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Planting by the moon, Industrial Hemp, The Great UK Hydro Store Survey and much, much more.
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in your growroom
USA - CAN
ADA EDITIO
N · ISSU
E 6 · SUMM
ER 2015
GARDENCU LT U R E
USA - CANADA EDITION · ISSUE 6 · 2015
$5,95 US | $5.95 CANDisplay until 09-30-2015
GA
RD
ENC
ULT
UR
EMA
GA
ZIN
E.C
OM
the Rise, Fall & Resurrection of an American Industry
Planting by the Moon
TheGreatUK
industrial hemp
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Most Sun System reflectors use HortiBright, a five layer coating system thatmaintains it’s high (95%) reflectivity. Uncoated finishes begin to dull immediately, quickly losing their reflective properties which even when new aresubstantially less reflective (about 70%) than HortiBright. Less reflectivity means poorer performance --- a difference you’ll see in the performance of your plants.
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THE RIGHT LIGHT LEC™ SERIES
LEC™ 315 LIGHT EMITTING CERAMIC™
NEW! LEC™ 315 COMMERCIAL
Sun System’s wildly popular LEC 315 has exceeded everyone’s expectations. It’s a complete system, premium Sun System Reflector, ballast and lamp…just plug-it-in and go! Choose between 3100K or 4200K lamps. Available in 120V or 240V.
The compact commercial design minimizes greenhouse sunlight blockage. And like all LEC Series systems, the LEC 315 Commercial creates amazing full color light spectrum out of next generation ceramic lamps. Available in 3100K and 4200K lamps and 200-240V, 277V and 480V.
Most Sun System reflectors use HortiBright, a five layer coating system thatmaintains it’s high (95%) reflectivity. Uncoated finishes begin to dull immediately, quickly losing their reflective properties which even when new aresubstantially less reflective (about 70%) than HortiBright. Less reflectivity means poorer performance --- a difference you’ll see in the performance of your plants.
Double your growing power with the LEC 630. This complete system (includes premium Sun System reflector, ballast and (2) LEC 315 lamps) makes indoor gardening easier than ever. Just take it out of the box and plug-it-in! Available in 3100K and 4200K lamps and 120V, 240V, 277V, 480V.
Successful indoor growing relies on using the right light. Sun Systems revolutionary LEC Series delivers the right light and the broadest selection of lighting options in Light Emitting Ceramic™ lighting systems.
NEW! LEC™ 315 REMOTE
LEC™ 630 LIGHT EMITTING CERAMIC™
LEC = OPTIMUM LIGHTING - CHECK OUT OUR SPECTRAL RANGE
wavelength (nm)400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 800 850 900 950 1000
1600 -1500 -1400 -1300 -1200 -1100 -1000 -
900 -800 -700 -600 -500 -400 -300 -200 -100 -
0 -
CDM 315/U/O/930 (3100º K Lamp)
wavelength (nm)
400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 800 850 900 950 1000
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 10
IN THIS ISSUE OF GARDEN CULTURE:
WHO’S GROWING WHAT WHERE
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CALCULATING WITH LIGHT
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PLANT HORMONES
7 GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 7
CONTENTS I INDEX
N-Pee-K 101
FOOD PATENTS
9 Foreword
10 Product Spotlight
14 Plantingbythemoon
19 UrbanGrow
20 ThegreatUKhydrostoresurvey
30 Plantauxinsandcytokinins
34 Californiacrops–anunquenchablethirst
37 Fivecoolfinds
40 Higherlevelsofplantnutricion
46 Justbeetit!
48 Industrialhemp
55 Column:expertbelievers
57 Who’sGrowingWhatWhere
60 Whatishumidity
64 Gettingtothetruth
68 Properwateringtechniques
72 Podcasting:NPKlive
74 Jalapeñoheaven
79 Canningisn’texpensive
82 Calculatingwithlight
89 Roundup’snewclassificationoutragesMonsanto
95 Whyshouldweuseenzymes?
98 Canplantstalk?
101 N-Pee-K:urinethegarden
TheGreatUK
8
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† Results obtained from independent plant growth trials. Individual growth results may vary to a degree. Additional results and details are available.
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FOREWORD
We are proud to announce the launch of our new
website, www.gardenculturemagazine.com, where
you’ll f ind hundreds of unique blogs, and free
digital copies of all our past and present magazines.
Now you can read any issue online.
With so much information out there, and so many self appointed “master growers” ready to tell you how to grow, my warning to you is don’t believe everything you read, and don’t discount other ideas just because they have not been proven scientifically or simply sound crazy. “Science can only answer a question that it chooses to, and sometimes it simply cannot, or will not. Keep an open mind. Earth remains full of countless unknowns - mysteries that beg investigation.” -- Judd Stone, “Planting By The Moon” (p. 14) So, where do you go to learn to grow? Who’s advice are you taking, and is it working for you? Who can you trust? In our opinion piece “Expert Believers” (p. 59), Theo Tekstra rants about self-appointed “Master Growers” or Expert Believers. The Internet is full of them, out there on your favorite FB forum, or YouTube channel. Showing you pictures of their amazing gardens, and telling you how it’s done. Some of them are brilliant, and others are, well... not. Fear not there is still credible information out there, but don’t believe everything some dude tells you on the Internet. Proper research is often just a couple of clicks away. Happy gardening. 3 Eric
CREDITS
Garden Culture™ is a publication of 325 Media Inc.
E D I TO R SExecutive Editor:Eric CoulombeEmail:[email protected] Editor:Tammy ClaytonEmail: [email protected]
V P O P E R AT I O N S :Celia SayersEmail:[email protected]. 1-514-754-1539
D E S I G NJob HugenholtzEmail - [email protected]
Special thanks to:Our writers Tammy Clayton, Judd Stone, Sara Jelly, Grubbycup, Amber Fields, Evan Folds, Kyle L. Ladenburger, Theo Tekstra, Callie Coe, Tim Miller, Agent Green, Rick Le Renard, Dillon Abruzzese, Keith Roberto
P U B L I S H E R325 Media44 Hyde Rd., Milles IslesQuébec, Canadat. +1 (844) GC GROWS w. www.gardenculturemagazine.com Email - [email protected]
A D V E R T I S I N GEric Coulombe Email - [email protected] t. 1-514-233-1539
D I S T R I B U T I O N PA R T N E R S• Sunlight Supply• Hydrofarm• Rambridge• Biofloral
Website: www.Gardenculturemagazine.com facebook.com/GardenCulture twitter.com/GardenCulture
© 325 MediaAll rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from 325 Media Inc.
FOREWORD I CREDITS
9 GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 9
freshproduct spotlight
Canna 20%
Canna 59%
Quality is one of the most important values of CANNA.We also value our customers for helping us be the best selling nutrient in the United Kingdom for 20 years! We always strive to develop and manufacture the highest quality products. Our research department team is constantly busy developing, and improving the CANNA product line. All the products are registered, and fulfill country specific laws and regulations. CANNA products are specifically designed for what the plants need. If you grow in soil, coco, a run to waste system, or a recirculating system - CANNA has something for you! For more information about CANNA, and its products visit their website www.canna-uk.com.
CANNA quality proves itself!
What is your
Favorite Nutrient?
In this edition we will feature
the winners of the survey.
WinnersSurvey
Who is your preferred
What is your Most Sold Nutrient?
hydrostoresurvey
TheGreatUK
HydroGarden is thrilled to be recognised as the UK
retailers’ preferred hydroponic distributor. We work hard
to offer great customer service, expert technical advice,
timely deliveries, and a wide variety of market-leading
products.
We continually seek to develop new, innovative
hydroponic solutions, and improve our ranges. The
imminent launch of the new VitaLink sees a combination
of stunning recipes for better growth, and appealing
product designs to attract customers.
….And that’s not all, we’re also at the cutting edge
of vertical farming technology, increasing awareness of
the benefits of different types of hydroponic techniques,
while seeking to improve the availability of locally grown
fresh vegetables
distributor?Hydrogarden 27%
10
freshproduct spotlightBuddahs Tree 19%
Buddhas Tree is a UK-based family-owned company. Created
from one man’s vision, and driven by passions built up over a
lifetime of growing. They’ve set the benchmark for the future
with their aim of producing unique additives of the highest
quality and safety - and without compromise.
Buddhas Tree has blazed a trail with their best selling PK 9-18.
This unique bio-mineral flowering stimulator has gained its
own reputation with growers simply through the quality and
yield of the fruits and flowers that it produces. They were
one of the first companies to advocate a 1:2 ratio of P and
K in their formula to suit
the most popular varieties
of fast flowering plants.
This enables much heavier
fruiting, whilst the bio base
helps the plants to build
essential oils, and at a huge
increase.
What is your preferred bulb
brand and wattage?
MagneticMaxibright 22%
We are proud to have ranked #1 - thank you to all who participated.It is through our commitment and passion that we have earned a reputation for being specialists in this field. Delivering excellent and consistent service, we strive to accommodate all our customer’s needs, whilst being fair in all our business activities.
All products are continually scrutinised for quality, and value for money. All our products are manufactured to CE, British Standards, and are RoHs compliant. This is to make sure that you as a purchaser are buying the best quality products; legally, and safely. All Maxibright products go through rigorous in-house end-of-line testing. Our internal systems and procedures, integrated with well-trained staff ensure that our quality is second to none. We want you, as the end user of Maxibright products, to rest assured that they have been designed with safety, and reliability in mind.
What is your What is your Favorite
Supplement/Additive?
distributor?
Favorite Ballast?
Sunmaster 38%
Developed by distinguished physicists, and leading agricultural
researchers, the Sunmaster line has been built on the marvelous
versatility and flexibility of metal halide technology. By blending
specific halides in the arc tubes, we’ve created lamps that
offer significantly more usable light energy for hydroponics,
and horticultural gardening. Each Sunmaster lamp has been
customized to meet the diverse nutrition requirements of
plants at various stages of their growth cycles.
So, while the sun may come and go, Sunmaster lamps are sure
to consistently provide new levels of quality, and productivity.
Welcome to the future of light... Welcome to SUNMASTER.
All Sunmaster lamps are designed to operate on electronic
ballasts
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 11
12
product spotlight
Bluelab 59%
Our products are people-friendly. We place great emphasis on simple design, and straightforward functionality. We’re sticklers for accuracy, reliability, and ease of use. When you can test something easily and accurately, you can manage it. That small, but important job will enable you to get the most from water-based plant growing systems.It’s not just about products. Open information-sharing, reliable service, individual responsiveness – these matter a great deal. They’re a big part of the unique Bluelab promise.
Adjust-A-Wing 30%
Adjust-A-Wing’s Avenger Reflector Range has been our
flagship product since 2003. We vapor coat our surfaces with
molten glass, titanium dioxide, and PVD/Ceramic. The result is
the most reflective, and most durable surface known to science
- 95 to 97%! It will maintain full reflection for up to 20 years.
Our NEW Enforcer reflector range possesses the same
essential features as the Avenger models, save for the “glass-
coated” finish, and the high-end price tag. The finish on the
Enforcer Wings is 85% reflective, and guaranteed for 3 years.
The word on the street is that these reflectors throw a huge
light footprint, run nice and cool, produce
killer yields - and have gained the respect
and admiration of all who use them !
Rhino 35%
Rhino filters are highly effective at cleaning air of dust, debris, and odours before it
leaves the grow room. The activated carbon in Rhino filters has been ground to a
fine powder so there are no air pockets in which odours can remain, instead plant
and fertiliser odours are trapped, and absorbed.
The carbon has been positively charged, so it attracts
organic particles like a magnet! Every filter is checked
and certified to confirm the source and quality of the
carbon. Both our Pro and Hobby filter ranges use
virgin granulated carbon, and are made from lightweight
aluminium for easy handling. The only difference is that the carbon bed is deeper in
the pro filter for a longer life.
What is yourfavourite
reflector?
What is your preferred
brand of carbon filters?
What are your favorite pH and EC meters?
Indoor hydroponic gardening is still not a mainstream idea, although most people eat hydroponic lettuce
regularly, or even have a traditional outdoor garden - the idea of growing food or medicine in their basements
has never really crossed their minds. For the most part food and medicine is something you buy in a store, or
your doctor prescribes it.
BY JUDD STONE
moonMOONplanting by the
the newest thing to make your garden better
14
Not you, reader of Garden Culture, you not only know about
indoor agriculture, you’re hungry to learn more. You want
to know what’s next? What is the newest thing that is going
to make your garden better? The answer is anything you
are willing to observe. Participating in garden forums and
discussions with other gardeners has been a treasure trove of
thought-provoking information for me. Yes, there are tons of
bogus claims out there, lots of misinformation, but buried in
countless posts there are rare gems of information.
I have to admit, I’m not much of a gardener of faith. I rely on
scientific facts - tried and true methods to shape my gardening
expectations. How my different plants will progress through
their seasonal cycles is completely predictable, and 100% in
my hands. The tenure of experience built is what leads to
irrefutable knowledge of what one can
expect... at least that’s what I thought.
About a year ago I was participating in
a discussion online about cutting edge
urban farming concepts. Again, being the
cause and effect gardener that I am, I
scoffed at someone’s assertion
that the moon had some effect
on her ability to root clones. This seemed to carry a
level of mysticism that was enough for me to almost totally
discredit the concept. Almost, but curiosity got the better of
me - I needed to know more. Maybe there was something
about the gravitational pull having a bio-stimulating effect on
the plant making it easier to grow during certain moon phases.
You know, some scientific facts to help connect the dots. So
I did my regular Google searches, asked my peers what they
knew on the subject. I couldn’t find even one scientific study
that proved that the moon had any effect on germination. I did
find several less scientific articles filled more with anecdotal
evidence than research that believed in the moons powers. I
wasn’t satisfied.
I started making my own observations on my seeding and
cloning of plants throughout the following year. My results
were less than coincidental, and did support the original claims
that this woman on the thread had tried to relay to me. Over
several months I started dozens of clones and seeds. I observed,
when taking clones between 10 to upwards of 20 days before
the full moon in a controlled environment, regardless of lead
time, they seemed to hang up, or readily root by, or around the
full moon. I honestly was hoping to find the opposite results, and
go back to my science loving ways. But no, the fairytale proved
itself not a myth, but a reality via observation. The concept now
deserves a little credit.
Planting crops according to the moon’s phases is almost older
than dirt - a concept older than the farmer’s almanac itself.
Recordings of planting crops by the moon phases go back as far
as early civilization. It’s not just a metaphysical idea, there is some
underlying practicality.
They used the full moon for its most simple, and obvious purpose...
light. The full moon lit the fields for the advantageous farmer of
old, to enable working into the night planting the crops needed
to sustain the village. Obviously this early in the season, daylight
hours are short, and dry days are usually
less likely than wet ones. So a nice dry day
around the full moon at the beginning of
the season affords the opportunity to get
everything planted at once.
Fast forward to today, and there are
further observations being made about
the advantages of planting and cloning
with the moon cycle. Is there something to it? Hard to say
at this point beyond my own observations, there are very
few scholarly articles that even take a look at it, but some
are found in the Oxford Journals, which for the most part
are inconclusive, yet admit, that more is known today than
when the practice took root. Based on that knowledge, and
modern understanding of the moon, answers to some of these
questions are closer than ever before, because the moon’s
effects are predictable day-to-day, and all that’s required now
is a scientific and studious observation. Naturally, this takes
a lot of time, and a lot of trials based on eliminating other
factors that may take effect on the outcome of observation.
We are well on our way to legitimizing lunar effect research as
we continue to ponder all the unknown forces that affect all life
on this planet. I gained a great lesson from this. Science does help
me define why, and how certain inputs will affect plant growth.
But, science can only answer a question that it chooses to, and
sometimes it simply cannot, or will not. Keep an open mind.
Earth remains full of countless unknowns - mysteries that beg
investigation. 3
science can only answer a question that it chooses to
moon“the fairytale proved itself
not a myth, but a reality”
“I rely on scientific facts -
tried and true methods
LUNAR EFFECT
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 15
GARDENCU LT U R E
the art of growing
www.gardenculturemagazine.com
Garden Culture Magazine.com Awesome new design,
hundreds of unique blogs, come check us out
“Wow! You have kicked some serious ass with the development
of this website. I’m impressed! I built my first site in 1993 and through my agencies, etc. and have built literally hundreds of websites since
then. This one is memorable...”
Trey Carskadon Director of MarketingSunlight Supply, Inc.
Adaptable to most environments, the project uses mobile
racks fitted with gully trays designed for easy crop growth
and harvest. They’ve installed Valoya LED lights above
each level for optimum crop growth lighting conditions. A
slight incline in each gully ensures thorough circulation of
water, and nutrient solution.
Controlled via tablet or PC, they’ve outfitted the system
with fans, ventilation equipment, and the room is fully
insulated for temperature control. This system is non-
crop-specific, making it suitable for most salad crops.
“Urban Grow is an exciting development for the vertical
farming industry,” says HydroGarden’s Stephen Fry. After
two years of working on creating, and fine-tuning this
project, they now have a reliable, accurate, easy to use, and
technologically advanced system that’s perfect for crop
growing in urban environments. Since the government
recently announced its increasing spend on locally grown
food by $630 million in 2017, the September 2014 launch
timing is spot-on.
They introduced the system last fall at the Vertical Farming
and Urban Agriculture (VFUA) conference at the University
of Nottingham. Kevin Frediani, a keynote speaker at
VFUA, and the head of sustainable agriculture at Bicton
College commented on the system during his presentation
describing it as; “As good as a system gets currently.”
Extensive trials continue on different processes to see
where they can take it next. The continued rapid advances
in technology mean that the possibilities are endless. They’re
poised to help revolutionise food production in the UK at
HydroGarden - the Urban Grow cuts the seed to harvest
time almost in half.
Feeding the ElephantsTwycross elephants won’t forget their first hydroponic
meal... a free lunch courtesy of HydroGarden. Rapidly
growing 2,000 lettuces in the Urban Grow System brought
them to donate most of their November harvest to the
Twycross Zoo. Elephants love lettuce, so the greens were
especially enjoyed in the Elephant Creek neighborhood of
the Leicestershire zoological park.
