Maximum Yield USA June 2017 PDF

MODER N GROW ING USA EDITION
HYDROPONIC
WATER CHILLERS
START A BEE COLONY
FRUIT TREES
THE INTERNET OF THINGS How to Prepare
LEAF SURFACE TEMPERATURE
Your Set-up for
PROPERLY MIXING NUTRIENTS SUCCESS
M O D E R N G R O W I N G
JUNE 2017 | VOLUME19 NUMBER 3
FEATURES
46
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.
52
5 Reasons to Start
a Bee Colony
by Monica Mansfield
Curious about all the beekeeping
buzz? Here are some reasons why
it might be not only good for your
garden, but for you too.
60
Leaf Surface Temperature
by Kevin Blair Frender
Advances in technology mean
better monitoring of many aspects
of your growroom, including your
leaf surface temperature. Find out
what it is and why it’s important.
12 first feed
CONTENTS
First Feed
16 From the Editor
18 Contributors
20 #MaximumYield
Tapped In
22 Ask the Experts
Balanced Nutrient Solution
24 Max Facts
32 Good to Grow
Groundbreakers
140 Innovation Station
Sundrop Farms
142 Movers & Shakers

Desert Greens H20
144 You Tell Us

G8LED
146 Max Mart
148 Distributors
162 10 Facts on Auxins
first feed 13
CONTENTS
Grow Cycle
Trends & Technology
74 The Benefits of Water Chillers
84 Homemade Pesticides
for Your Garden
86 The Internet of Things
Tips & Tricks
96 Pricing Out an Indoor

Hydroponic Crop
98 Understanding Seed Varieties

and Cultivar Genetics
108 Avoiding Algae

in Your Growroom
Beginner’s Corner
110 How to Understand

a Water Report
116 Five Mistakes Rookie

Home Growers Make
120 Phosphorus, Phosphite,

& Phosphonate
124 Scaling Up
Growers Know
128 Making Your Own

Nutrient Mix
130 Starting Outdoor Summer

Gardens in Early Spring
134 The Four Biggest Contributors

to pH Fluctuations
14 first feed
from the editor
first fee
W hile hydroponics is unlikely to overtake traditional agriculture economically
anytime soon—current US annual crop production is estimated at $143 billion
while hydroponics is valued at a mere $600 million—it’s not so much as how much
is being grown but where.
From abandoned tube tunnels in London, England, to above the Arctic Circle, 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 two companies that have 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 H20 (page 142) and Sundrop Farms
(page 140) are trailblazing new methods and locations to grow food. In the Nevada
desert, Desert Greens H2O 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. In Australia’s sun-parched desert, Sundrop Farms employs 23,000 mirrors
to harness solar power to operate a desalination plant. Annually, the farm produces
15,000 metric tonnes of truss tomatoes.
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’s hydroponics Today, nobody knows what society will be like in 2100.
We hope it will be a peaceful, healthy, and happy place.
is providing us with One thing we do know is that the people who are
a glimpse into the here will need to eat, and it’s likely hydroponics
will have a large part in fulfilling that need.
future of growing.” As always, thanks for reading Maximum
Yield and if you have any questions feel free
to contact us at [email protected].
16 first feed
contributors
first fee
ISAAC CEDILLO works KEVIN FRENDER has
as the marketing manager been growing indoors under
at Current Culture H2O in artificial lights in Colorado
Fresno, California. He holds for over 25 years, using every
his bachelor’s degree from CSU commercially-available lighting
Fresno and is currently pursuing technology available along VOLUME 19 – NUMBER 3
his MBA in marketing. As an avid the way. Over the years he has June 2017
photographer, Isaac loves to travel the country grown thousands of different kinds of plants,
chronicling his adventures through his camera. from lettuce, peppers, and tomatoes to mangoes, GENERAL MANAGER
orchids, and water lilies—all without the sun. Ilona Hawser
Over four years ago, Kevin turned his hobby into
a full-time job when he joined Black Dog LED. EDITORIAL
RICH GELLERT is the founder [email protected]
and president of HydroLogic Toby Gorman
Purification Systems, the premier Jessica Skelton
provider of water filtration KENT GRUETZMACHER is Julie Chadwick
technologies for residential a Denver-based freelance writer WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT EDITOR
and commercial applications. and the west coast director of Julie McManus
He has dedicated HydroLogic’s business development at Mac
commercial division, HyperLogic, to engineering & Fulton Executive Search and TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS
specialized water treatment solutions for issues Consulting, an employment P.L. Light Systems Inc.
that cultivators face with inconsistent and recruiting firm dedicated to the ADVERTISING SALES
contaminated water sources. indoor gardening and hydroponics industries. 250.729.2677
He is interested in utilizing his Master of Arts
in humanities to explore the many cultural and SALES MANAGER
business facets of this emerging industry by way Katie Rey - [email protected]
ERIC HOPPER’S past of his entrepreneurial projects. ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
experiences within the indoor
Jed Walker - [email protected]
gardening industry include
Michelle Fraser - [email protected]
being a hydroponic retail store
manager and owner. Currently, he CORY HUGHES is a Erik Duivenvoorde - [email protected]
Courtenay Althouse - [email protected]
works as a writer, consultant, and former police officer turned
Hailey Woolgar - [email protected]
product tester for various indoor full-time commercial grow-
horticulture companies. His inquisitive nature keeps er in Denver, Colorado. DESIGN & PRODUCTION
him busy seeking new technologies and methods
[email protected]
that could help maximize a garden’s performance.
ART DIRECTOR
Alice Joe
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
LACEY MACRI works as
head of sales at CleanGrow MONICA MANSFIELD Jennifer Everts
After owning an indoor garden Dionne Hurd
Ltd., focusing her time on
store for 5 ½ years, Monica Samira Saoud
business development
within the company. She sold the business and started ACCOUNTING
received a bachelor’s degree a seven-acre homestead with Tracy Greeno - [email protected]
in communications and her husband, Owen. Monica is Katie LaFrance - [email protected]
psychology from the University of California, passionate about gardening,
Davis in 2011, where she worked at the California sustainable living, and holistic health. She writes
Maximum Yield is published monthly by Maximum Yield
Aggie student newspaper on campus. about these topics and her homestead adventures Inc. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without
on her blog thenaturelifeproject.com. permission from the publisher. If undeliverable please
return to the address below. The views expressed by
columnists are personal opinions and do not necessarily
SHANNON MCKEE reflect those of Maximum Yield or the editor.
lives in Ohio and has been a DR. LYNETTE MORGAN
Publication Agreement Number 40739092
freelance writer for several holds a B. Hort. Tech. degree
Printed in Canada
years now, including on her and a PhD in hydroponic
blog, whyiwah.blogspot.com. greenhouse production from 2339 A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9
Nicknamed by loved ones a Massey University, New Phone: 250.729.2677; Fax 250.729.2687
garden hoarder over the past Zealand. Lynette is a partner
few years, she grows a wide variety of plants in with Suntec International
USA DISTRIBUTION
her urban garden. Hydroponic Consultants and has authored BWGS • Florida Hydroponics • General Hydroponics
several hydroponic technical books. Visit Humbolt Wholesale • Hydrofarm • Grow Green MI
suntec.co.nz for more information. Nickel City Wholesale Garden Supply
National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply
PHILIP MCINTOSH is a Tradewinds • Urban Agricultural
science and technology writer CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION
with a bachelor’s degree in CHRISTINE RUDOLPH is Brite-Lite Group • Eddis Wholesale
botany and chemistry and a a self-professed enthusiastic Green Planet Wholesale
master’s degree in biological dreamer and workaholic who is Greenstar Plant Products Inc. • Growers Paradise
science. During his graduate interested in many subjects. She UK DISTRIBUTION
research he used hydroponic is a blogger, writer, state level Easy Grow Ltd. • Erith Horticulture
techniques to grow axenic plants to study the badminton player, technology Nutriculture UK • Dutchpro
uptake of metals by roots. He lives in Colorado freak, and above all, a responsible AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION
Springs, CO, and teaches mathematics at citizen wanting to save the environment. For all of Dome Garden Supply • Holland Forge
Challenger Middle School. her updates, follow @RudolphBlogger or become House N’ Garden • Hydroponic Generations
friends on her Facebook page. Growlush • Way to Grow • Nutrifield
ALAN RAY has written

five books and is a New York Become a Maximum Yield
Times best-selling author.
Additionally, he is an contributor and have your
award-winning songwriter articles read by 250,000 readers
with awards from BMI and
ASCAP respectively. He lives throughout the USA, Canada, UK,
in rural Tennessee with his wife, teenage son Europe, New Zealand and Australia.
and two dogs: a South African Boerboel and a
Pomeranian/Frankenstein mix.
18 first feed
#maximumyield
first fee
Thanks for the #twitterlove
@max_yield. Honored to make the
list and really #dig the magazine!
@TXPlantGuy
Beautiful purple basil flower! A gentle breeze can be

invigorating to humans. It can
@urbangrowthsd serve a similar purpose for your
plants, too, by building strength
and activating hormones that
could result in better yields while
Spawn or fry may be added to Trial #hydroponics room almost reducing the risk of mold.
replace grown fish that are taken ready!
out from the system to retain a Frank Rauscher
stable system. #aquaponics DYK? #urbanfarming #socent #loveleeds Maximum Yield, April 2017
A good way to deal with solids @growing_better Never underestimate the benefits of
buildup in aquaponics is the use good airflow in your indoor garden.
of worms. Worms liquefy the Panhandle Hydroponics
solid organic matter so that it
can be utilized by the plants and/
or other animals in the system.
#aquaponics DYK? Top Feeds to Follow
Most aquaponics systems include on Social Media
a biofiltering unit, which helps
facilitate the growth of these Get the latest updates on modern
microorganisms. #aquaponics DYK? growing from these top influencers:
Tweets via @GrowAquaponics

Follow them for more!
Urban Gardening Ninja, a.k.a
Patrick, is based in Chicago,
Illinois. His team of experts
bring you a blog that will
teach you the basics of urban
farming. He has a lot of high-
Paul Gautschi is a rebel in the tech advice about lighting and
garden. He breaks most of the the best types of grow media
gardening “rules” you’ve ever to use indoors.
known, yet he produces lush, @UFninja
abundant harvests that are as
sweet and juicy as anything
you’ve ever tasted. He doesn’t We’ve been a fan of Gardening
fertilize, rarely waters, and Know How for such a long time
doesn’t till his soil or rotate crops. now. Not only do they have
Monica Mansfield articles outlining how to grow
Maximum Yield, April 2017 just about any crop imaginable,
their large team of experts
It makes me happy any time I invite you to submit specific
A pair of lemondrop chilis rising up! can spread the word about Paul questions, as per their tagline:
These are super good! #aeroponics Gautschi and his Back to Eden “Ask a gardening question. Get
#growyourown film and garden. a gardening answer.”
@hydroponichansen The Nature Life Project @gardenknowhow
DO YOU WANT TO BE FEATURED? [email protected] @max_yield @maximumyield

Send your email or post to: @maximumyield @maximumyield maximumyield
20 first feed
ask the experts
tapped i
I have been experimenting using recirculating flood and drain, maintained water temperature at 79°F,
Q
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.
Hello Ryan, Seedling and early vegetative:
A
Fruiting plants such as muskmelons being grown on N=227 ppm, P=67, K=200, Ca=174, Mg=78,
this scale really do need to be provided with differ- Flowering/early fruit set:
ent vegetative and fruiting nutritional formulations N=209 ppm, P=85, K=276, Mg=89, Ca=174,
as they move through the different growth stages.
Melons take up very high levels of potassium once Heavy fruit loading:
they have set fruit and this can rapidly deplete potas- N=183 ppm, P=120, K=448 (or higher), Mg=112, Ca=174.
sium levels, particularly in a recirculating system.
It would be recommended to start the young plants, Since the RO tends to run a lower pH then other
right from seedling stage, on a balanced vegeta- water sources, this is best increased with use of a
tive formulation, switch to a flowering/early fruit set 10 per cent solution of potassium hydroxide as that
formulation as soon as the first small fruitlets have will add additional potassium into the solution and,
set, then change again to a heavy fruit set formula- since this is required in large amounts, poses the
tion as soon as the crop is in the rapid fruit expan- least risk to creating imbalances with pH adjustment
sion stage. From then on, the nutrient recirculating chemicals. If your plants do start to show symptoms of
in the system should either be regularly analyzed any nutrient deficiency, or even suspected deficiency,
for all macro elements (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) to determine the first immediate step would be to completely
if the fruiting formulation is providing sufficient replace the nutrient solution as that then gives the
potassium for the current level of fruit development plants a newly balanced nutrient, foliar, and solution
in the crop. Alternatively, some growers prefer to do analysis that can then be used to fine-tune the
complete or partial replacements of the recirculating formulations in use and prevent future issues.
nutrient solution during this stage to ensure these Melon plants do have a large leaf area and under good
stay in balance. With a recirculating solution and a growing conditions will take up a significant volume
heavy feeding crop, the nutrient solution can become of water each day, which can increase the EC rapidly.
imbalanced or deficient in certain elements relatively Under these conditions, it’s best not to let the EC climb,
quickly, even with a good fruiting formulation (there but keep it stable with regular water top-ups throughout
is no one perfect formulation that suits a particular the day (an automated water top-up system may be
crop) as the mineral uptake of individual crops varies required). Melons are sensitive to high EC and keeping
from grower to grower, in different environments, this stable, particularly under warm growing conditions,
with different cultivars and with different levels of is essential for both water (transpiration) and nutrient
fruit set—so monitoring of nutrient levels is vital for uptake. Good luck with your future melon crops!
crop performance. As a starting basis, the Kind Regards,
following nutrient levels would be recom- Dr. Lynette Morgan
mended for each stage of growth: 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
22 tapped in
maxfacts
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growing news, tips, & trivia
Feeding Fat to Fungi

A new study published in the journal New Phytologist has produced the first
experimental evidence to suggest that Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi get
not only sugars but also their fat (lipids) from the host plant. “Until recently,
it has been assumed that the fungus obtains sugar from the plant and can
manage to make other essential nutrients itself,” says Dr. Maria Harrison at
the Boyce Thompson Institute, who worked with Dr. Peter Dörmann at the
University of Bonn on the research. “However, this is not the full story.” The
transfer of lipid may be just as important. Living inside a plant root, the fungus
will enter the root cells and create a tree-like structure called an arbuscule,
giving the symbiosis its namesake. As an arbuscule is formed, new
plant and fungal membrane must be generated, like the bark
on the extending branches of a growing tree. To do so, both
organisms ramp up production of lipids, which are
important building blocks for cell membranes.
- eurekalert.org
Teen Designs Filter to Save Stream

Seventeen-year-old Paige Brown designed an inexpensive filter to remove phosphorus from water
after she discovered the water in her local streams were more polluted than she thought. About
the size of a quarter, each filter contains magnesium and aluminum embedded in a gel made from
calcium alginate. The metals bind with phosphorus, forming a precipitate that can be easily removed
from water. Brown says each filter can absorb 127 milligrams of phosphorus and costs about $3 to
make. Brown eventually plans to place the filters in detention ponds constructed to collect storm
water. That way, the runoff could be filtered before being carefully released into a natural
stream or lake. She would also like to improve the filter by adding
silver nanoparticles to kill bacteria such as E. coli. Her work
earned her first place and $150,000 at the Intel Science Talent
Search, an annual competition for high school seniors.
- sciencenewsforstudents.org
Detroit Urban Farm Receives $100,000 in Grants

to Repurpose Blighted Home Site
The site of a razed home in Detroit’s North End neighborhood is being
transformed into a rain water harvesting cistern and recreational space. The Michigan
Urban Farming Initiative (MUFI) project at 325 Horton St. is being supported by $100,000 in corporate
grants. Minneapolis-based Target Corp. provided the all-volunteer non-profit a $25,000 grant to convert
the roughly 2,300-square-foot property into a cistern using technology produced by Saginaw-based
Blue Thumb Inc., MUFI President Tyson Gersh says. France-based Garnier LLC also provided a
$25,000 grant, in addition to a $50,000 grant in conjunction with New Jersey-based TerraCycle,
to develop outdoor recreational space and supporting infrastructure, he says. “This is
important for urban agriculture as a whole, which struggles to get water as a whole.
Through the automated system, we’ve optimized our own irrigation practices that
cuts the amount of time that it takes to water our crop,” Gersh says.
- crainsdetroit.com
24 tapped in
max facts
(Literally) Turning Spinach into Muscle

Remember how spinach helped Popeye’s muscles grow? Well, now a team of
Worcester Polytechnic Institute scientists have used the dark leafy green to grow
tissue for human hearts. First, they used chemicals to eat away the spinach’s cells
in a process call decellularization. This left behind the plant’s “skeleton,” a tough
cellulose vasculature complete with a network of veins originally used to shuttle
around nutrients. They then used the empty spinach veins as blood vessels, filling
them with human heart cells. A steady IV drip of blood through the vegetable veins
kept the heart cells alive as if they were hooked up to a living organism. Though more
research is needed, heart tissue grown on spinach could, in theory, be transplanted into
a body as cellulose isn’t toxic to humans and the spinach blood vessels could possibly be
coaxed into joining with a human body’s existing vascular system.
- inverse.com
Indoor Growing Bringing Back Failed Varieties

Indoor growing with LEDs is allowing salad breeders to bring back high-performing varieties that didn’t have strong
enough disease resistance in crop trials, a city farming expert has revealed. Indoor growing at facilities such as GrowUp
Urban Farms in London has allowed plant breeder Rijk Zwaan to reinstate certain salad varieties and boost product quality
and consistency, says Philips’ program manager for city farming, Roel Jansson. “Growing in indoor climate cells means
there are no pests, no weather changes, no bugs,” he says. “Everything that was developed by Rijk Zwaan in previous years
but maybe didn’t have enough disease resistance can be used indoors because here we don’t have disease. We can get
better taste, better coloration, faster growth.” Philips has a program with Dutch company Rijk Zwaan to screen different
varieties to find out which are best for indoor growing and which LED light spectrum they respond best to.
- fruitnet.com
Plant Inner Workings Help Make More Nutritious Crops

Almost every calorie that we eat at one time went through the veins of a plant. If a
plant’s circulatory system could be rejiggered to make more nutrients available—
through bigger seeds or sweeter tomatoes—the world’s farmers could feed more
people. Washington State University researchers have taken a major step in that
direction by unveiling the way a plant’s nutrients get from the leaves, where they are
produced through photosynthesis, to “sinks” that can include the fruits and seeds we
eat, and the branches we process for biofuels. The researchers found a unique and
critical structure where the nutrients are off-loaded, giving science
a new focal point in efforts to improve plant efficiency and
productivity. “If you can increase the sink strength by five per
cent, and you get five per cent more product, you’d be looking
at a multibillion dollar market,” says Michael Knoblauch,
professor in the WSU School of Biological Sciences.
- news.wsu.edu
26 tapped in
max facts
Aquaponics Lab Explores Food

Production for Earth and Possibly Mars
Professor Peter Merkle can envision his research, which involves networks
of ecotubes full of plants, fish, and fish waste, one day helping feed humans
living on Mars. “My idea is essentially to have a swamp on Mars,” he says. “We
have to learn how to maintain an ecosystem off the planet Earth. But for now,
the research being done in the Aquaponics Lab at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University’s Daytona Beach Campus is focused on creating a more sustainable
food supply here on Earth. In the lab, fish, such as tilapia or koi, are kept in tanks,
and plants are cultivated without soil in a rigid foam raft, called a grow raft, that
floats in a pool of nutrient-rich water fertilized by the fish waste. One of the plants
cultivated in the lab is a species of tree, Moringa oleifera, whose leaves are highly
nutritious. Merkle and his students are also researching the possibility of using
aquaponics to produce food for future Earth colonists on Mars.
- news.erau.edu
Nutrients For Life Foundation Celebrates 10 Years

Those in agriculture know fertilizer is a vital ingredient to grow strong, productive crops
and is responsible for 50 per cent of the world’s food production. However, growers, crop
nutrient suppliers, and fertilizer manufacturers risk their social license to operate if
the public doesn’t understand the benefits of fertilizer and its role in producing
nutritious food. The only educational voice for fertilizer, Nutrients for Life
Foundation, is celebrating 10 years in the classroom this year. The Foundation
provides teachers with free science-based resources that meet national and
state teaching standards. “Fertilizer truly is life’s main ingredient and we
need healthy soils to grow plants that become nutritious food,” says Harriet
Wegmeyer, executive director of Nutrients for Life Foundation. “Our goal is
to teach tomorrow’s leaders the importance of fertilizer in feeding
an ever-growing world population.” Since it was founded in
2004, nearly 30 million people have been impacted by
a touchpoint with Nutrients for Life Foundation
resources and outreach.
- croplife.com
Hydroponic Vegetable Market

a Big Trends to Watch Out For
Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa are experiencing
high demand for an exotic hydroponic vegetable market,
with major market regions like Europe and North America
already choosing hydroponic vegetables due to high demand
for natural and fresh farm products by a health-cautious
population, according to analysis by Transparency Market Research. The global consumption
of natural and fresh farm products have increased, they stated in a recent release. This is
expected to affect the hydroponic vegetable market in a positive way. Reduction in the
cost of production and timely, healthy yields are the main unique selling propositions of the
hydroponic vegetable market. The technology used to produce the vegetables make them
available year-round, and production of exotic varieties of vegetables near the selling point
also helps to bring down the selling price, resulting in heavy consumption.
- openpr.com
28 tapped in
good to grow
tapped i
ask for these products at your local hydro shop
ION DE Replacement Reflectors

With the arrival of new ION DE Replacement Reflectors,
growers can customize ION double-ended lighting systems
in more ways than ever before. ION DE and DE Flare
replacement inserts are removable and interchangeable,
allowing growers to switch footprint types without purchasing a
whole new reflector model. The original DE insert is focused downward
for intense, concentrated light, while the DE Flare delivers widespread, uniform
coverage perfect for overlapping footprints in multiple-light set-ups. Made of 95 per cent
reflective hammertone aluminum, ION DE Replacement Reflectors provide high-performance
light and heat distribution in commercial and large growing areas. ION lighting is available exclusively through BWGS.
Boveda Dr. Earth Flower Girl

Humidity Control Bud & Bloom Booster
Available now from Produce ultra-premium
Hydrofarm, Boveda flowers with Dr. Earth
provides two-way Flower Girl Bud & Bloom
humidity control Booster (3-9-4) dry fertilizer.
for packages Flower Girl Bud & Bloom
and containers. Booster is designed to
Boveda’s promote superior bud set
patented and blooms with abundant
product, made entirely essential oil production
of FDA-compliant ingredients, is for all flowering plants in
an insert that monitors the relative humidity your garden. Use Flower
inside the container. Then it adds or removes moisture Girl Bud & Bloom every six to eight weeks for maximum
as necessary to maintain an ideal humidity level of blooms and strong roots. Flower Girl Bud & Bloom is
58 per cent or 62 per cent. Best used with a tightly sealed CDFA-certified organic and OMRI-Listed using the
container, Boveda is available in mini (four gram), small highest-quality ingredients that provide an excellent
(eight gram), and large (67 gram) sizes. Boveda requires continual nutrition stream. Support your crop and the
no activation or maintenance—the user will know that it’s organic movement—locate Dr. Earth premium soils,
time to replace the Boveda when it’s no longer pliable. fertilizers, and controls at your favorite garden store.
Dyna-HOME-Gro’n Starter Kit

Dyna-Gro, The Nutrition Solution, has been a favorite of growers for more
than 35 years. Dyna-Gro’s Dyna-HOME-Gro’n Starter Kit gives the small or
new grower the first and only starter kit to include a grower’s manual and
five products essential for optimum production. The starter kit contains
eight ounces of K-L-N Rooting Concentrate to kick-start healthy root growth
and two 32-oz complete nutrients: Foliage-Pro for the vegetative stage
and BLOOM for the flowering stage. Also included is a quart of Pro-TeKt,
a silicon supplement to help the plant resist powdery mildew and other
stresses while supporting heavy yields, and Mag-Pro, a supplement that
boosts flower size, aromas, flavors, and resin content. Dyna-HOME-Gro’n
Starter Kit provides growers with important facts and tips to master the
process of growing using Dyna-Gro from start to finish, indoors and out.
32 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.
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
Nanolux is OMRI-Listed and ready to use in
Technology organic gardens. It contains a blend of
essential oils and organic acids that
Base Ballast
work synergistically to kill diseases
The Nanolux Base ballast is a immediately and provide weeks of
no-frills workhorse. With a proven continued protection. Apply Final
circuit design used for almost a Stop Disease Control Fungicide
decade, this Nanolux ballast will give you spray in the early morning or late
years of reliable service. The ballast comes afternoon in every part of your
with a dual industry output cord and works on indoor or outdoor garden to keep
110-240 volts with an output of 1,000W. Includes mold and fungi away. Support
a 120V power cord. Nanolux have now reduced your garden and the environment
the length of the case with a more compact by choosing an organic fungicide
circuit board design. Note: This ballast does not that is people- and pet-safe with
work with the NCCS APP system. Comes with a Dr. Earth’s Final Stop Disease
two-year Nanolux warranty. Control Fungicide spray.
SCROGGER 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.
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Smart Qubix Device and Software

Take the guesswork out of growing with the ultimate plant monitoring system. Let the data
drive your growing to new heights. Smart Qubix was designed with the serious grower in
mind. The device allows growers to keep an eye on key grow parameters and control their
equipment (lighting, irrigation, fans, etc.) based on parameter thresholds or a scheduling
interface. The device comes preinstalled with How’s My Plant?, a robust plant monitoring
solution that includes customizable web and mobile-based clients. Use our web-based
interface or mobile app to keep an eye on your plants anytime, from anywhere, using any
device. No internet? No problem. How’s My Plant? also has a built-in LCD panel to help
you keep an eye on key parameters even without an internet connection. Smart Qubix was
developed with flexibility and scalability in mind. Whether you grow hydroponically or in soil,
indoors or outdoors, the solution has sensors, controllers, and expansion options to meet all your needs.
Sunblaster Nanodome One Way to Grow and Bloom

Easy to use, you will love the Nanodome, which is One Way to Grow and One Way to Bloom are plant
made exclusively for SunBlaster’s T5HO combos with foods for commercial and large-scale growers.
NanoTech reflectors and their new LED strip lights. Revolutionary new all-in-one nutrient formulations
The SunBlaster NanoDome has a unique, patented, for Grow and Bloom. They contain all primary and
recessed H-shaped groove that gives the dome secondary micronutrients, calcium,
superior strength. More than just a structural feature, it magnesium, and all additives and
allows both their T5 NanoTech lights and their new LED biostimulants found in most major
strip lights to fit securely in the dome, ensuring feeding programs. Incredibly cost-
lights stay centered and plants receive effective, you can treat
even light coverage. The pattern also your water for cents
enables you to lay your lighting per gallon. Their
across a single dome or multiple premeasured scoop
domes. The SunBlaster for a 25-gallon
NanoDome gets more of reservoir makes
the light your plants love feeding easy. Now
to them than any available from
other dome on Sunlight Supply
the market. and Biofloral.
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.
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Summit Research Tech’s Hochstrom Filter

With the Hochstrom (high flow) filtration unit, Summit Research Tech ensure the
fastest achievable flow rates in its given form factor. The brainchild of Summit’s Elliot
Kremerman and a machining achievement from RedEyesMJ, the unique, patentable,
USA-made filtration device features top-of-the-line technology and machine work.
Summit Research have spared no expense on the filter plate itself, made of top-
quality stainless steel, precision water-jetted with unique triangular patterns that offer
increased flow not acheivable with standard pore orifice filtration or ground glass
joints. A precision rim seal ensures the filtration paper is sealed end to end, and
the angled spill plate is machined direct to the base to ensure all solution flows
to the discharge port. Includes dual filtration ring seal/plate kits, with single or
double-tall tubes. Used in conjunction with top-quality, ultra-fast, USA-made
papers and medias, this unit delivers above expectations—no more broken
glass. Custom 20-liter vacuum media bottles complete this package.
SunBlaster LED Strip Lights Vital Tea Premium Organic Dry

SunBlaster’s world-class team of Compost Tea Concentrate
lighting experts, global sourcing,
Vital Tea is a proprietary blend of
and manufacturing partners
high-quality ingredients including
have completed the task of
mega worm, organic compost,
creating the finest horticultural
California gold, baseline humus,
LED lighting available for today’s
insect frass, glacial rock powder,
indoor growing enthusiasts
and yucca powder. Each of these
and professionals. Designed to
ingredients are blended and cured
maximize overall performance,
to perfection. These micronized
economy, and extend longevity,
organic ingredients make Vital Tea
while providing the best possible
into a concentrated version of the
lighting for all indoor horticultural
original compost tea. This means
applications without fail or
that smaller applications of Vital
compromise. The self-cooling
Tea go much further. Vital Tea serves
technology allows their engineers
as a beneficial microorganism inoculant
to push the lighting output to
and boosts your soil biology. Vital Tea is also packed with
desired levels without creating
nutrients, micronutrients, enzymes, humic and fulvic acids, and
unwanted heat or wasting
minerals. Regular compost tea applications help your garden
valuable resources running
to fight off pests and pathogens while building your plant's
cooling fans or other unwanted
immune system. Vital Tea can be used in conjunction with all
devices. SunBlaster LED strip
nutrient programs. Many cups and awards have been won with
lights are the next generation in
Vital Tea applications, which can be brewed, extracted, or top-
propagation and grow lighting.
dressed. Available in five-pound bags and 20-pound buckets.
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.
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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 nanometers 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.
Grow !t Summit Mosquito Bits

Coir Crunch Summit Mosquito Bits, a popular biological control that
kills mosquito larvae, is now also approved for the control
Available
of fungus gnats in container plants, houseplants, and in
exclusively from
hydroponic growing environments. To control fungus gnats,
Hydrofarm, Grow
simply shake the granular Mosquito Bits onto the growing
!t Coir Crunch
media in container-grown plants. Mosquito Bits may be
is an ideal soil
used on any container-grown plants, including vegetables
amendment
and herbs. The active ingredient in Mosquito Bits is Bacillus
for increasing
thuringiensis israelensis (BTI). BTI is a 100 per cent naturally
aeration and
occurring bacterium deadly to both mosquito larvae and
drainage in any
fungus gnat larvae, but is harmless to people, plants, animals,
mix. It’s made
fish, or birds. To kill mosquito larvae before they can become
out of coconut
flying, disease-spreading adults,
husk fiber, chips,
simply shake the Mosquito Bits
and pith, and it
granules on any standing water,
can completely
including ponds and water gardens,
replace perlite and peat in a mix, while being far
rain barrels, and hydroponic
more ecologically sustainable. Grow !t Coir Crunch
containers. Mosquito Bits are made
increases horizontal distribution of water and
by Summit Responsible Solutions,
expedites drying of the top layer of the grow medium.
which also makes the popular
It is also an excellent mulch. Grow !t Coir Crunch
Mosquito Dunks product. Mosquito
comes in compressed bales for easy shipping and
Bits and Mosquito Dunks are
storage, yet each bale expands to 11 cubic feet.
available at home centers, hardware
A limited supply of sample sizes is available.
stores, garden centers, and online.
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.
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CYCO Cyclone Rooting Gel

CYCO Cyclone Rooting Gel was formulated over many years and
rigorously tested by gardeners before being released into the
global market. As with all CYCO Platinum Series products, Cyclone
needed to be a premium product that produced premium results for
valued CYCO customers. Teamed with proven CYCO platinum series
nutrients, Cyclone accelerates root production and growth to help
all softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings thrive through the initial
stages of life. CYCO is available exclusively through BWGS.
Koppert Biological System’s SPICAL-PLUS

A leader in biological pest control solutions, Hydrofarm’s
pollination, soil stimulants, and seed enhancement, Active Aqua
Koppert Biological Systems have introduced the
SPICAL-PLUS (Neoseiulus californicus) sachets. The Flood Tables
sachets contain predatory mites and storage mites in Hydrofarm’s Active Aqua brand
all stages, mixed with bran. The mites breed inside has added two new flood tables
the slow-release sachets, dispersing into your crop to its product lineup. The first is
over a period of weeks for combined protection the premium 4x6-foot white flood
against spider mite, broad mite, and russet mite. table, offering unparalleled strength and
Hang one sachet per plant if leaves do not touch performance. The tray edge is arch formed for
adjoining plants or one per square meter if they do, minimal flexing and maximum reinforcement.
and let SPICAL mites protect your crop. These tables are made of 100 per cent BPA-free virgin ABS plastic
cap over recycled ABS plastic core, and they are fully recyclable.
They hold up to 101.5 gallons and feature water level indicators.
Those looking to keep a low profile will find Active Aqua’s 2x8-foot
Low Rise Flood Tables ideally suited for top feeding and perfect
for catching runoff from hydroponic set-ups. Available in black, its
curved, narrow edges allow for tighter grow space, with unique
vertical channels that are sloped towards the center of the tray for
efficient drainage. These tables are rigid and strong, with a low-
profile 3¾-inch sidewall, and will hold up to 28 gallons.
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:
68 degrees in one room, 76 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
-13°F to 122°F and an outdoor ambient heating temperature range of -13°F to 86°F.
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.
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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
ION DE Flare Reflector
lighting fixture. The The ETL-listed ION DE Flare Reflector provides high-
typical growroom performance light distribution for double-ended HID
produces dirt, dust, lamps in commercial and large growing areas. Made
and deposits that of 95 per cent reflective hammertone aluminum,
can dull the reflector, the flare design delivers widespread uniform light
which leads to less for maximum canopy coverage and effective heat
light output (PAR) reaching your plants. The highly reflective management. This style is perfect for overlapping
aluminum surface of Sun System reflectors can be damaged footprints in multiple-light configurations. German
by many kinds of cleaners. The proprietary materials used Vossloh-Schwabe K12x30S lampholders and a
in these wipes are specifically designed to clean without heavy-duty, powder-coated, steel spine ensure long-
clouding or damaging the interior of reflectors and fixtures. lasting durability backed by a three-year warranty.
Throughout the testing of this innovative cleaning wipe, The DE Flare Reflector also includes an ION-ballast-
there was a noticeable and measurable improvement in compatible mount, six-inch integrated lamp cord,
the reflectivity of all the reflectors tested. Easy-to-use and and hanging hardware. ION lighting is available
available in wrapped singles or a 20-count dispenser. exclusively through BWGS.
44 tapped in
feature 45
hydroponic fruit trees
featur
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.
46 feature
W hen 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
from fruiting trees? Yes, with some tweaking
of your hydroponic set-up, you can grow 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 tempera-
tures 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.
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.
WHILE YOUR TREE may not grow to the same
size as it would outside in your backyard, MODIFIED SET-UP
it will often bear normal-sized fruit and Now that you have your tree, it’s time to plant.
Remember, the container size you use will
potentially produce full-sized harvests.” 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.
48 feature
“
THE MOST IMPORTANT thing is to keep your
root ball from drying out as this could
ultimately damage—or kill—your tree.”
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 excit-
ing 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.
50 feature
start a bee colony
featur
5BEE REASONS
TO START A
by Monica Mansfield
COLONY
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.
52 feature
start a bee colony
C onsumers, 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.
IF YOU grow THE HONEY

Honey is liquid gold. Not only does it sweeten your
flowers, cucumbers, tea, taste delicious on toast, and add flavor to a
baked ham, but it also provides plenty of health
melons, berries, or benefits and can be used as a natural remedy for
countless ailments.
fruit trees, bees will Honey contains vitamins, enzymes, trace minerals,
dramatically increase
antioxidants, and amino acids. It is well-known
for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. A
your harvest.” 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 quali-
ties. 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.
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 furni-
ture 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 8.5 pounds
of honey to make one pound 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.
54 feature
start a bee colony
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 favorite plants
need the help of pollinators; if you grow flowers, cucumbers,
SINCE BEES play melons, berries, or fruit trees, bees will dramatically increase
your harvest). According to the United States Department of
such an important role Agriculture (USDA), “Bee pollination is responsible for $15 billion
in added crop value, particularly for specialty crops such as
in pollinating many of almonds and other nuts, berries, fruits, and vegetables.”
our food crops, the ENCOURAGE BEE POPULATIONS

In May 2016, the USDA released a report on bee colony losses
fact that so many of in the US from January to March 2015. Losses ranged from a
negligible one to four per cent in states like North Dakota,
them are dying off is Hawaii, and Idaho to a whopping 40-48 per cent in states
cause for concern.”

