Maximum Yield USA May 2011

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FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS10 From the Editor

12 Letters to the Editor

14 MaximumYield.com

20 Simon Says

22 MAX Facts

32 Product Spotlight

74 Beginner’s Corner

88 Avant-Gardening

102 Tips and Tricks

110 Growing for Health

122 Green Thumb Gardening

134 You Tell Us

144 Talking Shop

149 Max Mart

154 Coming up in June

155 Do You Know?

156 Distributors

May 2011CONTENTS

104

46 Hybrid Hydroponics With Bio Bucketsby Casey Jones Fraser

56 In Balance - Plant Steering for Vegetative and Generative Growth by Dr. Lynette Morgan

66 A Hydroponics School Curriculumby Peggy Bradley

76 Bumble and Bumble - Star Pollinators in the Greenhouseby Donald Lester

90 More to the Story - Nutrient Solution Formulations and Uses by Dr. J. Benton Jones, Jr.

96 LEDs - Making Your Investment Worthwhileby Theresa Ryan

104 Your Own Japanese Garden: Part 1 by Steve Proski

112 A Beginner Grower’s Insightby Lee McCall

124 Urban Hydroponics From BrightFarms Systemsby Philip McIntosh

136 Wonderful Watercolors: by Jack Van Camp

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56



FROM THEeditor jessica raymond

contributorsJessica Raymond, Editor

[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.

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

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.

Peggy Bradley is the executive director for Carbon Question International. She has a master’s degree in civil engineering and works in the field of hydroponics, specializing in using the technology to help humans reduce their impact on the earth. She was nominated for the Japan Institute of Technology Environmental award and completed the Children’s Hydroponic Exhibit at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

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

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

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.

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

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.

Theresa Ryan is the director of operations for AIBC International’s LED Grow Lights Division in New York. She conducts product research and development, improves quality standards and measures for indoor grow lighting and creates educational content for ledgrowlightsoutlet.com and aibcusa.com. Prior to AIBC, Theresa worked on organic farms across Europe and the United States to promote sustainability.

Spring is a great time to celebrate the indoor gardening industry as it continues to grow and we continue to learn and share the advantages of organic and controlled environment gardening. Evidence of this gardening revolution was evident at the recent Denver, Colorado Expo where over 286 exhibits showcased the latest products and technologies to help gardeners grow their best yields. If you missed this great event, we have two more expos planned for 2011 in San Francisco, CA (July 16-17, 2011) and Long Beach, CA (Oct 16-17, 2011).In the meantime, in your hands you have an issue full of the

latest information the industry has to offer from hybrid hydro-ponics and plant steering for vegetative and generative growth, to LEDs and super star pollinators—bumblebees. Spring is now here and a lot of growing will be concentrated in outdoor gardens at this time. Farmer’s Markets are springing up across the country and there’s a huge emphasis on growing your own and supporting the local community. Just look at what commer-cial design consultants BrightFarms is doing in New York with hydroponics (pg. 124). This is a great opportunity for you to expand your hobby garden into a viable business selling at local farmer’s markets and to restaurants.

Maximum Yield is proud to announce the newest edition to our family of publications—Maximum Yield’s Hydro Life. Launching August 2011, Hydro Life will be available at hydro, bike, board, surf, tattoo shops and more, and will celebrate the exciting lifestyles and passions of the industry. For more infor-mation on how you can get a copy or to promote your com-pany in this much anticipated publication, call us at 1-250-729-2677.


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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 TOthe editorCalifornia Dreamin’Thanks for the great information on options for greenhouse frames in the February issue. Personally I prefer wood frames for my greenhouses—I have three in varying sizes. I love the west coast look of wood and I’ve found them to be fairly weather resistant with the proper treatment. Plus they can be set up for the greenhouse gardener on a budget. I love spending time reading and relaxing in my south-facing unit when the sun is warm; I built-in a six foot, single planked redwood bench for just that purpose. Thanks again for the article. Maybe I’ll try adding a fourth greenhouse in one of the styles suggested.

Aaron GardnerOceanside, California

Eye on Colorado RetailersI used to get your magazine from Midwest Gardening Supplies in Minneapolis. Since moving to Fort Collins, Colorado. I would love to continue reading your magazine. Which stores offer Maximum Yield? The Grow Shop or Way To Grow are the two stores where I would love to see this magazine available for the customers. I hope to see the next issue in the stores here in Fort Collins.

Karl Talbot

Your local grow shop Way to Grow does carry Maximum Yield. Other shops in the area that carry our magazine are: Alpenglow Garden Supply, Bath Nursery and Garden Center and Indoor Paradise Hydroponics. Simply flip to the back of Maximum Yield for addresses and contact information for these stores. If your local grow shop is not carrying Maximum Yield for their customers, simply have them call us to become a distributor.Yellow and Mellow

In the December 2010 issue of Maximum Yield USA, I was happy to see Matt LeBannister’s article on dealing with yellowing leaves. Yellow leaves are a recurring problem in my crops. I was wondering if a nitrogen deficiency could be the problem in yellowing bamboo stalks as well. In an older online article from Therese Cressman (“Growing Guide: Lucky Bamboo, July 2010”) she says yellowing leaves are a sign of too much light or too much fertilizer. She recommends removing the yellow leaves right away. I did but my bamboo continued to suffer. Any suggestions to help my bamboo are much appreciated.

Ruth Alston

If the leaves on the lower part of the plant are the ones that are yellowing it is likely to be a nitrogen deficiency. With bamboo it could be caused by fluctuating pH levels. Using pH drops to check the water before it is replaced might do the trick. Bamboo is often grown in containers that cannot be drained. I would recommend replacing the growing container and me-dium to rid the root-zone of built up nutrients that cannot be flushed. Hope this helps.

Maximum Yield Contributor: Matt LeBannister

Trichoderma SchmichodermaWhat is the effect of Trichoderma fungi on weeds? I also want to know how to spell the names of these weeds.

Sara Qadomi

Trichoderma fungi are known to infect and live in a symbiotic relationship with many types of plants, including crop plants and weed species. Trichoderma are most famous for their dual benefits to crops: solubilizing soil nutrients for the plant and producing enzymes to attack soil pathogens. However, Tricho-derma is also known to produce some substances toxic to weed hosts. Nodeweed (Synedrella nodiflora) and Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) are known to naturally harbor Trichoderma fungi, and the weed Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is known to be susceptible to Trichoderma toxins, specifically oxalic acid. Isolating biopesticide materials from Trichoderma fungi is a relatively new field of study.

Maximum Yield Contributor: Donald Lester



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PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER - Jim JessonGENERAL MANAGER - Don Moores

BUSINESS MANAGER - Linda Jesson

EDITOR - Jessica Raymond [email protected]

ADVERTISING SALES 250.729.2677

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

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

PRODUCTION & DESIGN [email protected]

Mike Linden - [email protected] Peters - [email protected]

Tina Skujins - [email protected] Duong - [email protected]

ACCOUNTING - Lee Anne [email protected]

USA DISTRIBUTIONAurora Innovations

BWGS, BWGS West and BWGS EastGeneral Hydroponics

HydrofarmHydro International

National Garden Wholesale / Sunlight SupplyR&M SupplyTradewinds

CANADIAN DISTRIBUTIONBrite-Lite Group

BiofloralEddis Wholesale

Greenstar Plant Products Inc.HydrotekMegaWatt

Quality Wholesale

UK DISTRIBUTIONGrowth Technology

HydrogardenNorthern Hydroponic Wholesale

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AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTIONHouse N Garden

FutchatecGrowth Technology

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

VOLUME 12 – NUMBER 2 May 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.

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

upCoMing EvEnTS8th Annual San Francisco Expo 2011Maximum Yield’s 2011 Indoor

Gardening Expo tour will once again be making a stop in San Francisco July 16 to 17, 2011 at the Fort Mason Center. This event offers education and entertainment rolled into one. We look forward to seeing you all in San Fran in just over two months. Countdown with us to this world-class event on indoorgardeningexpo.com

ConTESTSWin BIG and Grow BIG by entering our latest contest by June 15, 2011. Gear up for grabs includes: Vital Earth’s® PHC BioPak® (one pound jar), COM-100 Waterproof TDS/EC (Nutrient) Meter by HM Digital, Inc., JD Lightings 600 watt Electronic Ballast and Nature’s Solution Organic Products.

laTEST nEwSDid you know that each zodiac sign represents the ideal

time for different garden tasks? Or that it takes 1,000 times more water to feed us than is does to satisfy our thirst? These interesting hydro facts—and more—are highlighted online this month.

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

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


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SIMONsaysHey Simon,I was at a talk you gave late last year and I am a little confused. In your Maximum Yield column and articles you discuss organics a lot, but during your talk you seemed to dismiss organics and biology for indoors gardens…what gives? Hoping you can help with my confusion.

Mike

Sorry to be confusing Mike, but I am glad you picked up on this point. I am an organic enthusiast and always want gar-deners to consider more natural options, including the use of microbes. We have horribly damaged our top soils around the world and these microscopic helpers could play a vital role in soil replenishment.I believe I know the talk you are referring to in your question,

and I just want to clear up my message a little. In essence what I was suggesting is that our understanding of soil biology is still very limited, even though our industry is the place to be for cutting edge microbial opportunities.I made the point that it might be better to focus on specific

types of biology in indoor gardens because achieving the full complexity of natural top soil is virtually impossible. The bio-diversity of the soil ecosystem, or food web, starts with bacteria and fungi but moves through nematodes and protozoa all the way to arthropods, making indoor replication an exceptional and perhaps unrealistic goal.Instead, choose specific microbes for their mode of action and

benefits. It is possible that these organisms will be aggressive and take over the rhizosphere and it’s true that this imbalance is unnatural. However, trying to achieve balance as suggested is a pretty lofty idea, so it’s better to hand pick your helpers and treat them well.I also talked about making sure you get the most from your

biology for hire. This means understanding how to stimulate it with compounds such as humic acid but also realizing its pre-ferred physical and chemical surroundings. A chemical example would be that mycorrhizal fungi can be inhibited by an over-supply of available phosphorous.Now before you fungal fanatics out there get too upset, there

is still good evidence that even though biology might not func-tion at its highest level, it can still provide tremendous benefit through concepts like biofilms and other unknown synergies.

As for physical surroundings, be cautious with over-stimulation of biology, which can result in an oxygen draw down and pockets of anaerobic conditions. Nearly all beneficial microbes require oxygen to function properly.As I suggested, we really have a limited understanding of

what is going on in the rhizosphere, but good gardening is always about observation so be sure to try a few different products this year to find the logical biologicals for your indoor garden spaces. MY


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.

21Maximum Yield USA | May 2011 21Maximum Yield USA | April 2011

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hydroponic news, tips and triviaMAXfacts

air and Root Zone Temperatures influence growth and Flowering of SnapdragonsGrowth chamber studies using elevated root zone temperatures and greenhouse studies using two root zone and two night air temperatures were conducted to

determine the effects on growth and flowering of Rainier White and Tampico cut-flower snapdragons.

Results:Chamber-grown snapdragons with the root zone at 86°F had shorter stems and a lower dry weight than those at 68°F. Holding the root zone above 79°F increased time to flower. Greenhouse-grown Tampico and Rainier White snapdragon stems

were longer with increased root zone temperature regardless of night air tempera-ture. Time to flower was reduced an average of six days with increased root zone temperature and 12 days when the night air was maintained at 68°F.

This study demonstrated that the effects of relatively low greenhouse temperatures may be offset by root zone heat.(Source: www.helpinggrowers.com)

The Food water RelationshipOn average we drink between two and three quarts of water per day. It takes 1,500 quarts of water to produce just 2.2 pounds of grain and 10 times that amount—15,000 quarts—to produce 2.2 pounds of meat. Total agriculture accounts for 70 per cent of total water use. To produce enough food to satisfy a person’s daily needs takes about 3,000 quarts of water. It takes 1,000 times more water to feed the human population than it does to satisfy its thirst. The world is thirsty because it is hungry.Lesson: water is a renewable but finite resource.(Source: www.fao.org)

Students learn, Tour organic FarmingChiropractic and naturopathic students and fac-ulty of the National University of Health Sciences (NUHS), located in Lombard, Illinois recently toured whole-food supplement manufacturer Standard Process Inc.’s manufacturing plant.The 57 NUHS visitors learned how organic farming

techniques are used to grow crops on the company’s 420 acres of certified organic farmland. During the visit, they also followed product through the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing processes.(Source: www.naturalproductsmarketplace.com)

high-Tech Crop MapAgroAtlas is a new interactive website that shows the geographic distributions of 100 crops; 640 species of crop diseases, pests and weeds; and 560 wild crop relatives growing in Russia and neigh-boring countries. The impetus behind developing AgroAtlas was to promote world food security, particularly in Newly Independent States—countries of the former Soviet Union striving to broaden their agricultural base.AgroAtlas has the potential to aid in the detection and identification of insect pests, pathogens or

weeds that have entered—or could enter—the United States from Russia or neighboring countries.(Source: www.ars.usda.gov)


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get SmartIn a study to be published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, researchers show that the mere presence of plants in an office setting boosts one’s ability to maintain atten-tion. Scientists have also shown that exposure to naturalistic environments, such as those with much foliage, has regenerative effects for directed attention.(Source: www.scientificamerican.com)

From Meat packing to vertical FarmingOne of Chicago’s most interesting real estate deals of the past year was a former meatpacking facility in Back-of-the-Yards acquired to be converted into a vertical farm. Developer John Edel acquired the four story building in July with plans to convert it into a vertical farm using aquaponics grow beds indoors and a greenhouse on the roof. In addition to the farm, Edel’s vision for the 93,500 square foot building calls for a brewery. According to a Chicago Reader article from August, Edel ultimately wants the building to be zero net energy, meaning that he’ll harness energy from one process to power another.(Source: http://chicago.curbed.com)

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The perennial plate: Sustainable Food SeriesLast year, The Perennial Plate—an online weekly documentary series dedicated to socially re-sponsible and adventur-ous eating—went from a small Minnesota website to a nationally syndicated show with over 12,000 weekly viewers. This year in season two, the series main character—chef and activist Daniel Klein—will be traveling across North America to share inspir-ing food stories with as many people as possible. Each week Daniel will be hunting, farming, fishing and foraging and then cooking up a delectable feast. Videos will be posted weekly on theperennialplate.comThis time around, the

show will go far beyond just posting free videos. The new website offers an interactive element by which people across the country can contribute story ideas, host events and follow the trip. A blog is also included to showcase the many great stories, pictures and recipes that don’t make it into the films. After the trip is finished, the plan is to edit the journey into a fea-ture length piece and release it with a cookbook compiled of recipes from across the country.If you want to see more real food films, help out by con-

tributing to this show. Join Daniel for a real food road trip.(Source: www.kickstarter.com)

Big ag wants government Ban on Cameras in Factory FarmsIf House File 589 passes, filming and distributing video content of animal abuse in Iowa factory farms will be punishable by law, with ‘offenders’ facing penalties up to $7,500 and five years in prison. But which part of the situ-ation deserves a trip to the courtroom—the filming and distribution of video content or the animal abuse?Animal-rights activists point out the obvious: that the bill

will silence whistleblowers.Unfortunately, with an agricultural industry that was

responsible for $24.7 billion in direct sales in 2008, Iowa’s lawmakers would need to take a brave and principled stand to vote the bill down.(Source: www.takepart.com)

Recycle SmarterGenerally fluorescent lamps are four to five times more ef-ficient than incandescent bulbs. However, they do contain small amounts of mercury. The mercury is not exposed to the environment unless the lamp is broken at the end of its life. The best way to prevent the release of mercury from lighting is to recycle lamps. Recycling lamps cap-tures the mercury, allowing it to be reused.A business has developed to collect and recycle end-of-

life mercury lamps from commercial buildings. Options for retail consumers are expanding rapidly as well. Many local governments now collect end-of-life lamps and some retailers such as Ikea and Home Depot are also tak-ing back lamps.(Source: www.sunlightsupply.com)

Daniel Klein Photo credit: Stephanie Cogan


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


hydroponic news, tips and triviaMAXfactspruning by natureWe prune plants to make them more beautiful, to encour-age flowering and to help them grow strong and healthy. Some trees and shrubs never need to be pruned while oth-ers require a seasonal cutting.

Light pruning for health: Careful cuts throughout the year go a long way to ensure healthier plants. Remove any part of the plant that looks diseased before it can spread. Do not prune later in the summer.

