When Extreme Weather Disrupts the Plant Supply Chain

Why Substrate Properties Matter in Winter Crop Production

Severe weather affects every step of the supply chain. Its consequences often hit growers fast and hard:

• Missed delivery windows disrupt carefully planned production cycles.
• Duplicate lots may arrive simultaneously when transportation resumes after a delay, overwhelming benches and transplant crews.
• Heat stressed or cold damaged plants can collapse days after arrival if not handled properly.
• Extended time in boxes or trucks causes stretching, yellowing, dehydration, or ethylene injury.
• Hurricanes or storms can cut off access to materials entirely, leaving growers with gaps in planting schedules.
• Humidity spikes, stress and tissue damage create perfect conditions for Botrytis, Pythium, and other pathogens.

Step #1

Assess incoming trays and cuttings immediately

Plants exposed to temperature extremes or extended transit can show symptoms such as wilting, stretching, scorching, or cold injury. Upon arrival:

• Unpack and inspect everything as soon as possible.
• Identify which trays or cuttings appear normal and which show stress.
• Document issues (with pictures) for suppliers or brokers in case claims are needed.
• Separate compromised trays so they can receive special handling.

Step #2

Adjust Cultural Practices for Stressed Plants

Weather impacted plants will not respond the same way as healthy material. To support recovery, do the following:

• Check substrate moisture; avoid overwatering cold stressed plants and rehydrate heat stressed plants gradually.
• Reduce light intensity temporarily if plants show signs of shock or wilt.
• Use moderated irrigation cycles and avoid heavy fertilization until growth stabilizes.
• Provide short “holding periods” on benches or in acclimation zones when needed.

Step #3

Manage Disease Risk Proactively

After heat stress, cold damage, or periods of high humidity during transit, plants are far more susceptible to Botrytis and other pathogens. Key steps include:

• Ensure vents and fans are functioning to maintain air movement.
• Run HAF systems consistently to prevent stagnant air pockets.
• Increase air exchanges, especially following damp or cold deliveries.
• Keep foliage dry and avoid planting heavily damaged plants, which can become infection sources.

Step #4

Support Recovery Through Environment and Substrate Management

Good airflow, proper drainage, and reliable substrate structure help reduce stress on young roots. During periods of weather disruption:

• Maintain even moisture without saturating the rootzone.
• Use well aerated, high-quality mixes to prevent additional stress or root decline.
• Monitor trays closely over the next 24–48 hours; some symptoms appear only after plants warm up or rehydrate.

Step #5

Stay Alert to Market and Supply Chain Conditions

Extreme weather events often affect entire regions at once. Growers should:

• Expect delivery delays or sudden rescheduling when transportation routes reopen.
• Be prepared for duplicate lots arriving together.
• Maintain flexible space and labor planning during unstable weather periods.

A Steady Partner in an Unpredictable Climate

Weather events may be unpredictable, but our commitment to growers is not.
As climate extremes continue to challenge the plant material supply chain, growers need more than products: they need knowledgeable, reliable partners who can help them respond quickly and protect crop quality under pressure.

Our Grower Advisors bring the experience, technical insight, and proactive support that largescale growers rely on when conditions change overnight. Whether facing a winter storm, a heat wave, or a hurricane related delay, growers can count on us to stand with them, from the first sign of trouble to the full recovery of their production schedule.

In every season and every weather pattern, our message stays the same:
You’re not navigating this alone. We’re here, we’re ready, and we’re committed to your success, no matter what the forecast holds.

Reach out to our grower advisors for more information