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welcome
WELCOME
W
elcome to another feature packed edition of the Grind Magazine for the summer season 2013. Leading us into the summer months, we’ve got a variety of articles to get you out in the sun.
The Grind Mag Team:
In this edition we begin our ongoing series of fishing related articles, taking a look at some of the tips, tricks and hotspots of British fishing.
Online Manager: Kevin Baird
To get us started we take a look at the type of rod you’ll need and where to find carp in Britain in the summer months and we join our expert anglers on a couple of highly succesful outings.
Advertising sales: James Walton T: 0(+44)7787565650 E: sales@thegrindmagazine.co.uk
Of course we’ve got the usual informative grow and hydro features to help you out with all your grow room needs and this edition we also launch our Q&A feature with our grow expert Jason. Make sure to visit us online for more of all of your favourite grow and lifestyle content and check out the fantastic prizes in this edition’s competition.
Editor: Adam Barker Grow Editor: Jeffrey Winterborne Copy Editor: Pascale Winterborne Art Director: Adam Barker
Sales Manager: James Walton Operations Manager: James Walton
Copyright 2013 The Grind Magazine. ISSN 2050-2141 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the authors. The authors assert their moral rights. In recent years, it has come to our knowledge that some people use information and equipment related to the subject of hydroponics for illegal activities. The authors, producers and publishers do not advocate breaking the law, nor is this publication (and corresponding website) intended to encourage or promote the use of illegal substances or activities. We do not accept responsibility for any errors although we attempt to ensure all information is accurate at time of publishing. The views of our contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Grind Magazine. Note: Every effort has been made to obtain permission of the copyright holders of articles and artwork used in this publication. We apologise for any instance where permission has not been obtained and invite the copyright holder to get in touch with us. Disclaimer: The articles in this magazine are for educational purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, publisher or advertisers. Our sole aim is to stimulate rational debate and discussion of the important issues of our time. We do not endorse any treatments, medical or otherwise, and encourage our readers to continue with their own research and consult a health professional if they are ill. The Grind Magazine does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The Grind Magazine cannot be made liable for claims, actions, legal and/or court fees brought against oneself in connection with any use of this publication or products ordered from our websites, catalogues, cd roms, dvds, advertising or other media.
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07
contents
CONTENTS FEATURES:
P10: SO SILICON
SILICON BASED NUTRIENTS
P18: MUSIC: MIKAL +
METALHEADZ INSIDE
P28: FINDING CARP
IN BRITAIN IN THE SUMMER
P50: FISHING FEATURE
CHOOSING THE RIGHT ROD
ARTICLES:
P22: HUMIC ACID P28: Q&A WITH THE GROW GURU P38: NO.6: FLUORIDE P44: PRODUCT FEATURES SUMMER 2013 P48: POT OF GOLD P52: MUSIC NEWS: SUMMER 2013 P56: COCO SUPERCHARGE P60: SCHIZO! P64: MUSIC: TOP 5 FESTIVALS FOR BASSHEADS P66: UK HYDROPONICS STORE FEATURES P70: COMPETITION 08
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contents
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11
hydroponics
SO SILICON By Danny from Buddhas Tree
A
s a lot of you will already know, there are a number of silicon based nutrient supplements on the market that are available for growers. Some of you may already be using them, although a large proportion of you will not, either because you consider it unnecessary or just simply because you are understandably cautious about using something new in your garden that you are not quite sure about. So silicon? What is it? How and where does it fit? What does it do? Silicon (Si) is a very common mineral element that is widely distributed in the earth’s rocks, soils and sands. Ninety percent of our earth’s crust is made up of silicate rock, making it the second most abundant mineral. It is safe to say it is everywhere and to a larger or smaller extent, also an important functional part of every plant and other living organism on the planet, including ourselves. Over the last decade in particular, field studies and research have uncovered new discoveries about the important functions of silicon within our plants. What is clear is that our 10
understanding of silicon is an on-going evolution. More and more is being revealed and understood about this often ignored element, the way it interacts with plant’s and the multiple benefits it has on many of a plants biological and biochemical systems. What We Know Plant And cell Strength – when the correct type of silicon is given to the plant through root or foliar feeding, it is absorbed quickly into the leaves and circulated to the rest of the plant through the transportation system in the stems. Silica is concentrated in the cells and the plant uses it to create an extra, fine layer of silicon-cellulose in the tissue that acts to re-enforce it. From root www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
to tip, this has a huge overall strengthening effect on your plant making for much stronger growth and all over plant structure. It encourages more uniformity of leaf shape and better symmetry of growth. Ultimately this makes for healthier, much sturdier plants capable of supporting more foliage and producing fruit with a
hydroponics
larger bio-mass. Plants deprived of silicon have been shown to be weaker structurally and also more prone to abnormalities of growth and development. Disease And Resistance
Attack
This strengthening effect also has serious benefits for the plant when it
comes to preventing diseases and repelling insect attacks. Let`s take the dreaded powdery mildew for example. It boils down to the way a fungal disease like this gets a foothold on the plant. Firstly it must drill through the plant leaf wall with a tiny filament, called a hyphae that it uses to tap into the nutritious centre. www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
Once this goal is achieved, the fungus has the food source it needs to spread and a disease is born. The way that silicon strengthens the skin of your plant causes this filament to buckle and renders it unable to reach its food source. Simple mechanics – the mildew finds it almost impossible to 11
hydroponics
can`t spread. Similarly, why would a leaf eating insect choose to quickly wear out his eating gear on siliconstrengthened rock when it can go elsewhere for soft sponge? Recent studies are showing the protective role of silicon as a biologically active element that can trigger a wide range of natural defences. It has an important role in the plant’s signalling systems when under attack and amazingly the plant also seems to understand the protective potential of silicon. When a disease begins, the plant directs all available silicon to the attack site to strengthen the surrounding cells and stop or slow the spread of the attacker. There is also an increase in natural antimicrobial compounds produced by the plant in the presence of silica that inhibits the growth of any attackers. Stress Resistance It stands to reason that the stronger the cell wall, the more stress resistant the plant. The strengthening effects of silicon happen not only externally, where it limits the effects of environmental stresses such as cold and wind stress, but also internally strengthens it leading to reduction of damage caused by heat and light stress. Silicon also re-inforces the leaf circulation system. This prevents compression of the tiny vessels in the leaves under conditions of high transpiration (water loss) caused by drought or heat stress. The increased silicon–cellulose layer in the tissue helps the plant to keep moisture in which also prevents excess loss of water by transpiration. It also has a positive effect on the development and function of the leaf stomata (the 12
plants breathing holes) providing a more effective cooling mechanism and thereby improving the plant’s tolerance to high temperatures. In addition, silicon has been shown to relieve stresses caused by salt build-up through overfeeding and nutrient mismanagement. Silicon And Sun Power Photosynthesis is the engine of the plant and indeed life. The leaf is essentially a solar panel that stores energy. The underside of the leaves also serves to capture the CO2 gas in the air and as it rises from the rootzone. The better this solar panel is presented to the light, the more efficient it will prove in capturing usable sunlight, water and CO2. Silicon promotes perfectly formed leaves with excellent shape. It strengthens the stem and holds that panel in perfect position to the light. This means the plant is less likely to droop in warm conditions and more likely to maximise photosynthesis. Silicon enrichment has been shown to result in higher concentrations of chlorophyll (the green pigment essential for photosynthesis) in the leaf tissue and this means that the plant can tolerate either low or high light levels better by using light more efficiently. Good levels of plant available silicon have also been shown to result in higher concentrations of a certain enzyme that controls the plants usage of CO2 meaning more efficient use of the CO2 that it absorbs. New Understanding Many growers consider silicon as an essential part of any nutrient regime. The benefits of supplementing your plants with silicon is well understood by the
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hydroponics
horticultural and growing community. We have a deeper understanding of silicon now, more than ever before. These new findings also give us a better understanding of existing silicon based products and how they can be improved. The answer lies in the form of silicon that enters the plant. Silicic acid is the simplest most soluble basic form of silica. In nature, plants uptake silicon in this purest form of silicic acid from the soil where it naturally occurs, but only at very low levels (research also shows that our mismanagement of fertiliser and agricultural techniques have further reduced the natural levels of silicic acid in our soils). Silicic acid is also the only form of silica that is directly available to all of the plant and its biological systems. For some time there has been a number of silicon based nutrient additives available on the market containing different types of soluble silica. Some for example are potassium silicate and others of a similar nature. Whilst these provide some benefit, by their nature it is now understood that these forms of silica and their usability by the plant are limited. Only a small proportion of the silicon in these additives is available to the plant as silicic acid. The plant still has to work hard to absorb the silicic acid and it isn’t as easily transported around the plant. This impacts on their effectiveness greatly. There are also significant difficulties that need to be overcome when these silicate based products are produced. Unless a silicon additive is an acid, it is effectively useless. The pH of these
silicates is extremely alkaline and this must be controlled by the addition of substances to bring the pH back down. This leads to a generally unstable mix and can potentially leave unwanted elements behind in your plants. So why not supplement your plants with pure silicic acid right? Until now, the reason it hasn’t existed comes down to a quandary of biochemistry. Silicic acid by nature is very changeable and readily converts again into other forms of silica which are then rendered quite useless to the plant. However, very new bio-chemical techniques and these new findings are driving a new generation of pure silicic acid based nutrients that will truly unlock the full potential of silicon so that every grower can benefit from its inclusion in their feeding regime. Watch this space‌
By Danny from Buddhas Tree http://www.buddhastree.co.uk/
For more of the latest Grind Magazine grow guides, product features, lifestyle articles and competitions, please visit us at: www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
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13
Sometimes,
wHAt yoU dON’T kNOw caN
HUrT yOu!
