From the page: A second life for torn clothes
Idea 6
Wick strip for plants
Watering by wick (capillarity) is an old trick for frequent travelers: a cotton thread carries water from a reservoir to the pot. Cotton is ideal because its fibers form channels that pull water by capillary action — the same physics that soaks a dish towel from one corner. The plant drinks at exactly the pace it needs, without flooding or drying out.
What you need
- An old 100% cotton t-shirt
- Scissors
- A bottle or container with water
- A plant pot
How to make it
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1
Cut a cotton strip about 40 cm long and twist it very firmly into a cord.
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2
Bury one end about 5 cm deep in the pot's soil, near the plant but without hurting the roots.
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3
Leave the other end submerged in a container of water positioned ABOVE the soil level.
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4
Test by pulling the end in the container: if water comes out, the wick is working.
Finishing touches
great for vacations and weekends away. Use one strip per small pot and two for larger ones.
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