The gift of 1800 heads of lettuce delighted zoo staff. Even
a small zoo goes through an incredible amount of produce
every day. Julian Chapman, Team Leader of Large Mammals,
visited HydroGarden to see the project in action, and was
very impressed. “It’s great to see how far hydroponics has
come,” he says. “We’re looking forward to keeping in touch
about future projects. It’s even better when our animals get
treats as a result!”
Learn More: www.hydrogarden.co.uk 3
Project Urban Grow“AN EXCITING DEVELOPMENT
FOR THE VERTICAL FARMING INDUSTRY”
Modular racking and gullys used inside Hydrogarden’s vertical farming system -
Project Urban Grow
Lettuces growing in Project Urban Grow at HydroGarden
Elephant enjoying the first taste of urban agriculture
BY SARA JELLY PROJECT
19
HydroGarden in Coventry has entered
the world of vertical farming equipment.
They’ve developed a versatile, modular,
and fully controlled environmental system
to establish a new industry standard in
hydroponic farming.
20
H O W T H E U . K . H Y D R O M A R K E T
I S E V O LV I N G
BY ERIC COULOMBE
hydrostoresurvey
The UK store survey was the biggest article I have taken on since starting with the magazine. At first I was
only going to run it in the UK edition, but after talking to a bunch of stores in the US, I changed my mind.
The UK is an interesting market, with some unique products, and amazing people. I surveyed over 100
stores all across the UK, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
TheGreatUK
2 stores chose not to respond to this question
U.K. HYDROSTORE SURVEY
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 21
100 Stores from across the UK, Scotland,
Wales and Ireland.
This is what they said...
As someone who has spent most of his career in North
America, I had much to learn about how these store owners
operate, and how they are different or similar to shops in
Canada or the USA.
I’m very glad to say the article went over very well, so well,
that I will begin calling stores across the USA and Canada to
see what you think. Yes! The Great North American Hydro
Survey will be taking place NOW. If you are a store owner and
would like to participate; please email us or give us a call, and
ask for Eric. I will be contacting 50 stores from Canada and
200 from the USA asking questions about what they like, love
and sell. We will be able to compare Canada and the US, East
Coast and West. It will be good reading.
For now you can see what is going on in the UK. Where old
school techniques and new technologies compete at getting
attention in almost 500 stores.
Remember these statistics are the opinions of 100 UK store
owners. They do not necessarily reflect the reality of the
entire UK market.
TheGreatUK
How is business going? On a scale from 1 to 10
10 being the best and 1 you are about to go out of business.
Breakdown
4 or Lower Between 5-7 8 AND UP
7 43 48
The overall opinion on how things are going in the UK
market is very positive. Naturally, there were some
who were not doing well, but not one store said they
were going out of business.
The UK market has steadily grown for the past 20 years,
with about half of all new stores opening in the past 5-6
years. Increased competition, and price erosion was the
primary concern of most shop owners. Sound familiar?
7.34
GenderThe Survey
was the average
5% Female
95% male
Q u e s t i o n # 1
Q u e s t i o n # 2
was the average
How many years have you been in business?
Breakdown
3 and under 4 to 6 7 to 9 10 to 14 15 and up
39 32 9 12 6
Q u e s t i o n # 3
Did you attend either of the 2 indoor gardening trade shows in the UK last year?Homegrown Expo – Coventry May 2014 or Grow Expos - London Sept. 2014
Breakdown
Coventry only London only Both Neither
16 14 39 30
Even though the UK market is 20 years old quality trade
shows are still relatively new.
70% of all respondents attended at least one of two shows and
39% went to both. I am not saying that 70% of all the stores
in the UK attended trade shows. But this very high number
certainly indicates a very positive trend towards UK stores
finding value in the information and networking that these
expos provide.
5.66 years
T r a d e S h o w s
How many shops are there in the UK?
The retail hydroponics industry in the UK began about 21
years ago. In 20 short years the market has boomed to over
400-500 stores. Most of them have popped up in the past 5
years. Every growth market must mature eventually.
2 stores chose not to respond to this question
22
117 votes Some storeowners choose multiple companies
Top 3
Hydrogarden 26%
Highlight Horticulture 16%
Growth Technologies 15%
Breakdown
Hydrogarden Nutriculture Highlight Growth Tech Maxigrow Erith
30 16 19 18 8 5
Down to Earth Ikon Eden Space 2 Grow Buddhas Tree
4 4 2 2 2
Distributors are also faced with the challenges that expansion
and competition bring. 18 different companies were named as
favorite. That is a lot of companies fighting for their piece of the
pie. The top four represent 70% of the total vote.
Q u e s t i o n # 4
2 stores said they had no preferred
distributor. 7 other distributors had a
single vote (FHD, BLT Lighting, Century,
DB Wholesale, FC Worldwide, Dutch
Garden Supplies
and Canna…)
Canna?
Who is your preferred distributor?
Q u e s t i o n # 6
What is your favorite additive or supplement? 105 votes
12 Brands received one vote: Organic Rescue Mist, Aptus Regulator, Foxfarm Chaching, Plant Magic CaMg, HESI Supervit, Greenfuse, AN Carboload, Botanicare Liquid Karma, Plant Magic MagiCal, Plagron Green Sensation, Biobizz Root Juice and Go 12-12 from Field Marshall
A modern day hydro David
and Growliath story.
Once again we see even more brands
with 27 nominated as favorite.
Buddhas Tree coming in #1 - more
than doubling the next two best is
impressive, and the biggest surprise
in the survey. This small company
founded in 2010, with a handful of
additives and a good chemist, have
made their mark in the UK market
with ninja-like stealth.
Top 3
Buddhas Tree PK 8-19 19%
Atami Bloombastic 8.5%
Dutch Pro Explode 8.5%
Breakdown
Buddhas tree
Dutch Pro Xplode
Bloombastic
Shogun Sumo
H&G Roots Excellerator
Canna Boost
CX Hydroponics
Hydrotops Triple F
GHE Ripen
Extreme Mykos
Terpinator
Rock Resinator
Solar Green Power
Sugar Babe
Ecothrive Charge
20
9
9
8
8
8
6
5
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
supplements
T r a d e S h o w s What is your favourite Nutrient? I specifically asked for their preferred brand, not necessarily
the best seller in the store. 100 votes
Top 3
Canna 20%
House & Garden 11%
Dutch Pro 10%
23 brands named as favorite. Wow, that’s is a lot of brands. Canna
received almost double the next brand, so it appears they are
clear winners. But with 80% of the stores choosing another brand,
competition is fierce. Many owners are finding new nutrients that they
can call their own. Having exclusive territories has motivated many
store owners to be more open to selling new nutrients.
Breakdown
Canna House & Garden Dutch Pro Shogun Plant Magic Hydro Tops Botanicare HESI
20 11 10 8 7 5 4 3
Green Haze Field Marshall Vitalink Gold Label Biobizz Ferro Advanced Nutrients Metrop
3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2
7 brands had 1 vote. Humboldt, GET, FHD Holland’s Secret, Dutch Master, GHE, Ionic, Biogreen. 4 Stores said they had no preference
and 2 said they just don’t grow, I included them because they had good product knowledge, they just didn’t use it.
Q u e s t i o n # 5
23
U.K. HYDROSTORE SURVEY
Q u e s t i o n # 7
What is the best selling Nutrient line in your shop? 121 votes
Top 3
Canna 59%
Dutch Pro 10%
House & Garden 7%
Breakdown
Canna Dutch Pro H&G BioBizz Plant Magic
71 12 9 6 5
Gold Label Vita Link Ionic HESI
2 2 2 2
10 brands received 1 vote. Atami, Power Feeding, Ferro, Plagron, Hydrotops, Shogun, Bionova, Botanicare, Field Marshall and Advanced Nutrients all had 1
Canna is King! If there was ever a clear winner here it is
Canna at #1 by a landslide. With so many players in the race, and
the obvious trend for shops to support unique/exclusive brands it
is amazing to see such supremacy. Unlike in the USA and Canada,
Canna is in every shop in the UK. They have been the UK’s top
brand since the beginning. 20 years of stable, quality products, and
reliable service has been their recipe for success. The nutrient battle
is on, and there are over 30 nutrient companies trying to make a
name for themselves, and chip away their piece of the market.
Garden_Culture_Magazine_2015-3.indd 1 5/29/15 4:29 PM
Q u e s t i o n # 1 0
Digital Magnetic 50/50
28 63 9
Magnetic wins hands down, but the digital tide is turning.
It was clear, magnetic ballasts still outsell digital in the UK.
Even though they are the ballast of choice, it seems the digital
trend is growing. Over the past 10 years, North American
growers have embraced digital technology. I am not sure of
the exact numbers, but would guess that it would be at least
80% of ballast sales in total are digital. New LED products
continue to intrigue store owners, but have a long way to go
until they are affordable for the average person.
Q u e s t i o n # 8
Do you sell more digital or magnetic ballasts? 100 votes
Q u e s t i o n # 9
Do you have a preferred ballast type/brand? 102 votes
Top 3
Maxibright #1 Ballast 22%
Gavita #1 Digital Ballast 16%
Dimlux 12%
Breakdown
Maxibright Gavita Dimlux Lumii Lumatek Sunmaster
22 16 12 9 8 8
Nanolux Digilight pro Progear Omega Ajustawatt
5 3 3 3 3
3 companies received one vote: Darkstar, Grolux and
Cannatronics. 7 said they had no preference
Maxibright is #1 choice for ballast.
Knowing the results of question #8, it is no surprise to see
a magnetic win as favorite ballast. What is interesting is that
almost every other brand mentioned is digital. Gavita has
grabbed the #1 digital position, and is working hard to keep it.
What is your preferred bulb brand and wattage? 100 votes
Top 3
Sunmaster 38%
Phillips 20%
Sylvania 19%
Breakdown
Sunmaster Phillips Sylvania Omega
38 20 19 4
3 Companies had 1 vote: Gavita, Hortilux and BLV
16 had no preference
UK indoor growers love their 600 watts
600W 1000W 315W 400W LED
81 5 2 11 1
HYDROSTORE SURVEY
25
This is another huge difference between the UK and North
America. Most indoor growers in North America use 1000W.
Often air-cooled and/or connected to a climate system that
will control the heat issues. So, why don’t UK growers use
1000W? Do they know something that we don’t? I’m not
sure. The general consensus was that 600’s are more efficient,
and they do not have tons of space for growing. I could see
how space limitations could count for 60-70% of cases, it still
wouldn’t explain why only 5% use 1000W.
Would you rather have 6 X 1000 Watts, or 10 X 600 Watts in
the same space? Which would produce more? Food for thought.
Sunmaster is choice for price and quality combo.
Sunmaster, almost equaled its two nearest rivals combined.
Lighting giants Sylvania Osram and Phillips are massive
companies to compete against. But Sunmaster is a veteran
manufacturer of HID lighting who has found a way to outshine
its competition in the UK.
Q u e s t i o n # 1 1
What is your preferred method of growing? 100 votes
With almost 60% of the vote, hydro
is clearly the preferred method of
growing.
9 different hydro methods made the
list. DWC was most popular.
Some do it pure, some mix with
perlite or clay pebbles, either way
growing in coco has become one
of the top growing methods, and seems to be increasing in
popularity.
Top 3
Hydro 59%
Coco 25%
Soil 16%
Hydro Breakdown
DWC
NFT
Flood n Drain
Wilma
Bubbler
Ecosystem
Dutch Bucket
Aeroponics
Pebbles
21
13
8
5
3
2
2
2
2
Hydro is big winner Q u e s t i o n # 1 2
What is your preferred brand of carbon filters? 108 votes
Top 3
Rhino 35%
Phresh 19%
Can Filters and Mountain Air each received 17%
Breakdown
Rhino Phresh Can Filters Mountain Air Prima Klima
38 21 18 18 7
4 Brands received 6 votes: Kaizen with 2 and Ram, Bulldog,
Scorpion and Flowfilter received 1 vote.
Phresh, CanFilter and Mountain air are all sold as premium
filters in the UK, and have a strong following with a total
of 57% of total sales. This shows that, as a whole perceived
quality is more important than price. It also shows that for a
large portion of the market price is still a huge factor.
Breakdown
Hydro Coco Soil
59 25 16
Coco 25
Coco coco/clay
19 6
Soil 16
Organic Not organic
6 10
Q u e s t i o n # 1 3
Do you sell water filters (RO filters)? 100 votes
As I continued to hear
no as the answer, and
asked why, I got the same
reasoning I used to hear
12 years ago in Quebec;
“We have good water”, “my plants do just fine in the
water I have, why buy a water filter?” and so on. The
water in the UK is not great, and growers do need to
filter their water.
Soil growers were rare,
and even more rare were
the organic gardeners.
This is very different than
the USA and Canada that
have a huge and thriving
organic movement.
NO YES
67 % 33 %
U.K. HYDROSTORE SURVEY
27
28
29
Q u e s t i o n # 1 4 HYDRO STORE SURVEY I GARDEN CULTURE
What are your favorite pH and EC meters? 123 votes
Q u e s t i o n # 1 5
What is your favorite reflector? 103 votes
Top 3
Adjust-a-Wing 29%
Euro Shade 14%
Parabolic 10%
Breakdown
Top 3
Bluelab 59%
Essentials 27%
HM Digital 11%
With the smallest amount of companies vying for the market
this question received the most amount of total votes. Bluelab
was the clear winner but Essentials is pHecking at its heels.
Most of the votes for Essentials were explained like this, “I
pick Bluelab for EC, and Essentials for pH”. They described
both products as reliable. But people were looking for a less
expensive pH alternative. HM is a newcomer to the UK market
but has gained some ground with their “quality product at a
competitive price” approach.
What was interesting was the complete absence of other
companies like Hanna, Milwaukee, and Oakton.
Adjust- Euro Parabolic Air Goldstar Gavita Sunlight Supply a-Wing cooled AC/DE
30 14 10 7 6 6 5
Mantis Ecotechnics Lumii Supernova F1 Hortiline Alpha Optics
5 3 2 2 2 2
conclusions1. The myth that UK growers are cheap is just
that, a myth.
They will spend more on a product if they feel they’ll have
guaranteed results. Adjust-a-Wing, Canna, and Bluelab win
hands down because they are simple, they work and they have
been consistent for a long time. Not because of price.
2. They are still a frugal bunch.
A pattern throughout the survey was, brand names or premium
products usually had the most votes, but there was always a
good percentage that voted for the value options.
3. Is the UK market still growing?
It is close to saturation levels for retailers for now. Some
geographic markets could sustain more growth, while others
need to shed some weight. The number of products being
offered to stores has skyrocketed over the past 5 years and
store owners have to choose which products they will support.
But the gardeners are another story. As our society shifts
towards a broader acceptance of indoor gardening, both for
food and medicine, we should see a massive influx of new end-
users.
2 brands received 1 vote: Power Plant and Renovado
7 people answered that they have no real preference.
13 different brands of reflectors made the list, whether or
not Adjust-a-Wings are the best reflector is not the question.
They are the most popular and outscored the next branded
product (Goldstar) 5 to 1. With the next 3 most popular
choices being generic reflectors and 7 saying it doesn’t matter
it is clear that many store owners do not see reflectors as an
important element in the garden.
This question may seem less relevant than some of the others
but it isn’t. These numbers reveal much about the UK indoor
gardening market.
4. Last, is my personal reflections of this endeavor.
I have observed something about hydro store owners worldwide.
There is a particular life ideology that is common in hydro people. A
grassroots, slightly revolutionary attitude that is often served with
humor and wit.
So now I will begin calling you, and compiling the North American
Hydro Survey. Stay tuned for the next edition to find out the results.
Eric
BY GRUBBYCUP
Plant auxins are hormones that help guide plant
growth. They work in conjunction with, but in op-
position to cytokinin hormones. They are both re-
quired, and the ratio of one to the other will either
promote root growth (if the ratio has more auxin),
or promote shoot growth and inhibit root growth (if
the ratio has more cytokinin).
IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) and IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) are
the two primary natural plant auxins. Two other natural plant
auxins used by some plants are 4-Cl-IAA (4-Chloroindole-3-
acetic acid), and PAA (2-phenylacetic acid).
The primary (but not the only) flow of IAA is from the growth
tips down through the phloem (transport tubes in the stem)
toward the root tips. The effect is additive, so the effects of
the auxins are least at the top of the plant, and most at the
root tips. The apical (top) budding site generates IAA but
doesn’t get any from above itself, so is the least affected by it.
This causes the top node to grow unhindered, and therefore
generally larger. Anything below it is in part influenced by
the IAA the apical site produces. You can see a similar effect
on the last node on a branch, which tends to be larger than
other sites along that same branch.
A common tactic in pruning is the removal of the top growth
tip or bud, which also removes the IAA it was producing.
This gives the bud nodes directly below it the advantage of
not being hindered, allowing them to develop larger. This is
commonly known as pinching, because the tips are “pinched”
off, although in practice using something sharp such as
scissors is usually preferred.
Plant Auxins and Cytokinins
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In tall plants the normal growth pattern is often a large central
top. By pinching off the top growth tip, the next highest buds
will tend to increase in size, and they in turn will produce IAA
to inhibit growth below themselves. Energy that would have
gone into increasing the size of the top bud is now divided
between the new topmost nodes. This is often done to
promote a bushier plant.
The top growing tip need not be removed to take advantage of
this phenomenon, alternative methods involve simply bending
the top down to the same level or lower than the next highest
budding sites. Benefits to using these methods include a
reduction in stress from pruning, and they prevent the loss of
the budding site, but these are more labor intensive, and they
do require more ongoing maintenance.
Sometimes the normal auxin flow will get sidetracked in
response to stimuli such as light (turning the plant toward
the light) or gravity (turning roots downward). It does
this by concentrating in an area on the inside of the
turn to inhibit growth, allowing the opposite side to
grow normally, and thereby curve the stem or root in
the desired direction. One way to visualize this is to think
of toothpaste being squeezed from a tube. Place a fingertip
on one side of the stream, that will inhibit flow
(growth) on that side, and the toothpaste flow will
curl toward the fingertip.
