Going away and don't know how to keep plants watered!

Jerry Garcia said:

I don't think you'll overwater this way, but you're just trying to keep the plant alive. Overwatering once won't kill it.

I would water the day you leave...as close as you can get to the moment you walk out the door.

The tote and trash bag ideas would both work fine I reckon.

If you can make one trip home in the middle to check on them it would be for the best. 13mpg sucks though, as does $65 to fill the tank. Maybe drive back with a friend who has a small car?

Click to expand...

Yeah it does suck, I don't know of any friends that would be driving back early. Not to mention, not many friends know about this little operation because I've lost trust in people and don't want to risk it. But I can afford one trip back I'm sure that shouldn't be a problem. I was hoping my budding plant would be ready to harvest before I left, but I'm not too sure if it will be ready in time.

The other cheap alternative you could look into would be this:

Get three 2 liter soda bottles, fully intact. Fill them up with whatever water you usually use and then use a pin to prick maybe one or two tiny holes in the bottom of the bottle. Just set the bottles in your pots, next to your babies, and they'll slowly leak water out into your soil and keep it moist. It's not ideal because you won't have the wet/dry cycle, but it's really cheap and easy and should work well.

Lastly, set it up a few days before you plan to leave so you can get a feel for how fast the water is releasing. This system in combination with a soaking up system would probably do you just fine. Just refill the bottles on your single trip back. GOOD LUCK!

You might try these:

http://www.target.com/gp/search/179-1639061-1969809?field-keywords=watering+globes&url=index%3Dtarget%26search-alias%3Dtgt-index&ref=sr_bx_1_1&x=8&y=2

Glass globes! Herbose took the words outta my mouth. U might still wanna check on them 1 or 2 times tho just for a good feeding and refill the globes. CVS or Walgreens both have them in the 'as seen on TV' section.

herbose said:

You might try these:

http://www.target.com/gp/search/179-1639061-1969809?field-keywords=watering+globes&url=index%3Dtarget%26search-alias%3Dtgt-index&ref=sr_bx_1_1&x=8&y=2

Click to expand...

I don't know if these would hold much thought, as I have never used them before. It would seem like they may support it for a day or two but not a week or two weeks. If anyone has used them, give me some input about how long they last.

I think if maybe u put 2 in each plant u should be good. It only uses water when the plants thirsty. Youtube it.. Good luck

Fditty00 said:

I think if maybe u put 2 in each plant u should be good. It only uses water when the plants thirsty. Youtube it.. Good luck

Click to expand...

I'll look it up, but I'll probably be going with the water tote method just so I have the cash for christmas shopping.

DaveCoulier said:

You could try setting up a wick watering system. Pretty simple to do so. Here is a link to give you an idea how to do it:

http://www.jasons-indoor-guide-to-organic-and-hydroponics-gardening.com/hydroponics-growing-systems.html#wick

Ive also read you can just run the nylon thread up through the bottom of a drainage hole, and out another hole so that it lies flat on the inside and the ends dangle out of the bottom of the pot into your reservoir.

Click to expand...

what we were discussing is a wick system without a wick

Biohazard703 said:

I don't know if these would hold much thought, as I have never used them before. It would seem like they may support it for a day or two but not a week or two weeks. If anyone has used them, give me some input about how long they last.

Click to expand...

I imaging one of these would be good for a watering soil. so if you water before you leave and stick 2 in there it would probably be good for 9-12 days. those are fancy shmancy tho and they would be pretty useless if you're mix has really good drainage.

Id rather not leave part of my roots soaking in water for two weeks, which is why I would opt for a wick. Perched water tables are bad for plants, so Im not really keen on forcing it on plants for two weeks.

Ive never tried what you guys are suggesting, but if the plants make it through without any harm, then he may as well do it.

My soil is a mix of MG soil, perlite, and vermiculite. So the drainage is really good, water goes down pretty quick. Not to mention the globes wouldn't really be a cheap alternative if I need 2 per plant...they are $10 a piece, so that's a little over $30.

I'm tellin you man, look into the soda bottle method I mentioned above.

Biohazard703 said:

I don't know if these would hold much thought, as I have never used them before. It would seem like they may support it for a day or two but not a week or two weeks. If anyone has used them, give me some input about how long they last.

Click to expand...

Cheapest is using the plastic two liter bottles just like you would the water globes. Fill the bottles up with water, cut/drill a hole in the plastic cap about the width of a pencil (or a tad smaller). Place the drilled cap on the water bottles, turn them upside down into the dirt, and voila! You will want to water the plants as you normally would before you stick the bottles into the dirt so you will have as much in reserve as possible.