INDOOR GROW SHOPS TAKING ROOT

The stores have become popular over last several years

There's a growing phenomenon sweeping across Tulare County - and
across the nation, for that matter.

It's called "indoor grow shops," and it's taking many people - from
farmers-market fanatics to, yes, those who grow marijuana legally - by
storm.

There are two indoor grow shops in Porterville alone. Maximum Harvest
Grower Supplies, the city's oldest indoor grow shop, is located at 730
E. Date St. The other shop, M&J's Grower Supply, is located at 128 N.
Second St.

A third, Tulare County Growers Supply, did business in Porterville for
a short time before relocating to Farmersville.

Tim Weldon, owner of Maximum Harvest, said he believes such shops have
sprouted up in Porterville because people used to have to go out of
town to get their indoor-grow supplies.

"I'm sure more will open," said Weldon, whose store is open this time
of year from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3
p.m. Saturday.

While Weldon doesn't discount the possibility that some of his
customers may purchase what he sells for their marijuana grows, he
said that is not the reason why he does business.

"We don't portray our store to be that way," Weldon
said.

Instead, even though it is legal in Tulare County to privately grow up
to 99 marijuana plants for medicinal purposes in an enclosed area,
Weldon said his shop caters more to farmers and landscapers.

For example, Weldon said those who grow crops - from habanero peppers
to tomatoes and everything in between - indoors can get five yields a
year as opposed to just one yield a year if they grow them outdoors.

This, Weldon said, allows people, like those who sell fruits and
vegetables at farmers markets, to offer their goods 12 months out of
the year.

"They're finding there's a market year-round for them," said Weldon,
who is also a vocational instructor in landscaping at the Porterville
Developmental Center.

Those who walk into Weldon's store will see an array of products -
Awesome Blossoms nutrients, Xtra Sun 6 lights, 60-pound bags of soil,
cloning kits, drying racks, PH-balance testers and more - lining the
store's shelves.

Weldon even sells live lady bugs that eat mites and cocoons that hatch
praying mantises that eat insects.

"We have all kinds of stuff for different applications," said Weldon,
adding that 90 percent of what he sells is all-natural.

Weldon said he also does house calls to help growers install their
systems. The idea, he said, is to give farmers a competitive edge in
an ever-changing market.

"In the Valley, there are so many different crops," Weldon said.
"These farmers are getting a lot smarter now."