Last years tip

Rena · February 20, 2006

I read on a forum for containers to use cut up diapers that hold water so that during the lean times the gel releases water. I used it on dwarf tomatoes and it worked well. The thing is you have to add the water to the diaper and soil first otherwise it swells up huge and the soil pops out of the pot. (it happened)
This stuff in diapers is the same as the expensive gels but you can buy cheap diapers! It should help in my hanging baskets this year. It is best to take the shell part of the diaper off and just use the inside.-Rena

Cecilia_MD7a · February 22, 2006

I remember someone on That Other Site mentioning that the stuff in diapers is the same polymer sold as "Soil Moist" and other products.

I also remember people discussing whether it was safe to use them for growing edibles. They're probably not a good idea if you're going strictly organic; but are they toxic? The labels say they can be used for veggie gardening. (I've only used them in containers of ornamental plants.)

Does anybody care to comment? I'd love to grow a few more 'maters in (sterlized) old bird seed and cat litter buckets, and the absorbent crystals would certainly make that easier.

Rena · February 22, 2006

Nope the roots pull it out. I noticed today at a high end nursery that those crystals were 32.00. The diapers contain the same gel stuff. I know I know we also have plenty of diapers :wink:

boonies · February 22, 2006

Any recommendation of size of diaper per size container?

Rena · February 23, 2006

haahah you must have kids! If it had not worked so well I would not of shared. It is not something I would share with the neighbors!!

February 20, 2006	#1
Rena Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Warm Springs, GA Posts: 1,421	Last years tip I read on a forum for containers to use cut up diapers that hold water so that during the lean times the gel releases water. I used it on dwarf tomatoes and it worked well. The thing is you have to add the water to the diaper and soil first otherwise it swells up huge and the soil pops out of the pot. (it happened) This stuff in diapers is the same as the expensive gels but you can buy cheap diapers! It should help in my hanging baskets this year. It is best to take the shell part of the diaper off and just use the inside.-Rena

February 22, 2006	#2
Cecilia_MD7a MAGTAG™ Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 400	I remember someone on That Other Site mentioning that the stuff in diapers is the same polymer sold as "Soil Moist" and other products. I also remember people discussing whether it was safe to use them for growing edibles. They're probably not a good idea if you're going strictly organic; but are they toxic? The labels say they can be used for veggie gardening. (I've only used them in containers of ornamental plants.) Does anybody care to comment? I'd love to grow a few more 'maters in (sterlized) old bird seed and cat litter buckets, and the absorbent crystals would certainly make that easier.

February 22, 2006	#4
boonies Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Massachusetts 6a/b Posts: 29	Any recommendation of size of diaper per size container?

February 23, 2006	#5
Rena Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Warm Springs, GA Posts: 1,421	haahah you must have kids! If it had not worked so well I would not of shared. It is not something I would share with the neighbors!!