Maximum Yield Canada July/August 2017

MODERN GROWING
CANADIAN EDITION
EC vs. PPM
HYDROPONIC APPS
START A BEE COLONY
LEAF SURFACE TEMPERATURE
MAKING SENSE OF PLANT ANALYSIS
HYDROPONIC
FRUIT TREES
How to Prepare
Your Set-up for
SUCCESS

MODERN GROWING
JUL/AUG 2017 | VOLUME 20 NUMBER 2
FEATURES
28
Growing Fruit Trees
Hydroponically
by Shannon McKee
Believe it or not, with a
little ingenuity and the right
equipment, it is possible to
grow fruit trees hydroponically.
30
Embrace the Future:
Top Five Hydroponic Apps
by Shannon McKee
Though growing is a priority, we’re
all busy. Who doesn’t want a little
boost from technology? Here’s some
garden apps that can help.
6 first feed

CONTENTS
first feed
8 from the editor
10 contributors
12 #maximumyield
tapped in
14 ask the experts
16 max facts
20 good to grow
grow cycle
34 Making Sense of Plant Analysis
by Dr. Lynette Morgan
40 Super "In-tents" Growing
by Alan Ray
42 How to Optimize Nutrient
Solution Strength
by Josh Gerovac
46 5 Reasons to Start a Bee Colony
by Monica Mansfield
48 Leaf Surface Temperature
by Kevin Blair Frender
groundbreakers
movers & shakers
56 Arborjet, Inc.
you tell us
58 Desert Green H 2O
62 max mart
64 distributors
first feed
7

first feed
from the editor
Hydroponics may
be considered a
small industry, but
the technology and
forward-thinking
used in the industry
today will likely
solve a lot of food
supply problems
in the future.”
While hydroponics is unlikely to overtake traditional agriculture
economically anytime soon—current US annual crop production
is estimated at USD$143 billion while hydroponics is valued at a mere
USD$600 million—it’s not so much as how much is being grown but where.
From abandoned tube tunnels in London, England, to Canada’s Far North, to
bone dry deserts and skyscraper rooftops, today’s hydroponics is providing us
with a glimpse into the future of growing.
In this issue of Maximum Yield, we feature a company that has developed
technology that allows food to grow where it previously couldn’t. Why is this
important? Because, if we carry on with our current population trend, there will
be 11.2 billion human mouths to feed by 2100. There simply isn’t enough arable
land or fresh water to supply that kind of demand. We already know this.
This is why companies like Desert Greens H 2O (page 58) is trailblazing new
methods and locations to grow food. In the Nevada desert, Desert Greens H 2O
spent a decade perfecting a system that now allows their systems to produce
four times the yield of the average greenhouse with 12 harvests per year.
Sure, hydroponics may be considered a small industry, but the technology
and forward-thinking used in the industry today will likely solve a lot of food
supply problems in the future.
Today, nobody knows what society will be like in 2100. We hope it will
be a peaceful, healthy, and happy place. One thing we do know is
that the people who are here will need to eat, and it’s likely
hydroponics will have a large part in fulfilling that need.
As always, thanks for reading Maximum Yield
and if you have any questions feel free to contact
us at editor@maximumyield.com.
8 first feed

first feed
contributors
KEVIN FRENDER has
been growing indoors under
artificial lights in Colorado
for over 25 years, using every
commercially available
lighting technology along the
way. Over the years, he has
grown thousands of different kinds of plants,
from lettuce, peppers, and tomatoes to mangoes,
orchids, and water lilies—all without the sun.
Over four years ago, Kevin turned his hobby into
a full-time job when he joined Black Dog LED.
MONICA MANSFIELD
After owning an indoor garden
store for 5 ½ years, Monica
sold the business and started
a seven-acre homestead with
her husband, Owen. Monica is
passionate about gardening,
sustainable living, and holistic health. She writes
about these topics and her homestead adventures
on her blog thenaturelifeproject.com.
DR. LYNETTE MORGAN
holds a B. Hort. Tech. degree
and a PhD in hydroponic
greenhouse production from
Massey University, New
Zealand. Lynette is a partner
with Suntec International
Hydroponic Consultants and has authored
several hydroponic technical books. Visit
suntec.co.nz for more information.
JOSH GEROVAC is a
horticulture lighting consultant
at Fluence Bioengineering.
He has spent the last decade
working in controlled
environment agriculture, from
growth chambers to commercial
greenhouses. His research and practice is
focused on the influence of light intensity and
spectral light quality from sole-source LEDs.
He has a BSc in horticulture production and
marketing, and a MSc in horticulture science,
both from Purdue University.
SHANNON MCKEE
lives in Ohio and has been a
freelance writer for several
years now, including on her
blog, whyiwah.blogspot.com.
Nicknamed by loved ones a
garden hoarder over the past
few years, she grows a wide variety of plants in
her urban garden.
ALAN RAY has written
five books and is a New
York Times best-selling
author. Additionally, he is an
award-winning songwriter
with awards from BMI and
ASCAP respectively. He lives
in rural Tennessee with his wife, teenage son
and two dogs: a South African Boerboel and a
Pomeranian/Frankenstein mix.
BECOME A MAXIMUM YIELD CONTRIBUTOR
Have your article read by 250,000 readers throughout
the USA, Canada, UK, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.
VOLUME 20 – NUMBER 2
Jul/Aug 2017
GENERAL MANAGER
Ilona Hawser
EDITORIAL
editor@maximumyield.com
Toby Gorman
Jessica Skelton
Julie Chadwick
WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT EDITOR
Julie McManus
TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS
P.L. Light Systems
ADVERTISING SALES
250.729.2677
SALES MANAGER
Katie Rey - katie.rey@maximumyield.com
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Jed Walker - jed.walker@maximumyield.com
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Erik Duivenvoorde - erik@maximumyield.com
Courtenay Althouse - courtenay@maximumyield.com
Hailey Woolgar - hailey@maximumyield.com
DESIGN & PRODUCTION
ads@maximumyield.com
ART DIRECTOR
Alice Joe
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Jennifer Everts
Dionne Hurd
Jesslyn Dubyna
Samira Saoud
ACCOUNTING
Tracy Greeno - accounting@maximumyield.com
Katie LaFrance - ar@maximumyield.com
on the web
Article Archives
Can’t recall that great gardening recommendation from
a few months ago? Look it up online. We have hundreds
of indoor gardening articles available at maximumyield.com.
Ask the Experts
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Fill out our Ask the Experts form and we will find you answers.
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Inc. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without
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return to the address below. The views expressed by
columnists are personal opinions and do not necessarily
reflect those of Maximum Yield or the editor.
2339 A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9
Phone: 250.729.2677; Fax 250.729.2687
USA DISTRIBUTION
BWGS • Florida Hydroponics
General Hydroponics • Humbolt Wholesale
Hydrofarm National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply
Nickel City Wholesale Garden Supply
Tradewinds • Urban Agricultural
CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION
Brite-Lite Group • Biofloral Hydrotek
Eddis Wholesale • Green Planet Wholesale
Greenstar Plant Products Inc. • Growers Paradise
UK DISTRIBUTION
Century Grow Systmes • Easy Grow Ltd.
Erith Horticulture • Nutriculture UK • Dutchpro
AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION
Dome Garden Supply • Holland Forge
House N’ Garden • Hydroponic Generations
Growlush • Way to Grow • Nutrifield
10 first feed

first feed
#maximumyield
Thanks for the #twitterlove
@max_yield. Honored to make the
list and really #dig the magazine!
@TXPlantGuy
There is a body of anecdotal
evidence that suggests it is
possible to infect plants with
powdery mildew transferred by
bamboo stakes.
Maximum Yield, March 2017
You should sanitize everything
before growing. This is a common
issue. I’ve seen wine corks used as
stoppers in hydro tanks that formed
botryitis. I use a trash can filled with
diluted sanitizer; you can sanitize
hundreds of stakes this way.
Colin C.
Looks what’s sprouting
@acmehydroponics! What do
you have sprouting this time of year?
#acmehydroponics #acmehydro
#representacme #gardening
@acmehydroponics
Trial #hydroponics room almost
ready!
#urbanfarming #socent #loveleeds
@growing_better
If you grow indoors, I always
recommend a “bake” of your room
in between runs. Get the room
115°F for 24 hours. Easiest way to
do it is leave your lights on. No A/C.
Run your dehumidifier. Leave your
bamboo in the room under the
lights. The heat will kill mold and
bugs alike… What can survive 115°F
for 24 hours?? Nothing. Insects
and mold will both dry and die.
Everything’s anatomy is made for a
day and night cycle. Take the break
of night away and they will wither.
Kyle M.
Top Feeds to Follow
on Social Media
Get the latest updates on modern
growing from these top influencers:
Great job on marketing and getting
your magazine everywhere! Gotta
have a great team to make that
happen. I wish you much success.
Ben Williams
On rapidly growing crops, while
oxygen levels remain adequate,
nitrogen may be depleted over the
length of the gully. #hydroponics
Oxygen is important in epiphytic
plants such as orchids and
bromeliads, whose roots are exposed
to the air in nature. #hydroponics
In continuous-flow solution culture,
adjustments to the temperature and
nutrient concentrations can be made
in a large tank. #hydroponics
Tweets via @HydroponicsEasy
Follow them for more!
Paul Gautschi is a rebel in the
garden. He breaks most of the
gardening “rules” you’ve ever
known, yet he produces lush,
abundant harvests that are as
sweet and juicy as anything
you’ve ever tasted. He doesn’t
fertilize, rarely waters, and
doesn’t till his soil or rotate crops.
Monica Mansfield
Maximum Yield, April 2017
It makes me happy any time I
can spread the word about Paul
Gautschi and his Back to Eden
film and garden.
The Nature Life Project
Kevin, the man behind Epic
Gardening, started sharing his
hydroponics and urban gardening
tips about four years ago and now
has an incredible following. If you
want to learn about hydroponics,
aquaponics, or urban gardening,
Epic Gardening is a resource you
must check out.
Twitter: @epicgardening
Instagram: @epicgardening
UglyFruitAndVeg, created by a
man named Jordan Figueiredo,
is a must-follow Twitter account
simply due to its array of great
pictures. Some are ugly, some
are beautiful, some are cute, and
some are humorous. This social
media feed is sure to have you
smiling as you’re scrolling.
Twitter: @UglyFruitAndVeg
DO YOU WANT TO BE FEATURED?
Send your email or post to:
editor@maximumyield.com
@maximumyield
@max_yield
@maximumyield
@maximumyield
maximumyield
12 first feed

tapped in
ask the experts
Q
I have been experimenting using recirculating flood and drain, maintained water temperature at 26°C,
pH of 5.5-6, and using the Douglas Peckenpaugh formulation, which is:
N=215 ppm, P=86, K=343, Mg=85, Ca=175, S=113, Fe=6.8, Zn=0.25, B=0.7, Mn=1.97, Cu=0.07, Mo=0.05
EC is about 2.0-2.5. My water went through reverse osmosis, with very low to no amounts of mineral. I grow
50-100 muskmelons. During the season, I only use this particular formula recipe from transplantation to fruiting
until harvest, but I see that once the fruit started to set, it seems the plants showed signs of potassium deficiency,
and the pH started to get on the lower side. It also looks like the plant is taking up a lot of water because the EC in
the nutrient reservoir went up at the end of the day. My question is: Do you have a suitable recipe for muskmelons
in different stages of development?
Ryan L.
A
Hello Ryan,
Fruiting plants such as muskmelons being grown on
this scale really do need to be provided with different
vegetative and fruiting nutritional formulations
as they move through the different growth stages.
Melons take up very high levels of potassium once
they have set fruit and this can rapidly deplete potassium
levels, particularly in a recirculating system.
It would be recommended to start the young plants,
right from seedling stage, on a balanced vegetative
formulation, switch to a flowering/early fruit set
formulation as soon as the first small fruitlets have
set, then change again to a heavy fruit set formulation
as soon as the crop is in the rapid fruit expansion
stage. From then on, the nutrient recirculating
in the system should either be regularly analyzed
for all macro elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) to determine
if the fruiting formulation is providing sufficient
potassium for the current level of fruit development
in the crop. Alternatively, some growers prefer to do
complete or partial replacements of the recirculating
nutrient solution during this stage to ensure these
stay in balance. With a recirculating solution and a
heavy feeding crop, the nutrient solution can become
imbalanced or deficient in certain elements relatively
quickly, even with a good fruiting formulation (there
is no one perfect formulation that suits a particular
crop) as the mineral uptake of individual crops varies
from grower to grower, in different environments,
with different cultivars, and with different levels of
fruit set—so monitoring of nutrient levels is vital for
crop performance. As a starting basis, the
following nutrient levels would be recommended
for each stage of growth:
Seedling and early vegetative:
N=227 ppm, P=67, K=200, Ca=174, Mg=78
Flowering/early fruit set:
N=209 ppm, P=85, K=276, Mg=89, Ca=174
Heavy fruit loading:
N=183 ppm, P=120, K=448 (or higher), Mg=112, Ca=174
Since the RO tends to run a lower pH than other
water sources, this is best increased with use of a
10 per cent solution of potassium hydroxide as that
will add additional potassium into the solution and,
since this is required in large amounts, poses the
least risk to creating imbalances with pH adjustment
chemicals. If your plants do start to show symptoms of
any nutrient deficiency, or even suspected deficiency,
the first immediate step would be to completely
replace the nutrient solution as that then gives the
plants a newly balanced nutrient, foliar, and solution
analysis that can then be used to fine-tune the
formulations in use and prevent future issues.
Melon plants do have a large leaf area and under good
growing conditions will take up a significant volume
of water each day, which can increase the EC rapidly.
Under these conditions, it’s best not to let the EC climb,
but keep it stable with regular water top-ups throughout
the day (an automated water top-up system may be
required). Melons are sensitive to high EC and keeping
this stable, particularly under warm growing conditions,
is essential for both water (transpiration) and nutrient
uptake. Good luck with your future melon crops!
Kind Regards,
Dr. Lynette Morgan
Suntec International Hydroponic Consultants
Dr. Lynette Morgan holds a B. Hort. Tech. degree and a PhD
in hydroponic greenhouse production from Massey University,
New Zealand. Lynette is a partner with Suntec International
Hydroponic Consultants and has authored several hydroponic
technical books. Visit suntec.co.nz for more information.
ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY (EC)
In hydroponics, all nutrients are made of mineral
salts, which are dissolved into water, and the
strength of the nutrient solutions can be detected
by an electrical conductivity (EC) meter. The higher
the ionic (salt) concentration, the higher the level
of EC. The EC of a nutrient solution is therefore a
measurement of its “strength” as indicated by the
actual amount of salts dissolved.
– growthtechnology.com
14 tapped in

