subject: Using Water Beads For Plants [print this page] While they are great to see as decorative accents for floral arrangements, tabletop candle holder or floater, vase with cut flowers, etc., crystal water beads have also been used to reduce plant watering by 50% and as soil substitute to grow garden plants. These multi-purpose tiny little beads are of great use to gardeners and plant growers. Using water beads for plants seemed to be gaining popularity among green thumbs in general as daily watering of plants is eliminated.
Crystal water beads are super absorbent polymer or SAP, which has the ability to absorb up to 200 times its weight in water. They also are capable of repeatedly absorbing and releasing water endlessly. When contained in glass vases or glass bubble bowls, these colorful and dazzling water beads for plants will only need to be rehydrated after about 7 or 9 weeks. The amount of water retained can last them that long. This is why they are perfect to be used for watering plants. The volume of water splashed on the plants by normal or regular watering ways is cut down in half if water beads are used instead.
Most of the time, when families go on holiday trips and no one is left at home to tend the garden the plants had to suffer not receiving the water supply they need in order to grow. They would have to wait for the families to get back from their holiday travel before the plants get watered again. This situation and scenario no longer exist. By putting these bouncy and gel-like beads mixed with the soil of your potted and garden plants, a steady supply of water for the plants is released to the plants, effectively giving your plants water 24/7.
Super absorbent polymers (SAPs) were originally invented for and used in the farming industry. These SAPs which we now call as crystal water beads help keep the moisture trapped into the soil, preventing moisture from evaporating into thin air. As they absorb lots of water, they are able to disperse and release it slowly over a long period of time. This way, plants never run out of water and nutrients. Crystal water beads do make a difference in plant and root health.
There are many ways water beads can be used with plants. The following are just some of them:
You can remove the dirt or soil from your plant and place the roots in these colorful layers of crystal water beads in glass or other containers to hold the plant. Soaked or hydrated water beads will accordingly release water to the plant.
Hydroponics is growing plants without soil. Water beads for plants help hydroponic plant growers nurture the plants continuously for 1 2 months without the need to water them regularly.
Grow plants by immersing seeds or pits in a container with crystal water beads. An avocado pit will show roots after 4 weeks of soaking in water beads.
Grow a bamboo garden in a glass bubble bowl. Bamboo needs lots of water and keeping them soaked in water beads gives them just the right amount of water they need.
Grow bromeliads in water beads. This type of plant does not enjoy an oversupply of water. And because water beads have tiny air pockets between them, bromeliads are supplied with enough air and water by the crystal water beads.
With the many other ways you can use these water beads with your plants in the garden, it is noteworthy to mention that in terms of supplying the plants with the required water, the beads release water consistently slow over a long period which is highly effective in keeping the plants alive and healthy.
