In this video, I’m showing you how I created capillary mat tables and trays of all sizes to help you water lots of seedlings without stress or worry. Even regular watering of seedlings and plants in your greenhouse.
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33 Comments
What is the spelling of the felt mat?
What a clever idea! I'm actually the opposite. Plants can be heard begging for water here. I am always turning around and finding plants that have dried out completely, poor things. Any tips for stopping the white mould on the soil surface? In the conservatory I have those self-watering pots with the strips of fabric that draw up the water, but because the soil is moist, I always end up with white mould. Very frustrating. xx
I've got a few long weekend trips over the next couple of months and was getting twitched about my greenhouse seedlings and plants suffering when left alone (honestly, they're better at causing worry, work and stress than looking after human kids!)
So I've just ordered this matting. Thank you once again Eli (and Kate of course) for your timely tips. Love you both x
Thanks for all your great tips! How do you use the capillary mating with your indoor plants? I'm thinking something similar with raising the plant up to create a reservoir for the water, but do you have problems with your plants not being stable and falling? I've got a very active and bouncy boy and three dogs, so stabilization is important in my house. As it is I spend an enormous amount of time picking up things that have taken a tumble.
Great video again Eli, have been using this tip successfully since I first found your site, keep up the great work 😊
This is spooky as I spent part of this afternoon replacing my capilliary matting in my staging. In fairness I started doing this after your video from some time ago where you were sceptical of the efficiency of this method but were converted. It's incredible how much I've learned from your brilliant videos.
I looked into capillary mats and found most were made of polypropylene (not biodegradable so wind up in the landfill versus the compost pile when they get manky). I remembered that organic microgreens were sometimes sprouted on mats made of paper, wood fiber or jute. That last one got me thinking: Burlap is made from jute so it may be a longer lasting reusable and biodegradable option as capillary matting. And cheaper too!
The initial watering can also be done from below by setting the pots in a tray filled with water without the supports, then transferred onto a tray with the supports and matting after saturation.
I like that idea but I think the advice to “let the plant tell you” is even more valuable as I’m forever watering dry tops even tho the plants are looking perky enough. Lost my aubergines to root rot and the courgettes are looking dodgy too now – I can’t help myself 😢
So helpful …from a chronic over waterer!! Thank you
My seedlings thank you, and my water bill thanks you. Now, what to do with all this twitchy energy…. Good video, as always.
Great stuff, thanks Eli. I am going to adopt this method to reduce wasting time pratting putting my seedling pots/trays in a big tray full of water for a amount of time, then removing them to be replaced by another set of thirsty pots/trays, and continue until everything has been watered.
I planted my first seeds a few days ago and am already freaking out that they’re too dry. This is very helpful 😍
This is not just useful for first time gardeners. I have a problem keeping my seedling trays evenly damp in the greenhouse. This happens because I have sun on one side of the greenhouse and not on the other. I never even considered a capillary tray. Good advice!
I'm guilty as well. My husband is a double trouble waterer. We have an honor chart and have to mark when we water the starts. By the looks you may be on the way leading a "over waterer's anonymous…OWA group. big cheeky grin…
Turn the pot everyday on the mat, Brilliant advice.
I'm half way there, I have a container that holds water that I put my pots in…. but, um, yeah…. after actually having a bit of rain recently (and thanks to my handiwork, my greenhouse roof has points where it leaks)… they got a bit over watered. They may be ok… I just took them out and placed them elsewhere while the water dries up a bit 😀 I'll have to look for some capillary matting and some standoffs to improve my setup 😀
So if it’s time for you to prick out and pot on those tiny seedlings, this video will be useful to watch next
https://youtu.be/2rQ_of9sVUY
Great tips! I seen another video on this on a larger scale using a rain gutter on edge of plastic covered table with capillary mat. I wondered on hotter days if it would keep up?
I may use a more natural fiber mat, but it will save me from being the enthusiastic over-waterer.
I live in a temperate rainforest zone, that's my excuse.🤣
I've tried it at the beginning, but I had troubles with those tiny flies (not the fruit ones) and decided to stop it again and the flies went away. This was in the house, don't you have that problem? And if so, how do you deal with it? Happy Easter! Nice video again
Great tips for those of us that belong to AWA (avid waterers anonymous). 🤣🌱🥰👍 TFS
can you do this without the capillary matting?
If you’re having trouble with overwatering in the house, there are many options for self watering plant pots for indoors. I bought some from Amazon and my plants have never been healthier. My peace lilies love it so much, they keep flowering. It used to be years between flowers and now they just keep coming.
Great video thank you
I did this with some short trays last year and they got some grow trays which fit on my shelf with the capillary matting
9:51 That’s really useful Eli. Thanks. On a separate subject I was watching one of your older videos about making your own potting compost. Do you use the same recipe for your seed compost and potting compost? Thanks for your help.
My name is Danny and I am a severe under waterer! So this will really help me❤
Hi Eli & Kate, this is a great video with lots of helpful tips on how capillary matting helps your plants. Thanks for sharing and take care 😊
Fantastic video – I have watched your channel for a long while and this tutorial for me is one of the best … from an avid waterer.
Hi Eli and Kate great tip on watering will give ago,can I also can I ask you girls if you made your own hoop covers noticed them in your garden or did you buy in kit ? Hugs from Shropshire 🌻
Just back from my allotment having installed several self watering systems. Great video, just what I was looking for.
Omg THANKU 😂 I'm a very new container veg grower last Yr I moved in to a house with a little garden paradise, I've been very very poorly, and potter, rest, potter rest the fatigue is bad, but growing tomatoes and runner beans last Yr was amazing. This year I'm nursing runner beans, tomatoes, strawberries, peppers and 2 cucumbers. It's fab for my mental health and I get my hubby to do all the lifting etc. I've learnt so much from you and others on YouTube. Thanku, I've ordered the mats I feel they are going to be a revelation. 😅keep up the great vlogs ❤xxxx
I like this idea, Most of my seedlings are already in progress but I will get the matting and give this a go for next year because I will put my hands up …guilty as charged, I am an over waterer😁 p.s. loved the videos with yourself and Gardener Scott. ………West coast gardener