Back in March we were delighted to welcome Martin Donnelly to our technical team in the role of UK Sales Development Manager.

With forty years practical growing and technical sales experience, Martin is a well-known face in the industry.  BASIS qualified, he will be advising ornamental growers in the NE Midlands on growing media and nutrition while working alongside Andrew Wilson to provide UK-wide IPM technical advice encompassing our growing range of plant protection products.    

What first got you interested in horticulture? 

My father had an allotment and as a child I learnt how to prepare the soil, sow seeds, propagate etc. I became hooked on horticulture at a very early age

What excites you about the industry/job today? 

Things are changing so quickly with new technologies, climate change, political influences and the potential to enter new markets.

What are you most looking forward to in your new role with ICL? 

To meeting and helping new customers produce healthy profitable crops, in short - to make a difference.

How do you see the future of plant protection in UK ornamentals? 

With the introduction of SUD and the on-going neonicotinoid debate, I can see the industry embracing biological products and moving further towards IPM.

If you could get growers to change their attitude/approach to one area of IPM what would it be? 

To produce an annual crop protection management plan for their nursery and look to prevention, not cure.

What are the three most significant changes you’ve witnessed in the industry in relation to growing media, nutrition and plant protection. 

Growers are embracing crop specific growing medium and abandoning a one size fits all approach. There has been a giant leap forward when it comes to CRF technology and water soluble fertilizers giving growers more options than ever. IPM is now being taken seriously with the demise of traditional chemical based products and a move towards cultural and biological control.

What major production challenges lie ahead in the next five years?            

The industry has adopted a just in time approach, which will put pressure on product supply in the future. Vine weevil will continue to be a challenge and with control options dwindling growers will have to become even more diligent when buying in stock.

What opportunities? 

UK growers may find it easier to enter markets outside of the UK and promote good quality UK grown plants in other countries within Continental Europe.

Are you a keen gardener?  

I enjoy gardening and grow most of my plants from seed. I have a constant supply of herbs and leafy salad crops throughout the year.