I started my garden a few years ago and all went well during the rainy weeks of May. Then along came June and July with far less water and my plants needed frequent watering or any I missed died. Many of my neighbors had the same problem of quickly dying plants from a hot day.
I discovered something very handy that filled the need. Water crystals, a polyacrylamide polymers, that looks like gello ice cubes, which absorbs water until it is needed by plants.
I started using some with each plant going into my garden and with all my potted plants. What a world of difference. The plants lasted through hot spells so much better. I didn’t have to water nearly as much as they did saving considerable time.
HOW WATER CRYSTALS WORK
When mixed or tilled into the soil, Water crystals absorb and retain water for extended periods. The extent of time depends on the air temperature and the thirst of the plant(s). In all cases, Water crystals increase the availability of water to plants. Within just a few minutes after contact with water, a water crystal the size of a sesame seed begins to grow to the size of an acorn. Then, when placed in soil it absorbs and holds excess moisture within the soil.
Feeder roots of plants, in turn, seek this reservoir, penetrating the crystal’s membrane to give it life sustaining water. The hydrated crystal absorbs surrounding moisture and nutrients of the soil medium.
Gradually, hydrated crystals are drained from feeding the plant and from the surrounding heat. Then, when it rains or when the soil is irrigated, water crystals fill up with water like miniature water canteens. They are capable of continuing the process thousands of times.
A small investment in this product will help preserve your plants, improve your soil and reduce water bills.
WHERE WATER CRYSTALS ARE USED
Water crystals save irrigation costs and help prevent plant stress from dry conditions.
Water crystals must be allowed to expand fully upon initial watering.
This is best accomplished by pre-swelling the dry crystals prior to blending. To do this, add water at a rate of 12 gallons per pound and allow the mixture to stand 1-2 hours or until water has been absorbed.
To promote uniform distribution of absorbed water, you must thoroughly mix or till the Water crystals into the soil or growing medium. After blending with the soil, a subsequent watering should be applied to maximize water content.
Water crystals are not a substitute for good watering and fertilizing programs. They are a hydrogel or polymer crystal that increases the plant medium’s water holding capacity and enhances the efficient use of available water by the plant. The soil should not be allowed to completely dry out.
If pre-swelling is not practical, two heavy waterings should be applied within several hours after dry crystals have been mixed and blended with the soil. Then, after planting, thoroughly water or irrigate the soil to permit full absorption of the water crystals.
Feeder roots seek out the filled reservoirs of water crystals, penetrating their membranes to provide nourishment to the plant.
With potting soil treated properly with water crystals, you can go on vacation without worry that your plants will stress and shrivel from lack of water.
In fact, when used properly, water crystals will reduce the need for watering house plants by 50-75%.
Water crystals™ have been tested and approved for use in agriculture and homes and gardens. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has certified these Water crystals to be non-hazardous.
Water crystals are inert. They will not be absorbed into plants or migrate into ground water.Water crystals hold nitrates, phosphates, potassium, iron, zinc, boron and other elements next to the roots or plants. Doing so, reduces the leaching of these elements into ground water. Preliminary research has shown that the crystals attract the bacteria and microorganisms essential to plant growth.
Water crystals fill and release. With rain, normal watering, or crop irrigation, the crystals expand to capture and retain excess moisture in the soil. This property reduces run-off. When they dehydrate or empty through feeding roots, their shrinkage causes the soil to naturally aerate, reducing compaction and hardness. Water crystals last a long time and have been shown to be 95% effective after 12+ years in soil.
Application rates vary due to type of soil, region and type of plant. Generally, clay soils require less polymer and sandy soils require more. Arid regions and areas subject to heat and drought require more polymer. Wet, cool regions require less polymer, however polymers in these regions are very beneficial for planting on slopes. All rates are an approximation and with experience the gardener will determine the rates for their individual needs and conditions. When applying dry water absorbing polymer, an important point is, more isn’t always better. The polymer should be worked into the ground to provide equal distribution. Some polymer users have been known to plant annuals on top of an ample amount of polymer without working it in the soil, and after the first rain, find the plant out of the ground and a large lump of jello-like substance (hydrated polymer) in its' place. If hydrated polymer is allowed to remain above the ground, sunlight will hasten the breakdown to its primary elements of carbon dioxide, ammonia and water. Adding 10-15% of the small size or powdered polymer in combination with medium or large polymer is recommended in most applications for optimal water storage.
