Is Al's 5 1 1 appropriate for self watering buckets

10 years ago

I'm sure that there is information regarding this if I were to take the time but I'm shopping tomorrow and so here goes.

I've put together several 5 gallon self watering buckets which I'd love to plant veggies in tomorrow. We're talking tomatoes, bush cukes and beans for sure plus likely some others.

I accidentally came across Al's 5 1 1 mix while researching potting mixes and it really intrigues me. What I have not been able to ascertain is whether it has sufficient capillary draw to self water plants from below with not need of additional watering.

The system I've put together is a bucket within a second bucket with the upper bucket's bottom well perforated with 1/4" holes. There is a 3" net pot projecting downward from the center of the bucket to wick water up from below. I know that many gardeners just go ahead and use one of the standard big box store potting mixes but would like to go with a 5 11 mix if that would work,

Thanks for any informed replies/advice.

Hugh

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Comments (6)

NonCircNick
10 years ago
I am interested as well!
edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28
10 years ago
There is a better mix that some use for the SWC's. It's a 3:2:1 mix of peat, pine bark, and perlite. You'll also need to add quite a bit of lime and fertilizer when you fill your buckets. There are alot of good videos on youtube. Look for the Global Buckets videos and they will show you how to fill them.
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Mark, the modified mix Al recommends is a good place to start, but are you planning on covering the container and relying upon a strip of fertilizer on the surface to feed the plants? This is critical because if you will use the cover/fert strip you really need a fast wicking potting mix and this means peat and vermiculite. What I often tell people getting started with Earthboxes where a cover and fertilizer strip will be used is that the system was designed with peat based mixes and it works very well with them so give that a try for a year. It will give you a good frame of reference for tinkering in subsequent years. Assuming you do not wish to do this then: I would encourage you to make a mix and set it outside to see if it will keep the surface moist for a couple days before committing. This is if you will use the cover and fertilizer strip. If you won't use either then Al's mix (original or modified) will work fine. Keep in mind my experience is in Wisconsin, somebody in a hotter/drier/windier climate might need to modify a bit. Even with the cover on, the wind gets under it from the holes we must cut for the plants. This wind may not seem like much, but it can quickly dry the surface. You really do need to test though, that's the best approach. Just do it outside. I say this because I made the mistake of evaluating how well various materials wicked *inside* (I was going through an endless winter and wanted a gardening 'project'). How something wicks indoors is waaaay different than how it wicks outside due to temp, wind, humidity etc. Again though, you really only need to modify Al's mix with fast wickers like vermiculite or peat if you want to use the cover and fert strip. One last tip, if you find that the very surface goes and stays dry, but an inch down it's moist you can simply bury the fertilizer strip an inch under the surface. This gives more latitude in compromising between a coarse mix that drains well and one that can wick fast enough to keep that fert strip working. Happy growing.
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Hi Doc!! I am sorry that i haven't been around... My Little Daschund had a terrible accident a few days ago when he was coming up the stairs. He missed a step and hit his little head wrong and instantly began to curl his feet. The Vet said he hurt his neck and to wait and see if he will come around. Well, he was paralyzed and couldn't do much to help himself, so i had to make the decision to let him go and not suffer anymore.. A hard decision because i didnt want him to leave me, but a decision made from the love that i have for him and the true love he always gave back. A true Gentleman for 13 years and he left in my arms a relaxed loved little loyal companion. This is why i have been away.. I'm still bummed and im missing my little garden buddy..But i wanted to come here and tell you why i didnt respond to your email and this post.. Thanks for the email to get me here!!! Sorry to hear about your Peace Lilly. I know how much you loved them and how you worked so hard to get the mix right and the special containers for your loved lilly. Noone could have done more than what you did to make them happy, try again someday and i bet they will be bigger and strongern(healthier) than the others. Puerto Rico sounds lovely right now.. That would probably make me smile seeing those beautitful sunsets and crystal blue water around Luquillo Beach!! Love those Coconut palms all the way down to the water. What a great local spot to visit. So you have a new Rubber Tree eh? ;-) I bet it does love the partial shade in your yard. Plants naturally love being outdside and i understand that you want to bring it inside to your office. You have the right idea to keep it away from drafts and or airconditoning vents. Constant air (chilled) causes problems and i would avoid this if possible. Also, i would keep it close to any natural light that you can, but if it is only artificial light try and see if it adjust. Give it some time because taking it from a natural enviroment to a artifical enviroment will cause any plant an adjustment period. Good Luck Tecnico and i hope all is well with you!! Enjoy that beautiful sunshine down south!! Take Care, Laura
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sciguy191
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks Ed,

That makes good sense that one would need a greater amount of fines via the peat in order to have sufficient capillarity. Good tip on the mix and Youtube. for information.

Cheers,

Hugh
urbangreenscaper
10 years ago
Hi sciguy,

If it were me I wouldn't go to the trouble of mixing it myself for just 5 sub-irrigated (bucket) planters (SIPs). If you decide to buy bagged mix do NOT go by the product name (i.e. planter mix, container mix etc.) Read the ingredients on the bag. Make sure there is NO top soil...look for peat or coir, perlite, bark. I prefer that it not contain fertilizer/nutrients. Brand names that professionals use...ProMix, MetroMix, Fafard. Be leery of the word 'compost'. Who knows what it is.

There is about 10 years worth of information about sub-irrigation on my blog InsideUrbanGreen.org. I have been professionally involved with sub-irrigation for the past 40 years, originally in the interior plantscaping business in L.A.

Here is a link that might be useful: InsideUrbanGreen.org
sciguy191
Original Author
10 years ago
Greenscaper,

Thanks for the common sense advice. I was able to find ProMix HP fairly close by and purchased that. Reading the ingredients label on MG and a couple other potting mixes sold at the big box stores was very enlightening or should I say not so much as the mystery forest floor material is as number 1 ingredient on each.

Off to your web page now for some actual enlightenment.

Hugh

This post was edited by sciguy191 on Wed, Jun 5, 13 at 21:52
chilliwin
10 years ago
You have already many good feedback.

I would like to share my opinion too. It depends on the SWC features, container size and climatic condition, indoor or outdoor. SWC without a drainage hole is very problematic when accidentally or by rain over-watered the container there is no way to fix the problems as far as I know. For regular container we can use wick to solve the over-watered problem. SWC with overflow feature such as the EarthTainer v. III will be the best, it has overflow hole and it has space between the water reservoir and the medium for air, only the Wicking Basket connected between the medium and the water reservoir. It is an awesome system.

I have used homemade SWC without overflow holes, they are about 23 gallon. I have use medium 3:2:1 (homemade) I do not have problems in the rain, my stem cabbage and chili plants enjoy it.

Caelian

This post was edited by chilliwin on Thu, Jun 6, 13 at 9:06

Is Al's 5 1 1 appropriate for self watering buckets

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NonCircNick

edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28

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Is Al's 5 1 1 appropriate for self watering buckets

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NonCircNick

edweather USDA 9a, HZ 9, Sunset 28

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urbangreenscaper

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