USA Sep 2011

NEW: FolloW us oN TWiTTEr

october 22-23long beach | california, usa

indoorgardeningexpo.com

www.maximumyield.com

2011indoor gardening expo

FREE

BasicPlant

Geneticsbasic principles at work behind the modification of plant

genetics can be demonstrated with a simple pack of playing cards.

Beat the heat

http://www.humboldtnutrients.com/

http://www.humboldtnutrients.com

194 Maximum Yield USA | July 2011

http://www.thetwistermachine.com/

3Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

http://www.ideal-air.com

4 Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

http://www.humboldtcountylights.com


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CONTENTSSeptember 2011

DEPARTMENTS56

46

66

FEATURES

80

10 From the Editor

12 Letters to the Editor

14 MaximumYield.com

20 Simon Says

22 MAX Facts

30 Product Spotlight

80 Green Thumb Gardening

102 Beginner’s Corner

114 Avant-Gardening

130 Growing for Health

142 Tips and Tricks

158 You Tell Us

170 Talking Shop

172 Max Mart

178 Coming up in October

179 Do You Know?

180 Distributors

46 Basic Plant Geneticsby Grubbycup

56 A Sea of Fish Fertilizersby Donald Lester

68 Have You Forgotten About Magnesium?by Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr.


82 Fantastic Fresh Fodderby Dr. Lynette Morgan

96 Biological Diversity and Microbe Strengthby Evan Folds

104 Unique Heirloom Tomatoesby Matt LeBannister

118 Troubleshooting Your pH Testerby Beth Dumey and Steve Goldberg

128 Grow Your Own Fresh Airby by Emma Cooper

132 Photosynthesis and Plant Nutritionby Bently Mills

144 Beat the Heatby Lee McCall


Jessica Raymond, [email protected]

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.

Grubbycup has been an avid indoor gardener for over 20 years. His articles were first published in the United Kingdom, and since then his gardening advice has been published in French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Czechoslovakian and German. He is also considered one of the world’s leading authorities on crochet hydroponics.

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

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

CONTriBUTOrS

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

FrOM THE EDITOR | JESSICa RaymOND

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

Bentley Mills owns Georgia-based FloraHydroponics. He operates a one acre commercial hydroponic greenhouse where he grows produce using deep pool floating raft technology. Bentley’s background in horticulture began while managing Micro Macro International (MMI). Bentley can be contacted at [email protected]

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.

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.

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

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

current garden or to start a new one. This September issue gives you all the tools and information to do so. With 15+ articles on plant nutrition, fish fertilizers, plant genetics, microbes, micropropagation, pH troubleshoot-ing and more, we have a readful to get you started.

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

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

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

Autumn signifies trAnsition, A new seAson And A chAnce to modify And improve your...


http://foxfarmfertilizer.com


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

LETTErS TO THE EDITOR

Lost onLine

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

Thank you, Don Bates

Did you visit Amazon.com? The book is available there for $19.95. An e-version is also available.

sAn frAncisco success

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

Nutrifield

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

SteadyGROWpro

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

Zry Dsp

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

Grozone Control Inc.

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

Humboldt Nutrients

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

Green Planet Wholesale

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

SteadyGROWpro

Had a lot of fun at the show. it was awesome and every one was so help-ful and just all around fun. Especially the guys from SteadyGrOWpro.

David Grunwald

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

Michelle Marie White

Horticontrol thanks you for yet another awesome show!

Horti Kris

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

CheersJustin Flowers

We had a great time at the show this weekend.

Thanks Serenade Garden Disease Control

fine food, friendLy fAce

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

Kayla Roberts

expo enthusiAst from cALi

i am 15-years-old and work at Nor Cal Hydrogardens and Organics out of redding, California. This year’s expo in San Francisco was awesome; it was cool to see all the reps and owners of the major

products. Thank you for putting on this show again. i hope to see you all next year.

Logan

via Facebook


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] Jesson - [email protected]

PRODUCTION & DESIGN [email protected]

Tina Skujins - [email protected] Mike Linden - [email protected]

Jennifer Duong - [email protected] Joe - [email protected]

ACCOUNTING - Tracy [email protected]

USA DISTRIBUTIONAurora Innovations

BWGSGeneral HydroponicsHumbolt Wholesale

HydrofarmHydro International

National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight SupplyNickel City Wholesale Garden Supply

R&M SupplyTradewinds

CANADIAN DISTRIBUTIONBrite-Lite Group

BiofloralEddis Wholesale

Greenstar Plant Products Inc.MegaWatt

Quality Wholesale

UK DISTRIBUTIONGrowth Technology

Future Harvest Development EuropeNutriculture UK

AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTIONHouse N Garden

FutchatecGrowth Technology

Hydraspher

VOLUME 12 – NUMBER 6 September 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

ConneCt with MaxiMuM Yield

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

Connect to MaximumYield.com instantly from your Smartphone with our Quick Response (QR) Code, found on the cover of every issue of Maximum Yield. Now you can access the best products, the

most in-depth articles and information, and the latest news at high speeds. Simply download the QR Code Reader software compatible with your Smartphone, scan the QR Code and your phone’s browser will automatically launch, redirecting you to www.maximumyield.com. It’s that simple!

upCoMing eventsSee, Learn, Discover and Grow at the 2011 Long Beach Indoor Gardening ExpoMaximum Yield is excited to welcome you to the 2nd Annual Long Beach Indoor Gardening

Expo, October 23, 2011. See live demonstrations, learn at our information sessions, discover new

techniques and delight in the uniquely diversified products that will help your garden grow. Visit www.indoorgardenexpo.com for full event details.

got Questions? get answers.Maximum Yield’s resident experts are available and ready to answer your modern gardening questions. E-mail [email protected] or fill out the question form on maximumyield.com

latest newsImagine a day when we can grow grapes in soilless solutions, cultivate sustainable lettuce and culture pineapples. That day is today. Discover how many global innovators are changing how we grow food in Latest News.


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Do you have a question for Simon?

Send it to [email protected]

with the words “Simon Says” in the

subject line, and your answer will be

printed in an upcoming edition.

SiMON SAYS

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

Thanks,John

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

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

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

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

biology or banishing all biology, in both situations you want to be sure to focus on dissolved oxygen levels since most pathogenic organisms thrive in low oxy-gen environments. This is directly related to water circulation and temperature so ensuring water movement and low tem-peratures will both help dissolved oxygen. Also consider the use of supplemental oxygen supply ranging in sophistication from air pumps to electrolysis systems.

Something that more gardeners are attempting is to bring specific biology into their system. The concept behind this is to inoculate with beneficial or-ganisms that will displace or out-com-pete undesirable ones. This is a delicate process that is gaining more traction, and for good reason; it can be very ef-fective. There are a variety of bacterial and fungal-based products available in the market. These organisms are gener-ally quite aggressive and will form what is called a biofilm on roots, thereby protecting the plants, essentially creat-ing a perimeter shield. These organisms secrete all sorts of substances that can do much more that protect your plant. Check with your local shop to learn more about biological inoculants.Part of what makes organisms effective

is their release of enzymes, which break down unwanted material. It is also pos-sible to take advantage of enzyme-based products, which will do a great job clean-ing up a system without adding biology into your set-up. There are several quality options so research this opportunity if you don’t want to look at a living army in your water.Above all else, remember to take the time

to scrub down your equipment and growing area between cycles. If you don’t, you may be setting yourself up for problems. MY



MAX FaCTS hyDROpONIC NEwS, TIpS aND TRIvIa

MAXFACTS hyDROpONIC NEwS, TIpS aND TRIvIa

Boosting the PineaPPle industry in the Bahamas

Bahamas Agricultural and industrial Corporation (BAiC) has started distribution of 5,000 tissue cultured sweet

cayenne pineapple slips throughout the islands in an effort to stimulate the Bahamian pineapple industry.

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

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

sour sop, guava, and Persian lime.

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

E. coli an unlikely Contaminant of Plant VasCular systemsScientists have helped confirm that Escherichia coli is not likely to contaminate the internal vascular structure of field-grown leafy greens. There was no evidence that E. coli had become “internalized” in leaves or shoots of baby spinach plants 28 days after the plants had germinated and grown in pasteurized soil.

(Source: www.ars.usda.gov)

don’t underestimate the Power of herBal teasThe idea that herbal teas may provide a variety of health benefits is not just folklore. A survey of the research literature on the health benefits from drinking three of the most popular herbals in America—chamomile, peppermint and hibiscus tea—found compelling science-based evidence.• Evidence of moderate antimicrobial activity and

significant antiplatelet-clumping activity was found in chamomile tea.

• PePPermint tea was found to have significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities, strong antioxidant and antitumor actions, and some antiallergenic potential

• Based on a human clinical trial, drinking hibiscus tea was found to lower blood pressure in a group of pre-hypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults.

(Source: www.ars.usda.gov)

reCord nighttime high temPeratures Big deal for CroP healthThis summer 93 weather stations in the US recorded all-time nighttime highs, which have a bigger impact on crop yields than increases in daytime temperatures—for each 1°C increase in nighttime temperature above the long term average, a 10 per cent decrease in crop yield was observed.

(Source: www.treehugger.com)


http://www.aurorainnovations.com



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

(Source: www.freshplaza.com)

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

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

(Source: www. onlineprnews.com)

aquatiC eCo-systems inC. aCquires green sky growersAquatic Eco-Systems inc. (AES) of Apopka, FL has acquired Green Sky Growers, based in Winter Garden, FL. As a result of the acquisition, AES, operating under the name Green Sky Growers, will be a one-stop solution for new design ideas, existing garden troubleshooting, education and installation assistance.The facility will cater to commercial growers exploring new agricultural opportunities, homeowners looking for ways to efficiently grow

plants or fish in their own backyard and those looking to tackle the emerging need for urban gardening.With this new venture, Green Sky Growers will provide more high-end produce and exotic fish species to local restaurants and grocers,

and through the local farmers market and homegrown co-op. Green Sky Growers will offer hydroponic and aquaponic education with a full curriculum of informational seminars.

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


http://www.everestgardensupply.com



hydroponic news, tips and triviaMAXfacts

first soilless harVest of BlaCk magiC taBle graPesThis summer grower Giannangelo Boccuzzi, who works in rutigliano (Bari, italy), harvested the first Black Magic table grape from plants grown without soil. The harvested grape looks good, with color and shape typical of the cultivar. it has a sugar content of about 15 brix degrees.

(Source: www.freshplaza.com)

Plant PeoPle Promotes hydroPoniC growthTeresa Busch, owner and operator of The Plant People in downtown Juneau, is installing a hydroponic and aquaponic system in her plant shop. The system will demonstrate how growing can be accomplished in local homes to produce produce and other plants without the need for soil. The store will carry the necessary materials and counseling to create similar systems at home, which can

be set up in something as small as a fish tank. Part of the elaborate set-up is a backdrop of mountains and sky above the two tiers of pond liners to make the fish feel at home.

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

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

Plant People owner Teresa Busch poses with her work in progress, a new hydroponic and aquaponic system in her store. “Lindsay Lohan” (in top right of

photo), a comet goldfish who will soon be part of a miniature symbiotic ecosystem, swims with her brethren.

http://www.naturescontrol.com

http://www.naturescontrol.com


MAX FaCTS




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

Promising results from hydroPoniCally-CultiVated lettuCeThe first results of the hydroponic cultivation system put up by Enza Zaden at its improvement hothouse are promising. Enza Zaden’s hydroponic lettuce team researches which varieties are especially suited for cultivation on water. The focus for now is on various types of lettuce—batavia, butter lettuce and Eazyleaf—but the seed company is looking to extend the project to include, endive, herbs and other leafy plants.(Source: www.enzazaden.com)

san diego eCo-leader liVes greenBill Toone, leader of Escondido-based conservation group ECOLiFE, starts his day cultivating fish and greens in his aquaponic farm in his backyard. Six 55 gallon barrels holding 100 tilapia that stands beneath 45 beds of greens.

Toone’s idea of using aquaponics has gained buy-in. His non-profit won a $25,000 grant from Disney to replicate the system in Bwindi, Uganda.(Source: www.signonsandiego.com)

teenager sells his hydroPoniCally-grown ProduCeWhat began as a ninth-grade science fair project has turned into an all-consuming enterprise in the Frazier household. Last fall, Brad Frazier, 14, set out to prove that grown using a hydroponic system would out-perform tomatoes grown in soil.

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

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


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maverick sun Puts you in ControlThe Maverick Sun Hydra Controller was designed with the best components available to ensure years of reliability and trouble-free use. it features rugged, durable construction and moisture-resistant powder coat paint to keep outside debris from internal sensitive components. The quality made timer is very easy to operate. The packaging mimics the actual design of the controller so you’ll know what you’re getting without opening the box. included is an easy to read instruction booklet with illustrated diagrams, along with a three year warranty. End-users are sure to love this highly anticipated controller. Sizes available are Hydra4 and Hydra8. More sizes available soon. Contact your local grow shop for more details.

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

PrODUCT SpOTLIGhT

yOUR GUIDE TO ThIS mONTh’S HOTTEST ITEMSask for them at your local indoor gardening store.

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

Vital earth’s® o.g. Bloom mix 0-9-0For simply amazing blooms, whether tulips or tomatoes, nothing beats Vital Earth’s® O.G. Bloom Mix. if you’re looking for the biggest, healthiest blooms, this fertilizer is a must-have. This mix features a superior blend of bat and seabird guanos, specially formulated with no fillers for maximum results. This all-natural organic fertilizer promotes intensive growth and flowering, and improves yields. Soil deficient in organic matter may be made more productive by the use of Vital Earth’s® O.G. Bloom Mix. Visit an indoor gardening shop near you for more information.


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active aqua submersible Pump filter Bag

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

PrODUCT SpOTLIGhT

the one man Band does it allMaverick Sun’s newest addition to the family rocks. The One Man Band is a true all-in-one lighting system. its compact design means it fits well inside grow tents or small growing areas. it features an electronic ballast that accepts 120 or 240 volts and will handle HPS and MH lamps. it features a temperature controller and timer. Also included is a fan in a six inch duct with an exterior switch for air cooling and an easy-access hinged glass undercarriage with a premium silicon gasket for an airtight seal. Top it all off with a Maverick Sun D Lux HiD lamp (included) and just like a One Man Band this fixture really does live up to its name. Available in 400 or 600 watts. Ask your local grow shop for more details.

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PrODUCT SpOTLIGhT

humboldt nutrients ginormousWe all want to harvest giant flowers

and enormous fruits. Humboldt Nutrients Ginormous is here to help you accomplish that goal.

This super bloom booster is made with

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

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

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

introducing optic foliar revOptic Foliar rev helps maintain and support the high levels of energy being produced by Mega Watts providing key ingredients—including micronutrients, amino acids, vitamins and carbohydrates—that target specific areas of a plant. rev helps a plant maintain its highly-accelerated growth and flowering rates, resulting in greener and healthier plants, as well as higher quality crop yields. rev is highly concentrated and can be sprayed on plants with the lights on and without the need to adjust the spray’s pH. No damage, burning or magnification issues to worry about. Spray it, see it, be-leaf it. That’s Optic Foliar. Contact an indoor gardening shop near you to learn more.


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PrODUCT SpOTLIGhT

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

need natural? go with neemNimBiosys Neem Oil is cold pressed to ensure higher potency and higher quality than regular neem oil. This EPA-approved pesticide works on as many as 200 different kinds of pests without harsh chemicals or toxins. This all-

natural derivative of the neem tree works in a variety of ways; depending on the insect type, it can repel them, disrupt

their growth hormones or prevent their ability to reproduce. it is recommended for use against aphids, beetles, stink bugs, leafhoppers, whiteflies, mealy bugs, mites, weevils, scale and thrips. This product also includes azadirachtin, a naturally-occurring compound that’s extremely important for effective pest control. NimBiosys Neem Oil is available now from authorized BWGS retailers across the country.

oasis grow tentsBrand new to the market are Oasis Grow Tents. Made of highly reflective light-tight material, these tents feature extra large zippered vents, making them the only true lightproof tents. Oasis Tents are also one of the only tents to have clear plastic windows that you can see through. Dual-sided duct openings allow you to tighten the canvas material around your ducting on the inside and outside of the tents. Strong and durable with steel poles and a removable floor layer, leaks and spills are easily contained. They also feature a unique attached accessory holder on the outside of the tent for added convenience. Available in a variety of sizes from three foot squared to eight foot squared, and all models are an impressive seven feet tall. Visit your local indoor gardening shop for more information.

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


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PrODUCT SpOTLIGhT

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

sun system® Blazer reflectorSunlight Supply®, inc. is excited to announce the arrival of the Blazer reflector, the latest addition to the Sun System® reflector line. Completely sealed for maximum air-cooling, 95 per cent reflective European aluminum interior and an EZ-Breeze® aerodynamic junction box are only a few of the many excellent features Blazer has to offer. This state-of-the-art air-cooled reflector raises the bar for output and uniformity. An industry leader in its class, Blazer is a force to be reckoned with. Unmatched in output, uniformity and performance, you can’t afford not to have this reflector in your grow room. Your plants will thank you. American made at our Woodland, WA facility. Visit an authorized Sunlight Supply retailer for more information.

Proudly Presenting the Basic econo magnetic Ballast line from nickel CityFull featured frills for financially frugal folks. Basic Econo magnetic coil ballasts are perfect for the consumer on a budget. These cool running, super quiet ballasts are available in 1,000 watt switchable, 400 watt switchable and 600 watt HPS. They are affordably priced, factory tested and made with heavy-duty American Aerovox capacitors. These steel-cased ballasts are solidly built for years of productive use. The Basic Magnetic Ballast is equipped with convenient carrying handles and designed to be one of the coolest running magnetic ballasts on the market. A simple switch sets the unit to fire either high pressure sodium or metal halide standard HiD bulbs. Visit an indoor gardening shop near you for more information.

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




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by GrubbyCup


BASIC PLANT GENETICSThe basic principles at work behind the modification of plant genetics can

be demonstrated with a simple pack of playing cards.


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


will determine, say, whether it has the instructions to grow red flowers or to grow white flowers. In this example, flower color is a trait and it may be expressed as red or white, depending on the gene. All the instructions contained in the genes are col-lectively known as the genotype of the plant.It’s true that some

complex traits re-quire multiple genes to express, and some traits require specific combina-tions of genes to manifest. For example, calico cats have to be female, with a different color on each X chromosome. For the purpose of this discussion, though, we’ll keep things simple and talk about an either/or situation: red flowers or white.Mendelian traits are binary; they have two

states. Since our hypothetical plant can have ei-ther red or white flowers, playing cards can be used to model a single regular trait, controlled by a single gene, located on a single chromosome.Take a deck of playing cards and remove the jokers. Cut the

deck in half and create two stacks—the left stack will represent genes from the father and the right stack the genes from the mother. To show your first resulting offspring, place one card from each stack face up.Red cards symbolize the genetic instruction for red flowers and

black cards represent an instruction to grow white flowers.There are three possible scenarios governing what the two

face-up cards will be. Twenty-five per cent of the time both cards will be red and your imaginary plant will produce red flowers. Twenty-five per cent of the time both cards will be black and your subject will produce white flowers. A plant with two of the same form of the gene is said to be homo-zygous for that trait.Fifty per cent of the time, however, the pair will consist of one red card and one black card. A plant with one of each of the two forms of a certain gene is said to be heterozygous for that trait.The color of flower that will manifest in a plant that is het-

erozygous for that trait will depend on which gene is domi-nant. Simply stated, the dominant gene wins all ties. If the red gene is dominant then the mixed pairs will show red flowers,

Gardeners have been breeding plants for specific traits for thousands of years. By following the simple rule of “cross

your best examples together” substantial modification can be made to any

plant over enough generations. Many of the original heir-loom vegetables are believed to have been developed using this basic technique. Most of the different varieties of tomatoes we know today are examples of plant breed-ing and many of them were originally developed by

home gardeners.While improvement can be

made to plant strains without un-derstanding any of the science be-

hind it, learning even just the basics of Mendelian genetics can greatly im-

prove breeding attempts and doesn’t require an advanced degree in molecular biology.

Plants have a number of chromosomes in their reproductive cells. The number of

chromosomes depends on the type of plant. For example, peas have only

14 chromosomes, while some strains of wheat have 42.

Each chromosome contains many genes, which are

the blueprints for how the plant will grow.

A plant may have a gene present that

Basic plant genetics


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

while if the white gene is domi-nant then mixed pairs will have white flowers.In order to keep things simple,

we’ll assume that red genes will be the dominant form in our demonstration.Because of the principle of dominance,

when both parents are heterozygous the recessive form will present 25 per cent of the time and 75 per cent of the time the dominant form will show up. Even though 25 per cent of the plants are homozygous for the trait and 50 per cent are heterozygous, the resulting plants will have red flowers 75 per cent of the time.To show the result over a number of plants, deal out 25 cards

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


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51Maximum Yield USA | September 2011 51

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Since red is dominant, for each pair that has a black card face up, flip the pair to exchange the up card and the down card.Approximately 25 per cent of the face-up cards should be

black and the rest red.The phenotype is the plant that is expressed by growing out

the seed. No matter what the face-down card is, the face-up card determines the phenotype. The genotype refers to both the up card and the down card together.If the face-up card is red, then our hypothetical plant will

grow with the dominant trait of red flowers. This will happen

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

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

is dominant.




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

In other words, the same ratio we saw before—of 25 per cent recessive to 75 per cent dominant—will occur, but on a larger scale.The reason why understanding these ratios is important is that

with real plants, there is no way to peek at the hole card—the only way to determine its value is by testing and deduction. All that can be observed directly is that about 75 per cent of the face-up cards are red.Traits become stable or fixed when the other form of the

gene (card color) is eliminated or at least greatly reduced in the gene pool.

