Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing plant nutriments to a growing medium, such as soil, sand or the like, the apparatus being effective to transfer to the medium over protracted periods of time doses of nutriments at a rate which is a function essentially solely of the amount of water added to the growing medium at each watering. Broadly stated, the invention relates to a container which preferably includes a probe adapted to be inserted sufficiently below the surface of the growing medium to prevent evaporation. The container is sealed except for a dispensing aperture or apertures in the probe of critical size, larger than a capillary. The apparatus is characterized by its being filled with a hydrophilic gel, within which gel there has been dissolved a soluble nutriment component, preferably in saturation quantities. The gel may contain an inert soluble dye to signal the exhaustion of the active products.