2009 edition. Professional fertilizers for growing success

Transcription

1 2009 edition Professional fertilizers for growing success

2 Scotts Professional European network European Head Office Scotts Professional Productions plants Scotts sales offices and affiliates Bringing global experience directly to you The network of Scotts extends beyond Europe to all corners of the world. The spectrum of crops and variation in growing conditions, gives us a deeper understanding of how to optimize crop production. In other words, our extensive network allows us to integrate global knowledge into your local needs. To learn more about how Scotts can help you, please contact us directly or visit our website. Your local office in the UK The Scotts Company (UK) Ltd. Salisbury House, Weyside Park, Catteshall Lane, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1XE Tel.: Fax: prof.sales@scotts.com Internet:

3 Index Osmocote 4 The power of Osmocote What advantages does Osmocote offer in your situation? 5 What are Osmocote Controlled Release Fertilizers? Choose the longevity matching your requirements 6 The working principles of Scotts Coated Fertilizers 7 40 Years Osmocote development for growers 8 Osmocote Exact, The safest Osmocote ever 10 Osmocote Exact DCT, taking fertilizers to an higher level 11 Osmocote Exact Hi.End 12 Osmocote Exact Protect 13 Recommended Osmocote Hi.End and Protect rates & product breakdowns 14 Osmocote Exact Standard High K Osmocote Exact Tablet 15 Osmocote Exact Mini 16 Osmocote Topdress NT 17 Osmocote Pro, the best 2 nd generation coated fertilizer Osmocote Start, the short-track Osmocote! 18 Choose the right Osmocote product/release pattern 19 Osmocote product range & breakdowns 20 Choose the optimum Osmocote longevity 21 Choose the right Osmocote rate 22 Application methods for Osmocote Micromax 24 Trace elements are essential for optimum growth Peters 25 New improved formulation for even better results 26 Why choose Peters? Peters takes account of your water quality 28 Peters leads the way technically and is of the highest quality! 30 Only Peters fertilizers contain M-77! 31 Peters : Solutions for every water quality, growing phase and fertilization challenge 32 Product & user information 34 Technical analysis of Peters by weight % 36 Technical analysis of Peters by mg/l at 1 gram per litre solution Osmosol 38 What can you expect from Osmosol? 40 Choose the right product for your growing situation! Universol 42 Universol the standard in water soluble fertilizers for pot plants, bedding plants and container nursery stock 44 Technical information Universol Scotts a pionieer in fertilizers

4 4 Advantages of using Osmocote Plants grow better because they get the nutrients they require at any given moment Osmocote contributes to an environmentally-friendly way of fertilizing; the leaching of nutrients is minimized by the coating The quality of plants is guaranteed thanks to optimum growth Less pressure of diseases and infestations thanks to an even supply of nutrients and a healthy plant growth The power of Osmocote There was never a new fertilizer as innovative as Osmocote. Scotts introduced the first generation of coated fertilizers in 1967: an NPK granule with an organic resin coating around it, ensuring that only one application of nutrients would be enough for a long period of time. This was the start of a whole new principle of fertilizer application. Right up to the present day, the system of controlled nutrient release has always been perceived by growers as very effective and efficient. New generations of coated fertilizers have made their entrance and the products have been greatly improved, but the basic principle has remained the same for more than 40 years! What advantages does Osmocote offer in your situation? Using Osmocote ensures a high-quality plant for which you will receive a good price! Your customers will be satisfied. There are many more reasons for choosing Osmocote! If you would like to find out about the advantages that Osmocote could offer in your specific situation, your Scotts Area Sales Manager will be pleased to explain them to you! Satisfied customers: the plants retain their high quality even in the phase after delivery to the consumer, thanks to the continued release of nutrients!

5 5 What are Osmocote Controlled Release Fertilizers? Osmocote is a coated fertilizer. Every granule contains NPK (nitrogen, phosphate and potassium). A coating of organic resin is applied around the granule. This coating ensures that the nutrients are made available to the plant over a longer period of time. Trials illustrate optimum growth by using Osmocote! It is important that the nutrients are protected from leaching and that the nutrients release a little every day. This means that the nutrients are fully available to the plant! There is no loss of nutrients, and the nutrition is efficient and very effective! Choose the longevity matching your requirements Without Osmocote Osmocote is available in several longevities. The longevity indicates the period of time over which a granule continues to release nutrients. There are longevities available of 3-4 months, 5-6 months, 8-9 months, months and even months. Every longevity is recognizable by its own colour code (see table below). Throughout the longevity, the level of release of nutrients is related to the temperature. The release begins shortly after application. The stated longevity applies at an average temperature of 21 degrees Celsius. At higher temperatures, for example if used in a warmer climate zone or in a greenhouse, the release will be accelerated. The longevity will then be shorter. At lower temperatures, the release will slow down and the longevity will be extended. Half dosage Osmocote The right Osmocote advice in 4 steps! Step 1 Determine which Osmocote product / release pattern is most suitable (see page 18). Step 2 Choose the right longevity (3-4 M, 5-6 M, 8-9 M, M, M) analysis and (see page 19 / 20). Step 3 Determine the correct dosage (see page 21). Full dosage Osmocote Step 4 Determine how you wish to apply the fertilizer, and bear in mind how the product will be applied (see page 22). Note: As circumstances differ per nursery, it is recommended to contact Scotts for advice for your specific situation.

6 6 The working principles of Scotts Coated Fertilizers Every granule is covered by an organic coating that regulates the daily release of nutrients. Granules contain NPK, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo and Zn (and Mg is added for specific products) Water penetrates through the coating and dissolves the nutrients inside the granule. The dissolved nutrients are released through the coating, by osmotic pressure. Influenced by the temperature, the nutrients are released at a constant, regular and controlled rate during the longevity. Once empty, the biodegradable membrane will gradually break down. The working principles of Scotts Coated Fertilizers Scotts coated fertilizers consist of fine NPK granules and contain, depending on the product, trace elements and added magnesium. All these elements are essential for plant growth. Every granule is covered with an organic, semi-permeable coating (a kind of membrane) of biodegradable resin made from vegetable oils. After application of Osmocote, water penetrates through the semi-permeable coating and starts to dissolve the nutrients present in the granule. The release of nutrients starts once they have been partially dissolved. A pump-like action is initiated due to differences in osmotic pressure (see diagram). The plant is able to take up the released nutrients. In general, the start-up phase lasts approximately 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the longevity. Temperature effects on the release Scotts Controlled Release Fertilizers work at temperatures above freezing. Influenced by the temperature, the membrane regulates the daily release of nutrients. As explained before, the indicated longevity applies at an average temperature of 21 degrees Celsius. At higher temperatures the release of nutrients will be faster. At lower temperatures it will be slower, in line with the nutritional needs of the plant. No effect on the release by other factors Salt level, ph, microbial activity and water quality or rainfall have no influence on the release of nutrients. Only the temperature is important, making Osmocote very reliable in its use. Once all the nutrients have been released, the membrane starts to degrade. How long this takes is dependent upon the composition of the soil or substrate and on microbial activity.

7 7 40 Years Osmocote development for growers from 1967 to the present day In 1967, there was only one type of Osmocote. An NPK fertilizer with longevity but without trace elements. The system of applying nutrients by a controlled release fertilizer was a fact! A great deal has been invested in product development since then. New generations of coated fertilizers have been developed. The most significant difference between these generations of coated fertilizers is the level of technology in the product. The 3 rd and 4 th generation coated fertilizers are superior. Both longevity and the way in which the nutrients are released during that period, are known beforehand! These products are unique. They offer the user unrivalled certainty and a maximum guarantee of a good result. Moreover, you can tailor your choice on how the product should work to your own situation. Whether you choose a Standard, a Hi.End release type or one of the other release patterns, highest quality is always guaranteed! For every situation the right product! (Also see page 18) You choose a 3 rd generation Osmocote Exact if you want a maximum guarantee of good growth and perfect quality. You choose Osmocote Exact if you cultivate in greenhouses, if you apply the fertilizer by plant hole dibbling equipment, if you grow sensitive species, if you grow high value crops or if you apply 75% or more of the nutrients by the coated fertilizer. With a 3 rd generation both longevity and release pattern are guaranteed. The 4 th generation is an extension of the Osmocote Exact 3 rd generation and offers very special - programmed - release patterns. A percentage of the granules are double coated. In this part the start-up of fertilizer release is postponed and this feature is used to create innovative release patterns. With the introduction of the 4 th generation coated fertilizers, the answer to challenging growing circumstances like growing in greenhouses and autumn/ winter potting is now available to growers. Osmocote Pro belongs to the 2 nd generation coated fertilizers. Longevity and analysis are guaranteed. The release of nutrients during the longevity can vary within certain (upfront defined) limits. Osmocote Pro contains NPK and a full package of trace elements.

