We’re proud to have played a small but important role in the conservation of the Mulanje cedar (Widdringtonia whytei), a tree native to Malawi that was on the brink of extinction. The tree has suffered decades of illegal logging and habitat loss, with no known mature, seed‑producing trees, remaining in the wild. New propagation efforts rely on preserved seed stocks, making every successfully grown tree vital to the species’ survival. Air-Pot containers were used at Bedgebury National Pinetum to give the trees the best possible start and guarantee the development of healthy, resilient, root systems.
This Spring one of the trees was successfully planted on Tresco, Isles of Scilly, as part of an international conservation initiative, led by Forestry England and Tresco Estate. Projects like this demonstrate how horticultural innovation and conservation expertise can work together to help safeguard some of the world’s most threatened plant species.
We are delighted to announce that we have received a King’s Award for Enterprise in recognition of our success in international trade. The King’s Award is the UK’s most prestigious business honour, celebrating outstanding achievement in areas including international trade. Originally established in 1965 as The Queen’s Award, it remains a globally respected mark of excellence.
Recipients undergo a rigorous assessment process, judged by experts from industry, academia, the voluntary sector, and senior officials in Whitehall. Each year, the winners are recommended by the Prime Minister and approved by The King. Of the 186 awards presented this year, just 8 were awarded to Scottish businesses.
Jamie Single, co-founder, says: “We’re small but mighty! Selected from hundreds of UK businesses considered for this honour, the award recognises our team’s commitment to innovation and our long-term success in developing an international market for the Air-Pot system. It is a huge badge of honour that we will all carry with pride.”
Founded in 1990 by Jamie and Suzie Single, we employ eight staff in Scotland in our offices and manufacturing facility and work with four international representatives supporting growers across global markets.
Suzie adds: “All those years ago, we were simply on a mission to build a better plant pot – little did we foresee the highs, heartaches and hurdles that lay ahead.
“But as plantsmen say, ‘from little things, big things grow’ and we’re incredibly proud Air-Pot® has survived and thrived, and that today our team is being recognised through The King’s Awards.”
Georgie Single meets Princess Anne at the awards reception.
Georgie Single attended the awards reception where she met Princess Anne. “It was a huge privilege to represent Air-Pot® at St James’s Palace and reflect on what this award means for our family business, our small but mighty team and our wonderful partners who have supported our journey down the years. I was overwhelmed with pride to be there.
“It was such a wonderful occasion and a gorgeously sunny day too. It was also a tremendous honour to celebrate alongside so many inspirational businesses from across the UK.”
Georgie adds: “Receiving The King’s Award for Enterprise was already an incredible accolade, but attending the Royal Reception brought the achievement to life in a very special way.
“As a second-generation family member involved in the business, it made me immensely proud to celebrate our parents’ vision, the dedication of our team and the global success of Air-Pot®. It was a day I’ll never forget.”
The iconic A-listed Palm Houses at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, which have been closed since 2021 for major restoration work, are now almost ready to reopen. 800 plants including towering palms and tree ferns were removed and planted in Air-Pot containers, allowing them to continue to thrive and maintain healthy root structure. The specialist renovation work included repairing 600m² of corroded ironwork, replacing 5,750 panes of glass and installing a new carbon neutral geothermal heating system.
Replanting has now started and the gardeners have been amazed at the speed of establishment. Within three weeks of replanting the tree ferns have put on significant growth.
“The use of the Air-Pot® system has been a complete gamechanger for our horticulture team, transforming how we cared for our largest plants during the Palm House restoration works.These statuesque palms and ferns are an important part of our Living Collection, so a system that protected both plants and root systems was essential.The Air-Pot® container delivered exactly what we needed. Their ingenious design kept the plants in excellent condition, even after years in containers, ready for their safe return home to the Palm Houses this year.”
Sadie Barber, Deputy Curator, Glasshouses, Indoor Living Collection at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
SDLA our distributors in Taiwan have set up their own R and D nursery working with the Air-Pot system.
