Hey guys, its been a cold winter, and it looks like spring has come a little early. It feels so good too! It also feels great to let everyone know that our end of year inventory is over and we are again fully stocked with all the essentials you need for your grow room. We are also gearing up for what is anticipated as the biggest grow season ever. Viva 2010, with outdoor and indoor projects being taken on in extremely aggressive levels, its super exciting for us to be able to provide for all the Sonoma County growers and beyond who are getting involved. We have -

• Traditional soils, organic blends, soilless blends, rockwool, and coco pots ready to go.
• Grow lights, electronic ballasts, magnetic ballasts, reflectors, high output fluorescent systems, LED Grow lights, replacement bulbs.
• Hydro trays, containers, smart pots, complete hydro setups.
• Complete organic and hydroponic nutrient lines – General Hydroponics, General Organics, House and Garden, Cutting Edge, Technaflora and tons of grow and bloom enhancers and accelerators.
• Carbon filters of every size and shape
• Wall, pedestal and exhaust fans and blowers of every shape and size
• Ducting, clamps, foil tape, flanges, reducers, extenders, splitters, splicers
• Co2 generators, controllers and parts
• Organic and chemical pest control products
• Master light controllers, Environmental controllers, High temp. shut off devices
• Water purification systems, accessories and replacement filters
• Ready to grow, self contained Darkrooms
• Valves, elbows, tees, custom hydro fittings, replacement sprayers and misters
• Full service repair dept. complete with loaner ballasts
• Full time accredited botanist

We love to serve and provide the best advice and products available in the indoor/hydroponic/organic gardening industry, give our friendly grow experts a call today and let us know how we can help you. 1-866-PGS-GROW

Winter is such a great time for indoor growers. The cool air from outside is such a powerful tool in your arsenal to maintain optimal temperatures in your garden. What happens when the air outside is hotter then the air inside? What do you do when that air from outside is not enough to keep your room cool? Allot of growers these days use a sealed environment that includes an air conditioner, in which case they are not affected as much, they just need their AC system to work a little harder during the summer. I always try and avoid using AC and always prefer outside air to AC, but in some cases AC is totally unavoidable. For this post, I am going to talk about getting by without AC during the hot summer months ahead.

• The first thing you will need to do is air cool your lights if your not doing so already. This will remove the largest portion of your heat signature away from your plants and out of the grow room.
• The next thing you will want to do is change your on/off times and run your gardens 12/12 period starting at night, when the sun has gone down. You will have a much easier time
• The other thing to consider is to raise your lights slightly higher then usual to bring that extra heat just that much further from your babies. The benefit of less heat far out ways the minimal loss of lumens created from raising your lights a little higher.
• Bring in cool air from outside and into your room (in addition to the air coming in cooling your lights)
• Increase the number of oscillation fans and keep the air in that room moving!
• Increase the size of your can filter. This one is missed by most people. It requires a little more investment, but the fresh, happy and cool air you get from it is totally worth it.
• Water your plants at the start of your plants cycle… This makes for cooler happier root zones, in case temperatures get too high.
• Use a High Temp Shutoff

After you have put your mind to all the tasks above you should be able to run your indoor garden during the summer without AC. If you have any questions or concerns, give us a call 1-866-PGS-GROW

Marigolds and Pepper seedlings growing under a LED Grow light at PGS

Hey guys, so we get a ton of people asking lately about LED grow lights. It has been a topic I have purposely stayed away from just because I honestly have not believed in the technology. That is until recently. A company named Lumigrow has made a 330 watt unit that has performed surprisingly well under our test conditions. We planted a few Marigold and Pepper seeds in our cold and industrial warehouse and the plants have grown big and green in a relatively short time even here at our non ideal environment of a retail store. I thought for sure that the cold and dust and the low wattage of the LED unit would equate into slow growing, struggling plants. Actually guys these seedlings loved the no heat scenario and have really taken off fast. Everyone was super impressed and surprised around here, and it definitely made us all think twice about the potential of LED grow lights.

I strongly encourage all of you to check out their website and then come on down to our warehouse location @ 3715 Santa Rosa Ave. and see for yourself how nice these plants look. We have the newest Lumigrow LED grow lights for sale and available right now.

1-866-PGS-GROW

Ready to take control of the heat in your garden? This Yieldmaster II reflector from Sunlight Supply is awesome! With a huge 10 inch air cooled opening, you should have absolutely no trouble venting the heat away from these hoods and your garden. With all the data that definitively shows how heat directly diminishes yields and quality, making all the hoods in your room air cooled will directly improve all aspects of your end result. 10 inches is a serious upgrade for this reflector model. I always have liked Yieldmasters and this upgrade turns the Yieldmaster into a real contender for bumper crops!

