Lucky bamboo in gel-like substance
My lucky bamboo has a gel like substance in the roots and I am wondering if I should rinse it out or leave it there?
The jelly-like substance is a polyacrylamide, white crystal granules that swell up like a sponge and holds up to 200 times its weight in water. It is not harmful to the roots. In fact, it reduces the need for watering as it slowly releases the absorbed water over an extended period of time. Once all the moisture is gone, the gel shrinks back to its original size and will need to be rehydrated. This polymer will not harm the plant, perhaps save you some watering time. You can leave it or rinse off the slippery gel. Lucky bamboo stalks are often shipped in this polymer to maintain moisture on the roots.
No related posts.
I just read all your recent comments made to everyone w/ questions about their bamboo plants and realized I needed to change the water for my bamboo plant. When I did I found a couple clear jelly-like blobs (like jellyfish). What is this and where did it come from? fyi: my plant is about a year old and kept in a shallow vase with water and rocks.
Chances are that when you bought the plant it had some water gel crystals in the container. This gel crystal binds the water into a gel form. The gel slowly dissolves back to water at a controlled rate keeping the plant hydrated and reducing the need for watering. This gel is also mixed in certain potting soil to help keep the soil from drying out. It will not harm your plant.
is this polyacrylamide gel harmfull to pets?
i have a cat that like to get into things, so is it safe if he trys to eat this pretty purple jello looking stuff?