Products

Hydroponics book
"Hydroponic Handbook" by J. Benton Jones Jr. provides an easy-to-read guide to growing plants without soil. The book introduces the fundamental hydroponic growing principles and describes and analyzes the various hydroponic methods in use today. It includes a brief informative introduction to the field and a review of the most current methodologies and techniques. Six hydroponic growing systems are evaluated, with descriptions of the equipment required, nutrient solution formulation and application and overall advantages and disadvantages. The book contains information for growers at all levels of expertise, from beginners to professional experts. It is available online at www.Amazon.com and www.growtomatoes.com. READER SERVICE #48

Growing substrate
BVB Sublime from A.M.A. Hydroponics, a part of A.M.A. Plastics Ltd., is a polyurethane substrate engineered expressly for hydroponic vegetable crops. It is designed to hold water while offering maximum air/water ratio throughout the crop life. Roots develop throughout the slab rather than developing at the bottom of the slab. This leads to more efficient water and nutrient use and increased yield. BVB Sublime is inert, clean and safe. There are no dust issues for employees handling the product. It can be re-saturated in the event that it dries out, with no difficulties even if it occurs many times. This substrate does not collapse over the crop cycle nor if it is stepped on or somehow crushed. It bounces back to its original shape. At the end of the crop cycle, the substrate can become fuel for biomass or coal boiler systems or for industrial furnaces. It has the same caloric value as coal, even with the plant material in it. It can simply be mixed into the regular fuel stream. READER SERVICE #49

Ring knife

The Quick Release Ring Knife is a new line of plastic ring knives manufactured in the United States by Handy Twine Knife Co. The polycarbonate band is made with a split in the back. The same heat-treated steel blade is used in the plastic knife that is used in the Original Ring Knife. Available in small, medium and large. READER SERVICE #50

Adjuvants/colorants
Harrell's introduces SprayMAX, a new line of adjuvants and colorants, developed to help turf and ornamental managers stretch their budgets. Products include: Nonionic Spreader Sticker; Nonionic Penetrant; Siloxane Surfactant; Crop Oil Concentrate; Herbicide Activator; Fungicide Activator; PAR; Defoamer; Tank Cleaner; pH Buffer; Green Turf Paint; Black Pond Dye; Blue Pond Dye; Blue Spray Indicator; and Green Spray Indicator. READER SERVICE #51

Palletizer

Designed to pick and place cases, the Z.ZAG Palletizer from Eagle Packaging Machinery LLC uses a vacuum system to automatically pick up a case or cases and place it on a pallet. The Z.ZAG is designed for end-of-line applications where production is distributed over several production lines. Placing a Z.ZAG at the end of each production line is more affordable than using costly conveyors to transport cases to a centralized high-cost, high-speed palletizer. It has a suction capacity of more than 250 pounds and is capable of lifting 40-pound boxes at speeds up to 240 pounds / 6 lifts per minute. READER SERVICE #52