My trial 2 nappies arrived yesterday. I really had no idea how they are made up, I thought it was loose gel contained somehow in the nappy. I've now discovered the gel crystals are woven into what looks exactly like cotton wool. When water is added it's instantly taken up.
Then I wondered about a Tena, so I cut one of those up too. Was not surprised to discover it looks like the same product.
After adding water, the pics show roughly how much water has been taken up (from 2 nappies and a tena), it could take up even more water imo. (No wonder misuse of these products create massive problems with the drains).
If you're not too squeamish I don't see any reason why a used nappy and tena can't be used, and your plants will be getting the added bonus of a nitrogen feed - something from nothing.
Mixed with compost, I can see it could help to keep hanging baskets watered. On hindsight I think it might have been useful to hydrate them with a liquid fertiliser solution (possibly).
Warning though.... take care if you do dismantle these products, you don't want to get any 'dust' from this stuff in your lungs, not that there was a lot.
How do the gel pellets release the water to the roots? Do the roots have to penetrate the gel?
It's the consistency of mush, in this state it's not granular. Just dabbed a bit of kitchen roll on it, the sheet became damp.
Don't know the science on how roots work, but if the area is moist roots must be able to absorb the moisture?
"Polymer Gels are synthetic polymers in the form of tiny beads or crystals, again looking like sugar. They have an enormous capacity to absorb water, expanding up to 40 or 50 percent of their size when mixed with water. The polymer material cannot be absorbed by the plant. However, plant roots are attracted to it, gradually migrating toward it and eventually growing right through individual water-filled crystals."
Wouldn't it be much easier just to buy the water retaining crystals for hanging baskets? I always used to use them although they don't work well for long term pots (too much retained moisture over winter).
Appears like faff, but it isn't really, they take just minutes to dismantle, and it's a job I'll probably do just once a year.
It's a choice, and in some cases it's creating something from nothing. The gardening version will maybe cost a fiver upwards. I've never bought the commercial version so I can't comment if it's better.
@Jenny_Aster, I'm like you, I like creating something from nothing but don't you have to buy a packet of nappies in the first place? (unless of course you have tiny grandchildren!).
I wonder if the cottonwool mix would work underneath a pot to keep it moist if you were going away for a bit, say for tomatoes?
Can't remember what my packet of crystals cost, I'll have a look at Malvern tomorrow if I remember.
@Lizzie27 I did buy a sample pack of two for 99p @ 0% VAT which somehow appeals . We don't have any babies living close to us in our family, but Tena Ladies, now that's a different story
It's not cotton wool though, it's the gel crystals that's somehow been spun to look like cotton wool for ease of putting the pads together. After adding water the cotton wool sort of 'melts' to the consistency above.
I just bought some “woolly water keeper” made by twool. It’s made from British wool and is biodegradable. Not cheap at £8 a small bag but going to give it a try in my hanging baskets.
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Then I wondered about a Tena, so I cut one of those up too. Was not surprised to discover it looks like the same product.
After adding water, the pics show roughly how much water has been taken up (from 2 nappies and a tena), it could take up even more water imo. (No wonder misuse of these products create massive problems with the drains).
If you're not too squeamish I don't see any reason why a used nappy and tena can't be used, and your plants will be getting the added bonus of a nitrogen feed
Mixed with compost, I can see it could help to keep hanging baskets watered. On hindsight I think it might have been useful to hydrate them with a liquid fertiliser solution (possibly).
Warning though.... take care if you do dismantle these products, you don't want to get any 'dust' from this stuff in your lungs, not that there was a lot.
Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Don't know the science on how roots work, but if the area is moist roots must be able to absorb the moisture?
"Polymer Gels are synthetic polymers in the form of tiny beads or crystals, again looking like sugar. They have an enormous capacity to absorb water, expanding up to 40 or 50 percent of their size when mixed with water. The polymer material cannot be absorbed by the plant. However, plant roots are attracted to it, gradually migrating toward it and eventually growing right through individual water-filled crystals."
Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
Wouldn't it be much easier just to buy the water retaining crystals for hanging baskets?
I always used to use them although they don't work well for long term pots (too much retained moisture over winter).
An interesting experiment though.
It's a choice, and in some cases it's creating something from nothing. The gardening version will maybe cost a fiver upwards. I've never bought the commercial version so I can't comment if it's better.
Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
I wonder if the cottonwool mix would work underneath a pot to keep it moist if you were going away for a bit, say for tomatoes?
Can't remember what my packet of crystals cost, I'll have a look at Malvern tomorrow if I remember.
It's not cotton wool though, it's the gel crystals that's somehow been spun to look like cotton wool for ease of putting the pads together. After adding water the cotton wool sort of 'melts' to the consistency above.
Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.