DIRECTIONS

Hydrosource (cross-linked polyacrylamide is a long-lasting, easy-to-use, water-absorbing soil amendment. Use in gardens, houseplants, and landscaping to increase the soil's water-holding capacity. You'll be able either to increase the growth rate of the plants or decrease the watering frequency. In undisturbed conditions it usually lasts 8-10 years in the soil.

GENERAL PERFORMANCE

One pound of Hydrosource will absorb up to 48 gallons of rainwater or snowmelt, and 20-35 gallons of tap water, depending on the salt content of the water. Hydrosource can be applied wet or dry. Dry granules are generally easier to use, but care must be taken to water the granules enough to fully fill them with water (hydrate). When hydrated the granules look like chunks of gelatin about 1/2-inch in diameter. Always mix Hydrosource evenly through the soil.

Many tests with flowers and other plants have shown that the ideal mix for optimum growth ranges from one part hydrated Hydrosource mixed with 9 parts soil (10% hydrated polymer) up to one part hydrated Hydrosource mixed with 4 parts soil (20% hydrated polymer). (This 20% maximum corresponds to approximately 40 pounds per 1000 square feet for each 6 inches of soil depth.) At higher rates growth and flowering may be reduced. Do not overdose!

DRY APPLICATION

For large quantities of potting soil or backfill around trees and shrubs, and under grass:

2 lbs./cubic yard of soil (approx. 200 gallons of soil).

For small quantities of potting soil:

½ tsp. per quart of soil

Note: Since dry granules swell to many times their original size when water is added, 15-20% swelling room must be left in each planting hole or flowerpot.

WET APPLICATION

Works best for small applications such as repotting house/office plants, and planting bedding plants, small trees and shrubs:

½ teaspoon dry granules absorbs approx. 1 cup water
1 ounce (3 tablespoons) absorbs approx. 1-1½ gallons water
1 pound (2½ cups) absorbs approx. 20-35 gallons water

Mix granules in water and allow to stand for 60-90 minutes.

HOUSE/OFFICE PLANTS

Application Rates:

6" pot (approx. 2/3 gallon) - 1 tsp. dry granules, OR 2 C. hydrated gel
8" pot (approx. 1 ½ gallon) - 3 tsp. dry granules, OR 6 C. hydrated gel
10" pot (3 gallons) - 4 tsp. dry granules, OR 8 C. hydrated gel
11" pot (5 gallons) - 7 tsp. dry granules, OR 1 gal. hydrated gel

Note: Hydrosource should be mixed in lower half of pot, because in routine watering, water tends to flow to the bottom of the pot before granules near the top have time to re-hydrate fully. Because potting soil is generally very porous, it's important, in dry applications, to water slowly and thoroughly to fully hydrate the granules.

Repotting

Using above rates mix granules or hydrated gel thoroughly in lower half of pot. If using dry granules, fill soil only to within 1 inch of rim of pot, to prevent swelling from pushing soil out of pot.

Existing Plants

Depending on container size, use a pencil or ½ -inch rod (dowel or wooden spoon handle) to poke 4-6 holes around the plant, going to the bottom. Divide the appropriate amount of dry granules evenly among the holes, pushing them to the bottom. Wait at least 2-3 weeks before changing watering interval, to give feeder roots a chance to grow into particles.

GARDENS

Flowers

Rates vary from one pound per 100 square feet for low-water-adapted flowers, to four pounds per 100 square feet for moisture-loving flowers for each six-inch depth of soil. If you're double-digging for perennials (up to 12 inches deep) you can mix another 1-4 pounds per 100 sq. ft. in the lower 6", for superb flowerbeds.

Vegetables

Use 1-4 pounds per 100 square feet, for each 6" of depth.

Application

By hand, or using a whirlybird spreader, broadcast Hydrosource evenly over the leveled bed, then turn under with a spade or rototiller. Bedding plants may be given a quick start by mixing a small handful (approx. 1/2 cup) of hydrated gel in the backfill of each plant, taking care not to leave clumps of gel. Water bed thoroughly after planting.

