The 2 minute $2 SIP(SWC) - Pictorial Tutorial

Author

Comment

FMD

Registered:1309800590
Posts: 1,327

Posted 1379787220	Reply with quote #1

Literally... Attached Images 1.JPG (375.35 KB, 262 views) 2.JPG (392.76 KB, 266 views) 3.JPG (434.21 KB, 262 views) 4.JPG (493.29 KB, 257 views) 5.JPG (444.36 KB, 244 views) 6.JPG (406.89 KB, 260 views) 7.JPG (437.81 KB, 267 views) 8.JPG (518.26 KB, 269 views) 9.JPG (454.72 KB, 256 views) 10.JPG (486.39 KB, 261 views) 11_.JPG (556.32 KB, 268 views) 12.JPG (515.39 KB, 263 views) 13.JPG (724.58 KB, 257 views) 14.JPG (795.27 KB, 257 views) 15.JPG (683.12 KB, 242 views) 16.JPG (438.38 KB, 235 views) 17.JPG (458.32 KB, 227 views) __________________ Frank Tallahassee, FL Zone 8b North Florida Figs

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1379788660	Reply with quote #2

Very nice, Frank! where did you buy the buckets from and how many gallons they are? __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

newnandawg

Registered:1344130335
Posts: 2,535

Posted 1379789017	Reply with quote #3

Nice job Frank and thanks for the picture instructions.

Tonycm

Registered:1314411773
Posts: 922

Posted 1379790148	Reply with quote #4

Nice job Frank. Looks like a new winter project to get ready for spring. __________________ Zone 6a Sarver, PA Wish list; Rafed's Genovese Nero

RodneySanDiego

Registered:1379523557
Posts: 46

Posted 1379791847	Reply with quote #5

Great Stuff Frank, Love what you are doing, you need to come to California and bring your trees.

needaclone

Registered:1346812939
Posts: 604

Posted 1379817067	Reply with quote #6

The inner bucket says 2.5gallons on it, so the outer one looks to be about 3gallons. I'm guessing the $2 figure in the title refers to how much potato salad you have to order to get the plastic deli container ;-) Frank: This looks like a really nice, clean, simple setup. Beautiful! Jim __________________ Clarksburg, NJ - Zone 6b Wishlist - A wise man recommended: Nero600M . Malta Black . Tacoma (Takoma) Violet . Gino's . Adriatic JH . Vista Mission . Florea . Atreano . ...also...RdB, Bethlehem Black, Negronne, Grise de St. Jean, Livano, Col de Dame Blanc/Gris/Noir, Vasilika Sika, Longue D'Aout, Italian 258, Pennsylvania 6-5000

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1379821902	Reply with quote #7

Jim, I didn't notice the writing on the buckets, thanks! After this summer my February rooted cuttings need 5-7 gal pots though. It seems these are too small for the September planting, no? Well... Unless the cuttings were started later. __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

FMD

Registered:1309800590
Posts: 1,327

Posted 1379859751	Reply with quote #8

Indeed, the Dollar Tree has the pails and 2.5 gallon containers. The Deli containers were a gift from a valued NJ forum member, Vince. Here's the thing...these swc's are not meant to house the tree forever. They are to be used either for rooting cuttings and/or growing newly rooted cuttings (especially root riot transplants). The entire SWC concept is to prevent over or under-watering--the two death knells for young plants. Growing cuttings in an SWC vs a regular pot will almost guarantee survival. It will also increase the rate of growth from 2-5x compared to typically grown plants over the first year. Check out my other tutorial on even smaller SWC's here: http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/pictorial-the-5-minute-mini-sip-6416006?highlight=mini __________________ Frank Tallahassee, FL Zone 8b North Florida Figs

GRamaley

Registered:1357742252
Posts: 791

Posted 1379864365	Reply with quote #9

I've found the 32oz containers fairly cheap on ebay, and I have also gotten a few just for asking at Walmart and my local grocery store in the produce dept... __________________ Gloria --------------- 7a, maybe 8

needaclone

Registered:1346812939
Posts: 604

Posted 1379902985	Reply with quote #10

Greenfig -- sounds like your cuttings did very well this year. Personally, the cuttings I started last winter and this spring would be very happy to live in a 2.5 gallon bucket next year ;-) They have not yet outgrown their 1-gallon (or less) pots. Growing conditions for them have not been good this year, but overwatering (due to excessive rain) was one factor. These 2-minute SIPs would have helped with that. Frank -- Well, you were not exaggerating...FYI, those black pails (or something very similar) that are $1 at the dollar store are about $4 each at Sears. (Maybe the one from sears is more heavy duty -- hard to tell online.) It looks like I'll be stopping by the dollar tree tomorrow to check out these pails. Cheers, Jim P.S. for anyone reading this thread -- I once posted about finding a $1 pencil soldering iron at a dollar store. These are perfect for melting the drain holes in the deli containers...and at that price, you don't have to worry about ruining it and not being able to use it for real soldering... __________________ Clarksburg, NJ - Zone 6b Wishlist - A wise man recommended: Nero600M . Malta Black . Tacoma (Takoma) Violet . Gino's . Adriatic JH . Vista Mission . Florea . Atreano . ...also...RdB, Bethlehem Black, Negronne, Grise de St. Jean, Livano, Col de Dame Blanc/Gris/Noir, Vasilika Sika, Longue D'Aout, Italian 258, Pennsylvania 6-5000

