Anyone work with Water beads?

[Endy0816]

Trying to find out how much mold/algae might grow on ones kept outside long term, under intermittent wetting conditions.

[Endy0816]

Testing it out.

Want to test what happens after the bead shrinks up first. One of the larger ones split apart on me while I was threading it(kinda freaky). One of the halves from it is at the bottom for further testing.

 

After they dry, plan is to rehydrate them, put them outside and see what happens.

[Endy0816]

 

Worked as expected. The hard form is interesting by itself. Doesn't slide and with such a small hole for the thread has the appearance of a liquid droplet.

 

Re-hydrating...

 

 

Not sure what to make of this... Going move on with putting them outside.

[StringJunky]

What is their function?

[Endy0816]

Normally? Decor, slow release of liquids(water typically), toys.

 

https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=waterbeads&rs=typed&0=waterbeads%7Ctyped&remove_refine=water%7Ctyped

 

They can be scented, glow, water plants, be a toy, be used in decor, but you only ever see them used in one sort of container or another. Was thinking someone using them for their plants might have noticed something.

 

 

Personally I was thinking to make items with them that change when wet(or at least don't involve a container).

 

'Berries' on a painting that swell after a storm.

A Dream Catcher whose beads can change size.

 

That sort of thing.

[Endy0816]

Bead went back to normal shape after a bit thankfully.

 

They shrunk faster than I expected outside. May be okay outdoors, but I moved them onto a patch of perpetually moist mold to see.