8 8 Osmocote Exact The safest Osmocote ever! Safety High quality product and uniform effects Programmed release of nutrients Osmocote Exact is unique. With Osmocote Exact you have a unique coated fertilizer at your disposal. Choosing Osmocote Exact equals choosing the safest coated fertilizer, uniformity and evenness of the product as well as patterned release of nutrients. Safety The Osmocote Exact concept is unique. No other coated fertilizer offers you so many guarantees prior to use. The high level of reliability results in a good crop. Osmocote Exact is therefore suitable for all crop types, both outdoor-grown and those grown in the greenhouse or in tunnels. In case of highly technical ornamental horticulture under glass, Osmocote Exact offers decisive advantages where the safety of the crop is concerned. Incorrect product usage is kept to a minimum thanks to the coloured tracers. Every longevity can be recognized by the colour of a few of the granules. You therefore always know for sure what the longevity of the product is, when you are mixing it in the substrate. Uniformity and evenness of the product and its effects Your Osmocote Exact product will work consistently every year, under any circumstances. Thanks to a special production process and strict quality controls, you are guaranteed a good crop! Consistency is particularly important. If you change the dosage after one growing season, you can be sure that the changed dose will be the only factor influencing the result of the following year. You do not need to worry that the nutrients in one batch may be released faster or slower than in another batch. Not with Osmocote Exact! Only Osmocote Exact offers you this!

9 9 Programmed release of nutrients Within Osmocote Exact you can choose a release pattern. A release pattern shows how nutrients will become available for the plants during the longevity. It is the grower who decides what is the best release pattern for his crops or situation. In case plants have equal nutrient demand throughout the whole growing cycle, Osmocote Exact Standard is the best product. Crops which have difficulties with rooting show a positive reaction when Osmocote Exact Lo.Start is applied. This product releases less nutrients in the beginning. Hi.End is especially suitable for plants showing higher nutrient demand in the second growing phase. A build in nutrient boost means plants will benefit from additional feed at a later stage. Protect is designed to be applied in autumn / winter pottings, showing hardly any release in the first months after application. Afterwards it releases like a Standard. If you are not able to apply more than one release pattern, then Osmocote Exact Standard has shown to be the best choice (also consult page 18). Available Osmocote Exact release patterns: The Standard release pattern ensures the continuous and even release of nutrients throughout the longevity. It can therefore be used on for example evergreens with a continuous nutrient demand throughout the season. Osmocote Exact Standard is always a good choice, also in situations with many different crops requiring uniform nutrition. Osmocote Exact Standard is available in 3-4 M, 5-6 M, 8-9 M and M. The release rate of Osmocote Exact Lo.Start is relatively low during the first stage of cultivation and increases over time. This pattern is ideal for slow rooting conifers and salt sensitive crops. Osmocote Exact Lo.Start is available in M. The Osmocote Exact Hi.End release pattern is especially developed for crops that need more nutrients in their second growing phase. Osmocote Exact Hi.End generates a release pattern with a booster effect which starts 1½ to 2 months after application. The result will be visible by a higher EC-value and more nutrients will become available for the plants. Osmocote Exact Hi.End belongs to the 4th generation Programmed Release Fertilizers and is available in 5-6 M, 8-9 M and M. Osmocote Exact Protect is designed for application during autumn / winter. The start-up of nutrient release is postponed for the whole product. Because of this the EC in growing media remains low during the first 2-3 months after application. In spring the product starts releasing and nutrients come available for the plants. Once started, the product releases in line with a Standard release curve. Osmocote Protect is available in M. Every longevity of Osmocote Exact is recognizable by its own colour tracer 10 good reasons to use Osmocote Exact The safest Osmocote ever! Real control over the nutrient supply to your plants Excellent results within numerous circumstances Environmentally friendly: minimized leaching Economical: release tailored to the needs of the crop, no surplus, no loss Plants stay in healthier condition after they are sold Always the right product available for every situation User friendly: simple and practical Recognizability of the longevity thanks to added colour coding The release of nutrients are matched by the plant needs due to the patterned release (unique to Osmocote Exact) red brown blue yellow purple Scotts-TIP! Your Scotts Area Sales Manager can use the POES computer program (Program Osmocote Exact Simulation) to simulate the release pattern of the various types of Osmocote Exact in specific conditions.

10 10 Osmocote Exact DCT Taking fertilizers to an higher level The strongest innovation within the coated fertilizers is certainly the introduction of the fourth generation. Osmocote Exact with programmed release. New release patterns are a reality, because with the latest generation of coated fertilizers the start-up of the nutrients release is (partly) postponed. Second coating for new technical features DCT stands for Dual Coating Technology. With this technique a second coating of a different composure is applied around an Osmocote Exact granule. This second coating affects the startup of nutrient release. Instead of starting up right after application it takes up to two months before the release starts. NPK DCT based fertilizers are the basis of new release patterns. By applying a second coating to a proportion of the granules, a part of the nutrient release is delayed to a later time. Programmed release is a fact! By varying the percentage of dual-coated granules, innovative release patterns are now available! coating 1 coating 2 New release patterns for so far challenging growing circumstances New Osmocote Exact release patterns are the solution for growing circumstances in which it was not possible so far, to feed the plants completely with coated fertilizers. An example is the application of coated fertilizers in greenhouses or tunnels. Because of the high temperatures, it was often required to adapt lower rates of CRF. With Osmocote Exact Hi.End a better solution for this situation is available! (More information on page 11). Cross-section Osmocote Exact DCT granule Another example is the potting of container nursery stock crops during autumn / winter. The requirements to a coated fertilizer are high in this period of time. The nutrient release should be as low as possible in winter. In springtime the release has to start quite rapidly, in line with plant demand. Osmocote Exact Protect is the answer to this challenging situation (more information on page 12). NPK + trace elements photo: cross-section of granule Resin coating Osmocote Exact Current situation NEW! DCT coating

11 11 Osmocote Exact Hi.End Programmed release, lower EC-values during the first month after potting and more available feeding in the months afterwards. That is precisely what Osmocote Exact Hi.End is offering growers. About a quarter of the granules in Hi.End have a postponed start. As a result the EC-value in the first month after potting is lower compared to a situation in which Osmocote Exact Standard is applied. Because of the lower EC in the first couple of month, Hi.End is suitable for application on crops requiring a low EC after potting and showing an increased demand in the second growing phase. In the situation mentioned above, the same rate compared to Osmocote Exact Standard is applied, but you can also use the product in a different way. The dosage of Hi.End can be increased by 20%, if in your current situation the EC-value after potting is at the right level. Your plants will benefit from a safe EC during first months after potting and receive more nutrient later in the growing season. Trials clearly show the benefits of Hi.End for the plants. Re-fertilization during summer is, in most cases, no longer required. And importantly: as a grower your win will be an increased profitability because of the higher plant quality! 100% 75% 9 to use good reasons Osmocote Exact Hi.End Because of the programmed release in Hi.End, the supply of nutrients matches optimally with plant need Less nutrients at the beginning, more nutrients later, exactly when the plants profit! Because of the higher EC-value in the second growing phase, a better plant growth is achieved 50% 25% 1 M 2 M 3 M 4 M 5 M 6 M 7 M 8 M 9 M 10 M 11 M 12 M 13 M 14 M New possibilities for application in situations with elevated temperatures, e.g. greenhouses and tunnels 100% 75% 50% 25% Safe and reliable, based on proven Exact technology Integrated fertilizer boost to save time and money on additional fertilizer applications during the growing season The application of coated fertilizers in greenhouses and tunnels, with elevated temperatures, has always been challenging. Knowing Hi.End releases less nutrients in the first months after application, this is the ideal product for use in covered areas with elevated temperatures. The applied rates can be at a higher level compared to Osmocote Exact Standard, because part of the nutrient release is postponed and will not contribute to the EC-value. Safe and reliable! Osmocote Exact Hi.End is available in a longevity of 5-6M, 8-9M and 12-14M. Scotts-TIP! 1 M 2 M 3 M 4 M 5 M 6 M 7 M 8 M 9 M 10 M 11 M 12 M 13 M 14 M For the best result it is important to use the correct dosage! Less pressure of diseases because plants are more vigorous, especially in the second growing phase Improved crop quality, higher yields, increased return on investment Trials clearly show the added value of Osmocote Exact Hi.End at a 20% increased dosage

12 12 Osmocote Exact Protect Osmocote Exact Protect has been designed for application in autumn and winter pottings in the North-European climate zone (UK, Benelux, North-Germany). It can be used from mid October untill mid January. Osmocote Exact Protect contains only dual coated granules and the total product is postponed. Because of this, hardly any nutrients are released during wintertime. 7 to use good reasons Osmocote Exact Protect A strong argument to use Protect is the fact that a full rate can be applied. All nutrients are saved until the plant is able to take them up after they are released. With protect, additional top dress applications in springtime are no longer required. Application of Protect leads to savings on production costs and very importantly: a perfect plant quality! Availability of nutrients matches closely with plant need as a result of programmed release Protect is specially designed for container nursery stock pottings in autumn and winter Protect is designed to be mixed in the growing medium. In case of strong plant growth and depending on the growing circumstances, re-fertilization during the summer can be required. Osmocote Exact Protect has a longevity of months. This longevity is including the postponed start and will cover the whole growing season. Efficient use of released nutrients. Nutrients are just released when the plant is able to take them up Safe and reliable, based on proven Exact technology Re-fertilization in spring is not required anymore, so you save time and money Improved plant quality, higher yields, improved return on investment Trials show the beneficial effect of Osmocote Exact Protect Thuya occ. Brabant, potted in November, fertilized with 5 gr/liter Osmocote Exact Protect 12-14M. Osmocote Exact Protect is not mentioned in the recommendation chart on page 18. Because the product is recommended in specific situations (time/location) it is advised to ask for a special recommendation from your Scotts Area Sales Manager.