BY GRUBBYCUP
HORMONES T HAT HEL P GUIDE PL AN T GROW T HPlant Auxins and Cytokinins
AUXINS PROMOTE ROOT
GROWTH.CYTOKININS ENCOURAGE
BUSHY GROWTH
PLANT HORMONES
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 31
PLANT HORMONES
One reason cuttings need to have an exposed growth node is
so that the node can send auxins down to form roots, which
will send cytokinins back up to the growing tip to promote leaf,
stem and branch development. Rooting products generally add
auxins near where they’re needed, namely on the stem where
you want root development. Along with the natural auxins,
these hormones encourage the undifferentiated meristem
cells to become root cells, forming first callouses and then
roots on the stem.
Since IAA is not suitable for packaging and storage,
most commercial rooting products use either IBA, or a
synthetic auxin, such as NAA (1-naphthaleneacetic acid).
Not all auxins are good for plants; some synthetic auxins
are used as herbicides. These auxins send the plant into an
uncontrollable growth spurt that the plant can’t keep up with,
quickly overdriving it to death.
Broad leafed dicot (two seed leaved) plants are more easily
influenced by auxins than narrow leafed monocot (single seed
leaved) grasses. Certain synthetic auxins take advantage of
this to selectively affect broad leafed plants. An example of
this is an auxin-based herbicide that kills the dicot dandelion
without killing the surrounding lawn monocot grass.
Agent Orange is a 50/50 mix of the synthetic auxins
2,4,5-T (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and 2,4-D
(2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid). They have discontinued the
use of 2,4,5-T in most places due to medical concerns, but 2,4-
D is still one of the most commonly used herbicides.
Some GMO crop plants are specially designed with even more
resistance to the effects of such auxins, intentionally making
them very well-suited for using auxin-based herbicides in the
growing program.
NOT ALL AUXINS ARE GOOD FOR PLANTS
Molecular model of Auxin
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 33
PLANT HORMONES
ADDING BOTH AT THE SAME TIME IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE
Cytokinins are the opposites of auxins in more ways than
one. Just as using auxins promotes root growth, you can use
cytokinins to encourage bushy growth over root development,
and they’re used in some PGR (plant growth regulator)
products.
As stated above, auxins start at the growth tips, and travel
down the phloem towards the root tips to encourage roots
to grow. Cytokinins start at the meristem cells located at
the roots, and travel up the xylem to encourage shoot cell
division (growth). Because of this, damage to the growth tips
will reduce the auxins needed for root development, stunting
the roots, and damage to the roots will reduce the cytokinins
needed for shoot development, stunting the growth tips.
Having an understanding of the interaction between auxins and
cytokinins is helpful when pruning plants, training branches,
trimming roots, or applying rooting compound. It should now
be obvious why adding an auxin to a cutting is conducive to
rooting, but applying a cytokinin would be counterproductive,
and that it is the ratio between auxins and cytokinins that
matters, so adding both at the same time is counterproductive,
and potentially a waste of money. Use one or the other to
promote either root or shoot development depending on the
desired results. 3
NOT ALL AUXINS ARE GOOD FOR PLANTS
Molecular model of Auxin
BY AMBER FIELDS
34
The pinch California’s feeling from severe drought is actually increased phenomenally with the persistent
unsustainable agricultural practices in place, along with mismanagement of precipitation and runoff. Yes, it’s a
sizeable part of the state’s economy, but not the majority, and the choice of crops grown is very unwise for
an arid climate.
crop grown there - it’s an agricultural mecca with endless
sunshine and warm temperatures.
On top of this excessive exploitation of resources, nature
never intended to support 40 million people living there.
Residents in Palm Desert, and Palm Springs where the
water-use is at over 200 gallons a day per person - almost
double what other community capita consumes. It really
can’t continue. Drastic change needs to take place in both
farming and lifestyles.
But Governor Jerry Brown’s emergency residential water
restrictions levies 25% cuts statewide, with some places
getting a 35% reduction. How will this help when this
represents less than a quarter of water use in California?
There is little to no restrictions on agriculture, and while
low earning fields haven’t been planted, water-hogging
nuts and grapes, and other big money crops continue to
get ample water. The state’s water system recently cut off
supply to municipal agencies, earmarking their dwindling
reserves for? We can only guess.
Drilling deeper wells isn’t the answer. The water table
has receded to 50-feet or more below ground. In some
places the ground has sunk a foot in the past year as
long emptied water veins cave in, causing road buckling,
and compromising bridge structures. Some suggest that
a pipeline from the Great Lakes should be built, which
is absurd. Why destroy a massive ecosystem so that
The intense lingering drought has farmers in a well-
drilling fever, trying to keep lucrative vine and tree crops
producing, and in prime condition. These woody fruit and
nut bearing plants don’t allow the grower to let the field
go fallow until the weather decides to coöperate again.
Throughout this dryer than normal period, the planting
of new long-term water demands - orchard and vineyard
expansions continue without hesitation.
It’s not that no one is aware that California has an arid
climate. The population continues to grow, the average
resident uses 100-200 gallons of water a day, and farmers
pump billions of gallons up to the surface to facilitate high-
dollar crop harvests. Millions of pounds of produce, and
nuts still steadily ship out of the state... as if no drought
existed. As if running out of water isn’t possible.
AGRICULTURE CONSUMES 80% OF THE WATER HUMANS USE
IN CALIFORNIA.
Feeding the world’s appetite for almonds from an arid land
could make it uninhabitable, especially with sucked dry
underground waterways collapsing. California produces an
average of 2 billion pounds of almond meats annually in
the past few years. A feat that requires over 1900 gallons
of water per pound, and this is just the second largest
California Crops
DROUGHT
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 35
California can continue to waste water, and mismanage
precipitation and runoff? Additionally, the Great Lakes
belong to TWO countries. If they want to grow thirsty
crops, perhaps they need to a) relocate their farm to a
place where it is sustainable, or b) invest in desalination of
all that water next to them in the Pacific Ocean.
By the way, this isn’t the first, or the worst mega-drought
to hit California. And it isn’t due to global warming. It’s a
natural, recurring event, though the population explosion
is not helping the situation, nor is all this unsustainable
agriculture. In truth, the 20th century has been the
wettest period ever there. From 900 A.D. - 1400 A.D. the
region was under drought stress so severe that the native
forests died. The stumps of these trees still are present
underwater in the lakes. See: bit.ly/ancient-droughts, and
bit.ly/medieval-droughts.
It never rains in Southern California... you know what that
means? Drought. History shows this could be a humdinger
of a dry spell too. It could take a decade to correct the
extravagant use of water by conventional agriculture. The
water may not last that long.
Perpetual summer isn’t the perfect climate. To have a
never-ending supply of water you need lots of cloudy days,
damp weather, and more ice and snow than is pleasant.
That’s what keeps the Great Lakes from going dry. 3
A N U N Q U E N C H A B L E T H I R S TCalifornia Crops
“THE CHOICE OF CROPS GROWN IS
UNWISE FOR AN ARID CL IMATE”
CALIFORNIA CROPS WATER USE:1929 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of almonds
< 100 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of grapes
34 gallons = 1 glass of wine
146 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of corn
26 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of tomatoes
1112 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of walnuts
1326 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of pistachios
401 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of figs
67 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of oranges
77 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of lemons
61 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of grapefruits
258 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of asparagus
361 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of olives
50 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of strawberries
260 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of nectarines
154 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of apricots
<100 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of kiwi fruit
141 gallons = 1 lb /.45 kg of avocados
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GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 37
B R A G A L I T T L ENo savvy gardener would dream of hiding
their green thumb. Go ahead - shout about
it with this larger than life outdoor figurine. A
hysterical touch for the veggie patch, flower bed,
deck, patio, or balcony. Available in dark green and
bronze patina, it stands 27” tall. Get one for your
domain, or a gift for any grower you know. From
Garden Gnome: bit.ly/garden-thumb.
cool finds
I N F R A R E D P L A N T C A M E R A
Map plant health with infrared filtering.
Use the same technology for studying stress
signals in the forest to keep track of how your
plants are faring in the garden, your yard, or your
community. Now you can buy the inner workings
of the camera, and make your own! Be sure to
check out the links in the product description:
From Adafruit:
bit.ly/infrared-camera. 3
P O W E R A N Y W H E R EHarness the sun… Perfect for
camping, power outages, or traveling -
the Waka Waka Power is a solar charger that can
fully recharge your dead phone battery in 2 hours.
It’s also a handy light. For every one sold, the
company sends one to people without electricity.
From Waka Waka:
bit.ly/sun-charger.
FA S T E R C O M P O S TWhy work harder, when you can
work smarter? Speeding up the
composting process takes water and air. Adding
water is a cinch, but turning the pile isn’t. This
handy tool accomplishes the task with far less
effort. Use it every time you add fresh material
to get those busy bacteria where you need ‘em
most. From Wayfair: bit.ly/compost-aerator.
1
2
3
4
5
G A R D E N S P YWhat goes on in your garden
while you’re at work or
sleeping? Keep track of the activity in
the indoor or outdoor garden with a
HDR time-lapse video camera... or just
watch your plants grow. Great price
on the Brino Pro TLC200 Pro camera
alone or with weather-proof case,
and mounting arm as a group buy on
Amazon: bit.ly/garden-camera.
GREEN PRODUCTS I GARDEN CULTURE
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If you have grown a garden then you have used fertilizer. Fertilizer is a human
invention that supports the greater part of success in modern agriculture and
home gardening. Used properly, fertilizer can provide complete nutrition, and
produce premium plants, but did you know that fertilizer is not the only way
you can nourish the plants that you grow?
A L L F E R T I L I Z E R I S N O T T H E S A M E
BY EVAN FOLDS
LEVELS OF
HIGHER
Higher Levels of Plant Nutrition
BY EVAN FOLDS
40
All fertilizer is not the same. There are macronutrients and
micronutrients, or you can clearly define fertilizers as artificial
or organic. Where, how, and when you use a fertilizer can
make a major difference in the results you can get growing your
garden, but there is a ceiling. In other words, most fertilizers
are a different path to the same place.
Fertilizers are the raw materials plants use to make their own
food. If carbon dioxide, water, and balanced essential elements
are available, plants, with the aid of solar energy, can synthesize
all the different metabolites they need for their existence.
This ability to make food for themselves is extraordinary and
unprecedented on Earth, and thankfully so. The phenomenon
of photosynthesis that occurs inside green plants is the basis
of the entire food chain, and results in the vital conversion of
carbon dioxide into oxygen that supports aerobic life.
But there is more to plants than photosynthesis and fertilizer.
Plants convert the sugars manufactured in photosynthesis
into all sorts of metabolites we will call “biocatalysts”, such as
enzymes, amino acids, and hormones.
With knowledge of how plants grow, and access to products
that contain these biocatalysts, it is possible to help focus plant
energy towards the type of growth you cannot accomplish by
simply switching fertilizers. The idea is that instead of relying
on plants to manufacture their own biocatalysts, we can sup-
plement them directly, and allow them to choose where to put
their vital energy. The result is less responsibility on the plant
to grow, and higher yields.
Carbohydrates are organic compounds composed of atoms of
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a ratio of 1:2:1, respectively.
Some carbohydrates are relatively small molecules; the most
important is glucose, which has 6 carbon atoms, and is the end
product of photosynthesis.
Carbohydrates are the driving energy force behind plants.
After producing carbohydrates, a plant uses them as energy,
stores them, or builds them into complex energy compounds,
such as oils and proteins. All of these food products are known
as photosynthates.
PLANT NUTRITION
Plants expend an enormous amount of metabolic energy on
manufacturing carbs throughout the late vegetative and early
flowering stages. Carbohydrates play their most critical role in
the weeks just before harvest. It is during ripening that fruits
make their biggest weight gains while burning through those
precious energy reserves.
Once ripening sets in, carbohydrate production all but stops,
and plants must rely almost solely on their carbohydrate
reserves. Plants have a finite reserve of space to store car-
bohydrates for use, supplementing will ensure that they can
maximize this reserve, and even enhance it. The more carbo-
hydrates available to a growing plant - the higher the yields.
If carbohydrates are raw energy, amino acids could be called
the building blocks of life. There are twenty known amino acids
used by cells to manufacture proteins. Proteins are a primary
constituent of life, and involved in practically every metabolic
function performed by plants.
Plants synthesize amino acids by combining carbohydrates
with nitrogen obtained from fertilizer, the surrounding envi-
ronment, and configuring themselves into limitless formations
using all the elements in Nature. Amino acids have a chelating
effect on micronutrients, as well as a beneficial effect on cell
permeability, amongst myriad other functions.
Even though plants have the built-in capacity to biosynthesize
all the amino acids that they require from nitrogen, carbon,
oxygen, and hydrogen, the biochemical process is quite com-
plex and energy-consuming. Applying amino acids allow plants
to save energy on this process, which they can dedicate to bet-
ter plant development during critical growth stages.
C A R B O H Y D R A T E S A R E T H E
D R I V I N G E N E R G Y F O R C E
B E H I N D P L A N T S
T H E R E I S M O R E T O P L A N T S T H A N P H O T O S Y N T H E S I S A N D F E R T I L I Z E R
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 41
There are even products that compartmentalize the amino
acids desired in different stages of growth to root, grow, and
bloom formulations. Applying amino acids is a well-known way
to increase yield, and overall quality of crops.
Specialized proteins known as enzymes facilitate biochemical
reactions. Even the simplest of or-
ganisms have hundreds of enzymes in
every living cell, catalyzing reactions
that are crucial for life. We are con-
stantly finding more, so the number
that exists is not known in any firm or
definite way.
Enzymes are biological catalysts that work like a lock and key
for most, if not all, plant metabolic processes. We define them
by specific elements known as “co-factors”. Enzyme produc-
tion involves every element on the periodic table in some way,
which is a major reason it is so important to use kelps, rock
dusts, sea mineral supplements, and other broad spectrum
mineral products in the garden. Enzymes lower the amount
of activation energy required by the plant for metabolic pro-
cesses, and help the plant upbuild.
Plants use energy via active transport and other processes
to move water and nutrients through cells up to the leaves
where, through the process of photosynthesis, they convert
these elements to sugars and starches which are, in turn, sent
back down to the root zone for potential storage.
Plants must produce the enzymes necessary to manufacture
and move water, nutrients, and metabolites through cells, and
up and down its organism to support healthy growth. These
processes require much energy, and
amount to lots of heavy lifting. An
acre of corn gives off about 3,000 -
4,000 gallons of water each day, and
a large oak tree can transpire 40,000
gallons per year.
Now consider how much extra energy your plants could use
for other vital processes if we supplemented a good portion of
the enzymes needed to make it happen?
With a healthy diet, plants should be able to manufacture all
the vitamins needed to grow, and thrive. But if conditions are
not ideal, supplementing with vitamins can go a long way to-
wards ensuring healthy results, and there is evidence to show
that vitamin supplementation can have a beneficial result over
and above natural production levels.
Vitamins are also co-factors for enzymes involved in carbohy-
drate metabolism, and the biosynthesis of higher molecules.
“ F E R T I L I Z E R S A R E T H E R A W M A T E R I A L S P L A N T S U S E T O M A K E T H E I R O W N F O O D ”
E N Z Y M E S A R E B I O L O G I C A L C A T A L Y S T S
T H A T W O R K L I K E A L O C K A N D K E Y
PLANT NUTRITION
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 43
PLANT NUTRITION
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 45
Vitamins such as
thiamine (B1), ribo-
flavin (B2), pyridox-
ine (B6), Vitamin C,
and Vitamin E have
all been shown to
benefit plant growth
on some level, par-
ticularly in times of
stress, such as trans-
planting, or taking
clones.
Then there are hormones. Hormones act as signals that con-
trol the growth and development of living organisms. In the
same way hormones regulate height and sexual development
in humans, hormones in plants regulate rooting, vegetative
growth, and flowering.
As with other metabolites, plants naturally produce them, but
unlike other biocatalysts these are very difficult to synthesize
in a stable form. Typically, plant growth regulators (PGRs) ac-
complish the hormone effect in the garden, which are artifi-
cially produced substances designed to replicate hormones to
be applied to plants to influence growth and development. The
only readily accessible form of natural hormones comes from
liquid kelp, which you can use as a PGR if applied in higher con-
centrations, and can show radical results in the garden.
The five major plant hormones can be di-
vided into three basic categories:
• growth hormones - auxins and cyto-
kinins
• stress hormones - ethylene and gib-
berellins
• shock hormones - abscisic acid
All three types of hormones are similar in
that they fall within the classic definition of
an intracellular hormone. They are all made
by a cell, and meant to affect the behavior of
other cells, either in nearby tissue, or at the opposite end of
the plant.
Use PGRs with care, and be mindful that you can easily tram-
ple the boundaries using these powerful substances. Too much
can certainly do damage. Just imagine dosing a man with too
much estrogen, or vice versa. You get the idea.
The takeaway here is that growing a great garden involves
concentrating the natural process of plant metabolism for hu-
man benefit. There is more to getting maximum results than
using fertilizer and letting plants figure it out for themselves.
Regardless of what stage of growth you want to enhance, using
biocatalysts is a great way to accomplish dynamic results. 3
THE ONLY READILY ACCESSIBLE FORM OF NATURAL HORMONES COMES FROM LIQUID
KELP, WHICH YOU CAN USE AS A PGR IF APPLIED IN HIGHER
CONCENTRATIONS, AND CAN SHOW RADICAL
RESULTS IN THE GARDEN.
After concluding my Master’s in Public Health
Nutrition at the University of Chester, I threw myself
completely into learning more about plants, the
methods of growing them, and every other nuance
associated with horticulture. The botany bug bit
me big time, and I was hooked. Taking such a small
entity as the seed, providing the ideal conditions for
germination, and watching as this tiny pod of life
became a fully matured plant captured the child and
the scientist within me.