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

plant with two black cards, all the offspring will also have only black cards.

Most of the time the face-up card will be red and the plant will show the dominant form of the gene. The reason that dominant traits

are harder to work with is that both the true-breeding plants and the heterozygous (mixed card) plants

will both express as red flowers. To stabilize a cultivar, as many important traits as possible are bred to be homozygous (both cards of the same color). Since

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the bottom card can only be indirectly observed, it is more dif-ficult to know the difference between the two. What can be done with dominant traits is to keep breeding

plants that appear to be true-breeding for the trait until it is statistically improbable that they aren’t true-breeding.If one of the parents with a red up card has a black down

card, you will still get red flowers, but as the generations continue then at some point two black cards will come together in the same plant. This will be a throwback and will show the recessive form.Heterozygy may not be desirable for breeding a stable

line, but it can have benefits. Hybrid vigor tends to express itself in heterozygous plants. Because of this

factor hybrids are often ideally the product of two true-breeding plants of opposite color—two

red cards to two black cards.To observe the effects of hybrid-

ization, separate the cards by suits into four

stacks. Put the

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

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

rior plants, although one drawback to hybrids is that they do not breed true.In the following demonstration of hybridization all the off-

spring will have one red card and one black card. Arrange the stacks so that the mother has one red stack and one black stack and the father has one red stack and one black stack.

“Heterozygy may not be desirable for breeding a stable line, but it can have benefits. Hybrid vigor tends to express itself in heterozygous plants.”



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


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

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

evaluated for the desired trait (or traits). By observing traits over several generations and then comparing the results to the ratios from either dealing pairs with different combinations of parent stacks or the mathematical results from a Punnett square, educated guesses as to the value of the unseen face-down cards can be made. Making sense of the mysteries of genetics can take a bit of ef-

fort, but by understanding these basic principles you can begin to improve your own seed making results dramatically. MY

A SeA of fiShFertilizersby Donald Lester

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

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



Fertilizers

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The use of fish as a fertilizer for food crops has a long history. Perhaps the best-known stories are those relating to the coastal Native Americans placing a

whole fish in the planting hole with their corn seeds—fish products have come a long way since then!Fish fertilizers offer several advantages over their chemical

counterparts. They can be totally organic, with all the associ-ated benefits such as improved soil structure, increased mi-crobial activity and better plant health, they don’t cause plant burn (phytotoxicity) as readily or as commonly as chemi-cal fertilizers do and they generally have slower, more even

release rates so they do not need to be applied as often. Moreover, fish fertilizers are not readily leached from

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

recent years because two unscrupulous fertilizer manufactur-ers were caught spiking their ‘certified organic’ fish fertiliz-ers with synthetic nitrogen. The main culprit is now out of business but these incidents have created a firestorm of controversy in the organics industry, leaving many to ques-tion the thoroughness of the organic certification process. These examples of fraud were an embarrassment not only to the organic certifying agency involved but also to the USDA that oversees the organic certification process—the stories made the national news and congressional hearings were held on the matter. Since then increased oversight has been implemented. Now, any fertilizer considered for organic cer-tification with a nitrogen content greater than three per cent is considered to be a ‘high-nitrogen product’ and is subject to additional scrutiny and mandatory yearly inspections by the organic certifying agencies. Regulatory burdens like this and the resulting increased costs have already driven several organic fish product manufacturers out of the market.Rather than using whole fish as a fertilizer, manufactur-

ers today offer processed fish products in several easy-to-use forms, the most common being fish emulsion, fish hydro-lysate and fish meal, all of which are usually available in both conventional and organic versions. Each formulation has its own set of pros and cons for indoor gardening.


“Fish fertilizers offer several advantages over their chemical counterparts. They can

be totally organic, with all the associated benefits such as improved soil structure, increased microbial activity and better

plant health.”

a sea of fish fertilizers

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tantalizing indoor tomatoes

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

Fish emulsion

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

only for humans but also for plant growth. In recent years, however, omega-3 oils have been singled out for their health

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


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

Fish hydrolysate

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

“Technically, aquaponics actually refers to a growing system where fish are

grown in a tank and their waste is cycled through to the plant roots to act as a

natural fertilizer.”


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Fish meal

Unlike liquid hydrolysates and emulsions, fish meals are granular or powdered in form. Fish is heated to remove fats and oils to use in various health and cosmetics products and the lean carcasses that remain are ground up into a meal, sprayed with phosphoric or sulfuric acid for stabilization and deodorization and then dried. Generally, fish meals contain more protein than emulsions, but less than hydrolysates.Fish meals usually have an NPK analysis of around 10-6-2

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

Suitability for hydroponics and

foliar applications

Fish emulsions and fish hydrolysates can be used in hydro-ponics systems because they are liquid in form. Emulsions are more soluble and some of their nutrients are useable by plants

Fish meal




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

straining to prevent clogging of the filter’s fine mesh screen. For soil applications with a drip system be sure the fish product will pass through at least a 70 mesh screen to minimize emitter plugging and fouling.

Beneficial biology

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

possible to duplicating the practice of burying a whole fish, although the hydrolysis process actually makes the fish more available to microbes, breaking down large molecules into tiny ones.

“Fish meals also support increased microbial activity. They contain

tremendous amounts of protein and are a great food source for bacteria and the annuals and vegetables that prefer a

bacterial dominance in their soil.”




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


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tantalizing indoor tomatoestantalizing indoor tomatoesa sea of fish fertilizers

Fish meals also support increased microbial activity. They contain tremendous amounts of protein and are a great food source for bacteria and the annuals and vegetables that prefer a bacterial dominance in their soil. Covered with bacteria, fish meal added to a compost pile gets the pile cooking due to the heat generated by high microbial metabolism. In addition, flies (and fly larvae) readily feed on it, which in turn attracts other members of the soil food web.Not all products sold as fish fertilizers are made just from

fish. Some contain non-fish organic additives, primarily seaweed and crab shells. The seaweeds are full of micronutrients and plant hor-mones like auxins and cytokinins, while crab shells pro-vide chitin, which is found in the cell walls of fungi and is a big structural component in insect exoskeletons.The right fish fertilizers or combinations of fish fertilizer prod-

ucts can be great for your plants. Fish hydrolysates provide more nutrients, vitamins, hormones and micronutrients, fish meals are slower acting but more suitable for outdoor use and larger areas, while fish emulsions are ideal for quick-acting foliar sprays. With such a nice array of choices perhaps you should consider adding fish products to your plant feeding program! MY

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Have You

magnesium

F o r g o t t e n

b Y D r . J b e n t o n J o n e s J r .

a Doctor oF science Has tHe latest worD on wHat Determines a magnesium suFFiciencY in a rooting meDium.

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

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

have You forgotten aBout magnesium?

“most oF tHe plant tissues collecteD were FounD to be eitHer DeFicient in mg or near wHat woulD be consiDereD DeFicient For eacH crop or plant species.”

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deficient for each crop or plant species. Most of the soils col-lected with the plant tissues, however, soil-tested sufficient in Mg, based on current soil testing interpretation criteria.A colleague and I then decided to do a more detailed analysis

that would require us to collect sufficient quantities of soil in order to conduct a greenhouse study. With the coming of the next crop year, we made preparations to revisit those sites where I had collected plant tissue and soil samples the year before. But as the season progressed, the expected symptoms of Mg defi-ciency did not appear! No more widespread signs of Mg defi-ciency were seen in field crops or even among roadside plants.So what had been the cause for the high incidence of Mg defi-

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

“it turneD out tHat stress was tHe Factor tHat HaD contributeD to tHe wiDespreaD appearance oF mg-DeFicient plant leaF sYmptoms.”


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

with the elements calcium (Ca) and sulfur (S). Today, that clas-sification has been dropped and Mg, Ca and S are classed as ma-jor elements, in the same grouping with the elements nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).An atom of Mg is in the structure of the chlorophyll molecu-

lar. Magnesium acts as an enzyme activator in various energy-transfer functions in plants, so any deficiency will slow plant growth. The visual leaf symptom of a Mg deficiency is a chloro-sis appearing on older leaf tissue, which is an indication that this element is mobile in the plant.For those growing in soil, Mg sufficiency is usually assumed

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


Facts about tHe essential plant element magnesium

Atomic number: 12Atomic weight: 24.30

Element symbol: mg

Ionic form: mg2+

Discover of essential-ity and year: van Sachs,

Knop, 1860

Essential element des-ignation: major element

Function: major constituent of the chlorophyll molecule; enzyme

activator for a number of energy-transfer reactions

Mobility in plants: moderately mobile

Form absorbed by plant roots: magnesium (mg2+) cation

Source reagent for making a nutrient solution: magnesium sulfate,

mgSO4.7h

2O (10 per cent mg and 23 per cent S)

Concentration range in nutrient solution formulations: 30 to 80

mg mg/L (ppm)

Form of magnesium in soil: as the magnesium cation (mg2+) on

the colloidal cation exchange complex and in the soil solution

Movement in the soil: primarily by diffusion

magnesium-containing fertilizers: magnesium sulfate,

mgSO4.7h

2O (10 per cent mg, 23 per cent S); SUL-pO-maG (mag-

nesium potassium sulfate, K2SO4.mgSO

4.6h

2O, 5.9 per cent mg, 9.7

per cent K, 4.9 per cent S)

Magnesium-containing limestone: dolomitic limestone (six to

12 per cent mg)

Typical plant deficiency symptoms: yellowing and interveinal

chlorosis on older leaves; slow plant growth; reduced fruit yield;

possible development of blossom end rot of tomato fruit; in-

creased susceptibility to disease

Plant symptoms of excess: results in cation imbalance among

Ca and K; slowed growth with the possible development of either

Ca or K deficiency symptoms

Critical plant level: 0.25 per cent (will vary with plant species,

time and plant part)

Excessive plant level: >1.50 per cent

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may be specified depending on the soil test level for Mg. If the level is less than sufficient, dolomitic limestone would be rec-ommended, since this form of limestone contains Mg.Among the three cations, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, the Mg2+ cation

is the least competitive and its deficiency can be induced when both K and Ca are at high levels in the rooting medium, wheth-er the rooting medium is a nutrient solution or a solid matrix. Ammonium (NH

4+) is another cation that is highly competitive

among the three major cations and its presence in the rooting medium can be a factor in creating Mg deficiency in a plant.There are plant species and varieties within species that are

sensitive to Mg and deficiencies can occur when the plant is under moisture or temperature stress, even when there is suf-ficient Mg in the rooting medium or in that being supplied by a nutrient solution. Tomato is a plant that would be classi-fied as Mg sensitive. Among field crop plants corn is also Mg sensitive, although plant breeding has reduced this sensitivity to some degree.The appearance of visual Mg deficiency symptoms in green-

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

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of growth will not correct the deficiency, though, as its origin occurred during the vegetative plant growth period, either due to insufficient Mg being supplied or as a result of an imbalance among the major cations that reduced Mg root absorption. Although insufficiency of Mg during vegetative growth may not result in visual leaf symptoms it can eventually be a factor resulting in lower than expected fruit yield.Based on my own hydroponic tomato growing experience, I

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

within the plant is a complex subject, with the occurrence of its insufficiency being the result of various factors as discussed in this article. Magnesium is an essential plant nutrient element that has attracted little attention, but its insufficiency can signifi-cantly affect plant growth and fruit yield. How do you avoid an insufficiency? You should ensure that there is sufficient Mg in the rooting medium—in proper balance among the other cat-ion essential nutrient elements—and that those factors that can place undue stress on your plants be minimized. MY

1The Steiner concept of ionic balance in a nutrient solution is presented in several publications:

Jones, Jr., J. Benton, 2005, Hydroponics: A Practical Guide for the Soilless Grower, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

Jones, Jr., J. Benton, 2011, Hydroponic Handbook: How Hydroponic Growing Systems Work, Grosystems Inc., Anderson, SC (available on amazon.com)

Steiner, A.A., 1984, “The Universal Nutrient Solution”, pp. 63-70. IN: Proceedings Sixth International Congress of Soilless Culture, The Hague, Switzerland.


“tomato is a plant tHat woulD be classiFieD as mg sensitive. among FielD crop plants corn is also mg sensitive, altHougH plant breeDing Has reDuceD tHis sensitivitY to some Degree.”


http://www.clonebucket.com

http://www.roperatchet.com

http://www.getbluelab.com


GrEEN THUMB GaRDENING

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

by mIChaEL bLOCh

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

als commonly used to construct larger tanks—and the various advantages and disadvantages.

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

options covered in this article.

One of the major disadvantages of polyethylene is the material is made from petrochemicals, meaning this big hunk of plastic will take generations to breakdown and it will release toxins in doing so. How-ever, polyethylene tanks can be easily recycled after 15 years, so it’s just a matter of breaking the tank up and carting it to a recycler.Some poly tanks are made with a vertical seam; this is a weak point

that may cause splitting and subsequent water loss so a seamless tank is probably a better choice. Polyethylene water tanks and fire don’t mix as they’ll just melt should the flames get too close.The other issue is the effects of drinking water stored for such a long

time in this material. Polyethylene tanks are relatively new on the market, so there are no serviceable life studies in relation to these issues as far as I know.I had a polyethylene rainwater tank at my old place where tempera-

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

stipulations as some manufacturers will void the warranty if the tank is installed near extremely hot conditions.

STEEL TaNKSGalvanized tanks have been around for over 150 years and are usually the cheapest option. Hot-dip galvanizing is a process used to coat steel or iron with zinc. The zinc helps slow down corrosion, but depending on environmental factors, a galvanized tank may last well under five years, particularly if the roof of the structure capturing the rainwater is made from Zincalume, due to electrolysis.Zincalume® has been around for about 30 years and was originally

used for roofing. It’s a mix of 55 per cent aluminum, 43.5 per cent zinc and 1.5 per cent silicon bonded to steel. There’s a lot of conflict-ing information around about lifespan, but the general consensus seems to be about 10 to 15 years.Some metal tanks now also have polyethylene linings to further slow

down corrosion. If you do buy a steel tank, look into installing extra sacrificial anodes to further delay corrosion.

CONCRETE waTER TaNKSConcrete rainwater tanks can be installed either above or un-derground. The latter is a good option if you’re short on space as

they can be constructed to allow for load bearing, for example, under a driveway.

Harvestingliving Water



Given the material, they are very heavy and often poured on-site or delivered in sections that are then basically cemented together. Again, a polyethylene liner may be used. Without a liner, the tank will leach lime and over time you’ll have slightly alkaline water. Concrete is porous so without a liner water will penetrate into the concrete over time, which may cause corrosion of steel framework. Concrete is also an energy-intensive product that requires a great deal of heat and water in its production.

FIbERGLaSSThis is another long-lasting option that can be installed above or underground. Fiberglass tanks resist corrosion and are not generally affected by chemicals. As fiberglass tanks tend to allow more light in than other types of tank materials, this can encourage the growth of algae, so they should be painted or a gel coat should be applied. Fiberglass can also be brittle, leaving it prone to cracks; something you don’t want, particularly in an in-ground situation.

ChOOSING a TaNK maTERIaLChoice is wonderful, but as you can see, there are advantages and disadvantages with each type of tank—particularly when it comes to environmental impact—so it’s really a matter of gauging your needs and budget and then choosing the lesser of the evils. In re-gards to the required investment, you should bear in mind the initial cost and possible replacement costs.Rebates on rainwater tanks and associated plumbing are working

checking into; many governments now offer cash-back schemes. Even with the various disadvantages of each material, given the length of serviceable life of most tanks and the tens of thousands of liters of water you can collect over that time; installing a rainwater tank is still a very green move.

a bRIEF NOTE ON RaINwaTER TaNK REGULaTIONSBefore buying and installing a tank you should check with your local authorities as in some places you will need a special permit and in others they may be totally banned. MY

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

http://www.sero-systems.com

F o d d e rFa n ta s t i c F re s h

d r . L y n e t t e M o r g a n

t h e r e ’ s n o d o u b t a b o u t i t: h y d r o p o n i c s i s n ’ t j u s t F o r h u M a n s . F r e s h F o d d e r g r o w n h y d r o p o n i c a L Ly c a n b e F e d t o L i v e s t o c k , z o o a n i M a L s a n d e v e n p e t s .

We usually think of hydroponic or indoor crops as being destined for human use, but livestock and pets can also benefit from hydro-ponic growing methods. Many of us are familiar with wheatgrass shoots grown in trays and snipped to produce a healthy juice —the principal of hydroponic animal fodder is exactly the same, only the livestock eat the entire product, root mat and all, without the need for any expensive juicing equipment.Although green fodder production using sprouted grains is not

a new idea, using modern technology and methods to produce high volumes of quality animal feed in a small space is something that has a lot of appeal today. The great thing about hydroponic fodder is that it can be produced by everyone from pet owners to very large-scale commercial operations with considerable benefits to livestock health and productivity.

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


83Maximum Yield USA | September 2011 83Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

http://www.npk-industries.com


“every two pounds oF grain produces between 15 to 20 pounds oF Fresh green Feed aFter seven to eight days and the resuLting Feed consists oF Large thick Mats oF shoots and roots that are then Fed entireLy to Livestock.”

Domestic NFT fodder system designed by FodderTech in Australia.

fantastic fresh fodder

the beneFits oF hydroponic FodderUsing fodder systems has allowed farmers with relatively small blocks of land to run higher stock numbers than would nor-mally be possible by supplementing grass or other feed with fresh fodder on a daily basis. Feeding high-value animals such as horses, which need a certain level of quality nutrition, is another area where commercial fodder systems have been put to good use, particularly in areas where grass production is low for many months of the year. Young or sick animals—as well as breed-ing, lactating and fattening livestock and those being housed indoors—can all obtain enhanced benefits from fresh fodder year round as a supplement to dry feed, and they enjoy the juicy shoots once they become familiar with the mats of fodder. Hy-droponic fodder has been fed to livestock as diverse as dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, rabbits, poultry and deer in both commercial and domestic applications.Well-designed hydroponic fodder factories are also very

economical with water and fertilizer. In these systems the nutrient solution is circulated round the trays of sprouting fodder so there is maximum efficiency and no wastage of valuable nutrients.

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

http://www.plant-success.com


http://www.sierranaturalscience.com


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

tors. As the seed germinates the phytates are eliminated and this allows maximum absorption of the nutrients contained in the grain. Many other nutrition changes occur in the sprout-ing grain as well—complex compounds break down into

more simple constituents and there are increases in hydrolytic enzymes and improvements in the content of total proteins, fats, essential amino acids, total sugars and B-group vitamins. In particular, the increases in vitamin E, beta carotene, biotin

Commercial livestock operations can use fresh hydroponic fodder to supple-ment other feed.

“young green barLey Leaves are aLMost 40 per cent protein; protein which is 90 per cent usabLe and easiLy digested and assiMiLated.”


http://www.opticfoliar.com


http://www.microbrewedfertilizer.com


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

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

produce is considered superior to many other types of feed available for livestock.Fodder-production systems for livestock

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

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

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


http://www.sunlandgarden.com


http://www.sunleaves.com


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

The main concern with sprouting grains for both animal and human consumption is hygiene and climate control. High humidity around the developing grain can lead to the devel-opment of certain bacteria and fungi, some of which produce toxins that can lead to animal health problems. The best way of combating the growth of these naturally-occurring fungi is to not sprout the grains in a high-humidity environment and to ensure there is adequate air movement around the developing fodder, to keep everything as clean as possible and to use bot-tom-watered systems such as NFT rather than overhead misting. Some growers, particularly those just growing a few trays of fodder on a small scale, pre-sterilize their grains with a short soak in a diluted household bleach solution to kill off any fungi spores naturally occurring on the grain. A one per cent solu-tion of bleach should be used to wash the grains for 10 minutes before rinsing with fresh water several times, then soaking and

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

Fantastic Fresh Fodder

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


http://www.grotek.net


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

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


Wheat grains sprouting, 24 hours after soaking.

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

http://www.kessil.com


http://www.urbanagricultural.com


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

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

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


http://www.growillagoods.com


overhead lamps can scorch tender new shoots.While automatic systems such as wide NFT channels are used

for commercial fodder production, in a small indoor sys-tem hand-watered shallow trays stacked on tiers to maximize production space are a good option. Trays should have drain-age holes in the base and will need to be checked and watered once or twice daily, but with the average crop taking less than 10 days to mature a full tray of healthy green fodder can be grown with very little effort. A simple ebb and flow system with a solid tray placed underneath the perforated sprouting tray holding the grains is the best system for manual watering, rather than pouring water and nutrient solution over the crop. Water alone should be given for the first few days as the grains sprout, then a dilute, complete hydroponic nutrient solution—a grow formulation—can be applied at an EC of 0.8 to one mS cm-1. The entire tray of fodder can then be offered to pets or livestock to graze or the whole mat of fodder, roots and all, can

be rolled up and taken out to feeding areas. Trays should then be thoroughly sterilized before reseeding with the next crop. If any fungal growth (mold) or bacterial disease (slimy grains) has developed during the fodder production process the tray should be discarded, sterilized and re-sown with clean grains.

