Self Watering Container

[Viking Guy]

So I am curious if anyone has used the SWC pots showing up everywhere?

Will this work for our tropicals?

Since drainage is so important, I'm a bit concerned about how it works.

[bangkok]

They are not selfwatering, you have to fill the reservoir.

Why not buy a timer and some hoses/nozzles? Then you can go on holiday without stress.

[Viking Guy]

I know you have to add water.     That isn't the question at all.

Not worried about going out of town either, as we have a caretaker when gone.

I think you are unsure what the SWC is.  :p

I'm concerned with whether or not these type of pots keep the soil too moist for most of our tropicals.  Don't want to cause root rot.  The idea behind them is they keep the water level in the soil at the proper level.  I want to know if it works.  Does it bleed off excess? 

[greeny]

Self watering container only works for some tropicals .
For example I use  it for jabotica without problems and the plant is fruiting (germany) .
The container brand is called lechuza .

[Viking Guy]

More specifically, the Bloem Living Self-Watering Planters.

They have a bottom reservoir that is only a couple of inches high, and is supposed to control the water level and soil moisture. 

Here is an example:

http://www.amazon.com/Bloem-Living-LP1060-Self-Watering-Peppercorn/dp/B00AC2SFA8

So, I am curious how well this would work with some small fruit trees and tropical plants.

[simon_grow]

I have not tried yet but the reservoir looks pretty small on that one you posted. I think that type will require frequent watering which kinda defeats the purpose.

Simon

[Viking Guy]

Correct.  That is my thinking.  For tropicals that need to drain well and get a solid drink and then go dry, this pot.may be perfect.  Don't have to worry about holding too much water, and won't spill all over the floor.  I think I'm going to install a mango in one and try it.

I have not tried yet but the reservoir looks pretty small on that one you posted. I think that type will require frequent watering which kinda defeats the purpose.

Simon

[nullzero]

I have made them in 5 gal buckets and 18 gal totes. They work very well for Lychee trees in the 18 gal totes.

[Viking Guy]

I have made them in 5 gal buckets and 18 gal totes. They work very well for Lychee trees in the 18 gal totes.

Oh, good to know.  Think I will do that with my Sweethearts.

[jcaldeira]

The drainage and water-holding capacity of the planting medium will have a huge affect on how well plants do in a pot.   

There is also much variability in flood and drought resistance of individual tropical fruit species that it would be difficult to draw overall conclusions on the worth of such a pot.

From a functional standpoint, self-watering pots don't appear to be significantly different from regular pots that sit in a pan. 

[nullzero]

I suggest a mostly coir mix in the container. So it can wick the water effectively and retain water and have some aeration. Add some perlite into the mix to increase aeration.

[Viking Guy]

That's what I went with.  Soil moisture is holding great so far.