Re: rooting gel

**N* S* <N*@PlantSoup.Com>**

I don't know what propagation gel is bu the stuff you are describing Duane is likely to be a polyacrylamide gel and i would be very careful using it.  Its a synthetic rather than a "natural" material, and there are some cautions.  Linda Chalker-Scott, GWA member and scientist has written some really nice articles about these materials that you can find on-line on this page .

These are different from Dri-water, the product that started this discussion, in that Dri-water is a cellulosic (i.e. plant based) material.

Nan

On May 23, 2012, at 2:26 PM, Duane Campbell wrote:

> 
> 
> -----Original Message----- 
> Subject: [GWL] rooting gel
> 
>> I've used Gel2root purchased through Kinsman Company with ease and great 
>> success.
> 
> OK, here's my story, and then my question.
> 
> I use poly gel only because I got a deal. At a local store that buys out 
> overstocks and such, they bought out a largish garden center. When I saw the 
> shelves, I went back and got two more carts. They had five pound jars of the 
> water absorbing crystals at two bucks each. I am not terribly impressed with 
> the stuff, but at 95 percent off I'll buy anything, including a lifetime 
> plus supply of horticultural gel. I use the medium grade in moss baskets and 
> the fine grade as a slurry for bare root transplants. If I think of it, I'll 
> put some in the bottom of a planting hole for young shrubs and perennials to 
> get them established.
> 
> So the question. How much like poly gel is this propagation product? Would 
> it be possible to use a poly gel the same way, maybe mixing in some rooting 
> hormone? And if it might be worth a try, just how do you use it? Straight? 
> Mixed with Pearlite?
> 
> 
> Duane Campbell
> Syndicated garden columnist
> Author: Best of Green Space; 30 Years of Composted Columns 
> 
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