Pruning the natural way: Each species has its own natural beauty, and pruning should enhance this form not fight it. Work from the inside out. Strive to retain enough outer foli-age so that each cut is cloaked in leaves.

Pruning deciduous flowering shrubs: How and when you prune deciduous flowering shrubs influences the size and quantity of blossoms, or whether they flower at all. The key is to know when it flowers, and whether blossoms develop on the older twigs or newly grown ones.

Recycle your prunings: Recycle the clippings in your home, gar-den or city compost site.(Source: www.monrovia.com)

Reading herbal Tea leaves: Benefits and loreScientists in Boston, Massachusetts have looked into the science-based evidence of health benefits from drinking three of the most popular herbals in America.

Chamomile tea: The scientific literature on the bioactivity of chamomile found no human clinical trials that examined the calming effect. There are, however, findings describing test tube evidence that chamomile tea has moderate antimicrobial activity and significant antiplatelet-clumping activity.Peppermint tea: In test tubes, peppermint has been found to have significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities, strong

antioxidant and antitumor actions and some antiallergenic potential.

Hibiscus tea: Based on a human clinical trial, it’s been reported that drinking hibiscus tea low-ered blood pressure in a group of pre-hypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults.(Source: www.ars.usda.gov)

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MAXfacts hydroponic news, tips and trivia

lunar gardeningAccording to organic gardener Dawn Ingersol—who has been using the ancient form of gardening by the planets for 30 years—a garden can benefit from the cycles of the zodiac. In each of the 12 zodiacal signs, the moon reflects the special characteristics associ-ated with that sign:

Dry masculine cyclesAries, Gemini, Leo or Aquarius: The best time for pulling weeds, plowing, tilling and killing pests

Productive, moist, earthy and feminine cycleTaurus: A good time to plant root vegetables and potatoes

Fruitful, moist and feminine cyclesPisces: A good time to plant most things, especially for root growth; Cancer: A good time for planting and irrigation; Scorpio: A very productive sign for planting most crops, especially vines

Barren, dry and masculine cycleSagittarius: A good sign to plant onions and hay and for cultivation

Moist, earthy and feminine cycleVirgo: A good sign for weeding and cultivating—and also for pest control

Semi-fruitful, moist, airy and masculine cycleLibra: A good time for planting crops and root growth; also a good sign for planting flowers and vines, corn and other livestock needs MY(Source: www.morrisdailyherald.com)

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

gardens for Small SpacesEarthBox’s new MiniGarden is ideal for any gardener with a limited amount of room. The unique design is compact yet still has the ability to hold up to two cubic feet of growing media. It is 25 inches by 23 inches and is just less than six inches wide and stackable with other MiniGarden units. Each unit features a three-layer design with three pockets per layer for your plants, and also comes with a water collections tray, three lids with trays and 18 assembly clips. Pick up the new Earthbox MiniGarden at your favorite indoor gar-dening shop today.

introducing the new hydroStar E-Ballast by greenstar plant products

HydroStar by Green-star Plant Products is a line of value-priced import items that allow growers to get the highest

quality at a low price. We are incredibly excited to introduce our first

HydroStar product to the market: the HydroStar Electronic Ballast. This non-dimming, 120/240 volt, CUL-approved bal-last will run halide or sodium lamps and is programmed for a “soft-start”. This ballast features silent fan-less opera-tion, the highest quality components and a three year exchange warranty. For more information or to order, visit your local indoor gardening shop.

vital Earth’s® Soluble Seaweed Extract 1-1-17Vital Earth’s® Soluble Seaweed Extract 1-1-17 is made from Ascophyllum nodosum, a marine plant exclusive to the North Atlantic. When used as directed, it improves overall plant health, quality and nutrition. Foliar applica-tion: 2∕3 teaspoons to one gallon of water. Ground applica-tion: 1 1∕3 teaspoons to one gallon of water. Apply in de-sired amounts. Apply as early as possible to the roots of the plant for maximum benefits. For more informa-tion visit an indoor/outdoor gardening shop near you.

Fiskars now available at indoor garden ShopsFiskars is a leading brand of functional, user-friendly hand tools and beyond. Fiskars products feature fully hardened stainless steel blades for long-lasting sharpness and can be used either right- or left-handed. Their pruning and floral snips come with blade covers and feature comfortable soft handles to improve control and reduce hand fatigue. Fiskars products come with lifetime warranties. Established in 1649, Fiskars is the oldest company in Finland. Fiskars launched the world’s first plastic-handled scissors in 1967. Since then, these orange scissors have sold more than one billion pieces worldwide. For more information, visit an authorized Hydrofarm retailer near you.


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PRODUCTspotlighthydro international presents Bloom imuno 1 and 2The plant health regulators in Bloom Imuno 1 and 2 elicit the plant’s own ability to defend against pathogens, eliminating the chance of patho-gens acquiring resistance. Foliar applications provide an increase in the defence capability of the root system as well as aerial portions of the plant. The main ingredients in Bloom Imuno 1 and 2 are naturally derived from the sea or BP grade vitamins. Bloom Imuno 1 and 2 also contain a non-ionic surfactant making it a com-plete solution for plant health and pathogen control. Visit your favorite indoor gardening shop to learn more.

Titan Controls® helios 15™ ETl listed 8 light Controller with Timer

Sunlight Supply®, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of the new He-lios 15™ - eight light controller with timer from Titan Controls®. This ETL-listed controller is acceptable for use in commercial applications. Manufac-tured in the United States, the Helios 15 features two premium quality Sie-mens brand relays, a durable powder

coated steel chassis, a German made ‘on-board’ 24 hour timer and NEMA 6-15R UL-listed power outlets. Controlling up to eight 1,000 watt lights at 240 volts has never been easier. Visit your local hydro shop for more information.

humboldt County’s own Snow Storm ultraIf you like Purple Maxx/Snow Storm but you’re not interested in color, then you’ll love Snow Storm Ultra. We discovered we really had two products in one so we sep-arated and optimized Snow Storm. There’s absolutely no product on the market like Snow Storm Ultra, whether a sugar water or carbohydrate-based product. This is the real deal developed by real growers—a genuine Humboldt County original. Try it and see for yourself. Samples and feeding charts are available at retail stores.

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SUNGRO Full Page

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PRODUCTspotlight Your guide to this month’s hottest items.

vital Earth’s® o.g. Seabird guano liquid Bloom 2-5-0This all-natural liquid organic fer-tilizer is a special formula extracted from seabird guano, bone meal and kelp to give phosphorous and other essen-tial nutrients to your fruiting and flowering plants. It contains no additives, no fillers and is 100 per cent organic. Liquid Bloom improves the flavor of vegetables and fruits and promotes intense fruiting, flower and blooming. Great for flowers too. Available in one quart, one gallon, 2.5 gallons and five gallons. For more informa-tion about Vital Earth products, visit an indoor gardening shop near you.

new Colorful pulse Start Metal halide lamps by plantmaxNickel City Wholesale Garden Supply is pleased to present Plantmax’s new trio of pulse start lamps. The color of natural sunlight is cool in early spring and in the fall, and warm in the summer. Plantmax brings these changes indoors with three new bulbs: 7,000K for sprouting and vegetative growth, 3,000K for flowering and bloom-ing and 10,000K for finishing and harvest. All three are available in 400, 600 and 1,000 watts. Pulse start lamps have a built in igniter, put out more lumens and last longer than probe start lamps. These lamps are commercial grade and designed to withstand the high frequencies from digital ballasts but still compatible with older electronic ballasts. Now available at indoor gardening shops across the country.

hydro international presents Flexible DuctingOur flexible ducting is by far the best on the market. Not only is it super heavy-duty, it is the thickest you’ll find, with cable and string reinforcements. When we say they are virtually tear-proof we mean it! Non-insulated with our reinforced film laminate jacket, our ducting is perfect for all pressure heating and cooling systems. Available in the fol-lowing sizes: four inches, six inches, eight inches, 10 inches and 12 inches. Visit your favorite in-door gardening shop for more information.

agrowtent – Clever Design and the Best price on the MarketHydrotek is proud to present Agrowtent, a new modular chamber for vertical hydro-ponics. Agrowtent features an integrated vertical growing system that allows you to use the walls instead of soil to grow your favorite plants. Equipped with an opaque tent fabric and several new innovative features, Agrowtent makes maximum use of the light source and optimizes crop yields. Growers can double the tent’s capac-ity without doubling the cost of accessories. Its innovative design makes access-ing plants easy, thanks to the sliding cooling tube. For more information visit your favorite indoor gardening shop.


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10” by 20” Mesh Tray new at authorized hydrofarm RetailersGrow like a pro with Hydrofarm’s 10 by 20 inch Mesh Tray. This tray nests completely in Hydrofarm’s CKTRAY and most standard sized nursery trays. The unique mesh bot-tom keeps plants stable and is ideal for watering and drain-ing cuttings and young plants. The strong, durable plastic will last for many seasons. For more informa-tion, visit an authorized Hydrofarm retail shop near you.

nectar for the gods available Exclusively From BwgS RetailersNectar for the Gods fertilizers by Oregon’s Only Organics are available now across the country, only from exclusive BWGS retailers. This unique se-ries features 14 cleverly-named fertilizers with a variety of uses. Herculean Harvest liquid bone meal promotes prolific blooms and encourages buff growth; Medusa’s Magic soil nutrient consists of proteins and enzymes sus-pended in a worm casting tea; and kelp-derived Poseidonzyme foliar spray has a plethora of potential uses from soil and hydroponic gardening to a soak for seeds. Nectar for the Gods fertilizers are now available at author-ized BWGS retailers across the country.

humboldt County’s own Bush MasterManufactured by Emerald Triangle Products in Humboldt County, Bush Master was specially de-veloped to speed the transition to bloom, allowing plants to put more energy into flower devel-opment for a longer flowering cycle. Growers who carefully take two or three cycles to precisely optimize Bush Master for their particular plants will see drastic increases in yields. Plus, plants will finish seven to 10 days earlier. Works well with all nutrient lines. Bush Master is extremely concentrated so a little goes a long way. Free samples and feeding charts, plus free shipping are available to retail stores.

Discover all the new Secret Jardin productsFrom beginners to more expe-rienced gardeners, there is a new Secret Jardin grow tent to suit every grower’s needs and wishes. A new complete range of products, innovations and a selection of accessories for tents are now at your disposal. Secret Jardin products benefit from technological innovations in-cluding stronger components and better light proofing. All

products come with a two year extended warranty. Available products include Dark Room II, Darkstreet II, Dark Room Twin, Dark Propagator and Dark Dryer. Visit a hydroponics retailer near you for more information.


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introducing the hydrohut EstateHydroHut has released its long awaited HydroHut Estate, linkable from all sides to another Estate. The Estate measures 127 inches by 127 inches by seven feet tall and has the strongest frame in the industry. There is no center down pole. Instead, we use 25 millimeter galvanized, powder-coated steel poles to give growers the best frame in the industry. The Estate is large enough to fit two full size four by eight foot tables with room to walk around them. The Estate ships in two. Hydro-Hut is the only patented grow tent in the USA. Visit an indoor gardening shop near you for more information.

nutriculture’s Best Selling hydro Range Just got BetterNutriculture is proud to unveil the GT150 NFT Gro-Tank. At just six inches tall, the GT150 features an ultra-low level nutrient reservoir. Tailor-made for tent growers, it is designed to fit small growing areas. It is easy to set up allowing growers to manage just one tank for up to 25 plants. An adjustable de-livery system allows growers to place the pump on either side of the reservoir. Now available in the US at your favorite indoor gardening shop.

Ecoplus® Commercial grade water ChillersSunlight Supply®, Inc. is pleased to announce the release of the new Commercial Grade Water Chillers from EcoPlus®. Available in 0.5, one or 1.5 HP, these chillers are energy efficient and provide optimum performance. Suitable for use with reservoirs, hydroponic systems or aquariums, the EcoPlus® Commercial Grade Chillers may be plumbed with one inch hard PVC pipe or one inch flexible tubing. They feature remote temperature control, a 30 foot power cord and temperature memory in the event of a power failure. These chillers are friendly to those with a “set it and forget it” mentality. Visit your local hydro shop for more information.

Dirt Bags Exclusively From authorized hydrofarm RetailersLightweight and reusable, Hydrofarm’s Dirt Bags offer value and versatility to all gardening enthusiasts. Made from porous breathable fabric, Dirt Bags allow your plants to thrive, promoting exceptional root health and vigor-ous plant growth. The soft-sided construction allows the bag to conform to your terrain, making them the perfect choice for all growing areas. Our bags are stronger than similar products, with reinforced seams and strength-test-

ed fabric, so they won’t tear when supporting even the heaviest crop.

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


Continued on page 142

vital Earth’s® o.g. Seabird guano liquid grow 4-3-4This all-natural liquid organic fertilizer is a special formula extracted from seabird guano, fish solubles and potas-sium sulfate. This unique blend is designed to give your plants nitrogen and other essential nutrients for vegetative growth. It contains no additives, no fillers and is 100 per cent organic. Liquid Grow promotes vigorous vegetative growth and is excellent for vegetables, herbs and shrubs.

Available in one quart, one gallon, 2.5

gallons and five gallons. For

more infor-mation visit your favorite indoor gar-dening shop.

new Sunleaves products offer Something for EveryoneNew Sunleaves Duct Defend-ers are great for indoor garden-ers looking to create a strong defence against pesky bugs and mold, mildew and un-pleasant odors. Duct Defenders and Duct Defender Replace-ment Filters are available in four, six, eight, 10 and 12 inch diameters. Sunleaves Trellis Polyester Netting protects and supports up to 60 pounds of plants, and its six inch mesh allows easy access to fruits and flowers. Sunleaves Tool Sani-tizer Spray helps fight harmful bacteria and diseases on tools. Visit your favorite indoor gardening shop today for more information on Sunleaves Duct Defenders.

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HybridHydroponics

Bio Buckets

Maximum Yield USA | May 201146

Bio Buckets

by CASEy JONES FRASER

With

If you want to grow a small number of HUGE plants, try hybrid hydroponics with bio buckets. Your roots and yields will be bigger than anything I could ever describe in this article.

HybridHydroponics

Bio Buckets

47Maximum Yield USA | April 2011

http://www.sunblasterlighting.com/


Great root systems give us great plants. Large yields just aren’t possible without large root systems, and most indoor gardeners can tell you their favorite method for achieving thick mats of healthy white roots—although their advice will vary widely. Some growers will even combine multiple techniques to reap the benefits of different styles of gardening.Top-feed drip systems and deep water culture are two com-

mon hydroponics methods known for creating amazing root systems. Some of the most popular growing media are soilless mixes and grow rocks (usually expanded clay), both of which are known for generating luscious root growth.While researching root growth, I heard about some European

growers running an interesting hybrid hydroponics garden and obtaining yields higher than I ever thought possible. I dug up as much information as I could about their operation, and then I built a small grow focusing on those same hybrid techniques. The plant growth was so fast I could barely keep up with it, and the roots were massive. If you want to grow a few really BIG plants, this might be the ideal hydro system for you.Each individual planter includes a 10 inch mesh

container in a three and a half gallon bucket. The mesh basket holds several inches of grow rocks, a grow block in the center and two inches of soilless mix on top. Two top-feed drip lines run constantly, and two and a half inches of bubbling water sits just

under the mesh basket, creating a level of deep water culture at the bottom of each bucket.I started with some well-rooted ‘pineapple’ tomato clones trans-

planted into four inch grow blocks. After about three weeks of ebb and flow in grow blocks, the tomato plants were really growing and roots were popping out all over the blocks. At this point, it was time to move them into a new hydro system and set the lights to a 12/12 schedule for flowering.My flowering garden space is two and a half feet by two and

a half feet, with a 400 watt metal halide grow light specifically tuned for flowering. With the light hanging vertically in a six

inch air-cooled glass tube, no reflector is used.

Please don’t handle your roots. I had to lift them out of the bucket for the photos.

Roots grow quickly in the 2.5 inches of deep water culture inside each bucket.

“If you want to grow a few really BIG plants...[hybrid hydroponics] might be the ideal hydro system for you.”

Hybrid Hydroponics


A two foot by two foot flood tray sits in the garden, the perfect size for four buckets. In the past, I would have flow-ered nine small plants in this space, but with the bio buckets I am now able to grow four monster plants.I drilled a one and three quarter inch hole into the side

of each bucket to allow the nutrient solution to overflow safely into the tray as the bucket is filled by the drip lines. The large size of the hole will also allow you to fit an air stone through it, which will keep the solution bubbling inside each bucket.After the buckets were drilled, I added the 10 inch mesh

containers. These containers are made to fit on buckets and are available at your local grow store. Two inches of expand-ed clay grow rocks were then added to the bottom of each mesh container.

