Hydrogel decorative or Akvagrunt
Akvagrunt as a substitute for the soil or the history of ordinary deception
Beauty requires sacrifice. Absolutely always, sooner or later, the plants in the aquagrunt die. But none of the sellers will never tell about it.
Approximately 90% of the “hydrogel” that you sell does not have anything to do with full-fledged plant cultivation. This is a decorative hydrogel (aka aquagrunt, hydrogrunt, etc.), created by the best Chinese masters for decorative purposes and design compositions.
Aqua ground is always painted in bright colors and has a certain shape (gel balls, cubes, pyramids), which determines its greater commercial attractiveness compared to this hydrogel for plants. That is why the decorative hydrogel so quickly spread to the domestic market of the country.
Full cultivation and cultivation of plants on aquagrunt, of course, impossible. This is about the same as breeding them on a chopped eraser, calling it a soil substitute. Not surprisingly, you will find a huge amount of negative reviews on the decorative hydrogel online.
Some time the plants will exist on such gel balls, just as some plants are able to stand in the water. But it can hardly be called a full-fledged floriculture. And it is absolutely not by chance that absolutely all decorative hydrogel is produced in the Asian region. In Western countries and the United States produce exclusively agrarian, colorless hydrogel for plants.
Features of decorative hydrogel (Akvagrunt)
- The term content of plants in akvagrunt limited
- In the sunlight blooms and turns green
- Due to the large evaporation of water, you will have to tighten the neck of the vessels with cling film.
- Akvagrunt does not contain any fertilizers, they need to make
- The physical characteristics of akvagrunta differ from the characteristics of the gel for plants.
- If you pour water into the tank and it fills the air pores between the balls, the roots will have nothing to breathe and the plant will die.
- It is useless to put in flower pots on top: due to evaporation, the balls will turn into beads in a day.
In order to further increase sales, an akvagrunt is presented as a kind of universal product that is no worse than a hydrogel for plants and can be applied to the soil.
Why Akvagrunt not worth making the soil?
Mold fungi grown on the surface of akvagrunta and roots of plants. © Hydrogel RU
In terms of its chemical structure, aquagrunt is the same polymer as the hydrogel for plants. But it differs in physical properties: they were selected not for plants, but to create an external form. For example, aquagrunt denser gel for plants.
The time of swelling comes from 10 hours to a day: when watering and raining it will not have time to absorb enough water.
The size of the gel balls and cubes is too large to make them whole. Such size and density are needed in a vase so that they do not flatten and air pockets remain between them. But for the soil is not suitable.
The soil has a certain structure; it consists of lumps (aggregates). The size and ratio of the aggregates are very important for the water-air and nutrient regimes of the soil. In terms of agronomic value, the best size is up to 10mm. If there are inclusions the size of a nut in the soil, this significantly worsens the growing conditions of the plants. For example, there may be a failed filtration of water.
And, finally, the plant root, growing into the granules of the gel, must apply a certain negative pressure in order to get water from there. The physical characteristics of the correct agrarian hydrogel are strictly selected so that the water does not flow into the soil, but the plant can easily suck it out.
Particle size, physical properties and characteristics of this hydrogel for plants are the result of almost 30 years of research, testing and improvement of product properties, in which soil scientists, agronomists, polymer chemists participated. And yet, this is the quality control of every batch that goes off the assembly line. Because this product is specifically designed for agriculture and special demands are placed on it.
The probability that a hydrogel can be synthesized, which will be safe at the same time, beautiful and equally effective both in glass vases and when introduced into the soil, approaches zero. Although the Russian merchants have already taken the first step in this direction, they stole the technical specifications from our site and placed them under the Chinese aquarium surface.
Comparison table: hydrogel and akvagrunt
| Soil hydrogel | Akvagrunt (hydrogel decorative) | |
 Always colorless (dry white). Particles of different sizes and uneven.  Usually issued for the gel for breeding plants. Smooth shapes (balls, cubes), usually colored. |
||
I do not care, I will be planted in akvagrunt! Do not argue .. then:
Plant care, planting:
It is better to take plants young; they adapt more easily. Roots gently wash off the soil in water. Watch for air pockets between the balls.
Pour water in small portions if necessary. To open an open surface with a film.
When the top layer dries, it can be carefully removed and replaced with freshly prepared aquagrunt. You can try to reanimate, spraying the surface of the gun. If you try to restore the dried layer of water up to the top, there is a high probability that the plant will die (there will be no access of oxygen to the roots).