BY STEPHEN BROOKES
“potential medicinal effects of beetroot juice on high blood pressure”
My old university contacted me 3 months ago about growing
some beetroots for them. An easy task by no stretch of
the imagination, but not when they want beetroots with as
little nitrate as possible! The reason for this is the potential
medicinal effects of beetroot juice on people with high blood
pressure (hypertension). Early research has shown that
beetroot juice reduced blood pressure in people who exhibit
chronic high blood pressure, and therefore, may have an effect
on reducing incidents of cardiovascular disease.
The Deep Science Part Dietary nitrates, like those obtained from eating beetroots
could be a source of the biological messenger nitric oxide,
which tells the endothelium of arteries to trigger smooth
muscle and vasodilation, which increases blood flow… This
basically means the body’s cells get increased blood flow, and
therefore, more oxygen. For this reason (increased oxygen to
the muscles) cyclists have also been exploring beetroot juice
to improve their speeds and times.
Just It!Beet
46
BEETROOT EXPERIMENT
“testing coco vs. soil and nute against nute in one grow”
BY STEPHEN BROOKES
“they want beetroots with as little nitrate
as possible!”
The GrowingI set up 24 pots in a 8’ x 4’ grow tent, with 12 in Gold Label
soil, and 12 in Plagron coco. The beetroots were all from F1
Bolt Hardy type seed, and the seedlings were all transplanted
into bigger 3 quart pots, and finally into taller 3 gallon pots.
On the 12 in soil, I used Hydrotops Solo Grow and Bloom on
6, and Just Bloom on 6. During the first 4 weeks of growth the
soil grow was used at a dose of 1.5 ml per litre, which gave me
an EC of 0.8, this was increased to 2ml per litre in weeks 5-6
which gave an EC of 1.2. I then lowered the dose of the soil
grow to 1 ml per litre in week 7-8, as I started using the soil
bloom at a dose of 3ml per litre which gave me an EC of 1.5.
In the final 4 weeks I stopped using the
soil grow completely, and just used soil
bloom at a rate of 5 ml per litre, which
gave an EC of 1.8 maximum.
In the coco, I used the Hydrotops coco
nutrient, watered 6 on coco grow and
bloom, which is a 2-part nutrient with
A+B grow, and A+B Bloom. The other
6 in this group were grown using only
coco bloom. I followed a similar pattern
as the soil grow so will not repeat here
to avoid repetition.
The reason for splitting the beetroots
into 4 groups was twofold; it would be
interesting to see the effect of minimal
nitrogen on developing beetroots in
soil and coco, but also to see if the lack of nitrogen helped
in our test to produce a beetroot with low levels of nitrates.
The test was carried out over 3 months, and the results were
quite interesting.
The ResultsThe soil grown beetroots developed nicely, even those grown
on Just Bloom, although they were significantly smaller. The
coco beetroots on Grow and Bloom also did well, but the
beetroots on just bloom feed did very poorly, developed deep
purple leaves, and what can only be described as a pebble of
a beetroot.
DiscussionThe results have pointed out something that was quite
interesting, and should make you think about your medium of
choice in the future. Soil is a very forgiving medium to work
with, even when I technically ‘messed up’ by just watering
bloom feed, it produced an edible crop, although much smaller.
Coco is a much less forgiving medium, and
when stressed will punish the grower, but
if treated well will reward with great yields,
and good flavour. However, something I
would look into before the next round
of growing is to measure the background
Nitrogen levels of the soil, which would
make the tests much more accurate, and
help in developing the final technique for
growing low nitrate level beetroots.
The beetroots are now in a lab being
analysed by the university, and I should
have some results on the nitrate levels
shortly. From these results we can adapt
the growing methods, and improve on our
quest to grow a low nitrate beetroot. I have
a few tricks up my sleeve to inhibit nitrogen
uptake, but most of them will definitely
impact the plant negatively in one way or another- so this trial
could last for the foreseeable future. I will keep you all updated
when we come up with the solution. 3
Further Reading:Lundberg, J.O.; Carlström, M.; Larsen, F.J.; Weitzberg, E. (2011).
“Roles of dietary inorganic nitrate in cardiovascular health and
disease”. Cardiovasc Res 89 (3): 525–32.
Hobbs, D. A.; Kaffa, N.; George, T. W.; Methven, L.; Lovegrove,
J. A. (2012). “Blood pressure-lowering effects of beetroot juice
and novel beetroot-enriched bread products in normotensive
male subjects”. British Journal of Nutrition 108 (11): 2066–2074.
Just It!
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 47
48
BY KYLE L. LADENBURGER
The Rise, Fall & Resurrection of an American Industry
industrial
INDUSTRIAL HEMP
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 49
Cultivating Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L.) has provided the people of the earth a sustainable
source of f iber for thousands of years. The oldest known human artifact is a piece of
hemp fabric from ancient Mesopotamia dating back to around 8,000 BC. The products
manufactured from the hemp plant are so numerous that they cannot all be named in a
single article. Throughout the centuries people used hemp for making paper, clothing, sails,
ropes, fuels, medicines, and even plastics - just to name a few. However, this incredibly
useful crop became inaccessible, steeped in controversy.
200 years - Americans could actually pay their taxes with
it. Many of the United States founding fathers, including
George Washington, grew hemp on their own land, and
encouraged others to follow suit. Thomas Jefferson penned
the first drafts of both the Declaration of Independence,
and the U.S. Constitution on hemp fiber paper.
The undeniable importance of hemp in early American
history is hard to understate, and its prominence
unmatched as an industrial fiber until 1865.
I N D U S T R I A L H E M P S E E S A D E C L I N E
Following the Civil War the world saw the rise of the
steamboat, making hemp sails and other similar ship
accessories nearly obsolete. Around the same time
other domestic materials such as cotton and tree fiber
began to replace hemp in products like
clothing and paper. Michigan, Illinois and
Kentucky continued to grow industrial
hemp until the late 1800s. Demand
continued to drop though, and by the
1900s Kentucky was the only state to
continue an active production of the
crop until the start of World War I,
when an increase in production occurred due to demand.
During this same time period advancements in the
production and use of petroleum products led to their
extended use as both fuels and oils. This furthered the
diminishing use of the hemp plant, which was and still is,
an adequate material for products ranging from biofuels
to plastics. Though domestic production of hemp was
declining, there was still a need for hemp, and its products.
But most of the hemp fiber was imported, which remained
the norm for the next hundred years.
Industrial hemp is a close relative of the modern marijuana
plant so well-known for the psychoactive effects caused by
ingesting it, along with THC, its cannabinoid compound.
Industrial hemp has almost no THC, usually much less
than 1% by weight. It’s used mainly for its fiber. Though
differing greatly in this aspect from marijuana, legislation
and public opinion have lumped the two together to the
extent that its outlawed the growing of industrial hemp in
the USA for almost a century.
H E M P CO M E S TO A M E R I C AHemp arrived in America during the 1600s aboard the
Mayflower ship carrying
the Puritans escaping religious persecution in Europe for
a better life in the “new world”.
Hemp was an invaluable commodity for ships of the
era due to its sheer strength, and natural resistance to
decay. Ropes, canvas, sails, netting,
maps, log book pages, and even the
flags the ships sailed under were all
manufactured from hemp fiber. Not
only was the Mayflower equipped with
hemp products, it carried a supply of
hemp seeds to supply the colonists with
a renewable source of strong fiber. In
fact, most ships in Great Britain’s fleet
were commonly stocked with a store of hemp seeds.
They distributed them throughout the colonies of the
empire, and colonial citizens were often compelled by law
to grow, and process the plant for industrial use. Colonial
America was no exception.
In the 17th century, citizens of Virginia, Massachusetts,
and Connecticut colonies could actually go to jail for
not growing hemp on their farms. This easily grown
fiber source was so immensely important that for nearly
THIS INCREDIBLY USEFUL CROP
BECAME INACCESSIBLE,
STEEPED IN CONTROVERSY”
INDUSTRIAL HEMP
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 51
prohibition campaign, and was unemployed due to the end of
prohibition. Anslinger was the final piece of the puzzle, and
the man they needed to help bring an end to industrial hemp
production in the US, but doing so would take a bit of finesse.
Enter into the equation the Mexican Revolution of 1910,
which created an influx of Mexican
immigrants into the United States. The
immigrants brought along with them
their tradition of smoking the flowers
from the cannabis plant. As is true with
other moments in history, the immigrants
were not favorably welcomed, and Harry
Anslinger began using their cannabis use
as a way to demonize their population.
He effectively created a smear campaign equating Mexican
immigrant recreational cannabis use as a cause of the violent
crimes, and socially deviant behaviors committed by this
“racially inferior” class of people.
Feeding off the overwhelming popularity of racism,
Anslinger consistently spread, through articles in William
Randolph Hearst’s own newspaper publications, slanderous
unsubstantiated rumors that the use of cannabis by Mexican
immigrants was leading to rapes and murders throughout
the country. He even started using the Mexican slang for
cannabis, marijuana, when referring to the problem. Not
once did he ever make a plausible effort to substantiate
between marijuana and industrial hemp.
The smear campaign continued through the 1930s when the
Great Depression caused immigrant resentment to grow,
and solidified the hatred or fear of marijuana within the
minds of the people, and the way they viewed society. In 1937
congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act leading to extreme
regulation of industrial hemp, and eventually the modern
prohibition of the cannabis plant in the US.
A WORLD AT WAR: INDUSTRIAL HEMP AND NATIONAL DUTYIn 1942 the Japanese war campaign in the Pacific led to
invading the Philippines, which consequently cut off the Manila
hemp fiber supply destined for the US. Understanding how
GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY UNITE: A CONSPIRACY IS BORNThough the hemp industry was in noticeable decline, certain
industry moguls still saw the plant as a plausible threat to
their profits. Most notable of the bunch was the Dupont
Chemical Company, and William Randolph Hearst - owner
of Hearst Paper Manufacturing, a division of Kimberly-Clark,
and a growing empire of newspapers
across the country.
In the early 1900s DuPont was
manufacturing pesticides, the use of
herbicides and fertilizers was extensive
in cotton growing. In comparison to
industrial hemp, cotton requires much
more water and fertilization per acre, and
yields less usable fiber that is inferior to hemp fiber in many
ways. DuPont also held patents for the processing of oil and
coal into plastics, a process that Henry Ford helped prove
the hemp plant was highly capable of.
If hemp were to see another big surge in demand it surely
would not have been positive for DuPont’s bottom line.
Hearst also understood the threat that popularized hemp
production could have on his paper industry. His business
manufactured paper from tree fiber, and he understood that
hemp grew far faster, and could be manufactured cheaper
than the product he was producing. In order for Hearst’s
company to thrive he knew he must become the main
producer of paper in the USA, and with industrial hemp
looming as a possible alternative… He had to do something
to monopolize the market. But there was only so much
these two companies could do to prevent another rise in
hemp production.
As the adage goes, we get by with a little help from our
friends - especially if those friends are powerful. Enter into
the scenario, Mr. Andrew Mellon, the Secretary of Treasury
under President Herbert Hoover. Andrew Mellon was the
owner of Mellon Bank, the financial backer of both DuPont
and Hearst. As a man who undoubtedly understood the
woes of his constituents, and with these expressed concerns,
he then created the Bureau of Narcotics. He chooses none
other than the husband of his niece, Harry Anslinger, to head
the department. Anslinger was a key figure in the alcohol
IN THE 17th CENTURY YOU COULD GO TO
JAIL FOR NOT GROWING HEMP!
“FOR CENTURIES PEOPLE USED
HEMP FOR MAKING PAPER,
CLOTH, ROPE, FUEL, MEDICINE,
AND MORE”
hemp fiber supply destined for the US. Understanding how
important hemp fiber was to their own war efforts, the
US government decided to distribute 400,000 pounds of
hemp cannabis seeds to farmers from Wisconsin through
Kentucky. The effort was given the marketing slogan “Hemp
for Victory,” and the USDA even produced a film and
pamphlets outlining the importance, and need for industrial
hemp production. (See bit.ly/hemp-video.)
The government viewed industrial hemp such a major key
factor to the war effort that it even waived military service
duty for the farmers and their sons. When the war ended,
so did the production of hemp. The government ordered
all remaining crops be destroyed. The remnants of these
victory farms can still be seen on the edges of the fields they
once populated where the plant is casually referred to as
ditch weed, with most of the population not even knowing
the history of how the plant got there in the first place.
The final nail in the coffin of industrial hemp came in 1970
with the passing of the Controlled Substance Act, which
classified all types of cannabis - marijuana and industrial
hemp included, as Schedule 1 drugs, making them illegal to
grow or possess, and levying heavy consequences for those
caught doing so. At this point, industrial hemp production
was officially a thing of the past.
NECESSITY DICTATES CHANGE: INDUSTRIAL HEMP FINDS NEW HOPEAs the environmental effects of the over-consumption of
products made from limited resources, such as those made
from petroleum fossil fuels, and the widespread damage of
deforestation for paper production are becoming ever more
apparent - most people in the US and worldwide are looking
for a reliable resource that is easy to grow and renewable.
Without surprise, hemp is definitely one option that is
getting some serious attention, and the government isn’t
trying to stop it this time.
In 2014 the Federal Farm Bill included a provision allowing
for industrial hemp cultivation by state universities and
state departments of agriculture for research under an
agricultural pilot program, or if the state has already
passed a law allowing the for the industrial production of
hemp. Currently, 21 states in the US have enacted state
laws approving hemp cultivation for industrial or research
purposes.
These laws are all built around three major points:
(1) The laws strictly define hemp as different from marijuana.
(2) Regulated use by industry. Growers need a state license
and registration.
(3) Hemp is now excluded from the state’s’ Controlled
Substance list.
On the federal level, steps being taken to differentiate
between cannabis the drug, and cannabis the industrial-use
plant are backed by leaders of both main political parties.
Experts believe that this will inevitably lead to the unrestricted
cultivation of industrial hemp in the United States. 3
A GOVERNMENT SMEAR CAMPAIGN
FUELED BY RACISM SOLIDIFIED THE
HATRED OR FEAR OF MARIJUANA
THE GOVERNMENT CREATED THE BUREAU OF NARCOTICS TO FURTHER THE INTERESTS OF DUPONT AND HEARST
INDUSTRIAL HEMP
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 53
SUDD
ENLY
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“What you believe may well be
different from the facts”
It doesn’t prove anything people! I don’t care what you
believe. I don’t care if you believe in god or not, if you
believe in reincarnation or in heaven and hell, in full
moon harvests, in LED or Metal Halide, in mineral or
organic nutrients. Just do not impose your beliefs on me.
If you want to impress me then convince me - show me
the research, and the results. You can be very intense,
full of confidence in your product, and sounding very
convincing on that YouTube video of yours, but if it is
wrong - it is wrong, even if you believe it’s right.
Choose your teachers well. Choose your sources well. And
really, do you believe everything they are saying? Where
is the science behind it? Yes, it totally grinds my gears,
and I spend hours to re-program my followers who get
brainwashed by these idiots. Get real people. Be informed,
instead of willfully ignorant - or get out of this business. We
don’t need you.
Your buddy probably don’t know shit.3
In this column Theo discusses observations in the
indoor garden culture. There is sometimes so
much legend, and so little science in this industry.
It’s time for some myth busting, to allow a fresh
breeze to move through the growing realm.
It is sad to see that so many people nowadays do not know
the difference between facts and opinions any more. What
you believe may well be different from the facts. You may
believe in Santa, but I know for a fact that he does not
exist. You may believe that as plants are green and reflect
green light, they do not use green light, but I know from
the research results that this is not true.
The worst thing is: people don’t care anymore what is true
or not. Telling a lie seldom has repercussions. People hear
it from politicians all the time. Within minutes the “fact
checkers” show they are lying, but people do not care
anymore. Look at the media, Fox News, for example. The
things they can say there are incredible, even a 12-year-
old could easily debunk most of their facts with some
research. But it’s accepted these days. We almost live in
an idiocracy.
You would think that with all the resources on the internet
today you would be able to do decent research, but people
on the internet are even worse! They ask questions on
social media that they could easily solve within 4 seconds
by typing it in on Google. And when they search, they do
not search for the facts from the most credible source.
No, they search for confirmation of their beliefs. And as
there are so many of us, it is very easy to find exactly that.
YOU KNOW WHAT GRINDS MY GEARS?
Expert Believers
COLUMN
55
OPINION PIECE
BY THEO TEKSTRA
MARKETING MANAGER GAVITA HOLLAND BV
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THE TITAN DIFFERENCETHE TITAN DIFFERENCE
WHAT’S GROWING ON
57
Cre
dit:
Penn
Liv
e/T
he P
atrio
t-N
ews
1) Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Molding Growers“Learning you can’t get from a textbook,” says supervising
teacher, Leann Tepsich-Cox, about the middle school
aquaponics project select students participate in at the
Marshall Math and Science Academy. It’s not just about
growing food, the kids are also getting hands-on training
in the business world, and envision taking this technology
to third world countries.
They’re selling the fruits of their labors to local restaurants;
herbs, vegetables, and about a dozen fish to date. The
school is working with Aggreco, a Harrisburg company
that provides their training in Controlled Environment
Agriculture. It’s a labor of love for the kids too, who
receive no academic credit or a grade for the aquaponics
lab work, and they love it. Plans to construct the same
type of lab in the high school are under way.
Changing tomorrow’s world through today’s kids. That’s
smart.
2) Chicago, Illinois
Off Grid Inner CityThey’ve got all manner of great things growing at The
Plant. It’s part vertical farm, part food-business incubator,
part research and education. No small undertaking, the
1925 building that once housed Peer Food’s pork packing
operation, gives John Edel of Bubbly Dynamics, LLC close
to 2 acres of space to grow urban farms, startup businesses,
jobs, and expanded minds. Thanks to a grant from the city,
The Plant will be entirely off the grid - zero waste, and zero
energy by June 2016.
The project began in 2010, and renovating the building with
repurposed and recycled materials is still underway. Just
investigating what Edel had when he bought the building, and
all that’s been done to date is super inspiring and interesting,
but he’s not done yet. The story is huge, as is his vision. The
best place to learn what The Plant is all about is to visit the
website: PlantChicago.com.