tapped in
maxfacts
growing news, tips, & trivia
Parkdale Food Centre Expands Community Social Enterprise
Ottawa’s Parkdale Food Centre (PFC) launched its social enterprise, Growing
Futures, earlier this year. The food centre is working with Ottawa businesses,
community partners, and school children to plant, grow, and harvest fresh
produce using indoor growing systems. The produce is then sold to the local foodservice
industry. Thirty per cent of the revenue is donated back to the food centre to support
its programming. Another 30 per cent goes to the harvesters or is invested back into
Growing Futures. Twenty-five per cent is given to an agreed upon charity and 15 per cent
is set aside to cover costs. Now, in honour of Canada’s 150th anniversary, the PFC wants
to install 150 of its garden towers and garden walls around the city. It’s put out a call for
more sponsors, business
partners, harvesters,
mentors, and spaces.
- obj.ca
Bridging the Gap Between Housing and Agriculture
Toronto’s Queen Street West neighbourhood will soon be home to The Plant, a mixed-use community revolving
around sustainable residential urban farming and social responsibility. Developed by Curated Properties and Windmill
Developments, the 10-storey project will feature retail outlets at street level, offices on the
second floor, and single- and two-storey residences on the upper floors. Each apartment
comes with its own custom micro-garden beds. There will also be communal food-focused
programs, including an internal greenhouse and an industrial kitchen for shared food
production and hosting events. “It might seem extreme, but we orientated this entire
project around our connection to food,” says Curated Properties partner Gary Eisen.
“It’s our guiding principle and the result is a building that lives and breathes and offers a
better quality of life to the people who will live and work here. The Plant is a community
that fits with the foodie culture that has come to define Queen West.”
- archdaily.com
Part-time Vegetarian Diet Could Reduce Obesity Risk
A new study, which looked at 16,000 people, found that cutting back
on meat and eating a part-time vegetarian diet could cut the risk of
obesity by 43 per cent. According to the study’s authors, the parttime
vegetarians were also less likely to gain weight, even after
factors like age, beginning weight, and lifestyle were taken in
to account. Despite the major health differences, the partially
vegetarian and more carnivorous diets were not drastically
different. Those in the more vegetarian group ate only a
couple fewer meat-free meals a week (around 60 g less a day),
but also ate more fruit, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil instead.
- freshplaza.com
16

max facts
Feeding the North
with Vertical Aquaponics
The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
(CanNor) and Gray Dragon Investment Corporation (GDI)
have each contributed $75,000 to an ag tech project to
help feed the North. With the funds North Star Agriculture
Inc., a subsidiary of GDI, is developing the first indoor, vertical aquaponics
farm in the Yukon. The first of its kind north of 60, the vertical farm will annually
produce 200 tonnes of fish and over 200,000 kg of produce. Development of a
northern aquaponics farm will create local employment while decreasing reliance on
food transported from southern regions. “This project has great potential to make a real
difference in providing Northerners with access to fresh, local produce, while creating jobs and
diversifying the Yukon economy,” says Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science, and
Economic Development, and Minister responsible for the CanNor.
- newswire.ca
Olds College Receives $16M Personal Donation
Earlier this year, Olds College received a multimillion donation from David P.
Werklund and his partner, Susan Norman, to build the Werklund Agriculture
Institute (WAI), a centre that will specialize in smart agriculture. The WAI will
feature four key components: a centre that will act as a hub for companies,
entrepreneurs, investors, and students to access Olds College land and facilities
for development, scale up, and demonstration of smart agriculture; a fully
endowed industry leader to serve as a connector and advisor on smart agriculture
technology, innovation, and business; a year-long producer mentorship program
to expose students to smart agriculture practices; and a vertically integrated “gate
to plate” agriculture and food learning enterprise where students engage in
business decision making and management. The tiered donation—which begins
with $2 million in cash, followed by a matching component
where Werklund will provide one dollar for every three
raised, up to $4 million, and a final $10 million estate
gift—will have a total cumulative impact of $32 million.
- newswire.ca
FarmLead App Growing Strong
In 2014, pro hockey player-turned-entrepreneur Brennan Turner and business partner Alain Goubau created
FarmLead, an app that allows buyers and sellers of crops to directly negotiate their own deals. Earlier this
year, the Ottawa-based company received a USD$6.5 million infusion of venture capital from Monsanto
Growth Ventures, Avrio Ventures, MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund, and Serra
Ventures. Turner says much of the capital will go toward setting up and staffing a
new sales office in Chicago. “We’re already there,” he says of the lucrative American
market. “We just haven’t really been aggressively pursuing it in terms of dollars spent.”
So far, more than 4,000 farmers have joined the platform, using it to trade 1.4 million
tonnes of grain. The number of transactions has been growing by about 10 per cent a month,
though Turner says he’d like to see double over the next year. The average transaction is worth
about $70,000, and the firm is on track for six-figure revenues in 2017.
- obj.ca
18 tapped in

tapped in
good to grow
ask for these products at your local hydro shop
Dr. Earth Final Stop Disease Control Fungicide
Naturally eliminate powdery mildew, rust, botrytis, and many more plant diseases with Dr. Earth’s Final
Stop Disease Control Fungicide spray. Final Stop Disease Control Fungicide spray is OMRI-Listed
and ready to use in organic gardens. It contains a blend of essential oils and organic acids that work
synergistically to kill diseases immediately and provide weeks of continued protection. Apply Final Stop
Disease Control Fungicide spray in the early morning or late afternoon in every part of your indoor or
outdoor garden to keep mold and fungi away. Support your garden and the environment by choosing an
organic fungicide that is people- and pet-safe with Dr. Earth’s Final Stop Disease Control Fungicide spray.
Sunblaster Nanodome
Easy to use, you will love the Nanodome, which is
made exclusively for SunBlaster’s T5HO combos
with NanoTech reflectors and their new LED strip
lights. The SunBlaster NanoDome has a unique,
patented, recessed H-shaped groove that gives the
dome superior strength. More than just a structural
feature, it allows both their T5 NanoTech lights
and their new LED strip lights to fit securely in the
dome, ensuring lights stay centred and
plants receive even light coverage. The
pattern also enables you to lay your
lighting across a single dome
or multiple domes. The
SunBlaster NanoDome
gets more of the light
your plants love
to them than
any other
dome on
the market.
Dr. Earth Home
Grown Potting Soil
Dr. Earth’s Home Grown
Potting Soil is CDFAand
OMRI-Listed and
approved for organic
crop production. Use in
containerized gardens,
indoors and outdoors.
It’s rich in organic input
material, including
alfalfa meal, wild-caught
fish bone meal, cold water kelp meal, and many other
organic nutrients that promote optimal health and help
plants thrive. Home Grown Potting Soil also contains
carefully selected peat moss and is ready to go, right
out of the bag, with a pH near 6.5 for optimal nutrient
uptake. Plants grow quickly in Dr. Earth soil as each
contains a potent/proprietary blend of MycoApplycertified
microbes which creates a vigorous root
system. Choose Dr. Earth Home Grown Potting Soil to
grow heavyweight flowers with maximum yields that
are 100 per cent natural.
Reiziger Nutrients
There’s a formula for hydroponic success. For Dutch hydroponic master gardeners,
growing is an art form. It’s about long-standing craftsmanship and the unique blend
of art and science. To help them master their craft, Dutch breeders and growers swear
by Reiziger. More than just a multi-stage fertilizer blend, Reiziger hydroponic nutrients
represent a leap forward in nutrient formulation for sophisticated connoisseurs of plant
botany. Reiziger is formulated from the original recipes used at the legendary Seed Bank
of Holland in the 1980s. Proudly made in Holland, using only the finest-quality ingredients,
nothing has been left to chance in order to enhance the cultivation of your fast growing
crop strains in hydroponics under grow lights. It’s only natural that hydroponic growers
might want to opt for the same consistent harvests achieved by experienced Dutch
craftsmen for more than 30 years. Search for the ship on the gold bottle.
20 tapped in

good to grow
Par Pro Hyper Arc
Par Pro, one of Sun System’s
newest brands of grow lamps, has
just introduced the Hyper Arc, the
most powerful single-ended grow
lamp ever. Consistently testing at
2,380 µmol, the new Hyper Arc is a single-ended, 1,100W grow lamp that features a 400V arc tube and TT65 European
glass jacket than generates 177,000 lumens. The Hyper Arc’s PBAR Flux is even more impressive at 2,688 µmol. “PBAR”
is an acronym for “Plant Biologically Active Radiation”, which is measured from 350 to 800 nanometres in the light
spectrum. This value recognizes that plants have photopigments other than chlorophyll that are sensitive to a wider
range of wavelengths than chlorophyll. The Hyper Arc is a remarkable milestone in horticultural lighting. The fact that
Par Pro has been able to accomplish this in a single-ended E39 lamp design should be great news for the hundreds of
thousands of single-ended reflectors currently in the field.
Dr. Earth Flower Girl
Bud & Bloom Booster
This ultra-premium fertilizer
produces ultra-premium
flowers with Dr. Earth
Flower Girl Bud & Bloom
Booster (3-9-4) dry fertilizer.
Flower Girl Bud & Bloom
Booster is designed to
promote superior bud set
and blooms with abundant
essential oil production
for all flowering plants in
your garden. Use Flower Girl Bud & Bloom every six
to eight weeks for maximum blooms and strong roots.
Flower Girl Bud & Bloom is CDFA-certified organic
and OMRI-Listed using the highest-quality ingredients
that provide an excellent continual nutrition stream.
Support your crop and the organic movement—locate
Dr. Earth premium soils, fertilizers, and controls at your
favourite garden store.
One Way to Grow and Bloom
One Way to Grow and One Way to Bloom are plant food
for commercial and large-scale growers. Revolutionary
new all-in-one nutrient formulations for Grow and Bloom.
They contain all primary and
secondary micronutrients, calcium,
magnesium, and all additives
and biostimulants
found in most
major feeding
programs.
Incredibly
cost-effective,
you can treat
your water
for cents per
gallon. Their
premeasured
scoop for
25 gallon reservoir makes feeding
easy. Now available at Sunlight Supply and Biofloral.
Sun System ReBright Reflector and Surface Cleaning Wipes
Sun System, the leading manufacturer of horticultural lighting fixtures, has developed a new
cleaning wipe for reflectors. Sun System’s ReBright Reflector and Surface Cleaning Wipes are perfect
for cleaning all surfaces of your lighting fixture. The typical growroom produces
dirt, dust, and deposits that can dull the reflector, which leads to less light
output (PAR) reaching your plants. The highly reflective aluminum surface of Sun
System reflectors can be damaged by many kinds of cleaners. The proprietary
materials used in these wipes are specifically designed to clean without
clouding or damaging the interior of reflectors and fixtures. Throughout the
testing of this innovative cleaning wipe, there was a noticeable and measurable
improvement in the reflectivity of all the reflectors tested. Easy-to-use and
available in wrapped singles or a 20-count dispenser.
22 tapped in

good to grow
SunBlaster Universal Light Strip Hanger
Getting more light where you need it has never been easier. The
unique design of the Universal Light Strip Hanger makes it a snap
to mount the light you need. Eliminate the need for cumbersome
metal shades that not only weigh a lot, but also trap heat and block
the view of your garden or propagation areas. Add as much light as your
crop—desires, up to seven T5HOs or LEDs—with this simple, easy-to-use, and
easy to suspend lighting accessory from SunBlaster. Each kit includes two strips and
two V-hooks for easy suspension. SunBlaster Universal Light Strip Hangers can also be wall
mounted or back-to-back to provide optimal supplemental side lighting between your rows.
SunBlaster Universal Light Strip Hangers accommodate any length of SunBlaster T5HO combos and our new LED strip lights.
PreGrow Plant Sprayer
Unlike common garden sprayers,
the PreGro Plant Sprayer is easy
to control, eliminating under- or
overdosing plants. Gardeners can use
the PreGro Plant Sprayer with their
own pesticide or fertilizer solution
to deliver a precise, continuous,
and uniform spray to only those
plants affected by unwanted pests.
The portable PreGro Sprayer was
designed to be an affordable
and better alternative to trigger
sprayers for plant laboratories and
professional users. The PreGro Plant
Sprayer also fits the needs of ecoconscious
gardeners and provides
optimal plant surface coverage
while simultaneously avoiding harsh
chemicals and waste. The sprayer
atomizes up to 18 ounces of liquid
and covers up to 120 square feet.
Each PreGro Plant Sprayer comes
fully pressurized and secured to a
6-ounce glass container. Simple to fill,
attach, and spray.
Reiziger
Substrates
Master the art
of hydroponics
with Reiziger
substrates.
Reiziger has a
long heritage
of delivering
outstanding tools that meet the needs of hydroponic
craftsmen. Recipes and formulas, refined over the
last 30 years, have created an innovative range of
solutions that started growing from the rich traditions
of pedigree seed breeders in Amsterdam back in
1984. Trusted by Dutch growers for decades, Reiziger
substrates are ideal for all kinds of hydroponic
systems, containers or potted plants. Reiziger
Coconut Coir Pith, Peat Mix, and Expanded Clay have
all been engineered to deliver a surge of seemingly
infinite power to help short-cycle cultures in any
hydroponic garden grow twice the size. Presenting a
perfect marriage of commitment and enhancement,
Reiziger substrates are the only substrates with
the power, style, and drama to make the world of
underground botanists and farmers stand still. Search
for the ship on the gold bag.
SCROGGER’s P SCROG Six-pack Primary ScrOG Kits
SCROGGER have announced the release of new P SCROG Primary portable ScrOG grow
kits in a six-pack option. The new six-pack option comes packed with six P SCROG Primaries
layered into one box. Priced at 15 per cent below single unit pricing, the six-packs provide a
substantial savings to the grower. The P SCROG Portable Grow Kit is an easy way to grow using the
ScrOG (screen of green) method, which results in bushy, horizontal plants that develop buds in unison.
The system is completely reusable and can accommodate virtually any container. With the P SCROG, all
buds receive optimal light intensity and are never stunted due to upper-growth shading. Plant energy
is focused solely on bud development, resulting in maximum yield per plant. In addition, the P SCROG
screen is a clear, tough, polycarbonate that allows 99 per cent light penetration. The unique, patented
P SCROG design is made in the USA and assembles in minutes without tools. No more DIY bamboo
or trellis netting required. Users can easily rotate or move their plants within a grow space.
24 tapped in

