Don't overdo water-retaining granules

15th July 2020

The contents of this pot, a hardy Diascia, had failed to thrive and ultimately died completely this spring. Turning out the compost, it seemed to be about 80% water retaining gel crystals in their saturated, jelly-like state. This must have kept the plant in a permanently waterlogged state through the wet early spring, and explains its death. Go easy on the water-retaining gel!