Bringing good food, and a future to an economically distressed
neighborhood. Two thumbs up.
Cre
dit:
Pla
nt C
hica
go, N
FP/R
ache
l Sw
enie
GrowingWho’s
What Where
Growing
WHAT’S GROWING ON I GARDEN CULTURE
Yes, Kansas is in the middle of farm country, but Maize is
a suburb of Wichita, yet Maize High School curriculum
includes agricultural studies... urban agriculture. Two
years ago, science teacher, Jay Super, was prompted to
look into Future Farmers of America so the school could
take advantage of state career and technology training
incentives. Enlisting city kids into the FFA wasn’t easy, but
he gathered enough to get started. The students enjoy
the learning so much it’s grown from there.
This spring they applied for a Farm to School grant
to expand the Comprehensive Agricultural Sciences
program into the more technical side of growing,
investing the $12,500 funding they received in
hydroponics equipment. The urban ag students are
now growing fresh greens and herbs for the cafeteria,
but there’s more to it than that. They’re learning skills
they can use at home, or as a career. The elective cluster
program has 3 levels: Intro to Urban Ag, Food Science &
Horticulture, and Internship & Accounting.
Way to go, Mr. Super! More details: bit.ly/hp-journal
3) Talihina, Oklahoma
Tribes Go TechnoBrothers Kaben and Shelby Smallwood, members of the
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, got into aquaponics, and saw
it as a way to improve the food situation for the tribe. That
led to installing a 200 square foot system for the Choctaw
community as the beginning of replacing traditional farming.
It was co-funded by the brothers and the tribe. Through their
company, Symbiotic Aquaponics, LLC, they train others the
art of growing with this technology.
Since then, they have also installed a working system in a
rural Oklahoma school where over 65% of the students
qualify for the low-income free lunch program. The brothers
have helped the school improve cafeteria food quality, an
accomplishment that won them the Hitachi Foundation
Young Entrepreneurs Award 2015. Now they’re working
with the Sheena V. Foundation to bring closed system food
production to other tribes, beginning with the Seminole
Nation. Now their goal is bringing year-around fresh veg
and fish to all Native Americans. Follow their progress:
SymbioticAquaponic.com
Change that comes from within... totally awesome.
Cre
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Sym
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Cre
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Hig
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4) Maize, Kansas
Future Midwest Farmers
60
W H AT I S H U M I D I T Y ?
HUMIDITY I GARDEN CULTURE
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 61
Then we have the really hot days that we could just lay in the sun all
day, but stay relatively cool… That’s due to low humidity! The air
is quite dry, allowing any perspiration to evaporate off of our skin,
which keeps us cool. However, extremely low humidity (25% and
below) can have detrimental
effects on us humans, such as
dry skin, and irritated eyes and
respiratory system.
The funny thing is that it’s the
same for plants. Humidity is
one of the most underrated
environmental aspects of
an indoor garden, and it’s
definitely something we need
to keep an eye on.
Before we get technical with
relative humidity, and why it’s essential to monitor and control
it, the bottom line is that we want to avoid extremes. A good
humidity range during vegetative growth is around 60-70%,
because before a good root system has formed, the plant will
find it easier to maintain equilibrium of water uptake and water
loss. During the flowering stages it is good practise to drop
the humidity to 40-50% to prevent any mould or pathogens
from forming, but it also ensures good movement of water,
nutrients, and minerals through the plant to the flowers or
fruits. Cuttings are special, and require 90% humidity to form
new roots, whilst seedlings do well at around 60%.
That’s the essential bit of information that we all need to know.
Now we can delve a little deeper into the technicalities of humidity.
Key WordsTranspiration: The rate at which the plant expels, and
absorbs moisture. This helps to cool the plant, and enables a
flow of water, nutrients, and minerals.
Stomata: These are the pores that regulate moisture within
the plant. They help protect it from dramatic changes in
moisture.
Saturation – When a gas (or a space) holds the maximum
water vapour possible at a given temperature, it is said to
be saturated. If you add extra water to a saturated gas, or
if its temperature decreases, some of the water vapour will
condense.
Relative humidity (RH):
It is the ratio of actual
water vapour content to
the saturated water vapour
content at a given temperature
and pressure expressed as a
percentage (%).
The air temperature is vital to
know when measuring relative
humidity. This is because,
the ‘relative’ part is essentially related to the temperature,
and how saturated the air is at its current temperature. For
example, if your grow room rises in temperature, the relative
humidity will drop, so at a RH of 50%, a temperature rise
from 68°F to 70°F will cause RH to drop by about 3%. The
digital thermometer that you should be buying from the local
grow shop, usually comes paired with a humidistat, and it’s an
essential piece of equipment, to say the least.
To understand how plants operate under different humidities
we need to understand how a plant works. All plants allow
carbon dioxide (CO2) to enter through their leaves via tiny
openings called stomata. They use this gas in photosynthesis.
The plant regulates it’s intake of CO2 by opening and closing
its stomata, and as it does this moisture in the leaf can escape.
If your grow room is dry (low humidity), it causes the plants
to transpire much more rapidly than in a higher humidity
environment. When this happens, the leaves become flaccid
and begin to wilt, and over a longer period of time the plant
will close its stomata, and reduce the flow of water out of
BY STEPHEN BROOKES
You know those really hot days, when no matter what we do we just can’t cool ourselves down? That’s mainly
due to high humidity! When the air around us becomes saturated with water vapour, making it impossible to cool
ourselves, as the sweat from our skin can’t evaporate.
ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF AN
INDOOR GARDEN
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HUMIDITY I GARDEN CULTURE
you want 60-70% humidity during
vegetative growth
Open stomata increase
transpiration to take place
63 GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM
the plant. This is very effective at stopping water loss, but
unfortunately it also reduces the intake of CO2. Without an
adequate supply of CO2 the cells will begin to die, and the plant
will look tired and ill.
The key point to remember here is that dry air will remove
water from the leaves quicker than the roots can deliver it,
under these conditions it doesn’t matter how much you water
the plant, it won’t help. And overwatering will remove oxygen
from the root zone (rhizosphere), creating further problems.
When a plant has the right humidity for its stage of growth it
will thrive, the stomata will open completely, and the plant will
enjoy a good fresh supply of CO2, with controlled water loss
from the leaves.
This loss of water from the plant to the atmosphere is known
as evapo-transpiration. Plants regulate this loss of water by the
opening and closing of guard cells, but also something called
the vapour pressure gradient, which is the difference between
the water vapour content of the atmosphere, and the vapour
pressure within the sub-stomatal cavity. The reason this is
important is because it brings me to my next point, which is air
movement around your plants.
A layer of saturated, or partly saturated air will now have
built up around the leaf if the air is still. Slight air movement
will move this saturated air away and helps in the cooling of
the leaves because of the transfer of heat by convection from
the leaf surface. This movement of water away from the plant
allows more water molecules to move through the plants
veins, the stem, and the roots, creating a negative water
pressure in the root zone which allows the plant to ‘drink’.
This process is known as osmosis.
An important point to note though is that high wind
velocity from clip fans will move all the air away from
the leaf boundary, and result in a dry atmosphere that
increases water loss - something we don’t want too much
of during vegetative growth. Therefore we want our
clip fans on the lowest setting and we don’t want them
pointing directly at the plants, somewhere between the
tops of the plant and below the lights is the golden zone.
After all of that information, knowing where to
start may seem difficult. Here’s some top tips...
1. Remember that when the lights turn off, the
temperature will drop, and the relative humidity will
rise. It may be wise to keep the extraction running
after the lights are off or invest in some heaters so
the temperature drop isn’t too drastic. This will
prevent the water from depositing on the plants/
walls, and creating a breeding ground for pathogens.
2. When the lights ignite the temperature will increase,
and the relative humidity will drop. A good investment
to negate this drop would be a timed humidifier. One
that uses ultrasonic vibrations is better, so that the
water released is cool, and not steamed.
3. So keep those humidity levels in check, higher in
vegetative growth, and lower during the flowering
stage.
As we said at the start of the article, plants, just like
humans prefer environmental stability in their lives.
Whether it’s relative humidity or temperature swings,
prevent dramatic changes in short spans of time, and your
plants will metaphorically thank you. 3
dry air causes
plants to transpire
too rapidly
humidity increases when the lights go outcuttings need 90% humidity to form roots
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Real News Revelations
BY CALLIE COE
Getting To The
truth
64
I wasn’t expecting the book would prove as interesting as it
is. Stonewalled is well-written and packed with eye-opening
revelations anyone would find important, but this isn’t a
book review. It’s an article about who, or what, drives the
information published on popular online news
magazines and blogs. Some of the most highly
regarded news sites are actually supported by
special interests of different powers that be
in the industrial-political complex as spin or
propaganda broadcasters. Yes, the bloggers get
paid to portray things in favor of the interest that employs
them. If you wanted proof that there is money in blogging,
here it is.
Media Matters, Mother Jones, Huffington Post, PolitiFact,
Mediabistro, BuzzFeed, Politico, Daily Beast, and even
Wikipedia are all involved in skewing what you know to
someone’s preferred reality, as opposed to the truth. And
today’s news broadcasts are largely repeating what they see
published on the above (excluding Wikipedia), in addition to
what they find on the New York Times, Washington Post,
L.A. Times, and other U.S. newspaper websites. And then
there’s perpetually positive slanted press releases that come
out of the White House PR machine.
Astroturf and Fairy Tales
Journalists note that in today’s Washington corruption
surpasses levels not seen in 40 years. Transparency? There
is none. The Freedom of Information Act is largely ignored
as the powers that be seek to maintain total control over
public perception. Sculpting what people think is paramount
for business and officials. They create fake grass roots groups
to support their interests. Any opposing information or views
are controversialized, discredited, or attacked by smear
tactics. But the spin cycle has a recipe that even you can
identify a propaganda campaign, and start separating truth
from calculated fiction.
SUSPECT THE NEWS IS SPUN AND NOT
REPORTED?
Read the news, and you’ll know. Right. How much do you really know from paying attention to mainstream
broadcast news? What’s been sugar-coated, or withheld completely... what’s the real story here?
If you suspect that mainstream media tells you only what those at the top prefer you to believe, that
the news is spun and not reported, you’re not alone. Many people don’t trust radio and television news.
More and more of them are turning to the internet in search of the truth, because they are keenly
aware that there is more to the story.
REAL NEWS I GARDEN CULTURE
Getting To The
Word On the Wire
In the weeks following the World Trade Center demolition
it became apparent to me that if you really want to know
what is happening in the U.S. - read foreign news sources
online. US news outlets seemed focused on prolonging the
terror, while world news
reporting from London,
Sydney, and other major
hubs beyond information
control jurisdiction said
more. They had a lot
more information than what today’s terror alert color, heart-
rending stories of families who lost loved ones, and repetitious
reminders that you need to fear for your very safety.
Yes, it was a horrific event, but there’s a lot more to the story
than any of us really knows. Realities that may never come
to light, though there are plenty of suspicions, studies, and
theories.
That was the non-transparent Bush administration. Now a
decade and a half later, under the total transparency regime,
mainstream news content hasn’t improved, if anything it seems
to have further deteriorated, grown more slanted, and fluffy.
And so you turn to the internet.
But here you’re faced with the same dilemma. Some of the
most popular news blogs are actually paid to beat a partisan
drum, to further the preferences of special interest groups,
election candidates, and officials on The Hill. It doesn’t matter
whether you’re conservative, liberal, right wing, left wing, or
middle-of-the-road... social media works for them too.
The Inside Scoop
In the course of my work I run across all manner of interesting
things. A few weeks ago it was a TED Talk that led me to buy
a book. The speaker, Sharyl Attkisson, veteran investigative
journalist who after 20 years of Emmy-winning news reporting
left CBS to regain her freedom to truthfully report a story.
65
REAL NEWS
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM
While most know that ‘astroturf’ is fake grass, in this context
Attkisson is referring to an entire industry that exists in
Washington D.C. People who earn an excellent living helping
big business cover the money trail between them and the
government. This becoming well-known has sparked a surge
of fake grass roots, activities special interests use to disguise
themselves as the spinners publish blog articles and letters to
the editor, start nonprofits, create ad campaigns, and establish
a personality on Facebook and Twitter. They also spread their
spin commenting on other people’s posts and articles online...
all intentionally fooling the public into believing an average
person or grassroots movement is adding their voice to the
topic.
“The whole point of astroturf is to give the impression there’s
widespread support for an agenda when there’s not. Businesses
may fund fake astroturf ‘consumer campaigns’ against competitors.
Government may call upon its corporate partners to use astroturf
methods to discredit reporters who threaten their mutual interests.”
Recognizing Spin
Damage control and influencing is rampant, and when you
know what to look for you’ll realize it’s everywhere - online and
on the news. It features inflammatory labeling including: crank,
quack, nutty, paranoid, pseudo, truther, conspiracy theorist,
shoddy, and witch hunt. Don’t overlook ‘junk science’ - as in
Monsanto’s response to WHO’s press release announcing the
IARC reclassifying glyphosate as possibly causing cancer. By
controversializing the truth astroturf seeks to discredit, and
belittle political-industrial complex enemies.
The astroturfers claim to debunk myths that are actually
truths. They publish all manner of confusing and misleading
information just to make it virtually impossible to figure out
what is going on. The goal is to guide everyone into giving up
and ignoring the entire issue.
A special interest’s role can easily be camouflaged in the guise
of benevolent-sounding nonprofit or other third-party where
the co-opted or supported astroturfers peddle a spun story
that serves their business overlords. It gets reported as news
by unsuspecting journalists, or pushed into the broadcast by
management. If they don’t concoct a story, the special interest
nonprofit can also secretly defend the propaganda without any
disclosure of their financial ties to their benefactors.
Don’t Trust Wikipedia
In the past couple of years it has come to light that not only
can an outsider not edit references on this largely revered
free encyclopedia, Wikipedia has monetized itself by selling
PR space to corporate and political interests that is free of
conflicts of interest. Powerful pharmaceutical interests use
this massive website for propaganda distribution, and exercise
control over science and
journalism by controlling
biographical pages.
If it’s happening in these
known topics, you can
be pretty certain that it’s
afflicted Wikipedia entirely.
So much for the annual plea
for donations! Take your research elsewhere, because facts
are no longer available here.
There’s More To Know
The information provided in this article is just an introduction
to what is disclosed in Sharon Attkisson’s Stonewalled. It’s
an inside look at the hard-core investigations into a variety
of events and situations, and how unimportant facts and
witnesses are to mainstream media news - a much as it is a
revelation of what happens to those who dare to get to the
truth.
Whose special interests are served by these different news
sites mentioned? What is the whole story on Benghazi, gun
walking on the U.S.- Mexico border, Dreamliner battery
explosions, and other scandals, cover-ups, and corruption
cases in the past few years? How does government and
military roll these days?
Read the book. You may find that what you thought was the
worst case scenario pales in comparison to the real story. Both
new, and discounted used copies are available on Amazon. 3
ASTROTURF, FAKE GRASS
ROOTS GROUPS - SO MUCH FOR TOTAL
TRANSPARENCY
IN TODAY’S WASHINGTON CORRUPTION
SURPASSES LEVELS NOT SEEN IN 40 YEARS”
67
Stated as frankly as possible, water is the giver of life. It was the key component in creating life on earth,
and its importance in sustaining all life is insurmountable. This rings as true for the world’s smallest or-
ganisms as it does for its largest creatures. Without water this all ends, and the plants we grow are no
exception.
As plants living on Earth evolved, with a little help from
the sun, they adopted the ability to receive mineral
sustenance from the water. Elemental minerals in their
ionic form become dissolved in soil water solution, and
can travel along with it into a plants roots and vascular
system. A remarkable task in and of itself: the water
acts as courier to the minerals delivering them to the
plant to use in its developmental processes.
In today’s world, plants are grown using several different
methods, which have a common thread - they all require
water. However, with each unique method of growing
comes a different way to provide water in the most
effective way. The key to success is having an adequate
understanding of which watering technique is the most
efficient, and productive for the style of cultivation
being practiced.
Seedlings After seeds have sprouted, and the true leaves begin to
form, it is imperative that watering be done in a fashion
that promotes strong initial root growth. For seedlings
growing in soil-less potting mixes the key is to provide
enough water to allow for constant vegetative growth,
but not enough that the medium stays to moist for too
long. You can achieve this by watering thoroughly each
time, and then letting the medium dry out just enough
that it is not constantly wet throughout. Keeping the
medium perpetually moist will lower oxygen levels
around the roots resulting in poor root development.
By allowing the soil-less mix to dry out between
feedings it will cause the roots to create more lateral
development as it searches for remaining moisture. It’s
recommended to not let the seedlings sit in standing
water after the medium is adequately saturated. Also,
try to not let the medium dry out so much that the
plants are falling over from lack of water because this
can have negative effects on the plants’ early stages of
development.
Container GardeningThe proper watering technique for container growing is
directly correlated to the type of medium being used.
You can use soil-less growing mixes as they come, but
they can also be amended in several ways to reach a
certain consistency that a grower may desire.
E A C H U N I Q U E M E T H O D O F
G R O W I N G H A S A D I F F E R E N T W A Y
O F W A T E R I N G E F F E C T I V E L Y ”
BY KYLE L. LADENBURGER
PROPER
TECHN IQUESWATERING
68
Mixes that contain higher levels of organic material like
peat moss or coco-coir will undoubtedly hold or retain
water to a higher capacity when compared to mixes
fortified with different sized aggregates like pea gravel
or expanded clay pebbles (LICA). The more different
sized aggregates a mix has the faster it will drain, and
lose moisture. This means the grower will likely have to
water and fertilize more often.
Despite the obvious difference in water retention
the technique used to provide water and fertilizer
is generally the same for any container plant. The
important part is to water thoroughly, saturating the
growing medium in its entirety. Allow any excess water
to run-off, or drain, from the bottom of the container
making sure the container does not sit in the excess
water for too long.
