June 2025 Plant Health, Production, Research

Maintaining plant and soil health from root to retail By Gabrielle Rippel

Innovations have almost become synonymous with technological advancements, but intrinsic advancements in the growing media market have developed new ways for plants to thrive from greenhouse through retail shelves. 

“We’ve conducted some terrific research on the health and vitality of plants,” said Jeff Langner, brand manager for Profile Products. 

While there is not currently a growing media that universally fits all situations, suppliers can agree on the universal need for plant and soil health to provide strong root development, resiliency and longevity, giving the plant its best shot at vitality. 

“It’s not just about the result for the crops, but it’s the overall result of the production itself,” said Pierre-Marc de Champlain, technical services director at Berger. 

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM 

Healthy root developments play a massive role in the health and well-being of a plant. 

“Better root systems increase germination rates while simultaneously driving down plant loss during propagation,” said Utsala Shrestha, soil and plant health scientist for Arboret|Ecologel.

According to Shrestha, this would result in fewer seeds needed and fewer trays discarded, which saves time and money for the grower. 

“Trials have shown that our premium biostimulant products, like the SeaXtra line, which are derived from Ascophyllum nodosum algae, significantly enhance seedling growth and transplant establishment,” Shrestha said. 

By reducing transplant shock and promoting root development, products like SeaXtra support healthier crops and produce stronger, more vigorous plants. Healthy root developments are not a one-size-fits-all concept, and suppliers are ready to provide a solution for every circumstance.

“To get strong root development, you need a growing media that is adapted to the context,” de Champlain said. “Uniformity and predictability are essential to production growers.” 

But how can a substrate defy nature and produce uniform solutions? 

Substrates like Berger’s BM2 line, which promotes the distinctive ability to form a consistent root ball for efficient transplantation, creates a cascading effect that extends beyond the plants themselves. 

“A plant with a superior root structure will allow the plant to have a longer shelf life and give the end customer the success they are looking for in the garden,” said Mads Jensen, market manager for Blackmore. 

REHYDRATION REVOLUTION 

Moisture loss is particularly troublesome, and growers need to contend with transplant shock, moisture retention and on-shelf longevity. 

“[Our] product advancement efforts are focused on improving moisture retention, nutrient uptake and overall plant resilience from production to retail,” Shrestha said. 

The research conducted by Shrestha’s team found that soil amendments like Arborjet|Ecologel’s NutriRoot line, which contains hygroscopic humectants, effectively reduced wilting and improved moisture retention compared to watering alone. This ensures plants remain hydrated longer, which is crucial during transportation and retail display. 

Langner said one of the biggest challenges in soil health is having a growing media that easily rehydrates after drying down and maintains consistent air porosity for the plant. HydraFiber is an engineered media that directly addresses both of these issues. 

“The fibers help promote effective water management, moving moisture through the soil profile and allowing for effective rehydration as the soil dries down; the air space that is inherent in the wood fibers really help promote oxygen movement in the root zone,” Langner said. 

Profile Products’ controlled-release fertilizer line also helps extend the shelf life of the plant at retail and throughout the supply chain. 

GOING BEYOND GROWING MEDIA 

Jensen said growers should keep in mind that selecting soil media is only one piece of the puzzle. Growers also have options that extend beyond traditional growing media. Blackmore has developed Air Tray Technologies that includes patented Air Trays, Air Tray Racks and automation to reduce grow time, labor and plastic usage. 

According to Jensen, the Air Trays allow growers to use less soil to grow a healthy plant and a fibrous roots system, while Air Tray Racks reduce labor and mitigate disease by keeping plants off the ground. 

“Allowing for more wet-dry cycles for faster growth reduces residency time for the grower while reducing plastic usage in the horticulture industry,” Jensen said. 

According to Blackmore’s research, air-pruned roots give a high amount of young vigorous roots that will lead to a higher success rate for the customer. 

“Air Tray Technologies allow roots to do all the work for you, and they do it for free,” Jensen said. 

SUSTAINABLE SUBSTRATES AND SOLUTIONS 

Perlite ore is added to growing media to loosen soil, improve aeration and enhance water retention. However, perlite is a mineral that takes a lot of energy to convert. Plus, it’s imported from Greece, which can trigger unsustainable and costly supply chain issues, de Champlain said. 

Suppliers are looking to manufacture solutions that are more localized or contain a combination of local resources to reduce the perlite. 

Berger’s BM lines have been engineered to include a mix of peat moss, wood fibers and and/or perlite to set plants up for success all while remaining relatively local. 

“We were the first ones in North America with a product for professional growers that included wood fiber in it,” de Champlain said. 

While wood fiber and peat moss may not be true alternatives to perlite, they still provide benefits. 

Wood fibers are produced from wood chips that are generated from the lumber industry, and peat moss is only available in North America, making both solutions sustainable from a logistical standpoint. Additionally, perlite isn’t compressible, but peat moss and wood fibers allow more material per truckload, increasing transport efficiencies. 

Engineered media like HydraFiber offers a sustainable solution for substrates because it’s reliably available, made in the U.S. and factory produced from renewable sources. 

“That’s a win for everyone,” Langner said.