Tina
The water crystals certainly do work, I use them. I know over there you don't use a lot of tea, but I use used tea bags, as they soak up the water, and I put a couple in each basket or pot. Another trick is to put a saucer or pot in the bottom of the basket, so you have a reservoir of water for the plant to use. Also a couple of ice blocks in the top of the basket to melt slowly sometimes works. Anyway that's all for now as it's getting late here, and I will soon be ready for bed. I don't know what the time difference is between us. So from me it's goodnight.
John