Do not put on direct sunlight, so that the aquagrunt does not become green. In order that the mold did not develop - introduce fungicides. Fertilizers pour occasionally, in small portions. Here everything will depend on your ability to guess the state of the plant by external signs.
What types of plants is better to choose for planting in akvagrunt?
Need to experiment. In some cases, a plant of the same species can either adapt to the growth on gel balls or not grow at all.
As plants that will exist on aquagrunt, you can try euphoria, pulpberry, money tree, asparagus, dieffenbachia, tradescantia, codeum, ivy, chlorophytum, and kalanchoe.
Plants should already be with roots. For ivy, chlorophytum and a number of others it is not necessary, they will be able to take root in aquagrunt.
Curiosity is not a vice. If you really love flowers, check the possibilities of agro hydrogel yourself!
Special set of agro hydrogel for beginners
We have prepared a special set for all beginners and curious. Each pack contains 200g of each high quality agro hydrogel modification from the USA.
The amount is enough for any of your experiments in the garden and at home.
Potted flowers will develop better and bloom more abundantly, and their care will be greatly simplified. You can send and store any plants with an open root system, and in the garden to make a hydrogel under your favorite trees and bushes. For example, under the black currant, which likes frequent watering or under strawberries.
80% of buyers come back to us
According to our statistics, 80% of customers who have tried Evabone hydrogel (R) are coming back to us. Please your favorite plants - we are sure you will stay with us for a long time!
Fans of home flowers know what painstaking care requires such a hobby. Many of us, leaving for rest, left the keys to the apartment to friends or neighbors so that they would water the flowers during our absence. However, science does not stand still, and akvagrunt has been used for quite a long time and widely in the practice of home gardeners. We learn what is this substance and what is its benefit and convenience.
What is an akvagrunt
Aquagrunt is a substance capable of absorbing and holding a large amount of liquid for a long time. This is a polymeric material in the form of colored or transparent beads, which, absorbing moisture, increase in size and, if necessary, give this moisture to the roots.
Aquaria for flowers and hydrogel: is there a difference
Not only in floriculture, but also in plant growing, such a direction as hydroponics has been intensively developing for several years. This cultivation of plants without soil thanks to special nutrient solutions. It is this direction that made the so-called hydrogel popular.
Did you know? It turns out that hydroponics is not a new phenomenon. In ancient India, the cultivation of plants in a coconut fiber substrate was practiced, and the roots were in the water, from which they obtained nutrients.
It is a small granules, like those that we each saw in boxes with new shoes. This substance is a substitute for drip irrigation. The hydrogel is mixed with water, absorbing it into itself, and then used when planting the culture in the ground, as an enveloping, additionally nourishing moisture substance.
Aquagrunt is considered a type of hydrogel and differs only in appearance. These are colored balls, which are usually used for decorative purposes when breeding potted flowers in vases or transparent flower pots.
How to use akvagrunt colors: instructions
Decorative hydrogel is a transparent balls of various bright colors in the package. 
Ball preparation
First you need to do a few steps:
- pour the balls out of the packaging into a container prepared in advance, pour 500 ml of water over them. Water for plants is better to take tap, allowing it to stand for 2 days before using;
- leave the hydrogel in the tank for a day, then drain the rest of the water, which is not absorbed. In this form, the tool is ready for use.
Planting a plant
Now the main actions:
- ready balls of akvagrunta are placed in a vase or other capacity where the plant is planned to be planted;
- the plant is removed from the soil, carefully and thoroughly washed the roots from the remnants of the substrate, then put it in a vase with hydrogel, immersing the root in it. If the flower has a high stem, it is recommended to pour half of akvagrunta to the bottom of the vase, then place the root of the flower and cover the rest of the balls from above, which will ensure greater stability of the flower.
Important! Balls can be dangerous for small children and animals, so try to place the vessels with akvagruntom in inaccessible places.
Is there any benefit: for what purpose the substance is suitable
Disputes on the usefulness of akvagrunta not stop. Manufacturers claim that it is possible to fully grow plants in it, and experienced growers are confident that this is just a design tool.
We study the composition of akvagrunta
Akvagrunt made on the basis of the hydrogel, which is a polymer, and, accordingly, does not have in its composition any useful substances and trace elements needed by the plant. The function of the composition is solely in the absorption of fluid and the gradual release of its roots.
