Window Farming - Wicking Method

It been 7 months since I started Window Farming, previously I had used the self watering air lift method using an air pump. At the same time, I did an experiment with wicking method and found it was much better compared to the previous. Now I have decided to use this method for Window Farming.

Below there are photos how I made these self wicking pots. With this method I only have to top up the water in the pots every 7 to 10 days. 

The bottles I had used were 2lts soda bottles straight shape. The Wick was a cotton rope, those use in wrapping dumplings. This can be purchased from any stationary shop, you can use cloth or a material from the mob so long it is able to absorb water. 

Materials Needed

• Soda Bottle
• Netting or Kitchen Towel
• Wick
• Aquarium Air Hose
• Air Hose Connector 
• Calendar 

I wound suggest before cutting the bottle, make some holes around the top part of the bottle. This will allow the roots of the plant to grow out from the hole.

The bottle was cut one third from the top any uneven edges were trimmed off. The 2 parts were mated and stapled together.

A wick and a piece of netting was placed in the bottle. The reason for staple was that I was worried the bottom part which holds the water might dislodge due to the weight when I hang it out on the window grill. 

Clay pebbles were then added, this is to prevent the soil from escaping through the bottle neck.

Next the soil and plant was added 

Two holes were made just at the height of the clay pebbles. One hole is for topping up water through an air hose. This can be purchased from any aquarium shop. The other hole is for both breather and over flow.

 Topping up water using syphoning, the syphoning hose is attached with an air hose connector.

To prevent algae growth in the bottle, I have used a calendar paper to wrap round the bottle. I had cut to the size 33cm x 18cm and used a tape to hold it in place. Calendar paper are more water resistance and they have a waxy surface.   

Final Product, left a window in the bottle so that I can see the water level. The ty-rap will be used to secure the bottle to the window grill.


POT WICKING METHOD 

The pot was laid with a layer of trash bag so that the water can be collected in the pot. Clay pebbles were added.

Wick and straw used for topping up water is then added. Not shown, just above the clay pebbles, make a hole on the pot side, this will allow excess water to be drained off

Kitchen towel is place over so that the soil do not get mixed with the clay pebbles. The wicks have to be on the soil layer. Excess plastic is trimmed off. Next add the soil and your done

These are some of the smaller bottles, topping up water thru the straw