Self watering glasses! Dollar tree special. :D

9 years ago

I have to say THANK YOU to all you wonderful people! I've been having so much fun reading posts and getting inspired again! I can't believe I've waited this long to start babying my violets again. I hope they appreciate the time I've given them. Ha! :D

I have been on a quest for some kind of smaller glass reservoir for my 4" potted African violets. I finally found some at dollar tree. :D I didn't want huge reservoirs, because my shelves don't have as much space between them, And adding height to the pots would make it cramped.

So on the top shelf are my 4" pots... In Libbey tumblers. :)

Second shelf are my 3" pots in wide mouth pint jars. I'm wondering... Are some of those 4" pots too much?? Like should I be putting some of those plants in 3" pots instead of 4"? These are all standards, but I have my mature plants in the 4" pots and the 3" ones are just young plants. I tend to run my pots too big, cause they dry out so fast in smaller pots... But now that they are on reservoirs, I'm not sure what to think. :P

yes I've had violets for only 3 years... I'm still a newby!

And on the bottom shelf are the rest of my minis... Not on wicks yet. I ran out of half pint jars. :P you can see my leaf/baby humidity chamber on the middle shelf then.

And here's my kitchen ones... All self watering. Scuse the hanging pots in the foreground. :P

Please!!! Let me know if I'm missing something!! :D I need your feedback. :)

Featured Answer

skysong4

9 years ago

Beautiful setup!

For rooting my leaves, I've been using those plastic containers that you get spinach/salad greens in at the grocery store. I make sure my soil is pretty moist (I use the same 1:1:1 that I use in my wicked pots, so it's easier to transplant into them), and close it up. I use masking tape along the side to write the variety names on. I have gone literally months without needing to water them, and they root quite well. When I take them out and put them in wicked pots, usually I'll cover them with clear sandwich bags for a week or so. This doesn't take extra space, and I can reuse the bags endlessly.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

perle_de_or
9 years ago
I use dollar store glasses for reservoirs too, I take empty pots with me to get the right sizes. I also use various thrift store items.

I use 3 inch pots for most of my plants unless they are really large, then I use 4 inch. For babies I use solo cups, I don't put babies on wicks right away. I have been growing for several years, but only last year got serious about wicking and its been a learning experience for me to get that right, or mostly right, lol. Still have to keep an eye on everything to make sure the moisture isn't too wet or too dry. I use a very thin wick, but on the largest plants I will add two wicks.

I started with AVs back in 2002 and didn't know anything really, except that they didn't like to be overly wet. Did everything else wrong, but every one of those Optimaras survived and I still have them.
joyfulsu thanked perle_de_or
Rosie1949
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Su, I think you set up is wonderful ! Plants look beautiful !!!! And I love the three hanging baskets also!!!!!

Dollar Tree/yard sales/thrift stores are all great possibilities for reservoir containers! Yay!!!!

Speaking of reservoirs,,,I am experimenting with 2 Kcups with fresh cut leaves. I have put them right away on wicks. I usually put them in a snack baggie with a couple inches of soil, set on its short end. They do well, and then when I transplant and put them on their wick,,,,,well,, let's just say I have an extensive cemetery. sigh,,,RIP. SO,,,we are going to START on wicks. We'll see what happens with a little more consistency.

I don't have room to "dome" everything after they come out of the baggies. And I am not transplanting when they are too little. But when you grow in a controlled "womb" and are thrust into the cold cruel world, well,,,, sigh.

Anyway,,,I am all for recycling!!!! Rosie

PS. We have been going to Fish Fry every Friday and I save my plastic glass and my cole slaw condiment cup/lid and YEP I take them home with me! Now multiply that by 3 (me, husband, grandson) then multiply that by 6 days of fish fries and WOW!!! AND if I go out to eat and they serve me in plastic,, well, yep! Same rules apply, they come home with me!!! Lots of containers!!!!! I can use them and better than ending up in the landfill !!!! Useful things!!!! Yay!!!!!
Related Professionals
Jacksonville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Morgan City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Elizabeth City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Moline Landscape Contractors · Logan Landscape Contractors · Fayetteville Architects & Building Designers · Cumberland Architects & Building Designers · Clarksburg Architects & Building Designers · Auburn Architects & Building Designers · Waterbury Architects & Building Designers · Pittsfield Architects & Building Designers · Escanaba Architects & Building Designers · Allentown Architects & Building Designers · Olympia Architects & Building Designers · Edmonton Architects & Building Designers
joyfulsu
Original Author
9 years ago
Hey Rosie,

Thanks! This is all of my african violet plants, except some little kcups (that you sent me way back!) That have my extra babies I couldn't stand to throw out! :P

I'm doing an experiment with my streps at the moment... I have a bunch of young plants from seeds from Nancy Braun, and some plants I started from leaves... And I have them all in three 8" pots, hanging in front of a window! I have them all marked so I know who's who... But so far I'm loving having them hanging there in community pots. I'm not sure I'll leave them there... But I'm liking the experiment! :P

About recycling, I tend to go for glass... But I like the idea of saving plastics for pots!

Oo, and the fish fry sounds delicious!. :D
Rosie1949
9 years ago
Su you're welcome a bunch! Those kcups are indispensible for me. Perfect for cuttings! Or mini to micro mini violets! (on wicks of course) Good luck on your experiments!!!!

I like glass also, but I find plastic drinking cups lighter and if they get stained from who knows what or just plain old that is when I don't feel bad about tossing them finally !!! And they are FREE !!!!!! Rosie
joyfulsu
Original Author
9 years ago
Yes! That sounds like a great setup. Thanks for sharing!
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
7 years ago
I love your glass shelves. Where did you get those?