In other words, your flowers can receive a nutrient medium only from the water that the colorful balls have absorbed in themselves, and they, in turn, bring mostly decorative benefits. 
Plant surface
Manufacturers claim that growing plants in hydrogel balls is not only possible, but also very simple:
- Many growers use this technological achievement for rooting cuttings. To do this, aquagrunt is prepared in the traditional way, according to the instructions on the package, then cuttings are simply inserted into the vessel with the substrate, which must be rooted. Compared with the classical placement of cuttings in a glass of water, this method has a definite plus: the cutting receives moderately moisture and does not rot.
- Some home-flower lovers practice hydroponic flower cultivation without the use of soil substrates, exclusively in hydrogel. This process requires a thorough assessment of the condition of the plants and does not always give the desired result. However, when breeding flowers that grow in nature according to the principle of hydroponics, for example, orchids, aquagrunt is quite well used. In this case, the plant does not immerse completely in the balls and is in a pot with the usual substrate of bark, and the pot, in turn, is placed in a vessel with prepared aquaground. This reduces the risk of rotting of the root system of the flower and the required moistening of the substrate is achieved.
Akvagrunt for flowers in bouquets
Aqua ground is ideal for cut flowers in a bouquet. Very nice looks fresh bouquet of flowers in a vase filled with multi-colored transparent balls.
Even capricious bouquets of roses or tulips will be better preserved in such a mixture, since they will receive a sufficient amount of moisture and at the same time their cut will not rot.
Important! When placing bouquets in aquagrunt it must be remembered that the substrate should be thoroughly washed every 2 days under running water, just like the flower stems themselves. This is necessary in order to remove the resulting organic mucus and avoid the appearance of an unpleasant odor in the vase.
How to care for plants
If you decide to experiment with growing flowers in hydrogel balls, you should familiarize yourself with the basic rules of this process:
Akvagrunt or ordinary soil: the pros and cons
Contrary to the assurances of manufacturers of the mixture, battles on the choice of the type of substrate for home flowers are continuing. Let us try to determine what are the positive and negative sides of the aqua-ground and whether it is able to withstand ordinary soil. 
Aquagrunt difficult to underestimate:
- the mixture has a bright color and refreshes the interior of the room;
- plants in this soil look unusual and fresh;
- balls in a dry form take up very little space and are easily transported and stored;
- replant plants that are in this composition, easily and without excess dirt;
- if you need to leave, and watering flowers to no one, aquagrunt perfectly cope with the task of preserving moisture.
However, the disadvantages of this composition are very significant:
- aquagrunt is an artificial mixture, and there are no useful substances in its composition. Accordingly, the plant cannot fully develop in it without additional fertilizer;
- hydrogel can be used only in vessels with good ventilation, so as not to disturb the aeration of the roots;
- with prolonged exposure to the sun composition may be covered with green bloom;
- the liquid from the top layer of balls evaporates very quickly, which requires constant attention and regular spraying.
The best time of the year is a vacation, but the bitterness of parting with herbal pets may darken the anticipation of rest. Longing for the upcoming separation - nothing compared to anxiety about their health.
Well, if the relatives agree to water the flowers, and if not? Hydrogel will help out - “smart” soil that will take care of the welfare of the plants in your absence.
Let's talk about what a hydrogel is, how to use it and why aquagrunt made in China is a silent killer of potted flowers.
Absorb and give: why do we need a hydrogel for indoor plants?
Hydrogel, also known as eco-soil, hydro-ground and aquagrunt, has recently added to its range of flower shops, although its history goes back centuries.
For a long time, the ingenious minds of mankind have been pondering how to retain moisture in the soil and prevent crop losses from drought.
Attempts to solve this problem in the last century led to the invention of hydrogels. The initiative belonged to the UN, and the implementation was carried out by Western chemical concerns.
At its core, the hydrogel is a highly absorbent polymer.
One gram of dry polymer granules can absorb up to 200-400 grams of water, increasing in size by 1000-1500%. The structure of the hydrogel is flexible and plastic.
Upon drying, the polymer returns to its original crystalline form, swells again in the presence of water. What does the indoor flowers?
Added to the ground, hydrogel balls absorb moisture from the soil during irrigation and create a kind of water reservoir, to which the roots of plants fall during times of "drought" to quench their thirst. Brilliant - just.