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

reFerences and sourceswww.foddertech.comwww.grazegreen.comwww.farmtek.com

“the entire tray oF Fodder can then be oFFered to pets or Livestock to graze or the whoLe Mat oF Fodder, roots and aLL, can be roLLed up and taken out to Feeding areas.”

http://www.phatfilter.com

by EvaN FOLDS

All microbes Are not creAted equAl. discover when microbes Are the most effective And At their most powerful in A living system, like A plAnt.

biologicAl Diversity And microbe strength



We know a lot about microbes but relatively little about what they actually do or how to use them to help us grow plants. This can be illustrated through a discussion of compost tea. Our current understanding of how to best view microbes and brew compost tea when growing plants is limited.It seems that most of the energy being put into biologi-

cal research of compost tea in the gardening and agricultural industry is with regard to the identification of groups of mi-crobes—whether active or inactive, fungi or bacteria—and not what those microbes can do within a living system.It’s much easier to create grids and count microbes (which is

all a lab does for routine biological assays) than it is to patient-ly perform growing trials to determine the ability of specific microbes in assisting plant growth.By specific microbes I’m not just talking about categories, but

individual microbial strains. For instance, microbes from a farm are far stronger and capable than those from a lab.Total numbers can be relevant when evaluating the balance of

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

http://www.hydrohuts.com


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

What he means is that the most important aspects of life cannot be quantified. They’re unobservable. As humans, we tend to want to rip things apart to find the truth when the truth lies in the whole synergy of life.Here’s a truth: all microbes are not created equal. The same

truth holds for people, animals and plants. This is why we keep motherplants and clone them. Humans don’t evolve much any more so we have developed extreme diversifica-tion, but survival of the fittest is at work in evolving systems. Consider chimpanzees and bonobos—they come from the same genetic stock and grow up basically across the river from each other, but exhibit wildly different characteristics.Now consider the differences in the strength, diversity and

ability of microbes that come from a biodynamic farm versus a laboratory. Some biological products in the progressive gar-dening industry are created from microbes raised by humans in laboratories. This biosynthetic approach is necessary for the cost-effective distribution of certain microbes in specific applications and has its merits—especially with mycorrhizal fungi—but a biosynthetic approach cannot approach the full potential of an intact biological network or soil food web. There’s no synergy among the different microbes because they didn’t grow up together.Imagine if a trapeze artist picked someone out of the

crowd to catch them at the end of their death-defying pass.

Biological diversitY

“As humAns, we tend to wAnt to rip things ApArt to find the truth when the truth lies in the whole synergy of life.”

http://www.continentalfan.com


Microbes aren’t robots; they’re unique, dynamic, living, breathing life forms with varying abilities, even within a given species.No living organism operates autonomously. In other words,

there is a symbiosis, or give and take, found in the natural world that we humans take for granted and therefore try to restrict. When we get in the way of nature, we mess with the magic.All microbes operate by way of teammates. They play off of each

other, with one teammate unlocking the ability of the next. The big man cannot dunk without the assist from the point guard.When 52 different organisms that were individually grown

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

used far too casually and confidently. True diversity as nature intends it cannot be measured by data points and cannot be engineered—it must grow from natural impulse and necessity.For instance, you can’t reverse engineer the natural balance

in sea water, and the same goes for humus. Be assured, most of the companies out there advertising biological diversity are not performing DNA testing on their organisms and this is the only way to measure true diversity.Besides, biological diversity is virtually limitless, as evidenced

by all the superbugs being discussed with regard to the overuse of antibiotics in humans and livestock. Microbes can react and adapt by design.When using microbes, starting with a quality product is

essential. This is a major problem with people who com-post in their backyards. Organic matter doesn’t just melt; it’s

Biological diversitY

http://www.organicairfilter.com

biologically digested. Without good microbes present in the mix, good plant food cannot be created.For instance, it would not be advis-

able to use manure to make compost tea because manure is not yet plant food. This is why some compost brands at the hardware store cost a dollar a bag—all they are is aged manure. They’re mulch, not plant food. Remember, trees in a forest don’t eat leaves; they eat what the microbes make of them.Some tea-brewing systems advise using

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

means of illustrating this point. Gener-ally, biodynamic compost is not turned

like traditional compost; it is created over longer periods of time. While turn-ing compost does serve to speed up the decomposition process via aeration, it can also sacrifice the potential result by oxidizing the organic matter.Good things come to those who wait.It is possible to change the look and

consistency of organic matter via fre-quent turning, but this again creates mulch, not true plant food. Because biodynamic compost is not turned, the microbes have to do the work, and they’re fine with that. You don’t have to turn the forest floor or a prairie, right?The ability of certain aerobic (air-loving)

microbes to become anaerobic if exposed to differing conditions is called facultative. The secret is in creating proper conditions, not in compensating for a lack of biologi-cal or energetic balance.It’s true that not cleaning a compost tea

brewer can generate biofilms, or colo-nies of anaerobic organisms that spew potentially pathogenic organisms over time. But some of the more common microbes we are told to fear, such as E. coli, are found naturally in the soil on farms and in our backyards.

Biological diversitY and microBe strength

There are even anaerobic organisms such as bokashi—or effective micro-organisms as they are known—that are becoming popular to those in the know. Their use is sometimes referred to as composting, but is actually fermentation by way of anaerobic microbes.This is not to say that biodynamic

compost is anaerobic, but to say that the biodynamic method represents a means of providing microbes more life experi-ence—in other words, more strength and diversity—than those given a cushy couch potato environment.Think of it this way: an unchallenged

microbe is a lazy microbe, and you can’t tell good microbes from bad ones by looking at them. Can you see nitrogen-cycling or enzyme production capabili-ties in an organism under a microscope? The short answer is—no.My point is that one cannot truly

evaluate the quality of a biological prod-uct through a lab assay or by peering at a sample under a microscope. The only way to do this is by using it and learning from your subjective experience.Keep in mind also that raw organic

inputs need a biological component to make them fully available to plants and that this is true even for good organic potting soils.Finally, microbes should be utilized in all

growing situations, hydroponics included.

“it’s true thAt not cleAning A compost teA brewer cAn generAte biofilms, or colonies of AnAerobic orgAnisms thAt spew potentiAlly pAthogenic orgAnisms over time. but some of the more common microbes we Are told to feAr, such As E. coli, Are found nAturAlly in the soil on fArms And in our bAckyArds.”


MY


http://www.eyehortilux.com

BEGiNNEr’S CORNER

Measuring Light Intensity

by Philip McIntosh

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


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

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

Candlepower. Candlepower (cp) is an obsolete unit of luminous intensity based on the light emitted from a specific type of candle (in England the candles had to be made of pure spermaceti weighing 1∕

6 of a

pound and burning at a specified rate; that should tell you how obsolete this unit really is). Candlepower was dep-recated in 1948 and there is really no excuse for still using it.

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

Candelas. The candela (cd) replaced candlepow-er as the SI unit of luminous intensity. It is defined as the luminous intensity in a given direction of a source emit-ting 555 nanometers radiation with a radiant intensity of 1/683 watt per steridian (sr). Steridian, now there’s a unit you don’t come across every day! A steridian is roughly the area covered by 1∕

12 of a sphere having a radius of

one unit. The 555 nanometers wave-length (green) was chosen to cor-respond to the wavelength of highest sensitivity of the human eye when adapted to bright conditions. Perhaps you can already see a problem with the fact that green light was chosen as a part of the definition and method of producing a standard reference source for the candela; this is not an efficient wavelength for plant photosynthesis.

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

Lux. The lux is the SI unit of illuminance. Lux gives the number of lumens per square yard (the illuminance) on a surface. For example, if a luminous flux of 100 lm, is shone on an area of one square yard, the illuminance is 100 lux. One hundred lm concentrated on a four square inch surface (perhaps by moving the source closer to the surface) results in an illuminance of 10,000 lux—the il-luminance is 100 times as high since the area of a four inch by four inch surface is 1/100th the area of a square yard. Knowing this does not give any infor-mation about how much of that is light is actually useful for plants.

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

2O).


Named for the scientist (in honor of his 1905 description of the photoelectric effect, in which certain materials eject electrons when struck by light), the Einstein (E) is a unit (but not an SI unit) of quantized light energy. The Einstein is sometimes mis-takenly described as one mole of photons of any wavelength. However, it is really the amount of energy (in joules/mol), of a mole photons of a given wave-length. A mole of photons is quite a lot, so in plant research, pho-tosynthetically active radiation (PAR) mea-surements are reported in microEinsteins per second per square yard (micro = one-millionth). Or, to be consistent with SI units, mi-cromol per second per square yard. These data are collected us-ing sensors that essentially count all the photons in the range from around 300 nanometers to 700 nanometers. This is also known as the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) or photo-synthetic photon flux (PPF). MY

About the Author: Philip Mcintosh is a science and technology writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany and chemistry and a master’s degree in biological science. During his graduate research he used hydroponic techniques to grow axenic plants. He lives in Colorado Springs, CO. where he teaches mathematics at Challenger Middle School.

UniqUe Heirloom

TomaToesby Matt Lebannister

since variety is the spice of life, why not try something different with your next tomato crop? With all the different types of heirloom tomatoes available today, there’s really no reason to settle

for the couple of bland choices we are given at the average grocery store!


http://www.gurugrowlights.com


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

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

“there are so few choices of tomatoes in the average grocery store because of seed companies

and the farmers they do business with. “

unique heirloom tomatoes

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eliminating the heirloom strains that have been around for centuries—leading to the serious risk of extinc-tion for many of these strains.Enter the heirloom seed savers.

Just when it seemed like large seed companies had a stranglehold on the industry, organizations specializing in the preservation and distribution of heirloom or heritage strains sprang up to save the day. There has been an explosion of heirloom seed companies in the last couple of decades, largely driven by the In-ternet, their goal being to preserve true, open-pollinated, non-hybrid heirloom cultivars while giving the average home gardener some options to grow different strains that would not normally be available to them.From this article you will learn about some completely unique

heritage tomato strains that can be grown at home.The first heirloom strain that we will discuss is the Persimmon

tomato, an old Russian variety believed to have been brought to North America by a seed-saving organization. The fruit is bright

yellow or orange, which can seem strange to those of us who have only ever seen red toma-toes, but they’re generally con-sidered one of the best-tasting yellow/orange strains available. They are a determinate variety, which means that all their fruit is produced and ripens at the same time, and they’re usually three to four inches in diameter and round, with no ribbing or blemishes. These are meaty tomatoes that are juicy with few seeds, full of tomato flavor and a little tangy—perfect for sauces, salads or just on their own.

Persimmon tomatoes can be grown indoors where they require lots of light to thrive, doing best under HID bulbs. For vegetative growth the plants need 18 hours of uninterrupted light followed by six hours of uninterrupted darkness per day. To trick the plants into flowering indoors, switch the photope-riod to 12 hours of uninterrupted light followed by 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness, which simulates the amount of light the plants would receive if they were grown outdoors.This strain usually grows four to six feet tall, although it can

get larger, and the plants need a daytime temperature between 65 and 85°F and a nighttime temperature no lower than 55°F. Persimmon tomatoes have an ideal pH range of 5.5 to 7.0 in soil and 5.8 to 6.4 in hydroponics—if the pH level drifts out of this ideal range the plant will begin to lock out nutrients and deficiencies will develop.Persimmon tomatoes are open-pollinating: when growing

these types of plants indoors you must pollinate them by hand, which is best accomplished by touching the tip of a paintbrush

“Persimmon tomatoes can be grown indoors where they require lots of light to thrive, doing

best under HiD bulbs.”


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http://www.direct-hydro.com


to each flower twice a day while the plant is in bloom in order to spread the pollen from flower to flower, male organs to female organs. All things considered, the Per-simmon cultivar is an excellent heirloom tomato that takes about 80 days from seed sow-ing to fruit harvest.Another unique tomato

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

sauces and salads, or simply on their own.Purple Calabash tomatoes can be culti-

vated at home fairly easily. They need lots of light to produce great fruit, so grow-ing them under HIDs is recommended. For the vegetative stage of growth this strain needs 18 hours of uninterrupted light, while in order to get the plants to flower indoors you’ll have to switch the

photoperiod to 12 hours of uninterrupted light followed by 12 hours of uninter-

rupted darkness. Purple Calabash tomatoes also need to be hand pollinated when grown indoors.The ideal pH range for Purple

Calabash tomatoes is from 5.5 to 7.0 in soil and between 5.8 and 6.4 in hydroponics. This cultivar can grow anywhere from four to eight feet tall and staking the plants is recom-mended to keep them from falling over and being damaged. Purple Calabash tomatoes are an indeterminate strain—which means that their fruit does not

develop and ripen all at once—and it should take about 75 to 85 days from seed sowing to harvest.The next cultivar that we’ll look at

is the Reisetomate, an extremely rare German heirloom strain that just might be the most strange and unique tomato


http://www.rootguruhydroponics.com


http://www.emeraldtriangle.biz


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

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

light to produce fruit and they do best under HID lights. They need 18 hours of uninterrupted light for the vegetative stage of growth, although in order to trick the plant into flower-ing you’ll have to switch the photoperiod to 12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of darkness. Like the other strains we’ve discussed Reisetomate tomatoes will also need to be pollinated by hand in order to produce fruit indoors.One safety note for the home grower—certain parts of all

tomato plants are toxic and must not be consumed, as the leaves and stems contain small amounts of a toxin called tomatine. MY


Sourceswww.backyardgardener.comwww.heritageharvestseed.com

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

http://www.actinovate.com


http://www.aurasystemsonline.com

Micropropagationby brian Johns

Discover the basic steps of Micropropagation, but

before we begin all that, there is one point that

cannot be stresseD enough—Maintain cleanliness!

all other factors in Micropropagation are

iMportant but none of theM will affect your

results as Much as this one.

AvAnT-GArDEnInG

Maximum Yield USA | September 2011114


1. Select a plant from which to take tissue samples. It is im-portant that your plant is free from any visible signs of dis-ease or infestation. Typically plants that are grown indoors are more successfully micropropagated than those grown outdoors simply due to lower levels of contaminates. It is also important to sterilize your plant as much as possible. Wipe the plant down with a mild bleach or hydrogen per-oxide solution (approximately ½ teaspoon per .22 gallons).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

116 Maximum Yield USA | August 2011


117Maximum Yield USA | August 2011 117Maximum Yield USA | August 2011


Ph

WhAT To Do, WhAT noT To Do AnD WhY

by bETh DUmEy aND STEvEN GOLDbERG

“I’m trying to test the pH of my solution to make sure my plants are getting enough nutrients. I think my pH tester is broke. Or maybe it is clogged. I’m not sure, but I’ve only had it a few weeks. I think I need to return it.” –Frustrated Hydroponicist



http://www.milwaukeeinstruments.com

Chances are the pH tester does not need to be returned. Instead, applying some simple troubleshooting and storage techniques can save the hydroponicist’s time and frustration. Several influences can impact a tester’s functionality, leading to drifting readings, slow response times, environmental interfer-ence and more. Here are some common complaints and what to do about them:

“MY rEADInG kEEPs DrIFTInG. WhAT CAn I Do?”The types of sensors or electrodes in pH testers are gel-filled. You are most likely to experience drifting when measuring a relatively large volume of liquid, measuring liquid at slightly colder temperatures or testing fairly clean water. Here’s what might be happening:• Because gel-filled electrodes

leak solution at a much slower rate than liquid-filled electrodes they take longer to stabilize. This slower response can be perceived as “drift.”

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

• When measuring liquid that is fairly clean, carbon dioxide can cause the pH to change as the sample is allowed to sit and react with the air. This may appear as drift, but actually the CO

2 is changing the pH.

• In general, pH testers containing electrodes with built-in temperature sensors aren’t as responsive as separate pH and temperature electrodes.

“I Don’T ThInk MY Ph TEsTEr Is WorkInG. IT’s so sloW.”The age and condition of the electrode in your pH tester can affect response times. Properly functioning, new gel-filled electrodes will go from pH seven to pH four in no more than 60 to 90 seconds. Keep in mind:• As electrodes age, they respond more slowly.• In some circumstances it is normal if your electrode is

quick to respond during calibration but slower to respond during your test.

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

trouBleshooting Your ph tester


http://www.hmdigital.com


“ThErE sEEMs To bE InTErFErEnCE AFFECTInG MY rEADInGs. WhAT’s hAPPEnInG WITh MY TEsTEr?”

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

“CAlIbrATIon Is nECEssArY To AChIEvE An ACCurATE rEADInG. In A sEnsE, IT sETs ThE METEr AT ThE CorrECT lEvEl, MuCh lIkE A sCAlE nEEDs To bE PlACED AT ExACTlY zEro To ProDuCE An ACCurATE WEIGhT.”

http://www.nutrifield.com.au/


“MY TEsTEr DoEsn’T sEEM To bE CAlIbrATInG. WhAT Do I Do?”Calibration is necessary to achieve an accurate reading. In a sense, it sets the meter at the correct level, much like a scale needs to be placed at exactly zero to produce an accurate weight. To calibrate, always choose a pH seven buffer solution plus at least one other pH value close to your expected mea-surement range. Using solutions of known pH value allows you to adjust your tester. Perform calibration before each reading or set of readings. To troubleshoot:• Be sure to calibrate with fresh, unexpired buffer solution.• Try changing the batteries and calibrating again.• Reset the tester.

“MY Ph TEsTEr Is GrIMY AnD noT WorkInG WEll. hoW Do I ClEAn IT?”pH testers with mechanically intact electrodes containing no broken parts can often be restored to normal performance by one of the following procedures:• General cleaning: Soak the electrode in a 1:10 dilution

of household laundry bleach in a 0.1 to 0.5 per cent liquid detergent solution in hot water with vigorous stirring for 15 minutes. Place electrode under warm,


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

• Removing saltdDeposits: Dissolve the deposit by im-mersing the electrode in 0.1 M HCl for five minutes, followed by immersion in 0.1 M NaOH for five min-utes, and thorough rinsing with distilled water.

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

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

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

“ProPErlY sTorInG Ph TEsTErs EnsurEs oPTIMAl FunCTIonInG

AnD EnhAnCEs ThEIr lonGEvITY.”

http://www.hydrofarm.com


MEAsurInG ThE Ph oF PurE WATEr

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

limitations will be discussed here.

oThEr MEAsurEMEnT TIPs:

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

• addition of a tiny amount of KCl will increase ionic strength to the sample and improve response time. Only high purity KCl should be used as trace contaminants in low-grade KCl can artificially alter the ph.

• maintain good-laboratory practices including using clean glassware, avoiding cross-contamination after calibration by rinsing thoroughly with DI water, us-ing only certified calibration standards, etc.

• Temperature compensation should be used dur-ing measurement and calibration. Calibrate daily at multiple ph calibration points.

• minimize exposure of your sample with air. CO2

gas absorption can actually decrease ph.

http://www.nutrifield.com.au/



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

“I’M noT surE IF I’M sTorInG MY Ph TEsTEr CorrECTlY.”

Properly storing pH testers ensures optimal functioning and enhances their longevity. However, electrodes should not be stored for longer than six months. After six months, electrodes should be rotated or replaced.For best results, always keep the pH

bulb wet, preferably in a storage solu-tion or in pH 4.01 buffer with 1/100 part of saturated potassium chloride (KCl) added. Other pH buffers or tap water are acceptable storage media, but avoid storing in distilled water

or reverse osmosis water because it will deplete the hydra-tion layer of refillable electrodes and decrease the life of nonrefillable electrodes.KCl and pH four buffers provide good conditions for mold to

grow. To prevent mold from growing in storage solutions, use up

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to four per cent of sodium benzoate or azide in the reference fill and storage solutions.If the electrode has not been hydrated (i.e.,

placed in solution for more than one hour), allow the electrode to soak in a buffer (pref-erably pH four) prior to standardization or measurement. This will help optimize and re-establish the thin hydration layer on the sens-ing bulb, which is critical to pH measurement.

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


http://www.dlwholesale.com



Grow Your Own Fresh AirModern buildings use a lot of synthetic materials that can release volatile or-ganic compounds into the air, including nasties such as formaldehyde, ammonia and benzene. In addition, humans release bioeffluents, or carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane as well as alcohols and ammonia. When you add together synthetic materials, bioeffluents and poor ventilation you’ve got a recipe for Sick Building Syndrome, a mixture of ailments including allergies, asthma and fatigue.The good news is that research done for

NASA into how to create a breathable atmosphere for a lunar base has led to an understanding of how to use common houseplants to improve indoor air quality and prevent this syndrome.Plants actively manage the environ-

ment around them, increasing humidity,

About the Author: About the author: Emma Cooper is the voice of the Alternative Kitchen Garden podcast and writes about kitchen gardening and environmental issues. Visit http://coopette.comFern

creating air movement, managing the microbes that live in the soil around their roots and emitting phytochemicals into the air that prevent the buildup of harm-ful bacteria and molds.One of the best plants for cleaning the

air is the large Areca palm, perfect for offices. A good choice for a smaller room may be the Rubber plant. For a sun-nier position try Ficus Alii. If space is at a premium, the Boston fern may be for you. If you fancy something that flow-ers indoors, you can’t do better than the Peace lily. MY

Ficus

by Emma Cooper

http://www.thegreengro.com/


http://www.orcagrowfilm.com

130 Maximum Yield USA | September 2011130 Maximum Yield USA | September 2011

GroWInG For hEaLTh

LOOKING FOR SOmE ExTRa SpICE IN yOUR hERb GaRDEN? CONSIDER aDDING ExOTIC hERbS TO ThE GaRDEN.

