With the imminent arrival of summer and the much-anticipated vacation season, many people are concerned about the state of their plants while they enjoy a few days of rest away from home. Leaving plants unattended can result in an unpleasant return marked by wilted leaves and dry plants. However, a clever homemade solution is gaining popularity among gardening enthusiasts: making a homemade hydrogel to keep plants hydrated in the absence of the gardener.
A hydrogel is a material that can retain large amounts of water and release it gradually. It is commonly used in agriculture and gardening to improve water efficiency. Although it can be purchased at specialized stores, many are choosing to make it at home due to its simplicity and low cost. For those who do not want to spend a lot of money on commercial products or simply enjoy self-sufficiency, this homemade technique becomes an ideal option.
The ingredients necessary to make this homemade hydrogel are quite accessible. The main component is a polymer that can be found in everyday items such as disposable diapers. To begin, the absorbent layer of several diapers should be removed and the polymer powder inside collected. With just a few diapers, a sufficient amount can be obtained for several pots.
Once the polymer is obtained, the process is surprisingly simple. Just mix this powder with water in a clean container. The ratio is generally one part polymer to one hundred parts water. The mixture should be left to rest for a few minutes until a thick gel forms. This gel can then be evenly distributed over the soil in the pots, in a layer of a few centimeters.
The hydrogel acts as a water reservoir. The plant roots can absorb moisture as needed, ensuring a constant supply during the weeks when the gardener is absent. In addition, this preparation is biodegradable and poses no risk to the environment, unlike some commercial products whose ecological impact is not always transparent in terms of their content.
Experienced and novice gardeners alike have begun to adopt this practice, reporting excellent results in maintaining their plants. Furthermore, homemade hydrogel is not only an economical solution, but also offers the satisfaction of creating something of your own that is functional.
Thus, with a little ingenuity and a few materials that are likely already at home, it is possible to say goodbye to plant worries during vacations. A simple but effective technique that promises to keep the garden green and vibrant until the well-deserved rest return.
via: MiMub in Spanish