Petitti Garden Centers in Bedford, Ohio, adopted HydraFiber engineered media to support its nursery and greenhouse operations, which produce and sell millions of plants annually. By replacing peat moss and perlite with HydraFiber at a 30% inclusion rate, the team improved consistency, porosity and water availability, with some crops rooting up to 30 days faster and macrophylla hydrangeas no longer flagging in warm afternoons. Highly compressed HydraFiber bales take little space while AgriNomix® processing equipment returns them to a fibrous state and streamlines potting and mixing systems. HydraFiber is helping to cut costs on all fronts as peat usage dropped from 100 semi towers to 10 loads of HydraFiber, supported by nearby resources, exceptional service and ongoing trials.
Key Points
- Petitti Garden Centers operates multiple nurseries, a greenhouse and nine year-round garden retail centers, producing and selling millions of plants annually and requiring a consistent, cost effective and sustainable growing media that can meet a variety of crops’ needs.
- HydraFiber engineered media replaced peat moss and perlite at a 30% inclusion rate, improving consistency, porosity and water availability, helping plants root up to 30 days faster and preventing macrophylla hydrangeas from flagging during warmer months.
- According to production manager Hernie Rosado, HydraFiber limits fertilizer leach out, provides much better color on material and prevents fertilizer loss during watering.
- HydraFiber and AgriNomix® processing equipment streamlined and automated potting systems, reduced peat moss use from 100 semi towers to 10 loads of HydraFiber, and, with exceptional service support, made the transition seamless aside from initial watering adjustments.
