Using Fiber Pots Proves Successful in Growing Operations

As environmentally conscious consumers demand more sustainable options in all walks of life, growers see using fiber pots as an opportunity to bring their inventory full circle by marketing plants grown in sustainable, molded pulp growing containers.

It’s a unique differentiator in a competitive industry, but it’s not without its share of concerns.

When it comes to using fiber pots, the question of real-world results during typical growing cycles is often asked by growers using traditional plastic containers in their operations.

Concerns surrounding the applicability of using fiber pots are legitimate and critical for growers across North America, for altering the growing medium could not only impact crop yields but ultimately profits as well.

HC, with a full line of fiber pots, set out to alleviate these concerns with growing trials conducted throughout the United States. Here’s what we discovered.

3.75 URC Geranium Trial– Direct Stick

• Geranium URC’s were directly placed into EcoGrow® containers and rooted under mist in a high-humidity propagation house.
• Once rooted, plants were removed from the mist and moved to a finishing greenhouse.
• Root development, root growth and plant growth were observed as excellent.
• Containers were monitored and evaluated under extreme moisture conditions for both integrity and mold.
• Containers withstood the extreme moisture conditions and functioned the same as rooted liner trials. Some mold developed where each container contacted the plastic tray but dissipated once removed from the mist.

4.00 Rosemary Trial– 50 count Rooted Liners

• Rooted liners were transplanted on February 5 and container integrity was observed for the duration of a typical Mother’s Day growing and selling crop cycle.
• Plant growth and root development were excellent when compared to the controlled crop grown side-by-side in plastic.
• The trial was extended through September 6 to evaluate the effects an extended holding period might have on container integrity.
• Discoloration aside, the integrity of the containers held up for the duration of the trial.

4.00 Organic Trial– 72 count Rooted Liners

• Rooted liners were transplanted on March 24 and container integrity was observed for the duration of a typical Mother’s Day growing and selling crop cycle.
• Plant growth and root development were excellent when compared to the controlled crop grown side-by-side in plastic.
• The trial was extended through September 6 to evaluate the effects an extended holding period might have on container integrity.
• Discoloration aside, the integrity of the containers held up for the duration of the trial.

Want to learn more? Watch our previously recorded webinar on the full trialing results.