Ideal Air Pro Dual Series Air Conditioners
New from Ideal Air is the Pro Dual series air conditioners. The
Pro Dual series delivers heating and cooling in a mini-split
configuration that allows for multiple indoor ceiling or wall
heads and a single outdoor unit. This feature provides precise
zone control: 20 degrees in one room, 24 degrees in another.
All units feature auto-restart
and an inverter compressor.
Inverter compressor
technology more effectively
regulates the heating and
cooling function of the unit,
resulting in substantive
energy savings. Pro Dual
Series air conditioners
have an outdoor ambient
cooling temperature range
of -25°C to 50°C and an
outdoor ambient heating
temperature range of -25°C
to 30°C. Also features
ultra-efficient SEER ratings
range from 21.5 to 22.5,
depending on the model,
a whisper-quiet operation,
and three-speed fan. The
Pro Dual is available in two, three, and four-ton models with
indoor heads from 9,000 to 24,000 BTU.
Kind LED K5 UL Certified Grow Lights
Utilizing the latest innovation in lighting technology,
Kind LED have intelligently designed a world-class
product that completely redefines everything people
should expect from a grow light. Both the Kind XL1000
and XL750 LED grow lights are now UL-Certified,
meeting federal requirements for electric product
safety. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a nationally
recognized, independent product safety certification
organization and is a required certification for
commercial lighting applications. The lights offer both
UV and IR spectra, a fully customizable 12-band perfect
spectrum with remote control, a true 5x5-foot footprint,
and Secondary Optical Lens Technology that magnifies
PAR and increases canopy penetration by 200 per cent.
The eight internal digital timers enable growers to
program sunrise and sunset, which mimicks the daily
sun cycles and creates perfect lighting schedules. Yet
another reason to grow for hobby or commercially with
the UL-Certified Kind LED grow lights.
tapped in
25

good to grow
Reiziger Boosters
Reiziger Bloom Minerals, Root Booster, Grow Booster,
and Bud Booster are alive with pioneering know-how to
help enhance the cultivation of all fruiting and flowering
plants. They offer demanding hydroponic craftsmen
exactly what they need to afford magnificent harvests.
In the early ’80s, the Seed Bank of Holland pioneered
a revolutionary approach to breeding and set a new
benchmark in plant cultivation assisted by specialized
nutrient formulations. Kept a closely guarded secret,
handed down from one generation of Dutch craftsmen
to the next, Reiziger is born from these original
recipes, giving them a heritage that delivers the same
exceptional yields and flawless quality attained by Dutch
breeders and growers since 1984. Forward-thinking
formulation and a host of unseen
technologies make Reiziger
modern and dynamic. The
company’s endless
surge of power and
invigoration sets
it streets apart
from others.
Search for the
ship on the
gold bottle.
SunBlaster
LED Strip Lights
SunBlaster’s world-class team of
lighting experts, global sourcing,
and manufacturing partners
have completed the task of
creating the finest horticultural
LED lighting available for today’s
indoor growing enthusiasts
and professionals. Designed to
maximize overall performance,
economy, and extend longevity,
while providing the best
possible lighting for all indoor
horticultural applications without
fail or compromise. The selfcooling
technology allows their
engineers to push the lighting
output to desired levels without
creating unwanted heat or
wasting valuable resources
running cooling fans or other
unwanted devices. SunBlaster
LED strip lights are the next
generation in propagation and
grow lighting.
26 tapped in

feature
hydroponic fruit trees
BY SHANNON MCKEE
SETTING YOUR SIGHTS HIGH:
GROWING FRUIT TREES
HYDROPONICALLY
While not the most common choice, it is possible
to grow fruit trees in a hydroponic garden. If it’s
something you’d like to try, read on to find out
how to properly prepare your set-up for success.
When you think of hydroponic gardens, which crops do you think of?
You probably think of the typical lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, spinach,
and maybe even some strawberries. But what about citrus fruits, apples,
pears and other fruits? Yes, with some tweaking of your hydroponic
set-up, you can grow fruit trees effectively in your garden.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Your hydroponic garden must mimic all the things that a tree would need
if you planted it in your backyard. It’s going to need warm temperatures
and lots of light. So, you’re going to need to bring in LED growing lamps,
high pressure sodium lamps, or metal halide lamps for your set-up. These
are non-negotiable with trees.
28 feature

STOCK VS SEEDS
The next step is to decide if you’re going to purchase a tree
from your local nursery or grow your own from seed. If you
decide to get a seed started, soak it inside of a napkin for
a few days to soften the external coating. You’ll want to
remove this external seed coating or nick it to help with
germination for the tree.
Keep in mind that if you decide to start with a seed, you
may have to wait some time before you finally get fruits
setting on the tree. Most species take about three to five
years to mature. Purchasing a tree from your local nursery
is a good choice if you’re looking to have a healthy sapling
that is closer to bearing fruits. No matter which source
you choose, however, it’s a good idea to consider using a
dwarf species as a smaller tree will ensure that you’ll have
enough room in your growroom.
MODIFIED SET-UP
Now that you have your tree, it’s time to plant. Remember,
the container size you use will dictate the end size of your
tree. You’ll want to start with at least a five-gallon container.
However, over time, you may want to opt for larger and
larger containers to ensure that your tree grows to its full
potential while staying within your grow space. While your
tree may not grow to the same size as it would outside in your
backyard, it will often bear normal-sized fruit and potentially
produce full-sized harvests.
Once you’ve chosen your container, fill it with perlite, rice
husk, or vermiculite and include the tubing you’ll need to
evacuate the nutrient solution from the bottom. Some find it
beneficial to use a drip irrigation system with about three
emitters per tree, while others prefer the flood and drain
method to prevent the growth of algae. No matter the method,
the most important thing is to keep your root ball from drying
out as this could ultimately damage—or kill—your tree.
Some growers prefer using a root bag or a net pot, but this is
an optional step based on how your system is set up.
“
WHILE YOUR TREE may not grow to the same
size as it would outside in your backyard,
it will often bear normal-sized fruit and
potentially produce full-sized harvests.”
When putting your tree into your new system, no matter if
you started it from seed or purchased a stock tree, be overly
careful with your tree’s roots. Pampered roots lead to better
growing trees. At the start, your nutrient solution should be
kept at half-strength; however, as the tree grows bigger and
stronger, you’ll want to start using a full-strength nutrient
solution. Also, find out your tree’s optimal pH range and keep
a close eye on your system’s levels. Levels that are too high
or too low could be detrimental to your tree.
On that same thread, get familiar with the other specific
needs of the tree species you’re growing. For instance,
some trees require a cold period for them to set fruit
the next year. Also, find out if your tree has any specific
nutrient requirements.
If you ever find that your system is not working for your
tree, feel free to modify it even more as you go along to find
that perfect set-up. The options are almost endless.
If this article has you thinking about picking mouthwatering
cherries from your hydroponic set-up or making an apple pie
from your dwarf apple tree, it may be time to explore the exciting
area of growing a tree. Have fun in learning about the
different types of trees you can grow and how to add a tree to
your current system.
feature
29

feature
hydro apps
TOP FIVE HYDROPONIC
AND GARDENING APPS
by Shannon McKee
McKeehelp you run your garden like a pro.
Apps
We love our gardens, but we also
have a lot of other things going on and
don’t always have time to meticulously
tend them. No problem. Shannon McKee
sussed out some growing technology that can
Technology has changed
the way we do everything.
Why not have it change
the way that we garden?
There are some great
applications for hydroponics
and gardening that can take
a lot of the hassle out of
your favorite hobby. These
different applications can
2.5 pagesdo everything from help
diagnose what could be wrong
with your crops to reminding
you to add nutrients to your
hydroponic system. Here’s a list
of the top five growing-related
apps that you should consider
adding to your digital toolbox.
PERFECT HYDROPONICS
Perfect Hydroponics’ name promises
something big, and it delivers. If you aren’t
dedicated to documenting information, this
app is a godsend. Think of this app as your
detailed grower’s notebook that allows for a
wide range of information. From documenting
when a foliar spray is applied to recording
data on your reservoir, all your information
is available at the touch of a finger. With
this app, you can have information stored for
six different gardens simultaneously. This technology
is great if you like to try different experiments to
see what provides better results, as you’ll be able to
track the differences and results right in the app easily.
Perfect Hydroponics is only available on iTunes for $1.99.
There are some similar apps available on Play Store for
Android users, such as MyGarden.org, a free app.
30 feature

hydro apps
GROLOG
GroLog is an application that’s similar in purpose to Perfect
Hydroponics in that it acts as a log for your garden. You’re
able to monitor the information that you want for several
different garden systems. You can take note of things like
room conditions, nutrient solutions, your lighting settings,
and even take photos and notes to track your system’s
progress. One of the really cool things this app offers is
the ability to set up a schedule for your garden where you
can receive reminders for things that you need to do when
you’ve scheduled them. You won’t forget to water, fertilize, or
any other task thanks to these reminders. This app is available
on both iTunes and the Play Store for free.
MQ GREENTHUMB
This app takes your iPhone or iPad and turns it into a light
meter to help you determine if your plants are getting the
perfect level of light they need to thrive. It also offers some
great growing tips, resources, and information on common
houseplants. This app is currently only available for users
that have Apple products and can be purchased from iTunes
for $1.99. Android users can find some
apps through the Play Store that offer
to turn their phone into a light meter.
THE PLANT DOCTOR
One of the most frustrating things
about gardening is dealing with
plant health issues. Maybe there is
a pest attacking the plant. Maybe
there’s a disease ravaging your
plants. Maybe the room your
plant is in is too dark. It
can sometimes be hard to
tell what the problem is.
That’s where this application
comes in. As
you answer a number
of question prompts,
the app helps
pinpoint what’s
going wrong in
your garden.
“THESE applications are exactly
what you’ve been missing for your
hydroponic systems or gardens.”
Once you have some answers, you’ll be able to devise a plan
of action to combat whatever is diagnosed, thanks to the app’s
recommendations on topics like water, heat, fertilizer, light, and
humidity. This is another iTunes app for Apple products and is
available for $2.99. There are a number of applications on the
Play Store for Android users that offer a similar service.
WHEN TO PLANT
This app is wonderful for outdoor growers, and it could be
useful for indoor growers as well. It offers a huge amount
of information to help tailor your planting plans for a wide
variety of crops. Just enter in your zip code to find out the
average frost dates for your specific area and cross-reference
with the USDA Hardiness Zones. You’ll also get information on
the plants themselves, such as what soil types are best,
sowing instructions, and harvesting. This iTunesonly
app is $1.99. There are some garden
manager apps that are somewhat similar
available on the Play Store.
BONUS: A LOOK
INTO THE FUTURE
OF GARDENING
TECHNOLOGY
Not strictly just an app,
SmartBee Controllers is a
grow system that combines
an app with sensors that
you can use for indoor and
outdoor gardening. This system
is completely modular, so you
only need to purchase the sensors
you’re using. Some of the grow system
functions that you can use SmartBee for
include timers, temperature, CO 2 levels,
humidity, irrigation systems, and lighting.
This system allows you to customize and
automate your grow system. Those interested
in these systems can check out their website
where they have a handy store locator to see if
any local hydroponic shops are selling these
items or can purchase them online. This kind
of tech is sure to grow as it becomes more
widely available.
The future is now! These applications are
exactly what you’ve been missing for your
hydroponic systems or gardens. Never forget
when to water. Know exactly when you should
plant in your area. Identify any plant diseases
that may have struck your crops. These apps
will change the way you garden.
32 feature

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feature
plant analysis
MAKING SENSE OF
PLANT by Dr. Lynette Morgan
ANALYSIS
From helping solve nutrient issues to
performing a vital role in crop research,
Dr. Lynette Morgan gives us the lowdown on
the benefits and drawbacks of plant analysis.
Plant analysis has long been an integral part of
commercial greenhouse nutritional programs, but it’s
also a potential tool for smaller growers. Whether it’s to help
diagnose mysterious foliar symptoms or simply reassure
that all is well with nutrition, mineral analysis of the foliage
can provide useful and often insightful information on the
nutritional status of a plant or crop. However, it does have
limitations and some drawbacks that need to be understood
before the data is put to good use.
The Process
Plant or foliar analysis involves taking a small sample
of leaves—usually the youngest recently expanded
leaf—from a number of plants and sending them off to
an agricultural lab for mineral analysis. Plant analysis
labs usually provide information or a kit containing
sample bags and details of how to complete the
sampling process. This includes the number of leaves
required and whether these should be washed, refrigerated,
or otherwise treated before sending them in.
If plants are particularly dusty or have been sprayed
with any chemicals or other products that may interfere
with the results, then washing the sample with reverse
osmosis or distilled water, followed by complete drying,
is advisable. Leaf samples can deteriorate quickly and
so should be sent off to the lab immediately.
34 feature

plant analysis
The plant analysis lab report generated usually states
each of the macroelements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S) as a
percentage of dry matter, while microelements (Fe, Mn,
B, Zn, and Cu), present in much lower concentrations, are
expressed as either parts per million (ppm), milligrams per
kilogram (mg/k), or micrograms per gram (μg/g). Some lab
reports will also include a guide to the ideal foliar level
range of each nutrient for specific crops to compare the
results against, but not all do. Instead, guidelines for the
most commonly grown hydroponic plants can be found
in plant nutrition books and websites that indicate ideal
levels for different species at different stages of growth. A
list of foliar mineral levels at which deficiency or toxicity
symptoms would be expected to occur are also useful to
have on-hand when comparing plant analysis reports.
“BY COMPARING
the foliar mineral levels
returned on a recent lab
analysis to the healthy
range for the plant
species being grown, it’s
possible to see which
nutrients fall outside the
recommended range.”
Top: Many disorders and diseases can have symptoms similar to mineral
deficiency/toxicities. Bottom: Foliar mineral analysis doesn’t take into
account nutrients incorporated into other parts of the plant, such as fruit.
When to Use Foliar Analysis
Plant analysis can be used for different purposes. It has a
vital role in crop research, where nutritional programs for
new crops may be determined by analyzing the mineral
content of well-grown, healthy plants. This data can then
be used to formulate nutrient solutions or soil programs
specifically aimed at maximizing plant nutrition for that
crop. For those running small trials, foliar mineral analysis
may be used to determine how different treatments,
supplements, products, growing environments, and
formulations affect the nutritional content of the plant.
For growers, the most common use of foliar analysis is for
when suspected deficiency or toxicity symptoms are starting
to show on plants. Since many physiological, disease, and
nutritional disorders can look quite similar, plant analysis is
often used to rule out or confirm specific nutrient issues so that
these can be rectified quickly and correctly.
Foliar analysis is often used alongside nutrient solution
analysis to determine necessary changes or supplements
to prevent deficiencies from continuing to occur. It is also
commonly used to confirm that nutrition has been optimal
and that the nutrient formulation is suitable for the current
stage of growth. Growers experiencing unexplained
symptoms such as an overall lack of plant vigour, plant
stunting, or low yields may use plant analysis to rule out
nutrition as the specific cause of any issues, or to diagnose
nutritional problems before they become more severe.
Interpretation of Plant Analysis Lab Reports
Recommendations for the ideal level of each nutrient in
foliar samples vary slightly, depending on the reference
source. For this reason, ideal levels are simply given
as a range within which most healthy plants should
fall. Typically, this is somewhat species dependant. For
example, normal foliar levels of nitrogen in crisp head
lettuce are often stated as being three to 4.5 per cent, while
in tomato, a crop requiring a higher level of nutrition, are
4.5-5.5 per cent; deficient levels would be less than two per
cent. For potassium, ideal foliar levels are 4.5 to eight per
cent in crisp head lettuce and four to six per cent in tomato,
with deficient levels being below two per cent.
Micro or trace elements often have a broader range of normal
levels in healthy plants. In tomato, iron levels should be
within the range of 80-200 ppm and manganese should be
between 50-300 ppm, with iron levels becoming deficient at
below 60 ppm and manganese below 20 ppm.
By comparing the foliar mineral levels returned on a recent
lab analysis to the healthy range for the plant species being
grown, it’s possible to see which nutrients fall outside the
recommended range. This can help pick up any potential
issues before a stage of deficiency has been reached and
plant growth becomes affected.
36 feature

