usa jan 2011

FREE

USA

indoorgardeningexpo.com

DenverColoraDo, USa

MarCh 31- april 3

vanCoUverBC, CanaDaMay 14-15 JUly 16-17

San FranCiSCoCaliFornia, USa

oCtoBer 22-23

long BeaChCaliFornia, USa

2011inDoor garDening expo

www.maximumyield.com

Guidelines for Adventurous GUERRILLA GARDENERS

GREENER GARDENS Techniques That Save Time, Money and the Planet

http://www.dutchmaster.com.au/

http://www.atmosphere.com/

http://www.n-g-w.com/

http://www.humboldtnutrients.com/

http://www.hydrofarm.com/

http://www.canfilters.com/

http://www.botanicare.com/

http://www.sunlightsupply.com/

9Maximum Yield USA | January 2011

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

46 Humidity, Vapor Pressure Deficit and the Transpiration Streamby Dr. Lynette Morgan

58 Booster LEDs: Take Plant Steering to a Whole New Levelby Brian Chiang and Josh Puckett

66 An End to Pesticides by Dr. Ed Harwood

78 Mechanical Design & Function Versus Plant Biologyby Dr. J. Benton Jones Jr.

86 Fertilizers or Additives...or Both? – Part 2 by William Texier

94 Nutrient Deficiencies: Reaction and Prevention – Part 1by Matt LeBannister

102 Greener Gardensby Lee McCall

112 Soilless Salvation and pH Perfectionby Casey Jones Fraser

122 AB 856 – California’s New Organic Lawby Donald Lester

134 Parent Plants: Care & Control by Trevor Holt

10 From the Editor

12 Letters to the Editor

14 MaximumYield.com

20 Simon Says

22 MAX Facts

32 Product Spotlight

76 Tips & Tricks

92 Beginner’s Corner

100 Green Thumb Gardening

118 Avant-Gardening

120 You Tell Us

128 Growing for Health

140 Talking Shop

144 Max Mart

148 Coming up in February

149 Do You Know?

150 Distributors

58

January 2011

112

CONTENTS

10 Maximum Yield USA | January 2011

FROM THEeditor jessica raymond

contributorsJessica Raymond, Editor

[email protected]

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

Dr. Lynette Morgan holds a B. Hort. 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.

Lee McCall graduated from Johnson and Wales University with a concentration in Culinary Arts. Culinary school opened the door to research and work with hydroponics and organic production. Currently, Lee attends business school in Denver and focuses on continuing advancements with Maximum Yield and indoor gardening technology.

William Texier started hydroponics in 1985, doing research and development for General Hydroponics in California. In 1995, he and his wife Noucetta Kehdi created General Hydroponics Europe. William is best known for coining the term bioponics, or organic hydroponics. William has 25+ years of hydroponics experience and is considered a hydroponics expert worldwide.

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.

Dr. Ed Harwood is founder and chief executive officer of AeroFarms. Ed previously served as associate director of Cornell Cooperative Extension for Agriculture. Prior to that, Ed served as CEO of Topline Waikato, Inc.

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.

Donald Lester is the plant 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.

Casey Jones Fraser owns Garden Grove Organics, in Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati. He has a degree in communications and electronic media. He believes that indoor gardeners can achieve the highest quality crops and maximum yields when proper science is applied. Since 1998, Casey has been testing various nutrients and supplements in search of outstanding harvests.

Brian Chiang has worked for DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc., an advanced technology company based in California, for the last 13 years. Brian received his bachelor’s degree in physics from UC Berkeley and master’s degree in physics from UC Davis. He is currently the managing director for Kessil Lighting, a DiCon business division.

other exciting contests coming your way this year. And flip to page 133 to check out the prize packs up for grabs for January/February.Our 2011 Maximum Yield Expo Tour has been an-

nounced. We will be stopping in Denver, Colorado (March 31 - April 3), Vancouver, British Columbia (May 14 - 15), San Francisco, California (July 16 - 17) and Long Beach, California (October 22 - 23). Exciting new things are planned for this year’s shows so mark your calendars to attend the industry’s biggest and best indoor gardening tradeshows. More information can be found at indoorgardenexpo.comEveryone here at MY HQ wishes

you and your family a year of happiness, health

and green gardens. We looking forward to seeing you all at

our Indoor Gardening Expos this year.

For this special New Year’s 2011 edition of Maximum Yield USA, we help you set achievable resolutions to turn your garden a brighter shade of green. In this issue you can expect a healthy dose of reality on what it truly means to be an eco-gardener. Set the scene for a year of green gardening starting with a review of the side effects of pesticides, followed by guerrilla gardening guidelines for adventurous, ambitious souls. In “Greener Gardens” Lee McCall recommends techniques that may save you time, money and maybe even our planet. To top it off, this issue’s feature article outlines the newly passed organic law in California, which will significantly affect both end-consumers and the industry at large.2011 marks the start of another year

of great giveaways and free grow gear for dedicated Maximum Yield readers. Stay tuned to maximumyield.com/contests.php for the most up-to-date information on our Win Big…Grow Big contest and

Josh Puckett earned his bachelor’s degree in biology with an emphasis on plant biology from Sonoma State University. He currently works at the UC Davis Foundation Plant Services. He has years of experience in the horticulture and agriculture industries. He also serves as an advisor for the Kessil Research team.

Trevor Holt is the owner of Sydney-based Hydro Masta Pty Ltd. He has over 20 years of experience in the hydroponics industry. Their website (www.hydromasta.com.au) contains a full library of hydroponic help tips and ideas, plus their online store of over 800 quality products. Email [email protected]

Correction: From November Maximum Yield USA - True Liberty Bags donates one per cent of net sales, and not one per cent of their profits to an approved non-profit group or agency of their choosing, as part of 1% for the Planet.

http://www.foxfarmfertilizer.com/


Maximum Yield reserves the right to edit for brevity.

We want to hear from you!Write us at:Maximum Yield Publications Inc.2339A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9or Email us at: [email protected]

LETTERS TOthe editor

Growers Helping GrowersI own a garden center that is beginning to sell a lot of hydroponic supplies, lighting systems, nutrients, etc. I would like to distribute your publication to my customers. The great people of the Urban Garden Centers of Maine recommended you and said the publication has helped their sales. The name of my business is Pelletier Florist Greenhouses and Garden Center located at 500 West Main St. in Fort Kent, Maine. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Rob Johnson

The Aeroponic AgeI really enjoyed your “Advanced Aeroponics” article by Joshua Serpa in the August issue of Maximum Yield USA. Before reading, I struggled to name the fuzzies (root hairs) that develop on my roots when the root environment is optimal. I use a high pressure system (100 psi) that is sold for reptile owners.

Rob H

Friendly FeedbackMax Yield,

Thank you for producing such an excellent magazine. The hydro industry is so full

of hearsay that it is refreshing to read information from a scientific perspective. I love your material, but I have a comment regarding past topics.LEDs are cool, but they are not for

everyone. For growing something like lettuce they are great, but in my experience

they simply are not powerful enough for the plants I grow in comparison to HIDs. Sure, you

can put the light very close to the canopy, but the light intensity can diminish rapidly, leaving the rest of my plants in relative darkness. And cool temperatures + low light = powdery mildew. Along with many of your readers, I do not have the space, money or time to spend on slower growth and lower yields.Hydroponics can be a very expensive endeavor and investing in

new technologies is a gamble that is not always worth taking. I recommend caution to all your readers regarding this topic.Thank you again for producing a magazine that provides such cutting edge topics for debate.

Garden Kat

You Asked, We ListenedJust a friendly suggestion: on the distributor’s list at the back of your magazine, I recommend you alphabetize by the city, not the name of the store. I live in Sacramento and all I want to know is where I can find your magazine in Sacramento. By alphabetizing by city (rather than by store name), it’s a lot easier to find a store by my house. Thanks for your consideration of my suggestion. Great magazine, regardless!

Ryan Tracy

Great idea! Starting with the February 2011 issue of Maximum Yield USA, we will be alphabetizing our retail distributor list-ings by the state first followed by the city, making it that much easier to locate a Maximum Yield distributor near you. Sugges-tions are encouraged and welcomed. This is your magazine. Tell us how we can make it better for you.

Digital DilemmaIs it possible to make the back issues of Maximum Yield available as PDFs, like the current issue, instead of only digital editions? I keep all the issues for reference and I read them when I am not near internet access. Sometimes, I don’t get to the website quick enough and I miss an issue.

Thanks,Mike Carmain

Back issues of Maximum Yield are available to download on http://issuu.com. You will need to sign up (http://issuu.com/signup) in order to download past issues. Thanks for reading.

PDF

http://www.superthrive.com/


PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER - Jim JessonGENERAL MANAGER - Don Moores

BUSINESS MANAGER - Linda Jesson

EDITOR - Jessica Raymond [email protected]

ADVERTISING SALES 250.729.2677

Linda Jesson - [email protected] Lambersek - [email protected] Hawser - [email protected]

Ashley Heppell - [email protected] Indseth - [email protected]

PRODUCTION & DESIGN [email protected]

Mike Linden - [email protected] Cargill - [email protected]

Daniel Peters - [email protected] Tennison - [email protected]

Jennifer Duong - [email protected]

ACCOUNTING - Lee Anne [email protected]

USA DISTRIBUTIONAurora Innovations

BWGS, BWGS West and BWGS EastGeneral Hydroponics

HydrofarmHydro International

National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight SupplyR&M SupplyTradewinds

CANADIAN DISTRIBUTIONBrite-Lite Group

BiofloralEddis Wholesale

Greenstar Plant Products Inc.HydrotekMegaWatt

Quality Wholesale

UK DISTRIBUTIONGrowth Technology

HydrogardenNorthern Hydroponic Wholesale

Nutriculture UK

AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTIONHouse N Garden

FutchatecGrowth Technology

Hydraspher

I N D O O R G A R D E N I N G

VOLUME 11 – NUMBER 10 January 2011

Maximum Yield is published monthly byMaximum Yield Publications Inc.

2339A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9Phone: 250.729.2677; Fax 250.729.2687

No part of this magazine may be reproducedwithout 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.

Tell us what you think at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you.

Coming upon the Web

www.maximumyield.comwww.facebook.com/MaximumYieldwww.indoorgardeningexpo.com

ConneCT WiTH MAxiMuM YieLD

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

STAY ConneCTeDWe’re in our second year of publishing Maximum Yield’s monthly E-News, and it just keeps getting better. How do we know? Readership is up more than 60 per cent! If you’re not subscribed to MY’s E-News by now, what are you waiting for? Go to http://maximumyield.com/newsletter.php and get connected.

SPeeD ReADGrow a greener garden, learn about California’s new organic law, build a perfectly balanced soilless mix, stay educated on pesticides and discover the history of the nutrient film technique (NFT).

LATeST neWSThe world has gone hydro from hydroponic wine and hydroponic fast food to hydroponic science and hydroponic vending machines. Check it out.

http://www.bloombastic.com/

http://www.t-nou.com/

http://www.hydrozyme.com/

SIMONsaysWhat have you heard about jellyfish fertilizer? I just saw a show produced in Japan about jellyfish fertilizer and I am wondering where I can buy some. Would it be good for all stages of growth?

What a great question and a wonderful example of how experimenting in the garden can generate creative ideas. Before discussing the nutritional and efficacious nature of a jellyfish fertilizer in the garden we should probably mention why this is even being considered.Jellyfish populations around the world are surging.

Scientists are pointing at global warming and environmental pollution. In areas where there is large agricultural runoff, nutrification of the water can cause anoxic (low oxygen) areas in the water. Although this is very bad for fish, which tend to disappear, the jellyfish seem to thrive with their ability to store oxygen within their physical structure—one of many exceptional evolutionary functions found within the “lowly” jellyfish.Japan was concerned with their overpopulation and

its effect on their fishing industry and tried to be proactive. The government hired fishermen to drag razor wire through the masses of jellyfish but it backfired and unleashed a population explosion, a jelly survival mechanism when they are under attack; yet another evolutionary marvel.Overpopulation is a bit of an understatement in some

cases. In November 2007 the only fish farm in Northern Ireland was overrun by a flotilla of jellyfish 10 miles wide and 43 feet deep. The army of jellies ate through 2,000,000 worth of fish and wiped out the farm before moving on.So we have a lot of jellyfish and we need to use them

while trying to limit their population explosion. There are many ideas that are being tested. Many people talk about eating them, but the ones people eat are actually

endangered while the ones no one puts on a table are exploding.In theory

all things organic will decompose into organic matter and nutrients so jellyfish could become plant nutrients. Preliminary research has shown some positive results in the field of vegetables. The initial research has been done in Japan and the species of jellies they tested have elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorous. They also have similar levels of potassium, magnesium and calcium to that of the surrounding salt water. Unfortunately they also have a strong level of sodium and processes are being tested to try and reduce the sodium levels.I have not heard of any manufacturers in North

America using jellyfish as a component in a fertilizer but with the issue of jellyfish overpopulation being international I would think that if its found to be effective it won’t be long before it is an organic option for gardeners.


http://www.botanicare.com/


hydroponic news, tips and triviaMAXfactsVintage 2010 3D Private Reserve Zinfandel _____________________The hot, dry Mendocino county summer never arrived to the winery rich region. Vineyards prepared for economic losses from early rains. Their poor quality grapes had low brix levels and unripe tannins due to cool, cloudy weather. Mid Mountain Vineyards in Redwood Valley, California contacted 3D Organic Solutions, LLC to increase the brix levels of their grapes.3D applied an organic nutritional foliar program to their 40 acres of Zinfandel grapevines, for $12 per acre. All grapevines treated with the organic nutritional program showed a significant increase in brix, improved ripening of tannins and a greater resistance to molds. Nine rows of grapes in an untreated control group (about one acre), were discarded (due to heavy molds, low brix and unripe tannins). 3D Organic Solutions, LLC bought the exceptional harvest and now is turning it into wine. Vintage 2010 3D Private Reserve Zinfandel coming soon. Stay tuned!

Bahrain Goes Green With Hydroponics _______________________Within Bahrain, a small island country in the Persian Gulf, radical plans have been unveiled that could result in all homes and other buildings having hydroponic gardens in the future. The trial should lead to the implementation of the scheme across the country sometime this year. The eventual hope is to create green spaces within what is becoming an increasingly urban society.The Public Utilities Committee chairman Sadiq Rahma is backing the project wholeheart-

edly as part of a re-election campaign. His opinion is that hydroponics is the ideal solution.So far the funding for the project has been secured and it is expected to be rolled out as

part of the compulsory commercial building rooftop garden initiative. The development of this initiative in Bahrain shows once again how hydroponics is being used intelligently in various parts of the world as a convenient solution to gardening and food production.(Source: http://hydroponicsguide.co.uk)

Texas Cowboys investigating Hydroponic Fast Food _______In Texas, the land of Stetsons and cowboys, they are rapidly discovering the benefits that hydroponics can deliver. Researchers at the Sul Ross State Uni-versity in West Texas have been investigating how to use hydroponic systems to grow feed for livestock and also wildlife.The experiment is driven by the high demand for water in West Texas, and if

successful could be rolled out to ranches and farms throughout the area as anoth-er means to produce feed for cattle, sheep or wildlife.Growers can recycle the water in the system, which makes hydroponics an exciting proposition;

particularly considering the need for water in the area. There is also an argument that the hydroponic units could also help to reduce the high labor costs currently involved in the collection and handling of feed.The rapidity of growth is also a bonus, with a fresh crop of feed ready every six days. Each crop produces around 600

pounds of feed, enough for the university’s entire herd. The University, however, is still investigating the health benefits of the feed; if it proves healthy, then the benefits to local ranchers and farmers will be immense.(Source: http://hydroponicsguide.co.uk)

http://www.aurorainnovations.com/


hydroponic news, tips and triviaMAXfacts

inside out Garden Supply 2nd Store Grand openingInside Out Garden Sup-ply celebrated the grand opening of its second store located at 7412 Sudley Road in Manassas, Virginia (1-703-

330-7850). We would like to take this opportunity to thank Hydrofarm for the food and drinks they generously pro-vided our customers. We would also like to thank the fol-lowing companies who generously provided products for door prizes and giveaways: American Hydroponics, Atami, Botanicare, Emerald Triangle, Fox Farm, General Hydropon-ics, Grodan, Hydro Innovations, Hydrofarm, and of course, Maximum Yield. We would like to extend a special thanks to Kathy from Hydrofarm who, as always, provided invaluable guidance and assistance.Come visit us at our new store in Manassas or our flag-

ship store at 6517 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA (1-703-451-3259). We look forward to seeing and serving you. Danny and all the staff at Inside Out Garden Supply.

new issue of Healthy Animals now onlineThe Agricultural Research Service today posted a new issue of “Healthy Animals,” its quarterly online newsletter that compiles news and expert resources on the health and wellbeing of agricultural livestock, poultry and fish.Each quarter, one article in “Healthy Animals” focuses on

a particular element of animal research. The current issue discusses research to help aquaculture producers keep fish healthy and productive.Research highlighted in this issue includes developing

vaccines to protect farm-raised catfish and other aquatic animal species against disease-causing pathogens; and finding ways to increase catfish production through better oxygen-management practices.(Source: www.ars.usda.gov)

http://www.hydrologicsystems.com/


hydroponic news, tips and triviaMAXfacts

inner-city Students Learning indoor Gardening Techniques in Curriculum-guided Science Program _______________________Science students at an inner-city Chicago middle school will study indoor gardening techniques for the next two months and report on their successes for their exhibits in the Gompers Fine Arts Option School’s annual Science Fair.Nearly 200 fourth-, fifth- and seventh-grade students at

Gompers Fine Arts Option School will follow a curriculum developed and led by steadyGROWpro, a Kokomo, Ind.-based company that manufactures and distributes indoor, soilless plant-growing products. In early October, students planted their seeds in steadyGROWpro. They will care for their seeds, monitor growth and germination and report on their successes at the conclusion of the curriculum.“We’re extremely excited to help educate young minds,

share the fundamentals of indoor gardening and broaden these young students’ experiences,” said Kelvin Frye, national sales manager for steadyGROWpro. “We look forward to the successes of this program at Gompers and other schools in the near future.”Funded entirely by steadyGROWpro, the curriculum was

developed by steadyGROWpro’s Dr. Pawan Srivastava—an experi-enced scientist and successful creator of inno-vative hydration products used throughout the global floral indus-try—and steady-GROWpro company representative Dan Bigg.

Five urban Farming ideas for Your own Backyard _________________________Let’s take a look at some growing trends in urban farming.BACKYARD GARDENS: Why settle for a boring lawn or shrubbery when you can walk a few steps to your backyard into an edible forest of fresh onions, chard, spinach, lettuce and squash? And don’t forget to share ideas and tools with your neighbors.WORMS: Vericomposting is becoming a popular trend for creating your own rich compost. Earthworms break down the soil, helping it breath and stay loose so plants’ roots can grow better.BEES: Beekeeping has been gaining popularity in urban areas. Urbanites have turned keeping hives into a profit, selling fresh local honey to the community. Many beekeep-ers are simply gardeners who want bees to pollinate their flowers and vegetables.CHICKENS: Chickens can be fed just about any old scrap from the kitchen table, and the more variety in their diet, the more nutritious the eggs they lay. Backyard Poultry maga-zine boasts upward of 80,000 current subscribers (up from 15,000 four years prior) and numerous chicken websites are gaining surprising traffic, such as backyardchickens.com and urbanchickens.org.AQUACULTURE: Considering the sad state of our oceans

and declining and poisoned fish popula-tions, it makes sense to take a

shot at farming your own fish.(Source: http://ecosalon.com)

new easy Store Locator and Problem Solver online at www.nutrifield.com.au ________________________________Nutrifield’s all new store locator on www.nutrifield.com.au is up and running. It is

now easier than ever to find a store near you with our easy-to-use maps in both Australia and the USA. If your local store currently stocks Nutrifield products and is not listed, please let us know and we will add the location to our new store locator feature for some free publicity. Please visit www.nutrifield.com.au/store-locator to have a look.In addition, a new page has been added to Nutrifield’s website. Nutrifield’s online Garden Problem Solver aims to edu-cate, inform and entertain. Stop by and have a read, comment and share with your friends! Please visit www.nutrifield.com.au/garden-problem-solver today.


hydroponic news, tips and triviaMAXfactsHigh Tech Garden Supply Heads West ______High Tech Garden (HTG) Supply is proud to announce the grand opening of our sixth retail location, a 7,000 square foot superstore in Commerce City, Colorado just outside of Denver. “We are excited to be making the move west,” said Marcus Ricard. “With a large inventory of quality indoor/out-door gardening products and competitive prices, HTG Sup-ply is sure to become a favorite for gardeners in Colorado.”HTG Supply stores are open Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m.

to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come in and let our knowledgeable staff help select the right products for your gardening application. We specialize in complete grow packages, grow light systems, ventilation, hydroponics, clon-ing, nutrients and much more.Come visit us in Cranberry Twp., PA, Shrewsbury, MA,

Charlotte, NC, Melbourne, FL, Taylor, MI and now Commerce City, CO at 5275 Quebec St. Phone: 1-720-222-0772, Email: [email protected]

improving Soil for Better Lawns and GardensU.S. Department of Agriculture scientists in West Virginia are finding ways to improve soil on degraded land so it can be used for sports fields and other uses. Researchers are developing constructed or replacement subsoils and topsoils to build better and less-costly sports fields, rain gardens and lawns on former landfills, mine lands and other degraded land.The turfgrass industry has set a high priority on improving

degraded soils by constructing soils that include readily avail-able rural, urban and industrial byproducts that can be mixed with local soils. These byproduct mixes are being tailored to not only reduce rain runoff and erosion, but also to remove or neutralize pollutants before they reach storm drains.With lower costs, schools and local parks have a better

chance of being able to afford soil replacement for better turfgrass survival. Eliminating compacted soil is the first step toward growing good, robust grass.(Source: www.ars.usda.gov)

http://www.naturescontrol.com/

http://www.humboldtwholesale.com/


Join the Growing RevolutionRevolution Hydroponics is proud to announce the grand opening of our indoor gardening and hy-droponics supplies store in Olean, New York. We offer a large inven-tory of quality indoor/outdoor

gardening and hydroponics supplies at competitive prices. Our store is open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST. We specialize in complete grow packages, HID lighting, hydroponics, odor control and ventilation, top-of-the-line nutrients, a variety of OMRI-listed nutrients, accessories and much more. Revolution Hydroponics is here to help the indoor gardener achieve maximum results. We look forward to seeing you at our store at 309 West State St. You can also shop online at www.revolutionhydroponics.com. For more information call 1-716-373-GROW(4769).

MAXfacts hydroponic news, tips and trivia

Vending Machine Grows 20,000 Heads of Lettuce a Year Without Sunlight ____________

The Chef’s Farm, a Japanese lettuce-growing vending ma-chine, doesn’t require sunlight and can churn out 60 heads of lettuce a day, or over 20,000 a year. The Chef’s Farm was developed by Dentsu and uses 40 watt fluorescent lighting housed in chrome that can be stored conveniently in any restaurant. It can grow other kinds of veggies as well.The portable fluorescent garden is on sale for $90,000, with

the target market ostensibly being restaurants that want lo-cally manufactured, sun-free vegetables on site. Chef’s Farm comes with five nutri-culture beds, which are each installed on long and thin metal frames. The lettuce seeds are planted in sponges in frames that have to be moved manually. The lighting equipment, culture solution and temperature can be controlled for each bed and five different vegetables can be cultivated at the same time.(Source: www.treehugger.com) MY

http://www.smartpots.com/


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

oG Bloom 0-5-7 _____________________________________________OG Bloom 0-5-7 is a performance-based, indoor/outdoor bloom formula designed for use in hydroponic, ebb and flow, re-circulating and aeroponic systems, plus in soil or coir mixes. OG Bloom 0-5-7 contains phosphorus, potassium, kelp, fulvic acid, magnesium, copper, iron, boron, manganese, zinc, sulfur, proteins, amino acids and a proprietary nano-emulsifier that increases the efficiency of your plant’s nutrient uptake. Use with OG Grow 4-0-0 and OG Amino-Cal 3-0-0. One gallon of OG Bloom 0-5-7 makes over 750 gallons of a ready-to-use bloom formula and 89 per cent of OG Bloom 0-5-7 ingredients are approved for use in organic crop production. Visit your local hydro shop for more information.

Co2 With no Altitude Problems __________Sentinel’s High-Altitude Variable CO2 Generators were designed and tested 7,500 feet above sea level. They come with pre-installed, clean-burning brass burners. They pro-duce up to six cubic feet of CO2 per hour. The large units offer variable CO2 control, while the small units can be adjusted by removing one of the burners and plugging the resulting hole. They have elec-tronic ignition control modules that eliminate the open pilot flame for safer operation and a tip-over switch that auto-matically shuts off the entire unit in the event that they fall or tip over. Ask for Sentinel’s new High-Altitude Variable CO2 Generators at your local indoor gardening shop.

Growgles Glare Reduction Glasses ______________________________________________Growgles offers glasses specifically designed to reduce sodium glare (red/orange) and protect eyes from UV and IR emitted by HPS lighting to allow the grower to see their plants again for the first time. Growgles are available in two different frames; the larger “heavy” frames are designed to protect eyes from the front and sides. They fit over glasses and can be worn comfortably by themselves. The “Q” model is a more economical frame designed to protect eyes from the front and includes removable side shields to protect eyes from the side. Order Growgles from an authorized Hydrofarm retailer near you.

Kessil introduces the H150 Blue LeD Grow Light Booster ________________________Kessil is proud to introduce the H150 Blue aimed at enhanc-ing vegetative growth without sacrificing yield. Working in conjunction with conventional or advanced LED light-ing systems, this all blue light promotes stem growth and reduces internodal length for healthy and strong plants. Us-ing the latest Dense Matrix LED™ platform, the H150 Blue delivers focused, intense light for effective photosynthesis. Its compact form and low heat emission means it can be used in close conjunction with conventional grow light systems. Extremely versatile, the H150 Blue can be hung

from the ceiling or positioned with a gooseneck arm to direct light where

it’s needed. For more information visit an authorized Kessil retailer near you.

http://www.cxhydroponics.com/


PRODUCTspotlight

nutrifield Coco Mega Brick - instant Premium Potting Mix ___________________________The NF Coco Mega Brick is the fastest expanding brick on the market. It arrives dried and compressed for ease of transportation, storage and handling. The brick consists of 100 per cent coco coir. It is pre-buffered to prevent calcium and magnesium lock out and is pH stabilized. NF Coco Mega Brick is your superior biodegradable, organic water absorbing brick. It holds the RHP Dutch stamp of quality and is free from harmful parasites and diseases. One Mega Brick in eight gallons of water will give you 12 gallons of NF Coco medium. Available at an indoor gardening shop near you.

oG Grow 4-0-0 ________________________OG Grow 4-0-0 is a performance-based, indoor grow formula designed for use in hydroponic, ebb and flow, re-circulating and aeroponic systems, plus in soil or coir mixes. OG Grow 4-0-0 contains calcium, nitrogen, kelp, magnesium, copper, iron, boron, manganese, zinc, sulfur, proteins, amino acids and a proprietary nano-emulsifier that increases the efficiency of your plant’s nutrient uptake. Use with OG Bloom 0-5-7 and OG Amino-Cal 3-0-0. One gallon of OG Grow 4-0-0 makes over 750 gallons of a ready-to-use grow formula and 65 per cent of OG Grow 4-0-0 ingredients are approved for use in organic crop production. Visit a hydro shop near you for more information.

http://www.excelair.ca

http://www.grodan101.com/


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

SunPulse 250 Watt Pulse Start Metal Halide Lamps _________________

SunPulse 250 watt Pulse Start Metal Halide grow lamps are specifically designed for plants. Pulse Start Metal Halides are the next generation of halide lamps specifically designed to work with electronic and digi-tal e-ballasts. SunPulse 250 watt Pulse Start Metal Halide grow lamps are available in color temperature ratings of 3k, 4k and 6.4k. They have an even lamp life of approximately 20,000 hours with little color shift or loss of FT-CD output. Sun Pulse 250 watt lamps are for use in hobby and commercial applica-tions. Order SunPulse bulbs from an author-ized Hydrofarm retailer near you.

