Rock Star Treatment for Your Plants – S-Chelate & SoilSmiths at Glee 2025
Glee as a Gateway to Retail Growth
At S-Chelate Plant Nutrition, we’re bringing “Rock Star Treatment for Your Plants” to Glee 2025. Why? Because at the heart of our products are chelated micronutrients—minerals that come from rocks, and ultimately, from the fusion reactions of stars. This is more than a catchy phrase: it’s a reminder that nature’s most powerful elements are the foundation of our high-performance plant nutrition.
At S‑Chelate Plant Nutrition, our presence at Glee marks an important evolution in our retail journey. We’ll be exhibiting in collaboration with our agricultural distributor, Soil Ecology Laboratory, who will be showcasing their biological products under their retail name SoilSmiths.
While we’re best known in agriculture, Glee is a dedicated push into the garden centre space. Our aim is to strengthen our foothold in the consumer market and offer garden retailers a smarter alternative to the dominant mega-brands.
We’ll be showcasing our B2C product lines which we already sell UK country wide through our websites—S‑Chelate 12 Star, S‑Chelate‑O Cultiv‑8, and S‑Chelate Protom—alongside SoilSmiths’ Living Feed, a biological amendment with huge potential for regenerative gardening.
Together, our presence at Glee represents a step forward in redefining garden centre shelves and broadening our marketing to physical retail.
Key Takeaways
- Retail Debut at Glee: S‑Chelate Plant Nutrition and SoilSmiths are exhibiting together for the first time at Glee 2025, aiming to expand into the garden centre market.
- Complete Nutrition Offering: Visitors will discover a retail-ready line of chelated fertilisers and biological inputs, including S‑Chelate 12 Star, Cultiv‑8, Protom, and SoilSmiths’ Living Feed.
- Eco-Conscious Formulations: The range is designed to meet growing demand for organic, peat-free compatible, and British-made gardening products.
- Support for Retailers: Stockists will receive a comprehensive starter kit, technical training, POS materials, and post-Glee marketing assets to drive customer engagement.
- Independent Focus: With proven results and lower application rates, the brand partnership is targeting independent retailers ready to offer differentiated, sustainability-led solutions.
S‑Chelate 12 Star outperformed 3 major brands in tomato trials—faster growth, better fruit set, and stronger roots, all with less product. No gimmicks. Just data.
What We’re Showcasing at Glee
Visitors to our stand at Glee will be able to explore a complete plant nutrition offering—founded on science, designed for simplicity, and proven across a range of growing systems.
S‑Chelate Plant Nutrition
Our online B2C line includes three powerful, highly concentrated formulations:
- S‑Chelate 12 Star: A complete powdered fertiliser combining NPK with a full suite of chelated micronutrients. Designed to work across a broad pH range, it yields up to 225 L of feed per 500 g tub, making it both economical and environmentally considerate.
- S‑Chelate‑O Cultiv‑8: Soil Association certified, this product provides eight chelated micronutrients essential for plant development. Designed for organic systems, it mixes easily, performs well in peat-free composts, and produces up to 450 L of solution per tub.
- S‑Chelate Protom: A tomato-specific micronutrient formulation developed with input from UK trials. It addresses issues like blossom end rot while boosting overall yield and fruit size, and also makes 450 L per tub.
SoilSmiths: Living Feed
SoiSmiths will be showcasing Living Feed, a biological input designed to activate soil microbial life and improve nutrient availability naturally. Although it has only one current stockist in the independent garden centre space, it is already generating interest as a living alternative to sterile feeds.Together, our offering bridges biological and chelated nutrition—giving retailers a differentiated, science-backed range they can trust.
The Retail Challenge
Securing retail listings in the UK garden centre sector presents a unique set of challenges. The majority of garden centres in our region are owned by large corporate groups. Their shelves are dominated by mass-market players such as Miracle‑Gro and Westland. These conglomerates have deep pockets, legacy agreements, and huge marketing power.
