Welcome!

A joint symposium of Commission II of the International Peat Society (IPS) and the Dutch National Committee of IPS. This symposium is recognized by the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS).
Traditionally, the Symposium will take place one day before the well-known International Horti Fair, which is held from 12-15 October 2010. The symposium is subtitled

‘Life in Growing Media’

Physical and chemical characteristics of growing media have been studied by many these past decades. Less attention has been given to biological, in particular, microbiological properties although fungi, bacteria and other organisms which can occur in growing media i.e. nematodes and sciarid fly larvae can have a strong impact on horticultural crops. Such organisms may be beneficial, hazardous or indifferent to the crops we grow, the environment or human health. For these reasons we need to better understand the biological side of our growing media.
In the past, Commission II of the International Peat Society (IPS) and the Dutch National Committee of IPS (Nederlands Veengenootschap) have organized a number of symposia on peat in horticulture with specific topics which have attracted experts from near and far. With great pleasure we can announce that also the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) is recognizing this symposium.

This symposium is particularly interesting for:

• peat and growing media producers;
• microbiologists;
• growing media quality managers;
• researchers in the fields of growing media;
• suppliers of growing media constituents and additives;
• experts from quality assurance organizations
• and growers interested in what life in growing media is all about.

This symposium will be held at the NOVOTEL Amsterdam City, Amsterdam. Being a metropolis, Amsterdam is easy to get to from anywhere.

In May or June an announcement will be sent out and published on this website, containing details of the complete program together with a registration form, however, pre-registration is possible from now on.