodder

Wheatgrass is commonly used as a popular juice for humans, but is also a nutritional fodder for a range of animals.

Most hydroponic fodder systems for small-scale feed production for a few animals don’t really need a lot of space. The growing trays or channels are usually stacked into a tiered system of shelves from floor to roof, allowing sufficient space for the sprouts to grow upwards and for air movement over the trays. Hydroponic fodder grown on a large scale is typically produced in specifically designed, climate-controlled sheds rather then greenhouses, as high light levels are not required. However, many smaller-scale fodder producers modify existing buildings or use shaded greenhouses or propagation areas, provided they are warm, free of rodents and can be kept clean and dry.

Fodder production with indoor grow rooms Growing fodder indoors offers the same benefits as other hydroponic crops. The main advantage is complete control over the environment, which is essential for high-quality, healthy fodder growth. Like many crops grown at a high density, the sprouted grain is prone to problems originating because of high humidity, a condition in which many fungal and bacterial pathogens thrive. Maintaining the right temperature range (60 to 75ºF) and humidity level (70 to 80 per cent) as well as a good degree of airflow in the grow room area will provide the best fodder growth and nutritional value. Lighting for indoor fodder production doesn’t need to be intense, but it does need to be of sufficient strength to promote a good degree of chlorophyll formation. Compact fluorescents are ideal, as additional heat from

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overhead lamps can scorch tender new shoots.

While automatic systems such as wide NFT channels are used for commercial fodder production, in a small indoor system hand-watered shallow trays stacked on tiers to maximize production space are a good option. Trays should have drainage holes in the base and will need to be checked and watered once or twice daily, but with the average crop taking less than 10 days to mature a full tray of healthy green fodder can be grown with very little effort. A simple ebb and flow system with a solid tray placed underneath the perforated sprouting tray holding the grains is the best system for manual watering, rather than pouring water and nutrient solution over the crop.

Water alone should be given for the first few days as the grains sprout, then a dilute, complete hydroponic nutrient solution—a grow formulation—can be applied at an EC of 0.8 to one mS cm-1. The entire tray of fodder can then be offered to pets or livestock to graze or the whole mat of fodder, roots and all, can

“The entire tray of fodder can then be offered to pets or livestock to graze or the whole mat of fodder, roots and all, can be rolled up and taken out to feeding areas.” be rolled up and taken out to feeding areas. Trays should then be thoroughly sterilized before reseeding with the next crop. If any fungal growth (mold) or bacterial disease (slimy grains) has developed during the fodder production process the tray should be discarded, sterilized and re-sown with clean grains.

Fodder for pets The diets of many animals can benefit from supplementation with fresh green fodder and while the main commercial use of hydroponics fodder factories is for larger livestock such as cattle, deer and horses, smaller animals and pets also enjoy fresh hydroponic sprouts on their menu. Zebras in zoos, petting animals, rabbits and poultry are some of the livestock known to enjoy a feed of hydroponic fodder, particularly if they are housed indoors or in areas suffering drought or low wintergrass production. Fresh hydroponic fodder may also prove to be a valuable and cost-effective supplement to help hens produce higher-value, more ‘consumer-friendly’ eggs when access to outdoor green feed is limited or not possible. If you have livestock pets or hens, providing a few trays of sprouted green fodder can give them a higher degree of nutrition as well as cut back on the cost of providing them dry feed. MY References and sources www.foddertech.com www.grazegreen.com www.farmtek.com

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Biological Diversity and Microbe Strength

by Evan Folds

All microbes are not created equal.

Discover when microbes are the most effective and at their most powerful in a living system, like a plant.

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We know a lot about microbes but relatively little about what they actually do or how to use them to help us grow plants.

This can be illustrated through a discussion of compost tea.

Our current understanding of how to best view microbes and brew compost tea when growing plants is limited.

It seems that most of the energy being put into biological research of compost tea in the gardening and agricultural industry is with regard to the identification of groups of microbes—whether active or inactive, fungi or bacteria—and not what those microbes can do within a living system.

It’s much easier to create grids and count microbes (which is all a lab does for routine biological assays) than it is to patiently perform growing trials to determine the ability of specific microbes in assisting plant growth.

By specific microbes I’m not just talking about categories, but individual microbial strains. For instance, microbes from a farm are far stronger and capable than those from a lab.

Total numbers can be relevant when evaluating the balance of biological products or whether a humus product is stable, but it does not address the most important aspect of all—which is how well the product works. The most important things to plants—microbial strength and diversity—cannot be measured or seen under a microscope.

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Biological Diversity

Rudolf Steiner said, “Human beings want to receive everything passively, to sit down in front of the world as though it were a movie, and let the microscope and telescope tell them everything.”

“As humans, we tend to want to rip things apart to find the truth when the truth lies in the whole synergy of life.”

What he means is that the most important aspects of life cannot be quantified. They’re unobservable. As humans, we tend to want to rip things apart to find the truth when the truth lies in the whole synergy of life.

Here’s a truth: all microbes are not created equal. The same truth holds for people, animals and plants. This is why we keep motherplants and clone them. Humans don’t evolve much any more so we have developed extreme diversification, but survival of the fittest is at work in evolving systems.

Consider chimpanzees and bonobos—they come from the same genetic stock and grow up basically across the river from each other, but exhibit wildly different characteristics.

Now consider the differences in the strength, diversity and ability of microbes that come from a biodynamic farm versus a laboratory. Some biological products in the progressive gardening industry are created from microbes raised by humans in laboratories. This biosynthetic approach is necessary for the cost-effective distribution of certain microbes in specific applications and has its merits—especially with mycorrhizal fungi—but a biosynthetic approach cannot approach the full potential of an intact biological network or soil food web.

There’s no synergy among the different microbes because they didn’t grow up together.

Imagine if a trapeze artist picked someone out of the crowd to catch them at the end of their death-defying pass.

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Microbes aren’t robots; they’re unique, dynamic, living, breathing life forms with varying abilities, even within a given species.

No living organism operates autonomously. In other words, there is a symbiosis, or give and take, found in the natural world that we humans take for granted and therefore try to restrict.

When we get in the way of nature, we mess with the magic.

All microbes operate by way of teammates. They play off of each other, with one teammate unlocking the ability of the next. The big man cannot dunk without the assist from the point guard.

When 52 different organisms that were individually grown by a human in a petri dish are brought together as an end product intended for use in a gardening situation, the result is compromised. Not only is the overall biological ability of the mixture hindered due to all the players not being on the court, but what happens if the coach has put the players in the wrong positions? What if the benchwarmers, or worse—people from the stands—are put on as starters?

The word diversity with regard to biological organisms is used far too casually and confidently. True diversity as nature intends it cannot be measured by data points and cannot be engineered—it must grow from natural impulse and necessity.

For instance, you can’t reverse engineer the natural balance in sea water, and the same goes for humus. Be assured, most of the companies out there advertising biological diversity are not performing DNA testing on their organisms and this is the only way to measure true diversity.

Besides, biological diversity is virtually limitless, as evidenced by all the superbugs being discussed with regard to the overuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock. Microbes can react and adapt by design.

When using microbes, starting with a quality product is essential. This is a major problem with people who compost in their backyards. Organic matter doesn’t just melt; it’s Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

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Biological Diversity and Microbe Strength

“It’s true that not cleaning a compost tea brewer can generate biofilms, or colonies of anaerobic organisms that spew potentially pathogenic organisms over time. But some of the more common microbes we are told to fear, such as E. coli, are found naturally in the soil on farms and in our backyards.”

biologically digested. Without good microbes present in the mix, good plant food cannot be created.

For instance, it would not be advisable to use manure to make compost tea because manure is not yet plant food.

This is why some compost brands at the hardware store cost a dollar a bag—all they are is aged manure. They’re mulch, not plant food. Remember, trees in a forest don’t eat leaves; they eat what the microbes make of them.

Some tea-brewing systems advise using worm castings as a primary food source.

While this is certainly a viable option to brew tea, it is somewhat limited because worms are predominately bacterial organisms. Worms utilize bacteria in their gut in order to work their magic, like termites use fungi to digest the wood they eat. You should use worm castings as an amendment—along with a balanced humus product—as castings alone may not contain some trophic levels of the beneficial organisms that provide vital benefits to plants and gardens.

Again, all compost is not the same.

Let’s use the biodynamic method as a means of illustrating this point. Generally, biodynamic compost is not turned 100

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like traditional compost; it is created over longer periods of time. While turning compost does serve to speed up the decomposition process via aeration, it can also sacrifice the potential result by oxidizing the organic matter.

Good things come to those who wait.

It is possible to change the look and consistency of organic matter via frequent turning, but this again creates mulch, not true plant food. Because biodynamic compost is not turned, the microbes have to do the work, and they’re fine with that. You don’t have to turn the forest floor or a prairie, right?

The ability of certain aerobic (air-loving) microbes to become anaerobic if exposed to differing conditions is called facultative.

The secret is in creating proper conditions, not in compensating for a lack of biological or energetic balance.

It’s true that not cleaning a compost tea brewer can generate biofilms, or colonies of anaerobic organisms that spew potentially pathogenic organisms over time. But some of the more common microbes we are told to fear, such as E. coli, are found naturally in the soil on farms and in our backyards.

There are even anaerobic organisms such as bokashi—or effective microorganisms as they are known—that are becoming popular to those in the know.

Their use is sometimes referred to as composting, but is actually fermentation by way of anaerobic microbes.

This is not to say that biodynamic compost is anaerobic, but to say that the biodynamic method represents a means of providing microbes more life experience—in other words, more strength and diversity—than those given a cushy couch potato environment.

Think of it this way: an unchallenged microbe is a lazy microbe, and you can’t tell good microbes from bad ones by looking at them. Can you see nitrogencycling or enzyme production capabilities in an organism under a microscope?

The short answer is—no.

My point is that one cannot truly evaluate the quality of a biological product through a lab assay or by peering at a sample under a microscope. The only way to do this is by using it and learning from your subjective experience.

Keep in mind also that raw organic inputs need a biological component to make them fully available to plants and that this is true even for good organic potting soils.

Finally, microbes should be utilized in all growing situations, hydroponics included. MY

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Beginner’s corner

Measuring Light Intensity

by Philip McIntosh

Historically light intensity has been measured in a number of ways. It is complicated by the fact that light is something that we humans perceive in a specific way. Our eyes are sensitive to only a small fraction of the total electromagnetic spectrum, and our thoughts about what light is are influenced by this limited perception.

The light requirement for a reading room is different from that of an office space, which is in turn different from that of a factory floor. Early light research focused on human perceptions and needs and so was biased toward the view from the human eye—not the view from the photosystems of plants. Plants have their 102

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own specific requirements that are not aligned with those of humans. You will see the terms candelas, lumens, footcandles, candlepower, lux, moles, Einsteins and photosynthetic photon flux density used to describe light as it relates to plants and photosynthesis.

What do these terms mean?

Candlepower.

Lumens.

Candlepower (cp) is an obsolete unit of luminous intensity based on the light emitted from a specific type of candle (in England the candles had to be made of pure spermaceti weighing 1∕6 of a pound and burning at a specified rate; that should tell you how obsolete this unit really is). Candlepower was deprecated in 1948 and there is really no excuse for still using it.

The lumen (lm) is the SI unit of luminous flux (meaning something like “flow of light”), and is best thought of as a unit of perceived light power or total visible light from a source. High output lights are perceived to be brighter and have more power than dim ones; thus they output more lumens. A lumen is based on the unit the candela, and represents a light source with a radiance of one cd/sr. Keep in mind that the farther you are from a light source, the dimmer it looks but it still outputs the same number of lumens. But, there is less light energy falling on a surface as the source is placed farther away.

Footcandles.

Another obsolete unit, the footcandle (fc) (also foot candle or foot-candle) is a unit of illuminance, equivalent to the light shining on a surface placed one foot away from a source having an intensity of one candle (a candlepower of one). Although you may still see footcandles (or even candlepower) in older literature and even on some light meters, lux (one fc = 10.764 lux) is the preferred illuminance unit.

Candelas.

The candela (cd) replaced candlepower as the SI unit of luminous intensity.

It is defined as the luminous intensity in a given direction of a source emitting 555 nanometers radiation with a radiant intensity of 1/683 watt per steridian (sr). Steridian, now there’s a unit you don’t come across every day!

A steridian is roughly the area covered by 1∕12 of a sphere having a radius of one unit. The 555 nanometers wavelength (green) was chosen to correspond to the wavelength of highest sensitivity of the human eye when adapted to bright conditions. Perhaps you can already see a problem with the fact that green light was chosen as a part of the definition and method of producing a standard reference source for the candela; this is not an efficient wavelength for plant photosynthesis.

Lux. The lux is the SI unit of illuminance.

Lux gives the number of lumens per square yard (the illuminance) on a surface. For example, if a luminous flux of 100 lm, is shone on an area of one square yard, the illuminance is 100 lux.

One hundred lm concentrated on a four square inch surface (perhaps by moving the source closer to the surface) results in an illuminance of 10,000 lux—the illuminance is 100 times as high since the area of a four inch by four inch surface is 1/100th the area of a square yard.

Knowing this does not give any information about how much of that is light is actually useful for plants.

Moles, Einsteins and Photon Flux Density.

The mole (mol) is Avogadro’s number of any kind of discrete particle. Avogadro’s number, 6.022 x 1023, shows up all over the place in physics and chemistry. As a simplified example of how it’s used, if you have one mole of oxygen atoms, you have 6.022 x 1023 oxygen atoms. If a mole of oxygen atoms is combined with two moles of hydrogen atoms you will get one mole of water (H2O).

Named for the scientist (in honor of his 1905 description of the photoelectric effect, in which certain materials eject electrons when struck by light), the Einstein (E) is a unit (but not an SI unit) of quantized light energy. The Einstein is sometimes mistakenly described as one mole of photons of any wavelength.

However, it is really the amount of energy (in joules/mol), of a mole photons of a given wavelength. A mole of photons is quite a lot, so in plant research, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) measurements are reported in microEinsteins per second per square yard (micro = one-millionth). Or, to be consistent with SI units, micromol per second per square yard. These data are collected using sensors that essentially count all the photons in the range from around 300 nanometers to 700 nanometers. This is also known as the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) or photosynthetic photon flux (PPF). MY About the author:

Philip McIntosh is a science and 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.

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Unique Heirloom

Tomatoes

by Matt LeBannister

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Since variety is the spice of life, why not try something different with your next tomato crop?

With all the different types of heirloom tomatoes available today, there’s really no reason to settle for the couple of bland choices we are given at the average grocery store!

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Unique Heirloom Tomatoes

“There are so few choices of tomatoes in the average grocery store because of seed companies and the farmers they do business with. “

Have you ever noticed when browsing through your local grocery store how there are only a few different varieties of vegetables, fruits and herbs to choose from? Why aren’t there more options and where have all the other cultivars gone? When I go shopping for food I am lucky if I can find two or three different types of tomatoes available for sale—there is usually only a medium-sized, red beefsteak hybrid and a red vine tomato hybrid available, and neither offers much in the way of flavor or appearance. So why are there not any alternatives?

The reason for this lack of selection is somewhat disturbing.

There are so few choices of tomatoes in the average grocery store because of seed companies and the farmers they do business with. The large seed companies have genetically modified the tomato seeds that they are selling to the farmer, designing them to grow more tomatoes in less time, using fewer nutrients. These seeds are generally the only seeds available to the large-scale farmer and since the seeds are hybrids, they cannot be reproduced; instead the farmer must continue to purchase seeds from the seed company each year in order to sow the crop. These large seed companies have bought up the smaller seed producers, 106

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Unique Heirloom Tomatoes

eliminating the heirloom strains that yellow or orange, which can have been around for centuries— seem strange to those of us who leading to the serious risk of extinchave only ever seen red tomation for many of these strains. toes, but they’re generally conEnter the heirloom seed savers. sidered one of the best-tasting Just when it seemed like large seed yellow/orange strains available. companies had a stranglehold on the They are a determinate variety, industry, organizations specializing in which means that all their fruit the preservation and distribution of is produced and ripens at the heirloom or heritage strains sprang same time, and they’re usually up to save the day. There has been three to four inches in diameter an explosion of heirloom seed and round, with no ribbing “Persimmon tomatoes can be grown indoors companies in the last couple of or blemishes. These are meaty where they require lots of light to thrive, doing decades, largely driven by the Intomatoes that are juicy with few best under HID bulbs.” ternet, their goal being to preserve seeds, full of tomato flavor and a true, open-pollinated, non-hybrid little tangy—perfect for sauces, heirloom cultivars while giving the salads or just on their own. average home gardener some options to grow different strains Persimmon tomatoes can be grown indoors where they that would not normally be available to them. require lots of light to thrive, doing best under HID bulbs. For From this article you will learn about some completely unique vegetative growth the plants need 18 hours of uninterrupted heritage tomato strains that can be grown at home. light followed by six hours of uninterrupted darkness per day.

The first heirloom strain that we will discuss is the Persimmon To trick the plants into flowering indoors, switch the photopetomato, an old Russian variety believed to have been brought to riod to 12 hours of uninterrupted light followed by 12 hours of North America by a seed-saving organization. The fruit is bright uninterrupted darkness, which simulates the amount of light the plants would receive if they were grown outdoors.

This strain usually grows four to six feet tall, although it can get larger, and the plants need a daytime temperature between 65 and 85°F and a nighttime temperature no lower than 55°F. Persimmon tomatoes have an ideal pH range of 5.5 to 7.0 in soil and 5.8 to 6.4 in hydroponics—if the pH level drifts out of this ideal range the plant will begin to lock out nutrients and deficiencies will develop.

Persimmon tomatoes are open-pollinating: when growing these types of plants indoors you must pollinate them by hand, which is best accomplished by touching the tip of a paintbrush

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to each flower twice a day while the plant is in bloom in order to spread the pollen from flower to flower, male organs to female organs.

All things considered, the Persimmon cultivar is an excellent heirloom tomato that takes about 80 days from seed sowing to fruit harvest.

Another unique tomato cultivar is the Purple Calabash, which is said to date back to pre-Columbian Mexico. Two to three inches in diameter, Purple Calabash tomatoes have a rich purple or chocolate brown hue with purple, green or pink interiors and deep ridges, making them resemble little pumpkins. They have a rich, complex flavor which has been compared to wine, are unlikely to crack or blemish and are drought tolerant and disease resistant. Purple Calabash tomatoes are great for making salsa, bruschette,

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sauces and salads, or simply on their own.

Purple Calabash tomatoes can be culti-

vated at home fairly easily. They need lots of light to produce great fruit, so growing them under HIDs is recommended.

