Reuse of spent growing media
Joluplant is an ornamental grower of Chrysanthemums, which developed a process to add value and re-use spent peat and perlite substrates.
Joluplant collects these residues from the neighbouring strawberry and cucumber growers. The process entails a steam treatment and storage at 70°C for an hour.
During the treatment, partners PCS and ILVO perform different research activities such as:
• Optimizing the steaming process in regard to testing for plant-pathogenic fungi and insects, as well for weed seeds
• Ensuring the quality of the processed substrate by testing the physic-chemical and biological characteristics, and adjusting the fertilization and composition
• Assessing the need for blending the hygienic substrates with other materials (compost, bark, …) or inoculate it with beneficial micro-organisms
The final product has proven to work in the field and to deliver the same quality of Chrysanthemums peat.
Thanks to this innovation Joluplant is achieving different benefits both technically and economically:
- The company will have to buy less new peat substrate, especially for growing plantlets, and can better plan its activities in the growing season
- The energy cost for steaming is at least in balance with the cost of buying new peat
- There is a potential reduction in the of fertilizers thanks to the presence of nutrients in spent media
- The other farmers (strawberry and cucumber growers) can drop off their used substrate as a resource without cost. Additionally, they can use their spent substrates on their own fields as a soil amendment (but there should be an added value for the soil), or have to pay a certified waste processor (gate fee).