3D organics Presents Third eye ___________

Third Eye is a live indoor/outdoor biological root inoculant and mineral supplement that encourages rapid, healthy root development. Third Eye contains over 500,000 Colony Forming Units (CFU) per gram of Trichoderma harzianum and water-soluble magnesium sulfate, ensuring superior plant health. Use for seeds, cut-tings, clones, transplants and throughout the grow stage. One half-pound of Third Eye makes over 900 gallons of a ready-to-use biological root formula. Third Eye is approved for use in organic crop production under National Organic Program Final Rule. Visit an indoor/outdoor gardening shop for more information.

Biobizz Starters Pack _________________________________________________________

The new Starters Pack from Biobizz is fully loaded with everything needed to initi-ate a growing adventure and contains all the best 100 per cent organic ingredients for rooting, growing and blooming. Bio-Grow activates the substrates’ bacterial flora due to its base of Dutch organic sugar beet extract. Bio-Bloom contains a small amount of nitrogen and enough phosphorous and potassium to ensure exuberant flowering. TopMax dramatically increases the size and weight of floral clusters and facilitates the uptake of nutrients. RootJuice promotes vigorous root development. BioHeaven is a highly concentrated plant energy booster, which contains biological stimulants like amino acids. Now available at indoor gardening stores across the USA.

The California eclipse From Forever Flowering Greenhouses ______The California Eclipse is a stand-alone light deprivation solution that fits inside any of the greenhouses in the Forever Flowering line. The system is fitted with rope-operated roll-up doors and an easy-to-use ratchet tensioning system. It retracts to 20 per cent of its full length, bathing your plants in natural light. This modular aluminum structure includes galvalume lift bows. It has a UV protected dual tone blackout shell white exterior with black interior. The California Eclipse can also go inside your current greenhouse and works without a greenhouse as well. It is available in 12 feet or 24 feet wide. For more information please visit your local gardening shop.

http://www.hesi.nl/


PRODUCTspotlightPut a Cobra in Your Garden ______________Give your indoor garden’s lighting set-up some serious teeth with a Sunleaves Predator Series Cobra reflector. Featuring innovative design elements in concert with es-tablished standards, the end result is a reflector that boasts superior performance and uncomplicated functionality. Innovative wing latches secure the Cobra’s hinged lens frame, allowing the shatter-resistant tempered glass lens to provide a tight seal. Inside, a European aluminum insert offers 95 per cent reflectivity, making the most of the light produced by the lamp installed in the aerodynamically-mounted 2,000 watt/600 volt pulse-rated Leviton mogul socket. The Sunleaves Predator Series Cobra 6 and 8 house six and eight inch flanges respectively. Available now at your local indoor gardening shop.

extreme Flower LeD (120 Watts) from Advanced LeD Lights ______Our enhanced full spec-trum lights are a tested blend of 11 wavelengths of color that produce the highest yield per watt of any LED grow light. The Extreme Flower (120) LED light will produce heavy flower production with only 120 watts of power. Get maximum yields without excessive heat, high electricity costs and bug problems. The Extreme Flower LED (120) provides a unique blend of color that helps plants grow extremely fast and produce large flow-ers and fruits. Ask your local indoor gardening retailer to order the 120 watt Extreme Flower LED from Advanced LED Lights.

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

http://www.horticontrol.com/

http://www.nutri-plus.ca/


PRODUCTspotlight

Continues on page 130

Durable and Versatile – Grodan’s Gro-Smart™ Tray ________________________Grodan’s new Gro-Smart™ Tray is the only dual-purpose tray on the market with exceptional details in the design. Apart from being made of 100 per cent recycled plastic, it is heavy duty and double-sided for long-term use and easily sanitized inside a dishwasher. Designed for maximum ver-satility, the 78 cell side is perfect for Grodan Macroplugs™ and 1.5 inch A-OK™ starters, while the mesh side can ac-commodate Grodan Mini-Blocks™ or Gro-Blocks™. The no-sag Gro-Smart Tray fits neatly into standard 10 by 20 inch

black flats, keeping your Grodan elevat-ed from the bottom of the flat. For more information visit your local indoor gardening shop.

Premium Amino-Chelated Bloom Booster - Big up Powder ________________________Humboldt Nutrients Big Up Powder utilizes over 24 differ-ent amino acids that effectively deliver high levels of phos-phorus and potassium to your plants. Specifically designed for the first week and final weeks of your bloom cycle, Big Up provides the final boost of energy that gardens need to finish the bloom cycle. By introducing Big Up Powder in the first week of flowering, you effectively flip the switch in your plant, sending it im-mediately into an intense flowering cycle. In Humboldt County Big Up has become a legend by continu-ally delivering results to seasoned gardeners time after time. Order Big Up Powder from your favorite hydroponics shop today.

Hydro international Presents the Miami Ballast _________ ______The Miami Ballast from Hydro International is cool running, super quiet and super heavy-duty. This factory tested ballast has an HPS/MH switch and switches easily from 120 to 240 volts. The Miami Ballast comes complete with a powder cord and handles, plus a three year warranty and five year warranty on parts. The Miami Ballasts is de-signed for those customers who are looking for the lowest price with the highest qual-ity components available on the market today. This baby is near silent and simple to use, and just like Miami Beach, the Miami Ballast is one of the coolest running ballasts around. Visit an indoor gardening shop near you for more information.

new xtrasun Air-Coolable Reflector _________________The new and improved Xtrasun XT1AC offers excellent performance at a cost effective price. This reflector is solidly built, compatible with all Hy-drofarm or Xtrasun ballasts and priced to fit any budget. The Xtrasun now comes pre-wired with a socket and cord set, so it’s ready to plug in and go. These reflectors feature a low profile design but are bright and offer a broad spread of light. They’re fully air-coolable with optional flanges. The Xtrasun units are made with European high-performance specular aluminum for maximum light reflection, and carry a five year warranty on reflective mate-rials. For more information, visit an authorized Hydrofarm retailer near you.

http://www.extremegrowing.com/


http://www.humboldtwholesale.com/


http://www.house-garden.us/

Humidity, Vapor Pressure Deficit and the Transpiration Stream

by Dr. Lynette Morgan

W ith indoor gardens our focus for optimizing growth is often light, warmth and just the right mix of nutrients, but humidity,

or more specifically vapor pressure deficit (VPD), is sometimes overlooked. While relative humidity is fairly easy to measure with sensors or meters in the plant canopy, it’s difficult to know exactly what to aim for and how to adjust levels—and what exactly does it all mean for the plants? High humidity gets the blame for all sorts of scourges and nasty disease outbreaks, while low humidity may mistakenly be held accountable for anything that looks like burning, drying, shriveling or bleaching. However, the issues of humidity and VPD in the growing environment are a little more complex, both in terms of plant growth and disease or growth disorders. To complicate matters further, different levels of humidity and VPD are appropriate for different plant species—from dry atmosphere cactus to wet, steaming tropicals.

Maximum Yield USA | January 201146


http://www.phosphoload.us/



What is relative humidity (RH) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD)?Relative humidity is the most commonly used measure of how much water vapor is held in the air and it’s something most of us are familiar with, as we all know how uncomfortable hot, steamy air can be. One hundred per cent relative humidity is

extremely humid, while a humidity reading of only 50 per cent represents a dry environment, but what these values don’t tell us is how much water is actually being held in the air, unless the temperature is also given. This is because cold air holds much less water vapor than hot air. For example, air at 50oF can hold 9.4 grams of water vapor per 35 cubic feet, while air at 86oF can hold three times as much, up to a maximum of 30.4 grams per 35 cubic feet. This has some implications for growers as it’s not just a simple case of aiming for one ‘ideal’ relative humid-ity value, since the effect of humidity on plants also depends on temperature. As a rough guide, the table (top right) is used by greenhouse growers of many fruiting and vegetable crops and shows the relationship between temperature and humidity levels.

Temperature °F Minimum ideal RH(fog or wet down)

Ideal RH Maximum RH(to prevent disease)

59 - 50 per cent 73 per cent

68 46 per cent 64 per cent 80 per cent



The problem with using relative humidity is that it’s hard to set one optimum RH value, particularly when temperatures tend to vary between day and night and often throughout a 24 hour pe-riod. For this reason many growers prefer to use vapor pressure deficit (VPD) as a more accurate measure of the water vapor content of the air and how this affects plant growth.VPD is the difference (or deficit) between the amount of

moisture in the air at the current time and how much moisture the air can hold when it is saturated. Saturated air will condense out to form dew or condensation and leaf wetness, which in turn can lead to rot and a higher occurrence of certain disease pathogens. So while plants don’t want an overly dry atmosphere (high VPD), which sucks the moisture from the foliage, they also don’t want a wet environment (low VPD), which slows transpi-ration and can lead to an increase in disease outbreaks. VPD is typically expressed in the units kPa (kilopascals) with the range for most plants being 0.45 kPa to 1.25 kPa, with the optimum being around 0.85 kPa. Most indoor gardens are best run at 0.8 to 0.95 kPa for healthy mature plants, with cuttings needing a more humid environment in the lower VPD ranges. What is im-portant is that unlike relative humidity, the VPD range for opti-mal growth already takes current temperature into account—so the one ideal value irrespective of temperature is around 0.85 kPa. Growers who come to grips with the concept of VPD can accurately measure and adjust their growing environment to stay within the recommended range and give themselves some

“Growers who come to grips with the concept of VPD can accurately measure and adjust their growing environment to stay within the recommended range.”

Tipburn of the inner leaves of lettuce is more common under high humidity, warm growing conditions that restrict the flow of calcium out to the leaf edges.

Powdery mildew is one of the few diseases that can occur under low or high humidity conditions.

http://www.grozonecontrol.com/


considerable advantages both in terms of maximizing growth and the ability to control some rather persistent nasties such as Botrytis (grey mold) disease.Technically, VPD more accurately describes what the plant

experiences in relation to the effects of temperature and humid-ity on growth and transpiration. It combines the effects of both humidity and temperature into one value, so it’s easier to use when setting environmental controls.

Why is humidity or VPD so important for plant growth?We know that light level and quality and CO

2 affect photosyn-

thesis and a number of other plant processes, and that tempera-ture determines the levels of many biological processes within plant cells, but the effects of humidity are a little more indirect. VPD directly affects the rate of transpiration within the plant. Transpiration not only cools the plant, but the transpiration stream from root to leaf surface carries essential minerals up the plant to where they are needed for tissue development. Leaves exposed to the sun or overhead lamps would soon become dan-gerously hot if they were not cooled by water evaporating from the leaf surface—the process actually works in a similar way to sweat. This evaporated water needs to be replaced from the transpiration stream, which moves in the xylem vessels of the

plant. If the water flow from roots to shoots in the xylem vessels is not fast enough, the plant will start to wilt and tissue damage will occur. The plant will shut its stomata in an attempt to retain turgor pressure and prevent wilting if too much water is being lost via transpiration. When the stomata shut to prevent water loss, photosynthesis cannot occur as CO

2 can’t be taken in from

the surrounding air, so plant growth and yield will be slowed if this occurs too often. Low humidity (high VPD) can cause large volumes of water from the transpiration stream to be lost to the air and force the plant to shut down its stomata to prevent desicca-tion, and this ultimately reduces growth and yields.High humidity (low VPD), on the other hand, creates a differ-

ent problem. When the air already contains a lot of water vapor and may even be close to saturation, it cannot absorb much more water from the plant surface and transpiration slows or even stops. If high humidity conditions exist at the same time as high temperatures, the plant has a major problem as it can’t evaporate enough water from its foliage to cool its tissue and overheating will then occur. Cell damage, wilting and reduced growth will result where hot plants can’t effectively cool them-selves via transpiration due to high relative humidity, and in these cases some humidity control is essential.


“Leaves exposed to the sun or overhead lamps would soon become dangerously hot if they were not cooled by water evaporating from the leaf surface.”

A dense canopy of large leaves can rapidly increase the humidity in the growing environment through the process of transpiration.

A dry environment with low humidity typically results in smaller, more compact leaves in tomato crops.

Transpirational water loss helps the plant cool itself. This is vital under hot sun or artificial lamps.

http://www.eyehortilux.com/


The transpiration stream mov-ing through the xylem vessels from roots to shoots driven by VPD and humidity is essential for plant functioning. Not only does the water carried in the transpiration stream maintain plant turgor and support, it also carries with it mineral elements and other compounds taken up by the roots. So without a good rate of transpiration drawing the flow of water and minerals up through the xylem tissues

from the roots, plant foliage can’t obtain sufficient levels of nu-trients for growth and development. One of the most important aspects of transpiration is the flow of calcium. If transpiration is restricted in any way, the lack of calcium flow out to the leaf tips and new cells in developing fruits will cause problems such as tip burn and blossom end rot, which are conditions common under warm and humid growing conditions.

How RH and VPD influence disease outbreaksThere are a wide range of fungal and bacterial diseases that will attack even healthy plants under high humidity (low VPD) conditions, because fungal spores in particular are carried on air currents and so tend to be around much of the time just waiting for the right conditions to launch an attack. Spores themselves

need to absorb water from the environment to germinate and get inside plant tissue, and having free water available such as that from condensation on plant surfaces is perfect for fungal diseases to develop. However, not all fungal disease spores need water on the plant surface, and many will attack when the air humidity is high. For this reason the safe maximum humidity value is often considered to be around 85 per cent at 77oF, or in other words a VPD value of more than 0.35 kPa is recom-mended at all times in order to prevent fungal diseases, which are common under humid conditions. While many of the com-monly encountered plant diseases such as Botrytis (grey mold) thrive under humid conditions, and a good degree of control can be achieved by running optimal RH or VPD levels, there is always an exception. Powdery mildew species have spores that contain a lot of water themselves, so they don’t need high humidity or water for germination, and they can also obtain all the water they need for growth from the leaves that they infect. This means that powdery mildew can develop at humidity levels as low as 30 per cent and that its appearance is not necessarily a sign that humidity has been running high.

How to control RH and VPDLow humidity (high VPD) is fairly easy to adjust upwards to high RH, as putting water vapor back into the air can be easily achieved with some light fogging, misting or damping down in the growing area. An open pan of water should provide enough evaporation to increase the humidity if you’re only dealing


“Spores themselves need to absorb water from the environment to germinate and get inside plant tissue, and having free water available such as that from condensation on plant surfaces is perfect for fungal diseases to develop.”

Young, tender and density-grown hydroponic crops such as micro-greens need extra attention to hu-midity and air movement to prevent disease outbreaks.

Misting or fogging of the atmosphere in the growing area is an effective way of increasing the humidity in arid climates.

Some species like it hot and dry and others prefer warm and steamy; optimum humidity varies with many plants.


with a small area. Evaporative coolers also tend to increase the humidity of the air fairly effectively under warm growing conditions. However, having high humidity is a more common problem, as large surface areas of foliage tend to lose surpris-ing volumes of water through transpiration and this adds to the humidity of the surrounding air. This humid air, referred to as the boundary layer, needs to be removed from directly around the foliage or further transpiration could be restricted. The best way of doing this is with a continual stream of drier fresh air, which not only lowers the humidity directly surrounding the leaf surface but also replenishes CO

2 for photosynthesis. The

amount of airflow required to continually remove excess water vapor and bring in sufficient CO

2 is higher than many grow-

ers realize—there should be sufficient airflow to keep the leaves gently moving most of the time. The warmer it is and the faster the plants are growing, the more the air needs to be shifted over the leaf surface for these processes to occur at optimal rates. For very humid climates, sometimes the only option is a dehumidi-fier. If the outside air being brought in to cool and dehumidify an indoor garden is naturally very humid it can’t absorb much more moisture from transpiration, and using a dehumidifier is often useful for smaller areas under these conditions.Checking humidity or monitoring vapor pressure deficit in the

growing area is just as important as maintaining temperature, light and nutrition levels when it comes to optimizing plant growth and yields. Having some understanding of the rela-tionship between RH and temperature and VPD and how to influence and optimize these factors is an essential tool for the serious grower, and also for those gardeners who just want to prevent annoying outbreaks of fungal disease. MY

Humidity, Vapour Pressure Deficit...

Cuttings or clones need extra humidity to prevent excessive moisture loss during the root formation phase.


http://www.vermicrop.com/

*Take PlanT STeering To a Whole neW levelby brian Chiang and Josh PuCkett

You don’t need to leave your broadband lights behind to add light emitting diodes to your indoor garden lighting set-up. Extremely versatile, LEDs work great as supplementary booster lights, and can help your garden spring to life.

Significant progress has been made in improving LEDs in the past few years, and their impact on the horticulture industry has been huge. Not only do they save energy and last a long time, their ability to produce wavelength-specific light makes them perfect for growing plants. The low level of heat emitted from LEDs also means growers have the opportunity to place more lights over their plants to help boost performance.The advancement of dense matrix LED technology is allowing growers to do more with their

plants than ever before, as this platform provides the intensity plants need for photosynthesis,



allowing the light to penetrate deep into the leaves of the plants. With its highly focused beam, dense matrix LED technology also allows growers to direct light to specific dark areas. From isolat-ing and mixing select wavelengths to increasing light intensity by moving the light closer to the plants, these spectrum-specific, low-heat LED lights are very versatile growing tools, and growers that have made the move to LEDs have been very successful.

booster LedsEven growers who haven’t had the opportunity to transition fully to LEDs can experience their benefits. Because these lights are so small and versatile, growers can use LEDs to control their plants as booster lights or to supplement their existing lighting systems. During the various phases of growth, plants respond in

Booster LED light on a gooseneck mount.

Booster LED light on a gooseneck mount over a tomato plant.

http://www.hydro-organics.com/


different ways to different spectrums. Studies have shown that more blue light can enhance vegetation, while red light boosts flowering and fruiting. Traditional broadband sources only come in limited spectrums that cannot be optimized for all stages of growth, but by increasing the quantity of a specific wavelength or spectra the grower can manipulate crops to achieve improved growth and yield. Specifically, by increasing the amount of blue light the grower can prolong vegetation or boost the rate of vegetative growth, while increasing the amount of red light can promote flowering in plants and improve fruit production.

Dense matrix LED technology offers promising results when used in conjunction with conventional lighting. Packing LED chips closely together not only creates a bright point source, it shrinks the size of the actual lighting unit. This compact new fixture can add the desired spectrums without blocking any of the light from traditional sources. Multiple mounting options add to its versatility—individual LED lights can hang directly from the ceiling, or be directed to a specific area by a gooseneck arm. Growers also don’t have to worry about added heat in their grow tents; traditional grow light systems are hot enough! With expertly designed heat management systems, lights using dense matrix LED technology run cool. Delivering intense light while radiating very little heat makes these grow lights ideal as boost-ers, as no further venting systems are required. This platform is providing a whole new dimension to plant steering.Traditional lighting systems usually implement broadband

sources such as metal halide, high-pressure sodium and T5 fluo-rescent lamps. Often used for seeding, T5s need the added blue spectrum to enhance performance in the vegetative phase and red to boost fruiting and flowering. Other growers use metal

Booster LEDs Take Plant Steering to a Whole New Level

“The low level of heat emitted from LeDs also means growers have the opportunity to place more lights over their plants to help boost performance.”

Experiment 1: Three LED boosters of different spectrums used with a fluorescent hood.



halides during the vegetative phase of a plant’s growth because of their higher blue-spectrum emissions, but during the flower-ing phase they have to swap out the metal halides or suffer poor results during fruiting. With LED boosters, growers no longer have to buy another system—they can just supplement the missing spectrum for flowering with a red LED light. The same principle holds true for high-pressure sodium lamps, which are high in red- spectrum production—blue LED boosters can be added to help the vegetative performance of the plant. The benefit of implementing LED boosters is that instead of moving plants from tent to tent or swapping out lights, growers can keep their existing broadband lighting, but generate much better results with the permanent addition of some small LED fixtures.

exPeriment #1: red booster for fLower and fruit PromotionWe conducted a couple of experiments to see how well LED booster lights would perform and to see the effect of different spectrums on growing plants.For the first experiment, we wanted to see the behavior of

tomato plants under different boosters. We started 12 Juliet Hybrid tomatoes from seed and grew them to seedlings beneath an eight-bulb T5 fluorescent hood. At this point, three LED booster lights of different wavelengths and spectra were intro-duced. We selected three LED units—red, blue and magenta—that were then placed directly above three separate tomatoes at one side of the grow area. This enabled us to concentrate to some degree the effects of the fluorescent light spectrum, al-though since no partitions were imposed upon the samples the potential existed for some influence upon the growth of the ad-jacent nine plants as well. The initial vegetative growth of these


Comparison of results from Experiment 2 (HPS with Blue Booster versus just HPS).


three seedlings into full-size tomatoes and their subsequent reproductive growth were analyzed and compared to those tomatoes farthest from the influence of the LED boosters, which served as the control group for this experiment.The results from this initial LED booster

experiment would seem to conclusively demonstrate that the addition of a red LED booster to an eight-bulb T5 fluo-rescent hood encourages fruit produc-tion and fruit ripening. During the initial vegetative stages, three to five weeks after transplant we observed a notewor-thy increase in growth occurring in the tomato plants under the red and magenta LED boosters. However, as the experi-ment advanced, the magenta and blue-lit tomato plants grew to be larger in size but produced few flowers and no fruit. Ultimately fruit production and matura-tion was limited exclusively to the plants beneath the red booster.

exPeriment #2: bLue booster for VegetatiVe growth imProVementWhere red LED boosters shift full-spec-trum lighting treatments toward a flower and fruit-promoting spectrum, adding blue LED boosters serves to improve the spectrum for vegetative growth. When a blue spectrum is used in combina-tion with a high-pressure sodium bulb, it tends to improve vegetative growth by

decreasing internode stretching, elimi-nating the yellow chlorotic appearance of leaves and increasing stem width and branching. To test this, we conducted a separate experiment with only a blue booster over tomato plants.

Two separate treatment groups of Gar-dener’s Delight tomatoes were grown beneath an eight-bulb T5 fluorescent hood. One included tomatoes beneath two suspended blue units and the over-head HPS hood, the other group—as the control for this experiment—grew exclu-sively under the HPS bulb. The tomatoes under the blue LED unit expressed darker color leaves, thicker stems and increased branching, with shorter internode length and a higher leaf count. Flowering oc-curred in these tomatoes more rapidly, and the number of flowers produced was greater. These results were exaggerated by week three to four of growth, demon-strating that the tomatoes grown under an HPS hood with blue LED boosters clearly outperformed tomatoes grown ex-clusively under an HPS treatment during the vegetative stage.

not Just any LedThe effectiveness of using supplemental LEDs to manipulate plant growth is evi-dent from these experiments. However,

not just any red or blue LED boosters are capable of producing the same results. We used specific combinations of wavelengths that we had tested against others with varying effects prior to these experiments. In one of these tests, there was a com-

monly used blend of red wavelengths that actually had adverse effects to crop yield and fruit ripening. With our tailored mix of red wavelengths, however, the tomato plants were able to respond favorably during the flowering and fruiting period in the experiment. In the same way, our pre-tested formula of blue wavelengths strengthened the plants’ vegetative growth by supplementing the high-pressure sodium light. Without the added spectrum from these LEDs, the broadband sources alone could not have produced such results.The convenience and ease of install-

ing LED booster lights gives growers the ability to achieve better crop growth and improved yields in ways they couldn’t have imagined before. Indoor garden-ers can now steer their plants by imple-menting optimized blue wavelengths for stronger plants and red wavelengths for higher yields. Compact, low in heat emis-sions and powerfully bright, dense matrix LED technology is lighting the way for a spectral revolution! MY


“Packing LeD chips closely together not only creates a bright point source, it shrinks the size of the actual lighting unit. ”


Blue booster under an HPS source.

Red booster under a fluorescent hood.


http://www.xtremenutrients.com/

http://www.cash-crop.com/


An End to PesticidesA pesticide is something that kills pests where “pests” are anything the applicator believes is out of place. This can include weeds, bugs, bacteria, rodents and unfortunately anything biologically related to them. Pesticides are typically chemicals and the way they achieve their desired results can take many forms. They are tested and certified nationally and sometimes additionally by state organizations for safety and to recommend proper application procedures. However, the state of public knowledge regarding their unintended side effects tends to lag far behind their published test data. Apples and Alar in 1989 first raised the red flag on this issue.

In the ‘90s an attempt was made to address this lag with the precautionary principle. This concept encouraged the burden of proof to be placed on the producer of pesticides rather than on regulators. A white paper1 describing the decision in 2001 by the San Francisco City Council to use the precautionary principle in all of its regulatory activities provides a fascinating insight into the logic of this approach. It notes with regard to use and approval of policies, “…the greatest weakness in policies on toxic substances and environmental conservation may be that they are based on the expectation that science can and must provide definitive proof of harm before protective action is taken.”

by Ed Harwood


http://www.getbluelab.com/


An End to Pesticides

The precautionary principle has evolved to generally produce bans on anything that risks damage to human health or the environment. Critics say this is unreasonable, as most things pose risks of some kind. However, this mindset can obviously lead to a loss of initiative to explore potential risks and remove them.Vegetables are very difficult to grow without using pesticides.

Often recommendations for traditional growing practices lead to more than a dozen applications over the course of growing a single crop. This high number of applications is usually prophylactic in nature and reductions in the number of applications can easily be made by understanding the relationship between crop and pest cycles and taking weather events into account. However, pesticides are still generally required to produce a pristine product.

It would be really great if consumers would just accept bugs and the cosmetic damage they cause in our food, but we are not likely to get there any time soon. Grocers and chefs generally won’t accept products that aren’t close to cosmetically perfect. However, protected agriculture

and the application of integrated pest management (IPM) principles are beginning to allow us a means to provide more

perfect crops with less use of pesticides.We are learning now that pesticides are more insidious than

we first believed or test results indicated. Pesticides can be conclusively linked to human disease. In January of 2006, the Produce Marketing Association released a statement to address allegations in Consumer Reports regarding pesticide risks in fruits and vegetables:

Those who argue that consumers are at risk from the minuscule pesticide residues on fresh produce ignore the facts and do consumers a grave disservice. They willfully

“Vegetables are very difficult to grow without using pesticides. Often recommendations for traditional growing practices lead to more than a dozen applications over the course of growing a single crop. ”

http://www.hydroponics.com/


http://www.sunlightsupply.com/

http://www.ncwgs.com/


dismiss the overwhelming evidence from government, scientific and health authorities that produce is safe and that the health benefits of frequent and regular consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables far outweigh any hypothetical risk. Leading health authorities encourage Americans to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day for better health. These experts have taken pesticide residues into account when making these recommendations.

