4 replies to this topic

[bugs]

I'm converting to mostly container gardening come summer. I've had a lot of success growing our favorite herb indoors in felt pots and want to use them for my peppers, maters, herbs etc. Anybody used them outside? Do they dry out a whole lot quicker than standard pots? I expect them to need more watering, just don't know how much. I have a ways to lug water.

 

On a related note, anyone used these?

 https://www.amazon.c...=watering stake

They're not gravity fed like blumats but rely on osmosis.

 

[Myc]

I'm taking notes since I'm planning on doing the same thing. My setup allows me to water with the lawn sprinklers so moisture loss is not really an issue - the outdoor garden is on an automated drip system. 

 

Cool idea. 

[Skywatcher]

I'm going to say it depends on what temperatures and RH you experience where you live. I tried them for a living wall, and thought I would be good because of the east (morning) lighting and partial shade the rest of the day. This is a cooler exposure. I however have very low humidity running from below 10% to around 20% max unless it rains. In my situation, in the winter cool months I could water every other or third day. Once warm weather came, 85-110 F, it was taking water twice a day, and I was disappointed.

 

I have however seen them set up in coastal locations where the temperatures and humidities are more a mediterranean climate. There it rarely gets above 80F, and the RH stays at 25%-35% or higher most of the time. Here they seem to thrive, and fine green mosses can be seen growing on the felt after they are established. Most I have seen that are successful use a drip watering system, since they are mostly used in upright gardens on walls.

 

Hope that helps.............

[bugs]

Thanks Myc and Sky, I'm back in the mode now and doing some planning. I think I'll try both gravity fed drip and Blumat lookalikes, see what happens. Worse comes to worst I can always cover the pots with plastic wrap. 

[illigitimateJester]

We used 500 gallon smart pots in NorCal outdoors......never had any issues.