Get the facts at: paclokills.org Does Advanced Nutrients use paclobutrazol?
No. We don’t use it now, and we never have. As part of its effort to eliminate the illegal use of paclobutrazol, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has tested several companies’ products, taken randomly from store shelves, including some of ours: Bud Factor X, Bud Blood, Bud Ignitor, Big Bud (liquid and powder) and Overdrive. All Advanced Nutrients products came back with a clean bill of health—100% free of paclobutrazol.
What does Advanced Nutrients believe about the issue?
We believe that you should be able to trust the nutrient company you invest in. Not only is paclobutrazol harmful to your health, it’s illegal. Negligent companies who include paclobutrazol as an ingredient in their products are putting you in danger of extreme consequences, both for your health and legal well-being, in the name of profit. We’ve always been very vocal about how much we care to develop quality products. We take the time to source and develop our ingredients so you can grow better, even when our competition doesn’t. But the issue of paclobutrazol goes way beyond taking shortcuts to save a buck in research and development. Now we’re talking about selling poison for profit. It’s unbelievable, and we’re seriously disappointed to find this out. It’s time you were informed about paclobutrazol (Paclo), a dangerous compound used in several mainstream nutrient products you may be using.
First of all, using paclobutrazol to grow plants you intend to ingest is illegal. Why? Because it’s toxic. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned paclobutrazol for anything you eat, drink or smoke,
because it has been proven to cause liver disease in animals. And there is growing evidence that it may even cause cancer. Why risk it?
Then why would anyone want to use it?
We’re still trying to figure that out. Any combination of half-decent nutrient products will outperform paclobutrazol when it comes to growing. And any marginal benefits paclobutrazol can claim are neutralized by the risk of liver disease and cancer. Best to steer clear.
“paclobutrazol
is toxic to the liver.” - Dr. Bonni Goldstein, MD.
Medical Director, CannaCenters
Which products can you find paclobutrazol in?
• Bushload by General Hydroponics • Gravity by Emerald Triangle • Flower Dragon by Grow Envy • Phosphoload by Dutch Master
Which Advanced Nutrients’ products are good alternatives? Paclobutrazol is used to as a plant growth regulator, so we recommend our bloom boosters as a safe, and much more effective alternative to the products above. Our bloom boosters include: • Bud Blood • Overdrive
• Kushie Kush• • Big Bud • Hammerhead
music
ARTIST FEATURE
MIKAL G
oldie has always supported the more cutting edge producer and artists known for pushing the boundaries in drum and bass. In this issue, The Grind caught up with his latest protégée Mikal ahead of their Metalheadz gig at Fabric. Tell us a bit about yourself and your work. I’m a producer/DJ signed to Metalheadz. I’m known for my heavier production style and I’m currently working on an album at the moment. I make drum and bass mostly but I’ve written dubstep for Skream too. I’m known for my break beats and organic sounds. What are your musical influences? I like classical music phrases, the vocals and beats from hip hop, the melodies from old rocksteady 45’s, I draw influences from just about everywhere. I like to listen to all sorts of music in my spare time. 18
Film score composers also have a big impact on my work, people like Roy Budd (Get Carter) and Vangelis (Blade Runner) epic cinema soundscapes. Why did you want to work with Goldie’s Metalheadz and how did that come about? After sending three or four tracks I got a reply from the label manager asking me to keep sending more. I sent a track called ‘Soundclash’ which Goldie wanted to sign and not long after that I was offered an album deal. I’ve always preferred Headz’ output over lots of other labels, the kind of sound they endorse, often leaning towards the darker end www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
of the drum and bass spectrum. Always quality over quantity, they have been one of the leading labels in the scene for nearly twenty years. We’re here at Fabric; how important do you think clubs are to the music when so much is available on the internet? Very important! The club
music
Mikal reveals the secret behind that rich Metalheadz flavour.
is where the music ends up! It’s usually clubs that the music is designed for, especially drum and bass....doesn’t matter how much you can download and stream you’ll never hear the music like you can at a decent venue. Without these places I don’t think the music could exist. What should people expect from a Metalheadz night? Expect lots of quality non-cheesy drum and bass and all the latest tunes that are www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
19
music
The legendary Fabric club is a rite of passage for the electronic elite.
driving forward.
the
scene
Where can people find out more about you and your work or listen to you play? I have a single due out on the label soon, one of my own tracks and a collaboration with Dutch producer Nymfo. Metalheadz host nights at Fabric and there are various nights this year across the UK and Europe. Metalheadz now have a monthly radio show on Rinse FM too so you’ll catch me on there before long. You can listen to my tracks 20
on my music page soundcloud/mikal and find out more info on gigs, interviews, mixes and free downloads on my Facebook fan page MikalMDZ. I’m also playing the Metalheadz stage and Symmetry boat party at Outlook festival in Croatia at the end of August.
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music
GUARANTEED 100% ELIMINATION OF ODOUR AND BACTERIA! The Ozone Story
Have you ever noticed that fresh and clean smell after a thunderstorm? Well, that is not your imagination, it is in fact ozone! It is a scientific fact that when ozone is present, odours are not. Ozone is an active oxygen molecule which readily oxidises bacteria and odour to break them apart. Active oxygen is created naturally in our environment by sunlight or lighting, technology allows us to create ozone indoors with ozone generators...
This technology is currently used in hospitals to wipe out odours and life-threatening bacteria. Companies such as Hotpoint are already using ozone in their fridges and washing machines to ensure longer lasting fruit and fresher-smelling clothes! Nothing is more effective at killing odours and ozone guarantees this, naturally. So don’t take chances, be confident there are no smells or mildew around your grow room, with O’D-AIR!
Testimonials “Our customers have all been wowed by how quickly it works. It is the most effective ozone generator in our range - O’D-AIR definitely does the job!” HOLLINWOOD HYDROPONICS
“Our customers have given glowing feedback on this product. You know just how effective it is as soon as you turn it on! It mixes the ozone with your air immediately.”
“Great reviews so far! O’D-AIR is beginning to be the market leader as far as ozone generators go. The customers who have tried it have been really impressed by it” CROFTERS BIO GARDENS
EASYLEAF HYDROPONICS
Distributed in the UK only by Erith Horticulture Ltd. +44 (0) 208 311 6111 - Belvedere DA17 9AG www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
www.odair.co.uk 21
hydroponics
HUMIC ACID
I
s humic acid the ignored plant booster additive? You make your mind up but here are a few facts that may help you decide.
