Water wicking stopped?
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6 years ago
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dviolet1
6 years agoRelated Discussions
wicking material for self watering containers
Comments (5)I started using SWC wicks made from synthetic mop material last year with very good results. I use the same mop Al Tapla recommends for wicking excess water out of containers (Mainstays brand at WalMart). I like them in my bucket SWCs because it's easy to adjust the amount of wicking (even after plant is in place) by adding or removing wicks. This year I want to try using binder clips to temporarily 'cut off' wicks until they're needed. I also like the fact that the soil buckets remain flat on the bottom so it's easy to move them around, work on, sit on the ground without worrying about crushing a wicking cup. I use my SWC's as top watered containers at first (until the plants get well established), and the wicks really help drain excess moisture out at the early stage. Peppers and Eggplants did best last year with 2 wicks, tomatoes in 5 gallon buckets 4, and cucumbers needed 8! (possibly more-or a better wicking mix). Keep up the experiments!...See MorePerched water table and wicking to earth
Comments (9)Yeah ... I've never had to "top off" an actual raised bed (that is in contact with the ground). Containers get dumped every year or two and the contents added to the compost. I don't grow in containers much any more, though that could change next year. I'm quite limited in open space for a garden here. I'm thinking of building my own Veggie Trugs next spring. This is a large container and not really a "raised bed" because it has no soil contact. On the other hand, I use mulching materials that (eventually) add to the soil, and there is the compost going into the beds. The mulching encourages earthworms - my raised beds are typically bursting with earthworms. And they help by pulling material down into the soil, aerating and churning things up down there, and generally keep the soil light and fluffy. That doesn't work so well in actual containers though. I'm not sure how I'll treat the home-made veggie trugs yet. That's way too much potting mix to discard every year. I'll have to experiment and see....See Morewater tables and wicks
Comments (4)Hi, Robert. Welcome. The results were predictable. A higher % of water in soils that are open and comprised of larger particulates will be tightly held in the micro-pores of the particles & therefore largely unaffected by the wick. Less open soils with smaller particulate size will hold more water, less tightly, in the larger inter-particulate spaces where it is readily affected by the addition of a wick. It's interesting that you would take the time to complete your experiment & record the results. Neat! Though I have not used CHC's in soils, I intend to try them at the first opportunity. I understand their pH is closer to neutral than pine bark, which may or not be of benefit, depending on plant material being grown and pH of water used to water plants. The other thing I would look at and consider extremely important is the ability of the material to retain its structure over time. Since it's not readily available here, I don't have a handle on price difference (CHC vs. pine bark) yet. For me, considering the quantities I use, the price would need to be similar in order for it to make economic sense to switch; unless, of course, the difference is warranted by a marked increase in o/a plant vitality. I hardly ever stop by the Citrus Forum, so I don't know if you guys have ever considered changing to a primarily (approx 1/2 - 2/3) inorganic soil. I know your trees would show their appreciation. Al...See MoreSoils for Self Watering Wicking Containers
Comments (19)Pete, I grow Salvia for hummingbirds at my home, I have 6 that are 4'H x 3'W, A Lions Ear that is approximately 7.5'H x 3'W...a couple 3-4 footers for butterfly plants. All are way too big for the mini's. I did read the reviews, and the Lechuza are very well liked. That does not mean they are better. Most reviewers cited ease of use, I am more interested in getting the maximum growth, vigor, nectar production, so I'm willing to put in the extra effort required. Same goes for Miracle Grow Potting mix, It is designed to work "well enough" for as big a percentage of gardeners as possible (while making maximum profits). The idea behind the 5-1-1 is it is designed to work "exceptionally well". If it means extra work in sifting and maintaining, I'm willing to put forth that effort. If someone wants a beautiful pot with a plant on their windowsill without spending more than 10 minutes a week they will be pleased with the product. I probably will buy a few small ones for indoor display. I have been wanting to get some mini hostas for my living room window display, and they are good looking pots. Travis, therein lies the problem! What makes for good drainage makes for poor wicking, and vice versa. If you can solve the riddle of ease of use and excelence in growth and vigor, you will have found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! The other half of the fun, for me, is when I learn/figure out things and my plants were a foot taller with much more flowers than last year and someone stops by and sees my display and stands in amazement and says "WOW!"....See MoreUser
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