- by Agronomist Mike Wainwright
Hortifeeds enjoyed a remarkably successful day at the recent Fruit Focus trade show at Bradbourne House in Kent.
The team engaged enthusiastically with both new and long-standing customers, discussing their wide range of fertilisers and biostimulants, and providing expert advice on boosting fruit crop yields and quality. We made some excellent contacts and had valuable discussions about the current growing season and plans for the year ahead.
This year’s event was very well organised, with a more compact layout that made it easier for both exhibitors and visitors to navigate. Visitors were enthusiastic about our promotional giveaways, and the show provided an excellent opportunity to reconnect with the industry and discuss the latest developments in horticulture.
Hortifeeds participated in the BASIS ‘Knowledge Trail’. This initiative allowed visitors to earn valuable CPD points by answering challenging questions on plant nutrition and fertigation of soft fruit. The Hortifeeds team facilitated these discussions, with many participants finding the exercise both beneficial and informative.
A special highlight was the presentation at the Agronomy Stage by Mike Wainwright, who discussed the advantages of the new Hortifeeds photosynthesis boosting product HortiSynthesis. HortiSynthesis is an exclusive MTU biostimulant developed from a formulation that has delivered outstanding results in arable crops for several years. Now available for the horticulture sector through Hortifeeds, it is designed to enhance photosynthetic efficiency, strengthen plant resilience, and drive increases in yield and crop quality. HortiSynthesis improves both the rate and efficiency of photosynthesis, helping plants convert light into energy more effectively for stronger, faster growth. This increased photosynthetic activity raises cellular sugar levels, boosting productivity throughout the season.
The relentlessly hot weather for much of the summer was a popular topic of conversation. Irrigation systems having been at full stretch to keep up with demand. Even relatively new irrigation lines will have discrepancies in dripper efficiency leading to weaker plants and reduced productivity. As drippers age, the evenness of fertigation delivery reduces further, and this is when surfactant wetting agents can help to mitigate this issue. Hortifeeds industry leading HortiHydrate Pro, a high-performance synthetic wetting agent using reverse block co-polymers, is formulated using the very latest surfactant technology. HortiHydrate Pro will optimise growing conditions reducing uneven substrate moisture, improving production efficiency. HortiHydrate Pro lowers the surface tension of all growing medias, allowing uniform wetting. By creating an improved moisture profile, crops have better access to more nutrients and productivity is increased.
Consult Hortifeeds for further information.
Upcoming Events:
Four Oaks show – stand C79-80, introducing a new range of products ideal for peat-free growing media.
Peat Free Pathway Lunch Event – October 2026
National Fruit Show – 4th November, showcasing Hortifeeds latest innovations and engaging with industry leaders and fruit growers.
BOA Poinsettia Conference – 19th November 2026
RHS 4th Sustainable Horticulture Conference – 26th November 2026
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