Water retention tricks

[Bennythejet]

are there any setbacks on water chrystals? im wudnt think so but idk. wut material are they made of most commonly in any supply? how much a benefit are they? are they a waste of your time and money? ide think not seeing all this work with them. they wont mess with my roots will they?
i was wondering if you can put considerably more consistant amount in the top quarter of your soil in the hole. tell me what think

 

[green-genes77]

I've avoided polymers for many years, frankly, because they are plastic. This year I found a product called zeba quench that is cornstarch based. Soil microorganisms break it down over the course of many months. In the meantime, it absorbs 400 times its weight in water and (reading from the package) will not water log the soil and only releases water to the roots when the soil has been tapped. We'll see how much good it does.

On the subject of rootmass: if you don't mind transplanting tall plants, grow them out a bit lanky. Denude the bottom several inches of the plant and plant deep. Like our friend the tomato, the buried portion will respond by sending forth roots. This makes it so that the main root mass is in cool, moist soil also.

 

[Mr Celsius]

All of the normal water crystals are made out of this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyacrylamide

Its been linked with cancer and is a nerve toxin.

Zeba are not the same... hence better.

 

[Dignan]

I humbly disagree, but we already have a big long thread about it all.

Peace-

Dig

 

[bongasaurus]

Line the bottoms of your holes with 15-20 sheets of newspaper, if possible. Holds moisture very well, and yet will drain so the roots aren't smothered in the case of ample rainfall.

Dig

interesting idea... makes alot of sense to me. i think i might try this out this year. im growing in the canadian shield where its tough to find good soil. rainfall is hit and miss but it seems like even if you have a wet season the newspaper wouldnt do much of any harm

 

[Mr Celsius]

I humbly disagree, but we already have a big long thread about it all.

Peace-

Dig

I'm confused... you disagree? I mean, its well documented information with multiple case studies... I just don't see how you could disagree...

Now, if you mean that it wont cause any problems for people because its used in the soil... well that is debatable. I believe that many things we use are systemic and can be absorbed by the plants.

 

[Dignan]

I'm confused... you disagree? I mean, its well documented information with multiple case studies... I just don't see how you could disagree...

Now, if you mean that it wont cause any problems for people because its used in the soil... well that is debatable. I believe that many things we use are systemic and can be absorbed by the plants.

I participated heavily in the other water polymers thread last year and stated my case there. You're a topnotch feller, Mr Celsius, but I'm not going to rehash the polymers debate here when it's already been hashed out (somewhat painfully). LOL

That thread was a good one, though. Worth digging up for sure.

Dig

 

[Hindu Killer]

Here's a olg growers tip for you....Jello.....yes jello! Mixa couple boxes in the hole. And bam...polymer action...plus sugars and such to speed micro creatures.

 

[HOVAH]

HELL YES, I LIKE THE JELLO IDEA, DOES IT WORK

 

[frostynugs420]

jello and newspaper made it onto my to do list for this year now...damnit lol

 

[BACKCOUNTRY]

My first advice to new outdoor growers online is the beware of any advice that someone seems to be universally applying. The situation, methods, goals, limitations, climate, geography, topography, security concerns... they ALL vary greatly from one individual to the next....

Very wise advise!!!