From Italian parsley, lime thyme and laven-der to allspice, marjoram and rosemary, there are endless possibilities for the exotic herb gardener. Exotic herbs have been grown and cultivated throughout the world; from the Mediterranean to the Tropics, their versatil-ity is unsurpassed. Exotic herbs have some amazing qualities, with many of them quite adaptable and easily grown indoors with a little care.Nearly all herbs, exotic or not, require good

drainage and lots of light. With sufficient light and temperature you can easily grow a success-ful exotic herb garden indoors or out. Ex-otic ones thrive in containers. An exotic container herb garden can offer flexibil-ity in placement. Containers set in just the right spot will make it easier for others to appreciate the wonderful aromas of exotic herbs, not to mention their flavor. Keep in mind that exotic herbs cannot

tolerate cold conditions and must be brought inside if grown outdoors. South-facing areas such as sunny porches and windowsills make the best site for container-grown herbs.A tropical native of Thailand, the green,

strongly flavored peel of Kaffir lime is sought after in many Southeast Asian dishes. Even more aromatic and intensely flavored are the fresh leaves that can be used much like bay leaves to flavor broth, soups and stews.Another tropical native, lemon grass is also

widely grown and used in Asian cuisine. Ornamental in appearance with both a strong lemon flavor and pleasant lemon scent, the grassy stalks of this exotic herb add a refreshing taste to soups, chicken and seafood dishes.Numerous variet-

ies of ginger can also be grown in the exotic herb garden. Some exotic herbs are also grown for their beautiful flowers in addition to their other useful qualities. For instance, there’s the

ExOTIChERbSSpICING IT Up wITh

“CONTaINERS SET IN JUST ThE RIGhT SpOT wILL maKE IT EaSIER

FOR OThERS TO appRECIaTE ThE wONDERFUL aROmaS OF

ExOTIC hERbS, NOT TO mENTION ThEIR FLavOR.”

exotic Egyptian beauty blue lotus found on the shores of the Nile River. The intense blue flowers are typically grown for orna-mental purposes though in some regions they are also used as medicine.Fragrant plants add an extra dimension

to herb gardening. Lemon verbena has always been prized for its aromatic oils and fresh lemon scent. Producing small pale-lavender flow-ers, lemon verbena is a favorite ornamental herb grown in many gardens. Lavender is yet another prized herb grown for its strong aromatic properties. Pineapple sage also pos-sesses an intoxicating fra-grance. Indigenous to the Mediterranean and South America, the pineapple-scented foliage of this exotic herb is unlike any other, instantly transforming your indoor herb garden into a tropical oasis. Although commonly grown for its pleasing aromatic foliage, the vivid red blooms of pineapple sage also make a lovely garnish for sautés and salads.

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

Thyme is another notable Mediterranean native and a regular to many herb gardens, but for a more exotic flair; try growing some of the many sweetly scented varieties, such as lime or lemon thyme. Lime thyme makes a great ground cover, and the leaves are citrus scented; how-ever, it makes a better

ornamental herb as it does not have a citrus taste or culinary value. For cook-ing purposes, try lemon thyme instead. This exotic herb is full of citrus flavor, and smells and tastes like lemon. It can be used as a substitute for lemon juice, lemon zest or lemon flavoring.

Greek Oregano is widely used in many Ital-ian dishes as flavoring for tomato sauce, pizza, fish and salad dressing.Other notable exotic herbs, whether grown

for culinary or aesthetic purposes, include verbena, Vietnamese balm, Mexican coriander, Thai basil and many more. MY

For more gardening tips and tricks visit www.gardeningknowhow.com or check out www.gardeningknowhow.com/questions


&P H O T O S Y N T H E S i S

P L A N T N U T r i T i O NB Y B E N T L E Y M i L L S

Certain essential plant elements are required for photosynthesis and related meta-

bolic processes. Some have a direct role in the structure of the photosynthetic

apparatus. Necrosis and chlorosis (chlorophyll loss), which gives brown or yel-

low discoloration in the leaf , that accompanies a deficiency of an essential plant

nutrient, results in reduced leaf area and plant metabolic activity.



http://www.californialightworks.com


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

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

P H O T O S Y N T H E S i S i N G E N E r A L In the most general terms, photosynthesis can be described as the process by which plants use light energy to transform car-bon dioxide (CO

2) and water (H

2O) into

oxygen (O2) and carbohydrates. A general

reaction for the photosynthetic process is shown below:

C O 2 + H 2O + L i G H T E N E r G Y - - -- > ( C H 2O ) + O 2

Photosynthesis, however, is not that simple. It actually consists of several interconnected processes that work to-gether in taking solar radiation and us-ing it to turn carbon dioxide and water into starches and oxygen gas. Inorganic elements play a vital role in all of the processes of photosynthesis. Nutrients can play both a direct and indirect role in photosynthesis.Direct effects of nutrient deficiencies

are usually considered reversible. Ele-ments can be considered to have direct effects on photosynthesis when deficien-cies of a particular element can cause a rapid decline in photosynthetic activity; and upon reintroduction of that element at a proper level, photosynthesis resumes. Indirect effects are not usually readily re-versible. They occur over a longer period of time and involve an element that is not necessarily critical in the photosyn-thetic process, but instead is crucial in the production of something that is directly involved. An example of an indirect effect

photosYnthesis and plant nutrition

“ W i T H O U T S U L F U r ,

C H LO r O P L A S T P r O D U C T i O N

W O U L D S U F F E r A N D

P H OTO S Y N T H E S i S r AT E S

W O U L D FA L L O F F. “

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plants called the chloroplast. The chloroplast is one of three general types of plastids. The other two types are called chromoplasts and leucoplasts. Chloroplasts are organelles that are bounded by a double membrane system; which encloses an internal membrane system, the thylakoids, and a gel like matrix called the stroma. Thylakoids are grouped into stack like structures called grana, and several grana can be connected by tube like struc-tures called frets. It is among these structures that photosyn-thesis occurs.Chloroplasts have also been

shown to contain significant concentrations of inorganic nu-trient ions. Studies have shown that more than half of the N,

Ca and Mg in a plant is in the leaves. Concentrations of Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Mg, Al and Si have all been detected in the lamellae of the chloroplasts.When essential elements are deficient or present in toxic

amounts, a number of common changes can occur in the chloroplasts of a plant. Often, the chloroplasts of affected plants display the following irregularities:• Chloroplasts are more spherical than ovoid in shape.• The number of grana tends to be reduced or appear as

indistinguishable plastids.• Deficiencies in calcium can result in

membrane irregularities.• Deficiencies in sulfur can result in general

chloroplast irregularities.• Deficiencies in magnesium of iron can result in destruction

of lamellar systems as well as irregularities in chloroplast membranes.

• Ammonium toxicity can result in a decrease in the number of grana present as well as a general swelling of the chlo-roplast. This is likely related to the uncoupling effect that ammonia has on photosynthetic phosphorylation.

“ T H E r E AC T i O N C E N T E r CO N S i S T S O F S O M E

P r OT E i N S A N D C H LO r O P H Y L L M O L E C U L E S

T H AT U S E T H i S G AT H E r E D E N E r G Y A N D

CO N V E r T i T i N TO C H E M i C A L E N E r G Y. “

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

the visual manifestations of decreased photosynthetic activity by a plant. For example, the chlorosis that occurs when plants are deficient in magnesium (Mg) is due to the fact that magnesium makes up part of the chlorophyll molecule. Chlorophyll is a pigment in plants responsible for giving them their green color. Thus, when magnesium is lacking, chlorophyll production is lowered and leaves yellow. In order to understand the role of the essential elements in photosynthesis we must first have an understanding of where, how and why the various processes of photosynthesis occur.

P H O T O S Y N T H E S i S i S A S E r i E S O F PA r T i A L P r O C E S S E S :

1. Interception of incident radiation and its conversion into chemical energy as NADPH and ATP.

2. Diffusion of CO2 to the chloroplasts.

Photosynthesis largely occurs in the leaves of green plants. In particular it occurs within an organelle that is unique to



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

3. Synthesis from trios-ephosphate of starch in the chloroplasts or sucrose in the cytoplasm.

T H E L i G H T r E A C T i O N The light reaction of photo-synthesis involves the ad-sorption of light radiation of particular wavelengths and the utilization of this absorbed en-ergy to split water molecules in order to generate ATP and NADPH, which can be used as a source of chemical energy in the dark reaction. The light reaction takes place within two working units called photosystems. Photosystems

consist of chlorophyll and other pigment molecules, such as xanthophylls and carotenoids, which absorb light energy from particular wavelengths. The pigments that absorb light energy are called antenna pigments. These pigments absorb light energy and deliver it to an area called the reaction center. The reaction

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center consists of some proteins and chlorophyll molecules that use this gathered energy and convert it into chemical energy. The various pigments in plants help give them the unique

ability to absorb light energy and convert it into useable chemi-cal energy. Though all the pigments play important roles in the functioning of green plants, the one whose role is the most obvious is chlorophyll and thus it will be discussed here.Chlorophyll is a large molecule with a heme structure, much

like the hemoglobin in our red blood cells. However, instead of having an iron atom in the center like a nitrogen porphyrin ring hemoglobin does, it has a magnesium atom. There are differ-ent types of chlorophyll: chlorophyll A, B and C. Chlorophyll a makes up about 75 per cent of the chlorophyll in a green plant and is thus most essential to the photosynthetic process. What makes chlorophyll so special is its ability to absorb light.


“C H LO r O P H Y L L TA K E S T H E E N E r G Y i T

A B S O r B S F r O M T H E S E WAV E L E N G T H S

O F L i G H T A N D CO N V E r T S i T TO U S E A B L E

C H E M i C A L E N E r G Y W i T H i N T H E

P H OTO S Y S T E M S O F T H E L i G H T r E AC T i O N

O F P H OTO S Y N T H E S i S .“

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

TO B E CO N T i N U E D…

WE CONTiNUE OUr DiSCUSSiON

OF PHOTOSYNTHESiS AND PLANT

NUTriTiON iN OC TOBEr 2011

iSSUE MAXiMUM YiELD USA.


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How to test pH LeveLs in

soiLby tHerese Cressman

is your soiL aCidiC? neutraL? aLkaLine? wHy does it matter? Find out.

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

reading of approximately 6.5 to 7.5) but there are some that require a more acidic (below seven) or alkaline soil (above seven). The scale is from zero (most acidic) to

14 (most alkaline).

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

Three ways To TesT soil:• Use a soil meter, probe or kit: These

vary in price and quality.• Quick and dirty DIY test: Not very

specific but can give you an idea of what type of soil you’re working with and the testing supplies are likely in your pantry already.

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

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

“many pLants tHrive in neutraL soiL (a pH reading oF approximateLy 6.5 to 7.5) but tHere are some tHat require a more aCidiC (beLow seven) or aLkaLine soiL (above seven).”


TIPs AnD TrICks

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

Quick and dirTy TesTThis won’t give you a specific reading, but it can give you an idea whether or not your soil is acidic or alkaline.• Vinegar test: Take a sample of dry

soil (about ¼ cup), mix with distilled water to make a liquid mud and then

start pouring household vinegar over top.

If the mixture fizzes, the soil is alkaline.

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

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

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

send ouT samplesIf it’s imperative that you know

precisely how your soil tests, your best bet is to check

with your local government agricul-tural office or university’s horti-cultural department. They’ll do the soil analysis or advise where local gardeners can get their soil samples tested.

Quick Tips for amending soil• For more acidity (sourness) try add-

ing sulfur, pine needles or cotton-seed meal to lower soil pH.

• For more alkaline (sweetness) try adding lime or wood ash to increase soil pH. MY

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“Pest populations may produce twice as fast

in the summer months due to constant high

temperatures.”

Depending on where you live and how extreme the seasonal varia-tions in your area, the warmer months of the year may tend to defeat many of the techniques you’ve been using in order to harvest top-shelf indoor crops.In the summertime, indoor farming efficiency has a tendency to

plummet unless the grower is prepared in advance to skillfully ex-ecute certain environmental control precautions. Pest populations may produce twice as fast in the summer months due to constant high temperatures and the excessive heat may hinder plant growth as well, leaving gardens vulnerable to pest infestation, drought and molds. Root diseases such as pythium are also at a power play advantage,

Beat the heat

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

you achieve a bumper outdoor-grown harvest during the peak grow-ing season. After all, the sun is the greatest free resource an outdoor

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

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

For many growers, air conditioning is an essential element in the climate control properties of their room design in the summer months in arid climates such as Arizona or Colorado—upwards of five tons (60,000 BTU) and more of A/C is not uncommon for commercial growers housing multiple sets of lights in areas as large as 2,000 square feet, especially when temperatures outside are upwards of 95°F! When the sun is this hot throughout the day,

1,000 watt lights are the last thing a grower wants to have boosting the temperature without the safety valve

of a high-efficiency air conditioner or water-cooled air handler. Split units are also a great

way to provide cool, fresh air intake to the garden while isolating the heat from the compressor. Portable A/C units are a quick fix for spot-cooling treatments in gardens, but will probably require more than 14,000 BTUs in order to handle gardens housing more than two 1,000

watt lights. Water chilling air handlers are advantageous for cool-

ing purposes, but can result in excessive

humidity levels caused by condensation. Water chillers may seem

kind of expensive initially, but for hydroponic applications in particular these devices will ensure steady growth even in the hottest grow room environments—instances

“High temperatures are your worst enemy in the summer season if you’re

an indoor grower.”

Beat the heat

http://www.hydroponics.com

149Maximum Yield USA | August 2011

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Beat the heat

where rooms upwards of 100 degrees will still maintain inches of plant growth per day in continually running systems using 60 to 65 degree chilled water are not unheard of.Dimmable electronic and digital ballasts have proven to be advanta-

geous from both an energy efficiency and environmental control standpoint. Having the ability to reduce the energy consumption and light output of 1,000 watt lamps, or, in some instances, having the lux-ury of being able to replace them with 600 or 750 watt lamps is a good example of a recent technological breakthrough in horticulture that can improve production for the grower. Implementation of dimming functions on electronic and digital ballasts has proven to be a versatile solution for controlling temperature issues in the garden—growers are now able to maintain adequate production and photosynthesis with 1,000 watt lights, while without a dimmable option these lights would have to be turned off in order to keep the room temperature down. Obviously there is no benefit to plants to be derived from a 1,000 watt light—or any light at all—if you can’t control the temperature during the sweltering summer months.Problems stemming from the excessive heat and energy sometimes

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

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“Problems stemming from the excessive heat and energy sometimes generated by conventional indoor light sources have started to steer

growers towards LEDs as an alternative.”

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

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Beat the heat

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

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

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YOU TELL US

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

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

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

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

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

MY: Explain how heat mats work and why they are beneficial for indoor growers?Darren and Donald: Temperature is a major factor in how fast a seed or cutting will germinate because it affects growth on the


Darren Lacativo and Donald LaRosa

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

MY: What can Maximum Yield readers expect from DL Wholesale in the near future?Darren and Donald: In the near future you can expect that we will more than double the size of our catalog, again, within the next year, and you can expect our prices to stay competitive. We are also trying to increase the manufacturing of our products within the US whenever possible, so stay on the

look out for those little American flags on our products. We are also planning to open a new distribution warehouse on the East Coast so we can offer those customers the same great service and shipping rates that we currently offer our customers closer to us on the West Coast. And you can also expect to see a new electronic ballast from us that will be an industry changer, and we are very excited about it! We are currently in development now, and you can check our website and blog for updates.

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

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

Environmental Project and Ride Ataxia, as often as we can.

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

Darren and Donald: We are always brainstorming new ways to reduce our carbon footprint and help the

environment. We are currently switching out all of our


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

MY: Where can growers go for educational materials on using your products and to learn more about your company?Darren and Donald: You can learn more about our company and our products on our website www.dlwholesale.com and our blog, located within our website. In terms of educational

materials on using our products, we are currently working on developing our own information videos, but in the mean time there are countless articles and videos all over the Internet, especially www.maximumyield.com and YouTube, that address just that. We also do everything we can to support unbiased industry

professionals who create informational videos and reviews by supplying them with products. MY


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AT A GlAnCE

Company: hefty harvest

Owner: nik Grobins, Alex Wentz and Pieter roets

Location: lacey, Washington

Phone: 1-360-628-8964

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.heftyharvest.com

Motto: “Make every harvest a hefty harvest!”

From left: Owners Alex Wentz, Pieter Roets and Nik Grobins.

Hefty Harvest

Hefty Harvest was created in 2010 by Nik Grobins, Alex Wentz and Pieter Roets. With over 35 years of garden-ing experience between them, the boys from the H Team felt there was a need for a new breed of a retail hydroponic shop that would be a true depar-ture from the dark, closet-sized shops of old; a shop centered on helping cus-tomers reach their garden-ing poten-tial; a shop where every customer could get what they needed to reach that potential.In the past 10 years there has been an explo-

sion in the number of hydroponics products available and even more are hitting the shelves every day. This influx of new and sometimes untested merchandise—along with the vague information sometimes provided with the products—has made wading through the industry a treacherously expensive endeavor. The team at Hefty Harvest has the experience and more than enough space—you’ll find

pretty much everything you need for your garden except for maybe a sparkle pony or a soda pop rain drop! The Double H is a Willie Wonka-sized candy store for gardeners of all levels. With a massive selection of nutrients, ad-

ditives and more hardware than you can shake a snake at, you could almost say the owners are bat crap crazy about quality and selection.All jokes aside,

Hefty Harvest and its employees are serious when it comes to know-ing the products available and stay-ing on top of the latest developments

in the industry. Reading relevant books, research papers and trade publications and the willingness to participate in vigor-ous physical application of the principles learned from them are prerequisites for every HH employee, in addition to being necessary for meaningful long-term suc-cess in the retail hydroponic world.“Nothing is worse than employees at

a store who may take themselves too seriously,” Alex tells us.

TALKING SHOP


“We have strict rules and standards about having fun!”At Hefty Harvest, the job is not about rushing

customers into a purchase when they’re in the store. “It’s not about what I want to sell to the customers,” Nik explains, “but what our customers need to be sold in order for them to be successful.”Treating cus-

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

adds Pieter. “Our customers are great. Their enthusiasm and drive to produce great gardens makes working with them a lot of fun.”Having a store located in Lacey, Washington

in the Pacific Northwest has provided some real insight into the future of indoor and hy-droponic gardening for the three partners. On

“the double h is a willie wonka-sized candy store for

gardeners of all levels.”

with a smile of his own. “Until we eat it all—then it makes us feel full!”The future for Hefty Harvest is even

brighter than all the lights they sell com-bined. The three owners feel they have the chance to grow opportunities for their customers the way they grow their fruits and flowers, and Nik sums up their philosophy by saying, “Nothing we do happens in a vacuum—it’s about making the right choices to have a positive impact on our customers, our gardens and our community.” The eagerly awaited launch of their new online storefront means the team at Hefty Harvest is also looking to make a digital splash soon in cyberspace. “We have a lot of great new features for the site rolling out in the near future,” Alex proudly tells us. “The site will be constantly evolving to provide easy navigation and will provide a plethora of information and new tools never before seen for customers in our industry.”So look for the H team to be doing

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

Hefty Harvest

the west side of the Cascade Mountains the growing season can be very inconsistent—and very wet—and many small- and medium-scale outdoor growers have begun using green-houses with supplemental lighting in their fully indoor operations in order to provide a more consistent crop year round. Meanwhile, victory

garden growers are becoming more exposed to the benefits of learning the nutritional needs of plants and understanding

advanced gardening techniques such as organic teas. A family today has a lot of resources available to help them grow healthy fruits and vegetables at home. “Having an in-

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

and a big pile of fruit from their garden it makes you feel good inside,” says Alex,



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

www.maximumyield.com

maximum yield USa October will be available October 1 for FREE at selected indoor gardening retail stores across the country and on maximumyield.com

Subscriptions are available at maximumyield.com/subscriptions.php

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

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

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

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

COMiNG UP iNOCTObER

9.5.

3.

