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Moisture polymer crystals in soil?

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Moisture polymer crystals in soil? Empty Moisture polymer crystals in soil?

Post  MikeG Tue Dec 11, 2012 11:15 am

Hi all

I was curious to see if anyone has done experimentation with a product like this one?
http://www.bustan.ca/product_detail.asp?menuID=2&SID=3&PID=171
I've never even handled anything like it. It sounds good except for the biodegradable part. How long would something like this last? And when it breaks down, what kind of a mess would it make in the pot?

Thanks, Mike
MikeG
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Post  Leo Schordje Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:27 pm

I tried a similar product once. In small amounts it is one way to add moisture retention to a mix.

The reason I stopped using it was that the crystals change size dramatically with moisture content. They expand several times their size when wet, shrink as they dry. This 'heaving' due to the expansion and contraction, the movement unpotted most of the plants I tried it with. Unless a tree is tied secure in a pot, this additive will cause it to get loose and fall out of the pot within a couple months. So I quit using it.

You might have different results. I have seen it used in outdoor garden beds and large containers for annuals and vegetables. It might work better for you, but it didn't work well for me.
Leo Schordje
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Post  Stan Kengai Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:55 pm

Leo is right. The problem with these is that they swell 20 times their original size when thoroughly wet (after a soaking rain). I messed up one year a bought a bag of potting soil with these for my garden containers. I came out one morning after a rain to find the soil in my planters had raised 2-3 inches and had the consistency of blended gelatin. The crystals lose almost all of their structural integrity when saturated, and are easily broken.

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Post  MikeG Tue Dec 11, 2012 6:25 pm

Thanks guys. I knew there must be something really wrong with using this in a soil mix. The swelling should really be in the advertisement. That pretty much makes it totally useless in a bonsai container.

Thanks for the info, Mike
MikeG
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Post  Khaimraj Seepersad Wed Dec 12, 2012 10:43 am

General Comment,

when experimenting or adding a new item to an old situation, try the idea/situation out on something simple first.
So in this case a rooted cutting or 2 or 3, would be used, just to observe the results.
I will let you guys know if I get anything different with the - Soil Moist.
Thanks and later,
Khaimraj
Khaimraj Seepersad
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Post  Belgium beginner Wed Dec 12, 2012 4:14 pm

When its under te surface its OK but when it comes on top it is realy discasting
and after a few years it is more discasting and it looks than like that stuff out the nose when sik
I havent juse it fot bonsai but for other plants/ pots
No thank you never again
I have still a box of that stuff in my garage scratch

Belgium beginner
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