Ecofloc is an environmentally-friendly, high-quality moisture storage device in the form of medium-sized white granules, which is designed to be applied to unevenly moist and over-dried soil, substrates or materials (such as bark, wood or coconut fiber) to absorb and hold large volumes of water and nutrients.
An advantage of Ecofloc among other moisture storage products is the cyclical delivery of the absorbed liquid, which, if necessary, goes directly to the plants. When dried, the hydrogel turns into its original crystalline state and is again ready for a new cycle.
The use of Ecofloc mixtures with fertilizers contributes to the economical expenditure and more effective action of the latter.
1 g of ECOFLOC hydrogel is capable of absorbing 600 ml of liquid, turning it into a gel state.
The service life of Ecofloc is 1 to 5 years and depends on particle size and agro-climatic conditions.
The action of Ecofloc hydrogel is manifested in:
- increasing the water holding capacity of the soil over several years, irrigation frequency can be reduced by 50%
- reduced loss of water and nutrients due to leaching;
- reduction of evaporation of water from the soil;
- improving the physical properties of dense soils by increasing aeration;
- increase plant growth. Water and fertilizers are constantly available in the root zone for optimal absorption by plants;
- protecting nature from drought and pollutants in groundwater.
Apply:
- when planting grapes in the planting pit, add 15 g
- when planting strawberries – 2-3 g
- when planting seedlings of fruit trees – 20 g
- when planting seedlings of vegetables – 2-3 g
- when sowing grain crops – 20-25 kg / 1 ha
Hydrogel is added to the soil and substrates for:
– indoor and decorative growths;
– seedlings of vegetables and flowers;
– berry and gourds;
– seedlings of fruit and ornamental trees and bushes before planting, used in forestry;
– landscape design (planting of lawns, lawns and grounds)
– growing champignons;
– transportation of cut flowers;
– transportation of seedlings (envelop the roots)
– preparation of soil mixtures and fertilizers.
Ecofloc completely decomposes in the soil (about 10 – 15% per year).
ECOFLOC mixed with soil reduces water shortages. This allows you to have a better root system for cuttings and transplanted plants, seedlings grow faster. Watering frequency decreases. It is an ideal solution for substrates in containers, hanging and indoor plants.
Frequency of watering is usually reduced by 30-50%, in addition, this reduces labor costs and the amount of water used.
– Mix ECOFLOC evenly with the primer.The amount should be selected for each soil type based on water requirements, plant characteristics, tillage and weather conditions. General rule: the more permeable the material, the greater the amount of ECOFLOC needed.
– In water-permeable materials such as bark, wood or coconut fiber, a dosage of 2-3 kg / m3 is recommended.
– In less permeable substrates (peat, compost), the recommended amount is in the range of 1 – 2 kg / m3.
Root treatment
ECOFLOC can be used for root treatment to prevent the roots from drying out during transplantation or long-term transport.
Processing is carried out in the following way:
Mix ECOFLOC 1 kg with 150-200 liters of water. The amount may depend on the salinity of the water.
Pour the product slowly, stirring water, so that the coating is obtained without falling particles.
Leave the coating to stand for 15 minutes, the time it takes for ECOFLOC to absorb water as much as possible. It is important to get a coating that would completely adhere to the roots. The longer the saturation time, the thicker the coating layer and the better it keeps on the roots.
To protect plants from nematodes and fungi, water-soluble nematicides and / or fungicides can be added during preparation.
Seedlings: tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, strawberries, etc.
Vegetables – plants that are most in need of high soil moisture, intensively consuming water and are characterized by the highest water consumption. Many of them have a poorly developed root system and the associated poor ability to extract water from the soil and a powerful leaf surface that evaporates a lot of moisture. Such plants, when deficient, stop growing and give a poor harvest, they cannot tolerate drought and need regular watering. But an excess of moisture should not be allowed. Even a slight stagnation of water causes plants to die.
ECOFLOC is applied to the soil, and, regardless of its density and the presence of fertilizers, creates the necessary water supply for plants in it.
ECOFLOC has been successfully used to produce seedlings of higher quality and in shorter time (the same germination and the same plant growth).