needaclone

Registered:1346812939
Posts: 604

Posted 1379988604	Reply with quote #11

Frank, Based on your experience so far with this setup, would you speculate on whether a 24-oz plastic cup (right side up) would work as opposed to the larger (32-oz?) deli-container with a lid (upside down?) Or does the type of potting medium now become more of a factor. (e.g. maybe a medium with more of a wicking action would be needed with a smaller cup.) I'd be interested in just using what I have on hand, but I don't have enough experience with SWCs to know if I'd be limiting the self-watering action... Cheers, Jim __________________ Clarksburg, NJ - Zone 6b Wishlist - A wise man recommended: Nero600M . Malta Black . Tacoma (Takoma) Violet . Gino's . Adriatic JH . Vista Mission . Florea . Atreano . ...also...RdB, Bethlehem Black, Negronne, Grise de St. Jean, Livano, Col de Dame Blanc/Gris/Noir, Vasilika Sika, Longue D'Aout, Italian 258, Pennsylvania 6-5000

Tam

Registered:1365478628
Posts: 1,084

Posted 1379991243	Reply with quote #12

Very nice, thanks. Best, Tam

FMD

Registered:1309800590
Posts: 1,327

Posted 1380019840	Reply with quote #13

Jim, great question! Potting medium is the most important factor in the wicking process. I am sure that 24 ounce cups would work jus as well. You may consider doubling them up (one inside the other) to add strength. Also, you could drill holes at the bottom of the top container for better oxygenation of the roots. Good Luck. __________________ Frank Tallahassee, FL Zone 8b North Florida Figs

needaclone

Registered:1346812939
Posts: 604

Posted 1380073986	Reply with quote #14

Frank, Just curious -- what potting medium have you used in your $2 SWCs? I've been using a 5-1-1 (PineBarkFines-PromixHP-perlite) and sometimes a 5-1-1-1 (previous 5-1-1 with an additional one part NAPA floor dry) in my containers. I might try to do an experiment...make up one of each and see how well they each wick up water. Unfortunately, I'm too much of a noobie to really know which one would be better even after I see the results ;-) The extra water retention of the floordry was my bane this spring due to the non-stop rain we had. However, if the SWC is covered and only pulling water from the bottom, maybe it won't be too bad. Again, any insight would be appreciated. Cheers, Jim __________________ Clarksburg, NJ - Zone 6b Wishlist - A wise man recommended: Nero600M . Malta Black . Tacoma (Takoma) Violet . Gino's . Adriatic JH . Vista Mission . Florea . Atreano . ...also...RdB, Bethlehem Black, Negronne, Grise de St. Jean, Livano, Col de Dame Blanc/Gris/Noir, Vasilika Sika, Longue D'Aout, Italian 258, Pennsylvania 6-5000

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1380075752	Reply with quote #15

I stopped by The Dollar Tree and got 6 each of those buckets and two 3-packs of 24oz drinking cups to use for the wick. So my total is $2.33 per SIP. Edit: Be very careful cutting the hole in the bottom of the upper bucket. The bottom is not as thick as it seems.. lol I was using a box cutter that probably was not nearly sharp enough. When I was about halfway around, I just punched through the bottom. Nothing a little outdoor duct tape can't handle though.. We'll see how it holds up. Here's a pic of the cup I'm using for the wick. 3 for a $1. Still have to drill all the holes in the wick and the overflow. Thanks for the info, FMD! __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

FMD

Registered:1309800590
Posts: 1,327

Posted 1380120413	Reply with quote #16

Nice McGivering of that container, James. Yes everyone, please be careful when cutting the hole. Jim, I have never had problems with wicking as long as the media does not contain garden soil. Various proportions of peat moss or coir with perlite, vermiculite, fines etc work just fine. __________________ Frank Tallahassee, FL Zone 8b North Florida Figs

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1386095963	Reply with quote #17

