Hydrogel is an addition to garden soil that helps to retain moisture. Thanks to theuse of thehydrogel, the plants can be watered less often, and they will still have better, constant access to moisture. This translates into an improvement in their growth and yield. Seewhat a hydrogel isand how it works,how to use hydrogelsin plant cultivation to get the best results andopinions about hydrogelamong other gardeners.
Hydrogel - a teaspoon of powder and the same amount of powder after soaking with water
About the advantages ofof using hydrogelsin the cultivation of plants, both garden and potted, we have already written in our guide many times. However, knowledge about them among lovers of plots and gardens is not yet common. That is why I was very happy when in June Działkowiec (no. 6/2009) I saw an article by Dr. Maciej Bosacki from the University of Life Sciences in Poznań, dealing with the topicuse of hydrogelsThe positive information provided in this article is not only a confirmation of this , about which I have already written in the guide many times - Dr. Bosacki pointed out an even greater numberadvantages of using hydrogels , and also provided interesting information on the method of application and factors determining their effectiveness.
I think we now have a great opportunity to gather all the information about hydrogels in one place. At the end of this article, I will also explain why, in my opinion,hydrogel is best used in the form of a special blendsold under the name TerraCottem®.
Hydrogel - what is it?
Hydrogels(also often called agrogels) are these. the so-called superabsorbents - multi-molecular, cross-linked, insoluble polymers, characterized by the ability to absorb water, sorption of cations and improving the physical properties of the soil. They are usually sold in the form of powder or granules to be mixed with the soil.
When mixed with garden soilthe hydrogel can retain large amounts of waterfrom rainfall or irrigation, and then slowly make the water available to plant roots. According to Dr. Bosacki - in numerous studies on these substances it has been found that the root system of plants can use 90% of the water retained by these polymers.
Hydrogel - advantages of using
The use of hydrogelsallows you to reduce the frequency of watering the garden, and also provides a relatively constant access of moisture for the roots of the plants.Thus, we eliminate the exposure of plants to the so-called water stress. Properly used hydrogels effectively prevent plants from wilt and withering out, even during long periods of drought. The result is a he althier appearance of plants, lush growth and beautiful flowering.The effectiveness of the use of polymers is especially visible on light, very permeable soils. By preventing water seepage into the deeper layers of the soil, where it would no longer be available for plant roots, they allow you to save up to 80% of water used for watering! About how these savings can translate into the we alth of our wallet, I wrote a year ago in the article saving water in the garden.
The use of a hydrogelis connected with one more interesting phenomenon. Well, hydrogels, absorbing successive portions of water, significantly increase their volume. However, by giving up water as the soil dries out, they shrink. By increasing and decreasing the volume,hydrogel improves the lumpy structure of the soil
Dr. Bosacki also drew attention to the fact (I have never mentioned this in the guide) that hydrogels can retain some nutrients, limiting their leaching to the deeper layers of the soil. In particular, these are cations (K +, NH4, Ca +, Mg +). In this wayhydrogels help reduce groundwater pollution
All theseadvantages of thehydrogel should convince us that the hydrogel is not only worth it, but should even be used in gardening. Especially on light and very light soils, and in places where regular irrigation of plants is not possible. For this reasonhydrogels are increasingly usedin urban areas where rainfall is the only source of water. They are slowly becoming an element required in tenders for the development of green areas in cities. The use of hydrogels on slopes and hills also brings excellent results, which significantly reduces water erosion of soils in such places.
Superabsorbents used in horticulture undergo biodegradation in the soil within a few meadows. Their use is therefore completely safe and does not cause permanent changes in the natural environment. product.
How to use a hydrogel?
Hydrogels can be usedboth in gardens and in potted plants on balconies, terraces and houses. It is worth adding them to the soil not only when planting ornamental trees, shrubs, perennials and flowers, but also when setting up a lawn, in fruit and vegetable crops.
Hydrogels bring the best results on light soils , highly permeable. They are also a blessing for lovers of growing balcony flowers, who so far had to water their plants even twice a day during the summer heat.After applying the hydrogel, the frequency of watering can be significantly reduced. This is very useful during the vacation period. Now we don't have to worry about who will water our plants when we leave for a few days.
The use of hydrogelsdoes not make sense in wetlands and heavy, constantly moist soils, as well as in the cultivation of plants that do not require constant access of moisture, such as. e.g. most succulents and cacti.
Whenmixing the hydrogel with the soil , make sure to place it at the depth where the hair root system develops. Usually it is not more than 20 cm deep into the soil. Hydrogel should not be sprinkled on the soil surface. Then, not only will it not bring the desired effect, but also create an unsightly wet paste on the ground.
Another thing isusing hydrogels in the amount consistent with the manufacturer's recommendationsUsually it is from 2 to 10 g of hydrogel per 1 liter of soil (recommendations for dosing for individual groups of plants should be provided on the polymer packaging).On light soils, the dose should be slightly increased, while on more compact soils, we use the minimum doses. It is also worth noting that the use of large amounts of fertilizers slightly reduces the absorption capacity of hydrogels.
TerraCottem® is an innovative product containing a hydrogel and fertilizer
hydrogels with a water absorption capacity offrom 200 to 600 g / g are available for sale. For example, the absorptivity of 200 g / g means that 1 gram of hydrogel is able to absorb 200 g of water (distilled water is used to calculate this parameter, because the content of various substances in the water may change the absorptive capacity of the polymer). The use of less absorbent hydrogels causes the necessity to increase their doses, which increases the investment costs. In turn, polymers with very high absorbency are highly exposed to mechanical damage.
Therefore, we will achieve the best effect by using a polymer with an absorptive capacity from the middle of the above-mentioned range (combining the advantage of high absorptivity with sufficient resistance to mechanical factors), i.e. about 400 g / g.
Good to know
Even better results can be obtainedby using a hydrogel in a special mixturewith fertilizer, carrier substance and lava volcanic, marketed as TerraCottem®.The use of TerraCottem® gives the best resultsin terms of improved hydration and growth of plants, both garden and potted. It significantly improves yield and extends flowering. Here, thesynergistic effect of combining appropriate fertilization and soil enrichment and improvement of its structure is achievedThanks to this, both the water stored by the hydrogel and the nutrients from the fertilizer are much better absorbed by plants.
Finally, I would like to add thatafter using the hydrogelthe soil should be watered evenly over the entire surface. Then the water is most effectively absorbed by the hydrogel. We should also remember that before a hydrogel can give water to our plants, it must first absorb its reserve.Therefore, in the first days after applying the hydrogel, water the plants regularly and abundantly. When the hydrogel granules swell, we can reduce the frequency of watering and enjoy the convenience of the hydrogel.
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