When germinating seeds in boxes or boxes, the soil is prepared as follows: 2 kg ECOFLOC per 1 cubic meter of soil, which is poured with a layer of up to 20 cm, i.e. to the depth of the optimal development of the root system. If seedlings are grown in cassettes or cups, then you can use the same soil (2 kg ECOFLOC per 1 cubic meter of soil) or pour 1 g of ECOFLOC -1.0 granules into a hole.
After rooting, plants with roots sprouted in granules are transferred to containers or open ground. Since the absorbing roots are in a gel protecting them, the plant does not experience shock during transplantation or transportation.ECOFLOC is ideal for growing any seedlings in open and closed ground.
If ready seedlings with an open root system are planted, then its roots are dipped in a gel-like solution: 5-7g ECOFLOC -1.0 per 1 liter of water. The gel envelops the roots, sticks tightly to them, providing an initial supply of moisture necessary for the development of the plant. Then a pinch (0.2-0.4 g) of granules of ECOFLOC -1.0 fraction is poured into the hole under the root system. Further landing is usually done with abundant watering.
When planting vegetables with seeders, we offer the following options for applying ECOFLOC granules:
– dosing devices (micro granulators);
– fertilized jars (after making a homogeneous mixture with fertilizers);
– seed boxes, homogenously mixing seeds in a proportion of 100 g ECOFLOC per 1 kg of seeds.
Consumption: 1 liter of gel per 200-250 plants.
Gourds, pumpkin, melon, zucchini:
If the planting area is not processed completely, granules are applied to each seed.
With manual sowing, 1 g of ECOFLOC is applied to each planting hole, with dry granules or, in the absence of the possibility of watering, the corresponding amount in the form of a gel, then a seed is dropped, it is covered with soil and lightly compacted.
With mechanized sowing, the drug is applied with seeders equipped with fertilizer cans or other metering devices simultaneously with the seeds.
There is a method when transplanting seedlings. At the initial stage, ECOFLOC is used for germinating seeds in greenhouses and greenhouses, with manual sowing in rows, granules are poured manually at the rate of 0.2-0.4 g for each seed and watered abundantly.
After the seedlings have reached the required stage, the plant is removed from the soil, the root system is dipped in a gel prepared at the rate of 5 – 7 g ECOFLOC 1.0 per 1 liter of water, for better preservation during transportation to the planting site and better survival. And before planting, 1g of ECOFLOC granules must be added to each hole.
Watermelons and melons are considered heat-loving crops that can tolerate heat and drought due to their powerful root system. And this is true, but only in relation to a developed healthy plant. But in order for each seed to sprout and the plant to take root during the growing season, he needs help. The use of ECOFLOC superabsorbent will help to provide the required amount of moisture.
Consumption: 1 liter of gel per 200-250 plants
Greenhouse crops:
ECOFLOC enables the economical use of water and fertilizers. During irrigation, most of the water with fertilizers is carried out to the lower layers of the soil, and only a small amount (about 10%) is consumed by the root system of the plant. By adding ECOFLOC to the planting soil, you create the necessary supply of water and fertilizers for the roots. At the same time, you will reduce the frequency and volume of watering, and fertilizers will go straight to the destination, and will no longer burn the roots of plants.
With repeated use of the planting substrate, a mixture is prepared: 1–3 kg ECOFLOC per 1 m3 of soil (only possible for the top layer, nominal placement of the root system, i.e. 20–30 cm), after harvesting, the soil is removed, insect pests are destroyed, given rest, add fertilizer and reuse (5 seasons or more).
It is also possible to use all the methods recommended for plants in open ground: before planting, the roots of the seedlings are dipped in a gel-like solution (5-7 g ECOFLOC per 1 liter of water). The gel envelops the roots, sticks tightly to them, providing an initial supply of moisture necessary for the development of the plant. When sowing: preparation of homogeneous mixtures with the addition of ECOFLOC, soaking and germination in a gel.
Consumption: To prepare the seed mixture: 100 grams of dry ECOFLOC 1.0 crystals mixed with 1 kg of seeds.
