Cool & New For You

Jennifer Zurko

Whenever we talk about what’s new, we tend to discuss the latest plant genetics and marketing programs. But you can’t grow that new petunia, etc. without the pots, trays, fertilizers, PGRs and so on.

Here’s a run-down in alphabetical order of some cool, new products available in 2011. 

A. Beaver Plastics
Used extensively in the forestry industry, PTW germination trays were developed in Canada in the 1980s and are still being utilized today for pine tree germination testing. Beaver Plastics is now promoting their PTW trays to bedding plant growers to help them germinate their seed with a proven, widely recognized tool in other parts of agriculture.

The PTW germination trays are made from heavy-gauge polycarbonate plastic for durability, but are lightweight and safe for workers to handle (no sharp edges or risk of cracking). The polycarbonate plastic guarantees a sterile environment, and you can reuse the trays year after year. But if you do end up with a damaged tray on your hands, it’s fully recyclable at the appropriate facilities. Tray dimensions are: Lid—11.2 in. x 9.7 in. x 0.5 in.; Base—11.2 in. x 9.7 in. x 1.9 in.; Overall outer—11.2 in. x 9.7 in. x 2.4 in. www.beaverplastics.com

B. BioSafe Systems
The newest botanical insecticide/nematicide from BioSafe is called AzaGuard—a 3% azadirachtin-formulated insect growth regulator that provides broad-spectrum insecticidal control for more than 300 insect species. It prevents molting between larval, pupal and nymphal stages, plus it works as an anti-feedant to adult populations. AzaGuard’s natural formula meets the requirements of the National Organic Program and is OMRI listed for organic production. www.biosafesystems.com







C. Blackmore Company
“This one is hot off the mold,” said David Steiner, vice president for Blackmore. He’s referring to their newest tray—the 50 Star Deep designed specifically for 40 mm Ellepots.

The tray is 2 5/16-in. deep with 70 cc soil volume per cell and features a special fluted conical bottom to help prevent the roots from curling. The roots are directed out of the bottom of the tray and air pruned. The fluted cell sidewalls are extra strong to act as a conduit for air to get to the bottom of the cell and keep the plants from getting damaged during handling and shipping. www.blackmoreco.com   

D. Cherry Creek Systems
A first for the industry, Cherry Creek has introduced the “Outdoor Boom,” a series of boom irrigation systems that allow growers to reduce labor costs and increase watering efficiency for their outdoor production without having to build new greenhouse structures.

The first of these outdoor booms is called the T-Rail Boom (pictured). Following a single-post line, this boom enables cross traffic throughout the bay and increases total bay efficiency. Similar to an indoor double-rail boom, the T-Rail can be programmed to water independently on each side of the bay, plus provide spray, step-stop watering and other features that eliminate the need to double handle the plants. A pretty cool option for growers who grow outdoors. www.cherrycreeksystems.com






E. Five Boro Plastics
Based out of Louisville, Kentucky, Five Boro Plastics has been recycling PET plastic (pop bottles) post-industrial and post-consumer for the last 14 years. The company has bottle-washing facilities that clean and separate the components of a pop bottle (or soda to those of you not from the Midwest)—including the cap and label—transforming them into raw materials used for vacuum-sealed packaging for the food industry.

Recently, Five Boro developed seedling trays and pots for our industry using 100% post-consumer pop bottles. The result is “Bottle Packs” and “Bottle Flats.”

Rick McMahon, vice president of sales and marketing for Five Boro said they believe the message is simple. “Take your Bottle Pack home, plant your plants and throw it into the recycling bin. The existing process will take care of the rest.” 

Available in different colors, these sustainable trays and packs can be recycled in curbside recycling bins, so it’s easy for the end consumer to just throw them in with the Pepsi or Coke bottles. Pictured is a 606 tray and packs. www.fiveboroplastics.com


F. Growers Supply
The new NeverTip Pot Holder from Growers Supply holds large containers in place to prevent them from wind damage and tipping over. This division of FarmTek developed the wide extended base ring to provide a stable platform for plants during high winds or stormy conditions. Made from durable 6.5-gauge wire, the NeverTip Pot Holders are stackable and reusable. www.growerssupply.com








G. Hamilton Engineering
Hamilton Engineering is introducing a new modular, welded-steel boiler with a zone manifold system that enables all of the boiler room piping, wiring, gas supply and electrical assembly to be installed correctly and work well together.
Called the Custom Systems Solutions, this boiler is built and sized based on space and the grower’s needs with the ability to expand as the business does. Each modular system is comprised of one or more of the following basic components: steel-flanged boiler heating manifold, system separator, and zone supply and return manifolds. www.hamiltonengineering.com

H. Netafim USA
The Netafim Company out of Fresno, California, provides drip and micro-irrigation products to many levels within the agriculture industry, plus wastewater and mining.

For their Greenhouse & Nursery division, Netafim is introducing the new MegaNet Rotating Impact Sprinkler that is wobble-resistant and balanced with two equal water jets for even distribution of up to a 55-ft. diameter. The MegaNet features seven nominal flow rates and can be installed on solid sets or in removable field stands. The closed, compact design is resistant to chemicals and insect penetration, and has an individual filter to make it easier to clean. The MegaNet is also ideal for open-field or under-tree irrigation applications because of the two trajectory angles. www.netafimusa.com








I. OHP, Inc.
Earlier than anticipated, OHP just introduced a new fungicide called Disarm O, a broad-spectrum foliar and drench that controls soil-borne diseases such as rhizoctonia and phytophthora, and foliar diseases such as anthracnose, powdery mildew, rusts and leaf spots. OHP said it will continue to add more soil-borne diseases to the Disarm O specimen label in the future.

