Granules for plants. Hydrogel - if you need it, then why? The use of soft filler

The hydrogel is characterized by the fact that it can absorb moisture and retain it for quite a long time, due to which it is often used in indoor floriculture and at. Previously, this polymer compound was widely used in the agricultural industry, but now phytodesigners with flower growers have turned to it. Tellingly, plants can be grown both directly in the hydrogel and in soil mixed with this substance. The moisture that is absorbed by the hydrogel does not flow onto the tray and does not evaporate, in addition, it does not lose its original beneficial properties. So, today you will learn everything about hydrogel for plants - application, features, pros and cons. The article will also provide step-by-step instructions for using a polymer compound.

Hydrogel for plants - application

Hydrogel is a polymer that allows you to grow excellent seedlings. What is characteristic, developing, plants receive all the nutrients they need. First of all, the hydrogel is widely used to obtain seedlings.

To get high-quality seedlings, the gardener has to face a number of difficulties. So, in order for the seedlings to turn out healthy and strong, it is necessary not only to have good lighting and well-prepared soil mixture, but also competent watering. Moisture is very useful for young shoots, but in excess it can lead to root rot, which, in turn, will cause the subsequent death of plants. To avoid all these troubles, you can use hydrogel, which has unique properties - it absorbs moisture and retains it for the full growth of grown crops.

Note! The hydrogel is used as a planting substrate (a kind of container with water) or as a special moisture-retaining additive for the prepared soil mixture.

The novelty, which appeared on the domestic market relatively recently, has already managed to acquire numerous admirers. If you start using it for growing indoor flowers or seedlings, you will no longer worry about watering and fertilizing young shoots. This is explained by the fact that polymer granules absorb not only water, but also fertilizers in liquid form, so that nutrition is supplied as needed. It turns out that hydrogel is an ideal material to minimize plant care, as well as reduce stress during a traumatic transplant into the soil.

The material is sold in the form of small balls like beads. If you add water to these balls, they will swell, after which the polymer is ready for further use.

Advantages and disadvantages of using hydrogel

Despite the effectiveness and certain popularity, the described polymer granules have not yet gained mass distribution. First of all, this is due to their recent appearance on the domestic market and the fact that most buyers are not aware of the advantages of the material. And so that you have no doubts, let's get acquainted with the pros and cons of using a hydrogel.

As for the benefits, these include:

increased moisture absorption (granules absorb 300 times their own weight), allowing for a long time to maintain the level of substrate moisture required for plants;
savings (to get 1 liter of base, just 1-1.6 g of dry granules is enough);
earlier seed growth compared to traditional cultivation;
preservation of all trace elements present in the substrate (they are not washed out);
high-quality aeration of seeds and roots.

However, there are also disadvantages that you also need to know about even before buying a hydrogel.

You will not be able to grow crops that have leathery seeds (such as sweet peas) in hydrogel. In addition, when introducing seed into the hydrogel, you must take into account the individual characteristics of a particular crop.
It is also necessary to maintain the required temperature of the surface where plants with hydrogel are located - this will prevent hypothermia of seedlings.
Finally, the granules should not be reused, even if the manufacturers claim otherwise. The fact is that the already used hydrogel loses its absorbing properties, in addition, it becomes dark and wrinkled. Finally, bacteria can easily develop on the granules after contact with air. Therefore, the only thing this material is suitable for is application in the form of a moisture-retaining additive for the soil mixture.

Note! Thanks to all the advantages and disadvantages of the material listed above, you will be able to objectively assess your own capabilities and the likelihood of obtaining healthy plants.

Hydrogel prices

hydrogel for plants

The main uses of hydrogel

There are several ways to use polymer granules at once, let's take a closer look at each of them.

Table. Hydrogel application methods.

