Automatic Watering Systems

[darpin]

I'm still debating about this. I might buy one just to check it out. I really like the one that does the soil humidity detection for you, and then applies water at a constant rate. So it's never overdone or underdone.

Regardless though, here's the links I found in case anyone else is curious:

http://www.gardeners.com/Shopping/sell.asp?ProdGroupID=17104&DeptPGID=19694&lstCategory=0&RecGroupNum=2

http://www.gardeners.com/Shopping/sell.asp?ProdGroupID=11861&DeptPGID=19694&lstCategory=0&RecGroupNum=3

http://www.gardeners.com/Shopping/sell.asp?ProdGroupID=20137&DeptPGID=19694&lstCategory=0&RecGroupNum=8

[darpin]

The 2 litre bottle holder, a set of 4 for $20, looks pretty snazzy. I suppose you'd just have to keep track for a while of exactly how much water you're giving them however often, and then adjust accordingly.

Predicated that you have proper drainage and that the temperatures and lighting isn't fluctuating all that much, this should work pretty well I'd think, especially for those of us who go on vacation.

[del...]

i use that company regularly and they're very good and quick.

i use a battery-operated pump hooked up into the toilet reservoix when i'm away for extended periods. the toilet keeps the water level constant and one pump can handle 12 plants. just received their large self-watering pots but they're still in the box...will know more about them once they get set up.

[darpin]

i use that company regularly and they're very good and quick.

i use a battery-operated pump hooked up into the toilet reservoix when i'm away for extended periods. the toilet keeps the water level constant and one pump can handle 12 plants. just received their large self-watering pots but they're still in the box...will know more about them once they get set up.

I have the "self watering" pots as well, and there are some massive pros and cons to them, if we're taking about the same ones. Mine don't have any electricity to them, just a resevoir at the bottom you can fill. The soil sits above that, seperated by a grate of sorts, and the roots can go through it, directly into the water in the resevoir.

Pros: Allows you to visually see if they have enough water, and how fast they drink it. Allows you to fill them up with water without soaking the soil to hell and drowing the plant.

Cons: Plants use water in the soil for absorbption of minerals and nutrients, not just for water. So if you use them, add your fertilizer to the water, not to the soil, since the plants will have a hard time getting to it. Transplanting is the real bitch though. Because the plants stick their roots into that resevoir in the bottom, you'll tear a lot of roots off when / if you move them into another pot, resulting in more transplant shock than normal. Easy way to get around that is just make sure you're using a big enough pot right off the bat, and that you wont need to transplant out of it.