For the vegetative stage of growth this strain needs 18 hours of uninterrupted light, while in order to get the plants to flower indoors you’ll have to switch the

photoperiod to 12 hours of uninterrupted light followed by 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness. Purple Calabash tomatoes also need to be hand pollinated when grown indoors.

The ideal pH range for Purple Calabash tomatoes is from 5.5 to 7.0 in soil and between 5.8 and 6.4 in hydroponics. This cultivar can grow anywhere from four to eight feet tall and staking the plants is recommended to keep them from falling over and being damaged.

Purple Calabash tomatoes are an indeterminate strain—which means that their fruit does not develop and ripen all at once—and it should take about 75 to 85 days from seed sowing to harvest.

The next cultivar that we’ll look at is the Reisetomate, an extremely rare German heirloom strain that just might be the most strange and unique tomato

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cultivar that I have ever come across. The Reisetomate is called the travel tomato—and for good reason. The fruit produced by this strange tomato plant resembles red cloves of garlic and the Reisetomate is essentially like a cluster of cherry tomatoes that has fused together. They make tasty and convenient snacks to travel with because you can break off the tomato a piece at a time while doing little damage to the remaining fruit. In fact, each piece has the makeup of an individual tomato, with skin, flesh and a core full of seeds, despite the fact that they are all fused together to make up one large fruit. As far as flavor is concerned the fruit of the Reisetomate is tasty but hardly extraordinary—it’s really more of a show tomato, something to blow the minds of those conditioned to grocery store hybrids.

Reisetomate tomatoes are relatively easy to grow indoors and since they’ll only grow from 24 to 36 inches in height they’re a good choice for smaller indoor spaces.They’re an indeterminate strain—so the fruit will develop gradually and not all at once—and they’re resistant to many diseases such as fusarium wilt, verticulum wilt, root nematodes and tobacco mosaic.While their ideal pH range is the same as the other tomatoes we’ve discussed, Reisetomate plants can tolerate somewhat lower temperatures.

Like most tomato strains Reisetomate plants require lots of light to produce fruit and they do best under HID lights. They need 18 hours of uninterrupted light for the vegetative stage of growth, although in order to trick the plant into flowering you’ll have to switch the photoperiod to 12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of darkness. Like the other strains we’ve discussed Reisetomate tomatoes will also need to be pollinated by hand in order to produce fruit indoors.

One safety note for the home grower—certain parts of all tomato plants are toxic and must not be consumed, as the leaves and stems contain small amounts of a toxin called tomatine. MY

Sources www.backyardgardener.com www.heritageharvestseed.com

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www.amishlandseeds.com www.plantexplorers.com www.thisgardenisillegal.com

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Avant-Gardening

Micropropagation

by Brian Johns Discover the basic steps of micropropagation, but before we begin all that, there is one point that cannot be stressed enough—maintain cleanliness!

All other factors in micropropagation are important but none of them will affect your results as much as this one.

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1. Select a plant from which to take tissue samples. It is important that your plant is free from any visible signs of disease or infestation. Typically plants that are grown indoors are more successfully micropropagated than those grown outdoors simply due to lower levels of contaminates. It is also important to sterilize your plant as much as possible.

Wipe the plant down with a mild bleach or hydrogen peroxide solution (approximately ½ teaspoon per .22 gallons).

2. Select the appropriate containers in which you will be placing your grow medium and tissue cultures. This can be something as simple as baby food jars. I recommend small mason jars because they are glass (easily sterilized); you do not have to remove any labels (labels block the plants from receiving light and you don’t want that); the lids can be easily adjusted to accommodate more or less airflow; and they are readily available and inexpensive.

3. Prepare your grow medium. There are many different forms of grow mediums suitable for tissue culture on the market today. The advantage of purchasing a prepared grow medium is that it takes a lot of the guesswork out of the process. Also many of the prepared grow mediums are plant specific, which means they contain all of the appropriate minerals, nutrients and hormones needed for your specific plant. (Note: Prepared grow mediums are only partially prepared as there is some mixing involved).You also have the option to mix your own grow medium.

4. Take cuttings from your plant and place them into the grow medium. The best way to do this is with a scalpel and tweezers that have been sterilized. As it pertains to what sections

of the plant to take your cuttings from, this is one area where you get to experiment a little bit. With some plants, even sections of the leaf tissue will root and form clones, so be creative and take samples from various locations of your plant and keep track of which cuttings work best. It is important to think small when taking your cuttings. All that is needed is .15 to .95 inches of plant material.

5. Now you have your grow medium and cuttings in sterilized jars with the lids loosely on top. Place the jars approximately 12 inches underneath cool spectrum lighting. The temperature should be kept between 60°F to 75°F. Light cycles can be kept consistent with vegetative plant light cycles (16+ hours of light per day). The area in which you store/grow your clones should have little to no air circulation, as to reduce the risk of contamination.

6. In a very short period of time you will begin to see your plants take shape and begin to resemble adolescent plants as opposed to chunks of plant material. At this point you have a couple options.

A. You can continue to grow your plants with the same method, transplanting them into larger containers as needed. Once your plants have quadrupled in size you can actually divide them into pieces and start the process over.

B. You can place your plants into soil or a hydroponic growing medium. The key to success in transferring your plants from the micropropagation growing medium to any other growing medium is ensuring that you have removed all of the micropropagation medium prior to transplanting. Also you should treat these small plants with as much care as possible until they have been assimilated to their new environment (placing a humidity tent over them and diffusing their lighting is highly recommended for the first week after transplantation).

Again, it cannot be stressed enough that cleanliness and sterility are of utmost importance. From the instruments that you use to the area in which you take the cuttings from your plants, your success will depend on how well you are able to protect these small plants and limit their exposure to contaminants. MY About the author:

Brian Johns is driven by his passion to change the way people think about agriculture. He encourages natural food production in soil and hydroponic farming. Brian owns and operates Happy Family Farms in Flint, Michigan where he resides with his wife and business partner, Becky, and their three children Sara, Stephen and Noah.

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by Beth Dumey and SteveN Goldberg

pH What to do, what not to do and why “I’m trying to test the pH of my solution to make sure my plants are getting enough nutrients. I think my pH tester is broke.

Or maybe it is clogged. I’m not sure, but I’ve only had it a few weeks. I think I need to return it.” –Frustrated Hydroponicist

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Troubleshooting Your pH Tester

Chances are the pH tester does not need to be returned.

Instead, applying some simple troubleshooting and storage techniques can save the hydroponicist’s time and frustration.

Several influences can impact a tester’s functionality, leading to drifting readings, slow response times, environmental interference and more. Here are some common complaints and what to do about them:

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When measuring liquid that is fairly clean, carbon dioxide can cause the pH to change as the sample is allowed to sit and react with the air. This may appear as drift, but actually the CO2 is changing the pH. In general, pH testers containing electrodes with built-in temperature sensors aren’t as responsive as separate pH and temperature electrodes.

“My reading keeps drifting. What can I do?”

“I don’t think my pH tester is working. It’s so slow.”

The types of sensors or electrodes in pH testers are gel-filled.You are most likely to experience drifting when measuring a relatively large volume of liquid, measuring liquid at slightly colder temperatures or testing fairly clean water. Here’s what might be happening: • Because gel-filled electrodes leak solution at a much slower rate than liquid-filled electrodes they take longer to stabilize.

This slower response can be perceived as “drift.”

• When measuring a 17 ounce sample, your readings will take longer to reach equilibrium (i.e. “drift”) than if you used a smaller volume of three or seven ounces. Try using a smaller sample size.

The age and condition of the electrode in your pH tester can affect response times. Properly functioning, new gelfilled electrodes will go from pH seven to pH four in no more than 60 to 90 seconds. Keep in mind: • As electrodes age, they respond more slowly.

• In some circumstances it is normal if your electrode is quick to respond during calibration but slower to respond during your test.

• Electrodes that are dirty or dried out will respond sluggishly. If rinsing with clean water isn’t enough, warm, soapy water will work well for most organics, while low concentrations of acids work well for most inorganic material. After cleaning, a period of soaking to rehydrate the glass sensing bulb may be necessary—warm (140 to 176°F) pH four buffer works well and is easy to confirm when hydration is complete as the pH reading will be constant.

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“Calibration is necessary to achieve an accurate reading. In a sense, it sets the meter at the correct level, much like a scale needs to be placed at exactly zero to produce an accurate weight.”

“There seems to be interference affecting my readings. What’s happening with my tester?”

Be wary of electrical signals introduced into your system such as nearby electric mixers, motors, ballasts, fans, etc. These can create environmental “noise” and impact your readings.

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Troubleshooting Your pH Tester

“My tester doesn’t seem to be calibrating.

What do I do?”

Calibration is necessary to achieve an accurate reading. In a sense, it sets the meter at the correct level, much like a scale needs to be placed at exactly zero to produce an accurate weight. To calibrate, always choose a pH seven buffer solution plus at least one other pH value close to your expected measurement range. Using solutions of known pH value allows you to adjust your tester. Perform calibration before each reading or set of readings. To troubleshoot: • Be sure to calibrate with fresh, unexpired buffer solution.

• Try changing the batteries and calibrating again.

• Reset the tester.

“My pH tester is grimy and not working well. How do I clean it?” pH testers with mechanically intact electrodes containing no broken parts can often be restored to normal performance by one of the following procedures: • General cleaning: Soak the electrode in a 1:10 dilution of household laundry bleach in a 0.1 to 0.5 per cent liquid detergent solution in hot water with vigorous stirring for 15 minutes. Place electrode under warm,

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“Properly storing pH testers ensures optimal functioning and enhances their longevity.”

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running tap water for 15 seconds. Soak the electrode in storage solution for at least 10 minutes.

Removing saltdDeposits: Dissolve the deposit by immersing the electrode in 0.1 M HCl for five minutes, followed by immersion in 0.1 M NaOH for five minutes, and thorough rinsing with distilled water.

Eliminating oil/grease films: Wash electrode pH bulb in mild detergent or methanol. Rinse electrode tip with distilled water.

Clogged reference junction: Heat a diluted KCl solution to 140 to 176°F. Place the pH electrode into the heated KCl solution for approximately 10 minutes. Allow the electrode to cool while immersed in unheated KCl solution.

Disposing of protein deposits: Dissolve the deposit by immersing the electrode in a one per cent pepsin solution with 0.1 M HCl for five minutes, followed by thorough rinsing with distilled water.

Measuring the pH of Pure Water

Common sense says: “What could possibly be so difficult about reading the pH of pure water? It should be neutral-pH seven, and there are no interferences.” In practice, it can be quite difficult and often frustrating to obtain reproducible pH values in samples with low-ionic strength. Water that has very few ionic species is said to be low in alkalinity, ionic strength, or have low conductivity/high resistivity such as distilled or deionized (DI) water. It is common to attain different pH values with new, sealed electrodes that calibrate perfectly in pH buffers when attempting to measure DI water. This is due to the varying junction potentials that develop across the reference junction. Some techniques and product recommendations for overcoming such limitations will be discussed here.

Other measurement tips: • It is beneficial to measure pH in the smallest sample volume possible. Direct pH measurement in large volume samples such as drums or tanks and other samples with flowing or moving water tend to fluctuate and will require excessive stabilization time.

• Addition of a tiny amount of KCl will increase ionic strength to the sample and improve response time. Only high purity KCl should be used as trace contaminants in low-grade KCl can artificially alter the pH. • Maintain good-laboratory practices including using clean glassware, avoiding cross-contamination after calibration by rinsing thoroughly with DI water, using only certified calibration standards, etc.

• Temperature compensation should be used during measurement and calibration. Calibrate daily at multiple pH calibration points.

• Minimize exposure of your sample with air. CO2 gas absorption can actually decrease pH.

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Troubleshooting Your pH Tester

“I’m not sure if I’m storing my pH tester correctly.”

For all of these cleaning procedures, soak the electrode in storage solution for at least 10 minutes prior to use. If these steps fail to restore normal electrode response, replace the electrode.

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Properly storing pH testers ensures optimal functioning and enhances their longevity. However, electrodes should not be stored for longer than six months.

After six months, electrodes should be rotated or replaced.

For best results, always keep the pH bulb wet, preferably in a storage solution or in pH 4.01 buffer with 1/100 part of saturated potassium chloride (KCl) added. Other pH buffers or tap water are acceptable storage media, but avoid storing in distilled water or reverse osmosis water because it will deplete the hydration layer of refillable electrodes and decrease the life of nonrefillable electrodes.

KCl and pH four buffers provide good conditions for mold to grow. To prevent mold from growing in storage solutions, use up

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Troubleshooting Your pH Tester

to four per cent of sodium benzoate or azide in the reference fill and storage solutions.

If the electrode has not been hydrated (i.e., placed in solution for more than one hour), allow the electrode to soak in a buffer (preferably pH four) prior to standardization or measurement. This will help optimize and reestablish the thin hydration layer on the sensing bulb, which is critical to pH measurement.

The Help Desk If after applying the techniques above your pH tester still seems a bit off, it may be time to call the professionals. Many suppliers and manufacturers have technical experts available to assist you by phone, e-mail or even via live chat on their website.Write down any error messages before you call. Be ready to answer how long the problem has been going on, as well as specifics such as the temperature of the solution. Of course, if the pH tester has any cracks or physical damage, this likely is diminishing its performance. At this point, the technical expert can propose the next best steps. MY

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Grow Your Own Fresh Air

by Emma Cooper

Modern buildings use a lot of synthetic materials that can release volatile organic compounds into the air, including nasties such as formaldehyde, ammonia and benzene. In addition, humans release bioeffluents, or carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane as well as alcohols and ammonia. When you add together synthetic materials, bioeffluents and poor ventilation you’ve got a recipe for Sick Building Syndrome, a mixture of ailments including allergies, asthma and fatigue.

The good news is that research done for NASA into how to create a breathable atmosphere for a lunar base has led to an understanding of how to use common houseplants to improve indoor air quality and prevent this syndrome.

Plants actively manage the environment around them, increasing humidity,

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creating air movement, managing the microbes that live in the soil around their roots and emitting phytochemicals into the air that prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria and molds.

One of the best plants for cleaning the air is the large Areca palm, perfect for

Ficus

offices. A good choice for a smaller room may be the Rubber plant. For a sunnier position try Ficus Alii. If space is at a premium, the Boston fern may be for you. If you fancy something that flowers indoors, you can’t do better than the Peace lily. MY

About the author:

Fern

About the author: Emma Cooper is the voice of the Alternative Kitchen Garden podcast and writes about kitchen gardening and environmental issues.

Visit http://coopette.com

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Growing for Health

Spicing It Up With

ExoticHerbs Looking for some extra spice in your herb garden? Consider adding exotic herbs to the garden.

From Italian parsley, lime thyme and laventolerate cold conditions and must be brought der to allspice, marjoram and rosemary, there inside if grown outdoors. South-facing areas are endless possibilities for the exotic herb such as sunny porches and windowsills make gardener. Exotic herbs have been grown and the best site for container-grown herbs. cultivated throughout the world; from the A tropical native of Thailand, the green, Mediterranean to the Tropics, their versatilstrongly flavored peel of Kaffir lime is sought ity is unsurpassed. Exotic herbs have some after in many Southeast Asian dishes. Even amazing qualities, with many of them quite more aromatic and intensely flavored are the adaptable and easily grown indoors with a fresh leaves that can be used much like bay little care. leaves to flavor broth, soups and stews.

Nearly all herbs, exotic or not, require good Another tropical native, lemon grass is also drainage and lots of light.With sufficient light widely grown and used in Asian cuisine. and temperature Ornamental in you can easily appearance with grow a successboth a strong lemon “Containers set in just the ful exotic herb flavor and pleasant right spot will make it easier garden indoors lemon scent, the for others to appreciate or out. Exgrassy stalks of this the wonderful aromas of otic ones thrive exotic herb add a exotic herbs, not to mention in containers.An refreshing taste to their flavor.” exotic container soups, chicken and herb garden can seafood dishes. offer flexibilNumerous varietity in placement. ies of ginger can Containers set in just the right spot will make also be grown in the exotic herb garden. it easier for others to appreciate the wonderful Some exotic herbs are also grown for their aromas of exotic herbs, not to mention their beautiful flowers in addition to their other flavor. Keep in mind that exotic herbs cannot useful qualities. For instance, there’s the 130

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exotic Egyptian beauty blue lotus found on the shores of the Nile River.The intense blue flowers are typically grown for ornamental purposes though in some regions they are also used as medicine.

Fragrant plants add an extra dimension to herb gardening. Lemon verbena has always been prized for its aromatic oils and fresh lemon scent. Producing small pale-lavender flowers, lemon verbena is a favorite ornamental herb grown in many gardens.

Lavender is yet another prized herb grown for its strong aromatic properties.

Pineapple sage also possesses an intoxicating fragrance. Indigenous to the Mediterranean and South America, the pineapple-scented foliage of this exotic herb is unlike any other, instantly transforming your indoor herb garden into a tropical oasis.Although commonly grown for its pleasing aromatic foliage, the vivid red blooms of pineapple sage also make a lovely garnish for sautĂŠs and salads.

Various species of exotic mints are also widely available and can add enticing aromas in the herb garden as well as intense flavor in many dishes. Licorice mint, for example, not only gives the exotic herb garden the lingering aroma of licorice candy, but it’s great for cooking or tea.

Thyme is another notable Mediterranean native and a regular to many herb gardens, but for a more exotic flair; try growing some of the many sweetly scented varieties, such as lime or lemon thyme. Lime thyme makes a great ground cover, and the leaves are citrus scented; however, it makes a better ornamental herb as it does not have a citrus taste or culinary value. For cooking purposes, try lemon thyme instead.

This exotic herb is full of citrus flavor, and smells and tastes like lemon. It can be used as a substitute for lemon juice, lemon zest or lemon flavoring.

Greek Oregano is widely used in many Italian dishes as flavoring for tomato sauce, pizza, fish and salad dressing.

Other notable exotic herbs, whether grown for culinary or aesthetic purposes, include verbena,Vietnamese balm, Mexican coriander, Thai basil and many more. MY For more gardening tips and tricks visit www.gardeningknowhow.com or check out www.gardeningknowhow.com/questions

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&

P hotosynthes i s P lant N ut r i t i on

by B entley M i lls

Certain essential plant elements are required for photosynthesis and related metabolic processes. Some have a direct role in the structure of the photosynthetic apparatus. Necrosis and chlorosis (chlorophyll loss), which gives brown or yellow discoloration in the leaf , that accompanies a deficiency of an essential plant nutrient, results in reduced leaf area and plant metabolic activity.

