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potatochips101

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
I've got drainage holes at the bottom of my plant's containers. In the heat of summer couldn't I just place them in a little pool of water with maybe a weak solution of kelp (or whatever fertilizer to keep them hydrated and fed) along with a sprinkling of mosquito dunks instead of constructing a sip?

Not knocking sips, I rather like the whole self watering ease but, I just don't have the time/resources on hand to construct a sip for all of my more than 50 plus plants.

Just looking for simple, affordable workable solutions.

What would you do in lieu of a sip?
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Maryland Zone 7a
Seeking: Panache Tiger Stripe, Ronde De Bordeaux,Black Bethlehem, Sicilian Red, Malta Black, Gino's Black, Col de Dame gris, Figo Preto, Orphan, Black Mission, Macool,Pastilliere, Malta Black, Battalagia Green, Maltese Falcon, Galicia

Please PM me if you have any of the above rooted cuttings or trees for sale or trade.
I am new to collecting so I don't have much to trade as yet.

Currently growing in containers:
Brown Turkey, Atreano,Alma Violetta, English Brown Turkey, Celeste, JH Adriatic, LSU Purple, LSU Tiger, Banana, Early Violette, Stanford, Green Ischia, Violette Du Bordeaux, Mary Lane, Petite Negra, Hollier, Alma, Chicago Hardy, Sals Corleone, Black Madiera, Smith, Desert King, Negronne, St. Rita, Atreano Gold,
greenfig

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
That is how I water my young figs in the 1 gal pots, until their roots get stronger and can handle more.
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bullet08

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
during summer my containers sit in water pan. it bottom feeds in the heat of the day. during fall, i remove the pan.
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Pete
Durham, NC
Zone 7b

"don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill
"the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher

***** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. *****
***** and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...*****
ascpete

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Potatochips101,
The Wading Pool Garden pioneered by Dr. Martin Price at Echo Community in Florida is what you are describing... Note attached descriptions and Link. Also Youtube videos of Larry Hall's implementation, if you search his channel you will find more videos on the subject. Good Luck.
[image008]
https://sites.google.com/site/wickgardening/home/wading-pool-basics





#t=827
potatochips101

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Very good. I will have to try it then.
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Maryland Zone 7a
Seeking: Panache Tiger Stripe, Ronde De Bordeaux,Black Bethlehem, Sicilian Red, Malta Black, Gino's Black, Col de Dame gris, Figo Preto, Orphan, Black Mission, Macool,Pastilliere, Malta Black, Battalagia Green, Maltese Falcon, Galicia

Please PM me if you have any of the above rooted cuttings or trees for sale or trade.
I am new to collecting so I don't have much to trade as yet.

Currently growing in containers:
Brown Turkey, Atreano,Alma Violetta, English Brown Turkey, Celeste, JH Adriatic, LSU Purple, LSU Tiger, Banana, Early Violette, Stanford, Green Ischia, Violette Du Bordeaux, Mary Lane, Petite Negra, Hollier, Alma, Chicago Hardy, Sals Corleone, Black Madiera, Smith, Desert King, Negronne, St. Rita, Atreano Gold,
milehighgirl

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
I'm just not feeling the individual SIP thing either. My mother grew african violets and we always just used a wick over a communal water reservoir. I don't understand why this would not work with figs. It seems that simply putting a few small holes in the low part (the feet) of a 2-liter bottle and sitting the bottle in a tray with water would work just as well and would be a whole lot easier. I have been using the baby pool method for my large plants for a while and plants seem to thrive, especially when it's really hot out.
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USDA Zone 5b, Sunset 2b

Looking for: Becane, Dalmatie, Doree, Florea, Hanc's EBT, Italian 258, LaRadek's EBT, Longue d'Aout, Marseilles White , Negronne, Nordland, Sal's EL, Strawberry Vert, ...anything cold hardy and short season. (Willing to pay for cuttings)
RichinNJ

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Why not go to Harbor Freight and buy their irrigation kit for $6 and you will be able to top irrigate like 20 plants. See YouTube for the instructions on how to assemble it. The ones that come with it are not so good.
milehighgirl

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Rich, I haven't found that top irrigation, even drip, works as well with potted plants as bottom watering. Pots can get hot in the sun and the evaporation or respiration is not replaced at the same rate it is used up with top watering. I just don't see why it has to be individual.
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USDA Zone 5b, Sunset 2b

Looking for: Becane, Dalmatie, Doree, Florea, Hanc's EBT, Italian 258, LaRadek's EBT, Longue d'Aout, Marseilles White , Negronne, Nordland, Sal's EL, Strawberry Vert, ...anything cold hardy and short season. (Willing to pay for cuttings)
RichinNJ

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
Quote:
Originally Posted by milehighgirl
Rich, I haven't found that top irrigation, even drip, works as well with potted plants as bottom watering. Pots can get hot in the sun and the evaporation or respiration is not replaced at the same rate it is used up with top watering. I just don't see why it has to be individual.



That would be a water control issue. The duration and frequency should be increased to meet the plants needs

I have read papers about SIPs and top irrigation in soil that have shown that the growth results are the same.

