Page 21 - Griffin Gazette - September 2025

By Tanner Bailey & George Grant, Ph.D., GGSPro Technical Specialists

The success of any crop starts long before the first flowers bloom or foliage
fills out. For young plant production, the earliest days of propagation are
arguably the most important. Mistakes made during this stage can ripple
through the entire crop cycle, while well-executed strategies can set the
stage for clean, healthy, uniform plants. This article highlights essential
tools that should be part of every grower’s toolkit, from sanitation and
rooting aids to pest management and pest monitoring systems.

SANITATION & CLEANERS: BUILDING ON A CLEAN FOUNDATION
Sanitation is the first line of defense regardless of what stage of production
we are operating in. Pathogens, pests, and algae don’t wait for plants to
arrive; they’re often already present on benches, floors, trays, and inside
irrigation lines (Figure 1, shown on next page). A proactive sanitation
program dramatically reduces the risk of early outbreaks and sets the tone
for a clean production environment.
Strong cleaners like Strip-It PRO and GreanClean Acid Cleaner can
physically remove organic buildup allowing sanitizers such as KleenGrow
or ZeroTol 2.0 to easily disinfect surfaces. For water treatment, these two
sanitizers also offer ongoing line maintenance, compatible with injectors
and useful for both pre-crop resets and mid-season maintenance.
Incorporating routine sanitation of both surfaces and irrigation lines helps
protect young plants when they’re at their most vulnerable.

PLANT DIPS: STARTING CLEAN TO STAY CLEAN
Plant dips are one of the most underused but effective tools in young plant
production. Applied at the point of arrival, they can significantly reduce the
introduction of pests and pathogens into propagation areas. Particularly
when receiving unrooted cuttings from warm-climate production sites, the
use of preventative dips is a smart strategy.

A good dip includes a complete submergence into a broad-spectrum
product such as EpiShield, Principle WP, or BotaniGard 22WP to ensure
even coverage across all plant surfaces (Figure 2, shown on next page).
Timing and crop sensitivity are key: not all crops tolerate dips the same
way, so always refer to product labels or consult GGSPro for compatibility
guidance.

Continued 

GRIFFIN GAZETTE 20 25 | 21