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.
56 feature
start a bee colony
“
WELL-INFORMED
beekeepers play an
important role
in encouraging
bee populations.”
Well-informed beekeepers play an important role in encour-

aging 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 $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, low-maintenance 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.
58 feature
leaf surface temperature
featur
LEAF SURFACE
T E M P E R AT U R E
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.
60 feature
G rowing 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
“MEASURING LST IS like taking temperature range, and have an even narrower range in which
the reaction proceeds most efficiently. If temperatures are too
a person’s temperature with a low or too high, the reactions proceed more slowly or not at all.
thermometer under their tongue.” 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, flavor-
enhancing compounds, and vitamins.
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featur
Note that the leaf surface temperature is affected by, but not
equivalent to, the ambient air temperature in the growing envi-
ronment. 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 CO2. Arctic-
and alpine-adapted plants typically require cooler tempera-
tures, while desert-adapted and plants using C4 photosynthe-
sis 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 CO2, since CO2
supplementation will generally raise the optimal photosynthe-
sis temperature. Thus, the ideal LST for photosynthesis is depen-
dent 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 experimen-
tation can determine an ideal range for LST for a specific plant
variety in a specific set of conditions.
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 reduc-
ing this evaporative cooling. The spectrum (colors) 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.
“LEAF SURFACE temperature 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
is almost always different than hole near the center, there is one near the top and one near the
ambient air temperature.” bottom. The top hole represents the higher energy blue photons
and the bottom hole the lower energy red photons that chloro-
phyll can utilize. Each bag thrown at the board represents a
photon of light. If you throw a bag through the blue hole it effi-
ciently fuels photosynthesis. Same for a red photon—it will go
into the red hole and fuel photosynthesis.
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If a photon of a different color such as yellow or green

hits the board, it will slide down the board, creating
heat from friction and changing color 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 spec-
trums not optimized for plants. Since heat mitigation is gener-
ally a concern in indoor gardens with artificial light, these
higher ambient temperatures can save significant money.
“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.”
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 (colors) 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 signifi-
cant portion of the energy consumed by the bulb directly to
non-visible infrared light in the 810-830-nanometer (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.
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“THERE ARE SEVERAL tools available

for measuring actual leaf surface
temperature, from probes placed on
the leaf to infrared thermometers.”
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.
Yellow Mangosteen (Garcinia xanthochymus)
240W plant-optimized LED
75°F ambient air temperature 84°F ambient air temperature

240W all-white LED
Purple: plant-optimized LED spectrum

Orange: all-white LED spectrum
Green: relative photosynthetic efficiency by wavelength
Fig. 1
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.
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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.
Yellow Mangosteen (Garcinia xanthochymus)
750W Plant-optimized LED

1,000W High Pressure Sodium
Purple: plant-optimized LED spectrum

Orange: HPS spectrum
Green: relative photosynthetic efficiency by wavelength
Fig. 2
OPTIMIZING GROWTH UNDER LED GROW LIGHTS

When growing under LED lights with a red- and blue-domi-
nant 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.
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COMPARING LED GROW LIGHTS TO OTHER

GROW LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES
When growing with plant-optimized LED lights, it is impor-
tant to realize that ambient air temperatures need to be kept
higher compared to other lighting to achieve the same meta-
bolic rate. Side-by-side tests of LED lights versus other light-
ing 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 plant-tuned 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 CO2 supplementation is being used, the
reduced need for cooling when using LED plant lights will also
result in less loss of CO2 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.
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Let' s Just Chill:

THE BENEFITS OF WATER CHILLERS
by Isaac Cedillo
While obsessing over

humidity levels, heat,
ventilation, lighting, and
everything else above ground,
it’s important not to forget
what’s going on down
below. Here’s how to use
water chillers to keep
root temperatures in the
optimum range.
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W e growers are natural tinkerers. We’re always looking for ways to

improve our gardens. Whether it is our gardening techniques or refining ROOT ZONE TEMPS
garden operations, we are always striving to learn and implement new things. Water chillers keep nutrient solution
Being the masters of our plants allows us full control over their environmental temperatures within the optimal range
conditions, including root zone temperatures. Although sometimes overlooked, (65-70°F). This optimal range allows
providing optimal root zone temperatures is a great way of improving plant high levels of dissolved oxygen to
performance and production. be accessible to the root zone while
Utilizing a water chiller in your garden is one of the most effective ways of also strengthening plant disease
cooling root zone temperatures. While mostly used in hydroponic applications suppression. A nutrient solution’s
(DWC, RDWC, NFT, flood and drain), soil and other solid media gardens can also ability to hold dissolved oxygen
benefit from the oxygen-rich, consistent nutrient temperatures water chillers diminishes as temperatures rise
provide. To understand how water chillers can benefit your garden, one must within the solution. This low-oxygen
understand how root zone temperatures affect plant production. environment reduces the amount of
oxygen available to the root zone,
resulting in slowed growth and
poor plant performance. Combined
"A nutrient solution's ability

with high temperatures, low-oxygen
environments provide the ideal
conditions for dangerous pathogens,
such as pythium, to become
to hold dissolved oxygen diminishes as established within a garden.
temperatures rise within the solution.”

WATER CHILLER
OVERVIEW
Much like other technologies within
the ever-improving hydroponic
industry, water chiller technology
has come a long way. Affordable,
efficient options are readily
available to consumers. Gone
are the days of being limited to
expensive aquarium-specific
chillers. With many choices to be
made, it is important to choose
the right water chiller that fits
your garden’s needs and your
performance expectations.
Water chillers work in conjunction
with water pumps. As nutrient
solution is circulated throughout
the system/reservoir, the mechanics
naturally heat the solution. This
solution is then pumped through the
water chiller, where it encounters
cooling coils and is chilled to the
desired temperature. This cooled
solution is then circulated back
into the system, providing ideal
temperatures for explosive root
growth and disease suppression.
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trends & technology
"This cooled solution 4. Remove all ice packs from the system and continue to
run for one hour. Once one hour has elapsed, take note of
is then circulated back into the system, ending nutrient temp. Subtract the starting temp from the
ending temp and plug all data into the following formula
providing ideal temperatures for explosive developed by Kevin Espiritu at Epic Gardening:
root growth and disease suppression.” total system volume in gallons x 8.34 (established
weight of water) x starting and ending temperature
difference = minimum BTU per hour needed.
Sizing EXAMPLE:
1. TOTAL SYSTEM VOLUME: 100 GALLONS
Here is a basic formula to correctly size a water chiller
for your garden: 2. DESIRED TEMPERATURE: 68°F
1. Calculate your total system volume (nutrient reservoir 3. TEMP AFTER ONE HOUR: 74°F
and any bucket systems) 4. 100 X 8.34 X 6 = 5,004 BTU
2. Operate everything in the growroom (lights, fans,
Note as this calculates the minimum BTU required for this
pump, humidifiers, etc.) and allow the growroom to
system, it is recommended to purchase a water chiller
reach its maximum temperature.
20 per cent above the minimum requirement to make up
3. Once the growroom and nutrient solution have reached for any performance loss. Also, choose a water chiller
maximum temperature, cool the system/reservoir model that has a titanium heat exchanger to prevent any
utilizing ice packs as the system runs. minerals from leaching into the nutrient solution.
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trends & technology
Pros and Cons

So, is a water chiller right for your garden?
Let’s look at the pros and cons for water
"
Water chillers are one of
chillers and discuss some alternatives.
the most effective ways
PROS of producing optimal root zone temperatures.“
1. High dissolved oxygen levels: The
cool temperatures provided by
water chillers can hold increased
quantities of dissolved oxygen, the
basis for explosive root growth and
increased nutrient uptake.
CONS
Alternatives
1. Heat: Just like with all operational
Still not convinced? Water
2. Decreased risk of dangerous equipment, water chillers create
chillers may not be right for your
pathogens: Cool, highly oxygenated heat. This requires them to be placed
gardening situation. Here are
environments are a deterrent to outside of the growroom or the creation
some low-cost alternatives that
many of the dangerous pathogens of custom ducting to exhaust heat.
can cool root zone temperatures.
that can overtake a garden. 2. Expense: Although becoming
3. Heatsink: Cool solution can act as increasingly affordable, water Ice Packs: Cheap and easy, ice packs
a heatsink, absorbing and cooling chillers are still an investment. provide effective cooling in spot
heat from growrooms. Some growers may find it hard applications. While great for single
to justify the added expense of reservoirs, they may be outmatched for
4. Improving technology: Gardening- cooling entire systems. They also take
purchasing and operation.
specific water chillers are flooding time to dial in and run the risk of root
the market and continuously 3. Noise: Most of the equipment we shock with too cold of temperatures. Be
improving. Water chiller technology employ in our garden create noise sure to have backup ice packs ready to
can also be seen in water-cooled and vibrations. Water chillers are go, as their cooling lifespan is limited.
fans, reflectors, and CO2 generators, no exception. Their noise may be
with some claiming to be 50 per cent especially magnified by the fact they White: Its well-known that white
more efficient than air conditioners. must be placed outside of growrooms. reflects light, which in effect reduces
heat absorption as light energy
converts to heat. This phenomenon
can be used to a grower’s advantage
by painting reservoirs and any bucket
system white. This technique can be an
effective way of combating heat when
used in conjunction with other heat
reducing methods.
Location, location, location: Using

a remote reservoir is a great way
of reducing root zone temperatures.
Growroom atmospheric conditions will
quickly heat up any nutrient solution.
Indoor reservoirs can simply be placed
outside of the growroom. Outdoor
reservoirs can be buried, along with
any return lines.
Whether you’re a hydroponic or soil

grower, root zone temperatures should
be a priority. As it is one of the best ways
of improving plant performance, water
chillers are one of the most effective
ways of producing optimal root zone
temperatures. Figure out what works for
you and your garden and experiment—
it’s what we growers do best.
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trends & technology
grow cycl
In the search for nutritious and

pesticide-free food, people are
turning more often to local gardens
for their fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Even local gardens, however, need
pest control. Christine Rudolph tells
us how to rid the garden of pests with
easy, chemical-free pesticides.
T he trend for home gardens has been growing,

due in part to a number of studies showing
how our “natural” foods are contaminated with
potentially harmful substances. The amount of
fertilizers and harmful pesticides used in modern
agriculture result in people developing aller-
gies, neurological conditions, diabetes, and
even some forms of cancer. These chemicals are
often used so the produce will arrive on shelves
as fresh and perfect-looking as possible, thou-
sands of kilometers from where they were grown.
Go
Suffice to say, people are losing their trust in the
diet they are consuming and looking for alterna-
tive ways to stay healthy.
Homegrown plants and foods can be a healthy
substitute for fruits and vegetables that have
lost much of their nutritional value on their long
Natural
journey, but they come with their own set of
responsibilities. The garden has to be taken care
of, and its growth and soil have to be closely
monitored for it to give a gracious amount of
products that are fresh and free from harmful
Homemade Pesticides substances. Pesticides can also get in the way
of providing you with an organic product, so to
for Your Garden keep the environment, yourself, and your plants
happy, it is better to use natural pesticides. Here
are a few examples of pesticides that can easily
be made at home.
BY CHRISTINE RUDOLPH Neem Spray:

Neem is a fragrant but bitter leaf and is a natural
pesticide. It has the capability to ward off as
many as 50 types of harmful insects and animals
from your plants without damaging your garden.
Although the spray is also available in stores and
can be purchased easily, there is nothing stop-
ping you from making your own spray at home.
All you need is half an ounce of organic neem
oil and a half teaspoon of an organic
liquid soap. Mix these two with one
liter of water and spray it fresh on
the plants. It is best not to store this
liquid, so use it within the
day of its preparation.
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” To keep the environment, yourself, and
your plants happy, it is better
to use natural pesticides.”
Soap Spray:
An organic liquid soap is another strong pesticide spray
for keeping away many types of bugs, chief among them
being beetles, aphids, and mites. The mixture is made by
using 1½ teaspoons of any mild organic liquid soap with
one liter of water. Apply it specifically on the affected areas
and you will be able to see visible results within a matter
of three to four days. Use it during early morning or early
evening hours, otherwise it will evaporate too quickly and
be ineffective.
Pepper Spray:
This spray can be made from either a fresh hot pepper,
though a chili pepper powder can be used instead. You will
require a teaspoon of pepper powder, a teaspoon of liquid
soap, and one liter of water to be mixed together. To make it
from fresh peppers, puree half a cup of peppers with a cup of
water. Later, add one liter of water and boil the mixture. Let
the liquid cool down and then add one teaspoon of organic
liquid soap and spray where necessary.
The Combo Insecticide:

This insecticide is the combination of a handful of ingredi-
ents as opposed to the previous recipes that had only two
or three components. To prepare the mixture you need one
pureed bulb of garlic, one small onion, and one teaspoon of
cayenne pepper powder. Let the solution rest for 90 minutes
and then strain the mixture. Later, add a teaspoon of organic
liquid soap. Add one liter of water and then spray it evenly
on the whole garden. This spray guarantees that your plants
are unaffected by chemicals and do not produce mutated
foods, which may result in wastage.
These mixtures take very little of your time but in the end,
they save money and pest-related troubles in your garden.
The natural ingredients in all these sprays guarantee that
no harm comes to your homegrown vegetation. Putting
such efforts in your home garden will benefit you with an
organic and fresh produce which is the best source of nutri-
tion for you and your family.
grow cycle 85
DESCRIBING THE
Internet of
THINGS BY ALAN RAY
For many, growing food is an opportunity

to escape technology and pursue a simple
and natural pastime. But what happens
when technology takes over? Good things,
apparently. Alan Ray explains how the Internet
of Things can help grow perfect crops.
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trends & technology
“Essentially, computer
chips containing data
gathered from sensors and
actuators embedded into an object
are able to relay that information
over a given network.”
D escribing the Internet of Things (IoT) in elementary

terms is challenging. The concept is simple yet
complex. Mind boggling in its scope, yet readily
conceivable. The most accurate description is this:
The interconnection via the internet of computing
devices embedded in everyday objects allowing
them to send and receive data.
Essentially, computer chips containing data gathered
from sensors and actuators embedded into an object
are able to relay that information over a given network,
reporting its current status, whereabouts, condition,
and more depending on its purpose. The IoT is more
machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, with less
need for human interaction.
What began as an innovative method of tracking
product merchandise has morphed to include
literally anything you can stick a chip on, creating
a world of connected devices.
What’s in a Name?
This slightly awkward term, The Internet of Things, was
first coined in 1999 by UK-born technology visionary and
sensory pioneer, Kevin Ashton. The Internet of Things
was the title of a presentation Ashton gave to executives
at corporate giant Proctor and Gamble. In that
presentation, he described an IoT system whereby the
physical world could connect to the internet via a series
of ubiquitous sensors. “If we had computers that knew
everything there was to know about things—using data
they gathered without any help from us—we would be
able to track and count everything, and greatly reduce
waste, loss, and cost,” he said.
Ashton states the concept of embedding computer chips into
everyday devices, once known as “embedded computing”, is
now widely referred to as “ubiquitous computing”.
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trends & technology
Infinite Applications
Ubiquitous, indeed. In Brazil, for example, in an effort
to quell illegal deforestation, M2M sensors are being
installed in select trees in the Brazilian rain forest. These
sensors are superior to conventional satellite monitoring in
that, when a sensor-equipped tree is cut down, authorities
are automatically notified of its removal. With the attached
chip also sending out a GPS signal, authorities are able to
track down and locate the illegally harvested tree.
From pacemakers to Fitbits to Smartphones and beyond,
applications for this Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) are virtually limitless. The Internet of
Things is changing the way the world works and now, even
the way we farm.
The IoT Meets Hydroponics

High-tech growrooms incorporating an IoT platform are
springing up around the globe in the effort to feed a
growing population. An IoT-controlled agricultural envi-
ronment runs more efficiently, increases production, and
produces food of unmatched quality, year-round. This is
great news for cold climate countries with shorter growing
seasons and for those places where farmland is being
paved over at a distressing rate.
At the forefront of this new and exciting indoor
agribusiness is the Fujitsu Hydroponics Farm in
Aizuwakamatsu, Japan. For years a world-beater in the
production of transistors, Fujitsu underwent a company
restructuring after the global financial crisis of 2008.
Workers first gutted then began retrofitting a defunct
transistor factory in Aizuwakamatsu with M2M sensors,
effectively transforming it to a high-tech hydroponic
smart-farm. At present, this futuristic agriponics marvel
grows only lettuce, lots of lettuce. Shipping more than
3,000 heads of “better than organic” lettuce every day to
meet increasing demand, this sensor-monitored farm of
the future is the poster child for an IoT system.
“High-tech growrooms
incorporating an IoT
platform are springing up
around the globe in the effort
to feed a growing population.”
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trends & technology
Healthier Than Organic?

As a former semiconductor manufacturing facility, the plant
boasts sophisticated and extensive filtration systems, keeping “The food is
harvested
it free from even the slightest contamination. Food contamina-
tion is a serious concern in Japan after the tragic nuclear reactor
meltdown in Fukushima in 2011. To maintain this germ-free envi-
ronment, all workers within the facility are required to wear ster-
fresh daily
ilized white body suits and don filtration masks at all times.
As Kohji Nomaki, the director of planning for Fujitsu’s Advanced
Agricultural Division, states in a report, “The facility retained
all that was needed to seal it off from bacteria and dust.
Semiconductor factories are specially outfitted with filtration
devices to create a clean room environment because just one
piece of dust on a semiconductor will make it unusable.” without the need for
Considering it takes a month and a half or longer for a head
of lettuce to mature using conventional farming methods, thou-
sands of heads per day is beyond impressive when coupled with
fossil fuels in transport,
the knowledge they are grown in a mere 6,500 square-foot facility.
The food is harvested fresh daily without the need for fossil fuels
labor costs, or damage
in transport, labor costs, or damage to the lettuce.
to the lettuce.”
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trends & technology
“What is now known as

the Internet of Things may
one day rightly be called
IoE, the Internet

of Everything.”
Inside the Plant

Inside the plant, long racks of lettuce trays
stacked seven-high per section continually bathe
the lettuce in sterilizing, ultraviolet light while
a hundred sensors monitor every aspect of the
facilities’ environment from C02 levels to humidity,
temperature, and even the pH level of the soil. In
addition, thousands of tiny sensors keep an electric
eye on the lettuce and their streaming reports are
constantly read by tablet-toting workers.
How Good is the Lettuce?

All lettuce is not created equal. This extraordinary
hydro-farm’s lettuce is fresher than store-bought, cleaner
than organic (no rinsing necessary), and even tastier
due to its lowered potassium levels. This purposely
engineered low potassium level is important for people
with kidney problems or those undergoing dialysis.
Generally, these people are unable to eat salad, as
their compromised kidneys are unable to process high
potassium levels. This lettuce allows them to enjoy a
fresh salad without the worry of potential side effects.
Another perk: Even kids like it, claiming the taste
is less bitter.
Throw in all those benefits and a shelf-life of more
than two weeks and one can understand why people
are lining up to happily pay three times the price of
what a traditional head of lettuce costs.
With IoT technology expanding and its applications

seemingly limitless, the future is already here. What
is now known as the Internet of Things may one day
rightly be called IoE, the Internet of Everything.
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grow cycl tips & tricks
O nce hydroponics growrooms are

up-and-running, they still require
money to function. For the indoor gardener,
the constant use of high-powered lighting,
fans, air conditioners, and pumps directly
converts into bigger electric bills. Furthermore,
there are several hidden expenses within the
everyday operation of a hydroponic garden: rent,
water, materials, and nutrients. For the prudent
cultivator, it is possible to break down these costs
into quantifiable expense categories—giving them
insights into their operational overhead. In the
ideal situation, practical hydroponic gardeners can
highlight unnecessary spending through this analysis
BY KENT GRUETZMACHER and adjust their operations accordingly.
In order to calculate the operational expenditures
of growing an indoor hydroponic crop from seed to
harvest, a hypothetical cultivation scenario is required
to provide a structural example. Therefore, this analy-
sis will be based on an active ebb-and-flow hydroponic
flood table system that constantly recovers and recy-
cles unutilized water and nutrients. Furthermore, the
numbers involved in this cost analysis are taken from
a theoretical 10,000W hydroponic flowering room with
HYDRO
rent and utility expenses based on US averages. With
this notion in mind, here is a simple guide for breaking
down costs on a nine-week flower cycle:
Rent and Mortgage
ECONOMICS
Rent and mortgage costs should be included in the
pricing of an indoor cultivation operation because
these gardens generally require a great deal of
square footage. Indoor gardeners must rent or
purchase homes with far more space than required
Pricing Out an Indoor Hydroponic Crop for their normal living needs. According to nationally
accredited rental companies, the average price for
a rental property in the US is $1,500 per month. For
simplicity’s sake, one can assume that one-quarter
For many hydro hobbyists, spending money of the home will be used for cultivation, resulting in
$375 per month in rent expenses.
on their passion is a joy, not a burden. After all, Total rent charges for a nine-week crop: $843.75
it’s what makes you happy. Still, most of us have (based on US averages).
household budgets we need to follow to avoid Electricity

living beyond our means. Kent Gruetzmacher Electricity rates fluctuate greatly throughout the
country, with some power companies charging
provides an operational baseline expense inflated tiered rates for high-power users such as
guide for a theoretical growroom to help indoor gardeners. Nonetheless, paying attention to
the kilowatt hours used, as well as fluctuating rate
you balance your checkbook. systems for daylight hours and seasons, will give
a solid foundation for analyzing one’s own costs.
According to a qualified source, $0.13 per kilowatt
hour is the average cost of electricity in the US.
To place this number in context, our hypothetical
10,000W growroom uses approximately 5,000 kilowatt
hours a month, with a running cost of $650 per month.
Total electrical charges for a nine-week crop:
$1,462.50 (based on US averages).
96 grow cycle
Water
The price of water per gallon can vary significantly
thanks to a number of factors bound to geography and
“
environmental availability. However, following the
mathematical examples below provides a framework
for computing water expenses on an individual basis.
According to a national database, the average water FOR THE PRUDENT cultivator, it is
cost for a US citizen is $1.50 per 1,000 gallons. In our
hypothetical 10,000W growroom scenario, a cultivator possible to break down these costs into
must keep a 100-gallon reservoir full at all times to keep quantifiable expense categories—giving them
the system functioning properly. This is because, with
a 25 per cent evaporation rate, one can count on losing insights into their operational overhead.”
25 gallons a day, or 175 gallons a week, to evaporating
water. Moreover, vigorously growing indoor plants in a
10,000W room can easily consume 40 gallons of water
every other day, or 160 gallons in a week. Finally, in an
active hydroponic system, it’s a good idea to clean one’s Additional Materials
reservoirs once a week to ensure a consistent pH level—
using another 100 gallons a week. As a result, the indoor While every indoor cultivator has a different idea of what
hydroponic gardener can count on using 3,915 gallons of items are “essential” in growing a healthy crop, all growers
water in nine weeks for a 10,000W flower room. use additional materials for plant support and pest control.
A 10,000W room requires six 5x15-foot pieces of trellis
Total water charges for a nine-week crop $5.87 netting for two layers of canopy support throughout the
(based on US averages). entire growroom. The cost of this trellising is about $10.00
per unit, or $60.00 total. In addition, for pest control and
Grow Mediums and Seeds mildew control, neem oil is an effective and inexpensive
The most popular and affordable growing medium for an spray that can be sprayed on plants throughout their life
active hydroponics system is rockwool cubes. It should be cycle. One pint of neem oil is approximately $15.00.
noted that the choice of rockwool cubes is purely subjec- Total costs of additional materials for a nine-week
tive, but the example provides a logical format for pricing crop: $75.00.
techniques. Following our hypothetical 10,000W growing
set-up, let’s assume that each of the 10 1,000W lights will Conclusion
have nine plants. Six-inch rockwool cubes cost about $3.30
a piece, with a total cost per light of $29.70, or $297.00 for According to our figures, one can count on a nine-week,
the whole growroom. 10,000W, active/ebb-and-flow hydroponic crop costing a
minimum of $3,556.12 to produce. While different indoor
Total grow mediums expenses for a nine-week crop: $297.00. gardeners have different theories on what counts as an
expense (rent/mortgages expenses often being a source
When it comes to choosing what sort of crops one wants to of contention), this analysis has provided a bare-bones
grow hydroponically, there are a plethora of options. In order guide for understanding why hydroponic gardening can
to generate a concise number, let’s assume that our hypo- be expensive. Moreover, if the savvy horticulturalist gives
thetical operation is growing heirloom tomatoes. critical attention to rent/mortgage expenses, kilowatt
Two grams of excellent heirloom seeds will cost hour rates, water price per gallon, and nutrient feeding
around $18.00. schedules, they can make some educated decisions
concerning budgeting and expenses.
Nutrients and CO2
There is literally a surplus of excellent nutrient lines on
the market today, and they will all probably yield pretty
good results. It should be noted that, in time, each indoor
gardener develops their own nutrient recipe that works for
their particular crop and infrastructure. However, for the
novice hydroponics enthusiast, it’s best to follow the feeding
charts provided by nutrient companies. After some market
research, findings show one of the most affordable feeding
schedules comes in at about $324.00.
As a result, a low-end nutrient cost for a nine-week
ebb and flow hydroponics crop is $324.00.
The use of CO2 enrichment is not necessary for the beginner

indoor gardener. Nonetheless, once one has their feeding
schedule and climate perfected, the use of CO2 can greatly
increase the size of a yield. A 20-pound CO2 tank costs $30.00
to fill and will last for about 3.5 days in a sealed room.
Therefore, the total CO2 expenses for a nine-week
crop: $540.00.
grow cycle 97
KNOW
YOUR
ORIGINS Understanding Seed
Varieties and Cultivar Genetics
by Dr. Lynette Morgan When it comes to selecting and

testing the genetics of seeds, it’s
important to do your homework.
Though perhaps a daunting task for
some growers, Dr. Lynette Morgan
has you covered with these tips.
98 grow cycle
tips & tricks
A n indoor garden represents considerable

investments in time, effort, skill, knowledge, and
money, as well as the potential for great rewards and
enjoyment. Such an important investment deserves to
be backed up with the right genetics for the job at hand,
whether it’s to produce homegrown fruit and vegetables
or to create a beautiful environment to relax in.
While many crops can be a little challenging for
inexperienced growers, some of these difficulties can be
removed by carefully selecting varieties, cultivars, and
genetics that favor the system of production and growing
conditions. Plant breeding and selection has been an
“ The genetics within the seed

ongoing process for thousands of years, and modern
techniques have led to huge increases in crop productivity,
disease resistance, and a whole host of other factors that
hydroponic growers can take advantage of.
For many growers, seed is the most commonly used method
of propagation as it allows not only ease of transport are one of the most important
and storage, but also high numbers of young plants to be
produced relatively quickly with reliable results. While
this may seem to be a straightforward process, the genetics
factors that determine the
within the seed are one of the most important factors that
determine the outcome of the crop and these may not
outcome of the crop.”
always be predictable. Seeds contain the all the genetics of
a plant, including the programming for every process from
germination through to flowering, fruiting, and regeneration.
SEED TYPES
When considering which cultivars to select for an indoor garden,
the choice can be overwhelming, particularly with popular
crops such as tomatoes, capsicum, cucumber, and lettuce. Seed
companies will often list their cultivars with the abbreviation
OP for open-pollinated types and F1 for hybrid seed, with most
commercial greenhouse types being F1 hybrids.
Hybrid and open-pollinated cultivars differ in their
genetic stability and characteristics. Hybrid seeds are not
genetically modified and were first produced in corn crops
over 100 years ago. Hybrid seeds are produced by plant
breeders carefully selecting for superior and consistent traits
and producing inbred lines through a process of repeated
self-pollination. The inbred lines are then cross-pollinated
with each other to produce first generation (F1) hybrid
seeds. This results in heterosis or hybrid vigor, which is the
tendency of crossbred offspring to have biological qualities
superior to those of both their parents. F1 hybrids are also
heterozygous in many genes. Hybrid seeds are purchased
each time a crop is grown as any successive seeds collected
from these plants will not have the same characteristics as
the parental hybrids. The commercial hydroponic industry
worldwide is largely based on the use of F1 hybrid seeds
for the major crops such as tomatoes, capsicum, cucumber,
and many others. These hybrids produce significantly
greater yields, have earlier harvests, greater shelf life, and
improved uniformity than many of the older, open-pollinated
varieties of the same crops, and many have impressive
disease resistance bred into them. Hybrid seeds are widely
available to indoor gardeners for a huge range of plants and
although the cost is greater than open-pollinated seed, the
improvement in genetics is often well worth the expense.
Open-pollinated or standard cultivars will produce plants
that are not as stable in their genetics as hybrid seeds.
Most open-pollinated varieties will have characteristics
that are roughly identical to their parents, which is known Seeds need to be stored correctly to remain viable and germinate freely
as “breeding true,” but are prone to a degree of genetic after sowing.
100 grow cycle

tips & tricks
diversity. Open-pollinated varieties may be either self-
“ Heirloom and genetically modified

pollinated or cross-pollinated by insects or wind during seed
production in the field and are less labor intensive to produce
than hybrid seed, making them considerably less expensive.
Hydroponic growers can produce and collect their own open- (GM) seeds are at the two extremes
pollinated seed from many crops. However, with this process,
it is important to only select the most productive, healthiest
plants as you want these good genes to be passed on to
of the seed spectrum.”
successive generations.
Both hybrid and open-pollinated seeds can be produced
organically, and organic seeds are becoming more widely
available from major seed companies. Since hybrid seeds
are not genetically engineered, they can be grown using
organic methods. That is, provided no chemicals were used
in the cross-pollination process. (Typically, hand pollination
or hand emasculation of the parent plants is used during the
hybridization process for organic seed production.) Organically
produced seeds must meet certain strict criteria for production
and handling, including being grown on certified land with
only organically allowable inputs for fertilizers, pest, and
disease control compounds.
HEIRLOOM AND GENETICALLY

MODIFIED SEEDS
Heirloom and genetically modified (GM) seeds are at the
two extremes of the seed spectrum. Heirloom seeds are
typically open-pollinated and have been passed down from Diversity in shape, size, and color in hydroponic lettuce cultivars is a
generation to generation. There is some debate about how result of decades of plant breeding.
102 grow cycle

feature 103
tips & tricks
long a variety must be in known cultivation before it can

be classified as heirloom. Some say 100 years, others 50,
and many claim that pre-1945 is a good definition. Heirloom
seeds can be somewhat variable in their characteristics
as cross-pollination in gardens and fields can introduce
genetics from other cultivars, thus diluting genes and
introducing different traits. However, the main advantage is
that seeds can be collected from heirloom plants and saved
for the next crop for many generations.
Genetically modified fruit and vegetable seed is not
“ Higher
available for sale to home gardeners and is used exclusively
by commercial growers, often under license and with strict yields, uniform fruit
production guidelines to prevent cross-contamination of
other crops. Genetic modification uses laboratory techniques
referred to as recombinant DNA technology to transfer
production, and longer shelf life
certain desirable genes between organisms. This results in
a more precise and rapid method of obtaining the correct
are also some of the main reasons
genes required for certain traits such as pest and disease
tolerance, herbicide resistance, and other characteristics. growers select hybrid cultivars.”
While GM seed production was first introduced in the 1990s,
it is still mostly used on large-scale field crops such as corn,
cotton, soybeans, alfalfa, beet, and canola.
SEED SELECTION
AND HYDROPONICS
Growers may choose a certain cultivar for many different
reason. Those who have experienced specific types of
disease and want to avoid the use of sprays may choose
hybrids with inbred resistance. For example, many hybrid
tomato cultivars have resistance to powdery mildew, many
different types of viruses, fusarium root rot, phytophtora
blight, and many others. Higher yields, uniform fruit
production, and longer shelf life are also some of the main
reasons growers select hybrid cultivars. For those not
as concerned with yields and disease resistance, open-
pollinated/heirloom types may appeal more for factors
such as unique appearance, unusual colors, flavor, and
aroma, as well as conserving these genetics for future
generations. Open-pollinated and heirloom seeds are
typically less expensive and can be saved for future crops
by the grower, although some care needs to be taken with
this process to avoid unwanted genetic contamination
between different cultivars.
SEED TREATMENTS
Whatever type of seed is selected, there is a range of
seed treatments that can assist with handling, sowing,
germination percentage, and early disease control. While
many seed treatments are designed to assist germination
under unfavorable field conditions, many have benefits
for hydroponic production as well. Small, irregularly
shaped, and difficult to handle seeds—such as those for
lettuce, onion, carrot, and a wide range of ornamental
and flowering crops—are available in pelleted form,
which is ideal for smaller growers who are hand-sowing
or using automated seeders. Pelleting results in a thick
layer of inert material coating the seed, increasing
its size and facilitation handling. The pelleting
material may also contain various compounds such as
fertilizers, fungicides, and microbial inoculants to assist Heirloom cultivars can provide unique colors and flavors while conserving
germination and early seedling growth. these genetics for future generations.
104 grow cycle

tips & tricks
Seed coating is another technology that can offer

an advantage to hydroponic growers. A basic seed
coating may contain a fungicide to give initial
protection against certain diseases or germination
failures. Seeds of some higher-value crops such
as capsicum may also be treated with a thin
polymer film, which encloses the fungicides or other
compounds initially applied directly to the seed.
Polymer seed coatings are often highly colored, which
allows greater visibility when sowing seed.
Primed seeds are another option that can be beneficial
for hydroponic growers. Priming is a treatment that
initially soaks the seed in a salt solution under controlled
temperature conditions. This allows water to be imbibed
and germination to be briefly initiated, though not to
the stage where the radicle (embryo root) expands out
through the seed coat. The seed is then re-dried and
stored before sowing. This treatment increases the rate
of seed germination, and it is often used in crops such as
lettuce, celery, and capsicum.
“ Most seeds need to be dried

down to between four and
12 per cent moisture to store
optimally after collection.“
Viability testing can show up deterioration issues of a stored seed lot.
106 grow cycle

