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Maximum Yield Modern Growing | Canadian Edition | May June 2017

In this issue of Maximum Yield, we cast a wide net to bring you the best and latest information possible to help you get started growing your own food. From the basics like cleaning your equipment to the best methods for preparing your plants to live outdoors, to more advanced topics like lighting and nutrient delivery, there is something in this issue for all levels of grower.

In this issue of Maximum Yield, we cast a wide net to bring you the best and latest information possible to help you get started growing your own food. From the basics like cleaning your equipment to the best methods for preparing your plants to live outdoors, to more advanced topics like lighting and nutrient delivery, there is something in this issue for all levels of grower.

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MODERN GROWING<br />

CANADIAN EDITION<br />

UVA &<br />

UVB<br />

NUTRIENT DELIVERY SYSTEMS<br />

LIGHT DEPRIVATION<br />

SPRING CLEANING<br />

MICROPONICS


MODERN GROWING<br />

MAY/JUN <strong>2017</strong> | VOLUME 20 NUMBER 1<br />

FEATURES<br />

26<br />

The Curious Effects<br />

of UVA and UVB<br />

by Tom Forrest<br />

While too much ultraviolet<br />

radiation can be harmful,<br />

new research shows how it<br />

can be used for optimum<br />

benefit to plants.<br />

30<br />

Let it Flow: Nutrient<br />

Application Systems<br />

by Dr. Lynette Morgan<br />

One of the basic principles<br />

of hydroponic growing is the<br />

application of a balanced nutrient<br />

solution. But that doesn’t mean<br />

it’s always simple.<br />

4 first feed


CONTENTS<br />

first feed<br />

6 from the editor<br />

8 contributors<br />

10 #maximumyield<br />

tapped in<br />

12 ask the experts<br />

14 max facts<br />

18 hottest products<br />

grow cycle<br />

40 Fight for Your Lights:<br />

LED Metrics<br />

by Josh Gerovac<br />

44 Get your Grow Space<br />

Fresh and Clean for Spring<br />

by Steve Cather<br />

46 Back in Black:<br />

Light Deprivation Cultivation<br />

by Kent Gruetzmacher<br />

50 Microponics: Create a Tiny<br />

Ecosystem in your Backyard<br />

by Gary Donaldson<br />

groundbreakers<br />

movers & shakers<br />

56 Good Green Earth Company<br />

you tell us<br />

58 Dr. Earth<br />

62 max mart<br />

64 distributors<br />

first feed<br />

5


first feed<br />

from the editor<br />

<strong>Growing</strong> food in<br />

your community<br />

generates certainty<br />

and with certainty,<br />

people can let<br />

their guards<br />

down a little.”<br />

Nothing brings people together like food. Be it a wedding, a holiday,<br />

a tailgate party, or a first date, wherever there is food there are<br />

happy, social people. It is and has always been a key social driver in<br />

communities. Common ground, if you will. This isn’t the case everywhere,<br />

however. There are many communities in modern cities where<br />

neighbourhoods are shattered, devoid of social connections. One of those<br />

neighbourhoods is Tel Aviv’s Neve Sha’anan quarter, a place with a history<br />

of violence. It is also home to many foreign workers, many of whom speak<br />

different languages, further deepening divides.<br />

On the toughest street in Neve Sha’anan, though, hope is blooming.<br />

According to the Jerusalem Post, 29-year-old entrepreneur Lavi Kushelevich<br />

has brought together Darfurian refugees, Chinese workers, and Israelis<br />

through his Rooftop Gardens project. “They don’t have the same language,<br />

so they can’t communicate,” Kushelevich told the Post. “But they can<br />

communicate through food.” Rooftop Gardens allows participants to<br />

grow food hydroponically in a place where just a short time ago growing<br />

anything seemed impossible. On Saturday mornings, they gather, take<br />

care of the garden, and learn new techniques. Some of the crops they grow<br />

include cucumbers, lettuce, basil, and bok choy. <strong>Growing</strong> food in your<br />

community, Kushelevich added, generates certainty and with certainty,<br />

people can let their guards down a little.<br />

In many other cities, urban gardening is having a similar effect. It brings<br />

our agriculture closer to us, reduces emissions and food waste, and results<br />

in greener, healthier cities in which to live. The innovation seems to have no<br />

end, and, hopefully, neither does the social connectivity it creates.<br />

As always, thanks for reading <strong>Maximum</strong> <strong>Yield</strong> and if you have any<br />

questions feel free to contact us at editor@maximumyield.com.<br />

6 first feed


first feed<br />

contributors<br />

STEVE CATHERS, an HCIcertified<br />

cryogenics technician<br />

and gasfitter living in Boulder,<br />

Colorado, is the CEO of the<br />

Colorado-based group of gasmonitoring<br />

specialists, Sensor<br />

Compliance LLC. He is also<br />

co-founder and the former chief of engineering at<br />

Multiponics LLC. Steve is a facial-hair enthusiast,<br />

truth seeker, independent thinker, and autodidact.<br />

THOMAS FORREST was<br />

introduced to aquaponics six<br />

years ago and quickly became<br />

an enthusiastic gardener.<br />

Following his university studies<br />

in business and media, Thomas<br />

completed his Production<br />

Horticulture Certificate at the<br />

National Precision <strong>Growing</strong> Centre. He is a sales<br />

representative for Stealth Garden in Australia.<br />

KENT GRUETZMACHER<br />

is a California-based freelance<br />

writer and the west coast director<br />

of business development at Mac<br />

& Fulton Executive Search and<br />

Consulting, an employment<br />

recruiting firm dedicated to the<br />

indoor gardening and hydroponics industries.<br />

He is interested in utilizing his Master of Arts<br />

in humanities to explore the many cultural and<br />

business facets of this emerging industry by way<br />

of his entrepreneurial projects.<br />

DR. LYNETTE MORGAN<br />

holds a B. Hort. Tech. degree<br />

and a PhD in hydroponic<br />

greenhouse production from<br />

Massey University, New<br />

Zealand. Lynette is a partner<br />

with Suntec International<br />

Hydroponic Consultants and has authored<br />

several hydroponic technical books. Visit<br />

suntec.co.nz for more information.<br />

on the web<br />

GARY DONALDSON is an<br />

Australian urban farmer, the<br />

author of the Urban Aquaponics<br />

Manual, and the architect of<br />

microponics – the integration of<br />

fish, plants and microlivestock.<br />

JOSH GEROVAC is a<br />

horticulture lighting consultant<br />

at Fluence Bioengineering.<br />

He has spent the last decade<br />

working in controlled<br />

environment agriculture,<br />

from growth chambers to<br />

commercial greenhouses. His research and<br />

practice is focused on the influence of light<br />

intensity and spectral light quality from<br />

sole-source LEDs. He has a BSc in horticulture<br />

production and marketing, and a MSc in<br />

horticulture science, both from Purdue University.<br />

ERIC HOPPER’S past<br />

experiences within the indoor<br />

gardening industry include<br />

being a hydroponic retail store<br />

manager and owner. Currently,<br />

he works as a writer, consultant,<br />

and product tester for various<br />

indoor horticulture companies. His inquisitive<br />

nature keeps him busy seeking new technologies<br />

and methods that could help maximize a<br />

garden’s performance.<br />

BECOME A MAXIMUM<br />

YIELD CONTRIBUTOR<br />

Have your article read by<br />

250,000 readers throughout<br />

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New Zealand, and Australia.<br />

Article Archives<br />

Can’t recall that great gardening recommendation from<br />

a few months ago? Look it up online. We have hundreds<br />

of indoor gardening articles available at maximumyield.com.<br />

Ask the Experts<br />

Stumped by something strange happening in your garden?<br />

Fill out our Ask the Experts form and we will find you answers.<br />

Monthly eNewsletter<br />

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newsletter at enews.maximumyield.<br />

com and be the first to know what’s<br />

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VOLUME 20 – NUMBER 1<br />

<strong>May</strong>/<strong>June</strong> <strong>2017</strong><br />

GENERAL MANAGER<br />

Ilona Hawser<br />

EDITORIAL<br />

editor@maximumyield.com<br />

Toby Gorman<br />

Jessica Skelton<br />

Julie Chadwick<br />

WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT EDITOR<br />

Julie McManus<br />

TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS<br />

P.L. Light Systems<br />

ADVERTISING SALES<br />

250.729.2677<br />

SALES MANAGER<br />

Katie Rey - katie.rey@maximumyield.com<br />

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES<br />

Jed Walker - jed.walker@maximumyield.com<br />

Michelle Fraser - michelle.fraser@maximumyield.com<br />

Erik Duivenvoorde - erik@maximumyield.com<br />

Courtenay Althouse - courtenay@maximumyield.com<br />

Hailey Woolgar - hailey@maximumyield.com<br />

DESIGN & PRODUCTION<br />

ads@maximumyield.com<br />

ART DIRECTOR<br />

Alice Joe<br />

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS<br />

Jennifer Everts<br />

Dionne Hurd<br />

Jesslyn Dubyna<br />

Samira Saoud<br />

ACCOUNTING<br />

Tracy Greeno - accounting@maximumyield.com<br />

Katie LaFrance - ar@maximumyield.com<br />

<strong>Maximum</strong> <strong>Yield</strong> is published monthly by <strong>Maximum</strong> <strong>Yield</strong><br />

Inc. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without<br />

permission from the publisher. If undeliverable please<br />

return to the address below. The views expressed by<br />

columnists are personal opinions and do not necessarily<br />

reflect those of <strong>Maximum</strong> <strong>Yield</strong> or the editor.<br />

2339 A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9<br />

Phone: 250.729.2677; Fax 250.729.2687<br />

USA DISTRIBUTION<br />

BWGS • Florida Hydroponics<br />

General Hydroponics • Humbolt Wholesale<br />

Hydrofarm National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply<br />

Nickel City Wholesale Garden Supply<br />

Tradewinds • Urban Agricultural<br />

CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION<br />

Brite-Lite Group • Biofloral Hydrotek<br />

Eddis Wholesale • Green Planet Wholesale<br />

Greenstar Plant Products Inc. • Growers Paradise<br />

UK DISTRIBUTION<br />

Century Grow Systmes • Easy Grow Ltd.<br />

Erith Horticulture • Nutriculture UK • Dutchpro<br />

AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION<br />

Dome Garden Supply • Holland Forge<br />

House N’ Garden • Hydroponic Generations<br />

Growlush • Way to Grow • Nutrifield<br />

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8 first feed


first feed<br />

#maximumyield<br />

Is <strong>Maximum</strong> <strong>Yield</strong> hosting any Indoor<br />

Gardening Expos this year? Haven’t<br />

seen anything about them yet.<br />

Allan<br />

Editor’s Note: Hi, Allan. Yes, you are<br />

in luck! <strong>Maximum</strong> <strong>Yield</strong> is hosting two<br />

indoor gardening expos this year under<br />

a new name: GROWX. There will be two<br />

GROWX trade shows happening this year.<br />

The first is happening <strong>June</strong> 3-4 in San<br />

Jose, California, and the second takes<br />

place Sept. 30-Oct. 1 in Detroit, Michigan.<br />

We hope you can make it out to either<br />

of these exciting new shows! Check out<br />

mygrowx.com for exhibitor information.<br />

Nice one!<br />

Best issue yet.<br />

@stealthgarden<br />

One reason why we love the CMH!<br />

Hygrowponics (@Hygrowponics) RT@<br />

max_yield UV light is harmful to plant<br />

tissue, but research shows that it can also<br />

benefit our little green friends.<br />

#indoorgardening, #lightscience, #UV,<br />

#justlikenature, #columbus, #hilliard, #ohio<br />

Kudos to the @slucketbuckets team<br />

for their revolutionary #posiflow,<br />

#rdwc system and their awesome team!<br />

Read their company spotlight in the<br />

@maximumyield Industry News<br />

March <strong>2017</strong> issue page 38.<br />

@cleangrow<br />

Interesting. I did not know<br />

#seedlings need 18-24 hours<br />

of light. #growyourown.<br />

Bob Leeson @FarmerBobGreens<br />

It’s all about the cations<br />

and anions.<br />

@taogrow<br />

Good to Grow product of the Day:<br />

PureAg Pest Control<br />

This stuff works...we were one of the<br />

first Hydro Shops to carry it. Lil Shop<br />

of Growers tested it in 2012 and have<br />

carried it ever since.<br />

Paul Fullerton @lilshopofgrower<br />

RT @max_yield<br />

@Max_<strong>Yield</strong> has an article in the<br />

Feb. <strong>2017</strong> issue re:<br />

#hydroponicsystems. Where can you<br />

get the parts to build your own? Well,<br />

@CampbellsIndoor of course!<br />

@CampbellsIndoor<br />

Mississauga is now #home to<br />

Canada’s first #aquaponic #food<br />

bank, #farm! Access to fish and veggies!<br />

Article via @Max_<strong>Yield</strong> magazine.<br />

Awesome!<br />

Natural Impressions @Naturalscaping<br />

DO YOU WANT TO BE<br />

FEATURED ON THIS PAGE?<br />

Send your email or post to:<br />

editor@maximumyield.com<br />

editor@maximumyield.com<br />

@maximumyield<br />

@maximumyield<br />

@max_yield @max_yield<br />

@maximumyield @maximumyield<br />

@maximumyield @maximumyield<br />

maximumyield<br />

maximumyield<br />

10 first feed


tapped in<br />

ask the experts<br />

Q<br />

Hi,<br />

What are the commercial options for mediums and lights (HPS or LED)? I have 17,000 square feet.<br />

Do I need 300 lights or more? Also, how should I set up the clone/mother room? Should I have<br />

trays or just pots, no trays? I’m looking to veg in three weeks, ideally, or four weeks, max.<br />

– Paul<br />

Paul,<br />

Thank you for your questions.<br />

A<br />

First, when setting up a<br />

commercial growing facility,<br />

remember that automation<br />

is your best friend. The more<br />

equipment in the garden that<br />

can be automated, the better.<br />

This automation will, in turn,<br />

reduce the amount of work<br />

that you must do.<br />

In many ways, the choice of<br />

medium and growing system<br />

comes down to the grower’s<br />

personal preference. Just about<br />

any growing medium can be<br />

used successfully. However,<br />

when gardening on a large<br />

scale, logistics—including<br />

disposal of the medium—should<br />

be considered. Stone wool is<br />

lightweight and easy to transport,<br />

making it a good choice for largescale<br />

gardens. It is also a great<br />

medium for top feed systems,<br />

which are the preferred system<br />

for growers with commercialsized<br />

operations. Top feed<br />

systems with trays or troughs are<br />

easiest to automate on a large<br />

scale. Still, while stone wool is<br />

commonly used by large-scale<br />

commercial growers using this<br />

type of system, any soilless<br />

medium can be used just as<br />

effectively with a top feed set-up.<br />

The simplest way to determine<br />

the horticultural lighting<br />

requirements for a commercial<br />

garden is to think in terms of<br />

watts (W) per square foot of space.<br />

The typical high-performance<br />

indoor garden will provide 40-50W<br />

of artificial light per square foot<br />

of garden space. It is important<br />

to remember that we are talking<br />

about actual garden space,<br />

not the total square footage<br />

of the room. Assuming your<br />

17,000-square-foot facility will be<br />

filled wall-to-wall with plants,<br />

you should plan on providing<br />

a minimum of 680,000W of light<br />

(for example, you could use 680<br />

1,000W HID lighting systems).<br />

You could possibly reduce the<br />

total wattage required if you are<br />

using induction or LED lighting<br />

systems in place of HID lighting<br />

systems. Induction lighting<br />

systems and LED are more<br />

efficient at converting electricity<br />

into photosynthetically active<br />

radiation (PAR), which means<br />

they can provide the same usable<br />

energy as other technologies<br />

while consuming less electricity.<br />

That being said, intensity is<br />

crucial to the development of<br />

large fruits or flowers, which is<br />

why HIDs still remain the most<br />

popular choice for large-scale<br />

commercial gardens.<br />

How long the plants are kept<br />

in the vegetative stage depends<br />

completely on how large you<br />

want them before initiating<br />

the flowering cycle. For most<br />

indoor growers, the desired<br />

size can be achieved in three<br />

to four weeks of vegetative<br />

growth. For the cloning stage,<br />

again, automation will be a<br />

big factor in reducing labour<br />

and increasing efficiency.<br />

A dedicated cloning space<br />

complete with temperature,<br />

humidity, watering, and<br />

lighting automation will go<br />

a long way in making the<br />

transitions of a perpetual<br />

garden smooth. The mother<br />

plant(s), however, are typically<br />

kept in a soil container and in a<br />

separate area or room.<br />

Keep on <strong>Growing</strong>,<br />

Eric Hopper<br />

Eric Hopper’s past experiences within the indoor<br />

gardening industry include being a hydroponic retail<br />

store manager and owner. Currently, he works as a<br />

writer, consultant, and product tester for various indoor<br />

horticulture companies. His inquisitive nature keeps him<br />

busy seeking new technologies and methods that could<br />

help maximize a garden’s performance.<br />

PAR<br />

Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) is the amount of light available for photosynthesis. This light (light in<br />

the 400-700 nanometer wavelength range) is required for all plant growth. Higher PAR promotes better plant<br />

growth, and monitoring PAR is important to ensure plants are receiving adequate light for this process.<br />

