How to use a hydrogel for indoor flowers. Hydrogel for indoor flowers. How to apply gel under already planted indoor plants

Modern gardening involves the use of both time-tested methods and technical innovations, thanks to which gardening work is greatly facilitated. One of the most popular innovations is the hydrogel.

Hydrogel (aquagel) is a chemical that can be used to refresh the eye on watering and maintaining soil moisture. Available in the form of a white powder or chaotic granules. When interacting with water, it transforms into a soft jelly consistency. 1 g of dry powder can absorb up to 200-250 ml of water.

Aquagel is used for growing seedlings, germinating bulbs, creating the best microclimate for indoor plants. It is equally useful for both vegetable and fruit, ornamental crops.

It should be noted that the hydrogel has nothing to do with decorative aqua soil, the use of which is limited to interior design, vases and other household items. The true function of the hydrogel is to nourish the plant's root system, saving moisture introduced into the soil.

The hydrogel comes in two forms:

Granulated. Powdery white substance, almost transparent. The grains are hard to the touch. Interaction with water provokes a sharp change in volume, which can multiply 200-300 times from the original. In the finished, soaked state, it has a granular jelly-like consistency. It is used as an independent substrate for the germination of seeds and bulbs of plants, or it is introduced into the nutrient soil as a source of moisture accumulation. The root system of plants feels comfortable in the vicinity of the gel-like particles and uses the moisture they retain according to their needs. The liquid inside the hydrogel does not tend to evaporate or stale.
Liquid hydrogel is an identical granular powder, however, when interacting with liquid, it completely dissolves with it, forming a homogeneous nutrient mixture. Its use is more common in the industrial production of seedlings, where dry planting material is moistened in the substance. This process allows you to supply the seed with nutrients in a convenient enveloping form. Household germination of seeds in liquid aquagel is impractical - the substance glues the shell and blocks the admission of the sprout to oxygen. For the seeds of most crops, this fact is disastrous and negatively affects germination.

What affects the size of the granules

In stores, you can find a hydrogel, the particle size of which is different from each other. The difference in the size of the faction is not only an example of diversity, but a justified phenomenon. The fact is that the efficiency of moisture preservation and the durability of the substance in the nutrient soil directly depends on the particle size.

The coarse fraction is most effective when applied for perennials in open field conditions. Such a substance can be conveniently used for shrubs and other large garden plants.
The fine fraction of the hydrogel has the ability to accumulate moisture ultra-fast. Accordingly, it is easier to give moisture to the root system of plants to such a substance.
The universal fraction is the middle one, which is used both for growing seedlings and for feeding adult indoor and garden crops.

Some manufacturers produce aquagel of one fraction. When choosing a suitable option, you should give preference to firms that offer a variety of types for purchase. Basically, their product is of higher quality.

Pros and cons of using

Of the positive manifestations of the use of a hydrogel, the following can be distinguished:

The substance has a beneficial effect on seed germination. Studies show that nutrient soil with aquagel allows you to get seedlings of technical readiness 10-14 days earlier than usual. The dynamics of the increase in the percentage of yield is revealed.
When the planting material is soaked, the seedlings have a long-lasting nutrient shell.
The introduction of granules into the soil allows you to maintain its light structure, prevents clumping and the formation of a hard crust, and contributes to the saturation of the plant's root system with oxygen.
Low consumption of dry matter - 1 liter of soil will require 0.5-1.5 g of powder.

But not everything is so great. A number of negative points are also noted that need to be studied when using the substance for the first time:

The powder is not applicable to crops, the seed of which has a hard shell that requires stratification - beans, beans, peas.
Direct sunlight can provoke the development of fungal spores on those particles that are on the surface of the earth.
The average service life of the hydrogel is 2 years. After the second season of use, it needs to be replaced.

Method of use and required amount

Each method of using the hydrogel has its own characteristics.

When germinating, the ready-made jelly-like mass is spread on the bottom of a light-transmitting container, forming an even coating with a thickness of at least 3 cm. The seed material is spread on the surface of the coating, slightly pressing down. The top of the container is covered with a layer of cling film, having previously made several small holes to allow oxygen. The place for germination should be light enough, with a temperature of at least 18 degrees.

The addition of granules to the seedling soil is carried out according to the following scheme - 1 part of powder to 4 parts of soil. The substrate is thoroughly mixed and used for its intended purpose in the usual way. This hydrogel technique aims to maintain soil moisture levels.

