Re: JI: What is that packing stuff?
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: JI: What is that packing stuff?
- From: J* I* J* <j*@ix.netcom.com>
- Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 12:32:30 -0600 (MDT)
JForte21@aol.com wrote:
>
> Hi everyone,
> Here's a probably-dumb question: What is that stuff my Japanese iris is
> packed in? I just received my order from Aitken's (very, very nice, thank
> you Terry and Scott). I ordered one Japanese iris, ROSE QUEEN (check out the
> photo in the Random House Perennials if you have it). This is my very first
> Japanese iris and it is packed in this stuff that looks like crumbled
> gelatin. So, what is it? What do I do with it? Can I use it in the
> planting hole? Should I put it down the drain, or will it mess up my septic
> tank?
Mary
It is (I think) a form of a substance called a Crosslinked
Polyacrylamide. One commercial name is Soil Moist. It comes as small dry
crystals, when you add water it swells like crazy. Its typical use is to
help keep moisture in soil at a more uniform level by slowly giving up
its water to the plant.
I wouldn't put it in you septic system. Use it for potted plants.
Reduces the frequency that you have to water things.
John | "There be dragons here"
| Annotation used by ancient cartographers
| to indicate the edge of the known world.
John Jones, jijones@ix.netcom.com
Fremont CA, USDA zone 8/9 (coastal, bay)
Max high 95F/35C, Min Low 28F/-2C average 10 days each
Heavy clay base for my raised beds.