– fondriest.com<br />

12


tapped in<br />

maxfacts<br />

growing news, tips, & trivia<br />

Surrey Food Bank Goes Vertical<br />

The Surrey Food Bank installed two living walls at its Cloverdale depot. The vertical farming<br />

towers—which were planted with leafy greens—are expected to produce anywhere from<br />

300-800 pounds of food a year. “Fresh produce is so hard to get,” Feezah Jaffer, the food<br />

bank’s associate executive director, says. “Especially with the weather and difficulties of<br />

the growing season, we get a lot of root vegetables from our farm partners, so potatoes,<br />

carrots, onions, but we don’t get a lot of the fresh leafy greens.” The idea came from<br />

a former SFU Surrey student, Ethan O’Brien, whose company, Living Garden Foods,<br />

sells, installs and provides training for the towers. “I thought, why don’t we talk<br />

to some food banks to see if we could help them become environmentally and<br />

financially sustainable by growing their own food,” he says. To install the project,<br />

the food bank received a $6,000 grant from Vancity Community Partnership<br />

program and partnered with the Active Sprouts Foundation.<br />

thenownewspaper.com<br />

Forget Five; Eat 10<br />

Portions of Fruit and Veg<br />

According to scientists at Imperial<br />

College London, doubling your<br />

recommended fruit and vegetable intake<br />

shows major benefit in reducing the chance of heart<br />

attack, stroke, cancer, and early death. Research found the greatest<br />

benefit came from eating 800 grams of a day, which is roughly<br />

equivalent to 10 portions. Some of the best fruit and vegetables<br />

to consume include apples; pears; citrus; salads and green leafy<br />

vegetables like spinach, lettuce, and chicory; and cruciferous<br />

vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. Eating 10<br />

portions a day is associated with a 24 per cent reduced risk of heart<br />

disease, a 33 per cent reduced risk of stroke, a 28 per cent reduced<br />

risk of cardiovascular disease, a 13 per cent reduced risk of total<br />

cancer, and a 31 per cent reduction in dying prematurely. This risk was<br />

calculated in comparison to not eating any fruits and vegetables.<br />

freshfruitportal.com<br />

Edmonton Streamlines Urban Gardening Bylaws<br />

Earlier this year, Edmonton city council made getting into urban gardening easier by approving changes to<br />

its bylaws. The changes came a year into its urban agricultural land use strategy. City staff reported that<br />

many people were confused about which projects needed permits, as well as<br />

complaining that some of the parking stipulations<br />

were excessive. Under the new rules, development<br />

permits will no longer need to be obtained for<br />

beekeeping equipment. Hen enclosures, on<br />

the other hand, now require permits, as do<br />

gardens and farms in non-residential areas.<br />

An exemption to obtaining a development<br />

permits for farms and gardens with minor<br />

structures in residential zones remains in<br />

place. Finally, urban gardens and farms in the<br />

downtown core no longer need to provide onsite<br />

parking.<br />

metronews.ca<br />

14


max facts<br />

Eating Healthy Cheaper Than Buying Junk Food<br />

A new report from the Institute of Economic Affairs has found that<br />

healthy food is, for the most part, cheaper than junk food. Unlike<br />

previous studies, this new research measured the cost per<br />

edible weight as opposed to the cost per calorie of 78<br />

common food and drink products. As reported in a story in<br />

the Telegraph, the cheapest processed foods cost “more than<br />

CDN$3.30 per kilogram, whereas typical fruit and vegetables cost<br />

less than that amount.” This finding counters the thought that cost<br />

is driving poor nutrition and obesity. “The idea that poor nutrition<br />

is caused by the high cost of healthy food is simply wrong. People<br />

are prepared to pay a premium for taste and convenience,” says Chris<br />

Snowdon, the report’s author. “Given the relatively high cost of junk food,<br />

it is unlikely that taxing unhealthy food or subsidising healthy food would change people's eating habits.”<br />

metro.co.uk<br />

Global Boom Time for Urban Farms<br />

Urban farming is booming worldwide, says French urban farming project<br />

consultant Marie Dehaene. “There is a huge variety of formats and business<br />

models,” she says. “There have also been changes in stakeholders, in<br />

the law, in building ownership, and management that have encouraged<br />

people to do it.” However, local factors determine the viability and<br />

format of such schemes, particularly at larger scales. “In New York,<br />

most fresh produce comes from California or Mexico. California is<br />

under environmental strain and there are concerns about traceability. In<br />

Singapore, there is a drive for greater food self-sufficiency, while in Japan<br />

there has been concern about polluted land post-Fukushima. People lost<br />

trust in the quality of produce and some typically Japanese vegetables<br />

can’t be imported. So, in these places there has been a real reason to make<br />

it viable on a large scale. There are also such projects in France, but there<br />

is a cultural difference too.”<br />

hortweek.com<br />

16 tapped in<br />

Grow Calgary Goes Hydroponic<br />

This winter, non-profit group Grow Calgary went hydroponic in order to continue<br />

feeding families in need. The group cultivated kale, lettuce, and tomatoes inside<br />

a repurposed shipping container. “We were really proud. It was really cool<br />

to get this food out of the container in the middle of winter. It was awesome<br />

for sure and hopefully we can continue to do that," says volunteer Sandie De<br />

Bonnault. “The other good thing about it is that we can have early germination<br />

and start very early and have plants that are strong enough so that we can put<br />

them in the soil in April.” During the growing season, the non-profit group also<br />

farms a 4.5-hectare piece of land and gives the crops to Calgary’s Compassionate<br />

Food Access Agencies.<br />

cbc.ca


tapped in<br />

good to grow<br />

ask for these products at your local hydro shop<br />

P.L. Light Systems NXT-LP HPS 1,000W System<br />

The new NXT-LP HPS 1,000W system from P.L. Lights offers a wide and exceptionally uniform light<br />

distribution to deliver optimum light intensity evenly across the surface of the crop. Included<br />

in the box is the NXT-LP fixture, cast aluminum housing with<br />

electronic ballast, reflector bracket, lamp holders (1,000W<br />

DE), alpha reflector, mounting points, a six-foot 120V power<br />

cord, a six-foot 240V power cord, 1,000W electronic DE lamp,<br />

hanging kit, two S-hooks, two two-foot lengths of chain, a wire<br />

bracket, and two eye bolts.<br />

SoHum Living Soils Potting Mix<br />

This fully amended potting mix contains no artificial<br />

components and requires none of the artificial chemical<br />

additives to spur growth. This mix is biodynamic,<br />

meaning each bag contains an ecosystem of beneficial<br />

bacteria and fungi to directly impact plant development,<br />

emphasizing a natural approach to growing. SoHum<br />

contains a full buffet of macro- and micronutrients<br />

pre-amended into<br />

the potting mix for<br />

maximum nutrient<br />

uptake—for the entire<br />

life cycle of your plant.<br />

This mix helps your<br />

plants achieve their<br />

genetic potential while<br />

reducing labour, time,<br />

and cost spent on your<br />

garden. There is no need<br />

to pH your medium or<br />

second-guess testing kits,<br />

just add water and grow.<br />

Enjoy consistent yields<br />

and naturally enhanced<br />

flavour with SoHum Soils.<br />

Rainmaker Battery Powered<br />

18V Backpack Sprayer<br />

Another first from Rainmaker, this all-purpose sprayer<br />

is ideal for hand watering, applying herbicides,<br />

pesticides, liquid fertilizer, and for use in many home<br />

applications. Using a premium Sanyo rechargeable and<br />

removable battery pack, which is included, you’ll get<br />

hours of use on a single charge. You<br />

can adjust the flow from low to high<br />

with the flip of a switch. Product<br />

includes a 22.5-inch lance with<br />

quick-connect feature for the<br />

nozzle attachments, three<br />

spray nozzles (ranging from<br />

fine mist to stream), a trigger<br />

with a lock-on option that can<br />

be engaged for continuous<br />

spraying, padded<br />

shoulder straps,<br />

an integrated<br />

filter, and a<br />

four-foot hose.<br />

For complete<br />

product details, visit<br />

rainmakersprayers.com.<br />

Nanolux DE Chill<br />

The Nanolux DE Chill is the first DE commercial overlap fixture of its type on the market.<br />

The DE Chill is designed with an onboard ballast, is air cooled, and comes NCCS APPready.<br />

The air-cooled design removes up to 60 per cent of heat load in grow facility<br />

environments. This greatly reduces the air conditioning required to maintain the<br />

growing environment at desired temperatures. The fully enclosed design uses an<br />

optical quality glass lens which only reduces light output by six per cent. This six<br />

per cent reduction is easily offset by the ability to lower your lights closer to your<br />

plants and therefore raising light intesities far above 20 per cent. If left at the<br />

same height, one would only require 104 lights in a facility that would regularly<br />

require 100 open-style DE lights. The 4,000 watts required to run the four<br />

additional lights and the small wattage draw for exhaust fans is minor compared<br />

to the savings from lower electrical consumption required to AC the growroom.<br />

18 tapped in


good to grow<br />

EcoloBlue Atmospheric Water Generators<br />

Do you need potable water for your hydroponic, greenhouse, or other<br />

grow space? Do you need a dehumidifier? Do you need safe water to<br />

drink for you and your family? Did you know that they can all be found<br />

in one machine, just by plugging into an electrical outlet? Water can be<br />

created from air by EcoloBlue Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs)<br />

without an existing water source. All you need is 35 per cent or higher<br />

humidity; 70-80 per cent is optimal. EcoloBlue offers the opportunity<br />

to be water-independent and sustainable, whether you need just five<br />

to eight gallons of water a day for personal use or thousands of gallons<br />

a day for a commercial operation. Since its inception, EcoloBlue has<br />

grown its product line from a single home/office unit to a full industrial<br />

line of AWGs, a fully contained emergency preparedness container, and<br />

an EcoloBlue Water Station. The EcoloBlue range varies from up to 30<br />

litres/eight gallons a day for the home/office market, up to millions of<br />

litres per day in customizable water stations.<br />

AgroLED Sun Par 390 LED Fixture<br />

AgroLED’s Sun Par 5,000K and,<br />

an industry-first, 2,000K LED, are<br />

designed and produced by one<br />

of the most respected names<br />

in horticultural lighting. The<br />

2,000K offers all the benefits<br />

of flowering found in HPS<br />

lamps. The 5,000K delivers<br />

full spectrum lighting for full-term<br />

plant growth. A sustained, maintenance-free life is a vital value of<br />

LED, and thermal management dictates LED life. Sun Par’s thermally<br />

managed, properly driven, high specification components, including<br />

high-quality, Japanese-made Nichia brand chips and Meanwell<br />

drivers, equate to a superior fixture for the most extreme conditions.<br />

Includes two types of interchangeable optics to accommodate various<br />

mounting heights: a 90-degree beam spread for higher mounting<br />

applications and a 120-degree beam spread for a wider coverage area<br />

at lower mounting heights. IP65 rated. Comes with an industry first,<br />

12-foot Convertible Smart Volt 120/240V power cord, and eye boltstyle<br />

loop for mounting.<br />

Dr. Earth Final Stop<br />

Yard & Garden Insect<br />

Killer Spray<br />

This spray is an OMRI-Listed<br />

insect killer that is all-natural and<br />

highly effective at controlling aphids,<br />

mites, whiteflies, caterpillars, and<br />

other nasty insects. Our handcrafted<br />

blend of essential oils<br />

and other natural ingredients<br />

work to kill pests immediately<br />

on contact. Dr. Earth Final<br />

Stop Yard & Garden Insect<br />

Killer spray is ready to use<br />

and contains rosemary,<br />

sesame, peppermint, and<br />

cinnamon oil, as well as<br />

other potent ingredients that<br />

eliminate pests in a people<br />

and pet-safe manner.<br />

Good Green Earth Company’s Bokashi PRO-GRO<br />

Take your garden to a whole new level by maximizing the full potential of your plants. Bokashi<br />

PRO-GRO is a premium soil amendment, handmade with a proprietary blend of specialty nutrients<br />

like high-grade vitamins, minerals, superfood complex, and probiotic consortium created through a<br />

unique acidic anaerobic fermentation process. You must feed the soil in order to have an abundant<br />

sustainable garden or farm. Today’s synthetic approach to fertilizers has led to depleted nutrient<br />

and mineral density in our soil. Bokashi PRO-GRO was developed to replenish our precious soil with<br />

everything necessary to create a sustainable microecology that will continue to feed the soil and, in<br />

turn, our crops without need of additional chemical fertilizers. Benefits include: healthier plants with<br />

increased nutrient density; increased flavour, colour, and yield; increased uptake of organic matter;<br />

reduced watering and nutrient costs; runoff is beneficial to the environment. PRO-GRO may be used<br />

as soil amendment, top dressing, compost tea and foliar spray.<br />

20 tapped in


good to grow<br />

Ideal Air DriFecta<br />

Ideal Air has just introduced an exciting new air conditioning and humidity<br />

control system for indoor gardeners. DriFecta is not only a commercial grade<br />

air conditioner, but also allows for independent humidity control. Temperature<br />

and humidity can have independent set points, which allow growers to<br />

precisely dial in their ideal growing environment. Even if a temperature set<br />

point is achieved, it will continue to operate the dehumidification feature until<br />

the desired humidity level is achieved. DriFecta units are available in sizes<br />

ranging from three tons up to 25 tons. DriFecta units are designed for roof<br />

mounting on a curb, they can also be slab mounted at ground level. Every unit is<br />

completely charged and wired, and only one electrical outlet is required. The units are<br />

piped and tested at the factory to provide for quick and easy field installation. All models are<br />

convertible between bottom and horizontal duct connections. Available in electric/electric and<br />

gas/electric models. For detailed product information and pricing, check out ideal-air.com.<br />

