Self-watering wick systems comparison - Which is better?

Self-watering wick systems comparison
I recently posted a video showing a 5 gallon wick system that used a 6 inch net pot connected to microfiber cloth which hung down into the nutrient solution. • Self-watering wicking ... Last year I built a 5 gallon self-watering container that is another type of wicking system but works a little differently. It functions similarly to commercial earth box growers. Since I had another White Devil's Tail plant I decided to set that one up in the old system so I can compare the two.
I will post updates showing the progress of each plant throughout the season.
Khang Starr has a good video showing to build one of these self-watering containers similar to the one shown here. • How to Make a Self-Wat...
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[@markz3450]

Right on Peter. Everytime you share your videos I learn something new and a new way to grow. Awesome!

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks Mark!

[@outdoors446]

I also am trying the net cup system, the only difference is I'm using a grow bag for air pruning instead of soil touching the sides of the bucket. Thanks for showing your results.

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks, please share later how your system does. Sounds like it will work really well.

[@watermelonlalala]

You're the first person who explained it so I could understand, why are these plants not drowning in the water? Because you leave an air gap between the surface of the water and the bottom of the pot with the plant. Aeration to the roots. Many people mentioned that, but I didn't know how they were getting it.

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks for the kind words! Glad it helped.

[@dlynnfrazier5216]

I like the idea of using two inexpensive buckets instead of the method where you place the lid cut out on supports for the base.

[@pepperdactyl]

You might want to check out the GroBucket. It's an insert that converts a single 5-gal bucket to sub irrigated planter/self watering container. I just put out a video on it. I'm going to start using these going forward. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4SQiWiMlt6Gr5I

[@dlynnfrazier5216]

@@pepperdactyl A bucket is less than $4, the grobucket sells for $40 for a 3 pack on amazon.

[@pepperdactyl]

@@dlynnfrazier5216 Do what works best for you. One grobucket insert is around 13, plus cost of your bucket. You'll need a drill and small bit. That's pretty much it. The typical DIY bucket in bucket build, needs the same drill and small bit, but two buckets, two different size hole saws (which most people don't have), a net cup, some pvc pipe, something to cut the pvc pipe, some zip ties. And it takes a hell of a lot more time and effort to build. It really comes down to preference though, what tools and materials you have already, and what you want to do. I've built a bunch of the bucket in bucket builds, and they are a pain to setup. I literally could bust out 10 grobucket setups in the time it takes (probably less) to construct one bucket in bucket build. I think I'm going to make a video on building one from scratch because folks have asked. I'll run a side by side comparison against the grobucket.

[@PBRaft]

Best DIY I've seen yet! Thanks

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheBoss_4151]

Brilliant. Thanks for sharing.

[@ericyoung772]

Thanks for the video, but why limit the water reservoir by using just a 3 inch net pot? Would it not be better for long term watering to maximum the height to take advantage of the second bucket's volume? For example 3 inches of water vs 12 inches of water? I would expect much longer time periods between filling which would be desirable. Perhaps you address this in later videos?

[@jaredmccutcheon5496]

I built a self watering bucket for my Tabasco pepper this spring and forgot to put the net pot wick in it, hahaha. It took a while to get going and I had to water from the top, but I think it finally sent roots into the resivoire because we've has triple digit heat this past week and it's putting on new growth and looking lush when my other plants in plain soil keep wilting. Next time I'll remember the wick, hahaha. I just bought 100 3" net pots for $.22 each off Amazon. I thought that was a great deal since it's half what local hydroponic shop charges for them. I love your build vids Peter. Keep up the good work.

[@pepperdactyl]

I'm glad you enjoy the videos. Thank you very much for watching! Great deal on the 3 inch net pots too.

[@BackToBasics001]

Look forward to seeing the differences Peter.

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks, me too. I'll post updates as the season progresses. I'm confident enough in the 5 gallon net pot wick system that I'll probably do one or two more soon.

[@idevitfloris713]

Thank you for sharing, i'm going to try to combine this idea with aquaponics

[@tinkiak6052]

Thinking about trying a self wicking bucket. This looks pretty cool

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks for watching. They work great. I just built two new ones this week.

[@PepperBear]

Great job Peter!

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks Aaron!

