Maximum Yield Canada 2015 July-August

INSIDE EXPERT ORGANIC TIPS // TIME-SAVING TOOLS FOR GROWING // MORE CANADA July - August 2015 INDOOR GARDENINGHOMEGROWN HARVESTS HELPING CANADIANS GROW FOR MORE THAN 17 YEARSFREE2015maximumyield.com los angeles July 25-26 boston October 24-25









CONTENTS 48 July/August 2015FEATURES24 28 32 4224 Automation in the Growroom: DEPARTMENTS Part 1 8 From the Editor 20 Product Spotlight by Skye Hanke 12 maximumyield.com 54 You Tell Us28 An Organic Primer: Part 1 14 Letters to the Editor 56 Talking Shop by Chris Bond 16 Ask the Experts 60 Max Mart32 Measuring Up: Meters & Tests 18 Max Facts 64 Distributors by Frank Rauscher38 Don’t Bug Me: Four Common Problems in the Garden by Alan Ray42 Growing 101: Perfect Potting Mixes by Grubbycup48 Illuminating the Indoors: Lighting Tips and Tricks by Matt LeBannister6 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015



FROM THE EDITOR | LINDA JESSON Summer is officially here and by now your garden should be yielding plenty of fresh, tasty fruits and INDOOR GARDENING veggies to grill up on the barbecue. If not, read VOLUME 18 – NUMBER 2 July/August 2015 on, as we fill this issue with plenty of tips to help Maximum Yield is published monthly by you grow organic and maximize your efforts in the Maximum Yield Publications Inc. garden this season! 2339A Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 Phone: 250.729.2677; Fax 250.729.2687 So, how exactly is your garden measuring up? No part of this magazine may be reproduced Find out when you read our features on different without permission from the publisher. If undeliverable please return to the address above. meters and tests, how to illuminate the indoors The views expressed by columnists are personal with the right amount of light and how to get the opinions and do not necessarily reflect those of most from your lighting installations. Maximum Yield or the editor. From novice to advanced growers, we all happen Publication Agreement Number 40739092Message upon gardening challenges. For the novice grower, Printed In Canada we share a guide to customizing the perfect potting mix for your garden’s needs, and explain how PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER - Jim Jesson GENERAL MANAGER - Don Mooresfrom the to overcome pest infestations in the growroom. BUSINESS MANAGER - Linda JessonEditor For the advanced grower, check out some of the EDITORIAL new ways you can automate your garden with a [email protected] Jesson networked gardening system. Editor-in-chief Linda Jesson Assistant Editor Julie McManus In addition to this issue full of growing advice, Assistant Editor Jenn McGarrigle be sure to take some time to check out Maximum ADVERTISING SALES Ilona Hawser - [email protected] Yield TV at maximumyield.com/mytv, an exclusive Kelsey Hepples - [email protected] collection of instructional how-to videos that will Katie Rey - [email protected] Jed Walker - [email protected] show you how to grow your best garden ever.  Robyn Jesson - [email protected] Get your bags packed for the Maximum Yield LA DESIGN & PRODUCTION [email protected] Gardening Expo happening July 25 (industry day) and 26 (general public Art Director Alice Joewelcome) at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Don’t miss out on the biggest Graphic DesignersGrow Gear Show of the year showcasing the newest trends and equipment to Jennifer Everts Dionne Hurdgrow your biggest yields ever! Visit indoorgardenexpo.com to download your free VIP Jesslyn Dubynatickets and find great things to do while in LA. ACCOUNTING Tracy Greeno - [email protected] ANGELES 19 45 36 DAYS Katie LaFrance - [email protected] HOURS MINUTES SECONDS CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION Like Maximum Yield on Brite-Lite Group • Eddis Wholesale Green Planet Wholesale • Growers Paradise and enter to WIN Greenstar Plant Products Inc. • Biofloral a $100 Shopping Spree Quality Wholesale • Hydrotek at your local indoor gardening store! USA DISTRIBUTION Aurora Innovations • BWGS • General Hydroponics facebook.com/MaximumYield Humbolt Wholesale • Hydrofarm Florida Hydroponics • Hydro International National Garden Wholesale/Sunlight Supply Nickel City Wholesale Garden Supply Urban Agricultural • Tradewinds UK DISTRIBUTION Direct Garden Supplies Easy Grow Ltd. • Erith Horticulture Nutriculture UK • Dutchpro AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION Dome Garden Supply • House N Garden Futchatec • Growth Technology • Hydraspher8 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015







CONTRIBUTORS Frank Rauscher is a certified Matt LeBannister developed a horticulturist and consultant for the green thumb as a child, having been Skye Hanke is a third-generation grower. hydroponic and landscape industries with born into a family of experienced For the past 15 years, he has worked a background in product development. gardeners. During his career, he has with indoor gardening companies on Frank is a member of the Southern Nevada managed a hydroponic retail store brand development and product design Landscape Association and is active in the and represented leading companies with a special focus on new technology Southern California green industry, where at the Indoor Gardening Expos. Matt development. His industry experience his focus is drought-tolerant xeriscapes. has been writing articles for Maximum has allowed him to identify and solve He specializes in discovering the “root Yield since 2007. His articles are problems that occur in indoor gardens cause” of plant stress. published around the world. and he has designed several custom Grubbycup has been an avid indoor Alan Ray has written five books and processes to help growers increase gardener for more than 20 years. is a New YorkTimes best-selling author. productivity and consistency. His articles were first published in Additionally, he is an award-winning Chris Bond is a horticulturist at Case the UK, and since then his gardening songwriter with awards from BMI Western Reserve University in Cleveland, advice has been published in French, and ASCAP respectively. He lives in Ohio. His primary role is co-ordinator of Spanish, Italian, Polish, Czech and ruralTennessee with his wife, teenage the university’s Farm Food Program. His German. He is also considered one son and two dogs: a South African research interests are beneficial insects, of the world’s leading authorities on Boerboel (Bore-Bull) and a Pomeranian/ biological pest control and alternative crochet hydroponics. Frankenstein mix. growing methods. He is a certified permaculture designer and nursery technician in Ohio and a certified nursery professional in NewYork.Become a Maximum Yield contributor and have your articles read by 250,000 readers throughout the USA, Canada,UK, Europe, New Zealand and Australia. Every issue is available on maximumyield.com, which has thousands ofunique visitors monthly.ON THE WEBLA Grow Gear Expo—Get Ready! New Size – New Look – New HydrolifeMaximum Yield’s Grow Like a Pro Tour hits Los AngelesJuly 25-26 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Leading Capturing the vibrant lifestyles of the modern,international exhibitors from more than 10 countries will urban grower, the new, all-glossy June/Julybe showcasing the latest grow gear and garden trends to help you maximize your garden. Visit Hydrolife offers more grow content, more faces,indoorgardenexpo.com to download your FREE VIP Ticket for Sunday, July 26 general public day. more gear, more gadgets and more of everything you’re looking for. Check it out and get your free MYTV Is Here! Maximumyield.com digital subscription at myhydrolife.com. Got Videos? We Growing With You! do! Maximum Yield Get Your Free DigitalTV is growers’ No. 1 source for how-to Visit our newly designed maximumyield.com Subscriptioninstructional videos on the latest products andtechnologies. From how to start a seedling, to for the latest MY issues (and back issues, Receive Maximum Yield free to your inboxthe most complex lighting systems, we show every month and read from your smartphoneyou how to grow your best garden ever. Check too!), plus links to some of the industry’s best or tablet. Visit maximumyield.com/subscribe.out MY TV at maximumyield.com/mytv. products, the latest technologies and more. Subscribe to Maximum Yield’s eNews Maximum Yield’s eNews brings you the latest indoor gardening company news. Stay in the loop by subscribing today via maximumyield.com, and head to enews.maximumyield.com for the latest headlines.maximumyield.com | indoorgardenexpo.com | youtube.com/maximumyieldmagazinefacebook.com/maximumyield | twitter.com/max_yield | instagram.com/maximumyield12 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015



