Saw this utube -- hum ... didn't realize the material in here is non toxic (will have to research that) - if it is, maybe this is a homerun.
http://www.wimp.com/coloredwat...

Not a fan of this half-baked idea gone viral. It's a recipe for disaster for potted plants, as is using compost in pots, as mentioned at the link. Growing in the ground & growing in a pot are almost completely different. When growing in the tiny, closed environment of a pot, it's virtually impossible to provide fertility via soil unless one can keep the microbial life alive and functioning.

Anyone having trouble with overwatering plants (&/or fungus gnats) will have even worse results from trying either idea in pots.

Putting something like silicone gel or crystals in the ground is just gross, wrong, and completely unnecessary and undesirable, IMHO.

What issue are you having to which this idea seems to offer a solution?

Used it on my bonsai with great results. When o didn't use it. ....I lost them all when I forgot to water LOL.

@jaywyatt maybe it's a good idea for non edible plants! I try to be organic, so I'm not quite sure about using it for my food plants. It says it's non toxic, but that's not the same as organic. Interesting to hear you have tried it with good results on your bonsai.

The stuff in disposable diapers is sodium polyacrylate. If you really want to use it it is sold separately by the bag. I would guess, but don't know, that it would be cheaper that way than buying diapers to rip up so you might want to do a price comparison. If you do a Google search on sodium polyacrylate msds you'll get some Material Safety Data Sheets for it which may help your decision whether or not to use it.

I don't use anything in my garden that isn't organic. Except the bonsai, they got Pampered lol.