Dr. Earth’s Pot of<br />

Gold Premium<br />

Potting Soil<br />

Dr. Earth’s Pot of Gold<br />

premium potting soil is an<br />

OMRI- and CDFA-certified<br />

organic blend that is<br />

people and pet safe and<br />

contains no GMOs. Pot<br />

of Gold potting soil uses<br />

OIM inputs, which are<br />

finely selected organic<br />

materials from the land<br />

and sea that help prized<br />

plants thrive. Pot of Gold is a pH balanced, all-purpose<br />

mix with horticultural perlite for optimal drainage<br />

for containerized gardens—indoor or out. Dr.Earth’s<br />

certified organic soils are created for life—we utilize<br />

powerful MycoApply-certified beneficial microbes that<br />

encourage explosive root growth, allowing for optimal<br />

access to nutrients in the soil. Locate Dr. Earth organic<br />

soils, fertilizers, and controls at your local garden store<br />

or nursery. Be the change and choose Dr. Earth to<br />

sustainably achieve heavy yielding, high-quality crops.<br />

Enviroboss Dehumidifier<br />

You’ve got the right lights and the right nutrients, but<br />

do you have the right humidity? Correct humidity levels<br />

are critical to plant health at all stages of growth. With<br />

EnviroBoss dehumidifiers, you can precisely control RH levels<br />

throughout the growing process, helping to increase yield<br />

and crop consistency and reduce the risk of damage from<br />

mold, mildew, and other humidity-related problems. Proper<br />

humidity control in your processing environment can also<br />

help you preserve product quality and weight. EnviroBoss<br />

offers a wide range of dehumidifiers to bring precision<br />

humidity control to your grow operations. You can trust<br />

your investment with EnviroBoss—built<br />

in the USA by a<br />

manufacturer with<br />

over 35 years of<br />

proven humidity<br />

control product<br />

success. Manage<br />

risk, boost yields,<br />

control quality—get<br />

everything right<br />

in your grow<br />

environment with<br />

EnviroBoss.<br />

Reiziger’s Boosters, Nutrients, and Substrates<br />

In the early 1980s, the Seed Bank of Holland pioneered a revolutionary approach to<br />

breeding and set a new benchmark in plant cultivation, assisted by the use of specialized<br />

nutrient formulations. Kept a closely guarded secret and handed down from one<br />

generation of Dutch craftsmen to the next, Reiziger is born from these original recipes,<br />

giving them a heritage that delivers the same exceptional yields and flawless quality<br />

attained by Dutch breeders and growers for over 30 years. Reiziger’s boosters, nutrients,<br />

and substrates are alive with pioneering know-how to help enhance the cultivation of<br />

all fruiting and flowering plants. They offer demanding craftsmen exactly what they<br />

need to afford magnificent harvests. Forward-thinking formulation and a host of unseen<br />

technologies make Reiziger modern and dynamic. Their endless surge of power and<br />

invigoration set them streets apart from others.<br />

22 tapped in


good to grow<br />

Current Culture<br />

H 2 O’s Cultured<br />

Solutions Coco Cal<br />

Current Culture H 2O<br />

has introduced Coco<br />

Cal, its newest addition<br />

to its popular Cultured<br />

Solutions line of<br />

premium hydroponic<br />

nutrients. Made from a<br />

concentrated blend of<br />

readily available calcium<br />

and magnesium, Coco<br />

Cal is formulated to assist<br />

fast-growing plants by<br />

preventing secondary<br />

nutrient deficiencies. Coco Cal supplements vital<br />

plant nutrition that is often lacking in water supplies,<br />

while also enhancing plant growth and development.<br />

Designed for all rapidly growing plants in all growth and<br />

bloom phases, Coco Cal belongs in your garden. Coco<br />

Cal is available through National Garden Wholesale and<br />

all authorized Current Culture H 2O dealers.<br />

Dr. Earth Home Grown<br />

Tomato, Vegetable &<br />

Herb Fertilizer<br />

Home Grown Tomato, Vegetable<br />

& Herb Fertilizer promotes hearty<br />

root development and vigorous<br />

crop growth. It is OMRI- and CDFAcertified<br />

organic, with premium<br />

ingredients that provide primary<br />

essential nutrients, micronutrients,<br />

and multi-minerals. Calcium can<br />

be a limiting factor in optimal plant<br />

health, which is why Home Grown Tomato, Vegetable & Herb<br />

contains fish bone meal—a source for lasting calcium, which<br />

increases brix levels and reduces the chance of blossom end<br />

rot. Mix fertilizer globally into the soil or scratch around into the<br />

plant's soil surface and water thoroughly. Home Grown Tomato,<br />

Vegetable & Herb fertilizer is infused with TruBiotic microbes, a<br />

proprietary blend that enhances drought resistance, increases<br />

nutrient availability, and protects the plant from pests and<br />

pathogens. Your plants will thank you for using Dr. Earth Home<br />

Grown Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer to achieve superior<br />

