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Old 08-04-2012, 01:47 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening
stuart noble stuart noble is offline
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Default Cheap source of water-absorbent granules?

On 08/04/2012 12:57, AL_n wrote:
stuart wrote in news:XRdgr.32840
:


Try Rockwool. Ridiculously cheap at B&Q. You may need to prevent the
insulation becoming compressed by the soil.


Thanks; your suggestion gave me another idea: polyurethane foam, as used in
Celotex wall board, etc. I seem to recall that it absorbs water like a
sponge, but doesn't compress significantly.

Al


I think you'll find Celotex is closed cell foam which absorbs no
moisture at all :-)
Loft insulation is basically the same stuff as the Rockwool plugs used
in hydroponics. I've used it as a base in hanging baskets but, unless
very well concealed, the tits will take it away for nest building