Note the two main arguments—experts say it is safe, and the benefits outweigh the risks.It has taken until this month for the EPA to inform the

public about children and pesticides, although the CDC cautioned that children were at special risk many years ago. The following statement from the EPA about who decides standards of acceptable risks is most revealing, especially the placement of quotes around the main decision point—you might conclude that our health is negotiable:

The primary statutes regulating pesticide use in the United States are

the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). FIFRA gives EPA the authority to regulate the registration (licensing) and use of pesticides, and FFDCA governs the establishment of tolerances (also known as maximum residue limits) on food and animal feed. In order for a pesticide to be registered under FIFRA, it must be demonstrated that the pesticide’s use will not result in “unreasonable adverse effects” on human health or the environment. FIFRA provides EPA with authority tomake pesticide regulatory decisions necessary to ensure the safe use of pesticides and to require any data the

Agency determines are needed to reach those decisions. FIFRA also requires the periodic review of existing

registrations, during which EPA can use the same data call-in authority associated with the

registration process.


http://www.clonebucket.com/


Food safety watchdogs have so far ignored pesticides and pesticide residues. Those who monitor food safety are far more concerned with food-borne sickness—it’s as if they think pesticides can’t really cause illness. The E. coli-infected spinach problem in 2005 focused everyone’s attention fully on monitoring, detection, inspection and washing for bacteria control. But bactericides are also used to remove bacteria from produce, and are analogous to pesticides in every way. There needs to be more discussion about the unintended side effects of both pesticides and bactericides on our produce. Astonishingly, the first and only International Lettuce and Leafy Greens Food Safety Research Conference did not even mention pesticides. And we know that the restrictions on pesticide use in many countries outside the U.S. are far more lax than our own and thus harmful residues are even more likely.When purchasing seeds for my own use, I prefer ones that

are organic. Not only does this ensure that I am growing pesticide-free, but it means I get better seeds. If I have to put pesticide on my seeds, it means they are susceptible to a known pest, and that I have not found a better way to

“If I have to put pesticide on my seeds, it means they are susceptible to a known pest, and that I have not found a better way to deal with that pest.”

http://www.sunpulselamps.com/


deal with that pest. It means that I have not been able to successfully work in concert with nature. An article2 in the American Scientist by Robert Dorit helps us understand what not working in concert with nature can really cost. Here is an important excerpt:

A clearer picture of the genetic changes that make bacteria “go bad” and become pathogens is also coming into focus. Pathogens are thugs. The lives of these bacterial delinquents are all about competing aggressively for scarce resources (iron, for instance), clinging to surfaces, and producing bacteriostatic and bactericidal molecules that clear away the established residents. Yet delinquency comes at a cost: The pathogen lifestyle is expensive and burdensome for the pathogen itself. Pathogenesis is a fringe occupation for most bacteria, and the conditions that give pathogens an opportunity are rare. Ironically, our scorched-earth approach to the microbial world increases the opportunities for pathogens to gain a foothold. Excessive antibiotic use sows chaos in our resident microbiota, and pathogens thrive on such chaos. Well-organized, stable resident communities can normally resist thugs; weakened and disrupted communities cannot.

Working in concert with nature is what sustainability is. Sustainability issues have begun to be addressed more analytically by what is termed lifecycle analysis (LCA), where the focus and mathematical analysis is for water use and carbon footprint, but only recently have sustainability analyses included chemical contributions. An approach adopted by a

“It would be really great if consumers would just accept bugs and the cosmetic damage they cause in our food.”


http://www.ostberg.com/


http://www.vitalearthsproducts.com/


lot of large retailers and their manufacturers is Green Screen3, where the path to reduction is clearly delineated. It is a great addition to the criteria to use for determining sustainability, using an approach where the chemicals in products are scaled based on science for specific properties. The idea is to encourage manufacturers to use less-toxic products, and large retailers like Wal-Mart have now adopted this in their vendor criteria. I am hopeful that pesticides will be soon be among the categories addressed.Earlier this year a study linked chemicals in our environment

to ADHD and autism, and more studies like it are being released every day. We’ve known for more than 20 years that we have pesticide residues on our produce, and now we are beginning to have solid proof that it is causing harm to us and to our children. For a long time it seemed that we had to use pesticides to get the quality and yield of produce our marketplace demanded, but now we know the dangers and we are better equipped to begin to do things in a new way. IPM principles and protected agriculture have given us some weapons to begin to fight the pests that destroy or limit our crops in a less environmentally harmful way, and we must continue to explore their possibilities. Growers need to use all the methods at their disposal to fight pests in a way less harmful to our health and continue to increase quality and yield at the same time—the ultimate way to get rid of pesticides while producing marketable products. MY


Sources:1. The Precautionary Principle and the city and County of San Francisco.

March 2003, www.sfenvironment.org2. Robert L. Dorit. All Things Small and Great. American Scientist. http://

www.americanscientist.org/issues/pub/2008/4/all-things-small-and-great/13. Green Screen http://cleanproduction.org

http://www.oliviassolutions.com/


http://www.microbrewfertilizer.com/

TIPS & TRICKS

Monitor plants closely for symptoms of nutrient deficiency. These symptoms can provide a valuable forewarning of seri-ous problems within the growing system. Be aware that there are many factors that cause nutrient deficiency symptoms in a plant. The nutrient itself may not be the cause.

Deficiency symptoms are grouped into several categories:

1. Stunting of growth: As all essential nutrients are simultaneously required for healthy growth, this symptom can be attributed to a deficiency in any one or more of them.

2. Chlorosis and interveinal chlorosis: Chlorosis can result in the whole plant or leaf turning light green or yellow. It can also be more localized. For example, yel-lowing of the veins themselves or between the veins (interveinal chlorosis). Chlorosis occurs due to plants being deficient in elements required for photosynthesis or chlorophyll production.

occur first in the older (usually lower) leaves. Mobile elements include N, P, K and Mg (chart one).In contrast, immobile nutrients are not

able to move quickly from one plant part to another. Therefore, deficiency symp-toms are initially most obvious in younger growth (usually higher up the plant). Immobile nutrients include Ca, S, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn and B (chart one).

WHAT CAUSES DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS?The appearance of foliar deficiency symp-toms often causes inexperienced growers to conclude that the nutrient solution is deficient in a particular element. How-ever, if a ‘complete’ nutrient formulation is being used, check the following before settling on this conclusion:

• insufficient EC or feed frequency

• in recirculating hydroponic systems, the nutrient is discarded too infrequently

• inappropriate nutrient pH (causes certain nutrient elements to become unavailable for uptake)

• excessive humidity (hinders the distri-bution of nutrient throughout the plant)

• signs of pests or diseases (their presence can produce symptoms that are similar in appearance to nutrient deficiency symptoms)

3. Purple/red discoloration: This often occurs on stems or along leaf petioles, veins or margins. It occurs due to abnor-mal levels of anthocyanin that accumulates when plants are stressed. These symptoms can also be caused by physical stresses such as cold, drought and disease.

4. Necrosis: Generally happens in the later stages of deficiency where the af-fected plant part becomes stressed to the point that it becomes brown and dies.

5. Other: Further symptoms include:• poor quality (or few) buds, flowers

or fruit• poor root development• distorted leaves (i.e. cupped or twisted)

Old or young growthA key indicator for identifying nutri-ent deficiency is whether the symptoms are occurring in older growth, younger growth or both. Mobile elements are able to move out of older leaves and into younger plant parts when a deficiency is present. Hence the symptoms usually

by Andrew taylorNUTRIENTDeficiency Symptomsaxillary

budvein apex

(or tip)

left margin

midrib

petiole

Fig 2 Simplified illustration of external

leaf sturcture.

interveinalchlorsis

nectroticspot

tip burnchlorosisof margin

chlorosisof veins

purple petiole

Fig 1 Some common leaf abnormalities

resulting from nutrient deficiencies.


Young leaves a�ected

Terminal buds remain alive but chlorotic (ie. yellow) or wilted without necrotic (i.e. dead) spots

Terminal buds die. Distortion & necrosis (ie. dying of young leaves.

Calcium (Ca)Young leaves hooked then die back at tipes & margins

Boron (B)- Young leaves light green at bases, die back from base- Twisted leaves

Copper (Cu)- Young leaves wilted, without cholorosis- Weak stem tip

- Young leaves not wilted- Chlorosis

Zinc (Zn)- Nercrotic spots (large & general) eventually involving veins- Thick leaves- Short stalks

Manganese (Mn)- Small nercotic spots- Veins remain green

No necrotic spots

Iron (Fe)Veins remain green

Sulfur (S)Veins become chlorotic

Old leaves a�ected

E�ects are mostly generalised over whole plant.Lower leaves dry up and die.

E�ects mostly localised:- Mottling (ie. blotches) or cholosis- Lower leaves do not dru up but become mottled or chlorotic- Leaf margins cupped or tucked

Phosphorus (P)- Dark green foliage; Red/purple colors appear- Lower leaves yellow/drying to dark green- Stalks become short & slender

Nitrogen (N)- Light green foliage- Lower leaves yellow/drying/brown- Stalks become short & slender

Magnesium (Mg)- Mottling or chlorosis with yellow around margins & interveinal chlorosis- Necrotic brown spots

Potassium (K)- Mottled or chlorotic dull grey-green leaves- Small necrotic spots between veins or near leaf tips & margins- Slender stalks

De�ciency Symptoms

Old Leaves A�ectedYoung Leaves A�ected

- Terminal buds remain alive but chlorotic (ie. yellow) or wilted without necrotic (i.e. dead) spots

- Terminal buds die. Distortion and necrosis (ie. dying of young leaves)

- E�ects are mostly generalized over whole plant- Lower leaves dry up and die

E�ects mostly localized:- Mottling (ie. blotches) or cholosis- Lower leaves do not dry up but become mottled or chlorotic- Leaf margins cupped or tucked

Calcium (Ca)- Young leaves hooked then die back at tips and margins

Manganese (Mn)- Small nercotic spots- Veins remain green

Copper (Cu)- Young leaves wilted, without cholorosis- Weak stem tip

Magnesium (Mg)- Mottling or chlorosis with yellow around margins and interveinal chlorosis- Necrotic brown spots

Potassium (K)- Mottled or chlorotic dull grey-green leaves- Small necrotic spots between veins or near leaf tips and margins- Slender stalks

- Young leaves not wilted- Chlorosis

No necrotic spots

Boron (B)- Young leaves light green at bases, die back from base- Twisted leaves

Iron (Fe)Veins remain green

Sulfur (S)Veins become chlorotic

Zinc (Zn)- Nercrotic spots (large and general) eventually involving veins- Thick leaves- Short stalks

Nitrogen (N)- Light green foliage- Lower leaves yellow/drying/brown- Stalks become short and slender

Phosphorus (P)- Dark green foliage; red/purple colours appear- Lower leaves yellow/drying to dark green- Stalks become short and slender

Diagnostic Flow-Chart For Common Nutrient Deficiency SymptonsCHART 1

NOTESDeficiency symptoms observed under field conditions often appear

different than ideal text book examples. Diagnosis is often difficult

even to the most experienced eyes. Some elements produce similar

symptoms and several deficiencies can occur at the same time. Symp-

toms can also be easily confused with those caused by pests, diseases,

under watering and genetic abnormalities.

Early detection is important because deficiency symptoms are often

more unique and easier to distinguish in the early stages. Yield loss can

also be potentially avoided. Early detection also prompts the grower

to check for other possible causes such as excessive humidity and poor

EC and pH control. MY


&Mechanical Design Function Versus Plant Biologyby J. Benton Jones, Jr.}

There are two commonly heard expressions that relate to the subject of mechanical design and function versus plant biology: “Don’t fool with Mother Nature,” and “What are the unintended consequences?”



There are two commonly heard expressions that relate to the subject of mechanical design and function versus plant biology: “Don’t fool with Mother Nature,” and “What are the unintended consequences?”

Modern MethodsModern use of the nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic growing system is primary confined to the growing of lettuce and herbs, short-term crops harvested before the root mass can begin to significantly affect the flow of nutrient solution down the trough. The length and slope of the trough is determined by growing conditions such as atmospheric demand. Recirculation of the collected nutrient solution requires additional volume and elemental reconstitution as well as aeration, filtering and sterilization in order to maintain both elemental sufficiency and to reduce the potential for root disease. Aeroponics is attracting attention, particularly applications of

aeroponics designed for kitchen use, which have been com-mercially successful. Can aeroponics be applied to the commer-cial production of a greenhouse crop, such as a tomato? Such a system has been proposed. My first concern is the substantial electrical requirement for the pumping and cooling of the re-circulating nutrient solution. It is assumed that the design and operational characteristics of the nutrient solution delivery sys-tem will be sufficient to meet the water and elemental require-ments of the tomato plant. Let’s remember that a tomato plant carrying a substantial fruit load under high atmospheric demand

“A tomato plant carrying a sub-stantial fruit load under high at-mospheric demand conditions will require at least one quart of water during the daylight hours.”

http://www.phatfilter.com/

80 Maximum Yield USA | January 201180 Maximum Yield USA | December 2010

Mechanical Design and Function Versus Plant Biology

conditions will require at least one quart of water during the daylight hours. Therefore, just keeping the plant roots moist may not be sufficient to provide the water required to keep the plants from wilting, wilting that will reduce both fruit set and lower fruit quality. Therefore, failure to consider how to meet this biological requirement of the tomato plant will doom the best of designed aeroponic systems.Biological procedures using predatory organisms are being

proposed by those looking for an “organic” means of disease control in hydroponic growing systems. It’s important to realize that the presence of even a low population of disease organisms in a nutrient solution will significantly impact the plant, reduc-ing root function and possibly resulting in plant death. Steriliza-tion is required when a nutrient solution is to be re-circulated because it must be kept totally free of any organism, whether beneficial or pathological. Again, biology is in control and no one can predict the outcome as each organism will take its toll with the plant being the loser.The head of an engineering company, a gentleman who had

a keen interest in and considerable experience with growing plants, constructed a controlled environmental chamber for growing tomatoes. Being an expert in lighting system design, he installed what he thought was a light-sufficient system in terms of intensity and wavelength coverage. I even assisted him

The presence of even a low population of disease organisms in a nutrient solution will significantly impact the plant, reducing root function and possibly resulting in plant death.”

http://www.growgps.com/



in the construction of a sub-irrigation growing system. The to-mato plants grew extreme-ly well, and then we waited for the plants to flower and set fruit. Unfortunately, only a few flowers appeared, while the plants continued to grow vegetatively. Evidently there was not the proper wavelength mix or intensity of radiant energy present in the lighting system to promote flower initiation.An outdoor hydroponic tomato

grower had devised a flood-and-drain growing system that worked very well, producing high yields of quality fruit. But in the design and operating procedures he did not consider what would be required if there was an electrical power failure and if root disease organisms invaded the recirculating nutrient solution. An electrical power failure did occur on a hot Sunday afternoon when the plants were setting fruit. Without a source of auxiliary power he had to hand-water each rooting vessel using city drinking water, which under normal conditions he consid-ered unsuitable for his hydroponic growing system—he had been using a reverse osmosis water treatment system for generating the water for making the nutrient solution. To his surprise, however, the plants survived, showing no effects from the change in water quality. But what he was not prepared to deal with was Pythium, a deadly root disease organism that was waiting for the ideal time to strike—and it did, killing all his plants within 48 hours! Un-able to bring the disease under control, the grower’s whole oper-ation failed. If he had sterilized the recirculated nutrient solution and added composted pine bark to the gravel rooting medium,

Pythium could have been kept out or at least kept under

some manageable degree of control.

http://www.hydrohuts.com/


A greenhouse tomato grower thought that he could save on his heating costs by setting the nighttime greenhouse air tem-perature right at the lower end of the optimum recommended level. What the grower was not prepared to deal with was the condensation that then accumulated on the inside of the green-house. The condensation formed into droplets of water that fell on the plant foliage, resulting in the death of the tissue where the droplets hit (initially he thought that a disease organism was the cause), thereby reducing the rate of photosynthesis, slowing plant growth and reducing fruit yield. He was unaware that his tomato plants would be slow in setting fruit under these conditions as well, since nighttime air temperature can also affect fruit set.I have been surprised how well plants will grow under a range

of different conditions involving nutrient solution formula-tions, frequency of irrigation and varying characteristics of the rooting medium. However, the challenge is to balance these three factors for maximum plant performance. I have visited the best greenhouses and seen growing system designs with plants growing well, but not at their maximum potential—that would require carefully regulating the nutrient element environment around the plant roots, something that is not easy to do.One of most impressive hydroponic growing experiences I

have ever witnessed was an experimenter whose objective was to determine what effect the ratio of nitrate to ammonium-nitrogen in a nutrient solution formulation would have on bean yield using green beans as the test crop. The rooting medium was perlite placed in two gallon buckets. Having determined the water-holding capacity of the perlite, sufficient nutrient

solution was added to just saturate it. Each morning, the perlite was leached with water to remove the previ-

ous day’s nutrient solution residue, then sufficient fresh nutrient solution was added to just saturate the perlite again. Plant growth and treatment difference results were significantly greater than had been obtained in a previous hydroponic

experiment using the same rooting medium and nutrient solution


Plants grow best when their roots are maintained in a consistent nutrient solution environment.”

http://www.capcontrollers.com/


formulation, the only difference being that the previous day’s nutrient solution residue was not leached from the perlite before fresh nutrient solution was added. This suggests that plants grow best when their roots are maintained in a consistent nutrient solution environment. In other words, best plant growth occurs when plant roots are growing in an infinite volume of nutrient solution whose el-emental composition remains unaffected by root activity.This also raises another question

regarding nutrient solution formula-tions and their use, suggesting that the dominating factor in their ef-fectiveness is the set of biologi-cal characteristics of the root itself, the lesser factor being

the set of characteristics of the surrounding rooting environ-ment. There are nutrient solutions currently being marketed that are formulated to achieve certain results—such as stimu-lating vegetative growth, flowering and fruit set and enhancing root “availability” of the essential elements in various rooting media, but it is the root itself that determines its function irrespective of what nutrient solution formulation is used. Those who would promote these nutrient solution formula-tions should first be prepared to define to the user under what conditions their product will be able to accomplish the objec-tives described.

Old School StyleI was present at the Hydroponics Worldwide: State of the Art in Soilless Crop Production conference held in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1985. At that conference, Dr. Allen Cooper and his colleagues described their newly developed nutrient film technique (NFT) method for growing plants hydroponically without the use of a rooting medium. With this method, the plant’s bare roots are set in an enclosed slopping trough or channel and at its top, nutrient solution is periodically introduced to flow down the trough, bathing the roots, as the method for supplying water and essential elements to the plant. At the end of the trough


What had seemed at first to be a perfectly designed mechanical and functional system was rendered ineffective, however, by the biological characteristics of the plant and its roots.”

http://www.organicairfilter.com/


the nutrient solution can be either dis-carded or collected for recirculation. The method described was relatively simple in its design, since it was claimed that folded plastic sheeting of any width and length would do as long as the slope was sufficient to allow for the gentle, even flow of nutrient solution down the trough. Many at the conference saw this as a revolutionary advancement in hydroponic technology and high praise was given to Dr. Cooper and his colleagues.Over a number of years many tried the

NFT concept, devising various trough

configurations to suit particular growing conditions and plant species. What had seemed at first to be a perfectly designed mechanical and functional system was rendered ineffective, however, by the

biological characteristics of the plant and its roots.What neither the participants at the

conference nor Dr. Cooper and his

colleagues had considered was that as the root mass in the trough increased in size, the flow of nutrient solution down the trough was impeded. Rather than passing through the root mass, the introduced

nutrient solution flowed over the top and along the edges of the trough. In fact, as the root mass enlarged, it acted like a dam, preventing the free movement of nutrient solution down the trough. Portions of the root mass would become anaerobic, result-

ing in death due to the lack of oxygen. Even with free movement down the trough, oxygen and elemental contents in the nutrient solution decreased, with the plants at the end of the trough exposed to a nutrient solution quite different in composition from that introduced at the head. Various attempts were made to overcome these problems by changing the width and length of the trough as well as by altering the slope and the nu-trient solution flow rates. Changing the design of the trough from a “U-shaped” form to a “W-shaped” form was tried, with the base of the plant being placed on the top of the “W” peak, equally di-viding the plant roots on both sides. With the “W-shaped” trough design various nutrient solution formulations and water could be alternately sent down either side of the trough.

Lesson Learned?The message from all of these experienc-es? In the contest between mechanical design and function versus plant biology, plant biology will always determine the outcome! MY


As the root mass enlarged, it acted like a dam, preventing the free movement of nutrient solution down the trough.”

http://www.sunlandgarden.com/


http://www.jd-lightings.com/

Fertilizers or Additives…or Both?

In part one of this article, we helped you navigate the more common additives available on the market. In part two we identify more popular options so you can give

your garden everything it wants and needs

this winter.

Part Two

by William Texier



http://www.goldlabelna.com/

HORMONESHormones are chemical messengers, carrying a message from one cell or group of cells to another. They move with the sap or are transported actively from one cell to another, and act by attaching them-selves onto specific receptors. Hormones can also be emitted by plants into their surroundings in the air (as in the case of ethylene, for instance) or in the root zone. Plant hormones are properly referred to as phyto-hormones, and unlike their counterparts in the vertebrate kingdom plants don’t have specific organs to syn-thesize them, instead producing them at the spot where they are needed. Hormones are vital for the vegetal world, regulating the lifecycles of all plants, affecting their growth and morphology and control-ling all the steps of the plant’s life from seed germination to fruit ripening, as well as triggering flowering and determining sex. They regulate the life dura-tion of the leaves and fruits as well as the ripening, senescence and even the death of the plant. The major plant hormones are: auxin, cytokinin and gibberelin. Of course there are numer-ous other hormones, the two most important being abscissic acid (ABA) and ethylene, and some hormones are specific to a variety of plants. It is a common mistake to think that each one of these names applies to just a single molecule; auxins, cyto-kinins and gibberellins are families of hormones, sometimes very large. Inside the same family, hormones with the same

name can actually have a different effect. Very roughly, their main actions are as follows: auxins regulate growth,

root initiation and bud formation, cytokinins affect cell division and gibberelins regulate

germination, stem elongation and flowering. Of all the tools that can be used in agricul-ture, hormones are by and large the most controversial—and for good reason. First and most importantly, a hormone never acts alone: plant morphology is the result of

the offsetting effect of a certain number of different hormones, and it is a delicate matter

to shift the balance in favor of one hormone over another. Additionally, hormones are active

in minute quantities, so it is easy to pass the optimum level when providing them from an outside source, with result-ing abnormalities in growth or even the opposite of the desired effect. Finally, many users are put off by the fact that most hor-

mones on the market are made synthetically. The products most commonly offered to the public are cloning hormones, mostly auxins. They are efficient, but it is better to avoid the ones in a dry powder form because when the stem is dipped into the powder the canals through

which the cutting absorbs water necessary for its survival can often become clogged. Despite their efficiency, however, I never use hormones because there are numerous other effective ways to achieve the same results with more natural tools such as fulvic acid and elicitors.

“Hormones are vital for the vegetal world, regulating the lifecycles of all plants, affecting their growth and morphology and controlling

all the steps of the plant’s life from seed germination to fruit ripening, as well as

triggering flowering and determining sex.”


Fertilzer or additives...or both? Part 2

http://www.sunshineadvanced.com/

FUNGI AND BACTERIAFungi and bacteria are both present naturally in soil, but it is often useful to increase their numbers. They are especially use-ful in hydroponics because they help recreate in the root zone conditions similar to soil. Those micro-organisms can colonize a wet substrate such as coco fibers, rockwool or pumice, but if the substrate is dry such as clay pebbles then you will need to use a biofilter to provide the organisms with a breeding ground. A biofilter can be just a simple plastic pot filled with pumice, provided that you establish a continuous circulation to maintain the oxygen level. This is achieved either by putting the pot in the system in place of a growing pot, or with a small accessory pump that will draw water from the main tank and back. When introducing living colonies in the system, the grower faces an increased level of complexity. For instance, if the population of micro-organisms increases too fast, or if they suffer a mas-sive die-off from thermal prob-lems, they will acidify the pH of the solution. They also compete with the roots for dissolved oxygen. You will need to use a well-designed hydroponic sys-tem that provides a nutrient solution constantly rich in oxygen. A little experience will allow you to rapidly overcome these little inconveniences, and it will be well worth ascending the learning curve because, once mastered, the use of micro-organ-isms can bring a lot of benefits to your hydroponics cultivation.Micro-organisms help plants to absorb mineral salts, but they

are also little factories continuously manufacturing enzymes. These enzymes have a cleaning effect on the nutrient solution and will decompose vegetal debris present in the solution from decaying roots, leaves or other organic matter and transform them into useful nutritive elements, and they are also your best friends in the fight against pathogenic fungi such as Pythium or

Fusarium. They have a dual action: they occupy the ecologi-cal niche of those pathogens and they emit substances that kill the spores on contact. Not every researcher agrees on the type of mix to use; some use a large spectrum of organisms, others prefer to use only one va-riety at a time to avoid competition between species. Whichever way you go,

it is a good idea to introduce those micro-organisms into your nutrient solution. You can try a simple experiment by introducing Trichodermas—you will rapidly see a difference in the cleanliness of your nutrient solution and the health of your plants.We’ve taken a quick look at the

main types of supplements that you can find on the market today. However, it’s worth pointing out that there are others—some interesting in a lab but falling short so far of providing a significant difference outside of it, others still at a basic research level that will be the additives of tomor-row. Is it a good idea to use supplements? The answer is a loud yes, absolutely! That said, there are many products on the market and it’s best to be a little cautious when buying an additive. Choose a product by a company with a solid reputation. Read the labels carefully to make sure that the active ingredient and its mode of action are identified clearly. Always reserve a critical eye for the claims made in advertisements while remembering that supplements really can improve your results tremendously—and, as a consequence, simplify your life as a grower. MY

“A little experience will allow you to rapidly overcome these little

inconveniences, and it will be well worth ascending the learning curve because,

once mastered, the use of micro-organisms can bring a lot of benefits to

your hydroponics cultivation.”

Fertilzer or additives...or both? Part 2



http://www.dropbags.com/

BEGINNER’S CORNER

TDS Meters, Conductivityby Rob Samborn

Conversion Factors& Though there is a close relationship be-tween TDS and Electrical Conductivity, they are not the same thing. Total Dis-solved Solids (TDS) and Electrical Con-ductivity (EC) are two separate parameters. TDS, in layman’s terms, is the com-

bined total of solids dissolved in wa-ter. EC is the ability of something to conduct electricity (in this case, water’s ability to conduct electricity).The only true method of measuring TDS

is to weigh residue found in water after the water has evaporated. You know those spots you see on a glass after you wash it and let it air dry? That’s TDS! That residue has mass, and it’s possible to weigh it, but if you’re not in a lab, it can be tricky thing to do. Therefore, we can estimate TDS levels based

on the conductivity of the water since the hydrogen and oxygen molecules of the H

2O carry almost no electrical charge. The

EC of most other metals, minerals and salts will carry a charge. A TDS meter measures that EC level and then converts it to a TDS measurement. Since different metals, miner-als and salts will be more or less conductive than others, there are different conversion factors that can be used.

ppm (parts per million)is the most commonly used scale to mea-sure TDS (Total Dissolved Solids).

µS (micro-Siemens) is the most commonly used scale to mea-sure EC (Electrical Conductivity).

