Garden Culture Magazine

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Can Mushrooms Save the Bees?

Rich Hamilton

The bees are dying and in massive numbers, a tragedy, given their importance to the ecosystem. It is estimated that one-third of the food that we consume daily relies on the pollination of honeybees. Globally, there are more of them than any other type of pollinating insect, making them the most important pollinator on Earth.Pollinators strongly influence ecological relationships, ecosystem conservation and stability, genetic variation in the plant community, floral diversity, specialization, and evolution. In tropical forests, woodlands, mangroves, and deciduous forests, many species of plants and animals will not survive if bees disappear. The production of many food sources such as seeds, nuts, berries, and fruits are all highly dependent on insect pollination.

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Cannabis and Chronic Pain: The Endorphin Connection

Guest Author

Humans have used cannabis for pain relief for a thousand years, but only recently have we garnered evidence from controlled, experimental studies regarding its efficacy for treating and helping those with chronic pain.

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Chlorine and Plants

Guest Author

This article originally appeared in Garden Culture Magazine UK32 & US30.  Chlorine has been used as a disinfectant in city drinking water since the turn of the century, initially in the American city of New Jersey. As cities expanded and needed a longer-lasting disinfectant that would reach even the farthest tap, chloramines were introduced for…

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Clean The Air With Plants

Albert Mondor

This article originally appeared in Garden Culture Magazine Uk32 & US30 . The atmosphere of buildings – especially new ones – where we live and work might be full of several chemical compounds that are harmful to our health. In some places, there can be up to 60 different toxic gaseous substances. Fortunately, plants can…

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Dandelions: Medicinal Weeds of Gold

Caroline Rivard

This article was originally published in Garden Culture Magazine UK30, & US28 In our modern western culture, where perfect green lawns have been worshipped for so long, the dandelion is generally seen as one of the most disgraceful weeds. We have been taught that it is an invasive plant that we must eradicate, usually targeted…

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Detox with Fruit And Fasting

Evan Folds

We might live longer, but do we live better? The developed world eats more than ever, and yet, we grow sicker. We grow plenty of food, yet people go hungry. The U.S. spends more money on health care than any other country, yet we rank towards the bottom in results. We are more connected through the computers in our pocket, yet lonelier than ever. Something big is wrong.

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Latest Posts

Five Perennial Plants For The Veggie Patch

It’s an exciting time of year when many gardeners are busy flipping through seed catalogs and selecting new fruit and vegetable varieties for the upcoming growing season. Have you considered creating a perennial food garden? Perennial plants are popular because you sow them once and they come back year after year.  While maintaining a perennial…
February 26, 2020

Produce Stickers Not Welcome In The Compost Heap

Hands up if you’re guilty of occasionally forgetting to peel the stickers off of some of the leftover produce you throw into the compost bin. Think lemon rinds, banana, and avocado peels. It happens, but we all need to be making stronger efforts to make sure it doesn’t. It’s A Big Problem  Food waste is…
February 21, 2020

Do Your Plants Have A Drinking Problem? Understanding Uptake

This article originally appeared in Garden Culture Magazine UK32 & US30. A common misconception when feeding plants is that they consume everything we give them at once. Standard plant feeds are a mix of nutrient and additive concentrates, diluted to the required strength. The measurement of strength is referred to as EC (electric conductivity) or…
February 19, 2020

Frog-Friendly Gardens

What has four legs, can jump, swim, and is essential to the health of your backyard? If you guessed a frog, you got it right! While they might startle you when they jump out of the dirt, amphibians taking up residence in your garden is an excellent sign. Frogs and toads are all-natural pest control…
February 18, 2020

Nothing Says Happy Valentine’s Day Like Flowers

What are you giving your special someone this Valentine’s Day? If you answered flowers or roses, you’re not alone! Today is the busiest holiday of the year for florists around the world.  An estimated 250 million roses are produced for Valentine’s Day every year! According to data collected by an IPSOS Floral Tracking Study, 28%…
February 14, 2020
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Hello, Houseplants! Echeveria

This article originally appeared in Garden Culture Magazine UK33 & US31. Our obsession with houseplants continues! According to Garden Media Group’s report, Seeing 20/20, plant babies are one of the hottest gardening trends this year.  The most popular variety? Succulents, because they’re easy to grow and personalize. One of the fairest of them all is…
February 12, 2020