LETTERS TO THE EDITORWe Want to A Topic of InterestHear From You! I would like to suggest a future article on enzymes. A lot of peopleEmail: [email protected] are paying top dollar for this product, while others are using poolFacebook: facebook.com/MaximumYield and pond enzymes. Although they are more economical, I questionTwitter: twitter.com/max_yield whether they are a good substitute. Manufacturers do not list the exact enzyme mix they use, so it becomes difficult to choose aMaximum Yield Publications Inc. product by reading the label. You just have to try them and see2339 Delinea Place, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5L9 for yourself. Some formulations are geared toward a specific goal, or set of goals, from what I’ve gathered. If someone could clearFelix Lewis Grower Gains Many Tips up the differences between these enzyme products, and whatAdam Chickey their intended uses are, it would be appreciated. Enzymes play a I enjoy reading Maximum Yield major role in plant processes, and I think they are worthy of some so much that my wife calls it my discussion in your magazine. mistress! I spend much of my free Pip, via email time at home and at work reading the magazine because it is so Orchid Grower informative and educational when Enjoying Results it comes to helping me improve my indoor and outdoor gardens. I look I enjoy reading Maximum forward to reading every new issue. Yield because it has Thank you, Maximum Yield. informative articles about Felix Lewis how plants use nutrients and how to prevent pests and Grower Values the Basics diseases. I’m also able to see what new products are available. Maximum Yield provides useful, I mostly grew hydroponically up-to-date information for beginner when I was younger, with all of and expert growers, covering all the major kinds of systems, and now I grow about 300 species of our indoor needs. I was given of orchids indoors in a small greenhouse. The fertilizers and a copy by my local hydro provider nutrients most people use for hydroponics are clean and work and immediately read it from cover well on my plants. Thank you, and keep the information coming. to cover. There were lots of helpful Eric S. hints on growing basics I otherwise wouldn’t have known about. I feel Future Entrepreneur Feels Hopeful that everyone who loves to grow indoors, or even outdoors, should I wanted to say thank you for all of the great information you put explore Maximum Yield. in Maximum Yield. I read each issue from front to back. As an Adam Chickey entrepreneur who plans to open a hydro store, I find the Talking Shop articles quite useful, as they give me hope. Thank you for all of your hard work. Daniel S. Learning from Each Page I have been reading Maximum Yield for years! I learn something on every single page. Now, I read the articles to my children. Thank you. Melinda E. Great Product Info Maximum Yield is always letting me know about the new products I may need, and shares great information about those products. Great read. Brian G.Editor’s Note: Felix and Adam have each won a $100 cash prize A Colourful Readto spend at their favourite indoor gardening shop for telling uswhy they are fans of Maximum Yield. You can win, too! Simply visit I’m a fan of Maximum Yield because it is easy to read,maximumyield.com/contests to enter. informative and full of colour. Mark S.14 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015



ASK THE EXPERTS QAs a grower, I always want optimal pest control and nutrient balance in my garden. Is it possible to use companion planting to help with this? In particular, I’m interested in companion plants for my tomatoes and culinary herbs like basil, cilantro and dill. Thank you, JDAThat is a greatquestion. The firstthing I would suggestis planting more than onevariety of each crop. If a diseaseor insect wave strikes, havingmultiple varieties will usually ensureat least one variety survives the outbreak. There are a few companion plantingoptions that can improve the health of yourplants, as well as prevent harmful insects anddiseases. Planting garlic in between tomato plants canprotect the tomatoes against spider mites and aphids.Basil can help tomatoes overcome insects and diseases, butyou should plant basil parallel to, not among, the tomatoes.Planting pollen- and nectar-producing plants such as dandelions,marigolds and wild carrots nearby will also attract beneficial insects,such as ladybugs, and give them a place to lay eggs. Some companionplantings improve the growth and overall health of both crops. Tomatoesare compatible in this way with chives, onions, parsley, marigolds, nasturtiums,carrots, stinging nettles and redroot pigweed. There are certain plants that should not be planted near tomatoes, such as cabbage,corn, potatoes, eggplant, peppers and fennel, because they will repel each other,resulting in an inferior or failed crop. You should also avoiding planting tomatoes wherepotatoes, eggplants or peppers have been planted within the past 3-5 years. For further reading on companion planting, I suggest Carrots Love Tomatoes by Louise Riotte andThe Organic Gardener’s Handbook of Natural Insect and Disease Control, edited by Barbara W. Ellis andFern Marshall Bradley. Hope this helps, Matt LeBannister Matt LeBannister developed a green thumb as a child, having been born into a family of experienced gardeners. During his career, he has managed a hydroponic retail store and represented leading companies at the Indoor Gardening Expos. Matt has been writing articles for Maximum Yield since 2007.16 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015



Huge Hydroponic Greenhouse Gets Go-ahead Close proximity to the Greater Toronto Area is the primary reason why The Local Vegetable Company chose Simcoe, Ontario, as the location for its $6-million hydroponic greenhouse operation that will specialize in growing a variety of leafy greens. Company co-president Oliver McGinley calls the Simcoe location a unique place where they were able to put together the cultural synergies with the infrastructure needed for the project. The deal involves the purchase of an eight-acre parcel of land, with an option to buy another seven acres within five years. The greenhouse itself will cover two acres, though that could double to four acres in the future. If building permits and zoning changes are granted in time, the project could begin as early as this fall. The Local Vegetable Company is expected to employ 10 people and supply retailers and food service professionals with locally grown lettuces. (Source: norfolknews.ca) MAXFACTS GROWING NEWS, TIPS AND TRIVIA Organic Sector Gets a Boost The Canada Organic Trade Association is overseeing a four-year, $1.5-million program that will increase the visibility and positioning of the Canadian organic brand in export markets, which is projected to result in more than $20 million in international sales. The association will provide the federal government and industry with technical assessments of new and emerging markets with strong potential for Canada’s growing organic sector. The domestic component of the program will focus on building consumer awareness and support for Canadian organic options within the Canadian domestic market. Global organic sales are now valued at more than $72 billion USD per year. The Canadian organic market is worth $4 billion per year and is seeing impressive growth of more than 10% annually, making Canada the fifth largest organic market in world. Canada’s organic exports are estimated at more than $550 million per year. (Source: freshplaza.com) Pickle Weeds With Vinegar OK, so it’s not exactly pickling, but by applying white vinegar, a common household item, to weed leaves, they’ll die off and make room in your yard for more desirable plants. The white vinegar sold in grocery stores is about 5% acetic acid, which is usually strong enough for most weeds, although a more industrial strength version (up to 20% acetic acid, which can be harmful to skin, eyes and lungs) is available in many garden supply stores. The vinegar can be applied full-strength onto the leaves of the weeds, being careful to minimize any overspray on garden plants and nearby soil. Repeated applications may be necessary, and the addition of a little liquid dish detergent may improve the effectiveness of this homemade herbicide. (Source: treehugger.com)18 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015

