At the University of Cundinamarca in Fusagasug\u00e1, Colombia, agricultural engineer Susel Andrea Mart\u00ednez is on a mission to grow superior tomato varieties in the country\u2019s San Bernardo region.<\/p>\n
Nestled between R\u00e1quira and Tinjac\u00e1, the university\u2019s greenhouse operation sits at 2,400 meters above sea level and primarily cultivates tomatoes\u2013including the classic San Marzano variety often used for sauces, pastas, and creams.<\/p>\n
After experiencing issues like pathogens and harmful microorganisms with previous crops, Mart\u00ednez turned to Jiffy\u2019s growing solutions to support the university\u2019s horticultural operations over the past two seasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere, we had very clay-ey soils with high electrical conductivity (EC), saline soils, and, in addition, hydrophobic soils,\u201d Mart\u00ednez says. Jiffy\u2019s hydroponic Growbags, which arrive dry and compressed hydrated<\/s>, disinfected, and inoculated with beneficial<\/s> free of weeds, plant pathogens\u00a0 and insects, seemed like the perfect solution.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy switching to Jiffy technology, we have noticed an improvement in the quality of the product, as it is much easier to manage,\u201d she says. Using a drip irrigation system with compensated emitters along with the Growbags, Mart\u00ednez adds that the team now has better control with fertilization and nutrition.<\/p>\n
Mart\u00ednez found other benefits, too, including improvement in labor management,\u201d she says. \u201cIt helps us significantly, for example, with weed control.\u201d<\/p>\n
She adds that the spacing of the Jiffy Growbags allow the plants to be more exposed, and workers can more easily navigate around the foliage to conduct weeding and pruning activities.<\/p>\n
So far, Mart\u00ednez has recognized marked improvement in crops grown with Growbags compared to the previous soil-grown crops.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the first cycle, we achieved a production rate of 9.1 kilos per plant, above the current average in the area,\u201d she says. Not only were the tomatoes getting higher yields, but they also saw a significant increase in quality. The team no longer has to use herbicides, and they have significantly reduced their reliance on pesticides to keep pests and diseases at bay. Plus, the Growbags have been reused in subsequent crop cycles, layering on another benefit.<\/p>\n
Overall this has made the switch to Jiffy consistently economically profitable for the team, Mart\u00ednez says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis technology is worth using, implementing, and learning,\u201d Mart\u00ednez says. \u201cWe do not regret our investment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Editor\u2019s note: Quotes by Susel Andrea Mart\u00ednez have been translated to English from Spanish.<\/em><\/p>\n The Jiffy Growbag is the most powerful multipurpose growing medium available on the market today. With a vast range of options in terms of drainage, porosity, and format, you are sure to find the perfect Growbag for your needs.<\/p>\n All Jiffy Growbags are available in Finesse<\/a> \u2013 our famed premium quality, and Essence<\/a> \u2013 our budget choice.<\/p>\n They are available in a standard grow bag format as well as a typical container format (EFBags)<\/a>, with different substrate recipe options \u2013 High Yield<\/a>, Husk Chip<\/a>, 50-50<\/a>, and Peat-Free<\/a>.<\/p>\n All Jiffy Growbags contain 100% coco substrate, an eco-friendly substrate with no disposability issues. They are supplied from our own plant in Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n The Growbags are available in a wide range of configurations, with or without pre-cut planting and drainage holes, to suit your greenhouse or horticulture practices. Compressed and light, they are easy to transport and store.<\/p>\n Once put into use, Jiffy Growbags can last multiple cultivation cycles and are great for clean plant production.<\/p>\n To learn more about Jiffy Growbags, visit our Growbags product page<\/a> and download our Growbags brochure<\/a>.<\/p>\n Jiffy\u2019s Growblocks complement Jiffy Growbags nicely in horticultural production.<\/p>\n The all-in-one medium and container: the Jiffy Growblock is the number one choice for all cut-flower and vegetable growers using hydroponic systems, greenhouses or other nursery applications.<\/p>\n And thanks to air-pruning, better temperature control, and versatility, Jiffy Growblocks create healthier, stronger plants in many greenhouses around the world.<\/p>\n For the manufacturing of all Jiffy Growblocks, we use polylactic acid (PLA) netting, which is a corn starch alternative to plastic. PLA netting is a lightweight, fine-fibre web which is biodegradable and compostable under controlled industrial conditions.<\/p>\nA Deeper Dive Into Jiffy\u2019s Growbag Solutions<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Jiffy Growblocks, The Perfect Pairing to Jiffy Growbags<\/strong><\/h2>\n