Soil-less growing is a whole different story. My results with indoor hydro have been astounding.
ascpete

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 
Milehighgirl,
For older callused fig plants bottom watering, whether in a communal SIP or individual SIP would work fine, but for young plants in their first few months the "wet feet" may lead to a high failure rates, because the cuttings and roots have not callussed and hardened.

RichinNJ's recommendation of the drip irrigation kit from Harbor freight, http://www.harborfreight.com/irrigation-drip-kit-46095.html , its a good, simple, serviceable fill system for individual sips or communal SIPs. I've used it and it works.
It could also be set as an automated "reservoir fill" when used in conjunction with a 3/4" hose end watering timer.
milehighgirl

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
I don't think I made myself clear. My plan was to use Promix HP in my mini sips, but instead of using the top of a 2-liter bottle inverted into the bottom, why not just put holes in the bottom and put them together in a tray to water as needed?
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USDA Zone 5b, Sunset 2b

Looking for: Becane, Dalmatie, Doree, Florea, Hanc's EBT, Italian 258, LaRadek's EBT, Longue d'Aout, Marseilles White , Negronne, Nordland, Sal's EL, Strawberry Vert, ...anything cold hardy and short season. (Willing to pay for cuttings)
recomer20

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
SIPS are interesting but I kinda worry about the water inside souring (mildew/mold) due to being mostly closed in. In Alabama, standing water, though, means mosquitoes and gnats might set up. I've been dunking my plants in about 4" tub of water every 4-5 days to bottom water. Not exactly ideal, but it's working under controlled indoor growing conditions. Not sure what I'll do this summer, but expect my battle will be too much rain.

I suspect SIPS might have the benefit of not evaporating too quickly (like a tray) and might alleviate exposure to bugs for standing water ??? 
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Rick C. Birmingham, AL z7b --- *INGROUND: S.C.Lemon ("Dr.Welch"), LSUpurple, Celeste (Std) *POTTED 3rd Yr: Alma, Atreano, BattGreen, GrnGreek, HardyChicago, ItalianBlack (Becnel), LSUGold?, MBvs, Sal's EL, Southern BT?, St.Jean, Jackie'sUnk *POTTED 2nd Yr: SunbirdUnkJP, BourjNoire, JHAdriatic, ValleNegra *ROOTING: RdB, ScottsBlk, BlkGreek-MN,Preto
ascpete

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 
Milehighgirl,
I did understand your intent.
IMO, and from experience, fig cuttings will not grow properly with "wet feet". The chances of the roots and bottom of the cuttings rotting will increase when kept wet.
milehighgirl

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
Okay, I appreciate all the input. I will continue with making my mini-SIPS.
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USDA Zone 5b, Sunset 2b

Looking for: Becane, Dalmatie, Doree, Florea, Hanc's EBT, Italian 258, LaRadek's EBT, Longue d'Aout, Marseilles White , Negronne, Nordland, Sal's EL, Strawberry Vert, ...anything cold hardy and short season. (Willing to pay for cuttings)
RichinNJ

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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
Quote:
Originally Posted by milehighgirl
I don't think I made myself clear. My plan was to use Promix HP in my mini sips, but instead of using the top of a 2-liter bottle inverted into the bottom, why not just put holes in the bottom and put them together in a tray to water as needed?


I've posted about using Ikea containers for humidity chambers, 14 hrs of lighting, bottom heat, perlite as growing media and hydro solutions. Works consistently for me.
strudeldog

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 
The mortor mixing trays you find by the concrete supplies work well for bottom watering very tough and size is manageable. I can put (9) 1 gal pots in the smaller size and they work good to tote them in/out during the spring temperature shuffles. They are only about $5.50 for the size I use.
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Phil N.GA. Zone 7 Looking for: De La Reina, Del La Senyora, Martinenca Rimada, Parfum De Cafards, Ponte Tresa,  Sangue Dulce, Emalyn's Purple, and on and on
milehighgirl

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Posted Reply with quote  #17 
Strudeldog, That's a great tip. They are also more durable than kiddie pools and don't look so funky.
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USDA Zone 5b, Sunset 2b

Looking for: Becane, Dalmatie, Doree, Florea, Hanc's EBT, Italian 258, LaRadek's EBT, Longue d'Aout, Marseilles White , Negronne, Nordland, Sal's EL, Strawberry Vert, ...anything cold hardy and short season. (Willing to pay for cuttings)
strudeldog

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Posted Reply with quote  #18 

Just wanted to state I don't leave any pots in the tubs with water for an extended period.  I keep my one gals in the 6 pack trays that I get discarded from Big box nursery stores which keep them upright and ease handling and just dunk the whole tray. If I do leave in tub I just add minimal water that gets taken up and pour off the excess.

I have toyed with the idea of a communal SIP by having a stiff wire grid supported by brick/wood block sitting in the tub with the pots on the grid each with a wick into the water.  If I did I would drill wholes in the sides at a level  to keep rain water from flooding the pots   I find these tubs very useful for a variety of uses. Right now they are pot saucers for my citrus wintering in sun porch. The Citrus are in larger pots you normally can’t find saucers that fit.  Here are some further comments  http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/my-most-useful-item-for-growing-figs-6532410
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Phil N.GA. Zone 7 Looking for: De La Reina, Del La Senyora, Martinenca Rimada, Parfum De Cafards, Ponte Tresa,  Sangue Dulce, Emalyn's Purple, and on and on
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