Bringing Biodomes to BCA giant bubble in Surrey, British Columbia, is hometo 6,000 strawberry plants, stacked on top of one another. The plants are growing without soil and require one-tenth of the water of normal strawberry plants. The Biodome in Tom Colclough’s backyard, built by Eco Energy Asia, is just a prototype, but it’s the first of its kind in Canada. The Biodome is a closed, contained, controlled environment. The panels are made out of a special plastic film called ethylene tetrafluoroethylene to ensure light is equally spread throughout the structure. “In controlling the environment, it also means we can grow 365 days a year. We can take these plants through the cycles and accelerate them to a certain degree by optimizing their growing conditions,” says Tom. While it’s still in the research and development phase, both Tom and Eco Energy Asia have high hopes for the future of biodomes around the world. (Source: globalnews.ca)Fruit Juice Axed from BC Marks Decade of Fruit, Veg in SchoolsCanada’s Food Guide? In 2005, when the provincial government identified healthy living and physical fitnessHealth Canada may be changing its daily as top priorities, the British Columbian health minister at the time championed therecommendations surrounding juice. The Canadian value of fruits and vegetables in schools. Ten years later, provincial governmentMedical Association Journal recently reported that the numbers reveal that 1,463 public and First Nations schools participate in the BCdirector of the Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion, School Fruit & Vegetable Nutritional Program, and this year, 651 local growersDr. Hasan Hutchinson, hinted at the future changes provided fruit and vegetables to more thanduring a recent obesity summit. The current Food Guide 489,000 students. Health Ministryrecommends adult Canadians consume 7-10 servings officials say the program is anof fruit and vegetables a day, depending on their age important factor in helpingand gender. It is recommended that children and teens families accept fruit andconsume between 4-8 servings a day. According to the vegetables as necessarycurrent guide, half a cup of 100% juice is the equivalent and popular choices. “Weof a single serving of fruit, but juice has been on the see more and more thatradar of nutritionists, doctors and parents for years families, particularly kids,over concerns about the amount of sugar it contains. are more accepting ofHealth Canada notes that it considers the “scientific fruits and vegetables,underpinning” of Canada’s Food Guide on an ongoing whereas in the old daysbasis to determine if updates are appropriate. they might have said,(Source: ctvnews.ca) ‘We want Ding Dongs and Wagon Wheels,’” says current BC health minister Terry Lake. (Source: theglobeand- mail.com) Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015 19

HOTTEST PRODUCTSSPOTLIGHTING THIS MONTH’SAsk for them at your local indoor gardening store Sun System Solar Flare Fixtures Sun System Solar Flare high-output T5 fluorescent fixtures have a lightweight, industrial design with multiple hanging points for ease of placement. Value-priced, these affordable fixtures feature an advanced, wider T5 optical design that offers maximum coverage and diffusion so plants get more of what they need. The Solar Flare fixture includes highly reflective aluminum inserts for excellent performance from the lights. Its cool-operation housing design keeps electrical components thermally stable. A pre-wired power cord and an on/off switch allow for easy operation. Available in 120- and 240-V models. Visit a local retailer to learn more.DP Growing Media by Dutchpro Kind LED K5 Series Remote ControlDutchpro’s new range of growing media is composed of the finestingredients to provide a modern and ecologically proven response to The Kind LED K5 Series Remote Control is a new tool growers can useall of your growing media requirements. DP Growing Media offers a to operate their Kind LED grow lights from across the room. Using therich blend of carefully selected materials to help you achieve optimal remote control, growers have access to an on-board computer thatgrowth and yields. The new growing media line from Dutchpro carries controls a bank of timers, each of which can adjust the intensity andthe RHP stamp of quality, which is the Dutch standard for horticultural spectral output of the light. Eight internal-timing phases give growerssubstrates/growing media that ensures a stringently monitored, more control throughout the day over other grow lighting options, suchquality, homogenous product that provides constant as having plants wake up with a gentler intensity and higher ratio ofperformance. DP substrates: the starting point for infrared light, which closely mimics the natural sunrise effect of naturalexponentially improved yields. When combined with environments. Kind LED has developed the K5 Series Remote Controlthe whole selection of Dutchpro to provide growers with unparalleled control over their growth cyclesadditives and supplements, from just the push of a button. Pick one up from an indoor gardeningDP Growing Media will boost your shop near you.results to the max! Availablein Pro Soil/Aarde All Mix, ProSoil/Aarde Light Mix and ProCoco—all in 50-L bags. Pickup a bag or two at your localgrow store today. High Yield Products Lock Down Pad Lock Down Pads, brought to you by High Yield Products, are yellow, sticky pads that attract a wide range of insects, including fungus gnats, thrips, spider mites, leaf miners, aphids, whiteflies, fruit flies and more. They are ideal for growers look for pesticide-free products and are suitable for gardens, flowers, houseplants and more. Lock Down Pads are plastic, circular sheets that are coated on one side with specially formulated glue. These economical, easy-to-use pads are non-toxic, pesticide-free and water-resistant, making them ideal for use indoors or out. The long-lasting, non-drying glue is suitable for use in all seasons and is specially formulated to stick to bugs, not you. Lock Down Pads can be used in a variety of ways in both soil and hydroponic mediums. Find them at a garden center near you.20 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015

Gold Label RootsGold Label Roots is a premium root growth enhancer ideal for all types of plants. Derived from high-end biological extracts of kelp and high-quality amino acids, Gold Label Roots also contains humicacid, as well as natural micronutrients, growth hormones, chelating agents and vitamins. Gold LabelRoots can be used with seedlings, cuttings and plants in the development stage in all sorts of growingenvironments. Suitable for soil- and hydroponic-based growing systems, it provides powerful additivesthat stimulate root development as well as encourage new root growth in cuttings. Gold Label Rootsalso contains EDDHMA chelated iron, which is the most stable iron on the market, ensuring preciouscuttings and young plants stay green. Super-concentrated, Gold Label Roots is to be used continuouslyat a rate of 0.25-0.5 ml per litre from the first watering to the third week of flowering. For more details,visit an indoor gardening retailer.Dutchpro Explode Gorilla Grow Tent Net TrellisDutchpro Explode is a The ultra-strong Gorilla Grow Tent Net Trellis is easily fastened to theformidable flowering booster corners of a grow tent to provide much-needed support for plants. Thethat delivers precious nutrients simple addition of a GGT Net Trellis to a Gorilla Grow Tent increasesand minerals to plants yields by up to 30% by effectively partitioning and supporting plants,throughout the flowering stage. allowing for more sunlight and air exposure while decreasing rot andConsisting of micronutrients, pest damage. With its ability to support even the heaviest crop loads,vitamins and acids, it does GGT Net Trellis is designed to accommodate all kinds of plants. Forexactly as the name suggests: more information, visit an indoor gardening store near you.explosively drives floweringgrowth and bigger yields whileincreasing plant resistanceto diseases. This product issuitable for every irrigationsystem, as well as mostsoil, hydro and coco set-ups.Recommended dosage is100 ml per 100 L of water.Dutchpro Explode is availablein a variety of sizes. Visit anindoor gardening retail store formore information.Illumitex NeoSol DSResponding to the rapid emergence of new horticulture markets,Illumitex has added the NeoSol DS to its portfolio of NeoSol growlights. The NeoSol DS is suitable for a wide range of horticulture lightingapplications, including propagation of vegetative and flowering plants in grow tents or growingareas of any size. It’s an LED plant growth fixture designed to produce high PAR values with unsurpassed beam uniformity andexcellent light utilization. Available with Illumitex Surexi F3 LEDs, the DS’s slim fixture design maximizes the area for plant growth andminimizes fixture weight. And because no assembly is required, growers will be up and running in minutes—simply hang the fixture andplug into a 120-VAC power outlet. The NeoSol DS joins the NeoSol NS, NeoSol LS, Safari and Eclipse to round out Illumitex’s family ofstandout products serving the needs of home and commercial indoor growers. Visit an indoor garden retail store for more information. Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015 21

