With an intensive farming project for grape vine cultivation in greenhouse, NicoFruit is committed to find new techniques for grape production under controlled environment. 

Have you ever wondered if it is possible to grow grapes in containers? Well, the answer is yes. In this article we present a new success story where Plantlogic solutions prove to be once again the best ally for growers around the world and where our drainage collection pots stand out for their effectiveness in the production of unconventional fruits grown in pots like grapes. 

NicoFruit is an Italian company dedicated to fruit and vegetable production in the south of Italy, and Demetrio Nicodemus, co-owner, spoke exclusively with us to give us his impressions regarding his first project on growing grape vines under a greenhouse in Plantlogic pots. 

Regarding the project main objective, Nicodemus explains: “Part of our objective of growing grapes in a greenhouse using pots is that the plants can grow earlier, which is good because it allows a faster development, and you can get better quality in the product”. 

Although growing grape vines in soil is relatively simple having the knowledge, experience, and adequate infrastructure, the main problem faced by grape growers today is having fertile soil that allows a good development and growth of the plants, which is what led NicoFruit to use Plantlogic technology to produce grapes in substrate.

Regarding this matter, Nicodemus comments: “The soil will always be cheaper than producing in a greenhouse, where the return on investment is longer. However, if you don’t have good fertile soil to produce, growing in pots is definitely the option to choose”. 

The growing container they selected to bring this project to life is our 10-liter drainage collection pot, due to its innovative design developed to maximize drainage and oxygen uptake to maintain healthy roots and plant vigor. One of the most important innovations of this pot is its 100% drainage collection in a central gutter that allows to recirculate or dispose the drainage, preventing environmental impact, as well as maintaining total control of humidity within the greenhouse or macro tunnels. 

It also offers excellent drainage and root oxygenation due to its five central holes that drain into the gutter and its eighteen aeration holes that favor oxygen uptake preventing anaerobic conditions. Its 2.16 in (5.5 cm) high legs prevent root contact with soil, avoiding contact with pathogens. In addition, its wide legs provide great stability even on soft ground. 

Regarding the size of the project and the performance of the pots, Nicodemus explains: “We are using Plantlogic pots for intensive farming inside a one-hectare greenhouse; This translates into more plants per hectare and in being able to accelerate their growth to harvest earlier. 

Generally, a greenhouse is not used to produce grapes and not everyone can grow grapes in a greenhouse, since it is not easy and because you must have deep and precise understanding about grape vine water needs and automate all production processes in a computer-controlled greenhouse.

So far, we have not had any problems with the pot, the plant has developed excellently, and the drainage is very efficient,” says Nicodemus. 

Regarding the yields, NicoFruit co-owner points out: “In soil you have greater quantity of yields, in pot you have less quantity per plant, but you have more plants per hectare, besides that you can harvest a little earlier and therefore give a good price. Currently we’ve placed 15,000 pots in one hectare of greenhouse, while in soil we plant a thousand plants for each hectare, so it would require at least fifteen hectares to have the same number of plants as with the pots”. 

According to Nicodemus, another advantage of growing in pots is that, if tomorrow they decide to stop producing grapes, they can easily switch to producing another type of crop, such as strawberries, using the same pots since the size is perfect and adjusts to their requirements as growers. 

Growing grape vines in Plantlogic pots is yet another success story worth spreading, and further proof that our specialized solutions help drive tomorrow’s agriculture by facilitating production in substrate.  

To learn more about our specialized solutions for production in substrate, at Plantlogic we can guide you in your agricultural project by offering high-value solutions tailored to your needs. Contact us today!