The grow block, complete with a pineapple tomato plant, was placed on top of two inches of grow rocks. Then I filled in more expanded clay rocks around the block.With the expanded clay grow rocks surrounding the grow

block, two and a half inches of space remained at the top of each container. I filled in that space with two inches of soilless mix—made up mostly of peat moss and perlite—on top of the grow rocks. Once all four buckets were complete, they were ready for installation into the hydroponics system.The buckets were now in the two foot by two foot tray. The

first step here was to add air stones to each bucket via the one and three quarter inch hole. I ran two small round air stones off of a quarter inch air line into each bucket, which will ensure that the two and a half inches of water in each bucket will never get stagnant or anaerobic (low in oxygen). This step is important because aeration prevents root rot.The next step was to add two drip lines to the top of each

container. If one dripper ever gets clogged, the other dripper will keep flowing. If that dripper is also clogged, the DWC layer will keep the roots from drying out.The entire system is built above a 20 gallon reservoir filled

with a mild nutrient solution (750 ppm). Once the pump is turned on and the drip lines are flowing, the buckets will start to fill with nutrient solution. After the solution reaches the two and a half inch level, the liquid will start spilling out of the one and three quarter inch hole. Each bucket is thus constantly overflowing, with the solution draining back into the reservoir.So the nutrient solution is running through the various layers of

growing mediums and dripping down into the bucket. The two and a half inches of deep water culture is fed by the drip stream and bubbled by the air stones. The result is an oxygen-rich environ-ment—perfect for roots and beneficial bacteria and fungi.

I used pineapple tomato plant clones, rooted in grow blocks.

Step 2. Add a 10 inch mesh container to the 3.5 gallon bucket.

“In the past, I would have flowered nine small plants in this space, but with the bio buckets I am now able to grow four monster plants.”

Hybrid Hydroponics


To ensure that this environment is not overtaken by disease-causing bacteria or fungi, a few precautionary steps should be taken. First and foremost, the water temperature should never rise above 71°F. Higher temperatures will decrease oxygen and encourage anaerobic bacteria and mold, while lower tempera-tures—between 60° and 71°—will create an environment that is safe for roots and friendly breeds of micro-organisms.Always inoculate your garden with various strains of oxygen-

loving bacteria and fungi. Bacteria strains should include several types of Bacilli, including Paenibacillus, while fungi strains should include Glomus Mycorrhizae for root expansion and Trichoderma for disease protection. These micro-organisms are available in granular, powdered and liquid products, although some of the most diverse mixes of beneficial microbiology come from high-end compost teas. Get a recommendation from your local hydroponics store.Some readers are probably shuddering at the thought of a soak-

ing wet soilless mix setting on top of their valuable roots—“I thought oversaturated soil causes root rot?” Allow me to explain.

Plants become overwatered when they can no longer obtain oxy-gen in the root zone, but with a rich blend of beneficial bacteria and cool temperatures, the water will contain copious amounts of oxygen regardless of how wet the medium gets. Overwatering becomes impossible.After a day of continuous flowing, the hydro system will start

to show a frothy layer of foam, both around the drains and in the reservoir. An ebb and flow system with the same nutrients and supplements is only a few feet away, and has no foam. The levels

Step 3. Add two inches pf expanded clay pellets to the container.

Hybrid Hydroponics

“Higher temperatures will decrease oxygen and encourage anaerobic bacteria and mold.”

http://direct-hydro.com/


DIRECT HYDRO Half Page

Step 5. Surround the block with more expanded clay pebbles.

of oxygen and microbiology are obviously much higher in the hybrid hydroponics system.After a few weeks in the bio buckets the plants were growing

out of control and required steady pruning to shape them—I ended up pruning enough to get over 100 clones per month without even trying.Big ropes of roots were appearing in the buckets, surround-

ing the air stones. Looking at the roots, certain features become obvious. Root sizes include thick, tubular roots, medium roots and millions of tiny root hairs. These roots were attempting to grow in every direction, including upward. Roots typically grow outward and downward, but given such an ideal situation they can defy the norm and even grow towards the sky.With the surprising amount of biomass produced in such a short

period of time this system is obviously capable of huge roots and record-setting yields, and the vertical lighting system allows the plants to grow tall and full. A powerful blower keeps the light cool, and the plants will grow right up against the tube.Maintenance includes monitoring the pH daily, changing the

reservoir weekly, checking drippers for clogs and general plant care. Considering the large yield and the amazing health of the plants, the amount of work required is actually minimal. Although the 20 gallon reservoir is kept on a cold concrete floor—which keeps the water temperature in the 60s—during the summer some growers may need a chiller to keep reservoir temperatures in check. MY

NutrieNts aNd supplemeNtsA and B (base nutrients)Biodynamic tonic (micronutrients)B vitamins and amino acids (metabolism boost)Microbe inoculant (beneficial bacteria and fungi)Enzyme concentrate (rootzone protection)*use only chlorine-free water

Hybrid Hydroponics

http://direct-hydro.com/

In BalancePlant SteerIng for VegetatIVe and generatIVe growth

dr. lynette Morgan offers her tips for balancing vegetative and generative growth through crop steering.

Growth balance is something many indoor growers may not be tuned into—after all, plants are programmed to grow leaves, flowers and fruit with little input from us. However, some of the tools used by the commercial greenhouse producers of fruiting crops can be applied on a smaller scale, and crop steering is a useful technique to know and understand. Crop steering works on the principle that there are two different types of growth with flowering and fruiting plants: the vegetative phase, which refers to foliage and stem growth, and the generative phase, where flowers form and fruit begin to set and develop. Balanced growth means the plant produces just enough foliage to support a good number of developing flowers and fruit, thus maximizing yield without putting a lot of extra energy into unnecessary amounts of foliage.

what is vegetative growth?We often hear about plants that might have gone overly vegetative—a common occurrence under lush hydroponic growing conditions with plenty of water and nutrients. Overly vegetative crops are fairly easy to recognize. With plants such as tomatoes, the stems are often very thick—sometimes described

as being like tree trunks—and the foliage is lush and light green with large leaves. Overly vegetative growth means the plant doesn’t have a lot of developing flowers or fruit, and is instead sending most of the assimilate produced via photosynthesis into further leaf growth. Any flowers that develop may be small and weak and may even abscise, as leaf growth is favored over generative growth in this condition. The canopy of an overly vegetative crop often appears very dense, with many long leaves, and will present fast growth and rapidly increasing plant height, but few mature fruit and sparse flowering.Strong vegetative growth is common in young plants, which

naturally favor a high degree of foliage development. However, certain other conditions also favor vegetative growth, and this sort of development is common with plants growing under mild conditions where there is little or no plant stress. Using sub-strates that retain a lot of moisture—such as fine grade coconut fiber—and running lower-nutrient EC levels also encourages vegetative growth, as do reduced light levels, high humidity and plenty of water from small frequent irrigations, especially with young plants or those grafted on vigorous root stocks.


by Dr. Lynette Morgan


http://www.dyna-gro.com/

in balance

what is generative growth?A plant that has become overly generative is one where the as-similate being produced is largely being directed to the devel-oping flowers and fruit at the expense of further leaf develop-ment. An overly generative plant may also have yields restricted due to a lack of foliage development, which is required to pro-vide the assimilate required for flower and fruit development. In tomatoes, this is often described as thin growth, with leaves being small and sparse and petering out at the tops. The plant stem becomes thinner, as opposed to the tree trunk-like stem diameter of plants, which are overly vegetative, and sometimes the flower clusters are short and bent in a downwards direction. Usually generative plants have a high number of flowers or fruit, which attract the bulk of the assimilates produced by the leaves. While a highly generative plant may seem like a good idea in order to maximize yields, in reality this sort of lack of balance means there is insufficient foliage to support the num-ber of flowers and fruit which form, and in many crops this will mean smaller fruit size and reduced yields.Factors that favor generative development include older plants

with heavy crop loading, growing in warm conditions with high light levels, CO

2 enrichment and low humidity or VPD.

Freely draining growing media and restricted moisture, higher EC and harsh growing conditions caused by light and heat also tend to encourage generative development.

getting the balance rightExperienced growers will soon learn to tell if a crop is looking a little too vegetative—often before flowering begins—and can

implement some measures to keep things on track. With tomato crops there are some basic measurements that can be used to determine the vegetative-versus-generative balance. A tomato plant with a balanced growth habit tends to have a stem thickness of approximately one third of an inch in diameter at six inches below the growing point. A much larger diameter indicates the plant is heading in a vegetative direction, and a much thinner stem means the plant is going generative. A number of plants should be measured and the aver-age reading taken, as there is always some natural variation between plants in a crop.

Steering the plants in the right directionFortunately, there are many tools and techniques that can be used with a protected-environment hydroponic crop where the grower has control over all growth factors. Tomatoes and capsicum have the best selection of cultivars that have been bred for vegetative or generative or even balanced growth habits, and it’s worth selecting these for certain growing

Flowering and fruiting crops large and small will give optimal yields if the vegetative/generative balance is correct.

Well formed and sized tomato fruit require sufficient vegetative growth to support fruit development as well as the right level of fruit loading.


conditions. In indoor gardens many tomato and capsicum plants respond to the highly protected environment by go-ing more vegetative, so selecting cultivars with a generative growth habit often helps in obtaining better yields. Tomatoes grown in a summer glasshouse with high levels of natural light and a heat stress are better selected from the more vegetative cultivars in order to give a better balance of growth under the harsher growing conditions. Cultivar alone, however, is usually not enough to guarantee a good growth balance, and some degree of growth manipulation is often required for many indoor plants.

Steering with temperatures, light, humidity and co2As a general rule, lower light or shading favors vegetative growth and high light intensity favors generative growth. High humidity favors vegetative growth, low humidity favors gener-ative growth. CO

2 enrichment favors generative growth once

flowering or fruit set has occurred as it allows greater produc-tion of assimilate from the same leaf area. Most growers under-stand these basic concepts and their effects on growth balance, although a more advanced tool is available in the use of day/night temperature differentials (DIFs), which can be used to steer a crop back into more balanced growth. DIFs work well in indoor gardens where the grower has good control over temperatures, and they are also used to promote the transpor-tation of assimilates from the leaves into the fruit. High day

temperatures tend to promote stretching and elongation of the plant, as well as an increase in leaf area. Night temperatures do not play a role in this particular relationship, but the difference between day and night temperatures is important to flowering and fruit development. Environmental conditions also play a role—low light levels and warm temperatures promote stem

Young plants tend to be quite vegetative in nature.


“While a highly generative plant may seem like a good idea...in reality this sort of lack of balance means there is insufficient foli-age to support the number of flowers and fruit which form.”

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

elongation and a tall weak plant, so the temperature should be kept cool and matched to the light levels. A low DIF (where night and day temperatures are similar) is used to stimulate veg-etative growth, while a greater DIF (where night temperature is much lower than the day temperature) results in more genera-tive growth. This means it’s often a good idea to impose day and night temperatures, which are fairly close to each other early in the plant’s life to stimulate good foliage growth, then switch to a greater DIF with much lower night temperatures as the plant comes close to flowering and fruit set. From then onwards, tomato and capsicum growers may change the DIF settings to push either vegetative or generative growth as required.

Steering with ec and moisture levelsAlong with temperature DIFs, conditions in the root zone act to steer plants towards more vegetative or generative growth to help maintain balance. Growing substrates with a high water-holding capacity—such as fine-grade coconut fiber, peat and vermiculite—tend to favor vegetative growth, while those with a much freer draining nature, such as coarse perlite, encourage more generative growth, although irrigation management also plays a large role in root-zone moisture levels.A high moisture content in the growing media created with

the use of frequent irrigation and a relatively low EC of the nutrient solution will promote water uptake by the plant and encourage vegetative growth. Applying controlled plant stress with the use of higher EC or deficit irrigation practices will have a more generative effect. Deficit irrigation may include reducing the volume applied at each irrigation, allowing more time between irrigations and allowing the media to dry slightly

Cucumber hybrids tend to be highly generative under good growing conditions.


in balance


overnight by restricting early morning and evening irriga-tions. This type of deficit irrigation and the use of high EC to force plants into generative growth must be used with caution, however, as moisture fluctuations in the root zone can lead to an increase in fruit splitting and cracking, and are also associated with an increase in blossom end rot development in tomatoes and peppers under certain growing conditions.

Sizing up tomato fruitThe warm parts of tomato plants (growing points, fruit, leaves) attract more assimilate than colder parts do. A small differ-ence in temperature can make a considerable difference to the distribution of assimilate within the plant—thus warm fruits attract more sugars for growth than those that are cooler. A good technique used by growers to boost fruit growth and size is the pre-night drop. This process involves allowing the plants to receive increased warmth in the late afternoon. This heat is then absorbed by the fruit tissue, while sugars accumulate in the photosynthesizing leaf tissue. During the evening the tempera-ture is then dropped back quickly by several degrees. The drop in temperature causes the thinner mass of the leaves at the top of the plant to cool quickly, while the fruit, having a much

larger mass, remains warm for longer. The cooled leaves then unload their assimilate sugars to the warmer fruit tissue, forc-ing more sugars for growth out of the foliage and into the fruit. Overall, the 24 hour temperature average is not affected by this process, so it does not affect plant internode length or stem diameter. The rate of assimilate importation into the develop-ing fruit determines fruit size and the amount of assimilate that is sent into the fruit is highly dependent on the temperature of the fruit tissue—the warmer the fruit tissue, the more sugars are imported into the fruit. The optimal fruit temperature for sugar

Capsicum of all types and fruit sizes can have problems maintaining a good growth balance and often produce fruit in flushes.


“Cultivar alone...is usually not enough to guarantee a good growth balance, and some degree of growth manipulation is often required for many indoor plants.”



environment control

importation is between 73o and 77oF. As an example, the pre-night temperature drop might be from a late-afternoon warm-ing of up to a maximum of 77oF, followed by a drop of three to four hours at 60o to 62oF in the evening. From then onwards normal night temperatures are run. This technique works best in indoor gardens that have good temperature control, and is

highly effective provided it is carried out cor-rectly—some growers use infrared thermom-eters and internal fruit sensors to check leaf and fruit temperatures when they first attempt this process, to ensure that there is a sufficient temperature difference between the leaves in the head and the warmer fruit below.

Plant steering with peppers and crop unloading Peppers tend to grow in flushes, with periods of leaf growth alternating with periods of fruit growth. This usually results in fruit be-ing harvested in flushes during the first few months of the crop, which is a normal growth cycle, but not one that is favored by growers wanting a regular supply of fruit. Usually, after the second flush of fruit is harvested, pepper

plants will then resume a more balanced state of growth, with a consistent pattern of vegetative and generative growth. There is little that can be done about this natural cycle of vegetative and fruit growth in peppers, but if the halt to vegetative growth goes on for too long, yields can be reduced and future harvests delayed. One effective method of forcing both pepper and

Large fruited bell peppers tend to grow with alternat-ing periods of leaf and fruit growth.

Under hot/high light summer conditions, tomato crops can become overly generative with small, sparse leaves and a very heavy fruit load.

in balance

http://www.horticontrol.com/

in balance

tomato plants into unloading some fruit so that vegetative growth can be speeded up is to increase the temperature. Another method is to harvest some fruit before they are completely ripe, which may mean harvesting fruit from young pepper plants when ma-ture green rather than waiting for the first signs of coloration.

SummaryTo direct plants into a more vegetative growth habit:Shade crop or reduce light (but not so low as to severely restrict photosynthe-sis); apply frequent irrigations; allow less dry-down of the root zone overnight; use moisture-retentive fine-grade growing

media; lower EC; increase hu-midity; reduce day temperature; use a low DIF (similar day/night temperatures).

To direct plants into a more genera-tive growth habit:Apply a little stress—increase EC, restrict moisture in the root zone, allow media to dry slightly more overnight. Increase light levels and temperature, increase CO2, drop back humidity. Use a freer-draining media

A wide range of crops need manipulation of the vegeta-tive/generative balance, including melons.