• Completely sealed! Heavy-duty gasket makes the Yield Master airtight.
• Includes tempered glass, built-in socket and 15′ lamp cord.
• Highly reflective European aluminum interior for excellent output and uniformity.
• Maximum air-cooling with built-in 10″ fittings.
• Durable white powder coated finish.
• EZ-Breeze™ aerodynamic junction box improves airflow and cooling.
• Lamp cord and socket are built into reflector.
• Glass retention bars hold glass firmly in place.

1500 watt electronic ballast and bulb from Sunlight Supply In Boxes

Hey guys, so it’s been around two weeks since I plugged in my 1500 watt Master Blaster from Sunlight Supply. This is 1500 watts of growing power in an electronic HID ballast and bulb. I paired my Master Blaster with a Magnum XXXL 8″ air cooled reflector. My first impression is that the spectrum on this bulb is very white, which I don’t mind, (I always use a metal halide mixed with my HPS bulbs for more defined crop structure ) The Magnum reflector is an excellent marriage with this beast. The spread i’m getting can easily cover the entire 10×10 space I’m using it in.  The heat is not as bad as I would have expected, although it is present. The ballast itself is still cooler then a magnetic 1000 watt ballast which is amazing. The green heat sink encased Galaxy style chassis really does exactly what it’s predecessors do, keeps the components cool and running quietly, while delivering a steady stream of 1500 watts. I remember when 600 watt lights came out and many people experienced the same or just under the same amount of yield as they had when they used a 1000 watt. This encouraged many people to use more 600 watt lights and get more coverage, while using less wattage then they would have if they stuck with the 1000 watt system. In one room I have, I personally have moved from 4, 1000 watt lights, to 6, 600 watt lights. I’m using less power, getting more coverage and yield and have less heat too. I also feel like I have more control in making my entire room lit properly, removing the shaded areas etc, by having more reflectors to arrange around the room. Ok, stay with me now folks….

1500 watt Electronic HID Ballast and Bulb From Sunlight Supply

Here is what I think is possible with these 1500 watt Master Blasters. Paired with a Magnum XXXL, to get a massive spread and coverage, I hypothesize that 2, 1500 watt Master Blasters, will yield way more then 3 1000 watt lights, and will come close to the same yield as if you used 4 1000 watt lights. This is only a theory at the moment, but I am thinking about replacing my 6, 600 watt light room with just 2 1500’s – saving 600 watts of heat and extra equipment. There is no doubt in my mind that just 1 1500 watt could produce a HUGE amount in a 10×10 space. 2 of them in a 10×10 space will hit home runs every time!

So here I have proposed a way to reduce power usage, reduce heat, while gaining heavier yields and reducing your carbon footprint. I suspect that it will take a few more rounds of trial and error to really get it down but this is definitely exciting to me. So this time, we achieve these results with more wattage, instead of less, like in the case of the 600 watt innovation 10 years ago.

Now, lets talk about what the plants look like under this 1500 watt. In one word… AMAZING.. It’s a massive, white burning HPS that creates the most intricate structure I have ever seen! It reminds me of metal halide growth with an extra something… After just 2-3 weeks of using it, I see some outstanding unique flowers that everyone who comes into my room asks me “is it the 1500 watt that’s doing that?” hehe, well, with the nice cool air from outside, and the Magnum XXXL, I would have to say YES it is the light that is creating this extraordinary growth.

Now with all of this said, let me point out some downsides. First of all, you MUST run this bad boy at 240v, it draws a TON of power, and needs to be on a very reliable line. Even though it’s not as hot as I expected, it is still really really hot, both the ballast and the bulb when lit. Face it, this is a street light that has been tamed into an indoor version. I’m not sure if any other hood would work other then the Magnum XXXL series or possibly an Adjust-A-Wing. The other thing is, you can feel the burn from the light on your arms or anywhere that is exposed to it while your in your room watering your plants or whatever. In all my years of growing I have never experienced this, and upon doing a small amount of research on the subject, I strongly suggest that you wear both sunglasses, and long shirt and pants when going into any room that has a 1500 watt on. You can get some very serious skin problems from long term or even short term exposure.