Foliar analysis is a great tool for confirming a mineral deficiency diagnosis
when symptoms first start to show.
Limitations or Issues with Foliar Testing
While plant foliar analysis is an extremely useful tool, it does
have drawbacks and limitations that all growers using this
process need to be aware of. First, the foliar nutrient levels
returned on the lab report are more representative of plant
nutrition at the time the leaf was forming. For slow-growing
crops, this may have been several weeks ago. By using both
foliar analysis and nutrient solution analysis, a better picture
can be drawn up as to when any particular element was
deficient or needed boosting in the plants’ feed schedule.
Secondly, if odd results do appear on a foliar mineral level
analysis report, it’s important to remember that contamination
can be an issue. Copper fungicides, for example, can give
incorrect copper readings of foliar samples and although leaf
samples can be washed before sending off to the lab, some
compounds may become incorporated into the waxy leaf
cuticle and not be removed.
Another factor to consider is that foliar analysis does not take
into account the elements (such as potassium) that are present
or required by fruit. Heavy fruiting crops, such as tomatoes,
partition considerable amounts of potassium into fruit tissue,
so this needs to be considered if using foliar tissue analysis to
formulate a new nutrient solution or adjust a current one.
Perhaps one of the most common mistakes is that while
a mineral deficiency problem may show up in the report,
this may not necessarily be directly caused by a lack of
that element in the nutrient solution. Other factors also
affect plant uptake and nutrient transportation, as well as
subsequent foliar mineral levels. In this case, boosting levels
“IT IS USUALLY
beneficial to carry out
both nutrient solution and
foliar mineral level testing,
particularly in recirculating
systems where certain
nutrients may become
depleted rapidly.”
Top: Tip burn on lettuce is an induced calcium deficiency, usually caused by
environmental conditions rather than a lack of calcium in the nutrient solution.
Bottom: Iceberg lettuce has a high potassium requirement and without foliar
analysis, deficiency symptoms are often misdiagnosed as a foliar disease.
feature
37

plant analysis
“WHILE HYDROPONICS
may seem like the ideal
tool to provide the optimal
level of each element in
a well-balanced nutrient
solution, in reality, nutrition
is much more complex.”
Top: Researchers often use plant analysis to determine optimal nutritional
programs for new crops at different stages of growth. Bottom: Using
plant analysis of a well-grown soil crop can be used to formulate nutrient
solutions for new crops, such as these hydroponic peanuts.
of the element shown to be low or deficient in the nutrient
solution will not improve the problem. Other factors need
to be addressed. Calcium is a common example of this, and
iron is another. Calcium-related disorders such as blossom
end rot and tip burn in lettuce and many other plants are a
result of a lack of calcium incorporated into new developing
tissue. However, in hydroponics, where calcium is typically
supplied in most nutrient products at fairly high levels, a
lack of calcium in the root zone is hardly ever the cause of
the deficiency symptoms. In this case, low foliar calcium
levels on a plant analysis report are often a direct result
of growing conditions, which have limited plant uptake of
calcium from the hydroponics solution. These conditions
include high humidity, warm temperatures, and lack of air
flow. All of these restrict transpiration from the foliage, in
turn restricting calcium uptake and transportation within
the transpirational flow inside the plant. Increasing calcium
levels in the nutrient solution to address these low foliar
calcium levels (when levels are not actually deficient) will
not assist with induced mineral deficiencies.
Nutrient interactions can also induce nutrient deficiencies
in the foliar analysis tests despite there being no actual lack
of a particular element in the nutrient solution. An example
of this is in the use of high levels of ammonium, which also
restricts calcium uptake in the root zone. This can induce
calcium deficiency in the foliage and fruit of the plant that
subsequently shows up on the foliar analysis reports.
Under certain growing conditions, such as sub-optimal
temperatures, certain plants are unable to take up iron
or phosphorus efficiently and may show low foliar levels,
despite these elements being present in the nutrient
solution at good levels. If the plant roots have been
suffering from a root rot pathogen or root die-back, foliar
mineral analysis may show multiple deficiencies in many
nutrients; however, this is simply due to the root system
being unable to take up sufficient minerals from the
nutrient solution due to tissue damage. A lack of oxygen
in the root zone can also induce mineral deficiency. This
is also due to damaged roots being unable to take up the
nutrients required for healthy foliar levels.
To avoid these types of issues, it is usually beneficial to
carry out both nutrient solution and foliar mineral level
testing, particularly in recirculating systems where certain
nutrients may become depleted rapidly. This data can then
be used to determine if there is an ongoing problem with
the formulation, lack of any one essential element in the
nutrient solution causing low foliar levels, or another issue
effecting uptake and distribution within the plant.
Where the nutrient product or formulation is found to be the
cause of low, deficient, and even toxic levels of any element
as shown up in a plant analysis report, this data can then
be used to adjust levels in the nutrient solution. Increasing
deficient levels of most elements in the nutrient solution will
rapidly lead to higher levels of uptake and incorporation
into new leaf tissue. For some elements, particularly the
micro or trace elements, foliar sprays can also assist to
help quickly overcome a deficiency issue. A follow-up
leaf analysis can then be used to confirm the deficiency or
toxicity problem has been solved.
Plant analysis is likely to become an increasingly important
aspect of indoor hydroponic production as growers come
to understand more of the complexities of crop nutrition,
boosting growth, and maximizing yields. While hydroponics
may seem like the ideal tool to provide the optimal level of
each element in a well-balanced nutrient solution, in reality,
nutrition is much more complex, and a little monitoring
and plant analysis can go a long way to reaching the full
potential of the system.
38 feature

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grow cycle
grow tent growing
“
SUPER
GROWING ”
by Alan Ray
Ok, while perhaps not the most intense form
of gardening, housing plants in tents is fast
becoming one of the more popular ways to grow.
Here’s a basic overview of what this style of
gardening entails and how you can get started.
The most common definition of the word “tent” begins
with these three words: a portable shelter. While simple,
the description is accurate. Grow tents provide simple and
portable solutions for those with limited space or who prefer a
more private environment. These attributes are also why grow
tents are fast becoming one of the most popular ways to grow.
What is a Grow Tent?
At its core, a grow tent is like a wigwam with a zipper,
though admittedly a bit higher tech and with a few more
bells and whistles. They are generally square or rectangular
and constructed of lightweight nylon or cloth. The standard
grow tent is framed by poles that are usually coated
metal or made of PVC pipe. The entire interior is lined with
a highly reflective material and comes with precut ports to
allow for ventilation and exhaust fan installation. Lights
can be suspended from above.
Grow tents can accommodate all types of growing methods,
including hydroponics and good ol’ pots of soil. (Aquaponics,
however, is best suited for an open room.) Key advantages of
a grow tent are your garden is protected from pests and the
elements, and access to your plants is just a zip away.
Size Matters
The size of your tent is important, but bigger isn’t always better
for beginners. Smaller tents are easier on the budget and a
good way to test the waters without breaking the bank. They
also take up less room and are easier to work in, even though
they possess many of the features a big tent does. Plus, you can
always go bigger later after you gain some experience.
A good size to start with is a 2x4-foot or 4x4-foot tent. Either
can grow and sustain a nice little garden while allowing for
easy access to your plants and accommodating standard
lighting requirements.
What You Need Inside
Above and beyond what the tent manufacturer supplies, you’ll
need to purchase lights, ducting, timers, power strips, and
extension cords. You’ll also need soil and fertilizers, which
should be plant-specific.
40 grow cycle

Fans, both exhaust and oscillating models, must also
be purchased. Airflow is paramount in grow tents as
it replaces stale air with fresh, raises CO 2 levels, and
helps regulate heat that can easily build up in an
enclosed structure. Place your exhaust fan up high to
remove the hot air from the top of your growroom.
A Bit More About Lighting
For the best and safest results, make sure you choose
lights with the recommended wattage for your tent size,
garden footprint, and the type of plant you’re growing.
Remember, smaller tents are still large enough to handle
the hotter lights—up to a 400W high pressure sodium
light—should you decide to upgrade. Just check the tent
maker’s specs to make sure you get it right.
Also, remember that high intensity discharge (HID) lights
put out heat as well as light, so they can’t be placed super
close to your plants. Optimally, they should be placed
anywhere from 30 to 120 centimetres away, depending upon
the wattage. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) on the other hand
produce very little heat and can be placed closer to the
garden’s canopy. When using compact fluorescent lights
(CFL) or fluorescent fixtures, you can place them close to
the top of your plants; within an inch or two. It is also worth
noting that while LED lights cost more to purchase initially,
they use about half the energy of fluorescents and can last
three times longer than CFLs.
No matter which type of lighting you decide to use,
consider incorporating a pulley system to raise and lower
your grow lights. It will make working your garden easier on
you and safer for your plants.
“No matter which type of lighting you
decide to use, consider incorporating a
pulley system to raise and lower your grow
lights. It will make working your garden
easier on you and safer for your plants.”
A Safe Space
Speaking of safety, realize you are going to be watering your
plants with some regularity and any time you have water
and electricity operating near one another, you can’t be too
careful. As a general precaution, all things wet should be
kept below waist level and all things electrical should be
operating above waist level. Also, all electrical cords should
be up off the ground in the event of a water spill. To lessen
the chance of an accident even more, be sure to use new or
undamaged electrical and extension cords of the proper size
to operate the system. Spending a few extra dollars on them
is well worth the investment.
Plant Placement
Remember that plants grow and need some elbow room
as they do. Those little seedlings that look so cute huddled
together on day one could be fighting one another for more
light and room to grow within weeks. Close is okay but
cramped is not.
When done properly, growing indoors can be a unique and
rewarding adventure… “in-tents” even (all puns intended),
especially come harvest time.
grow cycle
41

grow cycle
nutrient solution strength
HOW TO
by Josh Gerovac
OPTIMIZE
NUTRIENT SOLUTION STRENGTH
Accurately measuring the concentration of the nutrient solution being applied to your crops
is critical for optimizing yields, but don’t forget to factor in environmental variables as these
will also affect nutrient uptake. Fluence Bioengineering’s Josh Gerovac explains.
Light is the major environmental
variable that drives photosynthesis in
plants. However, if temperature, relative
humidity, CO 2 concentration, mineral
nutrients, or media moisture levels are
outside of the optimal range for the plant
species you are growing, photosynthesis
(and subsequent plant growth) will be
limited. There is a principal of limiting
factors that must be considered when
cultivating plants, and understanding
how to properly measure and control
each variable is critical to the success
of any controlled environment plant
growth facility. Therefore, taking a holistic
approach to managing environmental
variables is recommended to optimize
growing conditions in a controlled
environment. Measuring and adjusting the
strength of your nutrient solution will be
the main topic of this article, but we will
also discuss how environmental variables
will impact water and nutrient uptake.
EC VS. TDS METERS
It goes without saying that providing
adequate mineral nutrients to your root
zone is critical to produce high yielding
crops. Nutrient deficiencies or toxicities
are a problem that most growers have
dealt with at least once, and these
nutrient imbalances can significantly
impact the yield and quality of a crop.
Optimizing the strength of your nutrient
solution based on the stage of crop
growth and your environment is an
important step to avoid nutrient problems.
There are two critical steps you can
implement to optimize the strength of
the nutrient solution. The first step is to
accurately measure the concentration
of the nutrient solution being applied to
your crops, and the second is to monitor
the amount of soluble salts present in
your root zone. Most fertilizers used for
cultivation are composed of mineral
42 grow cycle

nutrient solution strength
salts that conduct electricity when dissolved in a solution,
and this conductive property allows growers to accurately
measure the strength of a nutrient solution. The higher the
conductivity, the higher the concentration of dissolved salts
present in a solution. Electrical conductivity (EC) or total
dissolved solid (TDS) meters are the two most commonly used
pieces of equipment to measure the concentration of nutrients
in a solution. However, TDS meters (commonly referred to
as parts per million [ppm] meters) are really EC meters in
disguise. TDS meters measure the EC of a nutrient solution
then use a conversion factor of 500, 640, or 700 to estimate the
ppm of a solution (depending on the brand of the meter).
Whether you are using an EC or TDS meter, the steps used
to measure your nutrient solution are the same. You will first
measure the water that you will be mixing your nutrients with
to see if your source water contributes to the overall conductivity
of the solution. You will then mix your nutrients into the
solution and measure the overall conductivity of water and
nutrients combined (if you had any charge in your source
water, you will need to subtract that value from the reading if
you are trying to achieve a desired EC or ppm). Depending on
your irrigation methods (hand watering, drip, ebb and flood,
etc.) and irrigation frequency, the strength of your solution
will need to be adjusted to maintain the optimal level in the
root zone for the crop you’re growing. While it is very important
to know the strength of the nutrient solution applied to
your crop, it is equally (if not more) important to monitor the
amount of soluble salts in your root zone. A simple method
used to measure the conductivity of your media is called
the pour-thru method. The first step of this method is to irrigate
your crop with your nutrient solution until the media is
completely saturated. Wait 30 minutes, then place a saucer
below the container and pour distilled water over the surface
of the media until you collect a sample large enough (about
50 millilitres) to be able to submerge the tip of an EC or TDS
probe. This reading will indicate whether you need to increase
or reduce your nutrient solution concentration, or if you need to
flush the root zone with pure water to remove soluble salts.
ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES
Several environmental variables will impact how fast water
and mineral nutrients are taken up by a plant, including
but not limited to light intensity, temperature, and relative
humidity. As light intensity (µmol/m 2 /s) is increased, the rate
of growth also increases and results in a greater demand for
nutrients. However, increased light intensity also increases
the rate of transpiration, which will cause you to irrigate your
crop more frequently. If you are feeding a high rate of fertilizer
at each irrigation, this can cause soluble salts to build up in
the root zone, resulting in increased osmotic pressure that will
make it difficult to for your plants to uptake water and nutrients.
Any time you have increased osmotic pressure in the root
zone, your growth rate will decrease and yield will be sacrificed.
Increasing the air temperature or reducing the relative
humidity in your controlled environment will also increase
transpiration rates, which will influence your irrigation
frequency. The bottom line is this: anytime you are changing
environmental variables, it is extremely important to monitor
the EC of your root zone to ensure you do not run into issues.
44 grow cycle