Name, photo	Description
	Seeds are placed in pre-prepared material. First, the granules are soaked, then crushed with a blender or rubbed through a sieve - as a result, a homogeneous mixture should be obtained. A layer of hydrogel 3 cm thick is placed in the pot, and seeds are placed on top of it, pressing a little. Excessive deepening of the seed is undesirable, because it can be left without oxygen, and this will negatively affect the quality of seedlings. After planting, the pots are covered with a film to ensure the desired microclimate. The cover can be removed daily to ventilate crops and remove condensation.
	Hydrogel is also used as a moisture-absorbing additive in the soil mixture, which also gives excellent results. Here, dry granules are mixed with the substrate (1:3 or 1:4), and the resulting mass is poured into a container.
	The last option is to use a hydrogel when planting in open soil. The roots are dipped into the swollen mass, and the seedlings are placed in the holes. Thanks to this, stress is reduced, and the plants are provided with moisture for the first time.

Note! Hydrogel is an environmentally friendly material that stimulates crop growth and has a positive effect on soil quality.

Video - How to germinate seeds with hydrogel

Features of growing in hydrogel

Today, the hydrogel is sold in different colors, so the plant in it may well turn into an ornament, a beautiful and original composition. The material is not very expensive, and given that its consumption is negligible, it can be assumed that the bag will last for quite a long time.

Capacities. They must be transparent so that the granules of the material are clearly visible. The shape of the dishes does not matter, because when planting plants, the risk of damage to the roots is minimal. If the culture is small and grows with rosettes, then you can take a glass goblet for it, and if the plant is larger, then a vase will do.

How to prepare hydrogel. It is filled with purified distilled / settled water (about 300 ml per 1 g of material). More precise proportions should be indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging.

Note! Plants that need frequent watering should not be grown this way. For example, epiphytes and succulents for the most part store moisture in the root system and leaves, and therefore staying in a humid environment can cause decay.

Landing features. The procedure is not much different from planting in ordinary soil. The container is filled with swollen granules, then a plant with pre-washed roots is placed there. If seeds are planted for seedlings, then the hydrogel must be crushed after swelling, as mentioned earlier. In a word, everything is quite simple. It is only necessary that the plants be in a strictly vertical position (and this can be difficult, because the material is very slippery).

How to care. Watering should be done six times less often than with traditional cultivation. The fact that the plants need to be watered can be understood by the slightly settled hydrogel (evidence of the departure of a large amount of moisture).

How to plant a plant in hydrogel soil - step by step instructions

If you plant an indoor flower in such soil, you will greatly facilitate its care. Moreover, the substance will help the flower quickly get used to new conditions.

First, mix the hydrogel with the prepared soil mixture. Approximate proportions - 2-3 grams of the substance per 1 liter of soil.

After that, thoroughly mix the granules with the soil.

Pour the resulting mixture well so that it is saturated and the substance absorbs a sufficient amount of liquid. After that, you can proceed directly to planting plants.

Note! Polymer granules do not lose their original qualities for 3-6 years, which means that they can be applied only once directly during planting.

What cultures are suitable for this?

If we talk about a mixture of substrate and hydrogel, then moisture-loving crops are more suitable for this, as well as those plants that are suitable for hydroponic cultivation. Among indoor plants in the soil with a polymer, chlorophytum, spurge, ivy, crassula, Kalanchoe and others feel great. And beautiful or saintpaulias after planting in such a substrate will develop faster and bloom better.

As for the care of crops planted in soil with hydrogel, it is almost the same as with conventional cultivation. The only exception is watering - in this case it should not be too frequent.

How to germinate herbs with hydrogel

According to doctors, daily consumption of greens helps to maintain health and youth for many years. And it is quite obvious that freshly picked greens are the most useful. In summer, it is grown in the beds, but in winter, you can equip a small "garden" on the windowsill.

Before starting work, prepare:

seed material;
hydrogel;
seeding containers.

After preparing everything you need, proceed in accordance with the instructions. For the convenience of site visitors, it is presented in the form of a table.

Table. Greens in a hydrogel with their own hands.

