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Bloemisten / Florists

Can I use Sideau® for both fresh and dry flowers?

Yes, it works well for arranging both fresh cut and dry flowers.

Can you cut bricks of Sideau®?

Yes, you can easily cut Sideau®. We suggest using a serrated knife.

What is Sideau® made of?

It is made of 97 % Basalt (a volcanic rock) and a 3%  bio-based binder (Sucrose). The Basalt is heated to an extremely high temperature so that it becomes molten, and the liquid is spun into fibers.

Is it possible to get a sample of Sideau® to test and try?

Unfortunately, that is not possible. However, you may purchase a single brick, which allows you to trial the product without committing to a carton of 20 bricks.

But you can also check our website among distributors to see if there is a distributor near you.

They might be able to provide you with a sample.

From where do you source Sideau®?

We source the product materials from Europe.

Sideau® looks “itchy.” Will it affect my skin?

If you have sensitive skin, you may experience a slight irritation from the product. In this instance, wearing gloves and washing hands after using are recommended. For more information, refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

This does not occur with wet use.

Sideau® can create a small amount of dust. Is this harmful?

In normal use, no dust will be released, but as with any product that creates dust particles, if you are generating high concentrations of dust in a confined space, wearing a face mask is recommended. For more information, refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

This does not occur with wet use.

Is Sideau® safe for flowers?

We have conducted numerous tests in our research labs and have found the product to be safe for flowers. Flower life, stem burn, and leaf yellowing test results all fall within a range we deem acceptable. As we suggest with all floral media, saturate Sideau® with a solution made of water and a kind of Flower Food.

What are the benefits of using Sideau® as compared to other petrochemical Floral Foam products:
  • Completely Natural
  • Degradable until basalt flour remains
  • No water discoloration
  • No waste because you can reuse the rest and waste pieces as a substitute for earth
  • User-friendly
  • Easy to cut into any shape
  • No microplastics are left behind because it is a natural product
  • Can be used for all flowers or plants
We have conducted numerous tests of Sideau® in our research labs to evaluate physical properties and effects on flower life. Here are some of the things we learned.
  • Shows low foliage toxicity and leaf yellowing.
  • Has fast saturation and a high water holding capacity.
  • Will not result in significant “brown water”.
Is it possible to use pins with Sideau®?

Metal pins do not work well with this product. However you can try bamboo mossing pins and cardholders they do perform well.

Can I use pot tape and glue with Sideau® like I do with floral foam?

Yes, pot tape and glue work fine with the product.

How should Sideau® be stored?

We advise storing it in a dry environment.

Are there any plans to extend the current range of Sideau®?

If there is demand for other shapes and sizes, we will expand the range to suit market demands.

Can I use Sideau® in a vertical position?

The drainage will be high in a vertical position. If the flowers stems are not fully inserted, the flower life will suffer. Using the brick in a horizontal position will result in the best performance.

You can pour or spray water over the block again. The material continues to absorb water.

Is Sideau® suitable for hanging floral designs?

As the product has a high draining level, we don’t recommend using it for hanging floral designs. It performs best in a container. If you use it without a container, be prepared for water drainage.

Can Sideau® be reused?

Theoretically you can reuse it as a design media, though the product will begin to fall apart as inserted stems create permanent holes.

Some arrangers reuse the material by tying chicken wire around it. The material will absorb water again.

It is reusable for growing plants from cuttings and seeds however!

Are you able to reposition stems without harming the existing structure in Sideau®?

As with other floral media, the skill of the designer is important to the stability of the structure. The surface of the product does not “heal” or close if a stem is inserted and then removed.

But the material is spongy so you can stab a stem again.

How long does it take to soak a brick of Sideau®?

It takes up to 15 seconds to fully saturate a brick.

If you put the stem in the block, does it hold the stem well? And can you re-insert it?

Sideau® holds the flower stalk firmly in the block and you can also put the flower stem in again. Clamp well in the pot or vase due to the resilience.

Is it a completely natural product?

Yes it is completely natural.

If the material becomes dry, can I add water to it and will it absorb it?

The material can be made wet again and it will also retain the water.

What temperatures does it need to be heated to? How is this achieved (what fuel?).

1300  ̊C , by coal, and the wool cured at 600  ̊C by heating it with natural gas.

What is the requirement for water or other environmentally sensitive materials?

Not significant use of water & other natural recourses.

Are there any bi-products/waste products and how are these dealt with?

Some steel witch is to be recycled in an iron foundry.

What are the eco-credentials of“Sideau®”?

All the additives are of natural kind instead of an chemical recourse.

Are petrochemical or other chemical substances used?

No petrochemical or other chemical substances are used.

Is it harmful to the environment?

Our products are completely natural and therefore not harmful to the environment.

For which flowers or plants can it be used?

For every flower (silk, fresh or dry) and plant. Also as a growth medium.

Can it be used dry or wet?

It can be used both wet and dry for all flowers and plants.

Is it reusable?

When you have leftover pieces after cutting “Sideau®”  to size or if you remove the flowers after use, you can cut the blocks or pieces into small flakes and then use them as a substitute (substrate) of soil in your flowerpot, planter etc.

