Is it possible to use hydrogel for planting tomatoes. Hydrogel for plants - application. Features of the use of hydrogel for potted plants

27.04.2020

Methods for growing seedlings have recently improved, and many growers are trying to experiment. Today we will talk about another unusual method - growing seedlings in a hydrogel.

Hydrogel is a polymer that actively absorbs water and at the same time increases in size tenfold. The hydrogel is a white powder consisting of small or large granules. One gram of hydrogel is able to absorb more than a glass of moisture. It also has a useful property for crop production - it is able to give moisture to the roots of plants.

Features of the method of growing seedlings in hydrogel

The method of growing seedlings in a hydrogel is suitable for cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkin crops (although almost any seedling can be grown in it: cabbage, lettuce, peas, etc.).

Hydrogel can be bought at all garden stores. For growing seedlings, you need to choose a hydrogel consisting of small granules. There are also large round granules, but they are not suitable for these purposes.

The hydrogel should be diluted in cold water in the proportion of 1 tablespoon of granules per 1 liter of water. Then the water should be thoroughly mixed. It is desirable to add any complex fertilizer for seedlings to the resulting solution.

After 8-12 hours, the gel completely absorbs water, and the so-called "jelly" is formed, which will serve as a substitute for soil for seedlings.

Next, the hydrogel is transferred to a container for planting seedlings (for this purpose, you can use simple plastic cups or plastic containers). Vegetable seeds are sown on the surface of the gel in random order. Further, each seed is deepened into the hydrogel mass by 0.2-0.5 cm.

Containers with planted seedlings are covered with a plastic bag and placed in a warm place. In a few days shoots will appear.

Advantages of the method

The method of growing seedlings in a hydrogel has several advantages:

Well, first of all, it's beautiful. Tanks with hydrogel and green shoots have decorative look.
Seedling seedlings are easy to get without damaging the root.
Seedlings planted in a hydrogel are practically not susceptible to such a disease as a black leg.

Mistakes when planting seedlings in a hydrogel

Incorrect dosage of water when diluting the hydrogel

With proper dilution, the mass of the gel should be thick, in consistency - like jelly. But you can not overdry the hydrogel.

Incorrect planting depth

Large seeds deepen by 0.2-0.5 cm, no more. Small seeds are sown on the surface.

Hydrogel for plants, indoor or garden, began to be used relatively recently. Most summer residents have just begun to use it in their garden and probably were able to appreciate all its advantages, if they used it correctly, of course. Its main task: to keep the required amount of moisture in the soil, but if we move away from generalizations and turn to particulars, we can highlight several possibilities that are worthy of attention and discussion. One of the possibilities that this wonderful material provides is germination of plant seeds, we'll talk about it.

Purchase and storage of hydrogel

Hydrogel is sold, as a rule, in granules with different sizes and colors. Packaging is also different both externally and in volume. While it is more convenient to add large granules to the soil, small ones are more suitable for seed germination. The color of the hydrogel does not affect the properties. Before you start using it, it must be soaked in water. Once it absorbs moisture, it should expand in size. The proportion is as follows: two tablespoons of granules must be added to three liters of water. From a package of one hundred grams, eight to ten liters of a ready-to-use solution should be obtained. Excess can be drained through a colander. For long-term storage, the gel can be hidden in a closed package in the refrigerator. If you leave the gel open, it will pick up moisture from environment crystallizes.

For seed germination, it should be remembered that the finished hydrogel has a state of inert substance that does not contain nutrients, so you will have to add everything that is needed for the nutrition and growth of your plant. It can also be a fertilizer (soaked, water-soluble) such as a complex mixture of Kemir, there can be growth stimulants, such as HB101, and any others.

Options for using hydrogel for growing plants

Hydrogel is used in several ways. For example this could be sowing seeds directly into it for which you need to soak large granules. After swelling, what happened must be crushed, rubbed through a sieve, or crushed with a blender, mixer, until a homogeneous mass of a jelly-like consistency is formed. Then a three-centimeter layer of the resulting honeycomb is placed in pre-prepared bowls and seeds are laid out on this surface.

You can cut layers from large pieces of the resulting gel, and put the seeds on them, pressing them a little into the resulting plates with either a match or a toothpick. Strongly deep should not be deepened so as not to deprive the seeds of access to oxygen. Then we cover all this from above with a plastic film, it should prevent too intensive evaporation of moisture. Once a day at least you can remove the film to get rid of accumulated condensate, as well as to ventilate the crops. If the seeds need to create the effect of darkness, you can use a black film. Or containers with seedlings can be placed in a closet or other dark place.

A good effect will give a simple addition of hydrogel to the soil, which is used for growing seedlings. Proportion: three or four parts of the substrate to one part of the hydrogel. Place, slightly tamping the mixture into containers prepared in advance. Otherwise, this method is the same as described above. You won't need to water often. And when sprouts appear, a little soil can be added on top of them to prevent the seedlings from stretching. This method is effective when germinating small seeds.

