I recently had the opportunity to test out and review Eco Orbies, which are non-toxic aqua beads. I’ve been debating back and forth for awhile on whether to build a garden on my balcony. The pleasures of condo living leaves me without a yard, so I thought it might be nice to build a garden box and start growing my own vegetables or flower garden. When I learned that Eco Orbies can be mixed with your soil to help your plants stay hydrated, I knew it was a sign I need to start on that garden box!
Grow your plants with no soil! Eco Orbies are non-toxic and biodegradable. No mold, no slime, just awesome squishy water like beads for your plants or decorations.
Eco Orbies generously sent me a pack of their pink orbies and a pack of their turquoise orbies. Other available colors include clear, orange, purple, green, blue, magenta, black, and coral. Unfortunately due to my careless postal office, the package was damaged in the mail and the packets opened mixing the orbies together! Now I could have separated them by hand, but I decided to let them stay mixed and see what happens.
To hydrate your orbies, simply place them in a bowl with 2 cups of water for 8-9 hours. Since my packets were mixed together, I soaked them in 4 cups of water and it ended up being for 12 hours (I feel asleep, oops!) Drain the excess water, rinse, and you are good to go!
There are many uses for Eco Orbies. The first use that came to mind it to use it was “water soil” for a flower bouquet in a vase. You can actually use the orbies with soil for both indoor or outdoor plants or in a garden. Eco Orbies are also great for growing plants on vertical structures, bare root treatment and storage, growing plants without soil, or germinating seeds. However, if you have a fish tank with Betas or simple gold fish bowls, these beads are great for decoration and the fish may enjoy playing with them. Research more on Eco Orbies, I found that teachers and occupational therapists use them as a calming agent for textile and sensory issues.
The day after I hydrated my Eco Orbies, I received a rose. Perfect timing! Now doesn’t that look better than just a vase filled with water? I can’t wait to test them out when I have a bouquet to put in there. I know I’ll be using Eco Orbies for a long time knowing that they have a shelf life of 15-20 years!
Now I haven’t reached that point yet, but after a month or two of use, the orbies shrink back down to their original size. Just rehydrate them to start the process all over again.
However, the next time around, I won’t be hydrating them with just water. Next time I’m going to add a few drops of my favorite home essential oil! If you wanted scented orbies, just add the oils or even your favorite perfume to the water when you hydrate the orbies. What a great way to fill your home with a lovely aroma!
Don’t forget to connect with Eco Orbies on Facebook!
Buy It: You can purchase Eco Orbies right off their website! A packet retails for $4.00. Right now through the end of May, Eco Orbies is offering FREE shipping on each order.
Win It: Ten lucky readers will win Eco Orbies of their very own, just like the ones I reviewed! Simply fill out the easy Rafflecopter form below (please wait patiently for the form to load). This giveaway ends on June 7th, 2012, at 11:59 pm EST and is open to residents of the US only. Once a winner is drawn via Rafflecopter, Karma Media will contact the winner through email. They will then have 48 hours to respond. If there is no response, they will draw a new winner. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I received complimentary product(s) to facilitate this review from the sponsoring company. This is 100% my own honest opinion. No one has influenced me otherwise and I was in no way compensated financially. This review is solely based on my own experience with this product.
carly glover says
i have been wanting to get some of these to use with my son on his light table! they are great for learning colors
Yvonne D says
“Blue Eco Orbies can be a conversation starter. By placing them in a pretty bowl gives an elegant look to a place.”
Sounds interesting…anything to get convo flowing.
Thanks for the opportunity!
melanie baker says
I would like to use them in my flowers.
Laura Miller says
I’d like to try it in the fish bowl…I would also like to use them on our sensory table.
naomi winkel says
I will put these in my flower vases, then I won’t have to water the flower
jayedee says
hmmmm…not sure if i’d use them as a sensory activity…or to start tomato seedlings. maybe both?
amanda roach says
i would use pink and coral to match my kitchen with white tulips.
Jill A. Collins says
I have an ivy plant that I will doing cuttings from and water-root to replant later. These would be perfect for that!
Sarah Harding says
id try to grow ivy plant in it
Sarah Knoke says
I would love to use them for sensory play for my son. They look like so much fun and I think he would love them.
April Rupertus says
I think the “Use when fishing use to keep your crickets watered instead of an apple or potato slice” is a neat idea!
Tammy S says
I would use them in my flower vase. I love fresh flowers but hate when the water gets murky.
betty says
I would grow my plants with no soil! Eco Orbies are non-toxic and biodegradable. No mold, no slime, just awesome water beads for my plants. What a great product. Thank you for this review and the contest!
Mayla Moore says
I would try using them in our fish tank. I think I would also like to try scenting them to use as a room freshener.
Kristie Betts says
I would use them in my 15th Anniversary that is next year, thanks for the chance to win
Claudia says
I would use them for flowers vase.
carolynn ferraro-king says
I would use them in a vase with flowers
randy fulgham says
FLOWER VASES
Mary Beth Elderton says
I’d like to grow some plants on the vertical surface of my patio railing
Helen says
decorating maybe with a candle
Sarah Harding says
Thank you,thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!