SAVING SEEDS
Seeds can be collected and saved from open-
“ Understanding the genetics
pollinated/standard cultivars, including heirlooms.
Selecting seed from only the most productive,
of different varieties, and their
disease-free, vigorous plants can help with issues
of genetic variability and disease carry-over. Most
characteristics and potential, is a
seeds need to be dried down to between four and 12
per cent moisture to store optimally after collection. valuable investment in any crop
long before the first seed is sown.“
This can be carried out by sun drying, use of cool
temperature home dehydrators, or by room drying
(providing humidity levels are low enough.)
Once fully dry, most seeds store well under
refrigeration in an airtight container. Adding some
small desiccant packages is also advisable to
prevent moisture, which rapidly deteriorates seeds.
Many of the failures with self-collected seeds
come from not drying down and storing the seeds
correctly post-harvest. Also, failures come from not
harvesting at the correct stage of maturity (seed
must be fully ripe before harvest). Harvesting
earlier means the embryo inside may not be fully
developed enough to germinate.
When saving seeds, it is also important to
remember that seeds can carry more than the
genetics for the next crop; they can also harbor
diseases both within the seed coat and on their
outer surface. Treating seeds with a diluted bleach
solution once dry or before sowing can assist with
control of seed coat borne disease pathogens.
Once saved, seeds can benefit from being viability Treatments such as pelleting of small or irregularly shaped seed can
improve handling.
tested, particularly if it has been stored for a long
time or is resulting in unexplained low germination
percentages. On a small scale, this can be done
with the paper surface germination method, in
which a small sample of seeds are germinated on
or between sheets of moist paper (such as paper
towels) under ideal temperature conditions for the
species. After a certain number of days (typically
between three to seven, depending on the species),
count how many of the germinated seeds produced
normal seedlings. The overall percentage of
germinated seeds can then be used to determine
the viability of the seed lot for use. On the other
hand, the presence of abnormal seedlings with
deformities, stunted growth, roots trapped in the
seed coat, rots and decay, thickened shoots, or other
problems indicates an issue with the seed lot and it
should be discarded. While germination testing is
useful for most commonly grown hydroponic plants,
it doesn’t help growers differentiate between seeds
that are non-viable and those that are alive but
dormant and unable to germinate. In the latter
case, the seed dormancy must be treated before
germination can occur.
Seed/cultivar selection, collection, treatment,

and storage are all a vital part of hydroponic
gardening for most growers. Trialling different
cultivars has long been an important process for
many growers both large and small, and vital
information can often be gained from growing
different varieties side by side in the same
environment. Understanding the genetics of
different varieties, and their characteristics and
potential, is a valuable investment in any crop
long before the first seed is sown.
grow cycle 107

In benign cases, algae don’t pose

much of a threat to plants, despite
the unsightly appearance and mildly
unpleasant odor. However, if condi-
tions are right, algae can reproduce
rapidly and help create other issues.
The first of these is pH fluctuation.
Similar to plants, algae use carbon
dioxide, nutrient, and light to produce
oxygen through photosynthesis during
light hours. At the end of the light cycle,
the pH is typically at its peak. The
reverse happens during nighttime hours
when the algae begins to consume the
dissolved oxygen that was produced
’ T
earlier in the day, releasing carbon
O N
dioxide into the water through respira-
D GO GREEN:
tion. The reaction of this carbon dioxide
by Lacey Macri with the water creates carbonic acid,
which causes the pH to drop. Significant
populations of algae facilitate severe
pH fluctuations during the cycle
between daylight and nighttime hours.
All sorts of more serious issues can
arise from the mere physical presence
Avoiding Algae in Your Growroom

of algae, and this is where the domino
effect really comes into play. Algae can
clog plumbing, trap organic matter,
and serve as harboring sites for patho-
Here at Maximum Yield, we’re
all about going green… unless I nevitably, algae will find their way into
most every grow space on the planet.
It makes sense when you think about it.
gens. Additionally, pests such as fungus
gnats are more likely to enter the grow
space if there is an attractive source of
that green happens to be algae Although they aren’t classified as plants, food for them to feed on (that is, decom-
in your growroom! Here’s a look algae are comparable photosynthetic posing algae). Another issue that pres-
organisms that grow in the same envi- ents when algae populations get out of
at how these plant-like organisms ronment as plants. Specifically, algae control is the risk of your plants suffo-
can affect your hydro system, and thrive in an environment that is rich with cating. If plant roots are exposed to
light, warm temperatures, and nutrients.
how to kill—or full on avoid—them. In a hydroponic system, algae will grow
light, such as on open top flood tables,
algae will begin to grow on the root
and survive in water reservoirs, on the masses, effectively suffocating them.
surface of grow media, and pretty much In severe cases, the algae will compete
any other surface where the necessary with the roots for nutrient and the plants
resources are accessible. Certain grow will suffer as a result.
methods are more likely to promote the Algae are virtually unavoidable if
development of algae, including ebb and you are running a live environment
flood hydroponics, in which flood tables using beneficial bacteria and organic
are often fully exposed to light and inter- nutrients. Also, due to its resilience,
mittently exposed to nutrient-rich solu- controlling or avoiding algae can be
tion. Still, algae are very resilient organ- difficult, especially if you hope to not
isms, and do not necessarily need ideal sacrifice the health and safety of your
conditions to survive and even flourish. plants in the process.
108 grow cycle

However, in a sterile environment,
algae can be controlled a lot more
easily and effectively. The most
effective way to prevent algae from
forming is to eliminate its light source.
Some growing methods are a lot more
conducive to this practice than others;
for example, those where the roots of the
plants are hidden from the light source,
like in most deep water culture systems.
Regardless of the type of system you
are running, however, it is important
to black out (that is, make lightproof)
as much of the exposed surfaces as
possible. This includes water reservoirs,
tables, and any other pipes or tubes
inside the space that contact water,
nutrient, and light. Your containers,
in particular, should be made of thick,
typically black-colored plastic to
prevent any light from permeating.
Good old hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
is also a go-to for those who grow in
a sterile environment. It can control
algae simply by adding it directly to
the nutrient solution every few days.
A 29 per cent solution strength (three
milliliters per gallon) is typically
considered the industry standard, but
more or less may be needed depending
on the severity. Be careful, though; too
much H2O2 can burn plant roots.
It is also important to keep
temperatures down inside your grow
space, including the water temperature.
Algae thrives in warm water, so it is
recommended to keep the temperature
in the low 70˚F range.
There are reportedly other fancy ways

to control algae, including UV filters,
ozone, and a few home remedies. Many
of these techniques, however, have
mixed reviews as far as their effective-
ness and potential side effects. So, it’s
best to stick to the basics. The easiest,
“
safest, and least expensive control
method is always going to be to shade
or eliminate the light source where
ALGAE A
algae may grow right from the start.
resilient
R E VERY
organism
and do n s,
o
need ide t necessarily
a
survive a l conditions to
nd even
flourish.
”
grow cycle 109
beginner's corner
grow cycl
T
ER
LL
GE
H
RIC
BY
WATER
QUALITY
WHAT TO LOOK FOR & HOW
TO UNDERSTAND A WATER REPORT
Water is everywhere, but, increasingly, it is less fit for consumption by your
plants. From pesticides to heavy metals, pollutants can affect how your
plants grow. Rich Gellert, president and founder of HydroLogic Purification
Systems, explains water quality basics and how to read a water report.
110 grow cycle

W hile some cultivators are lucky enough to enjoy
a clean and reliable water source that’s readily
available, that’s not the case across the country. According
Dissolved solids are so small that they remain suspended
in molecular, ionized, or micro-granular form and need
to be removed at sub-micron levels using nanofiltration,
to NASA’s recent satellite data, 21 of the world’s 35 largest distillation, or reverse osmosis.
underground aquifers are losing more water than is being However, the TDS is a generalized point of reference,
replenished, and reliably clean drinking water can no as some contaminants can exist in even less than one
longer be taken for granted. part per million and can cause detrimental problems for
One of the worst mistakes a cultivator can make is your crops. For example, if boron is present in over 0.5
to invest money into a garden but neglect the issue of ppm, boron-intolerant plants may become stunted, with
the water supply quality, perhaps the most important drastically decreased yields.
resource needed to have a genuinely healthy end-product. Another key indicator of water quality for plants is the
Even if you believe your geographic area has “good” total hardness, expressed as calcium and magnesium in
water, not investigating the water quality and irrigating grains per gallon (GPG) or ppm. With too much hardness,
your plants with contaminated water could choke nutrient formulas can be thrown out of balance, and plant
their potential and undermine an otherwise perfectly deficiencies or nutrient lockouts can quickly become a
engineered operation. If you wouldn’t drink the water at major problem. Any water source with over 50 ppm of TDS
your house or cultivation facility, why would you give that of hardness should be purified. Fifty ppm of hardness
same water to your high-value crops? translates to 3 GPG and is considered soft water, which few
Obtaining a water analysis to determine the source water facilities have straight from the tap.
quality helps cultivators decide if using a water treatment
system would benefit their operation. Municipalities
usually provide free water reports, however, it is up to the GETTING YOUR WATER TESTED
individual to test private water sources not supplied by the The first step to getting your water tested would be to
city. The EPA recommends testing household wells at least determine if your water source is supplied by the city, a well,
once per year, as the water in underground aquifers can or some other source like a pond, spring, river, or rain. Each
fluctuate with the seasons. type of water source presents a different challenge when
it comes to choosing the right filtration method. The type of
water filtration system that is ultimately best for well water
WATER QUALITY BASICS treatment may not be the same for municipal water users.
The overall water quality is usually based on the While most well and spring sources require a sediment filter
amount of total dissolved solids (TDS), and is measured to remove sediment, city dwellers need carbon to remove
in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L). chlorine and chloramines.
grow cycle 111

beginner's corner
CITY WELL HOW TO INTERPRET A

Cultivators using microorganisms such
as beneficial bacteria, fungi, nematodes,
Water from well or spring sources are
often high in minerals such as calcium,
WATER QUALITY REPORT
The following table shows the most
mycorrhizae, and trichoderma must have magnesium, sulfur, or iron. Giving water common contaminants found in water,
chlorine and chloramine-free water for with too high of levels of these minerals their sources, what harmful effects they
those beneficial microbes to survive and to heavy-feeding plants will contribute to can have on plants, and the concentra-
flourish. All municipal water contains nutrient lockout and lead to deficiencies. tions that would start to affect plant
chlorine and/or chloramines as they are Wells located in industrial agriculture health or facility operations. As one can
both powerful biocides, meaning they sectors can become contaminated with see, many unknown dissolved minerals
are designed to kill bacteria and sterilize high nitrates, pesticides, or herbicides in an untreated source water can have
water distribution lines. used in modern farming practices. the potential to damage high-value crops.
Trace heavy metals like lead, copper, or
iron from aging city water distribution
pipes are becoming more common and
even impacting human health like
the lead present in Flint, Michigan’s
municipal water. Additionally,
hormones, pharmaceuticals, and all
“ THE OVERALL
kinds of other toxic materials are
increasingly making their way into the WATER QUALITY
national water supply. is usually based on the amount of total dissolved solids.”
RECOMMENDED
CONTAMINANT WATER SOURCE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
LEVELS
Total Dissolved Well/Spring or Water with high TDS has unknown contaminants that are < 200 ppm
Solids (TDS) Municipal/City the key cause of nutrient lockout and deficiencies in plants.
Chlorine Municipal/City Biocide that kills beneficial bacteria, fungi, and 0 ppm
microorganisms. Any healthy organic garden should be
chlorine-free. Cultivators that use or brew compost teas
or bioextract solutions should remove chlorine from
their source water.
Chloramines Municipal/City Biocide that is a combination of chlorine and ammonia and 0 ppm
is much more stable than chlorine. It will not dissipate by
bubbling or even by boiling off. It can only be removed by
proper carbon filtration. It is toxic to beneficial bacteria,
fungi, microorganisms, fish, and amphibians.
Hardness Well/Spring or Mineral hardness is made up from the calcium and < 50 ppm
Municipal/City magnesium dissolved in water and is the key cause of water
problems in cultivation facilities. High levels of hardness
in untreated water locks out key plant nutrients and forms
calcium scale on equipment and tubing. Calcium and
magnesium are the most abundant minerals in tap water.
However, these minerals are typically in the form of calcium
carbonate and magnesium carbonate, which are not in a
plant available form and cannot be absorbed efficiently by
the roots. It is best to remove these minerals present in city
water and add in a chelated, readily absorbable form of
calcium and magnesium.
Fluoride Municipal/City A hazardous waste product that is present in all municipal 0 ppm
water. It is known as a toxic substance to humans and
plants. Thirty-four enzymes in plants are affected by
fluoride, so enzyme additives will not do their job properly
with fluoride in the water.
112 grow cycle

beginner's corner
RECOMMENDED
CONTAMINANT WATER SOURCE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
LEVELS
Sodium Well/Spring or Sodium and other dissolved salts can cause toxicity and dry < 25 ppm
Municipal/City out plant tissues by impairing their ability to take up water.
Iron / Sulfur Well/Spring or Water containing iron or sulfur may have a metallic taste < 0.3 ppm
Municipal/City and an offensive odor. Nutrient lockout, algae growth,
and equipment staining can also be results of too much
iron in the water.
Bacteria Well/Spring Groundwater sources may be affected by animal 0 ppm

and human waste and other pathogens. These toxic
substances can cause multiple issues in reservoirs and
nutrient mixes, be dangerous for human consumption,
and contaminate your end-product.
Pesticides/ Well/Spring or Local agricultural areas may be leaching harmful contaminants 0 ppm
Herbicides Municipal/City into groundwater. These can end up in the water supplied to
cultivation facilities and ultimately in plant tissues.
Volatile Organic Municipal/City Some VOCs are known or suspected carcinogens. 0 ppm
Compounds Trace amounts of these can end up in the plant’s
(VOCs) tissues, flowers, and fruits.
Nitrates Well/Spring or Found in runoff from agriculture, animal yards, etc., these < 5 ppm
Municipal/City toxic substances contribute to over-nitrification and algae
growth. High quantities of nitrates in untreated water
can negatively affect the later stages of flowering, when
cultivators typically try to limit nitrate levels.
pH Well/Spring or Water that has either too high or too low pH will not allow 6.0 - 8.0
Municipal/City nutrients to be absorbed properly and can be corrosive to
equipment. Adjusting the pH of nutrient solutions may be
difficult due to fluctuations in source water levels.
Boron Well/Spring High concentrations of boron can cause yellowing or < 0.5 ppm
browning of leaves which leads to stunted growth and
drastically decreased yields.
Using reverse osmosis to filter source water is the single most efficient, economical, and
reliable way to ensure the removal of 98 per cent-plus of all contaminants mentioned above.
As reverse osmosis technology continues to advance and new regulations go online, several
simplified water filtration solutions for commercial and hobby growers are now available.
These systems ensure consistency and reliability of water input and are critical to the
professional grower. Already have access to excellent source water? Consider yourself “MANY
lucky. The rest of the country is having to deal with increasingly complex and sometimes
dangerous water contamination issues as seen in areas like Flint and Corpus Christi,
Texas. Remember, if it’s not healthy for humans, it’s probably not healthy for plants.
UNKNOWN
DISSOLVED
MINERALS
in an untreated source water can have the
potential to damage high-value crops.”
114 grow cycle

beginner's corner
grow cycl
m istakes
fivReOOKIE HOME
GROWERS MAKE B Y C O R Y HU G H
ES
A garden is like a symphony; a lot of
different components have to come together
simultaneously to reach results worthy of
a standing ovation. Cory Hughes acts as
a conductor to get beginner growers ready
for a performance worthy of an encore.
116 grow cycle

I f you are new to maintaining a home garden, there
“WHEN
are a handful of rookie mistakes that are easy to
make. Fortunately, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Everything you need to know about fostering a happy, DEALING with pH
healthy garden is readily available from those who had to
learn the hard way. To help get you started on the right foot, down solutions, a little
we thought we’d outline five of the biggest mistakes made
by new gardeners and what you can do to avoid them. goes a long way.”
BALANCE YOUR pH
Balancing your pH is one of the most important things you
can do. Nature doesn’t have to balance pH, so why should I, UNDERSTAND EC
you ask? Nature depends on a cycle of different processes all Electrical conductivity, or EC, is used to measure the ratio of
interacting in a beautiful symphony of life. Good luck repro- nutrients to water in your feed mix. As a beginner gardener,
ducing that in your basement. Until then, you need to balance knowing exactly what to feed and how much will save you
your pH. When you are talking about pH, you are really just a lot of trouble later on. Everything you grow in your garden
talking about the amount of potential hydrogen, or the amount has different needs. You could come up with a one-size-fits-all
of hydrogen ions in your water. Without getting too scientific, solution for your garden, but it won’t be beneficial in the long
the pH scale is a range that goes from 0 to 14. Water is typically run. Tailoring your feed mix to the individual types of plants
considered neutral, with a pH of 7. you are growing is key. That means fine-tuning your EC, or
Plants require a slightly acidic pH that falls in a range of balancing your feed mix to meet the needs of your plants.
around 5.5 to 6.5, with only slight variations dependent on The ratio of nutrients to water in your feed mix has been
what you’re growing. To get your water to the right level, the commonly measured in parts per million, however, EC has
simplest way to do that is using a pH down solution. These become the standard measurement for these purposes in most
solutions are highly acidic, so to bring down the pH of your gardens. EC meters measure the electrical charge of nutrients
mix, you only need a little bit. The pH scale is like the Richter in water and can accurately display this ratio as a number
scale as it is exponential in nature. A pH of six is 10 times as between 0.2 and 3.6. Water has an EC of zero. The specific EC
acidic as a pH of 7, and a pH of five is 10 times as acidic as a that you will need to achieve will fall somewhere between
pH of six. When dealing with pH down solutions, a little goes a 1.4 and 2.6 for most gardening needs. Nutrient burn is a good
long way. Always make sure to use gloves and exercise safety indicator that your EC is too high. Nutrient deficiencies can be
precautions, as acidic solutions like this can harm you. And a sign that your EC is too low. Learn about the specific EC your
yes, pH down solutions are also available in organic versions. plants require before planting your first seed.
grow cycle 117

beginner's corner
OVERWATERING TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE LIGHT

Overwatering is a common mistake among new gardeners If you are growing outdoors, you don’t have as much control
afraid that their plants aren’t getting enough. It doesn’t mean over the light as you would like, however, indoors you
giving your plants two gallons when it only needs one. In have full control. Throwing a light up in your garage and
fact, when you water you should be flushing out nutrients and expecting your garden to flourish is a mistake. Just like
replacing with new. You can’t really overwater in a single feed every other decision you make in your garden, what you
session. Overwatering refers to the ongoing overwatering of are growing will play a major role in how you grow it. The
plants from day to day. Most plants don’t need to be watered same goes for light. Some plants flourish in the light while
daily. In the early stages of root development, it’s the dry soil some require less. Light is the key factor in photosynthesis,
that forces the plant to stretch out looking for new sources of which is what you are trying to maximize in the garden. But
nourishment. As the plant moves into later stages of growth, exposing your plants to too much light can be even more
it may take several days to absorb all the water that the satu- harmful than too little.
rated soil has been holding on to. You can always guess how much light your plants need,
Plants want to live, so skipping water for a day or two won’t or you can look it up and get a light meter. The wattage
kill them. Overwatering can result in similar symptoms of your light in relation to how high it is positioned above
to underwatering. Wilting and browning leaves, cankers, your plants will determine how much light your plants
and what may otherwise appear to be nutrient deficiencies will actually receive. Using an electronic light meter will
are a few of the symptoms of overwatering, which makes it display the actual amount of photosynthetically active
difficult to diagnose. Your pots will tell you when it’s time to radiation your plant is receiving from your light source.
feed again. If your pots have some weight to them, then the Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) meters measure
soil has sufficient moisture levels to sustain the plant. If your light intensity within the spectrum that plants use most to
pots are light as air, then there is a definite water shortage. photosynthesize (excluding UV light) from 400 to 700 nano-
Check your plants daily, but don’t water daily. That’s the best meters, which covers both the blue and red spectra of light.
way to avoid complications due to excess water. Learn about how much light your plants require at their
varying stages and adjust your lights accordingly. Always
use an accurate way of determining how high to position
your lights instead of just winging it. Many light manufac-
turers offer a light plan on their websites, so be wise and
take advantage of their knowledge.
“REMEMBER, YOU are trying

to recreate natural conditions
in an unnatural environment.”
MAINTAIN YOUR ENVIRONMENT

As a new grower, understanding the relationship between
things like light, temperature, and humidity can be a
bit overwhelming. Your lights will directly raise your
temperatures, which will in turn increase your humidity.
This is the fundamental balance that needs to be achieved
in every garden, and learning to lock in your temperatures
will help you do just that. You may have your temperatures in
the perfect range while building your garden, but as soon as
you put your lights up, your temperatures are going to go up
considerably. That means having a good cooling system in
place that can handle the rise in temperatures.
Once you get your room balanced and everything seems
fine, add a little water and humidity levels are going to go up
again. That means possibly having to readjust everything to
get that balance just right.
Remember, you are trying to recreate natural conditions in an

unnatural environment. It is the never-ending balancing act
an indoor gardener must endure. There will be variation in
temperatures depending on what you are growing. However,
in general, plants need an environment that has a temperature
range from around 60 to 95°F, with most thriving between 70 and
90°F. Humidity levels will vary over the various stages of the
plant starting higher around 70 per cent, eventually dropping to
around 40 per cent in later stages. Most plants will continue to
do well in a range between 40 and 60 per cent. Balancing these
factors will set you on your way to a bountiful harvest.
118 grow cycle

grow cycle 119
beginner's corner
grow cycl
auscher
kR
Phosphorous Acid Products: ran
F
PHOSPHORUS,
by
PHOSPHITE,
& PHOSPHONATE
When it comes to phosphorous products, even
the correct spelling can be tricky, never mind
understanding what the related products do.
Frank Rauscher unravels the phosphorus riddle.
T here are many questions and confusion surrounding

products made with phosphorus. Phosphites are
labeled and sold as both fungicides and fertilizers. If we’re
Confusion Between
Various Forms
to maximize our success with our crops, there needs to of Phosphorus
be a clear understanding of just what the nutrients we There is a big difference
provide do for our plants and which one we have selected. between phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and
Most containers for plant nutrient will list on their label phosphorous acid (H3PO3). PO3 will oxidize
an N-P-K rating. This refers to the percentages of nitrogen eventually or be converted by microorganisms
(N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in that product. I to become PO4. The point is that phosphoric acid
consider these macronutrients the meat and potatoes of a is often used to make fertilizers in the form of a
plant’s meal. Micronutrients, on the other hand, could be phosphate (a salt of phosphoric acid). However,
considered the vegetables or vitamins of the meal. phosphorous acid (often referred to as phosphonic
Nitrogen is primarily used by plants for the growth of acid) is used primarily to make fungicides.
foliage while potassium helps plants keep growing fast, The most significant use of phosphorous acid is the
producing stronger stems and branches, and as an aid for production of phosphites, used in water treatment, and phos-
environmental stress. This article is about the one in the phonates, such as glyphosate, which is a weed or plant killer.
middle—phosphorus. Phosphite salts, such as potassium phosphate, are fungicides.
To aid in understanding the various chemical terms The similarity between these chemical names often cause
associated with phosphorus, it would be useful to define significant confusion. The confusion is substantial in that phos-
a few of its forms first. In an attempt to simplify phonic acid not only moves through the soil very slowly, but
terminology, most manufacturers report and lacks evidence that it can be used as a fertilizer.
label their phosphate as P2O5, yet this Organic phosphorous must be converted to phosphoric acid
chemical symbol and formula is technically to be available to plants. This is typically done through soil
known as diphosphorus pentoxide. Another bacteria (when not done during the manufacturing process).
name for this compound is phosphoric Because the natural conversion is slow, there is less chance of
anhydride because its reaction with water damaging the plant through accidental overfeeding.
will produce phosphoric acid. By itself, Organic phosphate fertilizers do not necessarily come
diphosphorus pentoxide is toxic and from bone sources, as they also come from mineral sources
considerable care is needed when like rock dust or colloidal phosphate. Bone sources such as
handling, yet after reacting with water, steamed bone meal or fish bone meal are popular organic
it becomes phosphoric acid, which is forms, while mineral phosphorus sources are cheaper and
the form available for plant uptake. last longer in the soil.
120 grow cycle

Benefits of Phosphorus
Phosphorus is essential for all living organisms. Growers
use phosphoric acid products to maximize many aspects
of plant growth. From the production of healthy root
systems, flowers, and seed-to-fruit development,
phosphorus is a key nutrient used to give the
grower increased production and quality.
Plants need phosphorus for normal growth
and maturity. The main use of phospho-
rus in plants is for the formation of
adenosine triphosphate, the energy
storing molecule of the plant. It
also plays a role in photosynthe-
sis, cell division, respiration,
energy transfer, and storage.
Because it is important in cell
division and development
of new tissue, it contributes
substantially to cell enlarge-
ment and growth. It also
helps a plant convert other
nutrients into usable building
blocks with which to grow.
Deficiency
In plants, phosphorus is
considered second only to
nitrogen as the most essential
nutrient to ensure health and
function. Genetic
processes such
as cell division
and plant growth
are impaired when
phosphorus is present
in inadequate levels.
Plants deficient in phos-
phorus will likely mature at
a slower rate than plants with
adequate amounts. Stunted growth,
along with smaller leaf size and
fewer leaves, are often induced by
a phosphorus deficiency. This defi-
ciency can create an imbalance in
the storage of carbohydrates.
Photosynthesis, the main
function of plant cells, usually
“I consider these
remains at a normal rate
under this deficiency, but
phosphorus use within the
cell usually slows. This
imbalance of rates in phos-
phorus-deficient plants leads macronutrients the meat and
to the buildup of excess carbohydrate potatoes of a plant’s meal.
within the plant. This buildup is often observed as
the darkening (usually purplish) of leaves. Micronutrients, on the other hand,
could be considered the vegetables
How Does Phosphorus Work?
Plant cells usually uptake nutrients at much higher concen- or vitamins of the meal.“
trations than are present in the surrounding soil. Movement
of nutrients within the plant depends largely upon transport
through cell membranes, which require energy to oppose
the forces of osmosis. Phosphorous compounds provide this
energy. Phosphorus enters the plant through root hairs and
the outermost layers of root cells. Phosphates move quickly
through plants and animals, however, the processes that move
them through the soil are very slow, making the phosphorus
cycle overall one of the slowest biogeochemical cycles.
grow cycle 121

beginner's corner
Sources for Phosphorus

Organic nutrients are increasing in
popularity in the same ratio as most
of the other practices connected
with organic growing. Phosphorus
can be acquired from inorganic
but natural sources such as rock
phosphorus, or organic sources
like bone meal. Soil pH needs to be
below 7.0 for the phosphorus in bone
meal to be available to plant roots.
Many organic nutrients, such as bat
guano and fish or chicken fertilizer,
are high in phosphorus and have more
rapid uptake profiles. Sea minerals and
liquid seaweed are other organic sources of readily available
phosphorus. There are two primary categories for phosphorus
availability: water soluble and citrate soluble. You can find
additional information on how phosphorus works, available
sources, and how to improve plant uptake by scanning the QR
code at the end of this article.
Organic phosphorous fertilizers have been used for a very
long time as the primary source for crops. Even with the advent
of new phosphorous fertilizer technology, organic sources from
animal manures—including composts—are still very important.
From a fertilizer nutrient perspective, the primary difference is the
availability of phosphorus from the fertilizer. As with most of the
fertilizer products, especially those with varying analysis, additional
chemical analysis should be done to determine an availability coefficient
as a portion of the reported total phosphorus.
Phosphorus contained in organic sources is a combination of inorganic
and organic. Essentially, everything inorganic is in the orthophosphate
form. The combination of the organic and inorganic phosphorous ratios
in various organic sources and the soil environment will affect the avail-
ability for organic phosphorus. Most animal manure research interpreta-
tions indicate that approximately 60 to 80 per cent of the total phosphorus
is available to crops in the first year. Due to the chemical composition of
“The main use

other organic sources, such as bone meal, lesser amounts of plant avail-
able phosphorus compared to total are expected.
An important consideration in nutrient safety is the quality and
control of the manufacturer’s process for producing the phosphorus in
of the fertilizer. These are vital issues controlled by proper composting,
especially in animal based fertilizers.
phosphorus in plants is for
the formation of adenosine Do You Really Need More Phosphorus?
triphosphate, the energy As with most fertilizer regimens, providing the optimum level of
every nutrient is the goal. An excess can be as damaging to a crop
storing molecule of the plant.“ as a deficiency.
Know what the phosphorus level in your soil is before making a
substantial increase in the level. As noted earlier in this article, total
phosphorus is the combination of water soluble and citrate (or mild acid)
available. A more accurate total might be reflected if your test included at
least water and mild acid solutions to extract the phosphorous.
Providing the right amount of various nutrients to your crop is essential

to maximize your yield and the organoleptic quality of the food you grow.
Understanding some of the major contributions that the various nutrients
provide to your plants is the first key towards success, then knowing when
to add them and just how much will be next. Gardening is always joyful
to those of us that take these challenges gladly, and making the effort to
learn, note, and compare just what type and level of nutrients our plants
are getting will take us through to better crops.
For additional tips on better understanding the any

forms of phosphorus, what this nutrient can do for
your crop, and to see the reference and additional
information for this article, scan the QR code to the left.
122 grow cycle

grow cycle 123
beginner's corner
grow cycl
by
Lacey
Macri
Three worthwhile investments for novice growers

transitioning into more advanced grow operations.
So, you think you’ve mastered the art of small-scale growing
and you’re ready to take it to the next level? Lacey Macri
lays out the best way to make your next move.
124 grow cycle

beginner's corner
S caling up can be an exciting yet intimidating move to make,

considering the amount of investment of time and money
required to do it right. To assist, I’ve identified three tools and
LIGHT METERS
Light meters are a somewhat hidden gem in the modern
implementations that will ultimately save you thousands of growing industry. Many growers don’t bother to make
dollars when used properly. the rather modest investment of approximately $150
because they don’t think they need it. Well, when
BIOCONTROL you consider the amount of money you put into your
lighting system, protecting that investment becomes
Simply put, biocontrol is a chemical-free alternative critical. It is important to be aware of how much light
to traditional pesticides. It has yet to get a whole lot of output you are getting from both your bulbs and your
publicity in the modern growing industry, but it is about reflectors. Most manufacturers give an estimated
to get huge—and fast. States across the country are lifespan for their bulbs, but this can be within a wide
mandating laws surrounding the use of chemical pesticides range, depending on other variables that contribute to
on consumable crops, and the rules are progressively the speed at which a bulb degrades: functionality of the
getting stricter. In some locations, the finished product must ballast, environmental factors such as cleanliness and
be tested for residual pesticides before hitting the shelf at temperature, and age of the bulb.
retail locations. You can imagine how this could drastically Using a light meter can clue you into possible malfunctions,
interrupt growers’ operations and livelihoods if they are as well as indicate when a bulb is not performing optimally.
suddenly stuck with pounds and pounds of unsellable Because yield is directly related to light, it will suffer if the
product that didn’t pass inspection. The good news is that output isn’t functioning at its highest potential.
there is a very effective way around this issue. The method “If growers purchase a light meter and use it properly, it
of utilizing natural enemies—biocontrol—has been around will pay for itself the first time you identify a bad bulb,”
for years in commercial agriculture. The use of beneficial advises Cameron Laubisch, lead engineer for Nanolux
insects creates an environment that is not conducive for Technology. He also notes how important it is to stay on
pests to survive and reproduce, while simultaneously top of your reflectors’ effectiveness. “Most people know to
eliminating the use of chemical pesticides altogether. Sure, change the bulbs, but almost nobody changes reflectors,
the cost of implementing a biocontrol regimen into your and they are supposed to change once a year.”
grow is higher than using chemical pesticides, but there is Over time, residue from humidity, foliar feeding,
an upside to that too. Growers can charge a higher price, and other environmental contaminants collect on the
as consumers are often willing to pay for a pesticide-free surfaces of the reflectors, reducing the light output and
product. Between that and the quality-savings reaped their overall effectiveness. You can help maintain a
from eliminating chemicals from your grow, as well as reflector for longer periods of time by wiping them down
the yield-savings potential through periodically to reduce buildup from blocking its output,
the prevention of damage from but the heat and light itself also contribute to degrading
even small colonies of pests, reflectors. Eventually, regardless of how clean you keep
growers end up boosting them, they will need to be replaced, and a light meter can
profits significantly. tell you that information under no uncertain terms.
“ I’VE IDENTIFIED three tools

and implementations that will
ultimately save you thousands
of dollars when used properly.”
MEDIA SENSORS
Sensors are something of a
hot topic within the modern
grow sphere. For those
growing hydroponically,
there are various sensors
available that should be
considered when scaling up. Besides
the usual pH, TDS/EC, and temperature
meters, other sensors such as oxidation
reduction potential (ORP) meters and ion-selective
electrodes can be very useful for a grower looking to
streamline. Oxidation reduction potential meters essentially
inform the grower about how healthy their water is. Keeping
that number at 420 millivolts (mV) or higher helps to maintain
a sterile environment, free of harmful bacteria, which is
generally how hydroponics systems are most efficiently run.
126 grow cycle

Ion-selective electrodes break down the standard TDS irrigation system to ensure your plants aren’t suffocating
meter into readings by specific ion. This helps growers from a lack of oxygen due to the soil moisture content
make informed decisions as to their feeding schedule while staying too high. Some growers are even integrating
monitoring nutrient levels and making sure these levels are on soil moisture sensors with irrigation controllers that will
target. When these ratios fall short in any one direction, this automatically adjust based on the conditions picked up
is when nutrient imbalances tend to occur. Nutrient sensors by the meter. After all, this is the age of automation, so
can be considered a part of preventative maintenance to help why stop now?
diagnose issues before it’s too late, as well as a tool to achieve
a higher level of sustainability. Protecting your investment with additional economically
sound investments is the best way to cut costs and increase
profits. While it is important to maintain and optimize all
“
the fundamentals inside a grow space, when scaling up,
FOR THOSE growing hydroponically, it is equally, if not more important, to protect what you
already have. These three tips may not be for everyone,
there are various sensors available that but for those who are getting serious about growing and
spending thousands of dollars a year
should be considered when scaling up.” on going pro with what used to
be a hobby, you really
can’t go wrong.
For those in a soil setting, maintaining proper soil moisture

is essential for growing healthy plants. It is such a common
error to either overwater or under water plants, and there
is an easy way around this otherwise serious issue when it
is overlooked. In less than 60 seconds, growers can insert
the sensor into the soil and determine whether the soil
moisture level is too high, too low, or right where it needs
to be. The problem with diagnosing soil moisture with the
naked eye is that under watered and overwatered plants
often exhibit very similar symptoms. The trend seems to lean
more toward overwatering than under watering, which is an
inefficient way to operate a grow facility, not to mention very
environmentally unfriendly. It is important to optimize your
grow cycle 127

growers know
grow cycl
by C
or y Hu
ghes
MAKING YOUR OWN

NUTRIENT MIX
Sure, you could just buy a premixed nutrient solu-
tion, but where’s the fun in that? If you have some
time for preparation, mixing your own nutes is an
easy, rewarding, and dare I say, fun process.
128 grow cycle