harvests in an environmentally responsible manner.<br />

24 tapped in


feature<br />

UVA and UVB<br />

Tanning<br />

Your Plants:<br />

The CURIOUS<br />

Effects of UVA and UVB<br />

by Tom Forrest<br />

While getting a tan on is a favourite holiday pastime,<br />

we often forget the nasty consequences of too<br />

much sunlight on our skin. UV light is harmful to<br />

plant tissue too, but research shows that it can<br />

also benefit our little green friends.<br />

26 feature


grow cycle<br />

27


UVA and UVB<br />

“<br />

CRYPTOCHROMES,<br />

phototropins, and<br />

Zeitlupe (ZTL) are<br />

the three primary<br />

photoreceptors that<br />

mediate the effects<br />

of UVA. UVB light is<br />

primarily mediated by<br />

the UV-R8 monomer.”<br />

Sunlight is the portion of the sun’s<br />

electromagnetic radiation that<br />

includes infrared, visible, and ultraviolet<br />

(UV) light. It’s these ultraviolet light<br />

waves that can cause harmful radiation<br />

to our dermal tissue. But, how have our<br />

floral friends evolved to deal with this<br />

UV light energy?<br />

Well, UV radiation can be harmful to<br />

plant tissue too, but modern research is<br />

proving there are also several distinctly<br />

positive responses to UV radiation.<br />

WHAT IS UV LIGHT?<br />

Let’s take a step backwards and look<br />

at the basics. Ultraviolet light is an<br />

electromagnetic radiation with a<br />

wavelength from 10-400 nanometres (nm).<br />

This is a shorter wavelength than<br />

visible light but longer than x-rays. This<br />

radiation can be broken down into three<br />

bands: UVA (320-400 nm), UVB (290-320 nm),<br />

and UVC (100-290 nm). Radiations with<br />

wavelengths from 10-180 nm are sometimes<br />

referred to as vacuum, or extreme, UV.<br />

These radiations propagate only in a<br />

vacuum. Thanks to the ozone layer, only<br />

UVA and UVB rays reach the Earth’s<br />

surface. UVC rays can’t make it through,<br />

which is lucky as they could have<br />

catastrophic effects.<br />

HOW DOES UV LIGHT AFFECT PLANTS?<br />

As sunlight shines down upon a crop,<br />

plants expose the surface of their<br />

leaves to capture solar rays. While<br />

some of this light energy is used in<br />

photosynthesis, some regulates different<br />

developmental processes—such as<br />

advancing growth in good conditions or<br />

causing deviations for survival during<br />

periods of stress—to optimize the<br />

photosynthetic processes and detect<br />

seasonal changes. This light-mediated<br />

development of form and structure is<br />

known as photomorphogenesis.<br />

The different developmental or<br />

physiological changes are induced<br />

by a plant’s photoreceptors, which<br />

detect specific wavelengths of light.<br />

Photoreceptors are also sensitive to<br />

light quantity, quality, and duration.<br />

For example, plants growing beneath<br />

the canopy use phytochromes to sense<br />

the reduced amount of light reaching<br />

the plant and regulate such processes<br />

as shade-avoidance, competitive<br />

interactions, and seed germination.<br />

However, it is extremely difficult for<br />

scientists to match specific responses<br />

to individual photoreceptors. Typically,<br />

multiple photoreceptors will interact<br />

to produce a single change. Also, some<br />

photoreceptors like phytochromes<br />

are sensitive to more than one light<br />

wavelength. (Phytochromes, which<br />

mediate many aspects of vegetative<br />

and reproductive development, are<br />

responsible for absorbing red and<br />

far-red light but also absorb some blue<br />

light and UVA radiation.)<br />

When it comes to UV radiation, there<br />

are several other photoreceptors<br />

responsible for absorbing those<br />

wavelengths. Cryptochromes,<br />

phototropins, and Zeitlupe (ZTL) are<br />

the three primary photoreceptors that<br />

mediate the effects of UVA. UVB light<br />

is primarily mediated by the UV-R8<br />

monomer. It has been proven that UV<br />

light influences photomorphogenic<br />

responses including gene regulation,<br />

flavonoid biosynthesis, leaf and<br />

epidermal cell expansion, stomatal<br />

density, and increased photosynthetic<br />

efficiency. However, don’t forget that UV<br />

radiation can also damage membranes,<br />

DNA, and proteins. That’s why many<br />

plants undergo photomorphogenic<br />

changes designed to protect them from<br />

these rays when their photoreceptors<br />

sense the presence of radiation.<br />

28 feature


For example, numerous agricultural<br />

crops can synthesize simple phenolic<br />

compounds and flavonoids that act<br />

as sunscreens and remove damaging<br />

oxidants and free radicals. In<br />

certain crop species, these phenolic<br />

compounds can be extremely desirable<br />

and it can be beneficial to the farmer to<br />

enhance this aspect of production.<br />

name<br />

eature<br />

HOW CAN GROWERS UTILIZE THIS<br />

UV ENERGY WITHOUT CAUSING<br />

DAMAGE TO THEIR CROPS?<br />

Although this is a fairly recent field<br />

of botanical science, there are reports<br />

of dramatic increases in essential oil<br />

production by flowering crops grown<br />

under lightbulbs with higher UV output.<br />

<strong>Modern</strong> metal halide (MH) and ceramic<br />

metal halide (CMH) lamps often include<br />

precisely calculated and optimized<br />

amounts of UVA and UVB output.<br />

High UV bulbs are generally<br />

recommended for use in the last two<br />

weeks of a flowering cycle once the<br />

generative development is completely<br />

established. This allows for a crop<br />

to continually develop in size and<br />

growth vigour while also protecting<br />

the flowers and canopy with increased<br />

resin production.<br />

Like all aspects of horticulture, balance<br />

is the key to effective UV use. Too much<br />

or incorrect ratios of PAR/UVA/UVB<br />

will not help, but the correct amounts<br />

could encourage some incredibly useful<br />

results. Timing is also an important<br />

part of UV application. When given<br />

UVB throughout the entire growth cycle,<br />

sensitive plants such as leafy greens<br />

often display reduced growth (plant<br />

height, dry weight, leaf area, etc.) and<br />

photosynthetic activity. Generally, the<br />

effectiveness of UVB also varies both<br />

among species and among individual<br />

strains or genetics of a given species.<br />

If you’re looking to utilize UV in your<br />

garden, it’s worth discussing with your<br />

local hydroponics store about the best<br />

approach for your chosen plant species.<br />

Overall, it’s valuable to research<br />

the best applications of UV in your<br />

garden whilst catering to your<br />

specific plant’s physiological<br />

requirements. If<br />

we use this technology<br />

correctly, we can enjoy<br />

the delicious benefits of<br />

plant sunscreen. This<br />

means your flowers will<br />

smell better, your fruit<br />

will taste superior, and<br />

your herbs will have a<br />

higher potency in the<br />

kitchen. Enjoy the tan!<br />

“<br />

THERE ARE<br />

reports of dramatic<br />

increases in essential<br />

oil production by<br />

flowering crops grown<br />

under lightbulbs with<br />

higher UV output.”<br />

feature<br />

29


feature<br />

nutrient application systems<br />

by Dr. Lynette Morgan<br />

The application of a balanced nutrient solution to<br />

plant roots is a basic principle of hydroponic growing.<br />

Making this irrigation as efficient and effective as<br />

possible, however, is a little more complex.<br />

30<br />

feature


nutrient application systems<br />

Irrigation is a key component of hydroponic gardening and<br />

a common cause of concern for many indoor gardeners.<br />

Fortunately, the technology has come a long way since the<br />

early days of manual watering and gravity-fed systems.<br />

Today, there is a wide range of highly efficient and advanced<br />

nutrient delivery equipment available for even the smallest<br />

grower. Of course, ensuring nutrients flow at the optimal rate,<br />

frequency, and concentration are all dependent on using the<br />

correct delivery system. So, before you begin planting, give<br />

a little consideration to choosing suitable pumps, drippers,<br />

or emitters; matching up the correct irrigation method, and<br />

ensuring even pressure within hydroponic system.<br />

APPLICATION METHODS<br />

Different hydroponic systems employ a diverse range of<br />

nutrient delivery methods. Solution culture systems such as<br />

nutrient film technique (NFT) and deep flow technique (DFT)<br />

may appear to feature the simplest and straightforward<br />

methods of hydroponic nutrient application. Nutrient solution<br />

is continuously pumped to the top of each growing channel<br />

or trough, through which it flows past the roots and back to a<br />

central reservoir. However, factors such as nutrient flow rate,<br />

equalized delivery volumes to each growing channel, and<br />

control over EC and pH back at the reservoir all become part<br />

of the nutrient management system. Similar considerations—<br />

nutrient application frequency and volume—are required with<br />

ebb and flow systems.<br />

Drip irrigation, which is currently the most commonly<br />

used hydroponic nutrient delivery system, relies on even<br />

distribution of solution to each plant at the correct frequency;<br />

factors that are largely based on variables such as plant<br />

size, growing substrate properties, container volume and<br />

dimensions, and environmental conditions.<br />

Aeroponics requires nutrient to be delivered directly<br />

to the root system via the use of high-pressure misters<br />

or foggers, which may be intermittent or continuous.<br />

Overhead sprinklers are also still used in some greenhouse<br />

and outdoor systems, though they are not popular in indoor<br />

gardens due to the leaf wetness and inefficiency of nutrient<br />

distribution. The exception to this may be in propagation<br />

areas where high humidity is beneficial to prevent<br />

desiccation of clones while they form new roots.<br />

All these delivery systems need to be paired with a method<br />

of dosing or controlling the nutrient solution composition<br />

before it is applied to plants. Many indoor gardens are reliant<br />

on manual dosing to reach the correct EC and pH; however,<br />

automation of even small hydroponic systems is becoming<br />

increasingly popular.<br />

Nutrient delivery in a multi-level, movable channel system.<br />

Commercial nutrient dosing and delivery systems may be complex, but<br />

scaled down models are suitable for indoor gardens.<br />

“DRIP IRRIGATION, which is currently the<br />

most commonly used hydroponic nutrient delivery<br />

system, relies on even distribution of solution to<br />

each plant at the correct frequency.”<br />

32 feature


grow cycle<br />

33


nutrient application systems<br />

“CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS will<br />

either pump a small volume of water to<br />

a high delivery head or a large volume<br />

of water to a low head.”<br />

PUMPS<br />

Most NFT hydroponic systems utilize centrifugal pumps,<br />

which can produce a constant flow of nutrient solution<br />

rather than the pulsating flow associated with piston or<br />

diaphragm pumps. Centrifugal pumps will either pump<br />

a small volume of water to a high delivery head or a<br />

large volume of water to a low head. A delivery head is<br />

the highest point that the pump must push water to in a<br />

system. With NFT systems, the delivery head is the height<br />

measured from the surface of the nutrient solution in the<br />

reservoir to the top of the growing channels.<br />

To select the correct size of pump that will deliver the<br />

correct volume of nutrient solution, you need to determine<br />

the system’s delivery head height, flow rate in litres<br />

or gallons per minute, and—for basic NFT systems—the<br />

number of channels. (The standard rate of a basic NFT<br />

system is one litre per minute per channel.)<br />

These specifications can be listed on pump packaging<br />

either as a pump performance curve showing head capacity<br />

at different flow rates, or simply as flow rate at a set head<br />

height. Also, growers should be aware that pump capacity<br />

and flow rates tend to fall over time, and with increasing<br />

nutrient temperature. Allowing for future system expansion<br />

is always a good idea.<br />

DRIP IRRIGATION<br />

As mentioned above, drip irrigated hydroponics is the<br />

most commonly used method of nutrient application.<br />

These may be set up and run as either a batch feed or<br />

inline dosing system.<br />

Smaller indoor gardens often utilize batch feeding,<br />

in which a central tank containing several days’ worth<br />

of working-strength nutrient solution is made up and<br />

manually adjusted for EC and pH. This solution is irrigated<br />

onto the plants using a pump and timer or manually<br />

controlled by the grower as required. Batch feeding is easy<br />

to set up and run; however, time is required to mix up the<br />

working-strength solution every few days.<br />

Inline dosing is a more automated system widely used<br />

in commercial hydroponic operations. Also known as<br />

“fertigation” or “direct dilutor/injector systems”, inline<br />

dosing systems are installed on the main water supply. As<br />

water flows through, nutrient concentrates and pH control<br />

chemicals are directly dosed into the flow at the correct<br />

rate to obtain the EC and pH required for a crop. Inline<br />

injector systems may use several different designs for<br />

Adjustable flow emitter allows nutrient solution volume to be controlled<br />

separately for each plant.<br />

Ebb and flow nutrient application used on a seedling nursery bench system.<br />

NFT flow rates down each channel need to be uniform and at the<br />

correct volume.<br />

34 feature


MISTERS, DRIPPERS,<br />

AND EMITTERS<br />

Selecting the correct equipment<br />

for your nutrient delivery system<br />

is essential. Drippers, misters, and<br />

emitters are available in a range of<br />

flow rates and working pressures, and<br />

they are usually matched to a specific<br />

growing substrate and/or crop. Those<br />

with lower flow rates are typically<br />

used with coarser, freer draining<br />

substrates to slow the downward flow<br />

of nutrient and help uniformly wet<br />

the root zone. Pressure compensating<br />

name<br />

emitters allow for an even flow of<br />

nutrient to each plant in the system.<br />

Some dippers are designed to prevent<br />

unwanted leakage and solution loss<br />

between irrigations. Finally, indoor<br />

gardens that have a diverse range<br />

of plant sizes, maturity levels, and<br />

species on the same irrigation system<br />

are good candidates for adjustable<br />

flow rate drippers. These allow larger<br />

plants to receive higher flow rates than<br />

smaller plants on the same nutrient<br />

distribution system, and flow rates can<br />

increase as plants grow.<br />

eature<br />

drawing up and blending concentrated<br />

stock solutions and other additives to<br />

create this balanced nutrient solution.<br />

The advantage of this system is that it<br />

eliminates the need for a large central<br />

nutrient reservoir filled with workingstrength<br />

solution and dosage rates can<br />

be adjusted as required. It also reduces<br />

the amount of labour and time required<br />

to make up batch feeding tanks.<br />

In recirculating systems such as<br />

NFT, DFT, and float or pond systems,<br />

automatic controllers are often used<br />

to maintain the correct EC and pH<br />

level. These units use EC and pH<br />

probes permanently installed in the<br />

flow of nutrient to measure these<br />

parameters at regular intervals.<br />

When the controller senses a drop<br />

in EC, more stock solutions are automatically<br />

dosed into the nutrient<br />

flow until a feedback system determines<br />

the EC is at the correct level.<br />

Water top-ups are also automatically<br />

controlled to keep the tank volume<br />

consistent. While automatic controllers<br />

may seem like the ideal way to<br />

reduce time and labour in monitoring<br />

a nutrient solution, they can’t fully<br />

replace manual EC and pH checks as<br />

failures are known to occur occasionally,<br />

even in well-designed equipment.<br />

EC and pH probes also require<br />

frequent calibration and checking<br />

to ensure reliable monitoring and<br />

adjustment of the nutrient solution. In<br />

particular, pH probes have a limited<br />

lifespan and inaccurate readings<br />

from these can lead to crop damage<br />

and loss. That’s why automated<br />

doser units are reliant on correct and<br />

regular maintenance.<br />

feature<br />

35


feature<br />

nutrient name application systems<br />

DESIGN AND LAYOUT<br />

Layout also affects the distribution of<br />

nutrient solution to individual plants<br />

around a drip irrigation system. Drip<br />

systems may consist of either inline or<br />

microtube systems. Inline systems are<br />

more suited to large media beds where<br />

the emitters are directly attached to<br />

or embedded in the irrigation supply<br />

pipe, which runs down the centre of the<br />

bed. Microtube systems use tubing of a<br />

smaller diameter, which is installed into<br />

the lateral irrigation lines with emitters<br />

or drippers fixed on the end. Each plant<br />

or growing container can have one or<br />

two microtubes with emitters pegged<br />

into the substrate near the base of plant.<br />

Using microtubes allows a more uniform<br />

pressure at the emitters, provided the<br />

irrigation is correctly designed and has a<br />

pump of sufficient capacity.<br />

One of the main issues encountered<br />

by hydroponic growers is the differences<br />

in volume of nutrient solution<br />

received by plants in various parts<br />

of the drip system. Some plants may<br />

end up overwatered while others are<br />

constantly too dry, and these issues<br />

become difficult to remedy once<br />

the irrigation system is in place. To<br />

achieve uniform and constant nutrient<br />

flow rates to all emitters in the<br />

system, a ring or loop layout can be<br />

installed. This consists of emitters<br />

placed into lateral irrigation pipes<br />

