Good evening, now that Fall is here, it's time for me to start my prep work for completing my self watering pots (SWP). I know most don't use this watering method, but some do. I've got 50 pots already cut. I use Bill's SWP method and I love it! What Bill uses is 4 inch PVC and brick lathe. This stuff works but I'm wondering if anyone else use SWPs of the 55g barrel size and if you do, What do you use insde to hold your tree up out of water? So, before I start buying all this PVC and metal lathe, tell me what do you use. thanks!

I use the black drainage pvc from home depot... The stuff with the holes in it. Then I use cheap metal lathe and burlap.

Thanks Nick. I got some of that but was wondering if it would collaspe due to the weight of the dirt and tree. Bill uses pure mushroom compost. And that stuff is freaking heavy!

Nick, what's your dirt composition?

Bill uses drainage pipe. It has holes in the sides

Some of mine are a mix of pine bark and miracle grow... the others are a peat based mix... both hold up fine. By the time the burlap decomposes, the roots have formed enough to hold the soil in.

Mine are exacly like Bill's....with holes and alll.

Thanks Nick. I think I will give it a try.

Dennis
As you might  know there is no bigger fan of Bill and his system than me. I have 4 of his pots and have made 4 of my own. I use the burlap and lathe and PVC as he does. The lathe holds up great and a 3' x 8' sheet is very reasonable. You just have to be careful cutting it as the edges are quite sharp.
I am also a fan of the mushroom compost. It all works well together.
I wouldnt change a thing 

Dennis ,
Post #11 on this old thread shows a variation on Bills Figs sub irrigation platform that I used for a couple of my 25 gallon pots.
It has performed well for a few years now. Most of mine have the system the same as Bills.
JustFigs posts on this thread are very interesting.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/subirrigation-containers-and-figs-5112306?pid=1267472472#post1267472472

Dennis,
The 4" HDPE corrugated drainage pipe works well and is relatively inexpensive when purchased in the 100' rolls. HDPE Drain Pipe, Plastic Garden Fence and Spun Landscape Fabric is used to form my SIP Aeration Platforms, http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1281136821&postcount=25

.

Good Luck.

I saw Slavi preparing one.. I am not sure what to support, but he had a very right fit fiberglass on top. He ought to post his pictures... his figs like his pots.

Thanks everyone for chiming in here!  I've been rereading your responses over and over trying to decide.  Kerry, thanks for posting your original post.  I remember reading that one and liked the idea of using that tubing.  I think that's the fastest way to go so tomorrow, I'm going down to HD and Lowes and compare prices.  It might just be what i am looking for.   Kerry I do have a question for you though.  How were you able to get the tubing to stay in a complete circle?  I have an 21 inch iMAC and can really zoom in and see everything except how the pieces are stable.  In August, Jon and I were talking about Bill's soil mixture.  If Bill is using pure mushroom compost, then those tree have to weigh a ton once you add 5g of water in the bottom!  I may try 1 pot using mushroom compost and see how the tree grows.

Pete, I like your design.  Man that's a huge pot!  But I like it!  I need to sleep on your design tonight.  It's an hour past my bedtime and I can't think straight.

 I know I've said this before but i have to say it again.  My best looking trees and healthiest trees are growing in this method.  Just about 2/3s of my collection are in SWPs.  I got about 254 in 15 gallons that need to be repotted this year.  So, I have to get ready now.  Our 25 degree weather comes in 5 weeks!  

If you can automate the water to the containers, rocks or bricks are a cheap way to go.  They will use up more of the volume of the reservoir, but an automated system could be adjusted to compensate.

Dennis,
Its an optical illusion, the container is only 22" tall and 18" diameter it hold ~25 gallons, 5 gallons water and ~15 gallons potting mix.

Good Night.

Dennis ,
I played around with it a little to find exactly the right length to cut the pipe so one end could be pushed into the other and the the whole circle pushed to the bottom of the container.
The cross piece was just cut after the circle was in place and simply snugged in.

Hey Grasa, ask Slavi for more information on how he created his swp.  

Ok, Pete, now I understand.  Thanks.

Kerry, I'm on my way to compare prices on that tubing at Lowes and HD.  I will get a 100' roll.  To help me cut the lathe and barrels, I got myself a SawMaxx.  Man I love that tool!  But it heats up very fast making it difficult to hold unless you use thick leather gloves.  I got 6 more barrels to cut.  My garage is halfway full of the cut barrels.  Since I got so much potting to do, I plan on getting a huge truck load deliveried.  You won't believe how much this stuff cost me....only $65 bucks for 5 cu yards!  

Dennis, it sounds like you are using 55 gallon plastic barrels.  I have tried to locate the same containers Bill (of Bill's Figs) uses but I only found an on-line source and they were quite expensive.  Has anyone found a good source of the plastic containers he uses?

I went to the place in Mass where they are made and bought a pallet and a half of them , that cut the price almost in half.
But they are only a little more than an hour away.
Maybe call Bill and ask him how he gets them. I imagine he buys them by the pallet.
I've yet to find a container as well made , but I think the barrels Dennis is using would be my next choice.

Guys, you are correct.  I am using half 55g food grade barrels the ones with the 2 screw caps on top.  They are super thick!  I've called and talked to Bill several times about this pot and all.  He sent me the information on where he gets his pots.....its the same place Kerry mentioned.  He buys them by the truck pallet.  Thanks to Sharon, I now have 2 of Bill's pots.  When I cut my 55g barrels in half, the barrel pots are much larger than bills.  I like that!  The barrel pots are wider and taller.  I'll post pics side by side this afternoon.  The best news is I can get my barrels for $10 bucks each making one pot just $5 bucks!!!!  You can't beat that price!   Bill's pots cost $65 bucks each.  I like my barrel price much better!

You can get them 'free' on craigslist at times, and you can prime and paint them in any color you want. Even be creative with the design...

Get the wife involved:
http://www.birdsandblooms.com/blog/diy-plant-containers/

have you seen this one?
 http://www.instructables.com/id/Earth-Box-from-a-Plastic-Barrel/?ALLSTEPS

I have my 254 large containers on a drip irrigaion system. They get a gallon of water a day depending on outside air tempatures. So, once my pots are complete and the tree is in place, it doesn't move for 3 or 4 years.

Grasa, I don't want my wife nowhere near my plants! She does not have the patience and could care less about them.

Dennis...
  I had a stroke..
Free Fig trees , Hollier, Smith, Green Greek, Others... 3 to 6 ft.
Come dig..    Fredfig  New Bern,NC   252-638 4357

I am so sorry to hear that Fred.  I will give you a call.

@ Fred good luck and i hope you get better soon.
dont worry about the figs... when you are strong enougn to start over send me a message i will get you started again with every thing i have.