Nurseries

Where Every Seedling Counts

HI-COTE's polymer-coated granules deliver a calibrated, season-long nutrient curve matched to container substrate dynamics — eliminating repeat top-dressing and protecting young roots from conventional fertilizer burn.

360
Max Release Days
Application per Season
100%
Polymer-Coated Granules
4
Longevity Options
Problem / Solution

What Nursery Growers Face — and How HI-COTE Solves It

Grower Challenges
  • Inconsistent nutrient release across varying container media types
  • High labor cost from frequent fertigation and top-dressing events
  • Leaching loss in high-irrigation nursery and greenhouse settings
  • Burn risk from conventional urea-based fertilizers on young root systems
  • Difficulty matching nutrient timing across multiple crop cycles in one facility
HI-COTE Advantage
  • FBC (Fluid-Bed Coating) process ensures uniform polymer shell — predictable release curve every batch
  • Single pre-plant or transplant application feeds the entire crop cycle without additional inputs
  • Sigmoid release profile suppresses early N burst, protecting seedling roots
  • Selectable longevity: 100 / 180 / 270 / 360 days at 25 °C
  • Reduced nitrogen leaching supports runoff compliance in regulated operations
How the release works: HI-COTE uses a Sigmoid (S-Curve) release mechanism that suppresses early nitrogen output, peaks during rapid growth, and tapers as the crop approaches maturity — matching plant demand without manual intervention. The polymer capsule dissolves through soil moisture absorption, not direct contact.
Application Guidance

How to Use HI-COTE in Nursery Production

01
Select Longevity Matching Crop Cycle
100-day for short-cycle annuals and propagation liners. 180–270-day for container woody ornamentals. 360-day for long-term nursery stock held over season.
02
Incorporate into Potting Mix or Apply at Transplant
Blend uniformly into growing media at the mixing stage, or apply as a top-dress or dibble at transplanting. The mini granule (1.2–2.4mm) is ideal for fine-media incorporation.
03
Water-In to Activate
Normal irrigation activates moisture-driven release. No special activation steps required. The polymer shell begins diffusing nutrients as substrate moisture and temperature rise with plant establishment.
04
Supplement with Top-Dress if Needed
For extended production windows or late-stage color, HI-COTE Green can be applied as a fast-acting top-dress supplement — no need to restart the base fertilizer program.
Crop Application Rates
Crop Type Method HI-COTE Rate
Flower & Bedding PlantsPot Incorporation6–8 g / 15cm pot
Fruit & Veg TransplantsDibble at Transplant7–10 g / plant
Leaf VegetablesSoil Incorporation7–10 g / plant
Container Trees & ShrubsTop-Dress or Incorporate2–5 kg / tree equiv.
Propagation LinersMedia Pre-blend (mini)Consult TDS

Rates vary by container size, media type, and target longevity. Contact Nousbo for crop-specific programs.

Recommended Products

HI-COTE Products for Nurseries & Greenhouse

All formulations use Nousbo's Fluid-Bed Coating process — uniform polymer shell, precise release curve, no dust, compatible with hand and machine application.

HI-COTE
ADVANCE 19-4-12
19 – 4 – 12 + Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, B
Premium GradeAll-Purpose

All nutrients in one homogeneous granule. The premium nursery choice for a wide range of container crops. High-N formula supports strong vegetative canopy with flexible longevity — ideal for mixed-variety operations needing one product to serve many crops.

NPK19 – 4 – 12 + trace elements
Release100 / 180 / 270 / 360 days at 25 °C
ApplicationPre-blend / top-dress / dibble
Packaging25 kg bag / 500 kg bulk bag
HI-COTE
ADVANCE 14-14-13
14 – 14 – 13 + Micros
Balanced NPKBroadleaf Ornamentals

Balanced tri-nutrient formula for broadleaf ornamentals and diverse container varieties. Supports both root establishment and foliar quality from transplant to point-of-sale. Even NPK ratios prevent nitrogen excess and potassium deficiency in container media.

NPK14 – 14 – 13 + trace elements
Release100 / 180 / 270 days at 25 °C
Best ForOrnamentals, potted trees, mixed containers
Packaging25 kg bag / 500 kg bulk bag
HI-COTE
FLEX
19 – 4 – 9 + Fe Succrate + Micros
IntermediateWoody Ornamentals

The flexible middle-tier choice for nurseries managing diverse crop portfolios. Includes iron succrate for improved uptake in high-pH container media. Apply as top-dress or incorporate. Longevity options from 180 to 360 days.

NPK19 – 4 – 9 + Fe succrate + micros
Release180 / 270 / 360 days at 25 °C
Best ForWoody ornamentals, mixed shrubs, evergreens
Packaging25 kg bag
HI-COTE
GREEN
13 – 5 – 6 + Micros
Fast-ActingUp to 100 Days

Fast nitrogen availability for quick green-up at the final growth stage or to jumpstart rooting in early establishment. Cost-effective formula for short crop cycles, top-dress finishing applications, and rapid greening for point-of-sale presentation quality.

NPK13 – 5 – 6 + trace elements
ReleaseUp to 100 days at 25 °C
Best ForAnnuals, top-dress finishing, short-cycle crops
Packaging25 kg bag

Start Your Nursery Trial Program

Request a product sample or technical data sheet for your container crop evaluation. Our agronomic team is available for program design support.