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How To Make A Self-Watering Container
Self watering containers are the perfect way to irrigate house plants, If you are going away on holiday or just want to save time, then the self watering container is the answer to your house plant problems.
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Step 1:
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You will need
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Step 2:
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Preparing the pot
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Your container should be without drainage holes, it can be any large pot, be it ceramic, plastic, or fibre glass. Place the rim down on your membrane material, and use it as a template to cut a circle.
Fill the pot with 3/4 cm of leca and place the membrane over this to check the fit.
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Step 3:
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Fitting the pipe
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Place the pipe into the pot at the edge, and mark where it will sit on the membrane.
Remove the membrane, and cut a small slit in which to insert the pipe. It should be a snug fit.
The pipe should sit a couple of inches above the pot rim, so saw it to height.
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Step 4:
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The float
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Place the membrane into the pot, and push the pipe down into the Leca. Place the float into the pipe. It should sit 1 cm below the rim, so it may need to be trimmed. Attach the cap to the pipe.
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Step 5:
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Add water
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Place soil over the membrane to just below the container rim. Pour water into the pipe. It will take quite a lot to make the float move at first, so keep poring until it floats to the top. Allow the float to sink, and then re-water so that it sits between the maximum and minimum mark on the pipe's cap.
Make sure the float always sits above the minimum mark. The plants will start to absorb only the water they need from the reservoir.
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