Soil moist beads/crystals

[jfields]

But, I came up with nothing.
Went to the hardware store the other day and I noticed they had these crystals that were designed to place in your potting soil.
They store moisture for extended periods of time and, release it slowly when the soil is dry. I almost bought a container of these for use in a Coolidor that I see purchasing in the near future. Then, I thought better of it until I do a little research here first to see if they would work.
I came up with nothing on the search but, maybe I was not using the right key words. I figured if they would work someone here would have tried it by now.

Anyone ever try this out before in a humidor or, hear of these soil moisture conditioners?
The MSDS looks as if they are pretty much odorless and harmless to humans. Just wondering about the humidity levels they may throw out?

 

[NullSmurf]

But, I came up with nothing.
Went to the hardware store the other day and I noticed they had these crystals that were designed to place in your potting soil.
They store moisture for extended periods of time and, release it slowly when the soil is dry. I almost bought a container of these for use in a Coolidor that I see purchasing in the near future. Then, I thought better of it until I do a little research here first to see if they would work.
I came up with nothing on the search but, maybe I was not using the right key words. I figured if they would work someone here would have tried it by now.

Anyone ever try this out before in a humidor or, hear of these soil moisture conditioners?
The MSDS looks as if they are pretty much odorless and harmless to humans. Just wondering about the humidity levels they may throw out?

This isn't what you'd want to use with cigars. You're right in that they won't hurt, but these are not the same as beads. Beads are essentially the same material, but so is glass. Beads work because they present a substantial surface area, something like 400 square yards per ounce of beads. They will absorb and desorb moisture at a fast rate. The gel stuff presents only its exposed surface area. They will release moisture, but at a sluggish pace. Gel is only suitable for a very small space.

 

[Allofus123]

I believe you're talking about Polymer Crystals. I've seen them produced in small pellets as well as the Crystal stuff you can find at most craft stores. These things hold up to 400% of their weight in moiture and expand like crazy.

There is not a problem using them if you have a way to control them. By themselves they will expel 100% moisture which is not good for our use. I use to use an Oasis that I adapted to use these. Since the Oasis regulated the release it worked great. There was a little trial and error. After removing the water tank and taking the florist foam out I filled the tank about half full. Big mistake. When I put water in it those crystals filled up and expanded all over the place. I got lucky and it pushed the tank off before expanding through the electronics. What a mess. Kinda funny now. Anyway, the next time I added just a small amount and before sealing the tank back on the Oasis I added the water. I placed just enough in to have the tank 3/4 full when wet. Worked great and gave me long time between refills.

Polymer Crystals

 

[jfields]

Thanks Kenny. I will have to go back tonight and read more info. tonight on the container (on the make up of these crystals). I was thinking these might work in a large Humidor like my cabinet to supplement my Oasis XL. It seems like I constantly have to fill the resivor in the winter. A bowl of this stuff in the bottom might help with little cost.
I could not tell from the link you provided if it was a similar product. The one I saw did not show it being used for floral arrangments. They were for adding to the soil of houseplants and, putting in the soil of shrubs and bushes you plant outside.

 

[Allofus123]

I'd be concerned about them putting out too much moisture unless you had a way to control the release. You could always take some, hydrate it, then put it in a jar or zip lock and test it to see. I would expect you would get a very high reading. IMO it would be like placing a wet spounge in there. (I think I see another experiment coming on...lol)

What the crystals bring to the table is holding power.

 

[jfields]

I'd be concerned about them putting out too much moisture unless you had a way to control the release. You could always take some, hydrate it, then put it in a jar or zip lock and test it to see. I would expect you would get a very high reading. IMO it would be like placing a wet spounge in there. (I think I see another experiment coming on...lol)

What the crystals bring to the table is holding power.

I just might do the experiment. If it does not turn out.......Then I can always use it for the intended purpose.
What is the difference of this and the cat litter crystals that I have seen posted here. Do they somehow regulate?

 

[LilBastage]

I use them in my Oasis without problems.

Like Kenny said, they are just like a super-absorbent sponge. They'll release moisture like crazy without a controlling "agent" like PG or an Oasis. They swell up quick and hold A LOT of water.

I used a tablespoon in my Oasis base and once they had adsorbed about all they were going to adsorb it was full almost to the top.

It's the same stuff that's in the DryMistat Humi Tubes and the HumiCare Crystal gel humidifiers. These items have been treated with PG at the factory to provide the controlled release.

The silica gel beads are 90% silica gel (SiO2) and lithium chloride (LiCl) [some variation in ratio may appear between brands and specific uses]. This is pretty much the same composition as the crystal Kitty Litter.

The humi-gel is made up of anionic polyacrylamide polymers. It is in no way similar to Kitty Litter or Silica Beads.

Hope that helps you out.

 

[jfields]

I use them in my Oasis without problems.

Like Kenny said, they are just like a super-absorbent sponge. They'll release moisture like crazy without a controlling "agent" like PG or an Oasis. They swell up quick and hold A LOT of water.

I used a tablespoon in my Oasis base and once they had adsorbed about all they were going to adsorb it was full almost to the top.

It's the same stuff that's in the DryMistat Humi Tubes and the HumiCare Crystal gel humidifiers. These items have been treated with PG at the factory to provide the controlled release.

The silica gel beads are 90% silica gel (SiO2) and lithium chloride (LiCl) [some variation in ratio may appear between brands and specific uses]. This is pretty much the same composition as the crystal Kitty Litter.

The humi-gel is made up of anionic polyacrylamide polymers. It is in no way similar to Kitty Litter or Silica Beads.

Hope that helps you out.

Thanks. These were the answers I came lookin for.