TREES AND SHRUBS

Dig a hole 5 times the diameter (if possible), but no deeper than the rootball or container. The table below shows the amount of Hydrosource needed to mix in the backfill of round holes 2 1/2 and 5 times the diameter of the rootball/container.

For different sized holes mix 2 dry ounces (approx. 1/3 cup) per cubic foot of backfill (not including rootball volume). Each ounce gives l-2 gallons of water storage. After planting, water slowly and thoroughly, preferably in 2 or more waterings several hours apart.

Bareroot Planting

Bareroot stock may be dipped in a slurry of Hydrosource fine (1 ounce - 3 scant tablespoons - per 1 1/2 to 2 gallons of water - to a honey-like consistency) to keep the root hairs moist during planting. For survival plantings (such as windbreaks) bareroot-dip the plants and mix a cup to a pint of hydrated gel particles (standard grind) in the backfill of each seedling.

NEW SOD OR SEEDED TURF

Rule-of-Thumb

Watering interval can be extended approximately one day for each 7 1/2 pounds of Hydrosource per 1000 square feet, given evapotranspiration (ET) rates of 0.25" per day (worst case for Colorado and some other Western states). For example, 15 pounds of Hydrosource normally stores 1/2" of extra water (two additional days between watering) and 30 pounds stores 1" of extra water (four additional days between watering).

(Warning: To avoid making a "soft" lawn, never use more than 5 pounds of Hydrosource per tilled inch per 1000 square feet. Thus, 20 pounds must be tilled in 4"; 30 pounds, 6".)

Application

Use a whirlybird hand fertilizer spreader or drop spreader to disperse Hydrosource evenly over the ground before rototilling to appropriate depth. Increase application rate roughly 10% over sloped areas. Save one pound to spread over the top of each 1000 square feet before laying sod or seeding.

Ground may be watered either before or after laying sod, however if it's watered before, you should move around on the bare ground using pieces of plywood, to prevent making deep footprints in the soft soil.

NATIVE GRASSES

When Hydrosource is drilled in with the seed and watered afterwards, rates as low as 15-45 pounds per acre may be successful. Broadcast rates are much higher. Contact your dealer or WPI for information.

WHAT CAN ONE POUND OF HYDROSOURCE DO?

Each pound of Hydrosource standard will treat one of the following:

GARDEN TEST PLOT INFORMATION

Western Polyacrylamide, Inc. is engaged in several overseas projects to boost vegetable garden yields of the Third World poor (including refugees), and we need assistance from gardening enthusiasts in developing the most economical rates for various crops and conditions.

Optimum rates for different vegetables may vary. For example, results in a large Massachusetts organic truck garden test showed that 1 lb. per 100 sq. feet produced the largest lettuce heads, but 4 lbs. per 100 sq. feet yielded the most tomatoes.

We need parameter testing from low to high rates on a crop-by-crop basis, not only to determine proper garden rates, but also for truck and field vegetable crops. We recognize that few gardeners would have the facilities to test all of the following rates, but these rates will give you a good overall picture of how to set up a test plot, including the very important "control row."

(Note: One lb. equals approx. 2 1/2 cups dry weight.)

SAFETY

This product has been determined non-hazardous by 29 CFR 1910.1200 (OSHA Hazard Communication Standard). Handle with good hygiene and safety; keep away from children and pets.

A.) In case of eye contact, immediately flush eyes with water for 15 minutes or until irritation subsides. Get medical attention if irritation continues.

B.) If ingested, treatment may vary from simply drinking extra water, to giving the emetic, Ipecac, in syrup form. Consult physician before giving emetic. Call (303)688-3814 or (303)688-2359 for additional safety data.

Western Polyacrylamide, Inc.
Click Here For Current Contact Information

Copyright 1991 by Daniel J. Wofford, Jr, and Dale Greenwood.