In the case of seed germination inside a pure gel, at the stage when the leaves become cotyledonous, it is possible to transplant into the ground. To avoid damage to the roots, transfer the sprouts to the soil along with the gel. Do not forget that for germination this method is not suitable for all seeds. It is recommended to use it for plants with seeds that require long-term stratification, as well as if the seeds are small and require special germination conditions (seeds of lobelia, petunia, primrose, geyhera). When sowing, always consider the individuality of a particular plant.

The benefits of the hydrogel do not end there, it can be used for further cultivation either at home or in the garden, plants that love moisture - the gel can be added to the soil or directly into the holes prepared for planting. When using it, you can not water the flowers for a long time, especially those that are planted in containers or hanging baskets. In general, the gel will help you beat the constant moisture of the soil. Some of the versatility of the gel will allow you to combine it with soil both dry and pre-soaked. Of course, if this is a garden, then the first method should be preferred. And for plants growing in pots, it is best to add pre-swollen hydrogel to the ground. And the proportions are already selected in each case independently. Greater benefit from the use of hydrogel should be expected on arid sandy soils. It is here that its qualities are useful for retaining not only moisture, but also fertilizers, preventing the latter from being washed out quickly. Rest assured that the gel will save you from gardening worries associated with the drying of the soil. The use of hydrogel will reduce the number of waterings and save water.

Video discount

AT some In our video tutorials, a discount coupon is hidden. Watch the video to end and write down the word by which you can get a discount when buying in our store. You can also watch these lessons on your favorite social networks.

Hydrogel planting of indoor plants (parts 1, 2, 3)

Video planting indoor plants, part 1

General principles, what kind of gel we use. Instructions. We are preparing a hydrogel for planting violets.

Video tutorial planting indoor plants, part 2

How to prepare the soil mixture for planting indoor plants. What needs to be added to the purchased soil. How much and how to make hydrogel.

Video tutorial planting indoor plants, part 3

What is hydrogel for? Hydrogel in indoor floriculture.

Hydrogel "Happy summer resident". Test: Sprouting Sweet Pepper Seeds

The last part of the lesson.

Root hydrogel: planting seedlings of strawberries and peppers, part 1

Hydrogel for root treatment. Some methods of working with hydrogel. Peat tablets, planting strawberries, root treatment before planting

Planting seedlings using root and multi gel

How to apply hydrogel to protect the open root system? How much and how is applied to the planting hole? What are the types of hydrogels.

Video discount

There is a discount coupon hidden in some of our video tutorials. Watch the video until the end and write down the word by which you can get a discount when buying in our store. You can also watch these lessons on your favorite social networks.

Additional Information. Not found in the main sections of the site? Forum —> To our clients —> Tech support (for our customers) or Forum —> Hydrogel community (for everyone). Questions about delivery and prices? Buy section (shop)

Hydrogel RU site sections:

Seedlings and hydrogel: nuances of use

Hydrogel, sold in the form of crystals of various sizes, which are able to swell very strongly in water and then retain moisture for a long time, gradually giving it to the roots of plants, is a reliable assistant for flower growers, gardeners and gardeners.
Hydrogel-grown plants (in the house, on the balcony, in open field) need watering much less often, develop better and suffer less from heat.

Of course, plant lovers are only interested in high-quality and specialized hydrogel - designed specifically for agriculture, i.e. for ecologically safe and successful cultivation of plants in indoor floriculture and household plots. All these requirements are met by a modern hydrogel, produced with the latest scientific achievements and meeting strict standards, certified. This high-quality, harmless hydrogel is used by plant lovers in many countries of the world and guarantees excellent long-term results when used correctly according to the attached instructions.

Many flower growers and gardeners are experimenting with growing a variety of plants in the home and garden using hydrogel.

Not all types of plants benefit from hydrogel

It must be emphasized that from a large assortment of indoor plants, only moisture-loving species and herbaceous plants with soft leaves that do not tolerate prolonged drying of the substrate need to add hydrogel to the soil. They consume and evaporate a large number of water, requiring frequent watering.
During the transshipment of such plants, the hydrogel added to the substrate showed excellent results. Home plants planted with hydrogel needed watering noticeably less often, which is especially important when they are on a glazed loggia in a hot summer.

Unlike moisture lovers, drought-resistant plants (cacti and succulents, epiphytes) that have thorns and dense leaves do not need regular maintenance of substrate moisture - on the contrary, their roots easily rot because of this. Therefore, when sowing and planting such plants, it is not necessary to add hydrogel to their light, permeable substrate.

Practice has shown that when germinating seeds and growing seedlings, the addition of hydrogel to the substrate was not useful for all species. herbaceous plants used to decorate the balcony and garden.

When sowing plant species with very small seeds (petunia, lobelia, snapdragon, etc.) and plant species suffering from even the slightest waterlogging of the soil (verbena, purslane, carnation, etc.), the addition of hydrogel to the substrate greatly inhibits the development of seedlings. At the same time, small seedlings grow slowly, look oppressed. Their thin, delicate roots are especially vulnerable to lack of air in a moist substrate, which dries very slowly with hydrogel. Therefore, in the humid environment created with the help of the hydrogel, small plants become even more vulnerable; they are at high risk of developing a "black leg".

It is not necessary to add hydrogel to the substrate even at the first picking of small seedlings, which have not yet developed a root system - it does not yet need and even harmful that huge amount of moisture that accumulates the hydrogel surrounding the roots.

