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Osmosis watering?
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Posted by flantoons Hants (My Page) on Sun, Mar 23, 08 at 8:18
Can anyone advise me on a way to make an indoor osmosis watering system for when
I'm away from home please?
Look at this diagram of my setup. http://science-stuff.tripod.com/watering.jpg
The position of the basin of water also the plantpot is fixed, so I can't drop the pot to ground level for instance.
Firstly, will this "wick" system work?
If so, then how can I construct the wick etc.?
First thought is hollow plastic tube stuffed with sponge rubber....
....What do you think?
Thank you.
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Osmosis watering?
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Not sure about the sponge rubber. I used a narrow strip off one of my sheets of 'capillary matting' to empty a container under a heavy plant that had been overwatered, but this drained into another pot that was placed LOWER than the water filled container I was emptying. On saying that, the water actually went upwards at first for at least 5 inches to get over the lip before it went downbank. Water travels quickly along capillary matting. It may well travel upwards for greater distances, eventually, like you need it too, but would depend on the height of the lift needed I would think, as I've never tried anything other than as above as I normally use it flat.
Gill. |
other thoughts...
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...just had another look at your diagram...wouldn't it be best to push the wick into the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot rather than add yet more height to the lift needed to get up to the top of the soil level?? If the water does travel up the length you need you could add more wicks to the top to spread out and go into other holes in the pot, OR simply stand the pot on a piece of matting making sure the compost is contact with it. I think I would experiment first, you may have to help the water on its way at first but once the compost/roots are taking it up it should continue to draw it up itself.
Gill. |
RE: Osmosis watering?
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| Thanks for advice so far. I don't have access to holes in plantpot bottom...it's a concrete builtin job...30 inches from water surface up to soil surface.
Before experimenting I wanted ideas for materials. eg how about Jcloth stuffed in plastic tubing?
Another idea, if I sealed the lower basin, airtight, then air pressured to entire basin, would this help the capillary action, I wonder... |
RE: Osmosis watering?
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....as it's a while since my last physics lesson, my immediate thought would be that it MAY force water up instead of the plant drawing what it needs...you may get overwatering problems...as I said, just a thought so don't take this for sure. You need someone else to chime in with good advice on this one.
Gill. |
RE: Osmosis watering?
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I doubt capillary matting or wicks will lift water that high,
its normally only about 5"-6" or so.
I`m sure you can buy a slow release drip fitting/spike that screws onto a standard plastic bottle.
You just invert the bottle and push the drip spike into the soil. |
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