Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
LISTENING INTENTLY — Dr. Stephanie Burnett of the University of Maine Orono addresses a large gathering of people who attended a hydroponics class at Hy-Grow at 355 North Road in January.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
HOULTON — “I was over the moon. I would have been happy with 10 to 15 people, but 37 show up,” said a flabbergasted Bill McCluskey, co-owner with Stephen Porter of Hy-Grow Organics, located at 355 North Road.
McCluskey is referring to a class on hydroponics that was held earlier in January. McCluskey invited Dr. Stephanie Burnett of the University of Maine Orono to address the issue of how to grow hydroponically. The class was free to the public.
Burnett went over what was needed for nutrients, amendments, equipment and then held a question/answer period.
McCluskey was pleasantly surprised with the turnout that brisk day. People came as far away north as the Allagash, Fort Kent, Caribou, Presque Isle and Mars Hill, as far south as Sherman and easterly as Danforth and of course, Houlton and the surrounding areas.
“It tells me people are interested in this,” he said. “I had a sneaking suspicion that was the way it was and this just proved it. Underscored and exclamation. And, I will be doing it again.”
McCluskey is already in the planning stages for another instructional gathering at Hy-Grow Organics sometime in February.
“I will be doing it a bit differently,” he explained. “I will host a morning session for hydroponics 101 and one in the afternoon for the more advanced growers. We had people here who were already growing hydroponically.”
The feedback McCluskey received was very positive and those who called to thank him for holding the class also made suggestions for his next event.
McCluskey has in mind to focus on transitioning from winter to springtime growing.
“Everyone is going to be thinking about their outdoor garden,” he said. “Our speaker will address soil for your backyard garden, how to increase the yield and how to get rid of pests. There are all kinds of plants that can be grown in a garden organically to get rid of slugs, aphids, spider mites and powdery mildew.”
For example, McCluskey explained grow cilantro and spider mites will avoid your garden and for powdery mildew, which was a problem last year for growers, he can suggest numerous ways to cure it organically.
But, gardeners will be able to hear these suggestions and more from an expert in the field.
McCluskey suggests for someone to “get their feet in the hydro pond,” to have an aero garden of lettuce, one of the easiest to grow since it is water based, along with herbs.
“You can fall into a rhythm, get your method down and work your system,” he added.
Though McCluskey expected the class to be loaded with medical marijuana distributors, he was again pleased to say, “Near as I could tell, there were only probably five in attendance. Other people are growing vegetables and crops hyrdoponically, which is what I am trying to promote in the community. It was a diverse crowd from wanna-bes, beginners to people who have been growing hydroponically for a few years.”
Many people who wanted to try this method turned to the Internet for information or to a book. Now, Hy-Grow Organics is offering free classes with specialists in the field to help answer any questions a grower may have.
“The base ingredients to grow any crop are consistent — water, reservoir and light — the ways to grow, especially which nutrients to use, is a hot bed of discussion. Dr. Burnett mentioned Hoagland solution.”
Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
GUEST SPEAKER — Dr. Stephanie Burnett of the University of Maine Orono was the featured speaker last month at a hydroponic growing seminar in Houlton.
According to Wikipedia and Science in Hydroponics, solution is one of the most popular compositions for growing plants (in the scientific world at least). The Hoagland solution provides every nutrient necessary for plant growth and is appropriate for the growth of a large variety of plant species. It has more nitrogen and potassium which is suited for large plants like tomatoes or bell peppers. The solution is very good for the growth of plants with lower nutrient demands, as well, such as lettuce and other aquatic-based plants.
“I have heard of other teas that do well,” said McCluskey, “But, no one at the class had heard of this solution, including me.”
Hydroponics in The County is “evolving very quickly,” McCluskey said. “Dr. Burnett gave me good suggestions on what I needed to stock going forward for the summer for different types of teas and amendments (organic soil additives). She gave me some different ideas.”
For a class in the middle of the week, in the middle of the afternoon, on a frigid day, McCluskey was happy with the support.
“Stephen and I are grateful for the turnout and response from the communities on traveling far on a cold winter’s day,” McCluskey said.
More information on hydroponics will be in February (watch for an ad in Pioneer Times or listen to WHOU-FM) and will feature a representative from Hydrofarm, a dealer for Hy-Grow Organics stock.
“It will be come in and talk to him and not be a class per se,” said McCluskey. “He will be available to answer any question on items they sell.”
Hy-Grow Organics is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and can be reached by calling 232-7421 or visit Hy-Grow’s Facebook page.