TDS and Conversion Factors EC: There is no conversion for electrical conductivity.TDS - NaCl: 0.47 to 0.50TDS - 442: 0.65 to 0.85TDS - KCl: 0.50 to 0.57

Converting between different scales PPM to µS: The conversion factor of the TDS meter must be known. Once known, the con-version factor should be multiplied by the TDS level. MY

PPM to PPT: Divide by 1,000 (1,000 ppm = one ppt)µS to mS: Divide by 1,000 (1,000 µS = one mS)


NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES: REACTION AND PREVENTION: PART ONE

by Matt LeBannisterUnderstanding the symptoms of different nutrient deficiencies can make diagnosis and treatment a simple process. A prompt reaction to nutrient deficiencies can make all the difference and keep your plants healthy and your harvests bountiful.


Gardeners are extraordinary people. Most are extremely caring and nurturing towards their plants, spending countless hours in the grow room fussing over them, making sure they are happy and healthy. Many gardeners are so engaged in their plants’ wellbeing that they treat them more like family than flora.When plants just do not seem to be

growing to their full potential, though, it is no wonder that many growers work themselves into a frenzy searching

through all avenues of botanical knowl-edge in search of an answer. We can find ourselves reading every book and article available on the subject—anything to save our beloved leafy and flowering friends from damage and unnecessary trauma.Nitrogen, iron and magnesium defi-

ciencies are common in plants and each presents symptoms that involve different leaves yellowing. Plants that are deficient in nitrogen have their oldest leaves on the bottom of the plant turn yellow, magnesium-deficient plants have the leaves in the middle of the plant turn yellow and young yellowing leaves at the

top of plants are a sign of iron deficiency. Each of these deficiencies is caused either by the use of poor quality nutrients, fluc-tuating pH levels or high EC readings, causing nutrient lockout.This article will explain how to spot

and treat three relatively common problems—phosphorous, potassium and calcium deficiencies.Phosphorous is a macronutrient that all

plants require to photosynthesize and is also a component of plant DNA, pro-

teins and many enzymes. Plants require phosphorous in larger amounts during the blooming or fruiting stage of growth. If you look at the NPK of most bloom-enhancing products you will see that phosphorous is usually the most abun-dant ingredient.There are many symptoms associated

with a plant suffering from a phospho-rous deficiency. The stem or leaves of the plant will begin to turn a bluish-purple hue and sometimes develop spots. When the deficiencies are not treated properly the leaf tips will darken as they contort downward, eventually shriveling up,

“Many gardeners are so engaged in their plants’ wellbeing that they treat them more like family than flora.”


http://www.mygreenplanet.com/

drying and falling off. Plants that receive an inadequate amount of phosphorous during the fruiting and flowering phase will not fruit or flower as well as their healthy counterparts, and if the problem persists and becomes severe the plants will sometime not fruit or flower at all.Phosphorous deficiencies can be caused

by not using quality nutrients. For the organic gardeners, steamed bone meal and bat guano are excellent sources of organic phosphorous. Deficiencies can also be caused by fluctuations in pH levels. If pH levels drift lower than 5.8 or climb higher than 7.0, plants become un-able to absorb phosphorous, but checking and adjusting pH more frequently can solve the problem if this is the case. A plant may also become deficient in phos-phorous if the soil or soilless medium remains too wet for too long, which can occur in hydroponics if the water is not properly aerated.Phosphorous deficiencies will also occur

if there is too much iron or zinc present in the soil, soilless medium or hydropon-ic solution, which causes the phosphates to become chemically bound, making them unavailable to the plant. To remedy

this problem, flush the growing medium with straight, pH-balanced water or with a nutrient clearing solu-

tion. Checking EC levels frequently can prevent nutrients from

reaching toxic levels.Potassium is a macro-

nutrient used by plants through all stages of growth

which aids in the manu-facturing of sugars and

encourages healthy root growth. Potas-

sium is necessary for the production of flowers,

fruits and vegetables and is also vital to a

plant’s resistance to bacteria and mold. Plants suffering from a potassium deficiency often

become diseased, as their immune systems are not working at the same level as healthy organisms.

Symptoms of potassium deficiency usu-ally begin with the older, lower leaves on the plants, which will begin to develop

brown tips and edges. The internal tem-perature of a potassium-deficient plant’s leaves will also rise, causing protein in the leaf ’s cells to burn. Leaf tips and edges burn first because this is where evapora-tion levels in the leaf are the highest, but eventually the leaves will turn completely dark yellow to rust brown, curl up and fall off. The stems can also become weak.Potassium deficiencies can be caused

by not using quality nutrients. For those gardeners who are organically inclined, kelp meal and greensand (iron potas-sium silicate) are good sources of organic potassium. Wood ash is fast-acting but should be used in moderation because it is very alkaline, with a pH level as high as 10. To counteract this, mix the wood ash with water and balance pH levels before feeding it to your plants. Potas-sium deficiencies can also be caused by nutrient lockout as a result of an overly

high EC—when salinity levels become too high, plants are unable to absorb potassium. To remove toxic levels of nu-trients from the growing medium it must be flushed with straight pH-balanced water or a clearing solution, which can be done every so often to prevent the build up of salts from reoccurring. Once the medium is flushed plants should only receive a complete nutrient solution that is specialized to the plant’s specific stage of growth, which when combined with more frequent EC measurements should cure any potassium deficiency and prevent the problem from plaguing your plants again.Calcium is a secondary nutrient that

is essential to plant growth, required in abundance by fast-growing fruit and vegetable plants—sometimes as much so as the macronutrients. Calcium is needed for cell growth and reproduction and is also very important for root growth, as each root tip must contain calcium to grow.The initial symptom of calcium defi-

ciency is overall stunted growth, with young leaves ap-pearing dark green and smaller than the leaves on healthy

plants. The young growth will eventually turn a yellow to purplish hue and start to contort, finally shriveling, dying and falling off. Plants experiencing a calcium deficiency will have a difficult time producing flowers, which will fall off or not even grow at all. If fruit is produced it will be stunted, and the amount will be far less than that generated by an average healthy plant.Calcium deficiencies are less common

indoors than phosphorous and potassium deficiencies, but there are a number of reasons why a plant could become calci-um deficient. Naturally, not using quality nutrients that have enough calcium can be a problem, and like all deficiencies the use of a quality hydroponic solution can prevent the problem from ever occurring. If the nutrient does not contain adequate amounts of calcium, watering with a half teaspoon of hydrated lime per one gallon

Nutrient Deficiencies: Reaction and Prevention Part One

“Plants require phosphorous in larger amounts during the blooming or fruiting stage of growth.”



or adding dolemite lime to the soil/soilless growing medium are both great ways to give your plant the calcium it needs.If the humidity is too high in your grow room plants can also

become calcium deficient, because the high humidity forces them to close their stomata—the part of the leaf from which water is evaporated—thereby shutting down transpiration. Tran-spiration is the process by which water evaporates out from the leaves, which in turn causes the plant’s roots to draw up water. No transpiration means there isn’t any water being sucked up into the plant, resulting in no nutritional intake. Calcium is a mobile nutrient and shutting down transpiration means it can no longer be moved through the plant. Keeping the humidity level lower than 70 per cent will keep the leaves’ stomata open and calcium will continue to circulate throughout the plant.Plants can also become deficient in calcium if the pH levels

in their growing medium and nutrient solution are allowed to fluctuate. Nutrients cannot be absorbed when the pH levels drift from their ideal range, which can vary from plant to plant and can depend on the growing medium being used. It usu-ally falls somewhere between a pH of 5.8 at the lowest and 6.8 at the highest, and a reading outside of this level will generally result in nutrient deficiencies. Simply checking your pH fre-quently can prevent deficiencies like this from ever occurring.Gardeners seem to have a real lust for knowledge—they are

always on a quest to learn new things and understand their plants better, right down to the cellular level. Knowledge and experience truly are the best tools in the grow room, so a suc-cessful grower will make it his business to never stop learning. The knowledge you gain can be used to cure or even totally prevent nutrient deficiencies, keeping your plants healthy and your harvest rich! MY

Nutrient Deficiencies: Reaction and Prevention

Sources: Gardening Indoors, The Indoor Gardening Bible by George Van Patten2002 Van Patten Publishing

http://www.capcontrollers.com/


Nutrient Deficiencies: Reaction and Prevention

http://www.hydrodynamicsintl.com/

GREEN THUMB GARDENING

Have you ever walked past a vacant lot in an industrial area and thought how much better it would look with a few trees? I bet there are patches of dirt around your town just begging for

some greenery, but the local council doesn't make an effort or can't provide the resources.You're not alone; there are many people like you who have formed guerrilla gardening groups; often going out under the cover of night and often without permission to make ugly plots of

ground into gardens.

If guerrilla gardening appeals to you, there are quite a few online resources around to help you form your gardening army and plan your planting missions.That sort of dedication requires a lot of time and the sometimes covert nature isn't everyone's cup of tea; but there are alternatives.

I've been wanting to plant native grasses and some trees out on my bush block in some bare areas, but after having propa-gated 300 native seedlings from seed and planted them all by hand on another property a few years back, I really didn't think I'd have the time to do that again for a while.

I even considered grabbing a bunch of seeds and throwing them around the place and letting nature do its thing.The problem with that approach is the seed wouldn't last too long given all the hungry birds and ants around the place; or even if the seed avoided those challenges, some of it would be blown away by the wind.


Seed Balls & by michael bloch

Guerrilla Gardening


There composition is as such: take finely ground terracotta clay, add dry organic compost, seeds and then mix it together. Add water to the mixture and stir just enough to make the concoction bind. The mixture is then rolled into small balls and left in the sun for a day or two to dry. After this time it's ready for dispersal.The ball protects the seed until enough rain falls to break

through the mixture to allow the seeds to germinate; spurred on by the compost within the ball.What a great idea! Imagine strolling through your town with

a bag of these balls, spreading them over barren and unsightly areas, without even needing to break your stride. There's some-thing very Johnny Appleseed about it.

Seed balls as WMDsJust a note of caution. If you do decide to get into guerrilla gardening in such a way, be sure to research well and use seeds of species native or compatible to your area as a desirable plant in one location can be a noxious pest in another. You don't want your seed balls to become WMDs—Weeds of Mass Destruction.Go forth and do seed ball battle; wage war on urban and in-

dustrial environmental ugliness. MY

Seed ballsI recently came across what

looks to be a fascinating solution to this challenge—seed balls. Seed balls protect seeds by encasing them in a mixture of clay and compost. Supposedly, some native North American tribes used seed balls.

http://www.vitallandscaping.com/

Hydroponic and soil gardening occupy opposite ends of the year-round gardening spectrum, and there are basic and advanced tactics available to more successfully execute both styles. In this article I attempt to show how you can enhance traditional hydroponic and soil gardening techniques with some of the newer industry trends, while keeping the environment a priority. After all, the idea is to be efficient and put in as little time and money as possible while reaping as much benefit as you can. Whether you are going for quality, quantity or a combination of both is ultimately at your discretion.

GREENER GARDENS

by Lee McCall



http://www.sunmastergrowlamps.com/


The popularity of indoor gardening has been the catalyst for the recent upswing in research, development, innovation and overall growth in our industry. A once small pool of dedicated consumers in the indoor gardening industry across the globe has swelled, saturating the market and increasing competition for the manufacturer, distributor and retailer. This burst of new interest has increased revenue for many associated industries and markets as well, breathing life into stagnant businesses and boosting the economy. However, the very vitality of the in-door gardening market can make it difficult for the unwary or inexperienced consumer to successfully navigate the bewilder-ing claims and counter-claims of manufacturers and retailers offering miracle products. With such a broad selection of brands, options, styles and alternatives, education has become the most valuable commodity for the new grower trying to set up a suc-cessful indoor garden. From the grower’s standpoint, success can be measured in various ways. Some aim for connoisseur-quality produce, while others are more concerned with the hefty weight of their harvest; either way, growers today need to keep learning in order to keep up with the dynamic marketplace. With the surge of technological advancements and competing players in the industry it is important also to remember your roots—sometimes it’s the tried-and-true techniques that have

Greener Gardens

http://www.solis-tek.com/


http://www.emeraldtriangle.biz/

always worked that will end up saving a crop even after years of trial and error using new products and systems.The ebb-and-flow system is not an unfamiliar method of

hydroponic gardening by any means, and is usually most effec-tively used with rectangular or square footprints. The balance of intermittent feedings allows the grower to automate when the plants receive water and nutrients. The advantages of this system are the ability to harness larger volumes of plants simultaneously, with equally controlled growth patterns and results through use of a recycle timer. Rockwool cubes or containers with hydroton have been a staple commonly used for years. Hydroton may be rinsed and reused after use, but its porous characteristics make it subject to salt residue if not carefully treated. Flood-and-drain (ebb-and-flow) growers have also used rockwool blocks in their systems for years, and although this is a very effective garden-ing method capable of excellent results, it defeats the purpose of a rockwool block. Rockwool is ideal for top-feed systems that allow water to disperse fluidly throughout the grains of the block. Coco is used in flood and drain systems (in square or round containers)—its excellent capillary properties allow for consistent moisture-to-air ratios in the medium. Perlite is often cut or pre-mixed into loose-fill coco in order to create custom mixes for those who would rather water more often and incor-porate more air into the substrate. A small layer of hydroton in the bottom of the containers will prevent particles from being rinsed into the reservoir and tray during and after feedings, and also promotes thorough drainage and helps maintain consistent moisture throughout the root mass. I find this technique to be helpful in organic soil gardening as well. Whether using raised beds or containers, placing a layer of hydroton or diatomite under and on top of the grow medium will benefit the watering process. The concentration of perlite in the mix may determine how often feedings are required in hydroponic gardens: if coco is used as a standalone, feedings may be reduced to as little as

once every day or two, even during aggressive flowering cycles when water uptake is highest. Coco is a clean and renewable substrate, making it environmentally friendly and versatile. As a soil amendment it will loosen compacted soils and revitalize de-pleted ones as high-quality filler, and it also supports beneficial microbial activity and colonization.Diatomite (or silica rock) is a great organic alternative to

hydroton for use in ebb-and-flow, drip, aeroponic or deep-water culture systems. This substrate may be used exactly like

“With such a broad selection of brands, options, styles and alternatives, educa-

tion has become the most valuable com-modity for the new grower trying to set up

a successful indoor garden.”

Greener Gardens


“The balance of intermittent feedings allows the grower to automate when the plants

receive water and nutrients. The advantages of this system are the ability to harness larger

volumes of plants simultaneously...”

107Maximum Yield USA | December 2010

http://www.hydrofarm.com/


hydroton, but provides the luxury of releasing naturally occurring benefi-cial silicates to the plant system while retaining higher concentrations of moisture and air compared to hydroton. Comprised of fossilized unicellular freshwater organ-isms, this natural grow medium is mined directly from the earth and undergoes very little treat-ment before landing in the local garden-ing center. Both coco and silica rock may

be reused, increasing overall gardening efficiency. Remove as much root matter as possible before replanting, and always

provide an enzyme formula in the initial feeding to help break down organic

“Efficiency equates to profit in year-round gar-dening. Everything matters—from the equip-ment you purchase to the methods of instal-lation and the design options you choose to

make a part of your indoor garden.”

Greener Gardens

matter and deposits left from the last crop cycle. A beneficial bacteria or mycorrhizal inoculants will increase

transplant success and replenish the quality of the reused grow medium.Horticultural lighting is another

field which is being revolution-ized as the indoor gardening industry expands. LEDs and the

latest plasma grow lights are begin-ning to find their place in the market. Replacing HPS or MH with LED or plasma grow lights might not be the answer in every application, but if the situation allows, LEDs have remarkable potential as supplemental light sources. The projected specific bandwidths that are emitted from certain LED products may definitely be analyzed as concentrated and pure within a selective nanometer range, and these sources are ideal for illumi-nating hard-to-reach corners where HID light may be diffused. The lack of heat and electrical consumption with these new lower-power lighting options also serves to increase the ef-ficiency of the garden as temperatures are easier to control without more fans or air conditioning. The garden ends up benefitting directly from the enhanced spectral output of the newer lighting fixtures without dramatic utility costs.

http://www.globalgardenfriends.com/


Efficiency equates to profit in year-round gardening. Everything mat-ters—from the equipment you purchase to the methods of installation and the design options you choose to make a part of your indoor garden. How your equipment, products and design perform together will dictate overall net profit after time and your initial investment are considered. Given this equation, a very important factor to consider is that cheaper equipment is usu-ally not a better investment. Of course it is wise to shop around for competitive prices and great customer service, but if you’re in this business for the long haul it pays to buy quality every time. The assurance guarantee on a light or pump or even the invaluable information ob-tained from your trusted local

gardening outlet is worth driving a few miles or spending an extra buck or two when it might mean a difference of, say, 25 per cent in crop yield on an ongoing

basis. Be efficient in your practices, use high-quality products, minimize waste and always make intelligent use of trial and error. Success is not an accident for those growers who are both passionate and well-informed. MY


http://www.titancontrols.net/

SOILLESS SALVATION AND PH PERFECTION

When you pay top dollar for high-end nutrients, you expect high-end results. So why throw away your money by neglecting pH; incorrect pH could be causing you to lose nutrients. Perfect pH “zones” are the key to building a perfectly balanced soilless mix that makes use of every precious element you provide and every dollar you spend.

by Casey Jones Fraser



Over the years, many soil and soilless recipes have made the rounds in the indoor gardening industry. Most of the recipes are not simple. If you want simple, buy a bag of

potting mix off the shelf. These recipes are based on perfor-mance, and the creator of each recipe has found the right mix to meet their needs. Performance goals include water-holding capacity, drainage, nutrient availability, beneficial biology, nutri-ent supplementation, overall plant health and yield.Some growers use a simple nutrient feeding regimen with few

or no liquid supplements, and therefore require rich soil supple-mentation to meet the plants’ feeding needs. Other growers use a rich, scientific liquid nutrient mix with every feeding. These growers often seek a soil with limited nutrient additives, as they want to manipulate the plant’s nutrition at every step of the growing process.The truth is, higher yields are achieved with a higher-quality

feeding program, but nutrients will not be fully available without a quality growing medium. One of the biggest factors for nutri-ent availability is pH. While you probably check and adjust the pH of your water and feeding solution, a common mistake is to neglect the pH range of the medium. But think about it—your root systems are sitting in the growing medium 24/7 for the en-tire lifecycle of the plant. If your solution’s pH is correct but the roots are sitting in material that is too acidic or too alkaline, the plant is experiencing incorrect pH and as a result nutri-ents are less available. I pay for the high-end nutrients, and I want them to always be available to my precious plants.

Perfect pHI have been hearing a lot of talk about nutrient recipes being formu-lated to reach perfect pH levels. As I said, I use the high-end nutrients, and I can say from

http://ww.nutrifield.com.au/


ECO NUTRIENTSQuarter Page

experience that some nutrient companies can help you achieve perfect pH. I love finishing a nutrient mix, testing the pH and always seeing an ideal range (5.5 to 6.5) on my meter. So now the nutrient companies are helping with pH in the nutrient solution, and we don’t want to ruin the batch by pouring it into a low-quality substrate.The key is to build a soilless mix with the best our in-

dustry has to offer, while encouraging pH zones that will help with nutrient uptake. And no, that is not a typo: I said pH zones—plural. Most growers have seen the pH avail-ability chart, which shows all of the nutrients required by plants and at which pH level each nutrient is most avail-able. In the past, growers have compromised by choosing a pH near 6.0, because all of the nutrients are available around this level. To be clear, though, some nutrients are more available or less available at this level—each nutrient has a specific pH number where it reaches peak availability, and this number is not the same for every nutrient. For example, molybdenum is most available at a high pH, and iron is most available at a low pH.The good news is that a few soilless mediums have

slightly higher or lower pH to match the nutrients you want to use. Rockwool gardeners will tell you that their favorite substrate has properties consistent with high pH, while peat moss is known to naturally have a low pH. Perlite typically has a neutral pH of 7.0 and coconut coir

“I love finishing a nutrient mix, testing the pH and always seeing an ideal range (5.5 to 6.5) on my meter.”

SoilleSS Salvation and pH perfection

http://www.econutrients.com/


is slightly lower, in the ideal 6.1 to 6.8 range. You can mix these ingredients in the proper ratios, adding organic and biological supplements to complete the mix. The result—pH perfection for the roots.

My Original “Perfect pH Mix”

Five years ago, after working with both hobby and commer-cial growers, I came up with my own potting mix recipe. It contained the mediums described for ideal pH zones, along with small amounts of kelp meal, worm castings, bat guano, multiple composts, biological inoculants and a few other secret ingredients. Measuring out each item, putting all of it together and thoroughly mixing would take an entire evening of work, but the high yields and superb quality it al-lowed made it worth all the work, and I never had to adjust pH in my solutions. This is important, because as you may know, pH adjusters can kill beneficial inoculants and alter NPK levels.

A few popular coconut coir and coir-based products.



My Updated “Easy pH Mix”Skip forward five years to the current day, I finally found a way to achieve the same results with only four ingredients instead of a dozen. How can this be true, you ask? I finally realized the advantages of using the potting mixes that are available from the

local hydro shops! Basically, I combine a rich coco coir-based mix, a peat-based mix, mini grow cubes and large-grade perlite. That’s it! I went from four hours of work to 30 minutes, and that includes cleanup.I start with four empty five gallon buck-

ets and an empty children’s wading pool. One bucket is drilled out for drainage. I fill that bucket with the grow cubes, then drop that bucket into another bucket. I soak the grow cubes with four gallons of chlorine-free water and then drain completely. I fill the second bucket with the coco coir mix, a third bucket with peat mix and a fourth bucket with large-grade perlite. I always wear goggles and a

dust mask for safety, because the materials are dusty, especially the perlite. The coir-based mix is well fortified with a bevy of organic amendments, not to mention large amounts of beneficial bacteria and fungi, and the peat-based mix also con-tains mycorrhizae and compost—making this combination of amendments very similar to my old custom mix. The sup-plements are diluted by adding the inert grow cubes and perlite, which will help to prevent overfeeding. Other benefits of this mix include the perfect air-to-water ratio and the ability to be utilized in a hydroponics system (using fabric pots), or a traditional container garden. Your plants will also have increased feeder roots and root branching from the grow cubes, while seeing increased levels of beneficial bacteria and fungi from the coir.

Making the MixNow you have each bucket filled with a medium, and the grow cubes are soaked. If mixing indoors, soak the perlite as well. Start by pouring the peat-based mix into the pool. Push the peat mix to-ward the edges, creating a pit, then pour the perlite into the peat pit. Add the wet grow cubes, and finally, the coir-based mix. Stir all of the ingredients with a long-handled shovel. I find that sitting on a five gallon bucket puts me at the ideal height for mixing the mediums—standing and bending while mixing is not good for your back. Take a seat and take your time while mixing! Periodi-cally turn the pool and continue mixing, making sure you get the edges mixed in well. With 15 to 20 minutes of stirring, the mix is complete.

“The supplements are diluted by adding the inert grow cubes and

perlite, which will help to prevent overfeeding.”

SoilleSS Salvation and pH perfection

One of the four buckets should be drilled for drainage. That bucket will be filled with grow cubes and dropped into another bucket to soak in chlorine-free water.

http://www.purgro.com/


A Simple ProcessYou can pick up all the ingredients you’ll need from your local grow store: their best coco coir-based pot-ting mix, their best peat-based potting mix, perlite and grow cubes. The grow cubes can be in granulate form (about the size of salad croutons) if preferred. Large-grade perlite is preferred over cheap perlite, especially for automated hydro systems. Mix all four items in equal parts. For an extra boost, add a gallon of pre-mium biodynamic compost to the mix. You can never have too much beneficial biology! MY

Two happy mixmasters enjoy a sunset near the Ohio River.


AVANT-GARDENING

OrganicsOrganics are definitely a popular item for 2011 and hopefully beyond as well. Consumers are demanding high quality products that are not only good for our plants, our planet and our children, they actually work. Thankfully, manufacturers are filling the demand and they’re taking green to the next level by sourcing innovative materials, recycling and reusing. The focus this year is on organic and sustainable products that create organic and sustainable produce. Organics replenish the earth and they are highly concentrated, which means you can use less, the first step in the waste management hierarchy.

interactive WebsitesCompanies are stepping up their game on the web. Some of the interactive features being utilized by companies in our industry include grower forums, blogs, videos and quick links to social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, MySpace and more. Gardening websites are more than just a spot to check out the latest products. Many of the best websites also offer comprehensive feeding schedules, grow tools and advice, easy store locators, fun downloads, product catalogues, helpful articles and support. Retail websites have also improved with monthly specials, top product picks and easy online shopping.

clOth cOntainersGardeners are loving the cloth containers now available in a variety of styles and sizes. Container gardening is a versatile

What’s in for

2011


tOP trenDs✓ ✓✓

Organicscloth containersnutrition


AVANT-GARDENINGoption that allows you to move your garden to the location of your choice (greenhouse, grow room, sunny spot in the yard). Many of the new cloth containers are reusable, made out of recycled materials, or compostable/degradable. Cloth containers are great for year round planting; they’re lightweight and flexible, which makes them easy to move around and perfect for a variety of plants. The materials used are breathable, which encourages healthy root growth. They prevent circling roots and release heat. Plus, they’re inexpensive.

FacebOOkFacebook is catching on in our industry. Many of the top companies, brands and even retailers are now sporting dedicated Facebook Pages, making it easy to find the information you want quickly. Connect with fellow growers from around the globe; share grow tips and stories; participate in contests and win your grow gear; and stay up-to-date on our industry’s news and happenings on Facebook.

nutritiOnThe market is saturated with nutrients: micros and macros, grow, flower and bloom, dry, liquid—the list is endless. There are nutrients available if you want a complex nutritional program for your plants. There are nutrients available if you want to take the simple route. Growers can choose between one step, two steps or three steps. Many of the available nutrients will excel in all soils, coco, and peat based soilless mixes, plus a variety of systems. The amount of information now available (thanks to dedicated scientific research, ongoing experimentation and information sharing) means the quality of nutrient recipes continues to improve.

reFlectOrsReflectors have long since been available in sizes big and small to fit any space. The change for 2011 is the innovative design elements being implemented. The latest reflectors are uncomplicated, shatter resistant, durable, air tight and come pre-wired. The most compact are ideal for teeny enclosed spaces and the giants in the industry are great for big spaces. MY


YOU TELL US

maximum Yield discusses the importance of supporting local causes and community building, and the science behind the organic, performance-based products from 3D organic Solutions with Alex Fosse, sales and marketing manager for 3D.

Maximum Yield (MY): What is the story behind 3D Organics?Alex Fosse: The real story behind 3D Organic Solutions is the continuing need to provide products and services for farmers and growers. There will always be a real need for customer-serving companies with simple, premium, easy-to-use, organic and performance-based products that ensure highly productive yields and quality harvests. 3D Organic Solutions is a thriving new company founded to service this important market and provide the ideal tools for agricultural or home garden success.

MY: Where was the company founded?Alex: 3D Organic Solutions was founded in July 2007 in Ukiah, California. Ukiah is in the heart of Mendocino County wine country—agricultural land—and is the first county to ban genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

MY: Who are the names and faces behind 3D?Alex: The current 3D Organic Solutions team includes: Albee Wilder (general partner), Dan Price (senior graphic designer), myself (sales and marketing manager), Ken Clarke (production and special operations manager), Alicia Clarke (accounting manager), John ‘Quynh’ Le (sales specialist), Jason Griffis (sales specialist), Jake Petrykowski (promotional specialist), Victor Cornejo (sales and viticulture specialist), Marcos Perez (production and viticulture specialist) and AJ Lemos (web design).

