Scotts Professional Horticulture

MARYSVILLE, OHIO (June 2, 2009) — Growers have long recognized the Osmocote family of controlled release fertilizers from Scotts Professional as one of the fundamentals for a sound nutritional program. Since introducing Osmocote, Scotts researchers have kept working on new and improved generations to help growers produce the best possible crops. Now, Scotts Professional has launched a new Web site exclusively for its Osmocote product line at www.OsmocoteIsBest.com.

Chris Buchheit, ornamental horticulture marketing manager for Scotts Professional, says that the new Osmocote Web site is designed to help growers quickly and easily learn which Osmocote product best suits their needs. "There are distinct differences between the various types of controlled release fertilizer on the market today," Buchheit said. "Scotts Professional developed OsmocoteIsBest.com as a way to help growers quickly and easily learn about the technology that goes into every bag of Osmocote fertilizer."

The new Web site includes updated product sheets, testimonials, usage tips and application rates for the entire Osmocote product line—Osmocote® Classic, Osmocote® Pro and Osmocote® Plus. The site also features valuable information about other nutrition products from Scotts Professional, including micronutrients, slow release fertilizer, topdress fertilizers, fertilizer tablets and Canadian formulations.

A particularly intriguing element of the new Web site is a video demonstrating the unique Scotts Patterned Nutrient Release Technology™ that takes Osmocote Plus, Scotts Professional’s third generation Osmocote product, beyond the scope of traditional controlled release fertilizers. "Controlled release fertilizers are designed to feed plants a consistent rate throughout the growth cycle," Buchheit added. "However, some plants feed more heavily early in the growth cycle, and others feed more heavily later on. The video at OsmocoteIsBest.com demonstrates how the patterned release of Osmocote Plus makes it possible for growers to coordinate the delivery of nutrients with a plant’s specific feeding habits."

An Osmocote Plus prill contains N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), magnesium and micronutrients. Water vapor is absorbed into the prill through the patented polymer coating and dissolves the fertilizer inside. When the temperature is warm and plants are in active growth, the coating expands, allowing more fertilizer to be released. When it’s cold, the prill releases less fertilizer. However, according to Fred Hulme, Ph.D., director of technical services for Scotts Professional, the patterned nutrient release of Osmocote Plus is based upon more than just temperature.

"Osmocote Plus contains four types of homogeneous prills differentiated by the thickness of their polymer coatings," Hulme explained. "The thickness of the coating, along with temperature, controls when nutrients are released, as well as the product’s longevity. The thinner the coating, the faster the release; the thicker the coating, the slower the release and the longer each prill will continue to release nutrients."

Osmocote Plus is available in three different patterns—Hi-Start®, Standard® and Lo-Start®—and in longevities from three to fourteen months to suit the needs of just about any crop.

• Hi-Start releases an extra boost of early nutrition best suited for spring canning/topdressing, fast growing species, heavy feeders and spring-summer feeding species. Hi-Start is also a good choice for annuals, perennials and short-term crops requiring larger amounts of fertility in the first part of their growth cycle.
• Standard releases a steady source of nutrition throughout the growth cycle that’s right for general purpose use, spring canning, short-term propagation or base feed in a combination Coated Fertilizer/Liquid Feed program.
• Lo-Start releases an extra boost of nutrition later for fall canning when more fertilizer release is desired in the following spring. Lo-Start works well for long-term propagation, bare root plants shifted to container production, and summer or fall feeders.

Osmocote was the first controlled release fertilizer on the market, and Scotts has continually refined and improved its technology by building new coating lines and including controlled release micronutrients. As a result, plant nutrition is now even more efficient, less wasteful and more closely in tune with plant growth.

Check out www.OsmocoteIsBest.com to learn more about the many reasons why the Osmocote family of controlled release fertilizers offers the most consistent performance and outstanding results, year after year. For more information about the many other outstanding fertilizer and plant protection products offered by Scotts Professional, visit www.scottspro.com.

About Scotts Miracle-Gro:

With more than $2.9 billion in worldwide sales and more than 6,000 associates, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Scotts Company LLC, is the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care, with products for professional horticulture as well. The Company’s brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company’s Scotts®, Miracle-Gro® and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. The Company also owns Smith & Hawken, a leading brand of garden-inspired products that includes pottery, watering equipment, gardening tools, outdoor furniture and live goods, and Morning Song, a leading brand in the wild bird food market. In Europe, the Company’s brands include Weedol®, Pathclear®, Evergreen®, Levington®, Miracle-Gro®, KB®, Fertiligene® and Substral®. For additional information, visit us at www.scotts.com.