Between watering allow the growing medium to dry
out, but not to the point where the plant wilts. A
wilted plant has gone into water conservation mode,
and the stomata has closed. With closed stomata the
plant will not perform transpiration, and the flow of
water and nutrients will be cut off. This can have a
negative effect on the nutritional status of the plant,
especially in regards to calcium intake. A plant requires
a constant unhindered supply of calcium to adequately
form all the various plant structures, such as leaves,
flowers, and fruits. When the plant stomata remain
WATERING TECHNIQUES
closed, and the flow of calcium becomes hindered, it can
result in disorders like “blossom end rot” in tomatoes
and peppers.
Keeping the growing medium constantly damp, but not
waterlogged will allow for proper nutrient uptake, and a
rooting environment that can support healthy growth of
both roots and beneficial microorganisms alike. Never
grow in a container that has no drainage holes.
Outdoor Soil Gardens The composition and consistency of outdoor soils can
range drastically depending on one’s region, and the
history of the soil profile. They range from loamy, sandy
soils to dense, hard soils like those rich in clay. Though
the construct of the soil naturally varies from place to
place the central idea involved when watering is the
same: water slow and deep with as much consistency
as possible.
Applying water too quickly to outdoor soil causes it to
puddle up, all be it less so with sandy soils, and it runs
off to collect in the lower parts of the garden. As the
soil takes in the water it ends up accumulating more in
those areas, and does not provide an even distribution
among the plants. Much like a light steady rain, when
you distribute water slowly, and spread it consistently
over the garden, it is better absorbed throughout.
You can accomplish this, with some finesse, using the
average garden hose sprayer attachment, but the most
WATERLOGGED SOILS AND SOILLESS
MIXES CAUSE MANY PROBLEMS
PERPETUALLY MOIST MEDIUM RESULTS IN POOR SEEDLING ROOTS
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 69
important thing roots come into contact with. When
too much water stays within the growing medium it will
fill these holes, and the oxygen will become depleted.
A lack of oxygen in the root zone will certainly lead to
root death by suffocation, or devastating attack from
diseases that thrive in low oxygen environments, such
as pythium.
Roots aren’t the only thing that dies in such an anaerobic
environment: it will also take the lives of any beneficial
microorganisms that have colonized, as they too thrive
in an oxygen rich atmosphere. Plants grown in mediums
that remain waterlogged for prolonged periods of time
are almost certainly destined for loss of yields, if not
total failure.
Water is often taken for granted in our world. Yet, in
its absence, life itself would not be possible. When a
grower is supplying plants with this precious resource
it is important to do so in a cautious, and efficient way.
By paying close attention to a plant’s overall water
requirements a grower can adequately provide enough
water at the right times to ensure a healthy productive
plant. 3
efficient way is with some type irrigation such as drip
line or sprinkler systems.
So that is the slow and consistent part, the other part
of the equation is to water deeply. This means providing
enough water, delivered slowly, to ensure that moisture
is reaching 1 to 2 feet into the soil profile. Strong,
healthy plants outdoors have nice deep and expansive
root systems. Providing moisture at deeper levels will
encourage the roots to grow as far as they possibly
can. You should water an outdoor soil garden this way
about every 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the soil type,
and environmental conditions.
WaterloggedRegardless which of these growing techniques one
prescribes to there is always this common thread: Do
Not Overwater. A simple way to state it is to not allow
the soil or growing medium to become waterlogged.
Something that’s waterlogged is highly saturated, or full
of water.
Soils and soil-less mixes have small pores throughout
that act like tiny pockets of air. The small amounts of
oxygen residing in these pockets are arguably the most
WATERI NG TECHNIQUES
WATERING TECHNIQUES
“DO NOT OVERWATER”
“IN OUTDOOR SOIL
GARDENS WATER SLOWLY
WITH CONSISTENT SPREAD”
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 71
PODCASTING
Premium 0rganic Farm & Garden Products
The idea to start the podcast came about because sometimes people
don’t have the time to watch a video, or read an article. Podcasting is a
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or whilst making the dinner... you can always be learning, and improving
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gardener can face - from picking the right fan/filter combo, choosing the
right lights, keeping environment levels optimal, and discussing different
products on the market.
Check out our live recordings from the Home Grown Expo 2015,
with special guests from Gavita, Botanicare, Smart Pots, Terpinator,
Dutch Pro, and a host of other companies. You can find us at http://
npktechnology.podbean.com - or on iTunes at ‘NPK Technology Live’. 3
It began as an experiment to see what podcasting was all about, how it worked, and if we would be any good at it. What started out as a ‘bit of a laugh’ with friends and the companies that we do business with, very quickly became highly subscribed to with a listener base of 7,500 in the short space of nine months. We were very lucky being picked by Podbean (our podcast host site) as one of the top ‘up and coming science’ podcasts, which helped us tremendously. Now that we have published over 30 episodes, we’ve upgraded our equipment, built a recording studio, and we have had to up our game to keep the momentum flowing, and the subscribers listening.
Podcasting is a great way to reach busy growers, whether it’s in the car, during work, or whilst making the dinner... you can always be learning,
and improving your indoor grow
npk live
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LARGE
INCREASE YIELD REDUCE HEAT SAVE POWER
Manufactured for Hygro International Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia
Patented/Patents PendingThe ORIGINAL
ADJUST-A-WINGS ENFORCER REFLECTORS
MEDIUM
SMALL
www.adjustawings.com
®
HIGH OUTPUT REFLECTIVE ALUMINIUM - 3 YEAR GUARANTEE
Single 1000 watt or Twin 600/400 watt lamps
Single 400 or 600 watt lamps
Single 150 or 250 watt lamps
Advanced technonlogyAffordable price...
Visit our website to find distributor information..
Mimic seasonal changes with a large range of adjustments.
Control the dreaded “Hot Spot” with the optional “SUPER-SPREADER”. (Shown on the LARGE & MEDIUM models)(Not required for the SMALL model)
Follow our “LayOut Tips” for optimum results. (included)
Resists corrosion or loss of brightness.
Increase the growing areaunder each lamp by up to 75%
Now availablein the USA
74
the best way to turn your jalapeno
chili plant into a perennial producer.
We don’t all have a greenhouse
out back, but it’s surprisingly easy,
and relatively inexpensive to grow
your own indoors. You’ll need the right lighting, a good
planting medium, nutrients, and water. You could grow in dirt
indoors, but I find the process cleaner, and more efficient with
hydroponics.
How I Did ItI like to experiment, so I grew two plants using different
methods; one aeroponic, and one deep water culture. I
started from seed, using organic seeds from Seeds of Change.
I sprouted the seeds in 40mm rockwool cubes from Grodan,
used General Hydroponics 3-part Flora Series nutrients, and a
600W metal halide for the lighting.
Growing in my basement in winter, where it’s cooler than
ideal for peppers, they took a little longer to fruit. I started
the seeds in late September, and harvested the first immature
fruits (green) in late January. My results from both methods
were impressive.
The jalapeno is a chili pepper of
the Capsicum Annuum species,
and is one of the most popular chili
peppers used in culinary dishes
around the world. With a heat index
ranging from 2,000 to 8,000 Scoville Units, the Jalapeno can
give you nice mild heat, or be a bit of a sweat-inducer.
Varying in size from two to six inches, depending on the
cultivar, and when they’re picked. What you’ll find most often
in the grocery store are immature, and green in color. Like bell
peppers, jalapenos are most often picked green, because the
time to harvest is shorter, reducing the risks associated with
leaving them on the plants longer than necessary.
With a bit of patience and care they will ripen fully to a deep
red color, and with that comes the sweetness of a red pepper
with an intensified kick of heat! The red jalapeno is a beautiful
sight to behold, and adds great color and flavor to your recipes.
Smoked, they’re known as chipotle peppers which give a
distinctly smoky and spicy taste to foods.
Contrary to the species name of Annuum, the jalapeno plant
is not an annual, and will grow and produce for several years if
kept in the right conditions. Indoor or greenhouse growing is
I’ve been growing hydroponic vegetables for just over a year now. It’s the most fun, addictive, and rewarding
hobby I’ve ever had. Jalapeno peppers have been one of my favorite things to grow. The plants stay relatively
small, at about 60cm in height. They also tolerate stress well, so while you’re learning you can correct course, and
still get a harvest! And if you like a little spice in your foods the fresh jalapeno just can’t be beat by anything you’ll
buy at the grocery store.
BY TIM MILLER
“ O N E O F MY F AV O U R I T E T H I N G S
TO G R OW ”
HEAVENJALAPENO
JALAPEÑOS I GARDEN CULTURE
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 75
T H E J A L A P E N O P L A N T I S N O T A N A N N U A L
The aeroponic setup used so much less water than the DWC,
but required more frequent maintenance, and adjustments of
pH and nutrient levels. Eventually I converted it to DWC as
well in order to provide more water/nutrient to the heavily
fruiting plant. It took a while, but finally in mid-March the first
fruits started to ripen. I had harvested and used several green
peppers over the previous month and a half, but the transition
and final product was magnificent! Bold, shiny red jalapeno
peppers in a sea of green leaves. I couldn’t wait to try them.
The sweetness of the red pepper and the heat of the jalapeno
are delicious together.
My five-year old son asked if he could try one once. He got a
milder bite the first time and claimed to love them. The next
bite he got was quite a bit hotter. After two tubes of yogurt
and a glass of milk, he claimed that it wasn’t
so bad, and he liked it. I offered him another
bite. He looked nervously at the pepper, and
coolly claimed he was full.
Abundance Is MineI had all these peppers, now I needed a plan. A co-worker
asked if I’d ever tried jalapeno jam, and offered to trade the
recipe for a jar of the finished product. It sounded terrific, so
I took her up on the offer. The jam was so easy to make, and
it’s delicious! All the peppers used in it were green, so it turned
out a nice deep dark green color.
HEAVEN T U R N Y O U R J A L A P E N O C H I L I
P L A N T I N T O A P E R E N N I A L
P R O D U C E RThe scary moment came when everything was in the pan, and
just starting to simmer to a nice low rolling boil. I turned my
back for no more than 10 seconds, and I heard it. The sizzle of
boiling over jalapeno jam hitting the burner below. My mind
instantly raced to the last thing my co-worker said to me, “Oh,
my brother said to be very careful not to let it boil over, because
the smoke is like pepper spray, and will burn your nose, throat,
and eyes.” After a brief panic and scramble to get the boiling
over pot off the burner, I waited for it. Luckily, it didn’t get to
the point where it created any smoke, and I was able to carry
on after a cleanup that was not fun. If you try the recipe, use a
pan that’s plenty big, and don’t turn your back on it.
For the second large harvest I decided to pickle them so I could
add them to salads, sandwiches, pizza, etc. I did a quick search
online, and found a very simple sounding
recipe that was similar to a refrigerator-
pickles-type recipe. Makes a smaller batch,
and doesn’t require all the canning equipment.
I was in. For this effort I now had a nice
mixture of green and red jalapenos. Again for something so
simple to do, the result is absolutely delicious. The mix of green
and red pepper rings is a fantastic flavor, and looks great in the
jars. With the slicing and everything included, this recipe took
no more than 30 minutes start to finish. Highly recommended.
JALAPEÑOS I GARDEN CULTURE
“ I G R E W T WO P L A N T S
U S I N G D I F F E R E N T
M E T H O D S; A E R O P O N I C
A N D D E E P WAT E R C U LT U R E
If you like jalapeno peppers, it’s a great experience to grow
them yourself. It’s really nice to know exactly where your
food comes from, and what went into it. Fresh,
pesticide-free, and fully ripe; this is
jalapeno heaven! I hope you enjoy
these recipes like I did. Happy
growing!
Jalapeno Jam
• 1 lb jalapeno peppers, stems removed
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 6 cups sugar
• 2 pouches liquid fruit pectin
• 10 jam jars (will make about 9-10 jars)
Prepare jars and lids by boiling, then placing upright, empty,
in shallow pan with the boiling water.
Puree peppers with 1 cup cider vinegar in food processor.
Put in cooking pot and add the water, rest of the vinegar,
and the sugar.
Bring to boil dissolving the sugar. Boil for 10 minutes.
Add fruit pectin, let boil vigorously for one minute.
Remove from heat, ladle into jars. Wipe lip of jar clean.
Place lids and rings on jars. Remove from water.
Quick Pickled Jalapeno Rings• 3/4 cup water
• 3/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 3 TBSP granulated sugar
• 1 TBSP kosher salt
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1/2 TSP oregano
• 10 large jalapeno peppers, sliced into rings
Combine water, vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, garlic, and
oregano in a saucepan over high heat. Bring mixture to
a boil, stir in jalapeno peppers and remove from heat. Let
mixture cool for 10 minutes.
Pack peppers into jars using tongs, cover with vinegar
mixture, place lids on jars, and refrigerate until needed. 3
“I had all these peppers, now I needed a plan”
76
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UNLEASH YOUR PLANT'S POTENTIAL
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UNLEASH YOUR PLANT'S POTENTIAL
When I was growing up, canning was a sea-
son. So, I’m amazed to learn that people are
afraid to can, think it’s too much hassle, or
that you need all kinds of equipment. They’re
missing out on the finer things in life.
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 79
CANNINGBY TAMMY CLAYTON
ISN’T EXPENSIVE
canning kettle
jar tongs
jar funnel
Yes, it’s a lot of chopping, but it’s summer in a jar. You
really don’t have to invest in all kinds of special equipment
to do simple canning, and you can preserve the harvest in
small batches. You only need a pressure cooker for low
acid foods - not for pickles, jams, tomatoes, and simple
salsas.
My canning kettle - the
huge hot water bath pot
for processing jars in - was
found in the trash. Someone
made tomato soup and burned it. At the time
I had no money, so spending an afternoon
scouring the scorched tomato and milk out of
it was an affordable investment. I acquired the
jar rack at a garage sale for a quarter, along
with the jar funnel, the jar tongs, and even
some canning jars. As long as the rims are
smooth, and free of chips or cracks - you
can reuse them forever.
I’ve discovered the jar rack isn’t even necessary. Mine
was lost in moving, but I realized it at 11:00 pm with a
batch of salsa already boiling on the stove that needed
processing. I had to improvise fast. The rack serves two
purposes; to keep the bouncing jars from cracking as they
bounce together as it boils, and from direct contact with
the bottom of the pot.
YOU DON’T NEED ALL KINDS OF EQUIPMENT...
covered. When I hastily concocted this temporary fix, I
intended to replace the rack, but I couldn’t find the rack
alone, and wasn’t about to buy a whole new kit. Years
later, I’m still using washcloths. They fit both pint and
quart jars nicely. I even invested in new ones that hold
less water - the cheap ones they sell in a bundle at the
dollar store.
You can do the cooking part in soup pots or stock pots
for large batches, which most people already have in the
cupboard. If you don’t want to can 12 pints at a time, or
don’t have a big enough pot, you can cut the recipe in
half, even thirds, though as you get into preserving your
harvest this way, anyone with a backyard garden will soon
discover that its more efficient to put up the abundance
in full recipe projects.
Scout thrift stores, estate sales, flea markets, and yard
sales if buying new is out of the question. Do a little
dumpster diving. If it’s functional, it will work. Lids are
cheap, and so are jars at the dollar store. I have used a
slotted cooking spoon to raise jars out of the water far
enough to grab them with a hot pad - before I located jar
tongs that fit my budget.
Thanks to the cold summer and soil-borne diseases,
last year’s garden didn’t produce enough peppers and
tomatoes for home-canned salsas. It’s the first time in 7
years I’ve had to buy salsa, and that stuff isn‘t summer in a
jar at all. But the jalapeno patch delivered enough for one
batch of Escabeche. It’s highly addictive. I have to hide it
from my son who devours it by the pint. 3
Y O U D O N E E D A :
C ANN IN G K E T T L E ,
J A R F UNNE L , AN D
JA R T O N G S
Approximately 20 peppers in a pound. For smaller
batches, cut amounts in half or thirds.
INGREDIENTS
• 3 pounds PLUS 6 extra jalapenos (deseeded and sliced)
• 1 cup olive oil
• 2.5 pounds onions, thickly sliced
• 2 pounds carrots, peeled and thickly sliced
• 1 head garlic with cloves peeled & separated
• 12 cups apple cider vinegar
• 6 tablespoons kosher salt or sea salt
• 6 bay leaves
• 1-1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3/4 tsp dried marjoram
• 3/4 tsp dried thyme
• 3 tablespoon sugar
DIRECTIONS Heat oil in a large soup pot. Add the carrots and fry over
medium heat for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally. Add
chilies, onions, and garlic. Fry for 10 minutes, turning
occasionally.
Add the vinegar, salt, herbs and sugar. Bring to a boil.
Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Make sure
chiles are cooked through before canning.
Pack 12 sterilized US pint jars with the vegetables and
juice and seal. Process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.
**Metric jars: use 500mL size. Will probably fill 11 with a
little left over to refrigerate.
Let them cure for at least 2 weeks for best flavor.
Refrigerated opened jars will keep for 1-2 months.
Jalapeños en Escabeche
I used rags to cushion them. Old wash cloths and dish
towels. Put the jar in the center, and pull the corners up to
form a pouch held in place with a rubber band that hugs the
neck of the jar, making sure the shoulders are all covered.
When I hastily concocted this temporary fix, I intended
to replace the rack, but I couldn’t find the rack alone, and
wasn’t about to buy a whole new kit. Years later, I’m still
using washcloths. They fit both pint and quart jars nicely. I
even invested in new ones that hold less water - the cheap
ones they sell in a bundle at the dollar store.
You can do the cooking part in soup pots or stock pots
for large batches, which most people already have in the
cupboard. If you don’t want to can 12 pints at a time, or
don’t have a big enough pot, you can cut the recipe in
half, even thirds, though as you get into preserving your
harvest this way, anyone with a backyard garden will soon
discover that its more efficient to put up the abundance in
full recipe projects.
Scout thrift stores, estate sales, flea markets, and yard sales
if buying new is out of the question. Do a little dumpster
diving. If it’s functional, it will work. Lids are cheap, and so
are jars at the dollar store. I have used a slotted cooking
spoon to raise jars out of the water far enough to grab
them with a hot pad - before I located jar tongs that fit
my budget.
