The 2024 Plug Connect Conference was packed with discussions among which the panel session of four industry experts — Chris Rocheleau, Don Spence, Chris Fifo, and Nathan Sell— debating whether growers should propagate their own liners. The panelists' responses were touching on passion, the challenges of maintaining stock plants, sourcing material, and crop types. However, the discussion ultimately narrowed down to three essential capabilities every grower must have to succeed according to MGN Liners: Infrastructure, planning and technical expertise.
Infrastructure
According to the MGN Liners team, liners can be propagated from seeds, cuttings, or tissue culture, and each method requires dedicated infrastructure to maintain optimal environmental conditions. This includes managing heat, light and shade, ventilation, and humidity. "As liners progress through germination, rooting, growing, and toning stages, adjustments in environmental conditions or even moving plants between spaces may be necessary." A unanimous takeaway from the panel was the importance of bottom heat, regardless of the region in the continental U.S. as it is "critical" for successful propagation.
Planning
At MGN Liners they believe that planning is one of the most challenging yet vital aspects of growing your own liners: "While many growers prefer working directly with plants and teams, effective planning ensures you meet critical crop windows and avoid missed sales opportunities. Growing liners adds complexity to this process. A grower who pots for 30 weeks a year must also plan liner production for an additional 30 weeks, effectively doubling the scope and time required for planting and scheduling."
Technical expertise
They add that even with infrastructure and planning in place, the final hurdle is growing quality liners that thrive in the field when transplanted to finish containers, with the skills required depending on the species and varieties being propagated, as well as the propagation method (seeds, cuttings, or tissue culture).
"At MGN Liners, 95% of our plants are grown using our in-house tissue culture lab, with a small percentage sourced internationally. Tissue-cultured plants, in particular, require expert handling during the critical first 2–3 weeks in the greenhouse, where humidity control is essential to mitigate transplant shock."
Growing your own liners?
Growing your own liners is a significant undertaking requiring investment in infrastructure, meticulous planning, and technical knowledge, the MGN Liners team emphasizes. "If you're up for the challenge, these three must-haves will be your foundation for success. However, if you prefer to focus on growing finished containers, MGN Liners is here to support you. Our expertly propagated liners can help streamline your process, save time, and improve profitability," they conclude.
For more information:
MGN Liners
www.mgnliners.com