Dive seedlings. When transferring seedlings / seedlings to a permanent planting site, as well as with any other transplantation of plants (indoor flowers, for example), the root system is dipped into the finished substance. At the same time, there is a more favorable dynamics of survival and further growth of seedlings.

The shape matters - dry granules are more often applicable in open ground conditions, jelly-like hydrogel is introduced into seedling boxes, pots, containers.

In the process of growing plants, the functions of the hydrogel can be changed, which allows significant savings. So, after germination of the seed, the hydrogel, used as an independent substrate, is mixed with the ground, where it will act as a moisture accumulator. When transplanting seedlings into open ground conditions, the nutrient substrate with hydrogel is transferred to the planting holes, where it will continue to serve and have a beneficial effect on obtaining a good harvest.

It was noted that even in dry summers, vegetable crops feel much more comfortable, having such an assistant next to their root system.

The surplus of the finished mixture can be placed in the refrigerator, where after some time the gel will return to its original dry and solid state and can be reused for the next season without losing its physical properties.

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

What is a hydrogel?

Hydrogel properties:

maintains an optimal balance of moisture required by the plant;
keeps fertilizers in the soil longer and allows plants to assimilate 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 hydrogels

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

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

In the process of absorbing water, 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, is gradually given to the roots of plants. In this case, the roots of the plant do not rot from waterlogging, since excess water is absorbed by the polymer.

Aqua primer 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 more dense, it is more difficult to absorb moisture. These crystals are mainly used as temporary soil or for decorative purposes as a filler for indoor flowers.

Plant hydrogel can be used 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 preserved. Therefore, at the end of its 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 soil at low and high temperatures for 5 years. The hydrogel does not pose any harm to plants, since an environmentally friendly material (polyacrylamide) is used for its production, in which there are no conditions for the reproduction of harmful microorganisms.

Application and methods of preparation of the hydrogel

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

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

For seedling and planting plants in open ground, 1 g of polymer powder is required per 1 kg of land. The crystalline substance is preliminarily diluted in pure water and allow to swell for several hours. Then it is brought 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 the hydrogel, feeding and watering is reduced by 3-4 times.

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

Pure aqua soil without soil admixture is used to keep indoor plants. For this it pre-soaked in water with fertilizers and leave for 12 hours. After that, the granular filler is placed in glass vessels, where flowers are later planted. 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 aqua soil. They also need to be moisture-loving and shade-tolerant. Bamboo, which in nature actually grows in water, thrives best in such an environment. For other types of plants, fertilizer must be added. The service life of the decorative aqua soil does not exceed 2 years.

The resin material also serves as a filler to preserve 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 for transporting plants. In more detail about how you can and should use the hydrogel, the instructions for use will tell each buyer.

Disadvantages of a hydrogel

Under the influence of sunlight, the water in glass vessels with aqua soil granules begins to bloom and acquire an unpleasant odor. Therefore, indoor plants planted in decorative filler are best placed in shaded areas.
Multi-colored polymer capsules quickly fade in bright light and lose their decorative appearance.
The top layer of aqua soil granules, in which the 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 rinsed in running water.

A hydrogel is a common polymer that retains moisture well. The tool appeared on the market relatively recently, but immediately proved to be the best. In today's article, we will consider how to use the hydrogel correctly, what you need to consider when buying, for which types of plants it is best to use it.

A hydrogel is a special polymer that comes in the form of granules or powder.

The tool has the following properties:

Retains moisture that the plant needs.
Keeps fertilizers applied to the soil well. Useful components stay in the granules for a long time, which allows plants to better absorb them.
Improves soil structure.
Protects the soil from cracking.
Accelerates the time of flowering and fruiting of plants.

The soft hydrogel comes in the form of a colorless powder or small colored granules. How does it work? When interacting with water, the agent begins to swell, significantly increases in size. The already swollen balls are mixed with the soil, the root system of plants begins to germinate in them and are fed with moisture.

The use of a hydrogel allows you to completely do without watering for a fairly long time (2 - 3 weeks). Of course, a lot depends on the root system of the plant - the thicker and stronger it is, the better the effect.

The balls remain in the ground for a long time (the service life is 5 years), after watering they swell again and continue to fully perform their functions.

It should be noted that the use of a hydrogel protects plant roots from excess moisture. Thanks to this, you should not worry about their decay.

