View full trial documentation and photos here
In response to the growing trend for peat-free substrates, especially in Europe, as part of the pursuit of a cleaner and more sustainable future, we conducted a trial using Danziger’s Scaevola as the test crop.
The trial included varieties from both the Blessing and Touch series, with 4 GTY (Growers Trial Year) varieties among them.
A total of 12 varieties were tested, with 8 plants per variety per treatment group (96 plants per group).
The two soil types tested were RAM 132 and a coconut-based mix, both supplied by Tuff Marom Golan.
Soils composition:
- Coconut based-100% coconut
- Ram 132-50% Peat, 30% coconut, 10% styrofoam, 10% other.
Growing process for both soils:
| Week number | Action |
| 3 | Sticking |
| 7 | Planting |
| 9 | PGR spray – 1gr\L ALAR |
| 12 | PGR spray – 1gr\L ALAR |
| 17 | Ready To Sell |
** Same irrigation Method and doses – no additional irrigation needed.
Results:
In general, no significant differences were observed between the two groups.
Both received identical treatments in terms of PGR, irrigation, growing time, and environmental conditions (planted simultaneously).
The only noticeable difference was plant size: The peat-free (coconut-based) group produced slightly larger plants across all tested varieties –with the effect being most prominent in the Blessing series.
Additionally, plants grown in the peat-free soil appeared slightly healthier, with denser foliage compared to those grown in the peat-based substrate.