13 13 Recommended rates and product breakdowns of Osmocote Exact Hi.End / Protect Osmocote Exact Hi. End * Low demanding Normal demanding High demanding Product Container nursery stock crops with increased nutrient demand later in the growing season (Hi.End application) g/l g/l g/l Longevities Pot plants and bedding plants g/l g/l g/l Osmocote Exact Hi. End * Low demanding Container nursery stock crops with increased nutrient demand later in the growing season (Hi.End application) Container nursery stock crops with low nutrient demand in the first months after potting (salt sensitive crops) Osmocote Exact Hi. End * Low demanding Container nursery stock crops with increased nutrient demand later in the growing season (Hi.End application) Container nursery stock crops with low nutrient demand in the first months after potting (salt sensitive crops) Osmocote Exact Protect * Low demanding Container nursery stock crops (potted from October 15. till January 15.) Normal demanding High demanding g/l g/l g/l g/l g/l g/l Normal demanding High demanding g/l 5-6 g/l 6-7 g/l 3-4 g/l 4-5 g/l 5-6 g/l g/l Normal demanding High demanding g/l g/l Remarks: Rates are based on substrates with maximum 0.5 kg PG-mix / m3 and on application in not covered areas. In case of covered area, rates need to be adjusted; Because products are containing DCT, (part of) the granules are postponed and the EC-value of the substrate will be lower in the first months after potting. Nitrogen total (N) Nitrate nitrogen Ammonical nitrogen Phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) Potassium oxide (K₂O) Magnesium oxide (MgO) Iron (Fe) Manganese (Mn) Copper (Cu) Zinc (Zn) Boron (B) Molybdenum (Mo) Percentage granules with postponed start Scotts-TIP! 25% 25% 25% 100% Ask your Scotts Area Sales Manager for an Osmocote Exact Hi.End or Protect recommendation. A correct use is key for the best result! Determine yourself how you want to use Osmocote Exact Hi.End In case Hi.End is applied at a rate equal to a regular Osmocote Exact Standard, the release of nutrients will be lower in the first months after application. A percentage of the granules have a postponed start and is therefore not contributing to the EC. If you would like to supply significantly more feeding to your plants during the summer (second growing phase), than choose an increased rate of Osmocote Exact Hi.End (see graph). Osmocote Exact Standard 8-9M, rate 5 gr/l Osmocote Exact Hi.End 8-9M, rate 5 gr/l In this case the EC-value in the first months after potting is at a lower level. At a later time, more nutrients become available Osmocote Exact Hi.End 8-9M, rate 6 gr/l Because of the higher rate, the EC-value in the first months after potting is at the same level compared to a situation with 5 kg Standard. In the phase afterwards significantly more nutrients become available for the plant programmed nutrient boost ).

14 14 Osmocote Exact Standard High K Osmocote Exact with an extra high potassium level is ideal for crops in which compact growth is required, or for situations in which the water given contains high levels of nitrogen. Some plants with a long growth period have a higher need for potassium. Examples include perennials, berry-producing crops, cyclamens, primulas, violets and early-flowering crops. Osmocote Exact Standard High K is also the right choice if the water contains high concentrations of bicarbonate which need to be brought back into balance with nitric acid. Osmocote Exact Standard High K is available in longevities of 5-6 months and 8-9 months. Product Longevities Nitrogen total (N) Nitrate nitrogen Ammonical nitrogen Phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) Potassium oxide (K₂O) Magnesium oxide (MgO) Iron (Fe) Manganese (Mn) Copper (Cu) Zinc (Zn) Boron (B) Molybdenum (Mo) Osmocote Exact Tablet for situations in which Osmocote is difficult to apply! Osmocote Exact Tablets offer you the possibility of giving very accurate dosages in a simple manner. Thanks to its conical shape, a tablet can easily be pushed into the growing medium. The tablets are available in two weights: 5 grams and 7.5 grams. The available longevities are 5-6 months and 8-9 months. Just as with Osmocote Exact, the longevity can be recognized by the coloured granules in the tablets. Important to know: Osmocote Exact Tablets are produced with a water soluble glue system. After application the tablets fall apart to loose granules. This environmentally friendly system prevents roots from pushing the tablet out of the pot. 5g-Tablet MgO+TE MgO+TE 7.5g-Tablet MgO+TE MgO+TE MgO+TE Osmocote Exact Tablets are frequently applied in container plants and hanging baskets just before delivery in order to take care of nutrition for the consumer. Note that Tablets fall apart into loose granules after they are exposed to a significant amount of water. Scotts-TIP! If you work with drip irrigation, apply the Osmocote Exact Tablet underneath the drippers for optimum dispersal of the nutrients.

15 15 Osmocote Exact Mini the Osmocote Exact that is 6-times finer! Osmocote Exact Mini has been specially developed for applications in small substrate volumes. It is therefore ideal for pots smaller than 8 cm in diameter like plugs and trays with small compartments. With a granule size of between 0.85 and 2.0 mm, this product guarantees optimum distribution of the nutrients in the substrate. The granules are so small that a good distribution can be achieved even in volumes starting at 20 ml. 7 to use good reasons Osmocote Exact Mini The reliability of Osmocote Exact, which can now also be applied in pots with small volumes Uniform plant growth thanks to good distribution of the granules Granules Osmocote Exact 8-9M (left) compared to Osmocote Exact Mini 3-4M (right) Osmocote Exact Mini can be applied by mixing in the growing medium or by topdressing once the roots are developed. Osmocote Exact Mini is primarily applied in order to bridge the period from rooting to re-potting. Cuttings substrate is generally very low in nutrients and additional fertilizing via the sprinkler system is often not convenient. Osmocote Exact Mini has a longevity of 3-4 months. The granules are 6 times smaller than the standard Osmocote Exact granules, yet this mini version still performs just as well and contains a complete package of trace elements and magnesium. 100% coated & 100% safe for plants Every granule contains all nutrients Easy, accurate dosage Nutrition and irrigation are separated and therefore both optimized! Very easy to apply! The product is packaged in resealable 10-kg buckets and is very economical in use! Scotts-TIP! In case of slow-rooting and sensitive young plants, the best policy is to distribute Osmocote Exact Mini broadly after rooting. It will guarantee healthy plants which retain the right feeding.

16 16 Osmocote Topdress NT Re-fertilizing is sometimes required for leftover container plants. In situations where not all plants are sold and extra fertilizer is required, it is important to ensure that the remaining plants stay in good condition throughout the growing season. For such situations, Scotts has developed Osmocote Topdress NT months. Added compounds make the product sticky, after application, to the growing media surface. No fertilizer is lost even if pots are blown over. 5 to use good reasons Osmocote Topdress NT Osmocote Topdress NT contains fast, slow and controlled release nutrients Fine granule size for even distribution on the containers Osmocote Topdress NT will stick on the top no lost granules when pots fall down Osmocote Topdress NT is dust free Osmocote Topdress NT contains extra trace elements for greening effect Product Longevities Osmocote Topdress NT Osmocote Topdress NT has especially been developed for topdress applications in container nursery stock. Product can be topdressed on containers for quick greening-up or for fast corrections of deficiency symptoms. Topdressing can be done in case of overhead irrigation or drip irrigation. When drip irrigation is used, the product should be placed directly under the dripper(s). The product can be applied with recommended Scotts topdress applicators. Ask Scotts for more information. Containers < 10 litres Containers > 10 litre Container nursery stock 2 4 gram/l gram + 1 g/l for every extra litre content Nitrogen total (N) 22 Nitrate nitrogen 4.1 Ammonical nitrogen 5.5 Urea nitrogen 12.4 Phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) 5 Potassium oxide (K₂O) 6 Magnesium oxide (MgO) 2.0 Iron (Fe) 0.70 Manganese (Mn) 0.26 Copper (Cu) Zinc (Zn) Boron (B) Molybdenum (Mo) Scotts-TIP! Osmocote Topdress NT can be used for fast corrections of deficieny symptoms - after application plants will again grow strong and healthy.

