Capillary Matting

[jeremyf]

My capillary matting works a little too well and the compost in the pots gets too wet/saturated. I use multipurpose compost. Can I add something to the compost to reduce the amout that is "sucked up" - perhaps sand/ grit. Anyone else had this problem. I dont want to reduce the amount that gets to the matting or it dries out in areas and its difficult to "wet" it again. I use a reservoir with a ribon of matting connecting the 2.

thanks

jeremy

[jeremyf]

[nilly71]

I don't know it it will work but, try pocking some string or strips of fabric into the pots and raise them slightly, this should act as a wick and draw the water up into the pot when it starts to dry out.

Neil

[Stevens706]

I had the opposite problem, I used pots but the holes are raised so unless the roots were directly in contact with the matting then the pot didn't take up any water, the biodegradable pots worked great, maybe try those.

[Vinlander]

My capillary matting works a little too well and the compost in the pots gets too wet/saturated.

Am I getting it wrong when I get this impression: - Is your capillary matting lying in the bottom of the drip tray??

If so the plants are effectively standing in water... capillary matting only works properly when the platform it's on is raised above the reservoir level.

You can then control the rate of supply by raising or lowering the platform. In general anything more than 2cm is only good for plants with vigorous roots that can actually get in contact with the mat (with wandering roots it's always best to put a layer of landscape fabric between the mat and the pots).

I use slates/faux slates or sheets of glass raised up on pieces of tile or plastic. You can use wood but it rots.

Cheers.

[jeremyf]

I use a washing up bowl for a reservoir, 3/4 of the height is below the matting and the other above. I get about 2 or 3 days out of a full washing up bowl from a bench of 2' by 6'. I have double thickness of matting - I found that single thickness dried out too fast in some areas. The matting sits on a galvanized sheet with no sides.
Perhaps I'll try and keep the level in the washing up bowl at the same height as the matting by using a ballcock?

PS I had to melt holes with a hot nail in most of my small pots as the holes were not in contact with the base - perhaps I should have made less holes.

Thanks