Firstly, a bit about its origin; the word humic acid is derived from the word Humus (Latin; meaning earth, ground) which refers to the organic matter consisting of compost, soil and other natural biological substances. Humic acid is a combination of fulvic and humic acids which are found in abundance in humus. Humic acids are formed through the chemical and biological humification (decomposition) of plant and animal matter. Humic acids are broken down into two major compounds: Humic acid – high molecular weight, long chain compounds, soluble in alkali but insoluble in acid. Fulvic acid – low molecular weight, long chain compounds that are soluble in both alkali 22
and acid. All humic acids are mainly composed of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen; they may also contain phosphorous in small amounts depending on the source material. Like most natural polymers, humic acids have very complex structures which contain a number of biologically active functional groups which include carboxylic acid (chelating action), phenolic hydroxyl (helps the natural defence of the plant to fight off pathogen and insect attack), methoxyl (reduces acidity) and amine groups (amino acids). Humic acids are thought to be a range of complex aromatic macromolecules with amino acids, amino sugars, peptides and aliphatic compounds involved in the linkage between the aromatic groups. Humic
acid
contains
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more carbon and less hydrogen than the decomposed elements from which it was formed, because humic acid is an end product of the biological decay of organic matter. It has resistance to further decomposition which makes it very stable; the decay rate is often in the region of 0.3 per cent a year in perfect conditions.
hydroponics
The benefits in culture are its CEC (cation exchange capacity) to form chelates with metallic micronutrients (iron, copper, zinc and manganese). The CEC of commercially produced humic acid is in the range of 500 – 600 milliequivalents (a milliequivalent is defined as 1/1000 of an equivalent of a chemical element,
radical or compound) per 100 grams. This is approximately five times greater than the CEC of peat moss and twice as high as the CEC in good soil. When it comes to boosting microbial activity in the soil, humic acid offers a carbon food source to the existing indigenous microbes, www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
fuelling their activity and making several essential (vital) nutrients available to the plants. With the increased concentration of microbes in the soil humus, formation becomes more consistent since these beneficial organisms break down incomplete decomposed plant matter. The cyclical process of this action 23
hydroponics
decreases the pH of the soil and flushes out excess salts from the roots and the area surrounding them, helping to maintain a healthy root zone. It is one of the most concentrated organic matters and a highly active compound, which is deemed professionally to be extremely beneficial for plant growth. Commercially, it is used as a fertilizer supplement. Should we be doing the same and getting its benefits? As was previously mentioned, humic acid is organic matter that is used as a bio stimulant. Although it is not a fertiliser, it does well as a complementary agent with organic and chemical fertilisers. In fact, it is a preferred option for farmers and plant growers since it reduces the need for frequent feeding with nutrients and helps the soil to be selfsustaining. There is a well-recognised and increasing use of the commercial humic acids. Numerous greenhouses and field studies have shown that when used in conjunction with a well-managed nutrient program, it will substantially improve overall plant health and strength and can also: • Break down compacted soils allowing for a greater oxygen content • Boost water penetration and water retention within the plant. • Prevent leaching of essential plant nutrients, making more available to the plant • Encourages better seed germination producing stronger seedlings. • Boost nutrient uptake by the plant. • Increase drought tolerance. • Filter pollutants from the water as it passes through the soil. • Improve root vitality and strength. • Trigger beneficial microbial activity in the soil. • Increase chlorophyll synthesis. • Improve overall plant growth. Soils without sufficient humus or humic acid will not produce optimum yields and will reduce the overall potential of the plants. Humic acid also has the ability to solubilize micronutrients already in the soil, making them readily available to the plant. This is a list of some of the benefits, it might even sound too good to be true but there have been many laboratory and scientific field tests carried out. The results of these tests are always similar and show that humic acid is very beneficial to plant health, plant growth and plant development. In short, it makes poor soil good and good soil great. I am just a bit surprised that it seems to have gone almost completely unnoticed by the indoor grower. Why we have not been using it or even trying it, is a little bit surprising; maybe it is because we have never been informed about its benefits. By Richard Dennison 24
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hydroponics
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25
THE
4th Generation OF
Digital Ballasts is here
600w 1000w
600w
hydroponics
ASK THE GROW GURU Got a problem? Need help? Drop us a line.
O
ur resident Dr. Greenthumb Jason is here to help with all of your grow room woes. If you’re having problems and aren’t sure how best to tackle them, then get in touch now by emailing the Grow Guru at guru@thegrindmagazine.co.uk
I have been growing on soil for 6 years now and never had any problems. I would say that my results and yield is by no means poor, it has been consistently average. I am looking to take my growing to the next level now and was wondering if you have any advice for me? Derek, Lincoln Hi Derek, Well there are many things you could do! If you are keen to carry on growing in soil then the simple answer would be to upgrade your pots, if you haven’t already, to one of the various air pruning pots that are on the market best example being the Air Pots. These pots stimulate air root pruning that encourages larger and denser root systems. You could also use growth boosters, such as Monster Grow from Grotek followed by Bloom boosters in the flowering stages of your growth cycle. The correct application of both ensures that in the switchover period the plant is in perfect health and ‘knows’ to develop many flowering sites. This is the basis of obtaining maximum yield from your plants. When your plants are in full flower, make sure they have sufficient P-K, phosphorus and 28
potassium, to pack on fruit mass. Buddha’s Tree does a great PK additive for this; it is very potent! Alternatively, if you wish to try something different entirely, maybe it’s worth having a look at the latest hydroponic techniques and systems. These ensure that plants have accessible nutrients at all times. The results can be absolutely astonishing. Hope this helps. I am growing in a tent set-up. As I go in to check on my plants quite often, I don’t like the stray garden odours that leak out to the rest of the house. I also heard that mildew spores can be drawn into my grow tent from outside. Any ideas? Steve, Newcastle Steve, don’t worry about mildew spores too much. As long as your grow room temperature is not too low in the dark periods, it should keep any infestations at bay. However, to sterilise the air outside or inside your grow tent, it is best to use an ozone generator. Ozone breaks apart any organic molecules in the air, whether it is a smell molecule or a mildew spore. So that is a really good way to beat it. Use it, use it wisely and you will solve your problem.
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hydroponics
I am growing in an NFT system for the first time. Everything was going right until I switched the plants into flower. Now the leaves are droopy and I fear that I have root rot as the roots underneath have gone brown. What do I do? Nick, Liverpool Hi Nick, This is a very frequent problem. It occurs a week or two after the light cycle has gone onto 12-12. The oxygen requirements of the roots in the first two weeks of flowering are huge! If they don’t get enough oxygen they die and pythium feeds on the dead root matter. More often than not, the feed solution in your tank will not have sufficient oxygen in it for a number of possible reasons. Firstly, temperature – cold water holds more dissolved oxygen that warm water. Make sure your water temperature is never above 68°F. When you switch to a 12-12 hour cycle it is a good idea to replace your nutrient solution with a fresh one and add a couple of extra air stones. In your current situation, either start over or add a compound such as Pythoff. This destroys pythium (root rot) and keeps your tank clean. Also, you can use ozone machines that add ozone to your water tank via air stones. O’d-air have brought out a generator that pumps ozone into your tank, sterilising it continuously while on. However, if you do employ this technique, you need to ensure that you add a product like UV Balance to replace any trace elements and micronutrients that have been knocked out by the ozone after use. I
hope this helps! When I grow I take great care of everything in my garden. I have a pal who is the complete opposite and doesn’t even use pots for his plants. He just cuts the bags of soil and plants directly into them. He gets similar results to me. Is it really that important to keep track of everything? Jacko, North Wales Jacko, it is so important that you control as many aspects of your indoor garden as you possibly can. Maybe your friend is lucky and has the correct elements already in place. It is true that soil is a very forgiving medium and allows you to make mistakes to an extent. If you are growing hydroponically though, it is even more important to get things right as the plants are relying on you to give them everything they need. Make sure that your environment is correct first and foremost. That will ensure your plants are happy and produce to the best of their capacity. Light, CO2, temperature, humidity, water quality and pH are some of the most important factors that will guarantee you a better yield. By Jason Pirie For more great grow tips from our expert staff visit us online at: www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
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29
sport & leisure
FINDING CARP IN THE SUMMER
T
he water temperature during the summer months is within a much higher range, so a / Carp’s priority changes. They will be more focused on finding areas of the lake with high oxygen levels. When the lake temperatures rise, it will allow Carp to become more active, which means they use larger amounts of energy. This is where oxygen plays a part, as it helps them burn all that extra energy.