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Photosynthesis and Plant Nutrition

Often by the time symptoms are visible in the plant leaf, the metabolic activity in the chloroplast is severe and plant growth has been reduced to a loss for the grower. Essential plant nutrients involved in the translocation of photosynthesis from the site formed (light and dark reactions) to areas of sink formation—fruits, grains and storage organs—are another area where deficiencies of a specific plant nutrient can reduce overall plant growth. The rates of photosynthesis can be reduced significantly if storage sites are not developing properly and acting as a sink for the photosynthate formed in

photosynthesis. Understanding how essential plant nutrients are involved in the photosynthesis process is necessary for the plant nutritionist to maximize plant health and economic growth of the crop.

P hotosynthes i s i n gene r al In the most general terms, photosynthesis can be described as the process by which plants use light energy to transform carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into oxygen (O2) and carbohydrates. A general reaction for the photosynthetic process is shown below: C O 2 + H 2 O + L i ght E ne r gy - - - > ( C H 2O ) + O 2 Photosynthesis, however, is not that simple. It actually consists of several interconnected processes that work together in taking solar radiation and using it to turn carbon dioxide and water into starches and oxygen gas. Inorganic elements play a vital role in all of the processes of photosynthesis. Nutrients can play both a direct and indirect role in photosynthesis.

Direct effects of nutrient deficiencies are usually considered reversible. Elements can be considered to have direct effects on photosynthesis when deficiencies of a particular element can cause a rapid decline in photosynthetic activity; and upon reintroduction of that element at a proper level, photosynthesis resumes.

Indirect effects are not usually readily reversible. They occur over a longer period of time and involve an element that is not necessarily critical in the photosynthetic process, but instead is crucial in the production of something that is directly involved. An example of an indirect effect “ W i thout sulfu r , chlo r oplast p r oduct i on would suffe r and photosynthes i s r ates would fall off. “

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Photosynthesis and Plant Nutrition

would be the depletion of sulfur. Although sulfur is not directly involved in the reactions of photosynthesis, it is a major component of amino acids, which make up many of the proteins of the chloroplasts. Without sulfur, chloroplast production would suffer and photosynthesis rates would fall off. Unlike the elements having direct effects on photosynthesis, the reintroduction of elements that indirectly affect the photosynthetic process may not readily improve rates of photosynthesis.

Often, the symptoms of many nutrient deficiencies are simply the visual manifestations of decreased photosynthetic activity by a plant. For example, the chlorosis that occurs when plants are deficient in magnesium (Mg) is due to the fact that magnesium makes up part of the chlorophyll molecule. Chlorophyll is a pigment in plants responsible for giving them their green color.

Thus, when magnesium is lacking, chlorophyll production is lowered and leaves yellow. In order to understand the role of the essential elements in photosynthesis we must first have an understanding of where, how and why the various processes of photosynthesis occur.

P hotosynthes i s i s a se r i es of pa r t i al p r ocesses : 1. Interception of incident radiation and its conversion into chemical energy as NADPH and ATP. 2. Diffusion of CO2 to the chloroplasts.

Photosynthesis largely occurs in the leaves of green plants.

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plants called the chloroplast.

The chloroplast is one of three general types of plastids. The other two types are called chromoplasts and leucoplasts.

Chloroplasts are organelles that are bounded by a double membrane system; which encloses an internal membrane system, the thylakoids, and a gel like matrix called the stroma. Thylakoids are grouped into stack like structures called grana, and several grana can be connected by tube like structures called frets. It is among these structures that photosynthesis occurs.

Chloroplasts have also been shown to contain significant concentrations of inorganic nutrient ions. Studies have shown that more than half of the N, Ca and Mg in a plant is in the leaves. Concentrations of Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Mg, Al and Si have all been detected in the lamellae of the chloroplasts.

When essential elements are deficient or present in toxic amounts, a number of common changes can occur in the chloroplasts of a plant. Often, the chloroplasts of affected plants display the following irregularities: • Chloroplasts are more spherical than ovoid in shape.

• The number of grana tends to be reduced or appear as indistinguishable plastids.

• Deficiencies in calcium can result in membrane irregularities.

• Deficiencies in sulfur can result in general chloroplast irregularities.

• Deficiencies in magnesium of iron can result in destruction of lamellar systems as well as irregularities in chloroplast membranes.

• Ammonium toxicity can result in a decrease in the number of grana present as well as a general swelling of the chloroplast. This is likely related to the uncoupling effect that ammonia has on photosynthetic phosphorylation. “ T he r eact i on cente r cons i sts of some p r ote i ns and chlo r ophyll molecules that use th i s gathe r ed ene r gy and conve r t i t i nto chem i cal ene r gy. “

3. Synthesis from triosephosphate of starch in the chloroplasts or sucrose in the cytoplasm.

It must be noted that although we have split photosynthesis into several different processes for the purpose of studying it; all of the steps listed are invariably linked together and can all occur at the same time in the plant.

T he L i ght React i on The light reaction of photosynthesis involves the adsorption of light radiation of particular wavelengths and the utilization of this absorbed energy to split water molecules in order to generate ATP and NADPH, which can be used as a source of chemical energy in the dark reaction. The light reaction takes place within two working units called photosystems. Photosystems consist of chlorophyll and other pigment molecules, such as xanthophylls and carotenoids, which absorb light energy from particular wavelengths. The pigments that absorb light energy are called antenna pigments. These pigments absorb light energy and deliver it to an area called the reaction center. The reaction

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“C hlo r ophyll takes the ene r gy i t abso r bs f r om these wavelengths of l i ght and conve r ts i t to useable chem i cal ene r gy w i th i n the photosystems of the l i ght r eact i on of photosynthes i s .“ center consists of some proteins and chlorophyll molecules that use this gathered energy and convert it into chemical energy.

The various pigments in plants help give them the unique ability to absorb light energy and convert it into useable chemical energy. Though all the pigments play important roles in the functioning of green plants, the one whose role is the most obvious is chlorophyll and thus it will be discussed here.

Chlorophyll is a large molecule with a heme structure, much like the hemoglobin in our red blood cells. However, instead of having an iron atom in the center like a nitrogen porphyrin ring hemoglobin does, it has a magnesium atom. There are different types of chlorophyll: chlorophyll a, b and c. Chlorophyll a makes up about 75 per cent of the chlorophyll in a green plant and is thus most essential to the photosynthetic process.

What makes chlorophyll so special is its ability to absorb light.

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Chlorophyll absorbs some wavelengths of light better than others. It absorbs very little light in the 500 nanometer range of wavelength. Not surprisingly, this corresponds to green light in the electromagnetic spectrum. Chlorophyll best absorbs light from the 680 to 700 nanometer range. This corresponds to red/far red light on the electromagnetic spectrum. Chlorophyll takes the energy it absorbs from these wavelengths of light and converts it to useable chemical energy within the photosystems of the light reaction of photosynthesis. There are two separate photosystems over which the light reaction takes place. Appropriately enough, they are named photosystem I and photosystem II after the order in which they were discovered. One of the main differences between the two photosystems is that antenna pigments of photosystem I absorb light predominately of a wavelength of 700 nanometers while the pigments of photosystem II absorb light mostly from the 680 nanometer wavelength. The two photosystems are joined by an electron transport chain made of a number of proteins, many of which contain inorganic nutrients within them. MY

To be cont i nued…

We continue our discussion of photosynthesis and plant nutrition in October 2011 issue Maximum Yield USA.

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Tips and Tricks

How to Test pH Levels in

Soil

by Therese Cressman

Is your soil acidic? Neutral? Alkaline? Why does it matter? Find out.

Most plants need a fairly neutral soil so they can retrieve all the nutrients from it that they require, but some are more fussy and may want a more acidic or alkaline soil. By testing the soil, you can determine if a garden location will be ideal for a new plant or if the soil should be amended first (to adjust the pH level as needed).

Many plants thrive in neutral soil (a pH reading of approximately 6.5 to 7.5) but there are some that require a more acidic (below seven) or alkaline soil (above seven).

The scale is from zero (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline).

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“Many plants thrive in neutral soil (a pH reading of approximately 6.5 to 7.5) but there are some that require a more acidic (below seven) or alkaline soil (above seven).”

Before testing: For an accurate reading use clean tools and remove any debris from the garden surface, then dig down about four inches to retrieve a soil sample. For potted plants, a couple of inches below the surface is fine.

Three ways to test soil: • Use a soil meter, probe or kit:These vary in price and quality.

• Quick and dirty DIY test: Not very specific but can give you an idea of what type of soil you’re working with and the testing supplies are likely in your pantry already.

• Send out samples:This can be done free or at low cost using local government or horticultural facilities (universities, greenhouses, etc.).

Soil kits, probes and meters There are a few different types you can buy and the kits will come with instructions for using their particular product. Generally a soil test kit is used by pouring a bit of dirt in the supplied tube or container, adding the provided tablet or powder, filling container with water and shaking until the powder or tablet dissolves. After a few minutes the test will display a color that you will compare against the kit’s color chart to see how your soil has tested.

Another option is a soil meter or probe that is either inserted directly into the ground or in a water and soil slurry mix. These can provide near instant readings and display either a color code or number to indicate the soil content.

Quick and dirty test This won’t give you a specific reading, but it can give you an idea whether or not your soil is acidic or alkaline.

• Vinegar test:Take a sample of dry soil (about ¼ cup), mix with distilled water to make a liquid mud and then start pouring household vinegar over top.

If the mixture fizzes, the soil is alkaline.

• Baking soda test: Mix dry soil and distilled water as above then start sprinkling baking soda over top. If the mixture bubbles, the soil is acidic.

• If neither test produces a reaction, you have fairly neutral soil.

Do you remember way back in the day when Grandpa would grab a handful of dirt on the farm and smell or taste it? It was the old-timer’s method of determining the pH level of the soil…if it tasted or smelled sour the soil was acidic and he knew then that it was time to add lime to increase the pH. If it tasted or smelled sweet that told him the soil was more alkaline.

with your local government agricultural office or university’s horticultural department. They’ll do the soil analysis or advise where local gardeners can get their soil samples tested.

Quick tips for amending soil • For more acidity (sourness) try adding sulfur, pine needles or cottonseed meal to lower soil pH. • For more alkaline (sweetness) try Send out samples adding lime or wood ash to increase If it’s imperative that you know soil pH. MY precisely how your soil tests, your best bet is to check Tipnut.com

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BEAT

heat THE

Get set up for your best ever

indoor growing season with all the modern equipment.

by Lee McCall

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Beat the Heat

Depending on where you live and how extreme the seasonal variations in your area, the warmer months of the year may tend to defeat many of the techniques you’ve been using in order to harvest top-shelf indoor crops.

In the summertime, indoor farming efficiency has a tendency to plummet unless the grower is prepared in advance to skillfully execute certain environmental control precautions. Pest populations may produce twice as fast in the summer months due to constant high temperatures and the excessive heat may hinder plant growth as well, leaving gardens vulnerable to pest infestation, drought and molds.

Root diseases such as pythium are also at a power play advantage,

as increasing reservoir temperatures from the extreme heat decrease available dissolved oxygen to the feeder roots on the plant.This can suffocate plants, resulting in almost immediate death with little time available to try to save or recover the victims.This is not to say that indoor gardening is impossible during the summer months in places like Arizona, Colorado,Texas or Southern California, however; in fact, some of the warmest parts of the country are home to growers who boast premium-quality indoor-grown produce all year round.

Last month’s discussion provided some essential techniques to help you achieve a bumper outdoor-grown harvest during the peak growing season.After all, the sun is the greatest free resource an outdoor

“Pest populations may produce twice as fast in the summer months due to constant high temperatures.”

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gardener can have. If at all possible, you should try starting a garden outside during the warm summer months—whether it is hydroponics-based or soil-grown organically, it’s a great way to increase your skill and knowledge about plants in general and it can only make you a better indoor grower.

High temperatures are your worst enemy in the summer season if you’re an indoor grower.Although your HID lighting (sodium and halide) can tend to raise temperatures in your indoor grow space to untenable levels during the summer months, proper air cooling of six inch and eight inch reflectors with high velocity fans can promote easier control of your environment, in conjunction with A/C and water chilling devices if required.

For many growers, air conditioning is an essential element in the climate control properties of their room design in the summer months in arid climates such as Arizona or Colorado—upwards of five tons (60,000 BTU) and more of A/C is not uncommon for commercial growers housing multiple sets of lights in areas as large as 2,000 square feet, especially when temperatures outside are upwards of 95°F! When the sun is this hot throughout the day, 1,000 watt lights are the last thing a grower wants to have boosting the temperature without the safety valve of a high-efficiency air conditioner or watercooled air handler. Split units are also a great way to provide cool, fresh air intake to the garden while isolating the heat from the compressor. Portable A/C units are a “High temperatures are quick fix for spot-cooling treatments in your worst enemy in the gardens, but will probably require more summer season if you’re than 14,000 BTUs in order to handle an indoor grower.” gardens housing more than two 1,000 watt lights.Water chilling air handlers are advantageous for cooling purposes, but can result in excessive humidity levels caused by condensation.Water chillers may seem kind of expensive initially, but for hydroponic applications in particular these devices will ensure steady growth even in the hottest grow room environments—instances

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where rooms upwards of 100 degrees will still maintain inches of plant growth per day in continually running systems using 60 to 65 degree chilled water are not unheard of.

Dimmable electronic and digital ballasts have proven to be advantageous from both an energy efficiency and environmental control standpoint. Having the ability to reduce the energy consumption and light output of 1,000 watt lamps, or, in some instances, having the luxury of being able to replace them with 600 or 750 watt lamps is a good example of a recent technological breakthrough in horticulture that can improve production for the grower. Implementation of dimming functions on electronic and digital ballasts has proven to be a versatile solution for controlling temperature issues in the garden—growers are now able to maintain adequate production and photosynthesis with 1,000 watt lights, while without a dimmable option these lights would have to be turned off in order to keep the room temperature down.

Obviously there is no benefit to plants to be derived from a 1,000 watt light—or any light at all—if you can’t control the temperature during the sweltering summer months.

Problems stemming from the excessive heat and energy sometimes generated by conventional indoor light sources have started to steer growers towards LEDs as an alternative.They are not necessarily a perfect solution, however, although they are continuing to gain in popularity as the technology matures, and more and more interested growers are making the investment to see what this new-age lighting is capable of. Canister-style designs, intense spectral emitters no bigger than a coke can, have proven to be useful as supplemental light sources to sodium or halide reflectors, penetrating the plant canopy with less

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heat and kilowatt consumption than HID bulbs. Patented LED chips are specifically engineered for different stages of growth and are advertised to never deteriorate in output for up to seven years, eliminating costly lamp replacements for those who replace their bulbs on an annual or even more frequent basis.Although many growers may find that LED technology alone will not yield the results normally produced by sodium and halide bulbs, they will enjoy a drastic reduction in overhead operating costs.The ability to maintain a productive garden without the need for A/C, expensive inline fans and costly energy bills does seem to more than pay for itself during the summer months, when many experience downtime in the form of seasonal problems like insects, molds, rots and temperature issues.

“Problems stemming from the excessive heat and energy sometimes generated by conventional indoor light sources have started to steer growers towards LEDs as an alternative.�

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Commercial growers using multiple banks or runs of lights in industrial spaces often experience the reality of summer in its harshest form. Insulation is usually poor, making cooling and heating large growing areas difficult. If possible, you should frame out smaller individual rooms from larger spaces and try to contain lights within each area. For example, instead of one room with 60 lights, you might have six smaller rooms framed out with 10 lights in each room.This method will also help to quarantine each growing space and prevent transferring infectious pathogens, bugs and mildews. In the event that all the lights are situated in a single area for flowering and fruiting cycles, coordinate the multiple banks to stagger the lights on in sections, alternating sections in specific intervals. For example, if you have two rows of 20 lights, then starting at one end of the two rows, four lights—or two lights per row—may kick on for two hours.After two hours of operation the next bank of four lights will start a two hour cycle, and so on.Although it may cut production to some extent on most indoor-cultivated fruit and flower varieties, this technique is an energy-efficient alternative that reduces the heat in the room and maintains enough light for consistent production despite the summer heat outside.Another common sense suggestion is to always operate your garden with lights on during the night and lights off during the day if possible, providing more control over your indoor environment since the heat emitted from the lights will not be in conjunction with the heat from the midday sun.

Soon the summer will draw to a close and outdoor growers will prepare for a heavy harvest to end the season and begin sowing or cloning for the indoor one yet to come. For many, the new fall season will mean a drastic reduction in temperatures, allowing growers to expand operations and turn on more lights. MY

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YOU TELL US

A Maximum Yield exclusive interview with DL Wholesale owners and founders Darren Lacativo and Donald LaRosa revealed the reasons growers love their Bake Bags, how Panda Film improves lighting efficiency and why heat mats are beneficial for indoor gardeners.

Darren Lacativo and Donald LaRosa

Maximum Yield (MY): What products in the DL Wholesale line are you most excited about right now?

Darren Lacativo and Donald LaRosa: Our most exciting product right now is our new line of Oasis Grow Tents.These tents are truly amazing and have countless useful features that other tents on the market don’t have. For example, our tents don’t use any Velcro. Instead we have high-quality, airtight, waterproof and lighttight zippers on all doors, windows and even vents.That feature, along with our clear plastic windows, allows growers to maintain the most consistent plant environment while still being able to visually check on their products. Each opening also uses one full zipper, so you can unzip your openings in one fluid motion. And we don’t make our customers waste time rolling up all the tent flaps; instead we designed it so you can let them hang and they won’t cover or interfere with any neighboring vents or drag on the ground.We 158

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also provide the perfect number of ducting and electrical openings in each tent that use drawstrings on both the inside and outside of the tent, which gives you the most airtight connection and makes them adjustable. Oasis tents are also seven feet tall, come in four sizes (which will fit all major band trays) and feature an accessory pouch on the outside.

MY: What’s with the oven bag trend that has swamped our industry?

Why should growers choose your “Bake Bags” version?

Darren and Donald: Oven Bags were originally designed for the kitchen and are still used there as an alternative method of cooking meat and poultry in the oven, mostly turkeys. They have recently become extremely popular in the hydroponics industry because growers have discovered that these bags also work great for garden storage of things like vegetables, herbs and even soil in some cases. Because the bags were originally designed to go in the oven, they are extremely durable, heat resistant and they can hold a lot of weight. All of those features also make them great for our customers. Our Bake Bags are special because we took the features that growers love—thickness and strength— and enhanced them so that they work even better for our customers. We also increased the size of our bags to 19 by 23.5 inches so we have the largest and thickest bags on the market.

MY: What is Panda Film and how does it improve lighting efficiency?

