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How Dry I Am...Drought Hits Hard

June 2016:  It's no secret that while other parts of the country are currently getting hammered with excess rain, sunny San Diego has just the opposite problem.  San Diego is in a severe drought!  For the past 5 years California has been experiencing extreme dryness.  The statewide water supply has been significant challenged.  Water conservation remains important  for San Diego.  In May 2015, the State water Resource Control Board issued emergency statewide regulation that set water-use reduction targets for local water agencies.  The initial state mandates required water reduction of 12 to 36 percent compared to 2013 water-use levels, with a regional aggregate conservation target of 20 percent.

Saving Water During drought Conditions

What can be done to conserve water?  One solution is to add a product called STOCKOSORB®/ Terra Moist to the soil.  STOCKOSORB®/ Terra Moist increases the utilizable water holding capacity of soils and potting mixtures by decreasing the water and nutrient losses due to leaching, 
evaporation and surface runoff. In the growing media STOCKOSORB®/ Terra Moist hydrates and stores water, as well as the plant nutrients dissolved in the water. Thus 
STOCKOSORB®/ Terra Moist acts as a water reservoir providing moisture to the roots by 
direct uptake and through extended osmotic release. Therefore, the soil moisture potential is maximized for a longer period.

Below is a picture of Terra Moist before it is hydrated.  After water is added, look how large the granules become after they absorb water. Plants will draw water from this product, thereby reducing how often one needs to water.  Bottom line is ...Saving precious water.

To learn more about Terra Moist, click here. This product is nothing short of a miracle!

The California Drought- What can growers do? 

It's no secret that California is facing a severe drought. What can the horticulture community do to save water to save their crops during this California drought or in any arid climate? One solution would be to add Evonik's hydrogel/super absorbent polymer called Stockosorb 660 to the soil and planting medium to save water!   

What is a hydrogel? 

A hydrogel is a water-absorbing polymer, that is classified as a hydrogel when cross-linked, absorb aqueous solutions through hydrogen bonding with water molecules. These hydrogels are also referred to as Superabsorbent Polymers or  SAP's. A SAP's ability to absorb water is a factor of the ionic concentration of the aqueous solution. In deionized and distilled water a SAP may absorb 500 times its weight (from 30 to 60 times its own volume) and can become up to 99.9% liquid. 
Evonik Stockosorb 660 is an advanced hydrogel technology that allows the soil to increase its capacity to hold/ retain water. By using Stockosorb 660, you can increase the number of days between waterings while the soil retains the water for the plants to flourish.  The basis of Stockosorb 660 is a crosslinked polyacrylic acid homopolymer partially potassium neutralized. 

Who is using Evonik Stockosorb 660? 
All sorts of entities have discovered Stockosorb 660 hydrogel technology for saving water, and extending the moisture in the soil or medium. 
Here is a list of places where you will find this amazing product:

• Commercial horticulture
• Nurseries and production plants
• Landscaping and reforestation
• Sod and seeding of grass
• Plant transportation and storage
• Inner-city ornamentals and barriers
• Interior scapes
• Soil

Isn't it time you consider a solution for your plants? Please fill out the form below if you would like more information. 

Jump on the Evonik Stockosorb 660 Hydorgel Technology Life Raft!