"ZHO" Root Inoculant by Botanicare

I just got this ZHO Rhizosphere Root Inoculant this week and applied it to 5-6 outdoor plants in coco that are still young, roughly 3 weeks old.

We will see how it goes but I already know the powers of it's main ingredients based on past experiences with the same type of product but different company.

I will follow up in a few weeks to talk about how insane the root structure develops into a giant mass of feeders everywhere. For now, you can click on the flowers at the top of this page which will direct you to Sunlight Supply where you can find Botanicare ZHO. Be well.....

Cutting Edge Solutions

These Micro and Macro nutrients are priced less than most nutrients of the same size I have seen, but they work well and dissolve very easily into water. All of these formulas are water-thin liquids making it easy for dilution. I have used this stuff on several runs and I usually go full strength except for the first 2 applications where I start off with 3/4 strength. I have never had any deficiency or burns when using Cutting Edge Solutions.

Besides the Grow, Micro, and Bloom, Cutting Edge offers Uncle John's Solution, which is a good supplement delivering a boost of Potassium. Also in this picture is Mag-Amped, a booster that supplies a spike of Sulfur and Magnesium. Last but not least is Plant-Amp, a nice lil' spike of Calcium. The dilution rates are very good, on average 8-10 ml. per. gallon.

I picked this stuff up at my local shop, but you can search "Cutting Edge Solutions" and find many sources. Very wallet friendly and it lasts a long time. Will not clog up anything.

EcoPlus Air Pump

This is for sure the most cost efficient pump that delivers the oxygen you need for a basic home made 12-14 gallon Tupperware/Rubbermaid Deep Water Culture system. Two outlets means you can run two stones on separate sides of your tank. In a 12-14 gallon tank with 2 stones there will be a heavy flow of bubbles gushing to the surface of the water and keeping the nutrient solution moving constantly. You can adjust the pressure, but full blast is just fine for me. They run very quiet and they don't jump all over the place let alone even move. I use a different pump for an Oxygen Shield Diffuser, this works well for extra large stones.

This specific model with two outlets is best suited for my Rubbermaid tubs, which are used most often by DIY'ers DWC set-up's, using one pump to each tub. There are other models with more outlets, up to 8, and a smaller one with just one outlet. All priced accordingly to size. You can find them at Sunlight Supply, you can find Sunlight Supply by clicking on the flowers at the top of this page. Be well....

Black Gold Coco mix

This is great stuff at a great price. To be 100% honest, I usually buy compressed coco-bricks now a days, but there's no shortcomings in this stuff. It depends where you go, but I have found this specific bag to be priced very well for what it has. Works very well with hydroponics or outdoor organics. For hydroponics, I would recommend a few flood tables and Smart Pots filled up with this stuff, nice and simple.

You really don't need to add much if your going organic. Take it easy with your N,P,K's at first because this mix already has some of that. It contains Sphagnum peat moss, coconut fiber, earthworm castings, pumice, dolomite lime, and an organic wetting agent. You will need a good boost of Nitrogen for your early veg stages because the worm castings used are the phosphorous castings, not the nitrogen castings.

Some 5-gallon Smart Pots filled up with this stuff and some extra pearlite, preferably the large chunks, will blow you away. The roots will receive so much fresh oxygen but keeping moist and dark deep inside the choir. This will also air-prune the roots and form a very fibrous root system with feeder roots extending all throughout the pot. If you grow coco give it a try. I hope they come out with compressed blocks soon.

ProGrip Light Fixture Hangers

I'm sure many of you agree when I say there are certain times throughout your runs where you find yourself figuring out new ways to keep raising the lights every few days. Not that it's a bad thing, but I have some areas that have some rather questionable supports and fixtures holding HPS and CFL lighting. Thats where these came into play.

These snap&lock hangers preform well under pressure. Climbing hooks on each end makes attachment quick and easy. The ratchet-like pully action locks the cord into place where ever you want. Simply pull the excess cord to raise the lights. A push button thumb-lock will release the lock mechanism allowing you to lower them. They are super secure and you know it's guaranteed because Sunlight Supply makes these and they don't make any junk.

