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Innovative ways to reduce watering
Watering hanging baskets and planters daily or even twice daily can
really be a chore.
Here we share with you some innovative ways to keep your baskets and
planters watered
without the need for daily watering using gel and moss products.
Moss Marbles
New to the USA and made from Angel Moss sourced from New Zealand.
Moss Marbles provide an all natural way of keeping your soil moist for
longer.
Simply soak the marbles overnight in water letting them swell, then
pour off the excess water, mix the moss into the soil mix and presto you
have a natural environmentally friendly totally organic way of keeping
your hanging baskets and planters moist for longer.
Moss marbles may be mixed into your soil when they are dry – just allow
extra room at the top of your hanging basket or planter, for once wet
they will expand.
We recommend a handful per 14-16” hanging basket.
For more info and to order Moss Marbles click here.
GEL CRYSTALS
Gel crystals are small polymer crystals that absorb water or any
other liquid. The crystals expand to 400 times their normal weight once
you submerge them in water. One of the most common uses for gel crystals
is to supplement watering in hanging baskets, planters and garden
planters.
As a soil supplement Gel Crystals act as a moisture reservoir for the
soil.
Plants absorb moisture and nutrients from the soil. As the potting
soil in your hanging basket or planter dries, the moisture and nutrients
stored in the gel crystals is slowly released back into the soil, and
can be used by the plant.
Crystals in your soil also ensure an even distribution of moisture.
Every time you water your plants the crystals will reabsorb water and
store it for later use when the soil is dry. The crystals actually
capture and store some of the water that would normally just drain
through the potting soil.
Expansion and contraction of the crystals during the watering cycle
helps the soil to stay aerated and loose, keeping your plants happy and
healthy and giving you more time between watering.
Here are some Gel crystal options for your baskets and planters.
Swell Gel
Mixed into compost Swell Gel granules help to keep your plants moist
by absorbing and retaining up to 400 times their weight in water, making
them ideal for plants in hard to reach or confined areas such as hanging
baskets or plants greedy for water such as tomatoes.
Mix into compost to act as self-contained water reservoirs (at the
same time improving soil aeration).
Granules expand when wet, absorbing and retaining up to 400 times
their weight in water.
Reduces the need for watering by up to 75%.
Also useful for the controlled release of fertilizers.
Once the plants have exhausted the granules' supply of water simply
re-water and they re-expand; this process can be repeated for up to 5
years.
Ideal for use in hanging baskets, tubs, growbags, house plants,
shrubs etc.
Rain Gel
"Rain-Gel" water retaining granules give much better performance than
products that are sodium based. "Rain-Gel" and "Rain-Mat" products are
potassium based and take up water in a few seconds, forming a fine
textured jelly.
The rapid uptake ensures much better performance within the soil and
provides an immediate resevoir to plant roots.
8.8 oz. tub - enough for 50 hanging baskets! Use 1 teaspoon per 12"
basket
A new combination of granules (Rain-Gel and fertilizer) team up water
renention with a balanced slow release fertilizer so your container
plants can get all the food and water they require.
This is sold in 150 gram package - enough for 10 hanging baskets.
Rain Gel-Jector
Watering your containers, garden planters and hanging baskets has never
been so easy.
Save water and time because with the Rain Gel-Jector you water only once
a week or less.
Inject this innovative potassium-rich gel directly into the soil with
your standard household caulk gun; then water liberally. Plants’ roots
seek reservoirs created by gel. It's safe and easy to use and one
application lasts an entire season. Perfect for established plantings —
especially those baskets that have been growing for more than one season
or over wintered in a greenhouse!
They hold moisture in the soil of hanging baskets and containers, so
plants do not dry out as quickly, improving displays and growth even in
dry conditions.
You may only need to water every 7-10 days.
This product adds Potassium not Sodium Another advantage of Rain-Gel and
Rain-Mats is that they slowly release small traces of potassium, unlike
other products that release sodium (salt) which can adversely affect
some plants.
http://www.greenhousecatalog.com/rain-geljector-p-675.html
Rain Mats
Water patio containers and baskets every 7-10 days, not daily! Before
planting up, cut to size and pop these clever mats in the base of the
container. Once watered the season long lasting mats will absorb 1 litre/2
pints to provide a permanent water reservoir for plant roots which can
also grow into them too. Each 18cm square rain mat holds 1 litre (2
pints) of water and is ideal for tubs and hanging baskets cutting
watering by up to 90% watering only every 7-10 days.
Rain Mat Hanging Basket Liners (18cm square)
Water patio containers and baskets every 7-10 days, not daily! Before
planting up, cut to size and pop these clever mats in the base of the
container. Once watered the season long lasting mats will absorb 1 litre/2
pints to provide a permanent water reservoir for plant roots which can
also grow into them too. Each 18cm square rain mat holds 1 litre (2
pints) of water and is ideal for tubs and hanging baskets cutting
watering by up to 90% watering only every 7-10 days.
Simply cut to size and include it when planting up
Once watered it will absorb and act as a water reservoir for plant
roots. Each mat holds 1 litre/2 pints Available from garden centers in
packs of 4 mats
Water Beads – Great for baskets, planters and decorative floral work
Water beads are a revolutionary new and unique water conserving product
for plants in hanging baskets, hanging planters and when used in vases
for cut flowers.
The beads are being used in beautiful style by homeowners, interior
designers and large companies alike. Water beads change water into
colorful shining beads, that resemble crystal balls in a clear glass
container.
Simply put the small packet of beads into water. The water beads will
expand, and you pour off the excess water. Put the remaining beads into
a clear glass or plastic vase or bowl and insert your fresh flowers or
add these beads into your soil mix or compost then plant your hanging
basket or planter.
The beads are fun for kids of any age to use.
Our Pick for Hanging Baskets.
As we outlined, one of the biggest problems with hanging baskets is
maintaining moisture.
Water retaining gel or moss marbles, when mixed with compost, can
help to keep your plants moist by absorbing and retaining up to 5 times
their weight in water.
Both Water retaining gel and moss marbles are perfect for plants in hard
to reach or confined areas, such as hanging baskets.
Water retaining gel and moss marbles are also ideal for thirsty plants
such as tomatoes.
These water retaining products reduces the need for watering by up to
75%.
Once the plants have exhausted their supply of water, simply be re-water
to reactivate these products great water holding capacities
Instructions
Prepare your hanging basket or planter. By adding a liner and
drainage holes – an Angel moss liner is good choice also as this also
holds moisture rather than letting it escape.
If you are using either water-retaining gel or moss marbles mix them
into the compost before you begin, following the manufacturer's
directions regarding quantities.
We suggest you water well your mix and leave it overnight. Both the gel
and moss will have then expanded and then you can plant your hanging
basket or planter.
For more options on hanging basket watering ideas check out the self
watering Aqua Lock baskets that are now available.
Aqua-Lock self watering
hanging baskets
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