DO YOU KNOW?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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MAXIMUM YIELDdistributors Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

ALABAMAAlabama Organics3348 Bethel Road,Hammondville, AL 35989256-635-0802

ALASKABrown’s Electrical Supply365 Industrial Way,Anchorage, AK 99501907-272-2259Far North Garden Supply2834 Boniface ParkwayAnchorage, AK 99504907-333-3141Southside Garden Supply AK12870 Old Seward Highway, Unit 114,Anchorage, AK 99515907-339-9997Holmtown Nursery Inc.1301 - 30th Avenue,Fairbanks, AK 99701907-451-8733Northern Lights Greenhouse & Garden SupplySuite 105-9737 Mud Bay RoadKetchikan, Alaska 9901907-225-GROW (4769)Anuway HydroponicsSuite #1 2711 W WalnutRogers AK 72756 USA479 631 0099Peninsula Garden Supply AK44224 Sterling Highway, Suite 4,Soldotna, AK 99669907-420-0401Far North Garden Supply300 Centaur Street,Wasilla, AK 99654907-376-7586

ARIZONASea of Green Flagstaff204-C E. Route 66Flagstaff, AZ 86001928-774-SOGF(7643)The Hydro Closet5826 West Olive Avenue #106Glendale, Arizona 85302602-361-2049Homegrown Hydroponics 2525 West Glendale AvePhoenix AZ 85051602-368-4005Sea of Green West2340 W. Bell Road, Suite 116,Phoenix, AZ 85023602-504-8842ACI Hydroponics1325 South Park Lane,Tempe, AZ 85282800-633-2137Homegrown Hydroponics601 East Broadway Road,Tempe, AZ 85282480-377-9096Sea of Green Hydroponics1301 E. University Dr.Tempe AZ, 85281800-266-4136Gonzo Grow10297 W Van Buren Street,Tolleson, AZ 85353623-780-GROW Natural Pools & Gardens2143 North Country Suite C,Tucson, AZ 85716520-323-2627Sea of Green Hydroponics402 North 4th Avenue,Tucson, AZ 85705520-622-6344

ARKANSASMickey’s Mercantile1303 Highway 65 South,Clinton, AR 72031501-412-0214Old Soul Organics and More1771 Crossover Road,Fayetteville, AR 72701479-444-6955 Growfresh Organics & More2600 S Zero St, Suite CFort Smith, AR 72901479.648.8885Fermentables3915 Crutcher Street,N. Little Rock, AR 72118501-758-6261

Anuway Hydroponics2711 W. Walnut Street,Rogers, Arkansas 72756479-631-0099

CALIFORNIAGreenleaf Hydroponics1839 W Lincoln Avenue,Anaheim, CA 92801714-254-0005 Grow It Yourself Gardens401 Sunset Drive, Suite L,Antioch, CA 94509925-755-GROWHigh Desert Hydroponics13631 Pawnee Road, #7Apple Valley, CA 92308760-247-2090American Hydroponics286 South G Street,Arcata, CA 95521800-458-6543Humboldt Hydroponics601 I Street,Arcata, CA 95521707-822-3377Let it Grow160 Westwood Center,Arcata, CA 95521707-822-8733Northcoast Horticulture Supply639 6th St.Arcata, CA 95521 707-826-9998Sweet Harvest Hydroponics & Organics1041 E. Grand Ave.Arroyo Grande,CA 93420(805) 473-0004Hole In The Wall Hydroponics282 Broadway Ave.Atwater, CA95301209-358-3944Auburn Organic4035 Grass Valley Highway,Auburn, CA 95602530-823-8900High Street Hydro180 Cleveland Avenue,Auburn, CA 95603530-885-5888Quail Mountain Ranch230 Palm AveAuburn, CA 95603530-889-2390Tell 2 Friends Indoor Gardening62 Sutherland Drive,Auburn, CA 95603530-889-8171Stop N Grow 5455 Rosedale HwyBakersfield, CA 93308(661) 859-1988Green Leaf Hydroponics3903 Patton Way #103Bakersfield CA 93308661-245-2616Kern Hydroponics2408 Brundage Lane, Suite B,Bakersfield, CA 93304661-323-7333The Hydro Shop3980 Saco RoadBakersfield, CA661-399-3336 Better Grow Hydro Los Angeles5554 Bandini Boulevard,Bell, CA 91106323-510-2700; 877 640 GROWSuper StartsPO Box 732,Bellmont, CA 94002650-346-8009 Berkeley Indoor Garden844 University AvenueBerkeley, CA 94710510-549-2918Berkeley’s Secret Garden921 University Avenue,Berkeley, CA 94710510-486-0117Hydroponic Connection, The2816 San Pablo AveBerkeley, CA 94702510 704-9376Brentwood Hydroponics & Organics560 Valdry Ct #85Brentwood, CA 94513925-634-6704

Advanced Garden Supply3113 Alhambra Drive, Unit F,Cameron Park, CA 95682,530-676-2100Precision Hydroponics132 Kennedy Avenue,Campbell, CA 95008408-866-8176Elite Horticulture Supply22330 Sherman Way, C13,Canoga Park, CA 91303818-347-5172Hydro International7935 Alabama AvenueCanoga Park, CA 91304Advanced Hydroponics17808 Sierra Highway,Canyon Country, CA 91351Myron L Company2450 Impala Drive,Carlsband, CA 9210-7226760-438-2021661-299-1603San Diego Hydroponics North County Coastal 6352 Corte Del Abeto #JCarlsbad CA, 92011760-420-8934 NorCal CreationsPO Box 28,Cedar Ridge, CA 95924Garden Connection, The 2145 Park Avenue, Unit 2Chico, CA 95928530-342-7762Hydro King2540 South Whitman Place,Chico, CA 959282530-893-GROW (4769)Grow4Less garden Supply & Hydroponics320 Trousdale Dr., Suite LChula Visa CA 91910619-425-GROWCitrus Heights Hydrogarden8043 Greenback LaneCitrus Heights, CA 95610916-728-4769Conrad Hydroponics Inc.14915 Unit E, Olympic Drive,Clearlake, CA 95422707-994 3264Under The Sun12638 Foothill Boulevard,Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423707-998-GROW (4769)Gro More Garden Supply2937 Larkin Avenue, Clovis, CA 93021559-348-1055G & G Organics and Hydroponics901 W. Victoria Street Unit D,Compton, CA 90220310-632-0122Concord Indoor Garden2771 Clayton Road,Concord, CA 94519925-671-2520Hydroponics Plus2250 Commerce Avenue, Suite CConcord, CA 94520925-691-7615Hydrostar Hydroponics & Organics1307 W. Sixth Street, #211,Corona, CA 92882951-479-8069A+ Hydroponics & Organics1604 Babcock Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627949-642-7776The Hydro Source671 E. Edna PlaceCovina, CA 91723877 HYDRO 82; 626-915-3128Let it Grow1228 2nd Street,Crescent City, CA 95531707-464-9086Northcoast Horticulture Supply 1070 Highway 101,Crescent City, CA 95531 707-464-1200Seaside Hydrogarden1070 Highway 101 North,Crescent City, CA 95531707-465-3520Pacific Coast Hydroponics4147 Sepulveda Boulevard,Culver City, CA 90230310-313-1354


Dr. Greenthumbs Hydroponic Garden Supplies566 San Ramon Valley Blvd.Danville, CA 94526925-314-9376Constantly Growing - Davis123 D StreetDavis, CA 95616530-756-4774Constantly Growing6200 Enterprise Drive, Suite ADiamond Springs, CA 95619530-642-9710Harvest Hydroponics6650 Merchandise Way Suite B,Diamond Springs, CA 95619530-622-5190Victory Garden Supply1900 N Lincoln St #100Dixon CA 95620707 678 5800Watch It Grow Hydro9453 Firestone Blvd. Downey, CA 90241562-861-1982Garden Warehouse6355 Scarlet Court, #2,Dublin, CA 94568925-556-3319Grow A Lot Hydroponics, San Diego1591 N. Cuyamaca Street,El Cajon, CA 93612619-749-6777El Centro Hydro & Brew Supply Inc.591 main Street, Suite N-2El Centro, CA 92243760-235-4985Indoor Garden Solution Inc.12424 Exline Street,El Monte CA 91732,626-453-0443Go Green Hydroponics15721 Ventura Boulevard,Encino, CA 91436818-990-1198A Fertile World (Eureka)65th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 707-444-0200Humboldt Nutrients65th Street,Eureka, CA 95501888-420-7770Humboldt Electronics2547 California Street,Eureka, CA 95501707-443-9408Humboldt Hydroponics1302 Union Street,Eureka, CA 95501707-443-4304 Northcoast Horticulture Supply60 West 4th Street,Eureka, CA 95501707-444-9999

Everthing Green Hydroponics, Inc.1201 Oliver Rd.Fairfield, CA 94534707-432-0774Constantly Growing4343 Hazel Avenue,Fair Oaks, CA 95628916-962-0043Tulare County Growers Supply 435 W. Noble Avenue, Unit A, Farmersville, CA 93223559-732-8247Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - North6241 Graham Hill Road,Felton, CA 95018831-335-9990Eel River Hydroponics & Soil Supply164 Dinsmore Drive, Fortuna, CA 95540707-726-0395The Shop6542 Front Street,Forestville, CA 95436707-887-2280Dirt Cheap Hydroponics17975 H Highway 1,Fort Bragg, CA 95437707-964-4211Hydrogarden Mendocino County1240 North Main Street,Fort Bragg, CA 95437707-962-9252 A Fertile World (Fortuna)610 7th Street,Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-0700

Western Auto1156 Main Street,Fortuna, CA 95540707-725-1189Northcoast Horticulture Supply357 Main Street,Fortuna, CA 95540 707-725-5550Nature’s Secret Garden and Supply41469 Albrae Street,Fremont, CA 94577510-623-8393Roots Grow Supply1330 North Hulbert, #101 Fresno, CA 93728559-840-0122Tower Garden Supply & Organic Nursery403 W. Olive Avenue,Fresno, CA 93728559-495-1140Valley Hydroponics207 E. Sierra Ave.Fresno, CA 93710 559-449-0426Grow Wurks Hydroponics 765 S. State College Boulevard. Suite J Fullerton, CA 92831714-253-Grow (4769)SB Hydro1109 W. 190th Street, Unit #F,Gardena, CA 90248310-538-5788Golden Gecko Garden Center, The4665 Marshall Road,Garden Valley, CA 95633530-333-2394Probiotic Solutions20889 Geyserville Avenue,Geyserville, CA 95441707-354-4342South Valley Hydroponics320 Kishimura Drive, #3 Gilroy, CA 950201-866-848-GROW

Zen Hydroponics1801 Victory Blvd.Glendale, CA 91201 877 ZEN Grow818 806 4500Stop N Grow340 Pine Avenue,Goleta, CA 93003805-685-3000 All Seasons Hydroponics 17614 Chatsworth Street, Granada Hills, CA 91344 818-368-4388AG Natural403 Idaho Maryland Road,Grass Valley, CA 95945530-274 0990Grass Valley Hydrogarden12506 Loma Rica Drive,Grass Valley, CA 95945530-477-2996Vital Landscaping Inc. 12817 Loma Rica Drive,Grass Valley, CA 95945530-273-3187West Coast Growers Hydroponics13481 Colifax Highway,Grass Valley, CA 95945888-924-4769 M.G.S.22540 D Foothill Boulevard,Hayward, CA 94541510-582-0900Thrive Hydroponics70 A West North Street,Healdsburg, CA 95446707-433-4068Bear Valley Hydroponics & Homebrewing17455 Bear Valley RD. Hesperia CA 92345760 949 3400Emerald Garden13325 South Highway 101,Hopland, CA 95482707-744-8300Surf City Hydroponics7319 Warner Street, Suite BHuntington Beach, CA 92647714-847-7900Dutch Garden SuppliesPark Circle Suite 12 Irvine CA 92614949-748-8777

West Coast Hydroponics, Inc.27665 Forbes Road, Unit 10Laguna Niguel, CA 92677949-348-2424La Habra Hydroponics1301 S Beach Blvd, Suite O. La Habra, CA 90631562-947-8383Grass Roots Hydroponics31875 Corydon, Suite 130 Lake Elsinore, CA 92530951-245-2390South County Hydroponics22511 Aspan Street, Suite ELake Forest, CA 92630949-837-8252Clover Hydroponics & Garden Supply43 Soda Bay Road,Lakeport, CA 95453707-263-4000San Diego Hydroponics East County11649 Riverside Drive,Suite 141, Lakeside, CA 92040619-562-3276Total Hydroponics Center Inc4820 Paramount Blvd Lakewood, CA 90712562-984-GROW (4769)Weather Top Nursery44901 Harmon Drive,Laytonville, CA 95454707-984-6385CNG Garden Supplies22 Ricknbacker Circle, Livermore, CA 94551925-454-9376DL Wholesale6764 Preston Ave. Suite DLivermore CA 94551510 550 0018National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply6485 Brisa Street,Livermore, CA 94550888-570-4678 (Southern CA) Garden Depot, The203 Commerce Street, Suite 101Lodi, CA 95240209-339-9950Valley Rock Landscape Supply2222 N H StreetLompoc CA 93436P: 805 736 0841805 735 5921Green Coast Hydroponics2405 Mira Mar Avenue,Long Beach, CA 90815 562-627-5636Grow Light Express5318 East Second Street suite 164,Long Beach, CA 90803888-318-GROWLong Beach Hydroponics & Organics1772 Clark Avenue,Long Beach, CA 90815 562-498-9525Atwater Hydroponics3350 Glendale Boulevard,Los Angeles, CA 90039323-663-8881Green Door Hydro and Solar830 Traction Avenue,Los Angeles, CA 90013212-625-1323Hardman Hydroponics3511 Youree Dr., ShreveportLos Angeles 71105318-865-0317Hollywood Hydroponics and Organics5109 1/2 Hollywood Boulevard,Los Angeles, CA 90027-6105323-662-1908 Hydroasis2643 S. Fairfax Avenue,Los Angeles, CA 90232888-355-4769LAX Hydro10912 S. La Cienaga Boulevard,Los Angeles, CA 90304310-337-6995Nirvana Hydroponics340 South San PedroLos Angeles, CA 90013310-795-2914Sunland Hydroponics4136 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90065323-254-2800



Green Giant Hydroponics7183 Hwy 49 Unit BLotus CA 95651530 622 4465California Green Hydroponics16491 Road 26, Suite 101Madera, California 93638559-674-1400Deep Roots Garden Center & Flower Shop207 N. Sepulveda Blvd.Manhattan Beach, CA 90266Telephone: 310-376-0567B & S Gardening Supplies590 Commerce Court,Manteca, CA 95336209-239-8648Monterey Bay Horticulture Supply218 Reindollar Avenue Suite 7A,Marina, CA 93933831-38-HYDROTwo Chix Garden Supply1230 Yuba Street,Marysville, CA 95901530-923-2536Northcoast Horticulture Supply1580 Nursery WayMcKinleyville, CA 95519 707-839-9998Thunders Hydroponic Center1729 Yosemite Boulevard,Medesco, CA 95354Mendocino Garden ShopPO Box 1301, 44720 Maint Street (at Hwy. 1),Mendocino, CA 95460707-937-3459Grow Zone718 Willow Rd. Menlo Park CA 94025650-326-4769Hooked Up Hydroponics1004 W. 15th St. Suite B & C,Merced, Ca 95340209-723-1300Merced Hydroponics1809 East 21st Street,Merced, CA 95340209-726-4769The Urban Farmer Store653 E. Blithedale Avenue,Mill Valley, CA 94941415-380-3840

Mission Viejo Hydroponics 24002 Via Fabricante Suite 502 Mission Viejo, CA 92691949-380-1894Coca’s Central Valley Hydroponics116 West Orangeburg Avenue,Modesto, CA 95350209-567-0590Growers Choice Hydroponics1100 Carver Road,Modesto, CA 95350209-522-2727Year Round Garden Supply11000 Carver Rd. #20Modesto, CA 95350Tel: 209 522 2727Green Light Hydroponics2615 Honolula Ave. Montrose, CA 91020818-640-2623

Supersonic Hydroponic and Organic Garden Supply 850 Shasta Avenue, Suite BMorro Bay, CA 93442805-772-5869South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - Mtn. View569 East Evelyn Avenue,Mountain View, CA 94041650-968-4070Redwood Garden Supply55 Myers Avenue,Myers Flat, CA 95554707-943-1515Endless Green Hydroponics25 Enterprise Court, Suite 3 Napa, CA 94558707-254-0200Conejo Hydroponics3481 Old Conejo Road #106Newbury Park, CA 91320805-480-9596Stop N Grow640 S. Frontage Road,Nipomo, CA 93444805-619-5125

Valley Garden Solutions Inc.15650 Nordhoff Avenue, Suite 104,North Hills, CA 91345818-336-0041Foothill Hydroponics10705 Burbank Boulevard, N. Hollywood, CA 91601818-760-0688One Stop Hydroponics12822 Victory BoulevardNorth Hollywood, CA 91606818-980-5855Lumatek Digital Ballasts33 Commercial Boulevard, Suite BNovato, CA 94949415-233-4273 Marin Hydroponics55 Frosty LnNovato, CA 94949(415) 233-4104Marin Hydroponics1219 Grant Avenue,Novato, CA 94945415-897-2197Roots Grow Supply 40091 Enterprise Dr.Oakhurst CA 93644559 683 66223rd Street Hydroponics636 3rd StreetOakland, CA 94607510-452-5521Bloom Hydro1602 53rd Ave. Oakland CA 94601707 980 0456Medicine Man Farms1602 53rd Avenue,Oakland, CA 94601707-980-0456Plant-N-Grow1602 53rd Avenue,Oakland, CA 94601707-980-0456 Hydrobrew1319 South Coast Highway,Oceanside, CA 92054760-966-1885; 877-966-GROWSocal Hydroponics1727-B Oceanside Boulevard,Oceanside, CA 92054760-439-1084Cultivate Ontario2000 Grove Ave #a110Ontario, CA 91761909-781-6142Flairform1751 S Pointe Avenue,Ontario, CA 91761213-596-8820GreenCoast OntarioUnit 102-103 1920 South Rochester AvenueOntario, CA1 (909) 605-5777National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply1950 C South Grove Avenue,Ontario, CA 91761 888-888-3319Palm Tree Hydroponics2235 E 4th St,Suite GOntario, CA 91764909-941-9017RH Distribution1751 S. Pointe Avenue Ontario, CA 91761888-545-8112Green Coast Hydroponics496 Meats AvenueOrange, CA 92865714-974-4769 Natural Pest Controls8320 B Hazel Avenue,Orangevale, CA 95662916-726-0855

Advanced Soil & Garden Supply350 Oro Dam Boulevard, Oroville, CA 95965530-533-2747Igrow Hydro2280 Veatch Street,Oroville, CA 95965530-534-4476 Orville Organic Gardens5250 Olive Hwy Ste 1Oroville, CA 95966530-589-9950

US Orchid & Hydroponic Supplies1621 South Rose Avenue,Oxnard, CA 93033805-247-0086Pacifica Hydroponics90 Eureka SquarePacifica, CA 94044(650) 355-5100 America’s Best Hydroponics & Gardening Center641 W. Palmdale Blvd. Unit DPalmdale, CA 93551661-266-3906 Hydroponics Unlimited641 W. Palmdale Blvd. “D”Palmdale, CA 93550661-266-3906 Palm Springs Hydroponics4651 Ramon Road,Palm Springs, CA 92264 760-327-ROOT

DNA Hydroponics Inc19345 North Indian Canyon Drive, North Palm Springs, Suite 2-F CA 92258760-671-5872New Leaf Hydro34150 123rd Street,Parablossom, CA 93553 661-944-2226Alternative Hydro3870 East, Colorado Boulevard,Pasadena, CA 91107888-50-HYDROBetter Grow Hydro Pasadena1271 E. Colorado Boulevard,Pasedena, CA 91106626 737 6612Supersonic Hydroponic and Organic Garden Supply3850 Ramada Drive, Unit D2Paso Robles, CA 93446805-434-2333Foothills Hydrogarden3133 Penryn Road,Penryn, CA 95663916-270-2413Funny Farms Hydroponics963 Transport Way, #12Petaluma, CA 94954707-775-3111 House of Hydro224 Weller Street, #B,Petaluma, CA 94952707-762-4769JNJ Hydroponics 4774 Phelan Rd. Suite 2Phelan CA 92371760 868 0002Turbo Grow1889 San Pablo Avenue,Pinole, CA 94564510-724-1291Hillside Hydro & Garden4570 Pleasant Valley RoadPlacerville CA 95662530-644-1401

Best Yield Garden Supply3503 West Temple Avenue, Unit A,Pomona, CA 91768909-839-0505Emerald Garden8249 Archibald Avenue,Ranch Cucamanga, CA 91730909-466-3796GreenLeaf Hydroponics2212 Artesia Boulevard,Redondo Beach, CA 90278310-374-2585 Shadow Valley Aquatics75 Kimick Way,Red Bluff, CA 96080530-526-0479Bare Roots Hydroponics1615 East Cypress, #5Redding, CA 96002530-244-2215Dazey’s Supply3082 Redwood Drive,Redway, CA 95560707-923-3002Humboldt Hydroponics2010 Tunnel Road,Redway, CA 95560707-923-1402Redway Feed Garden and Pet Supply290 Briceland Road,Redway, CA 95560707-923-2765


Sylvandale Gardens1151 Evergreen Road,Redway, CA 95560707-923-3606 Humboldt Hydroponics2174 Pine Street, Redding, CA 96001530-241-7454Hydro King105 Hartnell Avenue, Suite C and D,Redding, CA 96002888-822-8941Orsa Organix111 Willow Street,Redwood City, CA 94063650-369-1269Mendocino Greenhouse & Garden Supply960 East School Way,Redwood Valley, CA 95470 707-485-0668EZ Green Hydroponics7017 Reseda Boulevard,Reseda, CA 91335818-776-9076Hydro Hills Hydroponics19320 Vanowen St.Reseda CA 91335Box Of Rain Inc.Po Box 302, Rexford, CA 59930406-755-7245Hi-Tech Gardening5327 Jacuzzi Street, #282,Richmond, CA 94804510-524-4710The Urban Farmer Store2121 San Joaquin Street,Richmond, CA 94804510-524-1604Discount Hydroponics4745 Hiers Avenue,Riverside, CA 92505877-476-9487 All Ways Hydro2220 Eastridge Ave. Suite C Riverside CA 92507888-HYDRO98Calwest Hydroponics 11620 Sterling Avenue, Suite A Riverside, CA 92503 800-301-9009Hydro Depot5665 Redwood Drive, #B,Rohnert Park, CA 94928707-584-2384 Igrow Hydro9000 Atkinson Street,Roseville, CA 95678916-773-4476Green Acres Hydroponics1215 Striker Avenue, Suite 180,Sacramento, CA 95834916-419-4394Greenfire Sacramento3230 Auburn Boulevard,Sacramento, CA 95821916-485-8023Green Thumb Hydroponics35 Quinta Court, Suite B,Sacramento, CA 95823916-689-6464KY Wholesale8671 Elder creek Rd. #600Sacramento, CA 95828 916 383 3366Mystic Gardens8484 Florin Road, #110,Sacramento, CA 95828916-381-2464Sac Hydroponics9529 Folson Boulevard, Suite CSacramento, CA 95827916-369-7968Skywide Import & Export Ltd.5900 Lemon Hill Avenue,Sacramento, CA 95824916-383-2369Tradewinds Wholesale Garden Supplies1235 Striker Avenue #180,Sacramento, CA 95834888-557-8896Green Joint Ventures61 Tarp Circle,Salinas, CA 93901831-998-8628Reforestation Technologies International1341 Daton Street, Units G&ISalinas, CA 93901831-424-1494; 800-RTI-GROW