Grapes, currants, raspberries, roses, ornamental and other shrubs:
When planting a new shrub, after drilling or preparing planting holes (pits), about 5 g (one teaspoon) of ECOFLOC -1.0 is poured into the bottom of each pit (for raspberries and small bushes – 2.5 g), planting material is put in, on top soil is poured, compacted and watered abundantly in order to use superabsorbent.
Before planting, the roots are dipped in a gel-like solution (5-7 g ECOFLOC per 1 liter of water). The gel envelops the roots, sticks tightly to them, providing after planting more tight contact with the soil and the initial supply of moisture necessary for the development of the plant.
Plants planted in this way achieve 98-99% survival rate, do not suffer from drought for more than 5 years, they begin to bear fruit earlier.
The use of enveloping paste (gel-like solution) is indispensable for transportation and long-term storage, as well as for better rooting of cuttings.
When planting rose bushes, the dosage is maintained: 2.5 g – for a decorative rose, 7.5 g – for oilseeds.
The amount of ECOFLOC superabsorbent needed per 1 ha depends on the density of the bushes. At standard density, approximately 11 kg per 1 ha is required.Consumption: 5-7 grams of dry crystals ECOFLOC 1.0 per 1 planting fossa (seedling)
Houseplants
ECOFLOC will help you grow healthy and lush flowers in any, not even very convenient, pots. ECOFLOC added to the soil improves soil properties (making clay soil looser and sandy soil lumpy). ECOFLOC enables the economical use of water and fertilizers. During irrigation, most of the water with fertilizers is carried out to the lower layers of the soil, and only a small amount (about 10%) nevertheless gets through the capillaries to places accessible to the roots of plants. By adding ECOFLOC to the planting soil, you create the necessary supply of water and fertilizers for the roots. In this case, you will reduce the frequency and volume of watering, and fertilizers will no longer burn the roots of plants.
Add ECOFLOC to the soil near the root system, and your plants will have a good helper, making sure they are comfortable (neither damp nor dry) and nutritious (all fertilizers will get to the destination).
Ways to use ECOFLOC:
Make a hole sufficient for the root system of the planted plant. The dosage is calculated depending on the size of the plant and its root system (a plant 10-15 cm tall requires about 1 g of superabsorbent). Half of the required dosage of absorbent is evenly scattered along the bottom and side walls of the pit, and the remaining half is mixed with the ground for backfilling and with this mixture the space covering the root ball of the plant is filled. Clean land is refilled from above, rammed and watered abundantly. After 30-40 minutes, the granules absorb water and gain full volume.
If the plant has already been planted, ECOFLOC can be applied as follows: holes are pierced with a cone-shaped wooden object (for example, sharpened with a pencil), in places and to the depth of the greatest placement of the peripheral root system, several granules of dry ECOFLOC or a small amount of the prepared gel are poured into each hole , fill the holes with soil and pour plenty of water. After 10-15 days, the roots themselves will find what they need, moisture penetrating into each gel-like capsule.
ECOFLOC can also be used in hydroponics as an independent element, in the form of artificial soil.
Landscaping:
ECOFLOC is an indispensable assistant to the landscape designer. Its use will allow to achieve excellent results in the creation of various elements of landscaping with minimal labor. The main applications of ECOFLOC are:
a) adding it to the soil to optimize the water supply of plants and changing soil properties, in particular, improving aeration and drainage;
b) as a protection of the root system of seedlings from drying out during transportation or transplantation.ECOFLOC added to the soil protects plants both from drying out and over-moistening (ECOFLOC gives plants moisture as much as they need), provides friendly seedlings, and also improves soil properties, making clay soil looser and sandy soil lumpy. Such ECOFLOC properties when growing lawns, for example, make it possible to achieve almost one hundred percent and, importantly, friendly germination of seeds that will grow up with a chic thick green “carpet”, and despite the fact that the frequency of watering is significantly reduced. With ECOFLOC, grass grows anywhere: on sand, stones and under trees. It becomes possible to perform complex relief work (alpine slides, terraces, etc.) without high costs and with high efficiency to prevent lateral runoff and fertilizer removal down the profile.