Thanks to the cold summer and soil-borne diseases, last
year’s garden didn’t produce enough peppers and tomatoes
for home-canned salsas. It’s the first time in 7 years I’ve
had to buy salsa, and that stuff isn‘t summer in a jar at all.
But the jalapeno patch delivered enough for one batch of
Escabeche. It’s highly addictive. I have to hide it from my
son who devours it by the pint. 3
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 81
CANNING
BY THEO TEKSTRA – MARKETING MANAGER GAVITA HOLLAND BV
YOU NEED TO MEASURE LIGHT PATTERN AND INTENSITY IN A 3 DIMENSIONAL MODEL
CALCULATING WITH LIGHTCALCULATING WITH LIGHTA 1000W HPS DOES
A 4X4 SPACE, RIGHT? .
It seems so easy. You have a few trays of plants, so what keeps you from just
hanging a few lamps above them? If you surf the forums, people are really clear
about how to do that - a 1000W HPS does a 4x4 space, right? Wrong.
WRONG
82
CALCULATING LIGHT
It is not easy to make a good model. You need an
instrument that is capable of measuring the pattern and
intensity of the light in a 3 dimensional model. Such an
instrument is a photogoniometer.
The photogoniometer enables us not only to create an
electronic fixture model, but it also allows us to calculate
the efficiency of a reflector, as the meter integrates all
the light coming from the source. Compare that to the
output of the original light source, and you have the
efficiency of your fixture. It’s an invaluable tool when
you are developing a good reflector.
So let’s assume that we have the fixture measured at a
certified facility, and have obtained a good IEC file. What
now?
Lighting calculationsoftwareYou need software to calculate and visualize the effect of
light fixtures in a room. There are many different types
of software for different purposes. One thing they all
have in common: they do not automate placement of
the lights, they just show you the result for your choices.
Compare it to buying Photoshop: you do not become a
graphic artist suddenly by obtaining the software. So,
lighting design is a serious job, one in which software
assists you. Having a lot of experience helps, but it can
still be a tedious job, because rooms are never designed
to suit the effective throw of a fixture. It can really be
hard to find a good lighting solution for a room.
In this article we use a Philips program called Calculux.
It allows you to position fixtures in a defined room, and
calculate what the light levels and light uniformity will be
on a specific plane in the room.
In reality there is a lot of light wasted, and there are
many urban legends about how to deal with lighting.
Here are a few:
• You can position LEDs really close to the crop.
• A 1000W HPS lamp covers 4x4 (or 5x5 according
to some).
• An air-cooled reflector allows you to get really
close to your crop.
• The best way to light your plants is by hanging your
lamps right above your tables.
• The further away from your plants, the more light
you lose. Doubling the distance easily reduces the
light by more than 50%. Or even 75%.
Sounds familiar? Now let us take a look how it really
works in three simple steps:
1. Let us make an electronic model of our fixture,
which completely mimics how the light exits it.
2. Use that model in special light calculation software
to simulate different situations.
3. Do some crazy things to see what the result is, and
check our calculations in a real life situation.
Electronic modelsProfessional lighting manufacturers have what we call
IEC files at their disposal. They are electronic models of
their fixtures, which when used in simulation software
predicts how much light will be available, how it will
look, and how uniform that light coverage will be. They
use these models to design the correct lighting in offices,
museums, large-scale architectural projects, sport fields
and stadiums, studios and, of course, climate rooms for
plants. Now you can imagine that in a climate room or
greenhouse it’s not so much about the atmosphere, but
more about the light levels, and how uniform the light
levels are in a room. That’s why there are also specific
programs for those types of calculations.
TAKE YOUR LIGHT METER, AND DO THE MEASUREMENTS
WRONG
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Then we need to know how much light we need. If it
concerns plants instead of office workers, then we need to
define that as PAR light, measured in photons per second
per square meter (umol s-1 m-2).
Now the real work begins. We are going to position the
fixtures in the model. First of all the designer needs to
select the right fixture, as not all fixtures will be suitable.
Some fixtures will need more distance to the surface
(which is possibly not available), and some just generate
too much light for a small surface. You need to take the
dimensions of the room into consideration and the amount
of fixtures you need to provide the right light levels. Many
times there are obstructions in the room, such as HVAC
units or vents, or structural elements.
A sample calculationTaking the surface and the desired amount of light, we can
calculate how many fixtures we need to light that room.
We will just take a straight clean room and will do this
scientifically. Wait... Let’s not!
I will now debunk a myth straight away: “a 1000W HPS fixture
covers a 5x5 area”. There you go, perfect 5x5 grid. We did not
calculate how many lights we needed, we just went by the “5x5
rule of thumb”.
Now look at the light level results and the uniformity in the
room! I would aim for about 1000 umol m-2 s-1 at >90%
uniformity with peaks no higher than
5-7% more than the desired level.
But no folks, that is not what you are
going to get. Take your light meter,
and do the measurements - you are
way off!
Always take a good look at the scale
of the intensities! And how big the
steps on the scale are. The larger
the steps, the less uniform the light
is in the room. Also look for the peak levels: they are going to
become your “hot spots” as with light comes radiant heat.
ET need input!So let us start with a simple room. What do we need to
know about that room that will influence the light levels,
besides the dimensions?
Light doesn’t always reach the subject directly, some gets
reflected from the walls, the ceiling, or even the floor.
So it is important to know what the reflectance of those
surfaces is, and to define that in your model.
Secondly, we need to know where to measure the light. If
there are plants involved, then where are they in the room,
at what height? And will they be growing to a different
height? Will they be on tables? Based on that, we define a
few virtual measuring grids in the room. The software will
calculate for us the light intensities and uniformity at those
particular planes, given a specific position of our fixtures.
In flowering rooms that is usually the height of the plants
when they enter the room, when they are at half their
future growth, and at the finished height. In many cases
floor or table levels are also provided as a baseline.
SOME FIXTURES WILL NEED MORE DISTANCE TO THE SURFACE
85
CALCULATING LIGHT
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM
A HPS FIXTURE WITH A HORIZONTAL LAMP DOES NOT
HAVE A SQUARE FIELD
Now, near the walls you always have losses which influence
the light uniformity in a room, so in all fairness, we measure
about 50 cm from the wall, the center of my grow area
where the plants will be.
Want to see it for a 4x4? Here you go:
As you see where
the lights overlap the
levels get way out
of control. You will
also see that with
any configuration
the levels near a
wall are worse than
in the middle. That
is because you do
not lose light over
distance, you lose it to the walls. Lights overlap and
compensate this way for the larger surface they cover.
That is also the reason you should not place your tables
against a wall.
So let’s clean this up, and let the light designer do his work.
He calculates how many fixtures he needs based on the
light requirements, the output of a fixture, and the losses
from the walls. This is the result:
As you can see a HPS fixture with a horizontal lamp does
not have a square field, but rectangular. You also see that
the uniformity is a lot better, and we reach over 90% in
every grid. Also notice that the light levels drop a bit, but
not as drastic as a direct application of the inverse square
law would suggest. I only lose less than 10% over double
the distance to the fixture. This is the effect of the overlap
of the reflector and its specific throw. Pretty amazing,
right? That is a second myth debunked. Remember that
this is only applicable for overlapping lights.
Lighting plants or lighting rooms?Now you have seen that using overlapping lights you get
an incredible horizontal and vertical uniformity. But how
about if I just position my lamps straight above my plants?
I don’t want to light the paths, right?
Well, that didn’t turn out as
hoped unfortunately. Only
with deeper reflectors (a
smaller exit angle) you can
clearly define a specific lit
area. Problem is though at
the edges the light will be
very much lower than in the
center. This is in particular
true for LEDs. Also you
do not have the advantage
of the overlapping lights,
which give you much more
uniform light levels, and a
far better horizontal penetration of the plant. Remember
folks, the sun is almost never just straight above you.
Next time we will continue this “exposé” with an explanation
about air-cooled fixtures, useless grid measurements, and
the facts about air-cooled reflectors. 3
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 87
CALCULATING LIGHT
88
ROUNDUP
glyphosate is now classified to ‘probably cause cancer’
“Monsanto said in its statement, “IARC has classified numerous
everyday items in Category 2 including coffee, cell phones, aloe
vera extract and pickled vegetables, as well as professions such
as a barber and fry cook.”
But the IARC classified most of these items at the less dangerous
2B level, whereas glyphosate is in the ‘probably carcinogenic’
2A category. Of Monsanto’s list, only emissions from high-
temperature frying and the occupational exposure experienced
as a barber are rated as 2A. “
Mind you the classification only includes glyphosate, and not
the molotov cocktail that comes from combining it with their
surfactant, also called an adjuvant. POEs are present in all
glyphosate weed killers, which are 3 times more toxic than
glyphosate, and never taken into account by these accepted
safety studies and lab tests, or the regulatory assessments.
One press source states that Roundup is only applied to
young plants early in the growing season, which is not true.
It is a recommended drying agent applied to any grain just
The Monsanto merry-go-round tilted the wrong way worldwide in March 2015. The World Health
Organization (WHO) issued an international press release on the 20th announcing that Roundup’s
active ingredient, glyphosate, is now classified to ‘probably cause cancer’. Naturally, this caused backlash.
Monsanto’s hackles are up, and the PR spin is in full swing. None of the studies used in the new
International Agency for Research on Cancer rating on glyphosate were Monsanto-approved. They
controversialize this report, labeling it ‘junk science’, just as they do all studies that find their products
unsafe. They demand a retraction, and rev up the disinfo machine.
Too late.
This took place during the EPA’s re-evaluation of
glyphosate as a registered pesticide, which naturally causes
Monsanto concern. The EPA has the IARC report, and will
now include the findings in their assessment of glyphosate.
Loss of EPA registration would halt the Roundup Ready
seed and pesticide sales... a devastating to corporate
health event.
There are those within the science community who also
have grave concerns over the hazards of this chemical.
Starting with those whose tests and reports were used
in this assessment of glyphosate that led to its new 2A
carcinogen classification. There were no industry-
presented studies included. The IARC considers only
government studies, and those published in peer-reviewed
journals.
Monsanto calls this cherry-picking, because it ignores the
results they prefer. The chemical giant rapidly gets damage
control underway spinning the reality to their favor in
the press. This quote from a Scientific American article
shows their twisting of facts to tilt the merry-go-round
back where they like it:
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 89
ROUNDUP’S NEW CLASSIFICATION OUTRAGESmonsanto
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prior to harvest to allow the farmer to maintain a business
schedule without the increased cost of a drying service.
The Glyphosate Task Force claims the IARC has gone about
this totally wrong. Naturally, this agency is comprised of
Monsanto and their agrochemical manufacturing cronies.
This self-appointed self-interest group asserts that the
evaluation has serious deficiencies - it’s not methodological,
and is inconsistent with all regulatory safety reviews.
Why would they find the IARC assessment satisfactory?
Glyphosate proponents toss-up the inconclusive evidence
that it causes cancer in humans. The only link to cancer
from exposure is with lab animals. Press coverage mentions
a huge health study done by the US government on cancer
among farmers due to pesticide use.
That report says nothing about glyphosate, yet it’s glowingly
pointed to as proof that it doesn’t cause cancer in humans. It
is unclear whether Roundup or glyphosate were included in
the study, which they conducted in two sessions: 1998 and
2003. This really wouldn’t prove conclusive today, because
Roundup Ready crops weren’t released until 1997 with the
soybean introduction, followed by corn in 1998. So that
first group of farmers would have had very little repeated
exposure to large amounts of glyphosate. Roundup Ready
cotton and canola also came out about this time.
What about that second round of farmers responding to
the 2003 survey? By this point in time Roundup Ready
Corn accounted for 90% of GMO corn grow worldwide.
Now there are 2,000 farmers afflicted with prostate
cancer, but the report not published until 2013 found the
only connecting link between a pesticide and their cancer
was malathion. We have no way of knowing if ANY of the
farmers who responded to the survey grew Roundup Ready
crops. The report is very brief, and no data collected is
readily available. It also notes that all these afflicted farmers
have a family history of cancer.
These are old studies conducted over a decade ago! Farmers
have broadcast billions of gallons of glyphosate on crops in
the last 12 years that are not included in this assessment. The
study subjects volunteered and answered survey questions
at a set location. No one followed farmers as is suggested
in the press. No one canvassed farm communities, or
studied much of anything beyond responses to pre-defined
questions. How is this conclusive proof?
Insufficient human testing will always be a convenient out.
They outlawed testing pharmaceuticals and pesticides on
people a long time ago. Instead we use rats, rabbits, and
guinea pigs, which are perfectly acceptable, unless the study
doesn’t sit well with the product manufacturer. Then they
claim the doses and exposure was excessive, but there are
hidden industry studies that have leaked out in recent years
with undesirable results.
Should the IARC be discredited?
No. They are the only agency not swayed by industry
presented studies and data. They follow strict guidelines in
assessing possible harm presented to humans by substances.
There was sufficient evidence that glyphosate alone
causes cancer in lab mammals that cannot be attributed to
hereditary factors, and would not have existed from other
means.
Science and health professionals around the world sounded
off, with the Science Media Centre in the UK quoting
credible experts like this one among those who feel there is
nothing wrong with glyphosate:
Prof. Andreas Kortenkamp, Professor in Human Toxicology
at Brunel University London, said:
”IARC have carefully assessed new evidence about the cancer
hazards of pesticides, and have now classified 5 pesticides
as either ‘probably’ or ‘possibly’ carcinogenic to humans. The
ROUNDUP
Monsanto jumps on damage
control with spin and propaganda
the classification only includes glyphosate, and not the POE
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 91
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ROUNDUP
authorities in the EU must now consider whether existing
measures are sufficient to protect consumers and pesticide
applicators from cancer risks. This will be particularly
important for the widely used weed killer glyphosate, now
classified as probably carcinogenic to humans. Home
gardeners especially should exercise the utmost care when
they use weedkillers that contain glyphosate.”
Beyond that, credible studies have determined that
glyphosate causes cell degeneration that can lead to
the onset of cancer, and that the chemical does not
disappear in a couple of weeks time. There are many
health and science professionals gravely concerned over
its persistent presence in the food, groundwater, air, and
precipitation everywhere.
Will this get glyphosate banned?
Only time will tell. The EPA also concluded glyphosate
caused cancer 35 years ago, an assessment they obviously
reversed. The agency’s most recent review for glyphosate
registration concluded as of early April with restrictions
being placed on the herbicide due to superweeds, not health
concerns.
WHO should not retract their statement, and it wouldn’t
matter if they did, because the truth is already out there
- a retraction would prove they are patsies who also bow
to corporate interests. Why has the EPA not sounded
off on this latest classification by the IARC? They’re not
done investigating yet, and this will soon be open to public
comment. The Glyphosate Task Force is also busy with
damage control in Europe battling the fallout from WHO
publishing the IARC report.
On top of that, the new restrictions on glyphosate will
result in fewer fields planted with glyphosate resistant GMO
crops, because about 50% of US farmland is now infested
with superweeds. Farmers were already finding it more
cost-effective to grow non-Roundup Ready crop varieties
last year when a return to traditional seed was noted by
seed dealers. If the US adopts the same approach to battling
superweeds as the UK has, the new guidelines will have
farms following a 3-year rotation on pesticides they can
apply, which would mean fewer fields growing glyphosate
resistant varieties.
This is far from over… everywhere. 3
ROUNDUP
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What are they? Why are so many fertilizer companies adding enzymes to their ever-expanding list of essential supplements?
95
BY RICK LE RENARD
ENZYMES I GARDEN CULTURE
NATURALLY OCCURRING,
AND NECESSARY TO ALL LIFE FORMS
Enzymes are extremely small, yet powerful proteins made of complex chains of amino acids folded
in shapes reminiscent of Pac-Man. Simply said, enzymes have the power to chop things into smaller
parts. They are able to break down, modify, and even create things! Naturally occurring, and neces-
sary to all life forms, without them, there would be no life - not as we know it anyways.
ENZYMES
The digestive process is the most commonly known use of
enzymes. The various enzymes along our digestive tract
convert what we eat into essential substances our bodies
require to function. Starting with the amylase in saliva, which
breaks down starches into simpler sugars, and on to the
others responsible for breaking almost everything that we
eat. Basically, enzymes permit us to convert food into energy.
When we’re missing a certain type of enzymes, we are faced
with digestive problems. For example, those who have no or
low levels of lactase in their stomach have issues digesting dairy
products, or more precisely, the lactose they contain.
Their mysterious powers have been known, and studied for
centuries, while millenniums ago, early humans knew nothing
about them, but they were certainly taking advantage of their
powers using them in cooking, brewing, and production of
various foods, like cheese. In nature, bacteria, microbes, and
fungus excrete enzymes, and they live in symbiosis with other
living things. Their complexity, and almighty powers have even
been cited by religious creationist groups to deny the theory
of evolution. They claim that “Enzymes are so perfect, and so
essential to life, only God could have created them. Enzymes
are created within living organisms, it is therefore impossible
for life to have appeared on its own.” While debating with
creationists is an amazing waste of time, and in the past they
were right about mankind not being able to create enzymes.
For many years the very complexity of it all made it impossible
for even the best scientist to create enzymes. We were only
able to harvest them from living organisms. Unfortunately
for the creationists, recent technological breakthroughs have
made it possible to create enzymes from “scratch.” It is still
much more economical to extract them via fermentation,
and other processes with specific bacterial and fungal
combinations, than to manufacture them.
After alcohol production, the most common usage of
industrially harvested enzymes started in the early 1900s in
making laundry and dish detergent. Industries were then able
to extract and isolate varieties that were good at breaking
down greases and dirt. Their presence helps in reducing the
need for phosphorous in detergent, hence helping in saving
our water supply from the cyanobacteria (AKA blue-green
algae). Enzymatic compounds are also widely used in septic
tanks to further break down what we didn’t break down
with our own enzymes. They are not relegated only to gross
cleaning jobs. We also use enzymes in very delicate medical
tasks, like purifying blood.
