How to water properly with PET bottles - a guide
Complicated instructions for watering flower boxes with a plastic bottle can be found in many forums: the bottom should be cut off, the bottle neck perforated and the lid must remain screwed on. Others advise to leave the bottom on the bottle (it is also better, because after that you can get the deposit back) and instead just perforate it. The system works wonderfully without any cutting or puncturing measures:
- First, water your plants as usual.
- Water them well so that the soil is thoroughly moistened.
- Unscrew the lid from a PET or glass bottle.
- Take a 1.5 liter bottle with solid walls.
- You can also use two to three bottles for balcony boxes and large pots.
- Fill it completely with water.
- Insert the bottle upside down (with the bottle neck down) deep into the substrate.
- Do not damage any roots.
also read
- Collect PET bottles for a slightly different greenhouse
- Optimal Watering of Potted Plants - 3 Proven Methods
- Building DIY irrigation for potted plants yourself - ideas and instructions
First wait a little: if the substrate was not yet moist enough, the bottle often empties within a few minutes. In that case, just fill it up again and put it back in.
What am I doing wrong if the bottle empties too quickly?
If the bottle empties again and again within a very short time, you are probably using the wrong type: PET bottles with thin, soft walls are unsuitable for this purpose. They purr too quickly and release the water unhindered into the planter. Instead, use PET bottles with thick, sturdy walls or glass bottles. With the latter, however, you should exercise caution: In very sunny and hot locations, glass acts like a magnifying glass and can cause fires. Always install such bottles where there is no direct sunlight.
Is it worth buying bottle attachments?
Various manufacturers offer so-called irrigation attachments made of plastic or clay, which fit on all common plastic bottles and are supposed to perfect the water delivery. You can save plastic attachments, as experience has shown that these do not work better than bottles without any attachment. Clay attachments, on the other hand, are highly recommended as they release the water reliably and continuously. However, you have to make holes in the bottom of the bottle when using such an attachment.
Tips
Watering the plants also works very well with a water bucket and a thick piece of string (preferably made of cotton). To do this, put one end of the cord in the water bucket and one in the flower pot.
