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Slow soaking hanging soda bottle planter

Slow soaking hanging soda bottle planter
A different take on the inverted soda bottle planters. I find this is more effective in A) using more of the material being recycled, and B) creating a slow soaking watering system so water will not pour out the bottom after watering.
 
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Step 1Collect your utensils

Collect your utensils
I don't drink soda, so I asked friends to collect large soda bottles from their work places where recycling is not exactly custom practice (and my friends recycle at home so they were all out) for me for this project.
You will need:
Large size soda bottle
Duct Tape
Hole punch
Exacto or other blade knife
String, chain or wire for hanging
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21 comments
Jun 22, 2010. 7:43 PMrandomsabers says:
Try a sock to help guard the bottle from the sun. Just clip the toe off of an old black sock (ok...so I used a hockey sock which is kind of cheating because its close to 24" long, and colored) - but I imagine that the average black sock could still be pulled over the outside of the bottle. Do it before you plant...its much easier, I am sure
Feb 16, 2010. 11:54 PMluckyduese says:
what keeps the dirt from falling out the neck when it hangs upside down?
Jun 7, 2010. 4:08 PMurbanwoodswalker says:
I was wondering the exact same thing!
Apr 30, 2010. 11:00 AMmikitakas says:
The Joker, nice song 
Mar 28, 2010. 8:33 PMbotronics says:
Just planted a tomato in a 2 litre bottle.  I will use foil to keep out the sunlight.  I bet the bottle gets too hot in the sun if it is naked. Anyone grown a tomato in a 2 litre bottle? I also planted a bell pepper in a second bottle. Will keep you posted if it works.
Feb 26, 2010. 7:20 PMjoeymmeezz says:
 ive been growing stuff in plastic bottles and ive notice that i get mold inside
has any had this happen to them please reply
thanks..
Mar 25, 2010. 10:52 AMbepartial says:
When I have used these bottles as pots, I found that I, too, got mold growing, but only when I did not rinse out the bottles with very hot water.  When I did that before using them as planters, I had no mold or fungus.  I'm guessing it might be something to do with the sugar or other chemicals in the soda.
Feb 15, 2010. 1:59 PMKaber says:
I found that Arrowhead water makes 3L bottles, that have an invert iin the bottom- I will be seeing how well it works. I think I'll combine your water soaking idea with the inverted bump idea of 'Matt's Hanging Planter'
I planned on sewing a cover with some fabric scraps.
Oct 25, 2009. 5:37 AMDELETED_madscientist167 says:
(removed by author or community request)
Oct 26, 2009. 12:46 PMDELETED_madscientist167 says:
(removed by author or community request)
Jul 9, 2009. 8:52 AMbamboochik says:
Great! I made something similar last year and made a pretty skirt out of material I had around..took all of five minutes with fabric glue. Using these bottles for cherry tomatoes works great. Mine were loaded. Keep up the imaginative work!
Jun 26, 2009. 5:57 AMhybridracers says:
As mentioned, sunlight and roots dont mix, this is why planter bukets are opaque. Ive yet to see someone make this work with a tomato plant as well. Id like to though, I made four of these, painted the outsides and planted tomato in them. I think either our nightly winds have stunted and killed off 3 of the 4 or the container is just too small for tomato. If anyone has one of these 2 liter planters that works please feel free to chime in with a pic of a producing tomato plant in it.
Jun 25, 2009. 9:54 AMfw2000 says:
Watching roots is fun but watch closely for the deadly equation. "Moisture + nutrients + light = Algae. How often do you have to water?
Jun 25, 2009. 9:43 AMfw2000 says:
Try reversing step 2 and step 3. When you are OCD like Monk and myself the bottom of the label is a good cut line and is much easier to see than an illusionary seam that I cannot see even with my readers.
Jun 24, 2009. 12:12 PMhooner26 says:
Easiest and cleanest way to remove the label is to add hot water while your rinsing it. Let sit for a sec with enough hot water to cover the label. Then just gently peel it off. Normally you can remove the label in one whole piece glue and all.
Jun 17, 2009. 2:01 PMl8nite says:
great idea, Im just wondering if a 2liter has enough root space for a tomato plant. Can you document the growth through the season for us and show your results?
Jun 4, 2009. 4:12 PMPuQuak says:
You could use an old towel to make a curtain around the bottle to cover the bottle and still let you peek at the roots.

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