using wicks to water plants

[poojkhgf]

just to let you know spider plants will grow happily in total water. I hve had mine growing in a large bottle of water for over 3 years, I sometimes forget and the water level goes down to zero! God it's a tuff plant!!

[WilliamEGD]

Doesn't it get moldy quite quickly? I've been trying to use this wicking system to water plants in a bucket. So far I'm still unsure which material would be best for the capillary effect, whilst preserving the plant and material used indefinitely. Perhaps clay poles would be a desirable replacement?

[pleabargain]

@WilliamEGD You have a good point and it's not mold as it is stale water... I'm not using water wicks any more, just FYI. It was an experiment and I learned a lot!

[momoz88]

What kind of material is best suitable for wicking? I am referring to the string.

[pleabargain]

@momoz88 I use old rags/ tshirts/ towels/ etc. I have not experimented with the fabrics for efficiency. You DO want to make sure the fabric absorbs water! :)

[tappakeggaday1]

I have a thought if you use five gallon buckets,use some rock and packing peanuts and fill 1 eights way then put in some window screen on top of that and put an old shirt in a hole in the screen down through the rock and put water down there and add the soil little at a time and bring the shirt up through the middle for a wick?

[LeonMyTube]

The bad thing with this one is that you dont see when its empty. So you dont know how much you need to refill each time...

[pleabargain]

@LeonMyTube The reservoir at the bottom is clear plastic. I can see in a glance if the plant needs more water.

[creativecompanion]

I love your re-use of materials. Ingenious.