Fine Americas reports widespread adoption of its PGR Piccolo

Fine Americas, Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of plant growth regulators for the greenhouse ornamental industry, reported brisk sales of its Piccolo® 10 XC (active ingredient: paclobutrazol) plant growth regulator. First introduced in February 2011, Piccolo® 10 XC is 10 times more concentrated than previous paclobutrazol products.

"We're gratified that America's ornamental growers have discovered the many benefits of Piccolo® 10 XC, the only 4.0% paclobutrazol formulation on the market today," stated Fine Americas president Greg Johnson. "Since it comes in a true solution instead of a suspension, Piccolo® 10 XC overcomes the potential settling problems associated with older paclobutrazol products. From a grower's perspective, that means there's no need to shake the container prior to mixing in order to ensure uniform distribution of the active ingredient. In addition, the super-concentrated formulation translates to fewer plastic containers, lower shipping and storage costs, and a smaller carbon footprint for our industry."

Kevin Forney, technical services manager for Fine Americas, noted that Piccolo® 10 XC is a very user-friendly product. "One quart of Piccolo® 10 XC equals 2.5 gallons of our standard Piccolo® formulation," he said, "making storage, handling and mixing more convenient than ever. And, like all of our products, new Piccolo® 10 XC is manufactured under the strictest ISO 9001:2008 quality control standards."

"It's always great when they can take a proven product like Piccolo® and improve upon it," said Jeff Lewis of Riverview Flower Farm, Riverview, FL. "We have a lot of women who work in our operation and apply PGRs, and it's not easy for them to shake heavy two-and-a-half gallon jugs full of product in order to ensure even distribution of the active ingredient. Given the fact that Piccolo® 10 XC is a true suspension, there's no shaking required. And the super concentrated formulation means our employees only have to deal with quart containers instead of big, bulky plastic jugs."

Greenhouse ornamental trials by university researchers throughout the U.S. have shown similar efficacies with Piccolo® 10 XC, Piccolo® and Bonzi®. As with older paclobutrazol formulations, new Piccolo® 10 XC can be used as either a drench or spray to produce more compact and marketable plants.

Forney added that Piccolo® 10 XC is labeled for use on most bedding plants/plugs, flowering and foliage crops, bulb crops, perennials and woody ornamentals. He urged growers to always read and follow label directions before using Piccolo® 10 XC or any plant growth regulator.