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT Hydro Innovations Dehumidifier From the designing and engineering experience of Hydro Innovations comes a revolutionary, commercial-grade dehumidifier optimized for indoor environments. Most efficient at 40-60% humidity and 25-28°C, the Hydro Innovations Dehumidifier is a powerhouse in the garden. By using a lower evaporator temperature than other dehumidifiers, the Hydro Innovations Dehumidifier is able to collect more condensate, resulting in less moisture in the air. Rated at 300 pints per day, the Hydro Innovations Dehumidifier removes up to three times the moisture from the air as other indoor garden dehumidifiers at this price point. The optional water-cooled version is able to provide additional cooling to the room. When paired with the FruitBat Reflector (coming soon), the water-cooled Hydro Innovations Dehumidifier works to reduce the overall number of air handlers needed throughout the garden. For more information, check out an indoor gardening shop.Gorilla Grow Tent Equipment Board Dutchpro Take RootGorilla Grow Tent Equipment Boards are designed to hold fans, Dutchpro Take Root is a growth stimulantballasts, controls and other grow gear to keep things organized. They capable of radically improving the inner and outer qualities of young plants. The also strengthen a tent’s overall active components, including several structure. The equipment plant hormones and micronutrients, are boards are 110-cm tall and of natural origin. The ingredients boost 60-cm wide, making them cellular division, cell elongation and the largest ones out there. nutrient transport, all of which help with The all-steel, reinforced overall root development during early construction complements vegetative growth. In addition to this, the sturdy frames of Gorilla Take Root also slows down the plant’s Grow Tents. Gorilla Grow aging process, which leads to prolonged Tents and Gorilla Grow Tent good health. This product is suitable Accessories were invented by for every irrigation system, as well as growers for growers to improve soil, hydro and coco set-ups. It is to be indoor growing and maximize used with cuttings and young plants. yields. Look for Gorilla Grow Recommended dosage is 100 ml per Tent products at your nearest 100 L of water. Visit an indoor gardening indoor gardening shop. store to learn more.EYE Hortilux PowerVEG LampThe new PowerVEG lamps, manufactured by EYE Hortilux, are differentfrom other T5 lamps on the market. Not only do they produce a well-balanced spectrum for plants, but they also provide them with UVAand UVB rays. EYE Hortilux understands the power behind spectraldistribution and how UV affects plant growth. PowerVEG lampspromote extreme photosynthesis for faster growth and a strongerroot system. Their unique UV light spectrum (UVA is 315-400 nmand UVB is 280-315 nm) allows for easier transitions from indoorveg to outdoor flowering. The UV light also helps develop stronger,healthier, vegetative plants that will produce higher yields and higher-quality crops. All of the materials used to create PowerVEG lamps have been tested for thousands of hours to ensure stability,consistency, reliability and performance. Visit an indoor gardening shop for more details.22 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015



Part 1 by Skye Hanke So, you’ve spent a bunch of money setting up your growroom with multiple systems to help you create the ideal environment for growing plants, but you can’t be around at all times to ensure those systems are operating properly and your investment is protected. The solution? A growroom automation system. Read on to learn more.24 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015



AUTOMATION IN THE GROWROOM “WITH ANY INVESTMENT comes risk and while your timers are set to operate a multitude of systems designed to maximize your yields, you’re probably not able to monitor your investment 24/7.”Congratulations, your growroom is up a consistent product, there is a human starvation or asphyxiation of your plantsand running! You’ve constructed an element when it comes to setting timers could be as simple as an email away.environment that allows you to control that no easily written instructions canall aspects of your garden, including prevent. Whether it’s a bum timer or These examples are only a few areaslighting, temperature, humidity, your own mistake, the fact remains that where things can go wrong in theirrigation and CO2. But it doesn’t end errors and failures can occur. Wouldn’t growroom. This article is not meantthere—you still have to consider water it be nice if there was a way to keep to make you paranoid; it should servequality, the health of your grow medium informed of these hiccups in real time? as an eye-opener about the potentialand Murphy’s Law. With any investment hazards that can become realities in acomes risk and while your timers are TEMPERATURE AND growroom. We all want the freedomset to operate a multitude of systems HUMIDITY CONTROL that comes with properly functioningdesigned to maximize your yields, timers, lighting systems that work andyou’re probably not able to monitor Your plants need an environment that irrigation systems that water at optimalyour investment 24/7. Frankly, the time mimics the natural world in which intervals and volumes, all while avoidingyou spend babysitting your growroom they would normally grow. However, operational and safety hazards. This isis counter-productive to the life your re-creating a light spectrum as close to where engineering minds are workingsystems are supposed to be making natural sunlight as possible with artificial diligently behind the scenes to makeeasier. This article notes some of the lighting produces an incredible amount your life vastly easier. This is the world ofissues that can occur when you’re not of heat. Whether you implement the networked garden.there to solve the problems with your climate control such as air conditioning Networked gardening offers growerssystems. It also shares the solution—a or an intake/exhaust fan system, a wide range of options for monitoringnetworked gardening system. your equipment is designed to keep all of the systems in place that help everything at a stable temperature. But plants grow. It can link not onlyTIMERS have you ever come in to check on your the timers, lighting and irrigation crop only to find your exhaust fan or air layers of your garden set-up, but alsoKeeping everything on schedule in conditioner has failed and your plants through a simple, one-time set-up,your growroom is key, but how many burned under the scorching-hot bulbs? it can also be configured to includetimes have you heard about timers A simple text message alerting you to CO2, temperature, humidity and,failing to turn something on, or—even the overheating temperature could have through even more refinement of theworse—failing to turn something off? saved the day. technology, nearly any other aspectIn the instance of lights that stay on or of your growroom. Companies arenever turn off, the results can seriously IRRIGATION taking all-in-one system monitoring anddamage and stress your garden, automation to new heights by creatingresulting in diminished yields. While Most people don’t have time to hand- networked gardening systems that makethere are a myriad of great products water their crop at regular intervals sure everything is running smoothly byout there, every one of them has a throughout the day—there is a difference putting the ability to control the growspecific lifespan. Timer manufacturers between showing your garden some environment right in the palm of awork diligently to ensure their products tender, loving care and being a slave to grower’s hand.don’t fail, but it happens. No matter your plants. The answer is to set up an Businesses that specialize in buildinghow much research and development irrigation system that waters at regular networked gardening systems are trulyand quality control goes into building intervals with a specific amount of water. adept at understanding and answering However, if you’re not there, you’re the needs of growers because many of putting your faith in timers and pumps, them are growers themselves. These and the only thing worse than a pump that systems allow you to not only set up doesn’t turn on is a pump that doesn’t real-time text message and email alerts turn off. If there was a product out there informing you when systems turn on that could automate your irrigation in and off, but you will also be alerted to intervals based on modern soil moisture or irrigation principles, preventing the26 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015