[@mikefrank3346]

I am curious what the second method is. I see the wicking bucket, but what are you comparing it too. I do enjoy your videos. Very clear and did not understand why there was a drain hole till now. I am going to watch your videos for now on because of the clarity in them. Thank you.

[@pepperdactyl]

Thank you! Here is a detail build on that second method. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYeZqWOGbLOhoKM

[@johnndavis7647]

I see you using small bottles cut in two for self watering pots for seedlings. The roots grow through the hole where the cap was. This makes getting the plant out difficult to do without damaging the roots. Why not take a razor knife and split the bottle to release the plant so the roots can grow freely?

[@scottbennett7735]

As always, great video Peter! Reminds me of my hempy bucket pepper grow this year.

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks Scott. I think I'll try a hempy setup. Sounds like people get good results and it's very simple.

[@sleeplessinthecarolinas8118]

Easy to follow and understand. Thank you!

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks!

[@susangarza7818]

I really enjoy these vids Peter! Thanks for the share =)

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks Susan!

[@ChithiAmmaUSA]

well explained, thank you

[@pepperdactyl]

Glad you liked it

[@tomdix5167]

Hello Peter, sort of late to your page. I've been using this concept for years with great success. I only have 2 differences. Instead of using a net pot I use either 3 or 4 inch PVC that extends from just above the bottom of the top bucket to the bottom of the bottom bucket and drill "many" wicking holes in the PVC. This allows me to take advantage of the entire water volume. Second I add an additional bucket with either the entire bottom cu out or cut in half (top & bottom) and add it between the upper and lower buckets. This allows me more water volume. I'm interested in seeing if you have any videos of the system making the rounds using cans, bottles, etc? It doesn't make sense to me. Seems like the potting mix would stay saturated.

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks for your comment. I find myself using more and more of these each year. Your design changes sound great. Here's a playlist of some wicking related videos I have done over the years. kzbin.info/aero/PLx7XtYIVCogT44CB1KEX6CXjtFJI9L8QJ One of my viewers pointed out a suggestion I could try on my bucket in bucket setups. He said drilling holes in the sides through both containers for purpose of providing more aeration to the roots. It makes sense to me, I'm going to try it on some this year.

[@arkrainflood]

why a fill pipe? just pour water into the bucket till it comes out the overflow hole....

[@MikeM-uy6qp]

i don't understand the holes in the bottom of the top bucket.

[@pepperdactyl]

They allow air to reach the bottom of the potting mix. It's good for the roots.

[@MikeM-uy6qp]

@@pepperdactyl that makes sense but you're the only person I've seen do that, even though they all talk about air pruning.

[@claudettemonty4077]

I have a certain problem to understand and I want to be sure to do it OK. You put the mesh little trap so the roots will go in the reservoir. But do you put fabric in the mesh?? Do you put soil, compost or something like this or just something to hold the plant in place and it's the roots who go to take their water: hydro culture??

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks for your questions. I'm planning to make a more in depth video soon showing how to make one of these, step by step. The mesh part at the bottom is just a 3" net pot, and it allows water and nutrients to wick up into the potting mix. When I fill the inner container with potting mix, I pack it down into that net pot. Some of it might come out, but it mostly stays in there, so there is no need for fabric. Any kind of well draining and well aerated potting mix, peat or coco based would work. You can even use straight coco coir and nothing else. Then feed with hydroponic nutrients. You could alternately use a slow release fertilizer mixed into the potting mix and just add water. I prefer feeding hydroponic nutrients into non-fertilized mix. The mix has to be able to wick up also, so it needs to be more than just a supporting medium, like using only clay pebbles wouldn't work in this setup.

[@pallettime]

Can you put this setup outside

[@HJG-1019]

New to channel. Why do you have 3-4 pvc pipes in 2nd planter? Do the pvc fill tubes have to be as high/long? Can they be cut shorter? Thanks

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks for watching! The three in the 2nd planter are just for plant support. They are zip tied to the net cup. The one in the other is a fill pipe and also doubles as plant support.

