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Re: Polymers- jello
Wonderful discussion.
No more Polymers for me (any suggestions on how to dispose of the earth in my one container?), and I will also promote that to my readers. Thanks to Lorraine for a better solution.
Thanks to all for their insights and information.
Carol
----- Original Message -----
From: Lorraine Ballato
To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum
Cc: Jeff Maniscalco
Sent: Friday, May 02, 2008 9:29 AM
Subject: Re: [GWL] Polymers- jello
Lynn,
I also used to use the polymers but have found a much better solution, i.e., self watering containers.
I have been trialing many versions for over 2 seasons, growing both vegetables and decorative flowers. I have converted flowering tropicals like brugmansias and bananas as well and am here to tell you they are in a word, FABULOUS and not just for vacation solutions. Last summer, I grew what I would call basil TREES in a Grow Box set up. Mind you , I've been growing basil for over 40 years and I can tell you that I never grew basil like this before.
There are many vendors that sell very attractive self-watering containers and you can convert any container (if you or a client have a favorite) into a self-waterer very easily.
This might be something for you to think about if you haven't already given it a shot.
Lorraine
Lorraine Ballato
16 Mudry Farm Rd
Brookfield CT 06804
(203)740-8636
----- Original Message -----
From: Lynn Jenkins<l*@tds.net>
To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum<g*@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Friday, May 02, 2008 6:45 AM
Subject: Re: [GWL] Polymers- jello
With a container gardening business, polymers (Soil Moist is the
brand I use) are absolutely necessary. Clients expect pots to be
beautiful all week without a consideration to the heat and dry
weather. They do not work at all like jello...just put some in a
glass and watch them absorb and then release the water. Because
their breakdown elements are toxic, I use them only in containers,
not directly in the garden.
They will not float to the top if you place them just below the root
level as you are filling the container. And don't overuse...blend
them well into the potting mix at root level...don't allow them to
stay in a cluster. It's because of Soil moist and Osmocote that my
container business has flourished.
At 06:35 PM 4/30/2008, you wrote:
>My other complaint about the polymers in containers is that when we
>get a month like this one
> with 9-inches of rain, the polymers float right out of the containers.
>Martha
>Muskogee OK
>80-F today with 35 mile an hour wind
>Planting our hands off, eating early veggies from the garden, enjoying
>a thousand iris in bloom.
>
>On Wed, Apr 30, 2008 at 1:17 PM, Fran Gustman <fgustman@gmail.com<f*@gmail.com>> wrote:
> > I like the idea of leaf compost. I won't use polymers, but most people say
> > that they do a wonderful job of providing moisture in containers.
> How do the
> > plants stay turgid, if they are not getting into the water? I love your
> > comparison to jello.
> >
> > By the way, I once saw the soil slither over the lip of a
> container during a
> > rain storm as the polymer continued to soak up water.
> >
> > Fran
> >
> > >
> > > Most of these polymers are marketed as storehouses of moisture
> that the plant
> > > roots can attach to and draw on as needed. Dr. Bonnie Appleton at Hampton
> > > Roads, VA, did some research in the past and found that they
> actually locked
> > > up
> > > all available water and removed them from the plants. I explain it to my
> > > students as trying to get a drink of water from Jello. Some
> are starch-based
> > > and
> > > others break into toxic compounds.
> > >
> > > Leaf compost works better.
> > >
> > > Donna Williamson
> > > Winchester, VA
> > > Expecting frost.
> > >
> >
> >
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