,

Mulching, essential for the healthy growth of plants destined for retail

Mulching is an essential step to helping plants grow strong and healthy, without being disturbed by weeds and other problems.

The process of covering the soil with a loose material stops weeds from growing, maintains the right amount of moisture in the soil, protects from erosion and hard rainfall, stops the formation of a crust along the surface of the ground and helps maintain the structure of the terrain, raising the temperature of the ground itself.

The materials used for this operation can vary, but we have selected and opted to use the following types of mulch:

 Miscanthus 

Miscanthus is a fast-growing plant, generally cultivated for its biomass. One of the most innovative uses of this crop is as a 100% natural mulch. Once chopped, the resulting dried material is quite effective in stopping weeds from growing and providing excellent protection for the plant.
Stable against the wind and runoff water, Miscanthus is characterised by high levels of water retention, which limits evaporation during warm weather. Miscanthus decomposes naturally and is a source of minerals for plants. In addition, its light colour complements the aesthetics of potted plants.

 Containermulch

Container mulch is made of conifer wood, barked and chopped into 2-10 mm particles. During the production process, the material is heat-sterilised and dyed with natural pigments which give it its characteristic rosy hue. The material should be applied upon potting, creating a layer of at least 2 cm. After the first watering, Container mulch will form a compact but permeable layer which is resistant to wind and water runoff. In addition to blocking weeds, the mulch layer slows the drying out of the pots while providing an aesthetically pleasing chromatic aspect. Container mulch is available in 70 lt. bags and 3m³ Big Bales.

 Discoplus

3 mm thick felted vegetable fibre discs, Discoplus forms a barrier against the growth of weeds. Discoplus is heat sterilised and each disc lasts 12-18 months and comes in a range of diameters, from 14 to 56 cm. Discoplus should be placed over the substrate when potting, making sure that it covers the all of the exposed surface within the pot. The disks are water- and fertiliser-permeable, biodegradable and they also limit evapotranspiration.

 Pellet Biopacciamante

Organic Mulching Pellets are a mixture of chopped and pressed hay and straw. Once placed in the pot during planting, the pellets should be wet with water. Absorbing the liquid, they will grow four times in volume to form a compact layer (1 cm of pellets will become a 4 cm layer within the pot, once wet). In addition to stopping weeds from growing, the material limits evapotranspiration and acts as a snail deterrent.