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Why should we use enzymes?ENZYMES
As complex as they are, enzymes are
really limited in the scope of actions they
can achieve, each type being only able to
produce one action on one single thing.
For instance, the cellulase enzyme can only
break down cellulose, nothing else.
While enzymes may be able to repeat
their tasks millions of times they can also
be deactivated or even destroyed; by other enzymes, change
in pH, temperature, etc. Naturally, these variables make
packaging enzymes for retail sale a real challenge, particularly
if a product contains many different types. The goal is that
they stay activated or useful. This is why sometimes we buy
enzyme products, and are rightfully justified to wonder if this
actually does something, because in many products out there
the enzymes are already “dead” in the bottle - long before
they reach your nutrient solution. Supplement makers can’t
control what happens between their loading dock and your
garden.
What they do for you.What’s in it for us gardeners?
Why should we use enzymes?
Are they all the same? What
is the difference between
different brands? Are they
safe for our plants, and the
consumables we grow?
There is no doubt, adding
enzymes to your feeding schedule is beneficial to plants. It aids
in simple tasks like getting rid of dead roots, or very complex
ones like helping the plant accelerate its development by
assisting in hormone biosynthesis.
Most manufacturers are quite guarded when it comes to
revealing the specifics about their product’s composition.
Often enzyme products use generic marketing words like
“improves plant health” and shy away from specific claims.
The most common reason for including enzymes in high
intensity gardening inputs is to keep the medium “clean.”
These types of enzymes act as a protection or an insurance
against disease. Some enzyme products
break down roots, others break down bad
bacteria and other detrimental life forms.
In converting their targets into sugars
and minerals, they also improve the soil
structures by eliminating dead material to
create new air and water channels before
it rots, and attracts pathogens. The all
too popular chemical alternatives can also
keep things quite clean, but leave a poisonous trail behind...
It may be very difficult to prove that the enzyme product
you bought really does anything. One simple DIY test to find
out if the product was able to break down two components
of dead root material, cellulose, and Hemicellulose. The
first by soaking a tiny piece of paper (cellulose test) and the
other with apple sauce (Hemicellulose). By seeing the paper
break down, and the apple sauce become liquid - we could
visually assess that at least those two enzymes were there,
and working.
However, if this test fails to break down paper, or liquefy
the apple sauce, it does not mean the enzymatic product
you bought is useless. It just means that Cellulase and
Hemicellulase are not present (or active). As said earlier,
there are many kinds of enzymes, each having a specific
function on a specific target. We know plants generate
enzymes for many functions, like creating hormones, and to
a wider extent making photosynthesis work. Sometimes it’s
good to combine various enzyme products together, certain
mixes when designed for specific growing techniques can
truly maximize a plant’s growth potential.
Some products sold as enzymes are not even enzymes, but
blends of microbes and fungi. When working properly, they
will populate and secrete various enzymes. But this is only
possible if the microbes are still alive, and able to reproduce
fast enough to be useful.
So we know enzymes are good for plants. There are
certain ones we can test for, but it is nearly impossible for
growers to test for complex enzymic actions, like bacterial
degradation, and hormone production. For this we will need
to have some faith in the manufacturers. 3
ENZYMES PERMIT US TO
CONVERT FOOD INTO ENERGY
BY DILLON ABRUZZESE AND KEITH ROBERTO
What if someone told you that plants can think?
Actively search for food, and communicate with
other plants to pass on important information?
Sounds like something out of a science fiction novel,
doesn’t it? Not quite…
Groundbreaking scientific research has recently shown that plants
can not only actively seek the resources necessary to thrive, but
also communicate with each other in ways we have never thought
possible. Read on to find out how something once thought of as a
passive, responsive, and dependent plant is showing us that plants
actually control their environment a lot more than we’ve ever
imagined before.
The idea of plants that can “think” may sound strange to some, if not
many of us humans. After all, we have for the most part been led to
believe that plants in themselves are at the mercy of the elements.
They grow as the climate permits, some better than others. But
certain species of plants seem to have evolved a lot further than we
previously believed. Through remarkable “under the earth” visuals
of root actions in the rhizosphere actively seeking food more like
animals than plants, to chemical messages exchanged as warnings
and distress calls delivered on the air, these little guys seem to act
much more like us than we’ve assumed.
It all starts below-ground, in the “root zone” or “rhizosphere”.
A plant seedling delicately sends down the main tap-root searching
for a suitable, nutrient rich environment. Almost like an octopus’
tentacle, it reaches out, and feels around the earth until it positions
itself in an area highly concentrated with the essential nutrients
for life. Once it reaches a preferential area within the rhizosphere,
growth of this new tap-root slows dramatically. At that point,
CAN PLANTS TALK?
PLANTS ACTUALLY CONTROL THEIR ENVIRONMENT”
98
PLANT COMMUNICATION I GARDEN CULTURE
gas ethylene. Once carried downwind to another nearby
acacia tree, that chemical “message” signals the next plant to
begin increasing its own tannin production.
But does this reaction actually consist of a conscious thought?
How is a simple plant able to detect, and react to an attack
- without having a brain, and some sort of thought process?
Better yet, how can a simple plant know exactly what is
attacking it? A quick look at the wild tobacco plant may give us
a small insight into this extremely complex action.
Whether it is an insect or herbivore,a plant sends distress
calls through the leaves out into the air where the wind then
carries the information to other nearby plants. Upon receipt
of the “messages”, something nothing short of extraordinary
happens. Amazingly, once a plant senses that it is under attack,
it can warn other plants that it is under distress, so that they
can now increase their own defensive reaction, and further
spread the message downwind with their own chemical
message. But they can also signal to insect predators and
ground-dwelling reptiles to come to its
defense by eating the bugs that are eating
the plants.
When a plant-eating insect begins to
consume a part of a plant, saliva from its
mouth comes in contact with the plant
tissue. The plant is then able to identify
that chemical by the attacking insect’s own chemical signature
contained within its saliva - just as our own white blood cells
identify specific pathogens. The wild tobacco plant can identify
the culprit, and fine tune its chemical response accordingly,
and forward the knowledge downwind to nearby comrades.
At this point in science, exactly how a plant without a brain, or
nervous system is able to seem to think, and make decisions
based on chemical information is unclear. It remains a mystery,
how a simple plant can undertake all of these actions. Plants
that were once thought of as at the mercy of the elements, have
recently been shown through advanced scientific research to
have an incredibly advanced chemical response system.
The plethora of emerging information about active plant
response systems in today’s science is astounding. Using new
and emerging technologies, the chemical response system
will be further researched, and understood in greater depths.
Through continued study, we humans have seen that what was
once thought of as a simple, mindless plant, is much more
extraordinary and complicated than ever imagined. 3
encouragement of lateral growth in the root takes place to
thoroughly reach out, and make a foothold in the nutrient rich
environment.
Spreading out and actively searching, almost akin to the
foraging of a black bear, once the root has found a place where
the conditions are ideal, it slows its movement, and consumes
as much of the necessary elements that are available in the
immediate area. Once the root has consumed the available
elements of the area, it again acts more like an animal than a
simple plant, by again moving onward slowly, searching out the
next berry patch. Mission accomplished, it once again slows
down, and eats its fill.
Even more interesting is that root tips seem to “think” about
where to travel to next. According to new studies of the Root
Brain Theory, first established by Charles Darwin, science
has shown that when you remove a root tip from a live root,
although growth continues, the root seems to lose the ability
to “feel around” for desirable areas,
and “decide” where to slow growth to
maximize the uptake of nutrients.
However, while all may seem calm below,
in the “rhizosphere”, above ground
within the foliage, a completely different
chemical response system is at work, and
it is warning other nearby plants of an inherent enemy attack.
In comes the enemy, the plant-eating insects, of which there
are many different species, some preferring specific plant
types. When a bug begins consuming a part of a plant, chemical
messages transmit through the entire plant body, “telling”
itself to change its physiology. By ramping up the production
inside itself of certain toxins, scientifically named “green leaf
volatiles” - some plant species are able to thwart an enemy
attack by poisoning the aggressor.
Some of these toxins called “tannins” are molecules produced
by some plants in self-defense against predators, like plant-
eating insects, and parasites. On the Limpopo Savannah, in
northeastern South Africa, the acacia tree - also known as the
Thorn Tree, uses these tannins to protect itself from predators.
When herbivores, such as the kudu, a large animal resembling
the antelope, overgrazed an acacia tree the tannin production
within the tree increased to the point where the animal can
no longer digest the foliage, literally killing the animal. Also
produced by the acacia tree during overgrazing is the chemical
CAN PLANTS TALK?
CHEMICAL MESSAGES
EXCHANGED AS WARNINGS AND DISTRESS CALLS
99
N-PEE-K
Cutting costs in the garden is of interest to
everyone. Free is awesome. Natural is the
preference. Getting both in two easy steps is
available anywhere on the planet. You see…
Human urine is a fast-acting, nitrogen-rich, all
natural nutrient your garden plants will love.
Sound disgusting? It really isn’t, you’ve just
been conditioned to get grossed out by such
an idea. A little perception adjustment is in
order.
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 101
N-PEE-KBY AMBER FIELDS
URINE THE GARDEN
Pee is good stuff in the garden.
It is instant fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen, and includes
a pinch of phosphorous and potassium too. You want fast
action in vegetative growth and greening? This is liquid
plant steroids. Beef that crop up in a jiffy, along with an
injection of rich foliar color almost overnight.
No doubt this sounds horrifyingly unsanitary to a lot of
people. Relax. Urine from a healthy person is sterile.
There are no pathogens in it unless the donor is fighting an
infection, or another illness. The harmful stuff your body
vacates is in the feces, so be sure to develop outstanding
TP techniques before jumping into peecycling, or you
could contaminate those free organic nutrients in the
collection process.
N-PEE-KA FAST-ACTING, NITROGEN-
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The Nutramist Cyclone Fogger excels at adding humidity to the grow room without the splashing of conventional mechanical foggers. The ultra-fine fog vaporizes entirely within seconds after dispersion.
Whether you’re starting from seeds or cuttings, once the initial roots emerge from your starting medium, growth explodes. The accompanying photo shows a habanero pepper seedling just 47 hours after sprouting from a seed.
The idea of using the Nutramist Cyclone ultrasonic fogging mechanism to more effectively deliver direct acting pest controls has been extensively researched and documented. Visit www.nutramist.com for more...
Foliar treatments are literally inhaled by leaves since the Nutramist Cyclone fog is so fine. Leaves are never left soaking wet which helps prevent dreaded mildew and mold outbreaks.
Growing mushrooms indoors is a challenge. Humidity, temperature and cleanliness of the air in the environ-ment must be strictly controlled. Nutramist Cyclone can help mycologists gain better control over their craft.
FOGPONICS
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APPLICATIONS INCLUDE
When traditional hydroponic/aeroponic methods are combined with a gentle fog, upper air roots receive the benefits of unlimited oxygen, stable humidity and your choice of stimulants and/or supplements. The results will amaze
The Nutramist Cyclone Fogger excels at adding humidity to the grow room without the splashing of conventional mechanical foggers. The ultra-fine fog vaporizes entirely within seconds after dispersion.
Whether you’re starting from seeds or cuttings, once the initial roots emerge from your starting medium, growth explodes. The accompanying photo shows a habanero pepper seedling just 47 hours after sprouting from a seed.
The idea of using the Nutramist Cyclone ultrasonic fogging mechanism to more effectively deliver direct acting pest controls has been extensively researched and documented. Visit www.nutramist.com for more...
Foliar treatments are literally inhaled by leaves since the Nutramist Cyclone fog is so fine. Leaves are never left soaking wet which helps prevent dreaded mildew and mold outbreaks.
Growing mushrooms indoors is a challenge. Humidity, temperature and cleanliness of the air in the environ-ment must be strictly controlled. Nutramist Cyclone can help mycologists gain better control over their craft.
FOGPONICS
PROPAGATION
FOLIAR FEEDING
HUMIDIFICATION
PEST CONTROL
MYCOLOGY
Instant Humidity
Pest Control Fogging
Drip-Free Foliar Feeding
Fungicides/Mildecides
Improved Propagation
GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 103
N-PEE-K
THIS IS LIQUID PLANT STEROIDS
A HEALTHY PERSON’S PEE IS
STERILE
It’s scarier when you realize that you’re wasting 5.8 gallons
of drinking water every day disposing your urine in the
toilet. That’s 2100 gallons of water the average adult
flushes away a year! Now, how much did you pay the water
department for the initial bowl-full of clear water? Pretty
pricey? Not quite as pricey as after they cleaned
the pee out of your water, and sold it back to
you again - repeatedly.
Worse still, you’re flushing perfectly good
organic plant nutrition down the drain.
Enough free fertilizer to feed you for 6
months to a full year. And you thought
lawns and commercial agriculture were
such a drain on precious water resources.
Rethink that flush!
Consider that many fertilizers are ‘urea’
based... as in urine. It’s just that your urine
is natural, and the compound known as
‘urea’ in most plant nutrients is fake. It
destroys the soil food web.
What is urea?
Dutch scientist, Herman Boorhaeve discovered
urea in human urine in 1727. A century later,
Friedrich Wohler invented synthetic urea in
Germany, a major breakthrough of sorts, it was the
first chemical reproduction of an organic substance.
Today, synthetic urea has the highest nitrogen content of
all solid fertilizers in common use. Chemical urea has a
crop-nutrient value of 46-0-0.
Plants find urine pee-utiful.
As you can see, synthetic urea is what
you would call ‘super hot’ fertilizer,
because the bigger the ratio, the
easier it is to burn your plants - IF
the nutrient is not diluted properly
(a.k.a. ‘watered in thoroughly’).
Your pee is naturally less caustic
with an N-P-K analysis of about 11-1-
2 for those who consume the typical
Western diet. So here you have this
free source of plant nutrition that is
infinitely renewable, and a cinch to
gather. Surely, free means it’s not
as good as the other stuff? Hardly.
Standard bat guano has something
like 10-3-1 NPK. Blood meal has a 12-
2-1 ratio on average, and cottonseed meal
41% offers the organic grower 6.56-2.54-
1.78. But you know exactly what went into
your pee, and where it came from. Not so
with this other stuff.
The plant goodness found in urine goes deeper
than the basic NPK. All the good stuff you eat includes
elements that plants need, and pee contains what your
body doesn’t use. Both organic and inorganic, like
vitamins, calcium, enzymes, magnesium, and so on - that
keep a garden healthy and growing well. For any hydro
grower, the connection between the trace elements
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PAR rated lighting for explosive plant growth.
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GARDENCULTUREMAGAZINE.COM 105
N-PEE-K
found in urine and hydroponic supplements will be
instantaneous.
Naturally, the breakdown of each individual’s pee varies
according to what they eat. What goes in that isn’t used or
absorbed - must come out. On a high-protein diet? Your
urine will have an analysis that is higher in nitrogen. Eat a
lot of prepared foods, French fries or chips, and canned
veggies? This too will affect the contents of urine, because
they have heavy salt content that greatly increases the
salinity of your urine, which can build up in the soil and
create issues for your plants. This is especially true for
gardeners living in an arid climate, while those who live in
a wet region have Nature washing it away instead.
What about pee-H?
If pH is a concern, such as in the hydroponic garden’s
closed loop, you certainly wouldn’t want to use fresh pee.
In this stage, urine can vary from 5-9 pH level. Why such
a range? Again, what you eat affects the contents of what
your body disposes. However, aging urine adjusts the pH
to about neutral, so it will reach a stage of pH that is safe
for use in any growing method.
Where can you use N-pee-K?
First of all, urine can provide nutrients for just about every
kind of gardening. There is such a thing as ‘peeponics’,
which uses little to no chemical nutrients or supplements.
Some call it bioponics, and it’s definitely an off-the-grid
form of soilless growing.
Secondly, plants that are given only diluted pee as nutrition
are known to exceed the health and vigor of those grown
with ‘normal’ fertilizers - chemical or organic. How’s that
for food for thought? So, if you lost everything tomorrow,
but the most basic things and a few seeds... you could
continue to provide yourself and your family with food,
grown indoors and out, using nothing but recycled urine.
Thirdly, considering it has no cost, and is a plentiful,
renewable source of nitrogen - you can use it on the
entire yard. Free lawn fertilizer, flower garden fertilizer,
shrub and tree fertilizer, kitchen garden fertilizer... heck,
even your house plants will dig it. And you’ll be conserving
a humongous amount of fresh water too.
Still grossed out?
What do you think any organic fertilizer is? We’ve got
manure. Cow, sheep, horse, goat, chicken, or rabbit... it’s
the shit, dude. Literally. Then there is vermicompost, and
guano, be it bat or seabird. More poop.
Ahhh, you use blood meal? As if that’s not gory, and God
knows where that meat came from, or what they fed the
animals before being bled. Animal poo or dried-goo is
good, and human pee is bad? Maybe you should stick to
synthetic fertilizers and chemical nutrients, because to
the closed mind, they’re ‘acceptable’ or more ‘hygienic’.
Everything is safer created in a sterile lab? Scotts and
Monsanto adores you.
How to use pee in the garden.
Don’t just pee in a cup and rush outdoors to anoint your
plants. This is high nitrogen-content liquid fertilizer. It
needs diluting, or you might burn up your grow. Pasteurize
it first, let it age a bit. Then use a 10:1 water-pee solution.
Take advantage of the sun to ‘compost’ the urine after
collection. It’s heat and ultraviolet rays age the liquid.
Should you be running an infection, or if you’re taking
prescription medicine, don’t use your urine as food plant
fertilizer.
Depending on the size of your container, cook the pee in
full sun for a week to a full month. Then it’s safe to use at
the right dilution.
For more information, trust in Google, who knows
all. Search for: peeponics, bioponics, and human urine
fertilizer. 3
PLANT GOODNESS THAT’S DEEPER THAN THE BASIC NPK
www.cannagardening.com
The godsmust be crazy
www.cannagardening.com
The godsmust be crazyw
ww
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naga
rden
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ADV_NA-EN_CORP_AAP_GARDEN_CULTURE.indd 1 13-08-14 14:46