But when the grown seedlings with a well-developed root system are planted in individual pots (or planted in flower pots, planted in a permanent place in open ground), then in these cases the addition of hydrogel to the substrate to fill containers or to the planting holes of flower beds and beds becomes very desirable! Numerous, actively growing roots are already ready to consume the amount of moisture that swollen hydrogel crystals constantly provide them.

When planting grown seedlings of ornamental plants in pots and garden flowerpots (drainage holes in them are required), it must be remembered that at first watering the seedlings should be very moderate until they are completely rooted there. That is why containers with planted seedlings must first be kept under a roof so that young plants do not become flooded in rainy weather.
The same “golden rule” applies here as when transshipping indoor plants: waterlogging the substrate in pots with plants whose roots have not yet fully mastered the entire space of the pot is fraught with acidification of the soil. As a result, algae and mold appear in the pot, and the roots of plants suffer from a lack of air.

Therefore, when adding a hydrogel that retains a lot of moisture to the substrate, you need to be especially careful when watering container plants. Especially in those cases when only 1-3 seedlings are planted in a large flowerpot. For example, this applies to ampelous petunias, when in the spring we plant only one plant in a bucket pot (see title photo). Already at the beginning of summer, such a petunia grows strongly and blooms magnificently, and soon forms a powerful cascade of shoots with an abundance of flowers.

The addition of a hydrogel to the substrate is desirable when sowing moisture-loving garden plants on seedlings, the roots of which feel very comfortable in a constantly humid environment. The same applies to herbaceous plants with numerous and large leaves grown from large seeds (nasturtium, herbaceous hibiscus, garden balsam, etc.), which grow well and fully bloom only with sufficient moisture. Their strong root system develops very actively and is able to quickly master the surrounding space, strong roots absorb a large amount of water from the substrate. In these cases, the hydrogel added to the substrate has a very beneficial effect on the development of seedlings at any stage of their development.

Features of the use of hydrogel for potted plants

If you add a dry hydrogel to the pot, which is required in a meager amount (and it is very difficult to accurately measure and evenly distribute fractions of a gram and a gram), then after watering the planted plant, there is a high risk of swelling of the soil in the container due to strongly swollen hydrogel. At the same time, the hydrogel can strongly move or even displace the seedlings from the pot!

Therefore, when planting seedlings in containers, I use only swollen hydrogel, pre-soaking dry crystals in water according to the instructions. I carefully mix the substrate with the swollen hydrogel in the recommended proportions so that it is evenly distributed in the volume of the pot and is available to the entire root system of the planted plants.

In a pot with drainage holes, on the bottom of which drainage is placed, I pour the bottom layer from a mixture of the substrate with the swollen hydrogel. The thickness of this bottom layer is calculated depending on the height of the root ball of the seedlings and the thickness of the top layer of mulch. I place the right amount of seedlings in the pot. I sprinkle the root of the seedlings on all sides with the same mixture of substrate and hydrogel, slightly compact, water. Then I add a mixture of substrate with hydrogel almost to the level of the root collar.
Further, some kind of mulch is usually poured into the pot from above, up to the root neck of the plants.

At the same time, the uppermost mulching layer (mulch or substrate, if mulch is not applied) should no longer contain hydrogel. Indeed, in the light, the hydrogel dries quickly and collapses, ceasing to perform its functions.

Features of the use of hydrogel for seedlings in open ground

When planting seedlings of flowers and vegetables in open ground, it is also desirable to prepare in advance a mixture of substrate with swollen hydrogel to fill the root system of seedlings. This is best option, which provides uniform moisture saturation of the roots of seedlings, as well as the economical use of hydrogel. However, with a very large number of planted seedlings and with a lack of time, this option is not always possible.

Another suitable option the introduction of hydrogel when planting seedlings - in swollen form, which is added directly to the planting hole.
I pour hydrogel crystals into a bucket of water. After they swell, with the help of a light With a plastic spoon with a long handle (from the kitchen set, it does not sink in a bucket of hydrogel), I gradually add the swollen hydrogel to the bottom of the hole, and on the sides - in the lower part of the root ball of the seedling installed in the hole. Then I fill the hole with garden soil and mulch the surface of the earth around the seedling.

The third option for applying hydrogel when planting seedlings is to add dry crystals to the planting hole. This option is the fastest because it does not require any preparatory work, but it turned out to be less preferable.

Firstly, when applied dry, much more hydrogel is consumed than is required by plants. Indeed, in the field it is unrealistic to measure grams and fractions of a gram of dry hydrogel. Therefore, when planting seedlings, crystals are introduced "by eye". In this case, undesirable consequences are possible in the form of swelling of the soil due to too much hydrogel after the swelling of the crystals.

Secondly, if a dry hydrogel is introduced to the bottom of a shallow hole, then when it swells, it can significantly shift and even displace the planted plant from the hole, as was already described above for seedlings in pots. Therefore, I do not apply dry hydrogel directly to the bottom of the hole, but only lightly sprinkle it on the sides with the lower part of the root ball of the seedling placed in the hole, and then fill the hole with garden soil and slightly compact it.
But even in this case, for small pits, there is a very high risk of swelling of the soil around the planted plants after the swelling of the hydrogel.