connected at both ends to a ring main<br />

system, evening out the flow and<br />

pressure round an irrigation system.<br />

Each ring main is supplied by a main<br />

irrigation pipe running directly from<br />

a pump or pressure water supply.<br />

This largely prevents the issue of<br />

plants furthest away from the pump<br />

receiving the lowest volume of nutrient<br />

solution at each irrigation.<br />

Selecting the correct irrigation pipe<br />

diameter is an aspect of hydroponic<br />

system design that is often overlooked.<br />

The type, number, and flow rate of the<br />

irrigation emitters determine the size of<br />

irrigation lateral pipe needed in terms<br />

of flow rate and pressure required. As<br />

such, if the flow of nutrient appears too<br />

low from some emitters, it is often more<br />

effective to increase the diameter of the<br />

delivery pipes rather than invest in a<br />

more powerful pump. A large capacity<br />

pump will not compensate for irrigation<br />

pipes that are too small to carry the<br />

nutrient solution flow rate required.<br />

Float or raft systems may seem like a simple way<br />

to supply nutrient solution, but oxygenation, EC,<br />

and pH still need careful control.<br />

Growers setting up hydroponic systems<br />

for the first time or renovating an established<br />

indoor garden to improve nutrient<br />

management and delivery need to take<br />

solution flow and delivery into consideration.<br />

Under- or overwatering of individual<br />

plants, slow or insufficient flow rates<br />

in NFT systems, and inaccurate dosing<br />

can all be prevented with the correctly<br />

designed irrigation system.<br />

36 feature


38 grow cycle


grow cycle<br />

LED lighting metrics<br />

Fight<br />

for Your<br />

Lights:<br />

LED METRICS GROWERS<br />

NEED TO KNOW<br />

With horticultural LED lighting still in its<br />

infancy, there are a lack of clearly defined<br />

metrics that measure performance. Fluence<br />

Bioengineering’s Josh Gerovac points<br />

growers in the right direction to get the<br />

most out of their LED lights and better<br />

understand how they help plants grow.<br />

by Josh Gerovac<br />

40<br />

grow cycle


horticultural LED lighting<br />

The metrics used to quantify some<br />

horticulture lighting can be<br />

confusing at times. If you have been<br />

researching horticulture lighting<br />

systems, you have likely been<br />

bombarded with a variety of metrics<br />

that manufacturers use to market their<br />

products. Some terms and acronyms<br />

you are likely to see include watts,<br />

lumens, LUX, foot candles, PAR, PPF,<br />

and PPFD. While all of these terms are<br />

related to lighting, only a select few<br />

really tell you the important metrics<br />

of a horticulture lighting system.<br />

If you are looking to optimize your<br />

growing conditions or researching<br />

what lighting system is best for your<br />

operation, a firm grasp on the nuances<br />

of lighting metrics is the foundation to<br />

cultivation and financial success.<br />

Horticulture LED lighting technology<br />

is still in its infancy and there is an<br />

abundance of misinformation, unlike<br />

other industries that have established<br />

clearly defined metrics to assess the<br />

performance of a solution. Take, for<br />

example, the automotive industry. We<br />

all have a general understanding of<br />

horsepower, miles-per-gallon, and even<br />

torque. These are all critical metrics<br />

used to determine whether a vehicle<br />

can perform a specific application (i.e.<br />

towing a trailer or racing in a quartermile)<br />

and to evaluate options when<br />

looking to purchase a vehicle. Metrics<br />

in LED horticulture lighting should<br />

provide the same type of insight; they<br />

should accurately and consistently<br />

answer the questions, “Can this light<br />

perform the function needed, and,<br />

“ Horticulture LED lighting is still in its infancy and<br />

there is an abundance of misinformation, unlike other industries<br />

that have established clearly defined metrics to assess the<br />

performance of a solution.”<br />

more specifically, is it optimized?”<br />

While there is currently a lack of<br />

industry standards for LED lighting in<br />

horticulture—and some manufacturers<br />

take advantage of this by misreporting<br />

or inflating performance claims—many<br />

lighting companies in the industry are<br />

encouraging the implementation of<br />

formal industry standards to ensure<br />

performance claims can be verified.<br />

Lighting technologies like high<br />

pressure sodium and metal halide have<br />

had these standards in place for years.<br />

Still, the start to standardizing the<br />

answers to these LED performance<br />

questions is with a firm grasp on<br />

the metrics by which horticulture<br />

lighting is measured. While other<br />

measurements like the daily light<br />

integral are important, for the purpose<br />

of this article, we will focus on<br />

photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)<br />

and photosynthetic photon flux (PPF). It<br />

should also be mentioned that growers<br />

should not use a foot candle/LUX sensor<br />

when taking light measurements, since<br />

these follow the sensitivity curve of the<br />

human eye and give wrong information<br />

when comparing light sources with<br />

different spectrums. Instead, a quantum<br />

sensor, which is designed to follow the<br />

sensitivity curve of plants and measures<br />

the number of photons between 400 and<br />

700 nanometres (nm), should be used.<br />

Photosynthetically<br />

Active Radiation<br />

Let’s start with PAR. It’s s a much<br />

used, and often misused, term<br />

related to horticulture lighting. PAR<br />

is the spectrum of light (specifically<br />

400–700 nm, which are the primary<br />

wavelengths of light used to drive<br />

photosynthesis). Knowing the<br />

spectrum of a lighting system is<br />

extremely important and can easily<br />

be achieved by requesting a spectral<br />

power distribution chart from a<br />

lighting manufacturer (Fig. 1 & 2).<br />

Fig. 1: Spectral distribution chart of an LED system.<br />

42 grow cycle


Spectral distribution<br />

will have significant<br />

implications on the<br />

growth and development<br />

of plants, along with the<br />

overall energy efficiency<br />

of a lighting system.<br />

However, the amount of<br />

PAR delivered to a crop<br />

is an equally (if not more)<br />

important metric to focus<br />

on. Photosynthetic photon<br />

flux and photosynthetic<br />

photon flux density (PPFD)<br />

are two metrics used to<br />

measure the amount of PAR.<br />

Photosynthetic<br />

Photon Flux<br />

This measures the total<br />

amount of PAR that is<br />

produced by a lighting<br />

system each second. This<br />

measurement is best taken<br />

using a specialized instrument called<br />

an integrating sphere, which captures<br />

and measures essentially all photons<br />

emitted by a lighting system. The unit<br />

used to express PPF is micromoles<br />

per second (μmol/s). Photosynthetic<br />

photon flux is a very important metric<br />

if you want to be able to calculate<br />

how efficient a light is at converting<br />

electrical energy into photons of<br />

PAR. If the PPF of the light is known<br />

along with the input wattage, you can<br />

calculate how efficient a horticulture<br />

lighting system is at converting<br />

electrical energy into PAR. However, it<br />

is important to note that PPF does not<br />

tell you how much of the measured light<br />

actually arrives to the plant canopy.<br />

While it’s nice to know the PPF of a<br />

lighting system, PPF alone is often<br />

useless information to a grower.<br />

Photosynthetic Photon<br />

Flux Density<br />

Photosynthetic photon flux density<br />

measures the amount of PAR that<br />

actually arrives at the plant, or, as a<br />

scientist might say, “the number of<br />

photosynthetically active photons<br />

that fall on a given surface each<br />

second.” PPFD is a spot measurement<br />

of a specific location on your plant<br />

canopy, and it is measured in<br />

micromoles per square metre per<br />

second (μmol/m 2 /s). If you want to<br />

find out the true light intensity of a<br />

fixture over a designated growing<br />

area, it is important that the average<br />

of several PPFD measurements at a<br />

defined height (typically, the top<br />

of your crop canopy) are taken.<br />

Lighting companies that only<br />

publish the centre point PPFD<br />

directly below their lighting fixture<br />

grossly overestimate the true light<br />

intensity of a fixture. A single<br />

measurement does not tell you<br />

much, since horticulture lights are<br />

generally brightest in the centre,<br />

with light levels decreasing as<br />

measurements are taken towards<br />

the edges of a coverage area. It is<br />

easy for lighting manufacturers to<br />

manipulate PPFD data if buyers<br />

are not educated on the proper<br />

way to measure PPFD. To ensure<br />

you are getting accurate PPFD<br />

values over a defined growing<br />

area, the following needs to be<br />

published by the manufacturer: the<br />

maximum, minimum, and average<br />

measurement; measurement<br />

distance from light source (vertical<br />

and horizontal); number and<br />

location of measurements; and the<br />

min/max ratio if only an average<br />

PPFD is provided.<br />

“PPF” is commonly used to describe<br />

PPFD by academics in peerreviewed<br />

journals, and debate<br />

continues among plant scientists<br />

and engineers on which usage<br />

of the term is correct. One way to<br />

avoid ambiguity when reading a<br />

Fig. 2: Spectral distribution chart of an HPS lighting system.<br />

“ Understanding<br />

the correct<br />

metrics to use<br />

will not only allow you to<br />

make better purchasing<br />

decisions of horticulture<br />

lighting systems, but will<br />

ultimately make you a<br />

better grower. ”<br />

journal article or product brochure is<br />

to focus on the unit of measurement.<br />

If the unit includes m 2 , then the unit<br />

is referring to the light intensity at<br />

the surface of a plant canopy (PPFD).<br />

If m 2 is not included, then the unit is<br />

referring to the total PAR emitted from<br />

a light source (PPF). Understanding<br />

the correct metrics to use will not only<br />

allow you to make better purchasing<br />

decisions of horticulture lighting<br />

systems, but will ultimately make you<br />

a better grower.<br />

grow cycle<br />

43


grow cycle<br />

spring cleaning<br />

Get Your<br />

Grow Space<br />

Fresh and Clean for Spring<br />

With spring just around the corner, let Steve Cather<br />

give you some tips on what you can do to help your<br />

garden stay healthy and pest-free.<br />

While spring may be the proverbial<br />

season for cleaning, these helpful<br />

tips should become a regular part of your<br />

gardening regimen. Most issues can be<br />

traced to a failure in preventive measures<br />

that we may have become lazy about as<br />

the seasons while away. The effort you<br />

make now will pay dividends in the form<br />

of a healthy harvest.<br />

Sweep your floors regularly<br />

A common mistake made by indoor<br />

gardeners is allowing organic debris<br />

and material to accumulate in the space<br />

they use. These small bits of plant<br />

matter and soil attract and feed pests<br />

of all types. The ruinous and notorious<br />

spider mite is tiny by virtually any standard.<br />

A floor that is free of organic material<br />

is a wasteland to a bug. The journey<br />

to your garden is a marathon of epic<br />

proportions. If a mite doesn't find any<br />

sustenance on the way to the promised<br />

land, it will starve to death long before<br />

it reaches a suitable meal.<br />

Clean your plastics<br />

A plastic surface may seem non-porous<br />

and uninviting as a habitat. When that<br />

same plastic has a layer of slime, dirt,<br />

and nutrient salts adhered to it, the situation<br />

changes dramatically. Between<br />

crops, you have unlimited access to all<br />

parts of your system. Reservoirs and trays<br />

should be washed using a light hydrogen<br />

peroxide or bleach mixture. Three per<br />

cent hydrogen peroxide should be mixed<br />

1:1 with water. Bleach can be mixed at<br />

¼ cup bleach to one gallon of water.<br />

Wipe all surfaces and remove any accumulated<br />

material from the cracks and corners.<br />

Remove bulkheads and other fittings and<br />

soak or scrub them. Bulkheads are easily<br />

cleaned with a bleach water soak followed<br />

by a cycle through the dishwasher. Take<br />

your time and do it right. This is the cost of<br />

doing business.<br />

Clean your pumps<br />

An item many gardeners overlook is the<br />

common water pump. When cleaning your<br />

system, be certain you dismantle the pump<br />

inlet assembly and clean the components.<br />

The impeller on most aquarium-style pumps<br />

is removable and should be completely<br />

cleaned prior to reuse in the next cycle. Use<br />

paper towels and/or an old toothbrush to<br />

clean the cracks and corners. I'm not going<br />

to lie to you. It isn't a fun job. However,<br />

taking five to 10 minutes to dismantle and<br />

sanitize your pump will ensure proper operation<br />

throughout the coming cycle.<br />

Clean or replace your tubing<br />

Along with the pump cleaning you should<br />

begin a standard practice of cleaning your<br />

tubing as well. Short sections of tubing can<br />

be cleaned using a paper towel moistened<br />

with your bleach water solution. Using a<br />

coat hanger or a chopstick, you can push<br />

a wad of paper towel through the tubing<br />

to remove organic deposits that may have<br />

accumulated inside. If the prospect of this<br />

slave labour doesn't appeal to you then<br />

it may be time to pony up a few bucks to<br />

replace the tubing. Twenty dollars' worth of<br />

tubing goes a long way toward maintaining<br />

your sanity and the health of your garden.<br />

44 grow cycle


By Steve Cather<br />

Scrub your pots<br />

When was the last time you actually<br />

cleaned your pots? Most gardeners dump<br />

the dirt out and consider the container<br />

ready for reuse. Those used pots still<br />

hold organic material, nutrient salts, old<br />

soil, and possibly pests. A good blast<br />

with a garden hose is usually enough to<br />

restore them to a like-new condition. If<br />

the accumulation is more persistent, you<br />

may need to use a small brush to break<br />

the chunks loose. When using fabric<br />

pots, you may be best served by replacing<br />

them after two to three crops.<br />

Clean your glass<br />

You spent all that money on the latest<br />

and greatest equipment. Make it work for<br />

you at peak efficiency. If you have vented<br />

hoods with glass, you need to keep them<br />

clean. You're paying for the light. Make<br />

sure it reaches your plants. A layer of<br />

dust inside a light fixture can prevent<br />

that valuable light from reaching your<br />

leaves. Clean the glass inside and out at<br />

least every 90 days.<br />

Calibrate your pH meter<br />

That fancy pH meter you bought needs to<br />

be regularly maintained. If you haven't<br />

been consistent with calibrations, now<br />

is the time to correct that situation. If<br />

your meter isn't calibrated, those nutrient<br />

problems you have been battling will<br />

just continue to get worse. Correct pH<br />

is critical for healthy plants with strong<br />

defenses. Establish a routine of cleaning,<br />

calibration, and testing your meters.<br />

“<br />

Pre-planting and<br />

post-harvest are the<br />

best times to replace<br />

smoke detector<br />

batteries, check your<br />

carbon monoxide<br />

detectors, test your<br />

carbon dioxide<br />

regulators, sensors,<br />

and alarms for<br />

proper operation.”<br />

Test your safety equipment<br />

A safe garden feeds a safe gardener.<br />

Pre-planting and post-harvest are the<br />

best times to replace smoke detector<br />

batteries, check your carbon monoxide<br />

detectors, test your carbon dioxide<br />

regulators, sensors, and alarms for<br />

proper operation. Carbon dioxide can<br />

be dangerous. Don't cut corners on this<br />

equipment. Keep it in fine fettle so it will<br />

do the same for you.<br />

Clean or replace your filters<br />

If you use air conditioners, carbon filters,<br />

or water filters, now is the time to restore<br />

their efficiency and efficacy. A dirty<br />

water pump filter will reduce flow and<br />

may be a source of disease and disaster.<br />

Wash your water pump filters and<br />

check your filters often. I can't stress this<br />

enough. A carbon filter with a thick layer<br />

of dust on the pre-filter is not working as<br />

well as it could. Clean or replace your<br />

carbon scrubber pre-filter once per year.<br />

Spend the time now or do the time later.<br />

An ounce of prevention may just add up<br />

to a pound of cure.<br />

grow cycle<br />

45


grow cycle<br />

light title deprivation cultivation<br />

BACK BLACK:<br />

IN<br />

The Basics of Light Deprivation Cultivation<br />

by Kent Gruetzmacher<br />

Tricking your herbs, vegetables, or flowers into<br />

thinking harvest time is approaching through light<br />

deprivation can result in more frequent highquality<br />

yields. While becoming popular, light<br />

deprivation greenhouses take some dialing<br />

in. Kent Gruetzmacher sheds some light on<br />

the basics of blackout gardening.<br />

46 grow cycle


modern growing.<br />

<strong>Maximum</strong> <strong>Yield</strong> magazine covers topics such as hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics,<br />

and organics as well as greenhouse, small-space, container, urban and vertical growing. Each<br />

issue is focused on showing you how to reach your maximum yield with informative articles,<br />

the latest products and technologies, how-tos and tips and tricks from indoor growing experts.<br />

<strong>Maximum</strong> <strong>Yield</strong> is the longest running, industry leading, consumer uniting, grower informing,<br />

product showcasing, technology instructing, garden harvesting, print & digital magazine.<br />

