OK Question on Wicking

OK I have put and done all the things for wicking cents Tuesday but it seam that the string doesn't stay wet Here is a picture of the string Susan gave me and what my trays look like amd I doing something wrong here
Dimmer

Dimmer,
They won't wick if the plant (the soil mix in the pot) isn't moist..........so all you have to do is put enough water in each pot to dampen the soil......then the wick will start working.............
You won't have to do that again unless you forget to add water to the tray........I have done what you did many times.........
Good Luck

Thanks Gail
I will be out of town at the end of this week so I want to make sure that they have water
Thanks again
Kim

Sorry Kim I forgot to tell you I soak mine before putting them in.. Even that way they always don't wick for me.. Some do and some don't... Ok Missy where you going now?
Hugs,
Susan

Susan, what string are you using because once the plant mix is moist, they always wick (I thought)

I use the line they you keep fish on in the water...LOL I think it is also called mason something... Nope some of mine no matter what type of line/string I use refuse to wick...I have redid them and still they say to bad lady you will water me...LOL
Susan

I didn't like what I was getting at Walmart in the way of Mason's twine, so I went to Ace Hardware and got number 24. It is working like a charm.

i have a few different stings for wicking, & i also have had a problem with some not drinking, so i use some baby yarn for some, some nylon cord #18. I have used so many different kinds of cord & they all have a problem at one time or another, but i do wet the cord first with some dishwahing liquid to start them off.
bonnie

Since I haven't wicked before,I have a dumb question.Do you use thicker cord for large plants and thin nylon ones for minis?
Lynn

Lynn, the string all needs to be polyester of some kind and not cotton.

I used to use #36 for 4" and 5" pots but now I find the #24 is good for everything.........the Ace Hardware one that is..............I even use the 24 in my solo cups with babies just separated from their mothers and I put them on capillary matting.........

Thanks Gail.Ace is right down the street.I'm not sure if I will be using matting or Permanest trays,yet.At first I may just do them seperately,until I get quite a few built up.
Lynn

I only put the babies in solo cups on capillary matting...............nothing but an acrylic blanket from Walmart cut up.

Now I am working on wicking all the others................all on permanest trays

Thanks again,Gail.

I went to the dollar store and Ace Hardware today.I found some plastic bowls with lids,and also a handy dandy little soft grip hobby knife and #24 Mason Twisted nylon cord.I hope this is the right stuff Gail. Ok,don't laugh I also bought a couple of 9x6 terrariums....Or maybe they are Easter eggs.
Lynn

Lynn, that is the exact mason cord I use.......recognize the color of the wrapping! The Easter eggs are a marvelous idea for something that needs humidity (LOL)

Alright,you weren't supposed to laugh! I might go back and get some more.They come in every color and for a dollar they are worth a try.They are fairly large,too.They might work for Episcias if I make a hole in the top I can cover or uncover.

LYNN ~ you gave me a good idea there with the egg THANK YOU

You're welcome Mortswife ^_^.They could be used for mini terrariums or with holes put in the bottom,for little humidity domes.

Hey that is a cool Idea Lynn. You know what I found today? This really tiny sinn called Mighty Mouse... I believe it needs to go into a glass as it is blooming but so very tiny... What a Q-T... It was stuck between kohlerias in a pan...LOL
Hugs,
Susan

Susan,
Mighty Mouse is a real cutie! I have seen pictures of it.The wonderful thing is that Sinns. don't really require huge humidity and are a lot more tolerant of low temps.AVs tolerate low temps pretty well,but slow down on blooming.Episcias were never happy in my unheated basement.
Lynn

Susan I just had to thank you with that tip that you gave me on putting a screen on the bottom of my pot were I put the string in than cut a screen to fit the bottom inside of the pot, fill with per lite place the plant than add dirt.
I think that's better than Peanut butter and jelly than nothing falls out and I don't have a big mess the real tiny power come's out but the bigger chucks stay in I will be doing that with all my houseplants also
Thanks Turtle-Chi Ninja ^_^
Hugs
Kim(AKA) Dimmer

Well Kim we both have Roxanne to thank for that one... I am off to work... Talk to you laater. Here is a picture of the mighty mouse I found hinden between some kohleria I was growing... Tiny little thing .. Going to put it in a glass...
Hugs,
Susan

I thought of all the tiny sinningias I ever had that Mighty Mouse had the prettiest and most profound markings and coloring.

Turtle-Chi Ninja,

Your Mighty Mouse is pretty.LOL...^_^

Good morning Gail.

Good morning , Jan. I don't usually get up at 6:30 but I did and already have had 2 cups of coffee (LOL)
Am taking trays of episcia to the grower in Seguin today in exchange for plants. But.............I saved you 4 yellow blooming ones.

I wonder if Susan like that I call her Ninja Love the plant MM susan you have so many nice little glass thing you will fine the perfect one
Hugs
Kim

LOL.I thinks it's a cute name Kim ^_^

Gail,that a great idea,something like the Barter system.very cool

Jan.........it is so much fun to trade plants. She gets what she wants to propagate and I get what I want more!