17 17 Osmocote Pro The best 2 nd generation coated fertilizer is produced by Scotts! Osmocote Pro is a controlled release fertilizer of the 2 nd generation with a high NPK content. It contains all necessary trace elements and has a fixed longevity. If the release of nutrients during the longevity period is important for good results, Scotts recommends that Osmocote Exact is used! This certainly applies in situations of full doses, sensitive crops, difficult situations or plant hole dosing. Osmocote Exact is also recommended if a high trace element level is important. For more detailed recommendations when to use Osmocote Pro, consult page 18. Osmocote Pro is available in four different longevities. 3-4 months, 5-6 months, 8-9 months and months. All products contain the same orange colour code. Osmocote Pro * MgO+TE MgO+TE MgO+TE MgO+TE * Detailled information about products and rates you will find on page Osmocote Start...the short-track Osmocote! Osmocote Start is specifically designed for efficient nutrition of crops with a short cultivation cycle or for the additional nutrition of crops for a period of 6 weeks. If this period is too short it is recommended to use Osmocote Exact Mini 3-4 months. Osmocote Start has a composition and contains the full spectrum of trace elements. The special coating, which differs from that used on other Osmocote types, protects the nutrients against leaching. Consequently, the availability of sufficient nutrients for the plant and a low EC value of the substrate can be combined. This will create optimum conditions for the root development of your crops! Standard base fertilizer Osmocote Start low rate Osmocote Start high rate Osmocote Start offers a good fertilizer program for annual plants with a short growth cycle, such as violets, primulas, impatiens and marigolds. However, Osmocote Start is also very well suited to more salt-sensitive vegetable crops and cuttings that are more difficult to root. In contrast with traditional fertilizers, Osmocote Start avoids the risks of an excessive salt level; your crops always get the right nutrients. Improved rootsystem with Osmocote Start! The high potassium level of Osmocote Start ensures compact and even growth. Osmocote Start can be mixed and application over the crops is possible as long as you ensure that no granules remain on the leaves. Scotts-TIP! Thanks to the very low leaching rates, Osmocote Start is up to twice as effective in use as conventional uncoated start-up fertilizers.

18 18 Choose the right Osmocote product/release pattern Do you grow container nursery stock, pot plants or bedding plants in substrate? Do you grow high value crops? Do you grow sensitive species? Do you grow in greenhouses or on covered areas? Do you apply rates at 75% or more of the recommended maximum rate? YES YES NO YES Are you mixing Osmocote in the growing medium and / or are you dibbling Osmocote in pots? Is the required longevity max. 6 weeks? NO Choose Osmocote Exact or Osmocote Pro by answering the following questions YES YES YES YES NO NO NO NO Are you aiming for maximum return on investment on fertilizers? Do us use plant hole dosage equipment? Is safety of the applied coated fertilizer important? Is a high level of trace elements (fe. Iron) important for your crops? Did you answer one or more questions with YES? NO You are topdressing Osmocote. Are you re-fertilizing your crops in the year after the plants were cultivated? YES Is a longevity of 6 weeks sufficient? NO YES NO YES YES YES YES 1 YES 2 3 NO NO NO NO NO Recommended product Osmocote is especially suitable for applications in soil. Please contact your distributor for advice. Product can only be applied by mixing or topdressing, not by dibbling. Use of Osmocote Exact for Topdress application is also an option! Consider whether it would be better to choose for Exact by answering the questions in the QUESTIONBOX. If 1 question is answered with Yes, choose for Exact in Topdress application. Standard Standard High K Do you grow a large variety of crops and are you not able to have a specif ic growing medium for every crop need? NO Do your crops need more nutrients in 2 nd growing phase? Eg. Conifers. NO Do you grow crops which ask for more nutrients in the first month after potting? NO Are your crops potassium demanding? YES 5 YES YES YES NO Hi.End available in 5-6 M, 8-9 M and M Standard with additional

19 19 Osmocote product range & breakdowns Osmocote Exact Product Longevities Nitrogen total (N) Nitrate nitrogen Ammonical nitrogen Phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) Potassium oxide (K₂O) Magnesium oxide (MgO) Iron (Fe) Manganese (Mn) Copper (Cu) Zinc (Zn) Boron (B) Molybdenum (Mo) Osmocote Exact Mini, Osmocote Pro, Osmocote Start, Osmocote Topdress NT Product Longevities Osmocote Exact Mini Osmocote Pro Osmocote Start Osmocote Topdress NT Nitrogen total (N) Nitrate nitrogen Ammonical nitrogen Urea nitrogen Phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) Potassium oxide (K₂O) Magnesium oxide (MgO) Iron (Fe) Manganese (Mn) Copper (Cu) Zinc (Zn) Boron (B) Molybdenum (Mo)

20 20 Choose the optimum Osmocote longevity STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 Choose a longevity at least as long as the crop cultivation time. Consider choosing one longevity longer to have an improved shelf life for your customers! (trial results for validation of the quality improvement effect are available from our Scotts Area Sales Managers.) Consider changing the chosen longevity because of climate / temperature conditions: Consider choosing one longevity longer in warm climate conditions Due to higher temperatures, the longevity will be shorter. To have a correct daily release of nutrients, adjust applied rate downwards. Because the nutrients are released over a shorter period of time, less kilograms of Osmocote must be applied per m3 substrate. Consider choosing one longevity shorter in cold climate conditions. Due to lower temperatures, the longevity will be longer. To have a correct daily release of nutrients, adjust applied rate upwards. Because the nutrients are release over a longer period of time, more kilograms of Osmocote must be applied per m³ substrate. Important: the correct dosage of Osmocote is related to the applied longevity! In the graph Differences in daily release at different longevities, 3 kilograms per m³ of Osmocote with different longevities are applied in the growing medium. Due to the different longevity, the daily release is not the same. If 3 kg of fertilizer is released within 5-6 months instead of over 3-4 months, the daily release will be lower in case of the 5-6 months. Basically this is the reason why the applied dosage should be increased to have sufficient feeding for plants, in case of choosing a longer longevity. Temperature influences on the longevity* daily realese Differences in daily release at different longevities time in months When 3-4 M, 5-6 M or 8-9 M are compared at the same rate (e.g. 3 kg/m3), the daily release of nutrients will be the highest at 3-4 M, because the nutrients are released over the shortest period of time. time in months * Note: Osmocote Exact Standard and Osmocote Pro are available in every longevity, from 3-4 M up to M. Other release patterns are available in specific longevities, due to the specific circumstances these products are used for.

21 21 Choose the right Osmocote rate Recommended rates for pot plants Longevity Light feeding Normal feeding Heavy feeding g/l * 2-3 g/l 3-4 g/l 2-3 g/l 3-4 g/l 4-5 g/l 3-4 g/l 4-5 g/l 5-6 g/l To determine the right rate it is important to take into account that: Recommended rates for Container Nursery Stock g/l 2-3 g/l 3-4 g/l 2-3 g/l 3-4 g/l 4-5 g/l 3-4 g/l 4-5 g/l 5-6 g/l Scotts recommendations are based on substrates without starter fertilizer Recommended rates for perennials 3-4 g/l 5-6 g/l 6-7 g/l 4-6 g/l 6-8 g/l 8-10 g/l g/l g/l g/l 2-3 g/l Mentioned rates should be present in the whole pot. The dilution effect should be compensated to have the correct dosage, when, for example, plants in 2 litre pots are potted in 4 litre pots 2-3 g/l 3-5 g/l Example: Quantity of fertilizer per pot = 12 g * g/l = grams of Osmocote per litre potting volume. Mentioned rates are not applicable for Osmocote Exact Hi.End or Osmocote Exact Protect. Recommended rates for these products are mentioned on page 13. Scotts-TIP! Contact your local supplier of Scotts fertilizers for a detailed fertilizer recommendation for your situation! 3 litres of soil 3 x 4 g/l = 12 g 2 litres of soil 2 x 6 g/l = 12 g Compared with the original 4 g/l, dosage must be increased to 6 g/l In case of full rates Scotts recommends Osmocote Exact For Osmocote Exact Hi.End, mentioned rates need to be increased by 25%. Also see information on rates on page 13. For a specific recommendation it is advised to contact your Scotts Area Sales Manager, who will be able to make a recommendation based on your crops and growing circumstances.

