More plants + Fewer aisles = Bottom line growth. *Up to 30% more plant space versus standard bench systems. A versatile system that makes aisle management easy. Activate and maximize your grow room space for increased production. Learn more about Botanicare Slide Bench ..read more

Kelp is a popular plant additive. Understanding what it is and how it benefits plants can help a gardener make the best use of it. Kelp (seaweed) are types of algae that resemble underwater plants. Much like vascular terrestrial (land) plants they grow in plant-like structures, use photosynthesis, and absorb nutrients through a nutrient solution (the seawater they are submerged in). Compared to a plant; a kelp thallus has fronds or blades instead of leaves, a stipe instead of a stem, and a holdfast instead of roots, and their internal structure is much simpler and less specialized. The holdfas ..read more

What is Root Rot? “Root rot” is a generic term encompassing any number of soil-inhabiting fungi, or fungi-like organisms that ultimately (and usually quickly) cause the collapse of a plant’s root system. It is a disease that thrives when soils are moist, poorly drained and depending on the particular pathogen, the appropriate temperature to “set up shop.” It often occurs in plants that have a high level of salts from over-fertilization. There are several symptoms of root rot and many can often be mistaken for nutrient deficiencies or temperature extremes. The most common types of root rot path ..read more

Hey friends! Welcome back. So after the first Soil Blog post, I was all excited telling a friend of mine about having started the blog, and how I have a bunch of different ideas, and blah, blah, blah. After I was done, he asked a question “Is soil just dirt, right?” That little exchange has become the inspiration for this post because like you guys, I want to become a better grower. To do that I think we really have to understand what we are working with, and how any changes we make to our soils will impact plant growth. Like soil, dirt can also have air, water, and minerals but without bacter ..read more

Plant carbohydrates, in the form of sugars are the energy source by which all plants carry out their major functions. All plants must photosynthesize, transpire and respire to survive. Sugar plays a vital role in all of these. How They are Made Simple sugars are made by plants through the process of photosynthesis. Plants take in light from the sun (or through artificial means) through openings in their leaves known as stomata and join together with water from the soil, carbon dioxide from the air and chlorophyll from within the plant, to create sugars in their leaves at sites known as chlorop ..read more

The best fertilizer is (drum roll please)…UNICORN DUST! O.K. let’s be real, there is no more a best fertilizer than there are actual factual unicorns. What is ideal or best is always relative, i.e. what you are growing, your light levels, your growing environment etc. That said, for something like one’s growing environment there are a broad range of conditions; temperature, humidity, CO2 levels in which plants will grow. There is a difference however between surviving and thriving; what environmental conditions are ideal to make your plants thrive is determined by your specific crop. In order ..read more

So, first things first. I’m sure you are wondering, “What kind of person blogs about soil, pH bacteria and fungi?” Good question! I, your host, Derex Zellars am an Environmental scientist by training with a big interest in Environmental Microbiology and other microscopic organisms. I’ve worked on a few soil bioremediation systems, phytoremediation restoration projects, and bacteria isolations with applied formulations. Without question, it has been an interesting journey working with and examining these systems for differences and similarities. Personally, I like to focus on the similarities ..read more

All living things need a source of carbon generally known as food. Animals eat their food, fungi absorb theirs, and plants make their own via photosynthesis. Plants must also obtain other necessary raw materials directly from the environment. These raw materials are mineral elements in ionic form. Light and air do a lot for a plant but they can’t do it all. Which is why fertilization, the providing of mineral elements essential for healthy plant growth and development, is an important part of any plant production system. Fertilizers are produced with a wide range of compositions to make them a ..read more

Most growers know to keep an eye out for common plant stressors like insects, diseases, and water and nutrient levels. It takes a little more effort and some monitoring to recognize those abiotic stress factors that are harder to detect. These include, but are not limited to environmental conditions such as temperature fluctuation, relative humidity levels, and air pollutants, both indoor and out, as well as lighting conditions. Temperature Stress Temperature extremes can cause plant stress. Every plant has a range of temperatures that it will thrive in, a bigger range that it will survive in ..read more

GROW BETTER CROPS. Maximize flavors, aromas and terpenes Pure Blend Pro (base nutrient), Cal-Mag Plus, Hydroplex (bloom maximizer), Liquid Karma (growth enhancer), Clearex (salt leach), and Sweet Raw (aroma/weight). download recipe ..read more