Using Air-Pot propagation trays ensures more even germination right across the tray as well as guaranteeing healthy root development right from the start.
Enjoy Olive Bliss in Taiwan are importing ancient olives from Spain and developing their roots in large Air-Pot containers. The trees ranging from small sizes to one beauty over 1000 years old are sold on for luxury gifts or for use in large landscaping projects.
Timbertop advanced trees – specialist growers of advanced landscape trees in Gembrook Victoria, have recently adopted Air-Pot containers to grow a huge variety of larger trees.
We are looking forward to working with them as they expand their range of Air-Pot grown stock.
Reid Fruits one of Australia’s largest cherry producers, who export to over 20 countries across Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East are using Air-Pot containers in their bio secure quarantine house.
The heathy roots and well drained growing medium ensure that their propagation material remains disease free and in perfect health.
Conservation of Scotland’s rarest moss boosted by Air-Pot® innovation
The team at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) has been able to successfully cultivate one of Scotland’s rarest mosses – the Round‑leaved Bryum – using Air-Pot containers; as they allow precise water management and oxygenation.
Rebecca Drew Galloway, Scottish Native Plant Conservation Horticulturist at RBGE says: “Working with Air-Pot® has proved a brilliant breakthrough for us. Its aerating design can replicate complex natural habitats and support propagation of species previously considered almost impossible to grow other than in the wild.” The moss, historically confined to the muddy edge of a single reservoir, required conditions of sandy mud with variable water submergence.
Adjustable base system
RBGE horticulturists and conservationists, in collaboration with NatureScot and Scottish Water, needed to determine precise tolerances for moisture and depth – work made possible by the Air-Pot® container’s adjustable base, which allowed fine control of water levels without compromising stability.
Rebecca adds: “Air-Pot® modularity lets us manipulate conditions for species that have never been cultivated before. For Round‑leaved Bryum, the ability to raise or lower the base and maintain oxygenation was critical.”
Leading British plant retailer Roots Plants has selected the Air-Pot® 7 range to help boost sustainability, showing how horticulture’s new generations are working in harmony with the environment.
Alex Curran, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Roots Plants explains: “We’re part of a new generation of innovative growers and nursery owners pledged to cutting our carbon plant-print. We only work with partners whose high standards of sustainability match our own; and who are constantly finding new ways to reduce plastic waste. We grow plants with traditional hard work and attention given to each one; while striving to eliminate the need for man-made chemicals.
“We’re constantly investing in innovation to help us achieve our environmental goals, and we’re confident that growing in Air-Pot® containers will give us strong, healthy plants that are better able to cope with any challenging growing conditions they may encounter. This is, of course, especially important given the extreme weather we’re experiencing due to climate change.
“Another fantastic benefit for the impatient grower, is that we are able to keep a close eye on the roots as Air-Pot® containers can be easily undone and removed. When the plants are ready, and it’s time to deliver to the consumer we remove the Air-Pot® container, for re-use, and replace it with biodegradable hessian wrap for shipping. which again is much better for the environment.”
Air-Pot containers have been chosen by horticultural experts running a project in Wales to help boost biodiversity and enrich the country’s native tree and plant populations.
The initiative in Denbighshire employs a team at a council owned farm in St Asaph that became a 70-acre nursery in 2022, specifically for harvesting seeds and growing on plants.
We’re delighted that Air-Pot containers have been instrumental in this innovative Welsh government funded project. The nursery at Green Gates Farm, with the help of a small volunteer team, has already produced around 40,000 native trees and wildflowers and has room to grow up to 300,000 more plants. The seeds are harvested from ancient and veteran trees mostly on Denbighshire Council land, but also from National Trust properties.
Liam Blazey, Chief Biodiversity Officer for Denbighshire Council, explains: “For us, using Air-Pot containers was all about the health of the plants and the sustainability they offer. They also allow us to operate an easy maintenance programme depending on when we have volunteers to assist us. We’re now inviting other councils in Wales to see what we’re doing, to encourage them to set up their own projects and nurseries.”