There are several types of hydrogels:

Soft. It is widely used for indoor plants. Ideal for germinating seeds. It is often used by gardeners when planting garden crops. Its advantage is that the granules are quite soft, the roots of any plant can freely penetrate into the hydrogel and suck out moisture.
Dense. In another way, this type of hydrogel is called aqua primer. The granules are multi-colored, some with glitters and other decorations added. The main task is to decorate vases and plant pots.

The hydrogel is widely used in floriculture and horticulture, having established itself only on the positive side.

The chemical composition of the hydrogel

Many flower growers are concerned about whether it is dangerous to use a hydrogel for flowers and plants. Experts say that it is non-toxic and consists of chemically harmless substances.

All its components, after the expiration date, decompose on their own, turning into organic matter.

The hydrogel is absolutely safe for plants and non-toxic to humans.

What plants is hydrogel used for?

The hydrogel is ideal for indoor plants. It absorbs and retains moisture well. So, 1 g of the product can easily hold up to 200 - 400 g of liquid, which will subsequently be gradually given to the root system.

The hydrogel can also be used outdoors or indoors. The tool is recommended to be applied when planting trees, shrubs, flower beds. In these cases, the number of waterings is significantly reduced.

Also, the hydrogel is widely used in growing seedlings. Nutrients are added to the irrigation liquid, which contributes to the speedy growth of the plant and the strengthening of the root system.

Many growers use hydrogel balls exclusively for decorative purposes, confusing them with aqua soil. It is not right.

The main task of the tool is to provide the plant with the necessary amount of liquid and prevent the soil from drying out.

Instructions for use

When thinking about how to use a hydrogel for plants, first of all pay attention to what kind of soil you will be planting in. An important role is played by the type of root system of a green pet, and many other factors that are worth understanding in more detail.

How to use for indoor plants

Hydrogel for indoor plants, which are planted in flowerpots and pots, is used quite often. For this purpose, it is better to use ready-made, swollen granules. To do this, the product should be soaked in settled water for 1 hour, drain the excess liquid, then mix the granules with the soil and plant the flower.

It is very important to distribute the hydrogel evenly so that there are no capsule-free areas.

If you have already planted a flower in the soil and want to add a hydrogel to it, you need to proceed as follows:

On the surface of the soil, make holes that will reach the root system of the flower. Do this carefully, not with a sharp object, so as not to damage the plant.
Pour the hydrogel into the formed holes. It is important that the capsules are dry, not saturated with moisture.
Water the plant liberally.
The capsules should then increase in size. If there are too many of them, and they are visible on the surface of the soil, be sure to remove the excess and sprinkle them with soil.

Some types of flowers can only be grown in a hydrogel. In this case, the granules are soaked in a solution with mineral fertilizers.

When using a hydrogel for flowers without adding soil, the following points should be considered:

Watering is best done with settled water. This will eliminate the formation of plaque and moss on the surface of the granules, as well as the appearance of bacteria and pests.
If a plant has a too developed root system, it will "creep" over the pot and it will not look very nice.
Some flowers do not have enough oxygen, therefore, in some cases, you cannot do without adding soil.

If you have any unused hydrogel, be sure to put it in an airtight container and put it in the refrigerator on the middle shelf.

For seedlings

The hydrogel is often applied to open ground. In this case, watering is reduced to 2 times a week. Agree, a very convenient way if there is no way to often take care of the garden plot.

Instructions for use are as follows:

pour the product with water;
dig up the soil, prepare holes for planting seedlings;
put the granules in the holes, mix with the soil;
set a seedling and sprinkle with soil mixed with hydrogel.

How much money do you need to deposit? The calculation is as follows: 100 g of granules per 1 sq. m of soil.

When using a seedling hydrogel, it is important to pay attention to the plant root system. If it is superficial, the permissible depth of granule application should not exceed 10 cm.In other cases, this value may fluctuate within 25 cm.

Seeds can also be germinated in the hydrogel. It is enough to put them in the product, moisten them a little and water them in a timely manner.

Pros and cons of using a hydrogel

Among the strengths of the use of a hydrogel are the following:

the product retains moisture and nutrients for a long time, gradually distributing them along the root system of the plant;
allows you to quickly germinate seeds without special care for them;
prevents stagnation of liquid in the soil and rotting of the root system;
granules are completely safe for plants and humans;
you do not need to worry about constant watering of the plant;
does not allow fertilizers to be washed out of the soil;
granules have a beautiful aesthetic appearance.

