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Super Absorbent Water Crystals

Water Management Gel

Water management gel polymers are substances that absorb hundreds of times their weight in water.

The water absorbed is nearly all available to the plants. There use results in managing watering in the root zone of the plant significantly reducing watering maintenance and providing for a more constant supply of water to the roots.

Superabsorbent polymers have been used in many areas in horticulture and agriculture for nearly two decades now. Initially accepted as a bare root dip in forestry their use quickly spread to landscape, greenhouse and nursery, and numerous agricultural markets with its use ranging from bare root gels to hydromulching, transplant amendments to "ice packs" for cut flower shipping.

Tropical flowers in bowl with hydrogel

Water management gel is available in our store

Crystals will swell up and increase the weight by approximately 400 times!

Environmentally safe superabsorbent copolymer. Water-Gel Crystals is a polymer gel powder (cationic polyacrylamide powder) and is non-toxic, ecologically neutral, it breaks down after its useful working life to water, carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen. It is an effective water conservation aid designed to reduce watering by up to 50%. In the old days before superabsorbents, peat moss was the soil additive of choice to retain water (20 times its weight). Now, superabsorbent polymers can retain up to 400 times their weight. And besides conserving water and maintenance time, they reduce leaching of fertilizers and nutrients into ground water and water run-offs.

Home/Garden applications include lawns, trees, shrubs, flower beds, vegetable gardens, pots and hanging baskets, and crafts.

For potted plants, it reduces risk of over-watering and root rot, since the roots absorb as much water as needed from the gel.

Water crystal effects:

Increases survival - holds WATER for use by roots, over 95% available to the roots. Water is fundamental to plant health.
Reduces transplant shock - increases available water during, and after, the establishment phase.
Reduces watering frequency - absorbs WATER more effectively that any other substance on earth.
Extends flowering - Because plants do not stress as much they remain productive longer.

How Much Can You Save?
This case study demonstrates how much you can save on your water bill over a period of 7 years if you use these crystals in your yard.

Beat the Drought with Xeriscaping
Looking for a way to protect your garden and landscaping from a Summer drought (without sacrificing the kind of plants you really want in your yard)? This is the answer you've been looking for.

Length of life for decorative purposes (because of exposure to light) is approximately 1-2 years. If mixed in soil, it serves for about 7-9 years as a source for moisture retention.

Preparing gel: 1 table spoon of gel to 1 quart of water. (1 TBS creates 1 qt of gel!)

Landscape use: Mix crystals evenly with the back fill in the upper 2/3 of planting hole depth leaving untreated the top 1" of soil. Mix at the rate of 1 oz. per inch caliper of tree or foot diameter of ball. At 1 lb. Per 100 sq. ft. watering is cut in half.

Use Water Crystals for Craft Projects

Numerous uses in addition to horticulture and agriculture applications. Floral and candle arrangements, centerpieces and ice/heat packs. Make low cost self-watering pots...
Add a 1 ounce package (6 teaspoons) of the dry crystal polymer powder to a gallon bottle of distilled water. Let it stand for about four hours (overnight is great). The crystals will swell up and increase their weight by approximately 400 times. Next, use a sieve to strain off any surplus water and allow the crystals to drain for 2 hours. Now you have a whole gallon of sparkling Gel Crystals. Now put the crystals into a container or bowl, add candles, flowers or some plants, finished! You will notice that even an ordinary glass turns into a small wonder at the touch of your hands. Store the unused gel back into the gallon jug, Replace cap and retain until you need some more. Since you used distilled water, the crystals should remain usable for quite a while. Store in a dark area until ready to use.

The gel can be easily colored (dyed) by just stirring in a few drops of food coloring or icing coloring.

Smelly Jelly Air Freshener

Materials Needed: Water Crystals, distilled water, jelly jar (with 2 pc lid), fragrance oil, food coloring

Equipment Needed: Measuring cup, measuring spoons

Directions:

  • Pour 6oz of distilled water into a measuring cup.
  • Add 1 teaspoon of the Water Crystals.
  • Mix in between 1 and 2 teaspoons fragrance oil (the more the stronger).
  • Add a few drops of food coloring for desired color (a little goes a long way).
  • Once all ingredients have been mixed thoroughly, allow time for the crystals to soak up the water (around an hour or so).
  • Simply fill your jelly jar with the mix that you have created.

Options:

To help keep dust off your smelly jellies while still allowing the fragrance to escape, and to enhance the look of them, use only the rim of the 2 piece lid and replace the middle piece with a piece of thin cloth material, netting or lace.

For stronger scent dispersion, the water crystals may be used in a potpourri warmer.

After a few weeks, the mixture may be refreshed by adding 1 or 2 teaspoons of distilled water and a few drops of fragrance oil.

You may experiment with fresh fragrant flowers of Gardenias, Jasmines, Michelias, Ylang-Ylang! They'll live longer in a gel!

CAUTION: Although non-toxic it should never be consumed or taken internally in either its granule or its gelatinous forms. It should never be used by children without constant adult supervision. Dispose in trash, not down the drains!