Frequently asked questions
What is TerraCottem?
TerraCottem has been approved as a physical soil improver by the Belgian Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment. Each TerraCottem soil conditioner contains nutritive, growth stimulating and water absorbing components. They all work in synergy to stimulate root development and plant growth, even in poor and degraded soils.
Why use TerraCottem?
Not all soils are conducive to good plant growth. Prolonged droughts and extreme irregular rainfall are limiting factors for plant growth. TerraCottem soil conditioning technology provides more fertile soil for sustainable, healthy root and plant growth and you save up to 50% water.
How does TerraCottem work?
TerraCottem is active at root level and is activated when the plant is watered. The hydrogels absorb water and nutrients. The biostimualnts promote root hair growth. These root hairs grow through the polymers and absorb the required amount of water and nutrients. In short, TerraCottem promotes root growth. This gives a healthier and more resistant plant with less need for irrigation water.
How did TerraCottem come about?
The TerraCottem soil conditioner was developed in the 1980s by a team of scientists led by Professor Van Cotthem from the University of Ghent, Belgium. Their aim was to find a means to combat desertification.
Are you a family business?
TerraCottem BV is a Belgian family business with its production unit in Oeselgem (Zulte).
How many TerraCottem soil conditioners are there?
We have four different soil condtioners in our range: TerraCottem universal, turf, arbor and complement.
Which TerraCottem for which application?
TerraCottem universal is the “original” soil conditioner, still to use in most applications such as trees, shrubs, revegetation, annuals, perennials, roof gardens, agriculture, horticulture and potting soils. Hence the name ‘universal’.
TerraCottem turf is specific for sports turf and ornamental lawns, turfed, seeded or sprigged.
TerraCottem arbor has been developed specially for tree and shrub planting.
TerraCottem complement is a complementary product that is applied in flowerbeds and horticulture, where plants are removed or harvested every season.
Find out here which TerraCottem soil conditioner you need: Answer a few short questions
How should I apply TerraCottem?
TerraCottem works at root level. It is therefore very important that you incorporate the soil conditioner homogeneously into the root zone or that you mix it with the growing medium.
- Trees: mix TerraCottem thoroughly with the soil from the planting hole.
- Lawns & flowerbeds: incorporate TerraCottem into the soil with a tiller, rotovator or cultivator 20 cm deep.
- Flowerpots and hanging baskets: mix TerraCottem thoroughly with the potting soil.
How long do the TerraCottem soil conditioners remain active?
The simple answer? The soil conditioners were developed to remain active for a long time. For at least 8 years. The detailled answer is complex and requires us to break down the soil conditioners into their main groups of components as each group has a different lifespan.
Is TerraCottem harmful?
No, TerraCottem is NOT harmful to humans and animals.
How much TerraCottem do I need?
This depends on the type of application:
- For lawns, flower beds and roof gardens: 100 to 120 g per square metre (100 to 120 g/m² = 10 to 12 kg/are)
- For planting trees and shrubs: 1.5 kg per cubic metre of soil from the planting hole (1.5 kg/m³ = 1.5 g/l);
- For baskets & flower pots: 5 kg per cubic metre of substrate (5 kg/m³ = 5 g/l)
The total amount therefore depends on the size of the area to be treated, the planting hole or the flower pots. And of the number of plant holes and flower pots.
We’d be happy to assist you with a more detailed calculation: For more info, click here
When should I apply TerraCottem?
As TerraCottem needs to be incorporated INTO the rootzone, the soil conditioner is applied when planting or just before seeding.
How long can TerraCottem be kept?
We have 2 types of professional packaging:
- “paper” bags and plastic resealable tubs. The bags consist of three layers of kraft paper and a PVC humidity barrier. As a rule of thumb we recommend to consume the bags within 2 years of the “manufacture date” which is stamped on the packaging. It’s is imperative that the bags are stored in a closed and dry place. They should not be stored outdoors.
- The plastic 5 and 10 kg tubs are hermetically closed. Their storage is not affected by air humidity as long as they have not been opened. They store for longer than the bags.
How often should I apply TerraCottem?
You only need to apply TerraCottem once: when planting or before seeding.
Why do some saturated polymers remain visible on the surface after the initial watering and how long does this last?