Hydrogel for plants - application

If this happens, it is necessary to immediately remove (above the soil surface and slightly below) the hydrogel that has come out after swelling and use it elsewhere, and add the right amount of earth to the plant and mulch it.

Planting and transplanting garden plants using hydrogel

The use of hydrogel when planting and transplanting garden plants allows them to transfer these procedures completely painlessly and quickly take root in a new place. After all, even when digging up a plant completely with a large clod of earth, part of the roots is inevitably damaged.

It is very useful to use a hydrogel in cases where a significant time passes between digging and planting a plant. It is especially desirable, and sometimes vital, to use a swollen hydrogel to protect the root system from drying out during long-term transportation and shipment of the excavated plant.

I also want to draw the attention of gardeners to another important point concerning the life of some garden dwellers.
Considering the regular use of hydrogel in greenhouses and flower beds, which we mulch with a large amount of mown throughout the garden season lawn grass, - I drew attention to the fact that at the same time they change significantly in better side soil structure and its nutritional value for plants. As a result of the use of hydrogel and mulch in garden soil earthworms reproduce very actively (and they further increase its fertility).
Under a layer of mulch, in loose, moist soil, toads are very fond of hiding from the heat (they winter there), which go hunting in the evenings and destroy pests in the garden.
Therefore, I try not to dig up the ground and do not uproot the tops in flower beds and greenhouses, so as not to harm the beneficial inhabitants of the garden hiding in the soil. In the fall, I cut the tops at ground level, and in the spring, the remains of almost rotted roots are easily removed from the light soil.

Elena Yurievna Ziborova (Samara)
Gardenia.ru "Floriculture: Pleasure and Benefits"

All about substrates on the site gardenia.ru
All about gardening on the site gardenia.ru
garden world on the site gardenia.ru

Weekly Free Digest of Gardenia.ru Site

Every week, for 10 years, for our 100,000 subscribers, an excellent selection of relevant materials about flowers and gardens, as well as other useful information.

Subscribe and receive!

(unsubscribe with one click)

The climate on earth is changing, and no one denies this. AT last years even in central Russia, a dry spring and no less dry summer are increasingly observed. On the other hand, water prices are rising. Here, in Stavropol, twice a year. It is impossible not to water - the plants will drastically reduce the yield, or they may even die.

Under these conditions, a hydrogel will come to the aid of the gardener.
We rarely use it yet. But in Europe it is used everywhere. There, water is expensive and wise "capitalists" appreciated all the benefits of using a hydrogel.

The hydrogel is sold in the form of small crystals or smooth granules that swell repeatedly in water. Manufacturers got a little excited, claiming that 1 gram of hydrogel absorbs 300 grams of water. I got 150 grams. But maybe I bought the wrong kind. But that's pretty good too. In a hydrogel, water is in the form of a gel (which is why the hydro-gel got its name). It turns out that, according to the most conservative estimates, 1 kilogram of hydrogel is able to absorb 150 liters of water and, in case of drought, give it to plants.

The hydrogel absorbs water even with light rains and surface irrigation, which reduces the amount of water for irrigation by almost half. In addition, when fertilizers are applied in liquid form, the hydrogel absorbs dissolved fertilizers, giving them to plants gradually, along with water. And fertilizers during irrigation are not washed out into the lower layers of the soil - their savings are obtained. You can fertilize less frequently. Water and nutrients are always available to the roots.

How to prepare a hydrogel for soil application.

Pour a bag (10 grams) into one and a half liters of water and wait from 20 minutes to half an hour. Different types of hydrogel require different swelling times. Besides, different types hydrogel and swell differently. You will have either transparent balls in the jar, or something in the form of thick jelly (or wallpaper paste).

How to apply hydrogel.

The hydrogel is relatively expensive, so I use it for those who like to drink - cabbage, pepper, cucumbers and eggplant. I do it this way. When planting seedlings, I dig a hole a little larger than a clod of earth with roots. For pepper- I pour about a teaspoon without the top of potassium sulfate into the hole, add half a glass of swollen hydrogel and plant the seedlings at the level at which it was in the glass. I water, I compress the soil. I water the pepper once every two to three weeks, depending on the weather. I will add that all my beds, without exception, are mulched and I add mulch all summer.

For cabbage and eggplant I do everything the same, only I pour 1 teaspoon of calcium nitrate and 1 teaspoon of nitrophoska into the well under the hydrogel.

cucumbers I do not plant seedlings, but sow seeds; in our south, they do not get sick and grow strong. I make a hole, add half a teaspoon of Kalimag fertilizer, half a glass of hydrogel, sprinkle it a little with earth and sow the seeds.

Technology of sowing seeds on a substrate with hydrogel. ("Who does not sow, he does not reap" Part 2)

At the same time, I do not soak the seeds and do not germinate - I sow dry. I spill and mulch with sawdust aged in a saltpeter solution (a handful in a bucket of water) for three days - otherwise the sawdust will draw nitrogen out of the ground (even aged for 2 years)

Watering, combining with feeding with mullein or a solution of fermented grass in our southern heat, I do it once a week. I think that in a milder and more humid climate, you can water it once every 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the weather.