National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight Supply1900 Bendixsen Street , Bldg. 1,Samoa, CA 95564800-683-1114 (Northern CA) Greenmile Hydroponic Garden Supply1480 South E. Street, Suite D,San Bernardino, CA 92408909-885-5919Garden Shed, The1136 El Camino RealSan Carlos, CA650-508-8600Pure Food Gardening/Microclone830 H Bransten Rd. San Carlos,CA94070-3338Green Gopher Garden Supply679 Redwood Avenue, Suite A,Sand City, CA 93955831-899-0203Modern Gardens26620 Valley Center Dr. Santa Clarita, CA 91351661-513-4733Best Coast Growers4417 Glacier Avenue Suite C,San Diego, CA 92120800-827-1876City Farmer’s Nursery4832 Home Avenue,San Diego, CA 92105619-284-6358Green Lady Hydroponics4879 Newport Avenue,San Diego, CA 92107619-222-5011Home Brews & Gardens3176 Thorn StSan Diego, CA 92104619 630 2739Indoor Garden Depot1848 Commercial St. San Diego CA 92113619-255-3552Innovative Growing Solutions (IGS)5060 Santa Fe St. Ste.DSan Diego, CA 92109858-578-4477Mighty Garden Supply4780 Mission Gorge Pl. #A-1, San Diego, CA 92120619-287-3238Miramar Hydroponics & Organics8952 Empire StreetSan Diego CA 92126 858-549-8649Oracle Garden Supply5755 Oberlin Drive, Suite 100San Diego, CA 92121 858-558-6006Pacific Beach Hydroponics1852 Garnet Avenue,San Diego, CA 92109858-274-2559San Diego Hydroponics Beach Cities4122 Napier Street,San Diego, CA 92110 619-276-0657Wai Kula Hydrogardens5297 Linda Vista Road,San Diego, CA 92110619-299-7299Direct Hydroponics Wholesale1034 W. Arrow Hwy#DSan Dimas, CA 91773888-924-9376Liquid Gardens1034 West Arrow Hwy.#DSan Dimas, CA 91773888-924-9376Extreme Hydroponics11479 San Fernando Road C,San Fernando, CA 91340818-898-0915Grow Your Own 3401 Traval Street,San Francisco, CA 94116 415-731-2115 Hydroponic Connection Warehouse, The1995 Evans Avenue,San Francisco, CA 94124415-824-9376Nor Cal Hydroponics4837 Geary Boulevard,San Francisco, CA 94118 415-933-8262Plant It Earth2279 Market Street,San Francisco, CA 94114415-626-5082

Urban 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 94133415-421-4769San Francisco Hydro123 Tenth Street,San Francisco, CA 94103The Urban Farmer Store2833 Vicente Street,San Francisco, CA 94116415-661-2204US Garden417 Agostinio RdSan Gabriel Ca 91776626 285-5009Inland Empire Hydrogarden1301-C South State Street,San Jancinto, CA 92853Hahn’s Lighting260 E. VA Suite 1,San Jose, CA 95112408-295-1755Plant Life32 Race Street,San Jose, CA 95126408-283-9191South Bay Hydroponics and Organics - San Jose1185 South Bascom Avenue,San Jose, CA 95128408-292-4040D&S Garden Supplies17-130 Doolittle DriveSan Leandro, CA 94577510-430-8589Hydrogarden Delight13762 Doolittle Drive,San Leandro, CA 94577510-903-1808Central Coast Hydrogarden1951 Santa Barbara Street,San Luis Obispo, CA 93401805-544-GROWHealthy Harvest Hydroponics and Organics2958 S. Higuera St.San Luis Obispo, CA 93401805.596.0430San Diego Hydroponics North802 N. Twin Oaks Valley Road #108 San Marcos, CA 92069760-510-1444H20 Gardening355 West 7th Street,San Pedro, CA 90731310-514-1416Marin Hydroponics721 Francisco Blvd EastSan Rafael, CA 94901415-482-8802Pacific Garden Supply128 H Carlos Drive,San Rafael, CA 94903San Rafael Hydroponics1417 Fourth Sreet San Rafael, CA 94901415 455 9655 Green Coast Hydroponics3560 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105805-898-9922Nutes Int’l204 N Quarantina Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 805-687-6699Planet Earth Hydroponics102 East Haley St.Santa Barbara, CA93101805 899 0033Santa Clarita Valley Hydroponics25835 Railroad Ave. #26Santa Clarita CA 91350661 255 3700661 255 3701California Hydroponics310 Coral Street, Suite CSanta Cruz, CA 95060831-423-4769Hydro-Logic Purification Systems370 Encinal St, Suite 150, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 888 H2O LOGICSanta Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - West Side815 Almar Avenue, Unit K,Santa Cruz, CA 95060831-466-9000Full Sun Supply3535 Industrial Drive, Unit B-3Santa Rosa, CA 95403877-FULL-SUN



Gonzo Grow 2550 Guerneville Road,Suite C,Santa Rosa, CA 95401 707-546-1800 Gottagrow Garden Supply769 Wilson Street,Santa Rosa, CA 95404707-544-7782 Green Logic Garden Supply860 Piner Road, #38, Santa Rosa, CA 95403707-843-3156Organic Bountea1919 Dennis Lane,Santa Rosa, CA 95403800-798-0765Pro Gardening Systems 3715 Santa Rosa Avenue #2,Santa Rosa, CA 95407707-585-8633Sun-In Hydroponics1257A Cleveland Avenue,Santa Rosa, CA 95401707-578-5747Sweet Leaf Hydroponics1611 Sebastobol Road,Santa Rosa, CA 95407707-575-GROW (4237) Santee Hydroponics7949 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, CA 92071619-270-8649Gardening Unlimited60 Old El Pueblo Road,Scotts Valley, CA 95066831-457-1236Pro Gardening Systems765 Petaluma Avenue,Sebastopol, CA 95472707-829-7252Better Choice Hydroponics 610 S. Washington Street,Senora, CA 95370209 533 2400Go Big Hydroponics4501 Van Nuys Boulevard,Sherman Oaks, CA 91403818-789-3341Bloom Brothers Garden Supply, Inc.3293 Industry Dr.Signal Hill, CA 90755562 494-0060We Grow Hydroponics3350 East Los Angeles Avenue,Simi Valley, CA 93063 805-624-4566Abundant Hydroponics LLC1611 Shop Street, #1-A,S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150530-54 HYDROAdvanced Garden Supply2660 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, Building C, Unit 9,S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150530-541-4769Farm Hydroponics, The1950 Lake Tahoe Boulevard #3,S. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150530-541-3276Valley Hydro and Organics19230 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma CA 95476707 396 8734Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - East Side4000 Cordelia LaneSoquel, CA 95073831-475-9900Orange County Hydroponics12797 Beach Boulevard, Stanton, CA 90680714-893-9493HomeGrown Indoor Garden Supply681 A Grider Way,Stockton, CA 95210 209-477-4447Golden Harvest Hydroponics & Garden Supply8626 Lower Sacramento Road #48,Stockton, CA 95210209-951-3550M&M Garden Supply2509 West Lane, Suite BStockton, CA 95205209-939-0664

Pacific Ave Indoor Garden Supply 4633 pacific AveStockton , CA 95207209-955-0945City Farm Hydroponics8903 Laurel Canyon Boulevard,Sun Valley, CA 91352818-767-2076

Sunland Hydroponics8300 Foothill Boulevard,Sunland, CA 91040818-352-5300 Anthony’s Garden & Lighting Supply30 Ridge Road, Suites 8 & 9Sutter Creek, CA 95685209-267-5416Tahoe Garden Supply645 Westlake Boulevard, Suite 2, PO Box 487Tahoe City, CA 96145530-581-3200The Otherside Hydroponics19425 Ventura BlvdTarzana CA 91356818 881 hydro (4937)Hydroponics 4 Less41669 Winchester Avenue,Temecula, CA 92590800-A1-HYDROInland Empire Hydrogarden28822 Old Town Front St. #206Temecula, CA 92590886-74-HYDRO805 Hydroponics & Organics1785 E. Thousand Oaks BoulevardThousand Oaks, CA 91362805-494-1785 Art of Hydro2636 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.Thousand Oaks, CA 91362805-230-2227 Green Thumb Lighting & Garden1647 W. Sepulveda Boulevard, Unit 5,Torrance, CA 90501888-326-GROWLos Angeles Hydroponics and Organics3007-3009 W. Artesia Blvd.Torrance, CA 90504310-323-4937Anything Grows10607 W. River Street, Building 3 Suite C,Truckee, CA 96161530-582-0479Hooked Up Hydroponics339 S. Golden State Boulevard,Turlock, CA 95380209-668-1300Emerald Garden307 East Perkins Street,Ukiah, CA 95482707-463-2510HydroPacific - Hydroponics & Garden Supplies351 C Hastings Av.,Ukiah, CA 95482707-467-0400 Northcoast Hydrogardens3450 North State Street,Ukiah, CA 95482707-462-7214Atlantis Garden Supply2851 A Whipple Road,Union City, CA 94587510-487-8007Evergreen Hydroponics923 N. Central Avenue, Suite B,Upland, CA 91786909-946-7100TNC Supply9490 Main Street, P.O. Box 763Upper Lake, CA 95485707-275-9565Everything Green1650 Lewis Brown Dr.Vallejo, CA 94589 707 647 0774Hydroponics Market15816 Arminta StVan Nuys, CA 91406818-305-6261886-72-HYDROStop N Grow4160 Market Street, Unit 11Ventura, CA 93003805-639-9489 BWGS-CA7530 W. Sunnyview Avenue Visalia, CA 93291888-316-1306The Green Shop66420 Mooney Boulevard, Suite 1 Visalia, CA 93277559-688-4200Kaweah Grower Supply1106 1/2 N. Ben Maddox Way,Visalia, CA 93293559-625-4937Greentrees Hydroponics Inc.2581 Pioneer Avenue, Unit DVista, CA 92081760-598-7551

Home Life Hydroponics and Organics1745 East Vista Way,Vista, CA 92084760-643-2150Specialty Garden Center1970 East Vista Way, Suite 10, Vista, CA 92084760-758-4769Monterey Bay Hydroponics and Organics81 Hangar Way, #1,Watsonville, CA 95076831-761-9999Evergreen Farm Feed and Garden1131 Main StreetWeaverville, CA 960931 (530) 623-2884California Hydro Garden1043 South Glendora Avenue, Suite AWest Covina, CA 91790626-813-0868No Stress Hydroponics7543 Santa Monica Boulevard,West Hollywood, CA 90046323-845-9874Hydronation2491 Boatman Drive, Suite BWest Sacramento, CA 95691916-372-4444Flower Hut Nursery603 4th StreetWheatland, CA 95692 530-633-4526Green Coast Hydroponics11510 Whittier BoulevardWhittier, CA 90601 562-699-4201GreenWay Hydroponics11510 Whittier Boulevard,Whittier, CA 90601 Lazy Gardeners Hydroponics ‘N’ More14626 East Whittier Boulevard,Whittier, CA 90605562-945-0909Garden Spout, The260 Margie Dr Willits, CA 95490707-456-0196Sparetime Supply208 E. San Francisco Avenue,Willits, CA 95490-4006Hydromagic Supply40 N. East St. Suite F Woodland,CA 95776530-661-0117Urban Gardens22516 Ventura Boulevard,Woodland Hills, CA 91364818-876-0222Ultra Lo Hydroultralohydro.com 937-252-8224Garden Highway Garden Supply598 Garden Highway #22Yuba City, CA 95991530-755-2877Southern Humbolt Garden Supplies34919 Yucaipa Boulevard, Yucaipa, CA 92399 909-797-6888707-459-6791Yucca Valley Hydroponics56825 Twentynine Palms Hwy. Yucca Valley, CA 92284760 369 0300

COLORADOSouth Park Hydroponics42 E Buckskin Rd.Alma CO 80420719 836 1533National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply3550 B Odessa Way, Aurora, CO 80011866-877-4188 (Northeast) Nick’s Garden Center2001 S. Chambers,Aurora, CO 80014 303-696-6657Family Hydroponics-Boulder2125 32nd StreetBoulder, CO 80301303-996-6100Polar Ray5171 Eldorado Springs Dr.Boulder, CO 80303303 494 5773Way To Grow6395 Gunpark Drive,Boulder, CO 80301303-473-4769


Deep Roots Garden Supply1790 Airport Road, Unit 1Breckenridge, CO 80424970-453-1440Mile High Hydroponics37 Strong St. Brighton, CO 80601303 637 0069 Brighton Hydroponics839so.Kuner rd., Brighton Colorado 80601303-655-1427ACME Hydroponics 300 Nickel St Suite 3 Broomfield, CO 80020 720.524.7306Colorado Grow3400 Industrial Lane, Unit 10ABroomfield, CO 80020 (303) 465-GROW (4769)Hydrofarm CO400 Burbank StBroomfield, CO 80020800-634-9990J&D Organic Growing Solutions217 1/2 Clayton Street Brush, CO 80723970-310-5408BIG BloomZ1011 Caprice Drive,Castle Rock, CO 80109303-688-0599Indoor Garden Warehouse8100 S Akron St., Suite 322,Centennial, CO 80112720-496-2110Garden Tech737 Garden of the Gods Road,Colorado Springs, CO 80907719-278-9777Greenhouse Tech917 East Fillmore,Colorado Springs, CO 80907719-634-0637Hydro Grow Supply644 Peterson Road,Colorado Springs, CO 80915719-596-2600

Purple Mountain Hydroponics LLC1530 S Nevada Avenue,Colorado Springs, CO 80906719-635-5859Room To Grow LLC422 South 8th StreetColorado Springs CO 80905719 633 8682

Roots and Rocks Hydroponicand Organic Garden Supply1014 S. 21st StreetColorado Springs, CO 80904719-634-1024High Tech Garden Supply 5275 Quebec St.Commerce City, CO 80022720-222-0772Roll-N-Green Farms Horticultural Supply25797 Conifer Rd #A-8 Conifer, CO 80433303-838-5520 Global Organics & Hydroponics11 N Broadway Cortez CO 81321970 564 8100Your Grow Bud6801 South Emporia St. Suite 106Greenwood Village, CO 80112Tel: 303-790-2211 BWGS-CO 11685 E. 55th Avenue Denver, CO 80239 888-316-1306 Chlorophyll3801 Mariposa St. Denver CO 80211 303-433-1155Denver Hydroponic & Organic Center6810 North Broadway, Unit DDenver, CO 80221303-650-0091Rocky Mountain Lighting and Hydroponics7100 N. Broadway, Suite 3DDenver, CO 80221303-428-5020The Grow Outlet4272 Lowell BoulevardDenver, CO 80211 303-586-5543 Way To Grow301 East 57th Ave.Denver, CO 80216303-296-7900

All Seasons Gardening 434 Turner Drive, Suite 2B Durango, CO 81303 (970) 385-4769Blue Sky Hydroponics1301 Florida Road Unit CDurango, CO 81301970-375-1238Grow Store South, The5050 S. Federal Boulevard, #37,Englewood, CO 80110303-738-0202Alpenglow Garden Supply2712 South College AveFort Collins, CO 80525970-266-8888Bath Nursery & Garden Center2000 E. Prospect,Fort Collins, CO 80525970-484-5022Indoor Paradise Hydroponics309 S. Summit View, Unit 17,Fort Collins, CO 80524-1462970-221-3751Way To Grow3201 E. Mulberry Street,Fort Collins, CO 80524970-484-4769Hydro Shack, The220 Main Street, Suite EFrisco, CO 80443970-668-0359 GWS Hydroponics7025 Highway 82 Building 4B,Glenwood Springs, CO 81601970-384-2040Hydro Planet711 Washington Avenue,Golden, CO 80401303-279-6090Rocky Mountain Hydroponics and Organics15985 S. Golden RoadGolden, CO 80401720-475-1725Desert Bloom Hydroponics445 Pitkin Avenue,Grand Junction, CO 81501970-245-6427Primo Gardens 1600 North Ave. Suite BGrand Junction, CO 81501970-241-1209 Greeley Nutrients700 11th Street Unit 101Greeley CO 80631970 673 8302GroWize3225 S. Wadsworth Boulevard,Lakewood, CO 80227303-986-2706Grow Store, The8644 W. Colfax Avenue,Lakewood, CO 80215888-510-0350Ever Green Hydroponics Inc.1131 Francis Street, Suite A,Longmont, CO 80501303-682-6435Ultra Lo Hydroultralohydro.com 937-252-8224Victory Hydro Gardening1387 E. South Boulder Rd.Louisville, CO, 80027 Tel: 303-664-9376Lyons Indoor Gardening138 Main Street,Lyons, CO 80540720-530-3828Head Start Hydroponics & Organic Gardening Emporium34500 US Highway 6, Unit B-9,North Edwards, CO 81632970-569-313Cultivate Hydroponics & Organics7777 W. 38th Avenue, A120A, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033303-954-9897

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 06457

860-343-1923

DELAwARESunny Day Organics1867 Coastal Hwy. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware MD 19917302 703 2538

FLORIDAUrban Sunshine1420 E. Altamonte Dr .Altamonte Springs, FL 32701407-830-4769Best Hydro4920 Lena Road,Bradenton, FL 34211941-756-1928Palm Coast Hydroponics4490 N Hwy US1 Ste. 108Bunnell FL 32110386 246 4119East Coast Hydroponics & Organics461 Forrest Avenue, Suite 105Coca, FL 32922321-243-6800 GreenTouch Hydroponics Inc.5011 S State Road 7, Suite 104Davie, FL 33314954-316-8815Absolute Hydroponic Garden Center Inc1607 Old Daytona SteetDeland, FL 32724386-734-0696Organic Grow Hut 2780 Deltona Blvd. #107Deltona, Florida 327251-888-574-grow386-259-5777Gold Coast Hydroponics1539 SW 21st Avenue,Ft. Lauderdale, FL 333121-800-780-7371Biofloral6250 NW 27th Way,Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309 877 735 6725Green Thumb Hydroponics Supplies13482 North Cleveland Avenue,Fort Meyers, FL 33903239-997-4769Gardener’s Edge Gainesville5000 NW 34th Street, Suite 13,Gainesville, FL 32605352-375-2769Florida Garden Supplies2692 W 79 Street, Hialeah, FL 33016 1-800-931-5215Hydro Terra Corp.924 North Federal Highway,Hollywood, FL 33020954-920-0889Simply Hydroponics & Organics (North)3642 South Suncoast Boulevard,Homosassa, FL 34448352-628-2655Hydroponics International Inc.7029-10 Commonwealth Avenue,Jacksonville, FL 32220904-693-6554Grower’s Choice & Hydroponics11855 North Main Street, Jackonsonville, FL 32218904-683-4517Urban Organics & Hydroponics5325 Fairmont Street,Jacksonville, FL 32207904-398-8012Simply Hydroponics & Organics7949 Ulmerton Road,Largo, FL 33773727-531-5355GrowSmart Indoor Garden Centers14587 Southern Boulevard,Loxahatchee, FL 33470561-429-3527Palm Beach Discount Hydroponics – West14703 Southern Blvd. Loxahatchee, FL 33470561 296 8555Atlantic Hydroponics430 Count Street,Melbourne, FL 32901 321-821-1535High Tech Garden Supply2975 West New Haven Avenue,Melbourne, FL 32901321-821-0853Advanced Hydro Gardens4960 NW 165 Street, Suite B-4,Miami, FL 33014866-97-HYDRO



Blossoms Experience, The7207 NW 54th Street,Miami, FL 33166866-452-4769 Florida Garden Supplies 9545 Sunset Drive, Miami, FL 33173 800-931-5215Future Farms Inc., The14291 SW 120th Street, Suite 105Miami, FL 33186305-382-2757Gold Coast Hydroponics4241 SW 71st Avenue,Miami, FL 331551-800-780-6805Growing Garden Inc., The12811 SW 42nd Street,Miami, FL 33175305-559-0309VitaOrganix7921 NW 67th StMiami, FL 33166786 845 86333D Hydroponics and Organics7139 US Highway #19,New Port Richey, FL 34652727-847-3491Florida Garden Supplies8442 Tradeport Drive, Unit 200, Orlando, FL 32827 Urban Sunshine6100 Hanging Moss Rd ste 50 Orlando, FL 32807407-647-4769Urban Sunshine6142 S. Orange AveOrlando, FL 32809 407-859-7728Green Winters Inc.147 Tomoka Avenue,Ormond Beach, FL 32174386-235-8730800-931-5215The Healthy HarvestSte. 126 21113 Johnson St.Pembroke Pines, FL. 33029Tel: 954-538-1511 Eden Garden Supply5044 N. Palafox Street,Pensacola, FL 32505850-439-1299Healthy Gardens and Supply of Florida, Inc.196 East Nine Mile Road, Suite F,Pensacola, FL 32534850-912-4545National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply455 S. Andrews Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33069877-649-3567 (Southeast)Hydroponic Depot II2395 S Tamiami Trail #19Port Charlotte FL 33952941 255 3999t EZ Grow Green604 S.W. Bayshore Blvd.Port St. Lucie, Fl 34983772-807-7755Esposito Garden Center2743 Capital Circle NE,Tallahassee, FL 32308850-386-2114Evershine Hydroponics1519 Capital Circle NE Unit #35Tallahassee FL 32308850-765-0040Grace’s Hydro-Organic Garden Center8877 North 56th StreetTampa, FL 33617813-514-9376Harvest Time Hydroponics14414 N. Florida Avenue,Tampa, FL 33613813-264-7101Hydroponics of Tampa120 W. Bougain Villea,Tampa, FL 33612813-333-6828Stoney Hydro @ Schiro’s Barn n Garden Supplies7812 Causeway Boulevard,Tampa, FL 33619813-626-0902Worm’s Way Florida4412 North 56th Street, Tampa, FL 33610800-283-9676; 813-621-1792Monkey Hydroponics940 West Oakland Ave. Unit A1407 574 8495

Winter Garden FL 3478713054 W Colonial DriveWinter Garden, FL 34787407-656-GROW(4769)

Cultivating Eden Hydroponic Supplies946 18th Avenue SW,Vero Beach, FL 32962772-564-8880Florida Garden Supplies8020 Belvedere Road,Unit 4, West Palm Beach,FL 33411 800-931-5215 Palm Beach Discount Hydroponics – East968 North Congress Ave.West Palm Beach, FL 33409561 296 6161

GEORGIAAtlantis Hydroponics1422 Woodmont Lane, #4, Atlanta, GA 30318404-367-0052Flora Hydroponics Inc.2475 Jefferson Road, Suite 600Athens, GA 30607866-404-0551 Atlantis Hydroponics 2561 West Point Avenue, College Park, GA 30337678-510-0032Alpha Hydroponics and Garden Supply Inc. 3904 N Druid Hills Rd. Suite 247Decatur GA 30033404 590 4769 Savannah Hydroponics & Organics4107 Eighth Street, Suite CGarden City, GA 31408912-349-4030Atlantis Hydroponics5182-B Brook Hollow Parkway,Norcross, GA 30071770.558.1346

HAwAIIEco-Island Supply810 Haiku Road, #394Haiku, HI 96708808-575-9171Aqua Plant Hawaii / Kahala Hydroponics4224 Wailae, Suite 1A,Honolulu, HI 96816808-735-8665Green Hands of Aloha1713 Mary Street,Honolulu, HI 96819808-847-4263Ohana Greenhouse & Garden Supply300 Hukilike Street, #2M,Kahalui, HI 96732808-871-6393Aiyah’s Garden3-3122 Kuhio Hwy. unit B-2Lihue, Hi. 96766808 245 2627Pahoa 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 60101Brew and Grow181 Crossroads Parkway, Bolingbrook, IL 60194847-885-8282Let it Grow - CarbondaleWest Main Street,Carbondale, IL 62908 573-450-5401Alternative Garden Supply615 Industrial Drive, Unit ACary, IL 60013800-444-2837Brew and Grow3625 N. Kedzi Avenue,Chicago, IL 60618773-463-7430

Fertile Ground463 West MacArthur Drive,Cottage Hills, IL 62018618-259-5500Hydrocork20647 Renwick Road,Crest Hill, IL 60435815-838-0100Goldman’s Grow Shop910 Greenwood Road,Glenview, IL 60025

Inc.

