FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Hi guys, is there a way to install self watering systems? Our whole family is going overseas for a bit, so no one will be able to water/care for the plants. Is there an app that can do something like that for you? For example, if I wanted to fill the flytraps trays with water to a certain level, how would I do that? What equipment will I need?

how many plants?

Have you tried self watering pots? They're like a pot inside a pot that wicks water to your substrate keeping it constantly moist.I usually don't have to refill mine for a couple weeks or so.

20 plants

Ooh, haven’t tried. How to make self watering pots? Is it cheap?

Something like this would work assuming your tray has enough space for a bottle.

Wow, that’s really cool!! How does the mechanism help the bottle know when to stop adding water? For example, in the video, the bottle stopped topping up the tray when it reached a halfway water level. And also, if the water levels get lower, will the bottle automatically top up the tray provided there’s remaining water inside?

The water will always stop when the level reaches the top of the water outlet, then as the water level drops from evaporation or use by plants, air will enter the bottle allowing water out till once again it is level with the water outlet and the atmospheric pressure pressing down stops the water coming out (will work up tho about 33 foot).

You dont actually need the top air inlet connection for a tray just the bottom outlet but the bottle will need supporting so the incoming air doesnt rock the bottle over.

Otherwise it can be done with a small pump, reservoir and level switch

Cheers
Steve

Good explanation Steve!

The set up in the video is indeed overly complicated. You could just take a bottle and poke a hole on the side, close to the bottom, at the same height you want the water level to be at. When you fill the bottle with water, plug up the hole with your finger. Make sure you close the bottle cap before removing your finger and placing it on the tray.

One issue I ran into is that if the hole is too small, air won't be able to enter the bottle with sufficient ease, so water will stop flowing. Make sure you test it out at least once and if this happens, just make the hole a bit bigger.

EGROEG wrote:Ooh, haven’t tried. How to make self watering pots? Is it cheap?

This is what I use. I have about 10 or so and my plants are doing great.
Mkono 6.5 Inch Plastic Planters... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M765LKF?re ... b_ap_share

Wow that’s pretty cool!! And thanks for the helpful explanations everyone

Do_Gon wrote:

EGROEG wrote:Ooh, haven’t tried. How to make self watering pots? Is it cheap?

This is what I use. I have about 10 or so and my plants are doing great.
Mkono 6.5 Inch Plastic Planters... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M765LKF?re ... b_ap_share

Nice pots! Can you elaborate on how you use them to make self watering pots?

mcgrumpers wrote:

Do_Gon wrote:

EGROEG wrote:Ooh, haven’t tried. How to make self watering pots? Is it cheap?

This is what I use. I have about 10 or so and my plants are doing great.
Mkono 6.5 Inch Plastic Planters... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M765LKF?re ... b_ap_share

Nice pots! Can you elaborate on how you use them to make self watering pots?

They are "double chambered" pots. A pot inside a bigger pot. Your substrate and plant sit in the smaller pot inside the larger pot. The larger pot holds the water and there's a wick that wicks up the water to the drying substrate.

Really cool! How moist/wet does it keep the media? What types of plants have you grown in it?

Wow that’ll be another thing to try