Standout products for growers at the Four Oaks Trade Show
The RobCam pest detector and counter available from Brinkman UK. Winning the Technical Excellence Award at the Four Oaks Trade Show (2-3 September), the equipment comprises a rotating sticky trap plus camera, and scouts for a multitude of pests and beneficials, which are then identified by AI.
RCS® 2.0 is a new propagation system that roots cuttings in biodegradable, cellulose-based paper bags — no peat, no soil, no substrate needed. Shown by Selecta-One UK and highly commended in the awards, RCS 2.0 delivers the strong performance of conventional substrate propagation, but significantly reduces environmental impact.
Also with a propagation theme, SilviBio launched the Propa Start range of peat-free propagation substrates. Made from 100% UK-sourced materials — forestry byproducts and sheep wool — Propa Start is engineered for mechanical handling. No binders, polymers or sugars are required.
For decades, growers have searched for alternatives to plastic plant pots. Introduced by Proptek, CoolPots and CoolTrays use an eco-friendly, biobased polymer called Coolfilm to seal a paper pot that can be home composted or recycled with cardboard. In 2026, trials have shown that the CoolPot will last up to 10 weeks in a retail setting.
New from Don Kwiat, the 7.5-litre Blueberry Pot is built to boost harvest while keeping things sustainable. It is made from recycled plastic and is fully recyclable.
With drought declared in many regions this summer, growers went to Four Oaks to find solutions to water issues and the heat. LS Systems reported enquiries about its water tanks, which are constructed from cold-rolled galvanised steel. Capacities range from 1,600 to more than 865,000 litres.