Application Tips

Application Rate:

Application rates vary due to type of soil, region of the country and plant type. For the most part, clay soils need less polymer; sandy soils need more. Areas subject to heat and drought require more polymer. Wet, cool regions require less polymer. All rates are approximations and experience and the understanding of local conditions will provide the most accurate information about application of the polymer.

More Is Not Better:

More polymer isn't always better. You can over-hydrate the soil or simply waste money. The polymer should be worked into the ground to provide equal distribution. If you simply dump the polymer into the bottom of the hole and set your plant on top, after the first good soaking of the ground, you are likely to find your plant laying on the ground surface and a blob of the AquaLoc gel in the hole.

Polymers are Degraded by Sunlight:

Polymers are degraded by sunlight (ultraviolet light). If hydrated polymer is allowed to remain above the ground, sunlight will hasten the breakdown to its primary elements of carbon dioxide, nitrogen compounds and water. Adding 10-15 of the small or powdered polymer in combination with medium or large polymer is recommended in most applications for optimal water storage.

For smaller applications:

Trees and Shrubs (1/4 cup = 2 oz.)

Use medium polymer (K2)

• 1 gal use 1/4 cup
• 3 gal use 1/2 cup
• 5 gal use 3/4 cup
• 15 gal use 1 1/2 cup

Dig the hole at least three times the size of the container and mix the polymer through out the area. After planting, create a dam around the tree. If the tree is on a slope, leave the top side open to collect water.

Vegetables and Beds

Use Medium polymer (K2)

• 12-45 pounds per 1,000 square feet at 4-6" depth

Use less for drier plants and more for moisture loving plants. After planting, a good coat of mulch will dress up the bed and cover any loose polymer.

Potted Plants

Use medium polymer (K2).

• 4" pot 1/4 tsp.
• 6" pot 1 tsp.
• 8" pot 2 tsp.
• 10" pot 3 tsp.

When potting, it is best to have most of the polymer toward the bottom of the pot so it will absorb the available water more readily. If applying a hydrated polymer, use 4 parts soil to 1 part hydrated polymer.

Lawns

Use Medium polymer (K2) or (SN) depending on the soil. For application before sodding:

• 4-5 pounds per 1,000 square feet tilled 1-2" deep
• 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet tilled 4-6" deep

Application can be either by hand or a lawn spreader. Never use more than 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet tilled only one inch, as prolonged sponginess may occur. After first rain, hydrated polymer may be visible and the ground may seem soggy. The exposed polymer will dissolve. After the roots grow from the sod, the looseness will be reduced. We do not recommend “overseeding” the polymers onto existing lawns.

Bare Root Dipping

Use 1 Kg. in 150 to 200 Liters of water. Amounts vary depending on the salinity of the water. Use Powder polymer (SN). Dry application: Dip moist roots into dry polymer. This allows instant hydration when the roots are watered thus coating and protecting roots. Wet application: 2TBS per gallon water or until gel is a thick slurry. Dip roots into gel to keep moist for planting. Add appropriate amount of larger polymer to hole for water retention. Powdered polymer is short lived (6 months-1 year) and used for bare rooting, seed coating and some potting soils where moisture retention is critical to the survival of the transplanting and germination.

Floral Decorations

Use large Polymer (K4)

• Use 1 Kg. in 150 Liters of water for large applications.
• For smaller applications use 7 grams (¼ oz. or ½ Tablespoon) per liter of water.

Transporting Cut Flowers - Use Polymer (SN) or (K2) depending on the situation The quantity used depends on the size of the pouch used and the specific use and time duration needed for the product.