Steps, photo	Description of actions
	To get started, take hydrogel balls, pour them into a large bowl, fill with water and keep at room temperature for 8 hours.
	When the material swells, lay it out in containers for planting. Remove excess liquid (if any) by dropping the balls into a colander.
	Spread the seeds over the surface of the hydrogel, but do not embed. Do not wet them in advance - the granules will provide the seed with the amount of moisture necessary for germination.
	When the size of the seedlings reaches about 4-5 centimeters, you can start collecting. And the containers that have been released can be used for a new crop.

	Feb	March	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Saint	Oct
1
2
3
4
5
1- Growing seedlings 2- Application with seeds, planting seedlings and seedlings 3- Application under already planted trees, bushes, flowers, laying lawns 4- Autumn planting and transplanting seedlings, bushes, trees, winter sowing 5- Planting strawberries; laying a new plantation, rooting a mustache, replanting rosettes

Growing and planting strawberries with hydrogel

Strawberries are a crop that is very responsive to hydrogel application. First of all, due to the fact that it is very demanding on the regime of soil moisture. Lack of watering during the period of setting berries and their ripening leads to a significant decrease in yield. With waterlogging, the risk of gray rot of fruits and powdery mildew increases.

The entire root system is concentrated in the surface layer of soil (10-15 cm), which dries quickly even if there is no heat. In this case, it is impossible to comply with the recommended norms and irrigation regime. (Recall that in dry weather, this is one watering every 10 days at a rate of about 10 liters per square meter before flowering, 20-25 liters during the ripening of berries). You have to water more often, which almost always leads to the development of fungal diseases (especially when watering with cold water by sprinkling).

If we apply the hydrogel immediately when laying the plantation:

You can increase the intervals between watering. This is important to prevent the development of gray mold and reduce the number of slugs.
There will be no stagnation of moisture and waterlogging of the soil, which strawberries are afraid of (the hydrogel will absorb excess moisture into itself, freeing up aeration pores).
Low consumption: a glass of swollen hydrogel under a bush, mixing by volume. The hydrogel works in the soil for about 5 years, which coincides with the life of the plantation.

The best time for planting strawberry seedlings is the end of July to mid-August. It can be planted in the fall, until the end of September (more precisely, it must be completed 15 days before the soil freezes). The application of the gel improves the rooting of bushes and their development. Therefore, even with an autumn planting, you will get the first harvest the next year. The size of the berries and the overall yield of the plantation will increase.

Time for vacation? Who will water the flowers?

More recently, vacationers had little choice. The most patient ones switched houseplants to wick watering or arranged other ingenious "irrigation systems" from bottles and hoses. Some lucky ones left the keys to relatives or friends, in the hope that they would monitor the plants in the absence of the owners ... In fact, in the west, in indoor floriculture, hydrogel has long been used for such cases. It allows plants to calmly survive the absence of watering for 2-3 weeks.

Indoor floriculture, the use of hydrogel

Your plants can be watered 5-6 times less often. You can leave and leave indoor flowers for 2-3 weeks without watering.

Even with constant care, the use of hydrogel increases the number of flowers, the duration of flowering, and improves the appearance of plants.

Plants planted in small containers - pots, boxes, flowerpots require much more care compared to those growing in open ground. The soil dries up very quickly, the plants develop poorly, bloom poorly, quickly age and wither.

The hydrogel must be applied to the soil when decorating offices and institutions where plant care is irregular and they suffer from drought.

How to apply hydrogel

Apply dry or already swollen?

Everything is defined by objects. For application with seeds, indoor floriculture and growing seedlings (i.e., in a limited volume), we recommend that the preparation be allowed to swell in water first. Otherwise, troubles may arise: plants that crawl out of the pot when the polymer swells, bulging rows with seeds, etc.

The same applies to "fine" work in the open field (for strawberries, 1-2 year old seedlings, small flowers), it is better to saturate the preparation with water.

To swell, fill with water for at least an hour (the specific time is determined by the temperature, the chemical composition of the water and the modification of the hydrogel). You can fill it for the night, day, month - the hydrogel will not deteriorate.

When planting large seedlings, bushes and flowers, this is not significant. Mix the dry preparation with the soil throughout the volume. For obvious reasons, locally, do not pour into the bottom of the hole.

