I added some one time to a batch of soil and mixed up real good.
When I wet everything down, I had an explosion of crystals and soil coming out of that dag gum pot. What a mess!!!!!

Charleen . I can see that happening but doubt I would have thought of it before I did what Charleen did. Good tip Shelly.

Believe me, I felt so silly. I took the plant out. reemix it with more soil and had enough for several pots.
Hey, They don't call me Bumble mule for nothin!!!!!!

I have never used the crystals, but it is good to know you have to wet them first. Thank you.

They also work real well in the ground if you have a difficult spot. I had an area under the eves in dry shade. The dirt was like dust and repelled water, I tried many times to plant in there but everything died. I would add compost and it still would not hold water. I fixed it by digging out holes about 18 inches deep and 4 inches wide, I used a bulb planter to do the digging. I then put in the expanded polymer crystals and topped with 2 inches of soil. And I planted next to the filled holes. It allowed the water to be absorbed at root level and then the roots found the crystals and now I have a very nice garden in there. Once the soil was hydrated below the surface all was well. And my worms moved in.

I too made the mistake of not expanding first, what a mess.

But how long do the crystals last? This is why I've never used them. Don't they eventually break down into nothing & then the soil sinks to fill the voids?

Eventually it does because I do believe it is organic. But for my purpose once the moisture was in the soil it was no longer needed. Its good for hanging baskets and I believe it will last at least 3 years. But I am not sure.

I can certainly see it working for what you needed there & that was a great idea to use it that way. In Fl. we have sand like that where it just won't take up water --- like the sand is oiled & shuns water --- just rolls right off. If you can ever get it to take water for a while then you're okay.

Wow Rebecca! I have a similar spot and have regularly lost perennials there. You know what's going in there NEXT spring (before any new plants)! And thanks to Shelly's good advice I should be able to avoid an explosion. Siill laughing at our dear Charleen...

My first time I also added them to soil-less mix and watched as the explosion took place within the hour. It is an amazing sight!

I also did as Rebecca mentioned and dug holes, added reconstituted crystals, mixed in some old coffee grounds and compost. The plants (hostas and ferns) loved it and are still thriving in a very dry spot that doesn't even get rainfall.

Just one coffee scoop of crystals added to a jug of water, wait 30 minutes, and you're ready to use them for your next projects. Easy!