Self Watering Systems for
House Plants
I would love to have a houseful
of healthy looking plants but I always seem to either over or under water them
with disastrous results. I can come up
with a dozen reasons that range anywhere from being too busy to just plain
forgetfulness. Regardless of my excuses, I always end up feeling guilty and
quite inept. I suppose there is a word
for people like me; “horticulturally challenged” or something to that effect.
Do you have this problem too? Apparently we are
not alone in this department as a number of products are available to keep us
from killing our plants. An article
written for the Arthritis Today magazine (September/October 2008) addresses a
variety of self watering systems for houseplants. Grobal (www.grobalworld.com)
makes a variety of colorful pots that provide your plants with 3-4 weeks’ worth
of water. There is an indicator on the
side of the pot that will let you know when it is time to refill it.
If you already have a
selection of pots that you truly love and that are an integral part of your
decoration system; you will be pleased to know that there are adjustable
reservoirs available that can convert any pot into a self watering pot. Simply put the reservoir in the bottom of your
pot, position the refill tube before you add the soil and the plant. Reservoirs are available in various sizes and
will water plants for several weeks (www.gardeners.com).
A “wet pot system” features
a porous clay pot that sits in a clear glass outer pot. The outer pot is filled with water and the
plants absorb moisture through the porous clay inner pot. A visible water level tells you when it is time
to refill (www.plowhearth.com).
A “drip irrigation system” (www.charleysgreenhouse) is a water
tank that hooks to the back of the pot and has a sensor that directs water to
the plant roots.
Simple decorative creations
are also available if you like things that are cute but functional at the same
time. A Drip-It-Frog provides hands off
watering by means of a colorful figurine (www.drip-it-systems.com) or check
out Aqua Globes by (www.buyaquaglobes.com)
or watering globes by (www.orchidlight.com).
.
I would love to have a houseful
of healthy looking plants but I always seem to either over or under water them
with disastrous results. I can come up
with a dozen reasons that range anywhere from being too busy to just plain
forgetfulness. Regardless of my excuses, I always end up feeling guilty and
quite inept. I suppose there is a word
for people like me; “horticulturally challenged” or something to that effect.
Do you have this problem too? Apparently we are
not alone in this department as a number of products are available to keep us
from killing our plants. An article
written for the Arthritis Today magazine (September/October 2008) addresses a
variety of self watering systems for houseplants. Grobal (www.grobalworld.com)
makes a variety of colorful pots that provide your plants with 3-4 weeks’ worth
of water. There is an indicator on the
side of the pot that will let you know when it is time to refill it.
If you already have a
selection of pots that you truly love and that are an integral part of your
decoration system; you will be pleased to know that there are adjustable
reservoirs available that can convert any pot into a self watering pot. Simply put the reservoir in the bottom of your
pot, position the refill tube before you add the soil and the plant. Reservoirs are available in various sizes and
will water plants for several weeks (www.gardeners.com).
A “wet pot system” features
a porous clay pot that sits in a clear glass outer pot. The outer pot is filled with water and the
plants absorb moisture through the porous clay inner pot. A visible water level tells you when it is time
to refill (www.plowhearth.com).
A “drip irrigation system” (www.charleysgreenhouse) is a water
tank that hooks to the back of the pot and has a sensor that directs water to
the plant roots.
Simple decorative creations
are also available if you like things that are cute but functional at the same
time. A Drip-It-Frog provides hands off
watering by means of a colorful figurine (www.drip-it-systems.com) or check
out Aqua Globes by (www.buyaquaglobes.com)
or watering globes by (www.orchidlight.com).
.
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