maximumyield.com


light deprivation cultivation<br />

The popularity of light deprivation<br />

cultivation has been on the<br />

rise over the past few years. There<br />

are several reasons why, but key<br />

factors include higher-quality yields<br />

and off-season harvest times, allowing<br />

growers who utilize this method<br />

to supply the market with a particular<br />

product when others can’t. In light<br />

deprivation growing, horticulturalists<br />

use sunlight to fuel their gardens<br />

while simultaneously employing<br />

environmental controls not seen in<br />

traditional outdoor grow scenarios.<br />

This blend of cultivation styles allows<br />

light deprivation gardeners to combine<br />

their knowledge of indoor and outdoor<br />

growing to produce exceptional crops.<br />

Furthermore, light deprivation requires<br />

less electricity and allows for harvests<br />

during better weather.<br />

Plant Photoperiods<br />

The most definitive characteristic of<br />

light-deprivation cultivation is the<br />

artificial simulation of equal 12-hour<br />

light/dark photoperiods. Using light<br />

deprivation, cultivators seek to mimic<br />

the photoperiods of the late summer<br />

and early fall, which trigger plants<br />

to produce flowers. This idea of artificially<br />

induced flower periods represents<br />

a merging of outdoor and indoor<br />

growing methods. While indoor<br />

growers have timers that simulate<br />

night and day in a growroom, light<br />

deprivation growers must devise other<br />

means to black out the sunlight during<br />

the 12-hour dark period. It should be<br />

noted, however, that artificial light<br />

deprivation methods are only necessary<br />

in evening and morning in most<br />

areas. Exposing your plants to sunsets,<br />

moon rises, and the fresh air of<br />

summer nights will generally improve<br />

their quality. With that said, light<br />

deprivation enthusiasts must devise<br />

blackout systems that cover the entire<br />

canopy and exterior of their gardens to<br />

block all sunlight in the simulation of<br />

nighttime conditions.<br />

Frames, Hoop-houses,<br />

and Greenhouses<br />

No matter how sophisticated or<br />

simple cultivators wish to make<br />

their operations, all light deprivation<br />

crops require an exterior frame that<br />

supports a blackout system. There are<br />

three routes one can take in the creation<br />

of a framework: wood frames, hoophouses,<br />

and greenhouses. Gardeners can<br />

create wood frames by placing heavy<br />

wooden posts in cement at the ends of<br />

the garden. These wooden posts have<br />

heavy cables that support the tarp and<br />

allow for it to easily slide over the canopy<br />

of the garden. Secondly, PVC hoophouses<br />

can be constructed by pounding<br />

two-foot pieces of rebar into the ground<br />

at opposite ends of the garden and<br />

simply bending the PVC over the canopy<br />

and onto the rebar, forming a “hoop.”<br />

Finally, greenhouse kits and frames<br />

make excellent support over which<br />

to pull blackout tarps. Greenhouses<br />

provide growers with the ability to utilize<br />

more environmental controls than with<br />

wood frames and hoop-houses, and<br />

greenhouses have opaque walls as well<br />

as door systems, making them more<br />

attractive for privacy and security.<br />

Tarp Systems<br />

The sort of tarp-pulling system one<br />

chooses for a light deprivation operation<br />

will prove to be important for the<br />

duration of a flowering cycle. This is<br />

because the tarp has to be pulled over<br />

the entire canopy of the garden twice<br />

a day for an entire 55- to 70-day flower<br />

cycle. Therefore, light deprivation cultivators<br />

have to be present twice a day, for<br />

two months solid, to ensure this task is<br />

complete. In the novice operation, as seen<br />

with wooden frames and hoop-houses,<br />

it’s often possible to simply pull the tarp<br />

over the frame by hand or with the aid of<br />

ropes. To aid in this process, growers also<br />

devise pulley systems mounted on trees<br />

and wooden poles to help with getting<br />

a tarp over a large or tall frame system.<br />

Finally, greenhouse companies have<br />

designed a number of automated, less<br />

labour-intensive systems that black<br />

out daylight. These automated<br />

systems include motorized tarp<br />

pulley systems as well as<br />

large blinds that fold over<br />

on one another to create<br />

a completely dark<br />

environment.<br />

“<br />

THERE ARE THREE<br />

ROUTES ONE<br />

CAN TAKE IN THE<br />

CREATION OF A<br />

FRAMEWORK:<br />

WOOD FRAMES,<br />

HOOP-HOUSES, AND<br />

GREENHOUSES.”<br />

48 grow cycle


Airflow During the<br />

“Night” Period<br />

Regardless of the scope of a light deprivation<br />

operation, all cultivators need to<br />

consider airflow in their gardens when<br />

the tarp is pulled over the canopy during<br />

nighttime simulation. This is because<br />

the tarp hinders all airflow from outside<br />

the canopy, presenting challenges with<br />

humidity and subsequent issues with<br />

mold and mildew. To remedy these<br />

concerns, growers must employ intake<br />

and outtake fans similar to those found<br />

in indoor growrooms to ensure a steady<br />

exchange of air when the coverings are<br />

drawn. When choosing the size of inline<br />

fans for intakes and outtakes, gardeners<br />

should use similar considerations as seen<br />

with indoor growing. Exhaust fans should<br />

completely exchange the air in a light<br />

deprivation garden in five minutes or<br />

less. Depending on the size and the structure<br />

of a garden, intakes and outtakes<br />

can be mounted on the framing system or<br />

simply placed on the ground. However,<br />

for air to move efficiently, it’s essential<br />

that the ducting connected to these fans<br />

is long enough so that the ends are not<br />

covered by the tarp when it is pulled<br />

over the frame.<br />

Light deprivation greenhouses essentially<br />

signal plants that seasons are<br />

changing earlier than they actually are,<br />

so growers can manipulate their crops to<br />

produce more robust and frequent crops.<br />

Keep in mind that some plants react<br />

better to light deprivation methods than<br />

others, and that issues such as excessive<br />

heat or humidity, lack of oxygen to<br />

the roots, and pest infestations can be<br />

prohibitive. Once dialed in, however,<br />

light deprivation technology can be<br />

used to harvest early and often, particularly<br />

in late summer and early fall.<br />

grow cycle<br />

49


grow cycle<br />

microponics<br />

MICROPONICS<br />

CREATE A<br />

TINY ECOSYSTEM<br />

IN YOUR BACKYARD<br />

by Gary Donaldson<br />

Many growers have heard of<br />

aquaponics, which incorporates<br />

the use of fish and fish waste into<br />

a hydroponic system to both feed<br />

plants and offer a source of protein.<br />

Microponics takes this process to<br />

a whole new level, and Australian<br />

farmer Gary Donaldson, who coined<br />

the term in 2008, explains how.<br />

50 grow cycle


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microponics<br />

INTEGRATED FOOD PRODUCTION<br />

Integrated systems are always more<br />

than the sum of their parts. Integration,<br />

in a microfarming context, is essentially<br />

about value creation. An integrated food<br />

production system should provide for<br />

better quality, greater quantity, shorter<br />

timeframe, and lower cost.<br />

Aquaponics is the integration of fish<br />

and plants through the combination<br />

of recirculating aquaculture and<br />

hydroponics. Aquaponics is an example<br />

of integration on a small scale: the<br />

fish produce waste that is converted to<br />

plant nutrients, the plants take up the<br />

nutrients; and, in so doing, clean the<br />

water for the fish.<br />

Microponics is the integration of fish,<br />

plants, and microlivestock through<br />

the combination of recirculating<br />

aquaculture and other plant and<br />

animal production systems.<br />

We eat the fruit, vegetables, herbs,<br />

and fish from our aquaponics systems<br />

and the wastes from our kitchen go to<br />

the worms or black soldier fly larvae.<br />

The worms and larvae are then mixed<br />

with duckweed to become food for other<br />

microlivestock. In this simple model,<br />

there is no actual waste in a landfill<br />

sense. The so-called waste product of<br />

one organism becomes the feedstock<br />

for another. And the scope of integration<br />

doesn’t stop there. We can add other<br />

small livestock (like rabbits, chickens,<br />

quail, ducks, snails, and bees) and water<br />

gardening for edible plants like Chinese<br />

water chestnuts and water spinach.<br />

In this extended model of integration,<br />

we get fish, quail/chicken/duck meat<br />

and eggs, worm castings/tea, duckweed,<br />

vegetables, herbs, rabbits, skins,<br />

and honey. We also get pollination, pest<br />

control, cultivation, and weed removal.<br />

MICROPONICS ORIGINS<br />

The challenge when designing small<br />

integrated food production systems<br />

is to see every output as a resource,<br />

even waste body heat and expired<br />

carbon dioxide.<br />

When I first set out to describe a concept<br />

of small-scale integrated food production<br />

several years ago, I called it integrated<br />

backyard food production (IBFP).<br />

Like aquaponics, IBFP is a descendant<br />

of the integrated aquaculture work<br />

of the New Alchemist Institute.<br />

With its inclusion of microlivestock,<br />

however, IBFP has retained a more<br />

direct relationship with integrated<br />

aquaculture.<br />

“Integrated backyard food production”<br />

became too much of a mouthful, so<br />

in 2008, it became microponics. The<br />

name suggests its own origins—<br />

the combination of micro-farming,<br />

microlivestock, and aquaponics.<br />

When it comes to fish production,<br />

aquaponics and microponics both start<br />

off in the same place. A recirculating<br />

aquaculture system (RAS), or micro fish<br />

farm, is at the heart of both microponics<br />

and aquaponics.<br />

The connection of a plant-growing<br />

system to the RAS creates a simple<br />

aquaponic ecosystem that, because they<br />

are in the same water column, benefits<br />

both the fish and the plants.<br />

In the past 10 years or so, we’ve<br />

designed and built many aquaponics<br />

systems in which we’ve grown jade perch,<br />

barramundi, silver perch, and Murray<br />

cod. We’ve also experimented widely with<br />

hydroponic growing systems including<br />

nutrient film technique (NFT), raft culture,<br />

tray system, and satellite pots.<br />

52 grow cycle


The key advantage of aquaponics is that it<br />

offers a crop of fish for the same amount of<br />

water that it would otherwise take just to grow<br />

the plants also by feeding the fish, you feed<br />

the plants.<br />

The difference with microponics is that you<br />

can access that benefit regardless of the plant<br />

growing system.<br />

Square foot gardening (SFG), pioneered<br />

by American Mel Bartholomew, is as waterwise<br />

as any aquaponics system and just as<br />

productive when it comes to growing plants.<br />

Sheet mulching (as described by the late Bill<br />

Mollison and David Holmgren of permaculture<br />

fame) is a soil-based option that is both waterwise<br />

and very productive. We’ve used square<br />

foot gardens and raised sheet mulch beds in<br />

conjunction with our aquaponics systems.<br />

We also use the nutrient-rich water to irrigate<br />

several fruit and fodder trees.<br />

Our use of water is leveraged even further<br />

given that the water from our aquaponics<br />

systems comes from rainwater tanks.<br />

Rainwater is better for plants because it<br />

is free of toxic substances like chlorine<br />

or chloramines. The use of water from an<br />

aquaponics system to irrigate plants is<br />

also better for the fish. Any accumulation of<br />

suspended solids or nitrates is kept in check<br />

by regular replacement with fresh rainwater.<br />

While microponics is distinguished by its<br />

encouragement of a wider variety of plant<br />

growing systems, its principal point of<br />

difference is its integration of microlivestock<br />

and other organisms. The prevailing<br />

wisdom in science says that the greater<br />

the biodiversity in an ecosystem, the better<br />

it is—and that’s where microponics really<br />

distinguishes itself.<br />

MICROPONICS ELEMENTS<br />

Useful microponics organisms include:<br />

• Fruit, vegetables, and herbs<br />

• Freshwater fish and crayfish<br />

• Japanese quail for meat and eggs<br />

• Chickens for meat and eggs<br />

• Fruit and nut trees<br />

• Muscovies and other waterfowl<br />

• Bees<br />

• Aquatic plants—duckweed, azolla, water<br />

spinach, and Chinese water chestnuts<br />

• Fodder plants and trees—pigeon pea,<br />

amaranth, comfrey, chou moellier, tagasaste,<br />

and moringa<br />

grow cycle<br />

53


microponics<br />

• Live animal protein—black soldier<br />

fly larvae, feeder roaches, mealworms,<br />

and worms<br />

• Farmed rabbits<br />

• Snails<br />

• Mushrooms and fungi<br />

• Other forms of microlivestock—<br />

heritage breeds of goats, pigs, and<br />

sheep—even microcattle, such as<br />

the ancient Irish breed, the Dexter.<br />

APPLIED MICROPONICS<br />

Okay, so what does the integration look<br />

like on a practical level? Currently,<br />

we grow fish, vegetables, herbs, trees,<br />

Japanese quail, chickens, black soldier<br />

fly larvae, worms, and duckweed.<br />

Here’s how our microponic unit works:<br />

• The fish provide nutrients for plants<br />

(including duckweed) and the plants<br />

clean the water for the fish.<br />

• Plant residues and fish<br />

processing wastes are fed to<br />

black soldier fly larvae. The<br />

larvae are fed to fish, chickens,<br />

and quail.<br />

• The chicken and quail meat and<br />

eggs go to the kitchen and the<br />

viscera (guts) are fed to the black<br />

soldier fly larvae. The feathers are<br />

composted.<br />

• The castings from the larvae<br />

(which retain up to 50 per cent of<br />

their original protein level) and<br />

kitchen scraps are fed to worms.<br />

• The worm castings are mixed with<br />

compost and used as a soil conditioner<br />

for trees, vegetables, and<br />

fodder plants; the worms are fed to<br />

fish, chickens, and quail.<br />

• Chickens fertilize the trees and<br />

keep weeds at bay. They also eat<br />

spoiled fruit and the fruit fly larvae<br />

that it contains.<br />

• Other chickens and quail eat the<br />

fodder plants and provide manure<br />

(and eventually feathers and other<br />

processing wastes) for worms,<br />

black soldier fly larvae, and<br />

composting systems.<br />

The important thing about<br />

microponics is that there is no<br />

such thing as waste—everything<br />

becomes part of the nutrient cycle.<br />

Waste heat from chick brooders and<br />

lights (and even the waste body<br />

heat from animals or birds) can<br />

be used to modify environments<br />

in favour of other organisms.<br />

The scope of such integrations is<br />

limited only by one’s imagination.<br />

The integration of fish, plants,<br />

and microlivestock leverages the<br />

volume and quality of the food<br />

that we grow and it makes for a<br />

healthier and more resilient food<br />

production environment.<br />

Our goal is to put clean, fresh<br />

food on the dinner table, so we<br />

use what works best—for the<br />

fish, plants, microlivestock, and<br />

other organisms, and that’s what<br />

microponics is all about!<br />

54 grow cycle


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groundbreakers<br />

movers & shakers<br />

Good Green<br />

Earth Company<br />

BUSINESS NAME<br />

Good Green Earth Co.<br />

BUSINESS ADDRESS<br />

48 Dunnett Dr.<br />

Barrie, ON. L4N 0J6<br />

PHONE NUMBER(S)<br />

1-705-984-6208<br />

WEBSITE<br />

goodgreenearth.ca<br />

NUMBER OF YEARS<br />

DOING BUSINESS<br />

3<br />

With a focus on composting organic waste, Good Green<br />

Earth lives up to its name by using centuries-old sustainable<br />

biotechnology called bokashi, where beneficial microorganisms<br />

are used to compost organics, eliminate harmful pathogens<br />

naturally, and create healthy soil that produces strong,<br />

productive, disease-free plants. Company founder Gary Crowell<br />

explains the reasons behind starting Good Green Earth.<br />

How did your business get its start?<br />

It started out as a necessity to deal<br />

with our own home organic waste.<br />

We found that traditional composting<br />

wasn’t very effective and our organics<br />

green bin had its own inherent issues,<br />

including the smell and bugs. We<br />

began work on creating a product that<br />

would be specifically for the grower,<br />

using probiotic principles in soil and<br />

plants. The result is a living organic<br />

soil amendment that infuses the soil<br />

ecology with essential nutrients,<br />

vitamins, minerals, and beneficial<br />

microorganisms. We started<br />

marketing the Bokashi Compost<br />

System and Bokashi Culture Mix<br />

as a sustainable solution to the<br />

organic waste and landfill problems,<br />

while at the same time creating a<br />

premium compost. In the beginning,<br />

we started out small, working out<br />

of the home, producing the mix in<br />

the garage, and then moved out to<br />

the farm where there was a lot more<br />

room and resources.<br />

56 groundbreakers


with no foul odours or bugs. This rich<br />

compost has twice the nutrient value and<br />

moisture of traditional compost, with<br />

none of the inherent issues associated<br />

with regular compost.<br />

What makes your products unique?<br />

We produce the only probiotic bio-intensive<br />

soil amendment in Canada. We inoculate<br />

non-GMO <strong>Canadian</strong> wheat bran<br />

with beneficial microbes, add a plethora<br />

of vitamins, minerals, organic whole<br />

food complex, amino acids, and special<br />

agri-minerals mined in northern Ontario<br />

and then put the mix through a unique<br />

fermentation process. The end product<br />

is a true living, organic, soil amendment<br />

that can be used with organic or<br />

conventional growing methods. Bokashi<br />

PRO-GRO actually kills pathogens and<br />

coliforms in the soil and plants as well<br />

as create a density of nutrients and<br />

minerals that is absent in most soils and<br />

in all soilless mediums. This product can<br />

be used through all stages of growth,<br />

from rooted clone, vegging, through to<br />

flowering cycles. It can also be used with<br />

synthetic nutes and will cut down on<br />

fertilizer usage. It also has applications<br />

in a soil mix, as a top dressing, or as a<br />

tea and foliar spray. The run-off is highly<br />

beneficial to the environment.<br />

How has the business evolved over the<br />

years and where do you distribute?<br />

We recently partnered with Home<br />

Hardware to market our Bokashi<br />

Compost Systems and Bokashi Plus<br />

Culture mix nationwide under the My<br />

Good Green Garden product line, and<br />

we currently sell our products through<br />

Homegrown Hydroponics and online<br />

atgoodgreenearth.ca<br />

Where do you see the<br />

company in 10 years?<br />

We expect to scale up our Bokashi<br />

composting sector to include institutional<br />

and commercial organic waste<br />

programs. We want to be a leader in the<br />

probiotic gardening products community<br />

and educate the public on how to get<br />

back to growing our medicine and food<br />

the way it is meant to be done. We want<br />

to put back into the soil what we take<br />

out, leaving no negative mark of our<br />

existence on this good green Earth.<br />

What is your company’s philosophy?<br />

To provide an environmentally<br />

sustainable alternative to chemicals,<br />

pesticides, and toxins, and to regenerate<br />

our soils with all the essential elements<br />

necessary to create and sustain a<br />

strong, productive, disease-free garden.<br />

We continue to strive to find new<br />

solutions to today's problems with<br />

regards to our air, soil, and water.<br />

Briefly summarize the products<br />

you manufacture.<br />

Bokashi PRO-GRO is a living, organic,<br />

fermented, soil amendment that builds<br />

a strong disease- and pest-free soil<br />

food web, resulting in strong, productive<br />

plants. Bokashi Plus Culture mix is<br />

a probiotic soil amendment, compost<br />

accelerator, and natural odour control<br />

using beneficial microbes in a fermented<br />

wheat bran base. Bokashi Compost<br />

System turns all food scraps, including<br />

meats, cheese, and small bones into<br />

nutrient-rich compost within weeks<br />

This rich compost<br />

has twice the nutrient<br />

value and moisture of<br />

traditional compost,<br />

with none of the<br />

inherent issues<br />

associated with<br />

regular compost.”<br />

groundbreakers<br />

57


groundbreakers<br />

you tell us<br />

Dr. Earth<br />

PO Box 460 Winters, CA 95694<br />

1-707-448-4676<br />

drearth.com<br />

26 Years in Business<br />

“A Chance to Change the World”<br />

Among the first companies to merge probiotics<br />

with organic products, Dr. Earth’s strength lies in its<br />

ability to innovate, create a family of manufacturers,<br />

and use existing relationships to grow together.<br />

The company owns three federal patents and<br />

manufactures a complete line of organic fertilizers—<br />

both dry and liquid —soils, controls, fungicides, and<br />

OMRI-Listed weed killers. Based in California, they<br />

now distribute in every US state and employ a staff<br />

of 122. Founder and CEO Milo Shammas explains<br />

how Dr. Earth has been expanding over three<br />

decades and what lies at the heart of their success.<br />

What did you and your partners do<br />

before starting this company?<br />

I founded the company when I was 25 years old in Los<br />

Angeles, California. I worked in multiple industries prior<br />

to Dr. Earth, including construction of custom homes with<br />

my older brother as an architect and general contractor.<br />

I worked in landscape installation during these<br />

construction jobs. I also worked both in front and behind<br />

the camera whenever I could, as I grew up with all the<br />

major studios within walking distance from my home.<br />

How did you get into this industry?<br />

I was an organic gardener when I was seven years old<br />

and took botany when I was 12 years old, while in<br />

Grade 7. I loved plants and loved to grow them. I came up<br />

with a fertilizer idea, which was to add living organisms<br />

to organic fertilizers to make them work. And they did;<br />

by the time I was 27 years old, I had single-handedly<br />

changed the face of the lawn and garden industry.<br />

What were the start-up years like?<br />

Hard, exciting, full of promise. I was terrified and<br />

had to beg, borrow, and work with what I had. I never<br />

expected anything and everything was difficult<br />

because it was new and I had no one to help me. Some<br />

of my struggles included paying the bills and dealing<br />

with regulations at the city, county, and state level.<br />

That was the hardest. I asked as many people as I<br />

could for advice how to overcome these challenges.<br />

I was in desperate need of a mentor with experience.<br />

58 groundbreakers


How many people were employed<br />

by the company at the beginning?<br />

In the first 18 months, it was just me and some migrant workers<br />

I hired to help hand blend the fertilizers in my parents’<br />

backyard until I could afford to rent a building in downtown<br />

L.A. They also helped me formulate, buy, sell, clean, and cook.<br />

What did you first produce?<br />

Organic 7 all-purpose fertilizer. One product in one size.<br />

How did you gain market share<br />

and recognition?<br />

I traveled all over America alone and gave product knowledge<br />

meetings to as many retail locations as I could. I stayed on the<br />

road, sometimes three weeks at a time, to teach everyone that<br />

living organics were the future. It was hard and a daily battle,<br />

but after about eight years, I gained validation and respect<br />

for my work because several knock-off companies copied my<br />

work, which gave me instant credibility.<br />

What are some of your proudest moments?<br />

When I was named the man that revolutionized the organic<br />

industry by IGC Magazine and was featured on the front<br />

cover, and when I wrote and got to hold the first copy of<br />

my first book (Healthy Garden Healthy You). I was also<br />

randomly invited to a backyard party once and saw<br />

Dr. Earth fertilizer in their shed and introduced myself.<br />

“ IT IS ONE OF THE most exciting<br />

and fulfilling feelings anyone can<br />

ever have because the company<br />

becomes a living part of you.”<br />

What significant things have you learned<br />

so far about the industry?<br />

It is the kindest industry, full of loving and caring people.<br />

People that love plants are generally very good people.<br />

I love our industry and am very proud to be a part of it.<br />

What have you learned about starting<br />

and growing a company?<br />

It is one of the most exciting and fulfilling feelings anyone can<br />

ever have because the company becomes a living part of you.<br />

You nourish it every day, you care for it, you feed it, you love it,<br />

it is like your child and one of the most important things to you.<br />

It’s the greatest feeling ever.<br />

What words of wisdom can you share<br />

about the business, the industry,<br />

or the future of the industry?<br />

Keep on the path of innovation with a sustainable stance.<br />

Share your favourite story from a day on the job.<br />

Being filled with organic fertilizer dust from head to toe<br />

because it’s all you have, with a few shovels and particle<br />

masks. Doing things the old-fashioned way.<br />

What makes your employees great?<br />

How does your team bond?<br />

They communicate regularly, they trust each other,<br />

they respect each other, they care about each other,<br />

and we are a family.<br />

groundbreakers<br />

59


THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS<br />

Grow. Heal. Live. Enjoy.<br />

MODERN GROWING


EXPERIENCE<br />

THE FUTURE<br />

OF GROWING<br />

SAN JOSE, CA<br />

<strong>June</strong> 3-4, <strong>2017</strong><br />

San Jose McEnery<br />

Convention Center<br />

DETROIT, MI<br />

Sep 30-Oct 1, <strong>2017</strong><br />

Cobo Center<br />

mygrowx.com | #growx<strong>2017</strong>


groundbreakers<br />

max mart<br />

62 groundbreakers


groundbreakers<br />

63


groundbreakers<br />

max mart<br />

visit us<br />

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your ad could be here.<br />

distributors<br />

retail stores listed alphabetically<br />

by city in each province<br />

ALBERTA<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

IncrediGrow Garden Centre<br />

103-7500 MacLeod Trail SE<br />

CALGARY, AB T2H 0L9<br />

403-255-0740<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Quick Grow<br />

1-1204 Edmonton Trail Rd. NE<br />

CALGARY, AB T2E 3K5<br />

877-426-4769<br />

Twins Greenhouse<br />

13 - 2235 30th Ave., NE<br />

CALGARY, AB T2C 7C7<br />

403-273-2881<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Hydro-Lite<br />

12249 Fort Rd.<br />

EDMONTON, AB T5B 4H7<br />

780-477-7860<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Niloc Wholesale Inc.<br />

Box 82008 Yellowbird RPO<br />

EDMONTON, AB T6J 7E6<br />

780-885-4769<br />

T & T Hydroponic<br />

14925 112 Ave. NW<br />

EDMONTON, AB T5M 2V6<br />

780-452-9868<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Northern Lights<br />

Indoor Gardening Centre<br />

10108 100th Ave.<br />

GRANDE PRAIRIE, AB T8V 0V5<br />

780-538-3277<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

The Grow Zone<br />

6831-52 Ave.<br />

RED DEER, AB T4N 4L2<br />

403-356-9663<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

BRITISH<br />

COLUMBIA<br />

Interior Gardener’s Supply<br />

221 - 1 McDermid Rd., Box 1779<br />

100 MILE HOUSE, BC V0K 2E0<br />

250-395-3399<br />

TLC Hydroponics and Garden<br />

Supplies<br />

3395 Okanagan St. PO Box #543<br />

ARMSTRONG, BC V0E 1B0<br />

250-546-9391<br />

Jon’s Plant Factory<br />

3925 E. Hastings St.<br />

BURNABY, BC V5C 2H8<br />

604-294-3000<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Sun Beam Central<br />

3444 River Rd.<br />

CHEMAINUS, BC V0R 1K4<br />

250-246-1379<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Valley Indoor<br />

Greenhouse Supplies<br />

103 - 44195 Yale Rd. West<br />

CHILLIWACK, BC V2R 4H2<br />

877-702-1169<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Sundogz Garden Supply<br />

