In-Store: Banana Tree

If you've been to our Nyack location any time over the past fourteen years, you've probably seen our Dwarf Cavendish banana tree.  It's growing in the front of the shop in a General Hydroponics MegaFarm that we converted a few years ago to a water-force recirculating system (instead of the standard air-force drip system).  We've gotten bananas a few times in the past but it's always been very sporadic due to our fluctuating climate in the store.  Back in June it started to flower again and today we started to harvest.  We have local, New York-grown bananas!  Hydroponics and indoor gardening make ANYTHING possible.

In bloom.

2 1/2 hands left to harvest.

First four bananas harvested.

Maximum Yield Indoor Gardening Expo - Boston 2014 - Recap

This past weekend was Maximum Yield's Indoor Gardening Expo in Boston.  This was the first year that it's been on the east coast so it was nice to be able to attend without flying across the country.  Almost all of the major companies in our industry were there and I know we didn't get a chance to document the whole show, but here are a few highlights:

Foxfarm rolled out two new products, Kelp Me Kelp You and Wholly Mackerel, which are, respectively, seaweed and fish emulsion formulas.  They smell as bad as you would expect, which means that they probably work great.  We'll be trying these out in the shop and update you on our results.

Cutting Edge Solutions is rebranding their products (same formula, just updated labels) and coming out with some new ones (to be announced later...)

Max-Fan had every size of their top-quality fans on display, including this 28" monster (over 5000 cfm)!

Secret Jardin has a tent that is lined with Orca reflective material, which is supposed to be the most reflective and thermally protective material.   

General Hydroponics has come out with 1 oz. bottles of four products for smaller gardens and applications.

Gavita had all of their lights on display, didn't see too much that was new but we had to stop by.  The results that everyone is getting with these lights are incredible, 20-50% increases in yields alone.

Autogrow is a long-standing company that makes hydroponic pH and nutrient dosers as well as complete room and greenhouse climate controllers.  Their customer service might be the best part of their company, they know that their products are in-depth so they have people who you can call who will walk you through the entire installation and set-up process, as well as troubleshoot any problems you may encounter later on.  

Gorilla Grow Tents were there to show people the difference in quality between their tents and those from other tent manufacturers.  They definitely have the strongest frames and thickest material, plus a included 12" height extenstion (making their tents available in heights of 7'11").  We are currently running a special at both locations, 10% off all sizes of Gorilla Grow Tents.

Botanicare had a few new products on display.  They've come out with Growilla, a organic powderized one-part nutrient, a new rooting gel and root stimulator (Rhizo Gel and RhizoBlast), and a Low Tide Clone Tray that can hold four 10"x20" flats (great for microgreens/wheat grass, seedlings or cuttings)

At the end of the weekend, we came away with a lot of product samples and promo material (shirts, hats, stickers, etc.) so if you see anything you want, stop in to either location and ask.

New Canna Product...

Canna has a new product coming out soon.  Stay tuned, we should have more information for you guys by the end of the month!  Also, check out this month's issue of Maximum Yield for a chance to win free Rhizotonic.

CLOSED - Saturday October 18th for Indoor Gardening Expo

We will be closed this Saturday, October 18th for the Maximum Yield Indoor Gardening Expo in Boston.  We have free VIP tickets for Sunday for any customers who are interested, just stop in and ask!

Products We Love: Xtreme Gardening's Line of Beneficials

Beneficials are often overlooked in nutrient regimens, and the benefits FAR outweigh the costs.  Xtreme Gardening's line of beneficials is pretty complete and easy to add into any feeding/nutrient regimen you're already using.

Mykos is a pure Mycorrhizal inoculant.  Add it to any soil or growing medium to improve root growth, ease transplant shock and increase nutrient absorption.  It also comes in a wettable powder (WP) for use in water (mix it into your water with or without your other nutrients before watering your plants, or add it to your hydroponic system).

Azos is a very unique beneficial bacteria that makes nitrogen from the air processable for plants while also increasing the root zone.  This is great when starting seedlings and cuttings because the plants are getting "grow food" (nitrogen) naturally, so they're getting off to a great start before they're big enough to start getting fed actual nutrients.

Their tea brews are not only very easy to make, but they help with overall plant health and vigor while also breaking down other nutrients and making them more available to your plants.  The tea brews come in two parts: the "brew" and the activator.   If you don't have a tea brewer, you can make your own with a five gallon bucket, an air pump, air tubing and air stone.  Add tea brew to water, then add activator, then allow to "brew" for 24 hours for flowering plants or 48 hours for growing plants.

There is also CalCarb, which is a calcium based foliar spray for enhanced leaf and cell growth.

All of their products are compatible with almost all growing mediums and nutrient lines, so adding them to your schedule will only make your plants perform better.  Come in for some more info and to try some free samples.