Sun Gro’er Blog

E Value: Find the Best Match Mix for Your Production Needs

As Technical Specialists, one of the common questions we receive is: “What is the best mix for me?” Of course everyone has unique wants and needs for a mix, but it’s our job to recommend one that will best fit a particular growing situation. We have to consider mix performance, plant nutrition, water quality, logistics and cost, then choose from the hundreds of mixes available, so we can very likely meet anyone‘s needs. But sometimes recommendations come with a bit of trepidation, especially when it comes to the mix performance issue. –Todd Cavins
Read More in The Sun Gro’er Issue 7/1 (2012)
Leer más en The Sun Gro’er Issue 7/1 (2012) Spanish/Español

Sphagnum Peat and Root Diseases

Diseases are becoming increasingly important in the production of ornamental crops due to restrictions on not only the use of chemicals but also the movement of diseased plants across borders. Growers are always seeking safer practices for controlling plant diseases. In this context, I present information to help growers better understand biological properties of peat and thus reduce the potential of root diseases. –Shiv Reddy
Read More in The Sun Gro’er Issue 6/2 (2011)
Leer más en The Sun Gro’er Issue 6/2 (2011) Spanish/Español

Biocontrol Products for Growing Media

Biological fungicides are a group of biocontrol products that have been used in the greenhouse industry for years. They have been increasing in use and popularity, not only because of their observed effectiveness in preventing disease, but also due to their less restrictive application and REI requirements. There is also a perceived desirable impact on the environment, or ‘greenness’ factor. This article investigates some of the more promising biocontrol products that relate to growing media.
–Rick Vetanovetz and Mark Thomas
Read More in The Sun Gro’er Issue 6/2 (2011)
Leer más en The Sun Gro’er Issue 6/2 (2011) Spanish/Español

Pine Tree Substrate — A Good Idea?

The use of pine trees (white wood, WoodGro®, PTS) or ground up pine tree parts (WTS) in soilless growing media has received some attention in the industry in the last five years, not because of the pine bark but because of the wood and other parts of the tree. Already, there have been two ways, or methods, of harnessing pine trees as a growing medium ingredient, each with differing names.
–Ron Walden et al.
Read More in The Sun Gro’er Issue 6/2 (2011)
Leer más en The Sun Gro’er Issue 6/2 (2011) Spanish/Español

Maintaining Sun Gro Product Quality

Quality manufacturers of growing media products, peat moss and aggregates strive to produce and deliver products in a safe environment that ensures product freshness. Herbicides or other harmful chemicals are not kept in or near the manufacturing facilities. Every effort is made to select shipping carriers that are reputable, and agreements require them to operate clean trailers. In order to ensure your satisfaction, consider these suggestions towards implementing safety and product freshness measures that will help maintain the high quality of the Sun Gro products you receive. –Todd Cavins
Read More in The Sun Gro’er Issue 6/1 (2011)
Leer más en The Sun Gro’er Issue 6/1 (2011) Spanish/Español

Update on Sun Gro Growing Media

Sun Gro Horticulture is the largest provider of professional greenhouse mixes in North America. We offer a wide range of mixes covering all the needs of the greenhouse industry, from seed/cutting propagation to general production. All of our standard mixes contain a liming agent to adjust medium pH, a lean nutrient starter charge and a proprietary wetting agent, which helps avoid major wet-out issues. In addition to our standard media offerings, Sun Gro has a few new formulations for your consideration.
–Dan Jacques, Ron Walden
Read More in The Sun Gro’er Issue 5/2 (2010)
Leer más en The Sun Gro’er Issue 5/2 (2010) Spanish/Español

Mycorrhizae: What’s All the Hubbub?

Customers have inquired about using mycorrhizae in Sun Gro mixes. Many are not familiar with mycorrhizae, and the confusing, misleading information in the industry about these beneficial organisms does not help with awareness. This article is intended to answer questions and provide a factual explanation of mycorrhizae―what these organisms are and how they benefit plants and production.
–Michelle Miller, Rick Vetanovetz
Read More in The Sun Gro’er Issue 5/2 (2010)
Leer más en The Sun Gro’er Issue 5/2 (2010) Spanish/Español

A Perlite Primer – The Big White Stuff

Perlite close-upLarge, coarse perlite alone may not be the best aggregate for a peat-based growing medium. In general, a mix of different sizes is desirable to provide uniformly distributed air spaces and to avoid the negative aspects of the ‘sand & rocks effect’ or in this case the ‘peat and rocks effect.’ How do sand and rocks relate to a growing medium? You’ve probably seen the demonstration (often used in time management presentations). –Kathryn Louis
Read More in The Sun Gro’er Issue 5/1 (2010)
Leer más en The Sun Gro’er Issue 5/1 (2010) Spanish/Español