How far is the external reservoir from the actual plant container? What does the whole contraption look like- i.e. is it suitable for a living area?

Chris, thanks for the fascinating post. I think it's great having an actual scientist posting here (you *will* post again, I hope?).

The one thing I can't quite visualize is how the pot, the reservoir, and the membrane go together. Is the membrane in a strip, such as for wicking? Is it, I don't know, wrapped around the pot, and sitting in the reservoir?? Maybe I just shouldn't read anything serious before noon.

The part about the increased water uptake before flowering is particularly interesting. I had no idea -- but I suppose it makes sense when you think about it. I imagine there's an increased nutrient uptake at the same time.

So is this stuff going to be on the market soon? And what do you call it?

Korina (time for more tea!)

PS Only *one* violet?

PPS You probably don't remember Doctor Who, but I keep thinking of Krynoids ('Destroy all animal life!' 'Plants rule!') bursting out of the greenhouse. Then again, I may just be name-dropping. ;-P

I would love to find out more about the hydrogel membrane. Sound like something that all of us would be interested in. I myself would also like to see a picture of your setup.

cearbhaill

A modified flat-based plant pot sits inside an outer reservoir. The reservoir can be a pot saucer, a windowsill or other tray or any suitable non-porous container with a flat bottom e.g. a bulb bowl, decorative ceramic etc. A fabric separator disc is placed in the bottom of the reservoir, the water-swollen hydrogel membrane is placed on top of the fabric. The plant in the modified plant pot is placed on top of the hydrogel membrane and then the reservoir is filled with water. The fabric disc facilitates water under the hydrogel membrane and provides cushioning which improves the seal between the membrane and the bottom of the pot. The system was designed initially for everyday indoor plants like african violets, begonia, chrysanthemum, poinsettia, orchids, gerbora, bromeliad, kitchen herbs, hedera, ferns, etc, etc. Plan is to introduce bigger pots (expensive unless you can find ones that are easily made completely flat with drainage holes only in the base). No problem making hydrogel discs or sheets of different sizes. 13cm and 14cm flat-base pots are available which are good for the majority of UK\European houseplants and herbs and for propagating cuttings and seeds. I have an excellent little orange tree grown from seed and using a perlite\vermiculite growing medium.

Korina

Unfortunately more chemist\polymer scientist than horticulturalist :) Really pleased to have found this forum. Old enough to remember Dr Who :(. There is a new series in the UK at the moment.

Osmogro (my invention) involves no wicking or capillary action. The hydrogel membrane contains 60 - 70% water when swollen. It is like a strong, transparent rubber. It is not porous but is permeable to water and to water-soluble materials (depending on size and some other factors). The hydrogel membrane prevents capillary or hydraulic flow into the plant pot and only allows diffusional transport mechanisms e.g. osmosis and dialysis.

The increase in water (and nutrient) uptake before flowering is perhaps like storing up fuel/energy before a burst of activity, in this case a dazzle of flowers.

I keep many houseplants and herbs using Osmogro but my first african violet is a favourite especially as it has played a part in the development of my plant watering invention.

Tomkaren

My hydrogels were originally developed for medical applications such as controlled drug delivery, wound dressings, dialysis membranes, medical devices and implants. They are based on polyethylene glycol which makes them highly biocompatible. They degrade slowly to harmless components. I can design them to be more specifically biodegradable. As they are mostly water they are permeable to water and aqueous solutes - hence Osmogro, growth through osmosis. The fact that you still have to fill a reservoir and feed the plant (without the worry) results in another type of osmosis. Much like this forum :) Happy to provide pics etc by email.

Chris

Here is a picture of my first African Violet during its second flowering. It was described as "almost show standard" by the UK St Paulia Society. I think this was achieved because my membrane controlled watering method allowed the plant to establish its own happy and dynamic equilibrium. The 10th consecutive flowering has just started. If anyone is interested I can post a chart of the water useage for the 4.5 years that I have had the plant; the flowering and watering pattern and rhythm are quite clear to see.
Chris

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:366525}}

Chris, hubba hubba! That is one healthy plant. Yes, please post the chart; I'd love to see it. It would be nice not to have to worry about over or under watering.

So, where do we get this miraculous material?

Korina the Convert

PS I hear the new Who is very good (even the squat Tardis works). BBC America of course has no plans to show it here, but we have our sources...

wow... makes my plants look sickly... what kind of lighting do you use??
Brittany