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water Peoples views on water saving cystals in potting mixs
- Thread starter lancecook
- Start date
I don't like 'em. I think they absorb water and don't let it go so easily. They might even compete for water with plants' roots as the soil dries. I'm in dry (but not today) southern California.
Sawyer
eXtreme
Thirded. I've lost plants that didn't receive regular waterings that had this material in their "hole", while plants in a similar environment without crystals survived. I think crystals might allow a larger volume of water to be absorbed in a given watering, and thus allow a greater period of time between waterings, but beyond a certain point I am convinced they are detrimental.
Just say no! Here's a series of articles posted over several years from an extension specialist at Washington State U. explaining how they are not just useless, but harmful over time as they break down into toxic substances.
http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%20Chalker-Scott/Horticultural%20Myths_files/Myths/Hydrogels.pdf
http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%20Chalker-Scott/Horticultural%20Myths_files/Myths/Hydrogels%20too.pdf
http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%20Chalker-Scott/Horticultural%20Myths_files/Myths/magazine%20pdfs/MythsHydrogels.pdf
http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%20Chalker-Scott/Horticultural%20Myths_files/Myths/Hydrogels.pdf
http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%20Chalker-Scott/Horticultural%20Myths_files/Myths/Hydrogels%20too.pdf
http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda%20Chalker-Scott/Horticultural%20Myths_files/Myths/magazine%20pdfs/MythsHydrogels.pdf
Nice links Mild Fire. Heres a wrap up of one of them.
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Hydrogels are organic compounds that will degrade after 2-5 years; they are not a long-lasting
solution to droughty conditions
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Exposure to fertilizer salts will increase the degradation rate of hydrogels
•
When hydrogels degrade, one of the byproducts is acrylamide, a deadly neurotoxin and potential
carcinogen
•
Acrylamide can be absorbed through the skin or by inhaling; people who have a likely risk of
exposure to this compound absolutely require safety clothing and dust masks
•
There are safe (albeit shorter-lived) alternatives to polyacrylamide hydrogels, including starchbased
gels and others currently used in cosmetic surgery
•
There are other environmentally sound ways to reduce water usage and improve water retention
of soils than through hydrogels
•
Hydrogels are organic compounds that will degrade after 2-5 years; they are not a long-lasting
solution to droughty conditions
•
Exposure to fertilizer salts will increase the degradation rate of hydrogels
•
When hydrogels degrade, one of the byproducts is acrylamide, a deadly neurotoxin and potential
carcinogen
•
Acrylamide can be absorbed through the skin or by inhaling; people who have a likely risk of
exposure to this compound absolutely require safety clothing and dust masks
•
There are safe (albeit shorter-lived) alternatives to polyacrylamide hydrogels, including starchbased
gels and others currently used in cosmetic surgery
•
There are other environmentally sound ways to reduce water usage and improve water retention
of soils than through hydrogels
