Easy DIY wicking systems you can make at home

In this video, I show an easy way to test and make wicking systems from household materials. I show two easy DIY methods for installing wicks, and a way to test wicking material to make sure that it works properly. For the demonstration, I use a Basil plant and a propagated pepper clone.
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through the following links.
Nylon rope for wicking:
1/8" - amzn.to/2T6EprV
3/8" (for larger setups) - amzn.to/3cCSBkr
Coco Coir - amzn.to/3fTSD9y
Nursery pots - amzn.to/2Tbr5Tj
Masterblend - amzn.to/2Z4sAqd
Calcium Nitrate - amzn.to/36aGR6k
Epsom Salt - amzn.to/36aGVmA
How to mix Masterblend - www.pepperinfo...

[@jonisolis9645]

I use round nursery pots as they fit in the top of the jars easier.

[@elenaferreira7850]

@Peter Stanley, Can you use this system to grow seedlings or do you need to start with a plant that has already started growing?

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks for your question. You could start seeds/seedlings with a wicking system, but you might want to top water initially until some longer roots are developed. Hope this helps.

[@yrrahyrrah]

What material is the wicking rope made out of? Is it food grade? Don't want microplastics in your tomatoes. People have recommended polyester and vinyl. Are they safe?

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks for your comment. I recommend that you do the research for the material you decide to use. I wasn’t recommending a specific product, just sharing the method.

[@yrrahyrrah]

I've searched the whole wide web and found very little information. Cotton seems to rot and starts to stink in a couple months. Polyester and vinyl should in theory be safe for food stuff but the cords themselves are not rated food safe. Do you have any information or experience with any specific material?@@pepperdactyl

[@spir5102]

Excellent information. I like how you present the basic principles so they can be applied to almost any situation. I also like being frugal and using what I have. Thank you.

[@littlenugs9942]

Can you just lay the rope across the top of the pots like a soaker hose? I'm looking for an in expensive way to water my 2x4 bed

[@teemmm538]

Love the concept 💖 💕 💓 💗 ❤️ I am going to try it out, thanks for the info 😀

[@wranther]

Very enjoyable video Peter! I would not have thought of nylon as a wicking media. Maybe I am too stuck to the cotton wick generation? I wonder how many eyes you open to the world of possibilities by using so many different options for growing. Happy Gardening! -Bob...

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks, Bob!

[@josiewilliams4505]

Nice!!!

[@jaredmccutcheon5496]

Another great vid Peter. I really enjoy the ones where you demonstrate growing systems. Well, I enjoy them all, lol.

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks, Jared!

[@jonisolis9645]

for my small plant setups I just use some 100% acrylic yard folded in half and put though the bottom hole of a pot and then put the pot in the top of a large jar sitting at the top with the yarn in the water/ferts in the jar below it. For larger plants I use a 1/2 to 1" wide poly craft felt for the wick.

[@cultivatelife]

Hello Peter! I appreciate both your knowledge and your effort in making these videos. ie. the different camera angles and crisp sound Makes it so simple to understand and replicate. Question: Do you only feed it through the reservoir? meaning never feeding from top? Is this for temporary use, like for going on a short vacation or can you apply the wicking system for the whole growing season? Thanks! This is my 2nd attempt at gardening, 1st time was over a decade ago and not so successful. Hope to learn lot's this second time around with a big harvest :-)

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks for watching, and for the kind words! You can feed from the top, then switch to reservoir. Once switched, I would leave them feeding from the reservoir. It can be temporary or long term depending on plans for the plant. A larger, 4-5 gallon self watering container is another type of wicking system and will grow a large pepper plant. I have some videos showing those, and I use them every year. I'm planning to make a step by step video showing how to build one soon.

[@cultivatelife]

@@pepperdactyl Thanks Peter, I will take a look at your older videos and look forward to the upcoming step by step video.

[@markz3450]

Very cool Peter. I forgot about the wicking system that you made a video of a long time ago. I need to try it out. Thanx for sharing.

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks, Mark.

[@thisquietplace]

I love your videos!

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks!

[@wethepeoplemaga3578]

I was wondering where you get those black nursery pots like the one you used in this video? I was just looking for some today. I like the wicking idea. Thanks for the information. Have a good evening.

[@pepperdactyl]

These are 3.5" x 5", and they have root channels. I got some of them from my local grow store, and some on Ebay, It looks like the ones I got are sold out, but here's page for reference. www.ebay.com/itm/80-ct-5-inch-x-3-5-inch-Large-Black-Greenhouse-Nursery-Pots/324061510116

[@wethepeoplemaga3578]

@@pepperdactyl Thank You :-)

[@lilmissbeats]

Thank you so much, Peter! This is awesome!

[@pepperdactyl]

Glad you like it!

[@togarashi8086]

Like your diy vids 👍. Have you tried using soil with your wicking system instead of coco coir for peppers? Would probably have to use 1/4 strength?

[@pepperdactyl]

That Basil plant has the potting mix that it came in originally. I haven't tried with actual dirt, but for an inert well draining, non-fertilized, peat based potting mix, I'd keep the the same as the coco, but would adjust if needed.

[@jeremyelliott8993]

Great Vid Peter! Thanks for sharing! 👍

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks, Jeremy!

[@MattGarver]

Great tutorial and demonstration Peter, do you have a favorite way between the wicks in this video and the Howard Resh trays in your other video where moisture wicks directly up?

[@pepperdactyl]

Getting the Resh trays dialed in was a little tricky, but it seemed to work well. It seems better suited for multiple plants at once too.

[@dantheorganicman6618]

Great Man thanks i am going to try it

[@jimd1617]

thank you!!

[@thefaeryman]

great idea

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks

[@starlynnnance5495]

thank you!

[@tinkiak6052]

Cool demo🐞🌶🐞

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks!

[@winstonbenjamin4762]

What about sponge, how effective is thst at wicking

[@pepperdactyl]

A lot of different types of sponge, but it should work. If it's a household one, it might contain chemicals. The peat based sponges like AeroGarden use, as well as Root Riot, Rapid Rooter, etc... work great.