Sulfur On Tap

By Shiv K. Reddy – A recent study shows that irrigation water sources across the U.S. rarely provide sufficient sulfur for greenhouse plants. We searched our lab database, which contains analyses of water samples from all across the U.S, and created a map that represents results from the most comprehensive survey to date on sulfur… View Article Read more about Sulfur On Tap »

Review of Major Growing Media Components

By Dan Jacques and Ron Walden, Sun Gro Horticulture – The major role of a growing mix is to support the plant, while holding water and nutrients for the plant to use during growth. There are five main components commonly used in making growing media: peat moss, bark, coir, perlite and vermiculite. This article describes… View Article Read more about Review of Major Growing Media Components »

Trends in Media Mixes

A Q&A on trends in media mixes, with Sun Gro’s Dan Jacques, Technical Services, and Kathryn Louis, Research & Regulatory Services –    What can you tell me about Sun Gro’s media mixes and components products for greenhouse growers? Sun Gro is the largest supplier of professional growing media in North America.  We also are the… View Article Read more about Trends in Media Mixes »

The Sun Gro Silicon Story

By Janet F.M. Rippy, Ph.D. Researcher, Sun Gro Horticulture Distribution, Inc. – While silicon (Si) is not yet considered to be an essential nutrient for most plants, it has been utilized for years in agriculture because of its many, well-documented benefits to plants. Si enters plant roots as silicic acid. Once inside the plant, it travels rapidly… View Article Read more about The Sun Gro Silicon Story »

Boost Retail Sales with Resilience® Enhanced Mixes!

Sun Gro Horticulture® is proud to introduce RESiLIENCE®, mixes enhanced with silicon.  Available in select Black Gold®, Fafard®, Sunshine® and Sunshine Advanced® premium potting soils. Resilience is Sun Gro’s brand name for growing mixes enriched with beneficial silicon—a patented technology developed by the company’s own research horticulturists. These enhanced potting mixes offer IGC retailers, growers,… View Article Read more about Boost Retail Sales with Resilience® Enhanced Mixes! »

Time to Say Sí to Silicon — And Bring Back the Missing Element in Soilless Growing

By Shiv Reddy   Silicon potting mix was one of the new products developed in the 1990s at the then Sun Gro R&D facility in Warwick (New York). Dr Shiv Reddy, along with the late Dr Paul King, developed and patented a novel soilless growing media that includes silicon. Dr Todd Cavins, who had researched… View Article Read more about Time to Say Sí to Silicon — And Bring Back the Missing Element in Soilless Growing »

What’s On The Fertilizer Label

By Robert Steinkamp Reading fertilizer labels would be a good cure for insomnia.  Most of you only dig into a fertilizer label only when the need arises and specific information is needed.  Let us review what is on the label, why it is there, and the potential usefulness of the information. Most fertilizer bags are… View Article Read more about What’s On The Fertilizer Label »

Fertilizer Changes Growing Mix pH

By Robert Steinkamp Summary: Limestone is added to growing media to adjust the pH to a desirable level, however other factors influence medium pH while a plant is growing—namely water quality and fertilizer usage. When considering a fertilizer’s influence on pH, a given material’s acid or basic reaction must be known. With water soluble fertilizer,… View Article Read more about Fertilizer Changes Growing Mix pH »

Peatland Ecology Research Group: Ecology, Restoration & Environmental Impact

In the last issue of the Sun Gro’er we reported on the little known “secret” concerning peat bog restoration under the direction of Dr. Line Rochefort. But the “rest of the story” is the work being conducted by the Peatland Ecology Research Group (PERG) centered at the University of Laval in Quebec, Canada. This group… View Article Read more about Peatland Ecology Research Group: Ecology, Restoration & Environmental Impact »

Sunshine #4 Mix with Mycorrhizae from Sun Gro

Sun Gro has developed a new product for sale to the professional and hydroponics markets – Sunshine #4 Mix with Mycorrhizae. This mix is sold in 3.0 cubic foot compressed bales. The package is slightly smaller than the typical 3.8 cubic foot package, which seems to be more amenable to customers in the hydroponics market. The ingredients of the blend are the same ingredients as the standard,… View Article Read more about Sunshine #4 Mix with Mycorrhizae from Sun Gro »