September 2024 - 34

BIG GROWER
to the product assortment comes down to how it fits in
with the overall mix.
" We always want to know what needs a product will
serve for our customers, " James said. " Much of the
feedback we look for is based on timing and performance
in specific parts of the U.S. "
TECH TALK
At James Greenhouses, innovation is essential, and
the owners are big believers in bringing in new tools and
technology that can help the operation.
For instance, the company utilizes mist booms, under
bench hot water heat, sub-irrigation, naturally ventilated
houses and computerized environmental controls. New
programs like predatory mites and LED lighting were
Liveroof brand greenroof modules with a mixture of
succulents, perennials and grasses.
designed to keep quality up and costs down.
" The largest single impact is software automation, "
James said. " Our current system, Picas, allows for orders
to come in automatically and for corresponding inputs to
be purchased in a similar manner. It takes an enormous
amount of setup, but once working, we only have to
manage exceptions. It works extremely well and has easily
allowed us to take on more business than we thought
possible for our size. "
When bringing in new technology, James looks for
" Our most intensive efforts
are focused on reducing
the use of conventional
pesticides. "
- Ken James
versatility.
" We've always utilized automated environmental
controls, which allow us to provide unique environments
for different stages of liner production, " he said. " In
production, we continue to invest in soil handling
equipment, which allows us to use bulk soil, 2-yard bags
and compressed towers. Almost everything we grow
requires at least one pinch, so we utilize two automated
shearing machines. They ensure well-branched liners that
require less PGR and chemical inputs. "
Additionally, the greenhouse utilizes two automated
Ellepot production lines. Two (rather than four to six)
people can comfortably produce 100,000 stabilized media
plugs on a normal day. It has reduced labor, lead time and
material storage costs dramatically. Plus, waste is low as
trays are always fresh and ready to use.
SUSTAINABLE MINDSET
When it comes to sustainability efforts, James
Greenhouses has a simple goal - use less. This applies to
pesticides, water and energy.
" Our most intensive efforts are focused on reducing
the use of conventional pesticides, " James said. " We
use seven predatory insects to combat various pests
throughout the growing process. It takes considerably
more management to operate this way and the materials
cost is similar to the conventional approach, but the
results are undeniable. "
34
SEPTEMBER 2024 BIG GROWER

September 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2024

Table of Contents
Editor's Report | Strolling through flowers and favorites
Inventory Management | Mitigating shrink
Trends | Blossoming innovations
Variety Information | Captivating combos
Plant Health | Plant breeding and pest management
Trial Garden Report | Brilliant blooms in North Carolina
Big Grower | Growing to a higher standard
Big Grower | Product Showcase
Great Lakes EXPO | Connecting innovation and education at the Great Lakes EXPO
Forty Under 40 Perspectives | Local propagation is the future
Culture Report | Rex begonia
Product Marketplace
Classifieds/Ad Index
September 2024 - 1
September 2024 - 2
September 2024 - Table of Contents
September 2024 - Editor's Report | Strolling through flowers and favorites
September 2024 - 5
September 2024 - Inventory Management | Mitigating shrink
September 2024 - 7
September 2024 - 8
September 2024 - 9
September 2024 - 10
September 2024 - 11
September 2024 - Trends | Blossoming innovations
September 2024 - 13
September 2024 - 14
September 2024 - 15
September 2024 - 16
September 2024 - 17
September 2024 - Variety Information | Captivating combos
September 2024 - 19
September 2024 - 20
September 2024 - 21
September 2024 - Plant Health | Plant breeding and pest management
September 2024 - 23
September 2024 - 24
September 2024 - 25
September 2024 - 26
September 2024 - 27
September 2024 - Trial Garden Report | Brilliant blooms in North Carolina
September 2024 - 29
September 2024 - Big Grower | Growing to a higher standard
September 2024 - 31
September 2024 - 32
September 2024 - 33
September 2024 - 34
September 2024 - Big Grower | Product Showcase
September 2024 - Great Lakes EXPO | Connecting innovation and education at the Great Lakes EXPO
September 2024 - 37
September 2024 - Forty Under 40 Perspectives | Local propagation is the future
September 2024 - 39
September 2024 - Culture Report | Rex begonia
September 2024 - 41
September 2024 - 42
September 2024 - 43
September 2024 - Product Marketplace
September 2024 - 45
September 2024 - 46
September 2024 - 47
September 2024 - 48
September 2024 - 49
September 2024 - Classifieds/Ad Index
September 2024 - 51
September 2024 - 52
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/new-varieties-digital-guide-2025
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/september-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/august-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/july-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/june-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/may-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/april-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/march-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/february-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/january-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/2024-guide-to-cannabis-production
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/november-december-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/october-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/new-varieties-digital-guide-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/september-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/august-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/july-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-july-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/june-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/may-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/april-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-april-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/2023-guide-to-hemp-production
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/march-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/february-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-january-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/january-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/2023-guide-to-cannabis-production
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/november-december-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-october-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/october-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/gpn-new-varieties-digital-guide-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/september-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/august-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-july-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/july-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/june-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/may-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-april-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/april-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/march-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/february-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/cannabisguide-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/hempguide-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/newvarieties-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-january-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/january-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/december-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-november-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/november-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/october-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-september-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/september-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/august-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-july-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/july-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/june-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/may-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/april-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-march-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/march-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/february-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/cannabisguide-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/hempguide-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/newvarieties-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-january-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/january-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/december-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-november-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/november-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/october-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-september-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/september-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/august-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-july-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/july-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/june-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/may-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/april-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/californiaspringtrials-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-march-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/march-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/february-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/cannabisguide-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/hempguide-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-january-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/january-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/december-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-november-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/november-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/october-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-september-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/september-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/august-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-july-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/july-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/june-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/may-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/april-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/californiaspringtrials-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-march-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/march-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/february-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/undercontrol-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/big-grower-january-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/GPN/january-2019
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