22 22 Application methods for Osmocote 1. Mixing into the growing media Mixing Osmocote into the growing media is an easy and effective method of application. In practice, this is the most widely used method. After mixing, the growing media must be used within two weeks to avoid EC build-up. This is particularly important for the shorter longevities. Released nutrients can be leached out by extra water via overhead irrigation. Mixing into the growing media 2. The plant hole method In case of the plant hole method, the fertilizer is mechanically dosed into or just next to the plant hole. The applied product and the quantity can be simply modified (picture 1). For this application method Osmocote Exact is recommended. Plant hole fertilization reduces weeds and liverwort on the surface of the pot. See also method 3. Apply a small quantity of growing media between the fertilizer and the roots of the plant. 3-4 M longevities are not recommended for this application method. The plant hole method 3. The improved plant hole method ( Gijs method) This method of dosage does not involve a dose of fertilizer in the plant hole, but instead two positions next to the plant. The roots therefore do not come into direct contact with the fertilizer granules. This method should be given preference over method 2 for a number of crops such as Buxus, Cornus, Cyclamen, Skimmia and Erica, and also in case of direct planting of unrooted cuttings in the final pot. For this application method Osmocote Exact is recommended. Gijs method 4. The Osmocote Injector This equipment has been specifically designed for the cultivation of Azalea indica and offers the possibility of injecting a previously determined quantity of fertilizer into the pot in the second cultivation year (if not transplanted) during the mechanical cutting.

23 23 5. Topdressing Osmocote Osmocote can be applied by topdressing, if necessary with the aid of a dosage tube (doses from 1 to 6 grams) or with Osmocote dosage spoons (which can be requested free of charge). Topdressing is also frequently seen where larger pot sizes are used. For an optimum result, water must be given from above. Spilling fertilizer (e.g. when pots fall over) will no longer be a problem when using the new Osmocote Topdress NT. Topdressing 6. Osmocote Exact Tablets Tablets are easy to use and have the advantage that the fertilizer remains in the growing medium if pots fall over. Where drip irrigation is used, the tablets should be pushed in under the dripper. When tablets are exposed to water, they will fall apart into granules. This will prevent the roots from pushing the tablets out of the pot. Avoid exposing tablets to water before use, because the strength of the tablets will decrease. Do not press tablets after they are applied in growing media. Osmocote Exact Tablets

24 24 Control Micromax 50 g/m³ Micromax 100 g/m³ Comparison product in recommended rate Micromax 150 g/m³ Micromax 300 g/m³ 5 to use good reasons Micromax Avoids shortages by a well balanced composition of all essential trace elements Stimulates the rooting and forms a basis for healthy plant growth Perfect startup effect. Long lasting supply of trace element to the plants, up to months Improved crop colour because of the high Iron content Easy and safe to apply by mixing it into the growing medium Trace elements are essential for optimum growth The plant growth will be limited by deficiency of one single element, even if the other elements are present sufficiently Justus von Liebig s Law of the Minimum Often the effect on plant growth of a shortage of trace elements is underestimated. To be able to grow, the availability of sufficient amounts of copper, zinc, iron, manganese, boron and molybdenum is essential and equally important compared to NPK. Even with a shortage of one single element, speed of plant growth will decrease. Often the symptoms of shortages of trace elements are only recognized when damage has already occurred. Corrective actions often take a long time. Avoid problems by using the best trace element mix: Micromax! Micromax guarantees sufficient availability of trace elements Dr. Whitkomb, liaised with the Oklahoma State University in the USA, conducted trials with different combinations of trace elements. Out of a range of 80 different mixtures Micromax was selected as best performing. Also under practical circumstances Micromax proved to be a very well performing trace mix. Even during long crop cycles and under difficult growing circumstances. After Micromax is mixed into the growing medium, the trace elements are bound to the humus complex. Afterwards they come steadily for the plants available. Micromax is a fine granular product which works for 16 to 18 months. Micromax breakdown Iron (Fe) 15.0 % Magnesium oxide (MgO) 2.5 % Manganese (Mn) 2.5 % Zinc (Zn) 1.0 % Copper (Cu) 1.0 % Boron (B) 0.2 % Molybdenum (Mo) 0.05 % Sulphuric anhydride (SO₃) 37.0 %

25 25 New improved formulation for even better results The best growth and perfect colour: that is what you as a grower want to achieve. The right soil and healthy initial plant material are essential for good cultivation and the best fertilizers are a decisive factor in achieving a successful crop! Peters fertilizers guarantee you optimum fertilization and an excellent end result. With new improved Peters, the familiar quality has been retained but the formulation has been improved. An increase in trace elements and improved components ensure even more vigour! Top growers know it: Peters produces high quality plants. The use of symbols in the new Peters range gives you useful information about the application for which the product is most suitable: This product promotes root growth. This product encourages bud formation and development. The use of this product will bring about a stable ph level in the substrate. This product can be used in water of any quality. This product encourages vegetative growth. This product has been developed for foliar feeding. This product is intended to provide NPK and calcium in a single solution. This product is intended for use in hard water. This product encourages compact, controlled growth. This product is particularly suitable for use in combination with single fertilizers. Indicates the EC value in ms at 1.0 gram/ litre. This product is intended for use in soft water.

26 26 Why choose Peters? Why should you choose Peters fertilizers? And what are the advantages of using Peters products? Here are 3 reasons: 1. Peters takes account of your water quality 2. Peters leads the way technically and is of the highest quality 3. Only Peters fertilizers contain M-77 You can choose the right Peters formulation for your water hard, neutral or soft. Peters has high levels of purity and solubility. But the Peters fertilizer concept goes beyond the provision of nutrients. Only Peters uses the M-77 ingredient. This gives you maximum certainty that the nutrients end up where they are needed: in the plant. The result is a fast response following application and a perfect crop! You can see the effects instantly. Peters takes account of your water quality Water quality is of crucial importance: Peters has the answer! The influence of the quality of the irrigation water is still underestimated. In fact, the composition of the water serves as a starting point for a fertilization plan. Hard water requires correction for the bicarbonate present in the water; soft water contains insufficient calcium and magnesium, essential elements for healthy plant growth. Peters responds to these factors and improves the results of your fertilization plan. Choose the right Peters on the basis of the composition of your water! Peters Professional gives good results regardless of the composition of your water. If you want the best for your plants and you have particularly hard or soft water, choose Peters Excel. CalMag For every water quality Acidifier Optional Optional Soft water? Use Peters Excel CalMag to add calcium and magnesium in one go. Hard water? Use Peters Excel Acidifier to avoid problems caused by a rising ph level in the soil.

27 27 Good results in every water quality: Peters Professional Well known for its high quality and good results. An extensive range of product formulations, providing a solution for every situation. Whether you choose Peters Professional as a standard fertilizer or to resolve a particular problem, you will always have the certainty of a sound fertilization plan. Choose Peters Professional: 1. Dissolves quickly and fully due to its high level of purity and solubility 2. Special formulation for every growth phase 3. Special formulations to respond to specific situations 4. Perfect results thanks to optimum levels of trace elements 5. Maximum availability and absorbability thanks to M-77 improved preparation method 6. Calculation of the optimum fertilization plan with the Scotts computer advisory programme ANGELA 7. Advice and guidance from Scotts fertilization specialists! Peters Excel Acidifier for hard water Hard water has specific characteristics requiring a special fertilizer; for example, a fertilizer that ensures that the bicarbonate present in the water is neutralised. Peters Excel Acidifier has a bicarbonate-neutralising effect and thus ensures a stable ph level in the soil. This is a basic condition for the good growth of your plants. Using Peters Excel is easy, safe and effective. Choose Peters Excel Acidifier for hard water: 1. Specially developed for use in hard water and therefore unique in its effects 2. The ph of the soil remains stable due to the HCO₃- buffering effect 3. Improves the quality of the water used for watering and reduces the EC value 4. Perfect colour and growth thanks to a high level of chelated trace elements 5. Prevents blockage of drippers and keeps irrigation systems clean 6. Optimum availability and absorbability thanks to M-77 improved preparation method Peters Excel CalMag for soft water A common problem: soft water contains no calcium or magnesium. These nutrient elements, which are so important for plants, need to be provided by fertilizers. Peters Excel CalMag offers you a way of providing all these elements in one go. This one-tank mix is unique, simple and very effective! Choose Peters Excel CalMag for soft water: 1. Specially developed for use in soft water, unique in its effects 2. Healthy growth due to continuous supply of calcium and magnesium 3. Reliable system due to selected raw materials and chelated trace elements 4. Perfect colour and growth thanks to a high level of chelated trace elements 5. Maximum availability and absorbability thanks to M-77 improved preparation method 6. One-tank mix concept: all nutrient elements in a single storage tank

28 28 Peters leads the way technically and is of the highest quality! Peters fertilizers have been improved: now even more effective The new improved Peters fertilizers offer you the grower clear advantages: Perfect growth and crop colour thanks to an optimum combination of trace elements The new Peters is specifically designed for use with pot plants and bedding plants New formulation in response to changing cultivation situations Effective and safe due to high purity Optimum absorption due to top quality chelates You yourself choose the formulation you want! Peters has a solution for everything! More effective in use due to M-77 improved preparation method New packaging with clear information for you the grower! Trace elements, the key to the best growth! Optimum growth can only be achieved if a plant has access to all the required trace elements. Scotts has taken a good look at the trace elements in Peters products. The result is a renewed, wellbalanced combination of trace elements that meets requirements even under the toughest conditions. Peters always contains a full range of trace elements. Iron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, copper and boron are included as standard in all Peters formulations (with the exception of the No B and No Zn products). This trend was begun by Peters several years ago and has proved to be successful. The increase in the levels is new. The quantities have been modified and are now at the optimum level based on the latest research. Peters is once again ready to fulfil your highest requirements. Important: Scotts supports users of Peters fertilizers with technical advice by a specialized team of Scotts fertilization advisers. Call Scotts to arrange a visit or contact us through your fertilizer supplier.

