Over the yr , peat has become know as an unsustainable product . Therefore , in many industries as well as in the gardening industry , company attempt to minimize their purpose of it and are eager to find choice or additions to peat as substratum . However , what is the environmental wallop of new or existing other rude materials for grow media ? Knowledge heart for substrates , RHP , is working hard on take in this impingement more transparent as well as the production and the expected attribute of these growing media products . From February till April , they will also organise webinars ( free ) about act with New Growing Media ( NGM ) . The alteration are discussed on the basis of 8 different aspects that characterise a substrate to a great extent .
Hein Boon .
Put it in contextIn gardening , peat works very well as a unsanded material for substrate . However , it has a certain wallop on the environment - peat consist mainly of carbon and when it oxidizes , CO2 will be free in the gentle wind - and it therefore has become less socially satisfactory . However , each naked stuff has an shock on the environment , for example , coir pith needs to come from far and wood fiber production requires quite some free energy . Therefore , it is important to put it in linguistic context , explain Hein Boon of RHP . For this understanding , acquire media company ferment together on a European level to create a so - called ' SubstrateFootprint ' . " presently , in the HortiFootprint , the environmental footmark of flowers and vegetable is reckon by using the Life Cycle Assessments ( LCA ) methodology . With the SubstrateFootprint we want to calculate the impingement of substrate in an univocal and lucid manner . The calculated impact forms input for the HortiFootprint . Also , the substrate step will enable growers easily to see the impact of the substrate they utilise or want to use . "
Responsible productionOn the other paw , it is also significant that the different rise medium are responsibly produce . In the caseful of peat , the industry took the initiate to make creditworthy choices and make the process as guileless as possible . " Most of the peat come from degraded peatlands , " Boon says . " For these peatlands new opportunities for a good for you future tense arise by fix the best possible growth after completion of peat output . druthers is always return which not only prevent on-going CO2 discharge , but also enables recovery of a operable ecosystem that can amass peat again . This way ‘ winnings - win ’ opportunity are created for both , nature conservation organization and peat industry , " it is explain at the RPPwebsite .
Also for other growing media , responsible for production is important and to incur the RHP certificate . " For wood fiber , an FSC hallmark is involve . Also , when looking at coco peat , which descend from far , it is crucial that work shape and the use of water is being monitor . "
New grow MediaThe third face RHP is engaged with is providing knowledge on actively working with new growing media . For many year , now , the utilisation of peat is decreasing . " Around the yr 2000 , 90 % of the substratum on the market was peat whereas in 2019 it minify to 63 % " , explain Boon . " For quite some years , the diligence is looking for new or existing raw materials to subdue or supersede the purpose of peat . " However , introducing a new naked material for grow media is n’t that easy and quick . " Every raw material has its impact in a mixture and also its own particular characteristics . One can not just replace one with another . Therefore , we work on gathering and share the knowledge that enable growers to use this product . We consider eight factors that form the basis of the growing media ; flora safety , nutrition , pH - behavior , physical characteristics , stability , exposure ( for e.g. fungi ) , ledge - life-time and diligence . This , for example , also simplifies the decision for the cultivator to shift to another substrate . "
In a serial of five webinars , start this Thursday for RHP extremity ( 70 company in sum ) , RHP will start with pay them more information about NGM and how to apply it . From March , they will also coordinate seminars for all other adviser worldwide , click here for the programme .
For more information : RHPGalgeweg 382691 MG ’s - Gravenzande[email protected]www.rhp.nl / en / home
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