Peppers respond to fruit unloading practices if vegetative growth has been severely limited by a heavy crop load.

or more careful control over irrigation, drop back irrigation frequency and amount. Use a greater DIF (night temperatures much lower than day temperatures). For sizing up fruit, use pre-night temperature drop method to force assimilate out of leaves and into developing fruits. MY


http://www.horticontrol.com/


http://www.vermicrop.com/

Peggy Bradley and the Institute of Sim-plified Hydroponics (ISH) team educate school-aged children throughout Zimba-bwe and Israel on hydroponics—and the kids run with the idea. Now the Jamai-can Department of Agriculture and ISH are proposing a model for Jamaica that could be the basis for hydroponic educa-tion anywhere. It fundamentally ensures that children learn how to grow their own food and are capable of eventually obtaining food security.I think it was my own experience in elementary school that interested me in

educational reform. I remember those grades—from first to eighth—as

a sort of long and boring imprisonment of body

and soul.When I got

to college,



http://www.hydrotek.ca


no chalk for the teachers, no pencils and no paper.We started a demonstration garden and

gave classes in teaching children hydropon-ics. The year was 1996 and Zimbabwe had been an independent country for just 16 years. The former country of Rhodesia had been a British colony, and before 1980 the native African children had not been able to go to school.The building of a school was a deep

source of pride for the village and the national government. When we started our village garden, elders of the village appeared

and started to work with the children, helping them to plant seedlings and stake up growing plants.The elders could not read or write or

do math, so they had been inadvertently excluded from the children’s education. But the gardens brought them back, with the children needing the knowledge they could provide.A few years later, in 2000, I was introduc-

ing simplified hydroponics to a sixth grade class in Tocah, Israel, in the settlements. From the moment I stepped into the class-room, I knew I had found the new form of education I had been seeking.There were 12 students, all 12 years old,

in the sixth grade class. They were sitting around a rectangular table, not in individual desks facing a teacher in front. I started the class by opening up our classroom kit, which includes curriculum for a six

minorities in science and engineering. This class allowed me to learn about how people learn; how they retain knowledge. When I first started teaching simplified hydroponics, I found another opportu-nity to learn about alternative methods of education.Our first project for the Institute of Sim-

plified Hydroponics was an elementary school in eastern Zimbabwe. A school of 900 children exists there in a beautiful village without running water or electric-ity. There are only 50 books in the school,

A HYDROPONICS SCHOOL CURRICULUM

education started to be interesting. I could pick my own subjects, I was learn-ing and my creativity was sparked and challenged. I started to think.In college I became interested in new

types of education, such as that offered at the Summerhill facility in England. After I threatened to tear up my diploma at graduation because the engineering de-partment was not retaining women and minorities, the dean of science at Oregon State University hired me to teach a class in an attempt to keep more women and

http://www.ecogrow.com/

69Maximum Yield USA | May 2011 69Maximum Yield USA | April 2011

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were completed and on the window waiting to sprout. The children then divided up the model-building tasks, all eight of them, building models with clay, paper and colored pencils, still asking tons of questions. They built ancient Egyptian gardens and modern NASA hydroponic systems.By the next day the children,

school administration and teacher had together decided to build a real system outside the classroom. Instead of a demonstration garden, they decided to build a wastewater treatment wetland. We spent the next three weeks on a small stream on a slope that cleaned water through mosses, mussels and reeds.After Israel, it has been in my mind

to do something about promoting a new model of education, a garden-based curriculum that would ensure each child would be able to grow their own food and later provide nu-tritious produce for their family.Through the Institute of Simplified

Hydroponics (ISH) we have been developing a course of learning for different grades to support elementary schools. We have had a first grade cur-riculum and a sixth grade curriculum in use now for over a decade, and both are highly rated by several educational groups. We have also developed a


week course. The course had six experi-ments, meant to be completed over the whole six weeks.The Israeli children divided all six experi-

ments up on the table and proceeded to do all six experiments at once. They asked a million questions as they worked—will

this work for flowers? What else can we use for substrate? What about nutrients? As children asked questions, other children would suggest answers. The teacher and I stood by to occasionally make a comment or maintain a bit of discipline.Three hours later, the six experiments

http://www.globalgardenfriends.com/


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


board game, Hydroponica, which is used in all our classes.In 2010, a government official in Jamaica contacted

ISH to help with food security in Jamaica. Our meetings continued over a five month period, and were concluded with a proposal for a new educational model based on the school gardens.In Jamaica, 75 per cent of the nation’s food is now imported from other countries. There is over 50 per cent unemploy-ment in Jamaica, and the average family spends over 50 per cent of their income on food. What little employment there is available is mostly based on the tourist industry, now hard hit by the economic downturn.Just north of Jamaica, in Cuba, organoponic technology

now produces 50 per cent of the vegetables consumed in the island nation. Jamaica has the same tropical climate and much better access to water and materials—they could cer-tainly use organic technology to advance food security.The Jamaican government was already setting up gardens

in schools, with over 1,000 sites already established in el-ementary schools. But they needed a curriculum, a method of integrating what they could learn in the school garden into the classroom. So we developed a curriculum together for grades one through eight. Although this curriculum is specifically designed for Jamaica, it could be adapted to any country without too much tinkering.Stay tuned for the June issue of Maximum Yield USA

where Peggy outlines the hydroponics curriculum proposal for Jamaica students in grades one through eight.ISH is at www.carbon.org and the educational materials

used in this curriculum can be purchased online. Anyone wishing for further education in this technology is invited to attend training in Jamaica or Missouri later this year. MY


27, 28, 29

http://www.terrahydro.com/


a Hydroponics scHool cUrricUlUm

http://www.humboldtwholesale.com/


BEGINNER’S CORNER

FivE MinutE LEsson:KEEping A CLosE EyE on tEMpErAturE

thE BEst thing you CAn do to Avoid ExtrEME tEMpErAturEs in thE grow rooM or grEEnhousE? pAy AttEntion.

Extreme temperatures affect us. They affect plants too.Temperature affects plant growth, flower-ing, seed production and pollination. If the environment is too cold, seeds won’t germinate, cuttings won’t root and flow-ers won’t produce pollen. Your plants will grow slowly or stop growing altogether. If the environment is too cold, your seeds won’t germinate and cuttings won’t root. Plants can die from oxygen deficiency or succumb to pathogens that like higher temperatures.

Control your nutrient solution temperature.Temperature affects the growth rate and structure of plants. Most plants prefer a root zone temperature of 65 to 72ºF (cooler for winter crops, warmer for tropical crops). Keep your solution at around 68ºF for the best oxygen content and uptake by the roots. High water temperature (above 72ºF) quickly reduces dissolved oxygen and increases the risk of root disease. Cold water temperature can shock roots and cause other problems. Adding water to your reservoir? Get it to the same temperature as the root zone water before you start the pumps. Rapid changes to the tem-perature of the solution will stress plants.

Prevent big temperature swings.In winter: Put a heat mat under your reservoir or use aquarium heaters for your nutrient.

In summer: Use chillers and protect your solution from direct sunlight by insulating it or sinking your reservoir in the ground.


If you can’t prevent temperatures from rising too high, lower plant stress levels by lowering the strength of your nutrient solu-tion. A warm, dry environment evaporates water quickly. Evapora-tion can cause big problems by increasing the concentration/con-ductivity of the nutrient solution. Can’t easily lower the temperature of your growing environment? Try covering your reservoir with black and white plastic (white side up, black side down). This will reflect light away and help prevent evaporation. Reducing direct light on the solution will also slow or prevent the growth of algae and bacteria. If you’re growing indoors, be aware of the heat from plant lamps. A slight change in a light’s position can make a big differ-ence to growth. Outdoors, or in a greenhouse, the amount of sun-light will affect the temperature of your growing environment.

ArtIcle contrIbuted by

bluelAb corporAtIon lImIted

tips

http://www.suncourt.com/

bumblE ANd bumblE - StAR POlliNAtORS iN thE GREENhOuSE

by dONAld lEStER

AS mORE ANd mORE GREENhOuSES ARE CON-

StRuCtEd, thE NEEd FOR iNdOOR POlliNA-

tiON iNCREASES. hONEybEES ARE GENERAlly

thOuGht OF AS thE mOSt COmmON POlliNA-

tORS, ANd thEy ARE thE mOSt widEly StudiEd;

hOwEvER, bumblEbEES ARE AS GOOd—OR bEt-

tER—thAN tRAditiONAl hONEybEES At POl-

liNAtiNG mANy SEEd ANd FOOd CROPS. KEEP

REAdiNG tO FiNd Out why.


bumblE ANd bumblE - StAR POlliNAtORS iN thE GREENhOuSE

http://www.getbluelab.com/


.It is estimated that 30 per cent of the food grown for human

consumption in North America is pollinated by bees. Bees are used in over 30 different countries on more than 25 different crops. In 2000, researchers examined the economic value of honeybee pollination in US agriculture based on national agricultural statistics and interviews with beekeepers and research personnel. They estimated that there were 2.5 mil-lion colonies rented for pollination purposes in 1998 and that pollination services amounted to $14.6 billion of agricultural output in 2000. Bumblebees may be best pollinators of the following seed and food crops:

bUmble and bUmble

AlFAlFAAPPlESblACKbERRiESbluEbERRiESbROAd bEANSbuCKwhEAtCElERyChERRiESClOvERCORiANdERCOttONCRANbERRiESCuCumbERSCuRRANtS

FENNElGhERKiNSGOOSEbERRiESGOuRdSKiwi FRuitlEmONSlimA bEANSluPiNSmARROwSmElONSmuStARdOil SEEd RAPEORANGESPEAChES

PEARS PEPPERSPlumSPumPKiNSRASPbERRiESRuNNER bEANSSOybEANSSquAShStRAwbERRiESSuNFlOwERStOmAtOEStuRNiPSvEtChESwAtERmElONS

“bumblEbEES ARE GENERAlly REGARdEd AS bE-iNG lESS AGGRESSivE thAN hONEybEES.”

In the past, greenhouse operators traditionally hand pol-linated their crops, but as the size of the operations increased, producers started looking for alternatives. Bumblebees are far more efficient than hand pollination. In fact, a study done at Penn State concluded that “tomato growers who eliminate pesticides in the greenhouse can use bumblebee hives to pollinate their crops, saving 15 hours of labor per acre [per day] required for manual pollination. Research indicated that bumblebees pollinate more efficiently, leading to yield increases of as much as 25 per cent.”Not only are bumblebees better for greenhouse pollina-

tion than hand pollination, they are also better suited for greenhouse pollination over honeybees for several reasons. First, honeybees suffer from the ‘colony collapse disorder’ that we have heard so much about in the news lately. Honey producers also add plastic strips impregnated with pesticide to their hives to fight Varroa mites, thereby increasing the chance of pesticide residues in honey, while bumblebees

http://www.plant-success.com/


bUmble and bUmble

do not suffer from Varroa mites like honeybees do. Finally, bumblebees have an advantage over other bees in that they can warm themselves on cold mornings and operate at lower ambient temperatures.A common assumption is that the buzzing sound of bum-

blebees is caused by the beating of their wings. The sound is actually the result of the bee vibrating its flight muscles, and is achieved while the muscles are decoupled from the wings. Bumblebees have been known to reach an internal tempera-ture of 86°F using this method. Because of this warming mechanism, bumblebees are most active in the morning and afternoons at temperatures between 50° and 86°F. They func-tion best at temperatures between 59° and 77°F, although they are known to operate at temperatures down to 41°F with windy and cloudy conditions. These temperature ranges are only averages, since there are over 250 known species of bumblebees.

“it iS EStimAtEd thAt 30 PER CENt OF thE FOOd GROwN FOR humAN CONSumPtiON iN

NORth AmERiCA iS POlliNAtEd by bEES.”

http://www.opticfoliar.com/

http://www.mygreenplanet.com/


bUmble and bUmble

Bumblebees are sold commercially by several vendors. They come in a maintenance-free cardboard box, often contain-ing fewer than 50 individuals. The typical colony includes a queen, workers and brood (pupae, eggs and larvae), and a bag with sugar solution provided as a food source. This solution is intended to keep the bees going for the total life expectancy of the hive, since crops such as tomatoes have blossoms that do not produce nectar. The box has two tubes inserted into it: one tube is a two-way valve to let bees in and out of the box, while the other tube is a one-way valve to let bees into the box but not back out again. This tube is useful for locking bees into the box during spray applications or when moving the hive.It is best to place the hives along the south side of the main

path in the greenhouse in order to have maximum shade from the crop in summer. It may even be necessary to provide extra shade, with a piece of Styrofoam or other water-impervious material that does not radiate heat. Distribute the hives evenly along the pathway, in plain view, approximately four to six feet above ground level with the flight hole facing east. The best position for the hives is on a horizontal platform so that the sugar solution will not leak.

http://www.excelair.ca/


http://www.vitalearthsproducts.com/


bUmble and bUmble

“bumblEbEES...hAvE PROblEmS with thEiR ORiENtAtAtiON iN thE GREENhOuSE, ESPECiAlly duRiNG thE dARKESt mONthS OF thE yEAR.”

The placement of the hives is important. Carbon dioxide is often used by entomologists to anesthetize insects for short periods of time in order to handle them safely, and prolonged exposure to carbon dioxide can reach dangerous levels for bumblebees. In high-carbon dioxide growing environments, therefore, it is best to restrict any carbon dioxide supply in the immediate vicinity of bumblebee hives.The side walls and roof vents should be covered with insect

screens (50 mesh) to restrict the entrance of pest insects into the greenhouse and simultaneously keep bumblebees and beneficial insects from escaping. Overhead air circulation fans and exhaust fan outlets should be covered with screen as well, to prevent the bumblebees from being sucked out of the green-house or being killed by hitting the fan blades.Ants can raid and destroy a hive, so it is important to keep

them away from the bees. Use a bead of grease or petroleum jelly around the hives as a physical barrier, and avoid contact between plants and the hive, since this can act as a bridge for ants to reach the hive.


http://www.sierranaturalscience.com/


bUmble and bUmble

Before opening the flight hole, allow the colony to calm down for a minimum of half an hour after placing in po-sition. Open the flight hole of newly placed hives on the day they arrive during the brightest time of the day, and allow for a minimum of four hours of effective pollination per day.Bumblebees are generally regarded as being less aggressive than

honeybees. However, there are certain precautions one should employ when handling any bees. For example, do not wear perfume, makeup, cologne, aftershave or any other odorous materials that may attract the bees, and do not let children play near the hives or disturb them. Bumblebees are also attracted to the color blue, so it is best to avoid using blue sticky trap cards or wearing blue clothing that may attract the bees.Bumblebees need ultraviolet light for orientation and naviga-

tion. When artificial lights overpower the natural light, bumble-bees have problems with their orientation in the greenhouse, especially during the darkest months of the year. When this happens, bumblebees may become damaged by flying against the hot lights, and in order to compensate for the loss of worker bees it may be necessary to add extra hives to the greenhouse.Bees in general are very susceptible to insecticides and other

chemicals. Use pesticides selectively, since many of the tradi-tional classes of insecticides will have a negative impact on the hive and may damage the bumblebee population. Contact a bumblebee vendor for specific information about persistence and compatibility of specific materials and the timing of any pesticide applications. In fact, rather than using pesticides in the greenhouse, it is important to remember that bumblebees perform best when used in conjunction with natural enemies to control pests.So—if you are going to make the switch to growing insect-

pollinated crops in the greenhouse, consider using bumblebees. They offer many advantages over honeybees, and they will save you countless hours of hand-pollination labor. Why not let Mother Nature help you become more natural in your indoor food and crop production? MY



http://www.gurugrowlights.com/

AVANT-GARDENING

How toSterilize Soil at

HOME

Pre-mixed potting soil from grow shops is sterilized—weed seeds and diseased organisms are killed—to give your plants the best growing environment possible. Most commercial potting soil is already sterilized but if you want to use the rich dark soil right from your garden or reuse your potting soil, here are a few different ways you can sterilize it.

Oven Method (small batches):Fill an ovenproof con-tainer about three inches deep with soil, mix in a gen-erous amount of water (not enough to make it runny or soupy but thoroughly wet) then cover with alu-minum foil. Bake the soil in a pre-heated oven (200°F) until the temperature of the center of the soil reaches 180°F (use a meat thermometer to measure). Once the soil temperature reaches 180°F, bake for 30 minutes. Do not overheat or over bake the soil since it can release toxins harmful to plants as well as kill beneficial organisms. Baking soil can smell quite foul, this is normal.