Ancient Farming Techniques The Way Of The Future

To treat somebody or something like dirt is defined as behaving unfairly, rudely, or with very little respect. It’s a common saying in the English language; one that is quite fitting, considering how we treat dirt.  Erosion and deforestation have taken their toll over the years, washing away one-third of the world’s topsoil. Conventional agriculture…
February 7, 2020

An Urgent Call For Action In Australia As Fires Rage On

Almost 400 scientists are making a desperate plea to politicians in Australia. They’re begging the government to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the country and abroad too. The urgent call comes as devastating bushfires continue to tear through Australia. A changing climate and extreme drought conditions have made controlling the blazes nearly impossible. ‘Tragic’…
February 5, 2020

Beehaviors: The Festooning Of Bees (Part 3)

We humans, with our particle accelerators and Wikipedia, like to think we are the smartest species on Earth. Yet still, a tremendous amount of knowledge and expertise remains secret from us, even though other species seem to consider it elementary.  For instance, there isn’t a single person who can fully explain the behavior of bees…
January 31, 2020

Atlanta Home To Largest Food Forest In The U.S.

Some initiatives deserve to be applauded, and Atlanta’s giant food forest is one of them. The seven-acre plot is the largest such space in all of the United States! The project aims to improve food security for the local community by growing fresh fruit, herbs, and nuts.  What exactly is a food forest? What makes…
January 29, 2020

Mushrooms Provide All-Natural Remedies For Humans And The Planet

Mushrooms are all the rage these days; from their magical healing qualities and health benefits to their impact on supporting and repairing our natural ecosystems, mushrooms are claiming their spot as the most health-promoting ‘superspecies’ today. Paul Stamets is a mycologist known around the world. He says mushrooms have the potential to solve some of…
January 24, 2020

Rebuilding New York City’s Oyster Reefs

The Big Apple is famous for its bright lights, architecture, attractions, and its bustling city. But did you know that New York Harbour was once one of the most impressive marine ecosystems on the planet?  A Brief History Lesson In 1609, New York City was home to 350 square miles of oyster reefs. The harbor…
January 22, 2020

Garden Strategies to Cope with Drought – Part 2

In part 1, we looked at strategies for sustainable water management practices to help with collecting and storing water. However, there are other ways we can protect our gardens and help them survive through periods of limited rainfall and hot temperatures while providing us with food.  Design and utilize microclimates  For the last ten years,…
January 15, 2020

Product Spotlight

Elite 91 CLONES

Elite 91 Products Now Available at CMP Wholesale 

A popular Elite 91 product, this liquid rooting compound is a winning combination of two potent root-inducing hormones, making it extremely effective. A simple 5-second dip in the rooting compound is all it takes to initiate the formation of strong, healthy roots. Elite 91 CLONES is a liquid formulation for equal distribution and absorption of the root-inducing hormones, which is systemically absorbed directly into the cutting’s plant tissue, immediately triggering the fast response for rapid development of vigorous, white roots.

Check out CMPwholesale.com for more great products.

Elite 91 ROOTS

Another product that CMP Wholesale is proud to be carrying is Elite 91 ROOTS. A unique, proprietary liquid formulation containing the highest quality ingredients. This product boasts high concentrations of multiple, viable beneficial bacteria, fungi, vitamins, plant-derived minerals, protein hydrolysates, polysaccharides, organic chelates and activators. It also boosts health and growth hormones for optimal root development and increased plant vigor. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) are a group of diverse free-living bacteria that colonize and construct a protective biofilm around the rhizosphere (root zone) and significantly benefit the root growth and vigor in plants. Order online to try it today!

Check out CMPwholesale.com for more great products.

Cutting Edge Solutions®

Available Exclusively at Hydrofarm

In 2001, after over 20 years in crop production research, John Piccirilli created Cutting Edge Solutions nutrients. Based in Santa Rosa, they pride themselves on sourcing the cleanest inputs and evaluate each batch’s quality in their laboratory. The result is a consistent and high standard of plant nutrients. These innovative and unique product lines will enrich your plants with higher terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids.  

 Two complete lines:

  1. 3-Part conventional/commercial
  2. Organic-based 3-Part  

Additives  

  1. Strength Family – Build strength and increase yields
  2. Biologic Family – Supercharge your roots, uptake, and pest-resistance
  3. Advanced Molecular Family – Take terpene production to new heights

Check out Hydrofarm.com for more information.

