I just read about Zeba in another forum and ordered some from Amazon. Do any of you use it in your containers? I'm hoping it works as well as they're saying and keeps my pots from drying out as quickly as they do in this So Carolina sun & heat.
I'm interested in hearing if & how you all use it.
Zeba in your containers?
Ok ,what is zeba?
It's organic moisture crystals that can hold up to 400x their weight in water, to cut down on watering frequency.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/699403/
I ordered some from Amazon to try them out, but I'm wondering if anyone currently uses it in their pots.
Be careful and do not use too many of the moisture crystals in your containers. Err on the less is better side . When we get rain in SC it often seems like it is coming down in buckets. When that much water hits the containers the crystals really swell up and will float to the top of your container. I have had them where it looked like someone had put crushed ice on the soil.
Also, although they are supposed to maintain moisture - it you do let a pot dry out the crystals can actually zap the last of the water in the soil because they "grab moisture" by design. They did some studies on these crystals at Clemson and I believe it was decided they were OK as long as you didn't let your container dry out completely.
Thanks, Ardesia.
I did err on the "less" side and put some in a few new (temp) pots I did the other day, but now I'm wondering if I need them at all with the clay top soil/organic garden soil mix I did. We had a 2-3" downpour yesterday evening and those pots are all still pretty wet this afternoon. This clay soil really holds the water - on the other hand, the Zeba bottle says they also help with aeration.......
I don't think you need any soil in your containers. i would strictly use a soilless potting mix. Fafard has a plant in the Anderson area and I understand you can get their "a little less than perfect" mixes for a song.
We had 3 1/2" of rain since midnight down here. With rain like that I really need a fast draining potting mix.
A lot of new concepts in that post for a newbie, Ardesia! LOLOL I'll go look up all the answers. ;)
"Soilless potting mix" - huh?
"Fafard" - who?
"Too much rain" - again, huh? lol This is my 1st summer gardening in SC and with the bouts of weeks with no rain, maybe I'm overreacting?
Also, the only plants I'm doing the mix on is the ones that are going to go in the ground in the next couple of months. It's been too hot, and I don't have the beds ready yet - I'm shooting for planting the end of September? The ones that are staying in containers I've been using MG potting soil for - not the right thing to do?
LOL, sorry for the confusing terms.
Miracle Gro is a soilless potting mix, it is made up of peat, bark, perlite etc. No plain old dirt :-)))).
Fafard is another brand (excellent, by the way) of soilless mixes.
3 1/2" of rain in a half day is a bit much. I need to send some of this moisture to NC where they are really hurting.
Since your plants will only be in the soil mix a short while they will be fine.
Have you considered looking into the Master Gardeners class in your county; it is a great way to learn about SC gardening.
Thank you! :):) I looked up Fafard both here & at Goog, have their site studied & bookmarked already, and a map to their plant emailed to myself. lol I'll be giving them a call on Monday to find out about the 2nds - thank you very much for that tip!!!!
The Master Gardeners class is an excellent idea!! I'm still pretty much a newbie to this gardening thing but have huge plans (for my huge yard) and a lot of time on my hands. I'm only about 20 minutes from Clemson, and Anderson has one as well, I believe. Thank you again!! :))))
You are very welcome. :-))))