%0 Journal article %A Günther, Jürgen %T Berlin 1919 – Gründung der Torfstreuverband GmbH als Vermarktungsorganisation für Moostorf – Beginn der Produktentwicklung in der deutschen Torfwirtschaft %R 10.23689/fidgeo-2952 %J TELMA - Berichte der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Moor- und Torfkunde %V 46 %X Abstract: After the Great War all of Germany had to endure hard times, politically and economically it was an uneasy time. German Peat Industry, too, was changing. Especially the sales of peat were declining very fast as litter, which was caused to change from horse-driven to motorized vehicles. On the 21st of May 1919 sixteen owners of Peat extraction companies from all over Germany founded the “Torfstreuverband GmbH” (Peat Litter Association PLC.) in Berlin to improve the sales of peat as litter and peat mull. The declining offer of horse manure for small gardeners was seen as a chance to create a new market with well-directed commercial advertisement for peat litter and peat mull as new lasting humus materials. This was achieved with scientific support, the creation of the brand name of “Floratorf”, by participation in exhibitions, the distribution of information brochures and the setup of a consultation service, the “Torfhumusdienst” (Peat Humus Service). During the second World War the sales of peat were regulated by the state. After the end of World War II there was a new start in Oldenburg. In addition to the private gardener the professional gardener became an important customer for growing media. Recipes were published for the production of growing media on the base of bog peat which had been developed by the “Torfforschung GmbH” (Peat Research PLC) in collaboration with scientific research. After the professional grower had recognized the advantages of the peat -based growing media, Torfstreuverband started the production of growing media with products TKS 1 and TKS 2. Today a huge variety of different products is offered to professional growers and consumers. The professional horticulture now uses growing media, which are composed according to the cultivation methods and the demands of the cultivated plants. The new development is also documented in the change of name from Torfstreuverband GmbH to Floratorf Vertriebs GmbH für Gartenbau (Florapeat PLC for horticulture). %U http://resolver.sub.uni-goettingen.de/purl?gldocs-11858/7266 %~ FID GEO-LEO e-docs