Darren and Donald: Panda Film is a thick poly film that can be used to reflect light back onto the growing area, allowing growers to take full advantage of all the lumens they are putting out, improving lighting efficiency. Unlike regular Mylar, Panda Film is completely opaque so light will not seep through. It uses a white surface to reflect light and heat, instead of silver, which only reflects light and will actually absorb heat. It’s also thicker, stronger and easier to clean than traditional Mylar.

MY: Explain how heat mats work and why they are beneficial for indoor growers?

Darren and Donald: Temperature is a major factor in how fast a seed or cutting will germinate because it affects growth on the

cellular level. Each species of seed has an optimal temperature at which it will germinate the fastest, and heat mats are one of the best ways of controlling the temperature of your seedling’s environment. They are especially beneficial to indoor growers because temperature control and lack of space are usually two of the most important things to these growers, and our Root Radiance Heat Mats are the perfect solution. It doesn’t hurt that they’re priced competitively either.

MY: What can Maximum Yield readers expect from DL Wholesale in the near future?

Darren and Donald: In the near future you can expect that we will more than double the size of our catalog, again, within the next year, and you can expect our prices to stay competitive.

We are also trying to increase the manufacturing of our products within the US whenever possible, so stay on the look out for those little American flags on our products. We are also planning to open a new distribution warehouse on the East Coast so we can offer those customers the same great service and shipping rates that we currently offer our customers closer to us on the West Coast. And you can also expect to see a new electronic ballast from us that will be an industry changer, and we are very excited about it!

We are currently in development now, and you can check our website and blog for updates.

warehouse lighting to more efficient and eco-friendly compact fluorescent bulbs. We also use electronic invoices and other paperwork whenever possible in order to reduce paper waste, and we utilize recycled corrugated packaging for many of our products.

MY: Where can growers go for educational materials on using your products and to learn more about your company?

Darren and Donald: You can learn more about our company and our products on our website www.dlwholesale.com and our blog, located within our website. In terms of educational materials on using our products, we are currently working on developing our own information videos, but in the mean time there are countless articles and videos all over the Internet, especially www.maximumyield.com and YouTube, that address just that. We also do everything we can to support unbiased industry professionals who create informational videos and reviews by supplying them with products. MY

MY: How does DL Wholesale support local causes and community building?

Darren and Donald: Since we are still a start up in our second year of business, it can be difficult to find the resources to support and build up the causes that we care about, but we donate to associations like the California Environmental Project and Ride Ataxia, as often as we can.

MY: What strategies has DL implemented to lessen their environmental impact on our planet?

Darren and Donald: We are always brainstorming new ways to reduce our carbon footprint and help the environment. We are currently switching out all of our Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

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TALKING SHOP

AT A GLANCE Company: Hefty Harvest Owner: Nik Grobins, Alex Wentz and Pieter Roets Location: Lacey, Washington Phone: 1-360-628-8964 E-mail: Contacts@heftyharvest.com web: www.heftyharvest.com Motto: “Make every harvest a hefty harvest!”

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Hefty Harvest was created in 2010 by pretty much everything you need for your Nik Grobins, Alex Wentz and Pieter garden except for maybe a sparkle pony Roets. With over 35 years of gardenor a soda pop rain drop! The Double ing experience between them, the boys H is a Willie Wonka-sized candy from the H Team felt there was a need store for gardeners of all levels. With for a new breed of a retail hydroponic a massive selection of nutrients, adshop that ditives and more would be a hardware than true deparyou can shake ture from a snake at, you the dark, could almost say closet-sized the owners are shops of bat crap crazy old; a shop about quality centered on and selection. helping cusAll jokes aside, tomers reach Hefty Harvest and their gardenits employees are ing potenserious when it tial; a shop comes to knowwhere every ing the products From left: Owners Alex Wentz, Pieter Roets customer available and stayand Nik Grobins. could get ing on top of the what they latest developments needed to reach that potential. in the industry. Reading relevant books, In the past 10 years there has been an exploresearch papers and trade publications and sion in the number of hydroponics products the willingness to participate in vigoravailable and even more are hitting the shelves ous physical application of the principles every day.This influx of new and sometimes learned from them are prerequisites for untested merchandise—along with the vague every HH employee, in addition to being information sometimes provided with the necessary for meaningful long-term sucproducts—has made wading through the cess in the retail hydroponic world. industry a treacherously expensive endeavor.

“Nothing is worse than employees at The team at Hefty Harvest has the experience a store who may take themselves too and more than enough space—you’ll find seriously,” Alex tells us.

“We have strict rules and standards about having fun!”

At Hefty Harvest, the job is not about rushing customers into a purchase when they’re in the store.“It’s not about what I want to sell to the customers,” Nik explains,“but what our customers need to be sold in order for them to be successful.”

Treating customers right has proven invaluable in growing Hefty’s reputation and customer base.“Folks taking the time to understand what they are working with really helps them to improve their knowledge base, their results and thus their enjoyment from their gardens,”

the west side of the Cascade Mountains the growing season can be very inconsistent—and very wet—and many small- and medium-scale outdoor growers have begun using greenhouses with supplemental lighting in their fully indoor operations in order to provide a more consistent crop year round. Meanwhile, victory garden growers are becoming more exposed to the benefits of learning the nutritional needs of plants and understanding advanced gardening techniques such as organic teas. A family today has a lot of resources available to help them grow healthy fruits and vegetables at home. “Having an in-

adds Pieter.“Our customers are great.Their enthusiasm and drive to produce great gardens makes working with them a lot of fun.”

Having a store located in Lacey,Washington in the Pacific Northwest has provided some real insight into the future of indoor and hydroponic gardening for the three partners. On

door set-up in addition to their backyard garden can be a lifesaver when some years we only get a month of consistent sun all summer long,” says Pieter.

“When a customer brings in a smile and a big pile of fruit from their garden it makes you feel good inside,” says Alex,

“The Double H is a Willie Wonka-sized candy store for gardeners of all levels.”

with a smile of his own. “Until we eat it all—then it makes us feel full!”

The future for Hefty Harvest is even brighter than all the lights they sell combined.The three owners feel they have the chance to grow opportunities for their customers the way they grow their fruits and flowers, and Nik sums up their philosophy by saying,“Nothing we do happens in a vacuum—it’s about making the right choices to have a positive impact on our customers, our gardens and our community.”The eagerly awaited launch of their new online storefront means the team at Hefty Harvest is also looking to make a digital splash soon in cyberspace.

“We have a lot of great new features for the site rolling out in the near future,” Alex proudly tells us.“The site will be constantly evolving to provide easy navigation and will provide a plethora of information and new tools never before seen for customers in our industry.”

So look for the H team to be doing big things in the near future—because with their explosive combination of brains, brawn and devilish good looks they are a dead sexy team of gardening experts ready to help you “make every harvest a hefty harvest!” MY

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MAX-MART

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GRowco indoor Garden supply

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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

Come Grow With Us on Facebook!

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COMING UP IN OCTOBER

Troubleshooting Magnetic Ballasts Magnetic ballasts are inexpensive and simple to fix if something goes wrong. Fix yours fast with these do-it-yourself troubleshooting tips.

Photosynthesis and Plant Nutrition 2 A discussion of photosynthesis and plant nutrition continues with a focus on transport of photosynthates and the Calvin Cycle..

Heavy Feeder The tomato plant requires high levels of most of the essential plant nutrient elements. Discover how the four major elements—nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium interact and affect tomato plant growth as well as fruit yield and quality.

Eco-gardening, creative indoor grows, tips and tricks, guidance for beginners and more.

www.maximumyield.com Maximum Yield USA October will be available October 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?

1.

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

2.

Seed barley has proven to be one of the best grains in terms of production and animal nutrition and is in fact recognized as being one of the most nutritious of all plant foods, containing a broad range of essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids in high concentrations.

7.

3.

When both plant parents are heterozygous the recessive form will present 25 per cent of the time and 75 per cent of the time the dominant form will show up.

Plants that have undergone a number of years of moisture and heat stress may exhibit symptoms of magnesium deficiency.

4.

Peas have only 14 chromosomes, while some strains of wheat have 42.

5.

8.

Persimmon tomato plants can reach four to six feet when grown indoors.

9.

At one time magnesium was classified as a secondary element; today, that classification has been dropped and magnesium is classed as a major element.

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

6.

Many nutrition changes occur when sprouting grains: phytates (enzyme inhibitors) are eliminated allowing for maximum absorption of the nutrients contained in the grain; complex compounds break down into more simple constituents; hydrolytic enzymes increase; and the content of total proteins, fats, essential amino acids, total sugars and B-group vitamins improve.

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

ALABAMA

Alabama Organics 3348 Bethel Road, Hammondville, AL 35989 256-635-0802

ALASKA

Brown’s Electrical Supply 365 Industrial Way, Anchorage, AK 99501 907-272-2259 Far North Garden Supply 2834 Boniface Parkway Anchorage, AK 99504 907-333-3141 Southside Garden Supply AK 12870 Old Seward Highway, Unit 114, Anchorage, AK 99515 907-339-9997 Holmtown Nursery Inc. 1301 - 30th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701 907-451-8733 Northern Lights Greenhouse & Garden Supply Suite 105-9737 Mud Bay Road Ketchikan, Alaska 9901 907-225-GROW (4769) Anuway Hydroponics Suite #1 2711 W Walnut Rogers AK 72756 USA 479 631 0099 Peninsula Garden Supply AK 44224 Sterling Highway, Suite 4, Soldotna, AK 99669 907-420-0401 Far North Garden Supply 300 Centaur Street, Wasilla, AK 99654 907-376-7586

ARIZONA

Sea of Green Flagstaff 204-C E. Route 66 Flagstaff, AZ 86001 928-774-SOGF(7643) The Hydro Closet 5826 West Olive Avenue #106 Glendale, Arizona 85302 602-361-2049 Homegrown Hydroponics 2525 West Glendale Ave Phoenix AZ 85051 602-368-4005 Sea of Green West 2340 W. Bell Road, Suite 116, Phoenix, AZ 85023 602-504-8842 ACI Hydroponics 1325 South Park Lane, Tempe, AZ 85282 800-633-2137 Homegrown Hydroponics 601 East Broadway Road, Tempe, AZ 85282 480-377-9096 Sea of Green Hydroponics 1301 E. University Dr. Tempe AZ, 85281 800-266-4136 Gonzo Grow 10297 W Van Buren Street, Tolleson, AZ 85353 623-780-GROW Natural Pools & Gardens 2143 North Country Suite C, Tucson, AZ 85716 520-323-2627 Sea of Green Hydroponics 402 North 4th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85705 520-622-6344

ARKANSAS

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 Growfresh Organics & More 2600 S Zero St, Suite C Fort Smith, AR 72901 479.648.8885 Fermentables 3915 Crutcher Street, N. Little Rock, AR 72118 501-758-6261

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Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Anuway Hydroponics 2711 W. Walnut Street, Rogers, Arkansas 72756 479-631-0099

CALIFORNIA

Greenleaf Hydroponics 1839 W Lincoln Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92801 714-254-0005 Grow It Yourself Gardens 401 Sunset Drive, Suite L, Antioch, CA 94509 925-755-GROW High Desert Hydroponics 13631 Pawnee Road, #7 Apple Valley, CA 92308 760-247-2090 American Hydroponics 286 South G Street, Arcata, CA 95521 800-458-6543 Humboldt Hydroponics 601 I Street, Arcata, CA 95521 707-822-3377 Let it Grow 160 Westwood Center, Arcata, CA 95521 707-822-8733 Northcoast Horticulture Supply 639 6th St. Arcata, CA 95521 707-826-9998 Sweet Harvest Hydroponics & Organics 1041 E. Grand Ave. Arroyo Grande,CA 93420 (805) 473-0004 Hole In The Wall Hydroponics 282 Broadway Ave. Atwater, CA 95301 209-358-3944 Auburn Organic 4035 Grass Valley Highway, Auburn, CA 95602 530-823-8900 High Street Hydro 180 Cleveland Avenue, Auburn, CA 95603 530-885-5888 Quail Mountain Ranch 230 Palm Ave Auburn, CA 95603 530-889-2390 Tell 2 Friends Indoor Gardening 62 Sutherland Drive, Auburn, CA 95603 530-889-8171 Stop N Grow 5455 Rosedale Hwy Bakersfield, CA 93308 (661) 859-1988 Green Leaf Hydroponics 3903 Patton Way #103 Bakersfield CA 93308 661-245-2616 Kern Hydroponics 2408 Brundage Lane, Suite B, Bakersfield, CA 93304 661-323-7333 The Hydro Shop 3980 Saco Road Bakersfield, CA 661-399-3336 Better Grow Hydro Los Angeles 5554 Bandini Boulevard, Bell, CA 91106 323-510-2700; 877 640 GROW Super Starts PO Box 732, Bellmont, CA 94002 650-346-8009 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 Hydroponic Connection, The 2816 San Pablo Ave Berkeley, CA 94702 510 704-9376 Brentwood Hydroponics & Organics 560 Valdry Ct #85 Brentwood, CA 94513 925-634-6704

Advanced Garden Supply 3113 Alhambra Drive, Unit F, Cameron Park, CA 95682, 530-676-2100 Precision Hydroponics 132 Kennedy Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008 408-866-8176 Elite Horticulture Supply 22330 Sherman Way, C13, Canoga Park, CA 91303 818-347-5172 Hydro International 7935 Alabama Avenue Canoga Park, CA 91304 Advanced Hydroponics 17808 Sierra Highway, Canyon Country, CA 91351 Myron L Company 2450 Impala Drive, Carlsband, CA 9210-7226 760-438-2021 661-299-1603 San Diego Hydroponics North County Coastal 6352 Corte Del Abeto #J Carlsbad CA, 92011 760-420-8934 NorCal Creations PO Box 28, Cedar Ridge, CA 95924 Garden Connection, The 2145 Park Avenue, Unit 2 Chico, CA 95928 530-342-7762 Hydro King 2540 South Whitman Place, Chico, CA 959282 530-893-GROW (4769) Grow4Less garden Supply & Hydroponics 320 Trousdale Dr., Suite L Chula Visa CA 91910 619-425-GROW Citrus Heights Hydrogarden 8043 Greenback Lane Citrus Heights, CA 95610 916-728-4769 Conrad Hydroponics Inc. 14915 Unit E, Olympic Drive, Clearlake, CA 95422 707-994 3264 Under The Sun 12638 Foothill Boulevard, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423 707-998-GROW (4769) Gro More Garden Supply 2937 Larkin Avenue, Clovis, CA 93021 559-348-1055 G & G Organics and Hydroponics 901 W. Victoria Street Unit D, Compton, CA 90220 310-632-0122 Concord Indoor Garden 2771 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94519 925-671-2520 Hydroponics Plus 2250 Commerce Avenue, Suite C Concord, CA 94520 925-691-7615 Hydrostar Hydroponics & Organics 1307 W. Sixth Street, #211, Corona, CA 92882 951-479-8069 A+ Hydroponics & Organics 1604 Babcock Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 949-642-7776 The Hydro Source 671 E. Edna Place Covina, CA 91723 877 HYDRO 82; 626-915-3128 Let it Grow 1228 2nd Street, Crescent City, CA 95531 707-464-9086 Northcoast Horticulture Supply 1070 Highway 101, Crescent City, CA 95531 707-464-1200 Seaside Hydrogarden 1070 Highway 101 North, Crescent City, CA 95531 707-465-3520 Pacific Coast Hydroponics 4147 Sepulveda Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90230 310-313-1354

Dr. Greenthumbs Hydroponic Garden Supplies 566 San Ramon Valley Blvd.

Danville, CA 94526 925-314-9376 Constantly Growing - Davis 123 D Street Davis, CA 95616 530-756-4774 Constantly Growing 6200 Enterprise Drive, Suite A Diamond Springs, CA 95619 530-642-9710 Harvest Hydroponics 6650 Merchandise Way Suite B, Diamond Springs, CA 95619 530-622-5190 Victory Garden Supply 1900 N Lincoln St #100 Dixon CA 95620 707 678 5800 Watch It Grow Hydro 9453 Firestone Blvd.

Downey, CA 90241 562-861-1982 Garden Warehouse 6355 Scarlet Court, #2, Dublin, CA 94568 925-556-3319 Grow A Lot Hydroponics, San Diego 1591 N. Cuyamaca Street, El Cajon, CA 93612 619-749-6777 El Centro Hydro & Brew Supply Inc. 591 main Street, Suite N-2 El Centro, CA 92243 760-235-4985 Indoor Garden Solution Inc. 12424 Exline Street, El Monte CA 91732, 626-453-0443 Go Green Hydroponics 15721 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, CA 91436 818-990-1198 A Fertile World (Eureka) 65th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 707-444-0200 Humboldt Nutrients 65th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 888-420-7770 Humboldt Electronics 2547 California Street, Eureka, CA 95501 707-443-9408 Humboldt Hydroponics 1302 Union Street, Eureka, CA 95501 707-443-4304 Northcoast Horticulture Supply 60 West 4th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 707-444-9999 Everthing Green Hydroponics, Inc. 1201 Oliver Rd. Fairfield, CA 94534 707-432-0774 Constantly Growing 4343 Hazel Avenue, Fair Oaks, CA 95628 916-962-0043 Tulare County Growers Supply 435 W. Noble Avenue, Unit A, Farmersville, CA 93223 559-732-8247 Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - North 6241 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA 95018 831-335-9990 Eel River Hydroponics & Soil Supply 164 Dinsmore Drive, Fortuna, CA 95540 707-726-0395 The Shop 6542 Front Street, Forestville, CA 95436 707-887-2280 Dirt Cheap Hydroponics 17975 H Highway 1, Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707-964-4211 Hydrogarden Mendocino County 1240 North Main Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707-962-9252 A Fertile World (Fortuna) 610 7th Street, Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-0700

Western Auto 1156 Main Street, Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-1189 Northcoast Horticulture Supply 357 Main Street, Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-5550 Nature’s Secret Garden and Supply 41469 Albrae Street, Fremont, CA 94577 510-623-8393 Roots Grow Supply 1330 North Hulbert, #101 Fresno, CA 93728 559-840-0122 Tower Garden Supply & Organic Nursery 403 W. Olive Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728 559-495-1140 Valley Hydroponics 207 E. Sierra Ave. Fresno, CA 93710 559-449-0426 Grow Wurks Hydroponics 765 S. State College Boulevard. Suite J Fullerton, CA 92831 714-253-Grow (4769) SB Hydro 1109 W. 190th Street, Unit #F, Gardena, CA 90248 310-538-5788 Golden Gecko Garden Center, The 4665 Marshall Road, Garden Valley, CA 95633 530-333-2394 Probiotic Solutions 20889 Geyserville Avenue, Geyserville, CA 95441 707-354-4342 South Valley Hydroponics 320 Kishimura Drive, #3 Gilroy, CA 95020 1-866-848-GROW Zen Hydroponics 1801 Victory Blvd.

Glendale, CA 91201 877 ZEN Grow 818 806 4500 Stop N Grow 340 Pine Avenue, Goleta, CA 93003 805-685-3000 All Seasons Hydroponics 17614 Chatsworth Street, Granada Hills, CA 91344 818-368-4388 AG Natural 403 Idaho Maryland Road, Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-274 0990 Grass Valley Hydrogarden 12506 Loma Rica Drive, Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-477-2996 Vital Landscaping Inc. 12817 Loma Rica Drive, Grass Valley, CA 95945 530-273-3187 West Coast Growers Hydroponics 13481 Colifax Highway, Grass Valley, CA 95945 888-924-4769 M.G.S. 22540 D Foothill Boulevard, Hayward, CA 94541 510-582-0900 Thrive Hydroponics 70 A West North Street, Healdsburg, CA 95446 707-433-4068 Bear Valley Hydroponics & Homebrewing 17455 Bear Valley RD. Hesperia CA 92345 760 949 3400 Emerald Garden 13325 South Highway 101, Hopland, CA 95482 707-744-8300 Surf City Hydroponics 7319 Warner Street, Suite B Huntington Beach, CA 92647 714-847-7900 Dutch Garden Supplies Park Circle Suite 12 Irvine CA 92614 949-748-8777

West Coast Hydroponics, Inc. 27665 Forbes Road, Unit 10 Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 949-348-2424 La Habra Hydroponics 1301 S Beach Blvd, Suite O. La Habra, CA 90631 562-947-8383 Grass Roots Hydroponics 31875 Corydon, Suite 130 Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 951-245-2390 South County Hydroponics 22511 Aspan Street, Suite E Lake Forest, CA 92630 949-837-8252 Clover Hydroponics & Garden Supply 43 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport, CA 95453 707-263-4000 San Diego Hydroponics East County 11649 Riverside Drive, Suite 141, Lakeside, CA 92040 619-562-3276 Total Hydroponics Center Inc 4820 Paramount Blvd Lakewood, CA 90712 562-984-GROW (4769) Weather Top Nursery 44901 Harmon Drive, Laytonville, CA 95454 707-984-6385 CNG Garden Supplies 22 Ricknbacker Circle, Livermore, CA 94551 925-454-9376 DL Wholesale 6764 Preston Ave. Suite D Livermore CA 94551 510 550 0018 National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply 6485 Brisa Street, Livermore, CA 94550 888-570-4678 (Southern CA) Garden Depot, The 203 Commerce Street, Suite 101 Lodi, CA 95240 209-339-9950 Valley Rock Landscape Supply 2222 N H Street Lompoc CA 93436 P: 805 736 0841 805 735 5921 Green Coast Hydroponics 2405 Mira Mar Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815 562-627-5636 Grow Light Express 5318 East Second Street suite 164, Long Beach, CA 90803 888-318-GROW Long Beach Hydroponics & Organics 1772 Clark Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815 562-498-9525 Atwater Hydroponics 3350 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90039 323-663-8881 Green Door Hydro and Solar 830 Traction Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90013 212-625-1323 Hardman Hydroponics 3511 Youree Dr., Shreveport Los Angeles 71105 318-865-0317 Hollywood Hydroponics and Organics 5109 1/2 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027-6105 323-662-1908 Hydroasis 2643 S. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90232 888-355-4769 LAX Hydro 10912 S. La Cienaga Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90304 310-337-6995 Nirvana Hydroponics 340 South San Pedro Los Angeles, CA 90013 310-795-2914 Sunland Hydroponics 4136 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90065 323-254-2800

Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

Green Giant Hydroponics 7183 Hwy 49 Unit B Lotus CA 95651 530 622 4465 California Green Hydroponics 16491 Road 26, Suite 101 Madera, California 93638 559-674-1400 Deep Roots Garden Center & Flower Shop 207 N. Sepulveda Blvd.

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 Telephone: 310-376-0567 B & S Gardening Supplies 590 Commerce Court, Manteca, CA 95336 209-239-8648 Monterey Bay Horticulture Supply 218 Reindollar Avenue Suite 7A, Marina, CA 93933 831-38-HYDRO Two Chix Garden Supply 1230 Yuba Street, Marysville, CA 95901 530-923-2536 Northcoast Horticulture Supply 1580 Nursery Way McKinleyville, CA 95519 707-839-9998 Thunders Hydroponic Center 1729 Yosemite Boulevard, Medesco, CA 95354 Mendocino Garden Shop PO Box 1301, 44720 Maint Street (at Hwy. 1), Mendocino, CA 95460 707-937-3459 Grow Zone 718 Willow Rd. Menlo Park CA 94025 650-326-4769 Hooked Up Hydroponics 1004 W. 15th St. Suite B & C, Merced, Ca 95340 209-723-1300 Merced Hydroponics 1809 East 21st Street, Merced, CA 95340 209-726-4769 The Urban Farmer Store 653 E. Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941 415-380-3840 Mission Viejo Hydroponics 24002 Via Fabricante Suite 502 Mission Viejo, CA 92691 949-380-1894 Coca’s Central Valley Hydroponics 116 West Orangeburg Avenue, Modesto, CA 95350 209-567-0590 Growers Choice Hydroponics 1100 Carver Road, Modesto, CA 95350 209-522-2727 Year Round Garden Supply 11000 Carver Rd. #20 Modesto, CA 95350 Tel: 209 522 2727 Green Light Hydroponics 2615 Honolula Ave. Montrose, CA 91020 818-640-2623 Supersonic Hydroponic and Organic Garden Supply 850 Shasta Avenue, Suite B Morro Bay, CA 93442 805-772-5869 South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - Mtn. View 569 East Evelyn Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94041 650-968-4070 Redwood Garden Supply 55 Myers Avenue, Myers Flat, CA 95554 707-943-1515 Endless Green Hydroponics 25 Enterprise Court, Suite 3 Napa, CA 94558 707-254-0200 Conejo Hydroponics 3481 Old Conejo Road #106 Newbury Park, CA 91320 805-480-9596 Stop N Grow 640 S. Frontage Road, Nipomo, CA 93444 805-619-5125

182

Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Valley Garden Solutions Inc. 15650 Nordhoff Avenue, Suite 104, North Hills, CA 91345 818-336-0041 Foothill Hydroponics 10705 Burbank Boulevard, N. Hollywood, CA 91601 818-760-0688 One Stop Hydroponics 12822 Victory Boulevard North Hollywood, CA 91606 818-980-5855 Lumatek Digital Ballasts 33 Commercial Boulevard, Suite B Novato, CA 94949 415-233-4273 Marin Hydroponics 55 Frosty Ln Novato, CA 94949 (415) 233-4104 Marin Hydroponics 1219 Grant Avenue, Novato, CA 94945 415-897-2197 Roots Grow Supply 40091 Enterprise Dr. Oakhurst CA 93644 559 683 6622 3rd Street Hydroponics 636 3rd Street Oakland, CA 94607 510-452-5521 Bloom Hydro 1602 53rd Ave. Oakland CA 94601 707 980 0456 Medicine Man Farms 1602 53rd Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601 707-980-0456 Plant-N-Grow 1602 53rd Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601 707-980-0456 Hydrobrew 1319 South Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA 92054 760-966-1885; 877-966-GROW Socal Hydroponics 1727-B Oceanside Boulevard, Oceanside, CA 92054 760-439-1084 Cultivate Ontario 2000 Grove Ave #a110 Ontario, CA 91761 909-781-6142 Flairform 1751 S Pointe Avenue, Ontario, CA 91761 213-596-8820 GreenCoast Ontario Unit 102-103 1920 South Rochester Avenue Ontario, CA 1 (909) 605-5777 National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply 1950 C South Grove Avenue, Ontario, CA 91761 888-888-3319 Palm Tree Hydroponics 2235 E 4th St,Suite G Ontario, CA 91764 909-941-9017 RH Distribution 1751 S. Pointe Avenue Ontario, CA 91761 888-545-8112 Green Coast Hydroponics 496 Meats Avenue Orange, CA 92865 714-974-4769 Natural Pest Controls 8320 B Hazel Avenue, Orangevale, CA 95662 916-726-0855 Advanced Soil & Garden Supply 350 Oro Dam Boulevard, Oroville, CA 95965 530-533-2747 Igrow Hydro 2280 Veatch Street, Oroville, CA 95965 530-534-4476 Orville Organic Gardens 5250 Olive Hwy Ste 1 Oroville, CA 95966 530-589-9950

US Orchid & Hydroponic Supplies 1621 South Rose Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93033 805-247-0086 Pacifica Hydroponics 90 Eureka Square Pacifica, CA 94044 (650) 355-5100 America’s Best Hydroponics & Gardening Center 641 W. Palmdale Blvd. Unit D Palmdale, CA 93551 661-266-3906 Hydroponics Unlimited 641 W. Palmdale Blvd. “D” Palmdale, CA 93550 661-266-3906 Palm Springs Hydroponics 4651 Ramon Road, Palm Springs, CA 92264 760-327-ROOT DNA Hydroponics Inc 19345 North Indian Canyon Drive, North Palm Springs, Suite 2-F CA 92258 760-671-5872 New Leaf Hydro 34150 123rd Street, Parablossom, CA 93553 661-944-2226 Alternative Hydro 3870 East, Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91107 888-50-HYDRO Better Grow Hydro Pasadena 1271 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasedena, CA 91106 626 737 6612 Supersonic Hydroponic and Organic Garden Supply 3850 Ramada Drive, Unit D2 Paso Robles, CA 93446 805-434-2333 Foothills Hydrogarden 3133 Penryn Road, Penryn, CA 95663 916-270-2413 Funny Farms Hydroponics 963 Transport Way, #12 Petaluma, CA 94954 707-775-3111 House of Hydro 224 Weller Street, #B, Petaluma, CA 94952 707-762-4769 JNJ Hydroponics 4774 Phelan Rd. Suite 2 Phelan CA 92371 760 868 0002 Turbo Grow 1889 San Pablo Avenue, Pinole, CA 94564 510-724-1291 Hillside Hydro & Garden 4570 Pleasant Valley Road Placerville CA 95662 530-644-1401 Best Yield Garden Supply 3503 West Temple Avenue, Unit A, Pomona, CA 91768 909-839-0505 Emerald Garden 8249 Archibald Avenue, Ranch Cucamanga, CA 91730 909-466-3796 GreenLeaf Hydroponics 2212 Artesia Boulevard, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 310-374-2585 Shadow Valley Aquatics 75 Kimick Way, Red Bluff, CA 96080 530-526-0479 Bare Roots Hydroponics 1615 East Cypress, #5 Redding, CA 96002 530-244-2215 Dazey’s Supply 3082 Redwood Drive, Redway, CA 95560 707-923-3002 Humboldt Hydroponics 2010 Tunnel Road, Redway, CA 95560 707-923-1402 Redway Feed Garden and Pet Supply 290 Briceland Road, Redway, CA 95560 707-923-2765

Sylvandale Gardens 1151 Evergreen Road, Redway, CA 95560 707-923-3606 Humboldt Hydroponics 2174 Pine Street, Redding, CA 96001 530-241-7454 Hydro King 105 Hartnell Avenue, Suite C and D, Redding, CA 96002 888-822-8941 Orsa Organix 111 Willow Street, Redwood City, CA 94063 650-369-1269 Mendocino Greenhouse & Garden Supply 960 East School Way, Redwood Valley, CA 95470 707-485-0668 EZ Green Hydroponics 7017 Reseda Boulevard, Reseda, CA 91335 818-776-9076 Hydro Hills Hydroponics 19320 Vanowen St. Reseda CA 91335 Box Of Rain Inc. Po Box 302, Rexford, CA 59930 406-755-7245 Hi-Tech Gardening 5327 Jacuzzi Street, #282, Richmond, CA 94804 510-524-4710 The Urban Farmer Store 2121 San Joaquin Street, Richmond, CA 94804 510-524-1604 Discount Hydroponics 4745 Hiers Avenue, Riverside, CA 92505 877-476-9487 All Ways Hydro 2220 Eastridge Ave. Suite C Riverside CA 92507 888-HYDRO98 Calwest Hydroponics 11620 Sterling Avenue, Suite A Riverside, CA 92503 800-301-9009 Hydro Depot 5665 Redwood Drive, #B, Rohnert Park, CA 94928 707-584-2384 Igrow Hydro 9000 Atkinson Street, Roseville, CA 95678 916-773-4476 Green Acres Hydroponics 1215 Striker Avenue, Suite 180, Sacramento, CA 95834 916-419-4394 Greenfire Sacramento 3230 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95821 916-485-8023 Green Thumb Hydroponics 35 Quinta Court, Suite B, Sacramento, CA 95823 916-689-6464 KY Wholesale 8671 Elder creek Rd. #600 Sacramento, CA 95828 916 383 3366 Mystic Gardens 8484 Florin Road, #110, Sacramento, CA 95828 916-381-2464 Sac Hydroponics 9529 Folson Boulevard, Suite C Sacramento, CA 95827 916-369-7968 Skywide Import & Export Ltd. 5900 Lemon Hill Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95824 916-383-2369 Tradewinds Wholesale Garden Supplies 1235 Striker Avenue #180, Sacramento, CA 95834 888-557-8896 Green Joint Ventures 61 Tarp Circle, Salinas, CA 93901 831-998-8628 Reforestation Technologies International 1341 Daton Street, Units G&I Salinas, CA 93901 831-424-1494; 800-RTI-GROW

National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight Supply 1900 Bendixsen Street , Bldg. 1, Samoa, CA 95564 800-683-1114 (Northern CA) Greenmile Hydroponic Garden Supply 1480 South E. Street, Suite D, San Bernardino, CA 92408 909-885-5919 Garden Shed, The 1136 El Camino Real San Carlos, CA 650-508-8600 Pure Food Gardening/Microclone 830 H Bransten Rd. San Carlos,CA 94070-3338 Green Gopher Garden Supply 679 Redwood Avenue, Suite A, Sand City, CA 93955 831-899-0203 Modern Gardens 26620 Valley Center Dr. Santa Clarita, CA 91351 661-513-4733 Best Coast Growers 4417 Glacier Avenue Suite C, San Diego, CA 92120 800-827-1876 City Farmer’s Nursery 4832 Home Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105 619-284-6358 Green Lady Hydroponics 4879 Newport Avenue, San Diego, CA 92107 619-222-5011 Home Brews & Gardens 3176 Thorn St San Diego, CA 92104 619 630 2739 Indoor Garden Depot 1848 Commercial St. San Diego CA 92113 619-255-3552 Innovative Growing Solutions (IGS) 5060 Santa Fe St. Ste.D San Diego, CA 92109 858-578-4477 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 Oracle Garden Supply 5755 Oberlin Drive, Suite 100 San Diego, CA 92121 858-558-6006 Pacific Beach Hydroponics 1852 Garnet Avenue, San Diego, CA 92109 858-274-2559 San Diego Hydroponics Beach Cities 4122 Napier Street, San Diego, CA 92110 619-276-0657 Wai Kula Hydrogardens 5297 Linda Vista Road, San Diego, CA 92110 619-299-7299 Direct Hydroponics Wholesale 1034 W. Arrow Hwy#D San Dimas, CA 91773 888-924-9376 Liquid Gardens 1034 West Arrow Hwy.#D San Dimas, CA 91773 888-924-9376 Extreme Hydroponics 11479 San Fernando Road C, San Fernando, CA 91340 818-898-0915 Grow Your Own 3401 Traval Street, San Francisco, CA 94116 415-731-2115 Hydroponic Connection Warehouse, The 1995 Evans Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124 415-824-9376 Nor Cal Hydroponics 4837 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94118 415-933-8262 Plant It Earth 2279 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94114 415-626-5082

Urban Gardens Unlimited UrbanGardens 704 Filbert Street, San Francisco, CA 94133 415-421-4769 San Francisco Hydro 123 Tenth Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 The Urban Farmer Store 2833 Vicente Street, San Francisco, CA 94116 415-661-2204 US Garden 417 Agostinio Rd San Gabriel Ca 91776 626 285-5009 Inland Empire Hydrogarden 1301-C South State Street, San Jancinto, CA 92853 Hahn’s Lighting 260 E. VA Suite 1, San Jose, CA 95112 408-295-1755 Plant Life 32 Race Street, San Jose, CA 95126 408-283-9191 South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - San Jose 1185 South Bascom Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128 408-292-4040 D&S Garden Supplies 17-130 Doolittle Drive San Leandro, CA 94577 510-430-8589 Hydrogarden Delight 13762 Doolittle Drive, San Leandro, CA 94577 510-903-1808 Central Coast Hydrogarden 1951 Santa Barbara Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805-544-GROW Healthy Harvest Hydroponics and Organics 2958 S. Higuera St. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805.596.0430 San Diego Hydroponics North 802 N. Twin Oaks Valley Road #108 San Marcos, CA 92069 760-510-1444 H20 Gardening 355 West 7th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731 310-514-1416 Marin Hydroponics 721 Francisco Blvd East San Rafael, CA 94901 415-482-8802 Pacific Garden Supply 128 H Carlos Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903 San Rafael Hydroponics 1417 Fourth Sreet San Rafael, CA 94901 415 455 9655 Green Coast Hydroponics 3560 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 805-898-9922 Nutes Int’l 204 N Quarantina Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 805-687-6699 Planet Earth Hydroponics 102 East Haley St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 805 899 0033 Santa Clarita Valley Hydroponics 25835 Railroad Ave. #26 Santa Clarita CA 91350 661 255 3700 661 255 3701 California Hydroponics 310 Coral Street, Suite C Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-423-4769 Hydro-Logic Purification Systems 370 Encinal St, Suite 150, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 888 H2O LOGIC Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - West Side 815 Almar Avenue, Unit K, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 831-466-9000 Full Sun Supply 3535 Industrial Drive, Unit B-3 Santa Rosa, CA 95403 877-FULL-SUN advanced hydroponics and gardening

704 Filbert Street, San Francisco, CA 94133

Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

183

MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

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 Green Logic Garden Supply 860 Piner Road, #38, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 707-843-3156 Organic Bountea 1919 Dennis Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 800-798-0765 Pro Gardening Systems 3715 Santa Rosa Avenue #2, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 707-585-8633 Sun-In Hydroponics 1257A Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 707-578-5747 Sweet Leaf Hydroponics 1611 Sebastobol Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 707-575-GROW (4237) Santee Hydroponics 7949 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, CA 92071 619-270-8649 Gardening Unlimited 60 Old El Pueblo Road, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 831-457-1236 Pro Gardening Systems 765 Petaluma Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472 707-829-7252 Better Choice Hydroponics 610 S. Washington Street, Senora, CA 95370 209 533 2400 Go Big Hydroponics 4501 Van Nuys Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 818-789-3341 Bloom Brothers Garden Supply, Inc. 3293 Industry Dr. Signal Hill, CA 90755 562 494-0060 We Grow Hydroponics 3350 East Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley, CA 93063 805-624-4566 Abundant Hydroponics LLC 1611 Shop Street, #1-A, S. 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 Farm Hydroponics, The 1950 Lake Tahoe Boulevard #3, S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 530-541-3276 Valley Hydro and Organics 19230 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma CA 95476 707 396 8734 Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - East Side 4000 Cordelia Lane Soquel, CA 95073 831-475-9900 Orange County Hydroponics 12797 Beach Boulevard, Stanton, CA 90680 714-893-9493 HomeGrown Indoor Garden Supply 681 A Grider Way, Stockton, CA 95210 209-477-4447 Golden Harvest Hydroponics & Garden Supply 8626 Lower Sacramento Road #48, Stockton, CA 95210 209-951-3550 M&M Garden Supply 2509 West Lane, Suite B Stockton, CA 95205 209-939-0664 Pacific Ave Indoor Garden Supply 4633 pacific Ave Stockton , CA 95207 209-955-0945 City Farm Hydroponics 8903 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Sun Valley, CA 91352 818-767-2076

184

Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Sunland Hydroponics 8300 Foothill Boulevard, Sunland, CA 91040 818-352-5300 Anthony’s Garden & Lighting Supply 30 Ridge Road, Suites 8 & 9 Sutter Creek, CA 95685 209-267-5416 Tahoe Garden Supply 645 Westlake Boulevard, Suite 2, PO Box 487 Tahoe City, CA 96145 530-581-3200 The Otherside Hydroponics 19425 Ventura Blvd Tarzana CA 91356 818 881 hydro (4937) Hydroponics 4 Less 41669 Winchester Avenue, Temecula, CA 92590 800-A1-HYDRO Inland Empire Hydrogarden 28822 Old Town Front St. #206 Temecula, CA 92590 886-74-HYDRO 805 Hydroponics & Organics 1785 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805-494-1785 Art of Hydro 2636 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 805-230-2227 Green Thumb Lighting & Garden 1647 W. Sepulveda Boulevard, Unit 5, Torrance, CA 90501 888-326-GROW Los Angeles Hydroponics and Organics 3007-3009 W. Artesia Blvd.