If you…
- take care of maintaining optimum soil moisture,
- planning to go on vacation, leaving the plants for 2-3 weeks,
- or simply forget to water your pets regularly,
... transplant potted flowers in aquagrunt. They will say thank you. As for the application, the hydrogel can be used both as an additive and as an independent primer.
Advantages and disadvantages of akvagrunta
Using the polymer substrate in its pure form, remember its neutral nature. Aquagrunt does not contain nutrients and can not provide optimal conditions for growth and development.
The problem of nutritional deficiencies can be solved by adding fertilizers, but keeping plants in such an environment for more than a year is still a mockery of nature.
Some flowers will not live in akvagrunte and month. Strongly unacceptable hydrogel for orchids. The century of life of a wonderful flower in a glass vase with gel balls is not long.
Why sell? Florists are paid money “to be beautiful,” and you know that orchids die in hydrogels, as do cacti, succulents, and epiphytes.
You can experiment with any moisture-and shade-loving flower of short stature with a large root system.
High decorativeness of the soil, non-dirty landing process and convenient transportation of the “soil” in the powder format from the store to the home are seductive arguments in favor of trying.
Advantages and disadvantages of soil with hydrogel
Hydrogel-soil mixture has no contraindications and disadvantages and can be used almost always.
Hydrogel in the composition of the soil:
- when it dries, nourishes the roots with moisture for 2-3 weeks;
- prevents overmoistening and protects roots from rotting;
- regulates its texture - clay makes it friable, sandy more dense.
We will provide a brief instruction on planting “this and that” right now.
VIDEO REVIEW
In the soil and instead of the soil: hydrogel instructions for use
We found out above that there are two options for exploiting hydrogels - as an additive to the soil or an independent medium for keeping plants.
In the ground
- Before adding the substrate to the soil, dilute it according to the instructions (usually a gram of powder per cup of water).
- Mix the swollen granules with the soil (usually a glass of gel per liter of soil) and plant flowers in the soil with hydrogel as usual.
Is it possible to pour, by burying, the dry substrate into the pot? Acceptable, but undesirable. After watering and swelling, the granules can squeeze the plant out of the pot or damage its root system.
Want to experiment? Pierce the soil on the area of the pot to its full depth, for example, with a pencil.
- Pour the powder into the wells at the rate of grams per liter of soil.
- Pour over. Wait.
- If part of the gel squeezes out over time, sprinkle with soil.
- If a flower creeps up, transplant the sufferer with honors.
Mixing hydrogel with earth Pour or apply a wet hydrogel over the ground does not make much sense.
Placed on the ground, aquagrunt can create an entourage and even prevent the evaporation of moisture, but the soil will not fully moisturize.
Moreover, the illusion of moisture inspired by them can ruin the flowers - from the inside, the soil will shrivel from dryness while you enjoy your ingenuity.
Instead of soil
Want to plant flowers in a hydrogel without soil?
- Soak granules coarse fraction (5 g per liter of water) for 2-3 hours.
- Remove from the pot a flower with an earthy ball, gently rinse the roots.
- Pour the swollen polymers on the bottom of the future vase, hoist the flower, sprinkle it with akvagruntom to the growth line.
- To avoid overdrying of the upper layer, remove it regularly, soak it and return it to its place. Or spray with a spray bottle. Or cover with plastic wrap.
- Water the flowers in the aquagrunt once every two weeks and strictly monitor the observance of the shadow mode - in the sunlight the hydrogel will bloom.
Hydrogel akvagruntu not a friend: how to choose the right?
You can buy a hydrogel in a garden store or in any DIY supermarket chain like Leroy Merllin and OBI. Whose ground is better? Ahead of the rest - Germany and France.
EVONIK, SNF FLOERGER and other concerns of a similar scale are technically and ecologically grounded. Take without looking.
If you wish to support the domestic manufacturer, pay attention to the hydrogels Akvasin and Happy summer resident. In general, remember that 90% of the hydrogel on the market has nothing to do with the healthy cultivation of plants. It is primarily about the Asian aquagrunts created for design and entertainment needs.
What is dangerous decorative soil?
Some time in the colored balls or cubes the flower will stand, but almost always, sooner or later, will die.
The decorative hydrogel is denser than the agrarian one and does not give up moisture well, not to mention the inclusion of dyes and other toxins, the presence of which can be assumed with a high probability. International certificates of quality and safety sheets are not included with the primer from China.