As you can see, the use of hydrogel greatly simplifies the care of moisture-loving plants. With hydrogel, watering is infrequent, and mulch frees you from tedious loosening. The work is facilitated and the time of the gardener is freed up, and this, admit it, is important. Winter is ahead, when the beds are resting, and we, the gardeners. And at this time you can pick up and purchase everything you need for the next season.

	Feb	March	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Saint	Oct
1
2
3
4
5
1- Growing seedlings 2- Application with seeds, planting seedlings and seedlings 3- Application under already planted trees, bushes, flowers, laying lawns 4- Autumn planting and transplanting seedlings, bushes, trees, winter sowing 5- Planting strawberries; laying a new plantation, rooting a mustache, replanting rosettes

Growing and planting strawberries with hydrogel

Strawberries are a crop that is very responsive to hydrogel application. First of all, due to the fact that it is very demanding on the regime of soil moisture. Lack of watering during the period of setting berries and their ripening leads to a significant decrease in yield. With waterlogging, the risk of gray rot of fruits and powdery mildew increases.

The entire root system is concentrated in the surface layer of soil (10-15 cm), which dries quickly even if there is no heat. In this case, it is impossible to comply with the recommended norms and irrigation regime. (Recall that in dry weather, this is one watering every 10 days at a rate of about 10 liters per square meter before flowering, 20-25 liters during the ripening of berries). You have to water more often, which almost always leads to the development of fungal diseases (especially when watering cold water sprinkling).

If we apply the hydrogel immediately when laying the plantation:

You can increase the intervals between watering. This is important to prevent the development of gray mold and reduce the number of slugs.
There will be no stagnation of moisture and waterlogging of the soil, which strawberries are afraid of (the hydrogel will absorb excess moisture into itself, freeing up aeration pores).
Low consumption: a glass of swollen hydrogel under a bush, mixing by volume. The hydrogel works in the soil for about 5 years, which coincides with the life of the plantation.

The best time for planting strawberry seedlings is the end of July to mid-August. It can be planted in the fall, until the end of September (more precisely, it must be completed 15 days before the soil freezes). The application of the gel improves the rooting of bushes and their development. Therefore, even when autumn planting you will get the first harvest next year. The size of the berries and the overall yield of the plantation will increase.

Time for vacation? Who will water the flowers?

More recently, vacationers had little choice. The most patient translated houseplants on the wick watering or arranged other ingenious "irrigation systems" from bottles and hoses. Some lucky ones left the keys to relatives or acquaintances, in the hope that they would monitor the plants in the absence of the owners ... In fact, in the west, in indoor floriculture, hydrogel has long been used for such cases. It allows plants to calmly survive the absence of watering for 2-3 weeks.

Indoor floriculture, the use of hydrogel

Your plants can be watered 5-6 times less often. You can leave and leave indoor flowers for 2-3 weeks without watering.

Even with constant care, the use of hydrogel increases the number of flowers, the duration of flowering, improves appearance plants.

Plants planted in small containers - pots, boxes, flowerpots require much more care compared to those growing in open ground. The soil dries up very quickly, the plants develop poorly, bloom poorly, quickly age and wither.

The hydrogel must be applied to the soil when decorating offices and institutions where plant care is irregular and they suffer from drought.

How to apply hydrogel

Apply dry or already swollen?

Everything is defined by objects. For application with seeds, indoor floriculture and growing seedlings (i.e., in a limited volume), we recommend that the preparation be first allowed to swell in water. Otherwise, troubles may arise: plants that crawl out of the pot when the polymer swells, bulging rows with seeds, etc.

The same applies to "fine" work in the open field (for strawberries, 1-2 year old seedlings, small flowers), it is better to saturate the preparation with water.

To swell, fill with water for at least an hour (the specific time is determined by the temperature, the chemical composition of the water and the modification of the hydrogel). You can fill it for the night, day, month - the hydrogel will not deteriorate.

When planting large seedlings, bushes and flowers, this is not significant. Mix the dry preparation with the soil throughout the volume. For obvious reasons, locally, do not pour into the bottom of the hole.

If applied dry, follow-up watering should be plentiful. Better in two phases: re-watering after an hour and a half.

Can hydrogel be applied only when plants are planted? Completely optional. You can apply it under already planted bushes, trees and flowers and it will work effectively. You can do this until the first autumn frosts. By the way, this method is also applicable for indoor plants growing in pots, boxes, flowerpots.

How to apply the gel under already planted trees, bushes, flowers?

It can be applied in the same way as granular fertilizers are often applied - locally. Under a bush, a tree in the middle of the crown projection (closer to the periphery), punctures are made around the circumference to the depth of the sod horizon (15-20 cm) with a crowbar, a pitchfork. The gel is evenly scattered into the holes, sprinkled with soil, watered. It is advisable to re-water after 40-50 minutes.

How to apply the gel under already planted indoor plants?

For example, you have a pot of 5 liters, so you need to make about 5 grams. To do this, carefully make punctures over the entire area to the depth of the container (for example, with a sharpened pencil). Pour the gel into the wells.