But there are also a number of disadvantages, among which the following can be distinguished:

Not suitable for all seeds and plants. If the root system of the flower is too massive, it will be difficult for it to penetrate the hydrogel. The same applies to seeds with a leathery coat (for example, sweet peas).
The service life of the granules is 5 years. But in practice, this period is reduced to 1.5 years. After that, the granules retain moisture much worse, they can darken, wrinkle.
Bacteria can form on the surface of the granules and attack the plant.

The high cost of the hydrogel also becomes a significant disadvantage for many. So 10 kg of funds will cost 6,000 - 6,500 rubles.

Hydrogel and aqua primer - what is the difference

It's time to figure it out and find the differences between aqua primer and hydrogel. Many people think that they are one and the same remedy. But experts say that this is far from the case.

Aqua primer is used only for decorative purposes. If you reduce watering at the same time, the plant will die.

What are the other differences between aqua soil and hydrogel:

the product does not decompose;
colored granules, sometimes with the addition of glitter and rhinestones;
available in the form of stars, rhombuses, and other geometric shapes;
has an attractive pricing policy;
can only be used for decorative purposes.

Hydrogel - know-how in floriculture and horticulture. This tool makes it much easier for summer residents to care for plants. The number of waterings is reduced to several times a week. Flowers with an underdeveloped root system can do without watering at all for up to 2 - 3 weeks.

It is important not to confuse hydrogel with aqua primer. These tools perform completely different functions. The task of the aqua soil is to give an aesthetic appearance to a flowerpot with a plant. These balls have nothing to do with moistening.

In the hot summer season, it is difficult for plants to endure the drying heat. Plants growing on balconies, for which hanging boxes, pots, baskets, are used most of all. The soil in the container dries out very quickly, and the drying out soil often damages the root system of plants.
A more difficult situation with container flowers in the country, if the owners of the suburban area come there only on weekends. And plants planted in open ground suffer from the heat. In the absence of good rainfall, if you water the plants once a week, they will turn yellow, wither and die as a result.
But at present there is a modern unique remedy, which not all summer residents still know about. - its properties and methods of application are not known to everyone. This tool allows you to reduce watering by 4-6 times. This is a real miracle of the agricultural industry.

Characteristics of Plant Hydrogel

The hydrogel comes in the form of a colorless powder or crystals. Soaked in water, they absorb it, turning into a kind of water reservoir. If the hydrogel is added to the soil, it will swell and supply moisture to the plants. Even after the soil dries up, the reserve reservoir (hydrogel) remains full, and the root system of the plants pumps out as much liquid from it as it needs.

The chemical formula of the hydrogel is a polymer (crosslinked copolymer) that retains water and fertilizers in solutions in large quantities. The hydrogel has the following absorbent properties: 1 gram of dry matter absorbs up to 0.3 liters of liquid.

Characteristics and methods of application of the hydrogel.

Before use, the hydrogel is applied to the soil in places where plant root systems have access to it. It is best to add a substance that is swollen and saturated with water, but you can also dry it (in this case, it is necessary to water the soil immediately after adding the hydrogel).

It takes 2-3 weeks for plant roots to germinate after hydrogel capsules... They then absorb water from the capsules without the need for frequent watering. If watering is rare, the soil between them dries out completely, but this will not harm the root system of the plants. The hydrogel acts as a reserve source of moisture that can water the plants, prevent them from withering and drying out during severe drought and heat.

The hydrogel granules are fed not only with plain water, but also fertilizer solutions are used for this. This allows not only to saturate plants with life-giving moisture in the absence of the owners, but also to receive the necessary minerals and nutrients.

The ability to absorb moisture adds another useful property to the hydrogel: not all flowers have a positive attitude towards flooding. And the hydrogel prevents this. The hydrogel absorbs all excess moisture that flows through the drainage holes, after which the plants absorb moisture from it when they need it.

There is a Chinese hydrogel (the so-called "aqua soil"), but this is a completely different material, the polymer nature of which is similar to the hydrogel that we are considering:

Agrarian hydrogel- this is a source of additional moisture for plants, and the aqua soil is designed to create a decorative effect.

Applications of the hydrogel

The use of an agricultural hydrogel is convenient for open (OG) and protected grounds (these are pots, containers, and other containers). It is often used in indoor floriculture. Hydrogel is an excellent tool for arranging a lawn, etc. Trees, shrubs, flower beds are planted using a hydrogel.

