Testing a "SWICK" type watering system for vacation watering.

[Weed Pharma]

I'm here for another 7 days, and thought I would test drive a SWICK- to see if it will last until I leave, at which time I will decide it's success or not.

Process:
Add 1.5L water-to the bottom on a 2 1/2 gal pale- drilled an exit hole just above the water level-
(The amount of water is what I usually feed the plant going into the SWICK- it's in a 2 gal nursery container, but a 3 gal would work too)

Add Perlite to the water and let it absorb (30 minutes) which create a slurry. think quicksand!
Next (topdress) add 1" of dry Perlite (do not mix in).

Place the plants nursery container on the dry Perlite and add more to the sides until you are above the drain holes (1 1/2" for this one).
***If you are using cloth pots- you can place place directly on the perlite and you are done.***

Insert a piece of irrigation hose- cut at a 45 degree angle into the bucket, below the 1.5L mark.
Add water until it drains out the whole (about 150mls on this example).
Return the entire SWICK and don't forget to move your lights higher!

I will be using a moisture meter every 3-4 days and see how it changes over the next week!

 

[Jibblerjoe]

Wow. Very interesting

 

[Weasel]

It's a system that is vulnerable to root rot over time, though you shouldn't develop any issues within a few weeks. Just make sure to flush out the perlite well fairly often, and dig down in there occasionally and sniff around for any bad rotting smells. Good luck, I hope it works well for you.

 

[Weed Pharma]

Update: The SWICK has worked very well with one watering at day 7- total days @ 16 and the plant has moist soil with little reserves.
The true test will be a 13 day trip, next month- when I will have these buckets watered at day #6 or 7, in a way anyone could do it-dump 1-1.5L water down the funnel (that's it)

Weasel- the roots did start to grow outside the pot into the perlite- I simply pruned the roots, but would expect root issues if you left it in more than a few weeks.

 

[Weasel]

Yeah. One way to get around this a bit is to wrap the pots in cloth material. Depending what material you use they may still be able to grow through.
The other issue which I think I probably mentioned was the risk of root rot with this system- which is basically an 'open reservoir'. Nutrients wash in to the mix, it gets light, warmth, food. Perfect breeding grounds for some nasties.
So change the perlite (wash, bleach and reuse) after your vacation.