Capillary matting

[Ian in Cumbria]

Hello All

I am planning to grow sweet peppers, aubergines and chillis in pots on a capillary bench, fed manually as needed from above. The matting is covered by perforated plastic sheeting, is fed from a ballcock supplied tank and I have already used it with 3" pots to bring on garlic and shallots until the weather was fit to put them outside. This worked fine. My question is whether the capillary action into the pots will be adequate with bigger pots - will sufficient water lift far enough? The pots are designed for hydroponics, are 8" from base to rim and have good size holes in the base which is flat - no rims so the compost will be in good contact with the perforated plastic. I'd be quite happy to run without the plastic, ie the pots straight onto the matting which I instinctively feel would give the water an easier path. I've also read somewhere about wicks. I'm guessing that this would involve cutting a strip of matting, having one end in the compost, the other protruding out the bottom and trapped between the pot and the matting.

So, do I do as originally planned? Do it but without the perforated plastic sheet? Use wicks? Or am I doomed to failure!?

Regards

Ian

[Primrose]

I'm not an expert on capillary system so my comments won't answer your question, so probably not very helpful. My experience is that peppers & aubergines can be quite thirsty plants especially when they start to grow quite tall in large pots. I'm not sure whether your system would be adequate in hot weather when compost can dry out quickly.

I haven't got a greenhouse and line my peppers, aubergines and chillis up against a house wall and put them in either two long drip trays, or individual deep saucers. I find that when I water them, especially when I've been adding a liquid feed, the surplus water runs out into the drip trays and stays there so it isn't wasted as it doesn't take long to get soaked up again. When we've been on holiday, or in heavy rainy weather, the pots have had their bases soaking in this water for up to a week with the plants seeming to have no adverse affect.

[oldherbaceous]

Afternoon Ian, they will be fine, as the roots will want to seek the moisture from the bottom of the pot, and this is what will make a sturdy plant.

You just need to watch the plants when first planted into the larger pots, just until they get their roots down, as they may need a drink until then.

[Ian in Cumbria]

Thanks OH. Even with the perforated plastic sheet?

Regards

Ian

[oldherbaceous]

Evening Ian, i have perforated plastic sheets on my capillary matting and it works fine.

You can always try a pot on there for 24 hours just to see how much moisture the growing medium will soak up.

[Ian in Cumbria]

Thanks. Just wanted the reassurance. I'll do that and as you say, just keep a careful eye on them when I first put them in the big pots. Not yet awhile anyway though the seedlings are loving this sunny weather at the moment.

Regards

Ian

[Ian in Cumbria]

Dear OH

I did as you suggested, tried a pot filled with the compost I'm going to use. It seemed OK but maybe the take up was a bit slower than would be needed if there was a plant in there as well. Though maybe this would simply increase to suit. I know I have a fault in keeping compost too wet so maybe this is part of the problem as well. I have resisted giving the 3" pots on the matting any extra water and the plants are doing really well, despite the top of the compost looking "dry". Dig a little (1/2" or so) and there is moisture, so I'm going to continue to resist!

Now for the question (to OH and to anyone else with a view) - I have wondered about using some perlite mixed with the compost in the 8"pots for the peppers and aubergines. 20%? 30%? 50%? Do you think this would help with the water take up? I'll be feeding from the top as and when needed. Can you see any downside from using Perlite?

Regards

Ian

[John]

Hello Ian
As others have suggested I'm not sure that thirsty plants in big pots will be able to take up sufficient water from capillary matting.
Have thought of using a system based on those water retaining pebbles -I think they're called Hydroleca? You could stand your large pot in a bed of granules contained in a deepish water-tight tray. Larger roots would be able to grow into this. Water with a nutrient solution - a simple sort of hydroponic system. One big advantage of these pebbles is that they can be used for many seasons.

John

[oldherbaceous]

Afternoon Ian, i'm still sure it will work fine, as long as the capillary matting stays wet the compost will stay moist.

Don't forget, the plants you have listed are from fairly dry, hot countries.

I know i have said this before but, i have seen more plants struggling from over watering, than from underwatering.

If it ever becomes exceptionally hot, you can always flood the benches a little to give extra water.

Not sure about the perlite, i think i would make several pots up, of different mixtures and see if one takes the water up any quicker.

Although i don't think i would go above 20 percent perlite, myself.

[Ian in Cumbria]

Dear John and OH

Thanks both. I've time to experiment a little before I need to put the plants in. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm thinking that unless the experiments are conclusive before I plant, I might just put all the pots on the matting and not water a couple each of the Aubergines and the Peppers (apart from when I feed them) and see how they compare with the rest, which I would water if I thought they were a bit dry.

Regards

Ian