The effect of retaining water in the hydrogel capsules is clearly noticeable when it is introduced into containers located on balconies and streets. In these cases, the plants are watered no more than 2 times a week, while the flower arrangements remain beautiful and decorative.

Using a hydrogel for growing seedlings.

A hydrogel is used for growing seedlings on an industrial scale. The soil with which the seedling containers are filled dries quickly, and thanks to the hydrogel, the final moisture loss occurs much later.

An interesting option is the germination of seeds in a hydrogel, the granules of which swell, providing an excellent moisturizing environment that stimulates the development of sprouts.

What plants can hydrogel be used for?

Many growers consider hydrogel to be an excellent way to grow almost any plant, except for drought-resistant plants, which include succulents (desert cacti) and epiphytes (orchids, some aroid plants and other plants), the roots of which cannot stand the constant presence of wet pieces of gel next to them.

For the correct use of the hydrogel, it is mixed with the soil - it is recommended to lay the hydrogel before the plants are planted - when preparing the soil for growing plants in a pot, in a garden bed, in a flower garden.

How to apply hydrogel to flower pots and containers

Apply hydrogel correctly to flower pots and containers during planting. This is done as follows: the hydrogel is introduced into the soil at the rate of 1 gram (a dry hydrogel is taken in an approximate amount of ¼ a teaspoon) per 1 meter of soil. If a swollen gel is used, the hydrogel to soil ratio is 1 to 5.

This rate applies to indoor and garden plants that are planted in a container for growing seedlings.

After the hydrogel has swollen, you need to mix it with the soil. The pieces of gel are evenly distributed, otherwise in some areas of the soil there will not be a single reserve capsule with liquid, which will harm the plants.

The use of a hydrogel for indoor plants.

After this soil preparation, plants can be planted in it. After a couple of weeks, the roots of the plants grow into the hydrogel capsules. After that, you can reduce the frequency of watering by 2-6 times (this is influenced by the temperature and the place where the plants are kept).

You can apply the hydrogel under the already planted plants. This is not difficult to do. On the surface of the earth, using a stick or pencil, you need to make punctures, pouring dry hydrogel into the resulting holes. After this, the soil should be watered abundantly. When a hydrogel is squeezed onto the surface of the earth, it is sprinkled with soil a couple of centimeters.

How to apply hydrogel to open ground

During landing. When preparing the soil for breaking up beds, flower beds or lawns, a dry hydrogel is applied, followed by abundant watering. Enough 25-100 grams of dry hydrogel per square meter of soil. This is done as follows: the soil is dug up, a dry hydrogel is introduced and mixed with the soil.

If you want to plant plants with a superficial root system, the hydrogel should be applied to a depth of 10 cm. With a deep root system of plants, the depth of application of the hydrogel increases to 25 cm. Then the soil should be watered abundantly. Since, absorbing liquid, the hydrogel is able to greatly increase its volume, after watering the soil will rise.

Using a hydrogel for soil.

Some summer residents add hydrogel to the landing holes at a rate of 1 to 5. The dry hydrogel is pre-filled with water. While it is swelling, you need to dig out the planting holes, at the bottom of which the swollen gel is then laid. Then it must be mixed with the soil.

Effective layer-by-layer mixing of gel and soil. From above, you need to install the roots of the plant, and cover them with soil, mixing it with the hydrogel.

When the plants are already planted. In such cases, in the middle of the crown of trees or bushes, punctures are made with pitchforks, fittings or other tools 15-20 cm deep into the soil. A dry hydrogel is poured into the holes and covered with earth. Then everything should be well watered. after 40 minutes pour again.

There is another method in which the hydrogel, after swelling, is mixed into the upper layers of the soil around the plants. To do this, you first need to soak the hydrogel in water and mix it with the soil to a depth to which the overgrown plant roots will allow. This work must be done manually and very carefully so as not to damage the root system.

Correct sowing of plant seeds in a hydrogel

Polymer capsules can be successfully used in seed germination. This method is not shared by the manufacturers of the product, but gardeners are actively using it.

First, you need to soak the hydrogel, drain the excess liquid, and grind the remaining mass through a sieve or grind in a blender. You get something like a homogeneous "jelly", which is evenly distributed over the bottom of a shallow and wide vessel. The hydrogel layer should be 1-2 cm.