Microwave Method (small batch):To use the microwave to sterilize soil, put about two pounds of moist soil in a



thick, plastic bag. Leave the top open and place it in the center of the microwave. Treat it for two to five minutes on full power, checking the temperature in the middle of the soil with a ther-mometer. When the target is reached (180°F to 200°F), close the bag carefully and put in a cooler to hold the heat in the soil. Allow to cool. (Source: www.tcpalm.com)

Sun Method (large batches):Choose a spot in the yard that receives at least six hours of sun during the day (eight hours a day is best). Lay out clear plastic sheeting and cover with a layer of dirt about four inches deep. Spray the soil generously with water (not so much water that it becomes runny muck). Cover with another sheet of clear plastic and secure the plastic in place by laying a border of rocks all along the edges of the plastic. Bake the soil in the sun for at least four weeks in hot, sunny weather and up to six to eight weeks in cooler weather (this technique is only good for summer). Rake up the soil each week to make sure the heat reaches all the soil.

• Reusing potting soil without sterilizing it first is okay when planting mature plants; however, new seedlings or bedding plants require soil that is sterilized to have the best chance to thrive.

• Don’t use soil straight from the garden for potting soil alone. Instead mix it with other in-gredients to make it lighter and more beneficial for your plants.

• After the soil is sterilized it will likely be hard and clumpy so break it down first before mix-ing with other ingredients.

• Before placing potting soil in pots, make sure that the pots themselves are sterilized since they can also harbor disease organisms. You can wash the pots in a bleach and water solution. You can use these same methods to sterilize used pot-ting soil and sand.

TipS

http://www.delta9nutrients.com/


In a series of past articles appearing in Maximum Yield I discussed some of the parameters associated with formulat-ing and using nutrient solutions. Even after applying nutrient solutions, grow-ers might still be faced with essential nutrient element insufficiencies in certain crops. These insufficiencies may not always manifest themselves as visual plant

MORE TO

Eliminate nutrient element insufficiencies and help your crops reach their maximum bio-logical potential by further understanding the formulation and usage of nutrient solutions.

symptoms—although the rate of plant growth may be affected—but for fruit-ing plants such as tomatoes, fruit yield and quality may fall below the maxi-mum potential.Without knowing the maximum yield

potential, it is impossible to assess—for each combination of hydroponic growing method and crop—how well a nutrient

solution formulation is able to supply the elements required at each stage of plant de-velopment in order to achieve the biologi-cal maximum. For example, I would esti-mate that under what would be considered ‘optimum’ growing conditions, tomato fruit yield obtained by most greenhouse growers is probably only between 50 to 70 per cent of maximum. The question is: why?

Nutrient Solution Formulations and Uses


by dR. J. bENtON JONES, JR.


In this discussion let’s assume that environmental conditions are properly set and maintained at optimum levels, and that the problem is only with the nutrient element supply system that adversely affects plant growth and yield. Also, this discus-sion is concerned only with flood and drain and drip irrigation systems, although the nutrient film technique (NFT) could be similarly affected, but to a lesser degree.Initially, all of the essential nutrient elements required by the

plant are supplied by the nutrient solution. However, with each successive irrigation a residue of the solution that was previously applied remains—the amount and composition depending on the frequency and volume of each irrigation. The plant also plays a role in de-termining the elemental composition of the residue due to root absorption, which removes portions of the ele-ments from the applied nutrient solution. With each additional nutrient solution irrigation the plant now has two sources of elements for root absorption—those being applied with each nutrient solution irriga-tion and those elements left behind as residue in the rooting media. At some point in this routine the grower is advised to run a test that will monitor the electrical conductivity (EC) of either the effluent from the rooting medium generated with each nutrient solution irrigation, or from a sample taken from a reservoir in the root-ing medium. When the EC of the obtained solution reaches a certain level, the grower should water leach the rooting medium in order to remove the ‘ac-cumulated salts’. If this is not done on a routine

basis, these accumulated salts will begin to affect water (and ac-companying element) absorption by the plant roots.

“The major advantage when using this hydroponic growing system is that all of the applied water and nutrient elements are utilized by the plant.”

http://www.hydrohuts.com/


What is not generally known is that a po-tential third source of nutrient elements can

begin to form—precipi-tates of calcium sulfate

and phosphate—with other elements, such as magnesium, cop-

per, iron, manganese and zinc becoming either trapped within or absorbed on

the precipitate’s surfaces. Initial pre-cipitate formation provides the ‘seed’ that

keeps the precipitation process going with each nutrient solution application. The other driving force that enhances precipitate forma-

tion in the rooting medium is the extraction of water by plant transpiration, which concentrates the ele-ments in the retained nutrient solution. These precipitates cannot be water leached from the rooting medium, and their accumulation will begin to significantly influence the nutritional status of the plant. Since the surface and im-mediate area around the plant root is strongly acidic, root precipitate contact will result in some dissolution, and those elements released will be available for root absorption. In

more to tHe story

http://www.azasol.com/


addition, with precipitate formation, there is a reduction in the solution concentration of those elements forming the precipitates that can affect nutrient element availability. This may be one explanation why in mid-season, visual symptoms of magnesium, iron and zinc deficiencies sometimes appear in those crops with high requirements for these elements. At this point the plant now has three nutrient element

sources, and what portion from each source is being ab-sorbed by the roots is unknown. One could conclude at this point that the nutritional aspect of the growing system is out of control, and that nutrient element insufficiencies are likely to occur, manifesting themselves as visual leaf symp-toms or as unseen problems affecting the plant and prevent-ing it from functioning at its biological maximum.So what are the strategies one can use to maintain nutri-

ent element availability control? Good question—without an easy answer. Here are a few suggestions:Apply sufficient nutrient solution at each irrigation to

leach what remains behind from the previous irrigation (but what do you do with the effluent?)Apply only one or two aliquots of full-strength nutrient

solution in one day’s cycle, and then only water as needed to maintain fully turgid plants

http://www.phatfilter.com/


It is interesting that Allan Cooper—the inventor of the nutrient film tech-nique—observed this same phenomenon of nutrient element accumulation. He recommended exposing plant roots only periodically to a full-strength nutrient solution, and then applying only water or a very dilute nutrient solution when necessary to satisfy the water require-ments of the plant.Another more complicated strategy

would be to monitor the nutrient ele-ment content of the plant by periodic plant analyses, and, based on the assay

results, adjust the nutrient solution formulation and application proce-dures in order to maintain the plant’s nutrient element content within the sufficiency range specified for that plant species and particular stage of plant growth. A similar strategy would be to apply only what is specifically needed in terms of the amount and balance of nutrient elements, based on the crop requirement at each stage of plant growth (a carefully crafted nutrient solution formulation would be required, coupled with specific use

factors). I once consulted with a tomato grower who used the flood and drain growing method—after mid-season, he only needed to include the elements ni-trogen and boron in his nutrient solution formulation, as all the other required ele-ments were in sufficient supply as accu-mulated residue in the rooting medium.In order for any of these strategies to

work, the plant itself must be a coopera-tive entity in terms of growth character-istics and response to changing environ-mental conditions—such as light char-acteristics, air temperature, humidity and movement—as each of these factors will affect water absorption, and this will in turn affect nutrient element absorption by the roots. So even a carefully crafted nutrient solution formulation and use program may not be sufficient to avoid the potential for a plant nutrient element insufficiency.

“Even a carefully crafted nutrient solution formulation and use program may not be sufficient to avoid the potential for a plant nutrient element insufficiency.”

more to tHe story

http://www.sunlandgarden.com/


What is the final answer? Use a hydroponic growing system that maintains a con-stant level of nutrient solution in the base of the rooting vessel, and a rooting me-dium of perlite, compos-ted milled pine bark or possibly even rockwool or coir—substances that have long-term physical and chemical stability as well as a ‘wicking’ characteristic. The plant itself is now in control, absorbing water and nutrient elements from a constantly maintained rooting environ-ment, and requiring a nutrient solution with a low elemental concentration. The major advantage when using this hydroponic growing system is that all of the applied water and nutrient elements are utilized by the plant.

“Use a hydroponic growing sys-

tem that maintains a constant

level of nutrient solution in the

base of the rooting vessel, and a

rooting medium of perlite, com-

posted milled pine bark or possi-

bly even rockwool or coir...”

There is also a better chance that plants growing under such conditions will remain in a condition of nutrient element sufficiency, and will be more likely to reach their maximum biological potential. MY

http://www.organicairfilter.com/


Making Your investMent WorthWhileLEDs

bY theresa rYan

leD groW lights are flooDing the Market With the proMise of saving energY, enhancing the groWth cYcle anD gloWing for Years. here’s hoW to choose the best leD inDoor groW lights anD Make Your investMent WorthWhile.

What to look for When buYing leD groW lightsI’m sure you’ve noticed that LED grow lights are not cheap—and if they are, you need to know why. An educated consumer ends up with the best value for their dollars spent. The LED grow light market is filled with manufactur-ers churning out plastic models that are inefficiently designed in order to lower costs. The consumer buys an LED light with no ventilation that burns out in five months, just when the warranty expires—perfect. In order to prevent this frustrating scenario, you need to know who you are buying from and develop trust in the company before purchasing their LEDs.

leD bulbsLED bulbs (or chips) are the most important components of your new

light. Cree, Bridgelux and Semiled are the world’s leading providers of high-performance LED chips. Can’t find this information on an LED grow light manufacturer’s website? Simply ask your retailer who manufactures their chips; this will ensure that your lights are bright, efficient and long lasting. Some manufacturers keep costs down by using poorly designed plastic LED chips, and I can assure you these will not provide

optimum illumination and will die very quickly.

poWer supplYSmall, precious LED chips need protec-tion from their power supply, so specially designed circuits protect the chips even in the event of a power failure. Ask your potential supplier what their power supply failure rate is—a safe design will be under five per cent. If your power


http://www.kessil.com/


supply fails and the chips are protected, you can easily replace the power supply for under $10. After all, your LED chips are meant to last 50,000 hours, and in most cases the power supply will die before that.

heat DissipationAt this point you are beginning to see a trend—you really have to care for that little chip. After all, it’s pumping out the light that grows your crop. LED chips are very sensitive to heat, and if the design of the chip and the material used allows heat to build up, the light will burn out very quickly. The chip needs to breathe—it needs air circulation. A heat sink base houses the chips internally, and while some manufacturers use thin pieces of flat aluminum board or plastic to increase surface area, this configuration does not allow heat to dissipate, and in this situa-tion the chip will overheat and die in about four to six months. A solid lighting fixture, on the other hand, will use a cast metal heat sink with fins or a column structure to ensure the chips have proper airflow. Better heat flow equals peak performance—and a longer lifespan.

WavelengthLower efficiency ratings on HID bulbs stem from the fact that their light wavelengths are not directed 100 per cent onto the

leds – making yoUr investment WortHWHile

“finD a coMpanY Who can give You a reliable guar-antee on their proDuct. With a big initial invest-Ment, You Want to be cov-ereD in case of anY Defect anD ensure the lights are actuallY saving You MoneY on energY.”

http://www.econutrients.com/


http://www.humboldtwholesale.com/


subject—instead, they emit their light at a full 360 degrees. The beauty of LEDs is their direct wavelength—there is no wasted light bouncing off the top of the housing and reflecting back, or spreading out in other directions away from where the growth is happening. Your LEDs should boast a strong, direct wave-length with a chip housing designed to reflect directly onto wherever you position it, thus ensuring the output is being used efficiently and is keeping your plants as strongly illuminated as possible.

WarrantYFind a company who can give you a reliable guarantee on their product. With a big initial investment, you want to be covered in case of any defect and ensure the lights are actually saving you money on energy. If the new LED lights you’re considering aren’t very good, the supplier will probably not be willing to offer you a substantial warranty, because low-quality LED lights deteriorate very quickly.Some foreign factories state they offer warranties to US cus-

tomers, but even if the warranties are legitimate, the logistics of returning the defective items overseas can be extremely dif-ficult if they don’t have a branch in the US. If your lights stop working, you would have to ship the lights back overseas, wait a very long time for a diagnostic—and then who knows if you will ever see the light again? Check out companies that offer at

least a two year warranty and a return process online for you to check out. If you’re feeling like a real social animal, you might also want to call them and talk to a customer service rep to get some answers.

coMpanY location, inforMation anD a live contactIf a company does not freely offer contact information such as a phone number, address or a contact person, stay away. Some will just display an e-mail address. Be extremely wary with these companies. Whether they offer great prices or not, you’ll want to avoid getting scammed by sellers overseas looking to make a quick buck.

priceSome companies boast super-low prices on their LEDs—you need to think about what materials they are using in order to keep the prices so low and still be a profitable business. Investi-gate, and look for the key qualities we’ve discussed.

LEDs are the future for indoor growers who are serious about consuming less energy to produce higher crop yields of strong, healthy plants. Replace those lights that make your meter spin like crazy now, and invest in LEDs that’ll save you energy, time and money—but first be sure to do your homework. Fol-low these guidelines and find a reputable company that uses state-of-the-art technology and the best materials available to produce the high-quality LED fixtures you’ll need to achieve your best crop. MY

leds – making yoUr investment WortHWHile

http://www.hydroponics.com/


http://www.microbrewedfertilizer.com/

TIPS & TRICKS

Knowing how to identify and control red

spider mites can help you rid them from

your garden—and enjoy it once again.

Red spider mites are garden pests that

affect a variety of plants, most commonly

azaleas and camellias. Once you get an

infestation, you will find red spider

mites everywhere on the plant. It

is important to take care of the

infestation before the plant becomes

permanently damaged.

What is a red

spider mite?

Red spider mites can be either

the European red spider mite

or the Southern red spider mite

(the most common variety). The

European spider mite is normally

only seen on apple trees, while

the Southern spider mite attacks a

wider variety of plants.

Spider mites are arachnids and

related to spiders, but are smaller and

have only one body section (where

spiders have two).

Identification

A plant that is infested by red spider mites

will start to look unhealthy and will have a

“dusty” appearance to the undersides of their

leaves. Close inspection will reveal that the dust is

actually moving and is in fact the spider mites.

The plant may also have some webbing on the

underside or on the branches of plant.

Red SpIdeR MIteS:

Identification and Control



“the best way to control red

spider mites is through the

use of their natural predators.

Lacewings and ladybugs are

commonly used...”

The best way to ensure your plants are free of red spider

mites is by keeping your plants healthy and keeping the

areas around your plants free of debris and dust. Also make

sure your plants are well watered. This will help keep the red

spider mites away as they prefer very dry environments. MY

For more gardening tips and tricks visit

www.gardeningkn

owhow.com or check out

www.gardeningkn

owhow.com/ques

tions

You cannot easily make out the details of red spider

mites with the naked eye but a magnifying glass can

make the details more visible. Red spider mites are—

obviously—all red. The two-spotted spider mite is

partially red. Knocking some off onto a piece of white

paper will make it easier to distinguish the type.

ControlRed spider mites are most active in cool environments.

The best way to control red spider mites is through the

use of their natural predators. Lacewings and ladybugs are

commonly used, but predatory mites can also be used. All

of these spider mite predators are available from reputable

gardening supply centers.

You can also use pesticides to eliminate red spider mites.

Insecticidal soaps and oils work best. You should be

careful using pesticides though as they will also kill their

natural predators and the red spider mites may simply

move from the pesticide treated area to non-treated areas.

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Japanese gardens are traditionally ruled by Zen philosophy. each feature

has a deeper representation and as you walk through your garden

each day, you may even absorb some of the peace embedded in the Zen

philosophy. in the first article of this series the focus is on the ambi-

ence, focal points, rocks and lanterns.

by Steve ProSki


http://www.sunleaves.com/


Ever walked past someone’s garden and been so enraptured by the front yard that you hardly registered what the house looked like? In these days of the difficult-to-shift property market, that is the kind of garden you want.Front yards that have appeal may draw a

buyer into your home. If they like the way you have finished your yard they’ll be more inclined to want to look at your home.At this time of the year a yard is more

about evergreens and accessories than flow-ers, as there are very few blooms available. For this reason the Japanese garden stands out at this time of year. A Japanese garden can lend itself to almost any climate, from snowy to humid, from rainy to desert.To get an idea what a Japanese garden

looks like, first check out a few magazines or books, or review illustrations on the In-ternet. Choose illustrations that are similar

for human enlightenment and it also offers privacy. You may wish to incorporate your seating here for that reason.The introduction of something tall lends

itself to the look of the Japanese garden. Western gardens tend to be larger and boast a flat expanse of lawn; Japanese homes usually have tiny gardens. They tend to be more vertical, and tall shrubs will often be placed to hide the house from the street.For an inexpensive focal point, you can

dig a bed and plant a bamboo or a red Japanese maple (miniature or full size) plus other plants in it. The bamboo bushes and trees will live in most mild North American areas, though you may have to cover it in severe frosts. A very large cactus or groupings of cacti will also make an interesting focal point.Smaller beds can be dug in across the

yard. The center of the yard is deliber-ately left empty, and a lack of symmetry is desired. This reflects the lack of perfection in the world.