847-657-7250Grow Masters4641 Old Grand Ave.Gurnee, Il. 60031 (224) 399-9877 Big Grow Hydroponics9225 Trinity Drive,Lake In The Hills, IL 60156847-854-4450Grow Big Hydroponics7817 B North 2nd Street,Manchesney Park, IL 61115815-637-4769Gardinside618 S. Rt. 59 suite 104Naperville, IL 60540 630-276-9885Green Fields8137 N. Milwaukee,Niles, IL 60714847-965-5056Autumn Bloom Alternative Indoor Gardening1020 Derby StreetPekin, Illinois 61554 309-642-6943Prairie House Garden Center15151 South Harlem Avenue,Orland, IL 60462708-687-3131Brew and Grow3224 South Alpine Road,Rockford, IL 61109815-874-5700Brew and Grow359 W. Irving Park Road Unit E,Roselle, IL 60172630-894-4885Brew and Grow2379 Bode Road, Schaumburg, IL 60440630-771-0555Organic Garden Center 9223 Skokie Blvd.Skokie, IL 60077(847) 675-2722Kreation’s Indoor Gardening Center 3427 Old Chatman Road,Springfield, IL 62704217-341-0821Water Works Indoor Gardening1900 South Dirksen Parkway,Springfield, IL 62703217-553-6929Midwest Hydroganics 949 W Irving Park Rd. Streamwood IL 60107630 483 1600

INDIANABWGS-IN7854 North State Road 37, Bloomington, IN 47404800-316-1306Sunleaves 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 37 Bloomington, IN 47404800-274-9676Frogs Lilly Pad, The706 Citation Road,Carmel, IN 46032317-846-4610Hops & Harvest4616 E. DuPont Road, Suite Q,Fort Wayne, IN 46825260-918-3035Harvest Moon Hydroponics1336 East Washington St.Indianapolis, IN 4620317-780-8070


Magic Bulb Garden Center6229 Allisonville Road,Indianapolis, IN 46220317-202-2852Maximum Grow Gardening6117 E Washington St Indianapolis, IN 46219Five Point Gardens56555 Oak Road,South Bend, IN 46619574-287-9232

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

KENTUCKYGarden Grove Organics29 East 7th Street,Covington, (Cincinnati Metro), KY 41011859-360-1843Worm’s Way Kentucky1360 Donaldson Hwy. Suite A,Erlanger, KY 41018800-669-2088 Grow 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 40299800-462-5953

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

MAINELiquidSun of Maine51West Gray Rd.Gray, ME 04039207-657-8033Natures Palate Indoor Garden Store1321 Mercer Rd ( rte2) Mercer, Maine 04957877-587-4150207-587-4150Evergreen Garden Center301 Forest Avenue Portland, ME 04101207-761-2800 High Tech Garden Supply Maine178 Rand Rd.Portland, ME 04102Phone 207-899-4387Green Thumb Indoor Gardening19 Stage Road,St. Albans, ME 04971207-938-5909Urban Garden Center235 Lewiston Road,Toposhan, ME 04086207-373-0990Greenlife Garden Supply611 US Rt. 1York, ME 03909207-363-0844 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 20723301-490-9236

Hydro Giant 21651 W. 8 Mile Rd. Detroit, MI (8Mile & Lahser)313-387-7700313-216-8888Hydro Heaven73647 W 8th Mile Road,Detroit, MI 48235313-861-0333; 877-823-2076Ultra Lo Hydroultralohydro.com 937-252-8224Urban Gardening Center, The2520 22nd Street, Detroit, MI 48216313-898-0200Superior Growers Supply 4870 Dawn Avenue,East Lansing, MI 48823 517-332-2663Sunnyside Hydroponics24930 Gratiot Avenue,Eastpoint, MI 48021586-777-2528Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC 799 S. Wisconsin AvenueGaylord, MI 49735989 731 8800Growco Garden Supply1042 Michigan Street, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503877-939-6900Home Grown Hydroponix5333 Plainfield Suite C,Grand Rapids Michigan 49525,616-361-2924

Horizen Hydroponics1614 Leonard Street, NW,Grand Rapids, MI 49504866-791-1664Hydro Grow Room15201 N Holly Rd Unit BHolly MI, 48430248-369-8333 Flower Factory, The2223 East Highland Road Highland, MI 48356248-714-9292Hydro Vision 2858 E Highland rdHighland, MI 48356Holland Hydroponic Outlet 587-40 East 8th StreetHolland, MI 49423616-298-7395Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC9091 W. Lake City RoadHoughton Lake, MI 48629989-422-2800Hydro Vision 1247 e Grand River Howell, MI 48843Green Forest Indoor Garden Supply, LLC.2555 N. State(M-66) Rd.Ionia, MI 48846 616-523-6111Horizen Hydroponics4646 W. Main Street,Kalamazoo, MI 49006269-567-3333Kalamazoo Indoor Garden450 W. Maple,Kalamazoo, MI 49001269-344-2550HTG Supply-Lansing Michigan2815 East Grand River Ave.Lansing, MI 48912(517) 580-0555Superior Growers Supply19582 Middlebelt Road,Livonia, MI 48152248-473-0450Northern Lights Hydroponic and Garden Supply29090 Campbell rd.Madison Heights, MI 48071248-439-6269BIg Creek Hydroponics555 Old Little Lake Road,Marquette, MI 49855906-249-5297Growing Consultant2260 Apple Avenue,Muskegon, MI 49442231-773-5600Sunshine Supply Co. 5800 East Pickard Street,Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858989-775-3700

Meadowview Feed & Garden Center1202 Meadowview Road,Pasadena, MD 21122443-817-0018Maryland Hydroponics Inc.12130 Nebel Street, Rockville, MD 20852240-551-4625Purple Mountain Organics100-7010 Westmoreland Avenue,Takoma Park, MD 20912877-538-9901

MASSACHUSETTSGreenlife Garden Supply481 Boston Road, Unit 4,Billerica, MA 01821978-262-9966GYOstuff – Grow Your Own2400 Massachusetts Avenue,Cambridge, MA 02140617-945-1654Harvest Moon Hydroponics29 Washington Street, Route 1Foxboro, MA 02035800-660-6977LiquidSun® MA8 Lynwood Avenue,Holyoke, MA 01040413-539-6875Green Path Garden Supply276 West Main Street,Northborough, MA 01532508-393-4181High Tech Garden Supply560 Boston Turnpike (Rt.9)Shrewsbury, MA 01545508-845-4477New England Hydroponics15 D College Hwy. (Rt. 10),Southampton, MA 01073888-529-9025 Worm’s Way Massachusetts121 Worc-Providence Turnpike,Sutton, MA 01590800-284-9676

MICHIGANAric’s Indoor Garden Supply611 Main st. Norway, Michigan 49870 (906)563-1518 Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The 6540 Allen Road,Allen Park, MI 48101313-383-1766Gro Blue Indoor Gardening Supplies270 W. Liberty Street,Ann Arbor, MI 48104734-913-2750Grow Show, The4095 Stone School Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48108(734)-677-0009(734)-677-0509HotHydro®5245 Jackson Road, Suite FAnn Arbor, MI 48103734-761-5040; 877-893-0716Homelight Gardens3471 S. Huron Road,Bay City, MI 48706989-922-0088J&L Growco206 S. Michigan Avenue,Big Rapids, MI 49307231-796-1528Greenway Gardens 916 W 13th StCadillac, Mi,49601231-775-7075Cultivation Station 3 Inc.46912 Gratiot,Chesterfield, MI 48051586-949-7453 H2O Grow Supply3364 Arent Ct Coloma, MI 49038 269-468-3890 Van Hydro7480 N State,Davison, MI 48423810-653-8267Hydro Giant 14455 Ford Rd,Dearborn, MICultivation Station – Eastern Market, The2518 Market Street,Detroit, MI 48207 313-394-0441



Flo-N-Grow.214 N. 2nd Street,Niles, MI 49120269-683-1877Super Grow288 W. MONTCALMPONTIAC, MI 48342248-24SUPER (78737)Green Earth Hydroponics8127 Portage Rd.Portage, MI 49002269-342-4190Hydroponics Highway Inc.2708 14th Ave.Port Huron MI, 48060810-982-4769Green Thumb Hydroponics and Organic Indoor Supply8460 Algoma Suite GRockford MI 49341USA616 884 5500 Home Grown Hydroponics8075 Gratiot Road, Unit C,Saginaw MI 48609989-781-1930Hydro Giant19363 Eureka Rd, Southgate, MI734.281.8888Cultivation Station of Michigan Inc., The23529 Little Mack Avenue,St. Clair, MI 48080 586-775-9485High Tech Garden Supply7889 Telegraph Road.Taylor, MI 48180313-908-7554Hydro Grow, The8210 Telegraph Road,Taylor, MI 48180313-633-0641Grow Store, The90 N U.S. Highway 31 South ,Traverse City, MI 49685-7923231-421-5191Wild Child7740 M 72 East,Traverse City, MI 49690866-711-GROWHydro Vision 1910 West rd Trenton, MI 48183Hydroharrys.com24500 Dequindre,Warren, MI 48091800-461-8819Indoor Garden Superstore2570 Dixie Highway,Waterford Twp., MI 48328248-673-2200; 877 22 HYDROLight Green Water3661 Highland Road, Waterford, MI 48329248-681-0001Hydrospot 34236 Michigan Avenue, Wayne, MI 48184734-722-1285Indoor Eden11090 Hi Tech Dr. Whitmore lake MI 48189810-355-1465 Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC 3218 W. Houghton AvenueWest Branch, MI 48661989-345-8800G.C. IIWhitehall, MI 49461231-893-2400G.C. II1006 E. Colby St. Suite AWhitehall, MI 49417231-893-2400 AAA Hydroponics LLC22 50th StreetWyoming, MI 49504616-249-8338Cultivation Station – Grand Rapids, The 4907 S. Division Ave., Wyoming, MI 49548616-855-4440

Stealth Hydro15 E. Cross Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198866-998-1916

MINNESOTADuluth Hydroponics26 W 1st StreetDuluth, MN 55802218-341-7253Indoor Gardening10 NE 3rd Street, Faribault, MN 55021507-209-1546Brew and Grow8302 Highway 65 NE., Minneapolis, MN 55432763-780-8191Interior Gardens115 -1620 Central Avenue NE,Minneapolis, MN 55413800-498-4178; 612-870-9077Midwest Hydroponics5825 Excelsior Blvd.,St. Louis Park,MN 55416 888-449-2739 Eden Indoor Organic Gardens831 Highway 75 NorthMoorhead, MN 56560218-477-EDEN (3336)American Garden Supply 601-6th Avenue, North,Princeton, MN 55371 763-631-0543QStill-H2O Inc.14375 North 60th Street,Stillwater, MN 55082651-351-2822Eco Garden Supply800 Transfer Door 25 in rearSt. Paul, MN 55114651-647-1896

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

MISSOURILet It Grow - Girardeau879 S. Kings Highway, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703573-803-0628Heartland Hydrogardens705 Vandiver Drive, Suite G Columbia, MO 65202 HYDROGARDENS573-474-4769Green Circle Hydroponics12 East Missouri, Kansas City, MO 64106816-421-1840Grow Your Own Hydroponics3617 Saint John Avenue,Kansas City, MO 64123816-241-2122Let It Grow - Springfield 2519 E. Kearney Street,Springfield, MO 65803417-862-GROWU-Grow1724 North, 13th Street,St. Louis, MO 63106314-452-6368Worm’s Way Missouri1225 North Warson Road,St. Louis, MO 63132800-285-9676 Green Thumb Organics249 Mid Rivers Mall Drive,St. Peters, MO 63376 636-397-4769 (GROW)

MONTANAHeightened Harvests2018 Main Street #4,Billings, MT 59105406-252-4311Magic City Organic & Hydroponic Supply 812 Central Billings, MT 59102 (406)-245-LEAF(5323)One World – Life Products906 BroadwaterBillings MT 59101406 839 9969Heightened Harvests3103 Harrison Avenue, Suite BButte, MT 59701

Alpengrow Nursery Supplies238 Highway 93 S.,Eureka, MT 59917406-882-4496 Butteopia127 Main Street,Butte, Montana 59701 1-406-782-8476Big Sky Garden Supply528 West Idaho, Kallispell, MT 59901 406-755-1465Box of Rain Indoor Garden Center860 N. Meridian Road B-19,Kalispell, MT 59901406-755-RAIN (7246)Cornucopia Grow Your Own127 Stoner Creek RoadLakeside, MT 59922406-709-1076Dr. Green Thumbs1106 West Park,Livingston, MO 59047406-222-7440Bizzy Beez LLP5875 Highway 93 S,Whitefish, MT 59937406-863-9937

NEBRASKAPatio-Ponics3255 Cornhusker Highway, Suite 4Lincoln, NE 68504402-466-9218Advanced 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

NEVADACarson Valley Hydroponics2520 Empire Ranch Road,Carson City, NV 89701775-884-4769Lorraine Ink290 Spear Court,Fernley, NV 89408775-575-7757Hydro Store, The1014 W. Sunset Road,Henderson, NV 89014702-434-7365AAA 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 89102702-257-4769Advanced Gardens Hydroponics7850 Dean Martin Dr. Suite 506Las Vegas,NV 89139 702-247-4769All American Hydroponics2675 East Patrick Lane, Unit 8,Las Vegas, NV 89120702-894-9888Best Hydroponic Supply6818 W Cheyenne,Las Vegas, NV 89108702-750-9300Hydro Store, The7145 W. Ann Road,Las Vegas, NV 89130702-434-9376Nevada Hydroponics4700 B Maryland, Suite 1,Las Vegas, NV 89119702-798-2852Anything Grows190 West Moana Lane,Reno, NV 89509775-828-1460Everything Green HydroponicsP.O Box 34869Reno, Nevada 89533

NEw HAMPSHIRE


Hydro World17 White Birch Lane,Lincoln, NH 03251603-745-3030

NEw JERSEYGarden State Hydroponics511 Avenel Street,Avenel, NJ 07001888-300-8711Bergen County Hydroponics70 Essex Street,Hackensack, NJ 07601201-342-2001Green 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 .

greentouch2East Coast Horticultural Supply1652 Hurffville Road,Swewell, NJ 08080856-228-5290 77HYDRO37 Fairfield Place,West Caldwell, NJ 07006877-774-9376Claraqua4 Redwood Court,West Windsor, NJ 08550

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 505-508-4292Common Shaman1319 San Mateo N.E.,Albuquerque, NM 87110505-255-6463 All Seasons Gardening1228 Parkway, Suite E Sante Fe, NM 87507 505-438-GROWSanta Fe Hydroponics821 W. San Mateo Road, Suite 4,Santa Fe, NM 87505505-467-8454

NEw YORKSaratoga Organics & Hydroponic Supply19 Front Street,Ballston Spa, NY 12020518-885-2005; 800-850-4769The Grape Vine4020 Hempstead TurnpikeBethpage,NY,11714516-731-1100Bronx Hydro & Garden39 Bruckner Boulevard,Bronx, NY 10454718-993-3787Bklyn Hydro & Garden316 McGuiness BlvdBrooklyn NY 11222718-383-0095Brooklyn Farms51Hicks Street St.Brooklyn, NY 11231347-725-3491Indoor Outdoor Gardener8223 5th Avenue,Brooklyn, NY 11209718-836-2402 Hydroponics of Buffalo1497 Hertel Avenue,Buffalo, NY 14216716-838-3545Harvest Moon Hydroponics340 West at 59,Central Nyack, NY 10960California Hydroponics27 Corporate Circle,East Syracuse, NY 13057315-432-9387Upstate Hydroponics2026 Lake Rd unit BElmira, NY 14903607 483 9199FutureGarden Inc.59 Central Avenue,Farmingdale, NY 11735516-420-0884

East Coast Hydroponics14649 Horace Harding Exp,Flushing, NY 11367718-762-8880Healthy Harvest Organics and Hydro163 Broadway,Fort Edwart, NY 12828518-480-4698Greentree Nursery308 Elmira Road,Ithaca, NY 14850607-272-3666Hudson Valley Hydroponics217 Route 32 North,New Paltz, NY 12561845-255-3633Sunlight Solutions Hydroponics2045 Niagara Falls Boulevard, Suite 13,Niagara Falls, NY 14304888-GROWBOXThe Grow Room 8 Bridge Street,Nyack, NY 10960800-449-9630Revolution Hydroponics 309 West State St.Olean NY 14760716.373.Grow (4769)Mor Gro Hydroponics5680 State Route 104 EOswego , NY 13126315-877-8725Environmental Gardens8 John Walsh Boulevard, Suite 310Peekskills, NY 10566800-254-0507; 914-736-6676Harvest Moon HydroponicsHenrietta Townline Plaza, 3047 West Henrietta Road,Rochester, NY 14623716-865-7353Hydro Garden Center1069B Lyell Avenue,Rochester, NY 146061-800-277-1322Sunset Hydroponics & Home Brewing1590 West Ridge Road,Rochester, NY 14615866-395-9204KG Garden Supply1327 Floyd Avenue,Rome, NY 134401-877-KG-HYDROLiquidSun of New York1702 Fiero aveRotterdam, NY 12150518-952-4654Hydroponics Shops of America2606 Erie Boulevard,Syracuse, NY 13224315-251-2516Green Zone Hydroponics 2148 Niagara Falls Blvd. Tonawanda, NY. 14150 716-693-9663 Harvest Moon Hydroponics147 Fourth Street,Troy, NY 10960

NORTH CAROLINAFifth 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 27510919-932-7600Be Well Hydroponics & Urban Gardening4732 Monroe Road,Charlotte, NC 28205704-344-8010BWGS-NC4045 Perimeter West Drive,Suite 400,Charlotte, NC 28214 800-316-1306High Tech Garden Supply2712 B Freedom DriveCharlotte, NC 28208704-697-0911

Flow & Grow Hydroponics & Organic Garden Center4521 Cumberland Road,Fayetteville, NC 28306910-423-FLOW (3569)Fifth Season Gardening Company1616 D-3 Battleground Avenue,Greensboro, NC 27408336-271-3373Good Harvest Garden Center 629 Oakridge Farm Hwy.Mooresville NC 28115704-658-9136Fifth Season Gardening Company5619-A Hillsborough Street,Raleigh, NC 27606919-852-4747New Age Gardens2236A US Highway 70,Swannanoa, NC 28778828-299-9989All Season Hydroponics890 South Kerr Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28410 Progressive Gardens6005 Oleander Drive,Wilmington, NC 28403910-395-1156