If you need to combine plants that cannot coexist in nature, difficulties arise in watering them due to different depths of their root system and different amounts of moisture consumed. Such difficulties can be eliminated by introducing superabsorbent separately under each plant, creating the necessary conditions for it.
ECOFLOC is added to the soil as follows:
a) for plants with a shallow root system – ECOFLOC dry granules are mixed with soil to a depth of 10 cm at a rate of 30 – 70 g per 1 square meter of soil depending on its fractional composition (less in clay, more in clay). Then the soil is abundantly watered with water.
b) when replanting / planting trees and bushes – dry ECOFLOC granules are evenly poured onto the bottom of the planting pit at the depth of optimal root placement at the rate of 5-10 g per seedling, depending on its size. After planting, the plant is abundantly watered with water.
c) to protect growing trees and bushes from drying out of the topsoil – 25g ECOFLOC is bred in 10 liters of water and infused for 30-40 minutes. A thin layer of soil is removed around a tree or bush. ECOFLOC is distributed evenly with a non-thick layer in place of the removed soil. The soil or any plant mulch is placed on top to protect ECOFLOC from direct sunlight.
When creating a lawn, the superabsorbent ECOFLOC is used as follows:
When sowing: evenly disperse granules across the territory at the rate of 2 – 7 kg per 100 m2 and mix with soil to a depth of 5 – 8 cm. using a rake. Sprinkle seeds, pack and pour plenty of water so that the granules absorb moisture. Fertilizers can be applied along with granules.
When transplanting turf: divide the required volume of the drug into five parts. Distribute the four parts evenly to a soil depth of 5 – 8 cm. Then spread the fifth part evenly over the surface and lay the sod.Roll and pour to activate granules. This will allow the grass layer to immediately adhere to the soil surface.
The applied amount for a depth of 5-8cm should not exceed a maximum of 5kg per 100m2. for a lawn like a sports field. From a larger amount, the earth can swell and the quality of the coating will suffer as a result. For sandy soils, the estimated amount of the drug should be increased by 50%.
The use of the drug to create a lawn provides the density and uniformity of seedlings during sowing and excellent rooting during transplantation of turf. Frequency of watering is significantly reduced.
During transplanting or transporting seedlings: Nothing is as sensitive as thin root hairs – within a few minutes, the sun and wind deprive them of moisture and they can die. As a result, the plant suffers from drought, and its survival rate is significantly reduced. ECOFLOC will help solve this problem. The roots of the plant are dipped into the prepared gel (5 – 7 g of ECOFLOC – 0.5 or ECOFLOC -1.0 powder is mixed with 1 liter of water; after 15 – 30 minutes a gel-like solution is formed). Pellets containing water cling to the entire root system of the plant and supply sufficient moisture to prevent dehydration of open roots and to ensure rapid survival, as well as reduce stress caused by transplantation. Provides fast, vigorous growth of root hairs, resulting in a better, more dense contact of the roots with the soil. The chances of seedlings and seedlings grow into healthy, mature plants are greatly increased.
To prepare the gel: 5-7 grams of dry ECOFLOC crystals 0.5 to 1 liter of water, pour into the water gradually with stirring, swelling (gel formation) – within 20-30 minutes.
Application of ECOFLOC in mushroom cultivation:
The use of ECOFLOC superabsorbent in mushroom cultivation is an innovative technology.
Since the product maintains and regulates the water-air and structural balance of the soil and helps to reduce irrigation in frequency and quantity, the yield and quality of the product significantly increase.
This technology is used to prepare a cover peat mixture. A gel is preliminarily prepared based on 5-6 g of ECOFLOC fraction -1.0 or ECOFLOC fraction 0.5 per 1 liter of water (water should be purified, if possible distilled). It is necessary to wait until complete absorption, after which the resulting gel is mixed with 3 l of peat (earth), i.e. To process 1000l of peat, 300l of gel is needed, which is obtained with ~ 1.5kg ECOFLOC. The resulting mixture (1300 l) is sufficient 26.00 m2 of a coating layer of 5 cm depth.
The remaining elements of substrate preparation technology rely on the individual choice of the manufacturer.
