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Aktuelles
GIANT AIR-POT FOR A MONSTER SHOW
IPM really is the big one – a truly international show, which was still breaking visitor records, despite hard times across the globe.
As well as being an obvious chance to catch up with customers from Germany, we saw many more from Italy, Holland and Spain. But only a very special few from the UK.
In the past many of our German customers used the Air-Pot as a tool to wrap trees ordered for summer planting. ‘Container’ was a dirty word and regarded as a last resort for pesky customers who needed trees out of season.
However, some of these die-hards are now setting up state of the art container units, using Air-Pots of course! More later......
Although one can never really tell whether a tradeshow has been successful until months after the event, when preliminary conversations become plans, become orders (one hopes), we met some extremely enthusiastic growers from India, Canada, Japan, South Africa, Korea and all over Eastern Europe. So there is a lot to be done. Back to the grindstone!
New Production Facility
After eleven years of making Air-Pot rolls, walls and kits in a former workshop of the Lady Victoria mine in Newtongrange (on the outskirts of Edinburgh) manufacture is moving to Prestonpans, East Lothian, where it will step up a gear and operate more efficiently. No longer shall we generate our own power, or have to battle with the elements! The building is insulated to allow us to maintain a more constant temperature and avoid freezing in winter and overheating in summer. It is all positive.
To add to the good news, we are starting out at the new premises with new machinery, which will allow us much greater flexibility in production. We shall be able to switch to making different sizes much more easily to accommodate orders as they come in, vital improvements as we grow busier.
Dutch Nursery demonstrates new method of growing and harvesting trees in Air-Pot Gutters
Boom in Business 19 October 2011
Dutch Nursery, (Ard Hendrix Geijsteren) have been trialling growing trees in the Air-Pot gutter system which allows for mechanical harvesting. Boom in Business journal has made a film of the harvesting process which took place in Early Oct 2011. This can be seen here
( You Tube film ). Some 16,000 trees of 50 different species can be removed from the gutters in just 2 days.
Let’s talk about Air-Pot containers – the French way.
Pepinieres Cholat, in Savoie, invited guests from all over France to a seminar about the benefits of growing in Air-Pot containers and of buying Air-Pot container grown stock. The assembled company numbered 100 and included nurserymen, landscapers and landscape architects, representatives from the municipalities and horticultural institutions.
Fellow Air-Pot container convert M. Lemonnier of Pepinieres Lemonnier in Normandy, reported on his experience with the system and how concentrating on the roots makes such a difference not only to the health of the stock and rate of growth, but also commercially.
The guests enjoyed a tour of the Air-Pot production area and Air-Pot containers were opened out to display solid, vigorous root systems. The finale was a fantastic lunch between lines of Ginkgo in Air-Pot containers.
Air-Pot success at Botanic Gardens around the world brings commercial rewards
Horticulture specialists from Botanic Gardens around the world, starting at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Kew have been trialling and using Air-Pots in ever increasing numbers to propagate and grow on their precious seed collections. Their recognition of the superior performance of the Air-Pot and their valuable stamp of approval is now reaping dividends for Air-Pot manufacturers, the Caledonian Tree Company.
2012 Olympic management specify Air-Pots for the production of ALL plant material in containers of over 5 Litres
The Caledonian Tree Company and its customers – the nurseries which use Air-Pots – are delighted that the authority responsible for the landscaping of the 2012 Olympics has recognised the unbeatable quality of stock produced in Air-Pots. The specification of Air-Pots for the production of all stock in containers of 5 Litres and more is a result of the consistent quality, instant post transplant re-establishment and outstanding survival rates of Air-Pot Grown stock.
Expansion in France
The Air-Pot is being adopted by some excellent growers in Savoie and Provence. Pepinieres Cholat, in Chambery and Pepinieres Rouy in Arles are enthusiastic new customers. Cholat has had such success with containerising large field grown stock in Air-Pots for summer dispatch that it is now propagating in Air-Pots and developing its Air-Pot container unit.
All change in Oregon
A new distributor in Oregon has been appointed. Don Top and his team at Growers Nursery Supply have been working closely with Ben Walker, former distributor. Ben is continuing to use Air-Pots, but has passed the distribution to Growers Nursery Supply.
Living walls™ created in Superoots Air-Pots
The latest application of the Superoots Air-Pot is in the creation of "Living walls™", containerised hedging available for sale or hire.
Recycled HDPE helps limit greenhouse gases emissions.
In view of the application of the Kyoto Protocol and the general wish to reduce the impact of society upon the climate, it is important to consider the global environmental aspects of waste management.
When compared with the processes of producing virgin resins, recycling processes produce less CO2. A study for the European Commission provides some figures for these savings.
In addition to being a revolutionary approach to containerizing tree stock, the Superoots Air-Pot is reusable and made of 100% recycled HDPE, making it the container of choice not just for healthy tree roots, but also for a healthy global environment.
Beechgrove Garden will now trial Air-Pots
Jim McColl, of the BBC Scotland’s Beechgrove Garden, recently took delivery of fruit trees in Air-Pots from Frank P Matthews in Worcestershire. He had read about the system and heard about it from growers, but this was the first time he had any first hand experience of handling the Air-Pot himself.
He comments: "From the customer point of view, it looks to be a winner, the root system of the fan-trained apples and pears was terrific. I am a fan! That the pots are made from re-cycled products AND they are made in Scotland are two huge bonuses!"
The Beechgrove Garden will now trial Air-Pots themselves and feature the results on next season’s show.
Thousands of square metres of Air-Pot material have been sent to Spain to containerise the enormous root balls of ancient olive trees. The product lends itself to wrapping irregular sized rootballs and to putting on further roots very rapidly. Alexander at Plantas Europeas has cut production time from 12 to 7 months.
Cherry Lake named FNGLA 2004 Grower of the Year
This year, the prestigious Grower of the Year award was bestowed upon Cherry Lake Tree Farm. The award recognizes Cherry Lake Tree Farm's exemplifying excellence in industry support, innovation and quality production.
New planter collection features Superoots Air-Pots
Daniel Kirk Design, producer of unique Arts & Crafts inspired furniture for both house and garden, has launched a planter Collection featuring eight original designs, hand-crafted in solid English oak, ash and copper.The planters are lined with Superoots Air-Pot.
For more information Email: info@danielkirkdesign.co.uk or call 01522 542201.
Make roots the priority and look for more in a container
Far too many debates about horticultural containers centre purely on cost and machinery constraints, ignoring completely the most important issue: the development of a good root system.