The Character & Structures of Polymer Granules

Appearance

• Polymer granules are a synthetic substance and, hence, come in a variety of shapes. They are often manufactured to appear as ice crystals, but are not cold to the touch and do not melt. Their size can be very small so as to blend in with soil. They are odorless and non-toxic.

Absorbency

• Polymer granules can absorb many times their own weight in liquid, usually water. They are mixed in with soil to absorb excess water, rather than let it evaporate. These granules can hold onto water for weeks in the right conditions. This can create savings on a large scale when used in conjunction with irrigation.

Moisture Maintenance

• Polymer granules are touted as a way to maintain moisture levels in soil. They allegedly prevent plants from experiencing shock due to too much moisture at the time of watering, and too little moisture when awaiting the next watering. As time goes by, they release the water to drier surrounding soil where it can be taken in by nearby plants and root systems.

Soil Maintenance

• The absorbency of the polymers is reputed to protect the structure of the soil as well. They grow in size when they absorb water, and shrink as they release it much later. This cycle of expansion and contraction loosens and aerates the soil. It does this naturally and without the use of resources a person might put into the same task.

Disputed Effectiveness

• Polymer granules are not without their detractors. A team of scientists from the University of California assessed the claim that these polymers can promote the conservation of water. During a study using different size plant containers, up to 6 qts., they compared how plants in same-size containers did with and without polymer granules. They found improvements in plant survival, once water was cut off, only in the largest containers, and that the amount of extra life gained was only one day out of a week compared to the plants with no polymers in the soil.