Any reason a Self Watering Container wouldn't wick water?

12 years ago

I know there's some great info on self watering containers in the forum. I think I've read all of it (!) and I have one question..

I'm using SWC's for the first time. I'm using A1's SWC soil recipe. When I first filled the containers I soaked the soil completely and filled the reservoirs. It just didn't seem like the soil has been very damp below the plants. I am using the finger test, just basically sticking my finger in as far as it goes. It's not bone dry, but not much of any moisture either. The reservoirs have stayed pretty much full and haven't needed filling.

So I guess what I'm asking is: is there a certain amount of time that it takes before the water from the reservoir wicks up to the plant roots? Is it necessary to top water for a week or so until this starts happening? I'm using vegetable starts and it just doesn't seem like the roots reach deep enough to reach the water..

Also, I did read about using some string as a wick to check moisture levels, but do any of those products that tell you when to water work? I know that the whole point with SWC's are to just keep the reservoirs full, but.. I guess I just don't trust it yet..

Thanks

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Comments (7)

Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
12 years ago
IME it takes a couple days to fill the capillary channels and you'll want to water from the top initially to get gravity working for you. Second, if you made your own there is a chance your wick is too small - which IMHO is less bad than a wick that is too big. I err on the small side. You'll get used to it all. I like them because we leave town frequently during the summer and it is much easier to get the neighbor kid to fill the reservoirs every 3 days in a no-brainer task.

Dan
terrybull
12 years ago
what is in your al's swc mix?
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Btw, I tried to resolve this mystery in one of my other posts on "Container Soils - Water Movement and Retention" and seeking comments from the experienced ones. ----Quote---- Moving on I am thinking of trying out Self watering containers. I was just wondering as to why it works and why the water is not being wicked up infinitely and result in root rot. The reason that I came up with and I would need the the experts confirmation / comments over here is this 1/ A self watering container is constantly sitting above water and after all the soil in the container has just enough moisture, the water keeps on wicked up until PWT levels are reached (an a portion of it may well be inside the pot itself). Now since the soil at the bottom is constantly in water, the roots do not grow into that PWT area and remain above that level for entire life cycle of the annuals (veggies) and they keep on getting the moisture and the air at the precise time that they need. 2/ On the other hand if we were to keep a container already having roots reaching the very bottom of it (the container) in a saucer full of water, because of the PWT the water will get wicked in through the drainage holes and getting the plant over watered since the roots in the PWT area will rot. 3/ Now that would mean that to make a very easy self watering container would be to let the container sit in the water saucer (perhaps an inch deep) and the potting soil will wick water up and also maintain that PWT. In order for roots to not reach the PWT area, we must ensure that the saucer is always full of water. (Ofcourse the container should be deep enough to allow for both PWT space and the enough free soil space for the roots) Am I reasoning it correctly? ----Unquote--- I did get a reply but I am still trying to understand it :) You know a newbie can have trouble understanding everything the experts say....
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engineeredgarden
12 years ago
The characteristics of the growing medium you're using is more suited in a non-self watering container, so really can't comment on that aspect of it. However, please note that the moisture level that you indicated by using the finger test is more acceptable than would think. As Dan stated, it'll be some time before the roots grow down far enough to make the plants really start growing significantly....

EG

Here is a link that might be useful: My garden blog
undermind
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the comments.

Terrybull - maybe I shouldn't have said A1's SWC mix.. I'm basically using A1's 5:1:1 standard mix. But A1 stated in a thread that if you're using that recipe in a SWC, then up the Peat to 2 parts. So basically what I've got is a 5:2:1 (Pine bark fines - Soil Pep, Spaghum Peat moss, and Perlite. with Lime added)

EG - I guess my problem with the finger test is that I'm not sure of the results. This "soil" has a bit of a different feel, and it's hard for me to determine the proper moisture.
It's funny, I've been growing veggies and herbs for several years, but this first year using new soil and in SWC's, I feel like I'm just beginning all over again. I'm doing all of my fertilizing with Foliage Pro which feels different also. And since I'm not sure if the SWC's are wicking properly (and if the roots are reaching deep enough), I'm not sure whether to fertilize the reservoirs or top water-in the fert. I've been doing a little of both basically.

But all in all the plants are not looking too hot, and I don't know if it's the extremely wacky weather we've had here in Boise, ID or the fact that my greenhouse went down a few weeks ago in a windstorm and dumped every container upside down.. Not a good season so far..
engineeredgarden
12 years ago
Undermind - the finger test really doesn't apply to a swc, because the moisture level will vary throughout the height of the soil mass. I assure you - there's much more moisture content beyond the reach of your finger, and the roots will definitely grow downward to the wettest part. Let me know if I can help......

EG
hummersteve
8 years ago
I have a homemade system which really just a plastic tube inside of another and yes you do need to add water at the top first to get things going. In mine I used two 3 " hydro pots and packed them full of soil as my wicker and used two 2x4 block to support and raise the upper bin. I wasnt with this as is so I took it back apart and cut out and hot glued a view window so I could actually see the water level. I used a pvc pipe as filler . This is working fine. Keep in mind you will need to make extra drain holes in the upper tub so excess can drain back out and not create root rot.

But now I wonder If I could make a more simplified normal pot with just simple floor saver catch all as the watering wicking . I used to do this with african violets using thick string as a wicker. I would encircle the entire bottom of pot then draw it up the sides. I wonder if anyone has done this with a normal container pot and have it work ok. I will try I can find those clear bottom feeders that are large enough.
jnjfarm_gw
8 years ago
I only use soiless potting mix in my grow bag system

Any reason a Self Watering Container wouldn't wick water?

Comments (7)

Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)

terrybull

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Any reason a Self Watering Container wouldn't wick water?

Comments (7)

Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)

terrybull

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