If applied dry, follow-up watering should be plentiful. Better in two phases: re-watering after an hour and a half.

Can hydrogel be applied only when plants are planted? Completely optional. You can apply it under already planted bushes, trees and flowers and it will work effectively. You can do this until the first autumn frosts. By the way, this method is also applicable for indoor plants growing in pots, boxes, flowerpots.

How to apply the gel under already planted trees, bushes, flowers?

It can be applied in the same way as granular fertilizers are often applied - locally. Under a bush, a tree in the middle of the crown projection (closer to the periphery), punctures are made around the circumference to the depth of the sod horizon (15-20 cm) with a crowbar, a pitchfork. The gel is evenly scattered into the holes, sprinkled with soil, watered. It is advisable to re-water after 40-50 minutes.

How to apply the gel under already planted indoor plants?

For example, you have a pot of 5 liters, so you need to make about 5 grams. To do this, carefully make punctures over the entire area to the depth of the container (for example, with a sharpened pencil). Pour the gel into the wells.

Do not forget that it is very much increased in volume! Irrigate. If some of the gel is squeezed out onto the surface, it's okay. Sprinkle it with soil 1-2 cm, later the roots of the plant will find these granules themselves.

As soon as the roots grow into the gel (usually it takes 1.5-2 weeks), you can water 5-6 times less often.

How much hydrogel should be applied? On an average bush of gooseberries, currants, roses, peonies, at least 50 g in terms of dry preparation should be added. Mix throughout. Indoor flowers, seedlings: a glass of swollen gel (which is about 1g of dry preparation) per liter of soil. Strawberries: a glass - two swollen gels per bush, mixing by volume.

Hydrogel for protecting the open root system during planting, transplanting and transportation.

This type of Evabeon® hydrogel forms a "jelly" when mixed with water. They can cover open or exposed roots during transplantation. To do this, the roots of plants are dipped in it or the gel is applied with a spray gun. This gel is also used for seed coating.

Root hairs are special outgrowths of specialized cells through which water and nutrients are absorbed. In the air, they dry almost instantly. Therefore, when planting and transplanting, planting seedlings and seedlings that have bare roots, the normal diet is disrupted. The plant is sick for a long time and adapts.

Application of root gel during storage and transportation

The gel envelops the roots, forming a protective cover and prevents them from drying out. In this form, seedlings, seedlings, plants selected for transplantation can be transported and stored for up to several days. Root protection only with covering materials is not effective enough. Covering the entire surface of the roots is simply unrealistic. With the help of a hydrogel, this is possible.

Application of root gel for seedlings

If you dip the roots in the gel before planting, the survival rate will be much improved. Suitable for "repair" of collapsed clods of seedlings.

When growing seedlings in glasses and boxes, the roots are distributed over the surface of the soil clod. After being removed from the container, they are open and unprotected. Therefore, after transplanting into the ground, the roots are especially vulnerable even with a slight lack of moisture. It is enough to dip such a lump in the "jelly" of the gel before planting it, and you will greatly accelerate the survival of the plant and its resistance to adverse factors.

Application for open root system

When planting a plant with bare roots in the soil, its moisture content is very important. Even slight drying is detrimental to the plant. Therefore, not only abundant watering is used, but also soil compaction - to ensure closer contact of the roots with the ground. Because of this, moisture stagnation occurs, leading to rotting of the roots.

The first two weeks after planting and transplanting are very important - at this time the root system is being restored. The gel significantly improves the establishment of plants by helping to retain moisture in the roots, protecting them from drying out and ensuring rapid establishment.

About the hydrogel for the roots - in the video tutorial, planting seedlings:

How to apply hydrogel to protect the open root system? How much and how is applied to the planting hole? What types of Evabeon® hydrogel are there? The video contains a coupon for a discount in the store. See all our lessons in the video section.

House and garden plants often suffer from drought. Any drying out of the soil causes stress in horticultural and domestic crops and inevitably leads to diseases. You can solve the problem with irrigation with the help of a hydrogel produced by agricultural enterprises. Its composition is absolutely safe for soil, flowers, people and animals. The benefits of hydrogel are enormous, but, like any know-how, they must be used correctly, otherwise inept actions can harm plants.

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The composition and principle of action of the hydrogel

The hydrogel has the form of a powder or small colorless granules, which, when released into water, swell and increase several times. So, 1 gram of dry hydrogel is able to absorb from 200 to 400 grams of liquid. This can be pure water or a nutrient solution with beneficial micronutrients.

For comparison: dry and swollen hydrogel granules

This material is made of a polymer substance that retains its unique qualities for 2-5 years. The expiration date depends on the manufacturer and the chemical formula used in the production of products. Upon completion, the hydrogel decomposes into simple components: water, carbon dioxide, potassium salts and ammonium. He is not afraid of drying, freezing and thawing - after the temperature and humidity parameters return to normal, the polymer quickly restores its properties.

Using hydrogel for plants makes it much easier to care for them. Thanks to the innovative material, the soil is filled with original reservoirs of life-giving moisture, from which the roots of flower and garden crops draw water and chemical trace elements. The structure of the polymer is so soft that it allows even small and fragile roots to freely penetrate inside and pump out the liquid in the volumes required by the plant. After the next watering, the hydrogel granules inside the soil absorb a new portion of water, and then gradually give it to the roots.

Hydrogel granules first absorb water and then gradually release it to plants

Attention! The hydrogel begins to "work" not immediately after being introduced into the soil, but after 10-14 days, when the roots grow inside the polymer.

Advantages

The use of a hydrogel makes it much easier to care for indoor and outdoor plants and at the same time solve several problems:

Flowers and horticultural crops will not suffer from drought. On days when watering is not possible, they will be able to get moisture from the polymer reservoirs. This is especially true when growing outdoor plants in limited containers: planters, pots, tubs, boxes and containers.
Simultaneously with moisture, hydrogel granules will retain chemical micro- and macroelements introduced into the soil with a fertilizer solution. Useful substances will not be washed out, but will be gradually absorbed by the roots.
Excess liquid does not stagnate in pots, but is absorbed by polymer granules. The earth dries out faster and allows the roots to "breathe" freely.
Plants grown in hydrogel develop more actively - they acquire resistance to stress and diseases, grow quickly, bloom profusely and bear fruit.

The granules are made of a sterile substance, inside which the development of pathogenic microflora is impossible. This reduces the risk of fungal and viral infections and increases plant immunity.

Application area

The hydrogel is recommended for use both in open and protected ground. At the summer cottage, it can be applied when laying alpine slides, flower beds and lawns, laying out flower beds, planting trees and shrubs. The hydrogel is also suitable for growing mushrooms, agriculture and forestry, as well as transporting seedlings. A tangible effect can be expected from the use of polymer in indoor pots, balcony boxes and outdoor containers.

Positive results are obtained by gardeners practicing seed germination and obtaining seedlings in a hydrogel. It is often quite difficult to control and maintain the humidity of the substrate. In small seedling containers, the soil is easy to fill and just as easy to dry out. The unique polymer introduced into the soil mix allows supplying seeds and young immature plants with moisture and nutrients.

Important! Hydrogel is not suitable for growing drought-resistant crops whose roots cannot stand constant proximity to water reservoirs: desert cacti, succulents, orchids, some aroid varieties.

Instructions for use

You can lay the hydrogel in the soil in a dry and swollen form. It is advisable to do this before planting, that is, at the stage of preparing the substrate in pots or land in the country flower bed. There are general rules to follow:

when applying dry matter, use 1 gram of granules per 1 liter of soil mixture;
when using a swollen polymer, add 1 cup of jelly pieces per 1 liter of soil, that is, in a ratio of 1:5.

Both options have their advantages, although the first method is more convenient to use in the open field, and the second - in a room culture. But it all depends on the specific conditions and plans of the grower.