Do not forget that it is very much increased in volume! Irrigate. If some of the gel is squeezed out onto the surface, it's okay. Sprinkle it with soil 1-2 cm, later the roots of the plant will find these granules themselves.

As soon as the roots grow into the gel (usually it takes 1.5-2 weeks), you can water 5-6 times less often.

How much hydrogel should be applied? On an average bush of gooseberries, currants, roses, peonies, at least 50 g in terms of dry preparation should be applied. Mix throughout. Indoor flowers, seedlings: a glass of swollen gel (which is about 1g of dry preparation) per liter of soil. Strawberries: a glass - two swollen gels per bush, mixing by volume.

Hydrogel for protecting the open root system during planting, transplanting and transportation.

This type of Evabeon® hydrogel forms a "jelly" when mixed with water. They can cover open or exposed roots during transplantation. To do this, the roots of plants are dipped in it or the gel is applied with a spray gun. This gel is also used for seed coating.

Root hairs are special outgrowths of specialized cells through which water and nutrients are absorbed. In the air, they dry almost instantly. Therefore, when planting and transplanting, planting seedlings and seedlings that have bare roots, the normal diet is disrupted. The plant is sick for a long time and adapts.

Application of root gel during storage and transportation

The gel envelops the roots, forming a protective cover and prevents them from drying out. In this form, seedlings, seedlings, plants selected for transplantation can be transported and stored for up to several days. Root protection only with covering materials is not effective enough. Covering the entire surface of the roots is simply unrealistic. With the help of a hydrogel, this is possible.

Application of root gel for seedlings

If you dip the roots in the gel before planting, the survival rate will be much improved. Suitable for "repair" of collapsed clods of seedlings.

When growing seedlings in glasses and boxes, the roots are distributed over the surface of the soil clod. After being removed from the container, they are open and unprotected. Therefore, after transplanting into the ground, the roots are especially vulnerable even with a slight lack of moisture. It is enough to dip such a lump in the "jelly" of the gel before planting it - and you will greatly accelerate the survival of the plant and its resistance to adverse factors.

Application for open root system

When planting a plant with bare roots in the soil, its moisture content is very important. Even slight drying is detrimental to the plant. Therefore, not only abundant watering is used, but also soil compaction - to ensure closer contact of the roots with the ground. Because of this, moisture stagnation occurs, leading to rotting of the roots.

The first two weeks after planting and transplanting are very important - at this time the root system is being restored. The gel significantly improves the establishment of plants by helping to retain moisture in the roots, protecting them from drying out and ensuring rapid establishment.

About the hydrogel for the roots - in the video tutorial, planting seedlings:

How to apply hydrogel to protect the open root system? How much and how is applied to the planting hole? What types of Evabeon® hydrogel are there? The video contains a coupon for a discount in the store. See all our lessons in the video section.

In summer, our flowers suffer from the withering heat. Especially goes to those that grow on balconies - in hanging boxes, planters, baskets. The earth in containers dries up in a matter of hours, the root system is damaged. An even more difficult situation is containerized flowers at dachas, where we visit once a week. And you won’t envy plants growing in open ground either ... If there is no rain, then watering once a week will not solve the problem. Plantings will turn yellow, wither and gradually die.

But there is a solution that allows you to reduce the irrigation regime by 4-6 times! And the name of this miracle of the agricultural industry - hydrogel. It is a colorless powder or crystals, which, when soaked in water, are saturated with it and turn into a kind of water reservoir. Being introduced into the soil, the swollen hydrogel becomes a source of moisture for plants. Even when the soil dries out, the hydrogel's reserve "reservoirs" remain full and the root system "pumps" as much fluid out of them as it needs. Well, isn't it a miracle?

According to the chemical formula, hydrogel refers to polymers (cross-linked copolymers) capable of holding large amounts of water and fertilizer solutions. The absorbency of the hydrogel is such that 1 g of dry matter can absorb 0.2-0.3 liters of water.

Dry hydrogel and saturated with water - an increase of 200-300 times!

In order for the hydrogel to start working, it must be introduced into the soil in the access zone of the plant's root system. Most often - in an already swollen, water-saturated state, less often - in a dry state (then abundant watering is required immediately after application).

After 2-3 weeks, the roots of the plant will grow through the hydrogel capsules and will be able to absorb moisture from there without waiting for the next watering. The soil between waterings can dry out completely, but this will no longer be a shock to the root system. The hydrogel will be a backup source of water, which will not allow the plant to wither and dry out during dry periods.

The roots of the plant grow into the hydrogel and begin to be fed from there with water.

Hydrogel granules can be fed not only with water, but also with fertilizer solutions. Then, in your absence, the flowers will not only not wither, but will continue to eat “properly”.

Due to the ability to adsorb moisture, the hydrogel has another property: it will not allow flowers to be flooded. All excess moisture, which usually flows through the drainage holes, is absorbed into the hydrogel, and then, as needed, is absorbed by the plant.

I would like to point out that this article we are talking not about Chinese hydrogel or, as it is also called, “aqua soil”. It's a few different materials, although having a similar polymeric nature. The task of the agricultural hydrogel is to serve as a source of additional water for plants. The main purpose of aquaground is a decorative effect.