29 29 8 to use good reasons Peters Fully water soluble, small granules, easily dissolved Very pure formulation, no ballast substances High solubility Contains NPK, magnesium and trace elements A number of formulations are also available with the addition of calcium Fast plant response following application Developed for pot plants, bedding plants and can also be applied in container tree nurseries enabling Scotts to fit in better with the daily activities within your enterprise. For further information, please refer to the product table. Effective and safe due to high level of purity Peters is known for its excellent level of purity. Ballast substances are at a uniquely low level. This results in problem-free growth of plants and maximum safety! Optimum absorption thanks to top quality chelates Chelates are important for the absorption of trace elements. Peters contains the most optimised chelates, thus guaranteeing a wellfunctioning system even under difficult circumstances, for example if the ph value of the substrate is not optimum. Peters also contains M-77. Everything revolves around the absorption of nutrients by the roots, and M-77 ensures optimum availability and guarantees effective absorption. Choose the formulation that is best for you! Peters has a solution for everything! Using Peters gives the best results, particularly if you choose the formulation specially designed for each growth phase. Every growth phase has specific fertilization requirements, which is why Peters has developed modified formulations for every growth phase. There is always a Peters formula that meets the crop s current needs perfectly. The symbols on the packaging clearly indicate the cultivation phase for which the product is intended. It is not only the phase of the plant that is important; a difficult situation sometimes also requires a special product. A range of special formulations ensure that the problems associated with these challenges also become a thing of the past. New packaging with clear user information As a grower, you want clear product information. The new improved Peters range makes use of symbols in order to indicate the application type of each formula, giving you clear information at a glance. Contains the unique M-77 Peters: the specialist for pot plant and bedding plant crops! Scotts has developed Peters specially for use with pot plant and bedding plant crops. The use of peat-based substrates in pots makes special demands of the fertilizer used. Whether the issue is NPK levels or the trace elements, using Peters guarantees you optimum results. New formulations in response to changing situations The Peters line of products has always offered solutions for specific cultivation situations. New improved formulations have now been added to the range,

30 30 Only Peters fertilizers contain M-77! M-77 is an important component in Peters. This Scotts innovation optimises the availability and absorbability of all nutrient elements according to the principle: it is not just about what you offer a plant; it is primarily about what the plant absorbs. The strength and formulation of M-77 is a combination of ingredients. The effects of these ingredients ensure that nutrients remain available to the plant and optimise absorption. The combined action of a good availability of nutrients and optimum conditions directly around the roots make M-77 an indispensable component. M-77 unlocks the roots, increasing the effectiveness of the nutrients. You can see the effects in your plants! Only Peters contains M-77!

31 31 Peters: solutions for every water quality, every growing phase and every fertilization challenge! Product range fertilizers P e t e r s s y m b o l s Peters Analysis Product name Waterquality Professional Plant Starter any type Professional Hi-Nitro any type Professional Allrounder any type Professional Winter Grow Special any type Professional No B Winter Grow Special No B any type Professional Grow-Mix any type Professional No P Special any type Professional Pot Plant Special any type Professional Poinsettia Mix any type Professional Potash Special any type Professional Potassium Booster any type Professional Plant Finisher any type Professional Blossom Booster any type Professional Combi-Sol any type Professional No B/ No Zn Combi-Sol No B/ No Zn any type Professional Foliar Feed any type Excel Calmag Grower soft water Excel Calmag Finisher soft water Excel Hard Water Grower hard water Excel Hard Water Finisher hard water Excel Extra Acidifier hard water Mixability of Peters Excel Peters Excel for soft water Peters Excel for hard water Ca (NO₃)₂* Yes Yes KNO₃ Yes Yes NH₄NO₃ Yes Yes Mg(NO₃)₂ Yes Yes MgSO₄ No Yes Phosphoric acid Yes Yes Nitric acid Yes Yes Peters Excel for soft water Yes Yes Peters Excel for hard water Yes Yes Other water soluble NPK fert. No No * Before adding Ca(NO₃)₂ (Calcium nitrate) in the stock solution, first completely dillute the Peters Excel. Bicarbonate reduction by Peters Excel Original level of Peters Excel with 5% P₂O₅ in the product Bicarbonate in the irrigation water 0,5 gr/lt Excel 1,0 gr/lt Excel 1,5 gr/lt Excel mgr/lt mmol/l mgr/lt mmol/l mgr/lt mmol/l mgr/lt mmol/l 200 3, , , , , , , , , , , ,9 Original level of Peters Excel with 10% P₂O₅ in the product Bicarbonate in the irrigation water 0,5 gr/lt Excel 1,0 gr/lt Excel 1,5 gr/lt Excel mgr/lt mmol/l mgr/lt mmol/l mgr/lt mmol/l mgr/lt mmol/l 200 3, , ,8 70 1, , , , , , , , ,7 The table shows the reduction of Bicarbonate levels in the irrigation water in different concentrations Peters Excel.

32 32 Product and user information P r o d u c t i n f o r m a t i o n U s e r i n f o r m a t i o n Peters Professional Plant Starter Ideal initial fertilizer for better, more uniform rooting. An NPK ratio with a high phosphate level. Also promotes the development of flower buds. Peters Professional Hi-Nitro Formulation for growth promotion. High nitrogen level, mainly in the form of urea. Use under warm climate conditions and when large quantities of nitrogen are required fast. Acts as a foliar feed. Peters Professional Allrounder Growth promotion formula with broad application possibilities. Well-balanced formulation. Formula contains urea and is therefore particularly suitable for use in the summer. Acts as a foliar feed. Peters Professional Winter Grow Special For use in dull weather conditions and at lower temperatures. Contains a lot of fast-absorbing nitrate nitrogen for fast effects. Ideal formulation for application when growth is desired in the winter. Peters Professional No B Winter Grow Special No B The same NPK formulation as the Winter Grow Special with a modified trace element composition. Contains no boron and is therefore especially suitable for application on boron-sensitive crops (such as palmaceous plants) or if the irrigation water contains a lot of boron. Peters Professional Peters Professional Grow Mix NPK with relatively low levels of phosphate. A well-balanced N:K ratio makes this product suitable for growth stimulation. A large proportion of the nitrogen part consists of urea, making this product extremely suitable for the cultivation of orchids, for example No P Special If phosphate fertilization needs to be avoided, this formulation offers a solution. A well-balanced nitrogen/potassium ratio with a full complement of trace elements. Contains calcium and should not be mixed with fertilizers containing phosphate. Peters Professional Pot Plant Special The ideal fertilizer for the cultivation of flowering pot plants and bedding plants. The N:K ratio of 1:2 ensures a good colour, controlled growth and high quality. Plant growth can be managed extremely well with this formulation. The composition contains a relatively high proportion of fastabsorbing nitrate nitrogen. Peters Professional Peters Professional Poinsettia Mix Poinsettias have very special fertilization needs, which is why the Peters range includes a specially adapted product for poinsettias: the Poinsettia mix. Modified levels of boron, zinc and molybdenum ensure perfect plant quality, and the high levels of nitrate nitrogen ensure healthy root growth Potash Special Formula for situations in which an N:K ratio of 1:1.5 is desired. This well-known formulation is used by many growers of pot plants. The proportion of urea ensures an additional delivery of nitrogen a few days after application. Peters Professional Potassium Booster If the plant needs a particularly large quantity of potassium, the is the ideal solution. The N:K ratio of 1:4 ensures that potassium levels can be raised quickly. Contains a full range of trace elements. Ensures good crop colour. Fully nitrate nitrogen. Peters Professional Plant Finisher New formulation, specially designed to give the right nourishment to plants in the final stage of propagation. Contains modified lower phosphate levels and high levels of potassium for compact, controlled growth. Extra iron for an optimum leaf colour.

