Plant Gel vs Ant Gel- 11.03.07
So continuing from where the last post lead us (from Triops and Sea Monkeys to venus fly traps and praying mantis to ant farms to gel antfarms and gel plant kits)… the gels. So as we began to read into the variations of these gel ant farms and also being able to watch seeds grow roots in this magical mystery gel, we got really curious and wanted to find just the gel (imagine what you could design with it). And along the way we remembered the plant water gel crystals that soak up tons of water that you can grow plants in. The only problem with those was can you crush them up, mix with warm water, and mold it to be smooth like jello? (we don’t know, do you?) Then we also discovered jello pudding cup like 6 packs of root gel… and than i finally tracked down some manufacturers in china that actually sell the magical ant farm gel (and ant farms in hills and boots ~ see pictures below to make sense of that). Also did you know some people are using this same gel for dieting?!?!?! You eat it, then drink a ton of water which it will soak up, and it will make you feel full?
You can find all of these examples on my giant wishlist over at amazon that i made while researching…
Here is what the Chinese manufacturers, LanBo… and this pack i found at amazon even says “Put the whole or some of the gel (as much as you need. Don’t add water.) into a clean microwave bowl and to microwave it for 2 to 5 minutes (adult supervision is required for kids below 8). The gel will get melt into liquid. And then wait until the gel is cool but not firm. Pour the gel into your habitats. The gel version ant habitats are made. You put ants in. But the best time to put the ants in is about 2 to 3 days later.”
Here is the Gel2Root info we found in jello like tubs ~ you basically stick the cutting/seed into it, and wait for roots!
Can you really imagine eating this for a diet solution?
This article from wired discusses how this same technology is turning into a stomach filling pill….
And as for those plant gel crystals that can look so tacky unless mixed with soil to help regulate water distribution for infrequent watering or deserts… they are also often used for arts and crafts and candles holders.
i think the rooting gel may have plant growth hormones in it…
----- rugenius 04.11.07 01:58