Category: Wick systems

Posted on

Growing peppers with AutoPot products + AutoPot discount code

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through them.

For 10% off AutoPot products, used the coupon code pepperdactyl10 or follow this link to have the coupon code automatically applied -> https://www.autopot-usa.com?coupon=pepperdactyl10

This is my first year trying Autopot products, and so far I am impressed. Currently, I have two separate setups on my front porch. One has a 12-gallon reservoir attached to an Easy2Go valve, sitting in a 4×2 tray that is feeding seven three-gal container pepper plants. The other setup also has a 12-gallon reservoir but is feeding three plants, each with its own auto valve. One is in a 3.9-gallon pot, the other two are in 5-gallon fabric pots. I started feeding the plants GH MaxiGro, but have switched to GH MaxiBloom.

Before setting these up, I used another product that AutoPot sells, called Coco Mat. These fit in their trays and allow nutrients to wick up through the bottoms of the pots, which are sitting on top. I used this method for staging my peppers after coming out of the AeroGardens until they were ready to plant outside in their final containers.

I recommend going to the AutoPot USA website and starting with a complete kit, but while you’re there purchase some extra tubing and fittings. This will allow to you expand and/or replace as needed. It’ll save you to purchase the extras now instead of paying shipping on them later.

Remember to use the coupon code pepperdactyl10 on the AutoPot USA website for 10% off your purchase. You can use this as many times as you want.

Posted on

How to make a self-watering container for growing peppers – DIY step-by-step guide

How to make a self-watering container - step by step guide

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through the following product links.

How to make a self-watering container for growing peppers – DIY step-by-step guide.

In the video below, I show step by step, how to build a self-watering container. These are also known as sub-irrigated planters. The bucket-in-bucket setup is a very common self-watering container design. They work similarly to the Earth Box and the GroBucket systems. They are a bit time-consuming to make. For an easier, simpler option, check out the GroBucket.

Materials needed:
– 2 x 5-gallon buckets – https://amzn.to/3fBJqDz
– Drill – https://amzn.to/344EOR0
– 3-inch hole saw – https://amzn.to/3vgLw2b
– 1 1/4 inch hold saw – https://amzn.to/3hMNOCs
– 5/16 inch drill bit – https://amzn.to/3fcilaZ
– 2 x 3-inch net cups – https://amzn.to/3fDuULw
– Zip ties – https://amzn.to/2Sl3IZL
– 3 feet of 1-inch schedule 40 PVC pipe – https://amzn.to/348boRT

YouTube player
Posted on

GroBucket self-watering container system

GroBucket
GroBucket

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through the following product links.

The GroBucket is a system developed by GroTech, designed to insert directly into any 5-gallon bucket. It converts the 5-gallon bucket to a self-watering container, aka sub-irrigated planter. It contains the main insert, a fill tube, a water level indicator, and a fill tube cap. I purchased a three-pack, but they also come in a 10-pack.

GroBucket (3-pack) – https://amzn.to/3xzVD3r
GroBucket (10-pack) – https://amzn.to/3ihgPF1

YouTube player
YouTube player
Posted on

Easy DIY wicking systems you can easily make at home

YouTube player

In this video, I show an easy way to test and make wicking systems from household materials. I show two easy DIY methods for installing wicks, and a way to test wicking material to make sure that it works properly. For the demonstration, I use a Basil plant and a propagated pepper clone.

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through the following links.

Nylon rope for wicking: 1/8″ – https://amzn.to/2T6EprV
3/8″ (for larger setups) – https://amzn.to/3cCSBkr
Coco Coir – https://amzn.to/3fTSD9y Nursery pots – https://amzn.to/2Tbr5Tj Masterblend – https://amzn.to/2Z4sAqd
Calcium Nitrate – https://amzn.to/36aGR6k
Epsom Salt – https://amzn.to/36aGVmA
How to mix Masterblend – https://www.pepperinfo.com/hydroponics/everything-you-need-for-mixing-masterblend/

Posted on

Easy, cheap, DIY wicking cups

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through links in this post. This is at no extra cost to you and helps support my website and YouTube efforts.

This year I’ve transplanted most of my sprouts from the AeroGarden Bounty and my DIY system, into Styrofoam wicking cups. These are super easy and quick to make. They are nice intermediate vessels for the plants until being moved to their final location. These setups also provide more flexibility than standard double cups do. For instance, you could remove them from the bottom cup and set in something larger for the plant/s to drink from.

Watch my video below to see how I make them.

YouTube player

Items that are shown or mentioned in the video:

– 20-ounce styrofoam cups ( You can also pick these up in the grocery store or places like WalMart) – https://amzn.to/2Cz2O1m
– Microfiber clothes – https://amzn.to/2WkSLUO
– HLG-100 grow light – https://amzn.to/2HVsCbv
– 48″ x 48″ x 80″ grow tent – https://amzn.to/2U5MxuJ
– Coco coir – https://amzn.to/2TuOi05
– Perlite – https://amzn.to/2uocFm7
– Dyna-Grp 7-9-5 – https://amzn.to/2uqDeH4

Posted on

Basil sprouting time-lapse

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through links in this post. This is at no extra cost to you and helps support my website and YouTube channel.

I’m currently testing a Sansi 40-watt grow light with two wicking hydroponic systems, a kit made by Ball and one I made. This is a review of the Basil seeds sprouting in both systems. I’ll post the full video soon show how these are made, and a review of the grow light. This same method would work great for pepper seeds.

YouTube player
Posted on

10 gallon float tote setup

I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. This is at no extra cost to you and helps support my site and YouTube channel.

10-Gallon Float Tote setup
10-Gallon Float Tote

I set up a 10-gallon float valve fed Kratky tote last year growing Holy Basil indoors. I’ve since harvested that Basil and am now using that for growing a large pepper plant. I moved this system outdoors to my porch. The pepper is an unintentional cross, was supposed to originally be a Lightning Mustard Hab, but produced large hot chocolate pods. This plant is from saved seed off the crossed pepper. I’ve been growing it in a small wicking tub, and it is drinking at the rate where I have to add nutrients every day. It was getting Masterblend, Epsom Salt, and Calcium Nitrate, but I switched it to Flora Nova series Grow formula. This was a gift to me from Pepper Donkey.

Video

YouTube player
Posted on

Easy DIY seed starting system using water bottles

I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. This is at no extra cost to you and helps support my site and YouTube channel.

DIY germinating/sprouting bottles
DIY germinating/sprouting bottles

How to make cheap and easy DIY seed starting system from plastic water bottles. Each bottle becomes a self-enclosed wicking/sprouting chamber. You can use this method to start several seeds, then separate them out later for growing in larger systems.

Materials needed:

Video of the process

YouTube player
Posted on

Wick system comparison update- White Devil’s Tail – 8/26/17

Two wick systems side by side comparison with plants.
Wick systems comparison

Update

Here’s an update on the comparison between my two wicking systems, each with a White Devil’s Tail. One is in a single 5 gallon bucket with a 6 inch net pot and wick hanging down in solution. This one has a deep reservoir than just just below the bottom of the net pot. The other is in a diy Earthbox style self watering container, consisting of two 5-gallon buckets. The internal bucket is full of potting mix. It has a shallow reservoir.

Video

See this video to see the full comparison and results as of 8/26/17 that show total pods and pod weight from each system.

YouTube player

Earlier update video here:

YouTube player