WHILE IT IS very
important to know
the strength of the
nutrient solution
applied to your crop,
it is equally (if not
more) important to
monitor the amount
of soluble salts in
your root zone.”
There are hundreds of different fertilizer brands on the
market, and whichever one you decide to use, make sure
it provides balanced levels of macro- and micronutrients
necessary for the crop you are growing. EC and TDS meters are
great tools used to check the strength of your nutrient solution,
however, if you want to know the composition of specific
nutrient salts that are contributing to your solution or media,
you will need to have a chemical lab analysis done. Different
fertilizer salts contribute to the overall EC differently, and
certain nutrient components like urea will not contribute to the
overall EC until its converted into nitrate (NO 3).
Plant nutrition is just one important variable to consider when
making adjustments to optimize your controlled environment.
To learn more about optimizing environmental conditions,
download the Fluence Bioengineering High PPFD Cultivation
Guide at fluence.science.
grow cycle
45

grow cycle
start a bee colony
5 BEE
REASONS
TO START A
COLONY
by Monica Mansfield
Beekeeping is all the buzz.
However, if you aren’t convinced
to give it a go yet, here are five
reasons you should consider
starting a bee colony.
Consumers, gardeners, and politicians
understand the importance of bees
and what it would mean to our world if
we lost them. As a result, it is becoming
more common to see wooden boxes on
rooftops and tucked into the corners of
backyards. Beekeeping has become a hot
trend. City zoning regulations around the
country have changed to allow beehives,
and grants are being offered to bee
farmers. If you haven’t jumped on the
bandwagon yet, there are many reasons
you too should consider starting your
own bee colony.
THE HONEY
Honey is liquid gold. Not only does it
sweeten your tea, taste delicious on
toast, and add flavour to a baked ham,
but it also provides plenty of health
benefits and can be used as a natural
remedy for countless ailments.
Honey contains vitamins, enzymes,
trace minerals, antioxidants, and
amino acids. It is well-known for
its antimicrobial and antifungal
properties. A spoonful of honey per
day has been said to alleviate coughs
and sore throats, fight off cancer, boost
your immune system, keep seasonal
allergies at bay, reduce cholesterol, and
help you get a good night’s sleep. When
applied topically, it helps wounds and
burns heal faster, treats eczema, softens
skin, and reduces the appearance
of wrinkles. Ayurveda, the Indian
medical system that has been around
for centuries, routinely uses honey as
a carrier for medicinal herbs, claiming
that honey carries the medicine deeper
into your tissues.
Many store-bought brands of honey
have been pasteurized or have additives,
such as high fructose corn syrup, that
eliminate honey’s positive qualities. So,
it is important to use raw, local honey if
you want the benefits. You can usually
find the good stuff at your local farmers’
market, but it is simple and rewarding to
start a bee colony and produce your own.
46 grow cycle

THE BEESWAX
Beeswax doesn’t get as much attention
as it should. It has dozens of helpful
uses around the home and in your
beauty routine. When used on your
skin, it creates a protective barrier
that still allows your skin to breathe. It
also contains vitamin A, which is one
of the best vitamins for your skin. For
these reasons, it is perfect in homemade
lip balms, lotions, hair-styling
aids, salves, and soaps.
You can also use the wax to make your
own furniture polish, waterproof your
shoes, make dental floss, wax your
sewing thread, coat your kitchen pans
so they don’t stick to food, seal yard tools
so they don’t rust, and cover your homemade
cheese. Beeswax is also ideal for
making your own candles. While many
commercial candles emit toxic chemicals,
beeswax burns cleaner for longer
and produces a lovely smell.
On a side note, honey bees must
consume 3.9 kilograms (kg) of honey
to make 0.5 kg of beeswax, which they
use to make the honeycomb in their
hive. Honeycomb holds the bees’ honey
in small hexagon-shaped buckets.
That shape is no accident. Since it
takes so much food to create a small
amount of wax, bees tapped into
their mathematical genius to come
up with the most efficient way to use
it. Hexagons allow them to use the
least amount of wax to store the most
amount of honey. Pretty smart little
insects, if you ask me.
GOOD FOR YOUR GARDEN
Raising your own bee colony is one
of the best things you can do for your
garden. Honey bees will pollinate
your plants and increase your yield.
(Yes, many crops can self-pollinate
or be pollinated by wind, but some
of our favourite plants need the help
of pollinators; if you grow flowers,
cucumbers, melons, berries, or fruit
trees, bees will dramatically increase
your harvest). According to the United
States Department of Agriculture
(USDA), “Bee pollination is responsible
for $15 billion in added crop value,
particularly for specialty crops such
as almonds and other nuts, berries,
fruits, and vegetables.”
ENCOURAGE BEE POPULATIONS
In May 2016, the USDA released a report
on bee colony losses in the US from
January to March 2015. Losses ranged
from a negligible one to four per cent in
states like North Dakota, Hawaii, and
Idaho to a whopping 40-48 per cent in
states like Illinois, Maryland, and Ohio.
The reported average loss throughout
the United States was 18 per cent for
those months. Since bees play such an
important role in pollinating many of our
food crops, the fact that so many of them
are dying off is cause for concern.
Scientists have been working hard
to get to the bottom of these losses,
but there seems to be multiple causes
contributing to these numbers. Varroa
mites are a leading cause in destroying
colonies. Once they attack a honey bee,
its immune system is weakened, allowing
dormant viruses to manifest. The sick
bee then spreads those viruses quickly
throughout the colony. Varroa mites are
the bane of most beekeepers’ existence.
Other factors also play a role, including
the widespread use of toxic pesticides
and a lack of food for bees as natural
landscapes are replaced with concrete.
Well-informed beekeepers play an
important role in encouraging bee populations.
By managing healthy hives, we
can make sure bees are with us for many
generations to come.
START YOUR OWN BUSINESS
Compared to other farming start-ups,
beekeeping is relatively inexpensive and
low-maintenance. Beginner beekeeping
kits can be found in the USD$150-500
range and include most of the things you
need to get going, such as a hive, basic
tools, a smoker, veiled hat, and gloves.
Also, bees don’t need to be fed, watered,
and milked daily like other livestock
does. In fact, they just need you to check
in on them once a week or so to make
sure they look healthy and honey production
is on track. They are pretty self-sufficient
and may only need some extra food
from you in the spring and fall. The bulk
of your beekeeping work will be when
you harvest the honey, which should only
take about a day for one to two hives.
Once you harvest your honey, you can
sell your surplus online, at farmers’
markets, or at your own farm stand. You
can also sell your beeswax and other
homemade products such as candles,
lip balms, salves, soaps, and lotions.
Beekeepers can also earn additional
revenue by renting out hives to farmers to
help them pollinate their crops.
There are many reasons to start your own
bee colony. Whether you love the honey,
want to help your garden and the environment,
or want to make some extra
money, beekeeping is a low-cost, lowmaintenance
hobby that adds value to
your life. Look for a beekeeper association
in your area; there is sure to be a
seasoned beekeeper that will be happy to
help you get started.
“SINCE BEES play
such an important role
in pollinating many of
our food crops, the
fact that so many of
them are dying off is
cause for concern.”
grow cycle
47

feature
leaf surface temperature
LEAF SURFACE
TEMPERATURE
by Kevin Blair Frender
Just because the ambient air
temperature in your growroom
is ideal doesn’t mean your plants
are growing in ideal temperatures.
Recent technology now allows
for measuring of leaf surface
temperature, which factors in a
number of variables. Black Dog
LED’s Kevin Frender explains
what LST is and why it matters.
Growing your plants in ideal temperatures has long been
recognized as critical to maximizing yields; keeping plants
too warm stresses them, and too cold slows down growth—
either will reduce yields. To that end, most growers try to
maintain an ideal air temperature in their growing areas to
keep the plants growing vigorously. However, the temperature
of the plants themselves, the leaf surface temperature (LST),
is not the same as the ambient air temperature in the growing
area. Measuring the ambient air temperature in your garden is
like measuring the air in our living spaces, it is important for
us to have a proper temperature to live in. Measuring LST is
like taking a person’s temperature with a thermometer under
their tongue. The actual LST is determined by several factors:
plant type, air temperature, humidity, and light spectrum
all influence leaf surface temperature. Only with recent
technological advancements has it been possible to provide
plants with completely optimized light spectrums, so many
growers are unaware of how dramatically light spectrum can
change the ideal ambient air temperature in an indoor growing
area. In some cases, a plant-optimized spectrum can require
air temperatures 10°F warmer to keep the plants’ leaves in the
ideal temperature range to maximize yield.
WHY DOES LEAF SURFACE TEMPERATURE MATTER?
Most biochemical reactions only operate within a certain
temperature range, and have an even narrower range in which
the reaction proceeds most efficiently. If temperatures are too
low or too high, the reactions proceed more slowly or not at all.
The metabolism of most plants occurs within the leaf; for any
given plant, there is an optimal leaf surface temperature range
that maximizes growth as well as production of other desirable
secondary metabolites such as resins, pigments, flavourenhancing
compounds, and vitamins.
48
grow cycle

“MEASURING LST IS like taking
a person’s temperature with a
thermometer under their tongue.”
Note that the leaf surface temperature
is affected by, but not equivalent to, the
ambient air temperature in the growing
environment. Leaves can be cooled through
evaporation occurring in open pores
(stomata) in the leaf that allow gas exchange,
and are warmed by absorbed but unused
light, whether from artificial or natural sources.
Leaf surface temperature is almost always
different than ambient air temperature.
WHAT IS THE IDEAL LEAF SURFACE TEMPERATURE?
So, what is the ideal leaf surface temperature for plants? This
is unfortunately a question without a simple answer as many
factors influence the ideal.
Multiple types of metabolic reactions exist within every
plant, and each has a different optimal temperature range.
Primary metabolism (photosynthesis) is obviously the most
important; without it, the plant will not survive. Optimal
temperatures for desirable secondary metabolites must
be considered as well, especially if the plant is grown
specifically for the secondary metabolites.
The optimal leaf temperature range for photosynthesis
depends on the type of plant and concentrations of CO 2.
Arctic- and alpine-adapted plants typically require cooler
temperatures, while desert-adapted and plants using C4
photosynthesis prefer it warmer. (There are two slightly
different chemical reactions for photosynthesis, called C3 and
C4; the variant a plant uses is determined genetically.) Most
growers also know they can turn up the temperature when
running CO 2, since CO 2 supplementation will generally raise
the optimal photosynthesis temperature. Thus, the ideal LST
for photosynthesis is dependent on environmental conditions
as well as the type of plant.
Secondary metabolic reactions can have a huge range
of optimal temperatures; many plants have even evolved
responses specifically triggered by exposure to cold or hot
temperatures to better adapt to their surroundings. For
example, some plants produce proteins with anti-freeze
properties when exposed to cold.
In short, the ideal leaf surface temperature depends on
the species/variety of the plant, overall environmental
conditions, as well as what the plant is being grown for. Only
experimentation can determine an ideal range for LST for a
specific plant variety in a specific set of conditions.
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49

feature
leaf surface temperature
“LEAF SURFACE temperature is almost always
different than ambient air temperature.”
WHAT AFFECTS LEAF SURFACE TEMPERATURE?
Ambient air temperature, relative humidity, leaf physiology
and pigmentation, genetic/metabolic differences, and light
spectrum all affect LST. Air temperature sets a baseline for leaf
temperature, providing warmth to leaves cooler than the air,
and cooling leaves warmer than it. Many leaves can cool themselves
through evaporation of water through stomata; higher
relative humidity typically increases leaf surface temperature
by reducing this evaporative cooling. The spectrum (colours) of
light the leaf is receiving also affect leaf surface temperature.
Many studies have shown that chlorophyll, the primary
driver of photosynthesis, most efficiently uses light in the blue
and red areas of the light spectrum. This does not mean that
plants cannot use green or yellow light for photosynthesis, just
that it is less efficiently used.
We can slightly modify the popular game of Bags and use
it as an analogy to understand how photons can fuel photosynthesis.
Imagine a Bags board representing the leaf, but
instead of one hole near the center, there is one near the top
and one near the bottom. The top hole represents the higher
energy blue photons and the bottom hole the lower energy red
photons that chlorophyll can utilize. Each bag thrown at the
board represents a photon of light. If you throw a bag through
the blue hole it efficiently fuels photosynthesis. Same for a red
photon—it will go into the red hole and fuel photosynthesis.
If a photon of a different colour such as yellow or green hits
the board, it will slide down the board, creating heat from
friction and changing colour as it slides down and loses
energy. It may slide down and fall through the red hole,
which will fuel photosynthesis, or the photon could slide off
the bottom of the board, not fueling photosynthesis and only
creating heat.
This analogy demonstrates that optimizing the spectrum of
light (targeting bags at holes, not just the board) can increase
photosynthesis while also keeping the leaves cooler (less bags
sliding down the board).
Therefore, measuring leaf surface temperature indirectly
measures the efficiency of the light spectrum mix for growing
plants—a less-efficient spectrum will tend to heat the leaf
more, while a more-efficient spectrum mix will heat the leaf
less, as more of the original light energy is being converted
directly to chemical energy instead of heat. Light spectrums
optimized for plants will therefore require a warmer ambient
air temperature to keep the LST in the ideal range than spectrums
not optimized for plants. Since heat mitigation is generally
a concern in indoor gardens with artificial light, these
higher ambient temperatures can save significant money.
ARTIFICIAL GROW LIGHTS
Various artificial grow light technologies create different
light spectrums. LED grow lights differ significantly from
other forms of artificial plant lights in that the spectrum
can be tailored to any specification, eliminating unwanted
excesses of light wavelengths (colours) while providing
light plants can use most efficiently. Other artificial lighting
technologies produce much of their light as an unintended
and unavoidable byproduct of how they operate, ultimately
wasting energy in heating up plant leaves. Of course, an
LED light with a spectrum not optimized for plants will also
waste energy heating up plant leaves.
High pressure sodium (HPS), in particular, converts a significant
portion of the energy consumed by the bulb directly to
non-visible infrared light in the 810-830-nanometre (nm) range,
peaking at about 819 nm. This infrared light is perceptible to
you (and plants) by the warmth it creates, although it does not
have enough energy for photosynthesis. Additionally, much of
the visible light HPS bulbs produce is yellow, intermediate in
energy between blue and red light most efficiently utilized by
plants, warming up the leaves.
OBSERVING HOW SPECTRUM AFFECTS LST
There are several tools available for measuring actual
leaf surface temperature, from probes placed on the leaf
to infrared thermometers. Many of these give an accurate
reading of LST at a single point, but looking at only a
single point on a leaf provides an incomplete idea of the
temperature, since it can vary significantly over the surface
of a single leaf. A forward-looking infrared camera (FLIR)
provides a complete picture of leaves’ temperature and a
much better understanding of how light spectrum affects LST.
50 grow cycle

