Will this pot system work for SH?

[Karl G.]

I've been using these "self watering pots" lately with pretty good success - using orchiata pinus radiata bark as a medium, figuring that I could move to clay pellets if the pots worked out.

Don't ask why I tried the bark, I just did. (maybe I should jut stick with that, changing the media once a year???)

So, my questions are:
Using these pots, should I leave the water/food level below the bottom of the inner-pot and let just the wick do it's thing?
Or, should I discount the wick, and run the water level about 1" above the bottom of the inner-pot?
OR - just start over with different pots all together?
(the plants look good because I just re-potted them yesterday)

I really want to go with the clay for the long term, and figure the plants will appreciate not getting hassled by doing so.

[Ray]

Having the bottom of the LECA column in the water will wick better than using a fabric wick to deliver the water up to the bottom.

Certainly, those pots look good.

[Orchidtinkerer]

looks great to me, leave the water under the pot so the wick does its job.

But one word of caution I can see now the water you have used will most definetely cause problems.
You want your water to be 100-200ppm max total dissolved nutrients in your water. I can see now yours is close to full strength just based on the fact I can't even see through the water.

Some people like to use tap water and like to fertilize strongly less regularly, like 700ppm. I could not work with that strength and it only works if you flush the pot several times afterwards. You cannot do that in wicking systems. They are drinking a few ml of water every day, it is right to add the fertilizer but it needs to be in the right dose. You can just dilute the water you have with by my guess about 5 times as much water and you should be good. I would seriously advise against feeding full strength like some people do in bark. Bark can absorb the excess and release it during the flushing. Clay pebbles won't do that as much so if you like to feed heavily then bark might be the answer for you.

[Karl G.]

I thank you both for your valuable information!

The water does look pretty nasty - it's a teaspoon of 20-20-20, a tablespoon of KelpMax, and a teaspoon of a powdered larvicide in one gallon of water.

It is hard for me to grasp that using just the wick will provide enough moisture for the Hydroton/plant, but that's why I ask about this stuff from you beenthere-donethat folks.
Thanks again - Karl G

[fishmom]

Listen to Ray, he is the originator of S/H. A pool of water in the bottom is the way to go. The wick will not distribute the moisture to all sides of the pot.

[estación seca]

Wicks don't work with large chunks in the pot. They only work with finely ground material, like typical bagged potting soil. Or clay soil.

[Karl G.]

Ray's plan does make more sense to me - as mentioned above that the wick process would be more effective for smaller tighter media.

Plus, I suspect that Ray is old and wise.
I'm just old.

Which brings me to another question - what is a good ballpark water level for the inner pot...1 inch...1/2 inch?

[estación seca]

Water level depends on the wicking ability of the medium and the ambient humidity. It's hard to predict. With LECA people use depths of around 1"/2.5cm to start, and go from there.

[Ray]

With a quart deli container (AKA "4.5" S/H Pot"), I typically drilled the holes in the sidewall to create a reservoir 1"-1.5" deep. Bigger and taller pots usually get up to an inch more.

The depth of reservoir/LECA penetration is less important than the reservoir-to-top distance. You want it to be a short as practical without the roots reaching the liquid. They'll grow into it, and that's fine, but if you pot the plant up with them submerged, they'll drown.

[Karl G.]

Ray - you answered my next question with your final sentence - thanks man.

I believe I'm getting the hang of this S/H process... just wanted to be sure prior to moving the rest of the 'ol Orchid Ranch critters over to their new digs.
The S/H should save me many hours per week of watering/feeding, thereby giving me more time to look at new plants to buy.
Just kidding - kinda.

Thanks to all for taking the time to share your thoughts - much appreciated!
Karl G