The correct hydrogel looks unpresentable - colorless, raznorazmerny and formless. But - quality control of each batch, environmental safety and long life of indoor plants.
Life hacking: how to make a hydrogel at home?
100 grams of German hydrogel of excellent quality will cost only 100 rubles. This amount is enough to create 100 liters of hydrogel-soil mixture.
For home plant growing costs are insignificant. Still want to make a hydrogel with your own hands? Layfkhakery invented a nontrivial way to get akvagrunta from ... diapers.
- Cut the diaper and remove the pellets.
- Mix the polymer substrate with water until a gel-like mass is formed (average gram per cup).
- Combine a glass of gel with a liter of soil and disembark.
- The gel will drink water from the soil, the plant - from the gel. All are full and satisfied, and diapers for children - it is harmful.
VIDEO INSTRUCTION
And then what?
Water absorbents are a good thing. The idea of moisture conservation in the context of global water scarcity on Earth should evolve.
Hydrogels sorb water and ensure its economical use. Behind the scenes is the answer to the question of the safety of polymers, which are presented as pH-neutral and environmentally friendly.
After 3-5 years, the hydrogel decomposes and, according to unofficial sources, acrylamide, a dangerous neurotoxin for humans and animals, is released when destroyed.
Official sources say the amount of residual acrylamide is regulated and safe. Maybe. But remember the other side of the question. At least in order not to save, ordering a cheap and beautiful akvagrunt with Aliexpress.
The following composition was written on the packaging of the hydrogel I purchased: "space-bound gel of polyacrylamide and potassium polyacrylate". It also says that the gel is completely safe for humans and non-toxic to plants (however, acrylamide, which is part of it, is the most dangerous neurotoxin. In addition, acrylamide causes cancer in laboratory animals. It easily passes through the skin and can be inhaled dust form (more on this with links to scientific papers at the end of the article).
Content is a white powder swelling when water is added.
The content is a white powder swelling with the addition of water. I poured a layer of 1 mm of hydrogel powder on the bottom of a plastic cup with a volume of half a liter, and by swelling the hydrogel completely filled this glass.
What is used hydrogel?
With the help of a hydrogel, you can create graffiti from moss, hydrogel is used in the design, as well as added to the pots to flower crops, so that they can be watered less often. Now it is fashionable to germinate sprouts on a hydrogel (it really sprouts well, especially if the hydrogel is soaked in a nutrient solution for hydroponics instead of water, since the hydrogel itself is inert - the plants in it will die after some time without additional nutrition).
The seedling in the hydrogel looks beautiful - you can observe how the root system grows
Well, simply the seedlings in the hydrogel look beautiful - you can watch the root system grow. Many gardeners recommend adding hydrogel to the soil under crops used for food (cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries, etc.), I also planned to do this, but first I decided to study the information about the hydrogel in the foreign Internet.
Possible danger and toxicity of hydrogel
Linda Chalker-Scott (Ph.D., Washington State University) in the article Myth about polyacrylamide hydrogels
When the hydrogel is destroyed, it releases potassium acrylate and acrylamide. Acrylamide is a deadly neurotoxin.
"... Hydrogels are usually presented as pH-neutral, non-toxic, environmentally friendly compounds (in polymerized form). The fact remains that after five years, almost the entire hydrogel depolymerizes due to natural decomposition processes ... When the hydrogel is destroyed, it releases acrylate potassium and acrylamide. Acrylamide is a deadly neurotoxin, and it has been found to cause cancer in laboratory animals. It passes easily through the skin and can be inhaled in the form of dust ... Who is at risk of exposure to acres Ilamide? Kindergarten workers and gardeners who usually use hydrogels and can be exposed to them when they break down and become toxic. Homeowners who add hydrogel-containing mixtures to their plots or compost heaps. Dogs, cats, and wildlife animals that come in contact with these substances are at risk. On a wider scale, there is a risk for the entire ecosystem, since acrylamide is soluble in water and can easily get into aquifers. "
Jeff Schalau (Associate, Agriculture & Natural Resources University of Arizona Cooperative Extension) in the article Hydrogels: are they safe? (an article in English, translated by a Google translator, inaccuracies are possible in it, below are excerpts from the article) writes:
In the production of hydrogels, residual acrylamide is present as a pollutant, but its amount is strictly regulated in the United States to a level of not more than 0.05%
"... Some people are concerned about the safety of hydrogels, so I decided to provide some scientific information about their effectiveness and safety ... How hydrogels will act in a given situation is very difficult to predict, since the chemical interactions between the hydrogel, the substances that make up the soil, and solutes are complex and occur simultaneously ... It is documented that the effects of cross-linked hydrogels on plant survival are variable (unstable). Some researchers have reported enhanced and the growth of crops and tree species.According to other researchers, hydrogels did not improve plant survival compared to control ... In some cases, the condition of plants treated with hydrogel deteriorated compared to untreated control and a lack of nutrients was detected ... How As the name implies, polyacrylamides consist of numerous interconnected acrylamide compounds.Acrylamide is a known neurotoxin in the human body and, as is also suspected, carcinogenic. In the production of hydrogels, residual acrylamide is present as a pollutant, but its amount is strictly regulated in the USA to no more than 0.05%, or 500 ppm for agricultural use ... Considering the conclusions presented above, I cannot recommend the use of hydrogels for home gardens There are several alternative practices that are safe and equally effective. These include mulching, periodically adding compost, protection from wind, etc. "
Given the findings presented above, I cannot recommend the use of hydrogels for home gardens.