MY: What types of products do you offer the consumer?Alex: 3D Organic Solutions products are for organic and performance-based applications, agricultural use and indoor or outdoor home gardens. We offer powerful liquid- and dry-based nutrients, organic, performance-enhancing foliar sprays and a concentrated beneficial root biological treatment.

MY: What organic certification agencies is 3D affiliated with?Alex: 3D’s product ingredients are nearly all approved for organic crop production under USDA NOP Final Rule 205.600. Some ingredients used in the manufacturing of 3D products are certified by the following agencies: OMRI, WSDA and BCS-OKO.

MY: How do organic certification agencies help companies like yours enter the organic marketplace?Alex: Organic certification agencies can help companies entering the organic marketplace via the co-marketing of logos or brands, increased directory listings and additional product accreditations.


http://www.3dorganicsllc.com/

MY: Which products in the 3D Organics line are you most excited about right now and why?Alex: I’m excited about all of our products right now! Our new, patent-pending manufacturing processes have made our products better than ever. The indoor or outdoor performance-based three-part nutrients have been working amazingly well, and both of the new foliar sprays will blow your mind within 24 hours! The Trichoderma in our inoculant is extremely concentrated and helps your plants create unmatchable root growth, while our new organic dry nutrient blends provide a premium mixture of top-quality agricultural concentrates designed to give your plants the best organic nutrition available.

MY: What makes 3D’s products unique from the other options available in the market?Alex: Each 3D product is handcrafted with care by someone trained in 3D manufacturing and application, and 3D’s patent-pending manufacturing processes guarantee each 3D product is created precisely to specification. 3D’s direct distribution system makes our products available nationwide only from 3D Organic Solutions, LLC.

MY: What ingredients are used in your products to ensure superior quality and ease of use?Alex: Nearly all of 3D’s product ingredients are approved for organic crop production under USDA NOP Final Rule 205.600, and have been nano-emulsified to their smallest, most readily available molecular form. This improves the efficiency of nutrient uptake, resulting in consistent, premium-quality harvests. MY


MY: What non-profits is 3D affiliated with?Alex: 3D Organic Solutions is affiliated with the following non-profit organizations: KZYX &Z (listener-supported community radio), SLI (Solar Living Institute) and NFF (Noyo Food Forest).

MY: Why did you choose to promote these organizations?

Alex: First, listener-supported local radio is vital for a well-informed, cultured community,

and KZYX&Z is a voice for our community that is highly treasured

and valued. Support your local independent media! Next, the use of clean, natural, sustainable energy in building and agriculture is essential for the future of our environment, and the SLI trains

people in these areas now, giving them the skills needed for the future

of our planet. “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Finally, an education

in organic agriculture is crucial preparation for more localized food production in the future.

Thanks to the NFF, organic vegetable gardens are now located at schools throughout the region. Think globally and act locally.

MY: How does 3D support local causes and community building?Alex: 3D Organic Solutions is proud to support local events, fundraisers, projects, schools, affiliates, artists, music and movements—through sponsorships, donations, planning, programs, volunteer time, consulting, networking and dedicated involvement.



ab 856 – CaLifornia’s new organiC Law

AB 856

This article outlines the key components of the bill AB 856, which have ramifications outside of California.

by Donald Lester


In 2008, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) investigated a California-based organic fertilizer manufacturing company that claimed its product was suitable for organic food production. The product had been

approved as organic by a third-party reviewer, but the CDFA found the material to be adulterated. This revelation in the media created a backlash from the organics industry, environmental groups, consumers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and even Congress had hearings on the matter. The California Senate Subcommittee on Food and Agriculture conducted an oversight hearing and found gaps in CDFA’s authority to deal with such an issue, so in February 2009 assembly bill AB 856 was introduced into the California State Legislature to fill gaps in CDFA’s authority to ensure the integrity of organic input materials (OIM) sold in California.


http://www.turboklone.com/


production. AB 856 also sets up new enforcement authority and fines for the CDFA to enforce compliance.The reason why manures and composts

are now regulated is because high levels of arsenic have been observed in chicken manure. The poultry industry uses arsenic-based compounds in chicken feed to promote growth, kill

parasites that cause diarrhea and improve the pigmentation of chicken meat. In 2006 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reduced the maximum contaminant levels of arsenic in tap water from 50 ppb down to 10 ppb. Even at 10 ppb the EPA estimates the risk of cancer is one in 2,000.AB 856 requires that OIM labels be

registered with the CDFA to ensure compliance with the USDA National Organic Program standards—a fee of $500

AB 856 - California’s new organic law

“Perhaps the most important component of AB 856 is that all materials sold to be applied on California crops and fields for organic food production must be registered with the CDFA.”

The measure was signed into law by the governor on January 1, 2010.

Although AB 856 is now officially on the books,

the CDFA is still in the implementation phase where it

is setting up the infrastructure to handle the new program. Fortunately, this implementation phase gives organic growers some time to familiarize themselves with the new law. Perhaps the most important component of AB 856 is that all materials sold to be applied on California crops and fields for organic food production must be registered with the CDFA. These materials include lime, gypsum, manures, compost and other materials previously not required to undergo organic review and certification. Manufacturers of these ingredients who previously did not have to label their products must do so now in order to sell those products in California for organic food production. This includes OIM’s for commercial organic food production as well as home and garden organic food

per product will be assessed for a two year registration. Existing Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Foods Program (WSDA) or other organically approved product labels and supporting materials must be submitted to the CDFA for evaluation between January 1, 2011 and April 30, 2011. These labels will be reviewed by the CDFA and ready

for use in California by January 2012, the start of the two year registration period, which occurs only on even years. Label submissions will be made primarily through the new CDFA online fertilizer database, but paper hardcopies can be submitted. In order to submit

labels to the CDFA for consideration the manufacturer must have a current California fertilizer license.It is important to note that the CDFA

organic registration will now be required by law in California, while certifications by OMRI, WSDA or others will be optional. Since California is the largest producer of organic foods, it is expected that OMRI and WSDA organic registrations will diminish significantly over time, but at this point it is unclear if states other than California will recognize the CDFA organic certification.Another important aspect of this law is

that all manufacturers of materials for use on California organic food production fields must have their manufacturing facilities inspected every year—this also applies to manufacturers located outside of California. The CDFA is still in the implementation phase of AB 856, however, so many of the details about how this will be accomplished on a practical level are still being worked out.


http://www.sunleaves.com/


Plant PotentialAB 856 - California’s new organic law

The current thinking is that third-party reviewers might be allowed to perform this

activity for manufacturers outside of California.

One concern about AB 856 is that if California is going to take on the review of these materials the turnaround time for label reviews will be lengthened significantly, since the CDFA has not hired a large number of new investigators or reviewers to do the additional work. In October 2010 OMRI announced that it had passed the threshold of 2,000 certified or listed materials on its books, which gives you some idea of the size of the effort that the CDFA is taking on. And in a climate of staggering budget deficits, it is hard to imagine that more state employees will be hired to perform the additional work required.

There are many more details about AB 856 to be released in the coming months by the CDFA, but this article summarizes the core of the legislation and the key points that organic materials manufacturers need to know if they want to do business in California.

California organic growers must be made aware that when they buy OIM products, OMRI and WSDA organic materials certifications will no longer be sufficient, and that CDFA-registered products will be the only OIM certification recognized in California from now on. The CDFA

OIM logo is still in the design phase, but it is expected to be released soon for use on CDFA-compliant product packaging and marketing materials. California-based organic growers will need to recognize this emblem and be sure it is on the products they buy for use on their organically certified fields.

Organic growers outside of California should expect to see the new CDFA emblem on the OIM’s they purchase. For these growers the CDFA emblem will be optional, at least for now.Opponents of AB 852

argue that the law is merely a tool for California to generate revenue for the state. Whether or not that is the case, many observers on the outside are watching this issue carefully. Depending on how the implementation of AB 856 goes, other states may follow California’s model as well. MY

“California organic growers must be made aware that when they buy oiM products, oMRi and WSDA organic materials certifications will no longer be sufficient...”

http://www.foreverflowering.net/


http://www.boldtbags.com/

GROWING FOR HEALTH

Health Benefits by matthew bennett

• Garlic has anti-cancer properties. One of the compounds found in garlic is Germanium. It is a known antioxidant instrument that is proven in lab tests worldwide. It is also known to hold back tumor growth.

• Garlic has nutritive properties found in your multivitamins. Garlic has vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, calcium, manganese, niacin, iron, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. These are all components regularly found in multivitamin tablets. Aside from these, it also has

a good amount of protein, carbohydrates and fiber, all needed by the body.

•Garlic is good for your heart.

It lowers your blood pressure (via Saponin

compound), reduces serum LDL-cholesterol and

triglycerides (via Di-Sulphides), increases HDL-cholesterol and stimulates nitric oxide production. These help prevent arteriosclerosis, which minimizes the risk of heart strokes and heart attacks.

Garlic and its derivatives are widely used in the culinary world and are a staple in a lot of Asian and Italian cuisine. Garlic not only provides you with a wonderful flavor, but it also has superb healthy benefits to it. It is a fact known to and used by ancient

Egyptians. Discover some of the health benefits that it provides you.



With all these things mentioned, there are still a ton of health benefits that garlic offers. More and more researches uncover more heath benefits that garlic has to offer. People are just starting to know what these health benefits are and joining the garlic bandwagon craze. It is amazing that all these heath benefits are just derived from a single plant. You can also benefit from it by incorporating it in your daily diet. Start by including it in your meals. Eat three cloves of garlic per day and feel the difference it gives your body. Remember, too much of a good thing is also bad for you, so regulate your garlic intake. You can also uncover home remedies for different ailments. Garlic has been used throughout history, and it’s now time for you to do the same, and grow some of your own. MY(Source: www.hotodothings.com)

• Garlic helps people with known ailments. It has compounds that help decongest the lungs. It also aids people who have tuberculosis. It helps people who have weak digestion. It prevents thrombosis. It aids people suffering from hyperthyroidism. It helps normalize blood sugar levels. It helps prevent arrhythmia. There are still other ailments that are benefited by garlic like warts, tonsillitis, ringworms and other fungal infection, diarrhea, rheumatism and so on.

• Garlic promotes weight-control. In lab studies, it has shown weight-control properties on animals that were fed garlic. The control group that ate the same amount of food, but without garlic showed to have their weight increased.

• Garlic improves the immune system. Garlic contains antioxidants that remove free radicals from the body. It protects the body from viral and bacterial attack. It also has vitamins and minerals known to boost the immune system.

“People are just starting to know what these health benefits are and joining the garlic bandwagon craze.”

http://www.stealthgrow.com/


PRODUCTspotlightContinued from page 42

introducing Green Lacewings from organic Control inc./orcon _____________________Green Lacewings are predators of many species of pest insects, the natural enemy of whitefly and aphids. Shipped as eggs, they quickly hatch and become active seek-ers of the whitefly. They are voracious eaters. The larvae feed for approximately three weeks. Under warm condi-tions many generations can be produced each year of-fering continued protection. Use approximately two per square foot. Each package has 1,000 eggs. Ask your local gardening retailer to carry Green Lacewings from Organic Control, Inc./Orcon.

Sunshine Systems GlowPanel 45® upgradeSunshine Systems has done it again. The GlowPanel 45® 28 watt LED grow light is a direct replacement for a 250 watt HPS/MH grow light. GlowPanel 45® has been upgraded with powerful new features. An integrated on/off switch allows easy power cycles from the unit. The Infinite Adjustment™ hanging system allows quick and

easy changes from overhead to side light-ing. The revolutionary Pass-Thru-Power™ al-lows up to 28 GlowPanel 45s to be daisy chained together using just one plug. Glow Your Own®. Visit an indoor garden-

ing shop for more information.

http://www.kessil.com/


http://www.thetwistermachine.com/


PRODUCTspotlightProfessional, High Performance ushio Hi-lux Gro™ Lamps ___________________________Ushio’s Hi-lux Gro™ lamp series is a full line of professional grade horticulture lamps that use super high output lamp technology to achieve maximum vegetative growth and maximum flower yield. The lamps are designed to ensure consistency in quality and optimized for high performance. These lamps are made in Germany in an ISO9001 certified facility, and are available in 400 watts, 600 watts and 1,000 watts. Visit your favorite indoor gardening shop for more information about the Hi-Lux Gro™ lamp series.

Vital earth’s® Mega Worm™ _____________________________Conscious Earthworks is proud to present Vital Earth’s® Mega Worm, superior quality, 100 per cent pure castings. Mega Worm earthworm castings promote enhanced germination, root growth, plant growth, crop yield and water holding capacity in soils. It may help improve the physical structure of soil. Excellent for use in compost tea. Mega Worm 100 per cent earthworm castings are black and roll when touched. Available in 1.1 cubic foot bags and two yard totes. For more information on Mega Worm visit your favorite gardening shop. MY

http://www.deepwaterinnovations.com/


http://www.maximumyield.com/winbig


good leaf density

healthy & stress free

disease &pest resistant

good aesthetics

by Trevor Holt

PARENT PLANTSCare and Control

When choosing a suitable motherplant you need to look at the following attributes: aesthetics, shape, size, density of leaves, compactness, early maturation, clones well, produces strong plantlets and is disease and pest resistant, and production history.Your motherplant should be a healthy and stress free parent. Cuttings from a stressed parent may root poorly, grow slowly, produce mutated leaves or produce lower yields.



Helpful Hints•Limiteachcloningsessionto16to20clonesatatimeper motherplant.

•Onlyclonefromamotherplantattwoweekintervals.

•Ifyouhavetotakecuttingsfromaplantthatisflowering,cutall the flowers off the clone to help reduce plant stress.

•Ifplantingclonesoutdoors,treatwithcareandslowlyacclimatize them to the natural sunlight.

•Alwayscleanpropagationtraysthoroughlybetweencloningsessions. Use a weak cleaning solution as per the directions on the bottle. You would be amazed at how much bacteria and fungal spores can form in your trays. An unclean environment can lead to diseases such as Pythium (root rot).

•Donotreusethepropagationmedia,whichcanharbordiseases. Always start with fresh cubes; they are inexpensive and easy to store if kept dry.

•Donotclonefromamotherplantthatisbuginfested.

“Nutrients cannot be absorbed until the plant has a root system, so

don’t waste your nutrients. ”

Generally you should not take more than 20 to 30 per cent of the vegetative material off each motherplant at any one time, and

do not take cuttings from the motherplant too often. The motherplant should be allowed two weeks to

rejuvenate after each pruning.To achieve desired results when growing from seed, you must be patient. Select only the strongest genetic stock from your seedlings. A potential motherplant is easily identified as it will be the best performer of the bunch. Keep in mind that seed stock will never produce consistent results that you can expect from cuttings, as they need to first grow to maturity before they show results.

http://www.stealthgrow.com/


“Seeds swell with moisture and then a little miracle

happens and the seed begins the plant life process .”

Parent Plants - Care and control

The Procedure

1. Provide your seeds and cuttings with the best propagating environment possible; keeping the area clean is paramount. This will ensure a faster strike rate for your seeds and cuttings.

2. High humidity, 18 hours of light, proper air circulation, strict attention to cleanliness and correct bottom heat are absolutely necessary for success.

3. If air in the propagation room is dry, you can mist to raise the humidity. Black leaf edges, black spots on leaves and mushy stems are all indications of too much moisture and poor airflow.

4. It is also essential that you provide adequate bottom heat. If you do, root development will be slow and the chance of plants crashing is increased. Even in sub-tropical areas the night time temperatures can dip below 59°F.

Remember to follow the propagation basics:•Rootzonetemperature:77°F•Humidity:85percent•pHLevel:6.3•Nutrientstrength:sevenCF•Ambienttemperature:80°F

Seeds and Seedlings

All a seed needs to germinate is warmth and moisture. Seeds swell with moisture and then a little miracle happens and the seed begins the plant life process all over again. A seed has all the hormones needed in its husk to strike. Nutrients cannot be absorbed until the plant has a root system, so don’t waste your nutrients. The medium used to germinate a seed must be well draining, but remain moist to the touch. Although moisture levels may vary for different plants, the medium must not be too wet as this will cause the seed to rot.Within a few days of planting the

seeds in the medium, most of the seeds will have started to sprout. Once the seeds sprout, you will need to monitor moisture levels even more closely. At no time during the germination period must the medium be allowed to dry out. Keep your seedlings in a place that has a constant warm atmosphere, like a propagation box. This will create a high humidity environment and will cut out the need for daily watering.

http://www.ecogrow.com/


http://www.bghydro.com/


STEP 7. By now your seedlings should be stretching a little, and a tap root or two should be visible at the bottom of the propagation block. It is important at this stage to keep feeding your young plants every few days and be sure to pour off any excess solution.

Don’t worry if all the seeds haven’t made an appearance; if they are all from the same source, then the others will follow suit within hours; those that don’t are probably duds.Once a seed has sprouted it is a good

idea to give it some indirect light in preparation for its first leaves. Fluorescent grow tubes can be placed close to the tops of the seedlings, about four inches. The seedlings will sprout with small leaves (cotyledons or water leaves), but when the first true leaves appear it is a good indication that the seedling now has the beginnings of a root system and you should apply a specific nutrient from now on. The first two weeks of life are critical. If a plant does not have a good start, then the plant likely won’t grow successfully.Optimum germinating temperatures

can vary from seed to seed, but as a guide, 77°F should give you a very good strike rate. Using perlite and vermiculite mixes has been a professional method for many years, although rockwool cubes are also an option to start seeds as they hold their moisture for long periods.

Seed Raising Success

STEP 1. Mix seed and clone starter solution with root zone accelerant at recommended dosage rates in a bucket of lukewarm water. Pre-soak propagation blocks or medium until saturated. Gently squeeze the block to get rid of the excess solution.

STEP 2. Place propagation blocks on your netted tray with the black drip tray underneath; you are now ready to plant out your seeds.

STEP 3. Gently place one seed per hole no deeper than 0.2 inches into the block or medium. Do not close.

STEP 4. Place clear grow top over both trays and do not water at all until all seeds have germinated or within seven days, or whichever is sooner. The seed should strike within seven to 10 days. If seeds do not germinate within 14 days they are either sterile, or they will become weak even if they strike after this time.

STEP 5. When the water leaves or cotyledons, also known as nursery leaves, appear, open vents on the propagation lid half way. This will stop the seedlings stretching and acclimatize. They should be only moist to touch. Don’t worry if some of the seeds haven’t germinated. If the seed is worth growing it will have germinated within the 14 day time frame.

STEP 6. When the first true leaves have appeared, lift the propagation lid completely off. This stage is called the hardening off period, whereby the plants acclimatize to the environment and the higher intensity lighting is required for this next stage of the growth process.

Parent Plants - Care and control

http://www.serenadegarden.com/


Taking Cuttings

Cuttings can be taken from anywhere on the motherplant, provided they are tip cuttings and the stems are of the correct thickness (approximately 0.2 inches in diameter). Take cuttings with at least three to four sets of leaves plus the two crown leaves. The top growing shoots make excellent cuttings; however, make sure the stem is rigid and not too soft and flexible. If you can bend it over it is not ready to cut from the mother. If you do take it as a cutting, more than likely it will not make it through the sensitive early stages of cloning. You may wish to take a number of cuttings at one time, if so, prepare all the cubes or media first, because any time that the cut is exposed to the air it can pick up pathogens and fungal spores, which will lower your success rate. Before you begin to take cuttings it is a good idea to have all the equipment ready and in good working order. All your equipment should be as sterile as possible.

STEP 1. Pre-soak the propagation blocks or media with a mix of seed and clone solution and root zone accelerant in a bucket of lukewarm water. This is the batch solution and will be used later, so don’t discard it. Soak blocks for about 20 minutes and pour off the excess prior to the cloning session. Lay out propagation cubes in the tray.

STEP 2. Take a single edged razor blade and begin taking your cuttings just below the third or fourth internodal junction of the plant at a 45 degree angle. Then, trim the bottom two sets of leaves flush with the stem. If the leaves are large, trim approximately 50 per cent of leaves by cutting across the leaf surface. By doing this you will slow the transpiration rate down. Next dip the stem of the cuttings into the cloning gel to about 0.2 inches above the cut.

STEP 3. Now you are ready to put the cuttings into their propagation blocks. Slice a hole about half way down the block. If you are doing multiple cuts I would suggest you do this before hand. Gently insert the stem half way into each block or media pot, making sure the stem does not protrude out of the bottom of the block. After all the cuttings are in the propagation blocks and placed into the tray, discard any excess solution from the drip tray before placing the clear propagation lid over your new cuttings.

STEP 4. Place the propagation tray on a heat pad in total darkness for 24 hours making sure you close the vents on the grow top as this will allow the hormones to take effect more quickly. After this you can set your lighting at 18 hours on and six hours off. Check moisture levels every two to three days; if blocks are drying out, saturate with the batch solution you made earlier. Make sure no solution is sitting in the bottom of the tray; the blocks must be able to freely drain at all times.

STEP 5. After seven days, open vents on the grow top. Monitor progress of clones for another two to three days. By this stage it should be time to take the grow top off the unit and expose the cuttings to normal air. Monitor moisture levels in the propagation blocks and inspect the progress of the root development of the cutting. By day 10 you should be able to see roots appearing from the bottom of the blocks. Healthy roots look thick, white and hairy. Sickly roots look thin, yellowish, brown and hairless. The cuttings with the healthiest root system will be the same ones that will grow vigorously.

STEP 6. When your cuttings are well rooted and have begun to show new growth, it is time to transplant them into your growing system. Now introduce them to a full strength nutrient.

STEP 7. Place the clones under an appropriate light system, preferably one high in the blue-green color spectrum needed by young plantlets to develop strong lush growth. The new clones are tender and care should be taken to acclimatize your new clones to the brighter light.

STEP 8. As soon as roots have appeared, a full strength nutrient is applied. If you do not have a nutrient tester, follow directions on the nutrient label. Those of you using tank and pump systems should dump and re-dose each week.

Note: If roots have not appeared, keep the grow top on until they do. Slow root development can occur sometimes in cold winter months. MY

139Maximum Yield USA | January 2011 139Maximum Yield USA | January 2011 139Maximum Yield USA | January 2011

TALKING SHOP

Store name: calwest hydroponics

Owners: brad and ryan Wicks

Location: 11620 sterling ave riverside, ca

Phone: 951-351-1880

Email: [email protected]

Web: www.calwesthydro.com

At A gLAnCe

Calwest Hydroponics began nearly two decades ago with the founding of a small tropical plant supply business out of Brad Wicks’ backyard greenhouse. With a lack of quality growing suppliers in the Southern California area, Brad began importing products from all over the world to support his ever-expanding tropical plant collection. Other local growers began asking him where he was getting these one-of-a-kind products (like tree fern, New Zealand sphagnum moss and custom plastic pots) and Calwest Tropical Supply was formed. As his passion for growing expanded, so did Calwest. Calwest Tropical Nursery was opened in 2000 with over 25 acres of growing grounds, supplying both retail customers and wholesale landscapers with hardy, locally grown plants. As both Calwest Tropical Nursery and Calwest Tropical Supply grew, so did the demands of their customers. In 2005, Brad hired

his son Ryan to take over management of Calwest Tropical, Inc. and they soon began noticing that the term ‘hydroponics’ coming up in more and more of their customers’ emails. One day Brad walked into Ryan’s office and said, “Let’s check out what it would take to start carrying some of these hydroponics supplies,” and Calwest Hydroponics was born.Brad and Ryan opened Calwest

Hydroponics in late 2009 in Riverside, California with the same goal as the other

branches of Calwest: to provide the best products on the market at the best price, and to support their customers

through every stage of their projects. It was their love for growing and the experience of Calwest Hydroponics’ staff, however, that quickly set them apart from other stores in the area. Carissa Timura was the first person brought onboard to help during their opening—a certified master

“As his passion for growing expanded, so did Calwest. Calwest Tropical Nursery was opened in 2000 with over 25 acres of growing grounds, supplying both retail customers and wholesale landscapers with hardy, locally grown plants.”

The Calwest dream team from left: Darrin Bell, Marcia Wicks, Whitney Cochran, Ryan Wicks, Carissa Timura and Brad Wicks.


gardener with over 12 years in the gardening industry and an unparalleled passion for all things organic, she fit right in! With sales growing, Whitney Cochran and Cole Wicks were soon added to the team to help with account management and sales, respectively. Sammy Nellum—then warehouse manager for Calwest Tropical Supply—was also brought over to help manage the quickly growing inventory.They began with the basics: a few nutrient lines, some reflectors

and bulbs and the standard white trays and reservoirs. That didn’t last long! Within a few short months they expanded to a nearly 5,000 square foot showroom and an additional 4,500 square feet of warehouse to keep up with their constantly multiplying product lines. After answering many of the same questions about basic recirculating hydroponic set-ups, they set up a four-by-four flood system in the showroom. “Our customers loved it! They could examine the system from every angle, and when they can see a working flood and drain system up close and how simple they really are, the customers gets really excited,” says Ryan. “They would be amazed at how much the plants would grow in size every time they came in, and they could even pick the fruit off the plants and taste the great flavor of homegrown produce.” What began as a simple four-by-four flood table running a three-part nutrient system has become a state-of-the art 500 square foot grow room, incorporating nearly a dozen fully functioning grow systems, HID, LED and fluorescent lighting, CO

2

and several nutrient lines. They also run live product testing in the grow room so that customers can see firsthand the benefit of adding products to their nutrient regimen. “Our latest test includes

running a root-accelerator product against an untreated control group. We planted peppers in clear UV-coated pots so that the roots could be visible throughout the growing cycle and our customers were blown away. The plants supplemented with the root accelerator had nearly twice the root mass of the control group! Accelerator sales skyrocketed, and within a week we were completely

sold out of that particular product.”“Our goal, since day one, was to create a store that people would

want to come to. Not just because we have competitive prices or a huge selection, but because we have a staff that truly cares about the success of our customers,” Ryan explains. “For me, there is no greater success as a storeowner than to have a customer personally thank you

for helping them. Nobody thanks you for selling them a bottle of nutrients or a light. People thank you for helping them find the right nutrients for their garden, or the right light for the size of the area and growing stage they are in. Our customers keep coming back because they know that every time they walk in, they are going to learn something new.” MY

“Within a few short months they expanded to a nearly 5,000 square foot showroom and an additional 4,500 square feet of warehouse to keep up with their constantly multiplying

product lines. “


For Calwest’s open house in September, the industry came to

support and celebrate. From left: Tyler Kmetko (R&M Supply), Darrell

Kinzie (Hydrofarm), Brad Wicks and Art Isagholian (Sunlight Supply).

http://www.indoorgardenexpo.com/

143Maximum Yield USA | December 2010

http://www.indoorgardenexpo.com/


MAX-MART

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

MAXIMIZE YOUR EXPOSURE WITH

MAX-MART


LLC

13762 Doolittle Drive, San Leandro, CA 94577

Phone: 510.903.1808 Fax: 510.764.1246

www.hydrogardendelight.com


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

for more information.