Disarm O, a member of the strobilurin class of fungicides (MOA Group 11), can be used on plants in any container and anywhere in the greenhouse. www.ohp.com 

J. Orival
In the world of water conservation, Orival has added five new filters to its line of filtration products designed specifically to conserve rinse water. The filters use up to 90% less water than conventional automatic self-cleaning filters and handle flow rates up to 1,760 gpm for a single unit.

Available with interchangeable screens from 5 to 3,000 microns, the vertical design of the ORG series of filtration systems minimizes your footprint while maximizing the screen area. It also features a short cleaning cycle and low flow rate that doesn’t interrupt the filtration process. www.orival.com








K. Quali-Pro
A new pre-emergent herbicide called Isoxaben 75 WG from Quali-Pro just received registration from the U.S. EPA a few months ago. The active ingredient of isoxaben is the first post-patent formulation for the turf, ornamental, landscape and nursery markets for the control of 95 different broadleaf weeds, including dandelions, clover, chickweed, thistle and more. An ideal tank mix partner with labeled fungicides, herbicides and insecticides, Isoxaben 75 WG controls weeds with a single application for up to eight months. www.quali-pro.com

L. SePRO Corporation
Having a problem with Western Flower Thrips? SePRO has come out with a new insecticide that specifically targets them. Recently approved by the EPA for use in the U.S. commercial ornamental greenhouse market, Hachi-Hachi contains the active ingredient tolfenpyrad, which is a new broad-spectrum insecticide that has proven to control WFT, aphids, scales, whiteflies, leafhoppers and lepidopteron insects on all life stages.

“SePRO and IR-4 research efforts with Hachi-Hachi have been ongoing since 2006,” said Dr. Todd Bunnell, SePRO’s turf and ornamental research manager. “Results have proven Hachi-Hachi to be a very promising tool for growers due to its unique mode of action and by demonstrating no cross-resistance with existing insecticides.”
And if you’re wondering how SePRO came up with the name, it means the number 88 in Japanese. According to Steve Miller, communications manager for SePRO, the number eight is considered to be lucky in Asian cultures “and that makes Hachi-Hachi very lucky,” he said. www.sepro.com







M. Solutions USA
For that icky build-up that’s accumulating in your cool pads, Solutions USA is introducing Scale Blaster, a 100% concentrated, active powder that dissolves and removes calcium deposits from cool and spray pads. It’s non-corrosive to metals and doesn’t contain harsh mineral acids, so it’s safe to use and won’t harm the fill. All you have to do is just mix it with water, add it to the sump and let the circulation do the work. You can also spray it directly on areas that aren’t touched by the re-circulation water.

Scale Blaster does take its time, but Jim Wynn, Solutions USA’s tech director, said that it yields excellent results. www.lineblaster.com  

N. Spectrum Technologies
Spectrum is introducing its new WatchDog 1000 Series Plant Growth Station that displays temperature, relative humidity and PAR light levels. Available in eight different models, the WatchDog 1000 Series is a cost-effective choice for early pest/disease forecasting, plant growth monitoring and efficient irrigation management.

All WatchDog 1000 Series Logger models record over 10,500 intervals of data (that’s 219 days of information at 30-minute reading intervals) in a fail-safe, non-volatile memory. The LCD screen displays current sensor readings and battery usage levels, as well. www.specmeters.com






O. TrueLeaf Technologies
The major benefit of the TrueClean Ozone Sanitation System is that it’s “plug and play”—meaning it comes pre-wired with easy-to-use controls. All you have to do is turn it on and let the machine do the work, like wash your growing surfaces, drench unrooted cuttings, clean your cooling pads and sanitize containers.

TrueLeaf says that using an ozone system is 51% more powerful and kills bacteria 3,100 times faster than chlorine. Plus, this new system is designed to operate on a standard 120V circuit, so you don’t need to call an electrician for additional power. www.trueleaf.net 

P. Westbrook Greenhouses Systems
The company’s Apex line of double poly-covered greenhouses now includes a new venting system. The “Peak Vent” allows for maximum venting as well as first-stage cooling even when there’s snow in the gutters. Westbrook is promoting both features of their Apex greenhouses as durable and cost effective. www.westbrooksystems.com




(Editor's note: The following products were not featured in the print magazine, but since the web presents us with unlimited space, we're including them in this online article.)

Q. Myers/PlantBest
The new Customizable Coir Plant The Pot POP program from Myers Lawn & Garden and PlantBest was designed to deliver as much as 10% more gross margin on growers and retailers plant sales. Growers can follow the five steps to ordering their customized POP—which is shipped via FedEx Kinkos—and sell it to their retail customers with the PlantBest coconut coir pots. POP included in the program: bench tape, mounting or hanging header cards, tabletop signs and fence banners. Pictured is the 6 ft. x 3 ft. fence banner. To order POP, visit docstore.fedex.com/plantbestplantthepot. www.plantbest.com  

R. Underhill International
Underhill is introducing Sapien, a dedicated two-wire controller that operates up to 63 stations through a network of two-wire decoders that are installed at each valve in a nursery or grower operation irrigation system.

The backlit display of Sapien’s exclusive LightTouch screen allows the user to set up the irrigation scheduling by following clearly-marked buttons that light up in sequence with easy-to-follow instructions. The new controller is designed for project flexibility and can be used with new irrigation systems, multi-wire conversions and two-wire (or multi-wire) expansions. No special wire nor field grounding is required.
   
Sapien offers ABCD and manual programs, seasonal adjust by percentage and 12 start times per day. It's radio-control ready and rain/wind/frost sensor compatible. Sapien measures just 6.3” high x 7.33” wide x 1.78” deep and uses the same decoders that are installed in a Hunter ICC two-wire system and in Underhill’s Universal 2Wire modules. www.underhill.us GT