O/S "Oxygen Shield" Air Diffuser

If you grow your crops using any kind of Deep Water Culture methods, then I highly recommend getting yourself one of these Oxygen Diffusers from "Deep Water Innovations". These units come in all different sizes to best suit your DWC buckets, tubs, or whatever you use. The wide area coverage is gives you really makes a difference in the amount of oxygen the roots receive. These are not cheap and ineffective rocks.

Switching over to these after using the typical "air stones" was very impressive. The large area coverage it supports in comparison to spaced out stones was great and used just one line instead of multiple lines supplying multiple stones. I must say, I was stoked.

The area coverage is just half of the equation. The other advantage it offers is the ability to turn your 20 millimeter bubbles (on average) from you stones, into micro diffused .25 (1/4 millimeter) bubbles. There are 2 different bubble sizes you can get with these diffusers- 3 millimeter and .25 millimeter. Thats a massive size difference between the bubbles that air stones create. A new air stone will produce bubbles that range from 20-30 millimeters, an air stone covered with algae and other organic matter will make even larger bubbles, more than 50 millimeters in diameter. Thats a big bubble that does not work well with the roots. What the roots love are tiny, micro diffused oxygen bubbles that are able to work in harmony with you N,P,K and beyond. The Oxygen Shield helps to create this environment.

Deep Water Innovations is a stand up company that has really good stuff. You can find all of their products through Sunlight Supply, another "stand-up" company with a great reputation. Clicking on the flowers at the top of this page will bring you to their site.

Fox Farm "Big Bloom"

From the rolling hills of Northern California, this Humboldt County original has been giving plants what they need ever since it was ALL considered "bag seed" and not too many strain specific plant species were in circulation at all. If your confused, I'm talking WAY back when. You can't go wrong when it comes from the multi-generation farmers of the North Coast. Growers of the finest indeed, it's what their economy has been based on ever since the Emerald Triangle became what it is today, Humboldt County California.

I have tried their "Grow" formula, but here I will talk about the "Big Bloom" formula. I used this for some outdoor plants in their Bloom phase along with some organic Bloom Boosters. One plant I used just the Fox Farm Big Bloom and it actually kept right up with the other plants that were receiving PK spikes! The only difference was size and density, while the test plant gave up on production the last 2 weeks (which is typical for plants to do in their last week or two), the other plants were able to pump out some last minute production with help from the Bloom Boosters I was using. Besides that, the plant given only Fox Farm did very well compared the the plants that were spiked.

This stuff is super organic and to say the least, it's pure earth. You just "feel" so organic when you use it. Very thick stuff and it's gotta be shaken before use very well. The ingredients are elements that are centuries old in horticulture. It mostly consists of Liquefied Bat Guano and Earthworm Castings. In other words, it's a bottle of liquid bat shit and liquid worm shit. Oh, and a little liquid bird shit too. Yum, the plants love it! It also contains some sea ingredients like kelp, which the roots go crazy over, making way for a fast growing plant. This stuff will help build the biological spectacular happening in your soil so much that your soil will quite literally be "alive" with beneficial biological life constantly creating and delivering to your plant essential micro and macro nutrients along with elements and enzymes from A to Z. Your soil under a microscope will be like a whole 'nother world. With shopping malls and restaurants. HERE is Fox Farm's web site. Be well...

CNS-17 (commercial nutrient system 17)

CNS-17, otherwise known as "commercial nutrient system 17" is a real easy 1-part complete nutrient system that works great for both small and commercial grows. It's very thick, yogurt-like formula may surprise you at first, but be aware.. the thickness easily dilutes in water and the thickness is only because of it's suspension technology that keeps your plants roots happy.

