“Still learning but very happy!” Great early-stage feedback from our installation of a new Da Ros I3-P Potting Machine at Chartwell Nurseries, near Bannockburn, Victoria.
Chartwell Nurseries grows ornamental plants for retail nurseries, landscapers and plant brokers throughout southeast Australia. With the new potting line now in place, the team can increase production efficiency while freeing staff to focus on other valuable work around the nursery.
A complete potting setup
The Chartwell installation includes the Da Ros I3-P Potting Machine, an automatic pot in-feed belt, a 4m potting conveyor with plug tray holder, and an end accumulation table.
Together, these components create an efficient production flow. Pots are automatically supplied to the machine, separated, filled with growing media and drilled to the required depth before moving along the conveyor for planting. Finished pots then collect on the accumulation table, helping the team maintain a smooth and consistent workflow.
Flexible potting for busy nurseries
Capable of potting up to 2,500 pots per hour, the I3-P is a proven and versatile solution for medium to large nurseries.
Its pneumatic pot de-nester accommodates pots from 8–20cm in diameter, with simple adjustments when changing pot sizes. Drill size and depth can also be adapted to suit different cell sizes, crops and planting requirements.
The machine comes with a 1000L hopper, with a 1500L option available. Adjustable soil feed speed allows operators to fine-tune the machine for different growing media and pot sizes, while durable stainless steel elevator paddles support reliable operation in demanding nursery environments.
Operator safety and ease of use are also central to the I3-P’s design, making it a practical choice for nurseries looking to increase output without adding unnecessary complexity.
Early results show strong potential
The Chartwell team is already seeing encouraging results while learning how to get the most from the new setup.
“It’s going really well. We potted around 1,000 pots in 90 minutes, which was pretty good considering we are still learning,” said Chris Hose owner of Chartwell Nurseries.
The run included a cell-size change that required an adjustment to the dibble, along with some fine-tuning of the pot de-nester. Despite this, the team maintained strong output and continued identifying ways to make the process even more efficient.
“Bella and Glen work really well as a team and are in constant conversation about how best to set up and gain efficiency. We’re very happy,” Chris said.
More time for valuable nursery work
By automating the repetitive stages of potting, the new setup will help Chartwell Nurseries produce consistent results at greater speed. Just as importantly, it will allow skilled staff to spend more time on other meaningful tasks throughout the nursery.
Chartwell Nurseries has also kindly offered to show the setup to fellow growers. If you are passing through the Bannockburn area and would like to take a closer look, get in touch with the team to arrange a visit.
Interested in improving your nursery’s potting production? Explore the Da Ros I3-P Potting Machine, or contact us to discuss a setup tailored to your operation.
