Self-Watering System for Poinsettias
Poinsettias can be very fussy about their watering needs.
And they're quick to complain when things aren't right.
The #1 killer of poinsettias is incorrect watering.
Watering can be a real guessing game with these plants. A plant in a hot office needs 2-3 times more water than a plant growing at home in a cool windowsill!
Imagine a system that keeps your poinsettias lush and beautiful without constant attention. All you do is add water to a reservoir at the bottom of the pot.
The plant will use the water as necessary.
Poinsettia growing in our self-watering system. Watering is once every 2-3 weeks.Converting your poinsettias to our self watering system is easy . Simply transfer the entire soil root ball into a (slightly) larger hydroponic planter!
The LECA pebbles at the bottom of the pot create a reservoir that stores water for future use. The pebbles around the root ball wick the moisture up to the plant gently and evenly. The roots get an even mix of air and water - just what your plant needs to stay lush and beautiful.
How To Plant a Poinsettia into a Self Watering System
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1. Select a hydroponic grow pot that's slightly larger than existing pot. There should be at least 1/2" of space between the soil root ball and the new grow pot on all sides. The new hydro pot should also be at least 1-2" deeper than the existing pot. | |
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2. Fill bottom of new culture pot with LECA pebbles. This creates a space at the bottom of the pot that will act as the reservoir. | |
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3. Carefully remove plant from its existing pot. Notice how thin and delicate poinsettia roots are. | |
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4. Position the plant in culture pot. Root ball should be sitting on top of 1-2" of LECA pebbles. | |
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5. Fill the space between the root ball and the grow pot with pebbles. | |
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6. Pack LECA pebbles in the gap around root ball. Be aggressive. Don't worry, you won't damage the roots. | |
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7. Insert water gauge to measure water level in reservoir. | |
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8. New plant in decorative outer pot. Spanish moss has been added for a more finished look. |
How to Water Your Plant in a "Self-Watering" System
Rather than actually watering the plant, you're filling the reservoir at the bottom of the pot. The wicking action of the pebbles will water the plant.
1. Pour water over the pebbles until the water gauge reads "Opt". Water passes through pebbles down to the reservoir at the bottom of the pot. The "wicking action" of the LECA pebbles will pull moisture up to the plant as needed.
2. Wait until the entire system is completely dry before rewatering. Wait several days after the water gauge reads empty to rewater. That allows the soil root ball inside the pot to dry out too. Your watering intervals should be once every 2-3 weeks.
 Water till gauge reads "opt" |
 Wait several days after gauge reads empty to rewater. This gives the system time to dry out completely. |
Forget about trying to judge when to water by sticking your finger in the soil. The water gauge will tell you when and how much to water!
All you have to do is have the patience to wait until the system is dry - then refill the reservoir. Plants can go 2-3 weeks or more between waterings! Great for people with busy schedules or have plans for traveling over the holidays.
Stand back and let the system do the work!
Getting Your Poinsettia to Rebloom