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Being part of the greenhouse sector, we are well aware of the fact that the current season came with multiple challenges and uncertainties in your greenhouse. Gas, energy, the significantly increased inflation, and the changing climate asks for even more flexibility and creativity to adapt to this changing environment.
We know many of you are facing a number of challenges in your greenhouse. With harvest season right around the corner, you could likely use some extra hands! Unfortunately, with the current staff shortages, extra labor is not easy to find. Additionally, gas prices are higher than ever which makes it even more important to use your energy as efficiently as possible. At the same time, consumers are increasingly demanding high quality crops with sustainability playing an increasingly important role.
The world of commercial strawberry growing is at a crossroads. Internal and external factors are pushing forward-looking growers like Genson to rethink their production practices, not least the substrate they use. In this context, a couple of years back Genson asked independent expert, Elke Schellekens from Floraison, to lead a series of trials testing different substrates, including Grodan stone wool. The trials are still running, but Elke took a moment out from her busy schedule to reflect with the people at Grodan who’ve been involved with the trials on progress to date.
When Finnish hydroponic lettuce growers Viherkaste OY found themselves facing persistent production problems, they worked with experts from Grodan to find a solution. Here CEO Erkki Nylund and Operational Manager Ilkka Saloranta discuss their journey.
The sharp rise in energy prices is forcing many growers to reduce their lighting, to turn down the thermostat a little and provide screening for longer. If irrigation and nutrient levels are not adjusted accordingly, this can have major consequences for the crop and the roots, warns cultivation advisor Jos Beerens from Grodan.
Part II: Pyrgeometers and glass film technologies: innovations to support the transition to green energy in the greenhouse For the past years, two main challenges have been top of mind for greenhouse operators: labor (shortages and increasing costs) and the ever increasing costs of energy. Andrew Lee, Global Technical Knowledge Manager at Grodan and veteran in the horticultural business, sees these challenges not as limitations, but as important drivers for technological innovation in the sector. In the first part of this series, Lee dives into the latest tech solutions for challenge #2: the transition towards green energy in the greenhouse.
Grodan has organized the International Propagation Seminar for the 9th time. Plant breeders from home and abroad saw their expectations come true: current topics under the banner of automation and control were on the program. Topics within this theme ranged from robotization during the propagation process, the use of rock wool in strawberry cultivation to climate control and various types of light.
Grodan Launches Vermiculite-Free Plantop NG2.0 Funnel Plug. Global leader in stone wool growing media solutions Grodan announces the launch of a new Funnel Plug. Unlike other stone wool plugs, the patented Plantop NG2.0 Funnel Plug does not require the propagator to add a layer of vermiculite after seeding. That means excellent results and a cleaner work environment, and is particularly important because vermiculite is becoming increasingly difficult to source.
At Grodan, we believe that the greenhouse horticultural sector plays a leading role in the efficient, safe and local production of healthy and sustainable food, now and in the future.
The Dutch horticultural sector binds forces and organizes a full two-day lasting Horticultural program at the Netherlands Pavilion, during the theme-week ‘Food, Agriculture & Livelihoods’ from 17 – 23 February 2022 at the World Expo in Dubai. The first day on Monday 21 February is organized by the public sector and the second day; on Tuesday 22 February is organized by Dutch companies. Grodan, is one of the more than 20 companies that shows how high-tech horticulture can make a sustainable contribution to global food security. The inspiring and interactive program takes place in our price-winning Netherlands Pavilion wherein we combine water, food, and energy. The total program of both Horticultural Days will be broadcast live from the Netherlands Pavilion.
We kicked off the new growing season by a new release in e-Gro. As a result of interviews with top growers worldwide and continuous testing, we’ve increased the focus on optimisation in the Production Module and Reports Module.
We hope you had a great summer and harvest! As the days get shorter and darker, for many of you the growing season is coming to a close or you will soon transfer to growing with artificial light. We’ve worked hard on new features and updates that are available as of today in your account for growers with lit* cultivation as well as for growers without lit cultivation.
We are a global leader in the supply of innovative stone wool substrate solutions for the professional horticultural based on Precision Growing principles.