You can also read the article Super-absorbent crystals - are they really “super”? (in English), this article describes in more detail the problems presented in the articles, excerpts from which are presented above. In addition, many interesting sites can be obtained by asking Google request " hydrogel toxicity plant growth".
On the shelves of horticultural and flower shops you can find transparent containers with multi-colored balls. They look beautiful in the interior and provide favorable conditions for many species of plants. This is a relatively new material, which is used for growing pot plants, seedlings, etc.
It is a polymer with special properties. It provides sufficient moisture, while preventing rotting of the roots. Bright balls of hydrogel today can be found in almost any gardening shop. Find out how to use it, help advice experts.
general characteristics
To understand how to use hydrogel for plants, should consider the basic properties of this substance. On sale this material is presented in the form of small granules or even powder. Their color may be different. The color does not affect the quality of the material.
Bright balls, which are formed after irrigation of hydrogel, will decorate any window sill, where transparent vases are placed with houseplants. However, it is more appropriate to use a similar material in combination with the soil.
The polymer from which the granules are made is able to absorb a large amount of liquid. One such ball can absorb up to 200 g of water. It stays inside for a long time. Plants put their roots in the pellets. From here they get the vital moisture for them. In this case, you can not water the soil for up to 2-3 weeks. After the next watering, the balls again absorb moisture. The roots will not rot.
Varieties
The next stage in the study of the issue, how to use hydrogel for plantsis the choice of the right kind of polymer. It has a different effect on different types of plants. It all depends on the root system and irrigation features.
There are two types of hydrogel. It is soft and dense material. In the first case, the granules have virtually no color.
The roots easily penetrate the balls, feeding on the moisture that they accumulate. This type of material is ideal for flower growers who cannot provide regular watering to moisture-loving varieties of plants. Also, soft granules are used by gardeners in germinating cuttings and seedlings.
Dense material is also called akvagruntom. Such a hydrogel can take the form of not only balls, but also cubes, triangles. This is a decorative polymer that is used for germinating seeds. In vases for bouquets of flowers, he looks especially impressive.
Properties
And colorless granules for the substrate have a different scope. Their properties are also different. Ornamental species are used as a separate material for various plant species. He is put in a vase with flowers. When adding aromatic substances with water, the hydrogel can serve as an air freshener.
A transparent hydrogel does not have decorative qualities. It can be mixed with soil. If fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation, the granules will absorb this mixture and will perform a double function. Plants will receive not only moisture, but also the components necessary for their development.
Polymer granules on the market today are notable for their low cost. According to the manufacturers, such material is completely safe for human health and the environment. This is an environmentally friendly polymer. After 2-3 years of his service, he loses his aesthetic qualities. At the same time it will absorb moisture as well as before. Balls can be taken out on the street and buried in the garden. The material does not require special disposal.
Application area
Hydrogel Balloons may differ not only in color, size and shape. They are used for various purposes. If you need to germinate seeds, you should select the material with the smallest granules. Large varieties are used to prepare the soil mixture.
The polymer, absorbing moisture, prevents its excessive flow to the root system. This is true for those florists who love to flood their plants. Also presented material is applied in pots that are difficult to access. Watering at the same time it will be possible to produce much less.
