Weeds and moss are suppressed, the surface of the pots is drier and they look more visually attractive.”
Roel Breukers is co-owner of B&B Plant in Lottum, a nursery that specialises in growing exclusive, MiniStem shrubs. The nursery consists of 4,5 ha of container fields and 1,5 ha covered with polyethylene netting. Annual production is around 350.000 MiniStems shrubs. B&B Plant uses Herbaedeck HBR topping soil on the surface of the pots to suppress weeds and moss.
"In the past, we tried other mulches to cover the surface of the pots, but with the plants outdoors, the topping soils ended up with the same properties as potting soil. So weed seeds were still able to germinate, which is precisely what we didn't want! The absence of weeds and moss is the most important thing. The shrubs also look far more attractive now.
We started using Herbaedeck HBR on all pots immediately after the initial trial. Herbaedeck HBR reduces weed pressure and there are no longer any problems with moss whatsoever. The top layer of the pots also stays drier, which reduces the risk of weeds and moss germinating. And at the end of the day, that cuts down on labour.
One of the things I really appreciate about Lensli is their ability to collaborate with me and share their expertise as a substrate specialist. I introduced their representative Martijn to my advisor, and he got to work right at once with water and soil samples. And he knows enough about growing to be able to give some advice on that too. I really value the level of cooperation between the representative and the grower and the service that comes with it".