Martin Donnelly

IPM in the root zone - the benefits of utilising growing medium in your IPM programme

Martin will explain the benefits of using the growing medium within IPM programmes on the nursery and why it is important to take a holistic approach to crop protection. He will explain the complex balance that exists in IPM systems and how to maintain this balance throughout the crop cycle.

With a strong background in IPM, growing media and nutrition, Martin recently joined ICL as Sales Development Manager providing support to growers with crop protection products and IPM systems.

Andrew Wilson

A holistic approach to pre-empting deficiency problems

Taking a more holistic approach to crop nutrition, Andrew Wilson will explain how growers can pre-empt deficiency problems in crops grown in peat based and peat-free growing media by utilising the latest generation of fertilizers.  He will explain how by employing Osmocote Dual Coating Technologies, as well as the new Osmocote Iron and Osmocote CalMag, growers can more closely match plant nutrient demands.  

With a horticultural degree from Wye College, Andrew Wilson managed a large nursery growing container and field-grown trees and shrubs for 10 years before moving into technical sales of fertilizers and growing media. Appointed technical manager at ICL ten years ago, he is involved in new fertilizer product development and provides technical support to the company’s team of technical area sales managers.

John Adlam

A breath of Fresh Air - the management of Air Filled Porosity

Delegates will be given an understanding of the effects and management of the air filled porosity (AFP) of a growing medium.  What the effects are of high and low AFP levels on growth; how do ingredients change it; water holding capacity and the use of wetting agents; what are the different management systems needed and how does pot size affect it.  The session will include practical demonstrations of varying APF in a growing medium. 

Over lunch John will demonstrate how to calibrate a water powered fertilizer injector. 

John founded Dove Associates in 1985 and today provides technical, managerial and financial services to the nursery industry. Dove Associates supports over 50% of the hardy nursery stock industry in the UK including most of the major growing organisations of ornamentals.

Dr Colin Mumford

Vine weevil under the microscope  

Dr Colin Mumford, technical support manager for Bayer, will put vine weevil under a digital microscope during his workshop exploring the lifecycle and integrated control of UK ornamental horticulture's number one pest - the vine weevil.  Taking an integrated approach to control, Dr Mumford will explore cultural and biological as well as chemical means using Exemptor (thiacloprid).  A key plant protection component of ICL’s Grow, Nurture, Protect programme, Exemptor is a third generation neonicotinoid that has been rigorously tested and classified as safe to bees.  Come and find out what sets Exemptor apart from first generation neonicotinoid products. 

Dr Mumford will be joined by Steve Bishop, product manager for Bayer.

Lucy Carson-Taylor & Edward Birchall

Xylella fastidiosa - what you need to know  

Lucy Carson-Taylor and Edward Birchall, of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), will be talking about the bacterial plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa and discussing the symptoms on host species and potential pathways into the UK.

APHA works to safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy.  Having joined the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate (PHSI) in 1992 as a field based inspector, in 2014 Edward Birchall became Principal inspector responsible for plant exports outside the EU and plant passporting - regulating movement of plants within the EU. Lucy Carson-Taylor is a senior plant health professional specialising in science communication, public engagement and professional development.

Lana Farren

Wetting agents – why we need them in horticulture

This workshop, led by Lana Farren of Amega Sciences, will explain how wetting agents reduce the surface tension of water, reducing the contact angle of water with the growing media.  Improving wettability, she will explain how these agents promote even distribution of water throughout the media.

Lana Farren, is the technical manager at Amega Sciences plc, part of ICL.