Founded in 1942 in Dearing, Georgia, McCorkle Nurseries embraced HydraFiber® Advanced Substrate as part of its focus on continuous improvement in media mixes. After extensive trials comparing HydraFiber blends to traditional pine bark, the nursery upgraded its mix line with AgriNomix processing equipment and incorporated HydraFiber across plant varieties and propagation mixes. The engineered fibers improve water uniformity and moisture distribution in the root zone, support rewetting and plant performance under stress, and remain comparable in price to pine bark. McCorkle reports healthier plants, reduced shrink and better results for the end consumer.
Key Points
- Extensive HydraFiber® trials demonstrated growing benefits beyond pine bark, prompting expansion from select crops to all plant varieties and propagation.
- McCorkle upgraded its soil mixing area with specialized HydraFiber processing equipment from AgriNomix to maximize yield and produce consistent, high-quality media.
- The nursery now uses a 20% HydraFiber inclusion rate in all standard mixes and 30% in propagation mixes, improving water uniformity and moisture distribution in the root zone.
- HydraFiber helps reduce shrink at retail and acts as an “insurance policy,” making water more easily available so plants are easier to rewet and recover when they dry down.
