July 18, 2008 — For
growers tired of seeing profits flow through their plants and onto the
ground due to poor water and nutrient retention by their growing mix,
Sun Gro Horticulture Distribution Inc. has developed helpful
information for its Western Region customers.
 The ever-popular Sunshine Mix #1 has both a lower perlite percentage and a higher peat moss percentage, which in turn increases the water retention and the cation exchange capacity of the mix. Independent research has confirmed that Sunshine Mix #1 can retain a 50 per cent moisture level up to two days longer than a higher perlite per cent mix, and up to a week longer than the typical sand and wood products mix.
Peat moss has one of the highest cation exchange capacities of any growing mix component; roughly double that of coir and aged fir bark. Adding a polymer gel, like that found in Sunshine Mix #7 (similar formula to Mix #1) can increase the 50 per cent moisture level an additional two days.
New from Sun Gro, Sunshine Euro Mix is an all peat (no aggregate) moss growing mix, and this mix can retain a 50 per cent moisture level up to four days longer than Sunshine Mix #1. Sunshine Coir Mix 1 (SC1) contains both coconut coir pith and peat moss and can retain a 50 per cent moisture level up to four days longer than Sunshine Mix #1.
For those looking for an organic alternative, Sunshine Grower’s Organic is a coconut coir pith and peat moss mix, while Sunshine Complete Organic is an organic version of Mix #1. Both mixes naturally retain more water and are approved for organic production (OMRI Listed).
In addition to offering a variety of water wise mix selections, Sun Gro can incorporate Multicote and Nutricote (Western U.S. only) into any mix to decrease the need to liquid feed and likewise reduce watering.
Sun Gro has several industry leading water and nutrient-wise media formulations intended to save growers money through reduced nutrient demand and improved water management. When a grower upgrades to an improved Sun Gro mix, manufactured with premium quality components, they can directly reduce fertilizer needs. Smart growers recognize improved growing media as one of the best ways to reduce total costs of production in a greenhouse or nursery.
COMPANY PROFILE
Sun Gro was founded in 1929 in Vancouver, and has grown to become North America’s largest producer of sphagnum peat, and the largest distributor of peat moss and peat and bark-based growing media to professional plant growers in the U.S. and Canada. Sun Gro sells its professional products primarily to greenhouse, nursery and specialty crop growers, as well as to golf course developers and landscapers. Sun Gro also sells peat moss and peat-based growing mixes to retail customers.
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