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Carnivorous Plants

Water trays and Water

17 years ago

Couple questions:

1) Do you change your water tray water? So far the last 2 days the tray hasn't evaporated all the water, or a majority of it. I'm still using the old water that was sitting there. Do you guys dump this every day and use new water?

2) Are there alternatives to using a water tray/saucer? I haven't had any luck finding an appropriate water tray/saucer for my incoming 6 inch pots. I've looked at K-mart, Wal-mart and Lowes so far. I'm looking for not a huge tray but a deep one. If you know of an alternative let me know, thanks!

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Comments (7)

necro1234
17 years ago
Hi my pots are 6" and my trays are about 1" in height, this seems fine for me, have not bothered looking for deeper ones.
I dont empty my water, thing to watch out for ofcause is mosquito infestation in the water which wont be an issue for your plants but will be for you.

I dont feel that you need to empty it out, let it evaporate naturally over time and then refill it.

Cheers

Sheldon
lleopardggecko
17 years ago
Just let it evaporate, then refill it. There really isn't a need to dump it out every day.

As far as buying a really deep tray, there really ins't a need to. As long as it's deep enough to keep roughly 1 or 2 inches of water in it, then it should be ok for your plants.
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outsiders71
Original Author
17 years ago
That's my concearn, they don't cover the pot with 1inch depth. It's prob around half an inch or less of the bottom of the pot that's covered in water. This is even when the tray is filled with water to the top.

I might have to resort to pots to hold the water if I can't find the proper water saucer/tray. Once again if anyone knows where to get some good ones post away.
Nevermore44 - 6a
17 years ago
I know at HD they have deep plastic trays that hold 6" pots.
necro1234
17 years ago
Hey Outsider, remeber that aslong as your base soil mix is kept wet from the tray (your will to about 1/2") this water will be absorbed throughout the mix in the pot which will be fine.
The only benefit to getting a tray that soaks the pot in a full inch of water is that the water will not evaporate as quickly.

cheers

Sheldon
benjie677
17 years ago
I don't know how many 6" pots you are talking about but Lowe's has tubs that you use for mixing cement that are about 3'x2'x7-8" cost about ten dollars If you don't need that large a container you could use one of the plastic boxes you use under a bed for storage
outsiders71
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks guys. I'll have to check out home depot. I kinda wanted a better tray for 2 reasons. 1) For more water 2) For more protection. I just think that the current tray my pot is in is not secure. I moved my butterwort and VFT under a roof hang to protect them from the storm that's coming here. I don't think my VFT would have stood a chance on top of the open hill with these winds, it would have just blown over probably. I hope this storm blows over quick cuz my flytraps we're starting to get a hint of red in their traps! On the other hand I want some rain water :D!

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