OHIOAkron Garden Center434 W Wilbeth Road,Akron, OH 44314330-724-2700Summit Hydroponics1030 Kenmore Boulevard Akron, OH 44314-2114330-753-5222 Campbells Indoor Gardening Supplies1721 Greenville RoadBristolville, OH 44402330-889-0049Magic Home Gardens209 Cemetery Road,Canal Winchester, OH 43110614-837-2440 Dayton Hydroponics4920 Provident DriveCincinnati, Ohio 45246513-942-7111Eastside Hydroponics550 Ohio PikeCincinnati, OH 45255513-528-GROWKissed by the Sun Hydroponic10740 Reading Road,Cincinnati, OH 45241513-769-0159Cleveland Garden Center Inc.727 East 185th Street,Cleveland, OH 44119216-481-7868Grow Wizard, The5700 Denison Avenue,Cleveland, OH 44102216-961-2500Herb-N-Garden Center14901 Puritas Avenue,Cleveland, OH 44135216-252-2001Garden Indoors of Ohio4720 Indianola Avenue,Columbus, OH 43214800-833-6868Magic Home Garden4538 Indianola Avenue,Columbus, OH 43214614-263-2440Garden Connections3341 Centerpoint Dr.Grove City OH 43123614 871 0707Advanced Hydrorganics Indoor Garden Center5204 Darrow Road,Hudson, OH 44236234-380-1287Sweet Greens5540 Brecksville RoadIndependence, OH 44131800-421-7084Hydro Gardens and Lights1144 N Memorial Drive Lancaster, OH 43130 705-65 Hydro Carefree Garden Center134 West Drive,Lodi, OH 44254330-302-4203CropKing134 West Drive,Lodi, OH 44254330-302-4203



The Grow Shop165 Davids St. Marion OH 43302740 223 7467Urban Gardens671 E. Center Street Marion, OH 43302740-375-2800Top Garden Products8600 East Avenue Suite C.Mentor, OH 44060440-290-8773

Indoor Gardens1222 Hill Road, North,Pickerington, OH 43147614-866-6065Trinity Hydro Organics465 Woodman DriveRiverside, OH 45431937-252-GROW Toledo Hydroponics Ltd.855 S. Holland-Sylvania Road, Suite 2Toledo, OH 436151-877-893-0716Greenleaf Hydroponics1805 Elm Road,Warren, OH 44483330-372-1039Dayton Hydroponics3856 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, West Carrolton, OH 45449937-859-3999Harvest Moon9215 Market Street,Youngstown (North Lima), OH 44452800-776-8399Indoor Garden Worx906 Blue Avenue,Zanesville, OH 43701866-900-9679

OKLAHOMATulsa County Hydro-Organics1928 W. Albany,Broken Arrow, OK 74012918-259-HYDROAAAAHA! Hydroponics Unlimited P.O. Box 74,Oakhurst, OK 74050Organics OKC Garden Supply3620 N Pennsylvania Avenue,Oklahoma City, OK 73118405-528-GROWThe OKC Urban Gardener3711 N. Western Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73118405-521-9300Urban Garden3141 E. 15th Street,Tulsa, OK 74104918-289-0018

OREGONAqua Serene465 Applegate Way, Ashland, OR 97520541-482-7600Astoria Indoor Garden Supply1343 Duane St. Unit CAstoria OR 97103 503 468 0606Rogue Silicates Inc. POB 21,Azalea, OR 97410541-837-8590B.I.G.S.155 SW Century Drive, Suite 401,Bend, OR 97702541-385-5222Herb N’ Jungle Hydroponics930 SE Textron Drive,Bend, OR 97702541-382-4010Northern Light and Garden Beaverton9290 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, Beaverton, OR 97005503-297-7331Westcoast Organic and Hydroponic Supply12410 SE 282nd Avenue, Unit CBoring, OR 97009503-766-4106The Good Earth Organics30088 Redwood Highway,Cave Junction, OR 97523541-592-4496Anthony’s Garden & Light Supply93779 B Troy Lane,Coos Bay, OR 97420541-266-8822

Corvallis Hydroponics & Organics5490 SW Philomath Boulevard,Corvallis, OR 97333541-738-2820Aqua Serene2836 W. 11th Avenue,Eugene, OR 97402541-302-9073 Aurora InnovationsPO Box 22041,Eugene, OR 97402 866-376-8578SunInside Gardening Co.665 Conger, Unit F,Eugene, OR 97402541-686-9966Advanced Indoor Gardens17831 se 82nd drive Gladstone, OR 97027503 305 6341Northern Light and Garden Grants Pass1203 Rogue River Highway,Grants Pass, OR 97527541-474-1700Paradise Supply LLC560 NE. “F” Street, Unit C,Grand Pass, OR 97526541-955-7293Vital Organix932-B SE “M” StreetGrants Pass, OR 97526541-226-9283Oregon Rainforest Co. 19949 E. Burnside Street,Gresham, OR 97233503-465-9909In & Out Gardens 93484 Hwy 99 SouthJunctin City OR 97448 541-234-2342 Basin Indoor Gardening1221 Main Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97601541-273-2023Green Zone Garden Center & Hydroponic Supplies1845 S W Hwy. 101 Ste. 3Lincoln OR 97367 USA 541 994 7070H2organic LCC620 NE 3rd Street,McMinnville, OR 97128503-434-6107Green Thumb Hydrogarden and Organic Supply2021 West Main Street,Medford, OR 97501541-779-8600Growing Crazy (Hooked On Hydroponics)817 W. 2nd Street,Medford, OR 97501In & Out Gardens 1574 Skypark DriveMedford, OR 97501541-858-3333Ladybug Indoor Gardens3960 W. Main Street,Medford, OR 97501541-618-4459Advanced Organics & Garden Supply290- B Merlin AvenueMerlin, Oregon 97532541-659-1466Indoor Garden Depot 15828 SE McGloughlin Boulevard, Milwaukie, OR 97267503-786-2445H2organic LCC620 NE 3rd Street,McMinnville, OR 97128503-434-6107Wizard’s Garden, LLC621 Spruce Street, Unit C, Myrtle Point, OR 97458541-572-2333Green Zone Garden Center & Hydroponic Supplies 454 S.W. Coast Hwy Newport OR 97365 USA P: 541-265-8252Gorilla Garden Supply1810 Virginia Avenue, Garden SuppliesNorth Bend, OR 97459541-756-5005American Agriculture9220 Southeast Stark Street,Portland, OR 97216800-433-6805Bloom Garden Supply518 NE 20th Ave.Portland, OR 97232(971)255-1336

Everybody’s Garden Center2701 SE 14th Avenue,Portland, OR 97202800-669-5483Garden Spout, The4532 South East 63rd Avenue,Portland, OR 97206503-788-4769Homegrown Garden Supply7112 NE Gilsan Street,Portland, OR 97213877-EZ2-GROWIsland Flowers & Indoor Garden Center909 N. Tomahawk Island Drive, Suite 103, Portland, OR 97217503-546-3185Lights Distributing9843 SW 55th Avenue,Portland, OR 97219Rain or Shine13126 NE Airport Way,Portland, OR 97230503-255-1981Roots Garden Supply5426 North Gay Avenue,Portland, OR 97217503-285-4768Urban Flora2865 South East,Portland, OR 97214503-236-3344BIGS Warehouse2606 SW 4th Street, Unit BRedmond, OR 97756541-504-8886Indoor Garden Supply536 SW 6th Street (rear alley), Redmond, OR 97756541-504-7750DC Hydroponics & Organics7275 Green Siding Rd.Roseburg, OR 97471541-679-3700Roseburg Hydroponics853 SE Stephens Street,Roseburg, OR 97470541-229-1420Indoor Garden Center 1697 SE 25th Street, Salem, OR 97302 503-566-7888Northern Light and Garden Salem1915 Lancester Drive,Salem, OR 97305503-364-4769Cascade Horticulture39570 Pioneer Boulevard,Sandy, OR 97055503-668-8242Moonshine Park Farm135 South East 62nd, Unit FSouth Beach, OR 97366541-444-2298J-N-B Hydro 2 Go155 West Central Avenue,Sutherlin, OR 97479541-459-9211Samurai Greenhouse Supply32067 Old Hwy. 34Tanget, OR 97389541-928-3431Grow America Garden Supply LLC11511 SW Pacific Highway,Tigard, OR 97223503-841-6868

PENNSYLVANIAPocono Hydroponic Solutions25 Route 611Bartonsville, PA 18321Tel: 570-730-4544Green Solutions Hydroponics1700 Orange StreetBerwick, PA 18603570-752-1530Garden Indoors of Pennsylvania208 Route 13,Bristol, PA 19007800-227-4567422 GROW1775 North Main Street ExtensionButler, PA 16001-1327724-561-3777High Tech Garden Supply20232 Route 19, Unit 6,Cranberry Twp., PA 16066724-473-1113New Moon Indoor Garden Supply20550 Route 19 Perry Highway,Cranberry Twp., PA 16066724-591-8086


Easton Hydroponcis437 N. Hampton St.Easton, PA 18042484-373-3232Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh830 Route 119,Greensburg, PA 15601724-836-1118Buds to Blooms Garden and Supply Co., LLC509 Orchard AvenueKennett Square, PA 19348484-860-8056FlairformPOB 1417,Lansdale, PA 19446215-395-6353RH DistributionPOB 1417Lansdale, PA 19446888-545-8112Hydro Ponics of Harrisburg310 South 10th Street, Lemoyne, PA 17043877-684-3808Always Green Garden Supply4400 Old William Penn Hwy Ste. 106Monroeville PA 15146412 646 1243New Stanton Hydro150 Post Ave.New Stanton, PA. 15672724-635-0297Full Bloom Hydroponics84 South 24th Street,Pittsburgh, PA 15203888-872-3602Home Hydroponics of Pittsburgh2008 Smallman Street,Pittsburgh, PA 15222412-232-7030Healthy Gardens and Supply1012 Lincoln Avenue,Prospect Park, PA 19076866-32-HYDROHome Hydroponics of Pittsburgh9 North Main St.Washington, PA 15301724-222-0200Western Pennsylvania Innovative Gardening1177 Pittsburgh Road, Suite 103Valencia, PA 16059724 - 903 - 0800Organic Garden Center800 Washington Blvd.Williamsport, PA 17701570-322-3120National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply450 Grim Lane, York,PA 17406877-779-7111(Northeast) PA Hydroponics & Home Gardening Supply20 Quaker Church Road,York Springs, PA 17372717-528-4175

RHODE ISLANDOakworld Garden Center39 West Street,Barrington, RI 02806401-245-5705Solar Seed Hydroponics, Inc.2406 Putman Pike,Chepachet, RI 02814 401-710-9010Organically Grown768 Atwood AveCranston, RI 02920401-944-0549Hydro-Earth1243 Mineral Springs Avenue,North Providence, RI 02904401-305-5520

South County Hydroponics51 Old Tower Hill Road,Wakefield, RI 02879401-783-1733Mother Nature Hydroponics1268 Post Rd.Warwick RI 02888401 780 0600LiquidSun® RI1179 Central Avenue,Pawtucket, MA 02861401-722-2724 Good To Grow34 Nooseneck Hill Road ,West Greenwich, RI 02817401-392-3100

Growin’ Crazy93 Kingston RoadWyoming, Rhode Island 02898401-284-0810

SOUTH CAROLINAGreenSpirit Hydrogarden1864 Meeting Street,Charleston, SC 29405843-225-1GRO;247 Garden Supply535 D Clemson Road,Columbia, SC 29229803-788-4445All Good Hydroponics & Gardening6729 Two Notch Road,Columbia, SC 29223 803-708-4819All Season Hydroponics6729 Two North Road, 10B Columbia, SC 29223 803-708-4819 All Season Hydroponics1350 Hwy. 501 Business, Store 3&4Conway, SC 29526 843-347-9266Green Thumb Unique Gardening & More1230 Rutherford Road,Greenville, SC 29609864-271-8830Greenspirit Hydrogardens3600 Unite 1 Hwy.17 S.North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582843-361-7777

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

TENNESSEEAtlantis Hydroponics1800 Rossville Avenue, #3,Chattanooga, TN 37408423-752-5400Advanced Hydroponic Garden783 French Mill Road,Dandridge, TN 37725800-521-1643Perpetual Harvest75 Riverport Drive,Jackson, TN 38301877-422-3391Advanced Hydroponic Garden6912 Clinton Highway,Knoxville, TN 37921866-938-3318Sun City Hydroponics2235 Whitten Road, Suite 104,Memphis, TN 38133901-372-8100National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply126 Belinda Parkway,Mt. Juliet, TN 37122888-265-9005 All Seasons Gardening and Brewing Supply Co.924 8th Avenue, South,Nashville, TN 37203800-790-2188Worm’s Way Tennessee901 Main Street, Nashville, TN 37072 800-397-4153

TEXASAbundant Harvest Hydroponics & Organics3101 Avenue E East,Marshall, TX 76011817-649-0100Brite Ideas Hydroponics & Organics4360 S.Congress Avenue, #310,Austin, TX 78745512-444-2100Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Central Austin)5126 Burnet Road,Austin, TX 78756512-459-4769Texas Hydroponics & Organics (South Austin)2125-A Goodrich Avenue,Austin, TX 78704512-440-4769Happy Harvest Hydroponics & Organic1500 C rescent Drive, Suite 202Carrollton, TX 75006972-466-1300GroGreen Hydroponics4015 Main Street,Dallas, TX 75226214-370-9984

Jolly Green Hydroponics (Greenhouse Horticultural Supplies)13628 Neutron Road,Dallas, TX 75244 (866) WE-JOLLY; 469-341-5555Lone Star Hydroponics and Organics1302 Motor Circle,Dallas, TX 75207 214-634-9376Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Dallas)3400 Elm Street,Dallas, TX 75226214-744-4769 Organic Garden & Feed3801 N Interstate Hwy 35,Suite126, Denton Texas 76207 940-381-9890Earth Organics1360 Lee Trevino Drive,Suite 105El Paso, TX 79936915-591-9500Airline HydroponicsP.O. Box 980904, Trader’s Village #363,Houston, TX 77098713-942-0484Botani Garden15120 Bellaire BlvdHouston, TX 77083281-575-1999Houston Discount Hydroponics9384 Richmond Avenue,Houston, TX 77063713-464-9406Hydroponic Nation9700 Almeda Genoa Road, Suite 108,Houston, TX 77075281-501-9636Texas Hydroponics & Organics (Houston)7730 A Park Place Boulevard,Houston, TX 77087713-641-4769Ultimate Hydroponic Garden Supply6125 West Sam HoustonParkway, North Suite 206Houston, TX 77041713-856-8425Texas Growers Supply5990 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. E. #602,Humble, TX 77396281-441-3739 Field of Dreams Indoor Growing Supplies5302 Slide Road Unit B,Lubbock, TX 79414806-793-2901Hydro Mart3841 Main Street,Rowlett, TX 75088972-475-6114Sol Organics & Hydroponics1634 Babcock Road,San Antonio, TX 78229210-366-9082GreenMaker Nursery3030 Northwest Loop,Stephenville, TX 76401254-965-7273 Innergrow Hydroponics24451 Interstate Highway 20,Wills Point, TX 75169866-475-4769

UTAHWasatch Hydroponics4050 South Howick, Suite 11E,Salt Lake City, Utah 84107801-716-4133Salt Lake Plant & Hydro60 West 3300 S. #6 ,South Salt Lake, UT 84115801-488-3200

VERMONTGreenthumb - Vermont394 Route 15,Jericho, VT 05465 802-899-4323Peak Hydroponic Garden Supplies20 School Street,Plainfield, VT 05667802-454-8000LiquidSun® VT1 Bellows Falls Road, (Route 5 North)Putney, VT 05158802-387-1100


MAXIMUM YIELDdistributors Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.MAXIMUM YIELDdistributors Retail Stores listed alphabetically by city in each state.

Green Thumb GardeningP.O. Box 235, Route 15,Underhill, VT 5489800-564-9376

VIRGINIAFifth Season Gardening Company900 Preston Ave. Charlottesville VA 22903434-293-2332Clean & Green Technologies196 Corning Drive,Christiansburg, VA 24073866-694-1628I Love Hydroponics612 N. Sheppard Street,Richmond, VA 23221804-377-3020Lucky Roots612 North Sheppard St.Richmond, VA 23221804-377-3020Blue Ridge Hydroponics & Home Brewing CompanyThe Williamson Road Plaza,5327 D Williamson RoadRoanoke, VA 24012540-265-2483Inside-Out Garden Supply6517 Backlick Road,Springfield, VA 22150703-451-3259I Love Hydroponics368 Newtown Road, #105,Virginia Beach, VA 23462757-490-5425Hydroponics & Growlights13400 Occoquan Road,Woodbridge, VA 22191703-490-0700

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

wASHINGTONIsland Horticulture Supply 8608 S March Point Rd.Anacortes WA 98221 360 293 0000Mike’s Indoor Garden Supply6121 172nd Street NE #A,Arlington, WA 98223(360) 474-1900Belfair Garden & Lighting24090 NE State Route 3 #FBelfair,WA 98528360-275-2130Green Gardens Distributing12738 Bel-Red Road,Bellevue, WA 98005425-454-5731Northern Lights Gardening4159 Hannegan Road,Bellingham, WA 98225360-715-8585Liquid Sunshine Hydroponics5087 Lincoln Road,Blaine, WA 98230Kitsap Garden & Lighting2130 6th Street,Bremerton, WA 98312360-377-1277M & R LightingUnit C 22914 Highway 410,Buckley, WA 98390253-891-4190Indoor Tropics 5930 Sunburst Lane #B Cashmere, WA 98815 509-470-7782Garden Smart500 Bond Drive,Castlerock, WA 98611360-274-7960Grow Center, The615 South FirDeerPark WA 99006509-276-GROW

Healthy Grow Indoor Garden Supplies10 SE Everett Mall Way Suite BEverett WA 98208425-374-2227Indoor Garden Depot1401 S. 324th Street,Federal Way, WA 98003 253-874-1112North West Hydro Supply1355Pacific Pl Unit 117Ferndale WA 98248-7824360-778-3254 Good 2 Gro3507 W Clearwater Ave. Kennewick WA 99336509 737 1313Indoor Garden & Lighting 714 South Central Avenue,Kent, WA 98032253-373-9060Kent Garden Supplies Ltd.18817 East Valley Highway,Kent, WA 98032425-251-9299Grogro Hydro12403 NE. 124th Street,Kirkland, WA 98034888-7-GROGRO425-820-6200KP Indoor Garden Store8912 Key Peninsula HWY N Lakebay, WA 98349253-884-SURE (7873)InDoor Gardening1158 Commerce Longview WA, 98632 360-353-3851Indoor Garden & Lighting20505 Highway 99,, Lynnwood, WA 98036 425-673-2755Go-N-Green Hydroponics1241 State Ave Suite #102Marysville, WA 98270(360)386-8230Green Acres Indoor Garden & Lighting514 State AveSuite #102Marysville, WA 98270360-658-GROW (4769)Island Hydroponic & Supplies1515 5th Street #B,Marysville, WA 98271425-299-5855Mike’s Indoor Garden Supply1204 East Wheeler Road,Moses Lake, WA 98837(509)766-5856M & R Lighting17238 Memorial Drive,Mt. Vernon, WA 98273360-848-1080Northern Lights Gardening 1524 Riverside Dr #2Mt. Vernon, WA 98273360-982-2217Indoor Garden & Lighting 8606 Preston Fall City Rd. SEPreston WA 98050425 222 9661Linda’s Gardening & Hydroponics11522 Canyon Road East,Puyallup, WA 98373253-531-9641Renton Indoor Garden Center207 Sunset Blvd. N, Building A,Renton, WA 98055425-917-9000Eco Enterprises1240 NE 175th Street, #BShoreline, WA 98155800-426-6937Aqua Serene3839 Stone Way North,Seattle, WA 98103 206-547-GROW (4769)Grogro Hydro12316 32nd AVE NE #103Seattle, WA 98125

Hydro-Tech2121 Aurora Avenue, North,Seattle, WA 98103206-547-2202Sodo Hydro1727 1st Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98134206-682-9377 888-90HYDRO (904-9376)Northwest Horticulture Supply161 Hooker Road, #1,Sequim, WA 98057360-582-0702509 Grow2718 N DivisionSpokane, WA 99207509-327-GROW(4769)Grow Center, The2808 W Sprague Spokane WA 99202509-456-GROWRiver City Hydroponics1514 East Francis Avenue,Spokane, WA 99208509-464-0246Spokane Organic and Hydroponic Supply4823 East Sprague Avenue E.,Spokane Valley, WA 99212509-534-4055Green Tree Hydroponics and Garden12316 Pacific Ave SouthTacoma, WA 98444 253-536-1791Indoor Garden & Lighting 3839 6th Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98406253-761-7478 Solar Shop306 West 4th Street,Tonasket, WA 98855509-486-4508Indoor Garden Depot 6400 NE Highway 99, Suite H, Vancouver, WA 98665360-993-7779National 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 98665 888-478-6544VM Indoor Garden Supply 2903 NE 109th Ave Ste. D Vancouver, WA 98682 P: (360) 256-2933Indoor Garden Supply LLC1250 Atlantic Ave,Woodland, WA 98674360-841-8055

wISCONSINAric’s Indoor Garden Supply1104 West Wisconsin Avenue,Appleton, WI 54914920-574-3258 Grow BIG Hydroponics954 S. Westland,Appleton, WI 54914920-749-4769 Brew and Grow285 N. Janacek Road,Brookfield, WI 53045262-789-0555Garden Supply Guys752 Memorial Drive - Suite AGreen Bay, WI 54303920-857-9493Brew and Grow3317 Agriculture Drive,Madison, WI 53716608-226-8910Paradigm Gardens4539 Helgesen Drive,Madison, WI 53718608-241-3800

PUERTO RICOTecno-HydroAve Campo Rico GJ17, PO Box 1450Carolina, PR 00982 787-752-8252

193Maximum Yield USA | July 2011

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