Can a super absorbent cause over watering?
No. Over watering is caused by standing water in a root zone. Standing water is the result of lack of drainage. Drainage is based upon the particle size of the soil, mix, or gel that is considered the root zone. Super absorbents, especially when fully hydrated, are of a large particle size. In fact the swelling and shrinking action of a super absorbent between watering should “exercise” the mix and promote drainage. A super absorbent can actually improve drainage by allowing the grower to move to a extremely well drained mix, one he/she could not use without a super absorbent as an amendment. Remember, roots grow into the pore space between soil particles – so the more pore space, the more space for roots to grow. The problem with lots of spore space is that such a mix does not hold water. Think again. With a super absorbent it can hold as much water as you want! AND, roots will grow into a hydrated “nugget” of water!