We’ve seen this first-hand. Although Living Feed is already listed with one independent garden centre, we’ve found it difficult to break into others nearby due to corporate supply constraints and risk aversion toward emerging brands. That’s why we lead with innovation and a story buyers remember—turning plant feeding into a “Rock Star” experience that stands out from the sea of big-brand sameness.
However, Glee offers a refreshing contrast. A high proportion of attendees are from independent garden centres, which often have more autonomy and a greater appetite for unique, sustainability-led products. These buyers are more inclined to take the time to understand the science, trial a product, and work with brands that offer long-term support.
We also know that customers in these centres are increasingly asking for:
- Eco-friendly fertilisers
- Peat-free compatible feeds
- British-made gardening products
- Solutions for organic and regenerative gardening
Our products—both chemical and biological—are designed to meet those demands. Yet entering the retail space isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about showing how our formulations deliver better outcomes, require lower dosages, and offer margin-rich potential for the retailer.
That’s our strategy at Glee: to showcase results, simplify decision-making for buyers, and provide retailers with everything they need to confidently stock and recommend our range.
Product Highlights and Use Cases
S‑Chelate 12 Star
This is our flagship product—a complete fertiliser formulated for all-round use. It combines nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium with a full spectrum of chelated micronutrients to address both macro and micro deficiencies.
Key Benefits:
- Highly soluble powder
- Suitable for soil, hydroponics and foliar application
- Works across all pH environments
- 500 g yields up to 225 L of plant food
- Consistent, visible growth results in trials
Used in a tomato growth trial against three competing products, S‑Chelate 12 Star delivered faster growth, stronger root mass and better fruit set—all with lower application rates.
S‑Chelate‑O Cultiv‑8
Certified by the Soil Association, Cultiv‑8 is a water-soluble powder suitable for organic gardening. It contains eight chelated micronutrients critical for strong, healthy plant development.
Ideal For:
- Organic vegetable gardens
- Container plants
- Peat-free compost mixes
- Aquatic and tropical plants
Performance Summary:
- Makes 450 L per tub
- Stays stable across pH 3–10
- Shown to increase blooming and foliage in orchids, cacti and aquatic plants
S‑Chelate Protom
This tomato-specific micronutrient formula is based on UK trial feedback and addresses common problems such as calcium deficiency and blossom end rot.
Advantages:
- Tailored to tomato plants (in soil or hydroponics)
- Improves flavour and fruit size
- Prevents rot and leaf drop
- Also makes 450 L per 500 g tub
SoilSmiths’ Living Feed
This biology-based input complements our chelated line by enhancing soil life. By fostering microbial communities, it helps unlock naturally occurring nutrients and improve soil resilience over time.
It’s particularly well-suited to:
- Regenerative garden ranges
- Native planting schemes
- Customers interested in no-dig or low-input gardening
Product Comparison Table
| Product | Certification | Usage Type | Yield (L per tub) | Ideal For | Format |
| S‑Chelate 12 Star | Conventional | Soil, foliar, hydro | 225 | All-round nutrition | Powder |
| S‑Chelate‑O Cultiv‑8 | Soil Association | Soil, hydro | 450 | Organic & pH-sensitive use | Powder |
| S‑Chelate Protom | Conventional | Soil, hydro | 450 | Tomatoes & fruiting plants | Powder |
| Living Feed (SoilSmiths) | Pending | Soil biology booster | Variable | Regenerative & eco gardens | Liquid/Dry |
What Makes Us Different
We understand that retailers face a flood of product pitches from every corner of the horticultural world. But here’s what sets S‑Chelate Plant Nutrition and SoilSmiths apart.
Chelated Science
Our feeds are built on chelation technology that keeps micronutrients stable and available even in difficult pH environments. This improves uptake efficiency and reduces waste.
Proven Outcomes
We invest in trials—not testimonials. From tomatoes to orchids, our products have shown clear performance gains in side-by-side comparisons.