Torrance, CA 90504 310-323-4937 Anything Grows 10607 W. River Street, Building 3 Suite C, Truckee, CA 96161 530-582-0479 Hooked Up Hydroponics 339 S. Golden State Boulevard, Turlock, CA 95380 209-668-1300 Emerald Garden 307 East Perkins Street, Ukiah, CA 95482 707-463-2510 HydroPacific - Hydroponics & Garden Supplies 351 C Hastings Av., Ukiah, CA 95482 707-467-0400 Northcoast Hydrogardens 3450 North State Street, Ukiah, CA 95482 707-462-7214 Atlantis Garden Supply 2851 A Whipple Road, Union City, CA 94587 510-487-8007 Evergreen Hydroponics 923 N. Central Avenue, Suite B, Upland, CA 91786 909-946-7100 TNC Supply 9490 Main Street, P.O. Box 763 Upper Lake, CA 95485 707-275-9565 Everything Green 1650 Lewis Brown Dr. Vallejo, CA 94589 707 647 0774 Hydroponics Market 15816 Arminta St Van Nuys, CA 91406 818-305-6261 886-72-HYDRO Stop N Grow 4160 Market Street, Unit 11 Ventura, CA 93003 805-639-9489 BWGS-CA 7530 W. Sunnyview Avenue Visalia, CA 93291 888-316-1306 The Green Shop 66420 Mooney Boulevard, Suite 1 Visalia, CA 93277 559-688-4200 Kaweah Grower Supply 1106 1/2 N. Ben Maddox Way, Visalia, CA 93293 559-625-4937 Greentrees Hydroponics Inc. 2581 Pioneer Avenue, Unit D Vista, CA 92081 760-598-7551

Home Life Hydroponics and Organics 1745 East Vista Way, Vista, CA 92084 760-643-2150 Specialty Garden Center 1970 East Vista Way, Suite 10, Vista, CA 92084 760-758-4769 Monterey Bay Hydroponics and Organics 81 Hangar Way, #1, Watsonville, CA 95076 831-761-9999 Evergreen Farm Feed and Garden 1131 Main Street Weaverville, CA 96093 1 (530) 623-2884 California Hydro Garden 1043 South Glendora Avenue, Suite A West Covina, CA 91790 626-813-0868 No Stress Hydroponics 7543 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046 323-845-9874 Hydronation 2491 Boatman Drive, Suite B West Sacramento, CA 95691 916-372-4444 Flower Hut Nursery 603 4th Street Wheatland, CA 95692 530-633-4526 Green Coast Hydroponics 11510 Whittier Boulevard Whittier, CA 90601 562-699-4201 GreenWay Hydroponics 11510 Whittier Boulevard, Whittier, CA 90601 Lazy Gardeners Hydroponics ‘N’ More 14626 East Whittier Boulevard, Whittier, CA 90605 562-945-0909 Garden Spout, The 260 Margie Dr Willits, CA 95490 707-456-0196 Sparetime Supply 208 E. San Francisco Avenue, Willits, CA 95490-4006 Hydromagic Supply 40 N. East St. Suite F Woodland,CA 95776 530-661-0117 Urban Gardens 22516 Ventura Boulevard, Woodland Hills, CA 91364 818-876-0222 Ultra Lo Hydro ultralohydro.com 937-252-8224 Garden Highway Garden Supply 598 Garden Highway #22 Yuba City, CA 95991 530-755-2877 Southern Humbolt Garden Supplies 34919 Yucaipa Boulevard, Yucaipa, CA 92399 909-797-6888 707-459-6791 Yucca Valley Hydroponics 56825 Twentynine Palms Hwy. Yucca Valley, CA 92284 760 369 0300

COLORADO

South Park Hydroponics 42 E Buckskin Rd. Alma CO 80420 719 836 1533 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 Family Hydroponics-Boulder 2125 32nd Street Boulder, co 80301 303-996-6100 Polar Ray 5171 Eldorado Springs Dr. Boulder, CO 80303 303 494 5773 Way To Grow 6395 Gunpark Drive, Boulder, CO 80301 303-473-4769

Deep Roots Garden Supply 1790 Airport Road, Unit 1 Breckenridge, CO 80424 970-453-1440 Mile High Hydroponics 37 Strong St. Brighton, CO 80601 303 637 0069 Brighton Hydroponics 839so.Kuner rd., Brighton Colorado 80601 303-655-1427 ACME Hydroponics 300 Nickel St Suite 3 Broomfield, CO 80020 720.524.7306 Colorado Grow 3400 Industrial Lane, Unit 10A Broomfield, CO 80020 (303) 465-GROW (4769) Hydrofarm CO 400 Burbank St Broomfield, CO 80020 800-634-9990 J&D Organic Growing Solutions 217 1/2 Clayton Street Brush, CO 80723 970-310-5408 BIG BloomZ 1011 Caprice Drive, Castle Rock, CO 80109 303-688-0599 Indoor Garden Warehouse 8100 S Akron St., Suite 322, Centennial, CO 80112 720-496-2110 Garden Tech 737 Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 719-278-9777 Greenhouse Tech 917 East Fillmore, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 719-634-0637 Hydro Grow Supply 644 Peterson Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80915 719-596-2600 Purple Mountain Hydroponics LLC 1530 S Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80906 719-635-5859 Room To Grow LLC 422 South 8th Street Colorado Springs CO 80905 719 633 8682 Roots and Rocks Hydroponic and Organic Garden Supply 1014 S. 21st Street Colorado Springs, CO 80904 719-634-1024 High Tech Garden Supply 5275 Quebec St. Commerce City, CO 80022 720-222-0772 Roll-N-Green Farms Horticultural Supply 25797 Conifer Rd #A-8 Conifer, Co 80433 303-838-5520 Global Organics & Hydroponics 11 N Broadway Cortez CO 81321 970 564 8100 Your Grow Bud 6801 South Emporia St. Suite 106 Greenwood Village, CO 80112 Tel: 303-790-2211 BWGS-CO 11685 E. 55th Avenue Denver, CO 80239 888-316-1306 Chlorophyll 3801 Mariposa St. Denver CO 80211 303-433-1155 Denver Hydroponic & Organic Center 6810 North Broadway, Unit D Denver, CO 80221 303-650-0091 Rocky Mountain Lighting and Hydroponics 7100 N. Broadway, Suite 3D Denver, CO 80221 303-428-5020 The Grow Outlet 4272 Lowell Boulevard Denver, CO 80211 303-586-5543 Way To Grow 301 East 57th Ave. Denver, CO 80216 303-296-7900

All Seasons Gardening 434 Turner Drive, Suite 2B Durango, CO 81303 (970) 385-4769 Blue Sky Hydroponics 1301 Florida Road Unit C Durango, CO 81301 970-375-1238 Grow Store South, The 5050 S. Federal Boulevard, #37, Englewood, CO 80110 303-738-0202 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 Indoor Paradise Hydroponics 309 S. Summit View, Unit 17, Fort Collins, CO 80524-1462 970-221-3751 Way To Grow 3201 E. Mulberry Street, Fort Collins, CO 80524 970-484-4769 Hydro Shack, The 220 Main Street, Suite E Frisco, CO 80443 970-668-0359 GWS Hydroponics 7025 Highway 82 Building 4B, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 970-384-2040 Hydro Planet 711 Washington Avenue, Golden, CO 80401 303-279-6090 Rocky Mountain Hydroponics and Organics 15985 S. Golden Road Golden, CO 80401 720-475-1725 Desert Bloom Hydroponics 445 Pitkin Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501 970-245-6427 Primo Gardens 1600 North Ave. Suite B Grand Junction, CO 81501 970-241-1209 Greeley Nutrients 700 11th Street Unit 101 Greeley CO 80631 970 673 8302 GroWize 3225 S. Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, CO 80227 303-986-2706 Grow Store, The 8644 W. Colfax Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80215 888-510-0350 Ever Green Hydroponics Inc. 1131 Francis Street, Suite A, Longmont, CO 80501 303-682-6435 Ultra Lo Hydro ultralohydro.com 937-252-8224 Victory Hydro Gardening 1387 E. South Boulder Rd. Louisville, CO, 80027 Tel: 303-664-9376 Lyons Indoor Gardening 138 Main Street, Lyons, CO 80540 720-530-3828 Head Start Hydroponics & Organic Gardening Emporium 34500 US Highway 6, Unit B-9, North Edwards, CO 81632 970-569-313 Cultivate Hydroponics & Organics 7777 W. 38th Avenue, A120A, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 303-954-9897

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

Delaware

Sunny Day Organics 1867 Coastal Hwy. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware MD 19917 302 703 2538

FLORIDA

Urban Sunshine 1420 E. Altamonte Dr Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 407-830-4769 Best Hydro 4920 Lena Road, Bradenton, FL 34211 941-756-1928 Palm Coast Hydroponics 4490 N Hwy US1 Ste. 108 Bunnell FL 32110 386 246 4119 East Coast Hydroponics & Organics 461 Forrest Avenue, Suite 105 Coca, FL 32922 321-243-6800 GreenTouch Hydroponics Inc. 5011 S State Road 7, Suite 104 Davie, FL 33314 954-316-8815 Absolute Hydroponic Garden Center Inc 1607 Old Daytona Steet Deland, FL 32724 386-734-0696 Organic Grow Hut 2 780 Deltona Blvd. #107 Deltona, Florida 32725 1-888-574-grow 386-259-5777 Gold Coast Hydroponics 1539 SW 21st Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312 1-800-780-7371 Biofloral 6250 NW 27th Way, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309 877 735 6725 Green Thumb Hydroponics Supplies 13482 North Cleveland Avenue, Fort Meyers, FL 33903 239-997-4769 Gardener’s Edge Gainesville 5000 NW 34th Street, Suite 13, Gainesville, FL 32605 352-375-2769 Florida Garden Supplies 2692 W 79 Street, Hialeah, FL 33016 1-800-931-5215 Hydro Terra Corp.

924 North Federal Highway, Hollywood, FL 33020 954-920-0889 Simply Hydroponics & Organics (North) 3642 South Suncoast Boulevard, Homosassa, FL 34448 352-628-2655 Hydroponics International Inc. 7029-10 Commonwealth Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32220 904-693-6554 Grower’s Choice & Hydroponics 11855 North Main Street, Jackonsonville, FL 32218 904-683-4517 Urban Organics & Hydroponics 5325 Fairmont Street, Jacksonville, FL 32207 904-398-8012 Simply Hydroponics & Organics 7949 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33773 727-531-5355 GrowSmart Indoor Garden Centers 14587 Southern Boulevard, Loxahatchee, FL 33470 561-429-3527 Palm Beach Discount Hydroponics – West 14703 Southern Blvd.

Loxahatchee, FL 33470 561 296 8555 Atlantic Hydroponics 430 Count Street, Melbourne, FL 32901 321-821-1535 High Tech Garden Supply 2975 West New Haven Avenue, Melbourne, FL 32901 321-821-0853 Advanced Hydro Gardens 4960 NW 165 Street, Suite B-4, Miami, FL 33014 866-97-HYDRO

Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

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185

MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

Blossoms Experience, The 7207 NW 54th Street, Miami, FL 33166 866-452-4769

Florida Garden Supplies 9545 Sunset Drive, Miami, FL 33173 800-931-5215 Future Farms Inc., The 14291 SW 120th Street, Suite 105 Miami, FL 33186 305-382-2757 Gold Coast Hydroponics 4241 SW 71st Avenue, Miami, FL 33155 1-800-780-6805 Growing Garden Inc., The 12811 SW 42nd Street, Miami, FL 33175 305-559-0309 VitaOrganix 7921 NW 67th St Miami, FL 33166 786 845 8633 3D Hydroponics and Organics 7139 US Highway #19, New Port Richey, FL 34652 727-847-3491 Florida Garden Supplies 8442 Tradeport Drive, Unit 200, Orlando, FL 32827 Urban Sunshine 6100 Hanging Moss Rd ste 50 Orlando, FL 32807 407-647-4769 Urban Sunshine 6142 S. Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32809 407-859-7728 Green Winters Inc. 147 Tomoka Avenue, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 386-235-8730 800-931-5215 The Healthy Harvest Ste. 126 21113 Johnson St. Pembroke Pines, FL. 33029 Tel: 954-538-1511 Eden Garden Supply 5044 N. Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL 32505 850-439-1299 Healthy Gardens and Supply of Florida, Inc. 196 East Nine Mile Road, Suite F, Pensacola, FL 32534 850-912-4545 National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply 455 S. Andrews Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 877-649-3567 (Southeast) Hydroponic Depot II 2395 S Tamiami Trail #19 Port Charlotte FL 33952 941 255 3999t EZ Grow Green 604 S.W. Bayshore Blvd.

Port St. Lucie, Fl 34983 772-807-7755 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 Grace’s Hydro-Organic Garden Center 8877 North 56th Street Tampa, FL 33617 813-514-9376 Harvest Time Hydroponics 14414 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL 33613 813-264-7101 Hydroponics of Tampa 120 W. Bougain Villea, Tampa, FL 33612 813-333-6828 Stoney Hydro @ Schiro’s Barn n Garden Supplies 7812 Causeway Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33619 813-626-0902 Worm’s Way Florida 4412 North 56th Street, Tampa, FL 33610 800-283-9676; 813-621-1792 Monkey Hydroponics 940 West Oakland Ave. Unit A1 407 574 8495

186

Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Winter Garden FL 34787 13054 W Colonial Drive Winter Garden, FL 34787 407-656-GROW(4769) Cultivating Eden Hydroponic Supplies 946 18th Avenue SW, Vero Beach, FL 32962 772-564-8880 Florida Garden Supplies 8020 Belvedere Road,Unit 4, West Palm Beach,FL 33411 800-931-5215 Palm Beach Discount Hydroponics – East 968 North Congress Ave. West Palm Beach, FL 33409 561 296 6161

GEORGIA

Atlantis Hydroponics 1422 Woodmont Lane, #4, Atlanta, GA 30318 404-367-0052 Flora Hydroponics Inc. 2475 Jefferson Road, Suite 600 Athens, GA 30607 866-404-0551 Atlantis Hydroponics 2561 West Point Avenue, College Park, GA 30337 678-510-0032 Alpha Hydroponics and Garden Supply Inc. 3904 N Druid Hills Rd. Suite 247 Decatur GA 30033 404 590 4769 Savannah Hydroponics & Organics 4107 Eighth Street, Suite C Garden City, GA 31408 912-349-4030 Atlantis Hydroponics 5182-B Brook Hollow Parkway, Norcross, GA 30071 770.558.1346

HAWAII

Eco-Island Supply 810 Haiku Road, #394 Haiku, HI 96708 808-575-9171 Aqua Plant Hawaii / Kahala Hydroponics 4224 Wailae, Suite 1A, Honolulu, HI 96816 808-735-8665 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 Aiyah’s Garden 3-3122 Kuhio Hwy. unit B-2 Lihue, Hi. 96766 808 245 2627 Pahoa Feed & Fertilizer 15-2754 Old Government Road, Pahoa, HI 96778 808-965-9955

IDAHO

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

ILLINOIS

Aerostar Global 824 South Kay Avenue, Addison, IL 60101 Brew and Grow 181 Crossroads Parkway, Bolingbrook, IL 60194 847-885-8282 Let it Grow - Carbondale West Main Street, Carbondale, IL 62908 573-450-5401 Alternative Garden Supply 615 Industrial Drive, Unit A Cary, IL 60013 800-444-2837 Brew and Grow 3625 N. Kedzi Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618 773-463-7430

Fertile Ground 463 West MacArthur Drive, Cottage Hills, IL 62018 618-259-5500 Hydrocork 20647 Renwick Road, Crest Hill, IL 60435 815-838-0100 Goldman’s Grow Shop 910 Greenwood Road, Glenview, IL 60025 847-657-7250 Grow Masters 4641 Old Grand Ave. Gurnee, Il. 60031 (224) 399-9877 Big Grow Hydroponics 9225 Trinity Drive, Lake In The Hills, IL 60156 847-854-4450 Grow Big Hydroponics 7817 B North 2nd Street, Manchesney Park, IL 61115 815-637-4769 Gardinside 618 S. Rt. 59 suite 104 Naperville, IL 60540 630-276-9885 Green Fields 8137 N. Milwaukee, Niles, IL 60714 847-965-5056 Autumn Bloom Alternative Indoor Gardening 1020 Derby Street Pekin, Illinois 61554 309-642-6943 Prairie House Garden Center 15151 South Harlem Avenue, Orland, IL 60462 708-687-3131 Brew and Grow 3224 South Alpine Road, Rockford, IL 61109 815-874-5700 Brew and Grow 359 W. Irving Park Road Unit E, Roselle, IL 60172 630-894-4885 Brew and Grow 2379 Bode Road, Schaumburg, IL 60440 630-771-0555 Organic Garden Center 9223 Skokie Blvd.