How much time does a block need to absorb if I put it in a container of water?

A block of 23X10X7.5 cm absorbs the water in 10 seconds and then holds it well.

Is it easy to cut into shapes?

It is very easy to cut into any shape.

This can be done with a rock wool knife or with any knife such as a bread knife.

Is there food already processed in the blocks?

Small EC increase (EC 0.8) due to Ecose ®  binding.

Does it crumble or pieces break off during cutting?

Almost nothing crumbles or breaks off the block.

If you do not reuse the product and you want to throw it in the compost container, is that allowed?

If you do not reuse the waste, you may deposit it in small numbers in the green container (end user) depending on the legislation of your country. Not in large industrial quantities.

It may even be shredded together with the flowers. This is done, for example, at natural cemeteries. And be deposited with the compost.

Do you have to wear protective clothing when processing?

You should only wear protective clothing if you cut, saw and process it in large industrial numbers. Then the room must also be ventilated.

According to the label on the box you should rinse with water in case of irritation. Does this mean that it is irritating?

No it doesn’t irritate. Only in people with sensitive skin can it irritate the skin slightly. According to the law, these safety regulations must be on the label.

What is Sideau® made of and in what proportion?

It is made of 97% Basalt and 3% binder (ECOSE ®).

What is basalt sand (flour)?

Basalt is volcanic rock.

What is the advantage of using Basalt?

Basalt sand (flour) is specially intended for changing and improving for example clay soil.

The young volcanic basaltic rock (which, unlike lava flour, is not ground and therefore has a harder structure) contains silicon, trace elements and minerals.

This not only makes heavy clay soil easier to work on, plants are also happy with it.

This is because the cell wall is being strengthened, it stimulates growth and bulb plants are given the opportunity to root deeper.

Another advantage of using basalt sand ( flour)  is that nitrogen is captured.

Many growers use this natural product to strengthen the natural resistance of the crops.

With the aim of combating pests and diseases.

What does Agra Wool stand for?

Agra: We are originally a producer of natural mineral rock wool products for agriculture and horticulture. Agricultural is in Dutch “Agrarisch”

Wool: Because we make everything from natural mineral wool.

Is your product the perfect replacement for the regular floral foam?

We think that with our products we cannot yet fully meet everyone’s wishes.

But that we do our best to make an environmentally-friendly line of products that are close to that.

Is it an all-natural product?

Yes, the product is completely natural.

If the material becomes dry, can I add water to it and will it absorb that water?

The material can be made wet again and retains the water.

Kwekers / Growers

What certificates or labels do you have?

We have since April 2012 the approval of SMK to be added to the list of products that may be used for florists with the label “Barometer Duurzame Bloemist” (Sustainable Florist).

SMK is the research institute that determines which products meet the requirements of the “Barometer Duurzame Bloemist” (Sustainable Florist).

Also RHS in the UK has approved our floral products as an alternative to the regular petrochemical floral foam blocks of other brands.

• We have investigated the viability of achieving a claim of compostable or biodegradable, and for now it is not possible with this product.

The reason for this is that it does not completely dissolve, but Basalt sand remains. Compare it to cultivation or potting soil.  What remains is Basalt sand and that is a completely natural product which consists of 97% Basalt and 3 % Organic binder (sucrose).

We are still working on a few tests in laboratories and hope to get a quick conclusion and a quality mark.

The Human impact on natural rock reserves using ?

The accessible rock reserves of basalt, anorthosite and carbonates are large enough to supply current human demands for millions of years and can be regarded as inexhaustible resources.

The natural production of carbonate and basalt even overwhelms the consumption in stone wool production. These resources are renewable in the geological sense and can even be regarded as sustainable resources, unless other human activities target these resources.

Source:

T.W. Dahl: The human impact on natural rock reserves using basalt, anorthosite, and carbonates as raw materials in insulation products published in International Geology Review 53(8):894-904 2011.

Is Sideau® biodegradable or compostable?

It is  biodegradable and compostable under conditions such as cold, heat, wet, dry, the material decays slowly.

What remains is Basalt sand. This is a natural product that is also used in agriculture and horticulture to, for example, upgrade heavy clay soil.

There’s a lot of minerals in Basalt.

It is not wise to throw a block in its current form in your garden.

Shredding or tearing or cutting into pieces speeds up the process.

Pouring boiling hot water over it also helps, because then the sugar binder dissolves and the material breaks up faster.

Throwing the material into your waste container depends on the laws and regulations in your country.

Agra Wool is not responsible for this.

We have investigated the viability of achieving a claim of compostable or biodegradable, and for now it is not possible with this product.

The reason for this is that it does not completely dissolve, but Basalt sand remains. Compare it to cultivation or potting soil. It remains and is a completely natural product which consists of 97% Basalt and 3 % Organic binder (sucrose).

We are still working on a few tests in laboratories and hope to get a quick conclusion and a quality mark.

Is it possible to get a sample of Sideau® to test and try?

Unfortunately, that is not possible. However, you may purchase a single brick, which allows you to trial the product without committing to a carton of 20 bricks.

But you can also check our website among distributors to see if there is a distributor near you.

