Horta-Sorb

Horta-Sorb® Water Absorbing Gel

Horta-Sorb® water management gel polymers are substances that absorb hundreds of times their weight in water. The water absorbed is nearly all available to the plants. There use results in managing watering in the root zone of the plant significantly reducing watering maintenance and providing for a more constant supply of water to the roots.

Superabsorbent polymers have been used in many areas in horticulture and agriculture for nearly two decades now. Initially accepted as a bare root dip in forestry their use quickly spread to landscape, greenhouse and nursery, and numerous agricultural markets with its use ranging from bare root gels to hydromulching, transplant amendments to “ice packs” for cut flower shipping.

Horta-Sorb® superabsorbents are the highest quality gel available today and are available in three particle sizes, each for a particular job and to improve safety and handling:

  • LG (1mm to 3mm)
  • MD (1mm-2mm)
  • SM (0.2mm to 0.8mm)

Features

  • Increases survival – Holds WATER for use by roots. Water is fundamental to plant health.
  • Reduces transplant shock – Increases available water during, and after, the establishment phase.
  • Reduces watering frequency – It absorbs WATER more effectively that any other substance on earth.
  • Extends flowering – Because plants do not stress as much they remain productive longer.

Applications

    Trees & Shrubs – Mix the indicated amounts of Horta-Sorb® LG evenly with the backfill in the upper 8-10 inches of soil.

    Flower Beds – Broadcast Horta-Sorb® MD at the rate of 1 lb. per 100 sq. ft. and work into the earth 4-6 inches deep. Plant as usual.

    Turf – Soil Amendment: Broadcast Horta-Sorb® MD at the rate of 3 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. With sprigging and seeding, work into the first 1″ of soil with a till or by chain drag dressing at this rate for every 2 inches of soil depth, i.e., you could apply 3X the normal rate so long as the 9 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. was incorporated in six inches. With sod, simply lay sod on top of treated area without the need for tilling at the 3 lb. per 1,000 sq. ft. rate.

    Greenhouse/Nursery – Potting mix amendment: Mix Horta-Sorb® LG or MD (depending on the size of the container) with potting mix at the rate of 2 pounds per cubic yard. This rate is an average. For highly drained mixes, or mixes that you want to hold even more water in use a higher rate, i.e., 3 pounds, etc. Bare root treatment: Dipping Roots – Mix Horta-Sorb® SM at the rate of 1 lb. per 30 to 35 gallons of water to form a root dip* the consistency of a heavy gravy. Adjust application rate to achieve this consistency. Spraying Roots: Remove screens in equipment. Prepare mixture the same as Dipping Roots.

    Interior Plants – Containered plants: The best way to use Horta-Sorb® with containered plants is to add the Horta-Sorb® MD or LG (depending on size of container) at the time of potting up the plants at the rate of 2 pounds per cubic yard of mix. If the plants are already in containers then you must get the gel crystals into the ground with the use of a pencil, or similar object. Potted plants: Poke one hole for each inch of pot diameter with a pencil, or similar object. Use the following application rates and evenly distribute into all the holes this amount of Horta-Sorb® LG.

    Forestry – There are numerous ways to use Horta-Sorb® in Forestry, namely:

    1. As an amendment in the nursery bed Horta-Sorb® MD at the rate of 3 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft. broadcast over the bed area and worked into the first 1 inch of soil.
    2. Bare Root – Dip* the roots of the tree seedling in a gel prepared at the rate of 1 lb. Horta-Sorb® SM per 20-30 gallons of water before planting into the ground on outplanting (insuring that the maximum amount of gel adheres to the roots).
    3. Containerized – Dip* the root ball in a gel prepared at the rate of 1 lb. Horta-Sorb® SM per 20-30 gallons of water. Should this not be practical distribute 1/4 gram of Horta-Sorb® MD into the planting hold as the root ball is planted.

    Agricultural –

    1. Vegetable Transplants. There are many areas in which to consider the use of Horta-Sorb® when growing vegetables. Potting Media Amendment: Mix Horta-Sorb® MD with potting mix in the greenhouse as a at the rate of 2 pounds per cubic yard of potting mix. Transplant Amendment: Amend the planting pit as the transplanted vegetable seedling is transplanted, preferably in wet/gel form with Horta-Sorb® SM at the rate of 1 pound per 20-25 gallons of water (or solution). Banding: Band the Horta-Sorb® LG into the rows at the rate of 30 pounds per acre.
    2. Orchards, groves and vineyards. These crops are typically high cost transplants to start with and the use Horta-Sorb® LG can pay good rewards to help the transplant get off to a good start without the constant need to water the crop. Generally watering frequency can be cut by as much as 50%. Transplanting: Mix 1 ounce into the backfill when planting. If the transplant is bare root dip also dip the roots of the transplant into a gel consisting of one pound of Horta-Sorb® SM per 20-30 gallons of water. Established plants can also be treated in the orchard by deep root injection of Horta-Sorb® SM along with whatever concoction of fertilizer, or soluble organics that you may desire. Just make sure that the application rate of these “additives” is in accordance with label instructions and also that whatever you introduce into the gel for injection will have a much long life in the ground to be available to the roots. Established plants: For each inch caliper of plant inject one gallon of mixture into the ground applying 1/2 gallon per injection hole. Mix one pound of Horta-Sorb® SM with 30 to 35 gallons of water making a loose slurry.

    *The absorbency rate of Horta-Sorb® is dependent by water quality, i.e., the harder the water the lower is the absorbency. When mixing Horta-Sorb® with water lightly sprinkle the material in water that has been stirred and is still moving. If a water hose is available simply apply the Horta-Sorb® directly into a wide angle fog of water spray from an ordinary gardening hose nozzle.

     

    Additional Resources:

    Horta-Sorb® – Agricultural grade water management super absorbent gel. (PDF file – Adobe Acrobat document)