I've found that when the buckets are together, that the fit is too tight for water to easily flow down to the bottom trough the side spout. Frank, what did you do to get around that? I've been putting 8" green bamboo stick between the buckets right where the side spout is, so it has a little space for the water to flow down. I Have to use a fairly thin one, or it might tear the outer bucket. But now it's quicker to fill them. I read in another thread about bamboo skewers promote mode in humid enclosures... so now i'm worried about my choice of "spacer" material. I may replace all the sticks with a peace of vinyl tubing. __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

FMD

Registered:1309800590
Posts: 1,327

Posted 1386122981	Reply with quote #18

James, the 32 ounce container elevates the internal container just enough to produce a small space from the outer container. __________________ Frank Tallahassee, FL Zone 8b North Florida Figs

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1386132240	Reply with quote #19

Ah, I see what you did. Yours is sitting on an inverted cup for the wick and mine has a cup hanging down for the wick. So my top bucket sits lower & tighter. __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

Rewton

Registered:1291943117
Posts: 1,946

Posted 1387121589	Reply with quote #20

After reviewing this thread, I'm still a little confused about the cup used for the wick. The method for making 5-6 gallon SWCs (e.g. "global buckets") uses a 16 oz cup right side up for the wick. If I understand correctly a larger (and I assume sturdy) 32 oz deli cup used here is needed so that the upper container with wick rests directly on the bottom of the lower container and sits high enough to create a space along the sides of the two containers (and a larger water reservoir). It seems that for this to be successful the diameter of the hole cut for the upper container must be precise. Depending on how heavy the mix is and how sturdy the wicking cup is I would be concerned that the wicking cup would collapse under the weight such that sides of the upper container would then rest on those of the lower container (as in James' situation above). I am wondering about placing 3 small blocks of wood (or some other material) in the lower container for the upper to rest on rather than the wick. Then one could use a 16 oz cup as a wick as is used for the global buckets. Thoughts? __________________ Steve MD zone 7a

FMD

Registered:1309800590
Posts: 1,327

Posted 1387126998	Reply with quote #21

I understand your concern, Rewton but I haven't had that problem yet. I am actually using two 32 ounce containers, one inside the other for greater stability. Furthermore, the growing mix is quite light. Also, remember that this is a temporary, one year or less solution to accelerate the growth of rooted cuttings and not a permanent home for your tree. __________________ Frank Tallahassee, FL Zone 8b North Florida Figs

ascpete

Registered:1336096379
Posts: 1,942

Posted 1387158052	Reply with quote #22

Frank, Thanks for starting this topic. Here's a simple 5 gallon SIP based on the Alaska Grow Bucket without the automatic self watering feature, <or the experimental Global Bucket.> The total cost for the pictured SIP is $1.58 which included sales tax on the colander from Dollar Tree. Holes were drilled on the side of the bucket 3-1/2 inches from the bottom for drainage and aeration. The handles and rim of the colander were removed for proper fit in the bottom of the bucket (use scissors for a clean cut). Total fabrication time... under 5 minutes. <edit>. Added a link and 5 new photos.

Rewton

Registered:1291943117
Posts: 1,946

Posted 1387160875	Reply with quote #23

Pete, how do you add water to the reservoir (collander)? It seems like you would need a pipe. Or do you water from above? __________________ Steve MD zone 7a

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1387163312	Reply with quote #24

Quote: Originally Posted by ascpete Frank, Thanks for starting this topic. Here's a simple 5 gallon SIP based on the Alaska Grow Bucket without the automatic self watering feature. The total cost for the pictured SIP is $1.58 which included sales tax on the colander from Dollar Tree. Holes were drilled on the side of the bucket 3-1/2 inches from the bottom for drainage and aeration. The handles and rim of the colander were removed for proper fit in the bottom of the bucket (use scissors for a clean cut). Total fabrication time... under 5 minutes. . I like it.. perfect step up from the 2 gal SIP. and easier to make than the dual 5gal-bucket sip. I had an idea to do something like this, but couldn't find just the right thing for the reservoir. Thanks! __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

ascpete

Registered:1336096379
Posts: 1,942

Posted 1387397479	Reply with quote #25

Rewton, Yes. It can be watered from the top along the side until it starts to overflow, or an 18 to 24 inch Fill pipe between the bag and bucket can be added at a cost of $0.20. Also the Automated watering system of the Alaska Grow Bucket, or a standard distributed automated fill with the fill pipe grommet installed at 3-1/4 inch from bottom of bucket (or slightly lower than the aeration holes, or through the fill pipe), or the siphon used in Global Bucket Automatic Watering. . James, After several tests, the Colander SIP actually wicks too much water (35 sq. in. cross section) with a standard 75-85% peat based potting mix. For a drier (75-85% peat) mix a reduction of the "wick" cross section area is needed. By using the following simple modification (adding a 10-1/2" piece of plastic pipe, 1/2" PVC (@ $0.20/foot) or any other similar material) the cross section area can be reduced closer to the 10% (10 to 12 sq. in cross section) of the planters 113 sq. in. cross section area (12 " diameter) which IMO is optimal. For plants that require an even drier media the wick area can be further reduced by filling and packing only one end of the bag, the other end can be folded on top of the colander. Also after fabricating the first few SIPs, the fabrication time has dropped below 2 minutes each. I'm currently fabricating several dozen Easy SIPs for my 1 gallon fig plants, so I will post an evaluation on this design in use. Good Luck. Here's the instructional video for the Alaska Grow Bucket, the fabrication of the Colander SIP (Easy SIP) is very similar, except the colander is placed upside down in the Easy SIP. Attached Images 5_gallon_SIP_weedblock.jpg (88.90 KB, 37 views) 5_gallon_SIP_weedblock1.jpg (101.16 KB, 27 views) 5_gallon_SIP_weedblock2.jpg (96.20 KB, 18 views)