Hydrogel packages do not come with instructions for use, but in the course of many years of experience, the main recommendations have been identified:

When laying out beds, flower beds and lawns, it is better to apply dry granules and mix with the soil at the time of digging. For horticultural crops with a superficial root system, the laying depth should be 10 cm, for plants with tap roots - 20-25 cm. After filling the dry granules, the area should be watered abundantly and wait until the hydrogel swells. If a large amount of granules is used, the soil may rise a couple of centimeters after 1-2 hours.
Do not pour dry matter directly into the wells, it is better to use a jelly-like form at the rate of 1 glass of gel per liter of soil. Bookmarking can be carried out in two ways: put a layer of swollen gel on the bottom of the hole and mix it with the soil, or lay it in layers, alternating it with soil.
It is also allowed to add a polymer under the planted plants. In order not to severely injure the roots, it is necessary to make indentations over the entire surface of the soil with a pencil or thin stick. Pour dry granules into it. Then you need to water the plant, and if part of the "jelly" comes to the surface, sprinkle with a thin layer of soil.
When planting indoor plants, the swollen gel should be mixed with the ground so that the transparent pieces are evenly distributed. Otherwise, part of the roots will not be able to receive moisture from the polymer reservoirs. You can plant flowers in the usual way, using a mixture of soil and gel as a substrate.
Dry granules should be applied under trees and shrubs in the same way as under house plants: in the area of \u200b\u200bthe near-stem circle, make punctures to a depth of 20-50 cm with pitchforks or fittings, pour in the substance, sprinkle with soil and water abundantly. After an hour, repeat watering for better swelling of the hydrogel. You can also use swollen polymer. Mix with the soil and apply to the depth at which the roots of the shrub or tree will not be damaged.

Reference! Cutlery can be used to determine the right amount of hydrogel without electronic scales. So, about 3 g of dry granules are included in one teaspoon, and 5 g in a tablespoon.

To bring the dry hydrogel to the desired consistency, the granules must be poured with cold water and kept for 1-2 hours. Do not worry if the swelling time is increased. Granules from this will not deteriorate and will not lose their properties. After the dry matter turns into jelly-like pieces, excess water can be drained and the material used for its intended purpose.

Additional Information

In the process of applying the hydrogel, situations arise that cause difficulties for many flower growers. Recommendations of experts will help to find the answer to the questions that arise:

Unused dry hydrogel granules should be stored in an airtight container and placed in the refrigerator. It is undesirable to keep them at room temperature, otherwise the polymer will crystallize over time and lose the ability to absorb and release moisture.
The prepared (swollen) hydrogel, which turned out to be superfluous, can be stored ready-made for 1-2 months by placing it in an airtight container (jar, food container, etc.) and storing it in a dark, cool place.
If you leave the "jelly" open, it will not deteriorate, but it will begin to dry out. For this reason, hydrogel should not be used to increase the humidity around plants. To return the previous appearance to the jelly-like pieces, they need to be re-soaked.

Soil with hydrogel should be watered much less frequently, because polymer granules have a sufficient supply of moisture. The interval between watering should be at least doubled. But the exact schedule of fluid application can only be determined experimentally. It is easiest to visually determine the frequency of watering by the state of the plant: as soon as the leaves begin to lose turgor, the flower can be safely watered.

Difference from aqua soil

Do not confuse hydrogel with aqua soil. We are talking about Chinese products, which, after soaking in water, take the form of attractive multi-colored balls, bears, pyramids or cubes. Such granules, in contrast to the soft jelly-like gel, have a dense shell, almost perfect geometric shape and bright color. Aqua soil is more intended for decorative purposes: it is used as an air freshener, filler for glass vessels or creating spectacular florariums.

It is inappropriate and impractical to use it in a soil mixture - this can cause irreparable harm to plants.

A hydrogel is a polymer in the form of granules or powder. The material is used both in pure form and mixed with soil to moisten the root system of garden crops and indoor plants. Using hydrogel granules of various colors and shapes, you can create original floral arrangements.

What is a hydrogel?

Hydrogel properties:

maintains the optimal balance of moisture needed by the plant;
keeps fertilizers in the soil longer and allows plants to absorb them more efficiently;
improves the structure and looseness of the soil;
accelerates the fruiting period of plants;
protects the soil from drying out and cracking.