The ones I have used, I have pictured here, which are Hydro Grow and Hydro Ripe. The Hydro grow is obviously for the veg stage and the Hydro ripe is even more obviously for late flowering. Both products delivered on time and in check and I can't complain one bit. The ones I do not have shown are "Hydro Bloom, Coco Grow, Coco Bloom, and Coco Ripe. There are 6 bottles in all, Grow, Bloom, and Ripe, for hydro and the same line for coco/soil. I'm so use to combining 2 bases and 4 boosters, that when I ran this stuff on a test run, it almost didn't feel right only using one single bottle and not having to worry about what the plants missing. My plants were missing nothing. No nutrient deficiencies what so ever throughout the entire run. I like it, you should try it. Be well...

BLOOM by Agricultural Organics

Ok, seriously, if you want to go organic, but still have complete control over what your plants are getting, then BLOOM nutrients are the way to go. Also know to be called the "Yellow Bottles", they have got SO many organic micro and macro nutrients, trace elements, sea minerals and rare earth minerals packed in these bottles and they are definitely VERY organic. My cat goes ballistic when I open either the SeaFuel or the SeaMinerals. The super concentrated thick formulas will just make you feel so organic and earthy.

With so many different bottles to get, you can really pin point and deliver just what your plants crave in strain-specific formulas. The bottles I have here are Sea Minerals, Sea Fuel, Seaweed, Roots BLOOM, Pre BLOOM, Humate, and some finisher and foliar sprays. Very thick stuff, your soil will love it. I don't know about putting this stuff in hydroponics. Some systems you can probably get away with it. But I have a phobia about organics and hydroponics. I have always kept my organic grows in soil, and saved the chems for hydro. Be well....

General Hydroponics 3-part Flora Series

Well I suppose when you see a picture on here that I use, and the bottles are practically empty, I suppose that already says enough. Which I look at in a good sense because really, what is there to say about General Hydroponics? I suppose some see them as the "grandfather" in the industry being around for the longest time. I suppose you can take into consideration their credentials recognized by NASA. Yes, NASA is using General Hydroponics for their space growing experiments. And have you ever seen Disney's Hydroponic Farm? Holy Mary Mother of Jah! You must see what they got going on. It's good to know that General Hydroponics are the nutrients behind their massive exotic hydro-farm. You can never go wrong with General Hydro, great for beginners and pros. Be well...

Hydroplex

This is a great Bloom Booster/PK Spike that delivers in just a matter of days after the first application. 2-5 ml. per gallon will show you an increase in yield, flavor, and essential oil production. When I use Hydroplex as my spike, I watch my Phosphorous levels because this stuff contains a lot. Typically, the PH does not need to be messed with too much, but as always, it's best to check your levels after introducing a PK spike to your nutrient solution.

Hydroplex has a wide range amino acids, trace minerals, select vitamins to compliment the base "P" and "K". This formula claims to increase flower and fruit sets, promotes chlorophyll and protein production, promotes natural development of enzymes and vitamins, enhances the plants resistance to external stress, promote natural sugar development, speeds bloom process, and promotes essential oil production.

Well, I got some fat ass buds with sticky wads of gooey trichome goodness so I suppose that supports the above paragraph. Try it, don't be scared. You can pick this stuff up at Sunlight Supply. Finding their site is easy, just click the flowers at the top of this page. Be well.....

Plant Yo-Yo's

These things are pretty damn cool. Very practical in the garden when your dealing with top-heavy flowering plants. I wish I could have thrown a bunch in the picture, but all of them are being used in my garden right now. I ended up with a bunch of these after a hydro convention in Santa Barbra. I got 5 or 6 of them for free because the guys from Hydro International were passing them out. But for a few bucks they are very practical items to have in the garden.

They do just what it says, a heavy-test fishing line with the odd, but convenient shaped hook on the end comes out to about 5 or 6 feet, and retracts when you push the button on the side just like a YO-YO. It will lock in place at a desired length, or you can just leave the tension on to support the tops of your plants. The tension is set at a perfect torque so no stress or damage is done to your plant.

Next time your at the hydro shop and you have a few bucks extra to spend, I think you will find constant convenience with a few of these hanging above your plants. Be well....

Einstein Oil Leaf Shine

Don't let the label fool you! The fact that it is a "leaf shine" is just the tip of the iceberg with Einstein Oil. This cold-pressed neem oil concentrate will knock out an infestation of spider mites in a matter of weeks. What other all-natural, organic pesticide can do that?... All while nurturing your leaves with a glossy shine. This is NOT at all like other neem oils. I have been through 3 different brands, one of them a ready mixed foliar spray, and none of them compared to what Einstein's could do. You cannot compare this to other neem oils because it's cold pressed and contains things that other extraction processes leave behind. In my opinion, if something knocks out spider mites so efficiently, then I am sure it will take care of any other damaging insect presence.

I remember from some hear-say at the hydro shop that there was some legal issues with it's label when they tried to call it an organic pesticide. I don't remember the details but some way some how they just changed the products description as a "leaf shine", confident that shop owners and consumers already knew the effectiveness of it's insect control. This is now my sole weapon of mass destruction against the destructive insect populations that dare to invade my territory. It's all I need for the fight against plant terrorism. A few applications during early veg phase will keep everything away up until harvest. It's a real good product.

You will need to use a wetting agent to help break down the oil concentrate when you dilute the mixture. I use my Dutch Master "Penetrator" that is used in conjunction with Dutch Master "Liquid Light". The Penetrator is a very sophisticated wetting agent and works very well breaking down the neem oil into water. This bottle cost me around $20 and lasted a year. I got mine at my local shop but Sunlight Supply carries it as well. I give all of my plants multiple applications in early veg so I use a decent amount and I think it's well worth the twenty dollars. Be well...

Malathion **POISON**

NO, no, NO, no, NO, no, NO, no-NO-NO!!!!!!! Absolutely positively do NOT use this poison!! I was clueless at the time when I found myself buying it, and I actually used it a few times and let me tell you.. talk about some extreme toxic chemical smells going on big time here. After smelling this toxic (possibly made from nuclear waste...kidding) I noticed myself floored from the stench. That was just not right, I had to find out more.

After talking to a buddy of mine from Santa Barbra, an old school looooong time grower of the finest, he informed me of how bad this crap actually is. Not for the light hearted, but how about a full serving of genetically mutilated fish and animals with extreme abnormal growths. How's a real life "3-eye'd" fish, like from the Simpsons. How about some city's and towns attempts at mosquito control, only to kill and mutilate the animals and fish. Peoples pets were dying. Oh yes my friend, the stuff is deadly. You can click right HERE to find out more about Malathion and the harm it does.

Don't do it, just don't. If you have some- flush it. Please read the links I provided about this stuff if you use it. The best insect control I have ever used is a brand of cold-pressed neem concentrate. Be sure to check out my review on Einstein's Neem Oil for them damn spider mites and aphids!

Green Planet Wholesale "MASSIVE"

The boys and girls at Green Planet Wholesale has brought us this great Bloom Booster that gets the job done in a very cost efficient way. If you have had enough with the fancy stuff and just want to get yourself a big ol' jug of some basic PK spike for a very economical price, then here's your pick. It will do the job and increase your overall flower quality.

Containing Phosphate, Potash, Magnesium, Potassium, and a tiny bit of Nitrogen (1%), this stuff is thin like water, not like those thick formulas. This stuff will dilute very well in your nutrient solution. It will require a bit of some PH down if used in large amounts, but typically does not mess with the PH too much. You use a bit much for a dilution rate at 20ml per gallon, but the jug is big and should last a while. This one I got here is still full and was used in just one run with great results in overall flower production and essential oil development.

The price is right here ladies and gentlemen, if your on a budget here is your choice. Take care and be well.

"SAFER" brand Garden Fungicide

Ever have a problem with that white mold build up that collects on your leaves? Tried to get it off only making it spread even worse? We all live and learn, especially in this trade.

There are a few options for white mildew also known as "powdery mildew". This sulfur-based product worked very well for me during one of my outdoor seasons after a period of rain. After baking in the California sunshine in dry conditions for so long, sometimes rain can work against you. This stuff knocked out the powdery mildew issue in a matter of days. Less than a week it was gone. I had it pretty bad because the wind was spreading it. Luckily it was during veg season so no flowering was going on for the mold to get stuck in.