Now is the time when Carp will need extra food to provide this demand, so locating parts of the lake that have an abundance of food, be it natural food sources within the lake, or a part of the lake that sees a lot of anglers bait. Oxygen levels may drop at this time of year, so Carp may be inclined to follow strong winds. Locating Carp on a windward bank is one of the most common places where they will hold up, but if a large number of anglers are fishing the windward bank, this may not be the case and the angling pressure may cause the majority of Carp to move to an area where they would not normally be located during the summertime. 30
Find The Most Favoured Swims There are always favoured swims on every lake. But why do they become places where anglers regularly catch Carp from in the first place? The reason for this may be that the swim is fished much more than any other. It may have become popular because access is easy, such as close to the car park. This means if a swim is fished regularly; the spot receives bait virtually every day. So every Carp in the lake will get to know that this area is always a place where food is available from. This means vast numbers of fish visit this swim on a regular basis in order to see if any food www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
is available. This could lead to fish competing over bait, which inevitably means that you will catch during any session. It could purely be the case that this peg has fish in its swim every day and it could be this fact that makes it a hotspot. Although anyone fishing this peg has automatically achieved one of the most important points
sport & leisure
Big Simmo the 30lb 2oz Carp, caught by Baz in Somerset.
in carp fishing - he has inadvertently located the Carp before starting fishing! Safe Zones Safe zones are places where Carp can hold up in relative safety, away from Carp anglers lines and rigs. You will find more anglers fishing for Carp during the summer,
so safe zones become a main priority for many Carp. For this reason, snags and over hanging trees are great places to locate Carp in the summer months. Lily pads are another great place to locate Carp in the summer. They are a place of safety for Carp, as well as a place for potential food from natural sources. www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
On a very hot day, I would recommend to look around over hanging trees; here fish will lay dormant, as the shade will offer them cooler water as well as the safety of cover. The tactic to be used here is to get them feeding rather than cast a line in front of them. Any end tackle will only spook them off, but gently applying 31
sport & leisure
bait into the swim whilst remaining hidden can encourage the Carp into feeding. Once they are feeding confidently, trickle a few more baits into the swim to try and push the fish out of the swim without spooking them too much; this will allow you to discreetly place out a rig. Catch Reports Angler – Justin Location – River Axe, Somerset Fish – Pike Attack 26lb 3oz Tactics – Bottom Bait Bait – Tiger Nuts Ask the Experts
Angler – Baz Location – Private Water Somerset Fish – Big Simmo 30lb 2oz Tactics – Taken off the surface Bait – Chum Mixer
32
Each issue we will publish some questions from you, the readers, with answers from our in-house Carp fishing experts. So if you have any questions regarding Carp fishing from bait, rigs, tackle or equipment, then send your questions to: fishingguru@thegrindmagazine.co.uk
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culture
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63
HumiStar
Give your plants the boost they want with Humic Acid Boosts water penetration and water retention within the plant. Prevents leaching of essential plant nutrients, making more available to the plant. Boosts nutrient uptake by the plant. Increases drought tolerance. Filters pollutants from the water as it passes through the soil. Improves root vitality and strength. Triggers beneficial microbial activity in the soil. Improves overall plant growth.
NO. 6
FLUORIDE
By No. 6 “i am not a number!”
A
s they kill us slow and some of y’all don’t even know y’all paying the machine to die! - Jalal ‘The Last Poets’ circa 1970
“There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics!” - Mark Twain circa 1891 Remember the warning on your tube of toothpaste that informs you “children of 6 years or under use a pea sized amount for supervised brushing to minimise swallowing” Turns out that the fluoride treatments used by our dentists can be 20 times stronger and therefore 20 times more toxic than toothpaste! Just make sure you don’t swallow the stuff when visiting the dentist! and make sure you do rinse and spit, and not swallow! Precisely this didn’t happen with three year old William Cohen back in 1974. He was handed a cup of water after his treatment, but wasn’t told to spit it out. He swallowed the water along with the fluoride treatment. A few moments later, William started vomiting, sweating 38
and complaining of headache and dizziness. Five hours later he fell into a coma and died – a victim of fluoride poisoning. ($750,000 Given in Child’s Death in Fluoride Case: Boy 3 Was in City Clinic for Routine Cleaning” New York Times January 20th 1979) There are two types of fluoride. Calcium fluoride, which occurs naturally in underground water supplies and is relatively harmless. However, if too much is consumed on a daily basis, it can lead to bone or dental problems. Calcium is used to counter fluoride poisoning when it occurs. This redeeming factor indicates that the calcium in naturally formed calcium fluoride neutralizes much of the fluoride’s toxic effects. especially in people www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
On the other hand, the type of fluorides added to water supplies and other beverages and foods are waste products of the nuclear, aluminium, and now mostly the phosphate (fertilizer) industries. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified these as toxins: fluorosilicate acid, sodium silicofluoride, and sodium fluoride.
NO. 6
They’re back! The Wu return with an album to mark 20 years since the release of 36 Chambers.
For this article, the term sodium fluoride will include all three types. Sodium fluoride is the main ingredient in rat poison and pesticides. According to a scientific study done several years ago - Comparative Toxicity of Fluorine Compounds - industrial waste sodium fluorides are 85 times more toxic than naturally occurring
calcium fluoride. Fluoride entering the body is not easily eliminated as it tends to accumulate in the body’s bones and teeth. It has also been discovered to accumulate in the pineal gland, located in the middle of the brain. Ironically, too much fluoride causes dental fluorosis, which seriously www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
harms teeth; this has been documented widely. Yet, health agencies around the world continue to promote fluoride and refuse to admit that instead of preventing tooth decay, fluoride does more harm than good! Yet more worrying is the amount of sodium fluoride in water and food which causes other more serious health problems 39
NO. 6
that are not widely publicised, possibly even suppressed. Nevertheless, independent laboratories and reputable researchers have linked the following health issues, in addition to fluorosis, with daily long-term intake of sodium fluoride: • Cancer • Genetic DNA Damage • Thyroid Disruption - affecting the complete endocrine system and leading to obesity. • Neurological - diminished IQ and inability to focus, lethargy and weariness. • Alzheimer’s Disease • Melatonin Disruption - lowers immunity to cancer, accelerates aging, sleep disorders. • Pineal Gland - calcification, which clogs this gland located in the middle of the brain. Go to: www.bfsweb.org/onemillion/onemillion2012.html and click on: The extent of water fluoridation and find out if your water supply is fluoridated (although this is a big pharma pro fluoridation site so make sure your read between the lines!) In fact, you will find that the British Fluoridation Society (BFS) has received over £1 million of taxpayers money to promote water fluoridation. To summarise: city or area population receiving artificially fluoridated water: 40
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NO. 6
Cumbria 120,000 Cheshire 137,000 Tyneside 643,000 Northumbria 101,000 County Durham 85,000 Humberside 136,000 Lincolnshire 250,000 Nottinghamshire 287,000 Derbyshire 43,000 Birmingham 1,000,000 Solihull 200,000
Coventry 300,000 Sandwell 300,000 Dudley 305,000 Walsall 253,000 Wolverhampton 236,000 Staffordshire 497,000 Shropshire 22,000 Warwickshire 431,000 Worcestershire 253,000 Bedfordshire 198,000
Total: 5,797,000 of the UK population is being medicated! Now look globally and the numbers of people with artificially fluoridated water supplies is 377.7 million of the world’s population that is being medicated! A good website about fluoridation is: www.fluoridationfacts.com Here is an excerpt from a summary by www.fluoridationfacts.com of some very interesting facts about fluoride: • Phosphate rock is now widely used to produce fertilizer. This is where fluoride (which is added to water) normally comes from. Sodium fluoride has also been provided by the aluminium production industry. • The fluoride normally used to fluoridate UK water supplies is called hexafluorosilicic acid (or sometimes hydrofluorosilicic acid). It is also referred to as a ‘silicofluoride’. These are artificial fluorides. • Fluorosilicates are contaminated with toxic chemicals such as lead, arsenic and mercury. • Artificial fluorides are extremely toxic and very soluble. However, when artificial fluorosilicates are added to water, it is assumed that all the fluorine becomes relatively insoluble fluoride ions. However, there is no published evidence to show that this happens and it is thought that only about two thirds of fluorine in artificial fluorosilicates produce fluoride ions. Other atoms of fluorine may produce more exotic and dangerous fluoride compounds. • Exposure to fluorosilicates in their raw state can result in either serious injury, or even death.
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NO. 6
• River water can contain significant amounts of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc. of which the main ingredients is fluoride. • It has never been proven (in the UK) that there is any essential function for fluoride in the human body. • Different people consume different amounts of fluoride depending on their diet, regardless of whether or not their tap-water is fluoridated. Ergo, adding fluoride to water is giving an indeterminate dose of fluoride to everyone who is exposed to it. • Babies who are exposed to fluoride via baby formula milk powders mixed with tapwater are especially at risk. • There is an element of crime and corruption involved in the promotion of water fluoridation. This has been demonstrated by victimisation of campaigners and scientists in attempt to conceal the dangers of fluorides. • The Water Fluoridation Act 1985 was an example of how far a government will go to force its will upon an unsuspecting population. The passage of the Bill was effected by a two-line whip being issued to compel some MPs to vote with the government. • Many MPs did not vote or attend the debates on water fluoridation in 1985, thus they neglected their moral responsibility to represent their constituents and protect them from exposure to fluoridated water. • The Water Act 2003. Many MPs have again disregarded the truth about water fluoridation by failing to properly research the subject. • The British Fluoridation Society (BFS) has received over £1 million of taxpayers money to promote water fluoridation. • Water fluoridation is open to numerous legal challenges including those based on human rights. • In the early 1980s, a Scottish High Court ruling accepted that water fluoridation is a form of medication. • Fluoride accidents happen. Although they are openly reported in the USA, evidence of accidents in the UK are notoriously absent in the media. By No. 6 “i am not a number!”
