Unusual, fashionable and at the same time practical color hydrogel is an excellent solution for beginner florists, who sometimes forget to water their home plants in time. Outwardly this artificial substratum resembles ordinary gelatin, which when swallowed, swells, absorbing all the water. In hydrogel crystals for plants, in addition to moisture, and dissolved nutrients are retained. And how original and stylish look in the interior of a container with a colored hydrogel for plants!
Application
Today, growing in a hydrogel is quite common, because this substance can reduce the time that is usually given to care for plants. In addition, the composition of the hydrogel is absolutely harmless for plants and for human non-toxic substances: potassium polyacrylate and spatially cross-linked polyacrylamide gel. The size of the granules can vary from one to four millimeters.
It is allowed to use hydrogel in both dry and pre-soaked form. If you plan to use dry granules, then on 10 square centimeters of soil it is necessary to add 2-3 grams of hydrogel. For the swollen ratio is 1: 5. If before using the hydrogel, determine the functions that it should perform. To retain moisture, it is sufficient to mix it with the substrate, and for decorative purposes it is better to use the substance in its pure form. To relieve yourself of the hassle of removing excess hydrogel from the pot, to plant indoor plants, pre-soak it.
You can put anything into the hydrogel - from seedlings and seeds to houseplants. Its use provides the plants with practically ideal growth conditions, which increases the yield. At home in the miracle-gel, all the shadow and moisture-loving plants with a large root system ( tadpole , small , money tree, spathiphyllum , diffenbachia, marantha, dracaena, sharkula and others) feel wonderful. For plants with soft leaves (fuchsia, mimosa, myrtle, dwarf garnet, oleander) hydrogel is also ideal.
Color selection
A bright accent in the interior - that's what a color hydrogel is for. Crystals of different colors in transparent pots look very nice and stylish. In addition, you will have the opportunity to observe the condition of the roots of the plant. So, using hydrogel for delicate orchids allows you to respond in time to any damage to the roots. When combining several colors of a hydrogel in one vessel, consider the fact that crystals of dark color must be laid in the lower layers, and light in the upper layers. Transparent mass will look better from above. If the colors of the crystals are too saturated, then on the border they will be noticeably mixed, so choose shades in one range.
Care for hydrogel
On the open ground, there is no need to take care of the additive, and at home, some rules should be followed. Caring for the hydrogel (both for the Alpine hills with its use, and for pots) is not difficult. Twice a month, add water to the pots, and sprinkle the leaves of the plants with water to remove dust that slows the process of photosynthesis. If foci of mold have appeared, an unpleasant smell or the color of the roots has changed, then immediately remove the plant. For damage to the roots do not worry - the gel is soft enough. Immediately wash the root system with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate, and then transplant into a disinfected pot with a clean hydrogel. The hydrogel used can be mixed with the soil and fertilized with a mixture of plants growing on the street.