It's totally safe and organic and it works great. I tried a few things that were recommended to me when I had this problem and after using different ones on different plants, this was the winner. Look for it at your garden store, they have many products so make sure you get the sulfur based fungicide spray.

Botanicare "SWEET"

Not bad... not a bad product at all. It does what it says it does, which is enhanced production of trichomes and/or essential oils. There was a promotion deal when they were first released at my hydro shop, and I was one of the lucky ones to get a sample. After using up the sample, I went out and bought two oz. bottles of Grape and Raw. I bought a larger size (1 gallon) of Citrus. Some medicinal strains of plants I run carry a Berry aroma, which the SWEET Grape works with very well. Another strain has a strong citrus aroma, which of course I compliment with the SWEET Citrus. And last but not least, the SWEET raw is just a flavorless version of the mixture.

Each ones scent is very original in it's own nature and has a very pleasant, one of a kind smell. Dilution rate is pretty good at 10-15ml per. gallon. It's complimented by many beneficial elements and micro nutrients including scientifically formulated carbs, esters, organic acids, vitamins, and amino acids, it's base ingredients are Magnesium and Sulfur.

This stuff will be staying on my shelve. Very noticable effects on test runs with the trichome development compared to a plant of the same strain left untreated and given only base nutrients. Go try it, you will like what you see. They have smaller sized "trial" bottles for under $20 that should last you quite a few cycles. Take care and be well... -E

Rosebud Magazine

Straight from the minds of the same heads that brought us Advanced Nutrients, comes this awesome magazine all about hydroponics and the lifestyle involved. With interviews involving some high profile figures such as Michael Moore and Jeff Bridges, this magazine came right on time. Very cool articles and amazing graffix and print. The high gloss pages jump out almost as much as the cover, which is such high quality print, it almost seems 3-d.

The aim of this magazine is to make the hydroponics industry grow. It's a new outlet to a different group of growers. Growers that dont agree with the "MJ policy" and unfriendly shops giving some really good people and expert growers the cold shoulder...I'm generally talking about legal Medical Cannabis growers that are licensed and in full compliance with California's proposition 215. Growers that believe only Mother Nature can provide the best all-around medicine for the human body. Growers like myself.

Pick up this mag at your local hydro shop. If you cant find a copy, HERE is the website.

Oasis grow cubes

Move over Grodan! It's a new era! No, just kidding, Grodan still rocks, but I really cant stop my love affair with Oasis. I really like this stuff. It's a very porous foam-like material that holds water just as good as rockwool, if not longer. It's like that material that roses sometimes come in, the green foam stuff that molds to your touch... it's just like that, but better quality "foam".

Works great for seed propagation or clones, can be used in many different hydroponic systems. It's easy to tell when they get too dry because they change color from a darker shade of brown. They will mold to fit an whatever container you got, flats or plastic cups. The price is right for these things also. A much cheaper route than rockwool. Give em' a try. I dont think you will be disappointed.

DutchMaster's "Liquid Light" foliar spray

Surprisingly enough, I most certainly seen results after using Dutch Master's "Liquid Light". When I first heard of a foliar product that you spray on your plants making it able for them to absorb up to 30% more light, I thought "c'mon you gotta be kidding me". But I was quickly corrected by my hydro shop guy after he told me that it actually does work, and it's scientific formula is actually pretty damn "break through". My guy is pretty straight up with me about products so it's not often that I take home garbage. But trust me, if I use something that turns out to be garbage, I'll let you know.

It's a pretty simple 2-part formula that really does let your plants leaves absorb more light. Another good thing about it is that the "penetrator" bottle is really just a high-tech wetting agent, so I use it with other products I have that require wetting agents to help, such as neem oil concentrate.

I cant get into the science behind it, because I dont even fully understand it yet. But I know it works. And talking to other growers on the forums that have used it, they have all agreed. I have not met anyone that was disappointed with this stuff. Also, it's a foliar spray, so it's going to last you a long time. You only need to apply it 2-3 times a week. I noticed this product to be most effective during the vegetative phase of your plants. Here is DutchMaster's website.

