Self watering thermal insulated greenhouse for seedlings/cuttings from water bottle.

Self watering thermal insulated greenhouse for seedlings/cuttings from water bottle.

Step 1:

Materials Easy time less than 5 minutes

Waterbotlle
Scissors
Paper towel
soil and seed or cutting
styrofoam cup
screwdriver

Step 2:

Cut water bottle 1/3 from bottom

Step 3:

put holes in bottom of cup

Step 4:

wrap paper towel around shaft of screwdriver

Step 5:

insert paper towel wrapped around screw driver through bottom of cup leaving1/4 length below cup

Step 6:

Fill cup with soil seed and or cutting with paper towel wick in center

Step 7:

Put cup in bottom of water bottle

Step 8:

Water and cover with top of bottle

Step 9:

Unscrew or remove cap to desired level of evaporation.

Comments

[aperkins01096]

Great job! Soil will actually wick up to one foot (potting mix) - but being able to see the water level, having it's own "cloche" that fits without falling over and how easy and handy this instructable is I will be making several of these for myself. Like the idea of the paper cup, too haoran!

[canno]

how is this self watering do you need to open the bottle and clean it?

[yanggers]

capillary action, or wicking.

[Devrimm]

It is very internesting. Isn't it a kind of " dehumidifier"? I was looking for this to use my little trees. Thanks!!!

[larsmunck]

Clever!

[7629]

 how does this self water?

[seenthing]

I tested, the wick shouldn't go to the top. It will make the soil to wet.

[haoran]

One minor improvement: use a paper cup. Then when you transplant the plant, you don't need to take the plant out of the cup, just plant the whole thing and let it biodegrade.

[TarzanJr]

why do you put the top of the top of the bottle above the plant doesnt it need air?

[LadyHvnly]

Can't you also just plant directly into your garden (or whatever) as the plant will break apart the cup..? hmmmm except the plastic bottle (bottom) would have to be removed first of course.. but i was thinking along the lines of the plant when ready for planting..

[mapmg]

You can leave the cap loose or off for air to the plants. There are also additional drain holes punched in the bottom of the cup for additional drainage.

[Scott_Tx]

Clever, me like

[Scott_Tx]

Oh yeah, should there be some gap or small holes for air for the plants?