Here is an explanation of how it works.
I have used the product, Terrasorbî, as an additive to potting/planting soil. The first lesson I learned was to use the product sparingly. When the product absorbs water the individual crystals increase in size and can pop a 10 gallon plant right out of the ground!
It absorbs water in times of plenty and releases it as the soil dries out.
I found it particularly useful for growing plants in the smaller containers 4" to 10" size

So you have tried it. Thats great.

When you say sparingly it would be how much? 5%, 2%.

I was just thinking why would this not work in larger 5-10 gallons pot?

Btw, I am assuming that using this material will result in something like a self watering system. Not like my peat based potting soil which also absorbs water but drowns my plants. Is it so?

Thanks.

This post was edited by saood on Mon, Oct 21, 13 at 4:19

saood, I found it useful in that it increased the interval between watering in container plants - even trees.
When the plants were installed, it helped the transplants - including trees - through the rooting in period.
It was during such an installation when a dollop of the material fell into a planting hole. As we watered in the tree, the excess polymer expanded; and pushed the root ball upward out of the planting hole.
Dramatic!

I am a container gardener. And will be away for about a week. Can I use this to take care of the watering during that period? The plants are already in containers. Should I remove them and put these? or else ? any other suggestions?