I f you are managing a hydroponic garden, you have two
options when it comes to your nutrients. You can purchase
a premixed nutrient solution or you can mix your own at
“
home. Buying a premixed nutrient solution is a quick fix that
works well. However, mixing your own fertilizer allows you
to fine-tune the level of each nutrient to your plants’ exact
MIXING YOUR
requirements, and you can save a ton of money in the long
run. Also, making your own hydroponic nutrient solution is
easy; it just requires some preparation and a keen eye.
Before you mix a drop, you need to take the time to
read about nutrients. Find out what they do and how
they work. Also, learn about the types of nutes that your
OWN FERTILIZER
individual plants need. Each nutrient corresponds to a allows you to fine-tune the level of
different function within the plant. All plants depend
on the same primary macro- and micronutrients, but
each nutrient to your plants’ exact
their ratios in solution will vary based on what you are requirements, and you can save a
growing. Know your plants, and know what and how
much they need before you begin. ton of money in the long run.“
Next, you’re going to need supplies. The most important
thing on your shopping list is the various nutrient salts that
will serve as the base of your fertilizer. Phosphorus, nitro-
gen, calcium, and all the other essential elements you need
are available in this solid crystalline form. When the nutri-
ent salts are mixed with water to make your solution, they Once you get your pH in line, it’s time to fine-tune your
break down and provide nutrition as they are absorbed by electrical conductivity (EC). That is, you need to check if
your plant’s root system. the ratio of total nutrients to the amount of water is correct.
Speaking of water, it should be clean. You always end An EC measurement is similar to a part per million (ppm)
up with a better feed mix if you can use water run through reading, but it has become the new, more accurate standard
a filtration system to remove unwanted contaminants. in measuring nutrient ratios. There are several ways to get
Next, you need a few buckets; one for each part of the your EC reading, but the easiest is to use an electronic EC
solution. For example, if you are using an “A, B, Bloom” meter. You want your EC anywhere from 0.8 to three, those
system, you need three buckets. Also, buy a digital scale being the extremes. Most gardening applications require an
that can measure down to the hundredth of a gram, as EC of somewhere between 1.5 and 2.5. Above that, you risk
your measurements will need to be precise. Next, you a nutrient burn. If your EC is too high, add enough water to
need your typical measuring spoons and cups. Also, bring your EC down to the desired range.
whatever you do, don’t forget to use rubber gloves. Safety
is paramount, so always wear gloves when handling And there you have it! Follow these steps and
nutrient salts or any other chemicals. you too can make your very own hydroponic
Now that you have all your supplies, fill your buckets with feed mix from scratch.
the appropriate amount of water. Next, use your measur-
ing cups, spoons, and scale to weigh out the proper amount
of salts. Do each nutrient on its own, and do it carefully.
Salts dissolve almost immediately after being introduced
to water. Pour them in slowly and disperse them around the
bucket, trying to avoid unnecessary splashing. After one
salt has dissolved, you can proceed with the next. Once
you have measured out and introduced all your salts, put a
lid on the bucket and give it a good shake to break up any
clumps that you may have missed.
Now that you have your preliminary mix done, you need
to check and adjust your pH. This is of utmost importance.
Plants require a pH in a range of about 5.5 to seven, with
most falling under 6.5. With water being a neutral medium
(that is, having a pH of seven), you are going to need some
pH down solution. Solutions designed to reduce pH are
highly acidic, meaning a little bit goes along way. Make a
separate diluted pH down mixture by using just a few drops
of pH down concentrate with a gallon of water. This gives
you a solution with a pH of around two, give or take. Then,
slowly add the diluted pH down mixture to your nutrient
mix, stopping to check your result frequently.
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growers know
grow cycl
Get ’Em
OUTS I D E :
Starting Outdoor Summer Gardens in Early Spring
by Kent Gruetzmacher
Experienced gardeners know

that the sooner plants can be
exposed to natural sunlight
the better. In northern
climates, this can be a tricky
process with chilly spring
nights. Kent Gruetzmacher
offers up some advice on
properly transitioning plants
to the great outdoors.
130 grow cycle

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grow cycle 131
growers know
T o ensure a plentiful harvest, it is essential to maintain a

consistent plant vitality throughout the entire lifespan of
a crop. These notions of a constant health stasis are crucial
While most outdoor gardeners would like to avoid the stress-
ors of transitioning from inside operations to outdoor grows,
this notion is impossible in most of North America due to the
during the transitional periods of a garden’s lifecycle— frigid temperatures of early springtime and winter. As a result,
those times when plants are stressed by infrastructural almost all outdoor gardens begin in the comforts of the indoors.
and climactic changes prompted by cultivators themselves. While this is the case, shrewd outdoor horticulturalists can still
Examples of transitional periods include transplanting plants partially utilize sunlight to fuel their gardens in the spring by
into larger pots, or moving them from a vegetative growroom combining elements of indoor and outdoor growing. The use
(metal halide lights) to a flower room (high-pressure sodium of sunlight greatly lessens the demands of electrical usage for
[HPS] lights). While these changes are taxing for crops, they an operation while simultaneously making the transition from
are a necessary feature in almost all indoor and outdoor inside to outside less traumatic on crops. Here are a few point-
operations. For outdoor cultivators, perhaps the most ers for getting crops outside early.
stressful transitional period for their crops is the move
from the controlled environs of an indoor room into
THE NECESSITY OF HARDENING-OFF PLANTS
the uncontainable conditions of the outdoors.
The first thing that cultivators should remember when tran-
sitioning plants from indoor rooms to outdoor grows is that
sunlight is far stronger than any artificial lighting. Therefore,
“
it is essential that growers “harden off” plants as they slowly
THE FIRST thing expose them to the sunlight. This is accomplished by initially
introducing sunlight to the plants, by way of weakened UV
that cultivators should rays in a shaded environment. Often, gardeners create these
remember when shaded areas out of a PVC hoop-house construct that is covered
in shade cloth—this cloth is simply some mesh material that
transitioning plants allows for simultaneous air flow and UV protection. Hardening-
from indoor rooms off is accomplished after plants have been comfortably in the
shade for seven to 10 days, at which point they are ready for
to outdoor grows is full sun. Some caution is required, however. If one puts their
that sunlight is far plants in the sun prematurely during this transitional period,
serious wilting and terminal stress can occur.
stronger than any
artificial lighting.“
OPTION 1: Manually Moving Plants Inside and Outside
For the small-scale outdoor operation, or when plants are in
small containers such as plastic cups and trays, manually
carrying plants from inside to outside is an option. With
this method, cultivators can utilize the energy savings
and health benefits of sunlight without having to create
any additional infrastructure for their outdoor gardens.
Furthermore, once plants are brought back inside they are
sheltered from the cold nighttime temperatures and their
“daytime” can easily be extended to at least a 16-hour light
and eight-hour dark scenario.
There are a few downsides to consider in deciding to
manually move plants inside and outside. Most importantly,
one has to be present twice a day to complete the task.
Second, if the indoor growroom in question is located in a
difficult-to-access area such as a basement, this remedial
chore can easily become overly burdensome. Finally, if plants
are in large pots (usually bigger than one gallon), carrying
them twice a day almost becomes out of the question.
OPTION 2: Greenhouses
A popular option for easing the transition from the indoors
to the outdoors is through the use of greenhouses. With
these structures, cold spring daytime temperatures are
greatly heightened as greenhouse walls trap heat within the
greenhouse. Furthermore, there are a plethora of ways that one
can heat greenhouses during frigid spring nights. Greenhouses
are ideal for growers that have large number of plants, large
pots, or simply don’t want to carry plants inside and outside
twice a day. These set-ups work great for traditional outdoor
gardeners who want to get their plants outside early, or they
can also be used throughout an entire grow season to provide
better security and environmental controls.
132 grow cycle

There are a number of considerations to make when weighing
one’s options with greenhouses in the springtime. The primary
concerns are the use of supplemental lighting as well as a reli-
able heat source. In order to keep small plants within the vege-
“
tative phase of growth, lights must be hung inside the green-
house to extend “daylight” hours—the lights can range from A POPULAR option
simple fluorescents to high-powered HPS fixtures. However, for easing the transition
as these lights will be on during the naturally dark periods of
the springtime, they will make the translucent greenhouses from the indoors to the
emit light. If neighbors and light-pollution are a concern, the outdoors is through the
greenhouse will need to be covered by a black-out tarp during
the nighttime and uncovered in the morning. Finally, garden- use of greenhouses.“
ers will need to heat their greenhouses at night. Choices for
heating can range anywhere from a simple space-heater to
a complex, thermostat-driven propane system.
OPTION 3: Carports and Trailers

This last option for getting full-season plants
outside early may seem rather unconven- Deliberations to be made in using the
tional to the average grower, buts its remark- carport methodology are based mainly
able ingenuity and practicality makes it on what materials one has on-hand. To
hard to ignore. Furthermore, this method is illustrate, if a gardener already owns a
far cheaper than a greenhouse kit and can carport and trailer, the option is really
often be done with materials that most indi- attractive. What’s more, if one has a
viduals already have at home. With a stan- spare vehicle or four-wheeler to aid in
dard carport kit, horticulturalists can literally the trailer moving process the simplic-
wheel their plants in and out of the structure ity of the operation is that much better.
for the daytime and the nighttime on a trailer. Finally, similar considerations concerning
This method allows cultivators to move plants supplemental lighting and heating must be
in big pots, as well as a large number of plants. made for the carport option.
grow cycle 133

growers know
grow cycl
134 grow cycle

growers know
WATER SOURCE
When I am asked about the pH of a nutrient solution, I always
respond, “consider the source.” The source of the water a
grower uses is the number one contributing factor to the
nutrient solution’s initial pH and its pH stability over time.
Tap water is probably the worst choice a grower can make
in terms of pH stability as it’s full of elements and chemicals
that will affect the overall pH of the final solution. Calcium
and magnesium are just two of the elements usually found in
non-ideal ratios in tap water, contributing to pH fluctuations.
Growers with hard water experience continual problems
with pH fluctuations thanks to high concentrations of calcium
and magnesium. To remove excess or unwanted elements
or chemicals, many hydroponic growers choose to use filtra-
T he potential hydrogen, or pH, of a nutrient solution devices, such as reverse osmosis systems. When done
tion or soil plays a vital role in horticulture. In fact, correctly, reverse osmosis will provide a horticulturist with
the pH directly influences whether or not essential pure water that has a neutral (seven) pH.
“
elements will be available for uptake by plants.
Before explaining how that works, let’s first look a
little closer at pH. On the pH scale, seven is consid-
ered neutral. All readings above seven are considered
alkaline, and all readings below seven are consid-
ered acidic. The pH scale is an exponential logarith-
mic scale. In other words, every number on the pH
scale represents an increase or decrease of tenfold. For
example, a pH value of four is ten times more acidic
than a pH value of five and 100 times more acidic than a
pH value of six. The same holds true for readings above
seven. For example, a pH value of 10 is 10 times more
alkaline than a pH value of nine and 100 times more
alkaline than a pH value of eight.
In horticulture, the pH level of a nutrient solution Depending on the water’s surrounding environment, the pH
or soil is important because every essential element can also change over time. For example, when water with
used by plants has a pH range in which it can be a neutral pH is exposed to air, the pH will slowly become
absorbed. If the pH fluctuates too far from that range, more acidic as the water absorbs carbon dioxide from the
a “nutrient lockout” may occur and cause nutrient surrounding air. For most growers, this pH fluctuation is
deficiencies, hindering the growth and yield of a minimal and doesn’t require any further attention. However,
garden. For most hydroponic gardens, the ideal pH growers who enrich their gardens with high levels of CO2
range is between 5.5-5.9. For most soil gardens, the may experience more dramatic decreases in the system’s
ideal pH range is between 6.3-6.8. pH. The best way to minimize this problem is to remove the
So, what exactly determines the pH of a nutrient reservoir or holding tank from the room that is enriched with
solution? The pH of a nutrient solution is influenced CO2. This way the water in the reservoir is no longer exposed
by four main factors: the water source, the nutrients, to the high concentrations of CO2. This is also why hydroponic
microorganisms (bacteria), and growing medium. It systems where the nutrition solution makes minimal contact
will help a horticulturist greatly if they have a basic with the CO2-enriched growing environment are far less
understanding of each. affected by phenomenon.
136 grow cycle

growers know
“
NUTRIENTS When this is observed, a flush of the entire system
and a thorough cleaning of the reservoir should be
After securing a relatively balanced water source, growers
implemented. Cleanliness is the best preventative
should examine their nutrients and what effect they make on
measure for bacteria-caused pH fluctuations. If plants
the solution’s overall pH. One thing to remember is the more
are still in the system, using a diluted hydrogen peroxide
nutrients that are added, the more the pH will be impacted. In
solution is a better choice than bleach because it will
other words, if a gardener plans on using a 24-part nutrition
not leave behind any harmful residue. Either hydrogen
regimen, they should plan on taking a lot of time to figure out
peroxide or a diluted bleach solution can be used to clean
and balance the solution’s pH.
hydroponic systems between garden cycles, however.
Once you know how a nutrient affects pH, you can adjust
the solution to bring it back to neutral. All adjustments
GROWING MEDIUM
should be made five to 10 minutes after all the nutrients
have been added to the water. This will give the solution’s Most hydroponic growers use an inert medium in their
pH some time to stabilize. hydroponic systems. Though usually pH stable, growing
Even after making pH adjustments to the solution, however, mediums can hold nutrients and harbor microbial life
it’s possible the overall pH will fluctuate over time. As the nutri- that can, in turn, affect the pH of the nutrient solution. In
ents break down, some chemical compounds are absorbed by other words, the growing medium can indirectly affect
the plant and some are left in the solution. It’s these unused the pH. Also, growers should not rely on a hydroponic
acidic and alkaline compounds that can cause pH fluctuations. medium to be an effective buffering agent for pH (in
The plants themselves can also affect the solution’s overall nature, soil acts as a large-scale pH buffer). Instead, the
pH. As they absorb nutrient ions, they give off ions in return. medium’s ability to accumulate nutrients and harbor
For example, when a plant absorbs potassium ions, it gives off microbes should be taken into account when dealing
hydrogen ions that lower the pH. When a plant absorbs nitro- with pH fluctuations.
gen ions, it gives off hydroxyl ions that result in a rise of pH.
In other words, every chemical reaction happening in a plant’s Indoor horticulturists should view the nutrient solution’s
root mass can potentially affect the pH of the nutrient solution. pH as the determining factor for nutrient uptake. Without
a pH within the desired range, plants will not be able
to uptake what they need and will suffer because of
MICROORGANISMS (BACTERIA) it. This is why it is so important for growers to check
The countless microorganisms found in the growing medium, and recheck their system’s pH value (for hydroponic
reservoir, nutrient solution, and root mass can also affect pH. In systems, there is no substitute for the daily monitoring
most cases, there is no negative effect when these microorgan- of the system’s pH). Being aware of the most common
isms are in check. However, certain colonies of bacteria can be factors that can influence a solution’s pH will give
the cause of constant downward (more acidic) fluctuations in horticulturists better insight into how to correct or
the solution’s pH. avoid certain pH fluctuations. Plants love consistency;
A good indicator that a bacteria colony is affecting the pH they thrive on it. The pH of the nutrient solution is
is when the solution’s pH becomes acidic quickly—within a no exception. Horticulturists who can maintain a
few hours—after initial adjustments have been made. This is consistent pH within the range where nutrition uptake
especially true if the solution continues to go acidic even after is maximized will be rewarded with healthier, faster
multiple pH adjustments. growing plants and larger, more bountiful harvests.
138 grow cycle

innovation station
groundbreaker
Growing
Something
OUT OF NOTHING
by Jessica Skelton
Sundrop Farms� CEO, Philipp Saumweber
In 2009, a new ag business decided to develop

a sustainable method of producing high-quality
produce anywhere, including places with poor soil,
little fresh water, and limited access to grid energy.
Now, they’re testing out this system on a commercial
scale by growing tomatoes in the Australian desert.
S bloom using sunlight, seawater, and little else.

undrop Farms has figured out how to make the desert
On a 20-hectare plot located in arid Port Augusta, South

Australia, 23,000 mirrors harness the sun’s energy to
power a desalination plant. The one million liters of fresh
water created here each day is then mixed with nutrients
and used to grow hydroponic tomatoes in the facility’s
greenhouses, which are also run on solar energy.
Annually, the farm will produce more than 15,000 tons
of truss tomatoes.
“Sundrop Farms system of farming was inspired by the
need to overcome water shortage and quality issues in
agriculture,” says Sundrop Farms’ CEO, Philipp Saumweber.
“The Sundrop System employs existing technologies, which
come together in a unique way that has not been employed
before to grow produce on this scale.”
The $200-million facility, however, isn’t entirely reliant
on renewable energy sources just yet. It still uses a small
amount of grid energy as a back-up system and to help pump
seawater to the desalination plant from the Spencer Gulf,
Employees weed and pick produce entirely by hand which is 3.5 miles away.
140 groundbreakers
Left: Sundrop Farms’ Port Augusta facility.
Above: The Sundrop System.
The supermarket chain, which needed to

satisfy an increasing demand for tomatoes
year-round, now sells produce from the Port
Augusta facility throughout South Australia,
Victoria, and New South Wales.
Coles isn’t the only one to have faith in
Sundrop’s vision of sustainable and profitable agriculture.
The South Australian Government granted AUD$6 million
to the Port Augusta facility, and in 2014, global private
Sundrop Farms
equity firm KKR invested more than USD100 million to
enable Sundrop’s expansion both in Australia and abroad.
“We are always interested in taking our farms into new
markets, and we have learnt that we cannot succeed
has figured out how to make the desert bloom in this without the help of partners, both on a local and
global scale,” says Sauweber.
using sunlight, seawater, and little else.” Speaking of new markets, the future is looking bright—
or, more accurately, green—for Sundrop Farms. The
organization broke ground on two new operations in 2016,
Still, the existing efforts to decouple farming from the finite one in Portugal and one in the US, and Saumweber says it is
resources of fresh water, fossil fuels, and land will result in also “developing a number of new projects with partners all
major wins for the planet. The Port Augusta facility, which around the globe.” Each of these facilities will be customized
opened in October 2016, will annually save enough fresh to meet its customers’ needs, much like how the Port Augusta
water to fill 180 Olympic swimming pools, the carbon dioxide farm works to supply Coles with tomatoes. As such, the
equivalent of 500 cars, and enough diesel to drive around the upcoming projects will vary technology-wise, but Saumweber
equator 500 times, states a press release from Sundrop. says they will all have the company’s “triple bottom line
What’s more, the company employs natural farming values of people, planet, and profit at their heart.”
practices alongside its high-yielding space-age technology. On a wider scale, there are some that believe Sundrop
It uses carnivorous bugs to control pests and no chemical Farms is doing more than expanding their own business.
fertilizers, and employees pick weeds and produce entirely Sundrop Farms managing director for Australia, Steve
by hand. While labor intensive, Saumweber says this results Marafiote, says the company is providing a blueprint for
in “significantly better” fruit for the consumer. the future of fresh food production.
Of course, happy customers and a protected environment “Through the establishment of our high-tech greenhouse
aren’t the only goals for Sundrop Farms. The ag business also facilities, we are driving solutions for the production of
aims to produce healthy, sustainable profits. healthy food in a manner that eradicates the impacts of
To reach its objectives, the company signed an variability to ensure sufficient supply of produce in line
exclusive, decade-long contract with Coles, an Australian with consumer expectations, and ultimately promote long-
supermarket chain. term viability of farming in regions facing water and energy
“Our 10-year partnership with Sundrop Farms is the longest- supply constraints,” he says.
term contract we have ever signed for fresh produce and is Only time will tell, however, if more people will embrace
testament to the confidence we have in the Sundrop team,” the model and start growing food with little more than
says Coles merchandise director, Chris Nichola. sunlight and seawater.
groundbreakers 141
movers & shakers
groundbreaker
Next Generation Hydroponic Farming: photos by Infinite Imaging Photography
Desert Greens H2O

2016 was one hell of a year for Tom
Blount, systems designer and grower
at Desert Greens H2O. In May, Blount’s
flagship hydroponic greenhouse, locat-
ed 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 flavor profiles
and nutritional value,” he says.
“Our next-generation greenhouse is
sustainable and can revolutionize the
way food is grown.”
Before discovering hydroponics,
After more than 10 years of research and development, the man behind Blount owned a small restaurant on
Kauai. “The cost of the produce was
Desert Greens H2O’s flagship, broad-scale hydroponic greenhouse, a bottom line killer,” he recalls. This
which is the first of its kind in Nevada, believes his systems have was 1988. “Back then, lettuce there
cost $45 to $60, compared to $8 to
the capacity to redefine the current global food paradigm. Here’s Tom $12 per case in the rest of the US. And
Blount with more info on his A-Frame systems that are capable of half of it was rotted by arrival. I had a
friend who grew hydroponic lettuce, so
producing four times the yields of average greenhouses. I asked her to show me how to do it.
142 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 H2O was born.
Desert Greens H2O’s vertical grow
units produce four to six times
“Desert Greens H O’s

the crop yield of current standard
hydroponic greenhouses. “Our grow
units allow for the utilization of the
entire length, width, and height of 2
the greenhouse, which exponential-
ly increases both crop size and har- vertical grow units produce
vestable plant material,” explains
Tom. “As an example,
four to six times the crop
in 2,160 square feet, we can fit yield of current standard
25,630 grow spaces, and in our
standard 60x72-foot greenhouse hydroponic greenhouses.”
systems application, we offer
40,000-plus grow sites.” Compared
to traditional farming, the increased
yield is staggering, Tom 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 H2O’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 Tom Blount discusses the key elements that make up his unique grow systems.
advantage the company has going
for it is water conservation. “Desert For anyone considering maximiz- “We have found that in the southern
Greens H2O utilizes a closed-loop ing their yields with A-frames within Nevada climate the most efficient size
system, which expresses more than greenhouses, Desert Greens H2O are greenhouse is 60x72 feet. We have three
90 per cent in water savings over your guys, no matter your current systems, all of which may be either
traditional soil grows,” Blount says. structure. “We can retrofit any existing downsized or up-scaled depending
All that being said, Desert Greens greenhouse structure. We offer three on the grow application. Owners can
is in more than just the leafy greens different management packages and choose from the Oxygen-Infused
business. It is set to both license or offer live-time monitoring of the green- A-Frame System (OIAF), the Over
sell its systems to other companies. house, combined with daily greenhouse Head Vining System (OHV), or the
“Our next-generation grow systems climate and water conditions,” shares Large Plant System (LP).”
are replicable for commercial Blount. In addition, Desert Greens has So, what’s coming up next for
applications, ensuring that a better- also developed a proprietary nutri- this innovative company? Desert
tasting, nutrient-laden product can be ent blend, created with pharmaceut- Greens H2O is collaborating with the
grown consistently in a large area. “We ical-grade ingredients, to help growers University of Nevada in an effort to
are a hydroponic and aeroponic grow get off to the right start. obtain white papers confirming water
systems company that would like to Starting without a structure? Desert savings, carbon footprint, square
help farmers reach pinnacle levels of Greens can also help with that. “We foot crop production numbers, and
crop yield. As such, we are pleased have a strategic alliance with Atlas increased nutrient values. Blount
to not just manufacture our systems Greenhouse, whom we recommend says his primary goal is to have every
for resale, but we are here to install for the product quality, strength of plant in his systems reach 100 per cent
and train operational staff on our structure, and ability to customize of their DNA capacity, with minimal
proprietary systems.” their greenhouse sizes,” says Blount. impact on the environment.
groundbreakers 143
you tell us
groundbreaker
S tarted by electrical engineers who How has the company grown over the years?
From our humble beginnings, we
took an interest in indoor gardening, expanded grassroots-style through
G8LED manufactures and tests high- word-of-mouth referrals from our indoor
gardening contacts. For the first few
quality grow lights to give customers years, we experienced a fierce resistance
optimal results in their growrooms. to LED grow lights because of subpar
G8LED
products being sold in the market.
Robert H., managing director, explains Customers were not able to get the
how the company has been expanding results they were looking for and were
skeptical of all LED grow light brands.
ADDRESS: its market share year after year, and why We knew we could formulate a superior
Sun Valley, California customers are at the root of this success. product, so we kept improving our design
PHONE NUMBER and working with expert growers in a
1-888-771-GROW positive feedback loop that propelled
Tell us a little about how G8LED started. the G8LED design to what it is today—a
WEBSITE: highly efficient system that results in
G8LED was started by electrical engin-
dormgrow.com eers turned indoor growers who took healthy growth and maximum yields!
YEARS IN BUSINESS: their industry experience and applied it
Eight to the science of indoor growing. We took What is your company’s philosophy?
COMPANY MOTTO: our design through several iterations We believe that customers hold the
over eight years to bring the most innov- answers to our success. We always
Grow Green with G8LED Technology! ative indoor grow lighting technology in listen to customers and make our
the highest yielding grow light system. decisions based on their feedback.
144 groundbreakers
If something is not good for the What products are you seeing
customer, in the long run, it will not
be good for us, either. We follow this the most demand for?
philosophy and it has helped us The G8-900 LED grow light is the most
attain a great deal of success. We get popular amongst commercial growers
a large percentage of our business and the G8-450 LED grow light is the
from repeat customers and referrals. most popular amongst hobby growers.
What products does your company What else can you tell us
distribute and where? about the G8-900 LED?
Our G8LED indoor grow lights come in The G8-900 Veg/Flower Light provides
different sizes and with a couple varia- the growing power of 1,200W of HID
tions to give customers flexibility in their lighting, but only uses only 540W of
growroom designs. We sell worldwide power. We use an optimal eight-band
and ship to more than 130 countries. formulation made with the weighted
average of the different wavelengths of
light necessary for peak photosynthesis.
How are the products your The formulation has everything needed
company distributes unique? for peak performance without any extra
G8LED indoor grow lights are unique wavelengths that waste energy and
in their design. For example, the G8-600 reduce efficiency.
Veg/Flower is a powerful indoor grow-
ing machine with the growing power of
1,000W of HID lighting while only using Can you share some advice for new growers
390W of power. The G8-600 uses G8LED looking at buying your products?
technology to produce high-quality buds Do your homework before you invest in
while operating at low temperatures. your indoor grow project. Ask a lot of
Eight built-in fans make indoor temper- questions. Your investment should pay
ature control easy while helping you off and that’s what our technology does.
save big on your monthly electrical bills. We get emails every day from novice
Having gone through several iterations and expert growers alike who ask many
and starting with so much input at the intelligent questions about our products.
“
early stages of design and growth, we We are happy to work with customers to
were able to formulate a highly efficient get all their questions answered. While
and effective design that produces our customers are going through the
healthy growth and maximum yields for learning process, we learn more about
the indoor grower. our customers’ concerns and needs. We believe that customers
hold the answers to our
success. We always listen
to customers and make
our decisions based on
their feedback.
What does G8LED do to further the grow

literacy of the masses?
Our site has a wealth of information for
anyone interested in indoor growing.
We listen to our customers and they tell
us their concerns, then we try to provide
the information to them throughout our
website. It’s a win-win strategy.
What else should people know about G8LED?