This is a serious breakthrough for our industry! One that is going to benefit the more experienced, hardcore growers the most. So far I would happily recommend this product for an air cooled room. The heat it creates doesn’t lend itself to non- air cooled rooms, but if you have enough cool air coming in during the winter you may get away with it. Check back soon for more posts on my experiences with it, I am hoping to turn a couple 10 light 1000 watt rooms into 6 light 1500’s and see if I can’t get more yield while using less energy and heat!

Ok, so you have grown a few crops and now your ready to maybe “kick it up” a little. Sounds good, we all get to that point, and building an indoor hydroponic, or container garden from scratch can not only be fun, but incredibly rewarding as well. Instead of mapping out different systems for you guys, and explaining features, I going to work from the premise that you guys are familiar with the equipment we will be featuring today. I want to show you how PGS has everything necessary to help you design your dream grow room.

Galaxy Electronic HID Ballast

Lets start with the foundation of any indoor garden, lighting…First thing is first, electronic ballast, or magnetic ballast. We have both types stocked in 600 and 1000 watt varieties.

Harvest Pro Magnetic HID Ballast

Next thing to consider….Light Reflector. We carry a HUGE line of options, priced competitively. We can help you determine the optimal reflector for your situation based on 20+ years of experience.

HID Reflectors Stocked and Ready

Moving on to…. grow method. If your a die hard organic soil or soil-less fanatic, or a hydroponic scientist, we have a complete stock of containers, hydroponic mediums, and complete systems to meet anyone’s needs.

Next Step… Ventilation.
Anyone serious about growing indoors knows that ventilation is one of the most important things to take seriously. PGS has got you covered. Dampers, Filters, Extenders, Fans, Clamps, Reducers, Controllers and more….

Lets continue on to CO2 Enrichment… Tired of small yields and airy product? Increase your yields and overall structure with CO2 enrichment. We carry a large line generators, tanks, regulators, and controllers.

Little things that make the difference between bumper crops and bogus results.

Keep your plants happy and healthy through the entire bloom cycle!

Now lets address Environmental Control….
Now that you have a great room in the making, don’t let the environment go to shit with neglect! Dial in the perfect temperatures, humidity levels and your electricity to run flawlessly at all times. PGS has any kind of controller for your environment you can imagine.

Get Notified While Your Gone If You Have a Fire or a Breakin

Onto… Propagation What good is all of this without clones and cuttings to get your future crops ensured? PGS carries popular aero clone machines, as well as tradition Oasis, and Rockwool cubes, clone solutions, gels, and powders, modern T5 fluorescent systems and more…..

The key to success over a long period of time, is an intelligent, planned out nursery program, that includes all the things you would address in your bloom or vegetative environment. Temperature, co2 levels, relative humidity etc… Your future crops are only as good as the plants your nursery produces! Take the extra time to really create a perfect nursery and you will enjoy years of massive crops and prosperity!

T5 Fluorescent Grow Lights - Perfect For Vegetative Growth and Propagation

Let’s not forget the staple of ALL gardens.. Nutrients

Ah… what to say about nutrients? Take the time to learn what works best for your particular situation. We can help, we have just about every major plant nutrient product that is available today, AND we know how to use them.

Perhaps you want a ready to go Growroom? There are some really great ready to go grow rooms that are easy to assemble, and easy to break down. They make alot of sense for even the most experience growers in some situations. They come in every size for any project… Including massive Mammoth size ones for epic projects.

Don’t let garden pest ruin all your have built!… Pest Management.

After all your doing to build this dream room, don’t let bugs ruin this scenario! PGS has a full arsenal of organic and non-organic forms of pest management.

PGS Pest Managment Station

Did we almost forget Water Quality? Hell NO!

Without healthy, clean water as a basis, you will NEVER have a bumper crop. PGS has simple pacific sands filters, to full on huge RO systems.

Ok, I could go on and on about all the rest of the odds and ends, but the point is WE HAVE IT, from white plastic, Mylar, timers and fittings. Above all we offer a smile, and countless years of combined experience. Call us for prices and tell them Pete from the blog said to give you a deal!!! 1-866-PGS-GROW

When 6 and 8 inch ducts just aren’t enough! Introducing SunLightSupply’s new 10 inch, HID grow reflector. These babies really push the heat out perfectly. ( and that’s important for a baby to do ) I was actually pretty excited to see this happen. I have been waiting for a good 10″ hood to come around. It makes so much sense! 8 inches was starting to make it so one could just about put your plants right next to the lens with a 1000 watt bulb fired. Now with this 10 inch model Im excited to get one going and see for myself if this is really the coolest hood you can get.

