Advice

Hybrid fertilisation: small change, big impact

Mineral fertilisers continue to play a central role in professional crop production. At the same time, growers are increasingly looking for more sustainable fertilisation methods without compromising yield. How do you combine maximum plant quality with care for the soil and the environment? The answer is hybrid fertilisation: a smart combination of mineral and organic nutrients. This approach increases plant resilience, stabilises crop development and provides greater peace of mind during periods of stress.

Greater crop stability and stronger plants

Every grower aims for uniform growth, consistent plant development without peaks or dips, and minimal crop losses. Critical moments, such as regrowth after potting or periods of extreme or highly variable weather, largely determine the final result.

At those moments, one factor is crucial: resilience. Plants must be able to recover without growth stagnation or setbacks and maintain their quality until delivery.

The good news: there’s no need to abandon your mineral fertilisation strategy. By gradually introducing organic fertilisers into a hybrid approach, even small changes can already deliver noticeable results.

Why adding an organic component makes the difference

Your fertilisation strategy directly influences the quality of your planting material. Many professional programs combine base fertilisation with supplementary fertigation. Partially replacing mineral with organic nutrients further strengthens this system because it:

increases natural plant resistance
stimulates root development
reduces nutrient leaching
activates and supports soil life

The result: more stable growth and fewer corrective interventions.

How to apply hybrid fertilisation in practice

How can you shift from purely mineral fertilisers to a more organic way of supporting your crops? This transition can be made easily and step by step. → Start by partially replacing your existing mineral fertiliser with an organic fertiliser that has an extra-long-lasting effect such as DCM ECOR® 5. The exact replacement rate depends on your crop, substrate and production planning. Contact one of our DCM experts for tailored product advice for your crop.

When do you see the greatest effect?

Hybrid fertilisation proves its added value especially at times when plants are most vulnerable, namely during the stages in which fluctuations can cause the most damage :

during initial growth or regrowth after potting
during periods of stress (heat, wet spells, changeable weather)
in the delivery phase, where quality must be maintained without triggering excessive growth

Practical results: trial at Streng Growers

A practical trial at Streng Growers nursery in Boskoop (The Netherlands) evaluated hybrid fertilisation in pot cultivation using peat-free substrate. After four growing cycles using DCM ECOR® 5, the grower reported high satisfaction with the growth and uniformity of Passiflora. In a second crop (Gaultheria), the combination of DCM ECOR-FOS® and DCM VIVISOL® already delivered a clear improvement in crop results and plant quality after just one cycle.

View the detailed trial results here.

Passiflora met reguliere bemesting

Passiflora met hybride bemesting

Such practical trials show that even a partial replacement of mineral fertilisers can deliver visible results.

View the detailed trial results here.

Technical advantages for professional crops

Hybrid fertilisation is effective because mineral and organic fertilisers complement and reinforce each other:

complementary release profiles of mineral and organic nutrients
nutrient release according to plant requirements
more uniform distribution in the substrate
lower EC peaks
more efficient water and nutrient uptake
little to no need for liquid corrective applications

For growers, this means in concrete terms: fewer fluctuations, reduced crop loss, and lower labour requirements.

A hybrid fertilisation approach tailored to your business

Hybrid fertilisation can be implemented in many ways. The simplest first step is to partially replace your current fertilisation programme with an organic component. This allows you to evaluate the impact without making major changes to your production planning.

For container crops, implementation is particularly easy: organic fertilisers can be mixed directly into potting soil or substrate without additional workflow adjustments. This can be done by your substrate supplier or during potting at your own nursery.

To measure is to know: small change, big result

Hybrid fertilisation does not require a drastic change, yet it delivers measurable benefits:

more stable growth
fewer fertilisation adjustments
greater crop uniformity
higher quality saleable plants

For a professional grower like you, this ultimately means one thing above all: fewer concerns and greater predictability.

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Brief Summary

Hybrid fertilisation combines mineral and organic fertilisers to ensure a balanced nutrient supply while enhancing soil life and strengthening plant resilience.

Because it results in more resilient plants, fewer growth fluctuations, and a more stable cultivation process, especially during periods of stress such as heat or wet conditions.

By partially replacing your current fertilisation programme with an organic component, without the need for making major changes to your work planning.