If the gardener wants to grow cuttings or seedlings with the help of the material presented, he can feed them with fertilizer water. It is very convenient. Also, the hydrogel is suitable for germination of seeds of various crops.
Analog Materials
In modern floriculture, there are several materials similar in their properties to hydrogel. True, their moisture-absorbing characteristics are somewhat inferior to the polymer. However, the substances presented below have several additional functions.
Looking for the answer, what to replace the hydrogel for plants, many growers stop on substances such as vermiculi, coconut chips and chips. They are also able to absorb excess moisture, gradually giving it to the roots of the plant. These are natural materials.
Vermiculite is able to loosen the earth. This is especially important for plants whose root system needs oxygen to enter it.
In the rooting of cuttings, one of the best fillers for soil is coconut chips and substrate. They are also able to absorb excessive moisture. Coconut chips can be used as a separate soil for orchids and other similar plants.
What plants are suitable for?
Hydrogel is used in the cultivation of many plant species. However, for some of them, the polymer is not suitable. First of all it concerns succulents. Such plants themselves are able to accumulate moisture. Therefore, the additional moisture-containing components simply do not need them.
Most commonly used hydrogel for orchids. In this case, even an akvagrunt, consisting of colored balls. Indescribable beauty of the flower will look even more spectacular in a transparent pot with a similar filling.
For most flowering, deciduous and ornamental plants, the hydrogel can be freely applied hydrogel. He is able to give the necessary consistency of the soil. The clay soil will become more friable, and the sandy soil, on the contrary, will be less crumbly.
Today it is widely used by various gardeners and flower growers. However, when choosing plants that will grow in this soil, it is necessary to take into account a number of recommendations of experts. This will avoid mistakes, harming the flower.
A plant grown under such conditions should not be large. Under its weight, it will collapse in different directions. Balls are not able to provide good support.
Hydrogel is suitable for flowers with long, well developed roots. Such plants will not need to be replanted every year. For plants that prefer to grow in tight capacity (for example, euharis), the polymer will not work.
Also, it does not apply when growing light-loving flowers. If the plant has leathery, dense leaves, the hydrogel should also not be used. Excess moisture can adversely affect its development and well-being.
Preparation for use
Complicated preparation before use does not require a substance such as hydrogel Instruction manufacturers will help to perform all actions correctly. First you need to soak the granules in water. They swell, increase in size. A volume of 3 liters of finished polymer is obtained from 2 tablespoons of dry matter.
After the granules are saturated with liquid, they must be poured into a colander. Excess liquid is drained. If it turns out that the volume of the granules exceeds the capacity of the flowerpot or container, the surplus can be transferred into a sealed bag. It is left in the fridge. In this case, the balls will not lose moisture and crystallize.
If aquagel is used, it can be divided by color or beads can be used in the mixture. Sometimes it turns out that there was not enough water in the container. In this case, you can add it. Balls do not absorb more fluid than the manufacturer. After 9-11 hours, they can be used for transplanting plants. The soft polymer will be ready for use after soaking within an hour after soaking.
Hydrogel for seedlings
Originally intended for the needs of the agricultural industry. It was used in the germination of seeds, cuttings. Today, this technique remains relevant. For the cultivation of various crops seed method used pure hydrogel with water. In this case, you can not add soil.
First, the transparent hydrogel is soaked in water with fertilizers. The choice of bait depends on the type of culture you want to grow. After the material is saturated with liquid, excess moisture is drained.
If the seeds are too small, the hydrogel is passed through a sieve. This allows you to get a lot with a virtually homogeneous consistency. You can also grind the polymer with a blender. For large seeds you can not crush the presented material. Seeds contribute to the prepared mass, pressing them lightly into the polymer. If they are deeply deepened, the access of oxygen will be impossible. The container is covered with a film.
Hydrogel with primer for seeds
Hydrogel Soil also used when growing seeds. This allows you to avoid transplanting plants in the phase of the appearance of cotyledonary leaves, as happens when using polymer with water without soil.
Experienced gardeners prefer to mix one part with four parts of the soil after preparing the hydrogel. In this case, the hydrogel should also contain water with properly selected fertilizers.
The mixture is filled with containers. From above it is recommended to lay a thin layer of crushed pure hydrogel without soil. In its top layer make the seeds with a toothpick. They also can not be deeply buried in the polymer. Next, the container is closed with a film. This is a convenient way to ensure proper moisture and friability.
