Those who are engaged in floriculture and gardening, probably familiar with such an amazing substance as hydrogel. He recently appeared on sale, but already managed to win his fans. So, we will tell you about interesting properties and how to use hydrogel for plants.
What is a hydrogel?
The hydrogel is a polymer, available in the form of granules, which are distinguished by their ability to absorb a large amount of water. In addition, the hydrogel not only absorbs moisture, but also retains it for a long time, gradually giving it to the plants.
On sale you can find transparent granules and colored. Color - this is not an indicator of special properties, but simply decorative. A hydrogel is designed for cultivation of crops - decorative, fruit and vegetable or flower in conditions of open or closed ground. As indicated by the manufacturers, hydrogel has advantages, namely:
- It improves survival after transplantation.
- Seedlings and plants in it develop better, because fertilizers are not washed out, but are retained.
- When grown in hydrogel, the need for watering is reduced.
It is worth mentioning that the hydrogel is a reusable substance. It can be used repeatedly for 1.5-2 years. The roots of plants gradually penetrate into the hydrogel granules and are constantly fed by moisture.
Hydrogel for plants - use at home
The hydrogel for indoor plants is used as a soil. As a rule, before the flower is transplanted into the hydrogel, the latter is soaked in water. And the volume of water and the time for soaking should be calculated according to the instructions that are attached to the package. Usually, the swelling duration is from 4 to 12 hours. Extra water can always be drained, because the hydrogel does not absorb more than it is supposed to. At home, the hydrogel for plants is mainly used in flowerpots. And in fact, transparent containers filled with polymer pellets look impressive. And if you use a color hydrogel for plants, then the pot can become a full element of the decor of the room .
It is possible to use only a hydrogel, monophonic or layers of different colors. In ordinary pots, a mix of soil with polymer granules is often used. The pellets themselves are placed on the bottom of the container so that the roots sprout, immediately after the drainage layer and the soil layer 2-3 cm. On top of the hydrogel is placed the top layer of the soil.
Hydrogel - a real salvation, if you need to leave the house for a long time, and water the room flowers to no one. It is enough to add 1 g of capsules to the pot, water it well and you can go on vacation or business trip.
Hydrogel for plants - application in the garden
The hydrogel is an excellent material for the infield. On the existing beds, the granules are introduced into the soil around trees or shrubs. You can mix the soil with the capsules. And if you do not want to disturb the earth, make 15-20 cm punctures in the soil. They then fall asleep granules and fill them with water.
Hydrogel is also used when planting seedlings in open ground or in a greenhouse. It is placed on the bottom of the landing pit, after which it is watered. This substance is a real salvation for summer residents, who do not have the opportunity to visit the sites on a weekly basis. The introduction of hydrogel in the soil at a rate of 30 g per square meter will yield a crop without frequent watering. And it is not surprising - the capsules are hovering all the moisture and will gradually give it to the roots of plants.
The hydrogel is also an excellent medium for seed germination. Seed is placed on top of a three-centimetre layer of swollen granules.