Miracle Gro Water Storing Crystals – Is It Really That Good???
Product: Miracle Gro Water Storing Crystals
Price: $7.99 – $11.69
Cheapest Place to Buy: Tru Value (if shipped to store)
Size of Container: 12 oz
Guarantee: no guarantee
My Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Review: Water Storing Crystals – Time To Put The Hose To Rest
Do you get frustrated constantly watering pots and hanging baskets in your garden during the hot scorching temperatures of summer? When temperatures reach 90 degrees over multiple days, pots and hanging baskets dry out quicker than water on a hot frying pan. According to Miracle Gro, fear no more. Their product, Water Storing Crystals, supposedly absorbs water and gently releases it into the soil as needed by the plant. Click for or more ideas on Outdoor Container Gardens.
(Some of the links within this post are affiliate links on which I receive a small compensation fromthe sale of certain items.)
How It Works – Similar To A Baby’s Disposable Diaper!
The crystals are made from polymers which is a repeating chain of identical molecules, very similar to the absorbing crystal substance used in baby diapers.
When you gently mix the crystals into the soil and water them, the crystals absorb the water and release it as needed.
If you are potting a new plant, fill the container with potting mix leaving it 2 to 3 inches from the top. Apply the appropriate amount of crystals to the soil and mix thoroughly. It’s important to use only the required amount, for too much will result in displacing the soil with expanded crystals thus pushing the soil out of the pot. CHECK THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE BOX. Add your plant leaving it one inch from the top of the container. Water thoroughly, then a few hours later water again to fully fill the crystals.
You can add this to existing pots by burrowing holes in the soil close to the edge of the pot with a pencil or stick. Gently add the appropriate amount of crystals into the pot and mix it into the soil. Water thoroughly.
The product can also be used in the ground of existing gardens by mixing the crystals into the soil 2 to 3 inches deep. Make sure the crystals are covered with soil and not exposed to the sun for this may break down the crystal causing it to be less effective. Also, if you put the product on top of the soil it could encourage the growth of mold, fungi and diseases.
Water Storing Crystals can also be used for indoor use. Please follow the instructions carefully as you do not want to overload your potted indoor plants with too many crystals.
One alternative use is as a non-toxic air freshener. This is not stated on the site but was found by other people experimenting with the product. Get a 4 ounce decorative jar (mason jar will suffice) and add 1/2 teaspoon of crystals to the jar. Add 7 to 10 drops of your favorite smelling essential oil and add water. Watch the crystals expand and smell the lovely aroma. You will need to dampen it again from time to time.
Product Effectiveness – But Does It Work???
The product works as explained according to most of the people who have used the product. You can leave on a trip for a week at a time and not worry about coming home to droopy, dead plants calling out for water! Nine out of ten customers were very pleased with the product and would use it again. You should reapply it every two to three years.
Again, only use the required amount.
Any Skeptics?
A few people are skeptical regarding the product. Only a small handful of people found the product to be ineffective. Perhaps they didn’t follow the instructions and use it correctly.
Another concern is the chemical compound itself, but the studies I reviewed found no conclusive evidence that it was detrimental to the environment after breaking down after a few years. Since the same chemical is used in baby diapers, I would hope it would be safe for both baby’s bottom and the soil!
If you remain skeptical, here are some alternatives to using the crystals.
line the sides of your pots with plastic
for hanging baskets, line with coco liner or sphagnum moss and then line the sides with plastic; if you also line the bottoms, be sure to poke a significant amount of holes in the plastic for drainage. I also found that lining it with newspaper works as an absorbent and is also more earth friendly.
use thicker pots, not clay because clay is very porous and will absorb water
invest in a drip irrigation pot
add one inch of mulch on top of your containers to keep soil naturally moist
Economical? Yes.
Since a little of the product goes a long way, it is economical. I found that Tru Value sells the same 12 ounces $.73 cheaper than Amazon. However, you have to pick it up at the store. There would be an added cost to ship it to your home.
If you belong to Amazon Prime, you can get the same product for $8.72 delivered right to your home.
Home Depot, Lowes, and Walmart sold the same product but it was more expensive.
Miracle Gro Water Storing Crystals – Yea or Nay????
I think YEA! The product seems to be very effective and economical. The best thing is that you can leave your plants with the ease of mind that comes from knowing they will be alive when you return.
As I was writing this, though, I thought……I’m going to try this out while I’m still home. These plants are my babies and I don’t want to come home to them crying for help! But that’s just me……the crazy gardener!
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
You can purchase this product on Amazon and at Tru Value.
I hope you enjoyed this review and found it worthwhile. If you have any questions or comments about Miracle Gro Water Storing Crystals, please leave them below. I’d love to hear if the product worked for you.
Happy Gardening!
Nina
bestgardeningforbeginners@gmail.com
www.bestgardeningforbeginners.com