We are truly thankful for all the love and
support from our customers. Grow Green
with G8LED Technology!
groundbreakers 145
max mart
groundbreaker
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could be
here.
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maximumyield.com
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146 groundbreakers
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groundbreakers 147
distributors
groundbreaker
retail stores listed alphabetically by city in each state
ALABAMA ---------------------------------------------- Vertical Hydro Garden #2 Orchard City Garden Supply Constantly Growing - Davis Jah Hydro
1676 W. Lincoln Ave. 132 Kennedy Ave. 123 D St., DAVIS, CA 95616 625 East Mission Rd.
Alabama Organics ANAHEIM, CA 92801 CAMPBELL, CA 95008 530-756-4774 FALLBROOK, CA 92028
3348 Bethel Rd. 714-254-0005 408-866-8176 619-930-3471
HAMMONDVILLE, AL 35989 Central Valley Gardening
---------------------------------------------- Global Garden Supply - 9884 Stephens St. Tulare County Growers Supply
256-635-0802 Santa Cruz DELHI, CA 95315 435 W. Noble Ave., Unit A
Hydro-Ponics Inc. 1655 38th St. 209-668-2178 FARMERSVILLE, CA 93223
(of Birmingham) Alaska Jack’s Hydroponics CAPITOLA, CA 95010 559-732-8247
831-854-7890 Valley Gardening Supplies
2969 Pelham Pkwy. Suite. 3 and Garden Supply 9888 Stephens St. Santa Cruz Hydroponics
PELHAM, AL 35124 244 S Sylvan Way, Unit 25 Myron L Company DELHI, CA 95315 & Organics - North
WASILLA, AK 99654 Grass Roots
205-358-3009 Hydroponics & Organics 2450 Impala Dr. 209-668-2178 5980 Hwy. 9
907-373-4757 CARLSBAD, CA 9210-7226 FELTON, CA 95018
ALASKA ---------------------------------------------- 56040 Hwy 371
ANZA, CA 92539 760-438-2021; 661-299-1603 Constantly Growing
6200 Enterprise Dr., Suite A
831-335-9990
---------------------------------------------- Far North Garden Supply ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Eel River Hydroponics
DIAMOND SPRINGS, CA 95619
300 Centaur St. 530-642-9710 & Soil Supply
WASILLA, AK 99654 High Desert Hydroponics 164 Dinsmore Dr.
907-376-7586 13631 Pawnee Rd., #7 Watch It Grow Hydro FORTUNA, CA 95540
APPLE VALLEY, CA 92308 9453 Firestone Blvd. 707-726-0395
ARIZONA 760-247-2090 San Diego Hydroponics DOWNEY, CA
Dirt Cheap Hydroponics
North County Coastal 562-861-1928
Arizona Hydroponics American Hydroponics 17975 H Hwy. 1
Alaska Jack’s Hydroponics 3900 E Western Dr. #D 286 South G St. 6352 Corte Del Abeto #J Dublin Seed Bank FORT BRAGG, CA 95437
and Garden Supply COTTONWOOD, AZ 86326 ARCATA, CA 95521 CARLSBAD, CA 92011 and Aquaponics 707-964-4211
341 Boniface Pkwy, Unit D 928-649-1138 800-458-6543 760-420-8934 7079 Village Pkwy.
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- DUBLIN, CA 94568 Headlands Garden Supply
ANCHORAGE, AK 99504 Sea of Green Flagstaff 630 North Franklin St.
The Greenhouse Garden Supply 925-828-4769
907-332-1141 204 E Route 66 ---------------------------------------------- FORT BRAGG, CA 95437
---------------------------------------------- 7619 Fair Oak Blvd. 707-964-4447
FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86001 CARMICHAEL, CA 95608
Alaska Mill, Feed and 928-774-7643 916-515-9130 Hydrogarden Mendocino County
Garden Center Home Grown Hydroponics ---------------------------------------------- 1240 North Main St.
114 N. Orca Northcoast FORT BRAGG, CA 95437
2401 East Baseline Rd., Suite 109 Horticulture Supply
ANCHORAGE, AK 99501 GILBERT, AZ 85234 707-962-9252
639 6th St. ----------------------------------------------
907-279-4519 480-633-2100 ARCATA, CA 95521
Far North Garden Supply 707-826-9998 The Lucky Garden
Green Life Hydroponics 7071 Village Pkwy.
2834 Boniface Pkwy. 10798 N. 75th Ave. Suite A4 ----------------------------------------------
The Hydro Shop of Cerritos DUBLIN, CA 94568
ANCHORAGE, AK 99504 PEORIA, AZ 85345 Sweet Harvest 925-828-GROW
907-333-3141 623-487-0148 15961 S. Piuma Ave.
Hydroponics & Organics CERRITOS, CA 90703 ---------------------------------------------- Northcoast Horticulture Supply
Southside Garden Supply AK The Grow Shop LLC 1041 E. Grand Ave. 562-653-0700 Encinitas Hydroponics 357 Main St.
171 Muldoon Rd. 1733 E. McDowell Rd. ARROYO GRANDE, CA 93420 ---------------------------------------------- 463 Encinitas Blvd. FORTUNA, CA 95540
ANCHORAGE, AK 99504 PHOENIX, AZ 85006 805-440-2342 ENCINITAS, CA 92024 707-725-5550
907-334-9997 602-340-7591 Auburn Garden Supply ----------------------------------------------
Go Green Hydroponics
Southside Garden Supply AK Sea of Green West 1668 Auburn Ravine Rd. 15721 Ventura Blvd.
12870 Old Seward Hwy., Unit 114 2340 W. Bell Rd., Suite 116 AUBURN, CA 95603 ENCINO, CA 91436
ANCHORAGE, AK 99515 PHOENIX, AZ 530-889-8171 818-990-1198
602-504-8842 Chico Garden Center
907-339-9997 ---------------------------------------------- 3028 Esplanade Ave. Unit E ----------------------------------------------
California Green Hydroponics
Home Grown Hydroponics CHICO, CA 95973
Southside Garden Supply AK 1330 N. Hulbert Ave. #101
1845 East Broadway, Suite 124 ---------------------------------------------- FRESNO, CA 93728
3005 Spenard Rd. TEMPE, AZ 85282
ANCHORAGE, AK 99503 Garden Connection, The 559-228-9929
480-377-9096 629 Entler Ave. #32 GREENCOAST Escodido LLC ----------------------------------------------
907-562-9997
Sea of Green Hydroponics CHICO, CA 95928 2402 Auto Pkwy.
Holmtown Nursery Inc. Quail Mountain Ranch ESCODIDO, CA 92029 Full Scale Soil & Hydro
1301 E. University Dr. 530-342-7762 2501 Business Park, Suite A
1301 - 30th Ave. TEMPE, AZ 85281 1775 Grass Valley Hwy., Suite B ---------------------------------------------- 760-747-1292
AUBURN, CA 95602 ---------------------------------------------- FRESNO, CA 93727
FAIRBANKS, AK 99701 800-266-4136 559-292-ROOT
907-451-8733 ---------------------------------------------- 530-889-2390
Bayside Garden Supply ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 4061 Highway 101 Suite 6
Hands On Hydroponics EUREKA, CA 95503 Gro More
1340 Roberts Lane San Diego Hydroponics N. 707-826-7435 Garden Supply
BAKERSFIELD CA, 93308 651 Anita St., #B-1 Happy Green Lawn Care
& Hydroponics
Ground Control Hydroponic 661-399-7770 CHULA VISTA, CA 91911 3890 Walnut Dr. Gro More Garden Supply
Growers House 619-737-9272 & Hydroponics
and Garden Supply 1501 E. 21st St. Kern Hydroponics EUREKA, CA 95534
1392 Ocean Dr. 2729 Brundage Lane ---------------------------------------------- 707-497-6186 2686 Clovis Ave., Suite 109
TUCSON, AZ 85719 FRESNO, CA 93727
HOMER, AK 99603 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93304 Green Thumb Hydroponics ----------------------------------------------
855-289-1441 559-348-1055
907-235-1521 ---------------------------------------------- 661-323-7333 6412 Tupelo Dr.
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA 95621 ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- Berkeley Indoor Garden Hand’s On Hydroponics
Sea of Green Hydroponics 916-721-6969
402 North 4th Ave. 844 University Ave. 3320 North Cedar Ave.
TUCSON, AZ 85705 BERKELEY, CA 94710 Sierra Horticulture FRESNO, CA 93726
520-622-6344 510-549-2918 158 Whitcomb Ave. Unit 7 559-222-7770
COLFAX CA 95713 Humboldt Hydroponics ----------------------------------------------
Sea of Green Tuscon E The Hydroponic 530-346-6000 1302 Union St.
Panama Reds Indoor 7955 E Broadway Blvd., #151 Connection - Berkeley EUREKA, CA 95501
Gardening Supply TUCSON, AZ 85710 2816 San Pablo Ave. Growtronix 707-443-4304
3585 East End Rd. 520-751-7745 BERKELEY, CA 94702 2455 Bates Ave. Suite K ----------------------------------------------
510-704-9376 CONCORD, CA 94520
HOMER, AK 99603
907-235-7337 ARKANSAS ---------------------------------------------- 888-872-0878 Roots Grow Supply
1922 W. Belmont Ave.
---------------------------------------------- Green Forest Hydroponics, Inc.
Growfresh Organics & More 2410 Wardlow Rd. #108 FRESNO, CA 93705
2900 Zero St., Suite 105 CORONA, CA 92880 559-840-0122
FORT SMITH, AR 72901 951-270-5300 Northcoast Horticulture Supply ----------------------------------------------
479-648-8885 ---------------------------------------------- 60 West 4th St. Valley Hydroponics
Fermentables Brentwood Hydroponics EUREKA, CA 95501 207 E. Sierra Ave.
3915 Crutcher St. & Organics 707-444-9999 FRESNO, CA 93710
Panama Reds Indoor ----------------------------------------------
LITTLE ROCK N., AR 72118 560 Valdry Ct Suite B-1 559-449-0426
Gardening Supply BRENTWOOD, CA 94513
38792 Kalifornsky Beach Rd. 501-758-6261 The Hydro Spot No Panic Organics Grow Wurks Hydroponics
925-634-6704 21785 Temescal Cyn Rd. 19 Belle Ave. 765 S. State College Blvd., Suite J
KENAI, AK 99611 Anuway Hydroponics ----------------------------------------------
907-283-6010 2711 W. Walnut St. CORONA, CA 92883 FAIRFAX, CA 94930 FULLERTON, CA 92831
---------------------------------------------- ROGERS, AR 72756 Hydro Galaxy ---------------------------------------------- 415-717-2147 714-253-Grow (4769)
479-631-0099 2850 N. Ontario St. A+ Hydroponics & Organics Constantly Growing Hydroponic Discounts
BURBANK, CA 91504 1604 Babcock St. 4301 Hazel Ave. 10372 Trask Ave. Unit F
Southside Garden Supply 800-818-6128
449 West Parks Hw.y COSTA MESA, CA 92627 FAIR OAKS, CA 95628 GARDEN GROVE, CA 92843
WASILLA, AK 99654 Good To Grow & Global 949-642-7776 916-962-0043 800 88 YIELD & 714 643 9574
907-357-9997 Garden Supply The Hydro Source Everything Green Hydroponics Golden Gecko Garden Center
1350 Rollins Rd. 671 E. Edna Pl. 4229 Lozano Ln. 4665 Marshall Rd.
Alaska Jack’s Hydroponics CALIFORNIA BURLINGAME, CA 94010 COVINA, CA 91723 FAIRFIELD, CA 94534 GARDEN VALLEY, CA 95633
and Garden Supply 650-733-4420 877 HYDRO 82; 626-915-3128 707-432-0774 530-333-2394
Colt’s Mountain High
1150 S. Colony Way, Suite 9 Garden Supply Sky High Garden Supply Pacific Coast Hydroponics Fallbrook Hydro SB Hydro
PALMER, AK 99645 42300 Hwy. 49 3081 Alhambra Dr., Suite 105 4147 Sepulveda Blvd. 208 E Mission Rd., Suite B 1109 W. 190th St., Unit #F
907-746-4774 AHWAHNEE, CA 93601 CAMERON PARK, CA 95682 CULVER CITY, CA 90230 FALLBROOK, CA 92028 GARDENA, CA 90248
---------------------------------------------- 559-683-7645 530-676-4009 310-313-1354 760-728-4769 310-538-5788
148 groundbreakers
Probiotic Solutions ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Superior Hydroponic Supply ---------------------------------------------- Medicine Man Farms
20889 Geyserville Ave. 5651 Hollywood Blvd. 1602 53rd Ave.
GEYSERVILLE, CA 95441 LOS ANGELES, CA 90028 OAKLAND, CA 94601
707-354-4342 323-465-GROW (4769) 707-980-0456
GrowBigOgh ---------------------------------------------- Plant-N-Grow
National Garden Wholesale/ ------------------------------------------- 1602 53rd Ave.
320 Kishimura Dr., Unit #3 Bear Valley Hydroponics
GILROY, CA 95020 Sunlight Supply Hydro Bros. OAKLAND, CA 94601
& Homebrewing 521 Winmoore Way, Suite A 707-980-0456
408-848-0884 17455 Bear Valley Rd. 6150 Las Positas Rd.
LIVERMORE, CA 94551 Green Giant Hydroponics MODESTO, CA 95358 ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- HESPERIA, CA 92345 7312 Hwy. 49, Unit B
888 570 4678 209-537-8220
760-949-3400 LOTUS, CA 95651 ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
530-622-4465 Hydroponics Max
Foothill Hydroponics Root Solutions Hydroponics ----------------------------------------------
851 N. Sacramento St., Ste A 664 Bitritto CT Occidental Hardware
Reforestation Technologies 10705 Burbank Blvd. MODESTO, CA 95356 3799 Bohemian Hwy.
HOLLYWOOD N., CA 91601 LODI, CA 95240
International 209-368-7668 209-491-2816 OCCIDENTAL, CA 95465
5355 Monterey Frontage Rd. 818-760-0688 707-874-3441
---------------------------------------------- Valley Gardening Supplies
GILROY, CA 95020 No Stress Hydroponics ----------------------------------------------
800-784-4769 1903 Yosemite Blvd.
7543 Santa Monica Blvd. MODESTO, CA 95354 Hands On Hydroponics
---------------------------------------------- HOLLYWOOD W., CA 90046
Agro Lake Garden Supply 209-577-4769 311 Airport Rd.
323-845-9874 OCEANSIDE, CA 92058
11455 Clayton Creek Rd. Valley Gardening Supplies
One Stop Hydroponics LOWER LAKE, CA 95457 509 Winmoore Way Ste. T 760-547-5426
12822 Victory Blvd. 707-994-1788 MODESTO, CA 95358
HOLLYWOOD N., CA 91606 SweetLeafHydro Hydrobrew
---------------------------------------------- 209-537-4769 1319 South Coast Hwy.
818-980-5855 OCEANSIDE, CA 92054
Xtreme Gardening Sweet Leaf Hydroponics 247 Garden
Surf City Hydroponics #7-523 W. Harney Ln. 1101 Monterey Pass Rd., Unit B 760-966-1885; 877-966-GROW
5355 Monterey Frontage Rd. 7391 Warner Ave., Suite B ----------------------------------------------
Lodi, CA 95240 MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
GILROY, CA 95020 HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92647 209-365-6100
800-784-4769 323-318-2600
714-847-7900 ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Valley Rock Landscape Supply California Green Murphys Hydroponics
2222 North H St. Hydroponics & Organics
530 Hydro & Soil 969 E. Hwy. 4 GREENCOAST Ontario
10021 Wolf Rd. C-16 LOMPOC, CA 93436 16850 Rd. 26 Unit 102-103 1920 S. Rochester Ave.
805-736-0841; 805-735-5921 MADERA, CA 93638 MURPHYS, CA 95247
GRASS VALLEY, CA 95949 209-728-8058 ONTARIO, CA
530-268-0859 ---------------------------------------------- 559-674-1400 909-605-5777
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Foothill Greenhouse
Orange County Hydroponics & Garden Supply
& Organics GREENCOAST Hydroponics 14748 Hwy 41, #C
15801 Rockfield Blvd, Unit C 2405 Mira Mar Ave. MADERA, CA 93636
IRVINE, CA 92618 LONG BEACH, CA 90815 559-822-4921 National Garden Wholesale/
AG Natural 949-837-8252 Sunlight Supply
562-627-5636 Hands On Hydroponics
403 Idaho Maryland Rd. ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 1950 C South Grove Ave.
GRASS VALLEY, CA 95945 1475 Country Club Drive Grass Roots Hydroponics ONTARIO, CA 91761
530-274 0990 Dutch Garden Supplies Grow Light Express MADERA, CA 93638 27250 Madison Ave. Suite C 888-888-3319
---------------------------------------------- Park Circle, Suite 12 5318 E Second St., Suite 164 559-674-7771 MURRIETA, CA 92590 ----------------------------------------------
IRVINE, CA 92614 LONG BEACH, CA 90803 Monterey Bay 951-296-1090
949-748-8777 888-318-GROW Horticulture Supply ----------------------------------------------
La Habra Hydroponics ---------------------------------------------- 218 Reindollar Ave., Suite 7A Redwood Garden Supply
1301 S Beach Blvd., Suite O MARINA, CA 93933 55 Myers Ave.
LA HABRA, CA 90631 831-38-HYDRO MYERS FLAT, CA 95554
562-947-8383 707-943-1515
Emerald City Garden ----------------------------------------------
Grass Valley Hydrogarden Hydro Life Hydroponics 4990 Pacheco Blvd. Palm Tree Hydroponics
12506 Loma Rica Dr. 18109 E Valley Blvd. MARTINEZ, CA 94553 2235 E 4th St., Suite G
LA PUENTE, CA 91744 The Hydro Shop of Long Beach 925-957-6203 ONTARIO, CA 91764
GRASS VALLEY, CA 95945 1732 Clark Ave. 909-941-9017
530-477-2996 626-581-8800
---------------------------------------------- LONG BEACH, CA 90815 Four Seasons ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- 562-498-9525 Landscape Materials
All Seasons Hydroponics ---------------------------------------------- 4413 Hwy 20
17614 Chatsworth St. Atwater Hydroponics MARYSVILLE, CA 95901 Endless Green Hydroponics
GRANADA HILLS, CA 91344 3039 Roswell St. 530-742-0443 25 Enterprise Court, Suite 3
818-368-4388 LOS ANGELES, CA 90065 Two Chix Garden Supply NAPA, CA 94558
323-254-3400 707-254-0200 RH Distribution
Dirt Cheap Hydroponic 1230 Yuba St. ----------------------------------------------
151 N 7th St. #4 MARYSVILLE, CA 95901 1751 S. Pointe Ave.
Grass Roots Hydroponics Downtown Hydroponics ONTARIO, CA 91761
GROVER BEACH, CA 93433 443 E 16th St. 530-923-2536 Wyatt Supply
31875 Corydon Rd., Suite 170 4407 Solano Ave. 888-545-8112
805-473-3478 LAKE ELSINORE, CA 92530 LOS ANGELES, CA 90015 ----------------------------------------------
NAPA, CA 94558 ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- 951-245-2390 213-742-8817
---------------------------------------------- 707-251-3747
----------------------------------------------
Conejo Hydroponics
3481 Old Conejo Rd., #106 GREENCOAST Hydroponics
Northcoast Horticulture NEWBURY PARK, CA 91320 496 Meats Ave.
Supply 805-480-9596 ORANGE, CA 92865
1580 Nursery Way, Suite D ---------------------------------------------- 714-974-4769
Advanced Garden Supply GREENCOAST DTLA LLC
Growing Wild Garden Supply 2660 Lake Tahoe Blvd. MCKINLEYVILLE, CA 95519 ----------------------------------------------
2211 E. Olympic Blvd.
10 North Oak Ave Building C, Unit 9 LOS ANGELES, CA 90021 707-839-9998
HAYFORK, CA 96041 LAKE TAHOE S., CA 96150 213-439-9051 ----------------------------------------------
530-628-5336 530-541-4769 ---------------------------------------------- Mendocino Garden Shop
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Vital Landscaping Inc.
44720 Main St. (at Hwy. 1)
American Ave Hydroponics Farm Hydroponics, The MENDOCINO, CA 95460 204 Gold Flat Ct. #7
1950 Lake Tahoe Blvd. #3 707-937-3459 NEVADA CITY, CA 95959 Advanced Soil
1208 W. Winton Ave. 530-273-3187 & Garden Supply
HAYWARD, CA 94545 LAKE TAHOE S., CA 96150
530-541-3276 ---------------------------------------------- 350 Oro Dam Blvd.
510-785-4376 ---------------------------------------------- OROVILLE, CA 95965
---------------------------------------------- GREENCOAST LAX LLC
Eden Garden Supply 5200 W. 104th St 530-533-2747
23000 Connecticut St., Unit 2 LOS ANGELES, CA 90045 ----------------------------------------------
HAYWARD, CA 94545 310-337-6995 Amazon Greenlight
510-940-8469 ---------------------------------------------- 521 Cal Oak Rd.
Hydro Bros Agro Lake Garden Supply OROVILLE, CA 95966
Growers Choice #2 San Diego Hydroponics 1665 West Hwy. 140
East County 2581 Stokes Ave. 530-534-4769
24089 Watkins St. MERCED, CA 95341 ----------------------------------------------
11649 Riverside Dr., Suite 141 NICE, CA 95464
HAYWARD, CA 94544 209-233-9606 707-274-8386
510-278-6200 LAKESIDE, CA 92040 ----------------------------------------------
619-562-3276 GREENCOAST Hydroponics ----------------------------------------------
M.G.S. ---------------------------------------------- Valley Gardening Supplies
22540 D Foothill Blvd. 3865 Grand View Blvd. Lumatek Digital Ballasts
LOS ANGELES, CA 90066 1501 W. Main St.
HAYWARD, CA 94541 Room to Grow 33 Commercial Blvd., Suite B
43511 13th St. W 310-398-0700 MERCED, CA 95340
510-582-0900 209-580-4425 NOVATO, CA 94949
LANCASTER, CA 43511 ---------------------------------------------- 415-233-4273
Thrive Hydroponics 661-940-5599 The Urban Farmer Store Oroville Garden Center
Hollywood Hydroponics Marin Hydroponics 5967 Lincoln Blvd.
30-A Mill St. Big Daddy Garden Supply & Organics 653 E. Blithedale Ave.
HEALDSBURG, CA 95448 1219 Grant Ave. OROVILLE, CA 95966
42400 Hwy. 101 5109 1/2 Hollywood Blvd. MILL VALLEY, CA 94941 NOVATO, CA 94945 530-534-1288
707-433-4068 LAYTONVILLE, CA 95454 LOS ANGELES, CA 90027-6105 415-380-3840 415-897-2197 ----------------------------------------------
Hydro Zen 707-984-7181 323-662-1908 Coca’s Central Oak Hills Hydroponics In House Hydro
3518 Tanya Ave. Weather Top Nursery LAX Hydro Valley Hydroponics & Aquaponics 1730 Teal Club Rd.
HEMET, CA 92545 44901 Harmon Dr. 10912 S. La Cienaga Blvd. 116 West Orangeburg Ave. 13312 Ranchero Rd., Ste. 23 OXNARD, CA 93035
951-392-5016 LAYTONVILLE, CA 95454 LOS ANGELES, CA 90304 MODESTO, CA 95350 OAK HILLS, CA 92344 805-312-3983
Mark’s Hydroponics 707-984-6385 310-337-6995 209-567-0590 760-998-2890
US Orchid &
& Organic Gardening Livermore Hydroponics Sunland Hydroponics Growers Choice #4 Absolute Hydroponics Hydroponic Supplies
114 N. Harvard St. 22 Rickenbacker Crl. S. 4136 Eagle Rock Blvd. 1100 Carver Rd. #20 1230 East F St. 1621 South Rose Ave.
HEMET, CA 92543 LIVERMORE, CA 94551 LOS ANGELES, CA 90065 MODESTO, CA 95350 OAKDALE, CA 95361 OXNARD, CA 93033
951-652-5784 925-454-9376 323-254-2800 209-522-2727 209-845-1000 805-247-0086
groundbreakers 149
distributors
Discount Hydroponics ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Kirk’s Hydro South Bay Hydroponics Modern Gardens
of Palm Springs 770 B Industrial Way & Organics - Pomona 26620 Valley Center Dr., Unit #104
1251 Montalvo Way. Ste H SAN ANDREAS, CA 95249 1697 Pomona Ave. SANTA CLARITA, CA 91351
PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262 209-754-4600 SAN JOSE, CA 95110 661-513-4733
Discount Hydroponics 650-968-4070
760 424 8292 4745 Hiers Ave. SCV Hydro
Greenmile Hydroponic
Palm Springs Hydroponics RIVERSIDE, CA 92505 Garden Supply South Bay Hydroponics 21444 Golden Triangle Rd.
Appleseed Horticulture, Inc. 877-476-9487, 951-689-4575 & Organics - South Bascom SANTA CLARITA, CA 91350
1301 Montalvo Way, Suite #8 560 Placerville Drive 1520 South E. St., Unit C
PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262 ---------------------------------------------- SAN BERNARDINO, CA 92408 1185 South Bascom Ave. 661-255-3700
PLACERVILLE, CA 95667 SAN JOSE, CA 95128
760-327-7668 Green Forest Hydroponics, Inc. 909-885-5919 Hydro-Logic
530-622-5190 408-292-4040
---------------------------------------------- 570 E. La Cadena Dr., Suite #1D Purification Systems
---------------------------------------------- City Farmer’s Nursery
RIVERSIDE, CA 92507 Urban Gardens 370 Encinal St., Suite 150
Mission Hydroponics 4832 Home Ave. 1999 Monterey Rd.
951-784-5733, Fax 951-704-4633 SAN DIEGO, CA 92105 SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
1236 E. Mission ---------------------------------------------- SAN JOSE, CA 95125 888-H2O-LOGIC
POMONA, CA 91766 619-284-6358 408-298-8081
909-620-7099 Innovative Growing Santa Cruz Hydroponics
Beach Cities Hydroponics & Organics - West Side
Hands On Hydroponics Solutions (IGS) 33155 Camino Capistrano Unit F.
5060 Santa Fe St., Suite D 815 Almar Ave., Unit K
America’s Best Hydroponics 1309 S. Main St. The Hydro Spot SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675 SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
& Gardening Center QUARTERVILLE, CA 93257 9901 Indiana Ave. SAN DIEGO, CA 92109 949-493-4200 831-466-9000
641 W. Palmdale Blvd., Unit D 559-784-7770 RIVERSIDE, CA 92503 858-578-4477 D&S Garden Supplies ----------------------------------------------
PALMDALE, CA 93551 951 688-4769 ---------------------------------------------- 17-130 Doolittle Dr.
The Growbiz
661-266-3906 ---------------------------------------------- SAN LEANDRO, CA 94577
3127 Fite Circle
---------------------------------------------- 510-430-8589
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA 95827 Green Garden Store
916-315-3580 4447 Granite Drive Suite #701 Hydrogarden Delight
ROCKLIN, CA 95677 13762 Doolittle Dr. Hydrofarm Southwest
Galactic Garden Center 12991 Leffingwell Rd.
22755 Antelope Blvd. 916-968-1375 Mighty Garden Supply SAN LEANDRO, CA 94577
4780 Mission 510-903-1808 SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA 90670
Hydroponics Unlimited RED BLUFF, CA 96080 The Growbiz 800-634-9990
530-527-9166 Gorge Pl. #A-1
641 W. Palmdale Blvd., D 4391 Granite Dr. Mack’s Gardening Supples ----------------------------------------------
ROCKLIN, CA 95677 SAN DIEGO, CA 92120 2089 East 14th St. Suit E
PALMDALE, CA 93550 Bare Roots Hydroponics 619-287-3238 California Hydroponics
661-266-3906 1615 East Cypress, #5 916-GROW-BIZ SAN LEANDRO, CA 94577
---------------------------------------------- 510-582-0900 115 E. El Camino, Suite B
---------------------------------------------- REDDING, CA 96002 Hydro Depot SANTA MARIA, CA 93454
530-244-2215 5665 Redwood Dr., #B Miramar Hydroponics Healthy Harvest Hydroponics
& Organics 805-614-9376
ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928 and Organics
Big Daddy Garden Supply 7570 Trade St. 198 South St. Big Daddy Garden Supply
18673 Old Oasis Rd. 707-584-2384
SAN DIEGO, CA 92126 SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93401 3236 Dutton Ave.
REDDING, CA 96603 Monstergardens 858-549-8649 805-596-0430 SANTA ROSA, CA 95407
Palmdale Hydroponics 530-241-1734 235 Classic Ct. ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 707-535-0996
3020 E. Palmdale Blvd., Ste. B The Harvest Company ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928
855-476-9272 Deep Roots Hydroponics
PALMDALE, CA 93550 2420 Athens Ave. 3715 Santa Rosa Ave. Suite A2
661-274-7940 REDDING, CA 96001 Constantly Growing SANTA ROSA, CA 95407
---------------------------------------------- 530-605-4511 1918 16th St. Gro Pro Garden Supply 707-540-0773
---------------------------------------------- SACRAMENTO, CA 95811 841 Racheros Dr.
Alternative Hydro 916-448-1882 Oracle Garden Supply Garden Spout, The
3870 East, Colorado Blvd. 5755 Oberlin Dr., Suite 100 SAN MARCOS, CA 1906
760-735-8604 1236 Briggs Ave.
PASADENA, CA 91107 Green Acres Indoor SAN DIEGO, CA 92121 SANTA ROSA, CA 95401
888-50-HYDRO Garden & Lighting 858-558-6006 ----------------------------------------------
707-528-3500
631 North Market ----------------------------------------------
Garden All Year Inc. SACRAMENTO, CA 95834 House of Hydro
3850 Ramada Dr., Unit D2 Dazey’s Supply 916-419-4394 3260 Santa Rosa Ave.
PASO ROBLES, CA 93446 3082 Redwood Dr. SANTA ROSA, CA 95407
805-434-2333 REDWAY, CA 95560 Green Thumb Hydroponics 707-542-7297
---------------------------------------------- 707-923-3002 1537 Fulton Ave.
SACRAMENTO, CA 95825 San Diego Hydroponics Hydro Depot
---------------------------------------------- North County Inland
916-934-2476 San Diego Hydroponics 13 West 3rd St.
802 N. Twin Oaks Valley Rd. #108 SANTA ROSA, CA 95401
Green Thumb Hydroponics Beach Cities SAN MARCOS, CA 92069 707-542-3866
35 Quinta Court, Ste B 4122 Napier St. 760-510-1444
SACRAMENTO, CA 95823 SAN DIEGO, CA 92110 ---------------------------------------------- Organic Bountea
916-689-6464 619-276-0657 WC Garden Supplies 1919 Dennis Lane
The Growbiz ---------------------------------------------- 2846 El Portal Dr. SANTA ROSA, CA 95403
Growing Wild Garden Supply Humboldt Hydroponics 3127 Fite Circle SAN PABLO. CA 94806 800-798-0765
House of Hydroponics ----------------------------------------------
3260 Hwy 3 2010 Tunnel Rd. SACRAMENTO, CA 95827 732 W. Arrow Hwy. 510-283-5667
PEANUT, CA 96041 REDWAY, CA 95560 916-GROW-BIZ SAN DIMAS, CA 91773
530-628-5331 707-923-1402 Marin Hydroponics
Hydro Seasons 877-592-5111; 909-592-5111 721 Francisco Blvd. East
---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
5885 Stockton Blvd. Grow Your Own Hydroponics SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901 Santa Rosa Hydroponics
Anything Green Hydroponics Redway Feed Garden SACRAMENTO, CA 95824 415-482-8802 4880 Sonoma Hwy.
17551 Penn Valley Dr. & Pet Supply & Organics - West
916-451-5751 3401 Taraval St. Green Gopher Garden Supply SANTA ROSA, CA
PENN VALLEY, CA 95946 290 Briceland Rd. 679 Redwood Ave., Suite A 707-595-1340
530-432-GREEN (4733) REDWAY, CA 95560 Hydronation SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116
2491 Boatman Dr., Ste B 415-731-2115 SAND CITY, CA 93955 ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- 707-923-2765 831-899-0203 ----------------------------------------------
SACRAMENTO W., CA 95691
Sylvandale Gardens 916-372-4444 The Hydroponic
Connection Warehouse Murphy’s Hydroponics
1151 Evergreen Rd. & Organics
REDWAY, CA 95560 Hydro City 1995 Evans Ave.
8510 Morrison Creek Dr. Ste 200 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124 799 W. Stocktan St. Santa Rosa Hydroponics
707-923-3606 SANORA, CA 95370 4130 S Moorland Ave.
SACRAMENTO, CA 95828 415-824-9376
Four Seasons Landscape Orsa Organix 916-388-8333 209-532-2022 SANTA ROSA, CA
Materials 111 Willow St. The Hydroponic Connection 55 Hydroponics
707-584-9370
17115 Penn Valley Dr. J Street HydroGarden San Francisco ----------------------------------------------
REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063 2321 J St. 1727 Boyd St.
PENN VALLEY, CA 95946 650-369-1269 1549 Custer Ave. SANTA ANA, CA 92705 Sonoma Hydro LLC
SACRAMENTO, CA 95816 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94124
530-432-9906 ---------------------------------------------- 916-444-4473 714-259-7755 3535 Industrial Dr., Suite B2-3
---------------------------------------------- 415-864-9376 SANTA ROSA, CA 95403
---------------------------------------------- Champion Hydroponics
Humboldt Direct Nor Cal Hydroponics 231 E. Dyer Rd. 707-544-3383
1622 Illinois Ave., Suite #10 4837 Geary Blvd. SANTA ANA, CA 92707 Wyatt Supply
PERRIS, CA 92571 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94118 714-850-0188 747 Yolanda Ave.
951-928-1100 Mendocino Greenhouse 415-933-8262 ----------------------------------------------
& Garden Supply KY Wholesale SANTA ROSA, CA 95404
Funny Farms Hydroponics 960 East School Way 8671 Elder Creek Rd. #600 The Urban Farmer Store 707-578-3747
963 Transport Way, #12 REDWOOD VALLEY, CA 95470 SACRAMENTO, CA 95828 2833 Vicente St. EZ Garden Depot
PETALUMA, CA 94954 707-485-0668 916-383-3366 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116 1529 North Cucyamaca
707-775-3111 ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 415-661-2204 GREENCOAST Hydroponics SANTEE, CA 92020
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 135 Nogal Dr. 619-270-8649
Hydro Hills Hydroponics Tradewinds Wholesale SANTA BARBARA, CA 93110
19320 Vanowen St. Garden Supplies 805-898-9922 Gardening Unlimited
RESEDA, CA 91335 1235 Striker Ave. #180 ---------------------------------------------- 60 Old El Pueblo Rd.
818-343-8300 SACRAMENTO, CA 95834 SCOTTS VALLEY, CA 95066
888-557-8896 US Garden Nutes Int’l 831-457-1236
The Urban Farmer Store 204 N Quarantina St.
Hydrofarm, Inc. 2121 San Joaquin St. World of Hydro 417 Agostinio Rd. SANTA BARBARA, CA 93103 Deep Roots Hydroponics
2249 South McDowell Ext. RICHMOND, CA 94804 8210 Berry Ave. SAN GABRIEL, CA 91776 805-687-6699 2661 Gravenstein Hwy. S #E
PETALUMA, CA 94954 510-524-1604 SACRAMENTO, CA 95828 626-285-5009 SEBASTOPOL, CA 95472-8200
800-634-9990 916-456-1888 ---------------------------------------------- Planet Earth Hydroponics
All Ways Hydro 102 East Haley St. 707-829-7668
---------------------------------------------- Perfect Gardens SANTA BARBARA, CA 93101
2220 Eastridge Ave., Suite C Hydro Depot
Wyatt Supply RIVERSIDE, CA 92507 61 Tarp Circle 805-899-0033 6731 Sebastopol Ave.
1016 Lakeville St 888-HYDRO98 SALINAS, CA 93901 ---------------------------------------------- SEBASTOPOL, CA 95472
PETALUMA, CA 94952 ---------------------------------------------- 831-998-8628 707-829-1510
707-762-3747 ----------------------------------------------
Rasa Hydroponics Bloom Brothers
JNJ Hydroponics 5725 Winfield Blvd., Suite 8 Garden Supply, Inc.
4774 Phelan Rd., Suite 2 SAN JOSE, CA 95123 3293 Industry Dr.
PHELAN, CA 92371 408-227-7272 SIGNAL HILL, CA 90755
760-868-0002 National Garden Wholesale/ ---------------------------------------------- 562-494-0060
Cheapest Hydro Sunlight Supply Urban Grow Systems
Turbo Grow 263 West La Cadena Dr. 1900 Bendixsen St., Bldg. 1 Sunny Tool 204 N Quarantina St. We Grow Hydroponics
1889 San Pablo Ave. RIVERSIDE, CA 92501 SAMOA, CA 95564 580 Parrott St. SANTA BARBARA, CA 93103 3350 East Los Angeles Ave.
PINOLE, CA 94564 951-341-9223 800-683-1114 (Northern CA) SAN JOSE, CA 95112 805-637-6699 SIMI VALLEY, CA 93063
510-724-1291 ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 408-278-1800 ---------------------------------------------- 805-624-4566
150 groundbreakers
Valley Hydro and Organics Tracy Hydroponics Evergreen Farm ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
19230 Sonoma Hwy. 543 W. Grant Line Feed & Garden
SONOMA, CA 95476 TRACY, CA 95376 1131 Main St.
707-396-8734 209-207-9065 WEAVERVILLE, CA 96093 National Garden Wholesale/
Motherlode Hydroponics Tulare Super Roots 530-623-2884 Sunlight Supply
and Organics 1350 E. Sierra Art of Hydro
3550 B Odessa Way Hydrofarm Mountain
799 W Stockton St. TULARE, CA 93724 AURORA, CO 80011 Roots and Rocks Hydroponic 4200 E. 50th Ave.
5740 Corsa Ave. #102 866-877-4188 (Northeast)
SONORA, CA 95370 559-688-4769 WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA 91362 and Organic Garden Supply DENVER, CO 80216
209-532-2022 ---------------------------------------------- 1014 S. 21st St. 800-634-9990
Aloha Hydroponics 818-865-2227
Nick’s Garden Center COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80904 ----------------------------------------------
Santa Cruz Hydroponics 225 Lander Ave. GreenWay Hydroponics 719-634-1024
& Organics - East Side TURLOCK, CA 95380 11510 Whittier Blvd.
2001 S. Chambers Rd. One Love
AURORA, CO 80014 ---------------------------------------------- Garden Supplies
4000 Cordelia Lane 209-667-6653 WHITTIER, CA 90601
SOQUEL, CA 95073 303-696-6657 Way To Grow - 6271 Beach St., Unit F
831-475-9900 Garden Depot Hydroponics Garden Rebels ---------------------------------------------- Colorado Springs DENVER, CO 80221
---------------------------------------------- 1460 Freitas Park Optimal Wholesale 303-396-1420
TURLOCK, CA 95380 4215 Sinton Rd.
317 Robert Drive #C COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80907
209-250-0101 WILLITS, CA 95490 Indoor Paradise Denver
719-602-3000 6401 N Broadway, Unit A
Big Daddy Garden Supply 707-391-2007 ---------------------------------------------- DENVER, CO 80221
310 Mason St. Garden Spout, The 303-428-5020
UKIAH, CA 95482 Black Dog LED
260 Margie Dr. 2805 Wilderness Pl. #100
707-467-9234 WILLITS, CA 95490 Ultimate Hydroponics
Orange County BOULDER, CO 80301 & Organics
Hydroponics & Organics Emerald Garden 707-456-0196 720-506-4279 High Tech Garden Supply
12797 Beach Blvd. 2380 S. Broadway
307 East Perkins St. Sparetime Supply ---------------------------------------------- 6025 Parkway Dr #125 DENVER, CO 80210
STANTON, CA 90680 UKIAH, CA 95482 208 E. San Francisco Ave.
714-893-9493 One Love Garden Supply COMMERCE CITY, CO 80022 303-282-0034
707-463-2510 WILLITS, CA 95490-4006 720-222-0772
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 3620 Walnut St. Way To Grow - Central Denver
Farmer Browns Garden Supply BOULDER, CO 80301 --------------------------------------------- 1051 S. Platte River Dr.
Golden Harvest Hydroponics 303-586-1715 Grow Your Own
& Garden Supply 41212 Hwy 299 DENVER, CO 80223
WILLOW CREEK, CA 95573 27051 Barkley Rd. 720-310-1984
1810 Field Avenue Suite #4 Way To Grow - Boulder CONIFER, CO 80433
STOCKTON, CA 95203 530-629-3100 6395 Gunpark Dr.
Hydro Pacific Garden Supply 303-816-GROW (4769) Way To Grow - Denver
209-951-3550 351 C Hastings Ave. Jolly Rancher Hydroponics BOULDER, CO 80301 301 East 57th Ave.
---------------------------------------------- UKIAH, CA 95482 399 Business Park Ctr., Suite 205 303-473-4769 Grow Generation DENVER, CO 80216
707-467-0400 WINDSOR, CA 95492 26591 Main St. 303-296-7900
Deep Roots Garden Supply CONIFER, CO 80433
---------------------------------------------- 707-838-0842 PO Box 8671 303-838-8700 DHL Garden Supply
Wyatt Supply Lil’ Shop of Growers BRECKENRIDGE, CO 80424 178 Bodo Dr. Unit B
2200 N. State St. 40 N. East St., Ste F 970-453-1440 Desert Sun Hydro DURANGO, CO 81303
UKIAH, CA 95482 WOODLAND, CA 95776 ---------------------------------------------- 321 Ranney St. 970-247-1090
707-462-7473 530-668-4420 CRAIG, CO 81625 ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- 970-824-1715
Green Acres Hydroponics
HomeGrown Indoor \ 20946 Victory Blvd. Whetstone Garden Supply
Garden Supply WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91367 300 Belleview Ave.
681 A Grider Way 818-887-4769 CRESTED BUTTE, CO 81224
STOCKTON, CA 95210 GREENCOAST Hydroponics Mile High Hydroponics
Garden Highway 37 Strong St. 970-349-9666
209-477-4447 16705 Roscoe Blvd.
---------------------------------------------- Garden Supply BRIGHTON, CO 80601 Joy of Growing The Grow Store South
VAN NUYS, CA 91406 5050 S. Federal Blvd., #37,
818-672-8880 598 Garden Highway #22 303-637-0069 223 Main St.
YUBA CITY, CA 95991 ---------------------------------------------- ENGLEWOOD, CO 80110
---------------------------------------------- DELTA, CO 81416 303-738-0202
530-755-2877 970-874-2550
Blazzin Hydroponics ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
6650 Cresent St.
Hydro Bros VENTURA, CA 93003
4099 Callaway Ct. 805-644-9376
STOCKTON, CA 95215 Discount Hydroponics Florida Garden Supplies
209 337 3614 of Victorville ACME Hydroponics 3771 Monarch St.
---------------------------------------------- 15208 Bear Valley Rd. Suite B200 BWGS-CO FREDERICK, CO 80516
300 Nickel St., Suite 3
VICTORVILLE, CA 92392 11685 E. 55th Ave. ----------------------------------------------
Pacific Ave Indoor Golden Valley Hydroponics BROOMFIELD, CO 80020
Garden Supply 442-242-7994 720-524-7306 DENVER, CO 80239
870 W. Onsott Rd. Suite F Colorado Growers Supply
4633 Pacific Ave. YUBA CITY, CA 95993 ---------------------------------------------- 888-316-1306
Kinney Nursery ---------------------------------------------- 453 Industrial Dr., Suite D
STOCKTON, CA 95207 4115 Rowles Rd. 530-763-2151 FORT COLLINS CO, 80524
209-955-0945 Grow Generation
VINA, CA 96092 ---------------------------------------------- 1011 Caprice Dr. 970-680-3250
Hydroponics Depot 530-839-2196
8712 Sunland Blvd. All Valley Garden Supply
COLORADO CASTLE ROCK, CO 80109
303-688-0599
The Grow Shop LLC
---------------------------------------------- 1711 S. College Ave.
SUN VALLEY, CA 91352 1441 Mineral King Ave. FORT COLLINS, CO 80525
818-771-0600 Grow Generation
VISALIA, CA 93292 520 Main St. 970-484-1042
559-372-8931 Chlorophyll
Sunland Hydroponics CAÑON CITY, CO 81212 3801 Mariposa St. Way To Grow - Fort Collins
8300 Foothill Blvd. ---------------------------------------------- 719-275-3784 DENVER, CO 80211 3201 E. Mulberry St. Suite K
SUNLAND, CA 91040
818-352-5300 Indoor Garden Supply 303-433-1155 FORT COLLINS, CO 80524
584 Hwy 133 ---------------------------------------------- 970-484-4769
Beyond Hydro Inc. Alamosa Garden Supply CARBONDALE, CO 81623 ----------------------------------------------
12639 San Fernando Rd. Cost Plus Hydro
0711 W. US Highway 160 970-963-2468 2530 W. Barberry Pl.
SYLMAR, CA 91342 BWGS-CA ALAMOSA, CO 81101
818-362-5373 719-206-3336 Indoor Gardener, The DENVER, CO 80204
7530 W. Sunnyview Ave.
3225 I-70 Business Loop, Unit A10 303-790-2211
Tahoe Garden Supply VISALIA, CA 93291 ----------------------------------------------
CLIFTON, CO 81520 Florida Hydroponics
645 Westlake Blvd., Suite 2 888-316-1306
Green Spot Garden 970-434-9999 Cultivate Colorado
TAHOE CITY, CA 96145 ---------------------------------------------- 6400 Stapleton Dr. S. Unit E 3771 Monarch St.
Center & Antiques ---------------------------------------------- FREDERICK, CO 80516
530-581-3200 Hands On Hydroponics 711 State Ave. DENVER, CO 80216
---------------------------------------------- 720-627-6648 720-287-3099
1345 N Plaza Dr. ALAMOSA, CO 81101 ----------------------------------------------
VISALIA, CA 93291 719-589-6362 Cultivate Hydroponics
559-802-3782 & Organics
South Park Hydroponics Advanced Hydro Gardens
Hi Tek Hydro 13 S. Main St. 2476 Waynoka Rd. 666 S. Buchtel Blvd.
GREENCOAST Temecula LLC 210 S. Cain St. DENVER, CO 80210
ALMA, CO 80420 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80915
26201 Ynez Rd., Ste 102 VISALIA, CA 03292 303-625-6498
TEMECULA, CA 92591 719-836-1533 719 591 6932
559-733-9300 ---------------------------------------------- Greenlight Garden Supply
951-296-2281 The Grofax Hydro Shack, The
---------------------------------------------- Kaweah Grower Supply 25797 Conifer Rd. #A-8 Grow Generation 7741 E. Colfax Ave.
1106 1/2 N. Ben Maddox Way DENVER, CO 80220 753 10 Mile Dr.
Inland Empire Hydrogarden ASPEN PARK, CO 80433 310 S. A St. FRISCO, CO 80443
VISALIA, CA 93293 303-838-5520 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80907 720-389-8320
28061 Jefferson Ave #1 559-625-4937 970-668-0359
TEMECULA, CA 92590 ---------------------------------------------- 719-634-0637 The Grofax ----------------------------------------------
886-74-HYDRO The Original Green Shop ---------------------------------------------- 7540 E. Colfax Ave.
26420 S. Mooney Blvd., Suite 1 Forbidden Fruit Garden Supply
805 Hydroponics & Organics DENVER, CO 80220 507 Taos St., #C
VISALIA, CA 93277 720-328-2127
1785 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. 559-688-4200 GEORGETOWN, CO 80444
THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91362 The Grofax 720-498-0260
805-494-1785 Greentrees Hydroponics Inc. 755 S. Federal Blvd.
2581 Pioneer Ave., Unit D Indoor Garden Supply
Green Thumb Lighting Aurora Hydroponic LLC Grotools DENVER, CO 80219 115 6th Ave.
VISTA, CA 92081 2408 E. Platte Ave. 720-328-5164
& Garden 760-598-7551 4250 S Chambers Rd. GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO 81601
1647 W. Sepulveda Blvd., Unit 5 AURORA, CO 80014 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80909 ---------------------------------------------- 970-945-2469
---------------------------------------------- 719-475-7699
TORRANCE, CA 90501 303-400-6941 ----------------------------------------------
888-326-GROW ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Los Angeles Hydroponics Grow Your Own Greenz
& Organics 644 Peterson Rd.
3007-3009 W. Artesia Blvd. COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80915
TORRANCE, CA 90504 719-596-2600
The Big Tomato
310-323-4937 Specialty Garden Supply Indoor Garden Supply Purple Mountain Grow Your Own 2 Mile High Garden Supply
Growers Choice Hydroponics 7 Hangar Way, Suite B 14440 E. 6th Ave. Hydroponics LLC 2118 S Bellaire St. 52 4th St..
470 W. Larch Rd. #1 WATSONVILLE, CA 95075 AURORA, CO 80011 1109 S. Tejon St. DENVER, CO 80222 GRANBY, CO 80446
TRACY, CA 95304 831-768-0420 303-364-4769 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80903 303-990-1929 970-557-3031
209-833-1212 ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 719-635-5859 ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
groundbreakers 151
distributors
Green Head Hydroponics The Greenhouse DISTRICT OF Urban Gardens of Jax Urban Sunshine Grace’s Hydro-Organic
809 E. Jasper Ct. Hydroponics and Organics Garden Center
GRANBY, CO 80446 448 S McCulloch Blvd.
COLUMBIA 1185 Talbot Ave.
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32205
6100 Hanging Moss Rd., Suite 50
ORLANDO, FL 32807 8707 Temple Terrace Hwy.
970-557-3031 PUEBLO W., CO 81007 Good Hope Hydroponics 904-466-4746 407-647-4769 TAMPA, FL 33637
---------------------------------------------- 719-547-1870 1113 Good Hope Rd. SE Grow Giant 813-514-9376
811 E. Donegan Ave., Urban Sunshine
WASHINGTON, DC 20020 6142 S. Orange Ave. Hydroponics of Tampa
GrowGeneration - Pueblo W 202-525-4115 KISSIMMEE, FL 34744
609 E Enterprise Dr. ORLANDO, FL 32809 120 W. Bougain Villea
407-964-3233 TAMPA, FL 33612
PUEBLO W., CO 81007 Let’s Grow DC 407-859-7728
719-647-0907 1111 10th St. SE Simply Hydroponics & Organics 813-333-6828
7949 Ulmerton Rd. Vertical Food Growers
---------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON, DC 20003 10964 Dearden Circle Schiro’s Barn-N-Garden
202-525-4409 LARGO, FL 33771 Supplies Inc.
Desert Bloom Hydroponics 727-531-5355 ORLANDO, FL 32817
7812 Causeway Blvd.
445 Pitkin Ave. FLORIDA GrowSmart Indoor
407-671-4241
---------------------------------------------- TAMPA, FL 33619
GRAND JUNCTION, CO 81501 813-626-0902
970-245-6427 Urban Sunshine Garden Centers
---------------------------------------------- 1420 E. Altamonte Dr. 14587 Southern Blvd. Stoney Hydro @ Schiro’s
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL 32701 LOXAHATCHEE, FL 33470 Barn-N-Garden Supplies
Natural Order Supply 407-830-4769 561-429-3527 7812 Causeway Blvd.
2493 Hwy. 6 & 50, Unit 5 Grow Your Own - Pueblo
500 West Third Ave. Palm Beach Discount Florida Garden Supplies TAMPA, FL 33619
GRAND JUNCTION, CO 81505 Keys Organic & 813-626-0902
PUEBLO, CO 81003 Hydroponic Supply Hydroponics – West 8020 Belvedere Rd.,Unit 4
970-242-3648 PALM BEACH, FL 33411
719-696-9220 85 Industrial Rd., Unit 1&2 14703 Southern Blvd. Urban Roots Garden Supply
Green Thumb Garden Supply Co. ---------------------------------------------- BIG PINE KEY, FL 33043 LOXAHATCHEE, FL 33470 800-931-5215 11780 North Dale Mabry Hwy.
2380 W 27th St. 305 872 7277 561-296-8555 ---------------------------------------------- TAMPA, FL 33618
GREELEY, CO 80634 One Love ---------------------------------------------- 813-962-7668
970-506-1711 Garden Supply Best Hydro Palm Beach Discount
618 East 4th St. 4914 Lena Rd., Ste. 101 Hydroponics – East Tampa Hydroponics
Grow in Peace PUEBLO, CO 81001 968 North Congress Ave. 4412 North 56th St.
1241 Mine Rd. BRADENTON, FL 34211
719-542-6189 941-756-1928 PALM BEACH W., FL 33409 TAMPA, FL 33610
IDAHO SPRINGS, CO 80452 Hydrofarm Southeast 561-296-6161 800-283-9676
----------------------------------------------
303-567-GROW Palm Coast Hydroponics 12600 NW 115th Ave.
---------------------------------------------- 4490 N Hwy US1, Suite 108 Healthy Harvest Happy Planet Hydroponics
Medley, FL 33178 911 NW 209th Ave., #129 1179 E. Alfred St.
BUNNELL, FL 32110 877-780-4567 PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33029 TAVARES, FL 32778
386-246-4119 ---------------------------------------------- 352-253-1001
954-538-1511
East Coast Hydroponics ---------------------------------------------- 365 Hydroponics
The Greenhouse & Organics 13054 W Colonial Dr.
Hydroponics & Organics 461 Forrest Ave., Suite 105 WINTER GARDEN, FL 34787
The Grow Store Garden Supply Store COCA, FL 32922 High Tech Garden Supply
8644 W. Colfax Ave. 407-656-GROW(4769)
448 S. McCulloch Blvd 321-243-6800 2975 West New Haven Ave.
LAKEWOOD, CO 80215 PUEBLO W., CO MELBOURNE, FL 32901 Monkey Hydroponics
888-510-0350 Greener Touch Hydroponics 940 West Oakland Ave., Unit A1
---------------------------------------------- 5011 S. State Rd. 7, Suite 104 321-821-0853
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Eden Garden Supply WINTER GARDEN, FL 34787
Salida Hydroponic Supply DAVIE, FL 33314 3111 N. Davis Hwy. 407-574-8495
GroWize 954-316-8815 ----------------------------------------------
1242 C St., PENSACOLA, FL 32503
3225 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
LAKEWOOD, CO 80227 SALIDA, CO 81201 ---------------------------------------------- 850-439-1299 GEORGIA
303-986-2706 719-539-4000 ---------------------------------------------- Applied Agriponic Solutions
---------------------------------------------- Way To Grow- Silverthorne Healthy Gardens and 160 Winston Dr. Suite 6
265 Brian Ave. Advanced Hydro Gardens Supply of Florida, Inc. ATHENS, GA 30607
SILVERTHORNE, CO 80497 4960 NW 165 St., Suite B-4 196 East Nine Mile Rd., Suite F 404-480-3703
970-368-7220 MIAMI, FL 33014 PENSACOLA, FL 32534 Flora Hydroponics, Inc.
Biofloral 305-474-4376 850-912-4545
MileHydro Little Shop of Growers 6250 NW 27th Way ----------------------------------------------
150 Paradise Blvd., Building C
355 S. Harlan St. 2560 Copper Ridge Dr. Healthy Harvest ATHENS, GA 30607
LAKEWOOD, CO 80226 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33309 All Star Hydroponics Inc 800-470-6881
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO 80487 877-735-6725 590 SW 9th Terrace #3
303-935-4769 970-879-8577 8901 SW 129th St. POMPANO BEACH, FL 33069 Atlantis Hydroponics
---------------------------------------------- MIAMI, FL 33176
---------------------------------------------- 954-786-7997 1422 Woodmont Lane, #4
GrowGeneration-Trinidad Green Thumb 800-842-8582 ATLANTA, GA 30318
Way to Grow - Lakewood 2395 Nevada Ave. Hydroponics Supplies ---------------------------------------------- Bliss Feed II and
11989 W. Colfax Ave. Hydroponic Supply 404-367-0052
TRINIDAD, CO 81082 17031 N Cleveland Ave.
LAKEWOOD, CO 80215 719-846-8592 FORT MEYERS, FL 33903 3669 Paul Buchman Hwy Flora Hydroponics, Inc.
303-546-3600 239-997-4769 PLANT CITY, FL 33565 1239 Fowler St.
Grow It Big - Organics Hydro Planet 813-752-0011 ATLANTA NW., GA 30318
5022 Kippling St. Gator Hydroponics Florida Garden Supplies 404-532-0001
& Hydroponics 14025 SW 142 Ct. #27 iHydro
133 W. County Line Rd. WHEAT RIDGE, CO 80033 4460 SW 35th Terrace, Suite 310
GAINESVILLE, FL 32608 MIAMI, FL 33175 2900 West Sample Rd., B. 6137 Taproot Hydroponics
LITTLETON, CO 80129 303-279-6090 2111 Faulkner Rd.
352-301-5383 305-598-4311 POMPANO BEACH, FL 33073
303-284-3447 ATLANTA, GA 30324
CONNECTICUT ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 954-366-2704
404-464-8313
The Flower Bin ----------------------------------------------
1805 Nelson Rd. CT Home Grown Growtopia Hydroponics
LONGMONT, CO 80501 23 N. Canterbury Rd. 4155 S. Lee St., Ste. #200
303-772-3454 CANTERBURY, CT 06331 BUFORD, GA 30518
860-546-6161 Florida Garden Supplies Florida Garden Supplies
Victory Hydro Gardening 12811 SW 42 St. 678-288-9890
---------------------------------------------- 2692 W 79 St.
1387 E. South Boulder Rd. HIALEAH, FL 33016 MIAMI, FL 33175 National Garden Wholesale/ Atlantis Hydroponics
LOUISVILLE, CO, 80027 800-931-5215 800-931-5215 Sunlight Supply 2561 West Point Ave.
303-664-9376 ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 455 S. Andrews Ave. COLLEGE PARK, GA 30337
Future Farms Inc., The POMPANO BEACH, FL 33069 678-510-0032
WarHammer Supply Simply Hydroponics
1112 Munroe Ave. Grow Crazy 14291 SW 120th St., Suite 105 877-649-3567 (Southeast) Savannah Hydroponics
11 Berlin Rd., Unit 2 & Organics (North) ----------------------------------------------
LOVELAND, CO 80537 3642 South Suncoast Blvd. MIAMI, FL 33186 & Organics
970-635-2602 CROMWELL, CT 06416 305-382-2757 4107 Eighth St., Suite C
860-788-2519 HOMOSASSA, FL 34448 Hydroponic Depot II
352-628-2655 Gold Coast Hydroponics 2395 S Tamiami Trail #19 GARDEN CITY, GA 31408
Greener Mountain ---------------------------------------------- 912-349-4030
Indoor Gardening ---------------------------------------------- 4241 SW 71st Ave. PORT CHARLOTTE, FL 33952
Naturally Organic Hydroponic 941-255-3999 ----------------------------------------------
20 Lakeview Dr., Unit 210 MIAMI, FL 33155
NEDERLAND, CO 80466 & Gardening Supplies 1-800-780-6805 EZ Grow Green
303-258-7573 695 S. Main St. (Route 17) 604 S.W. Bayshore Blvd.
MIDDLETOWN, CT 06457 Healthy Harvest
Grow In Peace Fresh Health Hydroponics 13444 SW 131st St. PORT ST. LUCIE, FL 34983
860-343-9800 772-807-7755
176 Hwy. 119 S. & Organics MIAMI, FL 33186
NEDERLAND, CO 80466 1738 Kings Ave. 305-964-7403 Avid Brew Company
---------------------------------------------
303-258-3520 JACKSONVILLE, FL 32207 VitaOrganix 1745 1st Ave. S.
---------------------------------------------- - 904-398-8012 Garden City Hydroponics
7921 NW 67th St. ST. PETERSBERG, FL 33712 and Organics
---------------------------------------------- MIAMI, FL 33166 727-388-6756 101 Maple Drive
786-845-8633 MARTINEZ, GA 30907
Mr. Nice Guy Hydroponics
High Tech Garden Supply New Smyrna Beach Hydroponics 1800 NW. Federal Hwy. 706-814-5656
& Organic Garden Supply STUART, FL 34994 ----------------------------------------------
367 Boston Post Road Grower’s Choice
Grow Depot ORANGE, CT 06477 630 North Dixie Freeway 772-934-6785 Atlantis Hydroponics
970 W 104th Ave. & Hydroponics NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL 32168
203-672-1324 11855 North Main St. Reef Hydroponics 5182-B Brook Hollow Parkway
NORTHGLENN, CO 80234 --------------------------------------------- 386-410-4956 Norcross, GA 30071
303-459-7878 JACKSONVILLE, FL 32218 2201 SE Indian St., #E3
Electric Blooms Hydroponics STUART, FL 34997 770-558-1346
---------------------------------------------- CT Roots 904-683-4517
---------------------------------------------- 1021 NE 25th St. 772-252-3575 Hab Hydro
82 Myrtle Ave.
Four Corners Organics OAKLAND PARK, FL 33334 3388 W. Currahee St.
& Hydroponics LLC STAMFORD, CT 06902 954-541-2210 Esposito Garden Center
203-595-5007 TOCCOA, GA 30577
68 Bastille Unit #3, PO Box 627 ---------------------------------------------- 2743 Capital Circle NE 706-282-4845
PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO 81147 LiquidSun® CT TALLAHASSEE, FL 32308
970-731-1685 10C South Main St. 850-386-2114 HAWAII
GrowGeneration - WINDSOR E., CT 06088 Growers Choice South Evershine Hydroponics Ohana Greenhouse
Pueblo Downtown 860-254-5757 8535 Baymeadows Rd., Suite 13 1406 Capital Circle NE Unit #E and Garden Supply
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256 Florida Garden Supplies TALLAHASSEE, FL 32308
113 W 4th St. 797 Kanoelehua Suite A
PUEBLO, CO 81003 DELAWARE 904-647-7156 8442 Tradeport Dr., Unit 200 850-728-3382 HILO, HI 96720
---------------------------------------------- ORLANDO, FL 32827
719-542-6798 1st State Seed ---------------------------------------------- Grace’s Hydro-Organic 808-961-3111
GrowGeneration - Pueblo S And Garden Supply Hydroponics International Inc. Grow Giant Garden Center Green Hands of Aloha
2704 S Prarie Ave., Suite C People’s Plaza Suite 950 7029-10 Commonwealth Ave. 1360 N. Goldenrod Rd. #11 8877 North 56th St. 500 Alakawa St. #120-1001
PUEBLO S, CO 81005 NEWARK, DE 19702 JACKSONVILLE, FL 32220 ORLANDO, FL 32807 TAMPA, FL 33617 HONOLULU, HI 96817
719-564-2660 302-834-0440 904-693-6554 407-613-5998 813-514-9376 808-847-4263
152 groundbreakers
Hawaiian Hydroponics Autumn Bloom Alternative Brew and Blooms ---------------------------------------------- Four Seasons Hydroponics Highland Horticultural
and Garden Indoor Gardening 7205 Calumet Ave. & Garden Supply 14 Gary L. Maietta Parkway
4224 Wailae, Suite 1A 1020 Derby St. HAMMOND, IN 46324 248 State St. SOUTH PORTLAND, ME 04106
HONOLULU, HI 96816 PEKIN, IL 61554 219-595-BREW (2739) ELLSWORTH, ME 04605 207-650-1625
808-735-8665 309-642-6943 207-412-0190 ---------------------------------------------
Harvest Moon Hydroponics Success Hydroponics
Ohana Greenhouse ---------------------------------------------- 139 East New Circle, Suite 130 ----------------------------------------------
1234 N. Capital
and Garden Supply INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46202 LEXINGTON, KY 40505
2014 Republican St. 317-780-8070 859-294-4769
HONOLULU, HI 96819 ----------------------------------------------
Magic Bulb Garden Center
808-841-GROW GroUp Gardening Louisville Hydroponics
6221 Allisonville Rd. The Urban Garden Center
Ohana Greenhouse 229 Court St. INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46220 3471 Taylor Blvd. 235 Lewiston Rd.
and Garden Supply PEKIN, IL 61554 317-202-2852 LOUISVILLE, KY 40215 Full Bloom Hydroponics TOPSHAM, ME 04086
73-5581 Lawehana St. #4 309-349-4407 ---------------------------------------------- 502-366-4000 502 Wilton Rd. 207-373-0990
KAILUA, HI 96740 ---------------------------------------------- New Earth Garden Center FARMINGTON, ME 04938 ----------------------------------------------
808-331-8710 Aerogro 9806 Taylorsville Rd. 207-860-2808
---------------------------------------------- Greenlife Garden Supply
Ohana Greenhouse and 127 N. Main St. LOUISVILLE, KY 40299 611 US Route 1
Garden Supply PEORIA E., IL 61611 800-462-5953 Four Seasons
Horticulture Supply YORK, ME 03909
320 Hoohana St. #13-16 309-663-5628 Paducah Hydroponics 207-363-0844
KAHULUI, HI 96732 ---------------------------------------------- 235 Bridgton Rd.
3845 Benton Rd. FRYEBURG, ME 04037
808-871-6361 Maximum Grow Gardening PADUCAH, KY 42003 207-935-5444 MARYLAND
Pahoa Feed & Fertilizer 6117 E Washington St. 270-558-5186 ---------------------------------------------
15-2754 Old Government Rd. INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46219 Northern Roots Grow Supply
317-359-GROW (4769) Bluegrass Organic Grow Shop 3 Bird Hill Rd.
PAHOA, HI 96778 Heartland Hydrogardens 109 Quinn Dr.
808-965-9955 7403 Broadway St. ---------------------------------------------- GREENWOOD, ME 04255
NICHOLASVILLE, KY 40356 207-875-2089
QUINCY, IL 62305 859-887-0677
IDAHO 217-214-GROW (4769) Hy-Grow Organics High Tech Garden Supply
Greenthumb Greenhouses
---------------------------------------------- LOUISIANA 355 North St. 11602 Baltimore Ave.
1109 Sahara Brew and Grow HOULTON, ME 04730 BELTSVILLE, MD 20705
Grow Wiser Garden Supply 207-521-5009 240-965-1733
IDAHO FALLS, ID 83403 3224 South Alpine Rd. Maximum Grow Gardening 2109 Decatur St.
208-520-8855 ROCKFORD, IL 61109 140 Frontage Rd. Suite D Maine Hydroponic Supply ---------------------------------------------
NEW ORLEANS,LA 70116 50 Rockland Rd.
815-874-5700 LAFAYETTE, IN 47905 504-644-4713
ILLINOIS Grow Big Hydroponics
765-464-6689 JEFFERSON, ME 04348
---------------------------------------------- Laughing Buddha Nursery 207-390-0857
Aerogro 5055 28th Ave. 4516 Clearview Parkway ---------------------------------------------
502 N Prospect, Suite 18 ROCKFORD, IL 61108 The Wine-N-Vine Inc.
1524 East McGalliard Rd. METAIRIE, LA 70006
BLOOMINGTON, IL, 61704 815-708-7369 504-887-4336
MUNCIE, IN 47303
Brew and Grow Rock Valley Garden Center 765-282-3300 Ourcrazydeals Hydroponics All Good Garden Supply
181 Crossroads Parkway 785 N. Bell School Rd. ---------------------------------------------- 201 Angus Dr. 3150 A Baltimore Blvd.
BOLINGBROOK, IL 60440 ROCKFORD, IL 61107 YOUNGSVILLE, LA 70592 FINKSBURG, MD 21048
630-771-1410 815-398-9419 The Urban Garden Center
337-303-6146 806 Sabattus 443-273-3273
Versaponics Brew and Grow LEWISTON, ME 04240 ---------------------------------------------
Box 166 West Main St. 359 W. Irving Park Rd. MAINE 207-333-3696 GF Agriculture
CARBONDALE, IL 62901 ROSELLE, IL 60172 BWGS-IN --------------------------------------------- 14627 Cearfoss Pike
630-894-4885 ----------------------------------------------
573-450-5401 1400 Hancel Pkwy., Hagerstown, MD 21740
Inside/Out Indoor
Brew and Grow Deep Rootz MOORESVILLE, IN 46158 Garden Supply, LLC 240-457-0288
3625 N. Kedzi Ave. 2641 S. 6th St. 800-316-1306 1766 Federal Rd.
---------------------------------------------- Maryland Hydroponics Inc.
CHICAGO, IL 60618 SPRINGFIELD, IL 62703 LIVERMORE, ME 04253 10051 North 2nd St.
773-463-7430 217-670-0007
---------------------------------------------- IOWA 207-897-2221 LAUREL, MD 20723
301-490-9236
Chicago Roots Hydroponics Indoor Growing Supplies
& Organics Guru Hydroponics Grow Depot
621 Des Moines St., Unit J 2 Mill St. Hydroworks
4020 W. Irving Park Rd. 245 Center St. NEWPORT, ME 04953 1035 Benfield Blvd., Suite G
CHICAGO, IL 60641 WEST DES MOINES, IA 50309 AUBURN, ME 04210
515-897-GURU (4878) 207-368-2201 MILLERSVILLE, MD 21108
773-545-4020 207-312-5535 ---------------------------------------------- 443-795-4525
--------------------------------------------- Infinite Season ----------------------------------------------
Kreation’s Indoor 1501 NE Broadway Ave., Ste. 5 Meadowview Feed
Gardening Center DES MOINES, IA 50313 & Garden Center
3427 Old Chatman Rd. 515-975-9358 1202 Meadowview Rd.
SPRINGFIELD, IL 62704 PASADENA, MD 21122
Wattage House
217-341-0821 KANSAS Grow Life Hydroponics 443-817-0018
----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- 301 Forest Ave.
16702 Advantage Ave. Year-Round Garden PORTLAND, ME 04101
CREST HILL, IL 60403 Simple Soil Hydroponics 117 S Mur-Len Rd. 207-761-2800
815-409-7555 336 E. St. Charles Rd. OLATHE, KS 66062 Grow Depot ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- VILLA PARK, IL 60181 913-397-0594 171 Capitol St. ----------------------------------------------
630-903-6775 AUGUSTA, ME 04330 Montgomery Hydroponics
Alternative Garden Supply Atria Aqua Gardens
207-213-6852 8950 Brookville Rd.
3625 N Kedzie Ave.
CHICAGO, IL 60618
INDIANA 1906 S Broadway Blvd.
SALINA, KS 67401 ---------------------------------------------- SILVER SPRING, MD 20910
815-301-4940 Five Point Gardens 785-404-6556 301-588-1935
High Tech Garden Supply ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- 56555 Oak Rd. Maine 178 Rand Rd.
Johnson’s Garden Center Inc.
BEND S., IN 46619 2707 W. 13th PORTLAND, ME 04102 Purple Mountain Organics
574-287-9232 WICHITA, KS 67203 207-899-4387 100-7010 Westmoreland Ave.
Goldleaf Hydroponics LLC 316-942-1443 ---------------------------------------------- TAKOMA PARK, MD 20912
5081 S Production Dr., Ste. B 877-538-9901
Johnson’s Garden Center Inc. New England Garden
BLOOMINGTON, IN 47403
812-500-0423
6225 E. Shadybrook Connection Inc. MASSACHUSETTS
WICHITA, KS 67208 141 Riverside Dr.
Goldman’s Grow Shop Sunleaves Garden Products 316-687-5451 ----------------------------------------------
910 Greenwood Rd. AUGUSTA, ME 04330
7854 North State Rd. 37 Kan-Grow Hydro Farm LLC 207-621-1700 The Urban Garden Center
GLENVIEW, IL 60025 BLOOMINGTON, IN 47404
847-657-7250 5555 S. Meridian Ave. ---------------------------------------------- 659 Warren Ave.
