Using hydrogel when growing seedlings. Hydrogel for plants is a new assistant for seedlings. Benefits for indoor flowers

Methods of growing seedlings in lately are being improved, and many growers are trying to experiment. Today we will talk about one more unusual method- growing seedlings in hydrogel.

A hydrogel is a polymer that actively absorbs water and at the same time increases in size tens of times. The hydrogel is a white powder consisting of small or large granules. One gram of hydrogel can absorb more than a glass of moisture. It also has a useful property for plant growing - it is able to transfer moisture to plant roots.

Features of the method of growing seedlings in hydrogel

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

Hydrogel can be bought in all garden stores. To grow 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 mixed thoroughly. It is advisable to add some kind of complex fertilizer for seedlings.

After 8-12 hours, the gel will completely absorb water, and a so-called “jelly” will form, which will serve as a soil substitute for seedlings.

Next, the hydrogel is transferred to a container for planting seedlings (for these purposes, you can use simple plastic cups or plastic containers). Vegetable seeds are sown on the surface of the gel in random order. Next, 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 just a few days, shoots will appear.

Advantages of the method

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

• Well, first of all, it's beautiful. Containers with hydrogel and green shoots have decorative look.
• Seedlings are easy to obtain without damaging the root.
• Seedlings planted in hydrogel are practically not susceptible to diseases such as blackleg.

Mistakes when planting seedlings in hydrogel

Incorrect dosage of water when diluting hydrogel

At proper breeding The gel mass should be thick, with a consistency like jelly. But you can’t overdry the hydrogel.

Incorrect seed planting depth

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

Hydrogel is characterized by the fact that it can absorb moisture and retain it for quite a long time, due to which it is often used in indoor floriculture and at . Previously, this polymer compound was widely used in the agricultural industry, but now phytodesigners and flower growers have turned to it. Typically, plants can be grown either directly in the hydrogel or in soil mixed with this substance. The moisture that is absorbed by the hydrogel does not flow onto the tray and does not evaporate; in addition, it does not lose its original useful properties. So, today you will learn everything about hydrogel for plants - application, features, pros and cons. The article will also provide step by step instructions on the use of a polymer compound.

Hydrogel for plants - application

Hydrogel is a polymer that allows you to grow excellent seedlings. Typically, as plants develop, they receive all the nutrients they require. First of all, hydrogel is widely used for producing seedlings.

To get high-quality seedlings, the gardener has to face a number of difficulties. So that the seedlings turn out healthy and strong, it is necessary not only good lighting and a properly prepared soil mixture, but also proper watering. Moisture is very useful for young seedlings, but in excess it can lead to rotting of the roots, which, in turn, will cause the subsequent death of the plants. To avoid all these troubles, you can use a hydrogel that has unique properties– it absorbs moisture and retains it for the full growth of cultivated crops.

Pay attention! The hydrogel is used as a planting substrate (a kind of container with water) or as a special additive that retains moisture for prepared soil mixture.

The new product, which appeared on the domestic market relatively recently, has already acquired numerous admirers. If you start using it for growing indoor flowers or seedlings, you will no longer worry about watering and feeding young shoots. This is explained by the fact that polymer granules absorb not only water, but also fertilizers in liquid form, so that food is supplied as needed. It turns out that the hydrogel is perfect material, allowing you to minimize plant care, as well as reduce stress during a traumatic transplant into the soil.

The material is sold in the form of small balls like beads. If you add water to these balls, they will swell, after which the polymer is ready for further use.

Advantages and disadvantages of using hydrogel

Despite their effectiveness and certain popularity, the described polymer granules have not yet achieved mass distribution. First of all, this is explained by their recent appearance on the domestic market and the fact that most buyers do not know about the advantages of the material. And so that you don’t have any doubts, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using hydrogel.

As for the advantages, these include:

• increased moisture absorption (granules absorb 300 times their own weight), allowing long time maintain the substrate moisture level required for plants;
• savings (to get 1 liter of base, only 1-1.6 g of dry granules is enough);
• earlier seed growth compared to traditional cultivation;
• preservation of all microelements present in the substrate (they are not washed out);
• high-quality aeration of seeds and roots.

