DIY Self-Watering Planter FAQ (Your Questions Answered)

Ready for some Q&A action? I'm back to answer your questions about my DIY self-watering planter setup in this FAQ video. I'll answer all the questions you had after watching my DIY Self Watering Planter tutorial! I've curated a list of the most common questions/comments received from this awesome community to ensure you get the answers you need about DIYing your self-watering planter.
Links:
Original Video (Watch this First): • Super easy DIY self-wa...
Article with all details about this project: www.prettypurp...
Do I poke holes into the solo cup? Yes… 2:00: • Super easy DIY self-wa...
Do I drill holes into the planter for water drainage: Yes… 6:00 • Super easy DIY self-wa...
Large self-watering planters on Amazon: amzn.to/42Jcgt6
Houseplant self-watering planters on Amazon: amzn.to/3W6yRNp
Gardener’s Supply Co Self-watering planter insert on Amazon: amzn.to/42AEHJj
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[@belengl8712]

This is an awesome video and makes it so much easier to both understand and realize that anyone with basic skills and knowledge can build it ourselves. THANK YOU!!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pragmatic111]

In my round pots I used plastic saucer for flower pot from Menards and a recycled peanut butter jar , yogurt container or size I need for pot.

[@Think-dont-believe]

14:12 yes!!! She was putting the planter inside of container...

[@Think-dont-believe]

Put larger saucer inside pot it has holes already it is sturdy shelf boom . That's brilliant and easy..

[@pamelawoodall5891]

Amy, I really admire your content and your personality.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Haha thank you so much! 💜

[@kristineobrien8878]

Amy, you are doing an amazing job on all your videos! Thank you❤

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Thank you so much!. Glad you're enjoying them.

[@RKC-1234]

Thank you for explaining the cups/wicking! I didn’t quite get they had holes in the other video (I was more listening while cooking so my fault) so was confused, but that makes so much sense. Great ideas!

[@user-fy4us4jm8v]

Thanks for the videos. I watched both of them this week. Then I scavenged my house and garage for components to fit my flowerpot. I had to make adjustments but your explanation showed me what the concept was and I was able to make it work. This morning I filled the water and am going to test it for a day or two as you recommend. From what I can see throughout today, the wick is wicking! I'm excited to plant it up in a few days. I wish I had taken pictures of my process to share with you. Many thanks for your videos.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Yay! That's awesome

[@greerjones9791]

For those who are growing edible plants and are concerned about using garbage bags. I figured out an alternative for my needs. I'm using a 10" round planter with a ring of 1/2" irrigation tubing to act as a support to create a false bottom using a round take-out dish cover. BE SURE TO GET THE FLEXIBLE NO-KINK TUBING, it is easier to work with. The irrigation tubing is very pliable and can easily be cut with scissors. I measured the length of irrigation tubing needed to fit the point of the inside of the pot where I wanted my reservoir to be. To connect the ends of the tubing to make it a continuous circle, I cut an additional 1-inch piece of tubing and split it down the middle lengthwise so I could roll it into itself. I completed the circle by rolling the 1-inch tubing and inserting it into one end of the longer tubing then I connected the other side by putting the other rolled piece into the other side of the long tubing. I took the completed circle and fit it into the round pot, I then saw where my reservoir would be. The next step for me was to find a piece of plastic to sit on top of the irrigation tubing ring inside the pot which would keep the soil from falling into the reservoir. At first, I was going to measure a piece of plastic using the tubing circle as a guide from a Dollar Tree chopping mat but then I went searching in my containers to see if I could find something more suitable. I found the top from a take-out container that fit perfectly. After you make your tubing circle, select your plastic soil barrier, and cut out a space to put the wicking soil cup and the watering tube as per the normal instructions provided. I'm also thinking about trying to incorporate a water level indicator. I hope this helps someone.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Thanks for sharing 😊

[@greerjones9791]

@@PrettyPurpleDoorYou're welcome

[@ivy19958]

I like your videos very much..❤

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Glad you like them! Thank you 😊

[@pragmatic111]

I also leave about an inch air gap between the water and bottom of the dirt layer.then put a stopper on end of the watering tube.like rubber end for chair legs hense no mosquitoes

[@songbentre]

Put landscape screen eliminate mosquitoes

[@jeannesilberstein3879]

Great video. We have problems with mosquitoes even in arid in SoCal . The advice is do not leave standing water in plant saucers because the larvae can develop into mosquitoes in as little as a teaspoon of water. With your system or a commercial one is their a potential of creating a mosquito nursery? I am hoping not. Please advise.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

I answered this to the best of my ability in the video. If that answer wasn't sufficient you'll have to ask someone else, I think. Sorry that's all I know.

[@lindagiesige9667]

mosquitoe dunks can be used with self watering planters

[@livingoverseas5122]

Hi Amy, why do you use double cups? Can I just use one single cup for wicking? Thank you!

[@iandreyeva]

Can just do the drainage holes on the side of the pot few inches over the ground instead of in the bottom.

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

There is no drainage in the bottom. If so the water would just pour out and there would be no water reservoir. For a self watering planter, NO draininge in bottom of pot.

[@dandana4647]

when using this system do you ever water the plant from above ?

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Sometimes I do when I'm filling the basin with water. It's not necessary though.

[@adz5bneweng589]

You are one smart woman! This is great and inventive!

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

Thanks. Glad it's helpful!

[@JodoKast1221]

We have store bought self watering planters that come with a fabric sock that sits down in the water reservoir and draws the water up into the planter. We grow tomatoes in these and it’s hard to clean out the dirt from in the fabric sock when we replant each year. My question is should the fabric sock be filled with dirt the the rest of the planter is filled with or can we fill it with something else such as small rocks or something else?

[@PrettyPurpleDoor]

It would likely need to be filled with dirt or something to wick the water up. I don't think rocks would help with that.