888-464-9676 WICHITA, KS 67217 PORTLAND, ME 04103
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Salsbury’s Organics
316-214-3022 1501 State Hwy 102 207-347-2350
Harvest Moon Hydroponics ---------------------------------------------- Mass Hydro
5411 Godfrey Rd. KENTUCKY BAR HARBOR, ME 04609
207-288-5182 Here We Grow
679 Washington St.
GODFREY, IL 62002 ATTLEBORO S., MA 02703
618-433-9088 Modern Farm Concepts 686 Main St.
163 Castleheights Rd. Greenlife Garden Supply 508-915-6115
380 Elm Street, #4 PRESQUE ISLE, ME 04769 ----------------------------------------------
Grow Masters BOWLING GREEN, KY 42103 207-SOY-BEAN (769-2326)
4641 Old Grand Ave. 270-202-5525 BIDDEFORD, ME 04005 New England Hydroponics
GURNEE, IL 60031 Worm’s Way Indiana 207-571-9455 Rootz Down 6 Johnson St.
224-399-9877 7850 North State Rd. 37 Garden Grove Organics ---------------------------------------------- 265 Water Street
701 Scott Blvd. AUBURN, MA 1501
BLOOMINGTON, IN 47404 RANDOLPH, ME 04346 888 529 9025
Big Grow Hydroponics 800-598-8158 COVINGTON, KY 41011 207-582-0661
9225 Trinity Dr. ---------------------------------------------- 859-360-1843 --------------------------------------------- Baltimore Indoor
LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL 60156 ---------------------------------------------- \ Garden Supply
847-854-4450 3505 Eastern Avenue
City Farmer Supplies BALTIMORE, MA 21224
The Urban Garden Center 443-682-8700
Hydroponics and Organics 600 Wilson St.
18114 Torrence Ave. ----------------------------------------------
BREWER, ME 04412
LANSING, IL 60438 207-989-2020
708-251-8905 Worm’s Way Mail Order ---------------------------------------------- HighWire Hydroponics
Grow Big Hydroponics 7850 North State Rd. 37 Worm’s Way Kentucky 1 Murray Dr.
5024 Willow Creek Rd. BLOOMINGTON, IN 47404 1360 Donaldson Hwy. Suite A RAYMOND, ME 04071
MACHESNEY PARK, IL 61115 800-274-9676 ERLANGER, KY 41018 207-655-2072
815-637-4769 ---------------------------------------------- 800-669-2088 ---------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- A2Z Grow Supplies Grow It Green LLC
Prairie House Garden Center Hops & Harvest Grow Shop of Lexington, The 172 Pleasant St. Maine Indoor Garden Supply 1222 Pulaski Blvd.
15151 South Harlem Ave. 10812 Coldwater Rd. Ste 100-200 2320 Palumbo Dr., Suite 130 BRUNSWICK, ME 04011 829 Portland Rd., Route 1 BELLINGHAM, MA 02019
ORLAND PARK, IL 60462 FORT WAYNE, IN 46845 LEXINGTON, KY 40509 207-725-6400 SACO, ME 04072 508-883-GROW (4769)
708-687-3131 260-918-3035 859-268-0779 ---------------------------------------------- 207-494-8379 ----------------------------------------------
groundbreakers 153
distributors
Greenlife Garden Supply ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Clio Cultivation Urban Garden Supply
481 Boston Rd., Unit 4 11394 N.Saginaw Rd. 4516 Pasadena Ave.
BILLERICA, MA 01821 CLIO, MI 48420 FLINT, MI 48504
978-262-9966 810-686-4769 810-733-0420
BIG Green Tomato ----------------------------------------------
GYOstuff – Grow Your Own Urban Garden Supply
Aquarius Hydroponics 478 Main St. 3410 S. Dort Hwy.
2400 Massachusetts Ave. BATTLE CREEK, MI 49014
CAMBRIDGE, MA 02140 138 Memorial Ave. FLINT, MI 48507
Green Path Garden Supply WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA 01089 269-282-1593 810-875-9580
617-945-1654 276 West Main St. ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- 413-732-3300 Granny Green Thumbs
NORTHBOROUGH, MA 01532 ---------------------------------------------- The Indoor Grow Store
508-393-4181 Sun & Soil Hydro 103 W. Grand River
- 912 North Ave. 882 E Chicago St.
---------------------------------------------- BATTLE CREEK, MI 49017 FLOWERVILLE, MI 48836
COLDWATER, MI 49036 517-223-1302
NewFarm 269-753-1998 517-227-5245
225 Cranberry Hwy. Homelight Gardens ---------------------------------------------- Indoor/Outdoor Garden Shop
ORLEANS, MA 02653 3471 S. Huron Rd. 105 N. Seymour Rd.
East Coast Hydro High Tech Garden Supply H2O Grow Supply FLUSHING, MI 48433
390 Rhode Island Ave. 508-255-0205 BAY CITY, MI 48706
1458 Riverdale Street, Unit D 989-922-0088 3364 Arent Ct. 810-867-4351
FALL RIVER, MA 02721 LiquidSun RI WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA 01089 COLOMA, MI 49038 ----------------------------------------------
704-GO-HYDRO 1179 Central Ave. 413-726-9023 Hydro Magic 269-468-3890
---------------------------------------------- PAWTUCKET, MA 02861 ---------------------------------------------- 120 N Ross St. Unit 4
401-722-2724 BEAVERTON, MI 48612 The Local Indoor
Harvest Moon Hydroponics 989-394-8004 Garden Store
29 Washington St., Route 1 Green Harvest Hydroponics 4979 N. Lapeer Rd.
82 Newbury St. Premier Hydro COLUMBIAVILLE, MI 48421
FOXBORO, MA 02035 11820 Belleville The Grow Shop of Garden City
800-660-6977 PEABODY, MA 01960 810-793-5064
978-278-5898 BELLEVILLE, MI 48111 28505 Ford Rd.
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 734-325-6210 Lets Grow Hydroponics GARDEN CITY, MI 48135
1141 W Randall St., Suite L 734-956-5400
Emerald City Indoor Gardening Grow Supply Center
3131 Benzie Hwy. COOPERSVILLE, MI 49404 ----------------------------------------------
51 Main St. 616-997-0420
WESTMINSTER, MA 01473 BENZONIA, MI 49616 Holland Hydroponic Outlet
231-882-9270 ----------------------------------------------
New England Hydroponics 978-668-5393 604 N. Beacon Blvd.
855 Worcester Rd. Route 9 ---------------------------------------------- Indoor Grower’s Edge GRAND HAVEN, MI 49423
FRAMINGHAM, MA 01701 H2Grow Hydroponics 616-847-1277
194 Washington St. 805 Maple St.
888-529-9025 BIG RAPIDS, MI 49307 Grand Rapids Hydroponics Inc.
PEABODY, MA 01960 231-629-8177 All Seasons Organic
---------------------------------------------- 978-977-GROW (4769) 520 Leonard St.
---------------------------------------------- Garden Supply
Western Mass Organic ---------------------------------------------- 721 S State Rd. GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49504
Garden Supply DAVISON, MI 48423 616-454-2500
Berkshire Hydroponics ----------------------------------------------
12 Kenwood St. 1450 E. St. Gardin 810-412-4025
GREENFIELD, MA 01301 PITTSFIELD, MA 01201 500 Columbia St. ----------------------------------------------
413-676-9664 413-464-7875 S. WEYMOUTH, MA 02190 Hydro Giant - West Bloomfield
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 7480 Haggerty Rd.
Here We Grow WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI 48322
123 Russell St. (Route 9)
HADLEY, MA 01035
matters MICHIGAN 248-661-0034
---------------------------------------------- Hydro Giant - Dearborn
Growco Garden Supply
877-939-6900
413-584-FARM (3276) Barrett’s Flowers and Gardens 14455 Ford Rd. 1042 Michigan St. NE
Green Matters, Pocasset DEARBORN, MI 48126 GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49503
---------------------------------------------- 4 Barlows Landing Rd. 1033 W. Beecher St.
ADRIAN, MI 49221 313-216-8888 4640 West River Dr.
POCASSET, MA 02559 ----------------------------------------------
508-392-9249 517-265-5595 | 800-748-0279 COMSTOCK PARK, MI 49321
---------------------------------------------- [email protected] Downriver Hydro Cultivation Station – ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- 19280 Allen Rd. Eastern Market, The
BROWNS TOWN, MI 48183 2518 Market St.
734-301-3745 DETROIT, MI 48207
---------------------------------------------- 313-394-0441
Perpetual Harvest East Coast Hydro Horizen Hydroponics
273 Hanover St. Route 139 Ste.14 1470 Route 44 Growers R Us 2200 Alpine Ave., NW
HANOVER MA, 02339 RAYNHAM, MA 02767 19317 West Warren GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49504
508-499-7220 Get Growing Urban DETROIT, MI 48228
781-829-6900 Garden Centre 866 791 1664
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 313-633-1617 ----------------------------------------------
142 S. Main St. ----------------------------------------------
Hydroponics N More ADRIAN, MI 49221 Growers Outlet Greenville Gardens
LiquidSun MA Garden Center 7720 Clyde Park SW
8 Lynwood Ave. 517-920-4833 BYRON CENTER, MI 49513 11500 Morgan Mills Rd., NE
331 Centre Ave. ---------------------------------------------- GREENVILLE, MI 48838
HOLYOKE, MA 01040 ROCKLAND, MA 02370 616-878-4444 Hydro Giant - Detroit
---------------------------------------------- 616-745-0500
413-539-6875 781-421-3356 21651 W. 8 Mile Rd.
Happy Harvesters (8 Mile & Lahser) Holland Hydroponic Outlet
AG Natural RI Hydroponics 1220 Phoenix Rd.
29 North St. HYANNIS MA 02601 Hydroponics DETROIT, MI 48219
495 Central Ave 4410 South Saginaw St. HAVEN S., MI 49090
508-827-7267 SEEKONK, MA 02771 313-387-7700
BURTON, MI 48529 ---------------------------------------------- 269-637-5941
508-915-6172 810-496-3005
Cape Cod Hydroponics ---------------------------------------------- Albion Hydroponics HydroHarry’s- HP
195 Ridgewood Ave. 110 W. Watson St. Two Guys and a Grow Shop 24047 Dequindre Rd.
HYANNIS, MA 02601 ALBION, MI 49224 3374 Atherton Rd. HAZEL PARK, MI 48030
508-737-2555 517-343-2130 BURTON, MI 48509 248-541-0099
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 810-820-4275 ----------------------------------------------
High Tech Garden Supply Cultivation Station Greenway Gardens Urban Gardening Center, The
502 Boston Turnpike (Route 9) of Michigan Inc., The 916 W 13th St. 2520 22nd St.
SHREWSBURY, MA 01545 6540 Allen Rd. CADILLAC, MI 49601 DETROIT, MI 48216
508-845-4477 ALLEN PARK, MI 48101 231-775-7075 313-898-0200
---------------------------------------------- 313-383-1766 Indoor Grower’s Edge ----------------------------------------------
Rootdown Hydroponics 8998 E. 34 Rd., Suite B Total Hydroponics Center LLC
Indoor Garden Center Hydroponics and More Inc CADILLAC, MI 49601 24930 Gratiot Ave. Flower Factory Hydroponics
236 Mystic Ave. 3519 Vandyke Rd. 231-468-3343
ALMONT, MI EASTPOINT, MI 48021 2223 East Highland Rd.
MEDFORD, MA 02155 Caledonia Gardens 586-777-2528 HIGHLAND, MI 48356
781-874-1693 810-798-2524
New England Hydroponics 9750 Cherry Valley Ave. SE GroMart Indoor 248-714-9292
---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
15 D College Hwy. (Route 10) CALEDONIA GARDENS, MI 49316 Gardening Solutions ----------------------------------------------
Growing Point Garden Supply SOUTHAMPTON, MA 01073 616-891-0706 68991 M-62 Suite Q Roots 2 NV
888-529-9025 ---------------------------------------------- EDWARDSBURG, MI 49112
466 Lowell St. 2223 E Highland Rd.
METHUEN, MA 01844 ---------------------------------------------- 269-414-4385 Highland, MI 48356
MI-Hydro and
978-655-3173 Nor'easter Organic Life All Season Garden Supply 248-714-9292
Gardening Center
---------------------------------------------- 515 College Hwy. Unit J 833 North Lincoln Rd. ----------------------------------------------
4260 Van Dyke Rd., Suite 107
SOUTHWICK, MA 01077 ESCANABA, MI 49829
matters
ALMONT, MI 48003 The Great Lakes Hydroponics Co.
413-998-3951 906-553-7191 -----
810-673-3500 5998 US.31 South
---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- CHARLEVOIX, MI 49720
Green Matters - Middleboro Cultivation Station 231-237-9153 Grow It Again Hydroponics
592 Wareham St. ----------------------------------------------
2734 Jackson Ave. 840 N. Black River Dr., Suite 70
MIDDLEBORO, MA 02346 ANN ARBOR, MI 48103 Cultivation Station 3 Inc. HOLLAND, MI 49424
508-923-2800 734-213-7740 46912 Gratiot 616-772-9421
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- CHESTERFIELD, MI 48051 Fenton Hydroponics ----------------------------------------------
586-949-7453 & Garden Center
Matt’s Hydroponics Worm’s Way Massachusetts ---------------------------------------------- Holland Hydroponic Outlet
206 E. Main St., Unit 5 121 Worc-Providence Turnpike 1380 North Leroy St. 587-40 East 8th St.
MILFORD, MA 01757 SUTTON, MA 01590 FENTON, MI 48430 HOLLAND, MI 49423
508-478-0710 800-284-9676 The Grow Show 810-714-1719 616-298-7395
---------------------------------------------- 4095 Stone School Rd. ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Project Grow Hydro Pro’s Indoor Garden
Hydro-Earth ANN ARBOR, MI 48108 30504 23 Mile Rd. Green Thumb Garden Center
898 Mount Pleasant St. 65 Swansea Mall Dr. 734-677-0009 22963 Woodward Ave.
NEW BEDFORD, MA 02745 CHESTERFIELD, MI 48047
SWANSEA, MA 02777 ---------------------------------------------- 586-741-8805 FERNDALE, MI 48220
774-202-6383 508-646-0300 ---------------------------------------------- 248-439-1851
Battle Creek Indoor Gardening HGR Garden Supply
Whaling City Hydroponics Taunton Hydro 1125 E.Michigan Ave. HydroMaster Garden Depot 15231 N. Holly Rd.
201 Popes Island 451 Winthrop St. BATTLE CREEK, MI 49014 36345 Grosebeck Hwy. 4506 W. Pierson Rd. HOLLY, MI 48442
NEW BEDFORD, MA 02740 TAUNTON, MA 02780 269-282-0554 CLINTON TWP, MI 48035 FLINT, MI 48504 248-369-8333
508-990-1803 508-824-1599 ---------------------------------------------- 586-792-0277 810-820-8110 ----------------------------------------------
154 groundbreakers
Indoor Grower’s Edge ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Green Thumb Hydroponics ---------------------------------------------- MINNESOTA
705 S. Loxley Rd. & Organic Indoor Supply
HOUGHTON LAKE, MI 48629 8460 Algoma, Suite G Extended Seasons
989-366-1474 ROCKFORD, MI 49341 Indoor Gardening
616-884-5500 614 Central St. West
Grow Fast Gardens Superior Growers Supply Inc. Green Grow LLC
3928 West Saginaw Hwy. ---------------------------------------------- High Tech Garden Supply BAGLEY, MN 56621
5015 South Straits Hwy. 9046 N. Dort
INDIAN RIVER, MI 49749 LANSING, MI 48917 MT. MORRIS, MI 48458 1029 Hannah Ave. 218-694-2002
517-327-1900 TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49686
231-238-4113 810-687-9500 231-668-6913 Duluth Hydroponics
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 26 W 1st St.
----------------------------------------------
Greens Indoor Garden Supply DULUTH, MN 55802
HTG Supply
9384 N. Saginaw Rd. 3914 Rochester Rd. 218-341-7253
Growers Edge
MT. MORRIS, MI 48458 4444 14 Mile Rd. TROY, MI 48083 The Interior Tomato, LLC
Superior Growers Supply, Inc. 810-564-8700 248-275-1739
5716 South Pennsylvania Ave. ROCKFORD, MI 49341 ---------------------------------------------- 321 N. Central Ave.
Grow Maxx LANSING S., MI 48911 Indoor Grower’s Edge 616-863-9095 DULUTH, MN 55087
1220 S. Stephenson Ave. 517-393-1600 2410 S. Leaton Suite 5 --------------------------------------------- 218-260-5167
IRON MOUNTAIN, MI 49801 ---------------------------------------------- MT. PLEASANT, MI 48858 ----------------------------------------------
906-221-2111 989-317-0944 Happy Gardening
---------------------------------------------- Wholesale Gardening Center 20840 Telegraph Rd. Hydro Pro’s Indoor Garden
229 W Grand River Sunshine Supply Co. ROMULUS, MI 48174 45410 Van Dyke Ave.
Hydrocapitol LANSING, MI 48906 5800 East Pickard St. 734-486-4115 UTICA, MI 48317
258 Cooper St. 517-202-4225 MT. PLEASANT, MI 48858 ---------------------------------------------- 586-803-0966
JACKSON, MI 49201 989-775-3700 ----------------------------------------------
517-795-2633 Edenz Hydro
560 Oak St. Big Blue Hydroponics Forever Green Indoor Gardening
Mighty Grow LAPEER, MI 48446 590 Ottawa St. 340 S. Main St. 10 NE 3rd St.
2418 West Michigan Ave. 248-291-6691 MUSKEGON, MI 49441 VASSAR, MI 48768
989-882-9177 FARIBAULT, MN 55021
JACKSON, MI 49202 ---------------------------------------------- 231-571-9400 High Tech Garden Supply 507-209-1546
517-962-4822 ---------------------------------------------- 28000 Groesbeck Hwy. H2 Hydro ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- 702 N. Pontiac Trail
ROSEVILLE, MI 48066 WALLED LAKE, MI 48390 Interior Gardens
586-435-2335 248-669-6063 115 -1620 Central Ave. NE
Superior Growers Supply Inc. ----------------------------------------------
Beste’s Hydroponic Supply MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55413
292200 Seven Mile West Plant Paradise 21410 Schoenherr Rd. 800-498-4178; 612-870-9077
LIVONIA, MI 48152 7657 Michigan Ave. WARREN, MI 48089 ----------------------------------------------
High Tech Garden Supply 248-473-0450 586-776-1794
1745 W. Main St. Green Lantern H2O ROTHBURY, MI 49452
---------------------------------------------- 231-843-3000 Greco’s Nursery
KALAMAZOO, MI 49006 1383 E. Laketon Ave.
269-978-8697 The Barefoot Gardener MUSKEGON, MI 49442 GrowMart & Garden Supplies
---------------------------------------------- 11635 Fulton St. Suite 300B 231-722-0420 12219 E. 11 Mile Rd.
2135 Warwick St. WARREN, MI 48093
LOWELL, MI 49331 ---------------------------------------------- SAGINAW, MI 48603 586-759-1335
616-987-3457
---------------------------------------------- Growing Consultant 989-799-6330
Hydro King Indoor
Hydroponics & Things Third Coast Garden Supply LLC Garden Supply Brew and Grow
Horizen Hydroponics 2260 Apple Ave. 2327 Auburn Rd. 32000 Van Dyke Ave. 8302 Highway 65 NE.
4606 W. Main St. MUSKEGON, MI 49442 SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI 48195 WARREN, MI 48093 SPRING LAKE PARK, MN 55432
KALAMAZOO, MI 49006 231-773-5600 586-939-0518 763-780-8191
586-997-2700
866-791-1664 ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- Harbor Country Hydro ---------------------------------------------- Happy Harvesters
17648 US Highway 12 Hydroponics
Kalamazoo Indoor Garden NEW BUFFALO, MI 49117 5720 Highland Rd.
450 W. Maple St. 269-469-2242 WATERFORD, MI 48327
KALAMAZOO, MI 49001 ---------------------------------------------- 248-599-9761
269-344-2550 Hydro Giant - Southgate Midwest Hydroponics
Indoor Garden Superstore
19363 Eureka Rd. 2570 Dixie Hwy. 5825 Excelsior Blvd.
Plainwell Indoor/Outdoor Plant Paradise SOUTHGATE, MI 48195 ST. LOUIS PARK, MN 55416
Garden Center WATERFORD, MI 48328
4593 W. US 10 734-281-8888 248-673-2200; 877-22-HYDRO 888-449-2739
8201 Douglas Ave. LUDINGTON, MI 49431 Flo-N-Grow Hydroponics Co. ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
KALAMAZOO, MI 49009 231-843-3000 214 North 2nd St. Light Green Water
269-532-1167 ---------------------------------------------- NILES, MI 49120 Cultivation Station 3661 Highland Rd. Eco Garden Supply
of Michigan Inc., The WATERFORD, MI 48329 800 Transfer Door 25 (in rear)
Zoo City Grower Supply Edenz Hydro 269-683-1877 248-681-0001
---------------------------------------------- 23529 Little Mack Ave. ST. PAUL, MN 55114
3514 S. Westnedge 1411 W. 14 Mile
MADISON HEIGHTS, MI 48071 ST. CLAIR, MI 48080 OG Hydro, Inc. 651-647-1896
KALAMAZOO, MI 49008 Gro-Pro Depot 1027 S. Cass Lake Rd.
248-291-6691 586-775-9485
269-903-2450
----------------------------------------------
8235 Mason Dr, Suite C
NEWAYGO, MI 49337 Horti-Toad Hydroponic Supply
WATERFORD, MI 48328
248-481-7019
MISSISSIPPI
Garden Wise
5719 South Sheldon Rd. 231-519-9987 21323 Harper ---------------------------------------------- Urban Organics
KANTON, MI 48193 ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI 48080 2217 E Canal St.
Owlyn Solutions for Growers 586-944-0650
734-225-6414 2398 Jolly Rd., Suite 300 PICAYUNE, MS 39466
Northern Lights Hydroponic ---------------------------------------------- 504-352-4709
Halms Hydro OKEMOS, MI 48864
& Garden Supply 517-203-5070
2368 S. Huron Rd.
KAWKAWKLIN, MI 48631
29090 Campbell Rd. MISSOURI
MADISON HEIGHTS, MI 48071 Watch it Grow Hydroponics Ideal Growing Solutions Hydrospot
989-402-1296 248-439-6269 407 W. Center St. 1331 W Cedar St. 34236 Michigan Ave. Versaponics LTD
Howz It Growing ---------------------------------------------- OMER, MI 48749 STANDISH, MI 8658 WAYNE, MI 48184 879 S. Kings Hwy.
1290 S. Lapeer Rd. 989-653-2141 800-322-0527 734-722-1285 CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO 63703
The House of Gardening ----------------------------------------------
LAKE ORION, MI 48360 29245 Dequindre Rd. Happy Harvesters ---------------------------------------------- 573-450-5401
248-693-5747 MADISON HEIGHTS, MI 48071 Hydroponics B&B Hydro Supply
Hydro City LLC 28974 Warren Rd. Advanced Garden Supply
Capital City Growers 248-206-7427 1772 S. Ortonville Dr. 34863 Schoenherr 1414 Rangeline St., Suite E
WESTLAND, MI 48185
2208 E. Michigan Ave. Hypnotic Hydroponics ORTONVILLE, MI 48462 STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48312 734-469-2805 COLUMBIA, MO 65201
LANSING, MI 48912 321 Deer St. 248-793-3357 586-883-9075 ---------------------------------------------- 573-214-2794
517-853-9988 MANISTIQUE, MI 49854 Healthy Harvest Garden Supply ----------------------------------------------
906- 341-GROW Grow Your Own Hydroponics
H2O Hydroponics 233 South State St. 1117 S. Fuller Ave.
5210 W. Saginaw Hwy. Big Creek Hydroponics OSCODA, MI 48750
INDEPENDENCE, MO 64050
LANSING, MI 48917 555 Old Little Lake Rd. 989-569-3006 Ultra Green Hydroponics
---------------------------------------------- 8067 N. Wayne Rd. 816-241-2122
517-703-8120 MARQUETTE, MI 49855
---------------------------------------------- 906-249-5297 High Tech Garden Supply WESTLAND, MI 48185 River Market Hydroponics
7889 Telegraph Rd. 734-425-1000 12 East Missouri Ave.
Northern Hydroponics TAYLOR, MI 48180 ----------------------------------------------
401 W. Washington St. KANSAS CITY, MO
313-908-7554 816-421-1840
MARQUETTE, MI 49855
906-228-4769 ----------------------------------------------
The Sharper Edge
High Tech Garden Supply Hydro Grow, The Grow Green MI
Grow Masters 9197 M36 610 East 135th St.
2815 East Grand River Ave. 2900 10th St 8210 Telegraph Rd. KANSAS CITY, MO 64145
LANSING, MI 48912 Green Earth Hydroponics WHITMORE, MI 48189
MENOMINEE, MI 49858 TAYLOR, MI 48180 810-299-2900 816-941-3343
517-580-0555 906-863-2083 8127 Portage Rd. 313-633-0641
PORTAGE, MI 49002 ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- Sho-Me Hydroponics
Sweet Greens Hydroponics 269-342-4190 Cultivation Innovations Indoor Eden 1873 N. State Hwy. CC
119 Fifth St. ---------------------------------------------- 6652 Lewis Ave. Suite 7 9281 East-M 36 NIXA, MO 65714
MICHIGAN CENTER, MI 49254 TEMPERANCE, MI 48182 WHITMORE, MI 48189
Two Guys and a Grow Shop 810-355-1465 417-714-4875
419-725-4769
Horizen Hydroponics Cultivation Innovations 1665 Jager St.
Cultivation Station – Happy Hydro
5425 W. Saginaw Hwy. 15223 S. Dixie Hwy. PORT HURON, MI 48060 Unigrow Hydro
MONROE, MI 48161 Grand Rapids, The 5521 S. Lindbergh Blvd.
LANSING, MI 48917 810-621-3790 140 W. Michigan
734-682-5819 Three Rivers, MI 49093
5812 S. Division Ave. ST. LOUIS, MO 63106
517-323-ROOT ---------------------------------------------- WYOMING, MI 49548
---------------------------------------------- 269-718-7309 314-842-2090
---------------------------------------------- 616-855-4440
The Indoor Grow Store Cultivation Station ---------------------------------------------- U-Grow
4929 S. Cedar St. 1990 US-31 N. Suite C 1724 North, 13th St.
LANSING, MI 48910 TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49686 ST. LOUIS, MO 63106
517-203-5100 231-421-8118 314-452-6368
Cedar Garden Wholesale Ultra Green Hydroponics Garden Doctor
The Indoor Grow Store 138 North Bound Gratiot 9300 Telegraph Rd. Grow Store, The 2290 28th St. SW Suite D St. Louis Hydroponics Company
16999 US Old 27 Hwy. MT. CLEMENS, MI 48043 REDFORD, MI 48239 90 N U.S. Highway 31 South WYOMING, MI 49519 1225 North Warson Rd.
LANSING, MI 48906 586-738-0030 313-534-9377 TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49685-7923 616-249-0193 ST. LOUIS, MO 63132
517-203-5100 ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 231-421-5191 ---------------------------------------------- 800-285-9676
groundbreakers 155
distributors
---------------------------------------------- Anything Grows NEW MEXICO Buffalo Roots Hydroponics Jamestown Hydroponics Hydroponic Shops of America
190 West Moana Lane ---------------------------------------------- and Organics 211 N Main St. 2606 Erie Blvd. E
RENO, NV 89509 3231 Main St., BUFFALO, NY 14214 JAMESTOWN, NY 14701 SYRACUSE, NY 13224
775-828-1460 716-240-9075 716-640-9460 315-251-2516
Battle Born Hydroponics Hydroponics of Buffalo Organica Garden Supply Hydrotek East
Green Thumb Organics 1630 Merchant St. 1471 Hertel Ave. & Hydroponics 27 Corporate Circle
5911 Suemandy Rd. SPARKS, NV 89431 AHL Year Round BUFFALO, NY 14216 1094 Morton Blvd. SYRACUSE E., NY 13057
ST. PETERS, MO 63376 775-432-1945 Garden Supply 716-838-3545 KINGSTON, NY 12401 315-432-9387; 866-411-0865
636-397-4769 1051 San Mateo Blvd. S. Mother Earth Hydroponics 845-481-4009
Big Bloom Hydroponics
---------------------------------------------- NEW HAMPSHIRE ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87108 9135 Sheridan Dr., Mike’s Nursery 1864 Colvin Blvd.
505-255-3677 BUFFALO, NY 14031 & Grower Supplies
MONTANA Greenlife Garden Supply
885 Second St.
---------------------------------------------- 716-634-9376 199 E. Fairmount Ave.
TONAWANDA, NY 14150
716-83-BLOOM
Dr. GreenThumbs MANCHESTER, NH 03102 ---------------------------------------------- LAKEWOOD, NY 14750
312 West Madison Ave 716-763-1612 M&M Hydroponics
603-782-8233 & Garden Supply
BELGRADE, MT 59714 ---------------------------------------------- O.G. Green Thumbz
406-222-7440 2222 Oriskany St. W
Hydroponics UTICA, NY 13502
Harvest Tech Harvest Moon Hydroponics 678 Old Liverpool Rd., Space #7 315-790-9825
All Seasons Gardening Airport Plaza, 4208 Union Rd. LIVERPOOL, NY 13088
1415 S 32nd St. West 7900 Lorraine Ct., Ste. B
BILLINGS, MT 59102 CHEEKTOWAGA, NY 14225 315-453-2371 Sunset Hydroponics
Hydro101 ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87113 & Home Brewing
406-656-1156 545 Hooksett Rd. #24 716-634-8290 TJ’s Hydroponics
505-508-4292 ---------------------------------------------- 8053 Route 96
One World – Life Products MANCHESTER, NH 03104 ---------------------------------------------- 4205 Long Branch Rd. Suite 5
LIVERPOOL, NY 13090 VICTOR, NY 14564
906 Broadwater 603-782-8894 585-223-3410
---------------------------------------------- Heavy’s Grow Supply 315-314-6776
BILLINGS, MT 59101 1325 San Mateo Blvd. NE. ---------------------------------------------- Eastern Ground Organics
406-839-9969 ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87110 Harvest Moon Hydroponics 7 W. Main ST.
Planet Natural 505-315-4573 320 W. Route 59 WEBSTER, NY 14580
1251 N Rouse Ave. CENTRAL NYACK, NY 10960 585-228-6092
Dr. Green Hydroponics 845-353-7310
BOZEMAN, MT 59715 129 E. Idaho Ave. Follow The Sun
406-551-2240 ----------------------------------------------
Natural Roots Hydroponics LAS CRUCES, NM 88005 1185 B Yonkers Ave.
295 DW Hwy, Suite 8-B 575-524-6751 Sunset Hydroponics Roots to Bloom Hydroponics YONKERS, NY 10704
Harvest Tech 5714 South Transit Rd.
3103 Harrison Ave. NASHUA, NH 03060 & Home Brewing 914-237-2760
603-204-5528 Southwest Hydroponics 40 Cobblestone Ct. Dr. LOCKPORT, NY 14094
BUTTE, MT 59701
406-494-4222 ---------------------------------------------- & Lighting
1300 El Paseo Rd.
Victor, NY 14564 716-491-8999
----------------------------------------------
NORTH CAROLINA
585-223-3410
Big Sky Garden Supply Green Harvest Hydroponics LAS CRUCES, NM 88001 Asheville Hydroponics
Sunset Hydroponics Hydro Hut & Organics
528 West Idaho 23 Plaistow Rd., Unit 2 575-524-5963 3698 Horseblock Rd
KALISPELL, MT 59901 PLAISTOW, NH 03865 ---------------------------------------------- & Home Brewing 44 Buck Shoals Rd. F6-7
830 Country Rd., Rt.64 MEDFORD, NY 11763
406-755-1465 603-378-9400 631-775-9565 ARDEN, NC 28704
---------------------------------------------- ELMIRA, NY 14903 828-676-2111
Box of Rain INC 607-796-2603 Crossroads Hydroponics
860 North Meridian Rd., Suite B #19 and Organics Fifth Season
KALISPELL, MT 59901 Planted Earth Hydroponics Gardening Company
120 Vestal Ave. 47 South Plank Rd. (Route 52)
406-755-RAIN (7246) NEWBURGH, NY 12550 45 Banks Ave.
All Seasons Gardening ENDICOTT, NY 13760 845-561-4769 ASHEVILLE, NC 28801
Cornucopia Grow Your Own 3201 Rufina St., Ste. C 607-239-6207 828-253-4112
127 Stoner Creek Rd. SANTA FE, NM 87507 The Grow Room ----------------------------------------------
LAKESIDE, MT 59922 Hippo Hydroponics & Organics 8 Bridge St.
Blue Seal Feeds 505-438-GROW 37 Elm St. #5
406-709-1076 275 Portland St. ---------------------------------------------- NYACK, NY 10960
FISHKILL, NY 12524 800-449-9630
Dr. Green Thumbs ROCHESTER, NH 03867 New Mexico Hydroponics 845-202-7444
603-332-4122 ----------------------------------------------
1106 West Park 923 W. Almeada ---------------------------------------------
LIVINGSTON, MT 59047 ---------------------------------------------- SANTA FE, NM 87501 L.O.T.U.S. Urban Farm and
406-222-7440 Tomato Joe’s Garden Supply 505-316-5855 Garden Supply
---------------------------------------------- 14 New Zealand Rd. 455 N. Louisiana Ave, Suite 8
Earthgoods Hydroponic Garden
SEABROOK, NH 03874 120 Bertha ASHEVILLE, NC 28806
603-814-1657 Centers Inc. 828-505-3533
TAOS, NM 87571 14647 Horace Harding Exp. Green Zone Hydroponics
---------------------------------------------- 575-758-9131 2928 Southwestern Blvd. ----------------------------------------------
FLUSHING, NY 11367
ORCHARD PARK, NY 14127 Fifth Season
Outside In Garden & NEW YORK 718-762-8880
---------------------------------------------- 716-677-9663 Gardening Company
Greenhouse Supply Organica: Garden Supply ---------------------------------------------- 106 South Greensboro St.
2302 McDonald Ave, #B & Hydroponics Healthy Harvest CARRBORO, NC 27510
MISSOULA, MT 59801 Organics & Hydro 919-932-7600
In Grown Gardens 467 Delaware Ave.
406-274-3017 ALBANY, NY 12209 163 Broadway ----------------------------------------------
40 Interchange Dr. FORT EDWART, NY 12828
---------------------------------------------- WEST LEBANON, NH 03784 518-729-5950
518-480-4698 Mor Gro Hydroponics
Bizzy Beez LLP 603-790-8063 ---------------------------------------------- 5680 State Route 104 E
----------------------------------------------
5785 Highway 93 South ---------------------------------------------- OSWEGO, NY 13126
WHITEFISH, MT 59937 315-877-8725 American Beauty
406-863-9937 NEW JERSEY ---------------------------------------------- Garden Center
All Season Hydro 4400 E Independence Blvd.
NEBRASKA ----------------------------------------------
Green Zone Hydroponics Saratoga Organics
2159 Buffalo Rd. CHARLOTTE, NC 28205
2850 Niagara Falls Blvd. & Hydroponic Supply
Bodhi Organic Garden Supply ROCHESTER, NY 14624 704-334-8651
AMHERST, NY 14228 10 Saratoga Ave.
1438 S1 St., Ste. 6 GLEN FALLS S., NY 12803 585-247-8001 ----------------------------------------------
LINCOLN, NE 68502 716-693-9663 ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- 518-798-820
402-438-6785 ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- The Grow Room
32-32 49th St. Dans Pro Grow Indoor
Dambly’s Garden Center Growing & Hydroponics
51 W. Factory Rd. ASTORIA, NY 11103 BWGS-NC
718-545-GROW (4769) 2653 RT 17M Hydro Garden Center
BERLIN, NJ 08009 GOSHEN, NY 10924 4045 Perimeter West Dr., Suite 400
856-767-6883 ---------------------------------------------- 1069B Lyell Ave. CHARLOTTE, NC 28214
845-294-GROW ROCHESTER, NY 14606
Paradigm Gardens ---------------------------------------------- 800-316-1306
8949 J St., Suite 5 Sunset Hydroponics 800-277-1322 ----------------------------------------------
77HYDRO & Home Brewing ----------------------------------------------
OMAHA, NE 68127
37 Fairfield Pl. 133 Balta Dr.
402-339-4949
CALDWELL W., NJ 07006 Saratoga Organics Sunset Hydroponics
---------------------------------------------- & Hydroponic Supply HENRIETTA, NY 14623 & Home Brewing
973-227-8048 585-475-0011
998 Route 50 777 Culver Rd.
NEVADA Boyer Indoor Gardening BALLSTON LAKE, NY 12019 Gotham Hydroponics ROCHESTER, NY 14609 High Tech Garden Supply
57 Crescent Blvd. 518-885-2005; 800-850-4769 143 Route 59, #2M, PO Box 525 585-654-8766 2712 B Freedom Dr.
Phoenix Pharms ----------------------------------------------
803 Spring Valley Dr. GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ 08030 HILLBURN, NY 10931 Sunset Hydroponics CHARLOTTE, NC 28208
GARDNERVILLE, NV 89410 856-456-5000 Empire Hydroponics 845-504-5723 & Home Brewing 704-697-0911
530-386-5630 Bergen County Hydroponics 8512 Rt. 57 Suite 150 Upstate Hydroponics 1590 West Ridge Rd. ----------------------------------------------
70 Essex St. BALSWINSVILLE, NY 13027 3092 Lake Rd. ROCHESTER, NY 14615
AAA Organics & Hydroponics 315-303-4540 866-395-9204 Flow & Grow Hydroponics
2 West Charleston HACKENSACK, NJ 07601 HORSE HEADS, NY 14845 & Organic Garden Center
LAS VEGAS, NV 89102 201-342-2001 The Grape Vine 607-483-9199 LiquidSun of New York 4521 Cumberland Rd.
702-450-4769 Creative Hydroponics 4020 Hempstead Turnpike ---------------------------------------------- 1702 Fiero Ave. FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28306
379 Amwell Rd. BETHPAGE, NY 11714 ROTTERDAM, NY 12303 910-423-FLOW (3569)
Advanced Gardens 516-731-1100 518-952-4654
Hydroponics HILLSBOROUGH, NJ 08844 Indoorganics Plus
908-359-7171 Green Gnome Hydro Gardens ----------------------------------------------
7850 Dean Martin Dr., Ste. 506 LI Hydro 914 E. Franklin Blvd.
LAS VEGAS, NV 89139 ---------------------------------------------- 51 North Main St. 3104 Expressway Dr. S. GASTONIA, NC 28054
702-247-4769 BROCKPORT, NY 14420 ISLANDIA, NY 11749 803-792-2882
585-431-3006 631-651-8281
Advanced Gardens ---------------------------------------------- Hydro Garden Zone
Hydroponics ---------------------------------------------- 2222 Patterson St. Suite H
3111 South Valley View, Ste. V-103 Greentree Garden Supply GREENSBORO, NC 27407
LAS VEGAS, NV 89102 606 Elmira Rd., ITHACA, NY 14850 336-854-0788
702-247-GROW 607-272-3666 Little Heck’s Hydroponics
Cleatus Farms Indoor Outdoor Gardener & Organics Supply Fifth Season Gardening
Best Hydroponic Supply 236 Livingston St. 8223 5th Ave. Planted Earth Hydroponics 615 Maple Ave. Company
6818 W Cheyenne NORTHVALE, NJ 07647 BROOKLYN, NY 11209 2255 N. Triphammer Rd. SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY 12866 1616 D-3 Battleground Ave.
LAS VEGAS, NV 89108 201-768-3099 718-836-2402 ITHACA, NY 14850 518-306-4992 GREENSBORO, NC 27408
702-750-9300 ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 607-319-0918 ---------------------------------------------- 336-271-3373
156 groundbreakers
Fifth Season Hydro Garden and Lights USA Hydrogarden OKLAHOMA CLACKAMAS, OR 97015 Green Zone Garden Center
Gardening Company 24497 State Route 23 7450 Industrial Pkwy., Suite A 503-305-6879 & Hydroponic Supplies
5619-A Hillsborough St. CIRCLEVILLE, OH 43113 LORAIN, OH 44053 Aeroponic Tower Garden 1845 S.W. Hwy. 101 Suite 3
RALEIGH, NC 27606 740-420-9376 204 W. 5th St. PO Box 712 Anthony’s Garden & Light Supply LINCOLN, OR 97367
440-282-4880 93779 B Troy Lane
919-852-4747 ---------------------------------------------- BEGGS, OK 74421 541-994-7070
Cleveland Garden Center Inc. 918-221-4630; 1-877-213-8868 COOS BAY, OR 97420 ----------------------------------------------
New Age Gardens 727 East 185th St. 541-266-8822
2236A US Highway 70 CLEVELAND, OH 44119 Organics OKC Garden Supply
SWANNANOA, NC 28778 216-481-7868 2800 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Corvallis Hydroponics
828-299-9989 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73107 & Organics
The Grow Wizard Urban Gardens 405-528-GROW 5490 SW Philomath Blvd.
GreenSpirit Hydrogardens 5700 Denison Ave. CORVALLIS, OR 97333
3114 Market St. 3665 Likens Rd. Red Lion
CLEVELAND, OH 44102 541-738-2820
WILMINGTON, NC 28403 216-961-2500 MARION, OH 43302 301 N MacArthur Blvd.
910-769-0082 740-375-2800 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73127 Samurai Greenhouse Supply Applegate Soils &
Herb-N-Garden Center ---------------------------------------------- 705 NE Circle Blvd. Hydroponics
LiquidSun East
12 Bay St., Unit 105
14901 Puritas Ave.
Campbell’s Indoor OREGON CORBALLIS, OR 97330 610 Rossanley Dr.
MEDFORD, OR 97501
CLEVELAND, OH 44135 541-550-7451
WILMINGTON, NC 01887 216-252-2001 Gardening Supplies Indoor Hydroponic 541-952-2378
978-447-5442 8226 Warren Sharon Rd. Garden & Lights ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
The Indoor Gardener Store MASURY OH, 44438 5990 SW 185th Ave.
OHIO 4900 Pearl Rd. 330-978-6200 ALOHA, OR 97078 Green Thumb Hydrogarden
CLEVELAND, OH 44109 503-848-3335 & Organic Supply
Akron Garden Center 216-795-5056 Top Garden Products 2021 West Main St.
434 W Wilbeth Rd. ---------------------------------------------- Aqua Serene
8600 East Ave., Suite C MEDFORD, OR 97501
AKRON, OH 44314 The Indoor Gardener Store MENTOR, OH 44060 2836 West 11th Ave. 541-779-8600
330-724-2700 23005 Sprague Rd. #5 EUGENE, OR 97402
COLUMBIA STATION, OH 44028 440-290-8773 The Greenway Hydroponics
---------------------------------------------- 541-302-9073
440-532-7722 USA Hydrogarden - West Aqua Serene ---------------------------------------------- 1010 Fisher Ave.
11001 Route 250 Suite B9 465 Applegate Way MEDFORD, OR 97504
Valley Wide Hydro 541-622-8097
650 S 11th St. MILIN, OH 44846 ASHLAND, OR 97520
419-499-0480 541-482-7600 ----------------------------------------------
Gunnison, OH 81230
970 641-0144 ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Aurora Innovations
---------------------------------------------- Fullbloom Hydroponics PO Box 22041
Indoor Gardens 415 Williamson Way, Suite #3 EUGENE, OR 97402
2076 Romig Rd. ASHLAND, OR 97520 866-376-8578 In & Out Gardens
AKRON, OH 44320 888-725-4769 ---------------------------------------------- 1574 Skypark Dr.
234-678-5820 ---------------------------------------------- MEDFORD, OR 97501
---------------------------------------------- Emerald Valley Gardens Inc. 541-858-3333
Gardening-Indoor 88680 McVay Hwy. ----------------------------------------------
5851 Youngstown-Warren Rd. EUGENE, OR 97405
NILES, OH 44446 541-636-3763 Advanced Organics
Indoor Gardens & Garden Supply
5705 Chantry Dr. 330-932-1023
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 290- B Merlin Ave.
COLUMBUS, OH 43232 MERLIN, OR 97532
614-866-5180 Pet Finatics LLC Paradise Supply 541-659-1466
Ohio Hydroponics and ---------------------------------------------- 3150 Navarre Ave., Suite A 1409 Hwy. 99 N Indoor Garden Depot
Indoor Gardening OREGON, OH 43616 ASHLAND, OR 97520 3260 SE Oak Grove Blvd.
1474 Brittain Rd. The Indoor Gardener Store 541-552-1037 MILWAUKIE OR 97267
AKRON, OH 44310 ---------------------------------------------- 503-786-2445
330-615-7857 6583 Pearl Rd.
---------------------------------------------- \ PARMA HEIGHTS, OH 44130 Astoria Indoor Garden Supply Indoor Garden Depot
440-253-8001 487 W. Marine Dr. Oregon’s Constant Gardener 3260 SE Oak Grove Blvd.
Summit Hydroponics ---------------------------------------------- ASTORIA, OR 97103 OAK GROVE, OR 97267-1421
1030 Kenmore Blvd. 990 Garfield St.
Indoor Gardens 503-468-0606 EUGENE, OR 97402 503-786-2445
AKRON, OH 44314-2114 4720 Indianola Ave.
330-753-5222 American Agriculture 541-636-4220 Four Seasons Garden Supply
COLUMBUS, OH 43214 9966 SW. Arctic Dr. ----------------------------------------------
614-262-1600 329 S. Oregon St.
Cool Digs BEAVERTON, OR 97005 ONTARIO, OR 97914
6 Euclid Dr. ---------------------------------------------- 503-641-3500
ATHENS, OH 45701 541-889-6499
Magic Home Garden Trinity Hydro Organics
740-249-4270 465 Woodman Dr. Northern Light & Garden Green Thumb Garden Supply
4538 Indianola Ave. 9290 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy.
Almost Heaven Hydroponics COLUMBUS, OH 43214 RIVERSIDE, OH 45431 144 S. Oregon St.
BEAVERTON, OR 97005 Vital Organics Northwest ONTARIO, OR 97914
56104 National Rd. 614-263-2440 937-252-GROW 503-297-7331
BRIDGEPORT, OH 43912 ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 453 River Ave. 541-881-9935
---------------------------------------------- EUGENE, OR 97404 ----------------------------------------------
740-738-0578 Cultivation Innovations 541-688-0028
Campbells Indoor 1564 S. Byrne Rd. ----------------------------------------------
Gardening Supplies TOLEDO, OH 43614 Advanced Indoor Gardens
1721 Greenville Rd. 419-214-GROW (4769) 17831 S.E. 82nd Dr.
BRISTOLVILLE, OH 44402 Dayton Hydroponics GLADSTONE, OR 97027
330-889-0049 Hot Hydro Suburban Garden Wholesale Ladybug Indoor Gardens
3856 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd. 855 S. Holland-Sylvania Rd. #2 503-305-6341
18968 SW Shaw The Shoppes at Exit 24,
Magic Home Gardens DAYTON, OH 45449 TOLEDO, OH 43615 BEAVERTON, OR 97078 Paradise Superstore
209 Cemetery Rd. 937-859-3999 205 Fern Valley Rd., Suite X
419-866-1266 503-268-1803 543 NE E. Street PHOENIX, OR 97535
CANAL WINCHESTER, OH 43110 ----------------------------------------------
Toledo Hydroponics Ltd. ---------------------------------------------- GRANTS PASS, OR 97526 541-618-4459
614-837-2440 USA Hydrogarden 541 955 7224
855 S. Holland-Sylvania Rd., Suite 2 ----------------------------------------------
Dumont Seed Co. 542 Griswold Rd.
TOLEDO, OH 43615 ----------------------------------------------
619 30th St. N.W. ELYRIA, OH 44035 American Agriculture
CANTON, OH 44709 440-324-4769 877-893-0716 9220 SE Stark St.
330-492-0204 --------------------------------------------- Bend’s Indoor Garden Station PORTLAND, OR 97216
Ohio Hydroponics 35 NW Bond 800-433-6805
Green Garden Indoor 2108 Tiffin Ave. BEND, OR 97701
Garden Center FINDLAY, OH 45840 541-385-5222 Bloom Garden Supply
1664 North Main St. 419-561-4769 ---------------------------------------------- NLG Pro Shop LLC 518 N.E. 20th Ave.
CANTON N., OH 44720 1203 Rogue River Hwy. PORTLAND, OR 97232
330-494-1234 Garden Connections 971-255-1336
3341 Centerpoint Dr. GRANTS PASS, OR 97527
---------------------------------------------- 541-474-1700 ----------------------------------------------
GROVE CITY, OH 43123 Toledo Indoor Garden
614-871-0707 ----------------------------------------------
5614 Secor Rd.
---------------------------------------------- TOLEDO, OH 43623 Redwood Nursery
419-725-2450 1303 Redwood Ave.
--------------------------------------------- GRANTS PASS, OR 97527 BWGS-OR
Gorillas Garden Supply 541-474-2642
Plant Lighting Hydroponics 2011 Union Ave. 18201 N.E. Portal Way, Suite 104
The Bubbling Bucket 2201-A Pinnacle Parkway BEND N., OR 97459 Urban Garden Supply PORTLAND, OR 97230
11156 Kenwood Rd. Hydro Innovations 541-756-5005 12115 SE 82nd Ave, Ste B 888-316-1306
TWINSBURG, OH 44087 ----------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI, OH 45242 5425 Roberts Rd. ---------------------------------------------- HAPPY VALLEY, OR 97086
888-258-0670 503-305-6531
513-469-2825 HILLIARD, OH 43026 Evergreen Garden Supply
614-319-4934 Greenleaf Hydroponics Healthy Harvest 3393 SE 21st Ave.
----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- 556 High St. Indoor Garden PORTLAND, OR 97055
WARREN, OH 44483 Suite #1, 1635 S.E. Tualatin 503-206-5670
Sweet Greens 330-646-6046
5540 Brecksville Rd. Valley Hwy. Evergreen Garden Supply
---------------------------------------------- Green Leaf Garden Center HILLSBORO, OR 97123
INDEPENDENCE, OH 44131 10415 NE Sandy Blvd., Unit C
800-421-7084 610 SE 9th St. 503-640-0995 PORTLAND, OR 97220
Dayton Hydroponics ---------------------------------------------- BEND, OR 97701 503-408-6635
4920 Provident Dr. 541-306-4505 Gorge Garden Center
1203 12th St., Suite H Garden Spout, The
CINCINNATI, OH 45246 ---------------------------------------------- 4532 SE 63rd Ave.
513-942-7111 Westcoast Organic HOOD RIVER, OR 97031
541-386-4769 PORTLAND, OR 97206
---------------------------------------------- Gardening-Indoor & Hydroponic Supply 503-788-GROW
9215 Market St. 12410 South East 282nd Ave, Unit C Healthy Harvest
Eastside Hydroponics BORING, OR 97009
----------------------------------------------
834 Ohio Pike #318 Hydro Gardens Wholesale YOUNGSTOWN (NORTH LIMA), Indoor Garden
1144 N Memorial Dr. OH 44452 503-512-7710 3837 River Rd.
CINCINNATI, OH 45245
513-528-4769 LANCASTER, OH 43130 330-758-0272 The Good Earth Organics KEIZER, OR 97303
740-654-9376 ---------------------------------------------- 30088 Redwood Hwy. 503-393-2901
Kissed by the Sun ---------------------------------------------- GREENCOAST Portland LLC
Indoor Garden Worx CAVE JUNCTION, OR 97523 Basin Indoor Gardening
Hydroponic 541-592-4496
3365 SE 17th St.
10740 Reading Rd. CropKing 304 West Monroe St. 417 N. Spring St. PORTLAND, OR 97202
CINCINNATI, OH 45241 134 West Dr., LODI, OH 44254 ZANESVILLE, OH 43701 Urban Garden Supply KLAMATH FALLS, OR 97601 503-235-8040
513-769-0159 330-302-4203 866-900-9679 9069 SE Jannsen Rd. 541-273-2023 ----------------------------------------------
groundbreakers 157
distributors
---------------------------------------------- Pharmer Hydroponics ---------------------------------------------- Good To Grow TENNESSEE Lone Star Hydroponics
11135 S.W. Industrial Way, Bldg 10-4 51 Old Tower Hill Rd. and Organics
TUALATIN, OR 97062 WAKEFIELD, RI 02879 Advanced Hydroponic Garden 8330 Director’s Rd. Suite 200
503-486-5751 401-783-1733 783 French Mill Rd. DALLAS, TX 75247
DANDRIDGE, TN 37725 214-63-HYDRO (4-9376)
The Green Future Garden East Coast 800-521-1643
& Hydroponics Full Time Garden Supply Hydroponic Warehouse Texas Hydroponics
1011 Ritner Hwy. 380 Jefferson Blvd. Grow Your Own Garden Store & Organics (Dallas)
25999 SW Canyon Creek Rd., Ste. I 100 Boonabrook Drive
SHIPPENSBURG, PA 17257 WARICK, RI 02886 2606 Manana Dr.
WILSONVILLE, OR 97070 855-EZ-HYDRO HERMITAGE, TN 37076
Grow World 503-685-9200 717-477-0350 DALLAS, TX 75220
17410 SE Division St. ---------------------------------------------- 615-678-7259
Grow With Us 214-744-4769
PORTLAND, OR 97236
503-477-9351 PENNSYLVANIA 709 Warwick Ave. Jackson Organics & Home Brew
Urban Garden Hydroponics
WARWICK, RI 02888 42 Federal Dr., Suite D
---------------------------------------------- Pocono Hydroponic 401-270-6998 JACKSON, TN 38305 & Organics
Solutions ---------------------------------------------- 731-501-6373 14462 Midway Rd.
3280 Route 611 DALLAS, TX 75244
Downtown Farming 972-770-3182
BARTONSVILLE, PA 18321 Organic Garden Center 221 Cherry St., Suite 120
570-730-4544 201 Elmwood St. JOHNSON CITY, TN 37604 Texas Hydroponics
---------------------------------------------- STATE COLLEGE, PA 16801 423-929-3833 & Organics (Ft. Worth)
Hydrofarm Northwest Home & Hydro
814-208-8300 21 Riverdale Ct. 2501 Airport Frwy.
15311 NE Airport Way ---------------------------------------------- Advanced Hydroponic Garden
PORTLAND, OR 97230 WARWICK, RI 02887 FORT WORTH, TX 76111
6912 Clinton Hwy. 817-834-4769
800-634-9990 Organic Garden Center 401-738-1414 KNOXVILLE, TN 37921
---------------------------------------------- 1307 Park Ave. ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
866-938-3318
WILLIAMSPORT, PA 17701 Live to Grow ----------------------------------------------
Jantzen Beach Hydroponics 570-322-3120
909 N. Tomahawk Island Dr., Ste. 103 719 Bald Hill Rd.
PORTLAND, OR 97217 Home Hydroponics WARWICK, RI 02886
503-546-3185 of Pittsburgh 401-615-5122
Lehigh Valley Hydroponics
---------------------------------------------- 7576 Beth Bath Pike 404 North 3rd St. Mother Nature Hydroponics Grow Green Garden Shop Hydrofarm Central
BATH, PA 18014 YOUNGWOOD, PA 15697 1268 Post Rd. 4644 NE Walker Blvd. 915 Ave. S.
610-837-7500 724-836-1118 WARWICK, RI 02888 KNOXVILLE, TN 37918 GRAND PRAIRIE, TX 75050
---------------------------------------------- Hydro-Ponics Inc. 401-780-0600 865-249-8259 800-634-9999
(of Lancaster/York) ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Garden Indoors of ----------------------------------------------
Pennsylvania
4464 Lincoln Hwy East, Ste. 1 Innovative Hydroponic
YORK, PA 17406 Supply Inc. Aggressive Garden
Mt. Hood Garden Supply 208 Route 13 717-668-8641 3308 Old Knoxville Hwy. 3582 W T.C. Jester Blvd.
19959 SE Burnside St. BRISTOL, PA 19007 ---------------------------------------------- The Grow Store MARYVILLE, TN 37804 HOUSTON TX 77018
PORTLAND, OR 97233 215-781-0305 1889 Post Rd. 865-984-0280 713-681-7764
503-328-8630 422 GROW WARWICK, RI 02886
---------------------------------------------- 401-773-7910 Sun City Hydroponics Botani Hydroponics
1631 North Main St. Ext. 2235 Whitten Rd., Suite 104 and Organics
North West Hydroponic BUTLER, PA 16001 ----------------------------------------------
Repair & Resale National Garden Wholesale/ MEMPHIS, TN 38133 15106 Bellaire Blvd.
724-561-3777 Sunlight Supply GrowRI 901-372-8100 HOUSTON, TX 77083
2510 E. Burnside St. ---------------------------------------------- 105 Franklin St., Unit # 38
PORTLAND, OR 97214 450 Grim Lane Wet-Werk 281-575-1999
YORK, PA 17406 WESTERLY, RI 02891
503-719-7671 401-596-0904 584 Tillman St., Ste 8 Houston Discount
877-779-7111 (Northeast) MEMPHIS, TN 38117
Roots Garden Supply Hydroponics
---------------------------------------------- RI Hydroponics 901-529-7722
6850 North Interstate Ave. 9380 Richmond Ave.
High Tech Garden Supply 85 Front St. ---------------------------------------------- HOUSTON, TX 77063
PORTLAND, OR 97217 WOONSOCKET, RI 02895
503-285-4768 20232 Route 19, Unit 6 713-464-9406
CRANBERRY TWP., PA 16066 401-356-1899
VM Indoor Garden Supply ---------------------------------------------- Hydroponic Nation
724-473-1113
7720 SE 82nd Ave. 9001 Frey Rd.
PORTLAND, OR 97266
---------------------------------------------- National Garden Wholesale/ HOUSTON, TX 77034
503-774-2300 Sunlight Supply 713-943-1115
PA Hydroponics & Home 126 Belinda Parkway
Oregon Indoor Organics Gardening Supply Growin’ Crazy MT. JULIET, TN 37122 HydroShack
210 B St. Hwy. 30 20 Quaker Church Rd. 93 Kingston Rd. 888-265-9005 1138 W. 20th St.
RANIER, OR 97048 YORK SPRINGS, PA 17372 WYOMING, RI 02898 HOUSTON, TX 77008
503-556-5565 Hydrofarm East 717-528-4175 401-284-0810 ----------------------------------------------
713-292-1921
270 Canal Rd. ---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
BIGS Warehouse FAIRLESS HILLS, PA 19030 Righteous Roots
2606 S.W. 4th St., Unit B
REDMOND, OR 97756
888-780-4567 RHODE ISLAND SOUTH CAROLINA Hydroponics
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 13940 Bammel N Houston Rd.
541-504-8886 GreenSpirit Hydrogardens Ste 228
Green Solutions
1864 Meeting St. MidTN Hydroponics & HOUSTON, TX 77066
CHARLESTON, SC 29405 Gardening 281-271-6604
Garden Supply 843-225-1GRO 1370 W Clark Blvd.
628 SW Glacier Ave. ---------------------------------------------- MURFREESBORO, TN 37129 Texas Growers Supply
REDMOND, OR 97756 615-900-3781 5750 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. E.
541-504-2604 EZ Grow Supply
---------------------------------------------- Suite 703
DC Hydroponics & Organics A&G Botanical Supply 477A Tiogue Ave. HOUSTON, TX 77032
1775 Green Siding Rd. 965 New Holland Rd. COVENTRY, RI 02816 All Seasons Gardening and 281-442-3739
ROSEBURG, OR 97471 KENHORST, PA 19607 401-822-4769 Brewing Supply Co.
541-679-3700 610-777-6919 ---------------------------------------------- Skyes the Limit 924 8th Ave. S. Ultimate Hydroponic
455 B Fleming Rd. NASHVILLE, TN 37203 Garden Supply
Roseburg Hydroponics ------------------------- CHARLESTON, SC 29412 6125 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. N. #206
800-790-2188
853 SE Stephens St. Buds to Blooms Garden 843-566-2121 HOUSTON, TX 77041
ROSEBURG, OR 97470 and Supply Co., LLC ---------------------------------------------- Home Harvest Hydroponics 713-856-8425
541-229-1420 509 Orchard Ave. Chelsea’s Trading Post 247 Garden Supply 107 Wade Lane
KENNETT SQUARE, PA 19348 & Garden Supply 535 D Clemson Rd. SEVIERVILLE, TN 37876 Downtown Farming
Indoor Garden Center 151 Danielson Pike 865-453-GROW 221 Cherry St. Suite 120
2230 NE Fairgrounds 610-388-0100 COLUMBIA, SC 29229
FOSTER, RI 02825 803-788-4445 JOHNSON CITY, TN 37604
SALEM, OR 97302
503-566-7888
Hydro Ponics of Harrisburg 401-647-4637
The Urban Garden Hydroponics
TEXAS 423-929-3833
310 S. 10th St. ----------------------------------------------
Northern Light LEMOYNE, PA 17043 9557 Two Notch Rd., Suite E Abundant Harvest Hydro Mart
Good To Grow COLUMBIA, SC 29223 Hydroponics & Organics 3841 Main St.
& Garden Salem 877-684-3808
34 Nooseneck Hill Rd.
1915 Lancester Dr. 803-788-9313 3101 Ave. E. ROWLETT, TX 75088
SALEM, OR 97305 Esbenshades Greenhouses GREENWICH W., RI 02817 ---------------------------------------------- ARLINGTON, TX 76011 972-475-6114
503-364-4769 546A E. 28th Div. Hwy. 401-392-3100 817-649-0100
LITITZ, PA 17543 Brite Ideas Hydroponics
Grow Big Inc. GrowRI Brite Ideas Hydroponics & Organics
717-626-7007 184 Admiral Kalbfus Rd. & Organics
16572 SE 362nd Dr. 5121 Crest Way Dr., Suite 203
SANDY, OR 97055 Always Green Garden Supply NEWPORT, RI 02840 4201 South Congress Ave., Ste. 310 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78239
503-826-8277 4400 Old William Penn Hwy., Suite 106 401-619-0776 AUSTIN, TX 78745 210-248-9309
MONROEVILLE, PA 15145 512-444-2100
Greener Side of Life Liquid Sun RI Texas Hydroponics &
412-646-1243 1179 Central Ave. All Seasons Indoor & Brite Ideas Hydroponics
623 West Centennial Blvd.
Outdoor Supplies & Organics Organics (San Antonio)
SPRINGFIELD, OR 97477 Home Hydroponics PAWTUCKET, RI 02861 3412 Copeland
541-636-3552 of Pittsburgh 401-722-2724 1350 Hwy. 501 Business, Store 3&4 7010 Burnet Rd., Suite A
CONWAY, SC 29526 AUSTIN, TX 78757 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78219
Oregon’s Constant Gardener 19th & Mulbury Way Hydro-Earth 843-347-9266 512-495-4353 210-226-4769
2053 Laura St. PITTSBURGH, PA 15222 1243 Mineral Springs Ave. ----------------------------------------------
412-232-7030 PROVIDENCE N., RI 02904 ---------------------------------------------- Texas Hydroponics
SPRINGFIELD, OR 97477 Green Thumb Unique & Organics
541-747-8170 ---------------------------------------------- 401-305-5520
Gardening & More (San Antonio West)
Moonshine Park Farm Growers Edge Indoor 1230 Rutherford Rd. 6729 Bandera Rd.
135 South East 62nd, Unit F Garden Supply GREENVILLE, SC 29609 SAN ANTONIO, TX 78238
SOUTH BEACH, OR 97366 190 Newport Ave 864-271-8830 210-684-4769
541-444-2298 High Tech Garden Supply RUMFORD, RI 02916 BotaniCo. Indoor
Garden Store ----------------------------------------------
Rogue Farmers 746-A Chester Pike 401-383-1860 SOUTH DAKOTA 5888 Everhart St.
1007 S. Pacific Hwy. PROSPECT PARK, PA 19076 Good to Grow North Green Earth Products Inc. CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78413
TALENT, OR 97540 610-619-0441 300B George Washington Hwy 5700 Highway 79 S., Unit 1 361-334-1612
541-512-4600 ---------------------------------------------- SMITHFIELD, RI 02917 RAPID CITY, SD 57702 ----------------------------------------------
Northeast Hydroponics 401-233-0500 605-342-1307 Hydroponics 2 Organics
Portland Hydroponics Lone Star Hydroponics
& Organics & Homebrewing The Organic Grow Hut Steins and Vines & Organics 610 Murphy Road, Suite #102
11564 S.W. Pacific Highway 221 Scranton Carbondale Hwy. 375 Putnam Pike, Suite 13 2307 W. Madison St. 10550 Markinson Rd. STAFFORD, TX 77477
TIGARD, OR 97223 SCRANTON, PA 18508 SMITHFIELD, RI 02828 SIOUX FALLS, SD 57104 DALLAS, TX 75207 281-969-5756
503-746-4303 570-209-7924 401-349-4141 605-274-7002 214-221-GROW (4769) ----------------------------------------------
158 groundbreakers
UTAH VIRGINIA ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- Groco Supply, LLC
---------------------------------------------- Grow Lights Headquarters 11306 E. Montgomery Dr. #4
VM Indoor Garden Supply
14190 Washington Hwy SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99206
2903 NE 109th Ave.
ASHLAND, VA 23005 509-464-6970
VANCOUVER, WA 98682
804-423-9208 Grow Gear 360-256-2933
Northern Lights Gardening
Fifth Season Gardening Co. Northern Lights Gardening 1524 Riverside Dr, #2 13817 E. Sprague, Ste. 9 ---------------------------------------------
900 Preston Ave. 4159 Hannegan Rd. MT. VERNON, WA 98273 SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99216
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22903 BELLINGHAM, WA 98226 360-982-2217 509-926-9000
PowerGrow Systems 434-293-2332 360-715-8585 ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
& Utah Hydroponics
71 S. 1380 W. Groundworks Garden & ----------------------------------------------
LINDON, UT 84042 Hydroponic Supply Co. Kitsap Garden & Lighting
855-463-4724 Ext 2 1600 Roanoke St. Ste C Indoor Tropics
CHRISTIANSBURG, VA 24073 2130 6th St.
---------------------------------------------- BREMERTON, WA 98312 18 E. Apple Ave.
540-251-7679 OMAK, WA 98841 Urban Grow Systems
360-377-1277
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 509-846-7087 1605 E Isaacs Ave.
---------------------------------------------- WALLA WALLA, WA 99362
Growers United 509-876-4015
Poulsbo Indoor Garden 6516 E. Sprague
and Lighting ---------------------------------------------
Indoor Tropics 22275A Stottlemeyer Rd. SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99212
509-315-5501 Urban Garden Specialty
PowerGrow Systems 5930 Sunburst Lane #B POULSBO, WA 98370
Lucky Roots 360-930-0853 --------------------------------------------- 1415 S. Wenatchee Ave.
& Utah Hydroponics 612 North Sheppard St. CASHMERE, WA 98815
--------------------------------------------- WENATCHEE, WA 98801
523 E. 1750 N. Suite 500 RICHMOND, VA 23221 509-470-7782
VINEYARD, UT 84057 509-888-7620
804-377-3020 ----------------------------------------------
801-588-7099 ---------------------------------------------- Indoor Garden Supply LLC
---------------------------------------------- Dr. Grassman
Blue Ridge Hydroponics Hydroponics Supply 1350 Atlantic Ave.
Moonlight Garden Supply & Home Brewing Company 111 W. Main Spokane Organic WOODLAND, WA 98674
1572 S. State St. 5327 D Williamson Rd. CENTRALIA, WA 98531 Indoor Garden & Lighting & Hydroponic Supply 360-841-8055
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84115 ROANOKE, VA 24012 360-669-0542 8606 Preston Fall City Rd. S.E. 4823 E. Sprague Ave.
385-227-8110 540-265-2483 PRESTON, WA 98050 Horticulture of America
---------------------------------------------- SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99212 701 S. 1st Street
Inside-Out Garden Supply 425-222-9661
VERMONT 6517 Backlick Rd. ---------------------------------------------- 509-534-4055 YAKIMA, WA 98901
--------------------------------------------- 509-307-2003
Green Mountain Hydroponic SPRINGFIELD, VA 22150 Green Thumb Indoor
Garden Supply 703-451-3259 Garden Supply
106 North St.
Indoor Tropics 10120 128th St., CT E. WISCONSIN
I Love Hydroponics 801 N. Prospect
BENNINGTON, VT 05201 368 Newtown Rd. #105 PUYALLUP, WA 98373 Grow BIG Hydroponics
ELLENSBURG, WA 98926 253-460-GROW
802-442-4844 VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23462 938 S. Westland
509-933-4441 ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------- 757-490-5425 Spokane Organic APPLETON, WI 54914
----------------------------------------------
& Hydroponic Supply 920-749-4769
WEST VIRGINIA 15916 E. Sprague Ave.
---------------------------------------------- SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99037 H2oGrow
Greenthumb - Vermont Aqua Serene 1164 1/2 Madison Rd.
3839 Stone Way N. 509-290-5313
394 Route 15 --------------------------------------------- BELOIT, WI 53511
JERICHO, VT 05465 SEATTLE, WA 98103 608-289-1852
802-899-4323 Indoor Garden & Lighting 206-547-GROW (4769)
---------------------------------------------- 714 South Central Ave. ---------------------------------------------- Sustainable Growth LLC
KENT, WA 98032 Heavy Harvest Wholesale 218 N. Dewey St.
253-373-9060 113 Cherry St. Ste 68221 EAU CLAIRE, WI 54703
---------------------------------------------- SEATTLE, WA 98104-2205 Spokane Organic 715-901-0511
Panhandle Hydroponics
& Homebrew Hefty Harvest Garden 415-758-2852
& Hydroponic Supply Spread Eagle Garden Center
35 Monroe St. & Hydroponic Supply HydroTech Hydroponics 8701 North Division, Suite D 4413 N. Lake Rd.
How’s It Growing MARTINSBURG, WV 25401 2629 Reinhardt Ln. NE Unit M 2121 Aurora Ave. N.
LACEY, WA 98516 SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99218 FLORENCE S., WI 54121
193 Route 15 W. 304-240-7587 SEATTLE, WA 98109 509-468-4800
---------------------------------------------- 360-628-8964 206-547-2202 715-696-3910
JOHNSON, VT 05656 ---------------------------------------------
802-635-9931 Almost Heaven Hydroponics ---------------------------------------------- Garden Supply Guys
3476 University Ave. Seattle’s Hydro Spot All Green Garden LLC
---------------------------------------------- 917 N.W. 49th St. 752 Memorial Dr., Suite A
MORGANTOWN, WV 26505 6409 6th Ave. Ste. 8
Southern Vermont
Peak Hydro
304-598-5911 SEATTLE, WA 98107 GREEN BAY, WI 54303

