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The Grower’s poll
(Source: Up to date No 2 September 2003)
Curious on what other growers think of the Grodan products? We were! We were wondering about your experiences on our slabs and meters.That’s why we asked some of you what Grodan products you are using, for how long and what your experience with them is.Are you using the Grodan Recycling Scheme and do you intend to use it again? Below you can read the reactions and arguments.A good evaluation tool for us, a good reference for you.
Paul Howelett, Nursery Manager, Arreton Valley Nurseries
Graham Duff, Nursery Manager, Glen Avon Growers Ltd
RM Sayer LTD. Cucumbers, cherry and loose tomatoes
Tony Mills, Nursery Manager, Mill Nurseries
Dr. Paul F. Challinor, General Manager, Humber VHB, Runcton Nursery
Elio Barba, Managing Director, Springtime nurseries Lea Valley
Paul Howelett, Nursery Manager, Arreton Valley Nurseries
Paul Howelett is Nursery Manager, for Arreton Valley Nurseries. He has his tomato plants starting on Grodan Delta blocks, and thereafter grown on Grodan Expert. "To help us with water management, we have 4 WCM-A (connected to the environmental computer), and three more WCM-H (handheld) Water Content meters.
He is also content with the Expert slab: "It’s been 3 years now since I started using Expert and I am very satisfied. The Expert slab is a very good free draining slab which makes watering easy." "The water content meters have been crucial in my water management strategy. Together with the advice Grodan offers, we have had a very good year in terms of EC-control and maximum fruit quality."
Graham Duff, Nursery Manager, Glen Avon Growers Ltd
"I have been growing cucumbers on Grodan’s Master slab for 2 years. I use the Master slab because it helps me to provide the perfect root environment for plant and fruit growth. The structure and properties of the slab allows me to easily increase and decrease the water content at key times of the year, whilst maintaining control of the EC. The slab gives me added security of against watering problems because of its ability to re-wet even if the water content falls to very low level.
I have both continuous and hand held logging water content meters with which I can
accurately measure the WC, EC, and Temperature in the slab for full control over the
watering of the crop.The combination of slab and water management tools means I can
produce high yielding high quality cucumber crops throughout the season. As an ex foam grower I am also impressed with the savings in water and fertilizer."
RM Sayer LTD. Cucumbers, cherry and loose tomatoes
 "Most of our plants are started on Grodan blocks, and thereafter are grown on Grodan
Master. Which we have used for the last 3 years. The Master slab is the best slab that we have used, giving improved water management and contributing to higher yield and improved fruit quality.
We bought a WCM-H (handheld) 3 years ago and installed a WCM-A (connected to the environmental computer) 2 years ago. Both have been invaluable in helping to implement our water management strategies and we are hoping to install the multi-probe Water Content Meter in the future. We have used the Grodan Recycling Scheme for the past 3 seasons and will be doing so again this year."
Tony Mills, Nursery Manager, Mill Nurseries
 What Grodan products does he use? "I have my tomato plants (all 220000 of them and more than 260000 for next season) starting on Vitagreen blocks, and thereafter grown on Grotop Master, and Master slabs.To help me with the water management, I have 3 WCM-A (connected to the environmental computer), one WCM-C (logging) and three more WCM-H (handheld) Water Content meters. For the last three years, I used the Grodan Recycling Scheme. Of course I intend to use it again this year as it is cost effective and makes turnaround easier for everyone."
The Vitagreen blocks, stone wool blocks containing clay particles, are very well received in the Mill Nurseries: "Vitagreen enables me to keep the plant next to the plant hole for a longer period, giving the plant a generative boost which results in earlier cropping. It’s a very good block, I wouldn’t have my plants grown in anything else. I am actually looking forward to use the new improved blocks with their increased uniformity and strength."
What about the Master slabs? "I have used Master for 5 years now and for me it’s the standard. Best slab I have ever grown on so far. I intend to increase the substrate volume for next year. I am also looking to expand the area of Grotop Master which showed promising results in the last two years I am trialing it. Grotop makes water management easier and more accurate and I need more experience with it.
The Water Content Meters, also measuring EC and slab temperature, are therefore very useful to him."In combination with the Growscales, they are invaluable in following up on your water management.Which in turn is invaluable in maximising yield and quality of the crop. I am eager to use the multiprobe Water Content Meter which will make water management even easier to practise. Come on Grodan, we need this quick!"
Dr. Paul F. Challinor, General Manager, Humber VHB, Runcton Nursery
At Runcton we have been using the Grodan Master slab for 5 years in the growing of quality round and specialty tomatoes. Having the ability to control the root environment of the plant is important for us in the production of high yielding, high quality tomato crops. With the dual density, horizontal fibre structure, the Master slab provides this optimum control over the root zone water management.We can easily manipulate the water contents during the season to keep the plant well balanced for optimum growth and fruit production.
 Even root distribution throughout the entire slab has also helped us to maintain good fruit production with vigorous varieties on rootstocks. The slab also gives us added security through its ability to re-wet even if the water contents are to fall to very low levels due to unexpected irrigationproblems.
To monitor and manipulate the slab we use Grodan’s hand held and continuous water content meters to accurately measure the WC, EC and temperature of the slab.These tools allow us to make well-informed decisions on the need to adjust our watering strategies and regimes throughout the season.This has helped us to control drainwater volumes and use water and fertilizers most efficiently by only supplying irrigation rounds when necessary.
At the end of the season all of the rock wool that we use is sent through the Grodan recycling scheme and transferred to Ambion Brick at Horsham for incorporation into the house brick manufacturing process. For this we have been awarded a certificate, which has helped us towards attaining 100% in our Assured Produce audit this July.
As the relationship between our managers and the Grodan service develops, we hope to further our knowledge of water management and in environmentally-aware production techniques in the continuous production of quality specialty tomato crops.
Elio Barba, Managing Director, Springtime nurseries Lea Valley
I have been growing cucumbers on Grodan’s Master slab for 3 years. I like the Master because it allows me to easily steer my crop and office security against irrigation problems through its ability to increase and decrease water contents. Earlier on this season my irrigation broke down for the whole afternoon and part of the evening during which the water content fell quite low. After making repairs and several rounds in the evening, the water content of the slab the following day was back up to its original level before the problem arose.
A more free draining substrate would not have re-wet its self in the way the Master did. It is worth the extra you pay because it can get you out of trouble. With my hand held water content meter and the technical backup that is given to me by Grodan I achieve high quality and yields. Given a choice I would pick the Grodan Master slab every time. |
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