Soft Secrets
Product Fla sh
13
By Chris Marchand
Root Riot from Growth Technology Root Riot from Growth Technology is the latest product on the market to represent the shift towards organic cultivation. In effect Root Riot is the same as the traditional one-inch rockwool cube. They can be used in exactly the same way for germinating seeds and rooting cuttings and generally getting the small delicate plants successfully on their way to be being big and healthy. However, they are definitely not the same as Root Riot boasts the “O” word: “made from composted organic material” Traditional rockwool is made of spun rock and is a notorious irritant, originally used for insulation by builders. Anyone who has had to use large quantities in a confined space like an attic will testify to this. Hydroponic rockwool has been treated to be sterile and is of a different density but essentially it’s the same stuff. The important thing is that it holds both air and water in it and therefore acts as an ideal medium for new plants that need both oxygen and water to put out root. Root riot is not dusty and being as it is made from earth friendly organic compost it will not irritate the skin and will fully biodegrade back to compost once you’ve finished. Like rockwool the cubes have a spongy texture that provides the perfect air to water ratio so essential to giving newborn plants a good start, providing you don’t over water them yourself that is. The cubes are also specially inoculated with micronutrients to nourish the young plants, and also beneficial rooting fungi to aid root development. Organic growers may choose to use Root Riot rather than going straight into a lightor seed- mix soil for the slightly quicker rooting times whilst hydroponic growers can get some more of the benefits of organic cultivation without changing systems. Root Riot is emblematic of a change being seen in the cannabis growing market towards organic cultivation and generally more thoughtful growing. Not so long ago your standard grower used nothing more than a chem-pack nutrient and hydrogen peroxide. Times are definitely a’changing: vive la revolution! Root Riot is available from all Growth Technology stockists. Check www.growthtechnology.com or call +44(0)1823 325291 for your nearest dealer
The Blue Donut Twist Glass Spoon from Weed City The Blue Donut is the latest novelty pipe from Weed City that just begs to be smoked. Rather than looking hand crafted this pipes shape looks like it came straight from nature, with its organic shape and smooth lines. The market for pocket pipes reflects the requirements of the modern smoker. Increasingly people are choosing this style of hand blown pipes for their smooth smoke and beautiful designs. Rather than having a functional plain old-fashioned pipe these days you want a piece of portable glass art as well as a clean smooth smoke. They may be less discrete than the many smokeless metal pocket pipes around but the smoke speaks for itself. And they are a so much easier to clean, with no awkward channels filled with sticky tar. With glass pipes they can simply be cleaned in hot water; using bong cleaner will get it back to its original glory every time thanks to it being made of glass. The Blue Donut gets it name from the twisted “donut” featured in the middle of the pipe. This makes it feel made to sit in your hand and splits the passage of smoke into two perhaps cooling it a little. It is small enough to fit in the pocket and robust enough to be taken everywhere and, most importantly, it’s a quality smoke. Using deep blue on a fumed background each pipe carries a unique pattern and looks great whilst fitting perfectly in the hand. The bowl is deep enough for a decent sized hit of herb as well as being ideal for high-grade hash on the move.
Genius Oil from Advanced Nutrients Genius Oil is Advanced Nutrients Neem Oil based foliar spray and since their product range is so massive it comes as no surprise that they have paid attention to this special tree. Like our beloved Cannabis plant the Neem tree is considered by many to be a “power plant” due to its remarkable ability to thrive in harsh conditions and the many beneficial properties it possesses. For centuries agriculturalists and herbalists alike have used the Neem tree for aiding health in humans, improving soil conditions and strengthening plants so it makes sense that it is popping up in grow rooms all over. One reason Neem-based preparations have become a popular grow room product is it’s effectiveness at eliminating pests, in particular that most feared of all: spider mite. Another major benefit and reason for its popularity is that Neem Oil is 100% organic and can be used by the strictest of organic growers. Advanced are keen to point out that Neem is not just a pest control product but that it will aid the overall development of all aspects of the plants growth. Genius Oil is made to the same rigorous standards as the rest of the Advanced range from super concentrated organic Neem oil. If you care about your plants then use Genius Oil to channel the gifts of one of Nature’s most sacred miracle plants into your very own power plants and watch them thrive. Genius Oil is available in both 250ml and 500 ml sizes. Genius Oil is available from Elements Hydroponics Tel: +44(0)1904 479 979 www.elementshydroponics.co.uk and other Advanced Nutrients Stockists
InstaGreen from Grotek InstaGreen is a nitrogen based feed designed to nurse stressed out plants back to health. There are many different reasons why plants become stressed and lose their vigour, whether it be due to transplanting, environmental factors or underfeeding. In all cases the problem with the plant is essentially the same: it is not feeding very well. This can be a result of overfeeding as well as underfeeding, of a hot environment or a cold environment. In any case it is important to look at the cause of the problem. In order to make up for the damage done in the mean time it is a good idea to nurse the plant back to health and a shot of InstaGreen is just the thing. Best used as a foliar spray InstaGreen is scientifically formulated to restore the plants a lush, vibrant colour and to renew vigour with its high concentration of nitrogen; essential to a plants vegetative growth. It can also be used in hydroponic solutions and as a liquid feed for soil and is available in 1 litre, 4 litre and 10 litre sizes to cater for all scales of operation. InstaGreen is available in the UK from Geezzaa Growlights Tel: +44(0)1252 695245, Holland Hydroponics Tel: +44(0)161 273 5995 and New Age 18/12 Tel: +44(0)1274 694444. Check www.grotek.net for more stockists.
Gel4Plugs from AquaCulture Giving your clones a good start in life is paramount to having a successful and trouble-free crop. With this new rooting gel AquaCulture boast the impressive claim that in trials clones root in cubes in just three or four days with no loss of vigour. By rooting so quickly the clone is able to feed for itself after just a few days and so remains healthy and green without wilting. Once the clone has its own root system it can start to develop and grow unrestricted and unstressed thereby being a healthier and happier plant.
There are literally thousands of pipes available on the market of all shapes and sizes and it’s a matter of which one catches your eye and appeals to you. A Blue Donut Twist Spoon won’t disappoint.
Developed at one of countries leading universities Gel4Plugs is a thick gel that stays firm in the cube and encases the rooting site keeping the goodness in and the chances of infection or rotting off to a minimum. AquaCulture say that once you try it you won’t go back, and anything that shaves off a few valuable days rooting time and gives healthier clones has to be worth a try at lest.
The Blue Donut Twist Glass Spoon is available from www.weedcity.com Tel: +44(0)845 456 0794
Gel4Plugs is available from www.aquaculture-hydroponics.co.uk Tel: +44(0)845 130 2878
