Problems with Self Watering Pots: Save Plants from Self-Watering Pots
“Self-watering” containers are another option for container gardening. Instead of drainage holes in the bottom, these bins have overflow holes on one side. The growing medium is placed on a perforated platform just above the reservoir. Plant roots extend into the water through the medium. In most cases, water is drawn into the medium from a reservoir.
These containers can be considered a hybrid of hydroponics (plant roots growing in nutrient-rich water) and traditional container gardening. Automatic watering containers help conserve water and nutrients and allow you to ignore containers for days.
The simplest application is to place a saucer under the pot. Excess water is either sucked into the media or drawn up by the roots reaching the saucer. Many commercial models are available, or you can create your own.
When you buy an automatic watering pot, it usually comes with a grow bed, water container, potting soil and a wicking system. Auto-watering pots use this wicking system to distribute the perfect amount of water to keep plants moist.
The plant roots in auto-watering pots absorb water and keep the roots well-watered. uptakes additional water from the soil to maintain a constant moisture level. With this bottom-up irrigation system, you only need to keep the reservoir filled with water throughout the growing season.
Why are watering pots bad? Problems you face in watering pot:
Potential mosquito breeding grounds
The main problem or cons with using automatic watering pots is that they can be mosquito breeding grounds. This is due to the drainage holes that allow water to accumulate in the reservoir. Due to watering planters work, water retained in the reservoir is the perfect place for mosquitoes to lay their eggs because the water is stagnant.
In most cases, mosquito eggs can hatch within 28 hours, and the constant high humidity in the pot facilitates mosquito breeding. This problem tends to be more severe if you live in a warm and humid country.
Self-watering pots are not ideal for every plant.
Some plants aren’t suitable for self-watering pots and these types of plants favor well-draining soil. These plants include cacti and succulents. If plants such as succulents are provided with continuous watering, they can die due to root deterioration.
This is because succulents and cacti are native to desert environments, and they will need to dry out in between watering sessions. Hence, self-watering pots won’t work for plants such as cacti and succulents.
Can damage plant roots.
Normally, most plants like to spread their roots and watering pots’ top disadvantage includes damaging roots. Therefore, their roots can push out in any direction, including the ground. There is an automatic watering planter under the flowerpot.
Now when the roots branch in the pot of the watering planter, water overflows in the roots. When plant roots land in clean water, the lack of oxygen limits plant growth, and this is the reason for watering pots’ bad working style.
Can attract algal and fungal gnats.
The constant soil moisture due to water supplied by the automatic watering planter can make plants susceptible to algal and fungal gnats. Therefore, algae may thrive or grow due to excess moisture in the soil. The presence of algae can be a problem as it greatly affects plant growth by competing for water and nutrients. There is a fungal gnat, an insect the size of a fruit fly that usually looks like a mosquito.
Fungus gnats usually infest most houseplants. These fungal gnats are attracted to the moisture present in the soil and tend to lay their eggs in organic matter on the soil surface. In as little as a week, the eggs hatch into larvae, which burrow into the ground where the fungus grows. and eat decaying plants.
Self-watering pots are a bit expensive
Of course, it’s more economical to buy standard planters. Automatic watering pots are more complicated to initially set up and require a few additional parts to run efficiently. Prices vary entirely depending on the size and style you choose. One way to look at it is: Automatic watering pots help you save money on your water bill and eliminate the need to run to the store to replace dry or over-watered plants.
The pots are not for watering outdoor plants.
Plants need oxygen to live, but they should not risk death to get it. Keeping plants outdoors exposes them to all kinds of weather conditions and, conversely, risks overwatering, starvation, and freezing. Automatic watering pots are equipped with overflow holes, which do not help the plants during heavy rains. They will keep your plants hydrated regardless of humidity, so you have a responsibility to protect them.
On the other hand, if a plant is exposed to direct sunlight, it will not even be able to retain moisture in the soil. The potting soil will dry out completely, the water in the reservoir will evaporate, and the sub-irrigation system will inevitably fail. It is harmful to plant health. In low temperatures, the water in the reservoir can freeze and it can harm the plant. If the necessary precautions are not taken, the water in the tank will freeze, causing the compartment to swell, bend, warp, or crack.
Causes toxic mineral deposits.
Minerals that are not absorbed by plants dissolve in water to form soluble salts. Their high concentration in water is due to the need to add water-soluble fertilizers to the potting soil when caring for plants to ensure better quality and provide nutritious nutrition to the plants. Evaporation causes residual minerals and salts to gradually accumulate on the surface and become toxic.
As a result, the leaves of the plant begin to fall off, wither and change color. Left untreated, the sediment will eventually kill your plant. Although more information can be found online about preventing salt build-up, there remains a long-term complication associated with automatic watering containers.
A common misconception among new plant parents is that you can fill a reservoir with water and leave it there. You need to understand your plant’s needs and monitor, assess, and provide suitable soil. Automatic watering does not mean filling the reservoir and then walking away.
What are watering pots top benefits?
Time saver
Consider the environmental cons of self-watering planters. These devices are designed to save water and dispense the right amount at the right time. Using automatic watering can save you time using sprinklers and hoses. If you’re a chronic waterer, a self-watering pot will definitely be a great garden companion for you.
Auto Watering Planters Work and Come in a Variety of Styles As
Auto Watering containers become trendier, and manufacturers are finding new ways to let gardeners express their style, also it can avoid self-watering planters’ problems. There are simple pots, large planters, whole wall elements, or flower boxes in black, white, or concrete. Once you’ve decided which plants to put in your automatic watering pot and where to store them, choose the best pot for the job.
The planter is environment friendly.
Environmentally Friendly: Consider the environmental benefits of the Automatic Watering Pot. With an automatic watering pot, you spend less time with sprinklers and hoses. If you are a chronic waterer, a self-watering pot will definitely make a great garden companion for you.
The Self Watering Pots offers great benefits and convenience for busy people. Before heading to the nursery, however, you should research the target plants for the pot. If the plant doesn’t mind constantly moist soil and doesn’t form extensive roots, you can start using watering pots, final results depend on your needs.