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President - GPC

Has anyone have any experience in using polymears in the soil for AG's

6/20/2006 3:59:54 PM

Salmon Arm, BC

Hi Da Wiz...are you talking about experimenting with PCR reactions in DNA? Deb

6/20/2006 7:11:22 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I believe we're considering the use of co-polymer gel for water retention in the rootzone.

Like this:

http://www.profileproducts.com/turf_establish/product.cfm?category=29&product=prpls_soil_amnd&bhcp=1

I've sold this material where plants are being installed (with a warranty) especially on highway roadsides when supplemental water cannot be supplied cost effectively.

I think that most serious AG growers already have access to sufficient irrigation water. However growers on wells or drought restrictions should consider co-polymer gels.

6/20/2006 11:01:13 PM

President - GPC

Yes, Tremor is correct, Co-polymer crystals is what I used this year. I have used it in flowering pots for moisture retention. I was wanting to improve root structure this year as I hear its all about the roots in these AG's. Its all an experiment and I figured others have tried this before me and I was looking for their observations. When I planted the baby this year I dug out a big hole like I was planting a tree. Then used re-bar and created a 6 inch cylinder extending like fingers. I then filled this up with the poly crystals and hydrated them with fish and seaweed. When I pull my punkin up this year Im planning on checking out what went on beneath the root ball and see if I had roots down that far.......

6/21/2006 8:54:01 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Wiz,

Back in the mid '80's I had a customer who was big into municipal scholastic ball-field maintenance. He would deep-tine aerate ballfields then spread polymer gel & drag it into the holes using a drag mat.

I'll never forget the first field he did. He used way too much gel. Once water hit the gel the overfilled aeration holes were erupting with what appeared to coaches & kids to be uncolored Jello. They thought it was some sort of student prank until Old Jim came clean. What a mess!

For the record though; once Jim got the process perfected his fields did hold up longer during droughts than their untreated counterparts. Most of the time his treatment would last for 3-5 years before the gel stopped working.

6/21/2006 10:56:20 PM

President - GPC

Tremor,
Yes I too found out that one does not mix the crystals in the first 2 " on the soil as I had clear globules of plastic filled with water next to my seeds. Since then I filled the top part of my peat pot with non poly stuff and came up with the poly finger experiment in the bottom of the planters. I envision once the roots hit the bottom they will embrace the delicious mix of seaweed and fish and the roots wrap themselves inside the nodules for continuous exchange. I also included 2 tsp when filling the hole along with the fungi, dolomite, vermiculite and soil.

Dunno it’s all an experiment that kinda made sense to me, well see what the plants have to say. I have noticed that since temps here in Colorado have been way above normal I have not seen the damaging wilt on the new young tender growth which I did have last year.......but its still early.....time will tell.

I have posted pics in the gallery and diary to share with folks.

6/22/2006 11:23:41 AM