Improving precision at New Leaf Plants
Specialist Clematis and climbing plant nursery New Leaf Plants, of Evesham, supply a competitively priced top end product.
Over two decades the production team has worked closely with experienced technical advisor Steve Hughes – the last seven years in his role as ICL technical area sales manager for Wales and the West Midlands.
Utilising our precision nutrition software programme, Angelaweb, Steve recently showed how nutrient release patterns could be dramatically improved employing a custom mix tailored to plants’ exact needs. By taking in to account factors including potting and sales dates, water supply and growing media mix, Angelaweb analysed the data and recommended a programme incorporating ICL’s fourth generation Osmocote Hi.End product. Benefitting from double coating technology (DCT), offering programmed release, a portion of the product begins its nutrient release at a later time, during the critical growth phase resulting in extremely efficient nutrient delivery.
Employing ICL’s grow, nurture and protect Levington Advance Solution package, New Leaf Plants has switched from home mixing their growing media to a bespoke variation of the Levington Advance CNS General peat reduced mix, with Osmocote Hi.End (8-9 month). The mix also contains Exemptor, providing protection from vine weevil and other pests including whitefly and sciarid. As required, later in the season the team supplement feeding with Universol hard water products.
Almost immediately after switching David Higginson saw improvements in the speed of crop development, plant quality and ease of management. “Plants have been greener and healthier with good flower bud development,” he says. “We’re also seeing significant improvements in root development – they are noticeably stronger and quicker to root round the pot.
“Commercial growing today is all about driving efficiencies in the production cycle. By forming strategic relationships with suppliers, such as ICL, we are producing better quality plants while importantly reducing inputs and improving efficiencies. With ongoing monitoring, Angelaweb and the development of new ICL products we are confident of making further improvements in efficiency in the future, while continuing to produce top quality plants.
“Angelaweb has opened our eyes and minds to the science behind the relationship between growing media, fertilizer, pest control and plant growth. We are now employing a much more scientific approach as we strive to produce the best plants for our customers. ICL is a partner whom we trust and continues to deliver a quality service to us.”
To find out more about Angelaweb click here