Hi Rosie, I wish we had a dollar store here. I am expecting my plants in a few days (15) and I am gonna need more with wicking containers.

I am still not sure what I am gonna do as yet about the soil, her soil is light because she waters every two days so I am thinking to just insert one ply of wicking yarn and then repot everybody in a few months???

Not decided as yet though. Will post pics of plants and the soil so you guys can give your input in a few days. VELLETA

Rosie, that's one of my favorite pots, too. Although it has multiple holes at bottom I cut the clear plastic drink tops just to fit inside & pass my wick thru the middle X cut place your straw goes thru & it works perfect so soil doesn't pass thru bottom holes. I also love the cute tiny red plastic cups I get at Dollar General in the party goods area as starter pots. There is no hole so for general drainage the small plants need, I punch them where I want instead of wicking. I set them in vitamin lids that serve perfect to catch the little water that drains from them. Thanks for posting. Everyone's info helps us all. Trudy

Hi Trudy! I use one layer of napkin or paper towel in the bottom of the pot (big enough to come up the sides about 1 inch) make a little slit, thread the wick through, add the soil and plant, and the napkin really doesn't last very long. Just long enough to grow enough roots to stop the soil from falling out!

I don't get enough plastic lids to do what you do. But it is a great idea! And I bet I could cut circles out of milk jugs etc. instead! One benefit from the way you do it, is when you repot, you can just use a pencil and "push" thru the hole in the bottom of the pot and your rootball will come out easy!!!! Can't do that with a napkin!! hmmmmm maybe I will rethink my napkin method!

Velleta! Oh I wish postage wouldn't kill you cause I would mail you those pots! Rosie

Good ideas Irina! I have used the dryer sheets when I am done with them. They never decompose. I wonder if that is a good thing or not. And I always worry that there will be some softener residue left in them. Would that be harmful to the plant? I use my dryer sheets a couple times each. And before I use them I rinse them to make sure water flows through. With the napkin, by the time I need to repot I have very nice roots that have "eaten" the napkin. It is gone and the roots themselves keep the soil in!

Of course there is more than one way to do this,,,,I am still thinking about the different ways I am reading about. Thanks everyone!!!! Rosie

Somebody told me that the dryer sheets repell Soil Mealy Bugs. I tried - nah.. Nothing repels these critters when they are hungry. Good Shot of Pesticide, that's the answer. But I digress. I used the spent dryer sheets on big plants with wandering roots without rinsing - didn't see any side effects so far. Smells nice.

I had a plant in the same pot for a couple years. All I did was top dress it. When I decided to actually change the dirt, that dryer sheet was nowhere near falling apart! Must say they are durable! Wonder how long they last in the landfill????? Rosie

On the subject of pots and saucers, I began wick watering with small mason jars and 2.5 oz condiment cups. I always had those spare flat tops that came with the mason jars and the lids that came with the condiment cups. I've found that they both work great to catch a little extra water from the minis that I water by hand and the babies. But I'm always looking for new ways of potting, since I have to order the little condiment cups. I'm using pretty much everything these days, including lots of food containers! I will definitely be checking out the Dollar Tree!

Don't forget,,,,kcups are perfect for starting leaves! You can even wick your leaf starts. There is already a hole in the bottom!!! Rosie

I don't have a Keurig! :(

I do sometimes wick babies, but not usually from leaves.

Nothing wrong with solo cups - WM sells them very inexpensively.

i.

Nope, there is nothing wrong with solo cups. The only reason I mentioned Kcups is that they fit in a snack baggie and that is how I am now rooting my leaves. I am having better success planting in a kcup in barely (and I mean barely) damp mix and then putting the kcup and leaf in a snack baggie! I don't wick leaves but if I take a sucker with only a few roots on it, it goes in the kcup and baggie just like a leaf. Somehow this system works better for me. Don't know why but I have had so many fatalities with starting leaves I am not gonna "mess with success!". Rosie

PS. am following you. Would like to send a private message if you will "follow" me then I can. Thanks

you could also try making a forsythe pot for starting leaves. i am experimenting with one now ...

Rosie, you've been followed. :)

I agree about starting leaves. I lost a few babies by trying to wick the rooting leaves. I'm not sure, but I thought since the babies have to make their way through all that soil, they might appreciate not being soggy all the time. I was afraid a few had rotted. But I've had no trouble with crowns or more mature plants.

That forsythe pot idea is pretty interesting. It might take a little research though.

I am in a repottting and dividing stage now. I started a lot of things in a fall - then didn't have place to put them - so they were in propagation trays under the domes. Now - the show and sale plants are gone. I have space.

Soil - i use AV soil from "violetshowcase" - he sells on ebay. For me it works better than Promix BX. But Promix will also work. I prewet the soil - so it is moist, but not soggy - and when I am getting it out of the bin - I whip it up agan - so it is all loose and aerated.

I use 10x20" black trays with the domes. Make sure they are not leaking - there are black trays around $2, and there are around $4 - heavy duty. I get these ones - because they last - and because Permanest trays are expensive nowdays. You can get tall domes with little vents from Internet.

I fill the tray with my leaves and cuttings. On the bottom of a tray - I put a mat - a piece of felt or acrylic blanket - wet, but not dripping. I make holes in a bunch of solo cups, thread a wick, put a layer of coarse perlte on the bottom - and loosely fill the solo cup to the rim with the soil. I cut leaves with a razor blade - stem - and the tip - if it is a standard, only stem if it is a mini or semi. Label the pot with Sharpie - and 2 leaves go in this solo cup. I fill the tray with solo cups - cover it with dome - and put it under fluorescent lights. I leave the vents open - so it is humid - but the tray still can breath. If I see condensate on the sides - OK, if not - time to add some water. Since my soil is not preloaded with fertilizer - I use fertilizer in all my watering. Store bought soil is preloaded - so it will not need fertilizer. I add water so the mat is wet agan, no standing water and I try not to let the soil go dry between the waterings.

I have 95% success and the babies come very fast. They have light, warmth, water and air. Fresh cut leaves - root immediately. Leaves from the mail - need some babying. If they are wilted - I will cut the stems and rehydrate them between wet paper towels. If they are bruised and rotting - I will try to remove all damaged tissue. Sometimes you can save just a wedge of the leaf - and it can root and give you one baby... takes longer - and you need to watch it.

Sounds like you have it down to a science Irina! Rosie

Aha - and then I plopped a LED shoplight on a top of the domes. Bleached the leaves. At the moment you think you figured it out - another OOPS happens.

I.

Ohhh no. Well, like you say, just when you think you figured it out,,,,,. Rosie

Teaches us humility ;-)).

Rosie - I am following you - so now you can send me a personal email.

If it weren't for some of those oops moments, we would have WAY too many plants! As it is I can barely keep up.

Where do you get the trays with domes ?

Hmmm - Colorado is covered by mmj growing supplies stores. Nearest is half mile away.

But you can get one in HomeDepot. Even if they do not carry them in a store - you can order and pick it up from them.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Viagrow-10-in-x-20-in-Propagation-Kit-with-Tall-7-in-Dome-VPK900/204265340