HASH Controller

View real-time data about your indoor garden and make adjustments remotely in a few clicks. Manage, track, and record data from an unlimited amount of environment sensors directly from your smartphone or device.

You control PAR, HVAC, lighting, VPD, Temperature, Humidity, and CO2 right from the app.

This minute-to-minute data logging gives horticulturalists total operational control of their facility, large or small. 

ILUMINAR Lighting has created the first controller on the market to run LEDs alongside CMH, HPS, and even T5 fixtures, all on the same channel. 

Visit iluminarlighting.com for more lighting solutions.

KOOTENAY FILTERS

A New Standard in Air Filtration

Kootenay Filter Inc. manufactures and supplies state of the art filters and fans that remove VOCs and eliminate odors from indoor spaces. All KFI filters are machine packed and available in two product lines that range in size from 4” – 16”.

Green Line filters use lightweight, 100% virgin activated granular carbon that is derived from renewable resources. Although new to North America, this carbon has years of proven results globally.

Standard Line filters are built with 100% pelletized virgin activated carbon. They have a long service life and a very low-pressure drop. 

Visit KootenayFilter.com for more information.

RUCK Fans

Ruck is a family business founded in 1992 that has been supplying your favorite and most trusted fans into the North American “Green Space” and HVAC markets for twenty years.  Launching Ruck Air Movement in 2019, they are now bringing not only the fans that growers have trusted for decades but new and innovative products, including smart EC motor technology and ultimate controllability and the Optimus oscillating fan.  An industry leader in industrial fan manufacturing, Ruck offers fans in sizes from 4” – 28” with airflows up to and exceeding 9,000 CFM as well as ventilation accessories, including fan controllers and particulate filters.

Look for quality Ruck products at your local grow shop or visit KootenayFilter.com for more details.

Miicrobial Mass

NEW IN CANADA 

Miicrobial Mass Non-Concentrate is a microbial product specially developed to maximize plant yield using five different bacterial strains that are shown to promote plant growth and enhance microbial life in and around plant roots. Equally useful in soil/organic or hydroponic applications.

  • Increase the bioavailability of phosphate and calcium to the plant through the use of phosphate and calcium-solubilizing bacteria.
  • Increase the bioavailability of iron through the use of siderophore producing bacteria.
  • Promote good soil health with enzymes that hydrolyze substrate into useful byproducts for the rhizospheric microbial communities.

Approved for Organic Agriculture by ECOCERT CANADA.

Next level plant science. Check out MiicrobialMass.com or follow @miicrobialmass for more information.

NextLight Veg8 Switch LED Grow Light

An upgrade from their already proven NextLight Veg8, this next gen offers reduced wattage for cloning and acclimation. The switch is located on the bottom of the fixture, so growers can easily toggle the unit between HI (190w) and LO (60w).

The Veg8 Switch is designed to meet the needs of commercial and home growers alike. We understand excessive power consumption, bulb replacements, and heat are the biggest problems indoor growers face. The NextLight Commercial Series alleviates all of those issues. Coming in at 2.0 PPF/Watt, the Veg8 Switch is one of the most efficient full spectrum 8 tube T5 replacements.

Visit NextLight.com for more great lighting solutions.

 

Orca Liquid Mycorrhiza and Bacteria

From the same company that brought you Great White premium mycorrhizae, this 100% liquid version contains a diverse blend of endo mycorrhiza and bacteria. No need to buy a separate bacteria blend for your plants. This concentrated and diverse mix of mycorrhiza and beneficial bacteria is designed to be watered in or run through hydroponic or irrigation systems. Mycorrhizae are fundamental in helping supply the water and nutrients needed for enhancing plant vigour. Fantastic for both commercial and retail applications. Available from 100 mL to 5 gallons.

For more information, visit PlantRevolution.com and follow @greatwhitemyco and #orcamycorrhizae for inspiration. 

Zip Zag Brand Bags

The Only Air Tight Solution For Odor Control!

Through the use of unique patents and proprietary technology, Zip Zag has manufactured the world’s only truly smell-proof resealable bag with an oxygen transfer rate comparable with heat sealing. 

 Zip Zag Brand bags are airtight, puncture-resistant and able withstand up to 200lbs of internal pressure. Manufactured in Canada using food-grade plastics and industry-specific quality control procedures. When your privacy matters, Zip Zag Brand bags are the only option.  

Look for Zip Zag at a store near you.