I've been reading up on self watering containers after seeing a post about Bill's containers and other's self watering container set ups. Is there any benefit to the figs with a self watering container vs an automatic watering system (ie drip irrigation)? One waters from below, one from soil surface but does that make a difference? Would I most likely get the same results with one vs the other?

I'm guessing it's the access to a good amount of water that makes them happy so there's not much difference. Just making sure I'm not missing something in my thought process.

The most important thing with containers is consistency and frequency.

Containers lose water faster, though the container, as well as through the plant's usage. There is just more surface area to transpire the moisture.

It is harder to thoroughly wet the entire soil mass in the container, especially if the soil has more drainage than the ground. The drainage characteristics of your potting mix may allow the waqter to flow down and out before it thoroughly wets the potting soil. If you apply the water via a point source, such as drip, it may not spread laterally to the entire root ball.

The beauty of the self-watering idea is that it captures more of the water applied to the pot (no holes at the bottom) and allows the water to be used more on an as needed basis, as the soil dries out and the water is wicked up to compensate. It also allows time for the moisture to wick through the entire root ball.

That doesn't mean it is the only way to deal with the issues, or solve the "problems" of container growing. It is a solution. When you understand the issues, yo are free to address them in a variety of ways. If someone has already shown how to solve them that doesn't mean that it isn't a solution that should be used. When you have a good solution, why re-invent the wheel so to speak.

Sounds like as long as you make sure the water reservoir is filled, that is the way to go. But a drip system isn't too shabby either and would be better than none of the above. Thanks!

have you seen these very good info

I hadn't seen that 2nd one. I poked around on youtube and found this awesome step by step video:

Nicole:   As you noticed in my previous post, I use a drip system.  Only because of cost though.  I have access to cheap pots that are leftovers from work and the timers and equipment are familiar to me. 

I have to agree with Jon though, The earth box, reservoir systems are probably better for consistancy.   The problem I've been thinking about is, if you have 20-30 figs, things could get costly.   I know there are ways to make them more economically.  For me, I want them to look good too.  I saw your backyard photos and this is probably a concern for you.   You don't want to mess up all that pretty landscaping with a bunch of rubbermaid tubs or blue drums laying around....

I've tried the 55 gallon Barrel thing but as soon as you cut the top off they start to warp.   They are tough to paint and not have the paint peel off.   They sell a really nice plastic tub that is formed to look like a whiskey barrel at Home Depot for about 30$.  Something like that made into a subirrigator would look good and be very similar to what Bill does.

My figs aren't big enough yet to worry about yet, but next year I will have to do something different.

You are right, aesthetics is something I think about. Mine aren't big enough to worry about this yet too but I think within the next year or two they will be and I am a planner.  I was already thinking about those round barrels, cutting, and painting, but it sounds like you've already crossed those off the list for me. Maybe I can look into those plastic containers you mentioned. I do admit I fret a little over plastics and the various ickies that they can be made with that can leach out into food stuff which is why I've been favoring glazed/clay pots. Lots to think about over the next year.

I should mention, we are getting an automatic watering system for the yard. I think that's better than nothing, at least.

You'll have to keep us updated.  I'll do the same.  I wouldn't think you would have much to worry about with the plastics.  I would think that by the time any of that made it through the plant it would be metabolized and broken down.   If you know different, let me know.   One more thing to think about.   

This person has made a nice blog post about plastics and gardening and their safety. Lots of links to back up what they are saying. Lots and lots of reading :)

When my time comes I'm getting a timer based drip system with a soaker hose around each fig stem.  If the pot's big enough there will be 2 concentric ones.

one more http://www.globalbuckets.org/

Thanks Nicole for starting this thread! The bottom line is as we get older, one if the most important things is TIME. I have a 3 layer drip irrigation system. This system waters around 90 pots and 65 trees in the ground at differrent times of the day once a day. Around 3 months ago, I purchased 3 LSU Black fig trees. I found some self watering pots from Walmart and potted the trees in them. I didn't have to water the trees for about 4 days and the trees TOOK OFF in growth! Today, the trees have out grown their pot and I'm gettingn ready to repot them in the wick bottom system that Bill uses. Last week I called Bill and talked to him about his system, fertilizer, lime etc. That's one reason I started the thread about testing the pH of figs. Bill told me he adjust the pH of his figs to 7.5 or 7.8. I am convinced that figs grow better when fed from the bottom. Today, I am in the process of duplicating Bill's method.

That bottom self watering is outstanding. I am convinced it's the best way to water your trees. I'm even adding my drip irrigation to those bottom watering Walmart pots.

I have three of bills pots. I'm using the same potting mix line an fertilizer regiment. I put older trees in them and root pruned them.  They do not seem to be growing as well as my other trees in regular pots and a different mix. Granted most of my other trees are younger and maybe just grow faster when younger ?They don't have as much foliage and not much new growth. They do have figs starting on them. My question about his method is you mix in osmocote, but how is that being released if the soil never really gets wet all the way through. I occasionally water from the top. 

Well with Bill- I think it may be the combination of his system and his soil.

Bill said not to use the bag potting soil.  He said his potting soil is 95% mushroom compost which is pretty heavy.  My 3 LSU Blacks are root bound in their small self waterings and I have water then daily.  My goal for switching to this system is to keep me from having to water my trees every day.  I have a recipe for soil that I know will work in these pots.  Today, I plan on starting 3 pots and transplanting my LSU Blacks to them.  These trees were 12 inches tall and now they are around 4 feet tall with figs.  My friends at the organic store are going to help me make sure my trees are getting all the proper nutruients they need.  I'll post some pic of this entire process when I'm done.

That Mushroom compost is GOOD STUFF in a small pot.

Dennis how big is the resourvior in your self watering pots?

I'm trying to decide how to move forward with the containers. I'm tempted to do self watering plus the drip system once we get it installed (drip system is getting installed for the yard regardless). All of my figs are young varying in size from 12" to 4 feet and I don't have many. 13 in pots so far. I think I'll get a couple of bill's pots for my bigger 4 ft trees and some other smaller ones to play with. Do you all get your self watering pots from big box stores? There are some on gardeners.com that I'm looking at as well.

Should I wait until the fall or next spring before changing the containers? I assume they would resent me if I tried to do it now.

The mushroom compost is a good tip. I will look into that. You said 95% mushroom compost. Is the other 5% something to improve drainage like perlite?