Will this watering method work/be sanitary?

[Ray]

In my greenhouse, I did something similar to Southpark’s drawing, using sheets of rigid plastic under the shelves sloping to the back. With those “bakers rack” shelves that have 1” sides extending down , it would be easy to zip-tie them to the upper part on the front and lower part at the rear.

[WaterWitchin]

Been doing it that way for quite some time. No issues, ever.







Pictures are from an older setup, but same idea. Only thing about putting tray underneath shelving... those stainless steel shelves do rust over time when exposed to a lot of water, or when outside.

[Ray]

They are not stainless steel, just a thin chrome coating on mild steel. I had mine outside and they started rusting in a couple of months.

If you spray them with a “rust converter” (latex paint containing a reducing agent) before use, they should stay rust-free for a long time. I did so after the fact, then painted over them with white paint.

[WaterWitchin]

Well, must be why they rust then. Thought they were stainless steel.

[DirtyCoconuts]

you can get them SS..in the restaurant industry they have shelving for inside dishwashers and freezers....they also hold up in south florida in direct sun


Wire Shelving - WebstaurantStore

[Ray]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

you can get them SS..

For a lot more money that could otherwise be spent on plants!

[DirtyCoconuts]

I merely provide the information. I leave it to each of you to make the correct business decision

[Clawhammer]

I use canning rings to raise my pots above the tray. Cheap and effective.

Also if you are looking for a good rack tray for your wire shelves check out Botanicare rack trays.

[BrassavolaStars]

Originally Posted by Ray

In my greenhouse, I did something similar to Southpark’s drawing, using sheets of rigid plastic under the shelves sloping to the back. With those “bakers rack” shelves that have 1” sides extending down , it would be easy to zip-tie them to the upper part on the front and lower part at the rear.

This is exactly the kind of shelving I have.

My problem right now is finding a material that will fit in that space and give the plants below headroom. One of the problems is that my shelves are somewhat custom and are very narrow (8 inches deep only) to maximize floor space.

To be exact, the shelves are 48 inches long and 8 inches deep. What is my best choice of product to make the water cascade away from the lower plants? I think I may be too inept to cut something like plexiglass well. Not to mention I do have five four-foot shelves which need two tiers done.