How to: Vacation watering with string / wool thread

When a vacation comes up, the fear of thirsty plants is great. Fortunately, a string can provide effective vacation irrigation for your Potted plants handcraft.

Utensils and materials

To create an irrigation system for your houseplants, you need the right tools. Without them, it is not possible to implement the project in order for it to work properly. The project uses a cord that soaks up water and gradually releases it to the plant. The big advantage of the method is the permanent supply of the plant without putting it under water. As soon as the substrate begins to dry out, the moisture is released from the thread. For this reason, the most important material is a wool thread, which is measured according to the following criteria:

• Distance from the water tank to the plant
• Height of the container

These two values ​​are added together to give you a rough idea of ​​how much thread you need. Of course, if you have a full roll available, you don't have to worry about not having enough material available. Be sure to use thicker cords as they absorb more water. When choosing the water container, you need to consider the length of your vacation. The plants need around 200 to 300 milliliters per week, which is the size of a mason jar. You will also need the following utensils per plant to tinker with the irrigation for the vacation:

• 2 x stones, small weights or screws
• scissors
• optional: box (as an increase for the vessel)

Tip: If you have to supply several plants, you can also use a large water tank that supplies the individual tubs via several cords. Just make sure to correctly determine the amount of water you need.

preparation

In order to optimize the effect of holiday watering, there is one more important preparation you need to make: the placement of the plants. If you give each plant a water container, you can leave the plants in their normal place. If, on the other hand, all plants are to be supplied from a single water source, you have to adjust the location a bit, as they are closer together. A compromise has to be made between sunny and shady places according to the light requirements for the plants so that they are not in an unfavorable position. For this reason, balconies are not so well suited for this method, as the solar radiation is usually more intense and uncontrollable. The following points have proven useful when choosing a location if you want to water larger groups of plants using a container:

• Avoid permanently direct sun
• choose bright rooms
• Keep the water container out of the sun
• avoid cold rooms

Tinker holiday irrigation: instructions

Once you have the necessary utensils ready and your suitcases packed, you can start watering. You don't have to worry about the time required, because even several plants can be prepared with the device within a few minutes. To do this, you have to place the water tank in an elevated position. This is why you need a crate, especially with tall pots. The device will not work if the water container is lower than the flower pots. It must stand at least ten centimeters higher. Then follow these instructions to complete the watering method:

• Cut the cords back to the required length
• place one end on the bottom of the water tank
• weigh down with a stone or other weight
• Check fit and readjust if necessary
• the thread must not "slip away"
• Guide the wool thread from the bucket to the plant
• Insert 8 to 10 cm into the substrate
• also fasten from above
• Threads should be slightly taut
• must not sag (does not transport water)

Note: The cord does not have to be a pure wool thread. It can also be made of pure cotton, which is a bit cheaper to buy depending on the brand.

frequently asked Questions