LEDS: PROS AND CONS contend that an automation and control configure an alert and resolution system system is just another thing to spend that fits your needs, just remember this:fluctuations in temperature, humidity money on, and they’re right, but perhaps you didn’t get into hydroponics as aand CO2, and even maintenance they’ve never lost a crop when the air hobby or business because you wantedtroubles such as overwatering or a conditioner died 30 minutes after they to grow poor-quality plants.burned-out bulb. And with these new left and the problem wasn’t discoveredsystems, you can do something about until the next day. Or maybe their Author Skye Hanke returns next issue withit. For example, if your text alerts are exhaust fans have never failed, meaning Automation in the Growroom Part 2, in which hetelling you that your air conditioner is they’ve never allowed the humidity to goes into more detailunder-performing, you can respond rise above a safe level, allowing mould about how a net-within minutes rather than walking in and bacteria to propagate. worked gardeningto see the effects certain problems can You didn’t skimp on the bulbs you system works.have after a few hours, saving you lost chose; you shopped around for the Stay tuned!revenue, time and man-hours. right pumps and you trusted the advice Growrooms are not easy to set up and of others who recommended a sleware a significant financial investment, of other gadgets they use in their ownespecially at the commercial level. The hydroponic set-ups. So when you do theneed for easy and real-time monitoring math on an automation system start-upoffers system control and automation cost, along with the time it takes tocompanies a chance to serve you inhedging your bets. Naysayers might“IN THE INSTANCE of lights that stay on or never turn off, the results can seriously damage and stress your garden, resulting in diminished yields.” Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015 27

OAn rganicby Chris Bond Primer Part I Soil building, cover cropping, companion planting and crop rotation are some of the hallmark practices of organic gardening. But what else does it mean to be an organic gardener? Chris Bond shares the details in part one of his two-part primer on organics.28 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015

IN RECENT years, the word organic has become a way of defining ourfood, the methods by which we produce it, and the products used in its preparation, nurturing, maintenance and harvesting.”T he word organic holds a place in the English language as one of those ambiguous words thatseems to have several connotations and denotations.Prior to the resurgence of concern over what is inthe food we eat, which happened around the turn ofthe 21st century, organic was a word most associatedwith chemistry. Any carbon-based organism, living ordead, is organic. In recent years, the word organichas become a way of defining our food, the methodsby which we produce it, and the products used in itspreparation, nurturing, maintenance and harvesting. Further muddying the waters are such words asnatural, all-natural, unrefined, unprocessed andnon-GMO. When we are talking about meat, addcatch phrases like free-range, cage-free, grass-fed andhormone-free into the mix. For any product or foodproducer to make these types of claims there is littleor no oversight, but for any product or food producerto make the claim of organic, there are several hurdlesthey must pass to do so. In horticulture, products deemed natural aregenerally accepted as those that are procured fromnature, minimally processed (or not at all) and thenused or incorporated in a form similar to the product’snatural state. These are not man-made or synthesizedcompounds. They may or may not be certified organic,but are compatible with the practices and principlesof organic gardening. Some examples include mined Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015 29

ORGANIC PRIMERmaterials like rock phosphate, plant oils and marine life, ripening times are inconsistent or staggered, making themsuch as kelp. In many instances, the word natural can be difficult to cultivate mechanically, ship in standard-sizedused indiscriminately to describe a wide variety of products packaging or use in products requiring homogeneity. Thoseand to support unsubstantiated claims. who have tried heirloom vegetables are well aware that their flavour and uniqueness are unmatched.ORGANIC GARDENING ORGANICOrganic gardening is the practice of growing plants inmethods compatible with, or even more stringent than, gardeners seek toprevailing organic standards. Often this is achieved by minimize inputs over timealtering cultural practices rather than applying anyformulation or compound—organically certified and take the view thator not. Most organic gardeners seek to feed and growing food is not aamend the soil, as opposed to feeding the plants seasonal activity, but adirectly. The soil surrounding a plant’s roots acts as its long-term proposition.”digestive system in much the same way the rumenin cattle processes what the cow consumesbefore being distributed within it. Soil building,cover cropping, companion planting and croprotation are some of the hallmark practices oforganic gardening. Those who are true to thepractice of organic gardening will cultivate onlynon-GMO seeds and crops. Organic gardeners seek to minimize inputsover time and take the view that growingfood is not a seasonal activity, but a long-termproposition. With this in mind, growing areasare intentionally left fallow or with only covercrops planted on them to restore or rebuildnutrients in the soil that may have beendepleted by certain crops. Bare soil isnot a part of organic gardening—theland should be producing food orrebuilding its stores.ORGANIC SEEDSIn Canada, there are severalcertification bodies that areaccredited by the CanadianFood Inspection Agency (CFIA)to provide organic certificationservices for goods sold in thecountry. These bodies grant organicstatus to seeds that have not been treatedwith pesticides and are not culled orcollected from plants that have been treatedwith pesticides. Seeds labelled as organicare not genetically modified or geneticallyengineered. They are open-pollinated andwill germinate and produce true to theirtype and parentage. Heirloom seeds are oftencertified organic, but not always. Heirloomvarieties of seeds and plants possess the sametraits as their parentage and are often cultivatedcommercially. Their sizes, colours and fruit30 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015