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product features
ADVANCED NUTRIENTS Outdoor Plant Nutrients Go From Dry To Wet
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dvanced Nutrients is going out to the backyard for outdoor season. The premium nutrient brand has spent the last year getting ready with the goal of bringing you the same ease of use and excellent results that you get indoors from Advanced Nutrients. Here’s what to expect from the AN outdoor program, the first of its kind in hydroponic nutrients: First off is the Advanced outdoor feeding chart. This chart is totally different from the indoor chart and consists of fewer products (if you can believe that). This chart demonstrates that Advanced Nutrients has tailor-made this outdoor feeding program based on what’s really relevant to outdoor plants’ needs. We asked Craig of Advanced Nutrients to elaborate on this: “We are getting better all the time through our lab research, in-the-field studies and, most importantly, our customers’ feedback. This company actively questions growers for changes and improvements. And customers have asked for a liquid-based outdoor program.” Advanced Nutrients’ outdoor program used to consist of a slow-release nutrient tablet called Heavy Harvest. Heavy Harvest was a revolutionary product in its own right, especially for outdoor growers who did a majority of their work in the summer months. 44
Sweltering heat and intense physical labor were the order of the day until leading plant scientists perfected the season-specific slow-release tablets. The tablets meant that growers could visit their plants once every three to five weeks, and sit back and relax in the meantime because they knew that their plants were being fed exactly the right nutrients, minerals and co-factors at exactly the right time. Not only was it much less labor-intensive but the scientifically designed slow-release tablets removed the element of human error. With the aid of our staff scientists, advancement in technology and stateof-the-art labs, Advanced Nutrients discovered the Jungle Juice line. The Jungle Juice line is a big win for Advanced Nutrients because it is the most affordable base nutrient they have ever released, but still maintains the quality you would expect from an Advanced Nutrients product. But what’s the best part, you ask?
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product features
The best part is that Jungle Juice is an entirely modular system that allows you to add our other building-block products to enhance your garden’s growth rates, defenses and overall health in exciting ways. What is really special about these nutrients is the ability to start off with the base nutrients and just add what you want from there. Jungle Juice started as a three-part Grow-Micro-Bloom formula. But Advanced has recently created a twopart version that allows more precision, and is fully compatible with the pH Perfect™ line of products, as well as all of the ancillary products Advanced Nutrients is famous for. Jungle Juice 2-Part doesn’t quite compete with the highest-end products like Connoisseur, but it’s light years ahead of the average glorified bottle of N-P-K. And the advantages Jungle Juice 2-Part has over even such highly developed products like Heavy Harvest are substantial. Plus, as a rule of thumb, the less control you have over your plants’ environment, the more important nutrients become to your harvest, so even slight improvements in nutrient technology give you big leverage come harvest time. Foundation Of Jungle Juice 2-Part’s Success The foundation of Jungle Juice 2-Part is superior fundamentals. It’s old news that the big three are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. With environmental elements like air
Jungle Juice 2-Part, ideal for outdoors. and lighting dialed in, you can grow fiercely competitive harvests with just the right NPK alone. But what makes for just the right NPK? Two things: (1) the source (2) chelation. Advanced Nutrients has experienced success at the highest levels of growing competition, in large part because the company focuses on finding the best soils and environments around the world from which to source the major elements in their nutrients. For more information on what makes Jungle Juice 2-Part’s so succesful for outdoor grows visit us at: www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk.
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product features
ONA APPLE CRUMBLE
The Latest Tasty Treat From the Odour Experts
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NA Apple Crumble is now available from Easy Grow Wholesale and is flying off the shelves! Introducing the new scent of the all-new ONA Black Label Series, the Black Label series uses the same unique formula as the other proven scents and retains its excellent odour neutralisation capabilities, with a pleasant new apple smell. ONA works by natural evaporation and when the ONA particles come in contact with any odour particles in the air they physically bond to them, rendering them null and inert and taking the unwanted smell out of the air. Non-toxic, environmentally friendly and safe to use around people, pets and plants. The original and the best odour neutraliser in the hydroponics industry, never bettered only poorly copied�
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sport & leisure
POT OF GOLD
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t had been a long day at the shop, plenty of customers, deliveries, phone calls etc. However, my excitement rose as the clock on the wall crept closer to 5pm, closing time. My truck was parked outside, fully laden with my fishing tackle and provisions needed for a night’s carp fishing. Luckily my shop is situated in the heart of carp fishing country and within fifteen minutes of leaving work I was unlocking the gate to a very private lake, my little bit of paradise. As I walked towards the bank side a massive sense of calmness and tranquillity overcame me, it was great to leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life and walk into Mother Nature. I took a slow and unhurried walk round the 12 acres of heaven; no one else was around except for the many waterfowl and rabbits that fed peacefully on the lush vegetation. Various songbirds tweeted and greeted my arrival and soon I had found the signs of carp feeding, bubbles dotted the surface and the water was discoloured as un-seen leviathans fed on a spot that I had baited some 24 hours earlier. I crept back from the water’s edge and 48
assembled my tackle. I would be using just the one rod as my baited area was close in, and multiple rods would not be required tonight. I didn’t want to spook the feeding fish so I waited until I was sure they had left the spot; only then did I gently swing my baited rig out with an underhand cast; the lead landing sweetly in 8 foot of water bang on the mark just 10 yards out. As the evening sun dipped behind the trees I quietly set up my bed chair and tea making gear behind some marginal cover. The trap was set as I took in the beautiful surroundings. A shelter was not needed tonight, it was a warm dry night ahead. I find that sleeping under the stars brings me even closer to Mother Nature. Just on sunset a wily fox carefully skulked www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
across the field behind me and 10 minutes later the squeal of a bunny rabbit confirmed that foxy had captured his supper. Minutes later he returned across the field, the stricken rabbit hanging limply from his killer jaws. I eventually dozed off and before I knew it the night had given way to the first light of a new
sport & leisure
Big Simmo the 30lb 2oz Carp, caught by Baz in Somerset.