TerraCottem should be incorporated homogeneously into the top layer. By doing so, a small fraction of the product remains on the surface. These surface polymers will also swell when they get in contact with water. That’s why you can temporarily see a number of gels on the surface after the first irrigation. However, they will soon break down under the influence of UV sunlight. The polymers that are in the top layer are not exposed to this UV light and retain their long lifespan.
How much can I save by using TerraCottem?
A very pertinent, but tricky question to answer. It is very situation and application specific. Longstanding customers report the following savings:
- Inputs: Water savings between 40 and 80% and fertiliser savings betweeen 20 and 50%.
- Maintenance: time, labour and input costs 25 to 80% lower than in untreated soils.
- Replacement costs: a reduction in mortality between 20 and 100%. We can make a detailed cost-benefit analysis for you.
Sales
Where can I buy TerraCottem?
For all questions about prices, but also about rates, application methods and others, you can contact any of our distributors. With years of experience in soil conditioning, they will assist you quickly.
Can I order as a private person?
Yes. We have a retail packaging. It’s a 750g jar. Please contact your nearest distributor for conditions and price.
How can I become an authorised TerraCottem dealer?
Contact us using this form.
Technical
Are all products containing hydroabsorbent polymers the same?
No. Although on the exterior they may look similar to another, their chemical structure can be vastly different. It is that chemical construction, that will affect how they absorb, store and release their content, their toxicity, longevity and suitability for their use in growing plants.
What makes TerraCottem different from other hydro absorbent products?
Yes. We have a retail packaging. It’s a 750g jar. Please contact your nearest distributor for conditions and price.
How can I become an authorised TerraCottem dealer?
TerraCottem soil conditioners are much more than a pure polymer or water crystal. They are a balanced mixture of hydro-absorbent polymers, fertilisers, biostimulants and carrier materials. What makes TerraCottem so unique is precisely the synergetic effect of all these components on plant growth.
The higher a soil amendment’s water retention capacity, the more plant available water?
No. The water retention capacity is not necessarily relevant in terms of performance, as high water retention capacity does not necessarily mean more plant available water (PAW).
Are plant roots and hydro absorbant polymers competing for the same water?
Not at all. The hydroabsorbant polymers in the TerraCottem mixtures were chosen for, amongst other things, their ability to absorb, retain and ultimately make water available to plant roots. They have absorption tensions which allow plant roots to pick up the water on demand.
Can TerraCottem be used in conjunction with other products and techniques?
Yes. We are not aware of any other soil amendment, technique or product (e.g. sub-soil heating, geotextiles, Desso GrassMaster, SubAir, etc.…) that isn´t compatible with the use of a TerraCottem soil conditioner. TerraCottem is often used to complement the performance of other products and techniques.
Does TerraCottem cause root rot?
No. Root rot is often caused by a surplus of water in the soil, where poor soil structure prevents the water from draining off or being used effectively by the plant, and limits or prevents oxygen from circulating, eventually asphyxiating the plant roots. In soil treated with a TerraCottem soil conditioner, water absorbed by the product is not free, but contained within the hydroabsorbent components and released only on plant demand. As plants only absorb the water that they need, the rest remains in the polymers. These swollen particles open up and aerate the growing medium helping reduce compaction and root rot.
How often should areas treated with TerraCottem be fertilised?
Customary types and rates of fertiliser should be used on areas treated with a TerraCottem soil conditioner, according to the recommendations of the project manager, architect or consultant. Once plants and grass are established, lower rates of fertiliser may be considered in order to find the most cost-effective rate. Significant reductions in fertilisation (up to 40%) are repeatedly reported by TerraCottem customers and have been proven by independent Universities and laboratories.
How much water should I give after applying TerraCottem?
There is no golden rule as to how much water should be given to a plant. Plants need different amounts of water based on their type, age and environment. The soil texture and structure are also key factors: the water and air management will greatly affect plant growth. Too litte water and the plant will wither; too much water and the plant won’t be able to absorb sufficient oxygen. Applying TerraCottem will increase the overal water retention without changing the drainage capacity. In soils treated with TerraCottem, customers report water savings up to 50% as compared to the irrigation levels used before or without TerraCottem.
Does TerraCottem absorb water-soluble fertilisers?
Yes, it does. TerraCottem absorbs the fertilisers mixed and dissolved in the substrate and makes them available to the plants. That’s how TerraCottem reduces the leaching of these fertilisers and increases fertilising efficiency.
You didn’t find your answer?
You didn’t find your answer?