Appears that their is a new Solid Water, developement that looks interesting. http://english.people.com.cn/200205/23/eng20020523_96288.shtml

Chinese scientists have developed a kind of "solid water" that can be used for planting trees in deserts.

Ninety-seven percent of the "solid water" is actual water, while the rest 3 percent is a kind of macromolecular polymer extracted from animals and plants, according to Dr. Wu Yunxiang, a researcher from the Shenyang Senlu Solid Water Company.

The "solid water", which is packed in degradable paper, is not pollutive and can be placed deep in the earth together with the root of plant. With the help of microbe, the "solid water" is gradually dissolved to irrigate the root of plant.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), May 24, 2002

Answers

Would think that coming up with a below ground IV would be the moist efficient way to water in arid situations. Zero moisture loss.

-- paul (primrose@centex.net), May 24, 2002.

Someone told me the other day that there's already some kind of gelatin type substance in use now for this. It's probably not as efficient as this new development but I was told quite a few are already using it and it cuts down on frequent watering in arid climates.

-- Dave (multiplierx9@hotmail.com), May 25, 2002.

There have been man made polmers around for years that will absorb many times their weight in water and then slowly release it to the surroundings. The problem was initally with their breakdown and what products would be left in the soil.

Don't know that this new system is any better, as it is patented, will have to see what they release about it.

Seems that a relatively confined underground water source would be ideal for many applications, but will need to see more info. on it.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), May 25, 2002.

when I was helping to pack trees for the Conservation tree sale,, they had soemthing, gelatin based (I think), that would absorb 5,000 times it's weight in water. We used it to wrap the roots in. Must be something like that

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), May 27, 2002.

Polyacrylamides are indeed the buzz word for water absorbing gels that are used in agriculture and other applications. One pound of them will absorb an entire barrel of water. A pretty nifty product to use and to play around with. They absolutely fascinate me. I love to show folks how an 1/8th teaspoon of them will absorb a baby food jar of water.

The company that I've purchased from in the past offers three different "grinds", i.e. different sizes of product. The fine grind was used to make a slurry to dip tree roots in just as was mentioned. The coarser grind that I used would form chunks about the size of your finger tip.

The coarser grinds last longer in the soil. Mine are still in action after five years. One benefit to CLP (cross linked polyacrylamides) is that plants have a constant supply of moisture which equals less stress, which yields greater yields of vegetables. As an example, in one test I read of, Kandy Korn was yielding 6 to 7 ears per stalk on many of the plants.

In the past I've used Hydrosouce brand polyacrylimides. Within the last few months I came across a NON-PROFIT company that sells them. Their product is rated about the same, i.e. will absorb 500 times their weight in water. The company offers a free sample in exchange for two stamps used for mailing. I would like to mention that I've read extensive non company reports on toxicology and I personally believe them to be safe. They are an ammonia based product. Still each must make their own decision about using a "chemical" product.

The last company I mentioned has a web site at http://www.watersorb.com

The former company I mentioned is at http://www.hydrosource.com

Oh yeah, the city I live in uses CLP under any new sod it places. One more thing, don't get ripped off royally by making your purchases at greenhouses. From what I've found they usually charge about 3 times more than what you should be paying.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), May 28, 2002.

geee, and here I have been peeling the plastic liners off of disposable diapers and planting them.....hmm, works great for me! sis

-- Sissy (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), May 30, 2002.

The factory stuff inside of diapers is basically polyacrylamides. Notice I said the factory stuff. lol.

Polys are also used under some landfills as they are built, to blot up any leakage.

They are used in some irrigation channels to prevent soil erosion from the action of the water going through them.

Of course we have all probably seen them peeking out of pots of plants purchased from greenhouses.

Another use is to hydrate them with dyed water, and then just grow the plants in the colored gels or polys.

If anyone does use them, they will hold more water during their cycling if the first hydration is with distilled or pure water.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), May 30, 2002.