A two-day propagation seminar organised every year by Grodan

Its aim as always, is to provide propagators from around the world with a unique opportunity to catch up on the latest technological developments within the industry and to strengthen global networks.

Grodan IPS 2022

Take a look at the IPS 2024 after movie

Thumbnail for after movie, IPS 2024, propagation

Lights and plant physiology

Leo Marcelis, Professor Horticulture and Product Physiology Group, WUR

In greenhouses and vertical farms LED lamps provide opportunities for improving growth, yield and product quality. Furthermore, LEDs can save energy compared to other lamps. Light has different characteristics such as intensity, daily light integral, photoperiod, spectrum, direction and heat. All these characteristics can have profound effects on plant growth, development and quality.

In this presentation Leo Marcelis will discuss physiological, developmental and morphological responses of horticultural crops to light (intensity, spectrum, position, photoperiod) resulting in improvements in growth and plant quality.

IPS 2025 - Leo Marcelis presentation photo

Multi-channel controls for LED lights based on customer wish & trials results

Hedzer de Boer (Product manager) and Gert-Jan Goes (Plant specialist), Philips Horticulture LED Solutions

Philips presentation photo

Option 1: De-humidification in propagation

Rob van Hulzen, Technical Consultant Air Treatment, Van der Ende

Option 2: New technologies and optimal cultivation environments

Ben van der Heide, Chief Sales Officer, Bosman van Zaal

Marta Streminska, Scientific Researcher Microbial Ecology, WUR

Microbes are essential for plant growth, influencing nutrient supply and resilience to stresses. Traditionally, research focused on preventing plant pathogens in greenhouses. However, molecular techniques have revealed the diversity and abundance of beneficial microbes in the rootzone, especially in soilless systems. Different growing media and environmental factors like temperature, pH, and oxygen availability affect the rootzone microbiome. Crop species, cultivar, and age also play a role. Understanding these microbes' functions can enhance plant productivity and sustainability in future soilless cultivation systems. This presentation will introduce to us root zone microbiome.

Microbiome presentation - IPS 2025 - Only for IPS use

Panel discussion - Nursery hygiene and managing root zone quality

The panel discussion on "Nursery hygiene and managing root zone quality" will explore the critical role of maintaining cleanliness in nurseries to prevent plant pathogens and ensure healthy plant growth. Experts will discuss the importance of root zone quality, highlighting how beneficial microbes can enhance nutrient uptake and plant resilience. The discussion will cover various factors affecting the root zone microbiome, including growing media, environmental conditions, and crop characteristics. Attendees will gain insights into innovative strategies for optimizing root zone health, ultimately leading to more productive and sustainable nursery operations.

Moderator: Andrew Lee, Grodan

  • Marta Streminska, WUR
  • Werner van Mullekom, Agrozone
  • Claudia den Braver, Plantum
  • Adriaan Vermunt, Groen Agro Control
  • Johan Bruins, Globe Plant B.V.
Botany trial April 2024

Option 1: Automation and the human touch, the best of both worlds for grafting tomato

Julia Erftemeijer, Sales consultant, Artechno

Changing the way of propagate your young plants with AVF+. AVF+ Young Plants is an advanced solution for revolutionary propagation of all kinds of (young) plants. This innovative system enables growers to grow consistently strong quality plants at a high density by controlling all environmental variables such as temperature, light, humidity and nutrients. After the plants are grown up, they can be (transferred) into the existing cultivation method and greenhouse for further propagation.

Added values:

  • Ideal conditions for germination and propagation (99,99% succesrate & 30% cultivation acceleration)
  • Consistent quality young plants, year round
  • Better biological control, clean young plant material
  • Lower labor costs
  • Better ergonomics for employees
  • Space saving in the greenhouse for propagation
  • Suitable for propagation of many different crops

Option 2: Choosing the right products (Resistance in different products)

Jan-Willem Keijzer, Team Lead ICM specialist, Royal Brinkman

Vermiculite free growing – experiences at Van Geest propagator

Vermiculite is commonly used in propagation, despite its drawbacks. These include increased costs for machine maintenance and cleaning, and slippery floors. This presentation will show that growing without vermiculite is feasible and beneficial. Grodan and Van Geest a high-tech propagator will discuss and present their learnings from common trials, highlighting the experiences, possibilities, and benefits of vermiculite-free products.

Vermiculite free propagation at Dutch propagator P. van Geest

Buitenplaats Kameryck

Location of the International Propagation Seminar 2024