Substrate adds control when growing soft fruit
“Growing in substrates gives the grower more control,” said Jack van Batenburg of Meegaa Substrates. Meegaa is a Dutch firm that was formed in 2007 through a merger of two companies with over 50 years of experience in providing potting soil. It currently sells substrates made from coconut husks through the Shakti Coco brand.
“Different crops have different demands for a substrate,” he added. “The differences depend on the amount of air needed, the cultivation time and most suitable nutrient levels, as well as the grow system, climate and the actual grower.”
Although more expensive than growing in open soil, the benefits can be substantial.
“Substrate is more expensive compared to open-ground growing, but it can pay for itself in the long run because it's free of root diseases and nematodes,” he said. “Also, with soil, you can't really replace it. Substrate, on the other hand, is renewable.”
What growing on substrate offers, stresses van Batenburg, is a higher degree of control, especially when combined with growing options like greenhouses.
“When you grow on open ground you cannot control the amount of rain, or the light, or the temperature,” he said. “Covering the crop with tunnels controls the water and the availability of nutrients. Using a greenhouse with heating gives you control over the temperature. Growing on substrate, in the same way, can give you control over irrigation, air content for the roots and many other things.”
That degree of control, especially for soft fruit, which can be very susceptible to hail, can be extremely beneficial.
“With every step you take, you are more in control of the growing circumstances” he said. “So with substrate, you are even more in control.”
For more information:
Jack van Batenburg
MeeGaa Substrates B.V.
Tel: +31 152 143 055
Mob: +31 654 221 977
Fax: +31 152 133 320
VanBatenburg@MeeGaa.nl
www.MeeGaa.nl