MAXIMIZE YOUR EXPOSURE WITH

MAX-MART

MAX-MART


COMING UP INFebruary

www.maximumyield.com

I N D O O R G A R D E N I N G

FEATURED ARTICLESBack to the Basics: Proper AirflowPlants like to be comfortable. All of the complex actions plants perform are best accomplished when their environment is optimal, with good airflow and air exchange a basic requirement for perfect setting.

Building the VegIf the “veg” phase of a plant’s lifecycle is unhealthy, expect the bloom/flowering phase to follow in the same pattern. Vegetative growth chambers, or “veg rooms”, should be designed to promote healthy structural and foliar development.

Clean and Green – Hydroponic HygieneThe warm and moist environment that is ideal for plants in an indoor garden is also ideal for a host of nasty life forms that we don’t want in our gardens. In keeping the grow space “clean and green” proper hygiene and regular maintenance can go a long way.

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

Maximum Yield USA February will be available February 1 for FREE at selected indoor gardening retail stores across the country and on maximumyield.com

Subscriptions are available at maximumyield.com/subscriptions.php

DO YOUknow?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Plants require phosphorous in larger amounts during the blooming or fruiting stage of growth.

Plant hormones (phyto-hormones) don’t have specific organs to synthesize them, instead producing them at the spot where they are needed.

pH adjusters can kill beneficial inoculants and alter NPK levels.

Vapor Pressure Deficit (VPD) is typically expressed in the units kPa (kilopascals) with the range for most plants being 0.45 kPa to 1.25 kPa.

A plant may become deficient in phosphorous if the soil or soilless medium remains too wet for too long.

If the population of micro-organisms increases too fast, or if they suffer a massive die-off from thermal problems, they will acidify the pH of the solution.

Each nutrient has a specific pH number where it reaches peak availability, and this number is not the same for every nutrient.

An important aspect of the new California Organic Law (AB 856) is that all manufacturers of materials for use on California organic food production fields must have their manufacturing facilities inspected every year—this also applies to manufacturers located outside of California.

Air at 50oF can hold 9.4 grams of water vapor per 35 cubic feet, while air at 86oF can hold three times as much, up to a maximum of 30.4 grams per 35 cubic feet.

A tomato plant carrying a substantial fruit load under high atmospheric demand conditions will require at least one quart of water during the daylight hours.

Diatomite (or silica rock) releases naturally occurring beneficial silicates to the plant system while retaining higher concentrations of moisture and air compared to hydroton.



ALABAMAAlabama Organics3348 Bethel Road,Valley Head, AL 35989256-635-0802

ALASKABrown’s Electrical Supply365 Industrial Way,Anchorage, AK 99501907-272-2259Far North Garden Supply300 Centaur Street,Wasilla, AK 99654907-376-7586Far North Garden Supply2834 Boniface ParkwayAnchorage, AK 99504907-333-3141Holmtown Nursery Inc.1301 - 30th Avenue,Fairbanks, AK 99701907-451-8733

ARIZONAACI Hydroponics1325 South Park Lane,Tempe, AZ 85282800-633-2137Homegrown Hydroponics601 East Broadway Road,Tempe, AZ 85282480-377-9096 Homegrown Hydroponics 2525 West Glendale AvePhoenix AZ 85051602-368-4005 Natural Pools & Gardens2143 North Country Suite C,Tucson, AZ 85716520-323-2627Sea of Green Hydroponics1301 E. University Dr.Tempe AZ, 85281800-266-4136Sea of Green West2340 W. Bell Road, Suite 116,Phoenix, AZ 85023602-504-8842Sea of Green Hydroponics402 North 4th Avenue,Tucson, AZ 85705520-622-6344

ARKANSASFermentables3915 Crutcher Street,N. Little Rock, AR 72118501-758-6261Mickey’s Mercantile1303 Highway 65 South,Clinton, AR 72031501-412-0214Old Soul Organics and More1771 Crossover Road,Fayetteville, AR 72701479-444-6955

CALIFORNIA3rd Street Hydroponics636 3rd StreetOakland, CA 94607510-452-5521805 Hydroponics & Organics1785 E. Thousand Oaks BoulevardThousand Oaks, CA 91362805-494-1785 A+ Hydroponics & Organics1604 Babcock Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627949-642-7776A Fertile World (Eureka)65th Street, Eureka, CA 95501707-444-0200 A Fertile World (Fortuna)610 7th Street,Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-0700

Abundant Hydroponics LLC1611 Shop Street, #1-A,South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150530-54 HYDROAdvanced Garden Supply2660 Lake Tahoe Boulevard,Building C, Unit 9,S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150530-541-4769 Advanced Garden Supply3113 Alhambra Drive, Unit F,Cameron Park, CA 95682,530-676-2100Advanced Hydroponics17808 Sierra Highway,Canyon Country, CA 91351661-299-1603AG Natural403 Idaho Maryland Road,Grass Valley, CA 95945530-274 0990All Seasons Hydroponics17614 Chatsworth Street,Granada Hills, CA 91344818-368-4388Alternative Hydro3870 East, Colorado Boulevard,Pasadena, CA 91107888-50-HYDROAlways Sunny Hydroponics708 W. Swain RoadStockton, CA 95207209-473-9827Always Sunny Hydroponics2511 West LN. Stockton, CA 95205209-939-0660 All Ways Hydro2220 Eastridge Ave. Suite CRiverside CA 92507888-HYDRO98 American Hydroponics286 South G Street,Arcata, CA 95521800-458-6543America’s Best Hydroponics & Gardening Center641 W. Palmdale Blvd. Unit DPalmdale, CA 93551661-266-3906 Anthony’s Garden & Lighting Supply30 Ridge Road, Suites 8 & 9Sutter Creek, CA 95685209-267-5416Anything Grows10607 W. River Street, Building 3 Suite C,Truckee, CA 96161530-582-0479Art of Hydro2636 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.Thousand Oaks, CA 91362805-230-2227 Atlantis Garden Supply2851 A Whipple Road,Union City, CA 94587510-487-8007Atwater Hydroponics3350 Glendale Boulevard,Los Angeles, CA 90039323-663-8881Auburn Organic4035 Grass Valley Highway,Auburn, CA 95602530-823-8900B & S Gardening Supplies590 Commerce Court,Manteca, CA 95336209-239-8648Bakersfield Hydroponics2408 Brundage Lane, Suite BBakersfield, CA 93304661-323-7333Bare Roots Hydroponics1615 East Cypress, #5Redding, CA 96002530-244-2215Beginning HydroponicsPO Box 1232,Corona, CA 92787951-735-4446

Berkeley Indoor Garden844 University AvenueBerkeley, CA 94710510-549-2918Berkeley’s Secret Garden921 University Avenue,Berkeley, CA 94710510-486-0117 Best Coast Growers4417 Glacier Avenue Suite C,San Diego, CA 92120800-827-1876 Best Yield Garden Supply3503 West Temple Avenue, Unit A,Pomona, CA 91768909-839-0505Better Choice Hydroponics610 S. Washington Street,Senora, CA 95370209 533 2400Better Grow Hydro Pasadena1271 E. Colorado Boulevard,Pasedena, CA 91106626 737 6612 Better Grow Hydro Los Angeles5554 Bandini Boulevard,Bell, CA 91106323-510-2700; 877 640 GROWBloom Hydro1602 53rd Ave. Oakland CA 94601707 980 0456 Box Of Rain Inc.Po Box 302, Rexford, CA 59930406-755-7245Brentwood Hydroponics & Organics560 Valdry Ct #85Brentwood, CA 94513925-634-6704 BWGS-CA7530 W. Sunnyview AvenueVisalia, CA 93291888-316-1306 California Hydro Garden1043 South Glendora Avenue, Suite AWest Covina, CA 91790626-813-0868California Hydroponics310 Coral Street, Suite CSanta Cruz, CA 95060831-423-4769Calwest Hydroponics11620 Sterling Avenue, Suite A Riverside, CA 92503 800-301-9009 Central Coast Hydrogarden1951 Santa Barbara Street,San Luis Obispo, CA 93401805-544-GROWCitrus Heights Hydrogarden8043 Greenback LaneCitrus Heights, CA 95610916-728-4769City Farm Hydroponics8903 Laurel Canyon Boulevard,Sun Valley, CA 91352818-767-2076City Farmer’s Nursery4832 Home Avenue,San Diego, CA 92105619-284-6358Clover Hydroponics & Garden Supply43 Soda Bay Road,Lakeport, CA 95453707-263-4000CNG Garden Supplies22 Ricknbacker Circle,Livermore, CA 94551209-836-5550 Coca’s Central Valley Hydroponics116 West Orangeburg Avenue,Modesto, CA 95350209-567-0590Concord Indoor Garden2771 Clayton Road,Concord, CA 94519925-671-2520

MAXIMUM YIELDdistributors


Conejo Hydroponics3481 Old Conejo Road #106Newbury Park, CA 91320805-480-9596Conrad Hydroponics Inc.14915 Unit E, Olympic Drive,Clearlake, CA 95422707-994 3264Constantly Growing6200 Enterprise Drive, Suite ADiamond Springs, CA 95619530-642-9710Constantly Growing4343 Hazel Avenue,Fair Oaks, CA 95628916-962-0043Constantly Growing - Davis123 D StreetDavis, CA 95616530-756-4774Cultivate Ontario2000 Grove Ave #a110Ontario, CA 91761909-781-6142D&S Garden Supplies17-130 Doolittle DriveSan Leandro, CA 94577510-430-8589Dazey’s Supply3082 Redwood Drive,Redway, CA 95560707-923-3002Direct Hydroponics Wholesale14228 Alberts Way,Chino, CA 91710909-606-5885Dirt Cheap Hydroponics17975 H Highway 1,Fort Bragg, CA 95437707-964-4211Discount Hydroponics4745 Hiers Avenue,Riverside, CA 92505877-476-9487 Dr. Greenthumbs Hydroponic Garden Supplies566 San Ramon Valley Blvd.Danville, CA 94526925-314-9376Eel River Hydroponics & Soil Supply164 Dinsmore Drive,Fortuna, CA 95540707-726-0395 El Centro Hydro & Brew Supply Inc.591 main Street, Suite N-2El Centro, CA 92243760-235-4985Elite Horticulture Supply22330 Sherman Way, C13,Canoga Park, CA 91303818-347-5172Emerald Garden8249 Archibald Avenue,Ranch Cucamanga, CA 91730909-466-3796Emerald Garden13325 South Highway 101,Hopland, CA 95482707-744-8300Emerald Garden307 East Perkins Street,Ukiah, CA 95482707-463-2510Endless Green Hydroponics25 Enterprise Court, Suite 3Napa, CA 94558707-254-0200 Evergreen Hydroponics923 N. Central Avenue, Suite B,Upland, CA 91786909-946-7100Everything Green Hydroponics915 Texas Street,Fairfield, CA 94533707-432-0774Everything Green448 Georgia Street,Vallejo, CA 94590707-647-0774Extreme Hydroponics11479 San Fernando Road C,San Fernando, CA 91340818-898-0915EZ Green Hydroponics7017 Reseda Boulevard,Reseda, CA 91335818-776-9076

Farm Hydroponics, The1950 Lake Tahoe Boulevard #3,S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150530-541-3276Flairform1751 S Pointe Avenue,Ontario, CA 91761213-596-8820Flower Hut Nursery603 4th StreetWheatland, CA 95692 530-633-4526Foothill Hydroponics10705 Burbank Boulevard,N. Hollywood, CA 91601818-760-0688 Foothills Hydrogarden3133 Penryn Road,Penryn, CA 95663916-270-2413Full Sun Supply3535 Industrial Drive, Unit B-3Santa Rosa, CA 95403877-FULL-SUNFunny Farms Hydroponics963 Transport Way, #12Petaluma, CA 94954707-775-3111 G & G Organics and Hydroponics901 W. Victoria Street Unit D,Compton, CA 90220310-632-0122Garden Connection, The 2145 Park Avenue, Unit 2Chico, CA 95928530-342-7762Garden Depot, The203 Commerce Street, Suite 101Lodi, CA 95240209-339-9950Garden Highway Garden Supply598 Garden Highway #22Yuba City, CA 95991530-755-2877Garden Shed, The1136 El Camino RealSan Carlos, CA650-508-8600Garden Spout, The44800 Highway 101,Laytonville, CA 95454707-984-7260Garden Spout, The630 S. Main Street,Willits, CA 95490707-456-0196Garden Warehouse6355 Scarlet Court, #2,Dublin, CA 94568925-556-3319Gardening Unlimited60 Old El Pueblo Road,Scotts Valley, CA 95066831-457-1236Go Big Hydroponics4501 Van Nuys Boulevard,Sherman Oaks, CA 91403818-789-3341Go Green Hydroponics15721 Ventura Boulevard,Encino, CA 91436818-990-1198Golden Gecko Garden Center, The4665 Marshall Road,Garden Valley, CA 95633530-333-2394Golden Harvest Hydroponics & Garden Supply8626 Lower Sacramento Road #48,Stockton, CA 95210209-951-3550Gonzo Grow2550 Guerneville Road, Suite C,Santa Rosa, CA 95401707-546-1800 Gottagrow Garden Supply769 Wilson Street,Santa Rosa, CA 95404707-544-7782Grass Roots Hydroponics31875 Corydon, Suite 130Lake Elsinore, CA 92530951-245-2390 Grass Valley Hydrogarden12506 Loma Rica Drive,Grass Valley, CA 95945530-477-2996

Green Acres Hydroponics1215 Striker Avenue, Suite 180,Sacramento, CA 95834916-419-4394Green Coast Hydroponics3560 State Street,Santa Barbara, CA 93105805-898-9922 Green Coast Hydroponics2405 Mira Mar Avenue,Long Beach, CA 90815562-627-5636 Green Coast Hydroponics496 Meats AvenueOrange, CA 92865714-974-4769 Green Coast Hydroponics11510 Whittier BoulevardWhittier, CA 90601562-699-4201 Green Door Hydro and Solar830 Traction Avenue,Los Angeles, CA 90013212-625-1323Greenfire Sacramento3230 Auburn Boulevard,Sacramento, CA 95821916-485-8023Green Giant Hydroponics7183 Hwy 49 Unit BLotus CA 95651530 622 4465Green Gopher Garden Supply679 Redwood Avenue, Suite A,Sand City, CA 93955831-899-0203Green Joint Ventures61 Tarp Circle,Salinas, CA 93901831-998-8628 Green Lady Hydroponics4879 Newport Avenue,San Diego, CA 92107619-222-5011GreenLeaf Hydroponics2212 Artesia Boulevard,Redondo Beach, CA 90278310-374-2585 Green Light Hydroponics2615 Honolula Ave. Montrose, CA 91020818-640-2623 Green Logic Garden Supply860 Piner Road, #38,Santa Rosa, CA 95403707-843-3156 Greenmile Hydroponic Garden Supply1480 South E. Street, Suite D,San Bernardino, CA 92408909-885-5919Green Thumb Hydroponics35 Quinta Court, Suite B,Sacramento, CA 95823916-689-6464Green Thumb Lighting & Garden1647 W. Sepulveda Boulevard, Unit 5,Torrance, CA 90501888-326-GROWGreentrees Hydroponics Inc.2581 Pioneer Avenue, Unit DVista, CA 92081760-598-7551GreenWay Hydroponics11510 Whittier Boulevard,Whittier, CA 90601562-699-4201Grodan Inc.5152 Commerce Avenue,Moorpark, CA 93021541-646-8245 Gro More Garden Supply2937 Larkin Avenue,Clovis, CA 93021541-646-8245 Grow It Right AquaponicsPOB 552,Eureka, CA 95502707-407-6519Grow A Lot Hydroponics, San Diego1591 N. Cuyamaca Street,El Cajon, CA 93612619-749-6777 Grow 4 Less Hydroponics320 Trousdale Ste L Chula vista, CA 91910 619-425-GROW (4769)Growers Choice Hydroponics1100 Carver Road,Modesto, CA 95350209-522-2727


Growers Choice Hydroponics16754 East 14th Street,San Leandro, CA 94578510-278-6200Grow4Less garden Supply & Hydroponics320 Trousdale Dr., Suite LChula Visa CA 91910619-425-GROW Grow It Yourself Gardens401 Sunset Drive, Suite L,Antioch, CA 94509925-755-GROWGrow Light Express5318 East Second Street suite 164,Long Beach, CA 90803888-318-GROWGrow Your Own3401 Traval Street,San Francisco, CA 94116415-731-2115 Grow Zone718 Willow Rd. Menlo Park CA 94025650-326-4769Grow Wurks Hydroponics 765 S. State College Boulevard. Suite J Fullerton, CA 92831 Grunder Family Organics & Hydroponics12321 Magnolia Avenue, Suite C,Riverside, CA 92503877-468-7974H20 Gardening355 West 7th Street,San Pedro, CA 90731310-514-1416Hahn’s Lighting260 E. VA Suite 1,San Jose, CA 95112408-295-1755Harvest Hydroponics6650 Merchandise Way Suite B,Diamond Springs, CA 95619530-622-5190Healthy Harvest Hydroponics and Organics2958 S. Higuera St.San Luis Obispo, CA 93401805.596.0430High Desert Hydroponics13631 Pawnee Road, #7Apple Valley, CA 92308760-247-2090High Street Hydro180 Cleveland Avenue,Auburn, CA 95603530-885-5888Hi-Tech Gardening5327 Jacuzzi Street, #282,Richmond, CA 94804510-524-4710Hollywood Hydroponics and Organics5109 1/2 Hollywood Boulevard,Los Angeles, CA 90027-6105323-662-1908Home Brews & Gardens3176 Thorn StSan Diego, CA 92104619 630 2739 Home Life Hydroponics and Organics1745 East Vista Way,Vista, CA 92084760-643-2150 Hooked Up Hydroponics339 S. Golden State Boulevard,Turlock, CA 95380209-668-1300House of Hydro224 Weller Street, #B,Petaluma, CA 94952707-762-4769Humboldt Electronics2547 California Street,Eureka, CA 95501707-443-9408Humboldt Hydroponics1302 Union Street,Eureka, CA 95501707-443-4304 Humboldt Hydroponics2174 Pine Street,Redding, CA 96001530-241-7454

Humboldt Hydroponics601 I Street,Arcata, CA 95521707-822-3377Humboldt Hydroponics2010 Tunnel Road,Redway, CA 95560707-923-1402Humboldt Nutrients65th Street,Eureka, CA 95501888-420-7770 Hydroasis2643 S. Fairfax Avenue,Los Angeles, CA 90232888-355-4769Hydrobrew1319 South Coast Highway,Oceanside, CA 92054760-966-1885; 877-966-GROWHydro Depot5665 Redwood Drive, #B,Rohnert Park, CA 94928707-584-2384Hydrogarden Delight13762 Doolittle Drive,San Leandro, CA 94577510-903-1808Hydro Hills Hydroponics19320 Vanowen St.Reseda CA 91335Hydrogarden Mendocino County1240 North Main Street,Fort Bragg, CA 95437707-962-9252Hydro International7935 Alabama AvenueCanoga Park, CA 91304Hydro King105 Hartnell Avenue, Suite C and D,Redding, CA 96002888-822-8941Hydro King2540 South Whitman Place,Chico, CA 959282530-893-GROW (4769)Hydro-Logic Purification Systems2825 Mattison Lane,Suite 103,Santa Cruz, CA 95065888 H2O LOGIC Hydronation2491 Boatman Drive, Suite BWest Sacramento, CA 95691916-372-4444 HydroPacific - Hydroponics & Garden Supplies351 C Hastings Av.,Ukiah, CA 95482707-467-0400 Hydroponic Connection Warehouse, The1995 Evans Avenue,San Francisco, CA 94124415-824-9376Hydroponics 4 Less41669 Winchester Avenue,Temecula, CA 92590800-A1-HYDROHydroponics Market15816 Arminta StVan Nuys, CA 91406818-305-6261Hydroponics Plus2250 Commerce Avenue, Suite CConcord, CA 94520925-691-7615Hydroponics Unlimited641 W. Palmdale Blvd. “D”Palmdale, CA 93550661-266-3906 Hydrostar Hydroponics & Organics1307 W. Sixth Street, #211,Corona, CA 92882951-479-8069 Igrow Hydro2280 Veatch Street,Oroville, CA 95965530-534-4476Igrow Hydro9000 Atkinson Street,Roseville, CA 95678916-773-4476

Indoor Garden Depot1848 Commercial St. San Diego CA 92113619-255-3552Inland Empire Hydrogarden1301-C South State Street,San Jancinto, CA 92853886-72-HYDROInland Empire Hydrogarden28822 Old Town Front St. #206Temecula, CA 92590886-74-HYDROInnovative Growing Solutions (IGS)7922-B Miramar Road,San Diego, CA 92126858-578-IGS7Kaweah Grower Supply1106 1/2 N. Ben Maddox Way,Visalia, CA 93293559-625-4937Kern Hydroponics2408 Brundage Lane, Suite B,Bakersfield, CA 93304661-323-7333 KY Wholesale8671 Elder creek Rd. #600Sacramento, CA 95828 916 383 3366La Habra1301 S Beach Boulevard, La Habra, CA 90631562-947-8383 LAX Hydro10912 S. La Cienaga Boulevard,Los Angeles, CA 90304310-337-6995Lazy Gardeners Hydroponics ‘N’ More14626 East Whittier Boulevard,Whittier, CA 90605562-945-0909Let it Grow1228 2nd Street,Crescent City, CA 95531707-464-9086Let it Grow160 Westwood Center,Arcata, CA 95521707-822-8733Liquid Gardens21752 Devonshire Street,Chatsworth, CA 91311818-718-7624Long Beach Hydroponics & Organics1772 Clark Avenue,Long Beach, CA 90815562-498-9525 Los Angeles Hydroponics and Organics3007-3009 W. Artesia Blvd.Torrance, CA 90504310-323-4937Lumatek Digital Ballasts33 Commercial Boulevard, Suite BNovato, CA 94949415-233-4273M&M Garden Supply2509 West Lane, Suite BStockton, CA 95205209-939-0664M&M Garden Supply22540 D Foothill Boulevard, 2509 Westlane Suite BStockton, CA 95205Marin Hydroponics1219 Grant Avenue,Novato, CA 94945415-897-2197Medicine Man Farms1602 53rd Avenue,Oakland, CA 94601707-980-0456Mendocino Garden ShopPO Box 1301, 44720 Maint Street (at Hwy. 1),Mendocino, CA 95460707-937-3459Mendocino Greenhouse & Garden Supply900 East School Way,Redwood Valley, CA 95470707-485-0668Merced Hydroponics1809 East 21st Street,Merced, CA 95340209-726-4769



M.G.S.22540 D Foothill Boulevard,Hayward, CA 94541510-582-0900Mighty Garden Supply4780 Mission Gorge Pl. #A-1,San Diego, CA 92120619-287-3238 Modern Gardens26620 Valley Center Dr. Santa Clarita, CA 91351661-513-4733Monterey Bay Horticulture Supply224B Reindollar Avenue,Marina, CA 93933831-38-HYDROMonterey Bay Hydroponics and Organics81 Hangar Way, #1,Watsonville, CA 95076831-761-9999Myron L Company2450 Impala Drive,Carlsband, CA 9210-7226760-438-2021Mystic Gardens8484 Florin Road, #110,Sacramento, CA 95828916-381-2464National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight Supply1900 Bendixsen Street , Bldg. 1,Samoa, CA 95564800-683-1114 (Northern CA) National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply6485 Brisa Street,Livermore, CA 94550888-570-4678 (Southern CA) National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply1950 C South Grove Avenue,Ontario, CA 91761888-888-3319 Natural Pest Controls8320 B Hazel Avenue,Orangevale, CA 95662916-726-0855Nature’s Secret Garden and Supply41469 Albrae Street,Fremont, CA 94577510-623-8393New Leaf Hydro34150 123rd Street,Parablossom, CA 93553 661-944-2226NorCal CreationsPO Box 28,Cedar Ridge, CA 95924Nor Cal Hydroponics4837 Geary Boulevard,San Francisco, CA 94118 415-933-8262Northcoast Horticulture Supply60 West 4th Street,Eureka, CA 95501707-444-9999Northcoast Horticulture Supply357 Main Street,Fortuna, CA 95540707-725-5550Northcoast Horticulture Supply1070 Highway 101,Crescent City, CA 95531707-464-1200Northcoast Hydrogardens3450 North State Street,Ukiah, CA 95482707-462-7214No Stress Hydroponics7543 Santa Monica Boulevard,West Hollywood, CA 90046323-845-9874Nutes Int’l204 N Quarantina Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 805-687-6699One Stop Hydroponics12822 Victory BoulevardNorth Hollywood, CA 91606818-980-5855Oracle Garden Supply5755 Oberlin Drive, Suite 100San Diego, CA 92121858-558-6006Orange County Hydroponics12687 Beach Boulevard, Unit H,Stanton, CA 90680714-893-9493Organic Bountea1919 Dennis Lane,Santa Rosa, CA 95403800-798-0765

Orville Organic Gardens5250 Olive Hwy Ste 1Oroville, CA 95966530-589-9950Orsa Organix111 Willow Street,Redwood City, CA 94063650-369-1269Pacific Beach Hydroponics1852 Garnet Avenue,San Diego, CA 92109858-274-2559Pacific Coast Hydroponics4147 Sepulveda Boulevard,Culver City, CA 90230310-313-1354Pacific Garden Supply128 H Carlos Drive,San Rafael, CA 94903Pacifica Hydroponics90 Eureka SquarePacifica, CA 94044650-355-5100Palm Springs Hydroponics4651 Ramon Road,Palm Springs, CA 92264760-327-ROOT Plant It Earth2279 Market Street,San Francisco, CA 94114415-626-5082Plant Life32 Race Street,San Jose, CA 95126408-283-9191Plant-N-Grow1602 53rd Avenue,Oakland, CA 94601707-980-0456Precision Hydroponics132 Kennedy Avenue,Campbell, CA 95008408-866-8176Probiotic Solutions20889 Geyserville Avenue,Geyserville, CA 95441707-354-4342Pro Gardening Systems 3715 Santa Rosa Avenue #2,Santa Rosa, CA 95407707-585-8633 Pro Gardening Systems765 Petaluma Avenue,Sebastopol, CA 95472707-829-7252 Redway Feed Garden and Pet Supply290 Briceland Road,Redway, CA 95560707-923-2765Redwood Garden Supply55 Myers Avenue,Myers Flat, CA 95554707-943-1515Reforestation Technologies International1341 Daton Street, Units G&ISalinas, CA 93901831-424-1494; 800-RTI-GROW RH Distribution1751 S. Pointe AvenueOntario, CA 91761888-545-8112 Roots Grow Supply1330 North Hulbert, #101Fresno, CA 93728559-840-0122 Roots Grow Supply 40091 Enterprise Dr.Oakhurst CA 93644559 683 6622Sac Hydroponics9529 Folson Boulevard, Suite CSacramento, CA 95827916-369-7968San Diego Hydroponics East County11649 Riverside Drive,Suite 141,Lakeside, CA 92040619-562-3276 San Diego Hydroponics Beach Cities4122 Napier Street,San Diego, CA 92110619-276-0657San Diego Hydroponics North802 N. Twin Oaks Valley Road #108San Marcos, CA 92069760-510-1444