TACOMA, WA 98406
Hydroponics 206-784-2161 920-857-9493
Mountaineer Gardening 253-564-2767
51 Belmont Rd. Sodo Hydro Brew and Grow
MOUNT HOLLY, VT 05758 and Hydroponics Green Thumb Indoor
258 Kingwood St. 1727 1st Ave. S. 1525 Williamson St.
802 259 2003 MORGANTOWN, WV 26505 KP Indoor Garden Store SEATTLE, WA 98134 Garden Supply
---------------------------------------------- 8912 Key Peninsula Hwy. N. 206-682-9377; MADISON, WI 53703
304-290-2460 6240 S. Tacoma Way
LAKEBAY, WA 98349 888-90-HYDRO (904-760) 608-226-8910
Peak Hydroponic Garden Supplies TACOMA, WA 98409
WASHINGTON 253-884-SURE (7873) 3 Bros Hydroponic 253-460-GROW
---------------------------------------------
AJ’s Indoor Gardening ---------------------------------------------- & Garden Supply ---------------------------------------------
Peak Hydroponic Garden
1317 Summit St. 931 E. Johns Prairie Rd.
Supplies SHELTON, WA 98584
20 School St. ABERDEEN, WA 98520
360-533-117 360-426-3022
PLAINFIELD, VT 05667
802-454-8000 Island Horticulture Supply Indoor Gardening Eco Enterprises Paradigm Gardens
---------------------------------------------- 12729 Quantum Lane 1158 Commerce 1240 N.E. 175th St. #B 2027 S. Stoughton Rd.
ANACORTES, WA 98221 LONGVIEW, WA 98632 SHORELINE, WA 98155 MADISON, WI 53716
LiquidSun® VT 360-293-0000 800-426-6937 Indoor Garden & Lighting
1 Bellows Falls Rd. (Route 5 North) 360-353-3851 608-241-3800
---------------------------------------------- 3839 6th Ave.
PUTNEY, VT 05158 Mike’s Indoor Garden Supply SnoGro Indoor ---------------------------------------------
6121 172nd St. NE #A Gardening Supply TACOMA, WA 98406
802-387-1100 253-761-7478 Brew and Grow
ARLINGTON, WA 98223 502 Maple Ave. 2246 Blue Mound Rd., Suite B
Southern Vermont 360-474-1900 SNOHOMISH, WA 98290 ---------------------------------------------
Hydroponics ---------------------------------------------- 360-863-6935 WAUKESHA, WI 53186
399 West St. Waterworks Hydroponics 262-717-0666
RUTLAND, VT 05701 Indoor Garden & Lighting 509 Grow 5039 S. Washington
802 773 5200 20505 Highway 99 2718 N. Division
SPOKANE, WA 99207
TACOMA, WA 98409 PUERTO RICO
---------------------------------------------- Pro Grow Horticulture LYNNWOOD, WA 98036 253-301-4343 ---------------------------------------------
509-327-GROW (4769)
Supplies 425-673-2755
Discount Soil & Hydroponics Indoor Garden Depot
3411 169th Pl. N.E. Suite C ----------------------------------------------
6813 N. Division St. 6400 N.E. Highway 99, Suite H
ARLINGTON, WA 98223 Homegrown Hydros
360-925-6358 SPOKANE, WA 99208 VANCOUVER, WA 98665
1241 State Ave., Suite #102 509 315 9920 360-993-7779
----------------------------------------------
MARYSVILLE, WA 98270 ---------------------------------------------
360-386-8230 River City Hydroponics
Endless Spring Organics 1514 E. Francis Ave.
and Hydroponics Mike’s Indoor Garden Supply SPOKANE, WA 99208
509-464-0246 Tecno-Hydro
1835 VT Rt. 7A 1204 East Wheeler Rd.
SHAFTSBURY, VT, 05262 MOSES LAKE, WA 98837 Ave Campo Rico GJ17, PO Box 1450
Belfair Garden Rootz Indoor Garden Supply National Garden Wholesale/ CAROLINA, PR 00982
802-681-7419 509-766-5856 923 E. Hoffman
---------------------------------------------- & Lighting Supply Sunlight Supply 787-752-8252
24090 N.E. State Route 3 #F --------------------------------------------- SPOKANE, WA 99207 4525 N.W. Fruit Valley Rd. ---------------------------------------------
Green Valley Gardening BELFAIR, WA 98528 509-443-5999
--------------------------------------------- VANCOUVER, WA 98660
2934 Waterbury-Stowe Rd. 360-275-2130
---------------------------------------------- 888-478-6544 (Northwest)
WATERBURY CENTER, VT 05677
802-241-4199 ---------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
\
National Garden Wholesale/
White River GrowPro M & R Lighting Sunlight Supply The Hydro Zone
Freedom Organics
230 South Main St., Suite A Hoagtech Hydroponics 17238 Memorial Dr. 10502 E. Montgomery Dr., Ste. 2 5408 N.E. 88th St. Building A Plaza Pradera, Suite 5
WHITE RIVER JUNC.., VT 05001 2025 James St. MT. VERNON, WA 98273 SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99206 VANCOUVER, WA 98665 TOA BAJA, PR 000949
802-281-6186 Bellingham, WA 98225 360-848-1080 509-443-3170 888-478-6544 787-941-4769
---------------------------------------------- 360-820-4112 ---------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
groundbreakers 159
distributors
TH A N K YO U TO O UR SPO NS ORS
MODERN GROWING
160 groundbreakers
E XPERIENCE
T H E FUTURE
OF G R O WING
S A N J OSE , C A
June 3-4, 2017
San Jose McEnery
Convention Center
DETROIT, MI
Sep 30-Oct 1, 2017
Cobo Center
my gr ow x. c o m | # g ro w x 2 0 1 7
10 facts on...
groundbreaker
AUXINS Among the first plant hormones to be discovered, auxins

