Capillary Watering Wick Cord - Test Results Revealed
By Tim the Techno-Gardener
When shopping for houseplants at Home Depot, I stumbled upon a Fittonia plant with a unique twist—it came in a self-watering pot. Intrigued by the concept, I decided to dive deeper and see if this self-watering system could truly maintain a healthy soil moisture level over time.
The Self-Watering Pot Design
The pot consists of two main components: an outer reservoir container that holds water and an inner soil container that sits suspended above it. What immediately caught my attention was a rope hanging out of the bottom of the soil container. After some research, I learned that this rope is called a capillary watering wick cord, designed to pull water from the bottom reservoir into the soil through capillary action. The pot also features a small window on the side, allowing you to monitor the water level in the reservoir.
If the system works as promised, it could significantly reduce the need for frequent watering. Typically, small plants like this Fittonia require watering every two to three days, but with a reservoir capacity of one cup of water, I anticipated the need to refill only once a week.
The Experiment: Putting the Self-Watering Pot to the Test
To accurately measure the effectiveness of this self-watering system, I set up an experiment using a VH400 soil moisture sensor and a VegeHub. The VegeHub reads the sensor data and transmits it via WiFi to VegeCloud.com, where the data is stored and visualized. My setup involved taking soil moisture readings every four hours over a period of seven days.
The VH400 sensor is ideal for this kind of experiment as it is waterproof, durable, and resistant to corrosion. I started with the reservoir filled to 100 percent as indicated by the side window and set the system in motion under a grow light.
Analyzing the Results
After nearly two weeks of monitoring, the soil moisture results were promising. The data from VegeCloud revealed a steady, linear decrease in soil moisture—from nearly 70% down to 8% Volumetric Water Content (VWC). The graph clearly showed a significant drop-off after the reservoir depleted on day four, with the soil remaining adequately moist for 12 days.
For reference, the ideal moisture range for potting soil is between 20% and 40% VWC. Under normal circumstances, I would expect to water a small potted plant like this at least every three days. The self-watering pot with its capillary wick extended this period fourfold, offering a practical solution for plant care, particularly if you prefer to water on a weekly schedule.
Observations and Recommendations
One interesting finding was that the soil remained too wet during the first four days. Excess moisture can lead to root rot and reduced oxygen availability for the roots. To mitigate this, I recommend using a smaller wick for small plants to better regulate the water flow.
Additionally, I set up a time-lapse camera to capture the action of the watering wick over 12 hours, visually demonstrating how the wick draws water from the reservoir into the soil.
Final Thoughts
This experiment demonstrated the potential of self-watering pots to simplify plant care. By extending the watering interval and providing a consistent moisture supply, these pots can reduce maintenance, making them particularly useful for busy plant owners or those who travel frequently.
If you’re interested in experimenting with water wicks yourself, I’d be happy to share some spare wick material—just reach out through my contact link and cover the shipping cost. And if you’re looking for more gardening gadgets and automation ideas, check out Vegetronix.com.
Stay tuned for more experiments as I continue to blend engineering techniques with gardening and agriculture. Thanks for reading!