High Hopes at Miracle-Gro in Medical Marijuana Field

[kpete]

Source: Wall Street Journal

By DANA MATTIOLI

Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. has long sold weed killer. Now, it's hoping to help people grow killer weed.

In an unlikely move for the head of a major company, Scotts Chief Executive Jim Hagedorn said he is exploring targeting medical marijuana as well as other niches to help boost sales at his lawn and garden company.

"I want to target the pot market," Mr. Hagedorn said in an interview. "There's no good reason we haven't."

Sales at Scotts rose 5% last year to $2.9 billion. But the Marysville, Ohio, company relies on sales at three key retailers—Home Depot Inc., Lowe's Cos. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.—for nearly two-thirds of its revenue. With consumers still cautious about spending, the retailers aren't building new stores as quickly as they used to, making growth for suppliers like Scotts harder to come by. Against that backdrop, Mr. Hagedorn has pushed his regional sales presidents to look for smaller pockets of growth, such as the marijuana market, that together could produce a noticeable bump in sales.

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304665904576383832249741032.html?mod=e2fb

[bemildred]

1. I wonder how much this clown gets paid every year? nt

[mopinko]

2. sounds like a plan that is sure to grow.

[Kali]

3. regular miracle grow works great on weed

or so I have heardB-) :smoke:

[KittyWampus]

4. There's money to be made in them there buds! Now Burpee needs to start selling the seeds

and we're all set.

[Downwinder]

8. Roundup proof.

[KittyWampus]

5. "With Scotts Miracle-Gro, The Grass Really IS Greener".

[tridim]

6. People who care about their crop don't use Miracle Gro.

It's awful stuff.

Botanicare's bargain line, CNS-17 is amazing and cheap.

[GillesDeleuze]

10. primarily a GH man myself

but i use a roots accelerator product, MagiCal, and some foxfarm/guano tea during bloom, and finish with molasses.

[Downwinder]

7. Have to put out some "Starter Kits."

[GillesDeleuze]

9. Good luck competing with more transparent brands

people want to know the exact chemical makeup of anything that goes into coca, soil or hydro.

there is a huge niche market for nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus products, as well as fertilizers, boosters and sweeteners.

customer loyalty depends on information, and a big company like scotts doesn't like to just hand out 'trade secrets'

[Mopar151]

11. They can formulate for the market - there are already specialty MiracleGro's n/t

[GillesDeleuze]

13. but that doesn't address transparency

which is vital for these types of crops

[Mopar151]

16. Ingredients gotta be on the MSDS

And Scott's would be bigger fools to not address the transparency issue - many commercial fertilizers are sold on a guaranteed analsys basis.

[fascisthunter]

12. Is MiracleGrow good to ingest

meaning, is there any health concerns in regard to using MiracleGrow food food and for smoking?

[GillesDeleuze]

14. they have an organics line

but is 'all purpose plant food'.

you should avoid any topical plant sprays in general, feed the soil and the plant will get what it needs

[Mopar151]

17. It does fine on vegetables.

Plants like tomatos start very well in a pocket of Miracle-gro potting soil. They are likely looking at (or are already in) the hydroponic vegetable business - which is all about taste and quality. The hydro tomatos they grow in VT look and taste like God's Own Tomato compared to what ships in in the winter up here.

[Lorien]

33. I only know about the cancer rates around the Scotts plant in Marysville, OH

which are staggering. My father lived in a development that was only about five miles from Scotts. Every other home housed a family member who was battling cancer. Dad died less than six weeks ago of cancer as well. He always used to say that Marysville needed a visit from Erin Brockovitch. :cry:

[think]

15. Nice public relations coup for medical marijuana.....nt

[Fly by night]

18. Good compost, fish emulsion and bone meal work great. Now if Miracle-Gro can ...

... develop a fast-acting pesticide for DEA helicopters and pistol-packing, 4-wheel riding drug worriers, they've got a customer in me.

[DreamSmoker]

26. Hehehehe

Now thats Funny F@B
I have used this crap for this too and let me say its crappy...
Worst harshest stuff but makes plenty...

To grow medical grade cannabis that people will spend their S.S. checks on has to be top notch..
It is and art and lots of science to grow that OG we all love....
Most who start their own grows learn this real quick..
Funny how most people think anyone can grow this weed anywhere and use it.
Well its true but to grow MMJ.... This is a skill that is acquired by knowledge and practice..
Its not cheep to grow either... Nutrients, lamps, power bills, staying home 100% of the time and guarding..
Most of all being the lowest nail in the Board...

[here_is_to_hope]

19. Sorry Miracle Gro...

But Fox Farm has it covered.

[GillesDeleuze]

28. and how! bloom-city!

[Taverner]

20. Um, they already are in the pot market

Miracle Gro is pretty standard for beginner pot growers

It's used on "tomatoes" if you know what I mean

[Webster Green]

21. I like "Roots" from Humboldt County.

Organic Roots formula 707 is great potting soil. It comes in a camo bag. You can poke holes in the bottom and just grow in the bag, or use it in pots or beds. A 3 cubic foot bag is $20 at the local hardware store.

Roots also makes concentrated liquid fertilizers and supplements. great stuff! :hippie:

http://www.htgsupply.com/Product-Roots-Organics-Formula-707-3-cubic-feet.asp

http://www.htgsupply.com/Files/Products/formula%5F707%2Dnew%2Ejpg

[GillesDeleuze]

29. how do you like 707 compared to original blend?

just curious.

[Webster Green]

30. I don't see much difference.

Could be due to any number of variables though. I used the original for a few years. I went with the 707 because the price is a little better. $20 for 3cu. ft. is pretty good.

I always start supplementing with concentrated high N liquids after about 4-5 weeks in, then high P solutions to finish.

[KT2000]

22. Non-smoking policy

was enacted at Miracle-Gro. They will not hire people who smoke. WOnder if this will extend to people who use medical marijuana.

[Le Taz Hot]

23. It works great for me.

I know MG has its detractors but I've always had excellent results from it.

[DreamSmoker]

27. Really?

If you think MG works well?
Then you should look into Technaflora products...
These Guys even give you a recipe to start with in a kit called grow for success..
Trust me on this If you want to see those grow rates and Flowers as seen on YouTube...
Fact is MG is late out of the gate with all the new products for MMJ grows you can purchase right off the store shelves....

[Warrior Dash]

24. SWIM uses Miracle Grow for Tomatos during the vegetative stage

and Expert Gardener Bloom Burst during the flowering stage.

Excellent results...

[Corruption Winz]

25. Brilliant.. Great move..

Honestly, I think it's a great move. You're not giving them anything they wouldn't already find a way to acquire. You're just changing your marketing approach. Why the hell not?

Good for them.

[jmowreader]

31. I can see the print ad now...

You get Tommy Chong to hold a bottle of Miracle-Gro for Marijuana. The tagline:

"Wanna grow some GOOD SHIT? Get some of THIS SHIT!"

The real problem: how many Republicans are going to continue to buy Miracle-Gro after they find out they're selling fertilizer to dirty hippies?

[Johnny Harpo]

32. Adds A Whole New Meaning To 'Weed 'n Feed'....n/t

[Manifestor_of_Light]

34. You hafta do that before you "Wake and Bake"!!

:rofl: