Some people seem to really like the self Irrigating Containers. I have not used them yet but I'm not sure if I completely understand the reasoning behind it. People say that it gives them the best results of any container. You cover the top so rain water does not get in and force the roots to grow down to the water reservoir on the bottom of the container. Why? If I use drip irrigation from above wouldn't that be the same constant supply of water? Also, wouldn't a tray of water and a standard pot (with holes) serve the same function? I know that figs don't like wet feet in the winter. How do you avoid that if you use a SIC?

I love using SIPs for their convenience.  At the peak of summer, most trees need two waterings per day to prevent any heat stress.  Since I work a full time job, it's one less responsibility.  I've actually moved up to the gutter grow system which is fed by rain barrels, making everything hands-off.
The purpose of the cover is the prevent the rain from flushing the nutrients from the potting mix. I use Osmocote slow release at the beginning of the season and it takes care of the trees all year.
As for constant wet roots, I'll admit some of the figs came out watery and split prematurely, but some varieties came out excellent too.
I do have several in-ground trees as well.  It's nice to come home after work and simply walk around my property and study the new growth every day, not worrying about watering 20+ trees.

This is my first winter storing SIPs.  I emptied the reservoirs from all the trees.  I will remove the covers soon, just to allow the mix to breath a little bit.  I'll bet the media stays damp all winter.  We'll see how they turn out in the spring.

Frank,

How do your figs act if they are not watered twice a day in the peak of the season?  I'm asking because my figs get far, far less water and are doing very well IMO.  

They get watered as they need it. They are on an irrigation system that is seasonally adjusted. Water has not been an issue. Are you saying I could get even better results? I'm not sure about that. I fert the potting soil and top dress 1-2x per year so leaching nutrients hasn't been an issue either.

@Aaron, yes.  You can get much better results.  Try it and you will definitely see the results.  Those who have not tried it say their trees are doing fine and they're probably right.  But how can you measure and compare something with have not compared both methods?  I'm not knocking anyone.  I'm just saying...trying it.

I use Bill's method.  Making Bill type pots does take time.  A LOT OF TIME IN PREP WORK!  But once the prep work is over, you don't have to bother the root system for another 3 years!  I don't know about you but I like that!  I have a drip irrigation system that feed my tree for one hour a day controlled by a timer.  If rain is projected, I just press the rain delay button and walk away!  So those trees that split with too much water, I have a turn off valve for each dripper and I just turn that tree's dripper off.  

I can't fully explain the botanical reasons that my SIP are better, but they work better than any other potted method for me here in NJ. I grow in SIP's, traditional pots and in ground. I don't think anything compares with growing in ground, but that is a challenge for most of us in the Northeast.
I built some 5 gallon sips this year and they did better than the traditional pots by far. I have 6 Bills Figs pots and they give me the absolute best results I have seen in 20 years of growing figs. I get over 100 figs out of each of those pots.
This method is worth a trial for all that haven't tried it. There are many you tube videos on building them.
I believe strongly on this method

I could be up to 250 pots by next summer. I have my greenhouse 15 min away fro Bill so I will have to pay him a visit in the spring. I'll pick up one of his pots. However, buying or making 250 of them will not work for me. I was also thinking of placing a standard pot on a tray of water. Wouldn't that be the same?

Btw Hydro Girl is not a fan of SIPs either.

ADelmanto,
SIPs when properly constructed and maintained provide a steady supply of water and nutrients to plants roots, with minimal waste of either, and is regulated by the actual plant growth. This results in steady uninterrupted growth. Side by side growth comparisons between Containers and SIPs are similar to comparisons between Containers and Hydroponic.

A tray of water under a pot will not work the same as a SIP because the soil will become waterlogged which will drown the roots. The design of a SIP involves a wick and an aeration platform above the water reservoir that allows for aeration of the mix. If a regular container and tray of water are to be used as a SIP, the bottom of the container should include a wick (to reduce the water/mix contact) and Aeration platform to keep most of the potting mix above the water in the tray. The roots will grow down into the water as more water is needed by the plant.
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An example of a nursery pot converted into a SIP...