Atami Bloombastic

Talk about an all in one! Ok, I know I will be reviewing many bloom boosters here because I am always trying new stuff, but I want this one to stand out. There are many different bloom boosters that contain different micro-nutrients that make up the formula. There are not many that take all of them and put it into one. Thats where Bloombastic came through like a ton of bricks.

This stuff is like thick green yogurt, but it will dissolve into your water easily. I may recommend a small pump to keep the water circulating because this stuff is clay based and it will sink to the bottom over time if left unsettled. A bit of a drawback, but I really cant complain after seeing what tis stuff can do.

This "pure mineral" PK booster with plant metabolizers will for sure increase your plants yield, flavors, and oils. It works, it works very well. The best way to describe this bloom booster would be to label it as a booster, accelerator, top hardener, quality improver, and an oil increasing product.

You are going to pay a pretty penny for it, but if you look at everything it contains, and look at the price of buying all the stuff it contains individually, then look at the 4ml per gallon dilution rate, it's really worth every penny. Give it a try.

Grodan Rockwool grow blocks

Most of us hydroponic growers have used Grodan rockwool in one form or another. The standard in Rockwool media, Grodan delivers. These blocks and slabs will give you the perfect water/air ratio and hold it for days if necessary. Excess water will immediately drain out of the block, holding only how much water the roots need, and they will hold this water much longer than modern planting media.

You dont have to be a hydroponic grower to enjoy the benefits of this volcanic rock based media. You can easily start your seedlings or clones in them, and then transplant the whole block into a container of your favorite soil. This way, a rich nutrient solution will always be held within the block in the soil right where your roots want it.

The grow plugs they make for propagation are awesome. Many different rooting techniques can be applied using the rockwool plugs and some hormone. They are also perfect for starting seeds because of their perfect air to water ratio they provide. I have been seeing some different companies coming out with similar rockwool products, but I have not tried any other than rockwool besides grodan. There are plugs made of another material called :oasis" that I also use, but we will get into that in another post. Be well....

Botanicare ReadyGrow media

If your the kind of grower that does not mind spending a few extra bucks on some premium soil, then you might want to give this a try. To be honest, I'm kind of a cost cutter when it comes to soil, and I picked up this bag at my local hydro shop at a big discount because the bag was damaged. I'm glad I got to use it.

This stuff is very light and fluffy, containing not soil, but coco as it's base ingredient. It's labeled as a "soiless organic-based planting media". The perlite ratio is almost 50/50 with big chunks throughout the entire mixture. I even used a little to start some seedlings and it worked great.

It's ingredients consist of coco coir fiber, perlite, worm castings, compost, seaweed extract, seaweed meal, and leonardite ore. Your plants will appreciate this stuff a lot more than your wallet, but sometimes you gotta pay the price for premium stuff. And you can tell, a lot of love went into the making of this product.

Smart Pot (aeration container)

It's about time! What a great idea. A container made from breathable, but durable fabric! Not only is the SmartPot super efficient at letting plenty of oxygen to the roots, but at the same time it "air-prunes" the roots automatically giving you a nice, strong, fibrous root system.

I think that having a few of these filled with coco choir and pearlite, sitting in some simple flood trays, would bring back amazing results. I simply used mine out on the porch, filled it with "Botanicare ReadyMix media" and never had any problems. I hand watered it along with my other container plants out on the porch. There was a very noticeable difference in how strong the root structure was in this thing.

Other benefits you will notice with the SmartPot is that it releases heat, meaning less chance of root rot. It will also stop root circling, which occurs in plastic containers leading to other problems. The bottom is coated with a durable rubber-like material, so you wont ruin it by moving it around and dragging it.

About $5.00 will get you a 5-gallon SmartPot which can be re-used over and over again. They also have a smaller, 3 gallon pot. Soil, coco, sure2grow, whatever media you use, I'm sure you will enjoy your fruits of your labor that was harvested from the SmartPot. Here is the link to their site. -deepH20culture