For some authentic Japanese atmosphere, one tall and one shorter black lantern can be well placed along your winding (never straight) pathway, or sometimes peeking out from among a selection of shrubs and plants.

yoUr oWn Japanese garden: part 1

“one very large Japanese lantern and one small-

er one elsewhere can look effective. these usu-

ally come in two traditional styles, one more

fat-bellied and squat than the other. they are

most commonly found in black or pale gray.”

in size, shape and layout of your garden. There are several elements that can be used to create a peaceful and tranquil garden. In Zen philosophy, this is created by simplicity.The relaxing ambience that encourages

meditation can be achieved by placing a bamboo or rattan chair plus a small table near a wall or in front of a lattice fence. If you live in a hot climate, group the seats under a tree or parasol. Stillness is ideal.Two other abstract notions suggested in a

Zen garden are represented physically by a focal point that is not placed centrally, and secondly, a ‘window’ to a hidden part in your garden.This can be represented by a piece of tall,

latticed fence work, or a tree with shrubs around, or a pagoda, or even simply a bench that is partly concealed. This ‘hide and reveal’ theme is suggestive of the quest

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A small pathway can lead to nowhere, and Zen gardens will always have at least one pathway of either white round gravel or gray flattened gravel winding its way through your shrubs; sev-eral glimpses of this pathway will satisfy the unity and harmony requirement of Zen gardens.Whilst lanterns are more of a Buddhist tradition, they have come

to represent the essence of the Japanese garden, so they are also included in Zen designs.One very large Japanese lantern and one smaller one elsewhere

can look effective. These usually come in two traditional styles, one more fat-bellied and squat than the other. They are most com-monly found in black or pale gray.Some of the most inexpensive modern lighting will lend itself to

the Japanese mode. The ‘push-in’ mushroom type lamps are very easily assimilated into the Zen garden design.Rocks and stone are a big feature of the Japanese garden, with

different sized rocks grouped seemingly at random. Smaller rocks will look good grouped with your focal point, or added to a bush or plant grouping.Try to find at least one big rock. If you have one big one, you

can group smaller ones beside it and finish off with a fern or two. Stones represent life’s immovable mountains.If that really resonates with you, beware; just one rock will suffice;

you do not need a rock for each immovable mountain in your life! If you feel that you have numerous immovable mountains in your life, then stay tuned for “Your Own Japanese Garden: Part 2” where the de-stressing values of water sounds will be discussed. MY

About the Author: if you’re looking for help with Cave Creek AZ real estate, look no further than Az-Homes4u.com. Alice and Stephen Proski have the experience and professionalism that you deserve as you buy or sell property in the Scottsdale real estate market. Read more at www.articlesbase.com

yoUr oWn Japanese garden: part 1

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GROWING FOR HEALTH

There is a comical symmetry to the fact that the translucent clamshell boxes used to package gourmet salad greens also make ideal containers for growing lettuce indoors. To get the boxes ready for duty, use the tip of a stout knife to make eight or nine gashes in the bottom of each one. Then add two inches of moist potting soil, soilless mix or medium before planting a pinch (about 25) lettuce seeds, barely covering them with soil. Af-ter generously spritzing the sur-face with water from a pump-spray bottle, pop on the tops and slip the boxes under a grow light or in any warm, bright spot.Five days

later, when the seeds are up and growing, remove the tops and place them under the boxes, so they become watering trays.

QUICK INDOOR CROPS:

by B

arba

ra P

leas

ant

The soil usually stays nicely moist if you fill the trays with water every day. Don’t try to remove the labels from the lids; hot wa-ter will warp them, especially if they’re made from cornstarch.

LETTUCEUnder a sunny, south-facing window or a small space under grow lights is the perfect place to grow quick crops of lettuce indoors.


111

crowns intact. The plants will be ready to cut again in about two weeks.If you want to use the clamshell boxes

to start another crop, you can lift out the mat of seedlings and transplant it to a larger container. As days get warmer, you can start lettuce and other salad greens in clamshell boxes and transplant the mats into a cold frame or plastic-covered tunnel. MY

You can let your boxes of lettuce bask in the sun from a south-facing window on bright days, but they will be happy to spend most of their time under a grow light. Keep the lights on for about 12 hours a day (e.g., from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m).The first cutting should be ready in

three to four weeks. By holding the boxes sideways, you can clip the leaves right into a colander while keeping the growing

“You can let your boxes of lettuce bask in the sun from a south-facing window on bright days, but they will be happy to spend most of their time

under a grow light.”

About the Author:barbara Pleasant is a garden writer who lives in Floyd, virginia. visit www.BarbaraPleasant.com to learn more.


http://www.stealthgrow.com/

Ins ghtA Beginner Grower’s

It’s in the (grow) bag. Everything the beginner needs to know

for a thriving indoor garden.

by Lee McCall



http://www.eyehortilux.com/


A gold rush is currently taking place in the hydroponics and year-round gardening industry. In various states and parts of the world, the market has multiplied overnight. The once large percentage of connoisseur and aficionado growers has now—in many aspects—diminished and given way to larger populations of new consumers and players unfamiliar to this ancient practice and the potential quality capable of being produced. Those who are not seasoned veterans—but have the desire to investigate—should start off with a smaller garden in order to familiarize themselves with the disci-pline it takes to achieve top quality and yields. With smaller gardens it is usually easier to maintain exceptional quality control standards. With a small garden, more time is available for learning, opposed to the time needed to maintain a larger grow with more variables.

“A garden is a living project that re-quires maintenance and care in order

to prosper.”

a beginner groWer’s insigHt

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One of many qualities a success-ful gardener should posses is self-discipline. Much like keeping a fish tank or pet, a garden is a living project that requires maintenance and care in order to prosper. Consistency is also beneficial as long as the operator understands the plant’s needs. With-out consistency there is no stability, and without self-discipline there is no chance for consistency.The next step is to understand the el-

ements needed to make a garden grow: light, nutrition, CO

2 (carbon dioxide),

and of course, H2O. These factors

help the grower achieve specific crop growth patterns. Research the different materials needed prior to purchase.

There are many different options and varieties on the market; knowing which ones supersede others for the same dollar amount is impor-tant when initially investing. Study different gardening techniques in both hydroponics and soil cultivation before planting so there is less chance of surprise problems occurring.

“Aim for approximately 60 to 70 watts of light per square foot of crop space. This amount is

ideal for high light loving plants that require full sun exposure throughout the

growth stage.”


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Obtain a basic understanding of different lighting styles beneficial for plant growth. Lighting is one of the major expenses you will need to invest in so pre-plan as much as possible and use your garden space efficiently. Aim for approximately 60 to 70 watts of light per square foot of crop space. This amount is ideal for high light loving plants that require full sun exposure throughout the growth stage. Maintain ideal tem-peratures of 75 to 80°F when grow lights are operational and humidity levels of 30 to 45 per cent. Tropical varietals will prefer higher levels of humidity and may tolerate temperatures in excess of 85°F. Plenty of fresh, filtered air IN and old air

filtered OUT will keep the room fresh with replenished CO

2 levels. There are

no guarantees in gardening; accidents will happen and problems will arise. The more preparation, knowledge and experience you have under your belt, the more ef-ficient you will become at reaping a higher quality harvest.Lastly, practice makes perfect and every

grower has his or her own idea of the perfect grow. Gardens are always evolving

and thus will pres-ent new obstacles as they adapt to different surround-

ings or environments. No matter how much experience you have, the learning never stops. Too many variables and talents exist that equate to good results; therefore there is never really a wrong way to garden. Maintaining the same garden in the same location may ensure better performance

“Plenty of fresh, filtered air IN and old air filtered OUT will keep the room fresh with replenished CO2 levels.”


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and growth from most strains. I have always found that picking a select number of strains based on preference and available garden space eases the task. The more times a strain is grown from clone to harvest, the more the grower learns about that particu-lar variety. In most instances for first time growers, the third or fourth harvest with a certain type is better than the first. This may be due to the ability of being able to understand the sensitivities of the strain and how it reacts to certain nutrients, tempera-tures, etc. Keep a journal to log important data and notes as you progress in your trials as a grower. This may later prove to act as a personalized grow guide. Use common sense and be safe when installing or assem-bling a grow room. Much of the equip-ment and products in climate controlled gardens use high current energy or hazard-ous materials. Always read the instruction manuals and safety labels on products for safe handling and usage.As more garden centers open and more

people become growers or introduce someone they know to the practice, the market grows. This industry is a small, but effective part of the economic chain

“This industry is a small, but effective part of the econom-ic chain helping to stimulate

economies worldwide.”

helping to stimulate economies worldwide. Currently, there are more players in the market than ever before and the num-ber continues to multiply. Manufactur-ers, distributors, retailers and end-users continue to swarm in, diversifying a

once limited market. Although I have only worked in a few industries, I have yet to see anything supersede the growth and expansion currently taking place in the hydroponics and year-round gardening market. As supply and demand increases, so does competition among businesses. This builds a higher standard for companies in our industry to do business, and increases the avail-able options and alternatives. Prices become tighter, margins become lower and companies have no choice but to

innovate in order to distinguish them-selves from competitors. This principle is the same for commercial growers who compete for locked-in distribution with a single entity. There are many similari-ties between the restaurant industry and indoor gardening industry. For example, restaurants and gardening centers tend to develop regular customers—loyal patrons that return for the experience. We are creatures of habit; once we find satisfaction we are more likely to remain loyal. Restaurateurs are also the present-ers of the end result we as growers put our time and heart into producing; both are passionate about the same principle in the end…to create. MY



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GREEN THUMB GARDENING

The goal of supporting your local farmer’s market is not just to get great food, but to support your local econo-my. Organic, local foods are healthy, taste great and are a big part of a more sustainable lifestyle for all of us.

Farmer’s market season is finally upon us. Some North America markets are open already while others will open in the next few weeks. Those who enjoy direct-from-the-grower food know that their local farmer’s market is the best place to get healthy, natural, locally-grown produce. Here are some simple tips to ensure that you have the best experience possible and get the best food you can find.

DO arrive early. Get there as soon as the market opens to be sure you see what the best booths have to offer and also to avoid the crowds. Most farmer’s market customers arrive in the mid-morning before lunch and by then, the offerings have been well-picked over.

DON’T buy the first thing you see. Instead walk the market first. See what everyone has to offer, ask ques-tions and then make purchase deci-sions. One tomato may not be exactly like the next. Some may be in better shape or more ripe; some may be a sweeter variety; and some may not be organically grown.

FARMER’S MARKET

dos and don’ts

DO offer trades. While most farmers will not negotiate on price (and it’s insulting to try to haggle them, as they work hard), many are receptive to trades. If you have a surplus of homemade pickles from last year, bring some with you and offer to trade. If you grow an unusual variety of squash, there may be someone willing to try it and trade for seeds. Many farmers are experienced barter-ers, so if you have something compelling, you may have a trade.

DON’T bring credit cards or checkbooks. Most of the sellers at these markets prefer cash. Have cash in your pocket and be ready to buy when you arrive.

by Aaron Turpen



Most of the sellers at farmer’s markets are not going to accept credit cards and many are leery of checks.

DO ask questions. Especially about new things you haven’t seen before. Ask what type of corn you’re looking at, question whether the crops were grown organi-cally and always be interested in trying something new.

DON’T forget your own bags. This not only helps the planet, but it also saves the farmers some money as they won’t have to buy or transport bags for you. A wagon or cart is another great option to help you carry all the great stuff you’ll find.

DO find out where the farmer is lo-cated. Also find out what else they have to offer that they didn’t bring. Your let-tuce and tomato purchase today may be coming from a sustainable farm that also offers meat, dairy and more.

DO have fun and socialize. There is always more going on than just booths with stuff for sale. Farmer’s markets are frequented not only by patrons but also their children and pets and children. Many markets will include booths featur-ing alternative and hand-crafted goods. Get to know who’s in your area and what they’re doing. The more you buy local (food or otherwise), the better. MY

About the Author:

Aaron Turpen is a professional writer living in Wyoming in the USA. His blogs cover organic/sustainable living and environmental considerations (AaronsEnvironMental.com) and the science debunking mainstream medical and proving alternatives (HiddenHealthScience.com).

http://www.stealthgrow.com/

urBaN HYdrOpONiCs

FROM BRIGHTFARMS SYSTEMS

by Philip McIntosh


Photo caption: Artist’s rendition of an in-store hydroponic installation for production of fresh greens.Photo credit: BrightFarms.com

Few people doubt that things are going to have to change if the planet and the organisms that live on it are going to make it over the long term—and no species will have more impact on the future of the Earth than we humans will.As more and more people become convinced of the

need to include sustainability in the design and construc-tion of future living space for an ever more crowded planet, our cities are slowly but surely becoming greener. The evidence for this can be seen in the expansion of green roofs and green walls in cities around the world. Cityscapes are becoming less dominated by concrete and steel as creative projects are realized to make them more livable and more sustainable.


http://www.grohighcal.com/


Hydroponics Goes DowntownHistorically, food has been shipped into cities from farms located some distance away. The distance a harvest must be transported before getting to market is frequently hundreds of miles and in many cases is much greater. In the global economy, the distance between places where crops are grown and where they are sold at market may even be thou-sands of miles. Much of the produce consumed by Americans is grown in Mexico or places even further away. Given the amount of fuel needed to move produce so far, the carbon foot-print of such operations is huge. And what about the quality of the produce that is hauled such a long way? Food can seldom be picked at just the right time for optimum taste, texture or appearance when it could be many days before it is offered for sale to a consumer.

Wouldn’t it be better to grow food closer to where it is needed? In selected markets around the U.S., growers and businesses are teaming up to produce food intended specifically for local consumption. One company in the thick of this movement on the east coast is BrightFarms, LLC. BrightFarms’ vision is

to eliminate shipping altogether by grow-ing produce hydroponically right at the point of use.

BrightFarmsNew York based BrightFarms was formed out of a merger between Better Food Solutions and BrightFarm Systems. The

Urban Hydroponics

Artist’s rendition of hydroponic greenhouse installed on a multi- story building roof. Photo credit: BrightFarms.com



company is not directly involved in food marketing but is active in the design, financing, building and operation of rooftop and other innovative greenhouses. The company’s clients are primar-ily supermarket retailers, but they have also worked with food service providers and some large urban school districts. Using expertise in science, engineering and design, BrightFarms works closely with the senior management of supermarket chains to identify and meet their specific produce needs.BrightFarms manages and oversees the entire design

and construction process for urban greenhouse projects, but often uses subcontractors, on a case-by-case basis, for specialized tasks. How it usually works is that after a plan has been formulated, BrightFarms hires a general contrac-tor to manage a project under the company’s supervision. Five projects in urban environments have been completed, including one each at a Whole Foods Market, The Science Barge and Manhattan School for Children. Four more are planned for 2011 including one integrated into an afford-

able housing project in the Bronx, commercial rooftop greenhouses in Queens and a demonstration project in New York featuring a vertically integrated greenhouse (VIG). In a VIG, edible plants grow in trays hung from cables inside an inhabited structure while at the same time providing shade and cooling, and improving air quality.

The Science Barge is the world’s first urban, carbon neutral, hydro-ponic greenhouse. Photo credit: BrightFarms.com

“BrightFarms’ vision is to eliminate shipping altogether by growing produce hydroponically right at the point of use.”

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The produce grown in the New York VIG will supply an on-site restaurant with fresh greens. A key feature of all these installations is a zero or close to zero transport distance between the growing area and the consumer.“We have witnessed amazing enthusiasm among our core

client group (supermarkets) for our concept and the qual-ity of product we are able to offer,” explains Benjamin Linsley, BrightFarms’ vice presdient for business development and public affairs. “In the past six months we have had eight major supermarket groups committing to develop sites with us.” The BrightFarms model is based on taking an existing set of tried and tested technologies (hydroponic greenhouses) and bring-ing them into unfamiliar territory, i.e., the urban realm. It can take some time to work out the details of any particular project, but a greenhouse can usually be taken from the planning stage to completion in about a year. “As with any new and powerful idea, individual components are often slower to put into place, as people engage with an unfamiliar concept and apply rigorous due diligence,” he adds.In a 2005 project the company built and operated the world’s

first carbon neutral, urban hydroponic greenhouse. It grew tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and peppers in the heart of New

Urban Hydroponics

“A key feature of all these installations is a zero or close to zero transport distance between the growing area and the consumer.”

