Plant Auto-watering, would this work?

[rhyswales]

Had a little look on youtube and found these here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffe7JfYyBFE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RajhuUx4Hgg


Would this work? Would be leaving the pots in water at all times, could that cause problems?

[Potstubsdustbins]

IMO first rig good for marsh plants only, second rig much better as the water flow would be less.

[rhyswales]

IMO first rig good for marsh plants only, second rig much better as the water flow would be less.

Do you think the second would be okay for chillies? Bit sceptical about them being in water quite often?

[Potstubsdustbins]

Unfortunately I don't grow chillies so cannot give true advice on that one. But looking at the rig the water has to get into the pot holder via the two wicks which will only deliver a minimal amount of water over the 'dam' so with big plants like those shown I don't think they would get water logged. In fact one thought I had was would the furthest plant get any water.

[rhyswales]

Unfortunately I don't grow chillies so cannot give true advice on that one. But looking at the rig the water has to get into the pot holder via the two wicks which will only deliver a minimal amount of water over the 'dam' so with big plants like those shown I don't think they would get water logged. In fact one thought I had was would the furthest plant get any water.

Thats a very good point actually, now thinking of it in high temps in summer I think most water would evaporate before it even reaches the pots.

[Kristen]

Why not just stand the pots on some capillary matting? Second method would provide a reservoir for the matting. (If using capillary matting I recommend getting something of decent quality - i.e. not the really thin stuff! it doesn't "pull" much water very far - and put a sheet of micro-pore plastic sheet over it, that will stop algae growth and reduce the roots growing into the matting)

I think the second video won't deliver water fast enough on a hot summers day, and it will evaporate before it gets to the pots further away.