TREES and SHRUBS
Use medium polymer. 1 gal use 1/4 cup, 3 gal use ½ cup, 5 gal use ¾ cup 15 gal use
1 ½ cup. Dig hole at least three times the size of the container and incorporate polymer
through out the area. After planting, create a dam around the tree or if on a slope leave
the top side open to collect water thus allowing a water reservoir to be readily absorbed
by polymer. (1/4 cup = 2 oz. Polymer)
LAWNS
Use Medium 1-2mm polymer. For application before sodding, 4-5 pounds per 1,000 square
feet tilled 1-2" deep or 5 pounds tilled 4-6" deep. Application can be either by
hand or a lawn spreader. Never use more than 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet tilled only
one inch, as prolonged sponginess may occur. After first rain, hydrated polymer may appear
and the sod may seem loose. However, the exposed polymer will dissolve and after the roots
grow from the sod, the looseness will dissipate.
VEGETABLES and BEDS
Use Medium 1-2 mm or Large 2-4mm polymer. 12-45 pounds per 1,000
square feet at 4-6" depth cultivation. Use less for drier plants and more for
moisture loving plants. After planting, a good coat of mulch will dress up the bed and
cover any loose polymer, thus giving a finished look and protecting the polymer from
premature degradation by sunlight.
POTTED PLANTS
Use small 0.8-1.0mm polymer. 4" pot 1/6 tsp., 6" pot 1 tsp., 8"
pot 2 tsp., 10" pot 3 tsp. When potting, it is best to have most of the polymer
toward the bottom of the pot so it will better absorb available water. If applying
hydrated polymer, use 4 parts soil to 1 part hydrated polymer.
BARE ROOT
Use Powder polymer. Dry application: dip moist roots into dry
polymer, which allows instant hydration when watered thus coating and protecting roots.
Wet application: 2TBS per gallon water or until gel is a thick slurry. Dip roots into gel
to keep moist for planting, then add appropriate amount of larger polymer to hole for
water retention. Powdered polymer is short lived (6 months-1 year) and used for bare
rooting, seed coating and some potting soils where moisture retention is critical to the
survival of the transplanting and germination.
FAQ and Testimonials
As a non profit corporation, watersorb.com is able to buy large volumes of
polymers at very low prices and pass the savings on to their customers. Their mission is
to use technology to save our most valuable natural resource, water. They strive for
customer satisfaction. Here is what some of their customers have to say about
WaterSorb.com:
Best prices! (Shopped around but no one could even come close.) Quick and sensible shipping! (No inexplicable handling fees!) Didn't hesitate to place a second order (another 5 pounds for the rest of the garden!) after incorporating the initial 5 pounds under our new sod lawn. Thank you for offering such a practical and versatile product! (Been making our own heating and cooling pads too!) We can't help spreading the word to all our gardening friends! Tito Villareal, Occupational Therapist & Gardener, Glendale, California
"I have learned that high quality doesn’t have to mean high prices. Watersorb.com has the best quality polymer at the lowest prices." Bob P- Amarillo TX
"We were expecting an lower grade of watering crystals because of your low prices. Were we surprised! Your watering crystals are far superior the Agrisoke brand we have been buying for $14.00 a pound at Lowes. Now we can afford to do our entire yard." Katrina W- St Louis, MO
"My gardening club and l went together and bought two 50 lb containers of your product. We saved a lot of money, and are able to use the water saving crystals in all of our gardening projects." Mrs. Charles S- Hattiesburg, AL
"Here in South Texas, and we have long, dry hot summers. I used the PAM per your instructions, and saved enough money on my water bill in one season to pay for all of the PAM, and have enough left over for next year. Plus my tomatoes and other vegetables have never been better." Paula M- Harlingen, TX
"Your customer service is great. I ordered on Monday, and got my order on Wednesday. Also, the advice from Doug Morris has been very helpful. Keep up the good work." Steven R - Lexington, Kentucky
