Hort Science Live 2026

Attendance is free, but places are limited to ensure high-quality technical discussion and interaction

Taking place on 30 June and 1 July 2026, the two identical one-day events will be hosted by Coles Nurseries, near Leicester in the UK

Horticulture

2 June 2026

‘From Mix to Market – practical decisions that Grow Profits’ is the theme for Hort Science Live (HSL) 2026. Now in its tenth year, this annual ICL event helps UK and Irish growers make informed, commercially driven production decisions.

Taking place on 30 June and 1 July 2026, the two identical one-day events will be hosted by Coles Nurseries, near Leicester in the UK. Attendance is free, but places are limited to ensure high-quality technical discussion and interaction.

“With a strong emphasis on measurable outcomes and practical application, HSL 2026 is set to deliver high-value insight for progressive growers looking to optimise performance and profitability across their operations,” Matthew Miller, ICL marComs manager.

He added: “the programme focuses on the key cost and performance drivers in ornamental production, with expert-led sessions delivering practical, immediately applicable insights for growers.”

The full HSL 2026 workstation programme:

What challenges are on the horizon – being prepared UK and European market developments including peat-free production, biodegradable fertilisers and new innovations
Speakers: Lianne van Wijk (ICL International Technical Manager) and Adrian Thirtle-Watts (ICL Sales Manager UK)
Ornamental nutrition – are you getting the most out of it? – practical guidance on fertiliser selection, application timing and hidden cost reduction
Speaker: Andrew Wilson (ICL Technical Manager UK & Ireland)
If you can’t calculate it, can you control it? – uing AngelaWeb3.0 crop nutrition tools and step-by-step Dosatron calculations
Speakers: Steve Chapman and Peter Robinson (ICL)
What can GreenBest offer you? – bespoke fertiliser solutions and tailored nutrition programmes
Speaker: James Whittick (Commercial Director, GreenBest)
Are you building profit into your growing media – or losing it? – sustainable substrate performance, including AFP, water-holding capacity, conductivity and woodfibre blends
Speaker: Chloe Whiteside (ICL)
If your growing media has changed, should your pot? – practical insights into matching container choice with modern substrates
Speaker: Anthony Clarke (Pöppelmann UK & Ireland Sales Manager)
Advancing weed suppression efficiency to improve crop quality and finish – integrated weed management strategies plus live demo of pot topper solutions
Speakers: Carl Mason (ICL) and Steve Dunn (Hortec Director)
Why, when & how to apply biostimulants? – optimising plant resilience and reducing crop losses using the Vitalnova range
Speaker: Sam Rivers (ICL)

“Small-group, workstation-based sessions encourage active engagement, direct discussion with speakers, and peer-to-peer exchange between commercial growers,” Matthew said.

HSL 2026 delegates can also tour the Coles Nurseries site, gaining first-hand insight into large-scale ornamental production.