ORGANIC SOIL AMENDMENTS AND FERTILIZERS a signal word indicating the relative user risk of the product. Currently these are (in order of severity): caution, warningMany of the widely available and inexpensive water- and danger. Be sure to follow all precautions on the labelssoluble fertilizers on the market are petroleum-based of these products, including their safe-handling instructionsor otherwise synthesized from non-organic sources. and their personal protective equipment requirements. AsOrganic fertilizers and soil amendments are generally with all pesticides, the information contained on and withinnot water-soluble and are directly collected or derived the label is not a suggestion, but a legal requirement for thefrom carbon sources. They tend to be more costly user to follow.and lower in nutrient value than their syntheticcounterparts, but because they are not water-soluble,organic fertilizers and soil amendments last much In the next issue of Maximum Yield Canada, Chris Bond will providelonger in the soils and are not lost to leaching. Much some examples and practices associated with organic pest, disease andof the high concentrations of nutrients in petroleum- weed control in part two of his organic growing primer series.based fertilizers are lost to leaching and end up in thewatershed, potentially wreakinghavoc to aquatic flora and fauna.Organic fertilizers and soilamendments may be mineral-based, plant-based or animal-based.Mineral-based amendments includemacronutrients such as rockphosphate, potash and calciumin a variety of forms. Plant-basedamendments include products ORGANICsuch as cottonseed meal, kelp andpeat moss. Animal-based productsmay be derived from either living FERTILIZERSor dead animals. Blood mealand bone meal are commonamendments in organic gardening and soil amendmentsand are derived from the blood may be mineral-based,and bone of animals—usuallybovines. Manure is an animal-based plant-based oramendment that can be used in animal-based.”organic production, so long ascertain restrictions are observed.The animals from which manureis collected must be on a certified-organic diet and their manureshould be composted or aged priorto its use.It should not be assumed thatany product, even those withlegitimate organic certification,is automatically safe. There aremany naturally occurring matterand phenomena that would meetthe definition of organic, whichyou would want nothing to dowith (consider volatile organiccompounds, which are associatedwith many paints and solvents).Organic gardening products arerequired to have the same labellinginformation as all other pesticidesand fertilizers. They must include Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015 31

BY FRANK RAUSCHERMEAS RING M& ETTEESRTSS THAT CAN HELP YOUR GARDEN There are many meters and test kits available to help growers keep track of what is going on in their gardens. Frank Rauscher shares some of the different types available and what parameters they read to help growers determine what they will need in their gardens.32 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015



MEASURING UP offer a more economical approach for“IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT GROWING, INVESTING monitoring at least some of the mostIN VARIOUS NUTRIENT METERS WILL PAY OFF.” important nutrient levels. As with most things, using the proper technique is critical in achieving accurate results and successful process—your finger can sense cold outcomes. The three macronutrients— and hot, not wet. A moisture meter nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium— allows you to achieve optimal moisture are the most critical to get right. levels and cycling. Throughout the Without comprehensive knowledge growing cycle, watering requirements of all the various nutrients in your change quite a bit depending on the nutrient solution or soil, trying to maturity and growth phase of the plant, troubleshoot the cause of a particular as well as changes in ambient air flow symptom in your plants can be a wild and temperature. Plants take oxygen in goose chase. For example, chlorosis is through their roots as part of the cycle almost always caused by a lack of iron, to metabolize sugars to produce energy but deficient calcium levels will also for growth, reproduction or other life cause this problem. processes, so the proper moisture level ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITYin the soil is critical and a meter to help with this can be vital. AND SALINITYMost gardeners use at least a couple DISSOLVED OXYGEN Electrical conductivity (EC) metersof meters routinely to help them do not directly measure the nutrientget the most out of their efforts.Everyone wants superior production Among the most important levels in water, rather, they measure aand top-quality taste and there are somany different factors affecting these measurements we want to take for solution’s electrical conductivity, whichtwo primary goals. This is where anunderstanding of the different meters our nutrient solution orand soil tests comes in handy. So whatare the primary parameters gardeners recirculating water iswant to know? This article provides abasic rundown of some of the main the dissolved oxygen “A MOISTURE METER ALLOWS YOUones, such as moisture and nutrient content, which refers TO ACHIEVE OPTIMAL MOISTURElevels, dissolved oxygen, electrical to the level of free,conductivity, total dissolved solids, non-compoundturbidity, pH, temperature, CO2 levelsand air flow. oxygen present in LEVELS AND CYCLING.” water or other liquids. This measurement is critical in deep water culture systems but not as important for other hydroponic systems. NUTRIENTS Nutrient levels are anMOISTURE important aspect of growing that gardenersThe need to constantly measure your need to get right. Too littlegrow media’s moisture levels with a of any of the critical nutrientsmeter is relatively low with soilless can cause a degradationmediums, but for soil it’s a different in plant vigor, fruiting, rootstory. Cycling the soil between moist growth, basic plant health andand relatively dry can be advantageous even taste. High-quality, accuratefor root development and the various meters that measure specificplant functions of respiration and nutrients can be hard to findnutrient uptake, but every set-up is without paying a healthy price fordifferent and a standard watering them, but if you are serious aboutschedule will not deal with these growing, investing in various nutrientdifferences. Gauging soil moisture meters will pay off. Testing kits willusing your finger can be an inaccurate34 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015



MEASURING UP “NUTRIENT UPTAKE BY THE PLANT IS AFFECTED IN A MAJOR WAY BY THE pH.”is great for determining salinity, as salts The dissolved solids in water are for pHconduct electricity. For the most part, the most part salts. Some regions innutrients are a form of various salts. Canada have high TDS in the water, so Technically, pH is the negativeKnowing the electrical conductivity, when filling your nutrient tank using logarithm of the activity of thewhich indicates the salt levels, can this type of water, the EC reading is hydrogen ion. In practice, it is thegive a fairly accurate reading of the going to be higher before you add any measurement of the acidity or basicityconcentration of nutrients in the water nutrients. To get an accurate idea of of the solution or soil. Nutrient uptakeor nutrient solution. Distilled water the nutrient level using an EC meter, by the plant is affected in a major waydoes not contain any salts, which means you would basically tare the meter by the pH. Most plants prefer a pH reading by the factor of the source between 5 and 6.5 (mildly acidic), water’s EC reading. and high pH will make most nutrients unavailable to plants. Many things“KNOWING THE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY, affect pH, so it is not practical to try to WHICH INDICATES THE SALTS, CAN GIVE A FAIRLY keep it at a certain level, but you can ACCURATE READING OF THE CONCENTRATION OF add chemicals or other nutrients that NUTRIENTS IN THE WATER OR NUTRIENT SOLUTION.” can bring your pH back to a good level. There are many accurate, inexpensiveit does not conduct electricity and does pH meters available. You should have anot influence an EC meter’s readings. good idea what the pH of your solutionIn this case, a TDS meter would be or soil is throughout the growing cycle.more useful. If you are growing in Most soil test kits use colour metricssoil, an EC meter isn’t the best to provide an indication of whatevertool for checking nutrient levels nutrient or other parameter you intendbecause there are often many to check. A colour chart compares howother non-nutrient salts in soil. the sample you tested looks comparedSoil test kits are a better option to a background standard. Turbidity isin this case. a reading of suspended solids. These floating particles can alter the colourTOTAL DISSOLVED of the sample reading, and when thisSOLIDS occurs, you’ll need to filter them out before running the test. In most cases, aYour source water has an important clean coffee filter will improve the clarityinfluence on EC readings. This enough to give a reasonably accurateinfluence can be determined by the total reading. You may want to rinse the filterdissolved solids (TDS) in the source with distilled water before using it towater going into your nutrient tank. ensure there isn’t anything influencing the pH level in the filter material.36 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015

