The watering gel can be used in the ground, for flowerbeds and the vegetable garden, or, more commonly, for potted plants and planters. They are thus self-sufficient in water for several days.
Watering gel: what is it, how does it work?
The hydro-retaining gel is composed of materials characterized by their capacity to absorb and
release very large quantities of water
, up to 200 times their dry weight. Thus, synthetic gels generally consist of absorbent cellulose derivatives and homemade versions are often made with agar-agar or gelatin.
Simply place this hydrogel directly on the soil, on the soil or in your plant's pot, so that it
slowly releases the water
it has absorbed. Some synthetic gels are effective for several dozen days.
Synthetic gels generally consist of absorbent cellulosic derivatives and 'homemade' versions are often made with agar-agar or gelatin. Copyright (c) 2023 Randomzacky/Shutterstock. No use without permission.
What are the benefits of watering gel?
Make watering easier:
watering gel frees you from the time and energy constraints that watering can represent. Once put in place, the water gel takes over for several days, even several weeks;
Precisely dose the water supplied to your plants:
you are the one who precisely defines the quantity of water distributed to your plants thanks to the format of the gel cubes. You adapt the water supply to the needs of your plant and the volume of its substrate. In some cases, it is even possible to completely replace the classic potting soil with a substrate made of colored or transparent hydrogel beads;
Limit the frequency of watering:
after having absorbed the water, the watering gel releases it gradually, continuously, into the soil. The plant then slowly draws on this regular supply and peacefully goes through periods of drought. It is also very practical in the event of a prolonged absence, during summer holidays for example;
Enriching the soil
In fact, most commercial watering gels are enriched with nutrients that promote plant growth. Their use therefore makes it possible to improve the quality of the soil by providing the right quantity of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus necessary for the proper development of your plants.
The watering gel is very
practical and simple to use
. Commercially, it is available in ready-to-use form. However, care must be taken to scrupulously respect the dosages indicated by the manufacturers. These offer gels adapted to the specific needs of species and soil types. They can also be used for your indoor seedlings.
How to make your own watering gel?
The watering gel is very practical and simple to use but care must be taken to scrupulously respect the dosages indicated by the manufacturers. Copyright (c) 2022 photoPOU/Shutterstock. No use without permission.
Making watering gel at home is quite simple and quite economical. For this, you need 5 grams of agar-agar and 1 liter of water. Here are the steps to follow:
Start by pouring these 2 ingredients into a large saucepan and mix;
Bring everything to
a boil for two minutes
, while continuing to mix;
Then pour your preparation into the container of your choice and leave to cool;
Place your gel in the refrigerator for several hours;
Grind the gel, or cut cubes into your container, and place it on the soil of your plant.
Remember to adapt the quantity of gel to the needs of your plant and the size of the pot. Do not hesitate to do several tests to estimate the absorption capacity of your substrate and to adjust the size of the hydrogel cubes if necessary. Despite all the advantages that watering gel offers, it is better to consider it as
a one-off emergency solution
.
Water remains the simplest and most natural watering solution. In all cases, opt for environmentally friendly gels with biodegradable components. To limit watering, do not hesitate to try other effective solutions, such as mulching the base of your plants or using oyas.