Water Retaining Crystals

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by trogre, Apr 28, 2018.

  1. trogre

    trogre Gardener

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2011
    Messages:
    371
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +279
    A few years back I was watching a nursery man plant up a hanging basket and for me it was an eye opener. He literately stuffed as many plants into the side holes,what I mean is 2 plants to each hole if applicable.In the top he crammed the top with well grown plants but he also used water crystals.
    I at the time had never heard of water crystals and up till the video was very conservative with the amount of plants that went into the hanging baskets.
    Now he mixed up the crystals with water and let them expand before putting them into the basket,I have always done the same and as far as I know never had any problems.
    I purchased the crystals by the amount off fleebay so no instruction came with them.
    I was round a friend house the other week and he uses crystals "dry" straight from the packet and indeed on the packet it mention just sprinkling the crystals straight into the containers.
    Various videos show using them in the "wet" & "dry" so is there a correct way of using them or are both methods correct if you know what I mean.
     
  2. WeeTam

    WeeTam Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2015
    Messages:
    2,362
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +5,078
    Ive only used the dry method...but...the wet meghod may be better. Ive noticed crystals gathering on the surface after their first watering or other pots clearly having too many crystals.

    So wetting them then mixing into the compost may be the way to go.?
     
  3. kazzawazza

    kazzawazza Total Gardener

    Joined:
    May 16, 2015
    Messages:
    1,857
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    Midlands
    Ratings:
    +1,857
    I always use the crystals dry. You can also buy a water crystals and slow release fertiliser mix, although it’s much cheaper to do it yourself. I put 20+ plants in an easy fill basket including Nepeta. They always trail down to the floor.

    5EFD6379-6175-4DE0-A805-DEB64DDBC1B1.jpeg
     
    • Like Like x 3
    • Ned

      Ned Evaporated

      Joined:
      Apr 25, 2017
      Messages:
      2,309
      Occupation:
      Prime Minister
      Location:
      The Moon
      Ratings:
      +5,404
      I found it was much easier to use the crystals dry, watering the basket gradually after planting until absolute saturation.
      @kazzawazza your basket looks fabulous !
       
      • Friendly Friendly x 1
      • pamsdish

        pamsdish Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Apr 5, 2008
        Messages:
        5,151
        Gender:
        Female
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        "Black Country Wench" in Margam,Port Talbot,Wales
        Ratings:
        +4,445
        I use them dry too, mix into your compost really well, otherwise you get lumps of frog spawn looking gel appearing.
         
      • HarryS

        HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

        Joined:
        Aug 28, 2010
        Messages:
        8,906
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Wigan
        Ratings:
        +16,246
        I always used the water crystals dry , can't see it matters when you wet them . This year I am trying these gel liners , which seem a lot tidier . The plant roots can grow through the material , allegedly . I have cut 8 spokes into my liners to enable an easier path.
        I would love to know if this gel really makes a difference . How much water does the gel portion of a basket hold, maybe 1 pint ?

        s-l640.jpg
         
        • Informative Informative x 1
        • Ned

          Ned Evaporated

          Joined:
          Apr 25, 2017
          Messages:
          2,309
          Occupation:
          Prime Minister
          Location:
          The Moon
          Ratings:
          +5,404
          I for one am looking forward to your findings on these @HarryS - don`t forget to let us have your verdict will you :please:
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • WeeTam

            WeeTam Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Mar 9, 2015
            Messages:
            2,362
            Gender:
            Male
            Ratings:
            +5,078
            Considering using nappies in baskets and maybe tomato pots too. Same as gel pads but just many times cheaper im guessing
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • Creative Creative x 1
              Last edited: Apr 29, 2018
            • kazzawazza

              kazzawazza Total Gardener

              Joined:
              May 16, 2015
              Messages:
              1,857
              Gender:
              Female
              Location:
              Midlands
              Ratings:
              +1,857
              I thought you were joking but I have just found this on YouTube :blue thumb:

               
              • Like Like x 1
              • Informative Informative x 1
              • WeeTam

                WeeTam Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Mar 9, 2015
                Messages:
                2,362
                Gender:
                Male
                Ratings:
                +5,078
                Funny ive just watched a few vids right now. Definately going to be doing this with the baskets and toms.

                Will probably gi fir the lidl ones. One video said you can use adult nappies as they hold so mych gel.
                I think not as i couldnt handle the embarassment at the till or from the family members:sofa:
                 
                • Funny Funny x 1
                • kazzawazza

                  kazzawazza Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  May 16, 2015
                  Messages:
                  1,857
                  Gender:
                  Female
                  Location:
                  Midlands
                  Ratings:
                  +1,857
                  Let me know how you get on and which size nappies you go for because I might also buy some :blue thumb: :heehee:
                   
                  • Like Like x 1
                  • Ned

                    Ned Evaporated

                    Joined:
                    Apr 25, 2017
                    Messages:
                    2,309
                    Occupation:
                    Prime Minister
                    Location:
                    The Moon
                    Ratings:
                    +5,404
                    There will be consternation from the supermarket staff when a queue of geriatrics are seen queueing up in the nappy aisle . That`s me - there first in the queue ! aka ''good lookin''

                    [​IMG]
                     
                    • Like Like x 2
                    • Funny Funny x 1
                    • HarryS

                      HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Aug 28, 2010
                      Messages:
                      8,906
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Occupation:
                      Retired
                      Location:
                      Wigan
                      Ratings:
                      +16,246
                      I'll have a 5 page report on your desk , 1st of October :snorky:
                       
                      • Funny Funny x 1
                      • Loofah

                        Loofah Admin Staff Member

                        Joined:
                        Feb 20, 2008
                        Messages:
                        12,384
                        Gender:
                        Male
                        Location:
                        Guildford
                        Ratings:
                        +21,138
                        I've used nappies in place of the crystals ever since my first offspring came along - soak the nappy first then squeeze out the goop and mix with compost.
                         
                        • Creative Creative x 1
                        • Ned

                          Ned Evaporated

                          Joined:
                          Apr 25, 2017
                          Messages:
                          2,309
                          Occupation:
                          Prime Minister
                          Location:
                          The Moon
                          Ratings:
                          +5,404
                          Now this is what I like to hear - what I have come to expect :pathd: and you shall have a monitors badge Harry :biggrin:
                           
                          • Funny Funny x 1
                          Loading...

                          Share This Page

                          1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                            By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                            Dismiss Notice