Scope of hydrogel

Agricultural hydrogel is suitable both for use in open ground (OG) and in protected ground - pots, containers, planters, etc. It is successfully used in indoor floriculture. In OG - it becomes a huge help when laying lawns and alpine slides, planting trees, shrubs, flower beds. A particularly visible effect of water conservation in hydrogel capsules is manifested when it is introduced into street and balcony containers. Often, watering 1-2 times a week in this case is sufficient to fully preserve the decorative effect of flower arrangements.

Swollen hydrogel is mixed with soil in planting containers

The hydrogel has also found its application in growing seedlings, especially in industrial scale. In seedling containers, the drying of the soil occurs very quickly, and the hydrogel allows you to slow down the process of final moisture loss.

By mixing the hydrogel with soil in a seedling container, you can significantly accelerate the development of seedlings.

The option of germinating seeds in a hydrogel is also interesting. The swollen granules are an excellent moistened environment that stimulates the germination of sprouts from seeds.

Which plants are suitable for hydrogel?

Most flower growers agree that hydrogel is suitable for growing almost all plants, with the exception of frankly drought-resistant ones. For example, succulents (desert cacti) and epiphytes (orchids, some aroids, etc.), which may not tolerate the constant neighborhood of roots with wet pieces of gel. Everyone else will be grateful for this.

Application of hydrogel - mix the gel with the soil

The laying of the hydrogel is best done before planting, that is, during the preparation of the soil in pots, in beds, in the garden, in flower beds.

Application to pots, containers

Landing

The hydrogel is applied to the soil at the rate of 1 g of dry matter (about ¼ teaspoon) per 1 liter of soil. Or 1 part swollen gel to 5 parts soil (ratio 1:5). These norms are applicable for indoor and garden plants growing in containers, as well as for seedlings.

Advice:

And you can use the following proportions: 1 cup of swollen gel per 1 liter of soil.

Dry hydrogel is poured with water for an hour (you can increase the soaking time, nothing will go bad). The gel swells, after which the water can be drained.

The hydrogel absorbed water and became like irregularly shaped jelly pieces.

The swollen hydrogel is mixed with soil. The main thing is to evenly distribute the pieces of gel, otherwise some areas of the soil will be left without reserve water capsules.

Plants are planted in the prepared soil.

The hydrogel is evenly distributed in the pot, mixing with the soil

After 10-14 days, the roots will sprout into hydrogel capsules, after which the amount of watering is reduced by 2-6 times (depending on temperature and location).

Under planted plants

It is also possible to add the hydrogel to potted plants that have already been planted. To do this, punctures are made over the entire surface of the soil with a pencil or stick, and dry hydrogel is poured into the bottom of the holes. Perform watering. If part of the hydrogel then squeezes out to the surface, you can sprinkle it on top with soil by 1-2 cm.

Introduction of hydrogel into open ground

Landing

When preparing the soil for beds, flower beds, lawns, the hydrogel is applied in a dry form, followed by watering. At the same time, 25-100 g of dry matter per 1 sq. surface meter.

The soil is dug up, a dry hydrogel is added and mixed. For plants with a superficial root system, the hydrogel is applied to a depth of about 10 cm. If the root is buried, then the depth of the hydrogel application is increased to 20-25 cm. After that, the soil is watered abundantly. Since the hydrogel absorbs water and greatly increases in volume, the soil rises after watering.

It is also convenient to add the hydrogel to the planting hole at the rate of 1 part of the gel to 5 parts of the soil (1:5). To do this, dry hydrogel is pre-filled with water, waiting for it to swell. They dig a planting hole, spread the swollen gel on its bottom and mix it with the soil. You can mix in layers: gel layer, soil layer, etc. The roots of the seedling are set on top, they are covered with a mixture of soil and hydrogel.

Under planted plants

In this case, in the middle of the projection of the crown of a tree or bush, punctures are made 15-20 cm deep. For this, you can use forks, fittings, etc. Dry gel is poured to the bottom of the holes, sprinkled with soil. Plentifully watered. It is advisable to repeat watering after 40-50 minutes.

Another way: the swollen hydrogel can be mixed into the top layer of soil around the plant. Pre-soak the gel in water and mix it with the soil around the plant - to a depth that the overgrown root system will allow. It is advisable to do this with your hands, carefully so as not to break the roots.

Sowing seeds in hydrogel

Recall another option for the use of polymer capsules - the germination of seeds on a pure hydrogel. This method is not listed by hydrogel manufacturers, but is actively used by flower growers.

Pre-soak the hydrogel, then drain excess water, and the remaining mass is ground through a sieve or, alternatively, crushed in a blender. The resulting homogeneous "jelly" is distributed over the bottom of a shallow wide container with a layer of 1-2 cm. Seeds are laid out on top, pressing them down a little with a toothpick or a match. After planting, the container with the gel is covered with a film. Waiting for shoots. When the seeds germinate and the first leaves appear, the sprouts, together with pieces of the hydrogel, dive into the soil.

