I put about 1" of perlite in bottom of cup. Thread wick, wrap excess around on top of perlite. Then add potting mix. 1:1:1 is the mix I use too. These instructions were on another forum (don't remember which: Violet Reflection, Violet Voice or Dave's Garden). It works very well. If you see your plants are staying too moist add more perlite to your mix.

I know I have read the 1" before, I just had to assume they were talking about larger pots. The 3 oz cups aren't quite 2" tall. I know now that I should use much more than I have, but I don't know if I can bring myself to use a full inch. I will get started and see how it looks and feels.

Thanks. Thom

Hi Thom,
I was wondering what you are using for wicking. I use 4 ply acrylic yarn for my standards and then split it in half to 2 plies for all my minis and semis. I don't put any perlite on the bottom of my pots and it seems to work very well for me. I guess what I am trying to tell you is that maybe your wick is too thick for what you are trying to do, I have even wicked tiny condiment cups but used only 1 ply for those.
Fred in NJ

Hey Fred. I was trying to follow your advice on wicking material. I bought a 4 ply acrylic yarn which I split into the 4 plys, and use two of the plys in a 3 oz cup.

Now I remember you saying in another thread that you don't use perlite in your cups, so I guess I should use what I'm comfortable with and I will find what works for me.

I'm going thru my order from Rob's right now. What Fun.

Thanks for your time Thom

Hi Thom, I received a order from Rob's today to,yes it is so much fun kinda like Christmas. I'm with Fred with the perlite I don't use it in my wicking just the pot,soil and the yarn and so far everything is going rather well. Terri

I use the perlite in the bottom of the pots because I have the plants wicked on capillary matting. The perlite helps to wick the water up to the soil.

Hi, I like to wick without the perlite because I feel if the plant is in trouble because of the wicking I can just pull the yarn out and resume watering on my own. Terri

I use tiny gravel in the bottom of my solo cups. It provides great drainage and weights the cup to ward off tipping over.

Dora
(who has been away for two weeks taking care of funeral and business)

Thank you all for your input. I am trying different things and finding what works for me.

Have a great week.

Thom