To Order Call Toll Free (877) 454-1131     WHAT IS MagnaFlora™ AND WHAT DOES IT DO? MagnaFlora   Faster Growing - Less time in the Greenhouse   Healthier, stronger plants resist "transport and transplant shock"   Better plant stands because the MagnaFlora plants resist stress   More customer satisfaction because plants and flowers are bigger and more colorful   Better retailer satisfaction as there is less plant mortality and customer complaint MagnaFlora is a granular blend of forty percent corn starch polymer, with increased mycorrhizae, beneficial bacteria and fungi, humic acid and proprietary nutrient ingredients. The reduction in corn starch polymer allows for its use in potted plants without deforming the soil mixture. It is typically used at a rate of 8 lbs of MagnaFlora per cubic yard of soil or potting mix. What is MagnaFlora? MagnaFlora is designed specifically for use in the flower and floral industry. Used at a rate of eight pounds per cubic yard of planting mix, it is very easy to apply during soil mixing. MagnaFlora is a combination of corn starch polymer (which holds water at 200 times its weight), a proprietary blend of nutrients, humic acid, Endomycorrhizal fungi, and selected beneficial microbial inoculants. MagnaFlora is designed to promote fast emergence of seeded crops, promote faster growth of cuttings, reduce “residence time” in the greenhouse, build larger and healthier root systems, reduce transport stress, reduce consumer losses due to “transplant shock”, and improves plant and flower appearance. How does MagnaFlora work? MagnaFlora starts its work at planting. When irrigated, MagnaFlora will absorb water forming gel globules in the planting mix and start the microbial inoculants growing. The hydrated gel acts as an incubator for the microbial inoculants. When the corn starch polymer is hydrated, the proprietary nutrient system will hydrate and become active. The nutrient system will promote microbial growth in the MagnaFlora gel and surrounding soil, while acting as a surfactant on the seed coat. This softens the seed coat allowing moisture to more easily enter the seed and start the germination process. At this early stage, another nutrient, humic acid, will also hydrate and become active. Humic acid promotes the growth of microbial populations while stimulating the seed to germinate. Humic substances provide minor elements and important plant growth factors to the germinating seed powering it to faster germination. When the plant begins to extend roots into the soil, the root is immediately colonized by the microbes. This allows the microbes to begin to form a mutually beneficial relationship with the plant. As a root grows, it exudes material from the tip of the root that is designed to lubricate soil particles allowing the root to penetrate and grow. These exudates are a preferred food for microbes. Microbial growth at the root tip helps expand soil particles and build more lubricants to allow for further penetration of the root into the soil. As the root grows, beneficial microbes colonize along its surface, protecting it from harmful soil microbes, nematodes, and mechanical damage. Endomycorrhizal (VAM) fungi spores are activated in the soil by the nutrient package and the chemical signals sent out by the germinating plant. Mycorrhizae are important to almost every plant. According to Dr. Mike Arranthius at Mycorrhizal Applications, Inc. “The word "mycorrhizae" literally means "fungus-roots" and defines the close mutually beneficial relationship between specialized soil fungi (mycorrhizal fungi) and plant roots. About 95% of the world’s land plants form the mycorrhizal relationship in their native habitats. It is estimated that mycorrhizal fungal filaments explore hundreds to thousands more soil volume compared to roots alone”. By adding Endomycorrhizal (VAM) fungi spores as inoculants, MagnaFlora is bringing the benefits of a renewed population of these important beneficial fungi to grower’s crops. It is MagnaFlora’s combination of selected beneficial microbial inoculants plus VAM fungi spores that is part of the reason we can anticipate significant reduction in fertilizer and water application. By enhancing the soil with microbes and MF’s proprietary nutrient system, we can build root volume that is 30 to 50 percent larger than untreated plants. In addition, the VAM fungi increase the effective root area even more by mining and transporting nutrients and water to the plant’s root system. Mycorrhizae have been shown to attack nematodes, helping to reduce their impact on the plant’s root system. All of this activity causes the plant to grow faster resulting in more uniform plant development. Faster growth is important as it reduces the amount of time it takes to grow the transplant or potted plant. Faster seedling growth means more turn over of greenhouse space resulting in greater potential profit. MagnaFlora grown plants are stronger and resist transplant stress better than conventionally grown plants. This allows the plant to grow faster once it has been transplanted into the soil. Less transplant stress gives consumers better plant stands and better looking plants resulting in customer satisfaction. As the plant continues to grow, the microbes begin to mine the soil for nutrients. Research a few years ago indicated that plants actually exude materials along their root surfaces that feed the microbes in exchange for minerals, enzymes, plant growth factors, and plant growth regulators produced by the microbes. Beneficial microbes protect the plant by attacking pathogenic microbes, shielding the roots from attack by nematodes, and providing carbon structures that can be used by the plant to repair injured tissues. Beneficial bacteria and beneficial fungi play a vital role in plant health. Most commercial agricultural soils have been depleted of beneficial bacteria and beneficial fungi. Over fertilization, soil compaction, intensive cropping without proper crop rotation, and over use of fungicides and pesticides have all contributed to the decline of a healthy microbial balance in the soil. MagnaFlora addresses this problem by including essential beneficial microbes in its system. The better the root system works the better the crop. An efficient root system maximizes input efficiency and reduces costs. Using MagnaFlora requires that the greenhouse grower give some special attention to his cultural program. Usually, it requires a grower to cut back on fertilizer and reduce irrigation. It is a case where the grower needs to realize he will need to do less to get better results and increased profits.