Heavy-duty gasket makes the Yield Master 10″ airtight. | Includes tempered glass, built-in socket and 15′ lamp cord. | Highly reflective European aluminum interior for excellent output and uniformity. | Maximum air-cooling with built-in 10″ fittings. | Glass retention bars hold glass firmly in place. 1-866-PGS-GROW

Hey guys, I just realized that our HWY 12 virtual video tour hasn’t been posted yet, and that’s unacceptable! Our HWY 12 location is one of our most organized and well stocked stores. Come and visit Austin over there and tell him Pete sent you from the blog and get 10% off your next purchase. 1-866-PGS-GROW

When cooling your room is a must, these Sun Tubes are seriously perfect! They also come in 6 or 8 inch models. Completely assembled and ready for installation. Highly reflective German aluminum reflector offers excellent output and diffusion. Unique brackets allow for either horizontal or vertical hanging. Glass 19½” Long – overall Length is 28” long by 8” Diameter.

Sunlight Supply is an awesome company! Not only do they offer a variety of super high tech, high end reflectors, they also have a very low tech reflector that is making waves around here. People are seeing huge yields with this Adjust A Wing reflector series from Sunlight Supply. We have a full range of sizes available and are getting rave reviews from our clients. Try a couple and see for yourself! 1-866-PGS-GROW.

All I can say is, miricles do happen. After 20 years in the indoor horticulture business, Sunlight Supply has finally answered the call of indoor growers across the globe. Introducing, Rope Ratchet Light Hangers! Yes, it’s true, a heavy duty, reliable solution for hanging your reflectors is now availible. We just stocked up on a bundle of these babies and they are flying out the door. I personally bought a case myself. If your tired of all the sub-par light hanging solutions, you need not fret another day. It’s amazing that there hasn’t been something as heavy duty as this till now.  Measure your reflectors height and make adjustments safely and easily. Gone are the days of carpenters wire, chain, and unsafe, jerry rigged setups. Take complete control of your lights NOW with these professional rope ratchet light hangers. Another way to dial in your garden to perfection, keeping your lights at optimal distances from your plants is a major success factor! Let the good times grow….. 1-866-PGS-GROW

When it comes to grow hoods/reflectors, we got you covered! Hey guys, hope you had a great 4th of July weekend. Interesting how we celebrate on the 3rd these days, I don’t recall doing that ever as a kid. Anyways, here we are in another ALOHA Monday. Yes Aloha days are not just on Fridays… Any day can be an ALOHA day. So…….. lets talk about grow hoods, the Yield Master 2 in particular.

Air cooled lights are now an industry standard, it is one the easiest and most perfect ways to draw the heat away from the garden and your lights. With so many hoods available today, and with the extreme price variation, it can be a brain twister trying to determine which reflector to use. If you are on a budget but don’t want to compromise the quality of your reflector, we strongly suggest the Yield Master 2 Supreme. This is a great hood for any level gardener, and the price is right! @ $119 you can’t go wrong.

• Completely sealed – features gasketed glass and integrated restraint bars to hold glass tightly in place.
• 6″ integrated air-cooled fittings.
• Galvanized steel with Dupont powder coating.

1-866-PGS-GROW

Hey guys! We are super excited today to bring you the first of our video podcasts! This is the first in a series of educational video podcasts on indoor and outdoor horticulture. One of the most important things to us here at Pro Gardening Systems, is to play a role in every gardeners learning process and watching people grow in leaps and bounds, not only in their gardens but in valuable knowledge also.

Roy Gomez from Humboldt Nutrients came down and gave us a perfect seminar on his wonderful products. What a nice guy, and we were super impressed with Roys knowledge and helpful information. Humboldt Nutrients has taken the grow industry by surprise, with their super high quality plant food programs. We have just added them to our fold of quality plant foods we offer for sale at our stores and online. So check out our very first video podcast and let us know what you think. Giant thanks to Roy and Humboldt Nutrients for taking the time with us! Check out their site. 1-866-PGS-GROW

there are 5 parts and the entire thing is around 40 minutes, all the parts are up on Youtube!

Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 5

Magnum XXXL Grow Reflector

This is such a spectacular innovation that it deserves a second post here at the PGS definitive growers blog. It’s not too often that we use the word “best” in this business, particularly when it comes to grow equipment. There are so many quality companies out there that offer great products. Every once and a while a product comes around that changes the industry. The MAGNUM XXXL reflector is being called the BEST reflector ever and for so many reasons. Besides that it has the largest light reach of any hood we have ever seen, The MAGNUM series seems to have been built with extreme precision! These hoods have quality written all over them. There are three varieties of MAGNUM hoods to choose from.