However, there are also disadvantages that you also need to know about before buying a hydrogel.

1. You will not be able to grow crops in hydrogel whose seeds have a leathery shell (for example, sweet pea). In addition, when introducing seed into the hydrogel, you must take into account individual characteristics specific culture.
2. It is also necessary to maintain the required temperature of the surface where the plants with hydrogel are located - this will prevent hypothermia of the seedlings.
3. Finally, granules should not be reused, even if manufacturers claim otherwise. The fact is that the already used hydrogel loses its absorbing properties, in addition, it becomes dark and wrinkles. Finally, bacteria can easily appear on the granules after contact with air. Therefore, the only thing this material is suitable for is use as a moisture-retaining additive for soil mixtures.

Pay attention! Thanks to all the advantages and disadvantages of the material listed above, you will be able to objectively assess your own capabilities and the likelihood of obtaining healthy plants.

Prices for hydrogel

hydrogel for plants

Main uses of hydrogel

There are several ways to use polymer granules; let’s take a closer look at each of them.

Table. Methods of using hydrogel.

Pay attention! Hydrogel is an environmentally friendly material that stimulates crop growth and has a positive effect on soil quality.

Video - How to germinate seeds with hydrogel

Features of growing in hydrogel

Hydrogel is on sale today different colors, so the plant in it may well turn into a decoration, beautiful and original composition. The material is not very expensive, and if you consider that its consumption is insignificant, then we can assume that the bag will last for quite a long time.

Capacities. They must be transparent so that the granules of the material are clearly visible. The shape of the dishes does not matter at all, because when planting plants, the risk of damage to the roots is minimal. If the crop is small and grows in rosettes, then you can take a glass goblet for it, and if the plant is larger, then a vase will do.

How to prepare hydrogel. It is filled with purified distilled/settled water (about 300 ml per 1 g of material). More precise proportions should be indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging.

Pay attention! Plants that require frequent watering should not be grown this way. For example, epiphytes and succulents mostly store moisture in the root system and leaves, and therefore staying in a humid environment can cause rotting.

Landing Features. The procedure is not much different from planting in ordinary soil. The container is filled with swollen granules, then a plant with pre-washed roots is placed there. If seeds are planted as seedlings, then the hydrogel must be crushed after swelling, as mentioned earlier. In a word, everything is quite simple. It is only necessary that the plants be in a strictly vertical position (and this can be difficult, since the material is very slippery).

How to care. Watering should be done six times less frequently than with traditional cultivation. The fact that the plants need to be watered can be understood by the slightly settled hydrogel (evidence of the loss of a large amount of moisture).

How to plant a plant in soil with hydrogel - step-by-step instructions

If you plant in such soil indoor flower, then make caring for it much easier. Moreover, the substance will help the flower quickly get used to new conditions.

First, mix the hydrogel with the prepared soil mixture. Approximate proportions are 2-3 grams of substance per 1 liter of soil.

After this, thoroughly mix the granules with the soil.

Pour the resulting mixture thoroughly so that it is saturated and the substance absorbs a sufficient amount of liquid. After this, you can proceed directly to planting plants.

Pay attention! Polymer granules do not lose their original qualities for 3-6 years, which means they can be applied only once directly at the time of planting.

What crops are suitable for this?

If we talk about a mixture of substrate and hydrogel, then moisture-loving crops are more suitable for this, as well as those plants that are suitable for hydroponic growing. Among indoor plants Chlorophytum, spurge, ivy, crassula, Kalanchoe and others feel great in soil with polymer. And beautiful or Saintpaulias, after planting in such a substrate, will develop faster and bloom better.

As for caring for crops planted in soil with hydrogel, it is almost the same as when conventional cultivation. The only exception is watering - it is in this case should not be too frequent.

How to sprout greens using hydrogel

According to doctors, daily consumption of greens helps maintain health and youth for a long time. for many years. And it is quite obvious that freshly picked greens are the healthiest. In summer it is grown in garden beds, but in winter time You can arrange a small “vegetable garden” on the windowsill.

Before you begin, prepare:

• seed;
• hydrogel;
• containers for sowing.

