NL: A new cultivation cycle doesn't begin with planting... but with a thorough clean-up

A successful cultivation doesn't start on the day of planting, but much earlier, with a thorough clean-up.

This is an essential principle emphasised by specialists like Intrahorti. They developed Intra Clean, a line of powerful foam-cleaning products that lay the foundation for true biosecurity. At the end of every season, a stubborn residual layer remains, often consisting of mineral deposits on gutters and other surfaces. This is where the biggest risk lies. Pathogens and micro-organisms can hide beneath this seemingly innocent deposit, waiting for the ideal moment to give the next crop a false start.

The approach: Intra clean minerals
To effectively tackle these critical deposits, Intra Clean Minerals was developed. This is a foaming cleaner with a unique formulation.

The foam formula ensures the product firmly adheres, even to vertical surfaces. This long contact time is crucial for effectiveness. The product also penetrates deeply into the mineral deposits, breaking them down layer by layer.

The result is not only a visibly cleaner environment, but also an invisible, yet essential benefit: up to 99.9% of micro-organisms are eliminated during this initial cleaning.

© Intracare bvImage: Before (right) and after (left) using Intra Clean Minerals

Essential for disinfection
The removal of these mineral deposits is simply essential for optimal biosecurity. The hard facts are clear: micro-organisms are proven to survive beneath deposits on gutters. Without an optimally formulated cleaner, like Intra Clean Minerals, these hiding places will persist.

The crucial point is that disinfection has little to no effect as long as the mineral deposit remains. By completely removing the mineral layer first, you create the perfect, clean base for the subsequent disinfection. Cleaning and disinfecting as separate, consecutive steps is the only reliable way to guarantee that crops get the best environment to perform optimally.

© Intracare bv

Safety and results
An additional benefit of Intra Clean Minerals is safety. The agent is non-corrosive, meaning it is safe for the greenhouse materials, gutters, and machinery. Only the contamination disappears.

The final result is a greenhouse that, after cleaning and the necessary disinfection (for example, with a product like Intra Multi-Des GA), is ready for a pure and safe start. It is the assurance that you are investing in true biosecurity—a clean foundation for a strong cultivation.

For the removal of organic residues, Intrahorti has developed Intra Clean Organics. More on this later.