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1388767483	Reply with quote #26

If the collander gives too much wick, how about these baskets from Dollar Tree? I'm thinking cut the top 1/3 off of 2 and stack them with landscape or other screening material between them. Haven't tried it yet, but looks like they should fit quite nicely. http://www.dollartree.com/household/storage-organization/Round-Plastic-Storage-Baskets-11-/500c541c541p177485/index.pro?method=search __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

needaclone

Registered:1346812939
Posts: 604

Posted 1395015573	Reply with quote #27

James and Steve, I was messing around with the SIP that Frank described in the original post. I cut the plastic rope handle from the inner buckets instead of just laying them flat. I nearly threw them away, not having any use for them, but I put them aside for some unknown reason. (OK, it's because I'm a packrat and I figure I'd use them for something eventually.) A few days later it hit me...these plastic rope handles can be placed between the inner and outer bucket. This creates a nice gap between the two buckets and allows the water to fill quite nicely. The added benefit is there's nothing to throw out and nothing more to buy! Jim __________________ Clarksburg, NJ - Zone 6b Wishlist - A wise man recommended: Nero600M . Malta Black . Tacoma (Takoma) Violet . Gino's . Adriatic JH . Vista Mission . Florea . Atreano . ...also...RdB, Bethlehem Black, Negronne, Grise de St. Jean, Livano, Col de Dame Blanc/Gris/Noir, Vasilika Sika, Longue D'Aout, Italian 258, Pennsylvania 6-5000

Rewton

Registered:1291943117
Posts: 1,946

Posted 1395020109	Reply with quote #28

That's a good idea - thanks for the tip! So far I made just one of the SIPs as described in the initial post from Frank but haven't set up a fig in it yet. I'm waiting for it to stop snowing - more falling as we speak :( __________________ Steve MD zone 7a

schaplin

Registered:1392175246
Posts: 662

Posted 1395021048	Reply with quote #29

This has been a great topic. Thanks for all the good information __________________ Wish List: @Hmari, @Maltese beauty, @Col de Dame Grise, @Bryant Dark, @Lynhurst White, @Melcedonia Dark, @Panevino Dark, @Paradiso

DallasFigs

Registered:1358877623
Posts: 990

Posted 1395109722	Reply with quote #30

Quote: Originally Posted by needaclone James and Steve, I was messing around with the SIP that Frank described in the original post. I cut the plastic rope handle from the inner buckets instead of just laying them flat. I nearly threw them away, not having any use for them, but I put them aside for some unknown reason. (OK, it's because I'm a packrat and I figure I'd use them for something eventually.) A few days later it hit me...these plastic rope handles can be placed between the inner and outer bucket. This creates a nice gap between the two buckets and allows the water to fill quite nicely. The added benefit is there's nothing to throw out and nothing more to buy! Jim That IS a great idea. I've been sticking whatever was at hand in there. Some have a piece of green bamboo stick, some have the handle from those McDonnald happy meal buckets they were giving out at Halloween. Dollar tree hasn't had any of those rope handled buckets during the winter. Hope they get more in soon. __________________ James - Irving, TX - Zone: 8a Follow me on EBay Wish List: 187-25 · Ice Crystal · Maltese Beauty · Maltese Falcon

jenn42

Registered:1389575153
Posts: 256

Posted 1395276580	Reply with quote #31

I have really learned so much from this topic. My husband made me 2 from plastic pickle jars yesterday! When he was making them for me I couldn't help but wonder if they could be made somehow using the 1 gal trade pots. I've got sooo many of them, I just don't have the imagination to come up with how to do it. Or is there info already on it? Thanks in advance __________________ Jenn Austin, TX Zone 8b Wish List: CDD, Bryant-Dark Unknown, Red Lebanese, ORoarke, Calvert Will hopefully have cuttings to trade next year as my yearlings mature

Previous Topic | Next Topic

Modal title

Insert Code

Please paste your code into the box below: