Re: [CH] Transpiration
Byron (byronbromley@tellink.net)
Fri, 10 Aug 2001 14:56:26 -0400
John
Have you read what happens if the soil gets too dry?
LB
To All,
If you will add some measure of polymer to the potting soil, yes,
even if it is in the garden, rather than in a single pot, your soil will
hold moisture a lot better and will release it to the plant over the time
between waterings. The stuff is available through many garden stores who
use it in hanging pots since they are quite prone to dessication from the
excess breezes that result from hanging in the open air. This polymer is
often available in granules as fine as corn meal, and in larger granules
like rock salt particles. One of the rock salt sized peices will absorb
400% its volume in water ending up as a blob of jello about 3/8" in
size. the finer grade is often used for bare root planting of tree
seedlings and will make a slimy jello like mixture when fully
saturated. The bare root tree seedlings are literally dipped in this gel
just prior to planting to hold the moisture from soil against the tree's
roots. The gel particles absorb water from the surrounding soil and draws
it to the surface of the roots. with the larger granules, a couple
tablespoons of granules in a 10 qt. pail filled with water will absorb
nearly all of it and tends to hold it better than soil, which can lose it
to drainage and evaporation. The polymer holds onto the water better than
soil particles yet will release it to the plant as needed. The stuff is a
real boon and does not release anything back into the soil yet remains
there waiting to swell back up at the next watering. Great stuff!!
Cheers,
John
At 12:59 PM 8/9/2001 -0400, you wrote:
>Yeah Pam a real thing..
>
>
>It seems that when the temps get up into the 90's plants loose more water
>than it can absorb. At this point it appears that they stop all other
>growth activity for survival.
>
>A couple factors appear to make a difference, fruit size. IE the larger
>fruited plants will start to transpire at a lower temperature that small
>fruited plants.
>
>Another factor is soil, plants that
>are in deep organic material appear to be able withstand higher temps. My
>SWAG is that OM holds moisture around the roots better than chemical
>fertlizers.
To All,
If you will add some measure of polymer to the potting soil, yes,
even if it is in the garden, rather than in a single pot, your soil will
hold moisture a lot better and will release it to the plant over the time
between waterings. The stuff is available through many garden stores who
use it in hanging pots since they are quite prone to dessication from the
excess breezes that result from hanging in the open air. This polymer is
often available in granules as fine as corn meal, and in larger granules
like rock salt particles. One of the rock salt sized peices will absorb
400% its volume in water ending up as a blob of jello about 3/8" in
size. the finer grade is often used for bare root planting of tree
seedlings and will make a slimy jello like mixture when fully
saturated. The bare root tree seedlings are literally dipped in this gel
just prior to planting to hold the moisture from soil against the tree's
roots. The gel particles absorb water from the surrounding soil and draws
it to the surface of the roots. with the larger granules, a couple
tablespoons of granules in a 10 qt. pail filled with water will absorb
nearly all of it and tends to hold it better than soil, which can lose it
to drainage and evaporation. The polymer holds onto the water better than
soil particles yet will release it to the plant as needed. The stuff is a
real boon and does not release anything back into the soil yet remains
there waiting to swell back up at the next watering. Great stuff!!
Cheers,
John