1824 Alberni Hwy.<br />

COOMBS, BC V0R 1M0<br />

250-954-2046<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Art Knapp<br />

2855 Wentworth Rd.<br />

COURTENAY, BC V9N 6B7<br />

250-334-3024<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Progressive Growth<br />

2459 Cousins Ave.<br />

COURTENAY, BC V9N 3N6<br />

250-334-8425<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Top Crop Garden,<br />

Farm & Pet<br />

2101 Cranbrook St. N<br />

CRANBROOK, BC V1C 5M6<br />

250-489-4555<br />

Sunset Seed Company<br />

1628 Canyon St.<br />

CRESTON, BC V0B 1G0<br />

250-428-4614<br />

Cowichan Hydroponic Supplies<br />

4 - 2955 Jacob Rd.<br />

DUNCAN, BC V9L 6W4<br />

250-746-0244<br />

Duncan Plants & Ponics<br />

6512 Bell McKinnon Rd.<br />

DUNCAN, BC V9L 6C1<br />

250-746-5591<br />

Green Island Joe's<br />

Garden Supply<br />

994 Errington Rd., Unit 4<br />

ERRINGTON, BC V0R1V0<br />

250-586-2000<br />

Sunshine Gardens<br />

Greenhouse Superstore<br />

5 - 1744 Kelly Douglas Rd.<br />

KAMLOOPS, BC V2C 5S4<br />

877-372-2270<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Clearoma Industries<br />

P.O. Box 2627 Stn R.<br />

KELOWNA, BC V1X 6A7<br />

250-763-0056<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Pacific Northwest<br />

Garden Supply -Kelowna<br />

Unit C1 - 1810 Kyle Ct.<br />

KELOWNA, BC V1Z 3Z4<br />

250-769-4791<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Quick Grow Indoor<br />

Garden Center<br />

1945 Kirschner Rd.<br />

KELOWNA, BC V1Y 4N7<br />

250-861-3434<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Green Earth Garden Supplies<br />

5654 Production Way.<br />

LANGLEY, BC V3A 4N4<br />

604-532-7106<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

GreenStar Plant Products Inc.<br />

9430 198 St. LANGLEY, BC V1M 3C8<br />

604-882-7699<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

OK Garden Supply<br />

104 - 5498 267th St.<br />

LANGLEY, BC V4W 3S8<br />

604 607 7263<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Pacific Western<br />

Garden Supplies<br />

5785 203A St.<br />

LANGLEY, BC V3A 1W7<br />

604-510-4839; 778-898-5888<br />

Excel Air Systems<br />

200 - <strong>2017</strong>0 Stewart Cres.<br />

MAPLE RIDGE, BC V2X 0T4<br />

604-728-0757<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Pacific Northwest Garden<br />

Supply - Maple Ridge<br />

109 - 20110 Lougheed Hwy.<br />

MAPLE RIDGE, BC V2X 2P7<br />

604-465-4768<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Planting Plus Greenhouse<br />

Supplies and Hardware<br />

Unit 2 - 23382 River Rd.<br />

MAPLE RIDGE, BC V2X 3J2<br />

604-466-5949<br />

Triple Tree Nurseryland<br />

20503 Lougheed Hwy.<br />

MAPLE RIDGE, BC V2X 2P9<br />

604-465-9313<br />

Gro Green Garden Supply<br />

7260 Park St.<br />

MISSION, BC V2V 6G8<br />

604-814-4345<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

check out the all-new<br />

maximumyield.com<br />

Hygro Gardening Supplies Inc.<br />

1791 Tamarac St.<br />

CAMPBELL RIVER, BC V9W 5Y7<br />

250-286-0424<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

<strong>Canadian</strong> Garden Supply<br />

1730 Hwy. 3<br />

CASTLEGAR, BC V1N 4W1<br />

250-304-2911<br />

---------------------------------------------<br />

West Coast Hydroponic<br />

Garden Shop<br />

113 - 805 Notre Dame<br />

KAMLOOPS, BC V2C 5N8<br />

250-851-2992<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Aqua Gro Hydroponics<br />

Supplies<br />

Suite 101 2689 Kyle Rd.<br />

KELOWNA, BC V1Z 2M9<br />

250-769-7745<br />

Better Than Nature Kelowna<br />

207 Asher Rd.<br />

KELOWNA, BC V1X 3H5<br />

250-868-8978<br />

Pacific Northwest<br />

Garden Supply - Mission<br />

#5-33111 London Ave.<br />

MISSION, BC V2V 4P9<br />

604-820-8815<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Hub City Hydroponics<br />

105-50 Tenth St.<br />

NANAIMO, BC V9R 6L1<br />

250 591 8150<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

64 groundbreakers


distributors<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Progressive Growth<br />

41 - 1925 Bowen Rd.<br />

NANAIMO, BC V9S 1H1<br />

800-405-4769<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Tridon Hydroponics<br />

12 - 1708 Bowen Rd.<br />

NANAIMO, BC V9S 1G9<br />

250-755-1900<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Pacific Northwest<br />

Garden Supply - Nelson<br />

Unit 14- 104 Silica St.<br />

NELSON, BC V1L 4M1<br />

250-354-4767<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Buckerfields<br />

587 Alberni Hwy.<br />

PARKSVILLE, BC V9P 1J9<br />

250-248-3243<br />

Better Than Nature Penticton<br />

101 - 78 Industrial Ave., West<br />

PENTICTON, BC V2A 6M2<br />

250-770-8978<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Aurora Lighting and Sales<br />

750 3rd Ave.<br />

PRINCE GEORGE, BC V2L 3C5<br />

250-564-9888<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Grow King Hydroponics<br />

& Gardening Ltd.<br />

833 4th St.<br />

PRINCE GEORGE, BC V2L 3H5<br />

250 612 5173<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

PG2<br />

1798 Nicholson St.<br />

PRINCE GEORGE, BC V2N 1V6<br />

250-612-4769; 1-888-817-4769<br />

Spruce Capital Feeds<br />

1694 Quinn St.<br />

PRINCE GEORGE, BC V2N 1X3<br />

250-564-6010<br />

Omega Garden Inc.<br />

1695 Peligren Pl.<br />

QUALICUM BEACH, BC V9K 2S3<br />

250-752-1301; 888 976 6342<br />

Garden Effects<br />

200-2288 #5 Rd.<br />

RICHMOND, BC V6X 2T1<br />

604-214-6620<br />

Natural Choice<br />

Garden Centre, The<br />

5500 48th Ave., SE<br />

SALMON ARM, BC V1E 1X2<br />

250-832-7151<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

-------<br />

S.A. Ecoline Products Ltd.<br />

5671 Auto Rd., SE<br />

SALMON ARM, BC V1E 4S1<br />

250-833-4769<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Nico’s Nurseryland<br />

830 - 28th St., NE<br />

SALMON ARM, BC V1E 2S7<br />

250-804-2004<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Suncoast Hydroponics<br />

#101-1862 Cosyan Pl.<br />

SECHELT, BC V0N 3A1<br />

604-885-6661<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Pacific Northwest<br />

Garden Supply - Squamish<br />

#101-39279 Queens Way<br />

SQUAMISH, BC V8B 0T5<br />

604-567-2227<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Coast Pet & Plant Supplies<br />

Unit 6 12342 83A Ave.<br />

SURREY, BC V3W 0L6<br />

604-599-1778<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

PK Garden Wholesale<br />

108 - 18760 96th Ave.<br />

SURREY, BC V4N 3P9<br />

604-888-2499<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Pacific Northwest<br />

Garden Supply -Surrey<br />

15374-103A Ave.<br />

SURREY, BC V3R 7A2<br />

604-588-4769; 800-443-4769<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

BN Garden Supply<br />

4493 Boundary Rd.<br />

VANCOUVER, BC V5R 2N3<br />

604-431-2977<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Pacific Northwest<br />

Garden Supply - Vancouver<br />

1772 Renfrew St.<br />

VANCOUVER, BC V5M 3H8<br />

604-254-4765<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

U-Grow Garden Supplies<br />

8265 Main St.<br />

VANCOUVER, BC V5X 3L7<br />

604-880-1111<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Fraser Valley Greenhouse<br />

Supplies Ltd.<br />

45653 Lark Rd.<br />

VEDDER CROSSING, BC V2R 3N7<br />

fraservalleygreenhouse.com<br />

604-858-0455<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Advanced Garden Supplies<br />

7979 Aspen Rd.<br />

VERNON, BC V1B 3M9<br />

250-545-9545<br />

AJs Pets & Things<br />

3219 - 31st Ave.<br />

VERNON, BC V1T 2H2<br />

250-549-3222<br />

Better Than Nature Vernon<br />

506 25th Ave.<br />

VERNON, BC V1T 1P4<br />

250-260-4466<br />

Northern Lights Greenspace<br />

3 - 2706 45th Ave.<br />

VERNON, BC V1T 3N4<br />

250-558-4757<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

OK Garden Supply<br />

12-4601 23rd St.<br />

VERNON, BC V1T 4K7<br />

778-475-6075<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Mr. Fertilizer<br />

9 Burnside Rd., West<br />

VICTORIA, BC V9A 1B2<br />

250-381-4644<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Progressive Growth<br />

Unit #111-1790 Island Hwy.<br />

VICTORIA, BC V9B 1H5<br />

250-391-9519<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Good Guys Gardening Center<br />

250 Mackenzie Ave. South<br />

WILLIAMS LAKE, BC V2G 1C6<br />

250-392-2069<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Halls Organics Inc.<br />

107 Falcon Rd.<br />

WILLIAMS LAKE, BC V2G 5G7<br />

250-398-2899<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

MANITOBA<br />

Better Than Nature Winnipeg<br />

414 Gertrude Ave.<br />

WINNIPEG, MB R3L 1Y8<br />

204-453-3032<br />

Gro Pro International<br />

Hydroponics<br />

101-904 Porthee Ave.<br />

WINNIPEG, MB R3G 0P4<br />

204-956-1389<br />

Kleen Gro Hydroponics<br />

218 Osbourne St. South<br />

WINNIPEG, MB R3L 1Z3<br />

204-475-7096<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

My Two Sons<br />

2 - 2055 McPhillips St.<br />

WINNIPEG, MB R2Y 3C6<br />

204-339-3489<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Ready Set Grow!<br />

375 Henderson Hwy.<br />

WINNIPEG, MB R3C 2H2<br />

204-668-GROW<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

NEW BRUNSWICK<br />

<strong>Canadian</strong> Green Products<br />

811 Central St.<br />

CENTERVILLE, NB E7K 2B9<br />

506-276-3555<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Dieppe Hydroponics<br />

988 Champlain St. Door #3<br />

DIEPPE, NB E18 1P8<br />

506-384-4769<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Scott’s Nursery Ltd.<br />

2192 Route 102 Hwy.<br />

LINCOLN, NB E3B 8N1<br />

506-458-9208<br />

Atlantic Hydroponics<br />

& Greenhouses Inc.<br />

42 Brandon St.<br />

MONCTON, NB E1C 7E8<br />

506-858-0158<br />

Jardins Notik Gardens<br />

798 Gray Rd.<br />

ST. CHARLES, NB E4W 4N9<br />

506-876-9100<br />

NOVA SCOTIA<br />

Mmad Hydroponics<br />

4400 Second Division Rd.<br />

DIGBY CO, NS B0W1M0<br />

902-778-1922<br />

Sweetleaf Smoke Shop<br />

and Hydroponics<br />

3132 Isleville St.<br />

HALIFAX, NS B3K 3Y2<br />

902-454-6646<br />

Steve’s Hydroponics<br />

Equipment<br />

501 Sackville Dr.<br />

LOWER SACKVILLE, NS B4C 2S1<br />

902-865-7764<br />

Greenfield Grow & Brew<br />

69 Wilson Mountain Rd.<br />

MURRAY SIDING, NS B6L 4N7<br />

902-897-6568<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Lahave Street Hydroponics<br />

8927 Commerical St.<br />

NEW MINAS, NS B4N 3E1<br />

902-681-4770<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Lahave Street Hydroponics<br />

2304 Highway 325<br />

OAKHILL, NS B4V 0E6<br />

902-541-GROW (4769)<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Howie’s Happy Hydroponics<br />

41 Fourth St.<br />

TRENTON, NS B0K 1X0<br />

902-755-3333<br />

ONTARIO<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

A World of Green Hydroponics<br />

& Gardening Supplies<br />

19 Church St. N. Unit C<br />

ALLISTON, ON L9R 1L6<br />

705-434-9669<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

<strong>Canadian</strong> Hydrogardens Ltd.<br />

1330 Sandhill Dr.<br />

ANCASTER, ON L9G 4V5<br />

905 648 1801<br />

Homegrown Hydroponics Inc.<br />

521 Dunlop St. West<br />

BARRIE, ON L4N 9W4<br />

705-721-8715<br />

BMA Hydroponics<br />

404A Maitland Dr., Unit 2<br />

BELLEVILLE, ON K8N 4Z5<br />

613-967-9888<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Growers Paradise<br />

40 Regan Rd. Unit 11<br />

BRAMPTON, ON L7A1B2<br />

905-495-4040<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Homegrown<br />

Hydroponics Inc.<br />

79 Woolwich St. South<br />

BRESLAU, ON N0B 1M0<br />

519-648-2374<br />

Agrogreen Canada Inc.<br />

1938 Hwy. #20, RR#1<br />

FONTHILL, ON L0S 1E6<br />

866-650-1136<br />

Bob’s Grow Mart<br />

2255 Hwy 20<br />

FONTHILL, ON L0S 1E6<br />

905-892-2121<br />

Diatomite Canada<br />

1938 Hwy. #20, RR#1<br />

FONTHILL, ON L0S 1E6<br />

866-650-1136<br />

Northern Lights<br />

Green Supply<br />

1938 Hwy. 20 (at 406), RR 1<br />

FONTHILL, ON L0S 1E6<br />

905-892-3743<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Brite-Lite Indoor<br />

Garden Centre<br />

1677 Cyrville Rd.,<br />

Meadowbrooke Plaza<br />

GLOUCESTER, ON K1B 3L7<br />

613-842-8999<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Happy Hydroponics<br />

68 Princess St.<br />

HAMILTON, ON L8L 3K9<br />

905-545-8434<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Kingston Organics and<br />

Hydroponics<br />

1093 John Counter Blvd.<br />

KINGSTON, ON K7K 6C7<br />

(613) 542-9991<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Brite-Lite Indoor<br />

Garden Centre<br />

6-1659 Victoria St. N<br />

KITCHENER, ON N2B 3E6<br />

888-670-0611<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Indoor Gardener<br />

4093 Meadowbrook Drive,<br />

Unit 117 London, ON N6L 1G2<br />

519-652-4224<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Best of Hydroponics<br />

360 Richmond St.<br />

LONDON, ON N6A 3C3<br />

519-858-1533<br />

Ontario Growers Supply<br />

1 Adelaide St., North<br />

LONDON, ON N6B 3P8<br />

519-451-4769<br />

Markham Hydroponics<br />

95 Royal Crest Ct. 18<br />

MARKHAM, ON L3R 9X5<br />

905-305-0698<br />

Iponic Zone<br />

151 Brunel Rd., Unit 24<br />

MISSISSAUGA, ON L4Z 2H6<br />

905-502-7211<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Second Nature Hydroponics<br />

4 - 2133 Royal Windsor Dr.<br />

MISSISSAUGA, ON L5J 1K5<br />

905-403-4769<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

<strong>Yield</strong> of Dreams Hydroponics<br />

559 Steven Ct. 12<br />

NEWMARKET, ON L3Y 6Z3<br />

877-778-7960<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Green Kingdom Hemp<br />

1103 Cassells St.<br />

NORTH BAY, ON P1B 4B3<br />

705-494-7169<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Supply For You<br />

