Quote Originally Posted by Jake777
I read the original post concerning plant care while absent and wonder if a water pump is economical/worthwhile with as few as the afore mentioned plants.
I read about the wick system and wondered if anyone has experience/success with that?
Yes, I've done it. For 5 days of absence. They were in need of water upon return, but soil was still moist a few inches down and they looked great.

Since you have some time, you have the ability to try the wick method out. Just get the water-absorbant string (cotton clothesline is good, but transfers the water much quicker than say...a couple of strands of kite string. Polyester string doesn't work.) and two 5 gallon buckets. Fill one with water, set it on a bench or stool and put the empty bucket on the floor, below it.
Weigh down the string inside the upper bucket, and let it loosely go over the rim and drop down into the empty bucket.
Keep an eye on how long it takes to transfer the water from one to the other. You should be able to figure out if it will work for your situation. (Wouldn't work well outdoors, lol)

Use more 'wicks' per water bucket, for a faster transfer.
Use more water buckets for more pots.
Use a smaller diameter string, to slow the transfer down.
Raise lights, and divert fans if possible.

-OR-

A bucket of water, a small aquarium pump, some drip sprinkler tubing for the transfer...and one of these...
Zilla Aqualight Power Center (Double) (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Lighting > Accessories > Timers )
Can be set on any schedule you want, on any day(s) you want.
I haven't Tried this yet, but I do have a similar power strip I plan on trying next time I go out of state. I'm using it for my coral reef at the moment, but I know it would work. I can turn on/off stuff for 1 minute, twice a week, if I wanted. Much, much better than an Intermatic.
Rusty Trichome Reviewed by Rusty Trichome on . watering question so here is the situation, ive got all of my lights, seeds, soil and everything i need to get my first grow going. Im just dying to start but im going to be leaving for vacation in 6 weeks, ill be gone for one week, if i start now i wont be very far along in the flowering process by the time i have to leave for a week so my question is, is there some type of automatic water systerm or even just a drip system that will keep my plants watered for the week im gone? i dont have anyone i trust enough Rating: 5