Again, purpose here is not to advertise. First time around, you guys were amazingly helpful! It is very much appreciated.
Reworking the design was more intensive than I thought, but I think I have arrived at something that meets the needs of succulents, but you all are the experts. So again, any feedback you have would be amazing.
Original post https://www.reddit.com/r/succulents/s/gxEePxbIzw
Cheers,
John
by NativesbyJohn
8 Comments
Saw your other post but had nothing new to add to that one.
The “posts” in your saucer and the corresponding holes in the pot – whats your jntent there? It strikes me as something that would end up getting “grit” in the way and preventing you from getting it back together.
You’re very creative! I like the smooth inside. I remember your last post didn’t have that.
This would not work for me personally. I like to water succulents and have the water pour out, then excess water gets caught by the tray below.
To have the water pour out you’d need to remove the bottom, which could be challenging when the pot is filled with soil.
The tray below will quickly flood with any excess water.
You need a wider and taller base tray. I don’t think it should attach to the pot. People do sell plants with trays like this, but I think they’re a hassle.
Hi, I used to design and print out my own pots for succulents. Good design, but like others said, this may not be suitable for succulents. This is what I would do for your design:
1. Swap the function of the holes in your planter. I would make the smaller holes for fixing it to the saucer or only 1 small hole for fixing it. It does not need that many to stay put in the saucer and would reduce soil from falling out. (The customer would need to add mesh to the large holes to prevent the soil from falling out or you can provide them)
2. I would additionally add a large drainage hole to the center.
3. If possible, it would be better to taper the shape of the planter towards the bottom. This would better allow water to drain.
Edit: personally I would not even try to fix the pot to the saucer as I like to bottom water my succulents
Hey John, nice revision! The work you’ve put in to revise this is very clear. I think you met all the needs folks expressed last time, so great work! I like where this has gone. Thanks for meeting our needs! 😊
The other commenters raise some interesting points on the saucer’s connection posts. Maybe keep things simple — medium open hole(s), no connection posts — as a balance? That matches what I look for in a pot usually (a hole for drainage, not so big that stuff falls out). It’s really pretty, so I bet you’ll get some buyers!
https://preview.redd.it/z2edlmnbuzag1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=713ac6ce59972696b34f3f85f143aa805790d840
So I drew a design that could work well for succulents.
To start, I added a drainage hole to the middle, and it’s just an open circle for fast efficient drainage.
Next, I filled in your 5 large drainage holes around the outside but I left 3 of your little cut-out window holes. The 5 larger holes will let too much dirt/sand fall out, but the smaller “window” holes you made are perfect.
Then I added 3 little (poorly drawn) V shaped legs to the bottom of the pot. This will allow airflow to travel under the pot and prevent mold/rot/mildew. Leg design can obviously be whatever you want, this was just a quick drawing.
Lastly, you can still have a drainage pan under the pot! I would just make the drainage pan slightly deeper so it can catch a little more water and make it smooth instead of having a more complicated cylindrical design in the middle for legs.
Overall I love the improvements over the previous design with the smooth inside and additional drainage holes! I think just simplifying the drainage pan (which should cut down on material cost there) and adding some legs to the pot itself will push you to the finish line on a good succulent pot!
Since no one has mentioned it yet: I think the shape isn’t ideal for succulents at all. For succulents, I always aim for a pot that’s rather shallow. Size wise, this one would be perfect for ‘normal’ plants. With succulents, I’d be afraid of the soil staying wet for too long
Hello! I agree with a lot of the other comments, especially the one that suggests shorter but longer/wider pots.
Personally, I kinda like the removable bottom. Like other commenters, I’ll also (sometimes) bottom water or soak and let it drain. I’m usually a little impatient and will want to move the plants back to their original spots before they are fully done dropping. For me, the drip tray holds a little water, but more than the current drip tray. It might need a slightly higher side.
I’m thinking of offsetting the hole-plugging pegs so that the pot is slightly raised from the drip tray bottom? Basically, pot drains from 5 holes that can be plugged. Pot sits on the plugs (red surface to red circles) and can still drain from the other open holes. Ideally, i could snap the bottom fully plugged or open to air.
Hope this helps and I really hope it makes sense!
https://preview.redd.it/2mv2xyyx61bg1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=caa433ecad7911fa5029cd106f93fa5866a544ec
Honestly, i love it. Is it made out of plastic?
Eta: i think i saw this post in the houseplants sub? I think the pot would be great for that, I’ve never had great success with succs in plastic pots as the pots retain too much water. But good for other types of plants. You could even make a variation on the original pot with the holes in the sides, if it was very porous it would work great for orchids as well.