It is important to note that ECOFLOC is a continuous product, i.e. after the end of the mushroom growing cycle, the waste can be reused to preserve moisture in the fields and greenhouses, or disinfected and reused for mushroom cultivation.
The resulting mushrooms are of high quality, purity and large size.
Forestry
ECOFLOC is effective in growing trees, shrubs and seedlings. It reduces transplant death and increases root development, contributing to faster growth and greater productivity.
Dig a hole about three times larger than the root system.
Mix 1 to 2 kg of ECOFLOC on 1 m3 of land.
The polymer should be evenly mixed with excavated soil. Leave a small amount of land uncultivated.
Put the root ball of the plant in the pit and fill the pit with cultivated soil. Make sure that the earth is evenly distributed around the roots. Then fill the surface with a 5 cm layer of uncultivated earth to protect the polymer from destruction by ultraviolet rays and stagnation of water on the surface.
Be especially careful not to put unmixed dry polymer on the bottom of the pit. After hydration, it can disrupt the plant’s resistance.
Fruit and ornamental trees:
Plants planted in this way achieve 98-99% survival rate, do not suffer from drought for more than 5 years, they begin to bear fruit earlier.
The use of enveloping paste (gel-like solution) is indispensable for transportation and long-term storage, as well as for better rooting of cuttings.When planting perennial fruit trees, about 10 g (approximately two teaspoons) of the 1.0 fraction preparation are poured onto the bottom of each planting hole (pit) prepared according to the size (seedlings), planting material is put in, soil is poured on top, compacted and abundantly watered, in order to to remove air and activate superabsorbent.
Before planting, the roots are dipped in a gel-like solution (5-7g) of ECOFLOC in 1 liter of water. The gel envelops the roots, sticks tightly to them, providing after planting more tight contact with the soil and the initial supply of moisture necessary for the development of the plant.
Planting and top dressing large-sized:
To protect growing trees and bushes from drying out the topsoil – 25g of dry crystals ECOFLOC is diluted in 10 liters of water and infused for 30-40 minutes. A thin layer of soil is removed around a tree or bush. ECOFLOC gel is distributed evenly with a non-thick layer in place of the removed soil. The soil or any plant mulch is placed on top to protect ECOFLOC from direct sunlight.
When planting a large-sized plant in a landing pit with an area of up to 1 sq. m gel is poured at the rate of 50g ECOFLOC per 10 liters of water. And when landing in a hole up to 1.5 square meters. m prepares gel 70g ECOFLOC for 10 liters of water. After planting, pour plenty of water.
Consumption: 10 grams of ECOFLOC 1.0 dry crystals per 1 planting fossa (seedling)
Coniferous trees:
Plants planted in this way achieve 98-99% survival rate, for more than 5 years they have not suffered from drought.
The use of enveloping paste (gel-like solution) is indispensable for transportation and long-term storage, as well as for better rooting of cuttings.
When planting conifers, at the bottom of each seedling prepared according to the size of the seedling hole (pit), it is poured approximately at a seedling height of up to 15 cm 2.5 g, 15 – 40 cm to 5 g. (approximately one teaspoon) of the drug fraction 1.0. ECOFLOC, is inserted into the pits, soil is poured on top, compacted and watered abundantly with water in order to remove air and use superabsorbent.
Before planting, the roots are dipped in a gel-like solution (5-7 g ECOFLOC per 1 liter of water). The gel envelops the roots, sticks tightly to them, providing after planting more tight contact with the soil and the initial supply of moisture necessary for the development of the plant.
Consumption: 2.5-5 grams of dry crystals of ECOFLOC 1.0 superabsorbent per 1 planting fossa (seedling)
Environment
Biodegradation
The polymer is sensitive to the action of ultraviolet rays, which break chemical bonds, turning the polymer into oligomers (molecules of very small sizes).Thus, it becomes much more sensitive to aerobic and anaerobic processes of microbiological decomposition.
Consequently, ECOFLOC itself decomposes in soils (up to 10-15% per year) into CO2, H2O and nitrogen compounds.
Bioaccumulation
The ECOFLOC production period in the field varies from one year to five years and depends on particle size and agro-climatic conditions.