Ed,
In the "hydrate" stage I will be soaking in wet sphagnum peat moss, in the refrigerator. Last season I found that hydrating will decrease the rooting time by at least a week for older stored cuttings. The cuttings will spend weeks "hydrating" in the normal pre-rooting steps anyway, this just speeds up that process. The Sphagnum moss decreases the chances of mold growth. Yes I will be using rooting hormone on the bottom cut end only.
Misting just the surface, if it dries out in the rooting phase, the exposed cutting will be covered in wax. Misting in the growing phase refers to the leaves, to keep them from drying out.
Yes water is only added to the reservoir after the cutting has rooted and the mix is almost dry.

Pino,
No, there are no problems removing the plant from the SIPs. The wick is cut off below the cap and the exposed end is pushed through the hole in the cap. The cap is then removed. The root plug removal proceeds just like a regular planter.

Small SIP made from a 3 gallon Nursery Pot with a Pellon Thermolam Plus fabric wick (available at Walmart). A 3/4" hole is placed in the bottom at the center for four 1" to 1-1/2" wicks.

The wicks should extend down into the reservoir and up into the mix, the wick size and length are completely dependent on the potting mix. For a high porosity mix, the wick should only cover (fan out on) the bottom of the planter. For a lower porosity and more aerated mix (larger particles), the wick needs to extend up into the mix in the perimeter of the pot.

the wick size and length has to be tested with the potting mix that will be used. For standard peat based mixes with 75% or higher Peat content (high porosity), the wicks across the bottom of the planter will usually be sufficient.

the first constructed planter should always be tested over several days and with a full reservoir, and initially with only a half full planter to be able to observe the wicking action and aeration...
   

Pete S,

This is exactly what I am looking for. I will be up potting to the 1gal this weekend but couldn't figure out how to do it. Thank you for posting this.

One quick question. What would be the best thing to use for the outer part that would hold the water?

Thanks in advance!

Looks like he is using a seedling tray to set the pot in for the water reservoir-I haven't tried it but you might be able to set two #1 pots in a single tray. Just use a tray without drainage holes.

EDIT: I can fit 4 of my #1 pots in a standard seedling tray. I don't know about the strength of the tray for moving 4 full pots, but that would be convenient for watering SIPs from the bottom.

Jenn,
I use the 1020 seedling trays for drip and over flow trays, but they can also be used as reservoirs.
The planters can be placed inside any larger diameter container and any container that is stable and can support the the weight of the planter can also be used as a reservoir. note attached pictures using a 1 gallon jug, Plastic food container and a plastic shoebox...
     


Ed,
Since the 1, 2 and 3 Liter SIPs have been so successful in testing and use, I decided to construct a slightly larger 1 gallon SIP with a similar "neck" and "shoulder" they are currently under test, they do use the 1020 trays as reservoirs. A Heavy Duty injection molded 1020 tray can more than support the weight of the six 1 Gallon SIPs filled with wet potting mix.
.

Pete S, genius!! I will use the gallon jug for my reservoir. And I have been throwing 2 away per week, dang it.

Can I ask a stupid question? What is a pipe spacer? Also I will be using the 1gal trade pots. What size should I cut the wicks (width, length, 2 or 4 strips)? My potting mix will be perlite/peat probably 40/60.

Thanks again!

Jenn,
You're welcome.
The Pipe / Spacer / Stand was made from a 2" long piece of 4" diameter drain pipe, it could be longer to create a larger reservoir. It is needed to keep the bottom of the 1 gallon nursery pot out of the water in the reservoir, it helps to form the reservoir and aeration platform. It can be made from any water proof material, its basically feet under the bottom of the nursery pot.
Two 1-1/2" wide wicks should work OK, but the length is based on the depth of your reservoir (amount sticking out the bottom) and the wicking ability of your potting mix (amount inside the container).
Good Luck

Thank you!!!

   Thank you all for the information. I made a 5 gallon sip for fig cuttings and a mini sip as an experiment for my basil plant (recently pulled and heavily pruned from my Aquaponic System).