Ritter Greenhouse 2013

Tony BeckmannPremier Tech Horticulture/Hort Americas

Industry Background

• 4th Generation Beckmann Bros. Nursery, St. Louis, MO—land was sold in 2006• Landscaping for 6 years• Missouri Botanical Garden—Horticulturist 2

years• Horticultural Sales and Marketing since 2001.

My Focus

• Success for our industry• Innovative ideas to bring to the marketplace.• We work directly with growers to solve problems.

. Biologicals

. LEDs

. Organic fertilizers

. New technology

Beneficial (Biologicals)

• Definition 1. Conferring benefit, advantageous; helpful.

• In Greenhouse application:oMycorrhizaeo Bacilluso Trichodermao Streptomyces

MYCORRHIZAE

WITHOUT MYCORRHIZAE WITH MYCORRHIZAE

Mycorrhizal fungi form a network of filaments which develops in the soil, transporting water and nutrients to the roots.

Reduced Use of Chemical FungicidesCompatible With All Greenhouse Fungicides and InsecticidesSafe to Use – No Human or Plant Toxicity‘Friendly’ With other Biological Agents (BAs)Healthier / Stronger Root System

• Better use of fertilizers and water• Improved plant growth

All Crops Benefit

PRO-MIX® BIOFUNGICIDETM

Advantages

PRO-MIX® BIOFUNGICIDE + MYCORRHIZAE(PLUS)

Advantages

Protects against Fusarium, Pythium, RhizoctoniaREI: 0 Hour Restricted drenches: NoneProvides season-long control

No re-application required

Shelf-life: 9 Mos+ (<0 –110oF), Bacillus and mycorrhizae last 2 yearsBiofungicide colonizes roots within 48 hours, mycorrhizae 3-6 weeksTolerates wide pH range and moisture levels

PRO-MIX® BIOFUNGICIDE + MYCORRHIZAE Petunia ‘White Madness

After 5 weeks in cell packs, PRO-MIX ‘BX’ PLUS had 81% more top dry weight than the PRO-MIX ‘BX’ control

Control Combo0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70Top Dry Weight after 5 wks

PRO-MIX +

.

PRO-MIX® BIOFUNGICIDE + MYCORRHIZAE

Salvia ‘Vista Red’

After 5 weeks in cell packs, PRO-MIX ‘BX’ PLUS had 39% greater top dry weight and less chlorosis compared to PRO-MIX ‘BX’ control

Control ComboSalvia

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6Top Dry Weight after 5 wks

PRO-MIX® BIOFUNGICIDE + MYCORRHIZAEIvy Cuttings

After 5 weeks in 4 inch pots, PRO-MIX ‘LP15’ PLUS had 33% more new shoots and 27% greater top dry weight compared to PRO-MIX ‘LP15’ control

Control Combo0.000.100.200.300.400.500.600.70 Top Dry Weight after 5 wks

PRO-MIX® BIOFUNGICIDE + MYCORRHIZAEPeppers after 8 wks

Horti

cultu

ral L

ED G

row

Li

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Flowering Lamp

Ruibals Plants of Texas, Dallas TX

• Goal of Trial: Early blooming petunias for early spring customers.

• Shorten the 10 week lead time

• Trial setup-3 benches• 1st-control (no supplemental light)• 2nd-DR/W/FR with CFL• 3rd-DR/W

Petunias-control

Petunias—LED with DR/W/FR/CFL

Petunias—LED only DR/W

Trial Result

• Petunias under the DR/W plants flowered 10-14 days earlier across the board regardless of flower color.

QUESTIONS