Badger Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 Hi, we like to have a few tubs of bedding plants on the roof of our boat.Problem is we only get there about once a month or so. I have been experimenting and trying to make a wick, to go from the planter (on the bank) and the other end into the river. I have tried a strip of carpet, but this does not work, also a hessian rope. Has anybody else thought of this idea. and got it to work ?. Badger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twocvbloke Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 Maybe modify a solar fountain pump to pump water up to the planters on the roof, though how to time them is something I don't know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrinkley Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 How about the other way up! Stick a bucket of water on the roof and the plants on the floor. Run a wet rope from the bucket down to the plants. Not my idea but I am sure I read about this as a method of filtering waste Veg oil. Might not last a month but better than nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnot Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 (edited) Hi, we like to have a few tubs of bedding plants on the roof of our boat.Problem is we only get there about once a month or so. I have been experimenting and trying to make a wick, to go from the planter (on the bank) and the other end into the river. I have tried a strip of carpet, but this does not work, also a hessian rope. Has anybody else thought of this idea. and got it to work ?. Badger In the seventies, I had about 150' of south facing mooring outside my workshop with windbreak walls at either end and no public access. Sensing a cashcrop, I made up some simple troughs with poly sheet and some old pallet planks and planted about 100 tomato plants. To water them, I used a bilge pump and an upside down float switch to fill the troughs whenever the level got too low. The battery seemed to last for weeks. I got loads of tomatoes and they tasted damn good as well! (Ailsa Craig). The local nurseryman who grew his under glass could never seem to get such a good crop and constantly tried to find out how I managed it. He never did believe it was just eau de cut... Regards Arnot Edited June 30, 2009 by Arnot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBMike Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 I had a client years ago who was experimenting with an 'Autosiphon' to water his greenhouse when he was on holiday. This is the type you usually see above gents urinal stalls. It has a drip feed (adjustable) and flushes when at the correct level. but you'd need to fix up a mains or pumped constant supply. I don't know if he ever got it working Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted June 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 I had a client years ago who was experimenting with an 'Autosiphon' to water his greenhouse when he was on holiday. This is the type you usually see above gents urinal stalls. It has a drip feed (adjustable) and flushes when at the correct level. but you'd need to fix up a mains or pumped constant supply. I don't know if he ever got it working I have been thinking of something simpler than suggested ideas. There must be some material that would when dipped in water (the canal/river) act like a wick, and suck up water to the bottom of a planter pot?. badger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 I have been thinking of something simpler than suggested ideas. There must be some material that would when dipped in water (the canal/river) act like a wick, and suck up water to the bottom of a planter pot?. badger Hi Badger, the following link may be of use. Basically the poster says to use 3/8 nylon wick (rope?) and stresses the importance of Vermiculite in the bottom of the containers to encourage the wicking action. http://forum.grasscity.com/absolute-beginn...ing-system.html Regards, Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted July 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Hi Badger, the following link may be of use. Basically the poster says to use 3/8 nylon wick (rope?) and stresses the importance of Vermiculite in the bottom of the containers to encourage the wicking action. http://forum.grasscity.com/absolute-beginn...ing-system.html Regards, Tony This seems more like it. I will give this a try......One question- what the hell is vermiculite!, and where do I get it?. Badger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulR Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 Vermiculite Any Garden Centre or decent Nursery will sell it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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