After preparing everything you need, proceed according to the instructions. For the convenience of site visitors, it is presented in table form.

Table. DIY greens in hydrogel.

It is unlikely that anyone can be surprised by growing plants in hydrogel. Why not soil? It also tightly holds the root, accumulates and releases nutrients, and does not inhibit growth. There are only advantages, but while gel granules have long been common among houseplant growers, summer residents and gardeners are wary of this. So, how do you grow seedlings in hydrogel, what are the advantages of this method and are there any disadvantages?

What is hydrogel

Hydrogel, sometimes called aquasoil, is a soft polymer crushed into granules. different sizes. Its main advantage over ordinary soil is its ability to accumulate moisture and gradually release it. It can either simply evaporate from the surface of the granules, as a result of which they take on their original size, or transfer water to the roots of plants planted in aqua soil. It is this property that is useful for growing seedlings.

Interesting! 1 gram of granules can absorb 200 grams of water, that is, in order to absorb 3 liters, 2 tablespoons of polymer are enough.

On the shelves you can find foreign-made gels (Canadian and English), which contain solid minerals and nutrients, and Russian production - pure material. According to experience, it is better to use English for growing seedlings, which is more productive and nutritious.

Directions for use

It is fundamentally different from the preparation and disinfection of fertile soil, when you need to collect several components and calcine them in the oven. In the case of the gel, take 5-6 tablespoons, add 3 liters of water and leave to swell. The result is a jelly-like substance, which is aquasoil.

Hydrogel is not only useful, but also very beautiful

Otherwise, when growing seedlings there are no differences from traditional soil cultivation.

Experience using the gel

For clarity and evaluation of results, sowing is carried out in aqua soil with mineral additives and ordinary soil. The seeds were pre-disinfected and soaked.

1. IN polymer composition sprouts appeared already on the 4th day, on ordinary land- on the 14th.
2. We started picking seedlings 11 days after sowing the seeds in the hydrogel; it took 40 days for 3 cotyledon leaves to appear in normal soil. Moreover, in the first case, the tap root was well formed, and this was noticeable through the transparent jelly.
3. When transferring to open ground all the seedlings took root. There is no difference in fruiting between the two experiments; the difference lies only in the extremely short period of time.

The seeds must be large so as not to fall to the bottom

The worst results were shown by plants with small seeds that simply fell through the pieces of gel. In some plants, the roots died as soon as the cotyledons opened.

In the end perfect result The seeds of tomatoes and eggplants showed germination and timing. Root and root crops (carrots, beets, parsley) did not take root at all.

Picking from aqua soil is done a couple of days earlier so that the roots do not start to burn.

Result evaluation

1. The use of hydrogel is fully justified only with tomato and eggplant seeds. When replanting, granules may remain on the roots, but they should not be torn off. On the contrary, it is recommended to pour gel into the hole to facilitate adaptation and nourish the plants in the initial stages.
2. Real time saving - on average, crops germinate 6-7 times faster than in nutrient soil mixture. In this case, a little gel is required, thanks to which you can save space on the drawers.
3. It is allowed to sow small seeds, but only a few at a time and pick them before the cotyledons open, otherwise the sprout will die.
4. There should be only one crop in one container, even just a few seeds. In extreme cases, these may be varieties of the same group.
5. It is not recommended to reuse the composition, as colonies of bacteria settle on it, and nutritional composition is exhausted. It is best to pour granules under the roots of plants transplanted into open beds or a greenhouse.
6. Watering can be reduced by 3 times, since the granules quickly accumulate water, but release it very slowly and purposefully. Moreover, even the drying polymer does not block air access to the roots.

Hydrogel is not suitable for all plants, but for certain crops it is a godsend.

VIDEO: How pepper and eggplant seedlings grow in hydrogel

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 were probably able to appreciate all its advantages, if, of course, they used it correctly. Its main task: keep in the ground required quantity moisture, but if we move away from generalizations and turn to particulars, we can identify several possibilities that are worthy of attention and discussion. One of the opportunities that this wonderful material provides is germinating plant seeds, let's talk about it.

