Resilient pepper growing in practice – see it before August ends!
On 6 August, we opened the doors of the Botany research station in Meterik to growers, business leaders, and greenhouse professionals for an inspiring afternoon on resilient growing. Together with experts from RHP and Kytos, we explored how future-ready substrate solutions can help tackle today’s cultivation challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s demands.
The afternoon combined valuable knowledge with practical, hands-on experience. Visitors were able to walk through our ongoing pepper growbag trial, compare results, and exchange ideas directly in the greenhouse. The atmosphere was lively, with positive reactions from participants who found both the presentations and the trial itself insightful and inspiring.
Sustainability was a key theme. With measures such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) gaining influence, substrate choices will increasingly be judged on their environmental footprint. At the same time, research into the microbiome — the community of microorganisms in the substrate — is opening new possibilities for improving plant health and resilience. Kytos is at the forefront of developing tools to monitor and manage these microbial communities, and we shared how this could become a game changer for growers.
Another important shift we discussed is the move from passive growing media to active substrates that support root health and help plants withstand stress. In our pepper trial, Growbag Advanced has stood out with impressive results in both our own irrigation system and in rockwool systems — producing the highest fruit weight and number of fruits. Its success lies in the precise blend of Greenfibre® and coir, offering excellent water management and control.
We also introduced our Klimaneutral growbag, developed with TerraCoal®. While still in development, it already shows strong performance and has the added benefit of offsetting the CO₂ emissions from its production, packaging, and transport.
For those considering a switch to organic growing, our partners at RHP highlighted that organic substrates require a different approach: understanding pH buffering, mastering moisture dynamics, and adjusting irrigation strategies are key to unlocking their full potential. With our decades of know-how and the dedicated support of our technical service team, we can guide you through every step of this transition — ensuring you get the most out of your organic substrate from day one.
This trial is a unique opportunity to see these developments in action — but time is short. The trial runs only until the end of August, so now is the moment to experience it firsthand.
If you’d like to visit, please reach out to Jesse Clemens for the practical details. For more in-depth technical information, you can contact Jan Vanoverschelde. Whether you’re already using growbags or are considering new solutions for your pepper production, this is your chance to see, learn, and discuss the future of resilient growing.
RELAX! It’s Klasmann-Deilmann — supporting you with reliable, sustainable substrates and innovative solutions to help you grow with confidence.
Contact:
Jesse Clemens,
Jan Vanoverschelde,
