Flora Gel FAQ

• Flora Gel is a water absorbent polymer that can absorb and retain large quantities of water.

Q.   What makes Flora Gel different from other water crystals
        on the market?

• Other water crystals on the market are standard garden variety of water absorbent crystals. They have been manufactured for the agriculture industry to be put into the soil and work as a water retainer in the ground.
• Flora Gels chemical make up has been slightly altered to give a much cleaner crystal. It has been specifically designed for the cut flower industry to help preserve the life of cut flowers in displays and in transporting.
• Flora Gel is larger then your average water crystals available on the market. It is a 4mm crystal and Polymer Innovations are importers of this particularly large water crystal.

Q.   What can I use Flora Gel for?

• Use Flora Gel to create stunning and eye catching displays.
• Uses include:
  *  Vase and glassware displays.
  *  Floral arrangements for weddings, parties, functions and events.
  *  Oil burners.
  *  Beautiful centre pieces.
  *  Floating candles.
  *  Novelty displays for movies, films, advertising and exhibitions.
  *  Parties for jelly wrestling and fun.
  *  Hot and cold packs.
  *  Cool ties and cool pet beds.
  *  Transporting flowers.
  *  Growing plants in them.
  *  Special effects in theatres, concerts, films, photo shoots and advertising.

Q.   How do you make up Flora Gel?

• 2 Teaspoons of flora gel dry crystals added to 1 litre of water. Allow for     12-24 hours for Flora Gel to fully hydrate and drain any excess water.
• 2 teaspoons of Flora Gel will make approx 1ltr of hydrated gel.

Q.   How do you look after Flora Gel?

• Looking after Flora Gel is easy.
• When used for cut flowers:
  Once flowers have finished flowering, dispose of flowers and empty hydrated Flora Gel into a colander or sieve. Rinse under running water to was of any contaminants that have been left behind by the flower. Gels can be soaked in water over night or put back into the vase ready for use again. When using Flora Gel for cut flowers they will start to get a smell that can not be washed away, this is the time that your gels need to be disposed of into any garden or pot plant soil.
• When used for oil burners:
  As crystals burn in an oil burner the water starts to evaporate from the gels and the gels will start to shrink. Water can be added to rehydrate the crystals to use again. Or store away in an air tight container until you are ready to use again.
• When used for centre pieces and displays:
  Hydrated gels may get dusty and start to shrink. Wash them under running water in a colander or sieve and allow to stand in water to rehydrate them. Drain any excess water off and reuse gels.

Q.   How do I store Flora Gel?

• Storage recommended for dry crystals and hydrated gels is in an air tight container.

Q.   How do I get coloured Flora Gel?

• Few drops of food colouring can be added to the water and the crystal absorb the coloured water. You will get a much deeper and stronger colour in your gels by using this method.
• Few drops of food colouring can be added to the hydrated gels to coat gels in colour. Using this method you will get a lighter and softer coloured gel.

Q.   How do I make Smelly Jelly?

• Flora Gel will absorb most liquids but will not absorb oil. If you would like to make your own smelly jelly it is best to coat already hydrated gels with a few drops of your favourite smelly oils.

Q.   How long will Flora Gel last for?

• Flora gel is UV sensitive so in direct sunlight its life span is reduced. 
• Using Flora Gel in vases and glassware for cut flowers, floating candles and oil burners, Flora Gel can last between 2 -8 months, maybe longer if kept clean and looked after.
• Once you have finished with Flora Gel and disposed of it into any garden or pot plant soil, Flora Gel can continue to work as a water saver for several years.

Q.   How do I dispose of unwanted gels?

• Flora Gel does not bio accumulate and should never be dumped into a land fill when finished with. Disposal is made easy by digging unwanted gels into any garden or pot plant soil. Because Flora Gel is an absorbent polymer it makes an excellent water saver and soil conditioner for your plants. It will continue to absorb and release water to your plants and will break down over several years.
• Flora Gel is safe, biodegradable and non toxic.

Q.   What are the benefits of using Flora Gel?

• When used in cut flowers: 
  * There is no free water available for bacteria to grow, thus there is no need to change the water every 3 or 4 days.
  * Gels are rinsed after flowers have been disposed of, and are ready to be used again. 
  * Flowers are easy to stand and arrange in the gels and will not move.
  * Flora Gel has been specifically designed to help preserve and extend the life of your cut flowers, thus allowing you to     enjoy your flowers longer.
• When used in oil burners, floating candles and centre pieces:
  * It is much safer and easier to use instead of water and oils.
  * Clean up is made easy without water being spilt.
• When used for growing plants in:
  * Flora Gel will also absorb liquid fertilizer, nutrients and plant food as well as water.
  * This is made available to your plants at all times.
  * Your plants will have their own water reservoir to draw from as they need it.

Q.   Will Flora Gel stain or smell?

• Flora Gel hydrated in clean water has no smell or taste and will not stain. 
• Fully hydrated, Flora Gel is 99% water
• Flora Gel that has been used for cut flowers will start to smell if gels have not been looked after and kept clean, as loose water breeds bacterial.
• Flora Gel that has been coloured with food colouring or coated with oils may stain or smell.

Q.   What if my child or dog eats it?

• Flora Gel is similar to what is found in babies nappies and no harm should occur if swallowed in gel form by humans or animals.
• The acids within the stomach will start to break down the gels and the water is released into the stomach and crystals are passed through.
• Flora Gel is safe to handle, non toxic and biodegradable.

Q.   How do I store Flora Gel?

• Storage of unused Flora Gel, in crystal and gel form, is in an air tight container.

Q.   Will Flora Gel absorb all liquids?

• Flora Gel will absorb most liquids (except for oils)
• Using distilled water or rain water to hydrate Flora Gel will result in much larger gels.
• The more contaminants there are in the water (eg chlorine, fluoride, food colouring etc) the less effective the gel will be.
• HINT - for best results it is recommended that rain water or distilled water be used