33 33 P r o d u c t i n f o r m a t i o n U s e r i n f o r m a t i o n Peters Professional Blossom Booster A traditional analysis, designed to encourage the development of flower buds. The high levels of phosphates and the N:K ratio of 1:2 make the Blossom Booster the ideal product for bud formation and development. Peters Professional Combi-Sol Specially designed for application in a combination programme with calcium nitrate (using the two-tank system). Modified higher levels of trace elements for perfect results even after dilution. Can also be used as a full fertilizer. Has an N:K ratio of 1:6 for very compact plant growth. Ideal in cases of high levels of nitrogen in the irrigation water. Peters Professional No B/ No Zn Combi-Sol No B/ No Zn Identical NPK formulation to the Combisol, but with modified trace element levels. Contains no boron or zinc and is therefore the ideal solution for preventing discoloured leaf edges and tips in palmaceous plants and bromelias, for example. Peters Professional Foliar Feed If the absorption by the roots is not ideal for whatever reason, a foliar feed can offer a solution. The Peters range features a perfect foliar feed in the Foliar Feed. The high urea content and the specially modified complement of trace elements makes this product the ideal foliar feed for the cultivation of pot plants and bedding plants. Peters ¹ Excel CalMag Grower Special formulation for use with soft water. The N:K ratio is aimed at growth. Can be mixed with calcium nitrate. A single-tank mix solution: contains all necessary nutrients. Peters ¹ Excel CalMag Finisher Often used as a follow-up to the CalMag Grower. The high potassium formula leads to more compact growth. The same principle applies to this Peters Excel product too: a single-tank mix solution providing the plants with all the necessary nutrients from a single tank. Peters ² Excel Hard Water Grower To encourage growth in situations in which hard irrigation water is used. Has an acidifying effect on the irrigation water and neutralises bicarbonate. Ensures a stable ph level in the soil. Peters ² Excel Hard Water Finisher Formulation for application in hard irrigation water. Suitable for controlled and compact growth. Thanks to the N:K ratio of 1:2, it is also suitable in cases of relatively high levels of nitrogen in the irrigation water. This product acidifies the irrigation water and neutralises bicarbonate. Peters ² Excel Extra Acidifier Special formulation for hard irrigation water with high levels of bicarbonate. Has a stronger acidifying effect. Additional acidification of the water may sometimes be necessary, depending on the bicarbonate levels. Consult your Scotts adviser for further advice. Notes: ¹ A special formulation for use with soft water. In addition to NPK and trace elements, these products also contain calcium and magnesium. A complete package of nutrients is therefore continuously available to the plant. Unique and very effective! Consult your Scotts Area Sales Manager for further advice. ² Special formulation for use with hard water. These products acidify the irrigation water and neutralise a certain amount of bicarbonate (HCO₃-).

34 34 Technical analysis of Peters by weight % Watertype Peters Analysis Product name Nitrogen - total (N) N-Nitrate N-Ammonium N-Urea Hi-Nitro Foliar Feed MgO Grow-Mix Allrounder No B Winter Grow Special No B Winter Grow Special Potash Special Any type Peters Professional Poinsettia Mix Pot Plant Special CaO+3MgO No Phosphate Special Potassium Booster Plant Starter Blossom Booster Plant Finisher No B/ No Zn Combi-Sol No B/ No Zn MgO Combi-Sol Soft water Peters Excel CaO+3MgO CalMag Grower CaO+2MgO CalMag Finisher Hard water Peters Excel MgO Hard Water Grow Special MgO Hard Water Finisher Extra Acidifier

35 35 Phosphorus Potassium Magnesium Calcium Sulphur Iron (Fe-DTPA) Manganese (Mn-EDTA) Zinc (Zn-EDTA) Cupper (Cu-EDTA) Boron (B) Molybdenum (Mo) EC value at 1,0 g/l Maximum solubility in g/l Base equivalent in kg CaCO₃ per kg A A A A A A A A A B B A A B B B B B A A A 0.095

36 36 Technical analysis of Peters by mg/l at 1 gram per liter solution Watertype Peters Analysis Product name Nitrogen - total (N) N-Nitrate N-Ammonium N-Urea Hi-Nitro Foliar Feed MgO Grow-Mix Allrounder No B Winter Grow Special No B Winter Grow Special Potash Special Any type Peters Professional Poinsettia Mix Pot Plant Special CaO+3MgO No Phosphate Special Potassium Booster Plant Starter Blossom Booster Plant Finisher No B/ No Zn Combi-Sol No B/ No Zn MgO Combi-Sol Soft water Peters Excel CaO+3MgO CalMag Grower CaO+2MgO CalMag Finisher Hard water Peters Excel MgO Hard Water Grow Special MgO Hard Water Finisher Extra Acidifier

37 37 Phosphorus Potassium Magnesium Calcium Sulphur Iron (Fe-DTPA) Manganese (Mn-EDTA) Zinc (Zn-EDTA) Cupper (Cu-EDTA) Boron (B) Molybdenum (Mo) EC value at 1,0 g/l Maximum solubility in g/l Base equivalent in kg CaCO₃ per kg A A A A A A A A A B B A A B B B B B A A A 0.095

38 38 6 to use Easy to use good reasons Osmosol Keeps your irrigation system clean; no deposit on leaves Complete NPK fertilizer; including calcium, magnesium and trace elements Controls the ph increase of the substrate Safe and reliable for your plants Acidifying effect improves the quality of your irrigation water What can you expect from Osmosol? Special solutions in water soluble fertilizers. This is exactly what you can expect from Osmosol. The fertilizers within the Osmosol range contribute to a smooth production of high quality plants by means of a unique technique, for high demanding customers. Osmosol water soluble fertilizers help you correct problems related to hardor soft-water. This built-in technology distinguishes Osmosol from other fertilizers! The Osmosol range includes NPK formulas for application in hard and soft water. In both situations application of fertilizers is more convenient and the quality of your crop will improve because water related problems will be minimized! This will result in healthier plants and cultivation without problems. Enjoy the qualities of Osmosol!

39 39 Characteristics and consequences of hard water Hard water contains a lot of HCO₃which results in a rising ph value of the substrate during cultivation. Deposit formation and a clogged irrigation system due to high percentage of calcium and magnesium The water often has a higher EC value which leads to less plant growth and possible salt stress Advantage of using Osmosol for hard water Has a neutralizing effect on bicarbonate in irrigation water and leads to a more stable ph in the potting soil during cultivation. Acidifying effect of Osmosol keeps irrigation systems clean and prevents deposit formation and clogging Lowers the EC value and improves the quality of the irrigation water which leads to better plant growth Hard water causes blockage of drip irrigation systems Hard water Osmosol is the solution to your irrigation water! Soft water Characteristics and consequences of soft water Soft water does not contain calcium and magnesium which can cause a shortage of these elements. Loss of quality, a lighter leaf colour, and less vital growth are the consequences. Advantage of using Osmosol for soft water Osmosol 614R and 215R contain calcium which guarantees a continuous supply of calcium. Better growth, healthier plants! With Osmosol 614R or 215R you can mix traces as well as calcium and magnesium in one tank. This 1-tank mix is easy, efficient and very effective. Typical for soft water: calcium deficiency in Rosa

40 40 Choose the right product Osmosol for hard water Advantages of using Osmosol for hard water: Better control of the ph of the potting soil because of the HCO₃buffer effect Better solubility of the fertilizer Clean and trouble-free irrigation system and no deposit on leaves Lower EC value and improvement of quality of irrigation water No need to add dangerous acids for neutralizing bicarbonate Product Information Osmosol 523 and 215 are designed for applications in hard irrigation water with a bicarbonate rate of > mg HCO₃/l The product has an acidifying effect on irrigation water Osmosol 523 and 215 contain NPK and a complete package of trace elements. Magnesium and calcium are usually in the irrigation water that is used and thus complete availability of the nutrients is guaranteed. Osmosol 523 and 215 can be mixed, making many formulas possible. Osmosol for hard water, nutrients in % N NO₃ NH₄ Urea P₂O₅ K₂O MgO CaO SO₃ Iron (Fe-EDTA) Boron (B) Copper (Cu -EDTA) Manganese (Mn -EDTA) Molybdenum (Mo) Zinc (Zn -EDTA) Osmosol Osmosol Osmosol for hard water, technical information Osmosol for hard water, mixing compatibility EC-value 1g/Ltr. Max. solubility kg / L Acidifying effect (in mg/l HCO₃) Base equivalent in kg CaCO₃ MgSO₄, KNO₃, MgNO₃ Ca(NO₃)₂ Phosphoric acid Nitric acid Other compound fertilizers Osmosol yes no yes yes no Osmosol yes no yes yes no