Types of hydrogel

There are two main types of hydrogel, which differ in their composition, density, appearance and have different applications.

Soft colorless polymer serves to moisten the root system of plants and acts as a soil conditioner. The hydrogel has a jelly-like structure, so the roots, penetrating into the granules, easily absorb water and trace elements dissolved in it. Thus, with this polymeric material it is possible to lengthen the periods between watering the plants.

In the process of water absorption, the hydrogel increases in volume by 10–15 times, due to which it can retain a large amount of moisture (10 g of granules holds up to 2 liters of water), which, as necessary, gradually gives to the roots of plants. At the same time, the roots of the plant do not rot from waterlogging, since excess water is absorbed by the polymer.

Aqua soil is a hydrogel with a denser composition, it is produced in the form of colored granules of various shapes (balls, cubes, pyramids).

Since the structure of such a polymer is denser, it is more difficult for it to absorb moisture. Such crystals are used mainly as a temporary primer or for decorative purposes as a filler for indoor flowers.

You can use hydrogel for plants repeatedly dry it well enough. Despite the fact that over time (after 1 - 1.5 years) the decorative qualities of this polymer deteriorate, the ability to absorb and retain water is retained. Therefore, at the end of the service life (5 years), the polymer is mixed with the soil, where it continues to perform its functions for several more years, and then decomposes into environmentally friendly components (carbon dioxide, water and ammonium).

Polymer non-toxic and can retain its properties in the soil at low and high temperatures within 5 years. Hydrogel for plants is not harmful, since for its production an environmentally friendly material (polyacrylamide) is used, in which there are no conditions for the reproduction of harmful microorganisms.

Application and methods of preparation of hydrogel

The areas of application of hydrogel are quite significant. The material is widely used in horticultural work. Thus, a polymer substrate introduced into clay soils improves the structure of the earth and helps protect plants from excessive moisture and rotting of the root system. The use of this polymer in dry soil improves the water supply to the root system.

Hydrogel is also used as a substrate for germinating seeds and growing flower seedlings.

For seedlings and planting plants in open ground, 1 g of polymer powder is required per 1 kg of land. Pre-crystalline substance is diluted in pure water and let it swell for several hours. Then it is introduced into the soil and thoroughly mixed so that all parts of the soil can get access to moisture. As a result of the use of hydrogel, fertilizing and watering are reduced by 3-4 times.

Seeds can also be germinated in pure hydrogel without soil. For what the swollen polymer is thoroughly crushed and placed in shallow containers with a layer up to 1.5 cm. When planting, the seeds are slightly pressed down, then these containers are covered with a film and the dark place is removed. After the seeds germinate, they are planted in the soil with a part of the hydrogel.

Aqua soil in its pure form without soil impurity is used for keeping houseplants. For this it pre-soaked in water with fertilizer and leave for 12 hours. After that, the granular filler is placed in glass vessels where flowers are planted later. It is not recommended to use crystal dishes for planting, as crystal contains lead oxides.

Plants for decorative filler choose a small size, which can be well strengthened in the aquatic soil. They must also be moisture-loving and shade-tolerant. Bamboo feels best in such an environment, which in nature actually grows in water. For other types of plants, fertilizers must be added. The service life of decorative aquatic soil does not exceed 2 years.

The polymeric material also serves as a filler to preserve the cut flower bouquets and thus helps to extend the life of the plants.

Due to its properties to retain moisture for a long time, the polymer is used in the transportation of plants. More details about how you can and should use the hydrogel, the instructions for use will tell each buyer.

Hydrogel Disadvantages

Under the influence of sunlight, water in glass vessels with aquatic soil granules begins to bloom and acquire an unpleasant odor. Therefore, indoor plants planted in decorative filler are best installed in shady places.
Multi-colored polymer capsules quickly fade in bright light and lose their decorative appearance.
The top layer of aquatic soil granules, in which flowers are planted, dries up in the air, while at the bottom of the vessel the crystals become moldy as a result of stagnant water. Therefore, they must be periodically washed in running water.