San Francisco Hydro123 Tenth Street,San Francisco, CA 94103San Rafael Hydroponics1417 Fourth Sreet San Rafael, CA 94901415 455 9655Santa Clarita Valley Hydroponics25835 Railroad Ave. #26Santa Clarita CA 91350661 255 3700661 255 3701Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - West Side815 Almar Avenue, Unit K,Santa Cruz, CA 95060831-466-9000Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - East Side4000 Cordelia LaneSoquel, CA 95073831-475-9900Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - North6241 Graham Hill Road,Felton, CA 95018831-335-9990Santee Hydroponics7973A Mission Gorge Road,Santee, CA 92071619-270-8649 SB Hydro1109 W. 190th Street, Unit #F,Gardena, CA 90248310-538-5788Seaside Hydrogarden1070 Highway 101 North,Crescent City, CA 95531707-465-3520Shadow Valley Aquatics75 Kimick Way,Red Bluff, CA 96080530-526-0479Skywide Import & Export Ltd.5900 Lemon Hill Avenue,Sacramento, CA 95824916-383-2369Socal Hydroponics1727-B Oceanside Boulevard,Oceanside, CA 92054760-439-1084South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - Mtn. View569 East Evelyn Avenue,Mountain View, CA 94041650-968-4070South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - San Jose1185 South Bascom Avenue,San Jose, CA 95128408-292-4040South County Hydroponics22511 Aspan Street, Suite ELake Forest, CA 92630949-837-8252South Valley Hydroponics320 Kishimura Drive, #3Gilroy, CA 950201-866-848-GROW Southern Humbolt Garden Supplies34919 Yucaipa Boulevard, Yucaipa, CA 92399 909-797-6888Sparetime Supply208 E. San Francisco Avenue,Willits, CA 95490-4006707-459-6791Specialty Garden Center1970 East Vista Way, Suite 10,Vista, CA 92084760-758-4769 Stop N Grow340 Pine Avenue,Goleta, CA 93003805-685-3000 Stop N Grow4160 Market Street, Unit 11Ventura, CA 93003805-639-9489 Stop N Grow640 S. Frontage Road,Nipomo, CA 93444805-619-5125 Sun-In Hydroponics1257A Cleveland Avenue,Santa Rosa, CA 95401707-578-5747 Sunland Hydroponics8300 Foothill Boulevard,Sunland, CA 91040818-352-5300


Sunland Hydroponics4136 Eagle Rock Blvd,Los Angeles, CA 90065323-254-2800 Supersonic Hydroponic and Organic Garden Supply850 Shasta Avenue, Suite BMorro Bay, CA 93442805-772-5869Supersonic Hydroponic and Organic Garden Supply3850 Ramada Drive, Unit D2Paso Robles, CA 93446805-434-2333Super StartsPO Box 732,Bellmont, CA 94002650-346-8009 Surf City Hydroponics7319 Warner Street, Suite BHuntington Beach, CA 92647714-847-7900Sweet Leaf Hydroponics1611 Sebastobol Road,Santa Rosa, CA 95407707-575-GROW (4237)Sylvandale Gardens1151 Evergreen Road,Redway, CA 95560707-923-3606Tahoe Garden Supply645 Westlake Boulevard, Suite 2, PO Box 487Tahoe City, CA 96145530-581-3200Tell 2 Friends Indoor Gardening62 Sutherland Drive,Auburn, CA 95603530-889-8171The Green Shop66420 Mooney Boulevard, Suite 1Visalia, CA 93277559-688-4200The Hydro Source671 E. Edna PlaceCovina, CA 91723877 HYDRO 82; 626-915-3128The Hydro Shop3980 Saco RoadBakersfield, CA661-399-3336 The Otherside Hydroponics19425 Ventura BlvdTarzana CA 91356818 881 hydro (4937)The Shop6542 Front Street,Forestville, CA 95436707-887-2280The Urban Farmer Store653 E. Blithedale Avenue,Mill Valley, CA 94941415-380-3840The Urban Farmer Store2833 Vicente Street,San Francisco, CA 94116415-661-2204The Urban Farmer Store2121 San Joaquin Street,Richmond, CA 94804510-524-1604Thrive Hydroponics70 A West North Street,Healdsburg, CA 95446707-433-4068Thunders Hydroponic Center1729 Yosemite Boulevard,Medesco, CA 95354TNC Supply9490 Main Street, P.O. Box 763Upper Lake, CA 95485707-275-9565Total Hydroponics Center Inc4820 Paramount Blvd Lakewood, CA 90712562-984-GROW (4769)Tower Garden Supply & Organic Nursery403 W. Olive Avenue,Fresno, CA 93728559-495-1140Tradewinds Wholesale Garden Supplies1235 Striker Avenue #180,Sacramento, CA 95834888-557-8896

Tulare County Growers Supply435 W. Noble Avenue, Unit A,Farmersville, CA 93223559-732-8247 Turbo Grow1889 San Pablo Avenue,Pinole, CA 94564510-724-1291Two Chix Garden Supply1230 Yuba Street,Marysville, CA 95901530-923-2536Quail Mountain Ranch230 Palm AveAuburn, CA 95603530-889-2390Ultra Lo Hydroultralohydro.com937-252-8224 Under The Sun12638 Foothill Boulevard,Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423707-998-GROW (4769)Urban Gardens22516 Ventura Boulevard,Woodland Hills, CA 91364818-876-0222Urban Gardens Unlimited704 Filbert Street,

a d v a n c e d h y d r o p o n i c s a n d g a r d e n i n g

7 0 4 F i l b e r t S t r e e t , S a n F r a n c i s c o , C A 9 4 1 3 3

UrbanGardensSan Francisco, CA 94133415-421-4769US Orchid & Hydroponic Supplies1621 South Rose Avenue,Oxnard, CA 93033805-247-0086Valley Garden Solutions Inc.15650 Nordhoff Avenue, Suite 104,North Hills, CA 91345818-336-0041Valley Hydroponics6632 N Blackstone Avenue, Unit B Fresno, CA 93710 559-449-0426 Valley Rock Landscape Supply2222 N H StreetLompoc CA 93436P: 805 736 0841805 735 5921Vital Landscaping Inc.12817 Loma Rica Drive,Grass Valley, CA 95945530-273-3187 Watch It Grow Hydro9453 Firestone Blvd. Downey, CA 90241562-861-1982 Wai Kula Hydrogardens5297 Linda Vista Road,San Diego, CA 92110619-299-7299Weather Top Nursery44901 Harmon Drive,Laytonville, CA 95454707-984-6385We Grow Hydroponics3350 East Los Angeles Avenue,Simi Valley, CA 93063805-624-4566 West Coast Growers Hydroponics13481 Colifax Highway,Grass Valley, CA 95945888-924-4769West Coast Hydroponics, Inc.27665 Forbes Road, Unit 10Laguna Niguel, CA 92677949-348-2424Western Auto1156 Main Street,Fortuna, CA 95540707-725-1189

COLORADOACME Hydroponics 300 Nickel St Suite 3 Broomfield, CO 80020 720.524.7306Alpenglow Garden Supply2712 South College AveFort Collins, CO 80525970-266-8888Bath Nursery & Garden Center2000 E. Prospect,Fort Collins, CO 80525970-484-5022

Big Tomato, The14440 E. 6th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80011303-364-4769 Boulder Hydroponics1630 N. 63rd Street, #5,Boulder, CO 80301303-415-0045BWGS-CO 11685 E. 55th Avenue Denver, CO 80239 888-316-1306 Chlorophyll3801 Mariposa St. Denver CO 80211 303-433-1155 Colorado Grow3400 Industrial Lane, Unit 10ABroomfield, CO 80020 P (303) 465-GROW (4769) Cultivate Hydroponics & Organics7777 W. 38th Avenue, #A120A, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033303-954-9897 Deep Roots Garden Supply1790 Airport Road, Unit 1Breckenridge, CO 80424970-453-1440 Denver Hydroponic & Organic Center6810 North Broadway, Unit DDenver, CO 80221303-650-0091Desert Bloom Hydroponics445 Pitkin Avenue,Grand Junction, CO 81501970-245-6427Ever Green Hydroponics Inc.1131 Francis Street, Suite A,Longmont, CO 80501303-682-6435Family Hydroponics-Boulder2125 32nd StreetBoulder, CO 80301303-996-6100Garden Tech737 Garden of the Gods Road,Colorado Springs, CO 80907719-278-9777Go Green Hydro1005 Caprice Drive,Castle Rock, CO 80109303-688-0599Greeley Nutrients700 11th Street Unit 101Greeley CO 80631970 673 8302Greenhouse Tech917 East Fillmore,Colorado Springs, CO 80907719-634-0637GroWize3225 S. Wadsworth Boulevard,Lakewood, CO 80227303-986-2706Grow Store South, The5050 S. Federal Boulevard, #37,Englewood, CO 80110303-738-0202Grow Store, The8644 W. Colfax Avenue,Lakewood, CO 80215888-510-0350GWS Hydroponics7025 Highway 82 Building 4B,Glenwood Springs, CO 81601970-384-2040Head Start Hydroponics & Organic Gardening Emporium34500 US Highway 6, Unit B-9,North Edwards, CO 81632970-569-313 High Tech Garden Supply 5275 Quebec St.Commerce City, CO 80022720-222-0772Hydro Grow Supply644 Peterson Road,Colorado Springs, CO 80915719-596-2600



Hydro Planet711 Washington Avenue,Golden, CO 80401303-279-6090Hydro Shack, The220 Main Street, Suite EFrisco, CO 80443970-668-0359 Indoor Garden Warehouse8100 S Akron St., Suite 322,Centennial, CO 80112720-496-2110Indoor Paradise Hydroponics309 S. Summit View, Unit 17,Fort Collins, CO 80524-1462970-221-3751J&D Organic Growing Solutions217 1/2 Clayton Street Brush, CO 80723970-310-5408Lyons Indoor Gardening138 Main Street,Lyons, CO 80540720-530-3828Mile High Hydroponics37 Strong St. Brighton, CO 80601303 637 0069National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply3550 B Odessa Way, Aurora, CO 80011866-877-4188 (Northeast) Nick’s Garden Center2001 S. Chambers,Aurora, CO 80014303-696-6657Olympic Hydroponics Supply LLC.1530 S Nevada Avenue,Colorado Springs, CO 80906719-635-5859Polar Ray5171 Eldorado Springs Dr.Boulder, CO 80303303 494 5773Primo Gardens 1600 North Ave. Suite BGrand Junction, CO 81501970-241-1209 Rocky Mountain Hydroponics and Organics15985 S. Golden RoadGolden, CO 80401720-475-1725Rocky Mountain Lighting and Hydroponics7100 N. Broadway, Suite 3DDenver, CO 80221303-428-5020Roll-N-Green Farms Horticultural Supply25797 Conifer Rd #A-8Conifer, CO 80433303-838-5520 The Grow Outlet4272 Lowell Boulevard Denver, CO 80211 303-586-5543Ultra Lo Hydro ultralohydro.com937-252-8224 Victory Hydro Gardening1387 E. South Boulder Rd.Louisville, CO, 80027 Tel: 303-664-9376 Way To Grow301 East 57th Ave.Denver, CO 80216303-296-7900Way To Grow3201 E. Mulberry Street,Fort Collins, CO 80524970-484-4769Way To Grow6395 Gunpark Drive,Boulder, CO 80301303-473-4769

CONNECTICUTHarvest Moon Hydroponics775 Silver Lane,East Hartford, CT 06118860-568-4067LiquidSun® CT10C South Main Street,East Windsor, CT 06088860-254-5757Organix Hydroponics749 Saybrook Road, (Tradewinds Plaza)Middletown, CT 06457860-343-1923

FLORIDA3D Hydroponics and Organics7139 US Highway #19,New Port Richey, FL 34652727-847-3491Absolute Hydroponic Garden Center Inc1607 Old Daytona SteetDeland, FL 32724386-734-0696Advanced Hydro Gardens4960 NW 165 Street, Suite B-4,Miami, FL 33014866-97-HYDROAtlantic Hydroponics430 Count Street,Melbourne, FL 32901321-821-1535Best Hydro4920 Lena Road,Bradenton, FL 34211941-756-1928Blossoms Experience, The7207 NW 54th Street,Miami, FL 33166866-452-4769Cultivating Eden Hydroponic Supplies946 18th Avenue SW,Vero Beach, FL 32962772-564-8880East Coast Hydroponics & Organics461 Forrest Avenue, Suite 105Coca, FL 32922321-243-6800 Eden Garden Supply5044 N. Palafox Street,Pensacola, FL 32505850-439-1299Esposito Garden Center2743 Capital Circle NE,Tallahassee, FL 32308850-386-2114 Evershine Hydroponics1519 Capital Circle NE Unit #35Tallahassee FL 32308850-765-0040EZ Grow Green604 S.W. Bayshore Blvd.Port St. Lucie, Fl 34983772-807-7755Florida Garden Supplies2692 W 79 Street,Hialeah, FL 330161-800-931-5215 Florida Garden Supplies8020 Belvedere Road, Unit 4, West Palm Beach,FL 33411800-931-5215 Florida Garden Supplies9545 Sunset Drive, Miami, FL 33173800-931-5215 Florida Garden Supplies8442 Tradeport Drive, Unit 200,Orlando, FL 32827 800-931-5215 Future Farms Inc., The14291 SW 120th Street, Suite 105Miami, FL 33186305-382-2757Gardener’s Edge Gainesville5000 NW 34th Street, Suite 13,Gainesville, FL 32605352-375-2769Gold Coast Hydroponics1539 SW 21st Avenue,Fort Lauderdale, FL 333121-800-780-7371Gold Coast Hydroponics4241 SW 71st Avenue,Miami, FL 331551-800-780-6805Grace’s Hydro-Organic Garden Center8877 North 56th StreetTampa, FL 33617813-514-9376Green Thumb Hydroponics Supplies13482 North Cleveland Avenue,Fort Meyers, FL 33903239-997-4769

GreenTouch Hydroponics Inc.5011 S State Road 7, Suite 104Davie, FL 33314954-316-8815Green Winters Inc.147 Tomoka Avenue,Ormond Beach, FL 32174386-235-8730Grower's Choice & Hydroponics11855 North Main Street,Jackonsonville, FL 32218904-683-4517 Growing Garden Inc., The12811 SW 42nd Street,Miami, FL 33175305-559-0309GrowSmart Indoor Garden Centers14587 Southern Boulevard,Loxahatchee, FL 33470561-429-3527Harvest Time Hydroponics14414 N. Florida Avenue,Tampa, FL 33613813-264-7101Healthy Gardens and Supply of Florida, Inc.196 East Nine Mile Road, Suite F,Pensacola, FL 32534850-912-4545High Tech Garden Supply2975 West New Haven Avenue,Melbourne, FL 32901321-821-0853Hydroponic Depot II2395 S Tamiami Trail #19Port Charlotte FL 33952941 255 3999tHydroponics International Inc.7029-10 Commonwealth Avenue,Jacksonville, FL 32220904-693-6554Hydroponics of Tampa120 W. Bougain Villea,Tampa, FL 33612813-333-6828Hydro Terra Corp.924 North Federal Highway,Hollywood, FL 33020954-920-0889Monkey Hydroponics940 West Oakland Ave. Unit A1 Oakland FL 34787 407 574 8495 National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply455 S. Andrews Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33069877-649-3567 (Southeast)

Palm Beach Discount Hydroponics – East968 North Congress Ave.West Palm Beach, FL 33409561 296 6161Palm Beach Discount Hydroponics – West14703 Sothern Blvd. Loxahatchee, FL 33470561 296 8555Palm Beach Hydroponics Supply, Inc.968 N. Congress Avenue,West Palm Beach, FL 33409561-296-6161Palm Coast Hydroponics4490 N Hwy US1 Ste. 108Bunnell FL 32110386 246 4119Simply Hydroponics & Organics7949 Ulmerton Road,Largo, FL 33773727-531-5355Simply Hydroponics & Organics (North)3642 South Suncoast Boulevard,Homosassa, FL 34448352-628-2655Stoney Hydro @ Schiro's Barn n Garden Supplies7812 Causeway Boulevard,Tampa, FL 33619813-626-0902The Healthy HarvestSte. 126 21113 Johnson St.Pembroke Pines, FL. 33029Tel: 954-538-1511Urban Organics & Hydroponics5325 Fairmont Street,Jacksonville, FL 32207904-398-8012


Urban Sunshine6142 S. Orange AveOrlando, FL 32809407-859-7728 Urban Sunshine6100 Hanging Moss Rd ste 500Orlando, FL 32807407-647-4769 Urban Sunshine1420 E. Altamonte Dr.Altamonte Springs, FL 32701407-830-4769 VitaOrganix7921 NW 67th StMiami, FL 33166786 845 8633Worm’s Way Florida4412 North 56th Street,Tampa, FL 33610800-283-9676; 813-621-1792

GEORGIAAtlantis Hydroponics1422 Woodmont Lane, #4,Atlanta, GA 30318404-367-0052 Atlantis Hydroponics2561 West Point Avenue,College Park, GA 30337678-510-0032 Flora Hydroponics Inc.2475 Jefferson Road, Suite 600Athens, GA 30607866-404-0551Savannah Hydroponics & Organics4107 Eighth Street, Suite CGarden City, GA 31408912-349-4030

HAWAIIAiyah’s Garden3-3122 Kuhio Hwy. unit B-2Lihue, Hi. 96766808 245 2627Aqua Plant Hawaii / Kahala Hydroponics4224 Wailae, Suite 1A,Honolulu, HI 96816808-735-8665Eco-Island Supply810 Haiku Road, #394Haiku, HI 96708808-575-9171Green Hands of Aloha1713 Mary Street,Honolulu, HI 96819808-847-4263Ohana Greenhouse & Garden Supply300 Hukilike Street, #2M,Kahalui, HI 96732808-871-6393Pahoa Feed & Fertilizer15-2754 Old Government Road,Pahoa, HI 96778808-965-9955

IDAHOBoise Hydroponics614 North Orchard Street,Boise, ID 83706208-344-3053Greenthumb Greenhouses5895 Ensign Avenue,Boise, ID 83714

ILLINOISAerostar Global824 South Kay Avenue,Addison, IL 60101Alternative Garden Supply615 Industrial Drive, Unit ACary, IL 60013800-444-2837Big Grow Hydroponics9225 Trinity Drive,Lake In The Hills, IL 60156847-854-4450

Brew and Grow359 W. Irving Park Road Unit E,Roselle, IL 60172630-894-4885Brew and Grow3625 N. Kedzi Avenue,Chicago, IL 60618773-463-7430Brew and Grow3224 South Alpine Road,Rockford, IL 61109815-874-5700Brew and Grow2379 Bode Road, Schaumburg, IL 60440630-771-0555Brew and Grow181 Crossroads Parkway, Bolingbrook, IL 60194847-885-8282Fertile Ground463 West MacArthur Drive,Cottage Hills, IL 62018618-259-5500Goldman's Grow Shop910 Greenwood Road,Glenview, IL 60025847-657-7250

Inc.

Green Fields8137 N. Milwaukee,Niles, IL 60714847-965-5056Grow Big Hydroponics7817 B North 2nd Street,Manchesney Park, IL 61115815-637-4769Hydrocork20647 Renwick Road,Crest Hill, IL 60435815-838-0100 Kreation’s Indoor Gardening Center3427 Old Chatman Road,Springfield, IL 62704217-341-0821 Let it Grow - CarbondaleWest Main Street,Carbondale, IL 62908 573-450-5401 Organic Garden Center 9223 Skokie Blvd.Skokie, IL 60077(847) 675-2722 Prairie House Garden Center15151 South Harlem Avenue,Orland, IL 60462708-687-3131Water Works Indoor Gardening1900 South Dirksen Parkway,Springfield, IL 62703217-553-6929

INDIANABWGS-IN7854 North State Road 37,Bloomington, IN 47404800-316-1306 Five Point Gardens56555 Oak Road,South Bend, IN 46619574-287-9232 Frogs Lilly Pad, The706 Citation Road,Carmel, IN 46032317-846-4610Harvest Moon Hydroponics1336 East Washington St.Indianapolis, IN 4620317-780-8070Hops & Harvest4616 E. DuPont Road, Suite Q,Fort Wayne, IN 46825260-918-3035Magic Bulb Garden Center6229 Allisonville Road,Indianapolis, IN 46220317-202-2852Sunleaves Garden Products7854 North State Road 37,Bloomington, IN 47404888-464-9676Worm’s Way Indiana7850 North State Road 37,Bloomington, IN 47404800-598-8158

Worm’s Way Mail Order7850 North State Road 37Bloomington, IN 47404800-274-9676

KANSASGreen Circle Hydroponics6890 W. 105th Street,Overland Park, KS 66212913-642-3888

KENTUCKYGarden Grove Organics29 East 7th Street,Covington, (Cincinnati Metro), KY 41011859-360-1843Grow Shop, The of Lexington2320 Palumbo Drive, Suite 130,Lexington, KY 40509859-268-0779Louisville Hydroponics3471 Taylor Boulevard,Louisville, KY 40215502-366-4000New Earth Garden Center9810 Taylorsville Road,Louisville, KY 40299800-462-5953Worm’s Way Kentucky1360 Donaldson Hwy. Suite A,Erlanger, KY 41018800-669-2088

LOUISIANAGeaux Hydroponics!2126 O’Neal Lane,Baton Rouge, LA 70816225-751-4769Laughing Buddha Nursery4516 Clearview Parkway,Metairie, LA 70006504-887-4336Ourcrazydeals Hydroponics201 Angus Drive,Yungsville, LA 70592337-303-6146Urban Organics285 St. Claude Avenue,New Orleans, LA 70117504-352-4709

MAINEEvergreen Garden Center301 Forest AvenuePortland, ME 04101207-761-2800 Green Thumb Indoor Gardening19 Stage Road,St. Albans, ME 04971207-938-5909Greenlife Garden Supply611 US Rt. 1York, ME 03909978 262 9966Urban Garden Center235 Lewiston Road,Toposhan, ME 04086207-373-0990

MARYLANDEast Coast Organics2800 Sisson Street,Baltimore, MD 21211Healthy Gardens and Supply5001-F Harford Road,Baltimore, MD 21214443-708-5144Maryland Hydroponics Inc.10051 North 2nd Street, Laurel, MD 20723301-490-9236Maryland Hydroponics Inc.12130 Nebel Street, Rockville, MD 20852240-551-4625Meadowview Feed & Garden Center1202 Meadowview Road,Pasadena, MD 21122443-817-0018Purple Mountain Organics100-7010 Westmoreland Avenue,Takoma Park, MD 20912877-538-9901



MASSACHUSETTSGreenlife Garden Supply481 Boston Road, Unit 4,Billerica, MA 01821978-262-9966Green Path Garden Supply276 West Main Street,Northborough, MA 01532508-393-4181Harvest Moon Hydroponics29 Washington Street, Route 1Foxboro, MA 02035800-660-6977 High Tech Garden Supply560 Boston Turnpike (Rt.9)Shrewsbury, MA 01545508-845-4477LiquidSun® MA8 Lynwood Avenue,Holyoke, MA 01040413-539-6875 New England Hydroponics15 D College Hwy. (Rt. 10),Southampton, MA 01073888-529-9025 Worm’s Way Massachusetts121 Worc-Providence Turnpike,Sutton, MA 01590800-284-9676

MICHIGANBIg Creek Hydroponics555 Old Little Lake Road,Marquette, MI 49855906-249-5297Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The23529 Little Mack Avenue,St. Clair, MI 48080586-775-9485 Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The6540 Allen Road,Allen Park, MI 48101313-383-1766 Cultivation Station 3 Inc.46912 Gratiot,Chesterfield, MI 48051586-949-7453 Flo-N-Grow.214 N. 2nd Street,Niles, MI 49120269-683-1877 Green Forest Indoor Garden Supply, LLC.2555 N. State(M-66) Rd.Ionia, MI 48846 616-523-6111Gro Blue Indoor Gardening Supplies270 W. Liberty Street,Ann Arbor, MI 48104734-913-2750Grow Store, The721 W. Blue Star Drive,Traverse City, MI 49684231-421-5191Growco Garden Supply1042 Michigan Street, NE,Grand Rapids, MI 49503877-939-6900 Growing Consultant2260 Apple Avenue,Muskegon, MI 49442231-773-5600High Tech Garden Supply7889 Telegraph Road.Taylor, MI 48180313-908-7554 Holland Hydroponic Outlet587-40 East 8th StreetHolland, MI 49423616-298-7395Home Grown Hydroponics8075 Gratiot Road, Unit C,Saginaw MI 48609989-781-1930Homelight Gardens3471 S. Huron Road,Bay City, MI 48706989-922-0088Horizen Hydroponics1614 Leonard Street, NW,Grand Rapids,MI 49504866-791-1664 Horizen Hydroponics4646 W. Main Street,Kalamazoo, MI 49006269-567-3333HotHydro®5245 Jackson Road, Suite FAnn Arbor, MI 48103734-761-5040; 877-893-0716

Hydroharrys.com24500 Dequindre,Warren, MI 48091800-461-8819Hydro Heaven73647 W 8th Mile Road,Detroit, MI 48235313-861-0333; 877-823-2076Hydro Grow, The8210 Telegraph Road,Taylor, MI 48180313-633-0641Hydrospot34236 Michigan Avenue,Wayne, MI 48184734-722-1285 Indoor Garden Superstore2570 Dixie Highway,Waterford Twp., MI 48328248-673-2200; 877 22 HYDROJ&L Growco206 S. Michigan Avenue,Big Rapids, MI 49307231-796-1528Kalamazoo Indoor Garden450 W. Maple,Kalamazoo, MI 49001269-344-2550Light Green Water3661 Highland Road,Waterford, MI 48329248-681-0001 Stealth Hydro15 E. Cross Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198866-998-1916 Sunnyside Hydroponics24930 Gratiot Avenue,Eastpoint, MI 48021586-777-2528Sunshine Supply Co.5800 East Pickard Street,Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858989-775-3700Superior Growers Supply19582 Middlebelt Road,Livonia, MI 48152248-473-0450 Superior Growers Supply 4870 Dawn Avenue,East Lansing, MI 48823517-332-2663Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC 3218 W. Houghton AvenueWest Branch, MI 48661989-345-8800Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC9091 W. Lake City RoadHoughton Lake, MI 48629989-422-2800Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC799 S. Wisconsin AvenueGaylord, MI 49735989 731 8800 Ultra Lo Hydroultralohydro.com937-252-8224 Urban Gardening Center, The2520 22nd Street,Detroit, MI 48216313-898-0200 Van Hydro7480 N State,Davison, MI 48423810-653-8267Wild Child7740 M 72 East,Traverse City, MI 49690866-711-GROW

MINNESOTAAmerican Garden Supply601-6th Avenue, North,Princeton, MN 55371763-631-0543 Brew and Grow8179 University Avenue,Fridley, MN 55432612-780-8191Duluth Hydroponics26 W 1st StreetDuluth, MN 55802218-341-7253

Eco Garden Supply800 Transfer Door 25 in rearSt. Paul, MN 55114651-647-1896Eden Indoor Organic Gardens831 Highway 75 NorthMoorhead, MN 56560218-477-EDEN (3336) Indoor Gardening10 NE 3rd Street,Faribault, MN 55021507-209-1546 Interior Gardens115 -1620 Central Avenue NE,Minneapolis, MN 55413800-498-4178; 612-870-9077Midwest Hydroponics3440 Belt Line Boulevard, Suite A, Minneapolis,MN 55416888-449-2739 Still-H2O Inc.14375 North 60th Street,Stillwater, MN 55082651-351-2822

