Owners of new Tonawanda store say hydroponics not what you expect

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Justin Holler, owner of Big Bloom Hydroponics shows off an aero-ponic, which develops roots for cuttings.
A coleus at Big Bloom Hydroponics.
Justin Holler, owner of Big Bloom Hydroponics, checks out some plants he's growing using hydroponics.

January 23, 2012

By Danielle Haynes The Tonawanda News The Tonawanda News Mon Jan 23, 2012, 01:02 PM EST

TOWN OF TONAWANDA — Justin and Claire Holler, the husband/wife owners of Big Bloom Hydroponics, would like people to know there’s more to hydroponics than what you think you may know. Say the word “hydroponics” and images of incense, peace signs and tie-dye might come to mind, but for the Hollers it’s about science, healthy eating and year-round gardening.

“That’s kind of what we try to get out,” Justin said. “The second that people hear about hydroponics, it makes them think (one thing).”

“Don’t let it scare you,” he added, laughing.

Big Bloom, which opened slightly more than a month ago, is the result of a more than

11-year interest in all things horticulture, Justin said.

“When I lived at my mom’s, she always grew a bunch of vegetables and flowers and that’s how I got into it,” he said. “Then two or three years ago a friend turned me on to hydroponics and I’ve been doing it since then.”

But he’s no amateur.

Justin has owned Elite Lawn Care, a landscaping company, for 11 years. The company offers mowing and plowing services, but also specializes in landscape design. While Justin may be getting a little less dirty these days, sticking to soil-free growing at the shop, he’s still keeping the landscaping business going.

In the early days of the shop, Justin says many customers are coming in asking for classes — there’s a learning curve, after all, when switching from soil-based to hydroponic growing.

“Once you know how to do it it’s like riding a bike,” Claire said. “It’s a lot more measuring and calculating (than outdoor growing), but once you set up your system, you’re ready to go. It’s not as hard as you think it is.”

There are different options for hydroponic growing, none of which involve soil, all of which involve some sort of nutrient-rich water.

Rock wool, a spun rock many growers use to start rooting their seeds, and expanded clay pebbles are both popular media in which to grow the plants, Justin said. While rooted in these substances, water that’s been souped up with nutrients — both organic and synthetic are available — passes over the roots of the plants, providing them everything they’d normally get from soil.

Then there are the various hydration systems — deep water culture means the plants are constantly submerged, flood-and-drain involves a timer that allows water to enter and drain from a tray, and aeroponics involves suspended plants that are misted.

So what’s the benefit?

“It grows faster,” Claire said. “I planted lettuce and peppers two weeks ago and they’re pretty big already ... it’s super fast.”

“You can push plants out probably about a month or month and half sooner than in soil,” Justin said. “Your plants are just being bathed with this nutrient-rich solution and constant oxygen, so they grow faster.”

Another perk is the ability to grow plants year-round, even during the frosty Buffalo winters, Justin said. The Hollers also say they like the ability to grow their own food, and not just during the summer months.

“You hear about people getting sick from infected vegetables from the grocery store, so for people to be able to grow something in their house, I think it’ll catch on,” Justin said.

“The start-up costs with hydroponics is a little bit more but I feel like the results and the time that you take to grow is going to benefit you in the future,” Justin said.

IF YOU GO

• WHAT: Big Bloom Hydroponics

• WHERE: 1864 Colvin Blvd., Town of Tonawanda

• HOURS: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

• MORE INFORMATION: Call 716-832-5666 or visit www.bigbloomhydro.wordpress.com

Contact features editor Danielle Haynes at 693-1000, ext. 4116.

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