Purchase and storage of hydrogel

Hydrogel is usually sold in granules of different sizes and colors. The packaging is also different both in appearance and in volume. While it is more convenient to add large granules to the soil, small ones are more suitable for germinating seeds. The color of the hydrogel does not affect the properties. Before you start using it, you need to soak it in water. Having absorbed moisture, it should increase in size. The proportion is as follows: two tablespoons of granules should be added to three liters of water. A hundred gram package should yield from eight to ten liters of ready-to-use solution. The excess can be drained through a colander. For long-term storage, the gel can be stored in a sealed package in the refrigerator. If you leave the gel open it will pick up moisture from environment crystallizes.

To germinate seeds, you should remember that the finished hydrogel has the state of an inert substance that does not contain nutrients, so you will have to add everything you need for the nutrition and growth of your plant yourself. This could be a fertilizer (soaked, water-soluble) like the Kemira complex mixture, it could be growth stimulants, such as HB101, and any others.

Options for using hydrogel for growing plants

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

You can cut large pieces of the resulting gel into layers and place the seeds on them, slightly pressing them into the resulting plates either with a match or a toothpick. You shouldn’t go too deep so as not to deprive the seeds of oxygen. Then we cover it all on top plastic film, it should prevent too intense evaporation of moisture. At least once a day, you can remove the film to get rid of accumulated condensation, as well as to ventilate the crops. If the seeds need to create a dark effect, you can use black film. Or containers with seedlings can be placed in a closet or other dark place.

A good effect will be achieved by simply adding hydrogel to the soil used for growing seedlings. Proportion: three or four parts of substrate to one part of hydrogel. Place, compacting the mixture a little, into containers prepared in advance. Otherwise, this method is the same as described above. You won't have to water it often. And when the sprouts appear, you can add a little soil on top of them to prevent the seedlings from being pulled out. This method is effective for germinating small seeds.

In the case of seed germination inside a pure gel, at the stage when the leaves become cotyledons, you can transplant them into the ground. To avoid damage to the roots, transfer the sprouts to the soil along with the gel. Don't forget that for germination this method Not suitable for all seeds. It is recommended to use it for plants with seeds that require long-term stratification, also if the seeds are small and require special germination conditions (seeds of lobelia, petunia, primrose, heuchera). When sowing, always take into account the individuality of a particular plant.

The benefits of the hydrogel do not end there; it can be used for further growing, either at home or in the garden, of 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 avoid watering flowers for a long time, especially those planted in containers or hanging baskets. In general, the gel will help you get rid of constant soil moisture. Some 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 you should give preference to the first method. And for plants growing in pots, it is best to add pre-swollen hydrogel to the soil. And the proportions are selected independently in each case. Greater benefits from the use of hydrogel should be expected on dry, sandy soils. This is where its qualities come in handy for retaining not only moisture, but also fertilizers, preventing the rapid leaching of the latter. Be sure that the gel will relieve you of gardening worries associated with drying out soil. The use of hydrogel will reduce the number of waterings and save water.

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

Video planting indoor plants, part 1

General principles of what gel we use. Instructions. Preparing hydrogel for planting violets.

Video tutorial planting indoor plants, part 2

How to properly prepare soil mixture for planting indoor plants. What needs to be included in purchased soil. How much and how to apply hydrogel.

Video tutorial planting indoor plants, part 3

What is hydrogel used for? Hydrogel in indoor floriculture.

Hydrogel “Happy summer resident”. Test: germination of sweet pepper seeds

The last part of the lesson.

Hydrogel for roots: planting strawberry and pepper seedlings, part 1

Hydrogel for root treatment. Some techniques for working with hydrogel. Peat tablets, planting strawberries, treating roots before planting

Planting seedlings using root and multi gel

How to use hydrogel to protect an exposed root system? How much and how is it added to the planting hole? What types of hydrogel are there?

Discount for watching videos

Some of our video tutorials contain a discount coupon. Watch the video to the end and write down the word by which you can get a discount when purchasing in our store. You can also watch these lessons on your favorite social networks.

