Technology Profile
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`Overview
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`“Water Me Technology”
`
`Though water is the single most important element to establishing turf, watering is often the most neglected
`aspect by most homeowners.
`ENCAP has developed and protected a watering indicator that
`lets the
`homeowners know when it is time to water.
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`
`
`By simply observing the color ofthe mulch and appearance ofthe cross-linked polymer (PAM), the homeowner
`have a visual indicator to know when watering is needed. When dry, the mulch color is light green, and the
`PAM is reduced to a very small size. When wet, the mulch turns a darker green color and the PAM appears to
`swell
`into crystals (or diamonds) on the soil, serving as an indicator that enough water has been applied
`(stopping some homeowners from watering too much). Lasts approx. 3-6 weeks, depending on conditions.
`
`As the soil and seed dry off. the mulch color turns back to a lighter color and the PAM polymer simply
`"disappears" again. signaling the need to water again. This will change back and forth, taking the guess work
`out ofwatering. Amazing!
`
`llistorv
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`The role of water in turfgrass is endless. James Beard outlined in “Turfgrass: Science and Culture" that water is
`required for germination, it protects plants from sudden changes in temperature, it functions as the transport
`medium by which nutrients move through the plants, it is required for photosynthetic process, and is a vital
`constituent ofprotoplasm. Without water. death occurs. Despite these facts, people still do not water enough
`when establishing turf because they do not know when it is time to water. Until now.
`
`Research
`
`The significance ol'this technology has been tested for two years in the retail and professional markets with
`strong success. Both landscapers and homeowners have realized the benefits of knowing for the first time, when
`it is time to water.
`
`Research has found that it typically takes 45 minutes of watering. or a half-inch of water, to activate the PAM
`polymer. This results in a generally acceptable amount of water being applied to the seed and soil. On a warm,
`dry. windy day, the watering indicators may show that watering is needed 2-4 times for optimal results.
`
`Intellectual Pronergy
`Patents: ENCAP has patents pending on the aforementioned technology in areas including all mulch granules.
`Trademarks: ENCAP has the registered trademark for "Water Me Technology.
`
`Significance
`This technology provides an answer to the ageless question 0t"'wlien do I need to water“. This marketing
`approach is a differentiating point in a market that is striving for a point ofdifference.
`
`
`Rm 042903
`ENCAP. l.l.C 302] Algoma Road, (irccn Bay. WI S43l l.
`(920)-106-5055.
`Fax (920)406-9740. wxywencapseed com
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`SCOTTS EX. 1014
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`SCOTTS EX. 1014
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`Water Me Technology
`Time toStart. .
`Time toSVtop. V.
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`' Results in,u,
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`stals serve as waterin ' indicators!
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`The color and c
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