by Philip McIntosh
serve a variety of roles within plant activities and development.

.
AUXINS ARE A family of plant hormones with diverse roles in plant morphogenesis including
phototropism (bending toward light), cell expansion, root formation, and bud development.
AUXINS WERE THE first plant hormones to be discovered and studied. Charles
Darwin found that coleoptiles (the sheaths around the leaves of young grass plants)
would bend toward light. By shading various parts of coleoptiles, Darwin found that
the source of the bend response was located in the tips of the coleoptiles.
OTHER WORKERS EXPANDED upon Darwin’s work and

the discovery of the first auxin, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), is credited
to the Dutch botanist Fritz Went who worked in the 1920s and ’30s.
IT IS NOW known that IAA is produced in

the growing tip of a plant shoot and diffuses
downward through the stem. Providing the tip
of the plant (the apical meristem) is intact, IAA
suppresses the development of axillary buds
and branching growth below the tip.
WHICH IS WHY cutting off the main

stem (topping) of a plant increases
bushiness by allowing the
axillary buds below the tip to be
released from their IAA-induced
ALONG WITH THE dormancy to begin growing.
naturally occurring auxins, there
are numerous synthetic auxins that
are structural analogs of IAA.
ALTHOUGH IAA IS the
principle auxin produced by
plants, there are a few others.
ONE OF THE more One of particular note is indole-
notorious synthetic auxins is 3-butyric acid (IBA), the active
2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, more ingredient in most rooting
commonly known as 2,4-D. 2,4-D was one powders and cloning aids
of the compounds (in combination with used to stimulate root
2,4,5-T) in Agent Orange, used by development in cuttings.
the United States as a defoliant
during the Vietnam War.
AS IS USUALLY the
case with plant hormones,
2,4-D IS STILL used today as an auxins interact with other
herbicide. Compared to grasses, broad- hormones in complex ways.
leafed plants such as dandelions are For example, the auxin-
much more susceptible to large cytokinin ratio has diverse
doses, so it is an effective weed regulatory effects on plant
killer for use on lawns. growth and development.
162 grow cycle

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MODER N GROW ING USA EDITION

JUNE 2017 | VOLUME19 NUMBER 3

142 Movers & Shakers

144 You Tell Us

146 Max Mart

162 10 Facts on Auxins

74 The Benefits of Water Chillers

86 The Internet of Things

Tips & Tricks

96 Pricing Out an Indoor

98 Understanding Seed Varieties

108 Avoiding Algae

110 How to Understand

116 Five Mistakes Rookie

120 Phosphorus, Phosphite,

128 Making Your Own

130 Starting Outdoor Summer

134 The Four Biggest Contributors

ALAN RAY has written

Beautiful purple basil flower! A gentle breeze can be

Tweets via @GrowAquaponics

DO YOU WANT TO BE FEATURED? [email protected] @max_yield @maximumyield

Hello Ryan, Seedling and early vegetative:

Dr. Lynette Morgan holds a B. Hort. Tech. degree and a PhD

ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY (EC)

Feeding Fat to Fungi

Teen Designs Filter to Save Stream

Detroit Urban Farm Receives $100,000 in Grants

(Literally) Turning Spinach into Muscle

Indoor Growing Bringing Back Failed Varieties

Plant Inner Workings Help Make More Nutritious Crops

Aquaponics Lab Explores Food

Nutrients For Life Foundation Celebrates 10 Years

Hydroponic Vegetable Market

ION DE Replacement Reflectors

Boveda Dr. Earth Flower Girl

Dyna-HOME-Gro’n Starter Kit

SunBlaster Universal Light Strip Hanger

Dr. Earth Final Stop Disease

SCROGGER P SCROG Six-pack Primary ScrOG Kits

Smart Qubix Device and Software

Sunblaster Nanodome One Way to Grow and Bloom

Summit Research Tech’s Hochstrom Filter

SunBlaster LED Strip Lights Vital Tea Premium Organic Dry

Par Pro Hyper Arc

Grow !t Summit Mosquito Bits

CYCO Cyclone Rooting Gel

Koppert Biological System’s SPICAL-PLUS

Ideal Air Pro Dual Series Air Conditioners

Sun System ReBright Reflector

BY SHANNON MCKEE SETTING YOUR SIGHTS HIGH:

GROWING FRUIT TREES

W hen you think of hydroponic gardens, which

When putting your tree into your new system, no matter if

If this article has you thinking about picking mouthwatering

C onsumers, gardeners, and politicians understand

IF YOU grow THE HONEY

GOOD FOR YOUR GARDEN

our food crops, the ENCOURAGE BEE POPULATIONS