I was wondering if there is a way to use a large needle to put a wick in a plant that does not have a wick in it? I am talking about using it on 2 inch pots. I really like the grid system and I think it would help me greatly but none of my plants have wicks in them. I was thinking that maybe if I use a large needle that I could stick it in from the bottom, go up through the top and then back down. What do you think? Would that work? And I like that wick that Allison used in some of the plants that she sent me. I think it is yellow and called mason's string or something like that.
Jesse
How to put wicks in without repotting?
Hi Jesse
Well first you have to make sure your soil-less mixture is very light .
I have read where people use crochet hooks to bring a wick up.
Me I've never done it though many have I'd probaly re-pot. I like to take wick and coil it around bottom of pot and then bring the wick all the way to the top of the pot.
Maybe someone else has tried this before ?
The latest article I read said that wicked plants do better if the wicking is coiled around the bottom of the pot to allow even distribution of water. If that is the case then you would have to repot. Like Allison said a light soil is very necessary.
I have some of those little thumb pots with the pin that you stick in the bottom. If the wick drys out the wicking action totally stops. I've had to rescue several plants. For me, Acrylic Yarn works the best. It can dry out and begin wicking again as soon as water is poured into the well. Coiled yarn at the bottom of the pot (with a little soil in the pot first) works best for me.
I also tried dividing the 4 ply yarn into two thinking that little pots would get too much water. That didn't happen. The divided yarn pots didn't get enough water. With the acrylic yarn only the water the plant uses is wicked. My experience only.
Thank you both for helping me out. I sort of figured I would have to repot but I have so many to repot that I was wondering if there was a shortcut. I want to buy the grid from HD like Nanna mentioned. That would help me when traveling, although I do not know what to do with my other plants. Anyway, I will repot to add the wicks.
Jesse
Good IDea when repotting you can check out roots check for mealies....groom. Use clean bleaches correct size pots ! This will be good to have them ready for when you travel, Good idea to do every six months ! I like using 2 wicks for large pots . What will be hard is leaves down , miniatures ( need less water but more often } and babies,
When do you plan on going ? Maybe you can also get a friend to check on your plants !
I plan on going in July so I have plenty of time to repot. But I'm going to work on it right away so that I can get it all done. I will make sure that all of them are in great shape before I repot.
Jesse
More info