Grodan, a leading specialist in stone wool growing media, has developed a patented vermiculite-free solution for high-tech propagation of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. The new plugs and blocks improve the sowing process while maintaining optimal germination rates and top-performing plant quality in both the propagation and cultivation phase.
For decades, vermiculite has been a reliable aid in germination, protecting seeds from drying out or receiving too much light. Yet its granular nature could pose some challenges: particles disperse easily, clogging irrigation systems, filters and transplanting machines, while also creating slippery, potentially hazardous conditions on greenhouse floors.
In today’s high-tech, large-scale and increasingly automated propagation, efficiency and cleanliness are more important than ever. Grodan’s new patented vermiculite-free Funnel M plugs for tomatoes and peppers and the vermiculite-free block for cucumbers remove these barriers – delivering results equal to conventional working methods, but without the drawbacks. By removing vermiculite, propagators benefit from a cleaner and safer work environment. It also reduces time and costs linked to cleaning and maintenance, while helping ensure strong, homogeneous crop development right from the start.
Grodan’s Funnel M plugs have been designed for compatibility with most modern sowing machines, supporting quick and accurate sowing at scale. Their optimized seed holes enable easy visual checks of seed placement, while no foil cover is required after sowing – saving both time and materials.
Next to the Funnel M plug, early trials with cucumber growers confirm that the new vermiculite-free block delivers excellent plant development, with strong stem stability, robust biomass and high germination success.
“These vermiculite-free solutions are rooted in science and designed to grow. Building on our proven Funnel S solution, which has already gained wide adoption among leading seed companies, the new Funnel M plug and vermiculite-free block open the door for tomato, pepper and cucumber propagators to transition confidently towards cleaner and more sustainable propagation,” adds Joost.
The products were developed in close collaboration with Grodan’s customers. Large-scale trials with propagators have demonstrated that the transition is straightforward, low-risk and delivers immediate benefits. Many early adopters have already made the switch, citing cleanliness, efficiency and crop uniformity as decisive advantages.
“Next to the advantages in plant stability and development, we also see the benefit of less pollution – both for us and for our customers,” says Erik Heijs, Cultivation Coordinator, Beekenkamp.
Are you interested in taking a cleaner and more efficient approach to propagation – without compromising on sowing speed, germination rate, crop homogeneity or plant quality?
Contact your local Grodan representative for more information on availability in your region and to request a vermiculite-free trial. Our advisors can also support you in making a smooth transition.
For more details about Grodan’s new vermiculite-free solutions, visit our Plantop page: www.grodan.com/global/plantop
Grodan is the global leader in supplying soilless rootzone management solutions for Controlled Environment Agriculture. These solutions are applied to the cultivation of vegetables, medicinal crops and flowers. Grodan was founded in 1969 and is active in more than seventy countries worldwide. The head office is located in Roermond, the Netherlands. For more information, please visit our website, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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