[@Adol666]

Hi Peterl a little off topic question. How well will my Pepper plants do in 2 gal pots? I dont need huge plants and im growing them under T5 lights. Just wondering if that pot size is big enough to produce decent peppers. Thanks

[@pepperdactyl]

You can grow nice plants in 2 gallon pots. I have three on my porch now, two are self watering type, and one is a hempy method bucket. If you check my most recent grow update you can see them, Tien Tsin, Thai Dragon and CARDI Yellow Scorpion. Limiting factor indoors might be lighting and type of pepper you're growing. If you can get them some real sun they will grow bigger and produce more. You can grow plants really well under t5s, t8s even. As the plants get bigger you'll need more lumens and more light penetration to get more size and better harvests. I always start my plants early under t8s in 20 oz cups, and some of them even produce pods before going outside full time.

[@laultimaverdad1187]

THX FOR VIDS

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks for watching!

[@joesoutdoorplaces]

When using Masterblend with soil, do you use it for every watering?

[@pepperdactyl]

I haven't tried it on in-ground plants, but for everything else and self-watering containers included I used it every time I added.

[@sophiemo7278]

Hello Peter, do you have a follow up video?

[@pepperdactyl]

Yes, I have some followup videos to this. 1. kzbin.info/www/bejne/onmqk3-af619qKc. 2. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGWoZIqNh5t_m5o. Thanks for watching!

[@RT-yc3tk]

How do you stop the potting mix aside from net pot from going thru holes into water reservoir?

[@pepperdactyl]

If you pack it in really well when you set it up, it'll be fine. A little might come through but not enough to matter. It's good to water everthing in after placing the plant. This will get everything wet, and wicking should take care of the rest

[@rsmarquez041]

How often you add water how dose it work if you can show us ican get idea new thing for me

[@pepperdactyl]

I ended up adding water/nutrients every few days. It's important to have the overflow hole about an inch from the bottom of the inner bucket, so you have an aeration layer. This will keep you from overfilling it. I'll make a more detailed video on how these are put together soon.

[@wonderland9870]

Great video ! Have you tried to refill the bucket ?

[@pepperdactyl]

+Mr Cool yes I top it off every 3 days. Going to post an update on it his weekend.

[@BenjasUberHobby]

New sub I liked your video :) Thanks for sharing :)

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks Benja's Uber 1337 Hobby!

[@BenjasUberHobby]

:)

[@mikelance7175]

Is the growth similar to Hydroponics? And could you put an AirStone in the bottom for faster growth?

[@pepperdactyl]

The growth was pretty decent once the plants got established. As the roots grew out, it sort of morphed into a hybrid Kratky system. The roots above the nutrient solution were performing some gas exchange. That seemed to help the lack of supplemental O2 in the nutrient solution. They didn't seem to grow as fast or large as my low pressure aeroponics system. But they did produce well, and early.

[@natashageorge3591]

Can i use dumpling water to wet plants

[@pepperdactyl]

Not sure, I haven't tried it. Would the purpose be to not waste the dumpling water, or is there something in it you think the plants would benefit from?

[@paulkazjack]

You could but only a very tiny amount about once a week or so and then get a chance to look for a plug.

[@LGZEE]

Why wouldn't you use side holes? Plants need way more air than what you're giving them. SMH.

[@pepperdactyl]

I hope didn't hurt your neck shaking your head so hard, lol. Side holes are not possible with the self watering container, since it is a bucket within a bucket. The other gets plenty of aeration through the holes in the bucket lid net pot. These actually work really well, not sure if you've actually tried it or not. Thanks for watching.

[@LGZEE]

@@pepperdactyl Yep, I've tried several ways using a bucket and I can tell you, holes in the side are possible. You just put holes in both buckets. Line up the buckets and drill through both at the same time. If you do this, you'll see double your harvest at a min. Good luck.

[@pepperdactyl]

@@LGZEE I will try it! Thank you.

[@nicholaslittle2312]

Mosquito problems?

[@pepperdactyl]

I didn't notice any, but I suppose it could happen. You could install some screen to mitigate that if it could be an issue.

[@holdwholetruthholy1511]

Ok Tell the truth. Was this just a really long Lowe's commercial? Your title suggests that this is a comparison of different systems. It isn't. Lastly, I really don't understand how you can call this a 'wick system' when there is no true wick in the system

[@pepperdactyl]

Thanks for your feedback. The self-watering containers, like the one I made, or Earthboxes, etc..., in my opinion are wicking systems. The potting mix that extends down in the center net cup becomes the wick. It is touching the nutrient solution/water and the plant draws up what it needs through that.