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Re: wetting agent & polymers

To moisten my seed starting mix I use boiling hot water.  The hot water
speeds the rehydration.
	But in potting mixes for the seedling stage to maturity, I use
polymers.  After adding water polymers look and feel like small pieces
of gelatin in the soil mix.  As the soil in a pot dries the plant roots
seed these sources of water. In a number of years polymers break down
into carbon dioxide and water.
	I've used polymers for years in containers.  You can find three sizes
for small containers, hanging basket and large containers.
	The Southwest oriented catalogs recommend polymers outside to help ease
the effects of water restrictions.  Kew recommends polymers added to the
soil for tree planting in dry areas to help ease damage caused by
droughts.
	
Best, Vicki
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