Learn how Lion Plants (Fishtoft) Ltd ensures healthy, uniform vegetable crops through proactive early root-zone protection. This case study highlights the benefits of Verimark® in achieving consistent plant quality and supporting customer success.
As the horticultural sector faces rising agronomic challenges and increased expectations for crop quality, proactive early-stage pest control is more critical than ever for ensuring healthy and uniform vegetable crops.
For nurseries like Lion Plants (Fishtoft) Ltd, early root-zone protection against pests is the key to producing consistent vegetable plants that meet customer demands for uniformity and profitability.
Lion Plants – a family-run business
Lion Plants (Fishtoft) Ltd is a family-run nursery based in Fishtoft, Lincolnshire, known for its expertise in growing high-quality vegetable plants.
Established in the mid-1960s by John and Ann Woods, the business originally focused on producing peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Over the years, the company has evolved to meet changing industry demands, expanding into the brassica transplant module sector in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The Woods family has also been farming in Fishtoft for five generations, alongside the nursery. They farm wheat as a break crop and lease out land for potatoes and field vegetables, specifically cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, calabrese, and purple sprouting broccoli.
These crops are grown for the nursery’s module supply, helping to sustain both farming and nursery operations.
Today, the nursery is managed by son John Woods, who leads the business alongside his wife, Jo, and a dedicated team of staff.
The company operates across six acres of glasshouses and produces an impressive 100 million vegetable plants annually, including cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, calabrese, and purple sprouting broccoli.
Lion Plants’ long-standing history in the industry and commitment to quality have made them a trusted supplier to growers across the UK.
The importance of root-zone protection
At Lion Plants, early root-zone protection is a key practice to guarantee that vegetable plants thrive from the start.
John Woods explains that ensuring healthy root systems is essential for plant growth and development. Without proper early protection, pests such as cabbage root fly, aphids, and caterpillars can damage the plants, leading to costly replanting and uneven crops.
“Our job gets harder every year,” says John. “From Brexit and Covid to the challenges posed by changing weather patterns, we’re in a completely different world now compared to when my parents started the business.”
Given the increasing demands of customers, who now use automated planting systems, the plants supplied must be more uniform and compatible with machine operations.
To meet these demands, precision growing techniques are essential to ensure that the plants perform well once planted in the field.
The role of Verimark® in pest control
One of the most effective products for early pest control used at Lion Plants is Verimark® (200 g/L cyantraniliprole) a diamide insecticide from FMC UK.
Verimark® offers targeted control of cabbage root fly, a common pest in brassica crops, while also providing incidental control of aphids and caterpillars.
It is applied through an automated boom system at 15ml per 1,000 plants just before the plants leave the nursery, ensuring maximum protection at the point when the plants are most vulnerable.
“By applying the treatment this way, we can efficiently protect a large number of plants in a small area. This method is far more effective than foliar sprays in the field, as it eliminates waste on bare soil and removes the need for sprayers, fuel, and additional labour,” says John.
He explains the value of Verimark®: “When we first used Verimark® in 2016, an experienced agronomist described it as the most exciting product to come into the brassica industry. A decade later, it is even more important in today’s challenging environment.”
Verimark® is a suspension concentrate containing cyantraniliprole, which is absorbed rapidly by the plant’s roots and transported throughout the plant via systemic activity.
This provides consistent, prompt crop protection that helps prevent pest damage from the outset.
The challenges of weather and crop planning
Although growing under glass offers some protection from the elements, the weather still plays a significant role in crop development.
In recent years, John has seen firsthand how unpredictable weather, such as extended wet or dry periods, can impact plant production schedules.
In 2024, the wettest start to the year on record caused delays in planting, which affected their production timelines and caused space issues for subsequent crops.
Similarly, the dry, hot weather of the previous year posed challenges for both the nursery and their customers, stressing the importance of precise planning and adaptability.
To meet customer demands, the nursery works closely with clients to plan the planting schedule for the year ahead.
This includes specifying the types of plants, pest control products to be used, and delivery timelines. For example, spring-sown crops are seeded in February to meet the early planting requirements of customers in March.
By carefully timing the application of root-zone protection products like Verimark®, Lion Plants can ensure that plants go on to perform well in the field.
As John explains, “We apply root drenches just prior to plants leaving the glasshouse. Timing the application right before planting ensures that growers get the most out of the product, maximising its effectiveness.”
A competitive advantage through early protection
With margins on fresh vegetables becoming increasingly tight, even small improvements in crop performance can make a significant difference to profitability.
Early root-zone protection allows nurseries like Lion Plants to offer healthier plants, giving growers the best chance for a successful crop.
“Quality and uniformity have been paramount ever since we started producing ‘modules’ for others to grow on,” says John.
“Now, more than ever, ensuring our plants are as healthy as possible when they leave the nursery is crucial for helping our customers succeed.”