leaf surface temperature
Yellow Mangosteen (Garcinia xanthochymus)
Yellow Mangosteen (Garcinia xanthochymus)
240W all-white LED 240W plant-optimized LED
75°F ambient air temperature 84°F ambient air temperature
75°F ambient air temperature 84°F ambient air temperature
1,000W High Pressure Sodium 750W Plant-optimized LED
75°F ambient air temperature 84°F ambient air temperature
75°F ambient air temperature 84°F ambient air temperature
Purple: plant-optimized LED spectrum
Orange: all-white LED spectrum
Green: relative photosynthetic efficiency by wavelength
Fig. 1
Purple: plant-optimized LED spectrum
Orange: HPS spectrum
Green: relative photosynthetic efficiency by wavelength
Fig. 2
The FLIR images in Fig. 1 were taken with the same plants on
the same day under otherwise identical conditions, with only
the ambient air temperature and light spectrum changed.
This shows the same leaf under two different light
spectrums (both provided by 240W LED lights), under two
different ambient air temperatures. In the warmer ambient
environment of 84°F, the LST difference between the 89.2°F
and 92.3°F shown in the image is over 3°F. Note the leaf
is cooler with the plant-optimized spectrum at both
ambient air temperatures. This shows that it
isn’t LED technology but purely spectrum
that is responsible for the different
leaf temperatures. LST still increases
with a less-efficient spectrum, even
when the light is from LEDs.
Fig. 2 shows the same plant under
two different light spectrums
and two different ambient
air temperatures. In the 75°F
ambient garden, the hottest part
of the leaf is 86.5°F, but in the
same environment under the
1,000W HPS, the leaf hits 102°F.
Note the leaf is again cooler with
the plant-optimized spectrum at
both ambient air temperatures.
“IN SOME CASES, a plant-optimized
spectrum can require air temperatures 10°F
warmer to keep the plants’ leaves in the ideal
temperature range to maximize yield.”
52 grow cycle

feature
53

leaf surface temperature
OPTIMIZING GROWTH UNDER LED GROW LIGHTS
When growing under LED lights with a red- and blue-dominant
plant-optimized spectrum, the lack of excess infrared and
other directly-usable light causes the leaves to remain cooler,
meaning that ambient air temperature needs to be significantly
warmer than for the same plant grown under any light
(natural or artificial) that is not optimized for plant growth.
LED lights utilizing primarily “white” LEDs, which are
actually optimized for human eyes, are dominated by mostly
yellow and green light output. This lack of plant efficiency will
warm up leaves more than a red- and blue-dominant spectrum,
but because they still lack the 800+ nm infrared output of most
HID lights, the ambient air temperature may still need to be a
little warmer to get the ideal LST.
If you are switching from traditional HID lighting to LED,
you can turn the temperature up a bit with white LEDs, but
you need to turn it up more if you are using a plant-tuned
spectrum. Not adjusting ambient air temperature to account
for the spectrum change can limit your plants’ growth, and
ultimately your yields.
COMPARING LED GROW LIGHTS TO OTHER
GROW LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES
When growing with plant-optimized LED lights, it is important
to realize that ambient air temperatures need to be kept
higher compared to other lighting to achieve the same
metabolic rate. Side-by-side tests of LED lights versus other
lighting such as HPS, where ambient air temperature is kept
the same, are not particularly informative or accurate as to
the lights’ relative performance—the tests should be run so
that leaf surface temperature is being kept the same under
each light to enable identical metabolic rates. As the data
from FLIR camera observations shows, this becomes more
critical especially when comparing plant-optimized LED
grow lights to MH and HPS, as the leaf surface temperature
difference is much higher with these lights.
“NOT ADJUSTING AMBIENT air
temperature to account for the spectrum
change can limit your plants’ growth, and
ultimately your yields.”
RELATIVE ENERGY SAVINGS
Heat mitigation is required in most indoor gardens using
artificial lights, whether it is achieved with ventilation
or air conditioning. Plant-optimized LED grow lights can
offer substantial energy and cost savings in cooling.
LED lights already contribute less heat to the growing
environment than HPS, metal halide (MH), and fluorescent
lights due to higher efficiency of light generation. Running
a warmer indoor garden, as required for LED with a planttuned
spectrum, can lead to a profound reduction of costs
associated with cooling—not just running the cooling
equipment, but also in sizing it as well.
Even growing areas currently relying on excess heat
from conventional grow lights can easily reduce costs
with plant-optimized spectrum grow lights. In most indoor
grow areas, something as simple as plastic sheeting can
provide sufficient additional insulation to avoid the need
for other forms of heat. In greenhouses, natural gas or
propane heaters are usually much more cost-effective than
relying on electric lights for heat.
If growroom cooling is achieved partially or entirely through
ventilation, and CO 2 supplementation is being used, the
reduced need for cooling when using LED plant lights will
also result in less loss of CO 2 further increasing savings.
Every grower knows how important it is to keep your plants
happy at the right temperature for maximum yield. LED
technology allows better control of the light spectrum than
ever before, and this translates into cooler leaves for your
plants at the same ambient temperature. Unless you raise the
air temperature with plant-optimized LED grow lights, you are
keeping your plants too cool, harming your yields, and costing
you more in unnecessary cooling. With non-plant-optimized
“white” LEDs designed for human eyes, you may still need to
raise the temperature a few degrees, but not as much as with
red- and blue-dominant, plant-optimized LED grow lights.
54 grow cycle

groundbreakers
movers & shakers
Kristin Nikodemski accepting Retailers’ Choice Award for ARBORChar at FNGLA
Arborjet, Inc.
99 Blueberry Hill Road,
Woburn, MA 01801
1-781-935-9070
arborjet.com
In Business Since 1999
Arborjet’s mission is to develop the most effective formulations
and delivery systems in plant health care. As a premier
solutions provider, the company is committed to advancing
technology in the industries it serves through leadership,
scientific research, and exceptional customer service.
Peter Wild, Arborjet’s founder, started
the company when he found himself
frustrated with the lack of tools and
products available to successfully and
safely protect trees from serious threats.
That was in 1999. He immediately began
working on groundbreaking, sustainable
solutions in tree health care and
formulated products to be injected into
the vascular system of trees. That work
provided the foundation for today’s
Arborjet, which supplies hundreds of
cities with products that save hundreds
of thousands of trees annually.
With a mission to develop the most
effective formulations and delivery
systems for plant health, Arborjet continues
to innovate in an effort to provide
environmental stewardship.
“With our experience in formulating
sustainable and effective solutions for
tree care, we have expanded the use
of our research and development team
and these technologies to become an
emerging supplier to the indoor growing,
outdoor growing, and nursery markets,”
says Russ Davis, president of Arborjet.
“Arborjet recognizes ethical behaviour,
environmental responsibility, and good
stewardship as essential in sustaining
business, customers, and the planet.”
As a result of this focus, Arborjet
manufactures the most effective
formulations and delivery systems
for plant health care. Each product is
the result of collaborative laboratory
research and extensive field trial work
conducted across the US and worldwide.
56 groundbreakers

The company’s products are unique.
Arborjet’s trunk injection solution technique
can be compared to a hospital
I.V. The solution is injected directly into
the tree’s vascular system, where it is
distributed throughout the tree. Those
formulations are sealed inside the
tree through the use of the company’s
proprietary Arborplug.
“It’s simple and quick, eco-friendly
and cost-effective,” says Davis. “Our
horticulture line uses the access to a
number of suppliers and technology
to create unique solutions for the
horticulture industry. Additionally,
our experience working with all types
of pesticides and soil amendments
gives us access to testing locations
and the ability to design testing
protocols that assure our products
are of the highest quality.”
Arborjet’s products are for both residential
and commercial application and are
distributed throughout the US.
The company’s most popular item
for tree care is its TREE-äge product.
According to Davis, TREE-äge saves
hundreds of thousands of trees every
year from invasive insects like the
emerald ash borer.
Kristin Nikodemski, Monica Munoz, Matt Andrus
“On the horticulture side, AzaSol is
our most popular product, but all of our
products in this market are unique and
unmatched,” says Davis. “AzaSol has
three times the concentrate of neem
oils and it is the only completely water
soluble neem product available. It has
no oil and is systemic, making this the
only neem product that can be applied
as a soil drench, foliar spray, chemigation
bath, or trunk injection.”
Similarly, the botanical oils and
extracts in Eco-Mite Plus and Eco-PM
are specially combined, boasting the
highest concentrations in the industry.
Arborjet’s soil amending products,
NutriRoot and ARBORChar, are
also unique. They provide patented
technologies to reduce drought stress,
enhance root growth, and promote
cation exchange.
All of Arborjet’s products are developed
from the ground up in the
company’s labs. Davis says this
allows Arborjet to be focused on the
specific use as well as the customer’s
specific needs. “The result of this
focus is a line of unique products that
are environmentally responsible and
highly effective. All of our products are
independently tested by researchers
from universities, the USDA and the
US Forest Service, and we have data to
prove the effectiveness.” He adds that
R&D is Arborjet’s greatest asset and its
“
We want to be the first
company you think of when
you have a serious problem
that requires combining
technology and horticulture.”
greatest challenge. “Because we don’t
just copy the next guy or pull a package
of known product off the shelf, we have
a strong need to educate. People in the
industry can sometimes be a bit skeptical
because they can’t believe how
good it looks or sounds. But once they
try our products, they are on board. For
this reason, you will never find these
products in a big box store. They will be
in hydroponic stores and garden centres
where the staff is educated and successful
results are expected,” says Davis.
Moving forward, Arborjet will continue
to hone its Eco-line of products, providing
professionals, gardeners, growers,
and even homeowners with safe,
high-quality plant health care products.
“We want to be the first company you
think of when you have a serious problem
that requires combining technology
and horticulture,” says Davis. “We
will be the leader in supplying unique
solutions that are effective and environmentally
responsible.
groundbreakers
57

groundbreakers
you tell us
Next Generation Hydroponic Farming:
Desert Greens H 2 O
After more than 10 years of research and development, the man behind
Desert Greens H 2 O’s flagship, broad-scale hydroponic greenhouse,
which is the first of its kind in Nevada, believes his systems have
the capacity to redefine the current global food paradigm. Here’s Tom
Blount with more info on his A-frame systems that are capable of
producing four times the yields of average greenhouses.
photos by Infinite Imaging Photography
2016 was one hell of a year for Tom
Blount, systems designer and grower
at Desert Greens H 2O. In May, Blount’s
flagship hydroponic greenhouse, located
in Nevada, became fully operational.
It was a proud moment for him, as he
spent more than 10 years perfecting
the system—a hydroponic grow system
with a unique height and pitch design
that exponentially reduces the carbon
footprint of any traditional soil-grow
or existing hydroponic application.
“Our proprietary systems help
us focus on the ever-changing
needs of the plants to ensure
maximum growth, using a fraction of
the space and water, to consistently
produce exponentially larger
greenhouse yields with unparalleled
flavour profiles and nutritional
value,” he says. “Our next-generation
greenhouse is sustainable and can
revolutionize the way food is grown.”
Before discovering hydroponics,
Blount owned a small restaurant on
Kauai. “The cost of the produce was
a bottom line killer,” he recalls. This
was 1988. “Back then, lettuce there
cost $45 to $60, compared to $8 to
$12 per case in the rest of the US. And
half of it was rotted by arrival. I had a
friend who grew hydroponic lettuce, so
I asked her to show me how to do it.
58 groundbreakers

I ended up growing for the restaurant.
Hydro, I thought, was a way to the
future, and I enjoyed growing and
working with plants.” Many years
later, Desert Greens H 2O was born.
Desert Greens H 2O’s vertical grow
units produce four to six times
the crop yield of current standard
hydroponic greenhouses. “Our grow
units allow for the utilization of the
entire length, width, and height
of the greenhouse, which exponentially
increases both crop size
and harvestable plant material,”
explains Blount. “As an example, in
2,160 square feet, we can fit 25,630
grow spaces, and in our standard
60x72-foot greenhouse systems
application, we offer 40,000-plus
grow sites.” Compared to traditional
farming, the increased yield
is staggering, Blount adds, citing
that, according to North Carolina
State University, one acre of land is
required to produce 26,000 heads of
small lettuce per full harvest in soil.
Its unique set-up isn’t the only
thing boosting Desert Greens H 2O’s
position in the growing market—
the company is also able to grow
year-round. “Traditional grows are
limited by seasonal conditions,
which allow for a maximum of
two to three harvests per year,
whereas we have the ability to grow
year-round with 12 harvests per
year,” explains Blount. Another
advantage the company has going
for it is water conservation. “Desert
Greens H 2O utilizes a closed-loop
system, which expresses more than
90 per cent in water savings over
traditional soil grows,” Blount says.
All that being said, Desert Greens
is in more than just the leafy greens
business. It is set to both license or
sell its systems to other companies.
“Our next-generation grow systems
are replicable for commercial
applications, ensuring that a bettertasting,
nutrient-laden product can be
grown consistently in a large area. We
are a hydroponic and aeroponic grow
systems company that would like to
help farmers reach pinnacle levels of
crop yield. As such, we are pleased
to not just manufacture our systems
for resale, but we are here to install
and train operational staff on our
proprietary systems.”
Tom Blount discusses the key elements that make up his unique grow systems.
For anyone considering maximizing
their yields with A-frames within
greenhouses, Desert Greens H 2O are
your guys, no matter your current
structure. “We can retrofit any existing
greenhouse structure. We offer three
different management packages and
offer live-time monitoring of the greenhouse,
combined with daily greenhouse
climate and water conditions,” shares
Blount. In addition, Desert Greens has
also developed a proprietary nutrient
blend, created with pharmaceutical-grade
ingredients, to help growers
get off to the right start.
Starting without a structure? Desert
Greens can also help with that. “We
have a strategic alliance with Atlas
Greenhouse, whom we recommend
for the product quality, strength of
structure, and ability to customize
their greenhouse sizes,” says Blount.
“ Desert Greens H 2 O’s
vertical grow units produce
four to six times the crop
yield of current standard
hydroponic greenhouses.”
“We have found that in the southern
Nevada climate the most efficient size
greenhouse is 60x72 feet. We have three
systems, all of which may be either
downsized or up-scaled depending
on the grow application. Owners can
choose from the Oxygen-Infused
A-Frame System (OIAF), the Over
Head Vining System (OHV), or the
Large Plant System (LP).”
​So, what’s coming up next for
this innovative company? Desert
Greens H 2O is collaborating with the
University of Nevada in an effort to
obtain white papers confirming water
savings, carbon footprint, square
foot crop production numbers, and
increased nutrient values. Blount
says his primary goal is to have every
plant in his systems reach 100 per cent
of their DNA capacity, with minimal
impact on the environment.
groundbreakers
59