Additional information. Didn't find it in the main sections of the site? Forum -> Our clients -> Technical support (for our customers) or Forum -> Hydrogel community (for everyone). Questions about delivery and prices? “Buy” section (store)

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Seedlings and hydrogel: nuances of use

Hydrogel, sold in the form of crystals of different sizes, which can swell very strongly in water and then retain moisture for a long time, gradually releasing it to the roots of plants - reliable assistant flower growers, gardeners and gardeners.
Plants grown using hydrogel (in the house, on the balcony, in open ground) need watering much less often, develop better and suffer less from the heat.

Of course, plant lovers are only interested in high-quality and specialized hydrogel - designed specifically for agriculture, i.e. for environmentally safe and successful propagation of plants in indoor floriculture and home gardening. All these requirements are met by a modern hydrogel, produced taking into account the latest achievements of science and meeting strict standards, which have been certified. This high-quality, harmless hydrogel is used by plant lovers in many countries around the world and guarantees excellent long-term results when correct use 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.

Hydrogel is not equally useful for all types of plants

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

Unlike moisture-loving plants, drought-resistant plants with thorns and dense leaves (cacti and succulents, epiphytes) do not need to regularly maintain substrate moisture - on the contrary, their roots easily rot because of this. Therefore, when sowing and planting such plants, there is no need to add hydrogel to their light, water-permeable substrate.

Practice has shown that when germinating seeds and growing seedlings, adding hydrogel to the substrate was not useful for all species herbaceous plants used to decorate balconies and gardens.

When sowing plant species that have very small seeds (petunia, lobelia, snapdragon, etc.) and plant species that suffer from even the slightest waterlogging of the soil (verbena, purslane, cloves, etc.), the addition of hydrogel to the substrate greatly inhibits the development of seedlings. At the same time, small seedlings grow slowly and look depressed. Their thin, delicate roots are especially vulnerable to lack of air in the moist substrate, which dries out very slowly with the hydrogel. Therefore, in the moist environment created using hydrogel, small plants become even more vulnerable; they have a high risk of developing blackleg.

There is no need to add hydrogel to the substrate during the first picking of small seedlings that have not yet developed root system– it does not yet need and is even harmful the huge amount of moisture that accumulates the hydrogel surrounding the roots.

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

When planting grown seedlings ornamental plants in flowerpots 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 in rainy weather the young plants do not become flooded.
The same thing applies here. golden rule”, as when transferring indoor plants: overmoistening the substrate in pots with plants whose roots have not yet completely 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 the plants suffer from 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 cases where only 1-3 seedlings are planted in a large flowerpot. For example, this applies hanging petunias, when we plant just one plant in a bucket pot in the spring (see title photo). Already at the beginning of summer, such petunia grows strongly and blooms luxuriantly, and soon forms a powerful cascade of shoots with an abundance of flowers.

Adding hydrogel to the substrate is desirable when sowing seedlings of moisture-loving garden plants, 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 a sufficient amount of moisture. Their strong root system develops very actively and is able to quickly develop the surrounding space; strong roots absorb large amounts 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 using hydrogel for potted plants

If you add dry hydrogel to the pot, which is required in minute quantities (and fractions of grams and grams are very difficult to accurately measure and distribute evenly), then after watering the planted plant there is a high risk of swelling of the soil in the container due to the highly swollen hydrogel. In this case, the hydrogel can greatly move or even dislodge the seedlings from the pot!

Therefore, when planting seedlings in containers, I use only swollen hydrogel, after soaking the 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 throughout the pot and accessible to the entire root system of the planted plants.

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

In this case, the topmost mulch layer (mulch or substrate, if mulch is not added) should no longer contain hydrogel. After all, in the light, the hydrogel quickly dries and collapses, ceasing to perform its functions.

Features of using hydrogel for seedlings in open ground

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

Another suitable option adding hydrogel when planting seedlings - in a swollen form, which is added directly to the planting hole.
I pour hydrogel crystals into a bucket of water. After their swelling, using lightweight plastic spoons with long handle(from a kitchen set, it does not sink in a bucket of hydrogel) I gradually add the swollen hydrogel both 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 adding 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 the plants. After all, in field conditions It is unrealistic to measure grams and fractions of a gram of dry hydrogel. Therefore, when planting seedlings, crystals are added “by eye”. In this case it is possible undesirable consequences in the form of swelling of the soil due to too much hydrogel volume after swelling of the crystals.