"As a landscape architect, I specify polyacrylamide in all of my jobs, and insist that they be used on all commercial jobs, as the polymer dramatically increases new plant survival rate. Most new plants die during the first year from lack of water. Using polyacrylamide saves my plants and makes my clients happy!" Mario G - Phoenix, AZ
"I have bog plants growing next to dessert cactus, and shocking all of my neighbors, because they don’t know the bog plants are growing on a reservoir of water crystals." Pat T- Dothan, AL
"I own a wholesale nursery, and I am able to buy polymer from watersorb.com cheaper than from the manufacturer. I don’t know how you do it, but your prices have allowed me to use the polymer in all of my potted plants, and sell it to other nurseries." Connie Z- San Bernardino, CA
" I grow seven acres of organic vegetables for sale at our family owned produce market, and watersorb’s polymers save me time, trouble and money. My irrigation costs are down more than 50%, and my yields on some crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, cantaloupes and watermelons have dramatically increased. Since I use no chemical pesticides or fertilizers, I thoroughly researched polymer use for organic farming, and determined your information regarding polymers being non-toxic and biodegradable to be true. Thanks for all of your help." David E - Beaumont, CA
"The drought here in south Georgia has been devastating. There are stringent restrictions on watering lawns and plants. The water absorbent polymer has been a lifesaver. When we built our new home last year, we used your polymer in all of our landscaping, and even incorporated it into the soil before sodding, as per your instructions. All of our neighbors’ lawns and plants are either dead or suffering, and our yard looks great. Also, their water bills have been astronomical. One neighbor has a $475 water bill! Thank you so much!" James P - Valdosta, GA
DIFFERENCES IN WATER ABSORBING POLYMERS
Polyacrylamide is sold under many different names: Terra-Sorb ® ,
Hydrosource ®, Hydro-mulch, water crystals, PAM, copolymer, Moist Soil®, Aquasorb ®,
Agrosoke®, Smart Soil ®, Aquacrystals™, Bioplex™, Agro-diamonds ®, … but
not all polymers are created equal.
All these products are polymers, but not all polyacrylamide is the same. Polyacrylamide was developed in the 60’s to grow plants in the desert and has been refined to last longer and absorb water at higher rates. Many people believe polyacrylamide is the active material in baby diapers, but that polymer is polyacrylate, which is a close cousin in the polymer family. Polyacrylate is capable of absorbing greater amounts of liquid than polyacrylamide, but rapidly breaks down.
Polymers have recently been introduced in the "soil additive" market with great success. These soils are sold at major chain nursery supply stores under the names of "Smart Soil" and "Moist Soil" in 40 lb containers. These products contain only pennies of polymer, and the soil is greatly enhanced, however the price is twice as much as regular potting soil. Save money by buying regular potting soil and adding polymer and create your own "Moist Soil". Prior to polymers, peat moss was the soil additive of choice to hold water (20 times its' weight), but polyacrylamide (400 times) is rapidly gaining in popularity due to its' superior performance. Peat moss is seen by some as a non-environmental soil additive due to the manner in which it is harvested. However, polyacrylamide is a non-toxic earth friendly product which works for 7-9 years in the soil then breaks down to CO2, water and nitrogen. Various reports from Co-operative Extension Service studies indicate that polyacrylamide is a source of nitrogen for some crops and recommend it as a beneficial soil amendment.
For the lowest prices and the friendliest,
helpful service go to www.watersorb.com
Fast service and nice people work here. Most orders are shipped out the same day
received.
Justin highly recommends - once you use them you will never garden without them.
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