They might be able to provide you with a sample.

From where do you source Sideau®?

We source the product materials from Europe.

Sideau® looks “itchy.” Will it affect my skin?

If you have sensitive skin, you may experience a slight irritation from the product. In this instance, wearing gloves and washing hands after using are recommended. For more information, refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

This does not occur with wet use.

Sideau® can create a small amount of dust. Is this harmful?

In normal use, no dust will be released, but as with any product that creates dust particles, if you are generating high concentrations of dust in a confined space, wearing a face mask is recommended. For more information, refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

This does not occur with wet use.

Is Sideau® safe for flowers?

We have conducted numerous tests in our research labs and have found the product to be safe for flowers. Flower life, stem burn, and leaf yellowing test results all fall within a range we deem acceptable. As we suggest with all floral media, saturate Sideau® with a solution made of water and a kind of Flower Food.

What are the benefits of using Sideau® as compared to other petrochemical Floral Foam products:
  • Completely Natural
  • Degradable until basalt flour remains
  • No water discoloration
  • No waste because you can reuse the rest and waste pieces as a substitute for earth
  • User-friendly
  • Easy to cut into any shape
  • No microplastics are left behind because it is a natural product
  • Can be used for all flowers or plants
We have conducted numerous tests of Sideau® in our research labs to evaluate physical properties and effects on flower life. Here are some of the things we learned.
  • Shows low foliage toxicity and leaf yellowing.
  • Has fast saturation and a high water holding capacity.
  • Will not result in significant “brown water”.
Is it possible to use pins with Sideau®?

Metal pins do not work well with this product. However you can try bamboo mossing pins and cardholders they do perform well.

Can I use pot tape and glue with Sideau® like I do with floral foam?

Yes, pot tape and glue work fine with the product.

How should Sideau® be stored?

We advise storing it in a dry environment.

Are there any plans to extend the current range of Sideau®?

If there is demand for other shapes and sizes, we will expand the range to suit market demands.

Can I use Sideau® in a vertical position?

The drainage will be high in a vertical position. If the flowers stems are not fully inserted, the flower life will suffer. Using the brick in a horizontal position will result in the best performance.

You can pour or spray water over the block again. The material continues to absorb water.

Is Sideau® suitable for hanging floral designs?

As the product has a high draining level, we don’t recommend using it for hanging floral designs. It performs best in a container. If you use it without a container, be prepared for water drainage.

Can Sideau® be reused?

Theoretically you can reuse it as a design media, though the product will begin to fall apart as inserted stems create permanent holes.

Some arrangers reuse the material by tying chicken wire around it. The material will absorb water again.

It is reusable for growing plants from cuttings and seeds however!

Are you able to reposition stems without harming the existing structure in Sideau®?

As with other floral media, the skill of the designer is important to the stability of the structure. The surface of the product does not “heal” or close if a stem is inserted and then removed.

But the material is spongy so you can stab a stem again.

How long does it take to soak a brick of Sideau®?

It takes up to 15 seconds to fully saturate a brick.

If you put the stem in the block, does it hold the stem well? And can you re-insert it?

Sideau® holds the flower stalk firmly in the block and you can also put the flower stem in again. Clamp well in the pot or vase due to the resilience.

Is it a completely natural product?

Yes it is completely natural.

If the material becomes dry, can I add water to it and will it absorb it?

The material can be made wet again and it will also retain the water.

What temperatures does it need to be heated to? How is this achieved (what fuel?).

1300  ̊C , by coal, and the wool cured at 600  ̊C by heating it with natural gas.

What is the requirement for water or other environmentally sensitive materials?

Not significant use of water & other natural recourses.

Are there any bi-products/waste products and how are these dealt with?

Some steel witch is to be recycled in an iron foundry.

What are the eco-credentials of“Sideau®”?

All the additives are of natural kind instead of an chemical recourse.

Are petrochemical or other chemical substances used?

No petrochemical or other chemical substances are used.

Is it harmful to the environment?

Our products are completely natural and therefore not harmful to the environment.

According to the label on the box you should rinse with water in case of irritation. Does this mean that it is irritating?

No it doesn’t irritate. Only in people with sensitive skin can it irritate the skin slightly. According to the law, these safety regulations must be on the label.

What is basalt sand (flour)?

Basalt is volcanic rock.

What is the advantage of using Basalt?

Basalt sand (flour) is specially intended for changing and improving for example clay soil.

The young volcanic basaltic rock (which, unlike lava flour, is not ground and therefore has a harder structure) contains silicon, trace elements and minerals.

This not only makes heavy clay soil easier to work on, plants are also happy with it.

This is because the cell wall is being strengthened, it stimulates growth and bulb plants are given the opportunity to root deeper.

Another advantage of using basalt sand ( flour)  is that nitrogen is captured.

Many growers use this natural product to strengthen the natural resistance of the crops.

With the aim of combating pests and diseases.

What does Agra Wool stand for?

Agra: We are originally a producer of natural mineral rock wool products for agriculture and horticulture. Agricultural is in Dutch “Agrarisch”

Wool: Because we make everything from natural mineral wool.

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