Potting Mixes with Wetting Agents

organichris · June 5, 2008

Yeah, so I decided I would grow a cherry tomato plant upside down just for fun. I went and got a hanging pot at a surplus store, then headed to the nursery to buy a plant and some potting mix.

I thought for sure they carried an organic growing medium, but if they do they had sold completely out. All that was left was a potting mix with a wetting agent. I said to myself, "What is a wetting agent?" Apparently it is a polymer added to the mix to help retain moisture - definitely not organic, but I was already invested in the project so I made a compromise. I did add some actual dirt, wood ashes, blood meal and bone meal to the mix.

Question: Is it actually safe to eat something grown in such a medium? I don't actually expect anyone to say no, but I still have reservations.

Any thoughts?

June 5, 2008	#1
organichris Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 630	Potting Mixes with Wetting Agents Yeah, so I decided I would grow a cherry tomato plant upside down just for fun. I went and got a hanging pot at a surplus store, then headed to the nursery to buy a plant and some potting mix. I thought for sure they carried an organic growing medium, but if they do they had sold completely out. All that was left was a potting mix with a wetting agent. I said to myself, "What is a wetting agent?" Apparently it is a polymer added to the mix to help retain moisture - definitely not organic, but I was already invested in the project so I made a compromise. I did add some actual dirt, wood ashes, blood meal and bone meal to the mix. Question: Is it actually safe to eat something grown in such a medium? I don't actually expect anyone to say no, but I still have reservations. Any thoughts? Last edited by organichris; June 5, 2008 at 12:58 PM.