Hydroponic lettuce grown at the Mahattan School for Children. Photo credit: BrightFarms.com


Urban Hydroponics



Urban Hydroponics

York City. Greenhouse visitors were pleased to eat vegetables produced with-out harm to the environment. Linsley and his colleagues are justifiably proud of this accomplishment. “Because we grew the tomatoes and lettuce for taste and not for shelf life, and people were able to eat the produce within hours of harvesting, the taste of these items was far superior to anything our visitors had ever eaten before.”“I’ve always been a big foodie, a lover

of urban life and hugely passionate about the environment,” Linsley says. “These components are not always easy to find in a company—I consider myself fortunate to have found this opportunity when I did.”There is plenty of room for continued

growth of the BrightFarms model. As Benjamin tells it, “We have ambitious, but very realizable growth plans for the next 10 years. At a macro level, we want to challenge the food industry to provide better, healthier products to customers and to damage the environment less. We are determined to build a success-ful and innovative company on the path to doing so.” BrightFarms has also formed relationships to build sustainable

agriculture projects overseas in the UK and United Arab Emirates.

BrightFarms ProjectsWhole Foods Market, Milburn New Jersey. Austin, Texas based Whole Foods Market has always been interested in good corporate citizenship and is known for its concern for the environment and support of local growers. BrightFarms oversaw the design and construction of a small proof-of-concept project built into the Milburn Whole Foods store. The greenhouse allows

for the production of high quality, fresh herbs both for sale to customers and for inclusion in in-house prepared foods. The design features a recirculating hydroponics system and vertical growing towers installed at the front of the store. This puts the system front and center for all to see, plus maximizes the light available to the plants.

Hydroponic lettuce grown in midtown Manhattan. Photo credit: BrightFarms.com

“I’ve always been a big foodie, a lover of urban life and hugely passionate about the environment,” says Benjamin Linsley, BrightFarms vp for business development and public affairs.

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Urban Hydroponics

The Manhattan School for Children. The rooftop greenhouse at the Manhat-tan School for Children was designed by BrightFarms to use renewable energy. It uses hydroponic technology to grow food in one of the most densely built-up urban areas to be found anywhere in the world. As befitting of a school environment, the installation is used for students to study en-vironmental science, nutrition and botany.

The Sun Works Center at PS333. This New York public school wanted to pro-mote sustainable thinking in its students and community and sought to provide a resource that would be a focal point for environmen-tal studies. The rooftop greenhouse features a rainwater collection system and includes learning spaces for both class and personal research projects, a composting center, insect growing areas and a weather station.

The Science Barge. The Science Barge is a unique hydroponic farm that was stationed near midtown Manhat-tan for two years during 2007 and 2008. The barge is now located in Yonkers and

is managed by Groundwork Hudson Valley. Billed as “the only fully function-ing demonstration of renewable energy supporting sustainable food production in New York,” the steel-hulled barge gets its power from solar, wind and biofuel energy. Like many urban agriculture projects, it too utilizes rainwater, plus employs a river water purification sys-tem. This floating facility grows tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, bell peppers, lettuce and herbs, without pesticides and with no carbon emissions.How long will it be before you see a

hydroponic, renewable energy pow-ered greenhouse gracing the skyline of a city near you? Probably not long. They look good, they are good for the planet, provide healthy food and are showcases of where we need to be headed if cities are to remain livable. Who doesn’t want that? MY

“The rooftop greenhouse features a rainwater collection system and in-cludes learning spaces for both class and personal research projects, a composting center, insect growing areas and a weather station.”

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Maximum Yield sits down with Bart Stephens, general manager and product designer for Wingscapes, to discuss their incredible and fun new product—the TimeLapse PlantCam.

Maximum Yield (MY): What was your motivation behind the creation of Wingscapes?bart Stephens: I wanted to bring some of the innovative products originally created for the outdoor sporting goods market to a new market: lawn and garden.

MY: Who are the names and faces behind Wingscapes?bart: I am the general manager and product designer. Melissa and Kim are the voices you hear when you call Wingscapes and they are responsible for our impressive customer service.

MY: What made you decide to enter the indoor gardening industry?bart: We received so many phone calls from indoor gardeners asking about our product and the ability to use it indoors. So the reason we even considered entering the indoor gardening market is because of customer demand and requests for the product.

MY: What benefits does the PlantCam offer gardeners?bart: People record their hobbies, but it’s more challenging for gardeners because the changes happen so slowly. Taking

progress pictures requires a lot of discipline—the Timelapse PlantCam changes this equation.You can insert a

joke here about watching grass grow but to be honest, watching grass grow at 100 times its normal speed is truly fascinating. Plants actually move a lot. Until now, there has never been an easy way to see a plant’s growth and progress. Our product brings that process to life.Not only do you get the before and

after of the growing cycle—you get the entire process in high-definition, crystal

clear, living color. The photos and videos created by the Timelapse PlantCam are perfectly format-ted for e-mailing and sharing online via YouTube, Face-book, etc.

MY: What design elements are used in the PlantCam to ensure superior excellence and ease-of-use?bart: The PlantCam features

weatherproof housing and extremely intuitive settings and options, which allow

you to start and stop the PlantCam at any time of day, set the interval at any length of time and convert the photos into a video with a push of a button.


YOU TELL US


The Timelapse PlantCam technol-ogy offers an innovative view of any sequential event. To create a time-lapse movie, simply set the camera to take still photos at the desired time inter-val—immediately, 30 seconds, one minute, five minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour, three hours, six hours or once a day. It will automatically turn on after each inter-val countdown, take a photo and then return to battery conservation mode. After you are finished taking photos in time-lapse mode, simply set the camera to “Convert to Movie” and it does the work for you.

MY: What exciting features can gardeners expect from the PlantCam?bart: Friends will be jealous of videos demonstrating your prowess in the garden. While it is something most people don’t think about, I’m very excited about how easy we’ve made it to set up. Our mounting bracket attaches to anything and very easily adjusts and our laser aiming device ensures the camera is perfectly aimed to capture exactly what you are intending to photograph.

MY: What is Wingscapes’ role in actively supporting local causes and community building?bart: Community building is probably the biggest benefit we offer. When gardeners are able to easily and conveniently share compelling photos of their hard work online, people with common interests from all over the world can connect, share their passions and benefit. It’s exciting to be a part of that community and

contribute to the connections.Regarding local causes, we are a major

supporter of Jones Valley Urban Farm, a non-profit farm school in Birmingham, AL that teaches kids about agriculture and nutrition. They are committed to helping Birmingham grow organic produce and healthy communities through urban farming and education.

MY: How can gardeners stay connected to Wingscapes and learn about new products and promotions?bart: There are several ways to stay in touch with us. Customers can sign up for our newsletter online at www.wingscapes.com/contactus/newsletter.

Within our newsletters customers will learn about new products, special offers and contests; plus, we include stories about how our cameras are being used in unique ways.In an upcoming newsletter, we’ll be

showing you how Aviva Rahmani, an ecological artist, sometimes uses a Timelapse PlantCam to create her work. Her film “Desecration/Resur-rection,” which she produced last summer, has been shown in forums from New York City to Berlin and can also be viewed online (http://vimeo.com/16174025) This film uses a split-screen technique to compare the impact of last summer’s Deepwa-ter Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico with the renewal of a Gulf of Maine wetlands known as the Ghost Nets site.We enjoy seeing our cameras used in so

many different ways and we are thrilled to be bringing this kind of technology to a variety of markets in an affordable way.Other ways to connect with us include

joining our community on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Wingscapes); we appre-ciate the *like* and having our custom-

ers share their experiences with us. Or, you can join us on YouTube (www.youtube.com/Wingscapes).

MY: What can gardeners expect from Wingscapes in the future?bart: Products that are easy to fall in love with because they’ll

help you enjoy even more of what you already love to do. Gardeners can also expect exceptional service. We pride

ourselves on being available to our customers and helping them be as successful as possible. Without our customers we’d be nothing. MY

“You can insert a joke here about watching grass grow but to be honest, watching

grass grow at 100 times its normal speed is truly

fascinating.”

1

WonderfulWatercolors

‘Tis the Season for Beautiful, Blooming Orchids

2

1. Do not over water orchids. There are 10 or 12 popular mediums in which orchids thrive and they all have different water retention qualities. With the super efficient heating systems available nowadays, the humidity levels tend to be on the low side. Orchids like humidity levels between 40 and 70 per cent. If your house is dry, perlite or sphagnum moss in plastic containers will stay moist with a weekly watering. If your house has humidity levels in the 60 to 70 per cent range, fir bark or combinations of rockwool and cork nuggets in clay pots will stay moist with a once per week watering. Using reverse osmosis or distilled water will eliminate salt buildup. Misting the orchids with a hand sprayer is also a great way to create humidity. In their natural environment, mist and fog occur regularly for most orchids.

2. Give orchids the proper amount of light. Some orchids are happy with light levels as low as 200 foot candles and others can thrive in 2,000 or even 5,000 foot candles. Phalaenopsis is one of the most popular and most recognized orchids. There are about 50 species of phals that will do nicely in an east window where light is relatively low, around 1,000 foot candles. Catileya like higher light levels and would do nicely in a south window. All orchids can be placed in a south window setting. Light-loving orchids should be placed closest to the window and lower light orchids can be set further back from the window at varying degrees. For a house or apartment with no suitable light source, a good quality, high output fluorescent is all that’s needed for orchids to thrive. In a natural setting, orchids will

by Jack Van Camp

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dwell in the treetops, the jungle flora, on fence posts and in the crotch of trees. All these niches have the proper amount of light and water for that particular orchid.

3. Fluctuate temperature. Don’t be afraid to let orchids cool at night and warm during the daylight hours. Orchids, like the phalaenopsis, will tolerate a temperature fluctuation from 59 to 82°F. A temperature drop at night is critical for good flower set to be established, so you can nudge the orchids up against a cool window to achieve a more pronounced fluctuation. A 20° drop in temperature is common in their natural setting and this may seem pretty big, but in reality, all plants respond better with some sort of temperature drop. An orchid at home will do fine with a six to 10° drop in the evening.

4. Manage nutrients. When I purchased my first orchid (a phalaenopsis) and asked about proper feeding, I was told “weak, weekly.” I never forgot that saying, and it works. There are many nutrients available, some pre-made especially for orchids and others as powder solutions that you can mix yourself. Some good nutrients for orchids are a 30-30-10 in powder form or a two part A and B solution. There are also one part organic nutrients on the market and fish emulsion, which work well, especially for outdoor plants. These nutrients should be mixed at ¼ strength and used on a weekly basis.

Far from being difficult and finicky as is the popular belief, orchids are easy and rewarding plants to grow by following a few simple steps. Beautiful flowers can be sitting on your windowsill for many weeks during every month of the year.



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There are indicators that show when the orchid is getting too much or too little food, but following the quip “weak, weekly” should make feeding foolproof.There are nearly 22,000 accepted species of orchids and

thousands more not yet identified in the orchid family worldwide. There are 1,000 native species in Australia and in the bulbophyllum family alone, there are 2,000. In 1510, the Spaniards brought the first orchid back from South America. It was vanilla. James Cook brought orchids back from around the world to Britain. Orchid gardening was born in England at the Kew Gardens in the late 1700s. Orchids come from the tropics where there are no seasons. The closest an orchid gets to seasons is dry and wet.

“When I purchased my first orchid (a phalaenopsis) and

asked about proper feeding, I was told “weak, weekly.”

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way to find out about these exotic plants. Usually you can purchase peoples’ extras from a table set up at meetings. You can glean some good advice from members as well.My first orchid was a gift, and shortly after receiving it, I

bought another. At one time I had 25 or 30 between the basement and main floor of my house. Today, I have six plants that I can rotate from fluorescents to the windowsill. I’m not going into the orchid business, but it’s easy to be taken in by the orchid’s exotic beauty.If you’re interested in getting started with orchids, I would

suggest two or three orchids that are easy to keep indoors. The phalaenopsis is number one. This orchid comes in a myriad of colors and its flowers last a long time. Phals do not need a lot of light and after the flowers are done you can cut off the spike at the last flower and shortly thereafter more flowers appear. My wife refers to these orchids as living watercolors. The second orchid would be a Jewel orchid. I keep this plant in a peat and coco fiber mix. It’s from Hawaii and likes lots of light and moisture. This is the easiest orchid I have ever taken care of. It likes to be root bound and taking cuttings is practically 100 per cent successful. Three times a year spikes will appear and shoot out, up to three feet from the base of the stems. Small white flowers pop out all the way down the stem. These flowers stay for up to eight weeks. They are stunning and also carry the subtle scent of vanilla. Last year I counted 14 spikes on one pot of jewel orchids. Orchid number three is any type of Dendrobium. Some of these orchids look like aliens or bizarre insects. The colors and shapes are out of this world. Dendrobium orchids prefer cool temperatures, medium light levels and respond well to 30-30-10 fertilizer.With a few simple steps, anyone can enjoy a little summer

all year. MY

The light in the tropics is consistent, so when you find a happy spot for an orchid it is best to leave it where it is. At

nurseries where orchids are sold the plants will have stakes or tags that take the guesswork out

of what a plant needs in the way of light. They will be marked high, medium or low light. Failing that, the web can tell you pretty much anything you need to know about orchids and their needs.Today, rather than sailing around the world to find orchids, you

can purchase any variety you want through mail order or even better, through members of an orchid club near you. When you mail order from an organization, you will receive a product guide to choose from. Once you have chosen your plants you will be sent the bare root in a plastic bag surrounded by moss. From there, pot it, water it and enjoy. Orchid clubs are a great

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Continued from page 43

Quiet and powerful Stealth Series From hydrotekStealth Series filters, fans and controls are part of a highly effective air filtering sys-tem. The Airbox Stealth is the only inline filter with push/pull capability and is adapt-able to any existing duct system. It features interchangeable high flow carbon filters and is 100 per cent air tight. Available from 500 to 3,500 CFM in five sizes. Stealth Fans are quiet, reliable and efficient with aero-dynamic cowling. Available in four to 12 inches and guaranteed for five years. The Speedmaster, a dial router speed control-

ler, and the Timemaster, a heavy duty dual plug timer, were made for hydro-ponic lighting, pumps and air purification systems. For more information and to order the Stealth Series products visit your favorite indoor gardening shop.

humboldt County’s own gravityGravity is a unique and original Humboldt County product. Gravity is made from kelp extract that is put through a further proprietary selective ex-traction process. Gravity will harden and bulk up your flowers far beyond anything achievable with fertilizer alone. When used with your favorite nutri-ent line, Gravity and Snow Storm Ultra together will finish your plants in a way that simply can’t be duplicated with any other products. Try it and you’ll know why it’s called Gravity. Free samples are available for testing at your local retail shop.

hydro international presents waterproof poly FilmThis waterproof poly film is black on the outside and white on the inside. The black backing and white surface work together to reflect 90 per cent of the light striking it and send light back to the growing area. This waterproof, lightproof film also helps prevent algae and mold growth on walls. Double it up by putting

the black surfaces together to economically and effectively partition off indoor gardens. Available in 10 by 100 feet (six millimeters). Visit an indoor gardening shop for more information. MY

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TALKING SHOP

AT A GLANCE

Company: Grower’s Choice & Hydroponics

Owner: Jason Cornwall

Location: 11855 N Main Street, #6 Jacksonville, Florida

Phone: 1-904-683-4517

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: http://hydroponicsgc.com

Motto: “A one-stop-shop for all your hydroponic needs.”

Jason Cornwall figures that his custom-ers shouldn’t have to experiment with new, untried products—that’s his job.Jason, who opened Grower’s Choice

& Hydroponics in Jacksonville, Florida on Earth Day (April 20) in 2009, makes it his business to personally test every new product he sells, and if it doesn’t work as advertised, he doesn’t carry it.“The one piece of advice I can give,”

says Jason, “is don’t think you know everything—this industry is changing every day. There are always new and innovative products coming out—some good and some bad.”But he realizes

that many of his customers just don’t have the time or facilities they would need to stay on top of new products, so he does it for them.“That’s why I test all products be-

fore I carry them in my store,” Jason explains. “So my customers don’t have to spend their money testing them—that way we can weed out the bad ones for them.”Jason started out like most of his

customers—he was an avid indoor

growing hobbyist, but his ‘real job’ was his home remodeling business. Jason noticed something as he pursued his hobby, though: he had to drive all over town to get the products he wanted, and the stuff he bought didn’t always meet his needs. Nobody seemed to be run-ning the kind of retail outlet that Jason envisioned—a one-stop-shop that carried all the products indoor growers need, staffed by people who could provide valuable advice because they had hands-

on experience with the products.“I got tired of mak-

ing frequent trips to different stores trying to find all the prod-ucts that I needed,” says Jason, “so I

decided to open my own store and have a large variety of inventory so you would only have to make one trip to the store. Being a grower myself I knew I could stock my store with products that people need and use the most.”Jason’s philosophy seems to be working

out. He and his fiancée Crissie recently moved from their original 1,500 square foot retail outlet a few doors down to their new 5,000 square foot shop, and business is brisk.