day. Mist silently rolled across the mirror like surface of the lake as I fired up the stove for my first tea of the day. As the kettle boiled, I crept up to the edge of the lake and was greeted by bubbles littering the surface right on top of my baited spot, the fish had returned for a dawn feed as I had hoped. At this point my heart beat accelerated
somewhat; I was getting closer to my quest. As I sipped my tea I noticed the line hanging from the rod tip started twitching and seconds later it pulled tight and the rod tip flew round. I was in! The tea went everywhere as I struck the rod and it immediately hooped over as the yet unseen beast stripped 20 yards of line from my reel. For the next www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
10 minutes the fish battled hard but my tackle was strong and I soon had the fish beaten. I lowered my landing net and a massive pot of gold slid into the net. Yeeesssss! As I lifted the net clear of the water I saw that I had caught what looked like my biggest ever common carp. I gently put the fish down on a large 49
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padded un-hooking mat and removed the hook with trembling fingers and slid the fish into a wet weighing sling. The needle on the scales spun round and settled on the 37 pound mark. Overjoyed, I quickly took a couple of self portrait photos and then gently released the massive bulk back into his watery home, thanking him for making my day. I slowly packed up and as I made my back to my truck I saw a good roe deer buck carefully making his way along a hedgerow, possibly looking for a receptive doe to mate with. I had spent my night living with the animals and it was with reluctance that I drove out of the gate back into the madness of what we call civilization, not that I cared too much, my day was already complete. By Phil Jackson From Rootzone Hydroponics
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CARP ROD T
his can be a confusing matter with so many available on the market. You will find various makes and models in a variety of different lengths, test curves, actions and ringing patterns as well as their usages. Here is a quick breakdown explaining the different, most common variations available and what is best suited for the different styles of carp fishing that you may be faced with. Rod length: This is measured in feet (ft). This can range from as little as 6ft to as long as 13ft; the length is usually dictated by its use. A rod as small as 6 – 9ft would normally be used as a single rod for stalking amongst trees and vegetation; on the other hand, a 13ft rod is generally used on vast waters where distance casting may be needed. The common size for a general all-round approach is 12ft; this is the length favoured by most for all situations you may encounter when targeting Carp on a variety of different waters. 50
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sport & leisure
Test Curve (TC): This is the rating that is given to a rod when the rod blank is bent/ curved to its full capacity. It is generally rated from a 1.75lb to 3.75lb TC. The TC is used as a guide to the rods strengths and usage, for example 1.75lb TC is a rod that would generally be used for very light or small Carp work or targeting various species to specimen size such as Tench and Bream. The extreme to this is the 3.25lb - 3.75lb TC models which are capable of casting further using heavier leads and pulling in larger Carp from weedier waters. For general Carp fishing needs, a rod of about 2.75lb - 3lb TC is ideal; these models are more than capable of being used in various situations, with various rigs and waters where a general all-round approach is needed. Action: The rod action can be quite different depending on its uses although this is normally related to its TC. The general rule for instance is a rod that can be used for light work and small waters has a ‘Through Action’ and is common on rods rated from 1.75 - 2.75lb TCs. A rod that is required for larger waters and casting to the horizon with large leads has a ‘Fast taper or responsive action’ and is commonly rated from 3.25 – 3.75lb TCs. Whereas the more common rods with a 2.75 – 3lb TC are normally based on a ‘progressive action’, again these will suit various situations, with various rigs and waters where a general all-round approach is needed. Rod rings/guides: The rod is fitted with a number of rings which can vary in size and number, this again is usually dictated by the rod’s TC and action. Lighter TC rods which are used for the smaller Carp and mixed specimen fish come with smaller eyes that are better when fishing lighter lines at closer range. Rods of this type will have more rings that are spaced closer together and are commonly sized from a 30mm butt ring to a 10mm tip ring. This allows the line to follow the more dramatic curve the rod is capable of making. A rod that has heavier TC or ‘Fast action’ can come with as little as 6 rings that are a lot larger in size - 50mm butt to 16mm tip. This is so that when casting further the less and larger ring provide less friction on the line and allows for less complications during the cast such as wind knots. For more common use, the multi use rods generally have approximately 8 rings that size from 40mm butt to 12mm tip. Again these will cope with all situations faced by the angler. Cosmetics: All Carp rods can come in various forms with different reel fixings and butt types but all cosmetics are generally personal choice and what’s available at the time by the rod manufacturer. These do not generally affect the rod other than by looks. Rods for other uses: The main types of Carp rod have been covered in the above but there are other rods made for the purposes of baiting and feature finding, known as Spod and Marker rods. Further in depth information will be covered in future issues on these tools. www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
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music
MUSIC NEWS SUMMER / AUTUMN 2013
D
isco is taking over again as the music scene sees resurgence in the funk culture. Giorgio Moroder has made his first DJ appearance in May aged 73 for a Red Bull Music Academy Special. Having exceeded his account capacity upload limit twice already; the disco legend has posted even more vintage tracks from his 40 year career on his third Soundcloud account “Giorgio Moroder Oldies” The composer of the “Scarface” and “Flashdance” soundtracks also collaborated on a track with Daft Punk for their fourth studio-release “Random Access Memories.” Their hotly anticipated single, “Get Lucky” featuring Pharrell Williams draws heavily on their love of 70’s funk and disco. Playing further on the seventies theme, Pharrell also features on Robin Thicke’s funk inspired pop track “Blurred Lines.” Many 52
DJ’s have a secret passion for this genre, make sure you check out DJ Die’s boogie funk and dubstep producer Skream’s disco sets easily available online. Whilst some are debating the demise of dubstep, it seems drum and bass is stronger than ever. With Americans rediscovering the genre over the pond. US Label Warm Communications have been releasing a slew of up and coming British dnb producers such as Mikal, Mako, Villem, Stray and Halogenix. Rusko has been playing around in the 170bpm territory too for Skrillex’s label Owsla. Mampi Swift is also back again with the first release on his brand new label Mampi Swift Recordings. Rumours of his forthcoming LP, “History”, have been causing a stir for a while now and the single “Gangster” has had the full support of DJ’s like Friction and Hype. His latest single “Soldiers” www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
and “Back to 92” give a little bit more insight into the forthcoming LP and are a welcome return from the veteran. Lauryn Hill has also made her return to music with “Neurotic Society.” released quickly to satisfy a legal deadline. Many have criticised her lyrics for anti-gay sentiments. In response, Lauryn
music
“History” in the making, Mampi’s back with a new label and he’s taking no prisoners.
explained, “I am not targeting any particular group of people but rather targeting everyone in our society who hides behind neurotic behaviour, rather than deal with it. The overarching message of my music is to get up and stop compromising! And hopefully it will stimulate and motivate the changes that our society needs.” “In light of Wednesday’s
tragic loss of (former label mate) Chris Kelly, I am even more pressed to YELL this to a multitude that may not understand the cost of allowing today’s unhealthy paradigms to remain unchecked!” Recently sentenced to 3 months in prison for tax evasion and signing with Sony to launch a new label as an outlet for new music, www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
fans will be pleased that she has been pushed to create new material for a second studio album after a 15-year hiatus. With many hoping Ms Hill is back on top of her game, time will tell if she is still as neurotic or whether she has a point to make. Hopefully her next releases will be more about the music than the drama. 53
hydroponics
COCO SUPER CHARGE
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oco coir is fool proof. Coco gives better yields. Grow like a pro! These are all statements we hear time and time again. They are true, the results from growing on coco can be of mammoth proportions, but the key is treat coco entirely differently to how one would a soil mixture. As we all know coco is completely inert. There are so many factors to take into consideration in one full cycle of growing on coco. Salt build up, plants taking up certain minerals and not others, correct micromineral composition and accurate EC levels to name just a few. Most significantly, it is hard to predict the correct nutrient ratio in coco at any given point. For example, the plant’s needs dictate if it takes up more N from the N-P-K, and not so much other minerals, just by using EC it is hard for the grower to know there is an increased need for nitrogen in the medium. So, when growers talk about flushing your plans every two weeks with just water, on coco it may not be such a good idea as you could end up depleting the medium of at least one 56
type of mineral. But, on the other hand, to get the best results a grower should not constantly feed with just nutrients, as coco does tend to build up salts. Thankfully, an old-school grower developed just such a system to overcome this problem many years ago. Only now does the Super Charge method make sense. We first came across The Super Charge a few years ago, whilst using a large drip irrigation system on 15L pots filled with a coco and perlite mix. This method gave absolutely huge results and now we know why. As every grower already knows, to start a cutting on fresh coco, one has to add a weak nutrient solution of approximately 0.6 to 0.8 as opposed to just water. For this method it is absolutely essential to have an EC (electrical conductivity) www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
(electrical conductivity) measuring device, such as an EC truncheon. As the growth cycle goes on, of course the grower must increase their EC levels to satisfy the plant’s uptake of certain nutrients. The crucial stage in the plant’s life comes from week three of flower onwards. What you do at this stage
hydroponics
determines whether you will get the same average yield as most or that huge, prized, monster harvest. After a while of feeding your plants, salts inevitably start to build up, and you can see this if you wash your medium through with a weak nutrient solution. Measure the EC levels of this run-through. The likelihood is that it will
come out at 3.6+, even if your plants are being fed with an EC of just 1.4! To put it simply, this does not mean that your plants are getting too much of what they want, they may simply be taking up exactly what they need and leaving the rest behind. This starts to build up and eventually locks out other nutrient uptake, though the plants www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
may still be looking healthy, they will never fulfil their full potential. As mentioned above, simply flushing everything out is not the answer to this build-up of salts. This build-up has to be avoided in the first place. The Super Charge method ensures the medium contains exactly what the plant wants 57
hydroponics
at all times. So here we go, this is how you do it using Super Charging... As usual, when the plants start their 12-12 hour light cycle, start their feeding at 1.2 EC level. Remember that the coco was completely devoid of nutrient when you started, increase your EC level by 0.1 with each feeding. So the next time you feed your plants, give them a nutrient solution of 1.3 EC, the next, a 1.4 EC level and so on. Carry on increasing this until you reach an EC level of 3.0. This should happen exactly when the plant is developing flowering sites, and absolutely must receive adequate and precise feeding due to such rapid development. It doesn’t end there. Once you have reached 3.0 on your EC scale, make sure that for the next feeding you drop your EC level back down to 1.2. Start the whole process again and build it back up to 3.0. In the entire growth cycle, a competent grower should be able to repeat the Super Charge continuously 2-4 times. This method works by fluctuating the nutrient levels enough to stimulate the plants metabolism as well as providing the right amount at the right period of growth. It is so much more beneficial than simply giving the plant a terminal EC of 1.8 all the way through, as most growers do. The Super Charge method provides rapid growth spurts. When the nutrient level is dropped back down to 1.2, it avoids any serious salt build-up and allows the plant to accept more and more feeding. As you drop the level back down, the plant is given time to actually use up the nutrient that normally would have built up. After all, what counts is not what we give to our plants but what they actually take up and on a final point, always ensure to flush with a forcing solution at the end of week eight of flower. We have found that one of the best forcing solutions out there is Ripen, by GHE. It stimulates the plant to fully finish off and put its powers into transferring energy into fruit from its leaves, like no other product does. You have to see it to believe it. Enjoy! use. The final result is truly astonishing and I am glad to have shared a trade secret of so many years. By Jason Pirie
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MULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA
B U D S
T S T H
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• COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FOR
co la Cormu Fo MULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA
PART B
SENSI
PART A
SENSI
MULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA
BLOOM
COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO
BLOOM
FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA
co la Cormu Fo
COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO
• COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FOR
• COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FOR
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COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO
3-0-0
Contents: 1 L / 1qt (Net Weight: 1kg / 2.3 lbs)
• COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FOR MULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA
PART A
• COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FOR
MULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA
PART B COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO
• COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FOR
advancednutrients.com/cococoir www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA
co la Cormu Fo
COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO
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FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA
co la Cormu Fo
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More and more growers are switching to coco coir. And why not? It’s great stuff. But the problem has been this, there just aren’t enough great coco coir safe base nutrients, supplements, and bloom boosters. Until now. Our scientists are busy creating coco-safe formulas of our best products, so you can get that same great Advanced Nutrients quality no matter which medium you choose. So whenever you visit your favorite hydro store, keep an eye out for more and more of our coco coir safe products. Thanks, and happy growing.
U
Coco, coco, and more coco.
FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA
2013:
COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO FORMULA • COCO
P
Coming in
co la Cormu Fo
culture
SCHIZO!
“
In the last analysis, there is no such thing as ‘absolute privacy.’ The human mind—my mind—is open source, not proprietary software. The syntax of our natural languages may imply the individual, but it’s nothing more than an illusory concept, a verisimilitudinous selfhood.” ~ Diary of a diagnosed schizophrenic. Dave described it quaintly as “Radio Dave” —the constant chatter in his head, I presume, about everything and anything. It turns out, of course, that he is in good company: “My brain is only a receiver. In the Universe there is a core from which we obtain knowledge, strength, inspiration. I have not penetrated into the secrets of this core, but I know it exists.” ~ Nikola Tesla. Meanwhile the French philosopher, Henri Bergson, suggests that the function of the brain, nervous system and sense organs could be more eliminative than productive. Our consciousness is not merely a chemical side effect of countless firing neurons and synapses 60
as contended by the pesky materialists. Each person is, for want of a more impressivesounding word, God—or the “Dharma body” if you swing that way. The function of the brain, as contradictory as this may sound, is to protect us from being overwhelmed and confused by our own inherent omniscience. Our grey matter, for the most part, actually shuts out ninety-nine percent of the cosmos; it shields us from the totality of the perceptions and memories available to us at any given moment, leaving us with only a tiny slither of consciousness to work with and hopefully prosper as biological creatures. See that apple. Grab that apple. Now eat the apple—you stupid ape! www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
“You know, don’t you?” Dave asked me as I scanned through his notebook. How could I respond to a question like that? I kept reading— his words seemed eerily familiar. There was no shortage of verbiage referring to love, thoughts about thoughts, madness and knowledge in amongst various doodled diamonds and bulbous-
culture
They’re back! The Wu return with an album to mark 20 years since the release of 36 Chambers.
eyed cartoon faces. I happened upon a page of words repeated like mantras, sounding more or less the same but iterating slightly in form: NOTHING NO THING KNOW THING NOW THING It was as if the writer were attempting to
decipher his own language through brute force, chipping away at it like old stonewall cladding, perhaps trying to discover what—if anything—lay beneath. “What do you think?” he persevered. I decided to answer on this occasion. “I think,” giving myself a little extra time, “I www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
could’ve written all of this myself.” We sat in silence for a while. Then it occurred to me that this guy Dave was a complete hairy stranger, unknown to me before that day. He was a longhaired traveller, wandering from place to place, staying and working at farms. Why had he invited me back to his tent? Just to show me his notebook? 61
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There had to be more to it, I found myself thinking. Then, out of nowhere— or so it seemed—I began to worry that his transient lifestyle might lean him towards sexual deviancy and that he might, in fact, be expecting obscene and lurid ‘favours’ from me. For a few more nanoseconds my mind actually began to estimate the cleanliness of his genitals—yes, it really did—I mean, what does that say about me? Holy shit! Erase that thought! I belied my self-arrest with a slight shudder. At that exact same moment, Dave shuddered too. “Blowing in the wind,” he muttered, rocking reed-like from left to right. Blowing? Was this a veiled reference to… no it couldn’t be. Did he put that thought in there? Was he some type of occultist, a travelling mind-magician mentalist type preying on the weak for energy re-ups? Or did he genuinely pick up on some non-verbal transmission? What did he think I knew? Was the double-shuddering the ethereal evidence I’d been searching for, or just a flimsy coincidence, nothing more than the tenuous grasping of a blind significance junky? “I was walking home looking at the trees. Got the feeling that they were looking back at me. Thoughts that occurred to me were not of the usual kind. I don’t take them for granted. No, I don’t call them mine. I don’t call them mine because in my life things are built on constant surprises coming my way. Some call it coincidence, but I like to call it fate.” ~ Yukimi Nagano. Years ago, my mind turned in on itself 62
leaving introspection and confirmation bias to run riot in my everyday life. I can see connections everywhere, between everything—the “inner” and the “outer,” “within and without” conspiring together to mock the vestiges of my rational mind. Everybody’s in on it. At first, given my somewhat exotic genetics, I merely thought that I was going mad. But then I looked around me and saw that I was genuinely not alone in this predicament. I guess this is as good a time as any to confess—there is no diary—or even a diarist for that matter, let alone a diary entry. Just me. If you’ve lost the plot, simply start again. There is no schizophrenic. No diagnosis. It was all an invention to sucker you in—an attempt to misdirect you from judging the words “verisimilitudinous selfhood” in my opening gambit too harshly or ungenerously—and hopefully tempt you instead into the trap of disregarding the entire excerpt via the glib repetition of a once abstruse psychiatric term that has, in more recent years, tellingly found its way into the British public’s vernacular. “It is no measure of health to be welladjusted to a sick society.” ~ Jiddu Krishnamurti. So, did you fall for it? Do you believe that “schizophrenia” is real—an illness—something that can be treated at a special hospital, despite the lack of any objective test? Or could it be that “schizophrenia” is an invention of the psychiatry and pharmaceutical industries, whether well-intentioned or nefarious? Are we, as the psychiatrist Maurice O’Connor Drury put it,
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culture
“mistaking our concepts for data, our words for actual things”? Or is it impossible to experience our humanity without declaring experiences to be “normal” or “abnormal”—“pleasant” or “unpleasant”—even “human” or “alien?” Perhaps, from a societal point of view, terms like “madness” and “schizophrenia” help to keep us all in line? “Here lies the end of the universe—do not pass.” If you can read, you can obey verbal and written commands—but you can also choose to disobey. You can embrace the mascara-smeared bride of madness, listen to her, and comfort her, rather than flee like a startled rabbit at the mere flash of her white dress.
