I have 5 lbs of water retention crystals that I bought for some reason or other *G*. Has anyone used them in some way in bales? I'm thinking of adding them to the planting "holes" before I add the plants, to keep them from drying out too fast. I've used soaker hoses in the past, and never really had anything dry out, but maybe this would keep the moisture levels more consistent, especially for the 'Maters, who seem to care about such things.
Any thoughts?
Watersorb crystals ?
Hmmm.. maybe a good idea. I've got some around here somewhere too.
If you do, hydrate them before you put them in the holes or they will push your plants out.
Where do you get them?....the retention crystals...
look on the market place. someone was selling them there
Mainejae, Polymer crystals
Hey, great idea! I have lots of crystals so I'm going to try it.
Be sure to share your findings. We all have some of those thing somewhere. I have been using them in rooting cuttings and it is kind of neat really. They hold the plants right where you want them, and don't let the moisture run out if the water gets low.
If the roots go crazy they will wrap themselves around and thru the crystals so I just plant the cuttings with the crystals in them.
My plan is to mix them in with the potting soil/compsot that I use when I transplant into bales. My tomatoes will go out first week in May, just to be safe(r). I do have two out already, but I can protect them if need be. When I get the other 30+ varieties out, I will have to just leave them to the mercy (NOT) of Mother Nature. ....
Has anyone tried vermiculite?
For what?
I had a "crystal experience" the other day. I had added some to the rows before I planted my peas, beans and okra. Apparently my aim was lousy. I went out the morning after the storms, and marveled at the "hail" that was on the ground. Then I realized that at 65 degrees, residual hail was unlikely. Yeah, you guessed it. Not hail, but waterlogged crystals. I had NO idea they could swell to an eighth of an inch to over an inch in size!! Will still add them to my bales, but in much smaller quantities....
You should hydrate them first, then put them in the holes. If you put them in dry, as soon as they fill with water they will take up room forcing your soil, plant, and all up out of the hole. I have heard of that happening where they literally pushed the plant out of the pot.
Vermiculite is often used to hold water in soil.
The last time I tried to buy vermiculite they had taken it off the shelves because it is supposedly being banned. If you breath the dust it causes lung disease. I don't know if that is all vermiculite or just the small stuff. I wanted it to use when planting my seeds to keep them from damping off.