A ceramic self-watering planter is an investment in beauty and convenience. However, purchasing one of these containers won't solve all of your problems - you still must follow good growing practices. Also bear in mind that these planters aren't only for African Violets; they work as well for any moisture loving plant. The new miniature table ferns, especially, thrive in them.
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What You'll Need |
When you're choosing a pot, first pick one that is attractive to you. It should be slightly heavy, with the feel of good stoneware; it it shouldn't be so heavy that it feels like a doorstop; nor should it be so light that it's like plastic. If the pot's too heavy, not enough water can be absorbed into the inner pot, or insert; if the pot's too light, water is absorbed too quickly and in too great an amount. To give the proper rate of absortion the sides of the insert should be between 1/8" and 1/4" thick.
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Ceramic self-watering pots consist of two pieces, an outer reservoir for holding the fertilizer water and an inner pot or liner. While the outer pot is glazed inside and out, the inner pot is left unglazed at the bottom 2" to allow water to soak through the ceramic material so that moisture is supplied to the potting mix. |
Once you've chosen the container, select the plant to put in it. Be sure the plant is healthy - the planter will help to keep the plant in optimum condition, but it won't cure any diseases the plant already has. To set the plant in the container begin with a layer of perlite (Fig. 3) 1/2" to 1" deep in the bottom of the inner planter or insert. Pick up the plant and with your fingers work out as much of the old soil as possible. If the root ball is too large to fit into the liner, take a sharp knife and remove the lower 1/3 to 1/2 of the root ball. With an African Violet, at this point also remove the bottom row of leaves (or even two rows if the plant has become quite large) and pot the plant down into the liner so that the new bottom row of leaves is slightly above the top edge of the pot. Avoid cutting the root ball back too far, since you may over-pot the plant. For this same reason NEVER put a small African Violet in a large container. Add a very light potting medium - use a mix recommended for wicking or Texas style potting. If you use a commercial mix be sure to lighten it with equal parts of coarse vermiculite and coarse perlite. NEVER use regular potting soil - you'll end up with mud and a dead plant.
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Add a layer of perlite 1/2" to 1" deep to the bottom of the inner pot. |
Once you've set the plant in the pot, moisten the soil very lightly with clear, room temperature water then place the inner pot, or insert, in the outer pot, or reservoir, to which you have added plain room-temperature water. The level of the water or fertilizer soluton inthe reservoir should eb sufficient to come to a point no higher than 1-1/2" to 2" high on the outside of the insert. To keep from over filling the reservoir you can mark the insert wth a permanent marker (Fig. 2).
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Plant repotted and ready for insertion into the reservoir. Note the permanent mark on the outside of the inner liner to indicate water level in the reservoir. |
This brings us to fertilizers and fertilizer solution; the first time you add fertilizer solution to the reservoir should be the first time you add water after the initial start up of the plant in the planter. You can use any good fertilizer, diluted to 1/8 tsp. per gallon of water; don't use the strength recommended by the manufacturer, since it can - and probably will - burn the plant. Liquid fertilizers seem to work better than powdered types when mixed with water since they don't build up a crust of fertilizer salts around the edge of the pot as quickly as the powdered type. Good quality water is also important to the health of your plant. If your water is excessively hard or the only available water source is water that has been through a water softener, you might consider using bottled or distilled water. One of the advantages of ceramic self-watering pots is by excluding light from the water, algae growth is much less of a problem. Should you notice green algae growth in the reservoir, wash the reservoir with 1 Tbs. of bleach to 1 cup of water, rinse well and dry before refilling with fertilizer solution.
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Addition of water / fertilizer solution is quick and easy. |
Care for your violet at this point should be the same as for the rest of your collection. Supply the plant with a good light source either flourescent or natural light for 10 - 12 hours per day to encourage blooming. Repotting of the plant should occur every six to nine months with mini's and semi's more often. Begin repotting by letting the plant slightly dry out, then lift the plant from the inner pot. Throw away any loose soil and perlite left in the liner, then use a stiff, dry brush to clean the insert. Soak the insert in a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar to 1 quart of water for 20 minutes. Scrub the inside of the liner again with the brush, rinse thoroughly in fresh water and let dry. When dry repot the plant as described earlier.
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The completed repotting ready for display. |
A final word ... Ceramic pots are available in a wide variety of styles and colors from several sources. They can enhance the health of your plant by providing more even watering without the back and forth between wet and dry that the plant experiences with top or bottom watering methods. Be sure to take into consideration the final look you want to achieve. The pot should be used to complement and draw attention to the plant not overwhelm the visual effect. After all, it's that beautiful African Violet that we spend so much time and effort cultivating, always striving for our own brand of perfection.
Many thanks to Ed and Lois Holst of Country Road Violet 'N Things, Macon, Georgia for their help in providing the information for this page. Most of the text representation was extracted, with permission from their Ceramics Catalog. Questions can be directed to Ed or Lois at crviolet@mto.infi.net
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