MARLO SEEDLING NURSERY
Marlo Seedling Nursery was established in 1986 when Anette de Wet realised the need to grow seedlings for farmers in Limpopo.
Seedlings are grown in order by farmers in surrounding areas as well as the whole of Limpopo. Seedlings are transported to the farmers all over Limpopo province. Orders need to be placed eight weeks to three months in advance, depending on what seedling will be cultivated.
We grow tobacco, tomatoes, green, red and yellow capsicums, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, pumpkins, cantaloupe and Piquanté Peppers to name a few.
METICULOUS SOWING AT
MARLO SEEDLING NURSERY
The planting of certain seedlings is done by controlled sowing machines that first fills a seedling tray with growing medium, then presses an indention hole in the medium, and thereafter waters it to get the growing process started.
A healthy root system and hardy stem ensure the plant will survive and adapt to the new environment it will be planted in.
EXPERT GROWERS AT
MARLO SEEDLING NURSERY
At Marlo Seedling Nursery we are constantly striving to improve the standard of seedlings we deliver and pride ourselves in being the experts in growing seedlings in South Africa.
Our greenhouses are laid out in a manner that ensures optimal workflow, all the greenhouses have concrete floors and each one has a responsible worker tending to the plants. Strict access to the nursery is enforced to prevent the spread of disease by external factors.
We form part of the regulatory body - ‘Seedling Growers Associating of South Africa’; a non-profit organisation that represents commercial seedling growers in the country. By being affiliated with them, we must comply with certain standards and regulations to produce top class seedlings and by following best hygiene practices and procedures.
Marlo Seedling Nursery consists of about 136 workers - depending on the season, mostly women who have years of nursery experience.
SUSTAINABLE GROWTH TECHNIQUES
AT MARLO SEEDLING NURSERY
Part of growing sustainable seedlings that are grown and produced as needed has led us to create a trial area where we test the various types of seedlings and cultivars. This practice also allows us to diagnose any problems with seedlings that are not coping well with their new environment.
In March 2018, we had our first ‘Farmers Day’ where nearly 300 farmers and delegates from associate companies of the nursery attended. Here we introduced them to the different varieties of crops grown in our trial area.
We follow best practice protocols such as recycling our soil, by adding it to our compost heaps for later use, in other farming practices, and by not using any harsh pesticides in the nursery. Adhering to these guidelines results in us delivering some of the best quality seedlings in the country.
Future farming techniques have led one of our long-time managers, Tinus Sonnenberg, to develop systems specifically for the wellbeing of our plants. Our seeds are kept in a temperature-controlled germination room and get sterilized before planting. A watering system and a pesticide administrator system ensures that we do not under or over water, as well as administer the correct amount of pesticides that will not compromise the growth or yield of the new plants.
EXPERTS IN TOBACCO GROWING
AT MARLO SEEDLING NURSERY
We sow millions of tobacco seeds annually at Marlo Seedling Nursery and are experts in growing tobacco seedlings in South Africa. These seeds are extremely small, an average of 12000 seeds per gram.
Strict rules disallow anyone who uses tobacco products like snuff or cigarettes from entering the nursery, to prevent the spread of tobacco mosaic virus.
MEET OUR PARTNER
We’d like to hear from you… contact us at Marlo Seedling Nursery with any questions or comments.