Eco Growing Systems

Simplicity That Can Feed Our Planet

BY E R I K B I K SA

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HYDROPONICS: SPOTLIGHT

E C O G R OW I N G SYSTE M S

Gene Nalbandian is as far from being a newbie

to horticultural crop production as they come. However, taking on

the global hydroponics market is a new challenge which the veteran
grower has come to embrace with open arms. When asked why he has
come out of retirement after 22 years of growing some of the finest and
most prolific foliage, herbs and fruits produced in the United States,
Nalbandian states:
Food prices continue rise, and even in developed countries we
are beginning to see food shortages. Already, we have so much of our
edible crops sprayed with damaging pesticides that become injurious
to our health and the environment. To put it simply, its a calling I cant
ignore, especially given a lifetime of experience of raising healthy plants
in all types of growing situations. The world of growing has given a lot
to me, and I feel that now is the time to give that something back.
That something is the Eco Growing System, a self-contained, selfwatering plant container that uses capillary action and a well-aerated
growing medium to continuously supply plants with optimal air-towater ratios at the roots for continuous and healthy growth rates. The
Eco Growing Pots that make up the system themselves are available in
a very wide range of sizes, from one gallon to 15 gallons.
In raising foliage plants, I learned the benefits of simplicity in
production methods, says Nalbandian of his shockingly obviously
idea. It seemed to me that this is what has been lacking in popularizing
hydroponics production capabilities for food and medicine at the
consumer level. Sure, there are some great growing systems out there,
however, most people do not have that kind of cash or time to commit.
Lets face it, high-tech hydroponics can be very intimidating both in
price and the expertise required when ultimately your goal is to grow
some nutritious, pesticide-free food for your family.
Like most great ideas, the Eco Growing System was developed
looking at the organic processes in nature that have allowed plants to
flourish for thousands of years. You might say that there is truly some
magic in the way capillary action has been harnessed to ensure plant
roots have constant access to water and nutrients, while maintaining
a high degree of aeration. As all experienced growers know, while
water and nutrients are important, the significance of having lots of
air available to the root zone cannot be overlooked for healthy growth
and bigger yields.
Such insights can only be culled from decades of experience
cultivating plants. Nalbandian is a veteran who has grown plants in
conjunction with the White House, Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Cannes
Film Festival, Disneyland Hotels (California and Florida), and many
others, creating a list horticultural achievements too long for the
scope of this feature.
Nalbandian is an expert, not just from the perspective of raising
the healthiest specimens possible. More importantly, he realizes that

I have been
concerned that
some of the
growing methods
offered by the
hydroponics
industry are overly
complex and
cumbersome
[Gene Nalbandian]

growers must be able to raise these healthy plants consistently. Clearly,

this is an obstacle often overlooked by some areas of the hydroponics
industry when it comes to home growing systems. Nalbandians
Eco Growing Systems may just be the ticket to an easier and more
consistently successful growing experience for all skill levels.
Our methods of growing using the Eco Pot concept have proven
successful for hobbyists, experts, professionals, and even grandmasters
alike, in a range of ornamental, fruit, vegetable and medicinal crops.
Each Eco Pot has a built-in reservoir that sits in the bottom of the
container. A specially designed insert separates the growing medium
(like well-aerated coco coir) from the reserve of nutrient solution
that sits below. The insert allows the growing medium to contact the
nutrient solution at several points or pillars, providing the necessary
wicking capacity without saturating the medium with water, which
would starve plant roots of oxygen. The design comes as close to

volume

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issue

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HYDROPONICS: SPOTLIGHT

Eco Growing System,

a self- contained,
self- watering plant
container that uses
capillary action
and a well-aerated
growing medium to
continuously supply
plants with optimal
air-to-water ratios
at the roots for
continuous and
healthy growth rates.

Our methods of growing using

the Eco Pot concept have proven
successful for hobbyists, experts,
professionals, and even grandmasters
alike, in a range of ornamental, fruit,
vegetable and medicinal crops
[Gene Nalbandian]
He stressed that more traditional top
watering or drip irrigation is inadequate as it:
Does not distribute water evenly and
throughout soil media (leaving dry areas).
Pushes salts down and irritates roots.
Is known to cause water molds (pythium)
which retards root growth and development.
Hobbyists and grandmasters alike may
not know how much water they should
give an individual plant at anytime; the Eco
Pot addresses the watering needs of plants
individually in changing conditions.
While Nalbandian has enjoyed a
successful career in horticulture for decades,
he admits that the hydroponics industry
offers some unique challenges and demands.
However, as the minds of millions open up
to hydroponics, his proven concept and cost-

effective pricing will help Nalbandian and

Eco Growing Systems to realize the goal
of turning thousands of consumers into
productive members of the global growing
solution that is home hydroponics.
I have been concerned that some
of the growing methods offered by the
hydroponics industry are overly complex and
cumbersome, he concludes. The equipment
available can be too varied, expensive and
time-consuming to set up and install. Once
set up, there may be an excessive use and
waste of water, and higher energy costs. I
believe our Eco Growing Systems can bring
a standard to home hydroponics growing.
Using scientifically proven research, we have
been able to cut water and cut energy costs
by 50-60% versus growing with conventional
hydroponics systems, without any sacrifice
whatsoever in production capabilities.

For more info please visit ecogrowingsystems.com

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E C O G R OW I N G SYSTE M S

foolproof
as possible for
growers looking for effective
automated watering systems.
Eco Growing System offers a
soilless medium for the Grow
Pot consisting of 3040%
washed coir (coco fiber), 15
20% perlite (or pumice) with
20% fir bark and pine bark
or cedar chips. This creates
an 81.2% porosity level which is essential
to promote and sustain healthy root growth
and development. The Eco Pot System
only draws the water as needed and works
simultaneously with constant oxygenation
in the soilless mix to grow healthy plants
without stressing their immune system. (For
more on how proper oxygen mix aids plants
and humans, see page 94 in this issue.)
In developing the Eco Pot concept,
Gene built numerous prototypes. After
testing several designs and configurations,
he designed a reservoir with a built in drain
system and aeration holes around the side
of Eco Pot.
The engineering eliminates overwatering, one of the most common problems
encountered by growers who have a
tendency to kill their plants with kindness.
The holes around the side of Eco Pot serve as
a constant aerator, providing oxygen for the
plants roots and the healthy microbial life in
the growth medium. It also acts as a built-in
drainage system if you inadvertently overfill
the reservoir.
Nalbandian consulted with Dr.
Wesley Jarrell, a professor at the University
of California at Riverside, an expert in
horticulture and foremost soil physicist.
He told me the Pot was perfect for
successful growing, as the water taken from
the reservoir would be part of the soil media
we used by capillary action.

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