Skokie, IL 60077 (847) 675-2722 Kreation’s Indoor Gardening Center 3427 Old Chatman Road, Springfield, IL 62704 217-341-0821 Water Works Indoor Gardening 1900 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL 62703 217-553-6929 Midwest Hydroganics 949 W Irving Park Rd. Streamwood IL 60107 630 483 1600

INDIANA

BWGS-IN 7854 North State Road 37, Bloomington, IN 47404 800-316-1306 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 Frogs Lilly Pad, The 706 Citation Road, Carmel, IN 46032 317-846-4610 Hops & Harvest 4616 E. DuPont Road, Suite Q, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 260-918-3035 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 1336 East Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 4620 317-780-8070

Inc.

Magic Bulb Garden Center 6229 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46220 317-202-2852 Maximum Grow Gardening 6117 E Washington St Indianapolis, IN 46219 Five Point Gardens 56555 Oak Road, South Bend, IN 46619 574-287-9232

KANSAS

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

KENTUCKY

Garden Grove Organics 29 East 7th Street, Covington, (Cincinnati Metro), KY 41011 859-360-1843 Worm’s Way Kentucky 1360 Donaldson Hwy. Suite A, Erlanger, KY 41018 800-669-2088 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

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 Urban Organics 285 St. Claude Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117 504-352-4709 Ourcrazydeals Hydroponics 201 Angus Drive, Yungsville, LA 70592 337-303-6146

MAINE

LiquidSun of Maine 51West Gray Rd. Gray, ME 04039 207-657-8033 Natures Palate Indoor Garden Store 1321 Mercer Rd ( rte2) Mercer, Maine 04957 877-587-4150 207-587-4150 Evergreen Garden Center 301 Forest Avenue Portland, ME 04101 207-761-2800 High Tech Garden Supply Maine178 Rand Rd. Portland, ME 04102 Phone 207-899-4387 Green Thumb Indoor Gardening 19 Stage Road, St. Albans, ME 04971 207-938-5909 Urban Garden Center 235 Lewiston Road, Toposhan, ME 04086 207-373-0990 Greenlife Garden Supply 611 US Rt. 1 York, ME 03909 207-363-0844

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

Meadowview Feed & Garden Center 1202 Meadowview Road, Pasadena, MD 21122 443-817-0018 Maryland Hydroponics Inc. 12130 Nebel Street, Rockville, MD 20852 240-551-4625 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 GYOstuff – Grow Your Own 2400 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140 617-945-1654 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 29 Washington Street, Route 1 Foxboro, MA 02035 800-660-6977 LiquidSun® MA 8 Lynwood Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040 413-539-6875 Green Path Garden Supply 276 West Main Street, Northborough, MA 01532 508-393-4181 High Tech Garden Supply 560 Boston Turnpike (Rt.9) Shrewsbury, MA 01545 508-845-4477 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

Aric’s Indoor Garden Supply 611 Main st.

Norway, Michigan 49870 (906)563-1518 Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The 6540 Allen Road, Allen Park, MI 48101 313-383-1766 Gro Blue Indoor Gardening Supplies 270 W. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 734-913-2750 Grow Show, The 4095 Stone School Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 (734)-677-0009 (734)-677-0509 HotHydro® 5245 Jackson Road, Suite F Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-761-5040; 877-893-0716 Homelight Gardens 3471 S. Huron Road, Bay City, MI 48706 989-922-0088 J&L Growco 206 S. Michigan Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307 231-796-1528 Greenway Gardens 916 W 13th St Cadillac, Mi,49601 231-775-7075 Cultivation Station 3 Inc. 46912 Gratiot, Chesterfield, MI 48051 586-949-7453 H2O Grow Supply 3364 Arent Ct Coloma, MI 49038 269-468-3890 Van Hydro 7480 N State, Davison, MI 48423 810-653-8267 Hydro Giant 14455 Ford Rd, Dearborn, MI Cultivation Station – Eastern Market, The 2518 Market Street, Detroit, MI 48207 313-394-0441

Hydro Giant 21651 W. 8 Mile Rd. Detroit, MI (8Mile & Lahser) 313-387-7700 313-216-8888 Hydro Heaven 73647 W 8th Mile Road, Detroit, MI 48235 313-861-0333; 877-823-2076 Ultra Lo Hydro ultralohydro.com 937-252-8224 Urban Gardening Center, The 2520 22nd Street, Detroit, MI 48216 313-898-0200 Superior Growers Supply 4870 Dawn Avenue, East Lansing, MI 48823 517-332-2663 Sunnyside Hydroponics 24930 Gratiot Avenue, Eastpoint, MI 48021 586-777-2528 Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC 799 S. Wisconsin Avenue Gaylord, MI 49735 989 731 8800 Growco Garden Supply 1042 Michigan Street, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 877-939-6900 Home Grown Hydroponix 5333 Plainfield Suite C, Grand Rapids Michigan 49525, 616-361-2924 Horizen Hydroponics 1614 Leonard Street, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 866-791-1664 Hydro Grow Room 15201 N Holly Rd Unit B Holly MI, 48430 248-369-8333 Flower Factory, The 2223 East Highland Road Highland, MI 48356 248-714-9292 Hydro Vision 2858 E Highland rd Highland, MI 48356 Holland Hydroponic Outlet 587-40 East 8th Street Holland, MI 49423 616-298-7395 Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC 9091 W. Lake City Road Houghton Lake, MI 48629 989-422-2800 Hydro Vision 1247 e Grand River Howell, MI 48843 Green Forest Indoor Garden Supply, LLC. 2555 N. State(M-66) Rd. Ionia, MI 48846 616-523-6111 Horizen Hydroponics 4646 W. Main Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49006 269-567-3333 Kalamazoo Indoor Garden 450 W. Maple, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 269-344-2550 HTG Supply-Lansing Michigan 2815 East Grand River Ave.Lansing, MI 48912 (517) 580-0555 Superior Growers Supply 19582 Middlebelt Road, Livonia, MI 48152 248-473-0450 Northern Lights Hydroponic and Garden Supply 29090 Campbell rd.

Madison Heights, MI 48071 248-439-6269 BIg Creek Hydroponics 555 Old Little Lake Road, Marquette, MI 49855 906-249-5297 Growing Consultant 2260 Apple Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49442 231-773-5600 Sunshine Supply Co. 5800 East Pickard Street, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 989-775-3700

Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

187

MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

Flo-N-Grow.

214 N. 2nd Street, Niles, MI 49120 269-683-1877 Super Grow 288 W. MONTCALM PONTIAC, MI 48342 248-24SUPER (78737) Green Earth Hydroponics 8127 Portage Rd. Portage, MI 49002 269-342-4190 Hydroponics Highway Inc. 2708 14th Ave. Port Huron MI, 48060 810-982-4769 Green Thumb Hydroponics and Organic Indoor Supply 8460 Algoma Suite G Rockford MI 49341 USA 616 884 5500 Home Grown Hydroponics 8075 Gratiot Road, Unit C, Saginaw MI 48609 989-781-1930 Hydro Giant 19363 Eureka Rd, Southgate, MI 734.281.8888 Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The 23529 Little Mack Avenue, St. Clair, MI 48080 586-775-9485 High Tech Garden Supply 7889 Telegraph Road.

Taylor, MI 48180 313-908-7554 Hydro Grow, The 8210 Telegraph Road, Taylor, MI 48180 313-633-0641 Grow Store, The 90 N U.S. Highway 31 South , Traverse City, MI 49685-7923 231-421-5191 Wild Child 7740 M 72 East, Traverse City, MI 49690 866-711-GROW Hydro Vision 1910 West rd Trenton, MI 48183 Hydroharrys.com 24500 Dequindre, Warren, MI 48091 800-461-8819 Indoor Garden Superstore 2570 Dixie Highway, Waterford Twp., MI 48328 248-673-2200; 877 22 HYDRO Light Green Water 3661 Highland Road, Waterford, MI 48329 248-681-0001 Hydrospot 34236 Michigan Avenue, Wayne, MI 48184 734-722-1285 Indoor Eden 11090 Hi Tech Dr. Whitmore lake MI 48189 810-355-1465 Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC 3218 W. Houghton Avenue West Branch, MI 48661 989-345-8800 G.C. II Whitehall, MI 49461 231-893-2400 G.C. II 1006 E. Colby St. Suite A Whitehall, MI 49417 231-893-2400 AAA Hydroponics LLC 22 50th Street Wyoming, MI 49504 616-249-8338 Cultivation Station – Grand Rapids, The 4907 S. Division Ave., Wyoming, MI 49548 616-855-4440

188

Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Stealth Hydro 15 E. Cross Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198 866-998-1916

MINNESOTA

Duluth Hydroponics 26 W 1st Street Duluth, MN 55802 218-341-7253 Indoor Gardening 10 NE 3rd Street, Faribault, MN 55021 507-209-1546 Brew and Grow 8302 Highway 65 NE., Minneapolis, MN 55432 763-780-8191 Interior Gardens 115 -1620 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 800-498-4178; 612-870-9077 Midwest Hydroponics 5825 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park,MN 55416 888-449-2739 Eden Indoor Organic Gardens 831 Highway 75 North Moorhead, MN 56560 218-477-EDEN (3336) American Garden Supply 601-6th Avenue, North, Princeton, MN 55371 763-631-0543Q Still-H2O Inc. 14375 North 60th Street, Stillwater, MN 55082 651-351-2822 Eco Garden Supply 800 Transfer Door 25 in rear St. Paul, MN 55114 651-647-1896

MISSISSIPPI

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

MISSOURI

Let It Grow - Girardeau 879 S. Kings Highway, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 573-803-0628 Heartland Hydrogardens 705 Vandiver Drive, Suite G HYDROGARDENS Columbia, MO 65202 573-474-4769 Green Circle Hydroponics 12 East Missouri, Kansas City, MO 64106 816-421-1840 Grow Your Own Hydroponics 3617 Saint John Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64123 816-241-2122 Let It Grow - Springfield 2519 E. Kearney Street, Springfield, MO 65803 417-862-GROW 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 Green Thumb Organics 249 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, St. Peters, MO 63376 636-397-4769 (GROW)

MONTANA

Heightened Harvests 2018 Main Street #4, Billings, MT 59105 406-252-4311 Magic City Organic & Hydroponic Supply 812 Central Billings, MT 59102 (406)-245-LEAF(5323) One World – Life Products 906 Broadwater Billings MT 59101 406 839 9969 Heightened Harvests 3103 Harrison Avenue, Suite B Butte, MT 59701

Alpengrow Nursery Supplies 238 Highway 93 S., Eureka, MT 59917 406-882-4496 Butteopia 127 Main Street, Butte, Montana 59701 1-406-782-8476 Big Sky Garden Supply 528 West Idaho, Kallispell, MT 59901 406-755-1465 Box of Rain Indoor Garden Center 860 N. Meridian Road B-19, Kalispell, MT 59901 406-755-RAIN (7246) 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 Bizzy Beez LLP 5875 Highway 93 S, Whitefish, MT 59937 406-863-9937

NEBRASKA Patio-Ponics 3255 Cornhusker Highway, Suite 4 Lincoln, NE 68504 402-466-9218 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

NEVADA Carson Valley Hydroponics 2520 Empire Ranch Road, Carson City, NV 89701 775-884-4769 Lorraine Ink 290 Spear Court, Fernley, NV 89408 775-575-7757 Hydro Store, The 1014 W. Sunset Road, Henderson, NV 89014 702-434-7365 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 Advanced Gardens Hydroponics 7850 Dean Martin Dr. Suite 506 Las Vegas,NV 89139 702-247-4769 All American Hydroponics 2675 East Patrick Lane, Unit 8, Las Vegas, NV 89120 702-894-9888 Best Hydroponic Supply 6818 W Cheyenne, Las Vegas, NV 89108 702-750-9300 Hydro Store, The 7145 W. Ann Road, Las Vegas, NV 89130 702-434-9376 Nevada Hydroponics 4700 B Maryland, Suite 1, Las Vegas, NV 89119 702-798-2852 Anything Grows 190 West Moana Lane, Reno, NV 89509 775-828-1460 Everything Green Hydroponics P.O Box 34869 Reno, Nevada 89533

NEW HAMPSHIRE

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

NEW JERSEY

Garden State Hydroponics 511 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001 888-300-8711 Bergen County Hydroponics 70 Essex Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 201-342-2001 Green Touch 2 Hydroponics Inc. 888 Route 33, Unit 1, Hamilton, NJ 08619 HYDROP ONICS 609-570-8829 East Coast Horticultural Supply 1652 Hurffville Road, Swewell, NJ 08080 856-228-5290 77HYDRO 37 Fairfield Place, West Caldwell, NJ 07006 877-774-9376 Claraqua 4 Redwood Court, West Windsor, NJ 08550

greentouch2

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 Common Shaman 1319 San Mateo N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87110 505-255-6463 All Seasons Gardening 1228 Parkway, Suite E Sante Fe, NM 87507 505-438-GROW Santa Fe Hydroponics 821 W. San Mateo Road, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505 505-467-8454

NEW YORK

Saratoga Organics & Hydroponic Supply 19 Front Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020 518-885-2005; 800-850-4769 The Grape Vine 4020 Hempstead Turnpike Bethpage,NY,11714 516-731-1100 Bronx Hydro & Garden 39 Bruckner Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10454 718-993-3787 Bklyn Hydro & Garden 316 McGuiness Blvd Brooklyn NY 11222 718-383-0095 Brooklyn Farms 51Hicks Street St. Brooklyn, NY 11231 347-725-3491 Indoor Outdoor Gardener 8223 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11209 718-836-2402 Hydroponics of Buffalo 1497 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216 716-838-3545 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 340 West at 59, Central Nyack, NY 10960 California Hydroponics 27 Corporate Circle, East Syracuse, NY 13057 315-432-9387 Upstate Hydroponics 2026 Lake Rd unit B Elmira, NY 14903 607 483 9199 FutureGarden Inc. 59 Central Avenue, Farmingdale, NY 11735 516-420-0884

INC.

East Coast Hydroponics 14649 Horace Harding Exp, Flushing, NY 11367 718-762-8880 Healthy Harvest Organics and Hydro 163 Broadway, Fort Edwart, NY 12828 518-480-4698 Greentree Nursery 308 Elmira Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 607-272-3666 Hudson Valley Hydroponics 217 Route 32 North, New Paltz, NY 12561 845-255-3633 Sunlight Solutions Hydroponics 2045 Niagara Falls Boulevard, Suite 13, Niagara Falls, NY 14304 888-GROWBOX The Grow Room 8 Bridge Street, Nyack, NY 10960 800-449-9630 Revolution Hydroponics 309 West State St. Olean NY 14760 716.373.Grow (4769) Mor Gro Hydroponics 5680 State Route 104 E Oswego , NY 13126 315-877-8725 Environmental Gardens 8 John Walsh Boulevard, Suite 310 Peekskills, NY 10566 800-254-0507; 914-736-6676 Harvest Moon Hydroponics Henrietta Townline Plaza, 3047 West Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14623 716-865-7353 Hydro Garden Center 1069B Lyell Avenue, Rochester, NY 14606 1-800-277-1322 Sunset Hydroponics & Home Brewing 1590 West Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14615 866-395-9204 KG Garden Supply 1327 Floyd Avenue, Rome, NY 13440 1-877-KG-HYDRO LiquidSun of New York 1702 Fiero ave Rotterdam, NY 12150 518-952-4654 Hydroponics Shops of America 2606 Erie Boulevard, Syracuse, NY 13224 315-251-2516 Green Zone Hydroponics 2148 Niagara Falls Blvd.