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

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 in another place, and add the required amount of soil to the plant and mulch it.

Planting and replanting garden plants using hydrogel

Using hydrogel for planting and transplanting garden plants allows them to undergo these procedures completely painlessly and quickly take root in a new place. After all, even when digging up a plant completely with a large lump of earth, some of the roots are inevitably damaged.

It is very useful to use hydrogel in cases where 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 dug up plant.

I would also like to draw the attention of gardeners to another important point, concerning the lives of some garden inhabitants.
Considering the regular use of hydrogel in greenhouses and flower beds, which we mulch throughout the entire gardening season a large number beveled lawn grass, - I noticed 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 reproduce very actively earthworms(and they further increase its fertility).
Under a layer of mulch, in loose wet soil Toads love to hide from the heat (they spend the winter there), and in the evenings they go out hunting and destroy pests in the garden.
Therefore, I try not to dig up the soil and do not pull out the tops by the roots 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 off the tops at ground level, and in the spring, the remains of almost rotted roots can be easily removed from the light soil.

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

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The climate on earth is changing, and no one denies this anymore. IN recent years even in middle lane Russia is increasingly experiencing dry springs and equally dry summers. On the other hand, water prices are rising. Here in the Stavropol region - twice a year. Do not water no - plants will sharply reduce the yield, or even die.

In these conditions, 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 advantages of using 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 perhaps I bought the wrong variety. But this is also quite good. In a hydrogel, water is in the form of a gel (which is why hydro-gel got its name). It turns out that, according to the most conservative estimates, 1 kilogram of hydrogel can absorb 150 liters of water and, in case of drought, give it to plants.

The hydrogel absorbs water even during light rains and surface watering, which allows you to reduce the amount of water for irrigation by almost half. In addition, when applying fertilizers in liquid form, the hydrogel also absorbs dissolved fertilizers, releasing them to the plants gradually, along with water. And when watering, fertilizers are not washed into the lower layers of the soil - resulting in savings. You can fertilize less often. Water and nutrients are always available to the roots.

How to prepare a hydrogel for application to the soil.

Pour a sachet (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 times to swell. Besides, different types hydrogel and swell differently. You will have either transparent balls or something in the form of thick jelly (or wallpaper glue) in the jar.

How to use hydrogel.

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

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

cucumbers I don’t plant seedlings, but sow them with seeds; here in the south they don’t get sick and grow strong. I make a hole, add half a teaspoon of Kalimag fertilizer, half a glass of hydrogel, sprinkle a little soil and sow the seeds.

Technology of sowing seeds on a substrate with hydrogel. (“He who does not sow, neither does he reap” Part 2)

At the same time, I don’t soak or germinate the seeds—I sow them dry. I spill and mulch with sawdust soaked in a saltpeter solution (a handful per bucket of water) for three days - otherwise the sawdust will draw nitrogen out of the ground (even if it’s been aged for 2 years)

In our southern heat, watering, combined with fertilizing with mullein or a solution of fermented grass, is done once a week. I think that in a milder and more humid climate you can water it once every 2-3 weeks, depending on the weather.

As you can see, the use of hydrogel greatly simplifies the care moisture-loving plants. With hydrogel, watering is infrequent, and mulch frees you from tedious loosening. It makes the gardener’s work easier and frees up his time, and this, admit it, is important. Winter is ahead, when both the garden beds and we, gardeners, rest. And at this time you can select and purchase everything you need for the next season.

this unusual product appeared on the Russian market only recently, but in the West it has been successfully used for a couple of decades both for cultivating indoor plants and growing seedlings. It is also used in industrial agriculture.

Hydrogel, also called superabsorbent, is an environmentally neutral polymer, usually a type of polyacrylamide, which has the ability to absorb water in huge quantities, turning into a gel, depending on the type, from 100 to 400 times and its original weight. It is non-toxic, completely sterile, climate change temperature does not change its properties, can work with weakening properties for up to 5 years and then completely decomposes into water, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, that is, completely harmless ingredients.

