Griffin Greenhouse & Nursery Supplies, Inc. - The Griffin Gazette

Producing beautiful plants starts with using high quality inputs. One of these inputs is the growing medium selected for the crop. Typically, the cost of the growing mix represents less than 5% of the production costs of most greenhouse crops. Yet, the quality of the mix and how it is handled can often be the difference between success and failure for a crop. This article is to describe Fafard’s most popular mixes in the New England and mid-Atlantic areas. These three mixes are popular throughout the region because growers have come to trust their performance and invest in their use with confidence.

The three mixes are Fafard GM-2; Fafard 3-B; and Fafard #52. The GM-2 is a compressed bale peat-based mix that is produced in Fafard’s Canadian facility in Inkerman, New Brunswick. The 3-B and #52 are peat-pine bark based media produced in our manufacturing plants in Anderson, SC and Plymouth, FL. During manufacturing, each of these mixes is produced on “continuous in-line mixing systems”, which insure consistently high quality products each time that they are produced. Each mix is produced using a specific formula that controls the computer-driven production line. This formula determines the percentage of ingredients and the amounts of amendments to be added to the mix. Each facility has a Quality Control Manager and each shift has a QC Technician that inspects and tests raw ingredients, inspects the line during production; and pulls samples for lab testing during the production run. Samples from each run are submitted for nutritional analysis and tomato seeds are sown in the mixes to determine the anticipated pH under greenhouse conditions. Typically, we have plants growing in the mixes before the customer receives the mix. Producing a great mix is like growing a beautiful plant. If you start with the best raw materials, follow a proven formula and execute with precision, then you will produce a consistently, great mix.

The Fafard GM-2 is produced in 3.8 cf and 55 cf compressed bales which yield at least 7.5 cf and 115 cf, respectively, of loosened mix per bale. The same formula is available in loose-filled bags of 2.8, 60 and 70 cf (C-2 Series). The mix consists of 70% high-quality, blond Canadian sphagnum peat moss, coarse perlite and vermiculite. The mix also has dolomitic limestone (to adjust pH to 5.5-6.5), gypsum, a water-soluble nutrient charge and a wetting agent. The GM-2 has many of the attributes originally described in the Cornell Peat-Lite formulas that have been in greenhouse production programs for nearly 40 years. It is a lightweight mix that is easy to handle and to transplant into. It is often used to root cuttings and start seeds due to the excellent air/water relations of the mix. Growers use this mix for bedding plants, foliage plants, flowering pot plants, hanging baskets and herbs. The total porosity of the mix is near the maximum for peat-lite mixes so much of the water is readily available for plant growth and transpiration.

Fafard 3-B is an excellent general purpose mix composed of 50% blond Canadian sphagnum peat moss, 25% aged pine bark, perlite and vermiculite. The mix also has dolomitic limestone (to adjust pH to 5.5-6.5), gypsum, a water-soluble nutrient charge, blue-chip (a slow release source of nitrogen) and a wetting agent. Fafard ages and processes its own pine bark on site in South Carolina for its professional mixes. Within the industry, absolutely no one takes more pride in the quality and processing of bark than Fafard does. After 9-12 months of ageing in windrows, the pine bark is screened into <3/8” (fine) and >3/8” - <5/8” (coarse) fractions. 3-B has a blend of fine and coarse bark to provide more aeration and good drainage. With the addition of the pine bark, the mix weighs more and is classified as a “middleweight” product (12-15 #/cf). It is available in both 2.8 and 60 cf loose-filled bags. Growers use 3B for virtually all greenhouse crops, including bedding plants, flowering pot plants, foliage and hanging baskets. It can also be used for propagation and seeding when a coarse mix is required. If you have never used a peat-bark blended mix, then 3B is an excellent start for you when growing greenhouse crops.

Fafard #52 Mix is our most popular “Perennial Mix”. This mix is recommended for large containers, hanging baskets, nursery plants and most crops that require a coarse, well-drained mix. It contains approximately 60% aged pine bark (a blend of fine and coarse), Canadian sphagnum peat, perlite and vermiculite. The mix also has dolomitic limestone (to adjust pH to 5.5-6.5), gypsum, a water-soluble nutrient charge, blue-chip (a slow release source of nitrogen) and a wetting agent. The high porosity of the mix is ideal for crops grown outdoors or overwintered. We consider this a “heavyweight” product (16-20 #/cf) and it is available in both 2.8 and 60 cf loose-filled bags. Due to its drainage characteristics, additional fertilizer may be needed after heavy rains or irrigations. If you are growing a wide range of perennials, then Fafard #52 is the ideal mix for you.

Fafard has a long tradition of producing custom mixes or variations of the above mixes based upon grower requests. These mixes can be customized with water-absorbent polymers, controlled release fertilizers, biological agents (Rootshield, Actino-Iron, etc.), calcine clay, coir or variations in the rates or percentages of the standard components. It is not uncommon to have requests for low-lime or high-lime rates depending upon the crop being grown and the water quality used in the greenhouse. Fafard is willing to work with the grower to find the “right mix” for the grower’s needs.

Fafard Horticultural Services is also available to growers to assist them in monitoring crop needs and to assist growers when problems arise. These problems do not need to be “soil-related” as our team of horticulturists has extensive experience working with greenhouse crops and growing conditions. We have a full-service analytical lab in Anderson, SC to do media, plant tissue, water and fertilizer solution analyses. The costs are very reasonable and discounts are extended to Fafard customers. For troubleshooting, digital photos from the greenhouse can be e-mailed to our lab or technical support staff to assist the grower in identifying problems or to assist in determining the type of samples required for diagnosis. We firmly believe that your success in growing will determine our success.

Fafard has Independent Sales Representatives that work directly with the growers and with Griffin’s sales and technical staffs in order to better serve the customer’s needs. We have three in New England and five covering the Mid-Atlantic states. They are available to answer questions about Fafard products and services. Fafard’s home office is in Agawam, MA and the customer service staff can assist you in contacting your Sales Rep, scheduling delivery or providing you with information. They can be contacted at 1-800- PEATMOSS (732-8667). Technical services can be contacted at 1-800-722-7645 or by e-mail (poole@fafard-sc.com). Customer Service and Technical support are important ingredients in Fafard’s growing mixes and our partnership with growers.
1/20/03