MISSISSIPPIIndoor Garden Shop LLC1310 Bienville Boulevard,Ocean Springs, MS 39564228-875-3725

MISSOURIDivine Hydroponics301 North Bishop Avenue,Rolla, MO 65401573-426-2348Grow Your Own Hydroponics3617 Saint John Avenue,Kansas City, MO 64123816-241-2122Green Circle Hydroponics12 East Missouri,Kansas City, MO 64106816-421-1840 Green Thumb Organics249 Mid Rivers Mall Drive,St. Peters, MO 63376636-397-4769 (GROW) Heartland Hydrogardens705 Vandiver Drive, Suite G Columbia, MO 65202573-474-4769

HYDROGARDENS

Let It Grow - Springfield2519 E. Kearney Street,Springfield, MO 65803417-862-GROW Let It Grow - Girardeau879 S. Kings Highway,Cape Girardeau, MO 63703573-803-0628 U-Grow1724 North, 13th Street,St. Louis, MO 63106314-452-6368 Worm’s Way Missouri1225 North Warson Road,St. Louis, MO 63132800-285-9676

MONTANAAlpengrow Nursery Supplies238 Highway 93 S.,Eureka, MT 59917406-882-4496Bizzy Beez LLP5875 Highway 93 S,Whitefish, MT 59937406-863-9937Big Sky Garden Supply528 West Idaho, Kallispell, MT 59901 406-755-1465Cornucopia Grow Your Own127 Stoner Creek RoadLakeside, MT 59922406-709-1076Dr. Green Thumbs1106 West Park,Livingston, MO 59047406-222-7440Heightened Harvests2018 Main Street #4,Billings, MT 59105406-252-4311


Heightened Harvests3103 Harrison Avenue, Suite BButte, MT 59701

NEBRASKAAdvanced Hydro-Ponics10711 Mockingbird Drive,Omaha, NE 68127 (108th and L-Q)402-991-6630 Paradigm Gardens8949 J Street, Suite 5,Omaha, NE 68127402-339-4949 Patio-Ponics3255 Cornhusker Highway, Suite 4Lincoln, NE 68504402-466-9218

NEVADAAAA Indoor Organic Garden SuperCenter2101 S. Decatur Boulevard, #21,Las Vegas, NV 89102702-450-4769Advanced Gardens Hydroponics3111 South Valley View, (on Desert Inn West of Valley View) Suite V103Las Vegas, NV 89102702-257-4769 All American Hydroponics2675 East Patrick Lane, Unit 8,Las Vegas, NV 89120702-894-9888Anything Grows190 West Moana Lane,Reno, NV 89509775-828-1460Best Hydroponic Supply6818 W Cheyenne,Las Vegas, NV 89108702-750-9300Carson Valley Hydroponics2520 Empire Ranch Road,Carson City, NV 89701775-884-4769Hydro Store, The7145 W. Ann Road,Las Vegas, NV 89130702-434-9376Hydro Store, The1014 W. Sunset Road,Henderson, NV 89014702-434-7365Lorraine Ink290 Spear Court,Fernley, NV 89408775-575-7757Nevada Hydroponics4700 B Maryland, Suite 1,Las Vegas, NV 89119702-798-2852

NEW HAMPSHIREHydro World17 White Birch Lane,Lincoln, NH 03251603-745-3030

NEW JERSEY77HYDRO37 Fairfield Place,West Caldwell, NJ 07006877-774-9376Claraqua4 Redwood Court,West Windsor, NJ 08550East Coast Horticultural Supply1652 Hurffville Road,Swewell, NJ 08080856-228-5290 Garden State Hydroponics511 Avenel Street,Avenel, NJ 07001888-300-8711

Green Touch 2 Hydroponics Inc.888 Route 33, Unit 1,Hamilton, NJ 08619609-570-8829 H Y D R O P O N I C S I N C .

greentouch2

NEW MEXICOAHL Year Round Garden Supply1051 San Mateo Blvd. SE,Albuquerque, NM 87108505-255-3677AHL Year Round Garden Supply9421 Coors Blvd. NW Suite K,Albuquerque, NM 87114 505-899-0592 All Seasons Gardening3600 Osuna Road, Suite 406 Alburquerque, NM 87109 505-508-4292 All Seasons Gardening1228 Parkway, Suite E Sante Fe, NM 87507 505-438-GROW Common Shaman1319 San Mateo N.E.,Albuquerque, NM 87110505-255-6463

NEW YORKBklyn Hydro & Garden3116 McGuiness BlvdBrooklyn NY 11222718-383-0095Bronx Hydro & Garden39 Bruckner Boulevard,Bronx, NY 10454718-993-3787Brooklyn Farms521 Hicks StreetBrooklyn, NY 11231347-725-3491 California Hydroponics27 Corporate Circle,East Syracuse, NY 13057315-432-9387East Coast Hydroponics14649 Horace Harding Exp,Flushing, NY 11367718-762-8880Environmental Gardens8 John Walsh Boulevard, Suite 310Peekskills, NY 10566800-254-0507; 914-736-6676FutureGarden Inc.59 Central Avenue,Farmingdale, NY 11735516-420-0884 Greentree Nursery308 Elmira Road,Ithaca, NY 14850607-272-3666Green Zone Hydroponics 2148 Niagara Falls Blvd. Tonawanda, NY. 14150 716-693-9663 Grow Room, The8 Bridge Street,Nyack, NY 10960800-449-9630Harvest Moon HydroponicsHenrietta Townline Plaza, 3047 West Henrietta Road,Rochester, NY 14623716-865-7353Harvest Moon Hydroponics340 West at 59,Central Nyack, NY 10960Harvest Moon Hydroponics147 Fourth Street,Troy, NY 10960Healthy Harvest Organics and Hydro163 Broadway,Fort Edwart, NY 12828518-480-4698Hudson Valley Hydroponics217 Route 32 North,New Paltz, NY 12561845-255-3633

Hydro Garden Center1069B Lyell Avenue,Rochester, NY 146061-800-277-1322Hydroponics of Buffalo1497 Hertel Avenue,Buffalo, NY 14216716-838-3545Hydroponics Shops of America2606 Erie Boulevard,Syracuse, NY 13224315-251-2516Indoor Outdoor Gardener8223 5th Avenue,Brooklyn, NY 11209718-836-2402KG Garden Supply1327 Floyd Avenue,Rome, NY 134401-877-KG-HYDRORevolution Hydroponics 309 West State St.Olean NY 14760716.373.Grow (4769)Saratoga Organics & Hydroponic Supply19 Front Street,Ballston Spa, NY 12020518-885-2005; 800-850-4769Sunlight Solutions Hydroponics2045 Niagara Falls Boulevard, Suite 13,Niagara Falls, NY 14304888-GROWBOXSunset Hydroponics & Home Brewing1590 West Ridge Road,Rochester, NY 14615866-395-9204 The Grape Vine4020 Hempstead TurnpikeBethpage,NY,11714516-731-1100Upstate Hydroponics2026 Lake Rd unit BElmira, NY 14903607 483 9199

NORTH CAROLINABe Well Hydroponics & Urban Gardening4732 Monroe Road,Charlotte, NC 28205704-344-8010BWGS-NC4045 Perimeter West Drive, Suite 400Charlotte, NC 28214 800-316-1306Fifth Season Gardening Company21 B Westside Dr. Asheville NC 28806828-225-5007 Fifth Season Gardening Company45 Banks Avenue,Asheville, NC 28801828-253-4112Fifth Season Gardening Company106 South Greensboro Street,Carrboro, NC 27510919-932-7600Fifth Season Gardening Company1616 D-3 Battleground Avenue,Greensboro, NC 27408336-271-3373Fifth Season Gardening Company5619-A Hillsborough Street,Raleigh, NC 27606919-852-4747Flow & Grow Hydroponics & Organic Garden Center4521 Cumberland Road,Fayetteville, NC 28306910-423-FLOW (3569)High Tech Garden Supply2712 B Freedom DriveCharlotte, NC 28208704-697-0911



New Age Gardens2236A US Highway 70,Swannanoa, NC 28778828-299-9989Progressive Gardens6005 Oleander Drive,Wilmington, NC 28403910-395-1156

OHIOAdvanced Hydrorganics Indoor Garden Center5204 Darrow Road,Hudson, OH 44236234-380-1287Akron Garden Center434 W Wilbeth Road,Akron, OH 44314330-724-2700Cleveland Garden Center Inc.727 East 185th Street,Cleveland, OH 44119216-481-7868CropKing134 West Drive,Lodi, OH 44254330-302-4203Carefree Garden Center134 West Drive,Lodi, OH 44254330-302-4203Dayton Hydroponics3856 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, West Carrolton, OH 45449937-859-3999Eastside Hydroponics550 Ohio PikeCincinnati, OH 45255513-528-GROWGarden Connections3341 Centerpoint Dr.Grove City OH 43123614 871 0707Garden Indoors of Ohio4720 Indianola Avenue,Columbus, OH 43214800-833-6868Greenleaf Hydroponics1805 Elm Road,Warren, OH 44483330-372-1039Grow Wizard, The5700 Denison Avenue,Cleveland, OH 44102216-961-2500Harvest Moon9215 Market Street,Youngstown (North Lima), OH 44452800-776-8399Herb-N-Garden Center14901 Puritas Avenue,Cleveland, OH 44135216-252-2001Hydro Gardens and Lights1144 N Memorial Drive Lancaster, OH 43130 705-65 Hydro Indoor Garden Worx906 Blue Avenue,Zanesville, OH 43701866-900-9679Indoor Gardens1222 Hill Road, North,Pickerington, OH 43147614-866-6065Kissed by the Sun Hydroponic10740 Reading Road,Cincinnati, OH 45241513-769-0159Magic Home Gardens209 Cemetery Road,Canal Winchester, OH 43110614-837-2440Magic Home Garden4538 Indianola Avenue,Columbus, OH 43214614-263-2440Summit Hydroponics1030 Kenmore Boulevard Akron, OH 44314-2114330-753-5222Sweet Greens5540 Brecksville RoadIndependence, OH 44131800-421-7084

Toledo Hydroponics Ltd.855 S. Holland-Sylvania Road, Suite 2Toledo, OH 436151-877-893-0716Trinity Hydro Organics465 Woodman DriveRiverside, OH 45431937-252-GROW Urban Gardens671 E. Center StreetMarion, OH 43302740-375-2800

OKLAHOMAAAAAHA! Hydroponics Unlimited P.O. Box 74,Oakhurst, OK 74050Organics OKC Garden Supply3620 N Pennsylvania Avenue,Oklahoma City, OK 73118405-528-GROWTulsa County Hydro-Organics1928 W. Albany,Broken Arrow, OK 74012918-259-HYDROUrban Garden3141 E. 15th Street,Tulsa, OK 74104918-289-0018

OREGONAmerican Agriculture9220 Southeast Stark Street,Portland, OR 97216800-433-6805Anthony’s Garden & Light Supply93779 B Troy Lane,Coos Bay, OR 97420541-266-8822Aqua Serene2836 W. 11th Avenue,Eugene, OR 97402541-302-9073 Aqua Serene465 Applegate Way,Ashland, OR 97520541-482-7600 Aurora InnovationsPO Box 22041,Eugene, OR 97402866-376-8578 Basin Indoor Gardening1221 Main Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97601541-273-2023B.I.G.S.155 SW Century Drive, Suite 401,Bend, OR 97702541-385-5222BIGS Warehouse2606 SW 4th Street, Unit BRedmond, OR 97756541-504-8886 Bloom Garden Supply518 NE 20th Ave.Portland, OR 97232(971)255-1336Cascade Horticulture39570 Pioneer Boulevard,Sandy, OR 97055503-668-8242Corvallis Hydroponics & Organics5490 SW Philomath Boulevard,Corvallis, OR 97333541-738-2820Everybody’s Garden Center2701 SE 14th Avenue,Portland, OR 97202800-669-5483Forever Green Organic Hydro Gardens7530 Crater Lake Highway,White City, OR 97503541-826-2946Garden Spout, The4532 South East 63rd Avenue,Portland, OR 97206503-788-4769Gorilla Garden Supply1810 Virginia Avenue,

Garden SuppliesNorth Bend, OR 97459541-756-5005

Green Zone Garden Center & Hydroponic Supplies 454 S.W. Coast Hwy Newport OR 97365 USA P: 541-265-8252 Green Zone Garden Center & Hydroponic Supplies1845 S W Hwy. 101 Ste. 3Lincoln OR 97367 USA P: 541 994 7070 Green Thumb Hydrogarden and Organic Supply2021 West Main Street,Medford, OR 97501541-779-8600Grow America Garden Supply LLC11511 SW Pacific Highway,Tigard, OR 97223503-841-6868Growing Crazy (Hooked On Hydroponics)817 W. 2nd Street,Medford, OR 97501H2organic LCC620 NE 3rd Street,McMinnville, OR 97128503-434-6107Herb N’ Jungle Hydroponics930 SE Textron Drive,Bend, OR 97702541-382-4010Homegrown Garden Supply7112 NE Gilsan Street,Portland, OR 97213877-EZ2-GROWIn & Out Gardens 1574 Skypark DriveMedford, OR 97501541-858-3333 In & Out Gardens 93484 Hwy 99 SouthJunctin CIty OR 97448 541-234-2342 Indoor Garden Center 1697 SE 25th Street, Salem, OR 97302 503-566-7888Indoor Garden Depot15828 SE McGloughlin Boulevard,Milwaukie, OR 97267503-786-2445 Indoor Garden Supply536 SW 6th Street (rear alley), Redmond, OR 97756541-504-7750Island Flowers & Indoor Garden Center909 N. Tomahawk Island Drive, Suite 103, Portland, OR 97217503-546-3185J-N-B Hydro 2 Go155 West Central Avenue,Sutherlin, OR 97479541-459-9211Ladybug Indoor Gardens3960 W. Main Street,Medford, OR 97501541-618-4459Lights Distributing9843 SW 55th Avenue,Portland, OR 97219Liquid Sun1845 Southwest Highway 101,Lincoln City, OR 97367541-994-7070Moonshine Park Farm135 South East 62nd, Unit FSouth Beach, OR 97366541-444-2298Northern Light and Garden Beaverton9290 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, Beaverton, OR 97005503-297-7331Northern Light and Garden Grants Pass1203 Rogue River Highway,Grants Pass, OR 97527541-474-1700Northern Light and Garden Salem1915 Lancester Drive,Salem, OR 97305503-364-4769Oregon Rainforest Co.19949 E. Burnside Street,Gresham, OR 97233503-465-9909


MAXIMUM YIELDdistributorsParadise Supply LLC560 NE. "F" Street, Unit C,Grand Pass, OR 97526541-955-7293Rain or Shine13126 NE Airport Way,Portland, OR 97230503-255-1981Rogue Silicates Inc. POB 21,Azalea, OR 97410541-837-8590Roots Garden Supply5426 North Gay Avenue,Portland, OR 97217503-285-4768Roseburg Hydroponics853 SE Stephens Street,Roseburg, OR 97470541-229-1420SunInside Gardening Co.665 Conger, Unit F,Eugene, OR 97402541-686-9966The Good Earth Organics30088 Redwood Highway,Cave Junction, OR 97523541-592-4496Urban Flora2865 South East,Portland, OR 97214503-236-3344Vital Organix932-B SE “M” StreetGrants Pass, OR 97526541-226-9283Westcoast Organic and Hydroponic Supply12410 SE 282nd Avenue, Unit CBoring, OR 97009503-766-4106Wizard's Garden, LLC621 Spruce Street, Unit C,Myrtle Point, OR 97458541-572-2333

PENNSYLVANIA422 GROW1775 North Main Street ExtensionButler, PA 16001-1327724-561-3777 FlairformPOB 1417,Lansdale, PA 19446215-395-6353 Full Bloom Hydroponics84 South 24th Street,Pittsburgh, PA 15203888-872-3602Garden Indoors of Pennsylvania208 Route 13,Bristol, PA 19007800-227-4567Harvest Moon Hydroponics1239 South Airport Road,Allentown, PA 18103610-432-4949Healthy Gardens and Supply1012 Lincoln Avenue,Prospect Park, PA 19076866-32-HYDROHigh Tech Garden Supply20232 Route 19, Unit 6,Cranberry Twp., PA 16066724-473-1113Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh2008 Smallman Street,Pittsburgh, PA 15222412-232-7030Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh830 Route 119,Greensburg, PA 15601724-836-1118Hydro Ponics of Harrisburg310 South 10th Street, Lemoyne, PA 17043877-684-3808National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply450 Grim Lane, York,PA 17406877-779-7111(Northeast)

New Stanton Hydro150 Post Ave.New Stanton, PA. 15672724-635-0297Organic Garden Center800 Washington Blvd.Williamsport, PA 17701570-322-3120PA Hydroponics & Home Gardening Supply20 Quaker Church Road,York Springs, PA 17372717-528-4175Pocono Hydroponic Solutions25 Route 611Bartonsville, PA 18321Tel: 570-730-4544RH DistributionPOB 1417Lansdale, PA 19446888-545-8112

RHODE ISLANDGood To Grow34 Nooseneck Hill Road ,West Greenwich, RI 02817401-392-3100 Hydro-Earth1243 Mineral Springs Avenue,North Providence, RI 02904401-305-5520LiquidSun® RI1179 Central Avenue,Pawtucket, MA 02861401-722-2724Oakworld Garden Center39 West Street,Barrington, RI 02806401-245-5705Organically Grown768 Atwood AveCranston, RI 02920401-944-0549Solar Seed Hydroponics, Inc.2406 Putman Pike,Chepachet, RI 02814 401-710-9010

SOUTH CAROLINA247 Garden Supply535 D Clemson Road,Columbia, SC 29229803-788-4445All Good Hydroponics & Gardening6729 Two Notch Road,Columbia, SC 29223803-708-4819 GreenSpirit Hydrogarden1864 Meeting Street,Charleston, SC 29405843-225-1GRO; Greenspirit Hydrogardens3600 Unite 1 Hwy.17 S.North Myrtle Beac, SC 29582843-361-7777 Green Thumb Unique Gardening & More1230 Rutherford Road,Greenville, SC 29609864-271-8830

SOUTH DAKOTAGreen Earth Products Inc.5700 Highway 79 S.,Unit 1,Rapid City, SD 57702605-342-1307

TENNESSEEAdvanced Hydroponic Garden783 French Mill Road,Dandridge, TN 37725800-521-1643Advanced Hydroponic Garden6912 Clinton Highway,Knoxville, TN 37921866-938-3318

All Seasons Gardening and Brewing Supply Co.924 8th Avenue, South,Nashville, TN 37203800-790-2188Atlantis Hydroponics1800 Rossville Avenue, #3,Chattanooga, TN 37408423-752-5400National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply126 Belinda Parkway,Mt. Juliet, TN 37122888-265-9005 Perpetual Harvest75 Riverport Drive,Jackson, TN 38301877-422-3391Sun City Hydroponics2235 Whitten Road, Suite 104,Memphis, TN 38133901-372-8100Worm’s Way Tennessee901 Main Street, Nashville, TN 37072 800-397-4153

TEXASAbundant Harvest Hydroponics & Organics3101 Avenue E East,Arlington Road, TX 76011817-649-0100Airline HydroponicsP.O. Box 980904, Trader’s Village #363,Houston, TX 77098713-942-0484Botani Garden15120 Bellaire BlvdHouston, TX 77083281-575-1999Brite Ideas Hydroponics & Organics4360 S.Congress Avenue, #310,Austin, TX 78745512-444-2100Earth Organics1360 Lee Trevino Drive,Suite 105El Paso, TX 79936915-591-9500Field of Dreams Indoor Growing Supplies5302 Slide Road Unit B,Lubbock, TX 79414806-793-2901GreenMaker Nursery3030 Northwest Loop,Stephenville, TX 76401254-965-7273 GroGreen Hydroponics4015 Main Street,Dallas, TX 75226214-370-9984Happy Harvest Hydroponics & Organic1500 Crescent Drive, Suite 202Carrollton, TX 75006972-466-1300Houston Discount Hydroponics9384 Richmond Avenue,Houston, TX 77063713-464-9406Hydro Mart3841 Main Street,Rowlett, TX 75088972-475-6114Hydroponic Nation9700 Almeda Genoa Road, Suite 108,Houston, TX 77075281-501-9636Innergrow Hydroponics24451 Interstate Highway 20,Wills Point, TX 75169866-475-4769Jolly Green Hydroponics (Greenhouse Horticultural Supplies)13628 Neutron Road,Dallas, TX 75244 (866) WE-JOLLY; 469-341-5555


Lone Star Hydroponics and Organics1302 Motor Circle,Dallas, TX 75207214-634-9376Sol Organics & Hydroponics1634 Babcock Road,San Antonio, TX 78229210-366-9082Texas Growers Supply5990 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. E. #602,Humble, TX 77396281-441-3739Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Central Austin)5126 Burnet Road,Austin, TX 78756512-459-4769Texas Hydroponics & Organics (South Austin)2125-A Goodrich Avenue,Austin, TX 78704512-440-4769Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Dallas)3400 Elm Street,Dallas, TX 75226214-744-4769Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Houston)7730 A Park Place Boulevard,Houston, TX 77087713-641-4769Ultimate Hydroponic Garden Supply6125 West Sam HoustonParkway, North Suite 206Houston, TX 77041713-856-8425

UTAHSalt Lake Plant & Hydro60 West 3300 S. #6 ,South Salt Lake, UT 84115801-488-3200

VERMONTGreen Thumb GardeningP.O. Box 235, Route 15,Underhill, VT 5489800-564-9376Greenthumb - Vermont394 Route 15,Jericho, VT 05465 802-899-4323LiquidSun® VT1 Bellows Falls Road, (Route 5 North)Putney, VT 05158802-387-1100Peak Hydroponic Garden Supplies20 School Street,Plainfield, VT 05667802-454-8000

VIRGINIABlue Ridge Hydroponics & Home Brewing Co.5524 Williamson Road, Suite 11Roanoke VA 24012540-265-2483Clean & Green Technologies196 Corning Drive,Christiansburg, VA 24073866-694-1628Fifth Season Gardening Company900 Preston Ave. Charlottesville VA 22903434-293-2332 Hydroponics & Growlights13400 Occoquan Road,Woodbridge, VA 22191703-490-0700I Love Hydroponics612 N. Sheppard Street,Richmond, VA 23221804-377-3020I Love Hydroponics368 Newtown Road, #105,Virginia Beach, VA 23462757-490-5425Inside-Out Garden Supply6517 Backlick Road,Springfield, VA 22150703-451-3259

WEST VIRGINIAPanhandle Hydroculture800 East Moler Ave.Martinsburg, WV 25401304-240-7587

WASHINGTON509 Grow2718 N DivisionSpokane, WA 99207509-327-GROW(4769)Aqua Serene3839 Stone Way North,Seattle, WA 98103206-547-GROW (4769) Eco Enterprises1240 NE 175th Street, #BShoreline, WA 98155800-426-6937Garden Smart500 Bond Drive,Castlerock, WA 98611360-274-7960Green Gardens Distributing12738 Bel-Red Road,Bellevue, WA 98005425-454-5731Green Tree Hydroponics and Garden12316 Pacific Ave SouthTacoma, WA 98444 253-495-6757Good 2 Gro3507 W Clearwater Ave. Kennewick WA 99336P: 509 737 1313 Go-N-Green Hydroponics1241 State Ave Suite #102Marysville, WA 98270(360)386-8230Grow Center, The17524 N. Franklin Crescent,Colbert, WA 99005509-456-GROWGROGRO HYDRO12316 32nd AVE NE #103Seattle, WA 98125Hydro-Tech2121 Aurora Avenue, North,Seattle, WA 98103206-547-2202Indoor Garden Depot6400 NE Highway 99, Suite H,Vancouver, WA 98665360-993-7779 Indoor Garden Depot1401 S. 324th Street,Federal Way, WA 98003 253-874-1112 Indoor Garden & Lighting8606 Preston Fall City Rd. SEPreston WA 98050425 222 9661 Indoor Garden & Lighting3839 6th Avenue,Tacoma, WA 98406253-761-7478 Indoor Garden & Lighting23303 Highway 99, Suite A,Edmonds, WA 98026425-673-2755 Indoor Garden & Lighting714 South Central Avenue,Kent, WA 98032253-373-9060 Indoor Garden Supply LLC1250 Atlantic Ave,Woodland, WA 98674360-841-8055InDoor Gardening1158 CommerceLongview WA, 98632360-353-3851 Indoor Tropics 5930 Sunburst Lane #B Cashmere, WA 98815 509-470-7782 Island Horticulture Supply 8608 S March Point Rd.Anacortes WA 98221 P: 360 293 000Island Hydroponic & Supplies1515 5th Street #B,Marysville, WA 98271425-299-5855Kent Garden Supplies Ltd.18817 East Valley Highway,Kent, WA 98032425-251-9299

Kitsap Garden & Lighting2130 6th Street,Bremerton, WA 98312360-377-1277Linda’s Gardening & Hydroponics11522 Canyon Road East,Puyallup, WA 98373253-531-9641Liquid Sunshine Hydroponics5087 Lincoln Road,Blaine, WA 98230M & R Lighting17238 Memorial Drive,Mt. Vernon, WA 98273360-848-1080M & R LightingUnit C 22914 Highway 410,Buckley, WA 98390253-891-4190Mike's Indoor Garden Supply6121 172nd Street NE #A,Arlington, WA 98223425-346-6481National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight Supply 4525 NW Fruit Valley Road, Vancouver, WA 98660 888-478-6544 (Northwest) National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight Supply5408 NE 88th Street, Building A,Vancouver, WA 98665888-478-6544 Northern Lights Gardening4159 Hannegan Road,Bellingham, WA 98225360-715-8585Northwest Horticulture Supply161 Hooker Road, #1,Sequim, WA 98057360-582-0702Renton Indoor Garden Center207 Sunset Blvd. N, Building A,Renton, WA 98055425-917-9000River City Hydroponics1514 East Francis Avenue,Spokane, WA 99208509-464-0246Sodo Hydro1727 1st Ave. South,Seattle, WA 98134888-904-9376Solar Shop306 West 4th Street,Tonasket, WA 98855509-486-4508Spokane Organic and Hydroponic Supply4823 East Sprague Avenue E.,Spokane Valley, WA 99212509-534-4055 VM Indoor Garden Supply 2903 NE 109th Ave Ste. D Vancouver, WA 98682P: (360) 256-2933

WISCONSINAric's Indoor Garden Supply1104 West Wisconsin Avenue,Appleton, WI 54914920-574-3258 Brew and Grow285 N. Janacek Road,Brookfield, WI 53045262-789-0555Brew and Grow3317 Agriculture Drive,Madison, WI 53716608-226-8910Grow BIG Hydroponics954 S. Westland,Appleton, WI 54914920-749-4769Paradigm Gardens4539 Helgesen Drive,Madison, WI 53718608-241-3800

PUERTO RICOTecno-HydroAve Campo Rico GJ17,Carolina, PR 00982787-752-8252

Add your company logo to the distributor listings! Call 250-729-2677 or Email [email protected]

MY

http://www.maximumyield.com/

http://www.sunshine-systems.com/

http://www.genhydro.com/

usa jan 2011

Documents

organic hydroponics

maximum yield contributor

hydroponics expert

planet9maximum yield

general hydroponics

indoor gardening expos

indoor gardening technology

organic production