Seeds are laid out on it, which must be pressed down using a toothpick or a match. After planting all the seeds, the container should be covered with foil and wait for them to sprout. After seed germination, when the first leaves appear, sprouts and pieces of hydrogel are transferred to the soil.

What are the advantages of a hydrogel for plants?

To solve many of the problems that the cultivation of indoor and garden plants creates, it is sometimes enough to use a hydrogel, which has many positive characteristics.

The most important positive effects of using a hydrogel are as follows:

Plants that use a hydrogel to grow are never afraid of drought.
The frequency of watering is reduced by increasing the intervals between them by 2-6 times.
Garden plants growing in containers located on streets or balconies will not need watering for a week, and indoor plants for up to three weeks (the frequency of watering is influenced by the time of year and the air temperature in the room).
The hydrogel retains a decent amount of nutrients (fertilizers) that are not washed out of the soil.
Excess moisture in the soil is absorbed by the hydrogel, and at the same time the aeration pores are freed.
It is easy and free to breathe for the roots of plants, there is no stagnation of liquid in the soil.
The use of a hydrogel has a beneficial effect on the existence of plants, accelerates their growth, promotes good flowering and increases fruiting.
The hydrogel increases the resistance of plants to stressful situations and helps to cope with infectious diseases.

Questions and answers regarding hydrogel and its use

It remains to answer only the most popular questions regarding the properties and use of the hydrogel.

How long does the action of the hydrogel introduced into the soil last?

The average service life of a hydrogel in the soil is 3-5 years - it depends on the microbiological activity of the soil. The hydrogel perfectly tolerates frost and the period of thawing of the soil, complete drying of the soil. Even after the above, the hydrogel does not change its properties. When the expiration date of the hydrogel ends, it decomposes into the following components: carbon dioxide, ammonium and water.

How long is the swollen hydrogel stored, retaining its qualities?

For the preservation of the finished hydrogel, it is placed in a container for a couple of months. The container should be tightly closed with a lid and stored in a dark place. If the container is left open, the hydrogel dries out. This is not scary, because before using it, you can simply re-saturate it with liquid until it swells.

Is it necessary to water the plants in the pots of which the soil is mixed with the hydrogel?

When the topsoil dries out, it is still difficult to determine the need for watering. If the soil has managed to dry out even a few centimeters, the hydrogel capsules may still have liquid reserves. Therefore, they approach this problem experimentally - they are guided by the state of the plants.

When the leaves lose their bright green color, wilting begins, it's time to water. The watering interval is the time from the last watering to the start of wilting. It is better to shorten this period slightly, not to bring the plants to the beginning of wilting.

It is easier to calculate the frequency of watering in this way: if without a hydrogel the plants were watered by you once every three days, then after the introduction of the hydrogel, the interval stretches at least twice.

If the hydrogel is on top of the soil in a flower pot, will it increase moisture around the plant?

It will not increase, because, being in the open air, the substance begins to quickly lose moisture and dry out. It cannot be a long-lasting humidifier. For this purpose, it is better to use wet sphagnum moss.

Where can i get the hydrogel?

The hydrogel will be offered to you at any flower shop, garden mall or online store. It has various packaging: ranging from 10 grams and ending with several kilograms.

A popular material among gardeners is hydrogel. Although it was created in the last century, only today experts have appreciated it.

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Hydrogel: composition

The polymer material or aquasin hydrogel is called the moisture accumulator. It contains carbon dioxide, ammonium, water. Initially, it is a salt-like crystal. When interacting with water, the granules increase in volume.

For a 100 g jar of crystals, add 20 liters of water. The result is environmentally friendly gel beads. The gel contains potassium and sodium ions, but their content is too low for the polymer to be considered a fertilizer. Its direct function is to accumulate water and liquid fertilizers and give them as needed.

The service life of the gel is 5 years. During this period of time, the polymer material loses its moisture storage properties. For its disposal, soil is used. Since no harmful components are formed during decomposition.

