Loofah Sponge as a Replacement for Wicking Basket in SWC??

rnewste · January 11, 2011

Thinking of alternatives to a wicking basket in the EarthTainer to eliminate the Potting Mix sitting in the water reservoir. The benefit would be to have pristine water in the reservoir.

I've come across a 7 inch Loofah Sponge that I think would perform the necessary wicking into the Potting Mix, without collapsing as a traditional sponge would do under the weight of the Potting Mix poured on to the Aeration Bench.

Anyone with experiences using a Loofah Sponge to accomplish this - - or any alternative suggestions for a "hard" sponge-type wicking medium?

Raybo

sprtsguy76 · January 12, 2011

I haven't seen a loofah sponge in a long while but arent they fairly fibrous? I worry about thier wicking strength/capability. Have you done any wicking tests with these sponges?

Damon

rnewste · January 12, 2011

Damon,

I just ordered 2 of them last night. I am going to trial them in the 18 gallon InnTainers first, to evaluate the wicking properties. Yes, they are a bit coarse but with the compression of the Potting Mix on the sides / top, I am thinking they will compress inward.

Raybo

RinTinTin · January 13, 2011

Interesting idea. They should wick 'fairly' well, but as a singular column of wick, I would imagine that ALL roots are going to congregate to the ONE source of water. I would think that if they were cut into 1", or 1/2" strips, and dispersed throughout the growing medium, they would lead to a better overall root development. Unless they wick very well, the upper roots may never see one drop of that water. Curious to see how your experiment works out.

les matzek · January 13, 2011

grodan blocks work great!! for wicking in my minitainers the resevoir stays
very clean i also use a air stone in each minitainer running 24/7 the groth
rate is great also.

les

rnewste · January 13, 2011

Thanks Les, the 5.8 inch size might be feasible in the EarthTainer. I will ask my son to see if he carries them at his Store.

Ray

les matzek · January 14, 2011

you can buy grodan blocks in 6x6x6 and 8x8x8 (big mama?) all the blocks
can be cut to any size with a fine tooth skill saw blade or they cut easy
with a hack saw.

les

chalstonsc · January 14, 2011

Walmart has woven nylon rope in their camping dept. that I have suspended into the water resevoir in my homemade earthbox for wicking. I also use them for wicking water into 5 gallon containers, two or three (about a quarter inch in diameter) per 5 gallons....I bleach them and reuse. These or something similar you can space as needed, as long as there is sufficient support without the basket. Roots do grow through the rope and into the water.
Tom

January 11, 2011	#1
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	Loofah Sponge as a Replacement for Wicking Basket in SWC?? Thinking of alternatives to a wicking basket in the EarthTainer to eliminate the Potting Mix sitting in the water reservoir. The benefit would be to have pristine water in the reservoir. I've come across a 7 inch Loofah Sponge that I think would perform the necessary wicking into the Potting Mix, without collapsing as a traditional sponge would do under the weight of the Potting Mix poured on to the Aeration Bench. Anyone with experiences using a Loofah Sponge to accomplish this - - or any alternative suggestions for a "hard" sponge-type wicking medium? Raybo

January 12, 2011	#2
sprtsguy76 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: Santa Clara CA Posts: 1,125	I haven't seen a loofah sponge in a long while but arent they fairly fibrous? I worry about thier wicking strength/capability. Have you done any wicking tests with these sponges? Damon

January 13, 2011	#4
RinTinTin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Seattle Posts: 581	Interesting idea. They should wick 'fairly' well, but as a singular column of wick, I would imagine that ALL roots are going to congregate to the ONE source of water. I would think that if they were cut into 1", or 1/2" strips, and dispersed throughout the growing medium, they would lead to a better overall root development. Unless they wick very well, the upper roots may never see one drop of that water. Curious to see how your experiment works out.

January 13, 2011	#5
les matzek Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Landers, CA Posts: 191	grodan blocks work great!! for wicking in my minitainers the resevoir stays very clean i also use a air stone in each minitainer running 24/7 the groth rate is great also. les

January 14, 2011	#7
les matzek Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Landers, CA Posts: 191	you can buy grodan blocks in 6x6x6 and 8x8x8 (big mama?) all the blocks can be cut to any size with a fine tooth skill saw blade or they cut easy with a hack saw. les

January 14, 2011	#8
chalstonsc Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: sc Posts: 339	Walmart has woven nylon rope in their camping dept. that I have suspended into the water resevoir in my homemade earthbox for wicking. I also use them for wicking water into 5 gallon containers, two or three (about a quarter inch in diameter) per 5 gallons....I bleach them and reuse. These or something similar you can space as needed, as long as there is sufficient support without the basket. Roots do grow through the rope and into the water. Tom