From the page: The plastic cup has a bright future
Idea 2
Self-watering planter
The self-watering planter principle comes from wick systems used since ancient gardens: water rises from the reservoir to the soil by capillarity, the same effect that makes sugar climb up a coffee cup dipped in cloth. The plant drinks exactly what it needs, without waterlogging.
What you need
- 1 disposable cup (or two, one larger and one smaller)
- Cotton wick or a strip of t-shirt fabric
- Soil
- A seedling or seed
- Water
- Scissors or a hot object to pierce
How to make it
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1
Pierce the bottom of the cup that will become the planter and thread the wick through one of the holes, leaving a tip of about 2 inches inside — that's what will pull the water upward.
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2
Fill this cup with soil and plant your seedling or seed, making sure the wick is well buried, in contact with the soil.
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3
Take a larger cup or the base of a plastic bottle and pour in about 1 inch of water, setting up the reservoir.
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4
Fit the plant cup on top, with the wick submerged in the water, and check that the tip is indeed underwater.
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5
Top up the reservoir when the level drops — at a glance, you can see through the side when water is low.
Finishing touches
it works very well for herbs like mint, basil and chives, which like constant moisture. If the leaves turn yellow, reduce the water in the reservoir — the plant may be drinking too much.
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