Tonawanda, NY. 14150 716-693-9663 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 147 Fourth Street, Troy, NY 10960

NORTH CAROLINA 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 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 High Tech Garden Supply 2712 B Freedom Drive Charlotte, NC 28208 704-697-0911

Flow & Grow Hydroponics & Organic Garden Center 4521 Cumberland Road, Fayetteville, NC 28306 910-423-FLOW (3569) Fifth Season Gardening Company 1616 D-3 Battleground Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27408 336-271-3373 Good Harvest Garden Center 629 Oakridge Farm Hwy. Mooresville NC 28115 704-658-9136 Fifth Season Gardening Company 5619-A Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606 919-852-4747 New Age Gardens 2236A US Highway 70, Swannanoa, NC 28778 828-299-9989 All Season Hydroponics 890 South Kerr Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28410 Progressive Gardens 6005 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-395-1156

OHIO

Akron Garden Center 434 W Wilbeth Road, Akron, OH 44314 330-724-2700 Summit Hydroponics 1030 Kenmore Boulevard Akron, OH 44314-2114 330-753-5222 Campbells Indoor Gardening Supplies 1721 Greenville Road Bristolville, OH 44402 330-889-0049 Magic Home Gardens 209 Cemetery Road, Canal Winchester, OH 43110 614-837-2440 Dayton Hydroponics 4920 Provident Drive Cincinnati, Ohio 45246 513-942-7111 Eastside Hydroponics 550 Ohio Pike Cincinnati, OH 45255 513-528-GROW Kissed by the Sun Hydroponic 10740 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45241 513-769-0159 Cleveland Garden Center Inc. 727 East 185th Street, Cleveland, OH 44119 216-481-7868 Grow Wizard, The 5700 Denison Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102 216-961-2500 Herb-N-Garden Center 14901 Puritas Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44135 216-252-2001 Garden Indoors of Ohio 4720 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, OH 43214 800-833-6868 Magic Home Garden 4538 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, OH 43214 614-263-2440 Garden Connections 3341 Centerpoint Dr. Grove City OH 43123 614 871 0707 Advanced Hydrorganics Indoor Garden Center 5204 Darrow Road, Hudson, OH 44236 234-380-1287 Sweet Greens 5540 Brecksville Road Independence, OH 44131 800-421-7084 Hydro Gardens and Lights 1144 N Memorial Drive Lancaster, OH 43130 705-65 Hydro Carefree Garden Center 134 West Drive, Lodi, OH 44254 330-302-4203 CropKing 134 West Drive, Lodi, OH 44254 330-302-4203

Maximum Yield USA  | September 2011

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MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

The Grow Shop 165 Davids St. Marion OH 43302 740 223 7467 Urban Gardens 671 E. Center Street Marion, OH 43302 740-375-2800 Top Garden Products 8600 East Avenue Suite C. Mentor, OH 44060 440-290-8773 Indoor Gardens 1222 Hill Road, North, Pickerington, OH 43147 614-866-6065 Trinity Hydro Organics 465 Woodman Drive Riverside, OH 45431 937-252-GROW Toledo Hydroponics Ltd. 855 S. Holland-Sylvania Road, Suite 2 Toledo, OH 43615 1-877-893-0716 Greenleaf Hydroponics 1805 Elm Road, Warren, OH 44483 330-372-1039 Dayton Hydroponics 3856 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, West Carrolton, OH 45449 937-859-3999 Harvest Moon 9215 Market Street, Youngstown (North Lima), OH 44452 800-776-8399 Indoor Garden Worx 906 Blue Avenue, Zanesville, OH 43701 866-900-9679

OKLAHOMA

Tulsa County Hydro-Organics 1928 W. Albany, Broken Arrow, OK 74012 918-259-HYDRO 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 The OKC Urban Gardener 3711 N. Western Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73118 405-521-9300 Urban Garden 3141 E. 15th Street, Tulsa, OK 74104 918-289-0018

OREGON

Aqua Serene 465 Applegate Way, Ashland, OR 97520 541-482-7600 Astoria Indoor Garden Supply 1343 Duane St. Unit C Astoria OR 97103 503 468 0606 Rogue Silicates Inc. POB 21, Azalea, OR 97410 541-837-8590 B.I.G.S. 155 SW Century Drive, Suite 401, Bend, OR 97702 541-385-5222 Herb N’ Jungle Hydroponics 930 SE Textron Drive, Bend, OR 97702 541-382-4010 Northern Light and Garden Beaverton 9290 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, Beaverton, OR 97005 503-297-7331 Westcoast Organic and Hydroponic Supply 12410 SE 282nd Avenue, Unit C Boring, OR 97009 503-766-4106 The Good Earth Organics 30088 Redwood Highway, Cave Junction, OR 97523 541-592-4496 Anthony’s Garden & Light Supply 93779 B Troy Lane, Coos Bay, OR 97420 541-266-8822

190

Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Corvallis Hydroponics & Organics 5490 SW Philomath Boulevard, Corvallis, OR 97333 541-738-2820 Aqua Serene 2836 W. 11th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97402 541-302-9073 Aurora Innovations PO Box 22041, Eugene, OR 97402 866-376-8578 SunInside Gardening Co. 665 Conger, Unit F, Eugene, OR 97402 541-686-9966 Advanced Indoor Gardens 17831 se 82nd drive Gladstone, OR 97027 503 305 6341 Northern Light and Garden Grants Pass 1203 Rogue River Highway, Grants Pass, OR 97527 541-474-1700 Paradise Supply LLC 560 NE. “F” Street, Unit C, Grand Pass, OR 97526 541-955-7293 Vital Organix 932-B SE “M” Street Grants Pass, OR 97526 541-226-9283 Oregon Rainforest Co. 19949 E. Burnside Street, Gresham, OR 97233503-465-9909 In & Out Gardens 93484 Hwy 99 South Junctin City OR 97448 541-234-2342 Basin Indoor Gardening 1221 Main Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97601 541-273-2023 Green Zone Garden Center & Hydroponic Supplies 1845 S W Hwy. 101 Ste. 3 Lincoln OR 97367 USA 541 994 7070 H2organic LCC 620 NE 3rd Street, McMinnville, OR 97128 503-434-6107 Green Thumb Hydrogarden and Organic Supply 2021 West Main Street, Medford, OR 97501 541-779-8600 Growing Crazy (Hooked On Hydroponics) 817 W. 2nd Street, Medford, OR 97501 In & Out Gardens 1574 Skypark Drive Medford, OR 97501 541-858-3333 Ladybug Indoor Gardens 3960 W. Main Street, Medford, OR 97501 541-618-4459 Advanced Organics & Garden Supply 290- B Merlin Avenue Merlin, Oregon 97532 541-659-1466 Indoor Garden Depot 15828 SE McGloughlin Boulevard, Milwaukie, OR 97267 503-786-2445 H2organic LCC 620 NE 3rd Street, McMinnville, OR 97128 503-434-6107 Wizard’s Garden, LLC 621 Spruce Street, Unit C, Myrtle Point, OR 97458 541-572-2333 Green Zone Garden Center & Hydroponic Supplies 454 S.W. Coast Hwy Newport OR 97365 USA P: 541-265-8252 Gorilla Garden Supply 1810 Virginia Avenue, Garden Supplies North Bend, OR 97459 541-756-5005 American Agriculture 9220 Southeast Stark Street, Portland, OR 97216 800-433-6805 Bloom Garden Supply 518 NE 20th Ave. Portland, OR 97232 (971)255-1336

Everybody’s Garden Center 2701 SE 14th Avenue, Portland, OR 97202 800-669-5483 Garden Spout, The 4532 South East 63rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97206 503-788-4769 Homegrown Garden Supply 7112 NE Gilsan Street, Portland, OR 97213 877-EZ2-GROW Island Flowers & Indoor Garden Center 909 N. Tomahawk Island Drive, Suite 103, Portland, OR 97217 503-546-3185 Lights Distributing 9843 SW 55th Avenue, Portland, OR 97219 Rain or Shine 13126 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230 503-255-1981 Roots Garden Supply 5426 North Gay Avenue, Portland, OR 97217 503-285-4768 Urban Flora 2865 South East, Portland, OR 97214 503-236-3344 BIGS Warehouse 2606 SW 4th Street, Unit B Redmond, OR 97756 541-504-8886 Indoor Garden Supply 536 SW 6th Street (rear alley), Redmond, OR 97756 541-504-7750 DC Hydroponics & Organics 7275 Green Siding Rd. Roseburg, OR 97471 541-679-3700 Roseburg Hydroponics 853 SE Stephens Street, Roseburg, OR 97470 541-229-1420 Indoor Garden Center 1697 SE 25th Street, Salem, OR 97302 503-566-7888 Northern Light and Garden Salem 1915 Lancester Drive, Salem, OR 97305 503-364-4769 Cascade Horticulture 39570 Pioneer Boulevard, Sandy, OR 97055 503-668-8242 Moonshine Park Farm 135 South East 62nd, Unit F South Beach, OR 97366 541-444-2298 J-N-B Hydro 2 Go 155 West Central Avenue, Sutherlin, OR 97479 541-459-9211 Samurai Greenhouse Supply 32067 Old Hwy. 34 Tanget, OR 97389 541-928-3431 Grow America Garden Supply LLC 11511 SW Pacific Highway, Tigard, OR 97223 503-841-6868

PENNSYLVANIA

Pocono Hydroponic Solutions 25 Route 611 Bartonsville, PA 18321 Tel: 570-730-4544 Green Solutions Hydroponics 1700 Orange Street Berwick, PA 18603 570-752-1530 Garden Indoors of Pennsylvania 208 Route 13, Bristol, PA 19007 800-227-4567 422 GROW 1775 North Main Street Extension Butler, PA 16001-1327 724-561-3777 High Tech Garden Supply 20232 Route 19, Unit 6, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066 724-473-1113 New Moon Indoor Garden Supply 20550 Route 19 Perry Highway, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066 724-591-8086

Easton Hydroponcis 437 N. Hampton St. Easton, PA 18042 484-373-3232 Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh 830 Route 119, Greensburg, PA 15601 724-836-1118 Buds to Blooms Garden and Supply Co., LLC 509 Orchard Avenue Kennett Square, PA 19348 484-860-8056 Flairform POB 1417, Lansdale, PA 19446 215-395-6353 RH Distribution POB 1417 Lansdale, PA 19446 888-545-8112 Hydro Ponics of Harrisburg 310 South 10th Street, Lemoyne, PA 17043 877-684-3808 Always Green Garden Supply 4400 Old William Penn Hwy Ste. 106 Monroeville PA 15146 412 646 1243 New Stanton Hydro 150 Post Ave. New Stanton, PA. 15672 724-635-0297 Full Bloom Hydroponics 84 South 24th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 888-872-3602 Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh 2008 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-232-7030 Healthy Gardens and Supply 1012 Lincoln Avenue, Prospect Park, PA 19076 866-32-HYDRO Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh 9 North Main St. Washington, PA 15301 724-222-0200 Western Pennsylvania Innovative Gardening 1177 Pittsburgh Road, Suite 103 Valencia, PA 16059 724 - 903 - 0800 Organic Garden Center 800 Washington Blvd.

Williamsport, PA 17701 570-322-3120 National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply 450 Grim Lane, York,PA 17406 877-779-7111(Northeast) PA Hydroponics & Home Gardening Supply 20 Quaker Church Road, York Springs, PA 17372 717-528-4175

Growin’ Crazy 93 Kingston Road Wyoming, Rhode Island 02898 401-284-0810

SOUTH CAROLINA

GreenSpirit Hydrogarden 1864 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29405 843-225-1GRO; 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 All Season Hydroponics 6729 Two North Road, 10B Columbia, SC 29223 803-708-4819 All Season Hydroponics 1350 Hwy. 501 Business, Store 3&4 Conway, SC 29526 843-347-9266 Green Thumb Unique Gardening & More 1230 Rutherford Road, Greenville, SC 29609 864-271-8830 Greenspirit Hydrogardens 3600 Unite 1 Hwy.17 S. North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 843-361-7777

SOUTH DAKOTA

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

TENNESSEE

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

RHODE ISLAND

Oakworld Garden Center 39 West Street, Barrington, RI 02806 401-245-5705 Solar Seed Hydroponics, Inc. 2406 Putman Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814 401-710-9010 Organically Grown 768 Atwood Ave Cranston, RI 02920 401-944-0549 Hydro-Earth 1243 Mineral Springs Avenue, North Providence, RI 02904 401-305-5520 South County Hydroponics 51 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879 401-783-1733 Mother Nature Hydroponics 1268 Post Rd. Warwick RI 02888 401 780 0600 LiquidSun® RI 1179 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, MA 02861 401-722-2724 Good To Grow 34 Nooseneck Hill Road West Greenwich, RI 02817 401-392-3100

TEXAS

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Abundant Harvest Hydroponics & Organics 3101 Avenue E East, Marshall, TX 76011 817-649-0100 Brite Ideas Hydroponics & Organics 4360 S.Congress Avenue, #310, Austin, TX 78745 512-444-2100 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 Happy Harvest Hydroponics & Organic 1500 C rescent Drive, Suite 202 Carrollton, TX 75006 972-466-1300 GroGreen Hydroponics 4015 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75226 214-370-9984

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 Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Dallas) 3400 Elm Street, Dallas, TX 75226 214-744-4769 Organic Garden & Feed 3801 N Interstate Hwy 35,Suite126, Denton Texas 76207 940-381-9890 Earth Organics 1360 Lee Trevino Drive,Suite 105 El Paso, TX 79936 915-591-9500 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 Houston Discount Hydroponics 9384 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77063 713-464-9406 Hydroponic Nation 9700 Almeda Genoa Road, Suite 108, Houston, TX 77075 281-501-9636 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 Texas Growers Supply 5990 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. E. #602, Humble, TX 77396 281-441-3739 Field of Dreams Indoor Growing Supplies 5302 Slide Road Unit B,Lubbock, TX 79414 806-793-2901 Hydro Mart 3841 Main Street, Rowlett, TX 75088 972-475-6114 Sol Organics & Hydroponics 1634 Babcock Road, San Antonio, TX 78229 210-366-9082 GreenMaker Nursery 3030 Northwest Loop, Stephenville, TX 76401 254-965-7273 Innergrow Hydroponics 24451 Interstate Highway 20, Wills Point, TX 75169 866-475-4769

UTAH Wasatch Hydroponics 4050 South Howick, Suite 11E, Salt Lake City, Utah 84107 801-716-4133 Salt Lake Plant & Hydro 60 West 3300 S. #6 South Salt Lake, UT 84115 801-488-3200

,

VERMONT Greenthumb - Vermont 394 Route 15, Jericho, VT 05465 802-899-4323 Peak Hydroponic Garden Supplies 20 School Street, Plainfield, VT 05667 802-454-8000 LiquidSun® VT 1 Bellows Falls Road, (Route 5 North) Putney, VT 05158 802-387-1100

Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

191

MAXIMUM YIELD distributors

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

VIRGINIA Fifth Season Gardening Company 900 Preston Ave. Charlottesville VA 22903 434-293-2332 Clean & Green Technologies 196 Corning Drive, Christiansburg, VA 24073 866-694-1628 I Love Hydroponics 612 N. Sheppard Street, Richmond, VA 23221 804-377-3020 Lucky Roots 612 North Sheppard St. Richmond, VA 23221 804-377-3020 Blue Ridge Hydroponics & Home Brewing Company The Williamson Road Plaza, 5327 D Williamson Road Roanoke, VA 24012 540-265-2483 Inside-Out Garden Supply 6517 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22150 703-451-3259 I Love Hydroponics 368 Newtown Road, #105, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 757-490-5425 Hydroponics & Growlights 13400 Occoquan Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191 703-490-0700

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

WASHINGTON Island Horticulture Supply 8608 S March Point Rd. Anacortes WA 98221 360 293 0000 Mike’s Indoor Garden Supply 6121 172nd Street NE #A, Arlington, WA 98223 (360) 474-1900 Belfair Garden & Lighting 24090 NE State Route 3 #F Belfair,WA 98528 360-275-2130 Green Gardens Distributing 12738 Bel-Red Road, Bellevue, WA 98005 425-454-5731 Northern Lights Gardening 4159 Hannegan Road, Bellingham, WA 98225 360-715-8585 Liquid Sunshine Hydroponics 5087 Lincoln Road, Blaine, WA 98230 Kitsap Garden & Lighting 2130 6th Street, Bremerton, WA 98312 360-377-1277 M & R Lighting Unit C 22914 Highway 410, Buckley, WA 98390 253-891-4190 Indoor Tropics 5930 Sunburst Lane #B Cashmere, WA 98815 509-470-7782 Garden Smart 500 Bond Drive, Castlerock, WA 98611 360-274-7960 Grow Center, The 615 South Fir DeerPark WA 99006 509-276-GROW

192

Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Healthy Grow Indoor Garden Supplies 10 SE Everett Mall Way Suite B Everett WA 98208 425-374-2227 Indoor Garden Depot 1401 S. 324th Street, Federal Way, WA 98003 253-874-1112 North West Hydro Supply 1355Pacific Pl Unit 117 Ferndale WA 98248-7824 360-778-3254 Good 2 Gro 3507 W Clearwater Ave. Kennewick WA 99336 509 737 1313 Indoor Garden & Lighting 714 South Central Avenue, Kent, WA 98032 253-373-9060 Kent Garden Supplies Ltd. 18817 East Valley Highway, Kent, WA 98032 425-251-9299 Grogro Hydro 12403 NE. 124th Street, Kirkland, WA 98034 888-7-GROGRO 425-820-6200 KP Indoor Garden Store 8912 Key Peninsula HWY N Lakebay, WA 98349 253-884-SURE (7873) InDoor Gardening 1158 Commerce Longview WA, 98632 360-353-3851 Indoor Garden & Lighting 20505 Highway 99,, Lynnwood, WA 98036 425-673-2755 Go-N-Green Hydroponics 1241 State Ave Suite #102 Marysville, WA 98270 (360)386-8230 Green Acres Indoor Garden & Lighting 514 State Ave Suite #102 Marysville, WA 98270 360-658-GROW (4769) Island Hydroponic & Supplies 1515 5th Street #B, Marysville, WA 98271 425-299-5855 Mike’s Indoor Garden Supply 1204 East Wheeler Road, Moses Lake, WA 98837 (509)766-5856 M & R Lighting 17238 Memorial Drive, Mt. Vernon, WA 98273 360-848-1080 Northern Lights Gardening 1524 Riverside Dr #2 Mt. Vernon, WA 98273 360-982-2217 Indoor Garden & Lighting 8606 Preston Fall City Rd. SE Preston WA 98050 425 222 9661 Linda’s Gardening & Hydroponics 11522 Canyon Road East, Puyallup, WA 98373 253-531-9641 Renton Indoor Garden Center 207 Sunset Blvd. N, Building A, Renton, WA 98055 425-917-9000 Eco Enterprises 1240 NE 175th Street, #B Shoreline, WA 98155 800-426-6937 Aqua Serene 3839 Stone Way North, Seattle, WA 98103 206-547-GROW (4769) Grogro Hydro 12316 32nd AVE NE #103 Seattle, WA 98125

Hydro-Tech 2121 Aurora Avenue, North, Seattle, WA 98103 206-547-2202 Sodo Hydro 1727 1st Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98134 206-682-9377 888-90HYDRO (904-9376) Northwest Horticulture Supply 161 Hooker Road, #1, Sequim, WA 98057 360-582-0702 509 Grow 2718 N Division Spokane, WA 99207 509-327-GROW(4769) Grow Center, The 2808 W Sprague Spokane WA 99202 509-456-GROW River City Hydroponics 1514 East Francis Avenue, Spokane, WA 99208 509-464-0246 Spokane Organic and Hydroponic Supply 4823 East Sprague Avenue E., Spokane Valley, WA 99212 509-534-4055 Green Tree Hydroponics and Garden 12316 Pacific Ave South Tacoma, WA 98444 253-536-1791 Indoor Garden & Lighting 3839 6th Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98406 253-761-7478 Solar Shop 306 West 4th Street, Tonasket, WA 98855 509-486-4508 Indoor Garden Depot 6400 NE Highway 99, Suite H, Vancouver, WA 98665 360-993-7779 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 VM Indoor Garden Supply 2903 NE 109th Ave Ste. D Vancouver, WA 98682 P: (360) 256-2933 Indoor Garden Supply LLC 1250 Atlantic Ave, Woodland, WA 98674 360-841-8055

WISCONSIN Aric’s Indoor Garden Supply 1104 West Wisconsin Avenue, Appleton, WI 54914 920-574-3258 Grow BIG Hydroponics 954 S. Westland, Appleton, WI 54914 920-749-4769 Brew and Grow 285 N. Janacek Road, Brookfield, WI 53045 262-789-0555 Garden Supply Guys 752 Memorial Drive - Suite A Green Bay, WI 54303 920-857-9493 Brew and Grow 3317 Agriculture Drive, Madison, WI 53716 608-226-8910 Paradigm Gardens 4539 Helgesen Drive, Madison, WI 53718 608-241-3800

PUERTO RICO Tecno-Hydro Ave Campo Rico GJ17, PO Box 1450 Carolina, PR 00982 787-752-8252

Maximum Yield USA | July 2011

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