Effects of the application and advantages of the hydrogel

Using hydrogel, you can solve many problems with indoor and garden plants. Here are the most basic positive effects from its application:

Flowers in hydrogel do not suffer from drought. The intervals between waterings are increased by 2-6 times. garden plants growing in containers on a balcony or outside, can be left without watering, on average, for a week. And indoor - for 2-3 weeks (depending on the time of year and the temperature in the room).
The hydrogel is able to retain nutrients (fertilizers) without allowing them to leach out of the soil.
The hydrogel absorbs excess water, freeing the pores of aeration. The roots of the plant breathe freely, and the water does not stagnate.
The hydrogel improves the conditions for the existence of the plant, accelerating the growth rate, promoting flowering and fruiting.
The hydrogel helps to increase the resistance of the plant to stress and infectious diseases.

Hydrogel for plants in questions and answers

And now - a few popular questions about the hydrogel, of course, with the answers to them.

How many years will the hydrogel applied to the soil last?

On average, the service life of the hydrogel in the soil is 3-5 years (depending on the microbiological activity of the soil). The hydrogel perfectly tolerates freezing and thawing, as well as complete drying. After that, it does not change its properties. At the end of the expiration date, the hydrogel simply decomposes into carbon dioxide, ammonium and water.

Can swollen hydrogel be stored?

To keep the finished hydrogel for 1-2 months, you can place it in any container, close the lid and put it in a dark place. You can leave the container open, then the hydrogel will dry. In the future, for use, it will have to be saturated with water again - and it will swell again.

How to determine the need for watering a plant in a pot that has hydrogel?

It is clear that nothing can be determined by drying the top layer. Even when the soil has dried out a few centimeters deep, there is still water left in the hydrogel capsules. The most reasonable approach is experimental, focused on the state of the plant. As soon as the leaves lose turgor, they begin to fade - that's it, it's time to water. The interval between watering and the beginning of wilting is the interval between watering. It is advisable to reduce it a little in order to prevent visual fading. There is an even simpler option: for example, you watered the plant every 3 days, then applied the hydrogel - that's it, you can stretch the interval between waterings at least 2 times.

Will the hydrogel increase the humidity around the plant if placed on the surface of the soil in a flower pot?

No, it will not. Hydrogel in the open air quickly loses moisture and dries. He will not be able to work as a long-playing "humidifier" of the air. Wet sphagnum moss will do much better with this task.

Where to buy hydrogel?

If you need a hydrogel, you can buy it in flower shops, garden shopping malls, online stores. Moreover, its packaging can be very different - from 10 g to several kg.

Video instruction on the use of hydrogel

	Feb	March	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Saint	Oct
1
2
3
4
5
1- Growing seedlings 2- Application with seeds, planting seedlings and seedlings 3- Application under already planted trees, bushes, flowers, laying lawns 4- Autumn planting and transplanting seedlings, bushes, trees, winter sowing 5- Planting strawberries; laying a new plantation, rooting a mustache, replanting rosettes

Growing and planting strawberries with hydrogel

If we apply the hydrogel immediately when laying the plantation:

You can increase the intervals between watering. This is important to prevent the development of gray mold and reduce the number of slugs.
There will be no stagnation of moisture and waterlogging of the soil, which strawberries are afraid of (the hydrogel will absorb excess moisture into itself, freeing up aeration pores).
Low consumption: a glass of swollen hydrogel under a bush, mixing by volume. The hydrogel works in the soil for about 5 years, which coincides with the life of the plantation.

The best time for planting strawberry seedlings is the end of July to mid-August. It can be planted in the fall, until the end of September (more precisely, it must be completed 15 days before the soil freezes). The application of the gel improves the rooting of bushes and their development. Therefore, even with an autumn planting, you will get the first harvest the next year. The size of the berries and the overall yield of the plantation will increase.

Time for vacation? Who will water the flowers?

More recently, vacationers had little choice. The most patient ones switched houseplants to wick watering or arranged other ingenious "irrigation systems" from bottles and hoses. Some lucky ones left the keys to relatives or acquaintances, in the hope that they would monitor the plants in the absence of the owners ... In fact, in the west, in indoor floriculture, hydrogel has long been used for such cases. It allows plants to calmly survive the absence of watering for 2-3 weeks.

Indoor floriculture, the use of hydrogel

Your plants can be watered 5-6 times less often. You can leave and leave indoor flowers for 2-3 weeks without watering.

Even with constant care, the use of hydrogel increases the number of flowers, the duration of flowering, and improves the appearance of plants.

The hydrogel must be applied to the soil when decorating offices and institutions where plant care is irregular and they suffer from drought.

How to apply hydrogel

Apply dry or already swollen?

The same applies to "fine" work in the open field (for strawberries, 1-2 year old seedlings, small flowers), it is better to saturate the preparation with water.

If applied dry, follow-up watering should be plentiful. Better in two phases: re-watering after an hour and a half.

How to apply the gel under already planted trees, bushes, flowers?

How to apply the gel under already planted indoor plants?

As soon as the roots grow into the gel (usually it takes 1.5-2 weeks), you can water 5-6 times less often.

Hydrogel for protecting the open root system during planting, transplanting and transportation.

Application of root gel during storage and transportation

Application of root gel for seedlings

If you dip the roots in the gel before planting, the survival rate will be much improved. Suitable for "repair" of collapsed clods of seedlings.