Walters Gardens (3) - with The Ellepot System
1
Those trials demonstrated that Elle Plugs were easier to transplant and the plants experienced less trans- plant shock than those transplanted from plastic pots. This allowed plants to establish and root rapidly in quart- and gallon-sized containers. Generally, 65mm and 50mm Elle Plug perennials took six to 10 weeks to finish in 1-gallon pots while 35mm Elles took eight to 10 weeks to finish in 1-gallon pots. This fast turnaround time is essential to Walters’ cus- tomers who are looking to move product quickly through their stores. What the future may hold Elle Plugs may hold the key to the future at Walters Gardens. As cus- tomers experience the Elle advantage with Walters’ new product line, plastic pots and plugs are becoming a thing of the past. Walters plans to expand its line of 35mm Elle Plug perennials as demand increases, and has begun to offer varieties that previously had only been available bare root in the larger 65mm Elles. Walters is also on the way to becoming an EasyScape Certified Grower for Ball Horticultural Co. The biggest challenge may be in educating customers about the new Elle Plug technology. Susan Martin is director of market- ing communications at Walters Gardens Inc., (888) 925-8377; www.waltersgardens. com. outside supplier. Considering the enormous amount of Elles required for production each year, it was the most cost-effective option. While working with the new machinery, it became apparent that the traditional bark-based growing media Walters had been using in plastic pots was not going to work for Elle Plugs. After trialing five growing media, they settled on a 70/30 mix of peat and perlite. It is trucked in from a supplier in Canada that formulates the mix and delivers it to Walters in compressed bales. The old bark-based mix used to travel twice the distance of the new 70/30 mix before it reached Walters and it could not be compressed, so more trucks were required to deliver the required quantity. Topping off their extensive trials, Walters growers conducted a finish- ing trial to verify that the Elle Plugs were not only going to work for them but also for their customers, who typically pot Walters’ liners into quart- and gallon-sized containers. NMPRO • Nursery Management & Production January 2008 www.GreenBeam.com 60 TOUR Elle Plugs rooted rapidly in quart- and gallon-sized containers during Walters’ finishing trials. 800.520.1762 ext. 11051
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Walters Gardens (3) - with The Ellepot System
Transcript of Walters Gardens (3) - with The Ellepot System
Those trials demonstrated that EllePlugs were easier to transplant andthe plants experienced less trans-plant shock than those transplantedfrom plastic pots. This allowed plantsto establish and root rapidly inquart- and gallon-sized containers.Generally, 65mm and 50mm EllePlug perennials took six to 10 weeksto finish in 1-gallon pots while 35mmElles took eight to 10 weeks to finishin 1-gallon pots. This fast turnaroundtime is essential to Walters’ cus-tomers who are looking to moveproduct quickly through their stores.
What the future may holdElle Plugs may hold the key to the
future at Walters Gardens. As cus-tomers experience the Elle advantagewith Walters’ new product line, plasticpots and plugs are becoming a thingof the past.
Walters plans to expand its line of35mm Elle Plug perennials asdemand increases, and has begun tooffer varieties that previously hadonly been available bare root in thelarger 65mm Elles. Walters is also onthe way to becoming an EasyScapeCertified Grower for Ball HorticulturalCo. The biggest challenge may be ineducating customers about the newElle Plug technology.
Susan Martin is director of market-ing communications at Walters GardensInc., (888) 925-8377; www.waltersgardens.com.
outside supplier. Considering theenormous amount of Elles requiredfor production each year, it was themost cost-effective option.
While working with the newmachinery, it became apparent thatthe traditional bark-based growingmedia Walters had been using inplastic pots was not going to workfor Elle Plugs. After trialing fivegrowing media, they settled on a70/30 mix of peat and perlite. It istrucked in from a supplier in Canadathat formulates the mix and delivers
it to Walters in compressed bales.The old bark-based mix used to traveltwice the distance of the new 70/30mix before it reached Walters and itcould not be compressed, so moretrucks were required to deliver therequired quantity.
Topping off their extensive trials,Walters growers conducted a finish-ing trial to verify that the Elle Plugswere not only going to work for thembut also for their customers, whotypically pot Walters’ liners intoquart- and gallon-sized containers.
NMPRO • Nursery Management & Production January 2008 www.GreenBeam.com60
TOUR
Elle Plugs rooted rapidly in quart- and gallon-sized containers during Walters’ finishing trials.
800.520.1762 ext. 11051