There are three main types of hydrogel for plants:

Granulated - similar in appearance to coarse salt, the same crystals are different in size and irregular in shape, only more transparent, absorb up to 400 parts by weight without losing their shape;

Liquid - the same thing, but with a large amount of water it turns into liquid;

Decorative - more often called aquasoil, is produced in fairly large granules of the same regular shape - round, cubic, etc., have various colors, however, it is of little use for agricultural needs.

You should know that distilled water is absorbed by superabsorbents better than fertilizer solutions, and with increasing concentration, the absorbency first sharply drops by 2-3 times, and then decreases much more slowly and practically does not depend on the concentration of the solution. At the optimal concentration for plants, which is usually indicated on the label of a fertilizer or fertilizer mixture, absorption is usually 2 times lower than that stated for distilled water.

Plant roots easily grow inside these unique reservoirs of water, consuming it as needed. Thus, if there is an excess of moisture, waterlogging is not allowed, and if there is a deficiency, water deficiency in plants is eliminated. This property is used when growing seedlings, flowers and vegetable crops, and in industrial scale - fruit bushes and trees.

Application of hydrogel for seedlings.

When growing seedlings, constant replenishment of plants with water is the key to their normal development. However, ensuring this, especially when grown in small cups, is quite problematic. The use of superabsorbents, both liquid and crystalline, makes this easy and simple. In this case, the number of waterings can be reduced by 4-5 times.

Liquid hydrogel can be used to moisten sprouted seeds to better development after planting in the ground, but they should not be germinated this way, because it completely envelops the seed and the access to oxygen stops. When planting in a container for seedlings, you must first pour about 100 ml of this solution into the hole. You can also dip the roots into the hydrogel when diving - this significantly speeds up the establishment of seedlings in a new place.

But on Russian market Nowadays, superabsorbents are mainly offered in crystalline form. They are also suitable for germinating seeds. To do this, 10 g of the reagent is poured with 3 liters of water until it swells, then the excess water is drained. The swollen reagent is rubbed through a sieve or crushed in another way and mixed with 3 volume parts of soil to 1 part of the reagent. The seeds are buried 1-2 mm. However, some companies produce a ready-made reagent in microfractions specifically for seed germination. When germinating large seeds, soil can be omitted.

Already sprouted seeds are planted in common boxes, or, to avoid diving, immediately in separate pots. To do this, mix 4 parts by volume of soil with 1 part of the swollen reagent and place this mixture in the lower third of the boxes or pots for seedlings. In this case, the soil parameters are also significantly improved due to an increase in its looseness. But you can simply lay 1-2 layers of reagent on the bottom of the box. The second method is not so good, because in this case they close ventilation holes for the roots. Plants grown using superabsorbents are significantly ahead in health and productivity of their counterparts grown conventionally.

It is not recommended to reuse the hydrogel, despite the instructions and sellers' statements. The reagent used for germination is then best used in the mixture for seedlings, and the one used for seedlings is poured into the holes when planting in open ground. Over time, although the reagent itself does not lose its properties, it can develop its own microflora, it can “bloom” in the sun, and this is very undesirable for newly grown plants.

We should not forget that the described reagent is absolutely neutral and does not contain any nutrients at all, and therefore plants require regular feeding. It is especially necessary when growing seedlings on pure hydrogel, although growing seedlings this way is not recommended.

A brief overview of manufacturers and sellers of hydrogel for plants.

Despite the fact that the Russian market is mostly flooded with decorative hydrogel, stores still have brands suitable for agricultural technology. First of all, this is the Russian superabsorbent AK 639 of the B-415K brand, produced in Saratov by the Akripol company. Its dispersion is 0.1 - 5 mm. This is the cheapest reagent on the Russian market, meeting the best Western requirements for products for this purpose.

Examples of high-quality crystalline adsorbents are “Aquasorb” - France and “Shtokosorb” - Germany. These companies also produce decorative aqua soils. Have proven themselves well trademarks"Aqualife" and "Evabeona". Their product range includes both liquid and crystalline superabsorbents of various fractions. There are special varieties for germinating seeds, for seedlings, for indoor and balcony floriculture, as well as for improving the agrotechnical parameters of soils in agriculture.