TEMPERATURE, AIR FLOW air, while others are fine in a wide range of Having a basic idea of what typesAND HUMIDITY humidity levels. Whether you get around to of meters are available can help checking all three of these air readings— you plan an initial operatingThe temperature of the solution or temperature, air flow and humidity—will budget and give you ideas forsoil and the ambient air temperature depend on the plants you grow as well as future additions to your tool box.of your growroom are both important your operating budget. The basic information here isthings to keep track of. Warm only intended to help guide yourair temperatures help increase CARBON DIOXIDE decisions about what meters or testphotosynthesis, transpiration and kits you’ll be interested in havingrespiration. Low air temperatures Plants take in carbon dioxide and put around. Successful growrooms arereduce energy use and increase the off oxygen during photosynthesis. A typically the result of keeping notesstorage of sugars. Sustained warm plant can benefit from even moderately on previous experiences. Recordingtemperatures can cause a plant elevated levels of CO2 in the ambient air, the various parameters you measureto break dormancy and return to but when providing additional CO2 for and making slight adjustments onevigorous growth. Excessively hot air maximizing yield, it is critical to monitor at a time can help you improvetemperatures cause plant stress by CO2 levels. Excessive CO2 is detrimental to your outcomes. Growing plants isincreasing the demand for water the health of your plants, not to mention truly an application of science—getthrough transpiration and evaporation your own health. involved and enjoy!beyond the capacity of the root system.The resulting lack of water thencauses desiccation and flagging,and ultimately leaf scorch, “HAVING A BASIC IDEA OF WHAT TYPES OF METERS AREplant decline and even death.Most grow lights produce AVAILABLE CAN HELP YOU PLAN AN INITIAL BUDGET OR GIVEheat, which needs to be YOU IDEAS FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS TO YOUR TOOL BAG.”adequately removed from thegarden. Maintaining the right airtemperature is vital, and althoughwe can sense temperature with ourskin, this is still an inaccurate way todetermine temperature.As for soil or solution temperature,soil biology is greatly affected bytemperature. If the temperaturerises above 35°C, micro-organismactivity slows down. This is also truewhen the soil or nutrient solutionis too cold (below 4°C). Whenmicro-organism activityslows down, plantrespiration slowsdown. Adequaterespiration ratesare needed for planthealth and vigour.Improperly controlledsoil or solutiontemperatures directlyaffect this.Air needs to movewithin the grow area tocirculate CO2 properlyand make sure there are nohot areas. There are metersto check this, and also metersthat measure the room’s relativehumidity. Some plants do poorly in dry Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015 37

Don’tB U G Me: Four Common Problems in the Garden by Alan Ray People are looking more and more for chemical-free options to control pests and diseases. Alan Ray has some ideas on how to combat aphids, brown fungus, early blight and black spot naturally.38 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015



DON’T BUG ME Aphids40 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015 Aphids are small parasitic insects that can wreak havoc on fruit trees, vegetable gardens, ornamentals, shade trees and most shrubs. Aphids are prolific reproducers and voracious eaters. That is how—unless you keep a sharp eye out— they can nearly destroy a plant before you even realize it is infected. Adult aphids and their nymphs suck the life-giving sap from the leaves of the plant. When a colony of aphids feed on a plant, in addition to the obvious damage inflicted by their feeding, they leave behind a sticky, honeydew-like substance, creating prime conditions for mould to grow on the leaves and the fruit. Twisted and distorted leaves are common on aphid-infested plants and the fruit produced is often deformed and much smaller than normal. Badly infected branches and leaves may eventually drop off. Fortunately, there are a variety of natural remedies at our disposal to combat them. One is the aphid midge, which lays its eggs amongst the aphids. The eggs hatch after two or three days and the larvae feed on the aphids for up to five days before they get the hard-wired signal to bore into the ground, where they pupate. About two weeks later, they emerge as adults and the cycle resumes. Place 3-5 cocoons per plant and 5-10 on each of your trees, depending on their size. Another control measure is spraying plants and vegetables with water forcefully enough to wash the aphids off of the leaves. Rinse the smaller plants more frequently and be sure to rinse the undersides of the leaves. Brown Rot Fungus Fungus is a common problem facing plants of all types, especially fruiting trees. Some fungus is necessary and actually beneficial to certain plants, but other types, such as the type that causes brown rot, can have a devastating effect on your garden. Fruit infected with brown rot begins to TWISTED AND DISTORTED LEAVES ARE COMMON ON APHID-INFESTED PLANTS AND THE FRUIT PRODUCED IS OFTEN DEFORMED AND MUCH SMALLER THAN NORMAL. display small brown spots that spread quickly and eventually cover the entire fruit with brownish-grey spores. Mummified fruit is the end-result. When available, plant fungus-resistant cultivars. Additionally, prune or remove the visibly damaged fruit from the tree. This allows for better air circulation, creates a drier environment and reduces the chance of reinfection. After blossoming, spray the plant with a sulfur solution and then again before harvesting to prevent brown rot from occurring in storage.

Early Blight practice crop rotation. Clean up any old plant debris that may harbour the fungus. Remove all highly infected plantsThis is another problem brought on by fungus and and destroy them. Additionally, the use of organic, copper-generally affects potatoes and tomato plants. Early blight is based fungicides can help stop the spread of this fungus-just what the name indicates—a blight that appears on the based disease.leaves of the plant early in its development. Signs of earlyblight appear as small brown spots that begin to spread Black Spotrapidly, eventually covering the entire leaf and spreading toother leaves. Use disease-free seeds and seed potatoes and Just as the name implies, black spot fungus appears on the leaves of rose bushes as small dark spots circled by a SIGNS OF EARLY yellowish tissue. Black spot is moisture driven and can also BLIGHT APPEAR infect the stems of the rose, causing black, purplish blisters on young stalks. Once started, black spot is difficult to AS SMALL control, but there are measures one can introduce to reduce BROWN the risk of infection. Avoid getting the leaves wet when SPOTS THAT watering and keep plants well pruned to encourage air flow. BEGIN TO SPREAD Removing the infected leaves and stems is paramount. You RAPIDLY, EVENTUALLY may also spray your plants early on with a sulfur solution. COVERING THE ENTIRE LEAF AND Another natural method gaining in popularity is spraying SPREADING TO OTHER LEAVES. your rose bushes with a solution consisting of 1 tsp. baking soda to 1 L of water. The list of insects, fungi, diseases and natural disasters that besiege our plants daily is virtually endless. Hopefully the above recommendations will help you battle these four common pest and disease issues. Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015 41

Growing 101:Perfectpotting mixeSsStarting with a good potting by Grubbycupmix can make a big differencein how well a container gardenperforms. Grubbycup sharesthe basics on what to look for.42 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015