Advantages and disadvantages

Florists have positive aspects from the use of polymer granules:

Convenient material for long-term transportation of plants.
The polymer material retains moisture for a long time, as it absorbs it 300 times its weight.
Seedlings appear faster than in a conventional substrate. Since the plant receives a sufficient amount of air.
The growth rate, flowering rate is accelerated.
After a pick, the seedlings easily tolerate the transplant.
Saving fertilizers. 50% less of them are added to the gel.
Uniform distribution of liquid dressings. The flower is fed when needed.
The gel absorbs moisture from the soil and waterlogging, liquid stagnation is excluded. As the soil dries out, it gives off moisture.
The material is cost effective.
Favorable microclimate for the flora.
Free air access to the roots.
The seedlings do not get sick, thanks to the sterility of the gel.

The gel in the soil nourishes the roots in case of its lack, regulates the structure, makes it dense, loose, crumbly, on the contrary, it compresses.

With all its positive features, the hydrogel has some disadvantages:

Not all flowers are grown in polymer, for example: leathery seeds, succulents.
Granules are not reused, so properties are lost. Reapplication is possible only as a moisture-retaining soil additive.
When using a hydrogel for seedlings, the individual abilities of living organisms should be taken into account.
To prevent the seedlings from getting overcooled, the required temperature of the gel should be maintained.

Do not add dry granules to the pot, they will squeeze the flower out when watered. The gel reacts negatively to the sun's rays. It can bloom and turn green.

What plants are hydrogels used for?

The resin material is suitable for many colors according to gardeners. The main thing is to fulfill some requirements when using it:

When transplanting a flower, use a small bush. A tall copy will not be held by gel beads.
The root system, on the contrary, should be well developed.
Use adult specimens so as not to replant annually. Since the gel will last up to 5 years.
Herbaceous species also feel great with soft leaves in gel balls: tradescantia, guzmania, asparagus, chlorophytum, ivy.
Suitable for pure gel: dracaena, ficuses, syngonium, bamboo, vriezia.

Is hydrogel harmful to plants? Polymer material is not suitable for:

bushes that love tight spaces (lemon, eucharis);
light-loving species;
varieties with leathery leaves;
epiphytes (orchids), cacti.

How to plant in a hydrogel: instructions for use

When planting seeds in gel, some requirements should be taken into account:

do not sow dry, it should be germinated;
do not use seeds with a leathery shell, they will not germinate in the polymer mixture.

Seed sowing algorithm:

pour dry crystals with water (1 g per 200 ml);
leave to swell for several hours;
grind the gel-like balls with a blender or rub through a metal sieve. The result should be a gruel;
pour 3 cm thick gel into prepared containers;
naklyuvshie seeds are buried by 0.5 cm.It is not worth pressing for a greater distance, the planting material should receive a sufficient amount of fresh air;
cover containers with glass or polyethylene to create a favorable microclimate;
periodically ventilate the seeds and remove condensation;
maintain the correct temperature depending on the planting conditions of this plant;
as soon as the root system is extended, the plants are dived and transplanted into small pots with granular balls. Since the seedlings cannot be in the helium gruel for a long time.

This sowing method is suitable for begonia, saintpaulia, gloxinia.

Propagation of plants by cuttings in a gel:

for this, cuttings of plants are prepared;
freed from the earth;
set in the gel.

The balls provide normal nutrition and give access to the roots, which form quickly.

Transplanting plants into pure polymer material:

according to the instructions, dissolve 5 g in 1 liter of water and leave for 3 hours;
after the expiration of time, drain the excess water;
you can add liquid fertilizer right away;
the plant is carefully pulled out of the ground and soaked in water. Then, under running water, the roots are washed;
set the flower in a pot and fill in the gel;
to carry out the next watering, the upper balls are removed and replenished with new specimens. The top layer can be irrigated with a spray bottle.

Attention! Do not pour water over the gel beads in the pot. Excess water will block air from reaching the roots.

Over time, gel balls lose their decorative effect, they can be used to add to the soil.

How else to use Plant Hydrogel:

For planting flowers, a mixture of soil and gel is often used. To do this, take three parts of the soil and one part of the polymer material. Crystals are pre-soaked and combined with soil. Flowers are planted in the prepared mixture. Sometimes in the soil with a planted flower, holes are made on the side of the center of the stem and dry crystals are poured. Then fill it with water. Moreover, the holes are made at different depths.

Planting young seedlings in the hydrogel is no less effective. Crystals are dipped in water to swell. The excess water is drained. The seat is being prepared. Before planting, the seedling is lowered into a polymer material and deepened into a pit. Top up with surface soil and press down on the ground. Young seedlings tolerate transplanting painlessly, and do not feel a lack of moisture due to the presence of gel balls.