I'm converting almost entirely to wick watering. I have been using a light soil mix for sometime now in anticipation of doing this, but did not have wicking string til recently.(I know...I know!!! I'm disorganized! I am also old and not very rich!) My question is this--How can I get the wicks into plants w/o repotting them all. I was successful a few weeks ago using a fine crochet hook, but that no longer seems to work--I can't seem to pull the wick through w/o losing it. I am wicking with mason string.
Wicking
I use one of those large yarn quilting type needles.
I use one of those large yarn quilting type needles.
Would the be an appropriate size for mini's in a 3 oz cup? Would Walmart have them, or would I need to go to a specialty store?
I seem to remember walmart having them --they have an assortment of sizes with the big eyes in them
I think that's where I got mine . . . something like 4 to a packet. As for them being good on the 3oz cups . . . that would depend on the size of the whole you put in it. I used mine to wick 2 little 2.25" pots last night.
Whenever you try something new, you should try just a couple plants first and see how it goes....."Just in Case". Also soak the wicking , get it good and wet before putting it into the soil.
tish
I just take a wire note clip, straighten it out and give it a good tiny hook with the pliars and it goes up any little hole in the pot. I also don't put holes in my solo cups.......just clip either side with the scissors. Easy job to run the string up or down. (I always soak the string first)
wHY should the string be soaked??
to make it easier to asorb the water,also for a good wick ,ive found that masons twine is excellent,i use the size 18,
JIM
I just found some #24 from Ace Hardware I like better than any I have found at Walmart or Academy. I let mine soak for hours before I use it (having already cut the lengths ahead of time)
just spent 2 hours replanting & wicking a tray of tiny plants. I dont have any of those permanest trays yet to water my flats. I am leaving for a xmas trip on monday. trying to make it easier for hubby to keep things watered.
I have the white plastic grids because I use them to separate pairs of tropical fish. I'm hoping he will remember to pour water into the trays I do have.
Call him and "remind" him;)
Gran..........as in every day and exactly a list of what to check..............
Followed by a list of things that will happen to him if he doesn't . . . .
LOL!!
I went on vacation a couple of times and DD had to take care of the GH-- I used surveyors flagging in different colors to indicate different protocols for each plant/area-- left a DETAILED note too. Only had minor casualties when I returned.
I like Gail's entry "...every day and exactly a list of what to check."
His heart is in the right place, but he has no clue!
Last week he trashed scores of carefully dried seed pods because he thought they were trash!!!
I learned the hard way the first time I left my sister in law in charge. When I got home, every tray had at least 2 inches of water in them.......(LOL)
I have just shown him how NOT to overwater
I had forgotten to leave her the turkey baster to suction out whatever the plants didn't drink in 10 minutes.......(LOL)