“The one piece of advice i can give,” says Jason, “is don’t think you know everything—this industry is chang-ing every day. There are always new

and innovative products coming out—some good and some bad.”

Jason Cornwall

145Maximum Yield USA | May 2011 145145

“At first we were a little slow because a lot of people didn’t know we were here,” Crissie says, “but we started advertis-ing online and in Maximum Yield and other magazines.”That got the ball rolling, but Jason

and Crissie are convinced that word of mouth is their most powerful marketing tool. “It helps to be friendly and knowl-edgeable about products in your store,” says Crissie, “so when people have prob-lems or questions you can steer them in the right direction.” According to Crissie, if you give them the right advice they’ll keep showing up—and that’s the best advertising of all.Jason and Crissie have always believed

that carrying a great selection of tested products and offering superior customer service are the most important things they can offer their customers, and they make sure they live up to this philosophy every day.“For lighting, we carry Hydrofarm

equipment because of their great warran-ties,” says Jason. “We also carry all major brands of nutrients such as General Hydro-ponics, Botanicare, Humboldt Nutrients, Foxfarm and many more. All products we carry we have tested and know are quality

products. We also offer many deals for people buying multiple products at once.”When you go to Grower’s Choice, you

never have to worry about getting bad advice from an inexperienced employee, either—because Jason and Crissie are the only employees, and they make sure that one of them is always on hand to help.“I decided to keep it just the two of us,”

says Jason, “that way somebody knowledge-able of the products is here at all times.”And these two are willing to go above

and beyond to keep their customers com-ing back, too.“Our company’s philosophy has not

changed over the years,” Jason states. “One thing we always pride ourselves on is we always take care of the customer, no matter how small or big the order is. We are always available by phone, 24/7. That way if any unexpected problems arise, we are able to be reached, or if you need to come in on

our day off we can meet you at the store, too.”Jason and

Crissie offer one other fea-ture at their

shop that, along with their caring customer service and great selection, keeps their customers satisfied and interested in returning.“It is great to have an up-and-

running grow room,” says Jason. “That way you can show people hands-on how different systems operate.”Jason and Crissie feel that their in-

store grow room is one of the best tools they have—people can see the action of products first hand, and they get hooked

on the whole concept of watching the plants from seed to harvest. They can also see the benefits of different growing, light-ing and irrigation systems.“In our grow room we have ebb and

flood, aeroponic, NFT and deep-water cul-ture systems. This way people can come in and get an idea of what kind of system they like,” says Jason. “It also creates a lot of buzz with our customers, as they like to come in and check the progress of our garden. It also helps convert the soil users to hydro-ponics, as they can see the benefits, such as being cleaner. And,” he continues, “if done right—no pesticides!”Jason and Crissie are continuing to

learn as they grow their retail and online business, because that’s the nature of the indoor growing industry—you either keep learning or you get passed by. Jason agrees: “We are always learning

new things every day, as new products and new ideas come out.”Add this determination to keep on top

of new industry developments to their policy of round-the-clock customer care and great product selection, and it would seem that Grower’s Choice has found a winning formula. MY

“it is great to have an up-and-run-ning grow room,” says Jason. “That way you can show people hands-on

how different systems operate.”

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149Maximum Yield USA | May 2011149 Maximum Yield USA | April 2011

MAX-MART

150 Maximum Yield USA | May 2011 150Maximum Yield USA | April 2011

GRowco inDooR GaRDen suppLy

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

LLC

13762 Doolittle Drive, San Leandro, CA 94577

Phone: 510.903.1808 Fax: 510.764.1246

www.hydrogardendelight.com

MAX-MART

Oceans of Life: Deriving Nutrients From Marine LifeKeep your plants happy and healthy by feeding them an organic diet rich in plant nutrients from the sea.

Hydroponics in JamaicaIn this second article in the series, Peggy Bradley (Institute of Simplified Hydroponics) outlines the hydroponics curriculum proposal for Jamaica students in grades one through eight.

Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)Have you ever yearned to dig in the soil and learn about food-raising practices of yore, the practices of which were based on organic farming? WWOOF organizations are connecting folks with food and the Earth around the globe.

Green thumb and beginner gardening tips and tricks, growing for health, 25+ new products and technologies, new grow gear to be won and much more.

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

Subscriptions are available atmaximumyield.com/subscriptions.php

COMING UP INjune


DO YOUknow?

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Plants become overwatered when they can no longer obtain oxygen in the root zone.

In 2000, pollination services amounted to $14.6 billion of agricultural output.

Using substrates that retain a lot of moisture—such as fine grade coconut fiber—and running lower-nutrient EC levels encourages vegetative growth.

If accumulated salts are not removed from the rooting medium on a routine basis, they will begin to affect water absorption by the plant roots.

Tropical plant varietals prefer higher levels of humidity and may tolerate temperatures in excess of 85°F.

In Cuba, organoponic technology now produces 50 per cent of the vegetables consumed in the island nation.

Whilst lanterns are more of a Buddhist tradition, they have come to represent the essence of the Japanese garden, so they can also included in Zen designs.

LED bulbs (or chips) are the most important components of LED lights; quality chips ensure that your lights are bright, efficient and long lasting.

Inoculating your garden with various strains of oxygen-loving bacteria and fungi can help expand roots (Glomus mycorrhizae), protect against disease (Trichoderma) and more.

Research indicates that bumblebees pollinate more efficiently than manual pollination, leading to yield increases of as much as 25 per cent.

A tomato plant with a balanced growth habit tends to have a stem thickness of approximately one third of an inch in diameter at six inches below the growing point.


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 99504907-333-3141Holmtown 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 0099Far North Garden Supply300 Centaur Street,Wasilla, AK 99654907-376-7586

ARIZONASea of Green Flagstaff204-C E. Route 66Flagstaff, AZ 86001928-774-SOGF(7643)Homegrown 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) 473-0004Auburn 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 95603530-889-8171Green 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 PabloAvenueBerkeley, CA 94702 (510) 704-9376Brentwood Hydroponics & Organics560 Valdry Ct #85Brentwood, CA 94513925-634-6704Advanced Garden Supply3113 Alhambra Drive, Unit F,Cameron Park, CA 95682,530-676-2100

Precision 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 95531707-465-3520

Hydroponic Connection, The2816 San PabloAvenueBerkeley, CA 94702 (510) 704-9376


Pacific Coast Hydroponics4147 Sepulveda Boulevard,Culver City, CA 90230310-313-1354Dr. 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 92243760-235-4985Go 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 95501707-444-9999Constantly Growing4343 Hazel Avenue,Fair Oaks, CA 95628916-962-0043Tulare County Growers Supply435 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 707-725-0700Western 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 95446707-433-4068Emerald Garden13325 South Highway 101,Hopland, CA 95482707-744-8300Surf City Hydroponics7319 Warner Street, Suite BHuntington Beach, CA 92647714-847-7900

Dutch Garden SuppliesPark Circle Suite 12 Irvine CA 92614949-748-8777West 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 90232888-355-4769



LAX Hydro10912 S. La Cienaga Boulevard,Los Angeles, CA 90304310-337-6995Sunland Hydroponics4136 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90065323-254-2800Green Giant Hydroponics7183 Hwy 49 Unit BLotus CA 95651530 622 4465Deep 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 91020818-640-2623Grodan Inc.Moorpark, CA 93021541-646-8245 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 94558707-254-0200

Conejo 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 91761213-596-8820National 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

Igrow Hydro2280 Veatch Street,Oroville, CA 95965530-534-4476

Orville Organic Gardens5250 Olive Hwy Ste 1Oroville, CA 95966530-589-9950US Orchid & Hydroponic Supplies1621 South Rose Avenue,Oxnard, CA 93033805-247-0086America’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-ROOTNew 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 94564510-724-1291Best 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 95560707-923-2765Sylvandale 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 Hydroponics11620 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 93901831-998-8628

Reforestation Technologies International1341 Daton Street, Units G&ISalinas, CA 93901831-424-1494; 800-RTI-GROWNational 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 94116415-731-2115

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 94114415-626-5082Urban 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 90731310-514-1416 Marin Hydroponics721 Francisco Blvd EastSan Rafael, CA 94901(415) 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 805-687-6699Santa Clarita Valley Hydroponics25835 Railroad Ave. #26Santa Clarita CA 91350661 255 3700661 255 3701



California 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-SUNGonzo 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 91403818-789-3341We 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 96150530-541-3276Santa Cruz Hydroponics & Organics - East Side4000 Cordelia LaneSoquel, CA 95073831-475-9900Orange County Hydroponics12797 Beach Boulevard, Stanton, CA 90680714-893-9493Golden Harvest Hydroponics & Garden Supply8626 Lower Sacramento Road #48,Stockton, CA 95210209-951-3550

M&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 91352818-767-2076Sunland 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 Green448 Georgia Street,Vallejo, CA 94590707-647-0774Hydroponics Market15816 Arminta StVan Nuys, CA 91406818-305-6261886-72-HYDRO

Stop 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 92081760-598-7551Home 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 95076831-761-9999California 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 95490-4006Urban 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 909-797-6888707-459-6791

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 80301303-473-4769Deep 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)J&D Organic Growing Solutions217 1/2 Clayton Street Brush, CO 80723970-310-5408BIG BloomZ1005 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 80906719-635-5859High 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 739 6755Your 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 80221303-428-5020

The Grow Outlet4272 Lowell BoulevardDenver, CO 80211 303-586-5543 Way To Grow301 East 57th Ave.Denver, CO 80216303-296-7900All 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 06457860-343-1923

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 32724386-734-0696Gold 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 Wholesale2692 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 32901321-821-0853



Advanced Hydro Gardens4960 NW 165 Street, Suite B-4,Miami, FL 33014866-97-HYDROBlossoms Experience, The7207 NW 54th Street,Miami, FL 33166866-452-4769 Florida Garden Wholesale 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 Wholesale8442 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 33619813-626-0902

Worm’s Way Florida4412 North 56th Street, Tampa, FL 33610800-283-9676; 813-621-1792Monkey Hydroponics940 West Oakland Ave. Unit A1 Winter Garden FL 34787407 574 8495

Cultivating Eden Hydroponic Supplies946 18th Avenue SW,Vero Beach, FL 32962772-564-8880Florida Garden Wholesale8020 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 30337678-510-0032 Savannah Hydroponics & Organics4107 Eighth Street, Suite CGarden City, GA 31408912-349-4030

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 60618773-463-7430Fertile Ground463 West MacArthur Drive,Cottage Hills, IL 62018618-259-5500

Hydrocork20647 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 62703217-553-6929

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 4620317-780-8070Magic Bulb Garden Center6229 Allisonville Road,Indianapolis, IN 46220317-202-2852Five 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

MAINEEvergreen 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 03909978 262 9966 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 20723301-490-9236Meadowview 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 01821978-262-9966

Harvest 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

MICHIGANCultivation 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 49307231-796-1528Cultivation 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, MIHydro 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 49503877-939-6900

Horizen Hydroponics1614 Leonard Street, NW,Grand Rapids,MI 49504866-791-1664 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 48858989-775-3700Flo-N-Grow.214 N. 2nd Street,Niles, MI 49120269-683-1877Green Earth Hydroponics8127 Portage Rd.Portage, MI 49002269-342-4190Hydroponics Highway Inc.2708 14th Ave.Port Huron MI, 48060810-982-4769 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 48180313-633-0641



Grow 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 48184734-722-1285 Synthetic Sun Hydroponics, LLC 3218 W. Houghton AvenueWest Branch, MI 48661989-345-8800 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 Grow8179 University Avenue,Fridley, MN 55432612-780-8191Interior 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 64106816-421-1840

Grow 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 597011-406-782-8476Big Sky Garden Supply528 West Idaho, Kallispell, MT 59901 406-755-1465Cornucopia Grow Your Own127 Stoner Creek RoadLakeside, MT 59922406-709-1076Dr. Green Thumbs1106 West Park,Livingston, MO 59047406-222-7440Bizzy 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 89102702-450-4769

Advanced Gardens Hydroponics3111 South Valley View, (on Desert Inn West of Valley View) Suite V103Las Vegas, NV 89102702-257-4769All 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 HAMPSHIREHydro 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 & Garden3116 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-GROWBOXGrow Room, The8 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 13126315-877-8725 Environmental 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 14615866-395-9204

KG Garden Supply1327 Floyd Avenue,Rome, NY 134401-877-KG-HYDROHydroponics 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 28208704-697-0911Flow & 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 44254330-302-4203Urban 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 44452800-776-8399

Bergen County Hydroponics70 Essex Street,Hackensack, NJ 07601201-342-2001



Indoor 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 97420541-266-8822Corvallis 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 97402541-686-9966Northern 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 97233503-465-9909

In & 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)255-1336Everybody’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 97217503-285-4768

Urban 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 97756541-504-7750Indoor 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 97479541-459-9211Roseburg Hydroponics853 SE Stephens Street,Roseburg, OR 97470541-229-1420Grow America Garden Supply LLC11511 SW Pacific Highway,Tigard, OR 97223503-841-6868

PENNSYLVANIAPocono Hydroponic Solutions25 Route 611Bartonsville, PA 18321Tel: 570-730-4544Garden 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 16066724-473-1113Home 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 15203888-872-3602


Home 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 02904401-305-5520Mother 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 02817401-392-3100Growin’ 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 29609864-271-8830

Greenspirit 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 75226214-370-9984Jolly 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 940-381-9890

Earth 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

UTAHSalt 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 05158802-387-1100Green 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 24073866-694-1628



I Love Hydroponics612 N. Sheppard Street,Richmond, VA 23221804-377-3020Lucky Roots612 North Sheppard St.Richmond, VA 23221804-377-3020Blue Ridge Hydroponics & Home Brewing Co.5524 Williamson Road, Suite 11Roanoke 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 0000

Mike’s Indoor Garden Supply6121 172nd Street NE #A,Arlington, WA 98223(360) 474-1900

Belfair Garden & Lighting24090 NE State Route 3 #FBelfair,WA 98528360-275-2130

Green Gardens Distributing12738 Bel-Red Road,Bellevue, WA 98005425-454-5731

Northern Lights Gardening4159 Hannegan Road,Bellingham, WA 98225360-715-8585

Liquid Sunshine Hydroponics5087 Lincoln Road,Blaine, WA 98230

Kitsap Garden & Lighting2130 6th Street,Bremerton, WA 98312360-377-1277

M & R LightingUnit C 22914 Highway 410,Buckley, WA 98390253-891-4190

Indoor Tropics 5930 Sunburst Lane #B Cashmere, WA 98815 509-470-7782

Garden Smart500 Bond Drive,Castlerock, WA 98611360-274-7960

Grow Center, The615 South FirDeerPark WA 99006509-276-GROW

Healthy Grow Indoor Garden Supplies10 SE Everett Mall Way Suite BEverett WA 98208425-374-2227

Indoor 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 & Lighting714 South Central Avenue,Kent, WA 98032253-373-9060Kent Garden Supplies Ltd.18817 East Valley Highway,Kent, WA 98032425-251-9299

Grogro 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)386-8230Island Hydroponic & Supplies1515 5th Street #B,Marysville, WA 98271425-299-5855M & R Lighting17238 Memorial Drive,Mt. Vernon, WA 98273360-848-1080Northern Lights Gardening 1524 Riverside Dr #2Mt. Vernon, WA 98273360-982-2217Indoor Garden & Lighting8606 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 98125Hydro-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 253-495-6757Indoor Garden & Lighting3839 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 54914920-574-3258Grow BIG Hydroponics954 S. Westland,Appleton, WI 54914920-749-4769 Brew and Grow285 N. Janacek Road,Brookfield, WI 53045262-789-0555Brew and Grow3317 Agriculture Drive,Madison, WI 53716608-226-8910Paradigm Gardens4539 Helgesen Drive,Madison, WI 53718608-241-3800

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

ARE YOU CURRENTLY DISTRIBUTINGMAXIMUM YIELD FROM YOUR RETAIL STORE?

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Maximum Yield USA May 2011

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