41 41 for your growing situation! Osmosol for soft water Advantages of using Osmosol for soft water: Continuous supply of a complete package of nutrients, no deficiencies, always the right nutrition for optimum growth 1-tank mix system. With one tank you can distribute all the elements in one go. Easy to apply. Product Information Osmosol R-types for soft water are especially designed for applications in soft water with a bicarbonate level of < mg HCO₃/l Osmosol R-types include NPK and a complete package of trace elements, magnesium and calcium Osmosol R-types can be mixed which makes many NPK compositions possible Osmosol for soft water, nutrients in % N NO₃ NH₄ Urea P₂O₅ K₂O MgO CaO SO₃ Iron (Fe-EDTA) Boron (B) Copper (Cu -EDTA) Manganese (Mn -EDTA) Molybdenum (Mo) Zinc (Zn -EDTA) Osmosol 614R CaO Osmosol 215R CaO Osmosol 113R CaO Osmosol for soft water. technical information Osmosol for soft water. mixing compatibility EC-value 1g/Ltr. Max. solubility kg / L Acidifying effect (in mg/l HCO₃) Base equivalent in kg CaCO₃ Ca(NO₃)₂. KNO₃. MgNO₃ MgSO₄ Phosphoric acid Nitric acid Other compound fertilizers Osmosol 614R CaO yes no yes yes no Osmosol 215R CaO yes no yes yes no Osmosol 113R CaO yes no yes yes no

42 42 Universol, the standard in water soluble fertilizers for pot plants, bedding plants and container nursery stock 6 to use Versatile good reasons Universol Universol: tried and tested by enthusiastic growers across Europe Universol is one of the leading water soluble fertilizer brands. Because Universol delivers on its promises time after time, the number of users is rising every year. An investment in Universol quality is a worthwhile investment! Whichever formula you choose, Universol offers you certainty Buyers demand top quality plants. You as a grower therefore have high standards during cultivation. Fertilizers are fully tailored to optimise the growth of your plants. Using Universol also gives you the certainty that all the nutrients are provided. Every Universol product contains a full spectrum of chelated trace elements. Strict quality assurance on raw materials and the production process guarantee a consistently high quality, giving you a sense of security. Balanced NPK formula with magnesium and trace elements Dissolves quickly for immediate use Colour-coded for ease of use Excellent value for money Features the unique Bright Solution System

43 43 Choose the Universol formula to suit your situation Universol offers a powerful range of products for every situation. Thanks to the broad-based application possibilities, it is easy to choose the right formula for your needs and so that you can easily recognise each product, they all have their own distinctive colour. You may sometimes need to combine an NPK mix with calcium nitrate in a so-called two-tray system. Universol Basic has been specially developed for use in combination with simple fertilizers. Increased amounts of trace elements keep them at effective levels even after blending. Universol Basic can also be used to harden off your crop! The new Universol colour system Universol has a new colour system. The improved performance is down to a granulated dye originally developed for the food industry. That granular structure keeps your hands and the irrigation system cleaner. The colours remain true in your diluted feeds, and you always know exactly which formula you are giving your plants. The Bright Solution System for clear results Universol gives better results. Carefully selected ingredients ensure the highest quality. The Bright Solution System gives clear results and a clean system. Clear packaging gives you the right information Improved Universol is packaged in sturdy polyethylene bags of 25 kg. The packaging is easily recognisable and the NPK ratios are displayed clearly. As always, the Scotts logo on the bags is your guarantee of the high quality to which you are accustomed. Easy to use, best results every time The new improved Universol is more powerful than ever. This brochure provides you with all the technical information you need regarding the new Universol, as well as recommended dosages for pot plants, bedding plants and container arboriculture. If you would like tailored advice, please contact your Scotts fertilizer supplier, or your Scotts Area Sales Manager directly.

44 44 The right Universol formula for every situation Universol Formula NPK ratio Purpose of the formula Universol Violet MgO 1 : 1 : 3 High potassium to provide compact strong early growth, good leaf colour, strong growth without extension, good flower development. Universol Yellow MgO 1 : 3 : 1 Boost root growth and shoot bud growth. Universol Blue MgO 3 : 2 : 3 Well balanced growth in mid-season. Universol Green MgO 4 : 1 : 2 Nitrogen boost to encourage extra growth. Universol Orange MgO 3 : 1 : 5 Formula for slower growth, particularly suitable for flowering plants. Universol Basic MgO 1 : 5 : 9 This fertilizer has been specially developed for combination in A-B tray systems. Also suitable for hardening off plants. Universol White MgO 4 : 0 : 5 No phosphate product, specially designed for application in p-reduced growing systems. Universol Special MgO 1 : 0 : 4 Specially developed for application when P-level is used to grow compact plants. Recommended Universol rates for pot plants and bedding plants Recommended dosages are general recommendations. For a specific situation, please contact your Scotts fertilizers adviser. Recommended dosages are based on continuous fertilization. 100% Universol 50% Universol 50% Osmocote Exact Crops with high fertilizer requirements g/litre g/litre Crops with normal fertilizer requirements g/litre g/litre Salt-sensitive crops O g/litre Dependent on situation Recommended Universol rates for Container Nursery stock Recommended dosages indicate the number of grams per m² per week. The number of irrigation sessions per week determines the concentration. For a specific situation, please contact your Scotts fertilizer supplier or your Scotts Area Sales Manager. 100% Universol 50% Universol 50% Osmocote Exact Crops with high fertilizer requirements 20 g/m²/week 10 g/m²/week Crops with normal fertilizer requirements 15 g/m²/week 7.5 g/m²/week Salt-sensitive crops 10 g/m²/week 5 g/m²/week Mixing tables for a complete range of Universol blends are available from your Scotts Area Sales Manager.

45 45 Universol product information Universol Formula Total N NO₃-N NH₄-N Urea P₂O₅ K₂O MgO SO₃ EC value (ms, 21 C) Maximum solubility (g/l, 25 C) Acidifying (Ac)/ Alkaline (Alk) effect (kg CaCO₃/kg) Universol Violet MgO A Universol Yellow MgO A Universol Blue MgO A Universol Green MgO A Universol Orange MgO A Universol Basic MgO B Universol White MgO B 0.16 Universol Special MgO B Universol trace element levels Universol Formula Boron (B) Copper (Cu- EDTA) Iron (Fe- EDTA) Iron (Fe- DTPA) Iron (Fe- EDDHA) Manganese (Mn-EDTA) Molybdenum (Mo) Zinc (Zn- EDTA) Universol Violet MgO Universol Yellow MgO Universol Blue MgO Universol Green MgO Universol Orange MgO Universol Basic MgO Universol White MgO Universol Special MgO

46 46 Scotts a pioneer in fertilizers With a turnover of more than US$ 3 billion, the Scotts Company of Marysville/Ohio USA is the world s market leader in high technology fertilizers to professionals and amateurs alike. A workforce of over 4000 staff worldwide contributes to Scotts success. Scotts products are sold in 25 countries through its subsidiaries and in a further 40 countries through an approved distribution network. Fertilizer products and systems are tested in 6 research centres, 4 in the USA and 2 in Europe. Over 150 researchers in these centres are constantly engaged in studies to propose new horticultural products and to constantly improve existing ones. The name Scotts is synonymous everywhere with innovations which have radically changed the world of gardening and lawn feeding. The development of Osmocote in 1967 marked the launch of the world s first membrane-coated controlled release fertilizer: the possibility of providing plants at the very start of growth with all the necessary nutrients heralded a major advance in the development of container nursery stock. Scotts technology also made its mark on lawn-grass in the 1950s with the first methylurea based fertilizer for lawns. Today Scotts offers a wide range of professional fertilizers and other specialities for virtually every sphere of application in the flower nursery, vegetable and fruit growing and lawn maintenance sectors. Its main product ranges are Osmocote Exact, Osmoform, Peters Excel, Peters Professional, Osmosol, Universol, Sierraform, Sierrablen, Agroblen, Agromaster, Solinure Up and Agrolution. The European operating headquarters at Waardenburg (NL) is ISO certified. The transparent exchange of ideas and expertise with customers and with trial centres underpins the ongoing development of winning and proven fertilization systems. Over 70 specialists throughout Europe provide on-site consultation to customers. High-quality plant nutrition and skilled on-site consultancy rank as top priority at Scotts. Since opening its first office at Heerlen, Holland, in 1975, Scotts has adhered to strict environmental standards, with due respect for the ecosystem. As proof of its commitment, Scotts production and distribution are now ISO 9001, ISO and OHSAS certified.