Organic Credentials
S‑Chelate‑O Cultiv‑8 is certified organic by the Soil Association and adheres to strict standards for purity, solubility and plant compatibility.
Lower Application Rates
Because our products are concentrated and stable, they go further than typical liquid or granular fertilisers. This means less packaging, less storage space, and better margin control.
UK-Made, Eco-Friendly Packaging
All our products are manufactured in the UK and packaged in recyclable, resealable tubs—keeping waste and carbon emissions low.
Independent Garden Centres: Our Ideal Retail Partners
We’ve always believed that independent garden centres are the heart of British horticulture. Their role extends far beyond selling products—they inspire, educate and lead on sustainability.
That’s why we want to work with them.
Retailers who choose our range will benefit from more than just unique products—they’ll gain a partnership grounded in transparency, technical support and shared values.
Retail Starter Kit Includes
- 3 core products (12 Star, Cultiv‑8, Protom) in trial format
- Counter-ready POS cards with instructions and QR support
- Shelf wobblers and signage
- Free agronomy consultation line for staff
- Digital marketing assets (email copy, social graphics)
We also offer in-store training or Zoom sessions for staff to get comfortable explaining the technical aspects of our products in layman’s terms.
Independent centres are already looking for:
- More organic and eco-conscious options
- British-made ranges
- Educational POS tools to help customers use products effectively
We deliver on all three—and back it up with data. By supporting our stockists with resources, training and content, we aim to become a long-term part of their business, not just another product on the shelf.
Glee Goals: What We’ll Be Doing at the Show
Glee is more than just a trade show—it’s a launchpad for collaboration. Our approach is interactive, grounded and designed to empower retail buyers.
Here’s what to expect at our stand
- Live Mixing Demos: Showcasing solubility, application and ease of use
- One-on-One Advice: With agronomists and technical specialists
- Trial Kit Giveaways: Available to qualified buyers
- Retailer Feedback Sessions: Helping shape future product formats and content
We want every retailer who stops by to leave with a sense of clarity, curiosity, and confidence. Whether you’re a buyer, manager or independent owner, we’re here to make your job easier and your offer stronger.
We would be delighted to meet you on our stand 9E97 in the GIMA Business Village
Post-Glee Retailer Support
What happens after Glee is just as important as what happens during it. We’re committed to nurturing every retail relationship beyond the show floor.
After Glee, stockists will receive
- Follow-up onboarding and training materials
- Product replenishment support for trials and sample packs
- Marketing collaboration, including featured social content
- Access to exclusive digital resources, including:
- Customer how-to guides
- Seasonal campaign assets
- Co-branded social posts
Retailers will also be invited to join
- The S‑Chelate Retailer Network – a monthly bulletin offering new trial data, FAQs and updates
- SoilSmiths’ Grower Circle – sharing Living Feed use cases from professional and home users
Together, we aim to close the loop between science and sale—building a community of retail partners who feel equipped and inspired to promote high-performance plant nutrition.
Conclusion: S‑Chelate Plant Nutrition at Glee 2025
S‑Chelate Plant Nutrition and SoilSmiths are proud to bring a new level of performance and responsibility to garden retail. If you’re attending Glee 2025 at the NEC from 16th to 18th September, come and find us for a closer look at our B2C line, ask questions, collect samples, and explore how we can help grow your customer offer.
We’re here to help you stock products your customers will love and come back for.
Discover how S-Chelate Plant Nutrition can help you grow stronger, healthier plants with science-backed, eco-conscious fertilisers—and give your customers the Rock Star treatment their gardens deserve. Contact us to find out more!
Further Reading
- Chelated Micronutrients: A Guide: An in-depth overview of chelate technology, types of chelating agents, and how they enhance plant uptake—perfect for understanding the science behind S‑Chelate formulations.
- Substantial and Rapid Increase in Soil Health with Regenerative Practices: A scientific study showing how shifting to regenerative techniques rapidly improves soil organic matter, stability, and microbial biomass—mirroring core benefits of eco-focused gardening.