BTW, top watering also contributes to the mix settling and compacting faster, reducing aeration (trapped air) in the potting mix. A simple example is to do a side by side comparison with 2 clear 32 oz cups with drainage holes in the bottom. With the same amount and type of mix in both, water one from the top and the other from the bottom.
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90% of my cuttings that I started in March were in 3 gal pots by October. Some I even up-potted from 3 gal to 15 gal. The up-potting to 15 gal was not entirely necessary at the moment, but would need to be done in the spring when I am already super busy. I actually have to work too. It really gets in the way of my gardening.

Very interesting topic y'all! All my potted trees are in 5gal pales,round or square with holes drilled on the bottom for drainage! As a result I have to water at least daily just like you all commented before! No problem there until you have to go away on a four day weekend trip and no one to babysit your figs,sooo I opted to try something new. A bucket within a bucket! That gave me about 3 inches of clearance (extra water) . I drilled a hole on the outer bucket at 5 inches from the ground up That gave me a 2 inch overlap the usefull amount that I thought was enough to sustain them for 4 days without causing damage to the roots and watered until the water overflowed through the side hole! Said a prayer and left for Panama City! Well it all went great and all the trees looked nice and lively when we got back home! All of Your ideas integrated in one quick ,last minute fix! I don t know if it's beneficial in the long run but at least it can cut waterings down to every other day or so! Thanks for all your very valuable info!

I think the value of SIPS shows up more dramatically once the trees are mature.  Trying to gauge based on one year when they're still pretty small (and not yet pushing the limits of the pot they're in) isn't a test that demonstrates the value as well.  Just my opinion.

In terms of steady supply of nutrients and water though, try growing tomatoes in them... wow!  I've rarely had such a successful year of tomato gardening as this year in SIPS.  Great productivity, and very little exposure to the usual tomato diseases.

Mike 

ChrisK - congrats on having found a good approach to avoiding the need to babysit them.  For me, that is one of the great benefits of these techniques that provide a bigger reservoir of water, together with some siphon effect.  Glad for your success!

I use a similar technique for keeping the Christmas tree watered too, when I go away.  (I keep it in a regular stand, but when I go away I put a wide (but relatively shallow) bin next to the tree stand, fill it to the height of the water already in the tree stand, and then connect the two containers with a water-filled tube.  Even though the tube has to rise above the rim of both containers, because it's filled with with water it effectively acts as one big reservoir... as the tree drinks water, water siphons from larger "reserve tank" through the tube and keeps the water level in the combined reservoirs even).  It's just a way to increase the size of the water supply without having the risk of valves and such.

Mike

I've seen Bill's method and started to experiment.  Though I am using a standard big plastic pot and start by filling the drain holes with silicon to make it watertight.

Does the wicking keep the entire soil mass at the right level of moisture?  In theory you're meant to cover the top of the pot to stop rain getting in. always imagined the soil at the top of the pot would dry out.

Does top dressing with fertilser still work?  How would it move through the soil down to the roots?

I guess plonking a standard pot in a saucer of water is the equivalent of using a wick that's just too big?

Thanks Charlie and Mike, glad I can add my 2c and help a little.
I bought this 21inch plastic and very robust laundry basket to use on one of my larger trees as SIPS next season! $6,95+ tax,not bad,the same size and quality flower pot was$40! Let me know what You think! Thanks guys!
Mike the Christmas tree idea very cool also, thanks for sharing!

About the laundry pot, good find but check to see what type of plastic.  It may degrade quickly in the sunlight in such case a painting the outside with plastic paint like krylon fusion may help.  I have seen those at wal mart and dollar store are like $5 but cheap and brittle.

Chris,

Laundry basket looks like a good size and worth a go but I think the plastic wouldn't be UV stabilised like a flower pot. Depending on the strength of the sun where you are, it might only last a season or two.

Thanks Mic,I was thinking about that also and Was planing to give it a cote of white insulating paint! It is UV rated and will probably help in keeping the roots cooler also! It adheres onto pvc and plastic! Worth giving it a shot I think!

Hi Chris
I have made many different SIP's over the years and have felt that pots that taper down on the bottom are not as effective as ones that are about the same diameter both top and bottom (think whisky barrel) 
Not that any of this should stop your efforts. It is a lot of fun experimenting with different pots and different methods.
Good luck to you !!, and let us know how your results come out.

Thanks Coop! All advice is more than welcome! Can,t wait till spring ! Will definitely report on my results!