Great White® 6″ Air-Cooled Reflector

• The largest reflectors in the industry.
• Reflector dimensions: 32” long x 26” wide x 7¾” tall.
• Includes tempered glass, built-in socket and 15 ft lamp cord.
• Completely sealed—Featuring gasketed glass and integrated retention bars to hold glass tightly in place.
• Top panel is interchangeable. Comes standard with white panel. Shown with optional 95% reflective insert (#904508).
• Lightweight aluminum body.
• Exclusive 90.5% reflective Dupont® white powder coating for excellent output and diffusion
• Maximum air cooling with built-in 6″ fittings

Magnum XXXL 6″ Air-Cooled Reflector

• The largest reflectors in the industry!
• Reflector dimensions: 32 1/2″ long x 26 1/4″ wide x 7 3/4″ tall
• Includes tempered glass, built-in socket & 15 ft. lamp cord
• Completely sealed – featuring gasketed glass and integrated retention bars to hold glass tightly in place
• 95% reflective German aluminum interior offers excellent reflectivity and diffusion
• Re-strike bend above the lamp for optimum performance
• Powder-coated galvanized steel body
• Maximum air cooling with built-in 6″ fittings

Magnum XXXL 8 in. Air-cooled Reflector

THE “OCHO!”

• The largest reflectors in the industry.
• Reflector dimensions: 38½ in. Long x 29½ in. Wide x 9½ in. Tall.
• Includes tempered glass, built-in socket and 15 ft lamp cord.
• Completely sealed—Features gasketed glass and integrated retention bars to hold glass tightly in place.
• Powder-coated galvanized steel body.
• 95% reflective German aluminum interior offers excellent reflectivity and diffusion.
• Maximum air cooling with built-in 8” fittings.
• Aerodynamic junction box improves airflow and cooling.

MAGNUMS STOCKED

We have been challenged to keep these on the shelves. People are buying them by the 20 lot. But have no fear, we are literally stocked to the ceiling with MAGNUM XXXL reflectors. Sunlight Supply has done it again with another revolutionary innovation, come buy some today and start enjoying the success everyone is noticing with these reflectors! 1-866-PGS-GROW.

We are Proud to announce the live opening of our Online shop – Now you can get “Sonoma County’s One Stop Grow Shop” Online. Get all the great, quality products you have come to expect from PGS right from home, online. We will ship right to your door. Need some advice before you place your order? No problem, give us a call @ 1-866-PGS-GROW. We offer all the friendly and expert advice to our online customers as we have here at the retail shops for the last 6 years. Browse through our definitive selection of indoor and outdoor grow supplies and grab what you need today.

Click here for the best hydroponic, indoor, outdoor, organic and biodynamic online store around..PGS ONLINE SHOP

Still using Metal Halide HID lamps to vegetate your plants? Well I’m here to tell you to STOP! Stop wasting money on inferior light quality, bulbs and less growth. With T5 fluorescent light fixtures, you will see a marked improvement in your electric bill, and with greener, more lush growth in your plants. These light fixtures are economical and exactly right for the job of turning your rooted cuttings into big healthy plants. The lumens that T5s output rivals any HID lamp, and you can have your plants much closer to the light without the fear of burning or stressing your plants. I used Metal Halides and plain fluorescent for years before I discovered how great these lights are. It took me a few years of suffering before I learn that everything I heard about these lights was really true. Don’t make the same mistake I did. Do you want to see 1000 watt type vegetation from your starts? Do you want to use less then a third of that electricity while achieving infinitely better results? Ofcourse you do, grab some T5 fixtures for your next batch of rooted cuttings, and you will be a very happy gardener very soon.

The Magnum XXXL 8″ Air-Cooled Reflector is a big one. Its actually the largest in the industry. The Magnum XXXL has been designed to be very aerodynamic. Its got a unique socket holder that allows maximum air flow. On many hoods the socket blocks the hole causing your fan to work harder and move less air. If your air cooling large grow lamps the Magnum XXXL 8 inch is for you.

The amount of light this reflector puts out is tremendous! If you want to utterly fill your grow space with an amazing amount of light, then you will love this hood!

Specifications:

* Complete with glass, built-in socket & 15 ft. lamp cord
* Completely sealed design – gasketed glass seal
* 95% reflective German aluminum interior
* Powder-coated galvanized steel body
* Aerodynamic junction box improves airflow & cooling
* Built-in 8″ fittings

Call 1-866-PGS-GROW today for more info or to order your Magnum XXXL today.