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
MODERN GROWING

EXPERIENCE
THE FUTURE
OF GROWING
SAN JOSE, CA
June 3-4, 2017
San Jose McEnery
Convention Center
DETROIT, MI
Sep 30-Oct 1, 2017
Cobo Center
mygrowx.com | #growx2017
TM

groundbreakers
max mart
62 groundbreakers

groundbreakers
63

groundbreakers
max mart
visit us
online
maximumyield.com
follow us on
Twitter
twitter.com/max_yield
distributors
retail stores listed alphabetically
by city in each province
ALBERTA
----------------------------------------------
IncrediGrow Garden Centre
103-7500 MacLeod Trail SE
CALGARY, AB T2H 0L9
403-255-0740
----------------------------------------------
Quick Grow
1-1204 Edmonton Trail Rd. NE
CALGARY, AB T2E 3K5
877-426-4769
Twins Greenhouse
13 - 2235 30th Ave., NE
CALGARY, AB T2C 7C7
403-273-2881
----------------------------------------------
Hydro-Lite
12249 Fort Rd.
EDMONTON, AB T5B 4H7
780-477-7860
----------------------------------------------
Niloc Wholesale Inc.
Box 82008 Yellowbird RPO
EDMONTON, AB T6J 7E6
780-885-4769
T & T Hydroponic
14925 112 Ave. NW
EDMONTON, AB T5M 2V6
780-452-9868
----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
Sun Beam Central
3444 River Rd.
CHEMAINUS, BC V0R 1K4
250-246-1379
----------------------------------------------
Valley Indoor
Greenhouse Supplies
103 - 44195 Yale Rd. West
CHILLIWACK, BC V2R 4H2
877-702-1169
----------------------------------------------
Sundogz Garden Supply
1824 Alberni Hwy.
COOMBS, BC V0R 1M0
250-954-2046
----------------------------------------------
Art Knapp
2855 Wentworth Rd.
COURTENAY, BC V9N 6B7
250-334-3024
----------------------------------------------
Better Than Nature Kelowna
207 Asher Rd.
KELOWNA, BC V1X 3H5
250-868-8978
Clearoma Industries
P.O. Box 2627 Stn R.
KELOWNA, BC V1X 6A7
250-763-0056
----------------------------------------------
Pacific Northwest
Garden Supply -Kelowna
Unit C1 - 1810 Kyle Ct.
KELOWNA, BC V1Z 3Z4
250-769-4791
----------------------------------------------
Quick Grow Indoor
Garden Center
1945 Kirschner Rd.
KELOWNA, BC V1Y 4N7
250-861-3434
----------------------------------------------
Green Earth Garden Supplies
5654 Production Way.
LANGLEY, BC V3A 4N4
604-532-7106
----------------------------------------------
GreenStar Plant Products Inc.
9430 198 St. LANGLEY, BC V1M 3C8
604-882-7699
----------------------------------------------
your ad could be here.
Northern Lights
Indoor Gardening Centre
10108 100th Ave.
GRANDE PRAIRIE, AB T8V 0V5
780-538-3277
----------------------------------------------
The Grow Zone
6831-52 Ave.
RED DEER, AB T4N 4L2
403-356-9663
----------------------------------------------
BRITISH
COLUMBIA
Interior Gardener’s Supply
221 - 1 McDermid Rd., Box 1779
100 MILE HOUSE, BC V0K 2E0
250-395-3399
TLC Hydroponics and Garden
Supplies
3395 Okanagan St. PO Box #543
ARMSTRONG, BC V0E 1B0
250-546-9391
Jon’s Plant Factory
3925 E. Hastings St.
BURNABY, BC V5C 2H8
604-294-3000
----------------------------------------------
Progressive Growth
2459 Cousins Ave.
COURTENAY, BC V9N 3N6
250-334-8425
----------------------------------------------
Top Crop Garden,
Farm & Pet
2101 Cranbrook St. N
CRANBROOK, BC V1C 5M6
250-489-4555
Sunset Seed Company
1628 Canyon St.
CRESTON, BC V0B 1G0
250-428-4614
Cowichan Hydroponic Supplies
4 - 2955 Jacob Rd.
DUNCAN, BC V9L 6W4
250-746-0244
Duncan Plants & Ponics
6512 Bell McKinnon Rd.
DUNCAN, BC V9L 6C1
250-746-5591
----------------------------------------------
Green Island Joe's
Garden Supply
994 Errington Rd., Unit 4
ERRINGTON, BC V0R1V0
250-586-2000
----------------------------------------------
Sunshine Gardens
Greenhouse Superstore
5 - 1744 Kelly Douglas Rd.
KAMLOOPS, BC V2C 5S4
877-372-2270
----------------------------------------------
OK Garden Supply
104 - 5498 267th St.
LANGLEY, BC V4W 3S8
604 607 7263
----------------------------------------------
Pacific Western
Garden Supplies
5785 203A St.
LANGLEY, BC V3A 1W7
604-510-4839; 778-898-5888
Excel Air Systems
200 - 20170 Stewart Cres.
MAPLE RIDGE, BC V2X 0T4
604-728-0757
----------------------------------------------
Pacific Northwest Garden
Supply - Maple Ridge
109 - 20110 Lougheed Hwy.
MAPLE RIDGE, BC V2X 2P7
604-465-4768
----------------------------------------------
Planting Plus Greenhouse
Supplies and Hardware
Unit 2 - 23382 River Rd.
MAPLE RIDGE, BC V2X 3J2
604-466-5949
Triple Tree Nurseryland
20503 Lougheed Hwy.
MAPLE RIDGE, BC V2X 2P9
604-465-9313
Gro Green Garden Supply
7260 Park St.
MISSION, BC V2V 6G8
604-814-4345
----------------------------------------------
check out the all-new
maximumyield.com
Hygro Gardening Supplies Inc.
1791 Tamarac St.
CAMPBELL RIVER, BC V9W 5Y7
250-286-0424
----------------------------------------------
Canadian Garden Supply
1730 Hwy. 3
CASTLEGAR, BC V1N 4W1
250-304-2911
---------------------------------------------
West Coast Hydroponic
Garden Shop
113 - 805 Notre Dame
KAMLOOPS, BC V2C 5N8
250-851-2992
----------------------------------------------
Aqua Gro Hydroponics
Supplies
Suite 101 2689 Kyle Rd.
KELOWNA, BC V1Z 2M9
250-769-7745
Pacific Northwest
Garden Supply - Mission
5 - 33111 London Ave.
MISSION, BC V2V 4P9
604-820-8815
----------------------------------------------
Hub City Hydroponics
105-50 Tenth St.
NANAIMO, BC V9R 6L1
250 591 8150
----------------------------------------------
64 groundbreakers

distributors
----------------------------------------------
Progressive Growth
41 - 1925 Bowen Rd.
NANAIMO, BC V9S 1H1
800-405-4769
----------------------------------------------
Tridon Hydroponics
12 - 1708 Bowen Rd.
NANAIMO, BC V9S 1G9
250-755-1900
----------------------------------------------
Pacific Northwest
Garden Supply - Nelson
Unit 14- 104 Silica St.
NELSON, BC V1L 4M1
250-354-4767
----------------------------------------------
Buckerfields
587 Alberni Hwy.
PARKSVILLE, BC V9P 1J9
250-248-3243
Better Than Nature Penticton
101 - 78 Industrial Ave., West
PENTICTON, BC V2A 6M2
250-770-8978
AV Garden Supply
3 - 2945 Alberni Hwy.
PORT ALBERNI, BC V9Y 8R3
250-735-1005
----------------------------------------------
Aurora Lighting and Sales
750 3rd Ave.
PRINCE GEORGE, BC V2L 3C5
250-564-9888
----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
Pacific Northwest
Garden Supply - Squamish
#101-39279 Queens Way
SQUAMISH, BC V8B 0T5
604-567-2227
----------------------------------------------
Coast Pet & Plant Supplies
Unit 6 12342 83A Ave.
SURREY, BC V3W 0L6
604-599-1778
----------------------------------------------
PK Garden Wholesale
108 - 18760 96th Ave.
SURREY, BC V4N 3P9
604-888-2499
----------------------------------------------
Pacific Northwest
Garden Supply -Surrey
15374-103A Ave.
SURREY, BC V3R 7A2
604-588-4769; 800-443-4769
----------------------------------------------
BN Garden Supply
4493 Boundary Rd.
VANCOUVER, BC V5R 2N3
604-431-2977
----------------------------------------------
Pacific Northwest
Garden Supply - Vancouver
1772 Renfrew St.
VANCOUVER, BC V5M 3H8
604-254-4765
----------------------------------------------
U-Grow Garden Supplies
8265 Main St.
VANCOUVER, BC V5X 3L7
604-880-1111
----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
Good Guys Gardening Center
250 Mackenzie Ave. South
WILLIAMS LAKE, BC V2G 1C6
250-392-2069
----------------------------------------------
Halls Organics Inc.
107 Falcon Rd.
WILLIAMS LAKE, BC V2G 5G7
250-398-2899
----------------------------------------------
MANITOBA
Better Than Nature Winnipeg
414 Gertrude Ave.
WINNIPEG, MB R3L 1Y8
204-453-3032
Gro Pro International
Hydroponics
101-904 Porthee Ave.
WINNIPEG, MB R3G 0P4
204-956-1389
Kleen Gro Hydroponics
218 Osbourne St. South
WINNIPEG, MB R3L 1Z3
204-475-7096
----------------------------------------------
My Two Sons
2 - 2055 McPhillips St.
WINNIPEG, MB R2Y 3C6
204-339-3489
----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
Lahave Street Hydroponics
8927 Commerical St.
NEW MINAS, NS B4N 3E1
902-681-4770
----------------------------------------------
Lahave Street Hydroponics
2304 Highway 325
OAKHILL, NS B4V 0E6
902-541-GROW (4769)
----------------------------------------------
Howie’s Happy Hydroponics
41 Fourth St.
TRENTON, NS B0K 1X0
902-755-3333
ONTARIO
----------------------------------------------
A World of Green Hydroponics
& Gardening Supplies
19 Church St. N. Unit C
ALLISTON, ON L9R 1L6
705-434-9669
----------------------------------------------
Canadian Hydrogardens Ltd.
1330 Sandhill Dr.
ANCASTER, ON L9G 4V5
905 648 1801
Homegrown Hydroponics Inc.
521 Dunlop St. West
BARRIE, ON L4N 9W4
705-721-8715
BMA Hydroponics
404A Maitland Dr., Unit 2
BELLEVILLE, ON K8N 4Z5
613-967-9888
----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
Kingston Organics and
Hydroponics
1093 John Counter Blvd.
KINGSTON, ON K7K 6C7
(613) 542-9991
----------------------------------------------
Brite-Lite Indoor
Garden Centre
6-1659 Victoria St. N
KITCHENER, ON N2B 3E6
888-670-0611
----------------------------------------------
Indoor Gardener
4093 Meadowbrook Drive,
Unit 117 London, ON N6L 1G2
519-652-4224
----------------------------------------------
Best of Hydroponics
360 Richmond St.
LONDON, ON N6A 3C3
519-858-1533
Ontario Growers Supply
1 Adelaide St., North
LONDON, ON N6B 3P8
519-451-4769
Markham Hydroponics
95 Royal Crest Ct. 18
MARKHAM, ON L3R 9X5
905-305-0698
Iponic Zone
151 Brunel Rd., Unit 24
MISSISSAUGA, ON L4Z 2H6
905-502-7211
----------------------------------------------
Peterborough
Hydroponic Center
32-347 Pido Rd.
PETERBOROUGH, ON K9J 6X7
705-745-6868
Sweet Hydroponic Gardens
776 Bruce St.
RENFREW, ON K7V 3Z8
613-433-9600
Bluewater Hydroponics
12-1173 Michener Rd.
SARNIA, ON N7S 5G5
519-337-7475
Indoor Gardens Canada
2952 Thompson Rd.
SMITHVILLE, ON L0R 2A0
905-957-6969
Green And Clean
761 Barrydowne Rd.
SUDBURY, ON P3A 3T6
800-246-5503
Greenthumbs Garden Supply
338 Kingston Rd.
TORONTO, ON M4L 1T7
647-345-GROW (4769)
----------------------------------------------
grow it all
hydroponics for everyone
Grow It All Hydroponics Inc.
165 Geary Ave., Unit 3B
TORONTO, ON M6H 2B8
416-588-9595
----------------------------------------------
Homegrown Hydroponics Inc.
26 Meteor Dr.
TORONTO, ON M9W 1A4
416-242-4769
Toronto Hemp Company
665 Yonge St.
TORONTO, ON M4Y 1Z9
416-920-1980
----------------------------------------------
Grow King Hydroponics
& Gardening Ltd.
833 4th St.
PRINCE GEORGE, BC V2L 3H5
250 612 5173
----------------------------------------------
PG2
1798 Nicholson St.
PRINCE GEORGE, BC V2N 1V6
250-612-4769; 1-888-817-4769
Spruce Capital Feeds
1694 Quinn St.
PRINCE GEORGE, BC V2N 1X3
250-564-6010
Omega Garden Inc.
1695 Peligren Pl.
QUALICUM BEACH, BC V9K 2S3
250-752-1301; 888 976 6342
Garden Effects
200 - 2288 #5 Rd.
RICHMOND, BC V6X 2T1
604-214-6620
Natural Choice
Garden Centre, The
5500 48th Ave., SE
SALMON ARM, BC V1E 1X2
250-832-7151
----------------------------------------------
-------
S.A. Ecoline Products Ltd.
5671 Auto Rd., SE
SALMON ARM, BC V1E 4S1
250-833-4769
----------------------------------------------
Nico’s Nurseryland
830 - 28th St., NE
SALMON ARM, BC V1E 2S7
250-804-2004
----------------------------------------------
Suncoast Hydroponics
#101-1862 Cosyan Pl.
SECHELT, BC V0N 3A1
604-885-6661
----------------------------------------------
Fraser Valley Greenhouse
Supplies Ltd.
45653 Lark Rd.
VEDDER CROSSING, BC V2R 3N7
fraservalleygreenhouse.com
604-858-0455
----------------------------------------------
Advanced Garden Supplies
7979 Aspen Rd.
VERNON, BC V1B 3M9
250-545-9545
AJs Pets & Things
3219 - 31st Ave.
VERNON, BC V1T 2H2
250-549-3222
Better Than Nature Vernon
506 25th Ave.
VERNON, BC V1T 1P4
250-260-4466
Northern Lights Greenspace
3 - 2706 45th Ave.
VERNON, BC V1T 3N4
250-558-4757
----------------------------------------------
OK Garden Supply
12-4601 23rd St.
VERNON, BC V1T 4K7
778-475-6075
----------------------------------------------
Mr. Fertilizer
9 Burnside Rd., West
VICTORIA, BC V9A 1B2
250-381-4644
----------------------------------------------
Progressive Growth
Unit #111-1790 Island Hwy.
VICTORIA, BC V9B 1H5
250-391-9519
----------------------------------------------
Ready Set Grow!
375 Henderson Hwy.
WINNIPEG, MB R3C 2H2
204-668-GROW
----------------------------------------------
NEW BRUNSWICK
Canadian Green Products
811 Central St.
CENTERVILLE, NB E7K 2B9
506-276-3555
----------------------------------------------
Dieppe Hydroponics
988 Champlain St. Door #3
DIEPPE, NB E18 1P8
506-384-4769
----------------------------------------------
Scott’s Nursery Ltd.
2192 Route 102 Hwy.
LINCOLN, NB E3B 8N1
506-458-9208
Atlantic Hydroponics
& Greenhouses Inc.
42 Brandon St.
MONCTON, NB E1C 7E8
506-858-0158
Jardins Notik Gardens
798 Gray Rd.
ST. CHARLES, NB E4W 4N9
506-876-9100
NOVA SCOTIA
Mmad Hydroponics
4400 Second Division Rd.
DIGBY CO, NS B0W1M0
902-778-1922
Sweetleaf Smoke Shop
and Hydroponics
3132 Isleville St.
HALIFAX, NS B3K 3Y2
902-454-6646
Steve’s Hydroponics
Equipment
501 Sackville Dr.
LOWER SACKVILLE, NS B4C 2S1
902-865-7764
Greenfield Grow & Brew
69 Wilson Mountain Rd.
MURRAY SIDING, NS B6L 4N7
902-897-6568
Growers Paradise
40 Regan Rd. Unit 11
BRAMPTON, ON L7A1B2
905-495-4040
----------------------------------------------
Homegrown
Hydroponics Inc.
79 Woolwich St. South
BRESLAU, ON N0B 1M0
519-648-2374
Agrogreen Canada Inc.
1938 Hwy. #20, RR#1
FONTHILL, ON L0S 1E6
866-650-1136
Bob’s Grow Mart
2255 Hwy 20
FONTHILL, ON L0S 1E6
905-892-2121
Diatomite Canada
1938 Hwy. #20, RR#1
FONTHILL, ON L0S 1E6
866-650-1136
Northern Lights
Green Supply
1938 Hwy. 20 (at 406), RR 1
FONTHILL, ON L0S 1E6
905-892-3743
----------------------------------------------
Brite-Lite Indoor
Garden Centre
1677 Cyrville Rd.,
Meadowbrooke Plaza
GLOUCESTER, ON K1B 3L7
613-842-8999
----------------------------------------------
Happy Hydroponics
68 Princess St.
HAMILTON, ON L8L 3K9
905-545-8434
----------------------------------------------
Second Nature Hydroponics
4 - 2133 Royal Windsor Dr.
MISSISSAUGA, ON L5J 1K5
905-403-4769
----------------------------------------------
Yield of Dreams Hydroponics
559 Steven Ct. 12
NEWMARKET, ON L3Y 6Z3
877-778-7960
----------------------------------------------
Green Kingdom Hemp
1103 Cassells St.
NORTH BAY, ON P1B 4B3
705-494-7169
----------------------------------------------
Supply For You
3615 Weston Rd., Unit 6
NORTH YORK, ON M9L 1V8
416-741-8062
Koolie K. Hydroponics
25 James St. W. Unit 3
ORILLA, ON L3V8A6
705-896-7227
Paradise Gardens
Hydroponics
2158 Chiefswood Rd.
OSHWEKEN, ON N0A 1M0
519-445-2275
B&B Hydroponic
Gardens Inc.
3326 Limebank Rd., Unit #4
OTTAWA, ON K1V 1H2
613-723-5047
Hydro Culture
Emporium Inc.
7-1315 Richmond Rd.
OTTAWA, ON K2B 8J7
613-715-9472
Envirotex
PO Box 21069
PARIS, ON N3L 4A5
519-442-1237
Kawartha Garden Shop
724 Erskine Ave. Unit 2
PETERBOROUGH, ON K9J 5T9
705-775-2002
Indoor Farmer
10 Wyman Rd., Unit 4
WATERLOO, ON N2V 1K7
519-886-9200
----------------------------------------------
Grower’s Choice
Hydroponics
1621 McEwen Dr. 14
WHITBY, ON L1N 9A5
905-725-GROW
Northern Lights Hydroponics
2690 Oulette Ave
WINDSOR, ON N8X 1L7
519-254-4015
Urban GreenHouse
Hydroponics
& Aquaculture
7635 Tecumseh Rd. E.
WINDSOR, ON N8T 3H1
519-944-8444
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Ozone Environmental
Technologies
361 Rowntree Dairy Rd. Unit-4
WOODRIDGE, ON L4L 8H1
905-264-6618
----------------------------------------------
QUEBEC
Un Monde Sans Terre
565 Beausejour
ALMA, QC G8B 5V3
418-480-3274
Hydro-Tonyque
761 Ave. Gilles Villeneuve
BERTHIERVILLE, QC J0K 1AO
450-836-8088
Gerard Bourbeau & Fils Inc.
8285, 1 re Ave.
CHARLESBOURG, QC G1G 5E6
418-623-5401
Simplement Vert
8B Georges-Gagne
DELSON, QC J5B 2E1
514-913-8378 (VERT)
Hydrosphere 2000
2400 rue Canadian, Suite 104
DRUMMONDVILLE,
QC J2C 7W3
819-478-9791
groundbreakers
65

