Lucas Greenhouses in Monroeville, New Jersey turned to HydraFiber Engineered Media to reduce reliance on peat moss and perlite while maintaining consistent, cost-effective growing media. Working with their substrate supplier, they moved from a 20% to 30% HydraFiber inclusion rate in a peat/HydraFiber mix, gaining optimum water-holding capabilities, superior drainage once saturated, and faster rooting. The highly compressed, low bulk density fibers improve air porosity and water availability, supporting strong, healthy root systems and plants that are better prepared for the retail shelf. Customers report watering less at retail while plants hold up nicely and retain moisture longer.
Key Points
- HydraFiber helps bring stability to media cost and reliable availability while delivering agronomic advantages.
- Lucas Greenhouses increased HydraFiber inclusion from 20% to 30% to achieve optimum water-holding, superior drainage once saturated, and faster rooting.
- The uniquely engineered fibers are highly compressed with low bulk density to maximize shipping efficiency and storage, while improving air porosity and water availability.
- Growers and their customers report reduced watering needs at retail, strong root systems, and plants that hold up nicely on the shelf, with less dry down on mums.