PERFECT POTTING MIXES “The ideal potting mixC ontainer provides suitable gardening is a aeration‚ moistureperfect option forthose just learning retention andhow to grow plants, anchoringas well as growers for plants’with little space rootto work with. There are a systems.”variety of potting mixes, bothcommercial and homemade,  Peat moss holds water well when moist,available for use in containers. although it can become somewhatHere are the basics on what can be hydrophobic when allowed to completely dryfound in many potting mixes. out. Peat moss is harvested from peat bogs. Soil is comprised primarily of fragments of mineral Moss grows on top of older dead moss androck. As rocks break down from weathering or in turn dies, decomposes and becomes peaterosion, they are broken into smaller pieces. The moss while new growth continues above. It issmall pieces are called sand, the really small pieces similar to humus in that it is the more stableare silt and the tiniest pieces are clay. The soiltexture—sandy loam, silty clay, sandy clay, etc.—is  stage of plant decomposition.based on what percentage of each a soil contains. Coir is made from ground coconut husks,For example, sandy loam is mostly sand and silt, and and is used primarily for water retentionsilty clay is mostly silt and clay. Organic material in true soil and structure. Once a waste product of theis only about 5%. Soil is heavy and tends to have aeration coconut industry, coir has become a popularissues. Although it is possible, it is uncommon to use actual choice either by itself or in combination withsoil in container gardening. Soilless potting mixes are an improvement over soil when  other ingredients.used in containers or garden plots. They tend to be made Rice hulls are a by-product of the ricefrom a blend of both inorganic and organic materials industry. They break down slowly and offerdesigned to be lighter and better draining than soil. The ideal a nice environment for micro-organismpotting mix provides suitable aeration, moisture retention and growth—so much so they should be usedanchoring for plants’ root systems. The amount of air space in in moderation so as not to encourage ana potting mix is called the porosity. A porous mix will dry out overabundance of such growth.quickly and require frequent watering; a non-porous mix maystay wet too long, resulting in aeration issues. Potting mixes tend to include several different ingredientsintended to achieve an overall result. For example, perliteadds porosity, and peat and coco coir both increase waterretention, so a combination of perlite and peat or coirmight be used to achieve a balance between the two thatis conducive to plant growth. Although there are manyingredients found in potting mixes, common organiccomponents of potting mixes often include peat, coir, ricehulls, compost, humus and wood chips:44 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015



PERFECT POTTING MIXES “Not only does compost46 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015 contribute water retention and structure, it also contains many useful macro— and micronutrients, as well as beneficial acids and micro-organisms.”  Compost (preferably homemade) can be included or added to potting mixes. While compost by definition is still in the decomposition stage, the more stable humus (compost that has completed decomposition) can also be used. Although humus does not have the same nutritional value as compost since decomposition uses nutrients up, it still contains useful beneficial acids and adds structure to the mix. Not only does compost contribute water retention and structure, it also contains many useful macro- and micronutrients, as well as beneficial acids and  micro-organisms. Wood chips, sawdust, bark and other wood products are also used in some potting mixes. Smaller particle sizes hold more water, but also break down faster. Large wooden particles  break down slowly, but are not as absorbent. Biosolids are occasionally used in low-quality potting mixes. Biosolids are made from city sewage sludge and may contain harmful chemicals and hormones. I recommend avoiding any product containing biosolids.

Common inorganic nutrients, although the amount included varies from just components of potting enough to help avoid minor nutrient deficiencies up to mixes include perlite, products designed to be used with little or no additional vermiculite, pumice, fertilization needed. grow stones, stonewool Commercial mixes can be convenient as they often include and expanded clay a variety of components and save the consumer from having pebbles, which all too many half-filled bags of ingredients in their garage. contribute to porosity. Mixing large amounts of potting mix by hand can be They also are similar to strenuous work, and miscalculations with the amendments each other, in that they used can be detrimental to plant growth. are made by melting rock or Even if a gardener chooses the convenience of purchasing glass and then manipulating it to a commercial potting mix and has no intention of making increase surface area and air space. their own, they should have some understanding of the Another attribute of potting mixes to consider ingredients so they can make informed selections. Starting is their starting fertilizer “charge,” if any. Many with a good potting mix can make a bushel of difference inpotting mixes contain at least some starting how well a container garden performs. Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015 47

Illuminating the Indoors Lighting Tips and Tricks by Matt LeBannister Supplying your plants with a sufficient amount of light is crucial to the success of your indoor gardening adventures. Here’s how to get the most lighting for your buck.48 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015

L ight is the initial energy source of nearly all of the food chains on the planet. When mankindfirst learned to harness the power of the sun to growcrops, civilization began and we haven’t looked back.We are now in a new era of agriculture, an era wheregardens have become more advanced and technologyis playing an ever-increasing role in our foodproduction. Gardening indoors is at the forefront ofchanges happening in the gardening world. When webring the garden indoors, we are saying we have theknowledge and ability to compete with nature. Supplying your indoor garden with sufficient light isof the utmost importance. There are many ways to goabout this depending on a variety of factors such asspace and the types of plants being grown. There arealso many ways we can improve upon the lighting weuse to garden indoors. We can make our lighting moreefficient to get the most out of the hard-earned dollarswe spend on lighting gear and electricity for each crop.BUYING BULBSBuying the right bulb for both the growth andflowering phases of plant growth is essential. Eachstage of plant development has different lightingrequirements. Plants in the growth stage require 18 hours of uninterrupted light and six hours ofdarkness per day. They also grow best under bulbslabelled “cool” or “blue” or “grow.” These bulbs provide “Buying the right bulb for both the growth and flowering phases of plant growth is essential.” Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015 49

ILLUMINATING THE INDOORS“Always replace your bulbs after 9-12 months of continuous use.”“blue” light in the range of 6,500 K. 4-5 times the PAR watts than the your bare hands if you can avoid it. TheUsing these bulbs during the grow phase discount industrial bulb. oils on your hands will actually burnwill boost leafy growth while keeping into the surface of your bulb, slightlyplants dense and squat. REPLACING BULBS diminishing the lumen output. Plants in the flowering stage of Never get liquid on your bulbs whileplant growth will require 12 hours Always replace your bulbs after 9-12 they are on. I have heard countlessof uninterrupted light followed by months of continuous use. Those PAR stories of individuals accidentally12 hours of uninterrupted darkness watts drop fast. We may not notice the misting their bulb when foliar feedingper day. Flowering plants grow best difference, but your plants definitely their plants only to have the bulbunder bulbs labelled “warm” or “red” can and plants under new bulbs always explode on contact with the coolor “flower.” These bulbs provide light grow better than under older bulbs. water. Not only is this mistake costly,at the red end of the spectrum, which When replacing your bulbs, there are it is also dangerous, as glass shardsboosts flower and fruit production. some tricks that can make the process will become shrapnel. HID bulbs with Wattage is also important when buying easier. Almost all high-quality grow damage to the outermost layer of glasshigh intensity discharge (HID) bulbs. bulbs have a one-year manufacturer’s must not be used. This layer of glassThe wattage generally dictates the warranty. Most retailers will etch the filters out the harmful UVA and UVBamount of area that can be lit and the date into the base of the bulb at the rays emitted by the light and can causenumber of fast-growing plants that can time of purchase. If they don’t, you sunburn and blindness.be successfully grown. A 400-W bulb should. Adding a bit of petroleum jellycan light a 3-ft. by 3-ft. space, a 600-W to the threads on the base of your bulb “Never handlebulb can light a 4-ft. by 4-ft. space, and your bulbs with youra 1,000-W bulb can light up a 5-ft. by will make it much easier bare hands if you5-ft. space. to remove when When considering bulb options the time comes. can avoid it.”before purchase, be sure to find out Also, neverthe PAR (photosynthetically active handle yourradiation) watts of the bulb. The PAR bulbs withwatts of any given bulb gives you theactual amount of light energy yourplant will be able to absorb from thatbulb. This level will diminish as thebulb gets used and ages. For instance,if you buy a 1,000-W high pressuresodium (HPS) bulb from an industriallighting supplier, it may only have 75PAR watts for that bulb. A 1,000-WHPS from a hydroponics retailerwould easily provide50 Maximum Yield Canada  |  July/August 2015