distributors
Les Serres Binette Inc
2568 Boul. Mercurre
DRUMMONDVILLE,
QC J2A 1H2
819-478-7195
Pablo Jardinage
Drummondville
2080 Joseph St-Cyr
DRUMMONDVILLE,
QC J2C 8V6
819-475-2525
Les Entreprises Fernand
Pigeon Inc.
174 Beaudoin Nord
DURHAM-SUD, QC J0H 2C0
819-858-2777
Hydromax Gatineau
1695 Atmec #6
GATINEAU, QC J8P 7G7
819-663-7470
Naturexpert Inc.
828 Chemin du Sixième Rang
GATINEAU, QC J8R 3A4
Jardinages Gilles
Robert Inc.
574 St-Hubert
GRANBY, QC J0H 1Y5
450-375-3441
Méristème Hydroponique
871 Dufferin
GRANBY, QC J2G 9H8
450-991-1514
Jardinage d’intérieur
Huntingdon
72 Dalhousie
HUNTINGDON, QC J0S 1H0
450-322-6079
Hydromax du Nord
513 Boul St-François
LAC DES ÉCORCES,
QC J0W 1H0
819-278-1298
Hydroponique Plus Inc.
405 - 18 Ave.
LACHINE, QC H8S 3R1
514-634-3677
Biofloral
675 Montee, St. Francois
LAVAL, QC H7C 2S8
877-38-HYDRO
Espace Culture Boutique
17 boul. Ste-Rose Est
LAVAL, QC H7V 3K3
450-622-2710
Fernand Corbeil
Produits Horticoles -
Horticultural Products
17 boul. Ste-Rose Est
LAVAL, QC H7L 3K3
450-622-2710
Hydro Times
1533 Boul Cure Labelle
LAVAL, QC H7V 2W4
450-688-4848
Hydromax Laval
295 Boulevard Curé Labelle
LAVAL, QC H7L 2Z9
450-628-8380
Les Grands Jardins Lavel
2900, Boul. Cure-Lavelle
LAVAL, QC H7P 5S8
450-682-9768
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Qué-Pousse - Laval
940 Bergar
LAVAL, QC H7L 4Z8
450-667-3809
----------------------------------------------
Point De Vue
880 Chemin St-Féréol
LES CÈDRES, QC J7T 1N3
450-452-2878; 1-877-510-2991
Hydro Rive-sud
4721 Boulvard de la rive sud
LEVIS, QC G6W 1H5
418-835-0082
Boutique Grunge
364 Rue Sherbrooke
MAGOG, QC J1X 2S1
819-847-4141
Hydromax Mont-Laurier
388 Rue Hebert
MONT-LAURIER, QC J9L 2X2
888-609-4476
Hydroculture Guy Dionne
8473 - 19th Ave.
MONTREAL, QC H1Z 4J2
514-722-9496
Hydro Expert
12752 Industriel
MONTREAL, QC H1A 3V2
514-624-3091
Distribution De la Plante
5498 Hochelaga Suite 910
MONTREAL, QC H1N 3L7
514-255-1111
Hydromax Montreal
9300 Lajeunesse
MONTREAL, QC H2M 1S4
514-381-0111
Hydromax St-Henri
3522 Notre-Dame
MONTREAL, QC H4C 1P4
514-481-3939
International Hydroponique
5478 Hochelaga St.
MONTREAL, QC H1N 3L7
514-255-2525
Momentum
11289 London Ave.
MONTREAL, QC H1H 4J3
888-327-4595
Pousse Magique Atwater
3522 Notre-Dame, ouest
MONTREAL, QC H4C 1P4
514-481-393
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Qué-Pousse - Montreal
1477 Bégin
MONTREAL, QC H4R 1V8
514-489-3803
----------------------------------------------
Summum Bio Teck
2100 Ontario, est
MONTREAL, QC H2K 1V5
866-460-2226
Univert 4 Saisons
2100 Ontario, est
MONTREAL, QC H2K 1V5
514-527-2226
Vinexpert De L’Est
6384 Beaubien, est
MONTREAL, QC H1M 3G8
514-354-8020
XXXtractor Inc.
1228 St. Marc
MONTREAL, QC H3H 2E5
514-931-4944
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Qué-Pousse - Mont.
Tremblant
462 Montée Kavanagh
MONT-TREMBLANT, QC J8E
2P2
819-429-6145
----------------------------------------------
MegaWatt Hydroculture
636 Route 364
MORIN HEIGHTS, QC J0R 1H0
450-226-2515
Fleuriste Savard Inc.
1833 boul. Louis-Frechette
NICOLET, QC J3T 1M4
819-293-5933
Boutique Echologik
829, cote d’Abraham
QUEBEC, QC G1R 1A4
418-648-8288
Boutique Echologik
798 St. Jean
QUEBEC, QC G1R 1P9
418-648-2828
Hydroculture Guy Dionne
1990 Cyrill-Duquet Local 150
QUEBEC, QC G1N 4K8
418-681-4643
Pousse Magique
515 rue Lanaudiere
REPENTIGNY, QC J6A 7N1
450-582-6662
Fred Lamontagne Inc.
356 Chemin du Sommet Est,
RIMOUSKI, QC G5L 7B5
418-723-5746
Hydro Plus
149 ave. Principale A
ROUYN NORANDA,
QC J9X 4E3
819-762-4367
Ferme Florale Inc. (Botanix)
2190 Blvd. Laurier (route 116)
SAINT BRUNO DE MONTAR-
VILLE, QC, J3V 4P6
450-653-6383
Amazonia Hydroponique
394 Boulvard Arthur-sauve
SAINT-EUSTACHE, QC J7R 2J5
450-623-2790
Pépinière Eco-Verdure
965 Boul. Sauvé
SAINT-EUSTACHE, QC J7R 4K3
450-472-6474
----------------------------------------------
P.P.M. Hydroponique
504 Rue du Parc
SAINT-EUSTACHE, QC J7R 5B2
450-491-2444
----------------------------------------------
Rap Hydroponique
5700, rue Martineau Local 7
SAINT-HYACINTHE, QC J2S
8B1
450-768-5188
Hydrotek
12300 Rue de l’avenir
SAINT JANVIER, QC J7J 2K4
St-Jean Hydroponique
747 rue St-Jacques
SAINT JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU,
QC J3B 2M9
450-346-9633
Chanvre du Nord Inc.
38 DeMartigny est
SAINT-JÉROME, QC J7Z 1V4
866-565-5305
Culture Uni Vert
36 rue de Martigny E
SAINT-JÉRÔME, QC J7Z 1V4
Stephomaxx
240 Du Macon
SAINT-JÉRÔME, QC J7Y 0H4
514-917-5133
Hydro Sciences
4800 de la Cote-Vertu Blvd.
SAINT-LAURENT, QC H4S 1J9
514-331-9090
Pablo Jardinage Shawinigan
5023 Boulevard Royal
SHAWINIGAN, QC J9N 6T8
819-731-9766
Sherbrooke Hydroponique
3545 King est
SHERBROOKE, QC J1G 5J4
819-829-9299
Comptoir Richelieu Inc.
350, du Collège
SOREL-TRACY, QC J3P 6T7
800-363-9466
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Qué-Pousse - St-Constant
6264 Route 132
STE-CONSTANT, QC J0L 1E0
450-635-4881
----------------------------------------------
Hydrobec
2145 Lavoisier Suite 4
STE-FOY, QC G1N 4B2
418-687-1119
Benoit Dupuis
Extincteurs Inc.
2503 Victoria St.
STE-JULIENNE, QC J0K 2T0
450-831-4240
Hydroponique 2000
84 Boul. Curé Labelle
STE-THERESE, QC J7E 2X5
450-971-0726
Hydromax Terrebonne
1674 Chemin Gascon
TERREBONNE, QC J6X 4H9
450-492-7447
Hydromax Trois-Rivières
6157 rue Corbeil
TROIS-RIVIÈRES OUEST,
QC G8Z 4P8
819-372-0500
Pablo Jardinage Intérieur
2 Des Ormeaux Suite 500
TROIS-RIVIÈRES,
QC G8W 1S6
819-693-6000
Rap Hydroponique
326 Rue Vachon
TROIS-RIVIÈRES, QC G8T 8Y2
819-376-5959
Hydromax Val-David
895 route 117 nord
VAL-DAVID, QC J0T 2N0
888-320-0129
Val d’Or Hydroculture
1261 3e Ave.
VAL D’OR, QC J9P 1V4
Horticulture Piégo
228 Pierre Bertrand sud
VANIER, QC G1M 2C4
418-527-2006
----------------------------------------------
Qué-Pousse -
Vaudreuil-Dorion
3666-D, boul. Cité des Jeunes
VAUDREUIL-DORION, QC
J7V 8P2
450-424-0306
----------------------------------------------
Centre Jardin Denis Brodeur
15 Nord C.P. 658
WATERLOO, QC J0E 2N0
Sonador Horticulture Inc.
819-479-2941
SASKATCHEWAN
Busy Bee Upholstery
Box 811, 134 5th Ave. East
GRAVELBOURG, SK S0H 1X0
306-648-3659
B&B Hydroponics
and Indoor Gardening
1404 Cornwall St.
REGINA, SK S4R 2H7
306-522-4769
Waterboy Supply
401 Dewdney Ave. East
REGINA, SK S4N 4G3
306-757-6242
----------------------------------------------
Whole Leaf Healing Tree Inc.
1342 Lorne St.
REGINA, SK S4R 2K1
306-533-8733
----------------------------------------------
YUKON, NUNAVUT
AND NORTHWEST
TERRITORIES
Porter Creek Indoor
Garden Centre
1307 Centennial St.
WHITEHORSE, YT Y1A 3Z1
867-667-2123
Interested in carrying Maximum Yield in your store? Distribution is available by
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