"Please tell us about the hydrogel. Can it be used to grow herbs in containers, as well as flowers in hanging baskets. I heard that using hydrogel makes it easier to care for. Is this true?"

E. M. Rassadin, Kyiv

We still have little known material for hydrogel for plants. But its properties are amazing - 1 g of hydrogel can absorb and retain about 300 ml of water during swelling in a form accessible to plants. Hydrogel for flowers is non-toxic, retains its properties at high and low temperatures in the soil for five years. Eventually, the hydrogel breaks down into carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen. When added to the soil, from 25 to 50% of water is saved during irrigation. The granules absorb and hold water-soluble fertilizers, preventing them from washing down the profile into areas inaccessible to plant roots. The efficiency of used fertilizers is increased by almost 30%. The ability of granules to swell-compress improves soil structure, improves aeration and water filtration.
Each swollen lump of hydrogel becomes a microreservoir of water, which slowly releases moisture to the roots of plants. Tests have shown that even in extreme heat, one watering per week is sufficient. So using it for hanging baskets with flower arrangements, flower pots, and also introducing it into the soil mixture in which spicy plants will be grown on the terrace of your summer house is a good idea and a wise solution to the problem of watering.

Hydrogel for plants: how to use?

A single application of hydrogel to the soil in a garden bed, greenhouse or greenhouse, pot or box is enough to ensure moisture regulation for 6 years. It is very important that hydrogel in the open ground improves the quality of all types of soils and substrates: heavy clay and loamy soils become looser, and light sandy and sandy loam soils become more structured due to the formation of strong lumps.
The accumulated water and dissolved nutrients can be fully utilized by the plant. The roots suck out the water they need from the gel particles to cover their moisture needs. Thus, agricultural hydrogel creates a constant supply of water where the plant needs it - in the root part. This protects the plant from stress caused by lack of water. Hydrogel can be used not only when growing seedlings, but also to improve the water regime of any piece of land.

Can hydrogel be added to soil?

To reduce irrigation work in areas with plants that have a superficial root system (strawberries, currants, sea buckthorn, flower perennials, etc.), dry hydrogel is scattered over the soil surface and mixed with it (the balls are immersed to a depth of about 10 cm), then abundantly sprinkled with water.
To protect the soil from drying out in the near-stem circles of trees and shrubs, another option for using hydrogel is proposed, which reduces labor costs and creates an optimal water and air regime for plants. Hydrogel for flowers is diluted in water, then stirred and left for 40-45 minutes to swell. During this time, a thin layer of soil is carefully removed under a tree or shrub, a large perennial flower and set aside. Lay out the swollen gel in a thin layer on the prepared area, sprinkle with earth or any vegetable mulch to protect from direct sunlight. In this case, weakly concentrated solutions are used for top dressing.
The most exotic novelty can be considered a hydrogel-eco-soil, that is, a soil substitute or an important additive to it. You can see plants planted in vessels with multi-colored granular or homogeneous gel at floristic exhibitions or in fashionable salons. These can be cut plants in a bright frame of colored gel or flowers growing in a gel medium. The decorative qualities of the hydrogel are ideal: transparency, bright colors, the play of light and shadow - an unforgettable holiday presented by a master florist. The hydrogel is saturated with nutrients, which are gradually released and enter the plants. This allows you not to make additional fertilizer and not water them for 2-3 months. More than 100 color shades of indelible coloring of the gel have been developed. Using them, you can create durable multi-color compositions with living plants and all kinds of natural materials.
A continuous gel is obtained by mixing a granular gel with a liquid binder gel, resulting in a product with greater transparency. It allows you to use vases with a diameter of up to 40 cm for compositions, in which the entire volume is well perceived. In a solid gel, plant roots do not rot due to lack of water, and blue-green algae do not develop, which worsen the decorative properties of the granular gel.
Manufacturers of the new material believe that the possibilities of hydrogel in ornamental gardening are unlimited.

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