You are more than capable of unpicking the tapestry of second-hand, borrowed terms that make up the picture of your world—but don’t take my word for it. As for “Radio Dave”—I’m sorry, you can’t switch it off, whatever you want to call it. Try, if you can, not even to fiddle with the dial too much and don’t, whatever you do, let anyone else meddle on your behalf—especially anybody purporting to be a “radio expert.” Just listen to your own vibe. Be alive. And remember, you are not alone. “Lift your head and wonder why. Oh lift up your eyes and see your humility. Go on, lift your head and know you’re not the only one.” ~ Harrison Stafford. By Everest Fernandez
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music
TOP 5 EUROPEAN FESTIVALS FOR BASS HEADS THIS SUMMER SUMMER / AUTUMN 2013
T
he Grind has put together the Top 5 festivals that combine a sunshine holiday with quality beats. If you are desperate to avoid the Ibiza crowd, Croatia is fast becoming the alternative music mecca. Check out our suggestions below for July, August and September. Summerjam 5th - 7th July Cologne, Germany Summerjam is Europe’s biggest reggae festival, located on a private island on a lake surrounded by camping facilities. Major Lazer, Snoop Lion, Schlactofbronx and Diplo will be representing Mad Decent for the first time this year. Other acts to definitely see are Popcaan, Ken Boothe, Junior Kelly, Turbulence, Busy Signal and High Voltage. New Zealand’s Fat Freddy’s Drop and German reggae and dancehall artist Gentleman are also highly recommended. Ultra 12th - 14th July Split & Hvar, Croatia 64
Not to be confused with Miami’s Ultra Festival in March, this attracts some 60,000 fans to the Poljud Stadium in Split for the first two days, with Afrojack, Hardwell, Avicci, Chase and Status, Carl Cox and friends, Armin Van Buuren, Fedde Le Grand, Nicky Romero and Porter Robinson. Then the party moves to Croatia’s premier island of Hvar, where Steve Aoki will be hosting a VIP and wrap party with fireworks on the waterfront. Monegros Desert July 20th (24hr) Fraga, Huesca, Spain Hailed as the ‘biggest rave in Spain’ and Europe’s Burning Man equivalent, you can see why many call it ‘a www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
life experience!’ Fly to Madrid or Barcelona to reach Huesca and party in the desert with 40,000 others. Expect 22hrs non-stop music, on 5 simultaneous stages, alternating between Electro, Techno, Hip Hop, Drum & Bass & Dubstep. Artist’s playing at this year’s 19th edition of Monegros include Nero (live) Ritchie Hawtin, Loce
music
UK Hip-Hop legends Rodney P and Skitz on one of the Outlook Festival’s many stages.
Dice, Feed Me (live), Joker, The Bloody Beetroots (Live) and Public Enemy who will be celebrating their 25th anniversary. Outlook 29th August - 2nd September Pula, Croatia Outlook Festival delivers quality underground music in and around a disused fort right on the
Mediterranean, whether it be house, techno, dubstep, reggae, dub, hip-hop, garage, grime or electronica. Now entering its 6th year, notable acts on the August line up are; Mala in Cuba, Goldie, Talib Kweli, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), The Pharcyde and LTJ Bukem. It’s definitely one for the beach bass heads. www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
Unknown 10th Sep - 14th Sep Rovinj, Croatia A new festival from Hideout, the Warehouse Project and Field Day with media links to Resident Advisor and the Boiler Room. Expect this to be the most forward thinking festival, combining live acts, band performances and DJ sets. 65
hydroponics
STORE FEATURE: DR. BLOOMS
Dr. Blooms Hydroponics Unit 30 Raynham Road Industrial Estate Bishops Stortford Hertfordshire CM23 5PE (t) 01279 501857 (e) info@doctorblooms. co.uk www.doctorblooms.co.uk Professional, competitive and knowledgeable, Dr. Blooms Hydroponics has gone from strength to strength since opening its doors in June 2010. The owners have over 14 years of horticultural experience, so great advice is always available. The shop carries a comprehensive selection of hydroponic equipment such as Secret Jardin grow tents, grow lights, complete grow kits and the leading brands of nutrients such as Canna, Dutch Pro, Plant Magic and Plagron. If there’s anything they don’t have in store, it can be ordered and delivered within 24-48 hours.
STORE FEATURE: GRO-RITE Gro-Rite Supplies Unit 8 Thomasin Road Basildon Essex SS13 1LG (t) 01268 525805 www.grorite.co.uk
Gro-Rite Hydroponics has recently moved location to a new industrial unit (just around the corner) providing customers with even more top quality Hydroponic brands as well as great customer service, competitive pricing and advice. Gro-Rite is going from strength to strength and will be opening their new shop in Southend within the first 2 weeks of June 2013! The staff and management have over 12 years of experience and are always keen to pass this onto their customers upon request. Be sure to visit Gro-Rite Hydroponics Supplies for all your hydroponics needs. 66
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hydroponics
STORE FEATURE: HYDRO1STOP Hydro1Stop Unit 35 Deykin Park Industrial Estate Deykin Avenue Aston Birmingham B6 7HN (t) 0121 328 0876 www.hydroponics1shop. co.uk Based in the Aston area of Birmingham, Hydro1Stop is a 2,000 sq/ft fully stocked hydroponics retail outlet and has everything any grower could need. Since opening the shop they have built an extensive customer base from all over the UK and as a result they have set up a successful online store to cater for all their customers’ requirements. All products on their website are also sold in-store for a fast and reliable service whether ordering online or visiting the shop. They are always competitive on pricing and will not sell you anything you don’t need.
STORE FEATURE: HEMEL HYDROPONICS Hemel Hydroponics Unit 26B2 Bourne End Mills Industrial Estate Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP1 2UJ (t) 01442 878 338 (e) sales@hemel-hydro. co.uk www.hemel-hydro.co.uk The new owner has invested a lot of time and effort to build on the existing success of Hemel Hydro and wants to make sure the customer has everything they need to set up and maintain an excellent growing environment. The shop stocks an extensive range of products and brands including Canna, Plant Magic, Ionic, Hesi and Bio Bizz. They specialise in Secret Jardin tents and growing systems such as Autopot, NFT and Amazon Aeroponics. The shop is well located on an industrial estate which is easily reached from the M25/ M1 and A41and has plenty of parking available. www.thegrindmagazine.co.uk
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STORE FEATURE: NASA HYDROPONICS NASA Hydroponics Barnsley – Unit 16 Oaks Business Park, Oaks Lane, Barnsley S71 1HT (t) 01226 805004 Nature and Science Agriculture are a well established chain of hydroponic outlets with shops in Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster. NASA strive to provide its customers quality, affordable products with sound expert advice. They will do their best to price match any quotes. NASA provides you with everything you need to establish an efficient and effective grow setup and they guarantee you the advice, experience and equipment to perfect your system. The shop staff is on hand 7 days a week and will gladly share their expertise. All the shops have good, clean displays to look over and are open late on Wednesdays as some customers require an ‘out of hours’ service.
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Rotherham – Unit 4D Thornhill Industrial Estate, Hope Street, Rotherham S60 1LH (t) 01709 829030 Doncaster – Unit 1-2 Jupiter Business Park, Bentley Road, Doncaster DN5 9TJ (t) 01302 780779 www.natureandscienceagriculture.co.uk
hydroponics
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hydroponics
COMPETITION Back once again with another fantastic set of prizes for our beloved readers. This time around we’ve got a bumper package of great prizes from our friends at Plagron, Autopot and FDP that are bound to put a smile on any grow enthusiast’s face. This great prize package will all go to one lucky winner so make sure to submit your entry now by emailing competitions@thegrindmagazine.co.uk before 31/8/2013 to be entered into the free prize draw. The winner will be announced via email on the 1/9/2013. Prizes: • Autopot 4 Pot Hydroponics System • Box of Biotabs • 600W Adjusta Watt Ballast from FDP • Plagron Gift Box including Green Sensation, TGB 100% Bio and Seedbox
A Great Prize for Any Grower:The Autopot 4 Pot Hydroponics System, enter now to get your hands on one for free.
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A NEW DAWN IN UK WHOLESALE Canna-BioBizz-GHE-Can & Can-Lite Filters Ona-EasyGrow Foils-AirForce2-Systemair Ruck-Compact-Professional Ballasts CFL Lamps-EuroGear-TechOne-SunMaster Sylvania-Osram-Phillips-SunLux-Pro Super Plant Hybrid Lamps-Hacienda Ecotechnics Range-Prima Klima Products Hygrozyme-MultiFlow Systems-DuctPlus-Pro Faran Humidifiers-Buddhas Tree-Mighty Wash SunKing Reflectors-HomeBox-GroLabHortiLab-Eazy Plugs&Blocks-Davin Controlers Boss Relays-HotBox-Co2 Boost-Subota BlueLab-Grotek-FHD-Plant Support Range Massive Selection of Plant Pots and Ventilation Accessories-Garland...and much, much, more with new products arriving daily.
HIGHLIGHT
HORTICULTURE
Your friendly, accessible,one-stop wholesaler! T: 01949 839 727 E: sales@highlight.to
JUMBO:
LENGTH 30.5”
WIDTH 26.5”
DEPTH 8.2”
GIANT :
LENGTH 36”
WIDTH 29.5”
DEPTH 12.5”