3615 Weston Rd., Unit 6<br />

NORTH YORK, ON M9L 1V8<br />

416-741-8062<br />

Koolie K. Hydroponics<br />

25 James St. W. Unit 3<br />

ORILLA, ON L3V8A6<br />

705-896-7227<br />

Paradise Gardens<br />

Hydroponics<br />

2158 Chiefswood Rd.<br />

OSHWEKEN, ON N0A 1M0<br />

519-445-2275<br />

B&B Hydroponic<br />

Gardens Inc.<br />

3326 Limebank Rd., Unit #4<br />

OTTAWA, ON K1V 1H2<br />

613-723-5047<br />

Hydro Culture<br />

Emporium Inc.<br />

7-1315 Richmond Rd.<br />

OTTAWA, ON K2B 8J7<br />

613-715-9472<br />

Envirotex<br />

PO Box 21069<br />

PARIS, ON N3L 4A5<br />

519-442-1237<br />

Kawartha Garden Shop<br />

724 Erskine Ave. Unit 2<br />

PETERBOROUGH, ON K9J 5T9<br />

705-775-2002<br />

Peterborough<br />

Hydroponic Center<br />

32-347 Pido Rd.<br />

PETERBOROUGH, ON K9J 6X7<br />

705-745-6868<br />

Sweet Hydroponic Gardens<br />

776 Bruce St.<br />

RENFREW, ON K7V 3Z8<br />

613-433-9600<br />

Bluewater Hydroponics<br />

12-1173 Michener Rd.<br />

SARNIA, ON N7S 5G5<br />

519-337-7475<br />

Indoor Gardens Canada<br />

2952 Thompson Rd.<br />

SMITHVILLE, ON L0R 2A0<br />

905-957-6969<br />

Green And Clean<br />

761 Barrydowne Rd.<br />

SUDBURY, ON P3A 3T6<br />

800-246-5503<br />

Greenthumbs Garden Supply<br />

338 Kingston Rd.<br />

TORONTO, ON M4L 1T7<br />

647-345-GROW (4769)<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

grow it all<br />

hydroponics for everyone<br />

Grow It All Hydroponics Inc.<br />

165 Geary Ave., Unit 3B<br />

TORONTO, ON M6H 2B8<br />

416-588-9595<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Homegrown Hydroponics Inc.<br />

26 Meteor Dr.<br />

TORONTO, ON M9W 1A4<br />

416-242-4769<br />

Toronto Hemp Company<br />

665 Yonge St.<br />

TORONTO, ON M4Y 1Z9<br />

416-920-1980<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Indoor Farmer<br />

10 Wyman Rd., Unit 4<br />

WATERLOO, ON N2V 1K7<br />

519-886-9200<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Grower’s Choice<br />

Hydroponics<br />

1621 McEwen Dr. 14<br />

WHITBY, ON L1N 9A5<br />

905-725-GROW<br />

Northern Lights Hydroponics<br />

2690 Oulette Ave<br />

WINDSOR, ON N8X 1L7<br />

519-254-4015<br />

Urban GreenHouse<br />

Hydroponics<br />

& Aquaculture<br />

7635 Tecumseh Rd. E.<br />

WINDSOR, ON N8T 3H1<br />

519-944-8444<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Ozone Environmental<br />

Technologies<br />

361 Rowntree Dairy Rd. Unit-4<br />

WOODRIDGE, ON L4L 8H1<br />

905-264-6618<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

QUEBEC<br />

Un Monde Sans Terre<br />

565 Beausejour<br />

ALMA, QC G8B 5V3<br />

418-480-3274<br />

Hydro-Tonyque<br />

761 Ave. Gilles Villeneuve<br />

BERTHIERVILLE, QC J0K 1AO<br />

450-836-8088<br />

Gerard Bourbeau & Fils Inc.<br />

8285, 1 re Ave.<br />

CHARLESBOURG, QC G1G 5E6<br />

418-623-5401<br />

Simplement Vert<br />

8B Georges-Gagne<br />

DELSON, QC J5B 2E1<br />

514-913-8378 (VERT)<br />

Hydrosphere 2000<br />

2400 rue <strong>Canadian</strong>, Suite 104<br />

DRUMMONDVILLE,<br />

QC J2C 7W3<br />

819-478-9791<br />

groundbreakers<br />

65


distributors<br />

Les Serres Binette Inc<br />

2568 Boul. Mercurre<br />

DRUMMONDVILLE,<br />

QC J2A 1H2<br />

819-478-7195<br />

Pablo Jardinage<br />

Drummondville<br />

2080 Joseph St-Cyr<br />

DRUMMONDVILLE,<br />

QC J2C 8V6<br />

819-475-2525<br />

Les Entreprises Fernand<br />

Pigeon Inc.<br />

174 Beaudoin Nord<br />

DURHAM-SUD, QC J0H 2C0<br />

819-858-2777<br />

Hydromax Gatineau<br />

1695 Atmec #6<br />

GATINEAU, QC J8P 7G7<br />

819-663-7470<br />

Naturexpert Inc.<br />

828 Chemin du Sixième Rang<br />

GATINEAU, QC J8R 3A4<br />

Jardinages Gilles<br />

Robert Inc.<br />

574 St-Hubert<br />

GRANBY, QC J0H 1Y5<br />

450-375-3441<br />

Méristème Hydroponique<br />

871 Dufferin<br />

GRANBY, QC J2G 9H8<br />

450-991-1514<br />

Jardinage d’intérieur<br />

Huntingdon<br />

72 Dalhousie<br />

HUNTINGDON, QC J0S 1H0<br />

450-322-6079<br />

Hydromax du Nord<br />

513 Boul St-François<br />

LAC DES ÉCORCES,<br />

QC J0W 1H0<br />

819-278-1298<br />

Hydroponique Plus Inc.<br />

405 - 18 Ave.<br />

LACHINE, QC H8S 3R1<br />

514-634-3677<br />

Biofloral<br />

675 Montee, St. Francois<br />

LAVAL, QC H7C 2S8<br />

877-38-HYDRO<br />

Espace Culture Boutique<br />

17 boul. Ste-Rose Est<br />

LAVAL, QC H7V 3K3<br />

450-622-2710<br />

Fernand Corbeil<br />

Produits Horticoles -<br />

Horticultural Products<br />

17 boul. Ste-Rose Est<br />

LAVAL, QC H7L 3K3<br />

450-622-2710<br />

Hydro Times<br />

1533 Boul Cure Labelle<br />

LAVAL, QC H7V 2W4<br />

450-688-4848<br />

Hydromax Laval<br />

295 Boulevard Curé Labelle<br />

LAVAL, QC H7L 2Z9<br />

450-628-8380<br />

Les Grands Jardins Lavel<br />

2900, Boul. Cure-Lavelle<br />

LAVAL, QC H7P 5S8<br />

450-682-9768<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Qué-Pousse - Laval<br />

940 Bergar<br />

LAVAL, QC H7L 4Z8<br />

450-667-3809<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Point De Vue<br />

880 Chemin St-Féréol<br />

LES CÈDRES, QC J7T 1N3<br />

450-452-2878; 1-877-510-2991<br />

Hydro Rive-sud<br />

4721 Boulvard de la rive sud<br />

LEVIS, QC G6W 1H5<br />

418-835-0082<br />

Boutique Grunge<br />

364 Rue Sherbrooke<br />

MAGOG, QC J1X 2S1<br />

819-847-4141<br />

Hydromax Mont-Laurier<br />

388 Rue Hebert<br />

MONT-LAURIER, QC J9L 2X2<br />

888-609-4476<br />

Hydroculture Guy Dionne<br />

8473 - 19th Ave.<br />

MONTREAL, QC H1Z 4J2<br />

514-722-9496<br />

Hydro Expert<br />

12752 Industriel<br />

MONTREAL, QC H1A 3V2<br />

514-624-3091<br />

Distribution De la Plante<br />

5498 Hochelaga Suite 910<br />

MONTREAL, QC H1N 3L7<br />

514-255-1111<br />

Hydromax Montreal<br />

9300 Lajeunesse<br />

MONTREAL, QC H2M 1S4<br />

514-381-0111<br />

Hydromax St-Henri<br />

3522 Notre-Dame<br />

MONTREAL, QC H4C 1P4<br />

514-481-3939<br />

International Hydroponique<br />

5478 Hochelaga St.<br />

MONTREAL, QC H1N 3L7<br />

514-255-2525<br />

Momentum<br />

11289 London Ave.<br />

MONTREAL, QC H1H 4J3<br />

888-327-4595<br />

Pousse Magique Atwater<br />

3522 Notre-Dame, ouest<br />

MONTREAL, QC H4C 1P4<br />

514-481-393<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Qué-Pousse - Montreal<br />

1477 Bégin<br />

MONTREAL, QC H4R 1V8<br />

514-489-3803<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Summum Bio Teck<br />

2100 Ontario, est<br />

MONTREAL, QC H2K 1V5<br />

866-460-2226<br />

Univert 4 Saisons<br />

2100 Ontario, est<br />

MONTREAL, QC H2K 1V5<br />

514-527-2226<br />

Vinexpert De L’Est<br />

6384 Beaubien, est<br />

MONTREAL, QC H1M 3G8<br />

514-354-8020<br />

XXXtractor Inc.<br />

1228 St. Marc<br />

MONTREAL, QC H3H 2E5<br />

514-931-4944<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Qué-Pousse - Mont.<br />

Tremblant<br />

462 Montée Kavanagh<br />

MONT-TREMBLANT, QC J8E<br />

2P2<br />

819-429-6145<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

MegaWatt Hydroculture<br />

636 Route 364<br />

MORIN HEIGHTS, QC J0R 1H0<br />

450-226-2515<br />

Fleuriste Savard Inc.<br />

1833 boul. Louis-Frechette<br />

NICOLET, QC J3T 1M4<br />

819-293-5933<br />

Boutique Echologik<br />

829, cote d’Abraham<br />

QUEBEC, QC G1R 1A4<br />

418-648-8288<br />

Boutique Echologik<br />

798 St. Jean<br />

QUEBEC, QC G1R 1P9<br />

418-648-2828<br />

Hydroculture Guy Dionne<br />

1990 Cyrill-Duquet Local 150<br />

QUEBEC, QC G1N 4K8<br />

418-681-4643<br />

Pousse Magique<br />

515 rue Lanaudiere<br />

REPENTIGNY, QC J6A 7N1<br />

450-582-6662<br />

Fred Lamontagne Inc.<br />

356 Chemin du Sommet Est,<br />

RIMOUSKI, QC G5L 7B5<br />

418-723-5746<br />

Hydro Plus<br />

149 ave. Principale A<br />

ROUYN NORANDA,<br />

QC J9X 4E3<br />

819-762-4367<br />

Ferme Florale Inc. (Botanix)<br />

2190 Blvd. Laurier (route 116)<br />

SAINT BRUNO DE MONTAR-<br />

VILLE, QC, J3V 4P6<br />

450-653-6383<br />

Amazonia Hydroponique<br />

394 Boulvard Arthur-sauve<br />

SAINT-EUSTACHE, QC J7R 2J5<br />

450-623-2790<br />

Pépinière Eco-Verdure<br />

965 Boul. Sauvé<br />

SAINT-EUSTACHE, QC J7R 4K3<br />

450-472-6474<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

P.P.M. Hydroponique<br />

504 Rue du Parc<br />

SAINT-EUSTACHE, QC J7R 5B2<br />

450-491-2444<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Rap Hydroponique<br />

5700, rue Martineau Local 7<br />

SAINT-HYACINTHE, QC J2S<br />

8B1<br />

450-768-5188<br />

Hydrotek<br />

12300 Rue de l’avenir<br />

SAINT JANVIER, QC J7J 2K4<br />

St-Jean Hydroponique<br />

747 rue St-Jacques<br />

SAINT JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU,<br />

QC J3B 2M9<br />

450-346-9633<br />

Chanvre du Nord Inc.<br />

38 DeMartigny est<br />

SAINT-JÉROME, QC J7Z 1V4<br />

866-565-5305<br />

Culture Uni Vert<br />

36 rue de Martigny E<br />

SAINT-JÉRÔME, QC J7Z 1V4<br />

Stephomaxx<br />

240 Du Macon<br />

SAINT-JÉRÔME, QC J7Y 0H4<br />

514-917-5133<br />

Hydro Sciences<br />

4800 de la Cote-Vertu Blvd.<br />

SAINT-LAURENT, QC H4S 1J9<br />

514-331-9090<br />

Pablo Jardinage Shawinigan<br />

5023 Boulevard Royal<br />

SHAWINIGAN, QC J9N 6T8<br />

819-731-9766<br />

Sherbrooke Hydroponique<br />

3545 King est<br />

SHERBROOKE, QC J1G 5J4<br />

819-829-9299<br />

Comptoir Richelieu Inc.<br />

350, du Collège<br />

SOREL-TRACY, QC J3P 6T7<br />

800-363-9466<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Qué-Pousse - St-Constant<br />

6264 Route 132<br />

STE-CONSTANT, QC J0L 1E0<br />

450-635-4881<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Hydrobec<br />

2145 Lavoisier Suite 4<br />

STE-FOY, QC G1N 4B2<br />

418-687-1119<br />

Benoit Dupuis<br />

Extincteurs Inc.<br />

2503 Victoria St.<br />

STE-JULIENNE, QC J0K 2T0<br />

450-831-4240<br />

Hydroponique 2000<br />

84 Boul. Curé Labelle<br />

STE-THERESE, QC J7E 2X5<br />

450-971-0726<br />

Hydromax Terrebonne<br />

1674 Chemin Gascon<br />

TERREBONNE, QC J6X 4H9<br />

450-492-7447<br />

Hydromax Trois-Rivières<br />

6157 rue Corbeil<br />

TROIS-RIVIÈRES OUEST,<br />

QC G8Z 4P8<br />

819-372-0500<br />

Pablo Jardinage Intérieur<br />

2 Des Ormeaux Suite 500<br />

TROIS-RIVIÈRES,<br />

QC G8W 1S6<br />

819-693-6000<br />

Rap Hydroponique<br />

326 Rue Vachon<br />

TROIS-RIVIÈRES, QC G8T 8Y2<br />

819-376-5959<br />

Hydromax Val-David<br />

895 route 117 nord<br />

VAL-DAVID, QC J0T 2N0<br />

888-320-0129<br />

Val d’Or Hydroculture<br />

1261 3e Ave.<br />

VAL D’OR, QC J9P 1V4<br />

Horticulture Piégo<br />

228 Pierre Bertrand sud<br />

VANIER, QC G1M 2C4<br />

418-527-2006<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Qué-Pousse -<br />

Vaudreuil-Dorion<br />

3666-D, boul. Cité des Jeunes<br />

VAUDREUIL-DORION, QC<br />

J7V 8P2<br />

450-424-0306<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Centre Jardin Denis Brodeur<br />

15 Nord C.P. 658<br />

WATERLOO, QC J0E 2N0<br />

Sonador Horticulture Inc.<br />

819-479-2941<br />

SASKATCHEWAN<br />

Busy Bee Upholstery<br />

Box 811, 134 5th Ave. East<br />

GRAVELBOURG, SK S0H 1X0<br />

306-648-3659<br />

B&B Hydroponics<br />

and Indoor Gardening<br />

1404 Cornwall St.<br />

REGINA, SK S4R 2H7<br />

306-522-4769<br />

Waterboy Supply<br />

401 Dewdney Ave. East<br />

REGINA, SK S4N 4G3<br />

306-757-6242<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

Whole Leaf Healing Tree Inc.<br />

1342 Lorne St.<br />

REGINA, SK S4R 2K1<br />

306-533-8733<br />

----------------------------------------------<br />

YUKON, NUNAVUT<br />

AND NORTHWEST<br />

TERRITORIES<br />

Porter Creek Indoor<br />

Garden Centre<br />

1307 Centennial St.<br />

WHITEHORSE, YT Y1A 3Z1<br />

867-667-2123<br />

Interested in carrying <strong>Maximum</strong> <strong>Yield</strong> in your store? Distribution is available by<br />

contacting Brite-Lite Group, Eddi’s Wholesale, Green Planet Wholesale, Greenstar<br />

Plant Products, Growers Paradise, Biofloral, Quality Wholesale, or Hydrotek.<br />

Already a distributor? Call 1-250-729-2677 to update your listing.<br />

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